Marion County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (1 of 3 so headed), 1884

Biographical sketches

SAMUEL CANBY. Samuel Canby, whose ancestors were of English extraction, was the son of Dr. Benjamin H. Canby and his wife, Sarah Taylor, of Virginia. He was born in Leesburg, Loudoun Co., Va., on the 12th of April, 1800. Here his early years were spent in the pursuit of such educational advantages as the schools of the neighborhood aiforded. On attaining the years of manhood he removed with the family to Boone County, Ky., where his father purchased a farm on the banks of the Ohio River, at East Bend, Bacon Co., and was assisted in the cultivation and improvement of the land by his son. Samuel Canby was married, in April, 1827, to Miss Elizabeth De Pew, of Boone County, Ky., granddaughter of John De Pew, who emigrated from England and settled in Virginia. The latter had eight children, of whom Abram, the father of Mrs. Canby, married Mildred Sebree, whose parents were John and Mildred Johnson Sebree. The former was a Revolutionary soldier, and died at the siege of Yorktown. He was the companion of Gen. George Rogers Clark in his expedition against the British posts in the West. In 1837, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Canby removed to Marion County, Ind., in company with an uncle, John H. Canby, a gentleman of the old school, who possessed ample means, and had many years before retired from business. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and much esteemed for his many Christian virtues. His death occurred Feb. 8, 1844, at the age of seventy-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Canby located upon a farm in Centre township, two miles from the city of Indianapolis, where they continued the congenial pursuits of the agriculturist during the former's lifetime. Mr. Canby enjoyed the reputation of being a model farmer, and one of the most successful in the county. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Canby was the seat of a generous hospitality, and proverbial for the welcome and good cheer afforded alike to guest or traveler. In politics the subject of this sketch was a Democrat, though his innate modesty and the demands of his private business alike prevented active participation in the political events of the day. He was reared in the Quaker faith, and with his wife became a member of the Roberts Park Methodist Episcopal Church of Indianapolis. Mr. Canby, in 1874, erected a spacious dwelling in the latter city, to which he removed on its completion. He survived this change of residence but two weeks, and died on the 16th of October, 1874. His remains are interred in the beautiful Crown Hill Cemetery. His widow, with her sister, Miss De Pew, now occupies the city home. Mrs. Mildred De Pew, the mother of Mrs. Canby, died at the home of her daughter at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery. She was a lady of genial nature, great force of character, and remarkable Christian faith.

John Moore

JOHN MOORE. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Moore emigrated when a young man from Scotland to Ireland, where he married a Miss Reid and had children, - John, William, Thomas, Christopher, James, Catherine (Mrs. William Humphrey), Eleanor (Mrs. Robert Roe), Peggy (Mrs. Jesse Roe), and Elizabeth (Mrs. Keyes). Mr. Moore resided in County Donegal, Ireland, where he was employed in the cultivation and improvement of a farm. His son Thomas was born in County Donegal, and married Miss Catherine Gutherie, daughter of John Gutherie, of County Fermanagh, Ireland, who was also of Irish descent. The children of Thomas and Catherine Moore are John, Thomas, Mary (Mrs.

Henry Bowser), Margaret (Mrs. Charles Clendenning), Isabel J. (Mrs. R. A. Yoke), Elizabeth (Mrs. Robert Roe), Catherine (Mrs. Edward Thomas), and Eleanor (Mrs. Hampton Kelly). Mr. and Mrs. Moore were attracted by the superior advantages America offered the working classes, and left their native land in 1824 for its hospitable shores. Mrs. Moore's death occurred in Pennsylvania, en route for Ohio, where the family soon after settled. In 1831 Mr. Moore removed to Marion County, Ind., where his death occurred Jan. 8, 1838. John Moore, his son, was born Nov. 8, 1806, in County Farmanagh, Ireland, and at the age of eighteen emigrated with his parents to America. His educational opportunities were limited, his early years having been devoted chiefly to labor. He engaged in Ohio with his father in clearing land and farming, and on becoming a resident of Marion County, in 1831, sought work upon the public improvements, and also busied himself at farming. He was, on the 19th of September, 1833, married to Miss Sarah Bowser, daughter of Henry Bowser, of Marion County. Their children are Thomas H., William, Hannah, Ritchison, Isabel (Mrs. J. W. Yoke), John 0., Catherine, Mary E. H., Joseph A., and three who are deceased. Mr. Moore, in 1839, removed to his present home, and has there continued farming until the present time. He has devoted his energies entirely to the improvement of his land, and given little attention to the affairs of more general interest. He was formerly a Whig in politics, and subsequently gave his vote to the Republican party, though he has never accepted or desired office. He is in religion a Methodist, and member of the Fletcher Place Methodist Episcopal Church of Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Moore celebrated their golden wedding on the 19th of September, 1883, on which interesting occasion there were present nine children and eleven grandchildren, who offered their affectionate congratulations to this venerable couple.

Thomas Moore

THOMAS MOORE. Thomas Moore is a native of County Fermanagh, Ireland, where his birth occurred on the 6th of August, 1808. At the age of sixteen his parents determined to emigrate to America, there being at that time few avenues to advancement or independence open to the poorer classes in Ireland, while the New World offered unlimited possibilities to the industrious and ambitious foreigner. After a brief sojourn in Washington, Pa., Mr. Moore and his family removed to the vicinity of Zanesville, Ohio, and in 1831 made Thomas Moore's present farm, in Marion County, Ind., their permanent abode, where the father died on the 8th of January, 1838. The education Thomas received in his youth was necessarily limited, but sufficient knowledge of the rudiments was obtained to be of service in his subsequent career. His first employment in Indiana was in connection with public improvements and the construction of roads. This was continued for a period, when Mr. Moore engaged in the tran.sportation of goods from Cincinnati for the merchants of Indianapolis, and also became a successful farmer, making this the business of his life. His industry, application to the work in hand, and discretion in the management of his varied interests have received their reward in a competency which is now enjoyed in his declining years. Mr. Moore was married, in January, 1832, to Miss Catherine, daughter of William Moore, who resided near Zanesville, Ohio. Her death occurred June 29, 1867. Their children are three daughters, - Jane (deceased), Mary Ann (Mrs. George Langsdale, who died in Texas in April, 1880), and Margaret J. (Mrs. Wilmer Christian, of Indianapolis). Mr. Moore has always been in his political predilections a consistent Democrat, though not active as a politician and without ambition for the honors of office. The Moore family are of Scotch-Irish lineage, the grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch having married a Miss Reid, to whom were born nine children. Their son Thomas, a native of County Donegal, Ireland, married Miss Catherine Gutherie, of County Fermanagh, Ireland, and had two sons and six daughters. The sons, John and Thomas, are represented by portraits in this work.

Eleauor (Mrs. Hampton Kelly). Mr. and Mrs. Moore were attracted by the superior advantages America offered the working classes, and left their native land in 1824 for its hospitable sboreSi Mrs. Moore's death occurred in Pennsylvania, en route for Ohio, where the family soon after settled. In 1831 Mr. Moore removed to Marion County, Ind., where his death occurred Jan. 8, 1838. John Moore, his son, was born Nov. 8, 1806, in Oonaty Farmanagh, Ireland, and at the age of eightees t>mignU«d with his parents to America his father in clearing land and farming, and on becoming a resident of Marion County, in 1831, soucl ' n the public improvements, and also entirely to the improvement of his land, and given little attention to the affairs of more general interest. He was formerly a Whig in politics, and subsequently gave his vote to the Republican party, tliough he has never accepted or desired office. He is in religion a Methodist, and member of the Fletcher Place Methodist Episcopal Church of Indianapolit. Mr. and Mrs. Moore celebrated their golden weddings do the 19th of September, 1883, on which interesting occa.. siou there were present nine children and eleven grandchildren, who offered their affectionate congratulations to this venerable couple.

gust, 1808. At the age of sixteen his parents determined to emigrate to America, there l>eing at that time few avenues to advancement or independence open to the poorer classes in Ireland, while the New World offered unlimited possibilitiee to the indtistrious and ambitious foreigner. After a brief so-, journ in Washington, Pa., Mr. Moore atid his family removed to the vicinity of Zanesville, Ohio, and in 1831 made Thomas Moore's present farin, in Marion Oonoty, Ind., their permanent abode,' where the fether died on the 8th of January, 1838. The education Tbomati received in his youth was necessarily limited, but sufficient kt>owledge of the rudiments was obtained to be of service in his subsequent career. HLs Brst employment in Indiana was in con-, nection with public improvements and the construction of roads. This was continued for a period, when Mr. Moore engaged in the transportation of goods from Cincinnati for the merchants of Indianapolis, and also became a successful farmer, making this the business of his life. His industry, application to the work in hand, and discretio'n in the management of his varied interests have received their reward in a competency which is now enjoyed in his declining «*n«. Mr. Moore was married, in January, 1832, to Miss Catherine, daughter of William Moore, who 'od near Zanesville, Ohio. Her death occurred .^ic 29, 1867. Their children are three daughters,- - Jane (deceased), Mary Ann (Mrs. George Langsdale, who died in Texas in April, 1880),' and Margaret J. (Mnt. Wilmer Christian, of Indianapolis). Mr. Moore has always been in his political predilections a consLstent Democrat, though not axitive as a politician and without ambition for the honors of office. The Mogre family are of Scptch-Irish lineage, the grandfather of the subject or this biographical sketch having married a Miss Reid, to whom were born nine children. "Their son Thomas, a native of County Donegal, Ireland, married Miss Catherine Gutherie', of County Fermanagh, Ireland, and had two sons and six daughters. The sons, John and Thomas, are represented by portraits in this work.

Thomas Mooke Blisha J. Howland

BLISHA J. HOWLAND. Mr. Howland is of English extraction, and the grandson of Elisha Howland, who was a native of Rhode Island, and when seventeen years of age emigrated to Saratoga County, N. T. He married a Miss Powell and had six children, all of whom survive, with the exception of Powell, who was born Oct. 16, 1799, in Saratoga County, and removed to Indiana in 1839. He married, in 1818, Miss Tamma Morris, of Saratoga County, and in 1823, Miss Mahala Thurber. To the first marriage were born two children, and to the second five, among whom was Elisha J., whose birth occurred in Saratoga County, Nov. 30, 1826, where he remained until thirteen years of age. He then with his father removed to Indiana, and was until eighteen years of age a pupil of the public school, after which for two years he enjoyed the advantages of the Marion County Seminary, in Indianapolis. His attention was then turned to the cultivation of the homestead farm, a part of which became his by division on attaining his majority. He has since that time continued farming of a general character, combined with stock-raising, and has met with success in his vocation. He shares his father's love of horticultural pursuits, and has devoted much time and attention to the subject. Ho is a member of both the State and County Horticultural Societies. In politics Mr. Howland is an ardent Democrat, and was in 1882 elected to the State Legislature, where he served on the committees on Reformatory Institutions and Fees and Salaries, and was chairman of the former. He has ever manifested much public spirit, been active in the furtherance of all public improvements, and the promoter of various schemes for the welfare of the county of his residence and the good of the public. Mr. Howland was married, in 1851, to Miss Margaret E., daughter of Nineveh Berry, one of the earliest settlers in the State, who was born in Clark County, and removed to Anderson, Madison Co., before the government survey was made. He held many prominent offices, and was one of the original surveyors who laid out the lands of the State in behalf of the government. His death occurred Aug. 17, have children, - Charles B., Elizabeth M., James E., Margaret M., Julia H., and one who died in childhood. He was a member of the Ebenezer English Lutheran Church, in which he has been both an elder and a deacon. Mrs. Howland is also a member of the same church.

John G. Brown

John G. Brown, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, was born in Charleston, S. C, June 23, 1785. He received in youth a fair English education, and in early manhood emigrated to Kentucky. He was, on the 17th of October, 1810, married to Eliza M. Barnett, to whom were born four children, - Juliet D., Eliza Jane (Mrs. L. W. Monson), Emeline A. (Mrs. J. L. Mothershead), and Alexander M. Mrs. Brown died in September, 1820, and he was again married in October, 1821, to Mrs. Mary C. Todd, 7iee Winston, who was of English lineage and the daughter of James Winston, a soldier of the Revolution, and his wife, Sarah. Mrs. Brown was born in Louisa County, Va., in 1791, and was a lady of much refinement and culture. On her marriage to Mr. Brown she was the widow of Dr. Henry Todd, of Bourbon County, Ky. Her death occurred in May, 1859. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Brown are Mary T. (Mrs. Stephen D. Tomlinson), James Winston, Margaret M. (Mrs. W. T. Sprole), and Caroline S. James W. and Margaret M. are the only survivors of all Mr. Brown's children, the former having come, when but eighteen months old, with his father to Indianapolis. He ia consequently among its earliest settlers.

Mr. Brown, while a resident of Kentucky, engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, which business was continued until his removal to Indiana in the fall of 1825. His strong convictions on the slavery question induced his removal from Kentucky. Believing that all men were created free and equal and entitled to the blessings that freedom confers, both he and Mrs. Brown liberated their slaves and removed to a free State. About the year 1830 he formed a copartnership with W. H. Morrison for the purpose of conducting a general mercantile business, which was continued until his death, with the addi- tional interest involved in the cultivation of a farm in the suburbs. In politics he was a Henry Clay Whig, though content to let others share the labors and honors of oflBce. He was a zealous member of the First Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis, in which he was an elder and one of its most active workers. All measures for the advancement of morality and the furtherance of the best interests of society found in Mr. Brown a warm supporter and friend, though feeble health prevented active participation in works of philanthropy. His death occurred in May, 1838, in his fifty-third year.

Levi Ayres

The Ayres family are of Welsh extraction, the grandfather of Levi Ayrea having been John Ayres, a Revolutionary patriot, who was taken prisoner by the enemy and confined in the noted prisonship lying in New York harbor, where he remained until released by the suspension of hostilities. He was a blacksmith, and in that capacity proved invaluable to the enemy, who refused to exciiange him. He married Miss Susanna Jarman, and had children, among whom was John, the father of the subject of this biographical sketch, born in 1777, in Cumberland County, N. J., the residence of his father, where he followed agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Margaret Pawner, the daughter of Asher Pawner, who was reared in the Quaker faith. The children of John and Margaret Ayres are Levi, Reuben, George, Charles, Richard, John, and Mary Jane (Mrs. Ebenezer WoodruflF). The death of Mr. Ayres occurred in 1847, and that of his wife the same year. Their son Levi was born on the 3d of September, 1808, in Cumberland County, N. J. His early life was spent upon the farm, and such education obtained as was possible in the common schools of the neighborhood, after which, for two successive winters, he engaged in teaching, meanwhile during the remainder of the year aiding in the labor of the farm. In 1832 he removed to Indiana, and settled for one year in Franklin County, after which he resided in Vicksburg, Miss., and for three years pursued the trade of a painter. In 1836 he returned to Franklin County and became owner of a farm. He was, in 1840, married to Jane C, daughter of Alexander and Rachel Cregmile, of Franklin County, Ind. Their children are John T., deceased ; R. Jennie, deceased; Alexander C, a practicing lawyer in Indianapolis ; Franklin, a farmer ; Levi P., a farmer, and two who died in infancy. Alexander C. and Levi P. are graduates of Butler University. Mr. Ayres during the two successive winters following his advent in Indiana engaged in teaching, the remainder of his life having been devoted to the cultivation of his lands. In 1858 he removed to Centre township, Marion Co., his present residence.

He has been, as a Democrat, actively identified with politics, and in Franklin County served as inspector of elections, justice of the peace, county commissioner for two terms, and as a member of the State Legislature in 1858. He is a charter member of Mount Carmel Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and also member of the Brookville Chapter. Mrs. Ayres and her family were reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Ayres is a supporter.