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 58

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: [s.l.] : Walsworth Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 958

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 58

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JONATHAN DILLE, a farmer of Dallas Township, is a native of Grant County, where he was born September 13, 1842, being the next eldest in a family of ten children born to Ichabod and Rachel (Smith) Dille, who were both natives of Ohio. They came to and settled in Grant County about 1831. About 1852 the family removed to Huntington . County, settling on the farm where our subject now lives. They have ever since continued residents of the county. Jonathan was reared on the farm, re- maining at home and assisting his parents until he attained his majority, receiving what was for those days termed a common school education. January, 1865, he enlisted in aid of his country, and was mustered in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-Third Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged the following September. January 16, 1868, his marriage with Harriet E. Scott was solemnized, and to their union seven chil- dren have been born, of whom these five are now living: Charles, Nellie, Susie, Edith and Arthur. Mr. Dille has always made farming his occupation, and he has been very successful. He now owns seventy acres of well improved land. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a Republican, and is now the incumbent of the Assessor's office for Dallas Township, and he always manifests a good, live interest. and is an active worker for the success of his party.

JAMES FRAME, of Dallas Township, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, born near Eaton, April 19, 1828, being the fourth in a family of nine children born to Silas and Polly (Strader) Frame, natives of Bourbon County, Ky., and Burke County, Pa., respect- ively. They always remained residents of Ohio until their death, living upon the same farm which is and has been in the posses- sion of the Frame family for three generations. Our immediate subject was reared in his native State and county, remaining at home and assisting his parents on the farm until he attained the age of twenty-four years, receiving & very limited education in the primitive log school houses of those days. February, 1852, he emigrated to Indiana, first locating in the vicinity of Marion, Grant County, where he remained until the winter of 1855. Dur- ing the time he was there he purchased a saw-mill and stone quarry, burning the first lime made in that vicinity. He subse- quently disposed of his interest to parties who eventually beat him out of the entire consideration for the property, when he re- moved to Huntington County, engaging as clerk for the firm of Frame & Brawley, at Warren, with whom he continued nearly

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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.

three years, after which he entered the employ of Myran Smith & Co., serving them three years, when, in 1860 he, in company with John Alexander and Reason Emery, under the firm name of Frame, Emery & Co., embarked in the mercantile trade at Hunt- ington. About two years later he disposed of his interest, trad- ing it for the farm on which he has since lived. October 20, 1853, his marriage with Mary A. Ammerman was solemnized, and to their union two children were born, of whom neither she nor either of the children survive, she dying November 28, 1878, at the age of forty-four years. The children were named Abner D., who died at the age of twenty years, September 18, 1874, and William A., who died February 17, 1858, at the age of about five months. August 18, 1880, his marriage with Margaret J. Harden was celebrated, and their union has been blessed with this one child, Ella B., born June 13, 1886. Since 1862 he has made farm- ing his occupation and he has been very successful. He now owns 100 acres of well improved land. He is a member of the Christian, his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a Democrat.

JOHN S. GLENN, County Clerk, of Huntington County, is a native of Morgan County, Ohio, where he was born February 29, 1844, being the fourth in a family of seven children born to Robert and Anna (Smith) Glenn, who were of Scotch and Irish descent respectively. From Morgan County they removed to Pittsburg, where they lived for a period of ten years, when they returned to Ohio and located in Van Wert County, where they lived until their death. Our subject was reared to manhood at the various places where his parents resided, and received a common school education. At the age of sixteen he commenced as a fireman on the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad, which he continued to follow until 1863, when he entered the service of his country enlisting in Company K, Eighty-Eighth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war. The regiment never saw any active work, being mostly assigned on detached service. He was honorably discharged July 4, 1865, when he returned and again engaged in the rail- road business, and has since made that his occupation, serving on several roads. For the past fourteen years, he has been in the employ of the Wabash system. March, 1875, his marriage with Laura M. Rundel was solemnized, and to their union these two children have been born: Robert R. and Annie, aged respec- tively, ten and six years. He is a member of the Masonic, G. A. R. and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers fraternities. His political views are Republican, and in 1886, he was honored with an election to the office of County Clerk, and took charge of the office in April, 1887.

DANIEL L. HALLER merchant at Andrews, established his business in 1881. He is a native of Frederick County,

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DALLAS TOWNSHIP.

Md., where he was born October 19, 1826, being the eldest of. a family of five children, born to John and Mary A. (Yost) Haller, also natives of Maryland. They emigrated to Ohio in 1827, settling in Montgomery County, remaining their until their death. Our subject was reared to manhood in Montgomery County, receiving a common school education, such as the facilities of those days afforded. November 15, 1849, his marriage with Barbara Heiney was solemnized, and to their union five sons have been born, of whom these two are now living: John D., who married None Purviance, and William L., who married Ada Pettingill. In 1855 our subject emigrated to Indiana, and Huntington County, locating in Dallas Township, one mile south of Andrews, where he was engaged in farming until 1881, when he embarked in the mercantile trade. From a business point of view Mr. Haller has been very successful. He is the proprietor of a fine store, enjoying a good, renumerative trade. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He formerly belonged to the I. O. O. F., but but now holds his final card from the order. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and always manifests a good live interest in the political affairs of the county and community in which he lives, where he was honored in 1880, with an election to the office of Township Trustee, and in 1882 was re-elected to the same position.

DANIEL HEINEY, a citizen of Andrews, is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was born July 9th, 1826, be- ing the eldest of a family of four children, born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Repp) Heiney, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively; the latter died when our subject was twelve years of age. Our subject was reared in his native State receiv- ing a common school education, such as the facilities of those days afforded. November, 1849, his marriage with Rachel Recher was solemnized, and to their union these five children have been born: Mary, Emma, Alvin, Luella B., wife of Charles McNown, and Charlie E. In the fall of 1854, they emigrated to Indiana and Huntington County, locating first one mile south of what was then Antioch, in Dallas Township, and has remained a resi- dent of this township ever since. He has always made farming his occupation, and he has been very successful. He now owns 262 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the German Baptist Church. In politics he has always been a Republican.

JOHN A. IRY, one of the most enterprising and substantial merchants of Andrews, is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, born April 10, 1832, the third of a family of five children born to Peter and Sarah (Miller) Iry, who were natives of Cumber- land County, Pa., and Augusta County Va., respectively. The former is still living at the exceptionally old age of eighty-three years, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. McConnel, of

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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.

Wells County, and still retains a great deal of his mental and phys- ical vigor. Our immediate subject grew to manhood in his native State, receiving, for those days, a common school education. At the age of eighteen he engaged to learn the carpenter's trade. In 1856, he emigrated to this county, in which he has, with the ex- ception of a few years spent in Allen County, since resided. He first located at Mahon, and for a number of years, or until 1872, was engaged in divers pursuits, principally carpentering and con- tracting. In November, 1872. he embarked in his present busi- ness, which he has made a success. He enjoys a good, remunerative trade, doing an annual business of about $10,000. May 21, 1857, he was united in marriage with Esther M. Scott, by whom he is the father of three living children, James W .. who married Alice Young, Catherine M., now Mrs. Nelson McClure, and Annie H. December 31, 1883. Mr. Iry suffered the bereave- ment of losing his beloved wife. February, 1865, he entered the service of his country, serving until the close of the war. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Politically he is a Republi- can, and has been honored with an election to several municipal offices.

H. H. LASSITER, a prominent farmer of Dallas Township, is a native of Randolph County, N. C., born near Ashborough, July 8, 1840, being the sixth in a family of thirteen children, born to William and Eliza (Wood) Lassiter, who were also natives of North Carolina, of which they always continued residents. Our subject was reared in his native State, remaining with his parents until he attained the age of twenty-two years, receiving a very limited education, greatly supplemented in later years by hard study without the aid of a teacher. In 1862 he engaged in salt manufacture at Wilmington, continuing in that business until April 11, 1864. He then met with quite an exploit, running the blockade. He went to sea for five days and upon landing at Fortress Monroe was arrested and confined for not taking the oath of allegiance. From there, after a short stay at Baltimore and Annapolis, he emigrated to Indianapolis, from whence and until December, 1864, he went to and remained at Knightstown, Henry County. At that time he removed to Huntington County, where he has since made his home. March 20, 1862, his marriage with Caroline S. Allred was solemnized, and to their union these eight children have been born: William M., James H., Delfina J., Nathan P., Alvira C., Wiley M., Patia J. and Henry A. His oc- cupation has been principally farming, and he has been very suc- cessful. He now owns 121} acres of well improved land. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Lassiter has traveled quite extensively. having visited most of the States and Territories in the United States. In politics he is a Republican and he always manifests a good live interest in the political affairs of the county and community in which he lives.

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DALLAS TOWNSHIP.

JONAS H. LEE, boot and shoe merchant and Postmaster at Andrews, is a native of Miami County, Ohio, born April 2, 1829, being the eldest of eight children born to William and Margaret (Haney) Lee, who were natives of Botetourt County, Va., and Hamilton County, Ohio, respectively. They emigrated to Dela- ware County, Indiana, in 1837; in 1846 they removed to Wabash County, from whence they came to Huntington County in the spring of 1865, to which our immediate subject had preceded. them in the year 1857; they remained residents of this county until their death - the former dying April 11, 1874, and the latter, February, 1877. Jonas was raised in the different counties in which his parents resided, receiving a limited education, such as the facilities of those days afforded. His father being a shoe- maker he learned that trade which he has since made his principal occupation. February 12, 1852, his marriage with Eliza A. Palmer, of Wells County, Indiana, was solemnized, and to their union thirteen children have been born, of whom these eight are now living: Samuel P., who married Naomi McElvaine; Maggie, now Mrs. Wm. Dundermann; Evangeline, wife of Wm. A. Whitestine; Hezekiah, unmarried; Ida and Ada, twins, unmarried; Emma, consort of W. D. Cole, and William. In 1877, he established his present business. He has a fine store, enjoying a good remuner- ative trade. He is a member of I. O. O. F. fraternity. His polit- ical views are Democratic. He has held several municipal offices, and in 1885 he was appointed Postmaster for the town of Andrews, being the present incumbent of that position. With the excep- tion of four years, he has been constantly in business at Andrews since 1865. Samuel P. is operating the manufacturing portion of the business. With the exception of Evangeline, who lives in Michigan, and his two sons, Hezekiah and William, who are now in Como, Colorado, all the children are residents of Huntington County.

SAMUEL J. LEEDY, senior member of the firm of Leedy Bros. & Lynn, merchants at Andrews, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, where he was born, March 17, 1840, being the eldest of a family of eight children born to Joseph and Lydia (Wilter) Leedy, who were natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. They emigrated to Indiana and Huntington County in the fall of 1853, locating south of Andrews, where they continued to reside until about 1878, when they came to Andrews, where they now live. Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm. He re- ceived a common education in the schools of the vicinity. No- vember, 1862, his marriage with Adeline Snowden was solemnized, and to their union this one child has been born: Jennie E. Mr. Leedy has been engaged in the mercantile trade and farming all his life. From a business point of view he has been successful. They have a fine store and enjoy a good remunerative trade. In politics he is a Republican, and most generally manifests a good, live interest in the political affairs of the county and community

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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.

in which he lives, where he was honored with an election to the office of Township Trustee in 1876, re-elected in 1878 and in 1884. In addition, he has several times been elected to municipal offices.

LESSEL LONG, merchant, dealing in hardware and farm- ing implements, of Andrews, was born in Randolph County, Ind., February 20th, 1838, the eldest of a family of seven children born to Alfred and Lurany (Jackson) Long, who removed to Hunting- ton County in 1846, locating in Polk Township, where they lived until their death. Lessel grew to manhood on the farm, receiving a meagre education in consequence of the poor facilities of those days. At the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade, which he continued to follow as a jour- neyman and proprietor of a shop until 1862, when he embarked in the manufacturing of carriages at Andrews. April, 1861, he had enlisted in the army and was mustered in Company F, Thir- teenth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry for the three months' service. At the expiration of his term he returned, and October, 1862, re-enlisted in the same company and regiment and was present at all the engagements in which his regiment took part, until May 10, 1864, when at the battle of Chester Station, he was taken prisoner. He was for the first twenty-one days incar- cerated in Libby Prison, after which he was removed to Ander- sonville and was confined there most of the time until the close of the war. He has thoroughly pictured the horrors of those prisons in a work entitled "Twelve Months in Andersonville," which gives a graphic account of all that Union soldiers suffered in those pens of filth and torture. From the time of his return from the army until 1877, he was engaged in carriage manufac- ture. At the latter date he embarked in his present business which has grown to be quite extensive and profitable. Septem- ber, 1866, his marriage with Mary A. Thomas, was solemnized, and to their union four children have been born, of whom these three are now living: Florence, Arthur L. and Fred E. Mr. Long belongs to the G. A. R. and Masonic fraternities. Politi- ·cally he is an ardent Republican, and has been elevated to several municipal offices, being the present year incumbent of the po- sition of Town Treasurer.

FRANCIS MCKEEVER, deceased, was a prominent citizen of Dallas Township, was a native of Virginia, was born July 6, 1833, the son of Patrick and Elizabeth McKeever, the former of Irish, and the latter of Scotch descent. When the subject of our sketch was but one year old, his parents emigrated to Ohio, where, he grew to manhood, receiving a common school educa- tion such as the facilities of those days afforded. February 25, 1857, Miss Sarah Yantis became his wife. Two years later they emigrated to Indiana, first settling in Wabash County. In 1865, they removed to this county, of which he continued a resident

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DALLAS TOWNSHIP.

until his death. He always made farming and stock raising his occupation, devoting the most of his attention to the latter branch of that pursuit, in which he was pre-eminently success- ful. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. McKeever nine children were born, these six now living: Myra, now Mrs. George Myers; Sam- uel, unmarried; Lena, wife of Charles Cummings; Clara, consort of Charles Snowden, Fannie and Frank. January 16, 1869, the com- munity of which Mr. Mckeever was an honored and respect- ed resident, was startled with the announcement of his meet- ing with an accident which cost him his life, while cutting ice on the Wabash River. He was a member, as is his surviving widow, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, they having united with that organization about fifteen years prior to his death, and was a class leader. In politics he was a Republican.

STEPHEN M. MINNICH, a leading citizen of Andrews, was born near Springfield. Clark County, Ohio, December 7th, 1833, being the only child of John and Mary (Miller) Minnich, who were natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. They were among the pioneer settlers of Wabash County, to which they re- moved about 1838, and where they lived until the year 1868, when they came to Andrews, living there until their death, the mother dying May, 1868, and the father, May, 1873. The immediate sub- ject of our sketch grew to manhood in Wabash County, receiv- ing a limited education, commensurate with the facilities afforded children at that time. In youth and early manhood he was en- gaged in work in his father's saw and grist mill at Dora. The year, 1858, in company with Amos Parrett, he embarked in the mercantile business at Dora, which they continued for a period of two years, when Mr. Parrett retired, Mr. Minnich continuing in the trade for six years, when James Heslet purchased an inter- est, and the business was conducted for a period of two years under the firm name of Minnich & Heslet, when Mr. Minnich re- tired, removing to a farm two miles east of Dora. Five months later he came to Andrews, and again engaged in merchandising in company with Samuel Leedy, which lasted a few months, when Mr. Leedy's interest was purchased by Kautz & Son. A number of parties were at different times engaged with Mr. Minnich, until finally, he secured entire control, and conducted the business alone for a number of years. In 1878 he was com- pelled to retire on account of failing health. July, 1853, he was united in marriage with Mary Baker, by whom he is the father of three living children, viz .: Iva, now Mrs. Freeman Blake, Emma and Flora. While not a member of any church, he is a believer in the hopes of a Christian religion, on ardent Repub- lican in politics, and a man of pronounced temperance views.

SAMUEL MOORE, a farmer of Dallas Township, is a native of North Carolina, Perquimans County, where he was born Sep- tember, 25, 1818, being the next eldest in a family of eight

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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.

children, born to John and Margaret (Evans) Moore, who were also natives of North Carolina. They emigrated from there to Wayne County, Ind., in the year 1825. In 1837, they came to Huntington County, of which they remained residents until their death. Our immediate subject was reared at the various places that his parents lived, receiving a common education such as the subscription schools of his day afforded. He remained at home and assisted his parents until he attained the age of twenty-eight years. October 7, 1846, his marriage with Elizabeth Wiley was solemnized, and to their union seven children have been born, of whom these four are now living: Minerva, now Mrs. Sam R. White; Vincent, whose wife was Emma Morris; Allen, whose consort was Emma Dryden, and John B., unmarried. His occupation has always been farming, and he has been very successful. He now owns 120 acres of improved land. He and wife have been life long members of the Society of Friends. In politics, he is a Republi- can; but never sought any political preferment.

JOHN S. MORRIS, an influential citizen, is a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born October 4, 1819, being the third in a family of six chilnren, born to Richard and Catharine (Schoch) Morris, who were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively; the former died when our subject was quite young. After that he was reared, until he attained the age of fifteen, by his grandfather. He, at that age, commenced life's battle for himself by engaging as a farm hand, which vocation he pursued until nineteen years of age, when, for several years, he was occu- pied with divers pursuits, emigrating to Indiana and Adams County in 1839, where he entered 120 acres of land. He remained a resident about one year, removing thence to Allen County, staying there until 1846. He had, for some time prior to the latter date, been engaged in operating a saw-mill for Mayor Edsell, at Ft. Wayne. Upon coming to Huntington County, he located at the Forks of the Wabash, and entered the employ of John Lewis, operating a saw-mill for him. continuing with him until June, 1849, when his marriage with Mary J. T. Carnett was solemnized. He immediately removed to Loon Creek, and entered into partnership with Amos E. Richardson, erecting a saw-mill on the banks of that stream, which they continued until 1864, when they disposed of their mill and removed to what is now Andrews, having sometime prior erected a steam mill at that place. About one year later Mr. Richardson retired, Thomas King purchasing his interest in the business. A short time subsequent Abraham Leedy bought Mr. King's share. A little over a year after, John Kenower secured Mr. Leedy's inter- est. They continued to operate the mill until 1872, when Mr. Eli Jones purchased the business for an interval of one year. Mr. Morris was not engaged in any particular business. In 1873, in company with James B. Galloway and C. E. Briant he bought

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the factory of Morgan & Davenport. Shortly after Mr. Galloway retired and the business was conducted for two years under the firm name of Morris & Briant. November 18, 1875, Mr. G. W. Bell purchased Mr. Briant's interest, and the business has since been conducted under the name of J. S. Morris & Co. They manufacture staves, heading, shingles, lumber and fencing. They are doing quite an extensive business. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Morris nine children have been born, of whom these six are now living: Mary L., wife of Vandorn Van- doring Root; Viola, now Mrs. T. Mills; Benjamin T., Maxwell P., Dessie and Letta. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, also belongs to the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities.

JAMES P. PLUMMER, a prominent farmer of Dallas Town- ship, is a native of Richmond, Wayne County, where he was born August 17, 1842, the third in a family of four children born to John T. and Sarah O. (Peirce) Plummer, who were natives of Montgomery County, Md., and Portsmouth, N. H., respectively, their marriage occurring at Bristol, Penn., November 15, 1837, moving soon after to Richmond, where they lived until their death. Our immediate subject was reared in his native town, receiving a common education, such as the subscription schools of those days afforded. He served a two years and nine months' apprenticeship learning to be a mill-wright, after which he en- gaged in work at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years, when in 1871. he removed to Huntington County, of which they have almost continuously remained resi- dents. May 20, 1869, his marriage with Margaret A., daughter of Joseph E. Moore, was solemnized, and to their union these six children have been born: Anna M., Emma S., Arthur J., Lewis W., Joseph E., and Olive Auretta E. Since 1871, he has made farming his principal occupation, in connection with which he has worked some at the carpenter's trade. He and wife are members of that branch of the Friend's Church, known as Hickites. He has pronounced temperance views, and is a strong advocate of the principles of the Prohibition party.

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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 58

Author: Publication date: 1900 Publisher: [s.l.] : Walsworth Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 958

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: [s.l.] : Walsworth Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 958