Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 92

Author: F.A. Battey & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 976

USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 92
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 92

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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memoir is the eldest in a family of sixteen children, ten at the present writing being alive. His early years were passed on his father's farm, and he received but an ordinary education, while the younger members of the family have received college and academical education. When twenty-two years of age, Thomas left home and began working on a farm at $10 per month. He was married, April 17, 1851, to Jane Harvey, daughter of George and Mary (Bremner) Harvey, and six months afterward moved to Noble County, where he had eighty acres of land in the southern part of Jefferson Township. They began in life with very little, but now own 100 acres of nicely improved land where they reside and forty acres in another farm. Mrs. Beymer was born in the Lowlands of Scotland March 10, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Beymer had five children-Mary B., Margaret A. E., George (deceased), Janette V. and Lillian J. Margaret married Frank P. Hill and moved to Ashland County, Ohio, where she now resides. Mary is the wife of Samuel Bricker; Janette is the wife of John T. Graves; and both reside in Jefferson Township. Mr. and Mrs. Beymer are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Mr. Beymer is a Republican and a progressive citizen.

BLACK FAMILY .- Peter Black, deceased, was born December 11, 1789, in Maryland. His early life was spent in his native State, where he learned the manufacture of brick and the trade of masonry. He was married in Baltimore, Md., August 16, 1812, to Martha Amos, who was born in Mary- land July 30, 1793. A few years succeeding his marriage, Mr. Black and family removed to Lancaster County, Penn., where in connection with his trade he carried on teaming quite extensively. In 1833, he discontinued his trade, and with his family removed to Richland County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming. In 1853, he moved to Jefferson Township, where his oldest son had preceded him, and began, with the help of his sons, to clear and improve a farm. He was an industrious and honest man, a Democrat and a soldier of the war of 1812. His death occurred in Noble County, October 23, 1863. His wife was a member of the Old School Baptist Church, and her death occurred in Noble County January 28, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Black were parents of the following family: F. A., born July 31, 1813; Owen, September 24, 1815; Elizabeth, September 7, 1817, died December 1, 1862 ; Oliver P., born October 17, 1819; Cyrus, May 28, 1822; Davis, August 7, 1825; Benjamin, March 4, 1828; Naomi, January 28, 1831, wife of J. J. Knox, of Elkhart Township; Peter M., born June 1, 1836, died January 13, 1863; and James M., January 16, 1840.

OLIVER P. BLACK, a native of Lancaster County, Penn., came with his parents to Richland County, Ohio, in 1833, and from there to Noble County in 1853, where he has since resided. He received a good common school education, and was married in Richland County, Ohio, in 1855, to Mary Ann Streby. They had three children-Martha, wife of Ed. P. Ray, of Albion ; George C., who married Mary O. Hines; and Naomi E. Oliver P. Black is a Democrat, as was also his father and all of his brothers. He first came to the county in 1845, remained a few months with his brother, and then returned to Ohio. By trade he is a carpenter and joiner, but at present confines his attention to farming. He first owned but 80 acres of land, but has increased it to 100 acres, which has been improved principally by his own labor.

CYRUS BLACK received the advantages of the common schools where he resided in his earlier years. He came to Noble County in 1853. Mr. Black has never married, but resides with his brother, James M. He owns 80 acres of land in Jefferson Township and 40 acres in Allen Township.

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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

BENJAMIN BLACK is a native of Pennsylvania. When four years old, he came to Ohio with his parents. He was married September 15, 1859, to Miss Ruth Foster, daughter of Christian Foster, and soon after moved to his present place in Jefferson Township. They had two daughters-Naomi J. and Eva E. Mr. Black owns 160 acres of fine land, which is well improved.

JAMES M. BLACK was reared a farmer. He came with his parents to Indiana, where he was married, February 21, 1872, to Mary J. Halferty, who was born February 7, 1847. They have two children-John O. and Lula N. Mr. Black owns 120 acres of good land, and is a prosperous farmer. The Black family are widely known in Noble County. They are prosperous and leading citizens of their respective neighborhoods, and are honest and enter- prising citizens.

WILLIAM BONHAM (deceased husband of Elizabeth J. Bonham), was born in Buckinghamshire, England, October 11, 1825. There were nine children in his father's family, only four now living. His parents, John and Elizabeth Bonham, are now dead. Having received an ordinary education, he left his native country when a young man and came to Richland County, Ohio, and began going to school and working by the month to defray expenses. September 2, 1852, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth J. Hadley, and shortly after removed to Sauk County, Wis., purchasing 120 acres, where they resided until their removal to Noble County the spring of 1863. Here they located on the farm now owned by the family. Mr. Bonham began im- proving the farm till it is now considered among the best in the township. Mr. Bonham died suddenly of lung trouble, June 22, 1878. He was reared in the independent religious faith, but became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church after coming to America. In his political views, he was a firm adhe- rent to the Republican party, and an honest, conscientious God-fearing man. Mr. and Mrs. Bonham had six children-Sarah M., John M., Justina L., Homer H., Arabell and Mary M. The three oldest are married. Sarah is the wife of James Trumbo ; John married Alice Stanley ; Justina is the wife of Milton Stanley; and all are residents of Noble County. Mrs. Bonham was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 10, 1831. The home farm, upon which the widow and a portion of the family reside, consists of 120 acres of excellent farming and grazing land. This family is among the first in Jefferson Town- ship.

J. M. BRACKNEY is a native of Butler County, Penn., his birth occurring June 3, 1817. His parents, John and Margaret (Edwards) Brackney, had twelve children, three only of whom are living. The father was a farmer, a native of Pennsylvania, and of Dutch ancestry. His mother is a descendant of the Ed- wards family of Wales. The parents of J. M. Brackney were old-fashioned steady-going people, and devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He received a common-school education, and our subject, at the age of seven- teen, commenced serving an apprenticeship at the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he thoroughly completed. He was married, in July, 1844, to Miss Martha McCormic, and to them were born Margaret A., Elizabeth, Mahala, Adda, Jane, Lytle, Mosheim, Lillian, Curtis and one that died in infancy. Margaret A., Lillian, Elizabeth and Curtis are dead. In 1856, Mr. Brackney came to Noble County, and purchased his present farm, where he has since resided, farming and working at his trade. He is now the happy possessor of a fine farm and a comfortable home. He is a Democrat ; he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and intelligent, deserving citizens.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

JOHN A. BRUCE, son of Elijah and Melinda W. (Browning) Bruce, was born in Culpeper County, Va., April 12, 1823. He is one of nine chil- dren, the ancestors of whom were subjects of Great Britain. Elijah Bruce was a soldier of the war of 1812, and his general occupation farming. The fall of 1827, he and family moved from Virginia to Licking County, Ohio, and from there to Miller Township, Knox County, Ohio, where he remained farm- ing until his death by lightning, June 1, 1828. Soon after the death of Mr. Bruce, the widow and family moved to Franklin Township, Morrow County, and from there to Chester Township, same county, where Mrs. Bruce purchased a farm, and where she resided until her death in February, 1854. John A. Bruce was reared on a farm, and is a man of good education. When sixteen years old, he commenced serving an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, which he made his business until about 1862. He was married in what is now Morrow County, Ohio, April 24, 1845, to Miss Abaline Smith, daughter of Jeremiah and Polly (Marcy) Smith, and the fall of 1853 moved to Hardin County, Ohio, residing there three years; then removed to Noble County, purchasing eighty acres in Jefferson Township, giving all they had, $500, in part payment for the same. By hard labor and economy, they have increased it to 137 acres of excellent land. They had eleven children-Silas S., George E., Louisa M., Lorinda L. and Lucinda L. (twins), Charles S., William B., Lucy M., John S., James J. and Lovina A. Of these, Silas, George and Lu- cinda, are dead. George left a widow, Emma E. (Lash) Bruce, and one child, Bessie D. The widow has, since the death of her husband, remarried. Lucy M. is the wife of Ira Dillon, and resides in Jefferson Township. Mrs. Bruce was born in Luzerne County, Penn., July 24, 1824, and is of English descent. The Bruce family are intelligent and enterprising people. Mr. Bruce is a Democrat.

ABRAM CARY was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., November 30, 1805. He is a son of Jesse and grandson of Joseph Cary, who was a Rhode Island nurseryman, and who came to that country previous to the French war. Our subject's mother was Philaner (Van Tasel) Cary, who was of Holland Dutch descent, and the mother of thirteen children, six only of whom are now living. Mr. Cary, Abram's father, was by trade a carpenter, and that occupation he followed while a resident of York State. Abram Cary was raised on a farm, and assisted his father at his trade. His educational advantages were very meager. On the 10th of September, 1831, he was united in marriage with Patience Forker, and the spring of 1834 emigrated to Huron County, Ohio, where he resided seven years. In May, 1841, he came to Noble County, locating in Jefferson Township, where he has since resided. To the efforts of such energetic pioneers as Mr. Cary is mainly due the blessings enjoyed by the present generation. Mrs. Cary died October 10, 1855. They had eight chil- dren-Sorada, Sophronia, Samantha, John W., Elmira C., Emily O., William W. and Alvin D. Of these, John W., Elmira, Emily and Alvin are dead. Mr. Cary's second and present wife was Ann (Corbin) Potts, widow of Alfred D. Potts, who died from disease while serving in the late war. There were born to Mr. Potts and the present Mrs. Cary five children-Leonard J., Lillie V., Ida L., John N. and Owen S. Leonard and Lillie are dead. Mrs. Cary was born February 9, 1836, and was one of eight born to Stanfield and Margaret (Lee) Corbin. She was married to Mr. Potts November 15, 1855, who died in Louisville, Ky., June 23, 1865. To her marriage with Mr. Cary which occurred August 8, 1872, there was born one son-Wreath D. Mr. and Mrs.

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Cary are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and are well-known and highly esteemed citizens.

AARON CHAMBLIN was born May 7, 1824, in Maryland County, Va. He is one of three children now living of a family of seven born to Nelson and Sarah (Koonce) Chamblin, who were of English-German descent. Nelson Chamblin was a farmer of Virginia, where he plied his vocation until about 1833, when he and family moved to Knox County, Ohio, and from there to Richland County, same State, where they lived a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Chamblin died in Wood County, Ohio, the former in October, 1878, and the latter in 1880. Mr. Chamblin was a soldier of the war 1812, and his father served in the Revolutionary war. Aaron Chamblin was married January 1, 1850, to Mary Imes, sister of William Imes, and his home, from his birth to two years after his marriage, was with his parents. In 1855, he came to Noble County, and purchased a portion of his present place in Jefferson Township, paying for the same $4.75 per acre. It at that time was all woods and such improvements as now exist on the place were made by Mr. Chamblin. He now owns 170 acres in Jefferson Township, and eighty-two acres in Orange Township. Mr. Chamblin is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the U. B. Church. To them were born nine children-William, Richard, Thomas, Theodore and Elmore (twins), Elbiney, George, Mary and Charley. Elbiney, George and the twins are dead. William, or J. W. H., as he writes his name, married Frances I. Keller, and is engaged in mercantile business in Brimfield. He has been twice burned out, but is a young man of pluck and enterprise, and is destined to make his mark in the world.

JOHN EARL was born in the County Tyrone, Ireland, April 22, 1815. John and Ann (Gray) Earl, his parents, were both natives of "Erin's Isle," but of Scottish descent, and farmers in Ireland. John Earl was reared to manhood in his native country, obtaining but a limited education. He was married, March 29, 1837, to Miss Ann Trott. In 1840, they took passage, from Londonderry, on a sailing vessel bound for Philadelphia, and after an eight weeks and three days' journey arrived at their destination. For seven years succeeding his arrival, Mr. Earl was employed on a farm near the city. In 1847, he emigrated to Huron County, Ohio, where he farmed for three years, and in 1850 moved to Noble County, which has since been his home. He first purchased eighty acres of his present farm, which he has since in- creased to 160 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Earl have had five children-William, Annie, John, Mary and Robert. The two youngest are dead. John married Sarah Schauwker; William married Josephine Bliss; and both are living in Noble County. Mr. Earl was formerly a Whig, but is now identified with the Republicans. Although a member of no church, he is liberal in their support. His parents were of the Presbyterian faith, and such is our subject in belief. He is considered one of the best-informed men in Jefferson Township. Through his long life of labor, he has been ably assisted by his brave wife, who has been kind and affectionate to her family.

JACOB EASLEY was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, July 23, 1820, a son of Jacob and Catharine (Burke) Easley, the mother being a native of England. Jacob Easley was the father of sixteen children, six by his first wife, Catharine Burke, and ten by his last wife. Our subject was a resident of his native country until 1834, when he came with his parents to the United States, locating near Buffalo, N. Y., where they remained farming two years. In 1836, the family removed to Crawford County, Ohio, where they partici-

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pated in the early history of that county. The father died here in 1847 and his last wife in 1868; his first wife in 1830. Mr. Easley was a hard-working man and well respected. Jacob assisted his parents until twenty-one, when he began life without a penny, but has acquired a position of wealth and honor by his industry and self-denial. Up to 1834, he remained in Ohio, farming and saw-milling. In that year, he passed through Noble County and purchased his present farm in Jefferson Township. He did not locate here, however, until 1850, in the meantime making his home in La Grange and neighboring counties, working at saw-milling. May 26, 1850, he married Mary Ann Oster, and soon after began clearing and improving his farm, upon which they are now living at their ease. To their union were born eight children, viz .: Mary M., George E., Maggie S., Mattie L., Benjamin F., Laura A., Ellen E. and Katie E. Mary is the wife of Thomas Hudson. Mr. Easley is one of the well-established farmers of the township; is enterprising, a Democrat and he and wife members of the Lutheran Church. His farm consists of eighty acres of finely improved land.

WASHINGTON EASTER was born in Huron County, Ohio, November . 7, 1836. He is a son of James and Catharine (Wilson) Easter, who were parents of seven children, six of whom are yet living. The father and mother were natives of " the land of Erin," but the former was of Scottish descent. They were married in their native country and came to Ohio when it was yet a young State. Mr. Easter was a tiller of the soil, received a limited educa- tion, and when thirteen years old his father died; two years later, his mother passed away. For four years, Washington Easter worked in saw-mills and at the lumber trade. He went West on a prospecting tour, and came to Noble County, Ind., in 1856, where he purchased 80 acres of woodland, which he traded for 120 acres in Green Township. Being a carpenter, he rented his land and followed his trade. In 1858, he sold his property in Green Town- ship, and in 1861 purchased 160 acres of his present farm, which he has since increased to 200 acres. His occupation since that time has been farm- ing and stock-raising. He was married, March 17, 1861, to Miss Rebecca Foster, daughter of Christian Foster. They had two sons-Franklin D., who died in infancy, and Justin H. Mr. Easter is a Republican, and an enterpris- ing resident of Jefferson Township. Although a member of no church he was raised a Presbyterian, to which church his parents belonged.

MARION EDWARDS, son of Alexis and Elizabeth (Foster) Edwards, and brother of Samuel M. Edwards, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, Sep- tember 18, 1842. He came with his parents to Noble County, in 1848, and has since made his home here. His education consists of the common school order. When the call for troops was made by President Lincoln in 1862, he enlisted, August 12, in the Twelfth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company B, and was discharged at Indianapolis in June, 1865. He was mustered into serv- ice at the capital of Indiana, and from this point was sent South to Lexing- ton, Ky., with his company, where, after a short stay, they were sent to Richmond, Ky., and during the engagement at that place was taken prisoner. He was paroled, came home and went to Indianapolis, where he remained dur- ing the summer of 1863, when he was exchanged. In the fall of 1863, Mr. Edwards was at the siege of Vicksburg with his company and afterward driv- ing the rebel Gen. Johnston through Mississippi. He participated in the engagements at Memphis, Chattanooga and at Mission Ridge, where his com- pany went into action, and only sixty-two men came out alive. During the win-

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ter of 1863, he remained at Scottsboro, Ala., and the next year was in the battles at Kingston and Resaca. At the latter place, he was twice wounded-once in the leg, severely, and his right thumb shot off. After lying in several different hospitals, he was sent home on a furlough, and while there voted for Abraham Lincoln for President. After sixty days, he reported for duty at Chattanooga, but his regiment being gone, he remained there on detailed duty until January, 1865, when he rejoined his command at Goldsboro, and from that time nntil the close of the war, was constantly on the move July 2, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Lane, of York Township. They have one son-Lew L. Mr. Edwards is a Democrat and an enterprising and indus- trious citizen.

SAMUEL M. EDWARDS was born in Morrow County, Ohio, June 4, 1827. He is the eldest in a family of ten born to Alexis and Elizabeth (Fos- ter) Edwards, who came from Maryland to Ohio at an early day and went to farming. It was there that Samuel M. was principally raised. He came with his parents to Noble County the fall of 1848-his father had 160 acres of timbered land in Jefferson Township-but stopped with Mr. Jehu Foster until the removal of his father to Jefferson Township. Mr. Edwards is a hard- working man and a good citizen. He is yet living and resides in Albion, but his wife departed this life on the 23d of September, 1877. Samuel Edwards assisted his parents in clearing the old home farm, and when he married his father made him a present of eighty acres of the old place, upon which he has since resided. His marriage with Miss Lovina Thompson, daughter of one of the first settlers of Jefferson Township, was solemnized September 24, 1857. They have reared an adopted child named Jennie Edwards. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have been hard-working and industrious people. They own eighty acres of good land and are among the leading citizens of their township.

JOHN H. ELEY was born in Richland County, Ohio, June 28, 1833. He is one of nine children, seven of whom are yet living, the parents being Michael and Catharine (Haldeman) Eley, who were of German descent. The father was a farmer, and with his family emigrated from Ohio to Noble County in 1853, where he purchased his present farm in Jefferson Township, where he is yet living. His wife died in April, 1880. John H. Eley was reared a farmer and received a good education. After arriving to manhood, he taught school winters and worked on the farm summers. April 1, 1859, he married Miss Sarah M. Foster, daughter of the old pioneer, Jehu Foster. Mr. Eley continued farming until August 12, 1862, when he promptly responded to the call for troops, and was assigned to Company E, One Hundredth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was an active participant in the seige of Vicksburg and the battles of Black River, Jackson, Mission Ridge, from the latter place going to Gen. Burnside's relief at Knoxville. He commenced the spring campaign of 1864 with Gen. Grant, and was in the battles of Resaca and Dallas, at the latter place being severely wounded in the thigh. From the hospital he was sent to Rock Island to guard prisoners, where he was finally discharged, July 27, 1865. Mr. Elcy arose to the rank of Sergeant. After the war was over, he returned home and engaged in farming. He is considered among the best farmers of the township. He owns 220 acres of well-improved land, is a Democrat and a member of the Knights of Honor.

THE ENGLE FAMILY-Although not the first settlers of Noble County, were among the early ones, and becoming prominent men by their long life of usefulness, they deserve appropriate mention in the history of Noble County.

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Peter Engle (deceased) was born September 26, 1790, in York County, Penn., and when three years of age moved with his father, Justus Engle, to Frederick County, Md., where he was reared and educated. His early manhood was passed in farming and teaming. During the war of 1812, he was drafted, and served a few months in the year 1814, as Orderly Sergeant. He married Barbara Mentzer February 26, 1824, and in 1833 came to that part of Rich- land (now included in Morrow) County, Ohio, and engaged in farming. In 1852, Mr. Engle emigrated to Noble County, where two of his sons, Samuel and Washington, had preceded him. He located in Jefferson Township, Sec- tion 36, where he took up 120 acres of land, but in 1858 sold forty acres. He was an energetic man, honest, conscientious, and one who commanded the re- spect and esteem of all. He died September 29, 1868. Mrs. Engle, his wife, was born July 1, 1798, in Frederick County, Md., and she died in Noble County, October 3, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Engle had eight children-Wash- ington, born November 27, 1824 ; Samuel, July 9, 1826 ; Drucilla E., Au- gust 18, 1828; Ezra, October 6, 1830 ; Jesse, July 21, 1833 ; Adam, Decem- ber 27, 1836 ; Catharine, August 15, 1838, and John, March 3, 1840. The latter's death occurred near Vicksburg, in August, 1863, while in the service of his country. He enlisted in the fall of 1862, in the One Hundredth Regi- iment, Company E, and served faithfully until his death.

" Soldier rest ! thy warfare o'er, Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking ; Dream of battle-fields no more, Days of danger, nights of waking."

Drucilla Engle married John C. Morgan, and they now reside in Morrow County, Ohio. Ezra married Hannah Favinger, moved to Michigan, and there lives in Eaton County. The subjoined sketches are of those that yet reside in Noble County.

WASHINGTON ENGLE's birth occurred in Frederick County, Md., where he resided until nine years of age, when he came with his parents to Ohio. · October 1, 1854, he married Miss Sarah Sigler, and came to Noble County, where he had previously purchased a farm. He now owns 108 acres of fine farming and grazing land on Section 36, in Jefferson Township, where he resides. They have one son-Amos, who married Mary A. Keller, and lives with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Washington Engle are members of the Lutheran Church.

SAMUEL ENGLE was married, September 6, 1852, in Morrow County, Ohio, to Susann Sigler, sister of his brother Washington's wife. They have had two sons-John W. and George W. Samuel and Washington Engle emigrated to Noble County together, in 1847, and for a year worked for Christian Foster, clearing land. They then went back to Morrow County, Ohio, and married. Samuel Engle and wife moved again to Noble County in 1852, where they have since resided. They own 108 acres adjoining Washington Engle on the north. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 92

Author: F.A. Battey & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 976

Author: F.A. Battey & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 976