USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 47
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To Mr. and Mrs. John McDill six children were born, an equal num- ber of boys and girls, four of whom are deceased, the only ones living being Charles, of this review, and his sister, Virginia, mentioned above.
When Charles McDill had finished his schooling, at the age of eighteen years, he accepted a position as bookkeeper in the city of Lafayette, which he retained to the entire satisfaction of the firm and to his own credit for a period of seven years, when, owing to ill health as the result of close con-
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finement, he was forced to resign and resume life in the open air on the old home place in Union township, where, amid most wholesome and life-giving environments, he soon grew strong again, remaining there until his mar- riage, which occurred on October 7, 1885. The lady of his choice was Mat- tie M. Bailey, who has proven to be a most genial and worthy helpmeet, the success of Mr. McDill having been, in no small degree, due to hier en- couragement and counsel. She was born August 24, 1861, at Medaryville, Indiana, but was reared at Battle Ground, where she remained a member of the family circle until her marriage to Mr. McDill. Her parents were Simon T. and Sarah (Hull) Bailey, both born and reared in Indiana. They were married in Lafayette, December 28, 1859, and the major part of their married life was spent in that city, where Mr. Bailey was for many years a well-known business man. He now lives at Battle Ground, his wife having closed her eyes on earthly scenes April 3, 1887, after becoming the mother of three children, two girls and one boy, Mattie M., wife of Mr. McDill, being the oldest of the family. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Charles McDill has been blessed by the birth of one child, Mabel L., who married William Edward Andrews, who is engaged in the general mercantile business at Rom- ney, Indiana, where he is regarded as one of the successful business men of that community. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews were married October 6, 1908. Mrs. Andrews is an educated and affable lady, popular with a large circle of friends.
After his marriage, for some time, Mr. McDill worked as a tenant farmer in Union township. After seven years of unremitting toil, which gave him a good start, he moved to Lafayette, in which city he remained for two years, having by this time accumulated a surplus of five thousand dollars. He became interested as a part owner of the farm upon which he now lives, C. Murdock being his partner. They continued to buy more land until this place now consists of one thousand acres of choice land, very pro- ductive and well improved, known as the "Romney Stock Farm Company," of which Mr. McDill is president, and his able management is largely re- sponsible for the great success of the company operating this model farm, on which stand the most up-to-date buildings and which is kept well stocked with excellent grades of all kinds of livestock, Mr. McDill being regarded by his neighbors as one of the best judges of stock in the county. He is also president of the Romney Bank, which is capitalized at twenty-five thous- and dollars, one of the safe and thriving banking houses in this part of the Hoosier state. Mr. McDill formerly took a very active interest in the man- agement of this institution, but owing to his health, which is none too
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robust at this time, he is leading a semi-retired life on his farm, but in a way still oversees the affairs of the bank. He is a man of fine business mind and executive ability, being able to foresee the outcome of a transaction with remarkable accuracy, and, having started in life for himself with only lim- ited capital, he is deserving of great credit for what he has accomplished. However, he is conservative and simple in his everyday life, avoiding pub- licity, having never sought public office, although he has many times been encouraged by his friends and neighbors to serve them in an official capacity, but he has preferred to devote his attention to the management of his busi- ness affairs. He is a Republican in politics, and, religiously, he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church at Romney, Mr. McDill having been a member of the church board for several years, which office he now holds, both he and , his estimable wife taking considerable interest in the af- fairs of this congregation, where they are held in high esteem, as indeed, they are in all circles, owing to their liberality, hospitality and integrity.
GEORGE H. OGLESBAY.
The two most strongly marked characteristics of both the cast and the west are combined in the residents of the section of country of which this work treats. The enthusiastic enterprise which overleaps all obstacles and makes possible almost any undertaking in the comparatively new and vig- orous western states is here tempered by the stable and more careful policy that we have borrowed from our eastern neighbors, and the combination is one of peculiar force and power. It has been the means of placing this sec- tion of the country on a par with the older East, at the same time producing a reliability and certainty in business affairs which is frequently lacking in the West. This happy combination of characteristics is possessed by the sub- ject of this sketch, George H. Oglesbay, cashier of the Romney Bank and farmer. Mr. Oglesbay was born in Randolph township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, on the 18th of May, 1848, and is a son of John Philip and Margaret A. (Roudebush) Oglesbay. John P. Oglesbay was born in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1816. His father, Robert Oglesbay, was of Scotch descent and was also born in Maryland. He married Susannah Schuppert. and to them were born five children, as follows: Robert, Elizabeth, Sarah, James and John P. The father was a man of fair education and was marked by an upright character that always commanded respect. He filled several local official positions during his lifetime. At the date of his death he was judge
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of the orphans' court-a position corresponding with that of probate judge of the present day-and fell dead upon the bench while in the discharge of his official duties. John P. Oglesbay came with his mother's family to Tippe- canoe county in 1836, locating in Lauramie township, where, within a few years after their coming, the mother died, in 1840.
At the age of ten years, John P. Oglesbay began to earn his own living, and, being thus early thrown upon his own resources, he learned to practice economy and energy. Through hard work and good management. he was finally enabled to accumulate a handsome property. During his youth his occupation was varied-teaching school and working alternately at the bench and in the harvest field. In the spring of 1837 he, with his brother-in-law, planted a crop in Lauramie township, and during that season and the follow- ing summer he was engaged in the duties of farm life. In the fall and winter of that year he taught school and from that date until 1843 he was engaged in farming and teaching. In the spring of 1843 he removed to Romney, where he engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, follow- ing that trade for eight years. In 1851 he embarked in the general mer- chandise business at Romney, and until 1856 he carried on a successful busi- ness. During that year he disposed of his stock to Col. Henry Leaming for the consideration of one hundred acres of land, which adjoined an eighty- acre tract he had previously bought of Charles Swear. He again engaged in farming and remained thus engaged for ten years, and then engaged in busi- ness agrin at Romney, where he purchased the business he had previously sold to Colonel Leaming, this time associating with him a partner in the person of Tomes H. Kyle, who withdrew from the firm after three years. In 1844 Mr. Oglesbay was appointed by President John Tyler postmaster at Romney and he continued to serve efficientiy in this position until his re- moval to the farm in 1861. He was township trustee for more than ten years. 1860 to 1874. In 1875 he was nominated for the office of county commissioner and elected.
In 1841 John P. Oglesbay married Margaret A. Roudebush, and to them were born three children, William, John P., Jr., and George H., the immediate subiect of this sketch. The father died in 1889 and the mother in 1800. and their remains lie in the cemetery at Romney. In his church choice Mr. Oglesbay was a devoted Presbyterian and did much towards sus- toinino that religious denomination, serving as one of the elders for a niim- ber of years. He was a public-spirited man and did much for the develop- ment of this section of the county.
George H. Oglesbay was reared in this township, and in his boyhood at- tended the public schools, most of his education being secured under the
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direction of his father. He also attended a business college at Lafayette. He remained at home and for a number of years was closely associated with his father in the latter's business affairs. Mr. Oglesbay possesses a practical knowledge of farming, in which he has achieved a distinctive suc- cess, being at the present time the owner of four hundred and twenty acres of as good land as can be found in this section of the county.
On July 10, 1901, Mr. Oglesbay with others opened the Romney Bank at Romney, which has since been recognized as one of the best financial institutions in the county outside of Lafayette. The bank is capitalized at twenty-five thousand dollars and its officers are as follows: President, Charles McDill; vice-president, J. P. Kissinger; cashier, George H. Ogles- bay ; assistant cashier, John A. Hornbeck. The bank is conducted along safe and conservative lines, and yet is wisely progressive in its attitude towards local business. The establishment of the bank was a distinct mark of ad- vance in the business affairs of the community, and it has been accorded a liberal patronage.
On the IIth day of May, 1875, Mr. Oglesbay was married to Margaret Webster, who is now deceased, and to them was born one child, Margaret, who became the wife of W. S. Alexander and resides in Randolph township. April 30, 1879, the subject married Fannie Hunley, and, after her death, on March 4, 1904, he wedded Lucy B. Harter January 13, 1909. In politics Mr. Oglesbay is a stanch Republican and is now serving as a justice of the peace. His religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee and steward. He is a member of the Free and Ac- cepted Masons and takes a deep interest in the workings of the order. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gives his support to all moral, educational, social or material interests which he believes will benefit the community, and as a man of sterling worth he justly merits the high regard in which he is held.
William C. Harter, father of Mrs. Oglesbay, is a native of Richmond, Indiana, born July 29, 1821. He came to this county along in 1830, and was a merchant. He was a son of Philip Harter, who ran the old mill on the bank of the Wea and also did a carting business.
THOMAS PARLON.
A man well remembered in Wea township. Tippecanoe county, was the Inte Thomas Parlon, whose characteristics were self-reliance, strict integrity, persistency of purpose and charitableness to his neighbors, consequently his
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friends were many and sincere, and besides leaving his family a good home and a competence, he left them what amounts to far more-a good name. His birth occurred on the Atlantic ocean as his parents were emigrating from Ireland to the United States in 1850. Thomas Parlon was the son of Caleb Parlon, a native of Kings county, Ireland. After bringing his family to the United States, the latter came to Lafayette, Indiana, where he worked as a farmer and laborer. He was a horse trainer in Ireland. Both he and his wife died in this county. They were the parents of the follow- ing children: Bridget married Jerry Ryan and lives in Lafayette; James is a contractor in Lafayette; Patrick and Nellie are both deceased; Thomas, of this review, was the youngest child. He grew to maturity in this county and obtained only a limited education. On June 19, 1879, he married Anna C. O'Shea, of Wea township, this county, the daughter of James and Amelia (Neville) O'Shea, natives of Limerick county, Ireland, both having come to America in the same year that the Parlons came, 1850. They located in New York city, where they remained for three years, then came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, securing a farm in section 33, Wea township, which he cleared and improved, making a good home there. His death occurred November 9, 1894, and his widow is still living on the old place, having reached the advanced age of ninety years. Mrs. Parlon was the only child of her parents. She has an excellent memory and her conversation of the olden times is interesting.
To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Parlon two sons were born, namely: James T., born June 2, 1880, married first Catherine Raub, one child being born by that marriage, Henrietta, who died at the age of two years, and secondly Mary Creahan, by whom he had one child, Mary Ann. He is a farmer living at New Richmond, Indiana. The second child born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Parlon was Caleb C., who was born March 14, 1882; he is a farmer living at South Raub, Indiana; he married Eliza Gaither. James Parlon was educated in the home schools, and he spent one year in Purdue University. Caleb C., desiring to see some- thing of the world and get a taste of military service, spent three years in the regular army, in Company F, Fifth Regiment, having enlisted July 19, 1900, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. In 1903 he was honorably discharged. He rose to the rank of corporal, and spent two years in the Philippines and Cuba. He is well educated both in point of text-books and in the things of the world, having always been a close observer and a deep student.
After their marriage, Thomas Parlon and wife located in Wea township on the old home place of Mrs. Parlon's mother, and they resided here, Mr.
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Parlon managing the farm very successfully until his death, May 4, 1905. He and his wife were the owners of one hundred and twenty-eight and one- half acres of land, under a high state of cultivation and equal to any land in the community. They were members of St. Mary's Catholic church of La- fayette. Mrs. Parlon, a very kind, charitable and Christian. woman, is still living with her aged mother. They have a pleasant and cozy home.
GREENLEAF NORTON MEHARRY.
A well-remembered and highly respected citizen of Jackson township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, was the late Greenleaf Norton Meharry, than whom a more whole-souled or genteel gentleman it would have been difficult to find, and as a result of his many admirable qualities he was held in high favor throughout the county. He was born in Fountain county, Indiana, July 16, 1831, the son of James and Margaret Ingram (Francis) Meharry, the former a native of Adams county, Indiana, and the latter of Ireland. She came with her parents to the United States when young and settled in Ohio, where she married James Meharry, and soon afterwards came to Fountain county, Indiana, where their son Greenleaf N. was born, as indicated above. Shortly afterwards his parents moved to Montgomery county, this state, where they lived on a farm until their deaths, and are sleeping the last sleep in what is known as the Meharry cemetery, near Wingate, Montgomery county. They were the parents of five children, four of whom grew to maturity, one dying in childhood, Greenleaf N. being the second in order of birth. The other children were Mary Agatha, Cornelia Bennett, Allen Wiley and James Alex- ander, the only one living now being Allen.
Greenleaf Norton Meharry, after receiving the usual schooling for a lad of his times and casting about for a time for a life work, chose as a helpmeet on October 22, 1856, Letitia Meharry, the wedding occurring in Canada. Mrs. Meharry was a native of Ontario, Durham county, her birth occurring March 21, 1835. She was educated in the schools of her native province. She attended two ladies' seminaries and received an excellent edu- cation, which has since been supplemented by wide reading. Mrs. Meharry is the daughter of Robert and Letitia (Blackstock) Meharry, both natives of Ireland. The father came to Canada with his parents when only nine years old; the mother came to this country with her parents when only three years of age. The grandparents of Mrs. Greenleaf N. Meharry all died in Wea
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Plains. Robert Meharry was born in county Cavan, Ireland, June 16, 1810: his wife was born in that country August 24, 1816. They were married in Durh. m county, Ontario, February 29, 1832, in which country they remaine.1 all their married lives, being farmers by occupation. The father died De- cember 28, 1878, at the age of sixty-nine years; his widow survived him several years, dying December 12, 1903, attaining the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Both are buried in Durham county, Ontario. They were the parents of twelve children, seven daughters and five sons, eleven of whom grew to maturity, one having died in childhood, Mrs. Greenleaf N. Meharry being the second of the number in order of birth. The other ch'l- dren are Mary Jane, Elizabeth B., Hugh Blackstock, Anna Eliza. John Wes- ley. Matilda, Charlotte, Jesse R. B., Rebecca, Palmer and Edward. Eight of these children are now living.
When Mr. and Mrs. Greenleaf N. Meharry were married they settle 1 upon the farm where Mrs. Meharry now resides. It has been developed fr m very rough conditions to one of the best landed estates in Jackson township. They set to work with a will and soon had a very comfortable home and a well improvedl farm which yielded an excellent income from year to year.
Mr. Meharry was called from his earthly labors August 3, 1895. at the age of sixty-five years, and was buried in the Meharry cemetery in Mont- gomery county. He left his family well provided for, Mrs. Meharry now being the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine farming land in Jackson township. all well improved with modern conveniences. She has a beautiful residence, nicely furnished and standing in the midst of attractive surroundings. General farming is successfully carried on, and Mrs. Me- harry and two of her daughters, who have remained single, preferring to live with their mother, enjoy the society of a wide circle of friends in their com- munity.
To Mr. and Mrs. Greenleaf N. Meharry nine children were born, four daughters and five sons, three of the number dying in childhood. Those surviving are : Florence, who was born March 25, 1860, has remained single an: a member of the home circle; Eddie E., who was born June II. 1862, married Emma Lanfear, and they reside in Colfax, McLean county, Illinois : Robert E .. who was born August 30, 1864. married Belle Davidson; they reside in McLean county, Illinois, and are the parents of one daughter, Ada Lucile, lorn July 5. 1894: Annie V., who was born December 17, 1866, has rem ired single and is living at home ; Ira G. H., who was born August 24. 1873. married Agnes D. Sayers; they reside in Tippecanoe county and are the r^rents of three children, Carrie L., Clare Alexander and Hugh ; Jud-1.
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who was born September 5, 1878, married Ethel Hillis; they reside in Mont- gomery county and are the parents of two children, Josephine Frances and Roy Hillis. These children all received every care and attention possible at the hands of their solicitous parents and are all well equipped and fairly well situated in reference to this world's affairs.
Greenleaf N. Meharry was a Republican, and, although he took an active part in local political affairs, he never aspired to public office. In his younger days he was a member of the Good Templars order and a strong advocate of temperance. During the Civil war he was a member of the local organization known as the "Know-Nothings," the followers of which favored abolishing slavery.
Mrs. Meharry and her children are active and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, holding their membership at Shawnee Mound church. Mr. Meharry was a liberal supporter of the church and an active roiker in the same, having been superintendent of the Sunday school and! was both steward and trustee of the local church-in fact, he was a pillar in the same and is greatly missed. He had hosts of friends as a result of his public spirit, his industrious and upright life and his kindness. Mrs. Meharry and her daughters are also held in high esteem by all who know them and their pleasant home is often the gathering place of numerous friends who ever find good cheer and hospitality prevailing there.
MARTIN P. COYNER.
As the mme indicates, the Coyners are of German descent, Michael Coyner. great-grandfather of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, having been a native of the Fatherland. He came to the United States in an old-fashioned sailing vessel, making a somewhat adventurous and tardy voyage across the great Atlantic ocean, finally landing in Pennsyl- vania, where he became a prosperous farmer. During his residence there he made three trips back to the Fatherland, and when he was returning from his third trip the ship was wrecked and a sister who was accompanying him was lost. he having escaped a similar fate in a very peculiar way-a strange caprice of fortune. Michael Coyner located first in Pennsylvania, as already indicated ; but he later moved to Virginia, where he farmed and also engage 1 in merchandising. Pe was married while living in the first-named state and became the father of a large family, eight children in all. three sons and five
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daughters. John D., father of Martin P., of this review, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, and was six years old when his parents brought him to Ohio. When he reached manhood, in 1832, he came to Indiana, and, having learned something of the tanner's trade, he, in partnership with his brother-in-law, started a little tan yard. In a short time he married Delilah Peterson, and later moved onto a farm in Montgomery county, this state, where he prospered by reason of habits of close application to work and good management, and he remained there until his death. He was a good man and highly respected, and belonged to the Presbyterian church. He was twice married. There were three children by his first marriage, namely: George W., who became a soldier in the Twenty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer . Infantry, died in New Orleans; Lucian D. is residing in Montgomery county, this state; and Martin P., of this review.
Martin P. Coyner, a well-known and progressive agriculturist of Lauramie township, Tippecanoe county, was born in the adjoining county of Montgomery, December 16, 1841, and was reared on his father's farm, which he worked during the summer months when he became of proper age, and attended the district schools during the wintertime, securing a somewhat limited but practical education. When he reached manhood he chose as a life companion a representative of a fine old family in the person of Catherine McCartney, and to this union five children were born, two of whom are liv- ing at this writing, namely: Will, a progressive farmer in Lauramie town- ship, and John, the well-known trustee of Lauramie township.
Mr. Coyner has devoted the major part of his life to farming, at which he made a marked success, but since 1893 he has not engaged in active agri- cultural pursuits. He has lived since then, first at Stockwell, later moving to Clark's Hill, where he now resides, having there a modern and nicely fur- nished residence which is beautifully located. He also ran a tile factory for ten years. He is now engaged in buying and shipping stock on an extensive scale, which he has followed for many years. He is regarded as an excellent judge of livestock and he has made a success in this line.
Mr. Coyner is a member of the Land and Improvement Company of Clark's Hill, being vice-president of the same, and much of its success is due to his judicious counsel and management. He is also a member of a gas company of Clark's Hill, and whatever he turns his attention to he seems to have the ability to carry to a successful issue. In politics he is a Democrat, but does not find time to take a very active part in political affairs. In everyday life Martin P. Coyner's word, according to those who know him best, is as good as his bond, honesty and integrity being no meaningless words with him, and his record as a citizen is without blemish.
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HON. JOHN FRANKLIN SIMISON, M. D.
A well-known descendant of sterling and influential pioneer ancestors is the gentleman to a review of whose life history the reader's attention is directed in the following paragraphs, which show much to commend him as one of the representative citizens of the locality of which the present work treats. John Franklin Simison was born in Romney, Randolph township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, September 1, 1859, the son of John and Har- riet Eliza (Agnew) Simison, the former having been born in Portage county, Ohio, in 1824, and the latter in Pennsylvania, September 30, 1832. Both came to Indiana when young and were married in Parke county in 1851, im- mediately after which event they moved to Tippecanoe county, settling at Romney, where John Simison, who was a physician, began the practice of medicine, which he continued until his death, August 17, 1902, being nearly seventy-eight years old. For half a century he administered to the afflicted people of this county in such a manner as to stamp him as a doctor of unusual merit, being not only well abreast of the times in medical skill, but also a man of likeable qualities which rendered him popular with all classes. His widow still survives, living at Romney, now seventy-seven years of age. The Doc- tor was a prosperous man, owning many hundreds of acres at the time of his death. He was a very liberal contributor to DePauw University ; also to the church and all charitable causes, the welfare of others seeming paramount in his nature. He was one of the best known men in the county, and no one was held in higher esteem than he, for he was truly a good and useful man and a benefactor to his fellows.
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