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 94

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 94
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 94

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S. WHETSEL, who has been identified with the interests of Jackson Town- ship for many years, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, June 26, 1843, a sou of William J. and Sarah (Hartman) Whetsel, the father being a native of Ohio, and the mother a Virginian by birth. They were married in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1842, and in 1846 came with their family to Blackford County, locating on a heavily timbered tract of land in Jackson Township, where the father made a good home for liis family, living there until his death, which

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occurred in June, 1885. His widow is still living on the old homestead. Aaron S. Wbetsel, the subject of this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits on the home farm, and received his education in the schools of his district. During the war of the Re- bellion he enlisted in Company E, Seventh Indiana Cavalry, under the command of Colonel J. P. C. Shanks, and received an honorable discharge in January, 1866. He was united in marriage in October, 1868, to Miss Martha J. Kelly, a daughter of Benja- min F. Kelly, a prominent citizen of Wash- ington Township. Of the ten children born to this union, eight are living-Lewis M., Nora E., Sallie A., William Benjamin, Olive M., Lucretia R., Mary L. and Harry W. Lawrence V. and John F. are deceased. Mr. Whetsel settled on his present farm the year of his marriage, which at that time was right in the woods. He has since cleared his land and made many valuable improvements until he has now one of the best farms in his neigh- borhood. He has a comfortable frame resi- dence, a large barn, and other good buildings on his place. In politics he is a Republican, and is a strong adherent to the principles of that party. He is an active and consistent member of the United Brethren church, in which he was licensed to preach in 1875, and is classed among the most respected men of Jackson Township.

OHN WILLIAM RAYN, of Washing- ton Township, where he is engaged in the manufacture of hard wood lumber, is a native of Ohio, born in Pickaway County, April 15, 1840, a son of William Rayn, of Bear Creek Township, Jay County. When our subject was fifteen years of age his father removed with his family, consisting of wife

and six children, to Bear Creek Township, where he has since made his home. John W. Rayn grew to manhood on the homestead in Bear Creek Township, and was married in November, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Leer, who was born in that township in October, 1840, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabetlı (Weist) Leer, the father a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and one of the early pioneers of Jay County. Mr. and Mrs. Rayn have eight children living-Jemima E., Almeda, Florence A., Viola E., John W., Emma A., Myrtle and Charles. Two children are deceased-Mary D. died, aged three years, and an infant son. Mr. Rayn first operated a mill at West Liberty, where he remained a number of years. He then spent three years in attendance at Liber College in Jay County, after which he went to Bear Creek, where he followed farming and milling. He subse- quently went to Bryant Station, where he operated a stave and fanning mill for eighteen months. He then ran a mill in Penn Town- ship for two years, when he went to Grant County and purchased a half interest in a inill in Van Buren Township, remaining there two years, after which he lived in Mon- roe Township, Grant County, for three years. He then bought a mill in Wayne Township, moving it to Monroe Township, and there sawed 400,000 feet of lumber for the firm of J. G. Blenmer & Russ, of Blackford County. He bought a half interest in a mill of Jadden, Grant County. He subsequently returned to Jay County, and three years later came to his present home in Blackford County. He built the mill which he now owns and operates in October, 1884, and since coming to Blackford County has met with reasonable success. He has been engaged in the mann- facture of hard wood lumber in all for eighteen years, and thoroughly understands his busi- ness, and is classed among the active and

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enterprising business men of Washington Township. In politics Mr. Rayn affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the United Brethren church.

S AMUEL PECK, one of the old and honored pioneers of Blackford County, residing on section 1, Licking Town- ship, is a native of West Virginia, born in Barber County, February 23, 1809, a son of Joseph and Alicia (Smith) Peck, the former born in Loudoun County, and the mother born near Winchester, Virginia. The father served through the war of 1812. Our subject was the youngest in a family of six children. He was reared in his native State to the avo- cation of a farmer, and received such limited educational advantages as the schools of that early day afforded. In 1826 he left Virginia for Meigs County, Ohio. He was married March 6, 1828, to Miss Susanna Shidler, a native of Athens County, Ohio, and danghter of Abraham and Ruth (Wood) Shidler. Sam- nel Peck remained in Meigs County, en- gaged in farming until 1843, when he removed by team with his wife and eight children to Blackford Commty, Indiana, arriving at his destination October 11. At that date the country was principally inhabited by wild animals. Our subject settled on section 1, Licking Township, in a dense forest, where le built a log cabin 18 x 20 feet in size, and here he and his family passed through the trials and privations incident to pioneer life. He commenced on a tract of 146 acres, and by persevering industry and good manage- ment he accumulated some 500 or 600 acres. He has given to his children some 300 acres, and is yet the owner of 306 acres of Blackford County's best soil, which is under fine culti- vation and well improved. He has a good

residence, surrounded by shade and ornamen- tal trees, a fine orchard, good barns and other farm buildings, the entire surroundings show- ing care and thrift of the owner. Mr. Peck has made his home here for a period of forty- three years, and has always been one of the most respected men of Licking Township. Mr. and Mrs. Peck have nine children living -Marcus W., Abraham J., Margaret, Mary, Julia Ann, Cassie Ann, Prudence, Elizabeth and Rebecca. Four of their children are deceased, named Susanna, Ruth, Elias, and Peter, who was killed near Atlanta, Georgia, while in the service of his country. In poli- tics Mr. Peck was formerly a Jackson Demo- crat. During the balmy days of the Whig party he affiliated with it, and since the organization of the Republican party has voted that ticket.

ILLIAM A. ATKINSON was born in Licking Township, Blackford County, Indiana, Angust 11, 1849, and inherits many of the staunch character- istics of his father, Joseph Atkinson, who is now deceased. William A. was reared to manhood on the old homestead, and his boy- hood days were spent in assisting his father in the care of the latter's large property and stock interests. His education was received in the district schools of his neighborhood, where he became well versed in the comnon branches. January 8, 1874, he was married to Miss Julia Ann Carmine, a native of Indi- ana, born in Delaware County, and a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Bnoey) Carmine. They located on their present farm in 1880, where Mr. Atkinson has made many fine improve- ments. His large two story brick residence was crected in 1883, and is among the hand- somest in this part of the county, and the

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

entire surroundings indicate the care and thrift of the owner, who is classed among the leading citizens of Licking Township. Mr. Atkinson is a man of plain, honest speech, and has gained the reputation of meaning just what he says. Like all of his name in the county he is a Republican in his political views, and is a firm advocate of the principles of that party. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson are the parents of two children, whose names are Joseph W. and Catherine.

AVID HIESS, one of the active and enterprising pioneers of Blackford Connty, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1819, a son of Jeremialı and Catherine (Daniels) Hess. They were married February 16, 1815, in Pennsylvania, and lived in that State until their death. David was reared in his native State, in Fulton County, near McConnells- burg, where he followed agricultural por- suits, receiving his education in the subscrip- tion schools of that early day. He was united in marriage, December 28, 1843, to Miss Mary Morton, of Fulton County, Pennsylva- nia, a dangliter of William and Mary (Baily) Morton, who were natives of Fulton County, and of Irish ancestry. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hess, of whom only four are living-Martha, John, Mary and Alvira. One son, George W., was a member of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, and died in the service of his conn- try at Nashville, Tennessee. In 1848 Mr. Hess came with his family to Blackford Connty, Indiana, making the journey by team, and settled on wild land in Harrison Township, on which no improvements had been made, except a small piece of the land

having been deadened. He has now 160 acres of land which he has cleared and brought under a fine state of cultivation, a comfortable and commodious residence and good barn and other farm buildings, and everything about the place shows the owner to be a thorough, practical farmer. He is a man of genial disposition and cordial man- ners, and is fair and honorable in all his deal- ings, and is one of the respected citizens of Harrison Township. Both he and his wife are worthy and consistent members of the Disciple church.

OHN M. HALLAM, a successful agri- culturist of Washington Township, has been identified with the interests of Blackford Connty since 1864, in which year he settled on his present farm, on section 11. His mother, an elder brother and two yonnger children had preceded him to the county, coming in the fall of 1863, when they settled on the farm which is now owned and occupied by him. The farm was then partially im- proved, having abont thirty acres cleared, and a double house, partly frame and partly of liewed logs, had been built. He has now 100 acres of well improved land, under fine cultivation, and in 1883 he erected a fine, substantial residence at a cost of $2,000. About two years since a large log barn on his place was burned, being struck by light- ning, at the same time losing most of lis farm implements, involving a loss of abont $500. Mr. Hallam is a native of Ohio, born in Clinton County, February 2, 1840, a son of John and Saralı (Kane) IIallam. The father was born in Washington County, Penn- sylvania, a son of Moses Hallam, who was also a native of Pennsylvania. The mother

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was born in Washington County, Pennsylva- nia, where she was reared and married. To them were born four children-William, a farmer of Wright Connty, Minnesota; Rob- ert was a member of the Sixty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and was killed at the storming of Resaca, being buried on the battle field; Allie and John M. The father died a few months before the birth of our subject, and the mother subsequently married Jordan Rix, in Clinton County, Ohio, and to this union two children were born-Almira, now the wife of Daniel Watson, of Marshall County, Kansas, and Joseph H., of Morrison County, Minnesota. The mother died in Washington Township, Blackford County, and is buried at Oak Chapel, in Grant Connty. The subject of this sketch, John M. Hallam, grew to manhood in his native county. He enlisted for three years in the war of the Rebellion, in Company B, Fortieth Ohio Infantry, the date of liis enlistment being September 19, 1861. During the first part of his term of service he was in the Army of the Cumber- land, serving in the Sandy Creek Valley in Kentucky. His regiment subsequently joined the army at Nashville, Tennessee, he serving in that army until September 19, 1863, when he received a flesh wound in his right arm at the battle of Chickamauga. He was then in hospital at Nashville, and from there went to Louisville, thence to Covington, Kentucky, and thence to Camp Denison, where he was discharged in May, 1864, when he went to Blackford County, as before stated. He was married February 28, 1878, to Miss Mary Greenles, a native of Scotland, coming to America with her father when a child, they settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood. Her mother died in Scot- land, and her father was married a second time, in Cincinnati, to Miss Mary Clark, who is still living. Her father died in Grant

County, Indiana. By his first marriage he liad three children-Mary, Thomas and Mar- garet. To his second marriage were born three children-John, died at the age of nineteen years; George and William. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hallan- Roy H., Maggie A., and one who died in infancy, unnamed. Politically Mr. Hallam affiliates with the Republican party.

ATHEW M. THOMPSON was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1815, the only child of John S. and Margaret (Thompson) Thompson, his father a native of Adams County, Penn- sylvania, a son of Joseplı Thompson, who was a native of Ireland, and his mother a native of Ireland, a daughter of Mathew Thompson, who came to America when she was six years old. His parents were married in Pennsyl- vania, and when he was a child they moved to Ohio, and subsequently to Brooke County, West Virginia, where the father died. Two years after the father's death Mathew and his mother moved to Guernsey Connty, Ohio, and rented a farmn. In 1841 they came to Blackford County, and settled in the woods on section 15, Jackson Township. This land had been entered there a few years before by his father-in-law, and a year before lie had erected a log cabin on it into which he moved his family. A few months later he built a hewed-log honse beside his first cabin, which was occupied by his mother until her death, which occurred in June, 1850. Mr. Thomp- son was married Jnne 23, 1840, to Jane Inffinan, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, March 3, 1840, a daughter of George and Mary (Kimbell) Huffman, natives of Washington County, Pennsylvania. Iler father died in Guernsey County, aged sixty-

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

seven years, and her mother in Blackford County, Indiana, aged eighty-nine years. They were the parents of eleven children- Elizabeth, Jane, John, Nathan, Delilah, George, Nancy, Ephraim, William, Abraham and Joshua. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had seven children-John, born June 12, 1842, died February 23, 1883; Mary, born April 3, 1844; Rachel, born March 3, 1846; Elizabeth, born October, 1848; George, born April, 1850; Margaret, born March 5, 1852; and William, born April 6, 1854.

AMUEL J. PECK, proprietor of Peck's saw-mill, is one of the active and enter- prising young men of Blackford Com- ty. The mill is located on section 1, Licking Township, and was erected in Jume, 1886. The engine with which the mill is supplied is a twenty-four horse power, and the capacity of the mill is 4,000 fect of humber per day. S. J. Peck was born in Delaware County, Iowa, the date of his birth being July 23, 1858, and is a son of A. J. and Maria (Haynes) Peck, residents of Licking Township. In his boyhood he attended the schools of his neigh- borhood, receiving a fair common school education. At the age of fourteen years he began learning the carpenter's trade, to which occupation he has since devoted a part of his time.

HILIP A. SHINN, section 1, Harrison Township, was born in Blackford County, July 15, 1849, a son of Darins Shinn, one of Blackford County's honored pioneers. Ile grew to manhood on his father's farm, and was reared to agricultural pursuits,

attending the district schools when his ser- vices were not required at home. He was inarried October 3, 1872, to Miss Mary M. Shields, a native of Randolph County, Indi- ana, born in 1851, but at the time of her marriage living in Wells County. Mr. and Mrs. Shinn have two children-Branson Llewellyn, born July 15, 1874, and Leota Bell, born March 17, 1883. After his mar- riage Mr. Shinn located on the farm where lie now lives, which contains 126 acres of Blackford County's best land. It is well improved, drained by 1,500 rods of tiling, and his residence and farm buildings are cominodious and comfortable, the whole show- ing the thrift and good management of the owner. In politics Mr. Shinn is a Republi- can. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. Hc is an enterprising, public-spirited citizen, taking an especial in- terest in everything that promotes the ad- vancement of religion and education.

FERRY D. WOODARD, section 6, Wash- ington Township, is the owner of forty acres of improved land on the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of the section. He was born in Clinton County, Ohio, June 17, 1842, a son of Ethelred and Nancy (Oliver) Woodard, natives of North Carolina, of English and Scotch descent, his father born -June 17, 1810, and his mother in 1809. His father died April 11, 1864, and his mother in 1846. They had a family of six children-Lecy, Lucy, Oliver, James H., Jerry D. and Winnie. Lecy and James II. are deceased. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, the father being an exhorter and a man of great infin- ence in the community. He was strictly I temperate in his habits, and at all times gave

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his aid to the side of law and order. He had many friends, who sympathized with his children on the loss of their noble father, who had been to them a kind neighbor, and an honored citizen. Jerry D. Woodard was reared in his native county. He obtained a good education and subsequently taught school several years. He came to Indiana in 1862, and first taught school in Clinton County, coming to Blackford County in 1874, when he located on his present farm, which at that time was unimproved, but by industry and good management he now has it under cultivation, and has erected good building improvements. He was married April 12, 1877, to Lydia A. Dollar, a native of Black- ford County. They have one son-Herman D., born October 5, 1878. The grandfather of our subject, Jesse Woodard, was a son of Oliver Woodard, a native of Scotland. His grandmother Woodard's maiden name was Johnson. His mother, Nancy Woodard, was a daughter of James and Winnifred (Allen) Oliver, her father being a son of John Oliver, who came from England. The Allen and Johnson families, with which our subject's family is connected, are prominent and highly respected people in the Sonth.

ABRIEL KITTERMAN, a prosperous farmer of Blackford County, residing on section 12, Washington Township, was born in Floyd County, Virginia, July 29, 1832, a son of Solomon and Leocia (Slusher) Kitterman, natives of Virginia, the father born November 12, 1802, and the mother about the year 1810. Our subject was six years old when he was brought by his parents to Indiana, they settling in Harrison Town- ship, Wayne County, where he grew to man- hood, being reared to agricultural pursnits.

Four days before reaching his twenty-first year he began learning the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for the same party four years. He was married March 30, 1854, to Eliza Crawford, who was born in Wayne County, Indiana, September 21, 1833, where she was reared and married. She died Sep- tember 14, 1855, and September 23, 1858, Mr. Kitterman married Sarah Williams, a native of Baltimore County, Maryland, born May 30, 1839, a danghter of Washington and Rachel (Lamont) Williams, who came to Wayne County when Mrs. Kitterman was a child. Mr. and Mrs. Kitterman have had born to them five children ---- Washington, born August 23, 1859, died July 3, 1863; Harvey, born July 1, 1862; Harlan, born September 18, 1863; Ailey A., born Janu- ary 17, 1865, and Solomon, born July 5, 1868. Mr. Kitterman caine to Blackford County in 1859, when he settled on his pres- ent farm before a stick had been ent on the place. His family lived in the school-house until he had built his cabin. For a time after coming to the county he worked at his trade in connection with his farming, and since coming here he has by persevering in- dustry and good management acquired a fine property. Ilis home farm now consists of 240 acres of choice land, which he has cleared and improved, 160 acres of his farm being on section 12, and the remaining eighty acres on section 13, of Washington Township. Mr. Kitterman is a preacher in the Dunk- ard church, and is an active worker in the cause of his Master, and during his residence in the county has gained the confidence of all who know him. The parents of Mr. Kit- terman were married in Virginia in 1831, living in that State about six years after their marriage, then immigrated to Wayne County, Indiana, where the father died in the fall of 1876, aged seventy-four years. The mother

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HISTORY OF BLACKFORD COUNTY.

is still living on the homestead, where they first settled on coming to Indiana, making her home with one of her sons. They were the parents of ten children-Gabriel, Harvey, Ailey A., Inldah E., Ephraim, Nancy S., Annanias, Calvin, Mary and Le Roy. The grandfather of onr subject, David Kitterman, was a native of Virginia, coming to America with a brother. He settled in Virginia, where he lived until his death. The grand- mother, Julia Kitterman, died in Floyd Connty, Virginia. The maternal grandpar- ents, David Slusher and wife, died in Vir- ginia. Washington Williams, the father of Mrs. Kitterman, was born in Maryland, and is now living in Wayne County, Indiana, where he has resided many years. He is a blacksmith by trade, which he has followed the greater part of his life. He is now sev- enty-five years old. Ifc has been three times married, his first wife being Rachel Lamont, by whom he had five children-Rebecca, Saralı, Amanda, Martha and John. He had no children by his second marriage, and to his last wife were born two children, named Albert and Harriet.

EWIS TWIBELL is a native of Black- ford County, Indiana, born May 26, 1842, a son of David and Margaret (Yoho) Twibell, who were among the pioneers of the county. The father was a native of Virginia. He being a farmer our subject was reared to the same avocation, receiving such educational advantages as the district schools of that day afforded. He remained on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, and December 3, 1863, he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, being assigned to Comn- pany I, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana

Infantry. While in the service he partici- pated in the battles of Atlanta, Resaca, Nash- ville, Jonesboro and others of minor import- ance. He was discharged in May, 1865, when he returned to Blackford County. No- vember 2, 1868, he was married to Miss Philena E. Bowman, of Blackford County, a daughter of Levi and Elizabeth Bowman. They have four children living, as follows -- Nora May, Almeda Elizabeth, Charles Levi and Lanra Etta. Mr. Twibell located on his present farm in 1870, which at that time consisted of forty acres of cleared land. By persevering industry and good management he has added to his original tract until his farm now contains 100 acres, of which eighty- five acres are cleared and under cultivation. Ilis land is well improved, being underlaid with 200 rods of tiling. His residence is com- fortable and commodious, and in fact every- thing about the place indicates the care and thrift of the owner. Politically Mr. Twibell affiliates with the Republican party. He is an active and consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and is superintendent of the Sabbath-school. By his fair and hon- orable dealings he lias gained the confidence of all who know him, and his genial disposi- tion and cordial manner has won him many friends.

OSEPH CREEK was born in Highland County, Ohio, Jannary 2, 1835, a son of Joseplı and Rebecca (White) Creek, also natives of Highland County, the former of German parentage, and the latter of Irish. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Creek, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died soon after his return home from the war. In 1839 the parents of our subject moved to Blackford County, and settled in the woods

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of Jackson Township, making the trip with a team and having to cut their way through the woods from Lick Creek Township. They made a tent of sheets, in which the family lived until the father and older boys could get a cabin built. In this cabin the father lived until his death, which occurred in August, 1879, at the age of seventy-five years. Joseph Creek, Jr., was married Jan- ary 20, 1855, to Hulda Lanning, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1837, a dauglı- ter of Robert and Hulda Lanning, early set- tlers of Blackford County, where they both died. Mr. and Mrs. Creek have had eleven children, seven of whom are living-IIarriet, Marion, John W., Emma, Joseph Mcclellan, Lucy C. and Lydia. Four died in infancy. Mrs. Creek died Jannary 21, 1881. Mr. Creek enlisted in October, 1864, in the war of the Rebellion, and was assigned to Com- pany H, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry. IIe participated in the battles at Franklin and Nasliville, and was discharged in the fall of 1865.

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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