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 117

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 117

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THOMAS W. KIZER.

Thomas W. Kizer was born in Randolph County, Ind., November 24, 1824. Ile is the eldest son of Elias Kizer, who resided east of Stone Station, in Ward Township, und was a prominent citizen of this county in its pioneer period aud later history. In 1831, the family removed to the farm north of Winchester, now owned by the subject of this sketch. Here the latter passed the days of his boyhood and youth, attending the school in the winter, aod working on the farm during the remainder of the year. When & young man, he became a clerk in the store of Jesse Way, at Winchester, and at a later date embarked in the retail grocery trade for himself. Two years later he engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he continued for three years, resuming the gro- cery business at the end of that time. Subsequently he became a farmer and grain dealer, following this enterprise until 1878. He is a competent business man, and by a life of energy and activity has acquired a comfortable fortune.

At various times in his life, Mr. Kizer has been called to occupy public positions of honor and trust. Toward the close of President Fillmore's admin- istration, he was appointed T'ostmaster at Winchester, but was displaced by Pierce, the euccessor of Fillmore, to make room for a Democratic aspirant. In 1860, he was elected Trustee of White River Township, and for a period of ten yesrs occupied this position by repeated re-elections. He was especially active in his efforts in the behalf of the schools, and accomplished & great deal for their advancement and improvement. Among the schoolhouses which he was instrumental in erecting during his administration of this office, was the hand- same public school building at Winchester, which stands an enduring memorial of his energy and efficiency as a publio officer. He retired from this office with the commendation and good will of all classes, and was afterward elected School Director for the town of Winchester, serving two years in this capacity, and three years as a member of the School Board. Thus, for a period of fifteen years, he was continuously identified with the public schools of this town. He has always been public-spirited and enterprising, and has been an active and leading spirit in many of the measures inaugurated for the welfare snd im- provement of the county. In business he is prompt, cnergetic and honorable, and has won many friends, among whom he is highly esteemed. He was one of the first members initiated into Winchester Lodge, No. 121, I. O. O. F., and has been for years u prominent Odd Fellow. He represented Winchester Lodge several times in the annual councils of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, and has visited the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the United States at three different times.

Although not himself a church member, he has contributed liberally to the support of churches in the community, while his private and public life has been moral ond upright. Ile has been married-first, to Mise Susannah Way, daughter of Jesse Way, Esq., on the 4th of Jaounry, 1846. Ten children came to bless this union, six of whom are now living. His wife died January

15, 1874, and on the 4th of January, 1876, he wedded Miss Ann Rebecca Weaver. Within five years, however, he was again called to mourn the death of a devoted and loving wife. She fell a victim of consumption, wasting slowly away under its dreadful touch, but struggling bravely against its insidious approach. She died at Columbus, Ga., on the 12th of January, 1881, having gone thither in the hope of being restored to health. She was buried at Win- chester, amid the sorrows of all who had known her in life, and among whom she was a general favorite. On the 22d of December, 1881, he was united in marriage, at Lawrence, Kan., with Mrs. Alice M. Allen, his present companion.

WILLIAM D. KIZER.

William D., son of Thomas W. Kizer, was born March 7, 1847, at the old Kizer homestead, near Winchester, Randolph Co., Ind. During his boyhood, he was engaged in performing the varied duties of farm life, acquiring in the meantime a good education at the public schools of Winchester, finishing with & course in the Seminary at this place, under the instructions of Prof. Cooper. In 1868, he went to Missouri, and from that date until 1871, was engaged in the sale of fruit trees in that State. In the spring of 1871, he returned to Winchester, and accepted the position of Deputy Auditor under W. E. Murray. He served in this capacity three years and a half, and in the spring of 1874, was nominated by the Republicans of this county to succeed Mr. Murray as Auditor. He received the full vote of the party in October of the same year, which means, of course, a triumphant election. He took charge of the office in the same month (October, 1874), and served faithfully for a period of four years. It was during his incumbency that the present court house was erected, and he was the first occupant of the Auditor'e office in the new building. The duties of this office, never light, were largely increased by the labor of remov- ing the old documents and recorde from their former resting place to the new room, and arranging and systematizing them for future reference. His period of service in this office was one of continued and laborious work, aod by the faithfulness and assiduity with which he devoted himself to it, he won the ap- probation of all who were instrumental in placing him there. After retiring from this position, he was appointed Assistant Attorney General, and is now acting in that capacity, collecting fees due the State from various sources. He is recognized as a competent business man, his experience and associations having rendered him familiar with all the varied forms of business usages, while his thorough knowledge of the duties of county officers renders his coun- eel invaluable to all who consult him. In private life, he is esteemed by all who know him, for his integrity and honor. But he has grown up in this com- munity, and no words from the stranger's pen can add to the high regard in which he is universally held. He was married on October 24, 1872, to Miss Louisa C. Dana, daughter of Dr. Marcus Dana, of Fostoria, Ohio. His wife is an excellent lady, and a general favorite in the social circle. Mr. Kizer united with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1871, passing the degrees of the subordinate lodge, and entering the Encampment in the same year. In the meantime he has served as Representative in both the Grand Lodge and the Grand Encampment of Indiana. His political affiliatione are with the Repub- licao party, of which he is an enthusiastic und valued member.

PETER KABEL is a farmer, and resides near the village of Unionsport. He is a son of Philip Kabel, of this county. Peter was born in the city of Richmond, Wayne Co., Ind., October 18, 1837. In his youth he was employed in his father's carding mills. In 1869, he was married to Miss Louisa Keener. They have had six children-Mary C., Emma B. (deceased), William Monroe, Elizabeth C., John A. and Cora M. Mr. and Mrs, Kabel are members of the Lutheran Church.

PHILIP KABEL, farmer, P. O. Unionsport, was born in Germany January 12, 1810. He came to America in 1832 when a young man. When he landed in Portland, Me., he had about $10 in money. He soon went to Leister, Wor- cester Co., Mass., where he worked at carding wool for some time. He came to Wayne County, Ind., in 1834, where he married Miss Mary Goetz, and returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, but in nine months returned to Richmond, Ind. In 1838, he rented a carding machine near Hagerstown, and ran it until 1840, when he came to this county and purchased the Unicosport Carding Machine and Saw-Mill. He followed the business there, and at other points until 1868. He erected a carding mill on his own land in 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Kabel have had ten children, of whom six are living-Peter, Adam, Frederick, Nicholas, John and Mary (now Mrs. Jasper Hurst). When Mr. and Mrs. Kahel began life he had nothing ; but by har 1 work they have been prospered.

NICHOLAS KABEL, tescher, Winchester. This prominent teacher is a native of Randolph County, and was born May 1, 1857. He is a son of Philip and Mary Kabel, of White River Township. He spent his boyhood always on his father's farm, after which he attended the high school of Winchester, this county, and Coshocton, Ohio. He began teaching in 1876, and by energy and close application has won the confidence of the people. He adopts the latest and most approved normal methods as far as can be done in an ungraded school. His school is orderly, and his work systematic.

JOSEPH KEYS, farmer, P. O. Winchester, was born in Surry County, N. C., April 3, 1830, and is a son of Benjamin P. Keys, who came to this county in 1835. The father taught school that winter in the Jericho (Friends') Church, and did not locate on his land until the spring of 1838, in the mean- time living on rented land. The first winter they had to go to Fountain City to get corn, a distance of eighteen miles. In the spring of 1837, Mr. Benjamin Keys bought five hogs, marked their ears and turned them out. They wan- dered off and became wild, so wild that by the time snow fell the next winter they could not be driven. He employed two expert hunters, who took their dogs and went to the hogs' bed early in the morning, and as soon as the dogs would begin to bay the hoge they would turn to fight. In the way they suc- ceeded in shooting all of them. Their sled broke down, and they fastned three of the hogs together by hickory withes, and dragged them by one horse, and the other two by the other horse. This took them all day to get home, a

352

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

distance of six miles. Of course, the hogs were frozen stiff when they arrived home, and it took them until midnight to get them cleaned. Mr. Keys, our subject, attended school In a cabin with puncheon sents and floor. The window was but one light high, ten or twelve feet long. The desk consisted of & board supported on pins in the wall. The first land the Keysee clenred on the home place was three acree. They plowed it by running five times in one place with & bull tongue plow. These furrows were about Ihree and a half feet apart. The corn was planted in them, and after it came up they broke out the middles with the bull tongue by going five times in a row. Mr. Keys wns married, in Anguet, 1853, to Miss Betsey V. Coats, a native of this county, and daughter of Thomas W. Coats, who came to this county about the year 1826. They have had eight children, seven living-Eli W., Lindo, Martin, Elva J., Ann E., John L. and Elwood. Mr. Keys is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and owns 498 acres of land. They are members of the Society of Frienda.

JOHN KEYS, mechanio and farmer, l'. O. Winchester, was born in Surry County, N. C., December 27, 1827, and je a son of Benjamin P. and Elizabeth (Bond) Keys. Our subject's great-grandfather, Joseph Keys, who was aban- doned by his parent or guardian when only an infant, and left on the door step of an old gentleman (name not known), who took the babe, treated it as one of his own. When found, it had a string about its neck, to which were attached several amall keys, and as the old gentleman knew not the name of the child, he called it Joseph Keys, for the keye it carried when found. Joseph Keys grew up and married Rebecca Mullen. They had a large family, from whom the numerous families by that name have sprung. The original Joseph Keys removed from his door step cradle in Pennsylvania to North Carolina in an early day, and resided there during the Revolutionary war. One of his sons was named for himself, Joseph, who had a son, Benjamin P. The latter was the father of our subject, John Keys. The keys family have heen life-long Friend Quakers, as also were the Bonds. His grandfather, John Bond, was a minister in the Friende' Church for over sixty years, and died at the age of ninety-two years in Henry County, Ind. The Keys family came to this county in 1835, and settled in White River Township. Mr. Keys was married, JAnu- ary 5, 1854, to Miss Lydia Hiatt, by whom he had seven children ; of these, five are living -- Charlotte, Simeon, Rosaline and Mary, and Mary A. Mrs. Keye died July 27, 1870, loved by all. His brother, Daniel Keys, was born in North Carolina May 28, 188-, and is the youngest of his father's family. fle is a brick-maker by trade, but is now assisting his brother Jolin at the carpen- ter trade. He was married, October 7, 1854, to Miss Susannah Coffin, A native of thie county and daughter of Stepbeu Coffin. They had six children, of whom three are living-Washington, Emma E. and Coffin. Two of the de- ceased, Levi J. and Mary J. (Cox) were married and left families.

WILLIAM KEM, farmer, J'. O. Winchester, wna born in Botetourt County, W. Va., Jannary 11, 1828, and is a son of Thomas Kem, also a native of West Virginia. He was brought up on a farm, educated in log cabin, and ant on a slab bench ten feet in length. Many were the pranks this mischievous boy would play while lying behind that long bench where he had been placed by the teacher for bsd conduct. Mr. Kem came with his parents to Wayne County, Ind., in 1833. He was married in 1848, to Mies Lydin Davis, by whom he has had seven children, to wit : Nancy Jane, Malinda Ellen, William Thomas, Ira Lewis, Sherman Turnis, Josephine and Benjamin Franklin. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and owns 120 neres of valuable land. Mr. and Mrs. Kem are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DAVID LASLEY.

David Lasley, a pioneer of Randolph County, was born in Pennsylvania April 1, 1800. Ile is the son of Peter and Christina (Carns) Lasley, and is the oldest of a family of eleven children, of whom four are now living. Ilis parents were both born in Maryland, and settled in Pennsylvania after mar- ringe. They moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1814, and to Randolph County in 1819, and purchased the farm where David now lives. They re- mained on this farm until their deaths. Dis father died at the age of eighty- two and his mother eighty-three. David wns nineteen years old when he came to thie county. He received n limited education from the district echools of this county and Montgomery County, Ohio. He lived with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, engaged in clearing n farm from the unbroken forests, and other toil common to pioneer life. He was remarkable for his industry and power of endurance at physical Inbor. Ile usually did the work of two men. After he was twenty-one be hired out ns n cotomon day laborer for about five years, receiving from $7.50 to $10 a month. In 1823, he clenred the timber from the public square of the town of Win- chester, there not being n stick amiss. Ile was married to liannah Parker (who still survives), daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth (Walker) Parker, in the full of 1827. Ilis wifo was born near Cleveland, Obio, in 1806. The first season after this union, he bought sixty acres of the farm now owned by the county and used as the infirmary, and lived on it for one year. He sold out oud bought eighty neres, in the woods, of the farm where he now lives. IIc went to work to clear up a homestend, nad through his efforts he developed A farm of 200 acres of well-improved land, which is in a high sinte of cultiva- tion. Mr. rod Mrs. Lasley are the parents of thirteen children, eleven of whom are now living and comfortably situated. Eight of them resido in this county, one ir. Missouri, and two in Ohio. Ilis son Amos lives on the old homer wead aru inkes care of his parents. His son Daniel has served as Cou -: - 3u,v :entendent of Public Schools for six years. Mr. Lasley has owner: section of land in this county, but has deeded it all away to his ch. denn, "Sing each of them a comfortable home. He has always been a Re cb! ...... I has voted nad neted with that party ever since its organiza- ti . I. per en a very hard-working and frugal man all his life, but he has be er ill'sted with chronio rheumatism for ten years that he cannet go about without assistance ; otherwise he has very good health. Ilis wife is afflicted

with partial denfness and blindness. Mr. Lnsley through his frugality has accumulated a large amount of property. He hne always been an honest and worthy citizen, and although he enme to the county when it was an almost unbroken wilderness, he has lived to see it blossom and flourish.

DANIEL LASLEY, attorney at law and abstracler of land titles, Winchester, Ind., was born in Randolph County May 17, 1849. His father, David Lasley, was n native of Red Stone. Penn., his mother, Hannah (Porker) Lasley, of New York. David Lasley came to Troy, Ohio, in 1804, and removed to Randolph County, Ind., in 1819, and settled in Winchester. The enrly life of Daniel Lasley was spent in the ordinary routine labor of farm life, during which time he enjoyed suoli facilities for gnining as education as were afforded by the common schools of the day, in addition to which he spent three years under the instruction of that veteran tencher, Prof. James Ferris, at that time Superintendent of Winchester Public Schools. Mr. Lasley's studies embraced all usually enu. merated in the curriculum of n scientific college course. He has tanght ten years, beginning when only seventeen years of age. In 1875, he was elected Superintendent of the Public Schools of Randolph County, the responsible duties of which office he has faithfully discharged with much credit to his executive ability, having given excellent satisfaction, as evinced by his bein. regularly re-elected at the expiration of each term since.

During the last six years, he has prepared a complete abstract of the title- to all the real estate of Randolph County, A work of great merit and value, requiring much patient labor. In business, he has been fairly successful enjoying a beautiful home and general prosperity.

He married Miss Edith Thompson, daughter of Dr. Valentine Thompson. of Miami County, Ind., July 7, 1874, n Indy of superior ability and accumu- plishments. They have one son, a promising child. Mr. and Mrs. Lasley #: hoth members of the Christian Church, and active werkers in that denonu nation, though uniformly courteous and liberal toward all opinions.

While not a politician in the ordinary acceptation of the word, Mr. Lasley has always been a thorough Republican, and with his excellent qualifications gives promise for much wider field of usefulness in the future.

PETER LASLEY.

Peter Lasley, n farmer, and brother of David Lasley, was born near Day- ton, Ohio, October 12, 1817. Ile is the son of Peter and Christina Lasley, and is the tenth of a family of eleven children, nine males and two females. Of these eleven children, the following are now living : David, Eli, Moses, and the subject of this sketch. All live in this county with the exception of Eli, who lives in Macos County, 111.

Peter has been a farmer all his life. Helived with his parents until he was twenty years of nge, when he hired out as a common day laborer, clearing land, cutting and splitting rails, etc., receiving as wages about 50 cents a day. His education is very meager, having comparatively no opportunities of attending schools. The brief period that he did attend school was in the old pioneer log house with howed benches, einhs for desks, and a log cut out for a window, and covered with grensed paper in the winter season. A knowledge of reading and writing was the extent of his education obtained in the schools. He has since obtained sufficient education to transact all of his business. Ho was married to Rebecen Johnson ( whose biography is herewith given) December 4, 1839 After marriage, Mr. Lasley purchased the farm where be now resides. It con- sisted of eighty aores, with no improvements ; he now has sixty-five acres under a good state of cultivation, with good and convenient farm buildings.

Mr. and Mrs. Lasley nre parents of thirteen children, of whom ten aro living. Six of their children are married, and all reside in this county with the exception of one, who resides in Muncie, Delaware County. The names of their children are as follows : William II., Thomas J., Amanda C., Leander C. Mary E., Martlin J., Charles D., Belinda C., Nancy R , Anderson J., John M. James L. and Elisha E. Two of their sous enlisted and lost their lives in the Army. William II. eolisted January, 1862, in the Fifty-seventh Regiment, Company E, Indiana Infantry, and served for about five months. He was pres- ent nt And took an active part in the battle of Pittsburg Landing; he was soun nfter takeu sick and died on the field ; his sickness was caused from exhaus- tion, on necount of forced marches and exposure to inclement weather. Lean der enlisted Morell 7, 1864, in the One llundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment, Company Il, Indiana Infantry, and remained a faithful nod brave soldier until his death ; he took an netive part in the following battles: Dalton, Ga , Reenca, Altoona Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta. Columbi Franklin and Nashville. He was then transferred with his regiment to the Army of the l'otonine; he received his death wound at Newbernc, N. C., being shot through the knee ; he survived for ten days, and then died from the effect .. of the wound and amputation of his limb. Thus it is seen that Mr. Lasley gave two precious lives to anve his country, on inestimable sacrifice.

Mr. and Mrs. Lasley have been honored members of the United Brethren Church nt Spar Creck Chapel for about fifteen years. In political preferment, Mr. Lasley is a Democrat. Ile is nn industrious, honest and frugal citizen.

Rebecca (Johnson) Lasley, wife of l'eter Lasley, was born in Fayette Coun- ty, W. Vn., April 16, 1820. She is the daughter of llenry and Agnes (Hum- phries) Johnson, and is the seventh of a family of fourteen children ; her parents were natives of Virginia ; her grandfather, Zachariah Johnson, Was A soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died in 1840.

fler parents enme to this county December 31, 1829, when her father en- tered eighty acres of land : her mother died in 1839, and her father in April, 1856. Rebecca was raised on a farm, doing the work common to the daughters of pioneers. Her education was almost wholly neglected, not having the op- portunity of attending school. She was married to Peter Lasley, as stated in his sketch ; her grandparents enme to this county in the year 1830, and re-

"FOREST HOME" RES. OF NATHAN T. BUTTS, WHITE RIVER TP. RANDOLPH CO. IND.

WM. MONKS, DECD.

MRS. CATHARINE MONKS. G

MISS MARY A. MONKS

RESIDENCE OF THE LATE WM. MONKS, WHITE RIVER TP. RANDOLPH CO. IND.

353

WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

mained until their deathe, which was in the spring of 1840. There was not ten days between the events of their deaths.

Mrs. Lasley has been a faithful wife, and has been of great assistance to her husband in bearing the burdens of life. She is an affectionate mother, and an honored member of society.

JACOB LASLEY, son of David and Hannah (Parker) Lasley, was born in Randolph County, Ind., March 19, 1880. He is the third of a family of thirteen children, of whom eleven are now living : his father was born in Pennsylvania April 1, 1800, and his mother was born in New York in the year 1806; his father settled in this county in the year 1818 ; his parents, soon after the mar- riage, settled on the farm now occupied by the County Infirmary, where he re- msined about three years, when he settled upon the farm where he now resides. Jacob lived with his parents upon the farm until he was twenty-four years of age, engaged in labor common to farmers' sons ; his education was all obtained from the common district schoole, with the exception of three terme at the Ran- dolph County Seminary, located at Winchester, of three months' euch. In the years 1862, 1853 and 1860, he taught school three months during the winter. He was married to Sarah Conway, daughter of Gideon and Melinda Conway, of this county, November 8, 1853 ; her parents were natives of North Carolina, and came to this State in very early times. After marriage, Jacob settled upon a farm of eighty sores, with no improvements, in Washington Township, deeded to him by his father. His farm now consists of 170 sores of excellent land, with 130 sores in a high state of cultivation; his farm is beautifully located, gently rolling and soll very fertile. It is situated on & dividing ridge, between White River and Green'a Fork. It is well improved, having given especial at- tention to underdraining ; his buildings are of modern architecture, large and convenlent ; his dwelling was erected in 1876, two stories in height, and is & model of convenience.

Mr. Lasley has been married twice, and is the father of five children by hle first wife, as follows : Charles E., born August 11, 1854; Jamos A., born May 5, 1858; George W., born September 27, 1869 ; Dora B., born April 14, 1868 ; Ida, born October 28, 1869.

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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 117

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