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 62

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 62
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 62

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ILLIAM MONEY, an early settler of Jay County, located in Madison

- Township in 1835. He was born in Jackson County, Ohio, October 27, 1809, where he resided until he was twenty- one years of age, then removed to Mer- cer County, same State, where he lived until he came to this county. He built a log cabin west of the old orchard, in which he lived many years. His farmn is now partly owned by himself and partly by his sons. In Marclı, 1886, he removed to Kansas. He was married January 2, 1834, to Asenath Denney, who was born in North Carolina, July 24, 1814, daughter of William F. and Mary Ann (Fuller) Denney. She died in December, 1871, and is buried at Green Mound cemetery, at Fort Recovery. Mr. and . Mrs. Money were the parents of eight chil- dren-Anna, born July 29, 1837; William H., born April 13, 1839, died April 6, 1865; Mary, born February 3, 1841; Alexander, born March 8, 1843; Sarah D., born August 18, 1846; Asenatlı, born January 29, 1849; Nicholas, born December 21, 1850; James A., born December 8, 1852. In the spring of 1886, Mr. Money married Polly (Harris)

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Money, the widow of Alexander Money, and they are living in Clay County, Kansas. Nicholas Money was reared on his father's farını and received a good common school edu- cation. His grandfather, William Denney, was born in North Carolina and settled in Jay County in 1832. He and his wife, Anna (Fulk) Denney, both died in this county.

ENRY HEISTER, junior member of the mercantile firm of D. Heister & Son, of Boundary, was born and reared at this place, the date of his birth being Feb- rnary 25, 1848. His parents, Daniel and Sarah Heister, were pioneer settlers of Pike Township, coming from Fairfield County to the present site of Boundary as early as 1841. He received good educational advantages, at- tending the district school in his boyhood, and later attended Liber College, and at the age of eighteen years began teaching school, following that avocation four winter terms. Ilis yonth was passed on his father's farm and in clerking in his father's store, where lie became familiar with handling goods. He was married September 23, 1869, to Miss Sarah Frickel, who was born in Madison Township, Jay County, January 20, 1848, and was reared and educated in Jay Connty. Her parents, Conrad and Mary Frickel, lived in Jay . County until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Heister have seven children, all of whom are yet under the liome roof, their names being as follows-Charles W., Jesse J., George E., Carrie D., Frank B., Oscar E. and Chloe. Their first born, Llana D., died aged two years and six months. Mr. and Mrs. Heister commenced honsekeeping on his father's farm. In the fall of 1870 he bought a half interest in his father's mill, and with his father conducted this business three and

a half years. In the spring of 1874 his father sold his interest in the mill to George L. Mann, and later in the year Henry sold his interest to Henry C. Staley, and engaged in farming on section 24, Pike Township, where he yet resides. He is the owner of his present farm property, consisting of eighty-two acres of well improved land, with commodions and convenient farm residence and good farm buildings, and is located so near his business as to make a part of the village of Boundary. In 1881 Mr. Heister erected a building near his residence, where he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1883 he closed out this business, and took a third interest in the establishment with his father, and brother, Daniel G., and has since, with his father, bought his brother's interest. Both Mr. and Mrs. Heister are members of the Reformed church, and among the re- spected citizens of Pike Township.

OSEPH UPHAUS, pastor of Trinity Catholic Church, was born in Glandorf, Putnam County, Ohio, October 1, 1844, where he lived until he was twenty-one years of age. He then entered the congregation of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord, which is a missionary congregation. In August, 1856, he entered school at Carthagenia, Mer- cer County, Ohio, where he pursued a classical course for four or five years, then entered the theological and philosophical de- partment, remaining two years, making a total of seven years. He was ordained Janu- ary 17, 1873, by Right Reverend Bishop Joseph Dwenger, who is now Bishop at Fort Wayne. From this ordination he was sent to Nashville, Tennessee, where he had charge of the Church of the Assumption. While there he built a new presbytery costing $3,600, and

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

being constructed of brick; he also established a parochial school. After a sojonrn of a little less than three years he was sent to St. Joseph College, Humboldt County, California, where he was director and superintendent of a school. He also had charge of three small parishes at Rhonerville, Table Bluff and Ferndale. Ile staid here about three years, and was then sent to St. John's Church, Mercer County, Ohio, one year, thence to Wabash Township, this county, where he took charge of the IIoly Trinity Church, situated two and a half miles from New Corydon, on section 17. The pro- perty consists of the church and four acres of land. Mr. Uphaus is local Superior of St. Mary's Home, and also has charge of the Church of the Presentation of Jefferson Town- ship, Adams County. The parents of Mr. Uphans were born in Germany. Ilis father, John G. Uphaus, was born in 1802, in Grand Duchy, Oldenburg, and came to America in 1835 with his wife and one child, locating in Putnam County, Ohio, where the father died January 21, 1884, and the mother, who was born in 1804, died May 19, 1882. Both are buried at Glandorf, that county. The mother's name was formerly Catherine Poeppelmann. They were the parents of six children, all of whom survived them.

OSEPH L. C. McADAMS, the present efficient recorder of Jay County, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born near Cincinnati, in 1857. His father dying when he was a child, he was thrown upon his own resources at an early age. In 1875 he came to Indiana, and began the study of dentistry at Winchester, and in 1878 came to Portland, where he has since made his home. Dr. McAdams is thoroughly educated in the details of his profession for which he possesses

a natural adaptation, and for the past several year's he has been recognized as the leading dentist of Jay County. By the earnest solicitation of his many friends he was induced to accept the nomination as recorder, being elected to that office in November, 1886, succeeding P. M. Hearn. Mr. McAdams was elected on the Republican ticket, and his majority over the Democratic opponent, W. A. Humphreys was 231 votes. The large majority received by him in a county usually Democratic, indicates his popularity, and the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens. In 1885 the doctor was elected to the office of city clerk of Portland. His wife was formerly Miss Emma Johnson, she being a native of Indiana and a daughter of T. S. Johnson.

ILLIAM VALENTINE is one of the pioneers of Wayne Township. He has been a resident of Jay County since 1844, first settling in Noble Township, where he lived five years, and in 1849 ex- changed his farm for his present homestead on section 25, Wayne Township, which con- tains 160 acres of improved land. IIis land when he settled here was a wild tract, heavily timbered, and he has witnessed the develop- ment of an unbroken forest into cultivated farms and thriving villages. He was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, April 22, 1822. His father, Samuel Valentine, was a native of New Jersey, a first consin of the statesman Thomas Corwin, and was a pioneer of Ohio, living in Guernsey Connty until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty years. Samuel Valentine and wife had a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters, only two of whom are now living-William and Benjamin. The latter lives on the old

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

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homestead in Ohio. William Valentine was reared on the frontier of Ohio, and his edu- cational advantages were of course limited, but he improved the opportunities he had, in common with other pioneer boys, who, although obliged to undergo many hardships in their youth, grew up honest, strong men, well adapted to battle with the world, clear forests, and build homes for themselves and families. Mr. Valentine was married at the age of twenty-one years, to Hiley Caskia, who died in June, 1861. To them were born nine children, but four of whom are living. Two of his sons, Jacob and Benjamin, he gave to his country in the war of the Rebellion, both dying while in the service. Those living are -Samnel, of Greene Township; Joseph, of Pike Township; Rebecca, wife of Abraham Kurts, of Wabash County, Indiana; Christine, also of Wabash County. December 1, 1861, Mr. Valentine married Sarah Jane Higgins, who was born in Greene County, Pennsylva- nia, May 16, 1821. * They have two children -Lewis H., and Saralı Jane, wife of Lewis Ryan, of Wayne Township. Mr. Valentine is one of the substantial men of Wayne Township. In politics he is a Republican. He is a strong temperance man, believing that the proper place for whisky, except what is needed for medicinal purposes, is in the grain from which it is distilled. While he had bnt meager educational advantages, he is well informed ou general topics of the day. He is a great reader, and has a good library of the best books. He has been a member of the United Brethren church over forty years, and holds a preacher's license in that church. He is always found ready to defend the cause of Christianity, and has always taken a deep interest in the cause of educa- tion. He was the first school director in his district, and it was through his influence that the first school-house was built. He takes an

active interest in all public enterprises, and has been one of the foremost in advancing all projects of interest to the township and county.

TOHIN METZNER, one of the old and respected pioneers of Noble Township, residing on section 7, was born in Sax- ony Germany, October 2, 1805. His parents, Jasper and Hannah (Risanburg) Metzner, were born, reared and married in Saxony, Germany, his mother dying there. His fa- ther died in 1838 on the ocean while crossing to America. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children-Rachel, John, William, George, Hannah, Andrew, Nicholas and Mary. John Metzner was reared to manhood in his native country, and there learned the wagon- maker's trade. In the spring of 1838 he immigrated to America, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, where he worked at his trade a year. After living in Baltimore eighteen months he visited Canada, where he lived a short time. He then returned to the United States, stopping at Cleveland, Ohio, where he met his future wife, Miss Catherine Young, to whom he was married at Newark, Ohio, November 4, 1839. Mrs. Metzner was born in France, July 18, 1819, a daughter of Nicholas and Salome (Young) Young, who were also born in France, the father in 1790, and the mother in May, 1793. The father of Mrs. Metzner came to America in 1834, leaving his family in their native land. Mrs. Metzner followed her father to America in 1837, and in the spring of 1839 the mother and her remaining daughter, Caroline, came to America, the family being re-united at Newark, Ohio. The father died in Jay Coun- ty, Indiana, in 1855, having settled there in 1851. The mother is still living with her

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

daughter, Mrs. Mentzer, aged ninety-four years. Their son, Adam, died in Africa in 1840 while a French soldier, at the age of twenty-four years. Caroline Young became the wife of Philip Snyder, and died at her home in Jay County. John Metzner and wife have had born to them eleven children as follows-John A., born August 23, 1840; Henry, born November 3, 1842, died aged three weeks; William T., born January 6, 1844; George, born July 6, 1847, died May 16, 1859; Louisa N., born November 3, 1848; Caroline, March 1, 1852; Catherine E., Octo- bes 2, 1853; Wesley T., November 9, 1855; Amanda, July 3, 1857; Martha J., born De- cember 26, 1859, died December 3, 1861, and Mary A., born March 4, 1862. Their three sons-Adam, William and George, were sol- diers in the late war, Adam being wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, and William in Missouri. For twelve years after his mar- riage Mr. Metzner lived at Lonisville, Ohio, working at his trade, and making a comfort- able home for his family. In 1851 he inmi- grated with his family to Jay County, and settled on the land where he now resides, consisting of eighty acres. When he settled here about five acres had been cleared, and a round log cabin with puncheon floor and clap- board roof, and a log stable had been built. Here he frequently worked at his trade all night, and during the day cleared his land. Here he has seen his children grow to matu- rity, and become settled in homes of their own, all living within a short distance of the old liomestead.

ATHAN HIDY, a successful agricult- urist, engaged in farming and stock- raising in Penn Township, was born in Fayette County, West Virginia, October 17,

1822, a son of George and Susan (Wermer) Hidy, who were also natives of West Vir- ginia, and of German ancestry. The father was a son of John Hidy, a native of Ger- many, and the mother was a daughter of William Wermer, who was also a native of Germany. When our subject was two years old his parents removed to Fayette County, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm, remain- ing in that county with his parents until his marriage. He was married October 21, 1847, to Miss Cynthia Ann Guano, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel and Maria (Mulleu) Guano, who were of English and Irish ancestry. To this union the following children were born-Herschel, living in Penn Township; Susan, wife of Sanford Bowen, of Penn Township; Olive, Oscar, John F., de- ceased; Elizabeth E., wife of Charles Foster, of Penn Township; Mary B., deceased; Will- iam J., deceased; Jephthia S. and Agnes. Mr. Hidy takes an active interest in the cause of education, and his children have received good educational advantages, and are well settled in life. In his youth he received such education as the schools of that early day afforded, but by study at home during his leisure hours he acquired a fair common- school education, and at the age of twenty years he began teaching school, which he followed during the winter terms for ten years. After his marriage he followed farming and school teaching in Ohio until 1860, when he came with his family to Jay County, Indiana, and purchased a partially improved farm on sec- tion 36, Penn Township, where he resided five years. He then purchased the farm where he has since lived, on section 35 of the same township, where he has 102 acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. Mr. Hidy is a self-made man, having by his own exertions, by industry and good manage- ment, accumulated a good property, and after

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

starting his children in life he still has a competence for his declining years, and his family is surrounded with all the necessary comforts of life. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and respected citizens of Jay County.

LLEN W. ROBERTS, farmer, Richland Township, 'postoffice Redkey, is one of the pioneers of Jay County, He was born in Ross County, Ohio, February 25, 1827, a son of Samnel and Hannah (Davis) Roberts. He lived in his native State until fifteen years of age, but in 1842 his father decided to move farther west, and in the early spring of that year set ont with his family for Indiana, making the trip to Jay County with teams. This region of country at that time was almost a wilderness, the little improve- ments that had been made changing bnt a trifle the primitive appearance. They settled in Richland Township, and here amid the scenes attending the clearing up of a heavily timbered country, Allen W. Roberts was reared. He early developed a taste for hunt- ing and became an expert marksman, and as much of his time was spent in the woods in pursuit of game, he met with many adven- tures. As is well known by pioneers wild hogs were numerous in the woods at that time and animals were more ferocious when angered. At one time Mr. Roberts and two brothers were pursned by a particularly bad specimen of wild hog, and reached the shelter of a tree, into the branches of which they climbed just in time to escape the tusks of the beast, but not before they could almost feel his hot breath as he came panting after them, and they were obliged to remain in the

tree several hours before they could make their escape. Panthers were occasionally met with, and the fear of this especially to be dreaded wild beast was one of the most annoying features of pioneer life. One of these ani- inals, which must have been of enormons size, passed through their yard one night, nttering the most nnearthly shrieks, which could be heard after the animal was miles away. A man going through the woods at that time, with some meat on his shoulder, was stopped by a panther which appeared directly in his path and as if to demand the meat, which the friglitened man was glad to drop without stopping to argue the matter, and was soon far away from the spot. Mr. Roberts during his long career in Jay County has had as many adventures of this kind as any man living, and often entertains delighted listeners with reminiscences of those days when he hunted the deer, the bear, and in fact every species of wild animal that then roamed in the forest. He is perhaps to-day the only living man in the county who saw the great serpent, which was the dread of this and adjoining counties in the early days. He describes it as being at least twenty-six feet in length, although others who saw it go beyond this figure, some saying it was thirty feet long. Mr. Roberts during the civil war did valiant service for his country as a member of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana In- fantry. During the Atlanta campaign he was day after day under fire, and at Lovejoy's Station his left arm was completely shattered by a shell from the rebel mortars, and the bare stump, off' ahnost to the shoulder, tells its own pathetic story of his honorable record as a soldier. The old veteran is now one of the most active members of the Grand Army Post at Redkey. Mr. Roberts' first wife was Mary Bray. She died leaving one child- Mary E., who is now the wife of G. W. Camp-

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

bell. July 22, 1865, he married Mary E. Blackburn, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Blackburn. They have one daughter-Birdie. Though not wealthy, the poor and needy are never turned from their door hungry or witli- out a kind and gentle word. Mr. Roberts was one of the original members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Redkey, and has always been one of its most active and liberal supporters, his wife being a member of the same church.

ENRY E. CASTER is a native of Jay County, Indiana, born on the farmn ad- joining the one where he now resides, the date of his birth being July 2, 1850, and is a son of James Caster, one of the old and honored pioneers of Wayne Township. He was reared on his father's homestead, his youth being passed in helping on the farm and attending the district schools, completing his education at Liber College. When twenty years of age he went to Preble County, Ohio, where he followed farming for two years, when he returned to Jay County. He was married November 19, 1873, to Miss Jose- phine Abel, born June 11, 1854, a lady of refinement and intelligence, and a daughter of George Washington Abel, an early pioneer of Jay County. Mr. and Mrs. Caster have four children-Elva Elnora, Jessie Elnora, Ada Glenn and James Abel. Mr. Caster located on his present farm on section 26, Wayne Township, in 1874, his farm being one-half of his father's homestead. He owns eighty acres of well improved land, a good residence, and a barn 36 x 60 feet, built in 1887. His land is underlaid with some 800 rods of tile, and the entire surroundings of the place show the care and thrift of the owner. In politics Mr. Caster is a Republi-

can. His genial manners and cordial dis- position have gained him many friends, and he is numbered, both socially and financially, among the best citizens of his township.

SAAC CASTLE, farmer, resides on section 26, Madison Township, where he owns eighty acres of land. He came to this county in the fall of 1858, locating upon his present farm, of which about fifty acres were cleared and a frame house had been partly built. Mr. Castle was born March 9, 1809, and was six years of age when his parents moved to Washington County, Ohio, locating on a rented farm. Two years later they re- moved to Meigs County, where Isaac grew to manhood. He was married October 3, 1833, to Eliza C. Cooper, born in Gallia Coun- ty, Ohio, December 14, 1813, and when thir- teen years of age removed to Meigs County, where she was married. Immediately after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Castle moved to Washı- ington County, where they lived five years, thence to Meigs County for five years, thence to Vinton County two years, thence to Jack- son County one year, thence to Gallia County ten years, and finally to this county where they have since resided. He learned the blacksmith's trade at Chester, Ohio, and fol- lowed it previous to coming to Jay County. Since that time he has followed farming. His father, Joel Castle, died in Meigs County, Ohio, in 1837, aged about eighty years. His mother, Rhoda (Hine) Castle, died in 1839, aged seventy-five years. They were the par- ents of eight children-Amanda, Rhoda, Emily, Junia, Philander, Royal, Lehman and Isaac. Philander and Isaac are the only ones now living. Mrs. Castle's parents had also eight children-James M., William H., George W., Eliza C., Adelia S., Mary A.,

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Margaret M. and Sarah J. The father, Abram Cooper, was born at Winchester, Vir- ginia, February 24, 1788, and died Jannary 7, 1839. The mother, Mary M. (Wetzel) Cooper, was born in Lewisburg, Virginia, February 24, 1788, and died May 31, 1831, also in Meigs County. They were the par- ents of nine children-Caroline L., born Jnly 13, 1834; Rinaldo B., born June 24, 1836; Harlan P., born Jannary 22, 1839; Mary H., born April 16, 1842; James L. W., born April 28, 1845; Anna M., born August 1, 1847; Isaac N., born January 20, 1851, died February 10, same year; Phœbe J., born February 18, 1852, died December 29, 1859; William L., born May 8, 1854, died Decem- ber 29, 1859. Mr. Castle is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, being or- dained September 11, 1847, at Columbus, Ohio, and was ordained elder April 18, 1869. Mrs. Castle's paternal grandparents died in Winchester, Virginia. Her ma- ternal grandparents died in Lewisburg, same State. Her grandfather Wetzel died at the age of 105 years. The Coopers and Wetzels are of German ancestry. In politics he is a Republican.

HILIP C. BECHDALT, section 7, Pike Township, was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, July 15, 1842, a son of Peter and Susannah (Genbar) Bechdalt, of Irish and German descent. His father died in Anglaize County in 1875, and his mother still lives in that county. Philip C. was reared on a farm, but when nineteen years of age began to work at the carpenter's trade, subsequently working at the cabinetmaker's trade. He came to Jay County in 1864, and has since followed agricultural pursuits. He was married February 9, 1864, to Mary A.,

daughter of James and Sarah Darby, of Pike Township, a native of Clinton County, Ohio, born Jannary 14, 1842. They commenced married life on the farm they now occupy, in a little log cabin. But little clearing had been made, but now their 100 acres are under cultivation, and in 1886 they built their present fine residence. Mr. and Mrs. Bech- dalt have four children-Lizzie A., wife of Elmer Bost; Riley G., Emma J. and James O. In 1866 Mr. Bechdalt joined the United Brethren church and most of the time since has been a local preacher. He now has charge of six churches-Zion Class, in Pike Township; Union, in Bear Creek Township; Elm Grove and New Hope, in Jefferson Township; Hopewell, in Greene Township, and Bethel, in Blackford County, supplying eachi once in three weeks.

LISHA RENBARGER, a prominent agrienlturist of Jay County, residing ou section 35, Jefferson Township, was born not far from his present residence, dating his birth in Franklin Township, Ran- dolph County, Indiana, September 24, 1844. Ilis father, Abraham Renbarger, was born and reared in the State of Kentucky, and when abont twenty years old he accompanied his father, George Renbarger, to Randolph County, Indiana. He was married in Ran- dolphi County to Rachel Luellen, and to them were born three children-Hannah, the eld- est, is the wife of Abraham Roe, of Franklin Township, Randolph County; George, who was a prominent farmer of Jefferson Town- ship, died April 25, 1886, and Elisha, our subject, who is the youngest of the family. The father became one of the leading farmers of Franklin Township, where he and his wife had a good home nntil 1868. He then sold

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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