George Carter, the paternal grandfather of this gentleman, was a native of England, but came to America prior to the Revolution. He was a forgemen by trade, and a man of remarkable physical strength. His wife, to whom he was married in England, bore him one son, George, who was the father of Charles. They settled in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, where both died. George Carter, Jr., followed the trade pursued by his father, and, in 1819, moved to Ohio, where he was chiefly engaged in faming. In Pennsylvania, he married Miss Johnson, a lady of Dutch and Irish antecedents. Her father was of the same antecedents, and her mother, whose maiden name was Montgomery, was the daughter of a very wealthy Irish family. Miss Johnson's grandmother Montgomery was lost in the ocean during her voyage to America, and her husband subsequently married a young wife. Unpleasantness between the step-mother and the daughter drove the latter from home; and, at Bowling Green, Penn., she married Mr. Johnson, a good, though impecunious young man. The children of this union were two daughters, Fanny and Nancy, and seven sons, John, Thomas,George, Charles, Frederick, James and Caleb.
The father died in Athens County, Ohio, in 1845.
Charles, the fourth son, was born in February, 1810, in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and moved to Athens County, Ohio, with his parents, in 1819, where he received a common-school education. He assisted his father in the labors incident to farm life until 1832, and, in August of that year, was united in marriage with Mary A., daughter of James and Mary Wylie, of Franklin County, Ohio.Miss Wylie's ancestry was of Welsh and Irish extraction. Her mother, Mary Jenkins, was of Welsh descent, and married James Wylie, of Irish descent. Mr. Wylie was a practicing physician in Virginia, and was noted for his lavish expenditure of money. His father, who was very wealthy, lived between Fredericksburg and Georgetown, Va., and kept a tavern, at which President Madison stopped overnight, after leaving Washington before it occupation by the British in the war of 1812.
James Wylie moved from Virginia to Franklin County, Ohio, where he died and was buried. His wife died at Eaton, Delaware Co., Ind. His brother, who remained in Virginia, inherited the home estate, which was unclaimed after his death, as it is believed he left no heirs.
In 1848, Mr. Carter, with his wife and family, came to Delaware County, Indiana, and settled at the village of Eaton, in Union Township, where he erected a flouring and saw mill on the banks of the Mississinewa River, and conducted this business in connection with farming. Subsequently, he became identified with the early mercantile interests of Eaton, and, in all his pursuits in life, he has been successful.
During the earlier years of his life, he made repeated trips to New Orleans by flat-boat, trading along the coast. Subsequently, he crossed the Isthmus of Panama, visiting California, Oregon, and other points on the Pacific Slope; and, in the prosecution of live-stock operations, he has frequently driven cattle across the mountains. Thus, by experience and travel, he has gained a good practical education, and, in all his transactions, he has never permitted himselt to be victimized, nor has he ever been guilty of low cunning or sharp practice in his dealings with others. His nobility of character has won him many friends, and he is honored by all who know him.
He lived happily with his wife until 1869, when she died. In 1870, he was united in marriage with his present companion, Miss Elizabeth Cass. His family consisted of seven children, viz.: Margaret, James, Charles, George, Elizabeth, Thomas Jefferson and Monroe, of which number Margaret, James and Elizabeth are deceased. (Pages 292-293)
THOMAS JOHNSON. Mr. Johnson was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1814, and, at about the age of three years, removed with his parents, Caleb and Rosanna (Tropp) Johnson, to Athens County, Ohio. His mother lived to be almost one hundred years old.
About the year 1838, he came to Delaware County, Indiana, and in the winter of that year, formed a partnership with Frederick and Caleb Carter, and constructed a flat-boat. Loading this with pork and flour, they floated down the Mississinewa to the Wabash, then to the Ohio, and finally to the Mississippi, disposing oftheir cargo at Memphis, Tenn., at a fair profit, and returning home on foot. This was a method with which Mr. Johnson was quite familiar, having made several similar trips whilea resident of Athens County, Ohio.
In August, 1842, he married Miss Ruth Agnew, with whom he lived happily until her death. The children by this marriage were John and Andrew (twins), Caleb, Maria J. and Minnerva. March 1, 1877, he was married to his second wife, Miss Susan Miller. They are the parents of one son--Charles.
During a period of about forty-two years, Mr. Johnson has been a resident of Delaware County, and has kept his place in the foremost ranks in the march of improvement, every ready to contribute time and money to enterprises designed to promote the public good of the county. By an energetic and industrious life, he has accumulated a competence in worldly goods.
While he is not identified with any religious denomination, he is generous with his contributions to the support of all, and attends the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a member. Upon the political issues of the times, he was long identifed with the Republicans, but recently cast his lot with the National, or Greenback, party. At one time he was the independent candidate for the office of County Commissioner, and was only defeated by twenty-eight votes.
He is hearty and vigorous, bidding fair to see yet many years in which to enjoy the rewards of a toilsome, well-spent life.(Page 293)Obituary. Since the above was prepared, and sadly adverse to the hope expressed in its closing sentence, the pioneer, whose career forms the subject of this sketch, has been suddenly called from the shores of time, from the embrace of his loved ones, to the untried realities of eternity. The thread of life was severed on the 14th day of October, 1880, and a large circle of friends and relatives are left to mourn his loss. WILLIAM AUSTIN LONG was born November 16, 1815, in Clinton County, Ohio, where he passed the days of his boyhood and youth. In the twenty-second year of his age, April, 1837, he left home to seek his fortune in Indiana. He came at one to Delaware County, and was one of the early settlers of Union Township, with whose interests and improvements he has ever since been identified.
His early life was passed upon the home farm, and, being familiar with the details of farming, he chose that pursuit as his occupation in life, and prosecuted it successfully. He became identified with the mercantile interests of the town of Eaton, by forming a partnership with his nephew, Lemon Long, in the hardware and grocer trade, but closed out the business in June, 1880, after the death of his partner.
He has long been recognized as one of the leading citizens of the township in which he resides, and has ever stood ready, with time and means, to assist and encourage enterprised designed to advance the best interest of the community. For forty years, he has been a member of the Christian Church, and has led an exemplary life. In politics, he was formerly a Whig, and cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison in 1840. He united, however, with the Republican party upon its organization, and has since been identified with it.
He is highly regarded by all who know him as a man of sterling integrity, a good neighbor, and a social, genial friend. He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Anna McLaughlin, to whom he was married October 28, 1841. The fruits of this union were seven children, via.: Lucetta, America D., John W., and Martha (twins), Volney W., Mary L. and Julia A.--all of whom are now living save Volney W. He was married to his second wife, Mrs. Sarah Hinton, April 26, 1865. (Page 193)JOHN McCLAINE. Among the pioneers who had the courage to cast their fortunes in the heart of the wilderness, and the energy to wage deadly warfare with its giant trees, staning in formidable and defiant array, was the subject of this sketch. He was born September 28, 1808, in Mason County, West Virginia, and, while yet an infant, removed with his father, Archibald McClaine, to Greeup County, Kentucky, settling near Greenupburg, the county seat. About ten years later, the family removed to Athens County, Ohio, where John grew to manhood, working in the meantime on his father's farm, until he reached the age of twenty-one years.
He married Miss Celia Weatherbee, and he and his bride decided to move father west, where land were cheaper than in Ohio, and accordingly they settled in Wayne County, Indiana, near Richmond. Learning of the good quality and low prices in Delaware County, Mr.McClaine decided to remove hither and purchase a tract of land direct from the Government. So, in 1835, he purchased a tract in Section 13, Union Township, to which he removed in 1836. Here he spent the best days of his early manhood, in the labor of clearing and improving his farm, and here he has prosecuted the vocation of farming for nearly forty-five years, enjoying, in the "sear and yellow leaf" of his life, a competence well earned by years of toil.
He has been a prominent and highly repected citizen of his township from the first; and, although not identified with any religious denomination, his life is full of the true spirit of Christianity which has so characterized his dealings with the world, that all unite in pronouncing him one of "God's noblest works"--an honest man.
If the identity of the pioneer men of a county with its growth and improvement is inseparable from its history, the same is true in quite as marked a degree, of its pioneer women. Their earnest, willing assistance, their fortitude, and their words of encouragement in the struggle with the wilderness, and the hardships of life in its midst, had much to do with cheering the hearts of their sturdy husbands. They had their own burdens to bear, and at the same time shared those of the companions with whom they had linked their destinies by the ties of matrimony; and, if their influence upon the development of the country was quiet, it was none the less potent, and quite as commendable as the trying physical labor of their husbands, by whose hands the forests were cleared away, and the wilderness transformed into fertile fields.
One of this class was Celia, the wife of John McClaine. She is the daughter of John and Elizabeth Weatherbee, and was born September 11, 1813, in Athens County, Ohio. At the age of sixteen years, in 1829, she gave her heart in marriage to the companion whose life, by a kind Providence, she is still spared to bless. She has ever been a true help-meet to him, and, by her economy and careful management, has contributed greatly to his worldly prosperity. She is a devoted wife and mother, a kindly, helpful neighbor, and has endeared herself to the hearts of all who know her.
This worthy couple were the parents of twelve children, named, respectively, James, Rhoda, Elizabeth A., Archibald, John, Charles, William H., George W., Joseph, Lydia J., Sarah A. and Samantha. Lydia is the wife of W. H. Younts, attorney, at Eaton, Ind.; Rhoda was killed, in 1849, by a limb that fell from a tree in the woods, near the present site of the father's residence; James, Elizabeth A., Joseph and Sarah A. are deceased. (Pages 293-294)Residence of John and Celia McClaine 
DR. JOHN E. VAN BUSKIRK. William Van Buskirk, the father of our subject, was born March 5, 1803, in Hampshire County, Virginia. He was married, January 2, 1834, to Miss Mary Lovett, a native of Alleghany County, Maryland, a lady who was highly esteemed by all who knew her for her Christian graces. She was naturally talented,a d possessed a fine command of language. She wielded a great influence in social and religious circles, and ministers of ten spoke of her as the intinerant's friend. Bother herself and husband were member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, that their children might be reared under the proper influences, they never omitted family worship in the household. The mother died November 3, 1873, and the father, December 18, 1877.
They had four children as follows: Ann Eveline, born October 7, 1834, in Hampshire County, Virginia was married to Jonathan Lewis January 10, 1856, and died April 10, 1873; William H. was born July 18, 1836, in Hampshire County, Virginia, and died April 10, 1864; John E.the subject of this memoir, was born March 29, 1840, in Wayne County, Indiana. The "stormy month" marked the three great periods of his life; for on the 14th day of March, 1865, he was married to Miss Emma, daughter of Kaiser and Esther McNeer, and on the 25th day of March, 1873, he died. Zachariah T., the youngest son,was born September 16, 1849, in henry County, Indiana, and died in January, 1874.
The parents moved to Wayne County, Indiana, in 1838, and settled on the Cadiz Turnpike. They were highly esteemed by all who knew them.
In early life, the Doctor formed the purpose of studying the science of medicine, but his advantages were limited, and he was obliged to depend largely upon study in his hours of leisure from farm work. By this means, and an occasional course in select or high schools, he prepared himself for the vocation of school-teaching, and thus procured the means with which to pursue his medical studies. He was a very successful and competent teacher. The last school he taught was at Huntsville, Madison Co., Ind., in the winter of 1863-64, where he formed the acquaintance of his wife.
In March, 1864, he began his medical studies in the office of Dr. W. P. Brickley, at Huntsville, Ind. (Now a practicing physician in the city of Anderson), but had been reading medical tex-books, at leisure, for two or three years prior to entering regularly upon his studies. He attended lectures at the Physio-Medical College of Cincinnati during the winter of 1864-65. He had almost finished the cours, and in two weeks longer would have graduated; but, on acount of impaired health, he was compelled to return home without graduating. He declined to accept a proffered diploma from the Faculty of the college, expecting to return within a year or two and attend another winter course. The consummation of this design, however, was prevented by his large practice, which he never found time to leave.
Among his papers is the following receipt, from the Dean of the college at Cincinnati:
"Cincinnati, Ohio, October 23, 1868.--Received the sum of one hundred dollars in full, for lectures and graduation in Physicians' Medical Institute, session of 1865-66.�����William H. Cook, Dean."
In the spring of 1865, he purchased the stock of drugs of his preceptor, and formed a partnership with Dr. G. N. Davidson, and practiced at Huntsville until November of the same year, when he went to attend another course of lectures. Upon his return, he accepted an offer to sell out, and was solicited by friends to settle at Eaton, in Delaware County, where there was a good prospect for a physician of that school. After some consideration, he decided to do so, and located at that point in 1867, remaining there until his decease. His practice increased until it became too great for his physical strength, and he died in the prime of manhood and at the zenith of a prosperous professional life.
He was a man of fine talent, and, to his own mind, his education was never completed. He was continually receiving lessons from his surroundings, and endeavoring to utilize passing events to the advantage of himself and others. He was conscientious to the extreme, and exemplified his religion in his daily life. He was strict in his habits, and never used any intoxication liquors as a beverage, or any vulgar or profane language. he was an active and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having united with that denomination when fourteen years of age.
In social life, he was courted and appreciated. Affable and sympathetic, of fine address and courteous manners, his presence and influence added a charm to social assemblages, and his untimely death caused a void, and cast a pall over the hearts of a large circle of friends.
In his own household, not even the healing influences of time avail to assuage the pain of separation in the heart of the devoted wife and loving children, of whom there are two--Corwello K. and Hettie May. His wife is a noble woman, and a fit companion for a good man. We append a short sketch of her life: She was born September 13, 1842, and, at an early age, was deprived by death of a mother's care and guidance, but was reared by aunts, under the influence and precepts of the Society of Friends. Her father, Kaiser McNeer, was a highly repected citizen of Madison County, Indiana, and her mother, Esther McNeer (nee Williams), was the daughter of William Williams, one of the earliest settlers of that county, and the first who ever engaged in the nursery enterprise there. The mother died May 24, 1847, and the father September 25, 1875.
The daughter was united in marriage to Dr. Van Buskirk March 14, 1865, by Rev. W. P. Armstrong. She is deeply beloved among a large circle of friends, and her influence is always for good. (Page 294)WILLIAM HENRY YOUNTS. The ancestors of this gentleman were of German descent, and spelled their name Younce. It has been Anglicized, however, by various members of the family, to its present form. His grandfather, Philip Younce, was a native of Ashe County, North Carolina, where he married Margaret Byrkett, and subsequently removed to Miami County, Ohio. He was among the earliest white residents of that county, and served as a soldier in Waynes's expedition against the Indians of the Northwest, which terminated with the treaty of Greenville, August 3, 1795. He died in Miami County in 1864, having served for fifty-two years as an Elder in the German Baptist Church. His wife died in 1862.
They had eight sons and two daughters. All lived to maturity and married, and the daughters and two of the sons still survive.
George, the fourth son, was the father of our subject. He was born in Miami County, Ohio, where he married Mahala Michael, by whom he had twelve children, via.: William H., John A., Samuel, Elizabeth, Abram W., Mary C., Margaret E., Joswph W., Daniel H. and Alice--all of whom survive now. One son, Philip, died in the service of the Union, at Matagorda, Texas, November 24, 1865, and Charles A. was killed at Okolona, Miss., February 22, 1865, in the service of the same cause. The daughters, with one exception, are married--Elizabeth, to George W. Smith; Mary C., to John Miller; and Alice, to Albert Mills.
The father devoted his time to agricultural pursuits, remaining in his native county until 1856. In that year he came to Delaware County and purchased a farm in Union Township where he died February 9, 1878. he was a member of the German Baptist Church, and an honest and highly repected citizen. His wife survives him.
William H., the eldest son, was born March 21, 1835, in Miami County, Ohio.His youthful days were passed in the performance of farm labor at home, and he never enjoyed the privilege of attending school, with the exception of about three months; yet he prepared himself for the vocation of school-teaching by a system of diligent study at home, and, when he came to Indiana in 1856, he entered at once upon that line of work in Delaware County, and has been thus engaged, with a few intermissions, every winter since that date.
In the twentieth year of his age--September 21, 1854--he married Miss Ann M. Lowerey, niece of the late Judge Lowery, of the Supreme Bench of Ohio. On the 15th day of February, 1864, his wife died leaving one son George W., who still survives.
In October, 1864, Mr. Younts went to Greenville, Ohio, and enlisted as a private soldier in the Union army. The company in which he was enrolled was assigned to the One Hundred and Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry in March following, and the regiment placed on duty in Virginia.
From the ranks Mr. Younts was successively promoted, for meritorious services, to the office of Acting Assistant Adjutant General of the Army of the Shenandoah, with the rank of First Lieutenant. He was mustered out of the service with his regiment, at Columbus, Ohio, September 13, 1865, and returned to his home in this county. On the 22d of May, 1866, he was wedded to his present companion, Lydia J., daugher of John and Celia McClaine, who biographies appear elsewhere in this volume.
He resumed the occupation of school-teaching, and, in 1868, began the study of law. In 1869, he was admitted to the bar of Delaware County, and began the practice of his profession at the town of Eaton. The position he occupies as an attorney has been gained by unremitting effort on his part, and his limited educational advantages entitle him to the more credit, and mark him as on of the self-made men of the county.
In his social relations, he is esteemed as much for the frank, honest goodness of his nature as he is amongst the teaching fraternity for ability; and in this sphere the honors are shared by his wife, who is a lady of an amiable, kindly dispositon. Although not a member of any church, Mr. Younts adheres to the tenets of the Christian religion, and contrubutes cheerfully to the support of the church and the spread of the Gospel.
He is a member of Delaware Lodge, No. 46, A., F. & A. M., and has served as Junior and Senior Warden and Senior Deacon in the lodge. (Pages 294-295)ELI FOORMAN The ancestors of this gentleman were of German descent, and residents of York County, Penn. His father, Frederick, the son of Michael Foorman. or Michael Fuhrman (as the name was formerly spelled), married Sarah, daughter of John Newcomer, and, with a view to improving his fortunes, started out to follow the "Star of Empire"� in its westward course. He settled in Clark County, Ohio, in 1834, and, in 1846, removed thence to Delaware County, Ind., settling in Niles Township, near the line dividing this township from Union. His family consisted of eight sons and two daughters, viz., Noah, Caroline, Adam, David N., William, John, Amos N., Henry, Eli and Mary A., of whom all are now living, save Caroline, David N., and Mary A. Frederick Fuhr man died March, 1863.
Eli, the eighth son and subject of this sketch, was born March 13, 1854, at the family homestead in Niles Township, Delaware County, Ind.
His life, until he reached the age of twenty-one years, was passed in the performance of the usual routine duties of farm life. He had formed the plan of devoting his time to school-teaching, and, with characteristic diligence and energy, prepared himself for this vocation by a thorough course of study in the public school. In the winter of 1875� 76, he accepted his first position as a teacher, but, before the close of the term, purchased a half-interest with John Eshenfelder, and embarked in the drug trade at Eaton, in this county, in December. 1875. On the 23d of March, following, Mr. Eshenfelder withdrew from the firm, and Mr. Foorman has since conducted the business alone. Although a young man, he has already developed business talents quite commendable. The adoption of, and adherence to, two maxims, have played no inconsiderable part in his success. These are "Business before pleasure," and "�If you have a place of business, be found there when wanted."
His choice of a companion was the crowning event of his life. He was united in marriage, on the 10th day of April, 1880, to Miss Flora A., daughter of John A. Younce, and grand-daughter of George Younce, Like her husband, she is a native of Delaware County. She was born June 4, 1862, in Union Township. Her mother was the daughter of Basil Clements. Of an amiable disposition and refined nature, she is eminently fitted to make a man�s life happy.
Mr. Foorman is an energetic, wide-awake business man, and enjoys an extensive and lucrative trade. By his sterling character, he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has had dealings, and is a well-known advocate of a high moral standard in society. In contributing to the advancement of public enterprises for the good of� the community, he has always borne his full share. He has gained many warm personal friends, among whom he is highly esteemed. (Page 288)Washington Township Back to Contents Home