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 125

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 125

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370

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

where he now resides, in Section 16, in 1870. He owns fifty-seven acres of land. He spent about fifteen years of his earlier life working at the carpenter business, hut Is now engaged in farming. Hc is a member of Spartansburg I. (. O. F., No. 287, is a sterling gentleman, and he and his worthy lady have the confidence and respect of a large circle of friends and nequaintances.

MARCELLUS N. BROWN, farmer, P. O. Lynn : born in Preble County. Ohio, February 28, 1838; he is the son of Thomas M. and Nancy J. ( Brandon) Brown, the former born in Pennsylvania, and the latter in Darke County, Ohio, March 12, 1820. Mr. Brown was educated at Spartansburg : he was married August, 1860, to Celestinn Ruby, who was born in Darke County, Ohio, Novem- ber 1, 1840. She is the daughter of Samuel F. and Jane ( McNulty) Ruby, the former horn April 27, 1812, and the latter February 17, 1818, Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been blessed with three children, viz , Samuel R., horn October 14, 1861 ; Naney J., March 6. 1864, and Willie S., October, 1869. Mr. Brown be- came a resident of this county in 1849; he owns a farm of 100 acres in Section 25, on which he has been residing since 1875. He is a thorough gentleman, and be and his worthy lady nre respected by all who know them.

J. WESLEY CLARK, wagon-maker, Spartansburg : born in Spartansburg April 7, 1857 ; he is the son of James W. And Mary E. ( Moore) Clark, the former born in Allen County, Ind., July 6, 1828, and the latter in North Caro- lina November 3, 1828. The subject of this sketch is a wagon-maker ; he is a thorough gentleman, bighly respected by a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances. In the summer of 1882, he attended the Normal School at Winchester, and completed his preparation as a teacher : he then began the honorable vo- cation of teaching in the public schools.

VICTOR M. L. COOK, fariner, P. O. Spartansburg ; born in Wayne County, Ind., June 16, 1858 ; he is the son of William and Margaret A. (Knox) Cook, the former born in Wayne County, Ind., July 7, 1834, and the latter in North Carolina January 12, 1835. The event of his marriage took place January 1, 1880, to Luella M. Thomas, who was born iu Wayne County, Ind., November 1, 1861. She is the daughter of Joshua C. and Mary ( Fulghum) Thomas ; the former born in North Carolina November 17, 1830, and the latter in this county December 12, 1834. Mr. Couk first became a resident of Randolph County in 1859. He owns a well-iniproved farin of sixty-three acres in Section 16, on which he resides. lle and his worthy lady are highly respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

CHARLES CRIST is a resident of Greensfork Township. He was born in l'ennsylvania in 1801 ; his father moved to Maryland, in 1814, and he lived there till he was grown. He married Mary Flatters, in Maryland, iu 1831. She was born in 1809. They moved from thence to Marion County, Ohio, in 1831; thence to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1834. and to Darke County, Ohio, in 1847, and finally to Randolph County, Ind., in 1854, where they reside now, about one mile enst of Spartausburg. They have had twelve children, but there are now but six living. Three of the children died from " milk sickness." The follow- ing are their children now living: Jacob Crist, whose business is farming, and who is married to Mary Campbell, a daughter of William M. Campbell, Sr .- they have one child ; Sarah Ann Shaw, who resides in Union City, and has five chil- dren : Margaret Loniva died when she was seven years old ; Sanford Crist, who is intermarried with Althea Corbert, a daughter uf Richard Corbett; Sandford is a farmer, and ling one child ; William Crist is married to Elizabeth Fish, and re- sides at Springfield, Ohio, where he is engaged as a stone-cutter-he has five children : Mary Jane died at the age of one year: George W. is anmarried, andl resides with his parents ; Thomas Clarkson Crist is married to Mary Co- burn, and resides in Union City, he is an engineer, and has five chiblren ; Re- hecen died when she was seven years old. The older Crist and his lady have always resided upon their form. In every locality where they took up their abode, they were among the first settlers. Mr. Crist has given his whole life to farming. and has done much to improve the country ; he is n man of steady and industrions habits ; he is a Democrat in politics and has the confidence no'l good will of all his neighbors and acquaintances.

FREDERICK C. FULGIIUM, S. S. Mill, Arba. This estimahle gentleman, born in this enunty December 25, 1840, is the son of Frederick and Piety (Par- ker) Fulghum, who were natives of Guilford County, N. C., the former born April 20, 1799, and the latter July 30, 1798. The subject of our sketch was educated at Earlhnm College ; he was married, January 1, 1862, to Rebecen Elliott, who was born in Prehle County, Ohio, January 17, 1839. Her parents, benjamin and Rachel (Ilickson) Elliott, were natives of North Carolina, the former horn May 10, 1816, and the latter in 1814. Mr. and Mrs. Fulghum have four children, viz., Oscar E., born October 3, 1862 ; Francona L., June 13, 1866 ; Luoy, November 6, 1872, and Walter B., born April 20, 1879. Mr. Fulghum settled at Arba, where he is now successfully conducting a saw and grist mill. He and his worthy laly are members of the Society of Friends, and are highly respected by all who know them. Mr. Fulghum is also Inter- ested in the Richmond Business College and Telegraphing Institute at Rich- mond, Wayne Co., lud.

HUGH GARD, farmer, P. O. Winchester. The subject of this sketch, born in P'reble County, Ohio, March 12, 1820, is the son of Lot and Ann (Vance) Gard, who were natives of l'ennsylvania. Mr. Gard beenmo a resident of this Stale when quite young, remaining until 1860, when he returned to his native State. The event of his marriage took place February 11, 1862, to Sarah Dunn, who was born in Pennsylvanin September 12, 1840. Her parents, Joseph and Debra (Evans) Dunn were nntives uf Pennsylvania, the former born Septem- ber 30, 1792, and the latter March 2, 1795. Mr. Gard returned to this State And settled where he now resktes in 1867 ; he owns 160 acres of land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising ; he is n thorough gentleman, highly re- spected by all who know him. Mr. Gard and his worthy Indy have been blessed with three children, viz., Laura D., born December 5, 1862; Joseph C., March 27, 1867, and Annett S., August 31, 1868.

JAMES M. HARRISON, farmer, P. 1). Ih insburg, Ohio, born in Darke County, Ohio, April 26, 1833. Ile is the son of Harvey and Minerva J. ( Down- ing) Harrison ; the former born in Kentucky March 16, 1804, and the Intter in

South Carolina December 7, 1808. The event of his marriage tonk 'place De- ceuiber 9, 1855, to Emily E. French, who was burn in Virginia May 19, 1834. She is the daughter of Walter W. and Levina (Bailey) F'rench, who were natives of Virginin; the former horn March 1, 1794, and the latter July 30, 1800. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison have had born to them six children, three of whom are liv- ing, viz., Arvilla A., born January 1, 1857 : William II., October 12, 1865, and Emily E., November 23, 1872. Mr. Harrison became a resident of Randolph County in 1855, and has since been engaged in farming and the manufacture of the " Harrison Hand Corn Planter," of which he is the inventor and patentee. He has a well improved farm of 122 acres, on which he resides, in Section 25 : he is a sterling gentleman, and he and his worthy lady are highly respected by all who know them.

JAMES H. IlART, farmer, P. O. Spartansburg, was born in Kentucky Jannary 8, 1808; he is the son of John and Phohn (Godfrey) Hart ; the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky. With the exception of a short time spent in Kentucky and Ohio, the subject of our sketch has been n resident of this county since 1852. He spent his early life in tenchinig school, farming and shoe-making ; he was married, September 29, 1839, to Ruth Cartwright, who was born in North Carolina March 14, 1811 She is the daughter of Hezekiah and Elizabeth ( Pritchet ) Cartwright, who were natives of North l'aro- lina ; the former born in 1774, and the latter in 1777. Mr. and Mrs. Ilart have been blessed with four children, two of whom are living, viz., John II., born Jananry 2, 1843, and William T., born March 29, 1847; the Intter was married April 28, 1877, to Angeline M. Bunch, who was born in this county April 28, 1855. She is the daughter of Richard G. and Mary J. ( Bowen) Bunch. This union has been blessed with one child-Charles II., born April 21, 1878. We may say of James H. Hart that he is one of the pioncers of this county, and is closely identified with its development and early improvements; he and his estimahle Indly are members of the Christian Church, and are highly respected] by all who know them.

HENRY HAWKINS, saw-milling, Snow ifill. This estimable gentleman, who beenme a resident of Randolph County in 1870, is the son of Nathan and Sarah ( Wright) IInwkins, who were natives of Wayne County, Ind. ; the former horn April 15, 1808, and the latter April 12, 1811. The subject of our sketch WAS also born as ahove. December 25, 1838 ; he enlisted August 16, 1862, in Company 1, Eighty-fourth Indiana Infantry. As a soldier he was brave and fearless, participating in numerous battles. On Sunday, September 20, 1863, he received a severe wound at the battle of Chickamanga, and lay on the field for cleven days : he was then paroled and taken to the hospital at Chattanooga ; thence to Nashville, where, after remaining for several months, he was tur- loughed and sent home, where he remained for five months ; at the expiration of that time, he joined his regiment at. Nashville, Tenn., but on account of his in- nbility for active service, he was shortly after sent to Indianapolis as one of a reserve corps, where he remained until June 20, 1865, when he was discharged. Mr. Hawkins was married November 26, 1874, to Miss Jennie Owen, who waty born in P'rehle County, Ohio, November 17, 1846. She is the daughter of Will- iam W. and lane (Allbright) Owen, who were born in Tennessee ; the former June 5, 1795, and the latter January 22, 1816. Mr. Hawkins owns 120 acres of land, and is engaged in saw milling and farming ; he is a sterling gentleman, and he and his worthy lady enjoy the esteem and confidence of all who know them.

ADAM R ILIATT, farmer, P. O. Bethel, Ind. This estimable gentleman, burn in Wayne County, Ind., January 9, 1837, is the son of Enos and Nancy (Miller) Hintt, the former born in Guilford County, N. C., August 28, 1805, and the latter in Woodford County, Ky., in September, 1816. Mr. Hiatt was married. May 27, 1855, to Lucinda Wolf, who was born in Wayne County, Ind., July 5, 1837. She is the daughter of David and Nancy (Donthet) Wolf, the former born in New Jersey in 1800, and the latter in Warren County, Ohio, in 1799. This union has been blessed with eight children, seven of whom nre liv- ing, viz., Mary F., horn May 18, 1357; Cassius F., April 20, 1859; Alvin 1., July 22, 1863 ; Elmer P., July 4, 1865; Harrison, August 16, 1869 ; Carrie ('., November 10, 1871, and India W , June 23, 1878. Mr. Hiatt settled where he now resides in 1869. Ilis farm consists of 100 acres, and is located in Section 36. Heis a member of Bethel F. & A. M., No. 260, and he and his worthy lady are members of the Christian Church.

LEVI HILL.

Levi Hill, agriculturist and horticulturist, was born in Greensfork Town- ship, Randolph County, Ind., April 4, 1836 ; he is the son of Aaron and Piety A. Hill, and the second child of a family of eight children; his parents moved to the State in 1417, and to Randolph County in 1824. His father was & native of Ohio, and was horn in 1810 ; his mother of North Carolina, and was born in 1×12 ; his parents were members of the Society of Friends.

Levi has spent the grenter portion of his life upon the farm, having selected the occupation of farming from choice ; he is well adapted to this business, and conducts his farming upon scientific principles. llis father was one of the pioneers of the county, and Levi, in his younger years, assisted him in elcar ing a farm from the forest. His carly educational advantages were meager, but having made up his tuind to engage for n time in the profession of teaching, he bent all of his energies to prepare himself for that work. To accomplish this end, he attended the graded schools at Arba for three terms of five months each, under the instruction of Jacob Green, Thomas and Mintthew Charles; he also nttended a term of five months nt Friends' Western Agricultural School, under the supervision of HIon. B. C. Hobbs, ex-Superintendent Public Instruction. From nineteen to twenty-three years of age, he taught school in the winter und attended school in the summer. As a teacher and student, he distinguished him- self by his energy and perseverance in surmounting every difficulty ; his labors were crowned with abundant anccess.

Dle was married to Elizabeth Anderson, daughter of Harrison and Lydia Amierson, of Wayne County, August 18, 1869. Mrs. Hill is a most estimable Indy, refined, amiable and of superior intelligence. She is beloved by all who know her.

JOHN S. BERRY, M. D.

JOHN S. BERRY was born near Green- ville, Darke Co., Ohio, in 1852, and is the son of Elisha and Jane Berry, who are natives and life-long residents of that county. His father was born Feb- ruary 24, and his mother March 1, 1824. They are the parents of four Bons and four daughters, all of their children now surviving except two. Mr. Elisha Berry has now retired from ac- tive business to the village of Versailles, of the same county, but in his life has been prominently identined with the agricultural and mercantile interests of Darke County. He bears a high repu- tation among his fellow-citizens, and during the past eight years has occupied the honorable and responsible office of County Commissioner in Darke County, and has discharged the duties of that position to the satisfaction of his con- stituents. John S., the subject of this sketch, attended the common schools of his native county, including the public school at Versailles, Ohio, and the high school at Greenville, Ohio. In 1872, he began teaching school, and was thus engaged for eighteen months. In the

spring of 1873, he began the study of medicine under the instruction of his brother-in-law, Dr. J. E. Proctor, of Versailles, Ohio, and spent the winter of 1875 and 1876 in attending lectures at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati. In the spring of 1876, he entered upon the practice of his profession at Spar- tansburg, Randolph Co., Ind., where he still continues to reside. Fortunately, he located in a place ready for a compe- tent representative of the medical pro- fession, and was introduced almost im- mediately into an extensive practice, which, in the meantime, he has greatly enlarged by his prompt and faithful at- tendance upon his patients, his skill and his successful treatment of their ills, as well as by his genial presence and gentlemanly deportment. He has gained the confidence of his patients, and, al- though young, has established a profes- sional reputation of which he may justly feel proud. It is beyond our province to predict a career, but we join with his friends in the hope that he may attain the eminence in his profession for which his natural abilities eminently fit him, and toward which his past achievementa tend.

RES. OF SAMUEL J.JENNINGS, GREENS FORK TP. RANDOLPH, CO. IND.

371

GREENSFORK TOWNSHIP.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill have a family of three daughters, two of whom are now living. Their second daughter, Eva, died April 15, 1867, being nearly four years old. Their eldest daughter, Eudorah (now Mrs. Woodbury ), was born August 5, 1860. Eva was born .July 7, 1863, and died as stated above. Ginevera was bern September 12, 1869. In the fall of 1859, Levi and his young wife settled on the farm where they now reside ; the farm at that time consisted of eighty acres, with thirty-five acres improved. At the present time, Mr. Hill owns 100 acres, seventy-five acres improved ; his irm is beautifully located one and one- half miles south of Spartansburg, and slopes gently to the south and east, of an excellent quality of soil adapted to the growing of all kinds of grain and pasturage, every field being supplied with living water ; his farm is in splendid repair, buildings, fences, etc., being in excellent condition. While he gives his attention to the raising of all kinds of farm products, he makes a speciality of fruits, of which he produces a large variety and fine quality.

He left the farm in the fall of 1873, and removed to Union City, and here he engaged in the book and stationery business for five years, with O. C. Gor- don, ex-Treasurer. In this, as in all other business enterprises, he was suc- cessful. He was elected Township Assessor in 1860, and served two years ; also elected to the office of Township Trustee in 1864, and served one term. In both of these offices he served the people faithfully. While Township Trustes he manifested a deep interest in the success of the schools. He and his wife have been active and honored members of the Disciples' Church, since 1860.

In politics, Mr. Hill is a Republican, and has done much to further the interests of his party in this county. It is Mr. and Mrs. Hill's intention to re- move for a time to Irvington, this State, for the purpose of eduonting their daughter, Ginevera, at Butler University. Mr. and Mrs. Hill and their chil- dren are held in high esteem by the community in which they live, and lead a quiet and happy life.

JOHN WESLEY HILL.

John Wesley Hill, merchant, resides in Spartansburg, this county ; he is the son of Hiram and Martha Hill, and was born in this county May 2, 1839; he is the fourth of a family of eight children ; his father was born in Highland County, Ohio, November 1, 1812 ; his mother was born in Greene County, Penn., in the year 1810; his father came to this county with his parents in the year 1824, and his mether in the fall of 1819. His parents were married January 24, 1833, and settled on a farm three and one-half miles from Spartansburg. John spent the greater part of his time until twenty-one years of age, in assisting his father to clear up a farm from the forest.

His educational advantages were limited to the common district schools, with the exception of two years in attendance at a graded school at. Arba, under the supervision of Thomas and Matthew Charles : he attended this school from 1860 to 1862. It was composed of two grades, and had the reputation of being the hest conducted school in the country at the time.

In the fall of 1862, John entered the army as a private in Company F. Sixty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry : he was in active service until the fall of 1863, at which time he was transferred to the Signal Serv- ice; he was present and took an active part in the batiles of Richmond, Ky .. Chickasaw Mountain, Arkansas Post and siege of Vicksburg. At Richmond, Ky., he was taken prisoner, and immediately paroled. After a brief period he was exchanged, and transferred with his regiment to the Army of the Mississippi. under the commands of Grant nud Sherman ; be was honorably discharged March, 1864. having been prustrated by a severe attack of typhoid pneumonia ; his Captain ( Howard) voluntarily offered him a discharge, which he at first refused to accept, but was subsequently induced to do so en account of continued ill-health, and the urgent request of his brother. His army life was both creditable to himself and the country which he served, and Mr. Hill looks back upon this period of his career with great satisfaction, having the consciousness that, as a soldier, he served his country faithfully in the hour of her peril and need.

After his discharge from the army and returning health, he engaged in the insurance business, and pursued it for about six months, when he en- tered the store of Parker & Hill, of Newport ( Fountain City), Wayne County, as a clerk, and remained about one year, and then engaged to Woody & Weeks, of the same place, in the same capacity, and remained until September, 1866, when he entered into copartnership with Barney Marine in a general mercan- tile business at Arba; his partner transferred his interest in the business. in 1868, to O. C. Gordon. This firm continued until the fall of 1869, when the goods were sold at auction.

Mr. Hill then moved to Spartansburg, and in January. 1870, entered the general mercantile business with E. L. Anderson, as partner. This firm re- mained in the business until the fall of 1872, at which time Mr. Hill retired, transferring his interest to Mr. Anderson. The following summer, he bought out Mr. Anderson, taking as a partner John Grow, transferring to him a one.third interesl. After ahout one year, Mr. Grow way succeeded hy J. A. Thomas. Mr. Thomas remained in the firm until 1878, when he sold his in- terest to George F. Morgan. After two years' copartnership with Mr. Morgan, Mr. Ilill bought his interest, and has since that time conducted the business alone; he is proprietor of tho principal business house of the town in mer- cantile line-his annual sales run from $15,000 to $22,000.

He was elected to the office of Township Trustee in 1870, and served acceptably to the people of his township for four years. During his term of office he took a deep interest in the educational affairs of his township ; he erected a number of excellent school buildings, among them one in his town, a two-story brick, commodious and convenient. This building is above the average for towns uf the size of Spartansburg. He was married to Julia A. Davie, a step-daughter of Dr. R. H. Morgan, November 16, 1865. Mrs. Hill is a lady of refinement and superior executive ability. aol has heen of great as- sistance to her husband in his business. In addition to the cures of the

family, she has entire charge of a boarding house for the benefit of transient and permanent hoarders.

Mr. and Mrs. Will have a family of six children, four boys and two girls, as follows : Roscoe R., born August 31, 1866; Pearl 1., September 19, 1868; . Clarence H., February 26, 1871; Cora M., May 1, 1873 : llugb Fred, February 4, 1875 ; Howard T. B., October 6, 1876.

This is in many respects a model family-a kind Providence sparing the lives of all their children until the time of writing this sketch. Their home is a model of neatness and domestic harmony. Mrs. Ilill is an acceptable and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Ilill is an honored member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity, and has taken all the degrees of the Encampment, and Grand Lodge Encampment : he joined the Order, August, 1807, and has ever since taken a deep interest in its success. In political preferment, he is a Republican of the stanchest kind, and has never affiliated with any other party.

Mr. Hill leads a quiet and even life, energetic and progressive in his business, is a valuable member of society, and highly respectedl in the com- munity in which he lives.

SAMUEL J. JENNINGS.

Samuel J. Jennings, a farmer and carpenter, son of Samuel and Margaret (Madren) Jennings, was born in this county October 1, 18:3 ; he is the seventh of a family of nine children, of whom four are now living ; his father was horn in Pasquotank County, N. C., in the year 1799, and his mother was born in the same State and county in the year 1797. His parents lived in North Caro- linu until the year 1823, when they came to Indiana and settled near Fountain City, Wayne County. They remained here for three years, when they came to Randolph County and located three miles south of Lynn, where they purchased fifty neres of uuimproved land.

The deprivations and hardships they endured were extreme, being in very limited circumstances. So poor were they, their only means of conveyance from North Carolina was a cart drawn by one horse, and from Wayne County to Randolph in a cart drawn by oxen. After their location in this county, Alr. Jennings set to work to clear a farm from the wilderness, and succeeded in se- curing a very comfortable home.

Mr. and Mrs. Jennings were honored members of the Baptist Church, and remained faithful until their deaths. Mr. Jennings assisted iu the erection of the first church in the eastern part of the State, a log house, situated on No- land's Fork, in Wayne County. The ministers of this church, of whom we will mention Willis Wilmore, Thomas Tuttle, Nathaniel Case and many others, al- waye found a welcome home with Mr. and Mrs. Jennings. Mr. Jennings was a very active member of the church and it was mainly through his efforts that it was organized and sustained. Mr. Jennings died March 20, 1860, aged sixty- seven years and ten months. Ilis funeral took place at his residence, and way conducted by Rev. Milton Wright, of the United Brethren church ; his remnios were interred in Hopewell Cemetery, Wayne County. Mrs. Jennings died Oc- tober 1, 1878, aged eighty-one years eight months and fourteen days. Funeral services conducted by Rev. F. M. Demunbrun, of the United Brethren Church, and the remains deposited by the side of her linshand's.

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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 125

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