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 53
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SAMUEL BUCHER, of Clear Creek Township, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, May 20, 1832. He was the son of Michael and Mary (Thorn) Bucher, both natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. He was reared upon a farm in his native county, and at the age of twenty-one he adopted the vocation of a farmer for himself. He was married in Wayne County, Ohio, February 4, 1856, to Eliza Jane Johnson, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, November 8, 1836. She was the daughter of Henry and Catharine (Gingery) Johnson, the former a native
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of Ohio, and the latter a native of Franklin County, Pa., of Irish and German descent, respectively. About one year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bucher came to Huntington County and located upon a farm in Section 36, Clear Creek Township, where they have ever since resided. The life occupation of Mr. Bucher has been that of a farmer. In March, 1872, he had the misfor- tune of losing his eyesight, and since then he has been entirely blind. He and wife are the parents of three children: Sarah E., born May 9, 1857; Mary C., born August 6, 1859, and William A., born January 24, 1863, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Bucher and three children are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics our subject is a staunch Democrat. He has a good farm of eighty acres and a comfortable home, where he and wife with their son, William, reside in a quiet, happy way. They are among the worthy and esteemed citizens of the Township. In addition to the farm he lives on, Mr. Bucher owns two other good farms, one of fifty acres in Section 6, Union Township, and one of 120 acres in Section 16, Jackson Township.
JOHN M. CROLL, a prominent farmer of Clear Creek Town- ship, and one of the old residents of the county, was born in Huron County, Ohio, January 29, 1829. He was the eighth in a family of twelve children - three sons and nine daughters - born to John and Elizabeth (Crist) Croll, both natives of Pennsyl- vania, of Dutch descent. In 1840 his parents came to this county and located where the subject of this sketch now resides. There the father and mother died October 3, 1840, and September 14, 1864, respectively. Our subject spent his youth assisting to clear and cultivate the farm. He continued to reside with his mother - farming the place until her death - and there he has continued to reside ever since. Soon after his mother's death he purchased the interest of other heirs to the home place, and thus became sole owner of a good farm. He was married Septem- ber 24, 1868, to Louisa Oats, daughter of Jacob and Susan (Ream) Oats. She was born in Perry County, Ohio, December 27, 1832. To them one child was born: John L., born February 26, 1869. The first wife, of Mr. Croll died February 18, 1879, and on the 14th day of October, 1883, he was married to Mrs. Martha M. Cole, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Keller) Snyder, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. She was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, June 13, 1851. This latter marriage has resulted in the birth of two children: William B., born February 14, 1884, and Adda May, born Janu- ary 15, 1886. In politics Mr. Croll is a Republican. He owns a handsome farm of 131 acres, about half of which is in cultiva- tion. His farm is situated in a good agricultural locality. He is an industrious and successful farmer.
JOHN R. EMLEY, deceased, who came to this county in January, 1835, and became the second settler of Clear Creek
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.
Township, was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, April 6, 1787. He was the son of Samuel and Meribah (Robbins) Emley, both natives of Monmouth County, New Jersey. The former was a descendant of William Emley, who came to America as a commissioner for a Society of Friends, in 1677, and he was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, May 5, 1750. He died in Bur- lington County, New Jersey, July 11, 1811. His wife, Meribah Robbins, was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and was of Welsh descent, her parents having emigrated to America from Wales. The subject of this sketch accompanied his par- ents to Burlington County, New Jersey, where his marriage to Mary Cook occurred, February 22, 1808. She was born in Bur- lington County, New Jersey, November 6, 1790. She was the daughter of Joel and Kiturah (Meirs) Cook, both natives of New Jersey, the former of Irish, and the latter of Scotch descent. John R. Emley, was a miller by trade, having entered the mill of his father at fifteen years of age. In 1809, he and his wife moved to Schoharie County, New York, but in 1811, they returned to Burlington County, New Jersey, and in the following year, he and his brother moved to Middlesex County, New Jersey, where they had become the owners of a mill property. In 1814 our subject returned to Monmouth County, New Jersey, and set- tled upon a farm. He continued to farm in that county, until 1822, when he moved to Salem County, New Jersey, where he resided upon a farm, until he came to this country in 1835. He settled in the woods of Clear Creek Township, where, as- sisted by his sons, he cleared out a farm and where he pursued the vocation of a farmer, until the time of his death, which occurred February 27, 1868. His wife survived him until November 17, 1870. They were the parents of fourteen children: Joel C., born February 1, 1809; Samuel, born May 14, 1810; Wesley, born January 21, 1812, died October 12, 1836; Meribah, born April 12, 1813; David M., born December 2, 1814, died August 22, 1835; Martha, born April 11, 1816; Anthony, born April 8, 1818; Kiturah Ann, born January 22, 1820, died January 15, 1826; Edna, born August 13, 1822, died October 6, 1881; Sexton, born July 30, 1825; Leah A., born January 19, 1827; Amanda, born January 29, 1829; Chaltha, born January 6, 1833, and a son that died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Emley were not members of any church, but were affiliates of the Methodist Church.
JOEL C. EMLEY, of Clear Creek Township, was born Feb- ruary 1, 1809, and was the oldest of fourteen children born to John R. and Mary (Cook) Emley, a biography of whom appears above. His boyhood and youth were spent working upon a farm. At the age of twenty-one, he entered upon an apprenticeship, with a view to learn the carpenter's trade. After serving three years he worked as a journeyman for seven years. In 1840 he began to take contracts himself, and thus continued until the 26th day of December, 1849, upon which day, in falling from a
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building, he sustained an injury to his left lower limb, which ren- dered him unfit for that trade. He then turned his attention to blacksmithing, to which his attention has been directed ever since. He followed his parents to this county in 1854, and settled'where he now lives in Section 21, Clear Creek Township. During the first three years of his residence here he also worked at his for- mer trade some. His first marriage occurred September 3, 1831, to Charlotte Demaris, by whom he had three children: Elizabeth C., born July 12, 1832: Mary C., born May 15, 1834, and James D., born January 30, 1836. The first wife of Mr. Emley died May 4, 1836, and on the 30th day of March, 1840, he was married to Sarah Keen, who died August 5, 1871. This latter marriage re- sulted in the birth of seven children: Charles W., born Novem- ber 22, 1844; Rachael J., born March 4, 1848, and Awilda, born May 9, 1855, living, and John S., born April 19, 1841, died Febru- ary 16, 1844; Daniel K., born March 23, 1843. died, February 20, 1844; John S., born July 19, 1846, died May 7, 1850; Robert H., born May 15, 1850, died November 29, 1852. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, and at present is the oldest Odd Fellow in the county, and was formerly a member of the Washington Ben - eficial Society, of Salem, N. J. His first presidential vote was cast for Andrew Jackson, and ever since he has supported the principles of the Democratic party.
SAMUEL EMLEY, the second child born to John R. and Mary (Cook) Emley, and one of the old and honored residents of Clear Creek Township, was born in Schoharie County, New York, May 14, 1810. He was a young child, but a year old, when his parents returned to Burlington County, New Jersey; about two years old when they removed to Middlesex County; four years old when they entered Monmouth County, and about twelve years of age when they settled in Salem County, New Jersey. In this latter county he spent his youth working upon a farm, and in that county his marriage to Anna Efft occurred, March 2, 1833. She was born in Salem County, New Jersey, February 1, 1814. About April 20, 1834, Mr. and Mrs. Emley set out for the far west. They sailed from Salem County to Philadelphia on a steamboat. From Philadelphia to Pittsburg they were conveyed on a canal boat, excepting a distance of thirty-seven miles over the Alle- ghaney Mountains, which was made by rail, the rude coaches being propelled up and down the inclined planes by a stationary engine. At Pittsburg the family secured passage upon an Ohio steamer for Cincinnati, whither they arrived on the 11th day of May, 1834. On the 14th day of the month - his birthday - he arrived with his family at the home of his uncle, Anthony Cook, in Warren County, Ohio. In that vicinity Mr. Emley found a log cabin in which to place his family and being entirely void of means he worked out at clearing, and upon a farm, by the month and day for over three years. His wages during the first month was but $9. The best wages he commanded at any time was $13
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per month. Some idea may be had of his economy when it is learned that at the end of three years he had nearly $400 in his pocket. With this he determined to come on further west where land was cheaper and buy a home of his own. Accordingly, about the 20th of January, 1838, he placed his family and house- hold furniture in a wagon and started for Huntington County, whither his father, mother, three brothers and six sisters had come a few years previous, and whither he and his family arrived early in February. With $240 of his money he purchased an eighty-acre tract of land in Section 20, Clear Creek Township, paying for it $3 per acre. Upon that he built a cabin, moved into it his family and immediately set about clearing a portion of his land. This occasioned for him an abundance of hard work; but of that he was not afraid and, with his willing wife by his side, attending to the household duties, assisting occasionally in the clearing and administering to his wants as only a devoted wife can, he toiled on and in a few years the wilderness home was converted into a good farm. Nor did the arduous labors of Mr. Emley end here. After a few years he was able to purchase other tracts of land in the vicinity of his home. They, likewise, were chiefly placed in a state of cultivation through his own exertions. About 260 acres of land was fitted for the plow by his own hands. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Emley resulted in the birth of six children - two sons and four daughters - all of whom are living. Their names are: John W., Catharine, Charlotte, Mary A., Elizabeth and Fletcher J. Politically, Mr. Emley is a staunch Democrat. He recalls with pleasure his first presidential vote which was deposited for Andrew Jackson. He has always possessed the confidence of the public and very frequently he has been called upon to fill offices of trust. In 1858 he was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners and served three years. He was a candidate in 1861 for re-election but was defeated. He was elected again in 1864 and again in 1867, serv- ing altogether nine years, which is three years longer than the united terms of any other commissioner the county has ever had. In former years he served as one of the township trustees in his township a number of years. Although a poor man when he entered the county Mr. Emley has amassed considerable wealth. Besides a fine farm of 160 acres where he now lives he is the
owner of property in the City of Huntington that gives him an income of over $400 a year. He has made about $30,000 in this county, all of which is the product of his industry, frugality and economy. About half of this amount has been used in provid- ing comfortable homes for his children. He and wife are among our time-honored pioneers and most worthy and esteemed citizens.
ANTHONY EMLEY, the fifth son of John R. and Mary (Cook) Emley, and one among the old residents of Clear Creek Township, was born in Burlington County, New Jersey, April 18,
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1818. When he was a young child, ahout three years old, his parents removed to Salem County, N. J., where his boyhood and early youth were spent working upon a farm. Between the 10th and 15th of September, 1834, the family set out in two wagons for the far west. On reaching Warren County, Ohio, some time in October, they stopped for a few weeks to rest, and to visit with rela- tives. On the 1st day of January, 1835, the journey was resumed, and on the Sth day of the same month, the family reached the village of Huntington, which then consisted of a few log cabins. In the preceding November, the father made a trip to this county and entered a 240-acre tract of woods land, lying in Sections 20 and 29, Clear Creek Township, upon which a cabin was built, during the month of February, 1835. This completed, the family occupied it in the latter part of that month. The father, with the assistance of his sons, immediately set about clearing the land, and, as years rolled on, the forest was con- verted into well tilled fields. The subject of this sketch bore his share of the burden, thus involved. He remained home with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-five, when he pur- chased a lease in Section 20, of that Township, settled upon it, and began farming for himself. In the fall of 1845, he moved to the site of his present farm, upon which there was then not a stick amiss. It thus became necessary a third time for him to enter the forest, with ax in hand, and compel her to surrender to the advancing strides of civilization. Nor did he stop here. Since then he has assisted in clearing two other tracts of land in that township, and there is perhaps not a man in the county who has placed more of the county's land in a state of cultiva- tion than Mr. Emley. His marriage to Eveline Eliza Herndon occurred June 18, 1843. She was born in Campbell County, Kentucky, March 20, 1825. She was the daughter of John and Nancy (Rariden) Herndon, both natives of Kentucky. Their marriage resulted in the birth of three children: Martha Ann, born February 8, 1850, died July 3, 1865; Buena Vista, born November 16, 1851, and Malcom P., born August 3, 1855. Mrs. Emley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Emley is a member of the Highland Grange, No. 1724, and in politics he is a staunch Democrat. His first presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren, and he has tenaciously supported the principles of that party ever since. He is one among those grand and honored pioneers of the county. Mr. Emley is now the oldest living resident of Clear Creek Township.
GEORGE FARMER, an industrious citizen of Clear Creek Township, was born in Stark County, Ohio, June 3, 1848. He was the fourth of seven children born to Jose and Lydia (Black) Farmer with whom he came to Huntington County, before he was two years old. The family settled upon a farm in Clear Creek Township, where the father and mother spent the rest of their lives and where George grew up to manhood and still con-
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tinues to reside. He has adopted farming for his life occupation. He was married March 19, 1876, to Mary J. Sickafoose, who was born in Whitley County, this Sate, January 6, 1855. She died November 7, 1885, leaving to the care of our subject three child- ren: Carrie A., born December 18, 1876; Melvin E., born August 22, 1878, and Orville T., born January 12, 1882. Mr. Farmer is a member of the United Brethren Church, and a Republican in politics. He owns a farm of eighty-five acres, about sixty of which are in cultivation. He is a successful farmer and a first- class citizen.
GEORGE W. FINKENBINER, a prominent farmer of Clear Creek Township, was born in Stark County, Ohio, January 26, 1844. He was the fourth of nine children- four sons and five daughters - born to George and Susannah (Stands) Finken- biner, both natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Henry Finkenbiner. The latter spent his early life in the village of Sparta, Stark County, where during winter he attended school, and during summer he indulged in all the sports and pastimes which the genius of youth can invent. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and at eighteen years of age our subject entered his father's shop, and with him learned the trade. At the age of twenty, or in May, 1864, he entered Company F, One Hundred and Sixty-Second Ohio Regiment, with which he served four months. Upon returning from the war he resumed his position in the blacksmith shop, and in the spring of 1865, he accom- panied his father and mother to this county and settled with them upon a farm in Warren Township. He continued to work in his father's shop until he reached the age of twenty-five when he went to Wabash County and worked in the shop of his brother Henry, one year. He then returned to this county and set up a shop for himself in Clear Creek Township. That was in Section 16. Four years later he removed to a farm in Section 19, and in August, 1881, he removed to his present home in Section 30, of that township. Since 1873, his attention has been given to his trade and to farming. He was married September 13, 1871, to Elizabeth Emley, who was born in Clear Creek Township, this county, July 26, 1845. She was the fourth daughter and fifth child born to Samuel and Ann (Efft) Emley, a biography of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Finkenbiner are the parents of three children, as follows: Ernest C., born Septem- ber 9, 1872; Faira E., born July 14, 1874, and Clarence W., born December 26, 1882, all living. Mr. Finkenbiner is a member of the Christian Church, the G. A, R., and politically he is an ardent Republican. He owns 193 acres of land situated in one of the best farming localities in Huntington County. His farm is well equipped with good fences and buildings. He is a first-class mechanic and an industrious and successful farmer.
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REUBEN H. GILL, an old and honored resident of Clear Creek Township, is a native of Bracken County, Ky., and was born January 9, 1817. He was the sixth of eight children - five sons and three daughters - born to Reuben and Nancy (Hanson) Gill, natives of Virginia and Maryland, respectively, the former of Irish and English, and the latter of English descent. Our subject was reared in his native county, working upon a farm. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-three, after which he worked a part of the time at the trade of a stone mason, and continued in this way for a number of years. His marriage to Martha S. Herndon occurred in his native county, December 3, 1840. She was born in Campbell County, Ky., January 14, 1822, and was the fourth in a family of five child- ren - three sons and two daughters - born to John and Nancy (Rariden) Herndon. She was left an orphan very early in life and in consequence she was reared chiefly among strangers. During the six years prior to her marriage she made her home with Aaron Gregg, who was a relative by marriage, and who re- sided in Bracken County, Ky. During the first year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gill resided upon a farm in Bracken County. In 1842 they came to this county and settled in the woods of Clear Creek Township, where they have ever since resided. The site of their present farm was then a wilderness and the clearing of the farm occasioned a great deal of hard work. Mr. Gill chopped, grubbed, burned brush, rolled logs, made rails and, in fact, everything which the development of a new country necessitates. While thus industriously engaged, his wife stood bravely by his side, presiding over the duties of his household and administering to his wants, as only a devoted wife could; and not unfrequently did she, too, enter the clearing, and assist in such ways as she could to prepare the ground for the plow. They are the parents of twelve children as follows: William F., born October 29, 1841; Susan F., born October 12, 1843, died Aug- ust 12, 1865; John S., born March 21, 1846; Sarah E., born August 25, 1848; Elias H., born October 6, 1850; Laura E., born Feb- ruary 27, 1852; Mary L., born May 23, 1855, died June 19, 1859; Axalonia M., born September 20, 1857; Joseph M., born March 14, 1860; James E., born March 15, 1863, died August 17, 1865; Martha E., born April 13, 1865, and Desse B., born February 15, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Gill are members of the Christian Church. In politics Mr. Gill formerly affiliated with the Whig party, cast- ing his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison in 1840. He was a firm supporter of Henry Clay, and continued to act with the Whig party until 1856, since which time he has ar- dently supported the principles of the Republican party. He has filled the office of trustee of his township in all about twelve years, and he has also held the office of assessor one term. He owns 120 acres of good land and a comfortable home, where he and wife are spending the decline of life in a quiet, happy way. Though it is now nearly forty-seven years since their marriage,
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both are enjoying good health, and promise to live for many years to come, to reap the benefits of their labors in earlier years. He and wife have lived a useful and industrious life and they enjoy the universal respect and esteem of all.
AMOS GOBLE, a successful young farmer of Clear Creek Township, was born about one mile from his present home, August 17, 1850. He was the third of seven children born to Peter R. and Caroline M. (Groves) Goble, who are among the old residents of Clear Creek Township. He was reared upon a farm, and received in the district school a good common school education. He afterward attended select schools in Clear Creek Township two terms, and later on he attended a term of normal school in Huntington. During the winter of 1871-2 he taught school in Whitley County. In September, 1872, he entered College at Hillsdale, Mich., where he remained one term. He then returned to this county, and during the winter of 1872-3, he worked upon a saw mill owned by his father and brother. During the winter of 1873-4, he taught school in Clear Creek Township. His marriage to Hanna Lay- man, occurred February 22, 1874. She was born in Washington Township, Whitley County, February 13, 1855, and was the daughter of Adam and Lucinda (Hanes) Layman, both natives of Ohio. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Goble resided in the village of Goblesville, for a period of nine years - the former, during that time, being engaged in saw-milling. In the fall of 1883, they located upon the farm they now occupy, and since then the occupation of Mr. Goble has been that of a farmer. He and wife are the parents of three children, as follows: Stella M., born December 5, 1874; Anson O., born March 9, 1877, and Cecelia J., born February 15, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Goble are members of the United Brethren Church. In politics the former is a Republi- can. He owns a good farm of eighty acres, about half of which is in good state of cultivation. His farm is situated in a good farming locality, and is a very desirable location.
JOHN HELSER, a prominent farmer of Clear Creek Town- ship, was born in Perry County, Ohio, January 10, 1839. He was the oldest of seven children, four sons and three daughters, born to Daniel and Mary Helser, both natives of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. The boyhood of our subject was spent work- ing upon a farm in his native county. At the age of fourteen he accompanied his father, mother, one brother and two sisters to this county and located with them in Clear Creek Township, near where he now resides. Shortly afterward the family re- moved to a farm in Section 31, of Clear Creek Township, where the father died in the spring of 1881, and where the mother still resides. There John spent his youth assisting to clear and culti- vate the farm. His marriage to Julia A. Delvin, occured August 2, 1863. She was born in Clear Creek Township, this county, less
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than one mile from her present home, May 11, 1845, and was the youngest of seven children, four sons and three daughters, born to Thomas and Julia A. (Ream) Delvin, who were respectively, natives of Dublin, Ireland, and Perry County, Ohio. They were married in Perry County, Ohio, and in an early day, made one among the first settlements in Clear Creek Township. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Helser, died in this county at the advanced age of one hundred and four years. For a short time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Helser resided in Huntington -the occupation of the former being that of a teamster. In 1864, they located where they now reside, in Section 32, Clear Creek Township. Since then the entire attention of Mr. Helser has been given to farming and stock raising. He and wife are the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. Their names are Addie I., born April 28, 1864; Roscoe, born December 4, 1866; Cora I., born September 14, 1869, and Oren D., born May 23, 1872. Mr. Helser is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Republican in politics. He owns fifty-four acres of land, most of which is in cultivation. His farm is fitted up with a handsome brick residence and other substantial buildings.
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