USA > Indiana > Putnam County > Biographical and historical record of Putnam County, Indiana > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
510
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
served as clerk of that church. In politics he was formerly a Whig, but in later life a Republican. He was a kind and indulgent husband and father, and his death was re- gretted by all. Mrs. Hunter resides on the homestead farm, and is the owner of 200 acres of land. She, also, is a member of the Baptist church.
HIOMAS J. RUARK, farmer and stock- raiser, Marion Township, was born in Marion County, Indiana, June 26, 1841, a son of Thomas and Rachel Ruark, the father a native of North Carolina, and the mother of Virginia. Some of his ancestors were Revolutionary soldiers. About 1834 the parents removed to Marion County, where they lived until 1861, then came to Putnam County, settling in Marion Town- slip, where the father had previously pur- chased 500 acres of land. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living-Peter, a resident of Wayne County, Iowa; Melvina. wife of Harvey Clark, of this county; James M .; Joseph W .; Margaret, wife of Alexander Culbertson, of Marion County, this State; Thomas J. and Andrew J. In 1861 our subject came with his par- ents to Putnam County, and he has been a resident here ever since. He has been mostly engaged in farming. and for about thirteen years has operated a threshing machine. November 3, 1861, he was married to Miss Rebecca C. Weatherby, a native of Clay County, Indiana, and daughter of Noah and Rebecca Weatherby, early settlers of Clay County. To them have been born seven children, six of whom are living-George M., born April 25, 1865; Minnie M., born January 6, 1868; Albert L., born December 28, 1873: Della F., born July 28, 1876;
Ruby M., born February 12, 1883, and Mariett, deceased. Mr. Ruark settled upon his present farmi, on sections 21 and 28, abont 1875, and has resided upon it ever since. Ile has an excellent farin of 220 acres, and has been very successful. Politically he is a Democrat. In 1882 he was elected trustee of Marion Township, serving two successive terms, his last nomination being unanimous. He has served with credit to himself and sat- isfaction to his constituents. Ile is identified with the Christian Union church, and is a member of Applegate Lodge, No. 155, A. F. & A. M., at Fillmore.
R EV. THOMAS N. JOB, farmer and local minister, resides on section 35, Jackson Township, where he owns 110 acres of land in a good state of cultivation. Ile was born in North Carolina March 2, 1812, son of Thomas and Polly (Gordon) Job, of English and Irish ancestry. They came to this county in September, 1827, where they remained until their decease, the father dying in 1558, aged ninety-four years. and the mother in 1855, aged seventy-six years. They reared eight children, three of whom are living -- Nancy Atchison, a resi- dent of Bainbridge, Wilson Job, of Iowa, and our subject. The latter was reared on a farm, and has followed farming all his life. HIe was never besten with a reap-hook, scythe or cradle. He has been a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church since 1839. Ile was married in this county February 27, 1834, to Sallie Boyd, who was born in Union County June 22, 1817, and died December 29, 1839, leaving two children-Nancy J., wife of G. W. King, has seven children, and John S. September 1, 1849, Mr. Job mar- ried Elizabeth Horeum, who was born in
011
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
North Carolina in 1810, and died November 1. 1552, leaving two children-Sarah E., and Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Winkler. March 1, 1856, Mr. Job was married, in Bainbridge, to Caroline Kenyon, who was born in Craw- fordsville, Indiana, in 1827. To this union have been born eight children --- James W., Maria, Nancy, Mary L., Thomas W., who married Florence Crosby, and Harvey H. Mr. Job's early education was limited. When he commeneed for himself he had not more than $150, and all the rest he has obtained by his own industry and good man- agement.
OBERT McCAAMMACK, SR .. an early settler of Jefferson Township, was born in Claiborne County, Tennessee, Janu- ary 8, 1817, son of John and Nancy (Hurst) MeCammack, natives of the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. His uncle, Joseph Hurst. was a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1830 Robert came with his parents to Putnam County, his father having previously bought 160 acres of land, and subsequently entered more. The parents remained there until their decease. They had eight children who grew to maturity. and five still survive-Ma- tilda, wife of Silas Bryant; Mary, wife of Cyrus Bryant; Maria, Hiram and Robert. The father was a Republican in politics. He was a liberal contributor to both church and State. The parents were honored and re- spected by all who knew them. Robert Mc- Cammack has resided in Putnam County ever since he first came here. He commenced life a poor man, having at one time worked on the National road for 25 cents a day. Per- haps no other man has done more toward ; chant, and has been a successful farmer. Mrs. developing the interests of Jefferson Town- McCammack is also a member of the Society ship than has Mr. McCammack. He cleared | of Friends. Her maternal grandfather, God-
a good deal of land, and endured many hard- ships. He was married December 14, 1836, to Miss Delilah Jones, born July 30, 1814, in Virginia, daughter of Lewis and Mary (Black) Jones, also natives of Virginia. She came to this county with her parents in 1834, where she has since resided. Eight of their eleven children are living-Mary E., wife of Har- rison Hill; John L .; Maria, wife of Harvey Larkin; Robert W .; Emily, wife of A. J. Donovan; James II .; Julia, wife of Samnel Blue, and Hiram M. They reared one grand- child-Florence ()., wife of Sigel Smith. Three of their sons, John L., Robert W. and James 11., were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion, fighting in the defense of their country. Mr. MeCammack owns about 915 acres of as good land as can be found in Putnam County, and he is one of the best financiers in the town- ship. About six years he was engaged in the mercantile trade at Belle Union, where he also officiated as postmaster five years. Ile was instrumental in securing a postoffice for that place. Ile first opened a store on his farm, section 13, where the first office was held, and called it Belle Union. It was sub- sequently removed to the present site, where his store was also removed. Ile is a Repub- lican in politics, and belongs to the Society of Friends. Ile was formerly a member of the Masonic fraternity, and passed through all the degrees. May 29, 1860, a cyclone swept over his farm, destroying his build- ings, fences, etc., and Mr. MeCammack was carried along about seventy-five yards and injured quite seriously. Ilis residence has been burned twice, without any insurance, Hle is a man of much publie spirit and en- terprise, and a liberal contributor to both church and State. He was a successful mer-
512
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
frey Jones, was killed while building a to- bacco house in Virginia.
EORGE N. LARKIN, farmer, Mill Creek Township, was born in Putnam County, March 15, 1847, son of Nicho- las and Rilla Larkin, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York. His parents were pioneers of Putnam County, his father dying when George was but six weeks old. Nicholas Larkin was the father of seven children- Edward, Harvey, Hiram, William, Frank, George, and Laura, wife of Hatton Smith. After his father's death his mother married Benjamin Baston, and they had four children, only Thomas and Joel living. George was reared to manhood in this county, and when in his eighteenth year began business for himself. He was married in August, 1576, to Miss Mary Lawrence, of this county, and they have one child -- Evert N., born July 2, 1879. Mr. Larkin owns a good farm of eighty acres, and resides on section 19.
HOMAS RULE, a son of Jacob Rule, and a prominent farmer residing on section 33, Cloverdale Township, was born, reared and educated in that township. Ile was married October 20, 1864, to Mar- garet A. Shields, who was born in Owen County, October 5, 1843. By this marriage were seven children- - Arvena JJ., born August 27, 1866, died Jannary 7, 1850; Albert D., born February 21, 1869; Mary A., born September 17, 1871; Cora A., born January 31, 1874; Bertie, born June 21, 1877; Effie M., born February 21, 1880; Curtis, born January 4, 1883. Mrs. Rule died Angust 10, 1888, and Jannary 1. 1885, Mr. Rule
was married to America J. McCanat, born April 5, 1856, danghter of William MeCanat, a native of Scotland and now residing in Owen County. To this union one child has been born -- Woods, born November 9, 1885. After his marriage Mr. Rule engaged in farming and has since followed that occupa- tion. Ile is one of the oldest threshers in the county, having operated a machine twenty- one years. Ile bought the first steam- thresher in the township. Mr. Rule is a member of the firm of Rule & Shields, deal- ers in Clydesdale horses. They were the first to purchase imported horses. Mr. Rule owns 293 acres of good land. He has made his property by his own exertion. He is a member of the Christian church, as was also his first wife. His present wife is a member of the Baptist church.
ACOB RULE. deceased, a pioneer of Putnam County, came to the county in October, 1829, and after living with a relative one winter, located on section 5, Cloverdale Township. He lived on this land five years before he took ont his pre-emption papers. Ile first pre-empted eighty acres, upon which he built a log cabin with puncheon floor and clapboard roof. A hole eut in the logs, over which a greased paper was placed, served for a window and also to keep out the cold. He afterward built a hewed-log honse. At his death he left 120 acres of land. Mr. Rule was born in Virginia, February 8, 1806, son of George and Mary (Minga) Rule, of German descent. They settled in Knox County, Tennessee, in 1814, where they lived until their decease. The father was a black- smith by trade, and also followed farming. Both were members of the Methodist church. They had nine children, four sons and five
513
DIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
daughters. Jacob, our subject, was reared at home and learned the blacksmith's trade of his father. He was married in 1825 to Catherine Hood. born in Tennessee, October 30. 1809, a daughter of Luke and Sarah (Walker) Hood. early settlers of that State, where they passed the remainder of their days. The father was a farmer, and both were members of the Baptist church. They reared a large family of children. Mr. Rule remained on the home farm until he came to Putnam County. He was a Democrat in politics, and in an early day served as school trustee; he was also constable for several years. He was a member of the Christian church about forty-five years and served as elder several years: he was one of the first members of the Cloverdale church. Hle was in limited eirenmstances when he came to the county, and all he had was obtained by hard labor. Mr. and Mrs. Rule had nine children-Sarah, born July 22, 1828, wife of Hezekiah Burnham, now deceased, and of their three children, only one is living. Mr. Burnham died October 13, 1859, and Mrs. Burnham resides on her father's old home- stead. Mary J. was born May 21, 1830, and died in 1863: George was born September 15, 1832, and now resides in Clay County; Rose Ann, born August 20, 1834; Elizabeth N., born June 11, 1836; John, born April 18. 1838; Catherine, born May 11, 1840, married Phillip Southerland; Thomas, born May 14, 1842, and Margaret, born October 28, 1844.
ARRISON C. ELLIOTT, retired farm- er, resides on section 33, Washington Township, where he owns 120 acres of well cultivated land. He was born in Wayne County, Indiana, October 29, 1817, son of Washington and Mary (Penix) Elliott, na-
tives of North Carolina. and of English descent. They removed to Wayne County about 1810, where they remained until the decease of the mother. The father afterward removed to Illinois, where he passed the remainder of his days. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom are deceased except Harrison C. He was reared a farmer and has always followed that occu- pation. He came to Putnam County in 1854, locating upon his present farm, where he has since resided. He was married in Wayne County, in 1837, to Elizabeth A. Young, born in Union County, Indiana, daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth (Ferguson) Young, natives of North Carolina. To this union have been born cleven children, eight of whom are living. William married Louisa Grinell, and James married Martha Watts.
JONATHAN STONER, farmer and stock- raiser, residing on section 27, Madison Township, is a prominent pioneer of Putnam County, and was born in North Carolina. July 25, 1812, son of Peter and Eva Stoner, the former a native of Maryland and of German ancestry, the latter a native of North Carolina and also of German an- cestry. The parents settled in North Carolina when young, and removed to this county in 1838, where they remained until their de- cease. The father died in 1851, aged eighty- eight years, and the mother in 1853, aged sev- enty-eight years. They reared twelve children, eight of whom lived to be grown, and three now living -. Daniel, of North Carolina; Polly, wife of Jesse Burnett, of Madison Township, and Jonathan. The latter was reared on a farm, and has followed farming all his life with the exception of one year
514
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
spent in blacksmithing. He came to this county with his father's family, and was married here in 1842, to Mrs. Mary C., : widow of Anthony Eskeur, who was born January 19, 1810, daughter of Martin and Julia Holmes. Her father came from Ire- land when six years of age. By her first marriage Mrs. Stoner had six children, only one living - Elizabeth, wife of Charles Nengent, has one child -- Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Stoner have had six children, four of whom are living --- Peter married Maria Lonisa Haines, and they have one child __ Eugene P .; Julia A. married Thomas Letner and has two children --- F. B. and Georgie; Eva married Losson Rantzahn, of Missouri; and Emma. Mrs. Stoner is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Stoner made his first start by working at the blacksmith's trade one year. He now owns the 160 acres and has 535 aeres altogether. They live within four miles of where they have lived for fifty years. Mr. Stoner's father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was in the battle of Utah Springs, North Carolina.
ARTIN MILLER, farmer, section 15, Franklin Township, was born in Claiborne County, Tennessee, about 1812, son of Martin and Betty Miller, the former born in 1765, and the mother about ten years later. He was married in 1830. to Miss Anna Murrey, of Tennessee, danghter of Jolm Murrey. Mr. Miller's parents bad thirteen children, and Mrs. Miller's parents had seven children. Mr. Miller is the only one living of his father's family. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had seven children-Louisa, Elizabeth, Polly, Pleasant, Henry, Nancy and William. Of these, only four are living; one is in Kansas and three are in Putnam
County. All are married. Mr. Miller has sixteen grandchildren, and six great-grand- children. He makes his home with one of the grandchildren. Ilis father served in the Revolutionary war, under General Washing- ton, three and a half years, for which he drew & pension until his death. One of his brothers fought in the Mexican war under Taylor and Scott. Two of his older brothers served through the war of 1812; neither of them was taken prisoner, one being onee wounded. Three or four sons of his brothers served in the Confederate army during the late war.
FAMES R. M. HAMRICK, farmer, sec- tion 34, Clinton Township, was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, Sep- tember 11, 1826. His father, Thomas Ham- rick, died when he was quite small, and in 1836 he came with his widowed mother to this county, settling in Monroe Township. Two years later they removed to Madison Township, thence to Clinton Township in 1854, which has since been his home. They settled in the woods, and our subject at- tended his first crop when eleven years of age. Being the oldest boy at home he was obliged to do a great deal of hard work --- splitting rails, rolling logs, etc. He also as- sisted in the housework, as his mother took in sewing. Ile could bake bread, wash and iron, cook, spin, and do many other kinds of work. Ilis education was necessarily lim- ited, as he had neither time nor money to de- vote to it. After his marriage he attended night school and beenme quite proficient in mathematics. He is decidedly a self-made man, beginning life with nothing; and he now owns over 1,000 acres of land. He has been industrious, frugal and economical. He
515
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
was married May 15, 1851. to Miss Lonisa Brothers, daughter of Robert and Julia (Hensley) Brothers, and of their thirteen children eight are living-William F., Mary F., Robert T., Phoebe A., Miriam, Schuyler C., Eugene R. and James Albert. John H. died at the age of twenty-one years; another child died in infancy. Mrs. Hamrick was born in Monroe Township. Both are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bethel Chapel. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. Mr. Hamrick's mother was Hannah Tatman, a daughter of John Tatman.
AACOB CLINE, deceased, one of the worthy pioneers of Putnam County, was a native of Pennsylvania. His parents were born in Germany, and immigrated to the United States previous to the Revolu- tionary war, first locating in Pennsylvania. Jacob grew to manhood in his native State. was married in that State and had four chil- dren -- three sons and one daughter. Mrs. Cline died there, and Mr. Cline removed to Virginia, where he again married, his second wife being Miss Barbara Masbarger, who was born in that State. They removed to Tennessee, where they resided until 1825, then removed to Putnam County, settling on section 3, Cloverdale Township, and entered the land from the Government several years afterward. He was in very limited circum- stances when he came to the county, having only 25 cents left in money after his arrival. They built a log cabin, with clapboard roof, puncheon floors and doors, wove their own cloth, and did their own work generally. They could speak German, and were hard- working people. They had nine children, four sons and five daughters, and were mem-
bers of the Old Baptist church. They re- sided on their farm until their decease. Daniel Cline, a son of the preceding, resides in Cloverdale Township, and was born in Jefferson County, Tennessee, February 11, 1817. He came with his parents to this county when he was eight years old, where he grew to manhood. Ile was married in 1842 to Miss Sarah Swift, who was born in Warren Township, this county, in 1821, a danghter of John and Kate (Bird) Swift, early settlers of that township. To this union were born six children-Mary J., deceased; Eliza, wife of H. Cox; Wilber L .; Catherine, wife of William Foster; Ella and one unnamed, deceased. Mr. Cline is a member of the Old School Baptist church. He is one of the large landholders of the township, owning 463acres, all lying in Putnam County. When he was married his possessions did not exceed $50. Ile has obtained his property by hard work and good management. Previons to his marriage he was engaged on public works; he now follows farming and stock-raising. Ile is a man of more than ordinary intelli- gence, and is greatly esteemed by all who know him.
OSEPHUS ANDERSON, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 14, Wash-
5 ington Township, where he owns eighty acres of good land .. He was born in this county November 18, 1851, son of John and Lucy (Matkin) Anderson, the former of Clark County. Indiana, and the latter a native of Putnam County. The father was a farmer by occupation, and came to this county in 1849. They reared five children, four of whom are living --- Noah II., a farmer of Owen County; Lonisa, wife of Lemnel Johns, of Kansas: Columbus, a farmer of Warrick
516
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
County, near Newbury, and Josephus. He and Sally Hardin. natives of Loudoun County, left, at his death, 610 acres of land, the greater part of which he had earned by hard labor and habits of economy. Ile was greatly respected in the community in which he lived, and in his demise Putnam County lost one . of her best citizens. He was a kind father and an indulgent husband. Our sub- ject resides on the home farm, and has been a successful farmer. He was married in this county in 18$1, to Mary C. Baker, who was born in this county in 1860. To this union have been born three children.
JOHN R. BAIRD, president of the Mount Meridian Gravel Road, was born in Bath County. Kentucky, July 27, 1817, a son of Archibald and Elizabeth Baird, natives of Virginia. Ilis paternal ancestors are of English origin, and came to America prior to the Revolutionary war. ITis parents set- tled in Kentucky when quite young, and were married in that State. They had eleven chil- dren, seven of whom are living --- Hardman, of Kansas; Samuel D .; Richard, of Bath County, Kentucky; Archibald B., living in Ford County, Kansas; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Mitchell, of Fleming County, Ken- tneky, and John R. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1828. Our subject was bound out to a farmer, in 1831, named Rice Burness, of Bath County, Ken- tucky, with whom he remained until he reached his majority. He received a rudi- mentary education in the carly schools of his time, and has always followed farming and teaming. November 24, 1841, he was mar- ried, in Bath County, to Miss Mildred M. IJardin, born December 4, 1819, in that county, Rev. Peter Haughn performing the ceremony. Mrs. Baird's parents were Presly
Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Baird have had twelve children, three living ____ John R., of Hodgeman County, Kansas; Lanra D., wife of James S. Wrenchey, of Kingman County, Kansas, and Emma, wife of Howard Harris. The deceased are -- William W .. Florence, Nancy J., Joseph P., Arriler. Virginia F., Richard E., Archibald (. and Sarah E. In December, 1851, Mr. Baird removed his family to this county, and resided in Green- castle until the spring of 1863, where he followed farming and teaming. He then re- moved to his farm, on sections 32 and 33, in Marion Township, where he has been a resi- dent ever since. Hle purchased 160 acres of land, and has made considerable clearing since his settlement. Ile has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1847. Mrs. Baird is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Baird was the first to agitate the ques- tion of building the Mount Meridian gravel road, of which he has served as president since 1877.
LCANY FARMER, school-teacher and farmer, resides on section 4, Cloverdale Township, and was born at Greencastle, Putnam County, December 16, 1862, a son of Benjamin E. Farmer. When three years of age he went with his mother to Hendricks County, remaining until he was eleven years old. He returned to Putnam County Octo- ber 1, 1873, and remained in Warren Town- ship until seventeen years of. age, at which time he commenced life for himself. His early education was limited. He afterward attended the Normal school at Danville, and has followed the teacher's profession for five years. In 1886 he purchased the farm where he now resides, which contains 155 acres.
517
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
IIe was married, September 20, 1886, to Miss Sarah E. Butler, born in Jefferson Township, this county, August 18, 1869. They have one child-Gracie Pearle.
-
parents of six children, four of whom were girls. Mr. McGinnis was a prominent man in his township; was a Democrat in polities, and served as trustee both in Warren and Cloverdale townships. Both himself and wife were members of the Christian church, of which he was an elder. He owned a great deal of land.
EUBEN MCGINNIS, deceased, an early settler of Warren Township, came to this county in the fall of 1531, from Bourbon County, Kentucky, where he was born March 4, 1801. His father, John Mc- OBERT SCOBEE, farmer, section 34, Monroe Township, was born in Mowt- gomery County, Kentucky, January 25, 1826. ITis father, William Scobee, of that county, was born in Clark County, Kentucky, in 1802. His twin sister, Mrs. May Dooley. lives in McLean County, Illinois. He was reared a farmer, and attended the early sub- scription schools that were taught in log cabins with puncheon seats, boards on wooden pins for desks, and clapboard roofs. He re- moved to this county in 1851, settling upon his present farm, which was mostly covered with a heavy growth of timber. He had nothing to begin life with, and consequently had to work very hard. He now owns 117 acres of good land. Ile was married in Sep- tember, 1848, to Miss Caroline Nelson, daugh- ter of William Nelson, deceased. Of their eleven children, nine are living -- Emma, William, James E., John F., Mary J., Robert L., Alexander C., Henry D. and Nannie D. All are married except the three younger ones. Emma married Henry Arnold, of Marion Township, and has three children .- Lizzie, Candess and Mary. William married Maggie Arnold, resides in Jefferson Town- ship, this county, and has one child -- Rosa. James married Emma Gradiek, resides in Monroe Township, and has two children -- Travis and Robert O. John married Lou. Ginnis, emigrated from Scotland with his parents when two years old, and settled in Rockingham County, Virginia, in 1760, where the father died soon after. Ilis wife was Mary Houston, a native of Virginia. IIe was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, serving under General Washington from the commencement of the war until the surrender of Cornwallis, and was present when that event took place. Ile was a member of Washington's body-guard, and participated in many of the important battles. Ile was born in 1758 and died in 1819. His wife died about 1823. They were the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom were boys. The father was a farmer by occupation. and both were members of the Christian church. The mother emigrated with her parents to Kentucky about 1794, and died in Bourbon County, that State. Reuben was reared on a farm in his native county, and was there mar- ried, in 1822, to Miss Lucinda Buris, born in Bourbon County. March 4, 1801. They came to Putnam County in the fall of 1831, and settled in Warren Township, where Mr. MeGinnis entered and bought land, upon which he lived until 1855. He then sold out and purchased a farm west of Cloverdale, in Cloverdale Township, upon which he lived until his death, September 6, 1866. His wife died June 14, 1868. They were the Brown, lives in Clinton Township, and has
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.