Monroe Township (part 2 of 2)

AMES L. RINKER was born September 26, 1842, in Shenandoah county, Va. , and was the son of Philip and Lydia Rinker. The father was, by occupation, a farmer and died in Delaware county, Ind., in the year 1882; the mother is is still living and makes her home, at this time, in the township of Salem. James J. Rinker always followed the farmer's occupation and devoted himself to his chosen calling with an earnestness that wrought good results. He was an honest man, whose word was as good as his bond, and, as a member of the Christian church, he lived out his profession in the actions of his daily life. Financially, he met with well merited success, and by diligent attention to his chosen calling succeeded in gaining a fair share of this world's goods. His honorable dealings with his fellow men won their confidence and esteem, and he was

Mr. Rinker was married October 31, 1861, to Miss Mary A. Clevenger, daughter of James and Mary Clevenger, natives, respectively of Virginia and Ohio. This marriage resulted in the birth of six children, namely; Amanda, wife of Joseph Myres; Ida L. , wife of Fred Cewert ; Marion O. ; Otto E. ; Ollie E. and Bertha E. Mr. Rinker departed this life on the 26th day of October, 1870, deeply lamented by all who knew him. Mrs. Rinker resides upon the home place, a beautiful farm, in the management of which she displays great energy and forethought. The following are the names of the two brothers and one sister of Mr. Rinker: John H., Jacob and Julia A. James and Mary Clevenger, the parents of Mrs. Rinker, had a family of six children, whose names are as follows: Mary A.; Sarah J.,

OHN ROELER was born June 4, 1855, in Wayne county, Ind., the son of William R. , and Anna M. (Smith) Roller. The names of the children of these parents, aside from the subject are Alonzo, Erank, deceased; Emma, wife of Jonathan Harrold; Kate and Lizzie Roller. The mother of these children died November 14, 1883, and the father resides at this time in the city of Muncie. John Roller received his education in the common schools, and moved to Delaware county in the year 1862, his vocation at this time being that of farming. He spent three years in the village of Cowan, resided one and one-half years in Muncie, and moved from there to Harrison township, where he followed the pursuit of agriculture for a period of three years. From Harrison he moved to his present place, in the township of Monroe, and at this time is one of the successful farmers of the community in which he resides. As a citizen, Mr. Roller is held in high esteem, and he has a host of friends among the people of Monroe and adjoining townships, who respect him for his many sterling qualities of manhood. He is recognized as one of the wide awake and enterprising men of Monroe township, and takes an active interest in the advancement of his neighborhood, both materially and morally. Mr. Roller was married February 25, 1879, to Sarah H. Cheeseman, who has borne him two children, Charley and Stella. Mrs. Roller is the daughter of Richard and Nellie Cheeseman, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. See sketch of Mrs. Nellie Cheeseman.

ALENTINE SHOCKLEY, an old and highly respected farmer of Monroe township, now living a life of retirement, was born in Delaware county, Ind., March ii, 1838, the son of James and Mary (Ogle) Shockley. These parents emigrated from Virginia to Indiana in 1834, and settled in Delaware county, where they bought forty-five acres of land and cleared a farm. They bore their full share of the hardships and vicissitudes of life in the back woods, and were creditable representative of that large class of pioneers to whose industry and perseverance the county is so largely indebted for its present advanced and prosperous condition. James Shockley was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for a great many years, as was also his wife, and they are remembered as people of excellent character and consistent Christians.

Monroe township, where he was born, and remained with his father until the latter's death, which occurred on the 15th day of June, 1849. He early learned those lessons of industry and economy which bore their fruit in the success of subsequent life, and, having decided upon agriculture as an occupation, steadily pursued that useful calling until a competency enabled him to retire from the active duties of life. Mr. Shockley is a self made man in all that term implies, and the beautiful and highly cultivated farm of i 50 acres and other property which he now owns are the direct results of his own efforts. Mr. Shockley was married February 2, 1863, to Martha, daughter of

John and Cynthia (DeWitt) Gibson. The wedded' life of Mr. and Mrs. Shockley has been gladdened by the birth of seven children, namely: Etta, deceased wife of William

Hutchings; she left one child. Grade; Rebecca, wife of Allen Drumm; Frank; Ollie, wife of Grant Keesling; Marion, Charles, and an infant that died without being named. The father and mother of Mrs. Shockley died in the years 1882 and 1844, respectively, and lie buried in the Reynolds cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Rebecca, wife of Robert Turner; Mary, wife of James Ross; Jane, wife of John Nelson; Francis, deceased; Clark, and Gibson. Mr. Shockley is an active worker in the F. M. B. A. and a republican in his political affiliations. He is a member of the church of the Christian Connection, in which he is highly esteemed, and to which his wife also belongs.

w' ILLIAM SNIDER, late prominent I farmer of Monroe township, was born July 16, 1814, in the state of Kentucky, and was a son of Peter and Mary Snider. These parents settled in

Henry count}^ in an early day on a farm and there resided until their respective deaths. William Snider was by occupation a farmer, and during a long residence in the township of Monroe, earned the reputation of an honorable citizen, and by his upright conduct gained many friends in the community. He was married, in 1839, to Jane Russell, who subsequently died, leaving one child, Calvin Snider. Afterward Mr. Sutton met and married Sabra Sutton, daughter of Thomas and Candace (West) Sutton, the ceremony having taken place on the 27th day of January, 1876. The result of the second marriage is four children, namely: Ola, Effie, Vora and Sylvia.

By industry and diligence, Mr. Snider met with much success as a farmer, and the result of his labors was a beautiful home of 230 acres of well improved land, upon which his widow and children now reside. He lead a busy and useful life, and during his residence in Delaware county, gained a host of friends, who mourn his loss as almost a personal calamity. His death occurred on the 4th day of May, 1891, and he was laid to his last rest in the Hillsborough cemetery, where loving hands have erected a beautiful and costly monument to his memory. Born, married, reared a family and died - thus, as a tale that is told, endeth life's brief history. His widow, a lady widely and favorably known and highly respected for her many excellent traits of character, resides upon the home farm, which she manages with care and good judgment.

aHARLES W. SPRINGER was born in Marion county, W. Va. , January 3, 1864, the son of John J. and Rebecca (Dodds) Springer, natives of the same state. John Springer and family moved to Indiana in an early day, settling in Henry coun- ty, thence moved to the county of Delaware. In his native state Mr. Springer was, for a number of years, engaged in rafting timber down the Kanawha river, but after coming to Indiana engaged in farming, and bore his part in assisting to clear and develop the country. He died in October, 1883; his wife preceded him to the grave, departing this life the loth day of May, 1872. They were both members of the Baptist church and people of the highest respectability in the community in which they resided. Charles W. Springer was less than four years of age when he accompanied his parents to Indiana, and the greater part of his life has been spent within the limits of Delaware county. He has always been a farmer and ranks with the successful agiiculturists of Monroe township, where he is widely and favorably known, not only as a thrifty tiller of the soil, but also as a man of intelligence and good social standing. Mr. Springer was married July 5, 1890, to Union, daughter of Breckenridge and Euphemia- (Gibson) Re}'- nolds, to which union one child, Gailord, has has been born.

Breckenridge Reynolds, father of Mrs. Springer, came to Delaware county many years ago, and his sole wealth, upon arriving at his destination in the new country consisted of forty-five cents in cash. It is stated that the first money he ever earned was a dime, which he received as pay for carrying a pail of water for an auctioneer. Shortly after coming to Indiana, he went back to his native state of Virginia, and moved two families through to the west with a lumber wagon, making the journey in the face of many serious obstacles. He was a man of industrious habits, possessed shrewd business tact, and by skillful management accumulated great wealth, and left his children in good circumstances. Mr. Springer is a democrat in politics, and is faithful in exercising his franchise for that party.

Warren county, Ohio, being a brother of Darlin M. Tuttle, whose sketch appears in this connection. Mr. Tuttle spent his youthful years on the old homestead in Delaware county, and amid the active labors of the farm., received a fine physical training in the country schools of that period. He was brought by his parents to Delaware county in October, 1836, and he distinctly recalls the journey to the new home, which was reached by cutting a road through a thick forest; a number of friends and acquaintances, who had proceeded them, meeting the family at a point about three miles northwest of Sulphur Springs, on what is now the Bell Creek turnpike, accompanied them to their destination. The land on which the family settled had been entered by the father previously, and a more discouraging prospect than the first home presented on the family's arrival, would be difficult to imagine.

Young Abraham contributed his share toward developing the farmi, and he also taught school for some time. With the use of the ax, plow and old fashioned flail, he easily became familiar, and at the age of eighteen he began operating a "chaff piler" in the neighborhood, one of the first threshing machines ever brought to his part of the county. Later he operated a separator, one of the first machines of the kind in Monroe township, and did a good business threshing wheat for several years. On attaining his legal majority, Mr. Tuttle purchased eighty acres of land, from which he afterward developed a good farm; he has met with good success, acquiring a comfortable competence of this world's goods. He now owns 1 10 acres.

Tuttle and Miss Saloma Heath, of Delaware county, were united in the bonds of wedlock; their marriage has been blessed with the following children: Marion S., a farmer residing in Wells county; Morton L. , farmer of Monroe township, also leader of the Cowan Cornet band; Charles E., an employee in the Neff manufacturing establishment, and Cora B., whe lives with her parents. He resides in the village of Cowan. For a number of years he has been a faithful and consistent member of the Society of Friends, belonging, at this time, to the Winchester Quarterly, Muncie Monthly and Cowan Preparative meetings. He possesses a deeply religious nature, dignifies his profession by a dignified life, consecrated to the Master's service, and since the dedication of the Cowan church, October, 1888, has been present and participated in nearly every exercise, missing but one prayer meeting, except when prevented from attending by sickness. His chief delight is to know and do the will of the Heavenly Father and to keep a conscience void of offense before God and man; the fulfillment of his honest obligations, however small, he considers as part of the very foundation of his religion, and temperance, without which no Christian character would be complete, he looks upon as one of the great needs of the age. With consciencious devotion he has ever been growing in the Christian graces, and he firmly believes that an intelligent knowledge of the Sacred Record is a potent means of spiritual advancement. With this object in view he began, January 12, 1868, to read the New Testament, betwen which date and July 5, 1892, he perused its pages thirtysix times by reading one chapter each day.

Politically, Mr. Tuttle is a republican, the principles of which party he has ever supported, always favoring, however, absolute prohibition. Although nearly sixty-one years of age, he is still vigorous, and with the exception of an injury received by a fall in 1892, while descending a stairway, he has always enjoyed good bodily health. He is one of Monroe township's represenattive citizens and the future awaits him with bounteous rewards for the duties he has so faithfully performed.

ORTON L. TUTTLE. - Prominent among the intelligent and popular younger residents of Delaware county is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He was born September 16, 1865, the son of Abraham J. Tuttle, whose biography also appears in this connection. Morton Tuttle was reared and educated in his native county, and after completing the prescribed course of the common schools, attended the High school of Muncie, where he acquired a good knowledge of the higher branches of learning. For a period of three years he was one of the successful teachers of Delaware county, and such was his record during that time, that, had he concluded to remain in the profession, he would no doubt have achieved distinction in educational work. After abandoning the teachers' profession, he began farming on the old homestead, which place he still operates, and which, under his snpervision, is easily classed with the best improved places of the township. Mr. Tuttle was united in marriage December 20, 1888, in Muncie, with Miss Minnie Myers, who was born in Delaware county on the 19th day of March, 1868, daughter of Thomas and Anna (Hatfield) Myers. These parents were born, respectively, in Ohio and Indiana and are of German and English extraction. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle is brightened by the presence of three children - Herschel G. , William Bliss, and Fay Anna. Mr. Tuttle is one of the thrifty farmers of Monroe township and occupies a prominent place in the public affairs of the county, being, at this time, a member of the republican central committee, in which his advice and good judgment have been felt in the planning and carrying to a successful issue several important campaigns. He has achieved some distinction as a musician and as a leader of the McCowan Cornet hand has acquired more than a local reputation. Enterprising and progressive in all those terms imply, he is justly esteemed by his neighbors and friends, and has before him a future fraught with much promise.

EV. JOHN S. TUTTLE, deceased, son of Darlin Tuttle, of Rumley, Va. , was born January 29,1804, in Clinton county, Ohio, where he received his education and grew to manhood. In the twentieth year of his age, June 3, 1823, he married Hannah Hale, and thirteen years later he came to Indiana, in the prime of vigorous manhood, to carve for himself and family a home from the forests of Delaware county. He settled in the west part of Monroe township and there cleared and improved a farm, upon which he lived the residue of his life. In his youth, Mr. Tuttle gave a great deal of attention to music, and he was a man of much more than ordinary mental endowments. In a financial sense, he became quite successful, and was the owner of a fine farm, which became noted throughout the country as the abode of plenty and hospitality. In the early day he became quite a skillful hunter, and with an old gun, an heirloom in the family, he used to kill from one to three deer each day. He possessed a powerful constitution, was a stranger to weariness, and hardly knew, by actual experience, what the word sickness meant. He was a noble Christian gentleman, a prominent minister of the Protestant Methodist church, and his kindness of heart and generosity of disposition were such that all who knew him united in pronouncing him a good man. He was the friend of all public improvements, and every enterprise that had for its purpose the moral or commercial well being of the community was sure to receive his encouragement and cooperation. He took an active, though unselfish, interest in political affairs, and labored earnestly for the success of his party in all its campaigns. He died April 4, 1872, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, deeply lamented by those who had known him in life. His wife, who had been his companion for so many years, departed this life April 4, 1873, and lies by his side in the Taber cemetery. John S. and Hannah Tuttle reared a family of fourteen children, all of whom lived and married and had children of their own. Their names are as follows; Delilah, wife of Solomon Clevenger, deceased; MaryJ., deceased; Isaiah, deceased; Thomas W., Elizabeth, wife of Henry Remington, deceased; Hannah, wife of Morris Kidnocker; Abraham J. ; Amanda, wife of Addison Stafford; Ellen, wife of Elisha Clevenger; Darlin M. ; Minerva, deceased; Catherine, wife of Isaac Lake; John W. ; and William F., deceased.

Darlin Marion Tuttle, tenth child of John S. and Hannah Tuttle, was born in Monroe township, Delaware county, Ind., July 7, 1839, and grew to manhood on the home farm, attending, in the meantime, the public schools, in which he received a fair English education. He spent fourteen seasons threshing wheat, receiving for his labor seven bushels out of every hundred the first two years, and continued the same until 1858. On the I ith day of June, 1858, he was united in marriage to Susan Lake, a native of Licking county, Ohio, where her birth occurred July 10, 1840. She is the daughter of George D.

and Nancy (Roe) Lake. By her marriage with Mr. Tuttle she is the mother of the following children; John S., Mary R., wife of Walter G. Shiry; George A., Oliver F. , Marion H. and Lillian. Mr. Tuttle, with the assistance and economy of his faithful companion, has accumulated a sufficiency of worldly goods to place him in comfortable circumstances, owning at this time a beautiful farm of lOO acres, the greater part of which is well cultivated. He has served as justice of the peace in his township, besides filling other official positions, and since attaining his legal majority has exercised the elective franchise in behalf of the republican party. He is a member of the United Brethren church; his wife is a member of the Society of Friends. In May, 1864, Mr. Tuttle enlisted in company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Indiana volunteer infantry, and served until honorably discharged at Indianapolis on September 2, of the same year. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to lodge No. 334, and is also a member of the G. A. R. , Williams post, at Muncie.

OBERT TURNER. - Among the well known citizens of the township of Monroe was the late Robert Turner, who was born in Greene county, Ohio, July 17, 1846, the son of George and Fanny Turner. His early life was passed amid the scenes of farm labor, and until his marriage he found employment at different occupations, but agriculture was practically his life work. He came to Delaware county a number of years ago, purchased a tract of woodland, from which he developed a comfortable home, and at the time of his death was an owner of a farm of 1 20 acres of highly cultivated and well improved land. He began the struggle of life with but a small amount of this world's goods, but possessing an energy, born of a determination to succeed, he overcame the many difficulties and obstacles by which his pathway was beset, and accumulated a comfortable competence. Personally, he was a genial and intelligent citizen, whose integrity and social standing were never questioned, and in his immediate neighborhood he was held in the highest esteom by a host of friends, with whom he was always popular. He was devoted to his family, earned the reputation of a loving husband and kind father, and died in full assurance of the Christian faith October 15, 1882.

Mr. Turner was married to Rebecca, daughter of John and Cynthia (DeWitt) Gibson, to which union eight children were born, whose names are as folloows; John, deceased; George, Martha, deceased; William R. , Clark E., Phillip E., ErancisM. and Emma E. The following are the names of the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Turner; Martha, wife of Valentine Shockley; Mary, wife of James Ross; Jane, wife of John Nelson; Erancis, deceased, and Clark Gibson. The father and mother of Mrs. Turner died in June, 1882, and in December, 1 844, respectively. They were natives of Ohio and were highly respected by all who knew thrm. Since her husband's death Mrs. Turner has resided upon the home farm, which her son manages. She is a woman of excellent tact end judgment, and occupies a prominent position in the society of Monroe township and in the United Brethren church, of which she has, for years, been a consistent member.

Philip Turner, son of Robert and Rebecca Turner, was born in Delaware county on the 9th day of February, 1866. He was reared on the farm, and remained with his mother until his marriage, which occurred on March 17. 1888, to Indiana, daughter of Breckenridge and Euphernia Reynolds. After his marriage.

Mr. Turner resided on the home farm for one year, and then removed to his present place, a valuable farm of eighty acres, where he has sinceresided. Mr. Turner has some very valuable improvements upon his place, among which may be noted a handsom.e residence, erected in the summer of 1892. He has been a very successful farmer, and is not only a leading agriculturist but is recognized as a very valuable citizen in the community. In 1886, Mr. Turner met with a serious accident, by having his leg broken in a fall, and the next year v/as similarly unfortunate in having his shoulder broken, from the effects of which he never expects to recover. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner, namely: Estella L. , deceased; and Glenn W.

HAD. TUTHILL, farmer and stock raiser of Monroe township, was born in Delaware county, Ind., May i, 1856, the son of Phineas and Amanda (Horner) Tuthill, natives respectively of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Phineas and Amanda Tuthill were among the early pioneers of Dela- [ ware county, locating here as long ago as 1830. He was by occupation a shoemaker, but engaged in farming on coming to this county, and now lives a retired life at the town of New Burlington. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the parents of the following children: William, a plasterer of Muncie; Nettie, wife of George Wilson, and Thad. Tuthill, whose name appears at .the head of this paragraph.

Thad. Tuthill was reared to manhood in Delaware county, within the bonndaries of which his life has been spent, and he early chose agriculture for his life work and has met with most encouraging success in that vocation. In addition to tilling the soil he gives considerable attention to stock raising, paying special attention to hogs, and keeps upon his place the finest of thoroughbred Poland China and other valuable breeds. He has served as justice of the peace one term, and is in every respect an intelligent and progressive citizen, and a man worthy of the high esteem and confidence with which he is held by his many friends and neighbors. His large and beautiful farm contains 210 acres of valuable and highly improved land, beside which he owns good property in the city of Muncie. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Improved Order of Red Men.

Mr. Tuthill was married August 20, 1891, to Mary J., daughter of James and Harriet (Armprister) Clark, parents natives of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Clark entered 160 acres of land in Delaware county as early as 1832, and their deaths occurred March 7, 1858, and October 17, 1866, respectively. Mrs. Tuthill's grandparents are buried on the old home farm, which has been in the family for three generations, over sixty-five years. Grandmother Clark died August, 1830, and her husband followed her to the grave on the 5th day of December, 1840. Mrs. Tuthill has one sister, Martha, wife of W. F. Anderson.