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Biographies
Source:
History of Miami County, Indiana
Publ.
Chicago - Brant & Fuller
1887
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Peru Twp. -
DANIEL R. BEARSS (deceased) was born Aug.
23, 1809, in Geneseo, Livingston County, New York. His
parents were Truman and Sabrina (Roberts) Bearss.
His grandfather was a major in the Revolutionary Army, under
General Washington, and his father served in the war
of 1812. About the year 1811, the family removed to
Painesville, Ohio, and in 1815 to Detroit, Michigan. Mr.
Bearss’ boyhood was spent on a farm and his education was
acquired in a log school house. In 1828 he went to Ft.
Wayne where he became a clerk for W. G. and G. W. Ewing.
His employers soon opened a branch store in Logansport in which
Mr. Bearss was engaged until 1832. He then
spent two years in mercantile business on his own account in
Goshen. In August 1834 with his young wife he settled in
Peru where he resided the rest of his life. During his
first year’s residence here he carried on a general mercantile
business in partnership with his father-in-law, Judge Albert
Cole, whose biography appears elsewhere. This
connection being disolved Mr. Bearss continued the
business until 1844, when he formed a co-partnership with
Charles Spencer under the firm name of Bearss
and Spencer. Mr. Bearss being occupied with
outside matters, Mr. Spencer took charge of the business.
In 1849, Mr. Bearss sold his interest in the store
and finally retired from mercantile life, after a prosperous
business career of about twenty-one years. With perhaps
one exception Mr. Bearss was the largest tax payer
in Peru. He owned considerable city property among which
were the Broadway Hotel and a number of business blocks.
He also owned several valuable farms one of which just north of
Peru he made his home. Mr. Bearss was one of
the leading politicians of his county but was never known to
resort to political trickery in order that his party might
triumph. No one in his locality labored more earnestly for the
promotion of Henry Clay to the Presidency.
From the organization of the Republican party he was one of its
warmest friends and through his great popularity succeeded in
carrying many elections when said party was in the minority.
Through his influence Hon. Schuyler Colfax
was first placed before the people as a candidate for Congress.
Mr. Bearss served his county in various minor
public offices. He was in the state Legislature twenty
years, eight years as Representative and twelve as Senator.
During the memorable and exciting period of the late civil war
when many legislators seemingly in sympathy with the south
sought to tie the hands of Governor Morton and
prevent the state from furnishing support to the Union, no
member of the Senate was more faithful to his country than Mr.
Bearss. His age prevented him from entering the
army but he did his duty in the halls of Legislation. He
took an active part in the railroad enterprises of the county
and for a while served as director of the I. P. & C. and Wabash
roads. With his family he attended the Congregational
church and gave liberally towards its support. Mr.
Bearss was a man of commanding stature and in his prime
possessed great physical strength and endurance. Few
men were more favorably or better known not only in the county
but throughout the state. He died April 18, 1884 at Hot
Springs, Arkansas, where he had gone for the benefit of his
health. Jan. 14, 1834, at Goshen, Indiana, he married
Emma A. Cole, daughter of the late Judge Albert Cole.
The following are the names of the children born to Mr. and
Mrs. Bearss: George R., William, Albert, Oliver, Homer, Frank,
Emma and Ella.
Source: History of Miami Co., Indiana - Publ. Chicago: Brant &
Fuller - 1887 - Page 394 |
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Peru Twp. -
NER. BLACK was born
in Peru township May 3, 1837, and is the eldest son of Samuel
and Mary (Haines) Black, natives of Virginia and
Connecticut, who were of English descent. His father came
to Peru township in 1834, and followed farming the whole of his
life. Born in 1800 and died in 1880. The subject was
raised on the farm and has always pursued the occupation of
farming. His wife was Margaret Honan,
daughter of Solomon and Mary Honan, who came to this
country in 1832 or 1833, and remained until death, which
occurred in 1852. The subject was the father of four
children, whose names are Nellie A., Charles E., Milton W.,
and Fred G. He adheres to the principles of the
Republican party.
Source: History of Miami Co., Indiana - Publ. Chicago: Brant &
Fuller - 1887 - Page 397 |
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Pipe Creek Twp. -
DANIEL BOWSER, one of the well-to-do
farmers of Pipe Creek Township, was born in Montgomery County,
Ohio, Nov. 1, 1833, son of John and Susanna (Wyland) Bowser,
natives of Ohio and of German extraction. Our subject’s
youth was passed amid the stirring scenes of farm life, with the
rugged duties of which he early became familiar. He
enjoyed such rude advantages for an education as were offered in
those days. From the time of his father’s death, which
occurred in 1851, he was his mother’s only support, caring for
her until her second marriage, which took place in 1853.
The family then moved to Goshen, Indiana. Mr.
Bowser came to Pipe Creek Township in the winter of 1854,
and purchased eighty acres of land. He has been twice
married, the first time, in 1855, to Miss Mary
Shively, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Bowman)
Shively. He chose for his second wife Hannah
Shively, a sister of his former wife. They were
married Jan. 4, 1857, and are the parents of the following
children: John E., born Feb. 15, 1858; Susanna,
born June 1, 1861; Levi, born Apr. 20, 1865, and Mary
E., born June 16, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Bowser are
members of the German Baptist Church, with which they
have been united for thirty years. Mr. Bowser
officiated as minister in the second degree of his church for
fifteen years. In politics he acts with the Democratic
party.
Source: History of Miami Co., Indiana - Publ. Chicago: Brant
& Fuller - 1887 - Page 753 |
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