ASHLAND TOWNSHIP BIOGRAPHIES
TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BOOK COUNTIES OF MORGAN,
MONROE & BROWN,
INDIANA. HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL
DR. A. P. W. BRIDGES, a leading
young
physician and surgeon of the township, was born September 27, 1856, in
Clay County, Ind., and is the fourth of the six children born to Moses
C. and Sophia J. (Doyle) Bridges, natives of Wayne County, Ind. and of North
Carolina, and of English extraction. A. P. W. Bridges moved with his parents to
Cloverdale, Putnam County, Ind., when he was eight years old, and there he
grew to manhood. Mr. Bridges, Sr., owned a drug store, and our subject
entered it when he was ten years old.
He remained there for about nine
years. He had a liking for the study of medicine, and, having an opportunity of cultivating
this talent, he attended one term of lectures at the Indiana Medical College, and
some time at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Bridges
located finally at Jordan, Owen County, Ind., remaining there about three
years. He then went to Cloverdale for one year, and lived a short time in
Quincy. In February, 1882, he came to Alaska, where he now resides, and is endeavoring
to insure success in his profession
by every means in his power.
Dr. Bridges was married, March 25, 1883, to Emma F. Alverson, a native of Owen
County, Ind. They have one child, Ralph, born December 30, 1883. Dr.
Bridges and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He
is a firm Democrat. The Doctor superintends the Methodist Episcopal Sunday
school. Mrs. Emma Bridges is the daughter of James and Louisa (Barlett)
Alverson, natives of Indiana.
WILLIAM BURKHART, farmer and
stock raiser, was born October 1, 1845, in Morgan County, Ind., and is the
fourth of the ten children born to Ambrose and Ann (Bragg) Burkhart, the
former a native of Indiana, the
latter of Tennessee. William grew to manhood on a farm, receiving
the rudiments of a common
school education. His father was reared in Monroe County. William enlisted, on
August 25, 1861, in Company H,
Thirty third Indiana Infantry, remaining in the service until the close
of the war. At the
engagement of Thompson's Station, he was taken prisoner, and confined in Libby Prison twelve days,
then paroled. At the battle of Resaca, he was struck five times with
bullets. He was in almost a continuos fight from Resaca to Peach Tree
Creek, and was with Sherman's
famous "march to the sea." He was discharged at Indianapolis,
Ind., on August 5, 1865,
holding the rank of Sergeant. He was married, November 18, 1868, to Mary A. Ratts (deceased),
who left him two children,
viz., William H., born September 9, 1869; Mary A. (deceased), born August 13, 1873. He was next
married to Sarah J. Shuler, on September 27, 1874. Two children have
been born to them, Norman E., born September 6, 1876; Robert O., born
September 13, 1878. Mrs. Burkhart is the daughter of Charlton and Phebe
(Warthen) Shuler, natives of Virginia and Indiana, and of German and Irish
extraction respectively. Mr. Burkhart and wife are consistent members of the
Christian Church. He owns 140 acres of land, very fairly
improved. In politics, he is a wide awake Republican.
BENJAMIN O. BUTTERFIELD, a wide
awake
farmer, carpenter and millwright,
of Ashland Township, was born August 17, 1835, in Owen County, Ind., and was the fifth of fourteen
children born to Velorus and Clarissa (Badgeley) Butterfield, natives of New
York and Virginia, and of English descent. They settled in Owen
County very early, and built a water mill,
and, selling this, they finally moved
to Morgan County, and now reside here. Benjamin O. Butterfield lived upon the
farm until his sixteenth year, when he learned the trade of millwright, and
followed it for several years. He also worked at that for five years in Iowa,
after which he returned home and purchased a farm. He and his brother
bought a mill near the town of Centerton, in this county. They moved
this to the town, and ran it for several years, when it was sold. Mr.
Butterfield then purchased the farm which he now owns, and which consists of 139
acres, abundantly supplied with
spring water, and well cultivated. On September 22, 1859, Mr.
Butterfield was married to
Sylvania Moser. Three children were born to them,
Clarissa E., born November 7,
1860; Alfarata B., November 17, 1862; and Georgie A., December 6, 1864, died
November 6, 1865. The mother died on December 24, 1865. On
February 3, 1867, Mr. Butterfield married Samantha E. (Hedrick) Reeves.
They had three children, Benjamin O., born November 27, 1867; Leota M.,
May 8, 1869; and Oliver P., December 24, 1870. Mrs. Butterfield was
born February 20, 1839, and died
September 25, 1872. Mr. Butterfield was next married to Mrs.
Louzann (Brown) White, on
February 14, 1879. She died June 1, 1880. Leota M., his daughter keeps house for
him. His wives all belonged to the Christian Church, of which he is also a
member. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is very public spirited. He
is a Republican, and is noted for his generosity.
W. T. COLWELL, farmer and
stock raiser, was born October 29, 1861, in Morgan County, Ind., and is the fifth
of the eight children born to Philip and Carrie (Stierwalt) Colwell, natives
of Ireland and of Indiana, of Irish and German descent, respectively.
They were early settlers in the county, and reared their son, W. T., on a farm,
sending him to the common schools,
and giving him as a start in life
forty acres of land. Philip Colwell owned over 600 acres at his death. He and
his wife are both deceased. Our subject deals some in stock buying and
selling. He is an active Democrat, is very energetic, and, with his present
start in life, will succeed.
MARTIN L. MARSH, farmer and
stock raiser of Ashland Township, was born in Morgan County, Ind., February 22,
1836, and is the eighth of nine children born to Cyrus J. and Elizabeth
(Shults) Marsh, natives of Virginia and North Carolina; and of English
and German descent. Cyrus J. came to Washington County, Ind., in 1817, soon
married, and there remained
sixteen years. He then moved to Jackson County, Ind., remained
two years, and in 1835 moved
to Morgan County, where he lived until his death. He owned 240 acres of land. Martin L.
was reared a farmer, and received a very poor education. Two of his
brothers, Daniel and Fielding, were in the Mexican war. He enlisted in the last
war, but was not enabled to reach the battle-field. On January, 29, 1857,
he was married to Lucinda J. Sandy, of Morgan County, Ind. They have
had six children, Newton M., Lavena K. (deceased), Henry E., Ella B., Nettie
and Eldon F. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. He
is a Mason, and was Secretary of the Grange for four years, when that body
was in operation in his locality. He was Assessor of his township for one
term. He has a farm of 120 acres, embellished with many of the modern
improvements. For some time Mr.
Marsh followed carpentering. He
is a lover of education, and has endeavored to instill the same into the minds of
his children. For the last year and a half, he has, in addition to farming, been
selling pianos and organs.
ANANIAS MICHAEL, farmer and
stock raiser, was born March 22, 1830, in Augusta County, Va., and is the eldest
of ten children born to Jonathan and Susan (Huffer) Michael, Virginians, of
German descent. Ananias came with his parents, in the fall of 1834, to
Clinton County, Ind., and they remained here until 1849, when he moved to Putnam
County, where the old people remained until their death. Ananias settled
in Morgan County, Ind., in the fall of 1853. From his father's estate he received
about $1,200, and has a nice farm of 158 acres, beautifully situated and supplied
with many of the modern improvements.
When he first settled here, roads
were scarce, and there were but a few houses scattered around for a considerable
distance, the principal feature being vast forests. Mr. Michael was united in
marriage, on December 29, 1852, to Lucinda Stanton, a native of Putnam County,
Ind. They have had six children, Mary A., Jonathan, Sarah A., Susan A., Ida B., and
Minnie M. (deceased). Mrs. Michael is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He is a member of the Grange, and is a very liberal citizen. Mr.
Michael voted first for President Taylor, and since that has been a Democrat.
Mrs. Lucinda Michael is a daughter of George W. and Sarah (Hood) Stanton, natives of
Tennessee and of Virginia respectively.
JOHN C. MILLER, farmer and
stock raiser of this township, was born February 1, 1846, in Morgan County, Ind., and is the fifth
of the seven children born to Robert and Auka (Alderson) Miller, natives of West
Virginia, and of Irish and English extraction respectively. John C. was reared upon a farm,
and received a rudimentary education. He remained
at his parents' home until he was
twenty three years of age, but since his eighteenth year has been doing for himself. He
takes great pride in raising fine horses. One, a fine animal,
"Shaker Boy,"" paced a mile in two
minutes and twenty seconds, and Mr. Miller sold this horse for $1,200. He has raised
many other fine horses. Mr. Miller married on November
15, 1866, Delilah C. Whitaker, a
native of Morgan County, Ind. Four children have crowned this union, Charles G., born January 2,
1868; James R., January 14, 1870; Margaret I.,
born December 27, 1875, and Homer A.,
September 19, 1879. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr.
Miller received $1,700 from his wife, as a start in life.
For several years he followed the
business of buying and shipping stock. He is now farming on a place of 240 acres, pleasantly
situated, and having the advantages of all the modern
improvements. He is a
Democrat. He gives liberally to all benevolent institutions, which tend to promote the welfare of the human
family. Mrs. Miller is a daughter of Grafton and Margaret (Gregg) Whitaker, natives of
Shelby County, Ky., and respectively of Welsh and Irish descent. They were
early settlers in this county, and remained here until their death. Mr. Miller is giving
his children the best of advantages for an education. Hisson, Charles G., is at present attending
Asbury University, and is progressing rapidly in his studies.
CALEB A. PRITCHARD, a teacher in
this
township, was born on February 9,
1862, in Putnam County, Ind., and
is the eldest of three children born to Greenbury and Margaret J. (Buis)
Pritchard, both natives of this State, and of English and German extraction
respectively. The father was born in Owen County, and his father moved to
Morgan County in an early day. Greenbury, the father of our subject, moved to
Illinois in the year 1862, and in the fall of 1864 he enlisted in Company F,
Eleventh Illinois Infantry, remaining in the service until the close of the
war. He took part in the engagements of Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort, which
lasted fourteen days and nights; also in numerous skirmishes. He
received his discharge at Baton Rouge, La. The subject of this sketch was reared on
a farm, and received a good education. He attended three terms at the
Central Normal School at Danville, Ind., and two terms at the State University at
Bloomington, Ind. He began teaching at the age of fifteen, and has taught
seven terms very successfully. Mr. Pritchard has not really decided what
profession he will follow, other than that in which he is engaged. He has a
fine collection of books on miscellaneous subjects. In politics, he is an
energetic, stanch Democrat.
JOHN W. SHIELDS, an enterprising
farmer and stock raiser of this township, was born November 20, 1853, in
Hendricks County, Ind., and is the second of nine children born to Harrison and
Sarah A. (Johnson) Shields, both natives of North Carolina, and of English
extraction. They came to Morgan County about the year 1864, and are still
living here. Our subject was reared a farmer and received a good common school
education. He attended one term at the State Normal School at Terre Haute,
after which he taught two terms with
success. The profession of a
teacher was his chosen one, but he was compelled to retire from it on account
of failing health. January 21, 1877, he was married to Mrs. Mary J. (Whitaker)
Edwards, from which union two children have resulted, viz., Homer (deceased)
and Cora M. (born September 6, 1879). Mr. Shields is a member of the
Christian Church, his wife of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a stanch
Republican. Mrs. Shields is the owner of a fine farm of 100 acres, well
improved, and under a high state of cultivation.
JOHN F. STIERWALT, an enterprising
farmer and stock raiser of this township, was born on August 12, 1833, in
Owen County, Ind., and is the sixth of eleven children born to John and
Elizabeth (Sandy) Stierwalt, both natives of North Carolina, and of German
extraction. Our subject was brought up on a farm near Gosport, Ind., and received
a limited education. He spent the most of his early youth in rolling logs,
picking brush, and helping clear land for a farm. As a start in life, he received about
$1,500, and now owns a farm of 164 acres of good land, well improved. In
1854, he came to this county, and has resided here ever since. On April 11,
1861, he was married to Milcha A. Shake, a native of this county. Nine
children have been born to them viz.: Eli F. (deceased), born November 27, 1862;
Levi A., born February 28, 1864; Martha E., born November 26, 1866;
Michael H., born March 1, 1869; Robert W. (deceased), born October 7,
1871; William T., born August 15, 1874; Rosy E, born February 24, 1877; Mary
A., born July 6, 1879; Miranda C, born
October 7, 1881. He and his
wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Stierwalt is a
stanch Democrat, and at one time took an active part in the Grange movement. He
cast his first vote for President for James Buchanan. He is a liberal giver
to benevolent and charitable institutions and movements, is a public spirited
citizen, and much respected by his associates and acquaintances.
MICHAEL STIERWALT, SR., an
enterprising farmer and stock raiser of Ashland Township, this county, was born
on December 3, 1821, in Washington County, Ind., and is the eldest of eleven
children born to John and Elizabeth (Sandy) Stierwalt, both natives of North Carolina, and
of German extraction. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood a farmer, and
attended subscription schools about three months of each winter, during his youth,
thus acquiring a common school education. For a start in life he received about
$1,500, with which he purchased land. He finally sold out and came to Morgan County,
locating, in 1851, in Jefferson Township, remaining four years, at the end of that
time coming to this township, where he has resided since.
He owns a fine farm of 300
acres, well improved. On December 11,1842, he was married to Adaline Guy, a native of
North Carolina. Eight children have been born to them, viz: Elizabeth (Shake),
John M., Martha (Schrimsher), Keziah (Hodges), Elsie C. (Shake), William M., Michael
A., and Mary A. (Knoy). Mr. and Mrs. Stierwalt are members of the Missionary Baptist
Church. He is an active member of the Grange, and cast his first vote for President
for James K. Polk, being a democrat. In 1860, he was elected Assessor of this
township, having been twice re-elected since. In the fall of 1876, he was elected Township
Trustee, re-elected in 1878, again re-elected in the spring of 1882, and is at
present serving in that capacity. Mr. Stierwalt is a public spirited citizen, an industrious,
well-to-do farmer, and a genial gentleman.
MICHAEL A. STIERWALT, was born on
March 6, 1857, in Morgan
County, Ind., and is the seventh
child of Michael and Adeline (Guy) Stierwalt, natives of Indiana and
North Carolina respectively, and of German descent. Our subject was
reared on a farm, received a common
school education, and is at
present making his home with his parents. In 1875, he had the misfortune of
losing his left arm, by the bursting of a gun. On December 16, 1880, he
was married to Joanna Pritchard, a native of Illinois. Two
children have been born to this union, viz.: Cornie E., born October 11, 1881;
Eddie L., July 11, 1883. Mr. Stierwalt is a consistent member of the
Missionary Baptist Church. In politics, he is a stanch, wide awake
Democrat.
THOMAS S. STIERWALT, farmer and
stock raiser, was born December
11, 1835, in Morgan County, Ind., and
is the third child of Adam and Lucy (Sandy) Stierwalt, natives of North
Carolina, and of German extraction. Adam Stirwalt was a very early settler
here, and made himself a farm from the forests. Thomas S. was reared on this farm,
receiving but little education. At his twenty-fourth year, he received eighty
acres from his father, and by energy has increased this to 240 acres, and
added to it all the modern improvements. On
October 19, 1859, Mr. Stirwalt was
married to Lucinda C. Mannan, who was born in this county October 10,
1841. Six children have been born to them, Sims H. and La Fayette (both
deceased), Cornelius R. (deceased), Benjamin F. (deceased), Eli E., born
December 11, 1865, and Sarah C., January 10, 1871. The parents belong to
the Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Stirwalt is a daughter of William R. and
Rebecca (Chambers) Mannan, natives of Indiana, and of German
extraction. He is a liberal citizen, and cast his first
vote for Douglas. He is firmly
stranded on Democratic rocks, is a most worthy gentleman, and in whatever position
he is placed, he will succeed well.
EVAN E. TWOMEY, farmer and
stock grower, was born in Rowan County, N. C., March 14, 1817, and is the
third in a family of fourteen children born to William B. and Nancy (Wayman) Twomey,
of Irish and English extraction respectively. When only three
years of age, the subject of our sketch removed with his parents from his native
State to East Tennessee. There the family remained some thirteen years,
and there our subject received the rudiments of an English education. In
after years, however, he acquired by his own exertions a good practical business
education. At a very early age, he learned the wagon maker's trade, and
afterward learned the ship carpenter's trade, which he followed for many
years. In 1834, he removed to New Albany, Ind., where he started a ship-yard, and
also owned and operated a saw-mill and foundry. Still later, he added
steamboating to his other business, which he followed for a number of years on the
Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, owning several valuable boats. Soon
after the war, however, he met with severe financial reverses; but,
nothing daunted, in the fall of 1868 he came to Morgan County, Ind., and commenced with a
stout heart and willing hands to rebuild his shattered fortunes. Here,
by industry and economy, he has again amassed a handsome property, now owning a
well improved farm in Ashland Township of 160 acres, upon which he
still resides, as well as other valuable property. August 26, 1836, he was
united in marriage with Miss Mary E. McKinley, a native of Kentucky, and of
Irish descent. Thirteen children were the fruit of this union, six of whom,
two sons and four daughters, are yet living. Both Mr. Twomey and wife are members
of the church, he of the Christian and she of the Missionary
Baptist. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Masonic fraternity. He
cast his first vote for William H. Harrison, but is now identified with the Democratic
party.
THOMAS S. VOSHELL, farmer and stock
raiser, of Ashland Township,
was born on January 14, 1854, in
Morgan County, and is the fourth of the six children born to Daniel H. and
Delilah (Goss) (Sandy) Voshell, natives of Morgan County, Ind., and residents
of Ray Township. Thomas' grandfather, William Voshell, was one of
the first settlers of this county. Thomas S. was reared a farmer, but was well
educated, and attended an academy in Henry County, Ind., and also
eighteen months at the Bedford College, in Lawrence County, Ind.
He has also taught two terms of school with success. He and his sister, Mrs. Mary
A. McGinnis, of Knox County, Ind., are all that are left of his father's
family. On January 1, 1879, Mr. Voshell was married to Rebecca E. Knoy, a
native of this county, who was born July 27, 1854. Two children
have been given them, Daniel J., born December 29, 1879, and died June 18,
1880, and Mary D., born January 30, 1881. He is a member of the
Baptist and his wife of the Christian Church. He is an active member of the
Grange. He is a Democrat. Mr. Voshell received from his father about $400,
and his wife was presented with an eighty acre farm by her
parents. He has added fifteen acres to this farm.
Mrs. Voshell is a daughter of Solomon
and Mary (Ratts) Knoy, natives
of North Carolina and Indiana, and of
German extraction. Mr. Voshell is a shrewd and industrious business
man, and from present appearances will make a success in life. He
is now agent for the New Home Sewing Machine in this township.
PRESTON D. WAKELAND, an enterprising
farmer and stock raiser of this
township, was born August 23, 1830,
in Butler County, Ohio, and is the third of the six children born to Turner R.
and Nianetia (Arthur) Wakeland, Kentuckians, of Irish and Scotch Irish
extraction. Preston D.'s parents brought him to Marion County, Ind., in his fourth
year, and here he attained manhood on the farm, and received the rudiments of
an education. In 1856, he came to Morgan County, and has remained here
ever since. He enlisted, in the fall of 1862,
in Company H, Seventieth Indiana
Infantry. He was in the following battles: Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, and in the
sieges of Atlanta, Bentonville and Averyboro, besides other battles and
numerous skirmishes. He was discharged at Indianapolis in the spring of
1865. He also accompanied Sherman on his "march to the sea." Mr.
Wakeland was married, on October 16, 1853, to Sarah P. Hawkins, a native of
Indiana. They have had seven children, one deceased (unnamed), Edwilda J.
(deceased), Turner R., Clytus C., Eliza
J., John J. and Charley A. Mrs.
Wakeland is a member of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the G.
A. R. He has a farm of ninety eight acres, well improved, and is a
liberal giver to all charitable institutions. He is a Republican. He has been
acting Deputy Sheriff, more or less, for the past eight years.
BLUFORD CLARK WATSON, a farmer and
stock raiser of Ashland Township, was born July 9, 1852, in Morgan County,
and is the ninth of eleven children born to Simon and Samirah (Bowman)
Watson, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Kentucky.
Our subject was reared a farmer, but received a good education from the
public schools. At the age of twenty years, he commenced teaching school,
and has taught, with the exception of one winter, ever since with good
success. On February 3, 1876, he was
married to Sarah A. Michael, a native
of Morgan County, born August 9, 1857. Three children have been born to
them, Minnie B., born September 22, 1877; Maud E., born May 17, 1880; and Ivy
C., born September 29, 1882. Mr.
Watson is a member of the Masonic
fraternity at Eminence, this county. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat. He
owns a fine little farm of 110 acres, acquired through his own thrift and
industry. Mr. Watson is a genial, whole-souled gentleman, and very much
respected by his associates and
acquaintances.
DAVID L. WHITAKER, (deceased) was
born August 30, 1830, in Morgan
County, Ind., and died January 3,
1872, and was one of the eleven children born to Grafton and Margaret (Gregg)
Whitaker, natives of Kentucky, and of English extraction, and early
settlers of this county. David L. was reared on a farm, and received the rudiments of
an education. He remained at home until his twenty eighth year, when he went
to work for himself. On November 18, 1858, Mr. Whitaker married Mary J.
Edwards, a native of Owen County, Ind.,
and born February 9, 1841. Two
children were born to this couple, John S., born on December 5, 1859; and
Melinda B., on April 14, 1863. Mr. Whitaker was an active member of the
Missionary Baptist Church. He had received 100 acres of land from his father,
and at his death owned 334 acres, which has since been divided between the two
children and his widow. The children each received 117 acres, and Mrs.
Whitaker 100 acres; each also received an equal portion of
$3,300. Mr. Whitaker was a devout Christian gentleman,
and very liberal in all his
dealings. He was a stanch Democrat, and at one time acted as Assessor of Ray
Township. Mrs. Whitaker is a daughter of William and Lucinda (Asher) Edwards, natives
of Indiana.
JOHN S. WHITAKER, farmer and
stock raiser of this township, was born December 5, 1859, in Morgan County,
Ind., and is the eldest of the two children born to David L. and Mary J.
(Edwards) Whitaker, natives of Morgan and Owen Counties, Ind., and respectively
of English and German descent. John S. was reared upon a farm, but
received a good education, graduating from the Spencer High School, and
attending two years at the State University at Bloomington, Ind., where he acquitted
himself with honor. He has followed farming since his return home. November 14,
1882, he was married to Alice Voshell, a native of this county. He and his wife
belong to the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Whitaker belongs to the
following: The Sigma-Chi fraternity at Bloomington, Ind.. and the Masonic fraternity at
Eminence, Ind. He is a wide awake Democrat, and in the spring of 1882 was elected
Assessor of Ashland Township, an office which he holds four years. He
received from his father's estate 117 acres of good land, takes great pride in
raising good stock, and is an excellent business manager. Mrs. Whitaker is a
daughter of Levi J. and Sarah A. (Mannan) Voshell, natives of Indiana.
LEVI B. WHITAKER, an enterprising
farmer and stock raiser of Ashland Township, was born March 1, 1828, in
the western part of this county, near Owen, and is one of the eleven
children born to Grafton and Margaret (Gregg) Whitaker, Kentuckians, of English
descent. Grafton Whitaker came to this county in 1826, and at his death
owned 680 acres of land. He was Colonel of the militia in the county soon
after his arrival. He died July 19, 1862. Levi B. Whitaker grew to maturity on a
farm, receiving a rudimentary education. As the schools were poor, he studied
at home by the light of the fire, they had no lamps then. He remained with his
father until his twenty fifth year, when his father gave him 200 acres of land in
the woods, and he began to make him a home. Mr. Whitaker now owns 540
acres in this county, pretty well improved, and made it by his industry. On
January 21, 1869, Mr. Whitaker was married to Susan C. Robertson, a native of
Owen County, Ind., and a daughter of Thomas and Delilah (Asher) Robertson,
natives of East Tennessee and Kentucky., and of Irish and English
extraction. Mr. Whitaker is a member of the Missionary Baptist and his wife of the
Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat, and was elected Trustee of Ashland Township
in the spring of 1874, holding the position one term. Mr. Whitaker is
a liberal giver to all charitable institutions, and by his kind and sympathetic nature
has won for himself many friends.
JOHN WINGLER, farmer and stock
raiser
of this township, and also a
manufacturer of brick, was born March
5, 1842, in this county, and is the youngest of four children born to
John and Eva (Knoy) Wingler, both deceased, natives of Indiana and North
Carolina, and of German extraction. John was reared a farmer, being
poorly educated. When he was quite
young, his parents died, and he lived
with his grandfather, George Knoy, until his twentieth year. At that
time he enlisted in Company H, Seventy ninth Indiana Infantry, August 20,
1862, and remained in the service until September, 1863, when he was
discharged on account of disability. He was engaged in numerous skirmishes,
and on his return home he engaged
in farming. In the year 1873,
he began manufacturing brick, and has since that time burned about
12,000,000. Mr. Wigler married, November 2, 1865, Milkey Costin, of this
county. They have had six children, Lewis F., Ella F., Katy E., Jesse E., and two
infants unnamed. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., and his wife to the
Christian Church. He is a Democrat. He
is industrious, and is now
cultivating a nice farm of forty acres, which is well improved.