Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 31

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ;
Number of Pages: 962

USA > Indiana > Whitley County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 31

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).

291

CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP.

counterpane factory, which he operated three years, then started a grocery, which he ran alone or in partnership till the spring of 1882, when he sold out. In 1880, he and Samuel Pritchard put up a two-story brick business building, half of which Mr. Glassley now owns, as well as fine home property in the village. September 14, 1856, he married Miss Sarah Winters, who was born in Lancaster County, Penn., March 26, 1838, and there have been born to them five sons and one daughter, viz. : William W., Elias, David, Jesse A. and Harry. The daughter died in infancy. Mr. Glassley is a self-made man ; is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, an Odd Fellow, and in politics a Republican.

ANDERSON GRIMES was born in Wayne County, Ind., June 18, 1810, the son of James and Sarah (Scears) Grimes, natives of Kentucky. The father first came to Indiana in 1806; he was a soldier under Harrison in 1812, and of his two sons and one daughter, Anderson alone is living. September 4, 1829, our subject married Miss Susanna Beeson, who was born in Wayne County, Ind., June 19, 1810. He followed farming in Wayne till 1853, when he came to this township and settled on the farm he now owns, which then con- sisted of 320 unimproved acres ; he has now 162 well-cultivated acres, having deeded the balance to his children. Mrs. Grimes died January 19, 1869, the mother of ten children, viz. : Mahlon, James, Sarah J., Pamelia, William, Jesse B., John, Isaac, Ford and Mary C. Of these, four sons enlisted in the late war, as follows : William, April 1861, in Company E, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, wounded at Hoover's Gap, and died at Stone River from effects of wound ; James, August, 1861, Company C, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served till close of war; Jesse, August, 1862, Company K, Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served till the close; Isaac February, 1864, Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, served till close of the war. They all made good records. Most of our subject's children are living in Whitley, and are public-spirited citizens. Mr. Grimes has always followed farming and stock-raising, and in politics was first a Whig and then a Republican.

JEREMIAH GRIMES was born in Wayne County, Ind., October 15, 1820, the son of Alexander and Pamelia (McHenry) Grimes, both reared and married near Lexington, Ky. They moved to Wayne County about 1806, and there died. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served his time out, and then that of another man. He was twice married, and was father of ten children, five by each wife. Our subject, issue of the first marriage, was reared on a farm, and was married in Wayne County, October 17, 1844, to Miss Mary A. Haines, born in Clark County, Ohio, August 18, 1823, and to this union there have been born six children, viz. : Charles A., William B., Walter, Clem R., Harry, and a daughter that died in infancy. He continued at farming in Wayne County till 1850, when he came to this township and located on unimproved land. He has now eighty acres of finely improved

292

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

property, and has also disposed of considerable. He is a Democrat, liberal in his views, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DANIEL HALDERMAN was born in Preble County, Ohio, May 17, 1830, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Swihart) Halderman, natives respective- ly of Virginia and Pennsylvania, married in Preble County, Ohio, and parents of eight children. The mother died in this county July 6, 1861, while on a visit to our subject ; the father took for his second wife Elizabeth Demmick ; to this union were born three children. He followed farming till 1845, and then became a dealer in flaxseed and lumber, which trade he followed till his death, June 28, 1875. Our subject was reared on the home farm, and when twenty- two years of age came to this county, and purchased an interest in the Swihart grist-mill, of Columbia City, in which business he remained about four years, and then for seven years engaged in mercantile pursuits in Collamer and Liber- ty Mills. In 1865, he embarked in the mercantile and lumber business at Larwill, and in 1873 moved on his farm of 160 acres near Collamer. About this time, also, he purchased the Collamer grist-mill, which he has since suc- cessfully operated. September 9, 1860, he married Miss Nancy Moore, who was born in Wayne County, Ind., April 11, 1841. They became the parents of five children, viz .: Sarah E. and Albert E., living, and Mary E., Nellie and Kittie, deceased. Mr. Halderman is an energetic business man, a good citizen, a Republican, and a member of the Christian Church.

MICHAEL B. HARE was born in Baltimore County, Md., September 18, 1818, the son of Michael and Catharine (Baublits) Hare, who were also born, reared and married in the county and State named above, and were the parents of five children. Our subject, up to the age of eighteen, lived on his father's farm, and then went to work out on his own account, at which he con- tinued two years, at the rate of $7 per month. In 1839, he came West and stopped in Darke County, Ohio, for about two years, and worked for $10 per month. He then came to Wabash County, this State, and there worked by the month or job. In the latter county he married, December 31, 1846, Miss Susannah Eby, who was born in Baltimore County, Md., June 15, 1826, and to their union were born six children, viz., Sarah, Thomas, Mary J., John M., Martha E. and Susan A. In January, 1847, our subject and wife moved to this township and settled on the 120-acre farm they now own. They had no means to speak of, and the land was unimproved, but they worked hard, and have accumulated considerable property, now owning 475 acres in Cleveland Township, and 180 acres in Kosciusko County. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. Hare is a Democrat, though liberal in his views.

CHARLES W. HAYDEN was born in Richland Township, this county, August 12, 1837, the son of David and Alma (Cone) Hayden-full mention of whom will be found in the biographical sketches of Richland Township, this volume. Our subject was reared on a farm, and in his younger days received

293

CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP.

a good common school education, subsequently himself teaching school several terms. January 29, 1859, he married Miss Anne Hoover, who was born in Wayne County, Ind., January 1, 1838. After his marriage, our subject chiefly engaged in farming. In 1870, he moved to Jasper County, Mo., where he re- mained four years, and then went to Clay County, Ill., where he passed two years, and then returned to this county, where he has since resided, engaged in farming till 1878, and since then in mercantile trade at Collamer. He is owner of thirty-five acres of highly-improved land, and is engaged in a lucrative busi- ness. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; in politics is a Republican, and is a progressive, intelligent citizen.

THOMAS KELLER was born in Ohio County (now West) Virginia, August 20, 1810, the son of Martin and Margaret (McCreary) Keller, who moved to Licking County, Ohio, in 1817, and there ended their days, leaving a family of five children, two of whom are now dead. Our subject was brought up on his father's farm, receiving but a limited education. In 1837, he mar- ried Miss Matilda Judge, who was born in Ohio, May 10, 1816, and who died in Licking County, Ohio, May 18, 1843. July 26, 1848, our subject married Eliza A. Smith, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, January 8, 1826. By his first marriage, there were born to our subject two children-Lewis H. and Margaret E .; by his second marriage, five children-Harriet M., Cornelius, Martin S., Jasper L. and Hiram N. Our subject for a number of years after marriage had charge of his father's farm ; he purchased a small one adjoining, and worked them both together till 1854, when he came to this township, locat- ing on the Goshen road, where he lived till he purchased his present farm, in 1864. This now comprises 160 acres, and is nicely improved, all gained by his industry as a farmer, and skill as a stock-raiser. He is a Democrat in politics, and is an intelligent and useful citizen.

JONAS KINSEY was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, June 7, 1817, and was the son of John and Elizabeth (Mullendore) Kinsey, who were natives of Virginia, there married, and came to this State, previous to the war of 1812, and engaged in farming, the father dying when Jonas was but three years old. Our subject remained at home till twenty-one, assisting on the farm and attend- ing the rude schools of that early day. In 1842, he married Miss Isabel McQuisten, of Westmoreland County, Penn., and the following year moved to this township, purchasing the 240 acres of unimproved land where he still resides. His family consists of seven children, as follows: Susanna, Jane, David W., Jacob H., Sidney A., Francelia A. and Emro J. Mr. Kinsey has always followed farming and stock-raising, and his farm now comprises 265 acres well-improved land, which he and wife have secured by hard work and good management. He is a Republican in politics and a useful citizen.

THOMAS J. LA FOLLETTE, M. D., was born in Warren County, Ohio, January 13, 1836, and is the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Patterson) La Follette, both natives of Rockingham County, Va., where they were reared

294

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

and married. They moved from there to Kentucky, then to Ohio, and in 1840 to Jay County, Ind. The father held a Colonel's commission in the Ohio mili- tia. He was a farmer by occupation, and was the father of fifteen children, eleven of whom are now living. He accumulated much property and died in 1860, his wife following eight years later. Our subject was reared on a farm, received an academic education, and when quite youug began teaching school, which he followed for three years, then took up the study of medicine, and went through a course of lectures at the " Miami Medical College " of Cincin- nati. A short time after, he started the Democratic Review, a weekly news- paper at Portland, Ind., which he ran three years. In 1873, he graduated at his medical college, and engaged in practice in Wells County, Ind., and in Huntington County. In 1876, he located at South Whitley. He was mar- ried to Miss Margaret J. Peterson, June 16, 1861. She was born in Jay County, Ind., January 19, 1841, and died August 4, 1878, and was the mother of three children, one of whom is yet living-Olive R. August 14, 1880, the Doctor married Miss Martha Orr, who was born in Washington County, Ohio, February, 17, 1844. The Doctor is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, is a Democrat, and has built up a good practice.

DR. ELIJAH MERRIMAN, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, April 5, 1827. He is the son of Elijah and Mary (McCoy) Merriman. both of whom were natives of Fayette County, Penn., where they were reared and married. In 1817, they moved to Ohio and set- tled in Wayne County, where the father died in 1834. In the family were nine children, all of whom are yet living, our subject being the youngest. After the father's death the family kept together, and by the skill and good judgment of the mother, were reared and educated in a very creditable manner, and to her help and good advice our subject owes much of his success in life. Our sub- ject lived at home and assisted on the farm till fifteen years of age ; then served an apprenticeship of two years at the carpenter's trade. In 1843, he came to Whitley County, and took a job of clearing land in Washington Township. After about a year he retured to Wayne County, Ohio, and soon began teach- ing and attending school. He attended the Edinburg Academy in his native county, and then the Muskingum College near Zanesville, Ohio. He was a close and diligent student, and became quite proficient. In the fall of 1850, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Alexander Adams, of Apple Creek, Wayne Co., Ohio. Then attended the Medical College of Ann Arbor, Mich., and on September 29, 1853, he came to South Whitley and began the practice of his profession. Here he has since resided. He was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Parrett, March 20, 1856. This lady was born in Fayette County, Ohio, February 7, 1836. She is the daughter of John D. and Nancy (Kern) Parrett, both natives of Fayette County, her father having been born March 9, 1806, and his wife January 20, 1814. They were married December 31, 1829, and to them were born the following family of children-Mary, Catharine,

295

CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP.

Rebecca, Benjamin, Phillip, Cynthia A., Joshua, and three that died in infancy. In the fall of 1836, John D. Parrett and his family, his father Joseph Parrett, Jr., and family, came to Cleveland Township and purchased the land on which South Whitley is now located. They got land of three brothers named Goben, about the 1st of May, 1837. Joseph Parrett, Jr., laid out the town of South Whitley. His son, John D., built the first house in the place, and the survey of the town was made by William Delvin. John D. Parrett died March 20, 1855. His wife survives him and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Dr. Merri- man. Few of the Parret family are now residing in Whitley County. From Dr. Merriman's marriage with Miss Parrett there are five children, viz. : Willa- mette, John E., Mary, Nelly and Lowell M. In his profession, Dr. Merriman has been eminently successful. Always a close and careful student of patholo- gy, as he found it in his practice, he became a leader in the use of new and rational remedies. His watchfulness over the interests and welfare of his pa- tients, his devotion to his profession, his sound sense and good judgment com- bined to complete his fitness for his calling. His adaptability for the position of family physician is excelled by none and equaled by few. He has held numerous positions of honor and trust, among which are those of Justice of the Peace and Township Trustee. He was elected to the latter office twice, when the township was heavily in debt, but, through his careful management, it was all paid off, and the financial condition of Cleveland Township to-day, through his exertions, stands at the head of any township in the county. He has done much to build up the schools and elevate the standard of teachers, among whom he is very popular. In politics Dr. Merriman is a decided Republican, is active in his party, and always acts from principle and not from aspiration for office. He is a kind-hearted Christian man, and one of the county's best and most worthy citizens. He liberally contributes to all laudable enterprises, owns a good home in South Whitley, and one-half interest in the brick business building and drug store of Merriman & Robbins, and also 160 acres of land in Cleveland Township.

FREDERICK MORELL was born near the eastern borders of France, November 8, 1822, and was the son of Peter and Susan (Hermelet) Morell, parents of thirteen children, seven of whom reached maturity. In 1833, the parents came to the United States, and engaged in farming in Wayne County, Ohio. Our subject, in addition to his early tuition in his mother country, acquired a very fair English education, and from the age of sixteen to twenty- seven operated the home farm. When about nineteen, he came to Whitley County and entered 160 acres of land in Washington Township, with money furnished by his father, and came from time to time, in winter, to clear up his farm, returning in the spring to manage the home place. In 1849, he came to live on his land in Washington Township, and in the same year married Miss Catharine Druhot, a native of France, born in 1827. This lady died in 1874, and in 1882 our subject married Mrs. Margaret Ashcraft. Although

296

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

the father of no children, Mr. Morell has reared three of his brother's, to whom he has given liberally on their marrying or becoming of age. He farmed in Washington Township until 1871, when he came to Cleveland, where he owns 240 acres, together with 280 in Washington. He has one of the finest residences in the county, and has gained all his wealth by thrift and good man- agement. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics was a Democrat till the breaking-out of the recent war, since when he has voted with the Republicans.

CHRISTIAN MYERS was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, January 24, 1819. He is grandson of Christian Myers, who moved from Virginia to Montgomery County, Ohio, during the first settlement of that county. His son Henry, father of our subject, came with his parents to Ohio, and there mar- ried Mary Wirick, whose people moved from North Carolina to Preble County at a very early day. Henry Myers was teamster in the war of 1812, and also in the Indiana campaign against the Indians. In 1838, he brought his family to this township, bought ninety acres of land from James Chaplin and 120 acres from William Parrett, near where the village of Collamer now stands, and also entered lands in Cass and Kosciusko Counties. He brought with him a four-horse wagon, a two-horse wagon, some cows and sheep, household furni- ture and considerable cash, but for all that he and family underwent many of the hardships of pioneer life. Of his nine children seven were living when he came to Indiana ; there are now alive only two sons and one daughter. The parents were very intelligent people, and were most favorably known among the earlier settlers. In 1849, the father took his farewell of earth, his widow surviving till November 23, 1873. Our subject was reared to hard work and became a thorough farmer. January 1, 1843, he married Miss Catharine Abbott, who was born in Preble County, Ohio, February 11, 1824. Her father, James Abbott, came to Kosciusko County in 1834, and located one mile west of where Mrs. Myers now lives. Two days after marriage, our sub- ject and wife moved into a log cabin within a few feet of their present resi- dence, and since then have never been absent from the farm for a longer period than ten days. They now own 250 acres of land, and have, besides, given to each of their married children a good farm. Their children number five, viz. : Nathan, Emeline J., William F., Nora A. and Annie M. Nathan enlisted in Company E, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the spring of 1862, and died while in the army of typhoid fever. Our subject and wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church, and in politics he is a Republican, and is looked upon as one of the county's best citizens.

JOSEPH MYERS was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, May 10, 1829, the son of Henry and Mary (Wirick) Myers, of whom full mention is made in the sketch of Christian Myers. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, receiving a common-school education, and still resides on the homestead, which, at his father's death in 1849, consisted of 147 acres, but which now

297

CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP.

comprises 227, having been thus increased by our subject, who has also highly improved the place, as well as caring for his mother, who made her home with him till her death. November 27, 1851, he married Malinda Banta, who was born in Cass County, Ind., January 7, 1831, and to their union have been born seven children, viz. : Frances E., Winifred S., Mary I., Eldora, Emma, Warren H. and Jennie. Our subject is a thoroughly practical farmer and a successful stock-raiser and business man ; he is a Republican in politics, a member of the Christian Church, and a liberal giver to all church, school and other laudable enterprises, and is one of the county's best citizens.

JOSEPH and RILEY OBENCHAIN are two of a family of six chil- dren born to Samuel and Catharine (Flora) Obenchain, both of whom were born and reared in Virginia. They were married in their native State, and removed to Ohio in 1835, and in the fall of 1836, came with their family to Cleveland Township, this county, and entered 160 acres of land on Section 11. Their nearest neighbor was James Abbott, who lived five miles west, in what is now Kosciusko County. They brought no stock except the horses that drew the wagon, and they got a start by going to Elkhart County. They also had to go to that county to mill, the trip sometimes occupying ten days. They are said to be the first actual and permanent settlers of Cleveland Township, and, as they were in straitened circumstances, they went through many hardships and privations in making for themselves and family a comfortable home. They were intelligent and among the most respected and highly spoken of of the old settlers. Joseph Obenchain was born in Botetourt County, Va., October 8, 1828, reared upon his father's farm and to hard work, receiving but a limited educa- tion. He was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Long in 1849. She was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, near Dayton, in 1830. From this union ten children were born, viz. : Albert, Sarah E., William, Rueben I., Mary J., Samuel E., Ida A., Harley, Charles and Meda. Joseph has always resided upon the old homestead. He had but a small tract of unimproved land at the time of his marriage, but has always worked hard and carefully saved his earnings. He now owns 540 acres. He is a Democrat, a member of the Dunkard Church, and an enterprising and useful citizen. He is the present Township Trustee of Cleveland Township. Riley Obenchain was born in Botetourt County, Va., October 4, 1830. His youth and early manhood were spent at hard work upon his father's farm. He received such education as the schools of that early day afforded. Was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Brenneman June 9, 1853. She was born in Lancaster County, Penn., August 24, 1833. From this union there were eight children, viz .: Franklin I., John W., Frances A., Barbara A., Abraham L., Idelia, Mary C. and Leonard R. Mrs. Obenchain departed this life May 19, 1881. She was a true wife, a faithful companion, and affectionate and loving mother, and an in- telligent Christian lady. Riley Obenchain began life as a poor man, and for the most part has made what he now possesses. He owns 155 acres of land

298

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

and a nice comfortable home in South Whitley, where he resides. He was reared a Democrat, but on the breaking-out of the war he left that party's ranks and has since been a stanch and zealous Republican. He was an un- compromising union man during the late strife, and did much to help at home and encourage the boys in the field. The county would be much better off had it more such men as Riley Obenchain. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and liberally contributes toward its support, and that of schools and all laudable enterprises.

MARTIN, FREDERICK and HAMILTON PENCE are the children of John and Mary F. (Hoffman) Pence, natives of the " Old Dominion," where they were reared and married. They moved from Virginia to Champaign County, Ohio, in 1822. There were five children born to them, and some years after their removal to the Buckeye State the mother died. The father married for his second wife, Barbara Loudenback, and by this marriage there were nine children. The father had been a soldier of the war of 1812, and always followed farming and was a hard-working, industrious man, and respected and useful citizen. Martin Pence, son by the first wife, was born in Page County, Va., July 9, 1818. Frederick, his brother, in the same county and State, April 4, 1820; and Hamilton, in Champaign County, Ohio, January 26, 1822. These sons received but little or no education, and after the death of their mother fared very poorly at the hands of the step-mother. Long before they were able, they were compelled to perform the same and as much work as that of full-grown men. Martin left home when about seven- teen, and for some years worked by the day or month, and at anything he could turn an honest penny at. His wages were small, and it was only by the hardest work and strictest economy that he succeeded in saving a little money. He was married to Miss Barbara Loudenback August 6, 1843. She was born in Champaign County, Ohio, May 8, 1820. From this union were born six children, viz., Noah, John, David, Susanah, Melissa and Josephine. Noah served his country in the late war, in the Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He died at Nashville, Tenn., while in his country's service. Mar- tin lived in Champaign County, Ohio, following farming till 1850, when he came to this county and located on the farm he now owns. The place was all woods and had no improvements. He now owns 160 acres. He is a Demo- crat and a member of the Baptist Church. Frederick Pence also went through many hardships and privations in youth and for years after he came to this county, which was in 1850. He was fifteen when he left his parental roof and began the battle of life. Having no education, there was no opening but hard, physical labor. He went to work with a will and labored at whatever he could find to do. He married Miss Susan Jenkins April 26, 1840. She was born in Champaign County, Ohio, September 12, 1819. From this union ten children were born, viz., Philander R., Rose A., Mary F., Nancy J., Amanda, John W., Bell, Sabra, Tamson and Martha. Five of these children are

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.

Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 31

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ; Number of Pages: 962

Author: Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: 428, 502 p. : ill., ports. ;
Number of Pages: 962