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 68

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 68
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 68

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County, and purchased a portion of the old Birdsall homestead, where he spent the re- mainder of liis life, dying September 28, 1830, leaving his wife and eight children to mourn the loss of an affectionate linsband and father. He was a consistent member of the Society of Friends, and liad led an active Christian life. His widow survived him un- til March 10, 1859, having reared her family to become useful members of society. Joel Birdsall, whose name heads this sketch, re- mained with his mother until he attained his majority, after which he attended and taught school until 1854. In that year he came to Jay County, Indiana, and purchased a farın of eighty acres of partially improved land in Penn Township. The following spring he returned to Logan County, Ohio, where he was united in marriage March 27, 1855, to Miss Jane C. Brown, who was born January 30, 1828, a daughter of Zachariah and Hannah (Morman) Brown, the former being a cousin of E. M. Stanton, the late Secretary of State. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Birdsall-Alvin J., born January 1, 1856, died aged two years and twelve days; Carrie B., wife of James M. Sutton, and Anna A., who died August 30, 1881, aged nineteen years. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Birdsall came to their pioneer home in Penn Township, where they began house- keeping in a rude log cabin which stood near the site of the present residence of Mr. Bird- sall. By close attention to his pursuits and good management he has succeeded well since becoming a resident of Jay County, and las now a good competency for his declining years. Mr. Birdsall served twelve years as justice of the peace, holding that office with credit to himself and satisfaction to his con- stituents. He is a minister in the Society of Friends, and is an active worker in the cause of Christianity. Mr. Birdsall was bereaved

Tine Ye

Joel Bindoall

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

by the death of his wife May 25, 1887, after a happy and contented life together of thirty- two years.

ILLIAM J. HOUCK, a member of the law firm of Honck & Adair, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Jay County, his grandfather, Samuel Houck, having settled in Penn Town- ship, Jay County, as early as 1837, dying there in 1863. He left two sons, Jacob, who died in 1880 on the farm where his father settled in 1837, and Samnel B., the father of our subject. Samuel B. Houck left the county with his family in 1864, and is now a resident of Grant County, Indiana. He had a family of nine children, of whom three sons and five daughters are still living. One son is deceased, William J. Houck was the fourth child in his father's family, and was born in Jay County, February 15, 1853, and was about eleven years of age when his par- ents removed to Grant County. He was edu- cated principally at Ridgeville College, in Grant County, from which he graduated in 1880. He has long been identified with the educational interests of Jay County, and was one of the most efficient teachers of Eastern Indiana. He began his career as a teacher when sixteen years of age, thus defraying liis own expenses, working his way through col- lege, and also to the attainment of a profes- sional education. He has had charge of several of the best and more advanced schools of Jay and other counties, being principal of the Dunkirk school from 1875 until 1877, and in 1878-'79 hield the same position in the Montgomery school, near Cincinnati. While in charge of the Montgomery school he studied law, and was examined each week by Philip Bettinger, the preceptor appointed

by the dean of the law school at Cincinnati. In 1880 he was admitted to the bar at Port- land, where he practiced law until he was elected superintendent of the schools of Jay County in June, 1881. He was re-elected to the same office in 1883, and again elected in 1885, serving. three terms of two years each, and at the expiration of his third term he resumed the practice of law at Portland. In politics Mr. Honck casts his suffrage with the Democratic party. Mrs. Houck was formerly Miss J. H. Shack. She is a native of Richland Township, Jay County, Indiana.

ARTIN HAMMITT, of Jackson Town- ship, has been a resident of Jay County for many years, having been identified witlı the growth and development of Jackson Township for thirty-seven years. He was born September 15, 1813, a son of Joseph and Mary (Briant) Hammitt, the father being of English descent. He was a soldier in the war of 1812-'14, and died while in the service of his country. Martin Hammitt, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farın and has followed farming principally through life. He received but a limited education in his boyhood, attending the subscription schools of that early day. He was married to Miss Anna Mary Overmier, a daughter of John George and Catherine Eve (Huffman) Overmier, and to them were born seven chil- dren, whose names are-Oliver H. P., George W., Samuel, Saralı Ann, John, James M. and Benjamin. Five of the sons were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion, one son, James M., being confined in Andersonville Prison for five months. Mr. Hammitt made his home in Sandusky County, Ohio, from 1836 until 1850, when lie came to the farm in Jackson Township, Jay County, on which he now re-

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

sides. When he first settled on this land it was covered with heavy timber, the entire surroundings being in a state of nature. He has since cleared and improved his land, and is now the owner of 120 acres of well culti- vated land, a commodious residence and barn and other out-buildings in good condition. Mr. Hammitt voted for John C. Fremont for President in 1856, and since then has been a strong adherent to the principles of the Re- publican party. He has served his township as trustee with credit to himself and satisfac- tion to his constituents. He has been a member of the Christian church since 1850, of which he has been trustee.

IRAM PREMER, deceased, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, July 24, 1817. He was reared in his native county, and inarried Elizabeth Premer in 1838. He re- moved to Jay County with his wife and three children-Sarah, Isaac and William, and located on section 9, Noble Township, where he had previously entered 160 acres of land from the Government. Besides himself, there were two other settlers there-Martin Ryan and Joseph Nevis. Mr. Premer was the son of Samuel and Mary Premer. The father was born in Westmoreland County Pennsylvania, September 11, 1796, and when three years of age removed to Butler County with his parents. In 1812 the family re- moved to Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1838 came to this county. At this time Samuel had a wife and seven children-Hiraın, Eliza- beth, William, Sarah, James, Mary, Samuel and an infant unnamed that died on the home- stead. William was accidentally killed by the discharge of a gun in the hands of a neighbor's boy, while out hunting. The sad event occurred in 1847, when William was

twenty-one years of age. James died in Wayne County, Ohio, February 14, 1831, aged nearly four years. Samuel died on the homestead. The mother of our subject was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1796, and in 1811 removed to Wayne County, Ohio, with her parents, who lived in a block-house for the first few montlis on account of Indian troubles. She died in the fall of 1861, and is buried in the Premer Cemetery. Samuel Premer was drafted in the war of 1812; but being one month younger than was required by law he was released. Iliram Premer, the father of Isaac, married for his second wife, Lydia Arnold, a widow, and they had one child- Elizabeth. He died December 13, 1881, and his wife afterward married David Sigler, who is living in Noble Township. In Hiram's family were ten children-Sarah (deceased), Isaac, William, Mary, who died leaving ten children; Frederick, who was a soldier in the late war and died at Memphis; Samuel, who also served in the late war, three years, and now lives in Red Willow County, Nebraska; Solomon and Abbey (twins), James and John.

UGUSTUS BOSWORTH, a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of Jay County, was born in Greene Township, Gallia County, Ohio, De- cember 3, 1820, the eldest son of Dr. Jacob Bosworth, and no name is more prominently identified with the early history of the county than that of Bosworth. The family is of New England ancestry, and all of that name in America are descended from two brothers, one of whom left ten sons and the other two sons. Our subject was in his sixteenth year when his father immigrated with his family to Jay County, Indiana. He received

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

but limited educational advantages in his boyhood, and after coming to Jay County attended school but three days. Being then old enough to work, although small for his age he assisted his father to clear and improve their pioneer farm from a state of nature. He assisted in building the first school-house in the county, being built of logs, and erected on his father's land. His father built the first hewed log house in the county, assisted by our subject, and he also made the shingles for the first building erected for church purposes in Portland. He also helped to build the first bridge across the Salamonie River. Augustus Bosworth was married August 13, 1844, to Miss Keziah W. Mills, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, April 2, 1827, a daughter of Michael Mills, who came to Jay County in 1838, settling in Jefferson Township, Mrs. Bosworth being then eleven years old. Mr. Mills was born in North Carolina, and when a boy was taken to Kentucky by his father, Jacob Mills, who became an associate with Daniel Boone in the early history of Kentucky. Michael Mills was reared principally in Ohio, and moved from Warren County, that State, to Jefferson Township, Jay County, where he entered a lıalf section on which he lived till his death. He was twice married, his first wife, Eliza- beth (Whittaker) Mills, being the mother of Mrs. Bosworth. She was a native of Virginia, coming with her parents to Warren County, Ohio, when six years of age, where she was married, and wliere she died. She was of Quaker parentage. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bosworth, six sons and five daughters. Marcus, the eldest son, served in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Indiana Infantry, whichi afterward became known as the Eightlı Cavalry. He was educated at Liber, Jay County, and Ridgeville College, Randolphi

County, and lias followed the teacher's profes- sion about seventeen years. He is the author of Bosworth's Grammar. He is now living in Kansas. The remaining children are- Eli M., a resident of Wayne Township; Homer B., at Liber; Anthony R., Cyrus L., Charles A. S., Mrs. Ruth Butcher, Mrs. Sarah B. Imel. Hannalı E., the eldest child, died aged fifteen months; Harriet G. died in her third year, and another daughter, Mrs. Laurilla Smith, died in Iowa. Mr. Bosworth still resides on section 32, Wayne Township, on land which he had entered in 1837. At that time lie liad entered but forty acres, which was all that minors were allowed to enter. In 1838 lie united with the Method- ist church, of which he was a member for seventeen years. Later lie became a member of the Presbyterian church, to which he still belongs. In early life he was a Whig, then an Independent Republican, and now a Prohi- bitionist. Before attaining the age of twenty- one years he was a delegate to a State Con- vention at Indianapolis.

S YLVESTER HOPPES, an active and enterprising citizen of Jefferson Town- ship, where he is engaged in farming on section 19, is a native of Ohio, born in Fay- ette County, December 11, 1841. When less than a year old lie was brought by his parents, John and Saralı (Caylor) Hoppes, to Jay County, Indiana, and was reared on the home farm in Richland Township, where his father still resides. He was brought up a farmer, which avocation he has followed successfully through life. He remained on his father's homestead until his marriage, which occurred December 13, 1866, to Miss Emeline Daugher, who was born in Greene County, Olio, but reared in Richland Township, Jay

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

County, Indiana, where her parents, James and Jemima Dauglier, still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Hoppes are the parents of five children -James Palmer, Jolin Ora, Annie Bell, William Oscar and Jesse Lee. Mr. Hoppes settled on his present farm in August, 1867, in a hewed log house erected by himself. His farm then consisted of 133 acres of timber land, with the exception of about eight acres, which had been cleared, this land being deeded by his father at the nominal price of $500, to be paid later. By industry, com- bined witlı good management, Mr. Hoppes has from this small beginning acquired his present fine property, and by his fair and honorable dealings he has gained the confi- dence and respect of all who know him. To the original 133 acres he has added eighty acres more on section 18, Jefferson Township, which he has improved since purchasing. In connection with farming he devotes consider- able attention to general stock-raising, in which he is meeting with good success. He erected one of the largest and best arranged barns in his neighborhood, in 1885, and in 1877 his fine brick residence, one of the best in his township, was built, In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. Hoppes attend the Methodist Episcopal church, and are active in promot- ing and upholding that organization.

OHN H. BARR, dealer in general mer- chandise, Pennville, Indiana, is a native of Wayne County, Indiana, born Marclı 6, 1839, a son of Robert and Leah (Hiatt) Barr. His father was a native of Pennsyl- vania, a son of John Barr, who was a native of North Carolina, of Scotchi descent. His motlier was a native of North Carolina, of English ancestry, daughter of John and Mar-

garet (Nichols) Hiatt. Her father died, and her mother afterward married John Barr, and after his death Shadrach Stafford. She died in Highland County, Olio, at the age of seventy- three years. Robert Barr was a blacksmith by trade, and in 1844 went to Pittsburg on business, and while there was taken sick with cholera and died. His father went to care for him, and a few days after his return honie died. The family soon after was stricken with scarlet fever, and a sister of our subject, aged five years, died. The mother was left in very limited circumstances, but she went bravely to work and was able to care for her children. In 1849 she moved to Jay Coun- ty, and settled in Penn Township, where she tauglit a subscription school, and when not thus employed took in sewing. As soon as they were old enough tlie boys went to work, the oldest going to live with an uncle. The mother was married after her removal to Jay County to Joseph Lupton, and to this mar- riage were born two children, one of whom died in infancy, and the otlier, a daughter, Margaret, is now the wife of Jacob Good. Our subject started out to take care of him- self at an early age, having no home, his mother having died a few years after her second marriage. When he was fifteen years old he went to learn the harness maker's trade of Thomas E. Borden, and a year later went to Clarke County, Iowa, and engaged in farming a year. He then returned to Penn- ville, and for two years worked for his uncle, Eli Downs, when he went to Highland Coun- ty, Ohio, where he remained, with the excep- tion of a short time spent in Pennville, until the breaking ont of the war of the Rebell- ion. He enlisted in the first call for volun- teers, and served three months in the First Highland Reserves, raised by Governor Trum- bull. He afterward enlisted in the Twelfthı Ohio Cavalry for three years. His first battle

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

was at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, and then his regiment was engaged in guerrilla fighting in Kentucky, and afterward went to Saltville, West Virginia, where they had a three days fight. Mr. Barr was one of those who went to the top of the enemy's fortifications, and he was wounded twice, one ball fracturing his skull above the left ear, and another striking his right hand. He had gained the top and was returning when he was wounded, and fell over the side of an embankment fif- teen feet, and for two hours lay insensible. When he regained consciousness, he by a mighty effort crawled to a cabin which was used as a hospital, when he again became un- conscious, and when he came to himself again found he was a prisoner. He was taken to the enemy's hospital, where he lay a week insensible, and for twelve days was in a pre- carious condition. He was then taken to Lynchburg, and from there five days later to Libby Prison, where he remained until a general exchange of 10,000 on each side was made. Onr subject being so ill that he was not thonght able to travel, he was not num- bered with those who were to be exchanged, but when the roll was called he answered to the name of another man who gave his place to him, as he thonght Mr. Barr would die if left behind. After returning to our lines he recovered and rejoined his command, and served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged at Nashville, Novem- ber 24, 1865. After his return from the war he located in Jay Connty, where he has since lived. He engaged in farming in Penn Township until failing health compelled him to abandon it, and he was then engaged in trading in stock three years, and in 1881 em- barked in his present business. He was mar- ried March 31, 1866, to Callista S. Field, a native of Piqna County, Ohio, daughter of Jonathan and Eliza Field. They have six

children - Laura, Theodore, Cordelia M., Clara, Mary and Sydney. Mr. Barr is a member of James B. Cartwright Post, No. 358, G. A. R., of which he is now Quarter- master. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

ILLIAM F. BERKHEIMER, farmer, section 28, Madison Township, was born on section 35, same township, July 16, 1841. He was reared on the home farın, and educated in the common schools of his father's district. He was married June 17, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth Kaufman, who was born in Madison Township, on section 29. Her father's family came from Miami County, Ohio, in 1842, locating in Jay County. Her father, Henry Kaufman, was born in Ger- inany in 1815, and came to America with an uncle, settling in Pennsylvania. When a young man he went to Marion County, Ohio, where he was married to Mary Lourer. He died in 1859, aged forty-four years, and is buried in Boundary cemetery. The mother was born in Pennsylvania, and when a small child came with her parents to Miami County, where she was reared and married. She died April 3, 1872. They were the par- ents of thirteen children-Nancy, Philip (de- ceased), Elizabeth, Caroline, Mary (deceased), William (deceased), Henry, George, Da- vid, Sarah (deceased), Catherine and Chris- tian (deceased). Her maternal grandparents, Christian and Dorothy C. (Free), were born in Germany and were married in that country. When they came to America they settled in Pennsylvania. Her paternal grandparents, William and Mary Kaufinan, were born and died in Ger- many. Mr. Berkheimer's father, Isaac Berk-

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

heimer, was born in Virginia, and when a young man, went on foot to Muskingum County, Ohio, where he married Margaret Conaway. He remained in that county until he came to this county in the fall of 1839. He entered 400 acres of land, and went to work to make a home for his family. He died in November, 1881, leaving a large estate. The mother was born in Muskingum County, and died October 3, 1880. Their children were-Mary M., born March 19, 1867, died in September, 1878; William I., born Au- gust 15, 1868; Jolin W., born April 22, 1872; James L., born July 17, 1874; Effie E., born March 21, 1878; Henry L., born February 1, 1881, died at the age of seven weeks; George, born March 1, 1883, died November 28, same year; Lennie, born Octo- ber 16, 1885. Mr. Berkheimer was elected justice of the peace in 1872, and is now serv- ing his third term. He was also constable three terms.

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ICHAEL ELEY, farmer, section 19, Madison Township, was born in Knox County, Ohio, February 2, 1831. When a babe his parents removed to Ricli- land, now Morrow County, where the family lived until 1839, then came to this county and located on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 9. The father had entered this land several years before, and brought his family into the wilderness. His parents were Jacob and Lovina (Bosonburg) Eley, the former born in Pennsylvania, March 30, 1796, died April 10, 1881; the latter, born in Knox Coun- ty, Ohio, September 3, 1799, died January 22, 1861; both are buried in the Boundary City cemetery. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom were born in Richland and Knox counties. Their names are as fol-

lows-John, Mary, Hugh, Peter, Martha, who died in Adams County in April, 1885; Aaron, Michael, Philip, Elizabeth, who died in 1853, aged seventeen years; Catherine, born April 12, 1838, died in August, 1865. Our subject was married in Portland, October 8, 1857, to Miss Sarah Imel, who was born in Perry County, Ohio, March 26, 1841, and when ten years of age came to this county with her parents, who settled on the farm now owned by Washington Fields. Her father was born in Perry County and died upon his farm in this county, November 22, 1868, aged fifty-five years. Her mother was born Jauuary 30, 1817, also in Perry County, and is living with her youngest son, Thomas, in Portland. Mr. Eley commenced keeping house upon the farm where he now resides a year before his marriage, and after his mar- riage his family occupied it nine years. He then built his present farm-house. Mr. and Mrs. Eley have had seven children, five of whom are living, as follows-Nathaniel, born January 1, 1859, died August 28, 1861; Catherine, born June 20, 1862, married Ben- jamin Rickner; Nancy, born February 17, 1864, lied October 27, 1868; Melissa, born June 11, 1874; George W., born May 13, 1878; Millie B., born January 22, 1883.

ROF. W. W. WIRT, the present effi- cient superintendent of the schools of Portland, is a native of Medina, Ohio, born in the year 1859, a son of Peter W. and Sibyl R. (Finley) Wirt. His maternal grand- father was a cousin of the noted Methodist divine, Indian missionary and author, Rev. James B. Finley. When he was a year old his parents removed to La Salle County, Illinois, settling on a farm five miles north of Mendota. At the age of fourteen Mr.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Wirt entered a drug store at Wadsworth, where he was employed as clerk until seven- teen years of age. He then lived with his grandparents at Mendota, Illinois, where he attended high school, from which he gradu- ated in the class of 1879, after which he took a five years' course at Lake Forest University, graduating at the head of his class in 1884. He is at present pursuing post graduate studies in philosophy, assigned for non-resi- dents by Wooster (Ohio) University, which confers upon those who complete the course the degree of Ph. D. In 1883 Professor Wirt was married to Miss M. A. Woodbridge, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Dr. T. A. and S. R. Woodbridge, her father being a uative of the State of Connecticut. They are the parents of two children-Don Carlos, born in 1884, and Grace, born in 1886. In 1884 the professor was elected to the position of superintendent of the Portland schools. In his manner he is quiet and unas- suming, but takes an active interest in the advancement of the cause of educa- tion, and has proved himself eminently fitted for the duties of the position. In his re- ligious views Professor Wirt is a Presby- terian, and in the winter of 1885-'86 he was elected an elder of the Presbyterian church at Portland. He is also president of the Portland Lecture Association, and of the Jay County Teachers' Association.

AMES P. HANLIN resides on section 12, Wayne Township, his farm of eighty acres comprising the west half of the southwest quarter of that section. He was born in Jackson County, Ohio, August 8, 1844, the eldest son of John S. and Martha Jane (Wilson) Hanlin. John S. Hanlin was one of four brothers, Alexander, Samuel,

James and himself, who settled in Jay County, Indiana, within a few years of each other, John S. settling in Noble Township in 1856. He was born in Washington County, Penn- sylvania, and from his native county went to Jackson County, Ohio, where he married Martha Jane Wilson, and as before stated came to Jay County in 1856, where his father lived until his death. He left a widow, who still occupies the homestead in Noble Town- ship, and five sons-James P., William W. of Noble Township; John S., living in Wayne Township; Joseph N., of Noble Township, and Thomas B., the youngest, who is living on the homestead with his mother. The father was one of the representative citizens of Noble Township, and like his brothers was recognized as one of the substantial men of Jay County. In politics he was a Democrat, and early in life took a decided interest ill political matters. He was auditor of Jackson County, Ohio, for two terms, and also served four years as county treasurer. At one time he was township treasurer of Noble Township, and for a number of years held the office of justice of the peace. In his religious belief he was a Presbyterian. James P. Hanlin, whose name heads this sketch, was twelve years old when brought by his parents to Jay Coun- ty, and here lie grew to manhood. He was twice married. His first wife was Margaret Hood, a daughter of David Hood, one of the old pioneers of Noble Township, Jay County, who died in June, 1885. Mrs. Hanlin was born in Noble Township, and died March 17, 1877, leaving at her death one daughter, named Minnie May. For his second wife Mr. Hanlin married Lottie Wallace, a native of Mercer County, Ohio, born January 7, 1856, a daughter of Joseph Wallace. To this union a daughter named Hazel, has been born. Mr. Hanlin served as a soldier during the last year of the war, enlisting October 22,

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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