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 63
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 63
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
his farm and moved to Ridgeville, Randolph County, where he lived somewhat retired from the active dnties of life. The parents died at their home in Ridgeville after lives of great usefulness. Elisha Renbarger, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his na- tive county, remaining on the home farm with his parents until twenty-four years of age. He was married shortly before leaving his father's home to Miss Martha Baker, tlie date of their marriage being September 17, 1868. She was born in Franklin Township, Randolph County, October 13, 1847, a dangh- ter of William and Clarissa (Hnglies) Baker, of whom the mother is deceased. The father is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Renbarger. In the spring of 1869 they settled on their present farm, their land at that time being covered with timber, their first home being a comfortable frame lionse of modest propor- tions. Mr. Renbarger has succeeded well in his agricultural pursuits, and to his original tract of 120 acres he has added until his farm now contains 258 acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. His present fine residence was completed and ready for occu- pancy October 13, 1885, and his large barn was erected in the summer of 1883, his building improvements being unexcelled in Jefferson Township. In politics Mr. Ren- barger has always voted the Democratic ticket. Mr. and Mrs. Renbarger have five children-Alva M., Olie I., Asa L., Hattie B. and Luther A. One child, named Pearl May, died before reaching the age of one year.
HOMAS BOSWORTH, senior member of the firm of Bosworth, Markland & Snyder, is one of the leading inembers of the bar of Jay Connty. He is a represen- tative of one of the prominent pioneer families
of Jay County, a son of Dr. Jacob and Nancy (Westlake) Bosworth, and is himself a native of tlie county, born in Wayne Township, July 31, 1836. He was reared on his father's farm, and was educated principally at Liber College, where he pursued a scientific course, and at Farmer's Academy. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion August 7, 1861, and was assigned to Company C, Thirty-niutli Indiana Infantry, whichi afterward became the Eighth Cavalry. He served his country two years, and participated in a number of the most important campaigns and battles of the war. He was at Shiloh under Buell, and in the Corinth campaign which followed that desperate battle, liis regiment being the first to enter that city. In May, 1863, the Thirty- ninth was monnted, and served under General Sheridan in the Tullahoma campaign. He also took part in the battle of Chickamauga, and in the Atlanta campaign, continning with
General Sherman's army as far as Dalton, Georgia, taking part in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee. He received his discharge at Louisville, Kentucky, in October, 1864, when he returned to his home. Mr. Bosworth was married January 1, 1865, to Miss Theresa R. Weber, a native of the State of New York, who died June 3, 1881, leaving four sons and one daughter-Clarence, Richard, James, Herbert and Rocelia. Mr. Bosworth was one of the successful teachers of Jay County for many years, and from 1868 until 1871 he was county superintendent of schools. He began reading law in 1871 with Colonel J. W. Headington, and was admitted to the bar in 1873. He was associated in the practice of law with Colonel Headington for one year, then practiced alone for three years. His next partner was General Shanks, with whom he was associated two years, when after an interval of one year he formed a partnership with O. H. Adair, whichi continued until
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
December, 1886, when Mr. Adair having been elected prosecuting attorney of this district the partnership was dissolved, and the firm of Bosworth, Markland & Snyder was then formed. Mr. Bosworth has been identified with the Republican party since attaining his majority. On questions affect- ing the moral and social interests of the com- munity he takes a decided stand, and on the temperance question especially his views are very pronounced. He is classed among the enterprising and public spirited men of Port- land, and is much respected by all who know him.
ANIEL PENSINGER, a prosperous agricultorist of Greene Township, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Frank- lin County, Angust 31, 1835, a son of Samnel and Margaret (Myers) Pensinger, who were borni n the State of Pennsylvania, of Dutch de- scent. When our subject was three years old the family removed to Stark County, Ohio, remaining there eleven years, removing thence to Crawford County, Ohio, where both parents died a number of years ago. Daniel Pensinger grew to manhood in Crawford County, remaining on the homestead farm with his parents until attaining the age of twenty-three years. September 26, 1858, he was married to Miss Mary Susan Wight, who was born in Crawford County, Ohio, July 12, 1838. Her parents, Warren W. and Harriet (White) Wight, came to Jay County, Indi- ana, in 1870, where they have since died, and are buried in Camden cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Pensinger have had born to them twelve children -- Samuel Harris, is married, and lives on part of his father's land; Harriet, wife of Daniel Castle, Greene Township; John Melville, married and living in Greene
Township; Webster, at home; Mary, wife of Amos J. Mayo, of Portland City, Indiana; Estella, died aged fourteen years; Warren, attending school; Affie A., died aged one year; Clara, Luther Clyde, Myrtle and Ar- thur L. Mr. and Mrs. Pensinger continued to reside in Crawford County until 1868, when they came with their family to Jay County, Indiana, settling on section 4, Greene Township in November of that year, and there began making a home in the woods. They canie to the county withont a cash capital, but owned the land on which they first settled, a tract of forty acres, of which only a few acres had been cleared. To his original tract he was soon enabled, by persevering in- dustry and strict frugality, to add another forty acres, adding from time to time as his means would allow, until he now owns a fine farm property of 240 acres, of which almost 150 acres have been cleared of the heavy timber, and well improved. In the fall of 1886 Mr. Pensinger bonght the home and farm property formerly owned by John Mason, located on the same section where he has so long lived, to which he removed, this also being a very fine property, and well sup- plied with fruit of various kinds. In politics Mr. Pensinger casts his suffrage with the Re- publican party.
T. MILES, physician and surgeon at Briant, located in that village in 1880, and is one of the leading physicians of Jay County. He was born in Miami County, Ohio, April 8, 1845, son of Wade Miles, also a native of Miami County, and Mary (Tucker) Miles, a native of Indiana. The parents reared a family of seven children, our subject being the fourth child. The mother died, and he afterward married again and reared
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
one son, James S., a prominent business man of Briant. The doctor enlisted in June, 1863, as a member of Company K, Eighty- sixth Ohio Infantry, serving about nine months. He was honorably discharged in March, 1864, and returned home. He com- menced the study of medicine in 1870, under Dr. A. E. Duncan, of West Milton, Ohio, with whom he remained two years, then read medicine with Dr. John Harris, of Fountain City, this State. During this time he at- tended lectures, and in February, 1874, he was gradnated as physician and surgeon at Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. In September, 1874, he located at Laura, Miami County, where he was very successful and had a good practice. In 1880 he located at Briant, this county, where he has since resided. His practice amounts to $2,000 or $3,000 per year. He was married, December 26, 1872, to Miss Susan Coate, of Fountain City, Indiana, and daughter of Elijah and Rebecca Coate. To this union have been born two children-Harry L. and Mary R. The doctor is a member of J. C. Jay Post, No. 488, G. A. R., of Briant, and is com- inander of the post. He is serving as town- ship trustee, and is proprietor of the Miles drug store. He carries a full stock of drugs and fancy articles, and has a first-class drug store.
since May 6, 1882, coming here from his na- tive county, Muskingum, Ohio. He was born in 1859, and until his fifteenth year lived on a farm, and since 1874 has been engaged in the livery business.
TESSE WILLIAMS, one of the honored and respected pioneers of Jackson Town- ship, who is now deceased, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1826, a sou of George Williams. He was reared in his na- tive State, and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Maris, and the same year of his marriage he came to Jay County, Indiana. He then located on a part of his father's farm, where he resided until 1849. He then re- moved to the farm where he made his home until death, which occurred April 16, 1880, his widow dying on the old homestead Octo- ber 30, 1886. They were the parents of four children, of whom only two, Nancy M. and Elihu, are living. Their son, Enoch, died at the age of thirty-two years, and Rachel Ann, wife of Rolandus Gardiner, of Camden, is also deceased. Nancy M. Williams married E. L. Gray in 1867, and they now occupy the Jesse Williams' homestead, which is one of the best farms in their neighborhood. They have one son, Uriah Irvin, who was born Au- gust 18, 1868. E. L. Gray is classed among the enterprising and substantial men of Jack- son Township, where he has lived since 1865. He is a native of Ohio, where he was reared to the avocation of a farmer, and was edu- cated in the district schools of his native State. He served as a soldier during the late war, being a member of the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry. He was twice wounded while in the service, at one time having the first finger of his right hand shot off, and at
W. POWELL, proprietor of Powell's livery and feed stable, located on the south side of Maine Street, near the Grand Rapids depot, Portland, Indiana, has been engaged in his present business since 1883. He keeps a good livery stock, and has by his fair and honorable dealing become one of the prosperons business men of the place, He has been a resident of Portland another time shot through the calf of his
.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
leg. He received an honorable discharge from the army, when he came to Jay County, Indiana. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being a comrade of Pennville Post. Politically he affiliates witlı the Republican party.
- ANIEL HEISTER, one of the well known pioneers of Jay County, and formerly one of its most active business men, was born in Berks County, Pennsylva- nia, May 1, 1814. Soon after reaching man- hood lie went to Fairfield County, Ohio, and was married in that county, August 30, 1839, to Miss Sarah Langle, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, and to this union were born the following children -Mrs. Melinda E. Losch, widow of Charles F. Losch, living in Pike Township; Mary, died in early child- lood; Susan, wife of Archibald McFarland, of Pike Township; Henry, in business with his father; Sarah, deceased wife of Abraham Losch, and Daniel, now engaged in farming in Pike Township. In 1841 the parents came to Jay County, Indiana, and with less than $5 in money they reached their future home in the wilderness, located on the present site of Boundary, and there commenced a life of labor and privation common to the pioneers of Indiana in the early history of the State. During the first years of their residence in the county they toiled even for the mere necessaries of life, when the tide turned and they reaped the reward of their industry. In 1851 Mr. Heister opened a small stock of goods at his residence. His residence was small, located on section 23, Pike Township, and was the first erected in the neigliborhood. Some years later, when it was fondly hoped a railroad would pass through the township, one having been surveyed, Mr. Heister built
a small store on the site of his present fine inercantile establishment. He added to his stock of goods, and his trade gradually in- creased, and lie soon began building a town on his own land. He erected his fine resi- dence which he now occupies about this time, and to meet the increased demands of trade he built his business house, 42 x 62 feet, two stories used by himself, and the third story used as a public hall. In 1872 his son Daniel became associated with him under the firm name of D. Heister & Son, and in 1883 his son Henry became a member of the firm, each having a third interest in the business. The business is now conducted by Mr. Heis- ter and his son Henry, Daniel having sold his interest, and they now do an annual busi- ness of about $12,000 a year. The wife of his youth, who had toiled so faithfully by his side for so many years, died November 6, 1854. Mr. Heister was again married August 23, 1855, to Miss Anna Bailey, who died De- cember 31, 1872. Four children were born to this union-Eliza J., wife of E. S. Jobul- son; Clara A., and two, Obed and William, who died in infancy. Mr. Heister was a third time married, taking for his present wife Mrs. Esthier Stewart, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Reed, pioneers of Jay County, coming here in 1841. Mrs. Heister was first married January 4, 1844, to George W. Abel, who died March 27, 1865, leaving the follow- ing children-Mary E., William H., Loretta, Martha, Josephine, Oscar E. and Albert R. Her second husband was John Stewart, and the children of that marriage are-Thomas E., Charlie, Mary E. and William H., the last two being deceased. Mr. Heister has always been foremost in all public affairs of his town- ship. His original purchase of sixty-two acres covered the present town site of Bound- ary, and all the buildings there, with the ex- ception of two or three, were erected by him.
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
In 1868 he built what was then the largest flour mill in Jay County, and which is yet one of the largest. The building is 35 x 45 feet in size, three stories in height, with en- gine room attached, 35 x 40 feet, supplied with a forty horse-power engine, the cost of building with improvements being $18,000. He was one of the organizers of the Reformed church in Jay County in 1846, in which he has been an elder since its organization. He is the postmaster at Boundary, having filled that office since the year 1852.
ETER WAGNER, farmer, section 16, Wabash Township, was born in Belgium June 29, 1816. In 1833 he came to America with an uncle in order to escape military duty, and located in Seneca County, Ohio, where he worked for his uncle, Michael Wagner, five years, receiving $100 for his services. He then went to Logansport, this State, and worked on the Wabash and Erie canal three years, and during that time earned money enough to pay for eighty acres of land, which he began at once to improve. He built a round-log cabin, 12 x 13 feet, one story in height, with one window containing nine lights of glass. All the carpenter work about the house cost only $1.75. He was married in 1840 to Miss Barbara Etchgen, and soon after his marriage moved into his log cabin. His wife had a bedstead that cost $3.50. He took what money he had on hand, about 85, and went to a store and bought an iron tea- kettle and other kitchen furniture, and also two pounds of coffee. From this small be- ginning he has obtained sufficient means for his declining years and to give his children a good start in life. Mrs. Wagner was born in Belginm in 1819, and came to America in 1834 with her parents, one brother and two
sisters. The family located in Big Spring Township, Seneca County, Ohio. Her par- ents, Frank and Theresa (Busbee) Etchgen, died in Tiffin, Ohio. Mrs. Wagner died in January, 1855, leaving seven children- Nicholas, Theresa, John, Frank, Peter and Charles. All are now living and all are mar- ried. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Wagner was married to Miss Margaret Lucius, who was born in Belgium in 1818 and came to Amer- ica in 1855 with her parents and seven other children, the family locating in Seneca Coun- ty, Ohio. Her parents, Joseph and Catherine Lucius, were of French descent. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have three children-Joseph, Louis and Mary. Henry died in 1871, aged four- teen years. Mr. Wagner held the office of trustee in Seneca County ten years, and was assessor four years. He has been township trustee in this county eight years. He and his family are all members of the Christian church, and in politics he is a Democrat.
SAHEL D. WALKER, farmer and stock-raiser, Penn Township, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in York County Jannary 11, 1836, his parents, Isaac and Re- becca (Dinkle) Walker, being natives of the same State and of German descent. Asahel Walker, the father of Isaac, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, as was Daniel Dinkle, the father of Mrs. Walker. Asahel D. Walk- er, whose name heads this sketch, was reared in his native State until eighteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Clarke County, Ohio, where they resided a year and a half, and in the fall of 1855 came to Jay County, Indiana, where the father purchased a partially improved tract, where they passed the balance of their days, the father dying June 3, 1874, aged sixty-five years, and the
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
mother December 3, 1880. Both were earn- est members of the United Brethren church. Politically he was formerly a Whig, and later affiliated with the Republican party. They were the parents of the following children --- Asahel, Julia Ann, wife of Harmon Sullivan, of Madison County; Alfred was a member of Company A, Seventy-fifth Indiana Infantry, and died in the service of his country at the age of twenty-one years, November 30, 1862; Louisa, wife of Phineas Ivey; Enos, Morris died aged three years, and Rebecca J., wife of Mahlon Paxton, of Wells County. When sixteen years old our subject began to learn the carpenter's trade, his father being a car- penter. He first received $4 a month for his work, and later his wages were increased to $55 per year, and subsequently he worked for a short time as a journeyman. He was mar- ried September 2, 1860, to Miss Mary Ann Ivey, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, a daughter of Mahala and Rachel (McBride) Ivey, who were also natives of Ohio. They came to Jay County in 1839, and for one year lived in Jackson Township, when they settled in Penn Township, where Mrs. Walker was reared. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the par- ents of ten children-Curtis I. married Delia Wolfe and lives in Gove County, Kansas; Eva A., Charles E., Isaac J., William W., Oliver L., Minnie L., Edgar, Chester C. and Lessie. After his marriage Mr. Walker set- tled in Wabash County, where he was engaged in the manufacture of lumber for ten years, selling out his business in 1870, when he re- turned to Penn Township, Jay County, and purchased the farm on section 25, which he has since occupied, where he has eighty acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. In connection with his farming he has also followed carpentering, saw-milling and thresh- ing, and in his various enterprises he lias been very successful. In politics Mr. Walker casts 35
his suffrage with the Republican party. Mrs. Walker is a member of the United Brethren church.
LI RINES, a representative of one of the pioneer families of Jay County, engaged in farming on section 35, Wayne Towil- ship, is a native of Ohio, born in Carroll County, June 26, 1844, a son of James and Mary (Van Skyhawk) Rines, the father a native of the State of Pennsylvania. The parents reared a family of five children, and in September, 1848, came with them to Jay County, and settled in Jefferson Township. The father now makes his home in South Portland. The father being a farmer, our subject was reared to the same avocation, his youth being spent in assisting with the work of the farm and attending the schools of Jay County. He enlisted in the war of the Re- bellion September 23, 1862, in Company H, One Hundredth Indiana Infantry, and took an active part in the engagements at Jackson, siege of Vicksburg and Missionary Ridge, where his regiment lost one-third of its men. He was in twenty-six battles, carrying the flag, he being a color-bearer. He was with General Sherman on his march to the sea, at the taking of Atlanta and at Bentonville. His left arm was crushed by a log at Hollow Springs, from the effects of which he has never recovered, and now receives a pension of $4 a month. He received an honorable discharge June 14, 1865, at Indianapolis, In- diana, when he returned to Jay County and engaged in more peaceful pursuits. He has met with success in his agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of a good farm on which he resides, which is under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Rines has been married three times, taking for his first wife Lorinda
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
M. Hardy, a daughter of Curtis Hardy, a prominent pioneer of Jay County. Mrs. Rines died February 1, 1873, leaving at her death two children-Curtis H. and Carrie C. Mr. Rines was united in marriage a second time January 15, 1874, to Miss Eliza Jane Mason, a daughter of Lemuel Mason, of Wayne Town- ship, and to this union were born two sons- Charles Lewis and William F. Mrs. Eliza Jane Rines died February 7, 1882. Mr. Rines was again married September 8, 1884, to Mary J. Powell, of Franklin County, Ohio, a daughter of William Powell, and they are the parents of one child named Eva. In politics Mr. Rines affiliates with the Repub- lican party. He is a member of the Christian church, of which he is a deacon. He takes an active interest in the cause of religion and education, and gives liberally of his means toward the advancement of the same. He is a man much respected throughout his town- ship, his genial disposition and cordial inan- ners having gained him many friends. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, belonging to Stephen Bailey Post, No. 54, of Portland.
ALVIN HICKMAN, general fariner, Richland Township, was born in Greene County, Ohio, near Xenia, October 23, 1834, his parents, Laban and Catherine (Price) Ilickman, being natives of Greene County, Tennessee and Greene County, Ohio, respec- tively. The father was born in 1806, and when a year old his parents removed to Madison County, Ohio, and a short time after settled in Greene County, Ohio, where he remained until after his marriage. He subsequently went to Peoria County, Illinois, but as his health was poor while there he soon returned to Greene County, remaining
there until 1855. In September of that year he came by team to Indiana, and located on 200 acres of land for which he had contracted before coming here. About 100 acres of his land had been cleared, and a poor one story brick house, and a double log barn had been built. Mr. Laban Hickman made his home in this house until his death, January 7, 1878. His widow still survives, and is living on the old homestead with her son Joseph. Both were members of the Primitive Baptist congregation at Mississiniwa church in Delaware County. In early life the father was a Methodist, being a member of that denomination some time after coming to Indiana, but finally joined the congregation inentioned above, and was an active Christian inan until his death. In his younger days while in Ohio he was quite a hunter, but after he came to Indiana, finding large game scarce, he devoted his tine to his farm. Like his father lie was a life-long Democrat. His father was killed in the war of the Revolution. Calvin Hickman, whose names heads this sketch, grew to manhood in his native State, being reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his neighborhood. He accompanied his parents to Jay County, re- maining with them some five years after coming here. He was married January 24, 1861, to Miss Hannah Fulkerson, a native of Greene County, Ohio, but of Virginia an- cestry. Five children have been born to this union-Orville Eliner, Joseph William, Lewis Laban, Catherine Jane, and one who died in infancy unnamed. After his marriage Mr. Hickman started in life on his own account, settling on land east of Dunkirk, which his father had purchased, where he followed farming some twelve years. He then re- moved to his present location on section 28, Richland Township, where he had previously bought sixty acres, the only improvements
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
on the place at that time consisting of a log house and a log stable. His farm now con- tains eighty acres, about sixty acres being cleared, and his improvements will compare favorably with the best in his township. He has on his land 300 rods of tile drainage, and two fine orchards. He lias a large, substantial barn, which was erected in 1881, and his handsome and commodious frame residence was built in the summer of 1886, and is sur- rounded with shade and ornamental trees. In politics Mr. Hickman is a Democrat, and al- though his party is largely in the minority in Richland Township he has been elected to official trusts. In 1872 he was elected township trustee, which position lie filled for two years. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, belonging to Richland Grange, No. 116, in which he lias filled various positions, including secretary, treasurer and overseer. Mrs. Hickman is a member of the Baptist church.
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