Blackford County Biography Ref. Page

NELSON DONELSON. The firm of Donelson & Broderick, formerly Donelson & Otto, butchers and meat dealers, began business at Upland in July, 1900. Mr. Donelson is an old and thoroughly experienced man, in this particular line of work, and has given to the people of Upland and vicinity the most sanitary and best stock market in the history of the village. Five years after Donelson & Otto began business, Mr. Broderick bought the interests of Mr. Otto, and since then the present firm has existed and flourished for eight years. They kill largely from their own stock, which they purchase in this locality, and they manufacture some table meat, such as sausage and other products. The business is well located in the center of the village, and they maintain a well equipped shop, with a rendering room, a large cold storage plant, besides a slaughter house near the village limits. Mr. Donelson who is a practical butcher, looks after the business end very largely, while Mr. Broderick, his partner, is an expert meat cutter, and has given his attention to the actual work of the market. Nelson Donelson was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, near Seneca, on March 6, 1854. He was reared and educated there, and when a young man learned his trade, and in August, 1892, came to Marion, and with his brother, Oscar, bought a meat shop. Two years later they sold their first business and bought another establishment in South Marion, and after some years the brothers dissolved partnership. Nelson then invested in a shop in North Marion, and sixteen months later sold out and came to Upland. Here he has since concentrated his business energies with the exception of about two years, when he had a shop at Anderson, and also one at Converse. He returned to Upland and has been permanently identified with that village since 1905, when Mr. Broderick joined him.

Mr. Donelson is a son of Charles Donelson, who was born in Norway, grew up there, and learned the trade of blacksmith, and when still unmarried took passage on a sailing vessel which after a long and tedious voyage landed him in New York City. He went westward and found a home in Illinois, and after a few years of work at his trade established a shop of his own in Ottawa, and besides the regular work of blacksmith manufactured plows and wagons, and developed a large enterprise. In 1853 he purchased a tract of land two and a quarter miles northeast of Seneca in LaSalle county, and in time became one of the largest and most prosperous land holders in that county. His death occurred on the old homestead there in 1897, and at his death he left an estate of six hundred and sixty acres. His wife had preceded him in death several years. Her maiden name was Susan Nelson, but she was a widow of a Mr. Thorson at the time of her marriage. She was born at Kendall Corners, New York, a daughter of Norwegian parents who had come to America about 1800 on a sailing vessel which brought some three hundred Norwegians to this country. Her parents lived for a number of years in the East and about 1848 went to Illinois, and died at a good old age in LaSalle county, where they were known as farmers, and devout members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Nelson Donelson is one of a number of children as follows: Charles, Nelson, Isabelle, who died at the age of two years; Cornelia, George, Oscar, now deceased; Mary and Bertha. All those still living are married except Mary, but the only one in Indiana is the Upland business man. Nelson Donelson was married in Grant county to Miss Lillie B. Mulkin, who was born in this state. They have no children. Mrs. Donelson is a working member in the Methodist Episcopal church.

"BLACKFORD AND GRANT COUNTIES INDIANA, A CHRONICLE OF THEIR PEOPLE PAST AND PRESENT WITH FAMILY LINEAGE AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS"; Complied Under the Editorial Supervision of BENJAMIN G. SHINN; vol. II ; THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY; CHICAGO AND NEW YORK; 1914
Submitted by:Peggy Karol and Karen Overholt

FINLEY H. STEPHENS. Few Grant county families have a longer period of residence to their credit than the Stephenses. As farmers and useful citizens, three generations have lived wholesome, normal lives, and have left the impress of their activity and influence in better communities, better farms, better roads and better social conditions. Finley H. Stephens of the third generation is proprietor of the Maple Grove Farm in Richland township, and while now a substantial farmer, was for a number of years among the successful teachers of the county.

Finley H. Stephens was born in Pleasant township, Grant county, September 9, 1860, a son of Allen N. and Nancy (Elliott) Stephens. The father was born in either Wayne or Randolph county, Indiana, and came to Grant county when six years of age. He lived in Center, Pleasant and Richland townships, all his life, and died April 20, 1904, in Sweetser. He served one term as a commissioner of Grant county, and in politics was a Republican, and very active in his own party and a man of recognized ability and integrity of character. He belonged to the Methodist church, and was for many years active in both church and Sunday school, serving as a local preacher. He and his wife had eleven children, seven of whom are living in 1913 as follows: Sidney A., of Marion; F. H. Stephens; Helena, wife of John W. Stricler of Missouri; Alfred F., of Marion; Oliver B., of North Marion; Cruea L, wife of John H. Plummer of Wisconsin; Elbert R., of Marion, who is employed in the post office at the county seat.

Finley H. Stephens was reared on the home farm, and received his education first in the district schools and later in the Marion Normal College, then called just Marion Normal, and also the Angola school. For sixteen years he devoted the greater part of his time to teaching in Richland township, and during that time had no superior in the township public school system as an instructor.

Mr. Stephens first married Anna B. Bash, a daughter of Michael Bash, a pioneer resident of Richland township, who entered land direct from the government, and its ownership has never been changed in name since his settlement. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens were married March 2, 1890, and the one son is Guy D., a graduate of the common schools, also a graduate in the scientific course from Marion Normal, and now connected with the National Cash Register Company at Dayton, Ohio. The mother of this son and the first wife of Mr. Stephens died in 1893. For his second wife he married Theodosia Grose on August 3, 1895. She was born in Howard county, Indiana. They are the parents of two living children: Agnes L., who graduated from the common schools in 1913; and Gladys. The family are members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Stephens has for many years been a Sunday school teacher. He is affiliated with Somerset Lodge No. 383, F. & A. M., and in politics is an active Republican. He served one year as township assessor, and has long been active in local affairs. His farm comprises eighty-nine acres, and he keeps it highly improved and stocked with the best grade of animals, including thoroughbred Duroc and Poland China hogs. He raises all the general crops and feeds most of his grain to stock on his place.

ELLIS TRENT STOUT, M. D. A successful physician of Upland since 1907, Dr. Stout in that year graduated from the medical department of Purdue University, and has since enjoyed a growing and prosperous general practice as a physician and surgeon. His work covers an extensive territory about Upland, and he also does most of the professional services for the various insurance companies at Upland. He is a member of the County and State Medical Societies, and the American Medical Association.

Born in Upland, December 3, 1883, Ellis Trent Stout graduated from the local high school in 1901, and with a view to entering the medical profession continued his preparatory work in the Indiana State University for a while. He was also reading medicine under his father, and thus entered the final stages of his work at Purdue University well equipped, and began practice well fortified by practical experience and training.

Dr. Stout is of the second generation in his family identified with the medical profession in Grant county. His father Dr. O. L. Stout who for upwards of thirty years was engaged in practice at Uplands is now living retired at Dodson, Montana. He was born in 1854, studied medicine under Dr. Corey at Van Buren, Indiana, and subsequently graduated from the Kentucky school of medicine at Louisville, in the class of 1881. The first year was spent at Markel and in 1882 he located in Upland. When he left two or three years ago for the West, he had the distinction of being the oldest practicing physician in this section of Grant county. Dr. Stout is a son of John Stout, who was born in Ohio, and a grandson of George Stout, who was born in North Carolina, and was of the old Quaker stock. George Stout became an early farmer in Ohio, and in 1848 moved to Grant county from Darke county, and was one of the early settlers. He located on a farm in Monroe township and there he and his wife spent their last years, dying when at a good old age. They worshipped in the United Brethren Church. John Stout son of George was a boy in his teens when the family came from Darke county, Ohio, and grew to manhood in Grant county. John Stout and wife spent their last years at Upland, where they died, he being seventy-four and she sixty-nine years of age. Of their six sons, all are living but one, and all are now past fifty years of age. Dr. O. L. Stout and wife are active members of the Methodist faith. In politics he was a Republican until 1912, and then became a Progressive.

Dr. Ellis T. Stout was married in Upland in 1903 to Miss Martha Brogneaux, who was born in Belgium, and at the age of nine was brought to the United States by her parents, Pierre and Marie Brogneaux, who located at Muncie, Indiana, where she completed her education. Dr. Stout and wife had two daughters: Frances M., nine years of age, and in the grade school, and Emily G., aged six. Dr. Stout is affiliated with the Masonic order and Knights of Pythias, and belongs to the College fraternity of Phi Beta Chi at Purdue. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Hartford city.

ROBERT CORDER. A life of the highest respectability, worth as a business man and citizen, was that of the late Robert Corder, who for nearly half a century lived at Jonesboro. While not conspicuous in public affairs, he was prosperous, was a kindly neighbor, did all that could be expected by his community, was devoted to his home and left the priceless legacy of an honored name.

Robert Corder was an Englishman, born at Widford Hall, at Ipswich, in Essex county, England, August 22, 1823, and died at his home in Jonesboro, August 4, 1898, when nearly seventy-six years of age. He was of good old English stock and his parents, Thomas and Mary Corder, were both birthright Quakers, and spent all their lives in Essex County. The father died in middle life, and was followed in a few years by the mother.

Robert Corder grew up and was trained to a mercantile career, being employed in drygoods establishments in England. When twenty-six years of age, and still unmarried, he emigrated to the United States, and from New York came on west to Grant county. His first occupation in this county was as teacher, but subsequently he got into the general mercantile business at Jonesboro, and thereafter for nearly forty years his store was one of the centers of trade, and eventually became a landmark in the business district and always represented the strict integrity and square dealing of its proprietor. A few years before his death he retired from business. Mr. Corder was a Democrat in politics, was always active and public-spirited when Jonesboro as a community was concerned, and was a man who outside his business was closely devoted to his home and family.

Robert Corder first married Elizabeth Winslow, a daughter of Seth Winslow, a family which has an extended history, going back a number of generations in this country. She died in the prime of life and left four children: Mollie, who lives in Marion; Thomas, Sallie and Harry, all of whom married and had families, but are now deceased. For his second wife Mr. Corder married Sarah Van Horn, who died leaving two children, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Corder's widow, who now lives at Jonesboro, was before her marriage Louisa Beals. She was born October 20, 1839, in Greene county, Tennessee, eight miles from the home of President Andrew Johnson. Her parents were Abner and Cerena (Peirce) Beals, who were natives of Tennessee, and Quakers in religion. Her father, who died during the Civil war, was a farmer, but also was successful as a shoe maker and a manufacturer of linseed oil. After his death, the widow and her children moved north to Grant county, and she died at Jonesboro when sixty-four years of age. Mrs. Corder is a member of the Presbyterian church as was her husband. She occupies the comfortable home which her husband provided, and is living in comfort and plenty, and in the enjoyment of a large circle of friends.

GEORGE W. HANMORE. The people of Mill township during the past years have felt that the affairs of the town and especially of the schools were never entrusted to better hands than the management of the present trustee, George W. Hanmore. Mr. Hanmore is a well known young business man and represents a family which has been identified with Grant county since about the middle of the last century. His ancestry on the paternal line is Irish. His grandfather Martin Hanmore, Sr., was born in Roscommon county, Ireland, and was of old stock and Catholic in religion. Martin, Sr., was a tiller of the soil, and in his home country married Mary Roan. Several of their children were born in Ireland, and they then started for America in 1856, landing in New Orleans, and from that city coming up the Mississippi River to the Middle States. Martin Hanmore, like a great many of his compatriots, found his first employment on a railroad. In a year or so he arrived in Grant county and settled on land in the Mississinewa Valley in Mill township. There Martin Hanmore, Sr., and wife, lived and died. His death occurred when he was about fifty years of age, while his wife survived a long time and was past eighty years of age at her death. They were faithful Catholics in religion, and worshiped in that faith until the close of their lives.

Of their children was Martin Hanmore, Jr., who was born in Ireland, October 16, 1845, and who was about ten years old when he crossed the ocean with his parents. He had two brothers: Thomas, now deceased, married and left two daughters, both of whom are married; and Dr. John J. Hanmore, who is now serving as coroner in Champaign county, Ohio, is married and has a son, who is also married. There were also two sisters: Mary, wife of Robert Brushwiller, of Detroit, and with a son and daughter living, and Jane E., wife of J. E. Parker, of Chicago, and Mrs. Parker by a former marriage has one daughter. Martin Hanmore, Jr., grew up in Grant county, and since reaching his majority has been steadily engaged as a farmer. Recently he retired and now lives comfortably in Jonesboro. The people of this county have long esteemed him as one of the substantial representative citizens, and a man whose substantial qualities have made him a valued factor in local life. In Mill township, Martin Hanmore, Jr. married Sarah A. Entsminger, of one of the old families in this section. She was born in Mill township, November 3, 1846, and her entire life has been spent here. She and her husband for many years have been active members of the Presbyterian church, Martin Hanmore, Jr., having left the faith of his father. In politics Martin Hanmore is a Democrat, and has voted and worked for the good of his party. Mrs. Hanmore comes of a family which was for many years prominent in Virginia, and has lived in Grant county since 1830. She is a granddaughter of John and a daughter of David Entsminger, both of whom were natives of Virginia, and came more than eighty years ago to Mill township in Grant county. As tillers of the soil and owners of considerable amounts of land, the Entsmingers identified themselves substantially with the pioneer Grant county, and the name has been esteemed and honored in this vicinity ever since. Grandfather John Entsminger was quite old when he died, and David was near middle life. John Entsminger married Sarah Knick, of Virginia, who died in Grant county when quite old. David Entsminger married Melvina Adamson, of Grant county, Indiana. The Entsmingers had been Presbyterians in religion for a number of generations. John Entsminger was a charter member of the First Presbyterian church in Mill township. David Entsminger and wife had the following children: Levi, John, Matilda, David, and Mrs. Martin Hanmore.

George W. Hanmore is one of the three living children. His brother, David E. Hanmore, died after his marriage and had one child, also deceased. Rosetta Hanmore is the wife of Albert L. Parks, a farmer in Mill township; their children are Ora O. and Delight, both of whom are married. John M. Hanmore is a resident in Mill township, follows farming, and by his marriage to Ione Scrambling has one son, Keith.

George W. Hanmore grew up in Mill township, where he was born February 25, 1880. His education was given by the local schools, being a graduate of the Gas City high school in the class of 1900, and later taking a course in the Marion Business College. He studied embalming, of which he is a graduate, and for several years practiced in Mill township but is now retired from that profession, and handles a general line of insurance. He has done a prosperous business in all the undertakings to which he has devoted his attention.

In November, 1908, Mr. Hanmore was elected township trustee, and is the first Democrat elected to that office in the history of Mill township. His proficiency and careful administration have well justified his choice. Mr. Hanmore was married in this county to Miss Ethel Fern Friedline, who was born in Geneva, Indiana, in 1888, was educated in this county. They are the parents of one child, George W. Jr., born September 30, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Hanmore are interested in religious matters, his church being the Presbyterian and hers the Methodist. He has for a number of years been one of the local leaders in the Democratic party.

JEROME SHAFFER. A firm in Upland that since its establishment in 1910 has acquired a prosperous place in the large business in its special lines is that of Miles & Shaffer, contractors and builders. They have successfully undertaken and carried out many contracts in both public and private construction work, and are both men of the highest standing, well entitled to the confidence shown them by the community. They became associated as a firm in March 1910. Mr. Shaffer has been best known through the years of his active life as a manufacturer of tile and brick, a business which he has followed at Upland and in Monroe township, until recently, having spent about eighteen years in that business.

Jerome Shaffer was born in Highland county, Ohio, May 24, 1864. His home was in that locality and his education acquired through attendance at the local schools until he was nineteen, and since then he has lived in Monroe township of Grant county, up to 1901 when he moved to Upland. His parents were Henry and Lyda (Sprinkle) Shaffer, both of whom were born in Highland county, Ohio, and came of Pennsylvania German stock. Grandfather Adam Shaffer was born in Germany, came to America and settled on a farm in Pennsylvania, and in that state married a Miss Roush. At a very early day they left Pennsylvania, and settled on a tract of government land, in Highland county, Ohio. Their settlement there occurred in the decade of the twenties, and so early were they on the scene that it was necessary to blaze a trail four miles through the woods in order to reach their destination. They had all the experiences of pioneers, lived in a log cabin for several years, and by the thrift and industry which are characteristic of the better class of Germans got ahead in the world, and lived as substantial units of the community.

Adam Shaffer died in Highland county at the age of eighty-nine. Both he and his wife were among the early Lutheran people in that vicinity and helped organize the church. Henry Shaffer and wife in 1880 left Highland county, and moved out to Kansas, but conditions in that state were so unfavorable that they soon returned to their old home, and lived out their lives in Highland county, where he died at the age of eighty-nine and she when eighty-three years of age. Long years seem to be a characteristic of the Shaffer stock. Both parents were faithful members of the German Lutheran church, and the political faith of the household has been generally Democratic.

Jerome Shaffer was the seventh in a family of ten sons and two daughters, all of whom grew up and ten of them married and had children of their own. Nine of these are still living. A daughter, Mrs. Gilbert Rhodes lives in Van Buren township, and a son Samuel in Monroe township, while all the others are in Highland county, Ohio.

Jerome Shaffer is a man of a great deal of business push and enterprise, and as a farmer, manufacturer, and contractor has made more than an ordinary success in life. He owns considerable property, and has an attractive residence on east Washington street in Upland.

In this village he was married in 1897 to Miss Cora L. Horner. She was born in Upland, and is a graduate of the local schools. Her parents were Calvin, and Phoebe (Wright) Horner, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Monroe township in Grant county. They were married in the latter township, and still live on their old farm there, which has been their home since they became man and wife. Mrs. Horner is a member of the Quaker faith. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer are: Ralph, born July 9, 1901, and now in the seventh grade of the public school, and Earl, born July 1, 1909. Mr. Shaffer was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist denomination. He is a Democrat in politics, and fraternally is affiliated with Lodge No. 352 and Encampment No. 13 of the Odd Fellows at Upland.

BENJAMIN F. McMANAMAN. The McManaman homestead on section fifteen of Green township is a pleasant, comfortable place, a grateful retreat for the declining years of life, and there among the trees and meadows, and fertile fields, B. F. McManaman and his good wife are enjoying the quiet and contentment which are the best fruits of long and worthily spent years.

Benjamin F. McManaman is a native of Indiana, born in Harrison township of Dearborn county, September 4, 1841, a son of William and Isabelle (Lynn) McManaman. The father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1808, and was of Scotch descent. His wife was a native of Franklin county, Indiana. William McManaman moved from Pennsylvania to Franklin county, Indiana, where he was married and he and his wife later went to Dearborn county, which was their home until death. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living in 1913, namely: James, of Dearborn county; George W., a farmer of Green township of Grant county; Benjamin F., John F., of Dearborn county; Martha J., wife of William J. Waltz, of Harrison, Ohio.

On a farm in Dearborn county, Benjamin F. McManaman passed his boyhood and youth, and when not employed in the work of the home attended the local schools until he was eighteen years old. He then took up farming as a regular occupation, and continued to live at home until he was past twenty-nine years of age. On December 1, 1870, he married Miss Frances A. Scofield, who was born in Franklin county, Indiana, January 16, 1848, a daughter of William and Mary Ann (Marshall) Scofield. Her father was born in England, and came to the United States when eight years old. The mother was born near Fairfax Courthouse in Virginia. There were eight children, six girls and two boys, in the Scofield family, and Mrs. McManaman is now the only one living. They were named Juliette, William, Margaret, Henriette, Edward (who was a soldier during the Rebellion and was killed in the last battle Sherman s men fought), Nancy, Frances A., and Mary J. Mrs. McManaman was reared in Franklin county Indiana, and attended the public schools, and was well equipped for a useful part in life. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McManaman lived in Dearborn county, later in Franklin county, for one year, and in 1881 moved to Grant county, locating in Green township on the farm which is still their home. Their first shelter and residence in that township was a little log cabin that stood on the land which has long since been replaced by a comfortable and modern residence. Their farm is four and a half miles south of Swayzee, on the Grindle extension pike. Mr. and Mrs. McManaman have one son, Eddie, born September 13, 1871. He attended the common schools and for his first wife married Mettie Nicholson, of Liberty township. After her death he married Lizzie Smart, of Adams county, Ohio. There is one son by this second marriage, Marshall, aged thirteen, he having recently completed his course in the common schools of Green township. Mr. and Mrs. McManaman also raised a girl, Nellie Helms, who resided with them from the time she was five years of age until her marriage. She is now the wife of Roscoe Bryant and they have three daughters, Zelma, Wilma and Olive. Mr. Thrailkill, a neighboring farmer, lived with Mr. and Mrs. McManaman for twenty years, and Clinton Barfin, a nephew of Mrs. McManaman, has lived with them for the last eight years. Many young men have lived a year or two with them and been married from their home.

Mr. McManaman is a Democrat in politics, but has never been active in party affairs. At his homestead he and his wife own three hundred and twenty-two and a half acres of fine land, and have all the comforts and facilities of a modern Indiana farmer. He has now retired from the heavy work of agriculture and lives at ease, allowing others to bear the burden which he carried for so many years.

Deb Murray