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 168

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 168

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The children were John, Uriah, Thomas, Samuel, William (five sons), Hannah, Sarah, Mary, Charity, Phoebe, Rebecca, Bet- sey, Sibyl, Lydia (nine daughters). Joseph Rooks and his fam- ily moved to Missouri in 1839. He died in Northwestern Mis- souri in 1860, aged ninety-seven years. His wife died August 17, 1880, aged ninety-four years. He cleared up two farms in Randolph County. First he settled on the Clevinger farm, east of Neff, and then on one northwest of Neff, in the forks of Little White River and Stony Creek. He owned there 300 acres. He sold out in 1838; moved to Missouri in 1839, and became a large land-owner in that State, having been said to be in possession, at one time, of 100 eighty-acre lots. Some odd stories are told

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

of Mr. Rooks and his family, which fact, indeed, is not very strange for so immense a family in those hard old times. But what matter" Among these enfeebled generations it is impossi- ble even to imagine what, in those rough and rugged days, was undergone, without even thinking it to be anything curious or unusual. They were at least not effeminate nor helpless. They boldly hewed their fearless way, rugged and stern, through trouble and difficulty appalling to gentler times. All honor to their heroism! The Indians else had still roamed the wilds over the ground where now fertile farms shine in beauty, and magnificent cities rise in gorgeous splendor to rejoice the sight.

Amos Smith was born in Highland County, Ohio, in 1799, and came to Randolph County, Ind., in 1829; married Margaret Thornburg in 1830, and has had five children. His wife died in 1879, aged seventy-six years, and the bereaved linsband now lives with his son-in-law, George Clevinger, on the Windsor pike. He originally entered eighty acres. He belongs to the Christian (New-Light) Church. His race is almost run, yet he stands wait- ing in patient, exultant hope the issuing of the final order, "Open the crystal gates and let my faithful servant enter in!"

A large number of the aged veterans, settlers in this region in " auld lang syne," still linger on the shores of mortality, fee- ble, decrepit, but mostly cheerful and patient, awaiting in joy- ful hope the welcome summons, "It is enough; come up higher!"

Ira E. Smithson is a native of "Old Virginia, " the proud " Old Dominion." the haughty " Mother of Presidents," the land of the " F. F. V.'s." He was born there in 1500. But he left his native soil and emigrated to Clinton County, Ohio, that okl- tim? half way house to weary emigrants, that stopping-place for thousands, whence again, a fresh start being taken, pushing their onward way toward the setting sun, a final halt would at length be called in the fruitful Hoosier land. And from ('lin ton County, onee more resuming the impatient line of march. they stopped not, they stayed not, till they had found their old- time friends in the woods of Randolph. In 1839, this latter trip was accomplished, and this was the last march; for hither he had come to stay. And stay he did: and for full forty years Randolph County has furnished this pilgrim a domicile; and. though his wife has gone on before, and some of his children have passed " within the vail," this aged veteran still tarries among men in the " land of the dying." Mr. Smithson married Mary More in Ohio. and he has been the father of nine children. His wife is dead, and he. a feeble old man, an octogenarian, ro- mains on the earth, residing with his son on the old homestead. His son Ira was born in Ohio in 1829; came with his parents to Randolph County, Ind., in 1839; is married, and has six chil- dren. He is a farmer and a Republican, and belongs to the Christian (New-Light) Church.

William Stanton was born in North Carolina in 1812. mar- rying Sarah Farlow, and afterward Rachel Leonard. He has had twelve children, six of whom are still living. The family came to Randolph Conuty, Ind., in 1861, arriving at last, safe, after many troubles and hardships, at Mark Diggs', in Nettle Creek Township, fleeing from the Southern country to get away from slavery and the war. Some reminiscences from his lips appear under that heading in this work.

Isaac Thornburg was born in 1775, in North Carolina: came to Highland County, Ohio, in 1813, and to Randolph County. Ind., in 1830. He married Rebecca Hodson in 1793, and had twelve children, nine grown and married. Nine were sons and three daughters. They were as follows: John, dead, had eleven children: Joab, living. has had nine children; Elizabeth, dead, six children; Joseph. dead, ten children: Job, living, seven chil- dren; Margaret, dead; Isaac, Jr., dead. tive children; Edward. living. twelve children: Alexander, living, nine children: Jona- than, dead, eleven children: Thomas Wesley, dead, six children. Isaac Thornburg settled two miles east of Windsor: entered 160 acres of land; died in 1862, aged eighty-nine years. He was a Friend, a Whig, an anti-slavery man, a Republican; an excel- lent, careful, gentle, mild, faithful man. May the world soo many like him as the ages roll. His second wife was Mary Ann (Bunker) Ring. He is said to have htul over four hundred de- scendants.

Joab Thornburg was born in 1795, in North Carolina; came to Ohio in 1811: married Elizabeth Holloway in North Carolina, on Christmas Day. 1817: came to Stony Creek, Randolph Co., Ind .. in IS25, entered eighty acres of land, and has resided there ever since-fifty-seven years. They have had nine children. He is a farmer and a Friend: was a Whig and an Abolitionist, and is a Republican. The aged couple are feeble, but not more so than would be expected, considering their age. There is something venerable in an ancient homestead. hallowed by the loves, the joys. the sorrows, the dear. the sad. the holy remem- brances of almost sixty years of family life. Those who spend their lives in changing from place to place, having never a home, but only a temporary abode, occupying, in their whole lives upon earth. not a foot of land which they could call their own, know little of the real substance of home life. They live, in- deed; their children grow up to full stature; but their residence is only half a home. He surely has abundant cause for rejoicing whose lot is cast where he can dwell from youth to old age, in a dear and blessed spot, to which sweet and precious memory clings with a close and perpetual tie. Let it be the ambition of every family to acquire that excellent earthly blessing, the own- ership of a permanent home.

William Armfield Thornburg, Windsor, was born in North Carolina in 1816, and came to Randolph County, Ind., in 1825; married Maria Clevinger in 1835, and has had twelve children -ten grown and married, and nine living now. One. a son, resides at Union City, two in Illinois, five in or near Windsor, and one four miles southeast of Windsor. He was brought up a Friend, but has belonged mostly to the Methodists or United Brethren. In political faith he was a Whig, and is now a Re- I publican. His business has been largely farming. He has sold goods twelve years, and kept a hotel at Windsor and at Will- iamsburg; operated a mill south of Windsor, and now resides in that down. Mr. Thornburg and his worthy companion seem thus far to have made their cheerful way through the hardships of their time, and to be passing peacefully onward toward that " bourn whence no traveler returns." and toward the blissful mansions prepared on high for the faithful, trustful. obedient ones who patiently accomplish their allotment in the world below.

David Vestal was born in North Carolina, coming to Ran- dolph County perhaps in 1823: settled on Stony Creek, two and a half miles south of Windsor: was chosen Justice of the Peace very soon after: sold ont to John Thornburg about 1830 or 1831. and left the county in the latter year, moving to White Lick. below Indianapolis, at which place he is understood to have died. They had tive children at the time of removal. He was kind, genial and obliging, and his wife was an excellent woman. While he resided in the county. he was a prominent citizen of that. region.

Winchester Herald, October 11. 1882: At a gravel pit near Ridgeville, a dozen human skeletons were unearthed. some of them in a remarkably good state of preservation, and specimens of them can be seen at the office of Dr. Shoemaker. They evi- dently belonged to Indians, and probably a century or more has elapsed since their interment. They were found at a depth of from six to twelve feet from the surface.

Same paper: David Mchaney, of Shawnee Mound, Tippe- canoe County, while digging a ditch on his farm, found the re- mains of a mastodon.

Solomon Wright was born in Green County, Tenn., on Hol- ston River, in 1502; came to Clinton County, Ohio, with his fa- ther. in 1804. and to Randolph County, Ind., in 1817. His fa- ther moved here in 1817 or 1818, but Solomon came sooner. [Sce reminiscences. | Panl W., John and Henry H. Way, and some of the Diggses, had como already. His uncle, William Haworth, and also one of his older brothers, had preceded him to Randolph, and Solomon and still another brother came by themselves, with one horse between them, all the way from Clin- ton County, Ohio. Returning after some months to Ohio, he finally accompanied his father to his future home, probably in 1817. and for about sixty-five years the Hoosier State has reck- oned him as one of her worthy denizens. Jesse Green, John Ballenger. Sumuer Lee. Thomas Gillum and others came in com-

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STONY CREEK TOWNSHIP.

pany from Ohio, and settled on White River. Solomon's father took up his abode on what has since been known as the Brooks farm, two and a half miles west of Winchester. He married Margery Diggs in 1824, fifty-eight years ago. She was for many years of her later life much afflicted and very feeble, and, in the spring of 1881, she exchanged a habitation of clay for the tubes of celestial beauty in the heavenly mansions. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom survive -- George W., ten children, resides near his father's; Hannah (Garrett, Thornburg), six children. resides in Iowa; Mary (Clayton), no children, lives noar her father's home; William, lives near home, has twelve children; Lydia (Dick), lives near home, no children; Rachel (Hnnt), lives nine miles south, eight children; John, resides near his father's, five children; Fanny (Taylor), resides at Fort Wayne, one child. Solomon Wright moved to Stony Creek Township many years ago (1829), and still resides near the mouth of Cabin Creek. He is eighty years old, but is strong and vigorous. His wife was an invalid, having become well- nigh helpless. She died in the spring of 1881, having filled the measure of her days and gone home to the mansions prepared on high. Solomon Wright is in religion an Anti-Slavery Friend; in politics, a Henry Clay Whig and a modern " Liberty man," and still later a Republican. His first vote was given for Jobn Quincy Adams, and his last for James A. Garfield, fifty-six years having intervened between the.first vote and the last. He seems strong and vigorous to last long enough to vote for several Presi- dents more; still, only God knoweth, and Friend Wright is four- score years old!

SAMUEL AMBURN. The subject of this sketch is one of the substantial farmers and citizens of Randolph County. Ile is the son of Isnac and Rebecca (Hodgen) Amburn, and was born in Clinton County, Ohio, November 18, 1818. He is the third of n family of nine children, of whom three are now living ; his father was born in North Carolina June 4, 1789, and his mother was born in the eame State September 15, 1795; his parents removed from North Carolina to Clinton County, Ohio, and came to this State in the year 1828, and located in this county. At that time there were but few improvements in the part of the county where they settled, the nearest neighbor being three miles distant. Samuel was busily engaged assisting his father to clear a farm from the wilder- ness until he was twenty-two years of age; his father being in very limited cir- cumstanees rendered Samuel's enreer as a youth peculiarly trying ; his life was heset with hardships more severe than most sons of pioneers ; his father being a hard worker and not given to speculation, believed that what he obtained in the way of property chonkl be secured by the severest labor. Samuel's educa- tiou was almost entirely neglected, and what little he did obtain was in a sub- scription school, where he paid his tuition by cutting and splitting rails. At the age of twenty-two, he bought forty neres of unimproved land situated one mile enst of where he now resides, and set to work making a farm of his own. He was married to Maria Smith, daughter of Amos and Margaret Smith, of this county, August 27, 1840. After marriage, he and his wife settled on the forty acres he had previously purchased in the woods ; he is new owner and proprie- tor of 280 acres of excellent land, with 175 neres under n high state of cultiva- tion : his farm is one of the most beautiful and best improved in the county, being of an excellent quality of soil, gently rolling and tolerably well watered. Mr. Amburn has been eminently successful as n farmer, accumulating property very rapidly, and provided comfortable homes for five of his children. Mr. and Mrs. Amburo are the parents of ten children, eight of whom are now liv- ing-Amos W., born June 24, 1841 ; Elizabeth J., horn June 25, 1843; Isanc L., born April 1, 1846; Lydin M., bern July 25, 1848; John E., born Novem- ber 3, 1850; Enos L., born June 28, 1858 : Francis M., horn February 9, 1856 ; Anthony W., born March 15, 1858: Rosa J., born October 4, 1861 ; Martha A., born June 18, 1864. Seven of their children are married, nod comfortably situated in life. His son, Isnac L., enlisted in the Eighty-fourth Indiana Regi- ment, in the fall of 1861 ; he remained in the service for about six months, when his father took him home, he being under age, seventeen, and not able for active service. Mrs. Amburn is an acceptable and honored member of the t'hristisn Church. Mr. Amburn usually affiliates with the Democratic party, but does not always draw party lines in casting his vote for county officers ; he has always voted for Gen. Thomas Browne, a stanch Republican, for f'ongress and other offices. Mr. Amburn is pleasantly situated, having erected most excellent and comfortable buildings. Ilis dwelling house is a beautiful two- story brick, and a model in architectural beauty and convenience, situated on a commanding eminence, surrounded with beautiful shade trees. He has been B most industrious, enterprising nod liberal-hearted citizen, surrounded with an abundance of the necessaries and luxuries of life. Leads a quiet and frugal life, and is an honored citizen of the county.

FRANCIS M. AMBURN, farmer, P. O. Windsor. was born February 9, 1856, in Randolph t'ounty, Ind. He was married to Matilda A. Myers, June 3, 1874, who was born April 17, 1855. Iler father, Henry Myers, was a native of l'ennsylvanin, and deceased in 1863, in this county. They have four chil- dren-Roy L., born September 80, 1874 ; P'erly O., barn January 4, 1877 ; Nellie May, born January 5, 1878, and Jessie A., born August 17, 1880. Mr. Amburo is a member of I. O. O. F., No. 517, Windsor Lodge ; was educated in the common schools of the county, and is an energetic, industrious farmer.

JOHN H. BOND, farmer, P. O. Farmland, born in North Carolina, De- cember 6, 1807 ; he emigrated to Wayne County, Ind., in the fall of 1811, where he was married to Emily Hockett, in September, 1828. Mr. B. came to this county in 1831 and settled on the farm where be now resides. Hle cleared the farm by his own industry, and soon made it change from the wilderness to that of a beautiful home. His wife was born April 13, 1811, in North Carolina, and immigrated with her parents to Wayne County, Ind., about the year. 1816. Mr. B. is of Quaker descent and n member of the Church of Friends, He has held the office of Township Trustee, to which he was elected in 1840; owos a good farm of 126 acres of land ; Republican in politics, and is kind, generous and of undoubted integrity.

ALBERT CANFIELD, merchant and Postmaster at Neff, this county, was born in Cambridge City, Wayne County, Ind., August 19, 1852. lle is the son of Silas and Susan ( Graham ) Canfield, and is the third of a family of five sons, four of whom are now living. llis father was born in the town of Reading, Steuben County, N. Y., March 22, 1817. His mother was born nosr the Natural Bridge, in Virginia. His father came to this State in the fall of 1845, sod settled in Cambridge City, and was married to Susan Grahnm in the year 1848. After marriage they settled in Cambridge City, where they remained until their deaths. His mother died June 16, 1859, and his father November 8, 1879. Albert lived with his parents in Cambridge City until the fall of 1863, when he came to Randolph County and made his home with A. N. Thorn- burg until he was twenty-one years of age. While here, he was engaged in working on the farm during the spring and summer, and attending the district schools in the winter. In 1878 and 1874, he made his home with Judge W. R. West, of Anderson, his uncle, for the purpose of attending the Anderson High School. While in attendance at this school, he applied faithfully to his studies and advanced rapidly. After leaving the high school, he engaged in teaching in the common schools of Madison County for four months. At the expiration of his term of school, he engaged with a publishing house of In- dianapolis as traveling salesman. He served this house acceptably for about six months, when he seted as traveling agent for about one year for two other firms. At the expiration of this service, he returned to this county and was engaged as a teacher in the public schools during the winter for about two years, and working on the farm during the spring and summer. In the spring of 1878, he engaged in a general mercantile business nt Netf, this county, with James Dougherty as partner, under the title of Dougherty & Co. This co-part- nership continued until January 20, 1879, when Mr. Canfield bought Mr. Dougherty's interest and has been alone in the business ever since. Me. t'un- field carries a well-selected steck of goods, embracing dry goods, groceries, hardware, boots and shoes, etc., and does a thriving business, his aonual sales amounting to about $12,000. Neff is one of the best, if not the best, country business points in the county. Mr. C. was appointed Postmaster at Neff in 1878, and has held the office ever since. Hle way married to Miss Naorui M. Branson, daughter of Joseph B. and ('atharine ( Miller) Branson, of this county, May 1, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. C'anfield are acceptable and honored members of the Christian Church. Mr. 1'. is also an honored member of Windsor Lodge, No. 517, 1. 0. 0. F. He is n stanch and active Republican, an ener- getic and frugal business inne, a genial and affable gentleman, and he and his good wife are favorites in the circle of their friends, and have n bright future before them.

NELSON T. CHENOWETHI, physician, Windsor, born in Darke l'ounty, Ohio, October 8, 1837 ; he went to Illinois in 1857, from there back to Ohio in 1858, where he enlisted in the Eleventh Ohio Infantry, and afterward served ns C'aptain in Company E, Sixty-ninth Infantry. After the war. he came to Wayne County, Ind., and entered the Miami Eclectic Medical College of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, in 1866. from which institution he graduated, with honors, in the following year. lle located at Windsor, in this county, in 1865, and was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to Laura E. IInynes, March 25, 1869. The Doctor's father, Thomas F. Chenoweth, was born in Ohio in 1808, and at this date is still living and quite active for one of his age. Dr. \'. was educated in the common schools of Obie, which were good at that time. He also nt- tended a seminary and graded school, which more fully developed his mind and ability. In early manhood, he followed, successfully, farming and teach- ing. The Doctor is actively engaged in the practice of medicine, which annually reaches $2,000. lle was a charter member and first Nohle Grand of Wind-or Lodge, No. 517, I. O. O. F., and is W. M. of F. & A. M., Farmland Lodge, 908. lle is Republican in politics, a courteous gentleman, n skillful physician and an esteemed citizen. Two interesting children blessed his marriage union -- Flora, born January 30, 1870, and Thomas W., April 13, 1872.

PHILIP K. DICK, farmer and miller, P. O. Farmland, born November 23, 1824. in the State of Ohio: he came to this county in the spring of 1848. Ilis father, l'hilip, was a native of Virginia, where he was born February 22, 1795; decensed in Ohio, 1877. Wr. Dick was married the first time to Peggy Wallace, who was born August 12, 1832, deceased March 18, 1870. Seven children, living, blessed this union-Mary E .. born July 12, 1851 ; Nancy J., February 25, 1853: Barbara E., February 10, 1855; Martha V., November 30, 1858; William L., March 6, 1861: Francis M., January 28, 1864, and Robert B .. June 4, 1867. He was married tho second time to Lydin Wright, who was born March 30, 1833. Mr. D. wns educated in the common schools of Ohio, and has been a close student from boyhood. He has held the offices of Town- ship Treasurer, Assessor and Justice of the Pesce, giving entire satisfaction to his constituency. lle is a member of the church of Friends, and an energetic worker in the leroperance cause. Mr. D. owns & goed farm of 120 acres of land. and n balf-interest in a grist-mill on Cabin Creek, which has a enpacity of fifty bushels of grain per day. llis brother, Franois M. Dick, was in the war for the U'nion; he enlisted in Company K, One IInndred and Twenty-fourth Indiana Infantry, serving through the war.

JOHN E. HEICKES, born in Adama County, Penn., May 14, 1830; be came to this county in April, 1868. His father's name was Emanuel Heickes, and was born in Pennsylvania October 12, 1785, died there 1862. Mr. Hickes

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

was married to Leah Widner, of Pennsylvania, who was born May 22, 1829. They bave five children living-Mary L., Arista, George C., Cora J. nad Nelson M. He was educated in the common schools of his native State, and has gained much information by observation and traveling. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry and the Third Artillery. He had charge of the rebel President's baggage while n prisoner nt Fortress Monroe, and carries letters of recommendation from Gens. Butler, Ord and Miles. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, also of I. O. O. F., No. 1, of Fort Monroe, and is Republican in politics. He was the Post- master of Windsor for three years, Notary Public for four years, and collects claims for soldiers and private citizens. He is considered to be a trustworthy citizen and those who have business in his line will find him prompt in dis- charge of whatever may be intrusted to his care. llis address is Windsor, Ind.

SAMUEL HUPP, farmer, P. O. Parker, born May 5, 1825, in Virginia ; he came to Ohio in 1830, to Delaware County in 1852, nad from thence to this county in 1875. He was united in marriage to Mary Watt, who was born in the State of Ohio, December 10, 1830. Mr. Ilupp received a common school education, and is a great friend to that canse. The father of Mr. Hupp, Eman- nel, was in the war of 1812, and deceased in Ohio, about 1830. Joseph Watt, the father of Mrs. Ilupp, was a antive of Kentucky, where he was born 1805, and is still living at this date, Mr. II. is a member of the M. E. Church, and Parker Grange, No. 404. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising ; owos a farm of eighty acres of fertile land, and seems contented in his chosen occupa- tion. Nine children blessed this union-Emily E., married, born July 4, 1853; Florence B., married, born July 24, 1859; Mary A., married, born January 8, 1860; Martha E., married, born January 7, 1862; Caroline, born October 10, 1864; William E., February 28. 1866; Norn A .. April 6, 1867 ; Charles W., January, 1870, and Joseph W., December 20, 1874.

ENOS A. LUKA, farmer, P. O. Farmland, born in ('linton County, Ohio, June 6, 1833. enme to this county with his parents in the winter of the same year ; he was married, December 28, 1853, to Sarah A. Clevenger, who was born Feb- runry 25, 1837. These parents have five children liviog-William L., born Mny 24, 1856; Christian L., November 13, 1857: Elibu F., June 18, 1861 ; Annn MI., November 21, 1865, and Cortis L , February 20, 1868. Mr. L. was educated in the common schools of this county, and has followed farming sue- cessfully. He is a member of the New Light Church, and of Windsor Lodge, I. O. O. F., 517. llis father, George Luka, was a native of Virginia, and born July 14, 1806, decensed July 28, 1877. llis wife's father. Lewis Clevenger. was born May 18, 1806, in North Carolina ; he came to this county nt an early dnte, and deceased January 20, 1851. Mr. Luka is a Republican in politics, but not a party man : he is a successful larmer, and generally esteemed.

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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 168

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