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 4
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ROBERT MILLER AND JOHN C. MILLER. The fact of pioneer history which has often been imperfectly recognized is that the first settler of a
John C. Miller
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township ; Ida S., now the wife of Omer O. Butt, of Peru township ; George M., a farmer of Erie township; Anna M., who married Samuel Tillett, and is now deceased; and Harry E., a resident of Indianapolis.
WILLIAM GALEN BOONE. Many of the pioneer families and their descendants have passed entirely out of Miami county, and as a matter of fact only comparatively few direct descendants are left to carry the name and enjoy the heritage of their pioneer forefathers. For that reason special distinction belongs to the few men and women who represent in the second or third generation the name of one who came to this county during the decade of the thirties and whose activities and influence during life were such as to distinguish him among the men of mark in his time.
William G. Boone of Peru township is one such man, and he himself is one of the older native sons of Miami county, and the days of his child- hood were passed before a single railroad line had been completed through the county. William G. Boone was born near the site of his present home in Peru township, adjoining the city of Peru, September 21, 1844. His father, and the founder of the family name and fortunes in this vicinity was Jacob W. Boone, who was born in Ohio and was a blacksmith by trade. In Montgomery county, Ohio, he had married Christiana Rohrer, and in the decade of the thirties, he and his wife and two children came to Miami county. The elder Boone established in the village of Peru a black- smith shop, and was one of the early workers in iron and the implements of the time, in this city. It is interesting to recall that some of his early customers were Indians, who brought to him their tomahawks which he made himself, and other implements to be sharpened and repaired. Jacob ·W. Boone subsequently preemptioned 200 acres of land from the govern- ment about two miles east of where Broadway is now located in Peru, and on that land on the outskirts of the village and somewhat up the Wabash valley and in the vicinity of the canal, he built a shop and catered to the wants of his customers, using his spare time for the clear- ing of the woods and bringing the land under cultivation. He spent his last years as a farmer in that locality. He and his wife were the parents of three children: Mary, who married Martin Myers, and is now de- ceased; John, who is married and lives near Loree, in this county ; and William G. The father died about 1846, and his widow passed away September, 1890.
William G. Boone spent the first twelve years of his life in Peru town- ship, but his mother then married Mr. Martin Myers, and the family. moved to Wayne county. During his boyhood William G. Boone had only a common school education in the limited schools of that time, but sub- sequently made up for the deficiencies of his carly education by entering Hanover College, from which he was graduated in 1875. After leaving college he engaged in teaching school for a number of years, for one term being a teacher in the high school at Richmond, Indiana. Failing health finally compelled him to give up this profession, and since 1881 he has resided on his farm of sixty acres adjoining Peru. Besides this property, Mr. Boone is owner of some real estate in the city of Peru.
On December 29, 1881, he married Miss Romanzo M. Tillett, oldest of the children of William Tillett, concerning whom a brief sketch will be found on other pages of this work. Mrs. Boone died in March, 1903. Mr. Boone in politics is a Democrat, and a member of the Masonic Order Lodge No. 5 of Cambridge City, Iowa, and he and his wife were men- bers respectively of the Presbyterian and Baptist churches.
ROBERT MILLER AND JOHN C. MILLER. The fact of pioneer history which has often been imperfectly recognized is that the first settler of a
John C. Miller
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locality, by his leadership, by his relations in family or friendly ties with later comers, and by his public spirit in guarding the moral integrity of his chosen community, often exercise a far-reaching and invaluable influence on the social and economic welfare of his home vicinity. An excellent example of this in Miami county was afforded by the career of Robert Miller, who was known throughout the county in pioneer days as "Uncle Bob. ".
Robert Miller was born in Scott county, Kentucky, September 16, 1806, and was a son of John Miller, a native of South Carolina. In 1818 the family moved to Fayette county, Indiana, and from there in 1835 Robert Miller came on horseback to Miami county. In Richland town- ship, he entered a tract of land from the government. He built a two- room round-log house, which was typical of the old-time pioneer home, having a puncheon floor, a clap-board roof, a fire-place and a stick-and- mud chimney, with a loft above the principal rooms which was reached by a rude ladder. In 1837, having in the meantime returned to his family, he moved here as his permanent home, his household goods being drawn in wagons by oxen through an almost trackless forest. At that time his family consisted of himself, his wife, who before their marriage was Rebecca Cox, and four children. Robert Miller was industrious and an usual business manager, and in subsequent years acquired more than three thousand acres of land. The features of his career, which illus- trate the facts mentioned in the first paragraph was his careful judg- ment in disposing of these land accumulations. He would sell a parcel of this land only to a reputable home-seeker, a man about whom he had no question as to his moral worth, and his business integrity. Thus, in time, was founded about his old home as a center the best community of industrious, God-fearing and worthy citizens of Miami county. In many other ways was Robert Miller one of the foremost men of his time, being a devout adherent of the Methodist church, through Col. Reyburn at Miamisport, Mr. Miller induced a Methodist "circuit-rider" to come to his place in 1837. At this Methodist meeting there were nineteen per- sons present and these founded, so far as known, the first Methodist church organization in Miami county, outside of the central town of Miamisport. Robert Miller was elected a joint representative to the state legislature from Wabash and Miami counties, and was also elected a member of the state senate.
The children of Robert Miller and wife were as follows: Henry C., Samuel C., Eliza A., Sarah E., Mary F., Richard K., John C., Mary F., James C., Clayton and Thomas C. Honored and respected for his many sterling qualities and his influential career of activity in this county, Robert Miller died on August 29, 1884, and his wife followed him on February 23, 1891.
An old and honored resident of Peru is John Crittenden Miller, one of the foregoing family of children. He was born in Richland county, this township, May 8, 1840, was reared to manhood on the parental farm, and attained his education in the locality of the old home. His first schooling was in a log house, and then in a frame building, each one probably being the first of its kind to have been erected in that district. Throughout the vigorous early period of his life, as also during later years, farming has been the chief occupation of Mr. Miller. He moved his home from the country to Peru in 1890, and has thus been a resident of this city for more than 23 years.
On February 13, 1861, he married Philena, daughter of Joseph and Delilah (Keever) Burke. Their three children are: Clarence G., who died in infancy ; Nellie, wife of Frank Drumm; and Mary L., wife of William Robbins. The happy married life of more than forty-one years
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was terminated with the death of Mrs. Miller on August 19, 1902. On September 15, 1903, Mr. Miller married Lucinda Wallace, widow of William Wallace. In politics Mr, Miller is a Republican, and has mem- bership in the Methodist church. His career has been a credit to his native county, as has also that of every member of this family of Millers.
OTTO L. FISHER. To have shared in the productive energies and in the activities which create real prosperity in a county like Miami from the early years of its history to the present is a distinction both satisfying and a proper source of pride. In this satisfaction Mr. Fisher may have a general share, since he belongs to a third generation of a family iden- tified with Miami county since the beginning of civilized things in this region, and has himself for some years been adding to the substantial wel- fare of his community.
Back in the pioneer days, his grandfather, Jonathan Fisher, came to this county when its land's were almost unbroken forest, and contributed his share to the development of this region. The next generation of the family was represented by John W. Fisher, father of Otto L. and John W. as well as by his wife, Sarah Skillman, both born in Miami county, being natives of Richland township. The Skillman family was like the Fishers, among the first pioneer settlers of the county, and further men- tion is made of them on other pages of this work. John W. Fisher, who was descended from German ancestry, is now living in Richland township, and had been one of the substantial citizens here for many years. He and his wife had seven children, of whom five survived.
Otto L. Fisher, who was born to his parents in Richland township, January 12, 1871, has always made Miami county his home. He was reared on the home farm in Richland township, and the common school education he received in boyhood was supplemented by a commercial course in the Northern Indiana Normal school at Valparaiso, which granted him a diploma in 1892. He continued to live with his parents until twenty-four years of age, during which time in connection with his farming he taught school in Miami county.
October 26, 1895, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. Richer, daughter of Christian and Martha (Wolf) Richer. Following this event he began farming on the old Richer homestead. In 1900 he bought his present farm of eighty-six acres on section eleven, in Peru township, and has resided here ever since. To Mr. Fisher and wife have been born three children, named Lois Velma, Ray Ellsworth and John Christian. Mr. Fisher is independent in politics, his policy being in all instances to vote for the man rather than the party. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the United Brethren church in Erie township. The homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher is known as "The Locust Dale Stock Farm."
JOSEPH SHROCK. Coming into Miami county in 1847, at the age of fourteen and spending all his active lifetime within its borders, the late Joseph Shrock who died January 31, 1913, was a citizen of well balanced faculties, a worker who increased the talents given him by nature, and who left his community the better for his presence.
Joseph Shrock was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, August 28, 1833. The family was German in its origin, the grandfather having been born in Germany, whence he came to America, and located in Pennsylvania. In the latter state was born David Shrock, the father of Joseph.
David Shrock, who died in 1860, married Susanna Hostetler, whose people were among the pioneers of Miami county, and are appropriately referred to on other pages of this work.
The late Joseph Shrock lived in Ohio, the first fourteen years of his
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life, and from his earliest youth was engaged in such duties of the home farm as his strength could perform, and at the same time he attended the local schools. In 1847 the family accomplished its migration to Miami county, locating on land in section eleven, Peru township. At that time there were few improved farms in all his locality, and the land occupied by the Shrock family was nearly all woods. Joseph Shrock gave his labors toward clearing up this place and during the winters for a number of years taught school.
On March 8, 1859, he married Caroline Working, whose parents, Jacob and Magdalene (Lower) Working, were natives of Germany, and were among the early settlers of Wabash county. For the greater part of his life after marrying, Mr. Shrock operated a saw mill on the home place and followed the trade of carpenter. He was not a farmer in the personal sense, although at the time of his death he owned nearly two hun- dred acres of land. He employed men to do the actual work of the farm, while his own energies were given to more important affairs. When he was about thirty-three years of age, he was elected a justice of the peace and his tenure of that office for about a period of forty-four years is one of the most remarkable official records in Miami county. His long service as such gave him the general appellation of Squire. In politics he was a Democrat, in religion a Methodist. For more than half a century he was active in church work, being one of the charter members of the old Skillman Chapel class, and for twenty-five years was a teacher in its Sun- day school. The Peru Sentinel, issued February 8, 1913, appropriately and truthfully had this to say of the late Joseph Shrock: "He loved the bible, he loved the church, he loved his home, and his greatest desire was to live a righteous life before his neighbors." In many respects Mr. Shrock was a man ahead of his time. He had a better education than that of the average man and was an extensive reader. In his capacity of justice of the peace he acted as arbiter in numerous cases as well as the actual trial of cases. For his many sterling qualities, he commanded the respect of everyone regardless of religion or politics. He was laid to rest in the Shrock cemetery in Peru township.
Mr. and Mrs. Shrock were the parents of six children, namely : Laura Belle, the wife of Marshall H. Jefferson, a farmer of Peru township; Albert, who died in infancy; Clinton, who married Rosa Warsko, is a farmer of Peru township; Stella; Pearl; and Bertha, who is the wife of William Carlin, a farmer of Peru township.
JAMES BLAIR. It may be said that pioneers and pioneer life in Miami county no longer exist. The great progress and development of this sec- tion has transformed the wilderness to a center of civilization and a great agricultural producing section; the merciless passage of the years has gathered to their final rest all save a few of those courageous souls who intrepidly faced the dangers of an unknown country to hew a home for themselves and their loved ones from the primeval forest. Yet, in mem- ory, these sturdy pioneers are not dead, for the work they accomplished, the great achievement that were theirs, will ever live in the minds of those who have followed them, and for whose sake they fought the battles of peace and braved countless dangers. Among the early settlers of Miami county, one who took his full share and ably and uncomplainingly per- formed his part in the work of clearing, burning brush, grubbing, split- ting rails, planting and farming after the old-time methods, and who subsequently became known as one of the substantial men of his time, was the late James Blair, a native of New Athens, Ohio, born January 9, 1831. He was one of the two sons (the other being William) born to the union of John Blair and Jane Brokaw, the former of whom was born in Scot-
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land, June 13, 1795. When a young man John Blair emigrated to the United States, settling first in Ohio, where he was married, and in 1847 removed with his family to Miami county, Indiana, locating on a farm near the Cass county line. He entered land in section 23, Peru township, from the government, there erected a log cabin, and with the assistance of his sons cleared the property and transformed it into produetive fields. He died at the home of his son, James, April 5, 1873, his widow surviving him only until July 1st of the same year.
Coming to Miami county as a lad of seventeen years, James Blair re- ceived his education in the primitive schools of his day, and was reared to habits of thrift, honesty and industry. He was married March 25, 1859, to Miss Lydia M. Marquiss, a daughter of Isaac and Martha (Hol- man ) Marquiss. Mr. Marquiss was a native of Ohio, born March 27, 1805, and was married February 21, 1830, to Martha Holman, whose birth occurred November 20, 1814. He became one of the very first settlers of Miami county, and was one of the proprietors of the old town of Miamis- port. A shoemaker by trade, he followed that vocation for some years, later operated the tan-yard at Miamisport with his father-in-law, and eventually located on section 19, in the western part of Peru township, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying December 3, 1862, his wife having passed away April 4, 1861. They were the parents of fourteen ehildren.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Blair lived on the old home plaee for about eighteen years, and there all of their children, with the excep- tion of the two youngest, were born. In 1877 they moved to section 19, Peru township, where Mr. Blair continued to industriously follow agri- cultural pursuits until his death, July 18, 1886. He was an energetic and hard-working man, and by perseverance and well-directed effort accumulated considerable means. Because of his kind heart and numerous acts of friendliness, he gained numerous friends, while his strict honesty and honorable dealing secured him a firmly-established position in the confidence and regard of all with whom he came in contact. A worthy example of the best order of pioneer citizenship, he will long be remem- bered as one whose example is eminently worthy of emulation by the coming generations.
To Mr. and Mrs. Blair there were born the following children: two who died in infancy ; John M., a successful physician of Houston, Texas ; Ada M., who is the wife of Dr. Walter A. Huff, of Peru; Carrie B., who is now Mrs. Harry Whistler, a resident of Oklahoma; Ida M., who be- eame the wife of Edward Gallahan, of Jefferson township, Miami county, and died November 9, 1904; Colorado M., who is the widow of Newman Ferguson ; Commodore L., who married Nora Evans, and died October 9, 1901, and whose wife passed away about two years later ; James J. H., who was a twin brother of one who died in infancy, married Nellie, the daughter of Ed. H. Miller, and is a farmer of Peru township; Bethel A., who married Maud Bowman, and is a ranch owner in Texas; and Guy L., who married Blanche Dalzell, and is a legal practitioner of Houston, Texas.
Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Blair has resided on the old home place in Peru township. Like her husband she is widely known for her many charitable acts, and during her long residence here has formed a wide acquaintance and gained many warm and admiring friends.
GEORGE F. WILSON. On the cornerstone of the old Miami County Courthouse, a portrait representation of which appears in the history on other pages, was inscribed the name of George E. Wilson, as one of the eounty commissioners at the time the structure was put up. That hon-
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ored old pioneer citizen was the grandfather of George F. Wilson of Erie township. The Wilson family has thus borne its honored part in affairs in Miami county from the early years of civilization and settlement. The father of George F. Wilson was also a eounty commissioner during his career.
George F. Wilson was born in Peru township of Miami eounty, Novem- ber 5, 1859, a son of Absolom and grandson of George E. Wilson. The maiden name of the mother was Magdalene Fisher. The grandfather and father both came to Miami county during the early forties, and set- led first in Peru township. Their home was in the midst of the woods, and the father lived there in a log cabin until he had prospred and was able to provide a better home. By hard toil he cleared off the trees from his land, and also eleared up the greater part of the land which the grand- father first settled on. George F. Wilson has also borne his share of this strenuous pioneer labor, and not only assisted his father in the work of clearing and grubbing, but when he started for himself he again went through that labor. George F. Wilson is a produet of the old-time country schools of Peru township. When he was a boy sehool term lasted only about three months in the year, and he continued to attend as oppor- tunity offered and the duties of the home farm would allow until he was twenty-one years of age. Like the majority of the boys of his time, he found it difficult to secure an education by regular attendanee at school, and much of his knowledge has been aequired by practical experience in the world, rather than from books. In those days it was not uneommon for boys to still be studying the second reader when eighteen or twenty years of age.
After Mr. Wilson was married, he moved out of Miami county, and though he did not leave Indiana, he found a region which was as little developed and as much of a pioneer community as that in which his father had settled many years before. Mr. Wilson was married in 1882 to Emma J. Butt, a daughter of Elias and Mary Butt. Seven children were born to their marriage as follows: Lena B .; Mary J., who married Walker Cas- per ; Nellie May ; Otto G .; Dora E .; Lelah F .; and Allie B.
Mr. Wilson and his young wife moved to Pulaski eounty, Indiana, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which there was not a single building, nor were there fenees, nor had a single furrow been turned by the plow. On that virgin land, mostly covered with timber, he started the hard task of developing a homestead. Year after year he advaneed the boundaries of his cultivated fields, and finally had the entire tract under eultivation, had it improved with good buildings, and fences, had the lowlands drained by tiling, and when he had thus brought it to the condition of a profitable homestead he sold out at a sum which represented a niee profit for his many years of labor. He then returned to Miami county, and bought the farm on which he now resides of ninety-five acres. Here again he has applied his industry to the improvement of his place, and he has sueeeeded in making it a model farm. Among other improvements he has ereeted a new barn, has built many strong fences, and all the improvements except the residence has been put there through his own efforts. Mr. Wilson may be properly called a self-made man, although he inherited one thousand dollars, and thus had eapital enough to start on, but all the rest of his property has come through his own hard work, with the eapable assistance of his wife. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Horse Thief Association of Miami eounty, and belongs to the Methodist church. His father was also an active member of the Metho- dist faith, while his mother was a German Baptist.
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PHILLIP STRUBLE. One of the most prominent families of Miami county has been that of Struble located here since pioneer times, and whose various members have been honored and successful as farmers, as business men and public spirited citizens. In this pioneer family was Phillip Struble, who died many years ago, and who was the father of Mrs. Alice M. Reynolds, who is now spending her later years in a beautiful home in Peru.
Phillip Struble was a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, born about the year 1812. He was a son of John and Elizabeth Strublc. He received his education in his native country, and there also learned the trade of machinist. About 1844 he immigrated with other members of the family to America, and for a time resided in Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, where he followed his trade and was advanced to the position of foreman. His father had previously located on a farm in Washington township of Miami county. In 1851 Phillip Struble and his own family came out to Miami county, making a large part of the journey by canal, since at that time there were no railroads through Miami county and the old Wabash Canal was the principle mode of trans- portation. Phillip Struble then located in Washington township, and followed the occupation of a farmer until his death there in 1855. His parents also found final resting place in Miami county. Ilis wife sub- sequently married Joseph Humphrey, and spent the remainder of her days in Indianapolis. Phillip Struble and wife were the parents of nine children, and the four daughters now living are Mrs. Jennie Trull, Mrs. James Baker, Mrs. Katie E. Malmborg, and Mrs. Mary Alice Reynolds.
GEORGE WARREN REYNOLDS, M. D. On October 12, 1872, Miss Mary Alice Struble, daughter of Phillip Struble, above mentioned, was mar- ried to Dr. George Warren Reynolds. Dr. Reynolds was for many years one of the most eminent physicians of Chicago, and he and his wife were among the acknowledged social leaders of that city. The medical profession of Chicago. lost one of its ablest and best loved members in the death of Dr. Reynolds, which occurred at his home on Washington Boulevard in Chicago, October 4, 1908.
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