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 67

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 67
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 67

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

of age, locating in Seneca County, where he was married. He came to this county in October, 1857, where he has since resided. The mother was born in 1832, and is still living. Her parents have had twelve chil- dren, nine of whom are living-Peter, Joseph, Sophronia, Elizabeth, Frances, John, Henry, Helena and Eva. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have had six children, of whom five are living -- Rosa E., born June 29, 1878; Henry, born November 16, 1879; Elizabeth M., born February 2, 1881; Nora M., born August 28, 1882; Jerome L., born October 16, 1884; Andrew, born February 2, 1885, died Octo- ber 20, 1887. Mr. Wagner's parents are Peter and Margaret (Lucius) Wagner, of this county.

AMUEL HANLIN, a prominent citizen of Jay County, and one of the early settlers of Wayne Township, is a son of James Hanlin, a native of Ireland, born in County Donegal in 1770. The latter came to America when a lad of about fifteen years, with his mother's family, his father having died in Ireland, and settled in Western Penn- sylvania, and there lie grew to manhood, and was married to Miss Margaret Mills, a native of County Down, Ireland, who came to Amer- ica with her parents when two years of age. James Hanlin and wife had six children, four sons and two daughters. The father died in Pennsylvania when his son Samuel, the sub- ject of this sketch, was twenty-two years old. A few months after the death of her husband the mother removed with her children to Jackson County, Ohio, and here the family lived many years. The mother came to Jay County, Indiana, in 1855, and died in the fall of 1865, aged eighty-six years. Samuel Hanlin grew to maturity in the State of

Pennsylvania. He was married in Jackson County, Ohio, March 2, 1841, to Miss Eve- line Stephenson, who was born in Jackson County, November 8, 1815, a daughter of James Stephenson, who was a native of South Carolina. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanlin, of whom five are still living-Sarah, wife of Seth Burk, of Madi- son, Tennessee; Margaret, Eliza, wife of George Funkey, of Leipsic, Putnam County, Ohio; Jane E., wife of Frederick Stolz, re- siding near Mr. Hanlin's farm, and James R., the only surviving son, resides at Briant, Jay County. The names of the deceased are Nancy, and William M., who died May 22, 1860, in his fourteenth year. Nancy was the eldest child, and was the wife of La Roy Topping, who is also deceased. Samuel Han- lin was the first of his father's family to come to Jay County, coming first in the spring of 1852. He then purchased the land which he afterward made his homestead, on which he now lives. After purchasing his land he re- turned to Ohio, and in the fall of 1854 he returned to Jay County with his wife and seven children, his brother James also accom- panying him. Two of his brothers, Alexan- der and John S., settled in Noble Township, but are now deceased. James is still living in Wayne Township. Mr. Hanlin has lived on his homestead farm for a period of thirty- three years, and has seen the surrounding country change from a wilderness to its present advanced state of well cultivated farms and beautiful homes. When he first settled on his farm in Wayne Township, the only improvements on the place was a log cabin which had been built by Mr. Wilmore, the former owner, and a clearing of eight or ten acres. The country was then sparsely settled, and no roads nor other improvements had been made in this part of Wayne Town- ship. Mr. Hanlin received $400 from his

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

father's estate, and with this exception las by his own effort acquired his present fine property, his farm now containing 220 acres of Jay County's best soil, 150 acres being under improvement. In politics he is a Democrat. He was reared in the faitlı of the Presbyterian church, but when he came to Jay County, there being at that time no Presbyterian church, he and his wife united with the Baptist, and have since remained consistent members of that church.

BRAHAM WALTERS, a wealthy and enterprising farmer, residing on section 21, Madison Township, came to Jay County October 1, 1855, with wife and two children, locating on his present farm. A few acres had been underbrushed and there was a log cabin on the place. He and his family lived in this cabin until the following spring, when he erected a frame house and barn. The western. portion of his present lionse is a part of the one built in 1856. He built the addition in 1874, and two years later enlarged and improved his barn. Mr. Walters was born April 9, 1824, in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, where he lived until ten years of age. He was then brought by his parents to Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and where he was married June 24, 1852, to Mary A. Evans, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1826, where she was reared, educated and married. IIer parents, Thomas and Sidney (Hiser) Evans, were born in Pennsylva- nia and died in Lebanon County, Ohio. Mr. Walter's father, Abraham Walters, was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and died in Juniata County, aged sixty-five years. The mother, Catherine (Walters) Walters, was also born in Lebanon County, and died in

Madison Township, this county. Their chil- dren were-Amos, Elias, Abraham, David, Leah, Rebecca and Catherine; seven died in infancy. Mr. Walters' grandparents were born in Germany, and came to America in 1776, settling in Pennsylvania.

HOMAS IRA GRAY, farmer and stock- raiser, section 25, Penn Township, was born in Monroe County, Ohio, March 16, 1838, a son of Elisha and Atlantic (Lewis) Gray, natives of Harrison County, Ohio. His father was a son of Elijah Gray, who was a native of Maryland, of English and Irish an- cestry, and his mother was a daughter of Thomas Lewis, a native of Virginia, of Eng- lish descent. Our subject was reared on a farm in his native county until seventeen years old, when his parents moved to Jay County, Indiana, and settled on a tract of heavily timbered land in Penn Township, en- tering 160 acres from the Government. The father died February 23, 1857, aged forty-six years. After his death our subject took charge of the farm and continued to clear and improve it until it was under good cultiva- tion, making it liis home until 1883. His mother made her home with him until her death, which occurred in 1873, at the age of sixty-three years. She was a devoted mem- ber of the Society of Friends. She had a family of eight children, five of whom lived to maturity and three are now living. By a former marriage the father had three children, of whom one is living. In 1883 Mr. Gray sold the old homestead and bought the old Wright farm, where he has since lived. He owns 102 acres of improved land, all under cultivation. Mr. Gray was married June 2, 1866, to Eliza Jane Wright, a daughter of Jesse and Diana (Gardner) Wright. They

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

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have had three children, but two are living -- Gladys Delphine and Clara Frances. Mary died in infancy. In politics Mr. Gray is a Republican. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.

W. COLLETT, of Salem, was born in Warren County, Ohio, May 16, 1852. His father, William Collett, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, December 8, 1819, and died in this county in September, 1872, aged fifty-three years. His mother, Anna (Whittaker) Collett, was born in War- ren County, Ohio, August 25, 1823, and is living at Salem, this county. They were the parents of nine children-James A., Nimrod W., Susannah, Caleb W., Diantha W., Sarah K., Rachel E., Martha E., and Charles P. C. W. canie to this county when eleven years old. He was married August 12, 1879, to Miss Margaret Deros, born in Mercer County, Ohio, Angust 5, 1857, daughter of Benjamin Deros. Both her parents died when she was one month old, and she was reared by an uncle, Thomas Devor, who died in the winter of 1884. They have one child-Nellie K., born April 4, 1884. C. W. Collett & Co. purchased the steam saw-mill of William F. Berkheimer, February 16, 1878, and in the fall of 1885, added a handle factory, and in the spring of 1887 added spoke and shaft saws.

DAM FLESHER, deceased, was one of the early pioneers of Jay County, and few men did more toward developing the agricultural resources of the county than he. He was born in the State of West Vir- ginia, where he was reared. When a young

inan he went to Ohio, and was married in Warren County, that State, to Miss Elizabeth Harford, who was born in the old State of Virginia, but reared principally in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Flesher, with their two eldest sons, John and Granville, then sınall children, came to Jay County, Indiana, in 1835, and after residing in the northeast part of Jeffer- son Township about one year, they settled on section 21 of the same township, where they spent the balance of their days. There the father entered 240 acres of Government land, and lived to make it one of the best farms in his township. They left a family of five children, all of whom are yet living-John residing near Powers Station; Granville, living on the homestead of his parents; Mrs. Susannah Johnson, of St. Clair County, Mis- sonri; Mrs. Eliza Gilbert, of Greene Town- ship, Jay County, and Mrs. Elizabeth Meranda, of Jefferson Township, Jay County.

OLBY C. WINGATE, of Wayne Town- ship, has been a resident of Jay County, Indiana, since 1869, at which time he located at Dunkirk, and engaged in the sale of lightning rods, a business in which he lias had a long and successful experience. Since becoming a resident of Jay County he has spent eight years in office, holding the posi- tion of deputy sheriff four years, when, No- vember 17, 1882, he was elected to the office of sheriff, and re-elected in 1884, serving in that capacity four years with credit to him- self, and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was elected on the Democratic ticket, he being a Democrat in his political affilia- tions. At the expiration of his second term as county sheriff Mr. Wingate again engaged in the sale of lightning rods, a business he still follows, the rod which he handles being

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

of galvanized steel, patented by Edward A. Foy, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and is considered one of the best lightning protectors on the market. Mr. Wingate has a fine farın of seventy-five acres, located on section 18, Wayne Township. He has been twice inar- ried, taking for his first wife Miss Catherine E. Flynn, a native of Indiana, and to this union were born three children-George (de- ceased), James and Laura. The present Mrs. Wingate was formerly Miss Mary M. Black. She was born in Scioto County, Ohio, in 1850, a daughter of William Black, a native of Virginia. She was reared in Ohio nntil reaching the age of fourteen years, when she came with her brother to Jay County, lie be- ing still a resident of the county. Mr. Win- gate has had seven children by his second marriage, of whom five are yet living- Knowlton W., Edgar G., Jennie A. and Carl and Earl (twins). Twin girls, Bertha and Bumiss, died in infancy.

OHN HOPPES, who has been identified with the interests of Jay County for almost half a century, was born in Fay- ette County, Olio, December 6, 1815, a son of Jolin and Nancy (Brown) Hoppes, the father a native of South Carolina, and the mother born in Ohio. They were married in Ohio, in which State the father died. The mother died some time before in Jay Connty, while on a visit to the home of our subject. Jolın Hoppes, the subject of this sketch, was reared and married in his native State, and in August, 1842, with his wife and two children started with his household goods packed in a wagon, from Fayette County, Ohio, for Jay County, Indiana, bringing with them three cows and twenty head of sleep. After a tedious journey over rough and innddy roads, they ar-

rived at their destination, and settled on a tract of 160 acres of wild land in Richland Township. Mr. Hoppes had come to the connty the year before, and erected a hiewed log honse 22 x24 feet in dimensions, on his land, this being at the time the largest lionse in Jay County. The stock was then allowed to roam at large, and many a time onr sub- ject has had to go a distance of two or three miles to find his horse before going to work. Just after their arrival in the county one of his horses got away, and he had to follow it through the State of Ohio, and almost to Covington, Kentucky, before capturing it, thus leaving his family for three days, before their goods had been mupacked. Among his stock was a pet colt which he found on his way back, in a field of oats near Deerfield. Many were the hardships and privations they experienced in the pioneer home. Their trading was done at Fairview, and the nearest water mill was at Mississinewa, to which place they carried their grist on horseback. Game of all kinds was in abundance, and night was made liideous with the howling of the wolves and other wild animals. Mr. Hoppes did not spend his time hunting, but devoted his attention to clearing his land and making a home for his family. By persevering indus- try and excellent management he has suc- ceeded well in life, and is numbered among the most prosperous farmers in Richland Township, he having started his sons in life, and still has 132 acres of choice land, where lie mftakes his home. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoppes, six of whom survive, all living within a mile of the parental homestead. They are as follows- Elijah, who married Elizabeth Phillips; Syl- vester, who married Emeline Dougherty; John Henry married Mitchell Hollowell; James William married Emma Rowe, Peter married Daisy Racer, and Nancy Jane, wife of

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Albert Clore. Mr. Hoppes has aided mate- rially in the advancement of his county's in- terests. When the Pan Handle road was being built through here, and when he was less able to give than at any other time, he donated eighty acres of land, and $100 in cash, and also put in a great deal of tile along the road for which he never received any remuneration. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Dunkard church.

ILLIAM STEVENSON, deceased, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, March 17, 1805, and came to Amer- ica in 1833, making his first permanent set- tlement in Jay County, December 25, 1839. He had been employed in various occupations, working on steamboat, canal, etc. Upon his arrival here he entered 272 acres of land and commenced to make a home. Wolves and bears were abundant, and everything was in its primitive condition. He found an empty cabin on the farm now owned by his son Robert, into which he moved and lived in it until he could build one for himself. He built a double log house on section 35, Wa- bash Township, about forty rods north of the brick house he afterward built, where he died December 1, 1882. He came here with suf- ficient means to enter his land, and died leaving an estate valued at $20,000. He was married August 1, 1839, to Miss Ann Steven- son, who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and when a girl, remov- ed with her family to Columbiana County, Ohio, where she was reared and where she was married. She died June 4, 1876, and is buried beside her husband on the old homestead. The father was a generous, public spirited man, and a devoted Christian. In early life

he united with the Associated Reform Pres- byterian church, but at his death was a mem- ber of the United Presbyterian church. The father of our subject was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and came to the United States before his son William came; but being unfortunate in business here, returned to Ireland and became somewhat dependent upon his son William. Two years after the latter came lie sent for his father and cared for him while he lived. He died in Columbiana County, Ohio, before William came to Jay County. The mother died in Ireland. Will- iam had three brothers-Andrew, Robert and James. Andrew remained in Ireland and Robert and James came to America after William came. Robert died in Cincinnati, and James came to this country, where he lived thirty-six years, then went away, and all trace of hini has been lost. Our subject had only one child-Robert. He was a Demo- crat in politics previous to the war, and after that, a Republican.

LI MILLER, farmer, is a native of Jay County, Indiana, born in Jefferson Town- ship, February 14, 1849, a son of Jacob and Saralı (Kesler) Miller, who settled in Jay County in 1847. Eli Miller was but eight years old when his father died. He remained with his mother until about 1874, and while his brothers were in the war of the Rebellion he became her main reliance. He worked until twenty-four years of age, mainly for the support of his mother and her family, remain- ing on the liomestead for several months after his marriage. He was married September 14, 1872, to Miss Mary E. Heston, born January 11, 1852, in Jefferson Township, Jay County, her parents, Benjamin and Mary Heston, dying in that township when she was

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

quite young. After the death of her parents she was reared by her grandparents, Zebulon and Elizabethı Heston, both of whom have died since lier marriage. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller-Ettie Jane, Luella, Elizabetlı, William F., Oliver W., Abraham, and an infant daughter, unnamed. After leaving the home of his mother, Mr. Miller rented land on section 20, Jefferson Township, known as the Dickenson farm, where he lived two years. He then removed to section 8 of the same township, where he owned eighty acres, where he made his home for five years, and during this time made valnable improvements. He disposed of his land on section 8 in 1880, when he bought the homestead he now owns and occupies, located on section 21, Jefferson Township. To his original purchase of eighty acres he lias since added forty acres, and of lis 120 acres all but twelve acres has been cleared and brought under a high state of cultivation. Politically Mr. Miller is independent, voting for the man whom he considers best fitted for office, regardless of party ties.

J. TOWNSEND, grain dealer and real estate agent, Briant, was born in Grant, County, Indiana, July 17, 1852, son of Uriah and Rachel (Taylor) Town send, natives of Kentucky. When he was four years of age his father removed to Randolph County, where he passed his early life in as- sisting at farm work. November 7, 1872, he was married to Miss Bertha Stevens, of that county, danghter of David Stevens. In 1874 they removed to Jay County, locating near Camden, where he lived two years, then re- turned to Randolph County. In 1879 he came back to this county, bought a small farm in Jackson Township, moving upon it the fol-

lowing year. In 1884 he came to Bear Creek Township, and was engaged in farming one year, then located in Briant and purchased the grain house of Reece & Miles. His grain sales amount to $40,000 per annumn. Mr. Townsend is a Republican in politics, and in the spring of 1886 was elected justice of the peace by a majority of seventy-one. He dis- penses justice in an impartial manner to all who come before his conrt. He is a member of Red Cross Lodge, No. 88, K. of P. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend are the parents of three children-William Ed., Willard Copeland and Winifried Maude.

W. HALL, M. D., is one of the leading physicians of Portland, Indiana. He is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Darke County in 1845. When he was four- teen years of age his father, Obediah Hall, moved to Randolph County, Indiana. He at- tended school at Winchester, and in the fall of 1863 began reading medicine with Dr. W. G. Smith, at Deerfield. He attended his first course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, and then began the practice of his profession at Deerfield. In 1871 he returned to the Ohio Medical College, and took his sec- ond course of lectures and received the degree of M. D. In 1884 he graduated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, and the following year took a post graduate course, and the same year took a special course in surgery under Professor Bryant, and a special course in physical diag- nosis, under the direction of Professor Ed- ward G. Janesway. His professional experi- ence prior to his settlement in Jay County included seven years at Deerfield and eleven years in Grant County, Indiana. He located in Portland in 1885 and is already recognized

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

as one of the inost successful physicians of the place. As will be readily seen he has availed himself of the best opportunities for becom- ing thoroughly educated in every branch of his profession. He makes a specialty of treating the diseases of women and children, and has attained a wide reputation for liis success in that line. Dr. Hall was married in Randolph County, Indiana, to Miss M. M. Lucas. They have two daughters-Lula May and Rlinie.

IMROD W. COLLETT, of the firm of Collett & Co., was born in Warren County, Ohio, March 20, 1845, where he was reared to manhood. He was married August 24, 1865, to Miss Mahala A. Kunce, born in Pike Township, this county, April 20, 1852. Her parents were born in San- dusky County, Ohio. Her mother died when she was ten months old, and her father lives at Marysville, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Collett have had seven children-Mary H. E., Anna L. E., William, Charles, James H., Bertha A. and Bessie; the two oldest are deceased.

ACOB BICKEL is one of the few pioneers now living who came to Jay County as early as 1836. He was born in Preble County, Ohio, June 24, 1816, con- ing to Jay County with his parents, Thomas and Barbara Bickel, a poor, penniless young man, in very poor health. He liad received but poor educational advantages in his youth, attending school altogether but thirteen months. On coming to the county his par- ents had settled on the northwest quarter of section 13, Pike Township, now occupied by him. The father died on this farm, about

eight years after coming to the county. and the mother died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sarah Eley, in St. Joseph County, Indi- ana. Of a family of thirteen children born to them our subject was the seventh. The other children yet living are-Adam, residing in Portland; John, of Pike Township; Mrs. Maria Money, of Noble Township; Mrs. Sarah Eley, now living in Marshall County; Mrs. Ann Haag, living in southwestern Illi- nois, and Henry J., of Stark County, Indiana. Jacob Bickel was married in 1846 to Miss Melinda Brooks, a native of Franklin County, Virginia, a daughter of Benjamin and Nancy Brooks. When she was a child her parents moved to Preble County, Ohio, and later be- came pioneers of Randolph County, Indiana, where her father died. Her mother subse- quently sold their farm in Indiana, and re- turned to Ohio, dying in Preble County. To this union were born seven children-Elihu J., the eldest child, died young; Mrs. Melissa E. Childers, residing in Kansas; Mrs. Min- erva J. Miller, of Portland; Leroy, of Madi- son Township; Willis, living at home, assisting his father on the farm; Sanford, of Pike Township, and Theodore who died in early infancy. Mrs. Bickel died January 23, 1873, and in January, 1876, Mr. Bickel was again married to Miss Miriam Evans, and they are the parents of one child, a son named Thomas. Mr. Bickel commenced life for himself at the homestead in Pike Township where he still resides, when the toil of mak- ing a home out of the woods was the work of years. Having in his youth been crippled by fever sores he had but little use of lis lower limbs, and during those years he had by persevering industry and private study fitted himself for public work. He was the county's first assessor, and soon after his mnar- riage the work of assessing the whole county was given him. For nearly twenty-five years

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

he served efficiently as magistrate, resigning that office only after becoming blind, which he now is. Under the old system lie was county assessor four years, and under the present system, was township assessor in 1852. Politically he was in early life a Wlig, and is now a Republican. By hard work and years of industry and strict economy he has acquired his fine farm, which contains 120 acres of choice land. In many respects the life of Mr. Bickel lias been a remarkable one, and should teach the young that no obstacle need discourage one if possessed of courage and will. Crippled and without education, lie by his own exertions became a leading man in his township, one to whom others. came for advice and guidance.

OEL BIRDSALL resides on section 16, Penn Township, where he has a beauti- ful farm of 200 acres under a good state of cultivation. His grandparents, Whitsom and Rachel (Bradfield) Birdsall, were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born March 24, 1755, and the latter November 14, 1760. They were married in Loudoun County, Vir- ginia, and when their son John, the father of our subject, was a child they settled on a farm which was in possession of the Birdsall family for almost a century. John Birdsall, the father of our subject, was born in Penn- sylvania, in 1790, and married in Loudoun County, Virginia, April 14, 1814, to Mary Brown, who was born August 6, 1793, a daughter of John and Ann (Hurst) Brown, who were natives of Virginia, and of English descent. In 1816 John Birdsall removed with his family to Maryland, where he followed agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1828. He then returned to Loudoun

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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