USA > Indiana > Miami County > History of Miami County, Indiana : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 35
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ELI J. SPRINGER. Since the pioneer settlement of Miami county, one of the families which have largely influenced its business, agricul- tural and civic development is that represented by Mr. Eli Springer of Harrison township. Three generations of the name, whose members have alike been distinguished for business talents, enterprise and large public spirit have spent a portion of their lifetime in this county and many of the improvements now witnessed on very hand have been prompted or carried out by the people of this family stock.
Eli J. Springer was born in Harrison township of this county on July 19, 1880, and is a son of John and a grandson of Jacob Springer. John Springer, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, March 20, 1843, was brought by his parents to Indiana in 1848. The Indians had finally been removed from this locality only two years previously and a large area of the county was a wilderness. In Harrison township, practically all the land was covered by dense woods, and it was in the midst of the timber the Springer family located. The land first occupied by them adjoined the farm of Eli J. Springer. Mr. Jacob Springer estab- lished his family in a cabin home, and devoted his energies to the work of clearing the land and developing a farm. The log house built by John Springer some years later is still standing on the farm. John Springer was married in Harrison township to Miss Mary Foust, who became the mother of ten children, namely: Frances, who married
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Charles Smith; Charles, who died in infancy; Harvey, who mar- ried Anna Ferguson; Emma, who died in infancy ; Reuben, who married Eva Harris; Minnie, who married John Rinker; Eli; Mary Catherine, deceased; John H., who married Emma Graf; and Sarah May, who is the wife of Charles Ramer. The mother of this family passed away September 18, 1889, and the father died January 3, 1913. The lat- ter was a public-spirited citizen, much interested in local affairs, and served in such offices as member of the township advisory board and road supervisor. His memory was honored by local publications and the following obituary of this honored resident is taken from one of the papers :
John Springer was born in Holmes county, Ohio, March 20, 1843; died January 3, 1913, at the age of 69 years, 9 months and 14 days, at his home in Miami county near North Grove.
He came to Indiana from Ohio in 1848 when only five years of age. Since then he has lived continually in this community.
In 1866 he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Foust. This union was blessed with eleven children, six sons and five daughters, five of whom precede him in death.
On September 18, 1889, death claimed his earthly companion, and with his family he was left to battle with the things of earth.
In 1901 he was united in marriage to Emily Edwards, who departed this life November 27, 1905, again leaving him alone.
He was converted to God under the labors of Rev. Ivan when he was about thirty years of age. He became a charter member of the St. Paul church of the Evangelical Association and remained faithful unto the end.
He leaves to mourn his loss, four sons-Harvey, Reuben, Eli and Jolın; two daughters-Minnie Rinker and Sarah Ramer; one brother, Jacob Springer; thirteen grandchildren and scores of friends.
He was a man of a deep religious experience and served his church from the beginning until his end came as one of her esteemed trustees. As class leader and teacher he was always in demand and never re- leased until his mortal frame grew frail.
Funeral services were conducted by his pastor, John H. Heldt, in the St. Paul Chapel January 6th at 10 A. M.
Eli J. Springer was reared on his father's farm, had the advantages of the district school while growing up, and had chosen to take his place among the substantial agriculturists, and enjoy the facilities and pleasures of country life. His home has always been on the old home- stead, and he is now well established in business as an independent and progressive farmer. All the buildings on the farm were placed there by his father, but the son has introduced many other improve- ments, and is carrying forward the farm on a modern scale.
Eli J. Springer married Miss Lillie Van Hart, a daughter of Edward and Mary (Hofferbert) Van Hart. To their marriage have been born two children : Edgar LeRoy, born August 10, 1908; and Carl Wen- del, born December 29, 1910. Mrs. Springer's parents were residents of Darke county, Ohio, where they died, the father on October 4, 1898, at the age of forty years, and the mother on May 7, 1899, at the age of forty-eight. In their family were thirteen children, of whom the fol- lowing reached adult years: Clara, wife of Walter Bailey; Jesse mar- ried Artha Longnecker; Samuel, who married Fairy Bond; Lillie, wife of Eli J. Springer; Elmer, who married Bessie Rapp; Ethel, wife of Manual Baker: Opal, wife of Frank Bloomerstock; Ruth, wife of Amzi Baker; and LeRoy, unmarried.
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Mr. Springer and his family attend the services of the Evangelical Association.
IRA GRAHAM. A member of a family that has been identified with the growth and development of Miami county for upwards of seventy years, Ira Graham isentitled to more than passing mention in a work of this nature. He has followed agricultural pursuits throughout a long and useful career, and as a lifelong resident of Harrison town- ship has seen its development from a practical wilderness to one of the most prosperous and productive sections of the State. He has borne his full share in the great changes which have been brought about, and while advancing his private interests has contributed in no small degree to the general welfare of the community. Mr. Graham was born in Harrison township, Miami county, Indiana, August 16, 1855, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Dickson) Graham.
James Graham was born in Athens county, Ohio, a son of Henry Graham, was married in his native State, and came to Miami county, Indiana, in 1844. Here he entered 160 acres of land from the govern- ment, a totally uncultivated tract located in Harrison township, about one-quarter of a mile south of the present home of Ira Graham. Here he cleared a small space from the timber, and, as was the custom of the pioneers, erected a small log cabin. This was the family home while the children were growing up, and as the sons became old enough they assisted their father in clearing the balance of the property, which became one of the valuable farms of the township. Mr. Graham con- tinued to reside on this tract until his death, in 1893, his wife passing away about the same time. She was a daughter of Joseph Dickson.
Ira Graham received his education in what was known as the Wil- son schoolhouse in Harrison township, the school terms then being about three months long, held during the winters. The long summer months of his boyhood were passed in the work of the home farm, and he continued to divide his time between farming and attending school until he was twenty years of age. At that time he began renting land, and being industrious and ambitious accumulated enough to make a payment on his present property, a part of the old homestead. He continued to add to his land, making numerous improvements and erecting new buildings, and his 102 acres are all now under a state of cultivation and yielding him excellent returns for his years of labor. He uses new methods and the most highly improved machinery, and his well-fed livestock testifies to his skill and good judgment as a stock raiser. His entire business career has been passed on this property, and his reputation in the neighborhood is that of a sterling citizen, an excellent farmer and a loyal friend. He has served efficiently as a member of the board of supervisors of his township, was for years a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and, with his fam- ily, attends the Christian Church.
On November 4, 1880, Mr. Graham was married to Miss Leah King, daughter of John and Catherine (Timmons) King, and five children have been born to this union, namely: Elbert E., born March 25, 1883, married Stella Wolf, and has four children,-Russell, Leslie, Marguerite and St. Elmo; Maud E., born September 14, 1884, who married Charles Millett, has two daughters,-Elba and Ruth; Clyde E., born February 7, 1887, one of twins, married Lydia Goldic Gehrart, daughter of John Gehrart, and has one son and one daughter, -Carl Edgar, born February 15, 1912 and Freda Prescilla, July 7, 1913; Clarence, twin of Clyde E., born February 7, 1887, who married Lestie
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Gelirart, and has three children,-Floyd, who died October 12, 1913, Alice Pauline and infant; and Florence B., born January 19, 1892, mar- ried Franklin Ellers, and has one child,-Earl Lee.
Mrs. Graham was born in Miami county, Indiana, November 18, 1859, and is the twelfth child in a family of seventeen children-one of the largest families in Miami county-seven sons and ten daughters born to John and Catherine (Timmons) King. There are two sons and three daughters living and all are residents of Miami county, In- diana. John King was a native of Delaware and Mrs. King is a native of Maryland. They were married in Maryland. Mr. King was an agriculturist all his life, and was educated in the common schools. Politically he was a Republican and cast a vote for Gen. John C. Fremont, the first nominee of the Republican party. He and his wife were Methodists in their religious belief. They died in Butler town- ship and there were interred.
When Mr. and Mrs. Graham began their married life all the cash capital they had was about one hundred dollars, and they lived as renters for about ten years. Mr. Graham inherited most of the land that he now occupies, but all the excellent and modern buildings, besides their pretty residence they have erected. Mrs. Graham has been an able factor in the building up of their beautiful home life and the rearing of their children who are married and all settled in life and occupy a promi- nent place in the respect of their commuity. The estate of Mr. and Mrs. Graham is known as "The Graham Homestead."
RICHARD MALOTT. A lifelong resident of Harrison township, Rich- ard Malott has for many years been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Miami county, and has contributed materially to the advancement and progress of the county through these chan- nels. He is a well-informed man, possessed of broad general informa- tion, and in his nature there is nothing narrow or contracted. He has a spirit that, while devoted to his community, is liberal enough to rec- ognize and appreciate advancement and progress in any other part of the world and to profit by it. At the present time he is carrying on extensive operations on a well-cultivated farm of 158 acres, and every- where he is recognized as a practical farmer and experienced stockman. Mr. Malott was born in Harrison township, Miami county, Indiana, September 16, 1870, and is a son of Ira and Nancy (McFarland) Ma- lott, and a grandson of Richard Malott and Enoch McFarland.
Ira Malott was born in Darke county, Ohio, and came to Miami county during the early 'fifties, settling in Harrison township and en- gaging in agricultural pursuits. He was so engaged at the time of the out- break of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the Sixteenth Regiment, Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry, with which hard-fighting organization he served until the cessation of hostilities in 1865. On the completion of his brave and valiant service, he returned to the peaceful pursuits of the farm, continuing to till the soil until his retirement several years ago. He married Miss Nancy McFarland, who was born in Miami county, and she died in 1890.
Richard Malott received his education in the district schools of his native township, and was reared to the life of an agriculturist, which he has followed all of his career. He remained under the parental roof, assisting his father until his marriage, at which time lie settled on his present farm, a tract of 158 acres in Harrison township. This he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and through constant energy and intelligent and well-directed effort has made it one of the valuable tracts of this section. Although the land had been cleared
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"MAPLE DELL STOCK FARM" RESIDENCE OF MR. AND MRS. JACOB S. LAVENGOOD
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before his arrival, he has made numerous improvements, and erected the modern, substantial buildings which are now to be found on the property. He is practical and progressive in his methods of farming, and in the management of his business affairs displays a sound judg- ment that has brought to him a merited success. His reputation among those who have had transactions with him is that of a thoroughly reli- able business man, and he has always had the full confidence of his associates.
In 1891, Mr. Malott was married to Miss Genevieve Haskett, daugh- ter of Valentine and Mary Jane (Minor) Haskett. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Malott, namely : Bonilin, born August 21, 1897; and Richard, who was born August 21, 1910. Mrs. Malott's father died in January, 1907, and her mother passed away two years later. Mr. and Mrs. Malott are consistent members of the Friends' Church. He has never been a politician, but has not been indifferent to the duties of citizenship, and at present is serving as assessor of Har- rison township, a position to which he was appointed by the county auditor. The homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Malott is known as "Cottage Lawn," and is a home of comfort and happiness.
JACOB S. LAVENGOOD. One of the leading farmers of Harrison town- ship, the proprietor and manager of a handsome estate of two hundred and fifty-six acres, Jacob S. Lavengood is one of the few citizens of Miami county still in the middle period of life, who were born in log cabins, and his early career was spent within that era which compassed what is now known as the epoch of old times. The Lavengood family have been identified with Miami county for sixty years, and along with substantial material prosperity they have always enjoyed a reputation for kindly neighborliness and community spirit.
Jacob S. Lavengood, who has lived on his present estate in Harrison township for the last twenty years was born in a log cabin on his father's farm, January 8, 1865. His parents were Jacob and Rosana (Stairheim) Lavengood. The paternal grandfather was John Lavengood, and the maternal grandfather was Jacob Stairheim. John Lavengood was a Pennsylvanian who settled in Ohio at an early day, and there reared his family. In the early fifties Jacob Lavengood left the residence, in Holmes county, Ohio, and came into Indiana, with no capital save his strong arm and willingness to work. As an indication of his energy and good judg- ment in the investment of his savings, it may be stated that at the time of his death, his estate covered five hundred acres of Miami county land. In common with other frontier settlers here, his first home was a log house, and the timbers were hewn with his own ax, and his own labor was the chief factor in erecting and furnishing it. With the assistance of his sons he cleared much of his land, and the work of grubbing, and sub- jugating the soil was a task for many successive years, and was carried on by the sons after his death. He passed away after a long and useful career on November 12, 1880. Of his children, the record reads as follows: Sarah, who married Frank Bowland; Wilson, who married Lillie Freeman ; Matilda, who married Andrew Gerhart; Rosa, the wife of Frank Ellers ; Daniel C., who married May Boyd; and Jacob.
Jacob S. Lavengood grew up on the old homestead, attended the district schools, and all his business experience has been in the field of agricultural enterprise. On Jan. 12, 1890, occurred his marriage to Miss Fannie Durkes. Her parents were Frederick and Elizabeth (Spurgeon) Durkes, who were an old family in Miami county, where her father died in 1905, well known and highly respected.
Mrs. Lavengood was born in Miami county, Ind., May 29, 1870, the
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second in a family of five children, two sons and three daughters, born to her parents. Three of the children are living: Mrs. Lavengood of Miami county ; Charles W., of Marion, Indiana, who married Ida Barley ; and Walter, an agriculturist of Francisville, Indiana, who wedded Rosa Klein. Mr. Durkes was a native of Germany, and was nine years of age when his parents emigrated to America, first locating in New York for a short time and thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, and finally settled in Harrison township, Miami county. He was an agriculturist and politi- cally a Democrat. Both he and wife were members of the Christian Church. Mr. Durkes died November 1, 1905, and his wife died April 12, 1913. Both are interred in Park Lodge at Amboy, Indiana. Mrs. Durkes was a native of Miami county, born November 15, 1845, and when she died she was sixty-seven years of age.
Mrs. Lavengood was reared and educated in her native county, and has borne her part nobly in building up her beautiful home and rearing hier family. She is a cordial, genial lady and like her husband sociable and friendly, which tends much in adding to their large circle of friends. Their model residence is modern in detail and is one of the most beau- tiful homes in the county. Two years after his marriage Mr. Lavengood and wife moved to their present homestead in Harrison township. This is an estate of two hundred and fifty-six acres, and during the twenty years of their occupancy, their combined industry and management have resulted in the clearing up of many acres, and in the erection of many buildings and improvements. The estate is known as "Maple Dell Stock Farm."
Jacob Lavengood and wife have six children, named as follows: John C., born February 18, 1891; Jacob F., born August 25, 1892; Walter D., born May 7, 1893; Roy J., born April 25, 1895; Clarence C., born August 13, 1899; and Eva E., born October 29, 1906. Of these children John C. has a home of his own, having married Lola Faust, and they have one daughter, Malina Bernice, born August 16, 1912. Mr. Lavengood and his family are identified with the Evangelical church.
WILLIAM L. LUCAS. Clay township's sterling citizenship and sub- stantial industry are well represented in Mr. Lucas, whose home has been in this county since 1871, and who has lived on his present attrac- tive rural home for about fifteen years. Mr. Lucas is prospering as a business man, has not failed to render the service required by a com- munity from its leading citizens, and his vigorous administration as township trustee is still gratefully remembered.
William L. Lucas, who came to Miami county, in 1871 from Wash- ington county, Indiana, was born in Pope township of the latter county, September 28, 1845, a son of John J. and Mary (Porter) Lucas. The paternal grandfather was John Lucas and his maternal grandfather Robert Porter, the former a native of New York State, went to Ohio, when a small boy. John J. Lucas was reared in Ohio, and late in the thirties came to Indiana, and took up his residence in Washington county. All his life was spent as a farmer, and in Washington county, he cleared a tract of heavily timbered land and developed a farm, and on that place, in a hewed log house, William L. Lucas first saw the light of day.
William L. Lucas had the early training and environment of the average Indiana boy during the middle period of the last century. He was a young man with considerable experience as a farmer, when he moved to Miami county in 1871, and his home was on several different farms before he moved to his present tract of forty acres. At the time
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he purchased his present home, the land was covered with thick woods, and a big task confronted him in the clearing of it, and the subjugation of the wilderness to the uses of modern husbandry. Thus, all the improvements, the productive fertility, and the buildings, represent the labor of Mr. Lucas.
In 1866, William L. Lucas married Miss Emeline Waisner, daugh- ter of Solomon and Elvira (Bowman) Waisner. To their marriage were born two children, a daughter and a son. The daughter, Mary M., born September 29, 1868, is the wife of Edward Davis and the mother of five children. The son Charles W., born April 8, 1874, died May 9, 1907. The maiden name of his wife was Miss Delilah Rarey. For fifteen or sixteen years, Charles W. Lucas had been engaged in teaching school in Deer Creek and Wawpecong communities. He was identified with both the Knights of Pythias and the Masons, and his funeral was attended by about one hundred members of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, a specal car from Galveston to Peru being chartered for the purpose. Mrs. Lucas is a native of Washington county, Indiana, born September 10, 1847, the sixth child in a family of thirteen chil- dren-six sons and seven daughters, and of these seven are living at present. Both parents are dead. The father was born in North Car- olina and the mother in Indiana. They were members of the Christian church. Mrs. Lucas was educated in the common schools.
William L. Lucas belonged to the same Masonic Lodge in which his son was initiated, Crescent Lodge No. 280 of Miami. Politically he is a Democrat. In November, 1901, his fellow citizens in Clay township elected him to the office of trustee, and for a period of four years he rendered efficient service in that capacity. He and his family attend worship at the Methodist Episcopal Church.
BENJAMIN F. JENKINS. Modern agriculture holds out many induce- ments to the industrious, progressive man, especially when he has been trained to this kind of work from boyhood. It comes natural to such a man to perform the duties pertaining to the tilling of the soil, and. having had experience, he is able to recognize and appreciate the advantages new methods offer. Having passed through hard experi- ences in his work, he is not easily deceived with relation to the true value of proposed innovations, nor is he apt to turn down good propo- sitions. In addition, he knows the demand of his neighborhood and can take advantage of it as one who is just beginning cannot. Fail- ure one season does not 'utterly discourage, for he has learned that one lean year often makes two fat ones, and that in the time of small crops is the opportunity for preparing for banner ones. For these and numerous other reasons, the lifetime farmer is the one who may be picked for the winner in the race for agricultural supremacy, and one of the men of Miami county who has already made an excellent record along these lines in Clay township is Benj. F. Jenkins, the owner of a well-cultivated tract of 100 acres.
Mr. Jenkins has been a farmer all of his life. He was born in Franklin, Virginia, April 7, 1859, and is a son of Pleasant T. and Re- becca (Neff) Jenkins. On leaving the Virginia home, the Jenkins fam- ily removed to a location southeast of Mexico, on what is known as the Stroud land, the father there leasing forty acres, on which they resided for about a year. Succeeding this they came to Clay township, Miami county, and located on land belonging to Levi Miller, and five years later went to Johnson county, Missouri, where they remained only a short time. On their return they located on a farm northwest of Mc- Grawsville, but after a few months went to Wabash county, Indiana,
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where they spent two and one-half years. At later periods, Mr. Jen- kins made several other mnoves, but eventually settled down in Clay township for his permanent abode, and here he and his wife both passed the remainder of their lives in agricultural pursuits.
Benj. F. Jenkins received his education in the public schools of the various communities in which the family resided, and was reared to farm work and trained to habits of industry and thrift. He was married February 17, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Lippold, daughter of Leonard Lippold, who is deceased, and whose widow survives him. Six children were born to this union, as follows: John O., born No- vember 20, 1881, who married Matilda Deish; Charles E., born Novem- ber 20, 1881; Clara Ada, born December 21, 1884, who married Wal- ter O. Wolf; Sylva, born January 14, 1892; Melvin B., born Septem- ber 3, 1895; and Carl L., born April 10, 1901. After the death of his father, Mr. Jenkins made his home on the old property for about nine years, and at the end of that time came to his present place, on which there had been built a house and several other buildings. Mr. Jenkins has improved the old buildings greatly and has erected a number of new ones, having a full complement for the shelter of his grain, stock and implements. He uses up-to-date methods in his work, raises large crops, and is considered one of the substantial men of his community, having added forty acres to the original tract of sixty acres. He has the confidence of all with whom he has had business transactions, and his reputation is that of an honorable man of business and a public- spirited citizens. Mr. Jenkins and his daughters Sylva and Clara Ada are members of the Church of the Brethren, Mrs. Jenkins is a member of the Evangelical Church, the son John O. and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Melvin Vern is a member of the Progressive Brethren.
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