USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 32
USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 32
USA > Indiana > Parke County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 32
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Our subject was born in Scioto County, Ohio, November 1, 1823, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Oney) Moore. Grandfather Moore was born in Ireland and came to the United States when a young man, settling in Lancaster County, Pa., where he married a lady of German paren tage. IIis arrival in the United States was about the time of the War of the Revolution, in which he did not, however, take part. He was a JJefferson- ian Demoerat, and a farmer by occupation. About the year 1800 he started on a trip to Ohio to buy land and was never afterward heard from. In his family were seven children, all now deceased. They were John; William and James, twins; Sam-
uel; Elizabeth, who married John Watt; Marga- ret, wife of John Flemming; and Mary.
Our subject's father remained with his mother until reaching man's estate. Ilis elder brother took charge of the family and took them to Ohio, when Samuel was only twelve years old. Each member of the family became the owner of large tracts of land in Scioto County. The twin brother, William, married and emigrated to Montgomery County, Ind., and .James arrived in Parke County about the year 1818. In early life Samuel Moore entered the War of 1812 as a volunteer from Scioto County, for which services he drew a pension un- til death, and received one hundred and sixty acres of land, forty acres in Sugar Creek Township, and one hundred and twenty aeres in Missouri.
After returning from the war, Samuel Moore was at once married to the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Cuyler) Oney. The former was born in New York, and removed to the Shenan- doah Valley about 1770. IIis father, Benjamin, was a Tory and a British Captain, receiving his commission from Lord Cornwallis. To our sub- jeet's father and mother were born eight children, he being the third; Mary, who is the wife of Harvey Durman; Rebecca, Elizabeth (Mrs. . James Shellady ), William, and Sarah, wife of Joel Goff, who are all deceased; and Joseph and David, who complete the number. The father was a Universalist in belief, but his wife was a Baptist. In 1838 he removed to Wayne County, Ind., and two years later settled in Sugar Creek Township. He afterward went to Lewis County, Mo., where he died about 1860. After the death of his first wife, which occurred about 1845, he married Lucinda Hulliger. Sev- eral of their children died in infancy, and Frank was killed in the late war. Those living are Eliza J., John and Sophronia.
James H. Moore learned the cooper's trade of his father, and lent his assistance to him in caring for the home farm until his twenty-first year. After this he worked by the month and then rented a farm for the summer, working at his trade in the winter. Though he frequently re- ceived only 87 per month, he managed to save money through strict ceonomy, and on May 7, 1848, married Hannah, daughter of Zimri and
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Mary Hunt, and a native of Sullivan County. On account of marrying out of the Quaker Church, in which she was brought up, she was dropped from its rolls. Seven children were born to them; one died in infancy, and the others are as follows: William N., John D., Char- lie E., Samuel E., Phineas O., and Luella, wife of Mitchell Ratcliff. On March 22, 1875, the wife and mother was called to her final rest. A few years later, Mr. Moore married Mrs. Ermina Ing- ram, who comes from a very old family of the county, her mother being a preacher in the United Brethren Church, to which denomination Mrs. Moore belongs, while our subject is a Universalist. Mrs. Moore had two children by her first marriage: Clara, wife of Upton Floyd, and Lawrence O. Our subject has been a practicing physician for the past forty years.
OEL Y. LYNCH, M. D. The profession of medicine has everywhere and at all times at- tracted to its practice men of eminent abil- ity. Indiana boasts of many skilled phy- sicians, among whom may be named Doctor Lynch, of Rosedale. This successful practitioner has won deservedly a reputation as one of the most successful surgeons in this portion of the State, and is often called in council by the most renowned physicians of Indiana. He is greatly attached to the village of Rosedale, and although he has often re- ceived flattering mducements to change his loca- tion, he lias never been prevailed upon to do so.
A native of West Virginia, Mr. Lynch was born in Glenville, September 24, 1851, and traces his an- cestry to Ireland and Germany. His parents, Sam- uel and Sophia (Burke) Lynch, were both natives of the Old Dominion. The father, a man of much influence and a prominent Democrat, was frequently honored with positions of trust, and at the time of his death was serving as Sheriff of Gilmer County, W. Va. He was well-to-do, but owned no slaves,
and was engaged extensively as a salt manufacturer. lle passed away in April, 1854, leaving two chil- dren, onr subject and Mary E. The latter, now the wife of .James Carson, was born in March, 1854, and was but three weeks old at the time of her father's death.
Mrs. Lynch was a second time married, her hus- band being William Roe, a native of Virginia and by trade a cabinet-maker and undertaker. Of this union five children were born: Cassabianca, Will- iam, Eliza, Letitia and Lillie. The three eldest are married, and all reside in their native city, Glen- ville, Va. The education of our subject was limited to the district schools of the neighborhood, and af- ter the age of sixteen he was obliged to depend upon his own resources for a livelihood. After the death of his father, he was taken into the home of his grandparents and by them was trained to habits of industry and thrift. He earnestly cov- eted an education and was especially anxious to fit himself for the profession of a physician.
When twenty-five years old Dr. Lynch commen- ced to read medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. B. F. Kitchen, of Jackson, Ohio, now a member of the Ohio Legislature (1893). After studying under that eminent physician for three years, he entered the Columbus (Ohio) Medical College, where he remained for one and one-half terms. Having been compelled to discontinue his studies until he could obtain the funds necessary for the comple- tion of his medieal course, he accepted the position of Deputy Sheriff of Jackson County, Ohio, and faithfully discharged the duties of that office for two years. For one year thereafter he served as Superintendent of Mincs.
In January, 1884, the young Doctor came to Rosedale, Ind., and at once opened an office for the practice of his profession. In 1886-87 he at- tended the Eclectic Medical College, of Indianapo- lis, and was graduated from that institution with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Returning to Rosedale, he resumed his professional duties and has since made his home in this place. For several years he has been a member of the Board of Pen- sion Examiners for the district and is one of the leading members. Politically, he was a Democrat in former years, but on account of his views on the
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tariff question, he joined the Republican ranks and is an earnest advocate of the principles of that party. IIe is prominently identified with several secret organizations, and is at present Master in the Ma- sonic order, Trustee in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Examining Surgeon for the Knights of Pythias. Notwithstanding the fact that he never refuses to give medical attention to the poor, he has been prospered financially and is the owner of much valuable real estate.
In 1879 the Doctor married Miss Ida E. Baird, and they became the parents of two children, Berge O. and Carl C., who are now attending the Jackson schools. After the death of Mrs. Ida Lynch, the Doctor, on November 17, 1883, was united in marriage with Miss Laura E. Hawkins, who was born and reared in Parke County. She is one of three children comprising the family of W. P. and Jane Hawkins, the others being Elathus A., General Superintendent of the Parke County Coal Company and a resident of Terre Haute; and Mary B., the wife of P. P. Thorpe, of Ellsworth, Ind. Mrs. Lynch is an active member of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church and is a lady of culture. She has proved a devoted helpmate to her husband, who attributes much of his professional success to her cheerful assistance and devotion.
.
R EV. JAMES THOMSON, deceased. En- shrined in the affections of the people of the State of Indiana is the name which the sub- ject of this sketch bore so worthily. Three quarters of a century ago, there dwelt in the hill country of Cincinnati a minister and his wife. They were both eminent, not only for their piety, but for all the virtues embraced in a Christian life, and in that Christian home eight children were born, of whom seven were sons.
James Thomson, the founder of Wabash College, that institution of learning which has a national reputation, was born June 1, 1801, at Springfield, Ohio, twelve miles from the city of Cincinnati,
and his death occurred at Mankato, Minn., Octo- ber 4, 1873. The Thomson family has been more closely connected with Wabash College than any family in the State. It was founded by a Thomson, was built up by his earnest work, another Thom- son was one of its most successful instructors, and other members of the family have been con- nected with it in various ways. one of whom has been its Treasurer for years.
William C. Thomson was born in Scotland, in 1730, and emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1771. His son John, born November 11, 1772, married Nancy Steele, August 28, 1800. Iler birth oc- curred .June 4, 1776. These were the parents of the Rev. James Thomson, and their family consis- ted of James, in whose heart was rooted the germ which produced Wabash College; John S., whose memorial we give later; William M., D. D., a gradu- ate of Miami University, and for forty years a mis- sionary to Syria, author of the celebrated book, "The Land and the Book," (a description of Pales- tine and Syria), and who is now living in Den ver, Colo .; Andrew, who died when a young man, in Crawfordsville; Alexander (seesketch); Mary Ann, who became the wife of E. J. Peck, of Indianapo- lis, and died May 16, 1891; and Samuel S. (see sketch).
Soon after his marriage, John Thomson settled in Ohio, about 1800, and became an active minis- ter there, identified with every move for the ad- vancement of civilization and Christianity. In 1834, he removed to Crawfordsville, Ind., where he remained the balance of his useful life, passing away full of years and honor. He had been for sixty years actively engaged in ministerial work. James Thomson, subject of our sketch, graduated from Miami University in Ohio, and entered upon the work of a life which he has devoted to the ministry and the cause of education. Glowing with zeal and earnestness, he came to Crawfords- ville, Ind., in 1827 as pastor of the Presbyterian Church. It was young and struggling, and the earnest young minister began with all his strength to develop and enlarge it. Hle appreciated the magnificent country in the great Wabash Valley and conceived the idea that this would be a suitable place for the founding of a great educational in-
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titution. He was not long in agitating the ques- tion, and, finding the citizens favorable to the plan, he at once took steps to perfect the organi- zation of a college corporation, taking upon his young shoulders the burdens which he never wholly laid down. (See Wabash Semi-Centennial.)
Our subject became the President of the corpor- ation, and so acted until President Baldwin was secured. Rev. Mr. Thomson remained in Craw- fordsville until 1843, and after that ministered to the church in Wabash, Ind., from 1847 until 1854, when he again sought the frontier, and set- tled at Mankato, Minn. At this place this zeal- ous man established the Mankato University, and became its President, continuing from 1854 until 1862. For forty-five years he was an active min- ister in the church, and always felt a fatherly in- terest in Wabash College, which through his ef- forts had been established, regarding it as a father does his child.
John Steele Thomson, second son of Rev. John and Nancy Thomson, Professor of Mathematics in Wabash College from its opening until his death, and one of the builders of the same, was born in Springfield, Hamilton County, Ohio, December 4, 1804. He was educated at Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, and pursued his theological studies privately, being ordained by the Presbyterian Church. His first charge was at Newtown, Foun- tain County, Ind., in 1829, and later at Waveland, Montgomery County, in 1831. January 1, 1834, he removed to Crawfordsville, having been elected by the Trustees to the Chair of Mathematics in Wabash College, and this chair he filled for nine years. ITis health failing, his active work was obliged to be laid aside, and he soon realized that consumption liad fastened upon him. His deatlı occurred January 3, 1843, when only in his thirty- ninth year. Knowing his calmness and composure and his consciousness of the near approach of death, as also his inquiring and philosophical cast of mind, he was requested to give his feelings on con- scious recognition of death in articulo mortis, as he was able. In due time he gave the signal with a motion of his finger, and whispered, "Like a sinking chill, a cold wave running to the heart, All is peace, no pain."
The character of our subject was noted for its beautiful simplicity, and he always exhibited a tender sympathy for all of the students, many of whom remember him with feelings of the deepest af- fection. As a Professor he was prompt, accurate and faithful, and made his pupils masters of all he taught. In appearance he was rather below than above the middle stature and slight in build. He moved like a man who had a fixed purpose and was determined to pursue it. All of his actions were quick, but composed and steady. Indeed, composure was the word to apply to the character of his public address. He was never carried away by excitement, but spoke without affectation and with no oratorical display, and his mind was cast in a logical mold.
" Shrined in the hearts of the age and youth He lives the model of the truth His faithful words impress;
'Tis all the monument he needs To emulate his noble deeds, And with him we'll be blessed."
The sixth son of the illustrious family was Alex- ander Thomson, born at Springfield, Ohio, Janu- ary 15, 1812. He took a course at Miami Univer- sity, at Oxford, but left at the close of the junior year, and came to Crawfordsville in 1835. The talents of this young man took a practical turn, and he soon became deputy to the County Clerk, James W. Lynn. After clerking for a time in a store, he began reading law, and continued it while in the Clerk's office, being admitted to practice in 1840. Until 1870 he continued in the practice of his chosen profession, having been for nearly thirty years one of the pioneer lawyers, with Ben F. Ristine as a partner.
Politics never was inviting to our subject, and his mind was given principally to an extensive pro- bate business, in which he met with as much suc- cess as his brothers in other walks. In 1864 he was elected Treasurer of Wabash College, and from 1870 his entire time was given to the de- mands of that institution. After an active ser- vice of twenty-seven years, he tendered his resig- nation in June, 1891.
The marriage of Mr. Thomson took place De- cember 31, 1840, to Miss Christie Crawford, the
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daughter of Alexander Crawford, and a sister of Henry Crawford, one of the pioneer merchants. She was born in Ohio, and her death occurred May 7, 1878. She left a family of three sons: Everett B., Henry R. (deceased) and Edwin P. The eldest son became a minister of the Gospel, and graduated from Wabash College in 1864, and from Lane Seminary in 1867. For three years from 1881 he was a minister in Crawfordsville, and now holds the position of Librarian of the College.
The next son, Henry Rossman, was born July 15, 1847, graduated in the Class of '68 at Wa- bash College, and after several years studied at Phil- adelphia, New Haven, Ann Arbor, Harvard and Berlin, fitting himself for his life work. He be- came the enthusiastic Professor of Chemistry in Wabash College, and seemingly had a career of unexampled usefulness before him, when his death occurred September 29, 1884.
The third son of this family, Rev. Edwin P., who is now located at Springfield, Ohio, was born Octo- ber 15, 1857, graduated at Wabash College in the Class of '78, and studied theology at Auburn Semi- nary, New York. Ile has preached at Plymouth, Ind., at Idaho Springs, Colo., and in Westminister Church in Denver, coming but recently to Spring- field. The father of this family is a man of re- fined tastes, and for forty years has been a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Samuel Steele Thomson, youngest son of John and Nancy (Steele) Thomson, was born at Spring- dale, Ohio, April 22, 1817, and was one of the first twelve students who entered Wabash .College. Ile graduated from there in 1839, and three years later he graduated from the theological seminary at Lane. He preached two years at Delphi, Ind., and in 1846 was elected Professor of Latin in Wa- bash College. In this position he continued until his death, a period of unbroken service of thirty- nine years. In 1865 he beeame Librarian, and filled that office until 1874, and in 1879, after the death of Prof. Mills, he again became Librarian. How well and faithfully he taught is well known to the multitudes of students who have been his fortu- nate pupils. In 1882 Marietta College conferred upon him the honorary degree of D. D. as a mark of her estimate of his attainments.
Prof. Thomson was twice married, the first wife being Elizabeth A. Williams. She died in 1854, and his second marriage was with Mary B. Allen, who survives him and resides in Crawfordsville. In the death of Prof. Thomson, Wabash College lost not only a teacher whose place can not easily be filled, but one whose influence upon youth was remarkable. In the words of one who knew and loved him, we close this too brief memoir:
"The career of Samuel Thomson was that of a good man of more than ordinary gifts, devoted to the good chiefly of young men. It is a well-rounded and symmetrical life. The benignant light of genuine goodness illumines it. He was generous without a selfish thought, and he leaves the world and those who bear his name the priceless legaey of a blameless and unsullied life."
AMES F. WREN is a resident of Whites- ville and a well-known citizen of Mont- gomery County, who is identified with its agricultural interests, owning and supervis- ing a well-appointed farm on section 35, South Union Township. He is a native of Cincinnati, born in that city September 13, 1853, and is a son of Martin and Bridget (Green) Wren, who were natives of Ireland, and were married before com- ing to this country. They came to these shores in 1842, and first located in New York, where Mr. Wren worked at his trade of making shoes. A year later they went to Cincinnati, where he opened a shoe store, and also continued to make shoes. At the expiration of four years the Wrens removed to Kalomowo, Wis., where he bought land and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, resid- ing at that point nine years. He then purchased a farm at Clifton, Ind., on which he settled and lived seven years. From there he went to Con- nersville, and engaged in the boot and shoc busi- ness until he resumed farming, locating at Green- castle, where he died in the spring of 1871. His widow survived him twenty years, dying at Indi-
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anapolis March 17, 1891. They had a family of six children, all of whom are living: Mary, a resi- dent of Indianapolis; Julia, wife of Michael Maley, of Indianapolis; Kate, a resident of Indianapolis; Sadie, the widow of Thomas MeGlan, and also a resident of Indianapolis; Thomas, a resident of Indianapolis; and James F. The father was a devout member of the Catholic Church, and his family was reared in the same faith, to which they remain true.
Our subject received an excellent education in the public schools of Cincinnati. At the age of sixteen he commenced to learn the trade of a blacksmith at Indianapolis, and worked at it there a year and a-half. At the expiration of that time he went to La Fayette, where he engaged as a black- smith one year. His next move was to St. Paul, Minn., where he remained about eighteen months. Returning then to Indianapolis, he stayed there two years, spent the following two years at West- field, and then we find him again at the Hoosier capital. In 1870 he again changed his residence, and for a while lived at Waynetown, whence he went to Crawfordsville. A year passed away ere he retraced his steps to Indianapolis, where he dwelt until the spring of 1874, when he came to Whitesville, which has been his home ever since. lIe is interested in farming and has a farm of ninety acres outside of the village, which is nnder his supervision, and its well-tilled fields and sub- stantial improvements make it a valnable property.
Mr. Wren was married in 1875 to Miss Emma Elizabeth Layman, who is a most estimable lady, presides graciously over their cheery, hospitable home, and is a true wife and devoted mother. Mrs. Wren is the daughter of Samuel Layman, a merchant of Whitesville, and also engaged in the poultry business. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wren has been blessed by the birth of three chil- dren: Edith, Edna Cecelia and James Edmund.
Our subject is well endowed mentally, possesses sound business qualifications, and has all the ele- ments of good citizenship. He is highly esteemed in his community, and has many friends through- out the county. He is a firm supporter of the policy pursued by the Democratic party, and has recently been honored by nomination for the office
of County Recorder at the Democratic County Convention. In his religious views he is a Cath- olie, and a valued member of that church. Soci- ally, he is connected with the order of Knights of Pythias.
C
OSEPH BURNS. This prominent business man of Montezuma was born March 17, 1822, in the southern part of Pickaway County, Ohio, and is the son of James and Mary (Wolf) Burns. His paternal grandfather was killed by being thrown from a horse he was rac- ing in Pennsylvania. The father of our subject was born in Mifflin County, Pa., and in his youth went to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he resided for many years. During the War of 1812 he en- listed and served as a private, but while filling that position with bravery and fidelity, he was wounded and captured by the Indians and held a prisoner for nearly a year, when he received his parole and acted as a recruiting officer during the remainder of the war.
Upon being released from captivity, James Burns returned to his Ohio home and there followed his trade of a tanner and shoemaker. In 1828 he re- moved to Parke County, Ind., where he remained until 1853, when, at the age of sixty-three, he was called hence by death. He was a stanch advocate of the principles of the Whig party, and a Henry Clay man, and, socially, was identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Ile was a Universalist in religion, and was a man of generous impulses and great kindness of heart. His first marriage was blessed by the birth of six ehildren, viz .: Sarah, Margaret, Robert, Jane, Joseph and Mary. Ilis second wife bore the maiden name of Mary Thompson, and they became the parents of four children: Sam- uel. James, Isabella and Elizabeth.
Our subject was reared on a farm and at the age of eighteen began in business for himself. Hle worked by the day or month on flatboats running
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down the Mississippi to New Orleans, and saved his earnings until he had accumulated 8500, when he settled in Montezuma. In 1849 he rented and managed a ferry-boat, which two years later he purchased and continued to operate until the bridge was built over the river, in 1892. In part- nership with Joseph Collett, in 1872 he established the Montezuma Fire-brick Company, in which he had a one-fourth interest at first, but is now the sole owner of the entire works. At the inception of the enterprise, about ten men were employed, but the number has now increased to forty, and the brick is shipped to twelve States. Mr. Burns is also the owner of six hundred acres of fertile land in Vermillion County, Ind. Socially, he has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for a period of forty years or more. In politics he was formerly an active Whig, and is now equally devoted to the Republican party.
Mr. Burns was first married to Carolina Vallan- dighan, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Hamilton) Vallandighan, and one child was born to their union: Caroline, wife of Enos Kuhn, of Lawrence, Kan. The second wife, Permelia, was a sister of the first wife. Afterward our subject married Mary. daughter of Stephen and Kate (Tuley) Millikin, a farmer and business man of Vermillion County. This union was blessed by the birth of six chil- dren: Edward Il., Joseph, Robert, Francis, Mary L., and Bell, who is the wife of Frank Stanley, a citizen of Sheridan, Ind. Mary L. is the wife of Salem llancock, a merchant in Montezuma.
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