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 66
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ISAAC NEWMAN, an old and highly esteemed pioneer of Miami County, Indiana, is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio,
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and was born May 3, 1815. His parents, Jonathan and Mahala (Cox) Newman, were both natives of Tennessee, and from thence emigrated to Montgomery County, Ohio, in an early day, where they were married, and afterward resided until death. They were the parents of nine children, viz: Isaac, Cyntha, Mary A., Samuel K., Jane C., Elijah, Matthew C., Jonathan E., and one which died in infancy and not named. Isaac, our subject, was married in Miami County, Ohio, March 6, 1834, to Susannah, daughter of Daniel and Mollie Hoover, and in September, 1835, he moved to Miami County, Indiana, settling upon the same farm on which he now resides, in Section 23, Jefferson Township, where he has remained since. He lost his wife by death, July 20, 1851, having had born to him by her seven children, viz: Matilda, Benjamin F., Mary J., Sarah, James P., Daniel B., and one which died in infancy and not named. On Sep- tember 8, 1853, Mr. Newman married Mary Conner ( wife of John Conner, deceased). Mr. Newman owns 160 acres of fine and well improved land. He is an enterprising and highly esteemed man.
ELIAS OLINGER (dealer in general merchandise, Mexico, Ind.) is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and was born March 20, 1835. His parents, George and Barbara (Shoe- maker) Olinger, settled in Miami County, Ind., in about the year 1846. They were the parents of four children, viz: Anna, Levi, Sarah and Elias, our subject, the eldest member of the family. He came with his parents to Miami County in 1846, where he has resided ever since. He engaged in harness mak- ing for a number of years, after which he engaged in shoe- making and also handling ready made goods. He began in life with a very small capital, and by well-directed industry he added to his stock, little by little, until he has now a fine stock of general merchandise of nearly $5,000. He married Eveline Skinner, by whom he has had born to him two children, viz: William L. and Laura D. This lady died, and he subsequently married Pauline Reed, by whom he is father of three children, viz: Grace D., Barbara E. and Jesse (deceased).
WILLIAM O. PIPER, one of the prominent business men of Denver, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, October 26, 1837. He was the fifth son born to John and Elmira (Bassett) Piper, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter a native of Vermont, of Scotch and Irish descent respectively. When Will- iam was seven years old, he accompanied his parents to this county, and located with them in the woods of Union Township. That was in 1844. There our subject spent his boyhood and youth, working upon his father's farm. At the age of twenty he left home and went to Ogle County, Illinois, where he worked upon a farm by the month, one year. He then returned to this county, and during the three years which followed, he taught
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school in the winter time and worked upon the farm, and at threshing during the summer. October 8, 1861, he enlisted into the service of his country in Company G, 5Ist Indiana regiment, from which he was honorably discharged December 16, 1864, hav- ing, in the meantime, been promoted to the rank of sergeant. He participated in the battles of Stone River, those attending the raid of Col. Streight, and Franklin. He was taken prisoner near Rome, Ga., and for a short time was imprisoned at Belle Isle, Virginia, but was soon liberated by exchange. At the close of the war he went to Newton County, this State, and engaged in farming. Four years later he returned to this county, but a year later he went to Topeka, Kansas, where, in the spring of 1870, he engaged in the real estate business. In the following October he again returned to this county and located at Denver, where he has ever since been engaged in the mercan- tile business. January 1, 1861, he was married to Ann E. Charles, a native of Wayne County, this State, and daughter of Reuben K. and Margaret (Cunningham) Charles, natives of Preble County, Ohio, and Virginia, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Piper have had seven children, six sons and one daughter, all of whom are liv- ing. Their names are Charles E., William J., Walter E., Harry M., George W., Omer S. and Clara E. Mr. Piper is a member of the F. and A. M., I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W., and G. A. R. Lodges, and a Republican in politics. He is a pleasant and intel- ligent gentleman, a successful business man and a number one citizen. During the last four years his attention has been divided between the mercantile business and farming. He owns 150 acres of good land adjoining the town of Denver, nearly all of which is in a high state of cultivation. Politically, Mr. Piper was a Democrat, and entered the war as such, but on returning he declared himself in favor of the Republican party, whose principles he has ever since ardently supported.
JOHN Q. A. ROBBINS, M. D., of Denver, is a native of Wayne County, this State, and was born November 6, 1826. He was the second son born to Moses and Elizabeth (Long) Robbins, both natives of North Carolina, the former of Welsh and Irish and the latter of German descent. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth working upon his father's farm in his native county. . At the age of sixteen, having decided to fit himself for the medical profes- sion, he began the study of medicine with Dr. James Ruby, of Abington, Wayne County, with whom he diligently pursued his studies for about five years. In June, 1849, he came to this county and entered upon his professional duties at Chili. Here he remained until April, 1856, when, owing to the impaired condition of his health and the death of his wife, he returned to his father's in Wayne County for recuperation. He remained there about one
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year and a half, during which time he traveled through the West for his health. On the Ist day of January, 1858, he located at Abington, where he again entered upon the practice of his pro- fession. In the latter part of November, 1881, he again came to this county, and this time located at Denver, where he has ever since been actively engaged. in the practice of his profession. In the fall of 1868, while a citizen of Abington, he entered the Cincin- nati College of Medicine and Surgery, where he attended one course of lectures, graduating in February, 1869. On the 17th day of May, 1849, he was married to Mary C. Jarett, also a native of Wayne County, this State, born of English descent, in September, 1826. She was the daughter of William and Nancy (Wilson) Jar- ett, both natives of Virginia. To this union two children were born: Moses E. and John H. C., the former of whom died at the age of eleven years, and the latter died before he was two years old. Dr. Robbins lost his first wife October 13, 1853, and on the 6th day of April, 1854, he was married to Eliza Ann W. Myers, who died Feb- ruary 21, 1856. She was born in Preble County, Ohio, and was the daughter of James Myers. His second marriage resulted in the birth of one child-James Edgar, who died at the age of seven years. October 27, 1858, our subject was married to Mrs. Martha E. Heacock, a native of Wayne County, this State, and daughter of William and Nancy (Long) Larkin, natives of Tennessee and .Vir- ginia, respectively. To this last union four children have been born. Their names are Harriet A., born August 24, 1859; Carrie J., born August 1, 1862; Francis C., born June II, 1867, and Altie H., born June 16, 1876, all of whom are living. Dr. Robbins and wife are faithful members of the M. E .. Church. He is a member of the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. Lodges, and a Republican in politics. He is a pleasant, intelligent gentleman, a first-class citizen, and as a phy- sician is very successful.
REV. ERWIN C. ROBBINS, of Denver, is a native of Richland Township, this county, and was born July 16, 1853. He was the eldest son born to Emma D. and Alice (Clendening) Robbins, who were among the first settlers of Richland Town- ship. Our subject spent his early life working upon his father's farm and attending the public school. In September, 1874, he entered the State Normal School, at Terre Haute, where he spent nearly one year fitting himself for the avocation of a teacher. He then began teaching and taught, in all, six terms, spending his summers upon a farm. He continued to farm until the spring of 1884, at which time he yielded to an inclination to enter the ministry. He immediately began to fit himself for this work, and in February, 1885, he was licensed to preach in the Baptist Church. His pastoral work was begun in the Palestine Church, of Fulton County, where he preached for one year .. Since October, 1886, he has
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occupied the pulpit in the Baptist Church of Denver, he having located in that place in September of 1885. September, 17, 1875, he was married to Sarah A. Charles, who died February 29, 1884, leaving to the care of our subject, four children: Charles O., born September 27, 1877; Alta M., born August 20, 1879; Ida E., born June 16, 1881; and Kercheval, born November 23, 1883; all of whom are living. On the 19th day of August, 1885, Rev. Robbins was married to Mrs. Emma E. Howes, a native of Kane County, Illinois, born August 19, 1854. She was the daugh- ter of Nelson E. and Mary A. (Peck) Gowdy, both natives of Alleghany County, New York. Politically, our subject is a Repub- lican. He and his little family are pleasantly located in Denver, where they expect to remain. He is a good citizen and an earnest and successful worker in the cause of Christianity.
PHILIP M. SMITH, operator at Denver, was born in John- son County, this State, May 13, 1850. He was the second son born to Martin and Christiana (Orm) Smith, the former of whom is at present a resident of Tipton County, this State. When Philip was quite young his parents removed to Tipton County, where his boyhood and youth were spent work- ing upon his father's farm, one mile and a half west of Jackson Station. At about the age of twenty he had the misfortune to lose his left arm-the result of an accident which befell him as he was in the act of coupling cars. He then resolved to fit him- self for the teacher's profession. Preparatory to this he attended the High School in Kokomo about six months. He then taught school one term, but before he half finished it he was, owing to an attack of brain fever, compelled to resign his position. After a short time spent upon a farm he then went to Indianapolis and took a course in telegraphy. That was during the winter of 1873 and '74. This finished, he returned to his father's farm in Tipton County, where he remained until March, 1875. He then accepted a position as night operator at Tipton. Here he remained until the 30th day of June following. July 1, 1875, he took the position of night operator at Denver, this county. In March of 1882 he was made day operator at that place, which position he still continues to hold. April 18, 1877, he was married to Mary L. Hays, a native of this State, born March 8, 1852. She was the daughter of James M. and . Mar- garet (Reynolds) Hays. Politically, Mr. Smith is a Democrat. He is a young man of steady habits and irreproachable charac- ter, and his retention for so many years in the telegraph office at Denver is evidence of the complete satisfaction given his employers.
DR. O. F. SNOOK, of Denver, is a native of Defiance County, Ohio, born August 4, 1849. He was the eldest son born to Peter
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and Sarepta (Brown) Snook, both natives of Ohio. When he was one year old he accompanied his mother to Whitley County, this State, and about 1858 they came to Miami County, his mother, in the meantime, having been married to Leonard M. Briggs. Their first location was at Peru, but a short time afterward they removed to Mexico. Here they remained until about 1862, when they returned to Whitley County, from whence our subject, early in the year 1864, went to Peru and began to learn the printer's trade. His first work was in the office of the Peru Republican, edited at the time by W. S. Benham. He remained until in January, 1865, when, at the early age of fifteen, he entered the service of the Union Army in Company D, 15Ist Indiana Volunteers, from which he received an honorable discharge in the September following. At the close of the war he went to North Manchester, Wabash County, whence his mother, with her husband, had in the mean- time gone, and where the former had died March 5, 1865. Having a desire to finish his trade, he worked in different places until the latter part of 1867, when he found himself in New York City. In that place he did journeyman work upon various papers for about one year. After being thus employed in several other cities until about 1869, he, having concluded to enter the medical profession, then went to Philadelphia where he attended two courses of lectures in the Eclectic Medical College. His professional duties were begun in Fulton County. He afterwards successfully practiced his profession in Whitley, Kosciusko and Wabash Counties. In November, 1883, he again came to this county and located at Denver, where his attention has been divided between the practice of medicine and the editing and management of the Denver Sun, a newsy little paper, which he launched into existence nearly three years ago. November 16, 1873, he was married to Mary B. Corbet, by whom he has had four children: Marion C., Lou Effie E., Oscar R., and Ida E., all of whom are living. Mrs. Snook is a member of the M. E. Church. The Doctor is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and independent in politics.
OLIVER T. SNYDER, an enterprising young business man, of Denver, is a native of Union County, this State, and was born May 12, 1850. He was the only son born to John M. and Mary A. (Thomas) Snyder. natives of Union and Fayette Coun- ties, this State, respectively. When our subject was about three years old he accompanied his parents to Wayne County, Indiana. There he spent his boyhood and youth working upon his father's farm. He received in the public schools a good common school education, after which he continued his studies in the Centerville High School about one year. At the age of nineteen he accepted a position of traveling salesman, and was thus employed two vears. He then engaged in the lumber business, which received
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his attention six years. Before beginning the study of Phar- macy, he was engaged in selling books about two years. In 1879, he began the study of Pharmacy, with a view to fit himself for the drug business. This was mastered in due time, and early in 1883 he came to this county and opened up a drug store at Denver. He was united in marriage to Sarah E. Robbins, a native of this county, born September 22, 1858. She was the daughter of Hiram M. and Permelia (Gentry) Robbins, the for- mer a native of Wayne County this State, born September 17, 1826, and the latter also a native of Wayne County, born May 18, 1835. Mr. Snyder is the father of two children: Carrie and Ethel. Mrs. Snyder is a member of the M. E. Church. Politically, Mr. Sny- der is a Democrat, He is a pushing, energetic young man, and a number one citizen. He has a neat little drug store, well stocked and is doing a good business.
MICHAEL N. TAYLOR, an old and highly respected citi- zen of Denver, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 7, 1814. He was the second son born to Samuel and Mary (Hancock ) Tay- lor, who, when Michael was three years old, came to Indiana and located in Wayne County, being among the early settlers of that locality. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth working upon his father's farm. When he had reached his majority he began farming for himself. That was in Wayne County, this State. In about the year 1836, he removed to Wabash County, and located upon a farm four miles west of North Manchester. He had entered one hundred and sixty acres of wood land, upon which he built a cabin, and immediately set about clearing up a farm. To do this without assistance, necessarily devolved upon him a great deal of hard work. He chopped, grubbed, burned brush, rolled logs, plowed, and, in fact, did all kinds of hard work which the develop- ment of a new country necessitates. The woods abounded with deer, wolves, wild turkeys, bear and Indians, and occasionally Michael found time to participate in the hunt. Upon one occasion he discovered a large bruin attacking some hogs, and a well directed shot from his rifle has entitled him to a reputation which but few enjoyed-that of killing a bear. He remained upon that farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits, until 1842, when he returned to Wayne County. A year later he came to this county and located in Richland Township, where he resided until October, 1883. At that time he removed to Denver, where he has erected a beautiful little residence, which, at present is occupied by himself and grand- daughter, Miss Alma D. Norris. June II, 1835, he was mar- ried to Nancy Brown, who died October, 13, 1846. She was born in Wayne County, this State, December 16, 1813, and was the daughter of William Brown, who located in Wayne County in an early day. To that marriage five children were
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born : Samuel A., born July 4, 1836, died November 5, 1838; Sarah J., born November 15, 1837, deceased; Mary C., born April 30th, 1839; Lucy A., born February 6, 1843; Philena, born October 3, 1846, died October 23, 1846. May 10, 1847, Mr. Taylor was married to Araminta Woolpert, who died April 9, 1886. She was born in Wayne County, this State, November 15, 1827, and was the daughter of Peter and Phoebe (Veal) Wool- pert, natives of New Jersey. Mr. Taylor has been a member of the M. E. Church over forty years. Politically he is a Republican. He began life poor, but through industry, perseverance and economy, he is permitted to spend his declining years in comfortable circum- stances. He is an honest, upright man, and one of the county's most highly respected citizens.
JOHN W. TURNIPSEED (dealer in agriculture and farm- ing implements, and also stock dealer, Mexico, Indiana,) is a native of Stark County, Indiana, and was born April 13, 1851. His parents, George and Sarah (Veal) Turnipseed, were natives of Ohio and New Jersey, respectively. He was married in Cass County, Indi- ana, October 14, 1872, to Josephine, daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Graft) Dillman. She was born in Cass County, Indiana, November 19, 1851. In the spring of 1873, Mr. Turnipseed, our subject, settled upon land in Jefferson Township, this county, where he engaged in farming until the fall of 1877, when he moved to Mexico, Indiana, where he engaged in the butchering business for about one year, after which he engaged in buying stock for Mr. S. E. Skinner, and about one year later he entered a partnership with Mr. Skinner in stock business, which they continued together until Skinner's death, in November, 1884. He then devoted his atten- tion to stock business by himself, which he has carried on quite ex- tensively since. In the fall of 1886 he took Mr. A. Crook in as a partner, and they are now doing business together. Mr. Turnip- seed is an intelligent and enterprising man, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He owns 109 acres of land in Sec- tions 19 and 30, Jefferson Township; also fine property at Mexico, Indiana. Mr. Turnipseed and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
THOMAS WHITCRAFT (foreman of the Mexico Manu- facturing Company), was born in Hocking County, Ohio, April 26, 1847. His parents-John H. and Amy R. (Brown) Whitcraft ---- were also both natives of Hocking County, Ohio, and were born as follows: The father in the year 1821 and the mother in the year 1824. They were married in Hocking County, Ohio, where the father died in the year 1856. , The mother sub- sequently married Lewis Smyers, and moved with him to Wabash County, Indiana, in 1857, where she still resides. She is the mother of fourteen children, viz: Thomas, Margaret, Jacob L.,
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William C., Luther B., Elizabeth A., (by Mr. Whitcraft), and Mary, Elmira, George W., John W., Luther B., Amy R., Ida and an infant daughter which died young and not named (by Mr. Smyers). Thomas, our subject, moved with his parents to Wabash County, Indiana, in 1857, and in 1871 began the cabinet trade at South Wabash, Ind., which he completed and has engaged in the same principally since. He was married at South Wabash, Indi- ana, November 9, 1875, to Anna M., daughter of Mark and Esther (Jenkins) Jones. She was born in Wabash County, Indiana, December 22, 1854. In 1877, Mr. Whitcraft, our sub- ject, moved to Mexico, Indiana, and began work as an employe in the Mexico Manufacturing Factory, which he has since con- tinued. In May, 1884, he was promoted to foreman of the fac- tory, which capacity he now fills. He has had born to him four children, viz: Vesta J., born October 21, 1876; Vermon H., born July, 12, 1878; Lenora, born March 10, 1880, and Edwinna, born February 10, 1882. Mr. Whitcraft is a member of the Masonic Order, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is a wide-awake and enterprising young man, and is much esteemed by all who know him.
JOHN N. WOOLLEY, one of the pioneers of this county and one among the early settlers of Richland Township, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, September 18, 1820. He was the second son born to Amos and Anna (Ellis) Woolley, both natives of New Jersey, of Welsh descent. When John was about six years old he accompanied his parents to Philadelphia, Penn., but six years later, or in 1832, they returned to Ohio, and this time located in Warren County. His father located in Palmyra (now Mason), where he worked at his trade, which was that of wagon- maker. Very early in life, John learned the trade also, with his father, at which he has worked chiefly all his life. On the IIth day of April, 1844, he was married to Alice E. Warwick, a native of Warren County, Ohio, born of English and Scotch descent, April 28, 1826. She was the daughter of Jacob and Leah (Parker) Warwick, both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1847, Mr. and Mrs. Woolley came to this county and located in the woods of Richland Township. There our subject worked at his trade until about 1873, when he located in Denver. Mr. and Mrs. Woolley have had ten children. They are Emily E., born March 18, 1845, died October 1, 1860; Mary J., born December 12, 1846; Laura A., born Octo- ber 29, 1847; Joseph C., born October 2, 1850, died January 15, 1851; Benjamin K., born July 31, 1855, died August 4, 1858; Alice E., born October 31, 1857; George L., born November 15, 1859; Anna E., born March 2, 1862; Alfred W., born December 8, 1864; and Amos E., born September 17, 1867. Mrs. Woolley is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Woolley is a Repub-
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lican. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace four years. He is an honest, upright man, and one of the county's most highly respected citizens.
CHAPTER XVI.
PERRY TOWNSHIP -EARLY SETTLEMENT - LAND ENTRIES -
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION-IMPROVEMENTS AND INDUSTRIES -EARLY BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES-WOLVES-LAW- LESSNESS-RELIGIONS-GILEAD-STOCKDALE-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
P ERRY TOWNSHIP, the largest division of Miami County, forms the northeast corner of the county, and embraces a geo- graphical area of forty-two square miles, all of which is included in Township 29, North, Ranges 4 and 5, East, of the Congressional sur- vey. It joins Fulton County on the North, Wabash County on the East, Richland Township on the South, Union and Allen Townships on the West, and was named in honor of Commodore Oliver H. Perry, the gallant hero of Lake Erie. The surface of the township is pleas- antly diversified, the general face of the country being gently rolling, with occasional hills along the streams. Like other parts of the county it was formerly well' timbered, but large areas of woodlands have long since been cleared away and put in cultivation. Much valua- ble timber was wantonly destroyed, which, if now standing, would more than equal in value the land upon which it grew. The soil is generally a sandy loam, resting upon a clay subsoil-very durable and well adapted to wheat, corn, oats and the other cereals and fruits indigenous to this latitude. In fact, the abundance and variety of its productions are such that it can challenge competition with any part of the county. The natural advantages have been so well improved by skill and industry, that Perry Township may be, in some respects, regarded as a model for imitation by farmers in other parts of the county.
Settlement .- James Malcolm was the first white man to lead the march of civilization into what is now Perry Township. He came to the country as early as 1833, and obtaining a small log cabin from an Indian village soon after fixed his home on what is now known as the Jacob Wiles farm, not far from the southeast corner of the township. "He doubtless entered the deep forest, as did the majority of young pioneers, with exult-
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