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 71
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
Incorporation .- In 1873, the citizens of Bunker Hill decided by a majority vote of the population, to take upon themselves the responsibility of erecting and maintaining a town corporation. Accordingly a board of three trustees, a clerk and treasurer were elected to put the municipal machinery in motion. The board was composed of the following gentlemen: H. P. McDowell, Robert C. Foor and Cyrus Baker, trustees, and Dr. James A. Meek, clerk and treasurer. The officers for 1886 are as follows: Cyrus Baker, Stephen Finney, George Armstrong, W. W. Robbins and Eli Bow- man, Trustees; R. C. Foor, Clerk and Treasurer, and John N. Davis, Marshall.
Bunker Hill Lodge, No. 369, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 16, 1871. by Special Deputy E. H. Barry, Grand Secretary, assisted by John Stewart acting as G. M., Frank Blair as Grand Marshall,, I. M. Runvan as G. Secretary ; John Reynolds, G. Treasurer; F. S. Hadley, G. Conductor; John W. Edwards, G. Sentinel, and James- W. Highland as G. Guardian. The following names appear upon the charter: James A. Meek, Cyrus Baker, Peter Keegan, Jesse L. Hobson, Daniel Baker, James Bennett, Noah W. Trissell, George W. Mort, Benson Sullivan and William B. Patterson. At the organization the following persons were duly elected to fill the various offices, to-wit: James A. Meek, N. G .; Noah W. Trissell, V. G .; Peter Keegan, Per. and Rec. Sec .; William B. Patterson, Treasurer; Cyrus Baker, Warden; George W. Blue, Conductor; James Bennett, O. G .; G. W. Mort, I. G .; Benson Sullivan, R. S. S .; Timothy Scott, L. S. S .; J. L. Hobson, R. S. to N. G .; David Baker, L. S. to N. G .; John Hann, R. S. to V. G., and D. H. Cain,
749
PIPE CREEK TOWNSHIP.
L. S. to V. G. The hall in which the lodge meets was built in 1873, and with other property, represents a value of $1,500. The membership is not so large as formerly, there being at this time only about twenty names upon the records. The present elective officers are: J. E. Rinehart, N. G .; Robert C. Foor, V. G .; Peter Keegan, Secretary, and Cyrus Baker, Treasurer.
John M. Wilson Post, No. 112, G. A. R., was established October, 1882, with a membership of about thirty. Among the first officers were the following, to-wit: Timothy Scott, Com- mander; R. C. Foor, S. V. C .; J. F. Busey, J. V. C .; M. M. Howard, Chaplain; and W. W. Robbins, Officer of the Day. The organization has made commendable progress, and at the present time has a membership of fifty. Present officers: W. W. Robbins, Commander; M. M. Howard, S. V. C .; Jacob Metz- gar, J. V. C .; David Apger, Chaplain; Jacob Clemens, Officer of the Day; David Hochstetler, Officer of the Guard; J. G. Hedrick, Quartermaster, and R. C. Foor, Adjutant.
Bunker Hill Light Guards .- This well disciplined military company was organized November 7. 1885, by W. W. Robbins, with forty-seven members. Mr. Robbins was elected captain, and the company was mustered by Col. A. J. Parks. At this. time there is a uniformed membership of forty-two, and a mili- tary band of eleven instruments, mustered in as part of the com- pany. The Light Guards are made up of a class of fine look- ing young men, and with their beautiful uniforms present, when on parade, a decidedly military appearance. The officers are W. W. Robbins, Captain; J. W. Reeder, First Lieutenant, and J. W. O'Hara, Second Lieutenant. David Long is leader of the band.
Churches .- The oldest religious society in Bunker Hill is the Baptist Church, organized early in the forties. Among the first ministers of this denomination in Pipe Creek Township were Revs. Samuel Dewese and Asel Waters, and among the earliest members of this church were Mr. Lawrence, Daniel Striker, William McCrary, James McCray, B. H. Hann, Mrs. Hann, Joseph Frazee, William Piatt and wife, Mr. Ensco and wife, John Murphey and wife, and James Mays and wife. Meetings were held principally at the resi- dence of Rev. Samuel Dewese until the spring of 1848, at which time a hewed log house of worship was erected about one mile west of the village. It was a comfortable structure, 30x40 feet in size, and answered the purpose for which it was intended until about the year 1860. The present large frame building in the town was erected that year, on a lot donated by John Duckwall and James Myers. It is one of the most commodious houses of worship in the southern part of the county, having a seating capacity of 500. The church has made substantial progress during all the years of its his- ยท tory, and at this time has an active membership of over one hun-
750
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
dred. Among the pastors were the following: Revs. William Cool, Leonard Cool, Mr. Coon, John Blodget, B. R. Ward, L. D. Robinson and E. J. Delp. The present officers are: John Duckwall, John Hagerty, Joseph Quinn and B. Hann, Deacons; Lafayette Flagg, Clerk; John Duckwall, Cyrus Baker and George W. Blue, Trustees. A large and flourishing Sunday school is kept up throughout the year. Jos. Quinn is the present superintendent.
M. E. Church of Bunker Hill was organized in the spring of 1846 with the following constituent members, to-wit: David Hockman, Malinda Hockman, John Townsend, Eliza Townsend, John Barnes and Eliza Barnes. The organization was brought about by Rev. Mr. Davis, who held the first meeting in a little log cabin which stood on the farm owned at this time by John N. Huffman. For the first eight or ten months the society made no visible . progress, but the two succeeding years the membership was increased by the following persons, viz: Lewis N. Snodderly and wife, A. C. Lamborn and wife, Mrs. Moses Larimer, Jacob Coucher and wife, James Dabney and wife, Andrew Cun- ningham and wife, Benjamin Fish and others. The first house of worship, erected in the year 1855, and known as the Railroad Chapel, stood near the Deer Creek Township line, and served as a meeting place until 1869, at which time it was abandoned and the society moved to the village. The present beautiful brick edifice on the corner of Elm and Broadway streets was built some time in the above year at a cost of about $2,000. It will be impossible to give a list of those who have sustained the pas- toral relation to this society, as much of the early history is involved in considerable obscurity. Rev. Davis, however, was the first pastor, and, according to the best information accessi- ble, the second preacher in charge was Rev. Mr. Ricketts. Rev. Mr. Badly was an early pastor, and had charge of the circuit when the first building was erected and dedicated. The follow- ing are among the ministers who served the society in later times, viz: Revs. Stevens, John McElwee, W. K. Hoback, George Havens, E. S. Preston, John W. Lowery, L. J. Naftzgar and the present pastor, J. H. Jackson. The society has a membership of about 100, and is reported in a prosperous condition. Daniel Duckwall is class leader; Newton Reeder and Caroline Wil- liams, stewards, and James E. Rinehart, superintendent of the flourishing Sunday school, which has an average attendance of about ninety scholars.
Evangelical Lutheran Church .- "In the year 1855 Rev. B. Uphouse and his colleague, Rev. F. Geisel, from Fulton circuit, Indiana Conference Evangelical Association, came to the vicinity of Bunker Hill to preach the Gospel." " The following families . opened their houses for services, viz: Messrs. Kurtz, Walters
+
75I
PIPE CREEK TOWNSHIP.
and Mohr." "In the year 1859 Rev. F. Geisel had a revival, during which the above named families were converted. A class was organized, of which Peter Walters was elected leader." "From the fall of 1861 to the fall of 1863 R. J. Trometor had charge of the work." "He moved to Bunker Hill and had preaching at regular intervals in his house." From 1863 to 1864 Rev. D. Bartholomew was pastor in charge, and after him came Rev. H. Fisher. "The school house west of the town was rented, and afterwards purchased, for meeting purposes." Rev. J. Kaufman was pastor from 1865 to 1867; Rev. B. Uphouse, from 1867 to 1868; P. Roth, from 1868 to 1870; J. Miller, from 1870 to 1872; William Koenig, from 1872 to 1874. About this time several members moved to the town, and steps were at once taken toward the erection of a house of worship. The work progressed satisfactorily, and in due time the neat brick temple of worship on Elm street, in the south part of the vil- lage, was completed and formally dedicated. The pastors since 1874 have been the following: Rev. A. J. Troyer, from the latter year until 1876; George Schmall, from the fall of 1876 to the spring of 1879; A. Irvan, from 1879 to 1881; J. Beck, 1881 to 1882; J. Brackert, 1882 to 1883; John Huffman, from 1883 to the present time. The membership at this time numbers about twenty-eight or thirty. The Sunday school, under the superintendency of Jacob Wagler, has been the means of accom- plishing much good among the youth of the town.
St. Michael Roman Catholic Church .- Efforts to establish a. Catholic Church in Bunker Hill were made several years before an organization was effected, priests from different places visit- ing the town at intervals, and conducted services at the resi- dence of Mr. Garman. In 1874 a lot in the north end of town was purchased, and a building which had formerly been used for a shoe shop, was refitted for church purposes. In 1882, Father Kelly, of Marion, brought about the present organization, of which some fif- teen families constituted the original membership. The house of worship, a beautiful frame edifice in the north end of town, was erected the same year, at a cost of $1,300. Among the first priests who visited the town were Rev. Fathers Kroeger and Weichman, and since 1882 the following priests have had charge of the society, viz: Fathers Kelly, Twigg, Joy and Grogan. The church is in a fairly prosperous condition, and has a membership of about fifteen or sixteen families. Services are held once a month by Father Grogan.
Church of the Seventh Day Adventists was organized in the year 1879, by Rev. S. G. Lane. The following were among the first members of the society, to-wit:' Allen James and wife, H. G. Curtis and wife, Mary Crowder, Alexander Baxter and wife, Gran-
752
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
ville Hedrick and wife, John Turner and wife, and Mrs. Mary Clouse. Religious services were held at the residence of different members until 1883, at which time a frame house of worship was erected in Buckwall's addition to the town. The society has made but little progress, the membership at this time being about the same as the original number. Services are held occasionally by visiting brethren, but a Sabbath school, with good attendance, meets- regularly every week.
Schools .- Prior to 1868 the children of Bunker Hill attended school in a frame building a short distance west of the town, where the tile mill now stands. In the above year work was commenced on the present building, a part of which was completed and ready for use in due time. The constant increase in the school population soon foreshadowed the necessity of enlarged accommodations, and accordingly in 1872 an addition of two rooms was erected, making the building as it is now, one of the best school edifices in the county. The schools were properly graded in 1868 with Prof. Oscar King as principal, and Miss Alice Williams, assistant. The principals since that time have been the following, viz: Profs. A. McW. Bollman, George Custer, George Snyder, S. D. Miller, W. H. Williams, Noah Trissall, J. H. Neff and John W. O'Hara. The schools at this time are under the efficient management of Prof. J. H. Neff, assisted by J. E. Rinehart, Jennie Haggarty and Eva Wilson.
Present Business of Bunker Hill .- Benson Sullivan, large gen- eral store; George W. Blue, dealer in general merchandise; Finney & Clem, hardware and agricultural implements; William Fansler, groceries; Joseph Austin, groceries and restaurant; W. W. Ham- maker, druggist; Dr. James A. Meek, drug store; Eli Bowman and John Neiman, carpenters and builders; John Flitcher, A. T. Cook and Henry G. Fisk, blacksmiths; Jacob Seisler and Mr. Jordan, wagon-makers; Claude M. Ryan, tinner ; Peter Keegan, shoe-maker; O. D. Hughes, tailor; C. Meisse, harness-maker; Samuel Clark, manufacturer of Clark's patent bed springs; Herman Eagle, manu- facturer of drain tile; Samuel Lindermuth and Jacob Metzgar, plas- terers; William Davis, Cyrus Baker and Samuel Armstrong, brick- masons; Eugene Fletcher, warehouse; the Misses Lueas, dressmak- ing and millinery; B. N. Blue, John N. Davis and Benjamin Scott, painters; Frank Mote, barber; Murden & Deisch, livery stable; J. E. Smith, railroad agent ; Peter Keegan, notary public; W. W. Rob- bins, hotel, and John W. O'Hara, postmaster and editor.
753
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
DANIEL BOWSER, one of the well-to-do farmers of Pipe Creek Township, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, November 1, 1833, son of John and Susanna (Wyland) Bowser, natives of Ohio and of German extraction. Our subject's youth was passed amid the stirring scenes of farm life, with the rugged duties of which he early became familiar. He enjoyed such rude advantages for an education as were offered in those days. From the time of his father's death, which occurred in 1851, he was his mother's only support, caring for her until her second marriage, which took place in 1853. The family then moved to Goshen, Indiana. Mr. Bowser came to Pipe Creek Township in the winter of 1854, and purchased eighty acres of land. He has been twice married, the first time, in 1855, to Miss Mary Shively, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Bowman) Shively. He chose for his second wife Hannah Shively, a sister of his former wife. They were married January 4, 1857, and are the parents of the following children: John E., born February 15, 1858; Susanna, born June 1, 1861; Levi, born April 20, 1865, and Mary E., born June 16, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Bowser are members of the German Baptist Church, with which they have been united for thirty years. Mr. Bowser officiated as minister in the second degree of his church for fifteen years. In politics he acts. with the Democratic party.
JACOB W. BRANDT, one of the early pioneers of Miami County, is a native of Pennsylvania, born October 2, 1820. His parents were Martin and Elizabeth (Weaver) Brandt, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former of German and the latter of English descent. Our subject remained with his parents, clerking in a store and securing in the meantime, a fair education, until twenty-one years old. He taught school some eight years, two of which he taught in Lewisburg, Cass County. In the spring of 1842, he and his father purchased a tract of land in Tipton Township. In 1845, he moved to Pipe Creek Township, where he traded for 148 acres of heavily timbered land, then considered the poorest part of the county, but now one of the best farms in the locality. October 16, 1845, he was united in marriage with Rachel A. Hiller, and by her is the father of five children, only three, Anamelia A. James E. and Catharine C., yet living. The mother died June 15, 1859. Mrs. Martha A. Britton, his second wife, to whom he was wedded Octo- ber 6, 1859, was born August 17, 1827, in Guilford County, North Carolina. In 1846, she married Charles Britton, who was called away in 1857. By him she was the mother of four children, these
754
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
two yet living: John P. and Eliza A. To her union with Mr. Brandt, two children have been born, Flora A. and Elmar W. Mr. and Mrs. Brandt are members of the Christian Church. The pleas- ant Hill Church is located on their farm.
DANIEL DUCKWALL, farmer and prominent citizen of this township, is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio. He is a son of Henry and Rosanah (Linginfelter) Duckwall, natives of Virginia and Maryland, respectively, and of German extraction. His parents were married in Berkley County, Virginia, in 1800, and soon emigrated to Ohio. Daniel Duckwall was born July IO, 1822. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and obtained a fair English education. At the age of twenty he began teach- ing school, which profession he followed for a number of years. Mr. Duckwall emigrated to Cass County in 1848, and in 1851 moved his family to his new home in Miami County. Here he experienced all the obstacles and privations incident to the settle- ment of a new country. He takes an active interest in all enter- prises for the public good. Was elected Township Trustee at the first election held in Pipe Creek Township, which office he held for three years. He then became president of the board. At the expiration of his term of office he was appointed school examiner of the county, and filled the office with credit to him- self and to the satisfaction of the people. He now owns 600 acres of good land, and valuable property in Bunker Hill; never contracts a debt without the money to pay for it, and never asks anyone to go his security. In 1847 he married Miss Elizabeth Myers, a union that resulted in the birth of two children-Laura
J. and William C .; both are married. Mrs. Duckwall departed this life in the year 1856. Three years later Mr. Duck wall married Nancy Z. Rider. The children born to them were Eugene L. (deceased), born June 5, 1860; Ada Bell, born February 1, 1862; Perry N., born November 26, 1864; Ernest D., born October 2, 1870, and Stella May, born December 19, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Duckwall are members of the M. E. Church. For the past twenty years Mr. Duckwall has been a class leader, and has officiated as local minister for ten years. He is a staunch supporter of the Republican party.
JOHN DUCKWALL, founder and builder of a large saw and flouring mill, known as the Champion Mills, was born in Mont- gomery County, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Rosana (Linger- felter) Duckwall, both of German descent. Our subject assisted his father on the farm until reaching his majority, when they farmed on the shares. In 1845 he emigrated to Clinton Township, Cass County, where he remained four years, and then moved to Miami County, where he still resides. His milling property was destroyed by fire in 1857, creating a loss of $5,000. He had rebuilt this saw-
755
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
mill by the following spring and afterwards rebuilt the grist-mill. After remodeling four times he has to-day one of the best equipped mills in the 'county. March 21, 1845, Lydia Myers became his wife, and by him the mother of six children, viz: an infant unnamed; Amanda J., married in 1873 to Geo. Blue, and in 1878 she received a stroke of lightning which killed her instantly; Emma M. (deceased), Ida B., Dora C. and Carrie O. Mr. Duckwall is a staunch Republican, and he and wife have been members of the Regular Baptist Church for thirty years.
J. W. ELLIS, M. D .- Dr. Ellis was born in Clinton County, Ohio, July 3, 1827, and the fifth of a family of nine children born to Robert and Anna (Hockett) Ellis. His father is of Welsh descent, and his mother a native of Virginia. He received a good education in youth, studied medicine with Dr. Smizer, of Waynesville, and was a graduate in 1854 from the Eclectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, Ohio. His first location was Jonesboro. From there he went to Marion, where he suc- cessfully followed his profession until 1866. For the last twenty years he has had an extensive practice in Peru, at one time having the largest practice in the county. His marriage with Miss Jemima Jones was celebrated June 26, 1851. Her parents, Obediah and Ann Jones, laid out the town of Jonesboro in 1841. The Doctor lost his wife January 26, 1854. He again married in 1860, Miss Louisa McClure, who died May 18, 1863, leaving one child, named Minnie L., who has unusual talent in art. She is now diligently pursuing her studies, and is expected to rank among the leaders of her profession. Caroline Leonard, his third wife, to whom he was wedded October 25, 1866, died April 10, 1884. He is a Republican, a member of the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. fraternities, and belongs to the Pres- byterian Church.
WILLIAM J. FANSLER, son of Adam and Mary (Foss) Fansler, was born in Butler Township, Miami County, October 21, 1844. His father was a native of Virginia of German descent; his mother a native of Ohio and of English descent. His boy- hood was spent upon his father's farm, where he received a good common school education. At twenty-four years of age, January 23, 1864, he wedded Miss Ophelia C. Pence, of Peru. They are the parents of two children, namely: Orla R., born September 24, 1865, and Maudie G., born January 4, 1872. In the spring of 1863 he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was placed in the Army of the Cumberland under Buell. He participated in the noted battle of Gettysburg, and was mustered out in the fall of 1865. He began life a poor man, but now owns a fine gro- cery store in Bunker Hill, where he established himself in
756
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
1880. Mr. Fansler is an enterprising and wide-awake young man, a Republican in politics, firmly believing in the principles of his party, and a member of the I. O. O. F. in good standing.
STEPHEN FINNEY is a native of Miami County ,Ohio, born August 14, 1838, a son of John and Rebecca Finney, natives of Ohio, and of Irish descent. The same year of his birth his parents moved to Randolph County, Indiana, and in 1856, to Deer Creek Township. He married, November 1, 1859, Mary Larton, daughter of Israel and Sarah Larton, residents of Ran- dolph County. By their union there are four children living: Rosa L., Ulysses, Orlando and Minnie. February 24, 1865, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-First Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, and was placed in the Army of the Cumber- land. He served until September II, 1865. After his discharge he engaged in farming, in Deer Creek Township, until 1882, and then followed buying and shipping stock in Bunker Hill for one year. He is now a member of the only hardware firm in Bunker Hill, that of Finney & Clem. They do a thriving busi- ness. Mr. Finney is a member of John M. Wilson Post, No. 112, G. A. R., and in every respect a most exemplary citizen.
RUFUS T. JONES, farmer, Pipe Creek Township, is a native of Oneida County, New York, his birth occurring December 2, 1817. He is of Irish and Welsh descent. His parents, John and Hannah (Thurston) Jones, moved to Oswego County, where he reecived sufficient education to enable him to teach school for a livelihood. He was married to Lucy S. Dibble June 15, 1841, and to their union one child was born, Ralph H., born May 23, 1842. Mrs. Jones departed this life November 9, 1845. Mr. Jones was again married April 29, 1847, to Mary, daughter of Moses and Betsy Burr. He came to this county in 1846 and followed the blacksmith's trade. During the war he was, for a time, man- ager of the blacksmith department under General Rosecrans. In 1852 he went to California and remained there about two years. He now owns a fine improved farm, located in one of the best farming districts in the county. Mrs. Jones was born November 26, 1825, in Fairfield County, Connecticut. She is the mother of four children, as follows: Maurice L., born August 1, 1845, who now resides in Fort Wayne, and is en- gaged in the photography business; Eulalie, born May 25, 1858; Viola E., born May 15, 1863, and Frank B., born August 27, 1863. Mr. Jones began life with comparatively nothing, but, by close attention to business, has succeeded in accumulating a competency for his declining years.
PETER KEEGAN was born in Ireland February 1, 1833. He emigrated to America in 1851 and engaged in the shoe business in Natick, Massachusetts. His marriage with Miss Bridget Killen,
757
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
also of Ireland, was solemnized in 1853. Four children have been born to them, named: Elsie E., William Fa, Schuyler C. and Cor- delia M. From Natick he went to Toledo, Ohio, and remained one year. In 1857 he came to Peru. August II, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 87th Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was placed in the Army of the Cumberland. He took part in the following noted battles: Perryville, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain. At the last battle of Nashville he went with his command to Washington and took part in the Grand Review. He was mustered out in June, 1865. After his return from the war he settled in Bunker Hill. His early recollections of this vicinity are good. Mr. Keegan is a Republican, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for twelve years. He is now notray public and also engaged in the shoe business. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and identified himself with the M. E. Church in 1852.
DR. JAMES T. LISTON, one of the oldest pioneers of Pipe Creek Township and builder of the first house in Peru, is a native of New Castle County, Delaware, where he was born September 16, 1804. He is one of four children born to Will- iam and Margaret (Thomas) Liston, natives of Delaware and of English and Welsh extraction respectively. Dr. Liston received a good education in the schools of Delaware and Pennsylvaia, graduating from the Peru Medical University in 1826. In 1823 his parents moved to Richmond, Indiana. After finishing school our subject began the practice of medicine in Muncie, but soon went from there to Winchester, where he remained five years. Dur- ing the time, November 19, 1829, he married Rachel Way, a native of North Carolina. Mrs. Way blessed her husband with ten children, namely: William M. (deceased), Mary J. (deceased), Phebe A. (deceased), the first white child born in Peru, and also the first death in the town. She was born Aug. 21, 1834, and died Aug. 31 of the same year. Jonathan A., Margaret L. (deceased), James F., William M., Rebecca E., John Way and Charles L. Mrs. Lis- ton died May 30, 1879. The Doctor is eighty-two years old and in good health :. He is a member of the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. fraternities, belongs to the Christian Church, and has been a life-long Democrat, having voted for General Jackson early in life. He now resides with his son, John W. Liston, a citizen of this town- ship, whose birth occurred in Wabash County, March 19, 1846. John began teaching at the early age of sixteen years, and taught four years. He is a staunch Democrat, and takes an active part in the interests of his township. He was elected Township Trustee by a handsome majority in 1886, and under his manage- ment the schools are prospering. He was also superintendent of the gravel roads in this township for a number of years. Jan-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.