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 87
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As both himself and wife represent pio- neer families, who have done much to make Blackford county what it is, and as they have done much themselves toward s devel- opment, they are necessarily looked upon with respect, and their own personal merits have greatly added to the esteem in which they are universally held.
NATHANIEL MILLER ROBEY.
Succeeding generations will search with interest and anxiety to learn something defi- nite of those who, braving the dangers and sharing the privations incident to a new, wild country, peopled mainly with wild ani- mals, and still wilder men, carved out for themselves and their successors permanent and substantial homes, and, dying, passed from the scenes of effort, handing to sons and daughters a heritage made more honored and valued by the bravery and self-sacrifice shown in its making. Perry county, Ohio, presented many attractions and advantages to the carly residents of the west, and there the ancestors of the gentleman whose life rec- ord we propose to review briefly settled in the early days of the century. There Natha-
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niel Robey was born on the 28th of October, 1838, his parents being Henry and Mary (Fox) Robev, both probably also born in the same vicinity. His parents were of the old and substantial German stock of Pennsylvania, and were noted for the possession of a great amount of that vi- tality so essential to the making of a new country. When Nathaniel was twelve years of age, in 1850, the fam- ily removed to Indiana, making the trip with ox teams, supplemented by one horse. What attracted a good deal of attention, as they advanced, was the fact of the oxen being shod, few of the natives ever having seen or heard of oxen with shoes. Eighty acres, now comprised in the present farm, was secured, two hundred and fifty dollars being paid therefor. It had a small deaden- ing, but no house, and a log cabin was at once erected, with puncheon Hoor and board roof, and a quilt being used for the door. Henry was a skilled mechanic and soon found a demand for his services, besides making nearly all the furniture of his own home. The wild game that filled the woods contributed materially to the living. As- sisted by the two sons, he cleared up quite a farm. To illustrate the rapidity of the set- tlement, it is well to note that one spring he worked for thirty-two days at log-rolling, receiving an exchange of similar work. The first log cabin remained their home for sev- eral years, being replaced by a hewed-log house, which at the time was the most pre- tentious residence of the entire community, and which in its turn gave way, in 1866, to another one erected by Nathaniel soon after his father left the farm. The latter had never liked the flat country, finally buying a farm in White county, where he died in 1876. The sandy country, which he so of-
ten sighed for, he had found with emphasis in White county. His first wife, the mother of Nathaniel, died here in 1863, he later marrying Mrs. Emily Hendrickson, of Ohio, who survives him, living at the White county homestead. Of their three children, one, Marion, resides in Washington township. The first family consisted of three sons and three daughters: Jacob died in Hartford at the age of fifty-five; John had served in the famous Forty-seventh Indiana for three years, became associated with Nathaniel for a time and died aged thirty; Mary was the wife of William Bonham, dying at the age of fifty; Elsie married Perry Alexander, of Bluffton, and died, aged forty; and Sarah is the wife of George Widener, of Anderson, Indiana.
Nathaniel Robey received such schooling as the old log house at Dundee afforded, sit- ting on the slab bench, writing on a shelf supported on pegs and conning his old dogs- cared New England speller. At twenty- two he was married to Miss Mary E. Griffith, of Wells county, and in 1862 moved to Dela- ware county, where he was operating rented 1. nd till 1866, when he succeeded his father on the old farm. However, in the fall of 1864 he had enlisted as a recruit in the re- nowned Twenty-second Indiana Regiment, but instead of being sent to the front, was retained at Indianapolis, doing guard duty till the close of the war. Several times he was detailed to escort recruits to the front, and at the time of the battle of Nashville happened to be in the vicinity, but did not participate. In taking the old farm he be- came indebted to the extent of twenty-five hundred dollars, paying interest at the rate of six per cent. While living in Delaware county he had become familiar with the prac- tices of the old and successful farmers of
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that part of the state, and putting their tried pians into operation here soon realized that he was making satisfactory progress, in the course of the following eight years succeed- ing in completing the purchase of the farm. He then added another tract, making a very desirable farm of one hundred and twenty acres, all but twelve of which is in cultiva- tion. The original condition of this section of the county was such that great efforts and ex- pense were necessary before the land could be properly tilled ; but when the present sys- tem of tile was installed, reaching as it does to all parts of the tract, it became a most pro- ductive and desirable farm, there being few better ones in the northern section of the county. He is recognized as one of the successful stock and grain growers of the vicinity, his attention having been almost wholly devoted to those industries. How- ever, he is not a stranger to mercantile op- erations, having conducted a hardware store at Dundee some four years, at the same time holding the position of postmaster. His sen, Wilson Robey, had established the busi- ness, which had become an important ad- junct to the enterprises of the county, but his untimely death threw the stock into the hands of his father. Eight oil wells are in active operation on the farm, yielding about six tanks of two hundred and fifty barrels each per month, the royalty amounting to upwards of one hundred dollars.
Two sons and two daughters compose the Robey family, the son above mentioned hav- ing died at the age of twenty-two. Harvey L. is a harnessmaker at Hartford City, and Arthur Adolph is on the farm with his fa- ther. Mary, the elder of the girls, is the wife of Jason Chandler, of the township, and Minnie is the wife of Arthur Kelley, who operates the adjoining farm. Mr. Robey
is considered one of the stanch and reliable Republicans, and while he has not sought the emoluments of office he is generally found in consultation wth those who shape the course of local campaigns. At every juncture of life he has proven a reliable counselor, a stable friend and excellent citi- z.en1. Free from all affectation or shadow of artificiality, his life has been an open book, whose teachings will inevitably redound to the advancement of the reader. Reared in the faith and the spirit of the teachings of the Master, his influence has ever tended to a higher ideal and to a closer living in ac- cordance with the principles of Christian ethics. Identifying himself at Dundee with that society known as the Church of God, he at once became its most liberal supporter, being conspicuous in every movement tend- ing to the growth and extension of the con- gregation.
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IRA VERNON. -
Ira Vernon, deceased, who was one of the most respected farmers of Washington township, was born in New Jersey, Novem- ber 30, 1824, and when ten years of age came with his parents to Fayette county, In- diana. Later they settled in Rush county, this remaining their home until the death of his parents, Richard and Elizabeth (Custer- line) Vernon, the father having reached ex- treme age.
Ira Vernon, at the carly age of twelve, was dependent upon his own exertions for what he possessed, but being an honest and industrous boy he found no difficulty in se- curing work and remained with one family five years. IIe was married, in 1848, to Miss Emily Miles, daughter of Lorren Miles,
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of Grant county. She was born in New York and came with her parents to Indiana while but a few years of age. Soon after marriage they located in Washington town- ship, making a farm from the wild timbered land. Later he moved to Grant county, re- maining there until 1868, when he traded for the present farm, lying two miles west of Dundee and a quarter of a mile from the McGath pike. This contained eighty acres, with but two acres cleared, and no buildings; he erected a log house and in 1889 replaced it by the present dwelling. Their family consisted of seven children, four of whom are still living and who were all present to comfort the father during his last illness. They are: Elias F., of Joplin, Missouri; Mary M., wife of John W. Williams, of Washington township; Julia E., wife of Ja- cob C. Balsley, who lives near the old home- stead, and John W .; Phebe died at the age of twelve; Alonzo and Richard each passed away while in their eighteenth years. Mr. Vernon was a Democrat in politics, but was not extremely partisan, and he and his wife were members of the Church of God at Dun- dee, he serving as trustee and was prominent in the organizing and support of the church.
His death occurred May 15, 190 ), after a brief illness, his remains being interred in the Balsl. . cemetery, Blackford county. His wife died April 13, 1897, three years pre- vious to his. His loss was universally mourned, as that of a kind friend, a devoted husband and father, and as one whose course through life offered an example well worthy of emulation, his reputation being unmarred by a single blemish.
John W. Vernon was born in Grant county, Indiana, July 3, 1860, and remained at home until reaching his majority, when he
was united in marriage to Miss Almeda Tharpe, daughter of William Tharpe, and sister of Mrs. W. W. Palmer, of whom fur- ther mention is made elsewhere in this rec- ord. She was born in Mercer county, Ohio, and came with her parents to Indiana when about sixteen years of age.
John W. has operated the home farm, with the exception of a short time since his marriage. At the settlement of his father's estate he received an equitable interest, to which he has since added by purchase until his farm now contains seventy-four acres.
From early life Mr. Vernon has enjoyed the full confidence of his fellow citizens and that he has attained an active and honorable position in life is due to his unfaltering fidel- ity and his promptness in meeting every ob- ligation, together with the well-directed in- dustry which has marked his career from early childhood. He has many admirable qualities which commend him to the regard of all, and the community has many citizens who are proud to claim him as a friend.
JOHN B. WILT, DECEASED.
John B. Wilt, late of Washington town- ship, Blackford county, was born twelve miles southwest of Greenville, Darke coun- ty, Ohio, June 29, 1825, and was the son of George and Ruthie ( Wade) Wilt, who were pioneers of that section of that state, hav- ing settled there, probably, from Virginia. September 9, 1847, he was married to Miss Martha Dowlar, who was born in Preble county, October 22, 1829. Her parents were George and Miriam (Carter) Dowler, he of Pennsylvania and she of Maryland birth, respectively. They were married in
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the latter state and settled in Pennsylvania, later moving on horseback to Miami county, Ohio, bringing two children. They made their permanent home in Preble county, some five miles distant from the Wilts. After their marriage John B. Wilt and wife operated the old homesteads of both families until 1857, when they came to Blackford county, locating on the present home farm, one mile west of Dundee. The eighty acres was mostly a quagmire, but having had some valuable experience in Ohio with wet land. he had no hesitation in attempting what many assured him was a hopeless task. Up to this time there had been no attempt at drainage, but only such patches of land as happened to lie high enough to drain itself was farmed. The ridges would be planted, and about once a week, if the weather per- mitted, would be gone over with a one- horse plow or a double shovel. The rest of the time was passed by the farmers in sitting on the goods boxes at Dundee, telling stories or in swapping horses. Consterna- tion was created when the natives saw Wilt digging a ditch, and in derision they asked if he was digging a canal. As soon as he had secured one crop, however, from this (litched land others fell in with the idea and it was but a short while before every citizen had more less ditching done. It simply needed some one to point out the possibilities that existed here, when once the water could be carried away. New life was instilled into the community at once, a rivalry soon developing as to whom would be due the credit of making the most drainage in a sea- son. When he placed the old style timber drains in the ground it was a surprise to all. but the advantage afforded by them was so soon apparent that all accepted the wisdom
of it, and in a short time thousands of rods of it was beneath the soil. As soon as it was possible to secure tile he began to re- place the old drains with the more desirable material, a practice that was at once followed by all the more progressive neighbors. As the amount of cleared land would allow he added to the stock of the farm, until at the period of the war he had become one of the heaviest dealers in stock in the com- munity. In this, as in all his enterprises, he made rapid progress, becoming in a com- paratively short space of years one of the most substantial citizens of the northern part of the county. No improvement was suggested but found in him a warm ad- herent and stanch supporter and usually he was the one who first suggested the improve- ment. The section of country being flat, there was an almost utter absence of roads, except as the way was picked out on the ridges. He at once began efforts toward a better condition in that respect, claiming that gravel roads were what was needed and that they would be secured in time. He was answered that no gravel could be found in this entire section of the country. He ar- gued that it could be found along the streams, but failing health prevented his making the personal investigation. He did not live to see his ideas carried into effect, the first gravel road being completed about one year after his death. Now, not twenty years after he passed away, no less than thirty miles of fine gravel road are found in the township, the material being all found in the near vicinity.
The conditions of living were of the slenderest on our subject's coming here, and the source of income very meager. To get a little money he would make staves, haul-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
735
ing them often many miles to a market. These and hoop poles afforded the only means of getting any cash. They resided for fifteen years in the old log house, replace ing it with the present one in 1873. After about two years of failing health, he suc- cumbed to disease on the 13th of May, 1882. It is difficult to properly estimate the bene- fits derived to this community by his having lived in it. no man having left the impress of his personality so indelibly stamped upon everý phase of the life of the neighborhood. Broad himself, he did what he could to de- velop a spirit of tolerance and liberality in every walk of life. He started the Universal- ist church at Dundee, securing the minister and effecting an organization with some fifty members. He was the life of the society, and so long as he stood ready to attend the demands made upon him in its interests it flourished, but when the main stay was with- drawn it began to derogate, only in the en ! to fall of inanition. Well read himself. he did much to foster the spirit of investigation on the part of the young people, encourag- ing them by taking part in the local debates. or whatever tended to a more liberal or broader citizenship. He knew the Bible as few men of to-day know it, and was well fortified with strong argument in the sup- port of the tenets of the Universalist faith, in the truth of which he lived and died. The old Bible, from whose pages he constantly drew inspiration and comfort, is still treas- ured in the home, its well-worn leaves show- ing only too well the reliance placed upon its sacred precepts by one man whose own life was attuned to his holy music. Ever a true farmer, he stood ready to adopt those meas- tres that would redound to the lasting bene- fit of the class he represented. Seeing in the Grange movement the opportunity to
educate, and thus strengthen, the farmers, he became an earnest advocate of its prin- ciples, assisting in the organization of the local body. The benefits were many and the possibilities of the movements were beyond computation, and he lived to see much ben- efit come to the farmers of his vicinity.
The family of this gentleman were Eli Alexander, who died at ten, and William Wilson Wilt, lately the most prominent member of the medical profession at Mont- pelier, where he died April 1. 1896. He had been in active, extensive and successful practice at Montpelier for twenty-three years. His widow and one son, Adelbert Wilt, survive him. The lady whose life was closely interwoven with that of John B. Wilt, for a third of a century is still resid- ing on the pleasant homestead, having, how- ever, selected as her companion John J. Myers, to whom she was married June 15, 1897. Mr. Myers is a genial gentleman, whom to know is to respect. He was born on the present site of the highly praised Spring Grove cemetery, near Cincinnati. The land became incorporated into the cem- etery in his boyhood, he assisting in the lay- ing of it out, and continued to be associated with its management for a period of four- teen years, when he became superintendent of the cemetery at Urbana, Ohio, where he remained for twenty-nine years, making a total of forty-three years that he has devoted to the burying of the dead. All this time he was superintendent of grave digging. He is filled with many interesting stories of cemetery experi. nce, having seen much of that peculiar side of humanity that comes but only in the nearness to the dead.
His former wife was Miss Lucy A. Goodnow, who died while they resided on a farm in Wells county.
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THE BIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD.
WILLIAM W. PALMER.
Among the earliest pioneers of this part of the state of Indiana, having settled here as early as 1839, is the Palmer famil , of whom there are several sons. One of the survivors, a gentleman who is, without a doubt, the oldest living resident of the north- ern part of Blackford county, is Samuel Palmer, who for many years has resided at the village of Dundee. The family rep- resents one of the early colonial emigrant , families of Virginia, having been among the courtiers who were the great planters of Berkeley county, where Samuel was born December 27, 1809. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth Palmer, and in the family were six sons, Samuel, John, George, Jacob, David and Joseph, of whom the only ones living are Samuel and John. In 1839 they all came to Indiana, settling in Wells coun- ty, some miles north of Dundee, and there the father died, having reached the age of seventy-seven. All the sons became repu- table and substantial citizens. Samuel was married in Perry county, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Fox and at the time of coming to this state had four children, four more being born here, and of these, two sons and three daugh- ters are living at the present time. they be- ing Jacob, Samuel, Susan, Mary and Sarah. One deceased son, John Wesley, was the fa- ther of Jonas Palmer, the popular post- master at Roll. Samuel Palmer is one of the best known characters in Washington town- ship, having a fund of interesting incidents, illustrating the life of fifty years ago. He is considered the head of the Palmner family and at the family reunion two years ago more than one hundred of his descendants were present. Ile is a dyed-in-the-wool, old-fashioned, Jacksonian Democrat, so
thoroughly permeated with that doctrine that the energetic efforts of many of the ablest missionaries of the Republican faith, who have exhausted all their powers of per- suasion upon him, resulted only in more firmly grounding Democratic principles in him. "Ile has become wedded to his idols, let him alone," is the hopeless cry. All through life he has been noted for his per- sistency in pursuing a given line of action, believing that when a man adopts a course in life it should be strictly adhered to. He cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson and has not failed to support every Democrat since. With equal ardor he has continued! a Methodist, though it is hinted that he has no less faith in the power of salvation issu- ing from the Democratic party, as that found in the church. Now, in his ninety-first year, as he reviews the interesting events in which he was no cipher, the glow of youth returns to the brow of age and he lives again in the telling, depicting in vivid colors the mode of life enjoyed by himself and neighbors in those primitive days, when every man was a brother and no one was turned hungry from the door. Ever a temperate man in all things, he has used to- bacco for nearly eighty years, but feeling that it is hurting his system, has resolved to quit the use of it upon reaching his one hundredth birthday. He has done his share of the hard work necessary to the making of a new country, improving two good farms. In 1880, feeling the renewal of youth, he again embarked upon the matrimonial ... his companion being Mrs. Lucy Ann Stout, whose maiden name was Gray, and who was born in North Carolina, coming as a young girl with her parents to Indiana, and at eighteen was married in Grant count .
Joseph Palmer, the brother of Samuel,
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married Azubah McKee and resided on the pike west of Dundee, where his son, George, now lives. He was called into the service of the government during the war, yielding up his own life at Helena, Arkans s, toward the close of the war. His widow, with seven children, remained on the farm, where her death occurred some fifteen years since, at the age of fifty-seven. She was the repre- sentative of one of the old and substantial families and in her own life illustrated the spirit of the pioneers. She is deserving of much' credit in the rearing of her family, devoting herself absolutely to their care and counsel. They all grew up under her in- struction, making highly respected citizens, whom she lived to see nicely settled in life, all of whom, with one exception, survived her.
William W. Palmer's boyhood was with his mother on the farm, taking charge of it himself at the age of nineteen. He was married on December 20, 1877, to Miss Nancy Tharp, daughter of William and Lucy Tharp, and who was a young lady upon coming to this vicinity. Her par- ents purchased the present home of herself and family and here she was married. Both parents passed awa: ripe in years and hold- ing to a remarkable degree the respect of a wide circle of wa m friends. After his mar- riage Mr. Palmer remained some years on his old homestead, buying out some of the heirs, and then secured the home of his wife, to which they at once removed. Here he has made extensive and valuable improve- ments, erecting a new house in 1899. He is especially fortunate in having his farm lo- cated in the most valuable oil field in the state, three active wells being in constant operation on his place, the income from them assisting materially in swelling his usual income.
The Palmer family consists of seven chil- dren, of whom Myrtle, the eldest, is a student in the Marion Normal School, where she is preparing to become a teacher, her advance- ment in the common schools justifying a reasonable hope of her making a brilliant woman. The younger ones are Dessie, Roy, Ivy, Ethel. George and Ralph.
Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are counted among the liberal and progressive citizens of the community, both taking active and intelli- gent part in the promotion of all that makes for better man and womanhood. Ile is a Baptist in his church relations, while she affiliates with the radical branch of the Unit- ed Brethren.
It is to such men and women that the future must look for a continuance in civil- ization and enlightenment, the safety of the government being in their hands, and if used with the same spirit of progress that has thus far characterized their every relation in life little is to be feared to the institu- tions of the coming generations. The re- publican form of government is being tested now, as never before, behooving every citi- zen to so instil correct principles into the minds of the rising generation that they may be prepared to stand, as their parents have stood, the bulwarks of human liberty. Mr. Palmer by careful observation and read- ing, realizes the signs of the times and is trying to do his part to solidify the true American citizenship.
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