Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 56

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 982

USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 56
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 56

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NICHOLAS LOWERY, retired farmer, was born in Bedford Coun- ty, Penn., May 29, 1817, and is the eldest son of William and Elizabeth (Myers) Lowery, respectively of Scotch and German descent. Nicholas

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Lowery was reared on a farm and received such education only as he paid for from the wages of 20 cents per day. When nineteen years old, he engaged in boating on the Potomac River, between Cumberland and Harper's Ferry. October 1, 1838, he wedded Miss Sarah Oswalt, of Bed- ford County, Penn., born July 18, 1813, which marriage was honored by ten children, three of.whom only are living-Elizabeth, May and Syl- vanus L. Two sons, Daniel and George W., became soldiers in 1861; the former died in Andersonville stockade, having served nearly three years; the latter died in camp near Corinth. After the death of his wife in 1867, Mr. Lowery married, March 21, 1869, Mrs. Susanna (Palen) Stough, of Clay County. In 1844, Mr. Lowery moved with his family to this township, purchased 100 acres, and in 1845 entered forty, of which combined number he has seventy-five under good cultivation, thus affording a valuable property, and a comfortable home, all the re- sult of his unaided labor. He has served as Township Trustee, Super- visor of Roads and Constable. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and Mrs. Lowery of the New Light denomination.

JESSE MAURER, gardener, is a native of Huntingdon County, Penn., was born May 23, 1816, and is the eldest of the five children of Jacob and Mary (Allbaugh) Maurer, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German extraction. Jacob Maurer was a cabinet-maker, and during the war of 1812 was a substitute for his brother Daniel, as a soldier, after which he moved to Stark County, Ohio, and in 1825 lost his wife; he then re- turned to his home in Pennsylvania, and married Barbara Manly. Jesse was reared as a farmer, remained at home until of age, and in 1838 re- moved to Richland County, Ohio, where he assisted an uncle in his nursery during summer, and taught a school during winter; he also pur- chased forty acres of land, and engaged in the nursery business and farm- ing for himself until 1850, when he sold the same and came to this county, where he purchased forty acres, and later forty more. This property is solely the result of his own labor and economy. December 1, 1841, he married Miss Margaret Ferree, of Cumberland County, Penn., born July 13, 1818. This union gave issue to four sons and two daugh- ters, of whom the sons only survive -- William F., Daniel S., John W. and James L. Mr. Maurer is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a worthy man and respected citizen.

DAVID MOORE, retired farmer, was born in Henry County, Ky., November 2, 1816, and is the seventh son of William and Elizabeth (Roberts) Moore, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and North Caro- lina. and of Irish descent. David was reared a farmer at home and was wholly deprived of schooling. In the fall of 1835, he removed with his father to this State, and both settled in what is now Van Buren Town- ship, which was then a wilderness, and our subject became an expert hunter, having killed four deer in one day. October 18, 1842, he mar- ried Miss Nancy Clark, of Kentucky, who died in 1846, leaving one son -William C. In 1851, Mr. Moore married Miss Marinda, daughter of William McIntosh, of Clay County, to which union were born five chil- dren, three of whom are living-Samuel, Margaret A. and Mary C. In the second election in this township, he was elected Trustee, and served thirteen years. In addition to superintending the farm, he managed a shingle machine, and later a saw mill. He was also Superintendent of the first Sabbath school held in this township, and was a prominent helper of the United Brethren Church cause. Mr. Moore was Captain of a military company in 1846, and is now a well-regarded citizen.

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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM PAYNE, stock-raiser and farmer, is a native of Spencer County, Ky .; was born March 14, 1823, and is the eldest son of Robert H. Payne. When eight years of age, his parents emigrated to Putnam County, Ind., and later settled in this county. William remained home with his parents, having been taught farming, until twenty-three years old, when he began the march of life alone by returning to his native State and farming there. January 17, 1850, he married Miss Armilda Downs, of Bullitt County, Ky., which union was graced by one daugh- ter -- Rhoda (now Mrs. A. M. Short). After his marriage, Mr. Payne re- turned to this State and located where he now lives; purchased forty acres and entered forty; then built a cabin and set about to establish a home. By slow degrees and after many toils and hardships, he succeeded in reaching his ambition, the whole of which has been attained by per- sistent and well-directed diligence. Mrs. Payne is a member of the Bap- tist Church.

BENNET PAYNE, stock-raiser and farmer, was born in Shelby County, Ky., June 7, 1825, and is the son of Robert H. and Sarah (Whitecotten) Payne, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, and of English descent. Robert H. Payne moved to Putnam County, Ind., in 1831, and entered land where the village of Harmony now is. He afterward en- tered other land, and built a water-power saw and grist mill, which he operated for five years. He was a man of sound judgment and widely known, having served as Justice of the Peace of the township. He died in 1875, aged seventy-five years, a prominent member of the Predestinarian Baptist Church and a Republican. Bennet was but five years old when he was brought to this State, and was afterward reared a farmer. He also learned the trade of a cooper from his father, and at this he labored during the winter for eight years. In February, 1849, he wedded Miss Ellen, daughter of William McCullough, to which marriage was granted nine children, of whom are living E. G., Albert, Sarah G., Scott, Nancy, Walter and Rachel. In 1852, he purchased his present home, which he improved and which he occupied in 1854. Mr. Payne has experienced the trials and observed the changes of the pioneers, and has a good home of eighty acres. His first Presidential vote was given for Mr. Clay in 1848. He is a member of the Baptist Church.

JOB RIDDELL, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in New Jersey March 4, 1839, and is the eldest son of Thomas and Margaret A. (Cham- bers) Riddell, natives respectively of Scotland and New Jersey. Thomas Riddell came to this country with an uncle when twelve years of age, and lived in New York, where he afterward married. After the death of his wife, he returned to Scotland, but came again to America, located in New Jersey and remarried. In 1839, he came to this county, where he followed teaching for some years, and entered land in this township. His second wife dying, he married a third time, and entered the land on which our subject now resides. In 1854, he was elected County Recorder; he died September 16, 1860, aged fifty five years. He was a Presby- terian and a Democrat. His wife now lives on the old farm, aged fifty- seven, a member of the New-Light Church. Job Riddell was reared on the farm, with but slender means for education, but this he improved by diligence, and has now a fair education. After his father's death he was appointed to fill the unexpired term as Recorder, after which he engaged in farming on rented land. November 22. 1860, he married Miss Jemima, daughter of John and Nancy Palm, a union followed by

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six children-Lea L., Nancy B., John E. and Sarah E. (twins), Charles (deceased) and William D. In the second draft of 1864, he was called to the war service and assigned to Company E, Fifty-first Regiment In- diana Volunteer Infantry; served in the Nashville campaign, and was honorably discharged June, 1865. After the war, he resumed farming, and in 1871 purchased twenty acres of the old farm, now one of the best of homes. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ROBERT M. ROSE, farmer and Justice of the Peace, is a son of William and Sarah Rose, the former a native of New Jersey and the lat- ter of Indiana. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a Revolu- tionary soldier under Gen. La Fayette, and took part in the battles of Yorktown and Brandywine. William Rose was one of the minute-men called out during the war of 1812. His parents moved to Indiana in 1816, soon after which event he married and located on land in Union County, where he succeeded in acquiring 320 acres, which he improved. He was in politics a Whig, and died in 1865, aged sixty-nine years, a Christian gentleman. Robert M. Rose was born in Union County, Ind., May 5, 1824. His mother died when he was eleven years old. He was then sent to Butler County, Ohio, where he lived with James Stout until twenty-two years of age, when he essayed to make his way alone. In 1848, he farmed on rented land, and in 1852 came hither to take charge of land given to him by his father. December 30, 1849, he married Miss Mary, daughter of William and Margaret Smith, by which union they had six children, three of whom survive-William S., Robert Mc and Arretta L. In 1853, Mr. Rose engaged in clearing the land of his father, and resided thereon until 1865, when he sold the same and pur- chased where he now lives, embracing eighty acres of land. Mr. Rose has been a noted squirrel hunter, and is an upright and charitable gen- tleman. He served one term as Township Trustee and nine years as Justice of the Peace.

CHRISTIAN RUMMEL, blacksmith and farmer, was born in Bed- ford County, Penn., January 16, 1827, and is one of eight children born to George and Barbara (Dellenbaugh) Rummel, also natives of Pennsyl- vania, the former of French and German, and the latter of German descent. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a soldier of the Revolution under Gen. Wayne. George Rummel was a blacksmith ; emigrated to Richland County, Ohio, in 1836, and in 1844 removed to Clay County, Ind., locating in this township, where he purchased forty and entered eighty acres ; he was the first blacksmith in the township, and combined the same with farming, which he continued until his death, August 14, 1851, aged fifty-four years, followed by his wife in 1866. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Chris- tian came to this county when seventeen years of age, with a fair education and his father's trade. November 13, 1850, he wedded Miss America, daughter of Abraham F. Baughman, to which marriage de- scended a family of eight-Melissa, Winchester, Aurelia, Anna L. (deceased), Christian F., Mary E., Lydia M. and Ida B. After he became twenty-one years old, Mr. Rummel began business for himself as a blacksmith ; he was also engaged in farming and teaching. In 1860, he purchased his home of twenty acres, and in 1864 enlisted in Com- pany H, Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served until July 31, 1865, and was then discharged. Mr. Rummel is an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

A. R. SALLADAY, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Fayette County, Penn., April 15, 1828, and is the eldest son of John and Han- nah (Roberts) Salladay, both natives of Pennsylvania. When our subject was six years of age, his parents moved to Guernsey County, Ohio, where he passed his boyhood days, and attended school every winter after his twelfth year. At the age of twenty-one, he began for himself by work- ing for $100 per year. October 27, 1850, he married Miss Martha J. Barry, of Morgan County, Ohio, daughter of James and Hannah (Fogel) Barry. By this union they became parents of eight children, of whom six are living-Homer, Orlando F., Hannah J., W. Morton, Mary E. and John M. Mrs. Salladay died December 8, 1881, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as is now Mr. Salladay. In the fall of 1854, Mr. Salladay removed to this county, erected a log cabin and began farming; this he sold, and in 1866 he purchased his present home of 130 acres, the original number being 280, which difference he has divided among his sons, all of which has been acquired by his industry and thrift. Mr. Salladay is a leading cattle raiser of the township, and a generally respected citizen.

GEORGE SIEGELIN, stock-raiser and farmer, is the eldest child of Michael and Sibilla (Fleier) Siegelin, natives of Bavaria, who, in 1852, emigrated to America, came to this county, and located on Sec- tion 23, where they purchased forty acres, erected a cabin, and settled to clearing and improving their land, on which they are now living in en- joyment of life. Mr. Siegelin is sixty-eight and Mrs. Siegelin sixty-five years of age, both members of the German Reformed Church. George Siegelin was born February 21, 1842. attended school in Germany four years, and afterward here for a short time. At the age of nineteen, he began working as a farm hand. In September, 1864, he was drafted and enrolled in Company E, Fifty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry; served in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and was dis- charged in June, 1865. In the fall of 1865, he purchased his present home of eighty acres, but meanwhile working by the month. April 19, 1868, he married Miss Mary, daughter of George and Lina Haag, by which union they became the parents of four children-George E., John L., Charles G. and Flora S. After marriage, Mr. Siegelin occupied his land and gave attention to making a home. He has now a farm of 160 acres, 100 of which are improved and valued at $50 per acre, a result gained wholly by his own industry and care. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Evangelical Church.

AARON S. SIMONSON, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Hamil- ton County, Ohio, December 19, 1819, and is the only son of Jacob and Massa (Sutton) Simonson, natives respectively of New York and New Jersey. Jacob Simonson was a weaver and farmer, and about 1812 mar- ried, moved westward, and located on the Miami, where he lost his wife. He soon after remarried, moved to Northern Ohio, and later, after leaving his home to visit his children, he was never again heard from. His father, Abraham Simonson, was a Revolutionary soldier and early settler of Ohio. Aaron S. Simonson was left motherless when three years of age, taken to Franklin County, Ind., and there remained until twenty years of age, when he began for himself as a school teacher, and was en - gaged for eight years teaching and studying. October 8, 1840, he mar- ried Miss Rebecca Morris, of Butler County, Ohio, a union favored with ten children, five of whom are living-Isaac M., Ida M., Nancy A., Ben-

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jamin F. and Morton L. In September, 1848, Mr. Simonson moved to his present locality, having purchased 520 acres, and here he built a cabin and began to make a home, at which he labored during the sum- mers and taught during the winters. He has now a good home with im- provements, and 120 acres under cultivation. In 1864, he was drafted for the war service, and assigned to Company G, Fifty-seventh Regi- ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of the corps of Gen. Thomas. He participated in all the battles of that section, and was discharged in June, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Simonson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JAMES SINER, farmer, was born in Hendricks County, Ind., May 24, 1836, and is one of the six children of William and Nancy (Hartman) Siner, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, and of English and German descent, respectively. William Siner moved to Hendricks County in 1832, worked as a farmer, entered land, married and remained until 1837, when he sold and took up land in Putnam County. He bought the first cast plow introduced in that county; also owned the first wind mill, which he erected himself. He left 320 acres at his death-his wife surviving him, aged sixty-eight years; he was a Whig, and later a Re- publican, also a member of the Campbellite Church. James Siner was reared a farmer, without the opportunities of schooling, and remained at home until his majority. October 9, 1856, he married Miss Jennie, daughter of Henry Johnson, by which union descended seven children - James M., Francis M., William A. (deceased), Sarah, Nancy E., Thomas J. and John A. L. In 1862, Mr. Siner enlisted in Company D, Ninety- seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was a part of the Army of the Cumberland. He took part in the battles of Jackson, Resaca, Lookout Mountain and the siege of Atlanta, during which his brother Alfred was killed. He also accompanied the army to the ocean, was in the grand review at Washington, and was discharged in 1865. In 1868, he occupied his present farm of 120 acres, 115 of which are im- proved. He is a Freemason, and he and wife are members of the New- Light Church.

JOHN E. SLACK, farmer, is a son of William and Margery (Lowdermilk) Slack, both natives of North Carolina, and of German and English extraction. The maternal great-grandfather of our subject was a Revolutionary soldier. William Slack was a farmer, managed the home farm after his father's death until 1831, when he emigrated to this State and township, and taught a school on Eel River. January, 1833, he married, entered land, and built the first hewn-log house on Birch Creek. He also raised tobacco and made cigars; has been the father of six sons and four daughters, and is the oldest resident of this township. His son, Ira B., was killed at the battle of Resaca during the last war. John E. Slack was born October 10, 1842, was brought up on a farm, and acquired but little education. He afterward worked at carpentering until September, 1864, at which time he was drafted into Company G, Fifty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, assigned to the Cumberland Army. He was present at the battles of Franklin and Nashville, was in many skirmishes, and was discharged June, 1865. After returning he resumed farming, having now a good farm of sixty acres, and with many improvements. November 25, 1866, he married Miss Lovina, daughter of Michael McCullough, of Putnam County, and to this union have followed seven children-Effie, Haalon D., Michael

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E., William R., James H., Clarence E. and Edna. Mr. Slack is a Free- mason, and he and wife belong to the Christian Church.

RENEY STURDEVANT, one of the pioneers of Clay County, Ind., was born in Virginia July 18, 1818, and was a son of Jobn and Mary Sturdevant, both natives of Virginia, and of German extraction. In his infancy, his parents moved to North Carolina, where they lived until 1826, when they came to the territory of Indiana, and settled in what is now Clay County, but after a time removing to Iowa, where the father died, and the mother still lives at the age of ninety years. The subject of this sketch has been identified with the growth and interests of the county since his childhood, having come here when it was a wilderness, with few white settlers, and before the removal of the Indians. He has followed farming and trading all his life, and for four years has kept a store and market in Hoosierville, where he resides. He was married, October 1, 1838, to Martha Payne. Eleven children were born to this union, nine of whom are living, all prosperous farmers. In politics, Mr. Sturdevant has always been a Democrat. He has filled the office of Trustee of the township two terms satisfactorily. He is respected by all, and although his own education was entirely neglected, he has given his children good opportunities.

JAMES L. UNDERWOOD, stock-raiser and farmer, is a native of Marion County, Ohio ; was born November 25, 1838, and is the eldest, of the family of Elihu and Elizabeth (Linder) Underwood, natives of Penn- sylvania and Ohio, respectively. Elihu Underwood is a farmer, and re- moved in his boyhood to Ohio with his parents, where he married. In 1855, he came to this county, located near Middlebury, and purchased eighty acres, which after ten years he sold and purchased 120 acres in this township where he now resides. James L. Underwood was brought to this county by his parents when fifteen years of age, and remained at home until he was thirty years old. January 7, 1868, he married Miss Jahaza, a daughter of Solomon Humphrers, a pioneer. This union was happy in the birth of nine children, four living, viz., William W., George W., Elihu E. and McClain. Mr. Underwood, soon after his marriage, located in his present home consisting of forty acres of well- improved land. He was elected Township Trustee in 1882, and has proved a most efficient officer. He is a public-spirited, honorable gentle- man, and generally esteemed.

ANDREW J. WOOLF is the eldest son of John and Mary (Stangle) Woolf, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. John Woolf when a boy located in Ohio, and in 1833 removed to Fayette County, Ind., where he married, and in 1848 removed to this county ; he afterward purchased 480 acres of land near Ashersville, where he has since resided. He is now seventy-two and his wife seventy years of age ; the former is a Democrat and the latter belongs to the Lutheran Church. Andrew J. Woolf was born in Fayette County, Ind., September 3, 1841. and was eight years old when brought to this county. He assisted his father in clearing his land, and remained at home until 1866, at which period he purchased an interest in a steam saw mill, southwest of Staunton; this he sold after a time, and resumed farming on a part of the paternal farm. In 1869, he located on his present place, which he has largely improved. April 5, 1868, he married Miss Lizzie B., daughter of Jacob and Cathe- rine Leidlingler, and has been blessed with seven children-Philip, Jesse, Thirza, Emma, Jackson, Bertie and Roy. Mr. Woolf, in connection with

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his brothers John and William D., engaged in the steam saw mill business, at Ashersville, which afterward came into his hands, and which he yet operates in addition to his farm of 240 acres. Mr. Woolf has held several minor township offices, and is a public-spirited citizen.

AMOS H. WRIGHT, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Washing- ton Township, this county, March 26, 1880, and is the youngest son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Deal) Wright, natives respectively of South Caro- lina and Pennsylvania. Elijah Wright emigrated to Indiana in early manhood, located in Harrison County, and married; but in 1827 removed to Clay County, entered 180 acres, and erected a cabin. In 1835, he sold this land and opened a farm on Clay Prairie, where Mrs. Wright died, leaving six children. He subsequently married again, moved to Missouri, and died in 1856, aged fifty-five years. Amos H. Wright, be- ing left motherless at five years of age, was reared by his step-grand- father, Amos W. Hedge, who came hither in 1835. Our subject endured many hardships, having been without shoes until his seventh year. He began for himself when twenty years of age, with a few cattle and hogs. February 8, 1852, he married Miss Ailey Jane, daughter of Daniel and Polly Fisher, as a result of which there are living the following chil- dren-Daniel and William (twins), Amos H., Theodore, Emory, Ota and Mary M. After marriage, Mr. Wright rented his step-grandfather's farm, and in 1870 purchased the old homestead. He has now, in all, 331 acres, of which 200 are cultivated. He has lived in this township nearly fifty years, and has noted the many changes of that period. In the early days he was an expert hunter. While a resident of Missouri, he assisted in killing five bears and one panther, and has known a day's hunt to result in killing thirty-six deer. He has been a large wheat-grower of this county, having grown from 300 to 700 bushels per year. Mrs. Wright belongs to the United Brethren Church.

CASS TOWNSHIP.

JOHN ANDERSON was born in Monroe County, Ind., July 8, 1820, and is the fifth of eleven children of Isaac and Barbara (Dyer) Anderson, the former a native of Maryland and of English, the latter a native of Delaware, and of Irish, descent. They came to this county in April, 1821, and located in this township, of which neighborhood they were pioneers, and where Isaac Anderson died. The country was then a wil- derness, in the depth of which John was reared; obtained but very little education, and was reared to manhood at the Jabor of a farmer. October 4. 1846, he married Sarah Cagle, a native of North Carolina, and daugh- ter of John and Sarah (Lathem) Cagle, to which union were born six children -- Levi (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), James, Ezekiel (de- ceased), Isaac B. and Ellen. Mr. Anderson is one of the pioneers of this county, and follows the trade of a carpenter and wagon-maker. He has seen the growth of this region, the disappearance of the log cabins, and the substitution of modern dwellings. Mr. Anderson is a much- esteemed citizen.

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CASS TOWNSHIP.

THOMAS B. BURNS, stock-raiser and farmer, is a native of Putnam County, Ind. ; was born March 28, 1842, and is the fourth of the eight children of Frederick W. and Susan E. (Smith) Burns, natives respect- ively of Virginia and Indiana, and of English and Irish extraction. Frederick W. Burns emigrated to this State early in life, was a pioneer of Putnam County, where he worked on public works as well as on his farm for more than forty years, and is now living at the home of our subject; he is a Democrat, and, with his wife, a worthy member of the Christian Church. Thomas B. Burns had but ordinary means of acquir- ing education, and when eighteen years of age, began life by working for $13 per month, which he continued for four years. June 2, 1864, he married Miss Sarah C., daughter of Hardy H. Carrithers; she belonged to this township, and was born August 27, 1848; they have had the fol- lowing children: Hardy W., James L., Lucretia E., William C., Susan B. and Candace. After his marriage Mr. Burns, in company with his father and brother, rented a farm for one year. In 1865, he located where he now lives. He owns a good farm of 260 acres in Putnam Coun- ty, but is now overseeing and occupying his mother-in-law's estate. Mr. Burns is an energetic and ambitious farmer, being engaged in saw mill- ing and wheat and clover threshing in addition to his ordinary farm labor; he also deals largely in stock. He is politically a Democrat, and was elected, in 1882, Township Trustee, which office he has filled profi- ciently and satisfactorily. Mr. and Mrs. Burns are prominent members of the Christian Church.

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Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 56

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 982

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 982