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 98

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 98

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"Never give up! It le wiser and better Always to hope, than once to despair."

In his business affairs, and in all his transactions with his fellow-men, he has been governed by a high sense of honor, and for the probity of his life, and the kind and gentle characteristics of his nature, he possesses the good-will and affection of all who know him. His wife is a noble Christian lady, and has been n ministering angel to him in the period of his affliction. Their wedded life has been blessed by two children, one of whom is deceased. The surviving daughter, Rosa, is the widow of the late Robert S. Fisher, who served long nod faithfully as Cashier of the Commercial Bank, of Union City.

JONATHAN CRANOR was born in Guilford County, N. C., on the 6th day of January, 1823, and resided there with his parents, on n farin, till he was twelve years old. His father, John Cranor, emigrated, with his family, from there, and located in Wayne County. Ind., near Williamsburg, in the fall of 1833, where the elder Cranor soon after died. Mr. Cranor's mother's name was Nancy Little. She was of Irish descent, her parents having been born in Dublin, Ireland. After the death of his father, Jonathan was bound to his uncle, Thomas Cranor. In ahout one year of servitude, young Cranor became dissatisfied with his master, and being naturally ambitions, with confidence in himself, he threw off his allegiance to his uncle, and began the battle of life for himself. For a number of years he worked about, upon farms, by the month, and chopped cord-wood. In 1840, he went to Centerville, Wayne County, and was taken in by the firm of Morton & Shaw, to learn the hatter trade, und was associnted there with Gov. O. P. Morton, who was also learning the same trade. After he learned his trade, Mr. Cranor abandoned it and cost about again for a more acceptable pursuit. Having had no educational advantages up to this time, he sought rudimental instruction from his friend, Dr. Blair, who taught him the common school branches. In 1843, he came to Winchester to finish his educa- tion, and was admitted into the Randolph County Seminary, which was then under the supervision of Prof. James Ferris, where he was n student for some time. In February of 1847, during the Mexican Wur, young Cranor enlisted in the regular nrmy, and was posted at Newport Barracks, Ky., where he was employed in drilling recruits for the army, till the close of that war. After the close of the war, he returned to Winchester und procured a position in the Randolph County Seminary, as assistant tencher with Prof. Ferris. On the 11th day of September, 1848, he was married to Miss Elleanor Rush, who was born August 27, 1830, a daughter of - Rush, and a native of

and settled down in the hotel business, on the Kizer corner, northeast corner from the public square in Winchester. July 4, 1850, he moved to Greeneville, Ohio, and opened a hotel there, but soon tired of that, and exchanged for a farm near the village of Hill Grove, where he remained about two years, when he sold out and enme to Union City, and took charge of a large flouring mill on the Ohio side, where he was engaged in the milling business till the beginning of the great rebellion. Early in 1861, when the great rebellion was being or- ganized, and after Sumter had been beaten down and the flag of the Unlon trampled in the dust, on President Lincoln's first call for three months' troops, Mr. Cranor volunteered, and on the 20th day of April, 1861, was commissioned Captain by the Governor of Ohio, after which he recruited Company I, of the Eleventh Ohio Infantry, and reported at Camp Denison, for duty, and was ordered to Bellair, where he was commander of the post during his term of service. August 21, 1861, Capt. Cranor was uppoioted Lieutinant Colonel of the Fortieth Ohio Infantry, and on September 11, 1861, promoted to Colonel, and on the 16th of September, 1861, was mastered in and took command of the Forti- eth Ohio Infantry. He was then ordered to report to Col. James A. Garfield, at Paris, Ky. Garfield was then Colonel of the Forty-second Ohio Infantry, and commander of the Eighteenth Brigade, of which the Fortieth Ohio was a part. On the 10th day of January, 1862, when Humphrey Marshal, with a Confed- erate force, was occupying a position on Middle Creck, in Eastern Kentucky, Col. Garfield, determined to dislodge him, ordered Col. Cranor, with a detach- ment from the Fortieth and Forty-second Ohio, to make an attack. Col. Cra- nor also had at his command a portion of Woolford's Cavalry. After a weary march on the 9th, and a restless night in rain and storm, on Abbott's Mountain, without shelter and without food, early in the morning of the 10th, Col. Crnnor, with four companies of infantry, commanded respectively by Capts. Reeves, Knapp, Williams and Matchet, madean assault upon the enemy, and after many repulses in the early part of the conflict, from about 1 o'clock, Col. Cranor's forces gained an advantage which was held till 'dark, routing and driving the enemy out of Kentucky, Having no provisions, Garfield ordered his forces back to Prestonsburg, where tl cy arrived the next day at 10 o'clock. Afterward, Col. Cranor routed the rebels out of Pound's Gap, in the Cumberland Moun- tains. In Mny, Col. Garfield was promoted and ordered away, when Cel. Cranor took command of the Eighteenth Brigade, and all the forces in Eastern Kentucky. Col. Cranor remained in command of these forces until in the spring of 1863, when, on account of poor health, he was forced to resign. On the 28th day of May, 1865, President Andrew Johnson, for gallant services, appointed Col. Craaor Brevet Brigadier General. After retiring from the army, Gen. Cranor returned to Union City, Ohio side, and opened a hardware store; and in 1865, was elected to the Senate of Ohio from the Thirty-third District, composed of Miami, Shelby and Darke Counties. In 1868, Gen. Cranor was elected Presidential Elector from the Fourth Congressional District of Ohio, and cast the vote of that District for Gen. U. S. Grant, for President. In 1872, Gen. Cranor came over on the Indinna side of Union City, and opened a hardware store, in which business he was engaged till - when he sold

out and engaged in the sale of hoots and shoes until -, when he was appoint- ed Deputy Marshal of the State of Indiana, which position he held but a short time and resigned. Mr. and Mrs. Cranor have had three children, namely, Melvin R., born June 9, 1849, and died August 21, 1850; Charles E., born June 6, 1851, and Andrew J., born August 29, 1852, and married to Miss Alice Parent.

JOHN D. CARTER was born March 17, 1829, in Delaware County, Ind. llis father, Edmund D. Carter, emigrated from Maryland to Indiana at a very early date. IIc removed with his family to Ohio in 1829, soon after the birth of his son, and in 1832, removed to Madison County, Ind. In 1835, he again

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

located in Delaware County, returning to Madison County a few years later. In 1838, he came to Randolph County, locating in Stony Creek Township, and re- moved to Winchester in 1840. In 1849, John D., the subject of this sketch, went to Huntsville, in this county, where he was engaged in the woolen busi- ness, having erected a carding-mill at that town. Shortly afterward he pur- chased a woulen-mill at Winchester, which occupied the present site of Adam Ilirsch's furniture factory. This building was destroyed by fire about the year 1861, and in 1852, Mr. Carter moved to that part of Union f'ity lying east of the State line, nad there erceted and operated a saw-mill. This was the first mill in Union City, and. in connection with it, he operated n woolen-mill, and sold dry goods. He was thus engaged until 1857, when he removed to Chester- fieldl, Madison Co., Ind., and was there engaged in the dry goods and grain trade. Io 1860, he removed to Dayton, Ohio, and was engaged for two years as salesman in the wholesale establishment of Darst, Herchalrode & Co. In 1861. he again located at Chesterfield, and in 1862, came to Winchester, where he has ever since resided. lle engaged in merenntile pursuits here in that year, and was thus employed until 1870. In 1866, he erected the Winchester Woolen- Mill, but in 1860, purchased the old seminary property, which he converted into a woolen-mill, operating it ns such until 1880. In that year, he erected his present establishment in the southeast part of Winchester, where he con- ducts an extensive and satisfactory business in the manufacture ef yarns, blan- kets, and other woolen goods. Ile is enterprising and energetic, and his estnb- lishment ranks among the important manufacturing industries of Winchester. In politics he is an enthusiastic Republican, and in 1880, was elected Coroner of Randolph County. Ile was married, in 1848, to Miss Maria Montgar, daugh- ter of losinh Montgar, ef Union City, Ohio. Mr. Montgar was an early settler in Parke County, Ohio, and owned the land upon which the east part of Union City is located. He died in Nebraska in 1874, at the age of eighty years. Mr. Carter and wife are the parents of three children. They are worthy and highly respected members of society. Mr. Carter is a member of the Odd Fellows and Masonic fraternities, having attained the fifth degree in the former, and the Chapter and Council Degrees in the latter.

LEV. D. CARTER is one 'of the family who have been so long identified with the industrial interests of Winchester, and who, by their industry in me- chanical arts, have greatly assisted the material prosperity of the town. He was born October 24, 1826, in Montgomery County, Ohio, near the city of Dny- ton, and removed with his parents to Madison County, Ind., in 1828. In 1830 or 1831, the family returned to Montgomery County, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch resided until 1886. In that your he enme again to Indiana, locating first in Madison County, and removing to Randolph County in 1840. In 1846, he went to Prehle County, Ohio, and workedl from April to June of that year as a blacksmith's apprentice. In June, however, he enlisted ns n volunteer in the United States army for the Mexican war, receiving n yent's pay in advance. But the volunteers already enrolled praved sufficient, and his services were never called into requisition. After working at his trade for several years in various places, he came, in 1851, to Winchester, Ind , where he has resided ever since, engaged at the trude which he learned in youth, having occasionally united it with the kindred art of wagon and ohrringe making. For ten years he was engaged with his brother in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, and for seven or eight years he conducted n custom blacksmith shop. In 1873, he entered into partnership with John F. Gill in the manufacture of wagons. This enterprise was conducted very successfully under the firm name of Carter & Gill until the establishment of the Winchester Wagon Works, when its interests were consolidated with those of the latter establishment, and Mr. l'arter was elected manager of the blacksmith department. He is enterprising and energetic, and by a life of industry has accumulated a comfortable fortune. Ile possesses vigorous health and n strong constitution, and belongs to that active class of citizens whose labor hears so directly upon the substantial pros- perity of the community in which they residr, and to him it is a matter of honest pride that for nearly forty years he has been engaged in active Inhor. and that whatever financial succesy hns crowned his work has been attained through the medium of honest toil and prudent management. He was married at Winchester in 1853 to Miss Ilnonah E. Hutchens, no ostiminhle lady, who lins been a devoted helpmate to him, and at potent factor in his success. They are the parents of three children, two of whom are now living. In politics, Mr. Carter acts with the Democratic party, and while an active partisan, and an earnest advocate of the principles he minintains, he has never sought nor held public office. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and takes an active interest in the affairs of his lodge.

AARON G. CAMPFIELD, son of Matthew and Fanny M. Campfield, was born Inne 1, 1834, in Morris County, N. J. In 1848, he removed to Newark, and in 1861 to Jersey City. In 1864, he came West, loenting at Chiengo, where he re- maioed about four months. From that city he went to Decatur, Ill., romnin- ing there nne year. From that place he went East again, tarrying three months in the State of Delaware, and finally returning to his former home at Newark. One year later, he removed to Elizabeth, N. J., where he remained three years. In the fall of 1869, he removed to the State of lowa, removing shortly after- ward to Springfield, Ill., then to Greene County, in the same State. From there he went ngain to Deentur, and in the spring of 1872, to Chiengn, where he ro- maine three months. lle next visited Toledo, Detroit, and other cities, and returning to Springficht, III., made his home at that city for three years. In 1875, he came to Winchester, Ind., nud two years later, removed to Noblesville, Ind. In the spring of 1880, he returned to Winchester, where he Ins ever since continued to reside. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, at Newark, N. J., And as soon as he became n journeyman, began making con- (rets for the crection of buildings, and in the course of time became a profes- sional contractor. In the West his first contract was consummated at Carroll- ton, Til., where, in 1870, ho erected a public school building costing $40,000. At Jerseyville, Ill., he contracted for, and erected, a school building costiog $20,000. Ile also erected the State school building for destitute children, at Coldwater, Mich., and his next important contracts were the erection of the

Randolph County Court House, at Winchester, and the Hamilton County Court llouse, at Noblesville. ITe also erected the Randolph County Jail, which was completed aod occupied in the summer of 1882. His life has been one of energy and activity, and he has left many evidences of his skill ns a master workman nad designer. He is in the prime of n vigorous manhood and active business life, and his enterprise nad public spirit have added largely to the impetus of the local industries of this town. Ile is engaged extensively io the lumber trade at Winchester, owning and operating a saw mill, in which large quantities of lumber are prepared for market. His life has been successful, in n financial sense, and he has succeeded in accumulating a comfortable fortune. He is honored and respected by all who know him, and is recognized Among the best citizens of the community in which he resides. In politics he is a Re- publican, nad while enthusiastic in the support of his party, he has never been enough of a politician to seek or occupy public office, preferring to give his attention exclusively to his business. He was married on May 8, 1859, to Miss Caroline Elizabeth Ross, nt Newnrk, N. J., By this voion they are the parents of four children, three of whom are now living to bless and cheer their home.

WILLIAM WESLEY CANADA was born June 8, 1850, in Stony Creek Township, Randolph Co., Ind, He is the son of David Canada, a prominent and highly-respected farmer of this county. His parents are both deceased. His father died at Winchester October 15, 1879. His mother died two years previ- ously (October 13, 1877). During his enrly life, the subject of this sketch was engaged in performing the various duties of farm life on the home farm, and attending the common schools in the winter. When seventeen years of age, he began an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, and in the winter taught school, saving his earnings from these combined sources, to complete his own education. He attended the high school at Farmland for six months, finishing with a three months' course in the State Normal School at Terre llaute, Ind. He began at an early age to enrn his way in the world, and has never received assistance from any one to further his pinns. His attninments are the results of his own unaided efforts, nad he is essentially n self-made man. He began the study of the law in 1873, in the office of William Eggleston, n distinguished attorney of Terre Haute, and shortly afterward came to Winchester, entering the office of Moorman Way, Esq., where he completed his studies. He was ad- mitted to the bar of Randolph County in June, 1874, and began the practice of his profession. In 1876, he was the associate of E. B. Reynolds, Esq., with whom he practiced one year. In 1877, he formed a partnership with his brother, which continued until 1881. He has been active in politics, and is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Itepublican party. He is one of the working members, yet his services are contributed unselfishly, and withont hope of reward. He lias never sought nor accepted public office. ITis heart is in his profession, to which he has deveted himself with an earnestness that has wrought good results. lle is steadily rising as an attorney, in the estimation of the public, as well as that of the legal fraternity, and as he is yet n young mau, bright possibilities are before him. Mr. Canada was married, in Derem- ber, 1875, to Miss Carrie E. Moore, daughter of James Monre, Esq., an early settler of Randolph County. They are the parents of two children, named re- spoctively-Lince and Coral. la social life they are highly regarded by a large circle of friends, and are very properly ranked among the best citizens of the community in which they rosiile.

SILAS A. CANADA was born January 14, 1852, in Stony Creek Township, Randolph Co .. Ind. His father, David Canada, was a native of North Carolina, and came to Randolph County in 1828 or 1829. His mother, Mary A. Canada, was a native of Randolph County, Ind. They were the parents of ton children. all of whom are now living. Both parents are deceased. The mother died in 1877, and the father in 1879. Silay A., the subject of this sketch, passel the ilnys of his boyhood on the home farm, attending the district schools in winter, and assisting in the work of the farm during the remainder of the year. In 1869, he attended the school at Farminad, in this county, under the instruc- tions of Dr Ault, and during the summer of 1875, was a student in the college of Ridgeville. Ile attended school at Winchester, in the same year. At the nge of eighteen years, he began teaching school in Randolph County, and was thus employed at intervals for several years, and was Principal of the Arba Gradeil School two years. Three times, while thus employed, he was granted a two years' license, his general average ench time heing 100 per cent. In 1876, he hegan the study of Inw, with A. O. Marsh, and on the 13th of Innunry, 1877, was nilmittel to the bar ef Randolph County. From 1877 to 1881, he was ne- sociateil in the practice with his brother, under the firm anme of Canada & Canadn, after which he beenme a member of the present firm of Stakehake, Camila & Marsh. As n school teacher he was successful and efficient, nad, ns an attorney, he is rapidly rising te prominence. He is yet a young man, and, judged by his energy and ability, it is safe to predict for him a bright and pros- perous future.

JESSE CANADAY was born December 13, 1847, in Wayne County, Ind. His parents, Enos and Hannah Canaday, were both natives of North Carolina, his father of finilford County, and his mother of Randolph County. They ench came to Wayne County, Ind., with their parents, when quite young, and grew to maturity there. The father was fortunate in the accumulation of n fortune, hy years of industry and honest effort, but his confidence in his neigh- bors cost him denrly, for, by becoming security for them at various times, he lost nearly all he had accumulated. Under the changed condition of the father's fortunes, the sons were compelled to lean more upon their own re- sources for whatever success they attained in preparing themselves for active life. Jesse, the subject of this sketch, lind enjoyed the advantages of the con- mon schnols in boyhood, attending only in the winter ; but by persistent study and application he nequired a gond English education, and in his nineteenth yenr began teaching school during the winter, and clerking in stores during other portions of the year. In the meantime, having registered in the office of Inmey Brown, of Nowcastle, Ind., he gave all his leisure time to the study of Inw, with a view of adopting the legal profession. ITis preceptor was theo A well known attorecy, and has since risen to distinction. Under his instruc-

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WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

tions, Mr. Cannday gained ground rapidly in his studies, and was admitted to the bar of Henry County in 1874. He did not enter upon the practice at once, however, believing that a good purpose would be snbserved by remaining for awhile in mercantils life. In 1875, he located at Hagerstown, Wayne Co., Ind., where he remained about six years. During two years of this time, he was Cashier of the Commercial Bank, and for three years was engaged in the practice of his profession. In April, 1882, he came to Winchester, having de- cided to devoted his time and tatents to the practice of the law. He was mar- ried on December 24, 1874, to Miss Sarah J. Wright, at the home of her father, Thomas G. Wright, in Henry County, Ind. On Angust 1, 1876, she died, lenving one little daughter, to mourn ber loss. Mr. Canaday was mar- ried to Miss Lila Brown, his present companion, on December 6, 1880. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and enjoys the regard and esteem of a large circle of friends. In politics, Mr. Canady has always acted with the Re- publican party, taking an active interest in its success, while he has never songht public office, nor served but once in a public capacity. This was during his residence at Hagerstown, nt which time he served four years as Justice of the l'eace. He is yet a young man, with his life all before him. He is naturally energetic and enthusiastic, devoted to his profession, and possessing the quali- ties that win success,

ARMSBEE DIGGS was among the earliest pioneers of Randolph County, and for many years one of its most active and reliable citizens. He came here in the prime of a vigorous manhood, and for more than n half century way identified with the development of the county, bearing his full share in pioneer hardships, and contributing liberally to the encouragement of public improve ments inaugurated in later years. Ile was born in 1795, in Anson County, N. C. About the year 1816, he married Mary Way, and in the winter of 1816-17. started with his young wife for the wilds of Indiana. reaching Randolph County in February, 1817, and locating on the banks of White River. llere he ad- dressed himself to the task of clearing and improving a farm, and although he was a successful and energetic farmer, he was an enthusiastic hunter, and fond of the chase. Often his sons were sent into the woods to bring home the bides and hams of deer slain by their father, these being the marketable parts of the animal, and readily convertible into money. Thins for years he lived in the woods, farming and bunting alternately. In December, 1817, his eldest son, Henry, was born. The latter was one of the first white children born on White River in this county, his only seniors being Fanny, daughter of William Diggs, and Lydia Wright, now the wife of Endsley Joues, of this county. In the years that ensued, eleven other children were added to the family of Mr. Digge, six of whom are now living, viz. : John W., Jesse, Rachel, Willinin, Matthew, and Fanny. Littleberry, Washington and Hannah died young. llenry, the eldest, grew to manhood in this county, and married, but is new deceased. Patience, wife of J. H. Lenke, and Priscilla, wite of Stephen Moor- man, are also deceased. Mr. Diggs entered a truet of 179 neres, from which he developed his farm. For the purpose of purchasing this tract he went on horseback to the land office at Cincinnati, with just enough money to pay for a quarter section : but upon his arrival he learned that the tract " overran," and it would be necessary for him to purchase the entire amount. He did not possess the requisite amount of money, and had it not been for the kindness of a young man in the land office, he would have been compelled to return with- out a title to the land on which he had erected his cabin, and where his family then resided. This young man volunteered to advance him the necessary amount, taking no security other than his verbal obligation, and he returned the happy owner of the land he had selected. Six months passed before he was able to return the money so generously loaned him by the stranger, hnt it was repaid with true gratitude for the kind accommodation. Like many others among our western pioneers, he began life in limited financial circumstances, and by hard work and industry accumulated a fortune. About the year 1850, he erected a saw mill and grist mill on White River, and for ten years or more was engaged in this enterprise, from which he derived a fair profit. Though possessing only n limited education, he was n man of fine natural intelligence, und was constantly adding to his store of knowledge by study nod observation. He was reared under the influence of the Society of Friends, and while he was never identified with the Society here, his early teachings marked and governed all his life. lle was a man whose verbal obligation was accepted as readily and considered as sacred by himself as bis hond. In all his dealings with his fellow-men, he was notunte I hy principles of strict honesty, and none were icore highly esteemed than he. In his political affiliations he was at first a Whig, and later n Republican, and while he was nn netive and zealous partisan, he always shunned public office, and never permittel his name to be used in con- nection with any nomination. He reared n large family, who inherited their father's sterling traits, and are now among the honored and respected citizens of the communities in which they reside. He died in March, 1872, having lived to see the pioneer settlement develop into a populous and wealthy county. llis wife did not long survive the husband with whom she came to these wilds, as she died in October of the same year.

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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 98

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