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 129

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 129

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Abshire spent his youth among the Blue Ridge Mount- ains in Virginia. At the age of twenty-three, he married Eliza- beth Overholtz. Soon afterward, he emigrated to Preble County, Ohio, his goods being brought through the forests in a one-horse wagon.

October 8, 1812, he enlisted in the United States Army, un- der Capt. Richard Sloan, Sixth Regiment, Fifth Brigade, First Division, Ohio Militia. They were stationed on the frontier, at Fort Nesbitt, in the vicinity of Eaton, Preble County. He served till April 8, 1813.

Once, while on a scout, he was lost, and lived on nothing but black-haws for three days.

In the winter of 1821, he moved with his family to Randolph County, Ind., settling one mile northwest of Lynn, on the west side of Mud Creek, where stoud a dwelling having neither floor, windows nor doors. Arriving in the night, during a severe snow- storm, they built huge fires and camped out. The next day, the house was made habitable, and they took possession of their dom- icile. In the spring, they made their clearing, and, before long, set out an orchard, which is living yet. In 1828, he moved to the farm upon which his residence continued till his death, in 1868, at the ripe age of ninety one years.

His children were eight-Aaron, Nancy, Mary, Chloe, Isaac, Abner, Elizabeth, James B. Chloe, Isaac. Elizabeth and James B. yet survive. His wife was born in Maryland in 1773, and died in Randolph County in 1841.

The births and deaths of the children were as follows:

Aaron, born March 3, 1805, died an infant.

Nancy, born March 27, 1807, died in 1878.

Mary, born September 27, 1809, died in 1863.

Chloe, born April 26, 1811, living. Isaac, born April 26, 1814, living.

Abner, born July 28, 1816, died in 1859.

Elizabeth, born February 4, 1820, living.

James B., born September 26, 1823, living.

Travis Adcock, south of Lynn, east of the Johnson School- house, entered the first piece of land in that region in May, 1814, shortly after Thomas Parker came into the woods west of Arba; but when Adcock moved to that wilderness we do not know. He may have come the first on Green's Fork. He was one of the first jurymen (in 1818). He had his name changed, for some reason, from Adcock to Emery. In about 1836 or 1838, he emigrated to Iowa, and, not very long ago, he was living there still. His ros- idence was south of Lynn, on the east side of the pike, opposite the Johnson Schoolhouse. He was a member of Friends, but concerning his life in general we know little.

James Barnes was born in Wayne County, Ind., in 1817: came to Randolph County in 1841; married Harriet Mullen in 1839; has had eleven children, six of them now living. He lives at the same place to which he first moved. James Barnes is a Democrat, and is proud of the fact. He is a fine specimen of the hale and sturdy Western farmer, frank, genial, thriving, hos- pitalle, sincere.

His father was John Barnes, who came to Wayne County. near Randolph line, in the spring of 1817. He (John Barnes)

had eleven children, ten living, and all married, as follows: William, four children, dead; James. eleven children; John, six children; Jesse, two children; Daniel, fivo children; Betsey, six children; Eliza, three children; Caroline, five children; Jane, two children; Sally, eight children.

John Barnes died in the spring of 1880, above eighty years old.

James Barnes resides on a good farm, with a fine brick dwell- ing and excellent improvements, some three miles north of Lynn, on the Winchester pike, a little south of (old) Snow Hill. A son of his was in the United States service in the war of 1861, and died a prisoner in Andersonville in the summer of 1864.

William Barnes was born in 1815, in North Carolina. He caine to Wayne County, Ind., in 1817. He married Sarah Hogs- ton in 1834, and moved to Randolph County in 1837, first to Greensfork Township, and then to Washington Township, where he now resides. They have had six children, four of whom are living. He is a farmer, a Methodist and a Democrat.

Joseph Baxter was born in 1787, in Pennsylvania; came to Ohio, and, in 1824, to Randolph County, Ind., near Rural. He married Sarah Pegg in 1829. They had six children, as follows: John, born in 1831, eight children; William, born in 1833, two children, dead; Jane, born in 1836, three children, dead; Sarah, born in 1838, single, living; Joseph, born in 1841, two children; Davis, born in 1844, four children.

Joseph Baxter, Sr., died in 1863, seventy-six years old. He was a Democrat in politics.

Settlers when Mrs. Baxter (Sarah Pegg, daughter of John Pegg), came to Randolph,

Francis Frazier (probably the first), Gideon Frazier, Isaac Hockett. Paul Beard, Thomas Tharpe, Elijah Brock.

NOTE .- Mrs. Baxter's father, John Pegg, entered land in Randolph County November 7, 1816, and probably moved here about that time. The entries do not always, however, determine the time of settlement. The entry was made sometimes months, possibly years before, and sometimes not till months or even years after the settlement; and not seldom it was the case that the person who made the entry nover effected a settlement at all.

Paul Beard, Jr., was born in North Carolina in 1812, and came to Randolph County, Ind., in 1817. He is the son of Dr. Paul Beard, who emigrated to this county at that time, and en- tered land near Lynn Meeting-House.

Paul Beard, Jr., married Mary Cox in 1833. They have had nine children, eight now living and seven married. Their names are Levi, Ezra, Ann, Asa, Eunice, Louisa, Lindley, Ruth, Henry. Lindley joined the Sixtieth Indiana Regiment in his eighteenth year. Mr. Beard is an Elder in the Society of Friends, and a Re- publican. His wife is also an Elder. They reside on the farm entered by Paul Beard, Sr., near Lynn Meeting-House for Friends. They are intelligent, sober-minded, pious people, walk- ing in industry and sobriety of spirit, and in the love and prac- tice of the truth.

Paul Beard was raised a farmer, and still follows that avoca- tion for a livelihood. He is the uncle of Elkanah Beard, who has become a noted preacher among Friends, having traveled ex. tensively (as also his wife, who is a preacher) in the East, the South and the West, they having been missionaries to India, etc. The wife of Elkanah Beard is Irenu Johnson, grand-daugh- ter of Jesse Johnson, one of the earliest pioneers of the township.

Benjamin Bond was born in North Carolina in 1797; came to Wayne County, Ind., in 1811; married Ellen Goldsmith in 1827; she taught the first school in Milton, Wayne Co., Ind. They have had nine children, all sons; six lived to be grown, and all the six were soldiers in the Union army in the war of 1861. Samson was in a Minnesota regiment, and was discharged for disability. Hezekiah was in the First Minnesota, and died in Salisbury Prison. Benjamin was in the Eighth Indiana and in the Third Cavalry; died in five months, in the service. Pelatiah was a member of the Eighth Indiana (three months), and in the Forty-first Indiana; served three years and one month, Daniel was in the First Minnesota, and served in the Eastern army; was captured at Potersburg in 1864, and spent many sad and weary months in various prisons-Libby, Andersonville, etc .-

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

escaping at last from the guard upon a march from one prison to another; he served four years in all. Edward, in the First Min- nesota Heavy Artillery, served nine months.

Three of the boys are living, and all have been teachers of long standing and superior ability. Pelatiah and his wife were for several years missionary teachers for the Friends among the Ottawa Indians, in the northeastern part of the territory. For several years last past, he has resided in Lynn, engaging in teaching, in book agencies, etc.

Daniel Bond, brother of Pelatiah, has been and still is an enterprising and snecessful teacher. He has taught three years at Spartansburg, several years in Westfield, Hamilton County. besides other places. Daniel Bond is a thorough student, mak- ing also himself substantial and rapid improvement while im- parting information to others,

He has now (1881) left the business of teaching, and removed to Science Hill, Ky., buying a farm with the intention of raising fruit. He has been twice married, and his second wife is still living.

All the sons of Benjamin Bond have been residents of that Northern frontier State, Minnesota.

A consin of Benjamin Bond (the elder) was the first white child born in Wayne County. His name is William Bond; he was born on the present site of Earlham College, near Richmond, in 1808, and he is living still. When Benjamin Bond came to Wayne County (1811), there were but two or three houses in Richmond.

Benjamin Bond came to Randolph County in 1831; entered forty acres of land on Sparrow Creek; moved afterward to Wash- ington Township, in 1837, and to Minnesota in 1854, returning to his old farm in Randolph County in 1857.

Preparing a farm in Kansas, and expecting a removal thither, he died in that State while on a visit to his son Pelatiah, in 1875, seventy-eight years old. His widow is living still with her son Daniel, at Science Hill, Ky .; she was born in 1802, and is now eighty years old, but is wonderfully vigorous for one of her age. When nearly eighty, she would carry her marketing two and a half miles on foot, and return the same forenoon, without fatigue; and in Kentucky she seems now more sprightly than when in Randolph.

We here give reminiscences of Curtis Clony, read at Old Set- tlers' meeting, June, 1868:

"I was born in Orange County, N. C., in 1753. and am now more than eighty-five years old. I was shifted from place to place when I was a child, and got no learning. I determined to leave Carolina, and came to Elkhorn. in Ohio, near Westville, six miles from Richmond, Ind., in 1803. In 1812, I volunteered in the United States army. We set ont for Detroit, but the march was countermanded between Dayton and Pigna, and we were ordered back to the frontier. Our regiment was stationed at Whitehead, two miles above Williamsburg. Wayne Co., Ind. We had to seout all the time, but were in no battle. I was up Greensfork to the Beard settlement. A deer-lick was found on Panl Board's land, and I have often shot door there. I was a soldier three months and twenty days, and was honorably dis. charged. I bought my land February 13, 1817, before Randolph was a county."

[NOTE .- The traet book gives Curtis Cleny's entry as being January 17, 1815, two years before he dates the transaction him- self, and before Indiana becione a State. One would suppose Mr. Cleny would be correct. Perhaps he is, but the figures are as here stated. ]

" The first year I packed my meat thirty miles on my back. Breadstuff was scarce enough. Salt was $1 a bushel, and wet at that. I could tell many hardships, but I forbear. Most of the pioneers are gone. Ten years may perhaps see the last aged head laid low in death and behold the last pioneer pass on to his reward. May God preparo ns for His glorious rest! Amen! "

[Mr. Cleny himself was summoned home not very long after this was written by his trembling hand. ]

Mr. Cleny was born in North Carolina in 1783; came to Westville, Ohio, in 1803; entered the United States Army in

1812; served three months and twenty days, and was honorably I. discharged: entered his land southeast of Lynn January 17, 1815, and moved to it soon afterward.

Twelve children were born to them, ten of whom grew to man- hood, and five are living still. He remained among men, indeed, to a ripe old age, even to fourscore years and ten. Mr. Cleny was a Baptist, belonging to the Concord Church of that faith in Wayne County.

His life was during an eventful time. Born in the year of the peace with Great Britain after the Revolutionary struggle, he came to the heart of the mighty West the year after Ohio be- came a State, the first-born offspring of the famous ordinance of freedom; took part in the second war of independence while yet in his early prime; helped Indiana to begin her race for renown, having become part owner of her Territorial soil the year before she became an equal member of the glorious sisterhood in the bright galaxy of States that form the American Union, and for well-nigh threescore years remained a citizen. sharing the hard- ships and the toils. and the hardy pleasures and the rugged de- lights also, which her noble pioneers knew so well how to draw from the laborious life they were obliged to lead. He even over- lived his time. He remained a pioneer till pioneer times and perils and ways were over and done, and forgotten except by a scattered few, who, like him, had outlived their generation.

He was old enough to vote at the election for Jefferson's sec- ond term, and he remained a citizen of the Republic until he had voted for Gen. Grant the second time-an interval of seven- teen Presidential terms. of sixty-eight years! So short is our national history that a single human life can cover it all!

George W. Daly was born in Cavin County, Cavin Town, Ire- land. abont 1790, probably of wealthy parents. He came to America when young, and completed his education in New York, receiving a classicat training in one of the colleges there. He studied law. and practiced awhile, but became disgusted at the too frequent trickery and roguery incident in that profession, anul forsook the law, taking up the voeation of a teacher for the rest of his life. He traveled extensively in America and Europe for years, afoot and alone, all over New England and the South and West, and in France, Great Britain, etc., afterward practic- ing law, chiefly in Franklin County, Ind. He was at Winchester in the practiceof the legal profession before the first court house was built. He quit the law about 1823. His wife was Catha- rine Clayton, daughter of John Clayton, of Virginia. He resided at first, after his marriage, at Franklin, Ohio, on the Miami River removing afterward to Preble County, Ohio, and finally, in 1842. to Randolph County. Ind., three miles northwest of Lynn, set ling upon a treet of 120 acres entered by him in about 1825. His teaching was done mostly in Preble County, Ohio, during the lall and winter, going back to that region in the fall, and returning to spend the summer. He had a high reputation as a teacher, and many men, afterward prominent in that section, were indebted to his instructions. His family numbered ten children. Eight lived to be grown; five were married, and six are living now.

Mr. Daly was remarkably reticent, saying very little of his early life. His history must have been of unusual interest, bnt a knowledge of it mostly died with him. His character was one of rare and stern integrity. He was a Catholie in religion, and a Democrat in politics, after the old style.

Mr. Daly died in 1866, at the age of seventy-six. His wid- ow is still living. seventy-seven or seventy-eight years old, strong and vigorous for her age. They had eight children when the family settled in the Indiana woods, an active group of wide- awake boys, who cleared out the farm while their father taught the young idea how to shoot in the hamlets and towns of Preble ; County, Ohio. The children were as follows:

James, who went to the Mexican war from Butler County, Ohio, and died in that service.

Catharine (Campbell). now of Redkey, Jay Co., Ind., ten children.

John. Randolph County, bachelor, Democratic candidate for Sheriff.

William Alexander Washington (W. A. W.), given hereafter.

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

Robert, belonged to the Sixty-ninth Indiana, Company B; died of wounds received at Richmond, Ky., ten days after the battle.

George W., married Maggie Kemp, of Hillsboro, Wayne Co., Ind .; has no children, and lives with his mother at the homestead. Joshua, has one child and lives in Jay County.

Francis, resides at Chicago: has four children and is a car- penter.

Charles, died at ten years old.

Mr. Daly died worth about $4,000.

W. A. W. Daly, ex-Sheriff of Randolph County, Ind., was born in 1833, in Preble County, Ohio; came to Randolph County, Ind., in 1843; joined Company B, Ninetieth Indiana Regiment (Fifth Indiana Cavalry), enlisting August 25, 1862; was capt- ured July 31, 1864, released March, 1865, and mustered out in June, 1865.

He married Mary Henshaw in 1857; has had nine children, eight living; is a farmer, and an active, energetic and prominent citizen. He has held the office of Sheriff of Randolph County for four years (1874-78), discharging the duties of his position with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of the community. Mr. Daly is exceedingly earnest and entlinsiastie as a Repub- lican, the memories of his war experience and of his sacrifices for liberty and union clinging to his heart like his very life.

He erected a fine residence, during the summer of 1880, ou his farm, two and a half miles north of Lynn. On his birthday in 1880, his wife and family and friends contrived a perfect sur- prise, managing so adroitly that, without the least shadow of suspicion on his part, a company of some one hundred and fifty relatives and friends assembled at his new and elegant mansion. " Will " owned he was beaten for once. But he gave in like a man, and surrendered the fort without even a show of resistance; and for some three hours that happy company drank deeply of the sweets of social intercourse, and saw with sad regret the hour arrive which bade them separate, departing each one to his home and to his business.

James Frazier came from North Carolina to Cowan's Creek, Clinton Co., Ohio, in 1811, and to Randolph County, Ind., in 1817. settling one mile east of Lynn.

He entered 160 acres of land at Cincinnati. His wife's maiden name was Susanna Stanley. Sho was born in North Car- olina in 1767, and he in 1772. He died in 1822. about five years after coming here. They had ten children, all of whom were born before Mr. Frazier came to Randolph, and seven of whom came with their father to the county. Three were probably mar- ried in Carolina and stayed there. The names of the children are given below:

Lavina (Hodgins), 1793, ten children, died in Iowa in 1866. Samuel, 1795, Mary Cook, ten children, farmer, died in Iowa in 1845.

John, 1798, Sarah Kiff, two children, died in 1824.

Betsey, 1800, Robert Hodgins, four children, died in lowa years ago.

Francia, 1802, Lutitia Clearwaters, eleven children, Randolph County, Ind.

Sally, 1804, Anuel Hodgins, four children, died in Iowa in 1875.

Susanna, 1806, married three times, three children, widow, Towa.

James, 1809, Polly Nichole, four children, Greensfork. Mary Ann, 1811, John Graham, two children, Iowa.

Isaiah, 1814, twice married, six children, Wisconsin. The children became all grown and were married and had families. Seven came with their father to Randolph County. James Fra- zier was a bell-maker, andso was his son Francis, who is still alive (1880), seventy-eight years old, and claims that he can make upon his anvil a better razor than can be bought at the stores.

The Garretts -- Nicholas and Thomas Garrett, orphans, came from Virginia to Belmont County, Ohio.

Nicholas Garrett married Mary Ellis. and in about 1841, moved to Cherry Grove, Randolph Co., Ind. He had seven chil- dren:

Amos, lives at Warsaw, Kosciusko Co., Ind., tradesman.

Ivan, lives in Dallas County. Iowa, farmer.

Ann (Matthews), lives in Dallas County, Iowa, farmer.

Mary (Phillips), lived at Muncie, Warsaw, etc., but is dead. Elizabeth (Trotter). Cherry Grove, Ind., dead.

Henry, died at Dallas County, Iowa.

Elisha, resided at Winchester, Ind., but died at Cleveland Water Cure, Cleveland, Ohio.

Nicholas Garrett died many years ago. Concerning Thomas Garrett, we have no further information.

Nancy Hinshaw, Washington, has had eleven children. All became grown, were married and had families. The youngest was thirty-seven years old when the first one died. The old lady is living now not very far from (old) Snow Hill, and ten of the eleven children still survive. She has sixty grandchildren and thirty-seven great-grandchildren. Her husband was an early pioneer of Randolph, being in politics a Democrat of the Jack. sonian type, and his aged widow is still enthusiastic in the same faith. She is some eighty-four years old. hale and hearty and sprightly. Her daughter is the wife of W. A. W. Daly, Esq., ex-Sheriff of Randolph County.

Jacob A. Hinshaw came with his mother, Phobe Hinshaw, to Washington, south of Lyun, in 1832. She entered land where Jacob A. Hinshaw now lives. J. A. Hinshaw married Poninnah Scott in 1845, and has had eleven children; ten are now living, and four married.

He was raised a Friend, but afterward joined the Methodists. He has been active in various kinds of business, with reasonable snecess. having been able to do what many have failed to accom- plish-i. e., to secure for himself and his family a comfortable livelihood.

Samuel Jennings was born in 1800, and came to Randolph County, Ind., in 1825. He married Mary Sexton, and had eight children. Ho settled one and a half miles cast of Johnson's Station; entered eighty acres; was a farmer, and a Democrat. He died in 1865, being sixty-five years of age.

Jesse Jolinson was born in North Carolina in 1776. He was married four times-first wife, Elizabeth Chamness, born 11th month, 11th, 1799. died 6th month, 20th, 1827; second wife, Rhoda Swain, married 10th month. 20th, 1828, died 6th month, 3d. 1837; third wife, Nancy Tomlinson. married 8th month , 13th, 1838, died 9th month, 27th. 1847; fourth wife, Sarah Baldwin, married 2a month, 8th, 1855, living still.

Jesse Johnson died 5th month, 19th, 1853, aged seventy-nine years five months and ten days. He emigrated from North Caro- lina to Warren County, Ohio, in 1807 or 1808, and to Randolph County, Ind., south of Lynn, in 1817.

He had six children, three of whom are still living. Their names, etc., were:

Jonathan, born in 1800, had four children; lived at Cherry Grove, and died in 1862, in his sixty-third year.

Silas, born in 1802, has had twelve children; lives south of Lynn.

Sally, has three children.

Eli. has eight children: lives in Hamilton County, Ind.

Joliu. had fourteen children; died west of Lynn, Ind.

Simon, had uine children; is not living.

Jesse Jolison was a prominent citizen in the pioneer period; was the first Treasurer of Randolph County, and held other posi- tions among his fellow-citizens, showing the trust reposed in him. He was in religion a steadfast Friend, and a Whig in polities.

John Jolinson was born in Ohio in 1812: came with his fa- ther, Jesse Johnson, to near Lynn in 1817 (probably); married Phebe Thornburg in 1820; then Rebecca Rockhill. He had ten children by his first wife, and twelve by the second. Just half of each set are now living-eleven in all; seven are married. His first wife died some years ago; the second is living now. Ho died in 1871. His residence was two miles north of Bloom- ingport. He was a member of the United Brethren ; afterward, of the Christians (New Lights). He was an Abolitionist and a Republican.

Jonathan Johnson (son of Jesse Johnson, south of Lynn) wus born in 1800 in North Carolina; came to Randolph County.

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

Ind., with his father; married three times-first, Ann Frazier, daughter of Francis Frazier; second, Huldah Way, danghter of Nathan Way; third, Jane (Moore) Small, widow of Josiah Small.

He had four children, and died in the spring of 1862.

He was a Friend, being Elder in his twenty-sixth year, es- teemed and trusted, with excellent judgment.

He was very earnest in attendance upon religions meetings, rising before daylight in the summer, and working several hours, going sixteen miles on horseback from Cherry Grove to White- water to attend week-day meeting.

Joshua M. Johnson was born in 1831, in Randolph County. Ind .; married Amanda Pegg, daughter of Reuben Pegg, and has had thirteen children; twelve are living, and one is married.

He is a blacksmith and a farmer. He has been Postmaster twenty-seven years. He is a Republican. Two of his brothers are New-Light preachers-George and Isaac. (The last is often called " Alphabet " Johnson, his whole name being I. V. D. R. Johnson- - an extensive name, surely.)

Mrs. Gray, of Buena Vista, has been the mother of seventeen children by two marriages.

Ruth (Moody) Johnson is the wife of William Johnson, of Johnson's Station. She has been a recorded minister among Friends since about 1858. She has traveled through Ohio and Iowa, and elsewhere, as a preacher. In 1862, she pursued her work of faith and patience throughout seventeen counties in Iowa, mostly among Friends, and she was everywhere received with kindness and in Christian love. Her work was approved in the Lord by Friends, and she felt many times the tokens of gra- cious acceptance from the hands of the Master.

Friend Ruth is humble, gentle and faithful. and her soothing words come down as the rain, and distil like the tender dewdops upon the springing grass.

Silas Johnson was born in 1802, in North Carolina: came with his father to Randolph County, near Lynn, in 1817; was married twice-first, to Betsey Cook, and second to Lydia Bond -and is the father of twelve children-three boys and nino girls. He is still living, hale and sprightly, seventy-nine years old. His second wife is living also.

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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 129

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