USA > Indiana > Blackford County > Biographical memoirs of Blackford County, Ind. : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography embellished with portraits of many well known residents of Blackford County, Indiana > Part 58
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adjacent counties. Ilis knowledge of the | Jaw is profound and, being fertile in expe -. dients, he displays great skill in applying legal principles to cases in hand. He is considered a safe and reliable adviser and by uniformly courteous treatment of oppos- ing counsel he has made himself popular as a member of the legal profession and a business man.
Mr. Boyd is a prominent Spiritualist, and ocenpies a prominent standing among the leaders of that faith in Indiana. politics he is an important factor in the Democratic party, his services being much in demand during campaigns where active work is required. In every relation of life, he sustains the reputation of a broad-minded, honorable gentleman, and his name is worthy of special mention as one of Mont- pelier's representative men.
GEORGE A. MASON.
George Albert Mason, attorney at law and prominent business man of Montpelier, was born in the township of Jackson, Wells county, Indiana, on the 7th day of Decem- ber, 1860. His paternal ancestors came originally from the north of Ireland and several of the family were living in Penn- sylvania in the early half of the eighteenth century. Later they removed to Ohio where Thomas Mason, the subject's father, was born November 7, 1808. Thomas Mason married, in his native state, Harriett Dixon, whose birth occurred May 1, 1818, in York- shire, England, and in 1837 he came to Indiana, settling in Wells county, where he departed this life in April, 1883. His widow, who was the daughter of Themas
and Lydia (Kays) Dixon, both natives of England, died on the 27th day of December, 1897
Geor A. Mason taught school in Black- fo d county two years, after which he spent two years pursuing the higher branches of learning in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso.
In 1884 be began the study of law in the office of Cantwell & Cantwell, of Hart- ford City, and in 1886 he received the degree of LL. D. from De Pauw University. In the latter year Mr. Mason entered upon the practice of his profession in the town of Montpelier, in partnership with J. C. Mad- dox, with whom he remained associated uy- til that gentleman's death, in 1888, after which he continued alone until 1894, when he removed to Bluffton. He practiced in the courts of Wells county until 1898. In this year, by reason of his interest in the oil business at Montpelier, he returned to the latter place, where in connection with the vil business be is still devoting considerable attention to the legal profession. In 1890 Mr. Mason was instrumental in organizing The Northern Indiana .Oil Company, of which he was elected : cretary and general manager, and which was one of the chief factors in the development of the Indiana oil field. He has been identified with nearly U public improvements of Montpelier dur- ing the past ten years, and for a period of two years served as city attorney of Bluff- ton, being the first Republican to occupy that position. He also served in a similar position in Montpelier, and achieved an en- viable reputation as a capable official, besides building up a large and lucrative practice.
Mr. Mason was married, October 4, 1888, to Jennie Lancaster, daughter of Na- than and Mary ( Starr) Lancaster, the issue
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of which has been five children, namely: Blanche, born January 1, 1890; Mary, born November 1, 18g1; Thomas Nathan, born December 18, 1893; Howard Lancaster, whose birth occurred on the 14th day of December, 1895, and Justine, born August 28, 1900.
Mr. Mason is a member of the Pythian fraternity, belonging to the local lodge at Bluffton, and he is also connected with the . Uniform Rank of the same city. He is a Mason of high standing, having taken a number of degrees of high rank, including that of Sir Knight. In politics he is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, an active partisan and one of the leaders of his party in Blackford county.
Mr. Mason is of positive convictions, earnest in the support of what his judgment tells him is right, and has left the impress of his strong personality stamped on the pro- fessional, business and political interests of Montpelier and the county of Blackford. Ilis career as a lawyer has been ma ed by substantial progress and as a business mau and citizen none stands higher than he in the estimation of the people of both city and county. He is progressive in all the term implies and bids fair to carve out a still greater career in the future.
L. E. MADDOX, M. D.
Leander Erastus Maddox, M. D., is a physician of Montpelier, Indiana, and an esteemed citiseu, a worthy representative of a family tha has been connected with Indiana since pioneer days. He is numbered among the native sous of Wells county, Indi- ana, his birth having occurred in Chester township on the sith of May, 1851.
His great-grandfather, Frederick Mail- dox, was a native of England, and the founder of the family in America. He - cated in the Old Dominion in colonial days and reared five sons: Michael, John, David, Gabriel and Wesley. Michael Maddox was the grandfather of our subject and was born in Virginia, February 26, 1773. He diedl in Harrison township, Blackford county, Indiana. September 10, 1845. He had located there in 1839, in the early days of the com- munity, when the land was covered with a heavy growth of timber and when the work of progress and civilization seemed scarcely begun. He was twice married, his first union being with Mary Fraley, by whom he had the following children, namely: Mar- garet, Frederick, Nathan, John, Daniel, Elizabeth, Samuel, Silas, Michael and Re- becca. For his second wife Michael Mad- dox wedded, in Ohio. Francis Jones, a native of Virginia, born May 4, 1790. Her death occurred in Richardson county, Neb ka, December 6, 1871. Their children were as follows: Mary Mann, Joseph Collins, Wesley H., father of the Doctor, William M., Wilson M., James Jackson, Eliza Jane and Sarah Prudence. The Doctor's fath Wesley Harvey Maddox, was born in High- land county, Ohio, September 2, 1821, and lived there until the spring of 1839, when, with his parents he came to Indiana. He lived on a farm in Harrison township, Blackford county, until 1845, when be removed to Wells county where he still resides in Chester town- ship. He married Eliza Ann Grove, daugh- ter of Thomas and Ann (Wilson) Grove. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1837 located in Wells county, Indiana, where he died forty years later at the age of sixty-six. His wife passed away in 1867 at the age of fifty-
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three years. Their children were Mrs. Mad- dox. Samantha, Catharine, George Wash- ington, Andrew Jackson, Joseph, Thomas M., Joshua, Susanna, Lewis and Francis Marion.
The maternal great-grandfather of the Doctor, George Grove, was a native of Ger. many, and crossing the Atlantic to America took up his residence in Pennsylvania, where he married. Subsequently he removed to Ohio and later to Indiana where his death occurred. His children were: George, Joseph, Thomas and Lewis.
Mrs. Maddox, mother of the Doctor, was borii March 11, 1826, in Fairfieldl county, Ohio, and on the 8th of November, 1849, her marriage was celebrated. She carefully reared a family of several children and on the 9th of May, 1874, passed away in Wells county, Indiana. Her children were Leander Erastus, Frances Ann, Joseph Collins, Thomas, William M., Sarah Ellen, Laura Belle and Wesley Il.
versity at Ann Arbor, at which institution he was graduated on the last Wednesday of March, 1875. Being thus fitted by thorough preparation for his chosen calling, he opened an office in Vera Cruz, Wells county, where he remained until 1881, when he removed to Keystone. There he engaged in practice until March, 1887, and also carried on the drug business, purchasing the store of Mr. Shull, of Montpelier, which he conducted From 1887 until 1893.
The Doctor is a man of excellent busi- ness and executive ability and has been in- terested in various enterprises which have largely promoted the material welfare of the city. He was one of the organizers of the Northern Indiana Oil Company, but after eighteen months sold his interest in that concern. He was also at one time a stockholder in the Salamonie Gas & Min- ing Company. Ile is now interested in the L. A. Centliver & Company, vil produic- ers, and also operates independently in oil. Ile owus one hundred and forty acres of land in the county which is leased to the Ohio Oil Company, also eighty acres in Wells county. He donated ten lots to the Chicago Truck & Steel Casting Company. on the erection of its plant here, and owns considerable valuable real estate here in the Maddox addition to Montpelier and other parts of the y.
Thus from sterling ancestry, people of genuine worth and respectability, is Dr. Maddox descended. No event of special im- portance occurred during his childhood and youth, which were passed on the oldl home farm in Chester township, where with the family he went through the experiences of frontier life. In conning his lessons in the district schools and in working in the fields his carly life was spent. He also pursued Upon the organization of the First Na- tional Bank of Montpelier, Mr. Maddox was elected to the position of assistant cashier, as well as director, being a heavy stock- hokler. his studies in a select school for some time and at the age of eight en begau teaching, which profession he followed altogether for four years. At length he determined to engage in the practice of medicine. Ile On the 20th of August. 1872, Mr. Mad- dox was united in marriage with Miss Mary Emily Newman, who was born December 2 1850, and is a daughter of John and read medicine for two years and then, in 1871, he continued his studies with Dr. Doster, of Ponete, and in 1873 entered the medical department of the Michigan Uni- ! Lydia Newman. They now have two chil-
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(Treu : Myrta, born April 30, 1871, and Minnie Catharine, born December 29. 1876.
Socially the Doctor is connected with Montpelier Lodge, No. 600, A. F. & .A. M .; Montpelier Lodge, No. 188, K. P .: Kama Division, No. 77, Uniform: Rank, and Mun- cie Lodge, No. 245, B. P. O. E. In politics he is a Republican aud, as every true Amer- ican citizen should do, he feels an interest in the growth and success of his party, yet Has never sought nor desired political prefer- ment. The family attend the Methodist church. The Maddox household is noted for its hospitality, and its members occupy an enviable position in social circles. The Doctor is regarded as one of the most prom- inent citizens of Montpelier and his career has gained him the confidence and high es- teem of many friends. Ile is a capable busi- ness man, enterprising and energetic, who has worked I way upward to a position of affluence. ile has hosts of warm per- sonal friends and is making more each year by the urbanity of his kindly nature and strict fairness and honesty of his business methods.
THOMAS SAMUEL BRISCOE.
For a number of years the late Thomas S. Briscoe was a successful member of the Blackford county bar and a man of high repute among his associates of the legal pro- fession. The Briscoe family is of English origin and was first represented in America by one of the subject's remote ancestors, who came to this country in the time of the col- onies and settled in Maryland. Some of his descendants are still living in that state, while others are scattered throughout vari- cas parts of the country, principally the
west, but wherever found they are known as intelligent, progressive people, possessing in a marked degree the sterling qualities inher- ited from sturdy ancestry.
Thomas S. Briscoe, son of Samuel E. and Margaret ( Wilmer ) Briscoe, was born October 10, 1828, in Kent county, Mary- land, and spent the years of youth and carly manhood in the place of his nativity. After receiving : liberal education he began the study of law and in due time was admitted to the bar and entered upon the practice of his profession in his native state, where he con- tinted to reside until his removal, in 1850, to Iowa. From 1850 to 1868 he practiced in that state, but some time during the latter year located at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his ability as a lawyer soon won him a con- spicuous place at the Allen county bar. ILis residence in Fort Wayne was of compara- tively short duration, covering a period of less than three years. He came to Hart- ford City in 18gr and at once took rank with the successful lawyers of the place and here he continued in the active practice of his profession until his death, which oc- curred on the 28th day of February, 1802. Mr. Briscoe was twice married, the first time in the 'fifties, in Iowa, to Mar- ret Maclay, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he had several children, the following living; Elizabeth F., of Waynesville, North Carolina; Fannie, of Baltimore, Maryland, and Samuel M., whose home is in Hartford City. The second marriage was solemnized August 24, 1871, with Miss Rachael Henley, daughter of John M. and Matikla ( Lewis) Henley, of which union there has been no issue.
As a citizen Mr. Briscoe stood well with the people and in every walk of life was di- rected and controlled by principles of in-
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tegrity which has made his name respected by all with whom he came in contact. His popularity was demonstrated in 1878 by his election as joint senator for the district com- posed of the counties of Grant, Jay and Black ford, overcoming a heavy majority, which previous to that year always insured the success of the opposition candidate. His record as a member of the legislature is a part of the history of the state, but suffice it to say that in that body, as elsewhere, he acquitted himself as a creditable public ser- vant by looking with untiring energy after the interests of the people.
Financially Mr. Briscoe met with success such as few achieve, possessing at the time of his death a moderate fortune, the result of his own energy and concentration of pur- pose. He was a firm believer in revealed religion and as a communicant of the Episco- pal church exemplified his faith by a life void of offense towards God and man. Fra- ternally he joined early in life the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, the principles of which he manifested in his daily walk and conversation. Such in brief is the record of one of Blackford county's representative business meu. Ile died, as he lived, a broad- minded, intellectual Christian gentleman and left as a priceless heritage a naine hon- ored and respected by all and a reputation unsur d by the commission of a single un- WOP. act.
The father of Mrs. Briscoc, John Henley, moved to Indiana in 1840 from Clinton coun- ty, Ohio, and settled in the county of Dela- ware, where he followed milling, tanning and the pursuit of agriculture until his death. in the year 186 He reared a family of children, as follows: Amanda, deceased; William, deceased ; Kezia, John, Matilda and two that died in infancy unnamed. 28
WILLIAMI L. ERVIN.
One of the most highly respected citi zens of Licking township, who well deserves representation in the history of his county. is Mr. William L. Ervin, whos name head , this review. He spent his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm, where, cx- cept two years spent in the army, he re- mained during his minority. In February, 1864, when not yet fifteen years old, he en. listed in Company 1, One Hundred and Thirtieth Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until December, 1865. The active service began at Nashville, Tennessee, after which the famous Atlanta campaign was en- tered upon, the regiment participating in all the famed battles of that memorable stum- iner of 1864. After the fall of Atlanta this regiment, under the command of General Ilovey, was sent back after Hood at Nash- ville. The regiment was then sent to join Sherman. Returning to the Ohio and Cin- cinnati, it proceeded via Washington, Fort Anderson and Moorhead . City to Newburn, North Carolina. Marching overland it was in the battle of Kingston, after which it be- came a part of Sherman's army at Golds- boro, but was detained, mainly at Char- lotte, doing guard duty until the discharge. in December, 1865. In the first skirmish, that at Buzzards' Roost, Mr. Ervin received a slight wound in the top of the head, but was not kept long from the ranks, leaving the hospital in time for the battle of Re- saca. He was not only the youngest of the company, being not yet fifteen when wounded, but was one of seven of the com. pany who served constantly without being detailed for special work, and who were finally discharged together. He has ever since retained a warm interest in the com
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panions of those soldier days, and, besides meeting the survivors at times at the re- unions. keeps in close touch with them through the U. A. R. post at Hartford City, of which he is a respected member. Return- ing to the old home he supplemented the ed- ncation already acquired by an attendance at the Hartford City school, later taking such a course at the Ridgeville Academy as served to fit him to teach, which he did for everal terms, mainly in the vicinity of his home. He had in the meantime engaged in farming, and on the 29th of December, 1 870, was united in marriage to Miss Henri- ctta Slater, daughter of james and Jane Slater, who was born in Licking township.
Galbraith, who survived her husband about two years.
Besides William the only other chill of the first marriage was Naomi Jane, at pres cut the wife of Harrison Sind. of Dela ware county. The second wie was the mother of two children : Robert V. and John Benson, who died at the age of three years from the kick of a horse. Robert V. Ervin, Whose death occurred January 18, 1880. spent the greater part of his earlier life in railroad work, antil 1874, when he engaged in mining in the west, at which he contin- ued with success for about eight years. Having accumulated a handsome competen- cy, he returned and purchased part of the oll The children of William L. Ervin are as homestead, where he resided till his untimely follows: Satyra Jane, wife of J. M. Ray; death. His marriage to Miss Flora Veach took place in 1883. Charles A. ; Ralph L., deceased; T :hel M. ; Aurora Blanche, wife of W. P. Mellin; Sanmiel Ervin took no secondary place in the making and development of Blackford county, no man doing more to advance its interests in every respect than he. Owning at one time about two hundred and eighty acres of land, his farm was one of the most valuable in the township. No enterprise tending to the general advantage but found in him a warm friend. He became an early stockholder in the Panhandle Railroad, as well as extending aid and encouragement to the Erie road, which passed through his own farm. He was one of the original members of the class of Methodists who worshipped for a time in his own barn-a building which is still in use as such -- and who finally became organized into Mt. Car- mel church. He was for more than twenty years the class-leader, remaining in that ca- pacity to his death, and it is asserted that hc is the only leader the class had then known. Alt. Carmel church stands on land donated by him, and to its support and success he Robert Franklin, who died in 1884, aged nine years; Oscar Slater and Thomas Wade. The Ervin family have for half a century played a conspicuous part in the upbuilding of this section of Blackford county, the fa- ther of our subject, Samuel Ervin, having been one of the most substantial, pros- perous and respected citizens of the region. In 1850 he had removed from Delaware county, where William L. was born on the 22d of June, 1849. to the present farm, hav- ing trade with Wilson Martin, a pioneer who had entered the land. It contained one hundred and sixty acres, and was in a par- tially improved condition. It continued the home of Samuel Eryin till his death, which occurred October 2, 380, in his sixty-sixth year. Ilis first wife, Jane Ilyate, the inother of William L., and who died when he was but a few weeks old, had given place to Miss Nancy Alexander, who also died some five years later. The third wife was Anna
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was ever solicitous. His many excellent traits of character endeared him with last ing ties to Il with whom he ever had close relations, and the loss of no other man from the community left so great a void in the hearts of its citizens. William I. Ervin has a valuable farm of one hundred acres, of which twenty seven was a part of the old homestead. Much of it was low and wet. requiring a vast amount of work and ex- pense to place it in suitable condition for cultivation ; among other improvements be- ing more than twelve hundred rods of tile. the laying of which has resulted in the re- claiming from swampy and worthless con- dition more than fifty acres, making it the most valuable . ud on the entire farm. He has erected commodious and substantial buildings which, with the generally thrifty appearance of the farmi, makes it one of the really attractive and desirable rural homes.
Being in sympathy with the Prohibition movement, he, in 1884, became actively identified with its organization in the coun- ty, and has ever since been found in carnest advocacy of those principles which he feels will surely redound to a better citizenship and more desirable civilization. While re- alizing the hopelessness of present success, but that the effort inust be persistent, he has not refused the demand that he assist by his personal appeal to the franchises of the peo- ple by becoming one of the party standard bearers which he did by standing for elec- tion for the position of county auditor in 1896. Both himself and wife are ardent in their support of the Mt. Carmel church, of which he is the present class-leader, having succeeded his father to that important po- sition. Holding the esteem of a wide circle of warm friends, the possession to an em- inent degree of these genial and kindly
traits that endear men to each other, 10 man stands in higher estimate in the minds of all who enjoy his acquaintance.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM L. RITTER.
The well-known gentleman whose name introduces this article was for many years a representative farmer of Licking town. ship and one of Blackford county's best known and most highly respected citizens.
His father, John Ritter, was the son of a German immigrant, who came to Indiana a number of years ago and settled near the town of Jonesboro, Grant county, and later moved to Blackford county, locating in the southwest part of Licking township. John Ritter was twice marrie the first time to Emily Enperson, mother of William L., and after her death to Sarah Simpson. He ac- companied his parents to Grant and after- wards to Blackford county, and at the close of the Civil war removed to a farm about three miles southwest of Dunkirk, in the county of Delaware. Later he and his wife made their home with Willian L., where their deaths cecurred, the father at the age of eighty-three and the mother when eighty- Are years old.
William L. Ritter was born July 19. 36, in Highland county, Ohio. and when six years okl suffered the loss of his best earthly friend -- mother. When twelve years of age he accompanied his father to Grant county, thence to the home in Licking township, where he remained until 1863, when he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry. He entered the service in the latter part of the above year, but it was not until the
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spring of 1864 that he reached the front. His regiment formed a part of the army commanded by General Sherman in Georgia. and he took part in the Atlanta campaign. participate in a number of bloody battles, including Buzzards' Roost. Resaca, Fort Mountain. Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur. Lovejoy Station, siege of Atlanta, Rome and many minor engagements. He also accompanied Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea, and later returned to Ten- nessee in time to take part in the battle of Nashville, and was finally discharged at Kingston, South Carolina, 1865. Mr. Rit- ter entered service as a private, but within a short time thereafter was promoted sec ond lieutenant and subsequently, by reason of galiantry displayed on the battle fick. was made first lieutenant of his company Still later, for meritorious conduct, he was promoted to the captaincy, and held com- mission as such until the expiration of his term of enlistment.
Captain Ritter was a brave and gallant commander and led his men in some of the most sanguinary battles of the war, in one of which he received a bullet wound in the right breast. From the effect of this wound he never e rirely recovered and it was for this reason that he was the recipient of a liberal pension from the government as long as he lived.
Short! after the war Captain Ritter en- gaged in Broad con truction in Colorado, and was also for some time proprietor of a ranch in that state-then a territory-his so journ in the west covering a period of three years, Returning to Indiana, he was mar - ried, February 11, 1872. to Miss Sarah Jave White, and began housekeeping on the pre -- ent farm, which he purchased the year prior to the above date. Mrs. Ritter was au ouly
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