Indiana

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Long

JACOB LONG. – This venerable pioneer, the first to settle in the north end of Indian valley, and whose seventy-four years have but little bent his frame, was born in 1815 in Pennsylvania. At the age of nine he became a pioneer of the West, moving with his parents to Ohio. At the age of seventeen he took his flint-lock rifle and made a tour of the woods and prairies of the old West, visiting the French and Indian trading-post of Chicago, and spending a winter on the Elkhart river in Indiana, with Schomack, the chief of the Pottawottamies. Returning … Read more

Biography of Daniel H. Lownsdale

DANIEL H. LOWNSDALE. – Mr. Lownsdale, the son of one of the earliest settlers of Kentucky, was born in Mason county, of that state, April 8, 1803. As was the custom in those days, he was married quite young – at the age of twenty-three – to Miss Ruth, the youngest daughter of Paul Overfield, the head of one of the most prominent families of Northeastern Kentucky. In obedience to the venturesome spirit inherited form his father, who had abandoned the comforts of civilization in his youth to become one of the conquerors of Kentucky, young Lownsdale, with his young … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John and William Rynearson

JOHN AND WILLIAM RYNEARSON. – These most fraternal brothers were born in Pennsylvania. They were brought up on a farm and received a common-school education. In 1848 the parents moved to Indiana, where the young men learned the blacksmith trade, and worked at the business in connection with farming until 1865, when they crossed the plains to Oregon, locating in Grande Ronde valley near La Grande, and engaging in farming and stock-raising, – paying twelve and a half cents a pound for seed wheat to commence with. They now own three hundred and eighty acres of fine land, good buildings, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. W. Rynearson

A.W. RYNEARSON. – Mr. Rynearson, one of the most substantial fruit-growers of the Grande Ronde, was born in Pennsylvania in 1830. He received an academic education at McEwansville academy, and at the age of eighteen sought a business field at La Porte, Indiana. In 1852 he made the journey across the plains to Oregon, living first at Butteville, in Marion county. Ten years later he sought a new location, selecting the Grande Ronde as the most eligible point, and locating near La Grande. He has brought his farm to high cultivation, having an orchard of eight hundred trees, with small … Read more

Biography of George Benson Kuykendall, M.D.

GEORGE BENSON KUYKENDALL, M.D. – This gentleman, one of the foremost physicians of Eastern Washington, was born near Terre Haute, Indiana, in the year 1843. When three years old he was taken by his father’s family to Wisconsin. In 1852 the family set out on the long, hard journey to the Pacific slope. That was the sad year of cholera and pestilence. Being somewhat late in starting, the Kuykendall family followed in the wake of sickness and death, the mournful evidences of which were most vividly impressed on the mind of the boy who afterwards became the man here described. … Read more

Biography of General Joseph Lane

GENERAL JOSEPH LANE. – Joseph Lane first saw the light of day in North Carolina, December 14, 1801. He was reared in Henderson county, Kentucky. At the early age of twenty he was married to Miss Polly Hart, soon afterwards settling in Vanderburg county, Indiana, where he followed the humble life of a farmer for twenty-five years. While in the pursuit of this occupation, he was prominent as a leader in all matter of enterprise in the county. He soon drifted into politics, and was chosen to represent the county in the state legislature. He was continued in the same … Read more

Biography of Gen. John E. Ross

GEN. JOHN E. ROSS. – No view of our state would be complete without the figure of General Ross, who was so prominent as Indian fighter and legislator in the early days. he was born in Ohio in 1818, and after a residence in Indiana and Illinois, being married at Chicago to the daughter of Alexander Robinson of that city, whose loss by death he suffered eight years later, he came to the Pacific coast, arriving in Oregon in 1847. He was captain of a company that crossed the plains, and soon after reaching the Grande Ronde came upon some … Read more

Biography of Jesse Newton Dick

Jesse Newton Dick. The communities which do not have the proportion of intelligent retired farmers, many of whom are capitalists, as residents lack an element that may be one of great importance. The farmer’s life leads to thought and contemplation and a man who through his own toilsome efforts can acquire a competency and retire to enjoy it while yet in middle life must be possessed of excellent judgment, which should be a valuable addition to community life. He should be a man with clearer views concerning many things and more able to give sensible advice and offer practical suggestions … Read more

Biography of Bert Leroy Chapman

Bert Leroy Chapman. Aggressive methods, keen insight into commercial conditions, a thorough and far-reaching appreciation of the needs of the trade, are characteristics which develop a man into a successful factor in the business life of any community and result in the founding and development of concerns that give that community prestige. Conditions today are so complex, competition is so keen, and the needs of the world are increasing so rapidly that every branch of commercial and industrial life feels the impetus of the times. The day of slow and sure business policies is gone; the business enterprises of today … Read more

Biography of Joseph M. Mullikin

Joseph M. Mullikin has made a name for himself in the farming enterprise of Champaign County and has been a land owner and progressive agriculturist for the past thirty years. His efforts in business and his attitude in civic matters have been in every way commendable, and there are few country places around Champaign which will better repay inspection than that of Mr. Mullikin, located on Route No. 1 out of the city of Champaign. Mr. Mullikin was born in Johnson County, Indiana, February 7, 1863, but has lived in Champaign County since early infancy. He is a son of … Read more

Biography of Charlie N. Cotton

Charlie N. Cotton has lived in Champaign County over fifty years, and is rated as one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of Sidney Township. His well improved farmstead is on Rural Route No. 61 out of Homer. Mr. Cotton was born in Madison County, Indiana, April 6, 1860, and was brought to this county by his parents in 1866. He is a son of Robert and Margaret (Williams) Cotton, his father a native of Indiana and his mother of Ohio. When his father came to Champaign County he located on a farm near Catlin, and became widely known and … Read more

Deen, Forrest E. – Obituary

Forrest E. Deen, 63, of Deputy, Ind., died Feb. 24, 2008, at Scott Memorial Hospital in Scottsburg, Ind. His funeral will be at noon Saturday at Buchanan Funeral Home at Austin, Ind. The Rev. James Fugate will officiate. Burial will be at Pisgah Cemetery in Deputy, Ind. Visitations will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and after 9 a.m. Saturday at the Buchanan Funeral Home, 115 N. Second St., Austin, Ind. Mr. Deen was born on Jan. 15, 1945, the son of the late Frank E. Deen and Ethel M. (Williams) Tarvin. He was a member of Faith … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Henderson

William Henderson, blacksmith, Oakland; born in Gurnsey Co., Ohio, Sept 25, 1831, where he learned and worked at the blacksmith trade until the fall of 1858, When he emigrated West and located in Lawrence Co., Ill., where he followed his trade until 1862, when he enlisted as a private in the 60th I. V. I., and went forward to battle for the Union; he served with his regiment one year, when he was detailed as blacksmith in the Quartermaster’s Department at Chattanooga, Tenn., where he remained until the fall of 1865, when he returned and worked at his trade at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John G. Crawford

John G. Crawford, farmer and stock-raiser; P.O. Oakland; born in Morgan Co., Ind., Aug. 10, 1837, where he attended school in winter and was engaged in farming in summer until he was 23 years of age, when, in the spring of 1860, he removed to Illinois, locating in Douglas Co., where he engaged in farming until 1865, when he returned to his native home, remaining there two years; then coming West again, he continued farming nearly two years in Douglas Co., when in 1869, he removed to Oakland and erected a fine residence where he now lives; he also owns … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Richard Cole

Richard Cole, farmer; P. O. Oakland; born in Putnam Co., Ind., Dec. 8, 1835, where he attended school during winter and engaged in farming until 1871, when he emigrated to Illinois and located upon his present place, where he has since continued to live. Upon his arrival here, he purchased 160 acres of land, mostly prairie, where he has since successfully followed farming. He married Catharine A. Swinford April 13, 1858; they have three children now living by this union-James P., born Feb. 25,1861; Mary E., born Jan. 23, 1863; Lucy A., born March 2, 1868. Mr. Cole has held … Read more

Biography of Marion P. Cash

Marion P. Cash, traveling salesman; P. O. Terre Haute, Ind.; born in Nelson Co. Va., April 14, 1833, he removed to Amherst Co., with the family, when 4 years of age, where he lived until 14 years of age, when he emigrated to Illinois and located in Paris, Edgar Co., in the fall of 1847; after farming one year, he learned and worked at the cabinet-maker’s trade for three years, in Paris; he came to Oakland, Coles Co., and worked one year at his trade, when he engaged with his brother in the furniture trade for two years; he then … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John H. Zarley

John H. Zarley, miller, Oakland; born in Washington Co., Penn., April 25, 1819, where he attended school and engaged in farming until March 1837, when he located in Morgan Co., Ohio, and followed farming until 1848, at which date he located in Blackford Co., Ind., and engaged in farming until 1851, when he removed to Moultrie Co., Ill., and engaged in farming until 1853, at which time he returned to Ohio and farmed for eleven years; he then returned to Moultrie Co., Ill., for two years, and, in 1866, he engaged in the milling business in Lovington, for one year; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. J. Temples

W. J. Temples, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Oakland; born in Monroe Co., Ind., March 6, 1841, where he engaged in farming and attending school until he attained his majority, when he continued farming in Indiana until the latter part of the year of 1863, when he removed to Illinois, and located upon his present place on Jan. 1, 1864, where he has near 200 acres of land all under fence and cultivation. Mr. Temple arrived in this township without means, and during the winter cut upward of 20,000 rails under contract, and the following spring commenced farming on shares … Read more

Biography of L. C. Thornton

L. C. Thornton, farm implements, Postmaster, Oakland; one of the pioneers of Edgar Co., Ill.; born in Washington Co., Ind., Dec. 15, 1825; he removed with his parents in 1829, being then 4 years of age, and located in Edgar Co., Ill., where he attended school, and engaged in farming until Sept. 10, 1861, when he enlisted as private in Co. E, 66th I. V. I; this regiment was composed of picked men from the various Northwestern States, selected for their skill and accuracy in handling the rifle; the 66th was known in the army as the Western Sharp-shooters, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. H. Swinford

W. H. Swinford, farmer; P. O. Oakland; born in Putnam Co., Ind., Aug. 20, 1844, where he followed farming until 1871, when he removed to Illinois and located in Hickory Tp., Coles Co., where he engaged in farming until 1875, when he purchased sixty acres of prairie land in East Oakland Tp., upon which he settled, and where he has since lived; he also owns forty acres in Hickory Tp., upon which he has erected good, comfortable farm buildings. He married Nov. 10, 1867, to Mary A. Cole; she was born in Putnam Co., Ind., Jan. 12, 1846; she is … Read more