USA > Indiana > Huntington County > History of Huntington County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana > Part 40
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JACOB BECKER, one of the old and honored citizens of Huntington, is a native of Prussia, and was born July 25, 1824. He was the oldest of five children - four sons and one daughter - born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Loch) Becker, both natives of Prussia. The boyhood of Jacob was spent at the home of his parents. At the age of twelve, he began to learn the trade of a stone cutter. He continued at this until he was twenty-two, when he entered the service of the Prussian Army. In this ca- pacity he continued about four years and a half. In the mean-
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time, during his military service, he was married in February, 1850, to Elizabeth Klein, daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Stoll) Klein, both of whom were also natives of Prussia. In the spring of 1852, our subject, in company with his wife and child, his father, mother, three brothers and one sister, emigrated to Amer- ica - reaching New York City on the 5th day of April. After working at his trade a short time in Williamsburg, N. Y., and in Wilkesboro, Pa., he, in company with the family above men- tioned, came to Huntington - arriving on the 11th day of Decem- ber, 1852. With the exception of three years - from 1873 to 1877, which was spent at Logansport - Mr. Becker has resided here ever since. His undivided attention has been given to his trade during this whole time-excepting the year 1866, during which he conducted a grocery in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have had born to them six children as follows: Elizabeth, Jacob F., Nicholas, Peter, Michael J., and Margaret. The first - Elizabeth - and the third - Nicholas- died in childhood. Politically, Mr. Becker supports the principles of the Democratic party. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church. They were among the earliest German settlers of Huntington, and are among her most worthy and respected citizens.
MICHAEL J. BECKER, of Huntington, proprietor of the mar- ble shop on Jefferson Street, was born in Huntington, November 29, 1859. He is the third of six children born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Klein) Becker, now residents of Huntington. He attended school after he became old enough until he reached the age of twelve, when he began to assist his father, who, by trade is a marble cutter. In 1873, the family moved to Logansport, where Michael and his father continued at marble cutting until 1877, when they returned to Huntington. June 15, 1882, he was mar- ried to Margaret A. Forster, also, a native of Huntington, born December 12, 1861. She was the daughter of Michael and Catharine (Klein) Forster, both natives of Germany. Our sub- ject is the father of two children: Ferdinand, born March 21, 1883, and Karl, born May 6, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Becker are members of the Catholic Church. In politics, the former is a Democrat. He is an enterprising young man and is worthy the confidence of the public.
WILLIAM M. BELL was born in Huron County, Ohio, De- cember 26, 1829. He was the oldest son born to Martin and Mary (Miller) Bell, both natives of Susquehanna County, Pa. Our subject grew up to manhood in his native county, working upon his father's farm. In 1848 he accompanied his parents to Allen County, this State, and located with them upon a farm. During the winters of 1850 and 1851, and 1851 and 1852, he taught school in Allen County. In the spring of 1852 he located upon a farm of his own in that county. In the summer of 1854 he sold his farm and went to Wisconsin. There he resided upon a farm
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three years, when he returned to Allen County. During the next seven years he was engaged in working in a saw mill, and a part of the time he had charge of a hotel. In 1864 he be- came agent for the Wabash Railroad Company at New Haven, Allen County, which position he held until 1869. In the fall of that year he went on a prospecting tour through the west. After six weeks spent in this way he returned to this state, and located in the city of Huntington. Since then he has been in the em- ploy of C. E. Briant, as bookkeeper, at the latter's stave factory. This position he has filled over sixteen years, and has discharged his duties with great credit to himself. April 4, 1852, he was married to L. Jane Whitney, a native of Orleans County, New York, and daughter of Jared and Catharine (Daniels) Whitney. She was born November 2, 1829. Mrs. Bell belongs to the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bell is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge and a Republican in politics. He is a reliable man, an efficient bookkeeper, and a first class citizen.
BEN. F. BILITER, son of William M. and Arcadia, Biliter, was born in Jefferson Township, this county, March 18, 1856. He was raised on the farm and received a common school edu- cation. Taught school five winters. He entered the County Auditor's office, March 15, 1880, as assistant, and was appointed deputy, July 10, 1883, and was the Chief Deputy until the first of July, 1885, when he purchased a half interest in The Democrat from Col. I. B. McDonald, and is at present the business mana- ger of that concern. March 25, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Cummings, the only daughter of Luther and Maria Cummings, of Huntington.
HARVEY C. BLACK, Ex-Auditor of Huntington County, was born in Mt. Carmel, Clermont Co., Ohio, September 4, 1842. He was the son of Morris W. and Elizabeth (Martin) black, both of whom were natives of Hamilton County, Ohio, their respective births occurring October 4, 1813, and November 25, 1813. The parents were married December 26, 1835. His paternal grand- parents were Peter and Jemima (Ward) Black, the former of whom was born at Herrod Station, Ky., November 2, 1789. He was one of a pair of twin brothers, the other of whom was named Matthias. He was married to Jemima Ward December 3, 1812, and he died April 12, 1840. His wife was born July 12, 1793, and died March 27, 1876. Both were baptised in the Baptist Church July 11, 1819. Peter Black was the son of Capt. David Black who served for six and one-half years in the Revolutionary War. He was born in New Jersey, and chose for his wife Catharine Cramer, who, also, was a native of New Jersey. Jemima Ward was the daughter of Israel and Sarah (Cook) Ward, both natives of New Jersey. Israel Ward was the son of Joseph Ward. The mother of our subject was the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Gerard) Martin, both natives of Pennsylvania. The former, Joseph Martin, assisted to erect the
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first Baptist Church in the State of Ohio- at a time when even church worshipers had to arm themselves with shot guns. He died in Hamilton County, Ohio, at the age of eighty-two. The subject of this sketch resided with his parents upon a farm near Batavia, Ohio, from the spring of 1846 to the fall of 1856. Dur- ing the last season of their residence there, Harvey - then a lad of thirteen - took upon himself the full management of the farm, an attack of rheumatism having disable the father in the spring before. The son proved to be more ambitious than muscular, and an attack of the typhoid fever, of thirteen weeks' duration, compelled him to desist. The father then sold the farm and, in order to educate his children, moved to Cincinnati, where he engaged in business. There our subject entered school in the old Woodward College district, and continued to attend for two years. For four years thereafter he was employed as clerk in a hotel. His leisure hours, however, were spent in pursuing his studies and during a part of the time he attended special school. Mathematics and music seemed to be the branches for which he was especially adapted, and while he yielded more or less to the latter for the sake of pleasure, his early inclinations were for the counting room. He accompanied his parents to this county in February, 1862, and for three years thereafter he assisted his father upon a farm, Later he took the avocation of a school teacher and taught, in all, seven terms with good success. He also conducted a singing school during a good portion of the time and served as chorister for Sabbath School and church. His vacations were chiefly spent working at the trade of a carpenter and cabinet maker. His motto was: " What thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." It is noteworthy that he never took charge of a single school without first being solicited. He had a very high regard for the usefulness of woman in the teacher's profession, and would never, under any circumstances, make ap- plication for a school against a lady. At the close of his last term of school he served out an unexpired term in the county surveyor's office to which he had been appointed. He was then elected to that office upon the Democratic ticket and served one term. In 1872 he took charge of the surveyor's office in Allen County, as deputy, but owing to ill health was compelled to resign the position. In February, 1873, he took charge of the books in the Citizen's Bank, of Huntington, in which capacity he continued until January 1, 1875. In October, 1874, he was elected to the office of County Auditor, and was re-elected to that office in Oc- tober, 1878. His term of office was a period of unusual improve- ment in Huntington County. The county jail and infirmary buildings were erected, several bridges and gravel roads were constructed and a vast improvement was made in the way of ditching. The marriage of Mr. Black occurred July 4, 1882, when Miss Athaliah Stults became his wife. She was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 7, 1850, and was the daughter of Harmon and Sarah (Decker) Stults, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere
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in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Black are the parents of one child, Bernice Judson, born December 15, 1883. They are members of the Baptist Church. Politically Mr. Black is a Democrat. He became a member of La Fontaine Lodge, I. O. O. F. in 1871 and of Silica Fons Encampment in 1876. He is a charter member of the K. of P. order of Huntington organized in 1881. He has rep- resented both the subordinate lodge and encampment in the Grand Lodge and Grand encampment. He and wife are among the esteemed citizens of the county.
JOHN W. BOWMAN was born in Adams County, Ohio, August, 27, 1837. He was the son of George and Sarah Ann (Minton) Bowman, both natives of Ohio, the former of German and the latter of English and Irish descent. As soon as he be- came old enough he took up the vocation of a farmer in his native county. He continued thus until the fall of 1861, when he entered Battery F, 1st Ohio Light Artillery with which he served until the close of the war. He served with credit in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. After the war he returned to Adams County, Ohio, but in April, 1866, he came to this county and located in Lancaster Township. There he pursued the trade of a carpenter until the fall of 1879, at which time, having been appointed Deputy Sheriff he moved to the City of Huntington. In the fall of 1882, he was elected to the office of Sheriff, and was re-elected in the fall of 1884. His sec- ond term is just now completed. March 31, 1873, he was mar- ried to Sarah Ann Billiter, by whom he has had six children, Norval V., Arthur W., Harry O., Thadeus D., Lena G., and Mary E., all of whom are living. Mr. Bowman is a member of the F. & A. M. and G. A. R. Lodges and a Democrat in politics.
JAMES C. BRANYAN, a prominent member of the Hunting- ton Bar, is a native of Madison County, Ohio, where he was born, October 24, 1838. He was the son of John and Nancy (Black) Branyan, both of whom were natives of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish descent. Shortly after his birth, his parents removed to Dayton, Ohio. In September, 1845, the family came to this county, and located upon a tract of woods land, three and one- half miles southwest of Huntington. There the subject of this sketch spent his youth, assisting to clear and cultivate the farm in sum- mer and attending the district school in winter. In Sep- tember, 1858 he entered an academic school, at Marion, this State, where he pursued his studies about two years, and in the fall of 1860, he entered the Freshman Class, of Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, Ind., and there completed a classical, collegiate course. During the summer of 1864, he served as a Union sol- dier, in Company I, 138th Indiana Volunteers. On returning to Huntington, he began the study of law with the Hon. H. B. Sayler, and was admitted to practice in the spring of 1865, and soon thereafter he formed a partnership in the practice of law,
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with Maj. Isaac DeLong, which partnership lasted about two years. During the summer of 1866 he filled the office of County Sur- veyor, by appointment. In 1867 he removed to Decatur, Ind., where he resided about one year, thence he went to Kansas, remaining one year. Not liking the outlook for the practice of his profession in that State, he returned to Huntington, in the spring of 1869, since which he has here been actively engaged in the practice of law. For a period of nine years he was associated in practice with C. W. Watkins, and he is, at present the senior member of the firm of Branyan, Spencer & Branyan. In this connection it may be added, that for a period of ten years past he enjoyed a very extensive practice, and has been con- nected with every important case tried in the county. In politics Mr. Branyan was a Republican, until 1872, when he followed the Greely movement. and since he has been actively identified with the Democratic Party. In 1876 he was elected to the Legislature, and served one term, declining a re-nomin- ation. In 1882 he was the Democratic candidate for the office of Circuit Judge, but owing to the circuit being largely Republican, he was defeated by the Republican candidate,- Hon. H. B. Sayler. In 1886 he was the nominee of his party, for Con- gress, against the Hon. George W. Steele, in the Eleventh Indiana Congressional District, but owing to the demoral- ized condition of the party during that year, he was defeated by a majority of 410. It may be said, however, that it was no fault of his, and that he made a vigorous and active campaign of the district. Mr. Branyan was married October 3, 1865, to Emma R. Woodrow, who still lives, and they have a family of three sons.
JAMES M. BRATTON, Sheriff Huntington County, is a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and was born October 2, 1809. He was the oldest son born to Edward and Sidda (Hall) Bratton, natives of Pennsylvania and North Carolina, respectively. His paternal grandparents were James and Bethsheba (Hollady) Bratton. His maternal grandparents were William and Sarah (Applegate) Hall, the latter of whom lived to be one hundred and seven years old. When James was but fourteen years old he left home, and went to Pittsburg, where he learned the carpenter trade. Two years later he went to Harper's Ferry, Md., where he began the trade of a mill-wright. About 1828 he emigrated to Ohio, where he worked in various counties at the trade of a mill-wright. In December, 1832, he came to this State and located at Marion, Grant County. In October, 1833, he returned to Ohio and worked at his trade in Champaign and Logan counties. In 1835 he again came to this State and located this time at Peru. July 12, 1835, he was married in Grant County to Hannah A. Wall, after which he worked at his trade in Grant County two years. He removed to La Gro. Wabash County, in 1837. In 1839 he came to the City of Huntington, where he has ever since resided. Since coming here his occupation has chiefly been that of a con-
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tractor and builder. His first wife died February 6, 1860, and on the 12th day of July, 1862, he was married to Rosamond M. Mc- Donald, who died April 17, 1871. He was married a third time on the 23rd day of August, 1874, to Fredrecca C. Billenstine. In all, Mr. Bratton is the father of twelve children, nine of whom were by his first wife, and three by his second. Seven of his children still survive. Our subject is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and a Republican in politics. He has been honored with the Coroner's office in this county two years, and the office of Justice of the Peace seven years. In the fall of 1886, at the age of seventy-seven, he was elected Sheriff of Huntington County, and though advanced in years, he is now discharging the duties of the office as would a man of thirty.
HON. CYRUS E. BRIANT is a native of Erie County, Ohio, born March 2d, 1829, at Birmingham, where he resided until six- teen years of age, and then emigrated to Michigan, and in. 1847, came to Huntington County and engaged in the lumber and stave business, which he continued in this and Allen County until the beginning of the late civil war. In 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company D, Fifty-Eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. In a short time after his enlistment he was elected Captain of his company, and at Camp Andrew Johnson, Tenn., he was made Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment. In the autumn of 1864 he was promoted to the rank of Colonel, and as such served until the close of the war. His regiment was among the first at the organization of the Fourteenth Army Corps. He was a faithful and brave soldier, and was mustered out of the service at Indian- apolis in 1865. The marriage of Col. Briant was solemnized in 1852, when Miss Julia Bell, daughter of Col. Martin Bell, of New Haven, Ind., became his wife. To this union are four children, as follows: William, Mary, John and Nina. Politically, Col. Bri- ant is an earnest and steadfast Republican, and is ever alert for the best interests of his party. For many years Col. Briant has been a member of the Huntington City Council, and he has been the leading spirit of that body during the many years of service. The fine streets and the electric light are evidence of some of the many public improvements which his public spirit and untir- ing energy have brought about. In the fall of 1886 he was elected to represent Huntington County in the General Assem- bly of Indiana, and in the session of 1887 took a conspicuous part. He is one of the most extensive manufacturers in this part of Indiana, and without question, is the most enterprising man in Huntington County. Among his neighbors and acquaintan- ces, Col. Briant bears a high reputation for uprightness and in- tegrity.
WILLIAM T. BRIANT, proprietor of extensive lime and lumber manufacturing interests is the oldest son of Col. Cyrus E. and Julia (Bell) Briant, a sketch of whom appears above.
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He was born in the city of Fort Wayne, Feburary 4, 1854. When he was yet a child, about one year old, his parents removed to New Haven, Allen County, where his boyhood and early youth were spent attending school in winter, and working in his father's stave factory in summer. He also worked upon a farm a portion of the time. When he was sixteen, or in 1870, he accompanied his parents to Huntington, and in September, 1871, he entered Notre Dame College, at South Bend, where he spent one year, quitting in the spring of 1872, having nearly completed a commercial course. He then returned to Hunting- ton, and until the spring of 1SS1, he was employed in the large stave factory interests owned by his father. In the spring of 1881, he went on a prospecting tour through the western states and territories and at the end of four months he returned again to Huntington, a resident of which he has been ever since. Up- on his return he immediately engaged in the manufacture of lumber, to which his attention has been devoted ever since. He has, also, however, been interested in the manufacture of Hunt- ington white lime since January 1, 1885. May 26, 1882, he was united in marriage to Flo. E. Rosebrough, a native of Hunting- ton, and daughter of William H. Rosebrough. She was born December 25, 1860. They are the parents of one child, Ben, born April 26, 1886. Politically, Mr. Briant is a Republican. He is an enterprising and successful business man, and a reliable and in- fluential citizen.
LEWIS BRIDGE, one of the hardware dealers of this city, was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 14, 1849. He was third son in a family of nine children born to Levi V. and Rebecca (Hines) Bridge, both natives of Pennsylvania, of English descent. When Lewis was five years old, or in 1854, his parents came to this State and located in the woods of Whitley County. That was in Washington Township. Five years later they moved to Jefferson Township, of that county, where our subject spent his youth working upon a farm. In the winter time he attended the district school, in which he received a good common school education. At the age of nineteen he took up the vocation of teacher, and taught very successfully four consecutive terms. His vacations were spent working upon a farm and attending school. In August, 1872, he went to Southern Kansas, where he took a claim of 160 acres. There he settled down and remained for thirteen months. He then returned to Whitley County, this State, and resumed teaching. He continued in this profession for six years with excellent success-evidence of which is shown by the fact that the six terms were taught in but three school districts. During the summer seasons he was variously employed. In 1879, he took an interest in the old grist mill at Andrews, this county, to which his attention was directed for two years with splendid success. In the meantime his brother, Henry Bridge, had purchased the other interest in the mill, and
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the two thus became sole proprietors. In March, 1881, they ex- changed the mill property for a hardware stock in this city, whither they came at that time. The firm name is L. Bridge & Bro. They have a large and commodious room well stocked, and are doing a good business. May 25, 1876, he was married to Leonora Huffman, a native of Ohio, born June 10, 1850. She was the daughter of John and Ann (Harvuot) Huffman, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bridge are the parents of five children, Orlo L., Gracie A., Ralph, Mary and Wilbert. The third, Ralph, died in infancy. Our subject is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and a Republican in politics.
REV. JOHN R. BROWN, one of the honored citizens of Hunt- ington County, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, April 21, 1825. He was the fourth in a family of seven children - four sons and three daughters - born to Thomas and Sarah (Rogers) Brown, the former a native of Lancaster County, Pa., of Scotch descent, and the latter a native of Philadelphia, of English descent. His paternal and maternal grandfathers were James Brown and John Rogers, respectively, the latter of whom was a descendant of the noted English martyr John Rogers, who was burned to death in Smithfield, England, on February 4, 1555, under the reign of Queen Mary. The former, John Rogers, served in the Revolutionary War seven years. When the subject of this sketch was six years of age his parents removed to Dark, County, Ohio, but shortly afterward they came to this State and settled in the woods of Randolph County, where his boyhood and youth were spent assisting to clear and cultivate his father's farm. In winter he attended the district school in which he received the rudiments of an education. At the age of nineteen he took up the vocation of a teacher and taught, in all, eleven terms, the first of which was in Allen County this state, during the winter of 1844-45. In the meantime, at the age of fifteen, he became a member of the Methodist Church, but two years later, owing to a little incident whereby the. observance of a certain church rule involved the welfare of his friend, he sought redress for his wounded feelings by joining the United Brethren Church. He entered the ministry of that church at the age of twenty two and thus continued with but little interruption until in August, 1886. In February, 1848, he was appointed by the White River Conference to the Marion Circuit embracing all of Grant County, that part of Huntington County south of the Wabash River, and a part of Wells County. He was married October 31, 1848 to Rebecca Daily, a native of Preble County, Ohio, born April 27, 1829. She was the daughter of Dennis and Mary M. (Conn) Daily, both natives of Virginia, the former of English and the latter of Ger- man descent. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brown took up their residence near Marion, Grant County. In 1850, they removed to Madison County. He was stationed upon various
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circuits in this State until 1856, when he removed to Ohio, and became a member of Miami. Conference. He remained in that State about eight years, one of which, was spent in Hamilton County, and seven in Preble County. From the month of May to September, 1864, he served as Chaplain of the One Hundred and Fifty-Sixth Ohio Regiment. In 1865, he again took up his residence in Grant County this State, and six years later, or in March, 1871, he removed to this county and located upon a farm in Section 32, Huntington Township, where he has ever since resided excepting three years -from 1876 to 1879 - during which time he was a resident of the city of Huntington. Since becom- ing a resident of this county, in addition to his ministerial work he has superintended the management of his farm, and since retiring from the ministry, his entire attention has been given to domestic pursuits. He and wife are the parents of four children, two of whom, are deceased. Their names are William L., born October 15, 1850, married to Matilda Peterson, December 18, 1884, and is now an attorney in Lincoln, Neb .; Letitia Ann, born Janu- ary 28, 1855, died September 13, 1856; Mary A., born March 20, 1857, died August 26, 1860, and Francis J., born September 28, 1860, married to Ella Bash, October 8. 1885, is now a Professor in Dysart, Tama Co., Iowa. In politics Rev. Brown is a Republican. He has been an earnest and successful worker in the cause of Christianity, and only retires from it of necessity on account of the impaired condition of his health. He and wife are among the worthy and honored citizens of the county.
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