Other surnames mentioned: Vail , Voriss , McNeal , Gillum , Roos , Miller
I.M. VAIL, physician and surgeon, West Chester, has been identified with the interests of Jay County forty-nine years. He was born in Darke County, Ohio, September 6, 1831, son of William and Lydia Ann (Voriss) Vail, the former a native of Butler County, Ohio, and the latter of Maysville, Kentucky. They were married in Darke County, and reared ten children -Caroline, Rebecca, Isaac M., Ester A., William C., Amy I., Martha M., Susan A., Polly M. and Fanny M. In 1836 the family removed to this county, coming with teams of both horses and cattle, and locating in the woods of Bear Creek Township. Our subject passed his youth amid the scenes of pioneer life, assisting at farm work and attending the common schools. He also attended Portland Academy. At the age of twenty-four years he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. D. W. McNeal, of Portland, and later, under Dr. James Gillum, of the same place. He afterward attended the Eclectic Medical Institute
of Cincinnati, where he received his diploma in May, 1872. The doctor has always been a deep student, and keeps himself informed in all the modern literature pertaining to the practice of his profession. In 1871 he formed a partnership with Dr. Roos, which still exists. Dr. Vail is in poor health and does not do so much active work except in difficult cases or in consultation. He was married February 10, 1856, to Miss Amy J. Ross, of Portland, and formerly of Darke County, Ohio, daughter of Aley and Sarah (Miller) Ross, and they have three children -Mary Etheland Miller, Lettie M. and J. William Isaac. Susan H., the first born, is deceased. The doctor has farms of 220 acres. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Jay Lodge, No. 87, and of the Society of Friends.
Submitted by: Dusti
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF JAY AND BLACKFORD COUNTIES, INDIANA The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 Page 456
Other surnames mentioned: Bergdoll , Boots , Fountain
John C. BERGDOLL, one of the well known and substantial farmers and landowners of Knox township, was born on the farm on which he is now living in that township, a member of one of the pioneer families thereabout, and has lived there all his life. Mr. BERGDOLL was born on April 6, 1850, and is the son of John and Mary Ann (BOOTS) BERGDOLL, who were among the early residents of that section of Jay county. John BERGDOLL was born in the vicinity of Petersburg, Va., now West Virginia, and became a resident of Ohio, where he was married. In 1834 he came over into Indiana and entered a tract of eighty acres of land in what later came to be organized as Knox township. Jay county, and presently established his home on that place and proceeded to effect a clearing. He did well in his operations, early having been recognized as one of the substantial and influential pioneers of that region, and gradually increased his land holdings until he owned 200 acres of
excellent land, to which place in the '70s, he and his sons added a tract of 360 acres. On that farm John BERGDOLL spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring on March 13, 1881. In August of the year prior to his death he had made an equitable division of his lands among his children, the homestead site going to John BERGDOLL and his sister Elizabeth, who maintained the household until in March, 1890. John BERGDOLL and his wife were the parents of seven children, of whom four are living, those besides the subject of this sketch being Elizabeth. Aaron and Edward BERGDOLL. The other children of this family, now deceased, were William R., Mary J. and Melisa. Reared on the home farm in Knox township, John C. BERGDOLL received his schooling in the early and somewhat primitive schools of that neighborhood and from the days of his boyhood was a helpful agent in the strenuous labors of clearing a timber tract and bringing the same under cultivation.
He remained on the farm, assisting his father in development work and in the division of the farm lands received sixty acres of the home place. This he continued to farm and has since increased his holdings to 100 acres and has an excellent farm plant. On March 12, 1890, John C. BERGDOLL was united in marriage to Osa FOUNTAIN, who was born in Ohio, and to this union one child was born, a daughter, Osa May, born on March 3, 1891, whose mother died five days later. Miss Osa May BERGDOLL early devoted herself to the work of the church and is now a missionary in India. Mr. BERGDOLL long ago subscribed his political allegiance to the Prohibition party and is enjoying now the calm satisfaction of seeing the principles of that party adopted by the people of the country at large. He has witnessed the development of this county from the conditions which faced the pioneers and has many interesting stories to tell of the other days.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Bradley , Reed , Mason
JOHN BRADLEY, eldest son of Benjamin and Mary (Reed) Bradley, is a native of Ohio, born in Trumbull County, May 6, 1848. He has always lived with his parents, and since his majority has been associated in business with his father, first in the harness and saddler trade in Portland, and since 1876in the ownership and management of their farm on section 24, Green Township. He served an apprenticeship at harness making, and followed that business altogether about ten years. May 13, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Mason, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, the mother dying at her home in 1879, and the father dying in 1870, his death resulting from a limb falling from a tree while at work in the woods. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bradley, two are deceased-Charles R. died aged sixteen months, and Carrie F. died at the age of eleven years. Rufus R. and Earl E. are the names of the children living. Mr. Bradley is now serving
as trustee of Greene Township, having been elected to that office in the spring of 1886. He was reared in the faith of the Christian church, his parents being members of that church. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to Omega Lodge, No. 281, of Portland.
Submitted by: Peggy Karol
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF JAY AND BLACKFORD COUNTIES, INDIANA The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 - Page 317
Other surnames mentioned: Dawley , Pannel , Shinn , Turner
James F. DAWLEY, proprietor of the picturesque "Poplar Grove Stock and Poultry Farm" in Penn township and one of the best known agricultural specialists and fanciers in this section of Indiana, was born in the neighboring county of Wells, but has been a resident of Jay county for forty-five years, or ever since he established his home in Penn township following his marriage in 1876. Mr. DAWLEY was born on September 22, 1853, and is a son of William and Malinda (PANNEL) DAWLEY, the latter of whom was born in Ohio and the former in the state of New York. William DAWLEY grew to manhood in New York state and then located in Ohio, where he was married. He remained in Ohio until he moved over into Indiana and bought a farm in Wells county, where he established his home and where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of five children, but two of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch and his sister Amanda. Reared on
a farm in Wells county, James F. DAWLEY received his schooling in that county and remained there until his marriage in 1875, after which he came down into Jay county and located on the farm in Penn township on which he is now living, beautiful "Poplar Grove Farm," which he has converted into a veritable park. When Mr. DAWLEY took possession of that place it was uncleared and unimproved. As he cleared and developed the place he began to improve it along somewhat unusual lines, giving particular attention to landscape features, adding to the natural beauty of the place a couple of attractive groves, and he now has one of the real show places in the way of farms in all eastern Indiana. Believing in the efficacy of concentration of effort, Mr. DAWLEY has but sixty acres of land, having sold seventeen acres of his original tract. He gives particular attention to pure bred live stock and fine poultry, as well as choice fruit, and formerly and for eight years
conducted .an annual "fair" oil his place, his exhibits of the products of his place attracting much attention. As a part of the park-like effect produced on "Poplar Grove Farm," Mr. DAWLEY maintains an extensive aviary and his collection of birds is regarded as probably the most extensive of any private collection in the state. He also has numerous other pets about the place, representative of most of the small animals found in Indiana, and the park is constantly visited by nature students attracted to the place by the variety of bird and animal life there available for study. The park is a favorite resort for picnic parties and family reunions and is thus a common meeting place for the people of a wide territory hereabout. For thirteen years Mr. DAWLEY has been making a specialty of the park-like feature of his farm and his reputation as a landscape artist and collector of birds and animals is widely and well established. On September 25, 1875, James F.
DAWLEY was united in marriage to Mahalia SHINN, a daughter of Darius and Rachel ( TURNER ) SHINN. Mr. and Mrs. DAWLEY have a very pleasant home on rural mail route No. 3 out of Montpelier, [Blackford Co.] whose hospitable doors are ever open to their friends. Mrs. DAWLEY is a member of the Christian church. Mr. DAWLEY has for years taken an active interest in local political affairs, one of the community leaders in the ranks of the Republican party, and for four years served as superintendent of highways in his district.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Dull , Bales , Hinsey , Paris , Rogers , Whitacre
Jacob H. DULL, former trustee of Jefferson township and one of the best known and most substantial farmers of that township, proprietor of an excellent farm on rural mail route No. 2 out of Redkey, is a native of the old Buckeye state, but has been a resident of Indiana since the days of his childhood and of Jay county long enough to give him grounds for feeling "perfectly at home" here. Mr. Dull was born on a farm in Darke county, Ohio, February 9, 1865, and is a son of Martin and Mahalia ( HINSEY ) DULL, who later became residents of Randolph county, this state. Martin DULL was born in Randolph county, a member of one of the pioneer families in that section of Indiana, and there grew to manhood. As a young man he went over into Darke county, Ohio, to work as a farmer, and after his marriage rented a farm in that county and lived there for ten years, at the end of which time he returned to Randolph county and bought a farm of 120 acres on which he
established his home. Two years later he sold that tract and bought a farm of 154 acres in Greene township, in that same county, and on this latter place made his home until his retirement from the farm and removal to Redkey, where his last days were spent. Martin DULL and wife were the parents of twelve children, all of whom are living save one son, Oscar, the others, besides the subject of this sketch, being Levi, Dora, Elizabeth, Mahalia, Samuel, Charles A., John M., Edward L., Earl and William R. Jacob H. DULL was but a lad when his parents moved from Darke county, Ohio, to Randolph county and in the schools of this latter county he received his schooling. He remained at home, a valued assistant to his father in the labors of the home farm, until his marriage at the age of twenty-one, when he rented a farm owned by his father and started farming on his own account. Six years later he came up into Jay county and bought a farm of seventy-five acres
in Jefferson township, a part of the place on which he is now living, and has since resided there. Since taking possession of that place Mr. DULL has made numerous substantial improvements on the farm and has increased his land holdings until now he is the owner of 187 acres and has one of the best farm plants in the neighborhood. Mr. DULL is a Republican and has for years taken an active interest in local civic affairs. For six years he served as trustee of Jefferson township and it was during this incumbency that the handsome township consolidated school was erected at New Mt. Pleasant, Mr. DULL having long been an ardent supporter of the movement to consolidate the district schools in one efficient central school, a movement the soundness of which has been effectively proved in this instance. On September 25, 1886, Jacob H. DULL was united in marriage to Jennie WHITACRE, daughter of Newton and Catherine ( BALES ) WHITACRE and a member of the pioneer
WHITACRE family of this county, and to this union five children have been born, Arlie, Irma, Ray, Irvin and Cleitus, the two former of whom are married. Arlie DULL married Elva ROGERS and has two children, Roger A. and Elizabeth Jane. Irma DULL married Jay PARIS and has three children, Sarah Gwendolyn, Alice Louise and Jacob R. Mr. and Mrs. DULL are members of the Christian church at Powers and Mr. DULL is a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias at Ridgeville. The DULL's have a pleasant farm home and have ever taken an interested part in the general social activities of the community in which they live.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Geiger , Gaunt , Heppe , Hudson , Kelso , Maloney , Orendorff , Whitacre , Winget
Jacob GEIGER, one of the oldest and best known farmers and landowners of Jay county, now living retired at his comfortable farm home in Greene township, rural mail route No. 1 out of Dunkirk, has been a resident of this county for nearly eighty years, ever since the days of his childhood and thus has been a witness to and a participant in the amazing development that has marked this region during that period. Mr. Geiger was born on a farm in Licking county, Ohio, February 3, 1836, and is a son of John and Ruth (KELSO) GEIGER, the latter of whom also was horn in Ohio, a member of one of the pioneer families of that state. John GEIGER was a Virginian by birth but was but a child when his parents moved from the Old Dominion to Ohio and he grew to manhood in Licking county, where he was married and where he made his home on a farm for several years, or until 1842 when he traded his Ohio land for 1,860 acres of land in Greene township, this county, and moved
over here and established his home at the point now occupied by his son Jacob. Upon coming here he put up a sawmill and a grist mill on his place and entered heartily into the pioneer activities of this region, early becoming accounted one of the most energetic and influential members of the community in which he had settled. As his affairs prospered he added to his land holdings until he at one time had 3,140 acres of land in this county. Before his death he made a division of his farm lands among his children, dividing something more than three sections of land. His death occurred in 1880. He and his wife had six children, Sarah, who married Edwin HUDSON, Jacob, Joseph, John, Abraham and William H., all of whom lived to maturity save the last named, who died at the age of ten years. Of these, Jacob GEIGER, now in his eighty-seventh year, alone survives. Jacob GEIGER was six years of age when he came with his parents from Ohio to Jay county and he grew
to manhood on the home place in Greene township, early taking an active part in farm work, helping to clear and cultivate the land, and in the work of his father's mills. When twenty-one years of age he took a trip South and remained there for three years, at the end of which time he returned home and not long afterward was married, he then being twenty-six years of age. Upon his marriage his father gave him an "eighty" of the home place, the place on which he is still living, and there he established his home. In 1889 Mr. GEIGER erected there a substantial new dwelling house and the other improvements on the farm have been in keeping with the same. For almost sixty years Mr. GEIGER has had that place and he regards his well kept farm plant with proper pride. His land holdings comprise 172 acres in Greene and Knox townships. When seventy-five years of age, in 1911, Mr. GEIGER retired from active participation in the labors of the farm and has since been
content to see the work carried on by other hands. It was on March 27, 1862, that Jacob GEIGER was united in marriage to Phoebe Emily WHITACRE, daughter of Joseph and Ann (GAUNT) WHITACRE, the former of whom, a veteran of the Civil war, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and became a substantial farmer of Jay county, and to this union were born four children, Joseph Gaunt, Phoebe Ann, Jacob M. and one who died in childhood. Joseph Gaunt GEIGER married Emma ORENDORF and moved to Starke county, this state. Phoebe Ann GEIGER married \William F. WINGET, of Knox township, this county, and has four children; Ruth, who is married and has two children; Ula, also married and the mother of two children, and Grace and Dorothy. Jacob M. GEIGER has been twice married. His first wife, Sarah MALONEY, died leaving one child, a son, Jacob M. By his second wife, Pearl HEPPE, he has two children, Charles and George.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Chamness , Glendenning , Nine , Thornburg , Watson
Joseph GLENDENNING, one of the best known and most substantial farmers and landowners of the northern part of Jay county, now living practically retired from the labors of the farm at his home in Jackson township, was born in the neighboring county of Adams and has lived there and in this county all his life. Mr. GLENDENNING was born on January 21, 1848, and is a son of James and Catherine ( WATSON ) GLENDENNING, who were among the pioneers of Adams county. James GLENDENNING was born in the vicinity of Crougland, England. When he was seventeen years of age he came to this country in company with his brother George and located at Cincinnati [Hamilton Co.] where he became engaged working in a lead factory. Some years later he moved up into Darke county, Ohio, and began farming, but when the new lands over in this section of Indiana began to attract the attention of prospective settlers he came to Indiana and entered title to a half section of land in
Adams county and there established his home. He improved that place and there spent the remainder of his life, coming early to be recognized as one of the leaders in the community in which he had settled. He and his wife had eight children, of whom three are living, the subject of this sketch having a brother, James GLENDENNING, and a sister, Estella. Reared on the home farm in Adams county, Joseph GLENDENNING received his schooling in the neighborhood schools. He remained at home, helpful in the labors of the farm, until his father's death, after which he began farming on his own account, buying a farm of 100 acres which he proceeded to improve and develop. As his affairs prospered he added to his land holdings until he became the owner of 639 acres in Adams and Jay counties, continuing to make his home in Adams county until 1909, when he moved to his present place in Jackson township, this county, where he since has resided and where he and his
family are very comfortably situated. In 1896, Mr. GLENDENNING retired from the active labors of the farm, though he continues to keep a supervisory eye on the operation of his extensive farm plant. He is a Republican and has ever taken an interested part in local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office. In 1896 Joseph GLENDENNING was united in marriage to Elizabeth E. E. THORNBURG and to this union three children have been born, Aetna, who married Claude NINE and has one child, a son, Frederick, and Edna and Joseph, who are at home with their parents. Mrs. GLENDENNING was born in Randolph county, this state, and is a daughter of William and Emily Ann ( CHAMNESS ) THORNBURG, the latter of whom was born in South Carolina and was but a child when she came to Indiana with her parents in pioneer days, the CHAMNESS's driving through from the South, a long and toilsome journey. William THORNBURG, a veteran of the Civil war, was
born in Randolph county, a member of one of the pioneer families of that county, and all his life was spent there. He early learned the trade of blacksmith and also that of stonemason and later became a veterinary surgeon. During the Civil war he enlisted as a soldier of the Union and served for about three years as a member of the 36th regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with this command participating in the battle of Gettysburg and numerous other important engagements. William THORNBURG was for years active in public affairs in Randolph county and served for two terms as sheriff of the county. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, of whom seven still are living, those besides Mrs. GLENDENNING being May, James, J. F., Raymond, E. H. and Reba. The GLENDENNING's have a very pleasant home in Jackson township and have ever taken an interested and hospitable part in the community's general social activities.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Hall , Smith , Bryany , Janesway , Lucas
J.W. HALL M.D., is one of the leading physicians of Portland, Indiana. He is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Darke County in 1845. When he was fourteen years of age his father, Obediah Hall, moved to Randolph County, Indiana. He attended school at Winchester, and in the fall of 1863 began reading medicine with Dr. W.G. Smith, at Deerfield. He attended his first course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, and then began the practice of his profession at Deerfield. In 1871 he returned to the Ohio Medical College, and took his second course, and the same year took a special course in surgery under Professor Bryant, and a special course in physical diagnosis, under the direction of Professor Edward G. Janesway. His professional experience prior to his settlement in Jay County included seven years at Deerfield and eleven years in Grant County, Indiana. He located in Portland in 1885 and is already recognized as one of the most successful
physicians of the place. As will be readily seen he has availed himself of the best opportunities for becoming thoroughly educated in every branch of his profession. He makes a specialty of treating the diseases of women and children, and has attained a wide reputation for his success in that line. Dr. Hall was married in Randolph County, Indiana, to Miss M.M. Lucas. They have two daughters -Lulu May and Rhuie.
Submitted by: Dusti
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF JAY AND BLACKFORD COUNTIES, INDIANA The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 Page 630
Other surnames mentioned: COOK , Haines , Hardy , Rines
John E. HARDY, president of the Portland Equity Exchange and a well known farmer and landowner of Pike township, this county, is a native son of Jay county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Pike township on April 26, 1867, and is a son of George W. and Amy A. (COOK) HARDY, both of whom were members of pioneer families in that part of this county. George W. HARDY was also born in Pike township, in 1843. and was living there when the Civil war broke out. He enlisted his services in behalf of the cause of the Union and went to the front as a private in Company C, Thirty-ninth regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which presently was mounted and thereafter served as the Eighth Indiana Cavalry. While thus serving Mr. HARDY participated In some of the most important engagements of the war and at the bloody battle of Stone River was taken prisoner by the enemy and was for some time thereafter confined in Libby prison at Richmond.
Upon being exchanged he rejoined his command and continued service until the end of the war. Upon the completion of his military service he returned to his home in this county and after his marriage established his home on a farm in Pike township, where he became the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, all of whom are still living save four, Lavonia, Roland O., Ira L., and Clayton O., those living, besides the subject of this sketch, being Louisa, Albert W., Noel W. and Edith and Edna, twins. John E. HARDY was reared on the home farm in Pike township and received his schooling in the local schools of that neighborhood. He early became engaged in farming and after his marriage established his home on a farm in that township, where he has since resided, the owner of a well kept place of eighty acres. Mr. HARDY has long taken an active interest in movements having to do with the promotion of the best
interests of the agricultural community and is president of the Portland Equity Exchange. He is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the First Christian Church at Salamonia. Mr. HARDY has been twice married. His first wife was Amy Stella HAINES, who also was born in this county. Following her death he married Hazie A. RINES, who was born in Pike township. this county, daughter of Louis and Jane RINES, and to this union one child has been born. a daughter. Mary Amy.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II