USA > Indiana > Kosciusko County > Progressive men and women of Kosciusko County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography > Part 76
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
pioneer. He was one of the first permanent settlers of the above township and did much to promote its material development. After living on his original purchase about eleven years he exchanged it for a farm of one hun- dred and twenty-nine acres in Plain town- ship, to which he removed on the 7th day of April. 1849. He made the latter place his home until July, 1900, at which time he moved to Oswego, where he now resides.
Calvin and Isabella Beagle enjoyed a long and happy married life, the union be- ing severed by the death of the latter after the two had traveled life's journey hand in hand for the almost unprecedented period of sixty-three years. They were the oldest couple in Plain township, if not in the coun- ty, and their long residence made them fa- miliarly known throughout a large area of country. Subsequently Mr. Beagle married a second wife, with whom he is still living. | He has reached the remarkable age of ninety years, and, like an oak in a field, has seen his companions and friends of other years about him fall one by one until he alone is left to weave the thread of personal incident with the woof of Kosciusko county's pio- neer history. His life has been closely con- nected with this part of the state and, as in- dicated above, few men have been as active ; as he in developing the country and induc- ing a good class of settlers to make it their home. He has been a good man, prominent in charitable and religious work, and since ent member of the church. By his first wife Calvin Beagle is the father of four children, Perry, John C., Luther and Evaline, all liv- ing except the last named.
598
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHIY.
try was Bew and comparatively undeveloped. No striking incident marked his life, which was spent in the woods and fiells, alternat- ing with attendance at the public schools. ' He received from his father an excellent training for the practical duties of life, while the sweet gentle influence of his mother had much to do in shaping his character and preparing him for those higher obligations which mark the relations of man with his fellow men. Mindful of what his parents had done for him during his childhood and youth, he remained with them until a man grown, assisting with the labors of the farm and. She a dutiful son, looking carefully after their interests. Shortly after attain- ing his majority he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Phoebe Weber, who was jeen in Stark county, Ohio, and came with her parents to Kosciusko county when a miss of eleven years.
FAR C. Beagle, although a young man ant just married at the time the Rebellion be the best, was fired with patriotism and could not hear to see the slightest injury offered to his country. When the struggle bart forth in all of its fury, threatening to destroy the American Union. he tendered his services to the government by enlisting in Company H. One Hundred and Twenty- ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Bidding his young bride an affectionate farewell, he joined his command at Michigan City and from there was hurried to Nashville, Ten- nessee. where, with various other regiments, the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth was sent to reinforce General Sherman at Resaca. Georgia. Mr. Beagle took part in the bloody campaign in the vicinity of that Confederate strongholland participated in several of the miost noted battles before his company had
received any drill or military training what- ever, and for several weeks he was almost constantly under fire. After the fall of .At- lanta his regiment was sent back to Nash- ville, arriving in time to participate in the second battle there, where General Thomas gained such a signal and crushing victory over the Confederate forces under General Hood. Subsequently he met the enemy at Kinston. Goldsboro and Raleigh, North Carolina, and at the close of the war was mustered out of the service. his discharge bearing the date of September 12, 1865.
Mr. Beagle was a brave soldier and a true patriot. his record in the field is with- out a blemish and the hardships endured and dangers braved proved his loyalty t, the flag for which he has a love amounting almost to reverence. He encountered the hosts of treason under many dangerous con- ditions, but was never known to fakter in his duty and hesitated not to face the foe when to do so appeared to invite death in its most awful form. On leaving the army he re- turned to his home, where, as may be sap- posed. a most joyful welcome awaited him.
During the seven years following the close of the war Mr. Beagle was engaged in agricultural pursuits, but at the end of that time he temporarily abandoned farming and opened a grocery store in the village of North Webster. He sold goods at this place and Oswego two years and then dis- posed of his stock and again turned his at- tention to the tilling of the soil. From that time to the present he has cultivated his farm, which now consists of two hundred and nine acres, eighty of which were cleared and developed by his own labor. He is classed with the progressive farmers of Plain township, as his residence, commodious barn
599
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
and other improvements, together with the splendid condition of his fields, abundantly attest.
Mr. and Mrs. Beagle are the parents of six children, namely : Mary 1 .. wife of Al- fred Ervin, of Wayne township; William HL .. deceased : Charley W. married Zetta Cox and lives in Montana: Russel C. married Minnie Goshorn and lives in the village of O-wego: Norman I. lives in Idaho, where he holds a lucrative position. Anna May, the youngest of the family, is a student in the schools of Oswego. Mr. Beagle is a well-informed man and takes a lively in- terest in all great public questions of the day. Politically he has always voted with the Democratic party in national and state affairs, but tocally disregards party ties and casts his hallot independently. In religion He is a Baptist, to which denomination his wife also beiongs. He joined the church in 1800 and has been one of its most faithful and zesivous members ever since, working diligently as a layman and in the capacity of deacon, proving a most capable and pop- ular official. He is especially interested in the Sunday school, which he considers the : most Important auxiliary of the church. For a period of twenty years he has served as . superintendent and assistant superintendent. a fact which speaks well for his efficiency as a leader in that important branch of re- 1 ligboas endeavor. Fraternally he was for- merly a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, but of recent years, on account of the distance which he has to go to attend, has not been a very active participant in the work of the post with which he was
Personally Mr. Beagle is a gentleman of : casing address and quiet appearance, frank
and kindly in manner and popular with his friends and fellow citizens. He has led a singularly pure and clear life, never having been under the influence of any kind of in- toxicants, while tobacco in any form has al- ways been one of his especial aversions. Measured by the true standard of excellence, he is an honorable, upright, courteous Chris- tian gentleman, true to himself and to others, and his influence in the community has al- ways been potent for good. He gives close attention to his business affairs and has amassed a sufficiency of this world's goods to make the rest of his life comfortable and free from embarrassment. He is one of the valuable men of his neighborhood. possess- ing tact and discriminating judgment, and is always ready to advise others, many being eager to avail themselves of his wise sug- gestions in matters of business. His home is all that good taste and kindness can make it and his social and family relations are of the most pleasant and agreeable character.
JOSEPH BLACK.
For more than fifty years the honored old pioneer and substantial citizen whose name appears above has been a resident of Kosciusko county and a prominent factor in its material growth and agricultural de- velopment. Few have been here as long as he and none have been more active during the last half century in making Prairie township one of the most enterprising and progressive sections of northern Indiana. Originally the Blacks were natives of Vir- ginia, where the family was widely and fa- vorably known during the colonial period.
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
In their vems flow the blood of the English and Irish nationalities and the descendants to the present day exhibit many of the ster- ling qualities of those two strong and virile peoples. Samuel Black, the subject's uncle, entered the American army at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, and soon rose to the rank of captain. He served with dis- tinetion until independence was achieved, as did also his brother, John Black, who proved a brave and gallant sollier in many of the most noted battles of that historic struggle. Another brother. James Black, was born on the ancestral estate in Virginia and when a young man went to Clark county,, Ohio, at that time on the verge of western civiliza- tion, and entered a tract of government land as early as the year 18II. He married in his native state a young lady by the name of Catherine Black and was an active partici- pant in the pioneer period of Clark county. Ile cleared a good farm, became one of the leading agriculturists of the community in which he settled and for many years en- joyed the reputation of an enterprising and honorable citizen. James and Catherine Black lived useful lives and died on the place in Clark county, Ohio, where they originally located. They reared a family of ten children, namely: Mary, Matthew, Susan J., Catherine, Dorcas, Joseph (the subject of this review), Samuel H., James, Julia A. and John A., the majority of whom ; have long since gone to the other world.
begin life for himself he chose the ancient and honorable calling of agriculture and a little later operated a saw and grist-mill in connection with his labors on his father's farm. This was perhaps the first mill erect- ed in Clark county and for a number of years was highly prized by the people of a large area of country, being the only place where they could obtain their supply of lumber and flour.
On obtaining his majority young Black concluded to make a tour of observation through the states of Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, with the object in view of pur- chasing land, provided he could find a suit- able location ; accordingly in 1845 he started on horseback to what was then considered the far west. He traveled through northern Indiana, making his way to Kosciusko coun- ty via Huntington, and, being much pleased with the advantages the former presented as an agricultural region, concluded to secure land there, provided he found no more fa- vorable location further westward. He pro- ceeded on his trip to the then young and growing town of Chicago, thence as far northwest as Madison, Wisconsin, and be- fore his return rode over a considerable por- tion of Iowa, at that time a wild. unbroken prairie with settlements few and far be- tween. Being more than ever pleased with the fertile soil of Kosciusko county and its favorable ontlook as a rich agricultural region and ultimately the center of a great Joseph Black, of this sketch, was born in . population, he purchased, in the fall of 1846. Clark county, Ohio. December 21, 1823. one hundred and eighty-two acres of his present farm in the township of Prairie. NNo sooner had Mr. Black obtained posses- sion of his land than he began preparations . to improve it. In company with a comrade, His childhood and youthful years were spent on the home farm and in the subscription schools he received such educational train- ing as the teachers of those days were ca- pable of imparting. When old enough to ' one Alexander Wallace, he erected a small
001
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
cabin and during the three years following the two lived together, each working on his respective place, doing their own housework and obtaining as much pleasure as possible from their isolated and lonely situation. At the end of three years Mr. Black returned to Clark county. Ohio, where, on the 20th day of December, 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Richeson, daughter of George and Prudence ( Prillman ) Riche- son, whose parents were natives of Virginia and of Irish-English extraction. Mrs. Black's parents were early settlers of Ohio, though natives of Virginia. George Riche- son was not only a brave and hardy pioneer, in which he was an officer of high rank. real estate. At the present time Mr. Black is the possessor of land to the amount of four hundred and eighty acres, all valuable, and his wealth is estimated at over thirty thousand dollars. Every dollar in his pos- session has been earned by legitimate and honorable means and no individual in the county of Kosciusko is more entitled to the term "self-made man" than he. Originally his land was densely covered with fine tim- ber, from the sale of which in a later day he realized a large sum of money. He also appreciated the value of good live stock as a source of income and early stocked his place with fine breeds of cattle, horses and but also a gallant soklier in the war of 1812, thogs, which, in addition to general farming, have been the means of building up the large fortune which he today enjoys.
In the spring of 1850 Mr Black and wife loaded their household effects and a few Mr. Black and family experienced all the vicissitudes of hardships and suffering's which characterized the pioneer period of Kosciusko county ; but, unlike many others, he refused to become discouraged and return to the more comfortable home which he left behind. For several years after coming to the new country the family suffered much agricultural implements on a wagon and started for their new home in Kosciusko county, reaching their destination on the 25th day of April. They moved into the little house that Mr. Black had formerly oc- capied while "baching" and occupied it for a period of ten years, at the end of which tithe the present dwelling was erected. As . from the diseases then prevalent, notably already stated, his original purchase con- the ague in its most aggravated form; not infrequently the father, mother and children were down at the same time, with no one to alleviate their sufferings or minister to their necessities. As the population in- creased and the country was denuded of the forests and the swamps drained, the "shakes" gradually disappeared, but many years passed before the family were exempt from the regular attacks of malaria. sisted of one hundred and eighty-two acres. which, with what movable property he had at the time of his marriage, represented a capital of about one thousand dollars. With this modest beginning and a future bright with promise, he set to work to clear his land and if possible increase his possessions and improve his worldly condition. That he has succeeded in this laudable purpose is attested by the fact of his having purchased adjoining land from time to time until he became one of the leading farmers of Prairie township, also one of its largest owners of
Mr. Black worked hard and honorably earned the reputation he today enjoys as one of the leading farmers and prominent citizens of Prairie township. It is needless
000
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
to say that he is held in highest esteem in the community, for he has thrown the force of his individuality and his sterling integ- rity into making the country what it is and his efforts have not failed of appreciation on the part of the local public. His name will ever be inseparably linked with that of Prairie township, whose interests could have no more zealous and indefatigable pro- note. He and wife are among the oldest. best-known and highly respected people of the community where they live and their in- Buence has ever been exerted to the end that the world might be made better by their presence.
In politics Mr. Black exercises his fran- chive in support of the Democratic party. Hle cast his first presidential ballot for James K. Polk and from that time to the present has not mailed to vote for his party candi- dates, unless sickness prevented him going to the polis. He has always been an active worker and upon several occasions was the
party's choice for county commissioner, but, part of the county in which he located and the county being strongly Republican, he failed of election. Mr. and Mrs. Black are i zealous members of the United Brethren church, belonging to what is known as the liberal or progressive part of that body. He is Aberal in his support of the church and no worthy charitable object or benevolent enter- . Stephen. prise had ever appealed to him in vain.
The family of joseph and Susan Black consists of six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Clarinda .I., December 19, 1850, is unmarried and makes her home with her parents : Edward G., May IS. . 852, married Mary Richie and lives in Seward township; Salem J., July 9. 1854, Hated Catherine Kimes and lives in Plain HOWIHp: Sarah C., December 23. 1850.
1
wife of Willis Boggess, a farmer and stock raiser of Prairie township; Cynthia .1., March 7. 1859. ummarried and lives at home: James R., whose birth occurred Jan- uary 3. 1861, married Catherine Borkert and is a resident of Prairie township.
ANDREW W. ROSBRUGH.
The subject of this review is a well-to-do farmer and worthy citizen and an honorable representative of one of Kosciusko county's oldest families. His father. Jacob Rosbrugh, a native of Ohio, went to Michigan when a young man and there married Malissa Grubb, who was also of Ohio birth. As early as the spring of 1834 Mr. Rosbrugh moved to Kosciusko county and settled in the woods of what is now Plain township. where he entered a quarter section of land, only half of which. he succeeded in saving. He was one of the earliest pioneers of that in time became one of the substantial farm- ers of the community and a leading citizen of the township. He reared a large family of eleven children, namely : William, Benaiah, Andrew W., Susan, Julia, Cor- nelia, Olive. Jane, Malissa, Eliza and
Andrew W. Rosbrugh is a native of Kosciusko county, born on the 6th day of August, 1841. When a mere boy he learned how to wield an ax and as he advanced in years became unusually skilled in handling that implement, being able while still in his 'teens to do. a man's work in cutting cord wood, making rails or in any other kind of labor pertaining to wood-craft. When in his prime to cut and put up from the green
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. CO3
tto ereds of wood he considered an ordinary As a tiller of the soil Mr. Rosbrugh is up to date and familiar with every detail day's work and now, although nearly sixty years of age, he can still swing the ax with " of modern farming. His improvements are mach of his former vigor, easily cutting his first class, his dwelling comfortable and sap- plied with many of the conveniences which make country life pleasant and desirable, and the well-tilled fields, the general appearance the farm and later took much of the labor of ' of the premises and the condition of the im- into cords a day without experiencing a great deal of fatigue or discomfort. He was a valuable assistant to his father in clearing cidtivating the fells upon his own shoulders. proving a dutiful son as long as he remained under the parental roof.
piments and live stock bespeak the attention and care which are bestowed upon the place. Mr. Ro-brugh has surrounded himself with many of the comforts of life and believes in getting all the good out of the world there is in it. Financially he is in independent circumstances, with something laid by for a rainy day, and within a short time will be able to retire from active life with a sufficient competence for his declining years.
Mr. Rosbrugh has been twice married, the first time to Miss Minerva Richie, who bore him one child. Effie, now the wife of James G. Kelly. Some time after the death of his first wife, the subject chose for a companion Ettie Barrick, daughter of John T. and Hettie (Grove) Barrick, the mar- riage being solemnized on the 20th day of February, 1885. Mrs. Rosbrugh was born August 4, 1866, in Kosciusko county and is a lady of many sterling qualities, highly re- spected by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances and noted for her domestic vir- tues and for the wholesome moral influence she everts in the community. She is the mother of six children: Elnora. Born An- gust 23, 1887 ; Hazel F., born May 7. 1880; Cora E., born October 17, 1801 : Edna D .. born May 3, 1893: William C. and Wilbur F., twins, whose births occurred on the 7th day of March. 1897. Mrs. Rosbrugh is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal "church, but her husband is not identified
Mr. Kosbrugh stayed with his parents until August. 1862, when he enlisted in Company I. Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, for three years or during the war. About six months after entering the army he was taken seriously sick and for a number of weeks was under the physician's care in a hospital at Bowling Green, Kentucky. His sickness not yielding to treatment, he was subse- quientis discharged and as soon as able to travel was sent home, where, after long and careful nursing. his former good health gradually came back to him. He still suf- fers at times from the effects of the illness contracted while in the service, in conse- quience of which he is now the recipient of a monthly pension of eight dollars.
1
!
Mr. Rosbrugh early decided to become a farmer and began life for himself on forty- five deres in Plain township which he pur- chasel some time after returning from the army. By diligence and much hard work he brought his little farm to a high state of cul- tivation and in due time was enabled to pur- chasse other real estate until he now is the owner of one hundred and thirty-five acres i.d a fraction acres which, under his labors and successful management. has been made one of the best farms in the township of Plain.
37
UU4
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
with any ecclesiastical organization, al- though a i elever in the religion of the Bible and a liberal contributor to the support of the gospel.
Politically Mir. Rosbrugh is a Repub- lean and for a number of years past has been quite an active worker in the party. He reads much, forms his opinions after mature deliberations, and is one of the well- postel men of his neighborhood and cont- minity. He is not wanting in moral qual- ities of a high order, candor and probity marking all of his intercourses with his fel- low citizens, and he is today pronounced one of the worthiest men of the township of which he has been a lifelong resident. He is eminently social with his neighbors, pos- sesses a personality that attracts friends and in conversation is always characterized by good sense and solidity. Plain and unas- summing in demeanor, he is respected by all who know him and in a quiet way has ex- erted a good influence upon all with whom he comes in contact.
NOAH PUNTENNEY.
Change is constant and general; gen- erations rice and pass unmarked away; and it is due to posterity, as well as a present gratification, to gather up and put in im- perishable form upon the printed page as nearly as possible a true and succinct record of the parent's life.
Noah Puntenney, of this review, has long been membered with the enterprising and substantial men of Kosciusko county. and a brief outline of his career from the time when. a friendless orphan, he was put
to his wits end to obtain the bare necessities of life, to his present high standing as one of the leading agricultorists of northern It- diana, cannot fail to be interesting as well as instructive to the young men into whose cradle smiling fortune has cast no gilded scepter. Mr. Puntenney is one of Kosti- usko county's native sons, his natal day be- ing May 31st, of the year 1842. When the subject was a small boy his father died, leav- ing a widow and six small chikiren on a little backwoods farm in Prairie township. consisting of forty acres, but a small part of which was at the time in cultivation. To care for her offspring and furnish them with the plainest necessities taxed to the utmost the kind mother's ingenuity and resource, and until her second marriage hard, grind- ing toil was her lot and not infrequently del hunger knock at her humble cottage door.
With the advent of a step-father affairs for a time changed for the better, but within a few years the kind, patient mother went the way of all the living, again leaving her offspring to the cold charities of a selfish and unfeeling world. Young Noah was this early thrown upon his resources and for some time thereafter, to use the language of another, "was kicked and cuffed from pillar to post," hardly knowing one day how the next day's food and shelter were to be oh- tained. Forumately for him an uncle living in Ohio, learning of the dire straits to which the children were reduced, came and took him and his two brothers to his own home, where they were cared for until able to shift for themselves. When the subject became a member of his kinsman's family he was a lad of thirteen years, and he remained under that gentleman's hospitable roof until his fifteenth year, at which time he returned to
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.