Everson - John Parks - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Source: 1913 History of Montgomery County, Indiana. Indianapolis, AW Bowen. p. 1117

Few residents of Montgomery County are as well and favorably known as the enterprising farmer and representative citizen, but now retired from active labor, whose life story is briefly told in the following lines, and none stand higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the community in which he resides and for the material advancement of which he has devoted much of his time and influence. The family of which he is an honorable representative has been identified with the history of this section of the state for many years, his ancestors having come here in an earlyd ay and taken a prominent part of the upbuilding and development of the county. That the early settlers of Montgomery County and their descendants have done their work well goes without saying and to them the present generation is indebted for the present high standard of civilization and improvmenet which is everywher ein evidence throughout the county. The subject of this sketch, during his active years, took a prominent part in this work of development, in which his efforts were rewarded with a due need of success and today, as he descends the western slope of life's journey, he can look back in pleasant retrospect over the trail of the past years, recalling with pleasure the days when, as one of the sturdy band who were building a new country here in the West, he labored and toiled for the benefit of those who might come after him. He isn ow enjoying that rest which his former years of arduous toil so richly entitle him to. John Parke Everson was born Oct 30, 1841 on a farm in Union Twp, Montogmery County, Indiana the palce of his birth being now included in the corporate limits of Crawfordsville. He is a son of George W. and Rachel Hankins Everson, grandson of Jacob Everson who entered a tract of government land near Whitesville in an early day. George was born probably in Pa and lost his mother by death when quite young. From Pa he went to Butler County, Ohio where he was married to Rachel Hankins. About 1832 he and his wife, together with his father, Jacob Everson came to Montgomery County, George renting the Jonathan Powers farm at the edg eof Crawfordsville and it was there that the subject of this sketch was born and reared. Crawfordsville at that time was a very insignificatn place, comprising a land office and a log court house with a few stores and residences, the latter being of the primitive type common in those days. There was no market there for farm products, the farmer being compelled to take his stuff to Lafayette or Terre haute. Settlers in this section at that time were far apart and wild animals, such as wild hogs, deer and wolves, were numerous and often a menace to the new settlements. Upon the death of Jacob Everson, his son, George bought the interests of the other heirs to the home farm which the former had entered near Whitesville and on that place the subject of this sketch spent the last years of his young manhood. Only 8 or 10 acres of the tract were cleared when they went to live on it and this was the poorest and highest part of the farm. When the lowlands were cleared and drained they proved to be the richest and more productive portion of the estate. There George Everson spent the rest of his days, death occuring in 1887, when 81. His wife had passed April 1878. In the clearing, improving and cultivating of this farm, John P. Everson took an active and prominent part. In 1861 he was married at which time he rented a farm near WHitesville and began life on his own account. He was fairly successful in his effort, continuing the pursuit of agriculture until1880, when he quit farming and buying a sawmill at Whitesville, was engaged in the lumber business there during the following 7 years. He then sold out there and went to Crawfordsville, where for a numbe ro fyears he was successfully engaged as a lumber buyer for several concerns. He devoted himself to this employment for about 5 years at the end of which period he returned to Whitesville and resumed farming. In Nov 1905, Mr. and Mrs. Everson came to Scott Twp and have since then made their home with their daughte rand son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. BYRD. Mr. Everson is the owner of a small farm in Clark Twp which he rents. Fraternally, Mr. Everson has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for 35 years and he and his wife are earnest members of the Christian Church, Ladoga. For about 35 years Mr. Everson was a member of the Indiana Horse Thief Detective Association and captain of a squad he did much effective work for the association. At one time he discovered a store being robbed and, running, in grabbed the burglar single-handed and while struggling with him the owner of the store came in and shot the burglar dead. At another time, while engaged in the capture of a thief, 18 shots were fired. He had many other exciting and often dangerous experiences while engaged in the work of the association. In 1861, John P. Everson was united in marriage with Rebecca A. GUNTle, born near Whitesville, Union Twp, daughter of George Guardian Guntle and Rebecca a. Bailey Guntle. Her father, born in Little York, PA was a son of Jonathan and Julia Ann SNEIVELY Guntle, natives of Germany who to pay for their passage across the ocean to this country were put on the auction block and their services for three months sold to the highest bidder. G eorge C. and Rebecca Guntle came to Montgomery County in 1832, traveling in a wagon and locating near Whitesville on the 5th of Sept. Here Mr. Guntle entered a tract of government land on which not a stick had ever been distrubed and here Mr. Guntle at once entered upon the task of creating a home in the wilderness. While he was getting a space cleared for a cabin the family lived in their wagon, not having even a bedstead. When the cabin logs wer ein place, the cracks between were filled with mud and in this primitive home they began life, their experiences being much the same as those of other pioneers int his new country. There these parents sepnt the remainder of their days, and it was in this humble home Mrs. Everson was born in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Everson were born 5 children: James W; Isom and JOseph E, living; Charles A died at Hoopeston, Illinois May 1903, leaving a widow and 8 children, who now make their home at Hammond, Indiana; Hatitie B, wife of Thomas J. Byrd of Scott Twp, with whom Mr. and Mrs. Everson make their home and who is mentioned elsewhere int his work. In 1911 Mr. and mrs. Everson celebrated the golden anniversary of the marriage and it was an enjoyable occaison, a large number of guests being present to offer their congratulations to their old friends. Mr. and Mrs. Everson both enjoy excellent health, retaining to a remarkable degree their physical and mental faculties. Because of their sterling qualities of character, they are held in the highest esteem throughout the community which has been honored by their residence for many years.  -- typed by kbz