Blackford County Biography Ref. Page

ISAAC R. HARROLD. Belonging to that class of workers whose practical education, quick perceptions and great capacity for painstaking industry have had their influence in advancing them to positions of prominence, Isaac R. Harrold is justly accounted one of the strong, capable and stirring men of Blackford county, a progressive farmer, a public-spirited citizen and a man of philosophical trend of mind. For some years he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Washington township, and through earnest and intelligent effort has made a place for himself among the substantial and solid representatives of the farming industry here.

The Harrold family is Scotch origin, and early settled in Stokes county, North Carolina, where the grandfather of Isaac R. Harrold, Ithamer Harrold, was born in 1811. The family belonged to the Quaker faith and for several years its members devoted themselves principally to farming, but the grandfather was taught the hatter's trade in his youth and followed this vocation for some years. He was married in his native state to Miss Ruth Clampitt, of the same county, who came of similar ancestry and they became the parents of the following children, of whom all save the last-named were born in North Carolina: Adeline, deceased; George E., father of Isaac R.; Elizabeth, Lewis and Hamilton, all deceased; Jane; William; Dr. John R.; Elias, deceased, and Christian M. The family came to Indiana in 1852 and settled on a farm in Jackson township, Wells county, where Ithamer Harrold started to carry on agricultural work. His first labors in this line were conducted on new land in Jackson township, which he cleared and cultivated, and on which he resided until his death, in 1881. He was first a whig and later a republican in his political views and was an influential factor in the affairs of his community. Mr. Harrold was reared in the faith of the Quaker church, but later left that denomination and became independent in his views, although he was at all times known as a devout and God-fearing citizen and a generous contributor to all worthy movements. One of his brothers, Stroud Harrold, served for a time in the Confederate army, but was drafted against his inclinations and at the first opportunity deserted, but was captured and sentenced to death. The wife of Ithamer Harrold was born in 1812, in North Carolina and died in 1896, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their large family all grew up and were married, and three sons went through the Civil War as Union soldiers, two of them being wounded at the battle of Chickamauga.

George E. Harrold, the father of Isaac R. Harrold, was born in North Carolina, March 31, 1837, and was fifteen years of age when he accompanied the family to Wells county, Indiana. He secured his education in the public schools, and early adopted the vocation of farming, in which he has been engaged all of his life. His is now partly retired, but is still the owner of a property in Chester township, where he makes his home, and in which locality he is highly esteemed and respected. He is a republican in politics, and was reared in the faith of the Methodist church, but is independent in his views both in religious and political matters. Mr. Harrold married Sarah (better known as "Sally") Minnich, who was born in 1840, in Ohio, of German ancestry, the family having lived for a good many years in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, later moving to Clark county, Ohio, and then to Wells county, Indiana, where about 1850 the parents of Mrs. Harrold, Jacob and Christina (Ebersole) Minnich, settled on government land. From the days when they lived in a little log cabin home until the time when they had a modern and substantial residence and all the comforts of life, they witnessed the growth and development of that section of Indiana, and accumulated a farm of 160 valuable acres. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Minnich married Mrs. Ann (Wright) Hamilton, who left no issue. Mrs. George E. Harrold, the mother of Isaac R. Harrold, died in 1870, in the faith of the United Brethren church, and Mr. Harrold was married to Mary Minnich, a cousin of his first wife, who is still living and has had six children, two sons and four daughters, all married. Isaac R. Harrold is the eldest of three sons born to the union of George E. and Sally Harrold, the others being: Ross, who is engaged in the livery business at Keystone, Indiana, is married and has three children,�Virgil, Grace and Bernice; and James a farmer of Chester township, Wells county, who is married and the father of two children: Helmer and Delmer.

Issac R. Harrold was born in Jackson township, Wells county, Indiana, September 17, 1861, and was educated in the district schools of his native locality, and the high school at Bluffton. As a youth of eighteen years he adopted the vocation of teacher, starting his career in 1879 at the Slacum school, Wells county, and remaining two years in this wild flat swamp section of Indiana. Following this he taught the first school in Mount Zion, where he continued for several years, and remained as one of Wells county's best known and most popular educators until 1881, in which year he secured a half interest in a drug store at Dundee (now Roll) with his uncle, Dr. John R. Harrold. Three years later he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, when he purchased forty acres of good land in section 8, Washington township, and this he improved into a fertile and productive property, and as his finances permitted added to his acreage from time to time. His first additional purchase was a tract of twenty acres, later he added thirty acres adjoining, in section 4, on which were located good farm buildings. His home improvements include a fine red barn, commodious and well equipped, and a seven-room white residence, which is well furnished with all modern comforts and conveniences. Mr Harrold is one of the best educated and best trained men in his part of the county, and since coming to this present farm has served for five years in the capacity of principal of the Dundee schools. He grows a good grade of stock and is a practical rotating farmer, but corn and oats are his stable crops. There is no part of the farm that is not utilized profitably, even the woodland being used as an adjunct for its supply of fuel. Mr. Harrold is a democrat of the active kind and in 1904 was elected to the office of township trustee, a position in which he served for two years.

In 1855 Mr. Harrold was married in Blackford county to Miss Armitta M. Cunningham, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, September 1, 1886, was educated in Blackford and Adams counties, Indiana, and was fourteen years of age when she came to Washington township with her parents, William and Elizabeth (Floyd) Cunningham. The father was born in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, and the mother in Ohio, and they were married in the Buckeye state, subsequently coming to Indiana and both passing away in Washington township, the father in 1908, when nearly eighty-one years of age, and the mother in 1900, when nearly seventy-eight years old. They were the parents of five children who grew to maturity, and of these four are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Harrold are the parents of four children: Sherman, born in 1887, educated in the country schools and Marion College, engaged in farming on one of his father's properties, married Victoria Grabenstott, of this county, and has two children,�Vesta May and Francis M.; Ozro, born March 10, 1890, educated in the public schools and residing at home; Edna, born April 6, 1896, well educated and residing with her parents; and May, born in March, 1906, now a student in the public schools. Three children are deceased; Lillie who died at the age of ten months; and George William, who died at the age of eleven months; and Jay, who was four and one-half years old at the time of his death.

Blackford and Grant Counties, Indiana A Chronicle of their People Past and Present with Family Lineage and Personal Memoirs Compiled Under the Editorial Supervision of Benjamin G. Shinn
Volume I Illustrated
The Lewis Publishing Company Chicago and New York 1914
Submitted by Peggy Karol

JACOB BURNWORTH. The little village of Mollie in Harrison township has as one of its chief enterprises the store and factory of Jacob Burnworth. Mr. Burnworth has spent most of his life in eastern Indiana, and many years in Blackford county, and every undertaking with which he has been identified has helped him on his way to substantial prosperity. Mr. Burnworth is a merchant and also does a large business as a manufacturer of drain tile, building blocks and brick, and there is probably not a resident in all the country tributary to Mollie who is not acquainted with and who does not esteem Mr. Burnworth for his valuable part in the citizenship of the county.

Jacob Burnworth is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Fayette county November 15, 1840, a son of Mitchel and Susan (Riggle) Burnworth. Both parents were Pennsylvanians, the father a native of Fayette county and the mother of Washington county. Some years after their marriage they moved to Ohio, and after a few years came to Indiana and located in Randolph county in 1861.

Jacob Burnworth grew up and was educated in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana, and after coming to Randolph county was married November 26, 1865, to Sarah E. Fidler. Her birthplace was Knox county, Ohio, and when six years of age she accompanied her parents to Randolph county, Indiana. There she grew to womanhood and her education was acquired by attendance in the schools of Randolph county.

Mr. and Mrs. Burnworth moved to Blackford county in 1878, and have therefore been identified with this county for more than thirty-five years. They are the parents of eight children, and it should also be noted that they have twenty grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. This family record is one that indicates the usefulness and honor of Mr. Burnworth and wife as much as his activity in business affairs. The children's names and locations are as follows: Laura, who is the wife of Albert E. Sutton, now serving as deputy sheriff of Blackford county; Lucius S., unmarried and living at Mollie; Linus, who married Stella Wilson; Elza, who married Emma Mourer, and lives in southwestern Indiana; Cora, the wife of Edward Ickes; Albert, who married Kittie Bales; Ransom, who married Viola E. Heniser; John F., who married Laura Gardner.

Mr. Burnworth is a democrat who has been honored in his community and several years served as justice of the peace of Harrison township.

H. S. THORNBURG. With a record of more than thirty years as a resident of Blackford county, Mr. Thornburg has made his success as a farmer, is a man of broad and thorough experience in the general lines of agriculture, has spent practically all his life in the eastern Indiana counties, and both for what he has done in practical affairs and for the quiet influence which he has exerted in his community is one of the highly esteemed men of Harrison township.

H. S. Thornburg was born in Delaware county, Indiana, August 16, 1855, a son of Curtis and Mahala (Clevenger) Thornburg. Both parents came from Ohio to Indiana, and were married in Delaware county. The father died in Delaware county, and the mother in Blackford county. There were fourteen children, five of whom are still living, namely: H. S.; John, a retired farmer at Montpelier; Jane, wife of Melville Hart, of Harrison township; Mary S., wife of David Yager of Washington township; C. E.., wife of Luther Williams of Jay county.

The early life of H. S. Thornburg was spent on a farm in Delaware county until he was nineteen years of age. In the meantime he had attended the public schools, and also had some schooling after the family moved to Wells county, locating in Nottingham township. Early in his manhood Mr. Thornburg was married in Wells county to Nancy Emmons of Wells county. She became the mother of two children, both of whom died when children, and Mrs. Thornburg is also deceased. After her death he married Nettie Fetters of Randolph county.

Mr. Thornburg lived several years in Randolph county, moved from there to Wells county, followed his regular vocation as a renter, and about 1882 came to Blackford county. He acquired his present farm of forty acres in Harrison township, and while providing for his family has not neglected his duties as a neighbor and as a member of the community.

Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg are the parents of three children: Clayton, who married Lillie Heniser; Anna,. who finished the common school course and is the wife of Charles Russell; and Herbert Wayne, a graduate of the Muncie Business College and now bookkeeper for the Muncie Heat & Power Company.

The family have membership in the Christian church at Montpelier. In politics Mr. Thornburg is a republican, and while never a seeker for political honors has served as deputy assessor. It has been through the exercise of the qualities of industry, as a good father and neighbor, and a public spirited citizen that he has contributed his best service to this locality.

ARTHUR M. HART. In the township where he was born and reared, Arthur M. Hart has for many years enjoyed a place of usefulness and honor. His business is that of farmer, and in this section of Indiana he has acquired considerable reputation as a breeder of fine hogs. Some of the best Duroc Jersey swine in Blackford county have come from his herd, which is headed by "Joe H." No. 22,897 and also by "Fernal Pride's Model" No. 96,158. Every hog raiser in Harrison township understands Mr. Hart's thorough qualifications for his special line of industry, and his work has not only contributed to his own success but has helped to raise the standards of live stock in this section of the state.

Arthur M. Hart was born in Harrison township on a farm two miles west and two miles south of Montpelier, May 1, 1871. His parents were William and Rosanna (Mussetter) Hart. Both father and mother came from Ohio, where they were born and reared, the former coming to Blackford county at the age of thirteen, the latter accompanying her mother to the same county where the parents were married. The father is still living in this county, and four of his children are living as follows: Mary, wife of Manson Williams; Arthur M.; Rufus P., a farmer in Blackford county; and Lizzie, the widow of Edward Knox.

Arthur M. Hart grew up on the old homestead, attended the common schools, but his education was somewhat neglected, and the deficiencies in that direction have been supplied by close observation and industry in his chosen career. His life was spent at home until the age of twenty-four, and in September, 1894, he married Nola Kitterman. Mrs. Hart was born in Wayne county, Indiana, attended district schools, and was brought to Blackford county at the age of eleven. They are the parents of one child, Helen B., born February 26, 1901.

Mr. Hart is affiliated with Roll Lodge No. 347, Knights of Pythias. As a republican he has been somewhat identified with party affairs, and has been honored by election to the office of supervisor of his township. His home place comprises eighty acres of land, and besides his activity as a hog raiser he has been successful in the production of the general crops.

CHARLES J. CLAMME. In business affairs probably no citizen of Jackson township has more extended relations with the community than Charles Clamme, who is known as a farmer and stock raiser, a shipper, and a contractor in road building. He belongs to one of the well known families of the county, and several of his brothers are associated with him in the contracting business.

Charles J. Clamme was born in Washington township of Blackford county, March 18, 1878, and is still a young man for all the success that he has won. His parents are Pierre and Elizabeth (Spyre) Clamme, both well known residents of Jackson township. His mother was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the father in Germany, emigrating to America, and after landing at New York city found his way to Blackford county, Indiana, in 1867. There are eight children in the family named as follows: John, a former sheriff of Blackford county and noted as a successful raiser of fine stock, Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs; Charles J.; Catherine, who is the wife of A. W. Stoll of Jackson township; Albert, of Jackson township, a contractor and a stock feeder; Perry W., a farmer and contractor in Jackson township; Harry, also in the contract business and a farmer; Lewis, a Jackson township farmer; and Anna, unmarried and living with her parents. The sons Charles J. Albert, Perry W. and Harry carry on an extensive business as contractors under the name of Clamme Brothers, and have united their interests in the construction of roads and the furnishing of material, and also in the shipping of live stock. The active business manager of the Clamme Brothers enterprise is Charles J.

Reared in Washington and Jackson townships, with an education acquired in the local schools, Charles J. Clamme has spent nearly all his life in Blackford county but for two years was in the state of Tennessee. The old home sheltered him until he was twenty-three, but from the time he attained his majority he has been actively identified with farming. Later he took up the contracting business in furnishing gravel and stone materials for the construction of improved roads, and has also been particularly successful in the buying and shipping of live stock. Mr. Clamme owns a fine farm of two hundred and eighty-six acres in Jackson and Harrison townships, and practically all that estate represents his individual enterprise and management. On his farm he feeds from one to two carloads of cattle every year, and raises most of the feed stuffs to fatten his stock for market.

On December 24, 1901, Mr. Clamme married Arminda Empsweiller, who was born in Jackson township. They are the parents of four children: Charles J. P., born September 23, 1902; Harold H., born May 19, 1904; Minnie E., born December 30, 1906; and Edna H. born June 5, 1909. The family worship in the Evangelical Lutheran church at Hartford City, and Mr. Clamme is one of the active members of the Farmers Club. A Democrat he has been quite active in politics, has served as a local committeeman, and is now a member of the county council, having been elected at large.

SAMUEL LANDON. The Landon family have been identified with this section of Indiana for fully half a century, and Samuel Landon has won prosperity as a farmer and influence as a citizen in Jackson township, with which community his efforts have been identified for the past forty years.

Ripley county, Indiana, was the locality in which Samuel Landon was born November 4, 1848, a son of William and Priscilla Powell Landon. His father was born in Butler county, Ohio, and his mother in Maryland, but they were married in Ohio, and moved from that state to Ripley county, Indiana. In May, 1864, the father came to Blackford county, but after five months bought a farm in Jay county, and that community was his home until his death. There were twelve children in the family, ten of whom reached maturity, and the three now living are Samuel, William and George, all of whom are respected citizens of Jackson township. Samuel Landon as a boy had a country environment, attended the district schools, and when about eighteen left his books in order to take up the serious business of life. Leaving home at the age of twenty-one, he found employment as a wage-earner in a sawmill, and then became interested in farming in Jay county. On February 23, 1870, Mr. Landon married Margaret Philabaum, who was born and reared in Blackford county, a daughter of Jacob A. Philabaum. After their marriage they started out to make a home of their own, and for four years Mr. Landon rented his father's farm. He then moved to Jackson township, in Blackford county, and bought a place of forty acres, and still owns that land. The improvements of his land when he first took possession was chiefly a little cabin house, and with only a few acres cleared. The many improvements which mark his farm and its productive state are the results of his undivided attention continued through many years, and his prosperity has been worthily won.

He and his wife have four children: William A., who married Elizabeth Upp and lives in Jacksons township; Edward M., who married Cora Gair and lives in Jackson township; Maggie, who is the wife of Charles Baker, of Jackson township; and Leroy, who married Florence Creek. Mr. Landon is fraternally affiliated with the Masonic Order. In politics he has always stood with the Democratic party, and has performed an important service in the community as superintendent of the Pike road of Jackson township. Blackford and Grant Counties, Indiana A Chronicle of their People Past and Present with Family Lineage and Personal Memoirs Compiled Under the Editorial Supervision of Benjamin G. Shinn
Volume I Illustrated
The Lewis Publishing Company Chicago and New York 1914
Submitted by Peggy Karol

URIAH D. SILLS Among the many fine farmsteads of Jackson township one that has a distinctive character by reason of its improvements and also its name is the Rattlesnake Farm, comprising seventy-seven and a half acres of land and situated a mile north and a mile and a half west of Millgrove. Its name is derived from the circumstance of the killing on the place of a double-headed rattlesnake a few years ago. Its proprietor Uriah D. Sills, has for a number of years been actively identified with farming enterprise in Blackford county, but spent most of his younger years in Wells county. Besides his home place Mr. Sills owns thirty-six acres west of the Rattlesnake Farm. He carried on general farming and stock raising, and though starting in life a poor man has now a secure position among his fellow citizens.

Uriah D. Sills was born in Chester township, Wells county, Indiana, January 27, 1873, a son of Daniel and Mary C. (Dick) Sills. The founder of the family in Indiana was grandfather Daniel Sills, Sr., one of the early settlers of Wells county. Daniel Sills, Jr., was born on the same place in Wells county where Uriah first saw the light of day, and is still living there, having reached a good old age. His wife, who died in September, 1898, was born in Virginia, and her parents subsequently moved to Blackford county, Indiana. In the family of Daniel and Mary Sills were fourteen children, thirteen of whom are still living, briefly mentioned as follows: Arvilla, who is now deceased, and was the wife of Charles E. Snyder, by whom she had a family of children; Lettie F. is the wife of William Briney, and has nine children; Rosa L. is the wife of Isaac B. Lowery of Wells county and has two children; Uriah D. is next in order of birth; Jennie H. is the wife of Oliver Risinger and has three children; W. H. married Mary E. Cutler and has one child; Addie D. is the wife of Recksford Schmidt; Charles C. married Emma Turner and has one child; Elijah B. married Alma Beeks and has one son; Bertha M. is unmarried; Susie O. is unmarried; Alta H. is the wife of Arthur Keller; and Mary C. and Noah D. are unmarried and live at home.

Uriah D. Sills spent his youth on the home farm in Wells county, and his schooling was acquired by attendance at the district school at Five Points in Wells county. His days in school continued with more or less regularity until he was twenty-one. He worked on the home farm until the age of twenty-six, and then with very small capital he started in life for himself and settled down to the productive enterprise which has since brought him a substantial condition.

On February 19, 1899, Mr. Sills married Flora Newhouse. She was born in Blackford county and was educated in the common schools. Mrs. Sills inherited some land, and a few years after their marriage they traded that for the present farm in Jackson township, Blackford county. To their marriage have been born seven children, all of whom are living: Floyd H., Dorsie D., Joseph O., Ivan D., Uriah D., Jr., Burl B., Hannah C. Mr. Sills is a democrat, but has taken little part in political affairs. His relations as a kindly neighbor and helpful friend, and his substantial industry as a farmer have comprised his best contribution to community life.

WILLIAM H. CHAPMAN. Thirty years of residence in Blackford county have been sufficient to make William H. Chapman one of the well-known citizens, and in that time practically all his ample prosperity has been acquired. Mr. Chapman has a fine farm home in Jackson township, and every one in that locality knows how well he has utilized his opportunities and esteems him for his solid worth and good citizenship.

William H. Chapman was born in Delaware county, Indiana, March 31, 1854. When he was four years of age his parents moved to Jay county, and in that locality he grew up and attended the district schools during the winter, with plenty of work on the home farm during the summer to develop his muscles and prepare him for his regular calling in life. That was the routine followed by him until twenty-one, and since starting for himself has slowly progressed to prosperity. At the present time he owns two hundred and twenty acres of land, two hundred of which is located in Jackson township, and twenty acres in Knox township of Jay county. This entire estate represents his individual efforts except six acres, which was his sole inheritance. He got a start by working for others at wages, for many days, swinging an axe in the woods, working in the fields and in harvest time, and in the meantime doing a small business as a buyer of calves and colts. It was a long and gradual process, but finally he had accumulated enough to buy forty acres. This was the nucleus around which he has developed his present fine estate.

On March 10, 1881, Mr. Chapman married Sarah C. Waldo, who was born in Randolph county, Indiana, January 10, 1856, and spent most of her early years in Jay and Blackford counties. Mr. Chapman and wife moved to Blackford county in the fall of 1883, and for some time lived in the midst of the heavy woods, their home being a log cabin. At this time they have three living sons: Roy, born May 31, 1882, educated in the common schools, and married to Emma Scott, and has a son, Wilber A. Chapman; Merritt, the second child, married Alice Teegarden, and they have two children, Edwin William and Ethel Lucile; Roscoe, the youngest, is unmarried. Ralph W. died aged 1 year, 8 months and 21 days. Mr Chapman in politics is a Republican.

Deb Murray