History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 100

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664

USA > Indiana > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships > Part 100

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CHARLES E. FERRIS was born May 22, 1835, at New Castle, ITenry Co , Ind. His father, James S. Ferris, was promincotly identified with the early educational interests of Winchester, and all this part of the State. Ile was long a teschor in the seminary at Winchester, and occupied a high place as an educator. He located at Winchester about the year 1847, removing to Muncie at a subsequent date, und later to New Castle, serviug eight years as Auditor of Henry County. After several changes of location, he finally returned to Win- chester, remaining here until death. His son, Charles, enjoyed superior edu- cational advantages in youth, and under his father's instructions, acquired a comprehensive store of useful knowledge. In 1873, he began work at the tin- ner's trade, and was thus engaged for two years. He was thea engaged, for an equal length of time, as clerk in a drug store at Winchester, and in 1877, was appointed Deputy Postmaster, under F. M. Way. In this capacity he proved efficient and obliging, winning the regard of the public, and unconsciously gaining popularity for himself. In November, 1878, there were thirteen can- didates for the position of Postmaster, Mr. Ferris being the youngest among the number. Under the circumstances, the Representative in Congress (Gen. Browne) felt reluctant to make a selection or recommendation, and it was ac- cordingly decided to submit the matter to the people for adjustment. An elec- tion followed, at which Mr. Ferris received a flattering majority of all the votes cast, receiving thue a well merited testimonial to his ability and integrity. Ile is yet a young man, but he has developed the qualities that make substantial citizens, and it is reasonable to expect that his name may yet be prominently associated with the material interests of Winchester.

THE GOODRICH FAMILY.

The Goodrich family having enacted a somewhat prominent part in the history of Randelph County, and more especially of Winchester, within the last generation, some account of its origia and the causes that led to its identity with this county may not be inappropriate. In the latter part of the last ceo- tury, three young Englishmen-brothers-came to America, and first stopped in Massachusetts, but finally separated. Edmund B. went to Virginia, and, being quite wealthy, became a farmer and slave-holder in Amherst County. He had a family of eight children, named respectively : John B., Thomas, Edmund, Gideon, Susan, Catharine, Mildred and Abigail. John B., the father of the family of whom we write, died in Virginia, when his eldest een, Edmund B., assumed, in a manner, the fathership of the family. The family fortunes had become depleted, and he knew that there were few prospects favorable to a family without money in Virginia, and that if its members ever occupied the stations in life for which they were eminently qualified, their rise must be ac- complished in the newer settlements of the West. The father was a man of oulture aad education, and took great pains in the training of his children. Ile possessed a fine library, and was, himself, a close and constant student. After his death, the family resolved upon a removal to the West, and with them to re- selve was to act. They started in the unpropitions month of December, 1831, nod reached this point after a tedious journey of six weeks in wagons, in Feh- ruary, 1832. They had intended to locate in Delaware County, Ind., but an accident te osc of their wagons in the wilds of Randolph County caused a delay which eventuated in a permanent settlement in this county. Edmund had mar- ried prior to his departure from Virginia, and after his arrival in Randolph County, purchased the farm adjoining town, now owned by the widow of his eldest son, John B. Goodrich, while his mother purchased land on White River, two miles northwest of Winchester, this farm being still owned by a relative of the family. It was a dismal woodland when they first went to occupy it, and looked as little as possible like a farm. The house was the round log cabin of the period, with puncheons for the Hoor, a double mill-house door, with a notch cut out of the lower corner for the convenient ingress and egress of the cats. In due time, however, this cabin was superseded by a two-story hewed-log house, in which the family lived as long as they remained together. It was here that Mrs. Rebecca Goodrich, the mother, reared and educated the younger members of her family. She was truly & remarkable woman. She was the daughter of Mr. Pierce, of Petersburg, Va., the family being connected with some of the oldest and best families of the Old Dominion, viz., the Watkins, Lees and others. She had enjoyed educational and literary advantages, and training of a high order, a fact that bore a marked effect in the training of her sens and daughters. She was married at the early age of fifteen years, and hecame the mother of fourteen children, all of whom grew up to honorable and useful maturity. She was sinall of stature-never weighing more than ninety pounds-and rather delicate, but endowed with an energy, will-power, and tenacity of life seldom surpassed. She was the idol of her children, and having enjoyed the satisfac- tion of seeing theos grown up and take high stations among the best citizens, she sank to rest at length in pence and Christian hope, at the ripe age of eighty years. The older members of the family received their elementary elu- carien before leaving home, but the younger ones were compelled to rely, to a great extent, npon the limited advantages offered by this country in their day. It was a circumstance in their favor that there was quite a school, as well as a good library, at their own home, and many of our older realers, who were students in the old seminary, will remember the parts takea there by the Good- rich boys and girls.

EnMUND B. was endowed with a strong, comprehensive intellect, and his judgment was respected and deferred ta, not by his family alone, but by his outside acquaintances as well. He was not only making his mark, but writing his name upon the moral, reformatory and educational eater- prises of the time. He was a strong temperance man, and a leading member af the Methodist Episcopal Church. His house was the home of the itineraut preachers, and all who needed hospitality. He turned his attention to the study of the law, and was elected Judge of the Probate Court, and discharged the duties of that office with ability.

JOHN F., the third son, had received even a more thorough education than his brothers, and was, in all respects, a superior young man. He studied eur- veying and the higher mathematics, and was a scholar of unusually fine attain- ments. When about twenty-one years of age, he started West, in advance of the family, to seek a location, and undoubtedly acquired a taste far travel and ad- venture, and a desire to see all that could be seen. For some time, he main- tained regular correspondence with the family, from various points in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, and finally in Texas. From the lust- named place, in his last letter home, he stated that the region was infested with Indians, and white men's lives were in danger. After the lapse of a long in- terval, in which no tidings came from him, it was learned that a dead body had been found with letters addressed to John F. Goodrich, and it is believed that he met his death at the hands of the Indians. He was a splendid specimen off manhood, and from his personal comeliness and fine physique, was regarded as the Adonis of the family, and his melancholy fate was a sad blow to them.

CAREY S., the fourth son, remained in Virginia several years after the family had left, having engaged himself to & dry goods firm at Petersburg for a certain length of time. At the expiration of this period he came to Winchester, where he and his brother Edmund opened a store, conducting, for a while, a prosper- ous business. Under some embarrassment, however, they closed out their busi. ness during one of the financial crises so cammon in these days; Carey then turned his attention to the legal profession. He was admitted to the bar, and achieved some success as a counselor, though not as a pleader. He was a care- ful manager, and a shrewd business man, and accumulated, before his early death, quite a comfortable estate. He married Ann Hutton, sister of Jesse and the late John M. Ilutton, of Richmond. The fruits of this union were three

314

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

children, of whoin Annie, the wife of Albert L. Jessup, of Winchester, is the only survivor.

ALFORD K. left home quite young, married, and lived several years in the Norohern part of this State. About twenty years ago he removed to Missouri, where he has ever since resided. He has been twice married, and renred a Inrge family.

GYORGE WHITEFIELD learned the carpenter's trade in early life, and after- ward devoted several months at Cincinnati to the study of the higher branches of that profession, in order to qualify himself for a inaster-huilder and designer. He married Jane, daughter of Adam MePherson, formerly of Ohio, and located at Pern, Ind. About the time of the riots between the friends and enemies of slavery in Kansas, he removed to thnt State, but finally drifted into South western Missouri. He was a radical enemy to slavery, and was outspoken and fearless. During the war, he was captured hy Price's soldiers, who started to take him to a rebel prison, but on the march he became se lame that they abandoned him to his fate. Slowly and painfully he made his way back to his home, and, nt the earliest day possible, returned with his family to his former home nt Peru, Ind., having lost nearly everything he had possessed but his energy. He began a mercantile business there, and, up to the time of hie death, enjoyed a satisfactory and lucrative trade. His family consisted of fifteen children, only Bix of whom reached maturity.

CALVIN G. was, perhaps, endowed most largely with the characteristic en- ergy ef the family. Ile took to work and business, ns a bey, with the most un- bounded ambition. After obtaining such an education us the enrly schools afforded, he secured a scholarship and availed himself of the advnutnges offered by Asbury University, and became a teacher in the County Seminary at Win- chester, when that school was first opened. But he did not leng continue the vocntion of tenching ; he determined upon the adoption of a profession, and chose that of medicine. Ho studied with the late Dr. Vaile, of Richmond, Ind., and attended lectures nt the Medical College of Ohio in 1845-46, and for a while practiced with his former preceptor, Dr. Vaile, his health being greatly impaired by overwork. His energy often overruled his judgment, and he always hnd & disposition to do more than one man's work. Although possessing originally & good constitution, he never fully regained his health after it once began to fail. He married Mary, daughter of John Wall, of Richmond, Ind., and engaged in the practice al Knightstown, Ind., but seon removed to Oxford, Ohio, where he remained twenty years, acquiring a superior reputation as a physician, and Re- cumulating a comfortable fortune. Finally, he removed to Minneapolis, Minn., for the benefit of his health, pursning there n successful professional career until 1880, when he died, leaving a widow and four grown children, two sons and two daughters.

MARTIN LUTHER, being next to the youngest son, remained longest nt the old homestead, but prepared himself for the profession of school tenching, and taught for a while, but soon turned his attention te agricultural pursuits. Ile was married and in prosperone circumstances in Southwestern Missouri nt the beginning of the war, but was obliged to bring his family North for several years, and never returned to that locality. In 1866, he located in Washington County, Mo., with impaired health, and died shortly afterward, leaving his second wife and two daughters by n former marringe, who still reside in that part of the State.

CHARLES T., the youngest of the family, nlse started as a teacher, but when a mere boy, developed a taste for commerce, and, with scarcely a dollar of means, went to Cincinnati to engage in business. Ile became a clerk in n notion store, and hns steadily and industriously worked his way upward, until he is now the hend of the house of Goodrich, Pecle & Co., one of the most extensive notion houses on Pearl street, Cincinnati. He married Mise Nanie, daughter of Dr. Brown, of Cincinnati, in 1860, and has now a family of five children.

It is worthy of remark that this family has, in its individunl members, ex- emplified n high moral tone in the community, and is n flock without the tradi- tional "hlnok sheep." None of the boys ever used intoxicating liquor as a beverage, nor did they ever use tobacco or profane language.

Of the daughters of the family there were five, and all were Indics of supe- rier attainments. Celestina, the eldest, married Christian Snidow in Virginia, and came to Randolph County, hving here several years, and finally removing to Tuscumbia, Ala., at the close of the war. Iler husband died in that city, und since then she has lived with her sister Jane, at Toledo, Ohio.

CAROLINE LOUISA married Dr. J. E. Beverly, of Winchester, in 1844, and died in 1854. She was the mother of five children, all of whom are deceased, save one son, John E., now at Chicago.

REBECCA P. married Thomas MeKim in 1840, and died in 1843, leaving one child, now deceased.

JANE A. Inarried Burgess W. Pierce, formerly a druggist nt Winchester. Later she removed with her husband to Toledo, Ohio, where she still resides. Their family consisted of two children, both of whom are now living at Atlanta, Ga., having married citizens of that place.

ANN E., second wife of Dr. John E. Beverly, was married in 1856, and is now living with her husband at Winchester. With her sister.Jane, she attended the Female Institute nt Oxford, Ohio, graduating in 1852. Five children were the fruits of her marriage, all of whom are now deceased, save two daughters -- Rebecen G. and Evn C., who reside with their parents at Winchester.

JOHN B. GOODRICH.

Among the prominent and enterprising citizens of Winchester, who have passed away, was the gentleman of whom we write. He was born in Virginia in September, 1831, and came to Randolph County, Ind., with his father, Ed- mund B. Goodrich, in February, 1832. He was renred in this county, und was widely known and universally estecmed. llc read law with his uncle, Carey S. Goodrich, und was admitted to the bar, achieving marked success in his pro- fession. He was engaged in the practice until 1860, associated first with his

uncle, C. S. Goodrich, and afterward with Hon, E. L. Watson. He was a very zenlous Republican, and for several years was Chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Randolph County. He was an enthusiastic worker, and rendered valuable and efficient service in organizing the Republican party in this county. Yet he was never ambitious for political preferment, and only once permitted himself to be a candidate fur nn elective office. This was in 1861, when he was nominated and elected Clerk of Randolph County, and for a period of eight years discharged the duties of that office. IFe was & hard worker, and hy his too close application to the work in this office, brought ou consumption, which ultimately cnused his denth. lle retired from the office in grently impaired health, and was never again able to engage in the practice of bis profession. From that time his health gradually declined, until 1872, when he died. He was a man in whom all felt the most implicit confidence, and in his death the community recognized a great loss. He was public- spirited and enterprising, ever aiding by liberal contributions such enterprises as turnpikes, railroads and others of a similar nature, and never hesitated to en- courage any project in the interest of public improvement. He was taken away in the prime of life, when his mental powers were nt their zenith, und in the midst of a professional career that was ever forward. He was qualified by nature and education fer altnost any station, but he shrank from politics, and preferred an unofficial life. He was conscientious and honorable in all his transactions, gaining the confidence and good-will of all with whom he had dealings. In a finaneinl sense he was reasonably successful, accumulating quite a con.fortable fortune, and at the time of his death owned 500 sores of land, in which was included the old Goodrich homestead of 160 acres. He was married in 1859 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Edger, Esq., of Win- chester. By this union they were the parents of six children, five of whom, with their mother, still survive. The sons are active, intelligent young men. At the close of the school term, they leave their studies for the active work of the farm, in which they engage with an energy and enthusiasm that betoken good results.

CHARLES GUTHEIL.

Charles Gntheil was born June 16, 1880, at Schrollbach, Bavaria, on the Rhine. He attended school until fourteen years of age, entering then upon an apprenticeship at the tanner's trade, with his father. In 1848, bidding fare- well to his parents and kindred in his native land, he embarked for the United States, landing at New Orleans in January, 1849. The craft in which he em- barked was a merchant vessel, and n slow sailer, owing to which the voyage was quite a tedious one. To add to the general discomfort, the vessel sprang aleak while in mid-ocean, and to keep her afloat the few passengers aboard were compelled to assist the crew at the pumps. Arriving at New Orleans, he embarked on a Mississippi River steamer for Cincinnati. During the voyage, the cholera broke out on board the boat, and a number of the passengers died. Altogether, his first experiences in America were not calculated to inspire grent enthusiasm or fondness for the country, but he learned, in time, to love his Adopted home, and to take an intelligent and patriotic part in its politica; and civil affairs. From Cincinnati he went to Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio, where he was employed at his trade until the following fall, returning to Cincinnati At that time, and working in a currying shop. In April, 1851, he removed to Dayton, Ohio, nud worked at his trade in that city for ten years. At the end of this period, he began business for himself, renting a small tanyard at Bell Broek, Greene Co., Ohio, where he conducted a very successful business until 1867. In that year, he came to Winchester, Ind., where he has ever since con- tinned to reside, pursuing the tanning business and conducting & entisfactory and lucrative business. He began on a small scale, but has gradually in- creased the proportions of his business until it now furnishes employment 10 from seven to eight men, including himself and son. Hie goods have a fine reputation, and the demand for them is constant. By economy and close at- tention to business, he has made good progress in a financial sense, and, although not wealthy, is yet in very comfortable circumstances. He is universally respected and esteemed by those who know him, and is recognized among the substantial and reliable business men of this community. In politics, he is an ardent Republican, and, while taking nn nctive interest in public affairs, hns never sought nor accepted publie office. He is identified with the Masonie fra- ternity of Winchester, having united with this order at Dayton, Ohio, in 1852. He is also n member of the Ancient Order of Druids. In the latter order he has passed all the chairs and taken all the degrees of the ledge, and for seven years wna Secretary of the lodge at Dayton. He was married, in 1856, to Miss Margaretha Welk, at Greenville, Ohio. Mrs. Gutheil was born in 1835, at Wur- temberg, Germany, and emigrated to New York in 1855, marrying within a year after her arrival in Americn. She is n model wife, and to her economy and prudent management of the household affairs, the husband owes much of the financial success that has erowned his life. They are the parents of four chil. dren, named, respectively, Augustus L., Matilda B., Charles G. and Arthur H. C. Augustus, the eldest son, is the book-keeper and cashier of the Transcript l'rinting Company, at Springfield, Ohio, and is a young man of fine business ability. Charles G. is assisting his father in the business, and ie a promising young man. Matilda remains at home, and Arthur HI. C., the youngest of the family, is attending school at Winchester.

MICHAEL C. GAFFEY. Bryan Gaffey, the father of this gentleman, was born in the County of Roscommon, Ireland, and was married to Margaret Carr, a native of Galway County, in the same island. He came to the United States in 1844, and to Winchester, Ind., in 1853, and is still a resident of this town. Michael, the subject of this sketch, was born February 11, 1854, at Winchester, Ind. He attended the public schools until fifteen years of age, when he left home to earn his living. He found employment with Elisha Mar- tin, working for his board, and attending school in the winter. He attended the high school nt Winchester for several terms, und from 1874 to 1880 wns engaged in teaching school during the winter. From 1877 to 1878 he served

Yours H. A. Thompson ATTY AT LAW.

RES. OF W. A. THOMPSON, WINCHESTER, RANDOLPH, CO. IND.

Andrew Stakebruke

ANDREW J. STAKEBAKE,

attorney at law, Winchester, Ind., was born in Preble County, Ohio, March 16, 1843. His father, John Stakebake, and his mother, Anna (Clark) Stakebake, were both natives of Penn- sylvania, removing from near Harrisburg to Preble County, Ohio, while quite young, where they were afterward married, and settled on a farm. Mr. Stakebake was a millwright, and devoted most of his time to his trade, while his wife, a lady of excellent executive ability, managed the affairs of the farm. They were the parents of seven sons and four daughters, the subject of this sketch being the seventh child. The family removed to Randolph County, Ind., in 1853, and settled on a farm four miles south of Winchester. The youthful days of Andrew J. were spent much as the average farmer's son of that day, in clearing and preparing the ground for cultivation and producing crops for the maintenance of the family. He had very little opportunity for gaining education, as the public schools did not continue more than from two to three months per year, and circumstances often hindered him from gaining all the benefits of even this limited time. At the breaking-out of the rebellion he determined to volunteer, and, upon August 5, 1861, he returned to his old neighborhood in Ohio, and en- listed as a private in Company E, Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Although but a boy in years, he entered heartily into the campaigns, and willingly shared the hardships of a soldier's life. He participated with his regiment in many severe conflicts, among the more noted of which are Mill Springs, Pittsburg Landing and Shiloh, siege of Corinth,

Stone River, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, escaping unhurt until the last-named, during which he was wounded four times, one of which was very severe, breaking his left arm, on account of which he remains an invalid. Not recov- ering sufficiently for duty, he was honorably discharged October 17, 1864. After his return, he attended school at Winchester for two years, after which he engaged in teaching in the public schools for three years. In 1869, he was ap- pointed Deputy County Treasurer, and served until he was elected County School Examiner, June 5, 1871, the duties of which office he discharged with ability and success one term. During the entire time from his discharge to this date, he had been preparing himself as best he could for the practice of law, having to pay his way by teaching or other labor, and study at brief intervals, as opportunity offered. He has since been actively engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, and always with ability and success. He married Miss Ann Elizabeth Jaqua, daughter of Dr. Charles Jaqua, of Win- chester, Ind., December 26, 1871, a lady of most excellent character and social qualities. The union has been a happy one; they have a pleasant home, and a daughter and son of bright promise-Mary and Neal B. Mr. Stakebake is a pro- nounced Republican, though never engaged largely in politics. He is not a member of any church, but liberal in his views toward all. He is a member of I. O. O. F., taking high rank in the order. His business life has been very successful. He is in all respects a self-made man, of excellent qualifications, which give promise of still greater usefulness in the future.

315

WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

as Deputy Surveyor uuder E. C. Hiatt, and was elected County Surveyor in 1878, and re-elected in 1880. He has grown up in this community, and is well and favorably known throughout the county. He is in all respecte a self- made man, having worked his way from comparative poverty to a comfortable position. He has been very successful in his business ventures, and although still a young man, has amassel a fortune that places him above the possibility of want. He is honorable and opright in all his dealings, and possesses the confidence and esteem of all with whom he is associated. In politics, he is identified with the Republican party, and has always taken an setive and hearty interest in its success.

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History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 100

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman Number of Pages: 664

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664