USA > Indiana > Miami County > History of Miami County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 51
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Respectfully John L, farrar.
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his education by attendance at high school until 1861. In July of that year he entered the service of his country, enlisting in Company A, 20th Indiana Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, as a private, where he served for over three years. He participated in the following important engagements: Seven days fight at Chickahominy, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the battles inci- dent; Grant's Campaign from Culpepper to Petersburg, and nearly all the fights in which his regiment took part. He was hon- orably discharged July 29, 1864 at Indianapolis. That same year he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. W. H. Brenton, now of Peru, then practicing at Reserve, with whom he continued four years during which time he took a course of lec- tures at Bellevue Hospital Medical College at which he since has taked three and part of a fourth course, graduating from that institution in 1874. He has practiced almost without interruption since taking his first course and he has been very successful. He is a member of the G. A. R. and Masonic fraternities. In politics he is a staunch Republican, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.
JACOB E. MARSH, the next younger brother of Dr. S. S. Marsh, was born January 8, 1839, in Montgomery County, Ohio. In early life he received a common school education, and in 1862 he enlisted in the 99th Regiment of Volunteers, in which he served' until July, 1865, and was then honorably discharged. He was with the Army of the Potomac from the beginning of the Seven Days fight, at Chickahominy, before Richmond, in nearly all the en- gagements around which his regiment participated. He married Elizabeth Miller, and they have the following family of five children now living: Levi, Irene, Nora, Delbert and Josie, the last two twins.
EDWARD H. MILLER, a citizen of Butler Township, is a native of Peru Township; was born April 22, 1842, being the next youngest in a family of eight (four now surviving) children, born to John W. and Julia A. (Leas) Miller, who were natives of York County, Pennsylvania, and Preble County, Ohio, respectively, the former of German descent. The marriage occurred in Preble County about 1826; two years later, in 1828, they came to Indiana and Miami County, settling on the farm where our subject was born. They remained residents of this county until their death. Edward H. remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he at- tained the age of twenty-two years. He received a limited educa- tion in the schools of the vicinity, which was supplemented by at- tendance at Notre Dame College for one term. January 21, 1864, his marriage with Luan Nesbit was solemnized. She was a daugh- ter of Walter D. and Luan (Riley) Nesbit. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller eleven children have been born, of which these
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seven are now living: Carrie E., Maxamillian C., Edward O. Louie, Jessie, John W., and Nellie B. His occupation is now farm- ing, in connection with which he formerly dealt in stock, and he has been very successful. He now owns 238 acres of well improved land. In politics, he has been a life-long Democrat.
ROSS O. MILLER, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Butler Township, was born in Peru Township October 26, 1846, of a family of eight children born to John W. and Julia A. (Leese) Miller, of which he was the youngest. His parents, natives respec- tively of Pennsylvania and Ohio, were among the earliest settlers of Miami County of which they remained residents until their death. Ross O. lived with his parents until he obtained the age of twenty- five years, receiving a common school education. About 1871 he embarked in the business of trading and dealing in stock, which he continued four years, when he engaged in farming which he has since followed meeting with very good success. He is the proprie- tor of 233 acres of well improved land. November, 1882, he was united in marriage with Harriet Evans. Mr. Miller is a member of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is an ardent Democrat, being hon- ored by his party with an election to the office of Township Asses- sor.
ANDREW PEARSON, a prominent citizen of Butler Town- ship, is a native of Miami County, Ohio, where he was born Janu- ary 8, 1846, being the next eldest in a family of eight children born to William and Sarah (Million) Pearson, who were also natives of Miami County, Ohio, the former of English and the latter of par- tial German descent. They came to Wabash County, the latter part of the year 1846, of which they have since continued residents. Our immediate subject was reared upon a farm, remaining with his par- ents until he attained the age of twenty-five years. He received a common school education, supplemented by three terms attend- ance at High School. October 6, 1870, his marriage with Sarah Armstrong was solemnized, and to their union six children have been born, viz: Bertha, Annetta, Mary, Susan, Augusta, Pearl and Harry Andrew. His occupation has been mostly farming in connec- tion with which he worked for a period of eight years at the black- smithing trade, and he has been very successful. He now owns 160 acres of well improved land. In politics he is a Republican.
ADAM RAMER, a prominent farmer of Butler Township, is a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he was born April 1, 1829, being the eldest of eight children born to James and Catharine (Moore) Ramer. They moved, when our subject was quite young, to Coshocton where he was reared until he was seventeen years of age, which was in 1845, when the family emigrated to Williams County, Ohio, where they stopped for the winter, coming to Miami County the following spring,
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settling in Butler Township, where they remained until 1861 or 1862, when they moved to Whitley County. After a residence there of a few years they returned to Miami County and located in Perry Township, where Mrs. Ramer died. After her death he lived for a time again in Butler Township, after which he removed to Pulaski County where he died March, 1885. In early life Mr. Ramer received a limited education in conse- quence of the poor facilities of those days. March 29, 1850, his marriage with Hannah (York) Shortridge was solemnized. By her former marriage Mrs. Ramer had one child, a daughter, Laura, now Mrs. David Lemon. His occupation has always been farming, and he has been very successful. He now owns 124 acres of well improved land which is the accumulation of his own industry and economy. He made rails for 3112 cents a hundred for the man that owned the farm of which he is now the proprietor. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, of which he has been an Elder, and is now leader. In politics he is a Republican.
NATHANIEL RUNYAN, of Butler Township, is a native of New Jersey, where he was born October 8, 1822, being the third in a family of five children born to Lewis and Mary Britton Runyan, who were also . natives of New Jersey. The former died about 1830, when Nathaniel was taken and reared to manhood by his uncle, Robert Armstrong. He provided himself with a common school education. He at the age of twenty- four started westward, working for a time in Ohio and Michi- gan, when he came to Miami County, to which his mother had preceded him in 1846. December, 1850, his marriage with Rachel Brown, daughter of Aaron Brown, was solemnized, and to their union four children were born, of which these two are now living-Charles L., and Mary, wife of John Miller. He had in early life learned the wagonmaker's trade, which he fol- lowed until he came to Peru, since which time he has made farming his, occupation, and he has been very successful. He now owns 320 acres of improved land. In politics he is a Demo- crat, and he always manifests a good, live interest in the politi- cal affairs of the county and community in which he lives, where he enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Mrs. Runyan died some years ago.
SEYMOUR SMITH, of Butler Township, is a native of Augusta, Kentucky, where he was born February 3, 1815, being the third in a family of ten children born to Aquila and Polly (Sey- mour) Smith, who were natives of Maryland and Virginia respec- tively, their marriage occurring in Newark, Ohio. Our immediate subject was reared mostly in Pickaway County, Ohio. He received a very limited education, such as the subscription schools of those
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days afforded. He remained at home until he attained his majority. October, 1844, his marriage with Margaret (Robinson) Strader was solemnized, and to their union ten children were born, of which these six are now living: Jane, now Mrs. F. Hay; Sarah, widow of Graham Bradley; John, who married Chatlie Ater; Elizabeth, consort of Levi Hurley; Irene and Martha. October 9, 1882, Mr. Smith suffered the bereavement of losing his beloved wife. His occupation has always been farming, and he has been very suc- cessful. He now owns 120 acres of improved land. In politics he is a staunch Republican.
JASPER D. SMITH, a leading citizen of Butler Township, is a native of Kosciusko County, born February 28, 1845, being the fifth in a family of eleven children born to George C. and Rosanna (Dilsaver) Smith. The former, a native of Virginia, born on Crab Bottom, April 6, 1802, the son of Smith. In ISII his parents emigrated to Ohio, where he grew to man- hood and was married to Elizabeth VanDevender; his first mar- riage was of comparatively short duration, his wife dying after four children had been born. His second marriage also occurred in Ohio. About 1842 he came to Indiana, first settling in Kos- ciusko County, where he lived until the spring of 1846, when he came to Miami County, locating first on the Mississinewa, and subsequently moved to Pipe Creek, in what is now Jackson Township. He entered land in what is now Harri- son Township, on which he lived until 1877, when he traded for a farm in Butler Township, to which he removed, living there until within ten months of his death, when he had become so enfeebled that he made his home with Sarah Plotner, his daughter, ending his days at her home March 7, 1881. He had been a member of the M. E. Church, having joined that organization when a young man. He was an exemplary, true and consistent Christian, and in his death the community lost an honored and respected citizen. He was elevated to the position of County Commissioner, being the incumbent of that office when the location and building of the Indi- anapolis, Peru & Chicago railroad was in process, he being largely instrumental in securing and protecting the county's interest. He also served Harrison Township as one of its Trustees for a number of years. Our immediate subject grew to manhood on the farm, remaining at home and assisting his parents on the farm until he attained his majority. He received a common school education, such as the facilities of those days afforded. At the age of 20, in 1865, he entered in the service of his country, serving until the close of the war, being honorably discharged on September of the same year. March 5, 1868, his marriage with Susan Plotner was solemnized, and to this union five children have been born, of which three are now living-Florence I., Clarence E. and Donna
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E. Both of the deceased children were infants. Mr. Smith's occu- pation has been principally farming, and he has been very success- ful. He now owns sixty acres of improved land. The family are members of the M. E. Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and he has always manifested a good, live interest in the political affairs of the county in which he lives, being the present member of the Central Committee representing his precinct.
JACOB S. THOMAS, a prominent citizen of Butler Town- ship, is a native of Jefferson County, Virginia, where he was born October 16, 1812, being the eldest child of a family of thirteen children born to Archibald and Catharine (Swimley) Thomas, who were natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively, the former of Welsh-Irish and the latter of German descent. Leonard Thomas, paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Maryland from whence he removed to Virginia, where he lived until his death. Archibald Thomas, father of our subject, was born April 11, 1787. He was a soldier of 1812. The Captain of his company being Davenport. By occupation he was a farmer. He died March 31, 1863, at his home in Champaign, Green County, Ohio, to which he had emigrated in the year 1827. They making the entire journey from Virginia on foot. The immediate subject of our sketch remained at home and assisted his parents until he attained the age of twenty years. He had received a meager education in his native State; this subsequent to his marriage was supplemented by his acquiring more knowledge by reading sufficient to enable him to teach which he followed several terms. March 6, 1834, his marriage with Elizabeth Stanley was solemnized. She was a daughter of Robert and Edith (Mason) Stanley. In 1853 he emigrated to Indiana and Miami County, settling on the farm where he now lives. He had learned milling in early life, and followed that vocation until he came to Indiana, where he en- gaged exclusively in farming for a period of ten years when in 1863 he purchased a mill which he operated until 1874, when his mill burned and he again resumed farming in which he has since continued. From a business point of view Mr. Thomas has been very successful. He is now the proprietor of 233 acres of well improved land. To the union of Mr. and Mrs Thomas, ten children were born, of which these six are now living: Benjamin F., Joseph W., Arabell (now Mrs. R. Thornburg), Catharine V. (wife of Dr. E. K. Friermood), Evaline and William R. H. October 22, 1873, Mr. Thomas suffered the bereavement of losing his beloved wife. He is a member of the M. E. Church. He formerly belonged to the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities. In politics he is an ardent Republican. Ben- jamin F. and Robert S., sons, served their country in the Rebel-
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
lion. The latter died while in the service at Nashville, Tennessee. JOSEPH VOTAW, a farmer of Butler Township, is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, born near Salem, August 21, 1812, being the fifth in a family of eight children born to Joseph and Phoebe (Yates) Votaw, who were both natives of Virginia, of French and English descent, respectively. Our sub- ject was reared in his native State, securing a limited education, such as the facilities of those days offered. When 16 years of age he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade. At about the age of 21 he emigrated to Wayne County, Indiana, where he remained about six years working at his trade. June, 1841, he came to Miami County where he entered So acres of the land he now owns. In the fall he established a shop, in which he continued to work until 1876. November, 1836, his marriage with Ruth Wersner was solemnized, and to their union four children were born, of which these two are now living, Phoebe, wife of Charles Pavy, and Daniel, who married Louisa Yuant. February 25, 1849, Mr. Votaw suffered the bereave- ment of losing his beloved wife; in 1852 his and Lydia Macy's nuptials were celebrated, and to their union nine children have been born. These four are now living; Nathan, Allen, Hannah M. and Emma L. Since 1876 he has devoted his entire atten- tion to farming, which he had followed in connection with his smithing, prior to that, and he has been very successful. He now owns over 320 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the Friends Church. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and he has always manifested a good, live interest in the political affairs of the county and community in which he lives, where he enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. Mr. Votaw was one of the pioneer settlers of Miami County, coming when the country was a wilderness of woods which abounded in wild game of all kinds.
ANDREW E. WALLACE, Trustee of Butler Township, is a native of Decatur County, born June 8, 1843, being the eldest of a family of seven children born to James and Margaret (Babcock) Wallace, natives of Ohio and of German-Scotch descent. They re- moved from Decatur to Fulton County about 1846, where the former still lives. Our subject was reared in Fulton County. He received a common school education. He remained at home with his par- ents until he attained the age of twenty years, when in February, 1864, he entered the service of his country, enlisting in Company F, 87th Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war. He was present and participated in all the engagements inci- dent to Sherman's campaign on his march to Atlanta and the Sea, and was honorably discharged at Louisville July, 1865. April 20, 1867, his marriage with Sarah J. Wright was solemnized, and to
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their union eight children have been born, of which these six are now living: Cora E., Minnie M., Charley E., Anna M., Edward H. and John R. The two deceased children were Bertha. E. and an infant unnamed. Mrs. Wallace is the daughter of Edmund and Anna ( Arnold) Wright, who were natives of Warren and Miami Counties, Ohio, respectively. They were among the early settlers of this county. Mr. Wallace's occupation has always; been that of farming, and he has been very successful. He now owns. 133 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F. and Grange fra- ternities. In politics he is a Republican, and he always manifests a good live interest in the political affairs of the county and commun- ity in which he lives, where he was in 1886 honored with an elec- tion to the office of Township Trustee, and is the present incum- bent.
WILLIAM P. WAY, an old citizen of Butler County, is a native of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, born near Lewistown, August 20, 1814, being the ninth in a family of eleven children born to Joshua and Mary (Boyd) Way, who were also natives of Pennsylvania, where they lived and died. Our subject was reared in his native State and county, receiving a limited education, such as the facilities of those days afforded. February 15, 1838, his mar- riage with Martha Mckinstry was solemnized, and to their union seven children were born, of which these five are now living: Mary C., wife of James Johnson, Thomas J., whose present wife was Carrie Sifert, William, who married Jennie Starbuck, Samuel B., whose consort was Elizabeth Baker, and George L., who espoused Mary Baker. August 12, 1844 Mr. Way suffered the bereavement of losing his beloved wife. November 17, 1876, his and Mary J. (Cantrel) Baker's nuptials were celebrated, by whom he became the father of this one child, Flora B. He emigrated from Pennsyl- vania to Indiana, and Miami County in 1844, where he has ever since lived. He now owns 205 acres of well improved land which is the accumulation of his own industry and economy. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Democrat and he was honored with an election to the office of Township Trustee in 1880 and 1882, filling the position in a very creditable manner.
BENJAMIN S. YORK, of Butler Township, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, born near Eaton, January 18, 1832, being the fourth in a family of six children born to Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Bishop) York, who were both natives of North Carolina and of English descent. In 1836 they emigrated to Indiana settling in Henry County, where they lived until 1842 when they came to Miami County, locating near where Peoria now stands, where the father died in 1851. The mother is still living at the advanced age of
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
82 years. Our immediate subject remained at home and assisted his mother until he obtained his majority. August 20, 1857, his mar- riage with Elizabeth Laymon was solemnized, and to their union three children have been born, of which only this one is now living, John H., who married Ruth A. Reese. The deceased children were Susan E. and Lucretia, who died at the respective ages of nine and two years. His occupation has always been farming and he has been very succesful. He now owns 109 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. In poli- tics he is a Republican and manifests a good interest in the political affairs of the community in which he lives, where he enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.
JOHN YOUNCE, a leading farmer of Butler Township, is a native of Ashe County, North Carolina, born near Jefferson Court House, May 22, 1832, being next to the youngest in a family of six chil- dren born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Sheets) Younce, who were also natives of Ashe County, North Carolina. They emigrated to Miami County, Ohio, in 1842, where they lived until the fall of 1848, when they came to Miami County, Indiana, and located on the ground where the village of Peoria now stands. In 1856 they removed to Minnesota, living there three years. Then they moved to Green County, Missouri, staying there until 1861, when he was compelled to leave that county and State in consequence of his views on the question of slavery. They then returned to Miami County, where they lived until their death. John went with the family to Minnesota, but only resided there two years, return- ing direct to this county, where he has since lived. In early life he had no opportunities afforded for obtaining an education. After attaining the age of eighteen he pursued a course at his home without the aid of a teacher, acquiring in that way a reasonably good education. His father was a blacksmith and wagonmaker, and he learned that trade, following it until January 16, 1862, when his marriage to Rachel Smith was solemnized, and to their union three children were born, of which these two are now liv- ing-Lettie, wife of Frank Kilander, and Webb. Since his mar- riage his occupation has been farming, and he has been very suc- cessful. He now owns 140 acres of well-improved land, the accu- mulation of his own industry and economy. He is a member of the M. E. Church. In politics he has always been a Republi- can, and he was honored with an election to the position of Town- ship Assessor, filling that office for two terms in a very creditable manner to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. April 8, 1868, Mr. Younce suffered the bereavement of his loving and beloved wife.
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CLAY TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER X.
CLAY TOWNSHIP-BOUNDARY AND GENERAL FEATURES-EARLY SETTLERS-ORGANIZATION-RELIGIONS-WAUPECONG, &C.
C LAY Township, named in honor of the illlustrious Statesman, Henry Clay, is situated in the Southern tier of Townships bordering on Howard County and includes a geographical area of twenty-four square miles; bounded on the north, east and west by the townships of Washington, Harrison and Deer Creek, respec- tively. Deer Creek flows in a westerly direction through the central part of the township and with its tributaries which ramify to almost every part of the country, affords drainage and stock water for a large area of territory. The northeast corner of the Township is watered and drained by Pipe Creek which flows in a northwesterly course through section 1. The surface, except in the immediate vicinity of the water courses is quite level and the soil a black loam of great depth and fertility ; is unexcelled for agricultural purposes. A portion of the Township is so flat that a resort to tile drainage is necessary and from these wet lands have been developed some of the finest and most productive farms in the county. The timber is very heavy, consisting of varieties common to other parts of the county. Walnut, poplar, sugar tree, beech, ash and oak predom- inating. Agriculture and stock raising are the chief occupations of of the citizens of Clay and in point of material prosperity the town- ship will rank well with the other divisions of Miami.
The first settlements in Clay were made about the year 1844, at which time Henry Daggy, who is supposed to have been the . earliest pioneer, located near the eastern line of the township, on Negro Creek, where John Zody now lives. He made substan- tial improvements on this farm, and is remembered as an honest and trustworthy citizen. One daughter, Mrs. Groves, still lives on a part of the original purchase. Otis Fish came the same year and located a home near the Biggs farm, in the northern part of the township, where he lived until about the year 1850 or '51, when he sold out and emigrated to one of the Western States. Early in 1845 John Smith settled near McGrawsville, in the eastern part of the township, moving here from one of the older settlements on Eel River. He was joined the same year by Abel House, who made an improvement on the John Zody place, Andrew Woolpert, who settled where his widow is still living, Eli Butler, a noted hunter, who purchased land near McGraws- ville, and Benjamin Fish, brother of Otis Fish, who purchased
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