John Triplett Biography from History of Clay Co., IN, Vol. II, au: William Travis, publ. 1909 JOHN TRIPLETT. A self-made man in every sense implied by the term, winning success in life by persevering industry, keen foresight and excellent management, John Triplett is closely identified with the agricultural interests of Clay county, Owning and occupying a well improved farm in Van Buren township. A son of French Lewis Triplett, he was born October 3, 1832, at Virginia Ridge, near Roseville, Muskingum county, OH. His grandfather, Thomas Triplett, was born near Hatchers Mill, Loudoun county, Virginia, being, according to tradition, the descendant of one of two brothers, John and Thomas Triplett, French Huguenots who came to America in colonial days to escape religious persecution. He had two sisters, Mary Ann and Sarah, and two brothers, Greenbury and Frederick, who emigrated to Kentucky, becoming pioneers of Breckenridge county, where many of their descendants are still living. The grandfather, a life-long farmer in his native county, married Phehe Luncford, a daughter of Rolla Luncford, also a life-long resident of Loudoun county. She survived her husband many years, and came to IN to spend the closing days of her life, dying at the home of her son, near Brazil, in at the advanced age of ninety years. She reared eleven children, namely: Burr, Sabra, Nancy, Mahala, Elizabeth, Sanford, Delilah, French L., Maria, Leroy and Jane. French Lewis Triplett, born December 12, 1806, was a young boy when his father died, and but sixteen years old when his mother migrated with her family to OH, making the removal with teams, a mode of travel necessarily slow and at times dangerous, and settled in Muskingum county. Selecting farming as his life occupation, he subsequently bought his father-in-law s homestead of two hundred acres located in what is now Clay township, residing there until 1856. Selling out in that year, he came to Clay county, IN, and purchased a partly improved farm situated two miles from Brazil, in Van Buren township. After living there a while he sold his land to a coal company and bought a farm in Dick Johnson township. A few years later be sold that farm and moved to Brazil, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away March 2, 1887, in the eighty-first year of his age. He married Sarah Baird, who was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Baird, who was born in the same state, of German stock. Mr. Baird moved with his family to OH, locating in Muskingum county as a pioneer. Securing a tract of timbered land at the head of Brush Creek, he with the assistance of his sons cleared a farm, and while still owning that he bought another ranch near Zanesville, on which he resided a number of years. Having in the meantime acquired a competency, he sold that land and 1
moved to the city of Zanesville, where he lived retired from active business cares until his death, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, whdse maiden name was Margaret Baumgartner, was born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestors, and died at a good old age in Zanesville. Mrs. Sarah (Baird) Triplett died on the home farm in Dick Johnson township when sixty-four years old. She bore her husband eleven children, as follows: John, the special subject of this sketch; Thomas; Delilah; Martha; Greenbury; Burr; Bushrod; Lucinda; Elizabeth; William; and Minerva A. Three of the sons, Thomas, Burr, and Bushrod, served as soldiers in the Civil war. Attending the subscription schools of early days, at a time when from sixty to seventy-two days, according to the money raised, constituted a school year, John Triplett obtained a practical common school education. Subsequently assisting his father in clearing and improving the land, he remained at home until after attaining his majority. In June, 1854, beginning life on his own account, he started on a westward trip, going by rail first to Chicago and then to Rock Island, where he took a Mississippi steamer to Burlington, IA. Going then by rail ten miles, which was as far as the railroads had been extended west of the Mississippi, he took a stage at the railway terminus and proceeded to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he found work in the harvest fields. Going from there to Oskaloosa, he worked there for a time, and then went to Wayne county, IA, where he entered a quarter section of government land. Locating then in Davis county, IA, he engaged in teaming until March, 1855, when he went on foot to Keokuk, where he embarked as a deck passenger on a steamer for St. Louis. There he took cabin passage on a Pittsburg boat, and returned to OH to resume farm work. In the ensuing fall Mr. Triplett rented a piece of land, bought a pair of oxen, and put in a crop of wheat, which he harvested the following year. On the 21st of September, 1856, Mr. Triplett married, and on the 1st of October started with his bride for IA, while en route stopping in Clay county, this state, to visit his parents. Continuing his journey westward, he located in Davis county, IA, where he farmed on rented land until September, 1858, when on account of the ill health of his wife he sold his crops and stock and returned to his old home, near Roseville, OH. Renting land there, Mr. Triplett began farming, but the late frosts so injured his crops that he became discouraged, and in June of that year again started west, being at that time a hundred and forty-four dollars in debt. Coming across the country with his wife and child, he settled near Brazil, this county, renting a small place just west of the village, and engaged in farming and hauling coal, stone, shingles and lumber, the shingles being mostly rived by hand. He received a dollar and a half a day for himself and team, and in a year s time he had paid his indebtedness and was square with the world. Borrowing money, then, Mr. Triplett bought eighty acres of land in Van Buren township. A small portion of this was cleared, and in the hewn log house, with its earth and 2
stick chimney, he lived a few years, in the meantime engaging in the coal business, hauling coal from his own land to Brazil, Donaldsonville and Harmony. On Christmas day, 1865, Mr. Triplett bought one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining Harmony on the north and platted a part of it as an addition to the town. A small part of the land had been cleared, and it was further improved by a two-story hewn log house and small stable which the former proprietor had erected. Taking possession of the place in March, 1866, he set to work in earnest to clear the remainder of the timber from the land, and for eight years was there prosperously employed in general farming and stock raising and dealing. Leasing the property in 1874 to the Watson Coal Company, he still resided on the place until February 13, 1880, although during the time he sold the land, retaining, however, his interest in the coal beds. In February, 1880, having sold a part of his farming implements and stock, he bought two hundred and ten acres of land adjoining the town of Humboldt, Richardson county, Nebraska, and there engaged in tilling the soil. In the following June, Mr. Triplett rented that land and moved to Savannah, Missouri, where he rented a home. In October of that year he bought a farm of ninety acres lying one mile from the village, moved on to it, harvested the fruit, and lived there until the next spring. Selling then at an advance, he rented a place of twenty acres, lived on it till June, then purchased a tract of twenty-five acres adjoining Savannah, on which he resided a year During the time he bought three hundred and seventy acres of land two and one-half miles from Savannah, and resided there two years. Selling out then at a profit, he spent a short time in Savannah, from there going to Springfield, Missouri. Buying then one hundred and sixty acres of land in Taney county, Missouri, he embarked in sheep raising, and also dealt in real estate in Springfield. Two years later he sold the sheep ranch, returned to Savannah, invested in suburban property, and remained there about a year. Returning with his family to Clay county, Mr. Triplett lived for seven years in Brazil, during which time he operated coal mines in Vigo county. In April, 1893, having purchased two hundred acres of bottom land on Eel river, four and onehalf miles northwest of Clay City, he for two years lived in the vicinity of that city. In April, 1895, Mr. Triplett bought the place which he now owns and occupies, it being advantageously located on the National Road between Harmony and Brazil. He has made substantial improvements, having rebuilt and added to the house and set out fruit, shade and ornamental trees, greatly enhancing the value of the estate. On September 21, 1856, Mr. Triplett married Hester A. Underwood, who was born November 28, 1838, near Roseville, Muskingum county, OH, a daughter of William Brinkley and Elizabeth (Dorr) Underwood. Mrs. Triplett passed to the higher life on April 12, 1904. Ten children were born of their union, six of whom are now living, namely: Laura A., 3
born April 11, 1858; William B., February 19, 1860; French L., November 21, 1863; Sadie, April 22, 1867; Luelle, March 23, 1869; and Minnie, March 13, 1871. Warren, born November 14, 1865, died January 26, 1880; George W., born March 17, 1873, died October 22, 1894; and Alvin, born June 22, 1877, died November 19, 1900. Fraternally Mr. Triplett is a member of Clay Lodge, No. 368, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is active in Republican ranks and served as the first Republican trustee of Van Buren township. LUCINDA (TRIPLETT) CORNWELL Biography from History of Clay Co., IN, Vol. II, au: William Travis, publ. 1909 LUCINDA (TRIPLETT) CORNWELL. Widely known throughout the community in which she has so long resided as a woman of fine character and keen intelligence, Mrs. Lucinda Cornwell, widow of the late Oliver Perry Cornwell, occupies one of the finest and best improved homesteads in Van Buren township, its well-tilled acres and substantial improvements hearing evidence of the thrift and enterprise which first established it, and by which it has since heen carried on. Mrs. Cornwell was born, April 2, 1846, in Muskingum county, Ohio, and is a sister of John Triplett, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Coming with the family to Indiana when she was ten years old, she resided with her parents until her marriage, in 1866, to Oliver Perry Cornwell. A native of Clay county, Oliver P. Cornwell was born in Brazil, September 12, 1837, a son of David and Diadama Cornwell. Further history of his parents may be found on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of H. C. Cornwell. Choosing for his life work the occupation to which he was reared, Mr. Cornwell bought land adjoining parental homestead when he was ready to settle in life, and there resided a few years. Selling out then, he was for a time engaged in teaming in Brazil, after which he carried on farming in both Brazil and in Dick Johnson townships. Subsequently locating in Van Buren township. Mr. Cornwell bought a timbered tract of land, and having cleared a large part of it, and erected a substantial set of frame buildings, was here employed in his free and independent occupation until his death, in 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell became the parents of two children, namely: Charles O. and Minerva. Charles O. married Minnie Bowers, and they have four children, Harry, Ninas, Raymond, and Lucinda K. Minerva, wife of Edward Fienkhauser, has six children, Deo, Bertha, Raymond, Elva, John Wesley, and Edward. Mrs. Cornwell is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mr. Cornwell also belonged. 4
SABINA TRIPLETT - WALKER - WRIGHT Sabina "Sibby" TRIPLETT, daughter of Greenberry and Ann "Nancy" (JENKINS) TRIPLETT, was born circa 1799-1800 in Fleming County, Kentucky. She married first in Hardin County, Kentucky on 5 Nov 1818 to William WALKER; certificate proven by Lewis TRIPLETT on 31 Oct 1818. WALKERs moved to Washington Township, Clay County, IN during the 1820's. William WALKER died 20 Sep 1835 in Clay County. She married second circa 1836 in Clay County to Elijah WRIGHT. Children (5 daughters) by Walker moved to Cedar County, IA by 1850. Elijah WRIGHT (to Clay Co 1819) married second, Sabina TRIPLETT, widow of William WALKER, a farmer of Washington Township and by whom she had five daughters and with Wright had two sons. Elijah moved to Bates County, Missouri and spent remainder of his life. (1909 Travis' History of Clay County, IN) Elijah WRIGHT moved to Missouri (after second marriage) and died in 1856, age 55. Son, Amos, lived with grandfather in Clay County. (1884 Blanchard's History of Clay County, IN) Elijah WRIGHT purchased land in Bates County, Missouri from Amos Totten on 5 April 1856 (Bk C:455) in Section 5, T39, R31 (Mount Pleasant Township). He died by 1857 in Bates County and Letters of Administration were granted to Sabina Wright (Vol 1:71); final account was filed August Term 1860 (Probate, Vol 1:470-71). Sabina's household was enumerated in the 1860 Federal census in Bates Co, MO, Mt Pleasant Tw, PO Butler, pg 96(321). She signed a deed in Bates County, Missouri in January 1861 and died after that date, place unknown. Children of Sabina and William WALKER were: Mary Davis who married Ezekiel JENKINS, Susan Elenore who married David T. SPARKS, Elizabeth Ann who married James SPARKS, Letitia who married Delass PRATT and Jim THOMAS. Children of Sabina and Elijah WRIGHT were Jesse B. born cira 1837 and Josiah Burton born circa 1841. 1840 census, Jackson Tw, Clay Co, IN - Elijah WRIGHT - pg 641/329; one son, born 1836-40. 1850 census, Jackson Tw, Clay Co, IN, pg 282: WRIGHT children, Elizabeth 21, Amos H. 19, Elinor 16 - living with Amos W. and Jane Hedge. 5
Elijah DRAKE in 1860 census, Bates Co, MO, Mt Pleasant Tw, PO Butler, pg 51(99). According to a Drake correspondent - to IA & died 1861 (right next door). Elijah WRIGHT, age 32, 1870 census: Monroe Co, MO, Jack Tw. 1850 census: Elijah WRIGHT, age 13, b: MO, s/o Andrew & Elizabeth WRIGHT, b: KY & VA, from KY to MO. THOMAS TRIPLETT Thomas TRIPLETT was born 13 February 1813 in Kentucky, parents and place unknown (see discussion below). He was associated with the family of Thomas and Elizabeth TRIPLETT of Loudoun County, Virginia. Thomas was left an orphan in early youth, and was taken to IN where he grew to manhood. He may have been the teenager, age 15-19, living with Sanford L. TRIPLETT (son of Thomas Jr) in Hardin County, Kentucky in 1830 census. Thomas went to IN, possibly with Bayless TRIPLETT, who went first to Parke County, and later to Clay County, or with associated family. Thomas was married circa 1836 in Clay County, IN to Sarah "Sallie" DRAKE (born circa 1823 in Kentucky), daughter of William and Eleanor DRAKE. In 1840 Thomas and Sarah lived in Washington Township, Clay County near associated families. In April 1837 Thomas and Bayless went together down to Vincennes to apply for land, and received consecutive certificate numbers. Thomas received his patent in August 1839 for 40 acres in section 35, Posey Township, Clay County, and sold these forty acres to Bayless in April 1846. Later Thomas received a patent for 80 acres in Jackson Township from the Wabash and Erie Canal comany, but by that time he had moved to IA. In 1850 Thomas and Sarah were in Rochester Township, Cedar County, IA (having moved there in 1848), where the family lived near other associated families. Thomas was still in Cedar County in 1860, having moved to Sugar Creek Township; Sarah must have died by then, as she was not reported in the census. A son's obituary stated that she had died when he was young. By 1870 Thomas and his children had moved to Washington Township, IA County, IA. Thomas moved to Guthrie County, IA between 1870 and 1895, possibly as early as 1874 when son, William G. and daughter, Mary Eveline moved. In 1895 and 1900 he lived with his son, William, in Yale, Cass Township, Guthrie County. He died 26 July 1903 at Yale, age 90-5-13, and was buried in Richland Cemetery. 6
Children of Thomas and Sarah were: 1) William Greenleaf TRIPLETT, born 23 Apr 1837 near Bowling Green, Clay County, IN, died 3 May 1915 at Guthrie County, IA. He married on 14 April 1859 in Cedar County to Nancy PHIPPS. 2) Mary Eveline TRIPLETT, born 22 Apr 1840 in Clay County, IN, died 25 May 1917 in Richland Township, Guthrie County. She married on 19 Mar 1872 at Marengo, IA County to Joseph K. HARTZ (9 Dec 1839-8 May 1917) who died in Richland Township, Guthrie County. They both were buried in Yale. 3) Cynthia A. TRIPLETT, born circa 1842, possibly died between 1850 and 1860 in Cedar County. 4) Elizabeth "Eliza" A. TRIPLETT, born circa 1845 in Clay County, IN; alive May 1917. She married John Wesley LADD after 1870 census, and they lived in Paton, Greene County, IA. 5) Nancy Ellen TRIPLETT, born circa 1848 in IN; alive May 1917. She married in Guthrie County, IA on 5 Nov 1876 to T. C. McCONNELL. They moved to the State of Washington, near Tacoma. 6) Henry W. TRIPLETT, born circa 1851 in Cedar County, IA; alive May 1917. He was still at home in 1870, later moved to Gordon, Sheridan County, Nebraska. WILLIAM GREENLEAF TRIPLETT William G. TRIPLETT, eldest child of Thomas, was born 23 April 1837 near Bowling Green, Clay County, IN, and died at home in Yale, Guthrie County, IA on 3 May 1915. He married 14 April 1859 at Tipton, Cedar County, IA to Nancy PHIPPS (6 Jul 1833-1 Feb 1913). They were buried in Richland Cem., Lot 44, Bagley, IA. In 1860, William and Nancy had gone to housekeeping in Sugar Creek Township, Cedar County, IA. By 1870 William and Nancy had moved to Washington Township, IA County, IA, and later, moved to Richland Township, Guthrie County, IA in 1874. William had Civil War service with Co I, 35th IA Inf. Children of William and Nancy were: 7
1) Amanda A. TRIPLETT, born 1 Jun 1860 near Moscow in Cedar County, IA, died 31 May 1943 at home in Yale, Guthrie County, IA. She married in Guthrie County on 27 Mar 1887 to Peter Dwight SPENCER (d: 17 Jul 1949, Des Moines, IA). 2) Thomas TRIPLETT, born 30 Jun 1862 near Moscow, Cedar County, IA, died 4 Jul 1917, buried Richland Cem. He married Effie G. SLEIGHT of Jaqua, Sherman County, Kansas on 25 May 1889. 3) Sarah C. TRIPLETT, born 22 Sep 1866, died 19 Aug 1894, bur Richland Cem. She married in Guthrie County on 14 Apr 1886 to William V. TODD. 4) Mary "Mollie" Elizabeth TRIPLETT, born 20 Sep 1868 in IA, died 10 Nov 1920 in Guthrie County. She married in Guthrie County on 22 Dec 1891 to Eugene S. GRAVES (d: 24 Jan 1949). Both buried Richland Cem. 5) Clara B. TRIPLETT, born 14 Aug 1870 in IA County, IA, died 15 Jun 1892, buried Richland Cem. She married in Guthrie County on 23 Jun 1891 to Ezra S. SHANK. They lived Bagley, Guthrie County, IA. 6) John Henry TRIPLETT, born 22 Jun 1873 in IA. He married in Guthrie County on 25 Sep 1894 to Mary Emma LEWIS. They separated; he left the area around 1919. Mary Emma married second on 21 Aug 1914 to Jacob F. BANKERT. 7) William Frank TRIPLETT, born 28 Sep 1875 in Guthrie County, IA, died 11 Feb 1902 near Mallard, Nebraska (killed by a train), buried Richland Cem. He married in Guthrie County on 4 Dec 1895 to Winifred "Winnie" Georgia PIERCE; she married 2d in Guthrie County on 16 Jun 1905 to J. H. FRENCH. 8) Edith Elnora TRIPLETT, born 12 May 1880 in Guthrie County, IA, died 20 Apr 1941. She married Eclass Claude MARTIN and moved to Greene County, IA. THOMAS TRIPLETT Thomas TRIPLETT, eldest son of William and Nancy, was born 30 Jun 1862 near Moscow, Cedar County, IA, and died 4 Jul 1917 at Clarinda, Page County, IA. He married first to Effie G. SLEIGHT of Jaqua, Sherman County, Kansas on 25 May 1889. Effie (20 Oct 1871-6 Oct 1894) died at Yale. They were both buried 8
Richland Cemetery, Lot 44. Thomas married second circa 1898 to Mary CHAPLIN of Jaqua, Kansas; she died 22 Jul 1902 in Kansas. For many years Thomas was a blacksmith at Yale. Children of Thomas and Effie were: 1) William Henry TRIPLETT, born 2 Mar 1890 near Jaqua, Sherman County, Kansas, died 27 Mar 1918 in Cass Township, Guthrie County, buried Richland Cemetery. 2) Clarence Lynn TRIPLETT, born 18 Jun 1894 in Sherman County, Kansas, died 9 Jan 1962, Des Moines, IA; in service when brother died 1918, as Corporal, 52nd US Infantry, Chickamaugua Park, GA. He married Jessie Marie VANCLEEF on 9 Sep 1919 at Adel, Dallas County, IA. They lived in Jefferson, Greene County, IA. References: THOMAS TRIPLETT Guthrie County, IA W. P. A. Cemetery Book, pg 10-11 Guthrie County, IA Death Records 29 Apr 1880-31 Dec 1915; Guthrie County Genealogical Society Guthrie County, IA Marriage Records Yale's 100 Yesteryears 1882-1892, Guthrie County, IA; Family History, pg 1, 4, 5 Obit: The Guthrian, 6 Aug 1903 (John instead of Thomas) Obit: Guthrie County Vedette, 6 May 1915 Obit: Guthrie County Vedette, 17 May 1917, pg 1 Obit: Guthrie County Vedette, 12 Jul 1917, Panora Obit: Ledger, 28 Mar 1918 1850 Federal census: Rochester Township, Cedar County, IA, pg 95 1860 Federal census: Sugar Creek Township, Cedar County, 9
IA, pg 103 & 104 1870 Federal census: Washington Township, IA County, IA, pg 338 & 339 1880 Federal census: Richland Township, Guthrie County, IA, pg 12 1895 State census: Cass Township, Guthrie County, IA, pg 2 (199) 1900 Federal census: Cass Township, Guthrie County, IA, pg 5A Mildred H. Spencer, Des Moines, IA Compiled by: Glorianne E. Fahs (Mrs John L. Fahs) 27 Jun 1996 3810 Haynsworth Place, Fairfax, VA 22031-3529 Tel: (703) 591-7647 or (352) 787-5969 10