WILLIAM F. M. FRAZIER, one of Blackford's early settlers, who is engaged in farming on section 4, in Washington Township, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, being born September 2, 1828. At the age of five his father, William N., and mother, Julia Ann (Pickens) Frazier, emigrated to Franklin ounty, Indiana. After residing there two years they removed to Henry County, Indiana, and moved to various other localities during his life, having died at the advanced age of over ninety-eight years. At the early age of sixteen young William left his father's home to make his own way in the world, first finding work in a tan-yard in new Castle, Indiana; then learning the potter's trade at the same place. After two years work he went to Preble County, Ohio, where he finished his trade and worked at it until 1850. In a few days after New Years of 1851 he was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Ullom, who was born in Darke County, Ohio, May 29, 1830.Her father, Daniel Ullom, died when she was two years old. At
the age of six her mother, Jane (Wilt) Ullom, was married to John McFarland, and to them were born Archibald and Emily. At the age of ten she was left an orphan by the death of her mother. She then went to live with her uncle, Henry Hutton, of Preble County, Ohio, who was appointed her guardian, her brother, Benjamin F., being bound to Henry Coblentz, of Darke County, Ohio. Catharine was reared by her uncle until eighteen years of age, after which time she lived in the family of Calvin Henderson, now of Blackford County, Indiana, until married. When married, William settled on a farm near New Madison, Ohio, in which vicinity he resided nearly five years, employing himself in farming and aiding in a few jobs of carpenter work. On October1, 1855, William started for Blackford with his family, consisting of wife and child, James, arriving at this present home, then in the wilderness, after six days weary travel, the roads being almost impassible from logs, stumps and mud. The rain came down in gentle
torrents all the time except the last half day, during which time it snowed for a change. Mr. Frazier still resides on the farm which he unraveled from the deep forest, consisting of over sixty acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. A log hut was built before his arrival, but with only the earth for a floor, and the door consisted of a bed-quilt for some time. In 1876 the old log cabin gave way to the substantial frame which he now occupies. Until the past few years the woods were full of wild turkeys and squirrels, and many are the ones that have fallen beneath the aim of his rifle. His principal way of making money has been in raising horses, but his chief delight was in feeding hogs. Opossum and raccoon hunting was one of his favorite pastimes during his early days in Blackford. Mr. Frazier has always been a very great reader, and there are few current topics on which he is not well informed, his chief delight being history, religion and politics. Himself, wife and son, R.A., are
members of the Church of God, more commonly known as the "Soul-sleepers." In 1864 Mr. Frazier was drafted, and remained in the United States service until the close of the war, being in Sherman's famous march through the Carolinas, having joined the army at Charleston, South Carolina. He traveled in all through sixteen States while serving his country, being a member of Company C, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteers, and being one of that numerous multitude that raised up their voice and shouted: "The Union now and forever, one and inseparable! "He participated in Sherman's review on the 24th of May 1865. "Billy and Katy," as they are commonly called, have ever lived a happy and honorable life, and around their home have been clustered many of the happiest hours ever passed in Blackford. Their doors have ever been open to all who sought comfort, and none ever departed hungry or sad. Their house has for years been the center of attraction and enjoyment, for it contains many of the luxuries of art, science and
literature, not found in every home, to which is added the refinement and superior qualities of their sons. If a crown is prepared for the acts of generous and kind humanity, the heads of this family will certainly possess many a star of glory. To William and Catharine Frazier have been born six sons, two deceased and four living-Benjamin F., born in November, 1851, died when ten days old; James T., born October 14, 1852, died January 18, 1873, after a lingering illness of seventeen weeks and three days, with typhoid fever, his life being closed with black-bone erysipelas and dropsy. James had attended school at Bluffton, Indiana, and six terms in the Ridgeville College, Indiana. He had taught two terms of school, and was elected for a third when he died. F. Marion (see bio) was born August 20, 1857. His early boyhood days were spent on the farm, as all the others have been, until about the age of twenty, when he commenced teaching school in his home district. He was one of the most
thorough and considerate teachers that ever entered a door, and was loved and respected by his pupils to a degree that but few parents ever gain. He attended at various times the Ridgeville College, Fort Wayne Methodist Episcopal College, Purdue University, and the Northern Indiana Normal School. In 1882 he was appointed principal of the Montpelier, Indiana, school, but resigned after a short time to accept a position in the Pension Office in Washington, D.C. He filled the position with honor, but the work being unpleasant he resigned January 17, 1883, and entered the law school, where he graduated May 9, 1844, with the first honors of his class, receiving the degree of LL.B. He was admitted to both the Circuit and Supreme courts of Indiana early in June, 1884. While teaching a Normal school in 1886 he was engaged as special collector and bookkeeper for "The Bank of Manson," Manson, Iowa, which place he filled with more than ordinary ability and accuracy. When he had the affairs of the
bank all settled, he was immediately sent by "The Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company," of Chicago, Illinois, as their special traveling collector to Dakota Territory. F. M. has paid much attention to history and literature, and has quite a volume of poems, many of which are considered of a high order. He is a genial, jolly, whole-souled companion, and Marion, as he is called, is ever welcomed by all. Robert A. was born March 4, 1862. After attending the district school he went to the Fort Wayne Methodist Episcopal College in the winter of 1879. In 1880 he commenced teaching, and since that time has employed many months in the school-room, being one of the most successful and popular teachers of the county. He has at various times attended the Fort Wayne Methodist Episcopal College, Ridgeville College, and the Eastern Indiana Normal School. He is now engaged in his eighth year, teaching about six months each year. R.A. has for two years past taken much interest in raising fine horses, and
much of his time during the summer has been devoted to their development. He has a fine specimen of the equine race, and his stable stands in the first rank of the county. Sherman S., born June 1, 1865, like his brothers, has had good educational advantages, having spent four winters under his brother F. M.'s thorough instruction, and having attended the Fort Wayne Methodist Episcopal College and the Eastern Indiana Normal School. For the past two years he has engaged in teaching, with first-class success. He is making preparations to enter the medical profession. He is a young man of more than ordinary physical and mental ability, and there can be a bright future predicted for him. Levi S., born December 20, 1869, has had the same advantages of education enjoyed by his brother Sherman S., in the district school. He is preparing for the teacher's station, and ere long will wield the educational sword. He is yet young and has never had any chance to display his ability, but gives promise of
being equal to the best. Like his next older brother, he gives evidence of a bright future.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF JAY AND BLACKFORD COUNTIES, INDIANA; THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY, 118 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO, 1887. (PGs. 788 - 791)
Submitted by Peggy Karol
I have transcribed this obituary exactly as it appeared in the newspaper from a poor xerox copy. The Obituary copied did not have a newspaper name but was taped on the same page that had 1930s, and 1940s articles from the Hartford City newspaper. The Hartford City, Blackford County, Indiana newspaper has been sold many times over the years and published under various names. As such, a representative of the current the News Times of Hartford City has granted permission to reprint the following article. Peggy Karol (1/15/99)
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Hartford City, Blackford, Indiana Newspaper (date illegible)
BRIEF CRITICAL ILLNES CLAIMS A LOCAL WOMAN
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STRICKEN ON TUESDAY
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Death Came Three Hours After She Was Stricken - In Ailing Health Three Years
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Mrs. Maude TOWNSEND, 49, widow of the late Fred TOWNSEND, died at Blackford county hospital at 1:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Following a brief critical illness. Death was attributed to kidney and heart trouble, high blood pressure and resultant complications. While Mrs. TOWNSEND has been ailing health for the past three years, her condition early Tuesday morning appeared no worse and she was able to perform her usual early household duties. She was stricken suddenly critically ill about 8:30 o'clock Tuesday morning and three hours later she was admitted to the hospital. Mrs. TOWNSEND was widely and favorably known and her sudden death comes as a severe shock to her many friends. Mrs. TOWNSEND is survived by six sons, Richard TOWNSEND, 30, west Franklin street, Francis TOWNSEND, 28, Edward TOWNSEND, 25, Arthur TOWNSEND, 21, Vernon TOWNSEND, 13 and Jack TOWNSEND, 11, all residing at the family home, 520 north Mulberry street; two daughters, Mrs. Gerald Wise.
east Grant street, and Marjorie TOWNSEND at home; a sister, Mrs. Oma CASTERLINE, west Franklin street, two grandchildren, Ray TOWNSEND and Constance TOWNSEND, city. Four children preceded her in death, Rachel, Frederick Jr., Benjamin and Charlotte. Charles TOWNSEND and Adam TOWNSEND of this city and William TOWNSEND of Berne, are brothers-in-law of Mrs. TOWNSEND. A step-father Ed WELLS, resides in Wisconsin. Maude TOWNSEND was a native of this county living here her entire life. Her mother, Mary WELLS, proceeded her in death fifteen years ago. In 1903, she married Fred TOWNSEND, who died on January 12, 1935. She was a devout member of the local Christian church and a member of the Daughters of America lodge. No funeral arrangements had been made late Tuesday afternoon. The body was taken to Baxter and Fennig mortuary to be prepared for burial and will be returned to the home later.
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P. KAROL COMMENTS: Maude TOWNSEND was the daughter of Mary LEFFLER; granddaughter of Elizabeth TOWNSEND and Daniel LEFFLER; gr. granddaughter of Alvah TOWNSEND and Elzara SHIELDS; gr. gr. granddaughter of Gilbert TOWNSEND Sr., and Mary (Polly) SAXON; gr. gr. gr. granddaughter of John SAXON and Elizabeth EVANS (who came to Blackford County, IN)
Submitted by Peggy Karol
THOMAS OVERFIELD, farmer, Section 35, Township 32, Range 16, P. O. Independence, was born in Shropshire, England, 1826, and emigrated to America, 1850, stopping a while in Danvers, Mass., and in New Jersey he was engaged in the patent leather business. He started with his family from Boston on Tuesday, September 26, 1850, and on October 10th he took a claim on Washington Creek, Douglas Co., Kas., where he lived nine years. There were then, in Lawrence, a half dozen tents and a log house, a few Delaware Indians and traders. In 1864, he moved, with his family, to the town of Lawrence, where he lived six years, and then in 1869, took a claim of 160 acres on Drum Creek, Montgomery County, on which he has made improvements, planted a beautiful grove of maples and other trees, besides twenty acres of orchard. He was married to Margaret Fergusson, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, born April 3, 1831, and educated in the same city. They have seven children--William,
married to Elizabeth Saxon, and living in the vicinity; Charles, Agnes, married to Charles Yoe, editor of the Independence Tribune; John, George, Ninian, Frank. Mr. Overfield is a member of the Masonic Fraternity. He has been identified with the early history of the State and interested in its material prosperity. Marriage Records:
William H. OVERFIELD, 27, married Marey E. SAXON, 21, on 16 Oct 1881.
1880 Printed Census for Montgomery Co, KS
38-39 SAXON, James W M 75 father NY NY NY Drum Creek,
Aseneth W F 71 Mother NY NY CT ,
Benjamin W M 45 Son Farmer NY NY NY,
Mary W F 48 wife OH GER GER,
Elizabeth M. W F 20 Dau IN NY OH,
George B. W M 13 Son IN NY OH ,
Emma W F 7 Dau IN NY OH,
Arthur M. W M 3 Son IN NY OH,
Alvah W M 38 Brother IN NY NY,
Charles M. W M 12 Nephew IN IN OH,
Mary E. W F 8 Niece IN IN OH,
Ann A. W F 20 Dau Adopted by James IN IN OH
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PK COMMENT: James Saxon was the son of John Saxon and Elizabeth Evans who came to Blackford County ca. 1838 with many members of their extended families. Some of those members include Gilbert Townsend and his wife Mary (Polly) Saxon, daughter of John Saxon. John Saxon was a Revolutionary War soilder who is buried in Hartford City in the I.O.O.F. cemetery. Aneseth Wixon was the daughter of Shubal Wixon and the wife of James Saxon. These families were pioneers of Blackford County. FOr additional information see the biography of John Saxon, son of James Saxon.
Transcribed from William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Part 18 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES--DRUM CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Submitted by Peggy Karol
I have transcribed this obituary exactly as it appeared in the Hartford City Telegram. CECIL E. BEESON, Blackford County Historian, provided this copy to me ca. 1983. The Hartford City, Blackford County, Indiana newspapers have been sold many times over the years and published under various names. As such, a representative of the current the News Times of Hartford City has granted permission to reprint the following article. Peggy Karol (1/15/99)
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Hartford City Telegram
November 27, 1912
LAST OF FAMILY OF 13 SUCCUMBS
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MRS. ELIZABETH LEFFLER, 85, CALLED TO FINAL REWARD
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Long Resident of Blackford County - Had Hosts of Friends and Relatives
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Mrs. Elizabeth LEFFLER, 85, the last of a family of thirteen children, passed away about 6 o'clock Monday evening at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ed WELLS, 806 west Kickapoo street, following an illness of two days. Although Mrs. LEFFLER had not been in good health for the past two years she was not seriously ill until last Saturday evening. At that time she was found by her daughter, who was returning from a trip uptown, on the floor in an unconscious condition. Her aliment was diagnosed as paralysis of the brain. Since Saturday evening the aged lady had spoken but a few words and was unconscious most of the time. The funeral services, which will be held from the WELLS home, will be largely attended. Mrs. LEFFLER was widely known throughout the county and is survived by nine grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and numerous other relatives. Rev. M. F. DAWSON, pastor of the United Brethren church, will have charge of the obsequies, and
interment will be made in the MILES cemetery, northwest of the city. The services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday. The decedent, whose maiden name was Elizabeth TOWNSEND, was born in Steuben county, New York, May 7, 1827. She came to this county with her parents, Mr. And Mrs. Gilbert TOWNSEND, at the age of twelve years and took up her residence north of the city. She was united in marriage to Daniel LEFFLER April 20, 1850 and was preceded to the grave by her husband, who passed to the great beyond March 11, 1885. There are four children surviving as follows: Mrs. Ed WELLS, of the city; Alva C. LEFFLER, of Richland, Wis.; James and George LEFFLER, of Stanley, Wis.; Mrs. J. Fred TOWNSEND, of this city, is a grandchild, while the remaining eight live in Wisconsin. Charles, John, Gilbert, James S. and Alva TOWNSEND, Mrs. Allen GADBURY and Mrs. Fantly FOY, all deceased, were brothers and sisters of Mrs. LEFFLER who were known here. Several of
the family died at advanced ages. Gilbert TOWNSEND was the father of County Superintendent Cifford TOWESEND and Alva TOWNSEND the grandfather of Sheriff Charles TOWNSEND. Mrs. LEFFLER was formerly a member of the United Brethren church and was also a Universalist. She was a conscientious, christian woman and in her death the community loses a good citizen. She was the last of the older generation of a family whose descendents are among Blackford county's most substantial and highly respected citizens.
OBITUARY DECEMBER 4, 1912 - HARTFORD CITY TELEGRAM
Elizabeth LEFFLER, daughter of Gilbert and Mary TOWNSEND was born in Steuben county, New York May 7th 1827, and answered death's summons Nov. 25, 1912, age 85 years, 6 months and 18 days. The deceased moved to Indiana from New York in 1839. She was united in marriage to Daniel LEFFLER on April 20, 1850. This union was blessed with four children, three sons, Alvah, James and George; one daughter, Mrs. Edward WELLS, all of whom live to mourn the death of their mother. The deceased was one of thirteen children all of whom have gone to the great beyond before her. Besides her sons and daughter, the deceased's death is mourned by a number of grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. She lived in Blackford county for 73 years where she has been known as a kind and gentle wife and a sympathetic, loving mother, optimistic and ever ready to make those about her happy.
To you, dear friends, once more the dark clouds have gathered,
the boatman has come and removed from your midst a friend and mother to a land of sunshine and happiness.
One by one they are dropping over the side of the boat into the realms of eternal bliss, so our loss is their eternal gain.
Once more the signal has been heard in heaven: "Well done loving mother enter into the joys of thy Lord."
To you bereaved friends, we offer our heart felt sympathy, hoping you will remember the Lord's words,
"She is not dead but sleeping" and after the last tear is shed, after the toils of life are over, you can meet your loved ones once in the sweet beyond to part no more.
From our circle, dearest mother,
Slowly hast thou passed away;
But the angels say "Mother Joins our holy band today"
As the dove from Noah's window
Did return from o'er the flood:
So the gentle spirit took its flight
Back to the bosom of its God.
Thou are taken from our number;
Lain in the dark and silent tomb;
Closed the eyes in deathless slumber,
Faded in life's aged bloom.
See, she beckons from the portals
Of our Father's home above;
"Weep not for me, dearest loved ones;
Meet me in this land of love."
Oh how oft we've met in gladness,
Round the fireside in our home,
Where now reigns an air of sadness
Since we are left alone.
Yes, again we hope to meet thee
When our days of life have fled,
And in heaven with joy to greet thee,
Where no farewell tears are shed.
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CARD OF THANKS
We desire to extend our heartfelt thanks and make known our appreciation to those neighbors and friends, the D. of A. lodge and the D. of A. club for their sympathy, assistance and floral offerings, during our recent bereavement occasioned by the death of our mother, Mrs. Elizabeth LEFFLER MR. & MRS. ED WELLS & (illegible)
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P. KAROL COMMENTS: Elizabeth LEFFLER was the daughter of Alvah TOWNSEND and Elzara SHIELDS; granddaughter of Gilbert TOWNSEND Sr., and Mary (Polly) SAXON; gr. granddaughter of John SAXON and Elizabeth EVANS (who came to Blackford County, IN, ca. 1839)
Submitted by Peggy Karol
NORMAN WOOD
Norman J. Wood, deputy county clerk, is the son of John G. and Jane (Bugh) Wood, and was born in Blackford County, Indiana, on the 25th day of April, 1872. In the public schools, which he attended quite regularly during the years of his minority, he obtained a good practical education, and at the age of twenty left the paternal roof and engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, which he followed with fair success until 1894. In the fall of that year Mr. Wood became deputy county treasurer under his father and continued to discharge the duties of the position until the later part of 1896, when he took charge of his father's grocery business in this city, conducting the same for a period of one year. Severing his connections with merchandizing, Mr. Wood was appointed deputy county clerk of Blackford county, the duties of which position he has discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner since August, 1897. Our subject is well fitted for the responsible place with
which he has been entrusted. As is well known, the office requires a clear brain, sound judgment and clerical ability of a high order, all of which he possess in a marked degree, as is evidenced by the excellent records he has kept and the efficiency and dispatch with which the routine business has been transacted. He enjoys the confidence of his superior and also of the court, is kind and obliging to all having business with the office, and among the officials and clerks in the court house none is more popular or stands higher in the estimation of the people. His faithfulness and efficiency in subordinate capacities, together with a wide acquaintance throughout the county, has given rise to the prediction that the future waits him with a still more responsible and remunerative position, the direct gift of the people.
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF BLACKFORD COUNTY, IND.; EDITED BY BENJAMIN G. SHINN; THE BOWEN PUBLISHING COMPANY. CHICAGO, 1900. (Pages 248)
Submitted by: Peggy Karol
JOHN GOODIN WOOD
John G. Wood, a prominent business man of Hartford City and ex-treasurer of Blackford county, is descended paternally from an old Pennsylvania family and on the mother's side from one of the pioneers of Perry county, Ohio. His father, Reason Wood, moved in an early day from Monongahela county, Pennsylvania, to Morrow county, Ohio, where he met and married Jane Goodin, and later located in the town of Woodbury, where he worked at the blacksmith trade until his removal, in 1853, to Blackford county, Indiana. For some years after coming to this state he followed his trade, but subsequently exchanged it for agricultural pursuits, taking charge of a small farm in Harrison township which came into his possession prior to his removal to Blackford county. He made his home on this place until 1882, when he disposed of his real estate and moved to Saline county, Nebraska, where he remained until the death of his wife, after which he returned to this county and purchased a farm a
short distance west of Montpelier, in the township of Harrison, where his death occurred on the 25th day of July, 1896. By his first marriage, noted above, Reason Wood became the father of the following children: Sarah E., wife of John Hart, of Harrison township; Mary M., deceased; Maude J., deceased; Lucinda, wife of George W. Woolford, of Saline county, Nebraska; John G., whose name appears at the beginning of this article and Asa Smith, deceased. Mr. Wood was married a second time at Montpelier, but to this union there was no issue.Much might be written of Reason Wood as a man and citizen. He belonged to that large and industrious class that do much in a quiet way to advance the material interests of the country and by lives directed and controlled by the principles of moral rectitude give character and tone to the community. Intelligent beyond the majority, he was a great reader, fully informed on all the leading questions of the day, and he wielded a potent influence for the Republican
party in his township. In religious belief he was a Baptist, to which denomination he was unswerving on his loyalty during the greater part of his life and in the faith of which he passed from the church militant to the church triumphant.John Goodin Wood was born April 1, 1842, in Morrow county, Ohio, and there he passed the first years of his life. In 1853 he was brought by his parents to Blackford county, Indiana, from which date until his twentieth year he remained on the home farm in Harrison township, attending meanwhile the common schools and obtaining a practical knowledge of the branches taught therein. In the spring of 1863 he responded to the country's call for volunteers by joining Company H, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain W. G. Lett, with which he served a little less than one year, being mustered out at Indianapolis at the expiration of his period of enlistment. Returning home, he farmed for his father until 1865, on October 13th, of which year,
he was united in marriage to Miss Jane Bugh, daughter of Barnhardt and Hannah J. (Coddington) Bugh, and immediately thereafter engaged in agriculture pursuits for himself on the home place in Harrison township. After three years thus spent Mr. Wood purchased a place of his own in the township of Washington, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres of fertile land, which under his successful management became one of the best farms in that part of the county. He made this place his home for a period of ten years, when he removed to the old home farm which in the meantime he had purchased and which is still in his possession. Mr. Wood's success as a farmer more than met his expectations and during the period of his residence in the country he enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most thorough and progressive agriculturists of the county. In 1894 he was elected to the office of treasurer of Blackford county attend the better to attend the duties incident thereto he rented his
farm and removed to Hartford City where he has since continued to reside. After acting as custodian of the county funds two years and discharging his official functions faithfully and efficiently, Mr. Wood, at the expiration of his term, retired from the office and in partnership with W. H. Cox engaged in the grocery business. Within one month he purchased his partner's interest and since this time has been sole proprietor of one of the largest and best appointed grocery houses in the city. As a business man Mr. Wood easily ranks with the first of Hartford City and his influence on the commercial interests of the place has been such as to bring him into prominent notice, not only to the people of the county, among whom he is widely and favorably known, but also to wholesale dealers in his line in large business cities of the country. By carefully studying the wishes of the public and courteously catering thereto, he has succeeded in building up a very extensive trade. In addition to this he
also gives personnel attention to his large farming interests in Blackford and other counties, owning a beautiful place of one hundred and sixty acres in Harrison township, two hundred and forty acres in the township of Washington, upon which are six producing oil wells, and other valuable property in city and country, all of which came to him as the result of his careful business forethought and successful operations as a financier.
Transcriber's note: George W. Woolford may be George Alexander Wilford
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF BLACKFORD COUNTY, IND.; EDITED BY BENJAMIN G. SHINN; THE BOWEN PUBLISHING COMPANY. CHICAGO, 1900. (Pages 238 – 241)
Submitted by: Peggy Karol