Richland Township

Richland Township

CYRUS BARUS was born in Mercer County, Penn., February 3, 1829. He is the fifth of a family of eleven children born to William and Ruth (Hoyt) Barus, parents both natives of the above State. William Barus was a farmer by occupation, and brought his family to Grant County in 1845, settling near the village of Mier, in Richland Township. Cyrus Barus was raised a farmer, and has followed agricultural pursuits nearly all his life. In connection with farming he is at present operating a pump factory, having a good established business in the town of Mier. He was married, May 6, 1852, to Matilda A. Campbell, daughter of Thomas and Lucinda (Long) Campbell, of Ohio. Mrs. Barus was born at the town of Barusville, Ohio, on the 27th of February, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Barus have a family of five children, whose names are as follows: Lucinda R., Amanda J., Mary E., Elias J. M. and Julia A. Barus. Mr. Barus has been a very industrious man, and during his residence in this county has cleared and put in cultivation two farms. He and wife are members of the Protestant Methodist Church, and in politics he votes with the Democratic party.

W. C. BARUS, M. D., was born at the village of Jalapa, Grant County, on the 22d of April, 1850, and is the second child of Joshua and Rosana (Morehead) Barus, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Joshua Barus settled in Richland Township in 1845, and for a number of years worked at the shoe-maker's trade in Jalapa. He is now engaged in business at Xenia, Miami County. Dr. Barus remained with his parents until reaching manhood, and received a good English education in the common schools which he attended till his twentieth year. In 1872 he began reading medicine with Dr. A. ©. Irwin, of Sweetser, with whom he remained three years, taking a two years' course at the Ohio Medical College in that time, graduating March, 1875. After graduation he began the practice of his profession at the village of Mier, where he has since resided in the enjoyment of an extensive and constantly increasing practice. On the 18th of March, 1877, he was married to Miss Nancy A. Hollinger, daughter of Reuben and Lydia (King) Hollinger, pioneers of Grant County. Mrs. Barus was born July 16, 1857, and is the mother of two children: Goldie, born December 25, 1879, and Pearl, born December 30, 1884. Dr. Barus is an active politician, and one of the leaders of the Democratic party in Richland. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and one of the rising young medical men of Grant County.

MICHAEL BASH was born in Butler County, Penn., August 17, 1823, and is. a son of John and Pollie Bash, natives of Germany and early residents of Pennsylvania. Michael Bash grew to manhood in his native State, and came to Grant County, Ind., in June, 1843, and entered a tract of land in Richland Township, upon which he has since resided. On arriving at his new home Mr. Bash was almost destitute, not having a penny in money and but one inferior suit of clothes. He went to work with a will, and after encountering many discouraging hardships succeeded in developing a comfortable home, in which his declining years are being passed. Thinking to better his fortune he, in 1850, went to California, in which State he remained until 1853, mining in the meantime but meeting with but indifferent success. He was married, May 18, 1862, to Miss Phoebe Wiles, daughter of Frederick and Mary Wiles, of Pennsylvania, who has borne him ten children, nine of whom are living, namely: Joseph H., Anna B., William H., Viola E., Edward, Ollie, Florence, Albert and Homer. William H., died May 18, 1885, aged eighteen years.

PHILIP S. BASH is a native of Butler County, Penn., and the fifth son of John and Mary Bash, parents both born in the same State. John Bash moved from Pennsylvania to Indiana in.1844, and settled in Richland Township, Grant County, where he engaged in farming and where his death occurred, 1876, at the advanced age of eighty years. Philip Bash was raised on the farm and received a limited education in such schools as the country afforded, attending the same at intervals until about eighteen years of age. He remained with his parents until reaching his majority, when he began life for himself as a blacksmith, learning the trade in Cass. County and working as journeyman for anumber of years. Hewas married, August 14, 1862, to Miss Caroline Paco, a native of Germany, who died October, 1876. By this marriage Mr. Bash raised a family of five children; CharlesS., Mary J., Emma C., Ira A. and

Ida M. Mr. Bash was again married, 1878, to Mary Jane Walker, of Miami County, Ind., by whom he bas four children, viz.; Myrtle, Allie S., Edward H. and Iva B. Mr. Bash is at the present time engaged in farming, blacksmithing and wagon-making, in all of which be is quite successful. He is a Democrat in polities and belongs to the Masonic fraternity.

THOMAS BROWN was born in County Down, Ireland, November, 1810, and is the fifth child of Thomas and Margaret (Mitchell) Brown, both natives of Ireland. Thomas Brown was a tailor by trade and lived all his life in Ireland. The subject remained in his native country until reaching his thirtieth year, when, in 1840, he immigrated to the United States, landing at New York in April of that year. From New York he went to Virginia, three years later to Ohio, and after some time spent in the latter State, moved to Fayette County, Ind., where he lived several years. He came to Grant County in 1851 and entered 160 acres of land, moving to the same three years later. By hard work and good management he goon had a good farm in cultivation, and, as the years went by, added to his original purchase until he now owns 360 acres of as fine land as lies in the township. On the 24th of August, 1852, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Magee, a native of Ireland and daughter of H. and Sarah (Mayne) Magee. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are parents of the following children, viz.: James W., born August,22, 1853; John T., April 26, 1855; Robert L., April 11, 1857; Hugh H., December 26, 1859; Camden, August 24, 1867. Politically Mr. Brown votes with the Democratic party. He has been a hard working man, but is now retired, spending the closing days of a long and useful life in quiet and content.

JAMES W. COAN. Prominent among the farmers of Richland Township is Mr. Coan, who was born in Fayette County, Penn., September 13, 1824. He is the son of John D. and Anna Coan, both natives of the State of Pennsylvania. James W. Coan was raised in Ohio and at the early age of twelve years was bound out to one Samuel Patterson, whom he left after two years on account of ill treatment. He then secured employment on a steamboat plying between Cincinnati and New Orleans, working two years at $10 per month, and at the end of that time engaged in a woolen-mill at Chester, Ohio, where he remained for three years. At the age of seventeen he began working in-the woolen-mill at

Biographical Sketches

Muncie, Ind., and one year later rented the mill at Yorktowu, Delaware County, which he operated with fair success for a period of ten years. He abandoned the manufacturing business in 1853 and opened a hotel at the town of Burlington, Carroll County, and later engaged in selling patent medicines, in which capacity he continued about one year. He was engaged in the hotel business at Kokomo, Ind., in 1854, and two years later came to Grant County and purchased 160 acres of land in Richland Township, where he has since resided. He has added to his original purchase from time to time 'and is now the owner of 440 acres of fine land, the greater part of which is under a successful state of cultivation. Mr. Coan is, in the strict sense of the term, aself-made man. He began life with no capital but a determined will, and has succeeded, by diligent attention to business, in accumulating a comfortable fortune. He was married to Miss Minerva Saxon, of Delaware County, Ind., and daughter of William M. and Nancy Saxon, who bas borne him nine children, five sons and four daughters, all living. Mr. Coan is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a stanch supporter of the Republican party.

JOSEPH CRAVENS, one of the pioneers of Grant County, was born in Wayne County, Ind., May 18, 1820, and is the third child of Joseph and Sarah (Tuttle) Cravens, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. Cravens spent the first sixteen years of his life in Wayne County, where, in the country schools, he received a limited educational training. He came to Grant County with his parents in 1836, and began life as a pioneer, early becoming familiar with the rugged duties and hardships incident to the settlement of a new country. He remained with his parents until his twentysixth year, at which time (1846) he was married to Miss Sarah J. Janes, of Madison County, Ind., and daughter of Zachary and Susannah (George) Janes. After his marriage Mr. Cravens settled in Pleasant Township, where he lived until 1864, at which time he came to Richland and took charge of the paternal homestead. He now owns a beautiful farm of 306 acres, and is one of the representative citizens of Grant County, which he has seen transformed from a, wilderness to one of the most highly civilized and favored divisions of the State. Having no children of their own Mr. and Mrs. Cravens early took a nephew, James M. Props, to raise, who now resides with them on the farm.. Mr. Cravens takes considerable inter- est in political affairs and votes with the Democratic party. He and wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, belonging to the congregation at Sweetser.

ALFRED DRUCEK, native of Union County, Ind., and fourth son of John and Saloma (Tosher) Druck, was born May 29, 1833. John Druck was a native of Virginia and an early resident of Grant County, moving here about 1843 and locating in Richland Township, where his death oceurred March, 1870. Alfred Druck was raised a farmer and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. His early education was almost entirely neglected, but by coming in contact with his fellow-men in different transactions has acquired a practical knowledge which enables him to carry on his business successfully. He now owns 120 acres of well improved land, and is one of the substantial citizens of his neighborhood. Mr. Druck was married, August, 1855, to Miss Sarah Geary, a native of Wayne County, Ind. Nine children have been born to this marriage, five of whom are living, viz.: John L., Ida, Martha, Grant and Garcia.

WILLIAM PAULUS, merchant, was born in Preble County, Ohio, July 13, 1833, and is the only son of Samuel and Martha (Early) Paulus, parents natives of Rockingham County, Va., and early residents of Ohio. The subject was left fatherless when quite young and was raised by his mother, with whom he came to Grant County about the year 1848. One year later he went to Miami County, Ind., where he resided until 1856, at which time he returned to Grant County and settled in Richland Township, engaging in farming in the summer time and teaching school during the winter seasons. In 1871 he came to Mier and engaged in the mercantile business, which he still continues, in which he has been very successful. He was postmaster at Mier from May, 1871, until October, 1885. He served four years as justice of the peace in Miami County and fifteen years in Grant County, and has always been a public-spirited citizen. He isa Republican in politics and a member of the I. O. Cor. belonging to the lodge at Xenia, Miami County. Mr. Paulus was united in marriage, January 10, 1855, to Miss Ellen Creviston, a native of Grant County, and daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Slagle) Creviston, Ohio. Mrs. Paulus was born May 6, 1839, and is the mother of the following children, viz.: Martha J., born January 1, 1856; Henry J., born November 16, 1857; Samuel P., born September 18, 1859; Leonidas, born March 28, 1861; Jeremiah P.,

GEORGE W. RHONEMUS, a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Parker) Rhonemus, natives of Ohio, came to Richland Town: ship when six years of age (his father dying in Ohio), coming with his step-father, Josiah Antrim. Being brought up on the farm he received only such education as was found in the district schools of that day. At the age of seventeen he returned to Clinton County, Ohio, where he was born in September, 1844, and remained there till September, 1861, when he enlisted in the Thirty-first Ohio, and was mustered out in the fall of 1865. On the 20th of September, 1863, he was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga; was all through Sherman's raid from Atlanta to the sea; was at the battle of Stone River and at other points. After the close of the war he returned to Grant County. On February 22, 1868, he was married to Miss Martha J. Anderson, of Grant County.. To this marriage three children were born, viz.: Christina, Martha J. and James A. In 1872 Mr. Rhonemus was bereaved of his wife, and, in 1874, was again married to Rebecca Miller, a native of Grant County; they have had born to them five children: 'William O., Burton R., Lizzie, John W. and Oliver. He is a Republican in politics, and owns a farm of 160 acres.

GEORGE SHARP is a native of Rush County, Ind., born July 1, 1823, to John and Elizabeth (McClure) Sharp, natives of Bourbon County, Ky. He was raised to agricultural pursuits, and on account of his father's death was obliged to take charge of the farm at the early age of fourteen. He came to Grant County in 1850, and settled in Richland Township on the place where he has since resided, the farm at that time being a dense piece of woodland. He cleared the farm, and by industry has made it one of the most productive in the township. He was married, while in Rush County, to Miss Sarah A. Slaine, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Laine) Slaine, of Nicholas County, Ky. 'The father of Mrs. Sharp died in 1837, and the mother is still living, having reached the extreme age of ninety-three years. Mrs. Sharp was born in June, 1823, and is the mother of eleven children, eight living, whose names and births are as follows, viz.: Elizabeth, born July 26, 1846; Ann

24th of August, 1844. They were both soldiers in the late war, the. former in the Twentieth and the latter in the Eighth Indiana Volunteers. Mr. Sharp was also one of the "boys in blue," enlisting

JOHN STEPHENS, deceased, was a native of North Carolina, and born in 1801, and in December, 1824, was married to Miss Emily York, a native of Rockingham County, N. C. To this union were born ten children, of whom four are living: Alfred, Doratha, Allen N. and Matilda A. In 1839 he located in Pleasant Township, coming from Randolph County, Ind., where he settled in 1816. In 1841 he lived in Marion, and was for four years partner with David Hiatt in the wool-carding business. He was deputy sheriff under John Hodge in an early day. Mr. Stephens was a very devout Christian through the most of his life, and was an exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal Church some thirty years previous to his death. Much was due to his efforts in keeping the early pioneer within the bounds of civilization. He would go far and near in the settling up of the Western Reserve, to aid and superintend in the organization of Christian societies. It is supposed he never asked and never received a dollar for his labors in this direction. He was licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church about one year before his death, which occurred March 7, 1856. His death was mourned. by all who knew him,

GEORGE W. TAYLOR, one of the pioneers of Grant County, was born in Pennsylvania, December 3, 1811, and is the eldest son of Joseph and Lutetia (Furry) Taylor, parents both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Taylor's mother died when he was but four years old, and at the age of eight years he was bound apprentice to learn the blacksmith's trade with John Morgan, with whom he continued several years. Having become proficient in the trade he began working for himself, and on the 26th of June, 1830, was married to Miss Jane White, with whom he shared the joys and sorrows of life until her death November 10, 1880. Mr. Taylor came to Richland Township in 1846, the country being at that time an almost unbroken wilderness. He went to work with a stout heart and willing hands, and succeeded, as the years went by, in developing a beautiful home, and accumulating a handsome competency for his declining years. He has been for forty years an honored resident of, Richland, and has seen the country changed from an unbroken forest to one of the most thrifty and prosperous regions. of northern Indiana. Politically, Mr. Taylor is a Republican, but not a partisan in thé sense of seeking office. He stands high in the Masonic fraternity, and for many years has been an active member of the Christian (Disciple) Church. The following are the names. of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor: Daniel, Alfred, Washington, Levi, Joseph, Jane, Letitia, Putty, Zachary and Rinaldo Taylor. Of the above, Daniel and Alfred served in the army, the former in the Thirty-fourth and the latter in the Twelfth Indiana Infantry. Three of the sons, Daniel, Alfred and Zachary, were educated for the medical profession, the two former practicing until their death May 27, 1868, and September 13, 1879, respectively. EDWARD B. TUCKER, one of the oldest residents of Richland Township, was born in Ogborough, England, January 6, 1805, son of John and Grace Tucker, both parents natives of the same country. Mr. Tucker remained in England until his twenty-sixth year, when he came to the United States, landing at Philadelphia, near which city he resided until 1839. In that year he immigrated to Wayne County, Ind. ; thence in October, 1842, to Grant County, where he entered the land in Richland Township upon which he has since resided. Mr. Tucker was married in the city of Philadelphia, March 3, 1836, to Miss Sarah Murry, daughter of J ames and Sarah (Williams) Murry, by whom he has had the following children: Emma J., born October 23, 1836; John N., October 13, 1888; Anna P., January 29, 1841; Edwin W., October 30, 1846, and William M., May 1, 1852. The last named was a graduate of Union College, Ohio, and one of the most successful teachers of

Grant County. He died August 18, 1880, and lies buried in the Somerset Cemetery. John N., the eldest son, was a member of Company A, Twentieth Indiana Infantry, and took part in many of the bloodiest engagements of the late war, losing a leg at the second battle of Bull Run, from the effects of which he died, March 20, 1864. He wasa graduate of Lebanon College, Ohio, and a young man of brilliant attainments.