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 69
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 69
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
1864, in Company B, Twenty-third Indiana Infantry. He was in the Atlanta campaign, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. Joseph Wallace was three times mar- ried, Mrs. Hanlin being a child of his second marriage, her mother's maiden name being Catherine Beauchamp. Mr. Wallace died at Nashville, Tennessee, during the war of the Rebellion, where he was a musician.
ARON D. HUDSON, one of the proml- inent men of Pike Township, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in the year 1820, a son of Benjamin and Ruth (Dodd) Hudson, who were among the pioneers of Jay County. His father was a native of Maryland, and in early life became a sailor, following the sea several years. The mother was born in the State of North Carolina. They were married in the State of Ohio, and in that State their seven children were born, of whom only two are living-Aaron D. and John T. The other children, James, Mary, William, Rebecca and Dorcas, died of con- sumption after reaching maturity, and with the parents are buried at Liber Cemetery in Wayne Township. In 1839 the parents came with their family to Jay County, Indiana, and set- tled in the woods on section 19, Pike Town- ship, the parents living there to an advanced age. The homestead contained 125 acres. Aaron' D. being nineteen years of age when he came to the county, was able to do a man's work in felling the forest and preparing the ground for crops. He remained with his parents until attaining his twenty-fifth year, when, August 8, 1844, he was married to Miss Mary Matts, who was born in Glouces- ter County, New Jersey, April 8, 1821, a daugliter of William G. and Hannah Matts, early settlers of Wayne Township, Jay Coun-
ty, they locating there in 1836. In 1839 they removed to Jefferson Township, and some two or three years later went to Winchester, Randolph County. The father is still living at the advanced age of ninety-two years, mak- ing his home in Ridgeville with his youngest daughter, Mrs. Hannah B. Dowden. His wife died over thirty years ago. Eleven chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hudson, eight of whom are still living, and all are married. They are as follows-William W., of White County, Indiana; Mrs. Rebecca E. McConnally, of Jefferson Township; Thomas B., of Pike Township; Mrs. Hannah L. Mills, of Muncie, Indiana; John F., of Pike Towil- ship; Mrs. Ruth E. Ross, of Pike Township; Mrs. Mary V. Wiley, living on the home- stead with her parents; Mrs. Emma A. Hes- ton, of Wayne Township. Benjamin S., Hugh H. and Dorcas E. are the names of those de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson commenced housekeeping on section 18, Pike Township, where they cleared a farm and built what was at that time perhaps the largest barn in the township. They disposed of that property in 1881 and moved to their present home on section 19 of the same township, where they have sixty acres of choice land. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Although his party (Republi- can) was in the minority Mr. Hudson was elected sheriff of Jay County by a vote lead- ing the State ticket 206. He served in this capacity two years, his son William acting as deputy. William Hudson was born in Jay County, Indiana, March 3, 1846, where he was reared and educated. He was married in November, 1876, to Miss Ocy Ann Collins, of Randolph County, Indiana, and they are the parents of two children, named Selby E. and Rosa A. William Hudson succeeded his father in the ownership of the homestead made by his parents, and resided there a short
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
time after his marriage. Later he engaged in the mercantile trade at Bluff Point. He is at present engaged in dealing in fruit trees at Wolcott, White County, Indiana, where he is classed among the active business men of high standing, and is well and favorably known in Jay County.
ILLIAM I. STONE, the oldest living settler of Jay County, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, March 10, 1820, a son of James and Sarah (Denny) Stone, who were born, reared and married in the State of North Carolina. After the birth of four children the parents removed from North Carolina to Gallia County, Ohio, where the father bought a farm, living there a few years. September 10, 1830, he came to Jay County, Indiana, with his family, then consisting of wife and twelve children, and settled in Noble Township, on section 35. The father entered the first land in Jay County, and lived on the land which he first entered until his death in 1849, the mother dying about a year previous, in the early part of 1848. The father was an in- dustrious citizen, and was very successful in his farming pursuits, leaving at his death 234 acres of land, and before his death he had given to each of his children a tract of eighty acres. The following children were born to the parents of our subject-Conaway, Elizabeth (deceased), Mary, Landon, Nancy and Sarah (both deceased), Franklin, William I., Lewis, Melissa, Angeline, Izarier, Ezekiel. William I. Stone, whose name heads this sketch, has always resided in Jay County since coming here with his parents in the pioneer days. At the time of their settle- ment there were but three families living in the county. Game of all kinds was abun-
dant, and wild animals were also numerons. Mr. Stone was married March 10, 1844, to Miss Margaret Warnock, who was born in Gallia County, Ohio, November 4, 1825, coming to Jay County when thirteen years of age. Her parents, Francis and Sarah (Cline) Warnock, were natives of Virginia and Penn- sylvania respectively. They settled on sec- tion 27, in 1838, in Noble Township, Jay County, and both died on the place they first entered from the Government, the father June 11, 1884, aged eighty-four years, and the mother April 5, 1886, aged eighty-nine years. They were the parents of eight children-Levi, William, Margaret, Frank, Joseph, Sanford, Perry, Joshua and Abra- ham. Mrs. Stone died March 16, 1866, leaving at her death fourteen children, and one child had preceded her. The names of the children are as follows -- John, William F., Sarah D., Mary A., Sylvester, Webster (deceased), Lewis, Frank Elizabeth, Ellen, Olive, Ezekiel, Nora, Rosalie, Samantha and Angeline. Mr. Stone still makes his home in Noble Township, where he enjoys the con- fidence and esteem of all who know him.
ILLIAM GARDNER, farmer and stock-raiser, section 24, Penn Town- ship, was born in Wayne County, Indiana, September 21, 1828, a son of Jesse and Rhoda (Bunker) Gardner, natives of Guilford County, North Carolina, and early settlers of Wayne County. His early life was spent on a farm, and his father being a blacksmith he early began to work in the shop, and when fourteen years old had his trade nearly learned. His mother died when he was a child. He made his home with his father until fifteen years old, when he began to take care of himself, although he con-
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
tinned to work for his father until after his marriage. When he was twelve years old he came to Jay County to visit his sister who resided here, and ever after had a desire to live here, and in 1850, with his wife and one child, moved to the county and located on seventy-five acres of land in Penn Township, wlrich lie began to improve, and to this he las since added until he now owns 270 acres, all nnder cultivation, with good building im- provements. Mr. Gardner was married April 19, 1849, to Maliala J. Hunt, danghter of Jesse and Catherine (Pedrick) Hunt, of Gnil- ford County, North Carolina. To them have been born ten children-Rhoda Ann, wife of J. W. Williams; Winfield S., Catherine C., wife of Henry Rigby; Ellen N., wife of Os- car Lewis; Matilda Jane, wife of Jerome Bronson; Jesse E., Maria L., wife of George Miller; William M., Lenora M., and Oran. The latter died in infancy. In politics Mr. Gardner is a Republican. He has been a representative man of his township and has held various positions of trust and responsi- bility.
ETER WALTER, farmer, Wabashı Town- slip, resides on section 30, where he owns 160 acres of land. He was born in Adams Connty, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1816, and when he was nine years old went with his parents to Columbiana County, Ohio, where the father rented an improved farm. They lived there thirteen years, then removed to this county, locating on section 22, Wabash Township, where the father en- tered eighty acres of land from the Govern- ment. He lived upon that farm until his death. He was born in Schnykill County, Pennsylvania, in April, 1790, was a shoe- maker in early life but later followed farming.
He died in 1865, and is buried at the ceme- tery situated on the State line. The mother, Susanna Walter, died in 1873 and is buried beside the father. They had three sons that served during the late war-Daniel, William and Washington. The father was drafted during the war of 1812, and furnished a sub- stitute. Peter was married November 10, 1842, to Miss Harriet Montgomery, born in Steuben County, New York, January 25, 1816, where she passed her early life. In the spring of 1839 she came to this county with her father, who settled on section 31, Wabash Township. Her mother died before they came from New York. Mrs. Walter died October 20, 1868, leaving seven children -Arabella J., born September 30, 1844, died in January, 1877; Catherine A., born June 3, 1847, wife of G. Phillips; Thomas S., born July 15, 1849; Mary A., born July 28, 1851, died in July, 1877; Fletcher G., born May 24, 1854, married Nettie West April 10, 1879; William H., born February 4, 1857, married in Noble Township; Roger S., born Angust 18, 1859. April 7, 1872, Mr. Wal- ter was married to Mary Hahn, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, September 30, 1825. She came to this connty in 1872. Her father, Jacob Hahn, was born in Mary- land and died when eighty-three years of age in 1869. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Her mother, Mary (Wickerd) Hahn, was born in Germany and came to America when three years old with her parents and three other children, the family locating in Columbiana County, Ohio. Mrs. Walter was first married to Jacob Hine, a native of Pennsylvania, who died of apoplexy in Jan- uary, 1860, aged thirty-seven years. She had two children by this marriage-Albertus D., born August 30, 1850, and John B., born May 28, 1852. Mrs. Walter's mother died in Stark County, Ohio, at the age of eighty-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
eight years. Mr. Walter's grandfather, Henry Walter, was born in Schuykill Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and died in Adams County, same State, aged eighty-four years; he was of German descent. The Runnells were probably born in Maryland, near Hagers- town. Mrs. Walter's grandparents all died before her recollection. The Hahns and Wickerds were of German descent, and the Montgomerys were of English origin. Mr. and Mrs. Walter settled upon their present farm in 1844. Mr. Walter was a Republican until 1884, at which time he voted for St. John.
HERMAN COX is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Wayne Township. He is a son of Christopher and Rebecca (Headington) Cox, his father a native of Greene County, Pennsylvania, born November 5, 1813, and his mother a native of Frederick County, Maryland, born Octo- ber 3, 1821. They had a family of eight children. Their eldest son, Warner, was born April 20, 1841, and died August 6, 1862, while serving his country in the war of the Rebellion, at Oberly Hospital, Mem- phis, Tennessee. A daughter, Ruth, was born August 11, 1846, and died in December, 1886. Sherman is the eldest of the living children. The others are-Mrs. Emeline Huey, Mrs. Catherine Hood, Mrs. Lucinda Green, James W. and Mrs. Geneva K. Atkin- son. James was born August 23, 1858, and married Ettie Jane, daughter of Jeremiah Tnllis, and has two children-Lola Montez and Lewis Russell. Sherman Cox was born in Knox County, Ohio, September 3, 1842, and was but a child when his parents moved to Jay County. He assisted his father in clearing and improving a farm, and subse-
quently bought 100 acres on the west half of section 14, Wayne Township, sixty acres of which he has improved. Mr. Cox married Esther Ann Atkinson, a daughter of Willianı B. and granddaughter of Thomas Atkinson, a pioneer of Jay County. Mrs. Cox died March 16, 1877, leaving two sons-Harrison El- iner and Arthur Perry.
FRANKLIN GAMMILL, farmer and stock-raiser, Penn Township, was born in York County, Pennsylvania, Octo- ber 6, 1833, a son of William and Frances (Blaine) Gammill. His father was born in York County, October 7, 1798, a son of William Gammill, also a native of Pennsyl- vania, of Scotch descent. His mother was born in 1807, a daughter of Jolin Blaine, who was a native of Ireland. The parents were married March 27, 1823, and in 1835 moved to Indiana and located in Wayne County, near Richmond, where the mother died October 22, 1842. The father lived in Wayne County eight years, and in February, 1843, moved to Jay County, and settled on a tract of wild land he had entered from the Government in 1837. This land was heavily timbered, but after getting it cleared lie bought eighty acres more of improved land, and by subsequent purchases added sixty acres more to it. The father was married a second time December 29, 1842, to Elizabeth Pyle, of Wayne County. In the fall of 1863 he left Jay County, returning to his native county, where he lived until his death, which occurred September 13, 1867. Ilis family consisted of eight children, seven of whom are living-James E., John B., Will- iam J., Robert, G. Franklin, Mary J., wife of John M. Andrews, of York County, Pensyl- vania, and Margaret, wife of James Long, of
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
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Hillsdale, Michigan. Our subject was nine years of age when his father mnoved to Jay County, and here his youth was spent in assisting to clear the land of timber and pre- pare it for cultivation, and when not thius engaged he attended the subscription schools. He remained with his father until 1863, and after reaching his majority worked for him by the month until the latter's return East. His first purchase of land was eighty acres of timber, which he cleared and improved and afterward sold. After his father's death he bought ninety-five acres of the home farn, and to this he has added until he now owns 483 acres of good land, all well improved. In connection with attending to his farm he has at different times been engaged in other branches of business, in which he has been generally successful. He is a representative inan of the township, and has always been ready to do lis share in assisting to improve and develop the county. He was elected county commissioner in 1876, and re-elected in 1878, holding the position eight years. In politics he is a Democrat. He was mar- ried September 14, 1876, to Amanda J. Sparr, a native of Jay County, daughter of James M. and Elizabeth (Smith) Sparr. To them have been born four children, two of whom are living-William R. and Leona. Mrs. Gammill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ICHOLAS STOLZ, fariner, section 6, Noble Township, was born in Dayton, Ohio, September 1, 1847, son of Philip and Margaret (Martin) Stolz. When he was ten months old he was brought to this county by his parents, who located on the farm he now owns and occupies. He was reared in this county and educated in the common
schools of his father's district. He was married. April 21, 1870, to Miss Elizabeth Marm, born September 14, 1854, and daughter of Philip and Catherine (Snyder) Marm, natives of Germany. They are now living in West- chester, this county. The mother has been twice married, and Mrs. Stolz is an only child. Mr. and Mrs. Stolz have three children- Catherine C., born October 22, 1878; Laura S., born August 22, 1882, and Philip O., born June 27, 1885. They are members of the Lutheran church, and in politics lie is a Republican. Mr. Stolz's grandfather, Philip Stolz, was born in Alsace, Germany, and died in this county. His grandmother Stolz died in Alsace before her husband came to Amer- ica. His maternal grandparents were also born in Alsace. May 14, 1886, a fearful cyclone passed over the farm of Mr. Stolz, unroofing his house and barn, killing one cow, and blowing down ten acres of timber.
OHN T. HUDSON, section 18, Pike Township, is a native of Ohio, born in Harrison County, May 12, 1830, a son of Benjamin and Ruth (Dodd) Hudson, early settlers of Pike Township. Our subject was but nine years old when his parents came to Jay County, and here he was reared, his youth being spent in helping to build up the family home. He remained with his parents until twenty-four years of age, when, in 1854, he was married to Miss Susan Kidder, daugh- ter of John and Sarah (Buras) Kidder, early settlers of Pike Township, coming here from Warren County, Ohio, although originally from New England. The parents are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Hudson were born seven children, but three of whom are living-John A., of Missouri; Aaron J., living on the homestead of his grandparents,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
and James L. at home. Benjamin died aged fourteen years, and three children died in infancy. Mrs. Hudson died December 25, 1870, aged forty-two years. In 1871 Mr. IIudson married Mary L. Kidder, who died in 1877, leaving no children. December 29, 1880, he married Malinda Hedrick, daughter of Cyrus Hedrick. She is a native of Dela- ware County, Indiana, born in 1850. Mr. IIudson owns a good farmi of 118 acres, and also fifty-six acres of his father's homestead. He and his wife are members of the Method- ist Episcopal church. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but now affiliates with the Prohibition party, making all other politi- cal issues secondary to that interest.
LDER WILLIAM SMITH, an early settler, and one of the pioneer preachers of Jay County, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, July 25, 1815, a son of Jacob and Jane (Elliot) Smith, the father born in New Jersey. Both parents died in Hardin County, Iowa, the father dying October 18, 1866, aged seventy-five years, and the mother dying in her seventy-nineth year. With the excep- tion of four years spent in Jackson County, Ohio, our subject lived in his native county until attaining the age of twenty-two years. He was married October 3, 1836, to Miss Prudence Maxon, a native of Greene County, Ohio, born June 15, 1817, but reared from her fourth year in Clarke County. She is a daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Sutton) Maxon, botlı of whom were born in New Jersey. They died in Clarke County, Ohio, both reaching an advanced age. To Mr. and Mrs. Sinith were born four children-Jacob G., born July 12, 1837; John H., born October 3, 1842; Olive, born June 23, 1846, and Hosea T., born September 25, 1849. Mr. Smith
came to Jay County, Indiana, October 1, 1840, and settled with his family, consisting of wife and one child, in Pike Township, on a tract of fifteen acres of unimproved land. He made some improvements on this place, where he lived four years, and in 1844 sold it and removed to Cass County, Michigan. He remained over six years in Cass County, when he returned to Jay County. He subse- quently lived for a time in Randolph County, Indiana, and also spent twelve years in Richardson County, Nebraska, returning to Jay County in 1881, where he has since re- sided. He is a consistent member of the Christian church, and still preaches at stated intervals in his own denomination. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, en- listing in November, 1863, in Company I. One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, his regiment being a part of the Twenty- third Army Corps, under General Schofield. He was mustered out of the service in No- vember, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert cele- brated their golden wedding October 3, 1886, and at this celebration were present Gilbert G. Davis and Sally Maxon, a sister of Mrs. Smith, who were married at the same time, thus celebrating their golden wedding to- gether.
OHN POIRY, deceased, who resided on section 19, Wabash Township, was born in Belgium, January 3, 1818, where he was reared and educated. In 1839 he came to America and located in Tiffin, the county- seat of Seneca County, Ohio, where he started a wagon shop, which he carried on until 1862. He then sold his business and removed to Wyandot County where he bought eighty acres of land in the wilderness. Their neighbors came and helped to clear away the
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MAAAAAAN
HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
brush for them to build their first round- log cabin. They moved in before the roof was put on. They improved the farm until 1872, then sold out and removed to Wabash Township, this connty, locating on a farm now occupied by Mrs. Poiry. There was a small hewed-log shanty on the place, and fourteen acres of clearing. Mr. Poiry purchased eighty acres of land. They lived in the log shanty until 1882 when they built their present frame house, Mr. Poiry died November 29, 1882, and was buried at Trinity Catholic Church cemetery. He was married in Tiffin, Ohio, in 1847, to Miss Mary Gillenm, who was born December 24, 1818, in Belgium, where she was reared to womanhood. In the spring of 1839 she came to America with some neighbors who settled in Tiffin, Ohio. Five years later her parents came over, settling also in Seneca County, on a farm, where they remained until their decease. Her parents were John and Mary A. (Pete) Gilleum, natives of Belgium. Her father was born in 1794 and died in 1862. The mother was born in 1794 and died in 1854. Both are buried at the French church cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Poiry had eight children, six of whom are living- Sophia, born January 22, 1847, wife of Fred Weninger; Catherine M., born July 5, 1848, wife of Joseph Federspiel; Jacob, born May 22, 1850, died November 1, 1851, Mary A., born April 11, 1852, died October 11, 1853; John B., born March 16, 1854, married Mary M. Wagner, June 12, 1883; Anna M., born June 20, 1856, is a member of the Convent of the Precious Blood; Nicholas, born May 19, 1858, is a priest at Russia, Shelby Conn- ty, Ohio; Joseph F., born May 1, 1860. The family are members of the Trinity Cath- olic Church. The tile factory was established in the spring of 1886 by the Poiry Brothers. They burned eight kilns the first year and all
has been sold. They expect to mannfacture double that amount during the coming summer. They have one of the best clay beds in the county for the tile business.
OHN BURRIS, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Bear Creek Township. He'was born in Maryland, in 1797, and reared in Madison County, Ohio. He married Mary Tony, a native of Ohio, and came to this county in 1847, locating on what is known as the Bur- ris homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Burris reared eight children-Henry, Rebecca, Mary, Abi- gail, Isaac, Jane, Christian and Albert; five died in infancy. When Mr. Burris first came to the county lie entered 240 acres of land from the Government. His first house was a log cabin, 18 x 20 feet, which had been built the previous year. It had a clapboard roof and a puncheon floor. His second house was built of native walnut humber, and the logs were taken nine miles to be sawed. Mr. Burris died in 1872, and his wife in 1877, at the old homestead. He was a worthy and consistent memberof the Campbellite church.
LBERT GRISELL, a native of Ohio, and an enterprising and progressive citizen of Penn Township, Jay County, was born in Columbiana County, July 10, 1831, the fourth son of Samuel Grisell. When he was three years old his parents im- migrated to Jay County, Indiana, locating in Penn Township, where his youth was spent in assisting his father clear and improve his frontier farm, and in attending the log cabin subscription schools of his day, where lie re- ceived but limited educational advantages. He remained with his parents until he grew
Albert Grisel.
Rachel A. Frisell,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
to manhood. He was married July 7, 1853, to Miss Rachel Ann Starbuck, a daughter of Joseph and Grace (Lupton) Starbuck. Of the seven children born to this union only four are living-Ann, wife of Dr. William C. Hastings; Grace S., Arthur A. and Mary H. Martha H., a twin of Mary, died at the age of two years; James S. died aged six years, and Emma E. at the age of one year. After his marriage Mr. Grisell settled on an unimproved farm given him by his father, and later his father gave him another tract of twenty acres, which he cleared and improved, living on it until 1871. He then sold it and purchased 128 acres of partially improved land on section 35, Penn Township, which he made into one of the best farms in the town- ship. He resided on this farm until 1884, when he sold his land and bought his present home in the suburbs of Camden. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. In 1876 he was elected to the office of county treasurer, serving as such one term, with honor to himself and satisfaction to his con- stituents. Both he and his wife are members of the Society of Friends. Joseph Starbuck, the father of Mrs. Grisell, was a native of Belmont County, Ohio, a son of Hezekiah Starbuck, who was born on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. The ancestors of Mrs. Grisell came from Wales to America about 1700, and settled on Nantucket Island to es- cape persecution on account of their religion, being Quakers. Several of the family were seamen, and when but twenty-two years of age the great-grandfather of Mrs. Grisell was made captain of a whaling vessel. He sub- sequently abandoned the sea, and with some of his cousins settled in Guilford County, North Carolina. His son Hezekiah removed from North Carolina to Belmont County, Ohio, where Joseph, the father of Mrs. Gris- ell was born, and when the latter was eight
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