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

CHARLES L. ARMSTRONG was born December 14, 1833, in Highland County, Virginia, the only son of James and Mariah (Hiner) Armstrong, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively. They emigrated to Miami County and settled at Peru in 1846. Charles L. was reared on a farm, receiving a common school education. In 1858 he was married to Mary C. Leas, born in Preble County, Ohio, who died in 1870 or 1871. Three children were born to this union: Laura, Jesse and Claude. He was again united in marriage in April, 1874, to Mrs. R.A. Remine Vance, a native of Washington County, Virginia. He now owns land adjoining Peru, and his principal business is dairy farming. His politics are Republican, and he affiliates with the Masonic Order.

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

JOHN CLIFTON, Sr., a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, was born February 2, 1826. He is the fourth son of Henry and Rhoda (Nichols) Clifton, natives of Virginia, and of English and Dutch origin. They emigrated to Ohio in 1808 or 1809. John Clifton was reared in Dayton, receiving an education at the common schools. When eighteen years of age he learned brick-making, and December 24, 1844, was united in marriage with Miss Martha Addis, a native of Mississippi, but who was reared in Kentucky. To them these children were born: George, John and Amos. They located in Peru, Miami County, April, 1855. In 1862 he entered his country's service in the 29th Indiana Volunteers, and was mustered out in 1863. He now holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, and politically is a Republican.

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

ISAAC CRANE, a native of Warren County, Ohio, was born near Lebanon, January 26, 1811, the eldest son of Abner and Huldah (Robertson) Crane, natives of New York and Ohio. The subject was reared on a farm in his native County; came to Miami County in 1843, and located in Washington Township, having bought eighty acres of land in 1840, at five dollars per acre. He was married in 1862, to Miss Margaret J. (Logan) James, of Ohio. He owns eighty acres of land in Washington, and 120 in Clay Township. He is an anti-mason and is opposed to absolute prohibition. When young he received a common school education, and in later years has been grasping for a knowledge of chemistry and natural philosophy.

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

JOSEPH S. GORDON was born in Frederick County, Maryland, July 3, 1834, and is a son of John and Margaret (McClain) Gordon, natives of Maryland. Our subject received his early training on a farm in Maryland, and received a common school education. Came to Miami County in 1861, and located in Washington Township. In 1862 he entered the army in the Eighty-seventh Regiment of Indiana Infantry, and was mustered in, in 1865. He participated in the battles of Chickamaugua, Mission Ridge and Atlanta. Was married on January 22, 1867, to Miss Anna M. Snider, of Burks County, Pennsylvania, a union blessed with the birth of two children - Charles Albert, born January 26, 1870, and Howard O., born December 6, 1878. Mr. Gordon owns eighty acres of land located five miles from Peru, which is well improved. He votes the Republican ticket.

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

CHRISTOPHER C. HAUKS, a native of Germany, was born on the 20th day of April, 1848, and is the sixth son of Christopher and Margaret Hauks, natives of Germany. The parents came to Miami County in 1846, and located on a farm in Washington Township. The father was born in 1801, and died in 1875. The mother died in 1846. Our subject was reared on a farm and now owns 113 acres of well improved land and is a practical farmer. In August, 1862, he volunteered his services to his country, and entered the service in the 87th Indiana Infantry, and with which he served until mustered out June 10, 1865. He was wounded at Chickamaugua, and returned to his farm in 1865. He was first married, September 4, 1866, to Miss Rhoda Jameson, of Jefferson Township. Her death occurred February 4, 1880. To this union were born six children, four of whom are living: Charles N., Mattie, Frank A. and Elmer E.; and John P. and an infant, deceased. He was again married, June 2, 1881, to Miss Ella Bell, a native of Jefferson County, Indiana. Mr. Hauks is a Democrat.

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

Researcher Barry Wood notes that the last name should be Hanks and that the birth year of 1848 is impossible since Christopher's mother passed away in 1846. Contact Barry if researching the Trissel, Hanks or Strayer families.

ALFRED I. JONES is a native of North Carolina, born June 1, 1830. He is the eldest son of William M. and Elizabeth (Wood) Jones, natives of South Carolina. They left North Carolina in the early part of 1833 and located in Rush County, where they remained until 1852, and then came to Miami County. They now reside in Wabash County. The subject was reared on the farm, and secured a fair education. He is the owner of 113 acres of land. He was married in the spring of 1853 to Miss Mary Jameson, a native of Kentucky, whose father came to Miami County in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are parents of seven children, five of whom are living. Their names are: Martha, William H., Frances, Emma and Mary, living, and Amanda and an infant, deceased.

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

WILLIAM McGREW, a native of Washington County, Maryland, was born the 10th of April, 1813, and is the son of Henry and Sarah (Huckwell) McGrew, both natives of Maryland. They emigrated to Montgomery County in 1819. The mother died in 1820, and the father in 1852. William McGrew received his early training on a farm in Montgomery County, Ohio. On the 4th of April, 1838, he was married to Miss Sophia Cramer, who was born in Huntington County, Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. McGrew were born eight children, four of whom are living, viz.: Francis, Henry, William H. and Uraniah. Mr. McGrew has nineteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mr. McGrew possesses eighty acres of land in Washington Township, where he located in 1852. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Peru, a Royal Arch Mason, and a Democrat.

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

JOHN A. MELCHER was born in Germany, May 1, 1845, and is a son of John A. Meicher, who emigrated to Cleveland in 1846. The subject was reared and educated there in the common schools, and afterwards entered a college at that place, and in 1865, came to Peru, where he engaged in cigar-making. He ran a factory at Michigan City for about two years. In 1880, he started a saloon and billiard hall. In November, 1867, he was married to Miss Liddie J. Holman, daughter of Solomon Holman, an old settler of Miami County. This union was blessed with the birth of six children, whose names are, Sol. A., Author E., Willie, Emma, Lottie and Jessie. Mr. M. is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a staunch Republican.

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

ORLANDO MOSELEY, a native of Washington Township, born April 8, 1851, and is the youngest of seven sons born to Eben and Mariah (Bush) Moseley, natives respectively of Connecticut and New York. Eben Moseley, the father, came to Miami County about 1844, and followed the occupation of a farmer. He was born in 1799 and died in 1876. The mother is still living. Our subject was reared on the farm, and now owns 160 acres of well-improved land in Washington Township. Was married April 7, 1872, to Miss Sarah Bohn, daughter of John Bohn (deceased), of Washington Township. Mr. and Mrs. Moseley are the parents of two children - John and Ida. Mr. Moseley is engaged in the manufacture of the "Excelsior" fencing machine, the patent for which is applied for. Mr. Moseley is a Republican, and is identified with the Masonic fraternity.

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

FREDERICK RADEL, a native of Germany, was born May 15, 1815. He came direct from the place of his birth to Peru, Indiana, in 1846, where he located and worked in a warehouse for about eight years. He is a shoemaker by trade. In the year 1862 he located on a farm of eighty acres, in Washington Township. In October, 1837, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Beck, of Germany, to which union six children have been born, viz.: Elizabeth Tracy (deceased), Frank, Adam, Fred, Frances and Peter. His wife died in November, 1877. He and family are members of the Catholic Church, and are strong believers of that faith. In political affairs he adheres to the teachings of the Democratic party.

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

JONAH SULLIVAN is a native of Mason County Kentucky, born June 30, 1817, the third son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Bennett) Sullivan, also natives of Kentucky, and whose ancestors were Irish and German, respectively. At the age of seventeen our subject left his native State for Fayette County, Ohio, in company with his mother, his father having died in 1820. They located on a farm, he receiving a fair common school education. They remained in Ohio until 1841, and then came to Peru, having purchased land in Miami County in 1840. He now owns 340 acres in Miami and Wabash Counties. He was married in July, 1841, to Miss Louisa Smith, of Ohio, to which union six children were born; William, Sarah E., James L., George and Lyman B. This wife died in 1862, and in 1863, he was again married to Lizzie A. Cox, a native of Ohio, to whom one child was born, named John M. Mr. Sullivan and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and politically he is a Republican.

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

WILLIAM A. SUTTON, a native of Champaign County, Ohio, was born on the 14th day of February, 1843, the second son of John D. and Mary (Long) Sutton, of Westmoreland County; Virginia, who went to Pennsylvania in 1847, and came to Miami County, Indiana, in 1848, and established themselves on a farm where the subject grew to manhood. In 1861 he answered to the country's first call for volunteers and entered the 13th Indiana Regiment. He was mustered out in four years and six months - in the fall of 1865. Was wounded in the leg at the battle of Bull Run. In 1867 he and Miss Rebecca Kesler, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Kesler, were married, which marriage has been blessed by the birth of six children, viz.: Minnie M., Charles H., David, Ursula, Edith and John. Was elected to the office of County Coroner in 1876 on the Republican ticket, but did not make out a bond. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Masonic fraternity, and in politics votes the Republican ticket.

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

ALEXANDER B. WICKLER was born in Washington Township, January 7, 1851, and is the youngest son of Peter and Barbara (Keller) Wickler, of Germany, who came from Ohio to this township about 1838, and were among the early settlers. Our subject received his primary instructions in life while living on a farm, and received a common school education. He is now the possessor of 320 acres of fine farming land which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. In September, 1875, he married Miss Rebecca A. Ford, of Ohio, and to the union have been born three children, viz.: Ora, Georgia and Mary. In political matters he advocates the Republican doctrine, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

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

AZRO WILKINSON is a native of Allen Township, Miami County, Indiana, and was born January 20, 1856, the youngest son of Anderson and Martha (Bond) Wilkinson, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. The father located in Miami County, in 1836, and is now living in Allen Township. Our subject received a common school education, and until he reached the age of twenty-one worked on the farm. He then engaged in the mercantile business with Ovis Case, at Macy, in 1879, and continued until 1884. Two years previous to 1879 he was railroad agent at Macy. In 1883, while in business, he came to Peru, and was Deputy County Treasurer under E. Humrickhouse, deceased, and also occupied the same position under J. C. Clymer. United with Miss Ella Lambert in marriage, November 20, 1879, to whom were born three children: Josephine, Glenn A. and Constance. Belongs to the Masonic and I.O.O.F. Fraternities, having represented the local Odd Fellows' Lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State on two occasions. In matters political he is Democratic.

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

GEORGE W. WILSON came to Miami County in 1834 from Cass County, where he was born August 16, 1832. He was the second son born to Alexander and Matilda (Thorp) Wilson, respective natives of Indiana and Maine, and who were of Scottish descendancy. The father located in Pennsylvania in 1834, and was engaged in the mercantile business. Had represented his county in the Legislature several years ago. He was a sutler in the Mexican war, having gone out in 1846, and was killed three days after peace was declared. Our subject was reared in Peru, where he received a common school education. His vocation has been farming and dairying, and owns 115 acres in Washington Township. In November, 1857, he was married to Miss Mary Rettig, and six children have been born to them, whose names are Alexander R., Frank, Louis, Edward, Mary and Elizabeth. Was once elected Justice of the Peace of Washington Township, and was once Township Trustee by appointment, and in the spring of 1886 was elected to the office on the Republican ticket.

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

Milo Adamson was born on Janurary 25, 1834 in Indiana. He was the son of Samuel Adamson (July 30, 1785 - December 30, 1858) and Naomi Lamb Adamson (December 4, 1790 - date of death unknown). He was a resident of Richland Township in Miami County, Indiana. Milo Adamson is buried in Paw Paw Cemetery in Miami County, Indiana.

Christina Fetrow was born in 1832 in Ohio. She died in February of 1895 in or near Gray Ridge, Stoddard County, Missouri. Christina had gone to Gray Ridge, to assist her daughter, Amanda Jane, during childbirth.

Children of Christina Fetrow and Milo Adamson
Henry Thomas Adamson, born in 1858. He married Emma H. Gordon on August 24, 1889 in Knox County, Indiana.

Sarah C. Adamson, born in Indiana in 1860;

Samuel Adamson, born in Knox, Indiana on December 9, 1861 and died in Peru, Indiana in Miami County, Indiana on January 9, 1938. Samuel married Matilda Margaret Tombaugh on December 15, 1885.

Naomi A. Adamson, born 1865 in Indiana.

Amanda Jane Adamson, born on August 4, 1869 in Knox, Indiana and died on July 26, 1955 in Oregon City, Oregon. She was married on June 10,1888 (9) to George Wesley Brooks.

Children of Samuel and Naomi Lamb :
Zachariah Adamson, born March 26, 1809 in North Carolina;

Delilah Adamson, born March 3, 1811 in North Carolina;

Labitha Adamson, born January 8,1812 in North Carolina. Labitha died on January 4, 1898 in Perry Township, Miami County, Indiana.

Dr. Thomas Adamson, born September 14, 1813 in Guildford County, North Carolina. Dr. Thomas Adamson died on March 25, 1885 in Washington Township, Randolph County, Indiana.

Ann Adamson, born May 10, 1818 in North Carolina;

Lydia Adamson, born September 2, 1820 in North Carolina. Lydia died March 17, 1906 in Chili, Richland Township in Miami County Indiana. She married John Ensley who was born in 1812 in England; John died on January 28, 1870 in Richland Township, Miami County, Indiana.Lydia and John are both buried in Chili Cemetery in Richland Township, Miami County, Indiana.

Emsley Adamson, born January 20, 1823 in North Carolina

Elizabeth P. Adamson, born March 27,1826 in North Carolina. Elizabeth P. Adamson died January 28, 1883 in Richland Touwnship in Miami County, Indiana

Asenath Adamson, born December 4, 1827 in North Carolina. Asentath died July 5, 1865 in Perry Township in Miami County, Indiana.

Franklin Adamson, born August 25, 1830 in North Carolina. He died on May 25, 1911.

Milo Adamson (twin to Sarah), born January 25, 1834 in Indiana and died May 25th 1911 in Richland Township, Miami County, Indiana

Sarah Adamson (Twin to Milo) born January 25, 1834 in Indiana.

JABEZ T. COX was born in Clinton county, Ohio, but his father removed from that state to Hamilton county, Indiana, in 1850. He grew up a farmer boy and in the old country school house he first learned the rudiments of an education. His maternal great grandfather, Thomas Watts, was a South Carolina planter, and a major in the Continental army during the revolution. Judge Cox was a country school teacher at sixteen years of age. He began the study of law at an early age in the office of Judge Jas. O'Brien at Noblesville, Indiana, and after finishing the prescribed course of reading was admitted to the bar and began the practice in partnership with Judge N. R. Overman at Tipton.

He early won a high reputation as a lawyer and advocate. He has always voted and worked for the success of the democratic party, since he became a voter, although in 1864, while in the union army, he believed that the re-election of Lincoln would be better for the country than a change at that time. For thirty years his voice has been heard for the cause of democracy in every campaign until after his nomination for judge of the Circuit court. Since that time in obedience to the unwritten law that a judge should not make political speeches on the stump, he has refrained from so doing. He as elected judge of the Miami Circuit court in 1890, and has been nominated by the democratic voters to make another race.

MR. Cox today is respected by all classes of people, without regard to part affiliations, as one of the ablest judges that has ever filled the Miami county bench.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896

REV. ERNEST E. NEAL was born at Westfield, Hamilton county, Indiana, and he was graduated from the Union Collegiate Institute in his native town in the year 1879. Mr. Neal's father was a Methodist minister and his son was trained in the life and usages of this church. The young man felt called to the work of the ministry, and in 1881 he entered Drew Theological seminary at Madison, New Jersey, from which institution he graduated in 1884. In April, 1884, Mr. Neal entered the North Indiana annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. There is a singular co-incidence in the fact that the conference was in session in the city of Peru when Mr. Neal was admitted, and that is such a few years he became the pastor of the church here. The wife of the subject of this sketch, Mrs. Lissie E. Neal, and their three children make a happy home life for this pastor, and this fact very largely explains Mr. Neal's success in his work. Mr. Neal has served some of the leading churches of his conference and has been very successful in building up the charges committed to his care. His work is well known in Peru and Miami county where he has won the esteem of a large circle of friends.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896

NELSON W. MILLER the writer of the financial history of this book is the son of Abraham miller and Mary M. (Phelps) Miller, born Nov. 3, 1862 in Clay township, Miami county, Indiana. Here he received his early education and when twenty years old, he took a short review in the Normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana. He then taught school in Clay township for two years and afterward followed farming and mechanical work until November 20, 1890, when he was appointed deputy auditor of Miami county, serving as such for the term of four years. April 1, 1895 he was appointed together with Mr. John H. Jamison, by the assessor to appraise the real estate in the city of Peru for taxation, and he has served in other important positions. He was united in marriage on January 14, 1892 to Della Miller, daughter of Isaac and Maria (Brower) Miller. Two children have been born to them: Clarence W., born March 4, 1893 and Frances H., born December 17, 1894.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896

ABRAHAM BETZNER is a native of Maryland, born August 31, 1837. His parents, John G. and Ustina (Keller) were natives of Germany and immigrated to this country in 1834. They moved direct form Maryland to Miami county in 1844 and first located where Wallick's mill is now, and there lived four years and operated the Godfroy saw mill, which he had rented. In 1844, his parents moved to the farm in Washington township two miles north-east of Bunker Hill, where the subject of this sketch and his mother now lives. John G. Betzner, the father of our subject, died July, 1894, lacking only four month of being 90 years old. The Betzner famr was purchased directly from the government but was not recorded until 1895. Abraham Betzner had seven brothers and sisters, two of whom are now living; Jacob and Harmon.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896

DAVID G. JACOBS, of Pipe Creek township, was born in Miflin county, Pennsylvania, Oct. 24, 1846. His parents, David and Rebecca J. (McKinstry), both living, are natives of that state, born 1811 and 1817, respectively. His ancestors for generations have been tillers of the soil. His father's mother was born in Ireland, and came to the United States at the age of 12, just prior to the revolutionary war. His mother's grandfather, Bratton, was a soldier in that war.

David's parents came to this county in the fall of 1849, bought the piece of property on West Third street where Billy Levi now lives, rented land near town and harvested cropes on the present site of Grant street and the woolen mills. After two or three years the residence was treaded to E. H. Shirk for a farm of 206 acres, where they now live in Pipe Creek township. Seventy-eight acres were purchased later. Part of the farm is river-bottom land.

David's father was one of the early trustees, when there were three elected, and when the law was changed to make one eligible to the office a year at a time he was chosen eight years in succession. The business of the township was the subject of conversation frequently at home, and this enabled the son to early obtain a knowledge of such affairs. At the age of 22 David was elected assessor and served two years, and then after several years was chosen to a four years' term. In the fall of 1894 he was elected for the short term, and has assessed the real estate of Pipe Creek township twice and the personal property eight times.

Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage in November, 1868, to Elizabeth Garber. This union has been blessed with five children - Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Charles Lees; Carrie B., Maggie M., John William and Edna. The youngest, Edna, is 15 years old. But few couples are blessed with such an excellent family.

History of Miami County by John H. Stephens
Published by John H. Stephens Publishing House, Peru, IN
1896