From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
JOHN KENDALL was born in Holmes County, Ohio, on March 27, 1845. John and Susannah (Yadee) Kendall were his parents, both of whom were of German descent. Both were children when they moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and there they were married, there the subject of this sketch was born, he spending his boyhood there at work upon his father's farm. In 1863, he, with his parents, removed to Miami County, Indiana. The father died the same year he moved there. Mr. Kendall has four brothers and sisters, by name Abraham, Barbara, Diana and Lydia living. The 16th of December, 1866, John married Diana Shrock, a daughter of Benjamin J. and Mary (Keck) Shrock. To this union were born seven children, viz.: Sarah Ann, Mary, Alvin, Benjamin, Angeline, Abe and Diana. Diana and Mary are deceased. On April 19, 1877, his wife also passed away, and, after remaining a widower for five years, he was on the 4th day of June, 1882, married to Mary Alice Aldrich, a daughter of John and Annie (Alian) Aldrich. Four
children have since blessed this union: Edna May, Eda Maud, Charley and Elizabeth. Mr. Kendall is a firm believer in the principles of the Democratic party. He began life a poor boy, and has, by dint of industry and perseverance, gained one of the best little farms in the township. It contains 150 acres, and has finely improved buildings. Mr. Kendall is an enterprising energetic young farmer and a number one citizen.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
A. B. KIMBALL, farmer, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, May 23, 1828, son of Abner and Nancy (Jeffreys) Kimball, natives of New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father removed to Coshocton County, Ohio, in about 1822, where he engaged in farming, which vocation he followed with encouraging success, making it his life work. He died in Ohio at the advanced age of ninety-six, his wife dying at the age of sixty-one. The paternal grandfather, Moses Kimball, was native of England, was married to Jemima Clement, and came to America in colonial times. He was a blacksmith by trade, took an active part in the Revolutionary war, and at the battle of Bunker Hill had his thumb shot off. He subsequently removed to Ohio, where he died near the town of Warren. Joseph Jeffreys, the maternal grandfather, was also a native of England, was married to a Scotch lady and emigrated to America, settling in Pennsylvania, later removing to Ohio, where he passed the remainder of his years. Our subject was reared
on a farm in his native county, receiving a good academic education, and at the age of twenty-three began life for himself as a farmer. In 1860 he removed to Miami County, Ind., and located on his present farm, the larger portion of which was at that time a dense forest. He cleared his farm, which contains eighty-two and one-half acres, and by industry has made it one of the most productive in the township. On March 20, 1851, he was united in marriage with Lydia J. Liggett, a daughter of Isaac and Ruth (Ewing) Liggett, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Kimball was also born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 4, 1827. To them three children have been born, whose names are Moses F., born Nov. 2, 1852, died July 31, 1859; Einley A., born March 19, 1857, and Frank J., born August 3, 1871. Mr. Kimball is held in high esteem as a worthy citizen, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been identified since the age of fourteen years.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
ROSCOE KIMPLE was born in Peru, Indiana, June 23, 1861. He is the eldest of a family of three children born to Henry and Maria A. (Weesner) Kimple, natives of Wabash County, Indiana. In 1859 the father removed to Peru, where, in partnership with Judge Ross, he was engaged in the mercantile business for a number of years. In 1866 he returned to his native county, and resided until his death, which occurred in 1869. His widow survives him and resides at Xenia. Roscoe received a good, practical education, graduating from the Somerset, Indiana, High School at the age of sixteen. He then taught school in Wabash County for three years. During the winter of 1882-3 he attended, the law department of the Ann Arbor University in Michigan, and in March, 1883, was admitted to the bar at Ann Arbor; also to practice in the Supreme Court, and was the same year admitted to the bar at Wabash County, Indiana. He soon located at Kenia, where he has since been in the
active practice of his profession, excepting for a short time, during which he in partnership with A. L. Lawshe, established the Xenia Journal, and with whom he continued until 1884. Mr. Kimple is a Republican in politics and one of the promising young men of the county.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
ABRAHAM L. LAWSHE, editor and proprietor of the Xenia Journal, is a native of Wabash County, Indiana, born at the town of Somerset on the 6th day of October, 1860. His father, Henry D. Lawshe, was born in Lambertsville, New Jersey, July 9, 1816, and early learned the carpenter and builder's trade, at which he worked several years in the city of Philadelphia. He subsequently came to Indiana, locating at Elizabeth, Switzerland County, where on the 11th day of May, 1844, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Hester A. Burgett, daughter of John and Ann (VanTassell) Richmond, of New York. Mrs. Lawshe was born in the town of Allensville, Indiana, in 1820, and by her marriage with Mr. Lawshe had a family of eight children, four of whom, Thomas, Oscar, Dr. Isaac F. and A. L., are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Lawshe moved to Wabash County in the year 1853, and settled at the village of Somerset, where they still reside. They are both permanent members of the
German Baptist or Dunkard Church, and have ever been noted for their active exertions in the interest of that denomination. A. L. Lawshe received a good education in the graded school of Somerset, and at the age of seventeen, apprenticed himself to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Wabash Courier, Wabash, Indiana, where he continued two years, going to Indianapolis at the end of that time, in which city he finished his trade in the printing and job office of Randall & Fish. He then accepted the position of foreman on the Wabash Courier, and after remaining in that capacity until 1883 established a job printing office in Wabash, which he continued until December, 1884, when he came to Xenia, and in partnership with Roscoe Kimple, founded the Xenia Journal, one of the most successful local papers in Northern Indiana. He purchased his partner's interest at the end of the first year, since which time he has been sole editor and proprietor, the
paper under his management having won for itself a reputation second to that of no other in Miami County. Mr. Lawshe is a natural born journalist, a pungent and forcible writer, and with a determination to adhere to his profession, has before him a very promising future. He is a man of strong convictions, fearless in the expression of his opinions, and, although a Republican, is independent in the discussion of leading political issues of the day. On the 18th of October,1882, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Ann Sweetser, daughter of James and Mary (Lowman) Sweetzer, a union blessed with the birth of two children.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
AARON MICHAEL, Trustee, a native of Delaware County, Indiana, was born January 27, 1842. He is the eldest son of David and Martha A (Brener) Michael, natives of Maryland and Kentucky respectively. The father came to Ohio, thence to Indiana in 1846 and subsequently settled in Grant County where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits till 1866, when he removed to Wisconsin, where he died in the year of 1881, his wife following a later. They were highly respected by all who knew them, and worthy members of the Christian Church. Our subject was reared on a farm, received a common school education, and on attaining his majority learned the blacksmith's trade, which he has since principally followed. He first located at Roseburg, Indiana, where he followed his trade till 1873, when he removed to Xenia and has since resided there. He is a good mechanic, commanding a large patronage and is also held in high esteem as a worthy citizen, and is now filling his second term as trustee of his
township. He has also served in the town council and school board. Mr. Michael was married in 1860 to Miss Hester A. Morgan, a native of Ohio. Of a family of four children born to this union, these two, Daniel R. and George R. are yet living. Mr. Michael is a member of the I.O.O.F. and a Democrat in politics.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
JOHN W. MINOR, a son of John and Polly (Owens) Minor, was born the 14th of August, 1840, in Boyle County, Kentucky. The father was of English descent, and was born on July 4, 1790. He came to Kentucky and there met the mother, who was born April 18, 1799, a native of that State. They were married February 5, 1818, to which union twelve children were born - Sarah, Jeremiah, Edward, Mason, William, Dixon L., Martha Jane, Nancy, Elias, David, Logan and John W. Of these Sarah, William, Dixen, Martha Jane, Nancy and John are still living. Mr. John Minor, the subject of this sketch, was raised on his father's farm in Kentucky, receiving a limited education, and in 1854 the family came to Hamilton, County, Indiana. At the age of fifteen Mr. Minor began life for himself, going to Missouri, and in 1860 came back to Indiana, and, farming until February, 1865, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, and received an honorable discharge in August of the same year. In October,
1865, he was married to Amelia Haskett, a daughter of Solomon and Lydia (Ridgeway) Haskett, a lady of English descent. This union was blessed by four children - Maud Evelina, Ulysses Kosby, Fannie Jane and John H. On March 8, 1872, John H. died, and the wife followed on January 26, 1874. John W. Minor had come to this county in 1865, settling in Harrison Township, where his father passed away November 9, 1869, and was followed by the mother one week afterwards, and in 1873 he settled on the farm on which he now lives, in section 35, Jackson Township. On September 2, 1875, Mr. Minor was married to Sarah Lindley, the daughter of Thomas and Peggy Lindley, natives of Orange County, Indiana. There were two children born to them Lindley Erta, who died when little over a month old, and Cora Ethel, born December 2, 1877. Beginning life a poor boy, Mr. Minor has worked hard, and has by dint of industry and perseverance gained a beautiful home of 150 acres of as fine land as any in the township, and on which
are the best of modern improvements.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
LEVIN G.. MURPHY, lumber dealer and leading citizen of Xenia, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, October 1, 1841, is the fourth child, and one of the five children of George G. and Margaret (Arbuckle) Murphy, the former a native of Delaware, born February 29, 1808, and the latter a native of Preble County, Ohio, born in November 1813. The father in early life followed the trade of a carpenter, and in 1849, removed with his family to Miami County, Indiana, locating at Peoria, where he engaged in saw milling and where he now resides. The paternal grand-father was Reuben Murphy, a native of Delaware, and died with the cholera in Ohio in 1849. Samuel Arbuckle, the maternal grandfather, was a native of Pennsylvania, was a soldier in the war of 1812, a farmer by occupation and died in Hamilton County, Ohio. Our subject was reared by his parents, his education being acquired in the common schools. September 11, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Fortieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until December 9,
1864. He took part in a number of engagements, among which were Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Stone River, in which he received a slight wound in the left shoulder and head, battle of Tullahoma and with his brigade was the first to enter Chattanooga. His next battles were Mission Ridge, Knoxville, Buzzard Roost Gap, in the last named he was wounded in the leg, the battle of Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, in that famous charge of June 27, 1864, where he received a wound in the left eye, totally destroying the sight of that organ and which effectually ended his military career. He never wavered in the immediate discharge of such duties as devolved upon him and throughout his military career was a brave and efficient soldier. He returned to Miami County after the war and engaged in the lumber business, in which he has successfully continued. Mr. Murphy was united in marriage January 1, 1872, to Miss Mary C. Slocum, and one daughter has blessed their union, Ethel, born January 19, 1875.
Mrs. Murphy is a native of Huron County, Ohio, born February 7, 1846. Her parents are George and Eliza (Pierce) Slocum, natives of Peru, the father born July 3, 1823 and the mother March 12, 1825. They removed to Wabash County, Indiana, in the fall of 1846, where the father died January 20, 1860. The mother is still living and resides in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are among the best citizens of Xenia. He is a Republican and a member of the G.A.R.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
WILLIAM OVERMAN, a son of Jesse and Keziah (Stubbs) Overman, was born in Butler County, Ohio, on the 7th of January, 1816. When he was seven years of age his parents moved to Wayne County, where Mr. Overman was raised on his father’s farm, receiving an education sufficient to enable him to teach six winters in the public schools of the State. During his boyhood Mr. Overman staid on his father's farm helping to clear it up, and was at home more or less until at the age of twenty-nine, when he was married to Nancy Overman, a daughter of Cornelius and Rebecca Overman, and a second cousin to Mr. Overman. The young couple on the last day of 1845 came to Miami County and settled on 160 acres of land in Harrison Township which entered from the Government. When they came here the land not been surveyed and the Indians were still thick in the forest. Here they began to clear the land, building a little log cabin with the usual stick chimney. Here all the family, with the exception of Martha Ann, a
native of Wayne County, were born. Their names are Mary Jane, Elijah F., George, Irvin C., Nathan A. and Iuna. Elijah, Irvin, Nathan and Iuna are still living. On the 6th day of July, 1869, the wife was taken away. Remaining a widower for two years he was, on the 8th of November, 1871, married to Mrs. Mary Annis, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Binford, with whom he lived on the farm until in 1885 when he moved to Amboy, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. O. are members of the Friends Church. Beginning life in poor circumstances, Mr. Overman has worked hard, and has, by dint of industry and perseverance, gained a fine and well cultivated farm. He is the oldest citizen of Amboy, and his family has grown to be one of the most respected in the community. There is a tradition in the Overman family to the effect that several generations ago three brothers by the name of Overman came to the United States from Germany, and from these all the Overmans of the country are descended,
at any rate they are a very old family of the Carolinas, the grandfather being Isaac and the father Ephraim, to whom on the 17th day of October, 1782, was born Jesse, the father of William, Elijah and Joseph, all old residents of Miami County. Mr. Jesse Overman was a native of Pasquotank, N. C., being raised and educated on his father's farm at that place. The family left North Carolina for Virginia, and in 1807 emigrated to Indiana, then the far west and nothing but a howling wilderness, and settled in Wayne, where the city of Richmond now stands, and burned the stumps from the place where there are now large buildings. In 1810 Mr. Overman went to Preble County, and there in the Friends' Church was united in wedlock with Kesiah Stubbs, a native of Georgia, a lady of German descent. Beginning his married life in Butler County, most of his family of thirteen children, by name, Henry, Eli, Elizabeth, William, Rachel, Rebecca, Ephraim, Nathan, Enoch and Elijah, Joseph, Hannah and
Mary were born. Elizabeth, Rachel and Mary are dead. In 1823 he moved his family to Wayne County, where he raised and educated them. In 1835 the mother died, and the children growing up have married and raised families. About 1847 or '48 he came to Miami County, where several of his children had preceded him, and lived around among them until his death, which occurred on the 21st of September, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Overman were both members of the Friends’ Church, and remains of this sturdy pioneer now repose in the Amboy grave yard. Coming to this country when all was wilderness, Mr. Overman carved a home out of the forest and raised a family a credit to himself and the community, and at last sinking under the weight of years, sought the haven where so many of his friends had preceded him.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
JOSEPH POWELL a native of England, was born April 17, 1816, son of Thomas and Henrietta (Howell) Powell, natives of England. They, in about 1818 emigrated to America, and located in Virginia, thence to Coshocton County, Ohio, where they resided until their deaths. The father was a farmer by occupation, which he followed with more than ordinary success, and was an intelligent gentleman and in every respect a worthy citizen. Our subject was reared on his father’s farm, received a fair English education in the country schools, and made his own start in life as a farmer, which business he has carried on all his life with good success. He remained in Ohio until 1849, at which time he came to Miami County, Indiana, and located in Jackson Township, purchasing 143 acres of land upon which there was no improvement of any kind. He went to work with a will, and within a few years, established a comfortable home, where he has since resided. He was married January 30, 1839, to Miss Margaret Leighninger, a native
of Coshocton County, Ohio, born October 12, 1819, a daughter of George and Mary (Wolf) Leighninger. The following family were born to this marriage, namely: Emily S., Mary H., Louisa, John C. (deceased), Francis W., who served in the late war, and took ill from exposure and died at home, March 28, 1864; Lewis, Henry C., Ella, William R.E. (deceased), Alonso J. and Carrie. Mr. Powell and family are members of the Methodist Church, in which he has been steward and class leader for many years. He is a man of sterling qualities and highly esteemed in the community in which he lives. He is a Republican in politics, and has been called to fill several minor official positions.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
HENRY J. RAUSMAN, a prosperous merchant at Xenia, was born in Germany, November 19, 1842. His father dying, when he was but five years old, his mother again married, and together with his mother and step-father, he, at the age of nine years, came to America. He received but a moderate schooling in youth, and began at the age of fourteen for himself by working a farm. He later learned the moulder's trade at which he continued to work until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Forty-eighth Ohio Regiment with which he served until May 25, 1866, when he was honorably discharged as Quarter-Sergeant. He participated in the following engagements: Shiloh, April sixth, seventh and eighth, 1862, in which he was slightly wounded in the left arm; siege and capture of Corinth, Mississippi, April 29th to 30th, 1862; Holly Springs, Mississippi, June 3, 1862; Chickasaw Bluffs, Mississippi, December 28, 1862, to January 1, 1863; Arkansas Post, Arkansas, January 11, 1863; Port Gibson, May 1, 1863;
Champion Hill, Mississippi, May 16, 1863; Big Black River Bridge, Mississippi, May 17, 1863; Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, from May 19 to July 4, 1863; Siege and Capture of Jackson, Mississippi, July 10 to July 17, 1863; Saline Cross Roads, Louisiana, April 8, 1864; Cane River, Louisiana April 23, 1864; Yellow Bayou, Louisiana, May 18, 1864; Escambia River, Florida, March 26, 1865; siege and capture of Fort Blakel , Alabama, from April first to ninth, 1865. Since the war Rausman has been engaged in various occupations, and in 1872 he came to Xenia, where he was employed as a clerk in a store, continuing in this until 1876. In the latter year he embarked in general merchandising on his own responsibility, and has established an extensive trade and carries a well assorted stock amounting to about $7,000. He began life poor, and by industry and good management he has secured a comfortable income and established a reputation as an honorable upright citizen. He was married in 1866 to Rebecca McBride,
who died March 29, 1885. He chose for his second wife and present companion, Mrs. Mary E. Strayton. Mr. Rausman is a Republican in politics and a member of the G.A.R.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
JOHN J. ROSBURGH, grocer, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, December 28, 1828, son of John and Nancy (McDonald) Rosburgh, both of whom are natives of Virginia. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and a farmer, which vocation he followed through life; his death occurred in Ohio in 1842, in his fifty-third year. His widow survived him till 1882. The paternal grandfather was Robert Rosburgh, a native of New Jersey, and died in Virginia. The great grandfather was a native of Scotland, and came to America previous to the Revolutionary war, in which he was an active participant. Our subject's early life was passed on his father's farm in Ohio, and attending the common schools, from which he obtained a fair education. He learned the trade of carpentering and cabinet making, and in 1869 came to Randolph County, Indiana, and thence to Xenia in 1873, where he worked at his trade until 1882. In this year he resolved to embark in business for himself and accordingly opened a grocery on Main street,
where he has prospered and has a steadily increasing business. Mr. Rosburgh was married in Ohio in 1852, to Miss Sarah E. Dowden, by whom he is the father of seven children, only one of whom is living, Harry. Mr. Rosburgh is a member of the I.O.O.F. and F. and A. M., and politically is a democrat.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township