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 115

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 115

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DAVIDSON CHEESMAN, farmer, P. O. Winchester, was born in Wayne County, Ind., December 18, 1836, and is a son of Ebenezer and Jene (Culbert- sen) Cheesman, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Bourbon County, Ky. Mr. Checsman was brought up on s farm, and educated in a leg cabin, and sat on slab sests, and wrote on a beard, supported by pins in the wall ; he was married in 1856, to Miss Ann Taylor, by whom he has had nine children, seven living-John, Elmey, Minnie A., Corn M., Taylor, Eddie and Susan. Mr. Cheesman owned and ran a saw-mill and machine shop for about two yesre while in Wayne County. He came to this county in February, 1867, where he new resides, on Section 27, White River Township, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. Cheesman are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

GILBERT COATS, farmer, P. O. Winchester, was born in Randolph Coun- ty October 4, 1839, and is a son of Thomas W. and Sarah Coats (deceased), the former n native of Ohio, and the letter of Jay County, Ind. Mr. Coats was raised on s farm, and edneated in the common school. He helped his

father make s farm in the woods. October 5, 1867. he married Miss Lydia Pickett, a native also of this county, and daughter of William Piekett, an early Rettler of this county. They have seven children-Lerey, Sylvester, Loly B., lowa L., William T., Nellie and Mary E. Mr. Conts owns 120 acres of land in Section 23.

WILLIAM DIGGS was one of the earliest settlers on the banks of White River, and hore a prominent part in the history of Randolph Cenuty. He was born in 1794, in North Carolina, sod came to Randolph County, lod., in 1816 In the winter of that year, he was married, in the adjoining county of Wayne, to Charlotte, daughter of Ilenry Way ; he entered the northwest quarter of Section 24, in White River Township, on the 27th of September, 1816, and be- gan the labor of carving ont a farm from the woodland around him. llis fam- ily is believed to have been the first to settle on White River. Henry, Paul W., William and John Way come soon afterward, but notil their nrrival Mr. Diggs and his wife were alone in the forest, their nearest neighbors being located on Green's Fork, Nolan's Fork, and West River respectively. They were pioneers in the truest sense, and endured all the privations and hardships that cbarac- terize the early settlements of the West. Mrs. Digge .(when a girl), lived with her parents in Wayne County during the Indian war, and after the restoration of pence was told by the Indians : " We could have killed you easy enough, ns we lay in ambush, while you and your sister were out milking the cows." They had the courage to enter the wilds of this county, and despite all the hardships to which they were subjected, hew out a farm and establish a home. And here they renred their children, thirteen in number, training them for honorable and useful stations among the best citizens. In the years thint followed, when the light of civilization began to penetrate the forest, and tho constantly in- creasing population of the settlement brought with it a degree of progress and prosperity, they were found amoog the friends of public improvement and ad- vancement, and did all within their power to encourage enterprises fer the pub- lic goed. The land upon which Mr. Diggs located was the seventh tract entered in White River Township. Entering it thus, at the nominal price established by the Government, wne a circumstance greatly in his favor, as it appreciated rap- idly, and in later years represented a value of several thousands of dollars ; he was a strong, energetic man, and spent the best years of & vigorous manheod in the cultivation and improvement of his farm. He was an excellent neighbor, and in all respects a worthy member of society. He was attached to Dunkirk Meeting, one of the earliest organizations of the Society of Friende, sod was known always as an honorable, upright man, one whose life was consistent with his professions of Christianity. He lived to see the backwoods settlement of his early manhood grow into a populous and thrifty farming community, and the county in whose forests he first wielded the pioneer's nx take its place as ene of the foremost in the State. His wife died many years ago, but he stilt sur- vives, bordering closely upon the nge of ninety years; he now lives in Iowa, having accompanied his childreo to that State several years ago. Of his chil- dren, eight only new survive. Fanny, the oldest, married Matthew Hill, and now resides nt Jericho ; Ruth, resides at Farmland ; Pleasant, Joseph, Anthony und Henry, resides in the State of Iowa; Anna, wife of Jessie Reynard, resides east of Buena Vista, and Eunice, wife of Thomas Moorman, resides at Winches- ter.

SQUIRE DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Saratoga, was born in Wayne County, Ind., December 4, 1826, and ie a son of Samuel and Nancy Davis. They came to this county in 1831, and settled in the woods. There was no road to Winchester except a trail. His father went all the way to Richmond, Ind., to mill, on horseback, a distance of twenty miles. Mr. Davis went to school in a log cabin, sat on a slab seat, and wrote on a board supported on pins in the wall. He was married in 1848 to Miss Mary Haworth, a native of Winchester, and daughter of David Haworth. They have had eleven children, of whom seven are living-Favilln, Asn, Emeline, William R., Francis M., David H. and Mary A. Mr. Davis wns a soldier in the Inte war for eight months, but was sick all the time and unable for duty. He owns fifty-six acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are worthy members of the United Brethren Church.

WILLIAM H. DEMORY.

William II. Demery, son of John and Sarah (Robinson) Demory, was born in Guilford County, N. C., July 4, 1826. He is the eighth of a family of eleven children, of whom three are new living and residing in this State. Ilis father was born a slave, in Charlestewn S. C., in 1786, and his mother was also born a slave, in Guilford County, N. C., in 1790. His mother obtained her freedom by the " will " of her master when she was eiglitcen years of age. His father remained in slavery until he was twenty-six years of age, when he ran away from his master and came to this State and county. His first attempt to run away was unsuccessful. His pursuers caught and bound hin ; but while they were comfortably partaking of n repast, the ropes thet bound him were eut by William Knott, and he made his esenpe, and in order to elude the dogs that were set on his trail he swam n millpond, and waded n stream for some distance, when he left the water and took to the woods. He came to this county about the year 1827, when he was soon after joined by his family. During the "Nat " Turner Insurrection, John Demory was accused of being implicated, and his life was in danger. This was the principal canse of his leaving the South. His life ns a slave was not a severe one, being a light mulstto. handsome and intelli- gent, his master selected him ns & personal servant. The subject of this sketeh left his home in North Carolina, May 12. 1840, at the age of fourteen years, and went to New York City, where he was employed as waiter in hetels for one year. Ile served in this capacity in the Howard, Astor and Broadway Hotels. While serving at these hotels, he became acquainted with n ses captain, whe induced him to enter into his employ as a body servant on the sloop of war " James K. Polk." They mnde & voyage to Gibraltar, where the vessel was burned. After this event, he accompanied his Captain on a six-months' voyage along the coasts of Africa, Italy and France. He then returned to the United States, arriving at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, nnd embarked on the steam-

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

ship " Washington " (the first steamship ever built in America), in the capacity of a steward. He made two trips to Europe on this vessel, when he was transferred to the " Herman," in which he made two trips to Germany. He than embarked on the sailing vessel " Iroquois," as Second Assistant Stew- ard. He made one round trip to Europe in this vessel, which required forty- two days. So soaree were the provisions on this trip that the officers and passengers were put on half-rations for ten days, and the stewards resorted to the contents of the swill barrel to keep from starvation. He then went to Montreal, Canada, where he was employed in the Donegans Hotel as waiter, where he remained for four months. Ile then went to Cincinnati, and em- harked on the steamer " Pike No. 3," as Second Steward. He made one round trip to New Orleans on this vessel, where he was employed ou the " Fanny Bullett," named in honor of the daughter of Judge Bullett, of Kentucky He remained on this vessel seven or eight months as steward, running from Louis- ville to New Orleans. While on this steamer, Mr. Demory was in constant and great danger of being kidnaped, and in order to avoid this he resorted to the strategy of getting up & false bill of sale, and placing it in the care of a friend, who claimed him 89 his elave. In this transaction, Mr. Demory placed his lib- erty entirely at the mercy of this friend, but his trust was not betrayed. After his service on the " Fanny Bullett," he embarked on the Red River expedition on the " Echo No. 2." This vessel ran from New Orleans to Shreveport, La. After one year's service on the " Echo " ns Steward, he was transferred to the " Magnolia," which ran from St. Louis to New Orleans. He served on this vessel for one year, when he was transferred to the Missouri River packet " James H. Lucas, ' where he remained for one year. lle then returned to Cincinnati, and was employed in fitting out six packets for the Upper Missis- sippi trade. He was thien employed on the "itaska," running from St. Louis to St. Paul. He remained on this vessel for one year, when he was employed for a fow mouths on the " Roger Williams," running from Madison to Louis- ville, on the Ohlo River. This ended Mr. Demory's life on the waters, after a service of nearly twelve years. In the year 1859, he came to this county, and rented land for three years. He then purchased eighty acres. He has been engaged in farmiag and stock raising ever since he came to the county. His farm is well improved, with good buildings, and sixty seres of land under culti- vation, Mr. Demory is a florist of considerable notoriety. He has a fine col- lection of rare and besutiful plante. He also gives considerable attention to horticulture. He was married to Marthe E. Seroggins June 24, 1851. This union has never been blessed with any children, but Mr. and Mrs. Demory have had the raising and educating of three children until grown up, and now have two children under their parental care. They are both acceptable mem- bers of the Christian Church. Mr. Demory has a good education, considering his advantages. In addition to the common district schools, he has attended one term at ()berlin College, Ohio. He takes an unusual and active interest in the subject of education, and has done much for the cause in this county and elsewhere. He has always been a stanch Republican in sentiment, and bas acted and voted with that party since the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. He is a man of superior intelligence, is in- dustrious and frugal, well to do in the world, and & moral, upright eitizen.

ELI EDWARDS (deceased) was born in North Carolina February 3, 1808, and was a son of Jonathan Edwards, who removed, with his family, to this county in 1817. Jonathan Edwards cut the firet tree on the present site of Winchester. They had Indians for neighbors, and the Edwards boys played with the Indian boys. On one occasion, when Mr. Edwards was chopping in the timber, an Indian elipped up under cover of the thick brush, and jumped up behind him, and bolloaed " Hoo, hoo," just simply for amusement. He accomplished his object, for it frightened Mr. Edwards nearly out of his wits. The Indians would sometimes nak for dinner, and would always take all the victuals from the table, carrying off what they could not eat, Wild game was abundant. One day, old Mr. Edwards went in search of a deer, and while gone the dogs ran a deer into the yard. Mrs. Edwards ran to their assistance with the ax, and dispatched Mr. deer on short notice. She then prepared a nice dinner for Mr. Edwards, who returned late in the day, tired and hungry, with no game. Our subject, Eli Edwards, like all pioneer boys, had to work very hard in olearing up a farm. When grown, he opened up a farm for himself, which is now occupied by his widow and heirs. He lost one of his oxen, and he rande harness of hickory bark for the other ox, and hauled the rails with him to fence his first field. In those days, they went to Richmond, Ind., to get their milling done. He attended school in a log cabin, and sat on a split log seat, and warmed by a tea or twelve foot fire-place. The wiadow consisted of one log removed from the side of the house, with greased paper pasted over the aperture. He was married, January 13, 1481. to Miss Catharine E. Eltzroth, daughter of John Eltzroth, who relooved with his family to this county in 1818. Mr. Eltzroth had previously purchased his land and hired a esbin ereeted. There was no opening to the inside except the erevices between the legs, and they sawed one log out and the mother and children erawled through ; but another had to be aswed out before the man could enter. This being done, they built n fire on the dirt floor, in the middle of the house. They lived with no other floor in the house until the following spring. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards had nine children, of whom six are living-Louise J., Mahala A., Nathan J., Calvin B., Jonathan L. and Wilham W. Mr. Edwards died July 29, 1880, loved and respected by all. Calvin Elwards was a soldier in the late war, in Company II, Eighty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for nearly three years, and participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Franklin, siege of Atlanta, Nashville aud others, twenty-three in nll.

OBADIAH FIELDS, farmer, P. O. Winchoster, was born in Ward Town- ship, this county, November 8, 1833, and is a son of Lansford and Nancy Fields, who emigrated from Tennessee to this county io the year 1830. His early life was spent upon a farm, ay also the remainder, except about three years, which time he engage I in the mercantile business. He was married, in 1858, to Mies Mary M. Stick, daughter of Caspar Stick, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to this county in 1853. They have seven children-Martha,

Henry O., Alice, Florence, Willis, Minnie B. and Webster. Mr. Fields located on his present farm in 1875, and now owns 200 acres of valuable land. There is a mound of pre-historic origin at the west end of his farm, thirty feet in diam- eter and five feet high.

JOHN FRAZEE, farmer, P. O. Saratoga, was born in Preble County, Ohio, ou Washington's birthday, 1821, and is the son of John and Abigail Frazee, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Frazee was reared on n farm, and educated in the common schools. He was married, in November, 1845. to Miss Nancy Lasley, hy whom he has six children-Mar- garet A., William H., Hiram C., Richard O., Samuel E. and Sarah B. (deceased). Mr. Frazee owns 100 acres of Innd, and is engaged in farming and stock-rais- ing. They are members of the United Brethren Church at White River Chapel.

NATHAN FIDLER is & farmer and resides in White River Township. He is a native of Ohio, and was born October 15, 1824. His father, John Fidler, WAS born in Bedford County, Penn., and his mother, Sarah Fidler, was born in Belmont County, Ohio. His great-grandfather, Annanias Peacock, was killed before the Revolution by the explosion of a powder-mill in New Jersey, oppo- site Philadelphis. Mr. Fidler was raised on a farm, and at the age of eighteen be learned the carpenter trade, which he pursued till 1864. He came to Ran- dolph County in 1851, and in 1864 located on his land, which was an unbroken forest, where he now resides. He was married, in 1847, to Miss Mary A. Walsh. They have had four children, namely, Sarah, Elizabeth, James M. and George W. Mr. Fidler is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and bas filled the chair of Master. He is also a member of the Patrone of Hus- bandry. He owns a fine farm of 120 acres, and devotes his time to agricultural pursuit and stock-raising.

ENOS D. FOUSE is an engineer, and was born in Randolph County Novem- her 17, 1838, and is a son of James Fouse. He was reared on a farm and edu- cated in the common schools. He was married, April 7, 1869, to Mies Charity Hickman. Mr. and Mrs. Fouse have had ten children, namely, Isabell, Sultans L., Alvin and Elvin (twins), Sallie A., Flora B., John R., Louie M., Henry H. and James H. Mr. and Mrs. Fouse are members of the Christian Church.

LEVI GREENE (deceased). The subject of this sketch wae born in Ohio in October, 1818, and was & son of Jesse and Sarah Green, who came to this county in 1817. He was reared on a farm and educated in a log house. He labored hard and long to assist in preparing the way for the prosperity of future generations. Ho was married, October 8, 1835, to Miss Elizabeth Bowers, daughter of Jacob Bowers, who came to this county in 1833. They bad eleven children, of whom eight are living, viz., Hetty A., Sarah E., Mary M., William R., Henety T., John E., Levi W. and Christian L. Mr. Greene died August 11, 1869. He was & worthy member of the M. E. Church, and was a very benevolent man, always lending his aid to build up churches and schools and all benevolent institutions. When a boy, he had the Indian boys for his play- mates.

RUDOLPH GOOD, miller, Mackeville, was born in York County, Penn., January 24, 1825, and is & son of John and Ellzabeth Good. He was reared on a farm and received a limited common school education. He came to Wayne County, Ind., in 1847, and soon after went to his trade-milling. Ile was married, in February 1861, to Miss Sarah Moore, by whom be had nine ebil- dren, six living, viz., John, Elizabeth, Henry, Maria, Charles and Edith M. They came to this county in 1870, since which time he has operated the Maeks- ville Flouring Mill, except about one year. This mill wae ereeted in 1850, by Robert Cox. Mr. Good makes very " good " flour.

DAVID HIEASTON (deceased), the son of John and Mary A. Heaston, was born in Virginia February 3, 1792. He was the fourth of a family of seven children, only one of whom now survives, viz., Hannah Maxwell, who resides in Delphi, Carroli Co., Ind. David's parents moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, when he ( David) was nine years of age and entered the land now occupied by the National Soldiers' Home, near Dayton. David's father and mother were born in Germany. His father was married three times. His first and second wives were sisters, and were born and raised in Germany. His third wife wns & native of Pennsylvania. He came to the United States in very early times, and settled in Rockingham County, Va. He remained here until the death of his first wife, when he returned to Germany, and was subse- quently married a second time, and returned to Virginia and remained until the death of his second wife. After his third marriage, he moved to Mont- gomery County, Ohio, in the year 1801, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1822, and was buried on the land occupied by the Soldiers' Home. He was the father of twelve children, and was highly educated for one of his time, and taught school for a great many years. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm near Dayton, and lived with his parents, enduring all of the deprivations and hardships of pioneer life until his marriage. His educational advantages were very much limited, having attended school but fourteen days in his life. Yet he was a fair scholar in literature and an excel- lent accountant, the result of self-educativo. Ile enlisted in the war of 1812, And was engaged against the Indians on the Western frontier ; he remained in the army, doing gallant service until the war closed. He was married, about 1817, to Catharine Pressel, daughter of Daniel and Magdaline (Ledy) Pressel. After marriage, he worked in a distillery near Dayton for two years, when he and his wife and infant daughter, Mary Ann, came to this county, arriving December 25, 1819. David bought 160 acres of unimproved land three miles south of Winehester, and subsequently added ninety acres to the purchase; he lived upon this farm until 1832, when he sold out and bought 140 acres im- mediatety adjoining Winchester on the west. This was known as the David Stout farm. There were some slight improvements on thie farm when he bought, there being & log cabin and & few acres cleared. He subsequently added to this farm by purchase until it consisted of a section of excellent land. He lived there until his death, which occurred Deecmber 18, 1865.

CATHARINE (l'aEASEL) ILEASTON, his wife, was born in Pennsylvania Sep- tember 9, 1793. She moved with her parents to Ohio about the same time of John Henston and family, and settled three miles southwest of Dayton on Bear

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WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

Creek. She died in this county August 9, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Heaston were the parents of four children, of whom three are now living, as follows : Mary Ann Wright, who resides in this county ; Nathaniel P. Hesston, who resides in Adams County, this State; and Lewis L. Heaston, who residee in Jay County, this State. Their son, David Heaston, died July, 1833. In 1828, David moved to the town of Winchester, and remained for one year, keeping hotel. He end his wife had to struggle against poverty in their early settlement in this county, but through their untiring industry and perseverance accumulated & large amount of property. Mr. Heaston was noted for his kindness of heart and lib- erality, especially toward the poor and unfortunate. His hand and heart were ever open to supply their wants, and it is said he never turned the hungry away from his door. In addition to their own family, Mr. and Mrs. Heaston raised and educated five persons. He and his sons, Nathaniel and Lewis, took the contract of grubbing and grading the Bes-Line Railroad through this county. His wife was e woman of small stature, but of etrong constitution, and was of indispensable service to her husband in their pioneer life. Mr. Heaston was & stanch Democrat of the Jacksonian school, and was ever active in the interest of the party of his choice. Mr. and Mrs. Heaston were honored and exem- plsry citizens of the county, and none knew them but to love and respect them.

RICHARD SMITH HAGERMAN was born July 19, 1804, st Lamberton, N. J. In 1822, he moved to Phillipsburg, N. J., and to Easton, Penn., in 1845. In 1854, he came to Indisna, locating in Randolph County, on a farm, two and a half miles northeast of Winchester. In 1825, he married Julia Ann Phillips, s daughter of Gen. Phillips, with whom he enjoyed twenty-two years of connubial happiness. By this union they were the parents of ten children, only three of whom now survive, Philip R., William P. and Sarah A. His wife died, and in 1848 he wedded Amanda, daughter of Henry Hill, of Easton, Penn. Eleven children were the fruits of this second union, and six still survive, viz., Charles J., Frank W., Daniel S., Josephine A., James M. and Elmer E. Mr. Hagerman was reared on a farm, and made agricultural pursuits his principal occupation through life. At the age of seventeen yenre, he united with the Presbyterian Church, at. Easton, Penn., but in 1862 united with the Methodist Episcopal denomination, st Kizer's Chapel, near Winchester, Ind. On the 29th of March, 1863, he received license as an exhorter, by Rev. John F. Pierce, and on the 6th of March, 1871, was licensed ss a local preacher by Rev. N. H. Phillips, Presiding Elder. He was ordained as Deacon by Bishop E. R. Ames, at Huntington, Ind., on the 16th of April, 1871, and after hia ordination preached at Kizer's Chapel, Mount Zion and other places. lle was firm, steadfast end earnest in his religious faith, and his labors as & minister were blessed by good results. He possessed great decision of character, and having made up his mind that he was right, he maintained the course dictated by his own conscience. It is related of him, as illustrating his firmness, that he decided to shandon the use of tobacco, after having indulged this practice for years. He was more than sixty years of age when he formed this resolu- tion, and adhered faithfully to his determination until the day of his death. He was an honored and useful member of society, and for more than a quarter of a century was an interested participant in the events that took place within the limits of Randolph County. He died at his home near Winchester, on the 14th of July, 1882, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. He lived the life of s Christian, and died with a firm belief in a blessed immortality. His funeral took place from the Methodiet Episcopal Church at Winchester, on Sunday, July 16, 1882, the sermon being preached by Rev. R. D. Spellmen, his former pastor and intimate friend.

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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 115

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