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 32
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MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
follow, with the exception of a short time which he spent at rail- road work. He worked at New Lisbon two seasons and at Dub- lin one season, and the remainder of. the time he has applied him- self to his trade at Ilagerstown, being conceded to be one of the best workmen in his line in the State of Indiana. He is the proud possessor of a gold medal which was awarded him at the Chicago World's Fair, in 1893, on horse shoes and horse-shoeing tools, all of which were made by hand and with no mechanical appliances. Mr. Wedekind erected the shop which he occupies, in the fall of 1893, and owns a one-third interest in the undivided estate of his father, consisting of city property, etc. In his political affiliations Mr. Wedekind is a loyal adherent of the principles of the Demo- cratie party, though he reserves the privilege of acting independ- ently when the better interests of the community seem to warrant it. He is broad-minded and liberal in all of his views and enjoys the unqualified esteem of his fellow citizens. He is married to Miss Mary Luella Pipher, a daughter of Peter and Martha Ellen (Hayes) Pipher, the former born in Hagerstown, Dec. 26, 1841, and the latter in Jefferson township, Feb. 10, 1847. Peter Pipher, a farmer by occupation a number of years and later engaged in the restaurant business in Hagerstown, is living practically retired in that village. His beloved wife passed away June 23, 1905. Six children were born to Mr. Pipher and wife: Charles, born Dec. 9, 1864, is engaged in the horse business at Winchester, Ind .; Mrs. Wedekind is the second in order of birth; William is a barber and resides in Indianapolis; Florence L. is a barber and resides in Hagerstown; Minnie is the wife of John A. Bunnell, a farmer, of Jefferson township; and Luther C. resides with his father. Mr. Wedekind's World's Fair horse-shoe display is preserved in a handsome plate-glass case, in quartered oak frame, eleven feet long by seven feet wide, with an enlargement of his own splendidly de- veloped physique displayed in the center.
John A. Locke, living virtually retired in the village of Hagers- town, where he devotes a portion of his time to the undertaking business, was many years prominently identified with the agri- cultural industry in Wayne county. He is a native son of this county, born in the township of Perry, July 10, 1849, a son of John A. and Charity (Brooks) Locke, the former born in Perry township and the latter in North Carolina. John A. Locke, Sr., acquired his educational training in the schools of Perry township and in early life followed teaming, from Economy to Cincinnati, Ohio. He became a land-owner in his native township and later moved into Dalton township, where he was a thrifty and success- ful follower of agricultural pursuits continuously until compelled by failing health to retire, when he removed to Jefferson town- ship and resided with a son the remainder of his days. He was elected justice of the peace in Dalton township, a fitting recogni- tion of his capability and honesty. He was also an extensive stock raiser. His was a long and honorable career, in which no man can point to a dishonorable act, and this gave him the profound respect of those in whose midst he lived and labored; and' in all
BIOGRAPHICAL
of his endeavors he displayed the very highest qualities of ability, energy and devotion to duty, which made his example a source of inspiration to others, and the record of which is a precious heritage to the dear ones he left behind. He lived a devoted, consecrated, Christian life, serving his chosen church, that of the United Breth- ren faith, as a loyal member and as an exhorter. lle was loved as a neighbor and friend, and was extremely useful as a citizen and tender and affectionate as a husband and father. Ile was hospitable to an extreme degree and thoroughly enjoyed the com- panionship of friends. The true, Christian gentleman that he was, he was ever considerate of the feelings and opinions of others and possessed a beautiful Christian spirit, which caused him to be as fair to those who differed from him as with those whose views were strictly in accord with his own, though he refused to com- promise with that which he believed to be wrong. The happy union of John A. Locke, Sr., and wife was blessed by the birth of seven children, of whom the immediate subject of this sketch is fifth in point of age, the others being: Cecilia, deceased; Jesse W., living retired ; William M., who resides in Hagerstown ; Mary Ann, the wife of John H. Thornburgh, a farmer of Dalton town- ship; Orlando B., a farmer who resides in Dalton township; and Charity Emma, deceased. The immediate, subject of this review received a common school education in Perry and Dalton townships and continued to work on his father's farm until he had passed his eighteenth birthday. Ile then rented land several years and then purchased a farm in Dalton township, where a number of years he successfully and profitably followed agricultural pursuits and came to be recognized as one of the progressive and scientific farmers of the county. About 1898 he turned the management of this farm over to his son and removed to Hagerstown, where he engaged as a horse dealer and also in the undertaking business. He conducted a general breeding barn, dealing in light and heavy horses on commission, and continued this business until about 1909. He still owns 121 acres of land, the greater part of which is in Dalton township, and he built the commodions residence where he resides, in Hagerstown. He devotes his time to the undertak- ing business, but is otherwise retired. In his political affiliations he is a staunch supporter of the cause and principles of Repub- licanism, though he reserves the privilege of acting independently when the welfare of the community seems to warrant it. In his religious faith he gives allegiance to the United Brethren church, in which he renders effective service in behalf of the higher things in life. Ile has never aspired to a public career, preferring to de- vote his time and attention to his private business affairs. On Jan. 29, 1870, he was united in holy matrimony to Miss Martha E. Thornburgh, born in Jefferson township, May 15, 1851, daughter of John H. and Harriet ( Parsons) Thornburgh. Of this nion were born two children : Emma V., born March 22, 1871, died March 3. 1008 ; and Edgar R., born June 3, 1873. resides on the old home- stead in Dalton township, married Dora Burroughs, a native of Randolph county, and they have two children-Chester and Edith
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M. John H. Thornburgh, father of Mrs. Locke, was born in Jef- ferson township, Sept. 15, 1824. He followed farming in early life, but later became a United Brethren minister. He served as a member of the State legislature, and also as justice of the peace in Jefferson township a number of years. Ile died Aug. 27, 1887, and his widow resides in Hagerstown. They were the parents of seven children: William is a horseman and resides at Muncie; Nelson B. is a farmer and resides in Jefferson township ; Mrs. Locke is the next in order of birth ; Alice C. resides in Hagerstown; Har- riet became the wife of D. P. Weaver, of Hagerstown, and is de- ceased ; May became the wife of Monroe Sherry, of Jackson town- ship, and is deceased; and Noble A. was on the police force m Muncie twenty years, but now is a carpenter and resides in Muncie.
Edwin Seymour Fleming, deceased, for several years a promi- nent citizen of Hagerstown, was born at Bainbridge, Ross county, Ohio, Feb. 9, 1845, a son of Eli and Sarah (Thompson) Fleming, the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ross county, Ohio. The father was a Methodist minister more than fifty years and died at the age of seventy-five. Ile removed from Pennsylva- nia to Ross county, Ohio, in early life, and resided there until 1860, when he went to Des Moines, Iowa, and later to Council Bluffs, where he died in August, 1807. He was three times married, the first two wives dying in Council Bluffs and the third is living in Ne- braska. His first wife, mother of Ewin S., died in 1860. Edwin S. Fleming acquired his elementary educational training at Des Moines, Iowa, and at the age of sixteen years was apprenticed to a saddler, with whom he remained two years. He then ran away and enlisted as a private in Company F of the Forty-seventh lowa in- fantry for service in the Civil war. He served about eighteen months and was then discharged because of illness. After recover- ing his health he engaged in the insurance business, traveling all over the West, and then engaged in the mining business in George- town, Colo. Later he removed to Chicago, where he was employed by the Cooper & Boyle Publishing Company about twenty years, and then came to Hagerstown to assist his wife in the management of her business affairs, and continued to reside there the remain- der of his career. Ile passed to his reward Jan. 16, 191, in his sixty-sixth year, leaving his bereaved wife and a wide circle of in- timate friends and associates to mourn his death. His life was marked by signal integrity and usefulness and he was ever held in high repute in the various communities in which he resided. fle was a liberal, public-spirited citizen, and in politics was an ardent advocate of the Republican party. He was prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of Hagerstown Lodge No. 49. On Aug. 7, 1802, Edwin S. Fleming was united in marriage to Mrs. Clara (Newcomb) Hindman, a daughter of Matthew and Susanna (French) Newcomb, natives of Montgomery county, Ohio, the father born Dec. 11, 1818, and the mother July 7, 1829. The father was reared and educated in his native county and in March, 1851, came to Wayne county, locating on a farm in Jefferson township, three miles north of Hagerstown. He resided there until 1886,
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when he rented the farm and removed to Hagerstown, where he re- sided during the remainder of his life, passing away in April, 1891, and his widow died March 11, 1895, on the fiftieth anniversary of her marriage. Five children were born to the union of Mr. New- comb and wife, and Mrs. Edwin S. Fleming is the eldest, the oth- ers being: Franklin, who died in September, 1866; one who died in infancy ; Sarah, the wife of Edgar Heiner, a druggist of Bloom- field, Ind., and a child that died in infancy. Mrs. Fleming was first married Jan. 27, 1873, to William Hindman, a native of Miami county, Ohio, who became a merchant at Green's Fork. Later he engaged in farming for a time and then became a traveling sales- man. Of that union were two children: Matthew N., who was killed on the railroad'in 1894. and Daisy, who died in 1880. Mrs. Fleming owns 160 acres of land of her father's estate and also the old homestead in Hagerstown, where she expects to reside the resi- due of her life. She is a member of the Eastern Star and is promi- nnt in social affairs.
Michael Conniff, a popular and highly esteemed retired citi- zen of Hagerstown, is another of Ireland's native sons who has at- tained to success and prosperity in America. Ile first beheld the light of day in County Clare, Ireland, Nov. 3, 1847, a son of Owen and Elizabeth (Callahan) Conniff, natives of the Little Green Isle. Owen Conniff, born in County Roscommon, was reared and edu- cated in his native land and followed school teaching until 1850, when he migrated to America, locating in Cincinnati, where for a time he was employed on public works. In 1852 his family followed him to America, landing at New Orleans and thence joining the fa- ther at Cincinnati. They resided there about eighteen months and then came to Wayne county. On Oct. 18, 1852, they located in Hagerstown, where the father secured employment on the Pan- handle railroad, engaged in construction work, and continued with the Pennsylvania company a number of years. Later, he had charge of the commissary department of the Big Four Railroad Company and still later served in the same capacity for the Van- dalia company, continuing at railroad work as commissary clerk until he retired from active labor. For forty-six consecutive years he continued to reside in Nlagerstown, enjoying the respect and high regard of the entire community, and here, on Oct. 11, 1898, he re- ceived his summons to eternal rest. His beloved wife, the mother of Michael, passed away July 25, 1894, and the community joined her bereaved husband and children in mourning her death. Eight children, two of whom survive, were born to this worthy couple : Patrick was a farmer and died in Missouri in 1895; the second child died in infancy, in Ireland; James was a restaurant man in Indianapolis and died in December, 1887; Michael is the next in order of birth ; Mary is the wife of Henry Kunkle, of Indianapolis; Elizabeth died in March, 1875; and Susan and Bridget were twins, both deceased. The subject of this review passed the days of his boyhood and youth in Hagerstown, meanwhile availing himself of the educational advantages afforded by the schools of that village. Subsequent to the passing of his school days, Mr.
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Conniff continued to make his home with parents until the summer of 1863, when he enlisted as a private in Company B of the Fifth Indiana cavalry, under Capt. William Lindsay, for service in the Civil war. He was mustered into the service Aug. 9, 1863, and joined the regiment at Nicholsville, Ky. It started on Aug. 18 for East Tennessee and reached Knoxville, Sept. 1, being the first regi- ment of Union troops to enter that city. It was in an expedition across the Smoky Mountains and on its return moved to Green- ville. It was then in an expedition to Bristol, being engaged in heavy skirmishing and the battle near Zollicoffer. It was also in an engagement near Blountsville and captured a number of pris- oners. While marching toward London and Bull's Gap the regi- ment met 3,000 of the enemy near Henderson's Mill and engaged in a fierce fight, holding the enemy in check in frequent hand-to- hand combats, and when nearly surrounded cut its way through the lines and rejoined its brigade. Later, near Rheatown, it came upon the enemy's rear and engaged him again. It was in a second engagement near Blountsville and was on outpost duty at Jones- boro until Nov. 6, when it moved to Cheek's Cross-Roads, thence to Tazewell, and later to Maynardville. It was in a heavy skirmish with a division of cavalry and in heavy fighting at Walker's Ford. It marched to Blain's Cross-roads and Bean's Station, where an- other fierce battle was fought, the regiment retreating toward Rut- ledge and going into camp at Blain's Cross-roads. On Dec. 23 it moved to Mossy Creek and remained there until Jan. 14, 1864, be- ing constantly engaged in fighting. It participated in the battle of Dandridge and made a charge on foot three-quarters of a mile in advance of the main line of battle, driving the enemy before it. On the retreat it reached Knoxville, Jan. 19, 1864, and there the horses of the regiment were turned over to the Fourteenth Illinois cavalry. The regiment made a scout on foot to Pigeon Creek, then moved to Cumberland Gap and thence to Mt. Sterling, where it was remount- ed. On May I it started to Tunnel Hill, Ga., and with Stoneman's command participated in the Atlanta campaign, being engaged in all the cavalry operations from Dalton to Decatur. Marching in a raid towards Macon in July, it took part in attack upon the enemy and drove him two miles. Near Hillsboro it participated in an en- gagement with a body of Wheeler's cavalry and was left on the field to hold the enemy in check until the main body was entirely out of danger. Then the regiment was surrendered by General Stoneman againt Colonel Butler's earnest protest. This occurred on July 31, and Mr. Conniff was taken as a prisoner to Anderson- ville, where he was confined two months, and was then taken to a prison at Florence, S. C., where he remained until he was paroled in the latter part of the following December. He was mustered out June 16, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Conniff then returned to this county and during the succeeding two years worked as an ordinary farm hand throughout the summer months. In 1868 he rented a farm and continued to follow agricultural pursuits a num- ber of years. During Cleveland's first administration he served as postmaster at Hagerstown and after retiring from that position en-
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gaged in the draying business a number of years. For the last sev- eral years he has lived retired in Hagerstown. In his business af- fairs Mr. Conniff has always been keen, sagacious, and active, and his kindly, courteous demeanor has won him hosts of friends in every walk of life. He is recognized throughout his community as one of the trustworthy, substantial men of the county. Though he never aspired to a public career, as before stated he served four years as postmaster, and was for some time the incumbent of the office of member of the village council of Hagerstown, the duties of which positions he discharged in a manner entirely satisfactory to all concerned. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the local organiza- tions of which he has passed through the chairs. flis wife is a mem- ber of the Rebekahs and of the Eastern Star. On Feb. 23, 1868, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Conniff to Miss Lucinda Crull, born in Henry county, Indiana, Feb. 22. 1852, daughter of William and Louisa (Pressel) Crull, natives respectively of Montgomery county, Ohio, and Henry county, Indiana. The father was born June 21, 1831, and the mother on April 29, 1834. The father came to Indiana when two years old with his parents, who settled in Jef- ferson township, this county, and he resided there until 1874, when he disposed of his holdings and removed to Jefferson county, Kan- sas, where his wife passed to the life eternal, Feb. 19, 1896. Mr. Crull continued to reside in Kansas until in January, 1911, when he went to Mound City, Mo., where he resides with a daughter. He and his wife became the parents of four children: Mrs. Conniff is the eldest ; Elizabeth became the wife of William Nininger, a mer- chant of Kansas City, Mo., and died in March, 1888; Nancy died in 1862, at the age of four years ; and Elsie is the wife of Robert Smith, a retired merchant of Mound City, Mo. The happy marital union of Mr. Conniff and wife was blessed by the birth of four children : Clara, born Aug. 27, 1872, died at the age of eleven years; Nora, born July 24, 1875, is the wife of John Sells, of Hagerstown, and they have two children-Leona, born July 16, 1896, and Jesse, born Sept. 23, 1903; Jennie, born July 31, 1878, died Sept. 6, 1879; and Eddie, born Sept. 6, 1881, died Feb. 14. 1885. Mr. Conniff is a Dem- ocrat in politics.
Benjamin F. Parsons, Jr., a popular meat dealer of Hagerstown, this county, is one of Wayne's native sons, born in the village of Hagerstown, Feb. 20, 1884, a son of George W. and Priscilla (Ma- thews) Parsons, the former a native of Jefferson township and the latter of Cincinnati, Ohio. George W. Parsons, born on what is now the "Reynolds Farm," in Jefferson township, in September, 1843, was reared on that homestead, one of five children, all de- ceased, except B. F. Parsons, Sr., of Richmond, and Martha, wife of D. A. Rudy, of Indianapolis. His educational advantages were those of the district schools, and he left school to enlist as a pri- vate in Company I of the Fifty-seventh Indiana infantry for service in the Civil war, later being promoted to orderly sergeant, first lieutenant, and captain of his company. This regiment was re- crnited in the Fifth and Eleventh Congressional districts and was
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organized at Richmond, in November, 1861. It was mustered in Nov. 18, and left the State Dec. 23, reporting to General Buell at Louisville, where it was assigned to the Sixth division, Army of the Ohio, and ordered to Bardstown, Ky. It moved to Lebanon, and on Feb. 12, 1862, to Munfordville, and thence to Nashville. It started for Pittsburg Landing March 21, and was actively engaged at Shiloh. It participated in the siege of Corinth and moved from thence to Northern Alabama, where it remained until July, when it was ordered to Tennessee. It was on duty near Tullahoma and McMinnville until September and then took an active part in the campaign against Bragg in Kentucky, being in the battle of Perry- ville. It was at Nashville during most of December, guarding for- age trains and engaged in frequent skirmishes. At the battle of Stone's River it was attached to the left wing of the army and dis- tinguished itself by its gallantry in resisting the fierce attacks made upon the lines at that point. It was in camp near Murfreesboro during the winter and spring of 1863, took part in Reynolds' "eleven days' scont" in April, and participated in the campaign against Tullahoma. It was in camp near Pelham until Aug. 16, when it joined in the campaign toward Chattanooga and operated on the north side of the Tennessee, opposite that city, its brigade taking possession of Chattanooga on its evacuation after the battle of Chickamauga. Colonel Lennard was assigned as provost-marshal and the regiment was placed on duty as provost guard. It was in the battle of Missionary Ridge and was then assigned to the Second division (Sheridan's), Fourth corps, which formed a part of the column sent to the relief of Burnside at Knoxville. Mr. Parsons re-enlisted with the regiment, Jan. 1, 1864, and was furlonghed home in March. With his regiment he rejoined the Fourth corps, May 5, and took part in the Atlanta campaign, being engaged at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Allatoona, New Hope Church, and in the heavy skirmishes about Kenesaw Mountain. In the assault of June 27 the regiment formed the skirmish line in front of the assaulting column of the Fourth corps and was on the skirmish line at Peachtree Creek, where, after a desperate resistance, a portion of the regiment was captured by the Confederates. Captain Parsons was, unfortunatly, one of the number, and the next three months he experienced the horrors of Andersonville prison. He was re- leased at the end of that time and, resuming his command, was with Thomas' army which resisted the enemy's invasion of Tennessee. lle was engaged at Franklin and was in the battle of Nashville, after which the regiment moved to Huntsville, Ala., in pursuit of llood, remaining there until spring. It moved into Tennessee in April, 1865, proceeding from Bull's Gap to Nashville, in July was transferred to Texas, being stationed at Port Lavaca, and was mustered out Dec. 14, 1865. Captain Parsons came home via In- dianapolis and engaged with his father in the buying and selling of horses, taking them overland to the Chicago market. lle was married in 1866 and then engaged in the grocery business, but later entered the meat business and continued in that line of industry until he retired, in 1908, and he died at Hagerstown in August, 1910.
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He served eight years as assessor of Jefferson township. The fam- ily has a history of Andersonville Prison which Captain Parsons wrote, relating his experience as a prisoner in that place. To him and his good wife were born eleven children : Fannie is deceased ; Amos W. is a mechanic and resides in Hagerstown; Emma J. is deceased ; Sherman is deceased ; Harrison C. is engaged in the res- tanrant business at Cambridge City ; Charles is deceased; Gertrude is the wife of George Beeson, of Jefferson township; Edna is de- ceased ; Benjamin F., Jr., is the next in order of birth; George W., Jr., resides in Hagerstown, and Mary is deceased. Benjamin F. Parsons, Jr., acquired his educational training at the schools of Jefferson township and at the age of fourteen years began to re- ceive wages in his father's employ, remaining with his father until the retirement of the latter, in 1908. Hle then worked for his father's sticcessor in the business until the spring of 1909, when he went to New Castle and engaged independently in the meat business. He remained at that place until the latter part of September, 1909, and then removed his fixtures, etc., to Hagerstown, where he has since continued in the wholesale and retail meat business, operating the old plant formerly owned by his father. He carries a complete line of meats and enjoys an extensive and lucrative patronage, supply- ing many of the homes in that vicinity with that important neces- sity of life. Mr. Parsons is one of the enterprising and loyal citizens of his native county and is held in high regard in the community. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. On Aug. 4, 1906, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Hazel Clapper, born near Mooreland, in Henry county, Jan. 20, 1887. a daughter of Jacob and Laura (Taylor) Clapper, natives of Henry county. To Mr. and Mrs. Parsons was born a son, Roy J., July 17, 1911. Jacob Clapper, a farmer by occupation, and his beloved wife have always resided in Henry county, where he has operated a farm during his entire career, with the exception of a period which he devoted to bookkeeping for his father and father-in-law, who were engaged in the pork-packing industry in New Castle. Four children were born to Mr. Clapper and wife: Walter is a farmer and resides in Dalton township, Wayne county ; Gordon resides in Hagerstown ; Mrs. Parsons is the next in order of birth ; and Mildred resides at the parental home. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons are members of the Friends' church at Franklin, in Dalton township.
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