Aaron S. Frankenfield, deceased, Newtown. James Stafford moved from Ohio with an ox-team in the year 1829, and made a home about a mile and a half northeast of Newtown, on land now owned by Michael Bever. Mrs. Frankenfield's home also is a part of the old homestead. He had sold and left a good home in Ohio, and for some time at first after coming here was much discontented, and would have gone back, but his wife, whose maiden name was Anna Savage, was a lady of high spirit and courage, and steadily refused to listen to such a proposition. Mr. Stafford's children were: Sarah Ann, born May 5, 1820; John W., November 26, 1827 (deceased); Rebecca Ann, June 3, 1829; Charles, May 9, 1831; James M., June 26, 1833; Mary Ellen, September 14, 1835; Elizabeth Jane, May 3, 1835 (deceased); and William Harrison, December 31, 1843. Mr. Stafford was an earnest advocate of schools, and labored with zeal to build up the cause of universal education at home. In the temperance field he was equally efficient as a worker, and exerted a strong influence for the suppression of liquor drinking and the traffic in his community. His eldest son and his daughter Rebecca he educated at Greencastle. The former died there while attending school. Of the other sons, James and William each served three years in the late war. The latter was discharged on account of a pulmonary affection; and now lives in Kansas. The former is a stock dealer at Rossville, Illinois. Both parents are dead, the father's life ending in November, 1855, and the mother's March 21, 1876. Aaron S. Frankenfield was born in Springfield township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, February 29, 1824. He began tending store when sixteen, and followed merchandising all his life. About 1846 he settled in La Fayette, and married Rebecca A. Stafford December 5, 1850. She was born in Highland county, Ohio, June 3, 1829. In 1854 he moved to Newtown, where he died September 22, 1864. His children were: Emma, born December 20, 1851, died July 8, 1852; Mary Ella, July 16, 1853, died January 10, 1879, was the wife of the Rev. L. S. Buckles, of the Northwest Indiana conference; Charles A. March 4, 1856; Carrie, March 22,1859; Fannie, June 8, 1861; James S., June 8, l863. Mrs. Frankenfield belongs to the Methodist church, and her husband was a consistent and faithful member from the time he united, in 1851, and held the offices of Sabbath-school superintendent, steward and trustee. Charles A. was married to Miss Kittie, daughter of Edward and Martha (Taylor) Parrett, January 1, 1878. She was born January 2, 1858. Both are members of the Methodist church. He has been Sabbath-school superintendent one year, and is a republican.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


Michael Bever, farmer and stock raiser, Newtown. About 1825 Henry and Elizabeth (Evans) Bever, originally from Virginia, came from Ohio to Fountain county, and settled on Coal creek, in Cain township, where the subject of this sketch was born in 1830. His brother Alexander lives on the old homestead. When his parents arrived in the county there were but three or four families living in the neighborhood where they made their home. In getting here they were compelled to make their own roads by cutting their way through the forests. His mother died in February, 1865, and his father in September 1872. Mr. Bever was married November 11, 1852, to Elizabeth Thompson. They have had eight children: Joanna, born December 24, 1853, died September 2, 1855; James W., born November 16, 1855; John M., November 16, 1857; Henry W., March 30, 1860; Alexander, January 13, 1862; Nathaniel E., February 20, 1864; Wilbert K., March 20, 1867; Chauncey, March 21, 1871; and Artilla, January 13, 1875. In 1851 Mr. Bever went to California via Panama, and remained there about ten months. He arrived without funds, but immediately went to work, and during his stay saved $1,000. This was his start in life. Returning home he invested it in 160 acres of land in Cain township, and engaged in farming and trading in real estate till the spring of 1867. He then moved to Rossville, Vermilion county, Illinois, near which place he bought a farm from Alvan Gilbert, but his health failing there, in the spring of 1869 he came back with his family to his old home in Fountain county. In March, 1873, having sold his farm, he moved to his present home in Richland township. He owns about 850 acres of land, 450 being in the Rome place and the balance in Cain township. Mr. Bever is a decided republican, and has been a Mason since 1866. He is a zealous temperance advocate, and has recommended and encouraged total abstinence by example as well as precept, during an active and well-spent life. His wife has been a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he has sat at the communion board with that numerous people since he was seventeen years old.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


David W. Dove, farmer, Newtown. James Dove Sr. landed in Virginia from the Highlands of Scotland in 1767, a lad of eighteen years. He married in Frederick county, Virginia, in 1772, and reared four children. The three whose names are given were John, James, and Madison. James Dove Sr. served six years under Gen. Morgan in the war of the revolution. The family of his son Madison lives in Virginia. His second son, James, unmarried, was a captain in a Virginia regiment in the war of 1812, and lost his life in Canada. The eldest, John, went into the regular army, and was one of the garrison at Covolt station, a frontier outpost. Bt this place he was married in 1804, about the expiration of his enlistment. In the second war with Great Britain he was a captain in the Ohio militia. His children were Jonathan, Abram, James, Elizabeth, Methuel, and Lucy. In September, 1830, this family, leaving Hamilton county, Ohio (except Jonathan, who came two years later), arrived in Fountain county, and settled in Shawnee township. The subject of this sketch was the son of Abram and Sarah (Cook) Dove, and was born in Richland township, February 17, 1846. His father ran a saw-mill most of the time when he was not mining. He made two trips to the Pacific coast; the first time, when the gold fever broke out, he crossed the plains with oxen. He went by steamer the last time. While in California and Washington he was engaged in mining, packing and teaming. He returned in 1861, having been there four years each time. From 1863 to 1871 our subject was dealing in horses; he bought in Indiana and sold in Chicago, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Since then he has been farming, and running a saw-mill which he owns on Coal creek. His farm contains 104 acres; three-fourths of it are reduced to cultivation. He is a greenbacker in politics. Mr. Dove's half-sister, Ellen Rohrer, who lived many years in Oregon, but now resides in Indianapolis, is the inventor and proprietor of the new remedy for the lungs which is finding extensive use and has become a standard medicine. Mr. Dove was married February 6, 1868, to Sarah Margaret Bennett, daughter of Abraham Bennett. She was born May 2, 1849. Their three children were born as follows: Mazena Ellen, April 17, 1869; Deborah B., August 19, 1876; Herman A., August 21, 1877. Both parents have been members of the Union Cemetery (New Light) church seven or eight years. Mr. Dove was Sabbath-school superintendent for four years during a period of great interest and successful labor in the church.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


John Handy, farmer, Newtown, was the youngest child of Thomas and Mary Ann (Anderson) Handy. His father was a native of New York and his mother of Ireland. They removed from New York to Ohio, and lived one winter near Huntsville; then, continuing their removal west, stopped in Parke county, Illinois, where the subject of this notice was born April 23, 1828. In 1830 the family retraced their journey as far as this county, making permanent settlement on the S. 1/2 N. W. 1/4 Sec. 2, T. 20, R. 7, Richland township, Mr. Handy's present home. This land was bought from a man by the name of Nelson. Mr. Handy has lived here since that time, engaged in farming. His marriage with Miss Lucinda Johnston took place March 1, 1845. She was the daughter of James Johnston, who arrived in this township from Montgomery county, Ohio, November 3, 1826, and improved a home near the present site of the Union Cemetery Church. Mrs. Handy was born April 18, 1828. Hannah Berkshire was her mother's name before marriage. In 1848 her parents went to Wapello county, Iowa, and resided five years; then, returning to Indiana, made their home near Pine Village, in Warren county, her father dying there November 15, 1863, and her mother October 30, 1865. The Berkshires were from Wales, and the Johnstons from Germany; their arrival antedates the revolution. Her grandfather Berkshire, was one of the Boston Tea Party, and a soldier in Gates' army at the surrender of Burgoyne. He also performed the difficult and dangerous service of a spy for Gen. Washington. Her grandfather Johnston was one of the first settlers of Kentucky, and was in the army during the war for independence. His family went back to Virginia, all borne on a single pack-saddle, his wife carrying her infant (Mrs. H's father) in her arms. The journey occupied forty days, and was made in company with one man, three women, and some children. They passed among the Indians, were tracked by wild beasts, and procured their food in the wilderness as they traveled. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Handy three children, all living: Henrietta, December 19, 1848, wife of Joseph Shields, of Van Buren township; Charles Sylvester, March 20, 1851, married to Martha Whitesel; John T. O., May 19, 1861. Both parents have been professors of religion thirty years; they first united with the Presbyterian church, but after three or four years took letters to the Methodist church, with which they have since communed. Mr. Handy has been a member of Richland Lodge, No. 205, A.F. and A.M., since 1863. He owns a farm of 120 acres, forty of which are in Van Buren township, thirty acres of this last tract being uncleared. Mr. Handy passed from the whig to the republican party, where he still has membership. Both his parents died in Richland township; his mother March 12, 1867, and his father May 24, 1867.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


Daniel Carpenter, farmer and tile manufacturer, Hillsboro, was the eldest child of Benjamin H. and Sophia (Strader) Carpenter. About 1828 or 1829 his parents removed from Butler county, Ohio, to Fountain county, and settled in Van Buren township in which his father is still living. Here Mr. Carpenter was born on March 8, 1830. He has always been engaged in improving and cultivating land. On January 1, 1854, he was married to Sarah Angeline Meeker by whom he had the following children: Emily Jane, born March 30, 1855, died in infancy; John Franklin, April 15, 1856; Jacob Oliver, March 12, 1858, died March 27, 1873; Florence Maria, August 19, 1860; Henry Edwin, September 23, 1862; Martha Adella, August 9, 1864. His wife dying in March 1868, he married again, April 4,1869, Miss Elizabeth Death, daughter of John C. Death, an early settler in Van Buren township. She was born June 14, 1837. They have four children: Monroe, born January 12, 1870; Mary Ellen, December 16, 1871; Daniel Wesley, August 11, 1873; and Rosanna Edith, November 29, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter own altogether 575 acres of choice land. The last four years he has been manufacturing drain tile, the annual product of which has amounted to $3,000. Mr. Carpenter was a democrat until 1856, when he joined the republicans and voted for Col. Fremont. His great-grandfather Strader was a soldier of the revolution.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


William Howard, farmer, Newtown, son of Job and Nancy Ann (McKinney) Howard, was born in Miami county, Ohio, January 7, 1821. Three brothers of the Howard family emigrated from England before the revolution; their names mere William, John and Ezekiel. The two latter were blacksmiths; the first was the grandfather of our subject, and when war between Great Britain and her colonies came on he remained loyal to the crown, and hence, was what was called in derision, by the patriots, a tory. Job had two brothers, Lewis and Andrew; the former lives near Illinois City, in Rock Island county, IIlinois, at a very advanced age; the latter near Eddyville, Iowa. These brothers were all born in the last century and were reared in Virginia. Mr. Howard's mother was born in Ohio. His grandfather, James L. McKinney, was a native of New Jersey, and was a good deal of a public man. He was a justice of the peace; in Miami county, Ohio, he was Indian agent, and after his removal to this state was again incumbent of the first-named office. In 1830 Job Howard removed his family to Richland township, and Mr. McKinney came at the same time, but stopped at Pleasant Hill, Montgomery county, where he merchandised a good many years; about 1848 he relocated in Iowa and died there a year afterward. Job Howard arrived here November 5, 1830, and made his home three miles southeast of Newtown; the remainder of his life was spent on this place, where he died June 5, 1866, crowned with a fullness of useful years. His wife survived him till September 30, 1879, having reached the age of eighty. The subject of this biography was married to Anna S. Swigert October 25, 1842. They are the parents of the following children: Francis Marion, Samuel K. (dead), Jacob P., Rebecca Alice, wife of Curtis Whitehall; Alva L., Elmer E., and William Erna. Francis was a member of Co. H, 150th reg. Ind. Vols., and did duty in Maryland and Virginia during his term of enlistment of six months. Mr. and Mrs. Howard are professing christians; she is in communion in the Disciple or Campbellite church; he formerly belonged to the same organization, but is now a member of the Church of God. He has 244 acres of land, 200 of which he regularly cultivates. He has by his own labor removed the standing timber from 100 acres of this, and made it fit for the plow. As in religion, so in politics; whereas he was once a democrat, he is now a republican.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


Joseph Reed, farmer, Newtown, was born in Van Buren township August 20, 1831. He was the son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Castleman) Reed, who were natives of Virginia, and emigrated from Fleming county, Kentucky, in November, 1826, settling in Van Buren township. His brother Sampson, of Covington, owns the place where they lived and are buried. His mother died in 1839; his father married a second time, and died in 1866, his wife preceding him one or two years to the grave. He was prominent in the early history of the county, and served one term as associate judge. Mr. Reed married Caroline Dagger in 1860; she died in 1866; and in 1870 he married Mary A. Young, who died in 1873, leaving one child, Daniel, born the year before. In 1875 he married Emma McElwee. The issue of this union has been one child, Carrie Louise, born August 1877. Mrs. Reed belongs to the Baptist church. Mr. Reed has always been largely occupied with farming. He owns 450 acres of land; over 400 are under plow; 250 lie adjoining Newtown; 150 are in Cain township, and the remainder is mostly timber tracts. He been life without anything but strong resolutions, habits of industry and native talents for business, and his very respectable competence shows how industry, integrity, and careful calculation are rewarded with success. He has done a good deal of business of a trading character, and for a number of years was engaged with his brother Sampson in manufacturing lumber. Mr. Reed is a man whose social disposition and pleasing manners always make friends; his acquaintance in Fountain county is wide and thorough, and his friends are legion. He is a democrat.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


Richard A. Stephens, farmer, Newtown, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1832. His father, William Stephens, was born near Lexington, Kentucky, October 2, 1799, and his mother, Sarah Hardacre, May 22, 1811. They were married October 23, 1828, and about 1833 settled north of Newtown, where Mr. Stephens is now living, in his eighty-second year. Mrs. Stephens died May 18, 1835, and the family went back to Ohio and remained till 1845. The children by this marriage were: Nancy, Phebe, Richard A. and Benjamin (deceased). In 1844 Mr. Stephens married Jane White, and the next year moved back to his former home in Indiana. By this marriage were born four children: Mary Elizabeth (deceased), William Owen, James Newton and David Legrand (deceased). Mrs. Stephens died October 9, 1850, and on April 6, 1857, Mr. Stephens was married to Catherine White. The issue of this marriage was one daughter: Elizabeth Ann. These three wives mere natives of Montgomery county, Ohio. This aged couple have been members of the Missionary Baptist church the last sixteen years, and all Mr. Stephens' children except Nancy and Richard belong to the same denomination. Nancy is a Seventh Day Baptist. Richard was married February 15, 1852, to Mary B., daughter of William H. Smith, an early settler of Richland township. They have two children: William Lafayette, born January 24, 1853, and John Winfield, May 21, 1855. Mr. Stephens owns 120 acres of land less than four miles northeast of Newtown. He superintends the farm, while his sons do the principal part of the work. He has kept a thresher of his own running the past dozen years, and for three years he has been an agent for the sale of agricultural implements and machinery. He is a democrat.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


Nicholas Whitehall, farmer and mechanic, Newtown. The great-grandfather of Nicholas Whitehall, citizen of Fountain county, Indiana, was born and married in England; came to this country as plenipotentiary under King George III. As to the exact year in which he was sent we have no definite record, but from the account the family record gives of the children born in America, know that it was a few years before the commencement of the revolutionary war. Although born under English skies, raised in the ranks of England's nobility, and sent to this country as agent acting for royalty, his innate love of liberty was such that after mingling with the sturdy spirits that mere braving the hardships of pioneer life in the forest wilds, among savage tribes, his interests soon became identified with them, and he espoused the cause of the colonists at the cost of personal and social ostracism; and confiscation of his English property and estates. Following this outline of his introduction to America, we will relate an incident which still further illustrates the firmness and indomitable perseverance of his character, and although it is not recorded in the annals of the early history of our country, still lives in the memory of the descendants of the pioneer settlers of North Carolina, and the place is still pointed out to visitors to that section as among the points of interest associated with the revolutionary struggle. In the early part of the war he was stationed at what was then Currituck Inlet, in Currituck county, North Carolina. News came to him that the British commander had ordered a regiment of soldiers to march down from Norfolk, Virginia, to the Inlet, and take charge of that point. Gathering together a small squad of men, numbering sixty-three intrepid souls, full of zeal, armed with such weapons as they could muster, they marched to a place called Great Bridge, protected by a small mound at the south end of the bridge. He stationed his men behind this, throwing up some earthworks as further fortification. Here he waited until the British soldiers crowded upon the bridge near the end where his men were placed, then ordered them to fire in platoons, and kept it up so incessantly, and with such telling effect, that the red-coats were compelled to retreat, with a loss of about 200 men. The Americans were so placed and protected that they lost but three killed and a few wounded. Thomas Whitehall, the grandfather, was born in North Carolina, January 1, 1777. He was twice sheriff of Currituck county, and was justice of the peace when he died. The father, Alexander Le Grand, was born January 27, 1799, and was married June 25, 1821, to Elizabeth Newbern, a descendant of a Scotch family settled and named the town of Newbern, North Carolina. He moved to this county in 1832, in company with Thomas Paper, Adley Woodhouse, William Voliva, Jefferson Voliva and Nathan Voliva, all of whom were heads of families. Reddick Hunnings and Thomas Whitehall, who were young men, were also in the party. The journey was made in vehicles, consisting of three wagons of rude and primitive make, and four carts, and the trip over the mountains occupied several weeks, and was attended with no little danger and many privations. Alexander Le Grand Whitehall had nine children, of whom Nicholas, Alexander L., Thomas and Sarah were born in Carolina. The remainder, James, Mary, Martha, John and Fruzie were born in Fountain county. Nicholas Whitehall was born December 4, 1823, and was married to Amelia Stevens September 26, 1844; was married a second time, January 21, 1864, to Melissa J. Cook, both of Fountain county. By the first wife he had seven children, as follows: Alexander Le Grand, Eliza, Curtis and Columbus (twins), William, Elizabeth, and John; two by the second wife, Amelia and Osie. He served an apprenticeship of one year as wagon-maker, and worked about six months at his trade before his first marriage. He has worked in wood and iron more or less ever since. He vas one of the first men in assisting to make and introduce into use in Fountain county the first scouring-plows. Being by nature a close student and observer, he saw the great need of an improvement in a certain class of agricultural implements, which were of crude and imperfect device, and early turned his attention to the invention and construction of such improvements as he deemed would be of advantage. As a first result of these early years of arduous application and experiments, his inventive genius has given to the agricultural and mechanical world such practical improvements as entitle him to a high rank among the true benefactors of his fellow men. The following is a brief outline of his inventions in the order in which they were developed, and a short history of his efforts to have his inventions recognized as their practical worth merited. He commenced studying, and frequently talked with his brother, Dr. Whitehall, upon the practicability of cultivating corn and other vegetables on both sides of the row at the same time. His brother having been raised on a farm, and having clear ideas as to the practicability of the above form of cultivator, gave him all the encouragement he could. These consultations were held and the ideas advanced as early as 1850. He began practically experimenting in 1854 with a double plow for the cultivation of corn on both sides of the row at the same time, known as the straddle-row plow. In 1855 his brother, Alexander L., went to Washington and obtained letters patent, which were granted on July 5, 1855. Nicholas Whitehall also had the undivided one half of said patent assigned to this brother. This patent is the first that was granted in the United States that gives lateral and up and down motion to the plow or cultivator so as to enable the plowman to give with precision and ease all the necessary movement that is required to enable him to cultivate both sides of the corn at the same time. In 1857 he obtained another patent upon the same device, which showed great improvement over the first. At this time he insisted upon his brother, Alexander, setting forth the claim, and through his skill a claim was formulated and set forth so as to give the inventor the full advantage of his invention, and which we deem not out of place to set forth at this point, namely, "I claim providing a double cultivator, the middle of which is elevated to pass over the corn, with a compound evener suspended upon three points for the purposes set forth"; and we can safely and positively say here that there has not been a practical cultivator made since that is not an infringement on the '57 patent, and of which Nicholas Whitehall is not virtually and in fact the original inventor. He made an effort to get an extension on said patent, but owing to the combined efforts of the infringers, and fraud, it was refused by the commissioner of patents. Since this refusal his brother has been knocking at the door of congress for several winters, and has twice succeeded in getting a favorable report, but through the causes above named has failed to get a vote on either of the reports. In the meantime he has not allowed his inventive mind to rest; he has since obtained four other patents: one May 17, 1859, called Improvement in Seeding Cultivators; one August 31, 1869, called Planter and Cultivator; one August 29, 1871, called Sulky Cultivator; and one February 6, 1879, called Convertible Seeding Cultivator. He has attached to those improvements a planter and drill, and also a wheat drill, all of which work with as much accuracy and precision as any in use, resulting in great saving to the farmer. He was nominated in 1880 for auditor of Fountain county by the national greenback party, with which party he is at present identified.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


John S. Martin, farmer and stock miser, Newtown, born in Miami county, Ohio, June 6, 1829, was the son of' Ephraim and Rhoda (Sayers) Martin. The family settled in Richland township in 1832, on the place a quarter of a mile east of Mr. Martin's house, and now occupied by his son Thomas. He has always lived here on the homestead. In 1852 he married Ellen, the daughter of' Thomas and Unity Maharry. She was born in Montgomery county in 1833, and her mother in Virginia in 1802. They hare had the following children: Rhoda Unity, born in 1853; Thomas E., 1856; Ida May, 1861; Jessie, 1867; Annetta, 1872; and William, 1865, died September 21 of same year. Rhoda Unity is the wife of A. C. Schermerhorn, and Thomas married Miss Lizzie Fisher. Thomas Maharry moved here from Ohio in 1828, and after a residence of one year in this township settled over in Montgomery county, where he died a few years since. Mr. Martin's father was born in l794 and died in 1868; his mother was born in Morgan township, Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1795, and is living with her son, in fair health for a person of her advanced age. Mr. Martin and his wife own an extensive and valuable tract of land, comprising 1,361 acres. Both are Methodists. The former cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Pierce, but in 1856 he joined with the republicans and has belonged to that party ever since.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


Washington Furr, farmer, Newtown, was born in Cain township March 3, 1832. He is the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Lightfoot) Furr, who came here in an early day from Kentucky. His grandfather, Robert Lightfoot, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and fought in several battles. Mr. Furr was married November 30, 1855, to Ann, daughter of William S. Stephens, who came to Richland township from Ohio in 1836. She was born April 9, 1836. Both her parents are living. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Furr, as follows: William E., December 31, 1856; Solomon S., January 5, 1858; Rosetta, August 13, 1859; Benjamin F., February 17, 1860 (died in infancy); Laura Isabel, March 15, 1862 (died in September, 1867); Wallace W. M., September 15, 1863, and Florence E., June 25, 1871. Mr. Furr and his family lived in Grant township, Vemilion county, Illinois, from 1871 to 1873, both inclusive; with this exception they have always resided in Fountain county.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


John D. Brown, farmer, Newtown, eldest son of William W. and Elizabeth (McNeely) Brown, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1817. In 1827 the family moved to Butler county, Ohio, and in the autumn of 1832 to this county, making a home in Jackson township. Both parents passed the remainder of their lives in this place. In 1850 Mr. Brown began running a saw-mill, and continued that business twenty years. He has been farming since, as he was before. In 1870 he came to his present home, which is situated on the S.E. 1/4 Sec. 13, T. 20, R. 7. He has his third wife. His first marriage was with Susan Furr, by whom his daughter, Marietta, wife of George Dice, was born. His second wife was Margaret Donelson, who bore his eldest son, George. His last marriage was with Martha Messmore, April 2,1858. Her parents came early to Fountain county. This union has produced five children: Charles A., born August 16, 1864; Harvey N., May 15, 1866; Jasper M., August 17, 1870; Brazie C., January 2, 1873, and John R., September 20, 1874. Mr. Brown enlisted April 11, 1865, in Co. I, 154th Ind. Vols., and served in the Shenandoah valley, most of the time doing camp and garrison duty. He was mustered out in Virginia, and disbanded at Indianapolis August 13, 1865. He held the office of justice of the peace in Cain township from 1866 to 1869. He was made a Mason at Pleasant Hill twenty-three years ago, and is now a member of Richland Lodge, No. 205. He is a democrat.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


Amos Martin, farmer and stock raiser, Newtown, eldest son of Ephraim and brother to John S. Martin, was born in Miami county, Ohio, April 4, 1823. His father's family settled in Richland township, where his brother John lives, in 1832. Mr. Martin has always been engaged in his present business. He owns several tracts of valuable land. In his homestead are 465 acres, all under cultivation and in a high state of improvement; 380 acres in Benton county, and 160 in Nebraska; all valued at $44,000. He was married the first time, March 5, 1855, to Mary Steward, of Covington, who survived only till the 19th of May. He married again, November 13, 1856, Miss Hannah Palin, daughter of Henry and Huldah (Hunt) Palin. She was born August 12, 1838. They hare had six children, as follows: Cora B., born November 13, 1857 (died May 25, 1873); John R., February 18, 1859; Elmer A., April 24, 1861; Frank S., September 18, 1861; Charles E., January 19, 1867; Lydia Pearl, March 85, 1874. Mr. Martin was drafted in 1864, and hired a substitute for $1,200. He and his wife belong to the United Brethren church. He is a republican.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


Isaac Shultz, farmer and stock raiser, Newtown. Early in 1836 Peter Shultz, an uncle to the subject of this sketch, came from Ohio to this county, bringing with him to Attica, by way of the Wabash, a stock of boots and shoes and leather collars. His son-in-law, William Cumpton, was at this time in business there. Mr. Shultz improved the farm on which the widow of Barzilla Kerr lives, just north of Newtown. Before 1830 he had a tannery in operation here, and made leather for all the country around. Having got in a small crop and otherwise made a beginning for a home, in the fall after his arrival he returned for his family. In the autumn of 1830 he again went back to Adams county, Ohio, where his brother William, the father of our subject, was yet living, and brought him and his family here with a four-horse team. The date of their arrival was November 18, the same on which the murderer Richardson was hung at Covington for killing his wife. They settled about three miles northeast of Newtown, on the farm at present occupied by the Widow Deeter. The following were about the only neighbors in that locality at that time: James Porter, Jackson King, Aaron Ensley, Ellis Ensley, David Dodge, Abram Moore, Jacob Coffman, Washington Wilhite, and a man named Martin McCollum. Speaking of the early times and the climate, Mr. Shultz says that the winters were more even than now; the weather was cold but regular; snow lay on all winter, and was generally deep enough so that sleds were driven over the fences. Deer, turkeys and prairie chickens were abundant. People went on horseback to McMillin's mill, afterward known as Nave's, now Shepard's. Wheat and flour were hauled to Chicago, and the latter sold at $4.50 per barrel, Salt was bought at $6 and $7 per barrel and brought back. Before there were railroads he hauled grain to La Fayette, and sold wheat for forty, corn twenty-five, and oats ten cents per bushel. Mr. Shultz' parents died in this township his father in 1837, and his mother, Mary (Erie), December 12, 1851. He was born in Adams county, Ohio, August 4, 1823, and was married February 15, 1844, to Anna, daughter of Thomas and Anna (Jones) Ogle. She was born August 4, 1827. Her father came to this county from Adam county, Ohio, in 1824, and the next year settled in Richland township, and lived here till his death, January 15, 1835. Following is the record of Mr. Shultz' children: Leroy C., born December 19, 1845, died July 15, 1848; Louisa, October 12, 1847, died July 1, 1848; Angeline, January 8, 1850, died August 12, 1851; Thomas, January 12, 1833; George W., October 21, l855; William W., June 5, 1858; Henry L., September 14, 1860; Laws L., February 11, 1863; Andrew Y., July 20, 1865, died December 12, 1867; Edgar, March 24, 1869; Monroe, September 11, 1873. He has been a member of the Methodist church four years, and his wife since the winter of 1848-9. He was a democrat until the repeal of the Missouri compromise, when he became convinced that the party was hopelessly committed to the extension of slavery, a measure to which he was strenuously opposed, and he broke off his connection with it and is now a republican. He owns a valuable tract of 700 acres, including 100 acres of timber.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


Isaiah Jones, farmer, Newtown, was born October 26, 1833, on the Big Shawnee, in Shawnee township. He was the son of Isaiah and Leah (Slaughter) Jones. In 1827 his father came out from Ohio to view the country, and was so impressed with its natural advantages that he resolved to emigrate, which he did the next year. He leased a farm from David Bookwater in Shawnee township, and lived there a few years; after this he moved to Richland township and entered a tract of 160 acres, one half lying in this and the other in Shawnee township. He also entered eighty acres of woodland in Van Buren. Mr. Jones' mother died May 26, 1861, aged sixty-five years, and his father January 25, 1877, aged eighty-four. He was married October 2, 1862, to Rebecca Jane, daughter of Isaac Rice, an early settler and leading citizen of Richland township. She was born March 5, 1813. They have three children living and two dead: Elizabeth, born September 21, 1863; William Isaac, April 8, 1866; Della May, January 25, 1869; Addie Lee, November 6, 1871; and an infant, deceased. He is a democrat.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


Lawson H. Booe, farmer, Newtown, son of Philip and Jemima (Clinton) Booe, was born April 10, 1833. His father was born in South Carolina and his mother in the old North State; from the latter they emigrated to Fayette county, Indiana; living there a few years, in 1827 they came to this county and settled on Scott's prairie, in Jackson township. In this place the subject of this notice was born. His father died in April 1874, aged seventy-four years. He was married November 5, 1857, to Isabel J. Hestler, who died August 26, 1863, leaving one child, Ida Jane, who was born October 11, 1858, and is the wife of Silas Vickery. On January 7, 1869, he was married to the widow of James Campbell, formerly Matilda Justus, who was born September 30, 1840. Her two children, Sarah Olive and John J. Campbell, were born respectively November 16, 1859, and February 24, 1862. By her last marriage she has one child, named Ellora, born August 16, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Booe are both members of the Christian church, and he has belonged to the Masonic fraternity sixteen years. His political views are democratic.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


William S. Coon, farmer and stock raiser, Newtown, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, March 8, 1817. In 1833 he settled with his parents, Isaac and Mary (Stephens) Coon, in Fountain county. They improved a home on the land owned at this time by Mr. Coon's son, Isaac. He was married March 19, 1837, to Elizabeth Garland, by whom he had four children: Perry G., born January 1, 1838, died September 3, 1868; Mary Ann, September 26, 1843; Isaac W., June 5, 1845; and another which died in infancy. Mrs. Coon died November 5, 1848, and on July 29 following he was married to Huldah Stephens. She died January 17, 1875, and he was married a third time, August 28, same year, to Rebecca Selby. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church, and he has been a deacon since his earliest connection with it, twenty years ago. He owns a well improved and valuable farm of 443 acres, lying about three miles northwest of Newtown. He was a whig until the dissolution of that party, when he attached himself to the democratic party, in whose ranks he stands today. He was county commissioner one term, and was elected to that office in 1870. His service in this position was not without the excitement of factitious clamor and opposition. The building of the county jail was a measure which has been industriously and captiously animadverted upon, and the voice of unsparing criticism has not yet abated its energy or shown that there is any delight for it in a "flash of silence." The facts are substantially as follows: The contract was let for $50,000. When the structure was about half completed, and pretty nearly all the material on the ground, some persons at Attics and Veedersburg, who were interesting themselves in the removal of the county seat, procured an injunction to restrain the further prosecution of the work; this was tried in the circuit court and sustained. The commissioners then hired the contractors to finish the work. In the agreement the former understood that the architect was to determine the value of any change from the original contract. If more work should be done and material furnished than was stipulated for in the contract, the architect should fix the price on the extra work and material, and the commissioners be bound to pay both the original and extra amounts. If less work should be done and less material furnished than was stipulated for in the contract, the architect should ascertain the deduction to be made from the contract price, and the contractors should be bound to accept the original contract price less the said deduction. By an oversight of the commissioners the second article of agreement was so drawn that the architect was empowered to fix the price of the whole work. He fixed it. The jail cost $115,000. The difference between the original contract price and the actual cost was $65,000. This was the price of interference; not an interference on behalf of the public welfare, but of a private scheme for personal and local aggrandizement. The commissioners can not escape responsibility for their acts, neither for their omissions; but it is perfectly apparent that had not their plans been interfered with and thwarted, Fountain county would not have "paid the fiddler" $65,000 for the special gratification of a few of her citizens. Another public act for which this board has never been given proper credit was the defeating of the railroad tax. A county donation of $137,000 had been illegally voted by the people to aid in the construction of the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western railroad, and another which was to be built from Attica to Covington. The tax was extended one year, but after that the commissioners refused to make the levy. Suit was brought in the circuit court against the county and judgment obtained for the plaintiff; the commissioners appealed to the supreme court and the judgment was reversed.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


Thomas P. Gardner, farmer, Hillsboro, son of Aaron and Rachel (Sutton) Gardner, was born February 25, 1804, in Fleming county, Kentucky. His mother died of cholera in 1833, and his father died about 1844. Mr. Gardner left his native state in 1834, and halting three months in Rush county, arrived in Fountain the following year. He entered 160 acres of timber land on Sec. 31, T. 20, R. 7, the farm on which he has ever since lived; of this 120 acres are now cleared. It is not too much to say that his life has been one of sturdy toil and voluntary hardship. That the first settlers should invariably select land on which they must wear out their lives in exacting and rigorous labor to render it fit for profitable cultivation was a subject of curious speculation until it was discovered to be a law of social economy that the poorest lands are first appropriated. He was married December 17, 1829, to Jane M. Crystal. Their children were twelve in number: Marquis de La Fayette, born September 28, 1830; Lusetta Ann, October 31, 1831, died April 25, 1833; Martin P. M., September 7, 1833, died October 10, 1872; Polly Ann, October 17, 1835; John M., August 15, 1837; William C. S., June 12, 1839, died October 18, 1877; Aaron P., June 16, 1841; James R., July 3,1842; Nancy E., September 5, 1844; Francis A., April 5, 1847; Joseph G., March 11, 1849; Rachel Ann, November 21, 1854, died September 14, 1855. Aaron and James were each in the army five months just before the close of the war. Mr. Gardner was constable of Richland township a number of years ago. He has been a member of the Methodist church forty years. The first eight or ten years of his religious life in Kentucky he was a member of the Baptist church, but when he came here there was no society of that denomination near, and he united with the church to which his wife belonged. She was in communion with the church fifty-five years, and died May 20,1880, aged seventy-one years. Mr. Gardner was once a whig; he is now a republican.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


David Short, farmer, Hillsboro, was born in Washington county, Indiana November 25, 1832. He was the son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Sloan) Short. His father was born in Botetourt county, Virginia. The father and grandfather of our subject emigrated to Kentucky, and from there to Indiana while it was yet a territory. His mother was a native of South Carolina, and went to Tennessee when her family settled there; afterward they too came to Indiana, and here Mr. Short's parents were united in wedlock. About 1836 they settled in the southeast corner of Richland township. The father died here August 9, 1865, and the mother March 2, 1866. Mr. Short was married July 27,1856, to Angeline Underwood, who was born in Ohio, December 6, 1837. Her parents came to this county in 1840. Their children were born as follows: Caroline, March 15, 1858, died September 11, 1859; James A., January 22, 1860; Sarada, June 25, 1862, wife of James D. Oiler; Lizzie, June 23, 1864; Rebecca Jane, May 16, 1866; Wilbert D., June 27, 1869; Minnie Belle, April 1, 1871, died November 14, 1874; Dideling, March 14, 1873; Amy J., December 14, 1874, and two others which died in infancy. Both parents and James, Sarada and Lizzie are members of the Antioch Christian church. Mr. Short has belonged to the Masonic order the last twelve years. He has a good farm of 294 acres. He is a well-informed republican and cast his first presidential vote for Col. John C. Fremont.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


Thomas Twiddy, farmer, Pleasant Hill, Montgomery county, Indiana, was born in Perquimons county, North Carolina, about 1811. Not far from 1830 he emigrated to Wayne county, Indiana, and worked for Exum Palin. In 1836 the latter removed to this township, and Mr. Twiddy came with him and worked for him the first year. The next season he hired out to Mr. Maharry, and the third year returned and rented Mr. Palin's farm. At the time he left North Carolina his father also came, and brought his family. The first two years after their arrival both he and his father were in the employ of Mr. Palin; and then he hired for a term of three years for $100. His father's family came to Richland township in the latter part of the year after his removal to this place. He worked for Mr. Palin altogether seven years. Soon after settling here Mr. Twiddy bought two small tracts of land on the head of Turkey Run aggregating forty acres. In 1840 he sold these and purchased seventy-six acres, where he now lives; and from that time until the present he has steadily increased his homestead by small purchases; and his landed estate amounts at this time to 537 acres, 150 being timber. In view of his beginning and the handsome property he has made, it is unnecessary to add that he has been a hard working man and good economist. He married Phebe Ann Oliver January 9, 1853. She was born August 1, 1825. Following is the record of their children: Sylvester, born December 29, 1853; Marion, December 31, 1855, killed by a falling limb while coon hunting December 15, 1874; John Isaac, January 3, 1858, died July 14, 1880; Mary Maria, June 16, 1860, wife of Henry Shultz; Charles Thomas, December 17, 1862; George Washington, July 7, 1866; and Lucy Ann, March 27, 1869. Mr. Twiddy is a staunch and enthusiastic republican.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


John A. Dagger, farmer, Newtown, was born in Richland township, December 22, 1836. He is the son of Charles and Mary (Waskey) Dagger. The latter was born and reared near the Natural Bridge in Rockbridge county, Virginia. The former visited this region of Indiana in a very early day; in 1824 he entered land here, and afterward went back to Virginia and married. Mrs. Dagger rode all the way from that state on horseback to reach her frontier home. Her husband died in 1837, and on February 14, 1847, she was married to Ananias Ogden. Mr. Ogden was one of the earliest settlers in Fountain county. He was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, in 1799. He came from Montgomery county, Ohio, with a man named Tanner, in the autumn of 1824; the latter bought a tract of land on Coal creek just below the Lighty farm (the piece is now owned by Mr. Moffitt), and then both returned together. The next year Mr. Ogden came with his father and his family to make permanent settlement here, and they entered land. The tract which Mr. Ogden entered is now owned by Usual Meeker, and that which his father entered belongs to Mr. Meeker and the Rices. The first winter that these people were here they kept their cows on browse. Mr. Dagger received a fair English education, and having always been a student in a comprehensive sense, has stored his mind well wit11 the facts of general and scientific knowledge. He attended the Centennial Exposition. He owns 100 acres of valuable land one mile south of Newtown. Has been a Mason about fifteen years, and a democrat all, his life. Among some mislaid notes we find some additional facts regarding the Daggers. As stated by one of them, there were three brothers who came from Virginia in 1831: James, who was married; Charles, the father of John A., who went back in one year and married, as before stated, and Madison. James lived on Coal creek, where he died in 1877. Madison received a liberal education at Bloomington, Indiana. He was employed for a number of years as surveyor and engineer on public works, and helped locate the first railroad that was run into Cincinnati. When the Daggers came here they entered land farther up on Coal creek than anybody else had yet done, except that Aaron Hatfield was settled at Newtown.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Richland Township - Biographical


Deb Murray