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 4
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community. He is now living retired with his son, Charles M. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Lewis, was the daughter of Caleb and Polly ( Willits) Lewis, born April 4, 1835, and died Nov. 8, 1906. Caleb Lewis was born in Virginia, Feb. 22, 1793, of Welsh parentage, and came to Wayne county in 1815 He was a son of George and Leah (Viney) Lewis, who passed their lives and died in the Old Dominion, both being representatives of old Vir- ginia families. Their children were Caleb, John, Charles, Leah, and Attie. Upon coming to Indiana Caleb Lewis located at Center- ville, where he clerked and taught school prior to his marriage and afterward turned his attention to farming. For a few years he farmed on a small place south of Centerville. Selling that farm, he bought a large tract of land on Green's Fork, some 300 acres, on which he lived for forty years, most of his children being born there, and during that long period health and prosperity were theirs and there was not a death in his family. In then declining years he and his wife retired to Milton, where her death occurred Aug. 20, 1869, and he passed away Feb. 24, 1870. They were con- sistent members of the Franklin Christian Church. Caleb Lewis was a man above the ordinary in intelligence and education and in the community in which he lived was looked upon as a leader. An ardent Republican, he was the choice of his party for a number of local positions of trust, which he filled most acceptably, and two terms he represented his county in the Indiana State legisla- ture. His wife was a native of Ohio. Elijah Hurst and Maria Lewis were married Dec. 25, 1855, and to them were born six children : Olive is the wife of Charles A. Murray, of Denver, Colo .; Emma is the widow of the late Peter S. Buler, of Richmond; Charles M. is the next in order of birth; Ella is the wife of W. J. Hubbard, of Indianapolis, Ind .; Lewis resides in Denver, Colo .; and Walter died in infancy. The father is a stanch Democrat in his political affiliations. Charles M. Hurst was born at the home- stead where he lives, a part of which was entered by his grand- father in 1814. Ile received his educational training in the com- mon schools of Washington township and at DePauw University. When he had completed his scholastic training he began work on his father's farm, afterward purchasing 180 acres, upon which he erected the buildings, and there does general farming and stock feeding. There is no detail of the agricultural industry which he does not thoroughly know. On Oct. 23, 1884, Mr. Hurst was united in marriage to Mary Fidelia Clawson, daughter of James S. and Mary (Ice) Clawson, of Henry county, Indiana, and of this union were born four children: Portie, deceased; Paul C., born Feb. 25, 1890, received his education in the Washington Township High School and at DePauw University ; Howard E., born June 24, 1895, received his preliminary education in the Washington Town- ship High School and is now in Earlham College; and Norma F., born Oct. 27, 1899, is attending the common schools. Mr. Hurst is a Democrat in his political views, as was his father and grand- father, and he and his wife and one son are members of the Chris- tian church.
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MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Isaac J. Spahr, farmer, was born in Abington township, Wayne county, Indiana, March 19, 1856, son of Joseph D. and Matilda (Burgess) Spahr. The paternal great-grandfather was Philip Spahr, who died near Wheeling, W. Va., at the extreme old age of 105 years. Ilis son, John, was born about 1774, at Short Creek, near Wheeling, W. Va. He came West, to Abington township, Wayne county, in 1809, and in 1814 entered a tract of land, as did his companions on this trip-Philip Doddridge, David Jenkins, and John Doddridge (see the Doddridge sketches on other pages). John Spahr immediately set about clearing and improving his prop- erty in the wilderness and continued to live on the land he entered until his death, in 1833. He was twice married, the first union being to Sebra Doddridge, by whom he had four children (see sketch of Doddridge family). His second marriage was to Mar- garet Spievy Russell, who survived him and reared their two children-Nancy and Joseph D. Nancy became the wife of Isaac Jenkins, of Centerville, and both are deceased. Joseph D. Spahr, father of Isaac J., was born in Abington township, Wayne county, May 26, 1831. His educational advantages were those afforded by the early pioneer schools and he grew to manhood under the guid- ing hand of a noble mother. At the age of twenty-one years he took the management of the homestead, which he eventually owned and conducted until his death. Ile made many improve- ments and no farm was kept in a better state of cultivation. Ilis generosity was widely known and his life was one of exemplary traits from beginning to end. He came of a pioneer family of sturdy German ancestry and his relatives were prominent in the develop. ment, organization, and maintenance of the county, and were al- ways ready to indorse and support any movement toward the up- building of their community. Speaking of them, in 1808, the Rev. Jacob Young says, in his autobiography : "The Spahr family were very numerous and very respectable. They were blessed with plenty of this world's goods, and it appeared to be their joy to support the church." The Spahrs were prominent in aiding to build the Doddridge Chapel, in which the Methodists have wor- shipped many years. Joseph D. Spahr was always a consistent and ardent worker in the church. Ile was united in marriage, in 1853, to Miss Matilda Burgess, daughter of Richard and Susan Burgess, who originally came from Madison county, Virginia. Richard Bur- gess died about 1860 and his good wife passed away in 1898, at the home of Joseph D. Spahr, having reached the advanced age of ninety-four years. Joseph D. Sphar died in 1903, his wife having preceded him, in March, 1881. To this worthy couple were born three sons and four daughters, more specific mention of whom follows: Mary, the eldest daughter, is the wife of Mordecai D. Doddridge (see sketch ) ; Isaac J. is the next in order of birth ; John R. is a farmer in Abington township; Mattie G. is the wife of Henry Peirce and resides at the old homestead ; Nancy Alice also resides at the old homestead; Joseph Henry is a farmer and re- sides in Henry county ; and Florence resides at the old home. Isaac J. Spahr received his preliminary education in the public
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BIOGRAPIIICAL.
schools of Abington and Washington townships and for a short time attended the university at Greencastle; and he has followed the occupation of farming all of his life. He worked for his father until twenty-one years old and then operated the farm on shares a few years. His father then gave him an interest in a small farm in Abington township, and this place he afterward purchased and continued to operate until 1888, when he sold it and rented the farm where he resides. He afterward purchased this place, which consists of 180 acres, and has since continued to manage it with pronounced success. In his political relations he is a staunch Pro- hibitionist, but has never aspired to office, and his religious faith is expressed by membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. On Feb. 14, 1888, Mr. Spahr was united in marriage to Miss Lorella T. Kramer, born in Wayne county, July 14, 1867, daughter of An- drew and Susan (Sweet) Kramer (see sketch). To Mr. and Mrs. Spahr came the following children to bless their union: Marcia, born May 11, 1889, for three years attended Earlham College and was married June 14, 1911, to Clement B. Oskins, of Chrisney, Ind., and they reside in Greenville, Ohio; Walter, born June 27, 1891, is at home and is attending the same institution of learning; and Edith, born May 12, 1894, is at home, attending the high school at Centerville, Ind.
Henry Stauffer, deceased, one time resident and respected citi- zen of Abington township, was born in Germantown, Ohio, near Dayton, June 24, 1830. His parents-Jacob and Hannah ( Hine) Stauffer-were natives of Pennsylvania, the father born March 24, 1798, and the mother, Feb. 11, 1797. Their married life was spent in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, and in the last named State they died and were buried. Soon after their marriage they re- moved to Ohio and later came to Indiana, but some years after- ward returned to Ohio. In 1843 they again came to Indiana and settled in Abington township, on the farm where the widow of their son Henry resides. The Stauffers originally came from Switzer- land, in 1710, and settled on a farm in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where the old homestead is still in the possession of one of the Stauffer name. The original immigrant was Hans Stauffer, and he came to America with three sons, from whom the American Stauffers are descended. Jacob Stauffer, the father of Henry, died Oct. 16, 1872, and the mother passed away May 13, 1889, both being buried at Abington. Of their union were born ten children: Sarah is deceased, Joseph is a farmer and resides near Des Moines, Iowa ; Henry was the next in order of birth ; John is deceased; Elizabeth is the widow of Robert Sealock and resides in Texas; Mary is deceased ; Hannah is the widow of Burl Sealock and resides in Center township, west of Centerville; and three chil- dren died in infancy. The lives of the parents had been spent in an agricultural way and on their farm their son worked during his boyhood. In the local schools of the Abington township home the son was educated and early left the parental roof and began his real work in life as an apprentice to the blacksmith trade. Later he conducted a blacksmith shop on the farm and was thus engaged
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until about twenty-three years old, when he took charge of his father's farm. Afterward he went to Northern Indiana and resided a time, after which he returned and again took charge of the old homestead. After the death of his mother he purchased the inter- est of the other heirs and continued to reside there until his death, with the exception of the year 1897, when he and his wife went on an extended visit to Mrs. Stauffer's father. Returning in 1898, they resided in Richmond during the following winter and then returned to the place which is the homestead of Mrs. Stauffer. Mr. Stauffer died Jan. 14, 1907, and is buried at Earlham Cemetery. Ilis success in life was the result of his efforts and that of his good wife. Po- litically he was a stalwart in the ranks of the Democratic party, but never was an aspirant for public office. On Oct. 10, 1883, occurred his marriage to Miss Maggie Baker, daughter of Marcus A. and IIarriet ( Wilson) Baker. Mrs. Stauffer was born at Dublin, Wayne county, Jan. 8, 1864. Her parents were natives respectively of Ohio and Maryland, the father born in Dayton, Ohio, Aug. 11, 1837, and the mother near Taneytown, Md., in August, 1836. The father was a shoemaker in early life, as was his father. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio from that State very carly and later came to Indiana, locating at Dublin. Some years later the family went West, in the early '8os, and the parents died in Kansas. Mrs. Stauffer's parents removed to Missouri, later to Texas, and then returned to Missouri, where the mother died. The father then returned to Indiana for a short time, but later went back to Missouri, leaving the children with his wife's people. Later he removed farther west, married again, and is living retired in Independence, Ore. Five children were born to the parents of Mrs. Stauffer: Thomas Howard, who died in 1901, was a resident of Oregon ; Mrs. Stauffer is the second in order of birth; Winona is the wife of Robert H. Elliott, engaged in the grocery business at Carthage, Mo .; Henry N. served three years as a soldier in the Philippines, first as a member of the Seventeenth United States infantry and later transferred to Company II of the Sixth infantry, and is now a farmer and resides near Newberg, Ore. ; and Jennie is the wife of C. L. Jones, a farmer near New Paris, Ohio. The father of Mrs. Stauffer served as a soldier in the Civil war, in the Sixty-ninth Indiana infantry, until discharged because of illness. To Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer two children were born: Edna Cecile. born Aug. 25, 1884, is a student at Earlham College, and Roy II., born Jan. 11, 1886, resides with his mother and operates the farm of 120 acres.
Raleigh W. Burris, for a number of years a prominent and highly respected farmer of Center township, is a native of the Hoosier State, born in Washington township, Wayne county, Nov. 18, 1872, son of William and Nancy (Gentry ) Burris. The father, a native of Wayne county, first beheld the light of day in Center township, in 1838. Ile has always followed agricultural pursuits and resides on a farm of eighty acres in Washington township. The mother of the subject of this review is a native of Genter township, born in 1840. Of this union there are six children:
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Isaac is a farmer and resides in Center township; Martha resides at the parental home; Thomas is a resident of Portland, Ore .; Emma resides with her parents; Raleigh W. is the next in order of birth; and Omar is a farmer and resides near Portland Ore. Raleigh W. Burris received his educational training in the district schools of Washington township, and learned the occupation of farming on his parents' place, which calling he has continued to follow. At the age of sixteen years he began working as a hired man and continued so employed until married. In 1898 he pur- chased the farm where he resides, and which consists of ninety- six acres. Politically he is a member of the Democratic party, though he has never taken a very active part in the game of poli- tics and has not entertained aspirations for public office. On Dec. 30, 1896, Mr. Burris was united in holy matrimony to Della Mer- ritt, born in Center township, March 14, 1875, and this marital union has been blessed by the birth of four children, of whom the first died in infancy ; John Howard was born Ang. 13, 1902: Wil- liam Russell, July 3, 1905, and Paul Everett, Oct. 24, 1006.
John Benjamin Peirce is engaged in general farming in the township of Abington, where he is well known and enjoys unmis- takable popularity. He was born in Washington township, this county, Nov. 7, 1846, a son of Benjamin and Lucina (Jenkins) Peirce, the former born in Massachusetts, March 26, 1812, and the latter in Washington township, this county, Sept. 12, 1822. In early life the father was a farmer in the State of New York, and later engaged in the lumber business and also in contracting for canal work. He came to Indiana about 1836 and located one mile north of Connersville, having previously had contracts on the Whitewater canal. He purchased a farm near Connersville and engaged in agricultural pursuits there five or six years. He came to Wayne county in the spring of 1846, became the owner of a valuable farm, and the residue of his active career was devoted to agricultural pursuits, in which he was duly successful. He died in Washington township, March 12, 1898, his wife having passed away Oct. 19, 1886. The father was a very methodical man and kept a journal all of his life. He made the trip across the mountains, from Richmond, Va., to Pittsburg, Pa., by wagon, bringing his parents with him, and his father died on the way. To Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Peirce were born ten children: The first were twins and died in infancy ; David J., born Aug. 6, 1845, died in October of the same year ; John B. is the next in order of birth ; Isaac H., born June 28, 1849, is a farmer and resides in Abington township ; Nancy M., born Nov. 20, 1851, died Dec. 10, 1863; Ella S., born Feb. 4, 1854, resides at the old homestead ; Philip H., born Nov. 25, 1856, conducts a complete music store at Lawrence, Kan .; Jane E., born June 1, 1858, died Dec. 18, 1863; and Charles J., born Aug. 6, 1862, died Feb. 3, 1878. The last named was a remarkable boy in his mental equipment and made phenomenal progress in his studies. John B. Peirce is indebted to the public schools of Washington township for his early educational training, which included a course in what was then called the "Collegiate Institute," and after arriv-
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ing at maturity worked for his father and also followed school teaching about eighteen years, in Washington and Abington town- ships and in Union and Fayette counties. In 1873 he settled on the farm where he now resides, and to which he has added until his landed possessions amount to a fraction over 220 acres, and he has since given his attention to agricultural pursuits in a substantial and profitable way. In politics Mr. Peirce holds tenaciously to the faith of which the Republican party is exponent. On Sept. 21, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Phebe Helms, born in Ab- ington township, Aug. 15, 1852, daughter of Isaiah and Jane (Rus- sell) Helms, honored citizens of Wayne county, in which they were born. Mr. and Mrs. Peirce have a son, Rollo J., born Sept. 4, 1872. He attended public school in Abington township and later entered the Indiana State Normal School, where he graduated in 1895. Two years later he received his A. B. degree from Indi- ana University, graduating in the class of 1897. lle taught Biology and German in the high school at Martinsville, Ind., two years, and at Logansport three years, after his graduation from the U'niver- sity, and then entered the Medical College of Indiana, in 1902, in which he graduated in 1905. In the same year he opened an office in Richmond, Ind., and began to practice medicine. In the fall of 1910 Dr. Peirce made the race for county coroner and was elected. He is now serving his first term in that office. On Sept. 6, 1893, he was married to Rosa A. Henwood, daughter of John S. ITenwood, of Abington township. To them were born two daughters-Fran- ces and Clara-and one son, Herbert.
Daniel O. Dilling, for many years a leading farmer of Jeffer- son, is a native of Wayne county, Indiana, having first beheld the light of day on what is now known as the Eikenberry farm, south- west of Hagerstown, in Jefferson township, May 21, 1863. Ilis father, Henry Dilling, was born in Blair county, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1831, one of a family of twelve children, all deceased : George was a farmer and miller in Indiana and afterwards moved to Illinois, and his son, George, is mayor of Seattle, Wash .; Jacob married Elizabeth Schmick and was a farmer at Huntington, Ind .; Susanna married Levi S. Sprinkle, a farmer of Huntington, Ind .; Christina became the second wife of Levi S. Sprinkle; Catherine married Moses Schmuck, a farmer in Wayne and Henry counties ; Ilenry was the sixth in order of birth; Frederick married Sarah Schuck and was a farmer in Wayne county ; Anna married Gabriel Hardman, a farmer in Wayne county; David married a Miss Bishop, was a soldier in the Civil war and followed grist milling in Wayne county ; John died in early manhood; Daniel married Sally Bowers and was a druggist at Hagerstown; and William married Mary Stover and died in Wayne county. Casper Dilling, great-grandfather of Daniel O., came from the province of Hesse, Germany, among the Ilessian troops sent to America by King George, in 1781 or 1782, for service in the Revolutionary war. Ile never saw any active service, however, and at the close of the war, in 1783, settled at Morrison's Cove, Pa., where he married and en- gaged in farming. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Dilling, cane
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BIOGRAPHICAL
to Wayne county in 1833 and purchased 160 acres of land. He made frequent trips to Cincinnati, hauling his grain and mill prod- ucts to market by wagon. Later he added to his original tract until he owned about 1,600 acres in various counties. He was a Re- publican in his political views and his religious faith was expressed by membership in the Church of the Brethren. Henry Dilling came with his parents to Wayne county, Indiana, from his home in the Keystone State, in 1833, when but two years of age. As be- fore stated, his father purchased 160 acres of land in this county, a portion of which he immediately proceeded to clear and transform into a tillable condition. That farm is the one now owned by Levi S. Dilling and D. O. Dilling. Henry Dilling was a hard working, thrifty and enterprising farmer during most of his days and was a resident of Wayne county upwards of sixty-five years. In early life, in connection with his father, he gave his attention to the management of a linseed oil mill and engaged in the manufacture of oil, and also for a time conducted a saw mill. At the age of twenty-two he settled down to farming on what is now known as the Eikenberry farm, north of the old homestead, which tract he had purchased of his father and which consisted of 150 acres, and there continued to live the remainder of his life. In politics he was ever a loyal adherent of the Republican party, though never a seeker of public office, and his religious affiliations were with the Church of the Brethren. He passed away Jan. 24, 1900, at the age of sixty-nine. His wife, the mother of Daniel O. Dilling-Anna (Shuck) Dilling-was born Oct. 23, 1833, and was married to Henry Dilling in 1853. She died March 22, 1911, at Hagerstown. To her and her beloved husband were born five children : Levi S., born Feb. 15, 1854, is farming part of the old homestead, married Ellen Widows, who is deceased, and they became the parents of three children-Ivan W., born Aug. 28, 1888, May Anna, born May 2, 1891, and Bertha R., born Feb. 2, 1895; Margaret D., born Feb. 1I, 1857, is the wife of Elwood Lawson, a shoe dealer in New Castle, Ind. ; the third child died in infancy ; Daniel O. is the fourth in order of birth ; and Ida D., born March 31, 1867, is the widow of Charles Lawson and resides in Wayne county. The mother of these children was a member of the Church of the Brethren, her husband having served on many important committees of that or- ganization at different times. She was a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Miller) Schuck, the former of whom died in 1899, at the age of ninety-one. He was twice married, his second wife being Lovina Swafford, of Henry county, who died in April, 1911, at the age of ninety-one years. Of the first marriage were four children : Anna married Henry Dilling; Sarah first married Frederick Dill- ing and after his death Gabriel Hardman, becoming the mother of two children-Dora A (deceased), and Anna M .; Christina is the widow of Thomas Bailey and the mother of six children-William H., Ada (deceased), James, Sarah (deceased), Pearl, and Angie ; Catherine is the wife of Henry Huntsinger, a farmer in Kansas, and to them have been born six children-Elizabeth (deceased), Mah- lon, George, William Daniel, Emma, and Katharine. Of the sec-
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ond marriage were born six children: Jacob served as a soldier in the Civil war and is living in Henry county ; Jeremiah served as a soldier in the Civil war, married Louisa Walker, and is living in the State of Washington; Mary is the wife of Isaiah Hoover, a farmer in Henry county ; Laban resides on a farm in Henry county, as also does Harrison; and Cassius is engaged in the mercantile business at New Lisbon, Henry county. Levi S. Dilling, the eld- est son of Henry Dilling, is an elder in the Nettle Creek organiza- tion of the Church of the Brethren, and Margaret D., the eldest daughter, graduated in the State Normal School at Terre Haute and taught several years, holding a State license for life. Daniel O. Dilling was reared in his native township and received his edu- cational training in the district schools there. Upon leaving school he took to farming and for a time lived on a farm which he rented from his father. In 1886 he purchased forty acres of his present place, to which he added until he owns 210 acres, and upon his original purchase he has continued to reside. In politics he has always been active in Republican circles, though, like his father be- fore him, never fostered aspirations for public office. On Aug. 6. 1885, Mr. Dilling was married to Elizabeth Holder, daughter of David and Christina (Ulrich) Holder, of Jefferson township, and of this union there is a daughter, Olive HI., born Sept. 15, 1902. Mrs. Dilling was born Jan. 15, 1866, one of two daughters born to her parents, the sister being Catherine, born Dec. 1, 1863, wife of William N. Stout, and they have a son, Clarence, born Jan. 4, 1900 Mr. Dilling is a director in the Citizens' State Bank, at Hagerstown, and is also interested in the German Baptist Tri-County Mutual Protective Association, of which he has been secretary and treas- urer since it was organized, Oct. 24, 1895. It carries over $8,000,- ooo of insurance. He is also a director in the Indiana Mutual Cy- clone Insurance Company of the State of Indiana.
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