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 61
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 61
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war of 1812, and poking it through a crack in the wall which had not been filled up, he shot and killed the deer. Just as he pulled the trigger he remembered it was Sunday, and he says that shot sounded to him like the report of a cannon. He was a great worker, and by his untiring energy and persevering industry he made out of his land one of the best improved farms in his township, on which he made his home until his death in 1858, at the age of sixty-nine years. His widow survived him until 1879. Both are buried in the Zoar Cemetery in Pike Town- ship. Mr. Kidder was a consistent Christian, and an active member of Zoar Methodist Episcopal church. He was class-leader of that church from its organization until his death. In politics he was formerly an old line Whig, but on the organization of the Republican party he became identified with it. James F. Kidder, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving his primary education in the old school-house on his father's farm. He commenced the study of medicine in 1860 with Doctor Reeves of Union City, and when that gentleman went to the war Doctor Kidder continued his studies under the pre- ceptorship of Dr. Thomas S. Shepherd, at New Mount Pleasant. Doctor Kidder was inarried January 18, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth J. Rhodes, a native of Jay Connty, and a daughter of John and Susannah (Kruser) Rhodes. Her father, who is now a resident of New Mount Pleasant, was the first justice of the peace of Jefferson Township, which office lie filled for twenty years. Doctor Kid- der practiced medicine in Randolph County for four years, and subsequently removed to Jersey County, Illinois, and practiced his profession two years at Fielden. He then came to New Mount Pleasant, and during his residence at this place he has built up a
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
large practice. Desiring to gain the benefits of the advancement in medical science, the doctor in 1877 and 1878 attended the old Cincinnati Medical College, of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a member of Halfway Lodge, No. 296, A. F. & A. M. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife belongs to the Campbellite church.
- ICHOLAS B. HUART, of the firm of Huart & Welch, proprietors of the grist- mill at New Corydon, was born in the kingdom of Belgium, May 23, 1830, where he lived until he came to America with his mother, two brothers and one sister, the father having died in Belginm in 1853, aged fifty- five years. The mother died in Seneca Coun- ty, Ohio, in 1872, aged fifty-four years. The brothers, Peter and Jolin, died in Williams County, Ohio, the former in 1884, aged forty- four years, and the latter in 1876, aged twenty-one years. The family located at New Biegel, Seneca County, Ohio, living on a farm seven years. During this time our subject taught parochial and district schools. After teaching twenty-four years he engaged in farming in Wyandotte County, same State, and later removed to this county, where lie followed farming four years. He then sold his farm and purchased his mill. He was married April 13, 1831, to Miss Veronica Fleck, who was born in Baden, Germany, Oc- tober 8, 1848, and came to America with her parents and six other children in 1851, locating in Wyandot County, Ohio, where the parents lived until their decease. The father was accidentally killed by the falling limb of a tree, and died two days after the accident oc- curred. He died in 1875, aged fifty-nine years. The mother died in 1882, also aged fifty-nine years, Mr. and Mrs. Huart have
eight children-William, Frank, Mary C., Veronica, Leonora E., Anna, Louis N. and Rosy. In politics Mr. Huart is a Democrat, and religiously lie is a member of the Catholic church. The mill now owned by Huart & Welch was built by Mr. McMackin about. thirty-five years ago as a water-mill. August Mackboushı purchased the mill and put in steam power for a few years, and it was oper- ated both as a water and steam-mill. Mr. Remarklns then bought the mill and owned it about eleven years. During this time his brother-in-law, Philip Welch, became a part- ner, and February 5, 1887, Mr. Huart pur- chased the interest of Mr. Remarklns. They are doing a large and successful business.
R. D. S. STANTON, of Portland, and one of the oldest practicing physicians of Jay County, was born in Waynes- ville, Warren County, Ohio, June 11, 1822, a son of Frederick Stanton, and a pioneer of Warren County. He died in Portland while here on a visit in 1863, aged about eighty years. The parents of our subject had a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, the doctor being the second son and fourth child. He came with his parents to Indiana in the spring of 1842, who settled on a farm near Richmond. He attended school at Richmond, and later taught two terms at school. He turned his attention to the study of medicine in his twenty-first year, and in 1843 he began reading medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Jenkins, of New- port. In the fall of 1844 he attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and after taking one course lie returned to the office of Dr. Jenkins, and in the spring of 1846 he graduted at Cincinnati. He engaged in the practice of his profession in 1845, a
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year before graduating, and July 6, 1848, he located at Portland, having had three years practice before coming here. He was mar- ried in February, 1848, to Miss Phoebe J. Branden, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1828, and of four children born to them three are living --- Ordillo, Jolin A. and Flora Belle. Their second child, Ella A., died in her ninth year. The doctor was one of the pioneer physicians of this part of the county, and established an extensive practice. He was reared a Whig, and while quite con- servative in his political views, he is identified with the Republican party. He was reared a Quaker, but is now a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
ENJAMIN NEWCOMER, of Bear Frescon Creek Township, has been a resident Jay County since 1849. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, April 23, 1824, son of Abram Newcomer, a native of Harrison County, Pennsylvania, and Catherine (Wolf) Newcomer, a native of Virginia. They were married in Columbiana County, and reared eleven children; two died in infancy. The father died in Hancock County, Ohio, at the age of eighty-three years, and the mother in the same county, aged eighty-three years. Benjamin's early life was spent in working on the farm, and later, occupied his time in clearing land. In 1843 he removed to Hancock County, Ohio, and before he arrived in Jay County he had cleared 290 acres of timber land. He was without means when he came to this county, but he had a strong arm and a brave heart. In 1851 he bought forty acres of wild land. He has since added to liis original purchase, until he now owns 350 acres of as good land as can be found in Jay County. February 2,
1853, he was married to Miss Mary Hoffner, born in Clarke County, Ohio, September 8, 1832, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Sours) Hoffner. Mr. Newcomer has resided on his present farm since 1853. He lias a good residence, a commodious barn and other farm buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer have six children-William Perry, Aquilla C., Cevilla H., Ceno C., Hosea L., and Win- field Seymour; three died when young. Mr. Newcomer is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Christian church.
EORGE WILLIAMS, a prominent farm- er of Jackson Township, is one of the well known old settlers of Jay County. He was born near Augusta, Georgia, July 17, 1799, a son of Thomas and Prudence (Rey- nolds) Williams. His father was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1765, and died May 26, 1847, and his mother was born in the same county August 2, 1763, and died August 23, 1849. His grandfather, Lewis Williams, was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and died at the age of ninety-three years, in the same house where he was born. Thomas and Prudence Williams had a family ofsix children -- Mariam, Edith, Isaac, George, Esther and Martha, George being the only one living. When he was five years of age, in 1804, his parents moved to Belmont County, Ohio, where he was reared amid the scenes of frontier life. He remained in that county until 1842, when he came to Jay Coun- ty, Indiana, and bought 178 acres of the farm where he now lives, which at that time was wild and uncultivated, there being on it, however, a rude log house and barn, and eight acres of clearing. Here he has since lived and has made all the improvements with which he is to-day surrounded, and has added to his
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
original purchase until he now has 258 acres. Mr. Williams was married January 24, 1822, to Rachel White, who was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1803, a dauglı- ter of James and Mary (Kent) White. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born twelve children-John, born February 21, 1823; Jesse, born September 12, 1825, died aged fifty-four years; Ann, born December 23, 1827, is the wife of Robert Register; James, born March 26, 1830, died after reaching manhood; Mary, born October 14, 1831, married Thomas Register, and is now deceased; Thomas, born October 3, 1833, died aged ten years; Prn- dence, born March 28, 1836, is the wife of Reece Gray ; George, born February 23, 1839, died aged ten years; Uriah, born January 27, 1841, died while serving his country during the war of the Rebellion; Rachel, deceased, born April 22, 1843, married Thomas Myers; Eli, born December 10, 1845, was married December 7, 1874, to Emily Fisher, daughter of Samuel and Susan Fisher, and has one child-Miles Wilber. Mrs. Williams died January 28, 1880. . In politics Mr. Williams is independent, voting for men not party, and in his religious views he is liberal.
W. MINCKS, homœopathic physician and surgeon, of Portland, and an active and enterprising citizen, was born in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in 1858. He was reared in his native city, receiving his education in the public schools and at Brooks College, and in 1877 he graduated from the Halinemann Medical College, of Cleveland. After his graduation he practiced for a time in the hospital at Cleveland, and soon after located at Portland, Jay County, Indiana, where he lias since followed his chosen profession. Doctor Mincks is the first
and only resident homœopathist of Portland, and although it lias devolved upon him to introduce tlie liomœopathic system, and over- come the prejudice which always exists toward an innovation of that kind, he has been quite successful in establishing a practice which is gradually increasing. The doctor is well skilled in the principle of his school of medi- cine, and is making a specialty of the diseases of children. He is a young man of much ability, and bids fair to rank among the lead- ing physicians of the county.
ANOS SMITHI, residing on section 33, Jefferson Township, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, the date of his birtlı be- ing March 25, 1835. The father of our sub- ject, Samuel Smith, was a native of New Jersey, and when a boy was taken by his father, Job Smith, to Wayne County, Ohio, and there he was reared and married to Mary Veal. She was a daughter of Enos and Mary Veal, who settled in Wayne County, Ohio, as early as 1816, coming from the State of New Jersey. The grandparents of Enos Smith, on both sides, died in Wayne County, as did also his parents. They reared a family of nine children-John C., at one time a resident of Jefferson Township and one of the magis- trates, returned to Wayne County, Ohio, where he died; Enos, the second child, the subject of this sketch; Matilda died in her fourteenth year; Mrs. Hannah Brown, a widow, living in Kansas; Job, who died Au- gust 26, 1886, was formerly a prominent farmer of Jefferson Township; Rachel died in her fourteenth year; Robert, a resident of Wayne County, Ohio; Andrew died aged twenty-one years, and Mrs. Rebecca Bird, also deceased. Enos Smith, the subject of this sketch, was reared to a farm life and has suc-
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cessfully followed that avocation through life. He was married in Wayne County, Indiana, in December, 1856, to Miss Nancy Jane Mc- Cullough, who was born in that county in 1834, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Mc- Cullough, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had seven children born to them- Andrew, who died aged two years; Samuel now living in Labette County, Kansas; John, died aged eight years; Elmer, residing at Powers, Jay County; Cora and Ida (twins), the former died aged two years and the latter now living in Labette County, Kansas, and Thomas M., living in Labette County, Kan- sas. Mr. Smith came to Jay County, Indiana, with his family Marchi 8, 1864, where lie set- tled on section 28, Jefferson Township, that location proving a very unhealthy one at that time. September 15, 1868, he moved to his present homestead on section 33, of the same township, where he has ninety acres of choice land. Besides his homestead farm he owns two tracts, one of eighty acres and one of forty acres, on section 29, Jefferson Township. Politically he is a Democrat. Although not a member of any religious denomination he is a liberal supporter of churches, and helped to build the Christian church at Powers.
AVID MILLER, engaged in farming and stock-raising in Penn Township, is a native of Ohio, born in Mercer Coun- ty, February 28, 1827, a son of John and Mary (Biddle) Miller. His father was also a native of Ohio, his father being a native of Virginia and of German descent. The mother of our subject was born in Maryland and was of French descent. The father being a farnı- er, our subject was reared to the same avoca- tion, and in his youthi received such an education as the common schools of that early 34
day afforded. He was married in April, 1847, to Miss Abigail Beardsley, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Bennett Beardsley. After his marriage Mr. Miller settled on a farm in Mercer County, Ohio, where he fol- lowed farming until the breaking out of the late war. He enlisted November 8, 1861, in Company K, Fortieth Ohio Infantry, and was attached to Garfield's command in the Ken- tucky division, and for one year his regiment was stationed at Big Sandy Creek. Mr. Miller participated with his regiment in the battle at Middle Creek, and after the battle of Stone River they were ordered to Tennes- see, and took part in the battles of Franklin, Van Dorn's Landing, Duck River, Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, taking of Atlanta, Chickamauga, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station, after which they retreated to Nashville, participating in the battle there. At the first battle of Franklin Mr. Miller was kicked by a mule, which dis- abled him from duty, and for two months lie remained in hospital at Nashville. He has never fully recovered from the effects. He was honorably discharged from the service at Nashville December 18, 1866, when he re- turned to his home in Ohio. He followed farming in his native State until March 10, 1880, when he came to Jay County and pur- chased his present farm on section 13, Penn Township, where he has forty acres of well improved land under a fine state of cultiva- tion. Mr. Miller was bereaved by the death of his wife, who died at Fort Recovery Feb- ruary 15, 1878. Of the six children born to them only three are now living - John, George and Phœbe, who is the wife of Jesse Gardner, of Jay County. Three children are deceased-Mary Ann, Lucina and one who died in infancy unnamed. Politically Mr. Miller is a Republican. In April, 1886, he was elected to the office of magistrate, which
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
position he still holds, with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is a member of James A. Cartwright Post, No. 358, G. A. R.
ILLIAM P. MILLER, engaged in farming on section 35, Wayne Town- ship, is a native of Ohio, born in Han- cock County, August 9, 1844, a son of William and Rebecca (Harter) Miller, the father a native of Rockingham County, Vir- ginia, and the mother born in Fairfield County, Ohio. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Matthias Miller, a Virginian by birth, and a soldier in the war of 1812. The parents of our subject reared two cliil- dren-^Nathaniel, now a resident of Kansas, and William P. The latter received his edu- cation in the schools of Finley, Ohio, and at the age of seventeen years began clerking in a mercantile establishment, where he re- mained five years, when he resigned his posi- tion on account of failing healthi, and for some time acted as traveling salesman for the firm of Nettleton & Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio. His health having improved while traveling, he engaged in the milling business in Hancock County, Ohio, which he fol- lowed for five years. In 1871 he came to Jay County, Indiana, and the same year set- tled on his present farm in Wayne Town- ship, then a tract of wild timbered land, entirely unimproved. By persevering indus- try he has improved his farm until it is con- sidered one of the best in his township, having fifty acres cleared and underlaid with 400 rods of tile drainage. He has a hand- some two-story residence, erected on one of the best building sites in Jay Connty, well furnished throughout, surrounded with a beautiful lawn, dotted with shade and orna-
mental trees. He has a fine barn 38 x 62 feet, built in 1887, conveniently arranged for his stock and grain. Mr. Miller was united in marriage May 5, 1872, to Miss Xavia V. Allen, a daughter of Ebenezer Allen, a pioneer of Jay County. They are the par- ents of five children, named Minnie Myrtle, Perry Marvin, M. R. W., William Melvy and Mand. In politics Mr. Miller affiliates with the Democratic party. His father, a promi- nent citizen of Hancock County, Ohio, is the owner of 160 acres of land in Jay County.
OHN HAYES, a prominent farmer of Richland Township, was born in Logan, Hocking County, Ohio, September 1, 1841, a son of Lawrence and Bridget (Bod- kin) IIayes. He was reared in his native State until fifteen years of age, when he came with his father's family to Jay County, Indi- ana, and with the exception of the time spent in the army he has since lived in this county. He helped his father clear and improve his land until February, 1864, when he enlisted at Kokomo in Company H, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, going first to Louisville, thence to Nasliville, and there joined the Twenty-third Army Corps. His first engagement was at Buzzard's Roost, fol- lowed by the battle of Resaca, where his regiment had hard fighting. He was in all the engagements of Sherman's army to At- lanta, and participated in the siege of Atlanta, being in the thirty days continuous fighting before the capture of that city. He was then in the battles of Columbia and Franklin, and in other engagements on the way to Nash- ville, and in the battle of Nashville. He then took a boat on the Tennessee River for Cin- cinnati, which was his last stopping place before returning home. He was never off
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
duty for sickness or any other cause, and was with his regiment in active service from the day of joining until leaving the army. Af- ter the war he returned to his home in Jay County, assisting his father on the farm un- til his marriage, May 21, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James and Elizabeth McCoffrey. The father of Mrs. Hayes is deceased, and her mother is now living in Council Grove, Kansas. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hayes-Lawrence, William, Mary Agnes, Jolın Henry, Rosie B., Joseph Sylvester, and three who died in infancy. After his marriage Mr. Hayes located on eighty acres of his present farm, which he had purchased some time before. He followed farming, and subsequently be- gan raising, dealing in and shipping stock in connection with his farming, in which he is still engaged. He has prospered in his agricultural pursuits, and at one time owned 240 acres, but having sold eighty acres lis homestead now contains 160 acres, which is well improved. In 1881 he took the contract for building the Dunkirk gravel road, on which he is still engaged, and has already been engaged in the building of thirty-five miles of the pike system in Jay County. In politics Mr. Hayes is a Democrat, and has held nearly every township office. He held the office of constable several times, and was supervisor a number of times. He was first elected trustee of Richland Township in 1880, although the township was strongly Republi- can, and was re-elected at the next election, by a very large majority, which indicates his popularity throughout the township. In his religions faith Mr. Hayes is a Catholic, and is one of the leading members of that denomination in Jay County. The father of Mr. Hayes was born in County Tipperary, Ireland. In early manhood he immigrated to America, landing at New York City. He
was married in the State of New York to Miss Bridget Bodkin, a native of Queens County, Ireland, and they subsequently re- moved to Hocking County, Ohio, where the father found employment on the public works. He was afterward employed on the public works at Springfield and Urbana, Ohio. He came with his family from Urbana to Ridge- ville, Indiana, in 1854, and in 1856 came to Jay County, settling in Richland Township, where he bought eighty acres of heavily tim- bered land. He cleared his land, and resided on it until his death, which occurred Decem- ber 18, 1883, his homestead being yet occu- pied by his widow, Besides his farm he also owned town lots in Dunkirk. Of the eleven children born to the parents of our subject only three survive-Mary, wife of William J. Rook; John, and Catherine, wife of James Mulveyhill. Two of the sons, John and Law- rence, were soldiers in the late war, of whom Lawrence is deceased.
AMES HENDERSON, a prominent ne citizen of Greene Township, residing on section 14, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Allegheny County, March 20, 1843. His parents, Thomas A. and Eliza (Creighton) Henderson, were born in Ireland, but were reared, the father from the age of five years, and the mother from three years of age, in Pennsylvania. Both were of Scotch Presby- terian ancestry. In 1848 they immigrated to Jackson County, Ohio, and the following year removed to Pickaway County, where they lived on a farm until their death, the father dying January 1, 1855, aged fifty-one years. The mother was again married in 1862 to John Collins, and died January 15, 1884, aged seventy-nine years. James IIen- derson was the tenth in a family of eleven
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
children, four sons and seven daughters. His only surviving brother, John, lives in Bates County, Missouri. His sisters yet liv- ing are-Mrs. Matilda Gunnett, Mrs. Martha A. Brothers and Mrs. Lucinda Bletcher, all of whom reside in Pickaway County, Ohio. The subject was reared to a farmi life, although from the age of fifteen until eighteen years of age lie served an apprentice- ship at the harness inaker's trade. August 5, 1862 he volunteered in defense of his country, and was assigned to Company F, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, his regiment being a part of Rosecrans' army. The regiment being ordered to Kentucky, left Camp Cippo in Pickaway County, and arriving at Lexing- ton, became immediately engaged with tlie enemy. A forced march and continual skirmishing for three days and nights only enabled them to escape capture by retreating to Louisville. At the battle of Stone River, Mr. Henderson received a wound in the right side, and was also wounded in both hands, his recovery from these wounds being slow, and at the same time he was prostrated witlı measles, lying for many weeks at Hospital No. 14, Nashville, Tennessee. Marcli 24, 1863, he received an honorable discharge, when he returned to his Ohio home and re- sumed farming. He was married December 25, 1864, to Miss Elizabetli J. Thomas who was born February 7, 1845, the youngest of fifteen children of William and Elizabeth (Norris) Thomas. Her father was one of the pioneers of Pickaway County, having been brought to that county by his parents when a child. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are the parents of five children living-William S., Elmer E., Armeda, Myrtle L. and George W. Their youngest child, Ida May, died. March 10, 1886, aged five years and nine days. Mr. Henderson followed farming in Pickaway County until 1882, when he came
with his family to Jay County, and settled on their present farm February 2, of the same year. Their home farm contains 160 acres of well improved land, and is one of the best quarter sections to be found in the county. Politically Mr. Henderson is a radical Republican. Notwitlistanding an adverse majority of eighty votes in Greene Township Mr. Henderson was elected justice of the peace in April, 1884, the first Repub- lican ever elected magistrate in the township, which shows the popularity in which he is lield by the citizens of his township.
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