Decatur County IN

Biography of Philander Hamilton Adams

Philander Hamilton Adams. Ever since the year 1871, members of the Adams family have contributed to the good citizenship, progress and development of Shawnee County, their activities having invaded the fields of agriculture, merchandising, consulting engineering, education, religion, and public service. The founder of the family in this state was the late Jacob Clendenin Adams, and at present it is worthily represented at Topeka by Philander Hamilton Adams, who at this time is the owner of the original homestead, in addition to being a well known business man of the capital city. Jacob Clendenin Adams was born in 1823 at … Read more

Champ, Edna Ewing – Obituary

God, in his wisdom, has called from our midst another precious one, it being Mrs. Nettie Champ wife of [William] Wallace Champ, who died at her home near Burney on Tuesday morning, March 6, 1888, of consumption, after long and patient suffering. Nettie was an affectionate and devoted wife, and those who knew her best loved her most. Death seems always sad to us as did it to her. While in the spring time of life and surrounded by friends and relatives, Nettie’s young soul took its flight to Heaven, yet we must not be selfish in this for “God’s … Read more

Fix, Phillip William – Obituary

Phillip W. Fix was born in Decatur County, Indiana, in 1835, and died at his home in Orting, January 16, 1924, aged 89. Mr. Fix was a Civil War veteran, having enlisted in Co. “A” Fourth Minnesota Regular Volunteer Infantry in 1861 for three years. He re-enlisted at Huntsville, Alabama in the winter of 1864 and served until the close of the war when he was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on the 26th of July, 1865. He was married to Susan Bowman in 1856 and ten children were born to this union; Susan Bowman Fix died in 1899 and … Read more

Champ, Thomas J – Obituary

Thomas J. Champ, age 68, died in Decatur County [February 1916]. Born in Decatur County, 14, September 1847, to Caleb and Martha Champ. Married 19 January 1871 to Mary A. Townsend [1847-1929], 5 children, 3 survive: Willard Monroe, Caleb Arnold and William W. brothers: Virgil, James, and Marion Champ. Sisters: Mrs. Childress and Mrs. Ida Mitchell. Buried St. Omer Cemetery. Shelby Democrat, 10 February 1916 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Bowman, Malinda Owens – Obituary

The body of Mrs. Melinda BOWMAN arrived here from Greensburg this afternoon for burial here. She is the widow of the late Hugh BOWMAN, well known here. The funeral of Melinda Bowman took place this afternoon [May 21, 1913], with services at the Hoover Chapel. The funeral was conducted by the Talma IOOF. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Biography of Benjamin F. E. Marsh

Benjamin F. E. Marsh. For thirty consecutive years Mr. Marsh had served with unceasing diligence and fidelity the Santa Fe Railway Company. His many friends in the service and among Topeka people generally had a special sense of pleasure in learning of his recent promotion to the office of assistant general freight agent. He had earned every step of his promotion since taking his first clerkship, and had long been recognized as an expert on many of the technical subjects counected with the handling of the freight department of this great system. A native of Topeka where he was born … Read more

Champ, Scina – Obituary

Miss Scina Champ, daughter of Robert Champ, of Burney, Ind., died of typhoid fever on last Monday [March 30, 1887]. She had only been sick for about fifteen days. She was fifteen years of age and a member of the Mission Baptist church, of Burney, having joined last winter under the preaching of W. A. Pavey. During her sickness she exhibited great faith in God’s promise and spent much time in sacred song. The anxious parents and friends crowded around her, but were powerless to prevent the angels from claiming her as one of their future companions. She leaves behind … Read more

Champ, Margaret – Obituary

Child Killed In Accident Buried At St. Omer Margaret, the nine-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Champ of Indianapolis, was crushed to death under the wheel of a heavily loaded wagon near her school building in that city, last Thursday evening [April 13, 1918]. The little girl had been sick all winter and had been going to school but a few days. She and a girl by the name of Knight who lived close together were starting from school when the other girl’s father came along with a wagon. Quite a number of children were in the street but … Read more

Biographical Sketch of D. F. Dillman

D. F. Dillman, livery, was born in Decatur County, Ind., February 21, 1854. Removed to Iowa in 1856 with his parents, thence to Cass County, Neb., thence to Wyoming Territory. Came to Jewell City in 1874, and took a homestead in Washington Township the same year. Held the office of Constable and City Marshal of Jewell City. Mr. Dillman left home when but fifteen years old to do for himself, and all that he has was accumulated by his own individual effort.

Biography of Alexander Funkhouser

Alexander Funkhouser. Some men go through the world, subject to its various experiences, doing their work well and accumulating property, but after all is said and done they apparently have not placed the proper emphasis upon life as living and have not accentuated the many interests which lie around them. Of those families of Champaign County that seem to have realized most adequately the breadth and fullness and depth of life and its possibilities perhaps none deserve mention more than the household of Alexander Funkhouser. Mr. Funkhouser is a prominent farmer near Rantoul, and his activities have been closely identified … Read more

Ferguson, Cynthia Ann McEwen – Obituary

Died, near Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas, December 31, 1883, at 12 p.m., Mrs. Cynthia A., wife of the Rev. Solomon Ferguson, aged 61 years, 11 months, and 5 days. Mrs. Ferguson was born in Bartholomew County, Indiana. She moved with her parent, the Rev. James McEwen when quite young to Decatur County where in October 1838 she was married to Solomon Ferguson, by whom she had ten children, two sons and eight daughters. Two daughters died in infancy; the others are left with the bereaved husband to mourn her loss, all member of the church. She was converted in 1843, … Read more

A History of Sheridan Indiana

Millwood - Sheridan, 1860-1960 title page

In June of 1960, the Sheridan Indiana Centennial celebration took place and in the commemorative fashion of the day, a book was published about the history of the town of Sheridan up to that day. Sheridan started out as Millwood in 1866, a part of the township of Adams, but had to be renamed when they applied for a Post Office and found that the name of Millwood Indiana had already been taken. They then chose Sheridan after the Civil war general Phil Sheridan in about 1881 to 1885. This manuscript takes you on the journey of forming the town of Sheridan from George Boxley’s 1827 settlement in what was to become Adams township up until 1960. This review of the history is replete with photographs of the village and its people, in and of itself, an enjoyable view. This book is free to read or to download as a PDF.

Biography of James M. De Moss

JAMES M. DE MOSS. – This well-known musician of Eastern Oregon was born at Greensburg, Indiana, May 15, 1837. As a child he removed to Iowa with his parents, and in that state was reared, receiving his higher education at Western College. At eighteen he became a teacher of music, and three years later was married to Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Reverend Henry Bonebrake. He spent his early manhood as an exhorter in the United Brethren church. In the great patriotic meetings held during the days of the Civil war by Honorable Henry Wilson, and others, he was appointed … Read more

Champ, Lizzie – Obituary

Miss Lizzie Champ, daughter of Robert Champ, near Milford, died on Sabbath [September 7, 1889], and was buried on Monday. Milton Parsons, with Siling & Woolley, who were employed as undertakers, report that while deceased was but eleven years of age, it necessitated a six foot casket, she being five feet ten inches in height. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman