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 93

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 93
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 93

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).

Chelsea, Orange County, Vermont. John D., the father of our subject, was the eldest child, and was but six years old at the time of his father's death, he having been born in 1770. He was reared to farm life in New Hampshire, but in 1794 went to Vermont, where he was married to Miss Elizabeth Pat -.

terson, a native of Amherst, Massachusetts. He followed farming in Vermont on a tract of land, which had been cleared by himself, until the war of 1812, when he went out as a

soldier, as his father had done in the preced-

ing war, and participated in a number of battles, including the battle of Champion Hill. The uniform which was worn by him during this war was in the possession of his son James up to a recent date. After the

1837 hc started West by wagon over the war he returned to his Vermont home. In

Green Mountains, and was on the canal ten days, going from White Hall to Buffalo, and from there went by steamboat to Toledo, Ohio, and while at Toledo saw the first rail- road track laid at that point, which was con- structed entirely of wood. He left Toledo with his family, carrying their goods in a wagon while they walked, and finally arrived at Napoleon, Indiana, paying $26 for their short trip. They erected the first frame building in Napoleon, and here James paid a five franc piece for a loaf of bread. At Na- poleon they hired a pirogue and poled their way up to Fort Wayne with that old histori- cal character known as Appleseed the recluse.

The father then left his son, James, and his daughter, Eliza Aun, at Fort Wayne, and proceeded to what is now Blackford County, arriving at his destination June 16, 1837, where he entered 160 acres of unimproved land. James and his sister left Fort Wayne June 16 to join their father in their new home. In the fall of the same year the father erected a log cabin on his land, and the fol-

851

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

lowing year continued the improvements al- ready begun on the place, with the help of our subject. In the summer of that year, 1838, he was taken sick with intermittent fever, and died July 3. The night before his deatlı James Wangh went six miles through the woods for a doctor, guided only by a com- pass. Mr. Wangh was buried on his land in Blackford County. His family had left their Eastern home on their way to Indiana, and had reached Syracuse the day of his deathı. They reached their pioneer home the follow- ing August. Elizabeth Waugh survived her husband many years, dying November 15, 1871, and is buried at Montpelier cemetery. James Waugh, whose name heads this sketch, was but sixteen years old when he came to Blackford County, and has always called the old homestead where the family first settled his home, although he has spent several years in various parts of the country. Ile spent about a year and a half in New York, and at his old home in Vermont and in Ohio almost a year, and in the southern part of Indiana he worked three seasons, some five or six months at a time. Mr. Wangh was married September 19, 1850, to Miss Jane E. Boon, a native of Dorsett, Bennington County, Ver- mont, born May 25, 1833, a daughter of Isham and Betsey (Laws) Boon, her father a native of Vermont, and her mother of Ips- wich, New Hampshire. In 1844 Mrs. Boon, with her son, Oscar P., and daughter, Jane E. (Mrs. Waugh), came to Blackford County, Indiana, and settled in Harrison Township, Mr. Boon having remained behind until he could settle up his business. Later in the fall, while coming out to Indiana, Mr. Boon was drowned while crossing Lake Erie. His widow made her home in this county until her death, which occurred at Montpelier, February 20, 1863. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Waugh, of whom only one

is living-Melissa E., who was married No- vember 30, 1878, to James W. Brown, of Harrison Township. Those deceased are- Lorenzo I., Lillie E. and Alonzo U. Politi- cally Mr. Waugh is a Greenbacker, and is the only surviving man in Blackford County who voted for Birney for President. He was a strong anti-slavery man. In his religious views he is a Universalist, and is an able and fearless exponent of the principles of, his faith. In 1861 Mr. Wangh turned his atten- tion to the nursery business, and in 1863 settled at his present residence, where he has now a splendid nursery, arranged in a very tasteful and beautiful manner, and the ever- green hedge bordering the drive-way leading to his residence, and skirting the plants and trees, can not fail to attract the notice of all who pass by. Mr. Wangh has on his place a beautiful natural grove, which is an enjoyable place for picnics or public gatherings, and has been named by Mr. Waugh, "The Rustic." June 15, 1887, the Old Settlers Association met at this place, where they spent a very pleasant time.

OSEPH FEASTER, engaged in the man- ufacture of hard wood lumber, together with threshing and farming, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, May 27, 1849, his parents, John and Elizabeth (Sinerr) Feaster, being natives of the same county and State, the father born in 1806, of English de- scent, and the mother born October 21, 1815,

of German ancestry. The father was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Smith, by whom he had six children. Of the six children born to his second marriage our sub- ject was the eldest child. The father lived in his native county nntil his deatlı, which occurred August 21, 1861, at the age of

852

HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

fifty-five years. The mother still survives, being now seventy-one years old. Joseph Feaster, the subject of this sketch, went to Montgomery County, Ohio, when sixteen years of age, where lie grew to manhood, and was there married January 14, 1875, to Miss Laura Wells, who was born in Montgomery County, August 25, 1858. IIer parents, Milton and Rhoda (Black) Wells, were also natives of Montgomery County, her mother still living at Dayton, that county. Her father died at the age of forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Feaster are the parents of six children -- Ettie M., Jolm A., George W., Cora B., Joseph II. and Harry Logan. Mr. Feaster remained in Montgomery County, Ohio, until 1877, when he came with his family to Blackford County, Indiana, and settled on the Polk Prairie farm in Washington Township, where he lived seven years. Ile then settled on section 20, Washington Township, where he has since resided, his home farm containing eighty acres of well tilled land, a comfortable house and barn, and other farm buildings in good condition. In his political views Mr. Feaster affiliates with the Republican party.

ILLIAM PUGH, seetion 12, Harrison Township, is a native of Harrison County, Ohio, born October 25, 1843, a son of John and Elizabeth (Crabtree) Pugh. In 1849 his parents moved to Indiana and settled on . the farm in Blackford County, which is now the home of our subject, where the mother died in 1851, and the father in 1881. He was reared a farmer, remaining at home until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when, September 3, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-fourth In- diana Infantry. He participated in the bat- tles at Champion Hills, Vicksburg, Island

| No. 10, Inka, New Madrid, Memphis, Jack- son, White River expedition and Palinetto Rock, serving four years and five months, and being honorably discharged February 3, 1866. After his return from the war he turned his attention to agriculture, and is now the owner of 158 acres of choice land, 128 acres being cleared and drained. He has always been industrious and enterprising, and is one of Harrison Township's most prosperous citi- zens. He was married March 29, 1866, to Miss Mary Marker, a daughter of Samuel Marker. They have seven children-Samuel Ellis, Otto A., Benjamin F., William C., Mortimer Alonzo, Rosetta May and Bertha Myrtle. In politics Mr. Pngh is a Republican. He is a member of James Cartwright Post, G. A. R., and was one of the organizers of the post at Montpelier.

ILLIAM CLOUD, an active and en- terprising business man of Mout-

- pelier, was born June 14, 1838, a son of Noah and Lydia A. (Pugh) Cloud, the father, a native of Pennsylvania, but reared principally in the State of Ohio. Our sub- ject, when four years old, was brought by his parents to Indiana, they locating in Grant County, and there he grew to manhood, being reared to the avocation of a farmer, and re- ceiving in his boyhood the benefits of the district schools. In 1852 he removed to Wells County. November 24, 1862, he was married to Miss May Hammond, of Wells County, a daughter of Joseph Hammond. They have five children living-Alpha E., Carrie H., Lucy, Anna and Isına. A dangh- ter named Annice is deceased. After mar- riage Mr. Cloud settled in Jackson Town- ship, residing there until 1870, since whicli time he has been a resident of Montpelier.

William Tigh

855

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

On coming to this place he engaged in the stove and tinware business, which he followed until establishing his present livery stable in 1873. This is the only livery stable in Mont- pelier, and is a credit to the place. The building is 35 x 106 feet in size, and contains as fine a number of horses as can be found in the county, and vehicles of all kinds, from a two-wheel gig to a fine double carriage. The enterprise shown by Mr. Cloud since he commenced business in Montpelier, is worthy of the success he has attained. He is a man of genial manners and cordial disposition, and this, together with his strict attention to the wants of his customers, has built him np a good trade, as well as gaining for him the confidence and respect of all. Politically he is a Democrat. He has served four years as township trustee, holding that office with credit to himself, and satisfaction to his con- stitnents. He is a member of Lodge No. 106, A. F. & A. M., and is also a member of the Order of Red Men, belonging to Lodge No. 71 of that order.

ACOB CREEK, an enterprising farmer of Jackson Township, is a native of Blackford County, Indiana, born March 18, 1842, a son of Joseph and Rebecca (White) Creek, who were born in Highland County, Ohio. The Creek family were among the first settlers of Blackford County, locat- ing first in Jackson Township, where the father lived until his deatlı. Jacob Creek was reared a farmer, his yonth being spent in assisting his father on the home farm. His education, which was very limited, was ac- quired in the first schools taught in the connty. During the war of the Rebellion he was among those who went to the defense of their country, enlisting September 18,

1862, in Company K, Eighty-fourth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battles of Nashville, Chickamanga, Bnzzard's Roost and Atlanta, beside several other engagements of minor importance. He received an honor- able discharge in June, 1865, when he re- turned to Blackford Connty, and engaged in more peaceful pursnits. April 6, 1867, he was nnited in marriage to Miss Delilah Conrtwright, a daughter of William and Hnldah Courtwright. They have six chil- dren living-William A., Luella May, Lena, Robert, Essie Gertrude and Ezra J. Two of their children are deceased, named Almeda and Sandford J. Mr. Creek has resided on his present farm since 1869, commencing on a tract of eighty acres. He has now 160 acres of valuable land, 110 acres being cleared and nnder good cultivation, and his improvements are among the best in his neighborhood. He has a comfortable house, and good farm buildings, and the entire sur- roundings show the care and thrift of the owner. Mr. Creek started in life without means, and his present fine property has been acquired by his own persevering industry, frugality and good management, and by liis fair and honorable dealings and genial man- ners he has won many friends, and to-day he is numbered, both financially and socially, among the leading citizens of his township. In his political views he is a Democrat.

AMES SLATER, deceased, was one of the early pioneers of Blackford Connty. HIe was born in Guernsey Connty, Ohio, where he was reared and married, his wife being Jane Kirkpatrick. In 1835 he came to Blackford County, and settled on section 34, Licking Township, his land at that time being in the dense forest. He became one

856

HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

of the prominent mnen of the township, and was one of its first justices, serving from 1837 till 1839. IIe assisted in clearing the timber from what is now the site of Hartford City, and lived to see there a thriving and prosperous town. He died July 20, 1877. Seven of his thirteen children are living- Reason, John, Thomas, Elizabeth, Maria, Anna and Henrietta.

M ONTGOMERY GROENENDYKE an enterprising agriculturist, and one of the representative citizens of Jaek- son Township, is a native of Indiana, born in Fayette Connty, July 18, 1828, a son of James and Barbara (Buck) Groenendyke, the former a native of Holland, Germany, and latter born in North Carolina. They were married in Wayne County, and were among the pioneers of Fayette County, where they settled after their marriage. They had born to them seven children. The father was twice married, and by his first wife had eight chil- dren, being the father of fifteen children. Montgomery Groenendyke, whos ename lieads this sketch, was reared a farmer in his native county, receiving his early education in the district schools, which he completed at the Nortlı Western Christian University at In- dianapolis. After completing his education he tauglit school for some time, becoming a popular as well as a successful teacher. He afterward began working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed twenty-five years. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion August 18, 1862, in Company A, Eighth Indiana Infantry, and was in the service of his conn- try until July 10, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge, when he returned to his home. September 24, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Melinda Senior, who

was born in Kentucky, but reared in Marion County, Indiana. They are the parents of three children -- Lou, born March 8, 1868; Frank, born May 24, 1870, and Forest, born November 23, 1881. Mr. Groenendyke lo- cated on his present farm in 1867, which at that time was a dense forest. Ile has ini- proved his farm in a good manner, and now has eighty-three acres cleared and under fine cultivation. In connection with his general farming le devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of short- horn registered cattle, of which he has the best herd in the county. In politics Mr. Groenendyke affiliates with the Republican party.

ILLIAM L. ERVIN, one ofthe lead- ing citizens of Blackford County, was born in Delaware County, Indiana, June 22, 1849. His father, Sammel Ervin, was a native of Maryland, and came to Indi- ana in his youthi, where he was married to Jane H. Yate, who was a native of New York. When our subject was an infant his parents moved to Blackford County, and liere he was reared. In 1864, when but fifteen years old, he enlisted in Company I, One IIundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, and served until December 13, 1865. He par- ticipated in the battles at Buzzard Roost (where he received a scalp wonnd by a minie ball), Resacca, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Lost Monntain, Kenesaw Mountain, Decatnr, At- lanta, Pine Mountain, Lovejoy's Station, Rome, Nashville and Kingston. After his return home he attended school at Hartford City and Ridgeville, and then for some time was engaged in teaching. In 1871 he located on the farm where he now lives, whichi con- tains 100 acres of good land muder a fine

AAAAA

857

BIOGRAPIIICAL SKETCHES.

state of cultivation. His improvements are among the best iu the township, and every- thing about his home indicates a thrifty and enterprising owner. Mr. Ervin was married December 29, 1870, to Henrictta Slater, a daughter of James Slater. They have had five children, four of whom are living- Satira Jane, Aurora Blanche, Oscar Slater and Thomas Waldo. Robert Franklin is de- ccased. Mr. Slater is in politics a Republi- can, with prohibition principles. He is a member of Jacob Stahl Post, G. A. R. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a class- leader. IIe is a prominent citizen, and has always taken an active interest in the material welfare of the county, especially anything that tends toward the advancement of educa- tion and Christianity.

JEORGE W. BONHAM is a worthy representative of one of the old pioneer families of Blackford County. He re- sides on section 28, Washington Township, engaged in farming, and is the owner of eighty acres of well improved and very pro- ductive laud. He is a son of Peter aud Su- sannah (Yost) Bonham, the father born in Virginia in 1798, and the mother a native of Perry County, Ohio, born in March, 1800. They were reared in Perry County, Ohio, where they were married, and to them were born eight children -- Isaac, a farmer, living in Lawrence County, Indiana; Nicholas was a member of tlic Fifty-second Indiana Infan- try, and died in hospital at Louisville, Kentucky, in June, 1865; Lyman was a cabinet-maker, and died in Montpelier, Indi- ana, in February, 1884, leaving a family of mine children. He was twice married. Nao- mi is the wife of William McCallister, and 50

is living in Wells County; George W., the subject of this sketch; William A .; Francis M., living at Briaut, Jay County, and Mary C., wife of George Mincer, of Fort Wayne. In February, 1837, the father came with his family to Blackford County, Indiana, and settled on a farm in Washington Township, now owned by Larkin McIntire, and here they lived many years. The family lived mear Granville the first winter spent in Blackford County, until the father and older sons built a round-log cabin. This cabin was built in the most primitive style, with punch- eon floor, the roof and door being made of clapboards, and greased paper was used for windows. The family occupied this cabin about ten years, when they built a hewed-log house, which latter was replaced ten or fifteen years later by a frame house which was plas- tered but never painted. In this house the father died December 23, 1859. The motlier is still living, making her home with her eldest son, Isaac, in Lawrence County. George W. Bonham, whose name heads this sketch, was reared on the home farm in Washington Township, and received a limited education in the early subscription schools of the county. He was married December 22, 1854, to Miss Nancy J. Lenon, and to them were born the following children-John M., born February 24, 1857; Mary S., born September 6, 1859, is the wife of Cary Hackney, of Washington Township; George H., born March 17, 1864; Cora L., born May 26, 1868; Sarah E., born March 26, 1871. Mr. Bonham enlisted in the late war, September 30, 1864, and was assigned to Company D, Fortieth Indiana In- fantry. He joined his regiment at Columbia, Tennessee, and his first engagement was at Spring Hill, his second battle being at Frank- liu, Tennessee. His regiment was on the left flank skirmish line when attacked at Franklin, and retreated to Nashville, taking

858

HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

part in the battle there. They followed the rebels to Huntsville, Alabama, thence to Knoxville, repairing the railroad between Huntsville and Knoxville. Mr. Bonham re- ceived his discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, June 16, 1865, when he returned to his home in Washington Township, where he has since devoted his time to his farın. Mrs. Bonham was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Sep- tember 15, 1831, where she was reared until . her twentieth year. She then came with her parents, James and Susannah (Steele) Lenon, to Blackford County, they settling on a par- tially improved farin in Washington Town- ship, the farm being now owned by the widow of John Wilt. James Lenon was of Irish descent, his father, Thomas Lenon, being a native of Ireland. The mother of Mrs. Bonham was born in Ohio, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy Steele, both of whom died in Muskingum County, Ohio. Mrs. Lenon also died in Muskingum County, aged almost forty-eight years. Mr. Lenon died in Washington Township, Blackford County, in 1870, in his eightieth year. Mr. and Mrs. Lenon were the parents of nine children- Mary A., Thomas, Joseph, James, William, George W., Matthew, John and Nathan.

OHN HUGGINS was born in Whetzel County, Virginia, September 16, 1833, a son of Abijah and Sarah (Twibell) Huggins. The father was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, July 12, 1800, of English descent. He was reared in his native county to a farm life. From Pennsylvania he went to Virginia, and was married in Whetzel County, to Miss Elizabeth Twibell, a native of Virginia, and an aunt of William Twibell, of Montpelier. In December, 1854, the family removed to Cincinnati by steam-

boat, transporting their household goods in the same way, and from Cincinnati they came by team to Blackford County, Indiana, where the father rented what is known as the Waugh farm. The following spring he bought 160 acres of heavily timbered land on sec- tion 7, Harrison Township, and after clearing a space on his land he built a hewed-log cabin with the assistance of his three sons, into which the family removed as soon as it was completed. HIe tlien began to clear and improve his land, on which he worked until about eight years prior to his death, at which time he met with an accident, being thrown from a horse. Although his deathi did not result from this accident he never afterward recovered his strength. He died January 14, 1883, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when he became identified with the Republican party, and was after that a staunch advocate of its prin- ciples. He was an active and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was for many years a class-leader, serv- ing as such even when living in Virginia. His widow yet survives, and is still living on the old homestead in Harrison Township. John Huggins, whose name heads this sketch, was twenty-one years of age when he came with his father's family to Blackford County, and here he has since mnade his home, experi- encing many of the privations and hardships which usually fall to the lot of the early set- tler. He remained with his parents until his marriage, which occurred December 15, 1859, to Miss Eleanor Elizabeth Rhive. She is a native of Jay County, Indiana, born a half mile from Fort Recovery. Her father came to Blackford County in an early day' and bought the old water-mill at Matamoras, which he operated until his death. Mr. and

859

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Mrs. Huggins have three children living John William, George W. and Charles Alonzo. Their danghter Annie is deceased. After his marriage he removed to his present farm, and still occupies the house in which he first settled. When he first came to this place it was right in the woods, and he was obliged to clear away some of the trees be- fore his house could be put up, and the roads of to-day surrounding his farm, were at that time mere paths through the woods. He has seen the country change from a wilderness into its present prosperous condition, and has witnessed all the material changes which have taken place in the county during his residence here. IIe lias cleared part of his farm, which he has brought under fine culti- vation, and has made many improvements on the place. In politics Mr. Hnggins is a staunchı Republican, but is not an office seeker. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, belonging to Salamonie Grange, No. 521, and is overseer of the Grange.

J. PECK, engaged in farming on sec- tion 1, Licking Township, is a native of Ohio, born in Meigs County, No- vember 14, 1829, a son of Samuel Peck, who was one of the prominent pioneers of Black- ford County. Our subject was fourteen years of age when his parents removed to Indiana, and here amid the wild surroundings of Blackford County he grew to manliood, and received a limited education in the pioneer schools of the county. He assisted his father in clearing and improving their pioneer farm, remaining at home with his parents until at- taining the age of twenty-five years. He was united in marriage November 19, 1854, to Miss Maria Haynes, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, a daughter of Daniel

and Jane (Stow) Haynes, bnt at the time of her marriage living in Delaware County, In- diana. Mr. and Mrs. Peck are the parents of four children-Wright, Elias, Samuel Jefferson, and Jenny. After his marriage Mr. Peek settled on his present farm, remain- ing here two years, and in 1856 removed to Delaware County, Iowa, being one of the pioneers of that county. He resided there somne three years, and in 1859 he joined an emigrant train for California, making the journey by ox team, arriving at his destina- tion five months later. He followed farming and mining in California, and in December, 1860, he returned by the Panama route to his family, who were then living in Blackford County, and remained on the old homestead until May, 1881. IIe then went West, loeat- ing in Colorado where he engaged in mining and teaming for a time, and in December, 1882, again returned to his farm in Blackford County, where he has since made his home. He has a comfortable and commodious resi- dence, built in modern style, and well fur- nished. In politics Mr. Peck affiliates with the Republican party.

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.

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