USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 83
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 83
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JOHN BROWN was born in Danville, N. Y., April 3, 1812, and is a son of John and Polly (Ferguson) Brown, the former a native of Scot- land, the latter of New York. John Brown received a fair education in youth, and was reared a farmer, he also worked as a canal boy, but re- mained with his father until manhood. In 1838, he removed to Illinois,
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where he acted as foreman of railroad grading, remaining until 1840, at which time he came to this township and purchased 160 acres near South- east Grove, which he improved, making his home with his brother. He now has 220 acres, well improved. Among the worst of his priva- tions in the early days were bad roads and distant markets, carrying wheat to Chicago for 28 cents per bushel, and pork for 1 and 12 cents per pound. On one occasion of going to the mill, he was twenty-four hours without food, and, in conveying wheat to Chicago, would by compelled to carry the same over sloughs. Mr. Brown has been a useful man in his township, having served two terms as Township Assessor ; he has lived a bachelor ; he first voted for Gen. Harrison in 1836, and is now a Re- publican. Mr. Brown was engaged with his brother and William Fisher in broom-making in 1841 and 1842, and afterward for himself until 1860.
WILLIAM BROWN was born in the State of New York Decem- ber 1, 1821, and is a son of John and Mary Brown, the former a native of Scotland, the latter of New York. William Brown received a limited education from the subscription schools, and in 1843 traveled West in search of cheap land with $140, and with which he entered land in this township in 1844. This he improved, and in a few years sold. In 1851, he rented the Lyman Wallace farm, and in the following May was mar- ried to Miss Mary J. Wallace, born in New York, who came to this town- ship in 1843 with her parents-Lyman and Ruby Wallace, both natives of Vermont. To this union were born six children, five of whom are living-Miriam, Edith, Matthew J., William and Ruby J. Mr. Brown continued to work the farm until 1857, when he removed to the farm he. purchased three years before, and where he has made his home. Not- withstanding the limited means with which Mr. Brown began, he has 200 acres of farm land and thirty-four of timber ; his farm has all the modern improvements, very different to the hardships of his early ex- perience ; he has been Township Clerk and Trustee, also County Com- missioner ; he cast his first vote for Henry Clay, but is now a stanch Re- publican, likewise and eniment temperance worker, and a useful man in his township.
WILLIAM COCHRAN was born December 1, 1845, one of the two children of John and Jane (Fisher) Cochran, natives of Vermont and England. John Cochran and Jane Fisher came to this county in 1837 or 1838, and were married in 1840. Mr. Cochran entered a claim near Crown Point in 1838, and there farmed till 1847, when they moved to Southeast Grove, this township, experienced all the privations of an un- settled country, and here died in 1865 and 1873 respectively, aged eighty-one and sixty-eight years. William Cochran was reared on the
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farın until his seventeenth year, when he enlisted in Company I, Fifth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry ; he took part in the engagement at Knoxville, joined Sherman at Dalton, was at Atlanta, and at Resaca was captured and sent prisoner to Andersonville, where he was held four and one-half months, thence transported to Charleston, and a month later was taken to Florence, S. C. Here he was exchanged, and some idea of his suffer- ings may be had when it is stated that his normal weight of 175 or 180 pounds was reduced to ninety ; he was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, and on his return began farming in company with his brother Henry. They now own 180 acres of well improved land and are ener- getic and economical young farmers. In politics, they are strong Repub- licans.
ELZY COPLIN was born in West Virginia October 28, 1812, and is a son of Benjamin and Lucine Coplin, natives of West Virginia ; his father was a Revolutionary hero, and three of his brothers-in-law soldiers of 1812. Elzy Coplin received a limited education and was reared a farmer. In 1836, he married Miss Minerva Brummage, born in 1817 in West Virginia, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Brummage, also natives of West Virginia. To this union were born ten children-Jacob, Cathan- drew, Josephine, Angeline, Nelson, Benjamin, LaFayette and Rachel ; James B. and Elsie (deceased). Leaving his native State in 1837, he arrived in La Porte, Ind., with horses, team and household goods, also 700 pounds of butter, as that article was high-priced in Indiana ; he ex- perienced much difficulty in crossing Black Swamp. In 1838, he entered 80 acres of his present home, which made him one of the first settlers of this township, at the organization of which he was present. Indians, wild game and wolves were abundant at this time, and he had a corn- field nearly devoured by cranes; he hauled his products to Chicago and Michigan City ; he had many reverses, and after the first nine years, by long sickness, was almost ruined financially ; he has been successful since, however, and now owns 200 acres of fine land, having improved build- ings, besides the donation to each of his sons of a good farm; he cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson in 1832 ; he was once called to help suppress an Indian outbreak, as the Indians were destroying the river timber.
FREDERICK R. DONNAHA was born in New York State Decem- ber 9, 1819, and is the eldest living of the five children born to James and Nancy (Reese) Donnaha, natives respectively of Ireland and New York. James Donnaha was a weaver by trade. In 1812, he was pressed into the British Army, during the war between England and France. He was, however, sent to this country, and in the conflict at Stony Creek was captured by the Americans and marched to Vermont,
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where he was imprisoned, but in a short time paroled to work for a farmer. Instead of waiting to be exchanged, he went to Schenectady County, N. Y., where he engaged in farming the remainder of his days. Frederick R. Donnaha was reared to farming, and when of age was for a number of years overseer of several gangs of men engaged in raising broom-corn and manufacturing brooms both in York State and Ohio. In 1842, he went into the business on his own account, and succeeded until 1851, when brooms fell to 37} cents per dozen, and he was com- pelled to relinquish the business. A year later, he came to this county and entered eighty acres of land, but was called back to New York on account of the illness of his wife. In 1857, he returned to this township and has here resided ever since, and is now owner of 223 acres of well- improved land. He was married, in 1850, to Miss Barbara Spitzer, a native of New York, and born in 1832. To this union nine children were born, of whom four are still living-Edward, Staley, Esther and Arthur.
WILLIAM FISHER was born in Schenectady County, N. Y., in 1825, and is one of the eight children of Alexander and Agnes (Brown) Fisher, natives of Scotland, who came to America in 1817. William Fisher was taught farming and the use of tools, and received a common school educa- tion during winter terms. He remained with his father until he was twenty-six years of age, and then came to this county, with small means, and engaged in raising broom-corn and making brooms with William and John Brown, which continued until 1859, after which he and his brother purchased a farm on the north edge of this township, and in 1865 he sold that and purchased his present farm of 360 acres, costing over $9,000- the result of the industry and investment of $87.50 in 1850; he now owns 595 acres fairly improved, and has one of the best farms in the town- ship, and this, with his other property, is worth $25,000. On May 22, 1854, he was married to Nancy Bryant, born in Ohio in 1825, daughter of David and Rachel (Addams) Bryant, natives of Pennsylvania. To this union five children were born, three of whom are living-David A., hard- ware merchant of Hebron; Arabella, now Mrs. Charles W. Hayward, and Ida E. Mr. Fisher is the heaviest wheat-raiser in the township, and is
making a specialty of fine stock. He is a Republican ; has been Town- ship Trustee three terms, and in 1876 was elected County Commis- sioner, and re-elected in 1878 and 1880. During his administration, the county built a court house and jail. Mrs. Fisher is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Fisher and Brown Brothers dissolved partner- ship in 1862, continuing till 1863 with his brother, the partnership being formed in 1850.
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A. E. FLINT was born in Livingston County, N. Y., March 9, 1829, and is one of twelve children born to Edward and Jane (Clute) Flint, both natives of New York, who removed to Lucas County, Ohio, in 1832, where Mr. Flint worked at blacksmithing while his sons improved the farm. After four years, they removed to Michigan, remaining four years, and then came to this county by ox team. On reaching Porter County, they found the roads so bad they were obliged to annex their cattle to their wagon. They at once moved into a log cabin built by O. V. Servis and Harvey Flint, who had come in advance, and broke seven acres of the virgin soil, which yielded a good harvest in 1840. Mr. Flint worked at his trade for years, being the only blacksmith between Valparaiso and Momence, and sharpened plows and made log chains, also the first bells used here, from old wagon tires hammered into sheets. Mr. Flint continued his trade fifteen years ; afterward, being broken down by hard work, he superintended his farm, and died November, 1854, aged seventy-seven years. A. E. Flint was nine years old when he came into this county. He made his first trip to mill at La Porte in 1839, which took him seven days, having to unload and carry the grain across sloughs ten times, and having to sleep in his wagon at night, while wolves were howling around him. Mr. Flint remained at home until he was twenty-five, soon after which he married Miss Caroline W. Berdine, a native of New York, daughter of Nicholas and Sarah Berdine, natives of New York, who came to this county in 1847. To this union was born one child-Nelson B. (deceased, two years of age). Mr. Flint has acquired 333 acres, most of which is well-improved, one of his farms containing several living springs. He is now worth upward of $15,000 -the result of good management and hard labor. He is a liberal and enterprising citizen and a stanch Republican. One of Mr. Flint's experiences was working for a neighbor for a small pig, which, after dress- ing, he hauled to Chicago at a cost of twelve shillings, where he received ten shillings for the same. Mr. and Mrs. Flint are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
GEORGE W. HANDLEY was born in Ohio in 1824, and is one of the thirteen children of James and Rachel (McDermott) Handley, natives of Pennsylvania. George W. Handley obtained a limited education in the intervals of his farm work, and when twenty-two years old began farming on his own responsibility. In 1845, he married Miss Sarah Gambrill, born in Maryland in 1827, daughter of George and Julia H. Gambrill. To this union were born ten children, seven of whom are living-Alverta M., Eliza A., Charles A., Eleanora, Carrie M., Edward H. and William L. Leaving Ohio in 1853, Mr. Handley arrived in this. county with a wagon and $1,000 cash, locating on the land which he now
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owns. Finding thirty acres broken and fenced, without an owner, he took possession, and rented a house near by, until he could build for him- self, which has since been replaced by a more modern structure. He was prosperous from the beginning, and soon became one of the leading farm- ers of this township. He remembers well the abundance of game in this vicinity at that time, which afforded pleasure and profit to the hunters. He now owns 320 acres, most of which is under cultivation, and of late years he has taken to raising hay and stock exclusively. In 1878, Mr. Handley became a partner with J. M. Kinney in the manufacture of cheese, which business now consumes 4,000 pounds of milk per day. Mr. Handley has about twenty cows, whose products per head, in 1881, averaged $40 in value. In winter, he manufactures butter. Early in life, he left the Whig and joined the Republican party, of which he is still a faithful adherent. He is also a stanch temperance advocate. He is a member of the Masonic order, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ANDREW HENDERSON was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Dec. 25, 1817, and was reared a farmer. In February, 1837, he was married to Miss Mary Steward, a native of Ireland, by which union five children were born-Charles, Mary, Anna, Margaret and Robert A. Mr. Hen- derson emigrated to America with his family in 1842, and located in Philadelphia, where he followed laboring, and afterward had a dairy with from fourteen to sixteen cows, the milk being delivered by him on foot for six years. In 1854, having $1,200 capital, he came to this township, the first year renting land of James Luther, and the following year pur- chasing 143} acres of his present home. He tilled and improved the new soil, and now has a good home, with modern furnishing and improve- ments, which at this time comprises over 200 acres. On October 27, 1864, Mrs. Henderson died, aged forty-eight years, and Mr. Henderson, on January 28, 1866, married Mrs. Eliza Livingston, daughter of Samuel and Jane A. Livingston, both natives of Ireland. To this union were born three children-Joseph S., Moses H. and William J. Mrs. Hen- derson has one child living by her previous marriage-Mary J. Mr. and Mrs. Livingston came to this county in 1848, where they resided until their deaths, at ninety-seven and eighty-four years respectively.
THOMAS HUGHES was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, Au- gust 6, 1836, and is a son of Barnet and Sarah (Walton) Hughes, both natives of Pennsylvania. His mother dying when he was two years old, he was sent to Greene County, Penn., where he lived with relatives until his tenth year, when he returned to his native home, and remained until July, 1865, when he removed to this township, and located where he now resides. In youth, he acquired a fair education, and was taught farming.
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On his arrival in this county, he began to raise sheep, having, at one time, 1.800 head, which he herded on the prairie, but had to pen at night to protect them from wolves. He lost about $5,000 by footrot among them, and abandoned the business. Three years later, he began the rearing of sheep again, and has now 800 head. He also takes pride in other stock-horses, cattle and hogs. On January 9, 1860, he was mar- ried to Rachel Straw, born in Wyandot County, Ohio, in 1838, daughter of Joel and Mary (Swazey) Straw, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of New York. To this union were born ten children, seven of whom are living-Mary L., Sarah A., Amanda, Lillian, Annetta, Eliza- beth and Joel E. Mr. Hughes is an energetic, public-spirited and liberal citizen. He purchased his land at $25 per acre, and it is now valued at $45 per acre. He is worth probably $50,000. He is a stanch Repub- lican. Mr. Hughes has now a car load of the heaviest sheep ever shipped from this county, averaging 185 pounds. He is now the leading cattle- raiser in Northern Indiana. He has seventy-five head of thoroughbred, Short-Horn Durham cattle, and is raising Clydesdale horses.
C. A. McGILL was born in Crawford County, Penn., June 20, 1830, and is one of seven children born to Robert and Susan P. McGill, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of New York. In 1844, Robert McGill removed to La Porte County, Ind., thence to Southeast Grove, in this township, where he rented land for one year, and in 1846 removed to Indiantown, and purchased 120 acres of school land. In 1853, he started for Oregon, by overland, in search of wealth, where he spent five years in mining and farming. In 1858, he returned and assisted in improving his home, which, in 1865, he sold to his son, C. A. McGill, and removed with his wife to Hebron, where they resided until they died -he in 1877, aged seventy-five years, and she in 1871, aged sixty-nine years. C. A. McGill received a fair education at the log schoolhouses, and was reared a farmer. He had only an ox team for many years, and assisted his father until his departure for Oregon, when he had charge of the farm. His first purchase was a yoke of oxen, with which he labored until he had seven yoke, and broke new land for himself and others. With small beginnings and continued industry, Mr. McGill has acquired 236 acres of well-improved land, with commodious buildings and other improvements. In 1863, he married Miss Mary F. Brownell, born in Schoharie County, N. Y., in 1841, daughter of Alvah and Margaret Brownell, natives of New York and England, who came hither in 1841, locating at Crown Point, the father dying in 1871, the mother in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. McGill are parents of three children-Maggie, James H. and Charles A. In 1878, Mr. McGill began the dairy business, milking from twenty to twenty-four cows, and churning by steam. He later gave
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his attention to cheese, but is now making butter, averaging 100 pounds per week. Mr. McGill is a stanch Republican. He and wife are mem- bers of the U. P. Church.
JAMES McKNIGHT was born in Philadelphia, November 29, 1839, and is the eldest son of David and Catherine McKnight. When seven years old, his father came to this county, where, from many circum- stances, James McKnight received a very limited education ; he followed breaking the soil when a young man, usually accomplishing from three to four acres per day, and has broken five, with a 28-inch plow and with six or seven yoke of oxen. From the age of twenty until August, 1862, he did any kind of farm work, at which time he enlisted in Com- pany E, Ninth Indiana Volunteers. During his long service, he partic- ipated in many battles in the Army of the Tennessee-Stone River, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, and at Lookout Mountain he fought above the clouds, in all, about sixty-eight engagements. While on a scout with nine others, they took six times their number prisoners. After an honor- able discharge, in June, 1865, he returned, purchased eighty acres and engaged in farming, living in a cabin of round logs ; he has added to his land until he now numbers 182 acres, with good frame building and many improvements, and has from fourteen to nineteen cows, averaging $1 per week per head, while his farm yields him $1,000 to $1,200 per year. On October 31, 1865, he married Isabella Stewart, of Porter County, Ind., born in Tyrone County, Ireland, in 1840, daughter of William and Nancy Stewart, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1847, and from Ohio to Porter County in 1851, where Mr. Stewart died April 16, 1882, aged seventy-three ; his widow survives, aged sixty-six. Mr. and Mrs. McKnight are parents of nine children, seven of whom are living- Sallie B., Maggie J., David E., William C., Lizzie, James and Nancy M. Mr. and Mrs. McKnight are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
ROBERT MCKNIGHT was born near Philadelphia, May 4, 1842, and is the third son of David McKnight. Robert assisted his father on the farm and, with two brothers, managed two prairie-breaking teams for a number of years ; he remained at home until in January, 1863, when he enlisted in Company H, Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry; having joined an old company, he went to the front, and for the first few months was in an engagement every day-some hard-fought battles, as Mission Ridge, Franklin, Perryville and Atlanta ; he was honorably discharged in September, 1865. On returning, he engaged in farming on the old farm until 1871, when he moved to Jackson County, Kan., where he purchased 160 acres, but, after a sojourn of two years, he sold and returned to this township, stopping in Missouri on the way. Once
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here, he purchased 160 acres of his present home, which is now well improved. In March, 1873, he was married to Miss Millie Sciles, a native of Kansas, born in 1850 and daughter of Henry and Jane Sciles, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. McKnight are parents of five children-Mattie J., Maggie M., David H., Mary C. and Robert W. Mr. McKnight cast his first vote for Gen. Grant; he and wife are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
OSBORN M. MORRIS was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Octo- ber 23, 1828, and is a son of Absalom and Elizabeth Morris, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of New Jersey. They were married in Trumbull County, Ohio, and had six children. In 1834, they removed to Porter County, Ind., where they entered land three miles south of Hebron, Mr. Morris being the second white settler in what is known as Boone Township; his claim was covered with scattered timber and his nearest neighbor was one mile; here he toiled and improved his farm of 760 acres, after which he sold said land and moved to Black Hawk County, Iowa, where he became an extensive land owner and died in 1880, aged eighty-two years. Osborn M. Morris obtained but a limited education in the new country, and was reared a farmer, his youthful companions having been mainly Indians, and he was taught industry and economy, by which he has profited. When twenty-four years old, he began life for himself, his first venture being the purchase of some young cattle, which he allowed to graze on the prairie, working at his trade of stone-mason and plasterer, which, together with farming, he followed until 1880. After a sojourn of seven months in Iowa, he returned to this township, where he has since resided. In 1875, he purchased his present farm of 225 acres, having sold his former purchase in this township. On this land is a good frame house, a wind-engine and other improvements. In 1854, he was married to Miss Lydia Pratt. To this union were born four children-Alice, Owen, Martha and Bertie (deceased). Mrs. Morris died in March, 1877, and he was married to Mrs. Lizzie (Parr) Curry, of Cedar County, Iowa, daughter of William and Ruhama Parr, both of Ohio, early settlers of said county. Mr. Morris has 128 stands of bees, some of them making seventy-five pounds of honey in a season. He is an active Republican.
JOHN NETHERY was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, October 18, 1840, and is one of the ten children born to Robert and Fannie (Hunter) Nethery, who were of Scotch extraction; he was reared a farmer, and in 1862 was married to Miss Eliza Turner, also a native of Tyrone and born February 14, 1845. To this union have been born four children-Fannie (in Ireland), Thomas E., Mary J. and John C.
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In June, 1865, Mr. N. brought his family to this county, and the March following he left for California, leaving his family here. For three years, he worked in the silver mines of Nevada, at $4.50 per day, and in 1869 sent home his savings, with which Mrs. Nethery purchased the present home of 120 acres for $3,600 cash. The poorly improved farm is now well fenced, contains commodious frame buildings, wind engine, etc., and Mr. N. has added forty acres to the original purchase and is now worth, $11,000, clear of all incumbrances. Mr. and Mrs. Nethery are mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church at Hebron. Mrs. Nethery is the daughter of Christopher and Jane Turner, who are natives of Ire- land, of Scotch extraction, and parents of eight children. Mr. Turner died in 1862, and in 1865 Mrs. Turner came with her family to America and here died in 1880, aged eighty-four years. One son is now in Cali- fornia and the rest of the family reside in this township.
MICHAEL PEARCE (deceased) was born in Ohio in February, 1808, and was reared a farmer. On November 19, 1840, he was married to Margaret J. Dinwiddie, while living in Porter County. To this union were born eleven children, seven of whom are living-John, Harriet, Nancy A., M. Genet, Susie, Seth L. and Thomas. Mr. Pearce removed to this township in 1839, and located on the land on which his family now lives ; having entered his land, he erected a log cabin and raised a crop of corn ; he became a permanent settler, and in 1840 his family joined him. Their privations were many. Their products were hauled to Chicago or Michigan City, and their grain ground at La Porte, forty-four miles away. Mr. Pearce was successful, his land aggregating 660 acres, the greater portion of which he assisted in improving ; he was an excellent man and valued citizen, having served as Township Trustee and Justice of the Peace with satisfaction ; he died April 4, 1861, aged fifty-three. Mrs. Pearce is yet living on the homestead farm, now managed by the youngest sons ; she is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Pearce, at an early day, sowed the apple seeds from which many of the first orchards sprang. He remarked, "that if his neighbors were too poor to buy trees, he would give each one trees, that all might have fruit."
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