USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, together with historic notes on the Wabash Valley; gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic sources > Part 89
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Jacob Haas, Esq., retired, Waynetown, son of Daniel and Eve (Reed) Haas, is a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, where he was born April 15, 1815. His grandfather Haas came from Germany several years before the revolutionary war, working his pas- sage, and at the opening of the war enlisted in the Continental army, where he served during the war. In 1844 the subject of this sketch came west and settled in Fountain county, Indiana, where he followed his trade, that of a carpenter, for several years, living at Hillsboro. He had married in Pennsylvania to Miss Jane Campbell, who died in July 1849, leaving five young children, which was a ' serious loss to him, and which caused him to return to his native state, where he arrived in December of that year. The spring following he returned with a neighbor and settled at Newtown, where he lived until 1872, when he went to Jackson township, Fountain county, and settled on a farm of 160 acres which he had purchased, where he remained until 1876, when he came to Waynetown to enjoy the rest which he so
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richly deserves, having, until lately, worked almost without ceasing. In politics Mr. Haas is a democrat, and for sixteen years in succession, after 1852, was a justice of the peace. In 1851 he was again married, this time to Miss Amelia Hartman, by whom he has had five children, four of whom are living. When in Pennsylvania Mr. Haas was a member of the Lutheran church, but after coming to Indiana, as there was none of that denomination convenient, and feeling it a duty to be united with some body of christians, joined the Presbyterian church, a member of which body he remained until 1858, when he became a Baptist, to which denomination he has since belonged. He is a Mason, being one of the charter members at Newtown. Mr. Haas is a man of strictly temperate habits, and has given all of his children a good education, and has always by precept and example attempted to do his part in making the world better for his having lived in it.
Isaac Davis, farmer, came with his parents to Brown township, this county, in 1826, from Butler county, Ohio, where he was born October 17, 1821, his parents coming there from New Jersey, where his ancestry settled at an early day. Mr. Davis remained upon the farm until he was twenty-five years of age, when he returned to Ohio, farming and dealing in real estate. He was married here to Jessie Small, January 8, 1846, who died in October 1870. From Ohio he again came to Indiana, and for twelve years lived in Franklin and Shelby counties, when he returned to Montgomery county, settling near Crawfordsville, where. in 1864, he, with a brother, Gen. M. D. Manson, and Col. John Lee, he embarked in the grain trade, where they kept in operation two warehouses, one of which is now Darler's mill. In April, 1861, he joined Co. G, 10th reg. Ind. Inf., with which he remained until his regiment was mustered out. He was sergeant of his company, and the oldest man in it. In 1862 he was elected sheriff of Montgomery county by the democrats, since when he has been a strong republican. He now owns 1260 acres of land lying in Wayne, Union and Ripley townships. January 4, 1872, Mr. Davis was remarried, having three children by his second wife : Jessie, Julia, and Carrie ; born January 10, 1873, July 1, 1875, and June 18, 1879, respectively. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and a strictly moral and temperate man, enjoying the respect and esteem of all who know him.
Capt. William Marks, engineer, Waynetown, was born March 4, 1829. His parents being poor, young William was early obliged to work, and what education he has received he acquired by his own exertions. At fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to a baker, where he remained eighteen months. At the breaking out of the
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Mexican war he enlisted in the 2d Penn. reg. Inf .. and with it started to join Gen. Scott at Vera Cruz, December 26, 1846, and remained in Mexico until the close of the war with that country, being among the last who were called home. He was in the company of men who cap- tured Santa Anna's carriage at Cerro Gordo at the time that personage escaped, leaving his " private papers and cork leg," which item of his- tory Capt. Marks corroborates. Upon his return, in the summer of 1848, he worked in a foundry for seven months, when he went on the only railroad then leading into Indianapolis as fireman, and after two years was given charge of an engine. In 1856 he settled on a farm in Vermilion county, Illinois, where he remained three years, after which he followed the profession of engineer until April 16, 1861, when he answered President Lincoln's call for troops, but was rejected. How- ever, at the next opportunity he enlisted, and was mustered into the 15th reg. Ind. Inf. At the battle of Stone River he commanded Co. E, at that time being second lieutenant, where, in a charge, eighteen of his thirty-two men were killed, yet they took more prisoners than the number of men engaged upon the Union side. In May, 1863, he received a captain's commission from Gov. Morton for " ability and loyalty." He remained in the service until June 25, 1864, when he was mustered out at Indianapolis, and has since resided in Montgom- ery county. October 21, 1850, he married Lucinda Whittsett, a native of Jennings county, Indiana. They had eight children, four of whom are living: Mattie E. (Mrs. David Pence), George R., Minnie, and John W. At fourteen he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, where he remained until the fall of 1857, when he joined the Baptist denomination, of which his wife was a member. He is an active Sunday-school worker, a member of the I.O.G.T., and since 1863 has been a member of the A.F. and A.M. In politics he is a republican.
John C. Dwiggins, treasury elect of Montgomery county, Wayne- town, was born in this county June 27, 1837, and is the son of Leuen and Mary Dwiggins. His father was one of the pioneer settlers of Montgomery county, settling first in Ripley township in a very early day, and clearing a farm near Alamo. His parents are both living in this township. Mr. Dwiggins has been very successful in life, now owning 420 acres of land in this township. He has raised grass, grain, and stock, and buys and sells stock to considerable extent. He was married in 1858 to Miss Susan Foutts. Her parents were early set- tlers in this county, and are both dead. Mr. Dwiggins has three chil- dren living and one dead : Howard, born September 19, 1859 ; Charles, November 29, 1861, and Walter, July 18, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Dwig- gins are members of the Christian church. Mr. Dwiggins cast his
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first vote for the immortal Lincoln in 1860. In April, 1880, he was nominated by the republican county convention for treasurer of Mont- gomery county, and in October was elected by a majority of ninety- five over a democratic majority of about 160 in 1878. In his own township (Wayne) he ran thirty-four ahead of the state ticket, thus showing the confidence and respect those have for him who know him best.
John W. Blankenship, retired farmer, Boston Store, was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, September 7, 1804, and came to this county in 1834 and stopped near Crawsfordsville awhile, then moved on to where he now lives. He is the son of Noel and Amy Blankenship. His father was a democrat, a farmer, and died in Kentucky. The sub- ject of this sketch lived at home with his mother till he was twenty- five years old. He has been married three times, the first time to Elizabeth Hinds, 1828, the second time to Elizabeth Lorew, the third time to Susan K. Nicholson. Mr. Blankenship has but one child, Amy, by his first wife. She is married to Henry Utterback. Mr. Blankenship has held many township offices. Assessor six years, con- stable six years, and overseer of the poor, and has been administrator and guardian for many estates and children. Mr. and Mrs. Blanken- ship are both members of the Missionary Baptist church, the former having been a member for fifty-two years. He began life poor, and has been successful. He and his wife now enjoy the pleasures and happiness of a ripe old age. Mr. Blankenship voted first for Andrew Jackson, and last for Hancock.
Samuel John Green, M.D., the oldest physician in Wayne town- ship, was born in Washington county, New York, January 4, 1817, and is the son of Thomas and Sarah Green, both natives of New York. Thomas Green was a member of the Presbyterian church, in politics a whig, and was in the war of 1812. Dr. Green lived on the farm till he was eighteen years old, and then began the study of medicine in Cambridge, New York. He studied medicine three years, taking his first course at Castleton, Vermont, and the other two at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated in the spring of 1838. In the fall of 1839 the doctor came to Crawfordsville. After . coming to this county he was sick most of the time for two or three years, part of which time he spent in the east. In 1842 he began the practice of medicine in Waynetown, and for over thirty years he had an extensive practice, he being the only physician in a large district of country. Almost continual driving and the loss of much sleep for so many years at least began to impair the health of a constitution which had seemed almost impregnable. Since about 1870 the doctor has not
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practiced any except among old friends and patients, who still regard him as their hope of health in time of sickness. In 1839 the doctor was married to Mary Abbott. She died in June 1859, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. By this marriage there were five children, who are now all living. Sarah M., who attended school at Ft. Wayne, is now the wife of John Hayden; Thomas C., who was in the army three years, in the 72d reg., fought in the battle of Chickamauga, the battles under Rosecrans, and is now a physician in Fountain county. George M. and Charles A., both attended col- lege; William attended school at Ft. Wayne, and in the spring of 1880 graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, and is now settled at Brimfield, where he has a good practice. In September, 1862, the doctor was married to Miss Emma Newton, who was born May 1830. By this union there are two children living and one dead : John (deceased), Louan, and Nellie. The doctor is a member of the Methodist church, being the only member now living who assisted in its organization. Mrs. Green is a member of the Congregational church. The doctor had not much capital with which to begin life except his education, but by hard work and good management has amassed considerable property, now owning 280 acres of land where he lives, some town property and 500 acres of land near Loda, Iroquois county, Illinois. In polities he was formerly a whig, casting his first vote for Gen. Harrison in 1840, and since the organization of the re- publican party has been a firm supporter of its principles. Dr. Green is now enjoying the peace and quiet of retired life, and can look back over a long period of usefulness and labor in a country which he has seen changed from a woody wilderness to a garden of beauty and civilization.
Perry J. Miller, retired, Waynetown, was born January 26, 1818, and settled in Wayne township in 1835. He is the son of William and Cassandra Miller, and came here from Kentucky. His father was born in Pennsylvania, and was in the war of 1812. He was taken prisoner and taken to Canad, where he was paroled, and walked back to Pittsburgh barefoot. When Mr. Miller came here the county was sparsely settled. They hauled grain to La Fayette and Chicago, took their pork to La Fayette, and would have to wait for it to be butch- ered. The school-honses were log cabins with slab benches, and greased paper for windows. Mr. Miller began farming for himself when twenty-two years old, in limited circumstances. He was mar- ried, the first time, February 17, 1840, to Miss Eliza Bean. She died in about ten months after their marriage. He was married, the second time, to Miss Sarah Ball, November 17, 1842. She was born Septem-
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ber 14, 1822, and is a member of the Christian Union church. The sketch of her parents will be found in the biography of James Ball. Mr. Miller was justice of the peace in Ripley township fourteen years, and assessor of Wayne township two years, and was engaged in the drug business in Waynetown. In 1878 he had a very hard spell of sickness in which he passed almost through the profound mystery of death. Their children are William M., James N., Eliza, Nathan G., David (deceased), Alonzo B. and Dora. Mr. Miller was originally a whig, voting first for Gen. Harrison, but is now an independent, and is a member of the Christian Union church.
Walter S. Britton, druggist, of the firm of Britton & Brewer, the leading drug firm of Waynetown, was born in Montgomery county, February 29, 1852, and is the son of John and Sarah Britton. His parents came from Butler county, Ohio, and settled in this connty about 1835. Mr. Britton had the common school education, and at- tended about one year at Wabash College. He first began clerking in a drug store, in 1868, for the firm of Moffatt & Brewer, Crawfords- ville, continuing there about eleven years, and spending one year with his brother, Judge Britton, in real estate business. November 19, 1878, he began the drug business at Waynetown with his present part- ner. Mr. Britton has made his own way in the world, and has been quite successful. He has made additions to his stock of goods every year. He keeps a full stock of drugs, school books, wall paper and druggist's sundries. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is a democrat. Mr. Britton is an industrious, energetic, respectable young man, and deserves the continned and increased support of the people of this community.
George D. Brown, miller, Waynetown, was born in Butler county, Ohio, October 3, 1829, and is the son of P'reserve and Margaret Brown, his father being a Pennsylvanian, and his mother from Maryland. In 1836 he came with his parents to Fountain county, and at the age of fourteen has worked at his present business in different parts of this state and Illinois. At sixteen years of age he entered a mill at Terre Hante, where, after being there eight months, he narrowly escaped being burned to death while attempting to save the books of the mill, which had taken fire. In 1858 he bought a half interest in a mill on Coal creek, and in 1860 sold it and purchased a farm near Hillsboro, which, after five years, he sold, and since has given his entire attention to milling, now owning and operating "Brown's Steam Mills," at Waynetown. In April. 1855, he was married to Ann M. Simpson, who was born in Ohio, and by whom he has had ten children, only two of whom are living, the others having died in infancy : Elizabeth,
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who is the wife of F. B. Borch, and Rachel E. In 1874 he joined the Christian church, of which he is now a trustee and elder. He became a Mason in 1859, and for several years has belonged to the I.O.O.F., being a charter member of the lodge here. In politics he is demo- cratic, and an upholder of the principles of temperance.
Abijah O'Neall, deceased. The first reliable history of the O'Neale family begins with O'Neale of the Red Hand, an Irish nobleman who is said to have been born with the impress of a large human hand upon his breast, one of whose descendants built Castle Shane, county Antrim, Ireland, where for many years the family held a high position in the ruling of that country. Early in the seventeenth century a descendant of this family, a midshipman in the British navy, escaped from his ves- sel while it was lying in the Delaware bay, and swam ashore,- thie origin of the O'Neale family in America. From fear of detection he changed the spelling of his name from O'Neale to O'Neall. He settled in Virginia, where he raised two sons, William and Hugh, the latter being the father of Judge John B. O'Neale, prominent in South Caro- lina history. William also had two sons, Hugh and Abijah, the latter of whom was married to Ann Kelly, of King's county, South Carolina, and was the father of several sons, one of whom was Abijah O'Neale, late of Yountsville, long and favorably known by the early settlers of Montgomery county, and remembered by many of her sons to-day for his sterling honesty, unwavering patriotismi, and hospitality. He was born in Newbury District, South Carolina, December 9, 1798, and came with his father's family to Ohio in 1800. June 12, 1828, he was married to Eleanor Hall, and for six years led a quiet farmer's life near Waynesville, Ohio, when, in 1834, he removed to Montgomery county, settling at Yountsville, where he purchased the Crooks' mill property and carried on milling, and also kept a country store. He was justice of the peace for several years, also representing his county in the state legislature for a number of years. He was also a surveyor, and well known in that capacity in this and adjoining counties. He died in 1874, at the advanced age of seventy-six years, leaving a wife and eight children, by whom the memory of their father is held with that sacredness which all should but few do show. Mr. O'Neale was a man of refined manner, scholarly, and a great lover of books. As a reader he had few equals, and was perhaps one of the best posted men, polit- ically, this county has ever had. Religiously he was a believer in uni- versal salvation. His charity knew no bounds, and no beggar, however unworthy, was turned from his door unassisted. He was strictly moral, and ever ready to raise his voice in defense of right. His children, who are now taking their places upon the stage of action, are moral
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and honest, and have the respect of all their acquaintances, - the grandest monument ever built to a parent.
Harmon Uterback, farmer, Boston Store, was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, October 9, 1811, and is the son of Thompson and Elizabeth Uterback. His father was born in Virginia, but moved to Kentucky, and losing his farm there he came with his family to Wayne township in 1828. The county was then very thinly settled, and there were many wild hogs, deer, and other animals. In the year 1839 there were eighteen voters in Wayne township. From 1828 to 1840 the price of articles stood about as follows : corn, 25 cents; wheat from 35 cents to 50 cents; pork, $1.25 to $2.50; coffee, 20 cents, and sugar, 8 cents. In 1835 Mr. Uterback began teaming to Chicago, and has swam every stream between the Wabash and Chicago on an ox. Flour was about $12 per barrel, and salt about $10. Mr. Uterback's parents were members of the Christian church. His father started from Kentucky with $7, and got here with 50 cents. In 1849 he moved to Monroe county, Iowa, where he died in 1856. His mother died about 1845. His father was a democrat, voting first for Tyler when he ran for congress. Mr. Uterback began life for himself when twenty years old with nothing but an axe, which he still has in the form of a wedge. In 1882 he went with a man by the name of Bryant to "Door Prairie," La Porte county, and was there six months. He was also a frontier soldier in the Black Hawk war. Mr. Uterback has been very success- ful, now owning 520 acres, and is worth about $30,000. He has raised grass, wheat, corn, and stock. He has held the office of township trustee, and in politics is democratic, and voted first for Andrew Jack- son. He was married, the first time, to Miss Anna Wilson. She died in 1850. They had eight children, four of whom are living: Syntha A. Quick, Rhoda McIntyre, Thompson, and Morgan L. He was mar- ried, the second time, to Lois White. She is a member of the Meth- odist church. They had six children, three of whom are living : George, Mary E. Bomans, and Amy A. Hutchinson. His daughter Rhoda has a good education, and has taught school several terms. In 1838 Mr- Uterback's house burned, with a loss of about $400. He had only three weeks' schooling, but by experience, observation and reading he has become well informed and skillful in business. Mr. Uterback has a good memory, and can relate the trials and experiences of pioneer life with interest and ease.
Ambrose Remley, farmer, Crawfordsville, was born September 25, 1836, in Union township, Montgomery county. The biography of his father will be found in the biographical portion of Union township. Mr. Remley spent his boyhood on the farm and in a tan-yard, and had
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a good common-school education. He enlisted in Co. E, 72d Ind. Vols., . August 4, 1862. He fought in all the battles of the Atlanta cam- paign under Sherman, where for 100 days they were in almost cou- tinual fighting. He was at Hoover's Gap, Chickamanga, Farmington, Sill's Tan-yard, Selma (Alabama), Kennesaw Mountain, Platt Shoals, Rome, and many skirmishes, being in all about fifty engagements. It is noble and patriotic to fight and face death on the battle-field for one's country, especially when it is a free country. December 25, 1866, Mr. Remley received as a Christmas present Miss Minerva E. Shelly. She was born December 25, 1844. They have had four children : Isaac F., born April 19, 1868, died August 31, 1869; Frederic S., born January 10, 1871; Harvey C., June 14, 1873 ; Sarah J., August 11, 1876. Mr. Remley has a good farm of 320 acres, upon which he has a nice two- story house, with other improvements good. He votes as he shot, with the republican party. He and his wife are both members of the Center Presbyterian church of Crawfordsville. Mr. Remley is an in- telligent, enterprising, and well-respected citizen.
James Ball, farmer, Wesley, was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 2, 1817. His father, Dennis Ball, was born in Pennsylvania in 1779, and died in 1839. He was justice of the peace in Ohio for many years, In 1825 the Balls settled in Montgomery county, Indiana, where they entered 320 acres of land, the patent for this being signed by the "old man eloquent," J. Q. Adams. They were fourteen days on their journey to this county, which was then mostly a wilderness, covered with woods, and inhabited by wild beasts and Indians. Dennis Ball was county commissioner for several years, and was performing the duties of that office in the court-house at Crawfordsville when he died. September 12, 1805, he was married to Margaret Lyons. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1785, and died in 1866, and was a member of the Baptist church. James Ball has lived on the place where he now re- sides ever since his father came here, in 1825. He lias 150 acres of land, and has raised stock and grain on his farm, having been quite successful. February 11, 1840, he was married to Miss Catherine Hoff, who was born June 17, 1820, and is a member of the Baptist church. Her parents came from New Jersey, and settled in this county in 1833. They are both dead. Mr. Ball has had seven children : Nathaniel, Dennis, Robert, Benjamin, Maggie, Jennie, and Drusilla (the last two being dead). Was in the 5th Cav., 86th Ind. Vols., and was out three years, and was sick much of the time. Mr. Ball is a democrat in poli- tics, and has paid taxes ever since the very day he was of age. He is a good citizen.
William Monroe, retired, Waynetown, was born in Sciota county,
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ยท Ohio, October 2, 1812, and is the son of Jesse and Sarah (Gordon) Monroe. His mother was a member of the New Light church, and died in 1873. His father was a native of Maryland, and moved from there to Virginia, and in 1828 with his family settled in Union township, Montgomery county, and in 1836 moved to what is now Pratt county, Illinois, where he died in 1863. He was a member of the New Light church, and a democrat. William Monroe, the subject of this sketch, went with his father to Illinois in 1836, and remained there till Novem- ber, 1865, when he returned to this county and settled in Wayne town- ship. He was married January 28, 1835, to Miss Sarah J. Moore, daughter of Allen Moore. Her folks came from the same county in Ohio that Mr. Monroe did. She is a member of the Christian church. They have had no children of their own, but have had thirty children under their care at different times. They have schooled twenty-four, and eight of the girls have been married at their house. These chil- dren have all been orphans, or at least have had one parent dead. So charitable have Mr. and Mrs. Monroe been in this direction that their house has often been called the "Orphans' Home." Mr. Monroe used to trade some with the Indians, and in the early days he was quite renowned as a hunter, especially of deer. He is now in comfortable circumstances, and by reading and leisure enjoys with his wife the happiness of a mature and well spent life. Mr. Monroe is a democrat, voting first for Andrew Jackson.
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