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 52
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
real estate and made improvements in the same locality. Prom- inent among the early comers was William Biggs, who settled where he is still living, near the central part of the township. He is one of Clay's representative men, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for a period of over thirty years. Nathaniel Bunn located near the Biggs place in 1845, as did also Caleb Adams, who purchased land and made good improvements. Con- spicuous among the arrivals of 1846 was Thomas Murden, who located near the village of McGrawsville, where he has since resided. He was one of the first pedagogues of the township, and early earned the reputation of a successful instructor. Mr.
Humrickhouse and son, Ebenezer Humrickhouse, settled in the southern part of the township as early as 1846 or '47. The former was a man of fine business ability and at one time served as Treasurer of Miami County. Christian Livingood made an improvement near Waupecong in 1846, but in a few years sold out and moved to Harrison Township, near Deer Creek, on the land now owned by W. H. Cunningham. There settled, in quite an early day, a man by the name of William McClure, who lived chiefly by hunting and selling whisky, which he doled out to his neighbors "on the sly." He was a man of fine social qual- ities, and had many friends among the early settlers, some of whom severely condemned his way of obtaining a livelihood. John Roller settled near the Biggs place late in the forties, and after a brief residence sold out to Mr. Miller and left the township. John Hoover came as early as 1846 or '47, and settled the place which he still owns, about one mile east of the village of Waupecong. John Wilkinson located on the Samuel Glassbaum farm, near the central part of the township, about the year 1847, and in company with his son-in-law, Cyrus Marquis, who settled a short distance north of Deer Creek, where he lived a few years. In an early day came Joseph Kessler, a man of substantial worth, and made . a settlement in the vicinity of McGrawsville, where his death oc- curred several years ago. Among his early neighbors were Thomas Kellison, who made improvements in the same locality, and James Finney who settled on the Marion and Delphi road, near the Harrison Township line. An early settler in the central part of the township was Morris Littlejohn, who improved the place upon which Abraham Miller at present resides. The farm just north of this place was first settled and improved by Harrison Dixon, who moved to the country about the year 1847. John and James Tracey were early settlers north of Waupecong, and Rev." Benjamin Underwood, a minister of the Methodist church, improved a home east of the Littlejohn settlement, prior to 1849. One of the earliest settlers near Deer Creek was Riley Martin, who laid claim to the land now owned by Levi Clymer, which he sold to the latter
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CLAY TOWNSHIP.
in 1847. He then entered land in the northern part of the town- ship, and made the first improvements on the farm where the widow Daniel now lives. Richard Webster settled near the west line of the township prior to 1848, locating the farm where William Stude- baker lives, upon which he made the first brick in the township. Isaac Mooney settled, in the western part, about the same time, and improved the land owned and occupied this time by the widow Herrell. Adam Hissing settled one mile south of the Clymer farm late in the forties, but did not make many improvements, selling his claim after a short time to Mr. Clymer, and moving to Deer Creek Township. Samuel Workman took a claim in an early day on the Marion and Delphi road, in the southern part of the township, which he subsequently sold to a Mr. Evans.
An early comer, deserving of special mention, was John Clymer, who moved from Jefferson Township about the year 1846 or '47, and settled in Section 15, where his death occurred a few years ago. He was one of the township's first officials, and also taught school in an early day. His brother, Levi Cly- mer, one of the oldest residents at this time, came two years later and settled on the farm which has since been his home. Mr. Clymer has taken an active interest in the township's wel- fare, and is justly esteemed one of its most intelligent and public spirited citizens. Additional to those mentioned, the following men come to the township in an early day, viz .: Isaac Harter, Samuel Livingood, William Wilkinson, Jacob Beaver, Jacob Hiatt, Moses Ward, Samuel Edwards, Asel Griffey, Matthew Bowen, M. Vandevender, Mr. Tates, David Armstrong, James Shahan, John Barkerhcof, John Guelt, William Hicks, Stokley D. Sharp, Hezekiah and Jacob Crutt, Cornelius Platz, John W. Platz, John James, Hiram Ward, Daniel Petty, William McGuire, Abner Pisel, Daniel Cates, Morgan Williams, Samuel Wiley, Andrew Kerskadon and John Condo, the majority of whom pur- cased Government land and became residents prior to the year 1849.
Clay Township was organized in the year 1846. " Under this organization the first election was held at the residence of John Wilkinson in April of the above year." John Lucas acted as inspector, and the first officers chosen were the following: John Clymer, John Hicks and Simeon Farlow, Trustees; Wil- liam Biggs, Justice of the Peace, and Samuel Wiley, Constable. Among other early trustees were Benjamin Balinger, Michael Kern and Harrison Dixon. Among those called to fill the office in a later day were C. C. Brandon, A. J. Phelps, John Cun- ningham, Jacob Shrock, Dr. F. A. Smith and the present incum- bent, John Jenkins.
"The first religious meeting held in the township was held at the cabin of Henry Daggy in 1845, by the Methodists, Rev. J. R.
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
Davis preaching." These meetings were continued from time to time at the residences of different settlers, and proved the means of accomplishing a great deal of good in the community. As early as 1847-8, ministers of the Methodists preached at the dwellings of Morris Little and John and Christian Livingood, but it was not until several years after that date that an organization was effected. A society was organized at Waupecong early in the fifties, and in 1854 a frame house of worship, the first in the township, was built in the village. The society at one time quite strong has greatly fallen off during the past ten years, and is in a weak condition at the present time. The United Brethern organized a society in the western part of the township several years ago, and in 1874 erected a frame house of worship on the Marion and Delphi road, in section 28. The society is in fine condition and numbers among its members " some of the leading citizens of the township. A Methodist class was organized a number of years ago in the northeast corner of the township, where camp meetings were frequently held. A hewed log house of worship was erected on the land of Mr. Woolpert. It was used by the congregation until within a recent period, when a more comfortable frame structure was erected at the village of McGraws- ville in Harrison township. In the northern part of the township is a society of the Progressive Dunkards, organized a few years ago with a substantial membership which has since greatly increased. A large frame house of worship, with a seating capacity of four hundred, was built on the land of Oliver Worll, and the society is reported in excellent condition. The United Brethern have a society at Waupecong organized recently with a small membership.
The first saw-mill in the township was started by a Mr. Hill a number of years ago. It stood near the southwest corner of the township and was operated by Mr. Hill and a partner, who did a very extensive business. A steam saw-mill was brought to the township several years ago by Messrs. Macy, Darby & Smith, who ran it with encouraging success for several years. The manufacture of drain tile is at this time an important industry, there being two extensive kilns in successful operation, one by William Rine in the northern part of the township, and one near the southern boundary by James L. Kling. Mr. A. J. Phelps has recently engaged in the manufacture of cheese, which has already acquired considerable reputation for its superior quality. Mr. Phelps has a fine dairy farm, and the enterprise so far has proved very remunerative. The first marriage in the township was that of Lewis Reese to Catharine Love, solemnized in the fall of 1846. The same year William Love was married to Jemima Smith. Probably the first death in the township was that of Henry Daggy in the year 1845. "In 1845 Naomi, wife of Andrew Woolpert, gave birth to a daughter-Martha Wool-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
pert-who was the first white child born in the township." Among the early mechanics of the township were Henry Kern, who worked at the blacksmith trade near where William Rines' tile kiln now stands. A man by the name of Swank, who oper- ated a cabinet shop on the Abraham Miller farm, and Uriah Blue, the poet, made and repaired wagons in the northwestern part of the township, where he still lives.
The Village of Waupecong-The only town in Clay Town- ship is situated in sections 26 and 35, Township 25 North Range, 4 East and dates its history from the earliest settlement of the country. It is impossible at this late day to determine who the first residents and business men of the village were, as the early history of the place is involved in considerable obscurity. Several small trading houses were established at different times; but the first busi- ness of any importance appears to have been carried on by Otto Webb, who opened a good store in an early day, which he operated very successfully for some years. A man by the name of Petty sold goods for a while as did also Dr. H. D. Hattery, George W. Lawver, Joseph and Henry Mygrant and Andrew Cable. There are two general stores at this time both of which are doing a fair local trade. John Justice was one of the first mechanics of the town and Dr. Morehead is said to have been the first practicing physician. The resident medical men at this time are Drs. G. C. G. Maughmer and A. Smith both of whom have lucrative practice in Clay and adjacent Townships. An early industry of the town was a saw mill erected by a Mr. Miller, who for some time carried on a very extensive lumber trade. Other mills have been operated at different times by Mr. Teagarden and Jacob Shrock. A steam flouring mill was erec- ted several years ago by John Smucker who, after operating a short time sold to Mr. Shrock. It is a frame building two stories high, supplied with good machinery and under the man- agement of the present proprietors, Messrs. Beck and Shrock, is doing a reasonably fair business. At this time there is in addi- tion to the flour and saw mill a planing mill and shingle machine operated quite extensively by William Kling, who reports his business good. The first postmaster of Waupecong was Andrew Cable, the postmaster at this time is Mr. Mygrant. The village is situated in the midst of a fine farming country and is likely to remain a good local trading point for years to come.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WILLIAM T. BOWLAND was born in Perry County, Ohio, May 18, 1823. His parents, Alexander and Tamsy (Ratliff) Bowland, were the parents of eight children, viz:
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
John C., Elizabeth, Eleanor, Robert, William T., Samuel, Absa- lom and David. William T., our subject, was married in Seneca County, Ohio, Dec. 5, 1844, to Elizabeth Heck, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, Jan. 8, 1826, and was a daughter of George and Sarah (Baum) Heck. In the fall of 1849 Mr. Bowland, our subject, moved to Miami County, Ind., and settled upon the same farm on which he now resides, in Section 24, Clay Township. Has had born to him eight chil- dren, viz: Cerelda J., born Sept. 24, 1845; Sarah T., born April 25, 1848; George A., born Sept. 2, 1851; Rheuhama C., born Dec. 27, 1853 (deceased); John H., born Sept. 3, 1858; Mariah E., born Dec. 5, 1860; Mary A., born June 20, 1865, and Charles W., born Dec. 17, 1870.
JOHN CONDO, was born in Center County, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1822. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Shaffer) Condo, were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. The for- mer, John Condo, the father of our subject, was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Condo, who were among the early pioneers of Maryland, and from thence, in an early day, moved to Center County, Pennsyl- vania, where they afterwards resided until death. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, was the father of nine children, of whom six were sons, viz: Nichols, Jacob, George, Samuel, Joseph and John, the father or our subject. He was born in Maryland, March IO, 1784. He moved with his parents to Center County, Pennsylvania, and was there married to the above Elizabeth Shaffer, who was born in Center County, Pennsylvania, October 19, 1790. After their marriage they first settled in Center County, Pennsylvania, and from thence, subsequently moved to Wayne County, Indiana, pur- chasing and settling on land which is now within the limits of Ger- mantown, Wayne County, where they afterwards resided until death, which occurred as follows: The father died on August 17, 184I, and mother died April 30, 1872. They were the parents of ten children, viz: Adam, Peter, Christena, Elizabeth, Catharine, Margaret, Susan, John, Matilda and Abigal. John, our subject, came with his parents to Wayne County, Indiana, and was there married Jaunary 22, 1844, to Catharine, daughter of Michael and Rosanna (Coffman) Beaver, she was born in West Virginia, August 26, 1821. In 1849, Mr. Condo, our subject, moved to Miami County, Indiana, and settled near Waupecong, where he resided about one year, and then settled upon his present farm in Clay Township, section 28, where he has resided since. He lost his wife by death January 29, 1856, having borne to him six children, viz: John M. (deceased), George (deceased), Eli E. (deceased), Samuel S., Sarah C. (deceased), and Adam B. On July 2, 1857, Mr. Condo married Cynthia A., daughter of Isreal and Elizabeth (Ulrey) Phillips, she was born in Warren County, Ohio,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 565
June 1, 1836. Five children has been born to this union, viz: Joseph P., David D. (deceased), Isreal T., Daniel W., and Charles E. Mr. Condo and wife are members of the U. B. Church.
JOHN W. GASAWAY was born in Highland County, Ohio, January II, 1828. His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Lum- beck) Gasaway, were natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. They were married in Ohio, and from there in about 1837 moved to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and from there to Carroll County, Indiana, where they afterward resided until death. They were the parents of nine children, viz .: Rebecca J., John W., David I., Catherine E., William A., Thomas B., Isaac J., Mary E. and Matilda C. John W., our subject, came with his parents to Tip- pecanoe County, Indiana, and from thence to Carroll County in about the year 1840, and was there married, April 14, 1859, to Mary C. Ross, who was born in Carroll County, Indiana, Sep- tember 25, 1840, and was a daughter of Richard D. and Sarah J. (Brown) Ross. In about 1871 Mr. Gasaway, our subject, moved to Miami County, and settled first in Deer Creek Town- ship, and shortly afterward moved to Clay Township, and settled on his present farm in Section 14. He has had born to him five children, viz .: Sarah A., born August 20, 1860; Matilda E., born June 5, 1863; George R., born September 21, 1869; Rebecca E., born May 1, 1872; James B., born October 29, 1876. Mr. Gasaway and wife are members of the M. E. Church. WESLEY HAYNES was born in Clinton County, Ohio, June 23, 1834. His parents, James and Martha ( Harlan) Haynes, were natives of New York and North Carolina, respectively, and of English and French extraction. The former, James Haynes, was a son of Enoch and Elizabeth Haynes, who were both natives of New York, where they were married, and from thence emigrated to the State of Ohio, where they after- wards resided until death. They were the parents of ten children, viz: Samuel, Wright, Charles, Deborah, Stephen, James, Elizabeth, Asa, Content and Sarah. James, the father of our subject, and Martha, daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Hunt) Harlan, were married in Clinton County, Ohio, and from thence, in 1854, moved to Miami County, Ind., settling in Deer Creek Township, where they afterwards resided until death. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Milton, Lydia, Malinda, Eliza, Martha, Wesley, John, Franklin, Andrew J., and a son which died in infancy and not named. Wesley, our sub- ject, came with his parents to Miami County in 1854, and has resided here principally since. He was married in Deer Creek Township, Nov. 24, 1858, to Rebecca, daughter of Joseph G. and Hester A. (Rogers) Stevenson. She was born in Warren County, Ohio, Jan. 15, 1843. After Mr. Haynes', our subject's,
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
marriage, he first settled in Deer Creek Township, where he resided until Angust, 1869, at which time he moved to Clay Township, and settled upon the farm on which he now resides, in Section 16. His wife died June 14, 1877, and on Sept .. 18, 1878, he married Sarah Oren, who was the first lady to fill the office of State Librarian of Indiana (wife of Charles Oren, deceased). She was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 2, 1836. Four children have been born to Mr. Haynes, viz: Charles, born Oct. II, 1859, and died Nov. 27, 1860; Warren, born Aug. 28, 1862, and died July 26, 1864; Frank E., born June 23, 1865, and Joseph W., born June 1, 1876, all of whom are by the first wife. Mr. Haynes owns 202 acres of fine and well-improved land. In March, 1863, Mr. Haynes enlisted in the service in Company G, 8th Indiana Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, and was mustered out in August, 1865.
JOHN W. JENKINS, Trustee of Clay Township, was born in Franklin County, Virginia, November 20, 1845. His parents were David C. and Mary (Feilder) Jenkins, also natives of Virginia, where they were married and resided until his (the father's) death, which occurred March 24, 1860. His widow subsequently moved to Texas where she still resides. They were the parents of eight children, viz: Susan, James H., Nancy J., David C., Thomas A., Octavo, Sarah B., and John W. Our subject, the eldest member of the family, remained in Virginia until January, 1868, at which time he came to Miami County, Indiana, and located in Clay Township, where he has re- sided principally, since. He was married in Clay Township, this county, March 2, 1870, to Mary Morris, who was born in Frank- lin County, , Virginia, June 14, 1849. In October, 1872, Mr. Jenkins, our subject, purchased the farm on which he now resides in Section 2, Clay Township, where he settled in the fall of 1873 and has resided since. He owns sixty acres of fine and well improved land. He has had born to him seven children, viz: James B., died in infancy; John T., born October 13, 1871; Louisa A., born May 4, 1874; Melissa J., born December 23, 1876; Walter E., born October 4, 1880; Charles H., born October II, 1883; and George W., born April 18, 1885, Mr. Jenkins was elected to the office of Trustee of Clay Township in 1886. He is a member of the Odd Fel- lows order and is an enterprising and highly esteemed man.
GEORGE C. MAUGHMER, M. D., is a native of Ross County, Ohio, and was born July 19, 1848. His parents, George and Mary A. (Street) Maughmer, were also both native of Ohio, and were born as follows: The father was born in Ross County, February 2, 1814, and the mother in Fayette County, August 17, 1813. They were married in Ross County, Ohio, January 8, 1835, and from thence in 1860 moved to Miami County, Indiana, where
Jos. H. Larimer.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
they still reside. They were parents of six children, viz: Sarah C., Margaret N., Hannah J., John W., George C. and Elizabeth C. George C., our subject, came with his parents to this county in 1860, where he has resided ever since. He was educated at the Oberlin College, of Oberlin, Ohio, after which he engaged in teaching school for some time, and in 1870 began reading medicine under the instructions of Dr. E. J. Kendall, with whom he remained. for about three years, and in the winter of 1871-72 attended the Indiana Medical College of Indianapolis, Indiana, after which he resumed his studies and did some practice, and in the winter of 1872-73 took his second course of lectures at the same college and graduated on February 28, 1873. He then returned to Waupe- cong, Indiana, and opened up a practice for himself, which he has continued since. He was married in Howard County, Indiana, December 24, 1872, to Margaret, daughter of John G. and Julia A. (Lovins) Gayer. She was born in Howard County, Indiana, June 15, 1854. In 1883, Dr. Maughmer attended his third term of lec- tures at the Indiana Medical College and received his diploma of an Ad Eundem Degree. Has had born to him two children, viz: Stella, born October 8, 1873, and Germanicus, born June 20, 1876. The Doctor and his wife are members of the U. B. Church, and he is a member of the Howard County Medical Society. He is an intelligent and enterprising man and a thorough medical scholar, as well as a successful physician and surgeon.
BISSELL PHELPS, an old and highly esteemed pioneer of Miami County, is a native of Lewis County, New York, and was born March 27, 1805. His parents, Noah and Ruth Phelps, were both natives of Connecticut, where they were married, and from thence in an early day, moved to Lewis County New York, where the father died in 1807. His wife survived him a number of years, and died at Wolcottville, Indiana. They were the parents of ten children, viz: Hannah, Lydia, Noah, Julius, Rachel, Ruth, Mil- lie, Statira, Solomon and Bissell, our subject, the next to the youngest member of the family. He was married in Lewis. County, New York, October 28, 1832, to Margaret Loucks, who was born in Herkimer County, New York, August 24, 1806. After Mr. Phelps married he first settled in Lewis County, New York, and in 1853 moved to Miami County, Indiana, and in June of that same year, settled upon the farm on which he now resides, Clay Township, section 28. His wife died April 30, 1884, having borne him five children, viz: Charles J., born July 24, 1833, de- ceased; Andrew J., born November 21, 1835; Mary M., born May 23, 1838; Charles R., born December 1, 1840, deceased, and Caro- line, born April 4, 1845.
ANDREW J. PHELPS (farmer and manufacturer of cheese, section 28, Clay Township, Miami County, Indiana), is a
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
son of Bissell and Margaret (Loucks) Phelps, and was born in Lewis County, New York, November 21, 1835. He came to Miami County, Indiana, in 1853, where he was married Decem- ber 21, 1869, to Caroline C. Wyrick, who was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, February 8, 1844 and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary M. (Feglar) Wyrick. After Mr. Phelps, our subject's marriage, he settled upon the same farm on which he now lives, a part of which he had purchased in 1865. He owns at present 240 acres of fine and well improved land; all in Clay Township, Section 28. He has had born to him four children, viz: George B., born September 17, 1871; Franklin C., born April 13, 1874; Albert J., born July 26, 1876 and Thomas W., born January I, 1879. In 1860 Mr. Phelps was elected to the office of Trustee of Clay Township and held the office until 1878; with the ex- ception of about 18 months, and in 1863 was elected to the office of County Surveyor which he resigned the following year.
GEORGE W. ROSS was born in Carroll County, Indiana, November 2, 1842. His parents, Richard D. and Sarah J. (Brown) Ross, were natives of Tennessee and Indiana respectively, and were born as follows. The father was born in Blount County, Tennessee, August 22, 1812, and the mother in Union County, Indiana, June 1, 1819. They were married in Carroll County, Indiana, September 12, 1837, and from there in 1861 moved to Miami County, Indiana, settling in Deer Creek Township. There he still resides. The mother died September 27, 1872. They were the parents of ten children, viz .: Thomas W. (deceased) ; Mary C., George W., Matthew L. (deceased); Rebecca J., Har- vey D., James B., Joseph D. (deceased) ; Emily E. and Laura B. (deceased). George W., our subject, came with his parents to this county in 1861, and in March, 1863, enlisted in the service in Company G, Thirty-ninth Regiment or Eighth Cavalry, in which he served until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Lexington, North Carolina, on July 20, 1865. After his dis- charge he returned home and was married at Peru, Indiana, on June 6, 1867, to Elizabeth R., daughter of Joseph G. and Esther A. (Rogers) Stevenson. She was born in Warren County, Ohio, May 18, 1849. After Mr. Ross, our subject's, marriage, he settled upon the farm on which he now resides, where he has resided prin- cipally since. His wife died August 22, 1878, having borne to him five children, viz .: Anna L., born July 21, 1868, and died January 29, 1869; Joseph D., born September 39, 1870; Harry B., born October 7, 1872, and died January 31, 1873; Lorrinah E., born April 5, 1874, and died May 7, 1877; Pearl, born May 5, 1878, and died July 10, 1878. On September 23, 1879, Mr. Ross married Nannie A., daughter of James S. and Phebe A. (Cox) Lovejoy. She was born in Decatur County, Ind., October 16,
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