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 52
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 52
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 52
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David Ratcliff was reared in the home in which he was born and obtained a practical education in the schools of his native township. He grew to a stalwart, active, self-reliant manhood, and when his country needed him he was ready to go forth to fight for her honor, although he had not at- tained his majority when he enlisted in Company I, Thirty-first Indiana Infantry. He was made Corporal of his company and performed the duties of his position with signal ability. He took part in the terrible battle at Chickamauga, was at his
post in all the battles in which his regiment en- gaged throughout the Atlanta campaign, and he fought in numerous other battles. He was mus- tered out of the army June 21, 1865, with an un- blemished military record and is now an honorable member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Ratcliff was married in his native township to Miss Sallie M., daughter of John Marshall, and they began their wedded life on a farm a half a mile east of Kingman, where they spent five or six years. They then resided in Vermillion County, Ill., a year. Returning at the end of that time to this county, they have since lived on a farm just outside of the village of Kingman. Here Mr. Ratcliff has devoted himself assiduously to the improvement of his place and has it in fine condition-the land, comprising one hundred and thirty acres of rich soil, under a high state of cul- tivation, and the buildings of a superior class, in- cluding a beautiful residence erected in 1886.
Mr. and Mrs. Ratcliff are intelligent, agreeable people, who have the happy tact of making their home cheerful, cosy and replete with comfort and abounding in hospitality. Their marriage has been hallowed to them by the birth of two daugh- ters: Clara E., wife of Miles Hunter, of King- man, and Flora.
Mr. Ratcliff is one of the solid men of his town- ship financially, and besides his farm owns some desirable town lots in the village of Kingman and other property. He conducts his business as a general farmer and stock raiser with much shrewd- ness and foresight and is a good financier. Re- ligionsly he is identified with the Baptist Church as a consistent and active member. Socially he belongs to the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Associa- tion, and is Chaplain of the order. Politically he stands with the People's party.
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SAAC DWIGGINS is a native born son of Montgomery County who is now numbered among the prosperous tillers of its soil, having a well-cultivated farm on Section 18, Wayne Township. He was born in Alamo in 1849 and is a son of Levin and Mary (Stover) Dwiggins. His
Andrew Look Andre
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mother, who died at his home in 1888 at the ven- erable age of eighty-four years, was a daughter of Samuel Stover.
The father of our subject was born in North Caro- lina in 1807 and was descended from an old fam- ily of that state. He was a son of John Dwiggins, who was also born in North Carolina and was of mingled English and Dutch blood on his father's side, while his mother was a Swiss. When the father of our subject was a boy the family came to this state and settled among its pioneers. In early manhood he bought a tract of land in Union Township, which he afterward sold at an advance and purchased other land near Alamo. In 1852 or '53 he removed to Iowa, but he resided there only a short time before he returned to this county and settled permanently at Waynetown. To him and his wife were born a numerous family of chil- dren, of whom the following is recorded: James, a soldier in the Eleventh Kansas Cavalry and now a farmer of Hillsboro, was born at Crawfordsville in 1833 and married Emma Henry; Lucinda was born at Crawfordsville in 1835 and is now the wife of John Gass, a resident of Danville, who is inter- ested in the stock yards at Chicago; Sarah was born near Alamo in 1837 and is the wife of Joseph M. Harvey, who resides near Waynetown; Eliza was born in 1839 in Ripley Township and was married to Johnson Henderson, who died after about eighteen months of wedded life; John C. was born near Alamo in 1837, was married to Su- sanna Fouts, and they reside at Rossville, Ill .; Samuel was born at Alamo in 1840, was a volun- teer in the service during the war, enlisting in the Ninth Indiana, under Captain Thompson, and was killed while coming down the Tennessee river on a boat in 1865; Isaac was the next in order of birth; Mary was born in 1844 and died in 1847; Martha was born near Alamo in 1846 and is the wife of Isaac Born, who resides near Rossville, Ill. ; Lyda M. was born near Alamo in 1848 and was married to Isaac Hardsock, who resides near Waynetown.
The subject of this brief life-record had an ex- cellent training in farm work when a boy and started ont for himself under auspicious circum- stances, with one hundred and fifty-one acres of 22
well improved land, to which he has since added forty-nine acres. The admirably tilled fields of his farm yield him abundant crops and his pastures support a good grade of cattle and horses, as he gives much attention to raising graded stock. A good set of buildings are on the place and a fine apple orchard adds to its attractiveness as well as to its value.
Our subject has a true helpmate in his wife, to whom he was married at Danville, Ill., and who is a native of that state, born in Vermillion County in 1840 and a daughter of David Cossirt. Her wedded life with our subject has brought them four children, namely: Wilber C., who was born in this township in 1866 and died from the effects of scarlet fever in 1875; Irwin, who was born on the old homestead in 1873 and was graduated from the Graded School at Waynetown in 1891; Alva P., who was born in 1875 and is now a student in the Graded School at Waynetown, and Eleven, who was born in 1879, is also at school.
Mr. and Mrs. Dwiggins are people who have the respect and regard of the entire community and the Christian Church finds in them valuable and faithful working members, who contribute to the success of the Sunday school and every depart- ment of the church, whose interests they have very much at heart. Politically, he is a true Repub- lican.
A NDREW LOOP, a retired farmer of ample means, occupies a pleasant home at Mace, where he has valnable property, and is still identified with the agricultural interests of Montgomery County as the owner of a large farm iu Walunt Township. A native of Angusta County, Va., Mr. Loop was born March 24, 1816. He is of German descent, his paternal grandfather, Christian Loop, having been born in Germany.
Christian Loop, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in Rockingham County, Va., November 17, 1788. In early manhood he removed to Augusta County, where he married Eva, daughter of Christian Airhart. He continued his residence in that county, giving his attention to farming,
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until 1834, when he came to Indiana, and cast in his lot with the pioneers of Boone County, where he bought land, and also entered some from the Government. His first purchase comprised a quarter section, for which he paid $1,000. About fifteen acres of it was cleared, and he devoted him- self to the further improvement of his property during the twenty years that he resided upon it. In the meantime he added to his landed estate un- til he possessed a half section at the time of his death. In the latter part of his life he removed to Beckville, and lived retired until his death, November 20, 1879, at the advanced age of ninety- one years and three days. Mrs. Loop was born April 7, 1779, and died in 1867. Mr. Loop was a member of the Lutheran Church and always led a consistent Christian life. Politically he was a Democrat.
Mr. and Mrs. Loop had eight children, all of whom grew to maturity. John is a farmer in Texas; Sallie, who resides in Iowa, is the widow of John Bowman; Andrew is the subject of this sketch; David, deceased, was a farmer of this county; Elizabeth married William Bowman and is now dead; Catherine married John Airhart of Boone County; Rebecca, deceased, was the wife of John Simmons of Missouri; Polly married Jacob Fall and lives with our subject.
Andrew Loop was eighteen years old when he came to Indiana with his father, with whom he re- mained until he was twenty-two, affording him valuable assistance in clearing and cultivating his farm. After he was married he first located in Walnut Township, on a quarter section of land that he purchased of his father, and carried on the business of farming and stock-raising. His land was partly cleared when it came into his possession, and he actively set to work to fell the remainder of the standing timber and to place the soil under cultivation. The fine condition in which we find it to day indicates the perseverance and industry with which he has labored, for it is now one of the best appointed farms in this section of the country, all the improvements being the work of his own hand. He has dealt extensively in real estate, increasing the size of his farm to four hundred and fifty seven acres, all in Walnut
Township, and at one time he owned one thou- sand acres of realty in Iowa.
Mr. Loop's first marriage, which occurred De- cember 27, 1837, was with Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Airhart, of Augusta County, Va. She died, leaving one daughter, Mary Jane, now the wife of James G. Johnson, of Mace. Mr. Loop's second wife was Harriet, daughter of Will- iam Farlow, a farmer of Boone County. She was the mother of two children: Harriet E., the wife of Adam Gasgell, a farmer of Kansas, and Amanda C., wife of William Chambers of Walnut Town- ship. Mr. Loop took for his third wife Mrs. Lydia Lockridge, widow of James Lockridge and daughter of James W. Wheat, who came from England. There are three children born to the third marriage: William C., a resident of Walnut Township, who married Eupema J., daughter of Christopher Dice; Virginia A., wife of William A. Stafford, a farmer of Union Township, and Lydia L., wife of Charles M. Broughton, of Union Township.
Mr. Loop was a pioneer of Montgomery County, and relates many interesting incidents which occurred in the early years of its settle- ment. When the family came to Indiana they had to transport their household goods through the wilderness with horses and wagons, and were four weeks making the trip. The Airharts came with them, and five of the girls walked all the way. At that time Crawfordsville was only a hamlet, and the nearest mill was on the Cox river, ten miles distant. Many of the farmers took their wheat to Chicago to market. The pioneers here lived in log houses, wore clothes made of flax and wool, raised on their farms, and woven, cut and made by the wives and daughters, and their food was of home production, varied by game from the forests.
Mr. Loop's ability and solid worth have received due recognition from his fellow-citizens, who have called him to various responsible offices. He was a member of the County Board of Supervisors two years, was Justice of the Peace eight years, and Notary Public twelve years. He was also elected Constable, but declined to serve. He has acted as administrator of eight different estates,
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which fact proves that the integrity and conscien- tiousness of his life in the community have led the people to accord him entire respect and confidence. He belongs to the Horse Thief Detective Associa- tion, and was its Treasurer a number of years. Politically he leans toward the Democracy, and al- ways votes that ticket in presidential elections. Religiously our subject is a Presbyterian, and is an Elder in Union Church, two miles east of Mace, while his wife has identified herself with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their children had good home training and are all church members, but do not all belong to the same church.
M AJ. JOHN J. SAFELY. It is a pleasure to chronicle the history of a man whose life retained the beautiful simplicity of its purpose and aim while embellished by the amenities, the culture and advantages which wealth permits one to enjoy. Such a man was Mr. Safely, who was born at Waterford, Saratoga County, N. Y., in 1837, a son of Thomas and Henrietta Safely. He was educated in Saratoga County, N. Y., and Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and graduated from that insti- tution in 1857, after which he commenced the study of law in the office of Judge William Green of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While in the pursuit of his legal studies the flag of his country became en- dangered and he responded to President Lincoln's call and enlisted in the Thirteenth Iowa Regiment in which, for his faithful performance of every dnty, for his courage and ability, he was made Captain of Company C, of the Thirteenth Iowa Regiment. He served in this capacity, rising con- stantly in the esteem of his superior officers. He was the Provost-Marshal on the staff of the Third Brigade, Fourth Division, Seventeenth Corps, in and around Atlanta, and did some of the most gal- laut and daring acts that were done on any battle- field.
Step by step he climbed the ladder of military honors until at the close of the war, in 1865, he bore the respected and well merited title of Major. One of the most striking tributes which was paid to the memory of the dead warrior was an obituary
which appeared in a New York paper as follows: " We knew Maj. Safely well as a man and sol- dier. As a mau he was kind, generous, considerate and courteous to rich and poor alike, and as a sol- dier he was bold and daring to the extreme, per- forming his duties with that fearless, unabating zeal which inspired the most timid of his followers with bravery." The Major was in the battle where the brave McPherson fell on the memorable 22d of July. Upon one occasion, while in the midst of a severe fight, he realized that his regiment was short of ammunition, and he at once rode forth into the field to meet the ammunition wagon of the Twelfth Iowa Regiment, which at that time was disengaged. He endeavored to persuade the driver of the wagon to supply his regiment with ammu- nition, but on account of not being under the im- mediate command of the Major and having more regard for discipline than for the immediate wants of the army, the stubborn driver refused to comply with the Major's request, whereupon the latter, who had victory in view instead of discipline, seized the driver by the collar, threw him to the ground and hastily mounting the wagon, drove it into the ranks of the regiment where, amid shot and shell, he coolly carried to and fro the ammunition with which to supply his regiment.
One of the most romantic incidents which oc- curred in the life of the Major was the meeting with Miss Mary F. McEwen, who afterward became his wife. He, at that time, had charge of the hos- pital at Camp MeClelland, Davenport, Iowa, and the scarcity of professional nurses necessitated the employment of the unskilled, yet willing, hands of the ladies of that community, and among the first to volunteer in this work of patriotism and mercy was the present Mrs. Safely, who, while in the performance of her duties about the hospital, formed the acquaintance of the Major, which after- ward ripened into an affection which, at the close of the war, led to the union which ever afterward blessed their lives. Maj. Safely started in life a poor boy, but with the spirit of daring and perse- verance which so characterized his war record, he in after years conducted his business. He became interested in mining prospects in Colorado, some of which yielded him vast returns. One of these was
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the Bassick mine, which he sold after it had been partially worked for the magnificent sum of $1,500,000.
After many ventures in mining industries and other active business, the Major became deter- mined to construct for himself a home of beauty and comfort, in which he and his worthy wife might pass their declining years, surrounded by the many friends which their social intercourse and wide experience had gained, and for this purpose he purchased the tract of land which is located near the well known Lodi Artesian Well, the waters of which is many have drunk with great advantage to their health. Upon this piece of property and in an attractive natural park he erected a beautiful and perfectly equipped house, the interior of which is finished with elegant and tasteful designs in foreign and domestic woods, and which cost the sum of $50,000. Almost before its completion, and while preparations were being made for the giving of an entertainment befitting the opening of this magnificent home, its threshold was erossed by the grim messenger, death. Sur. rounded by his family and loving and sympathiz- ing friends, the Major fought his last battle, and on September 1, 1891, he quietly passed to his re- ward.
Socially he was a Mason, in which fraternity he had risen to the rank of Knight Templar. He was also enrolled in the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a Republican who took more than an aver- age interest in his party, and wielded a wide- spread interest in the political affairs of his section, although he was in no sense of the word an office- seeker, preferring a strict attention to the business affairs of life rather than the strife and turmoil of the political arena. His antecedents can be traced back to some of the most worthy families of En- rope, although time and space will not admit of our noting step by step the genealogy of this fam- ily. Nevertheless, the memory of the kind and faithful husband, the trusty and loyal friend, and the benevolent and agreeable man of affairs will ever remain verdant in the minds of those with whom he was associated. While he met with a more than average degree of success in business, he ever retained a warm spot in his heart for those
who found life's battle hard, and a helping hand was ever extended to the less fortunate of his fel- low-creatures.
A MARIAH ELWELL is one of the wealthy farmers of Fountain County and a repre- sentative of one of its early pioneer fami- lies, and he has a large and well-equipped farm on Section 12, Mill Creek Township, a part of which was purchased directly from the Govern- ment by his father. Mr. Elwell is a native of In- diana and has passed the most of his life in this part of the state, though the first eight years after his birth, which occurred January 16, 1822, were spent in Union County, where he was born.
Our subject's father was John Elwell, who was a son of Amariah Elwell, who came to America from England and settled in New Jersey in colo- nial times. He was one of the heroes of the Rev- olution, acting principally as a scout, for which ardnous and dangerous position he was well fitted. When at home his work was that of a weaver. He migrated from New Jersey to Butler County, Ohio, and thence to Union County, this state, where he died. He was the father of two children, John and David, the latter of whom died before he at- tained his majority.
John Elwell was born in Salem County, N. J. He accompanied his father in his migration from New Jersey to Ohio. The family lived for a short time at Cincinnati, whither they had journeyed by boat, and then went to Butler County. Mr. El- well was there married to Annie Deneen, a dangh- ter of James Deneen. He engaged in farming in Butler County for a short time thereafter, and then, in the year 1818, traveled through the wil- derness with his wife to settle in the forests of Union County, this state. He built a cabin on land that he entered from the Government, and lived there until 1830. In that year he came to Fountain County, and again located in the woods, selecting as the site of his future home a quarter section of land now owned and occupied by our subject in Township 18. He afterwards added to his original purchase and became the proprietor of
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six hundred and thirty acres of valuable land. His land was in a wild condition, covered with trees of the primeval forest, and his first work was to cut away the timber to make room for a cabin. The surrounding country was sparsely settled, and his nearest neighbor lived a mile and three- fourths distant. There were deer here in great abundance, and bears, wild hogs, wild turkeys, and large gray wolves.
Mr. Elwell was a hard-working, shrewd and thrifty farmer, who did well at his calling. In after years he left the farm that he had improved here, and took up his residence at Yeddo, where he owned property. He eventually sold his place there, and his remaining days were passed in Ver- million County, Ill., where he died in 1856. His wife departed this life two years later. During the War of 1812 Mr. Elwell joined in a campaign against the Indians. He was originally a Demo- crat in politics, but when the Republican party was organized he became one of its followers. Religiously, he was a member of the United Brethren Church, and was active in its every good work. Mr. Elwell had six sons and six daughters; eleven of his children grew to matu- rity, and five are still living, namely: Amariah; Elijah, a resident of Fulton Township; John, a resident of Corning, Adair County, Iowa; Alexan- der, a farmer of Vermillion County, Ind .; and Hiram, a minister of the United Brethren Church in the State of Washington. Those that are dead are: James; Elizabeth, who married Hiram Nor- ris; Lucinda, who was the wife of Christopher Keller; Charlotte, who died in infancy; Margaret, who was the wife of Richard Sines; and Abigail Ann, who was the wife of John Sines.
The subject of this sketch was reared amid the primitive surroundings of pioneer life. There were at first no schools here, but the old log cabin that was the original home of the family was prepared for a school-house, and John May- hew, a neighbor, was secured as teacher. Our subject attended school in that humble building for three years, and obtained the rudiments of an education, receiving instruction in arithmetic as far as the "rule of three." He worked with his
father until he was twenty-two years old, and then went out as a farm hand, hiring out for six months at eight dollars a month. He continued thus employed, however, at the same wages until he was twenty-five years old. He then took unto himself a wife, marrying Caroline Sines, a dangh- ter of Joseph Sines, who was one of the early set- tlers of the county. After marriage Mr. Elwell bought one hundred and sixty-five acres of his father, and still makes his home upon that tract of land. He has increased the acreage of his farm and now has four hundred and twenty acres of land that is in a fine condition as to cultivation and improvements, and is under the able manage- ment of his son Grant, who is a general farmer and stock-raiser.
Mr. Elwell's first wife departed this life, leaving a numerous family to mourn her loss. Mr. Elwell married for his second wife Mrs. Forence E. Bornebreak, a daughter of William Yount, of this county. Our subject is the father of ten children, the youngest the fruit of his second marriage. His children, John and Amanda, died in their youth. The remaining children are Melissa, wife of An- drew Marshall, a lawyer at Veedersburg; Mary Ann, who is the wife of Henry Marshall, a farmer of Butler County, Kans. ; Sylvester, County Audi- tor, who is represented elsewhere in this volume; Jane, wife of Berne Adams, of Montgomery Coun- ty, Kans .; Melinda, a resident of Mill Creek Township, and widow of Archidemus McCormick ; Julia, wife of Daniel Valentine, of Yeddo; Grant, who married Estelle Walton, and resides on his father's farm, and Maud L., who is at home with her parents.
Mr. Elwell is a man of upright habits and sound principles, who has acquired his property by strict attention to business, seconded by sound judgment in his dealings. He is a member in high standing of the United Brethren Church, of which he is trustee. In his political senti- ments he is a Republican, and has been true to his party ever since its formation. He was elected Justice of the Peace one time, but as he did not aspire to office, he failed to qualify for the position.
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B ENJAMIN LEWIS ORNBAUN, one of the pioneer business men of Crawfords- ville and one in whom her citizens may well pride themselves, was born in Rock- bridge County, Va., September 13, 1829. His parents were Andrew and Mary (Shipley) Orn- baun, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Tennessee. They were married in Virginia.
When Benjamin was six years old, or in the year 1835, they came to Montgomery County and to Crawfordsville, where they lived until the father's death, October 9, 1857. The mother died in October, 1879. Mr. Ornbaun, senior, Was a teamster and farmer. Benjamin was the second of nine children, of whom the following are now living: Elizabeth, Mrs. Jacob Campbell of Madi- son Township; Delilia, Mrs. William Van Slack of Crawfordsville; John Shipley Ornbaun, whose home is near Yorkville, Cal., and Andrew Orn- bann, who also resides near Yorkville; Henry New- ton, who was a member of the Seventy-ninth Iudiana Regiment, was killed at Missionary Ridge at the age of thirty; William died in 1888 in Cali- fornia. Two sisters died, one in childhood, the other at sixteen. All the family passed their early years in Crawfordsville.
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