Blackford County Biography Ref. Page

LUTHER S. HARRISON. Now enjoying prosperity and the esteem of friends and neighbors, at a comfortable country estate on section two of Fairmount township, Luther S. Harrison is one of the older native sons of Grant county, was born here during the later pioneer epoch, and is a graduate of one of the old-time log school houses, which some fifty years ago were so common throughout this part of the state. His life has been led along lines of industry, thrift and honesty, and practically every one in Fairmount townships knows, and has a word of kindly regard for Luther S. Harrison.

His grandfather, John Harrison was a native of Virginia. From there he moved to Ohio, and while there his death occurred in the prime of life as the result of an accident. In endeavoring to rescue his son, John, Jr., from underneath a falling tree, he was stricken down and killed. This branch of the Harrison family is thought to be related more or less closely with the family which produced William Henry Harrison, president of the United States during the forties. John Harrison had three children: John, Jr., Sarah, who married William Leach, and lived and died in Grant county, both of them passing away in advanced age, and after acquiring a large estate in Fairmount township.

Louis Harrison, father of Luther S. was born in Ohio between the years 1808 and 1810. During the Mexican War he served in Captain Ramsey's Company from Indiana, then reenlisted to drive pack horses in the same war, and on his return from the war settled and lived for a time in Franklin county, whither he had first settled with some kinsmen from Ohio a number of years before. When he was still young he moved to Grant county, and his first home in this vicinity was built of split rails, and was little more than a shed, covered with bark. That house stood on land now occupied by his son Luther. After a little while the rail hut was replaced with a good log house. Louis Harrison owned one hundred and sixty acres of land attained directly from the government, and spent the rest of his life in its clearing and cultivation. He died in October, 1860. His church was the Methodist and in politics he was a Democrat. About 1841, he was married in Fairmount township of Grant county to Elizabeth Searls, who was born in Kentucky in 1814 or 1815, coming of Kentucky parents and family. She was a young woman when she came to Grant county, and a few years later her parents left Indiana, and lived the rest of their lives in Illinois. Mrs. Louis Harrison survived her husband many years and received a pension for her husband's services in the Mexican war. Her death occurred in February, 1897, and she was likewise a member of the Methodist church. Of their five children three grew up. John Harrison died in 1901,and his son Lawrence is now living in Henry county. The daughter Rachael is the wife of Henry DeShaun of Fairmount township.

Luther S. Harrison, second in age of the three children, just mentioned, was born in Fairmount township of Grant county, January 13, 1845. His early years were spent on his father's farm, and his schooling was obtained by attendance at a log cabin school. The light was admitted to the rooms through greased paper windows, and all the facilities of that primitive temple of learning were exceedingly crude, while the instruction itself was confined largely to the three R's. After reaching manhood he bought some land from his father, gradually acquiring more until his place amounted to one hundred and thirty acres. This is now one of the fine country estates of Fairmount township, nearly all of it under cultivation, and its buildings are of the very best comprising a large red barn and a comfortable white house. He is a general farmer, growing large crops of grain and forage, and feeds all the farm products to his hogs, horses and cattle. In cattle his specialty is the short-horn breed.

Mr. Harrison was first married in Fairmount township to Miss Sarah Richards, who was born in Jefferson township in 1863. She died in the prime of life from lung trouble, and left two children: Lousi, born August 12, 1890, lives at home; Bessie, is the wife of Urshel Kimes, a farmer in Jefferson township, and they have one son, Thomas. In 1897, Mr. Harrison married for his second wife, Mrs. Emma Leach, whose maiden name was Ailes. She was born in Franklin county, Indiana, and is the widow of George Leach, who was killed in a saw-mill boiler explosion. Her children by Mr. Leach were: Rev. Perry B. Leach, a minister of the Methodist church, living south of Indianapolis, and having one son and one daughter; Lulu is the wife of Carl Mittank, employed in the post office at Marion, and they have three children; Arthur, aged twenty-five lives at home with Mr. and Mrs. Harrison. Mrs. And Mrs. Harrison are members of no church, and in politics he is an Independent Democrat.

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

RILEY CRANFORD. With the happiness which comes from the possession of a good home and with a retrospect over a long and varied succession of years, Mr. Cranford resides on section fourteen of Fairmount township, on the rural mail route number sixteen out of Jonesboro. His residence in Grant county goes back about thirty years and he is especially loyal to this county, because here he was won his real prosperity and enjoyed many of the pleasantest associations of his life.

Riley Cranford was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, December 13, 1836, a son of Leonard and Naomi (Riley) Cranford. Leonard Cranford was a son of Kidd Cranford, who married a Miss Hull, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, where they lived and died, farmers by occupation, and Methodists in religion. So far as known no members of the family ever held a slave, and there was a disposition on the part of the early members to oppose the institution of slavery. Leonard Cranford and wife followed farming all their lives and the former died in his native county about 1870 at the age of seventy-one. His wife had died there when thirty-five years of age. After her death Leonard Cranford married Lucy Nelson, a native of the same county. She survived her husband some years and died aged seventy-four. By the second marriage there was one daughter, who is now married and has a large family. Riley Cranford was the fourth in a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. The sons, besides Riley were: Harris, Elsevan, and Nixon, while the daughters were Adaline, and Mary. The sons Elsevan and Nixon were forced into the Confederate army, and the latter was killed in battle, while the former was in one engagement so severely wounded that he died soon afterwards. Both were unmarried.

Riley Cranford grew up in his native county, and in 1860 was married there. In 1863 he was threatened with the same enforced enlistment which had taken his two brothers away to the front, and as he was strongly opposed to the war in principles, left the country with William Moffitt, and by careful management they succeeded in getting across the lines into the north, crossing the Potomac River and finding refuge in Pennsylvania among a Quaker settlement. There they were made to feel at home, and were given work. In Pennsylvania, Riley Cranford worked for one year, and then came west to Wayne county, Indiana, and later moved to Henry county in the same state. In 1882 he moved to Grant county, and made a beginning of his prosperity by the purchase of forty acres of land. This was increased subsequently by twenty-two acres more, and by his thrift and energy the entire farm is highly developed and very profitable. His principal crops are corn, wheat, timothy, clover, and practically all his grain is fed on the place so that he maintains the fertility of the soil year after year. His homestead is comfortable both to the outward view and as to its interior furnishings. There is a good white house and a red barn completes the picture.

Mr. Cranford was married in his native county, in 1860 to Miss Laura A. Bingham. She was born in Randolph county, August 22, 1836. After her husband was forced to leave the country and go north, she remained at the old home until the fall of 1865, when he returned and they then moved out to Indiana. Her parents were William and Mary (Lafferty) Bingham, who were born and spent all their lives in Randolph county. They were farmers by occupation, and members of the Methodist church. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Cranford are as follows. 1. Mary is the wife of James Griffin, their home is in Marion, and they lost their only child, Burr, at the age of seventeen. 2. Julia is the wife of William Smith, living in Marion, and their children are Goldy, Delight, and Minnie. 3. William is now employed in a factory at Gas City, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Cranford are Methodists, and in politics he is a Republican.

JOHN E. KIBBEY. One of the historical farms of Grant county is the Kibbey homestead in section thirty-three of Jefferson township. In the early days the Muncie Pike, which passes in front of the door, was a much traveled thoroughfare, and throughout all the months of the year was thronged from morning until night with wagons and vehicles of all descriptions. The place was then occupied by a man named Crawford, who conducted the old house as a tavern or inn, and the name assigned to it was one taken from revolutionary and colonial annals, and was "Black Horse Tavern." For the past forty years or more, the old place has been in the possession of the Kibbey family, and it was successively the farm enterprise of Jonah Kibbey and then of his son, the late John E. Kibbey. Mrs. John E. Kibbey and her children now reside there in comfort and plenty, and are among the popular people of Jefferson township.

The late John E. Kibbey was born in Clinton county, Ohio, May 25, 2850, and was fifty-four years of age when death took him from his activities in Jefferson township, on August 24, 1904. His parents were Jonah and Rebecca (Garrison) Kibbey, both natives of Ohio, where they were married. Jonah Kibbey was a son of Ephraim Kibbey, one of the early settlers and prosperous farmers and prominent citizens of Clinton county, Ohio. He died there in old age, and owned a large amount of land. His son, Jonah Kibbey, was also a well-to-do farmer in Clinton county, and about 1870 sold out his possessions there and moved to Indiana. In Jefferson township he bought one hundred and sixty acres lying in sections thirty-two and thirty-three, and there continued his prosperous career until his death in 1892. At that time he was an old man, and his years had been fruitful in both material circumstances and the finer things of character and influence. He was a Republican in politics, and in religion was not an active churchman, though a man who believed in the best features of religious life. His wife, Rebecca, preceded him in death several years. There were four sons and two daughters in the family, and all of them married and had children. Paul, of Liberty township; Mrs. Florence Hinckley, of Fairmount City; and Mrs. Ellen Wright, of North Dakota, are the children still living.

John E. Kibbey was educated in Clinton county, Ohio, and was about twenty years of age when the family moved to Grant county. Here he lived and learned the lessons of industry and thrift, was well trained in principles of honest dealing, and chose farming as his regular vocation. On the death of his father, he became owner of this old homestead, and afterwards built a fine red barn and other out buildings which are such conspicuous and valuable features of the estate. The creek which waters the farm still bears the name of John Crawford, the original owner of the land and proprietor of the old Black Horse Tavern. John E. Kibbey was a man who took an active part in local matters, was an intelligent and public spirited character, and held a high place in the esteem of his neighbors. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masonic Lodge, and the Improved Order of Red Men, and had held chairs in these different fraternities. In politics he was a Republican.

On January 1, 1873, in Jefferson township, John E. Kibbey married Olive Carter. Mrs. Kibbey who survives her husband has the distinction of having been born in a log cabin home in Jefferson township. The date of her birth was December 19, 1852, and she was reared and has always considered Jefferson township her home. Though a comparatively young woman, she has within the scope of her early experience, many pioneer facts, and when a young girl she did many tasks of the old-fashioned housekeeper, such as spinning yarn, etc. Her parents were Ira J. and Eliza Ann (Corn) Carter. Her father was born in Zanesville, Ohio, March 15, 1822, and died March 21, 1899, in Jefferson township of Grant county. Her mother was born in Rush county, Indiana, June 5, 1825, and is still living, quite active, although necessarily feeling the weight of eighty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Carter were married in 1845, in Rush county, and in that same year began their married life in Jefferson township, of Grant county, locating on new land, and after a few years established their home on another place in the same township. They lived long and active and useful lives, were Methodists in religion and Mr. Carter was a Democrat in politics.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. John E. Kibbey are mentioned as follows: Clarence A., who lives in Marion, and married Mary Barley; Everet A., who now owns and occupies a part of the homestead, and by his marriage to Sarah C. Throckmorton has the following children: Lloyd T., Eva L., Paul K. and Mary O.; Ire E., who lives on his mother's farm in Jefferson township, married Maud Carmin, and has two children, Everett L. and Opal A.; Charles P., who now runs the home farm for his mother, is unmarried; Rowland C., who is unmarried and is in the oil fields of California; Cora A., who is a successful teacher in Matthews; Bessie A., who died in infancy; Clinton J., died at the age of four years; John R. is a senior in the Matthews high school, and Carrie E., a junior student in the high school. Mrs. Kibbey and daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

BEN O. PHILLIPS. Chief of police of the Marion police department since 1909, the record of Mr. Phillips is one that has been a matter of much commendation and praise among the local citizens. He has been commended for the manner in which he has enforced the law, without partiality or favoritism, and in all his duties has performed his work with a quiet efficiency which means a great deal to the welfare and moral safe-guarding of a city. Marion, under Chief Phillips, has been regarded as the inferior of no Indiana city in its police department.

Ben O. Phillips was born October 31, 1871, near Newport, Kentucky, a son of George and Jane (Hulley) Phillips, the father a native of Germany. He came to America when a young man and located in Kentucky. By trade he was a cooper, but spent most of his life as a farmer, and is now living at Madison, Indiana, to which city he removed many years ago. During the Civil war he fought for the cause of the Union in his adopted land. The mother passed away about thirteen years ago. They were the parents of a large family of ten children, all of whom are still living, and named as follows: Robert Phillips, who lives near Madison; Ben O.; Edward, of Madison; Thomas, of Marion; William, of Madison; Otto and Bert, twins, and living in Madison; Ida, wife of Dennis Hines, of Madison; Bertha Cline, of Madison; and George Phillips of Indianapolis.

Mr. Ben O. Phillips received his early education at Newport and at Madison, chiefly in the latter city, and began his career as a farmer, working on a farm until he was twenty years of age. He then came to Indianapolis, and spent several years in a bicycle factory there. In 1895 similar employment in the Halliday bicycle factory at Marion brought him to this city, where he has had his home ever since. After several years in the bicycle shops, in 1892, he entered the police service as a patrolman, and in time was appointed captain, and then two years later, in 1909, was made chief of police.

Mr. Phillips was married March 29, 1893, to Oliva Butter. They had been school companions together in Madison, and their friendship was continued into later life, until their marriage at Indianapolis. The five children of their union are: Irene, Velma, Frank, Edith, Benjamin. Mr. Phillips is a Republican in politics, and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Crew of Neptune, and the Knights of Pythias.

ELKANAH HULLEY. For a long period of years the name of Hulley has been associated with Grant county life and affairs. In the following sketch are contained the essential facts in the career of Mr. Elkanah Hulley and also many related items of family history and local associations, so that the article becomes a brief but valuable chapter in this centennial history.

While he has been a citizen of Marion since May 29, 1871, Elkanah Hulley is a native of Switzerland county, Indiana. His childhood and early manhood were passed in the vicinity of Vevay, and although the "Hoosier Schoolmaster" was published the year he left Switzerland county, Mr. Hulley is very familiar with scenes described in the story. The Hulley and Eggleston families were acquainted there. None of Mr. Hulley's immediate relatives have had permanent residence in Marion, although two brothers and a sister have lived temporarily in Grant county. He was very much interested in the Centennial Homecoming week at Vevay, at which point settlement was made in 1813, and all exiles were invited to meet again.

When Mr. Hulley came to Marion it was to work in the foundry and machine shop operated by his uncle, Samuel Hulley, and his cousin, Joseph Hulley. While he was connected with the foundry he was on the payroll, rented a half interest and later owned a half interest in it, but when Grant county industrial affairs were revolutionized in 1887, by the discovery of natural gas, he sold his interest in the foundry and became extension superintendent of the Citizens' Gas Company. He operated a stone quarry and crusher on the Draper-Williams land for a year and a half, but his public work has been as superintendent of the Marion Municipal Water Plant described in the special chapter on water systems of the county.

Elected to a vacancy to fill out an unexpired term of six months on the Marion school board, Mr. Hulley was seven times reelected and served as school trustee at a very important time when the city was increasing rapidly in population and business ability was required at the hands of the board�an increased school population and not enough school buildings for the requirement. While the Central building on the site of the old seminary is opposite his home on Adams street, the prevailing opinion that Mr. Hulley was instrumental in securing the town clock is a mistake. He was at the time opposed to it, but it was placed there as a result of petition by tax payers, and the city council ordered the school board to include the clock in the plans of the building. He is now very glad the only town clock is there. The regret of the citizens is that there are not other town clocks scattered about in the different localities.

Samuel and Hannah Hulley were a well known family in the early history of Marion, and the late Joseph Hulley and his family are all of the name immediately identified with local history aside from Elkanah Hulley. On March 20, 1873, Elkanah Hulley was married to Miss Amanda Jane Neal, a daughter of Thomas J. and Elizabeth Brownlee Neal. Mrs. Hulley has spent her entire life in Marion. Her parents were contemporary with the early families, and her father was in the galaxy of old-time Marion business men once known to everybody. Mrs. Hulley has two living brothers, Charles E., and Rev. Tom C. Neal, while Dr. James C. Neal, who died a few years ago, was the Neal-Brownlee family historian. Her sisters were: Mrs. Kate Condo and Miss Mary Elizabeth Neal.

The three sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Hulley are: Lewis S. Hulley, who married Miss Mabel Heichert, and their children are Philip H., Katherine, and Elkanah; the second son is Ernest N. Hulley, who married Miss Estella Oliver, and their children are Oliver S. and Catherine Lorain Hulley; the third son is Dr. Edwin S. Hulley, who married Miss Margaret Anderson, and their children are: Joanna Jane, and Margaret Frances Hulley. Lewis S. Hulley lives in Cleveland, Ohio, and Ernest N. Hulley in Allegan, Michigan, while Dr. E. S. Hulley lives in Marion.

The Hulley family belongs to the First Methodist Church in Marion, and for forty years Mr. Hulley has been chief usher there. He was for years superintendent of the Sunday school, and has been church trustee for many years. The Neal family is all musical, and Mrs. Hulley and her sons are all singers in demand at all times. Mrs. Hulley's voice has been heard in song at funerals where she hardly knew the family, but in calling together a quartet for such occasions, when an alto voice is lacking, all musical committees seem to know that they may depend upon her. The Hulley home is near the Hulley church, and Sundays rarely pass without Mr. and Mrs. Hulley in the congregation there. Few Marion families are more intimately associated with all the affairs of the community.

WILLIAM HILLSAMER. The Hillsamer and related families have been identified with Grant county since the first decade of its organization. The various members have been as a rule farmers and always good citizens, and have borne the responsibilities of life with exceptional integrity and beneficent service.

William Hillsamer, so well known in business and civic affairs in Marion county, was born on a farm in Washington township in Grant county, now known as the James Charles farm, on July 8, 1867. His parents were Mark and Edith (Woolman) Hillsamer. Edith Woolman was born in Marion in 1836, the Woolmans being one of the first families to locate in the city of Marion. Mark Hillsamer was born in Warren county, Ohio, August 15, 1835, and was a son of David and Caroline (Gage) Hillsamer.

David Hillsamer, the grandfather, and the original founder of the family in Grant county, brought his family to Monroe township in 1841, but after eighteen months bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Washington township. The purchase price was eight hundred dollars. The deed which is now in the possession of William Hillsamer in Marion, is a very interesting document, not only for its age, it date being December 8, 1841, but particularly because the name of Robert Marshall, the grandfather of Vice-president Marshall of the United States was signed to the document as its writer. Since the date of that deed the land has been in the Hillsamer family down to the present time. David Hillsamer lived on that farm until his death in 1877, when he was sixty-seven years of age, his birth having occurred in 1810. His wife died many years earlier.

Mark Hillsamer, whose birth has already been mentioned was seven years old when the family came to Grant county. He spent all his career as a farmer and owned a place adjoining that of his father in Washington township, where he lived until he removed just a few years before his death to 229 N. Washington Street in the city of Marion. There his death occurred October 12, 1909. He was a prominent member of the United Brethren church in Marion. His widow is still living, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Louisa Martin in Washington township. There were ten children in the family of the parents, nine of them now living, namely: Lucy H., wife of Robert Thompson, of Marion; Louise E., wife of Stephen Martin, on a farm in Washington township; Marion F., who owns and occupies the old homestead; Miss Jennie, of Marion; Morton, of Marion; William; Mary D., wife of Charles Oglesby, a farmer in Washington township; Walter, who owns and farms the old estate of his grandfather in Washington township; Harve, who was killed in a railroad wreck at Logansport; and Charles, who has his home on a farm in Washington township.

William Hillsamer, having been born on a farm, and educated in the district schools, spent his youth in the occupation of the country, and remained on the home farm until he was twenty-two. He then went into the meat business in Marion, and has continued in this line of trade ever since. For some time he had a market up town, but for the past eighteen years has been at his present location on North Washington Street. He began business in 1888. He is both a wholesale and retail dealer in meats. For the past four years he has been identified with the automobile business. On North Washington Street he owns a concrete block, one half of which is given up to his meat market and the other half to his automobile salesroom. Among the other progressions which his business management has acquired, and which helps to constitute him one of the prosperous men of Grant county, is a sixty acre farm just at the edge of the city limits and half a mile from the business center, and he also is interested in other affairs.

On September 6, 1893, Mr. Hillsamer married Mamie E. Hedrick, daughter of J. G. and Mary (Hoover) Hedrick, of Bunker Hill, Miami county. Their son Glen is associated with his father in business. The son Roy died at the age of seven years. Mr. Hillsamer is a member of the Marion board of park commissioners, and is now serving his third year as secretary of the board. He has been a Republican since he cast his first vote, and fraternally is affiliated with the Benevolent Crew of Neptunes in Marion. Mrs. Hillsamer belongs to the Baptist Church.

Deb Murray