USA > Indiana > Putnam County > Biographical and historical record of Putnam County, Indiana > Part 25
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ACOB WESLEY BICKNELL, manufact- urer of wagons and carriages, and gen- eral blacksmith, at Greencastle, was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1\33. In 1813 he was brought by his par- ents. George and Susannah ( Moore) Bicknell, to Patnam County, the family locating in Madison Township. where Jacob learned the trade of blacksmith of his father. Upon be- coming of age he opened a blacksmith's shop in Brunerstown, in the vicinity of his father's farm, where he carried on blacksmithing one year. In 1$53 he removed to Greencastle and worked at journey work until 1955, when he went to Walnut Mills, this county, and conducted a shop three years, then went to Stark County, Illinois, and purchased a farm.
Johnson, and in the same engagement he received two gunshot wounds- one in the ! breast and the other in the groin. Being paroled, they were sent to Indianapolis to await their exchange, and while there their terin of service expired and they were dis- charged. Mr. Bieknell returned to Green- castle and established his present business. In September, 1876. his shop was destroyed by fire, and one year later he ereeted his present building on Jackson street. It is constructed of brick, 25x50 feet, and two stories in height. September 8, 1853. he was married in Madison Township, to Miss Sarah Jane Bruner, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Philips) Bruner, who was born in Monroe County, Indiana, and reared in Put- nam County. They have no children. Mrs. Bieknell is a member of the College Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, of Greencastle. Politically Mr. Bicknell affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of Greeneastle Post, No. 11. G. A. R.
FROHN W. GORHAM, a farmer of Marion Township, was born in Putnam County June 15. 1888, son of Alexander and Eliza C. Gorham. He has been reated in this county, and was educated in the common schools of his father's district. He has al- ways followed farming with the exception of One year later he sokl out and returned to : a few years spent with his father in the saw- Greencastle, where he was associated with mill. He was married December 99. 1564. Henry Renick in the blacksmithing business, to Miss Harriet James, born July 10, 1517. La daughter of William and Mahala James, who came to this county from Kentucky in an early day, settling near Cloverdale. Thomas Janees, father of William James,
as Bieknell & Renick. This partnership continued until May. 1861, when Mr. Biek- nell enlisted in the Union service as a private in Company A. Seventy-eighth Indiana In- fantry, to serve three months. At the battle met his death, in 1823 or 1524, at the hands of Uniontown, Kentucky, he was captured ! of a neighbor, while hewing puncheonis for a
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
foor. Ile was shot by James Robertson, who then went home and shot himself, this being the first murder and suicide in the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Gorham have been born five children, four of whom are living- William, Ora, Nona W. and Lola; Ada A. is deceased. Mr. Gorham owns 103 acres of good land which is well cultivated and well improved. In politics he is a Democrat, and himself and wife are members of the Chris- tian church, of which he has officiated as deacon. William James, father of Mrs. Gor- ham, had been twice married, and was the father of seven children, only two of whom are living -- Harriet and Maria. He died Sep- tember 7, 1886.
ANIEL W. MACY, farmer, Jefferson Township, was born in Hamilton Coun- ty. Indiana, November 19, 1546, a son of Joseph and Ann Macy, the former a na- tive of North Carolina and the latter of Ohio. His father removed to Rush County, Indiana, in 1829, and resided there several years. His parents were married in 1832, and had eleven children, eight of whom survive-Adaline, wife of Joseph llankinson, of Nebraska; Marens M., of Kansas; Armilda J., Henry C., of Boone County, this State; Daniel W .. Eudoras E., Annie, wife of Arthur Wilmeth, of Henry County, Iowa, and Melvina. Soon after their marriage they settled in Hamilton County, where they lived until 1852, then removed to Clinton County, Indiana, living there until 1862, thence to Boone County, thence to Henry County, Iowa, in 1872, where the father died in 1885. His mother still resides in Iowa. In 1867 Daniel W. began to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he followed about twenty years, and for the last thirteen years has conducted a shop at
Belle Union. He was married August 25, 1872. to Samantha J. Brown, born Soptem- ber 3. 1555, in Shelby County, Indiana. She is a daughter of William H. and Mary E. Brown, the former a native of Rush County, Indiana, and the latter of Greene County, Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Macy have been born six children --- Omar W., Howard E., Ernest L .. Endoras T., Nora O. and Gen- evieve; the last two are deceased. Mr. Macy owns a good farm of 140 aeres, and is a suc- cessful farmer. In June, 1563, Mr. Macy enlisted in the Seventeenth Indiana Battery Light Artillery. He was in Sheridan's cam- paign in the Shenandoah Valley and around Richmond, participating in twenty-six bat- tles, and was discharged in July, 1865. Mr. Maey came to Putnam County in 1573, and has been a resident here ever since. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lelong- ing to a lodge at Eminence.
YLVESTER EVANS, farmer, section 10, Floyd Township, was born in North Carolina in 1813, son of Joseph and Mary L. (Sauers) Evans, both natives of North Carolina. They came to this county in 1526, settling in Floyd Township, where the father died in 1566, and the mother in 1849. Only two of their twelve children are now living, Sylvester being the third from the youngest. Ile was reared on a farm and has always followed the occupation of a farmer. Ile was married in 1833 to Miss Mary Wesner, daughter of Jacob and Sophia Wesner. Two of their five children are liv- ing-Noah and Harper. The former married Mary E. Smith and they have three children -- Walter M., Uriah S. and Robert E. Mr. Evans is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and has served as class-leader and
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trustee of the church. His wife is a member of the same church. Politically he is a Re- publican. Postoffice. Graceland.
RCHIBALD ALLEN, farmer, section 10, Monroe Township, was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, July 11, 1827. His father, James Allen, now de- ceased. was a native of the same place, and removed to this county in 1849. His father was John Allen, a native of Virginia. The mother of our subject was Sarah Jones, a daughter of Joseph Jones, and she was born in Montgomery County. The parents had twelve children, of whom our subject is the seventh child. Seven of the children are liv- ing -- John, C -- , Archibald, James, Will- iam, George and Mary. Our subject came to this county in 1852. first settling in Frank- lin Township. May 17, 1848, he was mar- ried in Bourbon County, near Paris, Ken- tueky. to Miss Matilda Trimble, daughter of Fergus Trimble, deceased, and they have six children James T .. William H., Mollie. Churchill, Lillie and Rolla. James married Blanche Riggs, lives in Bainbridge and has one ebild Hazel D; William married Mag- gie Leavitt, lives in Monroe Township and has four children -- Lawrence, Minnie, Downie and Paul; Moltie married Brackson Ellis, of Bainbridge; Churchill married May Gordon and had one child -Leona; Lillie became the wite of Woodson Bateman, of Marshall, Ili- nois. Mr. Allen is now engaged in buying and shipping stock. He has bought, sold and shipped more mules than any other man in the State. He owns 425 acres of land, be- sides giving 500 acres to his children. Mrs. Allen was born in Bourbon County, Ken- tucky, and her father was born, lived and died in that county. Her grandfather Trimble | have one child- Bertha. George W. married
was a native of Ireland. Her maternal grandfather was a native of Virginia, and a soldier in the war of 1812. He was taken prisoner at Fort Meigs and became so starved that he cut off hogs' tails and ate them raw, hair and all. Mr. Allen is a member of the Masonic lodge, and both are members of the Christian church.
T. HARGRAVE, farmer and stock- raiser, section 28, Russell Township, was born in Hanover Connty. Vir- ginia, May 19, 1804. His parents, William and Sarah (Toler) Hargrave, were also natives of Virginia, the former born in 1760, and the latter in 1766. They were the parents of seven children, of whom our subject is the only one now living. His father resided in different counties in Virginia, and finally removed to Ohio in 1829, where he died in less than a year from the time of his re- moval, his wife surviving him two years. Mr. Hargrave was married in February. 1>33, to Elizabeth Gephart. daughter of Bernard and Sarah Gephart, who died in 1×76, leaving a large family to mourn her loss. They had eight children -- William H .. James M., John W., Benjamin F .. Sarah E .. George W., Henry C. and Anna M. All are now living. William HI. married Susanna Bishop, and they have four children --- AArthur A., Charles A .. Ida M. and Lulu B .: their oldest son is secretary of a publishing house in Persia. James M. married Elizabeth Bow- ers and has two children- - John and Lillie; they reside in Kansas. John W. married Margaret Magill, and resides in Nebraska. Benjamin F. has been twice married and both wives are deecased: he has no children. Sa- rah married Thomas Sutherland, and they
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Sophia Nelson, and their children are -- Jes- Creek Township. He received $1.500 from sie, Metta and Minnie; they reside in Kan- ; his father's estate, and the rest of his prop- sas. Henry married Rachel Fordice, and | erty he has made himself. He has cleared their children are-Ora. Walter, George and up several farms, and has done a great deal of pioneer work. He is energetic and perse- : vering, and has been successful in business. Himself and wife are members of the regu- ular Predestinarian Baptist church. In poli- ties he is a Demoerat, but never seeks or accepts official positions, though frequently urged to do so. Benjamin: they are residents of Putnam County. Anna M. married David II. Grimes, and their children are -- Eddie, Bertie, George I .. , Nellie, Carl and Pearl; they reside on the old homestead. Mr. Hargrave makes his home with his children. Four of his sons served in the Union army during the Re- bellion. John served one year, and was discharged on account of sickness. Hle re-en- listed and participated in the great fight near Richmond, Kentucky. Washington served six months and was discharged for sickness. Hle afterward re-enlisted and served until the close of the war. Mr. Hargrave's father was called into service during the war of 1812, but was soon discharged, as he was over age. Our subject has always worked hard, and never attended school but ten weeks in his life. Ile has been a member of the Presby- terian church over fifty years, and an elder for more than thirty years of this time.
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OEL DOBBS, farmer and stock-raiser, Mill Creek Township, was born in this county April 16, 1837, son of Hugh H. and Lucy A. Dobbs, of Putnam County. He has been reared and educated in this county, and has always been engaged in farming and stock-raising, which he is still continuing in a successful manner. He was married Au- gust 19, 1860, to Eliza C. Keller, daughter of Lewis and Susan Keller, pioneers of Put- nam County. Their children are as follows- Charles A., Franklin A., George A., Lucius A., Oscar A. and Otto O. Florentine and an infant are deceased. Mr. Dobbs owns 473 acres of land and resides on section 31, Mill
AMES H. C. NELSON, farmer and stock-raiser, Monroe Township, was born in Clinton Township. this county, June 9, 1839. His father. James I. Nelson, was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, and removed to this county in 1529, when the country was a wilderness and infested with wild animals. His first house was a log cabin with elapboard roof, puncheon floor, mud-and-stick chimney and a large fireplace. The mother of our subject, Polly ( Yates) Nelson, was a daughter of Joshua Yates, who reared twelve children. James was the tenth of fourteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, twelve still living, the oldest sixty-six the youngest thirty-nine years of age. Ile was reared on the old homestead and educated in the early subscription school which was taught in the primitive log cabin. with slab seats, boards on wooden pins for desks, and a log left out of the walls for win- dows. Mr. Nelson was married October 16, 1860, to Miss Georgia A. Hymer, daughter of Jesse P. Hymer, who was a pioneer of this county, and now lives in Franklin Township, at the age of eighty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have six children -- Jesse L., Andrew J., Otto M., Corie C., Samuel G and Minnie C. Jesse married Olive Gordon and
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lives in Monroe Township, their one child be- ing Raymond L .: Andrew, who married Carrie Thomas, also resides in Monroe Town- ship. Mr. Nelson owns 600 acres of land, having given 260 acres to his children. Hle is a Republican in politics, and himself and wife are members of thr Methodist Episco- pal church, as are also their four oldest children.
ASPER RENICK, of the firm of Ren- ick & Curtis. carriage manufacturers. at Greencastle, was born on a farm in Washington County, this State, December S. 1825. At the age of sixteen years he went to Walnut Ridge, same county, and became : apprenticed to D. & N. Platt, to learn the trade of carriage making, serving five and a half years. He received a limited education in the district schools, attending only dur- ing the winter months. In 1846 he went to Salem, Washington County, where he worked at journey work two years with the exception of a short time spent in Terre Haute. In the fall of 1849 he went to Waveland, Montgomery County, where he worked until September. 1850, then came to Greencastle and became associated with his brothers. Robert and Henry, in the manufacture of carriages, under the firm name of G., II. & R. Renick. They erceted a shop on Wash- ington street, upon ground now occupied by - the Catholic school building. In 1856 Jaunes A. Curtis succeeded Henry, changing FRAMES HI. HURST, present trustee of Jefferson Township, resides on section 5. Ile was born in Greencastle Township. this county, December 6, 1853, son of Jeffer- son and Elsie ( Vowel) Hurst, also natives of Putnam County. He was reared in his native township and educated in the common schools the name to Renick, Curtis & Co .. and in March, 1886, Robert retired from the firm and it was changed to Renick & Curtis. Dur- ing 1886-87 Mr. Curtis erected the exten- sive shop and ware-room they now occupy on Washington street, directly opposite the old i shop in which they operated so long. Politi- [ of his neighborhoo.l. He remained at home 25
cally Mr. Renick is a Republican, and has served several terms as member of the city council at Greencastle. January 2. 1853. he was married, at Greeneastle, to Miss Lydia Jane Thornburg. daughter of William HI. Thornburg, who was born and reared in Greencastle, and educated in the Larabee's School for Ladies at that place. Six children were born to them, three of whom are living -. William IL., an employe in his father's shop: Harry Grant, of St. Louis, and George G .. also an employe in his father's manufac- tory. Mr. Renick is a Master Mason and member of Temple Lodge. No. 47. 1. F. & A. M., at Greencastle. He has hold the posi- tion of treasurer of the lodge for nine consee- utive years and still holds that office. His father. Henry Renick, was born near Spring- field, Ohio, in 1797. of Welsh parentage. le came to Indiana in 19Is, settling on a farm in Washington County, thence to Clay County in 1852, where he died in 1983. Hfc was a farmer by occupation, and followed it through life. His mother. Catherine (Clem- ens) Kenick, was a native of Virginia, born in 1793. She married Mr. Renick in Ohio, in 1817, and died in Clay County, Indiana, in 1855. They were the parents of ten children, only six of whom are living two in Green- castle and four in various places in Illinois. Both are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
until he reached his majority, and his father then gave him a farm. He commenced farin- ing for himself, and after one year was mar- ried, February 7, 1875, to Delilah E. Dorsett, born in Marion Township, Patnam County, April 11, 1857, a daughter of Abijah and Mary (Jones) Dorsett. His farm consists of 180 acres of well-cultivated land. Ile gives some attention to stock-raising. In polities he is a Democrat, and was elected to ! his present office in the spring of 1586. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst are the parents of three children -- Earl, born October 25. 1875; Ora J., born December 4. 1578, died January 16, 1885, and Clora E., born November 24, 1880. Mrs. HInrst is a member of the Baptist church. married August 13, 1823, in Fayette County, this State, where they resided until they re- moved to Putnam County in October, 1851. locating in Greencastle for the purpose of edueating their younger children. Amos W., the subject of this notice. grew to man- hood in Fayette County and came to Putnam County with his parents. He attended the common schools and obtained sufficient edu- cation to enable him to teach school, teaching four terms. Mr. Evens was married Febru- ary 22, 1866, to Miss Sarah A. Cox, who was born in Virginia May 18, 1839, a daughter of William M. and Hannah P. (Powers) Cox. She came to this county with her parents while an infant, and was reared in Jefferson Township, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Evens have had five children-James M. S., born March 13, 1867; William II., born November 5, 1569; Edgar E., born No- vember 19, 1871; Irving B., born September 13, 1573; Leontine, born March 11, 1877. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Evens located upon the farm where they have since resided, and own 213 acres of land. They are mem- William II. was born March 13, 1501, and bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
.MOS W. EVENS, farmer, section 5, Cloverdale Township, was born in Fay- ette Connty. Indiana, December 7, 1831, son of William H. and Hannah R. (Worster) Evens. His father was the youngest son of John and Sarah (Andrews) Evens, of England. remained in England until sixteen years of age, then came to America, where he learned the tanner's trade of an elder brother, Ed- mon, who had preceded him to this country OIIN A. GIRTON, farmer, resides on section 17. Washington Township, where he owns 278 acres of land. He was born in Clay County, this State, Septem- ber 12, 141, son of Stephen and Margaret (Mozart) Girton, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. John A. came to this (Milliner) Worster, the former a native of county in 1865. During that year he was married to Miss Rachel R. Harris, who was born in this county January 26, 1844. Their children are- -- Elizabeth E., born December 12, 1870; Andrew E., born December 27, and was engaged in this business at Boston. After completing his trade he went to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, where he followed his trade for a short time, then removed to Fayette Connty, Indiana. in 1521, where he followed his usual occupation. James and Nancy Virginia and the latter of Kentucky, immi- grated to Indiana in 1813 and entered Gov- ernment land and remained on the same until their decease. Their oldest daughter. Hannah R. Worster, was born July 31, 1806. Will- : 1872; Sarah R., born August 11, 1875; John iam H. and Hannah R. (Worster) Evens were . E., born March 17, 1878; Mamie A., born
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
August 10, 1>50: Florence 1., born October 27, 1993; Maggie D., born January 8.1.16. Clarinda R. born February 19. Ist>. died September 2. 1869. and an infant died No- vember 15. 1866. Mr. and Mrs, Girton are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They came to the county poor, and had to go in debt for their first housekeeping utensils, and Mr. Girton rented land the first three years, In polities he is a Democrat. Post- office, Reelsville.
respected by all who knew him. In his de- mise Putnam County lost one of her best citizens. In 1534 onr subject accompanied his parents to this county, and this ha- since been his home. He received a rudimentary education in the early subsciption schools, which was all that the county then afforded. February 2, 1848, he was married to Miss Jemima Ellis, who was born in Kentucky, and daughter of Randolph and Rebecca Ellis, early settlers of Putnam County, who came here on pack-horses. Mr. Allen is the father of four children Mary A., wife of David W. Campbell, has three children, viz. Lenna
ILLIAM ALLEN, farmer, section 3, L .. Flora May and Allen L .; Maria, wife of Marion Township, was born in Shel- Samuel Campbell. has one daughter Mary by County, Kentucky, December 10. Alice; Francis M. and Sonh .A. wife 1525, son of James and Sarah Allen, the . of Arthur Ransom, the latter having one former a native of Virginia and the latter of daughter Eva A. Mr. Allen owns 151 Kentucky. His maternal grandfisher, Will- aeres of well-enltivated and well-improved iam Conley, was a soldier in the Revolution- land. Politically he affiliates with the Dem- ocratie party.
ary war, and several of his maternal meles served in the war of 1512. His father was ; twice married, and was the father of seven . children --- Zadoe: Harriet, wife of Thomas Evans, of Davis County, Iowa: Mahala, who JOSEPH S. McVAY. farmer and stock- maiser, resides on section 22. Floyd Township, where he owns 100 acres of excellent land. He was born in this county February 3. 1942, son of Madison and Eliza- beth (Wright) Me Vay, the former a native of Ohio and of Irish ancestry, the latter a native of Indiana. The parents removed to this county in an early day. the mother dying in 1854. The father now lives in Marion County, lowa. In 1582 our subjeet cuiisted in Company C. Fifty-fifth Indiana Infantry. serving three months: afterward re-enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment, serving seven months. He was disabled on the retreat from Greenville. Ten- married Joseph O'Neal, of this county: Zaruah, wife of John Runnyan, also of this county; Aaror Elizabeth, wife of John Leachnean. of Mercer County, Missouri. and William. In 1834 James Allen, with his family, removed to Putnam County from Kentucky, coming the entire distance with a four-horse wagon, camping out at night and occupying ten or twelve days in the trip. Hle settled on section 3. Marion Township, hay- ing purchased fifty-two acres of land, about five acres of which were cleared. There was also a cabin on the place. Ile subsequently entered eighty acres of land from the Govern- ment in Marion Township, where he lived until his death. He was a worthy member nessee, to Bull's Gap. in the leg. He again of the Missionary Baptist church. and much : re-enlisted in Company E, First Indiana
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Heavy Artillery, serving two years and two months, and was mustered out at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He enlisted as a musi- cian. After the war he returned home and went to farming. He was married in Floyd Township, November 20, 1567, to Miss Eliz- abeth Evans, daughter of G. and Eliza- beth (Adar) Evans, who were pioneers of Putnam County. Mrs. McVay was born in Floyd Township in 1843. To this union have been born four children --- Nora F., Alma .1., Leander B. and Bertie B. Mr. McVay is a Republican in politics, and has held the office of supervisor. He was left an orphan at the early age of eleven years, and had not a dol- lar to commence life with. Ile got his first start by working twelve years by the month at from $15 to $25 a month. His paternal grandfather was a sollier in the war of 1812, for which he received a pension. Postoffice, Groveland. Indiana.
ACOB WEESNER, farmer and stock- raiser, Floyd Township, resides on section 15, where he owns ninety-five aeres of fine land. His parents were Samuel and Hester (Evans) Weesner, natives of North Carolina, and of German descent. They were the parents of two children, and mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. They removed to Putnam County, this State, where the father died in 1833, aged twenty-six years, and the mother in 1875, aged sixty- eight years. Jacob, Weesner was married, January 2, 1853, to Melissa A. Goodwin, who was born in Parke County in 1838, and died in 1866, leaving three children --- Ruf- fina, wife of Ilenry Smith, of this county, has one child -- William 1 .; Millard C., who married Catherine Robinson and has one child- - Josiah IJ .. and Cameron, who is on-
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married. Mr. Weesner was again married. August 11, 1867, his second wife being Han- nah Wonnett, born in this county in 1539, and a daughter of Lawson and Jane (Collings) Wonnett. Their one child is deceased. Her parents came to this county in 1826, where the father died in 1879, aged seventy-three years. The mother is still living, aged seventy-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Weesner are members of the Protestant Methodist church, of which Mr. Weesner has served as trustee. Ile is a self-made man, and has made his property by his own exertions.
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