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 72

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 72
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 72

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to Wyandot County in 1878. He followed his trade in Wyandot County until 1883, when he came to Redkey, Jay County, where he has since made his home. Mr. Brown has been twice married, the maiden name of his first wife being Mary E. Parker. For his second wife he married Sarah E. Evans, who died April 5, 1886, leaving two children- George Sherlock and Charles. He had no children by his first marriage. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican. He is at pres- ent serving as councilman for the first ward. He is a trustee of the Redkey Cemetery As- sociation, and is also treasurer of the Gas Company. He is a member of the Odd Fel- lows order, and is a trustee in Grant Lodge, No. 335.

ATRICK W. MOFFITT, senior member of the firm of Moffitt & Sees, founders and machinists, Portland, was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1831, a son of Rich- ard Moffitt, a farmer, who was born in Sligo, Ireland, and was brought to this country when very young. He died in 1864 or '65. The mother of the subject of this sketch, was, before marriage, Miss Margaret Glass, who was born in Cambria County, Pennsyl- vania, of German parentage, and died in 1862. At the age of eighteen years, Mr. Moffitt, the subject of this sketch, began to learn the machinist's trade, at Piqua, Miami County, Ohio, and continued in that business there for about twenty years. Next, he was at Fort Wayne, this State, a year, as a part- ner of Benjamin Tower in the manufacture of threshing machines; was then burned out, losing all; but he started up again in 1860, in Huntington, Indiana, purchasing the foundry and machine shop of Morgan & Drummonds, and here he was engaged until

Murray A. Brown

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BIOGRAPIIICAL SKETCHES.

1880, when he was burned ont again, losing everything; he then came to Portland, form- ing the present partnership. In 1855 Mr. Moffitt married Miss Ann R. Mead, a native of Ireland. Their children are-William R., Celie M., Kate, John Albert, Mollie and Clara Agnes. The two first are married and reside in Huntington. Celie M.'s husband is Charles Walters, a druggist. Mr. and Mrs. Moffitt belong to the Catholic church.

OHN W. FOLTZ, postmaster at New Corydon, was born in Noble Township, this county, October 6, 1856, where he was reared and educated in the common schools, completing his education at the Methodist Episcopal College at Fort Wayne. He spent several years in teaching school. His father, John Foltz, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1823, and now lives in Portland, this county. He owns a farm in Noble Township. His mother, Mary (Berg- man) Foltz, was also born in Fairfield County, is a little younger than the father and is still living. Their children are-Sarah A., wife of John J. Brown; Samantha, wife of James F. Graves; John W., onr subject; Abram, Mary D., living at home. John W. was married December 30, 1880, to Miss Mar- garet Martin, born in Noble Township, this county, in 1863, daughter of George and Caroline (Stotz) Martin, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Foltz have two children-Katie Myrtle, born May 8, 1881, and Freddy Whit- man, born May 1, 1883. Mr. Foltz' grand- father, George Bergman, died in Wabash Township, and his grandmother Bergman died in 1857, both are buried in Premer cemetery. Mr. Foltz first commenced business at New Corydon in 1877, after he had con- eluded his teaching. He commenced to work

for Dr. Stone in a drug store at New Cory- don. In a few months Mr. Foltz and Amos Howser purchased the interest of Dr. Stone, and this firm continued until 1882. Mr. Foltz then sold out his interest, and he and Charles Muth bought the hardware and drug store of Boughman Bros., continning four years, when they divided their interests, Mr. Foltz taking the drug store and Mr. Muth the hardware stock. Mr. Foltz then sold the drug store to Amos Houser in February, 1887, since which time he lias attended to the postoffice and assisted Mr. Mnth, who has the hardware store in the same room with the postoffice.

OSEPH D. R. G. LOSCHI, one of the active and public-spirited men of Pike Township, residing at the old village of Bluff Point, was born on the homestead of his parents in Pike Township, in the year 1846. He is a son of Charles C. and Julia A. (Volk) Losch, who were born, reared and married in Wittembnrg, Germany. With their three eldest children, they came to the United States in 1836, and first · settled in Darke County, Ohio, and in 1841 made their home in Jay County, Indiana, on section 35, Pike Township, where they commenced im- proving eighty acres of timber land. There they made a good home, adding to their origi_ nal purchase until the homestead contained about 400 acres. The mother died in 1863, aged fifty-two years. She was a member of the Reformed church at Boundary. The father married for his second wife Miss Mary Gates, who died about two years after her marriage. IIe was again married to Mrs Elizabeth Dodson, who now resides at the old homestead with her stepson, Abraham. The father died in 1872, in his sixty-eighth year,

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

IIe was an energetic man, having come to the county poor, passing throughi all the trials and hardships of pioneer life, and by his own efforts accumulated a fine property, and what is still better, gained the confidence and es- teem of all who knew him. The parents of our subject liad born to them the following children-Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett, living in Montgomery County, Illinois; Charles died in Pike Township; Mrs. Catherine Kober, of Montgomery County, Illinois; Frederick, who died in 1864, leaving a wife and two children; Jolin, who was a faithful soldier in the Seventh Indiana Infantry, is now living in Bond County, Illinois; Josephus was a member of the same company, and died at his father's residence during the war; Joseph D. R. G., our subject; Abraham HI., now living on the old homestead, and Julia A., who died aged nine years. The three eldest children were natives of Germany, the rest of the family being born in Jay County, Indiana. Joseph D. R. G. Loschi, whose name heads this sketch, remained on the home farm until March, 1864, when he went to Randolph County and commenced work- ing at the harness and saddle maker's trade, which he followed until twenty-eight years of age, with the exception of about one year, when in attendance at Liber College. May 29, 1873, he was married to Miss Mary E. Ware, who was born August 1, 1850, in Pike Township, where her parents, John E. and Susan Ware, still reside. At the time of his marriage Mr. Losch was engaged in harness making at Dunkirk, Jay County, and there he commenced housekeeping. He subse- quently returned to Pike Township to the homestead of his parents. Since 1883 he has made his home in the village of Bluff Point, where he owns a very fine residence property. Politically he has always cast his suffrage with the Republican party. He has

held the office of justice of the peace of Pike Township four or five years, and is now serv- ing his second term as township trustee Both Mr. and Mrs. Losch are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are classed among the best people of Pike Township, where they enjoy the confidence and esteem of all.

OBERT MCKINLEY, farmer, sections 20 and 21, came to this county in Sep- tember, 1878, locating upon his present farm, where he has since resided. He was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, January 12, 1832, and when six pears of age liis parents removed to Hancock County, locating in Orange Township. They were the third white family in the township. His father had to cut his way three miles to get to his farm. He remained on that farm until his decease. Mr. McKinley's parents were John and Maria (Marshall) Mckinley. His father was born in Westmoreland Connty, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 23, 1801, and when he was seven years old his parents removed to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood. He died March 20, 1880. The mother was born in Trumbull County, and died in Hancock County, December 23, 1850, aged forty-four years. They were the parents of ten children -William M., Lydia J., who died in her six- teentlı year; James R., who died July 8, 1862, aged eighty-five years; Oliver P., of Illinois; Rachel, who died in California; Rob- ert; Mary, who died when young; Elizabeth, of Hancock County, Ohio; John, who died in the army June 27, 1863, aged twenty-three years; Lydia J., living in Portland, Indiana, and Hannah, living in Noble Township, this county. John was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and died on a boat while being con-

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

veyed to a hospital at Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Mckinley was married in February, 1854, to Miss Margaret Hall, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, and died January 7, 1876, aged forty-two years, eleven months and sixteen days. She left eiglit children- Esther, born, May 30, 1855; Elizabeth, born March 19, 1857; Ella J., born March 24, 1859; Emma B., born May 27, 1861; Jolm H., born April 23, 1864; Eva N., born May 2, 1867; Frank H., born May 22, 1870, and William F., born February 27, 1874. Mrs. McKinley's parents were Samuel and Esther (Corbin) Ilall, natives of Knox County, Ohio. Her father is deceased, and her mother lives near Des Moines, Iowa. The Halls and Cor- bins are English. Mr. Mckinley was again married November 6, 1878, his second wife being the widow of Daniel Theurer, whose name was formerly Elizabeth Hartzell. She was born in Noble Township near where she now lives, September 3, 1841, where she was reared and educated. Her parents, Jonas and Mary (Albert) Hartzell, were born in Harris- burg, Pennsylvania, the father April 9, 1793, and the mother December 29, 1799. The father died June 27, 1880, in Mercer County, Ohio, while on a visit to that place. The mother died at the house of Mrs. Mckinley August 22, 1883, and both are buried in Premer cemetery. They were the parents of eleven children-John K. lives in Tennessee; Sarah A. died when seven years old, in Penn- sylvania; William A. died in St. Clair Coun- ty, Indiana, leaving a wife and four children; Mary L. died leaving husband and four chil- dren; George W. died in Pennsylvania, aged two years; Jeremiah lives in Mercer County, Olio; Catherine M. died in Noble Town- slip, at the age of twenty-one years; Isaac also died in Noble Township, aged twenty- seven years; Emanuel lives in Portland; Elizabeth, wife of our subject; Jonas lives in 39

Wayne Township. Mr. and Mrs. Mckinley have three children-James R., born August 17, 1879; Robert C., born July 20, 1882, and Jonas Clifford, born May 18, 1884. Mrs. McKinley had four children by her first mar- riage, two of whom are living - Mary P., born August 19, 1867; William A., born December 3, 1869; Jonas F., born December 18, 1868, died at the age of one month; Lydia M., born July 20, 1871, died Sep- tember 26, 1872. Mr. Mckinley is now serving as county commissioner, having been elected in the fall of 1884. He has served as assessor and as township trustee. His grandfather, William McKinley, was born in Ireland, was a whitesmith by trade, having acquired it in Dublin. He came to America when twenty-nine years of age, settling in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, where he married Hannah Rankins, who was born in that county of Irish descent; both died in Hancock County, Ohio, he at the age of one hundred and four years and his wife at the age of eighty-seven years. The maternal grandfather of Mr. McKinley, William Mar- shall, and his grandmother, Rachel (McElroy) Marshall, were born in Pennsylvania; he died in Trumbull County, Ohio. Mrs. McKinley's grandparents were of American birth and of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Mckinley are members of the United Presbyterian church, as was also his first wife.

OHN R. PERDIEU has been a member of the bar of Jay County since May 4, 1854, since which time he has been ac- tively engaged in the practice of his chosen profession at Portland. He is a native of Indiana, born in Henry County, October 4, 1832. Hc was reared to the vocation of a farmer in his native county, and in his youth

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

received such education as the common schools of that day afforded, supplemented by a few months study at an academy. His father, Benjamin Perdieu, was born in the State of Maryland, and when about nine years of age moved with his father's family to North Carolina, where he grew to man- hood, and was married to Deborah Rumbley. They were the parents of a large family, of whom eleven children, five sons and six daughters, reached maturity, our subject being the youngest child. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1816 he im- migrated with his family to Fayette County, Indiana, settling near Connorsville. He was one of the early pioneers of that county, where he remained abont six years, going thence to Henry County, Indiana, where lie entered land, purchasing the claim of a Mr. Sharp. Of this place he made a homestead, remaining on it for thirty-five years, when lie sold, and bought two farms in Harrison Township, in the same connty, where lie lived until his death in December, 1856. His wife, who was one year his senior, died in 1847. After her death Benjamin Perdien was again married, and by this marriage had one son, Caleb C., who is now an attorney at New Castle, Indiana. John R. Perdieu, the subject of this sketcli, being the youngest, was the last to leave home, and his father being much afflicted with rhenmatism in the latter years of his life, much of the labor and responsibility of carrying on the farmn de- volved upon him. After acquiring sufficient education to qualify him for teaching, he fol- lowed that occupation for a time. In 1850 he began the study of law with Judge Mar- tin L. Bundy, of New Castle, with whom he remained a year, when he engaged in teach- ing school. He subsequently returned to the office of Judge Bundy, and resumed the study of law. He had been admitted to the

bar at New Castle at the end of the first year with Judge Bundy. After remaining in Judge Bundy's office for a short time, his health failing him, he resolved in the sum- mer of 1853, to engage in out-door labor, and accordingly found employment on the Great Eastern Railroad, then in course of construction, continuing with the railroad company several months. He then spent several months in Illinois, when he came to Portland, the building of the Cincinnati, Union and Fort Wayne Railroad, which he thoughit would render Portland an important point, inducing Mr. Perdieu to locate at this place. Since coming to Portland he has had an extensive and successful practice. His son, Cassius M., was associated with him for a time, but he lias been alone in practice the greater part of the time. Mr. Perdieu was married at Portland, September 16, 1855, to Miss Saralı Isabel Haines, a daughter of William Haines, and to this nnion have been born seven children-Cassins M., the eldest son, was born July 19, 1856. He was edu- cated at Liber, and subsequently read law with his father, and was admitted to the bar at Portland. He afterward attended the law department of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and later engaged in practice with his father until his deatlı, which was caused by spine disease, supposed to have resulted from an accident. He was a promising young man, and his death was a great shock to his family. Emma, the sixth child, died, aged sixteen months. The re- maining children are-Everett F., Josephine S., wife of William F. Fowler, of Greenville, Ohio; Belle, wife of John Coffin, of Win- chester, Indiana; Thomas C. and Charles H. Mr. Perdieu owns the pleasant home in Port- land, where he resides, and is also the owner of a valuable farm of 160 acres in Jay County, beside valuable real estate in Wis-

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

consin. Politically he is a Republican, hav- ing been identified with that party since its organization, casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, in 1856. He formerly took an active interest in political inatters, but has never aspired to official dis- tinction, although he was assistant revenue assessor of the Eleventh District for a time. Mr. Perdien was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which church most of his father's family still affiliate, but he is now independent and liberal in liis re- ligious tendencies. He takes an active in- terest in the advancement of his town or county, and is classed among the most re- spected citizens of the county, where he lias made his home for so many years;

M AHLON HUNT, farmer and stock- raiser, section 28, Penn Township, was born in Wayne County, Indiana, June 12, 1836, a son of William and Eliza- beth (Pedrick) Hunt, his father a native of Guilford County, North Carolina, and his mother of New Jersey. He was reared a farmer, remaining with his parents until eighteen years old, when he started in life for himself, and worked for the farmers in his native county until 1857, when he came to Jay County. In 1859 he bought forty acres of heavily-timbered land on section 14, Penn Township, which he cleared and improved, making it his home five years, when lie sold it and bought the farm where he now lives, on section 28, which consisted of fifty acres of partially improved land. This land lie has improved, and in connection with his farming pursnits he has for many years run a threshing machine for the farmers of his neighborhood. Mr. Hunt was married Octo- ber 31, 1859, to Deborah Y. Smith, a native

of Columbiana County, Ohio, daughter of Abraham Smithi, an early settler of Jay County. To them have been born eleven children, six of whom are living-Abram S., Bandola P., Ella, wife of T. G. Lewis; Will- iam C., Wilber D. and Jesse C. The de- ceased are-Ned, Nellie, Evander W., Arthur A. and Mary Bertha. Mrs. Hunt is a mem- ber of the United Brethren church. In poli- tics Mr. Hunt is a Republican.

ILLIAM H. TURNER, proprietor of the saw-inill situated on section 13, Bear Creek Township, has operated this mill thirteen years. It was located on its present site in February, 1883. The engine is a forty horse-power, the capacity of the mill is 8,000 feet per day, and from 600,- 000 to 700,000 feet of lumber per annum is sawed here. The proprietor has been en- gaged in the milling business seventeen years, and is well acquainted with all the de- tails of the work. He ships his lumber to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Columbus, Ohio, and other points. Five men are employed a portion of the time. Mr. Turner was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, October 16, 1840, son of John and Mary (Skillman) Turner, who were the parents of four children, Will- iam being the eldest child. During his youth he worked in a paper-mill two years, and attended school at Lockland, Ohio. During the late war he enlisted in 1861 as a member of Company E, Twentieth Ohio In- fantry, serving four months, and was honora- bly discharged. In 1862 he re-enlisted in Company E, Eighty-first Ohio Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Resaca, Rome Cross Roads, in front of Atlanta July 22, and at Atlanta July 28, Jonesboro, Bentonville, and several

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

other engagements, and participated at the grand review at Washington. Mr. Turner came to this county in 1866, first settling in Jefferson Township, where he lived eight years, thence to Noble Township, where he lived four years, thence to Bear Creek, where he has since resided. He was married Octo- ber 15, 1862, to Miss Susan Bair, who was born in York County, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 5, 1840, daughter of Samuel and Cather- ine (Bloom) Bair. They have five children- Alonzo R., Nora Ellen, John Samnel, William Henry and Joseph Albert. Politically Mr. Turner is a Republican; is a member of the Methodist church, and belongs to the Grand Army post at Briant.

ATHAN B. HAWKINS, assistant cash- ier of the Citizens Bank, and owner and proprietor of the Hawkins House, Port- land, Indiana, is a member of one of the prominent families of Jay Connty. His father, Nathan B. Hawkins, Sr., was born in Preble County, Ohio, October 24, 1812, and came to Jay County with his father, John J. Haw- kins, in 1829, when in his seventeenth year. He married Rebecca Shanks, who was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1818, a daughter of John and Mary Shanks. Their family consisted of nine chil- dren, of whom two daughters are deceased. Those living are-John, who has been an employe of the Treasury Department, Wash- ington, D. C., since 1867; Jane C., wife of D. V. Baker; Helen H., wife of Isaac A. Grif- fith; Rachel A., wife of Norton A. Meeker; Sarah G., wife of Benjamin F. Fulton; Nathan B., and Judge Hawkins, as he was known, died October 18, 1853. His wife survived until April 1, 1880. He lost his father in 1832, and was then thrown on his own re-

sources. He obtained employment in the store of Elijah Coffin, at Richmond, Indiana, and subsequently engaged in the mercantile business in Milton. In the meantime, partly through the advice of John S. Newman, who was then the ablest lawyer in Eastern Indi- ana, he began the study of law, and in 1839 returned to Jay County, and entered upon the successful practice of his profession. In 1842 he was elected a member of the Legislature from the counties of Adams and Jay, and in that body was an earnest advocate of the free school system. In 1850 he was elected a delegate. to the Constitutional Convention from the counties of Randolph, Blackford and Jay. On the organization of the Commnon Pleas Court, in 1852, he was elected Judge, and held the first term of that court January 17, 1853. The common pleas district then consisted of Randolph and Jay Counties. He died in office in October of that year. Judge Hawkins was a man of decided ability, au excellent business man, a fluent, forcible speaker, a successful lawyer, and a good citi- zen, of generous impulses, public spirited and liberal. His early death was regretted by all who knew him. N. B. Hawkins, Jr., was born in Portland January 1, 1853, and was less than a year old when his father died. He was educated in the public schools and at Liber College, and was also for some time a student at the Cincinnati High School. His first business venture was in the lumber trade at Portland in 1872. He sold out in 1874, and one year later assisted in the or- ganization of the Citizens Bank, of which he has since been assistant cashier. He also erected the Hawkins House, which is one of the best hotels in Eastern Indiana. Mr. Hawkins is president of the Gas, Oil and Mining Company of Portland, and has done much toward developing the gas interests of the place. He is one of the most success-

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ful and progressive citizens of Portland. His wife was formerly Genevra I. Jaques. She was born in Portland October 25, 1859, and is a daughter of J. B. Jaques. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins had three children-Estella, Mor- ton S., and Lilla Pearl.

OHN E. WARE, deceased, was born in Amherst County, Virginia, April 4, 1816, a son of Andrew and Cynthia Ann Ware. The Ware family immigrated to Clarke County, Ohio, in 1834, and in 1835 came to Jay County, Indiana, settling on a tract of heavily timbered land about one and a half miles north of the village of Bluff Point. Thicir first home in the wilderness was a rude log cabin, and through persevering energy and strict frugality, before many years had passed the family were well provided with all the necessary comforts of life. The par- ents eventually moved farther west, and died in Logan County, Illinois. John E. Ware, the subject of this sketch, was married in Wayne County, Indiana, August 12, 1842, to Miss Susan Feezle, who was born in Wash- ington County, Tennessee, in 1819, a daughter of Martin and Mary Feezle, but was reared from childhood in Wayne County. To this union nine children were born-William was a member of the One Hundredtli Indiana In- fantry, and died in the service of his country ; Jolın died aged nine years; George B. died in early childhood; Enoch F. resides upon and owns a large portion of the old home- stead; Mary, wife of J. G. Losch, of Bluff Point; Sarah died at the age of twenty-two years; Mrs. Margaret Trout lives in Pike Township; Mrs. Martha Whitenack, residing in Randolph County, and Andrew living with his mother. John E. Ware was a strong,

rugged man, who pushed the work of im- provement with remarkable energy. To his original tract of 160 acres of wild land he added until he became the owner of 380 acres, of which he lived to improve a large portion, and bring it under fine cultivation. Strong as he was his life was shortened by hard labor, his deatlı occurring March 13, 1868. His widow still survives, being now sixty-eiglit years of age. She owns a third interest of the homestead where she still resides. Enoch F. Ware, the oldest living son of the above, was born on the homestead where he still lives, the date of his birth being May 31, 1848. He was married November 28, 1879, to Miss Rebecca Jane Lyons, born on the Lyons homestead in Pike Township, Jay County, December 28, 1855, a daughter of Elijah and Mary Lyons, her father being one of the leading men of his township. Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Ware are the parents of four children-Blanche A., Grace E. and two sons yet unnanied.

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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