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 41
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JAMES H. BROWN is a native of Clinton County, Ohio, where he was born December 29, 1849. He was the third son born to Asa and Cindarella (Wilson) Brown, the former a native of Clinton County, Ohio, of English and Irish descent, and the latter, a native of Kentucky, of Scotch and Irish descent. The former was the son of Asa and Anna (Alexander) Brown, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter presumed to be a native of Kentucky. The latter was the daughter of Robert and Margaret (McDonald) Wilson, formerly of Kentucky. The parents of our subject came to this country in September, 1853, when he was but three years old. They located upon a farm in Rock Creek Township. There James spent his boyhood and youth working upon the farm. He attended the district school in the winter in which he received sufficient education to teach public school. At the age of twenty he took up the avocation of a teacher and taught, in all, four terms, and in this capacity he had very good success. During the summer of 1872 he attended the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, two terms. In 1873, he en- gaged in the manufacture of tile at Rockford, Wells Co. Two years later he settled upon the old home place in Rock Creek Township, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1879. In December of that year the Huntington County Co-oper- ative Association opened up their large general store in the City
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of Huntington and our subject was selected to take the position of bookkeeper and cashier in that establishment. He assumed the duties of this responsible position at once, and has faithfully discharged those duties ever since. In July, 1886, he accepted the position of manager of their establishment, and now he is attending to the duties in the three positions in an able manner. January 3, 1874, he was married to Mary C. Redding, a native of Wells County, this State, born April 10, 1848. She was the daugh- ter of John and Anna (Sale) Redding, both natives of North Carolina. Mr. Brown and wife are members of the Christian Church. The former is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry and of the I. O. O. F. Lodge. Politically he is a Republican. He is a young man whose character and integrity is irreproachable and is well worthy the confidence imposed in him by the co-oper- ative association and the public in general.
ELMER BROWN, livery man of the City of Huntington, was born in Warren Township, this county, May 10, 1861. He was the second son born to Charles and Sophronia (Grist) Brown, the former, a native of Preble County, Ohio, and the latter, a native of Pennsylvania, both of English descent. Elmer spent his boy- hood and youth working upon his father's farm in this county. He attended the district school in which he received sufficient education to teach school. He afterwards attended the normal school at Valparaiso two terms. That was during the summer of 1882. At the age of nineteen he took up the avocation of a teacher, and taught in all, four terms with good success. In the spring of 1883, he took a prospecting tour through Missouri and Kansas -returning in the December following. In the latter part of November, 1886, he purchased the large livery and feed stable, east of court house, of which he took posession on the 13th of December following. In politics, Mr. Brown is a Prohibition- ist. He is an intelligent, and enterprising young man and will yet rank among the foremost citizens of the county.
GEORGE D. BROOKE, Master Mechanic of the C. & A. shops, is a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and was born November 5, 1853. He was the fourth in a family of seven children born to George D. and Maria L. (Lutz) Brooke, both of whom were born in the city of Philadelphia, the former of Scotch and the latter of German descent. When our subject was yet a young child, his parents moved to Kansas and located on a farm. After making one or two moves in Kansas, the family moved to Kansas City, in the fall of 1863. A year later they removed to St. Louis. There our subject remained until 1876: and while there he attended the High School of that city, and Washington University, gradu- ing from the former in 1872, and from the latter in 1875. In the University he took a course in Civil and Mechanical Engineer- ing. Immediately after his graduation he became a Civil En- gineer in the Western States and Territories. In the latter part
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of 1876, he accepted a position of Chief Draftsman of Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Shops, at Springfield, Ill. He passed through the line of foremanships and was made general foreman in 1883. He acted in that capacity until December, ISS5, when he resigned and accepted the position of general foreman in the C. & A. shops, in this city. Upon the resignation of Mr. Johann, De- cember 1, 1886, Mr. Brooke was promoted to rank of Master Mechanic - a position, though young, he is filling in a very credi- table manner. He was married in Springfield, Ill., October 3, 1877, to Lelia A. Eaton, by whom he has had three children: Charles W., Katie E., and George D. The last died the day he was one year old. Mr Brooke is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and the National American Association. Politically he is a Republican.
SAMUEL BUCHANAN, Ex-Clerk of Huntington County, is a native of Perry County, Ohio, and was born March 12, 1833. He was the sixth son in a family of eight children born to John and Mary A. (Dempsey) Buchanan, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively. When he was yet a child, but three years of age, his parents came to this State and located in a little hamlet that has since developed into the City of Hunt- ington. Here Samuel grew up to manhood and here he has ever since chiefly resided. The advantages to secure an education were at that time almost wholly wanting, consequently his early edu- cation was quite limited. He has, however, made use of his op- portunities and has somewhat mitigated the lack of school training by private study and observation. In the fall of 1848 he began to learn the printer's trade with Col. Milligan, who, at that time, was editor and publisher of the Democratic Age. This was finished in due time and received his attention about five years. In 1853 he went into the employ of D. L. Shearer, dealer in grain and dry goods. He continued thus until January 3, 1856, at which time he accepted the position of agent of the W., St. L. & P. Railway, at Huntington. Shortly afterward he accepted a like position from the same company at Ft. Wayne. In the fall of 1856 he was promoted to a freight conductorship by the Wabash Company. In the fall of 1858 he emigrated to Leaven- worth, Kan., and engaged in the mercantile business. He soon returned to Huntington, however, and engaged in buying grain for George L. Little, of Ft. Wayne. In 1862 he engaged in sell- ing agricultural implements and in 1864 he engaged in the grain business in connection with Fred Dick. They were also partners in the grocery business at the same time. In 1871 they added to their business interests the hardware trade. They thus continued until early in 1880, at which time the partnership was dis- solved. Our subject continued the grain and agricultural imple- ment trade alone until the fall of 1880, when, in connection with his two sons he again launched in the grocery business. He thus continued until the spring of 1882, when the grain business was
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dropped. The trade in agricultural implements was abandoned in the fall of 1882 and the grocery trade in the spring of 1883. In the fall of 1882 he was elected Clerk of Huntington County. He was married September 22, 1859, to Mary J. Wiest, who died January 21, 1881. May 21, 1883, he was married to Catharine Ryan. By his first wife he is the father of nine children: Joseph F., Jesse E., George W., Samuel B., William, Mary R., Anna, Thomas J. and Joanna E. Of these William and Anna are deceased. Mr. Buchanan and his present wife are the parents of one child, Charles L. He is a member of the Catholic Church and of the Democratic party. He was a member of the City Council from September, 1873, to May, 1876, and acted as Chief of the Fire Department from 1878 to 1882. The latter position he again resumed in the spring of 1886.
JESSE E. BUCHANAN, the senior member of the firm of Buchanan Bros., proprietors of the City Bakery, was born in the city of Huntington, August 2, 1863. He was the second son born to Samuel and Mary J. (Wiest) Buchanan, the former of whom at present resides in this city. Edward attended the Catholic school in this city, in which he received a good common school education. He afterward pursued his studies in the Notre Dame College three terms. In April, 1886, he opened up a grocery in town of Markle, this county. On the 20th of November, follow- ing, he returned to Huntington and, in connection with his brother, George W., opened up the City Bakery.
GEO. W. BUCHANAN, the junior member of the firm of Buchanan Bros., proprietors of the City Bakery, was born in this city, December 4, 1864. He is the third son of Samuel and Mary J. (Wiest) Buchanan, the former of whom at present resides in this city. He received in the schools of this city a good common school education. In September of 1882, he entered Notre Dame College at South Bend, where he remained one year. He then returned to this place and engaged in the coal trade with his father. In November, 1884, he accepted a position as clerk in a drug store in this city. He afterward clerked in a grocery store in Markle, this county, six months. November 15, 1886, he, in connection with his brother, Edward, opened up the City Bakery on Franklin Street, and are doing a good business. In politics he is a Democrat.
JESSE L. BUNKER, an old and highly respected citizen of Huntington Township, was born in Guilford County, N. C., Feb- ruary 26, 1812. He was the second of three children born to Reuben and Rachel (Lamb) Bunker, the former of whom was born on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, of English descent, and the latter was born in Guilford County, N. C., of Scotch de- scent. His paternal grandfather was Reuben Bunker. The par- ents of his mother were Samuel and Hannah (Beeson) Lamb, the
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former of whom was born in Scotland. When the subject of this sketch was but two years old his parents moved westward to Hamilton, Ohio, but a few months later they came to this state and settled in the woods of Wayne County, near the present site of Richmond. There he spent his boyhood and youth work- ing upon a farm. They had settled right in a wilderness, and the clearing of a farm occasioned a good deal of hard work, most of which was performed by our subject owing to the fact that the condition of his father's health did not permit him to work, and his brother, Samuel, was not old enough to assist him much. His marriage to Sarah Barker occurred March 14, 1845. She was born in Wayne County, February 25, 1822, being the daughter of Thomas and Abbe (Cabe) Barker, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. Her pater- nal grandparents were Isaac and Hannah (Davies) Barker, both natives of North Carolina. Her maternal grandparents were Elias and Sarah (White) Cabe, natives of Pennsylvania, the for- mer of German and the latter of English descent. In 1849, Mr. and Mrs. Bunker moved from Wayne County to Huntington County, and settled where they now live in Huntington Town- ship. They are the parents of four children: Julia Ann, born February 4, 1846; Hannah Jane, born December 11, 1848, died April 4, 1878; Sarah Ellen, born October 27, 1852; Cassius, born May 10, 1861. Mr. Bunker is a member of the United Brethren Church. By virtue of her birth Mrs. Bunker is a member of the Quaker Church. In politics the former is a Republican. He and wife have a comfortable home where they are spending the de- cline of life in a quiet, happy way. They are among the old resi- dents of the township, and among her worthy and honored citi- zens.
JONAS BUSSARD, one of the influential farmers of Hunt- ington Township, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, April 15, 1840, and was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Arter) Bus- sard, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. When our subject was yet a young child his parents came to this State and settled in Wabash County, where his boyhood and youth were spent upon a farm. At the age of twenty-two he began farming for himself, and to this his attention has been directed ever since. He removed to this county in 1864, and located where he now resides, in Huntington Township. He was married November 21, 1863, to Lydia Knoop, who was born in Wabash County, this State, October 12, 1838, and was the daughter of Michael and Nancy (Sheets) Knoop. Mr. and Mrs. Bussard have had eight children, as follows: Willie, Effie J., Lizzie E., Michael K., Nina A., Sarah A., Martha J. and Jacob A. The first two died in infancy. In politics, Mr. Bussard is a Democrat. He is an honest, upright man, an industrious and successful far.ner, and he and wife are worthy and honored citizens, and command the confidence and respect of all. Mr. Bussard is now enjoying
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a comfortable home, the result of his own industry and economy.
THAD BUTLER, editor of the News- Express, was born in La Grange, Ind. His father and mother were among the pioneers of that county. When the subject of this sketch was but seven years of age his father died, and the widow was left with two sons, one, Mark Butler, a mute, and but three years of age. Necessarily Mr. Butler began early in life to earn his liv- ing, and received but a limited education. At thirteen he was apprenticed to C. O. Myers, with whom he learned the printing art at La Grange and Kendallville. He became a resident of the Wabash Valley in 1864, first working with Alex. De Long, in the office of the Indiana Herald, and afterward accepting a posi- tion upon the Wabash Plain Dealer. In 1868 Mr. Butler attended Oberlin College for one year. Returning to Wabash, in 1871, he was married to Miss Kate Sivey, a daughter of John C. Sivey, Esq., and soon after purchased an interest in the Plain Dealer, with the late A. P. Ferry. Mr. Butler was connected with the Plain Dealer continuously until 1882, when he disposed of his interest in that paper and located in Andrews, where, with his brother, Mark, he established and conducted the Andrews Express for three years and six months. That paper was after- ward consolidated with the Huntington News, and moved to Huntington, where the consolidated paper took front rank under his management, among the leading weeklies of Northern Indiana. Although an unceasing worker and a thorough master of his business in all its departments, Mr. Butler has not accumulated riches. Neither has he sought to do so. He bears a good character and has aimed to live an honorable life. His principles are not an article of merchandise, and he has never sold the support of himself or his paper to any man or set of men. In the general details of the publishing business, as a news gatherer and local paragrapher, and as an adroit polit- cal writer, he is recognized as one of the most capable men of his profession in the Valley. He has met his full share of discour- agements in life, pluckily and bravely, and whatever the adverse circumstances, has never flinched in what seemed to him just and right. May 1, 1887, the News-Express was consolidated with the Indiana Herald, with Mr. Butler as one of the editors.
PROF. JOHN W. CALDWELL, Superintendent of city schools. Huntington, Ind., is a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born February 11, 1835, the youngest son of John and Elizabeth Caldwell. His paternal grandfather, William Caldwell, was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., in the year 1754, married No- vember 28, 1786, Jane Moore of the same state, and in 1808 emi- grated to Pickaway County, Ohio, where his death occurred March 20, 1815. His wife survived him eight years, dying on the 20th day of March, 1823. John Caldwell, father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., Feb- ruary 5, 1800, being the seventh child of the above parents. He
7. JEGo nyston Am. .
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grew to manhood in Pickaway County, Ohio, where on the 24th day of January, 1828, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth Monnette, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Peppinger) Mon- nette. Mrs. Caldwell was born August 18, 1805, raised a family of seven children, and departed this life on the 22d day of June, 1838. By subsequent marriage with Rebecca McClellan, Novem- ber 12, 1839, Mr. Caldwell had two children, one of whom is at this time living. John Caldwell was a farmer by occupation, a man widely and favorably known for his many sterling quali- ties, and died at his home in Ohio, August 24, 1884. Prof. John W. Caldwell spent his youthful years upon a farm in Pickaway County, Ohio, and obtained the rudiments of an English educa- tion in the district schools. He subsequently became a student of Mt. Pleasant Academy, Kingston, Ohio, and still later, Sep- tember, 1856, entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Dela- ware, where he pursued his studies during the greater part of five years, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts on the 25th of July, 1861. He is also indebted to his alma mater for the degree of Master of Arts, which was conferred upon him in the year 1864. During the period of his college life he taught two terms of school, and after completing his education he determined to make the teacher's profession a life work. Accordingly we find him in charge of different graded schools until 1868, at which time he was elected principal of the High School at Urbana, Ohio. At the expiration of a half year he was promoted to the position of Superintendent of the schools of that city, re-elected the follow- ing year, but resigned in order to accept a similar position at At- tica, Ind., where he remained for a period of three years. On sever- ing his connection with the schools of Attica, he was given charge of the public schools of Seymour, Jackson Co., Ind., where he discharged the duties of Superintendent with signal ability for eight years, winning a prominent place among the success- ful educators of the State in the meantime. In 1884 he was chosen Superintendent of the public schools of Huntington, Ind., where he is new serving his fourth year. Throughout his entire career as teacher and superintendent, Prof. Caldwell has met with more than ordinary success, his abilities as an instructor being of the highest order, and his executive ability acknowl- edged wherever he has been retained as superintendent. June 25, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Virilla Shoecraft, daughter of Jacob Shoecraft, of New York. Mrs. Caldwell was born in Oneida County, New York, and was educated in Cornell College, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and at the time of her marriage held a position as teacher of the High School of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Prof. and Mrs. Caldwell are the parents of four children, namely: Ben J., born April 5, 1870; Bell, born August 12, 1874, died Sep- tember 23, 1875; Guy and Ray (twins) born June 24, 1881; the former died September 14th of the same year. The Professor and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which they have both been identified since childhood.
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JAMES CANFIELD, one of Huntington's reliable grocers and butchers, was born in Orange County, N. Y., November 5, 1851. He was the third in a family of five children born to Peter G. and Anna Maria (Knight) Canfield, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter a native of New York. James re- mained during his early life in his native county, working upon a farm. At the age of fifteen he took charge of his father's busi- ness, which consisted of trade in wood, lumber and stone. At the age of twenty-two he left home and soon afterward became a brakeman on the Erie Railroad. He continued in the employ of different railroads in the capacities of brakesman, yard master, freight conductor and passenger conductor, until August 25, 1885, when he met with the misfortune of losing his left foot by stepping into a cattle guard in the act of making a coupling at Greenwood, Ohio. He was then in the employ of the C. & A. In April, 1886, he opened up a grocery and meat market in Hunt- ington, to which his attention has been given ever since. In the fall of 1876, he was married to Emma J. Whited, who died in March, 1879. In March 17, 1881, he was married to Lottie Ram- sey, a native of Sullivan County, N. Y., born in 1851. Mr. Canfield is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the K. of L. and K. of P. Lodges, and a Republican.
WILLIAM C. CHAFEE, M. D., is a native of Allen County. Ohio, and was born April 2, 1835. He was the oldest son born to William and Abigail (Thayer) Chafee, natives of Connecticut, and New York, respectively. The boyhood and early youth of our subject was spent in his native county. In 1850 he accom- panied his parents to Blackford County, this State, and located with them at Hartford City. There he became a farm hand and thus continued until he reached the age of nineteen, at which time he entered Franklin College. There he pursued his studies two years, completing the Sophomore year. He then returned to Hartford City and took up the calling of a teacher, and at the same time began the study of medicine. He taught in all five terms. His vacations were spent studying medicine. In the spring of 1856 he entered the office of Dr. Moses Stahl, under whose instruction he continued until the fall of 1859. He then took one course of lectures in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. He then returned to Hartford City where in March, 1860, he entered upon the practice of his profession. In April, 1862, he came to this county and located at Roanoke. There he was successfully engaged in the practice of his profes- sion until May, 1882, at which time he removed to the City of Huntington. In the meantime, while a resident of Roanoke, he entered the Chicago Medical College, from which he graduated in March, 1869. April 28, 1861, he was married to Anna Stahl, a native of Pennsylvania. Their marriage resulted in the birth of three children: Ida May, Frank and Charlie Mott, all of whom died in infancy. Our subject and wife are both members
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of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former is a member of the I. O. O. F. and F. & A. M. Lodges, and has repeatedly been honored by the most responsible positions in the gift of each. He is a successful practitioner and an intelligent and influential citi- zen. Politically he is a Republican. During the session of 1881, he attended the Graduates' Course in the Chicago Medical College.
ELIJAH K. CLAYTON was born in Macklesfield, England, February 19, 1830, being the sixth in a family of nine children - four sons and five daughters-born to John and Elizabeth (Keeffe) Clayton, the former a native of England, and the latter a native of France. The subject of this sketch spent his early life in his native country. As soon as he became old enough he was furnished employment bv his father, who was the owner of extensive machine shops. When he was but fourteen years of age his father died, however, and he then entered upon an ap- prenticeship and spent five years learning mechanics. On com- pleting this, at the age of nineteen, he, in the spring of 1849, emigrated to America, reaching New Orleans about the middle of May. He immediately proceeded up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Louisville, Ky., and was there employed during one summer by Roche & Long, builders of river steamboats. In the fall of 1849 he took a position as second engineer on the Aleck Scott River steamer, which he held until the spring of 1850. In September, 1850, he accepted a position as first engineer on the Bostonia; continuing thus until January 3, 1851, when he returned to England, and on the 13th day of March following he was mar- ried to Sarah Simpson, who also was a native of England, and the daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Simpson. A short time fol- lowing his marriage Mr. Clayton became the proprietor of ma- chine shops in Macklesfield, England, which he conducted until the summer of 1856, when he again came to America, reaching New York on the 4th day of August. Heimmediately proceeded to Patterson, New Jersey, where he was employed in the locomo- tive works owned by Danford, Cook & Co. In 1857 he came westward to Crestline, Ohio, and some two or three years later he went to Peoria, Ill., where he took charge of the Rock Island & Pacific blacksmith shops, a position he retained between twelve and thirteen years. He then removed to Urbana, Champaign Co., Ill., and during the nine years that followed he had charge of the I., B. & W. blacksmith shops. In 1881 he took charge of the Lake Erie & Western Railway shops, at Lima, Ohio, which position he resigned March 1, 1883. In the following May he came to Huntington, and became the proprietor of The Eagle Foundry and Machine Works. The first wife of Mr. Clayton died in December, 1874, and on the 5th day of October, 1876, he was married to Hannah Wilson. Mr. Clayton is the father of six children - three sons and three daughters. He is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and by virtue of his birth he is a mem- ber of the Episcopalian Church.
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