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 84

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 84
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 84

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

The country was heavily timbered and desti- Methodist Episcopal church, and lived to be- come, parents. Rachel, James and Betty still live. John Alexander, being the second child, and the subject of this sketch, moved with his parents when twelve years of age to Elkhart County, and in February, 1838, to Wells County, Indiana, where he was thoroughly trained in the work of clearing and farming the new land. Being resolute, courageous and strong, he had no dread of hard work, but with persistent industry went alone with his ax into the thickest of the wil- derness of Jackson and surrounding townships, where he cut off and cleared many acres before settling npon land to make a home for himself, but worked with his father until abont the age of twenty-one years. At abont this age he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he lived very closely all the balance of his life. This early day afforded but little opportunity for schooling. He liad at- tended the common district school a few weeks in each year, and at about the age of twenty-one attended one graded school at Warren, Indi- ana, with the view of preparing for a profession, but this being unpopular in that day the idea was abandoned rather than have it said he was afraid of work. May 17, 1849, he mar- ried Melissa Sparr, of Delaware County, Indiana. The great-grandfather of Melissa (Sparr) Alexander, was a native of Prussia, born on the River Rhine in the year 1720, and was a Tory in Washington's time. John Sparr, his son, was born near Philadelphia abont the year 1750. IIe was a Revolution- ary soldier and fought in the battles of Mon- month Court-honse, Princeton and others, being also at the taking of Cornwallis. He was a farmer, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a strong, resolnte man. He was a Virginian, and died in La Fayette County, that State, in his eighty-sixth year. tute of well defined roads. In the woods of Indiana were found many wild animals, as well as the native Indians. Robert and Ed- ward had each entered a tract (120 acres) of land the fall before, sitnated in Wells Coun- ty, Jackson Township. Not a tree had been cnt, and while they built their cabins on their own lands, the families lived in a rude log cabin, one and a half miles distant, which was already occupied by two other families, inaking in all twenty-six persons together, for two or three weeks, in a cabin which had but one door, it being made high from the ground, so that the logs could not get inside. When they moved on their own lands they used clapboards for a floor, to keep their feet out of the mnd, while the fire melted two or three inches of snow. The frontiersmen were good marksmen, and from the abundance of deer and other wild animals they procured their meat. At the time of this settlement there were but three other families in the township. Robert Alexander and wife had joined the Methodist Episcopal church, and in this early day, the first church organiza- tion was formed at their house, where the first sermon in the township was preached by Rev. George W. Bowers, on Christmas eve, 1838. Robert was an old-line Whig, and a Republican, and for several years served as one of the trustees of his township, and filled other positions of trust. He was licensed to preach in 1840, and held meetings all over the country as long as he lived. In stature he was abont five feet ten inches high, broad shouldered and strong, witlı average weight of about 180 pounds. He died on his old place in Jackson Township, April 4, 1872, his wife having preceded him October 31, 1868. They reared six children, viz .: Rachel, John, James, Nancy, Robert F. and Betty, all of whom became members of the | His wife's maiden name was Mary Mariah

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

Neah-Hawk, of a wealthy family in Pennsyl- vania. She was a thonglitful woman and above the average in size. She died also at the age of eighty-six, though ten years younger than her husband. They had ten children and reared nine, four of whom were boys-Jolın, Samuel, Isaac and George. Isaac was six feet six inches in height, and was believed to be the strongest man in his (Monroe) County. IIe was shot (assassinated) at the age of twenty-eight. Samuel and Elizabeth each lived to be ninety-six. George W., the youngest, is the only one living, now eighty-five. John, the oldest son and father of Melissa (Sparr) Alexander, was born at St. Troy, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Octo- ber 22, 1784. Ile was a farmer, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a man of considerable influence in his neighborhood, was called into the war of 1812, but on account of his family hired a substitute. January 18, 1810, he married Mary Ann Guthrie, of Virginia, who was of English and Scotch descent. Her father, William Guthrie, was a prominent Methodist minister of Scotch descent, and served as a Revolutionary soldier. He was the fatherof seven children (all girls). He died in Virginia. In the year 1825, John and Mary Ann (Guthrie) Sparr moved to Rush County, and in 1836 to Delaware Coun- ty, Indiana, when John died March 21, 1843, at the age of fifty-eight, being a strong mnan at his death. Ilis widow lived with her oldest child, Eveline, in Delaware Connty. She was also a Christian woman, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. John and Mary Ann Sparr possessed but moderate means, but reared nine children out of eleven born, viz .: Eveline, Silas, John, James, Will- iam, Samuel, Mariah, Milton, Melissa, Jack- son and Ripley. Eveline, James, Melissa, Jackson and Ripley, are still living, all of whom are members of the Methodist Episco-

pal church. Melissa, widow of John Alex- der, was born in Rush Connty, Indiana, July 15, 1827, and lived with her parents until her marriage. After marriage John Alex- ander and wife moved at once to Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana, where lie had purchased (for $150) eighty acres of raw land joining his father's farm. Here in the midst of the wilderness they began clearing out a home, with very little to start with; but with willing hands they toiled early and late, and lived plain. For fourteen years a hewed-log cabin plastered inside and ont with mud, made a very comfortable dwel- ling winter and summer. Both were very closely united to the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which they always contributed a portion of their small earnings. They were of the small number who organized and built up the little church known as Asbury Chapel. Mr. Alexander served as a leading officer in this church as long as he lived in the connty. He organized the first Sunday-school at this place, and was for a number of years superintendent as well as class-leader. Having already purchased property and built a comfortable dwelling in Hartford City, Indiana, they rented the farm, with then near a hundred acres well im- proved, and March 12, 1875, moved to Hart- ford and immediately began establishing the "Hartford City Nursery," which has within these few years grown into a well known and prosperous business. In this Mr. Alexander displayed his usual alacrity, industry and careful attention, thus building up a useful and profitable enterprise, patronized far and near. He established a good trade in not only all kinds of fruit trees, but also the choicest varieties of vines, ornamental trees and small fruits, which is still kept up and carried on since his death. During his life in Hartford City he was a faithful student of

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

the Bible, and a regular and devout attendant and worshiper at the Sunday-school and all religious meetings. His contributions to both were prompt and cheerful, being one of the heaviest donors to the building of the new Methodist Episcopal church. He never missed an opportunity to use his influence in favor of temperance and Christianity, firmly believing the establishment of these princi- ples to be most essential in molding the true lives of others, and especially young men. During his life in that city he was a member of the church official board, class- leader and Sunday-school teacher. He was also licensed to exhort. In politics lie was always a Republican and Prohibitionist, and while in Wells County filled numerous towil- ship offices. In stature Mr. Alexander was six feet in height, and weighed about 190 pounds. Broad-shouldered and erect, he was uncommonly strong and muscular. Alto- gether he was a firm, emphatic mnan, with marked characteristics, broad judgment and safe counsel. The chief aim of his whole life was to provide honorably a comfortable living for his family, and above all to make sure preparation for the life to come, and to pursuade others so to do. After a very brief and unexpected attack of paralysis of mind and body, without any apparent suffering he died April 4, 1886, lacking nineteen days of sixty-one years of age. His tomb is marked by a spot in the little grave-yard at Asbury Chapel, which he helped organize in his early day. His widow still lives at Hartford City. They reared seven children-Rachel M., a school-teacher, and who has also learned the art of hand-painting, sketching from nature; William G., who graduated at the law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1883, and has since served one term as district attorney of Campbell County, Dakota Territory; Robert O. V., who died of typhoid fever in early

manliood, December 12, 1874; John B., who is now manager of the Hartford City Nur- sery, and who is also engaged in bee culture; Ashael C., a merchant at New Cumberland, Indiana, and who married Auna Barrett, they having had two children (girls), one still living; James M., who has for a number of years been in the employ of the well known firmn of Kushbam & Weiler, and L. O. Mor- ton, an editor, now editing the Dakota Sift- ings, in Benson County, Dakota Territory.

N. FULKERSON, who has been a resident of the county for a period of

forty years, was born in Greene Coun- ty, Ohio, the date of his birth being April 9, 1840. In 1847 his parents, William and Eliza Jane (Maffet) Fulkerson, came with their family to Blackford County, and settled on a heavily timbered farm in Jackson Town- ship, and here amid the wild surroundings of pioneer life, our subject was reared. He re- ceived his education in the schools of his district, taught in log cabins, and on attaining the age of twenty-one years lie began teach- ing school. He taught school for seven terms, becoming a popular and successful teacher. During the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company L, Seventh Indiana Cavalry, being in the service of his country nine months. He was married December 13, 1863, to Miss Rebecca Stewart, a daughter of John and Adaline Stewart, and to this union eight children have been born, as follows- Susan Josephine, wife of H. L. Kegerreis; George Pendleton and Mary Isabelle (twins), the latter now deceased; John William, Joseph Bargdol, Arthur Milo, Martha Re- becca and Sidney Clio. Mr. Fulkerson settled on his present farm in the fall of 1865, which he has converted from a wilderness into one

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

of the best farms in Jackson Township. He has a comfortable residence, a commodious barn 36 x 48 feet in size, and other valuable farm buildings, and his land is well improved and under fine cultivation. In politics he is a Democrat. IIe has held the office of jus- tice of the peace four years, when his deci- sions were always wise and just. He is a man of strict integrity, honorable in all his dealings, and a man of genial disposition, and is highly respected throughout the com- inunity where he has made his home for so many years.

B. WHITE, M. D., a prominent physi- cian and surgeon of Montpelier, is a native of Ohio, born in Richland Coun- ty, August 30, 1830, his parents, William and Eliza A. (Dodge) White, being natives of Connecticut and Ohio respectively. In 1837 they came with their family of four children to Jay County, Indiana, and located in Penn Township, and this family inade the first kiln of brick in Jay County. The father died in 1840, and the widow and children subsequently returned to Ohio. R. B., our subject, was reared principally in Delaware and Morrow counties in his native State, and received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood, and at Oberlin College, Ohio. At the age of eighteen years he be- gan the study of medicine under Dr. Timo- thy White, who was his preceptor for some two years. He then took a course of study under Dr. S. A. Thomas, of Camden, Jay County, who was a fine classical scholar, and a graduate in his profession. Dr. White be- gan the practice of medicine at Montpelier, in the spring of 1856 and in 1858 moved to Jerome, Howard County, Indiana, remaining there for five years. In 1863 he returned

to Montpelier, Blackford County, where lie lias since made his home, and being well skilled in the knowledge of his chosen pro- fession he has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice, and in many homes, not only in Blackford, but in Jay and Wells counties, the name of Dr. White has become a lionsehold word. The doctor was married March 26, 1857, to Miss Ellen Briscoe, a native of Canada, but reared partly in Rochester, New York, and a daughter of Henry Briscoe. The doctor is living ou a farm of 100 acres adjoining the town of Montpelier, where he has a fine residence, well furnished throughout and surrounded with shade and ornamental trees. He has a large barn and other good farın buildings, a good orchard, and also a modern wind-mill. Beside his home farm he is the owner of a good farm on section 22 of Harrison Town- ship. He is a member of Lodge No. 410, I. O. O. F. In his political views he affili- ates with the Republican party,

ANDREW J. McCONKEY, is a repre- sentative of one of the old pioneer families of this part of Indiana, and was born in Washington Township, Black- ford County, July 31, 1848, where he was reared on the home farm, and educated in the schools of his neighborhood. He has always lived in his native county, and has seen it change from a wilderness into its present flourishing condition of well cultivated fields and prosperous towns and villages. He was united in marriage April 17, 1886, to Miss Elizabeth Griffith, who was born July17, 1859, in Washington Township, Blackford County, where she was reared to womanhood, a daugh- ter of John A. and Mary A. (Crandel) Grif- fith. Her father was born May 27, 1838, and

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

when a babe was brought by his parents to Wells County, Indiana, where he was reared and married, and is still making his home in this county. The mother of Mrs. McConkey who was born October 24, 1839, is also living. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith have had born to them three children-Mrs. McConkey; Alice E., who died in 1872, at the age of eleven years, and Ossian B., who died in 1870, aged seven years.

AVID McCONKEY, deceased, was one of the old and respected pioneers of Blackford County, coming here with his wife in April, 1840, when he settled on section 10, Washington Township. Not a stick of timber had been cut on the place, and he made a rude shelter until he built his log cabin, and here he made a home for him- self and family. Many were the hardships and privations endured by them in their pioneer home, but they lived to see the coull- try change from a wilderness into well culti- vated farms and thriving villages, and to enjoy the fruits of their years of toil. David McConkey was born in June, 1817, a son of Janies M. McConkey, who had come to Blackford County several years before our subject settled here, and had entered 160 acres for each of his sons. Mrs. David Mc- Conkey is a native of North Carolina, born in Guilford County, a few months earlier than her husband, and is a daughter of John and Lovina (Reynolds) Perdue, both of whom were born in North Carolina. They came to Wayne County, Indiana, when Mrs. McCon- key was a girl, where they lived until their death. Mr. Perdue was twice married, and by his first marriage had four children, all of whom are deceased. By his second marriage he had six sons and three daughters-Andrew,

Addison, Abner (died of ineasles while in the army), John M., George W., Alfred, Mrs. McConkey and two other daughters. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. David McConkey, of whom the two eldest died in infancy unnamed. Their daughter Martlia J., was born August 3, 1841, and died December 25, 1854; John was born September 17, 1844; Jasper, born March 7, 1847; Andrew J., born July 31, 1848, and Mary H., born July 2. 1852, and died in her twenty-ninth year. Mrs. McConkey still survives her husband, and is making her home with her son, Andrew J., in Washington Township.

OHN A. NEWBAUER, proprietor of the city meat market and a prominent business man of Hartford City, was born in Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, October 17, 1847, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth New- bauer. He was reared on a farm until lie was twenty-one years of age, and then learned his present trade, which he worked at for two years. In 1870 he engaged in contracting at Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio, where he was very successful, remaining there two years. In 1873 he came to Hartford City and estab- lished his present business, being the pioneer meat market of the place. He keeps on hand both fresh and salted meats of the best qual- ity, which he serves to his customers in good style, and everything about the place is clean and neat. By his strict attention to the wants of his customers, accommodating man- ners and reasonable prices he has established a good business, his annual sales amounting to about $12,000. He also deals largely in lime and stucco, making a specialty of Huntington lime and all kinds of building material. IIe is the leading ice dealer in Hartford City, selling 300 tons per annum, the ice being

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

procured from a pond of pure spring water. Besides his business Mr. Newbauer owns three houses and lots in Hartford City and a tract of very valuable land adjoining the town. Hle was married December 23, 1875, to Miss Elizabeth Bolner, of Blackford Coun- ty, and they are the parents of three children, whose names are-Altha, George and Robert. Politically Mr. Newbauer is a Democrat. He has served as a member of the city council. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to IIartford City Lodge, No. 262, of Hartford City.

MOR BOYD, proprietor of the Mont- pelier Tile Works, is one of the active and enterprising men of Blackford County, and one of the leading citizens of Montpelier. The first steps taken toward the establishment of the above enterprise was in March, 1876, and thirty days later the works were ready for operation, and is to-day the leading one of the kind in this portion of In- diana. The firm was known at first as Boyd & Hopkins, being composed of Amor Boyd and John R. Hopkins, but in 1878 Mr. Boyd purchased his partner's interest, and lias since conducted the business alone. The main building is 30 x 100 feet in ground area, and three stories in height. The first floor is the mill and crusher, operated by a steam engine of thirteen horse-power, which was put in in 1883. Eighty feet of the first floor, beside the second and third floors are devoted to drying purposes. These buildings were erected in 1883, but there is another shed built in 1876, 18 x 170 feet, which is also de- voted to drying purposes. The engine-room is 18 x 25 feet. The kiln burns all that can be dried in all the sheds, and they burn every week during the season, and during the past

four years have turned out an average of 10,000 rods of tile per year, from three to teu inches in diameter. The dry-rooms are fitted up on seientific principles, which insure the best possible results, and are on a system which is seldom met with. Mr. Boyd dis- poses of all he can manufacture in the home market, though he has occasionally shipped to more remote points, and the tile manu- factured at these works has a high reputation in the trade. He is now burning tile with natural gas, and also using it as fuel to run his engine. Mr. Amor Boyd, whose name heads this sketch, is a native of Ohio, born in Belmont County, December 1, 1844, and when two years old his parents came to Indi- ana and located in Jackson Township, Jay County, where the father, Cyrus Boyd, after- ward bought land. He is now a resident of Huntington County. The mother of our subject died in Jay County in 1874. Amor was reared to manhood in Jay County, and in early life devoted his attention to farming. He made his home with his parents until his marriage, August 25, 1867, to Miss Elma M. Johnson, who was born in Jackson Township, Jay County, her father, Levi Johnson, being one of the early settlers of that county. They are the parents of four children-John P., Ethel I., Victor Levi and Jesse Riley. Mr. Boyd began life for himself after his mar- riage on forty acres of land, which he had bought on section 20, Jackson Township, Jay County, and of this land he cleared and put nnder cultivation twenty acres. He owned this farm until about 1885, although he re- moved from it in the spring of 1876, when he caine to Montpelier and started the tile man- ufactory. After living in Montpelier six years he bought 120 acres of land about a half mile from the town, where he has since lived, farming and raising fine horses as well as carrying on his tile business. He has

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.

seven colts from the imported Clydesdale stallion, Grand Turk, besides having an in- terest in the animal named. He has two trotting blood horses, one a colt. All his cattle are of the Jersey breed, and in fact all his stock is of a high grade. In his politi- cal views Mr. Boyd is somewhat independent, although he takes an active interest in public affairs. The position he holds to-day among the business men of Blackford County is solely the result of his own efforts. Only twenty years ago he possessed nothing but a forty-acre tract in the woods of Jay County, but by persevering industry and good man- agement he has become one of the prosperons citizens of the county, where he has gained the respect and confidence of all who know him by his fair and honorable dealing.

AMES HI. FORD, one of Jackson Town- ship's enterprising citizens, was born in Preble County, Ohio, January 23, 1845, a son of David S. and Mary (Richards) Ford, the fatlier a native of Virginia, and the moth- er of Ohio. Our subject lived in his native county until ten years of age, when he removed with his parents to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits, receiving lis education in the district schools of that county. He was married at the age of twenty-two years to Miss Ann M. Fry, a daughter of Joseph and Henrietta Fry. They are the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living-Ida Jane, James W., David A., Joseph Franklin, Henrietta Bell, Willis Earl, Cora Viola, Lulu Edna and Emma Florence. Albertie is deceased. Mr. Ford removed to Richland County, Illinois, in 1869, remaining there two years, and in 1872 came to Blackford County, Indiana, and has since resided on his present farm in Jackson 46

Township. He is the owner of forty acres of choice land, well improved, a good residence and other valuable building improvements. In politics Mr. Ford casts his suffrage witli the Democratic party. He is a member of the Baptist church, and nmmnbered among thie most respected men of Jackson Township.

OHN A. BONHAM, a member of the law firm of Bonham & Bonham, is a na- tive of Indiana, born in Hartford City, April 16, 1861. He was reared at his birthi- place, and was educated at the Hartford City High School, and the Indiana State Univer- sity at Bloomington. During the summer vacations of the city high school and the State University he engaged as a clerk in the leading groceries of the city, thus preparing his way for his collegiate course. He taught three terms of school in Blackford County, the last two terms being consecutively at the same place, and was unanimously re- elected for the third term, but declined, having been admitted to the bar prior to the expiration of his second term. He began the study of law in June, 1882, and was ad- mitted to the bar September 30, 1884, at Hartford City, Judge H. B. Saylor presiding, and at the same time he became a member of the firm of Bonham & Bonham. He is a rising attorney, and one of the prominent citi- zeus of IIartford City. He has held the office of town clerk for three terms by re- election from May, 1884, to May, 1887, in a town thoroughly Democratic, which office he held with satisfaction to his constituents. He is a member of the Hart- ford City Lodge, No. 262, I. O. O. F., of which he is Noble Grand, and is also a mem- ber of the Hartford City Encampment, No. 115, in which he holds the position of Chief

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

Patriarch. He also belongs to Blackford Lodge, No. 134, K. of P. In politics Mr. Bonham is a Republican. In 1884 he was president of the Blaine and Logan club of Blackford County. In 1886 he was nomi- nated for State Senator for the counties of Adams, Jay and Blackford, but declined the honor, since which time he lias been actively engaged in the practice of his profession.

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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