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 83

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 83
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 83

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ILLIAM HADDEN, one of the old and honored pioneers of Blackford County, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1785, a son of William and Susannalı Hadden. The father was born in the North of Ireland, coming to America before the Revolutionary war, and was a soldier in that war, and was once taken prisoner. He was married June 4, 1778, to Susannah Hadden, and to them were born six children, five of whom reached

maturity. William Hadden, Jr., moved to Muskingmin County, Ohio, abont 1810, where lie was drafted to serve in the war of 1812, in which he served about six months. He was united in marriage April 12, 1814, to Miss Catherine Cabeen, who was born May 21, 1791, died April 5, 1849. Mr. Hadden died October 21, 1855. Both are buried on the old Hadden homestead, on the land given by William Hadden for a cemetery. He was a prominent man in the connty, and was always interested in any enterprise having for its object the public welfare. He was Colonel of the militia. In 1840 he was elected probate judge of Blackford County, and filled that position for seven years. He was a ruling elder in the United Presbyterian church. His ancestors were Scotch covenant- ers. Mr. and Mrs. William Hadden, Jr., were the parents of nine children -- Susannah, born April 7, 1815; Rachel, born October 11, 1816, is deceased; Thomas, born April 1, 1818, died June 12, 1839; William, born May 30, 1820, died September 16, 1839; Jolm, born August 22, 1822, died July 22, 1839; Catherine, born October 11, 1824, died April 11, 1852; James, born November 12, 1826, died May 20, 1865; Samuel, born May 1, 1828, died November 9, 1850, and Robert, born March 13, 1830, died January 20, 1851. James Hadden was a worthy representative of this old pioneer family, and was one of the leading citizens of Washington Town- ship. He was married June 29, 1858, in Delaware County, Indiana, to Miss Jane Ginn, and immediately after his marriage came to the old Hadden homestead in Wash- ington Township where he lived until his death. He served a short time in the Union army, and died May 20, 1865, leaving a widow and one child, a son, William L., who was born September 20, 1859, who inherited the Hadden farm. The son was married to

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

Miss Amanda C. Cassel, February 17, 1885, and to this union has been born one son, Walter C., the date of his birth being Janu- ary 11, 1886. To show the estimation in which James Hadden was held by his neigh- bors, we copy an obituary written by his pas- tor: " He died in the thirty-eighth year of his age; was a ruling elder in the Presby- terian church at Hartford City. Having for a time served his country in the army, and then being discharged by a saved Govern- ment, though sick, he returned as we all hoped to spend many happy and useful years in the bosom of his family and the church- But his work was done. Few indeed ever have such a deep hold on the affection of others. To bereaved ones, as husband, father, brother, friend and spiritual counselor in God's house, his loss seemed irreparable. Oh, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof. Here he walked with God; now he is with the general assembly and church of the first-born, where there are pleasures for ever more. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

GARTIN, of Hartford City, is a native of Indiana, born in Decatur County, October 26, 1854, a son of Griffith and Mary A. (Fear) Gartin, his father being a native of Virginia, and his mother of Ken- tucky. His father being a farmer he was reared to the same avocation, and in his boy- hood attended the schools of his district, com- pleting his education at the University at Hartsville, Indiana. In 1883 he came to Blackford County, and bought 120 acres of good land, three-fourths of a mile west of Trenton, on the Hartford City and Trenton Pike. In January, 1886, he came to Hart- ford City and has since been a resident of

this place. He is engaged in breeding and dealing in stock, making a specialty of horses, and has some of the best draft and road horses in the county. He also devotes his attention to auctioneering, and is one of the most successful auctioneers in the county. In politics he is a Republican. He was elected to the office of justice of the peace of Jackson Township, and though the township was Dem- ocratic, he received the election by a majority of eight votes. He takes an active part in agricultural fairs, and is at present superin- tendent of the Blackford County Agricultural Association. He is a man of strict integrity honorable in all his dealings, and of genial disposition, and during his residence in the county has made many warm friends.

AMUEL PAYTON, one of the early settlers of Blackford County, and a much respected citizen, is a native of Indiana, born in Fayette County, February 27, 1817, a son of Jacob Payton, who was born in the State of Kentucky and was a sol- dier in the war of 1812. The father was married in Butler County, Ohio, to Miss Lois Hutchings, who was born in Ohio, and was a daughter of Gabriel and Lydia (Cook) Hutchings. Samuel Payton was reared in his native county, his youth being spent on a farm, and liis education being obtained in the common schools of his neighborhood. When sixteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Delaware County, Indiana, where he made his home many years. Sep- tember 1, 1836, he was married to Miss Mary Gregory, who was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John and Nancy (Shidler) Gregory. Three chil- dren were born to this union-James, who was a member of the Nineteenth Indiana In-

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

fantry in the war of the Rebellion, and died in the service of his country; Elizabeth J. and Susannah. Mr. Payton began working at the carpenter's trade, which occupation he followed many years. In 1851 he came to Blackford County, Indiana, locating on a part of the land where he now resides in Jackson Township, and for twenty-five years he was the only settler, with one exception, on section 20. Mrs. Payton died April 13, 1851, and September 15, 1851, Mr. Payton married Miss Polly Beal, who died July 11, 1874. To this union were born three children-Marion, John G. and Samuel E. The maiden name of his present wife was Margaret Ann Hollingshead. She is a native of Virginia and a daughter of James and Mary (Scarf) Hollingshead. Politically Mr. Payton is a Republican. Though not a church member he is a Christian gentleman and takes an active interest in religious matters.

C. KEGERREIS, one of the active and enterprising citizens of Jackson Town- ship is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Franklin County, the date of his birth being December 13, 1834. His parents, Thomas and Christina (Lamberson) Kegerreis, were both natives of the State of Pennsylvania. When our subject was a child of two years they removed to Richland County, Ohio, where they resided until 1846. In that year they came to Indiana locating in Delaware County, where they were among the first settlers. Our subject grew to manhood in Delaware County, where he was rehired to the avocation of a farmer, receiving his education in the district schools. He was married January 28, 1858, to Miss Margaret A.

Devoss, a native of Randolph County, Indi- ana, and a daughter of Andrew and Matilda Devoss. Mr. Kegerreis lived in Delaware County until 1861, when he removed with his family to Bond County, Illinois. He subsequently returned to Delaware County, where he made his home until coming to Blackford County in 1879. Ile is now the owner of forty acres of the county's best soil, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He is making a special- ty of raising small fruits, in which he is meeting with good success, and has some of the best varieties to be found in the State. He has five varieties of currants, ten of rasp- berries, two of gooseberries, nine of straw- berries, and also sells vines and bushes of the same. Mr. Kegerreis was bereaved by the death of his wife January 26, 1887. She was a loving wife and mother, and a devout Christian, being a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of the fifteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kegerreis thirteen yet survive-Hannah A., Henry L., Matilda C., Thomas A., Charles F., Ulysses G., Lulu V., Emma, Burt, Lotta, Jacob P., Arlie Ray and Ora Clyde. Samuel W. and an infant unnamed are deceased. In politics Mr. Kegerreis is a strong adherent to the principles of the Republican party. During the late war he enlisted in Company D, One IIundred and Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantry, the date of his enlistment being February 22, 1865. While in the service he served as First Sergeant, and received an honorable discharge in September, 1865, the war being over. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, and also belongs to the Masonic Lodge No. 106, at Hartford City. He is a an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as class-leader. He is a man of strict integrity, honorable in all his dealings, and during his residence in

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

the county he has secured many friends by his cordial manners and genial disposition.

SAAC INMAN, a representative of one of the early pioneer families of Blackfor l County, was born in Licking Township, the date of his birth being April 24, 1844. His father, Samuel Inman, was born in South Carolina, in 1802, of German ancestry. In 1807 he was taken by his parents to Miami County, Ohio, where he was reared, and was there married to Miss Abigail Dixon, who was of Irish ancestry. They lived in Miami County until 1838, when they came to Black- ford County, Indiana, when they settled on the land now occupied by the subject of this sketch. It was then covered with heavy timber, except one acre partly cleared. IIere the father hewed out a good farm from the forest, where he lived until his death, which occurred in February, 1879. The mother had died in 1859. They left a family of eight children whose names are as follows- Elizabeth, John, Mary, Sarah, Eli, Isaac, Selina Jane and Andrew D. Isaac Inman, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to manhood on the home farm to the vocation of a farmer. He received his education in the district schools and at Ridgeville College, and subsequently engaged in teaching school which he followed about seven terins. He was married April 2, 1870, to Miss Urana Boyles, who was born in Blackford County in 1847, a daughter of Cyrenus and Viletta (Sprague) Boyles. Her father died in 1854, and her mother is still living in Washington Township, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Inman are the parents of four children-Ira Newton, Francesco Dora Clement, Reva Anice and Luther Cleve- land. After his marriage Mr. Inman lived in

Washington Township eight years, when he returned to his father's old homestead in Licking Township which he now owns. His farm contains 112 acres of well improved land, his residence is comfortable and com- modions, and his barn and other farm build- ings are in good condition, the entire sur- roundings of the place showing the owner to be a man of thrift and good management. In politics Mr. Inman is a Democrat, and he has served efficiently as township trustee. He is a worthy member of the United Brethren church, and a respected citizen of Licking Township.

E. STALLSMITHI, general blacksmith and proprietor of the wagon works and repair shop in Hartford City, is a na- tive of Indiana, born in Fayette County, February 1, 1846, his parents, George and Margaret (Trotell) Stallsmith, being natives of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. They came to Indiana in 1838, first locating in Fayette County. Jacob and John Stallsmith, brothers of George, came to Indiana at the same time, and all three were carpenters by trade. George Stallsmith came with his family to Blackford County in 1846, and in the fall of the same year began mak- ing a home ont of the forest. They passed through many of the hardships and trials in- cident to pioneer life, but by industry and good management they secured a good home, and lived to enjoy the work of toil. The father is now living in Hartford City. The mother is deceased, her death occurring Jan- uary 25, 1887. D. E. Stallsmith, the subject of this sketch, was reared to the avocation of farming, receiving his education in the district schools. At the age of eighteen years he began learning the blacksmith's trade at Conners-

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ville, Fayette Connty, serving an apprentice- ship. He worked at his trade at Connersville until 1873, when he came to Hartford City, and being a skillful and reliable workman, he has succeeded well in his business, build- ing up a large trade, and by his fair and honorable dealings and genial disposition he has secured the confidence of all with whom he has business or social intercourse. Be- sides the lot and two shops where he carries on his business he is the owner of two good residence lots in Hartford City. Mr. Stall- smith was nnited in marriage August 6, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth R. Davis, who was born in Clarksburg, Franklin County, Indi- ana. They are the parents of two daughters, named Mary Margaret and Catherine Ann. In politics Mr. Stallsmith is a Republican. He has served as a member of the Hartford City Council, giving satisfaction to his con- stituents. He is at present one of the direc- tors of the Citizens' Gas Well. He is a mein- ber of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 262, of Hartford City. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is trustee of the same.

OHIN D. LEWIS, section 24, Washing- ton Township, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, March 26, 1848, a son of Frederick and Henrietta (Lentz) Lewis, na- tives of Wittemberg, Germany, wlio came to America on the same vessel in 1846, and were married after their arrival in New York. Soon after his marriage the father enlisted in the Mexican war, and died while en route to the city of Mexico with General Scott. Ilis father was born in 1820 and his mother July 15, 1821. After the death of the father in 1850, the mother married John M. Long,

who was born in Wittemberg in 1808, and came to America with his wife and one child. His wife died in Hocking Connty, Ohio, leaving seven children-Elizabeth, George F., John, Jacob, Mary, Prucilla and Christopher. To the second marriage of Mr. Long have been born six children -- William, Mania, Esther, Missouri, Laura L. and Em- ına. John D. Lewis come to Blackford County with his mother and step-father in September, 1852, and was here reared, and has since lived on the farm entered by Mr. Long. He now owns thirty-two acres on sec- tion 31, and an interest by heirship in eighty acres in section 24. He was married Janu- ary 16, 1869, to Hester M. Smith, who was born in Whitley County, Indiana, August 1, 1851, a daughter of William and Christine (Sepoy) Smith, natives of Ohio; her father born March 9, 1825, and her mother Jann- uary 15, 1823. When she was four years old her prrents moved to Blackford Connty and lived on section 24, Washington Town- ship, about five years, when they returned to Whitley County, and a few years later again moved to Blackford County and settled on their old homestead. The father enlisted in 1864 in the defense of his country, and at the battle of Franklin, November 19, 1864, was wounded and died from the effects of his wounds at Nashville, December 16, 1864. llis body was brought North and buried at Concord, Whitley County. The mother is now living with her sons in Grant County, Indiana. They had four children-Francis M., born September 1, 1848; Hester M., Au- gust 1, 1851; Washington, born December 28, 1854, died January 14. 1855, and Will iam J., February 14, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have eight children-Marion, born December 15, 1869; Joseplı, November 6, 1871; Maria M., May 6, 1873; Henry, Oc- tober 30, 1875; Virginia O., December 15,

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

1878; John W., March 5, 1881; Henrietta C., September 18, 1883, and Lucius, July 20, 1886.

HEOPHILUS MORRIS, a prominent and successful farmer, residing on sec- tion 34. Harrison Township, has been identified with the interests of Blackford County for a period of forty years. He is a native of Greene County, Pennsylvania, born August 27, 1822, a son of Jonathan and Maria (Bryce) Morris, who were also natives of the State of Pennsylvania. When he was eleven years of age his parents removed to Guernsey County, Ohio, and there he was reared to manhood, his youth being passed in working on a farm. His education was received in the subscription schools of his neighborhood. He was first married to Miss Susanna Gurn, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, a daughter of John and De- light (Fuller) Garn, and to them were born two children, named Mary and Nancy. Mr. Morris came to Blackford County in the spring of 1847, leaving Guernsey Connty, Ohio, April 18 of that year. He commenced life here on a heavily timbered tract of eighty acres, which was at the time of his settlement entirely unimproved. He first built a log cabin 18 x 20 feet in size, and be- gan clearing and improving his land. His wife died in September, 1859, and in 1860 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Laning, who died in 1872, leaving at her deatlı six children,named Robert, Maria, Lillie, Charles, Arthur and James. Mr. Morris was again nnited in marriage in 1879 to Mrs. Rebecca Ann Lewis. She was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, in 1837, a daughter of Abraham and Emily Emshwiller, who were among the pioneers of Blackford County, set- tling here in 1838. When she was eihgteen'

years of age she married John Holland. By her second marriage, with Mr. Lewis, she had three children-Eher Lee, Byron and Lava- rah L. Since coming to the county Mr. Mor- ris has made many improvements and has added largely to his original purchase until he has now 400 acres of Blackford County's best soil. The log cabin of pioneer days has been replaced by a comfortable and commo- dions frame residence, well furnished, and the entire surroundings indicate the care and thrift of the owner .. ITis land is almost all cleared, and is divided into fields for the raising of stock and grain.

T. SHULL, M. D., the oldest physi- cian now living in Blackford Coun- ty, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Perry County, February 23, 1818, a son of Henry B. and Sarah (Wolf) Shull, the father born in Dauphin County, Pennsyl- vania, and the mother a native of Maryland. During his life the father was principally en- gaged in mercantile pursuits and in keeping hotel. When our subject was a lad of ten years his parents removed to Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and there he was reared to the age of fifteen. In 1833 the family came to Indiana, locating in Wayne County, and from there the parents removed to the vicinity of Indianapolis, where they lived until 1854. In that year they settled in Montpelier, Blackford County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father died in 1856, and the mother in 1862. While the family lived in Milton, Wayne County, William T., our subject, located in Jay County, in 1838, and engaged in the mer- cantile business at Portland, being one of the pioneer merchants of that place. He re- mained in business at Portland until 1840,

W.T. Phace

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

but previous to this year he had commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Dixon Milli- gan, of Portland. He went to Salina, Mercer Connty, Ohio, where he practiced medicine for six months during 1844. He then re- turned to Portland greatly reduced in strength and in poor health. Soon after he came to Montpelier to engage in the practice of his profession, and was one of the first physicians of this place. He practiced here from Sep- tember, 1844, until 1872, when he engaged in the drug business, and from that time gradually retired from active practice, until he may be said to have permanently retired from his medical practice. He has served several sessions in the Indiana State Legis- lature-in 1850, 1855 and 1867. Dr. Shull was united in marriage in 1840 to Miss Eve- line Reed, a native of Ohio and daughter of John Reed, one of the early settlers of Jay Connty. Mrs. Shull died in 1841, leaving at her death one child-Willian Ulysses, born in March, 1841, and now living in Jay Coun- ty. Dr. Shull was a second time married, in 1847, to Miss Sarah Putnam, born in Ver- mont September 1, 1829, and a danghter of Kendall Putnam, one of the pioneers of Wells County, Indiana. To this nnion were born the following children-Henrietta, born January 15, 1850, married Daniel Arnold and died July 3, 1878; Adnie, born . April 12, 1858, married D. P. Jones and died April 21, 1882; Edward L., born April 4, 1848, a physician and druggist of Montpelier; Calvin, born Jannary 27, 1852, resides in Calhoun County, Iowa, engaged in farming; Omer II., born October 12, 1853, engaged in the grocery business in Montpelier; Elmeretta, born May 31, 1856, wife of Dr. Charles C. E. Elder, of De Witt, Nebraska; Henry B., born February 10, 1860, a graduate of Indi- ana Medical College, now engaged in prac- ticing medicine in DeWitt, Nebraska, and

Melville A., born January 21, 1869. Dr. Slinll has always been a Democrat in his political views, but at present he affiliates with the National party.

N. FEAR, one of the leading agricult- urists of Harrison Township, is a native of Kentucky, born in Campbell County, May 11, 1831, a son of William II. Fear, a native of Virginia, whose father was an Englishman by birth. The father of our subject married Miss Delilah Lanter, and they reared a family of nine children. In 1836 the Fear family came to Indiana, locating in Decatur County. Henry N. Fear, the sub- ject of this sketch, grew to manhood in De- catur Connty, being reared to the avocation of a farmer, and receiving in his yonthi tlie benefits of the district schools. He was married November 29, 1855, to Miss Mary A. Updyke, who was born in Franklin Conn- ty, Indiana, a daughter of John and Mar- garet Updyke. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fear, of whom four are yet living-James B., Henry F., Columbus II. and Frances Belle. Sarah E. died, aged eleven years, and John William at the age of twenty years. In 1857 Mr. Fear removed to Davis County, Iowa, remaining there nn- til 1861, when he returned with his family to Decatur County, Indiana. In 1873 he left Decatur County, and has since resided on his present farm in Harrison Township, Blackford County. When he settled here his land was covered with heavy timber, with the exception of eleven acres which had been cleared. By his untiring industry he has now 130 acres cleared and well improved, being underlaid with 2,000 rods of tile drain- age. His farm is divided into different fields for the raising of grain and stock. His

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

residence is comfortable and commodions, and is surrounded with shade and ornamental trees. In politics Mr. Fear is a Greenbacker, and is a personal friend of General Weaver. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined that order at Clifty, Decatur County, Indiana.

OHN ALEXANDER, deceased, was born in Logan County, Ohio, April 22, 1825, being a grandson of James and Margery (Oliver) Alexander, who were natives of Ire- land, where they were married at the ages of twenty-one and sixteen, two weeks after which they started for America, and after a long and tedious voyage and much suffering from sea-sickness and ship-wreck landed in America October, 1784. They settled in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and finally in Champaign County, Ohio, then known as the " Far West." Here they died. James in 1819, and Margery in 1823, at tlie ages of fifty-six and fifty-four. They left a family of twelve children, viz .- Betsy, John, Robert, Nancy, Mattie, Salley, Peggy, Rachel, James and Margery (twins), Edward and Peter. The father was a weaver by trade, at which he supported his large family. He belonged to the old line Whig-party, and both he and his wife were members of the old Presbyte- rian church. Always poor in the things of this life, they left no legacy to their children but honest, upright and Christian examples. Robert Alexander, the third child of James and Margery and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Mifflin County, Pennsyl- vania, February 16, 1793. He was reared on a farm in his native State, and while a young man moved with his father to Champaign County, Ohio. February 26, 1822, he mar- ried Mary Wilkinson, who was born in Har-

rison County, Virginia, October 11, 1793, having moved to Champaign County, Ohio, when about sixteen years of age. Her father, Asahel Wilkinson, was a native of England, a rough backwoodsman, who delighted in hunting wild game, of which the country then abonnded. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and had many narrow escapes for his life. He loved in his old days to tell of his fights with the bear, panther and other wild and savage animals, as well as with the Indians. He was one of Virginia's tall, slender sons-a man of great endurance and courage, and with an iron will, he was well fitted for the frontier life of his day. Wil- kinson's wife (whose maiden name was Rogan) was a native of Scotland. She was a small, quiet, Christian woman, and a member of the New Light church. They were married in Harrison County, Virginia, in the year 1791 or' 1792, and in 1811 moved West, and set- tled on Mad River in the State of Ohio. They reared ten children, viz :- Mary, Jacob, Thomas, Asahel, Joseph, Salley, Nancy, Eliza, Harrison and Betsey. The mother died April 23, 1820, and Wilkinson married again in less than a year. His second wife's name was Tipton. She was a good Christian woman, to whom he had two children. The first, Ashael, died early. Wilkinson died at the age of ninety-three years. Robert and Mary (Wilkinson) Alexander moved from Logan County, Ohio, to Elkhart County, In- diana, in May, 1837, and finally settled in the wild woods of Wells County, Indiana, in February, 1838. The journey from Ohio to Indiana was made with wagons, through a new and wild country. The party consisted of Robert and family (six children) and his two youngest brothers, Edward's family (two children) and Peter (single), also two hired men to help drive the stock. The jour- ney was long, tedious and full of hardships.

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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