USA > Indiana > Carroll County > History of Carroll County Indiana, its people, industries and institutions > Part 54
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Lanty T. Armstrong moved with his parents at an early date to Carroll county, Indiana. His father first settled in White county and later taught school for a number of years in Jefferson township. He was first married to Emeline Montgomery, who died shortly after their marriage. He was next married to Charity C. Ellis, and to them were born eleven children, seven of whom are now living. Four died in childhood. The living chil- dren are: William C., who resides in Oklahoma; Luella, who is the wife
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of Alex L. Briggs, of Colorado; Ellis, who lives in Colorado; Charles E., who married Minnie A. Dimmitt and has two children; Thomas W., the subject of this sketch; Frances I., the wife of Louis Freenwalt, of Jefferson township, and Nellie A. P., the wife of Walter Cassadd, of Jefferson town- ship.
After coming to Carroll county, Lanty T. Armstrong lived here prac- tically all of his life. He was a minister in the Methodist church, and his duties as a minister took him to all the adjoining counties. During the Civil War he was chaplain for the Eighty-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volun- teer Infantry. He joined a regiment from Howard county, where he was living for a short time at the commencement of the war. He enlisted as an orderly sergeant, but was soon promoted to a higher rank. Altogether he served three years and a few months. After the war he moved to Burnetts- ville, White county. His home in this county was in Jefferson township, where, after a long and useful life, he died in 1887.
Thomas W. Armstrong was educated in the district schools of Jeffer- son township and at the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute. Alto- gether he has taught school in the schools of Jefferson township for twenty years. During the past six years he has served as principal of the schools at Yeoman. Not only is Mr. Armstrong a capable and efficient instructor, but he is likewise a most successful educational executive and, under his administration, the schools of Yeoman have enjoyed the most satisfactory progress. In addition to teaching, he operates the home farm and is espe- cially interested in stock raising. Mr. Armstrong lives in the house where his mother was born, a house built by his grandfather, Mordecai N. Ellis.
On March 18, 1896, Thomas W. Armstrong was married to Florence A. Bitler, the daughter of William T. and Eliza L. (Tussing) Bitler, the former of whom was born in Franklin county, Ohio, October 24, 1847, and the latter in Putnam county, Ohio. William T. Bitler is the son of Samuel and Mary A. (Rumer) Bitler.
Samuel Bitler was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in Virginia. They were married in Franklin county, Ohio, and, after their marriage, moved, in 1851, to Auglaize county, Ohio, where they farmed and where both died, Samuel Bitler at the age of sixty-three and his wife at the age of eighty-two. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are now living: Martha, the wife of James A. Jacobs, of Allen county, Ohio; John, who lives in Auglaize county, Ohio; Samuel W., who died at the age of sixty-six years in Ohio; William T., the father of Mrs. Armstrong; Sarah E., of Auglaize county, the widow of Benton Harrod, who died on
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December 31, 1914; James D., who lives on the old homestead in Auglaize county. Samuel Bitler was a Democrat in politics and held the office of trustee at one time.
William T. Bitler was married on January 28, 1872, to Eliza L. Tussing, who was born in Putnam county, reared in Allen county and mar- ried in Auglaize county. Shortly after their marriage, they settled on one hundred and seventy acres in Jefferson township, Carroll county, Indiana. They have been the parents of six children, five of whom are living. Mary died at the age of four years. The living children are: Florence A., the wife of Mr. Armstrong; Flora Adell, who is at home; Clifford C., who lives in Jefferson township, married Pearl Robertson and has one son, Wilber Thomas; Clyde C., who just received the degree of Doctor of Medicine, will practice his profession in Newcastle, Indiana; Adelphia, who is at home. Mr. Bitler retired in 1912.
To Thomas W. and Florence A. (Bitler) Armstrong have been born three sons, all of whom are living : Lloyd E., born on July 19, 1896; Bitler, September 20, 1902, and Frank, December 18, 1905.
Fraternally, Mr. Armstrong is a member of Delphi Lodge No. 48, Free and Accepted Masons, and to the Knights of Pythias lodge No. 73, at Monticello, Indiana. Both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star at Monticello. In politics, he is a stanch Republican.
FRANKLIN W. TROXEL.
The world judges a character of the community by its representative citizens and yields admiration and respect to those whose works and actions constitute the record of a community's prosperity and pride. Among the prominent citizens of Carroll county, Indiana, who are now living retired is Franklin W. Troxel, who is well known because of his success in farming.
Mr. Troxel is a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, born on Novem- ber 29, 1834. He is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Beleiler) Troxel. Jacob Troxel was born in Lehigh county and his wife in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. They were married in the Keystone state. After the death of Jacob Troxel in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in January, 1845, his widow lived in Allentown for a number of years, but later came west to Indiana and lived with her children the balance of her life. Jacob and Elizabeth (Beleiler) Troxel had thirteen children, four of whom died in
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childhood. Nine lived to manhood and womanhood, but only two, Franklin W., the subject of this sketch, and Mary E., are living at the present time. The latter is the widow of Herman B. Stettler and lives at Mulberry, Indiana.
Franklin W. Troxel received a common-school education in the public schools of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He traveled back and forth from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, to Indiana a number of times after having first come to Indiana in 1856. He located permanently in Clay township, Carroll county, in 1861, and here he purchased the farm upon which he now lives.
In January, 1873, Franklin W. Troxel was married to Mary E. Heil- man, a daughter of Charles and Pollie (Woodring) Heilman, both of whom had come from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, where they were born. Both died in the Keystone state. One daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Heilman, Alice Heilman, is now living in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Franklin W. Troxel had four children, three of whom died in infancy. Carrie M., the only living child, is at home with her par- ents. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin W. Troxel reared Frank Redenbacher, who was born on August 11, 1878, and who is the son of John and Amelia (Knarr) Rodenbacher. He received a common-school education in the dis- trict schools of Carroll county and also attended the State Normal School at Terre Haute, Indiana, for six months. His mother died on November II, 1878, and his father on July 2, 1912. On December 24, 1898, Frank Redenbacher was married to Mable Ellen Hattery, a daughter of Abe and Margaret Hattery, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively. Mrs. Reden- bacher's father was a laborer and he died in January, 1902. Her mother is now living at Radnor, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Redenbacher have had three children, Vernon Arthur, Russell Wilbur and Paul Harold. Ver- non Arthur, born on October 9, 1899, is a graduate of the common schools and lives at home with his parents; Russell Wilbur, born on April 20, 1902, and Paul Harold are also at home with their parents.
Mr. Redenbacher manages the Franklin W. Troxel farm in Clay town- ship. He has specialized in raising Duroc-Jersey hogs and Jersey cattle. He is an independent voter politically and he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
Mr. Troxel owns one hundred and fifty-four acres of land, consisting of two farms of eighty and seventy-four acres each. Each farm has a complete set of buildings. The home farm is situated in section 10, as is also the other farm of seventy-four acres. All the houses and barns are in good condition and have been kept in a good state of repair by their owner.
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Franklin W. Troxel is a member of the Reformed church. Mrs. Troxel is a member of the Lutheran church. At one time Mr. Troxel was a stanch Democrat, but during late years he has been independent, not only in political thought but also in voting. Political parties and party emblems have failed longer to appeal to Mr. Troxel.
ISAAC N. WAGONER.
Some of the greatest achievements in our individual lives are often accomplished by simple means and well-applied energy. The career of Isaac N. Wagoner, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, has not been along difficult lines of pursuit, but one that required close attention and watchful care of the smaller matters that combined to make a successful whole.
Isaac N. Wagoner, retired farmer, of Wheeling, Indiana, proprietor of the Walnut Grove farm, was born on September 15, 1838, in Carrollton town- ship, two miles west of where he now resides, and is a son of Martin and Rosanna (Martin) Wagoner. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm, assisting with the work during the summer months and attending the district schools in the winter seasons. He helped his father clear and improve his farm, and was married at the age of twenty-four, when he started out for himself on a farm rented from the widow McCain, and which he cultivated for four years. He bought a team, and later rented another farm near Camden, Indiana. At the end of seven years, he bought eighty acres of land in Carrollton township, which he improved with substantial buildings. After putting the place in good condition, Mr. Wagoner sold it to his son and bought the place where he now resides. Politically, he is a stanch Prohi- bitionist. while his religious membership is with the Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder and to the support of which he is a liberal contrbutor. He owns consderable property in Carroll and Cass counties, where his wealth has been accumulated.
Martin Wagoner, father of the subject, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and his wife was Rosanna (Martin) Wagoner, to whom he was married in Ohio, prior to their coming to Indiana. Mr. Wagoner entered land in Carrollton township, Carroll county, which was thickly covered with timber and had to be cleared before they could build their log cabin, in
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MR. AND MRS. ISAAC N. WAGONER.
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which the subject was born and which was later replaced by a frame dwelling. This farm is now owned by his sons, David and Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Wagoner spent the remainder of their lives on the home place. They were the parents of twelve children, only five of whom are living in 1915, namely : Isaac N., George, William F., David and Henry. Mr. Wagoner was a mill- wright, and built the old Harter mill on Deer creek, which is well remembered by the old settlers. Politically, he was a Democrat, while his religious mem- bership was with the Second Presbyterian church at Wheeling, Indiana, which he helped to build and of which he was a pillar and liberal supporter.
Isaac N. Wagoner was united in marriage, September 22, 1864, with Sarah C. Bone, daughter of Adam and Susan (La Fearer) Bone. She was born near Lebanon, Ohio, in 1838, and came to Carroll county when quite small. Her death occurred in March, 1910. She was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church. To Mr. and Mrs. Wagoner were born two children, Orion M., who follows farming in Carrollton township, and Zulema, who became the wife of James Bridge, with whom the subject makes his home. Mr. Wagoner is a gentleman of quiet and unassuming manners, and is well liked by his neighbors and many friends.
SAMUEL M. MAXWELL.
Among the well-known and highly-successful farmers of Jefferson township, Carroll county, Indiana, and among its prominent citizens is Sam- uel M. Maxwell, who owns eighty acres of land in section 8, which he has cleared and improved and which now comprises one of the most productive tracts of land in Jefferson township.
Mr. Maxwell is a native of Miami county, Indiana, born on June 19, 1874, and is the son of Todd and Louisa (Chapple) Maxwell, the former of whom was born in Adams township, Carroll county, and the latter in New York state. Todd Maxwell was the son of John Maxwell, also a native of Carroll county, who in turn was a son of David, one of the first white settlers in Carroll county. David Maxwell was a native of County Cork, Ireland. Mr. Maxwell's great-grandparents, on his paternal side, are buried in the Neibold cemetery, east of Delphi. His mother, a native of New York state, was an infant when she was brought by her parents to Cass county, Indiana. She was left an orphan at a tender age, her mother having died early in life and her father was killed by the Indians.
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Mr. Maxwell's parents, Todd- and Louisa (Chapple) Maxwell, were married in Carroll county. As a result of their marriage thirteen children were born, of whom David, the eldest, died at the age of thirty-seven years. Henderson, the youngest, was killed by a train when only two years old. The living children are as follow: William is a resident of Colorado; Henry lives in Brown county, Indiana; Samuel M. is the subject of this sketch; Charles lives near Idaville, White county; Edward lives in Evans- ville, Indiana; Mary is the wife of Henry Garland, who resides six miles northwest of Idaville, White county; Benjamin lives in Alberta, Canada, and is a member of the police force in one of the thriving cities of that prov- ince; Harvey lives in Jasper county, Indiana; Rees is a resident of India- napolis; Victor lives in Texas, and Alonzo lives in Indianapolis.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Todd Maxwell lived near Walton, in Cass county, for a short time, and then purchased land in Miami county, where they also lived for a short time. Upon selling out in Miami county, they came to Carroll county, where Mr. Maxwell spent a great deal of his time. In 1886 he moved to White county, and there his wife died at the early age of forty-five years. After his wife's death, Todd Maxwell moved to Brown county, in 1907, and is still living there. He is a Democrat in politics, but has never cared to hold office.
Samuel M. Maxwell was educated in the district schools of the Hoosier state, and on January 1, 1902, was married to Bertha Million, a daughter of John and Mary (Heiny) Million, the former of whom was born on July 9, 1847, in Miami county, Indiana, and the latter was the daughter of Henry and Magdalena (Schock ) Heiny. They were married on October 6, 1870, and had eight children, of whom Walter Gilbert was married, August 24, 1898, to Celia Waldsmith; William Allen was married, October 30, 1895, to Frances Scott; Charles Oscar and Lulu Myrle are deceased; Bertha Ray married Samuel Maxwell, January 1, 1902; Artie Earl was married to Ada Viney on January 4, 1905; Harry Wallis and Curtis William are deceased.
John Million's parents were Robert and Mary Etta (Pearson) Million, the former of whom was born in Miami county, Ohio, the son of Jacob Million, a native of near Knoxville, Tennessee, who settled in Miami county, Ohio, in pioneer times. Mary Etta Pearson was a native of South Carolina, having been born near Charleston. She came with her parents when a child to Ohio and by her marriage to Robert Million there were born seven children, of whom only one is living: Sarah was the wife of Thomas Galloway and lived in Jefferson township at the time of her death; John is
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the father of Mrs. Maxwell; Lydia was the wife of Thomas Galloway; Louisa was the wife of John Headley and they lived in Tennessee and it was there that she died; Frances died at the age of forty-two; Washington is deceased. Mrs. Mary Etta (Pearson) Million, the mother of these chil- dren, died in 1866, and after her death Robert Million was married, sec- ondly, to Levina Jones, who bore him seven children, namely: Jenetta is the wife of Henry Schock, of Jefferson township; Leonard lives at Rock- field, Carroll county ; Felix lives in Jefferson township; James lives in White county, Indiana; Mary is the wife of Charles Hoover, of Adams township; Stella is the wife of Culver Coble, of Monticello; Robert, Jr., lives in Adams township. Robert Million was a farmer by occupation and died in 1893.
John Million was not quite one year old when he accompanied his par- ents to Adams township, Carroll county, Indiana, in 1848. Here he grew up and was married to Mary Ann Heiny. Mr. Million owns two hundred and thirteen acres of well-improved land. He retired from farming in 1905, but still lives on the farm. Politically, he is a Democrat. He has served as a member of the Carroll county council for two terms.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Maxwell are the parents of two children, Mildred and Iona.
Mr. Maxwell owns eighty acres of land, which is well improved. He is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Maxwell is a member of the Church of God, and Mr. Maxwell is a member of the Christian church. Fraternally, Samuel M. Maxwell is a member of Idaville Lodge No. 556, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
DAVID HUFFORD.
Among the families of Carroll county, Indiana, whose members have worthily discharged their duties to their neighbors and their fellows, no family takes higher rank than the Huffords, who are today prominently identified with the agricultural and business life of the county. For three- quarters of a century the members of this family have stood for all that is wise and good in the business, educational, moral and social life of the county, and have wielded a potent influence for the development of the county. David Hufford, a retired farmer of Clay township, who represents the second generation of the family in this county and who occupies the farm his father entered from the government, is a citizen of wide influence in this community.
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David Hufford was born in the house where he now lives in Clay town- ship on September 17. 1837, and is the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Plank) Hufford, the former of whom was born in the Old Dominion state and the latter in Maryland. They moved to Ohio with their parents and grew up there. They were married in the Buckeye state and had twelve children, all of whom were born in Ohio except the last three, who were born in Carroll county, Indiana. They moved to Carroll county in 1833 and settled on the farm where David Hufford now lives, having entered the land in 1828 which Mr. Hufford owns. He has the original patent for the land given to his father by the government. Only two of the twelve chil- dren. David, the subject of this sketch, and a sister, the widow of Noah Gochnauer, are now living. The latter is a resident of Ross township and is eighty-two years old. The late Abraham Hufford left each of his eleven children, one having died in infancy, one hundred and sixty acres of land. He died in May, 1859, and his wife in October, 1882. They were both members of the Dunkard church.
David Hufford received a common-school education in the district schools of Clay township and, after having lived at home with his parents during his boyhood and young manhood, was married on December 4, 1864, to Susan Beery, a daughter of Jonas and Catherine (Stoneburner) Beery, the former of whom came to Carroll county from Ohio. Susan Beery was born in Hockin county, Ohio. Her parents both died in the Buckeye state.
Mr. and Mrs. David Hufford have had ten children, eight of whom are living. Mary is the wife of Jacob Hetrick, of near Rossville, Clinton county, Indiana; Catherine died in middle age; Eldo lives in Los Angeles, Cali- fornia; Joshua is a resident of Rossville, Indiana; Eliza is at home; Will- iam lives on the farm in Clinton county and operates the home place; Edward died at the age of thirteen years; Jennie is at home; Irvin lives in Frankfort, Indiana; Vernon lives at home and assists in the operation of the home farm.
Mr. Hufford owns two hundred and forty-four acres of land, of which two hundred and thirty acres are in Carroll county and the balance in Clin- ton county. The land has ali been cleared by members of the Hufford family. When the late Abraham Hufford entered the land it was covered with timber. Deer and turkey were plentiful and roamed the woods.
During the past five years Mr. Hufford has been living retired. He and his good wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Decem- ber 4. 1914. Both are devout members of the United Brethren church, and Mr. Hufford is a stanch Democrat.
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MANFORD E. GILLIAM.
The routine of private life, although of vast importance to the welfare of a community, has not figured to any extent in history, but the names of men who have distinguished themselves in agriculture and who have enjoyed the respect and confidence of those around them should not be permitted to perish. Their examples are most valuable and their lives are well worthy of consideration. Manford E. Gilliam, for example, is a prosperous farmer of Jefferson township, Carroll county, Indiana, and owns one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land. Moreover, he is a well-known citizen.
Mr. Gilliam was born in Jefferson township, this county, in 1862, and is the son of Robert and Susan (Elston) Gilliam, the former of whom was born in Jefferson township, September 3, 1840, the son of Benoni and Olive (Kenworthy) Gilliam. Benoni Gilliam was a native of Tennessee and his wife of near West Point, Indiana. They were farmers by occupation.
Mr. Gilliam's parents, Robert and Susan (Elston) Gilliam, were mar- ried on June 6, 1860, and to them were born four children, namely: One died in infancy; Manford E., the subject of this sketch; Flora E., who is the wife of S. S. Scott, of Jefferson township, and Olive, who is the wife of William Goslee, of Jefferson township. The late Robert Gilliam was a farmer by occupation. His widow is still living on the old homestead.
Manford E. Gilliam was educated in the district schools of Jefferson township and lived at home with his parents until his marriage on Septem- ber 25, 1884, to Laura Berkshire, the daughter of Martin and Margaret (Steele) Berkshire, the former of whom was a native of Cass county, Indiana, and the latter born in White county. They were married in White county and began housekeeping in Cass county, where they were farmers by occupation. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom, Mary and James, are deceased. The latter died at the age of twenty years. The six living children are: William, of Cass county; Laura, the wife of Mr. Gilliam; Newton, of Cass county; Bertha, the wife of Judson Eldridge, of White county; Ira, of Cass county, and Nellie, the wife of Clarence Therson, of Kewana, Iowa. Mrs. Gilliam's mother died in August, 1900, and her father lives with his children.
Mr. and Mrs. Manford F. Gilliam are the parents of five children, all of whom are living, Ray, Ethel, Robert, Russell and Margaret. Ray, born on August 31, 1885, is a graduate of Monticello high school and lives in Tippecanoe township. He married Delia Cook and they have one daughter,
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Laura. Ethel is the wife of Roy Hildebrand, of Deer Creek township, and has one daughter, Margaret. Robert, Russell and Margaret live at home.
Mrs. Manford E. Gilliam is a member of the Christian church, of Hickory Grove. Mr. Gilliam is identified with the Republican party, but has never been especially active in politics, having devoted his attention rather to the business of farming.
PAUL BURKHALTER.
Paul Burkhalter is a well-to-do farmer of Clay township, Carroll county, Indiana, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of well- improved land. Since 1907 Mr. Burkhalter has been living retired on his farm. He is a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, born on December 7, 1846.
Mr. Burkhalter's parents were William and Eliza (Fatzinger) Burk- halter, both of whom were born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and were married in that state. They had seven children, Josephine, Katherine, William H., Paul, Levi, Daniel and Nathan. Josephine married Philip Bush, now deceased. She lives at Mulberry, Indiana. Katherine married Alexander Beard. They are residents of Oklahoma. William H. lives in Frankfort, Indiana. Paul is the subject of this sketch. Levi lives at Edna Mills, Indiana. Daniel is a resident of Clay township. Nathan died at the age of nineteen.
The late William Burkhalter, father of these children, removed to Carroll county, Indiana, from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1849, and purchased forty-nine acres of land in connection with a grist- and saw-mill, in partnership with a man by the name of Joseph Steckel. After operating the farm and mills for four years, Mr. Burkhalter sold out and in 1853 settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Clay township, this county, which is now owned by his son, Paul. The father spent the remainder of his life in this township and passed away at the age of eighty-six, in 1899. His wife had died previously, at the age of eighty-six. They were both mem- bers of the Reformed church.
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