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 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
.
834
MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
and in that vicinity was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Pitts are the parents of two children : Grace A., born in 1883, and Ruth E., born in 1887, both of whom reside at home. The former was educated in the local schools and in the Fountain City High School, and also attended Earlham College. She is one of the teachers in the Fountain City schools. Ruth graduated in the common schools and gives her whole interest and attention to home duties.
Henry Van Buren Polley, one of the substantial and prominent citizens of Bethel, is a native of Harrison township, Darke county, Ohio, born Ang. 11, 1840, a son of William and Mary Polley. The father first beheld the light of day in Butler county, Ohio, Jan. 15. 1807, and the mother was born April 24, 1815. The father, who was a farmer all of his life, died Sept. 19, 1883, and the mother passed away Feb. 21, 1887. The paternal grandparents were William and Jemima Polley, the former born in Kentucky, Dec. 6, 1777, and died in Butler county, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1847, and the latter was born April 3, 1779. and died Dec. 16, 1840. The subject of this review was one of eleven children born to his parents. Hle acquired his edu- cation in the district schools of Darke county, Ohio, and in the Northwestern Christian Normal (now Butler College). In 1804 he became a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio infantry and served as a soldier in the Civil war. This regiment was organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, from May 8 to 11, 1864, to serve for 100 days. It was composed of the Twenty-eighth regiment, Ohio National Guard, from Darke county, and two com- panies of the Thirty-fifth regiment, from Clark county. The regi- ment left Camp Dennison about the middle of May and on its arrival at New Creek, W. Va., went into camp, where it performed guard and picket duty. From New Creek it marched to Martinsburg and on June 4 started for the front, reaching Beverly, Va., on June 27. On this march it was twice attacked by the Confederates. After resting a couple of days at Beverly it started for Cumberland, Md., where it arrived on July 2. From there detachments were sent to various points, but they returned to Cumberland about the last of July and the regiment was mustered out on Sept. 2, 1864. After completing his education Mr. Polley returned to his father's farm. but later purchased sixty-five acres of land in Franklin township, this county, on what is now a part of the village of Bethel. In 1860 he moved to Union City, Ind., where he conducted a book store abont four years. In 1891 he removed to Richmond and was em- ployed by the Dille & Anderson Lawn Mower Company until 1895, when he returned to Union City and lived retired, later removing to Bethel. He has won a position of independence and definite prosperity through his own efforts and is known as a reliable and enterprising man, entirely worthy of the confidence and esteem so freely accorded him. His political support is given to the cause of the "Grand Old Party," in the ranks of which he has always been active, though he has never cherished ambition for pubhe office, and his religious faith is expressed by membership in the Christian church at Bethel. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Good Templars at Bethel, having gone
835
BIOGRAPHICAL.
through the chairs of the local organization. In September, 1869, Mr. Polley was united in holy matrimony to Miss Cecilia Marine, daughter of Ira Marine, of Wayne county, and of this union were born, Nov. 21, 1871, twin daughters-Sarah Leota and Mary Le- ona-the former of whom is the wife of Roy L. Brown, of Rich- mond, and the latter died Jan. 1, 1872. The mother died Jan. 26, 1872, and on July 6, 1873, Mr. Polley married Martha Anderson Show, daughter of Joseph Show, of Randolph county. She died in March, 1891, and on Dec. 8, 1896, Mr. Polley married Mary Ann Jones, daughter of Edwin S. and Rebecca ( Pearson ) Jones, of Preble county, Ohio, but natives of North Carolina.
William Henry Replogle, one of the progressive farmers and stock-raisers of Jefferson township, was born in Henry county, Indiana, Jan. 11, 1861, son of Samuel N. and Sarah ( Pressel) Replo- gle, the latter a daughter of Joel and Elizabeth ( Priddy) Pressel. Samuel N. Replogle was born in Pennsylvania Dec 18, 1836, a son of Samnel Replogle and one of eight children, named here in the order of their birth: Catherine, who is deceased, married Philip Metzger, of Kansas, and they had three children-Samuel, Sarah, and Lucinda ; David N. is deceased; John, who is a farmer in Henry county, married Elizabeth Crull and they had two children-Henry and Martha ; Abram, who is a farmer in Wayne county, married Es- ther Funk and they have seven children-Martin, Mary E., Daniel, Frank, Ollie, Rena, and Kitty ; Daniel died young; Philip, who re- sides at Economy, Ind., married Rachel Cox and they had five children-Edward, Alonzo, Lulu, Ida, and Wallace-and after the death of his first wife he married Lettie Olvey, by whom he had a son, Ernest ; Elizabeth is the wife of J. D. Hoover, a retired farmer of Hagerstown, and to them were born seven children-Lewis, Clara, Emery (deceased), Floy. Parry, Della, and Frank ( de- ceased) ; and Samuel N., the father of William 11. Samuel N. Replogle came to Indiana in an early day and was married to Sarah Pressel in Henry county, where he resided until 1867, when he re- moved to Wayne county and located northeast of llagerstown. There he purchased a farm and resided a number of years, and then sold it and purchased a residence property in Hagerstown, where he lived until 1902, when he removed to Englewood. Cal., where he is now living retired. To him and his wife, Sarah ( Pressel) Replogle, there were born four children : David and Daniel were twins and both died in infancy ; William IL. is the next in order of birth ; and Anna married T. A. Shafer, which union was dissolved by divorce, and she is now living in California. William H. Replo- gle was but six years old when his parents removed to Wayne county and his preliminary education was received in the Jeffer- son township public schools. Since finishing his scholastic train- ing he has devoted himself continuously to general farming pur- suits and his methods of farming are along the most advanced lines. By thrift and industry he has accumulated a competency and owns 123 acres of splendid land, all under a high state of cultivation, and his farm is equipped with modern buildings and a considerable portion of it is planted to fine fruit trees. Although he has been
836
MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
an influence in the organization of the Republican party in the county, he has never sought to become its candidate for any pub- lic office, and he is decidedly independent in his views, believing more in the man and the principles he represents than in the party. On Sept. 4, 1881, Mr. Replogle was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Funk, daughter of John and Mary A. (Stomm) Funk, natives of Pennsylvania. The former is a son of Martin Funk, born in Pennsylvania and thence came to Wayne county. Mrs. Replogle was born June 14, 1863, one of five children : Melvina is the wife of Andrew Ray, of Henry county, and they have seven children-Carl, Gussie, Nora. Iva, Clayton, Bessie, and Bryan; Mrs. Replogle is second in order of birth ; Lucinda died at the age of eleven months; Amanda is the wife of Lawrence Sherry, of Jefferson township, and they have two children-Pay and Edith; and Martin, of Muncie, Ind., married . Alice Keever, and has three children-Flossie, Vera, and Martha.
Alpheus Reynolds, one of the representative farmers of Green, is a native of that township and has passed his entire life in Wayi = county, where he is held in high esteem. Ile was born July 21, 1846, a son of John J. and Rebecca (Cook) Reynolds, natives of Monmouth county, New Jersey. The paternal grandfather wi- Samuel Reynolds, a native of New Jersey, who came to Wayne county with his son, in 1836, and his family of children consisted of Elizabeth, John J. and Samuel (twins), Barzillai H., Jessie, Firman, George, David, and Joseph, all born in New Jersey and came to Wayne county, Indiana, where they settled, and all of them are de- ceased. Samnel Reynolds came first and entered the land upon which Alpheus now resides. John J. Reynolds was educated in his native State. Ile came directly to Green township, in 1836, and settled on the land which comprises the farm upon which the sub- ject of this review resides. lle was ever a hard-working, enterpris- ing and thrifty tiller of the soil, was modest and massuming m demeanor and enjoyed the confidence and respect of the entire com- munity in which he resided many years. Ile reclaimed the greater , portion of his land to cultivation and made improvements of a por- manent nature. Ile was ever a loyal and public-spirited citizen, though he never sought public office, being a firm believer in the principle that the office should "seck the man," rather than the man the office. In 1893 he passed to his own reward, leaving the record of a well spent life which the youth of this and other lands would do well to emulate. He and his good wife were the parents of the following children: Louisa married John Wilborn and re- moved to Missouri, where she died; Barzillai resides at lowa Falls, Hardin county, Iowa; Elizabeth married Henry Brittain and re- sided in Green township at the time of her death; Curtis O. re- moved to Michigan in 1881 and died at Traverse City, that Staic, in 18gb; Samuel enlisted in the Eighth Indiana infantry, Company D), in 1861, and died while at home on a sick furlough; Alphens is next in order of birth ; and Alice married William Pitts and re- sides one and one-half miles out on Ninth street, South Richmond, Ind. Alpheus Reynolds was reared to the sturdy discipline of coun-
1
837
BIOGRAPHICAL
try life and has been continuously identified with agricultural pur- suits from his youth to the present time. His educational ad- vantages were those of the common schools of Green township and he is generally recognized as a man of sound mentality, good judg- ment and executive ability. He has contributed his full share to the development of the natural resources of the county, having helped to clear the home farm, and under his able management has brought it to a high state of cultivation, maintaining it in a thrifty and up-to-date condition. Like his venerable sire he is publie spir- ited and holds the progressive welfare of his community at heart. In his political proclivities he is a stanch Republican, but has never aspired to public office, and in affairs pertaining to religion enter- tains extremely liberal views, though a believer in the fundamental teachings of Christianity. On Dec. 5, 1868, was solemnized his marriage to Matilda Johnson, daughter of Samuel and Catharine (Ladd) Johnson, natives of North Carolina, and each of whom came to Wayne county with their respective parents and were married here, the mother being next to the youngest of eleven children. Of this union there were born ten children : Roscoe 11., born March 24, 1871, is a successful farmer in Green township; Bertha .A., born Ang. 9, 1873, married Lemuel MeNutt, a prominent young farmer of Center township; Robert E., born Ang. 3, 1875, is a farmer and resides west of Green's Fork : Fredie Lee, born April 3. 1877, re- sides at home with his father; Edwin C., born Nov. 24, 1878, was in the United States service in the Philippine Islands two years and resides on a farm in New Garden township; Howard A., born Oct. 23, 1879, resides with his brother, Edwin C .; Oscar G., born March 6, 1881, resides at home with his father, as does also Linus P. T., born April 5, 1884, and they assist in the management of the home farm ; and Cora, born Nov. 4, 1885, and Ural B., born Nov. I, 1894, are both at home. All of the children were educated in the local schools, and it is interesting to know that this large family of children was reared without corporal punishment and without cross words. These children revere the memory of a most devoted mother, and Mr. Reynolds that of a loving helpmeet, for Mrs. Reynolds died, suddenly, June 20, 1903. Until after dinner on that day she had attended to household duties and then went to the garden to pick berries. Returning to the house, Mr. Reynolds missed her, but went to the garden to remove potato bugs, and for two hours passed back and forth near her lifeless body before he accidentally discovered her. It was a most severe blow to the hus- band and children.
Cyrus Charles Saxton, one of the leading men of his locality, was born at Everton, Fayette county, Indiana. The date of his birthi was April 27, 1846, and his parents were John Saxton, born in Pennsylvania, in 1820, and Martha ( Bundrent ) Saxton, a native of the Old Dominion. The paternal grandparents were Charles and Sarah ( Hoffman) Saxton, who removed from Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1840. The grandfather was a wagon maker by occupation and helped to construct the old National Road. In the early Jos he located in Fayette county, Indiana, where he worked
838
MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
at his trade and formed a partnership with James Swiggart. To him and his devoted wife were born two children-Francis and John-the last named of whom became the father of Cyrus C. Sax- ton. When John Saxton was a boy of twenty he came to Indiana with his parents, locating at Richmond, where he learned the trade of harness making. He then removed to Fayette county, where he followed the harness business, in partnership with Arthur Wright. He was a quiet and industrious man, habits that were impressed upon him in his younger days, which were spent among the Quaker people, a seet from whom his ideals were taken and a people who never say ill of their brethren or neighbors. To him and his good wife were born three children: Sarah Frances, born Aug. 5. 1844: Cyrus C .; and John, born Feb. 18. 1849, and died April 15, 1850. The father of these children died Dec. 14, 1848. The mother came from Virginia to Fayette county, Indiana, and she and John Saxton were married May 19, 1842. After his death she married Henry Albright, on May 4. 1856, and they removed to Wayne county, where she died Jan. 9, 1879, Mr. Albright having passed away in June. 1861. Cyrus C. Saxton first attended school at Everton and then at White Water until seventeen years old, and has always followed an agricultural life, working on the farm in summer seasons while attending school. In 1864 he enlisted as a soldier in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Indiana infantry. This regiment was organized by the consolidation of three companies, raised in the Sixth Congressional district for the One Hundred and Twenty- fifth regiment, and seven companies raised in the Fifth Congres- sional district, rendezvousing at Richmond. It was mustered in March 10, 1864, left the State on the 19th, proceeding to Nashville via Louisville, and was assigned to the division commanded by General Ilovey. On April 5 it proceeded to Athens, Tenn., and marched toward Red Clay, Ga. It was in an engagement at Buz- zard Roost; in frequent skirmishes in the vicinity of Resaca and Kingston; in sharp fighting at Lost Mountain, and was actively engaged at Kenesaw Mountain. The regiment was in a constant skirmish until Atlanta was reached; was in the battle of Atlanta on July 22 ; took part in the siege of Atlanta; fought at Jonesboro, and then remained in camp at Decatur until Oct. 4, when it accom- panied the column in pursuit of Hood ; had a sharp skirmish at the Oostanaula River ; continued the pursuit as far as Gaylesville, Ala .; and moved via Cedar Bluffs and Dalton to Nashville, where it joined General Thomas' command. It next moved for Pulaski, reaching there on the 15th, and proceeding thence to Columbia, where it was in a brisk skirmish for two days. On the march toward Franklin it was in a brisk fight at Spring Hill. It was in the battle of Franklin, Nov. 30, repelling every assault, was next engaged in the battle of Nashville, and joined in pursuit of Hood as far as Columbia, whence it moved to Clifton, embarked for Cin- cinnati, moved thence to Washington, which was reached on Jan. 30. 1865 : then sailed for Morehead City, N. C., which wasreached Feb. 27. From Newbern it marched towards Kinston, being en-
839
BIOGRAPHICAL
gaged at Wise's Forks, and aided in repulsing an assault. From Kinston it marched to Goldsboro, where a junction was effected with Sherman's army on March 21. It was stationed at Lenoir In- stitute for a short time, moving for Greensboro, May 3, thence to Charlotte, where it went into camp. It returned to Greensboro, July 13, remained there until Ang. 31, when it was mustered out. Mr. Saxton then returned to his mother's farm in Franklin town- ship and remained there a short time, after which he removed to the place where he now resides, the same having been deeded to the father of his wife. In politics Mr. Saxton is a Republican and has been a lifelong member of that party. His views on national affairs are in sympathy with his party, but in local matters he is liberal and independent. On Sept. 27, 1866, Mr. Saxton was united in marriage to Miss Lonisa Elliott, daughter of Abraham W. and Sarah Elliott, of Franklin township. Of this union were born four children: Edwin S., born Dec. 21, 1807: Otis E., born Dec. 19, 1873; John, the third in order of birth, died in infancy ; and Bertha Dean. born April 22, 1880, married Floyd F. Hill. Oct. 12, 1900, and resides near Winchester, Ind., having become the mother of three children-Verl, born in toof. Joseph, who died in infancy, and Robert, born in 1906. Edwin F., the eldest son, was married Oct. 10. 1894. to Nina May Skinner, daughter of Cornelius and Martha Skinner, and of this union have been born two children- Arthur E., born July 13. 1002, and Ralph L., born July 10, 1904. Otis was married in 1897 to Mary M. Addleman, daughter of Fla- vius and Matilda Addleman, and one child-Opal Moore-was born June 12, 1900, and died April 10, 1901. The mother died in February, 1906. She was a faithful member of the Christian church at White Water. Mrs. Saxton died July 23, 1901, and is buried at White Water. Mr. Saxton served as justice of the peace in Frank- lin township a period of sixteen years, and a number of years has served as school director. Ile has membership in the Knights of the Golden Eagle, in the local organization of which he served as master of records for several terms. The father of Mrs. Saxton came from North Carolina, in 1816, and lived the residue of his life in Franklin township.
Frederick Schmidt has maintained his home in Wayne county for the past nine years and is one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of New Garden township, where he is living practically retired, although he devotes some attention to the rais- ing of small fruits. Ile is a scion of a sterling German family and was born in Germany, in September, 1845, son of Valentine and Elizabeth Schmidt, natives of Germany. The father was a tailor by occupation and spent his entire life in Germany, dying in 1852. The mother immigrated to America with her children, in 1853, first settling in Butler county, Ohio, and died in Paulding county, that State, in 18;1. Frederick Schmidt is one of nine children born of these parents: Conrad, born May 18. 1823, came to America in 1849 and died on May 13, 1900; Andre remained in Germany and died there; Elizabeth, born in 1825, married David Sackrider and died in Paulding county, Ohio, in 1906; Anna, born in 1829,
840
MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
married Fred Ginrick and died near Connersville, Ind., in 1880; Katharine, born in 1831, married Henry Rauchen and died at Indi- anapolis, Ind., in 1907; Jacob, born in 1841, served over four years in the Civil war and died at Dayton, Ohio, in 1900, and two chil- dren died in infancy. Frederick Schmidt came with his mother to America in 1853 and gained his early educational discipline in the public schools of Ohio, which he attended until seventeen years old. After leaving school he began his independent career at Tren- ton, Ohio, and at the age of eighteen went to Franklin, Ohio, where he learned the wagon making trade. Two years later he removed to Bentonville, Ind., where he worked at his trade three years, and then went to Dayton, Ohio, where he secured employment in a carriage shop. He resided in Dayton twelve years, in which time he entered the contract painting business, and a part of the time his occupation was that of traveling salesman for a large Dayton firm of tobacco dealers. In the early 'Sos he returned to Trenton, Ohio, where he resided until 1902, and then removed to his present home in New Garden township, this county. Mr. Schmidt and his wife hold membership in the Lutheran church, but he is toler- ant in his religious views. On Feb. 27, 1870, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Wilhelmina Elizabeth (Shafor) Gunkle, daughter of Frederick and Mary Ann (Buehl) Shafor, well known citizens of Butler county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt are the parents of three children : Charles Clifton, born Jan. 31, 1880, resides in Ham- ilton, Ohio; Minnie, born Nov. 12, 1884, was accidentally drowned with a little girl companion in the Miami river. in 1886; and Anna Mary, born April 6, 1889, died April 10, of the same year. Mrs. Schmidt's first marriage was to William Gunkle, by whom she had a daughter, Lena Grace, the wife of William Cooper, of Fountain City. Frederick Shafor, father of Mrs. Schmidt, was born in Preble county, Ohio, in May, 1820, and her mother was born near Germantown, in the same State, in 1828. The father was a car- penter by occupation and died in Butler county, Ohio, in 1895, the mother passing away at Trenton, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1906. Mrs. Schmidt is one of eleven children, their names and years of birth being as follows: William Henry, 1847; Mrs. Schmidt, born at Ilamilton, Ohio, 1849; John K., 1851 ; Katharine, 1852; Mary, 1854; Charles, 1855; George, 1857; Ella, 1858; Ralph, 1861; Osceola, 1863; and Olivia, 1866. Mrs. Schmidt's grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and died at the age of ninety-six years.
George W. Reynolds is a leading man of affairs in the town- ship of New Garden, where he has been a resident since birth. and his activities in agricultural pursuits have stamped him as a man of superior managerial ability. He was born on the farm where he now resides, May 30, 1836, a son of Samuel and Ann (Clevenger) Reynolds, who were married in the late '30s. The father was born in New Jersey, in 1802, and the mother was a native of Warren county, Ohio. The paternal grandfather, also named Samuel Reynolds, was of Scotch ancestry and was born in New Jersey, and the grandinother, Deborah (Jeffrey) Reynolds, was a native of the same State. In fact, the Reynolds family were long and promi-
841
BIOGRAPHICAL
nently identified with affairs in New Jersey. Samuel Reynolds, the father of our subject, was a farmer and shoemaker and followed those occupations throughout his entire active career, and he and his wife both died at the old homestead in New Garden township, the father having come to Indiana when about eighteen years old. To these excellent parents there were born eight children: Deb- orah is deceased; William, a retired farmer of Chester, married Salina Smith, and they have four children-Alvin, Thompson, Ella, and Minnie; George W. is third in order of birth; Amy is the wife of William Lynn, of Randolph county; Lydia lives with George WV .; Martha and Mary are twins, the former being the wife of George Mann, of Randolph county, and the latter is married to Frank Beverly, resides in New Garden township and has one child, Ada; and Charles died in infancy. George W. Reynolds received his early educational training in a log school-house on the Miller farm, in what was called the Keever district, where he attended school until about fourteen years old and then attended another school until he was eighteen. He worked on the farm for his fa- ther until he was twenty years old, when he left the old homestead and entered upon what was proven to be an exceedingly active ca- reer. In 1859 he purchased a farm a few miles east of his present home and there resided until 1890, when he bought the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead, where he has since resided, always having been engaged in general farming. Thus, in brief, has been given an outline of a very active and successful career, one marked by individual initiative, unusual energy, and executive ability of a high order. Although having given close attention to his farming interests, Mr. Reynolds has found time to devote to matters of a general public nature and in politics gives an unswery- ing allegiance to the time-honored principles of the Republican party, and he served as assessor of New Garden township from 1903 to 1008. His religious faith is expressed by membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Hopewell. On Dec. 3, 1857, Mr. Reynolds was married to Martha P. Lacy; daughter of William Lacy, and of this union was born one child, Luther L., Oct. 18. 1858. This wife died on March 19, 1872, and on Jan. 28, 1875, Mr. Reynolds was married to Mary E. Keys, daughter of John Keys, of Centerville. The second wife died Sept. 22, 1910. Samuel Reynolds, the father of George W., had five brothers and sisters, as follows: Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Pierce, Barzillai, Jesse, David, and Charity ; and the mother of our subject had three broth- ers-William Clevenger, Washington Clevenger, and Jonathan Clevenger-and three sisters-Margaret, Mary, and Hopey Jane.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.