From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Harrison Township
WILLIAM C. YARNALL, native of Harrison County, Ohio, was born September 6, 1841, the sixth child of William and Sarah (Spencer) Yarnall, natives of Ohio, who removed Indiana in 1861, and located on a farm in Martin County, where they resided during the rest of their lives, his father having died in August 16, 1875. The mother is still living. In twentieth year he volunteered his services to his country, enlisted in the Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Regiment of Infantry in August, 1862, and continued in that service for three years or until the close of the war. He entered as a private, and mustered in at Evansville, Indiana, and took his departure for South, where he landed on the Southern soil at Henderson, Kentucky, and participated in the following engagements with the enemy of the Union: At Madison, Kentucky, he took his first hand in a skirmish with the Gray Coats, and the first engagement of note in which he took part was at Murfreesboro,
Tennessee. This experience was varied by several minor engagements, including Bowling Green, until 1863. The army crossed through Cumberland Gap, and were the first Union troops that set foot in Knoxville, Tennessee, where considerable scouting was indulged in for some time, and then the celebrated battle of Mission Ridge was placed on the list of our subject's engagements, and from there the regiment proceeded to the siege of Knoxville, where they arrived a short time before the departure of the enemy. They then received a call from headquarters to report at Tunnell Hill, Georgia, to assist General Sherman in his celebrated campaign, and participated in the Buzzard Roost engagement, which was soon followed by the conflict at Resaca, and after numerous small encounters they next were in front at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. After this series of engagements a call was issued by General Sherman for a true and tried "orderly," and for heroic
services and past bravery our subject was chosen for that position, he having made a record that warranted the appointment. In this position he was retained thronghout all the engagements of the war, being in company with the noted general, and doing his errands until the good news came that “Peace was restored.” He was exceptionally prompt and ever ready to do his duty, always at his post and never absent on account of sickness or disability. Mustered out at Greensborough, North Carolina, and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis. After the close of the war he labored around through the different parts of the State for some time, and then came to Miami County, where he has been a resident for about twenty years. In 1870 his marriage to Miss Mary A. Hooper, a daughter of Thomas H. and Sarepta (Woodruff) Hooper was solemnized, to whom have been born two children-Charles Thomas and William C., the latter of whom was deceased while an
infant six months of age. He is an ardent advocate of the Republican part and its principles and in 1884 he was the candidate of his party for the office of County Treasurer, and made a gallant race. He is a regular attendant of religious services but never yet has made a profession of religion. Until his departure for the war he was reared upon a farm and received a fair education, sufficient to enable him to teach the average common school.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Harrison Township
A. ACKER, Undertaker and Furniture Dealer, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, January 20, 1847, son of Edward and Mary (Haskell) Acker. The father was a native of Baden-Baden, Germany, and emigrated to America in 1832, and was a prominent physician in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, where he established a great water cure. He died October 25, 1855. His wife preceding him in 1850. Our subject received a good education in both German and English, and at the age of sixteen began for himself by going to Pittsburgh and learning the chair-making trade. In August, 1864, he enlisted in the Fifth Pennsylvania heavy artillery, and served until the close of the war. After that he resumed his trade, which he has since followed. Mr. Acker is perfectly conversant with all branches of his business, and has followed his occupation in many of the large cities. He established his present business in March, 1886, where he has since done an
increasing trade, and earning his reputation as an honest and reliable citizen. He was married July 18, 1874, to Miss Harriet A. Darby, by whom he is the father of two children - Arminia F. and Agnes G. Politically he is a Republican and a member of the G.A.R.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
F.W. AYDELOTT, Miller, is a native of Wayne County, Indiana, and was born October 23, 1837, the youngest of a family three children, born to Stewart and Sarah (Stuart) Aydelott, natives of North Carolina, and among the early settlers of Wayne County, Indiana. The father was a Miller, which occupation he followed all his life. Our subject was brought up in Wayne County, enjoying the usual educational advantages offered by the district schools and assisted his father in the mill. After obtaining a complete knowledge of milling he began for himself by working at his trade in various localities, and in 1874 came to Xenia and rented the McFeely mill which establishment he conducted for a time, and then removed to Wabash, Indiana, where he remained until 1884 when he returned to Xenia and again took charge of the McFeely mill which he has since successfully conducted. The mill is a frame building, propelled by steam, and is
prepared to do both merchant and custom work. Mr. Aydelott was married in 1859 to Miss Catharine Halderman, by whom he is the father of two living children, Jacob and Mary A. Mrs. Aydelott died in 1873, and in 1874 Mr. Aydelott was united in marriage with Pamelia Railsback, who died April 5, 1886. Politically he is a Republican and a good citizen.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
ABRAHAM I. BEALL was born in Clark County, Ohio, the 27th of December, 1830. His parents were John and Martha (Inbow) Beall. The former was born in 1806 and died in 1834. The latter was born in 1810 and died in 1855. Both were natives of Ohio and were there married. Mr. Beall, the subject of this sketch, was the second of a family of three children, viz.: Margaret Ann, Abraham and Sabina, of whom Margaret Ann has passed away and Sabina having married J. L. Wilson, who has removed to Nebraska. Mr. Beall spent his boyhood days on the farm, receiving there a fair education in the public schools of that place, and at the age of twenty the family came to Miami County, and in 1858 settled on the farm on which he now resides. In 1855 he was married to Pauline Jump, of Cass County, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Hopkins) Jump, natives of Delaware, the former of English and the latter of Irish descent. This union was blessed by nine children,
viz.: Mary Etta, born June 5, 1857; Charles J., born October 31, 1858; Henry, born February 13, 1860; Becky, born December 15, 1862; William Morton, born December 27, 1864; Williard A., born November 9, 1866; Frank Mannie, born June 9, 1868; Pearl, born January 9, 1872; Nora, born January 31, 1875. Henry and Mannie have since passed away, Harry, the 21st of February, and Mannie January 23, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Beall are members of the M.E. Church of Xenia. Beginning life a poor boy on the farm, Mr. Beall has adopted farming for a profession, and has by dint of industry gained a fine home of 200 acres of excellent land in sections 35 and 36, with first class improvements. Mr. Beall is an enterprising and energetic farmer and a No. 1 citizen.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
THOMAS M. BUSBY, the son of Silas and Elizabeth (McAllister) Busby, was born in Madison County, Indiana, December 1, 1843. The parents were both of English descent, the father being born in 1821, in Indiana, and the mother in Virginia in 1820. The mother came to Indiana when a girl where she was married in 1841. To this union were born five children, viz.: Thomas, John, Isaac Vinton, Hester and Elizabeth, all of whom are now living. Mr. Busby, the subject of this sketch, was raised on his father s farm in Madison County, received a good education for that day of log school houses and puncheon floors. On the 11th of December 1864, Mr. Busby was married to Eliza Ellen Morris, daughter of Ephraim and Mary (McAllister) Morris, the former of Scotch and the mother of Irish descent, the father dying in 1844. Mr. Busby is a member of the I.O.O.F. They began life in Madison County, Indiana, and in February 1874, moved upon the farm on which he now lives in Section 13.
To this marriage were born the following children, viz.: Augustus, born September 23, 1865; Silas, born September 15, 1870, and Hester, born October 8, 1881; all of whom are living. Beginning life a poor boy at the age of twenty-one, Mr. Busby has worked hard and has by dint of industry and perseverance gained a fine farm of 108 acres of well improved land in Section 13. As his early life was spent on a farm he has adopted it as a profession and is now an industrious, enterprising young farmer and a number one citizen.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
THOMAS CREVISTON, deceased, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, about the year 1805. He was a son of William and Katie (Brown) Creviston, who were also natives of Pennsylvania. He came to Miami County in 1842, and entered a tract of land in Jackson Township, and upon which his son and widow now lives. He was married in Grant County, Indiana, January 26, 1837, to Miss Rebecca Slagal, a native of Darke County, Ohio, born in the year 1820, and a daughter of Conrad and Polly (Homsley) Slagal. To their union the following children were born: Louisa, born November 26, 1837 (deceased), Ellen, born May 6, 1839, Lourinda, born January 14, 1841, David, born July 18, 1843, served in the late war in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Elmira, born March 6, 1847, Thomas J., born April 17, 1849, Mary A., born July 6, 1851, James, born March 14, 1854, and Sarah, born September 3, 1858. Mr. Creviston followed farming through life, was one of the leading citizens of the county,
and died May 12, 1869, honored and respected by all who knew him. James Creviston, the sixth child born to his parents, was reared upon the home farm, receiving his education at the common schools and selected farming as his vocation. He now owns 113 acres of the old homestead, which is under a good state of cultivation, and upon which are all modern improvements. He is interested in all matters of public welfare and is an industrious, progressive young man.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
J. W. DALE, grocer, Xenia, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, November 10, 1852, being the eldest of a family of four children born to Enoch and Margaret (Whittaker) Dale, natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. The father removed to Howard County, Indiana, in 1855, where he followed his occupation - that of a shoemaker - until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Indiana Regiment, and was taken sick and died at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1864. His widow survived him till 1869, when she died at Xenia. Our subject at the early age of eleven years was thrown upon his own resources, and began for himself by working on the farm at which he continued until eighteen years old. At this age he accepted a clerkship in a store at Nevada, Indiana, and in 1869 came to Xenia, and was employed as a clerk in a grocery store. In the fall of 1879 he began doing business for himself, and is now one of the substantial business men of Xenia. He carries a stock of $2,000, doing a
business of $9,000 per year. He is a live business man, and has a large and profitable trade. Mr. Dale was married in 1876 to Miss Eliza Marine, a daughter of Asa and Ann (Somers) Marine. Four children were born to this union - Hale V., born October 31, 1877; Mabel, born November 4, 1879; Homer, born April 15, 1881, and Laura E., born November 1, 1883. Mr. Dale is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the I.0.0.F.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
HON. JOHN W. EWARD, a native of Decatur County, Indiana, was born September 6, 1836, and is the fifth son of a family of seven children, of whom James and Dorcas Eward were the parents, both natives of Nicholas County, Kentucky, the former born in 1803 and the latter in 1806. They were married in their native county, and in 1831 removed to Decatur County, Indiana. The father who was a farmer was also engaged in the manufacture of flax-seed oil, and in 1845 he removed to Marion, Indiana, where his death occurred a year later. He was an honored citizen, and was connected with the Christian Church from boyhood. The mother still resides at Marion. John W. received a thorough, ordinary education in the public schools at Marion, Indiana, and while yet a boy, began learning the tanner's trade, at which he worked during the winter, and during the summer worked in the printing office at Marion, continuing in the latter until 1860 when he began teaching school,
and was thus engaged for two years. He then went into partnership with Judge Kelly and purchased the Grant County Union, which partnership existed until the fall of 1862, when Judge Kelly was appointed Provost-Marshal. He then became associated with Judge Wallace, of Marion, who in the fall of 1863, was appointed paymaster of the army, and Mr. Eward continued to manage the Union until the return of Judge Wallace, which was in 1864. They then purchased the Marion Journal consolidating it with the Union. The Journal was a Republican paper, and was published by the above named gentleman until 1865, when Mr. Wallace retired. Mr. Eward continued its publication one year, when he disposed of his interest and came to Xenia, where he has since resided, identified with the best interests of Miami County. Upon coming to Xenia he was, till 1870, engaged in the mercantile business with J. W. Flinn & Son. He then began the practice of law, and as a Republican, was in 1872,
elected to the State Legislature from Miami County, and served in the special session of 1872 and the regular session of 1873, proving a wise and acceptable legislator. In 1876 he was elected Justice of the Peace of his township. He is one of the organizers and stock-holders of the Xenia Agricultural Society, of which he has been secretary twelve years. He also assisted in organizing the Old Settlers' Association, of which he has been president for eight years, and is a member of the I.O.O.F. and Masonic fraternities, and the Christian Church. He was married in 1865 to Miss Rebecca York, by whom he is the father of four living children - Jessie L., Edgar D., Freddie and Elbert.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
JOHN O. FRAME, Justice of the Peace, born in Huntington County, Indiana, June 16, 1843, is the third of a family of six children born to Felix G. and Mary M. (Alexander) Frame, both natives of Preble County, Ohio, where they were married, and removed to Huntington County, Indiana in 1840. The father was a wagon-maker by occupation, which he followed at Warren, Indiana, and was also engaged in keeping hotel. In the year 1849, he removed to Huntington where he remained one year, then removed to Iowa, remaining one year, then returned to Huntington where he resided until 1853. In the latter year he removed to a farm eight miles from Huntington, where his death occurred the same year. His widow survives him and lives at Andrews, Indiana. John 0. was reared on a farm in his native county and was educated at the common schools. At the age of eighteen he enlisted as a private in Company F Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged as Sergeant. He
participated in the following engagements: Port Gibson, Champion Hill, siege of Vicksburg, Red River campaign and numerous other engagements, performing many gallant services for his country. After the war he returned to his native county engaged in farming for a number of years. In 1875 he embarked in the mercantile business at River, Indiana, and was appointed the first Postmaster of that place. He remained in business there until 1877, and in the following year removed to Xenia and engaged the tin and stove business for a short time, and subsequently took up the Insurance and Collecting business. In April, 1886, he elected Justice of the Peace. In 1870 Mr. Frame was appointed and took the census of five townships of his, Huntington, County. He was married February 26, 1866, to Miss Ellen Miller, daughter of Leander H. Miller. Mrs. Frame was born July 22, 1846, in Wayne County, Indiana. Five children were born to this marriage: Effie M., Mary D., Laura E., Charles 0. and Horace E. Mr. Frame is a
Republican, a member of the Masonic fraternity and G.A.R., and has always favored the advancement of all laudable public enterprises.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
E. K. FRIERMOOD, M.D., is a native of Clarke County, Ohio, where he was born December 29, 1843, second of ten children born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Baker) Friermood, who were also natives of Clarke County, Ohio, the former born in 1820 and the latter in 1822. The father is a farmer by occupation, and in 1851 removed with his family to Grant County, Indiana, where he now resides, and is well known and universally respected. The mother died in 1883. Dr. Friermood received a good practical education at the common schools, and also attended school at Springfield, Ohio. In 1867 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Kimball, of Xenia, with whom he continued two years, and in February, 1869, graduated from Rush Medical College at Chicago. He soon after located at North Grove, Indiana, for the practice of his profession, where he remained for a short time, then removed to Wabash, Indiana, where he remained until 1877, in which year he located at Amboy, where he has since remained in active practice.
He has secured a large and successful practice, and has the confidence and respect of the community. The Doctor took an active part in the late rebellion, enlisting August 16, 1862, in Company I, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and faithfully served until the close of the war. He was in the following battles: Jackson, Miss., Dallas, Tex., the Atlanta campaigns, Mission Ridge, was with Sherman in the memorable march to the sea, and was at Washington, D. C. at the Grand Review. In November, 1870, he was married to Catherine V. Thomas, a native of Clarke County, Ohio. Seven children were born to this union, these five yet living: Wilbur R., Elizabeth, Georgiana, Flora and Florence (twins). In 1880 the Doctor was elected Trustee of his township, which office he creditably filled to himself and all concerned. He is a member of the Grant County and State Medical Societies, also the Masonic order, and is a staunch Republican.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
JOHN E. HARRISON, dealer in Boots and Shoes, was born in Darke County, Ohio, September 25, 1830, the eldest child in a family of eight born to Harvey and Minerva J. (Downing) Harrison. His parents were natives respectively of Barren County, Kentucky, and Darke County, Ohio, the former born in 1804 and the latter in 1809. The father was a physician and farmer, and came to Darke County, Ohio, where he married, engaged in farming, followed his chosen profession, and conducted a large and successful practice until his death, which occurred in 1865. His widow still lives on the old home in Darke County, Ohio. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Jesse Harrison, a native of Kentucky, where he followed agricultural pursuits and died in his native State. The maternal grandfather was John Downing, a native of South Carolina. He married Margaret Phares and removed to Ohio in the early settlement of that State, and where he died at the advanced age of ninety-seven years.
His wife died during the late war. John E. Harrison was raised on the old homestead in his native county, where he received a common school education. September 9, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until August, 1865, when he was honorably discharged as Second Sergeant. He participated in the following engagements: Lewisburg, Va., May 22, 1862; siege of Knoxville, December, 1863, and Beverly, W.Va., and other engagements. He was captured by the enemy and taken to Libby Prison, where he was held thirty-five days, and passed through all the horrors of southern prison life during the war. Returning from the war to Ohio he engaged in the mercantile business till 1869, in which year, he removed to Xenia, where he also engaged in the mercantile business, and later, in the boot and shoe business. Mr. Harrison is among the leading men of Xenia and by strict attention to business has an established trade, which requires
his entire attention, and which he justly merits. He is a Republican in politics, and commander of Post G.A.R. He was united in marriage on February 15, 1855, to Miss Harriet Benson, a native of Darke County, Ohio. Two living children by this union - Minerva E. and Nora J.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township
PETER HELMS an old and highly esteemed citizen of Miami County, Indiana was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1811. He is the fifth of a family of six children born to Frederick and Mary (Wilson) Helms, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland. Frederick Helms was by occupation a farmer and in 1820 removed with his family to Ohio where he resided until his death. Jacob Helm, the paternal grandfather was a native of Germany and came to America previous to the Revolutionary war, in which he served his adopted country. He 1ater engaged in keeping hotel near Bradford, Pennsylvania, where he died at an advanced age. The maternal grand-father was Caleb Wilson, who was a native of Maryland and of Irish extraction. Peter Helms was reared on a farm, and his educational training received in the common schools, and at an early age learned the carpenter's trade at which he worked for a number of years. In the fall of 1848 he came to Miami County and settled in Union
Township where he lived three years, then removed to Jefferson Township, and thence in 1863 to Jackson Township, locating on his present farm, which consists of 160 acres of fine and well improved land. Lydia Jacobs, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born March 11, 1820, a daughter of Charles Jacobs, became his wife in the year 1840. This union was blessed with the following family: Riley, born November 29, 1840; Oron, born February, 1845; Mahala, born October 3, 1847; Harmon, born March 24, 1850; Charles, born June 14, 1854; Isaac, born January 22, 1857 and Allen, born February 2, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Helms are highly respected in the community in which they live. He has always advocated the cause of the Democratic party, having cast his first ballot for Andrew Jackson in 1832.
From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Jackson Township