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

JOSEPH L. BROWER is a native of Miami County, Indiana, son of the old and highly esteemed pioneers, Noah and Sarah (Lybrook) Brower, who were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. Noah Brower was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Teal) Brower, who settled in Miami County, Indiana, in a very early day. They were the parents of ten children, viz.: Aaron, Joseph, Noah, Mary, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Abraham, Sarah, Susannah and Jacob. Noah, the father of our subject, was born in Preble County, Ohio, January 28, 1817. He came to Miami County, Indiana, about the year 1836, and was married in Jefferson Township, this county, May 3,1840, to the above Sarah, daughter of Balser and Mary (Eikenberry) Lybrook. She was born in Union County, Indiana, March 28, 1823. After Noah Brower's marriage he settled near Mexico, Indiana, and for a number of years carried on tanning. He afterwards purchased land near Mexico, upon which he settled and resided for eighteen years. He then purchased a farm near Denver, Indiana, upon which he resided until death, July 22, 1877. His wife survived him until January 3, 1885. They were the parents of four children, viz.: Mariah, born August 2, 1841; Joseph L., born May 22, 1845; Balser J., born September 14, 1856; and Albert C., born May 21, 1861. Joseph L. Brower was married in Richland Township, this county, November 17, 1867, to Samantha O., daughter of Benjamin F. and Catherine C. (Wooley) Kirby. She was born in Richland Township, October 24, 1848. In about the year 1874, Mr. Brower settled upon his present farm in Richland Township, where he has since resided. He owns 170 acres of fine land, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He has had born to him eight children, viz. Almedia M., born October 10, 1868, Deo O., born August 13, 1870; Noah B., born February 22, 1873; Nettie M., born January 4, 1875; Grace M., born December 27, 1876, and died June 6, 1878; Clarence A., born July 27, 1879, and died August 3, 1881; Sylvia I., born July 10, 1881, and Sarah E., born September 20, 1884. Mr. Brower and wife are members of the German Baptist Church, in which he has been a minister since the year 1880.

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

JOHN C. DAVIS (farmer, stock raiser and grain dealer), of Richland Township, was born in Madison County, Ohio, September 8, 1838. His parents Samuel and Zuba (Patterson) Davis were both natives of Ohio, and were united in marriage in Guernsey County in September, 1837. They subsequently settled in Madison County, Ohio, where the mother died, November 9, 1839. The father subsequently married Martha Smith, and in 1852 moved to Miami County, Indiana, settling upon the same farm on which our subject now resides, in Richland Township, Section 16. He died August 19, 1866. He was the father of seven children, viz.: John C., by Miss Patterson, and Isaac M., James J., Joseph T., Eliza J., Mary C. and Alice E., by Miss Smith. John C., our subject, the eldest member of the family, came with his parents to this county in 1852, and has resided here ever since. He was united in marriage in Richland Township, September 20, 1868, to Julia A., daughter of Reuben C. and Judith A. (Keever) Harrison. She was born in Randolph County, Indiana, June 21, 1834. Soon after Mr. Davis' marriage he settled upon his present farm. He owns at present 300 acres of fine and well improved land. Mr. Davis was elected to the office of Commissioner of Miami County in 1876, and re-elected again in 1882. He was a member of the Board of Commissioners when the County Asylum was built; also when the Wabash bridge, of Peru; the Dennison mill bridge, the Pettysville bridge and a number of other small bridges were constructed. Mr. Davis is an intelligent and enterprising man, and one of Richland's representative citizens.

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

DAVID FOUTS, son of Michael and Sarah (Brower) Fouts, was born in Preble County, Ohio, April 22, 1831. He came with his parents to this county in 1837, and has resided here ever since. He was married in Richland Township, this county, February 18, 1858, to Mary J., daughter of Benavil and Sarah (Keim) Derck. She was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, May 26, 1839. After his marriage Mr. Fouts settled in Richland Township, Section 8, where he resided until the spring of 1882, when he settled upon his present farm, in Section 18, Richland Township, where he has resided since. He owns at present 240 acres of land. Has had born to him five children, viz.: Andrew, born November 30, 1859; George L., born November 2, 1863; Sarah E., born November 4, 1866; Lewis E., born October 15, 1870, and Oren, born November 18, 1884.

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

SAMUEL T. GRIFFITH was born in Wayne County, Indiana, June 26, 1833. His parents, Benjamin and Martha (Martindale) Griffith, were natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. They settled in Wayne County, Indiana, in an early day, and from thence moved to Cass County, Indiana, in 1835, and in 1836 to Miami County, Indiana, settling in Richland Township. They were the parents of seven children, viz.: Azel, William, Moses, Samuel T., Harrison, Sarah A., and Martha J. Samuel T. Griffith came with his parents to this county in 1836. He was married in Richland Township, July 27, 1856, to Mary A., daughter of Jesse Wilkinson. She was born in Miami County, Indiana, March 4, 1837. After Mr. Griffith married he settled upon the same farm on which he now resides. His wife died August 9, 1872, having borne him three children, viz.: Jesse W., born April 12, 1857; Martha J., born February 19, 1859, and died June 19, 1873; Samuel A., born October 3, 1869, and died November 5, 1878. On November 25, 1874, Mr. Griffith married Mrs. Eliza J. Long, and daughter of James M. and Anna E. (Mitton) Jones. She is a native of Indiana, and was born March 4, 1845. Six children have been born to this union, viz.: Oscar E., born December 8, 1875; James O., born January 25, 1877; Minnie L., born February 17, 1879; Harrison G., born February 23, 1881; James L., born August 21, 1882; and Annie, born March 3, 1884. Mr. Griffith and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He owns, at present, 166 acres of fine land. His wife has one child born to her by Mr. Long, Amos E., born June 26, 1864.

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

JAMES HOLLENSHADE, one of the pioneers of Miami County, is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and born July 1, 1812. His parents, James and Catharine (Weist) Hollenshade, were natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was born in County Down, Ireland, in June, 1770. He was one of five children born to Tites and Jane Hollenshade. He immigrated to the United States in about the year 1792, landing at Norfolk, Virginia, and from thence went to Baltimore, Maryland, and subsequently to York County, Pennsylvania, where he was married to Catherine Weist. In 1809 he moved to the State of Ohio, where he resided until death, which occurred in Preble County, March 25, 1840. His widow subsequently moved to Jersey County, Illinois, where she died July 12, 1855, at the age of seventy-four years, seven months and twenty-two days. They were the parents of six children, viz.: John, Jane, Jacob, James, Nancy and Margaret. James Hollenshade was married in Preble County, Ohio, January 29, 1835, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Barbara (Sherer) Spacht. She was born in Preble County, Ohio, October 30, 1812. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hollenshade settled near Eaton, Ohio, where they resided until 1850, when they moved to Miami County, Indiana, settling upon the same farm on which he now resides, in Richland Township, Section 23. Mr. Hollenshade owns at present 230 acres of fine and well-improved land. His wife died June 8, 1872; and on April 16, 1874, he married Anna E., daughter of Absalom and Rebecca (Homes) Boicourt. She was born in Decatur County, Indiana, June 27, 1848. Mr. Hollenshade has had born to him five children, viz.: Catharine, born October 1, 1837, and died August 6, 1857; Mary B., born May 27, 1840; Jacob M., born March 28, 1842; Elizabeth M., born January 22, 1846, and died September 17, 1871, by his first wife; and Jesse L., born October 21, 1876, by his last wife; also one adopted child, Bertha W., born September 2, 1871.

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

TIMOTHY L. KING, one of the pioneers of Miami County, is a native of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, was born March 9, 1814. His parents-Justis B. and Sally (Wainwright) King - were natives of Massachusetts, and from thence, in 1817, moved to the State of Ohio. They were the parents of seven children, viz.: Mary, David W., Jane L., William H., Clarissa A., Timothy L. and Artelissa E. Timothy L., our subject, accompanied his parents to Ohio, and was married in Portage County, that State, September 9,1835, to Mary M., daughter of Levi and Lydia (Chapman) Wright. She was born in Tioga County, New York, January 15, 1818. After Mr. King's marriage, he first settled in Portage County, Ohio, where he resided until the fall of 1839, at which time he moved to Miami County, Indiana, settling upon land in Erie Township. In March, 1846, he settled upon the farm where he now resides, in Section 32, Richland Township. He owns at present seventy-six acres of fine and well improved land. Has had born to him eleven children, viz.: Riley G., born December 24, 1836; Austa I., born September 19, 1838; Lydia J., born March 31, 1841, and died May 27, 1869; William W., born July 6, 1843, and died July 6, 1865; Albert E., born January 13, 1846; Florence E., born March 10, 1848; Oscar A., born February 22, 1851; Mary A., born September 6, 1853, and died April 17, 1875; Charles L., born February 20, 1856, and died November 11, 1876; Emma L., born June 29, 1862, and Frederick E., born February 27, 1865. Mr. King and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

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

DANIEL KING is a native of Baden, Germany, born December 10, 1830. His parents were Daniel and Mary (Shrinear) King, both natives of Germany, and were born as follows: The father in the year 1802, and the mother in the year 1808. They were the parents of five children, viz.: Mary, Frederick, George, Margaret and Daniel, our subject, the eldest member of the family. He emigrated to the United States in 1853, landing at New York City, and from thence, moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1854, to Miami County, Indiana, where he was married, December 1, 1861, to Mary King. She was born in Baden, Germany, November 15, 1838, and was a daughter of Martin and Solomon (Zear) King. After our subject's marriage, he settled near Stockdale, in Perry Township, where he resided until the spring of 1865, at which time he moved to a farm in the same township, where he resided until the spring of 1884. He then settled upon his present farm in Richland Town-ship, Section 24, which he had purchased in 1880. He owns at present 281 acres of fine and well improved land, 121 acres in Richland Township, upon which he resides, and 160 acres in Perry Township. He has had born to him nine children, viz.: Freeda, born September 15, 1862; Minna, born January 6, 1865; Adelena, born February 20, 1867; Lizzie, born March 28, 1869; Mary I., born September 7, 1871; George W., born March 29, 1874; Charles, born December 4, 1876; Emma, born April 17, 1879, and Margaret N., born September 16, 1881.

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

CHARLES M. LONG was born in Union County, Indiana, September 27, 1832. His parents, John and Margaret (Martindale) Long, were natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. The father was a son of Frederick and Rachel (Starr) Long also natives of North Carolina. They emigrated to Union County, Indiana, in 1812. They were the parents of seven children, viz.: Sarah, Elizabeth, John, Henry, Ann, Joseph and James. John Long was born in Surrey County, North Carolina, April 25, 1807. He was married in Wayne County Indiana October 22, 1829, to the above Margaret Martindale, who was born in Kentucky, May 29, 1808. In 1836 Mr. John Long moved to Miami County, Indiana, and settled in Richland Township, where he has since resided. He is the father of seven children, viz.: Anna, Charles M., Nancy J., Amos, John W., Wilhelm H. and Margaret E. Charles, our subject, came with his parents to this county in 1836. He was married at Chili, Indiana, August 26, 1855, to Lentha A., daughter of Daniel and Amelia (Chandler) Griswold. She was born in Windsor County, Vermont, July 28, 1836. After his marriage Mr. Long settled upon the same farm on which he now resides in Section 14 Richland Township. He owns at present 320 acres of fine and well improved land. He has had born to him nine children, viz.: Clara A., born August 7, 1856, (deceased); Flora M., born February 5, 1859; Archibald J., born May 10, 1861; Effie A., born October 1.1863, (deceased); Charles W., born May 26, 1866; Emma I., born October 6, 1868; John F., born April 29, 1872; Uly C., born October 27, 1874, and Wittie C., born March 10, 1877.

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

NEWEL G. MILLER, one of Miami County's substantial and enterprising citizens, was born in Fayette County, Indiana, February 28, 1834. His parents Richard and Amy (Cox) Miller, were natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively, and were born as follows: The father in the year 1802 and the mother in 1813. They were married in Fayette County, Indiana, and from thence, in 1839, move to Miami County, March 11, 1861. His widow still survives, and resides at Paw-Paw, Indiana. Seven children were born to Richard and Amy Miller's union, viz.: Amanda M., Robert S., George B., James B., John C., Millard F., and Newel G. The subject came with his parents to this county in 1839 and has resided here ever since. He was married in Erie Township, this county, May 22, 1854, to Margaret, daughter of William and Catharine (Lockridge) Ptomey. She was born in Henry County, Indiana, December 25, 1832. After marriage Mr. Miller settled upon a part of the same farm on which he now resides. He owns, at present, 280 acres of fine and well improved land. He has had born to him five children, viz.: Theodore (deceased), Amanda M., Marion F., Otto B. (deceased), and Florence E. (deceased).

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

JOHN C. MILLER was born in Miami County, Indiana, May 8, 1840. His parents, Robert and Rebecca (Cox) Miller, were both natives of Kentucky, and were born as follows: The father in Scott County, September 16, 1806, and the mother in Lewis County, March 11, 1804. Robert Miller was a son of John Miller, who was a native of South Carolina, where he married Margaret Miller, who was a native of Ireland. After their marriage they settled in North Carolina, and from thence in 1800 moved to Scott County, Kentucky, where they resided until 1818, when they moved to Fayette County, Indiana. They were the parents of thirteen children, viz.: Nancy, Susan, Jane, Richard, John, Robert, Mary, Rebecca, Mahala, James, Alfred, Nathaniel and Eliza. Robert Miller and Rebecca Cox were united in marriage at Connersville, Fayette County, Indiana, July 22, 1828, and, in 1837, moved to Miami County, Indiana, settling in Richland Township, where he entered land, and where he resided until his death, which occurred August 29, 1884. His widow still survives and makes her home with her children. Ten children were born to this union, viz.: Henry C., Samuel C., Eliza A., Sarah E., Mary F. (deceased), Richard K., John C., Mary F., James C. and Thomas C. John C., our subject, was married in Richland Township, this county, February 13, 1861, to Philena, daughter of Joseph and Delilah (Keever) Burk; she was born June 6, 1839. After his marriage, Mr. Miller settled upon land in Richland Township, Section 21, a part of his father's old homestead, where he engaged in farming, and where he resided until the spring of 1864, at which time he removed to Peru, Ind., and engaged in the mercantile business. In the fall of 1866, he returned to Richland Township, and again engaged in farming until 1871, when he removed to Peru for the purpose of educating his family, carrying on farming in the meantime. In February, 1874, he again removed to Richland Township, and settled upon his present farm in Section 21. He owns at present 192 acres of fine and well improved land. Has had born to him three children, viz.: Clarence G., born November 21, 1861, and died April 11, 1862; Nellie, born September 3, 1863, and Mary L., born July 2, 1865; also a boy whom he has raised from infancy - Charles Baker - born May 20, 1876. Mr. Miller and family are members of the M. E. Church. They are an intelligent family, and are highly esteemed by all who know them. Mr. Miller is an enterprising man, and makes a specialty of raising and breeding short-horned cattle and fine stock.

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

CALEB PETTY, an old and highly esteemed pioneer of Miami County, is a native of Surrey County, North Carolina. His parents, William and Mary (Cogshell) Petty, were both natives of the same State. William Petty was a son of Zachariah and Nancy Petty, who were among the early pioneers of Surrey County, North Carolina. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom 6 were sons, viz.: Daniel, Josiah, Williams, Dotson, Elisha, Elijah and William, the father of our subject. William Petty was born in Surry County, North Carolina, May 11, 1787. He was married October 8, 1812, to the above Mary Cogshell, who was born in North Carolina, March 21, 1792, and was a daughter of Peter and Mary Cogshell. In 1825, William and Mary Petty moved to Wayne County, Indiana, and from thence, to Miami County, Indiana, in 1837, where they resided until their deaths, which occurred as follows: The mother, September 25, 1869, and the father, February 3, 1812. They were the parents of thirteen children, viz.: Daniel, born August 3, 1813; Caleb, born August 25, 1814; Zacariah, born January 5, 1816; William A.. born August 4 1817; Mary A., born June 22, 1819; Nancy C., born October 9, 1821; Milly M., born May 20, 1823; Thomas S., born March 25, 1825; Jonathan E., born April 28, 1827; Aaron N., born March 3, 1829; Rachel born March 16, 1831; Zeno born July 13, 1833, and Eliza J. born March 23, 1837. Caleb Petty came with his parents to Wayne County, Indiana, in the fall of 1836, and later, to Miami County, where he has since resided. He was married in Richland Township, March I5, 1847, to Matilda, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Basset) Swisher. She was born in Ripley County, Indiana August 10 1823. Immediately after Mr. Petty’s marriage, he settled upon his present farm in Richland Township, Section 29 he owns 160 acres of fine and well improved land. He has had born to him ten children, viz.: Samantha J., born June 30, 1849; George W., born October 7, 1850; Francis M., born April 17, 1853 and died February 24, 1861. Mary E., born February 7, 1855 and died February 21, 1861; Eliza A., born September 23, 1857, and died February 21, 1861; Malinda A., born February 25, 1860; Phebe L., born November 23, 1863; Margaret, F., born December 22, 1865, and died February 1, 1867; Dora B., born December 12, 1867, and died October 4, 1867, and an infant daughter, the eldest member of the family, which died young and not named. Mr. Petty and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

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

RUDOLPH STONER is a native of Switzerland, born January 12, 1820. His parents - Rudolph and Catherine (Greenizer) Stoner - were also natives of Switzerland, where the mother died in 1826. The father subsequently married Susan Marmot, and emigrated to the United States in 1832, landing at New York City, and from thence in the same year moved to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he resided until his death in the year 1841. He was the father of twelve children, viz.: Rudolph, Catherine, Susan and Mary (by hisfirst wife), and Jacob, Lizetta, Rosie, Louisa, Frederick, Mary and a pair of twins which died in infancy (by his last marriage). Rudolph Stoner came with his parents to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1832, where he resided until 1843, when he moved to Miami County, Indiana, and the same year entered eighty acres of land in Wabash County. He then returned to Ohio, and the following year returned to Miami County, Indiana, and in 1846 purchased a claim on a part of the same farm on which he now resides. June 18, 1846, he married Margaret, daughter of Obediah and Eve (Kent) Patterson. She was born in Holmes County, Ohio, May 13, 1826. In April, 1847, Mr. Stoner settled upon his land on which he had taken a claim in 1846, where he has since resided. He owns 16o acres of fine land, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. His wife died October 11, 1882, having borne him ten children, viz.: John, born February 26, 1848 (deceased); James A., born April 21, 1849; Benjamin F., born December 10, 1852; Martin V. B., born April 25, 1855 (deceased); Watson, born May 16, 1857; William, born November 29, 1859 (deceased); Ida M., born January 7, 1862 (deceased); Mary C., born January 26, 1864 (deceased), and two which died in infancy.

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

BENJAMIN E. WILSON, farmer and stock and grain dealer, of Miami County, is a native of Highland County, Virginia, born January 1, 1839. His parents, Abraham M. and Esther (Fleisher) Wilson, were natives of Highland County, Virginia; also, where the mother died. The father subsequently married Mrs. Ingals Shirley, and, in 1850, moved to Miami County, Indiana, where he resided until 1872, when he moved to Osage County, Kansas, where he still resides. He is the father of twelve children, viz.: Sarah A., Benjamin E. and Eliza, by first wife, and George, Samuel B., Harrison F., Hannah, Elizabeth, Jarred M., John E. James and Mary, by last wife. Benjamin E., our subject, came with his parents to this county in 1850, and has resided here ever since. He was married in Richland Township, this county, January 14, 1864, to Mary B., daughter of James and Elizabeth (Spacht) Hollenshade. She was born in Preble County, Ohio, May 27, 1840. After Mr. Wilson's marriage, he settled upon the farm on which he now resides. He owns at present 609 acres of fine land, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He has had born to him four children, viz.: Charles E., born December 10, 1864; Rosie E., born March 12, 1867; James J., born January 9, 1869, and Leon T., born June 8, 1883. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Odd Fellows' Order.

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