USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 44
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 44
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
WILLIAM H. CLITES, son of Andrew G. and Eliza E. (King) Clites, was born in Bedford County, Penn., in 1844. In 1851, his father came to this county, entered forty acres and bought forty acres more of land, and here William H. lived until fourteen years of age, when he went to work on his own account until 1862. In August of this year, he enlisted in Company I, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, organized at Indian- apolis, and was with Burnside's command in the Army of Ohio; was under Gen. Judah in the noted John Morgan raid; was at Knoxville for some time, then at Mount Sterling, Ky., and with Sherman on his march to the sea ; on his return, was sent as guard with prisoners to Chicago ; again, on the same errand, to Columbus, Ohio; was then returned to the front at Pulaski, Tenn., and was finally mustered out at Indianapolis. In 1865, he returned home and married Dell Clifford, daughter of Clark and Lucinda Clifford, and to this marriage have been born ten children- Cora, Ida, Ella, Nora, Spencer. Lilly (deceased), Arthur (deceased), John, Hilda (deceased) and Charley. In 1862, he purchased nineteen acres of land, and to this he added seventy-nine in 1864; his mother-in- law, Mrs. Lucinda Clifford, is residing with him. She was born at Crab Orchard, Va., in 1812, moved with her parents to Gallatin, Ky., thence to Shelbyville, Ind., thence to La Porte County, and then to Lake, near Hebron, where she was married, and where her husband died. She is now in good health and seventy years of age.
IRA CORNELL was born in Wayne County, Ohio, December 23, 1823 ; his father, Isaac, was born in Pennsylvania April 17, 1792, and his mother, Priscilla (Morgan), in Virginia May 31, 1799. They were married April 9, 1818. In the spring of 1835, the family came to Boone Township, this county, and settled on a 400 acre tract of land. They were the first white people to locate in the township; the land was not put on the market until 1838, when the father bought it from the Gov- ernment at $1.25 per acre. From this farm he shipped some of the first wheat ever sent from the township. Here Ira Cornell entered forty acres, which, in due course of time, he saved money enough to buy, and soon succeeded in buying 160 additional. October 30, 1850, he married. in Wayne County, Ohio, Miss Emily Kaufman, who was born in Lan- caster County, Penn., May 22, 1825. They have had born to them six children-Alice, September 3, 1851; Elmina, December 20, 1853; Isaac, October 23, 1854 ; Effie, August 11, 1857 ; Rose K., May 28, 1863, and Fannie L., November 18, 1867. Mrs. Priscilla Cornell died November 25. 1859, and Isaac Cornell January 22, 1874. Alice Cornell was married to John McConkey, and Elmina to Leander Jones. Effie has been teaching school since 1874. Ira Cornell has now a fine farm of 315 acres on Section 23, with a new two-story frame dwelling. His present corn crop, of ten weeks' growth, stands at twelve feet six inches ;
381
PORTER TOWNSHIP.
he has some very fine live stock, his Norman horse being the finest in the county, with a mane forty-five inches in length ; he has taken numerous premiums at the county fair for this animal and for many others. Mr. Cornell is a member of the Christian Church, is a liberal Democrat in his political views. and loyal to the Government, having aided it by all means in his power during the recent rebellion.
MERRITT CORNELL was born in Boone Township, this county. August 18, 1850, and is the son of Alvin and Lydia ( Lightfoot) Cornell. who were born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1820 and 1822 respectively. and were there married January 29, 1843, and shortly after came to this county. Merritt Cornell, on attaining school age, attended regularly until sixteen, and after that worked on the home farm in summer, and attended school in winter for several terms. December 25, 1873, he married Miss Serena E., daughter of A. R. and Sophia House. To this union there have been born two girls-Miriam, March 1, 1875, and Stella Pearl, February 22, 1877. In 1873, he located on his present farm of 160 acres, in this township ; his place is in first-class condition, and improved with a good two-story frame house of eight rooms, all in good order ; his mother here makes her home with him. They are all members of the Christian Church, and in politics Mr. Cornell is a Demo- crat. The new Chicago & Atlantic Railroad passes through his farm, greatly enhancing its value.
EZRA ALBERT DUNN was born in Rhode Island in 1808 ; his parents died when he was very young, and he worked for several farm- ers, who gave him some schooling. When twenty-three years old, hav- ing saved some money, he was married, August 22, 1831, to Lydia A. Ball, by whom he had seven children-Infant (deceased), Lyman C., Daniel R., Mary A., Samuel P. (deceased), Electa Ella and Ezra A. In 1833, he moved to Athens County, Ohio, where he purchased eighty- four acres. A few years later, he was seriously injured while launching a canal-boat, and was compelled to sell his farm to maintain his family. In 1844, he came to this township, and, after a four-years' struggle, became able to buy forty acres, where he built a log house, and lived in it until 1859, when he built a good frame one. He died the death of peace August 24, 1879. much esteemed and lamented; his widow lives on the homestead with her son E. A. Dunn and his family ; her son Charles was a soldier in the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, and was killed while asleep January 23, 1864, by the accidental discharge of a gun ; he was buried where he lay, but has a monument here.
WILLIAM DYE, son of James and Amy (Jones) Dye, was born in Clinton Township, Wayne County, Ohio, in 1825, and came to this county in 1839. His boyhood days were passed in Boone Township, where he attended the district school ; he assisted also on the home farin. on Section No. 4. In the year 1864, he married Catherine Lynch, and these are now the parents of three boys and three girls, born and named in the order following : Homer, Walter M., Albert R., Elnora M., Ida D. and Gatha L. At the age of thirty-nine, Mr. Dye removed from Boone Township to Porter Township, and located on his present farm on Section No. 28, which he has under a state of high cultivation, and has improved with all modern conveniences. In politics, Mr. Dye
382
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
is a Democrat, and takes quite an interest in the welfare of his party ; he stands well with his neighbors, and is regarded as an enterprising farmer and useful citizen.
JOHN J. DYE, son of William and Nancy (Jones) Dye, was born in Porter County in 1840, his parents having come hither from Wayne County in 1836. John J. Dye, when quite young, commenced to work on his father's farm, and soon saved, by hard labor and close living, suf- ficient to purchase a place for himself, which he did in 1869, and, the same year, he was married to Melvina S. Ritter, by whom he had four children-Minnie C., John P., Harry C. and Gracie S. Mr. Dye took great interest in stock, which he raised for market. Unfortunately, his lungs, which were never strong, began to trouble him, and, on August 3, 1874, he closed his life in peace, leaving his property to his wife and children. In life, he attended the Christian Church, was a Liberal Dem- ocrat, and universally respected. His widow and children occupy the farm, which is superintended by a brother of Mrs. Dye. Mrs. Christian Ritter, mother of Mrs. Dye, also lives with her daughter. She was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1799, and is still active and useful.
JACOB EDINGER is a native of Germany, and was born in 1830; he attended school a short time, and worked on his father's farm in the old country until twenty-two years of age, and then came to this coun- try, and settled in Wayne County, Ohio, where he worked by the day. lived close, saved his money, and in 1859 came to this township and bought eighty acres of unimproved land, broke ground, and built a house. June 11, 1861, he married Elizabeth Dunn, who has borne him eight children-Adam, Isaac, Minnie, Melinda, Ella, George, Martin and Otto, all living. Minnie, the eldest daughter, is now the wife of Robert Hil- dreth. Mr. Edinger joined the German Reformed Church in the old country, and to-day is a leading member of that organization; in politics, he is a Democrat. He now has a farm of 170 acres under good cultiva- tion, and is now engaged in making alterations in and additions to his dwelling, the site of which he has been compelled to change in order to make way for the passage of the Chicago & Atlantic Railway.
ADAM EDINGER is a native of Germany, where he was born December 25, 1839. He attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and worked on the farm of his father until he reached twenty-two years, when he came to America, locating in Porter County, Ind., and labored on the farm of Ira Cornell for a long time. In 1866, he was married to Lucretia Cornell, daughter of Isaac Cornell, the first settler in Boone Township, and in 1867 he purchased 160 acres in Porter Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Edinger have two children-Alvah and Ida. Mr. Edinger is a general farmer, yet gives some attention to stock-raising. and has some fine Norman horses. His farm is as desirable as any in the township, and he is now building a fine two-story frame house, con- taining ten rooms, and with all the necessary outbuildings. He joined the Lutheran Church in Germany, and in politics he is a Democrat.
WILLIAM FRAME was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 1812, son of William and Margarette (Jerrette) Frame, natives of Virginia, and pio- neers of Kentucky. In 1822, the parents moved from the latter State to Preble County, Ohio, and there our subject was educated in the com-
383
PORTER TOWNSHIP.
mon schools and reared until 1834, when he came to this township, where for the first two years he worked in William Gosset's saw and grist mills. He then entered eighty acres of land, and bought eighty acres ad- ditional, built a log cabin, and in 1839 married Miss Jane McCaryhan, daughter of Thomas McCaryhan. This lady bore her husband twelve chil- dren-Newton (deceased), Elizabeth, Thomas J., John L., Sarah Jane, James (deceased), Rosa A., Mary M., William A., Melinda, Presley and New- ton. The mother of this family died January 21, 1877, and in March, 1878, Mr. Frame married Elizabeth Frame, daughter of Francis Peak, and widow of a deceased brother. Two sons-Thomas and John-enlisted in the In- diana Volunteer Infantry during the late war, and in 1865 John died of quick consumption. Thomas passed through all his campaigning un- scathed, and is now residing in the far West. Mr. Frame is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics is a Republican. He is still in robust health, and is able to perform as good a day's work on the farm as that of any of his younger competitors. He is a leading citizen, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors.
EDWIN J. GREEN was born in Connecticut in 1820, the son of Jabez and Mary (Eastman) Green, natives of Massachusetts. The par- ents moved to New York when Edwin was but two years old, and there he attended school until fourteen, when his father died. Edwin then took charge of the farm, and at the age of eighteen married Olive C. Aylesworth, who bore her husband two sons-Edwin A. and Eugene A., both deceased. The mother followed her children on September 14, 1852, and in 1856 Mr. Greene married Sarah Janes, a native of Wales, and to this union there were born ten children, viz., Eugene G., Olive C., Julia E., Rosetta C., Dora S., Mary J. (deceased), Hiram E., Charles J. (deceased), Edwin J., Jr., and Franklin R. (deceased). Mr. Green came to this county in 1853, and located at Valparaiso, where for some years he was engaged in house and sign painting; he then handled sev- eral patent rights, traveling through thirteen States to effect sales. In 1856, he bought his present fine farm in this township, on Section No. 13, where he is now largely engaged in stock-raising ; he was the first to in- troduce the Norman horse and other fancy stock into Northern Indiana, and it is said by his neighbors that he has done more for the advancement of stock interests and improvements in breeding than any other man in the State. In politics, he is strongly Republican.
ALBERT HANKINS was born in Lake County, Ind., February 27, 1842, and is the son of William H. and Margaret (Judson) Hankins, who in 1837 came from New York to the county named. After his school days, at the age of fifteen, Mr. Hankins learned the saddler's trade, but during his apprenticeship made a trip to Pike's Peak. In 1862, he went to Montana, where he was engaged in mining ten years. On his return, he engaged in horse-trading in Chicago. Christmas Day, 1872, he was married to Miss Ella A. Thorpe, a native of Philadelphia, who has borne him two children-Ella J. and Cora Bell. In the spring of 1882, he purchased 160 acres of land in this township, on which he is erecting one of the finest houses in this county, together with suitable barns and other outbuildings. Mr. Hankins greatly prides himself upon his fast horses, and is the owner of the celebrated stallion " Aristides,"
384
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
who took the gold medal at the Illinois State fair held in Chicago in 1881. In speaking of a daughter of " Aristides," the New York Spirit of the Times of June 10, 1882, has this to say: " After the race for the Ju- venile Stakes at Jerome Park on the 3d ult., Mr. James R. Keene offered $15,000 for the winner, Henlopen, which Mr. Reed declined. The high- est price ever paid for a two-year-old in this country was $15,000 and 25 per cent of his engagements, which Mr. Keene paid for Spendthrift in Christmas week, 1878. It is understood that Mr. Keene was desirous of purchasing with a view to exportation to England. We consider Hen- lopen one of the best fillies we have seen in years .. She belongs to the class of which her relations, Sensation, Harold and Spinaway were the head, and has the development, action and high speed which distinguish the family. Last week we took occasion to notice the success which has attended the sons of Leamington at the stud, and of which Aristides is the most recent example. Aristides or 'The Red Horse' was, in our judgment, one of the best of the sons of the old hero of Erdenheim, and as a stayer he ranked second to none. He won the first Kentucky Derby and the Withers at Jerome Park. He could have won the Belmont Stakes also, bnt Mr. McGrath had backed Calvin heavily during the win- ter, and the orders were imperative It was the English Derby of 1827 over again, when Lord Jersey had Glenartney's head almost pulled off to let Mameluke win. At the club-house. Aristides was fighting for his head, but the negro boy, Lewis, held him like a vise in order to let Swim win with Calvin, amid shouts of ' Let go that horse's head!' resounding on all sides. But 'Linden saw another sight ' when, a year after, Aristides beat Ten Broeck to a standstill, making the fastest mile and a furlong on record-3:453. Mr. McGrath's mistaken prejudice in favor of Tom Bow- ling denied Aristides proper opportunities at the stud, and though he has been off the turf for four years or more, he probably has not a dozen foals in list. Aristides, like his Athenian namesake, who was surnamed ' The Just,' was known far and wide as ' The Red Horse,' from the peculiar blood red color of his coat. This he has transmitted to his daughter Henlopen, and which, with his own peculiar make, he has transferred to her, which refutes the assertion which we suppose will now be in order, that all the merit belongs to Susan Ann, as is the case whenever a son of Leamington succeeds, just as it was when Leamington himself was alive."
ALEXANDER IIESSER, son of Andrew and Betsey (Edrain) Hesser, was born in Richland County, Ohio, March 1, 1826. His mother died when he was seven years of age, and he went to live with a farmer, and when he was ten years old began work in a tannery, where he continued two years. He then went to Jefferson County and engaged in farming until thirteen years old, when he came to this county, working for seven years. During this period, he saved his money, attended school during the winter, and made good use of time until he was twenty years old, when on July 5, 1846, he was married to Elizabeth Hammond. He then removed to Jefferson County, Ohio, but after four years he returned to this county, and in 1851 purchased eighty acres and began farming for himself. Mr. and Mrs. Hesser have had three children-Joseph A., Sarah J. and Elwood P .. all of whom are married. Mr. Hesser is now the owner of 500 acres, and as fine a farm as the county affords ; some of
385
PORTER TOWNSHIP.
his land is in Iowa, and he has given to his children land and money. Mr. and Mrs. Hesser are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was formerly a Democrat, but is now a Republican, and was a strong supporter of the late war.
SHADRACH HILAND was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1807, and is the son of Joseph and Massie (Downing) Hiland, natives of Maryland. Mrs. Hiland died in 1813, and at the age of nine Shadrach went to live with an uncle in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he attended school in winter and worked on the farm in summer until sixteen, after which he worked out on his own account until twenty-seven, when he married Miss Mary Fairchild, and moved to Hancock County, Ohio, where he resided for ten years ; thence he moved to Fulton County, Ind., bought 165 acres of land, built a cabin and cleared up about seventy acres. At this point, January 1, 1854, Mrs. Hiland died, the mother of three chil- dren-James and William (deceased) and Sarah A., now Mrs. Samuel C. Ross. In the latter part of 1854, Mr. Hiland married Sylvania Kizer. widow of Blake Kizer and daughter of Nathan Herendeen, and to this union one child was born-Celida S., in 1861. In 1865, Mr. Hiland came to this township and bought 80 acres on Section No. 13, where he is now engaged in prosperous farming; he is a member of the United Brethren Church, and in politics was formerly a Democrat, having cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson for President, but since the formation of the Republican party he has given it his affiliation and vote.
A. R. HOUSE was born in Vermont in 1815, and was the first born of the nine children of Zela and Eunice (Belknap) House, natives of the same State. About 1819, the family started West; went down the Ohio River as far as Evansville, Ind., where they tarried six years, and then returned East, and for about seventeen years lived in the town of York- shire, State of New York. Mr. House, during these changes, had but little opportunity for schooling, and in 1837 left his home for the West again, and came to St. Joseph, where he worked in a foundry until 1843, and then made a trip of 800 miles on horseback to New York to see his parents. He returned West the same year, bought some land in Ohio, and married Alvia Smith, who died ten months after. A year and a half later, he married Nancy Hill. sold his Ohio farm and came to Por- ter, where, four years later. his second wife died, leaving one daughter- Janette, now married to Isaac Eaton. A year and a half later, he mar- ried Sophia Dye, who, also, has borne him one daughter-Serena, now the wife of Merritt Cornell. Mr. House now owns a farm of 240 acres, in a good state of cultivation and well improved in every respect ; he is a member of the Christian Church, is a Democrat, and occupies a high position in the regard of the community.
ZELA HOUSE, fifth child of Zela and Eunice (Belknap) House, natives of Vermont, was born in New York State October 4, 1824. `Un- til sixteen years of age, Zela attended school and worked on the home farm alternately winter and summer, and after that assisted regularly on the farm until about twenty-three years old. when he was induced by his brother, A. R. House, to come West, which he did, accompanied by his father and family. They located in Porter, and for four years longer Zela remained with his father. At the age of twenty-seven, he married
386
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Jane Spafford, daughter of Chester Spafford. In 1854, he bought forty acres of land and a log house, but he has now a fine farm of ninety acres, improved with a two-story frame dwelling and all the outbuildings requi- site for general farming purposes ; he raises some stock and has some choice imported animals from England and Canada; he has no children, but has reared and educated a daughter of James Price, now married to W. T. Critchfield, and living in Nebraska. In politics, Mr. House is a Democrat.
LEANDER JONES, son of Enoch and Catherine (Kimerer) Jones, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in January, 1850. About the year 1852, his father moved to this county, where Leander attended school and worked on the home farm till nineteen years of age; he then at- tended high school at Valparaiso for five terms. In April, 1872, he married Elmira Cornell, daughter of Ira and Emily Cornell, and to this union there have been born three boys and one girl-Edgar V., Clayton E., Clarence I. and an infant daughter, yet unnamed ; he has a first- class farm of 106 acres, a comfortable home and good outbuildings, and a bright prospect before him. In addition to the usual routine of agri- culture, he takes great interest in live stock and has in his possession some fine blooded animals.
JAMES H. KENWORTHY is a native of Albany County, N. Y., and was born in 1845 ; his parents, Jared and Mary (Taytor) Kenworthy, were born in Yorkshire, England, in 1819 and 1820, were married in 1840, and came to America in 1843. In 1844, his father opened a village blacksmith shop in Albany County, and there died in 1848 ; his mother then married Thomas McDonough, who brought the family to La Porte County, this State, where he died in 1880, leaving the mother again a widow. In 1870, our subject came to this township, married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Campbell, and they are now the parents of three boys-Archibald C., William A. and James Allen. Mr. Kenworthy is now the owner of the old Campbell home- stead, and is living in the same house in which he was married, with his mother and the parents of Mrs. Kenworthy ; he is a member of the Presbyterian Church in good standing, and attends divine services as often as circumstances will permit.
DANIEL R. LUDINGTON, the third son of Alvah and Abigail (Welsh) Ludington, was born in Oxford, Upper Canada, September 9, 1827. The father died when Daniel was but seven years of age, and in consequence the latter did not receive a great deal of schooling; he was obliged to work for a livelihood, and began at 12} cents per day and board; but saved his money; then, at sixteen, worked in a confectionery and bakery at $4 per month and board ; at nineteen, he hauled lumber at $9 per month, and at twenty married Alvia Strong. In 1848, he came to this county and worked on several farms until 1850, when he bought eighty acres of land, improved with a two-story log house, and is now as comfortably situated as most of his neighbors ; he has had born to him nine children, viz .: Alvia F., Henry (deceased), Alice (deceased), Joseph, James, Frances. Mary E., Abbie and Elias. In politics, he is a Democrat, and is active in support of the interests of his party.
JOHN McGINLEY, son of Robert and Eve (Lindsay) McGinley, natives of Ireland, was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1831; he began
387
PORTER TOWNSHIP.
attending school at the age of six, and so continued each winter through- out his youth, working on the home farm each summer until twenty-six years old, when, February 26, 1857, he married Miss Lucinda, daughter of Simon and Rachel Armentrout, and in the fall of the same year came to this county and township and bought forty acres of land on Section No. 5, which he farmed four years, then sold, and bought forty acres on Section No. 1, to which he has since added until he now owns 154 acres, all under good cultivation, and improved with a first-class frame dwelling and frame outbuildings. In addition to farming, he devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, and sends out some very fine animals. Mr. McGinley has had born to him five children-Sarah E., Mary C., George W. (deceased), Clara B. and Simon P .; he has also reared a son of Mrs. Wilana, of Knox County, Ohio, who has returned to his mother, and is doing well as a scene sketcher and engraver. Mr. and Mrs. McGinley and daughter Clara are members in good standing of the Christian Church, and Miss Clara is being trained for school teaching. Mr. McG. is a Democrat in politics, but rather liberal in his views, and has held the office of Road Supervisor for about twelve years.
EBEN S. MERRIFIELD, son of George C. and Mary (Parks) Merrifield, was born in Yates County, N. Y., July 25, 1836, where he attended the public schools, and at the age of twenty came to Valparaiso, this county, with his father ; here he resided till 1861, engaged in the study and practice of law, when he was appointed to the position of Clerk to the House Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, at Washington, D. C., which position he held during one session of Congress, and was then appointed to a clerkship in the Treasury Department, in which he faithfully discharged his duties until 1864, when he returned to this county and located in this township on Section 34. He was married, in 1861, to Miriam F. Wolff, daughter of John and Marcia Wolff, and to their union have been born two boys and two girls-Ralph C., Maud (deceased), Lydia and John (deceased); he is a Republican in politics, and and was a delegate to the National Convention, held at Cincinnati, in 1876 ; his farm product chiefly consists of hay, as he gives more atten- tion to stock-raising than to agriculture. In his specialty he has made a success, and he now probably has the best stock farm in Porter County; he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in good standing, and is universally regarded as a worthy and useful citizen.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.