USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Richmond > Memoirs of Wayne County and the city of Richmond, Indiana; from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Wayne County, Volume II Pt II > Part 19
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Louis Smith merits recognition in this compilation by reason of his standing as one of the successful representatives of the agri- cultural industry in this county, as well as for the reason that he is a citizen of sterling worth and one who enjoys uniform popularity in the community which has been his home during many years of his life. Mr. Smith is a native of the adjoining Indiana county of Fayette, born near Connersville, March 12, 1836, a son of William and Sarah (Jennings) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania. Both fami- lies were early founded in the Keystone State, which was the gen- erous and beneficent cradle of much of our national history. Wil- liam Smith immigrated to the West in an early day and located in Fayette county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm, and there he and his wife lived out the residue of their lives. They became the parents of ten children, of whom only two are living-Louis, who is the second in order of birth, and Sanford, who is a barber and resides in Indianapolis. William Smith was a man of sterling char- acter and upon the record of his long career as one of the world's noble army of workers there rests no blemish. His life was one of consecutive industry and he gained success through his own well directed efforts. He was well known throughout Fayette county and also in Wayne county. Louis Smith secured his early edu-
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cational training at the old "Bunker Hill" school, long since dis- continued, in Fayette county, and from his boyhood days contribu- ted his quota to the work of the home farm, increasing his services as his ability and physical powers justified. Upon leaving the parental home he worked for others, beginning as a farm hand at the age of fourteen years, and continued as such until about thirty years old. He then purchased a farm in Jay county, Indiana, and resided there eighteen years, at the end of which period he dis- posed of that place and purchased a farm in Boston township, Wayne county, where he resided eight years. lle then sold that place and moved to Centerville, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres, twenty acres of which was within the corporation limits of that village. Ile resided there eight years, at the end of which time he disposed of that place and purchased forty acres of land where he now resides, in Wayne township, one mile from the city limits of Richmond. His farm is maintained under a high state of cultivation and equipped with excellent improvements, includ- ing a substantial residence and good barns. In politics he does not hold to strict partisan lines, but supports the measures and candi- dates approved by his judgment, and is one of the popular citizens of his township, where his circle of friends is limited only by that of his acquaintances. On Nov. 12, 1854, he wedded Miss Amanda Bennett, born in Hamilton, Ohio, May 4, 1840, a daughter of Jolin Wilkinson and Margaret (Smith) Bennett. Of this union were born four children: Margaret, born in 1855, died in infancy ; Mary Florence, born April 9, 1857, resides at the parental home ; Albert, born April 2, 1860, also resides with his parents; and Alice. born March 9, 1862, died at the age of two and one-half years. Mrs. Smith's father was born in Connecticut and her mother in Pennsyl- vania. In early life the father was a sailor, but later engaged in well drilling, and he removed his family to Boston township, Wayne county, where he died during the cholera epidemic. Ilis wife also died in this county.
Nye Howard Snyder is to be recognized in this work as one of the representative farmers and stock growers of his adopted coun- ty, where he occupies and manages a well improved farm of 91.75 acres, eligibly located in Wayne township. He is a member of one of the sterling families of the county, which has represented his home since 1904, and has well upheld the honors of the name which he bears. Ile was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, Dec. 2, 1884, a son of John W. and Mary Ellen (La Baw) Snyder, born near Waynetown, west of Indianapolis, the father on July 28, 1854, and the mother on Feb. 7, 1856. They resided in Montgomery county until 1904, when they removed to Wayne county and lo- cated on a farm in Franklin township, where they resided four years. They then removed to Earlham Heights, Richmond, where they erected a home and are now living retired, being accorded the unqualified esteem of the community. They are the parents of six children : Effie is the wife of Fred Rideout, a carpenter of Indi- anapolis ; Myrtle is the wife of Lee Moore, of 'Los Angeles, Cal. ; Nye 11. is the next in order of birth ; Weaver married Irene Jones,
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of New Madison, Ohio, and resides at Earlham Heights; and Del- lah and George reside at the parental home. Nye H. Snyder gained his early educational discipline in the schools of Mont- gomery county and after attaining maturity came to Richmond and worked in the railway shops until he had attained the age of twenty-four years, when his father purchased the farm where the son now resides and which he has since operated in a general way. In politics Mr. Snyder is independent. On June 27, 1907, he was united in marriage to Miss Effie Alexander, born at Union City, in Darke county, Ohio, Nov. 1, 1886, a daughter of George and May ( Drill) Alexander, the former born in Darke county and the latter at Dayton, Ohio. The father was a farmer in early life, but is now in the butchering business, and they reside at Lynn, Ind. They are the parents of five children -- Pierre, Effie, Pearl, George, and Frances-all of whom reside at the parental home, excepting Mrs. Snyder. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are the parents of two chil- dren-Mildred Helena, born April 30, 1909, and Harold LeRoy, born June 18, 1911.
William C. Rich is the owner of one of the valuable farms of Wayne township and finds cause for gratification in that his home- stead is that upon which his entire life has been passed, since his honored father purchased the same in the '2os, since which time it has been transformed from a primitive pioneer farm to one that exemplifies the thrift and prosperity now marking this favored sec- tion of the State. Mr. Rich is a native of Wayne county, born on the farm where he resides, June 24, 1830, a son of Joseph and Mar- jorie (Cox) Rich, born in Randolph county, North Carolina, the father in 1788 and the mother in 1790. About 1822 Joseph Rich came with his family to Wayne county and settled in Wayne town- ship, where he first purchased a small place and conducted a saw mill a few years. He then sold that place and at a purchase price of $600 purchased 160 acres of the farm now owned by his only sur- viving child, William C. Rich. Ile reclaimed much of the land from the forest and became one of the successful farmers of the county. He continued to reside on the old homestead until his death, Nov. 9, 1858, and his widow followed him to eternal rest, Jan. 17, 1863. Of the eight children, William C. is the last in order of birth and is the only one of the number living. The father was a man of integrity and honor and ever commanded the respect of the community in which he maintained his home so many years. William C. Rich was reared to maturity on the farm which is now his home. His early educational advantages were those afforded in an old brick schoolhouse in Wayne township, and he continued to be associated in the work and management of the home farm until he had attained to his legal majority. Being the youngest of the family, he then remained on the homestead and took care of his father, who deeded him sixty acres of land. \'pon the death of his mother, by the provision of his father's will, the entire landed estate was inherited by our subject, but to avoid ill feeling he gave the other heirs sufficient cash to satisfy them. Ile added to the original sixty acres until he had 273 acres, but has
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since deeded two acres to the railroad company, thus leaving 271 acres in the farm. He continued successfully in agricultural pur- suits and has made the best of improvements on the farm, includ- ing the erection of his present modern and attractive residence. During his active career he engaged extensively in the raising of hogs. Though he is now living essentially retired, he gives a gen- eral supervision to his farm, which is under the active control and management of his two sons. The place is devoted to diversified agriculture and stock growing. In politics Mr. Rich gives his alle- giance to the Republican party and is loyal and public-spirited as a citizen, taking much interest in local affairs. To him is accorded the esteem and good will of the community in which he was reared and in which it has been his to attain a position of independence and definite prosperity as one of the representative farmers of the county. In August, 1854, Mr. Rich was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Duke, born in Wayne township, this county, April 30, 1837, daughter of John and Mariam (Aldred) Duke. Her father was born in North Carolina, Sept. 9, 1808, and her mother in Wayne township, this county, Nov. 22, 1816. Mr. Duke came to Indiana as a young man and first settled near Dover (now Web- ster). Later he purchased land in Wayne township, where he de- veloped a good farm, and here passed the residue of his life, secure in the esteem of all who knew him. He died at a venerable age, in 1898, and his wife survived him about two years. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living, and of these Mrs. Rich is the eldest; Serepsey is the wife of Dr. Meeks, of Hollands- burg; Dora is the wife of Alveron C. Brown, of West Richmond; and John resides in West Richmond. To Mr. and Mrs. Rich were born seven children: Frances M., born June 19, 1855, is a farmer and fruit grower in Wayne township; Willis D. (see sketch) ; Eveline, born July 12, 1860, is the wife of Horace Ratliff, a farmer in Center township ; Joseph, born Dec. 9, 1862, was killed at what is now the Rich Crossing, July 29, 1887, his mother-in-law, son and himself being killed at the same time by a train; Mariam, born Aug. 26, 1866, resides at the parental home; Oscar, born June 15, 1868, is a farmer in Wayne township; and Anna, born Dec. 15, 1872, is the wife of Jerome Shurley, who is engaged in the com - mission business-stock buying and selling-in East Richmond.
James C. Horrell, living in the township of Wayne, is a mem- ber of a family which was founded in Wayne county about 1862. IIe is a native of Boone county, and in Wayne county has gained prestige as a land owner and successful farmer. No citizen is held in higher esteem in his community and none is more worthy of this evidence of popularity and confidence. James C. Horrell was born in Boone county, Indiana, Aug. 14, 1854, a son of Thomas W. and Susan B. ( Mendenhall) Horrell, natives of Boone county, the for- mer born in 1828 and the latter on April 20, 1832. They removed to Wayne county about 1862 and located on a farm near White- water, in Franklin township, where they continued to reside until April, 1875, when the father sold that place and moved to Rich- mond, his death occurring in August of the same year, and the
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mother passed away four years later. Their lives were marked by integrity, kindliness and usefulness. Of the three children, John Nelson was a railroad man when last heard from, in 1901; James C. is the second in order of birth; and William O. is engaged in the packing business at Dayton, Ohio. James C. Horrell is in- debted to the common schools of Franklin township and to White- water College for his early educational training, and he continued to be associated in the work of the home farm of his father until 1875, when, before he was twenty-one years old, he began farming for himself on the place which he occupies, and which his father had purchased after selling his farm in Franklin township. Later, James C. engaged in contracting, road building, etc., for the city of Richmond, and also devoted some attention to real estate transac- tions, but has continued to devote his attention to the farm of fifty- four acres, upon which he resides in Wayne township. He has made excellent improvements and has become known as one of the most energetic and progressive farmers of the township mentioned, and he devotes some attention to the buying and selling of horses. As a citizen Mr. Horrell has ever shown a lively interest in all that has tended to conserve the progress and prosperity of his home county and his political faith has been manifested in his stalwart support of the cause of the Republican party. He is a zealous member of the South Eighth Street Friends' Church, of Richmond. In 1877 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Horrell to Miss Ida M. Snyder, born and reared in Wayne township, a daughter of Aaron and Agatha Snyder, prominent residents of Wayne town- ship, where the mother now resides, the father being deceased. Mrs. Horrell died in 1877, in the same year of her marriage, and on Dec. 23, 1880, Mr. Horrell married Miss Martha E. Bond, born at Green's Fork, Aug. 4, 1853, daughter of William C. and Hannah (Lock) Bond, born in North Carolina, the father in 1809 and the mother in 1824. Mr. Bond came to Indiana with his parents when one year old, and they first settled near what is now Earlham. Two years later they removed to Green's Fork, where the father pur- chased a large tract of land, and there the parents resided the re- mainder of their lives. Mrs. Horrell's father continued to reside there after his father's death and became an extensive land owner. He died Nov. 7, 1901, and his wife passed away Aug. 4, 1888. To Mr. and Mrs. Horrell was born one child, Fannie Evelyn, born Oct. 15, 1886, a graduate of the Indiana University in the class of 1910. The mother died Dec. 11, 1897.
Franklin J. Brown, a prominent and influential farmer of the township of Wayne, is a native of the Iloosier State. He first be- held the light of day in the city of Richmond, Feb. 12, 1839, a son of Eli and Martha H. (Hawkins) Brown. The father, a native of North Carolina and a hatter by occupation, first came to Indiana in 1813, to look the country over. He stayed but a short time and then returned to North Carolina, again coming to Indiana in 1815, locating in Richmond, where he erected the second house built in the embryo city, its location being on what is now the court house square. He at once engaged in the hat manufacturing business,
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in which he continued several years, but subsequently erected a house on Main street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, and there resided and conducted a general store. Later, in partnership with a Mr. Brightwell, he engaged in the milling business where the Starr Piano factory is located, and the firm purchased practically all the grain and oil produced in this vicinity, freighting these products to Cincinnati. Mr. Brown continued in this business a number of years and then sold out to his partner and lived retired, later re- moving to his farm, where he and his wife resided until their deaths. They were the parents of nine children: Anna. Elam 1., Alfred, Oliver, and James are deceased ; William H. is living retired m Richmond; Amos is deceased; Frank J. is the next in order of birth; and Joseph E. is living retired in Richmond. The subject of this review acquired his education, first in a school on the old public square in what is now the First ward, and later in the first free school established in Richmond. He also attended Professor Hollingsworth's college until the breaking out of the Civil war, and later took a course in bookkeeping. Ile was associated with his father until the death of that parent, at the same time super intending his own affairs, and in 1863-64 served as deputy county clerk. In the spring of 1864 he enlisted as a private in Company A of the One Hundred and Thirty-third Indiana infantry for serv . ice in the Civil war. This regiment was organized in May, 1864, nine companies being raised in the Seventh Congressional district and one at Richmond in the Fifth district. It was mustered in, May 17, and left the State at once for Tennessee. It was mustered ont in August, 1864. Mr. Brown then returned to his duties in the clerk's office and remained there until 1865, when he came to the farm where he resides, launching forth in agricultural pursuits. He has been very successful as a farmer, his place consisting of be- tween 230 and 240 acres, being cut by the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad, and he also owns valuable real estate, both in Richmond and in Howard county. In politics he is affiliated with the Re- publican party, and he is a member of Post 55, Grand Army of the Republic, at Richmond.
William Richardson Crawford, an influential and well-to-do farmer and dairyman of the township of Wayne, is a native of Wayne county, Indiana, born on the farm where he resides, June 9, 1865. His father, Daniel James Crawford, a native of Baltimore, Md., born in 1829, came with his parents to Wayne county in 1834 and continued to reside upon the farm which his son occupies up to the time of his demise, in 1870. The mother of the subject of this record, Mary (Hoover) Crawford, was born in Wayne township, in 1833; there her marriage to Mr. Crawford occurred, and she passed away in 1890. There were six children in the family : Alice is the wife of Levi M. Jones, a contractor of Wayne township ; Charles W. is living retired in Richmond; Daniel Frederick died in 1883; Frank D. is a carpenter and resides in Richmond ; William R. is the next in order of birth ; and Fannie M. is deceased. William R. Crawford received his schooling in the Sevastapool school, in Wayne township, dividing his time between the farm and the school
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room. Upon leaving school he worked for others until married and then leased the farm. In 1890 he purchased the homestead from his grandfather, the tract consisting of eighty acres of land. Since he took possession of the place he has removed much of the under- growth and timber, increased the productiveness of the soil, and enlarged and improved the buildings. Besides doing general farm- ing he operates a fine dairy and is interested in the breeding and raising of stock of various varieties. Politically he is affiliated with the Republican party, but has not acquired the habit of seeking public office. On Dec. 24, 1884, he was united in holy matrimony to Miss Nettie M. Long, born at Abington, Ind., Jan. 6, 1864, daugh- ter of Joseph and Mary ( Long) Long, who for many years resided on a farm in Abington township. They were natives of German- town, Pa., the father born about 1825 and the mother in 1826. Their respective families came to Indiana, the father's when he was eleven years old and the mother's when she was six, having pre- viously resided in Germantown, Ohio. The father was a shoe- maker in early life, but later engaged in farming and became an extensive land owner in different parts of the county. He later removed to Jennings county, but had resided there less than one year when he was killed by a railroad train, about 1889, and the mother died June 30, 1910. They were the parents of twelve chil- dren: Mary, William, Sarah, and Emma died in infancy ; Thomas was killed by being struck by an automobile, in Richmond, in 1908; Pierce resides in Cincinnati ; Susan M. is the wife of Chandler Wil- liams, a machinist, of Richmond ; Ida M. is the wife of Edward W. Moore, of Richmond; Laura B. resides in Indianapolis ; Mrs. Craw- ford is the next in order of birth; Nellie is the wife of Henry Ginn, a contractor, of Indianapolis; and Charles J. is a carpenter and re- sides at Indianapolis. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Crawford: Mary Myrtle, born April 14, 1887, is a professional nurse ; Nellie Edith, born Aug. 2, 1888, is a stenographer and book- keeper in Indianapolis; William Frederick, born June 24, 1893; Daniel Joseph, born March 26, 1895; Ralph G., born Dec. 18, 1900; and Agnes Elizabeth, born Oct. 20, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford are members of the Third Methodist Episcopal Church of Rich- mond.
Daniel Bosley Crawford .- A strong and noble character was that of him to whom this memoir is dedicated, and who exerted an emphatic influence in connection with industrial and civic affairs in the course of his long and significantly useful career as one of the honored citizens of Wayne county, where he took up his residence in the pioneer days. He came here as a young man and gained suc- cess through his individual application and ability, the while he ever stood exemplar of that integrity of purpose which figures as the plumb of character and makes for objective valuation in con- nection with the varied affairs of life. His strength was as the number of his days and he was summoned from the mortal life in the fullness of years and honors. His death occurred in Richmond, Jan. 14, 1898. Mr. Crawford was a native of Baltimore, Md., born Nov. 16, 1807, and his family was founded in America in the Colo-
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nial era of our country's history. He gained his early educational discipline in the schools of his native city and his active association with industrial pursuits had its inception in the pork packing busi- ness in the city of Baltimore. His early life was compassed by the gracious surroundings and influences of a good home and he was a birthright member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which noble organization he continued to be identified until his death. He resided in his native city until about twenty-seven years of age, when he numbered himself among the pioneers of Wayne county, whither he came with a wife and three children, starting with a carriage and two wagons on the long journey of 700 miles, to cross the mountains on the way. This journey was performed without sickness or serious accident, landing at their destination, about two miles northwest of Richmond, April 28, 1835. The new frame house being built for them was the only frame honse between Richmond and Newport at that time. It not being completed, they abode for a couple of weeks with a neighbor, who kindly furnished them room in a part of his house. During the long years it re- quired to clear up his farm and make needed improvements the monotony was broken by religious services, which for nine years were held each Sabbath at his house, or in the barn if the house would not accommodate them, Mr. Crawford being the class leader. Still having a love for his former occupation, for several winters he assisted the pork merchants of Richmond in cutting and packing their pork. Having been born, reared and educated in a city, it was but natural that he should make mistakes and seem awkward to his neighbors and friends of the backwoods, but he always enjoyed the sport and amusement with them, even if it was at his own ex- pense. He was successful as a farmer and took pride in raising and driving nice horses, at one time selling a matched team of duns for $400, which was considered a high price in those days. He made substantial improvements on his place, equipping it with excellent buildings and maintaining it under effective cultivation; but after fifteen years of life as a farmer, and a prosperous one, he was com- pelled by reason of an affliction to give up that occupation. In 1850 he moved to Richmond, engaged in the drygoods business, and for forty-six years was one of the leading merchants of the city. Dur- ing all these years, and in dealing with every class of people, he was never known to sue a single person. He was for several years a director in the First National Bank of Richmond ; for many years a director in the Richmond City Mill Works, and also a director of the Wayne County Turnpike Company about ten years. Ile retired from the drygoods business in 1896, selling his interest in the busi- ness to his son, John Y. Crawford. During the memorable agitation of the temperance question, in 1848, a "Division of the Sons of Temperance" was instituted in Richmond; and this organization was so prohibitive in its character that its members were not per- mitted to drink even sweet cider. On the roll of active members was the name of the subject of this sketch; and so conscientious and zealous was he that, while living on the farm, his crops of apples, such as he could not use or sell, were fed to the' stock
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rather than have them made into cider. His regalia as a Son of Temperance is still in the possession of the family in a good state of preservation and was handed down to one of his children as an heirloom, in commemoration of the testimony he bore against every- thing that would intoxicate. Mr. Crawford was a man of broad mental ken and was a citizen of utmost loyalty and public spirit. Previous to 1861 he had been a Democrat in politics, and it seemed a pleasant recollection to him that he had voted for Gen. Andrew Jackson for President. At the outbreak of the Civil war, however, he identified himself with the Republican party and thereafter participated in its campaigns. He was three times in succession elected a commissioner of Wayne county and served from 1861 to 1870. . No more important business was ever transacted or greater responsibilities rested upon the commissioners of this county than during the period covered by that decade. The records of the Com- missioners' Court show that in the year 1863 a bounty of $400 was paid out of the county funds for each volunteer who would enlist as a soldier from this county. The requisite number of troops was raised and to meet this and other heavy expenses resulting from the war the commissioners issued county orders, bearing six per cent. interest, which were freely bought up by the citizens, thus liquidat- ing what would otherwise have been a large county debt. Suffice it to say that these orders were redeemed in full and the county was left measurably clear of debt at the expiration of Mr. Crawford's term of office. During the active operations of the war it was haz- ardous to send money, even by express, from the front back to the States. The families of the soldiers were sorely in need of money, and to secure it to them, the commissioners decided to send a man to visit the regiments in the field in which were volunteers from Wayne county, to receive and bring back the allotments or pay that the boys could spare and distribute the money among their fami- lies. Mr. Crawford was selected as the most suitable man for that responsible and somewhat dangerous position. He accomplished the task without accident or mishap and to the satisfaction of all parties. ITis honor and reputation insured him respect wherever known. He took a commendable interest in all that tends to con- serve the general welfare of the community and his influence was ever given in support of worthy causes and enterprises. At the time of the Morgan raid he enrolled his name as a private soldier in the One Hundred and Sixth Indiana infantry, and was unani- mously chosen as captain of Company I, July 10, 1863. This regi- ment was organized with nine companies of minute men and a company of the Legion. Five companies were from Wayne county, two from Randolph, and one each from Hancock, Howard and Marion counties. The regiment was organized July 12, 1863, and left Indianapolis on the night of the 13th, reaching Hamilton, Ohio, the next morning. It proceeded to Cincinnati and then returned to Indianapolis, where it was mustered out July 18, 1863. For the length of time it was in the field the regiment did honorable serv- ice. Of him to whom this tribute is dedicated it may be said that ' he knew well the springs of human motive, so that he was kindly
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