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 104

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 104

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RALPH V. MURRAY.

Ralph V. Murray was born December 4, 1841, in Henry County, Ind. He was reared on a farm, and acquired a good common school education in boy- hood. When only twenty years of age, he left home and friends to do his part in preserving the national integrity as a soldier in the Union army. He enlisted in August, 1861, in Company D, of the Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry, serving three years. He participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, until the second day of the fight at Chickamauga. On that day he received a severe gun-shot wound in the left elbow, in consequence of which he was confined to the hospital for nine months. Rejoining hia regiment at the end of that time, he remained in the service until the expiration of his term of enlistment, and was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., in September, 1864. After the close of the war, he came to Randolph County, Ind., and for a while was engaged in photographing, at Farmland. Subsequently, however, he went to reside with his father, in Nettle Creek Township, the latter having removed to Randolph County during the war. After the close of the war, and until the fall of 1880, he was engaged chiefly in agricultural pursuits. In the spring of that year, he became the nominee of the Republican party for the office of Sheriff of Ran- dolph County, and in the fall of that year was elected by an overwhelming

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WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP ..

majority. Ha assumed the duties of his new position in 1881, and during his inoumbenoy has proved himself a faithful and efficient officer, performing his duties In a manner to reflect credit upon himself and afford satisfaction to the public. In March, 1866, Mr. Murray was united in marriage with Miss Frances J., daughter of Rev. O. P. Boyden. By this union they are the par- ents of five children, all of whom sra now living to bless and cheer their home. By his faithful service in the army, and his upright, honorable life at home, Mr. Murray has gained many friends, smong whom he is held in the highest esteem. He was one of the charter members of Nelson Trussler Post, G. A. R., and is an active member of that organization.

MOSES A. MILLS was born November 15, 1851, In Wayne County, Ind. His father, John B. Mills, was also a native of that county, and was married thers to Jane Locke. He came to Randolph County, with his family, in 1857, and located on a farm In West River Township, where he still resides. Moses, the subject of thissketch, was reared on the home farm, attending school in the win- ter and assisting in the work of the farm during the remainder of the year. At the age of fifteen years, he went to learn the blacksmith's trads, at which he is now engaged in Winchester. He was married, in March, 1870, to Miss Sarah Huston, daughter of David M. Hustou, an early settler of White River Town- ship. By this union they are the parents of three children, viz., Orla A., Bertha A. and Insa P. Mr. Mills is an honest, industrious man, and enjoys the respect of the community In which he resides.

JOHN NEFF, late of Winchester, was born near Harrisburg, Penn., in the year 1770. While a boy, he learned and was employed at the carpenter's trade. When he grew up to manhood, ha removed to Virginia, where he was united in marriage to Miss Susannah Gray. Having conceived very strong anti-slavery sentimenta, he decided to quit the Old Dominion and try his fortune in the free bat then Little-known West, and accordingly, In 1805, removed to Cincinnati, Ohio. A few months subsequent, he entered 160 acres of land nesr the present olty of Eaton, Ohio, to which he removed his family. Not having any house, he split some boards and covered his goods, to shelter them from the weather, until he could erect s cabin. He had no neighbors within easy reach, and was really one of the pioneers of that region. He cleared and brought under culti- vation quite a handsome farm, and remained upon it until 1883, when he re- moved with his family to Randolph County, Ind., buying first the John Eltz- roth farm, adjoining on the north the farm now used for asylnm purposes, and afterward 100 acres adjoining Winchester, at which latter place he died in 1855, at the advanced age of eighty-five years, his wife having preceded him in 1852, at the age of seventy-eix. Mr. and Mrs. Naff were the parents of aleven children, five boys and six girls, and when the youngest (Col. H. H. Neff), was forty years old, the family circle was yet unbroken by death. Six of the eleven children yet survive, in the enjoyment of reasonable good health. Mr. Neff voted for Washington in 1793, for Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, J. Q. Adams, Henry Clay, etc., and was a prominent Whig during all the latter part of his life. In religious persuasion, he was s Presbyterian. He never held an office, though active In political matters. He was a Captain in the milltis, though never In active service. By industry, he accumulated a comfortable fortune for that day, and always occupied a high position in the estimation of his neighbors and friends. Five of aix surviving children live In Winchester, and have always been among her most valued citizens.

JOHN NEFF, Winchester, Ind., son of John Neff, Sr., was born in Preble County, Ohio, March 4, 1818, the day of the second inauguration of President Madison. His opportunities for obtaining school education were very limited, having to walk three miles to attend the brief terms of that early day. Ha learned to read in the spelling book and Testament. At the age of seventeen, he began to learn printing st Eaton, Ohio; one year after, he worked at Center- ville, Ind., and subsequently, was engaged at the same business st Liberty, Ind. Ha then returned to Eaton, Ohio, where he engaged as salesman in a general supply store for three years. In 1887, he married Miss Harriet N. Holmes, a native of Pennsylvania, a lady of most excellent character, who is, in every way, a worthy companion. They are the parents of four children, two of whom are living. In 1889, Mr. Neff removed to Wincheater, and was engaged as olerk for Michael Aker until 1841, when the voters of Randolph County elected him Treasurer, the duties of which office ha discharged in a highly sat- isfactory manner one term. Shortly after the expiration of his official term, he was commissioned Captain in the volunteer service in the war with Mexico. Capt. Neff was stationed at St. Louis, Mo., and engaged in forwarding supplies and sttending as one of the executive officers to the support of the army in the field, in which capacity he performed valuable service. After the close of the Mexican war, he was honorably discharged and returned to Winchester, where he was again engaged in the grocery business for three years ; he then engaged in the grain trade, & pursuit in which he has continued for over thirty years. Through his long and honorable osreer, he has ever been active, energetic and fairly successful, commanding the respect and consideration of his fellow-citi- zens. In politics, Mr. Neff is a conservative Democrat, though never engaged in political wrangles. In his religious connections, a Presbyterian, though ex- tending full consideration to all evangelical churches. He belongs to sil de. partments of the Masonic order, and takes high rank among the membership of thet ancient and honorable order. He is one of the two surviving charter mem- bera of Winchester Lodge, No. 56, F. & A. M.

JOHN ENOS NEFF, son of the above worthy couple, John and Harriet N. Neff, was born in Winchester October 26, 1846. John Enos was educated in the public schools of his native town, and, for a time, attended the State Uni- veraity at Bloomington. He studied law with Gen. Tom Browne ; was ad- mitted to the bar, and began the practice in his native county. He was & mem- ber of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment Indians Volunteer Infun- try, in what was known as the "hundred days service," being at that time only eighteen years old. In 1872, he received the nomination from the Demo- cratic party for Congress in his district, then represented by that veterau Con- gressman, Gen. J. P. C. Shanks. He at once engaged in a gallant and enthuai- astio canvass, developing rare qualities as a campaign speaker and expounder

of hia party'a views on National and State policy. The election was so close that ho, in common with many of his friends, believed he was elected by & small majority, but it was decided against him by s Republican Congress. He at least enjoyed the high reputation gained in the canvass, and the satisfaction of reducing s large adverse majority to the smallest possible aize. Hia defeat, under the circumstances, rather increased than diminished his popularity, and, in 1874 he was elected Secretary of State for the State of Indiana, to which position he was re-elected in 1876, discharging the important trust with marked ability and satisfaction to all parties. Since the expiration of his official term, he has been engaged in the practice of law in Winchester, and is, at this time, in partnership with Col. Martin B. Miller. It is rare that one so young as he has been called to fill positions of so great truat, but the universal satisfaction with which he has discharged every duty devolving upon him, and his known popularity with the masses of his party, give promise that, If it ia again in power, he may be offered positions where he will enjoy a wider field for his abilities. He is not a member of any church, and is liberal in his views on re- ligious questions. He is & Mason-a member of Winchester Lodge, No. 56, and Randolph Royal Arch Chapter, No. 35, and takes high rank among the brotherhood.

COL. H. H. NEFF.

Henry H. Neff has long been a prominent citizen and aotive business man of Winchester, and one of the most energetic workers in its public enterprises. He was born Juna 5, 1815, near Eaton, Preble Co., Ohio. His father, John Naff, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, sad the descendant of German ancestors. His mother, whose maiden name was Susanna Gray, was a native of Virginia. Henry remained at home until asvantsan years of age, acquiring at the common schools a good English education. In the fall of 1832, he went to Eaton, in company with his brother John, to learn the printer's trade, under the instruc- tion of Dr. F. A. Cunningham and John Vensusdsl, Esq., remaining until the spring of 1884. His employers sold out st that time, and he went to Conners- ville, Ind., and engaged with Matthew R. Hull, who afterward became famous as a radical anti-slavery and temperance advocate. He was at that time pub- lisher of the Indisna Sentinel, s sterling Whig paper, and Mr. Neff was one of his assistants for about a year. He was subsequently employed in the office of the Herald, at Liberty, Union Co., Ind. While at the latter place, his health failed, and he was taken home by his father to Wincheater, Ind. He remained at home until his health was restored, and in July, 1886, secepted an engage- mant with Thomas Tigar, editor of the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Sentinel, remaining in his employ for sighteen montha, during s part of which tima he was foreman of the office. Mr. Tigar finally sold the establishment to George W. Wood, in whose employ Mr. Neff remained until 1888. In that year, he returned to Winchester, Ind., and engaged in the retail grocery trade. In the following year, he embarked in the drug trade with Dr. Robert Woody, at Winchester, and continued in this business for four yeare. On October 22, 1843, he issued the first number of the Winchester Patriot, the first newspaper ever published in Randolph County. He continued the publication of the Patriot with marked success for four years, selling the office at that time in order to give his time fully to his duties as the Representative from this county In the State Legisla- ture, to which he was elected in 1847. The Indianapolis & Bellefontaine Rail- way was then projected, and he became a candidate for this position, with the view of doing his utmast to sid in securing the charter for that road. At the expiration of his official tarm, however, he purchased the paper from its new proprietors, and resumed its management. In 1860, he received the appoint- ment of Deputy United States Marshal, to taka the census of Randolph County. He performed the duty slone, except in the township of Nettle Creek, which was canvassed by Thomas W. Reece, Eaq., completing the labor and making a full return within the six months allotted by law. In 1852, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court for Randolph County, and at that time made & final aale of the Patriot office. During that campaign, there were three parties in the field with candidates. The Democrats had been in the ascendancy, and the Free-Soil element greatly weakened the strength of the Whigs. Mr. Neff way the candidate of the latter party, and was the only one elected on that ticket at that election, his majority being 248. In 1856, by the unanimous voice of the convention, he was again the candidate for this office, and was elected by a majority of 900. The office was no sinecure, and faithful and arduous work marked the entire period of his incumbency. He retired from the office after a service of eight years, and removed to a farm south of Winchester. Shortly afterward, however, he returned to this place, and embarked in the grain trada with his son-in-law, Mr. Teal. In 1868, he went with & herd of cattle to the prairies of Champaign County, Ill., and during the summer of that year was engaged in watching them and preparing them for market. Upon his return, he was urged by Gov. Morton to assist in raising a regiment for the United States service for the suppression of the rebellion. He entered enthusiastic- ally into this work, and was commissioned Captain of Company G, of the One Hundred sod Twenty-fourth Indiana Ragiment. The organization of the regi- ment was completed st Indianapolis, and Capt. Neff was promoted to the office of Major. The regiment was assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps, under Gen. Schofield, leaving Indianapolis in March, 1864, and proceeding to Nash- ville. They were sent to the front, and took part in the Atlanta campaign, under Gen. Sherman, but instead of accompanying him on the march to the ses, they were ordered back to Nashville. They participated in the fight at Columbia, Tenn., and in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. After the terrible conflict at Franklin, they marched te Nashville in the night, reaching that place at daylight on the following morning. They had been on duty two days and two nights without sleep, and many of their number fell by the road- aide from sheer exhaustion. They pursued the rebel Gen. Hood as far as Columbia, Tenn., after which they were recalled, and ordered to Washington City. On February 22, 1865, they embarked in an ocean steamer for North Carolina, landing st Besufort, and march to Nowbern and Raleigh to join Gen. Sherman's advancing columns. They were engaged in the battle of

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

Wise's Fork, near Kingston, N. C., from the 8th to the 10th of March, 1865. At this battle, Col. Neff was beresved of his son, Capt. J. L. Neff, who fell in the conflict, pierced by an enemy's bullet. He was conveyed to his home by his father and interred in the cemetery at Winchester, amid the tears and sympathy of the community among whom he had been reared, and who knew him as & noble young man. His father had been commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, and after the funeral of the son, returned to perform his duty as a soldier. He accompanied his command to Greensboro and Charlotte, but in May, 1865, resigned his commission and returned to Winchester. From that time to the present he has been engaged in the lumber business at Winchester, first as a partner with his son-in-law, Mr. Teal, in the black walnut timber trade, this relation existing for four or five years. In 1871, he became the senior member of the firm of Neff, Teal & Fisher, dealers in pine lumber. This firm was dissolved in 1879, and in June, 1880, Col. Neff became the agent at this point for the firm of Osterhaut & Fox, lumber dealers, of Grand Rapids, Mich. In the fall of 1881, he was chosen President of the Winchester Wagon Works and Manufacturing Company, in which capacity he still continues to act. He has al- ways taken a leading and active part in the business interests of the town of Winchester, and has expended both time and money to promote the welfare of the town and county. The " Bee Line " railroad probably had not a more active friend along the line of its proposed route, when projected as the " Indianapolis & Bellefontaine " Railway. He was quick to perceive the advantages that must accrue to this county through the possession of such a rond, and Imbored long and earnestly to further the success of the project. As a member of the Legislature, he used all his influence to secure a charter for the road, and as a private citizen he exerted his powers to enlist the sympathy and co-operation of his neighbors throughout the county. When the present Duyton & Union Railroad was projected, he made a strong effort to have the road continued to Winchester, making this town its western terminus, convinced that such an event would have added an impetus and life to the town, and mede it an im- portant center of manufacture and commerce. By his long residence at Win- chester, and his active association with its public enterprises, he has become widely known and very popular throughout the conuty. In fact, this was true of him when & young man ; for in 1841, when enly twenty-six years of age, he waa Independent Whig candidate for Auditor of Randolph County, and although there were three aspirante in the field besides himself, his personal popularity nearly erected him. Mr. Eaton, the regular Democratie nominee, was the suc- sessful candidate, leading Mr. Neff by only fourteen votes. He was always an active politician, and was the first to propose and advocate the method now iu vogue of nominating candidates by " primary elections." He was always an earnest advocate of temperance, and an earnest worker in the cause. He was a member of the Washingtonian Society, and a charter member of the first lodge of the Sons of Temperance organized st Winchester. In 1845, he was "made & Mason," and is still in active fellowship with the order. He has passed the various stations of the lodge, and is a member of the Royal Arch degree, as well as the Commandery. Since 1843, he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his life has been consistent with his profes- sion. In private and public life, among all who know him, be is esteemed as n man of honer and high principle, true to his friends, and generous to those who differ from him. He has been twice married. First, in 1839, to Miss Eliza- beth Carr, daughter of John Carr, a highly respected citizen of Rush County, Ind. By this union they were the parents of four children. In 1862, his wife died, and three years later he married Miss Margaret, daughter of William Mitchell. Her father was a prominent business man of Wayne County, Ind., and later of Peru, Ind. His daughter is a lady of superior accomplishments and wifely qualities, and a general favorite in the social circle. Their wedded life has been blessed by two sons and two daughters. The latter are both liv- ing, but the sons are deceased. Col. Neff and his worthy companion are socishle and genial, und their kindness and hospitality have won them many friende, among whom they are highly esteemed.

CAPT. JAMES L. NEFF.

James Lawrence Neff, son of Henry H. and Elizabeth (Carr) Neff, was born October 24, 1845, at Winchester, Ind. He attended school in the seminary at this place, where he acquired a good primary education. In 1861, he entered the Northwestern University, at Indianapolis, where he remained one year. At the end of that time he entered the State University, at Bloomington, Ind., remaining until the holiday season of 1868. During that vacation, he returned to Winchester, and Inter went to visit his father, who was then in camp with his regiment at Camp Wayne, near Richmond, Ind. While visiting the camp, he organized n company for the service, which hecame Company Il, of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment, and of which he was at once elected Captain. In his school life, from first to last, he manifested talents of a supe- rior order, and always ranked with the best of his class-mates. He was a young munn of bright mind, and doubtless would have become an ernament to society in a professional career had not the war changed his purposes for the time, and led him to abandon his studies, to throw into the conflict for the mainte- nnnee of National integrity all the enthusiasm and valor of his young life. It was his purpose to resume his studies when the peril that menaced the Union should have passed, and order and pesce restored. But in the struggle he yielded up his life, n encrifice to patriotism, and his spirit winged its flight from the gory field of Kingston, leaving tu his friends and relatives only a memory of a noble, though brief, career. He was mustered in as Captain in February, 1864, and at once took charge of the company, drilled and equipped it, and in the following month went to the front. He was with his regiment in all the battles of the Atlanta campaign, and in the terrible conflicts of Frank- lin and Nashville, Tenn., and under his dauntless leadership his company acquitted themselves nobly in every engagement. At the battle of Wise's Fork, near Kingston, N. C., Capt. Neff fell at his post, pierced by a ball from n rebel rifle. Earlier in the fight a minie ball had struck him, producing

momentary unconsciousness, but, recovering himself, he advanced again to the head of his company, leading them in the charge until he received the wound that proved instantly fatal. On the day of his death he had been appointed Officer of the Day, having charge of the brigade skirmish-line. At allout 4 o'clock in the afternoon, just before the rebels fell back, he was advancing his skirmish line, when he received his death wound. Even on that field of earnage, where the dead and dying were lying about hy scores, the departure of this one brave young spirit cast a pall of sorrow. In years, a boy, but in soul and courage a man, he commanded the respect and ad- miration of his superior officers, and the love of his subalterns, to whom he was uniformly kind and courteous. And if the news of his death cast & pall ever that hattle-field, etrewn as it was with the victims of patriotism, how must it have wrung the hearts of his loved ones at home ? He was the only son ; and to him fond parents and loving sisters had looked up, with happy anticipa- tions of a bright career, when " war's grim labor " should no longer hold him from the pursuits to which he aspired. These hopes and aspirations were buried with him in the soldier'e grave. Instances are rare in which a mere boy is intrusted with the command of a company, and his ense, perhaps, had not a parallel in the army. He was only eighteen years old when he took charge of the company, yet he discharged the duties of his position with the ability and intelligence of a man of mature years, and was the recognized equal and associate of officers who had grown gray in the service. His fellow- officers felt his loss deeply, and at a meeting held on camp on the field, near Mosely Hill, N. C., on the 28th of March, 1865, passed a series of appropriate and touching resolutions, of which the following is an extract .:

"Resolved, That in the death of Capt. J. L. Neff, Company H, One Hun- dred and Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, who was killed while lending his mien in the charge against the enemy at Wise's Forks, N. C., on the 10th of March, 1865, we have sustained an irreparable loss. He was brave, courteous and excellent in all that constitutes a good soldier; and although young to oc- cupy the position he did, he exhibited in the performance of his duties ability beyond his years. It ie the will of Divine Providence that we should lose him in the spring-time of life, with a promising future to himself, and the pride of a doting father and friends, but we rejoice to know that he was a sacrifice to his country, and that he fell in the face of the enemy, bravely lead- ing his men to victory."

Upon the reception of the newe of his death, the members of the Philoma- thean Society of Indiana University met in their hall to do honor to his mem- ory, and passed the following resolutions :

" WHEREAS, We are informed of the end intelligence of the death of our late esteemed hrother, Capt. James L. Neff, of the One Hundred and Twenty- fourth Indiana Regiment, who fell at the battle of Kingston, N. C., and

"WHEREAS, While we humbly bow before the Divine deeree, we cannot refrain from sorely lamenting, with feelings of grief and lasting regret, the loss of so noble and patriotic u brother. Therefore, be it

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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 104

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