USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 39
USA > Indiana > White County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 39
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CALVIN C. SPENCER was born in Perry County, Ohio, August 6, 1829, and is the sixth in a family of eight children born to George A. and Sarah (Reynolds) Spencer, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former a native of Somerset and the latter of Juniata County. Thomas Spencer,. grandfather of George A., was one of the colonists who came over with Lord Baltimore in 1630; George A. Spencer served under Gen. Brown all through the war of 1812. At the age of sixteen George moved to Perry County, Ohio, where he was afterward married. He was both a tanner and carpenter, and followed these trades in connection with farming on his tract of 160 acres. In 1829, he came to what afterward became Big Creek Township, this county, accomplishing the entire journey on foot, and the following year brought on his family. The same year, 1830, he bought 320 acres in this township at the land sale in Crawfordsville ; this land he improved, increased to about 1,000 acres, and resided upon it until his death in January, 1867. Mr. Spencer was the first Treasurer of White County, and afterward was, for about twenty-five years, Justice of the Peace. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church, and in politics he was a Democrat. Calvin C. Spencer, although he re- ceived but a common school education at the frontier schoolhouse, has ac-
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quired a first-class, practical business education. He was employed on his father's farm until forty years old. He was married, December 8, 1858, to Mrs. Sarah J. (Jennings) Haven, a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind., and to this union have been born five children-three yet living. In 1853, he bought 160 acres in this township, to which he has added until he now owns 920 acres. He is a member of Monticello Lodge, No. 154, A. F. & A. M., and is independent in his political views. Several of his brothers and nephews were active participants in the late war, and one of his nephews, T. C. Dale, is now a Surgeon in the United States Navy.
GEORGE STEPHAN, JR., was born in Germany March 7, 1831, and is one of the nine children of George and Eva (Grundtisch) Stephan. The father, a farmer, brought his family to this country in 1846, settling in Massillon, Ohio, where he remained one year, and then moved to Wyandot County, where he bought land and farmed until 1866 ; he then sold out and bought property in Sandusky, where he died September 13, 1881. Mrs. Eva Stephan died at the same place June 25, 1880. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. George Stephan, Jr., at the age of fifteen years, began working by the month at teaming and farming, and so continued until he was twenty-four ; he next farmed on shares in Wood County, Ohio, for three years ; in the spring of 1858, he brought his wife and family to this township, farmed on shares twelve years, and then bought his present farm of 163 acres. He was married, April 2, 1855, to Louisa Werts, a native of Pennsylvania, and this lady has borne him three children, as follows : William H., April 13, 1856; Sophia E., February 15, 1860, and George A., August 26, 1864. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stephan are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Republican.
LIEUT. JOSEPH TAYLOR was born near Liverpool, England, September 29, 1838, and is the eleventh of the twelve children born to Thomas and Agnes (Bowman) Taylor. The family came to the United States in 1845, and settled on a farm in Kosciusko County, Ind., where the father died when our subject was but eleven years old. Joseph then lived with his guardian, an elder brother, until eighteen, when he came to this county, and worked by the month on a farm until September, 1861, when he enlisted in Company G, Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until November 12, 1864, when he was mustered out at Indianapolis. At the organization of his company, he was elected a Duty Sergeant, and he passed through all the intermediate grades to First Lieutenant, receiving his last commission in November, 1863. He took part in the battle of New Madrid, the siege of Vicksburg, the Red River expedition under Gen. Banks, and many other engagements. On his
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return he settled on 200 acres in this township. January 25, 1865, mar- ried Miss Nancy J. Price, a native of White County, daughter of John and Susanna (Kent) Price. This union has been blessed with five chil- dren, of whom two boys and two girls are still living. In politics, Lieut. Taylor is a Republican, and he has served his fellow-citizens as Township Trustee.
LEVEN TUCKER, JR., was born in Sussex County, Del., January 12, 1823, and is the seventh in a family of eight children born to Leven and Annabel (Workman) Tucker, both natives of the above county. Leven Tucker, Jr., was left an orphan at the tender age of three. Until fifteen years old, he was reared by a cousin, who came to Fayette County, this State, in about 1829, and some years later moved to Cass County. In 1840, Mr. Tucker returned to Delaware for a year, and then went to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he worked by the month for seven years. In February, 1848, he came to this county, and on the 9th of November following, married Jane Wolverton, native of Pickaway Coun- ty, Ohio, and a daughter of Philip and Mary Wolverton. In March, 1849, Mr. Tucker bought 200 acres of wild land in this township, and here he has lived ever since. In the cabin, which is still standing, first erected by Mr. T. on this farm, were born all of his six children, of whom four are yet living. He has added to his farm from time to time until he now owns 700 acres of well-improved land. He is engaged extensively in stock breeding and dealing, and is a leading general farmer. In politics, ' he is a Republican.
MRS. LOUISA VIRDEN was born in Champaign County, Ohio, August 6, 1825, and is a daughter of Joseph H. and Mary (Ferguson) Thompson, the former a native of Harrison County, W. Va., and the latter of Kentucky, and of English, Irish and German descent. Joseph H. Thompson was born July 2, 1788, and was married in Champaign County, Ohio, in June, 1824. In September, 1829, he came with his wife and three children to what afterward became Big Creek Township; entered a squatter's claim, made some improvements, and when the land came into the market purchased 160 acres at the sale at Crawfordsville. At this early day, Indians alone were his neighbors. In 1835, he sold this place, and moved to a farm of 300 acres, in the same township, which he had previously purchased-also purchasing at the same time another farm near Reynolds. About 1860, he traded a part of his lands in Big Creek for lands in Honey Creek Township, and also for a hotel and other property in Reynolds, where he resided until his death, January 18, 1875. Mr. Thompson for many years was a Justice of the Peace in Ohio, and was a class leader of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which church his wife also was a member. Mrs. Mary Thompson died at her
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home in Reynolds, on December 9, 1877. Mrs. Louisa (Thompson) Virden received her early education in the frontier schoolhouses, but im- proved herself by after study, and her appearance still indicates her to be a lady of more than ordinary intelligence. She was married, April 2, 1846, to Stratton Virden, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born May 10, 1817, and a son of William and Lydia (Hopkins) Virden, both natives of Ohio and of Scotch and Irish descent. Stratton Virden had come to this county with his mother in the fall of 1833. Immedi- ately after his marriage, he and wife moved to Wea Plains, Tippecanoe County, where Mr. Virden owned a farm. There they resided until April, 1866, when they sold and came to this township, bought a farm of 200 acres, and here, August 22, 1874, in his fifty-eighth year, Mr. Virden was killed by lightning while feeding his hogs. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father of eight children, five of whom are yet living. Mrs. Virden still resides on the home farm in retirement; she is one of the oldest settlers in the township and county. As was her husband, she is and has been for many years a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CAPT. GRANVILLE B. WARD was born in Monroe County, Ind., May 7, 1834, and is the son of Austin and Elizabeth (Buskirk) Ward, natives respectively of Virginia and Indiana. Austin Ward was a farmer, and came to this county in the spring of 1850, entering 200 acres in Round Grove Township, on which he resided until 1873, when he retired to Brookston. He was for several years Trustee of Round Grove, and afterward Justice of the Peace at Brookston, and long has been a member of the Christian Church. Granville B. Ward received a fair common school education, and worked on the home farm until twenty-one. In the fall of 1860, he entered the State University, but in the spring of 1861 enlisted as a non-commissioned officer in Company K, Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After passing through the intermediate promotions, he received his commission as Captain in the winter of 1862. He was with his regiment in all its marches and engagements until Chancellorsville, where he lost his left leg, and soon afterward resigned ; he was also wounded at Antietam and Fredericksburg. In the fall of 1864, he was elected Treasurer of White County, and re-elected in 1866. In the spring of 1869, he came to this township, and bought the farm of 125 acres where he now lives. He was married in May, 1864, to Miss Catharine C. Rawlins, a native of Monroe County, Ind .; and to this union there have been born seven children, five of whom are yet living. Capt. Ward is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the G. A. R.
PHILIP J. WARD was born in Kent County, Md., May 28,
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1833, and is the eldest and the only survivor of the five children born to Henry and Mary (Hurd) Ward, natives respectively of Maryland and Delaware. Henry Ward was a farmer, married in Delaware, and in the spring of 1837 came to Tippecanoe County, this State, and bought ten acres of land which is now a part of the city of La Fayette. In 1851, he traded this for 255 acres in this township. On this he resided until 1865, when he retired to Reynolds, where he died in April, 1867, a mem- ber of the Christian Church and the I. O. G. T. Philip J. Ward re- mained on the home farm until eighteen years old, and then hired out for several years in Tippecanoe County. In 1862, he returned to White County, and resided on his father-in-law's farin until the death of his own father, when he bought the interests of the other heirs and took up his residence on the home farm, which he has increased to 735 acres. Mr. Ward was married, September 10, 1860, to Catherine G. Brady, a native of this county and of Scotch and Irish descent. To this union have been born three children, two of whom are yet living. Mr. Ward is a member of no church or organization, and is independent in politics.
WILLIAM WARD was born in Boone County, Ind., April 26, 1842, and is the second of the sixteen children born to Philip F. and Eliza (Goldsbery) Ward, natives of Delaware and Olrio respectively. At the age of eighteen, Philip Ward came with his parents to Boone County, this State, and he was there married on his twenty-first birthday. In the fall of 1858, he came to this township and bought a farm of 200 acres, on which he lived until the spring of 1875, when he sold out and bought a place in West Point Township, which he still owns. In the same year, he moved to Reynolds, where he now lives in retirement. William Ward quit his father's farm at the age of twenty-one, and for six years farmed on shares ; in the spring of 1869, he bought 120 acres in this township, which he has since increased to 370 acres. He was married, March 4, 1863, to Elizabeth Blickenstaff, a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind. To this union were born three children, two now living-Jewel F. and Joseph P. January 30, 1869, Mrs. Ward died, a member of the Christian Church. November 18, 1869, Mr. Ward married Martha Wilson, a na- tive of Tippecanoe County, Ind., and this lady has borne her husband six children. In politics, Mr. Ward is a Democrat, and both he and wife are members of the Christian Church.
HIRAM M. WHEELER was born in Connecticut October 16, 1836, and is one of the four children born to Challings S. and Sibyl (Bunnell) Wheeler, natives of Connecticut, and of English descent. Challings S. Wheeler was born in 1800; was a farmer, then engaged in saw and grist milling. At one time owned and operated two distilleries, and was also engaged for a time in iron smelting. He was married in Connecticut,
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and in 1833 moved with his family to St. Joseph County, Mich., where he and two brothers entered a large tract of land, and subsequently im- proved a farm, and where he became Township Assessor. In 1875, he came to this township and bought a farm of 180 acres ; in the fall of 1881, he rented his farm and moved to Reynolds, where he now lives in retire- ment. Until twenty-one years of age, Iliram M. Wheeler assisted his father, receiving a fair education meanwhile. He then went to Columbus, Ohio, where he worked in a distillery three years ; then took charge of his father's distillery at Three Rivers, Mich., for a year; he next went into the grocery business at the same place for five years. During a part of this time, from September, 1861, to September, 1862, he was leader of the regimental band of the Eleventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry. In 1865, he moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he took charge of a distillery for three years. He then bought a farm of 1,040 acres in Harrison County, Iowa, which he cultivated for about seven years. In the spring of 1875, he came to this township and purchased his present farm of 220 acres, on which he has just erected one of the finest frame residences in the county. He was married in 1857 to Esther J. Macomber, a native of New York, and to this union five children have been born, three yet living. Mr. Wheeler held the office of Township Clerk, while in Michigan, and also the combined offices of Trustee, Assessor and Director, while in Iowa. He is largely engaged in the manufacture of tiles and in the shipping of grain and stock, and is one of the most prominent farmers and business men of the county.
JOIIN S. WINGARD was born in Franklin County, Penn., Sep- tember 8, 1817, and is the second of the eight children now living born to Henry and Elizabeth (Snavely) Wingard, both natives of Pennsyl- vania. John S. Wingard remained on his father's farm until twenty-seven years of age, when he came to Carroll County, this State, where he worked by the job or month for nearly two years. In the fall of 1847, he bought a half interest in a grist mill, which he retained about three years, and then traded for a partially improved farin of 150 acres in this township and about $700 in cash. On this farm he has ever since resided, and has improved it in a high degree. He was married, August 28, 1847, to Anna Scheutz, a native of Wayne County, Ind. To this marriage have been born eight children, four of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Win- gard are members of the Dunkard Church, and in politics he is a Repub- lican. Mr. Wingard's father was a farmer by occupation, and was for many years Assessor in his native county.
GEORGE W. WOLVERTON was born in this township August 22, 1849, and is the elder of the two sons born to Philip and Margaret Wol- verton. He received an ordinary common school education in youth,
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having always lived on the home farm. Of this he owns now a moiety, to which he has added until his farm now comprises 720 acres. It is well improved, and his residence and other buildings are among the best in the county. He is probably one of the most extensive stock-breeders in the county, rearing on an average 100 head of cattle and sixty of hogs per annum. He was married, December 22, 1874, to Nancy J. Rey- nolds, a native of this county, and daughter of Benjamin Reynolds, one of the county's pioneers. To this marriage have been born three chil- dren, of whom two are living-Ella and Guy. Mrs. Wolverton is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Wolverton belongs to no church, neither does he belong to any secret organization. He is a Democrat in politics, and a leading farmer of this township, as well as county.
PHILIP WOLVERTON, JR., was born in this township January 30, 1852, and is the younger of the two sons born to Philip and Mar- garet (Barnhart-Glazier) Wolverton, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Philip . Wolverton, Jr., has always resided on the old home farm, a part of which he now owns, and to which he has added other land, making him the owner of 720 acres in all. He is extensively en- gaged in the stock business, and in 1878 began rearing thoroughbred horses, and owned at one time the well-known running horses "Oollawa" and "Jennie Blanch;" both are now dead. He at present owns the thor- oughbreds " Young Albion," "George L.," "Orphan Girl," "Jennie Oy," and " Topsey." Besides these, he owns a number of half-breeds, making forty-two head in all. In the fall of 1882, he purchased a herd of thor- oughbred short-horn heifers, which is probably the finest in the county. December 1, 1880, Mr. Wolverton married Miss Emma J. Price, a native of Carroll County, Ind., who bore her husband one daughter-Margaret E., and died at her home May 13, 1882, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Wolverton is a Democrat, and has filled the office of Township Assessor one term.
LOUIS WOLVERTON was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Feb- ruary 1, 1832, and is the third of the eight children born to Philip and Mary (Pritchett) Wolverton, the former born in Northumberland County, Penn., November 29, 1805, and the latter in Pickaway County, Ohio, and of German and English descent respectively. Philip Wolverton was but fourteen years of age when he reached Pickaway County, Ohio. At the age of fifteen he entered an apprenticeship of three and three-quar- ters years at blacksmithing ; he then worked a year and a half as jour- neyman, and then opened a shop of his own at Jefferson. In 1831, he came to the then uncreated township of Big Creek, entered about 300 acres of land, hired a man to build a cabin, and then returned to Ohio. In the fall of the same year, he hired Samuel Virden to come out and
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commence improving the place. In the fall of 1834, he brought out his own family and moved into his primitive cabin. Here Mrs. Wolverton died in 1843. In 1847, Mr. Wolverton married Margaret, widow of Louis C. Glazier, a daughter of Benjamin Barnhart, and a native of Ohio. To this union were born two sons-George W. and Philip, Jr. Mrs. Wolverton died in August, 1876. Mr. Wolverton continued adding to his estate until he was the owner of farms aggregating 2,500 acres, a part of which he subsequently deeded to his children. He owned, at the time of his death, which occurred August 4, 1869, between 1,300 and 1,400 acres. He died a Mason, but was a member of no church. Louis Wolverton remained on the home farm, a part of which he now owns, until twenty-one years old. In the spring of 1856, he and Lemuel New- ell bought 200 acres in Prairie Township, this county, but Mr. W. sold his interest in the fall and bought a farm in Newton County ; he did not move upon this, however, but in the fall of 1857 purchased his present farm of 280 acres. He was married, September 22, 1858, to Eliza A. Hornbeek, born in White County March 30, 1840, and daughter of William Hornbeck, one of the early settlers. To this marriage have been born three children, two of whom are still living-Frank and Vint. Mr. Wolverton is a Freemason and a Democrat, and is one of the most prominent farmers of the township.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM BOZE was born in this township February 25, 1841, and he is the eldest of ten children born to George and Sarah (Conwell) Boze, named as follows : William, Philip, Hezekiah, Mary, Margaret, Henry, Elizabeth, Stephen, James and Willie. The father was born in Western Ohio in 1813, was a farmer, and died in this township in May, 1866. William was born about three miles south of his present place, on which he settled shortly after his marriage. In October, 1861, he en- listed in the Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, took part in many skirmishes and minor engagements, and acted as a marine for many months on the flotilla which was endeavoring to open up the Mississippi River. He also took part in the defense of a battery at Riddle's Point, Mo. December 21, 1865, he married Margaret Collins, who bore him two children-Clara and George-and died in February, 1872. Novem- ber 27, 1873, he married Laura E. Blades, who has given birth to three children-Sarah, William (deceased); and James. In November, 1870, he was elected Township Trustee and for four years discharged the duties
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of the office most efficiently and satisfactorily. He is the oldest native born male citizen now residing in the township, and he enjoys the respect of all his neighbors. He lives seven miles north of Monticello on his well tilled farm, which gives every indication of being cared for with skill and thrift.
WASHINGTON COLLINS was born in Ohio October 1, 1833, and is one of the seven children born to Allen and Eunice (Barber) Col- lins, and named as follows : Julia, Washington, Elizabeth, Nancy, William, George and Margaret. The father was a farmer, and died in this township in October, 1877. The family had resided in Nicholas County, Ky., in Tippecanoe County, Ind., and in Clinton County, Ind., and in the spring of 1851 came to this county and located in Jackson Township, where they lived some eight years, and then came to this town- ship. November 2, 1854, he married Elizabeth Price, who has borne him five children-Ira, Joseph, John, Aaron and Ida F. Mr. Collins owns a farm of 147 acres situated six miles north of Monticello, on which he has erected a fine two-storied frame dwelling. He has been a member of the Church of God (New School Dunkard) since January, 1876, and in the spring of 1882 was elected to the office of Assessor of Liberty Town- ship.
JOSIAH COONROD was born in Marion County, Ohio, January 15, 1832, and is one of eight children born to Adam and Matilda (Mor- ral) Coonrod, and named as follows : Jacob, William, Josiah, Elizabeth, Sarah, Martha, Mary and Melissa. The father was born in Virginia about the year 1799, was a farmer, and died in Marion County, Ohio, in 1878. At the age of twenty-seven, Josiah Coonrod came to this township and located a few rods east of his present farm, to which he removed a short time after arriving. It is situated nine and a half miles northeast of Monticello, comprises 160 acres, and is improved with a good two- storied frame dwelling, a most convenient barn and commodious outbuild- ings. He was married, February 11, 1858, to Mary Engler, who has borne him six children-David, William, Adam, John, Norah and Josiah, the youngest deceased. Mr. Coonrod is a careful farmer and a skillful stock-raiser, and he realizes probably more from his stock than from his crops, cattle and sheep receiving his special attention.
JESSE L. COPE was born in Jefferson County, Ind., July 1, 1817, and is one of the eight children in the family of David and Charlotte (Truit) Cope, which children were born in the following order : Elizabeth, John, Minerva, Mary, Charlotte, Jesse, Margaret and Nancy. Of these, Mary, Jesse and Nancy only are living. The father was born in Ken- tucky and died when Jesse was very young in Jefferson County, Ind. At the age of eighteen, Jesse went with his mother to Tippecanoe County,
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Ind., and in January, 1850, he came to this county and located about three miles northeast of Monticello, and then, some five or six years later, moved to his present place, a farm of 120 acres six miles northeast of said town. He was married, February 14, 1849, to Thurza Ann Stack- house, who has borne him three children-William (deceased), Mary J. and George. In April, 1868, he was elected Township Trustee, and served two terms. Ile has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1856, and enjoys the full confidence and esteem of his townsmen.
GEORGE CULLEN was born in Mifflin County, Penn., May 28, 1804, and he is one of nine children born to Thomas and Margaret (Woods) Cullen, viz. : Jane, John, Thomas, Margaret, William, Joseph, George, Henry and Eliza. George is the only one living. His father was born in Scotland in 1753, and was highly educated, though he worked at shoe-making all his life; he died in Mifflin County in 1828. George went to coopering at the age of fifteen, and worked thereat until 1830, when he began farming. In the fall of 1852, he purchased his present farm ; he married, November 8, 1825, Susan Allen, who bore him nine children-John, Margaret, Allen, William, Elizabeth, George, Joseph, Marion and Peter. Of these, Margaret, Allen and Marion are dead, and the mother died in 1844. May 24, 1854, Mr. Cullen married Caroline Kingsberry, who died in 1859. His third marriage was to Clara Bonnet, October 18, 1859. Mr. Cullen now resides seven miles northeast of Monticello, on his fertile and well-cultivated farm of 283 acres, forty acres of timber being one-half mile south ; he raises a variety of crops, but pays his chief attention to wheat and corn, and has also given some attention to horses; he has a comfortable dwelling, stables, wind mill and other conveniences ; he has been a member of the Presby- terian Church since 1830; he has served four years as Trustee, six years as Commissioner, and is at present Justice of the Peace ; he is one of the most tried and trustworthy settlers of Liberty Township, and has won universal respect and esteem.
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