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 70
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 70
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 70
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Upon arriving in this country, Nicholas Newlin
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settled in Concord, Pa., where as early as 1687 the meetings of the Friends were held in his house. In 1683 a warrant for ten thousand acres of land was granted to him by William Penn, which is now Newland Township, and during the same year he was appointed Justice of the Peace. Nothing further is known concerning his life history. The great-grandfather of our subject, John Newlin, settled in North Carolina, where he married Mary Pyle and reared several children to manhood and womanhood. In that State, after a long and use- ful life, he closed his eyes to the scenes of earth.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Na- thaniel Newlin, was born in North Carolina May 11, 1768, and on the 13th of August, 1794, he married Miss Catherine Hadley, whose birth oc- curred on May 1, 1772. Ten children blessed the union, and they were named as follows: John, Joseph, Mary (Mrs. Enoch Morrison), Jacob, Han- nah (Mrs. James Siler), Duncan, Eleanor (Mrs. Exum Morris), James, Ruth (Mrs. William M. Woodard), and Eli. All are deceased with the exception of Eli, who was born in 1815 and now resides in Bloomingdale, Parke County, Ind. The occupation of Nathaniel Newlin in early life was that of a farmer, but in later years he followed the trade of a harness-maker.
In 1826 Grandfather Newlin removed to Parke County, Ind., where for one winter he made his home near Rockville, but afterward entered land where the depot now stands, and his son Eli has lived there ever since that time. lle was an active worker in the Society of Friends, and for fifty years was the acknowledged leader of the Quakers in his community. The original name of the meet- ing place was Elevalis, which by his request was changed to Bloomfield, and later was transferred to Bloomingdale. Ilis politieal affiliations in youth were with the Whigs and later were with the Re- publican party.
The father of our subject bore the name of Jacob Newlin and was born in North Carolina, February 27, 1801. After his marriage he came to Indiana and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Parke County, where he remained until death closed his career, February 17, 1845. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah
Woody, reared a family of seven children, namely: Sina, who married Andrew Tomlinson and is now deceased; Levi; Exum, of this sketch; Ira; Ma- tilda, now Mrs. Joseph Boyd; Emily, who died at the age of thirty years, and John. The journey from North Carolina to Indiana was made in wagons and consumed seven weeks. The first home of the family was a house constructed of round logs, having a puncheon floor and a stick chimney. The father built the first barn in the connty, which for years was used by his neighbors for storing their grain. He improved about one- half the acreage of the farm, and there made his home as long as he lived. Like his father, he was a member of the Society of Friends, and in his political views was a Republican.
The maternal grandparents of our subject were John and Mary (Holiday) Woody, of whom fur- ther mention is made in the biography of W. C. Woody, published elsewhere in this volume. The mother of our subject was born in Orange County, N. C., in 1807, and makes her home in Rockville with her daughter, Matilda Boyd. Exum Newlin remained with his parents until the age of twenty- three, when he married Miss Ann, daughter of Jolin and Elizabeth (Davis) Piekett. She is a native of Penn Township and is one of four chil- dren, having had a twin sister who now is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Newlin are the parents of five chil- dren, viz .: Alonzo; Mary E., wife of John W. Allee; Sarah; Alice, Mrs. Robert N. Naris; and Jolın P. After his marriage, Mr. Newlin came into possession of eighty acres by his wife, and upon this property, which is located northwest of Annapolis, he made his home for thirteen years. There his wife died.
The second marriage of Mr. Newlin united him with Elizabeth Kersey, who was born in Parke County, Ind., and is the daughter of Stephen and Jemimah Kersey, natives of North Carolina. The ceremony which united Mr. and Mrs. Newlin in wedlock occurred in 1864, and one child was born unto them, a daughter, who died in childhood. In his political connections Mr. Newlin is a Repub- lican and has served as Justice of the Peace since 1888. Ile and his wife are Quakers, and he is cor- respondent of the monthly meeting.
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Poem.
BY EXUM NEWLIN.
In the Eastern Hemisphere. The place our ancient fathers were, They were from the town of Cork, you see, Their names at first were Newlandees.
Seven hundred years have come and gone Since our first ancestry was born, But how their name did first originate Is more than I am able now to state.
A person who had a very strong mind Concluded he would a better country find. So having this country in view Sailed in the year 1682.
Nicholas was the first one we see Who ever came across the sea, And when he landed on our shore Came by the way of Baltimore.
And then to the West he was bound Until William Penn he found. Penn, wishing to keep him in his band, Gave him 10,000 acres of land.
His nephew John, who was young and stout, Concluded he would emigrate to the South. After reaching there and putting on style, Married a lady by the name of Mary Pyle.
Nathaniel, who was their youngest child, Always wore on his face a pleasant smile. Believing it would all be right Took unto himself a loving wife.
Catharine Hadley was the woman he wed, Unto her he was faithful until she was dead. Ten children unto them were born, And they mostly lived on farms.
John was the first son we see Who had a large family. HIe working at the carpenter trade And always keeping his debts paid.
Ruth Woody was his faithful wife, A faithful partner on through life, But in the year of forty-one He died and left her with his sons.
Joseph was the second son, But to Indiana he never come, Believing it was not best to roam Was nearly always found at his home,
He living in North Carolina Ilad a daughter named Delphina, His family being very large Ile necessarily had to work hard.
Mary next after the two sons Married one Enoch Morrison, Five children unto them were given; Two of them have entered the pearly gates of Heaven.
Mary being left early a widow Had several things to consider, But as the seasons come and go Her children all have good families you know.
Jacob was of medium size But died in the year of forty-five. Sarah Woody became his wife All along the journey of his life.
He being faithful and kind, Left seven children behind. Ira, the middle one, yet not least of all, Has many a time for sinners called
To come and give up their wicked thoughts That their souls might not be lost, To repent of their many sins And to be ready to enter in.
Hannah, as the book hast told, Was the next that entered the fold. James Siler unto Hannah said "If thee is willing we'll be wed."
And as the records plainly show They were married sixty-five years ago. Elwood being the only child left Is preaching Christ and righteousness.
Duncan was not a scripture name, But he was a tanner all the same. Duncan being of a strong mind, Married Elenor Lindley in twenty-nine.
Five children unto them were given, And three of them are now living; Two have passed to the other shore And we see their faces here no more.
Elenor, some larger than the rest, Always wore a very neat dress. Her husband, Exum Morris, of renown, Lived and died in Plainfield town.
Four of their children have been called away, Their bodies lie beneath the clay; The rest are scattered far and wide, We hope that they are satisfied.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
James, being a seripture name, Made boots and shoes all the same. Dinah Morrison being of short life, Mary Woody became his second wife.
Four of their children have ceased to be, Their spirits have gone to eternity; The other four are left behind, Doing their best to help mankind.
Ruth, who in the Bible we read Gathered up the golden seed, William Woodard, who owned some land, Ruth chose him to be her husband.
Their children four are an unbroken band, Widely separated in this land, And if they should never all meet on earth They surely all have had new births.
As I've been summing up the past I've come to Uncle Eli at last, And hope to make a friendly call By saying he outlived them all.
Asenatlı Reynolds was his first wife, Making Quaker coats along through life, But in the year of seventy-nine Left this world and all behind.
Lucinda Connelly next we see Was added to his family, She being his second wife Is cheering him up in declining life.
And may it ever be his lot To live on that saered spot, His father having entered it, Friends many times with him have sit.
Nathaniel's generation as it now stands Is scattered over this fair land, Numbering about twenty-five score, About one third have left this shore.
Some of his great-grandchildren to college have went,
Some to Legislature have been sent, Some have set on the judge's bench But none have ever to prison been sent.
No lawyer in the family has been found, Plenty of mechanies often make their ham- mers to sound,
Plenty of school teachers in their prime Teaching the children and helping mankind.
Now as my poem does not rhyme You ean have a copy for a dime, And as I am nearing sixty-two I'll bid you all a friendly adieu.
AMES BALL, who resides on section 31, Wayne Township, is the son of a pioneer of Montgomery County, and is numbered among the farmers and stoekmen of the present day who are so ably sustaining and ex- tending the work so well begun by their fathers in making this a well-developed agricultural eenter. Our subject is a native of Butler Connty, Ohio, and was born March 2, 1817. His father, whose given name was Dennis, was born in Pennsylvania in 1776. He was a volunteer in the War of 1812, and had a brother, Henry, who served in the same war. 'The latter was taken prisoner and held by the Indians twelve years. Ile adopted their eus- toms and habits, and finally married the old chief's daughter.
The father of our subject eame to Montgomery County in 1826, in the early years of its settle- ment, being thirteen days on the way from Butler County. He was one of the first settlers of Wayne Township, where he bought of the Government five eighty-acre tracts of land. His first work after the land came into his possession was to cut down trees with wbich to build a log cabin to shelter his family. He proved himself a useful addition to the pioneer workers of the county, and his death in 1839 was considered a loss to the community. The following is recorded of the children reared by himself and wife: Martha, born July 22, 1808, married David Rusk, and died Oc- tober 29, 1846; Johanna, born December 28, 1809, married John Rusk, and died September 1, 1864; Abigail, born October 28, 1811, married Edwin Quiek, and died October 6, 1846; Natha was born January 30, 1813, and married a Mrs. Moore, who died May 4, 1852; Isaiah, who was born April 10, 1815, died July 10, 1839; James was born in 1817;
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Nancy, who was born December 13, 1818, married A. D. Fields; Salome, who was born April 22, 1821, married A. Heath; and Sarah, who was born Sep- tember 14, 1822, married Jack Millen, and died May 18, 1883.
When our subject started out in life he received some assistance from his mother. Ile first settled on the old homestead after his marriage in 1840, and he and his bride spent the first three years of their wedded life in a humble log cabin. But lit- tle of the land had been improved and it was cov- ered with timber, except what had been cleared by his father. Mr. Ball has now one hundred and fifty acres of fine land in all, and one hundred acres of it are under the best tillage. He devotes it to grain-raising and to raising blooded stock, of which he has some fine specimens. Ilis build- ings are of a good class, and evidences of thrift and wise management are seen on every hand.
Mr. Ball was married in this township February 11, 1840, to Miss Kittie, daughter of N. and Jerusha Hnff. Of their large family, Isaiah, who was born in the year 1840, married Mary Chambers, and is now engaged in farming in Marion County, Iowa; Druzilla, who was born in 1841, died in in- fancy; Nathaniel, who was born in 1842, married Saralı Snyder, and is a carpenter in Iowa; Dennis, who was born in 1844, married Minnie Raleigh, and is a carpenter at Manitou Springs, Colo .; Rob- ert is a carpenter at Mitchellville, Iowa, who was born December 22, 1845, and married Mary Good- all; Albert, who was born in 1848, died in in- fancy; Benjamin, who was born in 1849, married Elmeda Schenk, and resides on his father's farm; G. W., who was born in 1851, married Lottie Heath, and is a lawyer by profession; Marguerite, who was born October 8, 1853, lives with her par- ents; and Jerusha, who was born October 1, 1857, died January 28, 1876. The Ball family was rep- resented in the late war by the eldest son, Isaiali, who was a volunteer in the Fifth Indiana Cavalry under Capt. Johnson, and served nobly for three years.
Throughout his career our subject has main- tained a high reputation as a man of signal prob- ity, who is eminently worthy of the trust imposed in him by his fellow-citizens, who have several
times called upon him to represent Wayne Town- ship on the County Board of Supervisors. He has discharged his official duties punctually, with great capability, and with an eye single to the public good. An active worker in politics, Mr. Ball is a very serviceable member of the Democratic party. Since the above was written our subject has sold the most of his landed estate and has retired on one corner of the old farm. He is the possessor of one of the old long-string clocks, which his father bought in 1828. It is still running and keeps good time.
AMES STUCKER was one of the promi- nent and well-to-do agriculturists of Troy Township, Fountain County, and was quite as conspicuous for his unostentatious and quiet manners, as for his intelligence and ability and the praiseworthy manner in which he con- ducted his business affairs. Ile was born in the State of Kentucky in 1825, and came to Indiana when he was eleven years of age. Ilis father, Valentine Stucker, as well as his mother, was born in Seott County, Ky. Upon starting out in life for himself, James Stucker settled on the farm on which his widow is now residing, which at that time consisted of eighty aeres, and as he accumu- lated means he continued to make additional pur- chases until he became the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which is well im- proved and in an admirable state of cultivation. He built him a handsome modern residence of nine rooms in 1870, which cost him about $3,000, the timbers used in its construction being cut on his own place. He was a man who always grasped at opportunities for bettering his condition, but it was never at the expense of others. He was care- ful in his expenditures, prudently looking forward to a rainy day, for he had to labor hard to ac- cumulate what he had and knew the value of every dollar. It was always his ambition to have everything comfortable for his family, and as the
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most of his undertakings prospered, he settled down to the enjoyment of his well-carned rest. lle received the advantages that are offered in the common schools, and being a boy of intelligence his opportunities in this respect were improved.
In 1845 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Martha Blue, whose father and mother were residents of Virginia, her birth having occurred in Butler County, Ohio, in 1826. She came to Fountain County, Ind., with her parents when she was ten years of age, and they settled on the road to Covington, where her father purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, on which he re- sided until 1859, when he and his family took up their residence in Covington. Of their family of children, Ezekiel was born in Ohio in 1828, and died when fourteen years of age. Nettie was born in Ohio in 1830, was married to a Mr. Brown, a bridge-builder, by whom she became the mother of three children, and is now deceased. Richard was born in Fountain County, Ind., in 1832, became a bridge-builder by occupation, and resided above At- tica. IIe was married and at his death, in 1889, left three children. Ellen was born in this county in 1834, and married Edward Mosher, a farmer, by whom she has two children. Rachel was born in 1812, married a Mr. Hartman, by whom she has five children, and is a resident of Fountain County. John was born in this county, was married to a Miss Murray, by whom he is the father of two children, and is following the occupation of farming. The subject of this sketch had a brother and sister, the former of whom, J. Samuel, was born in 1829, and is deceased. The latter, Anna Liza, was born in 1827.
John Stucker, another brother, came to Foun- tain County in 1845, and was married to Miss Ella Morris, and they now reside on a fine and well- improved farm of four hundred acres in Fountain County. He and his wife are the parents of the following children: Mary, who was born in the year 1848, and was married to Sam Bilsland, a farmer of this county, by whom she has four children; and Thomas, who was born in the year 1862, was married to Miss Inez Nabons, by whom he has three children, and who resides on the old homestead. James Stucker was always a very
strong Republican and was active in the political affairs of his section, although he was never an aspirant for office. His death occurred when just in the prime and vigor of manhood, in 1888, of typhoid fever, and in him the county lost a valu- able and public-spirited citizen, his loss to his im- mediate family as well as his numerous friends be- ing untold. He was a kind and loving father, a devoted husband, and there were few men in the county who were more respected or looked up to than was he. His widow has been a member of the Christian Church since thirteen years of age and is very active in religious work.
LIVER A. HITCH, who is a general mer- chant at Steam Corners, and also deals ex- tensively in live-stock, is one of the most wide-awake and popular business men of Foun- tain County, besides being a well-known figure in its political circles and in its public and social life. Ile is a native of Indiana, born in Gibson County, April 13, 1857, and is a son of the late Zachariah Hitel, who was born in Sussex County, Del., in 1819, and was of English parentage. Zacha- riah Hitch's early years were passed in the county of his nativity, and in his youth he learned how to do all kinds of farm work. In 1842 he mi- grated to this State from his old home, and bought a farm in Gibson County. Ile was there married to Mary A., daughter of Archibald Spain, who was a prominent farmer and early settler of that county. Mr. Hitch devoted himself to the im- provement of his farm, and at the time of his death, which occurred March 6, 1888, he had a farm of one hundred and seventy-two and one-half acres of land, which he had literally hewed from the primeval forests that abounded in that region when he settled there, and he left behind him a worthy record as a valuable pioncer, as a most ex- cellent eitizen, and as a true Christian and zeal- ous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of his nine children, these five are still living:
Edward Hutton
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Thomas A., James M., Oliver A., Harrison C. and Austin. Thomas, James and Harrison reside on the old homestead in Gibson County, while Aus- tin is engaged in the profession of teaching in this county.
Oliver Hitch passed his boyhood on his father's farm and was principally educated at Patoka. After leaving school he worked in that town as clerk in a general and agricultural implement store, and the knowledge of trade thus acquired was useful to him when he went into business for himself. When he first came to this county he engaged in the wood business until June, 1888, when he bought the store at Steam Corners of Mr. Wallace that he now manages. This is the only store in the place and has an extensive patronage, not only from the villagers, but from outsiders far and near. It is a good-sized establishment. Mr. Hitch does not confine his talent for business entirely to the management of his store by any means, but is extensively engaged in dealing in live stock, and he also represents the Crawfords- ville Live Stock Insurance Company in this sec- tion of the county. His wife is Postmistress at Steam Corners, and as an intelligent and obliging official is giving perfect satisfaction to all con- cerned.
Mr. and Mrs. Hitch were united in marriage August 24, 1883, and theirs is one of the cosiest and most hospitable homes in the village, presided over with true grace by its mistress, who finds time aside from outside duties to set the house- hold machinery running smoothly. Iler union with our subject has been blessed with a daughter, Della, who is seven years old, and a son, Oliphant, one year old. Mrs. Hitch, whose maiden name was Nannie J. Pevler, is a daughter of Leonard C. Pevler, a well-known resident of this county and one of its pioneers. Ile is the father of four sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. The sons, all of whom reside in this county, are Bloomer, Lemuel, George M. and Christian. The daughters are Kate, wife of David T. Oliver, who is in business at Yeddo; Belle, wife of Abner Henry, of Bloomington; Lizzie, wife of B. F. Myers, a farmer of this county; and Mrs. Hitch.
Our subject is an intelligent and public-spirited
citizen, who has the interests of the community at heart, and his name is associated with its prog- ress. In politics he is a Republican, and his relig- ious faith is that of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a member, as is his wife also. Socially, his relations are with the Masons, and he is actively identified with the work of the fraternity as a member of Lodge No. 314, at Kingman. He holds the office of Trustee of his township, and he uses his influence to help forward any enterprise that will in any way prove of benefit to his fellow- citizens.
E DWARD HUTTON, another one of the representatives of Washington Township, Parke County, whose life of toil in agri- cultural pursuits of past years has brought him ample rewards and a life of ease, is now a resident of Marshall. He is the son of Edward and Ellen (Heighter) Hutton, born in Virginia, August 17, 1804. His father was the son of John Hutton, a native of Pennsylvania, who after his marriage came to Virginia, where he followed the occupa- tion of farming all his life. Edward Hutton was born in Virginia, remaining on the farm with his parents until his union with Ellen, a daughter of Abraham Heighter. To himself and wife were born six children, whom they named John, Abraham, William, Edward, Mary A. and Franeis. The fa- ther of our subject was a member of the Presbyte- rian Church, in which he was a zealous worker. Politically, he cast his ballot with the Whig party.
The original of this sketch was married at the youthful age of nineteen years to Miss Nancy Smith, and after one year of wedded bliss he was thrown on his own resources. He became the fa- ther of the following children: Hugh S., William H., James E., Samuel P. and Mary J., who is the wife of William Wetherford. After the decease of his wife, he was married to Mrs. Sophia Fergi- son, daughter of Frederick and Sarah (Prage) Holland. Mrs, Hutton is a native of Tennessee,
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having been born in 1822. She and her husband are consistent members of the Baptist Church, of which they have been members since their arrival in Parke County, in 1831, Mr. Hutton acting as Deacon of that church for nine years. Politically he has been a Republican until recently, when he cast his vote for the Prohibition candidates.
Beginning at the lowest round of the ladder, this honorable gentleman has aimed high in life, and by ever looking upward, relying on his own responsibility, he has gradually worked his way through life until he now is enabled to settle down to the enjoyment of that physical comfort and those social pleasures that his adequate means and good tastes make possible and agreeable.
R N. CORDING, an enterprising citizen and representative business man of Wingate, Montgomery County, Ind., materially im- proved the appearance of the main thor- oughfare of his town in 1891, when he crected thereon one of the handsomest and most commo- dious brick blocks in that section of the State. As a prosperous merchant, and a leader in matters of local interest, he is widely known and respected, and, although not a native-born American, is thoroughly in sympathy with the Constitution and Government of the United States, and one of its enthusiastic supporters.
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