From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

JESSE D. GETTINGER, merchant, Miami, Indiana. Among the successful business men of Miami may be found the name of Jesse D. Gettinger, born in this township, September 5, 1852. His father, Jesse Gettinger, Sr., was born in Maryland. At the age of seventeen years, our subject began life for himself, by working in a saw mill. In 1874, he engaged in the grocery business, but followed it only a short time. He went into the drug business in 1881 and continued in the same for five years. He then purchased the stock of goods known as the Coucher stock, owned by Shirk & Miller, and has successfully carried on the business ever since. He is a zealous Democrat, and when twenty-four years old was elected township assessor by a majority of thirty-five, while at the same time the Republican State ticket received a majority of forty-five, which is sufficient evidence of his popularity. In April, 1882, the confidence reposed in him by the community was attested by his being called to serve them in the office of township trustee, when he received a majority of forty-five. He was re-elected in 1884 by eighty-nine majority. He was married June 12, 1874, to Miss Olive Ellars, who was born September 8, 1855, in Clay Township. Two children were born to them: Gertie (deceased) and Ola. Mr. Gettinger is a member of the Masonic Order.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

GEORGE W. GRAVES, one of the leading farmers of Deer Creek Township, was born in Decatur County, Indiana, May, 15, 1835. He is of English origin on the paternal side and of Irish on the maternal side. His parents were Joseph and Sarah (Howe) Graves. George W. was reared to early manhood in his native county and received such education as was afforded by the common schools. In 1854 he bought eighty acres of land in Deer Creek Township, where he has ever since resided, devoting his time to agricultural pursuits. This part of Miami County was then known as the Swamps and he at once commenced the task to clear and improve it. He cut the first ditch in this township. Having no money he was obliged to clear his farm unaided. He went to work with a stout heart and willing hands, and, as a proof of his success, he now owns four improved farms. February 4, 1854, Samantha Fickle became his wife. She was born November 30, 1835. Daniel and Hetty (Tipton) Fickle, natives of Ohio, were her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Graves are the parents of the following children: Newberry J. (deceased), Arthur E., Warren, Oscar, Clement V., Ivy Pearl and Florence (deceased). Mr. Graves is a staunch Republican.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

JOHN W. HAGGERTY, a highly esteemed pioneer of Miami County, Indiana, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 15, 1824. His parents, David and Sarah (Larimer) Haggerty, were both natives of Pennsylvania. When John was four years old his father died leaving a widow and six children. Until twenty-two years of age Mr. Haggerty’s earnings went toward the support of his mother. He then purchased forty acres of land in Elkhart County, but soon left there and bought a tract of land in Pipe Creek Township. He again sold out and settled in Deer Creek Township. His marriage with Miss Sarah C. McCreary was solemnized in 1851. The result of this union was one child, named George A. Mrs. Haggerty died in 1854. Mr. Haggerty’s second choice was Miss Ellen Hann, daughter of Benjamin and Mary A. Hann, citizens of Pipe Creek Township. To their union seven children have been born: Carey, Annetty, Emma J., Alonzo E., Idella M., Melvin E. and an infant that died unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Haggerty have lived to see the county develop from an almost unbroken forest into one of the most fertile and populous regions of northern Indiana. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

AUSTIN HERRELL is one of the leading farmers of Deer Creek Township. The place of his nativity is Henry County, Kentucky, and the date of his birth, August 15, 1825. He is a son of William and Rachel (Wiley) Herrell, whose ancestors were of English extraction. He received in youth a limited education, and in 1842 came to Miami County and hired as a farm hand. He began life with no means, but has succeeded, as the years went by, in accumulating a comfortable competency for his declining years owning at one time over 500 acres of land. He served the people in the important office of Township Trustee for several years. He has been twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Hick, daughter of Isaac and Elsie Hicks. Mrs. Herrell died in 1862. His second marriage occurred in 1863 with Miss Mattie Julian, by whom he had four children - Frankie T., Lulu, Clyde and Bell. His second wife was called away in 1875. In business Mr. Herrell has always been thoroughly energetic and straightforward. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and has been a Republican until the past few years, since which time he has inclined in his belief to the doctrines of the Prohibition party.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

EDWIN T. McCONNELL, son of William H. and Sarah (Thornton) McConnell, was born in Deer Creek Township, December 29, 1849. The mother, widow of William H. McConnell, was a native of Highland County, Ohio, born October 15, 1818. Her parents, John and Mary (Johnson) Thornton, were natives of South Carolina, and of English and Irish descent. When seventeen years of age her parents moved to Cass County, Indiana. Her father entered a piece of land near Logansport, where he resided until death. Mrs. McConnell was married in 1842. W.H. McConnell was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 1815. He came to this county in 1846 and entered land where his eldest son, James, now resides. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell were the parents of eight children, as follows: Samuel W. (deceased ), James H., Mary (deceased), Edwin T., Cornelia (deceased), Robert F., John W. and Fanny J. (deceased). The boyhood of our subject was like that of any other Indiana lad of the same period, and he early in life learned the bitter but beneficent lesson of self-dependence, and at the age of eighteen took up the business of life in manly earnest. In 1877 he engaged in the manufacture of drain tile, but disposed of his factory in 1882; and has since followed farming. Mr. McConnell is a man of public spirit and was elected Township Trustee in 1886, making the race on the Republican ticket. He was married May 11, 1882, to Miss Belle Underwood, native of Howard County, Indiana, and daughter of John and Acta E. (Leonard) Underwood. One child has been born to this union, Carrie, born April 18, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell are members of the Christian Church.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

DAVID McCORMICK, farmer, Deer Creek Township, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, January 19, 1818, and is the eighth in a family of twelve children born to William and Mary (Clemer) McCormick, the father of Tennessee and the mother of Virginia. David McCormick removed with his parents to Montgomery County, Ohio, at quite an early age, where he remained until his eighteenth year. He then worked at the carpenter trade, but soon returned to the farm. He came to this county in 1860 and now owns a fine improved farm in section 26. He was married December 20, 1838, to Miss Margaret Orellus, who died February 7, 1850, after bearing the following children: Levi (deceased), Mary, Rebecca, Absalom, Sarah J. (deceased), William and Henry. In 1850 he was united in marriage with Barbara Showalter, a native of Pennsylvania, born May 5, 1826, and to their union were born these children: Margaret, David F., Barbara I., Martha E. (deceased), and James. In politics Mr. McCormick acts with the Republican party.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

PATRICK McHALE, a native of Ireland, hearing of the advantages offered in America, sailed for this country, in company with his uncle, Mr. Brown, in September, 1843, and landed at New Orleans in November. Our subject procured employment for a short time and then began firing on a Mississippi steamboat and followed this occupation until June, 1844. The year following he worked on a farm, receiving $75 for his year's work. He then contracted with a man by the name of Snyder to work by the month, and worked out for four years. September 26, 1847, he was married to Elizabeth Good, daughter of Philip Good, a native of Virginia. They began housekeeping in rented property, but the next year bought twenty acres of land in Brown County, Ohio, where he resided until 1850, when he came to Miami County and purchased forty acres of the farm he now owns for $320. He has added by degrees to his first purchase until he now owns a fine farm with first-class improvements. Mr. and Mrs. McHale had a family of seven children: Edward (deceased)., John W. (deceased), James, Rebecca, Ann, Philip L. and Nellie. Mrs. McHale was called away February 23, 1885. Mr. McHale was again married May 30, 1886, to Sarah J. Groves, of Clermont County, Ohio. Mr. McHale was born March 15, 1826 and was a son of Edward and Mary McHale.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

JOHN C. McILWAIN, eldest son in a family of ten children born to John and Sarah (Logan) McIlwain, natives of Scotland and Ireland. The parents emigrated to the United States, first settling in South Carolina, and removed from there in 1813 to Fayette County, Indiana, where they entered a home. Our subject was born in South Carolina, May 10, 1810. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and obtained the rudiments of an education in the rude log school house common to this country forty years ago. He was apprenticed to learn the saddler and harness trade when eighteen years old, and engaged in that business in New Marion, Fayette County. April 10, 1834, Nancy Shafer, daughter of George Shafer, of Butler County, Ohio, became his wife. Mrs. McIlwain died in 1865, leaving a family of seven children - William A., Theodore S., George O., Sarah E., Lida J., Mary and John W., of whom William, Mary and Theodore are now deceased. Mr. McIlwain came to Deer Creek Township in 1856, and experienced all the hardships and privations incident to life in the backwoods, but actuated by energy and will, is now considered one of the successful farmers of the county. Mr. McIlwain is a decided Republican, always ready in the support and defense of his political convictions.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

MRS. JANE MENDENHALL. Mrs. Mendenhall was united in marriage with Reuben E. Mendenhall, native of Ohio, September 9, 1853. He was born September 23, 1828. His parents located in this county when the few settlements were but niches in the almost impenetrable forests. Mr. Mendenhall was a farmer by occupation, a man of local prominence, a member of the Baptist Church, and departed this life February 9, 1885. Mrs. Mendenhall was born December 20, 1825, in Ohio, a daughter of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Hanes) Shirley, both of Virginia. The greater part of Mrs. Mendenhall's life has been passed in this county, having resided here some forty-seven years, and witnessed the forests give place to the growing fields and the wild game that was once so abundant, disappear, and in her way has contributed her share to the work of civilization. She now lives on the farm her husband purchased a short time after their marriage. Mrs. Mendenhall belongs to the Baptist Church.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

JOSEPH OLDHAM, the subject of this sketch, is now a resident of Bennett's Switch, and probably the oldest living pioneer of this county. He was born in Lampen County, Va., April 5, 1816. His parents were James and Elizabeth Oldham, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of French and latter of German descent. When Joseph was quite young his parents emigrated to Preble County, Ohio, and later moved to Randolph County, this State, thence to Wells County, and in 1827, Mr. Oldham, Sr., Joseph's father, purchased 80 acres of wild land in Peru Township, this county, from Louis Godfroy, an Indian. The government had erected dwellings for the Indians, one on each section, into one of these houses Mr. Oldham moved, and resided there about seven years, by which time Mr. Oldham had built on his own land, and in 1834 occupied his own home. There were but few white settlers here then, Miami County was not organized yet, Peru was not thought of, and Mr. Oldham says there was only two houses on the site where Logansport now stands. It was here among the Indians that Joseph spent his young life. There were no schools and what education Mr. Oldham has was obtained after maturity. At the age of seventeen he began to do for himself by engaging at blacksmithing, but soon gave that up and tried the tanning business for a while, but finally gave that up and began butchering, which occupation he has followed principally through life. In September, 1838, he was married to Lucinda Fobs, and this union was blessed with six children: Charles, James, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah and David, one of whom, Mary, is now living. In September, 1854, Mrs. Oldham was called away. On June 23, 1855, he was again married to Mary Countryman, and to this union was born seven children: Jacob, Daniel, Julia, Eliza, Joseph F., Philip and Otto, of whom Jacob, Philip and Otto are deceased. Mr. Oldham began life a poor man and today has a comfortable home in Bennett's.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

OLIVER H. SANDIFUR, was born in Fayette County, Indiana, July 17, 1824. When six years of age his parents, Noah and Mary Sandifur, moved to Carroll County, where he remained until his twenty-first year. In 1846 he took a claim of 160 acres of heavy timbered land where he now resides. He went to work with a will and soon had a cabin erected and a few acres of land ready for cultivation. He and wife by diligence and economy, have a good home and pleasant surroundings. He was married August 11, 1853, to Sarah Beaver, and by her is the father of six children: Jacob A. (deceased), Mary E., Emma R., Noah A., Oliver U. and William H. Mr. and Mrs. Sandifur are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Sandifur is a Republican, and held the office of Justice of the Peace for four years. He possesses an unblemished character for honesty and integrity.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

WILLIAM H. STEDMAN, farmer, was born in Orange County, New York, May 4, 1823. His parents, Richard and Hannah Stedman were natives of Ireland and New York respectively. They moved to Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1833, where our subject remained until thirty years of age. He emigrated to Tippecanoe, County, Indiana and followed boating on the Wabash and Erie Canal for ten years. He then engaged in steamboating on the lower Wabash and Ohio rivers for a number of years. In 1867 he purchased the farm where he now resides. He makes farming his sole business, and is justly regarded as one of the progressive and wide-awake citizens of Miami County. Mr. Stedman was married in 1862 to Julia Todd, by whom he had five children - Hannah, Mary, James, John and Burt. He is a Republican in politics believing the principles upon which that party is based to be conducive to the greatest good to his section and to the country at large.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

MRS. ELIZABETH A. THOMPSON, whose maiden name was Garretson, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, October 28, 1812. She is a daughter of Read and Jane Garretson, natives respectively of New Jersey and Virginia. Mrs. Thompson, when seventeen years of age, removed with her parents to Warren County, Ohio, where she remained until the age of twenty, when she married Cornelius Thompson, a prosperous young farmer of Warren County. He was a son of Roden and Clara (Sayles) Thompson, natives of North Carolina. In April, 1849, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson removed to Miami County and entered forty acres of land where Mrs. Thompson now resides. Mr. Thompson was a member of the Baptist Church and a highly respected citizen. His death occurred August 15, 1870. Mrs. Thompson has been a member of the Baptist Church over half a century. She is the mother of six children, only one living - John C., who was born July 26, 1852. Miss Anna Stevens became his wife, October 22, 1873, and to them have been born three children: Charley, Pearl and Harvey.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

REV. BEVERLY R. WARD is the youngest of a family of thirteen children, born to Beverly R. and Nettie (Glore)Ward. His parents were married in Kentucky, October 23, 1799. Mr. Ward is a native of Rush County, Indiana. He remained with his mother until 1838, his father having died October 23, 1829. His early education was obtained in the country school, which in his youth were of rather an infericr type. In 1838 he accompanied his brother James to Clinton County, where James entered eighty acres of land. Our subject took a claim in 1841 in what was then A known as the seven mile strip or canal lands. In 1848 he remove to Alto, Howard County, and engaged in the cabinet business, which he followed three years, and then sold out and entered the Franklin Theological College, a Baptist institution. He was ordained a minister in 1852, and has since been actively engaged in the ministry, having under his charge three appointments: Young America, Cass County; Dunkirk, and Mt. Pisgah Church, near Alexandria, Madison County. He is also a farmer and owns a fine farm in Section 14. He has been twice married, the first time to Miss Nancy lett, by whom he had eight children: Williamson D., James O., Sampson L., John H., Carey J., Preston B. and a child that died in infancy. Mrs. Ward was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and her death, which occurred January 15, 1864 was much lamented. Mr. Ward's second marriage took place in 1864 with Mrs. Rebecca C. Okeson. Six children have been born to the marriage, four of whom are living, viz: Luella, Nellie G., Mary T., Lizzie May. Mr. Ward is a Republican.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township

HON. WILLIAM ZEHRING, a prominent citizen and farmer of Deer Creek Township, is a native of Butler County, Ohio, born May 3, 1821, and is a second son in a family of five children born to William and Elizabeth (Girst) Zehring, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and of German extraction. The father died in 1872 and the mother in 1885. Although our subject's educational training was somewhat limited, attending school only two or three months of the year, he was selected to teach the school in his neighborhood, and continued in that vocation until he had taught eleven terms. In 1856 he bought one hundred acres of land in Montgomery County, Ohio, for which he paid $2,000 down, the amount of his savings for thirteen years. In 1857 he came to Miami County and purchased a farm of 160 acres, where he has ever since resided. His life has been marked by industry and energy, and by diligent labor he has amassed a competence to sustain him in his declining years. He is a Democrat in politics, and has filled the positions of Township Trustee, County Commissioner and Representative in the Legislature. His marriage with Susannah Feagler, daughter of John and Susannah Feagler, residents of Montgomery County, Ohio, took place August 20, 1845. Of their nine children these are now living: Josiah, William, Irving, Benjamin F., Sarah E., John H. and Alfred E. Mrs. Zehring died March 18, 1865. Mr. Zehring's second marriage was solemnized March 16, 1869, with Mrs. Lucinda Wilson. To their union one child has been born, namely: Katie (deceased). Mrs. Zehring is a member of the U. B. Church.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Deer Creek Township