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 89
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 89
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
Margaret Leas, a lady of English descent, whose father was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war, serving under Mad Anthony Wayne. John Leas was a native of Phila- delphia, going from that place during the war with the company which became a part of the regiment commanded by Wayne, who was then a Colonel. Both parents of our subject died in Adams County. He was reared to manhood at New Chester, receiving his edu- cation at the Pines Church school-house, about a mile from his home, the school-house being a primitive log structure. He learned the trade of a saddle and harness inaker, beginning to work at his trade at New Ches- ter. From there he went to Hampton, and later to York Sulphur Springs in Adams County, and while living at the latter place, in 1836, lie was elected sheriff of Adans County, holding that office for a term of three years. He then resumed work at his trade at Gettysburgh, but in 1842 he left Pennsyl- vania, locating first in Wisconsin. In 1843 he came to Blackford County, Indiana, mak- ing his home in Hartford City, and built the house which is still standing east of his present residence. It was then a log house but lias since been converted into a frame by weather-boarding. He established the saddle and harness business at Hartford City, and was the pioneer in this line here. In 1846 he was elected county recorder, and then kept the office in a case on the end of a bencli in his shop, holding the office seven years under the old constitution. His income from this office amounted to but $100 a year, but in those days that amount was considered a good deal. At the end of his term of service as recorder the constitution was changed, so that the offices of clerk and recorder were combined, and he was again elected, holding this position for eight years, or two terms of four years each. Ile was then elected treas-
820
HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.
urer of the county, which office he filled for two terms of two years each, and before the expiration of his second term he was elected to fill the office of clerk, which office he filled for four years, and refused a renomination for the position on account of the death of his wife which occurred about this time. Until 1872 he was ont of political life, when, in that year, he was elected to the State Legislature as Representative from Jay and Blackford counties, serving through one session, since which time lie has been to a large extent retired from active pursuits, although his exceptional knowledge of county affairs makes hiim of great service to the county on many occasions, and for four years of this time he carried on the business of the recorder's office. Mr. Taughinbangh was twice married, his first wife being Miss Lydia Myers. She was born near York Springs in Adams County, Pennsylvania, and died in Hartford Cityj in January, 1868, leaving eight children, all of whom are yet living- Franklin, in Colorado; Margaret, widow of Sanford M. Johnson, is keeping house for her father; Martha Jane, wife of George Gable, hardware merchant of Hartford City; Nicho- las, living at Lima, Ohio; Caroline, wife of Andrew Fulton, of Olathe, Kansas; Anna, wife of Kemmer Schick, of Hartford City; Horatio Gates, living in Hartford City; and Emina, wife of Branson F. Pugh, living near Fall River in Greenwood County, Kansas. For his second wife Mr. Taughinbaugh married Mrs. Rose Ann (Sumwalt) Cottrell, widow of Henry W. Cottrell. She was born in that part of Baltimore known as Federal Hill. She is also deceased, her death taking place in January, 1886. Mr. Taughinbaugh witnessed almost all the progress that has been made in Blackford County, and was intimately connected with almost its entire history. The present spacious and handsome
brick residence of his family was erected in 1875. He was a Master and Royal Arch Mason, and passed through all the chairs iu the Blue Lodge, and was a representative to the Grand Lodge of the State. Mr. Taughin- bangh died August 22, 1887, and was buried with the honors of his order in the new Odd Fellows cemetery east of Hartford City.
Z ADOK T. WILLIAMS, one of the prominent men of Blackford County, is a native of Indiana, born in Dela- ware County, December 22, 1836, a son of William Y. and Saralı (Tomlinson) Williams. His father was born in Preble County, Ohio, May 17, 1812, where he was reared, and was there married to Miss Sarah Tom- linson, who was also a native of Preble County, her parents coming from North Carolina in an carly day. In February, 1834, he came with his wife and one child by team to Indiana, and located on a tract of eighty acres of wild land in Delaware County, Cen- ter Township, which he had previously en- tered, they being among the early settlers of that county. At that time, Muncie, the county seat, was a mere trading post, cousist- ing of one grocery and a log jail, no court house. Game of all kinds was abindant, but Mr. Williams was no hunter. He has resided on the land on which he first located for over half a century, and has witnessed the entire transformation of the county from a wilderness to its present position among the most prosperous communities of Indiana. He has advanced with the county, and lias accumulated large property interests, be- coming one of the wealthy men of Delaware County. His wife died June 29, 1856, and in April, 1857, he was married to Miss Esther Maroney, who was born in Preble
821
WWWHAMMAM
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
County, Ohio, about the year 1817. Zadok Williams, whose name heads this sketch, grew to manhood in Delaware Conty, where he was reared to the avocation of a farmer on the home farm. He was married Angust 21, 1858, to Miss Lydia D. Dougherty, who was born in Mount Pleasant Township, Delaware County, a danghter of William and Deboralı (Combs) Dougherty, her father born in Clinton County, Ohio, and her mother a native of Virginia. They were among the early pioneers of Delaware County, and ou coming to the county settled on the river some six iniles below Muncie. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of five children- William A., a farmer of Licking Township, Blackford County; Sarah, wife of Eaton C. Atkinson; Alonzo M., also engaged in farm- ing in Licking Township; Amanda J. and Emma. Mr. Williams remained at his father's homestead until October 26, 1858, when he moved to Blackford County, and settled on his present farm on section 19, Licking Township, which had been bought into the family some years before. When Mr. Williams came to the township he found his land right in the woods, with no improve- inents save the erection of a small log cabin, and here he and his wife commenced keeping house. He has had all the improvements inade on the farm as well as on other prop- erty, and now has 230 acres of land, of which 180 acres at least is cleared and under culti- vation. He at one time owned considerable real estate, but with the exception of the 230 aeres mentioned above, he lias divided among his children, giving them a good farin apiece to start in life. In politics Mr. Williams is a Republican. October 9, 1886, lie received the Republican nomination at Hartford City for county commissioner, and although the county is strongly Democratic, he gained the election by a majority of fifty-six votes, 48
which clearly indicates his popularity in the county, and in securing the election he did not lose a half day from his regular work. Mr. Williams has never been an office seeker, this being the first time he has made the race for office, although he has been supervisor of his township more than once. He is one of the substantial and most respected men of Licking Township. His land is among the best in the county, well improved, and under- drained throughout. His residence is beall- tifully situated, and commands an excellent view of the surrounding comtry.
TOIIN HI. BLOUNT was born near Dal- ton, Wayne County, Indiana, October 7, 1822, a son of Andrew R. and Sarah (Warren) Blount. Andrew R. Blount was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, but when a boy of seven years old his parents moved to Kentucky, where they lived about ten years, and in 1805 inoved to Nolan's Fork, Wayne County, In- diana, his father, William Blount, being one of the first settlers of Wayne County. Dur- ing the war of 1812, Andrew R. enlisted and served three years. After the war he moved to White River, across the river from Smith- field, but subsequently returned to Wayne County. He was married soon after his re- turn from the war, near Economy, to Saralı Warren. In 1822 they moved to Henry County, and in the spring of 1836 to Black- ford County, where Mr. Blount had bought and entered a tract of land in the woods, only two acres of which was cleared. At that timne the only timber was large, the Indians keeping the underbrush cleared out. Mr. Blount was a good hunter and fine marksman, and his son John II. attended eight shooting matches with him one fall, when he won nine
822
HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.
beef hides and made over $40 by his shoot- ing. He remained in Blackford County until 1864, when his son Warren, who lived in Henry County, persuaded him to move there, and when he was on his way he was taken sick and died at the age of seventy-two years. The mother died in 1874. They had a fami- ly of thirteen children, but four of whom are living-John, Warren, Andrew A. and Sarah. Both are buried near the old home in Henry County. John II. Blount was but fourteen years old when his parents moved to Black- ford County, and here he was reared and has since lived. When he was about sixteen years old he went with Jake Brugh and his young son to Carter's mill, above Eaton, but the river being dry they could get no grinding done. They then went to Muncie with the same result. They then went to Blountville, and from there five miles further to a brother- in-law's of Mr. Blount, John Fisher, who went with them to a man named Thornburg, who had some flour he had got ground at Milton, and after much argument he was persuaded to let the boys have some in ex- change for their wheat. Mr. Blount was married in September, 1841, to Eliza Mar- kins, a native of Lawrence County, Ohio, daughter of Thomas and Frances (Sumter) Markins, who located in Blackford County in 1837, where the father died in 1859, aged seventy years, and the mother in 1881, aged eighty-two years. Mrs. Blount has a cover- lid, which is made of cotton raised, carded, spun and woven by her mother over fifty years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Blount liave had thirteen children, nine of whom are living. James died at the age of nineteen years and nine months; Richard, aged three years and five months; Bertie, aged two years and seven months, and Emma, aged one year. Saralı Frances is the wife of Roswell Jackson, and lives in Lincoln County, Kansas; Mary Etta,
wife of Henry Daneuower, of Howard Coun-
ty, Indiana; Andrew, of Delaware County, Indiana; Rachel, wife of Reuben Lewis; Lorenzo W., Nancy, wife of Cyrus Lewis, and
Blount has been a life-long Democrat, al- Jolın, live in Harrison Township. Mr. though now he is inclined toward the princi- ples of the National Greenback party. Mrs. over thirty years, and then with lier husband Blount was a member of the Christian church
disbandment they have united with no church. joined the Society of Friends, and since its
They have been residents of Blackford County over half a century, and witnessed every change it has undergone in transformning it from a wild uncultivated forest to a state of advanced civilization. Mrs. Blount is the only woman that ever killed a deer in Black- ford County, her victim being a large animal with long antlers, and her weapon being an ax.
-
ENRY J. KLINE, tile manufacturer, Jackson Township, was born on the farm where he now lives on section 32, the ouly child of Isaac and Mary (Vance) Kline. His father was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1820, and when a boy his parents moved to Fayette County, Indiana, and in 1845 he came to Blackford County, where he was married. He died in October, 1848. The mother was born near Morgan- town, Virginia, August 22, 1828, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Lackey) Vance, and came to Indiana with her parents in her girl- hood, and thence to Blackford County in the spring of 1845. After the death of Mr. Kline she married Levi Ream. She is now postmistress at Millgrove. When Henry J. Kline was six years old he was taken to Burlington, Iowa, remaining in that State
823
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
until thirteen years old, when he returned to Indiana and lived in Delaware County until he was twenty-one years old, and while living there he culisted in Company G, Ninth Indi- ana Cavalry. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and nearly all the mounted men of the regiment were taken prisoners at Sulphur Branch Trestle, Alabama, by General Forrest, who was pur- suing General Thomas in his retreat to Nasli- ville. He was a prisoner six months at Calaba and Selma, Alabama, and was then paroled at Vicksburg, and started nortlı on the steamer Sultana, on which were 2,100 paroled prisoners. When well on its way up the Mississippi River the steamer burst her boiler, and 1,500 men lost their lives, Mr. Kline being one of the few survivors of this terrible disaster. He was discharged June 17, 1865, and returned to Delaware County, where he remained a year, when he went to Montana and engaged in placer mining two years. In August, 1868, he returned home, and for several years was engaged in farm- ing during the sunner and teaching during the winter. In 1882 he began the manu- facture of tile in Jackson Township, Black- ford County, and in April, 1887, his sheds were destroyed by fire. His neighbors im- mediately rallied to his assistance, some furnishing logs, others hauling them to the saw-mill, or helping to erect the building, and when it was ready to be shingled there were forty-one men on the roof at one time, nail- ing on shingles, and in a short time he was ready to resume his business. Mr. Kline is a popular citizen of his township, and al- thongh a strong Republican, and his town- ship being Democratic, he was elected assessor by a large majority. He was married June 1, 1872, to Melinda Ward, a native of Jack- son Township, Blackford County, born Janu- ary 13, 1853, a daughter of William and
Tabitha (Holton) Ward, both of whom are deceased, her father dying in 1865, aged fifty-eight years, and her mother in 1880, aged sixty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Kline have four children-Edith, Merton, Daisy and Horton.
RVILLE K. MOORE was born in Licking Township, Blackford County, Indiana, November 4, 1855. His father, Henry Moore, was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, September 9, 1817, and when four- teen years of age his parents moved to Darke Connty, Ohio, and four years later to Indi- ana, settling a little west of the present site of New Cumberland, Grant County. IIe was married while living in Grant County, to Maria Atkinson, a native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, but at that time living in Blackford County, Indiana. They lived in Grant County four years after their mar- riage, and in 1852 located in Blackford County, on 120 acres of land in Licking Township, where they both died, Mrs. Moore July 16, 1879, and Mr. Moore August 9, 1884. They were both meinbers of the Olive Branch Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Moore was a class-leader in the church almost from the time he arrived at manhood, and a short time before his death was offered a license as an exhorter. In the days of the Whig party he was a strong supporter of its principles, and later affiliated with the Re- publican party. The family consisted of eight children-Nancy E., G. L., Charles W., Mary H. (deceased), Orville K., Emma E. (deceased), Ida A. and John A. (deceased). Charles W. and Orville K. are partners in their farming pursuits, and together own 180 acres of land. They have fine, substantial buildings, and all their improvements are in-
824
HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.
dicative of the thrift and enterprise of the owners. Charles W. was born October 28, 1853, and was married December 14, 1876, to Sarah J. Cole, daugliter of Charles and Melissa Cole. They have had three children -Rillie M. (deceased), Ida Zonetta and Or- ville K. In politics tlie brothers botlı affili- ate with the Greenback party. Orville K. Moore was reared in Blackford County, and has always been identified with its interests. He was married February 2, 1881, to Debo- ralı Koontz, a native of Delaware County, Indiana. She is a daughter of L. D. and Matilda Koontz. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have two children-Lorenzo H. and Henry C. They are members of the Methodist Protes- tant church, of which he is class-leader. He is a prominent citizen of the township where he has spent his life, and is a liberal snp- porter of all enterprises that are of public benefit.
AMES T. ALEXANDER, M. D., of Hartford City, is a native of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, born November 7, 1837, a son of Carroll and Mary Jane Alex- ander. He was reared at his birthi-place, where he attended the common schools, and later attended the Tuscarora Academy, com- pleting his literary education at the college at Cannonsburg, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, from which institution he graduated. He commenced the study of medicine at Cannonsburg, and during the war he entered the hospital service, being part of the time at St. Aloysius Hospital at Washington, D. C., and at Yorktown, Penn- sylvania. He was at the battle of the Wil- derness and at Vicksburg, being all of the time under General Burnside. He remained with the army until the close of the war,
after which he attended four full terms at the University of Pennsylvania, where he grad- uated in 1867. He became engaged in the Philadelphia Dispensary, remaining there over two years, then in 1872 came to Indi- ana, locating at Indianapolis. He practiced medicine in Madison County from 1873 until 1880, when lie removed to Grant County. During the years 1881 and 1882 the doctor was traveling in South America and Central America, and was in nearly all the States and capitals of these countries. In the winter of 1883 he came to Hartford City, Blackford County, where he has since practiced his chosen profession. His wife was formerly Miss Della Vasbinder. Politically he aflili- ates with the Republican party.
AMES MCCOMBS, farmer, residing on section 20, Washington Township, is a native of Indiana, born in Franklin County, December 25, 1846, a son of Barnett and Anna (Parrott) McCombs. His father was born in Maryland and died in Franklin County, Indiana, of cholera, before the sub- ject of this sketch was three years old. The mother is still living,' making her home at Connersville, Fayette County, Indiana. She was born in Lebanon, Ohio, April 30, 1817. They reared a family of eight children, whose names are-John, Harrison, Nicholas, Saralı E., Matilda, Anna, James and Barnett. James McCombs, the subject of this sketelı, was reared to manhood in his native county, remaining there until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. He enlisted August 12, 1862, in Company G, Sixty-eighth Indi- ana Infantry, going first to Kentucky, wliere he was captured by the enemy at Munford- ville, and was discharged on account of dis- ability, at Indianapolis, December 14, 1862.
825
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
He then returned home to regain his health, and November 9, 1863, again enlisted in Company M, First Indiana Heavy Artillery, and served in Lonisiana, Alabama and Florida. He was in the engagements at Mobile and Fort Pickens, doing garrison duty. January 24, 1866, he received liis discharge, when he returned home, remaining with his mother un- til his marriage, August 2, 186S, to Miss Sarah Swift. Fonr children were born to this union-John M., born November 13, 1870; Barnett C., born January 24, 1873, died Feb- ruary 14, 1874; Nellie, born September 11, 1875, and Sarah, born January 19, 1879, died when a week old. Mrs. McCombs was born in Franklin County, Indiana, February 22, 1852, where she was reared, a daughter of Francis M. and Fannie (Moss) Swift. Her father was born in Maryland, and is now a retired farmer of Franklin County, Indiana. Her mother was born in Franklin County, Indiana, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Picklehammer) Moss, who were natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent, both of whom died in Franklin County, Indiana, the latter in 1872, at the advanced age of ninety- nine years. Mrs. McCombs died January 24, 1879, and Mr. McCombs was married a sec- ond time, May 24, 1879, to Miss Mary J. Bird, a native of Blackford County, born in Washington Township, April 14, 1856, and to them have been born two children -- Henry B., born October 13, 1883, died October 2, 1884, and Jamcs A., born April 15, 1885. Mrs. McCombs is a daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (Monrue) Bird, uatives of Ohio, her father dying March 5, 1879. Hcr mother is still living on the old homestead. Mrs. McCombs' grandfather, Joseph Bird, died in Ohio, and her grandmother, Rebecca (Summers) Bird, dicd in Kansas. Her ma- ternal grandparents, Joseph and Hannalı (Shirey) Monrue, were natives of Pennsylva-
nia, and of German ancestry. Both died in Grant County, Indiana, the former in March, 1856, and the latter in March, 1875. The McCombs family is of Scotch and Irish an- cestry.
UGHI C. ATKINSON was born in Licking Township, Blackford County, Indiana, December 22, 1856, a son of Joseph Atkinson, an old settler of the county. He was reared on the old homestead of his father and has always followed agricultural pursnits. He remained at home until twen- ty-five years old, when he was married and settled on a farın of his own, ou which he has since lived. His farm contains 127 acres of fertile land, which is well cultivated, and his residence and farm buildings are commodious and convenient. He is an energetic, indus- trions young man and one of the representa- tive farmers of his township. He was married October 13, 1881, to Mary C. McEldowuey, a native of Fulton County, Pennsylvania. She is a lady of fine educational attain- ments and is also a successful music teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson have three children -- Edith Gertrude, Charles Harry and Hazel Blanche. In politics Mr. Atkinson is a Re- publican.
ILLIAM J. BUGH, retired farmer, was born in Perry County, Ohio, February 8, 1830, his parents, B. W. and Hannah (Coddington) Bugh, being born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They removed to Perry County, Ohio, when young, being married in that conuty. In 1848 they came with their family to Indiana, making the journey by team, and located on a tract
826
HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.
of 320 acres of land in Washington Town- ship, Blackford County, which the father had previously entered. He had some of this land deadened and cleared, and when he bronght his family to their new home there was a small log cabin on the place. Wolves and deer roamed through the forests when they first settled in the county, and wild tur- keys were also very numerons. Mr. Bugh and his son, William J., were both quite suc- cessful hunters, and killed many deer. The father ocenpied the land on which he first settled until 1871, when he removed to Hart- ford City, and died here in his eighty-third year, April 1, 1887. His widow is yet a resident of Hartford City. In politics Mr. Bugh was formerly an old-line Whig, but became identified with the Republican party on its organization. He was county com- missioner of Blackford County two terms. lle joined the Masonic fraternity in 1850, of which he was a member until his death. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for over twenty years. William J. Bugh, whose name heads this sketch, was in his eighteenth year when he came with the family to Blackford County, and here he has since made his home. He made his home with his parents until his marriage, in An- gnst, 1854, to Miss Sarah Brubaker. She was born in Perry Connty, Ohio, a daughter of Martin and Nancy (Neal) Brubaker, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Both died in Ohio, the mother when Mrs. Bugh was seven- teen years old. She came to this county in the fall of 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Bugh are the parents of five children-Hannah Jane, wife of S. M. Wilson, of Washington Township; Emeline, wife of C. W. Mustard, also of Washington Township; James H., married Alice Williams and lived on his father's homestead; Carrie, and Etna. Mr. Bugh followed the plow for over forty years, com-
inencing when a boy of ten years. In Sep- tember, 1885, he gave upfarming, leaving his farın of 200 acres adjoining the old home- stead of his father, in charge of his sons, and removed to Hartford City, where he now resides. For a few years after his marriage he lived on rented land, then purchased eighty acres of wild land, and to this he afterward added 160 acres, and all of this land he has cleared and made tillable with the exception of forty acres, which has since been brought under cultivation. His land is well ditched and drained, he having paid ont over $1,000 on one ditch alone. In politics Mr. Bugh is a Republican, but is independent in his con- victions. He has held the office of township trustee, and was township assessor for two years, filling both offices with credit to him- self and satisfaction to his constituents.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.