USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. ********************************************************************** Jay County Bio "Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County, Indiana," Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1887. This is the reprinted Jay county section out of the original combined 1887 History of Jay and Blackford counties. P 432: "Thomas C. WHITE, M.D., proprietor of the drug store and the only practicing physician of Powers Station, is a native of Jackson County, West Virginia, born September 20, 1829, a son of James and Mary (COLEMAN) WHITE, who were born and reared in West Virginia, living in that State until their death. The doctor grew to manhood on the home farm in his native county, receiving his education in the schools of his neighborhood. Although reared a farmer, he had no intention of pursung that avocation through life, and in 1853 he began the study of medicine, to which he applied himself diligently. February 20, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. BRYAN, of Jackson County, who was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, March 31, 1837, a daughter of Jonathan and Martha BRYAN, natives of West Virginia, and they are the parents of two daughters -- Lola, wife of Dempsey POWERS, of Jefferson Township, and Sarah E. At the outbreak of the civil war the doctor went with his friends in the Confederate army, where he served two years, but in March 1864, he gathered together his effects and with his family left the State, and for a few months he made his home near Columbus, Ohio. He then settled in Mercer County, Ohio, living there until June, 1866, when he came to Indiana and engaged in the practice of medicine at Buena Vista, Adams County. In a year, however, he returned to Ohio, where he resided until September, 1869. He then came to Jay County, Indiana, and established his residence at Powers Station, where he has resided ever since. He is one of the prominent and public-spirited citizens of Jefferson Township, and is active in promoting all enterprises for the advancement of his township and county. The doctor is a member of the Doric Lodge, No. 362, A. F. & A. M., at Ridgevelle. In politics he has always affiliated with the Democratic party. He is very fond of the chase, and the hunting season is apt to take him to the Peninsula of Michigan or other favored hunting grounds, from whence he always returns with more vigor to attend to the more serious duties of life." "Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County, Indiana," Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1887. Reprinted by Mayhill Publications, Knightstown, Indiana, 1974. P 311: "Thomas LYONS, one of the wealthy farmers of Pike Township, resides on section 34. He commenced life in Jay County with but little besides strong hands and a determination that no obstacle could overcome, and perhaps no man in Jay County has accomplished more, from so small a beginning as he, and few have done more to develop the county from a state of wildness to that of civilization. Mr. LYONS was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, February 13, 1829, a son of Thomas and Eve (APPLE) LYONS. His mother was born in Pennsylvania of German descent; his father was of Irish descent. They were united in marriage in Columbiana County, Ohio. In 1837 they moved to Perry County, where the father died in 1838. In 1850 our subject's brother, Elijah LYONS, came to Jay County and located in Pike Township, and a little later Thomas followed him and bought eighty acres of heavily timbered land on section 26, of the same township. His capital at that time consisted of $180. He erected a log cabin and commenced clearing his land. In 1852 he leased it to his brother-in-law, Enoch DRAKE, for a term of five years, and returned to Ohio. In 1855 he married Amanda TEMPLEMAN, and in 1856 they came to Jay County and settled on the homestead on section 26, Pike Township. In 1864 he bought and moved to the homestead of his neighbor Edmund RATHBURN. Steadily year by year, by industry and economy, he added to his property until he became a large land owner. His [p 312] homestead contains 190 acres of finely improved land, and his substantial brick residence and other buildings and improvements denote wealth and prosperity. He has assisted his children to get a start in life by giving to the different ones as seemed most fitting, land or money, not wishing them to travel the weary road from proverty over which he so manfully made his way. His wife, who shared the hardships and privations of pioneer life and later the comforts of a good home with him, died in 1878. To them were born eleven children -- John, now of Kansas; Mrs. Amanda SMILEY, of Randolph County; Thomas and Elijah, also of Kansas; William, deceased; Susan; Joseph, in Kansas; Mary, Jackson, Sarah and Eve, the latter deceased. In 1882 Mr. LYONS married Miss Florence HARKINS, and to them have been born four children, but two of whom, Daniel and Elizabeth are living. In politics Mr. LYONS is a Democrat. He enlisted during the war of the Rebellion and served nine months, a member of the Twenty-third Indiana Infantry. He is a member of the Baptist church, as was also the wife of his youth." "Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County, Indiana," Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1887. Reprinted by Mayhill Publications, Knightstown, Indiana, 1974. This is the reprinted Jay County section out of the original combined 1887 History of Jay and Blackford counties. P 622: "A. J. BICKEL, one of the representative citizens of Wayne Township, is the oldest person living at the present time who was born in Jay County, the date of his birth being November 8, 1833. His father, George BICKEL, was born in Centre County, Pennsylvania, and subsequently removed to Preble County, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Nancy GLASSFORD. To them were born ten children, nine daughters and one son -- Christina, Elizabeth, Andrew J., Maria, Catherine, Jane, Henrietta, Rachel, Nancy A. and Matilda. A few years after his marriage the father with his family, then consisting of his wife and two daughters, came to Jay County, making the journey by team. They first located in the woods of Pike Township when but six or eight families were living in the township. The father cleared and improved his land in Pike Township, where he made a good home for his family, living there until his death, which occurred in April, 1877. Mrs. BICKEL had died many years before, her death occurring in August 1859. Andrew Jackson BICKEL, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the old homestead where he was born, his youth being spent in assisting his father clear and improve their farm and in attending the subscription schools of that early day, where he received but a limited education. He was married in November, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth THARP, a native of Perry County, Ohio, a daughter of Asa and Margaret (IMEL) THARP. Her father died in Perry County, Ohio, and in 1855 her mother came with her children to Indiana and made her home in Pike County [sic]. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. BICKEL -- George, William, Sarah M., Rebecca Ann, Simeon, Christina and Adella Alice. Mr. BICKEL continued to live on his father's homestead for a time after his marriage, then bought land adjoining, where he resided until 1881. In that year he removed to the farm on section 25, Wayne Township, where he still resides. His farm contains eighty acres of valuable land, which he has improved in a good manner. He has about sixty acres cleared and divided into different fields for stock-raising, to which he devotes some attention. He has a comfortable residence, pleasantly situated, and good farm buildings, and his land is underlaid with tile drainage, the entire farm showing the thrift and care of its owner. In politics he is a strong adherent to the principles of the Democratic party. Mr. BICKEL has witnessed the many wonderful changes that have taken place in the county, seeing it transform from a wilderness into its present prosperous condition. The population of Jay County at the time of his birth was about fifty person [p 623] and now the inhabitants are 20,000. Mr. BICKEL has always manifested a deep interest in the welfare of his township or county, and in every movement calculated to aid in building up the place has his encouragement and assistance." Jay County Bio.2 "Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County, Indiana," Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1887. Reprinted by Mayhill Publications of Knightstown, Indiana in 1974. This is the reprinted Jay County section out of the original combined 1887 History of Jay and Blackford counties. P 386: "Cheney PYLE, a successful farmer of Jefferson Township, and a representative of one of the early pioneer families of Jay County, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1826, a son of George P. and Ann (SMITH) PYLE, the father born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and the mother a native of Virginia. They immigrated to Clinton County, Ohio, in 1832, living there until the spring of 1838 when they came to Jay County, Indiana. They first made their home on section 35, Greene Township, where they lived in a rude log cabin about one year. The father was a poor man, unable to buy land. In 1840 he contracted for 120 acres on section 35 of the same township, and during his three or four years residence at this place he made considerable improvements. He then exchanged this property for eighty acres on section 10, Jefferson Township, where the parents spent the remainder of their days, the father dying May 29, 1859, aged sixty years, and the mother July 2, 1863, at the age of sixty-four years. They were the parents of nine children -- William living in Smith County, Kansas; Nathan died in Jay County, in 1880; Abel living in Greene Township; Cheyne, the subject of this sketch; Phoebe, deceased wife of William W. STEED; Elias, died September 14, 1856; Eliza Ann, deceased wife of George RHODES; George P., of Decatur County, Kansas; Curtis died many years ago aged fifteen years. Cheyne PYLE has lived in Jay County since his father first settled here nearly half a century ago. Here he was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has made the principal avocation of his life. He was married February 16, 1851, to Miss Matilda A. STEED, a native of Shenandoah County, Virginia, born October 1, 1827, a daughter of John and Frances STEED, who were among the pioneers of Jay County, settling in Jefferson Township as early as 1837. Mr. and Mrs. PYLE have had born to them fourteen children -- Frances, died aged fifteen years; George P., died aged twenty years; John lives in Jefferson Township; Mrs. Mary Ellen BRANDENBURGH, a widow, now residing with her parents; Sarah, wife of Willis STEED of Jefferson Township; Lavinia died aged seventeen years; Jane, wife of Jonathan GREEN, of Jefferson Township; Emeline, wife of David BROWN, of Jefferson Township; James W. and Jasper N. at home; Monroe died in infancy, and Thomas J., Jesse R. and Cheyne R living at home with their parents. Most of the family are members of the Disciples church. [p 387] Mr. and Mrs. PYLE commenced housekeeping in Jefferson Township April 15, 1865, they removed to their present home on section 14, Jefferson Township, this being the first land owned by Mr. PYLE. His farm now contains 130 acres of well improved land with good residence and farm buildings, the buildings and other improvements being his own work. In politics Mr. PYLE is actively identified with the Republican party. He has served his township as assessor with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Mr. PYLE is fond of the chase, and in the early days of the county he annually secured many trophies of his skill. In later years he visits the peninsula of Michigan and northeastern Wisconsin every fall, and spends a few weeks deer hunting, always returning home improved in health, and bringing with him evidences of his skill as a marksman." P 305: "A. B. WOODWARD, carpenter and contractor, of Briant, Jay County, Indiana, was born in Licking County, Ohio, June 10, 1833, son of Rheuny and Persis Abbott WOODWARD, who were natives of Vermont, and who were the parents of two children -- A. B. and Orren. When our subject was five years old he lost his parents by death, and he was reared by his relatives and friends. He engaged in carpentering at eighteen years of age, and has followed that trade a greater part of his life. In 1862 he removed from Fairfield County, Ohio, to Jay County, In- [p 306] diana, locating at New Corydon. Two years later he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry, serving five months. He was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, and returned home; then resided north of New Corydon in Adams County, and afterwards was drafted in his former place of residence in Jay County. He with others raised a township fund of $5,500, hired men to fill the draft. In this sum he gave $50. He was elected justice of the peace by the Democrats, but was always a Republican. In 1873 he moved to Briant, erected the first school-house, now used for a church; he also built four school-houses in the township, and built the first business house in the town for Messrs. FREEMAN & BAILEY. He is an excellent workman and understands all the details of his trade. During the winter season he has been engaged in clerking in the drug store of Dr. MILES. He was married November 27, 1872, to Miss Mary E. WAGNER. Politically he has been a strong Republican, voting for all presidents the party ever had; but is now a member of the Union Labor party. He joined or became a member of Post No. 83, G. A. R., Geneva, Adams County, Indiana, in 1883, and was transferred to Post No. 488, Briant, Jay County, Indiana, and is and has been quartermaster ever since the organization." P 506: "George STRALY was one of the early settlers of Wayne Township, where he became well known and highly respected for his many good qualities. He was born in York County, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1815, and there he was reared. When a young man he removed to Trumball County, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Lydia TRUESDELL, who was a native of Trumball County, and to this union were born six children -- Sophia, Stephen, Susan, Sutphen, Sidney and Samuel. They remained in Trumball County until 1854, when in April of that year they came with their family to Jay County, Indiana, and located in Wayne Township, where Mrs. STRALY died the same year. Mr. STRALY was united in marriage a second time to Miss Martha PROUTY, who died about the year 1860, leaving two children, named Rebecca and Jane. For his third wife, Mr. STRALY married Miss Deborah VOTAW, and this union was blessed with three children -- James, William and Grant. Mr. STRALY died March 2, 1887, his death causing universal regret throughout the community where he had made his home for so many years." P 409: "Samuel STRALY, junior member of the firm of STRALY Brothers, is a native of Ohio, born in Trumball County, April 22, 1853, a son of George STRALY, one of the pioneers now deceased. Our subject was a mere infant when his parents came to Jay County, settling in the then wilderness of Wayne Township, where his boyhood was spent working on the farm and attending the common schools of the county. When seventeen years old he engaged in blacksmithing with his brother, in Bear Creek Township, following that avocation for seven years. From then until 1887 he operated a saw-mill and dealt in lumber and being a man of enterprise and good business ability succeeded well in his business. He was united in marriage July 4, 1874, to Miss Rose E. ANTLES, a daughter [p 410] of D. A. ANTLES, a prominent pioneer of Bear Creek Township. Mrs. STRALY died October 29, 1881, leaving at her death three children -- Harry T., Blanche A. and Frank A. Mr. STRALY was united in marriage a second time July 8, 1883, to Miss Caroline M. DeHOFF of Bear Creek Township, a daughter of Jacob and Lydia (WONDERLAND) DeHOFF. Her parents are deceased, her father dying in 1860 and her mother in the year 1882. Mr. STRALY is classed among the leading men of his township, and is active in all enterprises for the advancement of his township or county. His residence is comfortable and convenient, and his barn is a large, substantial building, the entire surroundings of his place show the care and thrift of the owner. He sold his interest in the mill to his brother Sutphen, August 20, 1887. He now owns two farms, one in Bear Creek Township of fifty-eight acres and one in Wayne Township of forty acres." Jay County Bio.3 "Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County, Indiana," Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1887. Reprinted by Mayhill Publications of Knightstown, Indiana, 1974. This is the reprinted Jay County section out of the original combined 1887 History of Jay and Blackford counties. P 539: "Sutphen STRALEY, of the firm of STRALY Brothers, was born in Trumball County, Ohio, March 13, 1847, a son of George STRALY. The STRALY family came to Jay County in 1854, locating in Wayne Township. Sutphen was reared a farmer and educated in the district schools of Jay County. At the age of nineteen years he commenced to work at blacksmithing, and followed that trade at Antyville eight years. He then engaged in a saw-mill in company with J. N. MILLIGAN. That partnership existed three years, when Mr. MILLIGAN sold his interest to Samuel STRALY, and the partnership of STRALY Brothers existed ten years. The mill was moved to its present location on section 31, at old Antyville, four miles north of Portland, in 1884, and is one [p 540] of the leading saw-mills in Jay County. The engine is thirty-five horse-power, with a capacity of 5,000 feet per day and 500,000 feet per annum. Sutphen bought out his brother Samuel's interest in the mill August 20, 1887. He deals extensively in hard-wood lumber. The firm owns 116 acres of good farming land, where they reside, and forty acres in Wayne Township. It is one of the best improved farms in the township. Each has a good modern residence, a large barn, 40 X 67 feet, and other good farm buildings. Mr. STRALY was married May 7, 1870, to Miss Mary Jane WEAVER, daughter of John J. WEAVER, a former resident of Bear Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. STRALY have four children -- Theron G., John E., Jesse L. and Chauncey A. Mr. STRALY commenced his life without means, but his industry and business faculty have enabled him to acquire a good property." P 696: "Oliver P. STEED, section 27, Jefferson Township, is a native of Jay County, born on the homestead of his father, W. W. STEED, in Jefferson Township, November 6, 1854. He was reared on his father's farm, where he early learned lessons of thrift and industry that have been of benefit to him since starting in life for himself. He was married April 20, 1876, to Eliza A. FLESHER, a native also of Jefferson Township, born February 10, 1861, a daughter of John and Lydia (BENNETT) FLESHER. The mother died when Mrs. STEED was a child, and her father still lives in Jefferson Township. After his marriage Mr. STEED located on the farm where he still lives, which he has improved until all but twelve of his eighty acres are under cultivation, and has erected his residence and other farm buildings, which are comfortable and convenient. On his farm is located one of the largest gravel banks in the southern part of the county, and this has been the source of quite an income to him. Mr. and Mrs. STEED have seven children -- Minnie E., Oliver Harry, Charles F, Dolly E., Clarence C., Glenny C. and Zenobia S. In politics Mr. STEED is a Democrat." P 312: "William W. STEED, a prominent agriculturist of Jefferson Township, and a respresentative of one of the pioneer families of Jay County, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, March 9, 1825, a son of John and Frances (AKER) STEED, who were born and reared in the same State. In 1829 the father immigrated to Warren County, Ohio, with his family and there followed farming until their removal to Jay County, Indiana, in March, 1837, when the father selected a tract of eighty acres on section 13, Jefferson Township, for their future home. His family consisted of his wife and four children -- Robert, Thomas, William W. and Matilda. He began life in the forest without means, but possessed of health and strength. By persevering industry, and strict economy he prospered in his agricultural pursuits and acquired a good home, where he spent his declining years, his death taking place August 15, 1872. He was one of the patriotic soldiers of the war of 1812. Of his children, Matilda is now the wife of Cheney PYLE, one of the leading farmers of Jefferson Township; Thomas married and reared a family, and became possessed of a good farm property. He died in Jefferson Township in June 1878. William W. STEED, whose name heads this sketch, was but twelve years of age when he accompanied his father's family to Jay County, and here he grew to manhood amid the varied scenes of pioneer life. His educational advantages were very limited, his education being gained principally by contact with the world, his youth being spent in assisting his father clear and improve their heavily timbered farm. He was married in the year 1848 to Miss Phoebe PYLE, who was born in Pennsylvania, May 6, 1828, a daughter of George P. and Anna (SMITH) PYLE. The children born to this union are -- John, of Jefferson Township; Calvin, deceased; Elias and Oliver H. P., also living in Jefferson Township. Mrs. STEED died November 16, 1855, and Mr. STEED was again married in April 1856, to Miss Eliza Jane HESTON, a native of Ohio, born September 2, 1833. Her parents, Zebulon and Elizabeth (STACKHOUSE) HESTON, who are now deceased, were among the pioneers of Jefferson Township, settling there in 1838. Both died on their homestead established in pioneer days. Mr. STEED has had seven children by his second marriage -- Lavinia G., wife of Martin L. WILLIAMS, of Jefferson Township; Homer, [p 317] living on a part of his father's farm; Lewis N., a merchant at Powers Station; Matilda M., wife of Elby HALL, of Jefferson Township; William E., living in the same township; Chester, who died aged five years, and Maud. Mr. STEED commenced married life a poor man upon his father's homestead, and his present residence, established in 1852, was the first he ever owned. He commenced here on 160 acres of land, of which about fifteen acres had been cleared and a small log cabin built. By persevering energy and good management he has succeeded even beyond his most sanguine expectations, and has added to his homestead until it contains 400 acres, almost all of which is cleared and under a high state of cultivation. The log cabin disappeared many years ago, and has been replaced by a more commodious and convenient residence. His farm buildings are among the best in the county. Besides his homestead, which is located on section 20, Jefferson Township, he owns an eighty-acre farm located on section 27 of the same township. For about twenty-five years Mr. STEED was engaged in dealing in live stock, shipping east, south and west, and by his good business management made this a successful enterprise, quitting it only that he might lead a more quiet life. In politics, Mr. STEED is a Democrat, being one of the leading members of that party in Jay County. He has served as a commissioner of Jay County, holding that office from 1871 until 1874. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity." Note: There are portraits of W. W. STEED and Eliza J STEED on the pages between 312 and 317. Betty Creath rcreath@azstarnet.com