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 169

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 169

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WILLIAM MERRYWEATHER.

William Merryweather, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Merryweather, was born in Froddingham, Yorkshire, England, January 11, 181]. He is the youngest of a family of six children. of whom he is the only one known to he living. llis father was n native of Wales, and his mother of England. His father's occupation was that of a dredger. llis mother died in 1816, and his father in 1882.

William lived with his parents until he was eleven years of age, when he was compelled to earn his own living. Hle hired out at first as a farm hand, receiving for his first year's work his board only.

He came to the United States in the year 1831, and landed in New York City .June 1 of that year.

llis educational advantages were very poor, having attended school but n small portion of the time, from six to eleven years of age.

Atter his arrival in this country, he first settled at Wilmington, Del., where he hnd a brother living, and remained here until 1836. During his stay with lus brother, he worked a part of the time in a spice mill, and part of the time on the farm.

Hle came to Richmond, Wayne Co., Ind., on the 10th of May. 1836. After hiring out as n farm hand for one year, he rented a farm, receiving one-third of what he raised, and continued to rent upon the same terms for five years.

He came to Randolph County in the year 1842, and settled on n farm one mile from where he now resides. He leased eighty acres of land with nine neres cleared and remained bere for three years, when he purchased eighty acres of the farm he now owns, with two neres cleared, n lng cahin and a few fruit trees as improvements. llis farm now consists of 160 acres, with 180 under cultivation. A portion of his farm is quite rolling, healthfully and benntifully located, with n fine quality of soil. Ile has selected a beautiful site for his farm buildings, being a commanding knoll in close proximity to a fine spring, nod surrounded with abundant shade. llis buildings are large und convenient, and present n picturesque scene. Mr. Merryweather has one of the best stock faims in this county.

lle was united in marriage to Hannah Tharp, daughter of George and Rebecca Tharp, of England, in Philadelphia, August 16, 18 .; 1, who still sur- vives, and has been n true and faithful companion to her husband.

Mr. and Mrs. Merryweather are the parents of nine children, of whoin five are now living. Three of these children are married, and comfortably sit- nated in this county. The unmarried ones reside at the old homestead. These children are all honored and useful citizens.

Their son, John, enlisted as n soldier in 1862, in the Eighty-fourth Regi- ment, l'ompany A. Ile was a gallant soldier, and was engaged in all of the battles of his regiment with the exception of Chickamauga. ile was wounded at the battle of Lovejoy, and was, for n time, in the hospital at Nashville, lie served until the close of the war, and was tonstered out with his regiment.

Mr. and Mrs. Merryweather are not members of any church, hutt are reg- ular attendants at the meetings of the Society of Friends.

Mr. M. is a stanch Republican, and has served his county frequently for a great many years as juror.

This excellent and honored family lead n quiet and frugal life. They are

well situated, being surrounded by all that is necessary to make them comfort- able and happy. They are honored and useful members of society, and are well known throughout the county for their unlimited hospitality.

Mir. Merryweather has an excellent memory, and takes grent delight in recounting his experience in his younger days, both in England and the United States.

JACOB R. MILLS, farmer, P. O. Farmland, horn December 18, 1853, in this county. He was married, April, 1872, to Mary Robinson, who was born July, 1866. This union has been blessed with four children-Minnie N., born March 8, 1874; Joseph, March 21, 1876; Dovie L., Mnroh 9, 1878, and Clatie, born March 8, 1882. Mr. Mills had the advantages of the common schools and improved them as much as was in his power. lle is Republican in politics, and engages in farming and buying poultry.

JOIN N. MOORE, farmer, P. O. Farmland, born April 12, 1834, in Wayne County, Ind. His father, Henry W. Moore, was originally from Delaware, where he was born in 1804, come to Wayne County in 1816, from thence he settled in this county in the year 1837, with his family. Mr. Moore was united in the holy bonds of matrimony, the first time to Eliza Hubbard, September 16,1858; the second time to Sarah ". Hubbard, sister to his first wife, July 13,1878. He was educated in the common schools of Wayne and Randolph Counties, and has followed the occupation of farming from boyhood. He is of German and English descent, owns n well-cultivated farm of 127 neres of land. Republican in politics, and is a worthy member of the Friends Church. Mr. Moore had three children by his first wife -- llenry H., born Angust 15, 1859 ; Mary E., Angust 21, 1862, and Charity E., May 22, 1864. He has two chil- dren by his present wife-Luln M., born April 30, 1877, and Onie C., August 26, 1878.

JOHN OZBUT, Farmland, born Mny 19, 1828, in this county. His father John, was orginally from North Carolina, where he was born about 1795. Mr. Ozban was married to Miss C. Hockett, who was born August 28, 1885. Mr. Ozbun received a good common school education, considering the early disadvantages of the pioneer period. He has seven children living-Lydia J., Lindley M., Emma, Eli, William C., Charles 11. and Wesley. He has followed teaching school for a number of years during the winter season, farming in the summer, and n minister in the Church of Friends. He is considered an honest, upright, true man and friend.

JOHN H. ROGERS, miller, Farmland, born August 19, 1851, in Colum- bus, Ohio, nud came to this county in the winter of 1859. lle was united in marriage to Nancy J. Dick, Detober 21, 1871. Mr. Rogers wns cducnted in the gradedl and common schools of Ohio, and is a man of good mind. He has followed milling during life, and is considered to be n good one. He is n mem- ber of the Friends Church and an enterprising citizen in all the noble works of manhood. He is a member of the firm of Rogers & Dick, proprietors of the flouring mill, situated on t'abin Creek. His parents were born in England, his father, Edward. about 1832; his mother, 1830. His father came to Ohio from England in 1849, to Columbus, Ohio, and deceased in La Porte County in 1859. llis mother lived in this county till 1879, when death removed her from these earth scenes. Mr. Rogers has four interesting children -Alonzo E., born December 50, 1872 ; Gertrude M., May 2, 1876 ; Edgar A., August 9, 1877, and Mary E., October 4, 1879. Those who enll on the firm of Rogers & Dick will find them attentive to business, and courteous to customers.

ELIZABETH SAMPLE, farming, P. O. Windsor, was born December 4, 1808, in Adams County, Penn. She was married to John B. Sample January 17, 18:0, who was born in 1791 in Pennsylvania, deceased August 28, 1854. They had six children-Sarah E., born November 20, 1836; John A., January 1, 1838: James B., June 9, 1841; Adam, December 25, 1843; William F., October 31, 1846, and linrriet N., December 17, 1850. Mrs. Sample sent one son to the late war, John A., who enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty- fourth Indiana Infantry. She is of German descent ; n Presbyterian ; owns a farm of fifty-one acres of good land, manages it well, and is a woman of sterl- ing integrity.

ISAAC J. SMITH, farmer, P. O. Windsor, was horn December 3, 1832, in this county. llis father, Amos Smith, was born in Virginia June 28, 1799 ; immigrated to Ohio, and from thence to this county in 1827; he died October 9, 1882, nt the advanced age of eighty-three years. Mr. Smith was married to Sarah M. Miles Angust 18, 1859. She was born June 24, 1840, and wns of a kind and loving disposition, The union was n congenial one, and the years of wedded life passed happily until September 27, 1880, when death entered the home circle and took from its midst the amiable and heloved wife. Mr. Smith deeply feels his loss, and the exit of that pure life from the stage of netion which had rendered his home so plensant bns filled his mind with sor- row. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and wns beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Smith was educated in the common schools of early days, but has made good use of this in business and in the accumulation of property. lle owns 381 acres of valuable Inad, and engages extensively in buying and selling stock ; he frequently has on hand fifty head of cattle and one hundred head of hogs. He is an ardent Republican, n member of the A., F. & A. M., No. 808, of Farmland, and an enterprising, courteous gentleman. The mother of the subject of this sketch died November 3, 1879, at the age of seventy-eight years.

HENRY STUDEBAKER, Farmland, was born July 3, 1842, in Miami County, Obio : he came to this county in the spring of 1873, and was married to Mary Barnes February 10, 1862. Mrs. Studebaker was horn in Clinton County, Ohio, January 20, 1846. They have one child, Edgar Q., barn July 10, 1863. Mr. Studebaker was educated in the graded schools of Troy and Dayton, Ohio, which were the best in the county at that time. lio has been engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, and for seven years last past has been the proprietor of the tlouring-mill where he now resides. Mr. Stude- baker was in the navy during the war for the Union, taking part in the famous Red River expedition. lle was nasigned to the gunboat Mound City, and afterward to the Neosho. Ilis father, John Studebaker, was originally from

FRANCES WALLACE

RES.OF MRS. FRANCES WALLACE, STONY CREEK TP. RANDOLPH CO. IND.

J.J. THORN BURG

MRS. J. J. THORNBURG

RES.OF J.J. THORNBURG, STONY CREEK TP. RANDOLPH CO. IND.

473

STONY CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Pennsylvania, where he was born in the year 1812; he now resides in Ohio. The father of Mrs. Studebaker, James Barnes, was born in Highland County, Ohio, Jannary 30. 1821 ; he came to this county in 1868. Mr. Stndehaker owns valuable mill preperty, worth $5,000, with a capacity of grinding 12,000 bush- els annnally, and the people will find him a courteous business man and atten- tive to all who may favor him with their patronage.

ABRAHAM SYMONS, farmer, P. O. Farmland. The subject of this biography was bern in Henry Conety, Ind., November 3, 1828, and set- tled in this couaty in the year 1855. He has been married twice, the first time to Mary C. Horn, February 17, 1852. who was boru May 8, 1834, de- censed April 16, 1866; the second time to his present wife, originally Mary E. Townsend, September 23, 1869, horo April 3, 1842. Four children blessed the first union-William E., born March 28, 1853, deceased in infancy ; Julian O., born August 8, 1855, died April 22, 1882; Wilson E., boro December 18. 1857, and Luther B. F., September 2, 1861. Two children blessed the second marriage-John E., bern July 1, 1871, and Sarah E .. October 8, 1874. Mr. Symons bad two brothers in the war for the Union-Joel, who served in the Fifty-ninth Indiana Regiment, and Benjamin F., who served in the Fifty- fourth. He was educated in the schools of pioneer days, and has followed the occupation of farming. He was reared under the kind induence of the Quaker Church, to which he belongs. He owns a good farm of sixty-five acres of land, and is at present Justice of the Peace of the township in which he resides, having served one term before.

JOSHUA SWINGLEY, far ner, P. O. Windsor, was born in Clinton Coun- ty, Ohie, February 2, 1835, and came to this county in the fall of 1853. His father, Peter Swingley, eriginally came from Virginia, where he was born in 1810, deceased in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1842. Mr. Swingley was uoited in marriage to Judith A. Thornburg February 5, 1857, who was born May 9, 1839. Mr Swingley received a common-school education, and has devoted his time exclusively to farming and stock-raising. He is a member of the Christian Church and of the I. O. O. F., No. 617, of Windsor. He owns a well-culti- vated farm of 106 acres of land, valued at $60 per acre. Republican in poli- ties, and an esteemed citizen. They have four children living-Josephine, bern September 5, 1860; John W., September 9, 1862; Martha J., February 10, 1868, and Edith, July 28, 1876.

WILLIAM TERRELL, farmer and minister, P. O. Windsor, born July 13, 1829, in Stony Creek Township, this county. He was married the first time to Rebecca Thernburg, November 22, 1849; two children blessed this union- Lucinda J., born December 8, 1850, and John W., November 19, 1852. Mr. Terrill was united in marriage the second time to Mary A. Thornburg, March 27. 1856; she was born December 12, 1838. They have eight children living -Margaret E., born October 22, 1858; Sarah E., May 10, 1861 ; tleorge E. S. Innunry 18, 1866; Willimin, May 20, 1869; Susannah J., May 30, 1871 ; Mary M., May 7, 1873, and Della, May 30, 1875, and Lydia E. C., December 20, 1878. Mr. Terrill wns educated in the old log schoolhouse of pioneer days, and for a number of years engaged in farming. He has been a dovoted minister ef the Christian Church for twenty-six years and has devoted much of his time to building up the denomination of his choice. He is a member of Whitney Lodge, Nu. F. & A. W. His father, George Wesley, wasof English descent, came to this county in 1828, decensed 1878. Mr. Terrill is an active Repub- lican ; owns a valuable farm of 171 acres of land, and is hospitable and kind to all whin meet him.

JOB THORNBURG. This venerable pioneer of Randolph County is the son of Isane and Rebecca (Hodgen) Thornburg, and was born in Guilford Coun- ty, N. C., September 29. 1801. He is the fifth of a family of twelve children, of whom three are now living ; his father was born in Pennsylvania July 4, 1773, and mother in the same State July 24, 1773. They moved from Penn- sylvania to North Carolina, where they were married, and remained until the year 1811, when they moved to ('linton County, Ohio, where they remained until 1827, when they came to this county and remained until their deaths ; bie mother died July 24, 1832, and his father June 28, 1862. Job lived with his parents on the farm nutil he was twenty-five years of nge, when he, with a brother, removed to Indiana, and settled in Randolph County. After living with his brother for about one year, he returned to Ohio, and was united in marriage with Lydia Smith, daughter of James and Atlantic Smith, April 17, 1826. He and his wife returned to Indiana the following October, when he entered eighty neres of the farm npon which he now resides. lle has spent the best portion of his life in clearing a farm from the unbroken forest. No one but those who have had the experience fully renlize the amount of toil and hardship connected with the development of this country. The subject of this sketch has accomplished more of this kind of work than most men of this age ; be early learned the lesson which insures success to every young man-indus- try and frugality .. These qualities being lendiog motives in his life, he rapidly accumulated property. He has been the owner and proprietor of 437 acres of land, with about 300 neres improved. This land is excellent in quality, and well adapted to stock-raising as well as grain ; he has disposed of all of his land, deeding it to his children and otherwise, with the exception of fifty acres. lle is the father of ten children as follows : Atlantic, born January 18. 1826 ; Abijnh, bora February 8, 1828, decensed January 3, 1848; Jonathan J., born April 2, 1830; Thomas, boro May 7. 1832, deceased October 28, 1846; James, born March 27, 1834 ; Ann. horn September 19, 1836; Edward R., horn December 4. 1838, deceased September 13, 1867; Tilnies, born November 27. 1840 ; Isanc D., born October 28, 1842; Rebecca, born September 3, 1846. ITis living chil- dren are all married and comfortably situatel in life. Job's early education consisted of nhont three months' schooling, in the old pioneer log schoolhouse, with greased paper for windows, puncheon floor, hewed benches, ete. Not- withstanding the primitive condition of the schools, he hns a fair common school education. He and his wife were raised members of the Society of Friends, and have ever remained faithful to their adopted church. Mr. Thorn- burg has served this county ns juror more or less for thirty years. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and has always affiliated with that party ever since

its urgnoization ; he was a Whig, aod strongly anti-slavery in sentiment. At the death of his father there were over 400 direct and indirect descendants ef the family, and but three Democrats in all of that number. Mr. Thornburg makes his home the most of the time with his son, Tilnias, and has dene so ever since the death of his wife, He is tolerably well preserved in health for one of his age, with the exception of a partial deafness caused by a slight stroke of paralysis, he seems to enjoy life very well ; be has bad a remarkable constitu- tion to endure the toils and hardships of such a long life ; he takes great delight in recounting his experience of pioneer times, aud, having a clear und distinct memory of these times, his accounts are calculated to interest every one ; he has been a useful inan, both to society and the church ; a kind husband and an affectionate father, and honored and respected by all who know him.

JONATHAN J. THORNBURG.

Jonathan J. Thornburg, is a native of this connty and son of Job and Lydia Thornburg, was born April 2, 1830. He is the third of a family of ten children, seven of whom are living ; he was raised en a farm, and received a limited education, from the common district and subscription schools, which were very inferior, and open but a short period during the winter season ; bis youthful experience did net differ materially from that of mest boys of pioneer times. He and his brother assisted their father ( who was a very hard-working man) te clenr n large amount of land from the unbroken wilderness. He was united in a first marriage, to Hannah Holloway, April 24, 1851. She was a mest amiable Christian woman, and shared the joys sod sorrows ef life with her husband until 1869, when the fell destroyer removed her from the embrace of her loving family and kind friends. Ag fruits of his first marriage, Mr, Thorn- burg is the father of nino children, of whom six are living as follows : Lydia J., Mary L., Benjamin F., Sarah E., Martha A., Job S., Ellis, Willium and Re- becen E. He was united in a second marriage to Nancy Meier, September 7, 1871. His present: wife, a most estimable and worthy lady, is the daughter of David and Nancy Morris, and was born in Fayette County, Ohio, July 27, 1829. She was previously married to Jehn F. Meier, ef Clinten County, Ohio, April 15, 1858 ; her first husband died in Ohio March 13, 1868; he was a man of the strictest integrity, a devoted hushand and an honored citizen. Mrs. Thorn- burg received a limited education in the common schools of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg are owners and proprietors of an excellent farm situated in Stony Creek Township, consisting of 240 acres, of which 180 are in a good state of cultivation. This farm is beautifully located and well improved, being supplied with excellent buildings, au exact representation of which is given in this work. Mr. Thornburg gives atteutive attention to the raising ef blooded steck in addi- tion to raising all kinds of grain. Mr. and Mrs. Thernburg are acceptable members of the Society of Friends at Cedar, this county. Mr. Thornburg has alwas acted and voted with the Republican party, and has always manifested a deep interest in the welfare of the party. His excellent wife is n lady of rare excentive ability, and has been of great service to her husband in the mannge- ment of his business. They are both excellent citizens, surrounded by all of the necessaries and comforts of life, and valuable members of society.

JOAB THORNBURG, farmer, P. O. Netf. born in North Carolina in 1795 ; he was united in the holy bonds of matrimeny to Elizabeth Holloway, Decem- ber 25, 1817; she was born September 17, 1794, in the State of Virginia. They have five children living-John L., Isnac. Asenath, Elsha and Jonathan T. Mr. T. was educated in the schools of North Carolina and was renred under the mild nud gentle discipline of the Friends of that county. lle and his aged companion have traveled life's pathway ns members of the Friends' Church, and at this advanced date nre waitiog the sunamons of that Master whom they have served so faithfully to call them to rest. The winter's storms mny beat fiercely above the grave so soon to claim them, the gentle rain of springtime fall upon their narrow earthly home, the beautiful flowers and green sward of summer grow npon the mound raised above them, yet all these will not effect the purity of their devoted Christian character which they leave behind as an example to those who follow after them.

THOMAS WALLACE.

Thomas Wallace, husband of Frances Wallace, and son of William and Mary Wallace, was born in Tennessee March 21, 1807. He removed with his parents to Miami County, Ohio, about the year 1814, where he resided until the year 1838, when he enme to this Sinte and county. He was the third of n family of nine children, of whom three are now liviog. His parents were both born and raised in Tennessee. He lived co the farm with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. Having ' comparatively no opportunity of attending school, his education was very meager. After he came of age, he worked out by the month on n farm until the year 1835, when he was united in marriage to Frances llays, daughter of James and Catharine lays, of Minmi County, Ohio. This union took place on December 30. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wallace lived in Ohio for about three years, when they moved to this county and settled near Windsor, where Mr. Wallace entered eighty-eight acres of land, being a portion of the farm where Mrs. Wallace now resides. They continued to live here nutil the death of Mr. Wallace, which occurred Febru- ary 7, 1870 They were the parents of but one child, James Newton Wallace, who died at the age of two years. Mr. Wallace was an acceptable member of the M. E. Church, and remained faithful until death. In political prefermeot he was a stanch Republican ; although he never sought for any office, he took a deep interest in the welfare of the party. lle was a most industrious and frugal man, and accumulated property very rapidly. He developed a fine farm from the unbroken forests. He was quiet and retiring in his hahits, but & man who had strong convictions on all current topics, and did fearlessly what he conceived to be his duty. Thus lived and passed away an honored and useful citizen of Randolph County.

FRANCES WALLACE, widow of Thomss Wallace and danghter of James and Catharine (Summly) Hays, was born in Miami County, Ohio, September 24, 1814. She is the third of a family of tive children. Her father was born

474

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

in South Carolina. Angust 31, 1789, and her mother was born in North Carolina in the year 1792. Iler parents removed to Miami C'ouaty, Ohio, about the year 1808, and remained there until the death of her mother, which occurred March, 1816. Her father came to Indiana in the year 1851, and made his home with his children until his death, which occurred September 16, 1874. Mrs. Wallace lived at home in Ohio until she was twenty-one years of age, engaged in the various and multiplied doties of a farmer's daughter, when she was united in marriage with Thomas Wallace. Her education is very limited, hav- ing but poor opportunities of attending scheol in her earlier life. Mrs. Wallace has been deprived the pleasure of raising uny children of her own, but she has hnd the responsibility of raising four, three of whom lived with her until marriage. One of thege, John A. Ineminger, enlisted as a soldier in the late war and died in hospital at Chattanooga, May 28. 1863, He served his country well until his death. Mrs. Wallace is owner of 368 neres, of which 160 acres are in a high state of cultivation, She disposes of ber land to tenants, but keeps the management ia her own band. She has been an acceptable and honored member of the M. E. Church for thirty-five years She has been an industrious woman all her life, passing through many hardships without a murmur. She is endowed with strong intellectual faculties and a remarkable memory. She looks after her business in detail, and is possessed with ex- traordinary executive ability. She is beloved as a neighbor and friend and will ever be honored by all who have knowa her.

WILLIAM WRIGHT, Farmland, was born September 17, 1831, in this county. He was married to Rebecca A. Thornburg, who was born July 25, 1835. They have eight children living-Faany R., born March 29, 1859; Solomon M .. January 6, 1864; Rolly R., March 6, 1866; Elizabeth M. H., March 24, 1868; Leoto O., March 9, 1871; Edward E., April 6, 1874; Noah V., February 14, 1880, and Bertha A., April 1, 1881. Ile was educated in the common and graded schools of the State. He has followed farming and stock- raising, and was in the hardware and grain trade at Farmland for some time. He was Township Trustee one term, being elected in 1860. He owns a good farm of 307 acres of land, worth $60 per acre. Is a member of the Frionds'

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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 169

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