"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. 306: "Charles C. WATSON, of Wayne Township, is one of the prominent citizens of Jay County, with whose interests he has been identified for many years. His father, Brooks WATSON, was a native of the old Granite State, born in the town of Ware, April 3, 1793. He married Abigail CALDWELL, who was born in Franklin County, Vermont, September 28, 1798, the date of their marriage being July 8, 1817. The children born to them are -- George B., of Portland, who was born in Franklin County, Vermont, August 30, 1818; Mrs. Abby REPLOGLE, born in Lower Canada, November 14, 1820, is now a widow, and resides in Portland; Charles C., whose name heads this sketch, was born in Colchester, Vermont, September 24, 1822; Shuball, born in Vermont, August 15, 1825, and died before the family moved West; James, born in New York September 2, 1827, and died in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois, February 8, 1864; William H., born in Vermont October 14, 1830, is now living in Kansas; Samuel L., born in Vermont Oct 16, 1833, lives in Pekin, Illinois; Maryette was born in Fairfax County, Vermont, March 14, 1836, and Ophelia was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 11 1838. In 1837 the parents removed with their family from Vermont to Butler County, Ohio, and in 1839 settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. They came to Jay County, Indiana, in 1849, and settled on a farm in Jackson Township, which had been bought by their son, Charles C., the year before. The father died in Jackson Township in 1857, and the mother died February 22, 1885, in Wayne Township. Charles C. WATSON, the subject of this sketch, remained with his parents until after they removed to Cincinnati. When seventeen years old he returned to Vermont, and there served an apprenticeship of two years at the painters' trade. He then returned to Cincinnati, and for a time worked at his trade, when he engaged in boating on the Miami, Wabash and Erie canals. He followed the canals about nine years, attaining to the position of Captain. In 1849 he came to Jay County, Indiana, and bought a farm in Jackson Township. He spent his time in boating during the summer months, returning to his farm in [p 307] winters for several years. In 1857 he married Miss Mary TOPPING, who was born February 14, 1836, a daughter of Josiah H. TOPPING, one of the old and honored pioneers of Jay County. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. WATSON, two of whom are living -- Frank V., born October 9, 1857, and Flora B., born July 9, 1860. Adah A. and Irvin L. died in infancy. After his marriage Mr. WATSON settled with his wife on his farm and began making a home. He had already done much toward improving his land, and in 1855 he erected a fine residence at a cost of over $2,600. He purchased the material for the building of his residence at Grand Rapids, which was shipped to Fort Wayne, thence by wagon to Jay County. The cement used in its construction was bought at Lockport, New York. The lumber was of the best quality, and 26, 000 bricks were used to build the cellar walls and chimney. This was at the time considered one of the finest farm residences in Eastern Indiana. In the spring of 1858 he sold his farm to George W. TEMPLAR, the place being now known as the SHAFER farm. Mr. WATSON then settled on his present farm on section 4, Wayne Township, where he has 129 acres of well improved land, on which he has 1.000 rods of tiling. His land is divided into convenient lots, well fenced. His residence which cost over $2,000, is situated on a beautiful elevation seventy-two feet above the site of Portland, located on the State road about two miles north of Portland. His barn and other out-buildings compare favorably with his residence. For about five years Mr. WATSON has given much attention to the raising of fine stock, and in 1886 he began raising Holstein and Jersey cattle, and now has some very fine specimens of those noted breeds. The same year he purchased a Kentucky blooded horse. His stock is supplied with water raised by windmill power from a never-failing source. Mr. WATSON commenced life a poor boy, and his success has been attained by his own unaided efforts. He has always been a valuable citizen, contributing liberally of his means to the support of church, schools, and all public improvements. He is independent in his religious views, possessing a liberal feeling toward all religious denominations. He is an advocate of the cause of temperance and is a strict temperance man. In politics he has always affiliated with the Democratic party, casting his first vote for James K. POLK in 1844. Josiah H. TOPPING, the father of Mrs. WATSON, was born in Connecticut, February 10, 1797, and when a child was taken by his parents to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He was there married April 3, 1834, to Belinda McCULLOUGH, a native of Sandusky County, born May 10, 1812. They came with their family to Jay County in 1837, Mr. TOPPING having come here prior to this time, and made his location. The family settled on section 4, Wayne Township, where he entered and improved a farm of 200 acres, on which he lived until his death, which occurred April 21, 1873. His wife died four years after coming to Jay County, the date of her death being January 25, 1841. They were the parents of four children -- Leroy, born February 16, 1835, was a resident of Wayne Township until his death June 25, 1886; Mary, wife of our subject, born February 14, 1836; John, born May 26, 1837, is now living in Colorado, and Thomas M. C., born July 12, 1840, died in infancy. Josiah H . TOPPING was a prominent pioneer of Jay County, and was esteemed for his many sterling qualities, and was in all respects a worthy representative of the grand old pioneer element that is fast passing away. In politics he was in early life a [p 308] Whig, later an Abolitionist, and on the organization of the Republican party he became identified with it, affiliating with that party until his death. In early life he became a member of the United Brethren church, but subsequently severed his connection with that church and united with the Presbyterian church, but on account of the views of that church, he withdrew his membership, and joined the Congregationalists, being a member of that denomination at the time of his death." ************************************************************ "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. 308: "Joseph GAUNT, deceased, was one of Jay County's early pioneers, locating in Knox Township in March, 1837. He was a native of New Jersey, born August 2, 1799, a son of Jacob and Hannah (HOLMES) GAUNT, natives of New Jersey, and a grandson of Joseph GAUNT, who was a native of England. During the war of the Revolution, Jacob GAUNT was sent by his father with a message to General WASHINGTON, and was captured by the enemy and beaten with a sword to make him divulge the secret, but as he persistently refused to yield to their demands he was allowed to go home. Jacob GAUNT became a boat builder when he reached manhood, and in his early married life removed to Red Stone, Pennsylvania, and from there in 1805 to Columbiana County, Ohio, being among the early settlers of that county. There Joseph GAUNT was reared, living there until 1830, when he moved to Delaware County, Ohio, remaining there until February 1837, when he started for Jay County. He located on section 24, Knox Township, entering 160 acres of land on that section and 160 acres on section 26. He first built a log cabin, 16 X 16 feet in dimensions, all the men in his township, three in number, turning out to help him raise the logs. In this log cabin was preached the first sermon in Knox Township, by Elder TISDALE, a Baptist minister. Mr. GAUNT was married in 1819 to Phoebe Emily SEVERN, who was born in Bordentown, New Jersey, April 15, 1803, a daughter of Isaiah and Alkada SEVERN, her father being one of the first shoe manufacturers of Salem, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. GAUNT were born four children -- Redden N., Hannah Holmes, Jacob and Elizabeth Ann. Redden N. enlisted in the war for the Union, a member of Company F, One Hundred and Fortieth Indiana Infantry, and died at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in 1863, in the forty-second year of his age. Mrs. GAUNT died March 13, 1870, and Mr. GAUNT November 8, 1875. He was in politics a staunch Democrat. He and his estimable wife were members of the Baptist church." ****************************************************************** "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. 308: William M'LAUGHLIN, deceased, formerly resided on section 34, Noble Township, where he owned 186 acres of land. He was born in Bath County, Virginia, March 23, 1803, and when a young man, removed to Meigs County, Ohio, where he was married, September 17, 1833, to Miss Rebecca GRAY, who was born in Gallia County, Ohio, September 24, 1803. After his marriage Mr. McLAUGHLIN remained in Meigs County until 1839, when he came to this county and settled in Madison Township, entering eighty acres of land. He built a cabin and moved into it before the floor was laid, a chimney built or a door swung. They built a fire in the center of the house to cook their first meal. They removed to their present home in 1849, where Mr. McLAUGHLIN built a cabin, and in which he lived until he built his present house in 1856. In the [p 309] new house both parents passed the remainder of their days. the father died July 3, 1872, and the mother March 18, 1881; both are buried in Lancaster cemetery, Madison Township. They were the parents of nine children -- James G., born July 13, 1834; Mary A., born November 14, 1835; Leah, born May 28, 1837; Hiram, born May 9, 1839; John G., born July 31, 1842; William W., born April 17, 1844, died June 28, 1872; George W., born July 9, 1846; Isaac G., born July 31, 1848; Jacob B., born June 13, 1850. All the children that are living, live in the vicinity of the father's farm. Mr. McLAUGHLIN's parents, Hugh and Jane (WILEY) McLAUGHLIN, were probably born in Virginia. The father was a hunter and a gunsmith. Mrs. McLAUGHLIN's parents were James and Hannah (CLAYPOLE) GRAY. Both the McLAUGHLINs and the GRAYs are of Scotch and Irish ancestry." *********************************************************** "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. 309: "Abram J. BRAKE, of the firm of BRAKE & BEARD, general merchants at Salamonia, was born in Miami County, Ohio, December 25, 1837, and September 20, 1838, he came to this county with this parents who settled on section 5, Madison Township. The country was new and the neighbors scarce, most of them many miles away. They endured all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. His father, Thomas J. BRAKE, was born in Lewis County, Virginia, in 1800, and in 1833 removed to Miami County, Ohio, where he was married two years later to Emeline ABEL. He died in Wells County, this State, in April, 1840. The mother was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, in 1817, and when two years old, went with her parents, Henry and Sarah A. ABEL, to Miami County, Ohio, she being the only child at that time. Her father's family came to Jay County after she was married, and settled on section 8, Madison Township. Her father built the first brick house in the township, in 1840. Mr. BRAKE was reared in sight of Salamonia village, and believes himself to be the oldest male resident of the village, the oldest female resident being Melinda JACKSON. He was reared on a farm and completed his education at the academy below Liber. September 25, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Fortieth Ohio Infantry, for three years. Two years of this time he was with his regiment, and one year was at the brigade headquarters, being a Sergeant. At the request of General WHITAKER he commanded the provost guards one year as Duty Sergeant. At the battle of Chickamauga he was wounded in the right hand by a minie ball, compelling him to be off duty two months. He was discharged September 26, 1864, at Atlanta, Georgia, on account of expiration of time of service. He returned home, and October 17, of the same year, he engaged in the mercantile trade. He has a farm on sections 5 and 8, consisting of 103 acres, well improved, with ordinary buildings. Mr. BRAKE was married September 20, 1861, to Maria REED, born in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1837. She was reared in Wayne County, Indiana, and died in Salamonia, December 26, 1885. Her parents were Thomas and Elizabeth REED. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania, and her father was of Irish ancestry. April 13, 1887, Mr. BRAKE was married to Clara E. SCOTT, born near Kokomo, Indiana, June 27, 1854. She was reared in Clay County, Kansas, and removed to Logansport in 1876, where she was engaged as proprietor of a dress-making shop, remaining there until her marriage. Her mother, Sarah A. (BROWN) SCOTT, is now living at Logansport. Mr. BRAKE was postmaster from January 30, 1865, until April [p. 310] 24, 1886. It was a semi-weekly postoffice when he first took the office, but through his influence it was changed to a daily mail. His grandfather, Abram BRAKE, was born in Old Virginia, and died in West Virginia. His great-grandfather BRAKE was born in Frankfort, Germany, and came to America before the Revolutionary war. He was a manufacturer of woolen cloths, as were also his ancestors. He died in Eastern Virginia. His grandmother BRAKE, whose maiden name was JACKSON, was an aunt of Stonewall JACKSON, the latter living with his uncle BRAKE several years; he was then taken to school by his uncle, Cummings JACKSON. The JACKSONs are of Scotch-English ancestry. The name BRAKE should have been translated to be spelled BROEKE. The FRANKs, the grandmother on the maternal side, were of French descent. Mr. BRAKE is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Pittsburg Lodge, No. 754, and is also a member of Stephen J. BAILEY Post, G. A. R., at Portland. The store, of which Mr. BRAKE is part owner, was first established by Peter COLDREN, it being the first store in the village. He was succeeded by H. and G. W. ABEL, and they were succeeded by ABEL & BRAKE in 1865. The firm BRAKE & BEARD has been prosperous. They started their business with about $1,400, and are now considered one of the most responsible firms in the county." **************************************************** "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. 310: "Washington T. PETTYJOHN, one of Jay County's leading agriculturists, residing on section 36, Jefferson Township, is a native of Indiana, born in Rush County, January 3, 1827, a son of Nide and Elizabeth (THARP) PETTYJOHN, his father born in Surrey County, North Carolina, and his mother a native of Preble County, Ohio. They were married in Rush County, Indiana, about the year 1824, and reared a family of seven children to maturity -- William, living in Republic County, Kansas; Washington T., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Lydia Ellen HAYES, living in California; Mrs. Susan Ann BENNETT, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Mrs. Rebecca Jane RIGGIN, of Andrew County, Missouri; Christopher C., residing in Washington Territory, and Solomon who died in California, aged thirty years. In 1836 the parents removed with their family from Rush County to Shelby County, Indiana, and in 1840 removed to Andrew County, Missouri. In March 1879, the parents left Andrew County with their son William, for Republic County, Kansas, where the father died January 1, 1883, aged about eighty-six years. The mother died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. RIGGIN, in Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri, October 4, 1886, in her seventy-ninth year. Washington T. PETTYJOHN, whose name heads this sketch, reached manhood in Andrew County, Missouri, remaining with his parents until reaching his twenty-second year. He then spent a few years in Randolph County, Indiana, where he was married October 26, 1854, to Miss Eleanor WARD, a daughter of Joab and Amy (GRAVES) WARD. They have had born to them seven children -- Mrs. Elizabeth BOYER of Cloud County, Kansas; Lot, now living with his parents, married Miss Minnie HENIZER, who died leaving two children named Ora and Charles; Dan, living at Silverton, San Juan County, Colorado; Jay, of Cloud County, Kansas; Mrs. Grace ARTMAN, of Jay County; Ely, of Aurora, Nebraska and Asa, at home. Mr. and Mrs. PETTYJOHN established their home in Jefferson Township, in March 1855, on the property they now own and occupy, their first house being a rude log cabin. Mr. PETTYJOHN first purchased 125 acres for [p. 311] $2,000 cash, about thirty acres of his land having been opened. He continued the work of improving his property until 1864, when he rented his land for two years, and moved his family to Ridgeville and enlisted as a recruit in Company A, Fortieth Indiana Infantry in November of the same year. He joined his regiment at Columbia, Tennessee, and with it participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and received his discharge in June, 1865. He returned to his farm two years after leaving it, and has since added to it until it contains 250 acres, his farm being well improved and very productive. His residence is one of the best in Jefferson Township, and his farm buildings are correspondingly good. Politically Mr. PETTYJOHN is a Republican. He has served three years as county commissioner, with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Ridgeville Lodge, No. 116. The parents of Mrs. PETTYJOHN were both natives of North Carolina, but reared and married in Ohio. They were among the earliest settlers of Randolph County, Indiana, settling in what was afterward Ward Township, in April 1819, where they improved a large farm on which they resided until their death. The mother died April 27, 1864, aged sixty-seven years. The father survived until November 7, 1874, dying in his eighty-fourth year. Of their fourteen children eight are still living -- Thomas, of Winchester, Randolph County; Mrs. Margery McKEW, of Ridgeville, Randolph County; Mrs. PETTYJOHN; Mrs. Edith MOFFITT, of Hancock County, Ohio; Mrs. Harriet THOMPSON, of Whitley County, Indiana; Joel, of Randolph County, Indiana; Mrs. Lydia WAY, living at Winchester, Indiana, and Joab, of Ridgeville, Indiana. William died in early manhood; Sarah died in childhood; Sarah died aged two years; Mrs. Mary SUMPTION died in Randolph County; David died in the same county, and Mrs. Berzilla SUMPTION died in Madison, Nebraska, the last three leaving families." ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. 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