USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Indiana : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 65
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On the 29th of October. 1872. Mr. Robeson was united in
marriage with Mi -- Lydia A. Martin, his present companion. who is the daughter of Sanmel Martin, Esq .. a respected citizen of Howard Comty. Ind. This nion was blessed by one daugh. ter. Juniatta, who died at the age of three years.
At various times in his life. Mr. Robeson has been called upon to fill responsible offices in his township. He served four years as Justice of the Peace, and was also a member of the Board of Township Trustees. At a later date (1564). he was elected Trustee of Jackson Township. after the board of three Trustees had been abolished, and the law so altered as to place their duties in charge of one Trustee for each township. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, of which he is a valned and useful member.
In his public life, he has always discharged his duties with the same serupulous integrity that has marked his private trans actions. He is a man who has ever gained and retained univer- sal respect, and his fair dealing and unswerving integrity have placed him on a high plane in the estimation of a largo circle of friends and acquaintances.
DR. F. G. ARMSTRONG.
Franklin G .. son of William and Rachel Armstrong, was born June 20, 1922. in Wayne County. Ind. His father (to whom reference is made in the history of Jackson Townships was a na. tive of Virginia, and one of the pioneer citizens of Wayne County. Ind. His mother, whose maiden name was Rachel Bright. was a native of Warren County, Ohio. Her father died while she was a child. and she accompanied her mother to Wayne County. Ind .. where she grew to maturity, and married Mr. Armstrong in IS21.
On the 20th of October. 1929. the family came to Carroll County. Ind .. where the parents were engaged in agricultural pursuits nutil death. The Father died in May. 1569. and the mother in Angust. 1913.
Franklin. their son. was but seven years of age when he canwe to Carroll County, with whose better interests he has since been so prominently identified. He knew this county in its pioneer period. and bore his share of the hardships incident to pioneer life. By his surroundings, he became acenstomed to hard work. and. while yet a more boy, took a hand in clearing away the tim ber from his father's farm, and assisting him to cultivate it after it was cleared. His father purchased land in a heavily timbered locality in Jackson Township. and. in boyish sport. young Frank. lin used to walk over the farm. ax in hand. and chop down the largest trees, their fall furnishing him the liveliest amusement - - an amusement which his father did not attempt to discourage, as every tree thus felled was one step farther in the clearing of his farmı. During the winter. he attended school in one of the old-" fashioned log schoolhouses that are so intimately connected with all reminisconeos of the early days. The course of study was in. complete and circumscribed. but he proved himself an apt pupi !. and developed a taste for acquiring knowledge that soon became a ruling motive. He read all the books and papers he could ob tain. acquiring thus a good store of general information. He ex- celled in the art of spelling, and attended every "spelling-match" he could hear of for miles around. generally proving the success. ful competitor.
Later, he attended the old seminary at Delphi for two terms. thus completing his common school course and gaining an insight to the higher branches.
RES. OF ANDREW ROBESON, JACKSON TP. CARROLL CO. IND.
305
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
During his boyhood. Indians were numerons, and quite friendly with their white neighors. They were very fond of the sport of " fire-hunting". that is. hunting along the streams for deer, with a blazing torch in the bow af their. canoes. The light. attracted the deer, which they shot as soon as he became visible. This custom led to an incident in the Doctor's life which he will never forget. On one occasion, some Indians wounded a deer. which escaped into the woods, whereupon they made their way to the Armstrong residence, securing the services of Mr. Arm- strong's dog to track the game. Ever afterward. the dog would follow the Indians, and finally was missed from home. He was a great pet with the boys, who mourned his loss. Several days later. two Imlians met young Armstrong, promising that. it he would go with them in their canoe. they would restore him his dog. having learned where he was. In his boyish trust and sim plicity, he did not stop to consider the possibility of danger. and. thinking only of the prospeet of regaining his lost dog, embarked with them at once upon the placid waters of Deer Creek. They
On the 3d day of September. 1850. he was united in mar- riage with Miss Henrietta Robesm. who died July 11. 1851. leaving an infant daughter. Henrietta, now the wife of T. R. Dillen. Mrs. Armstrong was the daughter of John Robeson. Esq .. a highly respected citizen of Factory Point. Tippecanoe C'o .. Tud .. who was long identified with a large woolen factory at that point, and still resides there, aged eighty-four years. His daughter was an exceptionably amiable lady. and won her way into the affections of all with whom she was associated. and her mitimely demise cast a gloom over the hearts of a large circle of friends. On the 24th of August. Ist. Dr. Armstrong was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Toney, his present companion. to whose energy and encouragement he owes much of his success in life. She is a lady of rare accomplishments, ability and cult ure, and. by her refined and amiable disposition, has gained the highest regard of all who kuow her. She is the daughter of the had traveled quite a distance before their passenger thought of ; late Dr. E. Tenney, a prominent and successful physician of Mi- mui County, Ohio, where she resided at the time of her marriage with Dr. Armstrong. Eight children blessed this union. and four now survive. Three died in infancy. Miss Alice, a young lady of sixteen years, was a charming girl. and a universal favor ite in society: but she was called from earth to a higher life, in March. ISSO. Ellis W. is a young physician at Camden, while his twin brother. Willis E .. is a successful school-teacher. The danghters. Bright and Grace, attend school at Camden. They
the possibility of treachery. and the idea came to him then and denly. They had reached a shoal. when the two Indians sprang ont of the boat. and. drawing large, ngly knives from their belts. began gesticulating savagely, and talking in their strange jargon. not a word of which could be understood by the white boy. Ile could not perceive the object of their sudden halt. and their wild manner cansed him instantly to believe that it meant harini to himself: but he manifested no fear, and said nothing. Sud denty. the Indians plunged their knives into the sand beneath ; have a beautiful and happy home, onlivened by music and art. them. and each brought up a turtle, writhing on the blade, ouly . and each of the children contribnees toward the home entertain to throw it out upon the bank to die. This they repeated until mont, as they have each developed and cultivated musical talent. tired of the sport. when they returned to the canoe and resumed their journey. They kept their promise faithfully. and. after restoring to the hay his lost pet. took him safely home. But it was an eventful trip to him, and its memory stamped itself in. delibly upon his mind.
Amid scenes as wild. his early life was passed. The Indian boys were his companions, until they were removed. by order of the Government. to reservations farther west. As he grew older. he took part in the cultivation of his father's farm. During the harvest season. he worked in the field. swinging an old-fashi- ioned grain-cradle, and was the first in Jackson Township to use a left hand plow. with cast-iron mold-board. This plow at tracted a great deal of attention, and was an object of curiosity to many of his neighbors.
At the age of twenty years. he began teaching school. His first experience was in the frame schoolhouse at Camden. where he taught the entire term of twenty-two weeks for $62. paying his board out of this amount. and. later, taught several terms in the home district. At an early age, he conceived a desire for a professional life. and the bent of his inclination was toward the profession of medicine. At the age of twenty-two years. he be. gan his studies in the office of Dr. J. M. Justier, at Camden. where he made rapid progress, and. in 1846 and 1847. attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. His father was anx- ious to further his son's plans, and. to pay his expenses at. col- lege. hanled wheat to Logansport, selling it for 373 cents per bushel. Having completed his studies, he returned to Camden and entered upon the practice of his profession in the spring of 1847. Confidence in his skill and ability was soon established. and his practice grew in proportion. extending north to the Wa- bash River. south to Wild Cat. Crook and out to the Michigan
road. His services were ahnost constantly in demand, and ho did a large amount of business.
On Monday, August 25. 1979, the Doctor and his devoted companion celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of a happy wedded life. Invited guests to the munber of 150 assembled. bringing with them silver tokens at once elegant and useful. The ceremony of re nuiting the happy couple was performed by Rov. L. B. Robinson. after which a sumptuous dinner was spread by the hostess. It was the social event of Camden. and one iong " to be remembered by those who participated in its scenes.
In IN65. Dr. Armstrong purchased and moved to the farm which he nowoccupies, at the eastern extremity of Camden. upon which he erected a palatial brick residence. While busy super intending the construction of this house, he was surprised by the announcement that the Republicans of Carroll County had nomi. nated him to represent thisdistrict (Clinton and Carroll Counties) in the State Senate. This pominasion, like those of carlier years, came to him nusought. He had previously served in local offices of honor and trust among them being the office of member of the Board of Trustees of Jackson Township, which he filled with ability for three years, after the adoption of the new constitution of the State. In the canvass for the Senate. his competitor was the late Judge Bernard B. Daily, who promptly challenged hima for a joint canvass. The challenge was as promptly accepted. and the rival candidates hold their first meeting on the Hth of Angust. 1866. in the court house ut Delphi. The meeting was attended by a large crowd. all eager to hear the issues of the day discussed. The Doctor proved himself a powerful antagonist in the debate, and made many points, in the course of his argument, that gained him votes. A heated campaign ensued. and political excitement ran high. both parties putting forth their ntmost en. deavors. At the election which followed in the fall. Dr. Arm- strong carried both counties by a flattering majority. thus becom-
306
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
ing the first, and, thus far. the only Republican ever elected to the Sonate from Carroll County. He entered this body without legislative experience, and a stranger to all the members; yet he rapidly wou their regard and confidence, and. during his term of office. identified himself prominently with the legislation of that term. and held important positions as a member of regular and special committees. In his official capacity. he had the pleasure of casting his vote for the election of both the Hons. O. P. Mor- ton and D. D. Pratt to the United States Senate, and for the rat- ification of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. He was a member of the Standing Committee on Prisons, aud also of a special committee appointed to investigate alleged corruption on the part of officials at the State Prison Sonth. The facts brought to light by this committee in its report to the Senate led directly to the establish- ment of the Female Reformatory at Indianapoli -. Dr. Arm- strong served during three sessions of the Senate, and voted for many important measures, among them being the initial law for the construction of ditches, whose operation has been of such in- calculable benefit to Indiana: the bill to establish a Bureau of Geology, and appoint a State Geologist: to establish a House of Refuge at Plainfield. Ind .. for juvenile offenders: for the ostab- lishment of the Soldiers Orphans' Home at Kuightstown. Ind. : for the State Normal School. at Terre Haute: for Pardne Uni- versity: for the Female Prison and Reformatory: also for the bill making it legal to levy a tax for the aid of railroads, and minner- ons other bills of less importance. During his period of service. a bill was introduced to divide the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, and create a new circuit from the territory thus divided. The moas. nro was referred to a special committee, who returned a majority report favorable to its passage. while Dr. Armstrong, as a mem ber of the committee. brought in a minority report of a contrary uature. He spoke warmly and eloquently of its injustice, and was followed by other members of the Senate, some of whom were friends and others enemies of the bill. After a warm and ani- mated disenssion. the minority report was adopted by a vote of thirty-two to eight. while the Doctor. as its champion. received hearty congratulations. Hon. Will Cumback. then President of the Senate. grasped him warmly by the hand at the close of the day. remarking that it was the greatest victory of the session. He made a noble record as a legislator, and discharged the duties of his high position in a manner that gave the greatest satisfac- tion to his constituency. and reflected credit upon his honor and integrity. Shortly after the expiration of his Senatorial term. he was appointed by Gov. Baker as one of the managers of the Female Prison and Reformatory. a position which he held for more than six years.
in the limits of Jackson Township: and on the 30th of April, ISSO, was a guest at the golden wedding of the same couple, this being the first golden wedding over celebrated in the township. He was associated with the carly mercantile history of Camden. In IS52 or 1853. in connection with Dr. Justice, he erected the first drug store in that village, and was for three or four years a partner in a dry goods store. In the public improvements that have been inaugurated in the county, he has taken a prominent and active part. and has worked zealously and unselfishly for their success.
In 1853, the Carroll County Agricultural Society hold its an nual fair at Camden, and he was appointed to deliver the address. one part of which clearly evinced his keen and far-seeing judg ment. After reviewing the past history of the county in a happy and well- timed speech, and pointing out the need of still further publie improvements, he said: " The Wabash & Erie Canal the most stupendous work of the kind in our country, stretching from the Ohio River away north to Lake Erie, traversing the on- tire length of the State - now bears away on its watery bosom the iunneuse surplus produce of our county. Soon. too. the iron horse, with his hoarse cough and shrill screams. will be along to bear away his share of trade, particularly perishable articles, and to bring. in return. other Iusnries to our doors. Two railroads. at least, will thread the county. exciting a generous rivalry, and giving life and energy and impetus to business and enterprise. Surrounded with such facilities, and with industry and economy. the prudent. Farmer is in the broad road to wealth, prosperity and happiness." When, at a later date, the prediction that two rail- roads, at least, would thread the county manifested the proba- bility of becoming a fact. no private citizen worked more car- uestly than he for its consummation. He donated upward of $2.000 in aid of the projected railroads in this county. and in other public enterprises he has manifested equal liberality.
He is one who has always won and retained the esteem and contidence of all. and. in public and private life. has proven true to the instincts of honor and integrity which are so truly a part of his nature. On the 30th of November. 1841. he became a member of the Baptist Church at Camden. and. in the intorveu- ing years, has been one of its most active and zealons members. and in this field of usefulness he is ably assisted by his good wife. The Doctor was imbued early in life with temperance ideas, which extended even to the use of tobacco, and has ever since adhered to the stand he then took. His action in this matter is particularly commendable, since it required fortitude and stamina to maintain it: for. in the days in which he formed this resolution. it was customary to furnish liquor upon all occasions of " log-rollings." " house-raisings." and other neighborhood assemblies. " But he felt he was right, and persevered in his resolution: and this spirit of independence as a boy has marked his character as a man. Whatever may be his views upon any subject, they are the result of careful investigation. and he is fearless and bold in maintain- ing his position. There is scarcely a corner of the county in which he is not known and revered, and a tribute to his character from the stranger's pen would be ahnost superfluons, since it could in nowise add to the high regard in which he is universally held.
At the close of his teri in the Senate. he resumed the prac. tice of his profession at Cainden. In this he has been a devoted and tireless worker. and through it has he acquired a competence in life. In the earlier years of his professional life. his prae- tice. as previousiy intimated. extended over a wide scope of ter- ritory, and involved a large amount of laborious travel over very bad roads. Yet he never refused to attend a call. however stormy the weather or however indigent the patient. For more than half a century. he has been a resident of the township in which he still resides, and has been a participant in many of the scenes JOHN PALMER HANCE. and events that have made its history and marked its progress from a pioneer settlement to a wealthy and populous township. William Hance, father of the subject of this sketch. was one of the pioneers of Carroll County. A native of Kentucky. after- On the 30th of April. 1830, he attended the wedding of Adam Porter and Catharine Holman -the first wedding celebrated with- [. ward a resident of Miami County, Ohio, thence, in 1828, to Car-
JOHN W. PENN ( DECEASED )
HULDAH C. PENN.
JOHN W. PENN
John W. Penn was born December 3, 1808, in Shelby County, Ky. Ilis parents, Ephraim and Mary Penn, were both natives of Ken- Dicky. but removed to Jefferson County, Ind., in 1816. Their son was lat eight years of age at that time, and grew to manhood with but limited educational advantages. The country was unsettled and heavily timbered, and from the time he was old enough to work, his services were demanded in the improvement of the home farm. There were no schools taught in the neighborhood of his home, except at rare inter- vals, yet by patient study and application, he acquired a fair knowledge of the common branches, and was an intelligent man, and well posted in the current events of the day. He was a man of keen observation, and Ilearned more from his surroundings than from books. He occupied a position in life whereby his entire time was demanded by work, and he had but little opportunity for mental culture. He was always iden- tified with pioneer settlements. The locality in which his parents set- tled was a wilderness at that time, and in its development he bore a full share, by the labor he performed in converting the forest into fer- tile fields. On the 24th of February, 1831, he was married in Jeffer- 8011 County, Ind., to Miss Huldah Christie, and in October, 1833, removed with his wife and one son to Carroll County, Ind. They per- formed the journey in a four-horse wagon, accompanied by Mrs. Penn's brother, Preston Christie. Mr. Penn located upon the farm in Jackson Township, where he resided until death. Here the experiences of his boyhood were revived, for the place in which he settled was a dismal wilderness. His family lived for three or four weeks in a cabin which stood unoccupied on an adjacent piece of land, the father being engaged, meanwhile, in the construction of a cabin on his own land for their reception. This completed, they occupied it, and Mr. Penn addressed hinself to the task of " making " a farm. Year after year he plodded patiently on, until at last he could view the many broad acres stripped
of the cumbrous timber, and covered with waving grain. The gener- ous soll yielded ample support for his family, and the sale of the sur- plus was the foundation of the fortune which accumulated little by little, under good management, until it ultimately reached handsome proportions.
Mr. Penn had no political aspirations, and never occupied any public positions, save the office of Constable ; yet among the early set- tlers of Jackson Township, none, perhaps, were more prominently connected with its growth and improvement, and none more liberal than he in contributing to the advancement of measures designed to promote the public good.
While devoted heartily to his work, Mr. Penn yet found time to cultivate friendships. He won the warmest regard of all with whom he was associated, and those who knew him loved him for his manly nature and the sterling integrity which was so truly characteristic of all his dealings with his fellow-men. He died on the 22d of Septem- ber, 1878, leaving a void in the hearts of his neighbors and friends never to be filled.
His wife, who still survives him, is the daughter of James and Mary Christie, natives of Virginia. They removed to Shelby County, Ky., at an early date, where their daughter was born on the 7th of July, 1813. When quite young, she removed with her parents to Indi- ana, loenting in the southern extremity of Ripley County, and within three miles of the family of Mr. Penn. They attended the same school, the same church and singing schools. In a word, they grew up together, and learned to know each other, their childish friendship developing into love in their maturer years, and culminating in a happy marriage. To bless their wedded life there were eiglit children, named respectively, Ephraim, Mary, James C., Elizabeth, William. Rebecca A., Jobn C. and Silas Israel, all of whom are now living save Euhraim, Williarc and Rebecca.
RES. OF JOHN C. PENN, JACKSON TP. CARROLL COUNTY, INDIANA.
MANUFACTURER OF SWEET CIDER
307
JACKNON TOWNSHIP.
roll County. Ind .: settling on what is known as the Snocherger farm. in Jackson Township. and, after living there two years, moving to the old homestead, where he resided at the day of his death. which occurred in the month of June, 1859. A fariner by occupation. he was of German lineage, and was twice married. By his first wife. Sarah Counts. he reared a large family of boys and girls, of whom but one. John P. Hance. is yet living. The oldest son. William C. Hance, was a soldier of the Mexican war, and died. soon after his return home. from disease contracted in the service. Another son. Joseph D. Hance. was elected Sheriff of Allen County. Ind .. and died in 1876. during his incumbency of that office. His second wife. by whom one chikl. a girl. was born. was a widow by the name of Smith (nce Martin). who died during the latter part of last year (1881 ). at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Until her death she contiuned to live on the old homestead.
William Hance was three times elected a Commissioner of Carroll County -- in 1836. 1845 and 1848-serving in all, in that capacity. nine years. For a number of years, he was chosen In- spector of Elections. Sernpnlously honest, and. although with- ont the advantages of an education. n man of intelligence and practical good judgment. those who remember his official life say that his opinion always carried with it. to his fellow-Commis- sioners. the weight of conviction. As a political candidate. he was so popular as to rarely meet with opposition, and, though often a candidate. he studiously avoided electioneering in his own behalf, to the extent even of soliciting a single vote. Strictly temperate in his habits, of an active, robust physical constitution. a consistent Christian. and a member of, and for years. indeed. a mainstay in the Old School Baptist Church, and thoroughly devoted to the church and its interests, a man benevolent and generons in disposition and faithful in sickness, he cannot. our informant tells us. be too well spoken of. or his memory too highly revered.
John P. Hauce is the third sou of William Hance, and was born on the Hance homestead. in Jackson Township. Carroll County. Ind., ou the 30th of June. 1830. being therefore a na- tive of Carroll County, and, with the single exception of his four years of official service, during which time he lived in Delphi. having passed his entire life, up to the present time, ou the ok homestead. He divides the distinction with E. H. Greshamn, of Delphi, of being the first county officer who was also a native of the county.
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