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 163

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 163

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).

MRS. ESTHER (MCFARLAND) REEVES.

Mrs. Esther ( McFarland) Reeves, is the wife of Dr .John L. Reeves. This estimable Indy is the daughter of William and Flora Mcfarland, who came to Randolph County, Ind., in the early winter of 1838, when their dangh-

ter was a few months old. Her father was a nnlive of Kentucky, and her mother a native of Virginia. Both were born in 1790, within a week of each other, and both emigrated to Ohio in early life. They were married in High- land County, Ohio, and some yeirs afterward removed to Darke County, set- tling near New Madison. Three of their children were born in Highland County, and there were eleven in all, every one of whom lived to be grown and to he married, and six of the eleven are living still. Mr. McFarland was a pioneer during all his early life, Jackson Township being almost wholly in the woody when he made his entry into her borders. He was a sturdy, hard-work - ing farmer, entering the land in the extreote northwestern part of Jackson Township, upon which he many years later laid out the town of New Pittsburg, on the line of the contemplated railroad leading from Union City to Portland, at the point where that line crosses from Randolph County into Jny. The town began to grow but the railroad track was not laid, and to this day nought but an unused " grade" exists to show what enme of the thousands of dollars expended by the too eager stockholders upon that projected route. Mr. McFarland and his wife were both members of the Disciple Church, and in political faith and connection he was and still is a Democrat. Ilis wife died in 1879, aged eighty years, and he is living still at Ridgeville. Ind., sprightly and vigorous, though bearing the weight of eighty-three years of labor and toil. Mrs. Reeves was born near New Madison, Darke Co., Ohio, July 9, 1838, and was brought to Jackson Township, Randolph County, when only a few months old. She grew up an artless country girl at her father's back. woods home, having sennty means of education, attending a log-cabin school- house with a wide-mouthed chimney, and other similar backwoods appliances, going one and a half and two miles, and in all not more than twelve months. She was married to Dr. John L. Reeves in 1855, being scarcely seventeen years old. She has been the mother of four children. Mrs Reeves is an active woman in society, having been a member of the Disciples' Church for twenty- eight years, and belonging to that society in Union City ever since their re- moval to the place A sketch of her husband's life and career has been al- ready given to some extent and little more need he said. With possibly one or two exceptions no person now living in the region came earlier to Jackson Township than he. All the first settlers but himself (except his mother and James Porter and his aged wife) are either dead or moved far away. His boy- hood and youthful days were spent in truly back woods fashion. He was the son of a famous hunter and n hunter himself, bringing down many an antlered denizen of the mighty forest. shades. He remembers to have witnessed what is now understood to have been the carliest white man's burial within the limits of Jackson Township, which took place about 1838, or sooner, at what is now Pleasant Hill Burial-Ground, east of North Salem. The name of the nian way Walker, who was a teacher, and some of whose family are residents of the region still, one of his daughters being the wife of one of the sony of Ezekiel Clough, an octogenarian pioneer of Jay County. and later a resident of Jackson Township in Randolph. Dr Reeves, though hardly an old man, being several years on the sunny side of threescore, is beginning to as- sume almost unconsciously the digoity of an ancient pioneer. At any rate, he delighty to regale his friends with the recital of his youth''nl adventures while threwling the paths, almost untrodden, winding scarcely visible among the gigantie tree trunks, lifting their widespreading tops above the deeply shaded carth. At one time, with a comrade older thau himself, he was tracking game clove by the graveyard above mentioned, when suddenly two deer showed themselves. Each took aim, and cach drew trigger, and both deer bounded out of sight in opposite directions. The gun of the older hunter snapped, and he saw only one deer and thought both guus hiad missed fire. He was provoked at first to think that neither gun had been faithful to its master. But while he would not believe the youthful hunter's declaration thrit his weapon had done its work and that a wounded deer was limping fecbly along the forest paths, he was more deeply mortified nod chagrined to find, as they did in a few minutes, the deer that had been aimed at by the gun in the hand of the youthful hunter lying bleeding anl nelpless, pinting and ready to die, while the other one of the pair lind passed into the shadow of the woods wholly unhurt. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves furnish fine examples of gennine friendliness and generous hospitality, being loved by their neighbors and esteemedl hy all who know them. Dr. Reeves is nu earnest nod unflinching Republican in poli- tics, maintaining sturdily, however, as a cardinal principle of political netivity that partisan action must be held always subordinate to public virtue and sterling individual integrity. [Note .- A slight correction is needed in the biography of Dr. Reeves elsewhere given. The date of his taking up the plastering trade should be 1848 instead of 1851.]

GEORGE W. ROSS, carriage-maker, was born in 1837, in Springfield,- Ohio ; way brought to Darke County, thin, in 1838; came to Union City, Ind., in 1863 ; married Melissn Moist in 1868, and they have one child. Mr. Ross made pumps ene year, and has been engaged in carriage making seventeen years. His business is flourishing and prosperous, and he employs several hands. The firm has been ns follows : Ross & Evans, Ross & Shoper, Ross & Kanpp, Ross alone. Mr. Ross is a Republican and a Disciple. He is enter- prising, reliable and estinmble.

JAMES FINLEY RUBEY, son of James and Hannah J. Ruhey, was born August 11, 1850, being one of a family of ten children. His birthplace and youthl'ul residence were on n farm nenr Hollansburg, Darke County, Ohio, his father being a physician, having an extensive practice. James spent his boyhood and youth with his father, attending the country school, as also the Hollansburg Village School, and for about three years he belonged to the Union City gruled school, ending his literary education with his eighteenth yenr. in 1867, he moved with his father to Union City, Ind., which town has been his place of residence to the present time. In 1870, he completed a business course in the Miami Commercial College, at Dayton, Ohio. After spending eighteen months in the grain warehouse of Spencer Hill, at I'nion City, he entered the First National Bank as book-keeper in 1872, serving two years in that enpacity, and three years as assistant cashier, and three years also as

MR SAMUEL L. CARTER.

SAMUEL L. CARTER.

Samuel L. Carter was born in Salem County, N. J .. February 27, 1817. His parente were Samuel C. Carter and Mary (Lippincott) Carter, who were also nativee of New Jersey. Samuel C. Carter was born in 1792, being the son of Nathan Carter, and he, too, bad hie birth sod resring in the little commonwealth upon the ocean border. Nathan Carter had the remarkable family of twenty-one children, having had three wives-seven children by his first wife, three by the second and eleven by the third. Four of this immense family died young, and seventeen became men and women. Ten of them were sone and eleven were daughters ; but of the entire number, only twosre now living, vis .: Elizabeth (Perry) Columbus, Indiana, sixty-four years old, and Han- nah (Dupree), residing neer Edinburg, Ind., seventy-four years old. The father of this numerous flock, as also many, perhaps, more of hie children, emigrated to the Western country, settling in what was then called the " New Purchase," in Bartholo- mew County, Ind., where, also, he died, at the age of seventy-eix years. Samuel C. Carter, father of S. L. Carter, wes the father of twelve children, four song and eight daughters, four of whom died young and eight grew to mature age, and aiz are living still, three of the six being cons. The names, etc., of the twelve children are as fol- lowa : Abigail (Thomas), nine children, widow, reeides at Union City, Ind .; Mary (Hedger), eight children, residing in Michigan ; Samuel L., five children, resides at Union City; Rosanna (Warner), three children, died near Cincinnati, Ohio ; Nathan, sight children, died in Ionis, Mich. ; Clement L., five children, lives at Union City; Joesph, seven children, his home is near Litchfield, Ill. ; Rebeoos, Martha, Susso, Re- becos Anu, all died young ; Rumms (Milligan), Boven or eight children, resides in Miesisainews Township, Darko Co., Ohio. Samuel C. Carter left New Jersey, Septem- ber, 1817, coming to Clermont County, Ohio, removing to Cincinnati in 1821, and after residing in or near that city till 1888, hechanged his residence to Darke County, Ohio, and in 1858 he made etill another removal, this time to Union City, Ind. At this place he resided till his death, in 1879, at the great age of about eighty-eight

years. Hie wife, Mary Lippincott, was born in 1787, and died in Union City, about 1872, at the age of eighty-five years. His business was farming, and his standing was, through all his life, that of an honest, upright, earnest, faithful, respected oitisen, hav- ing been a member of the M. E. Church for more than sixty years, fifty years and upward of chat long time having been spent as clage-lasder. His character and conduct were uniformly exemplary, and during several of the closing years of his long and useful career, he was favored to enjoy a high degree of consecration and a deep and full and abiding sense of indwelling love, giving, both to emall and great, s clear, certain, un. wavering testimony to the sustaining, satisfying presence and power of the Gracione Spirit in the justified and purified soul. Like so many more large and active familiee in the Eastern lend, almost or quite the entire group have become citizens of the great and growing West, and those who etill eurvive are bearing bravely and nobly their part in the great struggle of life. Mrs. Mary (Lippincott) Carter, wife of Nathan Carter, helonged to an energetic New Jersey stock ; she had five brothers and three sistere, and they, too, became wilderness pioneers, and mostly lived and died in Illi- Duis. As we have said, che was born in 1787, being seven years older than her hus- band, and she departed this life in 1872, aged eighty-five years; he came West in the spring of 1821 ; thirteen of his twenty-one children having been born in New Jersey, eight accompanying him in his Westward emigation ; sight were born in their new domicile in the great Ohio Valley. Samuel L. Carter, born in 1817, in Salem County, N. J., made his home with his father in his various places of abode till they came to Darke County, Ohio, in 1888. Eight years afterward, he married Miss Rachel Livengood, November 5, 1846, near Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio. Three years afterward (in 1849), he moved to near Deerfield, Randolph Co., Ind., and, in 1858, the second year of the existence of that town, he made his home at Union City, which has continued to be his residence from that time to the present. They have had five children, all of whom are still living, viz. : Elizabeth (Jacobs), Sarah (Bntoher), George L. (married), William W., Samuel T. Samuel L. Carter Ir occupation was s carpenter, till 1858; after that he followed farming sod brick-making, till 1881 ; he sold lumber in Union City till 1868, and soon after began the turning business, in Union City, Ohio, manufacturing hand-screws and trunk-slats ; also running s saw mill for preparing his own material, and for general purposes. Mr. Carter has been a member of the M. E. Church ever since August 8, 1882, joining that society at s camp-meeting held near Cincinnati, in

MRS RACHEL CARTER.

the neighborhood of what is now Spring Grove Cemetery, and he has been su office- bearer in that church-Steward ur Truetee, or both, eto .- for more than forty years. In politice, he was a Democrat of the old school, till 1858, in which year he joined the Republican party, with which he now stands connected. He is a very strong temperance man, so much so that he will not support sny man of any party who is known to be other than an advocate of total abstinence. Mr. Carter has always been an energetic, persevering, hard-working men of business. At one time he met with heavy lossen, but he kept hie reputation unstained and his honor untarnished, and by unflagging Botivity and the blessing of a gracious Providence, he has been able to maintain s prosperous business, and constantly and largely to increase its amount and greatly to extend its power of production. He ie only one of s large number of ernest gentle- men among the dwellers in Union City, who are not afraid to put their shoulder to the wheel and their own hands to the accomplishment of the labor to be performed. All honor to the bonest, upright, God-fearing, intelligent, hard-working, successful buei- ness men of Union City and of Randolph County, and of the whole land as well.

MES. RACHEL (LIVENODOD) CARTER, wife of Samuel L. Carter, is the daughter of -- Livengood. Her parents were natives and residente of Pennsylvania, re- moving, however, to the Weet more than fifty years ago. She was born in Somerset County, Penn., in 1825, being one of twelve children. Her parents emigrated from the Keystone State tu near Dayton, Ohio, in about 1830, when she was five years old. She was married to Samuel L. Carter, November 6, 1846, nesr Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio. She has been the mother of five children, all of whom are yet living. In the days of her childhood and youth school education, especially for girls, was not much in fashion, and che accordingly obtained but little training of that sort ; yet of that education which comes from the possession of a clear head, an observing mind, e sound judgment and s tendar, affectionate heart, Mrs. Carter has an abundant supply. She is sensible and warm-hearted, has etrong " mother wit" and large memory, and is remarkable for generosity and hospitality. In the family relation and among an uz- tensive circle of friende, she possesses the ability to be genial and entertaining in an unusual degree. Especially has her course of life been worthy of notice, from the fact thet in addition to the ordinary triple and hardshipe of life, she has shared the hospi- tality of her home with not a few relativas, besides her own immediate family, several af them having been cared for during long and trying periode of severe and languish- ing sickness. Her aged mother, left for the third time e decolste widow, epent the last three or four years of her eventful life with her affectionate daughter, nlosing her eyes at length beneath that daughter's hospitable roof, after the kindest and gentlast care administered by her affectionate hand. Mr. Carter's father made his residence during the last seven years of his life of simost foursoare end ten with his son Samuel, dying at length, superannusted and well-nigh helplese, in this bleeeed and peaceful haven of comfort. A niece of Mr. Carter was nursed in her leet Bioknese and until her death by the same untiring affection, and watched over unceasingly till the Master called the sufferer home. A grandchild, too, died at her house. Rev. Thomas Col- olazer, the pioneer preacher and founder of Methodism in Union City, while moving, some years after his first labors there, again to the place to renew his work for the cause of the Redeemer, therein being seized with a violent disease, was taken, of course, to Mrs. Carter's hospitable mansion, and there, after s brief enjoyment of their generous but unavailing care, he olosed his eyes upon the scenes of mortality, to open them, we may well believe, in the " everlasting mensions." In all these things, in all home dutiee as well, sud in all things pertaining to the demands of friendship, of love, of sinceresud earnest affection, Mrs. Carter has ever been active, faithful and notir- ing. A helpmeet to her husband, a co-worker in every worthy enterprise, & wise and gentle mother, it may of her be truly said, in the words of the Holy Writ, "Who can find s virtuous woman? for her price is for above rubies." She joined the M. E. Church in about 1889, having lived a quiet but faithful and earnest Christian life dur- ing all the years thet have passed since that time -- so long, so long ago. Mrs. Carter and her husband were two of the persons who formed the first Methodist class in Union City in -, and, through ail the intervening years since "that day of emall things," they have been stanch adherenta of the " good old faith," and even from early yonth to advancing eld age, they stand ever firm and steadfast in the ways of uprightness and truth, asking themselves the question, not What is popular ? but simply What is right ? and endasvoring constantly to follow the direction of the "inner light " as to every matter of practical interest and duty.

RESIDENCE OF DR. WILLIAM COMMONS, NORTH COLUMBIA ST. UNION CITY, IND.

RESIDENCE OF W. K. SMITH, UNION CITY, INDIANA.

461

WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

assistant cashier in the Commercial Bank (being the First National Bank re- organized). In January, 1881, Mr. Rubey was promoted to the position of cashier of the Commercial Bank, which place he still retains. He married Julia L. Skinner in 1875, and they have had two children, both living Mr. Rubey is Republican in political faith, and belongs to'the Methodist Episcopal Church, having become a member in 1868, under the pastorate of Rev. Green- men. He has held the office in that church of Recording Steward for several years. In 1878, he was elected to a place in the Union City Common Council, and was a leading and influential member of that body during his term of office. In 1882, he was a second time elected a member of Council, and now belongs to that body. Although a young man, Mr. Rubey gives evidence of sterling character, and enjoys & high reputation for ability and business talent, as well as for uprightnese and integrity, and there would seem to be no ob- stacle in his; pathway toward a prosperous and successful career during his maturity of manhood, if it should please a gracious Providence to spare his life and strength during the years that are to come, till he shall reach his threescore and ten.

JOSEPH L. SCHRONTZ, barber, was born in New York City, and came to Union City, Ind., in 1856 ; married Alice Roll in 1872, and has had two children. He set up a barber shop in 1868, being prosperous in the business, snd " run- ning " five chairs; sold out his shop in 1880 to his brother, Charles H. Sehrontz. Hie establishment was the oldest of the kind in town. They are Catholics, being originally from Germany. The father of J. L. Schrontz emigrated from that country before his son's birth, and died in 1874, being the father of nine children.

JOHN M. SHANK, stove store, born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1831 ; came to Preble County, Ohio, in 1852, and to Union City, Ind., in 1858. He learned the tinner's trade in Preble t'ounty, Ohio, during two and a half years, receiving 10 cents a day and his board ; was a journeyman for several years, and set up at Union City in 1858. He was married to Sarah Stoner in 1858. They have five children. His establishment is by far the oldest of the kind in the town. Mr. Shank has been Councilman two years, a church mem- ber ten years (United Brethren and Methodist Episcopal); Trustee of Methodist Episcopal two years ; member of Union City Lodge, F. A. M., 270, having filled every official position ; member of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 94, and holding honorable stations therein.

JOHN THOMPSON SHAW was born in Greensfork Towuship, Randolph County, May 4, 1831, the spring after his father moved to the county. They ocoupied the tract lying in the extreme southeast corner of Greensfork Township und Randolph County. In 1846, they moved to HIollansburg, Darke Co., Ohio; in 1848, to Bethel. Wayne Co., Ind., and in 1810 to the John Harlan farm south of Spartansburg. At the age of eighteen, he worked a year or so at shoe-making in Spartansburg with his brother Samuel, and during two or three years after- ward with John Taylor at the same place. He entered the grooery business there in 1864, and the trade in dry goods in 1857, continuing therein till the present time, the first seven years of the time at Spartansburg, and for eight- teen years at Union City, Ind, his establishment being one of three now exist- ing in that city. Mr. Shaw married Priscilla C. Starbuck in 1853, and they have' had seven children, three of whom are living. Mr. Shaw joined the Dis- ciple Church at Spartansburg in 1861, and is still a member of that religious society, being an active worker, and for eight years Deacon in the Disciple Church in Union City, sometimes going out to hold religious meetings for wor- ship and instruction with goed acceptance. lle is a man of character and standing, an active and thorough temperance man, of good business habits, and esteemed by his fellow-citizens. In politics, he is a Republican, and belongs to the 1. O. O. F. For eight years his residence was on the "Ohie side," though his business has been all the time in Indiana, where also he now resides. January, 1883, he opened the "Trade Palace" in connection with a new firm, Shaw, Downing & Reger.

COPPY C. SMITH is the son of James C. and Jane D. Smith. J. C. Smith was born in Pennsylvania, Greene County, September 28, 1819, and emigrated to Ohio in 1827. His wife, Jane D. Smith, was born in Butler County, Ohio, October 25, 1821. They had five children, viz .: Coppy C., born January 5, 1840 ;' Jessie D., born September 22, 1841 ; Alfred R., born January 23, 1844; Alice, born July 5, 1849 ; Laura, born July 30, 1852; all in Butler County, Ohio. Coppy C. Smith was born in the year 1840; he moved to Union County, Ind., in 1865, and in 1867 settled on a farm near the 'toll-gate, northwest of Union City. 'Romaining there two years, he changed his resi- dence to Union City, which has since that time been his home. His business in Union City has been the keeping of a livery stable, and also of a boarding house. Mr. C. was married March 6, 1862, to Miss Lavina Gear, of Hamilton, Butler Co., Ohio, who was born in 1838: They have had four children, only twoof whom are now living, viz .; Lilly, horn May 20, '1867; Emma, born April 13, 1871. Mr. C. C. Smith is . n Democrat in politics, and so also is his father, James C. Smith, who has resided for many years in Randolph County, aud now lives at Union City.

SMITH BROS. Not very many years ago three' brothers, William P., James and John Smith, left their native Scotland and made their way across the dashing billows of the wide Atlantic, to find a home and room to work, and grow and flourish in this grand and wondrous commonwealth of the free. They enme not, however, all at once. The first one named above led the way, ex- ploring in anxious hope the strange and unknown land, coming in 1866, and six yenra afterward, the two latter ventured to follow their adventurous brother in his voyage toward the shores of the setting sun. William had learned his business ns n foundryman and machinist in his native land, and in 1871 became able to set up for himself in Providence, R. 1. In 1872, his brothers joined him from over the tossing deep, and learned of him the business, which together they since have pursued with gratifying success. After three years spent in that Eastern city, they thought it wise to try their fortunes in the great and growing West, aud, coming to Union City, Ind., they set up an establish- ment in thet thriving town as a foundry and machine shop. Their work at

first was scant enough, having barely sufficient for their own employment. In process of time, however, integrity and skill reaped an abundant reward, and their business has largely increased, and their field of operations has been greatly extended. Originally they worked alone, but two years ago (1880), they had constant employment for eight hands, with the prospect of a much larger growth in the near future. Their business is chiefly the making and repairing of machinery in general. They build steam engines, steam pumps, and many things besides. Their trade reaches a large region of country in both Indiana and Ohio. They are expecting and intending beforea very long time to set up a regular and separate foundry, for which purpose they have already prepared a building suitable for that branch of industry. The Smith Bros. are like a large proportion of the men engaged in business in Union City, full of enterprise and energy, " putting their own shoulders to the wheel," and counting, week in and week out, for " full hands" in carrying on their chosen avocation. In politics, they belong to the Republican party. William and James are both married, the former having four, and James three children; John, being the younger of the three brothers, is still unmarried. They are all only in the prime of life, and may reasonably look forward to many years of active and successful prosecution of their calling, a voostion, in fact, honor- able to them as men, and productive of great advantage to the community at large. In the spring of 1882, the firm set up a grist-mill in the vicinity of llarrisville, and the enterprise bids fair to be crowned with success, and te become both a source of profit to themselves and & means of usefulness to the entire region.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 163

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