USA > Indiana > Grant County > Biographical memoirs of Grant County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography with portraits of many national characters and well-known residents of Grant County, Indiana. > Part 60
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of Darke county, Ohio, where he is suc- cessfully engaged in farming. The father was also born in Lippen, Detmold, and first opened his eyes to the light of day Decem- ber 1, 1816. His death occurred January 5, 1892, in this country. In the Fatherland we find all children are well educated and Father Fisherbuck was no exception. He was a laborer there and came to America in 1854 and engaged in labor and farming. Leaving Bremen they bade farewell to old associations and set sail for New York, but a heavy storm arising their voyage stretched beyond the usual limit and it was seven weeks ere they sighted land. It was with thankful hearts the little band of travelers stepped upon mother earth once more after having given up all hope of ever reaching port. They came inland until they reached Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, where they stopped, strangers in a strange land. There they found there was but one German fam- ily, and thankful they were for them. The newcomers could not speak one word of English, and had but twenty dollars left upon which to live, but they were plucky and proud, and had come to the new coun- try with the determination that they would woo Dame Fortune in a manner not to be resisted by that fickle maid. Undismayed by their difficulties, they set up housekeep- ing in a little old saw-mill which had for- merly been used as a sash factory and made it their home for three months. Then their dwelling was changed to a residence and in it they remained four years. All this time every member of the family who was large enough had to do his share as a wage earner, the father hiring out by the year. At the end of four years a house was taken in the country and the family transferred
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into it, where they remained another four years. By this time their accumulated sav- ings reached nine hundred dollars and they began to think of investing it in land in the "west" as Indiana was then called. Goods and family were loaded into a two-horse wagon and the journey begun, but the roads were so bad as to be almost impassable, and even the mother was compelled to walk the greater part of the distance. In 1862 they reached Grant county and purchased forty acres of new land in Monroe township. The only attempt at improvement that had been made was the clearing of some ten acres and the erection of two little log cabins, but this was "home" and the family settled down with happy hearts and began their search after the wealth that lay hid- den beneath the soil. Timber was cleared off, ground plowed, seed planted and tend- ed, and some of the wealth was realized the first year in good harvests. This was continued many years and the little family grew and prospered. The father and mo- ther were strong, robust people, and the free outdoor life made the children hearty and strong also.
The father became naturalized and affil- iated with the Republican party, and he and wife were members of the Lutheran church of Hartford City, and were regular attendants of the church which they assist- ed in building. Mother Fisherbuck was born in Rintel, Germany, February 15, 1812, and died December 11, 1895. after rounding out a long and useful life. They were kind and indulgent parents, and their pre- cepts and examples will long live in the hearts of children and grandchildren, while their neighbors regarded them as models of uprightness and honor. Mrs. Fisherbuck
made her home with her son Harmon after the death of her husband until she, too, was called to the better world.
Harmon Fisherbuck was a lad of fifteen when his parents located in this township, and was only five when they landed on American soil, so almost his entire life has been passed in the township in which he now lives. His education was received in the common schools of Ohio and Indiana, and his life has been devoted to farming and its accompanying pursuits. He ope- rated a threshing machine for many years and found it a pleasant way of adding a few dollars to the family income each sea- son. He remained with his parents until his marriage with Miss Ruth Jenkins, when they rented a farm in Monroe township and began housekeeping. He owned some forty acres of partially improved land, which con- stituted his start in life, and his wife re- ceived some money from the sale of hier father's property, but the success of the young couple depended on their industry and thrift. They purchased sixty acres, which is now their home, March 2, 1875, the im- provements being a small house and stable and presenting a most forlorn appearance. They have added to this from time to time until they have accumulated three hundred and fifty-five acres lying in this and Jeffer- son townships. The improvements seen on the place at the present time-the neat, commodious house and barns and outbuild- ings-have all been placed there by our subject and his wife. This property is sit- uated some two and one-half miles from Upland, and is one of the fertile pieces of land which has made Indiana so prosperous.
August 31, 1872, occurred the nuptial celebration of Mr. Fisherbuck and Miss
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Ruth Jenkins. Three sons and two daugh- ters have resulted from their union, namely : Albert C., who received a good practical education at Upland and resides with his parents ; he combines farming with the work of a machinist and is an energetic, hustling young man; he is a Republican and also a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Council No. 13, of Upland. Dora is the wife of Edward Clark, a farmer of Jefferson township; he is a na- tive of this county, was educated in the com- mon schools and is a stanch Republican; his wife received her education in Upland ; i they have two sons and one daughter. John L. is his father's assistant in manag- ing the estate; he received a good education, passing through the graded and high school of Upland and took a two-years' scientific -- course in Taylor University; he is a mem- ber of the Junior Order of American Me- chanics, Council No. 13, of Upland, and like his father is a stalwart Republican; he married Miss Dora Lyon, who attended the Upland graded schools; they have one child, a daughter. Sarah E. resides at home ; to a common-school education she has added musical instruction and is a young lady of accomplishments; she is a favorite in social circles, and a member of the Daughters of Rebecca, No. 342, and of the Daughters of America, Council No. 10. Willis A. is the youngest member of the family and is a student in the fourth grade in the Upland school.
Mrs. Ruth Fisherbuck was born in this township March 1, 1849, received a com- mon-school education and grew to woman- hood within two miles of her birthplace. She is a lady of pleasing personality and cheerful manner, which puts her guest at
once at his ease. Her parents were Israel and Lydia (Dwiggins) Jenkins, who had eight children, six of whom are now living and all in Grant county except one sister, AAngeline, who is the wife of Jesse G. Rich and a resident of Indian territory. Israel Jenkins was born September 30, 1814, in Frederick county, West Virginia, and died November 10, 1875, in this county. He was always a farmer and came from his na- tive state to Ohio in 1836, locating in Clin- ton county, where he remained until 1840, when he came to this county. Here he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of par- tially improved land which had a little log cabin on it. Here they worked and saved until they accumulated three hundred and thirty acres. He and his wife were mem- bers of the Christian church and zealous Christian people. Their aid was of the ma- terial sort, and two churches at least testify to their generosity. Mrs. Jenkins was born in Clinton county, Ohio, October 6, 1812, and died September 27, 1890. Mr Fisher- buck is a Republican, and has represented his party in county conventions. He is a member of four fraterna 1 orders-Lodge No. 352, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, Encampment No. 313, Rebecca No. 342, and Knights of Pythias No. 482. He and his wife are earnest members of the Jefferson Christian church, to which they are liberal contributors, and both church and Sunday school come in for a warm share of their appreciation. He is a trustee of the cemetery, and its neat appearance is a matter of personal attention on hi's part. They are among the most honored and re- spected residents of this section, and merit the esteem in which they are held.
As has been hinted, Harmon Fisherbuck
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is in politics a Republican, and in his loyalty to his party attended the inaugural ceremon- ies of President Mckinley in 1901.
DAVID WALL.
David Wall is an honored resident of Monroe township and one of the few re- maining pioneers who have watched the de- velopment of Grant county, Indiana, and the surrounding territory from its earliest in- fancy. Few men can furnish so interesting a history, drawn from experiences of their own, as can this venerable and esteemed citizen, who is rounding out a full and use- ful life. A more perfect type of well-pre- served old age it would be difficult to find than is shown in the person of David Wall; the bright, keen glance speak of the strong mind retained, while the activity in all physical exercise makes it almost impossible to realize that eighty-five summers have passed over his head.
David Wall was born in Clinton county, Ohio, May 1, 1815, whither his parents had moved from York county, Pennsylvania. His father, John Wall, was born in 1778, and was twenty-one years of age at the time of the death of George Washington. The mother was born in 1777 and died in 1855, just one year before her husband. They had a vivid remembrance of the war of 1812, of which David recalls hearing them speak. David's education was ob- tained from the district school and was such as was common to the farmer boy of that time, but to this Mr. Wall has added much from general observation, comprehen- sive reading and a close study of nature.
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Industry has been one of the prime char- acteristics of the man, and hard work has had no terrors for him. While yet young he learned the trade of a blacksmith, at which he worked for some time, finding the knowledge thus obtained most valuable to him when he settled in the forests of In- diana. He soon gave his attention to agri- culture, in which he has been actively en- gaged until his retirement from business.
Mr. Wall chose as his companion through life Miss Sarah Dwiggins, the nuptials tak- ing place August 18, 1840. Fifty-five years of happy wedded life followed, terminating in 1895 in the death of the faithful wife, whose life had been an inspiration and whose wise counsel and affectionate interest had smoothed away many rough places in their pathway. Immediately following their marriage they came by wagon to Indiana, hiring a man to bring them through. The journey was necessarily slow and tedious, their road running through deep woods, and it was with unalloyed pleasure that the little party reached the spot which was to be their future home. This land, which consisted of one hundred and twenty acres in Monroe township, had been entered by Mr. Wall three years previous under the Van Buren administration. In October, 1840, he and his young bride took possession and set about building the home nest. Grant coun- ty at that time was a dense forest infested with wolves and bears, while the no less savage red man had several camps in the near vicinity of the little cabin. Deer and other game were also plentiful and afforded ample sport for the hunter as well as a source of income, a good market being found in the cities. It was twenty-five years before the county could boast a railroad, all grain
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and market produce being carried by team to LaGro, on the Wabash canal. Roads were conspicuous by their absence, and many a time has he gone on horseback through the woods to the mill, a distance of seven miles. Often he has been obliged to climb a tall tree to determine what direction he should take through the surrounding brush. But improvement soon followed in the wake of those thrifty pioneers, and the road, fol- lowed by blazed trees, gave way to the well- defined opening and that in turn to the well- traveled smooth road, while it in its turn is replaced in many places by the pike. The necessities of life were only obtainable at the most exorbitant prices-salt selling for thirteed dollars per barrel. This was brought through by wagon, as was many other com- modities, from Cincinnati. When the Wa- bash canal was completed and an easier mode of conveyance found salt was reduced to one and one-quarter dollars per barrel.
Mr. Wall has witnessed many changes in Grant county in the sixty years spent here, and has had the pleasure of contrib- uting in no small way to that development. The beautiful city of Marion, with its population of some twenty-three thousand, is recollected by him as a little hamlet among the stumps. When Mr. Wall came to this state, at the age of twenty-one, he was with- out means, and it was only by the most la- borious toil that he laid the foundation of his present fortune. The one hundred and twenty acres first entered by him, as well as eighty belonging to his wife, were sold and another piece in this township of one hundred and sixty acres purchased. This has been added to from time to time until at the time of his retirement from farm life he owned four hundred and forty acres here. 29
Mr. Wall was an old-line Whig, and his first vote was cast for "Tippecanoe and Ty- ler too." He has since affiliated with the Republican party and is a strong supporter of Mckinley, believing in sound money and a sound and solid basis for it. He well re- members "red dog" and "wild cat" cur- rency, and has no desire to see a repetition of those troublous times, when the finances of our country were in such an unsettled state that it was impossible one day to tell what the value of a dollar would be the next. Many a time has his fortune been placed in jeopardy by the uncertainty of the money market. For three years he served as trus- tee of his township, and has been one of the strongest advocates of the free-school sys- tem-free schools being unknown to this. locality when he settled here. He has al+ ways lived a life of integrity that could stand the searchlight of truth to be thrown on his every action, his motto being the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as ye would that they should do unto you." Living such a noble life, it is not surprising that he has made and retained friends by the score and that he is everywhere held in the highest regard.
A. H. UNTHANK.
The present popular and capable super- intendent of the farm in connection with the National Soldiers' Home at Marion was born near New Castle, Henry county, Indi- ana, on the 8th of February, 1855. When still an infant in arms he was taken to Jas- per county, Iowa, where he reached the age of sixteen, when the family returned to Henry county, Indiana. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority,
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when, becoming his own man, he secured a position as mail carrier at New Castle, re- maining in this line of employment for three years and making for himself a repu- tation for constancy and promptness. De- siring to become more familiar with the great west, he removed to Colorado, where he embarked in the livery business, at which he continued four years, making considera- ble progress financially. Not caring to re- main permanently in the west, he returned to the old state of his nativity and soon be- came engaged in farming in Mill township, Grant county. The conduct of his farm was of such a nature as to attract the atten- tion of some of the managers of the National Soldiers' Home, who desired a competent superintendent whose capabilities and energy were of undoubted character. Without so- licitation on his part and in simple recogni- tion of the ability to carry on in a business way an extended enterprise, he was select- ed by the board of managers after making thorough investigation of the claims of many aspirants. The wisdom of the selec- tion has never been questione:l, and in fact the managers have been repeatedly compli- mented by visiting inspectors for their good fortune in having so capable and skilled a superintendent. The position is one de- manding the attention of a man whose en- ergies, if turned in commercial or profes- sional lines, would be rewarded by great returns in finance or public preferment. During the eleven years he has been the overseer of this farm many important im- provements have been carried to a satisfac- tory completion, in most of which the great- est responsibility rested upon his shoulders. The system of drainage has been greatly extended, building's enlarged and rebuilt, the
accommodations for all the stock being per- fected, and a scientific plan of t llage and crop rotation being followed that has proven its value in the increased productiveness an l fertility of the soil. Possessed of those ad- mirable and essential qualities of head and heart so needed in the handling of men and in the carrying out of plans proven valua- ble, and more especially in the placing of new ideas into practical operation, he has proven his worth to the administration on many an occasion, and in an unobtrusive and unintentional manner endeared himself not only to the management, but to all with whom he has had business relations.
Mr. Unthank was married in March, 1885, to Miss Amanda Hollingsworth, and two children, Earl and Harry, are the re- sult of the union. Both he and his wife are members of the Society of Friends, and living in close accordance to the teachings of the society, are suitable examples to the younger generation.
As a matter of course, under the condi- tions of youth and education, he is identi- fied with the Republican party, that express- ing most nearly his views upon questions of public policy, though he has not aspired to those positions of trust and honor that come as a reward for political effort.
SOLOMON PENCE.
Solomon Pence, one of the most highly respected residents of Richland township, Grant county, Indiana, a member of the famous pioneer Pence family and an ex- soldier of the Civil war, was born in Cham- paign county, Ohio, May 27, 1830, and is a
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son of Lewis and Savilla ( Norman) Pence, of whom mention is also made in the sketches of Lewis J. and Emanuel Pence, to be found elsewhere in this volume. As a full his- tory of the pioneer parents is given in the sketch of Lewis J. Pence, an elder brother of Solomon, it is unnecessary to repeat it here.
Solomon Pence came from Pleasant township to Richland township, Grant coun- ty, in 1845. He had aided his father on the home farm in both townships until 1867, when he purchased his present farm, now comprising over two hundred and fifty acres and which he has improved to the utmost extent, hewing it out from a veritable wil- derness.
In 1856 Mr. Pence first married Cath- erine Winchell, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Hart and Maria ( Morris) Win- chell, both now deceased. Mr. Pence, how- ever, had the misfortune, in 1861, of losing his wife, who died the mother of two chil- dren, namely : Mrs. Sarah Savilla Myers, of Nebraska, and Mary Melissa, now Mrs. John L. Drook, of Richland township, Grant county, Indiana. Shortly after the death of his first wife Mr. Pence enlisted, in 1862, in Company A, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, for three years or during the war, was mustered into the service of the United States at In- dianapolis and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland; but he had been taken ill while at Indianapolis and for a time was confined in hospital, yet when apparently convalescent went to the front, and, after serving with his regiment for a short time in Kentucky, had a relapse, was sent to the hospital at Louisville, and was there honora- bly discharged for disability in 1863, and returned to his home.
The second marriage of Mr. Pence took place in Richland township October 26, 1862, to Miss Mary Moss, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph and Anna (Arthurhultz) Moss. Mr. Moss was born in France, and when a single man came to America, located in Ohio, and was there married. About 1838 he . came to Grant county, Indiana, and bought land in Pleasant township, and here his wife (lied in 1854, but his own death occurred in Carroll county in 1866. To this second union of Mr. Pence one son, Ulysses Grant, was born in 1865, but was called away in June, 1869.
Mr. and Mrs. Pence are consistent mem- bers of the Christian church at Sweetser, to the support of which they liberally con- tribute of their means. In politics Mr. Pence is a stanch Republican and an active one. As a citizen and farmer he ranks with the foremost of the county, and enjoys the unfeigned esteem of all who know him.
NATHAN W. EDWARDS.
Nathan W. Edwards, the leading drug- gist and a public official in Fairmount, Grant county, was born in Madison county, Indi- ana, October 27, 1847, and is a son of Hen- ry and Thurza G. ( Ellis) Edwards, natives of North Carolina.
Henry Edwards was a mere infant when his parents brought him to Indiana and set- tled in Wayne county. Peter Edwards, fa- ther of Henry, was one of the pioneers of Madison county and erected the first brick house in his neighborhood, and this old mansion is still standing. Thurza Edwards
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was reared to young womanhood in North Carolina, but was married in Madison coun- ty, Indiana. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Tilden, in Miami county, in 1887, at the age of sixty-seven years, and Henry passed the greater part of the last eighteen years of his life at the home of his son, Nathan W., where he died August 21, 1900, at the age of eighty-six years.
The Edwards family comprised seven sons and two daughters, of whom three only are now living, viz .: Isabel F., wife of William Tilden, a farmer and stock grower in Miami county; Orville W., a druggist at Albany, Delaware county, Indiana; and Nathan W., with whom this article will have most to do.
Nathan W. Edwards was educated in the common schools of Richmond and at Knox, Indiana, was prepared for teaching and fol- lowed that vocation in Starke and Madison counties for a few years, and then entered a drug store in Alexandria, Madison coun- ty, learned the business thoroughly and then began on his own account at Elwood, where he remained two and a half years, and then in 1877 came to Fairmount and opened his present store on South Main street, where he carries a full line of staple drugs, toilet articles, paints, wall paper, jewelry, watches, clocks, etc., and his is, indeed, the oldest business house in town.
In politics Mr. Edwards has been a life- long Republican, and has served six years as town clerk and over ten years as treas- urer of the city school board, and has always been deeply interested in educational affairs.
In May. 1879, Nathan W. Edwards was married to Miss Leonora Gallaway, a na- tive of Henry county, Indiana, and to this union have been born three children, viz. :
Xenophon H., a young man of twenty, who was a student in the De Pauw University and the University of Chicago, and is now instructor in natural science in the Fair- mount high school; Gladys A., now fifteen years old, is a student in the high school of 'Fairmount; and Forrest E., aged thirteen years, is also a student.
Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Edwards has held various official posi- tions, being at present one of the trustees and a member of the official board. Fra- ternally Mr. Edwards is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Edwards family, it may be remarked, is of Welsh extraction, but long established in America, while the Ellis family, as repre- sented by Thurza G. Edwards, is of German clescent.
JAMES F. ANCIL.
This gentleman is one of the well-known and enterprising business men of the thriv- ing 'village of Sweetser, Grant county, In- diana, and is a member of the firm of Malott & Ancil, in the manufacture of hard-wood lumber and in the dealing in hardware and builders' supplies, in which he has attained a reputation as an honorable, fair-dealing citizen.
Mr. Ancil is a native of Grant county, having been born in the proximity of Sweet- ser April 14, 1862. His parents are John and Catherine (Sharp) Ancil, both of whom are natives of Clinton county, Ohio, where they were married, coming to Grant county about 1860. The Ancil home is a pleasant one, situated one mile from the village, in
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the extreme southwest corner of the town- ship.
James F. Ancil remained at home until the age of twenty, when, having an inclina- tion toward mechanical work, he became associated with James Moore, at Sweetser, in the operation of a saw-mill, remaining with him for a period of six years, during which time he became thoroughly familiar with all the details of such an enterprise. After about four years work as an employe he secured a half-interest in the business, and so continued until the property, which had been removed in the meantime to Lo- ree, was destroyed by fire, the entire invest- ment of Mr. Ancil being thus obliterated. Returning to Sweetser, with nothing but his credit for capital, he assumed an indebted- ness in excess of five hundred dollars in the purchase of another mill, remaining still ^with Mr. Moore, his former partner. The business prospered from the start, the in- debtedness being removed within the space of two years. After about four years Mr. Moore retired, selling his interest to R. O. Malott, in 1896, from which time the pres- ent firm has successfully conducted the es- tablishment.
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