Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 48

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 932

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At first it seems that James Purviance, with other relatives, served under General Rutherford and later was with General Gates and General Sumter. "Being en- titled to so much weight in the baggage wagon," wrote his son, "father provided a suitable chest for his clothing and papers. The baggage wagon, belonging to one of the neighbors, passed by and took in the chest, which was taken to Gates' army in the South. For some reason father, with a part of his company, was sent to join Sumter, leaving part of his company and baggage with Gates, and an engagement was expected. I think the reason why father was sent to join Sumter was to escort him to Gates. What I will say about Sumter's defeat I received from father orally. Sumter knew that the British were in pursuit of him, but nevertheless the army came to a halt on the side of the hill, near a large water-

, wide; I think it was the Catawba river. Arms were stacked and sentinels stationed. Sumter's tent was struck while he was in it writing. The army was mostly scattered down by a spring by the riverside. Father and Colonel John Isaacs, in walking up from the spring, stopped by the way and were talking about the bad generalship and critical situation they were in when the sentinel's guns reported and the dragoons came on in a rush. Colonel Isaacs was taken prisoner, but father slipped down a bank out of view and kept up the river. At some distance he met with William Mc- Kinney, one of his company, and they took the river. Sometimes they had to swim, sometimes they could wade, the bullets striking the water before and behind them until they were out of reach. Mckinney was a stout young man, good in water, and kept foremost; but after they got out of reach of the bullets, poor Mckinney's fortitude failed. He proposed to turn back and surrender and wished counsel. Father told him that his counsel would be known by his conduct, and he was determined not to surrender while he could help it. Poor Mckinney turned back, surrendered and afterward took the South fever and died in the hospital. Father fortunately had a knife; he ripped open his coat-sleeves and by that means got his coat off and let it go to the waves; next was his hat, which was large: he let it go also; next came his sword, with which he was loath to part, but to save himself he let it go too. He made to land, and looking around could see the British dragoons ranging about on the same side of the river. He took to the woods and round- ed the field, bending his course from the river till finally he saw some men who had

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also made their escape across the river. He recognized Philip Drumm, a young Dutchman, one of his own company. They got together and traveled home together, not less than 100 miles. Father had saved his handkerchief and had it tied on his head. Young Drumm took it off and insisted upon putting his own hat in its place.

"In passing through the Indian land about seventy miles from home two horses were presented to father with the request that he take them home and deliver then to friends of the owner for safe-keeping, who lived in father's neighborhood. Each had a horse. They traveled together to Morrison's mill, three miles from home; the roads parted; the hat father was wearing being given to young Drumm, its owner, Archibald Bradley, the miller, presented father with a decent hat to wear home. When he came in view he was not at first recognized by his family, no coat, a strange hat and no sword and a little dirty. When he embraced the family his countenance was pensive. Clean clothes put on, the word ran through the neighborhood and the neighbors gathered in. He had but little to say that afternoon and was much cast down over the outlook, with two armies defeated and the British marching where they pleased. But the next morning he put on his cheer- ful countenance again, took courage and started for the field."

The above facts are especially interest- ing, coming as they do from one who lived through the scenes. The writer, John Pur- viance, was born April 23, 1770, and must have been some eight or nine years old when these events were occurring. He was a well educated man and took great interest in preserving this historical record. It is largely due to his care and foresight in this

respect that the facts in the present sketch have been preserved and handed down. There is a tradition in the Purviance family that one of the ancestors lost his hat while running from the British. If the tradition is based on the incident related above (and it no doubt is) there is every reason to feel proud of such ancestor, although he lost his sword as well as his hat. In exchange for these articles he preserved the life that was still able to battle for his country's rights.

Colonel John Purviance, the youngest child of John, the emigrant, and a brother of James, grandfather of our subject, accom- panied his married sisters, Mary Morrison and Martha Ireland, from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. He was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1740, and on the 2d of August, 1764, married Jane Wasson, sister of Sarah Wasson, the wife of his brother James. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. At the outbreak of the Revolution he joined the patriot army and served throughout the entire war, rising from the rank of Lieutenant to that of Colonel. In the fall of 1791 he removed with his family to Sumner county, Tennessee, from his old home in Rowan county, now Iredell county, North Carolina. In the spring of 1792 his second son, John, was shot and scalped by the Indians in the presence of the mother near the family home, and Mrs. Purviance would also have undoubtedly been killed had there not been timely intervention of the neigh- bors. This son had been married but a short time previous, and one child, a daugh- ter, was born to his widow after his death. Owing to the sad event that attended his location in Tennessee, Colonel John Purvi- ance resolved to leave that place and remove to Cane Ridge, Bourbon county, Kentucky,

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where he lived until 1800, returning then to Wilson county, Tennessee, which was his place of abode until his death, which occurred in August, 1823. His wife was born in 1742, and died in 1810. They reared eleven chil- dren, three sons and eight daughters. The Colonel remained a member of the Presby- terian Church until the great religious ex- citement that swept over Tennessee at the beginning of the present century, being started by James McGready and others. He then cast his lot with the reform movement, became a member of what is known as the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and continued his connection with it until his death.

Elder David Purviance, the second child of Colonel John Purviance, was born in Iredell county, North Carolina, Novem- ber 14, 1766. He was carefully in- structed by his father in the elementa- ry English branches, and later attended a Presbyterian seminary under the manage- ment of one Dr. Hall, a man of considera- ble learning and ability. In 1789 he wed- ded Mary Ireland, daughter of John and Martha Ireland, and then located on a farm on the south fork of the Yadkin river. Af- ter two years passed there he went to Tennessee, locating on the Cumberland river, near the present sight of Nash- ville. In the fall of 1792, accompanied by his family, he went to Cane Ridge, Bour- bon county, Kentucky, and in 1797 was elected a member of the Kentucky Legisla- ture. During a special session of this Leg- islature called the following November, El- der Purviance became famous for his reply to the two-days speech of the Hon. John Breckenridge in favor of the restitution of the court of oyer and terminer. Mr. Breck- enridge later became famous in national poli-

tics, and at the time of this speech was con- sidered the best orator in the State of Ken- tucky. Mr. Purviance's reply to him was forceful, earnest, logical and eloquent, many considering it superior to that of Mr. Breck- enridge. David Purviance was always a man of strong religious convictions. The same year of his election to the Legislature he received a license from the Presbytery as an exhorter. At the close of the session he placed himself under the care of the Pres- bytery, and became a candidate for the ministry. Thus did his political career in Kentucky, which promised to be a very brill- iant one, close, as the constitution of Ken- tucky prohibits ministers from becoming members of the Legislature. His powers for oratory, however, were probably turned in a better channel, and it is certain that his life and teachings exerted a strong influence for good in every community with which he was connected. In the spring of 1807, he removed to Preble county, Ohio. His fame had preceded him, for in the fall of 1809, without his solicitation, he was nominated as the Legislative candidate to represent Montgomery and Preble counties, won the election, and served for one term in the House of Representatives. In 1810 he was elected to the State Senate, where he served for two years, and in 1812, the district hav- ing been changed, he was again sent to the upper house of the State Legislature, where he continued for four years as the Represent- ative of Preble, Darke and Miami counties. He was a statesman of superior ability and a most talented man. His wife died in 1835, at the age of seventy-three years, and his last days were spent in the home of his son John, where he died August 19, 1847. He had one son, Levi, who was also an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and collecting the

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facts concerning the family history, together with considerable church history, published them in book form.

Samuel Hillory Purviance, whose name introduces this article, was one of the best known and prominent, as well as one of the most upright and respected, citizens in Hunt- ington county, Indiana. The days of his childhood and youth were passed in Ohio, the State of his nativity, where he continued until twenty-four years of age, at which time he joined his relatives who had pre- viously settled in Huntington. Shortly after his arrival in this city he became connected with its business interests, forming a part- nership with his cousin, James Purviance, and purchasing the Staley grocery, which at that time was a very insignificant establish- ment, yet sufficiently large to exhaust the capital of these ambitious and enterprising young men. Their partnership continued until 1847, when Joseph Purviance, a brother of Samuel, came to Indiana and purchased his cousin's interest. Thus the firm of Pur- viance Brothers was established, and the business, which was begun on a small scale, steadily grew and increased, other lines of goods were added, and ultimately it became the largest and most successful general mer- cantile establishment in the county, receiv- ing a patronage that came from miles around. S. H. Purviance continued his connection with general merchandising until embarking in the banking business. He then sold out to Dr. D. S. Leyman, that he might give his entire time and attention to the new interest. No one was quicker to perceive the needs of a community or more prompt to reply to them than Mr. Purviance. Hence it was that in 1859 he determined to start a bank in the town of his adoption, and, together with his brother Joseph, J. R.

Slack, D. O. Daily, and William McGrew, he organized the First National Bank of Huntington, Indiana, and became its presi- dent, a position which he occupied for four- teen consecutive years, or until his death in 1873. It is said that the banking institu- tions are the pulse of the nation, indicating the healthfulness of commercial life. The institution with which Mr. Purviance was connected was one of the utmost reliability, the business being conducted on a sound basis that commended itself to the confidence and support of the public.

On the 8th of June, 1843, in Hunting- ton, Indiana, was celebrated the marriage of S. H. Purviance and Miss Elizabeth J. Montgomery, who was born July 9, 1824, and survived her husband for nearly twenty years, passing away December 23, 1892, at the old home in Huntington, where she qui- etly spent her declining years in the company of her children.

To our subject and his wife were born nine children. Harmon M., born Septem- ber 29, 1848, died June 2, 1854. Lucy M., born January 26, 1851, was married Sep- tember 5, 1872, to Edwin Harter, and re- sides in Huntington. Ella J., born Septem- ber 14, 1854, died February 12, 1876; she was married February 19, 1873, to Ulysses D. Cole. Harmon M. was born March 30, 1857. Adeline, twin sister of Harmon, was married June 16, 1880, to Charles S. Lewis. Henry Levi, born March 28, 1859, died Oc- tober 21, 1861. Marshall James, who was born April 7, 1861, is represented on another page of this work. Lizzie, born February 25, 1864, was married to Adam L. Beck, June 23, 1887. Emma, born November 12, 1867, completes the family.

In early life Samuel H. Purviance was identified with the Whig party, and on its

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dissolution joined the ranks of the Republi- can party. He was never a politician in the sense of office-seeking, but as every true American citizen should do, kept well in- formed on the issues of the day, and indi- cated his principles and preferences by his ballot. He never held office except on one occasion, when he served as County Clerk. His life is one deserving of the greatest praise. Conspicuous in the roll of eminent names that have conferred honor on northeastern Indiana is that of Mr. Purviance. His high position in business circles he owed to his own exertions, his years of energetic labor and his untiring perseverance, combined with superior executive ability. He was hon- ored and esteemed by all for his manly quali- ties of heart and mind, and his personal friends were almost numberless.

ARMON M. PURVIANCE, a lime manufacturer of Huntington, en- gaged in business as a member of the firm of Beck, Purviance & Beck, was born at the old family homestead in this city, opposite the court house on North Jefferson street, on the 30th of March, 1857. His parents are Samuel Hillory and Elizabeth (Montgomery) Pur- viance, in connection with whose sketch, on preceding pages of this work, is given the family genealogy. No family is more prom- inent in the history of northeastern Indiana, and by an honorable business career our subject has borne untarnished the illustrious name.

His early education was acquired in the public schools of Huntington and supple- mented by a course in Franklin College. Since 1889 he has been engaged in man- ufacturing lime, and the firm now enjoys a

large and constantly increasing business. Mr. Purviance is also a member of the Mitchell Lime Company, of Mitchell, In- diana.

He was united in marriage, October 20, 1892, with Miss Belle B. Brown, daughter of Captain and Mrs. Ashley Brown, of Day- ton, Ohio.

Mr. Purviance is a member of Hunting- ton Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of the order of Knights of Pythias. His political support is given to the Republican party, and he keeps well informed on the issues of the day. He is a wide-awake, progressive citizen, inter- ested in all that pertains to the public wel- fare, and is a straightforward, honorable business man, and a pleasant, courteous, genial gentleman whose friends are many and who worthily represents the honored family whose name he bears.

ARSHALL JAMESPURVIANCE is an enterprising, wide-awake young business man, now at the head of the well known dry-goods house of Purviance & Provines, of Hunting- ton, Indiana. His entire life has been spent in this city, which is the place of his birth. He was born on the 7th of April, 1861, and is a son of S. H. Purviance, deceased, a financier and prominent citizen, in connec- tion with whose sketch, on other pages of this work, appears the complete history of the family.

Our subject began his education in the common schools and completed the work of the junior year in a high school. At the age of eighteen he left the school-room and began earning his own living as a salesman in the dry-goods house of A. S. Purviance & Brother, and also continued with their

Okm. Ellsworth.

Mis. Ym. Ellsworth.

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successors, H. H. Arnold & Company, until January, 1895. With the capital he had then acquired, he determined to engage in business in his own interest, and entered into partnership with John W. Provines, under the present firm style of Purviance & Provines. They rented a store in the Drover Block, and after purchasing a com- plete stock of dry goods and notions opened their doors to the public. The partners be- ing young men of good business ability, enterprising, energetic and popular, they have already succeeded in securing a good trade.

In his political views, Mr. Purviance is a Republican, having supported that party since attaining his majority. In manner he is pleasant and genial, and all who know him-and his friends are many-have for him high regard.

PILLIAM ELLSWORTH, deceased, was formerly a resident of Harrison township, Blackford county, where he was widely and favorably known as a man who had the highest attributes of Christian character.

He was born in New Paltz, Ulster coun- ty, New York, March 16, 1813, and was a son of Samuel and Betsey (Sperry) Ells- worth. Samuel also was a native of the State of New York, in which he was brought up and married. In 1829 he moved to Ohio, where he continued to reside for ten or eleven years. Then he came to Indi- ana, where he lived for a year or two; then he went to Michigan, where he lived until his death, his wife also dying in that State.

William Ellsworth was sixteen years of

age when his parents settled in Ohio. In the schools of his native State he acquired the rudiments of an education, in his youth, which was all the school instruction he ever received. He was a robust, strong young man, his services on the farm being of the utmost importance to his parents. In Ohio he met and became acquainted with Miss Betsey Platt, whom he married February 12, 1836. She was the daughter of Samuel and Anna (Parrott) Platt and a native of Connecticut, born July 6, 1820. Her father also was born in that State, February II, 1783, and died in Blackford county, In- diana, about 1875, having settled there a short time previous to his death. Mrs. Platt died in Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Platt were born the following children: Mariah, wife of John Holsenburg; Eliza, wife of Simeon Odell; Ellter, who died at the age of ten years; Hiram David, who married Betsey Smith; Anna, wife of Benjamin Hull; Polly; Betsey, widow of William Ellsworth; Harriet, wife of Samuel Shelby; and Nancy, who died at the age of eight years.

A year after his marriage Mr. Ells- worth came to Indiana and entered a tract of Government land lying west of Montpelier, but subsequently sold it and purchased the southwest quarter of sec- tion 17, Harrison township, Blackford county. Having but little means his prog- ress in improving the land was slow, and for several years he was employed at various kinds of work. Being a carpenter by trade he helped erect the first sawmill on the Sala- monie river in the vicinity of Montpelier, cutting with a whipsaw much of the lumber that was used in its construction. He also bought a lot in Montpelier, upon which he erected a cabin, it being the second house in the place, and in this he lived two years.

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Subsequently he purchased eighty-six acres of Lyman Bean, situated on section 1, Har- rison township, upon which he settled in the spring of 1840. This land was princi- pally covered with a dense growth of brush and timber. After making a small clearing he put up a sinall round-log cabin, and the work of making a home was begun in earn- est. He made all his own furniture. The bedstead was made by boring two holes in the wall and rounding off the end of a pole at each end to fit these holes and also simi- lar holes made in a post set toward the mid- dle of the room. Bark was woven across to hold the bedtick. The chairs or stools were made of puncheon, with holes bored for the legs. The floor also was made of puncheon.

Wild animals were numerous, and the howling of the wolves was frequently heard. One night Mr. Ellsworth met two wolves in the path near his house, which he at the time mistook for dogs. He shot and killed two turkeys with his old flint-lock gun, when it was out of repair, in the following manner: Placing the muzzle through a crack in the smokehouse, he had his wife thrust into the powder-pan of the gun a coal of fire when he gave the signal. Down came the tur- key! The performance was repeated with the same success, bringing down the second turkey.

The log cabin described was made to serve for their home till 1849, when the present comfortable residence was erected. At the time of their settlement here Hart- ford City contained but one log cabin, in which court was held, the jury holding their sessions in a hazel thicket near by.

Mr. Ellsworth departed this life Febru- ary 18, 1893. He had always been a hard- working man, clearing and bringing into

cultivation his land before his sons were old enough to aid him materially; and it is said that he never hired a day's work done. He was identified with Blackford county, and always took an active interest in its wel- fare, for fifty-seven years before he was called to his final home; and for fifty-three years he was an exemplary member of the Baptist Church, of which he was for many years a Deacon. He was a stanch member of the Republican party from its organiza- tion; before that he was a Whig. No man had more friends than he. He was a good neighbor, a true friend and a thoroughly loyal citizen. As a husband and father he excelled. To act with kindness to all was as natural to him as breathing, and his name will live long after his immediate associates in life have gone to join him on the shores of the other and better world.

He had three children, as follows: Ma- tilda J., who was born February 28, 1837, and March 28, 1855, married Amos O. Hunter. Mr. Hunter was born in Ohio, July 6, 1834, was a merchant in Montpelier, a member of the Masonic order, and died November 25, 1878. Their first born was Rosalee C., born January 16, 1858, married John W. Poulson October 2, 1875, and is now living in Des Moines, Iowa, and their children are Ota May, Charles, Ross and Frankie. Elliott E., second child of Mr. Hunter, was born April 16, 1859, and died February 11, 1862. George C., third child, was born August 10, 1860, married Effie Wilson December 17, 1880, and is a real- estate dealer in Des Moines; they have two children, -Gracie and Victor. Calvin Fill- more, the fourth, was born August 7, 1862, and is engaged in real-estate in Los Angeles, California. December 10, 1895, he married Lida MacBoster, of that city. Charles, the

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fifth child, was born October 11, 1864, and married Ella McDorman: they have one child, who is named Etta. Charles is en- gaged in the hardware business in Topeka, Kansas.

Samuel, the eldest son and second child of William Ellsworth, was born April 5, 1840, and is a minister of the Christian Church. He married Sarah Jane Paxton, September 1, 1862, and has had the follow- ing named children: Margaret, who died at the age of sixteen years, and Oma, who married William B. Stephenson and has two children, -Leonora M. and Guy.

William David, third child of William Ellsworth, was born July 19, 1848, and is now a resident of Des Moines, Iowa. He married Dora M. Chappman and has two children,-Clarence and Queenie Fay. He graduated at a commercial college at Madi- son, Wisconsin, is a hardware merchant, and in religion is a member of the Meth- odist Church.

In closing this sketch of Mr. William Ellsworth, it is proper to note that he was a man of medium size, height five feet and ten inches, weight 140 pounds, not fleshy and of sanguine temperament. He was resolute in his nature and positive in his convictions. Mrs. Ellsworth still resides at the old home- stead, where fifty-five years of her life have been spent. She retains much of her sprightliness belonging to younger years, and her mind retains all its freshness and clear- ness. She loves to recount the scenes of a past in which she and her devoted husband bore such prominent parts. She has been a prominent member of the Baptist Church for fifty-six years, and is greatly beloved by her neighbors and friends, who vie with each other in adding happiness to the life of their aged and cherished friend.

B. BEESON is numbered among the honored pioneers of Whitley county, having for almost forty years been connected with the his- tory of this locality. He has witnessed its growth and upbuilding, has aided in its development and progress, and his fidelity to the best interests of the community has numbered him among the valued citizens.

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Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 48

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 932

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 932