Huntington County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (11 of 11 so headed), 1887

H. F. BILLITER was born March 16, 1819, being the second of nine children born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Shaffer) Billiter. Our subject's father was reared in Pennsylvania, afterward moving to Ohio, and after living several years in Ohio, moved to Indiana. He was of Dutch descent. He was a large man, dark complexioned, and of great energy and endurance. He was a poor man when he moved to Ohio, but in after life accumulated a vast amount of a property. He was a Democrat in politics, and was very much respected in the community in which he lived! Our subject is a farmer, living in Section 12, Wayne Township, and was born in Pennsylvania, where he remained until he was two or three years of age, when he removed with his father and mother to Ohio, where he remained for about twenty-five years. In the mean time, he was married to Drusilla Staton, of Ohio. He afterward moved to Indiana (1853) where he has remained ever since. There was a great deal of game here when he first located, but he was not much of a hunter. Mr. and Mrs. Billiter have had nine children, two dead, James F. and Serena, and seven living: Mary J., Joseph H., Sarah H., Rebecca M., William N., Turner, and Lucius. Mr. Billiter was a Whig in early days, but afterward became a Republican. He is a member of Mt. Etna Masonic Lodge, No. 333. Mr. Billiter and wife are very much respected.

WILLIAM BILLITER, a farmer of Wayne Township, was born October 20, 1849; was the fifth of nine children born to H. F. and Drusilla Staton Billiter, whose sketch will be seen elsewhere. Our subject was reared until four years old in Brown County, Ohio, when he removed with his parents to Huntington County. At the age of twenty-eight years he was married to Miss Amanda Fisher, of Wayne Township. After marriage he commenced house-keeping on the old Parker farm. He lived here about two years, when Mr. Billiter removed to the old Fisher farm in Wayne Township, where he remains to the present day. He is a Republican, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity Mt. Etna Lodge, No. 333. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Billiter

GRANVILLE BOCOCK, a Wayne Township farmer, was born August 37, 1847, being one of two children born to Lewis Bocock and wife. Our subject's father was born in Clark County, Ohio. He was reared as a farmer boy until at the age of sixteen, when he was bound out as an apprentice to learn the cabinet trade, serving as an apprentice five years, when he wasmarried to Miss Arnold, of Fayette County, Ohio. After marriage he began business as a cabinet maker and house joiner in Fayette County, and lived there about five years, when he moved to Grant County, Ind., where he commenced farming in connection with his trade. When he first came here he was empty-handed. After arriving in Indiana he had but one horse and 12^ cents in money. After Mr. Bocock settled here he found plenty of work to do as he was the only undertaker at that time in the county. In after life he accumulated considerable property. He is a man of medium size, dark complexioned, and a man of great energy and endurance. Mrs. Bocock died sevreral years ago, leaving Mr. Bocock and two children to mourn her loss. A few years later he was married the second time to Miss 8arah Newland. He and wife are both living in Grant County. Belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, is a good man well respected by the community. Our subject was born and reared in Grant County, Ind., as a farmer boy. Lived with his father until about twenty-five years old, when he was married to Miss Mary Culbertson, of Grant County. After marriage he began farming for himself in Huntington County. He remains to the present day on the same place he settled. He was empty-handed in early life, but as the fruits of his labor has redeemed a good farm, well improved. Mr. Bocock is a Democrat, member of I. 0. 0. F. Lodge, and is a man well respected by the community. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Babcock three children have been born: the oldest, Edwin M., Maud L and Silas H.

JOHN F. Campbell, a farmer of Wayne Township, was born March 33, 1843, being the sixth of nine children, born to James and Lucy Campbell. Our subject was born m Grant County, and removed with his parents to Huntmgton County when he was but six months old. He was reared as a farmer boy and remained with his parents until the war broke out, when he entered the service in the Thirty-Fourth Indiana Volunteers, Company G. He remained in the army four years and eight months, when he returned home and began attendmg school at Roanoke, Ind. In 1869, he was married to Mary Trowbridge of Huntington County, and after marriage began farming on Sections 33. He remained on Section 23 about fourteen years, when he sold his farm and bought what was known as the Campbell farm, Sections 23 and 36, where he remains to the present day. He is a Prohibition in politics, and belongs to the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Campbell seven children have been born: William, Alvin, Lua, Emma, Ella, John and Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are good people, and well respected by the community.

JOEL CHENOWETH, a Wayne Township farmer, was born December 4, 1826, in Warren County, Ohio, being the fifth of six children, born to Jacob and Charlotte (Cabe) Chenoweth. Mr. Chenoweth's father was reared in Virginia. When yet a young man he moved to Warren County, Ohio, with his parents. Had a limited school education, was a large man, rather dark complexioned and was a man of energy and endurance. Mr. Chenoweth was a Whig and belonged to the Baptist Church. He was married in the year 1819 to Miss Charlotte Cabe, of Warren County, Ohio. Mr. Chenoweth's forefathers came from Wales, and Mrs. Chenoweth is of German and Irish descent. Mr. Chenoweth died in 1825, and Mrs. Chenoweth is still living in Wayne County, Ind. Our subject was reared in Warren County, Ohio, until he was about fifteen years old, as a farmer boy, then he moved to Wayne County with his mother. When about sixteen years old he began learning the tanner's trade and worked as an apprentice for about six months, when, in the spring of 1845, he removed to Huntington County, where he again worked at his trade at Mt. Etna, about six years, after which he began farming in Wayne Township. After two years in this township he removed to Huntington Township when he again removed to Wayne Township. Mr. Chenoweth, in his early days, was rather a poor man; is a man of great energy and endurance, and as the fruits of his labors, has accumulated about 360 acres of fine land with good improvements. Mr. Chenoweth is a strong Republican, and belongs to the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Mt. Etna. Mr. C. was married in 1847 to Elizabeth Leverton, of Wayne Township. Mrs. Chenoweth was born September 24, 1824, in Wayne County, Ind., and when about five years old removed with her parents to Highland County, Ohio. She remained here five years, when she again removed to Huntington County, Ind., and has remained here ever since. She has lived in Huntington County about fiftytwo years. Mrs. Chenoweth belongs to the same church as her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Chenoweth have six children born unto them, four boys and two girls, the oldest, George P., Enos A., William S., James M., Anna and Melvina. Mr. and Mrs. Chenoweth are good people, and well respected by the community.

GEORGE W. COON, a Wayne Township farmer, was born May 2, 1825, the eldest of seven children born to Jacob and Margaret (McDaniel) Coon. Jacob Coon was born and reared in Harrison County, Ky., receiving a limited school education. He removed from Kentucky when about twenty -one years of age to Rush County, Ind., where he began farming for himself. About

18-34, he was married to Miss Margaret McDaniel, of Kentucky. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Coon began farming for themselves on rented ground and Uved here about fourteen years. He then moved to Franklin County, Ind., where he began teaming, remaining at this occupation about three years, when he moved to Wabash County, Ind., where he remained but one year, when he again moved to Huntington County, where in the meantime he had bought a farm and lived here until his death, which occurred in 1882; Mrs. Coon dying a few months earlier than her husband. Mr. Coon in early days was a Whig, later a Republican, and belonged to the Christian Church. Our subject was born and reared in Rush County, Ind., until he was seventeen years of age, when he removed with his parents to Wabash County, Ind. In the following year he removed with his father to Huntington County, where he remained with his father helping him to clear his farm until he was twenty- three years of age, when he was then married to Miss Elizabeth Harrell, of Huntington County. After their marriage he began farming for himself on rented ground for about two or three years. He then purchased forty acres of land in the woods, which he began clearing and farming. He also owned a threshing machine, which he ran during the fall of the year. Mr. Coon has lived in Huntington County about forty-four years, and is a Republican in politics. In 1863 he enlisted in the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, Company L, and remained in the army about twenty-two months, when he was discharged and returned home, and again he began farming, which business he has carried on ever since. He belongs to the Q. A. R. Post of Mt. Etna. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coon eight children have been born to bless their home: Martha, Jacob, John, Moses, Levi, Jessie L., Margaret A. and George W. Mr. and Mrs. Coon are good people and well respected by the community.

JOHN F. CURTIN, merchant of Banquo, was born May 19, 1859, the youngest of three children born to his father and mother, of New York City. Mr. Curtin was left an orphan at the age of two years, and came with two sisters west to Fayette County, Ind., near Connersville. Forty-two children were sent west by the Children's Aid Society, of New York, at the same time as Mr. Curtin's arrival. He was raised by Samuel Harlan and lady until twenty -three years of age, when he was married to Sarah J. Harlan, a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Harlan. She, too, was an orphan, Uving with the same family as Mr. Curtin, (marriage August 9, 1883). He removed with his wife to Huntington County, and began farming on 210 acres of land purchased by them, on Sections 15 and 16, Wayne Township. He was engaged in farming about three years when he disposed of fifty acres of land, and removed to Banquo, and engaged in mercantile business, where he has remained ever since. Mr. Curtin has always been a strong Democrat. His first presi- dential vote was cast for Hancock and English. One child has been born to bless Mr. and Mrs. Curtin's home: Rena, born July 28, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Curtin are good people, respected by the community.

SAMUEL H. EVISTON, a farmer of Wayne Township, was born June 15, ] 841, in Guernsey County, Ohio, being the second of nine children born to John and Mary J. (Hannah) Eviston. The father of our subject was a blacksmith at Mt. Etna, where he remained for about a year, when he removed to a farm, remaining about five years, when he again removed to Mt. Etna, where he remained, being in poor health, until his death, which occured May 11, 1854. Mrs. Eviston died January 14, 1879. Our subject was reared in Grant County until eight years of age, when he removed with his father to Mt. Etna, Huntington County. When about nine years old, Mr. Eviston removed with his father on a farm, where he remained and worked for his father. After his father moved to Mt. Etna, Mr. Eviston began working by the month on a farm, at which he remained until his twenty-first year, when he began farming for himself. Three years later he was married to Mary F. Green, of Wabash County. In January, 1882, Mr. Eviston removed from Wabash County to this county, and purchased a farm, where he has since resided. He is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the Christian denomination. In 1862 he entered the army, enlisting in Company F, One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry. After serving one year he was discharged, on account of disability. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post, at Mt. Etna. Mr. Eviston and wife are good people, and are highly respected by the community.

JOHN A. OATESS, a farmer of Wayne Township, was born May 18, 1845, being the second of eight children born to Josiah and Sarah E. (Smith) Oatess. Our subject was born and reared in Green County, Ohio, until eight years of age when he removed to Grant County, Ind. He remained with his father on the farm until he was twenty- three years of age, when he began working by the month. He worked by the month about one year when he was married November 4, 1869, to Anna E. Shuflf, of Grant County. After his marriage he began farming for himself on a rented farm, for one year, when he purchased a farm of forty acres. He lived about six years in Washington Township, Grant County, when he sold out and bought a farm in Pleasant Township, Grant County, where he lived about three years, when he again sold out and moved on his father's farm. He remained here about three years when he again purchased a farm and moved to it in Grant County. He lived here two years when he sold out and moved to Wayne Township, Huntington County, where he remains to the present day. He is a Democrat and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He and wife are well respected by the community.

. . DO^. .11 lSi^> being the sixth of nine children born to Benjamin and Ehza (Sexton) Price. His father was raised and lived m Bourbon County, Ky., until he was thirty-six years old He removed to Indiana in 1836, and settled near the city of Marion, where he lived thirty-six years and until his death. He was rather a large man, of light complexion, and a Democrat in politics. He and wife belonged to the School Baptist Church. Mr. Price was a man of energy and endurance, and as the fruits of his labor redeemed a good home. Mr. Pnce died in 1875, at his home in Huntington County, in his seventy-seventh year. His wife is still living on the old home place in Section 27, Wayne Township. Mrs. Price was born in Lewis County, Ky., July 2, 1812, and remained with her parents until married when she removed to this county. Our subject was reared in Huntington County, Ind., as a farmer boy, and lived with his father until sixteen years old when he enlisted in the army. Company L, Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, where he remained two years, when he returned home, and after remaining about two years he went to Kansas, there he stayed about two years, when he again returned home and engaged in farming for himself on the home place, about the year 1870. He remained here five years when he was married to Lorena H. Logan, a well respected lady of Wabash County, and a daughter of John M. and Mary Logan. Mr. Price after he was married lived on the same place until January 25, 1887, when he removed to Section 35, where he remains to the present day. He was a poor man in early days, but as the fruits of hard labor has redeemed a nice home, having one of the nicest residences in the county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Price two children have been born. Their names are Eva O., born December 19, 1876, died July 31, 1877; the second, James E., born June 26, 1878. Mr. Price is a Democrat and a member of the Odd Fellows and Masonic Lodges. Mrs. Price belongs to the Baptist Church. They are well respected in the community. In the year 1870, Mr. Price was elected Assessor of Wayne Township; later on, in the spring of 1886, he was elected Township Trustee by a majority of eight.

ALLEN RINEAESOJSr, a Wayne Township farmer, was born July 9, 1829, in Fayette County, Ind., being the third of six children born to Richard and Nancy (Scott) Rinearson. Our subject's father was reared in Butler County, Ohio, until ten years of age, when he removed from there with his father and mother to Dearborn County, Ind ., and remained here about five years, when he removed to Franklin County with his father and mother. After remaining in Franklin County a few years he removed to Fayette County. While in Franklin County he was married, and after marriage removed to Fayette County and began clearing land and farming, remaining there ten years, when in 1836 he removed to Huntington, where he and wife lived until their respective deaths, the former August 10, 1860, and the latter August 10, 1863. Mr. Rinearson was a large man, dark complexioned, and was a man of great energy and endurance. Mr. Rinearson was one of the first grand- jurymen after the country was organized, was a Democrat, and he and wife belonged to the Baptist Church. They were good people, well respected by the community. Our subject was reared in Huntington County, and lived with his father until twenty-two years old, when he was married to Miss Sarah A. Pawett, of Fayette County, Ohio. He volunteered, February 2, 1865, into the army,, served about four months, when he returned home and began farming on Section 3, Wayne Township. In 1869 he removed to Section 4, where he remains to the present day. In early days Mr. Rinearson remembers of seeing a great deal of game, such as deer, etc., but was not much of a hunter himself and does not remember of killing deer. A great many Indians were here at that time. Mr. Rinearson has passed through a great many hardships, but as the fruits of his labor has redeemed a good farm of 116 acres. He is a Democrat in politics, belongs to Masonic Lodge, No. 333, at Mt. Etna, also to the Thomas Post, G. A. R. He is a good man and well respected by the community. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1886. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rinearson ten children have been born: the oldest, Nancy,^ Charlotte, Jacob, Christina, Martha E., Peter, Jonathan,. Charles, Noble and Anna M.

T. W. SEARLES, a farmer of Wayne Township, was born December 31, 1833. He was the third of nine children born to William and Rachel (Dehaven) Searles. His father was born in England. He was reared here until he was fifteen years of age, when he removed to Pennsylvania, and lived with his parents two or three years after he came to Pennsylvania, when he began learning the mason trade at Philadelphia, Penn. He worked here at his trade about five years, when he was married to Miss Rachel Dehaven, of Philadelphia County, Penn. After his marriage he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at his trade,and remained there until his removal to Huntington County. Our subject was reared in Warren County, Ohio, until seventeen years of age, when he removed with his father to Huntington County, Ind. After removing to Indiana, he remained with his father about four years, when he began working out by the day and month as a farmer about three years, when he went to Warren County, Ohio, where he worked out by the month about one year, when he returned to Indiana two years later. In 1863, he was married to Narcissus Denton, of Huntington County. After marriage he began farming for himself, and has remained at farming ever since, and is now at present on Section 32. Mr. Searles is a Republican in politics. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Searles nine children have been born: Mandy J., John W., Thomas F., Lena L., Emma A., James M.,

JOHN THOMPSON, a farmer of Wayne Township, was born May 13, IS-tS, being the oldest of six children, born to James and Sarah (Heates) Thompson. Our subject was born and reared in Grant County, Ind., and remained here until his marriage in 1873, to Mary Harter, of Grant County. Mrs. Thompson was born August 20, 181:7, and reared in Dark County, Ohio, until eight years old when she removed with her parents to Grant County, Ind. Our subject was raised as a farmer boy and after his marriage began farming for himself on 120 acres of purchased land in Huntington County, Wayne Township, on Section 23, where he remains up to the present day. Mr. Thompson is a large man, rather dark complexioned, and is a naan of energy and endurance. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had three children to bless their home: the oldest, David, born August 30, 1874; Otto, born December 31, 1876; Laura, born December 31, 1878. James Thompson, the father of our subject, was born June 29, 1814; Sarah Thompson was born September 15, 1814. Mrs. J. Thompson's parents were born (Solemon Harter) April 13, 1799, and died April 18, 1868. Mrs. Harter was born May 30, 1813.

DR. L. S. WALLACE, a physician of Banquo, was born December 36, 1854, the third of six children born to Joseph and Clara (Loring) Wallace. Our subject's father was reared in Pennsylvania, as a farmer boy, was married to Miss Clara Loring when about twenty-two years of age. In after life Mr. AVallace has been in the real estate business. He is a medium sized man, dark complexioned, and is a man of great energy. He is a Republican, and belongs to the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are both living, and are well respected people of Corning, Perry Co.. Ohio. Our subject was born in Portland, Maine, and reared in the city. At the age of eleven years he removed to Ohio with his parents, and attended school until seventeen years of age. He began reading medicine at this time at Columbus, Ohio. At the age of twenty-one he began practicing medicine at Columbus. He remained there about 4 years, when he began traveling for his health about eighteen months. He afterward located at Banquo, in 1879, where he has remained since. Dr. Wallace has a large practice at his present location. He belongs to the Masonic Lodge. The doctor was married m 1883, to Miss Nellie Charles, of Marion (Grant County). Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, one child was born to bless their home: Charles, March 30, 1884. Dr. Wallace and wife are well respected by the community.