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 71

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 71
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 71

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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and very productive. Ile has a beautiful residence surrounded by a natural grove, which in the past has been used as a pleasure ground, and for natural beauty it is unsur- passed in Jay County, Mr. Andrew has been twice married, first in 1872 to Miss Narcissa Linnville, a native of Delaware County, Indi- ana, and a daughter of Boyd Linnville, who is yet living in Delaware County. To this union was born one child, who is now deceased. Mrs. Andrew died in the fall of 1879, and in 1881 Mr. Andrew was united in marriage to Miss Ella Adelia Gunder, a native of Marion, Grant County, Indiana. They are the parents of one child, a daughter, Carrie. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew are members of the Methodist church. In politics he is a Republican, and has been elected and served as constable sev- eral terins. Ile is a member of Grant Lodge, No. 335, I. O. O. F., at Redkey.

ACOB STRAUSBURG, an enterprising citizen of Jackson Township, where he is engaged in general blacksmithing and wagon and carriage ironing, is a native of Maryland, born in Frederick County, April 2, 1818, a son of Frederick and Mary (Jen- tis) Strausburg. When he was seven years old his parents removed to Clarke County, Ohio, where he was reared, following the avocation of a farmer until nineteen years of age. He then went to Greene County, Ohio, where he commenced learning his trade, be- coming an expert and skillful workman. When abont twenty-one years of age he mar- ried Miss Susan Grandall, and this union has been blessed with seven children-Samuel, Frederick, George, James, Simon, Jesse and Elizabeth. Two years after his marriage Mr. Strausburg returned to Clarke County, Ohio, where he worked at his trade until

1872. In that year he came to Jay County, Indiana, locating on the farm in Jackson Township, where he has since made his home. His farm contains 116 acres of choice land, well improved and under fine cultivation. He yet carries on his trade, which he has fol- lowed over forty years. IIe is a very reliable workman, and understands thoroughly all the details of the business to which he has devoted his attention for so many years. He is a man of quiet, unassuming manners, in- dustrious, and strictly honorable in all his dealing, and is well respected by all who know him.

HILIP STOLZ, farmer, section 6, Noble Township, was born in Alsace, Ger- many, March 8, 1811, and came to America in 1838, working at his trade of stone-cutting in Ohio and Indiana. In 1846 he returned to the old country, where he was married, then came back to America with his bride. He came to this county in De- cember, 1839, purchasing eighty acres of land of William Haines, that is now occu- pied by his son George. The first season he lived with his brother Adam, then moved into a house with Aaron Brown and com- menced housekeeping. In the meantime he built a hewed-log house, 12 x 18 feet, and seven and a half feet high. There were two rooms below, and the chamber was used for a granary, and was reached by a ladder. There was a door to the house, but no windows. Being out of money at this time, he bor- rowed a horse from his brother Nicholas, and one from his driver, John Reed, took his wife to Dayton, Ohio, where he worked at his trade sixteen months. His brother then sent a team to bring him back to his farm, this brother having finished his honse during his

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IIISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

absence. Mr. Stolz' parents, Nicholas and Catherine (Crone) Stolz, were born in Alsace, Germany. The father came to America with his son Philip in 1846, and three months later died at the house of his son Adam, aged sixty-five years. The mother died in Alsace when our subject was three years of age. The parents had four children-Nicholas, Adam, Philip and Catherine, all of whom are de- ceased except Philip; the daughter died in Germany, unmarried. The father married a second time and had four sons-George, Christopher, Frederick and Charles. Philip, our subject, married Margaret Martin, who was born in Alsace, July 15, 1820, daugliter of Solomon and Katherine (Crone) Martin, natives also of Alsace, who came to America in 1838, locating on section 7, Noble Town- ship, where they lived until their decease. Mrs. Stolz died July 23, 1870, leaving two children -George and Christina. In her father's family were four children-George, Nicholas, Adam and Sophia. Mr. and Mrs. Stolz were the parents of five children- Nicholas, born September 1, 1847; George, born June 28, 1849; Fred S., born Decem- ber 17, 1851; Adam V., born June 26, 1854; Sophia, born April 23, 1857. Adam V. was married August 26, 1885, to Miss Elenora Isenberger, daughter of Jacob Isen- berger, who died May 11, 1887. In politics Mr. Stolz is a Republican, and he and his family are members of the Lutheran church.

ESSE SYNDER, the oldest living settler of Wabash Township, came to this county in October, 1841, with wife and one child. He located in New Corydon and opened the first black-smith's shop in the vil- lage. People came ten miles to patronize him. It was a plank shop, being nailed to posts in the

ground. Mr. Snyder was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, about May, 1803, where he was reared and married. He lived at his birthplace until four years after his marriage, then removed to Urbana, Ohio, where he followed the black-smith trade. Later, he came to Adams County, this State, and bought forty acres of land, upon which lie lived one year, then came to New Corydon where he has since resided. He married Mollie Hoffman, who was about the same age of her husband, and was born in the same county. Her parents were Jonas and Rosy A. (Deal) Hoffman. Mrs. Snyder died in New Corydon, leaving four daughters and two sons, all of whom are living. She was buried in Adams County not far from her home. The children are-Anna, Franklin, Henry, Mary, Margaret and Emeline. Mr. Synder was again married, in April, 1877, his second wife being Rebecca M. Jacobs, who was born in Whitley County, this State, February 16, 1835. Her father, Joseph Jacobs, died in Adams County in March, 1872. Her mother, Mary A. (Clymer) Jacobs, is still living, making her home with her children.

FAMES A. BICKEL was born on the i POELLER homestead of his parents on section 12, Pike Township, January 12, 1848, a son of George W. and Nancy (Glasford) Bickel, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They came from Ohio to Jay County, and were among the first settlers of Pike Township. The original homestead contained eighty acres, which was purchased by Government entry, and to this eighty acres was subse- quently added. Here the parents with the assistance of their sons, built a good home, and lived on this farm until their death, the

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father dying in the year 1878. The mother of our subject died almost twenty years before her husband, and he was married a second time to Mrs. Margaret (Imel) Tharp. The parents of our subject reared ten children to maturity -- Mrs. Christine Ashley, of Antioch, Ohio; Mrs. Elizabeth Ashley, also living at Antioch; Jackson, living in Wayne Township, Jay County; Mrs. Catherine Harkins, of Stark County, Indiana; Mrs. Sarah Jane Loy, living in the same county; Mrs. Harriet Loy of Pike Township; Mrs. Rachel Mays (deceased), James A., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Nancy Ann Stoner, living in Madison Town- ship, and Mrs. Matilda Runkels,residing in the same township. James A. Bickel, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to the vocation of a farmer at the home of his parents, where he remained until reaching the age of twenty- four years. He then in 1872 engaged in the general mercantile business at Mount Pleas- ant, in partnership with Mr. Collett, with whom he was associated until 1874, when lie removed to Bluff Point and carried on the same business at that place for seven years. In 1881 he bought his present home of Aaron D. Hudson on section 18, Pike Town- ship, and began dealing in stock. Mr. Bickel was married November 30, 1879, to Miss Angeline Patterson, a native of Jay County, Indiana, born at Bluff Point, Decem- ber 6, 1857, a daughter of Liberty and Martlia Patterson, of Pike Township. Of the five children born to this union three are living- Lelia M., Albert D. and an infant daughter. Sharon E. died aged one year, and Thomas A. died in infancy. Mr. Bickel commenced life for himself without means, and every dollar he has owned has been the reward of his own labor. He is now one of the most active business men in Pike Township, where in connection with his general farming he is engaged in buying, selling and shipping

stock. His farm contains 107 acres, ten acres of which is reserved for timber, and is one of the oldest farms in the western part of Pike Township. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.

HARLES E. WALTERS, a member of the law firmn of Williams & Walters, and one of the enterprising citizens of Portland, is a native of Jay County, Indiana, born in Madison Township, June 12, 1856, his father, Abraham Walters, having located in Madison Township in 1855. He was reared on his father's farm in his native township, receiving his education in the public schools. He studied law, and grad- uated from the law department of the Michi- gan State University at Ann Arbor in 1880, and after completing his law course he engaged in farming and teaching school until coming to Portland in May, 1885, at which time the present firm of Williams & Walters was formed. Mr. Walters was united in mar- riage to Miss Marthia A. Woten, a daughter of Nathan Woten, and a granddaughter of Samuel Woten, one of the pioneers of Jay County, settling in Madison Township as early as 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Walters are the parents of two sons, named Vernon and Evan. In politics Mr. Walters casts his suffrage with the Republican party. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

HOMAS P. ERTEL, section 10, Jef- ferson Township, commenced the im- provement of his homestead in the autumn of 1854. At that time it was a dense forest and on it was an old log cabin, the former home of the Indian chief, Duck,

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

the last Indian in this part of the State, who is supposed to have been killed by one of the settlers. Mr. Ertel's homestead contains eighty acres, and in addition to this he owns forty acres on section 9, all improved by him- self. His first home, a hewed-log cabin, is still standing near the new family residence built in 1886. Mr. Ertel was born in War- ren County, Ohio, June 5, 1833, a son of Daniel aud Lydia (Boorman) Ertel, natives also of Warren County, where they spent their lives, dying on the homestead where they be- gan their married life. Over fifty years ago Daniel Ertel was an Indiau trader and visited the limits of Jay County, and later bought several tracts in Eastern Indiana and also in Illinois. He bought 640 acres of Govern- ment land in Jay County, and probably the first patent ever issued in this county for land was to him. He was au active business man and had extensive dealings with the Indians, all of whom were his friends. Thomas P. Ertel remained with his parents until twenty- one years of age, when, as stated, he began the improvement of his present homestead. He was married September 18, 1865, to Mar- garet C. Johnson, who was born in Wayne Township, Jay County, June 3, 1838, a daughter of Lewis and Abigail (Stults) John- son, pioneer settlers of Jay County, coming from Sandusky Conuty, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Ertel have had seven children-Albert S., Abigail A., wife of William McCurdy; Jo- sephine E., Martha J., Marion B., died aged eight years; Lydia E. and Charles N., who died aged four years. In politics Mr. Ertel is a radical Democrat. He and his wife were formerly members of the Protestant Method- ist church, but the church having been dis- organized Mrs. Ertel is now a member of the Christian church. Mr. Ertel's paternal grand- father, Daniel Ertel, was a native of Pennsyl- vania, of German descent, and his grand-

mother, Catherine (Myers) Ertel, was a native of France. They were married in Pennsyl- vania, and at once started for Ohio. The former died aged eighty-three years, his widow living to be ninety-six years old, when she died from the effects of an accident. They reared a family of thirteen children. Mrs. Estel is of French, Scotch. and Dutch descent.

- BENEZER DRAKE, one of the early pioneers of Jay County, who is now deceased, was born in the State of Penu- sylvania, January 23, 1798. He camne to Jay County, Indiana, in February, 1840, accoun- panied by his wife, three sons and two daugh- ters, and immediately settled on the Gibson farm in Wabash Township. He made his home in Jay County until his death, which occurred in April, 1861, at the age of sixty- three years. He was a minister of the gospel for many years. He first united with the United Brethren church in Ohio, and served that denomination as a circuit-rider a few years. Ou coming to Jay County he became a member of the Christian church, there being no church of his early choice in his neighborhood. His wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Buskirk, was born iu Pennsyl- vania October 5, 1802, and is still living, be- ing now eighty-one years of age.

ACOB FIFER, one of the worthy pio- neers of Bear Creek Township, was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, An- gust 10, 1814, son of Abraham and Lydia (Fry) Fifer, also natives of Virginia. The parents were married in that State and reared eleven children-Jacob, John, Adam, Isaac, Abraham, Peter, George, William, Lydia,

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Betsey and Polly. When Jacob was six years old his parents removed to Columbi- ana County, Ohio, where he passed his youth in working on a farm and in attending the subscription schools. In 1839 he came to this county where he commenced working out at clearing land. He was an expert at clearing land, often clearing an acre in three days. February 4, 1841, he was married to Miss Sarah Ann Whiteman, a lady of rare intelligence and industrious habits. He set- tled npon his present farm the same year, built a log cabin, 16 x 18 feet, and commenced to make a home. He now has a well im- proved farm, and his log cabin has given place to a good story and a half residence, with other good farm buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Fifer are the parents of eight children -Benjamin, who served in the late war; James, Isabella, Lydia Ann, William A., Susan, Mary E. and Ida. Harriet is deceased. Both are members of the Christian church, and in politics Mr. Fifer is a Democrat.

W. HALEY, farmer, section 5, Noble Township, was born in Hardin County, Ohio, May 16, 1840, and when two years old his parents, George and Rachel (Gary) Haley, removed to Fairfield Connty. IIis father being an itinerant minister, the family necessarily had many homes. When he was nine years old his father bought a farm in Marion County, Ohio, where the family lived until 1851, when his father sold it and removed to Morrow Connty. Mr. Haley was married October 14, 1862, in Ashland Connty, to Miss Mary J. Sherick, born January 13, 1844, in that county, where her early life was passed. They lived in Ashland County one year, then lived in Seneca Connty six years. In 1880 he brought his wife and six children

to this connty and located in Noble Town- ship. One child has been born since coming to the county. His father was born in Switz- erland, December 14, 1814, and when eigliteen months old came to America with his parents, who located in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was reared and married. Ten years after his marriage he commenced to prepare for the Christian ministry in the Evangelical church. He has been very suc- cessful in this work, having traveled twenty- four consecutive years as an itinerant minis- ter. He now lives in Erie County, Ohio, having left the itinerancy after he became aged. The mother of our subject was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 25, 1816, and was married in Hardin County, saine State, January 1, 1835. They are the parents of ten children, all living-Barbara, William, G. W., Susan, Sarah, Elizabeth, Hannalı, Benjamin, Jacob and Franklin. Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Haley have seven children-Andrew F., born March 4, 1864; Eli W., born March 24, 1866; David E., born October 18, 1868; Emma P., born November 1, 1869; Charles W., born August 19, 1872; Carrie M., born January 4, 1877; Ora M., born August 25, 1884. Mr. Haley's grandfather, William Haley, was born in Switzerland, came to America, and passed the remainder of his days in Fairfield County, Ohio. The grand- mother, Barbara Haley, was born in Germany, and also died in Fairfield County, Ohio. His maternal grandparents died before he was born. His grandfather Gary was born in Ireland. Mrs. Ilaley's father, David Sherick, was born in York Connty, Pennsylvania, Oc- tober 18, 1823, and was married in 1842. Iler mother was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Angnst 18, 1825, and died February 24, 1864, in Ashland County. Her father was again married, his second wife being Amny Byers, who was born in York County. Penn-

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

sylvania, November 26, 1832, and died 'De- cember 30, 1882. His third wife was Maggie Rosenberger, widow of David Rosenberger, and daughter of Bonney Zimmerman. By his first marriage were nine children-Cath- erine B., Almira, who died at the age of five years and four montlis; Amanda, William, Abraham L., a physician; Weldon A. and Margaret A. Her paternal grandparents, David and Eve Sherick, were born in Penn- sylvania and died in Ashland County, Ohio, the grandfather being over eighty years of age. The grandmother, after lier removal to Ohio, visited her friends in Pennsylvania on horseback, traveling in this way 200 miles through a sparsely settled country. Her ma- ternal grandparents, David and Barbara (Byers) Jacobs, were born in York County, Pennsylvania, the grandfather dying in Wayne County, Ohio, and the grandmother in Richland County.

OSEPH LEWIS, farmer and stock-raiser, section 13, Penn Township, was born in Jay County, Indiana, December 19, 1838, a son of Enos and Margaret (Grisell) Lewis, early settlers of this county. He was reared in his native county, and in his youth, which was spent on a frontier farmi, he acquired habits of industry and economy, and these added to his good business qualifications liave made him one of Jay County's prosperous farmers. He remained at home until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, and July 2, 1862, enlisted in Company F, Seventy-fifth Indiana Infantry, and was sent immediately to the front and assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in many hard-fought battles, including Chick- amauga, Mission Ridge, Atlanta, Sherman's march to the sea, and was present at the sur-

render of Johnston's army. He then went to Richmond, and thence to Washington, where he was in line at the grand review of the army. He enlisted as a private, and was promoted to third Sergeant, then Orderly Sergeant, and January 28, 1863, was com- missioned Second Lieutenant, and September 1, 1864, was promoted to Captain of his company. He was discharged June 8, 1865, at Washington, and was mustered out at In- dianapolis. After the war he took a trip through some of the Western States, being absent about a year, when he returned to Jay County. In 1868 he settled on the Daniel Votaw farm, which he rented two years, and thien returned to the old homestead, and in 1871 bought the farm where he now lives. He has 150 acres of improved land, which he has cultivated and made one of the best farms in the township. He was married Oc- tober 1, 1868, to Mary J. Hopkins, who was born September 8, 1833, a daughter of Am- brose Hopkins. To them were born three children-Linneus, born July 12, 1869; Carra F., born June 7, 1872, and Fred G., born April 14, 1881. Mrs. Lewis died August 28, 1884. Mr. Lewis was reared a Friend, but now attends the United Brethren church, of which his wife was a member. He is a member of James Cartwright Post, No. 385, G. A. R. In politics he is a Republican.

OHN HENRY, one of Jay County's ac- tive and public-spirited citizens, residing on section 16, Jefferson Township, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, October 28, 1839, a son of Robert and Eliza (Connor) Henry. His father was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, March 13, 1806, the mother being a native of the same State, born in Perry County, June 2, 1812. The former

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was reared to early manliood in his native county, but his wife from childhood was reared in Ohio. They were married in Fay- ette County, Ohio, December 13, 1834, and their six children were born in Ohio, as fol- lows-George was a member of Company E, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and was killed in line of battle at Pleasant IIill, Louisiana, in the Red River expedition under General Banks; Mrs. Nancy Jane Pyle, residing in Greene Township, Jay County; Williamn was a member of the same company and regiment as his brother George, and is now living in Cass County, Missonri; Mrs. Sarah Angeline Gibbs lives in Randolph County, and Aman- da and John, living with their parents. The family came to Jay County, Indiana, in the fall of 1850, and the first two years lived on and partially improved a small farm in the southeast part of Knox Township. Early in 1853 they removed to Greene Township, and two years later settled on the Hegler farm in Jefferson Township, living there two years. In 1857 they bought forty acres on section 16, Jefferson Township, of which only four acres had been cleared. There they com- menced building a home in the forest, and by industry and persevering energy they cleared and added to the original purchase until the homestead to-day contains 140 acres, and is now owned and occupied by John Henry, the subject of this sketch, with whom his aged parents have their home, they being well cared for by himself and wife in their declining years. Our subject has lived in Jay County since his eleventh year, being that age when his parents settled in the connty. He was married December 19, 1886, to Miss Priscilla E. Evans, a native of Jay County, born in Pike Township, a daughter of John Evans, now of Jefferson Township. In his political views Mr. Henry is indepen- dent, voting for men, not party. Both he

and his wife are members of the Christian church. His father is a member of the Christian church, and his mother of the Methodist church, both being consistent Christian people.

W. POLLEY, who has been a member of the bar of Jay County since October, 1884, is a native of Darke County, Ohio, born September 9, 1845. He was reared to the vocation of a farmer in his native coun- ty, and received a fair common school educa- tion. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching school, but before completing his first term he enlisted, in February, 1864, in Company G, Eightieth Ohio Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, his regi- inent operating in Virginia the greater part of their term of enlistment, On his return from the army, desiring to fit himself thor- onghly for a teacher, he took a course at the Sonthwestern Normal at Lebanon, and sub- sequently engaged in teaching school, fol- lowing his profession successfully until 1883. He became a resident of Jay County, Indi- ana, in April, 1874, when he purchased a farm on section 16, Wayne Township, which he still owns. The same year, 1874, he en- gaged to teachı a normal institute at Win- chester, and before the close of the session he was appointed principal of the high-school at that place, where he remained three years. He then held the position of superintendent of the city schools at Pendleton, Madison County, for one year, when he came to Port- land, and for four years had charge of the high-school of this city, after which he taught in the Camden schools for one year. At present Mr. Polley is principally engaged in loaning money and dealing in real estate. Politically he affiliates with the Republican

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HISTORY OF . JAY COUNTY.

party. Mrs. Polley was formerly Miss Jennie Boyd. She is a native of Darke County, Ohio.

ILLIAM GIBSON, one of the oldest settlers of Jay County, now deceased, was born in Ireland, where he grew to manliood. He was married in his native country, to Miss Ellen Hamilton, who was also a native of Ireland. They emigrated to America with their family, then consisting of two children-Hamilton and Elizabeth, both now deceased. They spent some time in Ohio, and in 1831 started for Jay County with their family of four sons and three danghters, but before reaching their desti- nation Mrs. Gibson was taken sick and died, and was buried in Darke County, Ohio. Mr. Gibson entered the land on which he settled, and there made his home until his death, which occurred in 1839, at the age of fifty-one years.

A. BROWN, proprietor of tlie Red- key Handle Works, is a native of the State of New York, born in Henderson Township, Jefferson County, in the year 1837. He was reared in Ashtabula County, Ohio, his parents locating in that county when he was two years old. He com- inenced making handles at Denmark, Ohio, when twenty-five years of age, where he fol- lowed that avocation from 1862 until 1871. In 1872 he went to Van Wert County, Ohio, where he was engaged in the manufacture of handles about three years. From Van Wert he went to Putnam County, Ohio, in 1876, and in 1877 returned to Van Wert County, going thence to Lima, Ohio, and from there

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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