USA > Indiana > Boone County > Early life and times in Boone County, Indiana, giving an account of the early settlement of each locality, church histories, county and township officers from the first down to 1886 Biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and women. > Part 27
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WOODFORD W. PHILLIPS.
This old pioneer was born in Ohio, July 19, 1806. His father's name was Thomas Phillips, who was married to Mary McDowell. They came to Clinton Township in 1838, where he entered land ; died in Illinois. Mrs. Phillips died in the year 1845; buried at Mechanicsburg. Woodford W. Phillips, the subject of this sketch, entered his land in Washington Township, in 1832, where he has since resided and is now liv- ing on the pike south of Mechanicsburg, where he is pleasant- ly located ; married to Dorcas J. Russell, in Dearborn County, Ind., December 6, 1829. The following are his children's names: Oscar W., lives in Tippecanoe County, Ind .; Frank C., resides in Clinton Township, and is one of the first men in
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the county. To him and family I am indebted for favors shown in canvassing for the "Early Life and Times in Boone County." Arminta M., resides in Center Township; Pauline, died October 10, 1837; buried at Mechanicsburg; Angeline A., resides in Marion Township; Thomas B, died March, 1882; buried at the Bethel Cemetery, in Washington Town- ship; Roswell, lives in Marion Township; Virginia F., died at home, July 21, 1886; buried at Mechanicsburg ; John F., died September 2, 1862; buried at Mechanicsburg; Cordelia ; Luella E., resides in Washington Township. Mr. Phillips was again married, to Susannah Wallace, March 8, 1848; she died January 25, 1870; was the third time married to Elizabeth Simpson, July 19, 1872, the widow of the late Jesse Simpson, who died November 23, 1867 ; buried at Lebanon. Mr. Phil- lips is among the old men of the county, is in his eighty-second year. This is truly a pioneer family, well known in the county, and will in time to come be remembered.
JACOB PARR.
When I come to write of such men as the one whose name stands at the head of this sketch, and who have, by persever- ance, industry and economy, so successfully carved out their own fortune and standing in society, I am at a loss for lan- guage to convey to the reader a proper appreciation of their true worth and merit.
Mr. Parr was born in Sullivan County, East Tennessee, February 25, 1820. He came to this state in 1831, stopping in Bartholomew County for two years, when his father entered two hundred and forty acres of land in the southeastern part of Marion Township, where he settled with his wife and eight children in 1833, when this country was a wilderness, there being only three houses on the Michigan road between Indi- anapolis and the present village of Northfield. He helped to cut the trees that built the first house in that neighborhood,
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the nearest being the distance of five miles. He has lived to see the firm tread of civilization march in and take the place of the extensive forest with its many wild animals. In the year 1843 he married Miss Elizabeth Richardson, with whom he lived for thirteen years, when death entered his household and took from him his beloved companion. The result of this marriage was four children, all of whom are dead, except , one daughter, the wife of John S. Jones.
In the year 1854, he married Mrs. Amanda Montgomery, of Clay County, a widow with one son, who is now one of Marion Township's thriftiest farmers and stock traders. This has, indeed, been a happy marriage; no cloud has ever risen to darken their married life. The neighbors say of her that she is the most industrious, even tempered woman they ever knew. The result of this marriage is eight children.
When Mr. Parr, in 1843, married his first wife, his sole possessions were one horse and one suit of clothes; he bor- rowed the money to purchase his license. His only fortune then was a good constitution, temperate habits, sterling integ- rity and an ordinary education, and by his untiring energy and skilful financeering, he has amassed quite a good deal of this world's goods, owning, before deeding away to his chil- dren, over five hundred acres of land, and at present pays more tax than any other man in Marion Township. He has never been sued or sued any man; he is very conscientious and would not harm any one knowingly, and as far as we know, he has not an enemy in the world. He has been an . active member in the Methodist Episcopal Church since he was fifteen years of age, and a square-toed Democrat; never seratched his ticket with one exception. He has now passed the age allotted to man and is nearing the evening of life.
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. JONATHAN RICHARDSON.
Mr. Richardson was born in Grasom County, Virginia, January 14, 1797, and went with his parents at the age of three years to Kentucky, where he lived until he was twenty- three years of age ; when about the year 1818 he came to Rush County, Indiana, where he married Anna Wheeler in 1822. Miss Wheeler was born in Maine, April 22, 1807. They were married in Rush County, December 25, 1822; came to Deca- tur County, Indiana, where they resided until the year 1837, when they removed to Marion Township, this county, near Big Springs, and where they were pioneers, and where their best days were spent in developing the county. Mr. Richard- son died June 26, 1856, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, and is buried at the Big Spring Cemetery. Mrs. Richardson is yet living, in the eightieth year of her age. She is a member of the regular Baptist Church. The following are the names of this pioneer family, of which there were fifteen in number; ten are dead, five living: John W., Elizabeth J., William, George B., Mary A., James, Tillman H., Ameline R., Jonathan, Sarah and Rachel. . The following are living: William resides in Marion Township; George B., same; Mary Parr, in Jolliettville; Nancy E. Parr, in Hamilton County, Ind .; Jonathan, in Boone County. All lived to be men and women except two, who died in infancy. To William we are indebted for the above history.
DR. AHIJAH ROBINSON.
Dr. Ahijah Johnson died at his suburban home Saturday, March 6, 1886, at 4 o'clock P. M., after six months of intense suffering. He had been failing in health for some time, but fought manfully against his ailments until the development of the cause which produced death. The announcement of his death caused the most profound sorrow, he having been one
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among the prominent business men in Lebanon for a number of years. He is one who throughout his life enjoyed the warm friendship of all with whom he was associated, and his per- sonal merits have been recognized by his fellow citizens. Prominent among the features of his character was his pacific disposition. Throughout his life he lived at peace with all men. He contributed generously for the furtherance of enter- prises having for their object the general welfare of the country. His strict fidelity to his trust always won the appro- bation and confidence of those with whom he had dealings, he never having filled a place that did not expand or reflect credit on himself, vet he never had any desire to make himself con- spicuous. He had been sorely afflicted for fifty-four years, but bore his afflictions bravely. He was honored throughout the community for his upright character and incorruptible integrity, and throughout a long and useful life retained, undiminished, the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He was born in Washington County, Va., August 18, 1823. He came to Indiana in 1829, where he passed the days of his boyhood and youth. In a new settlement, remote from large cities and towns, his early educational advantages were naturally limited. As he grew in years, however, he, by individual research and close application, obtained a good - store of knowledge and became a man of more than ordinary intelligence. He served as a justice of the peace in his native county for a number of years, and was afterward commissioned to act as postmaster in several villages of the same county. He also served in the capacity of county commissioner.
After studying the science of medicine he began the prac- tice in the state of Illinois, subsequently transferring his experience from that state to the counties of Hendricks and Boone, Indiana. On the 18th of October, 1857, he was married to Miss Nettie McClintick, in Hendricks County, three years subsequent to his location in Boone County. He continued to practice the medical profession until disabled by physical infirmities. After locating at Lebanon he filled, at
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WILLIAM RILEY TAYLOR.
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various times, the offices of township trustee, postmaster and county commissioner. He was one who assisted in organizing the First National Bank of Lebanon, and for several years acted as one of the officers, but becoming physically disquali- fied for active business he withdrew and lived a retired life until his death. He was the first of his family to pass away, and leaves his wife, daughter, her husband, and two sons to mourn the loss of a good, kind, indulgent husband and father. The funeral services were conducted at the residence by Rev. Banta, at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, March 7, 1886, and the remains were then laid to rest in the new cemetery, under the auspices of the Masons, with whom he had been a faithful brother for forty years.
MASONIC RESOLUTIONS.
Since the edict of the Divine Architect of the universe to to our fathers in the Garden. of Eden after the transgression : " Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return," the children of men have been born into the world, suffered their brief period and have passed away. So at frequent intervals we are called to mourn for our brethren who have " passed to that bourne from which no traveler returns." We, as a fraternity, believe that, as is emblematized by the sprig of acacia that bloomed at the head of the Grand Master's grave that our sleeping brother will rise again to live forever in the Grand Lodge above, where we will meet in an unbroken assembly throughout eternity.
Resolved, That in the death of our brother, Ahijah Robin- son, who passed from labor to refreshment on the 6th day of March, 1886, we lost a true Mason-one who loved the order and was true to his professions.
Resolved, That our sympathies are extended to the bereaved family, who have lost a loving husband and father.
Resolved, That these resolutions be made a matter of record in the lodge, and a copy furnished to cach of the papers in the city and to the family of the deceased.
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OZIAS ROBINSON
Was born December 12, 1808, in the state of Kentucky. He was married to Margaret Dickson, in 1827. Came to Put- nam County, Indiana, remained there a few years, then to Clinton Township, Boone County, in 1835. Mrs. Robinson was born in Kentucky, in 1809, July 1. The following are the children's names: Martha A., married to Alvin Jolly; William J., born 1828, married to Miss Roberts, in 1847, then Dorotha Stone, May 25, 1884; James F., married to Sarah Gullion, born in Lebanon, Indiana ; Ebenezer, married to Matilda Evans, resides in Kansas. Mr. R. died July, 1882, is buried at Elizaville Cemetery. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. R. is yet living, with his son, near Elizaville. James F. was in the army, a member of the 86th Indiana Volunteers; was killed at Mission Ridge. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson were early and highly respected citizens of Clinton Township.
HIRAM J. ROBERTS
Was born in New York State, November 25, 1804; married to Eunice Young, March 4, 1837. Miss Young was born in New York, August 17, 1813; married in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Came to Clinton Township, Boone County, in 1837. Mr. R. entered, in 1837, the land on which he died, April 25, -1873. His family yet live on the farm, near the Clinton County line, and on the bank of Sugar Creek. The follow- ing are the names of their children : Silas, died at the age of four years; Charles R., died at the age of fourteen months ; James L., died at the age of one year ; Sarah A., married to Richard Hardesty, April 5, 1863, resides in Clinton Town- ship; William H., married to Margaret A. Sims ; Hayden E., married to Martha E. Hundley, resides in Kansas ; Mary A., married to James Sims, resides in Clinton County, Indiana ; John Alonzo, died at the age of nine years; Diana, born
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October 18, 1852, lives at home; Josiah, married to Mary K. Blubough, August 17, 1882, lives on the farm. The de- ceased members are buried at Mechanicsburg. Mrs. Rob- erts is a member of the Christian Church.
DR. JESSE REAGAN.
Dr. Reagan was born in Warren County, Ohio, February 15, 1829. He was first married to Elizabeth Hardesty, Sep- tember 27, 1854. The following are the names of their chil .. dren : Annie, married to Mr. Curry, she resides in Kirkland, married the second time to W. W. Wilds; Frank C., married to Victory Haugs, resides in Mechanicsburg ; Lucy J., mar- ried to Mack Warburnton (deceased, buried in Clinton County, Ind.) ; Milly M., at home. Dr. Reagan was the second time married to Mrs. Emma Hebb, November 24, 1884. To them was born one child, Walter G., born in 1884. Dr. Reagan read medicine with Dr. Almon Lofton in Rossville, Clinton County, Ind., and commenced the practice of medicine in Mechanicsburg nearly thirty years ago; has grown gray in the profession, and no man has a better record than Dr. Rea- gan, as a successful doctor and gentleman, in the counties of Clinton and Boone, where he has practiced so long and so well. Has worn himself out in his chosen profession, and in the evening of life his fellow citizens elected him county clerk, November, 1886. He is a member of the Masonic order, and has a high regard for its teachings. Also a member of the Presbyterian Church. See his portrait in another part of this work. .
WILLIAM R. ROBERTS
First saw the light of day in Kentucky, and on the 13th day of March, 1834. His parents names were Reden and Isabel Roberts, born in Nicholas County, Ky. William R. Roberts, the subject of this sketch, was married to Miss E. Miller (born
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October 10, 1821) on January 8, 1846. Her father's name was James Miller, her mother's name before marriage wa Mary Davidson. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts came to Boone County in 1855. The following are their children's names : Barton L. (deceased) ; James R .; Robert W., resides in Lebanon ; All- drew D. (deceased) ; Millard W .; Nancy, married to A. B Huckstep; Permelia F., married to Thomas McKern, resides in Jefferson Township. Mr. Roberts served thirteen years as justice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts belong to the Baptist Church. The deceased members of the family are buried at Pleasant View Cemetery, in Jefferson Township. Mr. Roberts resides about six miles northwest of Lebanon. Though Mr. Roberts is not a pioneer, he has been here a long time, and is well known as a substantial citizen of the county.
SAMUEL RODEFER,
A portrait of whom appears on another page of this volume, is one of the olde-t and best known citizens of Boone County. He is a native of Virginia, having been born near Woodstock, Shenandoah County, in that state. His early life was marked by the toils and privations so characteristic of the sturdy peo- 1. of that day and generation. At the age of eighteen years his father, Philip Rodefer, had the son bound to Henry Lay- man, for a term of three years, to learn the trade of carpenter- ing. For his services in this vocation the young man was re- warded by being clothed by his employer and sent to school three months in the winter of each year. Two weeks of each year, however, in accordance with the terms of the contract, the son was to be allowed to assist in the harvesting at his father's farm. He remained with Layman about one year and a half, but that gentleman removing to Ohio at the end of that time, the young apprentice was released from his contract. Following this experience young Rodefer worked in the conn- try for a time, and subsequently went to Woodstock, where he
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worked for John Clower, Sr., at carpentering and cabinet making, which he continued for several years, receiving for his services the munificent salary of from five to eight dollars per month. In February, 1839, at the solicitation of his brother, James, who was four years his senior and had been living at Logansport, the subject of this sketch was induced to return to Indiana with his relative, He was then twenty-two years of age. On Sunday, the 10th day of March, 1839, the brothers started to the west, overland, having ne horse be- tween them, the two alternately walking and riding, in accord- ance with a mutual understanding. The journey was a long and tedious one, the monotony of the dreary march being re- lieved only occasionally by ineidents which space forbids to be detailed in this brief sketch. Their route was along the National road, and they traveled at the rate of about thirty to thirty-three miles a day. Arriving in Montgomery County, Ohio, they rested two weeks with an uncle who resided twelve miles west of Daytou. Resuming their journey, they passe !! through the town of Marion, Indiana, and thence through the Indian Reserve to Peru, the younger brother there beholding for the first time a real, live Indian. They arrived in Rocli- ester, Fulton County, April 17, 1839. The subject of this sketch soon after commenced work at cabinet making for Jacob Kitt. By hard labor and the most rigid economy the struggling young mechanic had saved up a sum of money amounting to $20 or $25, and while working at his trade there he made his first loan, which, by the way, was an unfortunate one, a scheming individual getting the hard earnings of the young man in exchange for a worthless note, an experience Mr. Rodefer frequently experienced in the latter years of an active business life, and while some of his transactions in after years may have cost him many times the amount of his first loss, none of them, perhaps, were ever ro keenly felt.
In the latter part of December, 1842, Mr. Rodefer was united in marriage with Mary Ann W. Barlow, whose home was in Hendricks County, but who was then living with her
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sister, Mrs. Ruth J. Martin. To this union one child was born-December 27, 1843-a daughter, who is yet living, the wife of John F. Gabriel, of Carthage, Mo. Mrs. Rodefer died July 7, 1844. In June, 1848, Mr. Rodefer was married the second time to Mary Brewer, of Greenwood, Ind., who lived with her sister, Mrs. Ponce, near Rochester, and the following year moved to Lebanon, then a struggling village. This wife died in December, 18-19, in a house built by Mr. Rodefer on a lot which is now covered by the Globe Flouring Mills. In April, 1852, Mr. Rodefer was again married, his bride being Miss Talitha Campbell, of Johnson County, a lady of many virtues and accomplishments. She died June 27, 1866, leav- ing two daughters-Dora, a bright and promising girl, who died January 28, 1871, and Atha May, now the wife of Charles E. Wilson.
Mr. Rodefer's residence in Lebanon has been marked by an active participation in business affairs, and his entire time is still devoted to his large business interests. By prudent in- vestments, a close attention to details, correct habits, and a strict adherence to business rules, he has accumulated a hand- some competence. He subscribes freely to every practical public enterprise, and gives freely to every deserving charity ; and yet the manner of the giving is so modest and so unosten- tatious that the acts are not blazoned to the world. He is thoroughly in accord with the tenets of orthodox Christianity, and a liberal contributor to all churches of whatsoever name.
The poet of divine tragedy has aptly said that-
"The evils that men do live after them ; 1 ( The good is oft interred with their bones."
It is no exaggeration to say that the evils of the man of whom we write are fewer than those of most men of this age. Born midst the humblest surroundings, bereft of influential friends or relatives, thrown on the cold charities of the world and his own resources, and with only a meager education, he has successfully fought the great battle of life, armed as he was
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only with the inherent virtues of a strong will, a long head and a good heart.
The term "self-made" is often inappropriately used. As applied to the gentleman of whom we write, it is essentially true that he is thoroughly a self-made man. He never knew the vices of the modern youth-he never learned to swear or drink or to use tobacco in any form. Abstemious in his habits, sensible to the laws of nature, and having complete control of himself under all circumstances, he has passed the period allotted to man of three score years and ten in the full possession of every physical and mental faculty ; and while the sun of his busy and eventful life has reached and passed its meridian, it still shines bright in the western horizon, but still hesitating to sink in the fathomless sea of everlasting rest, shedding its benign rays on the declining years of one who may at times seemed to have been severe in order that he might be just, but whose sympathies in all things were on the side of justice and merey and righteousness ; and when final and un- prejudiced judgment shall come to be passed upon him by the future biographer it can be truly said :
" His life was gentle, And the elements so mixed in him That nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man.' " 1
WILLIAM R. SANFORD.
Mr. S. was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, February 13, 1796; was united in marriage to Elizabeth Threlkeld in Kentucky, in the year 1819. Mrs. Sanford was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, November 12, 1794. She died September, 1876; is buried at the Shannondale Cemetery. This worthy couple came to Jefferson Township, in 1835, when that part of the county was quite new and undeveloped. When they first came their neighbors were scattered ; a heavy forest in every direction. Nothing but strong hands and
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determination would have succeeded in making a home in the new country. Mr. S. is yet living with his daughter, Mrs. T. J. Stipe, at the age of ninety years. The following are their children's names: Eveline, Martha, John T, George, Yowell, Thomas W., Jane, Elisha, Sally, Hiram, Samuel R., and James H. The following are deceased : John and Elisha ; are buried at the Shannondale Cemetery, in Montgomery. County, Indiana.
JOHN SHAW.
Mr. S. was born in the state of New York, in the year 1792 ; his wife, Clarissa Stearns, was born the same year in the state of Vermont. They were married in the state of New York, in 1815. Came to Eagle Township, Boone County, in 1830. Their children were all born in the state of New York. Mrs. Shaw died in the year 1863; Mr. Shaw died in 1883, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Both buried at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The following are the names of their children : John S. Shaw, born in the year 1816 ; Nelson Shaw, born in the year 1817 ; Laura Jane, born in the year 1819. Laura J. died in the year 1881. John Shaw is the father of John S. Shaw and Nelson Shaw, of Eagle Town- ship, where they have lived since 1830. They each own a fine farm and are well located, prosperous citizens of that part of the county. John Shaw, senior, was one of the oldest men and citizens of the township, outliving all his first neighbors who settled on Eagle Creek as early as 1830.
DR. W. D. STARKEY.
My paternal grandfather, Stacy Starkey, was born in But- ten County, New Jersey, April 25, 1772, and after learning the blacksmith trade migrated to Chambersburg, Penn., where he married Margaret Dynes, daughter of Francis Dynes and Mary Dynes. A few years after their marriage they migrated
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to Fleming County, Ky., where they brought np a family of seven children. In the year 1830 he migrated to Marion County, Ind., locating about two miles from the present site of Traders' Point, where in 1856 he died, his beloved compan- ion with whom he had lived over sixty years following him in a few months, both being interred in Jones' Chapel Cemetery, near their last place of residence. My. father, Jesse Chambers, youngest child of Stacy and Margaret Starkey, was born May 19, 1811, in Fleming County, Ky., and with his father when nineteen years old migrated to Marion County, Ind., in 1830; lived on a farm until the time of his death, June 16, 1864; was interred in Jones' Chapel Cemetery. At the age of twenty-two was married to Mary F. McCurdy, in Marion County, Ind. My mother was born September 2, 1811, in Livingston County, New York, and when but five years old migrated into Marion County, Ind., with her father and mother and an older brother and sister, locating on White River, near the present site of Broad Ripple. In 1818 a short move was made to a point on Eagle Creek, one-half mile above the present site of Traders' Point. In 1821, when it was decided to locate the capital of the state at the present site of Indianapolis, another move was made to a point three miles down Eagle Creek, to have the advantages of a residence nearer the capital of the state. My maternal grandfather here entered a large tract of land, about 2,500 acres, as soon as th land was surveyed. He resided in the present limits of Ma- rion County, about six years before the government survey David MeCurdy was born in Scotland, in 1775, and with his mother and only brother, migrated when he was four years old to America, locating in Livingston County, N. Y. He died in 1858, and was interred in Jones' Chapel Cemetery, where my grandmother had been buried years before.
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