About the year 1792, Richard Kerwood, the paternal great-grandfather, left Monmouthshire, Ellgland, with his wife, two sons and four daughters, and embarked for a passage to America. During the voyage, both himself and wife fell victims to ship-fever, and died a few days subsequent to their arrival. Mr. Kerwood was a member of the Masonic fraternity, as was also the captain of the vessel upon which he embarked. The latter took a kindly interest in the welfare of the orphaned children and found homes for them. The boys were apprenticed to learn mechanical trades. Richard, the eldest, and the grandfather of the gentleman for whom this biographical sketch is prepared, was apprenticed to a blacksmith at Brandytown, N. J., while William was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker at Philadelphia.
After mastering the deails of his trade, Richard, the grandfather, moved West, locating in Washington County, Penn., where he became a prominent and highly respected citizen, and served for a number of years in the capacity of Justice of the Peace. He died in that county in 1838.
During his residence in New Jersey he married Mary Minor, who bore him five sons -Samuel, William, John R., Abia M., and Richard; and two daughters Nancy and Elizabeth.
The maternal ancestors, whose patronymic was Peden, were of Irish nativity. James Peden, the grandfather, emigrated to the United States when young, and settled in Pennsyvania. He married Margaret Love, a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, and, in 1835, removed to the State of Ohio, and subsequently to Henry County, Ind., where he and his wife both died.
Their children were James, Joseph, David, Milton, Reuben, Hiram, Elizabeth and Jane, of whom James, Milton, Reuben, Hiram and Elizabeth still survive.
Abia Minor Kerwood, the father of Asbury L., was born in Washington County, Penn., where he grew to manhood, working with his father at the blacksmith's trade until he attained his majority. Starting out then to earn his way in the world, he went to Brownsville, Penn., where he took passage on a river steamer for Cincinnati. Among the passengers on this boat was Miss Rebecca Peden, the lady to whom he was united in marriage in 1840, but with whom he was not then acquainted. The narration of incidents of the voyage in later years, remembered by both, was what led to the discovery of this fact.
After reaching Cincinnati, Mr. Kerwood went to Oxford, Ohio, where his elder brother, John, resided, and during a part of the time attended Miami University, and at other times was engaged at his trade. He was married to Miss Peden at the residence of her uncle, in Preble County, Ohio, and shortly afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits at Sugar Valley, in that county; and several years later engaged in farming, which he continued for three years. He moved to Wayne County, Ind., in 1842, where he continued the pursuit of farming, varied by teaching school at intervals in the winter.
In 1852, he purchased a home on West River, in Randolph Couty, Ind., and, in the fall of 1854, entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which denomination he had long been a local preacher or exhorter. He traveled various circuits for a period of twenty-five years, and, in the spring of 1879, was placed upon the superannuated list.
He resides at Camden, Jay County, Ind. His family consisted of four sons--Asbury L., David L., William R. and Albert, and two daughters--Mary E. and Margaret F., of whom all are now living save David L.
His son, Asbury L., was born June 21, 1842, in Preble County, Ohio, and acquired a fair English education at the common schools of that county, and Wayne County Ind., finishing with a term at Liber College, in Jay County, Ind., after he was fifteen years of age.
In October, 1859, he was apprenticed to Judge John Brady, of Muncie, to learn the trade of saddle and harness-making, at which he worked faithfully for almost two years, in the meantime acquiring great proficiency. His labors were interrupted by the sound of civil war in the land, and the patriotism of his nature forbade him to remain in the quiet pursuit of a peaceful calling when his country called for strong and true men to defend her; so, when the son of his employer, Gen. Thomas J. Brady, raised a company of volunteers, in April, 1861, Mr. Kerwood was among the first to subscribe his name to tim articles of enlistment, the period for which the company was enrolled being a term of three months. In the engagement at Rich Mountain, W. Va., July 11, 1861, he was wounded in the left arm and right breast, and was probably the first soldier from Delaware County who was wounded by rebel bullets.
He was discharged Angust 6, 1861, at the expiration of the term for which he had enlisted, and remaining at Muncie until November, 1861, enlisted in Company F, Fifty-Seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of Duty Sergeant. His regiment went into camp at Richmond, Ind., leaving that place and moving to Indianapolis December 10, 1861. On the 23d day of the same month, they embarked for Louisville, Ky., and their first engagmnent was at the battle of Shiloh, after a forced march of thirty miles to reach the field. Subsequently he participated with his regiment in the following engagements: At Perryville, Ky.; the three days' battle at Stone River, where, for gallant conduct, he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant, serving as such until the close of the war; the battle of Mission Ridge, Tenn., where his regiment formed the advance line of the Second Division, commanded by Gen. Phil. Sheridan; the battle of Rocky Face Ridge, Ga.; Resaca, Ga., May 14 and 15, 1864; New Hope Church, May 27, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, June 18, 23 and 27, 1864; all of which were hot engagements, and almost hand to hand conflicts. The engagements in which this regiment subsequently took part were the battles of Peach Tree Creek, July 20, 1864; the siege of Atlanta, Ga.; Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864; Spring Hill, Tenn., November 29, 1864; Franklin, Tenn., November 30, 1864; and Nashville, Tenn., December 15 and 16, 1864.
On the 4th day of February, 1865, Mr. Kerwood was honorably discharged from service, and after his return to Indiana was engaged at school-teaching and similar pursuits in Wabash and Hamilton Counties, and devoted a large share of his time to the collection of material for a history of his regiment, which he completed and published in the spring of 1868.
In the spring of 1866, he started upon a tour through the Eastern States, and upon his return settled at Fairmount, Grant Co., Ind., where he worked at his trade during the summer of that year. In October, 1867, he settled at Wheeling, in the northwest part of Delaware County, where he resided until February, 1875.
July 22, 1868, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Susan C. Craw, daughter of William P. and Sarah Reasoner, and widow of Ephraim Craw.
At the Republican County Convention of 1874, he became the candidate for the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court and, in October of the same year, he was elected by the largest majority on the ticket,. In 1878, at the expiration of his first term, he was again nominated by the Republican convention, and again elected by a majority almost as large as the first.
He has proved himself a faithful and efficient officer, and he has established for himself a record as the soldier, the public officer, and the private citizen, which his posterity may read with just pride. (Page 220)
Probably none of the early settlers of Muncie were more closely identified witll the town and its growth than Mr. Kirby. He was one of its earliest as wellas one of its most prominent citizens having settled here when Muncie was but a small clearing in the wilderness, and was still called by its Indian name "Outainink," by the Indians who lingered about the former town of the Delaware tribe. He was a member of the first mercantile firm in Muncie, and a leader in all public enterprises. If a subscription was to be raised for a turnpike, railroad, or other object of a public nature, he was always the first to be solicited for his patronage, and never withheld his bounty. He was one of the first Trustees elected in Delaware County, but was not a politician, and never aspired to the public positions to which his ability entitled him.
He was born in the town of Stockbridge, Mass., December 25, 1804, and, at the age of ten years, became an apprentice in a woolen factory. While, thus employed he gained his early education by attending school in the winter. This education, meager as it was, was all he acquired at school; but it was supplemented by practical experience in later years. In the fall of 1827, he removed to Richmond, Ind., and accepted employment at his trade with Levinas King. One year later he began to trade in furs, deerskins and ginseng, buying about six thousand pounds of the hatter article every year. It was a spontaneous growth throughout a large portion of this State, and an important article of of commerce. In l 830, he removed to Muncie and was engaged in the mercantile business for five years. In the meantime he had acquired a large tract of land (a portion of which is now within the city limits), and retired from business life, and devoted his time to agricultural pursuits in which he was engaged at the time of his death. He owned about one thousand acres adjoining Muncie, and made six additions to the town at various times, and donated the grounds (m which were erected the Universalist and Presbyterian churches.
He was a kind hearted landlord, and in this respect differed from the usual rule. He was repeatedly known to sell lots, and, when subsequent developments convinced the purchasers that they could not meet their obligations to pay for them, instead of foreclosing the mortgages, he would refund the money already paid him, purchase the partially completed buildings at their actual cost, and sell the lots to some one else. He erected the first brick store in Muncie, and also a fine hotel which still bears his name.
On the 15th of July, 1833, he married Miss Sarah Tomlinson, a native of North Carolina, and daughter, of Judge Tomlinson, one of the early Associate and Probate Judges of Delaware County. They had three sons--Thomas Hickman, John M. and George--now prominent business men of Muncie and three daughters --Martha A., wife of A. H. Hamilton; Elizabeth, wife of J. A. Heinsohn, proprietor of the "Kirby House," and Sarah, who died quite young.
Mr. Kirby was an energetic worker all his life. About 1829, he traveled through the sparsely settled regions of Eastern Indiana, on foot and on horseback, peddling goods for Stone & Co., of Dayton, Ohio, and brought his first stock of merchandise to Muncie by ox teams from that point. He never dreaded hard work, and by his industry amassed a fortune, he was well known throughout Delaware County, and was universally respected. No one can point to a single act of his life that had about it a shade of dishonor or low cunning. He was uniformly kind and honorable, in his dealings with the world, and his memory is treasured in the hearts of all who knew him.
He died August 14, 1879. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Marion Crosley, of Fort Wayne, at the Universalist Church, of which society Mr. Kirby was a member. He was interred in Beech Grove Cemetery, and the casket containing his remains was borne to the grave by Minus Turner, Warren Stewart, Martin Galliher, John Brady, Thomas S. Neely, Daniel Pittinger, Robert Meeks, Joseph Stradling, Joseph S. Buckles, J. Henry Wysor, Walter March, Marcus C. Smith, Arthur F. Patterson and Lloyd Wilcoxon. (Pages 220-221)
the pioneer jeweler of Muncie, was born in the town of Waterford, Loudoun Co., Va., on the 26th day of June. 1817. His father kept a hotel at that town, and apprenticed his son to a jeweler at Leesburg, Va., to learn the trade. He worked eight years its an apprentice, and then started out to earn a livelihood. He reached Newark, Ohio, early in the year 1837, and, within a few months thereafter, married Sarah E. Ethell. In the fall of the same year he located at Evansville, Ind., and, late in the fall of 1838, came to Muncie. The village (then Muncietown), looked like the least inviting place in the world to set up a jewelry store, and indeed the "store" at that time consisted of the implements of his trade that he brought with him. There were a few clocks and watches to be repaired in the village and county, and he found sufficient work to do to make a very good livelihood for his family. Sometimes, when work was scarce, he would go hunting or amuse himself by playing marbles with some of the early settlers of Muncie, whose faces are now seen no more where they were once known; at others, he would start out on what we call a "tramp" in these days, to "drum up trade." On one such occasion he was so successful and made so much money that he determined to extend his tour to his old home. He was mounted on a good horse and had $10 in cash. He felt as if he was amply provided, and made no farther effort to secure work. Reaching Washington, Penn., he found himself penniless, and had to resort to sundry expedients to make another start. He succeeded, however, and returned to Muncie well provided with funds.
About the year 1846, he and his brother-in-law, William G. Ethell, started out on another "tour." They built a flat-boat at Muncie, had it hauled to Wheeling on a wagon, and launched on the bosom of the Mississinewa. Their destination was indefinite. They were going down, by way of the Wabash, to explore the Ohio and the Mississippi. In fact they were going to the remotest corner of the Union, if they could find work there. In the Mississinewa, they were compelled to climb out every little while and help their scow over the shoals, wading knee-deep in the river. The cold water somewhat cooled their enthusiasm, and by the time they reached Attica, on the Wabash, they were willing to abandon their project. They sold their boat and started homeward, working in towns on the route. From Yorktown to Muncie they walked in a drenching rain, in mud nearly knee-deep, and never did home seem sweeter than to these two travelers at the end of their weary tramp. This was his last journey in quest of work. Business began to improve at Muncie and soon the times were ripe for the opening of a small stock of jewelry, which he purchased and exposed for sale. His shop, the first of its kind in Delaware County, was situated on West Main street in a. little frame house. He kept abreast of the times, increasing his stock as occasion demanded, until he carried a fine line of goods valued at thousands of dollars. He worked at the bench sixteen and eighteen hours a day, for many years, and only gave up the laborions part of his business to his sons five or six years ago.
His first wife died March 2, 1859, leaving him with the care of nine children, all of whom have, since followed her to the silent land save Henry C., Madison C., William C. and Sarah E. On the 26th day of June, 1859, he married Justina Hardy, his present companion. This union was blessed with two children, both now deceased.
Mr. Klein is an old and well-known citizen, and no words of eulogy from our pen could add to his popularity, or the high regard in which he is held by all who know him. He has been a persistent worker, always honest and upright in hisbusiness transactions, and in his social relations genial and hospitable. In the summer' of 1853, he united with the Masonic and Odd Fellows' fraternities at Muncie. He is a Knight Templar in the former, and in the latter has taken all the degrees in the subordinate lodge and encampment, and is a member of the Grand Lodge of Indiana. He is an ardent Republican in politics, and has served four years as a member of the City Council of Muncie. (Page 221)
Mr. Leon's life demonstrates what may be accomplished by a young man who starts out with a determination to succeed, and the will-power to back such a determination. His first experience in the mercantile world was that of a peddler, carrying a heavy package of merchandise from house to house. From that position he rose steadily, until he finally gained a place among the leading merchants of Muncie, and now stands at, the head of a clothing firm whose transactions amount to many thousands of dollars annually.
He was born June 2, 1837, in the Province of Lorraine, France, and came to the United States in 1852. His brother, Max, was engaged in the clothing trade at Muncie at that time, and Frank came here as soon as possible after reaching New York. He started out peddling goods for his brother in Delaware and Henry Counties, and, about two years later, with some assistance from his brother, he engaged in the clothing trade on the corner now occupied by George L. Elliott.
In 1856, he removed to Anderson, where he was engaged in business for two years, and then went to Green Bay, Wis. In l859, he went to New Orleans, La., where he remained until September 1, 1863. At New Orleans he was married, in 1859, to Miss Isabella Prins. From New Orleans he returned to Muncie in September, 1863, and purchased the stock of Leon, Marks & Co. In September, 1866, he formed a copartnership with A. Metzger, which relationship still continues. They have a large wholesale and manufacturing establishment at Cincinnati, Ohio, two retail stores at Muncie, one at Kokomo, one at Marion and one at New Castle.
Mr. Leon is a member of Muncie Lodge,. No. 237, Knights of Pythias; of De Ember Lodge, No. 37, Independent. Order of Red Men; of the Sons of Israel Lodge, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Independent Order of B'nai Bris, of Indianapolis.
He is a man of benevolent nature, and has performed many deeds of charity which have never come to the public gaze, and in all public charities he is an active worker. The Home Missionary Society was a project of his own, and while he had able coadjutors who helped him to consummate the end, a great portion of the credit is due entirely to him. He is a man of upright character, respected wherever known, and has gained many warm personal friends during his residence in Muncie.
Mr. Leon and wife are the parents of six children, named respectively, Joseph, Leonardes, Max, Hettie, Henry and Leo, of whom Max and Leo are deceased. (Pages 221-222)