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 86

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 86
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 86

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DAM SHIELDS, deceased, was a native of Hardin County, Virginia, born on the banks of the Potomac River, where he grew to manhood. When a young man he immigrated with his parents to Braxton County, West Virginia, where the father purchased a large tract of land. Adam Shields was married in Braxton County, to Miss Martha Mills, a native of South Caro- lina. She lived with her parents in the States of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia. The following chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shields- Nancy, who died in West Virginia; Mary, died in Blackford County, Indiana, after her marriage; Weeden II., born May 27, 1823, in Braxton County, now living in Blackford County ; Draper (deceased); 'Larwood died in early childhood; Elzara, born October 25, 1829, is the wife of Alval Townsend; Rachel; Wilson, born in Hocking County, Ohio, in April, 1837, living in Blackford County, and Malıala (deceased). A few years after his

marriage Mr. Shields left Braxton County, settling with his family on a new farm in Morgan County, Ohio, in 1828. Two years later he removed with his family to Athens County, Ohio, remaining there three years, when they removed to Hocking County, same State. In October, 1845, the family left Hocking County by team for Blackford County, Indiana, and settled on the farm on section 32, Washington Township, that is now owned by the heirs of Adam Shields. Adam Shields first erected a round log cabin with puncheon floor and clapboard roof, and commenced making a home ont of the wilder- ness. His land was then entirely nnimproved, and covered with a heavy growth of timber. Ile was a man of industrious habits, and by his persevering energy he cleared and im- proved his land with the assistance of his sons, and at his death owned 120 acres of choice land, which he had brought under fine culti- vation. He died on the old homestead August 16, 1878, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. His wife had preceded him many years, her death taking place in 1852, at the age of fifty-five years. Both are buried on their farm in Washington Township. The family occupied the log cabin built in pioneer days until 1880, in which year their present residence was built. Their son, Weeden, was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlist- ing October 15, 1862, in Company L, First Indiana Cavalry, serving in the Western department. He was at the battle of Helena, Arkansas, and in numerous skirmishes. He was mustered out July 22, 1863, his regiment having enlisted only for nine months. Alvah Townsend was also a soldier during the late war. He entered the ariny in October, 1864, and was assigned to Company II, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and joined his regiment at Bridgeport, Alabama. He then returned to Nashville, and was in the battle at that place,

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

where his regiment lost heavily. He was also at the battle of Franklin. He accom- panied his regiment as far as Duck River in pursuit of General Hood, at which place he was left sick in hospital. He then returned to Nashville, where he lay sick five weeks, then joined his regiment at Huntsville, Ala- bama, which he accompanied to Greenville, Tennessee, but on liearing of General Lee's surrender the regiment returned to Nashville, then proceeded to Green Lake, thence to San Antonia, where Mr. Townsend was again unable to proceed. He had fallen out of line on the way, and crawled to a house, where he was taken in and doctored by a rebel surgeon for five weeks. He then started for his home, driving team, and doing what he could find to do to earn money to pay his expenses, and arrived at his destination Marchi 29, 1866, his regiment reaching home in October, 1865. Peter Shields, the father of Adam Shields, was a native of England, and of Irish descent. He came to America with the British army, which he deserted, and enlisted under George Washington, and witnessed the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. He died in Braxton County, West Virginia, at an ad- vanced age. The mother of our subject, Elizabeth Shields, was born in Hardin Conty, Virginia, of German ancestry, and died in West Virginia. The parents of Mrs. Adam Shields, John and Agnes (Graden) Mills, were both natives of South Carolina, the mother dying in Hocking County, Ohio. Jolm Mills enlisted in the war of the Revohi- tion when but fourteen years old, serving through the entire war, he and his father being members of the same regiment, and both were pensioners. He died in May, 1851, aged ninety-seven years. Twelve chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Townsend, as follows-Elijah, born January 10, 1850; Elmira, November 2, 1852; Andrew

J., February 2, 1854; George W., September 22, 1855; Jane, May 2, 1857; Martlia, Octo- ber 23, 1858; Armada, May 20, 1861; Sam- nel, December 11, 1862; Minerva, May 28, 1864; Wilson, July 10, 1868; Nellie, Septem- ber 16, 1873, and one who died in infancy unnamed.

OHN R. GETTYS is a native of Black- ford County, Indiana, born October 12, 1838, a son of Josepli Gettys, one of the old and respected pioneers of the county, and a grandson of Joseph Gettys, Sr., who was a soldier in the war of 1812. Joseph Gettys, tlie father of onr subject, was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, of Scotch and Irish ancestry. He was reared in his native State, and when a young man removed to Olio. He was married January 9, 1837, to Miss Maria McMillan, who was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1817, a danghter of Henry and Mary (Baxter) McMillan, and to them were born fonr children-John R., the sub- ject of this sketch; Mary E., wife of Dr. Wheeler; Joseph Cyrus, deceased, and Me- lissa, also deceased. The father came to Blackford County in 1837, when he took up a claim, and in 1838 entered the same from the Government, and commenced life here right in the woods, experiencing many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life. John R. Gettys, whose name heads this sketch, was born and reared on the old homestead farın in Blackford County, receiv- ing such education as the pioneer schools of the county afforded. He was united in mar- riage April 23, 1863, to Miss Annie C. Woos- ter, a native of Fayette County, Indiana, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Burdrant) Wooster. They are the parents of four chil- dren-Maria Isabelle, wife of Henry Daugh-

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erty; Emma V., wife of Alonzo Williams; Sylvester P. and Mary Susan. Mr. Gettys ocenpies a fine farm of 139 acres, in Licking Township, eighty acres of the same being en- tered from the Government by his father. He has some three acres set out in small fruits of the latest and best varieties, which lic disposes of principally in the city of Hart- ford. In politics Mr. Gettys affiliates with the Prohibitionist party, and is one of the most respected citizens of Blackford Connty. Both he and his wife are worthy and con- sistent members of the Wesleyan Methodist church.

ILLIAM W. WILT, M. D., a success- ful physician, residing at Montpelier, is a native of Ohio, born in Darke County, Jnne 30, 1848, and is a son of John B. and Martha (Dowler) Wilt, who were also natives of Ohio, the father born in Darke County, and the mother in Preble County. In the spring of 1857 the family removed to Blackford County, Indiana, settling one mile west of Dundee, April 5 of that year, where the father bought a tract of eighty acres. Here he made his home until his death, which occurred May 13, 1882. The mother still resides on the old homestead near Dundee. William W., the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood on the old home farm, and in his boyhood received a fair common- school education, and subsequently taught school a couple of terms. On reaching the age of nineteen years le commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. A. Ransom, of Dundee, boarding at home. In 1869-'70 he attended lectures at Indiana Medical College, and the following eighteen months he prac- ticed medicine at Dundee. In the winter of 1871 he returned to Indiana Medical Col-

lege, and in March, 1872, gradnated from that institution. He located at Montpelier September 15, 1873, where he has since prac- ticed his profession. The doctor was married April 17, 1870, to Miss Marietta Ely, a native of Blackford County, Indiana, and of the three children born to this union only one, Adelbert Irvin, is living. John F. died at the age of twenty-two months, and Virgil Edgar was drowned January 12, 1885, in the Sala- monie River, at thic age of eight years and four months. Dr. Wilt is a member of the Blackford Medical Society. IIe is also a member of the Masonic order. In politics he is a stannch Republican. IIe was holding the office of trustee of Washington Township at the time of his removal to Montpelier, and was the first Republican holding that office in that township.

AMES S. TOWNSEND, a successful farmer of Washington Township, resid- ing on section 31, was born May 9, 1822, a son of Gilbert and Mary (Saxon) Townsend. His father was born in New Jersey, in 1780, where he grew to manhood, and was there married to Mary Saxon, who was also a native of New Jersey, born in 1786. They lived in their native State five or six years after their marriage, when they removed to Steuben County, New York, making their home therc some twenty-five years, when in January, 1839, they came to Blackford Com- ty, Indiana, making the entire jonrney by team, and camping ont every night while on the way. There were bnt four families living in the neighborhood in which the parents settled on coming to the county. The land on which they settled was entirely unim- proved, and the family lived in a cabin owned by William Miles until their own log cabin

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

was built. There the parents lived until their death, the father dying October 7, 1861, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, and the mother dying December 29, 1870. They were the parents of eleven children- Charles died in Blackford County, aged seventy-four years; Lydia, died in Steuben County, New York, aged seventy-three years; Ardelia, died in New York; John, died in Illinois, aged forty-four years; Gilbert, living in Delaware County, Indiana, aged seventy- three years; Ann, wife of Allen Gadbnry, aged seventy-one years; James S., onr subject; Alvalı, lives in Blackford County, aged sixty- two years; Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Leffler, aged fifty-six years, and Mary, who died in May, 1881, aged fifty years. James S. Town- send, whose name heads this sketch, came with his parents to Blackford County in 1839, settling on section 31, Washington Township, which has since been his home. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer, and assisted in clearing their frontier farm, experiencing many of the trials and privations incident to pioneer life. He is now the owner of 100 acres of improved land, where his father first settled. Mr. Townsend was married September 25, 1846, to Miss Mary Leffler, who was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1827, a danghter of George and Elizabeth

(Foy) Letter. Her father was born in Penn- sylvania in 1791, and when a young man went to Perry County, Ohio, where he was married in 1822. Her mother was born in Maryland in 1793, removing to Perry County, Ohio, with her parents. In 1846 they moved to Blackford County, Indiana, where the father died in 1855, and the mother in 1866. They had a family of eleven children. Mr.

Leffler was a soldier in the war of 1812, and received a land warrant for his services. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend have had seven children- Lydia A., born in December, 1848; Absalom,

born September 9, 1850; Mary, born Novem- ber 8, 1852; J. L., born May 7, 1854, died April 7, 1880; Susan, born June 24, 1856, died December 12, 1884; Jim, born June 7, 1863; Cynthia, born June 28, 1865, died September 6, 1866. Mrs. Townsend died September 6, 1873, and Mr. Townsend was again married May 6, 1883, to Mrs. Elizabeth (Hedge) Miles, a native of Pennsylvania, born July 17, 1829, a daughter of Jacob and Abigail (Bradbury) Hedge, and widow of Joseph Miles. Her parents were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania. In 1846 they came to Blackford County and settled near Hartford City, where they spent the remainder of their days, the father dying in December, 1874, aged sixty-six years, and the mother in July, 1863, aged sixty-six years. Of the six children born to them three are living-Mrs. Townsend, John and Morgan. The names of those deceased are-Mary, who died at the age of sixty-six years; Sophia, Aaron, Jester and Abner. Mrs. Townsend was first married February 17, 1850, to Joseph,Miles, a native of Steuben County, New York, born March 17, 1826, who died December 8, 1874. By her first marriage slie had eight children-John H., born November 26, 1850; Mary J., born September 7, 1852; William, deceased, born March 16, 1855; Jerome, deceased, born Octo- ber 15, 1857; Joseph S., born February 28, 1859; Julia A., born July 21, 1863; Abner, born June 12, 1867, and Charles, born Sep- tember 8, 1871. Eber and Elizabetlı (Drew) Townsend, the grandparents of our subject, were born in New Jersey, and died in Steuben County, New York, the former at the age of sixty years, and the latter at the age of eighty- four years. The great-grandfather, Daniel Townsend, was born on Long Island, where he died, and his father, Daniel Townsend, was born and died on Long Island. The Drew family is of Irish descent, the father of

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

the grandmother of our subject, Gilbert Drew, being a native of Ireland, and on coming to America he settled in New York State. The maternal grandparents of our subject, Jolın and Elizabeth (Evans) Saxon, were natives of England, and New Jersey, respectively. They were married in New Jersey, and later moved to Steuben County, New York, and in 1839 came to Blackford County, Indiana, wliere they spent their last days, John Saxon being 101 years and ten months old at the time of his death. He was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war, and received a pension for his services. IIe was in good health until within a few days of his deatlı, and in walking never used a eane. The grandmother Saxon died at the age of eighty-four years. James S. Townsend, the subject of this sketch, is in his political views, an independent Demoerat. Both he and his wife are members of the Universalist ehureh.

OBERT LANNING, general merchant, Millgrove, was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, January 15, 1820, a son of Isaae and Lydia (Fuller) Lanning, who were also natives of Sussex County, New Jersey, both dying in Guernsey County, Ohio. The father was eleven years older than his his wife, and his death oceurred eleven years before she died, her death oeeurring in 1884. Our subjeet's grandfather, Robert Lanning, was born in New Jersey, and died in Guern- sey County, Ohio, aged eighty-four years. His father was an Englishman by birth, and on coming to America, settled in New Jer- sey. The Fuller family came to America prior to the Revolutionary war. Eli and Martha (Rundle) Fuller, the maternal grand- parents of our subject, were natives of New Jersey and Connecticut, respectively, and

both died in New Jersey, the former aged fifty-five years, and the latter at the advanced age of eighty years. Our subject was six months old when his parents removed to Guernsey County, Ohio, settling in the dense woods of that eounty, and here he was early inured to pioneer life, his boyhood being spent in helping his father improve his fron- tier farm. He was married January 4, 1844, to Miss Margaret A. Kennedy, who was born in 1817, near Bloomfield, Ohio, where she was reared, going with her parents to Guern- sey County, Ohio, after she had reached maturity. Her parents, Moses W. and Es- ther W. Kennedy, were born in Sussex County, New Jersey, and both died in Guern- sey County, Ohio, her father aged seventy-six years, and her mother aged eighty years. IIer grandfather, Robert Kennedy, was a brother of Lord Kennedy, of Scotland, who offered a large sum of money for his brother's head. Robert fled from Seotland, eoming to Amer- ica, when he settled in Sussex County, New Jersey. In the fall of 1845 Mr. Lanning eame with his wife and one ehild to Black- ford County, Indiana, and bought 160 acres of heavily timbered land on section 28, Jack- son Township, which had been entered from the Government by his brother-in-law, David Fisher. While his eabin was being built he made his home with the family of Emanuel Fuller. His cabin was 18 x 20 feet in size, and consisted of one room, and was ready for occupancy December 24. His floor was built of puneheons, and although he had left a place for a elimney, he had no chimney. Ile made his bedstead by boring holes in the logs of his eabin, and fitted sapplings into these holes, weaving linn bark for ropes to place his bed on. He built a table ont of pun- cheons, which he used for two years before he was able to afford a better, and his only seats for two years were stools made out of

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

puncheons, and thus he commenced life in Blackford County. The first night spent in his cabin he started out to look for his cows, carrying his gun with him, as the early set- tlers always did, and while ont he killed a fine large deer, which he bronght home with him, and after skinning, he hung its carcass in his cabin, but he did not find his cows that night. Ile lived in his pioneer log cabin some ten years, when he built a double round log house, which is still standing on the place, now used for storing hay. Here he lived until removing to Millgrove in 1870, when he erected his store building, and es- tablished his present business, in which he has met with fair success. He afterward built the house which he still owns and occupies. He also owns 185 acres of choice land, of which 100 acres is well improved and well tiled. He was bereaved by the death of his wife in November, 1881. They were the parents of nine children-Maria, born March, 4, 1845, and died in March, 1854; Lydia, born in October, 1846, married Winfield S. Mercer, June 16, 1887; Isaac N., born De- cember 25, 1848; Moses W., born in March, 1850; Aaron, born in March, 1852; William J., born in 1854; Stephen A. D., born in March, 1856; Harriet E., wife of Ross Pe- terson, of Blackford County; Mary, wife of Thomas Stanley, living in Delaware County, Indiana. Mr. Lanning was quite a hunter in the early history of the county, and relates inany thrilling and interesting experiences. At one time while out hunting he spied a large buck deer coming toward him, at which he fired, his bullet taking effect in the eye, and shattering the top of the head, the ani- mal falling within three paces of him. Wild hogs were in abundance, and one day he went out with a friend to shoot some, to get his winter's supply of pork. They found a herd of a dozen hogs, and David Bolener, his

friend, shot one, but before reaching it to stick it, the hog gave a squeal, which bronght the whole herd to him, but Mr. Lanning fired a shot which wounded one and fright- ened the rest away, thins saving the life of Mr. Bolener. Mr. Lanning says the biggest day's sport he ever had was hunting squir- rels. He had been offered three cents apiece by Dr. Henly, of Hartford City, for each squirrel he shot through the head, and in one day he shot in the head fifty squirrels of the gray variety, shooting them within a half mile of his cabin. The same night he skin- ned the squirrels, and the following morning bronght them to the doctor's house, who to his great surprise, found each one shot in the head. He received $1.50 in silver and re- turned to his home. The doctor salted down the squirrels, which he said furnished him the cheapest meat he ever bought. One day Mr. Lanning killed eight young wolves, which he found in a hollow tree, and taking their scalps to the county seat, received the bounty offered for them.

ILLIAM ELLSWORTH, one of the old and honored pioneers of Black- ford County, was born in New Paltz, Ulster County, New York, March 16, 1813, his parents being Samnel and Betsy (Sperry) Ellsworth. The father was born, reared and married in the State of New York. In 1829 he removed to Ohio, and in 1839 or 1840, he came to Indiana, aud a year or two later settled in Michigan, where he lived until his death, his wife also dying in that State. William Ellsworth was reared until his six- teenth year in New York State, and in 1829 accompanied his parents to Ohio. He was married in Ohio, February 12, 1836, to Miss Betsy Platt, native of Connecticut, and a

William Ellsworth

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

church forty-seven years, and for several years he has been a deacon in his church. He has affiliated with the Republican party since its organization. They are parents of three children-Matilda J., Samuel and William D. Their only daughter is a member of the Baptist church. She married Amnos Hunter, who is now deceased, his death occurring November 26, 1879, and to this union were born four children-Rosa Lee, wife of Jolin Poulson; George C., Calvin F. and Charles, The eldest son, Samuel, is a minister of the Christian church at Stnart, Guthrie County, employed, part of the time working at the i Iowa. William D. is member of the Method-

daughter of Samuel and Anna (Parrott) Platt. Her mother died in Ohio. Her father sub- sequently came to Blackford County, Indiana, where he lived until a short time previous to his death. He left Blackford County for Michigan, and died in that State. The year of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth removed to Blackford County, where he entered 120 acres of land in Harrison Town- ship. He also bought a lot in Montpelier on which he erected a honse, this being about the fourth house erected in the place. On coming to the county he was variously carpenter's trade, and worked on the first mill built on the Salamonie River in the neighbor- hood of Montpelier. He resided at Mont- pelier about three years, then bought eighty- six acres of his present farm, which was then right in the woods. After making a small clearing he put up a little round log cabin. Game of all kinds was abundant, but he was not much of a hunter, preferring to devote his time to his farm, clearing and improving his land. Wild animals were also quite numerous, and the howling of the wolves was frequently heard. One night our subject mnet two wolves in the path near his house which he mistook for dogs. At that early day Hartford City contained but one log cabin, in which court was held, and the jury held their sessions in a hazel thicket near by. By hard work and persevering energy Mr. Ellsworth has cleared and put under cultiva- tion all his land with the exception of fifteen acres. He never hired a day's work on his land, and most of the improvements on the place were done by himself before his sous were old enough to help him. He has been identified with Blackford County for over half a century, and has always taken an active interest in its welfare. Mr. and Mrs. Ells- worth have been members of the Baptist

ist church. He is a graduate of the Com- mercial College at Madison, Wisconsin. After his gradution he taught in the Commercial College at Des Moines two or three years, becoming one of the proprietors. He then sold out his interest, and went to St. Louis, where he taught in Bryant & Stratton's Business College. He subsequently returned to Des Moines, and for eight years held the position of head bookkeeper in Seebergen's wholesale establishment, since which time he has been in the employ of the Baker Barbed Wire Company.

ILLIAM A. BEATH, a prominent and successful agricultorist, was born on section 29, Licking Township, Blackford County, the date of his birth be- ing July 25, 1836. His father, John Beath, was a native of Virginia, and a son of Joseph and Anna B. Beath. He was reared to man- hood in Ross County, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Anna Kelough, and in Oc- tober, 1835, came to Blackford County, In- diana, locating in the woods on section 29, Licking Township. His first land purchase was eighty acres to which he subsequently

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

added 160 acres, and on settling on his land he built a log cabin 18 x 20 feet in size. In 1871 he sold his farm of 240 acres to Black- ford County for an infirmary or poor farm. Ilis wife died in 1870, and his death occurred January 29, 1885. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are yet living, as follows-William A., the subject of this sketch; Alexander, was a soldier in the late war, serving fonr years in the Eighty-fourth Illinois Infantry, now living in Union Coun- ty, Iowa; Martha Ann Atkinson living in Reno Connty, Kansas; Nancy Wilhelm, liv- ing in Sedgwick Connty, Kansas, and Samuel K., who was also a soldier in the Eighty-fourth Illinois Infantry. In politics the father was a Jeffersonian Democrat, and for twenty-one years held the office of justice of the peace. William A. Beath, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to the avocation of a farmer on the home farm, receiving his edu- cation in the common schools. He was united in marriage October 18, 1860, to Miss Eliza- betli R. Stewart, a daughter of Dr. Henry and Susanna (Shroyer) Stewart, who came to Blackford County in 1836, the mother dying here September 7, 1837. The father died December 9, 1882, aged seventy-eight years. Robert Stewart, the grandfather of Mrs. Beatlı, was a native of Ireland. Ile married Miss Rebecca Anderson, and reared a family of ten children, whose names are as follows- Mary, Sallie, Henry, Isabelle, John, Jane, Adam and Dolly (twins), Rebecca and Robert. Robert Stewart, Sr., died at the advanced age of ninety-three years. Mr. and Mrs. William A. Beath are the parents of five children- Marion L. living in Woodson County, Kan- sas; George R., John W., Henry A., and Owen Van. Mr. Beath lived in Jackson Township for three years after his marriage, and in 1863 settled on section 1, Licking Township. He located on his present farm

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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