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 133

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 133

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).

JABEZ OZBUN, farmer and minister, P. O. Bloomingsport, was bern in this county April 11, 1824. His father, John, and mother, Rebecca (Sargent) Ozbun, were ontives of North Carolina. Ile was educated in the Friends schools of Wayne County, Ind. He was married, October 9, 1855, to Cynthia Holloway, who was born in Indians February 22, 1837. IIer father, lenne, and mother, Tillie (Thornburg) Holloway, were natives of this county. They have had born to them Isane H., July 25, 1862; Matilda J., April 11, 1865; Orus E., July 3, 1869, and Elisha J., August 30, 1871. Mr. Ozbun settled where he now resides in 1853. Was employed as teacher in the district schools of this and Wayne County for over ten years, lle owns n farm of fifty-two acres ; is n licentinte minister in the New Light Church, and is known as a gentleman whose aim and desire is to encourage and teach his fellow-man to live an ex- emplary Christian life.

L. F. PEIRSON, carpenter and miller; Lyrn, is n son of William and Anna Peirson. Ilis father was born and raised in North Carolina, and moved to this county nhout 1828, and died in September, 1861. His mether was bern in

389

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

North Carolina, and emigrated to Wayne County, Ind., with her mother while in childhood, and then, a few years later, came to this county, and in the spring of 1831 married William Peirsou, father of the subject of this sketch. Mother is still living in Washington Township, this county. L. F. married Elizaboth M. Kinder March 27, 1857. The fruits of this union were two boys, viz. : Ed- vardo and Christian, and are now living in the vicinity of Arcadis, Hamilton Co., Ind. He was raised a miller, his father being a miller. He enlisted in Company E, Eleventh Cavalry One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Indisna Vol- unteers, December 19, 1863; mustered out June 19, 1865. In September of same year, he went to railroading as brakeman on what is known as the Pan Handle Road, and gradually worked his way to the position of conductor on first-class passenger trains. Was in several bad smash-ups. Last one was he- tween Dayton, Ohio, and Michigan Crossing, when the engine and baggage-car rolled into the Miami River. Resigned June 10, 1869. Since that time hss been engaged in carpentering and various occupations. In politics, he is a Re- publican.

JOHN PRICE, farmer, P. O. Lynn, was born in Warren County, Ohio, September 30, 1818. His father, Thomas Price, was born in North Carolina in 1796. His mother, Mary (Detrow) Pricc, was born in Pennsylvania in 1799. In 1819, Mr. Price was brought by his parents to Wayne County, Ind., where he remained until 1844, when he came to this county. He was married in 1842 to Jane Whicker, who was born in North Carolina in 1828. This union was blessed with one child-Mary E .- who was born in 1847. Mrs. Price died in 1861. Mr. Price was again married, September 26, 1863, to Martha A. Pierson, who was born in Kentucky July 24, 1835. This vaion has been blessed with one child-Harriet A., born March 30, 1865. Mr. Price owns a neat farm of seventy-nine acres, one mile north of Lynn, on which he has been residing since 1872. He is a thorough gentleman, and is highly re- spected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

JAMES PRICE. farmer, P. O. Lynn, was born in Wayne County, Ind., August 28, 1828. He la the son of Thomas and Mary (Detrow) Price, the former born in Chatham County, N. C., in 1796, and the latter in Pennsylvania in 1799. Mr. Price was married, October 18, 1850, to Lydia Woofier, who was born in Wayne County, Ind., October 9, 1832. She is the daughter of John and Frances (Budge) Woofter, the former orn in Virginia in 1800, and the lat- ter in North Carolina in 1804. Mr. Price heonme a resident of this . ty in 1853, and has since made many substantial and lasting improvem. dig. He is a gentleman who believes in advancement. He settled where he now resides in 1870. He owns 240 acres of land in the county, and is an exemplary farmer And stock-raiser. Mr. and Mrs. Price have; eight children, viz. : Armilda J., born July 22, 1851; Philip O., December 24, 1853; Thomas J., February 2, 1859 ; Edward R., April 12, 1868 ; Frederick G., October 12. 1865 ; Albert H. and Alpheus II., November 9, 1867, and Evy E., born December 28, 1870.

ABRAHAM SHEELY.

Abrabam Sheely, the subject of this sketoh, has been a long known and honored citizen of this county. He was born in Greene County, Ohio, August 6, 1838, and is the son of William and Permelia (Hanby) Sheely. Of six chil- dren, Abraham is the third, three of whom are now living. His father and mother were both born in Greene County, Ohio, the former in 1811, and the latter in 1813. They were never residents of this State, but lived and died in Ohio. Abraham was raised on a farm, and received a limited educ+tion from the common district schools of Ohio. His youthful days were uneventful, save that hie lot as a farmer boy was beset with many privations and hard labor. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio In- fantry, and served his country with fidelity for three years. He took an active part in the battles of Winchester, Locust, Grove, Mine Run and the terrible nud bloody battles of the " Wilderness." In the Inst-named battles, be was severely wounded in the left limb, above the knee, from the effects of which he has never entirely recovered, and on Account of which is drawing a small Government pension. After being wounded, he was placed in the hospitals of Fredericksburg and Washington city, where he remained until the close of the war. He was discharged July 10, 1865. He entered the army as a private ; was & gallant and faithful soldier, never sought promotion and was always ready for duty. At the close of the war, he came to this State, and settled on a farm in Delaware County, where he remained for four years. Ile then came to Randolph, sad settled on the farm where he now resides. lle is owner and

proprietor of a well-improved farmu of eighty-four acres. Ils farm buildings are of modern architecture, convenient and handsomely situated, an exact sketch of which is given in this work. He was married, March 7, 1864, tu Caroline A. Palmer, of Alexandria, Va. liis wife is an estimable lady, and was born at Athens, Me., August 26, 1836. Her father, Col. David Palmer, was a native of New Hampshire, and was born April 10, 1795. Her mother, Mary ( Wentworth) l'almer, was born in the State of Maine March 30, 1794. Mr. and Mrs. Shoely are the parents of one child, a very interesting daughter -Mary Lonisa, born December 10, 1865. Mr. Sheely has been n very indus- trious and frugal man. All that he possesses, he owes to his industry and en- terprise. He is a useful and honored member of the Christian Church. lle is also an active member of the Randolph County Agricultural Society, and has filled several important offices in this society. He gives especial attention to the raising of hogs and cattle, in addition to the cultivation of all kinds of grain. Mr. and Mrs. Sheely and their daughter are honored and useful mem- bers of society.

BENJAMIN SMITH, farmer, P. O. Bloomingsport. Born in this county August 16, 1828. His father, Temple Smith, was born in Kentucky July 26, 1805. His mother, Priscilla (Crosby) Smith, was a native of Alabama, born May 5, 1810. Mr. Smith was married, April 12, 1849, to Ellen Engle, who was born in New Jersey October 3, 1828. Her father and mother, Joh and LouisA C. (Foreman) Eagle, were natives of New Jersey Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had born to them-Isaac, June 23, 1850 ; Wesley O., September 15, 1857; John, March 12, 1860; Mary, August 12, 1865; Priscilla, March 12, 1868, and Rosella, born March 26, 1871. Mr. Smith owns & well improved farm of 160 aores in Section 13, on which he resides. He is always frank and always hospitable to friend and stranger ; a kind husband and father, and genial as n companion and associate.

OBEDIAH STILWELL, farmer, P. O. Lynn. This estimable gentleman, born in Preble County, Ohio, March 25, 1832, is the son of Obediah and Mar- garet ( Francis) Stilwell, who were natives of New Jersey, the former bort April 18, 1789, and the latter September 27, 1790. The subject of this sketch has been-with the exception of one year during 1857-58, which was spent in Joe Daviess County, Ill .- a resident of this county since 1839. The event of his marriage took place September 23, 1852. The chosen companion through life, Miss Achsah Ilill, was born in Randolph County, Ind., January 22, 1830; she is the daughter of Henry and Achsah (Pescock) Hill, who were natives uf Randolph County, N. C. Mr. and Mrs. Stilwell havo been blessed with two children-George A., born June 28, 1853, and deceased August 14, 1854, and llenry C., boro August 11, 1858. Mr. S. is a member of Lynn F. & A. M., No. 223; he owns a well improved farm of eighty acres in Section 4, on which he resides ; he and his worthy lady enjoy the respect and confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

JESSE THORNBURGH, farmer, P. O. Bloomingsport, was born in this county January 17, 1836; he is the son of N. Thoroburgh. Mr. Thornburgh was educated in the district schools of the county ; he was married, December 9, 1855, to Elizabeth Bales, who was horn in Wayne County, Ind. They have born to them, Melinda E., June 15, 1800. In 1862, Mr. Thornburgh was enlled upon to mourn the loss of his beloved wife ; he then battled with the hardships of life alone until June 9, 1864, when he married Sarah J. Hiatt, who was a native of Ireland, born October 10, 1837. She is the daughter of William and Sarah (Clyde) Miller, who were horn in Ireland, the former January, 1804, and the latter August 15, 1803. They have had born to them-Martha W., November 1, 1867, and Jesse E, January 18, 1877. Mrs. Thoraburgh had by her first husband, Mr. Hiatt, Rehecca E., born October 20, 1858, and William L., April 17, 1860. Mr. Thoraburgh owns a farm of eighty acres in Section 1, and is a genial gentleman.

DAVID W. WILMORE, teacher, P. O. Johnson ; he is the son of John 1. and Mary (Lasley) Wilmore, who are natives of this State, the former born in Wayne County September 19, 1831, and the latter in Randolph County May 23, 1×33. The subject of this sketch was born in Adams County, Ind., June 22, 1854; he was educated at Union City and at the high school of Winchester ; began teaching in 1872, and since then has spent the larger part of his time in the school-room as teacher. The event of his marriage took place November 1, 1879, the chosen partner for life being Miss Alice Lasley, who was born in this county March 1, 1855. Mr. Wilmore is a genial gentleman, and is uni- versally esteemed by all who know him. Mr. and Mrs. Wilmore have had born to them & sun-Jay C., August 20, 1880.

390

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

WEST RIVER TOWNSHIP.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

I TS boundaries at present are as follows: North by White River all Stony Creek. cast by Washington, south by Wayne Coun- ty. west by Nettle Creek and Stony Creek,

West River Township was laid off in May, 1831, then com- prising all west of Huntsville and eight miles north and south, taking the whole southwestern portion of the county, and by several changes became what it now is. Its extent is forty square miles, eight miles north and south, and five miles east and west. It embraces the north half of Township 18 and the south half of Township 19 (except a strip of one mile wide on the east side), and is wholly in Range 18 east. The sections in the township are as follows: Township 18. Range 13 east: Sections 2, 3, 4, 5. 6. 7. 8, 9. 10. 11, 14. 15, 16, 17, 18; Township 19, Range 13: Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. 26, 27. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35.

The township takes in West River Valley (so far as it lies in Randolph County), as also the head-waters of Martindale Creck. running southward into White Water, and of Cabin Creek, flowing northward into White River.

The region is rich and beautiful, the surface is rolling and the scenery picturesque; the country is capable of a high culti- vation. and much of it is already brought to that condition; the farmis are fertile and well tilled. The muddy roads of the past have lavgely given place to the smooth, leveled, graveled pikes of the present era, which extend in several directions along and across the surface. It was settled as early as 1816, and perhaps even sooner than that. Hugh Botkin entered the township in 1516, settling southeast of Huntsville, near where now rises to view the stately. hospitable mansion of his worthy and enterpris- ing son. William M. Botkin, Esq. When he came he found al- ready hore several settlers, the exact date of whose arrival, how- ever, is not now known. Among them were these: Mr. Odle, one mile south of Botkin's; Joshua Wright, one-half mile south of Botkin's; Jesse Cox, east of Mr. Wright's; Jonah Heaton, three miles northwest of Huntsville. Seven entries had been made in 1815, and three were made in 1816. Mr. Botkin effected his entry of land September 29, 1817, W. N. E. 3. 18, 13. 80.26 acres, and before his had been sixteen entries. Joshua Wright (probably with his brother James) purchased his tract nine days before, and Jesse Cox seventeen days after Mr. Botkin. The other names (except Jonah Heaton's) do not appear at all as patenteos. They were either " squatters " or lived on land entered by some one else. Jonah Heaton "entered" in 1819. William M. Botkin says that in 1817 there came to the region several settlers, viz .. Joshua Ballinger, Samuel Jack- son. Valentine Gibson, William Gibson. Joseph Hollingsworth (bought ont Mr. Odle), William Peacock (afterward Associate Judge). Most of these names stand among the list of entries, some of them. however, nol till the lapse of several years. Will- iam Smith came upon West River somewhere west of Botkin's, near the " boundary." August, 1817, and Jeremiah Smith says that the following wore in the neighborhood when his father settled where they moved into the county:

place now. All of these except two were located on Sections 7, 8, 17 and 18. Township 18, Range 13, in West River Valley. Those near Hugh Botkin's were farther east. William Blount made the first entry in the township, in Section 8, now the Retz homestead farin, April 10, 1815. Hodge and Barnes made their entry in July, 1815. They did not move to their land till 1818. Mr. Smith states that they came out from Pennsylvania and made their purchases, and returned to the East, coming back to settle in 1818. Moses Martindale was unquestionably a very early settler, among the first if not the very first in the region. He made his first entry September 2, 1817, E. Į N. E. 1 14, 18, 13, the extreme southeastern corner of what is now West River Town- ship. Iu two weeks' time, he took up another tract, E. Į S. W. 1 11, 18, 13. on the head-waters of the stream which gained the name (doubtless from him as the first settler upon its banks) of Martindale Creek. These entries of Martindale's were south and southeast of Botkin's, and near the other settlers in that vicinity. Of course, others also had found their way into the wild woods, but we have not been able to trace them.

The Congressional townships with the sections have already been named. The number of acres in West River Township is about twenty-five thousand six hundred.

The entries on record to the end of 1829 are given herewith:

ENTRIES.

William Blount, S. W. 8, 18, 13, April 10, 1815: Lot Hud- dleston, N. W. 17, 18, 13, May 3, 1815; John Jones, Fractional Section 18, 18, 13, May 3, 1815; Jolin E. Hodge, N. W. 8, 18, 13, July 6, 1815; Isaac Barnes. Section 7, 18, 13, July 6, 1815; Arny Hall, E. S. E. 17, 18, 13. October 12, 1815; Cornelins Shane, N. E. 8, 18, 13, July 6, 1815; David Moore, W. S. W. 17. 18, 13, May 14, 1816; Thomas Croford, S. E. 8, 18, 13, Sep- temby 30, 1816; James Maleom, N. E. 17, 18, 13, October 12. 1816; William Smith, Sections 5 and 6, 18, 13, May 18, 1816; Achilles Morris, W. S. W. 9, 18, 13, Ang. 30, 1817; Moses Martindale, E. S. E. 14, 18, 13, September 2, 1817; Moses Martin- dale, E. S. W. 11, 18, 13, September 15, 1817; Joshua and James Wright, S. E. 3, 18, 13, September 20, 1817; James and M. Thornburg, W. N. W. 10, 18, 13, September 26, 1817; Hugh Bot- kin, W. N. E. 3, 18, 13, September 6, 1817; Jesse Cox, S. W. 2, 18, 13, October 16, 1817; Jonathan Cox, N. W. 15, 18, 13, Octo- ber 16, 1817; Powers and Drew, Section 32. 18, 13, October 29, 1817; E. D. Williams, N. E. 10, 18, 13, November 7, 1817; Jonathan Cox, S. W. 15, 18, 13, December 13, 1817; Seth Rode- baugh, S. W. 10, 18, 13, February 23, 1818; William Smith, W. S. E. 9. 18, 13, April 7, 1818: Thomas Gillam, E. ! Section 9, 18, 13, April 29, 1818; Joseph Hollingsworth, N. W. 11, 18, 13, June 3, 1818; Daniel Jones, N. E. 11. 18. 13, June 4, 1818; Daniel Jones, S. E. 11. 18, 13. June 4. 1818; John Cox. N. E. 9, 18, 13. September 18, 1818; Joseph Hollingsworth. W. N. W. 2, 18, 13. October 10, 1818; William Peacock, N. E. 14, 18. 13, December 22, 1818; Oliver Walker. S. W. 21. 18, 13. March 27, 1819; Oliver Walker, N. E. 28, 18, 13, March 27. 1819; Oliver Walker. N. W. 28. 19, 13. March 27. 1819; Jonah Heaton, W. S W. 28. 19. 13. March 27. 1819: Oliver Walker. W. S. E. 21, 19, 13. May 5. 1819; John Jackson, W. N. E. 33. 19, 13. June 17, 1819; Joseph Hollingsworth. Parts 8 and 9, 19. 13, October 13. 1819; John Jackson, W. N. W. 33, 19. 13. No- vember 12, 1819; Sam Heaton. E. S. W. 28. 19, 13. May 2, 1821; James Stanley, Jr., Fraction E. S. E. 9. 18, 13. July 20. 1822; John Ballinger. S. S. E. S, 19. 13. November 1, 1822; John Ballin- ger, N. E. 17. 19, 13. November 1, 1822; Jonas Lykins, S. E.

William Blount and his two sons-in-law, John Proctor, Evan Shoemaker, Jolm Jordan, Arny Hall, Thomas Brown, John Gwynn, James Maleom, Samuel Sales. David Jones, Isaac Barnes, came in ISIS, as did also John E. Hodges, William Hunt and Frederick Zimmerman. Few of them appear as patentees. Evan Shoemaker lived on the tract cast of the "boundary," and just across from the Mount Pleasant Methodist Meeting.Honse. Mr. Zimmerman honght ont the Blount place, and resided there till he died, and his daughter Anna (widow of John Retz) occupies the : 17. 19, 13. December 22, 1822; Lemuel Vestal, N. E. 8, 19, 13.

MAP OF WEST RIVER TOWNSHIP

UNIONPORT JLOT: R3E., BUENAVISTA

BUNDYSMALL UNIONPORT

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MRS.C. M. STEVENSON

RES. OF C. M. STEVENSON, WEST RIVER TP. RANDOLPH CO. IND.

WEST RIVER TOWNSHIP.

September 10, 1823; Stephen Brewer. S. Į S. 3 20, 19, 13, Jan- nary 26, 1825; Samnel Ruble, N. S. E. 8, 19, 13, June 24, 1825; Robert Gibson, E. S. E. 19, 19, 13, August 22, 1825; Valentine Gibson, W. N. E. 19, 19, 13. Jannary 8, 1826; Thomas Worth, W. S. E. 17. 18, 13. September 26, 1827; Emson Wright, E. S. W. 8. 19, 13. June 16. 1828; Zach Dalley, S. W. S. E. 31, 19,, 13, July 2, 1828; William Denton, S. 3 20, 19, 13, November 1, 1828; Nancy Barnett, N. W. S. E. 31, 19, 13, August 27, 1828; Thomas Wilkinson, W. N. E. 7. 19, 13, October 7, 1829; John H. Denton, W. S. E. 30. 19. 13. October 13, 1829; Rieb- ard Robbins (colored), N. W. 18, 19, 13, October 17, 1829; Bas- il Hunt, E. N. W. 33, 19, 13, November 2, 1829.

The entries by years have been as below: 1815, seven entries, 1,230.68 acres; 1816, three entries. 400 acres; 1817, twelve entries, 1,831.98 acres; 1818, nine entries, 1,440 acres; 1819, eight entries, 826.44 acres; 1820, no entries; 1821, one entry, 80 acres; 1822, four entries, 822.96 acres; 1823, one entry, 159.37 acres; 1824, no entry; 1825, three entries, 228.97 acres; 1826, one entry, 80 acres; 1827, one entry, 80 acres; 1828, four entries, 405.20 acres: 1829, four entries, 331.88; total entries 58; total aeres, 7,417.48; being an average of 128 acres per entry. The amount as above comprises about one-fourth of the land in the township.

The "new boundary" passes through the western part of the township in an angular direction, yet the sections are not frac- tional, since the survey is reckoned from the Second Meridian. The meridian and the base line were located and the range lines estimated, and then the land east of the "new boundary " was surveyed first, and, in process of time, that west of the twelve- mile strip was surveyed also.

FIRST THINGS.

We have been able to trace but few " first things" for West River Township. The beginning and progress of religious work may be seen in the detailed statement for the churches.

The mills were mostly in other portions of the county, and West River was not much of a mill stream near its upper course, and these settlers went chiefly down into Wayne County to find milling facilities already in operation. William Smith is said to have started a mill of some kind, but whether by horse or water power we cannot state. He was a blacksmith as well as a farmer, and one of the earliest things he did was to put up a shop in which to work at his trade. These smith shops were scattered over the county at various points, though we can name but few. Richard Robbins had one farther north in Stony Creek; James Frazier and his son Francis after him worked as a smith east of Lynn. The Fraziers were of a superior sort, being bell-makers as well as smiths. Francis Frazier, still living, boasts highly of the bells and the razors he can make. He declares that he has heard one of his cow bells seven miles, and that he can even now hammer out a razor that will beat the "boughten razors all hollow." At any rate, the old pioneer is a hale, cheerful octoge- narian, and has been famous as Francis Frazier, the bell-maker, for half a century.

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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 133

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