From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

JOHN DUCKWALL, founder and builder of a large saw and flouring mill, known as the Champion Mills, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Rosana (Lingerfelter) Duckwall, both of German descent. Our subject assisted his father on the farm until reaching his majority, when they farmed on the shares. In 1845 he emigrated to Clinton Township, Cass County, where he remained four years, and then moved to Miami County, where he still resides. His milling property was destroyed by fire in 1857, creating a loss of $5,000. He had rebuilt this saw-mill by the following spring and afterwards rebuilt the grist-mill. After remodeling four times he has today one of the best equipped mills in the county. March 21, 1845, Lydia Myers became his wife and by him the mother of six children, viz.: an infant unnamed; Amanda J., married in 1837 to Geo. Blue, and in 1878 she received a stroke of lightning which killed her instantly; Emma M. (deceased), Ida B., Dora C. and Carrie O. Mr. Duckwall is a stanch Republican, and he and wife have been members of the Regular Baptist Church for thirty years.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

J.W. ELLIS, M.D. - Dr. Ellis was born in Clinton County, Ohio, July 3, 1827, and the fifth of a family of nine children born to Robert and Anna (Hockett) Ellis. His father is of Welsh descent, and his mother a native of Virginia. He received a good education in youth, studied medicine with Dr. Smizer of Waynesville and was a graduate in 1854 from the Eclectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, Ohio. His first location was Jonesboro. From there he went to Marion, where he successfully followed his profession until 1866. For the last twenty years he has had an extensive practice in Peru, at one time having the largest practice in the county. His marriage with Miss Jemima Jones was celebrated June 26, 1851. Her parents, Obediah and Ann Jones, laid out the town of Jonesboro in 1841. The Doctor lost his wife January 26, 1854. He again married in 1860, Miss Louisa McClure who died May 18, 1863, leaving one child, named Minnie L., who has an unusual talent in art. She is now diligently pursuing her studies, and is expected to rank among the leaders of her profession. Caroline Leonard, his third wife, to whom he was wedded October 25, 1866, died April 10, 1884. He is a Republican, a member of the F. & A. M. and I.O.O. F. fraternities, and belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

WILLIAM J. FANSLER, son of Adam and Mary (Foss) Fanser was born in Butler Township, Miami County, October 21, 1844. His father was a native of Virginia of German descent; his mother a native of Ohio and of English descent. His boyhood was spent upon his father's farm, where he received a good common school education. At twenty-four years of age, January 23, 1864, he wedded Miss Ophelia C. Pence, of Peru. They are the parents of two children, namely: Orla R., born September 24, 1865, and Maudie G., born January 4, 1872. In the spring of 1863 he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was placed in the Army of the Cumberland under Buell. He participated in the noted battle of Gettysburg, and was mustered out in the fall of 1865. He began life a poor man, but now owns a fine grocery store in Bunker Hill, where he established himself in 1880. Mr. Fansler is an enterprising and wide-awake young man, a Republican in politics, firmly believing in the principles of his party, and a member of the I.O.O.F. in good standing.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

STEPHEN FINNEY is a native of Miami County ,Ohio, born August 14, 1838, a son of John and Rebecca Finney, natives of Ohio, and of Irish descent. The same year of his birth his parents moved to Randolph County, Indiana, and in 1856, to Deer Creek Township. He married, November 1, 1859, Mary Larton, daughter of Israel and Sarah Larton, residents of Randolph County. By their union there are four children living: Rosa L., Ulysses, Orlando and Minnie. February 24, 1865, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, and was placed in the Army of the Cumberland. He served until September 11, 1865. After his discharge he engaged in farming, in Deer Creek Township, until 1882, and then followed buying and shipping stock in Bunker Hill for one year. He is now a member of the only hardware firm in Bunker Hill, that of Finney & Clem. They do a thriving business. Mr. Finney is a member of John M. Wilson Post, No. 112, G.A.R., and in every respect a most exemplary citizen.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

RUFUS T. JONES, farmer, Pipe Creek Township, is a native of Oneida County, New York, his birth occurring December 2, 1817. He is of Irish and Welsh descent. His parents, John and Hannah (Thurston) Jones, moved to Oswego County, where he received sufficient education to enable him to teach school for a livelihood. He was married to Lucy S. Dibble June 15, 1841, and to their union one child was born, Ralph H., born May 23, 1842. Mrs. Jones departed this life November 9, 1845. Mr. Jones was again married April 29, 1847, to Mary, daughter of Moses and Betsy Burr. He came to this county in 1846 and followed the blacksmith's trade. During the war he was, for a time, manager of the blacksmith department under General Rosecrans. In 1852 he went to California and remained there about two years. He now owns a fine improved farm, located in one of the best farming districts in the county. Mrs. Jones was born November 26, 1825, in Fairfield County, Connecticut. She is the mother of four children, as follows: Maurice L., born August 1, 1845, who now resides in Fort Wayne, and is engaged in the photography business; Eulalie, born May 25, 1858; Viola E., born May 15, 1863, and Frank B., born August 27, 1863. Mr. Jones began life with comparatively nothing, but, by close attention to business, has succeeded in accumulating a competency for his declining years.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

PETER KEEGAN was born in Ireland February 1, 1833. He emigrated to America in 1851 and engaged in the shoe business in Natick, Massachusetts. His marriage with Miss Bridget Killen, also of Ireland, was solemnized in 1853. Four children have been born to them, named: Elsie E., William F., Schuyler C. and Cordelia M. From Natick he went to Toledo, Ohio, and remained one year. In 1857 he came to Peru. August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 87th Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was placed in the Army of the Cumberland. He took part in the following noted battles: Perryville, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain. At the last battle of Nashville he went with his command to Washington and took part in the Grand Review. He was mustered out in June, 1865. After his return from the war he settled in Bunker Hill. His early recollections of this vicinity are good. Mr. Keegan is a Republican, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for twelve years. He is now notary public and also engaged in the shoe business. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., and identified himself with the M. E. Church in 1852.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

DR. JAMES T. LISTON, one of the oldest pioneers of Pipe Creek Township and builder of the first house in Peru, is a native of New Castle County, Delaware, where he was born September 16, 1804. He is one of four children born to William and Margaret (Thomas) Liston, natives of Delaware and of English and Welsh extraction respectively. Dr. Liston received a good education in the schools of Delaware and Pennsylvania, graduating from the Peru Medical University in 1826. In 1823 his parents moved to Richmond, Indiana. After finishing school our subject began the practice of medicine in Muncie, but soon went from there to Winchester, where he remained five years. During the time, November 19, 1829, he married Rachel Way, a native of North Carolina. Mrs. Way blessed her husband with ten children, namely: William M. (deceased), Mary J. (deceased), Phebe A. (deceased), the first white child born in Peru, and also the first death in the town. She was born Aug.21, 1834, and died Aug. 31 of the same year. Jonathan A., Margaret L. (deceased), James F., William M., Rebecca E., John Way and Charles L. Mrs. Liston died May 30, 1879. The Doctor is eighty-two years old and in good health. He is a member of the F. & A. M. and I.O.O.F. fraternities, belongs to the Christian Church, and has been a life-long Democrat, having voted for General Jackson early in life. He now resides with his son, John W. Liston, a citizen of this township, whose birth occurred in Wabash County, March 19, 1846. John began teaching at the early age of sixteen years, and taught four years. He is a staunch Democrat, and takes an active part in the interests of his township. He was elected Township Trustee by a handsome majority in 1886, and under his management the schools are prospering. He was also superintendent of the gravel roads in this township for a number of years. January 17, 1867, he was married to Elizabeth Shively, daughter David R. Shively, of Ohio, a union blessed with the birth of children - William F. (deceased), Anna D. and David T.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

DR. HENRY P. MCDOWELL was born in Pipe Creek Township, December 20, 1852. His parents, David and Nancy (Childrees) McDowell, were natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Irish and the latter of German descent. The days of Henry's boyhood and youth were passed on his father's farm, and in acquiring a common school education. At the age of seventeen years he began life for himself, devoting his attention to school teaching, which vocation he followed very successfully for ten years. He began the study of medicine under the guidance of Dr. Henry Alford, of Walton. After reading three years with him he entered the Indiana Medical College, graduating in March, 1882. Since his return to Bunker Hill, he has been engaged in practicing his profession, having built up a lucrative business. June 1, 1876, he was married to Miss Ellen Bryant, and to them have been born four children, as follows: Marion, Gladys, Benson and Charles. Dr. McDowell is politically a Democrat, and enjoys the confidence and good will of the public. His portrait appears elsewhere in this volume.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

DR. JAMES A. MEEK was born in Scott County, Indiana, August 18, 1828. His parents were Robert and Lydia B. Meek, natives respectively of Ohio and Virginia. From ten years of age our subject relied upon his own resources for a living. At the age of twenty he went to LaPorte and entered the office of his uncle, Dr. T. D. Lemon. He studied medicine with his uncle for two years and attended lectures at the Indiana Medical College, which was then located at LaPorte. In 1850 he began practicing his profession in New Marion, Ripley County, Indiana. The gold excitement was then at its height, and the Doctor, with others, left on the first day of March, 1852, overland for California. The entire distance was traveled with ox teams, excepting one hundred miles over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which he traveled in four days on foot. After several unsuccessful efforts in taking claims, he began the practice of medicine in Marysville. In the fall of 1854 he returned to the States, and December 25, was married to Matilda E. Lewis, daughter of Daniel and Ann M. Lewis. Two children were born to this union: Mary L. and Thomas O. From the time of his marriage until 1858, Dr. Meek was located in Peru, but has since been a resident of Bunker Hill. In 1866 Mrs. Meek died. She was a member of the Methodist Church and esteemed by all who knew her. In 1868 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary B. Gilmore, widow of Dr. A. W. Gilmore, surgeon of the 9th Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. Dr. and Mrs. Meek are the parents of two children: Daniel T. and Mary F. Dr. Meek is a member of the F. & A. M. and I.O.O.F. fraternities.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

JOSEPH S. MILLS.-Mr. Mills was born in Preble County, Ohio, March 19, 1837, and is the son of George and Elizabeth (Swerer) Mills. His father came from Ireland and his mother from New Jersey. He passed his youth and early manhood on his father's farm, in Preble County, Ohio, was educated in the county school, and at the age of eighteen began life upon his own responsibility, as a farmer. He came to this county in 1868, and is one of the most industrious and enterprising farmers of Pike Creek Township. He is the owner of 320 acres of well improved land in Section 13, and is now comfortably situated, a result obtained through his own exertions. He is a strong advocate of the principles of the Republican party. Mr. Mills was married May 25, 1860, to Miss F.M. Dodge, of Preble County, Ohio, who was born January 29, 1845. The result of this marriage has been six children: George F., born October 28, 1861, died April 6, 1864; William C., born November 4, 1863, died August 29, 1865; Charles L., born July 9, 1865; Ella F., born June 29, 1867; Marion E., born September 22, 1882; and Lizzie, born November 20, 1883. Mrs. Mills is a member of the German Baptist Church.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

JOHN W. O'HARA is a native of Connersville, Fayette County, Indiana, born September 22, 1853. He is the son of James and Catharine (Galvin) O'Hara, both natives of Ireland. At an early age the subject of this sketch moved with his parents to Rush County, where the father died in the fall of 1861, thus leaving a large and helpless family dependent on the care of a widowed mother. Soon after the death of the father the family moved to Cass County and settled on an undeveloped farm near Galveston. By unremitting energy the woodland was soon converted into the growing field, and the poverty, which the family had long endured, gave way to prosperity. He received his elementary education in the common schools of his adopted county and in the graded schools of Galveston, which he attended during the winter of each year. Believing himself competent to assume the responsibility of a pedagogue, he entered that profession in October, 1875, teaching three successive terms in the same district, which fact alone speaks for his success. He afterward filled the responsible position of principal of the Bunker Hill Graded School. He was elected Justice of the Peace of Pipe Creek Township, which position he held for three years. In 1883 he bought the office and equipments of the Bunker Hill Press, and became its editor and proprietor. Under the management of Mr. O'Hara the Press has been a financial success, and in matter and make-up commends itself to its patrons. For the party service rendered and his acknowledged qualifications, Mr. O'Hara was appointed postmaster at Bunker Hill, September, 1885. Mr. O'Hara was married January, 1878, to Miss Ella C. Thornton, of Galveston, Cass County, and this union has been with blessed with four children, viz.: May (deceased), Bessie, James and Genevieve. Mrs. O'Hara is a lady of superior intelligence, and, besides being a ready writer in prose, has written much in verse, which is said, by those best acquainted with her writings, to possess much merit.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

WILLIAM W. ROBBINS, proprietor of the Robbins Hotel in Bunker Hill, is the second in a family of six children born to Joseph M. and Elizabeth (Knox) Robbins, the former a native of New York, and of English descent; the latter a native of Ohio and of Irish descent. The parents were united in marriage in Jefferson County in the year 1841, and moved to DeKalb County, Indiana, in 1851, where they resided until their respective deaths, the mother dying in 1863 and the father in 1876. William grew to manhood in DeKalb County, and was raised to agricultural pursuits. He obtained a good English education, and at the age of sixteen years tried to enter the army, but was rejected on account of his youth, but was accepted later. He enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, under Buchanan, and served eight months, when he received an honorable discharge. He enlisted in September, 1864, in Company G, Twenty-first Regiment, First Indiana Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war. Returning from the war he embarked in the photography business, which he conducted until 1875. In 1880, he took charge of the Robbins Hotel in Bunker Hill. April 22, 1869, Alice E. Dinius became his wife. They were married by Rev. Bishop A. Weaver, of the U. B. Church. She is a native of Huntington County, born July 18, 1851, and one of a family of seven children born to John G. and Mary (Bash) Dinius, natives of Stark County, Ohio, and of German descent. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Robbins, namely: Edith, Clara E. and Paul. Mr. Robbins is now captain of the Bunker Hill Light Guards, which company he organized in 1885. While a resident of Huntington County he held a commission as second lieutenant in the Lime City Battery, a State organization. Mr. Robbins is one of the leaders and able counselors of the Democratic party in Miami County, a member of the I.O.O.F. and John M. Wilson Post, No. 12, G. A. R.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

BENSON SULAVAN, son of Joshua and Nancy Sulavan, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter a native of Virginia, is the proprietor of the leading general store of merchandise in Bunker Hill. He was born near Athens, Ohio, February 1, 1838. His parents emigrated to and settled in Harrison Township, this county, in 1847. Here they purchased a wild tract of land, built a cabin and opened up roads, there being but two laid out roads south of the Wabash. Benson was reared at home until thirteen years of age, when he began battling with life alone. He engaged in farm labor for some time, and then followed the carpenter's trade until twenty-four years old. July 22 he enlisted in Company C, Eighty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was placed in the Department of the Ohio, under Buell. He remained during the war, participating in the following battles: Perryville, Hoover's Gap, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and Marietta, and, strange to say, passed through all those hard fought battles without receiving a wound. Prior to entering the war he was married to Rebecca E. Rees, September 3, 1857. To this union was born one child, Charles A, who is now aiding his father in the mercantile business. Mrs. Sulavan was called away in 1867, and December 4, 1868, he was united in marriage with Lucinda Keyes, a native of Ohio. Mr. Sulavan is a member of the F. & A. M., and a Republican in politics. He is a thorough-going business man, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

ALVIN L. WECKLER, only son of William and Hannah (Walters) Weckler, both natives of Germany, was born January 30, 1858, in this county. He received an ordinary education. Owing to the father's delicate health, it devolved upon Alvin to take charge of the farm when but sixteen years of age. September 21, 1882, he married Miss Ida Bell Duckwall, daughter of John and Lydia Duckwall, old and respected residents of this county. Mrs. Weckler was born July 24, 1859. After completing the common school course, she attended Franklin College for two years, and then taught school for a number of years. She is the mother of two children, Jennie Olive and John William. Mr. Weckler owns a half interest in the Champion Mills, near Bunker Hill, and a half interest in one of the best farms in this locality. He is a Republican in politics and a young man of energy and ability.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township

DR. WILLIAM T. WILSON, a prominent physician of Bunker Hill, is a son of Reuben and Miriam (Overman) Wilson, both natives of North Carolina and of English descent. He was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, August 4, 1827. When quite young his parents came to Wayne County, Indiana and settled on a farm. The Doctor, having prepared himself for college, attended Earlham for one year and a half. He then went South with a drove of horses and visited his relations in South and North Carolina and Virginia. After his return he taught school for several years. In 1851 he began reading medicine with Dr. Purviance of what was then known as “New Port”, but now called Fountain City, with whom he remained three and a half years; after which he practiced his profession in West Newton, Marion County. During this time he was married to Mary E. Cooper, daughter of Robert Cooper, a prominent attorney of Henry County. Two children blessed this union: Ida B. and Eva M. The Doctor lost his wife April 1, 1866, and was again married, May 8, 1873, to Mary A. Barker, relative of the noted Dr. Fordyce Barker, of Bellevue College, New York. In 1866, Dr. Wilson located in Bunker Hill, where he has since been actively engaged in his profession. Previous to his coming he took a two years’ course of lectures in the Cleveland Medical College, and also took a course of lectures in the Rush Medical College of Chicago, where he graduated in medicine and surgery, January, 1863. He is a Republican and a strictly temperate man.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Pipe Creek Township