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 120

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 120

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357

WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM RUBLE, farmer and carpenter, P. O. Winchester, was born in Randolph County Angust 4, 1828, and ie a son of Levet and Nancy A. Ruble natives of Ohio. Our subject was reared on & farm and educated in the com- mon schools of this county. He was married, December 28, 1854, to Miss Rachel Reynard, danghter of Solomon Reynard. They had four children, viz .: Ellen, Clara A., Estells and Jesse G. Mrs. Ruble died March 18, 1868. He again married, January 1, 1869, this time to Mrs. Abbie C. May. She had two children by the first husband-Willlam H. and Sarah B. Mr. Ruble resides on Section 27, White River Township, and is engaged in farming and stock-reieing. He is also a carpenter by trade, and has erected many of the best houses and barne in this township. He is a member of the Masonic Order.

NATHAN REYNARD is now & resident of White River Township, and hie poet office address is Cerro Gordo. He was born March 16, 1821, and is & son of Jeremiah and Sarah Reynard-his father born in Pennsylvania and his mother in North Carolina. His life has been spent upon the farm. His education was obtained in subscription schools taught in log cabins. When at study, he reclined on split slab seats, the ease of which never Iulled to sleep. Mr. Reynard knew the well-known Dr. Jake, an old Indian doetor, who refused to follow his tribe but remained in the neighborhood with the whites. Mr. Reypard is authority for Indian Jake's application of ague remedy. Dr. Jake's wife took the ague and he applied his remedy by pricking her forehead with a sharp instrument and robbing on his remedy. Mr. Reynard was mar- ried, May 8, 1851, to Miss Eliza A. Griffin ; she is & daughter of James Griffin, who was born in North Carolina November 5, 1801. Mr. Griffin now resides with Mr. Reynard. Mr. and Mrs. Reynard have had eix children, namely : Vespasian C., Emily J., Azile Granville, Edward G. and Sadie A. Azile is deceased-Granville and Edward are practicing and prosperous physicians, Vespasian C. has been a teacher, but is now farming in Iowa. The daughters are teachers. Mr. Reynard held the office of Justice of the Peace three terms. He and his good lady reside upon their farm where they have & pleasant and happy home. Mr. Reynard now gives his time in overlooking hie farming and his flocks and herds.

WALTER R. STARBUCK, farmer, P. O.'Cerro Gordo, was born in Guilford Connty, N. C., May 19, 1812, and is & son of John and Beulah (Garrett) Star- buok, the former & native of Massachusetts, and the latter of North Carolina. The elder Starbnok was s tanner by trade, and also worked in winter seasons at esddle end harness making. They resided on & farm, and our subject has done nothing else save farming and raising stock. They came to this county in March, 1831, where he has since resided. He was married, in 1836, to Miss Sarah Fisher, of Wayne County. They have had ten children, of whom bnt three are living, viz .: Aladelphia, Malinda and Zerah C. Two sons, Christopher C. and Alexander S., were soldiers in the Inte war. Christopher was killed at his post in the battle of Gettysburg, and Alexander died at Indianapolis, on his way home, after being discharged. Mr. Starbuck is a member of the Wes- leyan Methodist Church.

WILLIAM W. STARBUBCK, farmer, P. O. Winchester, is a native of Gray- son County, Ve., and was born March 2, 1825. His parents were John and Beulah Starbuck, the former & native of Nantucket Island, and the latter of North Carolina. He came with his parents to Wayne County, Ind., in 1834, and to Randolph County in 1885. They settled in the " green" and labered hard to improve and make & ferm. When they arrived in this county, the family had one horse, a yoke of ozen and $1 in money. Hence they had no other alternative except to work. Our subject was married, January 1, 1854, to Miss Levisn Davison, by whom he had six children -- Martha, Nel- son, Bula, Isom, Columbus and Thomas. Nelson married, had one son, and then lost hie wife; the child ie with Mr. Starbuck, and its name is Wesley. Mrs. Starback died March 4, 1878. Mr. S. was & soldier in the late war, in Company E, Fifty-seventh Indians Volunteer Infantry, and was in the battle of Shiloh, where he was detailed as cook. He served to the end of the term for which he enlisted, and was honorably discharged. He has since been engaged in stock-raising snd farming. He has some of the finest stook in the county.

SAMSON SUMMERS, farmer, P. O. Winchester, was born in this county October 24, 1834, and is a son of Henry and Julie Summers. He was reared on & farm and educated in the common schools. He has lived in various places, and served in the war three years, in Company H, Eighty-fourth Indi- ans Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Atlanta, Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station. He was mustered teamster at first, and it was only hy his own request that he went into battle. He was married, April 3, 1859, to Miss Maria Coats, by whom he has hed eight children, seven living-Keturah E., William W., Sherman, Cynthia A., Columbus M., Carl H. and Herman O. Mr. Summers owne 43 acres in White River Township and 200 acres in Mis- souri.

CHARLES SUMMERS, farmer, P. O. Winchester, was born in Augusta County, Ve., October 29, 1806, and is & son of Henry and Pelly Summers, also natives of Virginia. He was bronght up on a farm, and attended school in & log cabin, and sat on elab seats. He came to Dayton, Ohio, in 1827, and some time afterward returned to Virginia. He came back to Dayton in 1830, and in 1831 came to this county and selected & choice farm, which he still owns and occupies. He returned to Dayton, Ohio, after making the purchase, and there cut wood for 25 cents & cord to obtain money with which to pay for his land. He married Miss Susan Ludy February 28, 1833, and the following year he brought his young wife to the Hoosier forest. He built n small cabin in the woods and cut out a piece of one log to admit the light. For seventeen years he hauled goods from Cincinnati and Dayton, and at such times as he had no hanling to do he would chop and haul two cords of wood to Winchester per day. Mr. Summers bought his first nails and first tobacco (dogleg) in Win- chester with ooonskins; he also paid his taxes with coonhides. Hle donated the timber for the first church in Winchester. He had to ge to Richmond to mill, & distance of twenty-five miles. Mr. Summers did A vast amount of hard work. He cut (from the stump) and split 1,400 rails for George Hiatt for scven

bushels of wheat, which was then worth 37 cents per bushel in ourrency. This he accomplished in seven days, besides going two miles to get some cern cracked also. Where can there be found a man who can do as much at the present time? In those days, they had no stoves, but cooked in pots and Dutch ovens. Mr. and Mrs. Summers had seven children, of whom eix are living-Elvina, John, Elizabeth, Sarah A., Charles W. and David. Mrs. Sum- mers died September 15, 1847, and he again married, in June, 1848, thie time to Miss Rebecca Ludy, n sister of his former wife. They had one child-El- zina. Mr. S. now owns 113 acres of valuable land, which is underlaid by & stratum of gravel from two and a half to three feet beneath the seil. Although Mr. Sommers has worked very hard, it was not for self only, for he has always liberally assisted schools and churches, and has ever been ready and willing to aid the poor and needy.

ANDREW JACKSON SMITH.

Andrew Jackson Smith has been a resident of Randolph County all his life, and is engaged in farming and running a saw-mill, in both of which enter- prises he has been quite successful. He is the son of Durant and Elizabeth Smith, and was born September 15, 1842. He is the tenth of & fatuily of twelve children, of whom ten are living. Hie parents were born and raised in North Carolina, and came to this State and county in the year 1880, where his father still resides, his mother having died November 23, 1879. Andrew's youth was uneventful, save that he was compelled to battle against poverty, and for this reason his education is very much limited, having been received from the district schools of the county and one term at Fountain City, Wayne County. Realizing the want of an education himself, he is a strong advocate of popular education, and is making every effort and sacrifice to educate his children. His oldest son, Arthur, is at this time attending the Winchester High School. Mr. Smith was married to Miss Elizabeth H. Hobbick Septem- ber 15, 1864. His wife is an amiable Christian lady, and is a native of this county, and was born January 30, 1845. She is the daughter of Christian and Christine Hobbick, who were natives of Germany and came to this country about fifty years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of seven interest- ing children, all of whom are living, as follows : Arthur D., born September 16, 1865; Mile V., March 8, 1867; 1ds L., November 23, 1869; Della V., Sep- tember 24, 1872; William J., March 31, 1875 ; Mary C. E., October 31, 1877 ; Bessie A., April 7, 1881. Mr. Smith is owner and proprietor of a farm of eighty-five aores, under a high state of cultivation. He has recently erected & beautiful two-story frame residence, which is both convenient and commodious, an exact sketch of which is given in this work. In addition to farming, Mr. Smith has owned and run a saw-mill for the most part since 1872. This mill is in good repair, and he has been quite successful in thie enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are acceptable members of the Society of Friends, the former having a birthright in the church, and the latter has been a member for about fifteen years. Mr. Smith has always been an active Republican, and although never having asked for an office has been of much service to the party of his choice. He is active in all the moral reforms of the day. IIe and his excel- lent wife are useful members of the church and honored and respected citizens of the county.

LARMON W. SHERMAN is & country merchant, nad resides at New Day- ton, White River Township. He was born in Greene County, N. Y., August 7, 1832, and is a son of Pardon Sherman, who died in the spring of 1882. Par- don Sherman was a second consin of Gen. W. T. Sherman ; Mary Sherman, widow of Parden, still resides near her son Larmon. Our subject was educated in the common schools and the old Randolph County Seminary. Ile began life by teaching school ; he began mercantile business at New Dayten, Frank- lin Township, in 1855, and continued till 1865, when he went to Minnesota. He remained there till 1870, when he returned to New Dayton. While in Minnesota, he sold drugs and groceries. In 1875, he erected & business house on the opposite side of the road where he had been engaged, where he now holds the fort. He carries an investment of over $50,000, it being a general assortment of all kinds of goods. He has sold in & single year $12,000 worth of goods. He was married, in 1855, to Miss Sarah Mann. They had one child, which died, and Mrs. Sherman died in Minnesota. In 1875, Mr. Sherman married Mary Ullum. They are both members of the M. E. Church.

SIMPSON SCOTT, steck dealer, Winchester, was born in Greens Fork Township February 1, 1827, and is a son of Edward and Chloe Scott, who were natives of North Carolina, and who came to this county in 1817. They settled in Green Fork Township, in the timber, and erected a small cabin for their pioncer abode. They had to go to Richmond to mill. Our subject received his education in a log cabin, while sitting ou a slab bench. This was three and n half miles from his home, and was a subscription school. The room was warmed by a huge fire-place in one end. He was married, in 1852, to Miss Hannah Smith, daughter of Durant Smith. They had ten children, seven living -Pennina, L. Columbus, Ellen. Durant M., Annie, Walter and Lizzie. Mrs. Scott died, and he again married, this timo to Mrs. Mary Denton, whose maideu name was Ashevill. By her he has one child -- Mollie L. Mrs. Scott has been married twice before, and had one child by each husband ; their names are Franklin S. Smith and Freddie J. Denton.

FRANCIS M. SINGER, tile maker, Sarstega, was born in Darke County, Ohio, December 4, 184], and is & son of Benjamin F. and Mary Singer. He came to this county in 1860, and married Miss Mary Shanafelt, on the 9th of September, the same year. They have six children-Jeanna, William F., Albert F., Charley, Samantha and Ursula. Mr. Singer established s tile factory on Section 2, White River Township, in 1877, and is making the best tilo in the State, according to the decision of the tile makers' convention, in 1880. So popular is his tile that he cannot supply one-fourth the demand. During the year 1880, he made 9,000 reds, and by January 1, 1881, not a tile was left.

JOIIN TISOR resides in White River Township. He was born in Miami County, Ohio, January 12, 1824, and is a son of Austin and Susanaah Tisor, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of South Carolina. Our subject was reared upon a farm, and learned early to grub and pick brush and

358

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

roll logs. His only school advantages were such as the country then afforded, & few days esch year. He came to this county in 1838, when hut fourteen years old. His parents died when he was quite young, and he was thrown upon his own resources. He began to battle with the cold world, and by his great energy and indomitable industry, he soon provided for himself a home. He has cleared and improved three farms. The first land he occupied was an unbroken forest, and he had to cut and clear away the brush before he could erect bis cahin. On the 21st day of March, 1844, he was married to Elizabeth Carter, daughter ef Thomas Carter, who came to this county in 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Tisor have had eix children, of whom five are now living, viz., William R., who is a physician ; Themas H., whe is a farmer ; May M., who is inter- married with Henry T. Study ; Enos M., who is an artist; and Allen A., who is a farmer. Mr. Tiser has given cach of his children a farm. He now has left for the future home and comforts of his remaining days ninety-five acres of valuable and well-improved land. His life has been a success, and crowned with achievements worthy of imitation.

JOHN VAN PELT.

This honored citizen of Randolph County was born in Highland County, Ohio, June 30, 1829. He is the son of Elijah and Lucy (Bethel) Van Pelt, and is the third of a family of four children, of whom three are now living. His father was born in Ohie September 19, 1794. His mother is a native of Vir- ginis, and was born May 14, 1798. His father was a farmer, and died in Clin- ton County, Ohie, April 1, 1872. After the death of her husband, his mother came to this county, and made her home with the subject of this sketch, where she died April 13, 1881. John was raised en a farm in Ohio, and received & fair education from the common schools of that State. He was married to Milicent Morris, September 4, 1852. She is the daughter of David and Nancy (Cooper) Morris, and was born in Fayette County, Ohio, July 3, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Van Pelt lived in Clinton County, Ohio, until the year 1868, when they came to this county and located in Monroe Township, purchasing 352 acres of land, partially improved. They lived on this farm until September, 1880, when they sold out and purchased the farm where they now reside. This farm Is well improved and conveniently located. It consists of 144 acres of excellent land, with 120 acres under cultivation. The farm buildinge are in excellent repair, of modern architecture, and convenient and commodious. A sketch of these buildings is herewith given. Mr. and Mrs. Van Pelt are the parents of four children, all of whom are living, as follows : William A., born June 11, 1853 ; David, August 22, 1859; George, December 7, 1864 ; James, May 7, 1871. Their oldest son, William, is married, and is comfortably settled in Monroe Township, this county. Mr. Van Pelt is a stanch Republican, and true to the interests of the party. His excellent wife has been of great assist- ance to him in all of his undertakings, and is entitled to a share of the com- mendations for success. They are both henored and upright citizens, valnable members of society, and honored and beloved by their friends and neighbors.

EDWARD WRIGHT.

The subject of this biography was one of Randolph County's honored and respected citizens. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, August 18, 1816. Hle was the son of Judge John and Nancy (Brown) Wright, and was the oldest of a family of three children, all of whom are deceased. He came with his parents to this county February 2, 1817. His father entered 160 acres of land three-fourths of a mile northwest of Winchester, and lived on it for about Reven years. He then seld ont, and bought 100 acres of unimproved land, one mile west of Winchester, and lived on it for twenty-five years. He then sold out to Isaac Ray, and moved to Whitley County, this State, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1847, and his wife died in the same county, June 5, 1873. Edward lived with his parents, following the occupation of farming most of the time until he was of age. Ile received s liberal education from the common schools, the best offered at that time. He was Deputy County Clerk for a time under Charles Conway, and Deputy Sheriff under James Bes- man. He was married to Mary Ann Ileasten, December 21, 1837. After mar- ringe, he and his excellent wife settled on her father's farm, and remained for one year. They then bought 160 acres of land one-half mile south ef Win- chester, where they lived for one year, when they sold out to Christian Hens- ton, and moved back to Mrs. Wright's father, and remained about four years. They then bought 160 acres where his widew now resides, and moved upon it March 14, 1844. Mr. Wright subsequently added to this farm, by purchase, until it consisted of 268 acres, with 183 acres under a high state of cultivation. He And his wife accumulated property very rapidly, and prior to Mr. Wright's death they came into possession of 1,090 neres of land in this county. This land has all been deeded to their children, with the exception of 444 acres, which is owned and controlled by Mrs. Wright Mr. Wright died August 23, 1880. About eleven years previous to his death he had the misfortune of breaking A limb caused by a fall, which was soon followed by a stroke of paralysis from which he never fully recovered, and caused him much suffering. Up to the time of the accident he had been a man of strong constitution, and did a great amount of hard physical mabor. He was noted for his industry, frugality and generosity. In politics, he was n stanch Democrat. ITis genial and affable manner, in connection with his hospitality, won for him n large circle of devoted and admiring friends. He was a kind and deveted hnshand, an affectionate father and bonored citizen. Of the direct descendants of the Wright family none live to perpetuate the name.

MARY ANN (HIEASTON) WRIGHT, widow of Edward Wright, was born in Montgomery County, Ohie, April 13, 1819. She is the daughter of David and Catbarine Ileaston, and is the oldest of a family of four children. three of whom are living. She came to this State and county with her parents when she was nine months old, and lived for some time in a rude pioneer cabin with- out doors, windows or chimney, and one row of puncheons for n floor. She had to endure all of the trials and hardships of a pioneer life, being deprived of educational advantages and many other necessaries of life. Yet these

deprivations gave her s discipline which was of great value to her in after years. She remained with her parents until her marriage, which was at the age of eighteen years and eight months. Sbe and her husband were neighbors' children, and had known each other all of their lives. Mrs. Wright is the mother of four living children (one having died in infancy), as follows, Cath- arine Monks, born February 20, 1839; Eliza Lykins, September 18, 1841 ; Nancy Curry, May 11, 1844 ; Mary A. Remizer, June 1, 1848. Mrs. Wright is the grandmother of ten children, six boys and four girls. Since the death of ber husband she has retained the homestead farm of 268 acree, and other land to the ameunt of 176 acres, in her own possession, and takes entire men- agement thereof, assisted by her son-in-law, John Romizer. The homestead farm is well improved, being supplied with excellent and commodious buildings, a sketch of which is given in this work. Mrs. Wright is a woman of rare executive ability and forethought, is well preserved fer one ef her age, and possesses a great amount of energy and perseverance. She ls s most genial and intelligent lady, and is honored and beloved by all who knew her.

ISAAC WRIGHT. The subject of this sketch, a native of Virginia, born March 18, 1808. His parents were Francis and Agnes Wright, who came with their family to this county in 1835. The land was covered with a heavy growth of timber, and the Wrights, like others, were necessarily exposed to hard labor. They cut whest with sickles for many years, and thrashed it with flails. Mr. Wright first married Mise Mirsoda Butts, whe bore him one child, Sarab, whe afterward died. Ile ngain married Miss Sarah Grady, by whom he had seven children. viz., Margaret, Frank, Patrick, Jacob, James, John and Isaac. Mr. Wright is again left a widewer. He owns 160 acres of valuable land nest Win- closter, on the bottoms of White River.

ISRAEL WRIGHT, former, P. O. Winchester, was born in Warren County, Ohio, October 23, 1812, and is a son ef Samuel and Sarah Wright, deceased. He was reared on a farm, and educated in & subscription school. He came to this county with his parents in 1830, and assisted in clesring the farm. He was married, November 21, 1834, to Mise Elizabeth Huffman, by whom he had eight children, six living, viz., Zimri, Marion, Austin, Elias, Stephen and Sarsh C. One son, Uriah, lost his life while fighting for his country in the late war, and was buried en laland No. 27 ; Austin sud Elias were also in the war. Mrs. Wright died August 20, 1880, loved and respected by all. She was en affectionate wife and a tender mother. Mr. Wright owns 238 acres of valuable land.

HARVEY WYSONG.

In 1818, David Wyseng ventured into Hoosierdom and settled in White River Towoship ; he married u daughter of John Irvin. David Wysong was the father of twelve children, of whom Harvey Wyseng was the eldest. Harvey was born in Randolph County, Ind., September 4, 1823 ; he wielded the wood- man's ax, the handspike, mattock and spade during all his early life ; he was educated in a reund-log cabin which was furnished in substantial style. The seats in that schoolhonse were of split slabs, and the writing desks consisted of A broad board resting on slanting pins in the wall. He learned the brick-mason trade, and huslaid more wall than any other mason in the county ; he has an ex- tensive and permanent reputation in his trade ; he owns 390 acres of land, and at present gives his time principally to the culture of his fields. In 1874, he Was married to Miss Mary Summers, a native of this county, and daughter of Charles Summere. They had one child, whose name is Charles L., who was born May 27. 1875. Mrs. Summers died the same year. She lies st rest in Fountain Park Cemetery, where her husband has erected to her memory a very sightly monument. Mr. Wysong is & Mason, and is very favorably known in the county.

BENJAMIN F. WELLS is s native of Brown County, Ohio, and was born October 18, 1834. His parents were Adam and Elizabeth Wells, the former & na- tive of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Wells was raised s farmer-boy, and his educational advantages were none other than those furnished by the com- mon schools ; he went to Illinois in 1856, and engaged in farming for one year, when he went to Minnesota, but returned by way of Illinois to his native county : he soon after came to Spencer County, Ind., purchased some timbered land and engaged in lumbering for some time. In 1861, he enlisted in the three months' service in Company I, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served his time for Uncle Sam. October 18, 1866, he married Miss Amelia Cone, by whom he had eight children ; of these but three are living, viz., Ambrose H., Marietta V. and Adds A. Mr. Wells came to this county in 1870, And settled in the woods, and now he has a nice, well-improved farm of over 130 acres, be- sidea about seventy acres of timber. This has been accomplished ouly hy hard work and wise management. Mrs. Wells is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and he is a Mason.

JOEL II. WILLIAMS.

Joel II. Williams was horn July 7, 1850, in the town of Newport (now Fountain City), Wayne County, Ind. ; he is the son of Nathan H. and Mary A. Williams, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. When about two years of age, he came to Randolph County with his parents, who lo- cated upen & farm near Olive Branch ; his mother died when her son was quite young, and his father has since been twice married ; his first scheelieg was ob- tained in the old log cabin, with slab benches without backs for seats, and the slanting board from the wall for a writing desk, while his teschers made pens of quilla for him and the other scholars. "Lib " Stark, his first tescher, had her bed in the schoolhouse, and cooked her meals on the school stove. At the age of nineteen years, Joel left home to begin the battle of life for himself, and entered the employ of John Clayton, working for him by the month. He had qualified himself by hord study, and in the fall of the same year in which he left home, procured a license to teach school. Since that time, he has been en- gaged alternately in teaching school during the winter and attending school and working at the carpenter's trade during the summer, excepting about three years of this time, during which he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He has been a student at the Farmland Graded Schools, the Ridgeville College and the

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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 120

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