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 54
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JAMES JASON BLAIR. Resident in Miami county for over sixty- five years, the Blair family has been characterized by the positive virtues and rugged strength of its Scotch forefathers, and has con- tributed to the community values that increase the wholesomeness and attractiveness of the present beyond the limited resources of the past.
The late James Blair, who for many years was identified with this county was a native of New Athens, Ohio, where he was born Janu- ary 9, 1831. When a young man he drove across the country by wagon with his parents to Miami county in 1847, and they all first lo- cated in Peru. John Blair, his father, was a native of Scotland, and on first coming to Peru, engaged in merchandising. Subsequently he
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moved to the west side of Peru township, locating on a farm, and that continued to be his home for many years. The family subsequently moved to a farm on Section nineteen, where John Blair died. James Blair married Lydia Marquis, a daughter of Isaac Marquis. After the marriage he continued farming on section nineteen until his death in July, 1886. He and his wife were the parents of nine chil- dren, seven of whom are now living, three sons being located in Texas, a daughter in Oklahoma, and three of the family in Miami county. James Blair was a Democrat and a Presbyterian and a man whose influence in his community was always for the better things.
James Jason Blair, who was the seventh among his parents' chil- dren was born on the farm first occupied by his father in Peru town- ship, December 1, 1872. During his youth lie received a common school education, and from the beginning of his practical career has followed farming. On October 4, 1900, he married Miss Nellie Miller, daughter of Ed. H. Miller, whose parents were among the first of the settlers to locate within the present limits of Miami county. To Mr. Blair and wife, two children have been born, namely: James L. and Vernice M. Blair. Mr. Blair is the owner of two hundred and thirty- seven acres of land, and devotes his attention to general farming, hav- ing one of the largest and best improved, and most profitable farming estates in Peru township. Politically he is an Independent Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
JOSEPH HALL. Representatives of five generations of the Hall family have resided in Miami county, and the early settlement of the family goes back to the pioneer era of the thirties and forties. As deeper study is paid to the history of individual families and their relations with the welfare of a community, the world is coming to appreciate more and more the value of such virtues in a family as industry, steady-going habits, honor and honesty, social relations and the fundamental strength of character which distinguishes the good from the bad in every com- munity. It is as the possessor of these excellences that the Hall family should be commemorated during its residence in this county and of course individual members are worthy of note for other things besides.
Joseph Hall, who has been selected as the chief representative of the family now living, is a farmer in Peru township, his parents having come to this vicinity from Henry county, Indiana, during pioncer times. He is a son of Alfred and Rachel Ann (Largent) Hall, who were married in Champaign county, Ohio. Grandfather Joseph Hall and wife came to Miami county at the same time as did Alfred Hall and wife. All estab- lished homes in Richland township, near where the village of Paw Paw is located. After entering land from the government, they began clear- ing out the woods and brush, and as a result of their many days and weeks of 'labor they produced homesteads which have now been pro- ductive of the crops of the soil for many years. In Richland town- ship Joseph Hall and his wife spent the remainder of their days and at their death were buried at Paw Paw.
Alfred Hall, the father, was in some respects an unusual man. In those early times of Miami county and everywhere else throughout this nation, most men drank liquor and used tobacco. He had neither of these habits. He was a man possessed of fair education, and had a fund of good practical sense, that, coupled with thrift and industry, enabled him to accumulate a comfortable portion of the world's mate- rial welfare. He was a Republican in politics, and being well informed upon national issues, his opinions were always listened too with respect. Socially he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He
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and his wife were the parents of seven children, all of whom are living except two.
Of these children Joseph Hall, who was named for his grandfather, was born in Richland township, Miami county, November 13, 1848. When old enough he began attending the neighboring district schools during the winter months, and assisted in the work of the home farm. On the twenty-fifth of January, 1871, he married Nancy Phifer, daugh- ter of George Phifer, who was also an early settler in this county, and concerning whom brief mention is made in the following paragraph. At the time of his marriage Mr. Hall had acquired forty acres of land in Jefferson township. He and his wife moved into a log cabin on this land, and spent there the first three or four years of their mar- ried life. Later he sold that property, and he and his father then bought one hundred and sixty-two acres, situated just across the road. subsequently this property was sold and then for a time he lived on the home place and elsewhere. During the past seven years Mr. Hall has resided on his present rural estate in Peru township. He is the owner of a total of one hundred and twelve acres situated in this town- ship, and gives his time to general farming.
Mr. Hall is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist church, and the United Brethren church respectively. To their marriage have been born two children, namely: Clarence, who is married and is farming in Peru township; and Stella, wife of John Cumberland, a farmer of Richland township. The Hall family have been of the quiet, unobtrusive kind of citizens, noted for confin- ing their attention to their own business exclusively, to paying their just debts, to living clean and wholesome lives. Incidentally they have aided in so far as possible in the support of all laudable public enterprises.
George Phifer, the father of Mrs. Joseph Hall, was born in the state of Virginia, and came west with his people to Wayne county, Indiana, where he married Lucinda World. They then moved to Miami county, when the Indians were still lingering in their old hunt- ing grounds, and settled near the southeast corner of section two in Peru township, where their daughter Mrs. Nancy Hall now lives. In that locality Mr. Phifer built the log cabin and here he and his wife spent the remainder of their days engaged in farming. George Phifer died in 1892 and his wife in 1883. They were the parents of seven children, of whom two are now living, namely: Nancy, wife of Joseph Hall; and Martin, a resident of Peru.
WILLIAM M. EIKENBERRY. As a farmer and stock raiser, Mr. Eiken- berry is one of the most prominent in Miami county, and is a success- ful representative of a family which has been identified with similar interests in this county since the pioneer days. The Eikenberrys have always been noted as skillful managers of the resources of the soil, have maintained high standards of citizenship, and have performed important social services in many capacities.
William M. Eikenberry is a man of self-attainments having been dependent upon his own resources since he was a boy, and by thrifty industry has acquired one of the fine farms of Jefferson township.
William M. Eikenberry was born in Union township of Miami county, April 17, 1865. He is one of twelve children, eight of whom are still living, born to the marriage of John Eikenberry and Nancy Miller. Nancy (Miller) Eikenberry was a sister of Levi Miller one of the pioneers of Miami county, whose name is associated in the history as the founder of the orphan asylum at Mexico in Jefferson
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township. John Eikenberry was a native of Preble county, Ohio, born about the year 1829. He was married in that county, and came to Miami county about the same time with the Miller family. That was in the pioneer epoch of this section, and when he settled on a tract of land in Union township he found it covered with heavy walnut, oak, poplar, and other of the native trees. After clearing a space among these giants of the forest he built his log cabin and that was the first home of the Eikenberry family in Miami county. He then set himself to the arduous labor of clearing the soil from its covering of forest and brush, and followed the custom usually practiced in the pioneer times of burning the hardwood in order that he might secure land for cultivation. The timber thus sacrificed would today pay for the land many times over. Mrs. Eikenberry lived in this county until her death in 1883. John Eikenberry later married Mary Klingenfeld, and they became the parents of five children, three of whom are yet living. John Eikenberry gave his property in Union township to his children, and finally moved out to Piatt county, Illinois, where he spent the remainder of his days until his death in April, 1912.
William M. Eikenberry has lived in Miami county all his life with the exception of eleven years, having been a resident of Cass county for ten years, and for one year was in Rochester, Indiana. He was reared to hard work on the farm, and attained such education as was afforded by the district school of his day. Soon after the death of his mother he went to live with his brother Alfred L., on the home farmn. From the age of fourteen he had to do for himself, and this dependence upon his own resources no doubt had a important bearing upon his sub- sequent success.
He has for a number of years been in independent circumstances, and is one of the substantial men of Miami county. About 1894 he bought seventy acres of land on section twenty-three in Jefferson town- ship. That was his first ownership of local farm property, but since then he has increased his possession several fold. The first purchase was later sold and he now owns one hundred and sixty acres on section thirty- six of Jefferson township. In connection with general farming Mr. Eikenberry raises stock, and has made of his farm not only a good business proposition, but also an attractive homestead.
He is a Democrat in politics and he and his wife are members of the German Baptist church, of which he is now a deacon. In July, 1886, Mr. Eikenberry married Miss Elizabeth Fisher, a daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Murley) Fisher. Her people were among the pioneers of Miami county. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Eikenberry, and the first died unnamed in infancy. The other two are Joseph Kernie and Sarah Lois. The son Joseph Kernie is a minister of the German Baptist church, having preached his first sermon when sixteen years of age. He married Sarah Olive Hooper in 1912. He shares in the work of the home place in Jefferson township.
ALVIN KENDALL. It has been through no adventitious circumstances that Alvin Kendall has been successful in life, rather through the exer- cise of well directed energy, tireless industry and strict and never-fail- ing integrity. Coming to the city of Amboy some ten years ago to take over the management of his present hardware business, he has made his influence felt in commercial circles, in public affairs and in social circles of the city, and at all times has maintained a high reputation for honor- able dealing and commendable public spirit. Mr. Kendall is a native son of Miami county, where the family has been known for upwards of a half a century, and was born on his father's farm in Jackson town-
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ship, July 10, 1872, a son of John and Diana (Schrock) Kendall, and a grandson of Jonathan Kendall and Benjamin Schrock.
John Kendall was born and reared in Holmes county, Ohio, and came to Miami county, Indiana, in 1863, first engaging in farming and subsequently embarking in the threshing business, in which he continued for forty years. In 1906 he removed to Winfield, Kansas, where he still resides, and although advanced in years continues to be actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. His wife passed away in 1879, while a resident of Miami county.
Alvin Kendall was reared on the home farm, and while securing his education in the district schools was thoroughly trained in the sub- jects that make a good agriculturist. He was also for some years engaged in assisting his father in the threshing business, but on attain- ing his majority embarked upon a career of his own, first engaging in farming. Two years later he gave up the tilling of the soil to engage in the electric light business, which he continued to follow for five years, and succeeding this embarked in the hardware business, being for four years connected with this line of trade at Cass City, Indiana. At the end of that period he came to Amboy, where he took over the management of his present establishment. Under Mr. Kendall's able direction this has become one of the leading enterprises of the city, and attracts a large and ever-increasing trade from the surrounding country. He carries a complete stock of shelf and heavy hardware, is careful in the selection of his goods, and is thoroughly conversant with the needs of his trade. Thus he has built up a reputation for reliability and honor- able dealing, and his conscientious attention to every detail of the busi- ness has served to increase the scope and volume of his patronage. Mr. Kendall is a popular member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, and has numerous friends in business and social circles of Amboy. He is not a politician, but has ever taken a good citizen's interest in matters affecting the welfare of his community, and can be depended upon to support good men and measures. With his family, he attends the Chris- tian church, has liberally donated to its various movements, and for some years has acted in the capacity of deacon.
In 1894, Mr. Kendall was united in marriage with Miss Myra J. Miller, daughter of Frank F. and Elizabeth (Eltzroth) Miller, and to this union there have been born two daughters and one son: Agnes, Helen and John. Mr. Kendall's children have received the advantages of good educations, and are all living with their parents.
JAMES LARIMER. The oldest living native citizen of Deer Creek town- ship is James Larimer. Mr. Larimer was born in this township on the 5th of May, 1849. For sixty-four years this locality has been his home. When he was a boy the Indians were still in this section of Indiana, and he has played with the Indian youth, and among his early recollection are the tramps and other childhood sports in which he engaged with Indian companions in the woods and on the prairies of beautiful Deer Creek township. Within his recollection also, the county had much wild game, and deer, bear and wolves were very numerous during the decade of the sixties. He recalls how his father once came home with his clothes all torn, after having killed a bear. Mr. Larimer therefore represents the chief historical epoch in the development of Miami county, and has seen every notable improvement and the introduction of practically every facility of modern civilization.
Both his grandfather and his father were named Joseph Larimer, and the maiden name of his mother was Mary Miller, a daughter of Jacob Miller. His father came to this county in 1842 from Ohio which
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was his native state. He was a poor man when he came here, and his first land purchased was seven acres. He tilled that and then leased a small place of forty acres, and by hard work and economy saved enough on that place to buy forty acres of his own. On this he erected a log cabin and that was the home of himself and family for some years. From the original home place he moved to another farm which he bought and remained there until the time of his death, which occurred about 1877. The mother died in 1902. An uncle of James Larimer, Phillip Larimer now owns the old homestead of the father.
. James Larimer remained at home, attending the country schools and getting such training for life as the time and conditions afforded, and in 1881 was married and began life for himself. He married Miss Clara Smith, a daughter of Bailey Smith, who was an early settler in Hendricks county, Indiana, and is still living at the age of eighty-four years. Her mother died several years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Larimer are the parents of eight children named as follows: Iva, who married Edgar Prather; Omar, who married Agnes Kessler; Bessie, who is single; Harry, who married May Fording ; Nellie, who married Arthur Glaston; James, Paul and Dorothy, who are all unmarried.
Mr. Larimer from his youth up followed the vocation of farmer, and was always known as a man of practical ability in that line. In 1903 he turned his principle attention to the business of drilling wells, and has a large custom in that work. He owns a comfortable residence in the vil- lage of Miami, where some years ago he bought three acres of land. and put up his own home. He is an attendant of the Mission church, although he was reared in the faith of the Methodist. His brother Thomas was a soldier in the army, during the Civil war, and his brother Joseph was clerk of court at Peru for eight years.
WILLIAM MCDANIELS. In the business economy of the town of Con- verse there is no more progressive establishment than the garage and automobile supply house of William McDaniels. Mr. McDaniels is an enterprising young man who came to Miami county a little more than twenty years ago, learned his trade as blacksmith here, and for the past seventeen years has been an independent business man. Along with busi- ness success he has acquired the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, and is regarded as one of the ablest citizens of Converse.
William McDaniels was born in Highland county, Ohio, March 2, 1871. His father was William McDaniels and his paternal grandfather was Thomas McDaniels. The maiden name of his mother was Charlotte Alexander, whose father was George Alexander. Mr. McDaniels' father died eight years ago in Ohio, and the mother passed away thirty-eight years ago.
The date of Mr. McDaniels' arrival in Miami county was December 16, 1891, coming here from Ohio. During his early life in Ohio he attended the public schools, and was fairly well equipped for a career when he arrived in this vicinity. He obtained employment in a blacksmith shop and as a laborer for others continued at work for three years and was then ready to start for himself. He conducted a good business at Con- verse in general blacksmithing and repairing until the era of automobiles, and about seven years ago he equipped his shop for the needs of his new business. The building which he now occupies was originally built for a livery barn and he overhauled and remodeled it into a modern garage.
Mr. McDaniels is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fel- lows and the Woodmen of the World and he and his family attend the Christian church. He was married January 1, 1899, to Miss Jessie Mizler a daughter of William and Amanda (Rudy) Mizler, both of whom came Vol. II-24
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from Ohio and are still living. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. McDaniels are : William K., born November 24, 1899; Donald L., born November 13, 1901; Mildred Gaynell, born February 10, 1905; Robert Alexander, born June 20, 1910, and Harry Ashton, born November 25th, 1912.
MILTON DOUGLASS. Classed among the sterling representatives of the agricultural interests of Miami county is Milton Douglass, whose long residence, industrious habits and public-spirited public service entitle him to a place among the men whose activities have contributed to the welfare of his community and its people. Mr. Douglass was born in Clinton county, Ohio, March 12, 1842, and is a son of Seymour and Elizabeth (Madden) Douglass.
The Douglass family, as the name indicates is of Scotch origin, although the family was founded in America by a native of the North of Ireland, William Douglass, the great-grandfather of Milton Douglass, who came to this country as a young man, many years previous to the Revolutionary War. Settling in York county, Pennsylvania, he was there married to Elizabeth Mathews, in 1735, and they became the parents of the following children: David, born October 7, 1754, who became a pioneer of Peru, Indiana, and there passed away in 1839; Mary, born August 5, 1756, who died in 1761; Richard, born June 10, 1758; Martha, born February 11, 1760, who died in 1837; Elizabeth, born January 15, 1762, who died in 1840; William, born December 4, 1764, who died in 1850; John, born June 1, 1767, died in 1857; James, born October 8, 1769, who died August 21, 1835; Mary, born April 29, 1772; and Rebecca, born May 2, 1774. After his marriage, William Douglass passed the remainder of his life on his farm, which for many years was in the hands of his descendants, and in all probability mnem- bers of the family still own it. A man of excellent traits of character, just in his dealings with all, and industrious and energetic in his own labors, he became well known in his community, but was a home lover and never cared for public life, although he supported the principles and candidates of the Democratic party. He was a fine performer on the violin, but this accomplishment he used only for the pleasure of himself and his friends. Mrs. Douglass was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church.
James Douglass, son of the progenitor, and grandfather of Milton Douglass, was born on his father's farm in York county, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1769, and in that vicinity received a limited public school education, and followed in his father's foot-steps, becoming a farmer. On October 27, 1795, at Ellicott Mills, now Ellicott City, twenty miles west of the city of Baltimore, Maryland, he was married to Miss Polly Taylor, who was born November 28, 1773, at that place, the Taylors being of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and an old Colonial family of Mary- land. James Douglass went on a trading expedition to Baltimore with a load of produce, and at her father's tavern on the road first met the lady who later became his wife. Their children were as follows: Levi, born April 4, 1797, who died in October, 1812; Elizabeth, born July 29, 1801, and died in 1861; Absalom, born October 22, 1804, who died in 1861; Jeptha, born September 11, 1806; Thompson, born April 2, 1808; Steele, born March 10, 1810; Milo, born. August 12, 1812; Sey- mour A., born July 1, 1815, died September 3, 1861; and Mary, born May 13, 1818. Some time after his marriage, James Douglass moved to Virginia, near the York county line, but after two years spent on farm land went to the eastern part of Ohio and engaged in the hotel business for a few years. Succeeding this he went down the Ohio river
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to Cincinnati, and settled in Clinton county, Ohio, as a pioneer, there clearing up a large farm of 220 acres in the woods. He paid for his land twice, it being military land, having purchased it the first time from the wrong party. Although a member of no religious denomina- tion, he supported the movements of the Presbyterian church, of which his wife was an active member, and was known as a man of quiet habits, straightforward and upright in his dealings with his fellow men, and honored and respected by all who knew him. He was a Whig, but like his father never cared for public office. Like him, also, he was a talented musician. Mr. Douglass was successful in his operations, and left his family a good estate.
Seymour A. Douglass, son of James Douglass, was born July 1, 1815, while his parents were sojourning in Warren county, on their journey to Clinton, Ohio. His education was acquired in the public schools, and he was reared to agricultural pursuits, in which he engaged in young manhood. He was married January 14, 1841, in Clinton county, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Madden, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, daughter of Solomon and Ruth (Robbins) Madden.
Solomon Madden was born September 24, 1793, in North Carolina, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and died October 16, 1849. He was the soul of George and Elizabeth (Carter) Madden, and grandson of Barnabas Madden, who emigrated to America as a young man about the year 1740. Barnabas Madden married a German woman in Pennsylvania, and subsequently removed to the Old North State. Although a devout follower of the faith of the Society of Friends, he served in the Con- tinental army during the Revolutionary War, as a blacksmith, and assisted in forging the big chain that was used to obstruct the British vessels in their ascent of the James river. His children were: Eliza- beth R., Cyrus, Alice, Solomon, Mary, Moses, William and Rachel. Solomon, Moses and William served in the Civil War as privates. Solo- mon Madden, the maternal grandfather of Milton Douglass, was like- wise a member of the Society of Friends and a blacksmith, and lived on Deep river, in North Carolina. In 1814 he moved to Clinton county with his parents, became a pioneer farmer, and also worked at his trade, and was there married. He was a stalwart abolitionist and a conductor on the famous "Underground Railroad," and partly reared a colored boy who was bound to him and who assisted in the care of the runaway slaves.
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