Steuben Township

Steuben Township

P W ANDERSON", was born iu Clarke County.Ohio. April 33, 1831, and is one of the twelve children of James and Ruth (Vickers) Anderson wHo were named Joseph, Peter, Mary (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased). William (deceased), Edward, Cecelia (deceased), Charles (deceased), Augustus, Howard, James L. and John. The father of Peter was born June 28, 1804. in Maryland; he was a farmer and stockraiser, and died in 1871, in this township. P. W. Anderson, at the age of twenty-one, came to his present location. In April, 18G1, he enlisted for three months in the Tenth Indiana Infantry, and was in the battle of Rich Mountain. In 1862, he reenlisted in Company E, Eighty-si.Yth Indiana Infantry, as .Sergeant; he was engaged at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Franklin, and in minor engagements; and was dischar'j-ed June, 1865. Mr. Anderson was married October 31, 186,, to barah B. Martin- The V have three children - Nellie. Clifford and Oracle. He now resides three and a lialf railed northwest of Marshtield, on his farm of 181 acres (sixty acres of timber lying three and a half miles southeast); the 12U acres are well cultivated, well drained,' well improved, and producing good wheat, corn, oats and hay; he also raises some stock for his own use. InlH76,he was elected Justice of tlie Peace, and re-elected in 1880. Mr. Anderson is a memlier of the Masonic order, the Grand Army of tlie Republic, and of the Baptist Church.

ELIJAH C. BYERS was born in Washington County, Md.. August 1, 1831, and is one of the hve cliildren of Samuel S. and Nancy L. (Bo'wers) Byers. the names of said family being - Ann (deceased). Jacob, Margaret, Elijah and Ellen (deceased). The fattier of our subject was born in Washington County, 5[d., October. 1801; was a weaver and dyer by occupation, which he followed until he was thirty-eight years of age. In the fall of 1888, he removed to Noble County. Ind.. thence to Fountain and Warren Counties, residing in Washington and Pike Townships; after going to Missouri, in 1868, he came to this township, where he died in October, 1874. Elijah C. Byers came to this township in March, 18.52. and since December, ly.").). has lived on his farm of 27.5 acres (ninety-five of whicli are three-fourths of a milewest. with twenty of timber in Kent Township), 2.'j.") acres of which are under good cultivation, with neat frame dwelling, convenient stables and other improvements, such as orchards, general shrubbery, etc.; this land produces good corn, oats and ha}^ Mr. Byers was married. November 18. 18"i2.to Sarah A. Shankland. by wlioiu he has one child - William F. Mr. Byers is a memlier of the Church of God. Mrs Byers having become a proficient taxidermist, her services have been secured by Prof. A. H. Alexander, of Hoboken, N. .1.

JOSEPH C. CHAVERS was born in Putnam County. Ind.. April 14, 1836. and is one of tlie ten children of Alexander and Phcbe Chavers, the names of said famil}' being Elizabeth (Cunningham), William, Sarah J.. Joseph. Nancy A., Alexander, John A.. Rebecca, Mary C. and Ellen, of whom Joseph, John and Mary survive. The father of Joseph was born in Virginia in 1806; came to Monroe County, Ind.. about 1828. where he married. He died in Boone County in April. 1850. Joseph C. Chavers was taken to Boone County when six years of age. and remained there until 1852, when he came to this township. He has resided where he now is since February, 1864. September 8. 1857. he was married to Orilia Barnes, who died September 4, 1865, leaving three children - Mary A.. Eveline and Adelia. Se|it<'inber 25, 1866, he married Nancy A. Brinegar, by whom he had two cliildren - William II anil Joseph L. Mr. Cliavers' residence is five and three-quarter miles iiorlliwest of Marsbfield. on his farm of ninety acres iforly being in \ ermillioii Coiiiily, III.), all of which is cultivated, fenced, with good frame dwelling, staliliiig, elc.. and productive of wheat, corn, oats and hay. His place is also very beaulifully ornamented. Mr. Chavers commenced his career without means, biit has, by persevering industry, aeiiuireil his (iroperty, as well as the respect of all. lie is a member of the Masonic fraternily and of the Church of God. He is also a much esteenu'd citizen.

.lOlIN W. CHUMLEA was born in Knox County. Tenn.. May 3. 1832. and is one of the two children of William \V. and Jane (Anderson) Chumlea. their names being John and Rebecca P. (deceased). William W. Chumlea was born in Knox County, Tenn., in March, 180(i. He was cliiefly a farmer, but something of a mechiinical genius, having worked at twelve different trades. While in Fountain County, Ind., he was Justice of the Peace and Township Trustee. He died at his son's house in December, 1880. The parents of John moved from Fountain County to Steuben Township in 1854. where our subject has since resided, and since March 1875, on his present place. He was married May 10, 1860, to Anna E. Starry, from which union have resulted si.\ children - William, Lawrence W. (deceased), Esther J. (deceased), Lizzie E., Miles P. and George W. Mr. Chumlea resides two miles northwest of Johnsonville, on his excellent farm of 186 acres (80 of which lie threefourths of a mile northwest), fenced and drained, and adapted for wheat, corn, oats and hay. He also raises sufficient stock for his private use. In the fall of 1875, he erected a handsome frame dwelling, and his farm is well improved. Mr. Chunilea has served three terms as Township Trustee, and has been for years a Mason and member of the Christian Church. He has never sought office, and is a much esteemed citizen.

MARSHALL COMPTON was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 4, 1811, and is the fourth of the six boys born to John and Catherine (Davis) Compton, their names being - John, William (deceased). Garret (deceased), Marshall, Nelson and Jackson. The father of Marshall was a soldier of 1812, and was badly wounded in that war, after which he devoted his life to farming. While our subject was a boy, he went to Pike County, Ohio, to learn the blacksmithing trade, at which he served six years, and afterward worked for fourteen years. In October, 1846, he came to this township, and purchased his present place. Decemlier 18, 1859, he was married to Nancy J. Nelson, which union gave issue to three children - Alice, Charles and Jesse (deceased). Mr. Compton's residence is two miles north of Marshfleld. on his farm of 346 acres (30 of which, in timber, are four miles south, with 40 in Pike Township). All except the timber are under good cultivation and improvement, and are well adapted to corn, wheat, oats and hay. He also raises horses, cattle and Berkshire hogs. Mr. Comptfm has a flue frame dwelling and observatory, which affords a charming view of the country. He is a Freemason; was Trustee of Kent Township several terms, and has held other minor offices.

JOHN D. CRAWFORD was born in Pike Township, Warren County, Ind., April 23, 1838, and is one of the eleven children of William A. and Lutitia (Snodgrass) Crawford, then- names being Martin (deceased), Milton (deceased), Samuel (deceased), Louisa J. (deceased), 8. Margaret, John D., Lutitia (deceased), William (deceased), Harvey H.. George W. and Sarah. William A. Crawford was born in Kentuck)' in 1804 ; devoted his entire life to farming and stock-raising, and died in this county in 1854. Our subject lived at the scene of his birth until February, 1878, when he came to his present location. He was married, January 15, 1874, to Ruie Morton, by which union were born three children, of whom but one, Clara L., survives. Mr. Crawford resides on his farm of 274 acres (seventy of which are one mile north, in Pike Township), all of which is fertile, and'most under good cultivation, well drained, and adapted to wheat and corn ; in addition are many improvements, as a large, convenient barn, etc. Mr. Crawford is an exemplary man, a member of the Christian Church and an estimable citizen. His parents were among the oldest settlers in this locality, having come hither as early as 1837.

WILLIAM H. CRONKHITE, Township Trustee, was born in this township December 15, 1844, and is a son of Hosea and Eleanor (Garretson) Cronkhite, the former a native of New York, the latter of Ohio. Hosea Cronkhite came to this township in 1838, where he died February 13, 1864 ; Mrs. Cronkhite died January 24, 1874. The grandfather of our subject was afsoldier of the war of 1812. William H. Cronkhite attended the district schools in youth, and when twenty-three began hfe for himself. He was married, October 10, 1867, to Miss Mell Smith, daugliter of P. G. and Eliza Smith, a native of Boone County, Ind., to which union was born one child, Guy. After marriage Mr. Cronkhite began farming for himself. In 1873, lie moved to the old Cronkhite homestead, one mile north of Marshfield, and one year later purchased the farm where he now resides, it being one of the best in the township. Mr. Cronkhite is a Republican, and was elected Township Trustee, in 1883, over his opponent, likewise a Republican, by sixteen votes ; he is also a member of the Church of God.

JAMES C. HALL was born in this township June 4, 1837, and is one of the ten children of Daniel D. and Jane J. (Buell) Hall, the names of this family being Harvey (deceased), Frances (deceased), Joshua (deceased), Celia (deceased), Walter B., Isaiah, James C, Isaac. Charles (deceased) and Frances M. The father of our subject. Dr. Daniel D. Hall, was born in Canada in 1803, and while yet a young man began the study and completed a course of medicine at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He came to Indiana in 1829, and located three miles south of West Lebanon, where he established his practice and obtained a wide reputation in the adjoining country. At the same time he commenced preaching the doctrines of the Christian Church, and organized the first society of that denomination in West Lebanon and all Warren County. In addition to these professions, he found time to farm. He was one of the earliest pioneers of this locality, and was an able minister, a skillful musician, a warm-hearted friend and genial gentleman. He died in Pike Township. September, 185'2, uni\'ersally esteemed and mourned. James C. Hall lived at the scene of his birtli until he came to his present location, in 1864. He was married, .January 1, 1861, to Elizabetli James, liy whom he had si.Y children - Frank E., Haryej' H. and Isaac L. alone surviving. Mr. Hall resides Ave miles southwest of West Lebanon, on his attractive farm of 181 acres (twentyflve of which are one-half mile southwest). This land is highly fertile and well improved (with fine frame dwelling and good stabler), producing well in wheat, corn, oats and hay; he also raises some st-jck, chiefiy hogs. Mr. Hall is an estimable gentleman and public-spirited citizen.

JAMES JOHNSON was born in Franklin County, Ohio, September 37, 1835. His father was an old and prominent settler, and was tiie purchaser in the first conveyance of land made in this county, in January, 1838, the settler being Natlianiel Butterfield. Mr. Johnson afterward owned six sections. [For family record, see J. R. Jobnson's sketch. Mound Township.] The parents of our subject removed to Mound Township, and thence to Steuben Township, where he has made his home. He was married, November 24, 18.53, tci Mar^^ L. Lyon, who has borne him four children - Norwell, Carrie B. (deceased), Dora B. and James. Mr. Johnson resides three-fourths of a mile east of Johnsonville, on his excellent farm of 375 acres, all of which is fenced, under good cultivation and in pasture, well drained and productive, mostly of wheat, corn, oats and hay; he also raises stock, chiefly cattle and hogs, to which it is well adapted by the presence of a large spring wliich forms a stream through his land. In 1854. Mr. Johnson erected a handsome frame residence. He has been for a number of years a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has acted as Justice of the Peace, and Township Assessor. From his long, unbroken residence, he has observed the growth and progress of these scenes - once the home of wild men and beasts, and now that of a high cultivation.

GEORGE S. KISER was born in Vermillion Countv. 111.. July 24. 1.S33, and is the fifth of twelve children born to George and Elizal)eth (Starrv) liiser. their names bemg John. Hannah (deceased), Catharine (deceased). Daniel" aleceased). George Samuel, William, Nicholas (deceased). Alexander. Harvev (deceased). Mary J. (deceased) and Jeremiah. The father of our subject was born In Virginia in 1799; he was in early life a teamster, but after coming to this State engaged in farming, and died in this countv in June. 1868. Wiien a few years old our subject was brought hither by his parents, where he has lived, almost continuously since that time, having come to his present site in 1868. He was married November 32, 1857, to Mary Guinn. a union which has been productive of nine children - Sophia, Eva S.. Nicholas ideceased). William. Jeremiah. James Daniel, Stella and Olive G. (deceased). Mr. Riser resides two miles northwest of Johnsonville. on his fine farm of 185 acres of well improved, drained and fertile land, all cultivated or in pasture, and adapted to oats, corn and hav he also '^ives attention to raising stock. cliieHy hogs. In 1883. Mr. Riser built a large, handlome trame dwelling, besides making otiier improvements. Jlr. Riser is an old resident and greatly esteemed by the community.

THO.MAS LL()YD was born in Stark County. Ohio. April 3. 1836. ami is oue of the five sons of William and Nancy (Cunningham) Llovd. tlie names of which children are^John, C.eorge. Edmund. Th.uuas and David, "of whom Thomas alone survives. 1 he lather of our subject was a native of Virginia, a farmer and died in Stark Comity m 1839. Thomas was eleven years old when he was re no- ",o Ross

I's^ T? "'"" Township, whence he came to his present location, in Februa y. 188(1. He was inarr.ed. November 10, 1850, to Jlalinda Brings; this union was blessed with sev,m children- Mary A., Josephine (deceased). ^Nllliam (deceased)' Elmer L Ch.arhs, deceased). Edward and Celia. Mr. Llovd ix^sidos three mi es norlhwest of Marshlield. on his excellent farm, all of w liich is"well cultivat id fe c el dratned. and adapted to the production of wheat, corn, oats and hav; 1 e i nv r ises only stock for his own use, but formerly raised and dealt larirclvin a variety of A"n r '',^^'"-\'' ";', "f ">^' N"^' I^'sl^t tJhurch. but is-an atte dan otMl e ' i?l'r .i 'i"'.';'!n, ^''' '" '' man and estimable citizen ''">-"^''>"' ''^ ""-

Johnson, by -which union they had seven children - Clay. Oscar T., Laura E., Clarissa J., Edgar (deceased), Eugene and .Jessie. Mr. Mitchell resides three-fourths of a mile northwest of .Johnsonville. on his 900-acre farm (having 160 acres of timber one and a half miles southeasi). Of this land, 660 acres are well cultivated and drained, being adapted to wheat, corn, hay and oats, and all but tweuly acres are fenced; he gives attention to raising cattle, horses, sheep and hogs, particularly the former. Mr. Mitchell has a well improved home, having a conifortable dwelling, commodious stables, windmill, etc. He is a member of the Methodist Church and a public-spirited citizen; his family was among the first white settlers iu this region

THOMAS C. POWELL was born in Dearborn County, Ind., August 25, 1840, and is one of the seven cliildren of Martin and Jeannette (Churchill) Powell, whose names were William JL, Thomas. John (deceased), Mary A., llvah M., Daniel C. (deceased) and Eliza J. The father of Thomas was born in England in 1811; was a fuller and cloth dresser, hut became a farmer in afterlife; came toDearborn County when twelve years old, and thence to Warren County; he is now living at State Line City. Our subject came to this town,ship with his parents iu March,'l8;5.5. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, and took part in the battles of Wild Cat Jlountain. Thompson's Station (where the entire brigade was captured and confined one month in Libby Prison), Resaca, Lost Mountain, New Hope Church and Atlanta, where he was discharged September, 1864, when he returned home. He was married. March 16, 1868, to Margaret P. Logan, by whom he had one child - Lillie M. Mr. Powell resides two and one-half miles west of Marshtield, on his excellent farm of 16 i acres, well improved, drained and fenced, and adapted to raising wheat, corn, ha}^ and oats; he also raises and deals in stock, cattle and Berkshire hogs principally. Mr. Powell is a member of the Masonic order, and a highly esteemed and worthy citizen.

MILES ST.iUliY was born one-half mile east of Johnsonville, in this county, August 16, 1837. and is the eldest of the three children of Daniel and Esther (Simpson) Starry, the names of such children being Miles, Daniel L. and Anna. The father of Miles was born in Virginia in 1S08; was a life-long farmer and stock-raiser, and died in Steuben Township in April, 1869. When Miles was very young, Iiis parents moved to where he now lives, andw^herehe lias almost continuously resided. He was married, Februarj' 24, 18.59, to Keziah Guinn, which union was blessed with twelve children - Charles, Daniel. Anna. James, William, George W., Clark (deceased), Guy, Eddie (deceased), Eva, Pearl and Lou. Mr. Starrj' has alarm of 500 acres, one-quarter mile south, one-half of which is cultivated, the otherpasture; this land is fertile, well drained, and adapted to wheat, corn, oatsandhay; he also raises cattle, horses and hogs. He is a good citizen and esteemed bj' all who know him. The father of Mr. Starry was an early settler, and began the improvement of the home farm, which his son continued; Mrs. Starry, mother of Miles, resides on the homestead of 160 acres, which is one and a quarter miles north of Johnsonville, which Miles has rented since 1869.

D. L. STARRY was born in this township October 1. 1839. D. L. Starry lived on the homestead until October, 1868. when he moved to John W. Chuiulea's place, and in November. 1871, came to his present location. He enlisted in August. 1862, in the Eighty-sixth Indiana Infantr3', and participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, sieges of Atlanta and Nashville. After a faithful service of thirty-three months and seven days, he was mustered out at Nashville, June, 1865, and finally and honorably discharged at Indianapolis. He was married, September 17, 1868, to Hannah Guinn, by whom he had two children, one of whom survives - Gertrude. Mr. Starry resides two and one-half miles northwest of Marshfield, on his flue farm of 247 acres (eighty acres lying seven miles southeast, and seven, three miles south of his home), nearly all of which is well cultivated, drained and fenced, and produces good wheat, corn, oats and hay; he also gives much attention to stock-raising. Mr. Starry has made most of his farm improvements since he came to live thereon. He has passed his whole life in this township, and has witnessed and had taken part in the many improvements since the pioneer days until now.

ISAAC N. TAYLOR was born in Rockbridge County. Va., April 23, 1819, and is one of the eight children of Mark and Margaret (Amyx) Taylor, the family names being Adeline (deceased), America (deceased). M,atilda R., George W., Nancy (deceased), Matthew F., Isaac N. and Harvey P. (deceased). The father of Isaac was a native of Rockbridge County, Va. ; was a farmer and stock-raiser ; had a fine stock-farm, and died in his native county in 1824, agod forty-five years. The grandfather of Isaac, George Taylor, was a native of Ireland ; was a farmer, also a surveyor and civil engineer ; came to America before the Revolution, in which war he was a soldier ; was supposed to have been a signer of the Declaration, and died in Rockbridge County. In 1842, I. N. Tajdor removed to Xenia, Ohio, where he worked as carpenter, having served four j^ears at that trade, and thence to this county, in April, ISoll, where he, in partnership with Daniel Fauber, erected a sawmill at a cost of $4,500, which they manai^ed fourteen years ; he also worked in this county as a carpenter. He was married, January 31, 18.")4, to Elizabeth Fauber, v/ith an issue of live children - Bayard. Joab, Charles, Elizabeth E. and Grant. Mr. Taylor has resided at his present home since April, 1874 ; it is one and a quarter miles nortlieast of JIarshfield. and a farm of 310 acres (170 of whicli lie four miles southeast), half of tliis being well cultivated, drained and fenced, and well adapted to wheat, corn, oats and hay. l\Ir. Taylor having compltted a course of surveying at Xenia, Oliio, he was elected County Surveyor in 1862, and served two terms, but declined a third. He is a member of the Presb3'terian Church and a true friend of Wabash College.

GE(JRGE C. TYLER was born in Medina (now Summit) County, Ohio, November I, 1828, and is one of the nine children of Parker and Anna L. (Wright) Tyler, said family names being William II., .Alary (deceased), George C, Martha S. (Jones), James, Ilirani B., Harriet M. (deceased). Homer C. and John Q. The father of our subject was born in U.vbridge, Mass., in 1789 ; he had learned the coopering trade in his early life, at which he was a proficient ; l)ut afterward turned to farming, which he followed until his death in Liberty Township, Warren Co.. Ind.. in 18.53. George C. Tvler was twelve vears old when his parent-; moved to Liberty Township, where he resided for several years, as well as in Jordan Township and Vermillion Coanty. III., and in 1875 came to his present dwelling-place, two anil a half miles west of Marshtield, on a good farm of 280 acres, under fine cultivation, undulating, and very productive of the principal staples. ' >[r. Tyler also raises stock, and makes a specialty of Norman horses. He was married. October 14, 18.52, to Harriet Swank, by whom he has seven children - ^Martha J., 8ar,ah F Mary E., Julia A., Emma A., Laura A. and G. Clinton. Mr. Tyler is a member of the Masonic order and of the Methodist Church, aTid in 1882 was elected Countv Commissioner.