-----Original Message----- From: Sandi Gorin [mailto:sgorin@glasgow-ky.com] Sent: Monday, July 05, 1999 5:21 AM To: KYBIOGRAPHIES@rootsweb.com Subject: BIOS #3336 THRU 3840 - UNKNOWN CO: BLUNK, HOSTETTLER, McPHETERS, MUTER, WORRELL This week's bios are all taken from the normal sources, but I am unable to determine which county they resided in. Thus, this week, we will look at Kentucky residents from "unknown" counties. Many of these are found in Indiana historical records. 3336 BLUNK, JOSEPH - Blunk Pritchett Blount Cown 3337 HOSTETTLER, JOSEPH - Hostetler Henry Tyler 3338 McPHETERS, JAMES H - McPheeters Snyder Hagan Roby 3339 MUTER, GEORGE - Muter Innes Brown Sebastian Todd 3340 WORRELL, WILLIAM - Worrell Walker Sherman Dayhuff Jeter #3336: Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884. Unknown County. JOSEPH BLUNK, stock-raiser and farmer, is the son of Goldsby and Elizabeth (Pritchett) Blunk, the former a native of Indiana, the latter of Kentucky. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a Virginian and a soldier of the Revolution. He was known as Aaron Blount, which surname has been since changed to Blunk. Goldsby Blunk was a farmer, but labored as a steamboat man on the Lower Mississippi River for several years, and in 1827 married and began farming where our subject now resides, having entered eighty acres of timber. He cleared his land, and was the first settler in that part of this township. He was an expert hunter and marksman, a man of strong will, owner of 237 1/2 acres, and died February 4, 1856, aged fifty-eight. Mrs. Blunk died in 1871, aged sixty-three years. They were parents of five sons and five daughters, and members of the Christian Church. Joseph Blunk was born February 14, 1841. He received but a fraction of schooling, yet by well-directed study he has obtained a fair education. When he was sixteen years old, his father died, and he remained with his mother until he was of age. April 10, 1862, he married Elizabeth Cown, a native of Illinois, born November 9, 1840, which union gave being to nine children, of whom six sons and two daughters are living. After marriage, Mr. Blunk located near his present home, to which he removed in 1874. This farm comprises fifty-three acres, valued at about $60 per acre, is well improved and supplied with good stock, and the yield of his industry and care. Mr. Blunk is a progressive citizen, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. #3337: Text from Haynes, Nathaniel S. History of the Disciples of Christ in Illinois 1819-1914, Cincinnati: Standard Publishing Company, 1915. Page 524. This online edition (c) 1997, James L. McMillan. Used by permission. Unknown county. Biographical Sketch of Joseph Hostetler Born: Kentucky, 1797.Died: Illinois, 1870. Joseph Hostetler was a remarkable man. He is properly classified with the pioneer preachers of Indiana, but his services in Illinois entitle him to this notice here. He was of German blood and German Baptist parentage. Thought a typically mischievous boy, under the influence of his mother he very early in life learned to love the Scriptures, particularly the biographies of the Old Testament characters. In the great revival of 1811 he wished to enter the church, but his parents thought him too young. But one of his companions, of his own age, was received upon the following experience, which illustrates the prevalent thought of the time on the subject of conversion. When asked to describe the work of grace upon his heart, the lad sobbingly replied: "I don't know as I has any work of grace to tell. I is a poor sinner." "Do you believe in Christ?" asked the leader. "Oh, yes, ever since I can recollect." When further asked if he had dreamed anything remarkable, he related, in substance, as follows: He went to bed as usual in great distress; dreamed that he was going he knew not where, when the devil met him and was hurrying him off toward hell; thinking himself lost forever, just then a young man met them and rescued him; and that he then awoke in a transport of joy. Whereupon, a gray-haired deacon arose and said: "Brethern [sic], I have been a Baptist for twenty-five years, and if I ever heerd a experience of true grace, this boy has given us one. So it is with the poor sinners; They are goin' they know not where tel the Lord meets em. I can interpret this dream. He's powerfully converted. Glory to God." This incident impressed young Hostetler deeply. As he had no such experience, he read the Bible through and with remarkable persistence searched the New Testament, where he learned that his faith in Christ and repentance toward God should be expressed in his public confession of the Lord Jesus and his baptism "for the remission of sins." In his nineteenth year he was thus received into the German Baptist Church by his uncle, Adam Hostetler. Shortly thereafter he was married and about the same time authorized by the church to preach. On that solemn occasion his uncle presented him with a small Bible, saying: "Preach and practice only what you find in this Holy Book." Many things were yet confused in the thoughts of this young preacher, but he made daily use of the Bible and an English dictionary. About 1824 the first volume of the Christian Baptist fell into his hands, which he read with eagerness, but not with entire approbation. He was strong, self-reliant, clear-minded, purposeful, and with a tremendous capacity for work, both physical and mental. In mature life he spoke both the English and German languages with equal ease and fluency. He was noted for the accuracy of his speech, both in his private conversation and in his public addresses. Mr. Hostetler came to Illinois in 1832 and settled on a farm about twenty miles east of the then village of Decatur. There he served as a pioneer farmer and preacher, organizing in that year what was then called the Okaw Church. He entered Decatur the same year to preach. The Methodists and Presbyterians had preceded him, and, according to the custom of those days, bitterly denounced his discourses as Campbellism, Romanism, infidelity, etc. Such men as he are never intimidated, and a number of the people, hearing his message, believed in Jesus Christ and were baptized. The first church in Decatur, that was Christian only, was organized there by him in 1833. He moved there the next year, and during his two years' residence supported his family by the practice of medicine, for which he had fitted himself by his unflagging industry. He returned to Indiana, in 1836. During this period of four years, he met Bushrod W. Henry, a mighty, resolute and deeply religious Baptist preacher. He also met John W. Tyler, also a Baptist minister of fine mind. Both of these men had come from Kentucky to Illinois in the early thirties. Under the guiding influence of Mr. Hostetler, Mr. Tyler discarded his "articles of faith" for the Scriptures solely and dropped his denominational name for Christian only. Mr. Tyler conducted the obsequies of Mr. Hostetler, and in his funeral discourse stated this fact as it related to himself. Mr. Hostetler returned to Lovington, Ill., in 1861, where he passed the remnant of his days. He was a self-reliant and aggressive leader of men. #3338: History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana From the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with Interesting Biographical Sketches, Reminiscences, Notes, Etc. Chicago, Goodspeed Bros., & Co., Publishers, 1884. Weston A. Goodspeed, Leroy C. Goodspeed, Charles L. Goodspeed. Unknown County. JAMES H. McPHEETERS is a native of Washington County, Ind., his birth occurring March 14, 1844. His grandfather, James McPheeters, was of Scotch descent and removed soon after the war of 1812 to near Livonia. He was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He reared a large family, one of whom - Alexander - married Louisa M. Snyder, a lady of German extraction and native of the Empire State. They reared a family of three children, James H., the subject of this sketch being one. Alexander McPheeters studied medicine and for fully fifty years practiced at Livonia. He was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church thirty years and Superintendent of the Livonia Sabbath-schools twenty-five years; he died in 1882. He widow survives him. James H. McPheeters was reared in Livonia, receiving such education as the village schools afforded. In 1863 he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Seventeen Indiana Volunteer Infantry, participating in a number of engagements and serving in all some nine months. After his return he studied medicine, but later made a speciality of dental and mechanical surgery. He began the practice at Salem and in 1868 came to Mitchell (Marion Township, Lawrence County), where he has since resided, building up a good and steadily increasing business. His entire paternal ancestry were strong anti-slavery people, and on arriving at age he identified himself with the Republican party. He is now the Republican candidate for Recorder of Lawrence County. He is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and Superintendent of Sabbath-school. He has been twice married, first to Miss Mary E. Hagan, a native of Washington County, her birth occurring December 21, 1847. This lady died July 19, 1878. His marriage to Miss L. Florence Roby occurred May 26, 1880. She was born in Kentucky, June 4, 1852, and died May 22, 1882. By the first marriage there were three children: Florence M., Alexander N. and Ada M. The fruit of his second marriage was a son - Earl G. Mr. McPheeters is one of the county's best citizens. #3339: Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago. Reprinted by Southern Historical Press. p. 62. Unknown County. GEORGE MUTER, chief justice of court of appeals from June, 1792, to December 26, 1806, was a Virginian of education and refinement who was among the earliest emigrants from that state to the then district of Kentucky. On the erection of a district court in the Kentucky district, by the legislature of Virginia in 1783, he was one of the judges appointed to its bench, but did not act in that capacity until 1785. He was a prominent participant in the legislative, judicial and political history of the district and state from his advent into it until his resignation from the bench in 1806. His name, with that of Harry Innes, John Brown and Benjamin Sebastian, appears attached to an important historic document, arraigning the congress and government of the United States for the enactment of laws and the negotiation treaty obligation, inimical to the interests of the western country in their commercial relations with foreign powers, and calling a representative convention to meet in May, 1787, to consider the subject. This was the inception of what has become part of the history of the country, and particularly of Kentucky, known as the "Spanish Conspiracy." Much has been written on the subject. Judge Muter's connection with the matter, as determined by long subsequent investigation was free from anything of a treasonable character, as has been sometimes alleged. An effort was made by the legislature in 1795 to remove both Judges Muter and Sebastian from the bench, but failed through lack of two-thirds majority; and while dissatisfaction existed over some of his decisions there is no evidence of corruption upon his part. His long service for the state and his eminent position, with his life tenure upon the office of chief justice, entitled him to every consideration of love and respect. His advanced age and infirmities, however, were such that he could not discharge the increasing arduous duties of his office; and on being promised a pension for the remainder of his life, the venerable judge was induced to resign his office. In accord with the promise made him, the legislature passed a bill granting him a pension of three hundred dollars per annum, December 26, 1806. This was the first and last pension given by Kentucky, and even this small allowance was abrogated by a subsequent repeal of the original grant in January, 1809, it having been a subject of contention throughout the state, the act of pensioning being styled "monarchical, odious and unconstitutional." Judge Muter, being entirely dependent, lived the remainder of his life the beneficiary of the friendship of Judge Todd, who tenderly cared for him in his declining days. #3340: History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana From the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with Interesting Biographical Sketches, Reminiscences, Notes, Etc. Chicago, Goodspeed Bros., & Co., Publishers, 1884. Weston A. Goodspeed, Leroy C. Goodspeed, Charles L. Goodspeed. Unknown County. WILLIAM W. WORRELL, a native of Orange County, Ind., was born January 15, 1821, a son of Samuel and Jane (Walker) Worrell who were born in Kentucky, immigrated to Indiana shortly after it was admitted into the Union, then returned to their native State, and again came to Orange County in 1827, where Samuel Worrell died in 1828. At fifteen years of age William W. began serving a three years' apprenticeship at the tailor's trade under Elbert Jeter, at Orleans, and after working at his trade until about 1850, he accepted a situation as a salesman and cutter in a large establishment which he retained twelve years. Responding to the President's call for troops in 1862, he became a member of Company E, Sixty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and remained in active service until the close of the war. Mr. Worrell was taken prisoner at Richmond, Ky., but was exchanged in time for him to join Sherman's army on its march to the sea. While in the service he met with the misfortune of almost totally losing his hearing. Since the war, with nine years' exception, while a resident of Illinois, Mr. Worrell has always resided in his native county. In politics he is a Republican and in 1884, as a candidate of his party, he was elected County Recorder. In 1842, Miss Anna Dayhuff, a native of Paoli, Ind., became his wife, and seven of the nine children born to their union are yet living. Colonel Sandi Gorin 205 Clements,Glasgow, KY 42141 (270) 651-9114 or E-fax (707)222-1210 Gorin Genealogical Publishing: http://members.delphi.com/gorin1/index.html TIPS: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ky/Tips KYBIOS: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ky/Bios ARCHIVES: http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl