USA > Indiana > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Indiana: containing a history of the townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies, etc., etc. > Part 52
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BIOGRAPHIES.
died January 16, 1849; his widow July 29, 1849, aged fifty-seven years, ten months, and eleven days. The subject of this sketch and his sister are the only representatives of his father's family in the county. He obtained a practical education in the common schools, which enabled him to teach the first school in Alquina. He was married, April 20, 1843, to Maria, daughter of William and Rachel Edwards. To them have been born seven children, six now living: William E., Mary E., Lewis E., Hattie, Charles, James E. and Ed. He is a member of Warren Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. M., also of Whitewater Encampment, No. 139, I. O. O. F., of Connersville. His farm com- prises 425 acres of good land. Mr. Newland formerly voted with the Whigs, but recently has supported the Republican party on every question at issue. He has been successful in life, having accumulated the bulk of his large property by his own exertions. He is a gentleman well posted on the affairs of the day, and physically is well preserved for his age.
DAVID NOLL, farmer, Waterloo Township, was born in Lebanon County, Penn., in 1837; son of John and Mary (Boderf) Noll, natives of Pennsylva- nia, who settled in this township in 1859, living on rented land; former died in 1868 aged seventy years, and his widow is now living at the age of eighty years. John Noll was a member of the Lutheran Church; Mrs Noll holds membership with the Pres- byterians. They had ten children: John, Mary, Henry, Isaac, William, Catherine, Joseph, David, Eli, and one that died unnamed. The subject of this sketch settled in this township in 1856. He was married, August 17, 1865, to Rebecca Simmons. Daniel Simmons, father of Mrs. Noll, was born in Lebanon County, Penn, in 1809, and was there mar- ried to Mary Basore. In 1835 they settled on the farm where David Noll now lives. He was success- ful and accumulated a nice property. He was a hard-working, industrious and respected citizen. He and his wife held membership in the Lutheran Church and were consistent Christian people. They had three children, only one now living-Rebecca, now Mrs. Noll. Mr. Simmons died in 1855. Mrs. Sim- mons was born in 1809 and died in 1877. John and Catherine Basore, parents of Mrs. Daniel Simmons, were natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in this township about 1830, where they lived and died. John was a successful farmer. They had six children: Daniel, John, Catherine, Mary, Rebecca and Mary N. Mr. Basore died in 1856, aged upward of sixty years. His widow died in 1869, aged seventy-one years. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. Our subject is owner of ninety-six acres of good land.
JAMES M. OCHILTREE, farmer, Connersville Township, is a direct descendant of the ancient
"House of Ochiltree," of Scotland. In March, 1564, John Knox, the great Scottish reformer, married the daughter of Lord Ochiltree, one of the ancestors of this family. The progenitors of the family emigrated some time in the seventeenth century to escape, it is said, the Protestant persecutions, and located in Virginia. From the latter State the five brothers of the family (of whom our subject's father was one) moved to dif- ferent points and established families of their own, except David, who still resides in Virginia. Henry is a resident of Iowa; Thomas of Missouri. James, the father of our subject, moved with his family to Ohio in 1824 or 1825, and to this State in 1840, locating in Henry County, where he died in 1841; the fifth cannot be located. Our subject's father was born and reared to maturity in Rockbridge County, Va., and his mother, Catharine Paxton, grew to wom- anhood in the same county. There were nine chil- dren in the family, and these, one by one, set up for themselves. Our subject's father was a millwright by trade, but had been chiefly engaged in farming. In 1848 the mother and children moved to Glenwood, Rush County, and in 1869 took up their abode in this county. James M., our subject, was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1836. For several years he worked by the month, and provided for his mother till her death in 1855. In 1860 he married Jane McCrory, who was born in this county in 1843, a daughter of Robert and Celina (Sexton) McCrory. Her parents settled on what is now Mr. Ochiltree's farm in 1821, and on the evening of their arrival made their beds on the ground in the open air for want of shelter, first being compelled to remove quite a heavy coating of snow. After his marriage Mr. Ochiltree rented land for a few years and then purchased 124 acres, since adding 106 more. His farm is provided with an excellent stone quarry which he is operating quite extensively and successfully. In politics he is a stanch Republican, voting with that party on all questions of national interest. He has seven children living: William, Thaddeus, Robert, Calvin, James, Celina C. and Jennie. An infant daughter, China, is deceased.
MRS. LURANAH OSBORN, Jennings Township, 'is the eldest and the only survivor of twelve children born to Adam and Mary (Eli) Pigman, early pioneers of what are now Union and Fayette Counties, Ind., and whose lives, early struggles and privations are fully detailed in the history proper of Jennings Town- ship in this work, to which the reader is referred. Our subject was born in Jennings Township, this county and State, September 4, 1816. She was married April 14, 1853, to Benjamin Osborn. After marriage she and her husband moved to Union County, this State, locating on the farm upon which Mrs.
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FAYETTE COUNTY.
Osborn now resides. Mr. Osborn was a native of Kentucky, born August 20, 1809, a son of Thomas and Mary (Johnson) Osborn, the former of whom was a native of South Carolina. From thence he settled in Kentucky; later removed to Indiana and located in Franklin County, where both he and his wife died, having lived in the faith of the Old School Baptist Church. The husband of our subject was a respected citizen, highly esteemed by his neighbors and the community at large. His death occurred June 5, 1884, after having been an invalid for seven years.
MARION OVERHISER, proprietor of saw-mill, Fairview Township, was born in Hancock County, Ind., July 21, 1843. His parents, George and Eliz- abeth (Storms) Overhiser, were natives of New York State and of German descent, the former born in Steuben County in 1804, the latter in 1807. They were married in Steuben County, N. Y., where they remained some time; from there they came to this county and subsequently moved to Hancock County, Ind., and later to Blackford County, Ind., where Mrs. Overbiser died in 1860. Mr. Overhiser survived her two years. Their children were: Belinda, John P., Mary, Elvira, Martha, Henry S., Lonson, Ann H., Charles, William B., Sarah E., Keturah and Marion. In February, 1862, our subject enlisted in the Seven- teenth Indiana Battery, and served until March 31, 1864, when he was discharged. In April of the same year he re-enlisted and served as a veteran in the same company until the termination of the war, par- ticipating in all the battles in which his regiment engaged; he was discharged July 8, 1865. He then went to Blackford County, Ind., and in 1866 to Raleigh, Rush County, same State, where he worked at the carpenter's trade. He was married in Rush County, February 22, 1875, to Sarah M., daughter of Jacob and Magdalena Duttweiler, born at Cincinnati, Ohio, June 1, 1853. Two children were the result of this union: Howard B. and Lolie M. After mar- riage Mr. Overhiser settled where he has since resided. In 1879 he began his present occupation, in which he has since engaged. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is a F. & A. M.
CYNTHIA A. PARRISH, widow of Ezekiel Par- rish, Fairview Township, was born in Campbell County, Ky., September 8, 1818, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Tibbets) Murray, natives of Maine, where they were married, and from whence they moved to Campbell County, Ky., where Mr. Murray died in 1822. In 1828 his widow, with her family, moved to Rush County, Ind., where she was married to a Mr. Parrish (the father of our subject's husband), and moved with him to Fayette County, Ind., where she died in 1868; he died in 1859. Mrs. Parrish was mother of seven children by her first husband, viz .;
Thomas, Selvina, George, Benjamin, Samuel, Susan and Cynthia A. Our subject was married, in this county, January 18, 1835, to Ezekiel Parrish, born in Ohio, November 22, 1813, and to this union were born - Elizabeth and John T. (latter deceased). After mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Parrish settled on the farm where he died November 29, 1882, and his widow now lives. Mr. Parrish was a good man, a member of the Chris- tian Church.
WILLIS PEARCE, farmer, Columbia Township, is an energetic and wide-awake farmer and stock- dealer of Fayette County. He was born in Schuyler County, N. Y., October 22, 1843, son of James and Catherine (Brown) Pearce, also natives of New York, the former born in Schuyler County, April 25, 1800, and the latter in Tompkins County, December 1, 1807. They were married in Schuyler County, August 19, 1830, and in 1861 moved to Fayette County, Ind., of which they are now residents. They had a family of eight children: Gideon B. (deceased), Daniel I., Susan, Mary E. (deceased), Caroline (deceased), Buritt, James D. and Willis. Our subject, who is next to the youngest in the family, came with his par- ents to this county in 1861, and on August 28, same year, enlisted in Co. H, 36th Regt. I. V. I., serving until September 21, 1864, and participating in all the bat- tles and skirmishes in which his regiment took part. After his discharge he returned home. He was united in marriage, August 22, 1867, with Celestia Johnson, born in Schoharie County, N. Y., July 13, 1849, daughter of Cornelius and Jane (Robinson) Johnson. To this union six children were born: Ines, George, Maud, Guy W., Clifford and Maggie. After mar- riage Mr. Pearce settled on his farm, where he has since resided. He owns 200 acres of land, well improved and under a high state of cultivation.
JOHN Z. PERIN, one of the best carpenters and joiners in the vicinity of Columbia Township, is a native of this county, born March 25, 1840, son of Ezra and Jane (Utter) Perin, natives of the same county. Ezra was a sou of John Perin, a native of Massachusetts, born December 18, 1774, and married in his native State to Hepsibah Williams, by whom he had three children: Philena, Hiram and one that died in infancy. This wife dying in 1803, he sub- sequently married Rachel Rice, and in 1815 moved to Fayette County, Ind., and later to Scott County, Iowa, where he died in 1866. By his last wife he had twelve children: Dasha, Moses, Aaron, Hannah, Julia, Noble, Isaac, Franklin, Mary, Samuel, Martha and Ezra, the father of our subject. He was born April 30, 1818, and was united in marriage in this county with Jane Utter, who was born July 26, 1820. Their family consisted of: John Z., Emily D., Laura, Benjamin F., Samuel E., Susan R., Lucinda J.,
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BIOGRAPHIES.
Charles R., and three deceased in infancy. After their marriage they settled in Columbia Township, but in 1844 moved to Towa, and in the following year returned to this county. After this they made sev- eral moves, but finally settled in Franklin County in 1870, where Mrs. Perin died July 14, 1879, and where Mr. Perin now resides. Our subject completed an apprenticeship with his father, commencing when thirteen years old to learn the carpenter's trade, which he has for most part followed since. He was married, in this county, September 16, 1868, to Elizabeth A. Martin, born in this county January 13, 1846, dangh- ter of Stephen H. and Elizabeth (Caldwell) Martin. They have six children: James A., Edwin E., John H., Frederick Z., Gracie and Earl. After his mar- riage Mr. Perin settled in this township; in 1869 he moved to Franklin County, and in 1872 returned to the locality in this county where he has since resided. He has filled the office of County Surveyor since 1880.
ORAN PERKINS, farmer, Columbia Township, is a native of Fayette County, Ind., born December 25, 1845, the eldest of ten children born to William and Mary A. (Klum) Perkins, of this township: Oran, Milton R., Amanda, Luella C., Narcissa C., Jennie B., George, Jacob E., Mary K., Gracie E. Our subject was married in this county, May 3, 1868, to Agnes E. Blake, who was born in this county June 11, 1847. To this union were born ten children: Lizzie E., Mary R., Harry L., Lewis E., Edna K., William R., Fred B., Jennie B., Frank, and one that died in infancy. After marriage Mr. Perkins settled in this township, where he has since resided. In 1870 he moved on his present farm, comprising 107 acres of land.
LEONARD PETRO, farmer, Connersville Town- ship. This worthy pioneer was born in Warren County, Ohio, September 29, 1812, son of Michael and Ivah (Sutton) Petro, former born on the south branch of the Potomac River, in Virginia, in 1790, latter born in Pennsylvania in 1792. Michael Petro moved to Ohio when a youth, was married there, and in 1816 came to this county and located in Jennings Township. Here he purchased land and spent the chief portion of the remainder of his life in diligent labor. Mrs. Petro died here in 1852 and Mr. Petro subsequently married a Mrs. Funk and moved to Attica, Ind., where he closed his earthly career in 1869. Leonard Petro, the subject of this sketch, remained on the farm with his father until grown to manhood. At the age of nineteen he began opera- tions as a hired laborer for his father, with whom he was engaged about three years, receiving eighty acres of land in Randolph County, Ind., in payment for his services. He continued farming and adding to his original purchase until he owned 450 acres.
This he divided, for the most part, among his chil- dren, and afterward purchased 243 acres in Conners- ville Township. He moved to this county, purchased a home in East Connersville, and retired from active duty to take the rest which should follow so many years of toil. Mr. Petro was married in 1831 to Sarah Lemon, a native of Kentucky, in which State she spent her girlhood. Her life closed in 1879 leaving eight children: Ivy J., Edmond M., Margaret D., Eliza E., Michael C., Benjamin H. H., Anchor and Nancy. The deceased are: Mary E., Michael C. and George W. In 1881 Mr. Petro married Matilda Walker, widow of William Walker, and with whom he is quietly spending the declining years of his life. He is a man of liberal heart and mind; is one of the honored pioneers of the county, and is held in high esteem by all who know him.
JONATHAN P. PETRO, farmer, Connersville Township, son of Michael Petro, was born in War- ren County, Ohio, in 1815. He came to this county with his parents when but one year old, and has ever since resided here. He passed his early years on the farm, having but the limited advantages of the com- mon schools. At the age of twenty-four years he married Elizabeth Dungan, after which he rented land for eight years. He then purchased twenty-two acres and to this he has gradually made additions, as his means would allow, till he now owns 144 acres of valuable land. He has three children: Absalom, Hiram R. and Mary E., now the wife of Peter Fiant. Mr. Petro has always been an industrious farmer, and now in his late years finds himself rewarded with a comfortable home, and surrounded by many friends. He is a representative of one of the oldest families in the county; a careful agriculturist; his farm was one of the early Indian resorts of this locality.
JOHN PETRO, farmer, Jennings Township. The parents of John Petro were Michael and Ivah (Sut- ton) Petro, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania re- spectively. The former was born on the south branch of the Potomac River, July 4, 1790. In early youth he moved to Ohio, settling in Warren County, where, July 4, 1811, his marriage with Miss Sutton occurred. In 1816 they removed to what is now Jennings Town- ship, first living for a period within two miles of the present farm of their son John; thence removed to that farm. Mrs. Petro died on the latter farm, April 9, 1852, and Mr. Petro subsequently moved to Fountain County, Ind., and there died, November 20, 1869. Mr. Petro was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our sub- ject was born on the farm on which he now resides, April 8, 1821. His educational advantages were only such as were afforded in the district schools. He was reared on the farm and has ever since followed agricult- ural pursuits. March 8, 1849, he was united in mar-
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riage with Mary J., daughter of John Spivey. She was born in Hamilton, Ohio, March 25, 1828, and to them have been born: William H. (deceased), Ivah, James M., Hannah, David S. and John E. John Spivey was a native of Virginia, and his wife, Han- nah (Frazie) Spivey, of New Jersey. They removed to Butler County, Ohio, prior to 1828, and in 1839 came to Indiana.
TRAIN PIKE, farmer, Columbia Township, one of the prosperous young men of Fayette County, was born March 15, 1856, his parents being Levi and Mary A. (Newhouse) Pike. The former was born in Adams County, Ohio, January 21, 1818, one of the three children born to William and Susanna Pike; the latter was born in this county July 27, 1827, one of the five children of William and Sarah Newhouse. They were married in this county July 8, 1854, and afterward settled in Columbia Township, where Mr. Pike died, July 10, 1882. His widow resides in Con- nersville. Their children were Train, William, Avy, Amanda S. and Emery. Our subject was married in Franklin County, Ind., December 24, 1879, to Elsie J. Bryson, a native of Franklin County, by whom he has had two children: Ethel M. and one that died in infancy. Soon after marriage Mr. Pike settled in Columbia Township, where he has since resided. He owns 280 acres of land.
JOSIAH PIPER, farmer, Fairview Township. This venerable pioneer of Fayette County is a native of Bourbon County, Ky., where he was born on Feb- ruary 8, 1802, son of William and Agnes (McDow- ell) Piper, who were descended from Irish and Welsh ancestry. They were married in Bourbon County, Ky., where they passed their lives together, aud to them were born nine children, as follows: John, Betsy, Nancy, Israel, James, Samuel, Jane, William and Josiah, our subject, who, in point of age, was next to the eldest. Josiah's boyhood was passed amid the scenes of frontier life. He remembers making fre- quent trips in early life driving hogs from Paris, Ky., to Milledgeville, Ga., receiving for his services $8.00 per month. Many a cord of wood did he then cut for 25 cents per cord. He also frequently visited the Cherokee Nations, driving thither hogs, and he re- calls that for one of these journeys he received $30, with which he purchased a colt, the first horse he ever owned, and the distance walked for that colt was 1,000 miles. His marriage with Margaret Champ, who was also a native of Bourbon County, Ky., born May 3, 1802, occurred in that county July 15, 1824, and to this union were born Harvey M. and Susan J. (wife of Daniel Forsher). In October, 1825, Mr. Pi- per immigrated to Fayette County, Ind., locating in Harrison (now Fairview) Township, arriving October 21, same month, and they unloaded their goods by
the side of a log in the thick woods, there remaining for several weeks until they had cleared a spot and built a small cabin within half a mile of where they now live, and here our subject and wife shared the joys and trials of life together until her death, which occurred August 19, 1882. Mr. Piper started in life a poor boy, but by his industrious habits and excel - lent management has accumulated a fortune seldom earned and saved by man, he being among the wealth- iest men of Fayette County, his possessions amounting probably to upward of $100, 000; and we remark that on his locating in this county he possessed only sufficient means to purchase eighty acres of land. He has been identified with the Christian Church for nearly half a century, and has ever taken a deep interest in re- ligious work. He cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay, and with the Whig party voted until the organization of the Republican party, with which he has since affiliated. To the eighty acres of land above referred to, acres upon acres have been added, until he now looks out upon some 800 acres, all in a body, of as good land as there is in the county. He helped to build the canal and railroad, and now owns four- teen shares in the railroad. He is a gentleman well preserved for one of eighty-two years of age, and dur- ing that long period has never been confined to a bed of sickness a single day. His mind remains intact, and although four score and two years rest upon him, he moves with alacrity, and recites scenes and inci. dents of the past with clearness and precision.
HARVEY M. PIPER, son of Josiah Piper, whose sketch appears above, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., May 26, 1825, being but a babe at the time of his parents' immigration to this county. January 22, 1852, he was married to Lucinda, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Thrasher, and to them have been born two children-Q. H. and Josiah E. Mr. and Mrs. Piper are members of the Christian Church.
SAMUEL PIPER, farmer and Township Trustee, Jackson Township, is a native of that township, born September 8, 1839. His father, David Piper, was born in Virginia, March 10, 1811, and his mother, Catharine (Bash) Piper, was born in Indiana, March 1, 1816. They were married April 5, 1831. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. David Piper died November 30, 1866. The subject of this sketch received a common school edu- cation. He was united in marriage, December 19, 1871, with Miss Sophia Taylor, who was born in 1848, and to them has been given one child-Gilbert C. Mr. Piper's farm consists of 172 acres of land, Section 28. He was elected Township Trustee in April, 1884. He and his worthy wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ZENOS POWELL (deceased), late of Harrison
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BIOGRAPHIES.
Township. The subject of this sketch was born in Nicholas County, Ky., October 12, 1805, emi- grated with his parents to Fayette County, Ind., in 1825, and settled on a farm in Harrison Township, which farm he was instrumental in putting under good improvement and making it a pleasant home while he lived. He was married, December 23, 1834, to Lydia Caldwell, daughter of Joseph and Miriam Caldwell, of Fayette County, to which marriage were born nine children: Lewis F., Mary J., Emiline, Charity, Eliza, Melinda, James, Margret and Sarah K., three of whom are now deceased: Emiline, Eliza and James. His death occurred September 17, 1883. His widow and two daughters live at the old home- stead. Lewis F. Powell, his son, lives on and culti- vates the farm. In connection with farming, he has operated a saw-mill at intervals each year for the last fourteen years; also a steam thrasher for a number of years. He was married, November 21, 1866, to Sarah A. Rea, daughter of Col. James C. Rea, who has borne him two children: Claudia and Mary L. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
COL. JAMES C. REA (deceased), late of Harri- son Township, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Coulter) Rea, of Irish extraction, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., June 16, 1789, died September 25, 1876, aged eighty-seven years, three months and nine days. Col. Rea served his country in the war of 1812, being a member of Capt. John Dickson's Com- pany of Virginia Militia. In 1816 and 1818 he was appointed Ensign and Lieutenant respectively in the Thirteenth Brigade, Eighth Regiment, Virginia Militia. In 1818, in company with his brother Daniel, he emigrated to Fayette County, Ind., and located in Harrison Township on the farm where he lived and died. He was an honored and useful citi- zen, highly esteemed by every one for his excellent qualities. On April 20, 1823, he was united in mar- riage with Mary Stockdale, born in Pennsylvania, April 21, 1805, daughter of John and Mary (Han- shaw) Stockdale, and to their marriage were born Elizabeth M., Hetty J., Rheuamy, John, Robert, James C., Joseph B., Nancy H., Sarah A., India B., all whom are now living except Joseph B., who died in 1865. In 1825 our subject was commissioned by Gov. William Hendricks a Captain, and in 1826 by Gov. James B. Ray Lieutenant-Colonel of the Eleventh Regiment Indiana State Militia. In June, 1833, he was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners Tax Colleetor of the County, and was first chosen Justice of the Peace in 1834, which office he was honored with for a period of twenty-three years. In March, 1851, he was appointed by the County Commissioners Appraiser of real estate for the Townships of Waterloo, Harrison and Posey.
Col. Rea was a man of firm and resolute character; in politics was a sterling Democrat. Both himself and wife were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church, and took much interest in religious matters. The Colonel was a successful farmer, a believer in education, giving his children good advantages in that respect, and fitting them all for the school room (nine of them became successful teachers). His wife's death occurred November 10, 1846. James C. Rea, one of his sons, now resides at the old homestead, and is one of the substantial farmers and citizens of the county. From 1858 to 1867 at intervals he was engaged in school teaching. In 1882 he was chosen a Justice of the Peace without opposition. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
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