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 90
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 90
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ETH S. SIMONTON, section 15, Har- rison Township, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, February 23, 1829, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Oswalt) Simon- ton, natives of Pennsylvania, his father of Irish and his mother of German descent. His parents were married in Ohio, where the mother died in 1841. They had a family of ten children. In 1842 his father moved to what was then Jay County, and located on section 14, Harrison Township, on a tract of heavily timbered land, which he cleared and improved, making it his home until his death, July 4, 1863. He was married again after the death of his wife, in 1842, to Nancy Shall, and to his second marriage were born five children. Seth S. Simonton remained with his father until manhood, and assisted him in clearing and improving a frontier home. In 1862 he located on the farm where he now lives, which contains 121 acres of good land,
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well improved, and his residence and farm buildings are among the best in the township. Mr. Simonton enlisted February 8, 1865, in Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-third Indiana Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was married in 1853 to Margaret Blount, who died in May, 1856. In 1859 Mr. Simonton married Eliza Shannon, who died in February, 1868. In June, 1868, he married Catherine Ann Downhour. They have one son-Albert S., born in May, 1869. In politics Mr. Simonton is a Republican, but of late has affiliated with the National Green- back party. He is a member of the Christian church, is a licensed preacher, and is an active worker in the cause of Christianity.
M ILTON VAN CLEVE was born in Washington Township, Blackford County, Indiana, Angust 7, 1857, and Rebecca Van Cleve was born in the above named township December 10, 1841, these two being tlie surviving children of Ashur and Margaret Van Cleve. Ashur Van Cleve was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1808. IIe (Ashur Van Cleve) was a son of William and Rebecca (Powell) Van Cleve. The former was born October 23, 1768, and the latter July 6, 1773. The grandparents having originally emigrated from New Jersey into Pennsylvania when quite young, William Van Cleve grew to manliood in Pennsylvania, and was twice married, his first wife being Rebecca Powell, who died April 24, 1821. He then married Alice Van Buskirk, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, this marriage taking place April 27, 1823. He died November 17, 1829, aud his widow subsequently removed to Ohio, where she died about 1857. Ashur Van Cleve was a son of the first marriage.
He was reared in Pennsylvania, and when a young man, in 1838, came to Blackford Coun- ty, Indiana, in company with his brother Joseph, they locating in the then woods of Licking Township. Josephi was quite a hunter, and as game of all kinds was plentiful lie had abundant means for indulging in this sport. Ashur Van Cleve did not care so much for hunting, preferring to work on his land. In 1840 he went to Wells Connty, and August 6, of that year, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Stahl, whose parents were among the pioneers of Wells County. They kept house on the land on which Joseph and Ashur had lived, until March, 1841, when they moved into a round log cabin which Mr. Van Cleve had built, on a tract of 160 acres in Washington Township, Blackford County. This land was covered with timber when they settled on it, and comparatively little improvement had been made on the place. Their milling in those days was done at an old tramp mill, and some times they went beyond Muncie, a distance of forty miles, and even to more remote points. There were no roads at that time, and in wet weather they would sometimes have to nnload the wheat from the wagon and carry it on their shoulders quite a distance through swamps. The nearest postoffice was Muncie, a distance of twenty-two miles. Their round log cabin was soon replaced by a hewed-log house, of which they afterward made a two-roomed house, and later built a frame addition, and in 1862, Mr. Van Cleve erected a fine brick residence, the bricks for this building having been made right on the place. Coming here as they did when the country was a wilderness, they lived to see it transformed into a well settled and prosperous community. Mr. Van Cleve was bereaved by the death of his faithful wife, who liad shared his joys and sorrows for over
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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.
forty years, her death taking place January 10, 1874. He removed to Hartford City in September, 1882, where he died April 15, 1885. Mr. Van Cleve was a member of the Baptist church, and a highly respected citizen of Washington Township. In politics he was formerly an old-line Whig, and affiliated with the Republican party from its organiza- tion until his death. He served his township as trustee, and was also county commissioner. Mr. and Mrs. Ashnr Van Cleve were the parents of seven children, of whom five are deceased-Sarah, born November 4, 1843, and died Jnne 11, 1873; Abraham, born August 8, 1845, died June 21, 1876; William, born April 12, 1847, died March 8, 1887; Joseph J., born Angnst 13, 1850, died Sep- tember 27, 1855, and Jesse B., born February 17, 1853, died April 1, 1854. Those yet living are Rebecca and Milton, whose naines head this sketch. They purchased their present handsome residence in Hartford City in 1886, beside which they own the large brick store building, containing handsome store-rooms and offices, this property having been bonght by William Van Cleve and his father. It is centrally located for business on the corner of the square, and has a frontage of forty feet. Their property contains all the modern conveniences and bears the marks of considerable enterprise.
JOHN A. MORRISON, M. D., a promi- nent physician of Montpelier, is a na- tive of Indiana, born in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, April 26, 1850, a son of Leander and Matilda (Jones) Morrison. His father was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, a son of Andrew Morri- son, a native of Scotland, who came to America when a young man, and located in
Pennsylvania. He removed thence to Ken- tncky, where his son Leander was born and reared. The father of our subjeet received his education in the early common schools of his day, and when a yonng man he immi- grated with his father's family to Preble County, Ohio, where he followed agricultural pursuits nntil 1834. He then removed to Huntington County, Indiana, and entered a tract of Government land in Huntington and Wells counties, and began the task of clear-' ing and improving his land. He was married in the year 1834, to Miss Matilda Jones, a daughter of Samnel Jones. Her father was a native of Scotland, and immigrated to America, and settled in Huntington Connty, Indiana, in 1833, settling on land where the thriving village of Warren now stands, and laid ont that town. After his marriage Mr. Leander Morrison settled on his frontier farm in Huntington Connty where he passed the remainder of his days. In the early settlement of the county he served as land agent, and also hield the positions of magis- trate and connty commissioner. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, all of whom are yet living with the exception of Calvin, who died in the services of his conntry during the war of the Rebellion. The children are as follows-Nancy; Martha, wife of N. D. L. Elliott; Sarah, wife of Dr. C. R. Mason; Samnel L., John A., the snb- ject of this sketch, and Lewis. In politics the father was a Republican. He died Febrn- ary 14, 1881. His widow still resides on the old homestead in Huntington County, and is an earnest and consistent member of the United Brethren church. John A. Morrison, whose name heads this sketch, was reared in Salamonie Township, Huntington Connty, receiving his education in the home schools, in the schools of Bluffton, and at Roanoke Academy, Indiana. In 1872 he cominenced
J. A. Morrison
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the study of medicine with Drs. Mason and Ransom, of Hartford City, Blackford County, and in the winter of 1873-'74, he attended the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Sur- gery, graduating from that institution in 1875. He then located at Mount Zion, Wells County, remaining there one year, when he removed to Liberty Center, Wells Connty, where he practiced his profession until June, 1884, since which time he has made his home in Montpelier, and during his residence here he lias succeeded in establishing a lucrative practice. In 1885, in order to keep abreast with the surgical and medical progress of the day, the doctor attended a course of lectures at the Long Island College Hospital in New York. He is a member of the Blackford Medical Society, in which he takes an active interest. Doctor Morrison was married in Wells County, Jnly 3, 1877, to Miss Sarah C. Spake, a native of Wells County, and a daughter of John and Polly Spake, who are now residents of Kansas City. They are the parents of three children-Alvalı, Leander and Merl Minton. In politics Dr. Morrison is a Republican.
OSEPII ATKINSON, deceased, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1813, a son of William and Ann (Anderson) Atkinson. He was reared in his native State, and was there married March 11, 1841, to Catherine Yensel, also a native of Pennsylvania. The same year they moved by teams to Blackford County, Indi- ana, and located on eighty acres of land on section 28, Licking Township. Very little improvement had been made on the land, the only building on the place being a little log cabin. Mr. Atkinson made this his home until his death, which occurred March 7,
1879. He became a prominent citizen of the connty and assisted materially in developing its resources. IIe was a good manager of his own business interests, and at his death owned 740 acres of valuable land, much of which was well improved. He was a leading stock- man, being one of the first in the county to give his attention to tliat industry. In poli- tics he was a Republican. Mr. Atkinson's wife died August 27, 1842, and February 7, 1846, he married Miss Catherine McCormick, a native of Preble County, Ohio, daughter of William and Susannah (Wolverton) McCor- mick, natives of Bedford County, Pennsyl- vania. Her father was a Baptist clergyman. He moved from Pennsylvania to Preble Connty, and thence to Fayette Connty, Ohio, and from there in 1831 to Delaware County, Indiana, where he died in October, 1868, his widow surviving him about three years. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson were the parents of twelve children, two of whom, Charles and Minnie, are deceased. Those living are-William Anderson, Eaton C., Newton W., Susan, Hugh C., Eliza Jane, Effie, Margaret Ellen, Ada M. and Almeda. William married Julia Ann Carmine, Eaton married Sarah E. Wil- liams, Newton married Elizabeth E. Swift, Hugh married Mary C. McEldowney, and Eliza is the wife of J. K. Hughes.
NDREW J. SHANNON, one of the old and honored pioneers of Harrison Township, Blackford Connty, is a native of Ohio, born in Tuscarawas County July 3, 1830, a son of Amon and Catherine (Color) Shannon, the father being a native of Wash- ington County, Pennsylvania, and of Irish descent. They were married in the State of Ohio, where they lived until the subject of this sketch was sixteen years old. They then
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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.
came with their family to Blackford County, Indiana, locating on a heavily timbered farm June 15, 1846. There was a rnde log cabin withont a roof on their land, 17 x 16 feet in size, and here the father lived until 1856, when the farm was purchased by onr subject. The father then removed to section 15, Har- rison Township, where he died October 12, 1877. The mother died in Ohio. Andrew J. Shannon, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood on the old farm in Blackford Connty, on which his father first settled, and his youth was spent in assisting to clear and cultivate the land. Ile was united in mar- riage October 6, 1853, to Miss Margaret E. Teach, who was born in Belmont County, Ohio, November 1, 1833, a daughter of, John and Ann (Mustard) Teach, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Teach came to Black- ford County, Indiana, in 1847, when they settled on the Godfrey reserve. Three years later John Teach went to California, where he died. The mother continued to reside in Blackford County until 1877, when she re- moved to Kansas and died in that State in 1879. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Shannon six are living-John Am- mon, Dennis F., Anna E. C., Arthur M., Andrew A. and Carrie H. William J., James B. and Lafayette S. are deceased. Mr. Shan- non has made farming the principal avocation of his life and is now the owner of a good farm of eighty-seven acres, of whichi seventy- seven acres are cleared. His house is built of hewed logs. He has a large commodions barn, 40 x 88 feet, and his land proves him to be a thorough practical farmer. In his politi- cal views Mr. Shannon is a Republican. Both he and his wife are active and consistent members of the Christian church, of which he is one of its liberal supporters. He is al- ways interested in the advancement of his
township or county, and every enterprise for the public welfare has his encouragement and support.
F. REASONER, farmer, section 31, Licking Township, is one of the prominent men in the history of Blackford County, with which he has been identified from the beginning of the white settlement until the present time. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Jnly 27, 1830, a son of Peter and Rhoda (Fry) Reas- oner, his father born in Pennsylvania, and the mother a native of Virginia. They were married in Ohio, and in the fall of 1832 with their family then consisting of two children, Levina and Washington, set ont by team for Indiana, and after a long and tedious jour- ney, innch of the way through unbroken for- ests, they arrived at their destination, section 6, Licking Township, Blackford Connty. Af- ter making a temporary shelter for his family the father cleared a space on his land and with the logs he cut down he built a log cabin, to which they removed as soon as it was finished. He was a successful hunter, and game being in abundance he found ample opportunity for indulging in the sport. He was a fine marksman and killed numbers of wild deer, turkeys and other game. Corn dodgers and dried venison was the principal food of the family in the early days of the county; wheat-cake and coffee were luxuries of later date. Peter Reasoner lived on the farm where he first settled on coming to the county for forty-six years, dying on the old homestead in October, 1868. Both he and his wife were consistent Christians and active members of the Presbyterian church at Eliza- bethtown, and he was a chorister in that con- gregation. They reared a family of eight
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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children-Levina S., Washington F., our sub- ject; Mary E., Noah II., Calista Anu, John B., Almira C. and Jacob Madison. W. F. Reasoner, whose name heads this sketch, was reared amid the scenes attending the clearing up of a forest, and on arriving at an age suit- able for heavy work his ax was swung in nnison with his father's in the work of clear- ing the timber off their farm. ITis educational advantages were limited to the rude log cabin schools of that early day. He was united in marriage October 15, 1850, to Miss Rachel Slater, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, June 20, 1829, coming to Blackford County with her parents, Jacob and Sarah (Alban) Slater, about 1836. IIer father died here in September, 1839, and her mother in July, 1840. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Reasoner two are deceased-Mary K. and Harriet Samantha. Those yet living are-Ethan Thomas, a successful attorney, residing at Peru, Indiana, elected prosecuting attorney for Miami and Wabash counties, In- diana; Osmar I., a practicing physician at Shidler, Indiana; Rhoda Ann, wife of Lewis D. McVicker; Riley R., Allie Maria and Orville Madison. After his marriage Mr. Reasoner bought eighty acres of land in Har- rison Township, and after living on it a short time sold it. In 1860 he removed with his family to their present farm, which he has improved in a good manner, having a fine residence, surrounded with handsome shade and ornamental trees, and substantial farm buildings, and a good bearing orchard adds much toits value and attractiveness. Political- ly Mr. Reasoner is a Republican. IIe was a member of the Presbyterian church for thirty years, but in 1887 he united with the Meth . odist church in his neighborhood. He has been a resident for fifty-five years and has witnessed the many wonderful changes which have taken place during that period, and by
his honorable and upright character he has gained the respect and confidence of all who know him.
DWIN BUTLER, one of the well known and respected men of Blackford County, who is now deceased, was born in Cleve- land, Ohio, October 15, 1829. He was a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Wenton) Butler, his father born in Ontario County, New York, and his mother a native of Southborongh, Massachusetts. When he was a child of three years his parents removed to St. Josephi County, Michigan, and there he was reared to farm life, receiving his education in the district schools and at Kalamazoo College. In 1852 he went by the overland route to California, and for seventeen years remained on the Pacific slope in California and Ore- gon, engaged in mining and milling. In 1868 he returned to Michigan, and June 22, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Eliza Grabber, a native of Bellview, C'alhoun County, Michigan, and a danghter of John HI. and Elizabeth (Rohr) Grabber, who were natives of Hanover, Germany, and Switzer- land, respectively. To this union five chil- dren were born, of whom four are yet living -La Fayette E., George Marion, Joseph Roy and Tnla May. Libbie May is deceased. Mr. Butler continned to reside in Michigan until 1873, when he came with his family to Blackford County, Indiana, and here he bought 140 acres of woodland, on which no improvements had been made; bnt he set to work with a will to hew ont a home for his family, and at the time of his death, which occurred January 6, 1887, he had a fine farm, well improved. In 1883 he erected their handsome two story residence, and in 1886 their large and commodions barn was built.
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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.
He was a kind and affectionate husband and father, and an upright and honorable citizen, respected by all. He took an active interest in educational affairs, and donated the site for the school of district No. 12. In his political views he affiliated with the Republi- can party.
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C. WARING, agent for the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad, at Hartford City, is one of the best and inost trustworthy agents in the employ of this company, and althoughi a young man, has proved a capable and practical manager of the interests entrusted to him. He holds prominent position in both railroad and busi- ness circles, and is one of the popular young men in the social circles of Hartford City. He was born in Darke Connty, Ohio, Jannary 25, 1862, a son of J. L. and Patience (Clary) Waring, who were of English ancestry. When lie was five years of age his parents moved to Columbus, Mississippi, where he was reared. He was educated at home by a governess. When but a youth he entered the employ of the railroad company as a checkman, and from this position was pro- moted to a clerkship in the general freight offices of the company, and from there was advanced to tlie control of the Hartford City office.
HOMAS MCCARTHY, station agent for the Pan-Handle Railroad Company, at Hartford City, Indiana, was born in Ireland, March 21, 1850, a son of John and Anna (Roan) McCarthy. In 1855 his parents came to the United States and found a per- manent location at Jonesboro, Indiana, where
Thomas was reared. When eighteen years of age, his inclinations being in the direction of railroading, he obtained a situation as brakeman, which he filled six months. He then was employed as baggage-master at Bunker Hill, Indiana, seven months, and from that time until 1871 was in the tele- graph office, and then for a few months was telegraph operator at Marion. May 1, 1873, he was placed in charge of the Pan-Handle Company's office at Hartford City, a position he has since retained. He is a reliable and capable business man, and has filled the re- sponsible position of agent for fifteen years, to tlie entire satisfaction of his employers and the general public. He is now one of Hartford City's prominent citizens, and has valuable property interests within its limits. He was married November 26, 1873, to Miss Charlotte M. Whistler, of Marion, Indiana. They have two children-George E. and Mar- shall B. In politics Mr. McCarthy is a sup- porter of the principles of the Democratic party.
EV. JOHN Q. McKEEHAN has offici- ated as pastor of the Presbyterian churcli of Hartford City since May 1, 1884. The greater portion of his life has been spent in this, his native State. He was born at Vernon on the 15th of September, 1827. His father, George McKeehan, a farmer, was a native of Pennsylvania, while his mother, whose given name was Elizabeth, owed her nativity to the State of Kentucky. At a very early age for that day he had received a good common school education, and the age of sixteen found him teaching a country school in the neighborhood of his home, and this became his profession, which he regu- larly followed until reaching the age of
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twenty-four years. He then commenced at- tendance at Hanover College, from which institution he graduated in 1855. Before closing his studies here, however, he had officiated for some time as tutor in Greek, and indeed for a year and a half after gradu- ation, lie tanght that language and Latin in the college. He then took charge of the Hopewell Academy as principal, and remained at its head until 1859, and his success in that capacity brought him invitations to positions of trust in more than one important institu- tion of learning. His natural inclinations, however, led him rather in the direction of the pulpit, than in that of the profession in which he had thus far achieved marked suc- cess, and in April, 1859, he was licensed by the Presbytery of Madison to preach the gospel, though not ordained until March, 1864. He supplied Edinburg and Shiloh churches (Indiana) during the remainder of 1859 and a portion of 1860, and in the last named year was called to Dayton, Ohio, and in that year and 1861 he was pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian church of that city. He filled the pulpits of Pleasant and Jefferson churches in 1861-'62, and 1862-'65 offici- ated at Bethany, Shilolı and New Prospect churches, and during the last three years of that time also conducted a select school at Franklin. His next field of labor was at the place of his birth, and during 1868-'69 lie had under his charge Vernon and Graham churches. His health, never robust, always presented the greatest obstacle to the success- ful prosecution of the work which a willing disposition laid out for him, and for which natural qualifications abundantly qualified him, and his lack of physical strength more than once has caused him a long retirement from the active duties of his chosen calling. In 1880 he had so far regained his strength as to enable him to accept the position of
superintendent of schools of Jennings Coun- ty, and he has ever since been actively en- gaged. In 1881 he accepted a call to the pastorate of the Presbyterian church at Whiteland, and from tliere he was called to Hartford City. In October, 1859, Mr. McKeehan was married to Miss Sarah Porter, at Warren, Ohio. She died in 1864, leaving two daughters-Mary P. and Addie E., the former of whom is a teacher in the public schools of Hartford City. The standing of Mr. McKeehan in the church is of the high- est, and the year 1887 marks the fourth of a highly successful pastorate at Hartford City.
AMES G. BAIRD, one of the pioneers of Blackford County, and a representa- tive citizen of Jackson Township, is a native of Ohio, born in Adams County, the date of his birth being March 9, 1822. His father, Joshua Baird, was also a native of Ohio, and was a son of James Baird, a na- tive of Pennsylvania, whose father was born in Scotland. The father and grandfather of our subject were soldiers in the war of 1812 .. Joshua Baird married Miss Susan Gibson, who was born in Washington County, Penn- sylvania, but reared in Adams County, Ohio. They reared a family of four children- James G., the subject of this sketch; Thomas, who went to California in 1849, where he died in 1850; William, living in Adams County, Ohio, and Sarah Jane, who died in Ohio. James G. Baird grew to manhood in his native State, being reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has made his life work. He received such educational advantages as the common schools of that day afforded, but by close observation he received a good prac- tical education. August 9, 1846, he was united in marriage to Miss Clarissa Leedom,
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