Back to the Surname List

Randolph County Indiana Biographies Surnames Starting with B

JOHN BAIRD , one of the progressive and up-with-the-times farmers of White River township, was born near New Madison, Darke county, Ohio, November 21, 1824. His father, John Baird, a native of Pennsylvania, was born July 28, 1775. He was first married in Pennsylvania to Mrs. Sarah Lee, a widow, and three children were born to them. Sarah, James, and Elizabeth. After the decease of this wife he moved to Ohio and settled near Columbus, was married to Miss Jane Ballard, and immediately moved to Darke county and entered a quarter section of government land, where he lived, died and was buried. His profession was that of a wagon-maker, and in all kinds of wood work was a skillful mechanic for those early days. His mother, Mrs. Martha Baird, came with him from Pennsylvania; his grandfather, John Baird, died in that state, and the grandmother died in Ohio at the advanced age of eighty-five years. The father of the second John Baird, Jr., in his day used to make wooden mold boards for ploughs and truckle wagons. By his second wife he had four children, Indiana, Fanny, Rebecca and John -John, the youngest, and of whom we shall write, being the only one remaining of the children of the first and second wives. His father died August 7, 1833, aged fifty-seven years. He died of cancer in the nose. The son remembers the father well, although but nine years old at the time of his decease. The father was a great hunter and had many thrilling narratives to relate of his adventures. He was a stanch Presbyterian, and once whipped his namesake for whistling on Sunday. He was justice of the peace twelve years previous to his death. He was a prominent man in his county for that early day and in good circumstances.
John Baird, Jr., remained in the old home until he was twenty-one years of age, attending school in the winter months. Arriving at his majority, he left home to learn the brick laying trade with Jason Downing, who married Rebecca, his youngest sister, September 21, 1848; he was married to Sarah Ann Woodbury, daughter of Nathan P. and Susannah (Jennings) Woodbury, all natives of Ohio. His wife was born February 7, 1829, and in this marriage thirteen children were born; the oldest died in infancy: Nathan James, born June 14, 1851; Lindzy, born August 16, 1852; Charles, born July 10, 1854; David F., born April 22, 1855; Michael, born October 6, 1856; William, born October 26, 1857; Fanny, born December 19, 1858, Susannah, born February 13, 1860; Elizabeth J., born June 14, 1861; John Baird Jr., born July 23, 1863; Melinda, born January 11, 1866, and of this number seven now are living. Mr. Baird worked at brick laying at intervals for eighteen years in connection with farming. By purchase and inheritance he became the possessor of forty-two acres of the old home place, where he lived until August 30, 1870, at which date, with his family, he came to Randolph county, where he has since remained engaged in farming. He has been administrator of numerous estates in Ohio and this county, but has never aspired to any office, being too busy with the affairs at home. In politics he is a straightforward republican, but before the Pierce administration voted the democratic ticket, but the Missouri compromise disgusted him. It is interesting to hear Mr. Baird relate his adventures with wild animals in early pioneer days -especially with wolves -and the winter firesides are made more pleasant by these tales of the times that tried men's souls.
A PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF DELAWARE AND RANDOLPH COUNTIES, INDIANA
A.W. Bowen & Co., 1894
Page 820
Submitted by Dusti

Christopher Baker took land from the Government (S 20, R1 5 E, 20N), (W1/2 SE1/4) on May 17, 1819. Thus, aside from the Peacock-Hill group, his was the second entry where there is reason to believe he began residence at the time of purchase. Nothing is known of this man or his family. There is no record that he was a member of the Jericho Meeting or was even a Friend. After nine years of residence he sold his land to Seth Moffitt. Since there is no record of his further purchases in the neighborhood, it is presumed that he left at that time.
Jericho Friends Meeting Page 8 And Its Community Randolph County, Indiana 1846
Submitted by: Lora Radiches

PROF. OSCAR R. BAKER. In Prof. Oscar R. Baker, superintendent of the city schools of Winchester, Indiana, the people of this locality have a man whose training and ability fit him for the work he is so efficiently carrying on in all of its branches. He is a man who believes that education is essential to industry, to efficiency, to comfort and to tolerable existence; that the modern world cannot produce, distribute or exchange without education. It is recognized, he claims, that economic problems have their social and political aspects, and, he asks, can we make men efficient in industry without teaching them anything else. True it is that the mechanical progress of humanity is the result of education and the cause of further education, and hence the great need of a thorough training in the formative period of life. In all of his work Professor Baker keeps these theories well in the forefront, and his pupils show the result of his contentions. Professor Baker was born at Centerville, Indiana, September 21, 1854, a son of Jacob and Viletta (Swain) Baker, he born in the vicinity of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and she in that of Eaton, Ohio. The paternal grandparents, Jacob and Mary Baker, natives of Pennsylvania, moved at an early day to Dayton, Ohio, where he worked at his trade of a shoemaker, and his son, Jacob, followed the same calling. The maternal grandparents were Ira and Jennie (Shideler) Swain, natives of Ohio. In 1850 the father of Professor Baker came to Centerville, Indiana, but he died at Green's Fork, this state. Graduated from a local academy, at the age of eighteen years Professor Baker commenced to teach school, and for two years was so engaged in the rural districts of Wayne County, Indiana, after which he was made principal of the public school at Green's Fork, Indiana. Then, leaving the schoolroom, he was connected with the drug business for six years, first at Williamsburg and later at Knightstown, both in Indiana. He then accepted the principalship of the high school at Knightstown, and held it for five and one half years, after which he came to Winchester, and, after serving for three years as principal, was made superintendent of its city schools, in which capacity he is still serving with dignified capability. His schools show the effect of his work, as well as the pupils, and he is able to obtain whole-hearted cooperation from his teachers. In 1872 Professor Baker was married to Miss Mary Aydelotte, born at Campbellstown, Ohio, a daughter of Jonathan Aydelotte, of Ohio. The following children have been born to Professor and Mrs. Baker: Viletta Ellen, who is professor of Latin at Ball's Teachers College; Frank, who is a traveling salesman, residing at Winchester; Kate, who is a high school teacher, the wife of Howard Brooks; Wynona, who lives at Cincinnati, Ohio, the wife of Robert S. Montgomery, manager of the Chevrolet plant; and Paul T., who resides at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, service representative of the Chevrolet Automobile Company. Professor Baker is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder. While he has always given the Republican party a loyal support, he has not cared to come before the public for office. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Order of Ben Hur, and professionally his connections are those, which he maintains with the National Education Association, the National Superintendents Association, the Northern Indiana Superintendents Association, the Indiana State Teachers Association and the Indiana Town and City Superintendents Association. The Rotary Club has in him one of its active members. Both he and Mrs. Baker stand high in public esteem, and their home, at 322 East Franklin Street, is one of the cultural centers of Winchester.
This book has no cover, and no index, and no author. I bought it on Ebay; it just has the insides, but it is full of Indiana biographies. I am not researching this family, just thought I would share. I do not know anymore about these families or these surnames. NOTE: I don't know if there is any additional mention of this family in the book, it has no index. I do not want to sell this book. I am typing the biographies from it.
Typed by Lora Radiches

HON. ALONZO L. BALES . One of the most honored and dignified of the jurists of Indiana, Hon. Alonzo L. Bales, has proved his ability, his sense of justice and his knowledge of men and the motives which govern him for a number of years, and is still the incumbent of the circuit bench of the Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit, and one of the leading citizens of Winchester. He was born in Randolph County, Indiana, September 25, 1864, a son of William D. and Rebecca A. (Jackson) Bales. William D. Bales was born at Dalton, Wayne County, Indiana, in 1843, and his wife was born in Randolph County, Indiana, August 23, 1846. The paternal grandparents were John and Nancy (McMullen) Bales. John Bales was born in Jefferson County, Tennessee, in 1807. In the spring of 1816 he and his father, Jacob Bales, came to Indiana and settled in Wayne County, between Economy and Hagerstown. Jacob Bales and his wife, Sarah Melvaney, were natives of North Carolina, and charter members of the Society of Friends, Quakers, in their neighborhood, in 1820. The maternal grandparents of Judge Bales were John and Susannah (Peacock) Jackson, he born in Randolph County, Indiana, in 1824. His father and mother were Samuel and Jemima (Cox) Jackson, of North Carolina. Judge Bales' paternal grandparents were married in Henry County, Indiana, January 1, 1832, and the grandfather was a carpenter by trade. The maternal grandfather was a merchant and farmer, while William Peacock, the maternal great-grandfather, was associate judge for a number of years, so that Judge Bales had very solid forebears and upright citizens behind him from the start. His father for many years was engaged in farming in West River Township, Randolph County, Indiana, and he died in 1918, the mother having died in 1918. They belonged to that splendid type of Americans now passing. Work to them was a duty cheerfully performed without thought of distinctive reward. They reared their children to respect the laws, to attend church, and to work for their living, and did not ask of life more than the satisfaction that comes of faithful performance of what was laid upon them. Judge Bales attended the common schools, and had a short period in the Winchester High School, which preparation enabled him to secure a license to teach at the age of twenty years, and for the following ten consecutive winters he was engaged in teaching. During this decade he employed his leisure time in studying law, and in 1891 was admitted to the Indiana bar. In 1&95 he established his residence at Winchester, and began the practice of his profession. On September 1, 1892, Judge Bales was married to Miss Martha Fouts, born in Wayne County, Indiana, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Boyd) Fouts, also natives of Wayne County. Judge and Mrs. Bales became the parents of the following children: Ralph W., who resides at Indianapolis, Indiana, secretary and manager of the Indiana Dairy Products Association, William H., who is an attorney at Muncie, Indiana, and both of these sons are overseas veterans of the World war; Mary, who is now at home, has held clerical positions at Winchester, Indiana, and Cleveland, Ohio; and Ruth A., who married Prof. Max H. Fisch, of Cleveland, Ohio, professor of philosophy in the Western Reserve University. Mrs. Fisch was graduated from Butler University. Both the sons were graduated from DePauw University, and Mary was a student of DePauw University and Wayne College. Mrs. Bales died in April, 1901. In June, 1905, Judge Bales married Miss Emma Eagle, who was born at Winchester, Indiana, a daughter of Edmund and Gertrude (Bishop) Eagle, he born near Chester, Pennsylvania, and she at Cincinnati, Ohio. During the War Between the States Edmund Eagle served, with the rank of captain, in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. There is one son, John Eagle Bales, now a student of DePauw University. Judge Bales is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Winchester, and one of its trustees. Since 1904 he has been the teacher of the Men's Bible Class, and is otherwise active in church work. Very active in politics, Judge Bales was early called upon to accept public office, and from 1898 to 1900 was prosecuting attorney of Randolph County. When he completed his term in office he formed a partnership with John W. Macy and James P. Goodrich, but two years later Mr. Macy became circuit judge, and Alonzo Nichols took his place in the firm, which became Nichols, Goodrich & Bales, and this association continued until 1918, when Mr. Nichols was elected to the appellate bench, and Mr. Goodrich, governor of Indiana. In 1920 Judge Bales was elected judge of the Twenty-fifth Judicial District and reelected in 1926. One of the leading Re publicans, he served as precinct and county committeeman. His fraternal affiliations are with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men. Several years ago he served for a year as president of the Winchester Kiwanis Club, and for many years he has been a member of the Indiana State Bar Association. In 1914 Judge Bales was nominated for circuit judge, but was defeated by Judge Thomas Shockney, an intimate friend. The hardships and necessary struggles of his early days developed in Judge Bales those qualities of mind and character so essential to advancement in his profession. His life has been one strictly of work. His fidelity to every trust reposed in him, together with his natural ability and intelligence, have steadily advanced him, and made of him one with a statewide character.
This book has no cover, and no index, and no author. I bought it on Ebay; it just has the insides, but it is full of Indiana biographies. I am not researching this family, just thought I would share. I do not know anymore about these families or these surnames. NOTE: I don't know if there is any additional mention of this family in the book, it has no index. I do not want to sell this book. I am typing the biographies from it.
Typed by Lora Radiches

WILLIAM H. BALES
Is one of the prominent younger members of the Indiana bar, and since qualifying for practice has been located at Muncie. He is one of the attorneys who have offices in the Wysor Building in that city. Mr. Bales was born at Winchester, Indiana, December 9, 1895, son of Judge Alonzo and Martha (Fouts) Bales. His father, for the past ten years' circuit judge of Randolph County, was born in that county, his people having come to Indiana from Virginia. He was educated in public schools and was admitted to the bar about 1893. He handled a large volume of private practice in Winchester until elected circuit judge, and has been on the bench since 1920. Judge Bales' first wife, Martha Fouts, was born and reared in Randolph County, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She died in 1901 and is buried at Winchester. Her four children were: Ralph W., of Indianapolis; William H.; Miss Mary R., of Winchester; and Ruth, Mrs. Max Fish, of Cleveland, Ohio. Judge Bales after the death of his first wife married, at Winchester, Miss Emma Engle, and by this union there is one child, John E., now a student in DePauw University. William H. Bales received his early, advantages in the schools of Winchester and in 1914 graduated from high school. He then entered DePauw University at Greencastle, received his Bachelor's degree in 1918, and on January 10th of that year answered the call to the colors. He was in training at Camp Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina, later, was transferred to Camp Hancock, Georgia, and was sent overseas with the Thirty-seventh Depot Company, holding the rank of sergeant. He was on duty at the Ordnance Headquarters at Tours, France, until after the armistice. Mr. Bales received his honorable discharge at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, July 26, 1919. After the war he entered the Law School of the University of Michigan and was graduated J. D. in 1923, and in the same year was admitted to the Indiana bar. He located at Muncie, and was associated with the firm of White & Raymond until December, 1926, when he formed a partnership with John J. O'Neill. Both are very able lawyers and have an extensive practice in all the courts. Mr. Bales served as county attorney of Delaware County during 1924-26. He is a member of the County and Indiana State Bar Associations. He has been active in Delaware Post No. 19 of the American Legion and is affiliated with Winchester Lodge No. 37, A. F. and A. M. and the Kiwianns Club. He is a Republican and a Methodist. Mr. Bales married, December 22, 1923, Miss Jennie Jessup, of Sheridan, Indiana. Her father was a well-to-do farmer there, and her mother is still living in that community. Mrs. Bales attended the grade and high schools of Winchester and finished her education in Earlham College at Richmond. She is a member of the Friends Church and at Muncie is identified with the Matinee Musical Club and the Athenaeum Club. Mr. and Mrs. Bales have two children, Jane Ellen a kindergarten pupil, and William H., Jr.
I bought this book on Ebay, it has no cover, and no index, I do not know the name of this book, however it is just full of biographies. I do not know anymore about the people mentioned in this biography, just thought I would share.
Typed by Lora Radiches

CHARLES L. BOTKIN , physician and surgeon one of the leading representatives of his profession in Muncie, is a native of Indiana, and is a grandson of Dr. John W. Botkin, who was a pioneer doctor of Randolph County, one of the fine examples of the old time country physician who carried on his work far beyond the years and strength of the normal man. He practiced medicine over sixty years. This pioneer physician was born in Randolph County Indiana, in 1819. He and his wife are buried in the Buena Vista Cemetery in Randolph County. Dr. Charles L. Botkin represents the third consecutive generation in the medical profession. His father, Dr. Thomas W. Botkin, was a graduate of the Cincinnati Eclectic College of Medicine and throughout his active life remained in Randolph County, practicing as a physician. He was a Union soldier with the Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry. He was born and reared in Randolph County and is buried in the Maxville Cemetery. He died in November, 1914. Dr. Thomas W. Botkin married Mary E. Irvin, who is also a native of Randolph County, where she attended school as a girl. She is now seventy-eight years of age and lives with her son, Doctor Botkin, at Muncie. She has been a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her three children were John L., county road commissioner in Randolph County; Dr. Charles L.; and Dr. Clyde E., who was practicing medicine at Parker City Indiana, when he died in 1910. Dr. Charles L. Botkin was born in Randolph County, July 6, 1878, attended public schools at Winchester, including high school, and was graduated in 1904 from the Indiana Medical College, the medical department of Indiana University. His intern training and experience was gained in the Protestant Deaconess Hospital, now the Indiana Christian Hospital. Doctor Botkin for nearly twenty years practiced medicine at Farmland, Indiana. He removed to Muncie in 1924, and enjoys a very large practice in that city, having splendidly equipped offices in the Western Reserve Life Building. He is a member of the Delaware County, Indiana State and American Medical Associations, and during the World war was a member of the Randolph County Examining Board. He is on the board of directors of the Indiana Tuberculosis Association. Doctor Botkin for many years has been deeply interested in his Masonic affiliations. He is a member of Farmland Lodge No. 308, A. F. & A. M., Winchester Commandery No. 53, Knights Templar, the Scottish Rite bodies at Indianapolis, and Murat Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Indianapolis. He was formerly active also in the Knights of Pythias, is a member of the Sons of Veterans, the Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce, Dynamo Club, Indiana Historical Society, belongs to the Civil Legion, is a Republican and is on the board of stewards of the High Street Methodist Episcopal Church at Muncie and president of the Men's Club of the church. Doctor Botkin married at Winchester, April 19, 1910, Miss Myrtle Garrett, daughter of Fremont and Adeline (Trueblood) Garrett. Her parents are now deceased. Her father was one of the able members of the Winchester bar and possessed unusual intellectual gifts as a speaker and writer, having much ability as a poet. Mrs. Botkin was educated at Winchester, and at Muncie has become identified with the High Street Methodist Episcopal Church and is active in musical and other organizations. Doctor and Mrs. Botkin have two sons, Charles Thomas and Clyde Garrett, who are students in the Central High School and both are planning to follow their father's example in the choice of a profession, thus becoming representatives of the fourth generation of the family in medicine and surgery.
This book has no cover, and no index, and no author. I bought it on Ebay; it just has the insides, but it is full of Indiana biographies. I am not researching this family, just thought I would share. I do not know anymore about these families or these surnames. NOTE: I don't know if there is any additional mention of this family in the book, it has no index. I do not want to sell this book. I am typing the biographies from it.
Typed by Lora Radiches

ISAAC M. BRIDGMAN . Among the veteran newspapermen of Indiana, few have had a more varied experience than Isaac M. Bridgman, publisher of the Journal Herald, of Winchester. Largely self-educated, he commenced his career as a school teacher and later was in the banking business, but in 1909 turned his attention to newspaper work, in which he has since been engaged, and for the past eight years has been owner of his present publication. Although he has passed the Psalmist's three-score-and-ten years, he is still alert in mind and active in body, and is accounted one of his community's most valuable citizens. Mr. Bridgman was born on a farm in Johnson County, Indiana, in 1857, and is a son of William and Catherine (Banarsdall) Bridgman, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. William Bridgman was a small boy when he accompanied his widowed mother to Indiana, where he received a rural school education and farmed in Johnson County throughout his life, being one of the highly respected men of his community. Following his death his widow removed to Brookville, where she passed away. Isaac M. Bridgman attended the public schools until he was thirteen years of age, at which time he assumed a man's share of life's responsibilities. During the several years that followed he was engaged principally in agricultural work, but had a thirst for education and spent all of his leisure time in study, so that he was able to secure employment as a teacher. Later he worked his way through Franklin College, from which he was graduated in 1887, and in 1889 was granted his Master's degree by Cornell University. For fifteen years Mr. Bridgman was engaged in teaching school at various places in Illinois and Indiana, and then embarked in the banking business at Polo, Illinois, where he remained for seven years. Returning then to Indiana, he settled at Brookville, where he purchased the Brookville American newspaper and conducted it with success for thirteen and one-half years. On August 14, 1922, Mr. Bridgman came to Winchester and bought the Journal Herald, a weekly newspaper, which he has developed into one of the best country publications in Randolph County and this part of the state. He is a capable newspaperman and is furnishing his readers with a lively, clean, reliable and interesting publication. Mr. Bridgman belongs to the Presbyterian Church and is a member of the board of elders. Since 1920 he has been a trustee of the State Epileptic Village of Newcastle, Indiana, and is a working member of the Kiwanis Club at Winchester. Politically he is a Republican, and fraternally is a Mason. In 1883 Mr. Bridgman was united in marriage with Miss Alice Farley, who was born
This book has no cover, and no index, and no author. I bought it on Ebay; it just has the insides, but it is full of Indiana biographies. I am not researching this family, just thought I would share. I do not know anymore about these families or these surnames. NOTE: I don't know if there is any additional mention of this family in the book, it has no index. I do not want to sell this book. I am typing the biographies from it.
Typed by Lora Radiches

Joshua Buckingham purchased land in the Jericho neighborhood (S1 T19N R14E) in 1826. There is a record that his wife, Rachel. And daughters Margery, Rachel, Sarah, and Hannah were received on certificate from Cane Creek MM, North Carolina, on September 6. 1823, and that his son, Thomas, was received just a month earlier. There
is nothing in the minutes of the White River Meeting to indicate that Joshua was also received, nor is his name mentioned in subsequent minutes referring to the Buckingham's. It is possible that he was, at the time, out of favor with the Cane Creek Meeting. Joshua was related to the rest of the community on arrival, his wife was, having been a North Carolina Piggott. Little else is known of the Buckingham family. The young folks also quickly complicated relationships. Margery married Moses Mendenhall in 1825; Rachel married Enoch Cox, son of Jeremiah, in 1827; Thomas married Catherine Roberson (Robinson) in 1833; Sally (Sarah) married a Ferrens in 1834; and Hannah married Amos Fry in December 1836. Later Margery, a widow, married John Pike.
Jericho Friends Meeting P14
And Its Community
Randolph County, Indiana
1864
Page 14
Submitted by Lora Addison Radiches

From - William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas
First published in 1883 by A. T. Andreas, Chicago, IL.

Woodson County --

W. A. BAILEY , Register of Deeds, came to Kansas in August, 1876; located on a farm near Yates Center; taught school for three years, and engaged for a short time in the grocery business, and was for nine months proprietor of the Central Hotel, Yates Center. In the spring of 1881, he was elected Trustee of Center Township, and in the fall was elected Register of Deeds, which position he holds at the present time. He was born in Randolph County, Ind., August 14, 1854; is the son of William H. and Margaret Ann Bailey. Lived twenty-one years in his native county, and served eighteen months as a telegraph operator for the Bee Line R. R. at Farmland, Randolph Co., Ind., and in August, 1875, moved to Iowa, where he attended school about one year, and came to Kansas. He was married in Woodson County, Kan., September 3, 1876, to Sarah E. Bell, daughter of George W. and Elizabeth Bell. He has two children--Frances W. C. and Annie E. Bailey. Mr. Bailey is one of the promising young men of the State, and is destined to be prominently identified with its future history. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., K. of P., and the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Submitted by Billy Baker

Counters

Website Counter

Counters

Website Counter

Counters

Website Counter

Counters

Website Counter