Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 89

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 89
USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 89

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Peter Engle (deceased) was born September 26, 1790, in York County, Penn., and when three years of age moved with his father, Justus Engle, to Frederick County, Md., where he was reared and educated. His early manhood was passed in farming and teaming. During the war of 1812, he was drafted, and . served a few months in the year 1814, as Orderly Sergeant. He married Barbara Mentzer February 26, 1824, and in 1833 came to that part of Rich- land (now included in Morrow) County, Ohio, and engaged in farming. In 1852, Mr. Engle emigrated to Noble County, where two of his sons, Samuel and Washington, had preceded him. He located in Jefferson Township, Sec-

tion 36, where he took up 120 acres of land, but in 1858 sold forty acres. He was an energetic man, honest, conscientious, and one who commanded the re- spect and esteem of all. He died September 29, 1868. Mrs. Engle, his wife, was born July 1, 1798, in Frederick County, Md., and she died in Noble County, October 3, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Engle had eight children-Wash- ington, born November 27, 1824; Samuel, July 9, 1826 ; Drucilla E., Au- gust 18, 1828; Ezra, October 6, 1830 ; Jesse, July 21, 1833 ; Adam, Decem- ber 27, 1836 ; Catharine, August 15, 1838, and John, March 3, 1840. The latter's death occurred near Vicksburg, in August, 1863, while in the service of his country. He enlisted in the fall of 1862, in the One Hundredth Regi- iment, Company E, and served faithfully until his death.

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

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

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

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

JESSE ENGLE married Sarah Prouty, in 1860, and their children number seven-Franklin, Adell, Jason, Wilbert and Albert (twins), Arthur and Ed- ward. Albert and Arthur are dead. The mother died August 5, 1879, and July 19, 1880, Mr. Engle married his present wife, Lucina McClurg. Jesse Engle turned his attention to saw-milling in his earlier years, and was a first- class sawyer. He now owns 146 acres of good land in the northeastern part of Green Township, and has held the Township office of Trustee.

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ADAM ENGLE learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, and worked at that with success a number of years. He has since turned his attention to farming. He owns eighty acres of land near Jesse Engle's farm, and 160 acres in Kansas. He was married, November 2, 1862, to Miss Mahala Prouty, and they have two children-Ina and Marshall. The sons of Peter Engle all began life at the age of twenty-one, with little or no means at their command. Imbibing con- siderable of the energy and determination of their father, they went to work, and to-day are wealthy and influential citizens, and stanch Democrats. They have displayed considerable enterprise in the support of all laudable public enterprises, and are progressive citizens.

JEHU FOSTER is one among the few who are left of the early pioneers who came to Noble County when its surface was covered with a dense forest and but few settlers had made a clearing in its wilds. When yet but nineteen years old, he was brought face to face with the stern realities of frontier life in Ohio, where he was called upon to endure the privations and perform the labo- rious duties that devolve upon those in a new country in clearing land and establishing a home. This was re-enacted in coming to Indiana, and continued through his most active and vigorous years. Mr. Foster was born in Baltimore County, Md., August 23, 1798. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, a farmer by occupation. He was married to Miss Annie Singrey, and emigrated with his family to what is now Troy Township, Morrow County, Ohio, in 1817, being one of the pioneers of that locality. In March, 1824, Jehu was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Levering, and continued to live in Ohio until 1837, when he emigrated to this county and located in Jefferson Township, set- tling upon land as the hand of nature had made it, out of which to construct a home. Though the task before them was one almost appalling to the strongest hearts, yet, with the heroic fortitude, known only to the early settlers, and nobly aided by his wife the labor was undertaken, and the results have had their beneficial influence not only with themselves, but the generations now and to come will reap the benefits. They had born to them children as follows : Mary A. (the wife of John B. Steel, now living in Nebraska), John L. (whose biography appears in this work), Samuel M. (who married Rebecca Edwards, now a resident of Albion), Margaret L. (who lives in Kendallville, and is the wife of Jacob H. Shauck), Elizabeth C. (deceased), Sarah M. (the wife of John Eley, whose biography also appears), Jennie A. (wife of John K. Riddle, whose biography appears). and Alvin D. (who married Emily J. Pepple, and resides in Michigan). Mr. Foster has been a leading man of Jefferson Town- ship for the past forty years, taking an active part in public interests. He- feels a just pride in looking back and noting the change in this locality from an almost unbroken forest filled with Indians and wild animals to one of the finest agricultural spots in the world, and can truly say for himself " Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Mrs. Foster, his companion, departed this life February 25, 1880, ripe in experiences of material life and full of hope for the unknown hereafter. Mr. Foster is living upon the old farm, now that of his son-in-law, John H. Eley, and is vigorous for one of his years.

J. L. FOSTER was born in what is now North Bloomfield Township, Morrow Co., Ohio, October 6, 1826 ; the son of Jehu and Margaret (Levering) Foster, who were pioneers to this township in 1837, where the father is still living, the mother having died in February, 1880. J. L. Foster lived at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, doing his part of the labor on the farm. He then began working at the carpenter's and joiner's trade.

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This, however, not agreeing with him, he engaged in farming, making that his occupation since. In February, 1863, he purchased his present place, which consists of 100 acres, and soon thereafter moved on to it, where he yet resides. Mr. Foster was married January 17, 1856, to Rose A. Eley, and to this union were born three sons-Eugene W. (who married Emma Miller, and is carrying on the home farm), Delmer (who is a clerk in Huntertown) and Perry L. (who is yet at home). Mr. Foster is a Democrat in party affiliations, and takes an interest in the advancement of public affairs. He lives independently in his comfortable home, and is in the enjoyment of the fruits of his honest accumu- lations.

SMITH HADLEY is a native of Richland County, Ohio, his birth occurring January 8, 1828. He was one of twelve children of whom Savan- nah and Martha (Riddle) Hadley were the parents. The Hadley family origi- nally came from the British Isle to America, and were farmers by occupation. The father of the subject of this sketch was also a farmer and an honest, de- serving man. Smith Hadley was reared to manhood in the Buckeye State, receiving only such an education as the common schools afforded. He was married March 15, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Woodruffs, and the fall of the suc- ceeding year came to Noble County, investing all he had, $300, in part pay- ment for sixty acres of land in Jefferson Township. After clearing it, he sold it, and, in 1861, moved to his present place, and superintended the Poor Farm. After being in the employ of the county in this capacity six years, he resigned, moved to Albion and purchased a saw and flouring mill, which he operated six years. He then discontinued the business, purchased the old county farm, on which he resided one year. He then went back to Albion, erected a saw-mill, which he operated about a year, then again removed to the farm where he has since resided, confining his attention strictly to farming. He now owns 128 acres of good land, which he has acquired by industry and economy. He is a Republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the Masonic fraternity. They had seven children-Mary A. (wife of Andrew Parks), Shannon C., Helen M., Horace H., Ida A., Morton and Frank V. Mr. Hadley's parents came to Noble County in about 1863, where his father is yet living. His mother died in the spring of 1880.

JAMES N. HARVEY was born in Ashland County, Ohio, December 8, 1841. He is a son of George and Mary (Bremner) Harvey, who were parents of eight children, five of whom are yet living. George and Mary Harvey were natives of Scotland, and were poor people on coming to this country. They settled in Ohio, but in the fall of 1852 Mr. Harvey came to Indiana, and purchased a farm of 160 acres in Jefferson Township. In the spring of the succeeding year, the family settled upon the place known now as the Spencer farm. In 1872, after enduring the hardships incident to pioneer life, he removed to Albion, where he has since lived. By trade, he was a stone- mason, and has executed some fine work on many of the county buildings. He was always an enterprising citizen, ever lending a helping hand to the needy. James N. Harvey was raised on a farm, and has always followed that occupation. He received an excellent practical and business education, and was married, February 2, 1870, to Miss Isabel Johnston, and they have one son-John Wesley. Mr. Harvey purchased his present farm in 1867, and he now owns 120 acres of good land. He is a Republican, a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and a member of the M. E. Church, while Mrs. Har- vey is an adherent of the principles of Presbyterianism. Their son, John W.,

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Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 89

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