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 43
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book. When his grandfather was driven from his Bohemian home, on account of his religion, the property he took with him was a hundred gold pieces and this book, which he valued more than all the gold in the world. When about ten years old "Philly," as he was called for many years, was sent to school at Kingston on the Thames. While there his uncle, with whom he used to pass his holidays, died ; then his mother, the gentle Monica, passed away, and lastly his father died July 17, 1715. A gentle- man named Donnes became his guardian and the boy was removed to a school at St. Albans, taught by Dr. Nathaniel Wood, a Non- conformist minister. "Philly" here acquired the habit of working methodically, exactly and instantly at whatever he aimed to do. Ile early became a Christian, his pastor being a Mr. Clark, and joined the church, Jan. 1, 1718. Mr. Donnes, his guardian, became financially involved and was thrown into prison for debt. To get him out "Philly" sold all of his own family plate, and the result of Mr. Donnes' speculation was the total wreck of what little had been left of the Doddridge inheritance. "Philly" at once left school, but his heart was set upon becoming a minister. Several gener- ous offers were made him if he would become a Conformist or if he would study law, but he could not conscientiously accept. At last, through his old pastor, Mr. Clark, arrangements were made for liim to continue his studies at a theological academy at Kib- worth, in Leicestershire, presided over by John Jennings, and he preached his first sermon in 1722. He became pastor of the dissenting congregation at Kibworth, and in 1729 received a call to Northampton, where he also became president of the theological academy now removed from Kibworth to that town. In 1730, while visiting at Wooster, he was introduced to Miss Mercy Mavis. She was of gentle genealogy, an orphan, and twenty-two, and they became mutually devoted and were married Dec. 22. In their home at Northampton there was all the happiness that comes of plain living and high thinking. Their means were very moderate, their furniture was not gorgeous, and there were no ornaments in the room, save six or seven family portraits on the panelled wall and the framed family arms with the motto, "Dumvivimus vivimus" (while we live let us live), yet they managed to prac- tice much cheerful hospitality and to reserve of their income one- tenth of what was ordinary for the purpose of giving away. In October, 1733, their little daughter, "Tetsey," was born. It seems that from the first she was not like any ordinary child, without character and principles, and day-by-day grew into a more beauti- ful wonder. How, when asked why everybody loved her, she would say, "Because I love everybody"; how she tried to teach the little dog his first catechism; how she failed; how he had not a word to say for himself in answer to her withering words; "You, Dr. Doddridge's dog, and not know who made you!"-all these are nursery stories now, and unbelieving pilgrims are still shown the brass collar once worn by Tetsey's dog. In the middle of June, 1736, she sickened, and in the following October died. Before her death two other daughters were born, Polly and Mercy. Then
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came a son, Philly, and after him Anna Cecilia. In June, 1742, Dr. Doddridge traveled from place to place in Devonshire. The an- cestral estates in that country passed into the hands of strangers at about that time. He wrote to Mrs. Doddridge from Exeter, June 25, 1742: "I have seen that noble palace that once belonged to my family. My arms are there, curiously carved over the man- tel-piece in the dining room, which is quite a room of state, and in several places, particularly in a great upper room, 120 feet long, which is surrounded with the arms of all the nobility and gentry in these parts. Bradford House is still standing, but is much changed." Castle Hill Meeting House, the venerable place where Doddridge exercised his ministry, is now "Doddridge Chapel." The Rev. Thomas Arnold was obliged to enlarge it to suit the necessities of the new population, but left untouched as far as pos- sible the old meeting house. simply taking down the old pulpit wall, and from that line adding a second square. Philip Dod- dridge continued to preach and train young students for the minis- try till within a short period of his death, which occurred Oct. 26, 1751, at Lisbon, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health. Dr. Clark, of St. Albans, died Dec. 4, 1750, and riding to his funeral through the white winter day Dr. Doddridge caught a cold, from which he never recovered. His last sermon at North- ampton was preached July 14, 1751, from the words: "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, or whether we die we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore or die we are the Lord's." Hle was a man of the most amiable character, deer piety, and ex- tensive accomplishments. His principal work is "The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul" (1750). It has been translated into Dutch, German, Danish, and French. Besides this may be mentioned "The Family Expositor" (6 vols., 1760-62) ; his "Course of Lectures" delivered to the students under his charge, and pub- lished by the Rev. Samuel Clarke (1763) ; and a great variety of sermons on miscellaneous religious topics. He also' wrote a con- siderable number of hymns, which hold a high rank among those used by English and Scotch dissenters. His widow survived him nearly forty years and three of his children lived to much later date. The order in which the members of the family passed away was as follows: Philip, only son, died unmarried, March 13, 1785, aged forty-seven ; Mrs. Doddridge, April 7. 1790, aged eighty-two; Mary, who married John Humphreys, Esq., died June 8, 1799; Mercy died Aug. 20, 1809, aged seventy-five, and Anna Cecilia, Oct. 3, 1811, aged seventy-four. Philip Doddridge, the ancestor of the Doddridge family in Wayne county, and his wife, Mary Doddridge, became the parents of seven children. The three older daughters were stolen by the Indians near Fort Doddridge, in Pennsylvania. Two of them grew to womanhood, married In- dians and reared families. John, the only son of the family, visited these sisters in after life and offered them a home if they would leave the Indians, but having been reared by the red men and be- ing used to their ways and customs instead of the whites, and having children, they preferred to remain with the denizens of the
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forest. As before stated, John Doddridge was the only son of this family, and he was born May 21, 1786. His younger sisters were Sebra, who married John Spahr and had four children ; Han- nah, who married David Jenkins and had six children ; and Rachel, who married William Walters and whose descendants moved to Oregon and Washington at an early date. John Doddridge was married, June 15, 1808, to Avis Manchester, and of this union there were born the following children: Isaac, born Dec. 19, 1809; Mary, born Dec. 7, 1811, died Nov. 14, 1826; Philip, born Aug. II, 1815 (see sketch of David P. Doddridge) : John, born March 16, 1818; Phoebe, born April 2, 1820, married James Baker; Joseph, born Aug. 30, 1822, died Sept. 5, 1827; Eliza, born Dec. 18, 1824, married James Ream and had two children ; Benjamin, born March 21, 1827, died Sept. I of the same year; Sarah Ann, born July 3, 1829. maried J. W. S. McMullen and had six children, only one of whom is living; David J., born April 4, 1831 (see sketch) ; and Nancy, born Oct. 20, 1833, married Frank McMullen. Isaac Dod- dridge, the eldest of this family, married Sarah Weekly and of their union were born the following children: Mary Ann, born March 21, 1837, was married in 1857 to William Wright and they had eight children; Phoebe S., born Jan. 25, 1839, died Aug. 26, 1861; Frances, born Feb. 17, 1841, was married in 1883 to William Kramer and had two children ; Eliza Jane, born July 12, 1843, was married in 1874 to Henry H. Houseworth (see sketch) and had one child: John Henry, born Aug. 24, 1845; Isaiah Weekly, born Jan. 14. 1848; Mordecai David, born June 19. 1850 (see sketch) ; Agatha Laurena, born July 27, 1852, was married in 1879 to John W. Judkins (see sketch), and they have two children ; Philip Benja- min, born April 11, 1855, died Feb. 8. 1890; Isaac Wilbur, born May 17, 1857 ; and James Milton, born Jan. 19, 1862.
David Philip Doddridge is a prominent figure in the affairs of Washington township, where he has spent his entire life and his success has been of the cumulative order. He is a native of Wayne county and a son of Philip Doddridge, born in Washington town- ship, Aug. IT, 1815 (see sketch of Doddridge Family), where he and his son were both reared to farming pursuits. He attended the district schools of Washington township and remained a member of the parental household until his marriage. The lady of his choice, Miss Elizabeth Weekly, was born in Center township, this county, her parents having located there during the early settle- ment of that community. Her father purchased a tract of land in Center township, and, transforming it into a good farm, remained there until his death. Philip Doddridge was a farmer and followed that occupation until his death, which occurred Aug. 31, 1881, and his good wife preceded him to the Great Unknown by several years, dying in 1876. He was a Republican in his political faith and was prominent in the affairs of the township. Ile and his good wife were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Doddridge Chapel. Of the six children born of this union, five are living, the youngest being he who is the immediate subject, of this review. Sarah is the wife of Clay Gentry, of Oklahoma ; Isaac is
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deceased ; Martha is the wife of John Laws, of Mexico, Mo .; Isaiah resides in Washington township; and John is a resident of New Castle, Ind. David P. Doddridge was born in Washington town- ship, Nov. 10, 1858, and his educational advantages were those afforded by the district schools, which he attended in winter and worked on his father's farm in the summer. Thus he continued until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when he rented a farm for one year and then purchased the old homestead of sev- enty-two acres, to which he has since added 350 acres. IIe has. made a study of agricultural pursuits, and his well improved and fertile farm of 422 acres is proof of "how well he may succeed who tries." His specialties in stock-raising are hogs, cattle and horses, in the raising of which he has met with more than ordinary suc- cess. Like his father, Mr. Doddridge is a staunch advocate of the principles of the Republican party. On Dec. 24, 1879, he was mar- ried to Miss Carrie Josepha Robbins, born Ang. 1, 1862, daughter of Dr. John Q. A. and Martha (Larkins) Robbins, both born in Wayne county, the father in Center township, Nov. 9, 1826, and the mother, Aug. 9, 1839. The father became a prominent physician at Abington, where he resided twenty-five years, and then removed to Denver, Ind., where he died April 30, 1891, and where the mother now resides. Mrs. Doddridge was born at Abington and there grew to womanhood. With her husband she is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Doddridge is the second of four children, the others being Harriet Adrin, born Aug. 24, 1859, the wife of Isaiah F. Doddridge, of Washington township, and the mother of two sons -- Clarence and Walter; De Francis Condie, born June 11, 1867, married Fannie Cannon, of Denver, Ind., and died April 21, 1892, being survived by a daughter, Sybil, now in her junior year at Depauw University ; and Allie Hayes, born June 16, 1876, the wife of John J. Henwood, of Fayette county, and the mother of one son, John M.
David Jenkins Doddridge, who is spending the sunset years of a useful life in the township of Washington, and whose activities of early years, accompanied by his thrift and frugality, have made retirement possible, was born in Washington township, Wayne county, in the house where he now resides, April 4. 1831, and his recollection of the events of the pioneer times is keen. His parents -John and Avis (Manchester) Doddridge-were natives of Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, and the State of Rhode Island, re- spectively, sections of the East from which came so many of the carly settlers of this community, the father having been born May 21, 1786, and the mother in October, 1790. The paternal grandfather was Philip Doddridge, who came to Washington township in the spring of 1814, and entered 160 acres of land, which he cleared and resided upon until he died, at the age of eighty-five years. Coming to Indiana in the early days-their arrival being, as stated, in 1814-these ancestors found this county almost a wilderness, and most of the land that was to be obtained for any purpose was purchased direct from the government. Their tract was acquired in this manner and their work on this new
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farm was well done, and at the time of the death of John Dod- dridge, in 1841, their land was cleared, fence boundaries were es- tablished, and the building improvements were made, all with a diligence and patience only found in the blazers of trails in new countries. This first farm was the home of the parents of David J. Doddridge for the remainder of their days, the father passing away Oct. 25, 1841, and his wife surviving him forty-two years. her demise taking place in October, 1883. The original deed to this farm, granted by the Government and signed by President . James Madison, is in the possession of David J. Doddridge. The elder Doddridge was a member of the Whig party, but never held pub- lic office, and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being the originator of the Doddridge Chapel, which was the first church in the township, and in which he was an officer. To him and wife were born eleven children (see sketch of Doddridge Family ) but one of whom survives-the subject of this review. The others were Isaac, Mary, Philip, John, Phoebe, Joseph, Eliza, Benjamin, Sarah Ann, and Nancy. David J. Doddridge was edu- cated at the district schools of Washington township and after his father's death helped his mother on the farm until he arrived at man's estate. Hle then purchased the interest of the other heirs, and the farm his father cleared and developed became his property. Ile continued to operate the farm until a few years ago, when he turned the active management over to his son and retired from active labor, living a retired life, and in the contemplation of a life's work well done takes great comfort. His farm has always been operated along general lines and has proven a fine invest- ment. Every item of Mr. Doddridge's property is an accumula- tion of his own hands, assisted by the good wife, whose love and praise were ever ready, and this honored couple got from life all that was good. In politics Mr. Doddridge is of the Republican faith and served his district as supervisor two terms. On Oct. 21, 1852, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Doddridge and Miss Mary C. Stephens, born in Abington township, May 27, 1833, and died Aug. 5, 1911. She was a daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Fell) Stephens; natives of the Keystone State. The father was a blacksmith and later a farmer by occupation and they settled in Indiana in 1832, locating in Abington township. Here a farm was purchased and the Stephens family made their home ever after. To our subject and his wife were born seven children : Benjamin F., who resides in Portland, Ore .; John W., of Jackson township; Emma, deceased, twin sister of Isaac E., of Washing- ton township ; Hannah and Luella, deceased; Charles M., who re- sides at home with his parents; James E., of Abington township : and Gertrude, who is the wife of Frank Morris, of Milton, Ind. John Fell, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Doddridge, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and is buried in Doddridge ceme- tery. Both Mr. and Mrs. Doddridge have been lifelong members of Doddridge Chapel and he has been prominent in church work, officiating as class leader for over fifty years and as Sunday school superintendent over forty years.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mordecai David Doddridge .- With modern scientific appli- ances and facilities and with the advanced accommodations afforded by the rural free mail delivery, telephone, improved machinery, etc., the lot of the average farmer is one to be envied, for none has a position of greater independence, contentment, and security. One of the representative farmers of Wayne county who is enjoying to the full all these latter-day provisions, but who still remembers the hardships and the primitive conditions that obtained in the pioneer epoch of the history of this section of the State, is Mr. Doddridge, who owns and resides upon his fine old homestead farm, which is eligibly located in Washington township, a few miles distant from the thriving village of Centerville, from which he receives his rural mail service. Ile is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Weekly) Doddridge, the former of whom was born in Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, Dec. 19, 1809, and the latter in North Carolina in 1816 (see sketch of Doddridge family). Their mar- riage was solemnized March 27, 1834, and they located on eighty acres of land covered with virgin forest in Union county, In- diana, which was still considered in the East to be virtually on the frontier of civilization. Later they removed to Wayne county, and in Washington township the father secured a tract of heavily timbered land. Here he developed a productive farm, upon which he continued to reside during the residue of his signally active, honorable and useful life. He died Jan. 27, 1896. Both he and his wife held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he espoused the cause of the Republican party at the time of its organization "under the oaks," at Jackson, Mich. To its cause he continued to give his support, both by the exercise of his franchise and his personal influence, but later became independent in his political views. The Indiana branch of the Doddridge family sprang from Joseph Doddridge, who left England early in the Eighteenth century and located in New Jersey, from whence he removed to Maryland. His son, Philip Doddridge, moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and there his son, John, was born May 21, 1786. John Doddridge married Avis Manchester, of Rhode Island. In 1814, Philip Doddridge, with his son John and sons-in-law-John Spahr and David Jenkins-came to the Ter- ritory of Indiana, making the journey by flat-boat to Cincinnati, and thence to Wayne county, where he entered 160 acres of land where David J. Doddridge now resides. Other tracts of land were also entered for his children. There Philip and his son John or- ganized a Methodist society, in 1814, which later became known as "Doddridge Chapel." The first church was erected in 1816 of hewn logs, Philip giving the land for the church and cemetery. In 1832 a brick church was erected and it was utilized until 1876, when it was replaced by the present modern and commodions structure. The children of Philip Doddridge were: Mrs. Sebra Spalır, Mrs. Hannah Jenkins, Mrs. William Walters, and John, and three daughters who were stolen by the Indians (see sketch of Doddridge family). John Doddridge died in 1841 and his wife survived until 1883, when she passed away at the age of ninety-
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three years. Of their union eleven children were born: Isaac, Mary, Philip (see sketch of David P. Doddridge), John, Mrs. Phoebe Baker, Joseph, Mrs. Eliza Ream, Benjamin, Sarah Ann, who is the wife of the Rev. J. W. T. McMullen, D. D .; David J. (see sketch), and Mrs. Nancy McMullen. Sarah (Weekly) Dod- dridge, wife of Isaac Doddridge and mother of Mordecai D. Dod- dridge, was a daughter of Isaiah and Agatha ( Fishback ) Weekly, who came from North Carolina and settled in Abington town- ship, Wayne county, in an early day. To her and her husband were born eleven children : Mary Ann became the wife of John Wright and after his death married William Wright, of Abing- ton township; Phoebe S., deceased; Frances, who is the widow of William Kramer and resides in Washington township; Eliza Jane, wife of H. II. Ilouseworth, of Washington township (see sketch ) ; John Holland, a Methodist Episcopal minister at Jeffer- sonville, Ind .; Isaiah W., of Washington township; Mordecai D., who is the subject of this review ; Agatha Laurena, wife of John W. Judkins, of Cambridge City (see sketch) ; Philip Benjamin, de- ceased ; Isaac Wilbur. of Washington township, and James Mil- ton, of Milton, Ind. Mordecai D. Doddridge, whose brief biogra- phy we are giving, was born in Brownsville township, Union county, Indiana, June 19, 1850, and was reared to manhood on the farm, his educational advantages in his youth being those af- forded in the common schools of Washington township, Wayne county, and the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. He then taught school in Wayne and Union counties for seven years, and since then has been continuously identified with the work and management of agricultural pursuits, living on a farm in Wash- ington township, two and one-half miles west of Doddridge Chapel for eight years, and since then on the one where he now resides, its area being 240 acres. The permanent improvements are ex- cellent, including a commodious residence. The farm is devoted to diversified agriculture and the raising of good grades of live stock, in both of which departments the effective management of Mr. Doddridge brings goodly returns, one season with another. Though he has never consented to become a candidate for public office, save that of trustee of his township, which office he filled one term, Mr. Doddridge takes a lively interest in all that touches the material and civic welfare of his home township and county, and his political allegiance is given to the Republican party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he for years has been a trustee, as is also his wife, and to him is accorded the unqualified esteem of all who know him. He was sent by his church as a lay delegate to the Lay Electoral Conference which met in Bloomington, Ind., Sept. 13, 1911. On Sept. 12, 1883, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Doddridge to Miss Mary J. Spahr, born in Abington township, this county, daughter of Joseph and Matilda (Burgess) Spahr, honored citizens of the township men- tioned and who there continued to reside until their deaths. Of this union there were born two children-Joseph I., of Union coun- ty, Indiana, and Sarah E., who resides at home with her parents.
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Both of the children were afforded the advantages of the public schools of their native county and are well upholding the prestige of the family name. The daughter is a student in Earlham Col- lege at Richmond. Ind., a member of the class of 1913. Mr. Dod- dridge is a stockholder in and vice-president of The Farmers' Bank at Milton. Ind., and also has an interest in the Cambridge City Casket Company. He has always been known for his sterling in- tegrity, manly uprightness, and fair and honorable dealing with men. Ile is always on the right side of all moral issues. He is . a recognized leader in the community where he resides. The sound- ness of his judgment is attested by his frequently being called into council in matters and affairs where he has no personal interest. Ilis example in the business world and in the sphere of morals is worthy of emulation. He is a type of the best American citizen.
Joseph S. Druley, for many years a prosperous and highly es- teemed agriculturist of Boston, is a native of that township, born Oct. 7. 1844, on the old Druley homestead. His father, Nathan Druley, was born in Union county, Indiana. Dec. 12, 1815, a son of Samuel and Nancy Ann (Stanley) Druley. He was reared on a pioneer farm, receiving but a limited education, and in 1840 pur- chased land in the eastern part of Boston township, Wayne county, where. with the exception of two years spent in Union county, he continued to make his home during the remainder of his life. He was ever an industrions, thrifty, and successful farmer, and was one of the oldest and most faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church at the village of Boston. His wife, to whom he was married Feb. 8. 1838. was Nancy P Meek, daughter of Isaac and Mary Meek, old settlers of Wayne county. Of their union were born the following children: Isaac E. is living retired at Liberty. Ind .; Nancy Melvina resides in Richmond; William H. (lied in 1908 at the age of seventy years; Joseph S. is the next in order of birth; Dennis C. died in early manhood; Sarah Eliza- beth is the wife of William Fred Siewick, of Richmond; Nathan S. is given extended mention on another page of this volume; Mary Jane is the widow of Dr. Bernard Miller and resides in Richmond ; Louella is the widow of Frank S. Burgess and also resides in Richmond. Joseph S. Druley acquired his educational training in the district schools of Boston township and worked upon his father's farm until he had passed the thirty-third anniversary of his birth, when he purchased 160 acres of land of his father, which tract is described as the northeast quarter of section 23, Boston township, which constitutes the acreage of the farm upon which he resides. The house in which he lives was built seventy-four years ago by a Dr. Salter, the brick being made of clay obtained on the farm. Like his honored sire, Mr. Druley is affiliated with the Democratic party and his religious views are expressed by membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at the village of Boston. On Dec. 27, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Rutter, daughter of James and Eliza Jane Rutter. the former of whom was a foreman in a grist mill at Richmond and was killed ' in the Richmond railway yards by a train, and the latter died at
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