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 139

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 139


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OLIVER IT. MILLSPAUGH, farmer, P. O. Swain's Hill. He was born July 20, 1831, in f'lermont County, Ohio ; he went with his parents to Shelhy County, from theuce to Fayette County, and finally settled in this county in the fall of 1864 ; he was educated in the district schools of Fayette ('uanty, Ind., and was married, the first time, to Mary J. Mundemore, who was born May, 1834, and deceased June 23, 1549. Six children blessed this union-Edwin G., horn October 14 1852; Eveline, October 1, 1855: Sarah A., October 8. 1858; Joho (., December 1, 1860; Williato T., October 23, 1862, and Nellie R., Angust 26, labi. Mr. M. was married, the second time, March 2, 1871, to Phebe Manlshy, who was born August 24, 1834. One child blessed this union-Mary L., born Angust D. 1872. Mr. Millspaugh is a member of the Baptist Church, and a Denderat of the ohl school ; he uwas a valuable farm of 230 neres of land, and is considered a reliable citizen ; his father. Gilbert C., was originally from New York, where he was born August, 1800; deceased in 1859, in Grant County, Ind.


GEORGE MOORE, farmer, P. O. Unionsport. This worthy pioneer was horn September 19, 140%, in the State of Delaware; he settled in Wayne County, Ind., in the fall of 1817, and from thenee located io West River Township, this county, in the spring of 1840: he was einented in the common schools of Wayne County, and was united in ianrriage, June 6, 1831, to Mary Hintt, who was a trative of North Carolina, and born July 9, 1814. She is a worthy member of the Christian Church. These parents had six children, of which number tive are living - Mahala, Born September 28, 1X11, decreased February, 1834 ; Willanum A., May 22, 18441 : Rachel. March 29, 1826: Martha, October 16, 1837 : David W., Derember 13, 1839 (served in Company D, One Hundred and Forty- seventb Indiana Infantry), and Henry H .. December 7, 1840 (served in the same organization with his brother). This worthy citizen owns a valuable triet of 200 acres of tand, and for one of his age is very active.


JOHN MOVER.


John Moyer is a resident of West River Township; he was born in the State of Pennsylvania December 25, 1811, and resided there until about thirty- five years ago; he was educated in the German schools of his native State, and is very much like a Pennsylvania " Dutelman." He was married, January 31. 18.17, to Catherine Hafer, who was also born in Berks County of the same State in the year ISIS.


Mi. and Mrs. Moyer emigrated to the woods in Randolph County, Ind., about thirty six years ago, where, by great industry and hard labor they have procured and improved a valuable farmt. They have seen the growth of the country from a howling willerneys te a high state of improvement, with plenty and in spare.


These parents have been gifted with seven children, of which number four are living, viz., Mary , born May 31, IS12; Julia A., born August 10, 1844 ; Catherine, hora September 25, 1547, and Martha, born October 11, 1852.


Mr. Muyer's derea-el children were as follows: fleury, horn November 28, 1849-he enlisted in Company D, Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and died March 10, 1565, while in the service, and was brought home for borial; he participated in all the lastles of his regiment till his death. Another son, William B. was born January 25, 1850, and died September 23, 1851 ; and & daughter. Miza E. born August 11, 1855, and deceased June 28, 1505.


Mr. and Mrs. Moyer are members of the Christian Church, and are peace- able and respected citizens.


The two older daughters were married December 23, 1969; the elder, to John Allison, a native of England, and the other, to William S. Stakelake, who was born in Preble County, Ohio, March 12, 1550.


Mr. Allison ched August 1, IS;7, and left his wille v and daughter, Katie, who was born December 1. 1870.


Mr. and Mrs. Stakehake are the parents of three children, namely : John M., horn December 19, 1870; Millicent, born April 23, 1875, and Morton B., born March 21, 1877.


Mir. Moyer's daughter, Catherine, was married, December 19, 1876, to Mr. Pharosh W. Brewer, a native of this county, and son of Nathan Brewer. By


RES. OF WM M. BOTKIN, WEST RIVER TP. RANDOLPH. CO. IND.


JOSHUA J. SHEPPARD.


MRS MARTHA J. SHEPPARD.


RES. OF J.J. SHEPPARD, WEST RIVER TP. RANDOLPH, CO. IND.


403


WEST RIVER TOWNSHIP.


this union there is a son, J. Fraze Brewer, born November 28, 1878, and one, Arthur B. Brewer, born March 5, 1882.


Mr. Moyer's daughter Martha was married, December 24, 1874. to Mr. David W. Townsend, and they have a son-Orley V., born February 5, 1877.


ISAIAH OSBORN.


ISAIAH OSBORN, the father of C. W. Osborn, and son of Charles and Sarah Osbern, was born in Knox County, Tenn., November 25, 1803. He was the fourth of a family of sixteen children, of whom six are now living. Charles Osborn, the father of Isaiah, was born in Quilford County, N. C., in the year 1775, and Sarah Newman, his mother, was born in Virginia in the year 1773. After marriage, they settled in Tennessee, and while residents here, Charles became the founder of the Manumission Societies of Tennessee and North Carolina. Aa the name indicates, these societies were formed for the nrpose of liberating slaves from bondage. They removed to Mount Pleasant, 'hio, about the year 1817, where Charles commenced the publication of a paper untitled The Philanthropist, the first anti-slavery paper published in America. This paper boldly advocated the immediate an unconditional emancipation of the slaves. It was ably edited, and thengh taking a step far beyond public sentiment, had its influence in the final consummation of the cause that brought it into existence.


Benjamin Lundy, whe subsequently published an anti-slavery paper en- titled the Genius of Universal Emancipation, was a disciple of Oshorn.


Charles and his family moved to Indiana about the year 1819, and settled in Wayne County, where he entered land and laid out the town of Economy, where he lived until the year 1842, when he removed to Michigan, and from thence to Porter County, Ind., where he died in the year 1850. Ile was an honored member of the Society of Friends, and was recordedl a minister of the Gospel about the year 1808. As a minister. he traveled extensively over the United States, andI in the years 1832 and 1833, he visited the Continent of Eu- rope for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel.


Charles Osbern was a remarkable man, noted for his streng convictions on all public questions, especially that of slavery, when he stood almost alone, and uncompromising in principle. He saw from the beginning the true nature of the Colonization Society, and voted alone against merging the Manumission So- ciety, which he had founded, into that of colonization, thus placing conditions an emancipation which should be unconditional. He was devoted to the church, but his firm stand on the slavery question cost him his position ; believing that he was right, as God gave him to see the right, he yielded up his membership in the church rather than retract from the stand he had taken. Ile died ful! of the faith he had so long preached, and which had sustained him during a long, eventful and useful life.


Isaiah lived with his father until the year 1822, when he emigrated to Greenville, Tenn., and engaged to Benjamin Lundy as a printer on his anti- siavery paper. IIe returned to Indiana in the year 1824, and located at Cen- terville, Wayne County, where he continued to work at the printer's trade in the employ of John Scott. He remained here until the spring of 1827, when he removed to'Indianapolis, and worked in the office of John Douglass in the anme capacity. He remained here for one year, when he returned to Wayne County and entered eighty acres of land. He was married to Lydia Worth, daughter of Job and Rhoda Werth, of Randolph County, June 24, 1829. His wife, who is the only living child of Job Worth's family, is a woman of more than ordinary abililty, and was eminently fitted to he the wife of the honored subject of this sketch. After marriage, they settled in Economy, where they remained for four years, Isninh serving as Justice of the P'ence during the en- tire time. They then moved on afarm situated one mile northeast of Economy, where they remunined until the death of Isaiah, which occurred June 16, 1846. Mr and Mrs. Oshorn were the parents of eight children, of whom feur are now living. Two of their children reside in Randolph County, one in Wayne County and the other in Henry County, this State. They were both acceptable and useful members of the Society of Friends, and remained so all of their lives. Isaiah entertained a strong anti-slavery sentiment from his youth, was a fine business man and had extensive experience in public life, of unquestioned in- tegrity, and heloved by all who knew him. IIe had strong convictions for the right on all questions, and dared maintain them. lle was particularly quali- fied for usefulness in either church or state, aud, it may be troly said, he lived up to the full measure of his ability, and died honored and respected by all who knew him.


CHARLES W. OSBORN.


Charles Worth Osborn, son ef Isaiah and Lydia Osborn, was born in Econ- omy, Wayne Co., Ind., February 8, 1833. Ile is the second of a family of eight children, of whom four are now living. His boyhood wos uneventful ap to the death of his father, which occurred when he was thirteen years of age. After this sad affliction, the responsibility of the care of the farm rested prin- ripally upon Charles' shoulders. Although young in years, he was ripe in ex- pierience, and he was indeed a great stay to his mother in managing the farm and raising the family.


Ilis education was principally confined to the common district schools. Ile attended the Union Literary Institute of this county in the year 1853. He also attended Antioch College for six months in the fall of 1856, and winter of 1957. His education was obtained at grent sacrifice, having to work his way through. While attending the Literary Institute, a kind of agricultural insti- tution, he paid his own way, and alse that of a sister, by working on and su- perintending the farm connected with the institution. It is needless to state that in all of this work, Charles made the mast of his advantages, was of untiring industry and succeeded in obtaining an education above that of the average young men of his time.


He began teaching school in the fall of 1854, and continued teaching dur- ing the winter, until 1866, with the exception of the fall and winter of his attendance at Antioch College. During the summer months he was generally engaged in farming. As a teacher, Charles was eminently successful, being a


young man of more than ordinary energy and of unquestioned moral character. He was a living example to his pupils of purity of life and Christian deport- ment. He was especially adapted to the profession of teaching, and, after nearly twelve years of faithful work in the school-room, left the profession with many regrets. Ile not only attempted to train the minds of his pupila, but their hearts as well.


He was married to Asenith W. Wood, daughter of Jacob and l'hobe Wood, of Henry County, Ind., March 25, 1858. After marriage, he settled on his father's old homestead, in Wayne County, where he remained until the spring of 1860, when he removed to the farm where he new resides. lle par- chased this farm in 1857, and it consisted of fifty-three acres, with about twenty under cultivation. He now has sixty acres, fifty of which are ander a high state of cultivation. He is comfortably sitnated, farm in good repair and provided with convenient and commodious buildings.


Mr. and Mrs. Osborn are the parents of six children, three of whom are now living-Arthur W , born January 7, 1859; Daniel W., October 19, 1860 ; Laura C., born June 4, 1865, deceased Jannary 26, 1877 ; Edgar C., born Oc- tober 25, 1872, deceased October 7, 1874 ; Carrie, born June 23, 1876, and de- ceased the same date, and William E., born June 23, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn have been active and useful members of the Society of Friends all of their lives. Charles was recorded a minister of this church in 1876, and bis services in this capacity have been highly acceptable. Ile has been a strong advocate of the temperance cause for years, and has done much to mould public sentiment in favor of prohibition. Ile has acted as Superintendent of the Sab- bath school at Economy continuously for ten years, lle is a Republican in political preferment, and has always been anti-slavery in sentiment. Charles Osbern is a useful man in the community in which he lives. He is well quali- fied to serve in any capacity to which he may be called. He is systematical in all of his transactions and honest in all of his dealings.


Mr. and Mrs. Osbern lead a quiet and happy life, surrounded by loving and obedient children, endeavering to make all around them better and happier by their presence. They are honored members of the church and society, and it is to be hoped that they will have many years of usefulness yet to come.


JOHN W. PRICE, farmer, P. O. Economy ; he was born July 4, 1834, in Wayne County, and was educated in its common schools; he was united in marriage, October 1, 1857, to Jane Shugart, who was a native of Wayne Coun- ty, Ind., and born June 15, 1838. This union was blessed with three children -Eva L., born January 20, 1859 ; William E., March 15, 1862, and George O., May 17, 1872 ; he and his family are worthy members of the M. E. Church ; his father, William Price, was a native of North Carolina, bern October 20, 1804; canie to Wayne County, Ind., about the year 1817. Still living, at this date, his wife, originally Jane Massey, was a native of South Carolina, born 1808, deceased about the year 1869. Mr. Price is an energetic farmer and enjoys the confidence of his neighbors.


DAVID F. PURSLEY, farmer, P. O. Trenton. This farmer and soldier was born July 10, 1839, in this county ; he was married, September, 1866, to Jane Clevenger, who was born February 26, 1850. They have three children -- Franklin C., born May 1. 1868; William C., November 18, 1870, and Fred- crick E., May, 1876. Mr. P'. had but little advantage of school and has fol- lowed farming; he carly espoused the Union canse and enlisted in Company C, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, serving through the war. The Nineteenth was assigned to the " Iron Brigade," of the Army of the Potomac, and Mr. Parsley participated in all the battles of that grand old organization ; he was severely wounded in the left hip and wrist at the bloody battle of Antietam ; he had three brothers in the war-Lafayette and Alcazer, who served in Company C. Nineteenth Indiana, and James M., who served in Company A, Eighty-fourth Indiana; his father's name was James M. Pursley, who was originally frun Virginia, where he was born about the year 1805; deceased in this county, 1865; his wife's father's nanie was James M. Clevenger, who was a native of this State, born in the year 1828; deceased at Indianapolis, Ind., August, 1880. Mr. Parsley stands high in the community in which he lives.


ANNA RETZ, farming, P. O. Ecquemy, was born September 23, 1820, in this county. She was educated in the common schools near where she has resided for over a half century ; her maiden name was Zimmerman, and she was married, November 20, 1834, to John Retz, who was born July 30, 1810, in Germany ; he came to this county in 1833, deceased August 4, 1876. Mrs. Retz is the mother of thirteen children, of which number seven arc living. The living are Catharine, born August 23, 1837 ; Lewis W., Decomber 16, 1844 ; Sarah, Decerober 25, 1846; John W., December 11, 1847; Michael A., August 14, 1853; Mary C., January 20, 1855, and David, May 21, 1859. The deceased are Ileary, born October 23, 1838, died October 28, 1838; William, January 23, 1843, died December 8, 1844; Daniel, January 15, 1850, died October 9, 1851; Charles, November 15, 1839, died October 8, 1858; Martha J., January 21, 1857, died October 21, 1858, and James Mc, December 18, 1862, died Feb- ruary 21, 1863. Mrs. Rotz ownr a valuable farm of 160 acres of land, is a con- sistent member of the M. E. Church, and deserves much praise for rearing her largo family and keeping them together.


JOSHIUA J. SHEPPARD.


Joshua Johnson Sheppard, the son of William an 1 Jane Sheppard, was born in Frederick County, Va .. March 6, 1823, Ile is the seventh of a family of twelve children, of whom five are now living. His father was born in l'enn- aylvania February 23, 1791, and his mother in Virginia September 2, 1814. His parents settled in Virginia, where they remained until October, 1843, when they removed to this county and settled near Huntsville upon a farm rented of John Harris. They remained residents of this county until their deaths. llis father died November 15, 1851, and his mother April 15, 1863.


The subject of this sketch was twenty-one years of age when he removed with his parents to this county. Ile continued with his father on the farm for one year afterward, when he was united in marriage with Martha Jane Pas- chall, daughter of Jesse Z. and Jane Paschall, of this connty, December 5, 1844.


404


HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.


His education was limited to the insignificant subscription schools of Vir- gina. Notwithstanding the imperfection of these schools, he obtained a fair common-school education sufficient in transact all of his business, After mar- riage, he settled upon his father-in-law's form and remained about two years, when he leased 100 acres of land three-quarters of a mile southeast of Huntsville, and remnined one year. He then purchased forty acres of the farm of which he is now owner and proprietor. This tract was in the forest with no improve- ments, and he devoted his energies to the development of a farm. lle now owna 160 acres of excellent land of which 120 acres are in a good state of eul- tivation. llis farm consists of two eighty acre tracts separated by a forty. It is conveniently located, gently rolling, and is very productive. His farm build- ings are both commodious and convenient ; he has recently erected a most ex- cellent farmhouse of modern architecture, two stories in height, situated nn a beautiful eminence and fueing to the west. It contains nine commodious rooms, and is tastefully furnished. Itis farm being well adapted to raising stock as well as grain, he gives increased attention to the production of corn and hogs ; he has also given uspecial attention to underdraining. having no less than 1,500 rods of tiling, ranging from two and one-half to eight inches.


Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard are the parents of seven children. They also have An adopted daughter. They have been peenliurly unfortunate in the loss of their children hy death, being called upon to mourn the demise of five. The following are the names, dates of the births and deaths of their children : Will- iam %., born October 1, 1815, and died May 2, 1864: Osenr .J., born Angust 3, 1847, and died August 20, 1846 ; James O., boro August 3, 1817, and died Au- gust 15, 1847 ; Louiva J., born March 17, 1850, and died August 26, 1866 ; Julian 11., born April 2, 183; Emma M, born June 30, 1857, and died De- cember 9, 1858; Voirellus C., horn January 22, 1800 : Minnie S. (the adopted daughter), born February 15, 1864.


Ilis two living sons are married and live on their father's farm, which they cultivate in addition to forty acres which they together own.


His son, William %%., enlisted in the army December 2, 1863, in the Ninth Indiana Cavalry, Comprmy D. He never left the camp at Indianapolis, hut was taken sick and died in the hospital at that place of diphtheria.


Mr. Sheppard and dan chl .r. Minnie, are nere ptable members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. Mr. Sheppard is an honored and active member of the 1. 0. 0. F. ; he belongs to Treaton Ludge, No. 248, and White River Encrip- mest, No. 50. He has been a member of the Grand lange since 1870 ; he has passed the chairs of the subordinate lodge twice, and was District Deputy Grand Master eight years in succession. His sons are also worthy members of the same order. Mr. Sheppard has always been a stanch and active Republican, and he has done much to advance the interest of the party. While living in the South, he was nncompromisingly opposed to the institution of slavery, having formed a bitter hatred for it very early in life.


MARTHA JANE SHEPPARD, wife nf Joshua. J. Sheppard, and daughter of Jesse Z. and Jane Paschall, was born in Warren County, Ohio, October 31, 1821. She is the second of a family of nine children, of whoin seven are now living. ller father was born in Pennsylvania November 28, 1791, and her mother in the same State October 12. 1802. They removed to this State and settled in this county abend the year 1836. Her mother died in this county July 21, 1811, aged forty-one years nine months and twenty-one days, Her father died January 11, Jobs, aged seventy years two months and fourteen days. Martha spent her youthink days upon the farm. Her experience in toile and har khipe was about the same as that of most pioneer daughters. However, in abition to the various household Auties of those times, she spent a large portion of her time serving as a band upon the farm. Her education is very menger, having, comparatively speaking, no opportunities for attending selinal. She ha- always been industrious and frugal, and has been a helpmate indeed in her husband through all the years of their married life. Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard are quiet nmassuming people, industrious and frugal. They ate well situated in life, being surrounded by all that is necessary to make them luppy.


JAMES STEVENSON.


James Stevenson, the son of George and Charlotte W. Stevenson, was born in Warren County, Ohio. September 25, 1847. Ile is the fourth of a family of seven children, of whom five are now living. His father was born in Warren County, Ohio, July #1, 1818, His parents moved to Randolph County in 1853, and settled two and three-quarters miles west of Bloomingsport on a farin of 220 neres. James passed his youthful days upon this farms until he was twenty-one years of age, rendering assistance in clearing a homestead


Ilis edmention was obtained from the district schools of this township, and through his efforts and meager advantages, he succeeded in acquiring a fair business encation. After he was twenty-one, he hired ont by the month as # farm laborer for one season, when he and his brother William rented a farm iu partnership. This partnership continued for three years, which James was married to Elizabeth M. Davisson. daughter of Ire and Catherine Davis-on, of Randolph County, August 15, 1872. His wife was born July 11, 18-19. Her father was a native of North Carolina, and her mother of New Jersey. They moved to Randolph County very early in life, her father being ten and mother shont seven years of age.


After marriage, James settled on a firm three miles south of Winchester, where he lived for one year. Ile then bought the farm nyon which he now re- sides. It consists of eighty neres, with filsy-five under cultivation.


Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson are the parents of three interesting children, two of whom are now living -George. burn March 22, 1877, and deceased Septem- her 22, 1878; Elza b., born November 25, 1871; Mary, born July 25, 1878.


In political preferments Mr. Stevenson has always been a Republican, and has always manifested a deep interest in the welfare of the party. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson nie both industrious and frugal, kind weighhers and honored members of society.


CHARLES M. STEVENSON, whose portrait accompanied by that of his estimahle lady are in this volume with a view of their pleamnot home in


West River Township, is a farmer and stock-raiser. He is a permanent resi- dent of the county, and is interested in aiding to build up the country where he has chosen his home. He has surrounded himself with all the comforts of life, and erected for the habitation of his family a handeome and convenient dwelling, with all the appurtenances for the enjoyment of life. He has aleo luule ample provision for the protection of his stock, and the care and preserva- Lion of his farm prodnets. Although comparatively a young man, yet he has given proof of enterprising energy and permanent prosperity. Mr. Stevenson was born November 29, 1840, in Clinton County, in the State of Ohio, where he resided with his parents till he was six years old, when his father went to Warren County in search of a lome, but remained only a short time. In the year 1847, the eller Mr. Stevenson with family, came to the forests of Randolph, where the subject of this sketch has resided ever since. Having come here when the country was mostly woods, he realizes what the woodman's ax hns done when he casts. about and sees the fertile fields, the great highwaye, hill- sides covered with all kinds of domestic animals, and soores of elegant abodes in one glance, which he once saw a howliog wilderness. llie youth was spent as all the youths of the pioneers hnd to undergo, in hard work and depriva- tions, which the youth nowadays cannot realize. Mr. Stevenson wns educated in the public schools of this county. They were not be they are now-equal to acnilemies-but were of short sessions in winter time, not exceeding three months euch year. And he can look bnek and see the old log cabin and the long, backless benches, and the inclined hoard projected from the wall, and think of his happy school-bay days that floated by, while the worried teacher looked grave, and kept in his reach the powerful persuader with which he often made impressions. Mr. Stevenson has been married twice. llis first marriage took place in January, 1868. He was then married to Mary A. Cox, who was a native of this county, and was born on the Inth day of July, 1842. By this union there was nine child, named Charity E., who was born July 4, 1869. Mrs. Stevenson died January 20, 1870. Mr. Stevenson, after having battled life alone for a year and three-fourths, contreted a second marriage with Emily A. ilayues, and the event was celebrated on the 21st day of September, 1871. Mrs. Stevenson was born in this county October 25. 1849, and is familiar with pioneer life. She was educated in the common schools, and is an estimable Indy. She is a daughter of Jesse Gi. Haynes, and a grand-daughter of Stephen Ifnynes, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. Her mother's maiden was Matilda Cropper; she was a daughter of Bela Cropper, an old pioncer. Since their union Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson have had four accessions to their family, viz .: James E., horn September 6, 1872; Mary A., born September 7, 1874: Edua T., horn March 22. 1876, and Laura M., born March 28, 1879. Me. Stevenson's father's name was Clayton Stevenson. He was born in War- ren County, Ohio, July 19, ISBi. He was a farmer all his life, and a hard working man. He was a man of strong prejudices, of Scotch descent, and an early Abolitionist. He cast his religious faith with the Society of Friends. He was averse to the use of lubarco in any form. Ile once informed the writer that be conld smell the smoke of a pipe or cigar along a highway, two hours after any one had passed along spiking. He could not hear the sight of to- heco : all. He had a horrid fear of fire; he usually put it all out before retiring at night, or leaving the honse alone; he kept a wire door to close up the fire-pisee, which he never failed to close if he left the room for any length of time. The subject of this sketch is a member of F. & A. M., Lodge No. 867, Trenton. Ind. He owns a farm of 140 acres in a high state of cultivation with the improvements, of which the accompanying view is an exact representation.




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