USA > Indiana > Warren County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Indiana > White County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Newton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Benton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 19
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 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
The election of Mr. Hayworth to the office of county auditor was a matter of surprise to many, but attests his personal popularity, and the con- fidence which the people place in the financial ability and meritorious qual- ities of this sterling representative of one of our pioneer families. While the county is strongly Democratic, and he has never before held any public office of importance, he was elected on the Republican ticket, and enjoys the honor of being the only representative of his party in any of the county posi- tions. He is a member of Francesville Lodge, No. 296, Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed all the chairs, and while living at Francesville he officiated in some of the minor town positions.
The marriage of Mr. Hayworth and Miss Anna Bledsoe was solemnized February 1I, 1886. She was born October 16, 1865, in Francesville. Her parents, John Thomas and Mary E. (Hinkle) Bledsoe, were married Sep-
701
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
tember 18, 1862, and the latter is yet living, a resident of Francesville. The father was born January 7, 1835, and the mother, May 19, 1831. Five children bless the marriage of Mr. Hayworth and wife: Harry Edwin, born March 22, 1887; James Archer, January 23, 1889; Adra Dell, October I, 1891; Glenn David, January 3, 1896; and Mary Susan, March 31, 1898.
ISAAC D. HIGH.
A well known citizen of Prairie township, Warren county, and for many years a trustee of the same, is Isaac D. High, who owns a good homestead here and is a successful farmer. He is a native of the Keystone state, born in the town of Maxatawny, Berks county, March 9, 1845, a son of John V. R. and Sarah (Hottenstein) High. In 1852, when the subject of this sketch was but seven years of age, the family emigrated to Indiana and settled at Locust Grove, Warren county, where the father had made an entry of land some years before. There being but few railroads at that time, the family made the trip from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to Williamsport, by water. Un- til 1856 they continued to dwell at their first place of settlement, and then re- moved to Williamsport, where the father died in the spring of 1860. The mother and children then became residents of Prairie township, and at this writing Mrs. High, now in her seventh-seventh year, is living in Williams- port. Of her four sons and five daughters all but two, Caroline and Matil- da, survive. They are named as follows: Charles, John, Isaac D., Edward, Sarah, Rose and Elizabeth.
The traditions of the High family are to the effect that two brothers bearing the name came to the United States from their native land, Wurtem- berg, Germany, in the early colonial days of this country, and settled in Philadelphia. One of the brothers ultimately drifted to Reading, Pennsyl- vania, and from him our subject is descended. On his mother's side Mr. High traces his ancestry to Jacob Hottenstein, who was likewise of German birth, and whose arrival in America occurred on the 23d of March, 1753.
In the public schools of Warren county Isaac D. High acquired but a imited education, but he has always been fond of study and has added steadi- ly to the store of information and knowledge which the district schools of his boyhood afforded, and he has always taken great interest in the subject of good schools and teachers for this generation. He became a thorough and practical farmer, and since 1870 he has owned the fine homestead where he now resides, and this he has reduced to a high state of cultivation.
In May, 1862, when but seventeen years of age, he offered his services to his country, enrolling himself under the stars and stripes. He enlisted in Company B, Fifty-fifth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and saw
702
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
hard service for about four months, participating in the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, and in other engagements in that locality and field of military operations. Though he is a Democrat in his political views, his personal worth and popularity are plainly shown by the fact that he has been elected and served for seven years as a township trustee in a township which has a large Republican majority. He was first honored thus in 1884, and has been elected time and again since, his present term to expire in 1900.
March 4, 1880, Mr. High married Miss Margaret M. Hindman, a native of Pennsylvania and daughter of John and Jane Hindman, who never became residents of this state, and who have passed to the silent land. Mrs. High is the only member of her father's family living in Indiana. Five children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: John, Rosa, William, Lucy and Susan. Mr. High and wife are valued members of the Presbyterian church of Williamsport, and are active in all good works.
JAMES W. DOUTHIT.
James W. Douthit, a prominent member of the Rensselaer bar, came to the city of Rensselaer in April, 1878, from Decatur county, Indiana, where he was born January 15, 1848.
His parents, John W. Douthit and wife, died when he was a small child, and he remembers little about them. Thus he was early thrown upon his own resources. His boyhood was spent on the farm, and up to the time he was eighteen his educational advantages were limited to the common schools. At that age he entered Hartsville College, an institution of learning conducted under the auspices of the United Brethren church (house since burned). He graduated there in 1873, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science, and later he took a course in the law department of the university at Bloomington, where he graduated in 1877. His natural inclinations were for the law, and this, together with his thorough preparation for legal work, fitted him to enter upon the active duties of the profession at once. Accordingly, in the spring of 1878, he came to Rensselaer and entered into a partnership with Ira W. Yeoman, with whom he was associated in practice for a time. Later he prac- ticed with D. B. Miller, and since their partnership was dissolved he has con- ducted practice under his own name. He has been connected with many important cases, and has gained an enviable reputation at the bar.
Mr. Douthit has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Harriet A. Robertson, died after they had been married three years. His present wife was formerly Miss Lillie B. Fess. They have one child living, Nora Evangeline.
Politically Mr. Douthit is a Democrat. He has long been active in cam-
703
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
paign work, and has had sole control of the legal part of the campaign, in consequence of which no mistakes have been made. He was appointed pros- ecuting attorney in 1895 by Governor Matthews to fill an unexpired term of eighteen months, which he did to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, acquitting himself most creditably.
Mrs. Douthit is a member of the Christian church, and he, while not identified with any church organization, is friendly to all. He maintains fra- ternal relations with the Masonic order. Personally he is a genial, scholarly gentleman, and he has the high esteem of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
WILLIAM C. PIERCE.
William Carper Pierce, an old settler of Jasper county, where he has re- sided for over fifty years, has always been identified with its agricultural in- terests, and now, in his old age, is living retired in Rensselaer. Mr. Pierce was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, December 16, 1821, and spent his boy- hood days on a farm, obtaining his education in the log school-house of that day, a description of which has so often been given in the history of primi- tive settlements. His parents, William and Sarah (Thompson) Pierce, were natives of Virginia, where they were married, and whence they came to Ohio. The father served through the war of 1812, and was at Hull's surrender, after which his regiment, commanded by Colonel (afterward General) Lewis Cass, was paroled and sent home.
William Pierce, the father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, and in 1830 removed from Ohio to Indiana, settling in Tippecanoe county, where he entered land and spent the remainder of his life, dying of cholera in 1849. His wife was a daughter of Abraham Thompson, also a native of Vir- ginia, and they spent the latter part of their lives in Ohio. Seven children were born to this worthy couple, namely: Patience J., who became the wife of James Severton; James, who was drowned while doing service in the John Morgan raid; William C., our subject; Francis A., deceased; Rebecca A., the wife of Joseph N. Johnson; Sarah M., wife of George Hamilton; and Benjamin G., residing in Tippecanoe county. The parents were members of the Methodist church, and the father was a Whig.
Grandfather Pierce was a native of New England, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, at the close of which he went to South Carolina, and from there to Virginia. In the latter state he settled and married, subse- quently removing from there to Ohio, where the remainder of his life was spent. His father, Frederick Pierce, was born in county Derry, Ireland, and from him the Pierce family in the United States originated. Of these
704
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
there is a very large connection, and their record has always been that of loyal citizens.
The subject of this sketch was nine years old when his parents moved to Indiana, and he grew to manhood in Tippecanoe county, where he was married, in 1844, and began farming. In 1848 he came to Jasper county and bought eighty acres of land, also entering one hundred and seventy acres and later adding to it until he became the owner of over four hundred acres. At the time of his settlement in this county neighbors were few and far be- tween, but one other cabin being in sight and that was two or three miles east of his own. Everything was in a primitive condition and he experienced all the hardships and deprivations of those pioneer days. Soon after pur- chasing his land he engaged in the stock business, having a fine range for cattle, and for many years he was an extensive shipper of cattle, hogs, etc. Long before any railroads were built Mr. Pierce drove his stock to Chicago and later, as facilities for transportation increased, shipped it to the east. He followed up this business until, feeling the advances of old age, he turned the work over to his son, James W., divided his lands among his children and is passing a quiet and happy old age in the county where he has so long been a resident.
Mr. Pierce was married May 2, 1844, to Miss Mary Miller, who was a daughter of a pioneer settler of Clinton county, Indiana, Thomas Miller, who came to that county in 1830, and who was a chair-maker by trade. He died when Mrs. Pierce was about ten years of age and she was reared by an uncle in Tippecanoe county. The children of the Miller family were: John, Mary, Sarah, Abraham (who was a physician and was a colonel in the civil war, subsequently being made a brigadier general), Henry, Luvicy and Mahala.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pierce ten children have been born, of whom six died in childhood. Those now living are: John L., an attorney at Lebanon, Boone county, Indiana; Mary A., wife of Samuel H. Howe, residing near Dwight, Illinois; James W., on the old homestead; and Rachel E., wife of Thomas A. Knox, of Rensselaer, Indiana. The mother of these children died January 14, 1887. Mr. Pierce was originally a Whig and afterward a Re- publican, but of late years has been in sympathy with the Populists. During his long residence in this county Mr. Pierce has been a most useful and valued citizen. In the early days he was a large trader, buying cattle and hogs from the farmers, thus supplying them with money, which was a great convenience where there were no banks and the distances to the markets were great and the methods of traveling slow and inconvenient. Mr. Pierce re- calls many interesting incidents of those early times and especially remembers the droves of deer and other wild game which could be seen from his cabin
705
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
door. He was very expert with his gun and earned the name of Nimrod, given him by his neighbors, who considered him a "mighty hunter." Mr. Pierce is a veteran Odd Fellow, joining the fraternity in 1855. He is the oldest member of the order affiliated with the Rensselaer Lodge and is held in high esteem by the brethren.
GREENBERRY W. McCRAY.
Greenberry Ward McCray, president of the Discount and Deposit Bank, of Kentland, is numbered among the substantial business men of north- western Indiana, having become a resident of Newton county soon after attaining his majority. The family is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, but its first representative in America is unknown. Martin McCray, grandfather of our subject, was an early settler of Butler county, Ohio, where he resided until 1817, then removing to Indiana and becoming a pioneer in Fayette county, where he passed the remainder of his life as a farmer. He had a family of eight children, five daughters and three sons, and of the latter William set- tled in Indiana, Daniel in Knoxville, Illinois, and James near Burlington, Iowa.
William McCray, father of our subject, was born in Butler county, Ohio, February 4, 18II, and was but six years old when the family removed to Indiana, where he assisted in improving the homestead. His school days were limited, but largely through self-instruction he acquired a fair business education. About 1832 Mr. McCray was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Edwards, daughter of William and Rachel (Reese) Edwards, she being a native of Pennsylvania. He pursued farming in Fayette county, Indiana, until 1849, when he sold his property and removed to Montgomery county, Indiana, where he was soon recognized as a successful farmer and representa- tive citizen. In 1863 he retired from active life, and removed to Crawfords- ville, where his death occurred March 15, 1864. William McCray believed that all men were created equal and of right ought to be free: hence he was a pioneer abolitionist in Indiana, ever ready to defend the down-trodden and oppressed. He lived to read the emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln freeing the slaves, but the great civil war was in progress when he closed his eyes in death. His remains lie buried in the cemetery at Craw- fordsville, and on the stone that marks his tomb are inscribed, in accordance with his request, these words: "Freedom to all humanity." After the death of her husband, Mrs. McCray removed to Kentland, Newton county, and passed her remaining years with her daughters. Her death took place October 5, 1887, at the age of seventy-three years. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. McCray were as follows: Elmore, who was born October 12,
706
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
1834, in Fayette county, received a business education and was an expert bookkeeper. He was associated with his brother, Greenberry W., in his first purchase of land in Newton county, and they were business partners until his death, which occurred in Kentland April 11, 1874. The remaining children are: Samuel Parker, who died in infancy; Greenberry W., our sub- ject; Oliver, a farmer near Kearney, Nebraska; Almira, now Mrs. R. M. Donnelly, of Henrietta, Texas; Emma; and Mary, now Mrs. Richard Allen, resides in Denison, Texas.
Greenberry W. McCray was born in Fayette county, Indiana, July 13, 1839, and with his father removed to Montgomery county in 1849. Here he was reared on a farm, receiving a business education in the common schools and in Wabash College. In October, 1861, while out prospecting, he purchased a farm in Iroquois township, Newton county, and in the follow- ing spring settled thereon, tilling the soil with marked success until 1870, when he removed to Kentland and with his brother Elmore was engaged in the livery, agricultural and coal trade. After the death of Elmore our sub- ject settled up the business and in December, 1875, he purchased one-third interest in the Discount and Deposit Bank, at Kentland, and was chosen pres- ident, which position he still holds. The bank owned large tracts of real estate, and for many years Mr. McCray gave his principal attention to that portion of the business, also dealt in live stock, and at the same time looked after his private real-estate interests, and so was, and is yet, one of the most active business men in the section of the state where he resides.
In politics Mr. McCray is an ardent Republican, but has never sought office, as his business interests require all his time. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and is a consistent temperance man, both by precept and example, as he has never used liquor or tobacco in any form.
On March 6, 1862, Mr. McCray was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Galey, of Montgomery county, where her parents, Samuel S. and Eliza (Vannice) Galey, were pioneers. She was born March 25, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. McCray have three children: Fannie, wife of Frank A. Comparet; Warren T .; and Annie, -all residents of Kentland.
CHARLES PULLIN.
Prominently identified with the farming and stock interests of Jasper county, Mr. Pullin resides at Surrey Station, where he carries on an exten- sive business in shipping cattle, sheep and hogs. The career of this man, who by his own efforts has risen from a state of comparative poverty to one of independence, and has become a successful and influential citizen, is a striking illustration of what may be accomplished by industry, perseverance
,
707
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
and the wise use of the faculties with which almost every man is endowed. As an object-lesson to the youth just starting out in life, it cannot fail to be of profit.
Mr. Pullin was born in Champaign county, Ohio, September 22, 1839, and was reared on a farm. He had no advantages of schooling, but had taken such opportunities as have come to him, and has been a careful ob- server of what was going on about him, and in that way has acquired a prac- tical education, which has stood him in good stead in a business way. His father, William Pullin, was the son of Samuel Pullin, who came to America from England at a very early day. He located first in Virginia, subsequently going to Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life, working at his trade as a cooper. Our subject has a cooper's adze which belonged to his grand- father, and which he keeps as a relic. Samuel Pullin was said to be a man of great courage, and was well suited to a pioneer life. His children were ten in number: Eliza, Hannah and Rebecca, all deceased; Elizabeth, Mary and Charles; William, Elias and Archibald, all deceased; and Joseph.
William Pullin was born in Virginia and grew to manhood in Ohio, where he married and began farming. In 1841 he removed to Illinois, where he remained but one year. He was of a roving disposition, and spent the most of his time, from the date given until 1855, in moving about from Ohio to Illinois and Indiana, and back again. His final location was in Cham- paign county, Ohio, where his death occurred in June, 1855. The following year the family returned to Jasper county, Indiana, where they had before resided for a time, and there rented a farm. Their means was entirely exhausted in consequence of their frequent changes of locality, and they experienced many hardships and privations. A cook stove and a cow were borrowed from a neighbor, and the stove was lost on the way to Indiana. In spite of all these difficulties, the devoted mother kept her little family of children together, and worked for their support until they were able to care for themselves. In this she was assisted by her son, the subject of this sketch, and after his marriage she was given a home with him, where she was tenderly cared for until the fall before her death, which occurred April 5, 1888, at the good old age of seventy-four years. She was a loving and devoted mother, and con- sistent member of the Christian church. Her children were: John, a farmer in Jasper county; Charles N .; William Newton, who learned the black- smith's trade and was for three years in government employ; he has trav- eled around the world, and his present whereabouts are unknown; and Eliza J., who died in Ohio. The mother's maiden name was Barbara Balsman.
Charles Pullin is emphatically a self-made man. As a boy he labored under every disadvantage and it was only after a hard struggle that he made his first venture in a business way, which was the purchase of a small drove
708
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORI.
of hogs that he was lucky enough to sell at a good profit. With this money he purchased half of a forty-acre tract of land, his brother agreeing to take the other half, but as the latter was unable to pay his share Charles finally took the whole of it. Here he began raising hogs and was so successful that he kept adding to his original purchase until now his farm contains five hundred acres. On this he has built a commodious residence, two large barns and outhouses and has set out four fine orchards on his farm. In 1878 he began buying and shipping stock in which, as in all his other enterprises, he has been unusually successful.
In 1895 Mr. Pullin bought four acres of land and built a comfortable house with barns, scales and all necessary appliances for his business. This was occupied by his son until in March, 1898, when he moved to it himself. Mr. Pullin now rents his farm, which is a valuable property consisting of tim- ber, pasture and cultivated land, all well watered and admirably adapted to agriculture, lying in the fertile valley of the Iroquois river. Most of this land was cleared by his own hands and he worked hard to put it under the im- provement which it now shows. r
Mr. Pullin's first wife was Miss Sarah E. Hinkle, who was born and reared in Jasper county, where her father's family were among the early set- tlers. Her mother was the daughter of John McCurtin, who emigrated from Virginia to Ohio and thence to Indiana and was one of the first set- tlers in Jasper county. He broke the road from Lafayette to Renssalaer. Henry Hinkle came from Ohio and was married in Jasper county. He was a farmer. Of his children two died in infancy and Mrs. Pullin was the only one who grew to mature years. She was a good wife and mother and a mem- ber of the United Brethren church. She died March 28, 1883, leaving six children: William N., who lives in the state of Washington; Amanda married L. Wriniker and is deceased; Alice Janette is the wife of Robert Shook, of Jasper county; and Winnifred H., Emmett and Joseph are at home.
In 1885 Mr. Pullin was united in marriage to Mrs. Rhoda Florence, widow of Isaiah Florence, a farmer, who died in 1876, leaving two children, William O. and Mary, both of whom grew to maturity. Mrs. Pullin is the daughter of William and Margaret (Mackey) Williams, born in Kentucky and married in Johnson county, Indiana. They settled in Jasper county in 1850, and there bought a farm and began its improvement, the father, however, passing away in 1856. His wife is still living, and resides on the old home- stead. She is now seventy-five years of age, but is active, and is a devoted member of the United Brethren church. The children of this couple were Samuel, Joseph, William A. (who died in infancy) and Rhoda, wife of our subject. Mrs. Williams married a second time, and by her union to Henry
709
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Hinkle became the mother of five children: Wesley, Martha, Margaret, Ada and Marjorie.
Mr. Pullin was for many years a Democrat, but lately has become an in- dependent, working for the man he considers best qualified for office. He has never been anxious to hold office himself, although he has filled some of the official positions in the township. He is a man of undoubted integrity, honorable in all his dealings, and looks upon his success in life as something for which he has worked hard, and for which he should be thankful.
NATHANIEL M. GEHRIS.
The postmaster of Walnut Grove, and one of the old residents of Prairie township, Warren county, is the gentleman whose name begins this article. It is not definitely known whether his ancestors were Russian or Prussian, but certain it is that the family of which he is a sterling representative is an old one in the United States, its founder here having come to America prior to the war of the Revolution. The paternal great-grandfather of Nathaniel M. was one of the pioneers of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and his son Peter, the grandfather of our subject, is distinctly remembered by the latter, who was a child of six years at the time of his aged relative's death. The parents of Nathaniel M. were Samuel and Juda (Miller) Gehris, the father born in 1794 and the mother two years previously. The father lived to be about eighty-six years of age, but the mother, who was of English descent, was but fifty-two at the time of her demise.
Nathaniel M. Gehris was born April 24, 1832, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, the home of many past generations of his kin, and with his three brothers and two sisters grew to maturity. Only one brother, Benja- min, and a half-sister, Emma, both of Reading or vicinity, survive. When he was a lad of nine years little Nathaniel went to live with a family in his native county, and remained with thein until he was sixteen. He then began learning the blacksmith's trade near Reading, which occupation he followed most of the time for twenty-seven years. October 3, 1850, the young man. arrived in Warren county, in company with John V. High and another friend, and opened a shop on Pine creek. There he worked for a time, and then located in Rainsville, and after some months had elapsed he established a shop on the prairie, not far from his present home, and combined black- smithing with agricultural pursuits. By degrees he worked his way upward to an assured competence and standing. The first land which came into his possession was a small tract of ten acres of timber, and a short time after- ward he was enabled to purchase one hundred and five acres more of similar property. Subsequently he sold this and invested the proceeds in an eighty-
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.