Kent Township

Kent Township

AMOS BROOKS was born in Trov, N. Y., October 33, 1839, and is one of the five children of Amos and Elizabeth (tJpham) Brooks, the names of said children being Theodore, Francis, .Jerusha, Elizabeth and Amos, of whom the first and last alone survive. The father of Amos was born in Massachusetts about 1793 ; was by occupation a tanner ; was a soldier of the war of 1813, and died in Troy, N. Y., in 1843. When our subject was three years old, he removed with his mother to St. Thomas, Ont. ; thence they moved to Detroit, Mich., and thence went back to Troy, where his mother died ; after remaining ten years, he removed to Kankakee County, III, where he was a schoolmaster. In 1883, he came to this county and located at State Line City, where he taught four years, and thence, after three years, to his present place. Mr. Brooks was married June 19, 1863, to Rhoda Hiser, by whom he had four boys - John W., A. Theodore, Alva (deceased) and Paul P. Mr. Brooks resides one and a quarter miles south of State Line City, on his fine farm of 1.57 acres (twenty-five of which lie one and a half miles southeast and fifty-two three miles southeast) ; the land is mostly under cultivation, well drained and adapted to wheat, corn, hay and oats ; he also raises some stock. Mr. Brooks has made many improvements, having a comfortable frame dwelling and commodious stables. He is a Freemason, a member of the Christian Church, and an earnest advocate of education.

PATRICK CAyAISTAGH was born in Ireland September 19, 1836, and is one of the eight children of Frank and Catharine (Pryor) Cavanagh, the names of which children were James (deceased), Patrick, Ellen, Barnard (deceased), Thomas, Francis, Stephen (deceased) and John (deceased). Frank Cavanagh was a farmer and stockraiser; he also dealt in stock. After he was eighteen years old.Patrick farmed in Yorkshire four 3'ears, and thence went to Lancashire. He reached New Y^ork, January. 1849, and worked at brick-makiiig some time; thence he removed to La Fayette, Ind., and remained two 3'ears, whence he took the " Wahasli shakes," on account of which he traveled South. Mr. Cavanagh was married, July 10, 18.53, to Mary Keegan, which union was blessed with nine children - Charles P., Mary, Thomas, Ellen, Julia (deceased). James, William, Harvey and Lewis. Mr. Cavanagh is conducting the only saloon in State Line City, where he has resided since 1859. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and universally acknowledged a true gentleman and a good citizen.

ABRAHAM CLEM, was born in Butler County. Ohio, May 39, 1836, and is one of the four children of Henr^^ and Martha (Carmichael) Clem, the names of the children being Abraham, Elsie, Harriet and Israel D. Henry Clem was born near Lexington, Ky., about 1790; was a lifetime farmer, and died in Warren Count}', Ind., in 18o5. Abraham came to this county with his parents in 1839, since which he has lived within the boundaries of what is now Kent Townsliip. and since 1853 in his present loeation. Mr. Clem was married, November 31, 1848, to Margaret Ann Taylor, which union was blessed with eight children, five boys and three girls. Mr. Clem's residence is tliree miles east of State Line City, on a superior farm of over 300 acres (sixty of which lie three miles southeast), only seventy-five of which are not under good cultivation, with natural drainage, and well adapted to raising wheat, corn, oats and hay. In 1883, he commenced and finished a handsome and commodious frame residence, an ornament to the city. Mr. Clem is a Mason and a member of the Methodist Church, also an esteemed citizen.

ROBERT CRAIG, was born in New York City January 4, 1834, and is the only living child of Abraham and Ann Eliza (Sheppard) Craig. Abraham Craig was a native of New York, a carpenter, and was killed by the fall of a building in the city of New York. When a boy, Robert became errand boy in a diy goods house, in which lie served seven years; he afterward became apprentice to a blacksmith in Catskill. After finishing his trade, he traveled and worked in many cities, having made the ironwork for the first carriage so finished in Port Wayne, which was an object of much curiosity; he was also thefirstof his craft in Toledo, Ohio, and in La Fayette, whence he removed to Covington and became one of the firm of Craig, Lewis & Co.. tlien the most extensive works on the Wabash, and after their destruction liy fire Mr. Craig met the lialiilities of the firm. He was afterward in business for himself until 1853, when he came to his present place, two and a quarter miles southeast of State Line City, on a farm of 190 acres (sixty of which are timber, one mile southeast), about 100 being under good cultivation, well drained, and well atiapted to the production of wheat, corn and oats; there are many improvements on this land. Mr. Craig laid the first tiling in the township, and was the first to use wheat and corn drills. September 18, 1851, he was married to F. C. Mitchell, by whom he had four children - Martha J., John (deceased), Marietta (deceased) and Robert M. Mr. Craig is an old Mason, a trusty man and honored citizen.

ELIJAH L. OILMAN (deceased) was born in Brown County, Ohio. June 4, 1816, and was one of the family of John and Lydia (Lindsey) Gilman ; the names of their seven children were Samuel. Elijah, Mary. .John, Hannah, Daniel and Alice, the last of whom alone is living. When Elijah was about seventeen years old. his parents removed to Fountain County, Ind., where the}' died, and where our subject remained until after his marriage, when he came to this towns hip and resided until his decease. He had in his early life worked with his father at the wheelwright business, but he afterward gave his entire attention to farming. He was married, November 9, 1837, to Martha Oxford, to which union two boys and five girls were born, named, respectivel}'. John, Rachel A., Lydia (deceased). Mar}', Josephine (deceased),Lindsey and Maria. In 1871, an accident befell Mr. Gilman, which resulted in his decease; he was endeavoring to cross a stream, near his residence, and. while jumping from one stepping-stone to another, lost his balance, which in striving to recover, he sustained dislocation of his hip-joint ; the principal cause of his death, however, was maltreatment of the case by incompetent surgeons. He was a noble gentleman and valued citizen, a member of tlie New Light Christian Church, and deeplv mourned by friends and relatives. Mrs. Gilman is passing her latter davs on her farm of 197 acres (150 of which are one mile south), located four miles east of State Line City. She is one of the early settlers of Warren County, and a pioneer of Vermillion County (Ind.). having gone thither with her parents in 18il,

GEORGE H. LUCAS was born in Williamsport. Warren Co.. Ind.. Janu;uy 29. 18-1.'). and is one of the eleven children of Ebenezer F. and Charlotte D. (Kent) Lucas, the names of the living being John P.. William K.. George H.. Rebecca E., James H.. Tliomas K.. Lloyd S.. Kale B. and Charles. Ebenezer Lucas was born in February. 1807 ; he was a teacher, and afterward appointed Deputv Clerk of the Circuit Court of Warren County, and in May. 1838. was commissioned by Gov. Wallace to fill the term of James Cunninghani. deceased ; he was also Colonel of the Sixty-eighth Militia Regiment, and Deputy Surveyor. In 18-14. he was chief engineer on the Waba.sh A; Erie Canal, and afterward general superintendent. He. died in August, 1871, having ac(|uired both means ancrposition. George H. Lucas came to this county with his parents when he was two vears of age. Except a few years' employment as a clerk, he has been a lifelong farmer. August 10, 1873. he was married to Kitt Delaplane. to which union were born four children - Harriet (deceased). Charlotte (deceased), James and Kate Clare. Mr. Lucas resides one mile east of State Line City, on his farm of 144 acres (eighteen of which are timber, two and a half miles southeast), well drained, fertile, and productive of corn wheal and hay. Mr. Lucas has served two terms as Township Trustee. He is an Odd Fellow and an esteemed and worthy citizen.

WILLIAM R. MURPHY was born in this township June 12. 1836 and is one of the ten children of George and Mary (Shoemaker) Murphv of these children seven are living-John, Hannah, William, Gano. Martha. Gideon and Samautha George Murphy w.as b.iru in ()hh>. 1802 : was a farmer, and died in Warren Count v' Ind in 1801. William R. Murphy has made the old homestead his lifelon.- home and has been enabled to note the transformation of this countv from a h'^iunt of wolves to a garden of civiliz.ition. He was ni;irried. August l" 18(il to Maria E Stanley, which union was blessed with nine children - Mary. Florence' Lucv (deceased), \\illiam, :\Iartha. Eliiora, Charles, Roberta and Waher (deceaseds In Seiitembcr, 18(;4. Mr. Murphy was enrollcl in the Fortieth Indiana Veteran Volunteers, and was engagrd in the battles of Franklin and Nashville ; he was discharged at New Or.caiis in July, bsii,",, when he returned home. His residence is tive nules southeast of State Line City, on his 200-aere farm (twentv-seven of which are on^ and a ha I miles southeast) ; his land is improved and very" pro.luetive. particularly cilize'r " *' ' prosperous farmer and a public-spirilecl

A. M. PORTER. j\r D.. was born in Fleming County. Ky.. November 24 182.,, ami IS one of the s,.v,.n c'liildivn of Sell. W. and Cynthia (Davis) Porlei their names being .Albert. Ausli,,. Morris. William D., EvMine. Jane and Seb; the (iatighters are deceased. Sell. W. Porter was horn .May 29. 1791 ;,t Snow HI Md In his youth, he was apprenticed to a shoe-maUer Hn,1 .,, ,u. ...\ 1; in ii.s youth, he was apprenticed to a shoe-maker, and worked at that trade 'untii middle ;,,ge. after which he farmed until his death. He was under t"ol iV dl,.v , the war o 1812; was taken prisoner by the Indians, and aneihve ns' ev changed at^Montrc.al a bob-tail pony. He died in Mav. 1870. in Boo e County Ind. Dr. Porter, with h,s parents, removed to Parke County, Ind. .am the ce to

Boone County. He studied medicine at Wabash, Ind., under Dr. Loop. In July, 1847, he came to this county, and after two years began practicing in Jamestown, Boone County, and remained two and a half years. In the spring of 185'3, he returned to AVarren County, atid located in this township, where he has since resided, coming to his present location, near State Line City, in IS')'-). After attending Wabi-ih College, he received his first lectures, in 1847-1:8, at the Indiana Medical College, then located at La Porte, and afterward at the same institution in Indianapolis, from which lie received his degree. Dr. Porter was married, .July 23, 18.50, to Eliza Layton, who died in February, 18.>5; afterward, March 13, 1860, he married Maria Layton, by whom he had one child, 8el)a. Mrs. Porter died in 1861. His third marriage was to Isabella Calhoun, November 23, 1865, by whom he had three children - Carrie (deceased), Albert (deceased) and George Seth. Dr. Porter is an enthusiast in his profession, and has two brothers, physicians. He is a Knight Templar Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Presbyterian.

CANO SHOEMAKER was born in Butler County, Ohio, November 30, 1815, and is one of the thirl een children of Elias and Catherine (Cox) Shoemaker, whose - - names were Michael, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary, Ann, Abigail; Samuel, Elias, Gano, Louisa, Gideon, Samantha and George, of whom Gano is the only cme living. Elias Shoemaker was born in Delaware in 1771; was in the war of 1812, our subject being named after his commander. Gen. Gano; was a life-long farmer, and died about the year 1862, in Warren County, Ind. Gano was about six years of age when his parents moved to Union County, Ind. After eight years, he went back to Butler County, Ohio, and in 1842 moved to Louisiana, wliere he worked on the Atchafalaya Ba.you for seventeen winters. In October, 1831, he first came to this county, but did not locate until March, 18.56, since which time he has resided here. Mr. Shoemaker was married, September 27, 1858, to Harriet Clem, which union was blessed witli seven children, those living l)eing - Austin P., Albert R., Wilson S., George H. and Lucy A. Mr. Shoemaker resides four and one-half miles southeast of State Line City on his farm of 110 acres (40 of which lie one-half mile northwest), which is well drained and fenced, and produces good wheat and corn; there is also a good dwelling and ample stabling. Mr. Shoemaker is an excellent man, and a worthv and honored citizen.

SAMUEL SONGER was born in Montgomery County, Va., February 10, 1810, and is one of the eleven children of Peter and Elizabeth (Sawyer) Songer, the names of which children were Susan, John, Jacob, Peter, Elizabeth, David, Sarah, Samuel, Lewis, Nancy and Mary. Of these, Samuel is probably the only one living. Peter Songer was a farmer, and came early to Dearborn County, Ind.. where he died when Samuel was a child, who remained in said county until he was nearly twenty years old, when he removed to Vermillion County, 111., and remained there nearly thirty-five years. In the autumn of 1869, Mr. Songer came to this county. He was married, August 13, 1829, to Sarali Parker, their union being blessed with eight children, the names of the living being Lewis, William and Andrew. Mrs. Songer died August 34, 1859, and February 5, 1863, he married Rachel A. Ruark. Mr. Songer resides five miles southeast of State Line City, on a good farm of 165 acres, under fair cultivation, well drained, and adapted to the culture of wheat and corn. He has a good dwelling, commodious staliling, and other improvements. Mr. Songer is a worthy citizen, and a memlier of tlie New-Light Church.

DAVID THANEY, was born in Warren County, Ind., May 5, 1849, and is the fourth of six children born to John and Margaret (Long) Thaney, such children ' being Sarali, George, Margaret, David, Henry (deceased) and Frederick. The father of David was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in 18' i5; he was in the main a farmer, though he had learned weaving and coopering; he died in Stueben Township, Warren Co., Ind., in April, 1880. David Thaney resided in Steuben Township untd March, 1880, when became to his present home, two and a half miles south of Marshfield. He was married, September 28, 1875, to Marietta Briggs, who has liorne him two children- - Gertrude and Claudius. Mr. Thaney farmed with his father until 1874, after which he conducted a grist mill and saw mill in Steuben Township. On coming to this township, he constructed a tile factory, having a capacity of 5,000 feet of tile per day, and at that time the only one in the township. After having received a fair .school education, he attended one year at Wabash College. Mr. Thaney has lived within a radius of half a mile all his life. He has greatly improved his farm, adding a comfortable dwelling, witti commodious stabling; his chief products are wheat, corn and hay, and he makes a specialty of stock, principally sheep and cattle. Mr. Thaney is asucccssful farmer and an esteemed citizen.