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 78
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WILLIAM M. IRWIN, of the firm of J. Irwin & Son, deal- ers in groceries and queensware, Warren, Ind., is a native of Preble County, Ohio, where he was born November 17, 1838. His parents were Jonathan and Asenath Irwin, whose biographies appear in this volume. He came with his parents to Huntington County in 1840, and has remained here ever since. By attending the district schools he received a fair education. At the age of fourteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade under the in- struction of his father, with whom he remained until he was twenty one years of age, after which he engaged in carpentering for himself. On July 24, 1862, he answered his country's call by enlisting in Company E, Seventy-Fifth Regiment, Indiana Vol- unteers, under command of Capt. David H. Wall. Company E was ordered to join the Army of the Tennessee, and participated in the following noted battles: Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge. He also took part in the Atlanta Campaign, and left Atlanta with Gen. Sherman, November 16, 1863, and remained with him through thick and thin until the Grand Review in Washington. Strange to say, during his entire enlistment he never received a scratch, which is remarkable, owing to the fact that he was in some of the hottest contested battles of the war. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned to Warren and resumed his trade. On November 22, 1866, he chose for his life companion, Miss Mary M. Minnich, daughter of Jacob and Christena Minnich, old and respected residents of Wells County, Ind. This union was blessed with two children, Amelia and Nellie, both of whom are living. Mr. Irwin is a member of Monroe Laymon Post, No. 211, G. A. R., and upholds the princi- ples of the Republican party. Since he engaged in the mercan- tile business he has succeeded well, and is building up a good
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trade. He is one of the live business men of Warren, and is highly esteemed by all his associates.
SAMUEL JONES, while a soldier during the War of 1812, passed through this part of Indiana, and was much pleased with the natural advantages of this country. He resolved if ever he left Highland County, Ohio to seek a home in the west, that he would settle in the territory now embraced in Huntington County, and before we conclude this biography, the reader will observe that he made good his resolution. He was born in Penn- sylvania, December 20, 1790. His parents were John and Linna Jones, with whom he went to Ohio when quite young. On Jan- uary 5, 1812, he was married to Sarah Ruse, of Highland County, Ohio, where his wife died July 28, 1825. He was again married to Nancy Reveal, and in the spring of 1833, come to Huntington County, Indiana, and entered the tract of land embracing the present site of Warren. The Indianapolis & Fort Wayne Wagon Road passed through this tract of land and on the first day of January, 1837, Mr. Jones offered lots for sale in what was then known as " Jonesboro, " but on learning that another town of that name existed in this State, he changed the name to Warren. Mr. Jones continued to reside here for forty years after his first settlement, and by his honesty and fair dealing won the confidence and respect of the pioneers. He served through the War of 1812. Politically he upheld the principles of the Democratic party, and in 1848 he represented Huntington and Whitley Counties in the Indiana Legislature. His early ad- vantages for receiving an education were limited, but natural ability was great and he strongly espoused the education of our youths. He first introduced schools into Salamonie Township by employing a private teacher in his own family, and by do- nating a house for school purposes. After an honorable and use- ful life he was called away. Silas Jones, his son, who was thir- teen years of age when his father landed in this township, was born in Highland County, Ohio, September 19, 1820. He spent his boyhood and youth amid the hardships of pioneer life, and re- ceived a fair education for that day of log school houses. When twenty years of age, or on November 12, 1840, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza J. Dillon, daughter of John and Sarah Dillon and residents at that time of this county. Eliza was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, and when about sixteen years of age accompanied her parents to this State. This union was blessed with seven children: Sarah E., Theresa J., Alfred W., Elvira E., Jasper J., Loyd S. and George P., of whom George P. is deceased. Mrs. Jonas was also called away, May 5, 1877. She was a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and loved by all who knew her. On October 17, 1880 he was again married to Miss Sarah Antrim, a native of Highland County, Ohio. They are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Jones has always been an active worker in the Democratic party. He began life at the bottom of the lad-
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der and by strict attention to business has been eminently suc- cessful during life. He owns a fine farm of over 200 acres, the one he spent the best part of his life in clearing. He is now leading a retired life in "East Warren," which addition to Warren he laid out in 1879. His health is fair for one of his age. He attended the first election held in Salamonie Township; his recollection of pioneer life in this township is good, and he has lived to see a great change in the development of the county. It would be proper to mention the fact that on the ar- rival of Samuel Jones in Huntington County, he entered a tract of land for Silas, Allen, Nancy, Matilda and Lucinda, the first two receiving 160 acres each, and the last three eighty acres each. William, John, Samuel and Sarah, the children by his second wife, each received a tract of land near Huntington.
JOHN D. JONES, one of the pioneers of this township, and a prominent farmer, was born in Highland County, Ohio, May 21, 1830. His parents were Samuel and Nancy Jones, whose biography appears above in this history. John was three years old when his parents came here, and has always made this county his home. He was reared on a farm and received a fair educa- tion. At the age of nineteen, he engaged as a clerk in Jacob Brown's general merchandise store, in Warren, and followed that occupation three years. While he was engaged in this work he was married to Miss Elizabeth Linse. This union was blessed with three children: George A., James M. and Samuel J., who were twins, of whom George A., is deceased. Mrs. Jones was also called away in February, 1856. Mr. Jones then engaged with Purviance, Cane & Co., in Huntington, and was in their employ about three years, when he was again married to Phebe E. Purviance, and to this union was born one child, John P., now living. Mr. Jones' home was again visited by death, and on April 14, 1880, Mrs. Jones was called across the dark river. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and loved by all who knew her. On December 16, 1882, he was mar- ried to Miss Amy Adsit, daughter of Daniel B. and Sophia Adsit. Shewas born in Clinton County, Ohio, January 19, 1855. When nine years of age she accompanied her parents to Warren. She has resided here ever since. Mr. Jones is a member of the F. & A. M. order, and has taken an active interest in the order for thirty years. He is a Democrat and can trace the Democratic principles generations back. In 1862, he was elected treasurer of Huntington County, and filled the office with credit one term. He has of late years given his entire attention to his fine farm which adjoins the town of Warren, and also to the breeding of trotting horses. In 1873, he went to Kentucky and purchased Membrino Mac, a fine horse that showed a speed on Mr. Jones' race track of 2:30. Some of his best colts are Penut, Membrino Billy and Belva Lockwood, and others equally as good if they were properly trained. His running colts, are Wild Duck,
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which has made one-half mile in fifty seconds, Wild Duck, Jr., which ran one-half mile in fifty seconds in 1886, and at Kokomo, during the same fall ran a mile in one minute and fifty seconds. Hoosier Maid is also showing good speed. Mr. Jones owns one of the finest farms in Section 29; it consists of 260 acres and well improved, He has aided his sons in securing farms and property. Mr. Jones expects to end his days where he has spent the best part of his life in making a home.
SYLVESTER V. KINTZ, proprietor of the American Hotel, Warren, Ind., is a native of Fort Wayne, this State, where he was born November 12, 1852. His parents were Jacob J. and Alice (Marr) Kintz, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the lat- ter of Ireland, both of German descent. When our subject was sixteen years old he went to Huntington, Ind., and made his home with John A. W. Kintz, who was his brother, and after- ward Sheriff of Huntington County. While there he commenced to learn the harness trade, which he completed in Anderson, this State. Returning to Huntingten he followed his trade two years, when he removed to Canton, Ill., remaining in that State until 1879, when he again returned to Huntington, and during the same year he located in Warren, engaging in the barber business, having learned the trade in Illinois. He was quite successful in this undertaking, and to dav his old patrons claim him to be the best barber Warren ever afforded. On December 12, 1879, he chose for his wife Miss Mattie Williamson, daughter of Andrew and Susan (Iler) Williamson, old and respected resi- dents of this county. Mattie was born in Warren, and has resided here all her life. In 1885, Mr. Kintz took charge of the American Hotel in Warren, and through his careful manage- ment it can be classed among the most accommodating houses found in a place the size of Warren. He is a genial, kind and obliging man, and one calculated to fill his present position with success.
WILLIAM MATLACK was born in Chester County, Penn., April 2, 1814. His parents were Thomas and Martha (Roberts) Matlack, the former a native of Delaware, and the latter of Penn- sylvania, both of Welsh descent. William spent his youth on his father's farm and in his store. By attending the district schools he received an education sufficient to enable him to teach suc- cessfully in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. When he was eighteen years of age he was apprenticed to learn mill-wright- ing, which trade he completed. At the age of twenty-two he went down into Maryland, and followed his trade something over a year. In 1840 he turned his face westward and located in Preble County, Ohio. In 1844 he was married to Catharine Stanback, and was blessed with four children: David T., Mary J., Martha E. and Mahala C., all of whom are now living. Mrs. Matlack was called away December 6, 1877. After residing
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seventeen years in Ohio, Mr. Matlack concluded he was tired of plowing and farming among the stones of that country and re- solved to seek a home elsewhere, so in the fall of 1857, he removed his family to Section 25, Salamonie Township, where he had pur- chased 140 acres, eighty in this county and sixty in Wells County. This land was partly improved, but owing to the flat condition of the country it required considerable of hard work at ditching and draining to make a good tillable farm, but by working hard and industry he has developed one of the best farms in this locality. Years ago he left home a poor, but honest boy, and every dollar he is worth to-day he has made by hard and inces- sant toil. He has always upheld the principles of the Demo- cratic party, and has held the position of Postmaster at "Boehmer" for several years. He is a member of the Salem Lodge of the Patrons of Husbandry, which society meets at his residence. He is an honest, upright citizen, and one of the substantial farm- ers of Salamonie Township.
WILLIAM McCOY, who has been a resident of this county since 1836, and at the present time residing in Warren, was born in Patrick, W. Va., November 18, 1810. His parents were John and Sarah (Hopkins) McCoy, the former a native of Scotland, emigrating to America about 1803, or 1804. He located in Vir- ginia, and in about three years afterward he was married to Miss Sarah Hopkins, daughter of William and Polly Hopkins. She was a native of Virginia where she was born and raised. In 1811 the parents of our subject emigrated to East Tennessee. In 1812 the father took part in the war with Great Britain. William spent his boyhood and youth in Tennessee. Owing to the scarc- ity of schools in that day he only received a limited education. While in Tennessee, but after removing north, he went to school two terms, which gave him some knowledge of the common branches. In the fall of 1829 we find William nearing his nine- teenth birthday. He was surrounded with poverty and an aristo- cratic people who upheld slavery and ignored a poor but honest white man who had to toil for his daily bread. These circum- stances led young McCoy to seek another field for his future labors in life. He accordingly, in October, 1829, bade farewell to friends and relations, and started for Ohio, crossing the river on the 5th of that month, at Cincinnati. He procured work in Hamilton County of Mr. Montgomery, who had the contract for constructing the first turnpike ever built into Cincinnati. When he obtained this position he only had 75 cents in money. After working a while on the pike he engaged with a farmer and re- mained with him until about Christmas, when he resolved to hunt a better position and a place where he could go to school that winter and work for his board. He wandered to Union County, this State, arriving in that county about the ist of January, 1830, and found a comfortable home in a family of Quakers. There he remained until spring, when he hired to an old Quaker
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and remained two years in Union County. He next went to Preble County, Ohio, and began to learn the brick-laying trade and plastering, and followed that trade two years in Ohio before he emigrated to this county. In the fall of 1836 he arrived in Jefferson Township, this county, and entered 140 acres of wild land. After establishing himself in Jefferson Township he and another man took the contract for laying the brick in the court house at Peru, Ind. After completing this contract he went to Lafayette, Ind., and worked the rest of the season. About the 1st of December, 1837, he returned to Jefferson Township, and on January 4, 1838, was united in marriage to Polly A. Sprowl, daugh- ter of Joseph and Jennie (Armstrong) Sprowl. Polly was born March 29, 1819, in Preble County, Ohio, where she was raised. This union was blessed with eleven children: Elizabeth J., Alexander, Davison, Sarah, Martha, William G., Priscilla, Mary B., Julia, Louis, Marshall, of whom Elizabeth, Sarah A., Priscilla, Mary B., Julia, Louis and Marshall, are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are members of the Christian Church, with which they have been identified for a number of years, and are among the leaders of that denomination, and always ready to give their aid for the benefit of the church. For a few years after Mr. McCoy's mar- riage he continued to follow his trade, but finally gave up his trade and turned his attention to farming. Prior to this, or.in the spring of 1838, he purchased property in Marion, moved into it and aided in constructing the old court house in that city. In the fall of 1838, he returned to his farm, and by his own hands aided in clearing up a great portion of his farm, and has spent many a hard day's work in the clearing and at night burn brush. Thus by degrees he steadily prospered. He has always adopted a straight-forward, honorable course in life, and by his own exertions has accumulated considerable of wealth. About seven years ago he moved to Warren, where he owns fine residence property, and resides there at the present time. He was reared a Democrat, and for the greater part of his life advocated the principles of that. party, but lately has changed his political views, and now firmly advocates the temperance cause. At one time he was elected Assessor of Huntington County, and held the office four years. He is now living a retired life in Warren.
DANIEL MCELHANEY was born in West Virginia, June 18, 1810. His early life was spent amid the hardships of farm labor. After he grew to manhood he began to do for himself, and in 1844 he emigrated to Preble County, Ohio; there he was married to Sarah Scott, and was blessed with three children: Matilda, James H. and Marrietta, of whom Marrietta died when about ten years of age. In the fall of 1850 Mr. McElhaney loaded a few household goods into a two horse wagon and started for Huntington County. He landed here in October, and settled on the tract of land he now resides on, for which he had traded land in Virginia. He put up a log cabin, half floored with a
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puncheon floor, and spent the first winter in it. Mr. McElhaney is a staunch Republican, and has upheld the principles of that party since its organization. He now has a comfortable home,. and the trials and traces of pioneer life have almost passed away. He is a man well spoken of in the community, and his integrity is above reproach.
THOMAS McILWAIN, one of the pioneers of Huntington County, was born in Abbeyville District, S. C., September 15, 1812. His parents were John and Sarah (Logan) McIlwain, both natives of Ireland, the former of Scotch, and the latter of Irish descent. In 1817, they emigrated to Union County, Indiana, thence to Franklin County, and thence to Fayette County, where Mr. McIl- wain died. The widow and mother survived him but a short time, and died in Cass County, Ind. Up to the age of eighteen Thomas remained with his parents, and had received some learn- ing in the old log school houses of that day. At the age of eighteen he began to do for himself, and engaged to work in a woolen mill, and learned the art of cloth dressing. This he con- tinued to follow for five or six years. Then he turned his atten- tion to farming. On January 7, 1836, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Williams, daughter of John and Sarah (Bryant) Williams, who removed from Kentucky to Fayette County, Ind., in 1813. Here Mary was born December 7, 1816. This was the year Indiana became a State, and Mrs. McIlwain has the honor of residing here ever since its admission into the Union. Her young life was spent in Fayette County, where she resided until after her marriage with Mr. McIlwain. They began house-keep- ing in Fayette County in limited circumstances, and the clock that marked the time, night and day, when they first entered life's stream together, is at this moment ticking away as if it had just begun the task for which it was intended. Through all these years of toil and hardships the old clock has stood in its place, a quiet spectator, witnessing joy and sorrow, and marking the onward flight of time. In 1837 Mr. McIlwain came to Hunt- ington County, to enter a tract of land .. He found an eighty-acre tract in Section 8, and returned to his home in Fayette County, and in the fall of 1839 he landed upon his land. He built a log cabin and began to clear up his home. Indians were then plenty, and game, such as deer and turkeys, was in abundance. The lit- tle village of Huntington was then their market, the roads were bad, and in the spring eight bushels of wheat was considered a big load. Thus we can imagine to-day the trials and hardships of these sturdy pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. McIlwain were blessed with ten children: Oscar, born October 1, 1836; Vanda, born No- vember 13, 1838, died March 20, 1840; James M., born January 8, 1841; John, born October 30, 1843, died January 13, 1862; Arthur, born August 2, 1846, died October 20, 1848; Zelotes, born March 1, 1849; William A., born September 20, 1851, died July 20, 1863; Thomas J., born October 10, 1854, died July 20, 1863; Rudolphus S., 30
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON COUNTY.
born November 24, 1856, died July 27, 1863; Benjamin F., born January 13, 1859, died March 26, 1860. As noted in this record, seven of the ten children which blessed this union have been called away, that terrible disease, scarlet fever, taking three sons at one time. The three sons now living are all residing in Sala- monie Township, upon farms of their own. Mr. and Mrs. McIl- wain are members of the Christian Church, with which they have been identified about forty years. In politics Mr. McIlwain has always upheld the Republican party.
OSCAR F. McILWAIN, a prominent farmer of Salamonie Township, was born October 1, 1836, being the oldest of ten children (three living, seven dead), born to Thomas and Mary (Williams) McIlwain. Subject's father's sketch will be seen in another place. Our subject was born in Fayette County. Ind., when in 1838, his parents removed to Huntington County. He was reared as a farmer boy, lived with father until nineteen years of age, when he began work for himself, teaching school, and day's work until in the month of August, 1862, enlisted in the army. Seventy-Third Indiana, Company G, remaining here until June, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability caused from a wound at the battle of Stone River, returned home (Miami County), for a length of time. Previous to this time and before Mr. McIlwain joined the army, he was married to Miss Martha Storsty, July 31, 1859, of Fayette County. In 1866, Mr. Ilwain and lady and one child, removed to Michigan and took up a homestead; remained there about eight years, when he returned to Indiana, in this county, and bought the old farm known as the Thomas McIlwain farm, Section 7, Salamonie Township, where he remains to the present day. By hard work and good manage- ment has redeemed a good farm with fine improvements. Is a Republican. Belong (he and lady) to Methodist Episcopal Church. `Are good people, well respected by the community. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McIlwain five children have been born, the oldest, Perry W., born July 9, 1860, died October 21, 1861; Mary A., born November 28, 1862, died December 12, 1862; William E., born September 5, 1864, died August 7, 1881; Evelina, born February 7, 1868; Jesse, born May 5, 1877.
LEANDER MORRISON, deceased, is a man worthy of men- tion in this volume. For over forty-eight years he was identified with Salamonie Township and its development. His parents, Andrew and Martha (Mitchell) Morrison, were natives of North Carolina. When young they removed to Kentucky, and, in 1807, from thence to Preble County, Ohio, where Leander was reared amid the hardships of farm life. By attending the district schools he received a fair education, and before he arrived at his maturity he had learned the carpenter's trade. He was a poor boy, and, in 1832, having heard of the advantages offered to men of small means in this country, resolved to come west and
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cast his lot with the pioneers and secure a home. He landed in this township before a clearing of any kind had been made, and entered land in Section 33. He returned to his home in Ohio, and remained until the fall of 1833, when he accompanied his uncle, Fleming Mitchell, to this township, who settled on the Salamonie, a short distance above the present site of Warren. Mr. Mitchell conceived the idea of erecting a mill, and our sub- ject assisted him in the work. By the fall of 1834 they had a saw mill in running order, and by the close of 1835 were prepared to grind corn. On February 26, 1835, Mr. Morrison was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, the first settler of Salamcnie Township. They began life to- gether in a rude log cabin erected in the midst of a dense forest on the tract of land entered by Mr. Morrison, and still owned by Mrs. Morrison and children. It seemed like an endless task to succeed in making a home in this, then wild and desolate country, and the trials and hardships of the sturdy pioneer, who came here with his ax and rifle, and spent the best part of his life in developing the country, are scarcely realized by the pres- ent generation. Days, months and years were spent by them in making the beautiful homes found all over this country. Mr. Morrison was elected Justice of the Peace of Huntington County in April, 1837, and the family to-day holds the commission he re- ceived from Gov. Noble, dated April 18, 1837. His term of office lasted five years. After a long and useful life, in which he won the good will and respect of all, he was called home February 13, 1881. A loving wife and six children survived him. The entire family consisted of seven children. Calvin, the oldest, answered his country's call, and in 1861 enlisted in Company D, Thirty- Fourth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. While at Camp Wickliffe he took sick and passed away, far from friends and relatives. William Ray, a near neighbor of the Morrisons, had gone to Camp Wickliffe to bring home the body of his son, who had died there. On his arrival he noticed Calvin's life was ebbing away, and concluded to await his death and bring his body with his son's. Mr. Ray arrived in Warren with the remains of the two dead heroes, and the news was carried to the family of Mr. Morrison to come and get the remains of their son. It was a severe shock to the grieved ones, who had a few months before bid God-speed to the light-hearted youth. The other children were Nancy, Mar- tha A., Sarah L., Samuel L., John A. and Louis M., all of whom are residing within a radius of fifteen miles of their old home. The marriage of their parents was the first solemnized in Salamonie Township. Mrs. Morrison continues to reside on the old home- stead. She is over seventy-one years of age, being born in Ash- land County, Ohio, March 7, 1816. She has resided in this township ever since white settlers first came, and is in good health to-day. Her father, Samuel Jones, was a kind father and benevolent man, but had strong political convictions, which prompted him in an unguarded moment to disinherit two of his
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