Other surnames mentioned: Roberts , Lawrence , Billman , Wilt
D. R. ROBERTS, a prominent and successful business man, and a valuable citizen of Portland, is a native of Darke County, Ohio, born in the year 1848, his parents, Tunis and Lucenia (Lawrence) Roberts, being natives of the same county. He was reared on the home farm until eighteen years of age, when he began life for himself, following the avocation of his youth until 1884. Although he had commenced farming for himself at the age of eighteen years he remained at home with his parents until attaining the age of twenty-two years, when he was married to Miss Sarah A. Billman, a native of Darke County, Ohio, born in 1853, and a daughter of John and Hester Billman. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are the parents of three children-Charles F., born in 1873; Laure E., in 1875, and Frank C. in 1877. Mr. Roberts came to Portland, Jay County, Indiana, in 1884, and purchased the saw-mill of John S. Wilt, which he has since operated, his mill being on Water street between
Wayne street and Garfield avenue. He also owns the house and lot he occupies in Portland, and a fine farm of sixty acres located seven miles northeast of Portland which he leases. Mr. Roberts is a member of the Odd Fellows order. Both he and his wife are members of the Society of Friends, and are much respected by all who know them.
Submitted by: Peggy Karol
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF JAY AND BLACKFORD COUNTIES, INDIANA The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 - Page 475-476
Other surnames mentioned: Davis , Hiatt , Somers , Horn
ELI Q. DAVIS, deceased, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, February 10, 1810, and died in Jay County, Indiana, August 9, 1885. His father, Elias Davis, was a native of Virginia, of Welsh parentage. He was reared in his native county, and in 1839 came to Indiana and located first in Fort Wayne, coming the next year to Jay County, whither he was followed by his father, who entered land on section 22, Penn Township, where he passed the rest of his life. Eli Q. Davis learned the carpenter's trade in his youth and followed it for some time after coming to Jay County. He settled on a farm after his marriage, but a year later went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked at his trade several years, when he returned to Jay County, and engaged in farming in connection with working at his trade until failing health obliged him to retire from active life. Mr. Davis was married May 7, 1842, to Maria Hiatt, a daughter of John Hiatt. To them were born seven children,
all of whom grew to maturity, and six are still living Esther Ann, wife of Charles Somers, of Republic, Kansas; Humphrey died while a soldier during the war of the Rebellion, aged nineteen years; Theodore, of Gold Hill, Oregon; Marcellus, of Jefferson County, Nebraska; Shradrach E.; Mary, wife of Melvin Horn; Llewellyn, of Gold Hill, Oregon. Mrs. Davis died May 2, 1863. In politics Mr. Davis was a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Society of Friends.
Submitted by: Dusti
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF JAY AND BLACKFORD COUNTIES, INDIANA The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 - Page 475-476
Other surnames mentioned: Freemyer , Griffith , Hayley , Iliff , Montgomery
Edgar FREEMYER, one of the best known and most progressive farmers and stockmen of Jay county and proprietor of an admirably equipped farm plant in Bearcreek township, where he makes his home, is a native son of Jay county and has lived here all his life. Mr. FREEMYER was born on a farm in Wayne township on June 24, 1872, and is a son of William H. and Elizabeth (ILIFF) FREEMYER, both of whom were born in this county, the former in Noble township and the latter in Bearcreek township. William FREEMYER, the owner of a farm of 160 acres in Wayne township and who for years was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising, retired from the farm in 1911 and is now living at Portland. To him and his wife seven children were born. Of these three are living, the subject of this sketch having a sister Jennie M., and a brother Fred O. FREEMYER. Reared on the home farm in Wayne township, Edgar FREEMYER received his schooling in the Hanlin school and remained
at home assisting in the labors of the farm until his marriage at the age of twenty-two years, after which he began farming on his own account, renting a farm of eighty acres. For six years he continued to rent land, his greatest acreage during that time being 220 acres, and he then bought an "eighty" in Bearcreek township. He kept this place but six months, at the end of which time he sold it and bought eighty acres of the tract which he now owns in that same township and has since resided on this latter place, meanwhile having enlarged his holdings to 200 acres. Since taking possession of this place Mr. FREEMYER has erected an entirely new set of buildings, including a modern dwelling fully equipped with modern appliances of water and electric light and a barn 72 by 46 feet in dimensions. He has his farm plant fully lighted by means of a Delco plant and a gas well on the place gives him an ample fuel supply. In addition to his general farming Mr.
FREEMYER has long given considerable attention to the raising of live stock, feeding out about fifty head of hogs and twenty head of cattle a year, and is doing well. He is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the Westchester United Brethren church. On December 27, 1894, Edgar FREEMYER was united in marriage to Laura MONTGOMERY, who was born in Bearcreek township, daughter of George G. and Sarah ( GRIFFITH ) MONTGOMERY, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Wilma, who married Vernon HALEY, a farmer of Bearcreek township, and has two children, daughters both, Sarah L. and Mary E. The FREEMYER's have a delightful home on rural mail route No. 11 out of Portland and have ever taken an interested part in the general social activities of the community in which they live.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: HOTMIRE , LOVALL , WEGMER
Edward F. HOTMIRE, one of Pike township's well known farmers and landowners and proprietor of an excellent farm on rural mail route No. 8 out of Portland, is a native sun of Jay county. Mr. HOTMIRE was born on the farm on which he is now living on October 20, 1878, and is a son of Richard and Matilda ( LOVALL ) HOTMIRE, who had moved up here from Randolph county many years ago. Richard HOTMIRE was born in Cincinnati [Hamilton Co.] and was but a child when his parents came up into Indiana and located in Randolph county, settling near the Jay county line, where he grew to manhood and where until his marriage he was engaged working at the grist mill at Deerfield. After his marriage he went to California with a view to locating there, but did not find things there to his liking and a year later returned to Randolph county and located there on an eighty-acre farm, after awhile moving from there up into Jay county and settling on a farm of 152- ½ acres which
he had bought in Pike township. On this place he continued farming until 1907 when he retired and moved to Florida, where his last days were spent. Richard HOTMIRE and his wife were the parents of eight children, all of whom are living save one, the subject of this sketch having four sisters, Amanda, Rebecca, Anna and Myrtle; and two brothers, Harry and Charles N. HOTMIRE. Reared on the home farm in Pike township, Edward F. HOTMIRE received his schooling in the neighborhood schools and his youth was spent in farm work. He then became attracted to electrical work and went to Marion, Ind. [Grant Co.], where for sixteen years he was connected with the operation of the power plant there. In 1917 Mr. HOTMIRE returned to the old home farm in Pike township, this county, which he bought, and has since resided there, now farming 132-1/2 acres, and is doing well. Since taking possession of the place he has made numerous substantial improvements and has a well
equipped farm plant. On February 7, 1906, Edward F. HOTMIRE was united in marriage to Rosetta WEGMER, who also was born in this county, daughter of Henry and Lily WEGMER, and to this union two children have been born, sons both, Ralph and Richard, the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. HOTMIRE are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are Democrats. In April, 1921, Mr. HOTMIRE executed lease's on his land for oil development purposes and in January, 1922, the Boyer Oil Company "brought in" on his place a well which now is producing ten or twelve barrels of oil a day, the royalties on which provide a nice addition to Mr. HOTMIRE's income, and there are ample promises of 'further profitable oil development on the place. This is the only oil well in Pike township.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Girod , Hummer , Juillerat , Miller , Pititory , Thomas
Edward A. JUILLERAT, chairman of the Greene Township Farmers Federation and one of the best known and most substantial farmers, stockmen and landowners of that township, has been a resident of the place he now owns and occupies since he was thirteen years of age and has done much toward bringing it to its present high state of development. Mr. JUILLERAT was born on a farm in Allen county, Ohio, October 26, 1871, and is a son of John E. and Catherine (PITITORY) JUILLERAT, the latter of whom was born in Highland county. Ohio. John. E. JUILLERAT was born in the republic of Switzerland and was six years of age when he came to America with his parents, Emanuel and Elizabeth JUILLERAT, the family proceeding west and settling in Wayne county, Ohio, where they remained for ten years or more, at the end of which time they moved to Allen county, in that same state, and later became residents of Highland county, Ohio. It was in this latter county that John E.
JUILLERAT was married to Catherine PITITORY. For a year after his marriage he continued farming in that county and then he moved to Allen county, Ohio, where he remained a few years engaged in farming and then he moved to Lima, Ohio, where for three years he was engaged at work in the railroad shops. But farming was more to his liking and he resumed farming in Ohio, buying a piece of land, and remained there until 1884 when h& disposed of his interests in Ohio and came over into Indiana, buying a farm of 120 acres in Greene township, this county, the farm his son Edward is now occupying, and here established his home. John E. JUILLERAT was a good farmer and successful breeder of live stock and also became engaged in the buying and selling of live stock for the market. As his affairs prospered he added to his land holdings until he became the owner of 320 acres of land and was accounted one of the substantial men of the community. On that farm. he
remained until his retirement in 1902 and removal to Portland, where he died three years later, in May, 1905. John E. JUILLERAT was twice married and by his first wife, Catherine PITITORY, was the father of three children, the subject of this sketch and Emma and Clarence. The mother of these children died on July 10, 1893, and he later married Celia GIROD, who survived him. To this union two children were born, Ernest E. and Ida. As noted above, Edward A. JUILLERAT was thirteen years of age when he came to this county with his parents m 1884 and he completed his schooling here. He early took an active part in his father's farming and stock raising operations and remained on the home place. After his marriage at the age of twenty-five years his father placed the general direction of the farm in his hands and this arrangement continued until his father's death. In the meantime he had bought the old home portion of the original tract his father had bought
upon coming here and he continues to make his home there, he and his family being very comfortably situated. Mr. JUILLERAT has enlarged his original holdings until now he is the owner of a fine farm of 220 acres in Greene township and has the same admirably improved. He feeds out 200 or more hogs a year and is doing well in his operations. long having been looked upon as one of the leading agriculturists and stockmen of that section, so much so that he has been made chairman of the township branch of the Farmers Federation. Mr. JUILLERAT is a Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Brethren church. On August 26, 1897, Edward A. JUILLERAT was united in marriage to Martha HUMMER, daughter of Frederick and Mary (MILLER) HUMMER, and to this union four children have been born, Raymond Albert, who married Vesta A. THOMAS; Virginia Catherine, Mary Grace and Russell Edward, the last named of whom died in infancy. The JUILLERAT's have a very pleasant
home on rural mail route No. 7 out of Portland, and take an interested part in the general social activities of the community in which they live.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Kikendall , Hawley , Miller
EDWARD BUTLER KIKENDALL, one of the representative citizens of Portland, and the oldest merchant in the town, was born in the State of New Jersey, in 1818, his father, John Kikendall, being a native of the same State, and of German descent. When he was a boy his parents removed to Pennsylvania, and a few years later settled in Stark County, Ohio, coming to Jay County, Indiana, in 1838, the family consisting of the parents and two children -Edward B., our subject, and Catherine. An older son came to the county at a later date. Edward B. Kikendall is the only surviving member of his father's family. He was twenty years of age when he came to Jay County, and here he has since made his home, and has passed through the different phases of pioneer life, and has witnessed the many wonderful changes that have taken place during the past fifty years. Game of all kinds was abundant, and the first year he came he shot a deer on the city lot where his residence now stands.
He made his start in life by hard work, chopping wood for 25 to 30 cents per cord. The year following his arrival in the county, he split 5,000 rails, for which he received twenty bushels of cornmeal, and at that time considered himself well paid. His first investment in real estate was the purchase of a lot located west of the present court-house, for which he paid $24, earning the money at labor at 40 cents a day. A young man who had come to the county with the family of Mr. Kikendall being in need of a suit of clothes, and having no money to pay for the same, our subject guaranteed the payment, and having no money, he was obliged to give up his lot to meet the payment. Mr. Kikendall was then variously employed until 1848, when he and his brother-in-law, Frank Hawley, engaged in business with a combined capital of $300, commencing on a small scale in a log house on Water street. About four years after beginning business, our subject bought out his partner's
interest, and has since established an excellent trade, his business experience in Portland covering a period of about forty years. Commencing life with no capital, but good health and a determination to succeed he has, by persevering industry and good business management, become one of Portland's wealthiest and most enterprising citizens, and has done much toward building up the town. Mr. Kikendall was married in June, 1855, to Miss Mary Jane Miller, a daughter of William Miller, one of the pioneers of Jay County. They have seven children, six sons and one daughter. One son died in infancy. Mr. Kikendall has long been one of the leading members of the Masonic lodge at Portland.
Submitted by: Dusti
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF JAY AND BLACKFORD COUNTIES, INDIANA The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 Page 393
Other surnames mentioned: Carver , Gray , Humphrey , McGriff , Mock , Sinclair , Sipe
HON. Emerson C. McGRIFF, judge of the Jay Circuit Court and for nearly thirty-five years a member of the bar of that court, is a native of the old Buckeye state, but has been a resident of Indiana since he was two or three years of age and thus feels himself as much a Hoosier as though ,native and to the manner born. Judge McGRIFF was born in Darke county. Ohio, September 13, 1857, a son of Richard and Mary A. (SINCLAIR) McGRIFF, the latter of whom was born in Pennsylvania, but had been a resident of Ohio since the days of her childhood when her parents moved Into the latter state. Richard McGRIFF was born in Preble county, Ohio, and grew up to be a farmer, a vocation he followed all his life. After his marriage lie established his home in Darke county and there remained until 1860, when he came with his family over into Indiana and located in Jay county. Two years later he moved down into Randolph county, where he established his home on a farm in
the Deerfield neighborhood. His wife died in 1862 and he survived her for many years. They were the parents of eight children, of whom six are still living. Of these, Judge McGRIFF is the only one residing in this county, the others being John McGRIFF a veteran of the Civil war: Mrs. Theresa SIPE, Laurence, Mrs. Abigail MOCK and Sherman. As will be noted by a comparison of dates above, Emerson E. McGRIFF was but about five years of age when his mother died, which was about the time the family moved from this county down into the Deerfield neighborhood in Randolph county. On the home farm in this latter community he was reared, receiving his elementary schooling in the local schools. He early became qualified as a school teacher and was for seven years engaged in teaching school in his home county, meanwhile pursuing his studies by attendance for three terms at Ridgeville College and for a term at Valparaiso University, giving his particular attention
to the study of law during vacations under the preceptotship of Col. M. B. Miller and John E. Neff, later secretary of state of the state of Indiana, at Winchester, and in 1884 was admitted to the bar of the Randolph Circuit Court. Upon his admission to the bar, Judge McGRIFF opened an office for the practice of his profession at Winchester and there remained thus engaged for three years, at the end of which time, in 1887, he moved to Portland and opened an office in the latter city, which ever since has been his home. The Judge is a Democrat and has long- been recognized as among the leaders of that party in eastern Indiana. During the time of his practice at Winchester he was appointed by Governor Gray to be prosecuting attorney for Randolph county, and for twenty-one months served in that capacity. In 1916 he was nominated by the Democrats of lay county for circuit judge and was elected judge of the Jay Circuit Court and is still serving in that
judicial capacity, one of the best known members of the judiciary in the Eighth congressional district. In 1892 Judge McGRIFF was a delegate from this district to the Democratic national convention which gave Grover Cleveland his third nomination for President. The judge is a 32 degree Mason, an Odd Fellow and an Elk, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, he being a member of the session, an elder, of the church. On December 14, 1886, Judge McGRIFF was united in marriage to Grace CARVER, of Winchester, daughter of Dr. J. M. and Amanda (HUMPHREY) CARVER, and to this union one child was born, a son, Everett C. McGRIFF, who married Grace GRAY and is now living at Indianapolis.. In May, 1917, closely following this country's declaration of war against Germany, Everett C. McGRIFF enlisted for service in the first officers training camp at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, and in due time received a commission as a captain and was presently sent
overseas, where he remained for twelve months. Captain McGRIFF had excellent preliminary military training, having been a student for one year at Culver Military Academy and later at Morgan Park Military Academy, from which latter institution he was graduated.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Hite , Nixon , Simpson
Elmer F. NIXON, former trustee of Jefferson township and one of the well known and substantial farmers and landowners of Jay county, proprietor of a well kept farm in Jefferson township, is a native son of Jay county and has resided here all his life. Mr. NIXON was born on a farm in Jefferson township on April 9, 1872, and is a son of Joseph P. and Emaline (HITE) NIXON, both of whom were members of pioneer families in this county. The late Joseph P. NIXON, who was for two years treasurer of Jay county, for one term assessor of Jefferson township and for three terms trustee of that township, and who years ago was widely known as the manufacturer of the corn planter which bore his name, was a native of Ohio, born in Columbiana county, and was but three years of age when his parents, John and Hannah NIXON, came to Indiana with their family and settled on a tract of 100 acres which John NIXON had bought in Jefferson township, this county. On that pioneer
farm John NIXON and his wife spent the remainder of their lives and were useful factors in the development of the social life of the community. They were the parents of twelve children and the NIXON connection in the present generation, is a considerable one. Joseph P. NIXON was the eldest of these twelve children and from the days of his youth was a helpful assistant in the labors of developing- the home farm. He received his schooling in the local schools and early became trained as a millwright and carpenter. As a young man he went West, but after a year spent in Missouri returned to his home in this county and became engaged here as a carpenter, many of the houses and barns in that part of the county having been erected by him. Mr. NIXON also perfected a corn planter which had advantages over others of the sort used at that time and which he manufactured and put on the market as the NIXON corn planter, an implement which was widely used until later
devices crowded it out. He began his farming operations on a forty-acre tract in Jefferson township and as his affairs prospered added to his land holdings until he was the owner of an excellent farm of 280 acres. On that place he spent his last days, his death occurring on March 8, 1920. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, all of whom are living save two sons, Cyrus and Walter, the others, besides the subject of this sketch, being James, Millard, Anna, Jesse and Ida. Reared on the home farm in Jefferson township, Elmer F. NIXON received his schooling in the neighborhood schools and from the days of his boyhood was helpful in the work of the home farm, remaining there until one year after his marriage, when he bought a "forty" in Noble township and began farming on his own account. Seven years later he returned to the old home farm and has since been operating the same, now the owner of 180 acres of the place in partnership with his
sister. Mr. NIXON is a Democrat and for years has been recognized as one of the leaders of that party in his section of the, county. He served as trustee of Jefferson township for four years, 1914-1918, and in other ways has done his part in public service. On December 24, 1901, Elmer F. NIXON was united in marriage to Ruth A. SIMPSON, who also was born in this county, a daughter of George W. and Adaline SIMPSON, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work, and to this union five children have been born, two of whom are now living, Naomi and Florence. The NIXON's have a very pleasant home on rural mail route No. 2 out of Redkey and have ever taken an interested part in the general social activities of the community in which they reside.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Downing , Fennimore , Hartley , Haskmeyer , Migrant , Polley , Shull , Spencer , Waltz , Wilkins , Younts
Rev. Enos W. POLLEY, a venerable clergyman of the Christian church, Disciples of Christ, and proprietor of a well cultivated farm on rural mail route No. 2 out of Pennville, in Penn township, is an Ohioan by birth but has been a resident of this county for many years, having located here two or three years after his entrance upon the gospel ministry a half century or more ago, and there are few men hereabout better known or more highly regarded than he. Mr. POLLEY's ministry has covered a period of more than fifty years and his services have been rendered in this behalf in the counties of Jay, Randolph, Delaware, Adams and Huntington. It was under his ministerial direction that the first church of the Disciples of Christ was erected in Portland. He organized the first congregation of this sect in Bluffton and during his long ministry has been the directing force in the erection of no fewer than thirteen houses of worship. During this time he has enrolled
more than 1,600 new communicants in this faith, has married no fewer than 350 couples and has preached as many funeral sermons, a record of service rarely exceeded in the gospel ministry. Many years ago, not long after he took up the work of the ministry in this county, Mr. POLLEY established his home on a farm in Penn township and has built up a valuable piece of property there, his interest in the development of this place having been a useful diversion in his long life of ministerial service. The Rev. Enos W. POLLEY was born on a farm in Darke county, Ohio, October 27, 1837, and was but four years of age when his parents, David and Anna (SPENCER) POLLEY, the former of whom also was born in Ohio and the latter in Pennsylvania, came over into Indiana with their family and settled in Randolph county. In this latter county Mr. POLLEY grew to manhood and received his early schooling. He early had devoted his life to the gospel ministry and in furtherance
of this ambition entered the old Northwestern Christian University, now Butler College, at Indianapolis, where he took the three-year course and was well grounded in theology and the humanities. Following his ordination as a clergyman of the Disciples of Christ he was sent to Bluffton [Wells Co. ]Ind., where he organized a congregation of that faith and where he remained for two years, in the meantime preaching as time and occasion warranted in widely separated communities throughout this part of the state, as the pioneer ministers had to do in carrying their message to the settlers. As a consequence of these missionary journeys he was introduced to the congregation of the Christian Disciples church in Penn township, this county, and when a call came to him to accept the pastorate of that congregation he was nothing loth to acceptance of the call, and thus he became a resident of Jay county and has ever since resided here, one of the best loved men in
all the country roundabout. Mr. POLLEY is a Republican and is a member of the Pennville lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Rev. Enos W. POLLEY has been twice married. His first wife, who was Rebecca L. DOWNING, daughter of Dr. Samuel DOWNING, died in September, 1874, leaving two children, Minnie, who married Jesse MIGRANT and has three children, Goethe, Tessie and Rosemond; and Elizabeth, who married George W. SHULL and has four children, Alva, Iona, Charles and Emily. Mr. POLLEY's second wife, Sarah Alice YOUNTS, is a daughter of Andrew YOUNTS. To this second union were born six children, five of whom are living, namely: Lula H., who married Jacob WALTZ and has one child, Vivian; David A., who married Sarah FENNIMORE and has one child, Bonine; John C., who married Ella HARTLEY and has three children, Dorothy, Aileen and Maxine; Cora, who married Roy WILKINS and has two children, Ray and Roy; and Edna, wife of Frank HASKMEYER.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II