USA > Indiana > Marshall County > History of Indiana : containing a history of Indiana and biographical sketches of governors and other leading men. Also a statement of the growth and prosperity of Marshall County, together with a personal and family histry of many of its citizens, Vol. II > Part 26
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William Cox, the subject of this sketch, was born in Knox county, Tenn., May 22, 1808, and is a son of Peter and Margaret (Marshall) Cox. The father was a native of Georgia, and the son of an early settler of that state, who was of Pennsylvania birth and English lineage. Mr. Cox's mother was a native of North Carolina, of which state her father was also a native, emigrating thence to east Tennessee in an early day. The mar- riage of Peter Cox and Margaret Marshall was consummated in Knox county, Tenn., and resulted in the birth of four chil- dren, namely: Elizabeth, William, Zimri (deceased), and Re- becca Ann (deceased). As early as 1815 Peter Cox and his family removed from east Tennessee to Indiana and settled in Wayne county, where the pioneer's wife died, and subsequently Mr. Cox removed to Hamilton county, where his death afterward occurred. William Cox remained under the parental roof till he was twenty- five years of age, at which time, September 12, 1833, he was united in marriage with Margaret Fox, daughter of William Fox, a native of North Carolina, and an early settler of Indiana. Margaret Fox was born near Germantown, Ohio, February 25, 1814, and her marriage with our subject resulted in the birth of the following children: Fernando, Elizabeth, Mahala, Esther, Adaline, Margaret A. and Sarah. Soon after his marriage Mr.
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Cox settled on a farm in Wayne county, where he remained till in 1860, in March of which year he moved to Marshall county, and located in Walnut township, where he has since resided. His life has been devoted to farming, in which he has met with marked success. He has never aspired to public position, but has lived the life of a retired citizen and independent farmer. His wife lived many long years his faithful companion, and was called to her reward November 18, 1887. Mr. Cox resides on a beautiful and well-improved farm near Argos, and is surrounded by many comforts and a host of friends. Both he and his wife were reared in the Quaker faith. Though he has never con- nected himself with any religious organization, he has always been friendly to churches, and to education. His life has been charac- terized by industry, sobriety, integrity and perseverance, quali- ties that have won the respect of a wide acquaintance.
Fernando Cox, a progressive farmer of Walnut township, was born in Wayne county, Ind., September 5, 1834, and is a son of William Cox, whose biography is given above. He was reared on a farm and given a limited education in the early dis- trict schools, and remained at home with his father until past thirty years of age. August 9, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company D, Seventy-third Indiana volunteer infantry, and was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., July 1, 1865. Among some en- gagements in which he participated were the battles of Stone River, Athens, Decatur and others; being in all the actions and movements of his company, except Strait's Raid, during which time he was sick and in the general field hospital, under tent. After his discharge he returned to this county, where he has since remained. December 2, 1867, he was united in marriage with Helen Ward, a native of Indiana, who died October 17, 1875. The issue of this marriage was four children, namely: William E., Adam (deceased), Arthur and Henry C. Novem- ber 2, 1882, Mr. Cox married for a second wife, Elizabeth Louthan, daughter of James and Nancy Louthan, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mrs. Cox was born in Beaver county, Penn., September 5, 1854, and has borne her husband the following children, viz .: Bradford, Schuyler and Charles. Im- mediately after his first marriage Mr. Cox settled on his present homestead, in section 6, of Walnut township, where he has since continued. He owns and cultivates a well improved farm of one hundred acres, and is one of the most successful farmers of the county. He is a member of the G. A. R., Lafayette Gordon post, No. 132, of Argos, and in politics is a staunch republican.
John Crow, a young and enterprising farmer of Walnut town- ship, was born in this county July 23, 1853, the son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Pickerl) Crow. The father was born in Washington county, Ind., April 22, 1822, and was a son of John and Cather- 16-B.
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ine (Blazer) Crow; the father, a native of Virginia, and of Eng- lish and German parentage, while the mother was born in Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. Unto John and Catherine Crow were born William, Sarah, Elizabeth, Nancy, Isaac, John, and Lewis Crow. Soon after their marriage they removed to Kentucky, where their first two children were born, and then they removed to Indiana and located in Washington county, subsequently locating in Jackson county, where Catherine died in 1842, aged fifty-three years. In the same year John came to Marshall county, where he remained until called away by death in 1862, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was in the battle of Tippecanoe. Of his children the following came to Marshall county: Sarah, Nancy, Lewis and Isaac. Sarah and Isaac are deceased. Isaac came to the county as early as 1839, at the age of seventeen, in company with a Mr. Tuttle, a pioneer of the county, who brought to the county a drove of sheep which Isaac helped to drive. For several years he worked mainly at clearing land, and it can safely be said that he cleared more Marshall county land than any other man. He cleared acres after acres of land of its dense forest growth, and finally purchased and cleared himself a home- stead in Walnut township, upon which he lived till his death oc- curred, September 9, 1874. He was an industrious, honest man, a good citizen, a kind father and a faithful friend. January 8, 1852, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Pickerl, daugh- ter of Chasteen Pickerl, an early pioneer of the county. Mrs. Crow was born in Holmes county, Ohio, May 9, 1832, and was the mother of the following children: John, Amanda, Chasteen, Charlie, Asbury, Luella, W. T. Sherman, Eva M. and Sarah. The mother, and four children, namely: John, Chasteen, W. T. Sherman and Sarah, still survive, and, own the old homestead. John, the oldest of the children, is operating the home farm, and is one of the representative farmers and stock-raisers of the county. He is a progressive citizen and in politics a staunch democrat.
Richard Curtis, a prominent farmer of Walnut township, was born in Butler county, Ohio, July6, 1844, and is a son of George and Elener (Carter) Curtis. The father was born in Scotland in 1772, and died in Miami county, Ind., in 1853. The mother was born in Ohio, in 1804, and died in Marshall county, Ind., in 1883. Their marriage was consummated in Ohio, where they resided till 1849, when they located in Miami county, this state. To their marriage was born: George, Susannah, Maria and Sophia (twins), Andrew, Richard, Nancy, Jane, James, Rebecca and Wilson Curtis. George Curtis was a tailor by trade, and a farmer by occupation. After his death his widow and her chil- dren remained in Miami county till in 1865, when they removed
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to Marshall county, where the mother's death occurred many years afterward. The oldest son was the only one of the children that did not come to the county. Richard Curtis was reared and educated on a farm, and has followed agricultural pursuits with good success all his life. March 1, 1869, he was united in mar- riage with Mrs. Jane Robey (nce Davis), daughter of John Davis, a pioneer settler of Marshall county. She was born in Henry county, Ind., December 2, 1839, and by her first marriage was the mother of two children, namely: Laura E. and Addie C. Robey. The marriage with Mr. Curtis has been blessed by the birth of the following children: Charles H., Clarry L., Harvey J. and Luther J. Mr. Curtis is a member of the German Baptist church, and Mrs. Curtis belongs to the Progressive branch of the same denomination. The parents have taken much interest in the education of the children, of which Charles H. is a teacher in the public schools of the county.
James M. Davis, a representative of a leading family of Wal- nut township, is the subject of the following sketch: Jacob Davis, his paternal grandfather, was born Pennsylvania, and was a son of a German emigrant who came to the United States at a very early day and settled in that state. Jacob wedded Rhoda Bar- nett and became the father of the following offspring: Isaac, Abner, Jacob, James, John, Ella, Mahala, Mary, Belinda, Maria and Annie. The parents in an early day settled in Belmont county, Ohio, and subsequently became residents of Henry county, Ind., where the mother died. Later the father located in Howard county, where his death occurred. This early pioneer was a soldier of the war of 1812, and served under General Har- rison. He was present and witnessed Col. Dick Johnson shoot the Indian chief Tecumseh, who was shot in the left breast as he arose from behind a thistle patch, dressed in a crude leather suit from which the dust flew when struck by the bullet. John Davis, our subject's father, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, and died in Marshall county, Ind., November 30, 1869, aged sixty-one years two months and fifteen days. With his parents he came to In- diana, and located in Henry county, where he was united in marriage with Mary Atkinson, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, dying in Marshall county February 9, 1882, aged sixty-one years four months and fourteen days. The above marriage resulted in the birth of the following children: Jane, Daniel B., James M., Rhoda E., John J., Charles, George W., Hannah M., Hulda, Olive O., Rose A. and Elias. From their marriage up to 1846 the parents resided in Henry county, Ind. From 1846 up to 1862 they resided in Howard county. In November of 1862 they located in Walnut township, of this county, and here con- tinued till called away by death. The father was a farmer by occupation, and well-respected citizen. James M. Davis, the
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direct subject of this sketch, was born in Henry county, Ind., November 1, 1842, and was reared and educated on a farm. Upon reaching his majority he began life for himself, with a capital of $1,000. For over seven years he was engaged in buy- ing and selling of cattle, but he has for some time been engaged in farming and moving of houses, moving annually about fifty houses. October 8, 1866, he was united in marriage with Martha E. Dawson, who was born in Fayette county, Ind., May 12th, 1848. Unto the above marriage there have been born four children, namely: Elnora F., Mary M., Cora B. and James D. Mr. Davis enlisted April 5, 1865, in Company A, Fifty-third Indiana volun- teer infantry, and was discharged September 3, 1865. Mr. Davis is a member of the Christian Temperance Union and in politics a democrat.
Moses Dawson was born in Marshall county, Ind., June 29, 1846, and is a son of William Dawson, who was born in Tennessee, April 26, 1801, and who died in Argos, Ind., December 30, 1887. His father, Benjamin Dawson, had the following children: John, William, Benjamin, Jesse, Jane, Thomas, Joseph and Charles. William Dawson moved from lris native state to Kentucky with ยท his parents in an early day, and there grew to manhood. He came to Indiana, and drifting to Vigo county, was there married in 1832, to Sarah Greer, which union resulted in the birth of the following children: John, Delilah, William, Elizabeth, George, Moses and Frances. In 1836, the parents and four children left Vigo county, and came to Marshall county, settling in Walnut township, in a locality that was hardly more than a wilderness. Farming was the father's occupation. He was a good citizen, and died a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was at the time of his death, the oldest citizen of Walnut township, and was universally respected by all. Moses Dawson, the subject of this sketch, was born and reared on a farm, and farming has been his occupation. He remained with his parents till past seventeen years of age and then attempted to enlist in the United States army, but he was rejected on account of being too young. He then followed boating on the Wabash and Erie canal for twelve years, and when the canal trade ceased, he returned to Marshall county, where he has since followed farming. He was married November 11, 1877, to Miss Judith Fox, who was born in Wayne county, Ind., July 31, 1852. Mr. Dawson and wife are members of the Christian church, and are highly respected. He is a member of the Argos lodge, No. 212, and in politics is a staunch republican.
Eli W. Deemer was born in Hancock county, Ohio, August 10, 1836, and is a son of Peter and Lydia (Johnson) Deemer. The father was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., in 1802, the son of Joseph and Rachel (Miller) Deemer. Joseph Deemer was
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born in Pennsylvania, of German descent, and was the father of four sons, namely: Jonas, John, Andrew and Peter, and several daughters. The parents both died in Pennsylvania. Peter Deemer was a cooper by trade and a farmer by occupation. In Hancock county, Ohio, in 1832, he was united in marriage with Lydia Johnson, daughter of Isaac and Christina (Miller) John- son, both natives of Pennsylvania, she of English and the other of German descent. Lydia Johnson was born in Scioto county, Ohio, in 1813, and her marriage with Peter Deemer resulted in the birth of the following offspring: John A., Eli W., Eliza A., James F. and George W. The parents removed from Ohio to Marion county, Ind., in 1840, thence to Marshall county in 1851, and to Iowa in 1870. In 1883 they moved to Michigan, where the father died in 1889. The mother resides with our subject at present, and is in her seventy-eighth year. Eli W. Deemer, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared and educated on a farm. He came to Marshall county with his parents in 1851, and remained with them till past twenty-one years of age. He did much work with his father in chopping and clearing the timber from the land they prepared for their cultivation. Mr. Deemer has spent his entire life in farming and saw-milling. He was married in 1859, wedding Sallie Brown, daughter of Charles and Lucy (Connor) Brown. The father was born in New York, of English descent, while the mother was born in Ireland. Unto the parents were born: Lucetta, Malissa, James, Jane, Matilda, Sallie, Keziah, Charles C., Sylvanus and Lucy. Sallie, who is now Mrs. Deemer, was born March 20, 1841, in Walnut township, this county, to which county her parents came in an early day. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Deemer's marriage there have been born the following children: James A., Ora M., John L., Charlie B., Jes- sie C., Emma L., Carry M. and Lucy Pearl. Soon after his mar- riage Mr. Deemer located and farmed for a short time in Bour- bon township, and for eight years subsequent followed saw-milling in Tippecanoe township. In 1867 he located in Whitley county, Ind., where he followed farming and saw-milling for another period of eight years, and in 1875 returned to Marshall county, where he has since resided. He located on the Brown home- stead in Walnut township, the birthplace of Mrs. Deemer, and remained here until the fall of 1888, when he located in Argos, where he now resides. In October, 1889, Mr. Deemer opened a meat market in Argos, and besides operating this he is still farm- ing and stock-raising. He is a representative business man and farmer, a staunch republican and a well respected citizen.
S. S. Fish, a teacher by profession, and farmer by occupation, one of the young and progressive citizens of Walnut township, was born in Jay county, Ind., July 31, 1849, the son of Samuel and Nancy (Gillam) Fish. The father was born in New Jersey,
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in 1799, and died in Marshall county, in 1871. He was a son of George Fish, and when young, came to Indiana, and about 1820, married and located in Fayette county, later removed to Frank- lin county, thence to Vigo, thence to Jay, and in 1853, to Marshall county. Later in 1856, a removal was made to Missouri; and in 1860, the final location was made in this county. Unto the mar- riage of Samuel and Nancy Fish, were born the following child- ren: Eliza J., Jonathan J., Benjaman F., George, Mary, Eliza- beth, John M., Samuel R., Thomas W., Silas S. and William L. The father was a farmer by occupation, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while the mother was a member of the Christian church. Silas S. Fish, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and received a liberal educa- tion in the common schools. At the age of twenty years, he be- gan teaching in the public schools, and has since been identified with educational work, either as teacher or township trustee, serving as trustee of Walnut township from 1884 to 1886. He is one of the most practical and successful teachers of the county. In 1873 he was united in marriage with Jemima M. Wimmer, daughter of William Wimmer, early settler of Henry county, this state, in which county Mrs. Fish was born, May 11, 1852. The children that have been born unto this marriage are Claud D., Maud A., Grace E. and Metta F. Mr. Fish is a member of the Argos lodge, No. 212, K. of P., and also of the Improved Order of Red Men, of Walnut, Shawnee Tribe, No. 19. He is a self-educated and self-made man, progressive and enterpris- ing, and in politics is a staunch democrat.
W. H. J. Flagg was born in Miami county, Ind., January 28 1842. He is a. son of Alwin and Mila (Flagg) Flagg. The father was born in New York, August 11, 1799, and died in Mar- shall county, Ind., in May of 1853. Mila Flagg was born in New York, May 13, 1805, and died in this county in 1855. The parents were married in New York in October of 1838, and their mar- riage resulted in the birth of four children, namely: Lauraette (deceased), William H. J., Lauraette and Alphonso. The family settled in Marshall county, Ind., in 1848, locating in Union town- ship, in the woods near Lake Maxinkuckee, where both parents afterward died. In the early forties they had settled in Miami county, removing from their native state. In their deaths they left three orphan children, of whom our subject was the oldest. He assumed the duty of looking after and rearing the other children, and held the old homestead till 1871, when it was sold at an advantage. Our subject enlisted as a private, February 11, 1865, in Company I, One-hundred and Fifty-first Indiana volun- teer infantry, and September 19, 1865, was discharged, by reason of the close of war. He then returned to Marshall county, and June 17, 1871, was united in marriage with Julia A. Flagg, a na-
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tive of Ohio, born October 14, 1849. Unto the marriage there have been born three children, namely: George E. (deceased), Charles E. and Omer E. Mr. Flagg is a carpenter by trade, and followed the trade up to 1884; in this year he built an eating house at the Nickel Plate depot in Argos; this eating house he operated till 1888. In March of 1888, he became proprietor of the Argos house, which he ran two years. He is now engaged in the lumber business at Argos. He is a member of the G. A. R., Lafayette Gordon post, No. 132, and of the I. O. O. F., Argus lodge, No. 263, and in politics he is an ardent republican.
Asa Forsythe, a farmer and prominent citizen of Walnut township, was born in Shelby county, Ind., May 10, 1844, and is a son of Enoch and Anna (Snyder) Forsythe. The parents were born and married in Shelby county, and their union was blessed with the birth of the following children: Jackson, William, Parthina, Asa, Lucinda and Parsilla. Asa Forsythe was born, reared and educated on a farm, and upon reaching manhood be- gan the struggle of life as a farmer. In 1869, he wedded Sarah Meachling, a native of Fulton county, Ind., born January 25, 1851. This marriage has resulted in the birth of five children, namely: Anna, George, Newton, Ollie and Grace. Mr. Forsythe has re- sided in Marshall county since 1868, and though he began the struggle of life a poor man, he has grown prosperous, and now owns over 200 acres of good land. He is an industrious and practical farmer and a well respected citizen.
William C. Gordon was born in Walnut township, this county, May 30, 1848, and is a son of John M. Gordon. The father was born in Butler county, Ohio, December 16, 1813, the son of Robert and Ellen (McGary) Gordon. Robert Gordon was born in Pennsylvania, of Scotch descent, and was a school teacher by profession. Ellen, his wife, was born in Kentucky, and was a daughter of John and Fannie McGary, natives of Ire- land. Robert and Ellen were married in Butler county, Ohio, and unto their marriage were born the following children: Sandford, William M., John M., Fannie, Jane, Sarah, Asa, El- len and Isaac. In later years the parents resided with their son John M., in Marshall county, where they died. John M. Gordon when a young man went to St. Joseph county, Ind., and there, in 1835, was married to Barsheba Roe, a daughter of Charles and Barsheba (Watson) Roe, the former born on Long Island of English descent, and the latter born in Virginia of Scotch and Dutch descent. The daughter was born in Wayne county, Ind., June 3, 1817. Her marriage with John M. Gordon resulted in the birth of the following offspring: Lorinda, Louisa, Lu- cinda, William C., Melissa E. and Alfaretta. John M. Gordon came with his parents to Wayne county in about 1828, and soon after his marriage in St. Joseph county he settled down in life
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in Michigan territory, later removed to Wayne county, then in 1842 settled in Marshall county, where he has since resided. He has followed farming for an occupation, and is now among the oldest and best respected citizens of the county. He and wife are members of the Christian church, and enjoy the esteem and confidence of all who know them. Their son William C., was reared on the farm and given a fair common school education. Upon reaching the age of twenty-one years he began the strug- gle of life for himself as a farmer. December 27, 1869, he was united in marriage with Eliza J. Spencer, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, May 15, 1853. The above union has been blessed by the birth of the following offspring: Lillie M., de- ceased, John N., Myrta O., Lowie, Netta B., Elery B. and Charles C. Mrs. Gordon is a daughter of Nathan and Mary (Foltz) Spencer, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of Dutch de- scent. They settled in Marshall county in 1857. Soon after Mr. and Mrs. Gordon's marriage they settled on forty acres of land in Walnut township, where Mr. Gordon built a log hut and began the earnest struggle of life. He has been an industrious and successful farmer, and has grown from a poor man to a pros- perous station of life. He owns 138 acres of well-improved land, and is one of the foremost farmers of Walnut township. His wife is a zealous member of the Baptist church, and Mr. Gordon is a member of the Argos lodge, No. 212, K. of P., and in politics he is an ardent and leading democrat. He has very creditably filled the office of assessor of his township for two terms, and in 1888 he was elected trustee in a closely divided township, politically against him, by a majority of one vote. He served one term as trustee, and in the spring of 1890 was re- elected by a majority of twenty-eight votes. As an official Mr. Gordon is a cautious and judicious man, and zealously watches and performs the duties before him. He is a friend to his fellow citizens, and is an honest, upright man.
John C. Gordon was born in Seneca county, Ohio, June 24, 1844. His father, George W. Gordon, was a native of Hancock county, Ohio, born in the year 1814, and was a son of James Gor- don, a native of Virginia, descended from Scotch ancestry. In an early day this Virginian became a settler of Ohio, dying in his eighty-third year at Fremont, that state. George W. Gor- don was reared on a farm, and was united in marriage with Han- nah Guisbert, a native of Seneca county, Ohio, who was born in 1815. This marriage was blessed by the birth of the following offspring: Anna, La Fayette, Margaret, Jane, John C., Daniel, Mary E., Temperance, Cynthia, Martha and Rebecca. In the fall of 1852 the family removed to St. Joseph county, Ind., in which county the mother died in 1854. In 1856 the father and children removed to Marshall county, and here the father, after
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a second marriage and after several years of active business life, was called away by death in 1888. John C. Gordon, the imme- diate subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. He remained under the parental roof until the age of eighteen, at which time he began life for himself. March 4, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-first Indiana regiment. After serving in the McClellan army of the Potomac until December of the same year he was discharged at Fortress Monroe, Va., by reason of disability. After his discharge he returned to Indiana, and since 1871 he has carried on the grain trade at Argos. Since 1876 he has operated the Thayer elevator at this point; and as a business man, Mr. Gordon ranks among the foremost in the town. May 6, 1872, he wedded Miss Mil- lie J., daughter of Rev. R. H. Sanders. She was born in Lake county, Ind., April 25, 1851. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have been born the following children: Zena W. (de- ceased), Mary D., Grace L. and Harry S. Mr. Gordon has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since 1870, and in politics he is a staunch republican. He is a member of the G. A. R., LaFayette Gordon post, No. 132; also a member of the Argos lodge, No 399, F. & A. M .; the Plymouth chapter, No. 49, R. A. M., and the Plymouth commandery, No. 26, K. T.
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