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 49
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ABNER H. SHAFFER, M. D., of Huntington, was born in Stark County, Ohio, January 15, 1829. He was the sixth in a family of seven children - four sons and three daughters - born to George and Elizabeth (Maurice) Shaffer, both of whom were born and reared near Gettysburg, Adams Co., Pa. The father had served as a Captain during the War of 1812. In 1824, he, accompanied by his wife, moved to Stark County, Ohio, entered a tract of land and, in the course of a few years the forest home was converted into a good farm. There the two resided until the 12th day of October, 1866, upon which day both died, aged respec- tively, seventy-eight and seventy-six. The wife survived the husband but eight hours. The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent working upon his father's farm in his native county. In winter he attended the district school in which he obtained the rudiments of an education. At the age of nineteen he entered the Western Reserve University at Hudson, Ohio, where he pur- sued his collegiate studies two years and a half. He then went to Paris, Bourbon Co., Ky., where he taught school two years. Having formed a desire to enter the medical profession he returned to Ohio and became a student under Prof. A. Metz, a noted surgeon of Massillon. During the winter of 1855-6 he took a course of medical lectures in the University of Michigan. Returning then to Massillon, he practiced medicine a short time with his preceptor, but in August, 1856, he came to Huntington and entered fully upon his professional career. In October, 1861,
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he entered Western Reserve Medical College, at Cleveland, Ohio, where he took another course of lectures, graduating with honors, in the spring of 1862. Returning to Huntington, he resumed his practice. but in June, 1863, Gov. Morton commis- sioned him Assistant Surgeon of the Seventy-Fifth Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, in conformance with which he immediately joined. the regiment at Murfreesboro, Tenn. While on hospital duty occasioned by the battle of Chickamauga, he was captured by the Confederates, and after a torturous confinement in Libby Prison, was exchanged December 28, 1863 at City Point, Va. He then proceeded to Washington, and obtained from the Secretary of War a thirty days' leave of absence, at the expiration of which he rejoined his regiment at Chattanooga, Tenn. He was present with it at the capture of Atlanta and subsequently was in charge of the Post Hospital at that place. September 16, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of Surgeon and served his regiment as such under Gen. Sherman on the March to the Sea. He was mustered out of the service June 8, 1865, upon which, he returned to Hunt- ington and resumed his local practice. This has not been con- fined to any particular branch of the profession, though his attention has been more particularly devoted to the practice of surgery. His marriage to Lizzie J. Collins occurred in this city, March 20, 1867. She was the daughter of John B. Collins, who served as a Lieutenant in both the Mexican War and the Rebell- ion. This union has resulted in the birth of two children, Clyde and Von C., the former of which, died in infancy. Mrs. Shaffer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Doctor holds a membership with the Presbyterian Church, the F. & A. M. Lodge and in politics he is an ardent Republican. In 1875, he was elected by his party to represent the counties of Huntington and Wabash in the lower branch of the Indiana Legislature, and in 1878, he was elected to represent the same counties in the State Senate. His course as a legislator reflects very creditably upon his legislative ability, and the pronounced stand he took for or against various prominent measures, won for him an envi- able record and proved his earnest desire to promote the welfare of his constituency. He has also been intrusted with various smaller offices and has always proven himself true to the charge. He received from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Indianapolis, the Ad Eundem Degree, in 1875. In January, 18+8, he was appointed surgeon for the Middle Division of the Wabash Railway, and served as such. He deservedly enjoys an enviable reputation as a practitioner, and a generous appreciation as a citizen.
WILLIAM H. SHANK was born in Clinton County, Ohio, June 8, 1839. He was the oldest of five children, born to Daniel M. and Martha J. (Crossen) Shank, the former a native of Vir- ginia, of German descent, and the latter a native of Clinton County, Ohio, of Irish descent. William remained in his native
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county working upon his father's farm until he reached the age of fifteen, at which time he accompanied his father's family to this county and located with them in Union Township. There he worked upon a farm until October 24, 1860, at which time his marriage occurred to Lucinda M. Erick, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Byers) Erick, both natives of Pennsylvania, the for- mer of German, and the latter of German and Irish descent. Mrs. Shank was born in Springfield, Ohio, March 19, 1842. After his marriage Mr. Shank farmed in Jackson Township about four years, at the expiration of which he moved to Roanoke and en- gaged at blacksmithing. There he continued some two or three years, when he removed to Andrews, but six months later he pur- chased a blacksmith shop and residence property in the northern part of Dallas Township, whither he moved at once. There he worked at his trade until the spring of 1874, when he purchased the farm in Jackson Township formerly owned by his father in- law. Upon this he resided one year, then came to Huntington. That was in March, 1875. Since that date he has conducted a shoe- ing shop in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Shank have had born to them two children: Eddie Clarence and Carey Leedie, both of whom died in the second year of their ages. Mrs. Shank is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Shank is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge.
SEXTUS H. SHEARER, Postmaster of the city of Hunting- ton, was born in Hampden County, Mass., January 24, 1826. He was the second son born to William and Fannie (Frost) Shearer, both natives of Massachusetts, the former of Irish, and the latter of English descent. When he was five years old his parents located in Buffalo, N. Y. There the mother died in 1832. In 1836, the father and other members of the family came to the State of Indiana, and located upon a tract of land in Clear Creek Town - ship. There our subject spent his youth helping to clear and cul- tivate the farm. In the spring of 1852, he made his way across the plains to California. There three years were spent at mining in which he had very good success. He returned to this county in i855, and for a number of years thereafter he was engaged in buying grain. In September, 1861, he organized Co. F, Forty- Seventh Indiana Infantry, with which he served in the capacity of Captain until March, 1864, when he was promoted to the rank of Major. As such he served until the close of the war. He participated in the engagements at Island No. 10, New Madrid, Memphis, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Siege of Vicksburg, and many others in the vicinity of Mobile. At the close of the war he returned to Huntington, and engaged in merchandising. He thus continued until the fall of 1885. He was married to Sarah Russel on the 14th of November, 1850. To them two children have been born: Albert R. and Frank, both of whom are living. Mr. Shearer has resided in the city of Huntington over fifty years, and there are but three other residents of that city living
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that were there when he came. He is a member of the G. A. R. and F. & A. M. Lodges, and a Democrat in politics. On the 22d day of August, 1886, he was appointed Postmaster of the city of Huntington, and is the present incumbent.
GEORGE W. SHEARER, manager of the large warehouse owned by D. L. Shearer & Son, is a native of Huntington, and was born February 27, 1851. He was the third of seven children born to David L. and Harriet (Wiest) Shearer, who came to this county in an early day but now reside in Peru. When George was thirteen years of age, or in 1864, his parents moved to Peru, where his youth was spent attending the public school and assisting his father in the latter's warehouse. He continued in the employ- ment of his father for a number of years after he became of age, but during the past three years his connection with the business has been that of a partner. In the meantime he returned to this city, in 1878, where he has since continued to reside.
JOHN SHEETS, an aged and venerable pioneer of Hunting- ton County, and one among the early settlers of Rock Creek Township, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., June 4, 1816. He was the third in a family of six children - three sons and three daughters - born to Frederick and Margaret (Niece) Sheets, both natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. In the spring of 1828, when John was eleven years of age, his parents came west- ward to Ohio and located in Miami County. There his youth was spent assisting his father and brothers to clear and cultivate a farm. At the age of twenty-two-or July 12, 1838-he was united in marriage to Julia Ann Wyatt, a native of Miami County, Ohio, born March 18, 1818. She was the daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Madoux) Wyatt, the former a native of West Virginia, and the latter a native of Virginia. In the September following their marriage, Mr. Sheets and his wife came to Hunt- ington County and settled on a hundred and sixty acre tract of land which the former had entered in Rock Creek Township. Having located in a log cabin in the woods, a great deal of hard work naturally devolved upon Mr. Sheets in clearing up a farm. He chopped, grubbed, burned brush, rolled logs, plowed in the stumps, and, in fact, all kinds of hard work which the develop- ment of a new country necessitates. He toiled away and the course of development went on and in a few years he had a handsome farm. He and his wife had born to them six children: Frederick, Sarah, Margaret. William, Mary and John M. Mar- garet and John M. died, aged respectively forty-four and five years. On the 9th day of April, 1883, Mrs. Sheets died, and on the 12th day of July, 1884, our subject was married to Mrs. Lydia Hamilton, a native of Vermont. Her maiden name was Lydia Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Sheets are members of the Disciples Church. In politics the former is a Democrat. Shortly after his.
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last marriage, he came to Huntington, and he is now pleasantly located on Mt. Etna Avenue.
JAMES R. SLACK, lawyer and Brevet Major-General United States Volunteers, was born in Bucks County, Pa., September 28, 1818, and was there educated, his last attainment being acquired at the Academy at Newtown. At the age of nineteen years he emigrated to Delaware County, Ind., with his father's family, and during the next two years remained on the farm assisting his father, and there began the life of an agriculturist. During the winter of 1838, he taught school, meanwhile reading law, as he had determined to enter the legal profession. In 1839, he joined a corps of engineers who were engaged in the construc- tion of the Indiana Central Canal, and continued in that employ- ment until the State authorities suspended the work. His whole energies were now concentrated in pursuing his legal studies, and on the day when he attained the age of twenty-two years, after passing his examination before a committee of members of the bar, he was admitted to practice his profession of attorney and counsellor-at-law. A few weeks thereafter he removed to Hunt- ington, Ind., wherein to commence life on his own account. The population of the entire County of Huntington was but 1,560; that of the town but sixty-five souls, and the whole country here- abouts was literally a howling wilderness. His cash capital was but $6, and his wardrobe slender. But possessing energy and a determination to succeed, he commenced by teaching school, and after the term had expired, he obtained employment in the County Clerk's office, where he continued for two years. The Legislature of the State having created the office of County Au- ditor, he was elected to that post in the summer of 1842, and re- elected twice thereafter, continuing to hold the position until March, 1851, when his official term expired. In the ensuing sum- mer he was nominated by the Democratic party and elected to the State Senate and held that position two terms immediately following the adoption of the new Constitution. At the expiration of his Senatorial career, he resumed the practice of his profession, and did not again enter the political arena until the summer of 1854, when he was nominated as Representative in Congress by the Democratic party of his district, but owing to the joint efforts of the anti-Nebraska element and the Know-Nothing movement he was defeated. In 1858, he again received the nomination of his party for the State Senate, was elected by a large majority, much larger than his party strength, and continued to fill that position for four successive sessions, and until May, 1861. As soon as the war became an established fact, he at once espoused the cause of the Union, and, by his fervid eloquence and de- termined purpose, contributed largely to the raising of troops in various parts of the State. In the autumn of that year, he was appointed Colonel of the Forty-Seventh Regiment, Indiana Vol- unteers, by Gov. Morton, and at once commenced the severe task
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of enlisting his command, his efforts being put forth only in his congressional district - a task which many then deemed hope- less, as one regiment had already been raised in the district, and volunteering seemed, indeed, to have come to an end. By his en- ergy and determination he soon overcame every obstacle, and, on December 1st, 1861, his regiment was filled. On the 13th of the same month he was ordered to move with his command to Ken- tucky, where he remained two months. In February, 1862, he was ordered to Commerce, Mo., there to report to Gen. Pope, who was then concentrating a force to operate on Island No. 10 and New Madrid. On his arrival at Commerce. he was placed in command of a brigade consisting of five Indiana Regiments, and so continued until after the capture of Island No. 10, when he proceeded to Tip- tonville, Tenn., where he was placed in command of the district embracing that point, Island No. 10 and New Madrid. While so situated, he assisted in the attack on Fort Pillow, in May, 1862. When Corinth surrendered, in June, the fort was evacuated and he was now ordered to assume command at Memphis, which was in a very turbulent condition, where he remained until Gen. Grant reached that city, in July, and was then relieved and next appointed Post Commander at Helena, Ark. Here he was in quarters until December, 1862, when again being placed in com- mand of a brigade, he took part in the White River expedition, and at the close of that campaign participated in the celebrated Yazoo Pass expedition. On his third return to Helena he was assigned to the command of the Second Brigade, Twelfth Di- vision, Thirteenth Army Corps, and figured somewhat enten- sively in the celebrated campaign for the reduction of Vicksburg, being engaged in most of the severe battles up to that Rebel stronghold, in one of which - the battle of Champion Hill - he lost nearly thirty per cent. of his command. On the advance of the Union Army on the entrenchments at Vicksburg, he was left on the east bank of Black River to resist the advances of the Rebels under Gen. Johnston, where he rested till relieved, and then moved immediately to the works of Vicksburg, and partici- pated in the assault until the surrender, July 4, 1863. The next day he advanced with his command to Jackson, Miss., in an ag- gressive movement against the Rebels under Gen. Johnston, hav- ing the extreme right of the position. The struggle lasted seven days, when the enemy was dislodged and the Union forces marched triumphantly in. On the day following the surrender of Jackson, he returned to Vicksburg for a fortnight, and thence to Natchez, where he tarried two weeks, and proceeded to New Orleans, in which department he remained during the war, tak- ing part in all the battles and campaigns of that army, closing with the last contest of the war in the capture of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely on the east side of Mobile Bay, and the surren- der of Mobile two days thereafter. He then moved with his com- mand to Spring Hill, six miles distant, where he remained till June 1st, 1865, when his men were sent to New Orleans, while he,
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himself, was ordered to report to Maj. Gen. Steele. He was thus separated from those with whom he had been associated for nearly four years, an association greatly intensified by the hard- ships of innumerable campaigns and the strife of many a bloody field. Soon after, he, with Gen. Steele, started for Brazos San- tiago, Tex., where he was placed in command of about 5,000 men, the remnant of the Thirteenth Army Corps, stationed at Clarks- ville, near the mouth of the Rio Grande, where he was entrusted with the delicate charge of maintaining quiet and peace between the United States forces and the French Army then in Mexico; part of the latter being located at Bagdad, a Mexican city on the opposite shore. After a two months' sojourn he was ordered to Brownsville, forty miles up the river, where he remained until the middle of September in the same command, when he was re- lieved from duty and ordered home after four years of almost constant service in the field. He was made Brigadier-General in November, 1864, and Major-General by brevet in March, 1865. He was mustered out of the service in January, 1866, when he immediately resumed the practice of his profession in Hunting- ton. His military career from its commencement to its close is worthy of the grateful remembrance of all his countrymen. He was wise in counsel, energetic in achievement, unflagging in zeal, ever vigilant, true and unmurmuring. No officer looked more carefully after the interest and welfare of his command; hence their devotion to him to the last. He continued to practice his profession until the organization of the Twenty-Eighth Judicial Circuit, when he was appointed Circuit Judge by Gov. Hen. dricks. He was elected to that office in 1872 and was re-elected in 1878, each time overcoming an opposing majority. In 1880, he was the candidate of his party for Congress, but was defeated by Maj. Steele, of Marion. In the capacity of judge he was always noted for strict impartiality and the fairness of his rulings as well as for the expeditious manner in which he transacted the business of the court. Of him it may truthfully be said that, in his official capacity, he never rewarded a friend nor punished an enemy. He continued upon the bench until the 28th day of July, 1881, when, while waiting for a street car on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Madison Street. Chicago, he was seized with a stroke of paralysis and died within an hour. Gen. Slack was married October 5, 1843, to Ann P. Thompson, a native of Bracken County, Ky., born February 4, 1821. She was the daughter of Ebenezer and Mary Ann (Bradford) Thompson, the former a na- tive of Virginia, of Scotch descent, and the latter a native of Ken- tucky, of Irish descent. General and Mrs. Slack had born to them four children, three of whom - James R., Sarah E. and Mary C. -are living.
JAMES R. SLACK, the second son of the late Gen. Slack, was born in Huntington, December 15, 1848. He attended the schools of this city until he reached the age of fourteen, when he
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entered Wabash College. There he remained two years. He then returned to this city and began to learn the trade of a machinist with the Sees Bros. He remained with them about two years and a half. In 1868, he entered Duff's Commercial College, at Pittsburg, from which he graduated in March, 1869. He then returned to Huntington and went into the employ of Moffitt & Roche, in a foundry. In January, 1873, he went into the employ of C. L. Thorne & Co., for whom he acted as book- keeper for two years. In March, 1875, he formed a partnership with C. L. Thorne and L. T. Bagley in the lumber and planing mill business. The firm name was Thorne, Slack & Co. To this his attention has been directed ever since. The business is now conducted by Mr. Slack and Edwin B. Ayres, the firm name being Slack & Ayres. June 9, 1875, he was married to Flora M. McCaughey, oldest daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth H. McCaughey, of this city. Mrs. Slack was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1849. This union has resulted in the birth of three children: Lizzie H. and Mary T. (twins), and Sarah Belle, all liv- ing. In politics Mr. Slack is a Democrat. He is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge. He has held the position of Councilman for six years, and at present is a member of the school board. Mrs. Slack is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
REV. LAWRENCE BERRY SMITH, Pastor of the Chris- tian Church of the City of Huntington, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, June 20, 1834, being the only son born to Jere- miah C. and Mary (Durbin) Smith, the former a native of New Haven, Conn., of English descent, and the latter a native of Cadiz, Ohio, of Scotch descent. His paternal grandparents were Amos and Laura (Platt) Smith, both natives of Connecticut. His paternal ancestry originally came from London, England, and were among the crew of the Mayflower, in 1620. His maternal grandparents were Lawrence and Eleanor (Arnold) Durbin, both natives of Scotland. The subject of this sketch spent his boy- hood and early youth in his native county, during the most of which time he worked upon a farm. He attended the district school, in which by the time he reached the age of thirteen he had received sufficient education to teach school, which he did during the winter before his fourteenth birthday. He continued to teach for some ten or twelve years, but during a few of the first summers he attended an academy - completing a course of instruction in an institution of that kind. At the age of twenty- one he was elected a justice of the peace in Fulton County, Ohio, where he had gone in 1854. He served three years. In the meantime he had engaged in merchandising, having begun at Oxford, in 1853. His attention was directed to this more or less for sixteen years. About 1857, he turned his attention to the ministry of the Christian Church. His attention, however, was divided for a number of years between the ministry and mer- chandising. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, One Hundredth
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Ohio Regiment. Was entered as Captain, in which rank he served until December, 1862, when he resigned. In 1863, he was commissioned Major, in the Seventy-Fifth Battalion, O. N. G., and in 1864, was commissioned Colonel of the Second Regiment Mili- tia, of Fulton County, Ohio. In August, 1866, he came to Hunt- ington, where he has resided continually ever since. Since that time his exclusive attention has been given to the ministry. He has now been pastor of the Christian Church of this city, over twenty years. He was married September 10, 1853, to Livona A. Jewell, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born, of English de- scent, November 25, 1834. She was the daughter of William and Rachel (Jones) Jewell, both natives of Pennsylvania. Her pater- nal grandparents were William and Nancy (Jones) Jewell. Rev. Smith and wife are the parents of six children, three of whom died in infancy. Those living are DeEtta O., Nelson B. and Ernest D. Politically our subject is a Republican. He is an earnest worker in the cause of Christianity, and a worthy and honored citizen.
JACOB F. SOUERS, one of the pioneers of Huntington County, and one among the first settlers of Rock Creek Town- ship, was born in Fayette County, Pa., December 14, 1812. He was the second in a family of nine children born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Franks) Souers, of Dutch descent, with whom he came to Wayne County, Ohio, when he was but four years old. There his early life was spent working upon his father's farm. When he became of age he began farming for himself. He con- tinued in Wayne County, Ohio, until in October, 1838, when he came to this county and settled in the woods of Rock Creek Township. There he built a cabin, and immediately began im- proving his land, and after a few years of toil the dense forests were converted into well-tilled fields. He continued upon the farm until in August, 1886, when he came to the city of Hunting- ton, and since then he has been comfortably located in a hand- some brick residence on South Jefferson Street. He was married April 24, 1834, to Ruth Merriman, a native also of Fayette County, Pa., born February 1, 1815. She was the daughter of Micaiah and Anna (McCoy) Merriman, both natives of Fayette County, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Souers have had six children: Elizabeth A., Micaiah M., James, Mary E., Sarah R., and Xantha M. The third, James, died in infancy. Our subject and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. In politics the former is a Democrat. He served as trustee in Rock Creek Township several terms. Mr. and Mrs. Souers passed their fiftieth wedding anniversary more than two years ago, upon which occasion their relatives and friends congre- gated en masse and made them the recipients of many valuable and handsome presents. They have living five children, nine- teen grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
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