Benjamin F. Baer, who passed his life at and near Monticello from boyhood, was a respected and popular miller, soldier and farmer, his death occurring at his country home north of Monticello, August 6, 1913, in his seventy-second year. He was born near Akron, Ohio, on the 6th of March, 1842, and was taken to Erie County, New York, by his widowed mother. In 1855, having sold her home there, the family came to White County and located on what is known as the Jacob Fross place, about six miles north of Monticello. Benjamin F. learned the milling trade under his brother David at Lockport, Indiana, and later worked with Henry Shafer, who was then operating the grist mill at Norway for the widows of Benjamin and Peter Fisher. Later he entered the canal boat service between Toledo and Vincennes and often, in after years, seemed to enjoy recounting the interesting incidents of this period in his life. After serving six months in the Union army during the last year of the war he returned to the home farm and later engaged in milling at Reynolds and other points in the county.
In 1876 Mr. Baer married Phoebe M. Carney and three sons were born to their union—Jasper A., Frank M. and Bernard M., all of whom are living. After his marriage he settled on a farm north of Norway, which he improved into a beautiful homestead, adding to his landed possessions until he owned 200 acres. About a year before his death he purchased and improved the Forbis place, where he passed his last days. The deceased was a German Lutheran and a good, genial, industrious citizen.
David Baer was born December 6, 1827, in Erie County, New York. For many years he served as a sailor, but located in White County prior to the Civil war. He died at his home northeast of Monticello, February 18, 1898.
The agricultural interests of Union Township have an able and progressive representative in the person of J. A. Baer, who is intelligently cultivating the old home property of 225 acres, as well as ten acres in another tract. He was born on the farm which he now occupies, September 1, 1877, and is a son of Benjamin and Phebe M. (Carney) Baer.
Benjamin Baer, the grandfather of J. A. Baer, was a resident of Erie County, New York, at the time of his marriage in 1827 to Nancy Hoil, and in 1837 moved across the Canadian line, but later returned to New York. He was engaged in farming throughout his career and died in 1849. Nancy Hoil was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1806, and subsequently moved with her parents to Erie County, New York. In later years she frequently related of the stirring times of the War of 1812, and remembered fleeing with her father and the other members of the family into the interior when the British forces crossed the frontier, as well as the burning of Buffalo and the destruction of Fort Erie. She died January 17, 1887, in the faith of the German Lutheran Church, in which she had been an active worker in both church and Sunday school.
Benjamin Baer, the father of J. A. Baer, was born March 6, 1842, near Akron, Ohio, and as a youth located on a farm known as the Jacob Fross place, about six miles north of Monticello, in Liberty Township, White County, Indiana. He learned the milling trade under his brother, David Baer, at Lockport, Indiana, and later worked with Henry Shafer, who was operating a grist mill at Norway, White County. Subsequently he entered the canal boat service between the cities of Toledo and Vincennes, and in later years frequently referred to this as the most interesting period of his life. On February 16, 1865, Mr. Baer enlisted in Company G, One Hundred Fifty-first Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and after serving six months as a soldier was given a hospital discharge, August 28, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. At that time he again engaged in farming in Union Township, and through long years of effort and patient endeavor succeeded in developing one of the handsome and valuable farms of this locality, with the finest of improvements of every kind. He was a great believer in progress and was quick to grasp new methods in his work. Mr. Baer was a man universally respected in his community, was baptized in the German Lutheran Church, and for many years took an active part in Sunday school work in the church at Norway, where he served in the capacity of treasurer. His political belief was that of the republican party. At the time of his death, August 6, 1913, Mr. Baer was one of the oldest members of Monticello Lodge, No. 107, and Stewart Encampment, No. 159, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also held membership in Tippecanoe Post, No. 51, Grand Army of the Republic. On October 10, 1876, he was married to Phebe M. Carney, and they became the parents of three children: Jasper A., who married Lillian Tarr, a daughter of Samuel Tarr; Frank M., who married Lottie Ray, and has one child, Marguerite; and Barnard M., who is single.
Jasper A. Baer was educated in the public schools of Union Township, was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and has devoted his entire career to farming and the raising of livestock. His property, the home farm of 225 acres, gives ample evidence of his ability, thrift and good management, and its improvements are modern in every respect. He also cultivates a 10-acre tract, and this has improvements of its own. In his community Mr. Baer is regarded as a good and public-spirited citizen, but his only public services have been in the postoffice, where he served for three years. He is a republican in his political views, and his fraternal connections include membership in the Monticello Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men. With his family he attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Baer was married March 3, 1901, to Miss Lillian B. Tarr, and they are
the parents of four children: Gavis, born December 12, 1903, in Union
Township; Daurice, born October 16, 1906, at Michigan City, Indiana; Marian
Alberta, born January 22, 1911, at Quincy, Illinois; and Eliza Helen, born March
7, 1914, in Union Township.
One of White County's most estimable and honored citizens passed away in the death of Samuel W. Bailey on August 27, 1913. His career, which was mainly spent in White County, was productive of many benefits, and the material prosperity that rewarded his efforts was only one of the fruits of his character and activities. He possessed those elements of mind and manhood which serve as distinguishing traits out of the commonplace type of people. It is only due to his life and to his family that some memorial tribute should be inscribed in this volume of White County history.
The Baileys were Scotch-Irish people, and the late Samuel W. Bailey was the youngest child of Abraham and Eliza (Webb) Bailey. Abraham Bailey died in Ohio in 1833. His widow then brought her seven children to Carroll County along with her brother, Henry Webb. Henry Webb married a member of the Hayes family, which was distinguished by Rutherford B. Hayes, one time President of the United States.
Samuel Webb Bailey was born February 23, 1830, at Chillicothe, Ohio, and came to Carroll County, Indiana, a few years after his birth. He married Melissa Hoover, a daughter of Alexander and Eliza Hoover. The Hoover family settled in Adams Township of Carroll County in 1825, and were among the earliest pioneers in that locality. To the marriage of Samuel W. Bailey and wife, which was celebrated August 4, 1857, were [sic] born a family of seven children. The oldest of these, Clara, now Mrs. F. M. Frye, is living in the old house which her father built a great many years ago in Adams Township of Carroll County; she and her husband have five children: Walter, who married Susan Nichols, and their three children are named Frances Mary, Eillene and Jessie; Alonzo, now deceased; Quincy; Russell, who by his marriage to Henrietta Purviance has a child named Philip M.; and Alexander. Besides Mrs. Frye the only surviving child of the late Samuel W. Bailey is Mary E. Bailey, now living at Burnetts Creek in White County. A niece, Mrs. Mary J. MacGlennon, a resident of Hammond, Indiana, is the widow of John MacGlennon. The younger children, all now deceased, were named Jessie, John H., Lawrence, Edwin and Nellie.
After his marriage Samuel W. Bailey followed farming until about 1880. From that year until 1889 he was postmaster and also conducted a store at Lockport in Carroll County. After 1889 he lived at Burnettsville. He was in ill health for about four years, but about 1893 bought a general merchandise store and built up a large trade at Burnettsville, finally selling out in 1896 to A. C. Hufford, and the store is now owned by A. F. Galbreath. After 1896 Mr. Bailey lived retired on account of ill health until his death. He was laid to rest in the Cedarville Cemetery in Carroll County, beside his wife, who died July 26, 1872.
Mr. Bailey after reaching his majority became a voter with the whig party, and was one of the original members of the republican party after its organization during the '50s. He was a positive and vigorous thinker and actor, and like many others in the days when the currents of political belief ran much deeper and more sincerely than at present he could never be brought to entertain a high respect for a democrat. He took much interest in party affairs, but was not an office seeker and served only as a justice of the peace and road supervisor. While in his youth he had received only a common school education, he was an inveterate reader, and gained and retained a wonderful fund of information. He always advocated the benefits of higher education for the younger generation. In his reading he was especially attracted to the study of history and knew the past records of the nation and the world much better than the ordinary citizen. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he helped to build the church of that denomination at Lockport, and was always a liberal contributor. Among his chief characteristics was a fondness for children, and he showed great depths of affection for members of his own family. While quick tempered, he quickly forgot his anger, and had a great circle of loyal friends. In his lifetime he accumulated a great deal of money in the aggregate, but spent it freely, and while he provided a good home and advantages for his children, he had no ambition to die a wealthy man. He was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Monticello.
When Mr. Bailey came to Burnettsville he was accompanied by his daughter, Mary E. Bailey, who has lived in that village ever since. Miss Bailey is a member and a liberal supporter of the Methodist Church at Burnettsville and finished her education with two years at the Holy Angels Academy at Logansport. She owns a comfortable home at Burnettsville, and besides looking after her home and attending to her various interests as a churchwoman she spends much time as a nurse and in this capacity has proved a friend in need to many homes in that community.
The men of finance and commercial affairs always play a great and important part in the true history and records of a county, state or nation. Mr. Baker, as a financier, teacher and landowner, is so well known that he needs no special introduction to the citizens of White County and its contiguous territory.
He is a native of the good old Hoosier State, which has contributed to the nation some of its most eminent statesmen, orators, poets and scholars. His birth occurred October 5, 1868, near the pretty little town of Wolcott in White County, a son of Charles F. and Ann (Gill) Baker. His parents are among the highly respected citizens of White County, and reference to them is made on other pages. Mr. Baker finished his school education in his native county and was the first graduate of the public schools in Round Grove Township with the class of 1887. He also attended the city schools of Monticello, and later graduated in the business and scientific courses at the Valparaiso University at Valparaiso, Indiana. He spent eight years altogether in the teachers' profession, partly in Porter County and partly in White County. He was principal of the Reynolds schools two years, and principal of the Chalmers School one year.
While he was at work in the Chalmers schools he was elected county recorder of White County in 1894, and served two terms, from July 7, 1895, to July 7, 1903. In 1903 he organized the Monticello Abstract Company, taking in the abstract books of Hon. E. B. Sellers, Reynolds & Sills, Million & Palmer, and George F. Marvin. Mr. Baker became general manager and held that position until 1908. He is himself a man of large possessions in land both in White and adjoining counties. In 1911 Mr. Baker organized The Farmers State Bank of Monticello, and was elected its first president. He resigned that office to take the duties of cashier, a position involving much heavier responsibilities. He still remains as cashier of one of the strongest banks in White County. He is an active friend of the public schools and was a member of the board of education of Monticello. Mr. Baker is the owner of over a thousand acres of land in White and adjoining counties, where his wife likewise has some important possessions of the same class.
Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one of the ideally happy homes of White County. On February 5, 1896, he married Miss Ella Wolverton, and they have one son, Burdell W. This son is now a student in the first year of the high school at Monticello, and has shown himself unusually bright and progressive in his studies. He takes much interest in his father's business, and has the latter's tastes and inclinations in business affairs.
Mrs. Baker is a native of White County and was born July 10, 1877, a daughter of George W. and Nancy J. (Reynolds) Wolverton. There were four children in the Wolverton family, but the only two now living are Mrs. Baker and her brother Guy R., who completed his education in the common schools and attended Purdue University and is now an agriculturist in Big Creek Township. George W. Wolverton, the father, is a native of White County, and has long been one of the leading citizens and farmers of Big Creek Township. His wife is also a native of this county.
Mrs. Baker received her education in the White County public schools and was a student at St. Mary's College at South Bend, where in addition to the regular course she received musical training. She has many of the qualities of the ideal home maker and has lent grace and dignity to the attractive Baker residence situated near the western limits of the City of Monticello. Her friends speak of her very pleasing personality and gracious presence and at all times she has proved herself ready and valuable in counsel and advice to Mr. Baker. It is a model home and its doors have always been open to a large circle of warm and true friends.
As a politician Mr. Baker was a republican, but in 1912 he advoeated the principles of the progressive party and was its candidate for the office of state treasurer. He was appointed trustee of the Tuberculosis Hospital at Rockville, Indiana, by Governor Marshall. The first presidential vote he cast was for Benjamin Harrison. Fraternally he is one of the honored members of different orders, including the following: Castle Hall Lodge No. 178, Knights of Pythias, at Chalmers, Indiana Conawaugh Tribe No. 518 of the Improved Order of Red Men at Monticello; Lodge No. 1549 of the Loyal Order of Moose at Monticello; Lodge No. 143, B. P. O. E. at Lafayette. Mrs. Baker is a member of the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Baker has always been ready to supply the church and various philanthropic causes with a generous share of his means. The beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Baker, lying just at the western limits of the city, surrounded by the natural trees of the forest, is known as Moose Grove. The occupants of this hime [sic] are people who know how to enjoy life, and having that knowledge, act upon it not only for their own advantage but for the pleasure of their many friends.
The pioneers of a county or state were those who laid firmly the foundation of the structural civilization which their descendants and others in the present generation enjoy. The late Charles F. Baker, of Wolcott, was one of the most worthy and typical men of this class, and did much to open the way of civilization in White County.
He was a native of Ellicott Mills, a suburb of the City of Baltimore, Maryland, and was born March 29, 1822. He was a son of Jacob and Charlotte (Dove) Baker. There were eleven children in the family, six sons and five daughters, and the only two now living are Margaret, widow of Samuel Hillery of Licking County, Ohio, and Lavina, widow of Elsa Dush, of Ohio.
When about seven years of age the late Charles F. Baker left his native State of Maryland with his parents, and they accomplished an overland trip to Licking County, Ohio. This journey was one which he always recalled and it was made in true pioneer style. They had a wagon drawn by teams, while many of the party walked alongside or behind the slow moving horses, and at night they stopped by the wayside and slept in the wagons or under the open stars. They cooked their meals along the road, and the route to Ohio led them across mountains, over streams, through high and low land, and they had to endure the vicissitudes of all kinds of weather and many inconveniences. Arriving in Licking County they settled on a grant of 160 acres of land that had been given to Jacob Baker. In the year 1915 this land is still owned by members of the Baker family.
The late Charles F. Baker was educated in the primitive schools of the pioneer type, kept up by subscription from the patronizing families. These schools in Licking County he attended as opportunity offered, and he then started out to make his own way in the world. At Newark, Ohio, he married Miss Ann Gill in 1847. She was a native of Yorkshire, England, and was about six years of age when she crossed the Atlantic with her parents to the United States. It required three months to make the voyage by the old fashioned sailing vessel, though the same trip can now be made in five days.
Jacob Baker, father of Charles F. Baker, was a son of Ephraim Baker, of Baltimore, Maryland, while Ephraim Baker was a son of Meshack Baker, who was the son of Jacob Baker. The last mentioned Jacob Baker and his wife died from camp fever during the Revolutionary war. The father of Charles F. Baker was born August 2, 1797, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Baker were born twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, and seven of them are still living. Mary, widow of Henry C. Shoop, and a resident of Monticello. Charlotte, wife of S. A. Plummer, and they reside on a farm in Cass County, Indiana. George F. lives in Wolcott, Indiana. Charles W., who married Mary Gearhart, lives in Monticello. Frank U. is a resident of Monticello. Fannie S. is the wife of Henry Downing of West Point Township. Burdell B., the banker at Monticello, is represented on other pages of this publication.
It was on March 16, 1860, that Charles F. Baker and his wife arrived in White County, settling in West Point Township, and as renters they located on a part of the Samuel Snider estate. In 1875 Charles F. Baker bought 320 acres of land in Round Grove Township, and he still owned part of that at the time of his death. He was known as a methodical and careful farmer and the keynote to his life was honesty and integrity. In politics he was a Jeffersonian democrat, though he supported the great Lincoln during the Civil war. His religious principles were those of the Methodist faith. He died March 7, 1893, and was laid to rest in the West Point Cemetery. His wife, who, as already mentioned, was born in Yorkshire, England, and received her education in the common schools, was reared in the faith of the Episcopal or Church of England, but in later years she was a Methodist. Her death occurred June 8, 1891, and she is also at rest in the West Point Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Baker were people who deserved and received and enjoyed the full confidence and respect of all who knew them. While they spent most of their lives in Ohio and in White County, Indiana, they lived for a short time during the year 1855 in the City of Chicago.
Prominent among the agriculturists of White County who through years of industry and labor have attained a competence and at the same time have acquired and have the respect and confidence of their fellow citizens is George F. Baker, now in possession of a good, substantial home, together with other valuable property in the Town of Wolcott, where he has lived for the past twenty-five years.
He has spent most of his life in White County, coming with his parents in 1860, when they took up their residence there. He has seen the growth and development of this section of Indiana, and has contributed his share to the end that the portion he has had to deal with should be made better for his having had charge of it, and in many other ways in his community has made himself a not unimportant factor in the changes he has witnessed for the better.
Mr. Baker was born on the 8th day of October, 1852, and was, therefore, in his eighth year when his parents moved to White County, where he grew up on the farm, attending the meagre terms of the common schools of that early day, which he put to such good use that when he arrived at manhood he was employed as teacher of the common schools for the period of twenty-two years, teaching in White County, only, and within Princeton, West Point and Round Grove townships. He was principal of the town schools of Wolcott, for three years.
As a farmer Mr. Baker has the cultivation and ownership of over 500 acres in the above named townships, but has for a number of years been engaged in the real estate business in Wolcott. He is a prosperous and high minded citizen.
On December 28th, 1881, he married Martha E. Stanford, daughter of William E. and Elizabeth A. (Swartz) Stanford. Three children have been born to their union: George F., on February 17, 1883; Walter E., October 14, 1884; and Homer S., July 1, 1889.
Mr. and Mrs. Baker have given each of their sons a college education.
George spent one year in Normal at Marion, two years at DePauw University, two short terms at the University of Indiana and then four years at Purdue University. The son Homer is a graduate of Purdue University, while Walter is a graduate of the Scientific Department of Marion Normal College.
Mr. Baker is affiliated with the Masonic lodge at Wolcott, and the Kentland Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, at Kentland. He, with his wife and son, Homer, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Wolcott. The community has, at different times, sought his services for public offices, and he served five years as clerk and treasurer, and two years as treasurer, of the Town of Wolcott.
Being a man of positive nature, he has always taken the side of right and morality whenever a question has been submitted to the public voice for decision. In polities, Mr. Baker is a republican.
A citizen of Cass Township who has given a good account of himself during his long career as a farmer in that locality is John H. Baker, whose fine farm of 120 acres in section 17 stands out as a conspicuous landmark on account of its generally attractive situation and its many marks of enterprise and improvement. Mr. Baker grew up in a farming community, and has made agriculture a life study, and has brought to it the same qualities and energy which would have enabled him to succeed in any other vocation.
John H. Baker is a native of Missouri, born at Boonville, July 14, 1857, a son of John Vance and Elizabeth (Barker) Baker. The Bakers were German people and the greatgrandparents of Mr. Baker were born in the old country, and came to the United States and located in Pennsylvania. The family lived in a number of different states, in Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Indiana. John V. and Elizabeth Baker were the parents of four children: Anson H., of Washington; one that died in infancy; Orange S., of Rensselaer, Indiana; and John H.
The Baker family came to White County in 1870, locating in section 15 of Cass Township. John V. Baker bought forty acres from John Thompson and forty acres from another party and was proprietor of that eighty acres when he died. He and his wife were Baptists and both interested in church affairs. In politics he was a republican, and did the part of a good citizen without mingling in party activities to any great extent. His death occurred October 6, 1886, and his wife passed away August 15, 1912.
John H. Baker, during the forty-five years of his residence in Cass Township, has witnessed many improvements and changes, and has not been an idle spectator of these improvements, but has himself put his shoulder to the wheel and helped to give several turns to the chariot of progress. He was thirteen years old when he came to White County, and had already been attending the public schools for several years. His education was completed in Cass Township, and as soon as old enough he used his strength in performing the duties of the farm. At the age of twenty-seven Mr. Baker started out for himself, and on November 9, 1880, married Miss Alice M. Teeter. To their marriage were born four children: Ora A., Charles F., Edna Blanche, and George Ray. Ora A. is a resident of Indianapolis. He was formerly a farmer, but is now employed in that city. He married Miss Leora A. Valentine, and they have one child, Robert Leslie. Mr. Baker is a graduate of the Marion Business College and affiliates with the republican party. Charles F. resides in Freesoil, Michigan, where he has a garage and is doing well. He is also a graduate of the Marion Business College. He married Miss Jessie Evans, and they have two children, Alice Geneva and Henry Lee. Mr. C. F. Baker is a republican and a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity and the Church of God, while his wife is a Methodist. Edna Blanche became the wife of Alonzo Foust, and has a little daughter, Evelyn, now in school. Mrs. Foust is a member of the Church of God and of the Ladies' Aid Society, and her home is with her parents. George Ray, who is at home, received a common and high school education, and is a member of the fraternal order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Baker also took into their home a little girl, Gladys Willetta, when nine years of age, and reared and educated her as their own. She married John Maples, of Lafayette, Indiana, an electrician. They have two children, Arthur Elmer and Edward Melvin. Mrs. Maples is a member of the Church of God. Mrs. Baker was born in Montgomery County, Indiama, October 31, 1859, a daughter of William J. and Martha A. (Quick) Teeter, in whose family were five children, and all the children and the parents are living. The children are residents of Indiana with the exception of Abigail J., who is with her parents in Canton, Mississippi, and George Teeter, a farmer in Meade, Oklahoma. Mr. Teeter was an agriculturist, and was one of the first "Star Routers" of the mail service. He affiliated with the republican party, and was a soldier in the Civil war, a member of the Sixty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was badly wounded at the battle of Resaca, Georgia, under the command of General Sherman. He afterward rejoined his regiment, and was in the Grand Review at Washington, District of Columbia, at the close of hostilities. He was born in Indiana, as was also his wife. Mrs. Baker was a little child of two years when brought to White County. She received a good education and became a teacher. Her sister, Abigail, was also a teacher for a number of years. Mrs. Baker takes great interest in her church work, being a member of the Church of God, of which she is serving as clerk at Headlee, and is president of the Ladies' Aid Society. The conference of this church convenes at Headlee, August 31, 1915, and Mrs. Baker's subject before the conference is "Just Limitations to the Subordination of Sisters in the Church." She performs her full duty at all times in the furtherance of church work.
Mr. Baker is a republican and in church affairs is a member of the
Church of God. His business is that of general farming and stock raising,
and he has well deserved his prosperity.
The Bank of Reynolds is one of the solidest and best officered institutions in White County. Every financial institution during its earlier years acquires estimation and influence largely through the character and reputation of the men whose names are most intimately associated with the undertaking. The personal factor is always the indispensable quality in an institution of this kind, particularly at the beginning. The men who have been connected with the Bank of Reynolds since its beginning enjoy the thorough confidence and esteem of the business territory which their bank serves, and this is the principal reason for the success of the institution.
It began in 1897 as a private institution with $10,000 capital. The owners and officers at that time were: John C. Vanatta, president; William T. Wagner, vice president; and Fred Dahling, cashier. On June 15, 1914, the bank was reorganized under a state charter, with a capitalization of $25,000. The officers remained the same as above noted, the only change being the appointment of J. W. Scearcy as assistant cashier. The bank was prosperous from the start, and in point of stability compares with any other bank in White County. It has never refused a loan on good security, and during hard times it has been in a situation to pay every dollar to its depositors.
Fred Dahling, who has been identified with this bank from its beginning, and whose genial personality and judgment have been important factors in its growth, has spent nearly all his life in White County, and was a teacher and connected with different local offices before taking up his present business.
Fred Dahling was born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, October 25, 1870. His parents, William and Sophia (Boltz) Dahling, brought their family to the United States in 1875, locating in Monticello, from which city they removed three years later to Reynolds, where they spent the rest of their lives. The father died December 10, 1900, and his wife on February 5, 1876. Both are now at rest in the Lutheran Cemetery at Reynolds. The father was a democrat in politics, and took a general interest in public affairs, though never an office holder. He was reared and always remained in the faith of the Lutheran Church. The three children were: Henry, who is in business at Brookston; Mary, wife of H. G. Krueger, of Reynolds; and Fred.
Fred Dahling was about five years old when he came to White County. He attended the public schools at Reynolds, and his earlier experiences were as school teacher, an employe [sic] in the county recorder's office, as deputy county treasurer, and in 1894 he was honored with election to the office of township trustee. He held that office six years, and in the meantime had engaged in banking, and has presided at the cashier's window of the Bank of Reynolds for eighteen years. In July, 1914, he was appointed to the office of postmaster at Reynolds, and is now giving part of his attention to the administration of that office.
Mr. Dahling is a democrat in politics, and is a member of the Lutheran Church at Reynolds. On November 24, 1901, he married Miss Ida E. Erdmann, daughter of Gottlieb and Mary (Hagen) Erdmann. They are the parents of one son, Waldemar, who was born March 15, 1904, and is now attending the public schools.
Among the early settlers of White County few have been more prominent than Allen Barnes, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 13, 1797, and died near Idaville on March 15, 1880, in his eighty-third year. In 1884 he moved to the new County of White, where he resided until his death. At the age of twenty-five he married Elizabeth McIntire and soon after joined the Associate Church of Clark's Run, then in charge of Rev. James Adams. In 1836 his wife died and the following year he married Mrs. Jane Dixon, who died in 1870. He had four children by his first wife and five by the latter. In 1858 he united with the United Presbyterian Church and retained his membership therein until his death.
Judge James Barnes, one of the old associate judges of White County, died September 21, 1873, aged ninety-four years. He was born in Virginia, came to White County at an early day and was one of our most prominent citizens until, by extreme age, he was compelled to quit his active life. He had been married four times and was the stepfather of Mrs. Amanda McCuaig, now living in Monticello. In his death the community lost a valued citizen and his family an ever kind and indulgent husband and father.
Few men in the eastern part of White County were better known than John T. Barnes, who for many years was prominent in the business affairs of that section. He was born in Clarke County, Ohio, November 29, 1828, and was the oldest son of five children born to David and Elizabeth (Gedd) Barnes, natives of Ohio and of Scotch-Irish descent. When he was six years old his parents moved to Carroll County, Indiana, and nine years later his parents died. In 1850, he married Miss Sarah J. Shaver, born in East Tennessee in 1831, died in White County, August 6, 1903. Ten children were born to this marriage, but two of whom, Henry M. Barnes, of Idaville, and Mrs. Ada M. Callaway, of Cass County, survive. In 1849, Mr. Barnes purchased a forty-acre farm in Jackson Township, but in 1851 traded this for a farm of 120 acres, and about this time moved to White County and opened a general store in Idaville, in which he was engaged until 1864, when he located on a farm two miles north of Idaville, but a year later he engaged in business in Idaville again until 1868, when he traded for a 300-acre farm three miles northwest of Idaville, but in August, 1882, he again entered business in Idaville as a member of the firm of Hall, Barnes & Co., but for several years prior to his death he was not actively engaged in any business. In the year 1878 he was elected county commissioner as a republican, an office which he filled to the satisfaction of his party and the public. Mr. Barnes was a pioneer of Idaville, in which he claimed to have erected the first building. He was a man highly respected and merited the esteem of the public. He died in Idaville, January 23, 1905.
Thomas M. Barnes, an honored citizen of Jackson Township, was born June 27, 1814,
in Xenia, Ohio. He was of Scotch-Irish descent and came when an infant with
his parent to the Territory of Indiana and was a
participant in all the trials incident to pioneer life and lived for forty-one
years on the farm near Idaville on which he died. He was married February 19,
1840, to Miss Cynthia Ginn, by whom he had nine children. He died February 4,
1890. He was for many years a prominent member of the United Presbyterian Church
at Idaville and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him.
For thirty-five years William A. Barnes has been a resident of White County, and practically all his life has been passed in this section of Indiana. His interests and activities have identified him with the rural community, and it was only after developing a fine farm and reaping the fruits of a well spent career in an ample competence for his future needs that he retired from the farm and moved into Monticello about three years ago. His active years have been accompanied with definite achievements and his sterling integrity is recognized by all.
William A. Barnes was born in Adams Township, Carroll County, Indiana, June 3, 1840, one of seven children, three of whom are living, born to John and Sarah (Allen) Barnes. His father was a native of Ohio, and his mother of Pennsylvania, and they were married in Carroll County, Indiana, and spent the rest of their lives on land they had secured from the Government. They had acquired this homestead of a quarter section immediately after their marriage, and lived there as hard workers, good neighbors and on an increasing scale of prosperity till taken away by death. At his death John Barnes left an estate of about 240 acres. He died about 1880, his wife having preceded him two years, and both were laid to rest in Carroll County.
William A. Barnes was reared and educated in his native township and his early experience on a farm he turned to good account when taking up life for himself. He first came to White County in 1869, but a year later returned to Carroll County, lived there nine years, and then identified himself permanently with White County. His location was in Jackson Township, where he conducted and improved a tract of land, raised stock and worked up his graded live stock finally into a herd of blooded Durham cattle. At one time he owned 320 acres of Jackson Township, but gave eighty acres to his son and sold the rest when he retired and came into Monticello in 1912. Mr. Barnes has been a stanch [sic] republican for fifty years or more, but has never cared for political office.
On August 6, 1863, he married Margaret J. Carson, who died March 8, 1903, after
they had lived together in married companionship nearly forty years. Of her five
children, three died many years ago. Elsie G., one of the survivors, married Harry
W. Sharp, and died in 1905, leaving two children, Walter and Blanche. The only
living child is Elmer, now engaged in the grocery business at Monticello. On
October 7, 1908, Mr. Barnes married for his present wife Mrs. Emma G. (Gress)
Barnes, widow of George T. Barnes, and daughter of Morris and Delilah (Hall)
Gress. Her parents came to Carroll County from Pennsylvania about 1865. Her
father, who was a carpenter by trade, died in Carroll County, and her mother in
White County. After the death of Mr. Gress his widow married Cornelius Nicholas
in February, 1880, and they came to White County. Morris and Delilah (Hall) Gress
had seven children, four of whom are now living: Susan, who is Mrs. Edward Dixon;
John; Mahlon; and Emma, who is Mrs. Barnes. Mrs. Barnes lost her father in
1870, and her mother died in 1894. Mrs. Barnes' grandmother, Kesiah Gress, was a
daughter of Sir Henry Clinton. Mr. Gress was a republican, though never an
officeholder. Mrs. Barnes is a great-granddaughter of Sir Henry Clinton, who was
one of the chief commanders of the British forces in the War of the Revolution.
By her first marriage Mrs. Barnes was the mother of five children: Aura Dell,
wife of Allen Cossell, and they have a child, Helen, born November 6, 1906; Georgia
V., wife of C. C. Baker; Lawrence G., of New York State; Hazel, who died in
October, 1893, at the age of sixteen months; and Gilbert Paul, of Monticello.
One of the earliest settlers of what is now White County was James Barr, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, January 4, 1813, and came to what is now White County in 1831. In 1842 he married Eliza J. Shaw, daughter of John Shaw, who located at Battle Ground about the year 1829. In 1843 James Barr located upon and cleared up a farm of 360 acres in Prairie Township and on this farm he died November 10, 1876. He was an industrious farmer, an honest man and a good citizen.
John C. Bartholomew, whose remains were buried in the old cemetery of Monticello, was wounded in the leg in the battle before Richmond, taken to the Army Square Hospital in Washington, D. C., and there died from loss of blood. He was a saddler by trade and followed his vocation in Norway, but enlisted in the Twentieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, and became a lieutenant. He was married July 16, 1860, to Christenia Snyder, a sister to Capt. Henry Snyder, and she now lives with the captain in Monticello.
Catherine Bartley was born in Logan County, Ohio, in 1810, came to White County prior to its organization and located on the Tippecanoe River at what is now Springboro. After her marriage to George R. Bartley she made her home in Monticello, where she died January 8, 1881. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church and one of those early settlers to whom we owe so much for having opened a wilderness and caused it to blossom as the rose. Her funeral was held at her residence, conducted by Rev. John B. Smith, of the Monticello Presbyterian Church, and her remains were interred in the family cemetery south of Monticello.
Forty years a resident of White County, John A. Batson has been identified with varied interests in Honey Creek Township, both as a merchant and as a farmer.
He was born in Berrien County, Michigan, August 31, 1842, a son of William and Lorinda (Robertson) Batson. His father was of Welsh and his mother of German ancestry. They were married in Henry County, Indiana, and both died and are buried in Michigan.
John A. Batson was one of a family of twelve children. His youth was spent in Michigan, where he acquired his education, and at the age of twenty-one he started out to make his own way in the world. In the spring of 1875 he came into White County, and established his home at Reynolds. For five years he was engaged in the drug business, and was also a justice of the peace four years. In 1879 Mr. Batson was admitted to the practice of law, but has not been steadily identified with that profession. From 1884 to 1894, he was traveling representative for the Heath & Milligan Company, paint manufacturers of Chicago. He now has one of the fine farms of the community, 208 acres lying in Big Creek Township, and he has erected thereon one of the most sanitary and up-to-date barns in Western Indiana. In addition he also has a block of five lots and two residences. Mr. Batson is a man of research, a reader and thinker, and he has aimed to keep abreast of the times.
Mr. Batson is a republican in polities, and takes a keen interest in local and
national affairs. On September 16, 1872, he married Marian H. Beam,
daughter of John Q. Beam and Hannah M. (Wheeler) Beam. To their union
were born two children, John B., who died in 1892 and Lula B., the wife of Arthur
H. Rice of South Bend, and the mother of one daughter, Zelda. Mr. Batson is a charter
member of the Royal Arch Chapter of Masons at Monticello.
About 1858 there arrived in Monticello a young man seeking his fortune in the West and one of his first acts after his arrival was to hang out his "shingle" at the northeast room upstairs of the old Commercial Block bearing the legend, "James B. Belford, Attorney at Law." This gentleman was born in Pennsylvania in 1837. In 1864 he was a Lincoln presidential elector and in 1866-68 was a member of the Legislature of Indiana. Later he removed to Laporte, Indiana, and resumed the practice of the law and also served as school examiner. From Laporte be went to Colorado, from which state be served in Congress from 1877 to 1885. After his retirement from Congress he served as one of the justices of the Supreme Court of Colorado and died in Denver, January 7, 1910. Mr. Belford was a brother-in-law of James W. McEwen of Rensselaer and is well remembered by most of the older citizens of White County. While in Congress his readiness in debate and quickness in repartee gained for him the cognomen of "the red-headed rooster of the Rockies." Mr. McEwen, while differing from him in politics, always had a high regard for him personally and frequently narrated a circumstance which occurred in the trial of the famous Star Route cases. Mr. Belford was a witness in this trial and in an altercation with the attorney for the Government used the short and ugly word, for which the judge at once assessed a fine of $100 and stopped the trial until this fine was paid. The late Col. Robert G. Ingersoll was counsel for the defendant and was so well pleased that he at once produced a hundred-dollar bill, paid the fine himself, and the trial proceeded.
The career of Marion Benjamin, from earliest boyhood, has been one filled with earnest and unending effort. In his youth he was forced to meet and overcome many disadvantages and obstacles, his early years were passed amid the hardships of pioneer existence, and in later life he was compelled to experience the vicissitudes which characterize the activities of the individual making his way without monetary or friendly influences. That he is now the possessor of independence and an honored position among his fellow-citizens, is due solely to his own labors and his abiding faith in his abilities.
Mr. Benjamin was born in the township in which he now resides, that of Liberty, White County, Indiana, March 4, 1856. He is one of the eight children, all of whom are now living but one, born to the marriage of Abel and Mary (Conwell) Benjamin. Abel Benjamin was a native of Ross County, Ohio, and when a boy was left an orphan, being reared in the family of Isaac Davis, who brought him to White County at a very early day, where he was reared to manhood and married. Mr. Benjamin began housekeeping in a log house on section 23, in Liberty Township. He secured but few educational advantages as a boy, the greater part of his education being secured in the schools of hard work and experience, and when the Civil war came on he enlisted in the Forty-sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. It was his fate to meet a soldier's death, for he fell at the battle of Champion Hills, Mississippi, May 16, 1863. His son, George, was also a soldier in the Union army, belonging to the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he enlisted at the age of fifteen years. He passed safely through the war and at the present time is a resident of Nebraska.
Mrs. Benjamin, at the time of her husband's death, was left with a large family of children to care for, in a part of the country that was not developed, and at a time when currency had deeply depreciated. She did not allow herself to become discouraged, however, but bravely faced the existing conditions, and in some way managed to keep her little flock together. In later years Mrs. Benjamin was again married, to Robert T. Harrison, and both are now deceased.
Of his parents' eight children, Marion was the sixth in order of birth. He was reared in Liberty Township and in addition to helping on the home place, attended in a limited way the district schools of the locality. When he was about eighteen years old he began the battle of life upon his own responsibility, securing employment as a farm hand, at a salary of $16 per month, and gradually accumulated some small means. Mr. Benjamin was married February 20, 1879, to Miss Catherine J. Adams, who was born in Ohio, and for a number of years after this union was engaged in renting land in White County, beyond the limits of which he has never resided. His first ownership was a tract of 100 acres of land located in sections 13 and 14, and at the present time he owns 260 acres, all accumulated by his own ability and hard work. In addition to general farming, Mr. Benjamin has always carried on stock-raising, and in both departments has been more than ordinarily successful. He combines practical means, with the more modern methods, raises the standard crops of the locality, and displays keen business discrimination in the disposal of them. Mr. Benjamin has not been a seeker for preferment in public life, being content to devote himself to his pastoral pursuits, yet he takes an interest in the welfare of his community and lends his support to all beneficial movements. He is inclined to be independent in his political views, but all else being even generally favors the candidates and principles of the democratic party.
To Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin four children have been born: William; Edward E.; Mary Ellen, who is the wife of William Hepp; and Gertie, who is the wife of Edward Frye.
Esau Bennett, an old-time grocer of Monticello, was born in Pendleton County, West Virginia, November 6, 1822, and in 1866 came to Monticello and engaged in the grocery business in which he was quite successful. He was married April 1, 1844, to Rachel Hudkins, and to this union was born eight sons and two daughters. His wife died March 15, 1872, and on April 3, 1873, he was married to Eliza E. Long, of Jeffersonville, Indiana. He died at his home in Monticello, June 9, 1885.
Conspicuous among the enterprising, thrifty, and progressive men who, a generation or more ago, were leaders in the business circles of White County, was Henry P. Bennett, a man of recognized ability and worth. A native of Virginia, he was born, March 15, 1815, in Barbour County, and was there bred and educated.
A youth of fine physique and broad mental capacity, Mr. Bennett began the battle of life on his own account as soon as he attained his majority, having just previous to that time taken unto himself a wife, his marriage with Phoebe Hudkins having been recorded in 1835. In 1854, being strongly impelled by the restive American spirit that led so many to seek new locations in the wild lands of this section of the country, he came with his family to Indiana, following the emigrant's trail to Fulton County, where he bought land, and for several years continued his agricultural work.
Coming to White County in 1869, Mr. Bennett embarked in mercantile pursuits, opening in Monticello a grocery store, which he operated successfully for many years, having built up a large and highly remunerative patronage in this part of the county, where he was well and widely known. Mr. Bennett was elected justice of the peace, and held the office until his death, in 1889. He was an able business man, and through judicious investments accumulated considerable wealth, his real estate including valuable farming property in the O'Connor Addition to Monticello. Politically he upheld the principles of the democratic party, and religiously he was a life-long Methodist, and one of the pillars of the old church in the north end of town.
The maiden name of the wife of Mr. Bennett, as previously stated, was Phoebe Hudkins. To them ten children were born, namely: Franklin, deceased, fought in the Union army during the Civil war; Roanna M., deceased, married Michael Hogan; James R., deceased, served throughout the entire period of the Civil war as a soldier; Edwin L., deceased; Miranda J., widow of Richard H. Singer; Mary F., deceased, was the wife of Benjamin F. Ross; Johnson L., now a resident of Illinois; Prudence, widow of John A. Rothrock, of Indianapolis; Sarah Etta, died in infancy; and Robert P., living in Arkansas. Mrs. Bennett survived her husband for many years.
In the sudden and unexpected death of Frank P. Berkey in the early morning of Tuesday, April 21, 1914, Monticello lost one of its best and most highly esteemed citizens. He was the son of Michael and Margaret Berkey, and was born in Monticello, September 24, 1852. When nineteen years old he entered the employ of Loughry Brothers, or rather of their father, in the milling business and continued with them almost continuously to the time of his death. So close were his relations that he was regarded more as a member of the firm than as an employe [sic]. For many years prior to his death he was general superintendent of their large milling interests at Monticello. June 26, 1884, he was married to Mrs. Florine (Failing) Morony, daughter of the late Peter B. Failing, who survived him. He also left one brother, Howard Berkey, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and one half sister, Mrs. India Fleming. Another sister, Mrs. James B. Roach, of Monticello, died April 23, 1909. He was an early member of Monticello Lodge No. 73, Knights of Pythias, and about fifteen years before his death he joined the Masonic fraternity, becoming an active member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council. He served five successive years as Master of his lodge and at the time of his death was serving his fifth term as High Priest of Monticello Chapter No. 103, Royal Arch Masons. At his death the Chapter adopted a most touching memoriam, reading in part as follows:
"Since our last convocation this Chapter has suffered an irreparable loss in the death of our Most Excellent High Priest, Frank P. Berkey. He was a Companion tried and true, whose advice was always timely and whose work was always good; and when on April 13th he conferred the Most Excellent Master's degree upon these Companions who have to-night been exalted—declared the Key Stone placed and the Temple completed--little thought we that these words proclaimed the end of his own labors among us, and that never again would we see his face amid these familiar scenes, or hear his voice giving encouraging admonition to the workmen.
"He has presented his work to the Master Overseer, and we have every confidence that it has been accepted. The Key Stone has been placed; the Temple finished; and we trust that, armed with the Signet of Zerubbabel, he has been admitted within the veil and is now pursuing his labors under the direction of the Grand Council of the Universe—not delving in the ruins, but enjoying the ineffable splendors of the Temple completed."
A scion of a family whose name has been worthily linked with the annals of White County for half a century, Mr. Beshoar has here maintained his home since the days of his early youth and has been successfully concerned with farming and stock-growing, with business interests in the City of Monticello, and with civic affairs. He is now engaged as a buyer and shipper of stock and is a valued member of the City Council of Monticello—a citizen of sterling character and one who has impregnable place in popular confidence and esteem.
Though his entire adult life has been passed in White County, Mr. Beshoar reverts to the old Keystone State as the place of his nativity. He was born at Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of January, 1850, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Smith) Beshoar, the former of whom was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, on the 15th of June, 1805, and the latter of whom was born in Snyder County, that state, on the 12th of January, 1831, their marriage having been solemnized in Mifflin County, on the 12th of January, 1849. The father was of French and the mother of Irish lineage and both families were early founded in Pennsylvania. Of the nine children the subject of this review is the firstborn; Adaline, who was born October 15, 1851, died in 1866; Emma, who was born October 7, 1853, died on the 18th of the same month; James was born October 16, 1854; Margaret, May 3, 1857; and Hiram, June 19, 1859; Albert was born September 30, 1861, and died April 2, 1873; Alice was born December 16, 1864; and William on the 11th of February, 1866, the foregoing list indicating that five of the children are still living. The father was first married on the 20th of March, 1828, and Rev. David Shallenberger then performed the nuptial ceremony which made Miss Susanna Rothrock his wife. She passed to the life eternal December 18, 1847, and of the ten children of this union only two are living—Mrs. Sarah Musser, of McVeytown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Asenath Snyder, who resides at Trinidad, Colorado.
In his native state Daniel Beshoar, Sr., received excellent educational advantages, as gauged by the standards of the locality and period, and as an able linguist familiar with both the French and German as well as the English languages, he was frequently called upon to serve as an interpreter in court proceedings in Pennsylvania. He continued his residence in the Keystone State until March 16, 1865, when he removed with his family to White County, Indiana, and located on a farm one and one-half miles north of Monticello, where his death occurred on the 27th of October of the same year. He was originally a whig and later a republican in politics and as a man of well-fortified opinions concerning governmental affairs he took a lively interest in public matters and in all that pertained to the community welfare. Mrs. Mary (Smith) Beshoar survived her husband by forty years and was summoned to the life eternal on the 12th of October, 1905, at the age of seventy-four years, both having been earnest members of the Old Brethren Church and the remains of both being laid to rest in the cemetery at Burnettsville, White County.
Daniel Beshoar II, the immediate subject of this sketch, acquired his early education in the excellent schools of his native state and was nearly sixteen years of age at the time of the family removal to White County, Indiana. At the age of eighteen years he initiated his independent career as a farmer in this county; shortly prior to this he had assumed marital responsibilities, since, on the 12th of November, 1867, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Catherine A. Young, a daughter of Jacob and Amanda (Conroud) Young, who immigrated to Indiana from their native State of Pennsylvania in 1866 and who first settled in Carroll County, whence they came to White County two years later; they located on a farm near the Village of Norway and later removed to Lake Cicot, Cass County, where Mr. Young died on the 19th of March, 1876, his widow long surviving him and passing the closing years of her life in the City of Gary, this state, where her death occurred on the 22d of November, 1913, aged eighty-two years, six months and twenty-seven days. Mr. and Mrs. Beshoar became the parents of three children: Gertrude, who is the wife of Robert Spencer, of this county; Milton, who died at the age of five weeks; and Ella, who is the wife of Ora Hamill, their home being in the City of Monticello.
Mrs. Beshoar is a lady who commands the respect and friendship of all who know her. Socially she is a member of the Eastern Star No. 165 of Monticello. When she and her husband were married and began the journey of life their cash capital would not exceed $25, and in the years' labor and economy they have acquired a nice competence, besides rearing and educating their children for honored places in their respective homes. Mrs. Beshoar has stayed by her husband's side all these years, aiding him in the building up of their peaceful and happy home life, and their home is one of cordiality and good cheer to their many friends who may enter its hospitable portals.
Mr. Beshoar continued his operations as one of the progressive and substantial agriculturists and stockgrowers of Jackson Township until December, 1887, when he removed with his family to Monticello, where he and his wife have since maintained their residence and where they have an attractive home that is known for its hospitality. For a period of eleven years Mr. Beshoar was successfully engaged in the meat-market business in Monticello, and since that time he has been active as a stock buyer. He has been under all circumstances and conditions a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party and has taken an active part in public affairs of a local order. He served two terms as city marshal and is at the present time a member of the city council, a position of which he has been the loyal and efficient incumbent since 1914. He is affiliated with the local organizations of the Masonic fraternity, including the Order of the Eastern Star, and also with the Knights of Pythias. A man whose course has been guided and governed by the highest principles of integrity and who has marked the passing years with worthy achievement, he has a wide circle of friends in the county that has long been his home.
The following paragraphs contain the important facts in the life and family records of a White County citizen whose name has always stood for all that is honest and of good report in this community, for successful thrift and business integrity and for a position which all must respect. There is now a quite extensive relationship of the Beshoar family in White County and the name was first introduced into this part of Northwestern Indiana fully half a century ago. Hiram Beshoar is one of the several brothers whose names will at once be recognized as designating men of standing and influence. His home has been at Burnettsville for the past half century, and his career has been divided between farming, business affairs in the village, and important service in public capacity.
The name Beshoar is of French origin and some of the American descendants have spelled it Bashore. The grandfather of Hiram Beshoar was Michael Beshoar, who lived in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. Daniel Beshoar, father of Hiram, was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1805. He was married March 20, 1828, to Susanna Rothrock, who died December 18, 1847, the mother of ten children, of whom only two are still living: Mrs. Sarah Musser of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Asenath Snyder, of Trinidad, Colorado. After the death of his first wife, Daniel Beshoar married January 12, 1849, in Mifflin County, Mary Smith, who came of a family of Irish lineage. Of this union there were nine children: Daniel, born January 29, 1850; Adaline, born October 13, 1851, and died in 1866; Emma, who was born October 7, and died October 18, 1853; James, born October 16, 1854; Margaret, born May 1857; Hiram; Alfred, born September 30, 1861, and died April 2, 1873; Alice, born December 15, 1864; and William, born February 11, 1866. The father of these children, while living in Pennsylvania, acquired fluent knowledge of both the French and German languages, as well as the English, and frequently acted as an interpreter in the local courts. On March 16, 1865, he brought his family to White County, and bought what was known as the old Norway farm, in Union Township, a mile and a half north of Monticello. He lived here less than a year, and died October 27, 1865. He was a whig and later a republican in politics. At his death he left his widow with the care of eight children. She lived on the homestead north of Monticello until 1870 and in the spring of that year sold the farm and moved to Burnettsville, where she continued for many years, and passed away October 12, 1905. She was a member of the Brethren Church, as was also her husband, and he was a pillar of the church. They were laid to rest side by side in the cemetery at Burnettsville.
Hiram Beshoar, who was six years of age when the family came to Union Township, White County, in March, 1865, was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1859. When he was still a boy he moved into Burnettsville with his mother and completed his education in the local schools of that village. While at different times identified with various occupations, Mr. Beshoar was for many years, up to 1901, engaged in farming about a mile south of Burnettsville. From 1887 to 1900 he was also engaged in shipping live stock, and for nearly fifteen years has had the center of his business activities at Burnettsville. He was in the grain business, and later enlarged the scope of his operations to include hardware and implements, and at the present time is the only dealer in poultry, eggs and butter, and operates a cream station.
On October 27, 1886, Mr. Beshoar married Flora E. Godlove, a daughter of Perry Godlove of a prominent White County family mentioned on other pages. To their union were born six children: Franklin H., who lives at Burnettsville and by his marriage to Pearl Justice, has a son, Robert B.; Mamie E., who is the wife of A. 0. Townsley of Burnettsville, and their three children are Margaret, Herbert and Vernice; Clara, Pauline, Perry G. and Daniel L., all of whom are unmarried and live with their parents. Frank, Clara and Pauline are graduates of the Burnettsville schools. Mrs. Beshoar is a native of Delaware County, Indiana, born January 22, 1861, and was educated in the Burnettsville schools. She is one of the efficient teachers in the Sabbath school, is an affable, genial lady and has done her part in the raising of their family.
Though essentially a business man, Mr. Beshoar has also been prominent in
republican politics. On April 12, 1905, he was appointed postmaster at
Burnettsville, and gave a capable administration of that office up to April 17,
1914. At different times he has also been honored with the position of precinct
committeeman. He and his wife and family are active members of the Brethren
Church, and he has been treasurer of the church since 1888 and one of its most
liberal supporters. What Mr. Beshoar has accomplished in a business way is almost
entirely due to his energy and industry, and these have been combined with a fine
integrity of character.
One of the solid and reliable business men of Burnettsville is William Beshoar, a representative of the Beshoar family which was established in White County half a century ago and which has a numerous relationship with the present generation in the county. Mr. Beshoar has had a somewhat varied business experience but his life has been one of a rising scale of prosperity, and he has handled with fidelity and efficiency each issue as it has been presented. For a number of years he has been one of the leading merchants of Burnettsville.
It is a fact of some interest that William Beshoar was the nineteenth child of his father, and was the only one of this large family of children born in White County. He was born February 11, 1866, at the Beshoar homestead in Union Township, north of Monticello. His parents were Daniel and Mary (Smith) Beshoar. His father was born in Pennsylvania, June 15, 1805 of French lineage, was a man of excellent ability, and in Pennsylvania had some reputation as a linguist, frequently acting as interpreter for the local courts, having a command of the French and German, as well as the English language. On March 15, 1865, he arrived with his family in White County, and a few months later died at his farm north of Monticello, October 27, 1865. Daniel Beshoar was first married March 20, 1828, to Susanna Rothrock, who died December 18, 1847, having been the mother of ten children. Daniel and Mary (Smith) Beshoar were married in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1849. She was born January 12, 1831, and survived her husband many years, passing away October 12, 1905, at the age of seventy-four. By the second marriage Daniel Beshoar had nine children: Daniel, a well known citizen of Monticello; Adaline, who died in girlhood; Emma, who died in infancy; James, who was born in 1854; Margaret, born in 1857; Hiram, one of the active business men of Burnettsville; Albert, who died in early boyhood; Alice, born in 1864; and William.
William Beshoar lived on the old farm north of Monticello with his mother until she removed to Burnettsville in the spring of 1870. There he attended the public schools, and for a time was a student in the Valparaiso Normal School. Among the early experiences of his career was a service as a teacher, and for about six months he was connected with the United States marshal's office at Washington, D. C., but resigned and returned to Burnettsville.
On March 1, 1893, Mr. Beshoar married Olive Perry, a daughter of Francis L. and Adaline (Good) Perry. The Perry family has been identified with Carroll County, Indiana, since the very earliest period of settlement. Mr. and Mrs. Beshoar have one child, Guyneth Olive. Following his marriage, for two years Mr. Beshoar was a practical farmer in White County, and subsequently was in the insurance business for a time under James McBeth. On May 17, 1897, he was commissioned postmaster of Burnetts Creek, and was in charge of that office for almost eight years, finally resigning in favor of his brother Hiram, his successor, in April, 1905. In the meantime Mr. Beshoar had become identified with general merchandising at Burnettsville as early as 1901, and after leaving the postoffice he gave his entire time and attention to the flourishing general store which he now conducts in that village. As a merchant he is known over a wide scope of country around Burnettsville, and his straightforward business methods have gained him a large patronage. For about three years prior to establishing the store at Burncttsville in 1901 he was associated with his brother Hiram in operating a grain elevator.
While Mr. Beshoar has performed considerable public service, he has never been a seeker of office; rather the office has sought him. He is a republican, and has served as town clerk of Burnettsville. Besides his business he is the owner of forty acres of land and also has several pieces of town property. Mrs. Beshoar is a member of the Church of God, or New Dunkards. He was one of the organizers of Burnettsville Lodge, No. 663, F. & A. W., which he has served as Worshipful Master, and both he and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star at Monticello.
George Biederwolf is one of the nine children, of whom five are living, born to Michael and Abbie (Schnetzer) Biederwolf, and was born at Reading, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1859. He has passed practically his entire life in White County, where his youthful years were spent much the same as other lads of his locality and generation, the winter months in the district schools and the summers principally at farming. On attaining manhood he began working for his father in the lumber business, in which be later purchased a half interest, and when his father was ready to retire he succeeded him in the ownership and management of his lumber venture. In addition to these interests he is a stock holder and vice president of the White County Loan, Trust and Savings Company and a half owner of the Forbis Hotel at Monticello. A man of much business capacity, he is held in high esteem by his associates, who place the utmost confidence in his foresight. In politics Mr. Biederwolf is a democrat but is independent in his views, and refuses to be bound strictly by party ties. His fraternal connection is with the Knights of Pythias, Castle Hall Lodge No. 73, at Monticello, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Biederwolf was married September 4, 1884, to Miss Evaline Price, daughter of Joseph and Ellen (Cochell) Price, early settlers of Carroll County, Indiana. Three children have been born to this union: Abbie E., Fred P. and Dorothy. Abbie graduated from the Monticello High School with the class of 1903, and then entered De Pauw University, and was a student there four terms. She graduated from the Oberlin Music School in Oberlin, Ohio, with the class of 1907. She is now the wife of Spencer Carson, residents of Monticello, Indiana. Fred P. was educated in the public schools, and is his father's assistant. He wedded Miss Grace Wilson, and they are residents of Monticello. Dorothy is with her parents. She graduated from the Monticello public schools with the class of 1911, and during the past four years has been a student in the Conservatory of Music at Oberlin, and will graduate with the class of 1916.
Among the men who have stepped aside from the path of active labor in order to let pass the members of the younger generation with their unrealized hopes and worthy ambitions is found Michael Biedcrwolf, who for many years was engaged in the undertaking and retail lumber business at Monticello. Although well advanced in years, Mr. Biederwolf still takes an interest in the affairs of the community in which he has lived so long, and among whose people he bears such a high reputation for sterling integrity and probity of character.
Mr. Biederwolf was born in Bavaria, Germany, and there grew to manhood,
receiving a common school education and learning the trade of carpenter. He was
still a young man when, in 1852, feeling that America offered better opportunities
for advancement than did his native land, he embarked on a sailing vessel whose
destination was New York. The journey was an exceedingly rough one, and almost
constant storms delayed the cruise so that it consumed twenty-three days to
accomplish, during which time almost every member of the crew and a number of
the passengers were injured by falling spars and in other accidents. Port was
finally made, however, and Mr. Biederwolf went to Reading, Pennsylvania, where
he secured employment at his trade. There he met and married Abbie Schnetzer,
also a native of Bavaria, who had come to this country in young womanhood, and
about the year 1862 they came West to Indiana and settled at Brookston, White
County. After several years the family moved to Monticello, and here Mr.
Biederwolf continued to
follow his trade until he had accumulated, through hard work and thrift,
the means with which to embark in the retail lumber business. To this
he subsequently added undertaking, and the conduct of these enterprises
continued to occupy his attention until his retirement, several years
ago, when he sold out to his son, George. He is now living quietly at
his home at Monticello, at the age of eighty-three years, Mrs. Biederwolf
having died in 1909.
In any account of White County mention must be made of the Bishop family, which in the past eighty years has had a large share in shaping the destinies of this section. Its various members have all possessed the most sterling traits of citizenship. The first settler was a fine type of the pioneer, willing to sacrifice much in order to develop a new country, and in the memories of the older settlers of this county the name of Peter Bishop is recalled as a man of splendid business ability and great strength and nobility of character.
The pioneer settler was Peter Bishop, Sr., whose long and active life came to a close at Burnettsville, February 13, 1894, at the age of eighty-one years, six months, twenty-three days. He was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky, July 18, 1812, about the time of the outbreak of the second war with Great Britain. It was his distinction to live through the presidential administration of Madison, Monroe, Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, Polk, Taylor, Pierce, Buchanan, Lincoln, Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Cleveland, Harrison, and cast his first vote for that great democratic exemplar Andrew Jackson and passed away during the second administration of Grover Cleveland. He was one of thirteen children born to Henry and Margaret Bishop, who were natives of Virginia. Reared on a farm and with meager education, according to the opportunities of the time, at the age of seventeen he removed to Greene County, Ohio, lived there two years, and in company with John Hanna came to Jackson Township, White County, Indiana, November 8, 1831. He was one of the first to venture into this wilderness, when it was still filled with Indians and all manner of wild game. His first possession was a little tract of forty acres, but his industry and good management subsequently enlarged that to a generous farm. At the time of his death he owned 150 acres, and all of it represented his individual efforts, since he started life with nothing. He also owned some town property.
Peter Bishop was first married in June, 1835, to Miss Margaret Hamill, who died August 3, 1845, leaving five children: Sarah, Henry, John, Mary and Margaret. His second marriage occurred in April, 1846, when Miss Jane Delzell became his wife. She died September 29, 1858, leaving three children: Manda M., Miranda J. and Nancy E. In 1859 Mr. Bishop married Mrs. Jane (Whitman) Robbins, who died February 10, 1892. In 1872 Peter Bishop removed from his old homestead to Idaville, but after three years tired of town life and bought another farm west of Burnetts Creek, and finally removed thereto, but he died in Burnettsville, after he had sold the farm. Peter Bishop was present at the first election held in Jackson Township and was one of the county's first jurors. A number of years before his death he united with the Church of God or New Dunkards, and lived faithful to that creed the rest of his days.
Henry Bishop, a son of the pioneer Peter Bishop, was born on section 85 in Jackson Township, White County, June 3, 1837. He grew up in White County when it was a pioneer community and had few schools, and those operated under subscription plan. He went into farming almost as a matter of course, and when the war came on enlisted in Company E of the Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry in the fall of 1861, and was with that regiment on all its campaigns, marches and battles until honorably discharged on account of illness August 22, 1863. His army service permanently undermined his health, and for this reason he was never able to accomplish as much as many other men of like ability. He was a democrat, but sought no office, and was an active member of the Church of God. His death occurred as a result of lung trouble contracted while a soldier on March 3, 1880. He is buried in the old Burnettsville Cemetery. Henry Bishop married Martha J. Shull, who was born in section 14 of Jackson Township June 19, 1837, and is now the oldest living native of that township. She is a sister of J. Wesley Shull, who is mentioned on other pages of this publication. Mrs. Bishop has lived in Idaville for the past twenty-eight years, and has her home with her son Harvey J. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bishop were born nine children: Peter F.; Rosa Belle, deceased; Harvey J.; Mahala A., deceased; Emeline; Margaret; George; Robert, deceased; and Laura.
Peter F. Bishop, the oldest member of his father's family, was born in section 35 of Jackson Township, May 22, 1858. On August 10, 1876, he married Miss Mary D. King, daughter of William H. and Barbara King of Cass Township. Mr. King preempted land from the Government in Cass Township in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are the parents of six children: Ralph, who died in infancy; Maude, wife of James D. Brown mentioned elsewhere; Alpha, who died in infancy; Manford W., who lives at Attica, Ohio, and by his marriage to Helen Weaver has one child, Audrey; Glen H., who lives on his father's farm half a mile from Burnettsville and by his marriage to Agnes McClellan has two children, Ralph Wallace and Leroy Franklin; and Hazel A., who married Lee Hutton and lives north of Peru in Miami County.
Peter F. Bishop has made farming his life vocation and his possessions comprise sixty-six acres in a well cultivated farm a half mile south of Burnettsville, and also nine acres in the town of that name. He is a democrat, has never sought office, but is now serving as assistant road superintendent of Jackson Township. He and his wife are members of the Church of God or New Dunkards.
For twenty years the fortunes of the Bissonnette family have been identified with White County, where its members have shown most capable enterprise in the management of the resources of the soil and have been sturdy advocates of methods and movements which make for advancement, progress and prosperity.
The founder of the family in White County is Alfred Bissonnette, now a resident of Wolcott. He is an Illinoisian by birth and of French ancestry. He was born in Illinois November 16, 1856, a son of Peter and Donatilda (Granger) Bissonnette. In February, 1876, Alfred Bissonnette married Miss Eleanor Marcotte. Their six children were: Annie; Nelda; Celia, who died in infancy; Delphine, deceased; George; and Fred. In 1895 Alfred Bissonnette brought his family to White County and located in West Point Township. He was one of the capable farmers there for a number of years, but about eleven years ago, in January, 1904, moved to Wolcott. He is a republican, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Foresters.
One of the young men who are now carrying forward the agricultural industry of White County and who have shown unusual capacity for farm management as well as intelligent citizenship is George Bissonnette, son of Alfred and Eleanor Bissonnette. His home is in section 13 of West Point Township, on Rural Route No. 7 out of Wolcott. His fine farm of 160 acres has been steadily improved and has been produc1ng its crops to the maximum of yield and quality ever since he took charge.
Born at St. George, Illinois, March 20, 1887, he reccived his early education in the schools of his native state, but was only eight years of age when he moved with his parents to White County. He had spent the last twenty years on one farm, and after finishing his education in the local schools started out for himself in 1912 by buying one tract of eighty acres, while his father gave him a similar quantity of land. He has made a success in general farming and stock raising and keeps stock of good grades and has most of his acreage under cultivation.
On September 19, 1911, he married Miss Lucile Bergeron, a daughter of David and Maria (Fraser) Bergeron, of Illinois. Into their home has been born one daughter, Eleanor, on September 5, 1913. Mr. Bissonnette is a republican in politics, stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens, but has never sought any public office. He and his family are members of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Remington.
It is upon such young men as George Bissonnette that the future of White County agriculture devolves, and from what he has already accomplished it is evident that he will always be equal to his opportunities and responsibilities.
This name will be recognized only by the older residents of White County. He was engaged in the practice of his profession at Monticello when the Civil war broke out, and enlisted in the Twelfth Indiana Volunteers, where he became first lieutenant of Company D. Later he was surgeon of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Volunteers. The files of the papers of Monticello show that he was among the first of our people to urge enlistments, took an active part in all war meetings and freely gave his services to his country. He died at Wellsville, Missouri, January 28, 1914, where he had lived since 1881. His wife died March 7, 1909.
A well-to-do agriculturist of White County, James Blake, is prosperously engaged in his independent vocation in West Point Township, where his well-improved farm is under excellent cultivation, and, with its comfortable buildings and ample equipments, indicates to the passer-by to what good purpose the proprietor has devoted his time and means. He was born December 11, 1843, in Shropshire, England, which was his childhood home.
James Blake, Sr., Mr. Blake's father, was born and reared in Flintshire, and there married Martha Shone. On March 1, 1850, having decided to emigrate to America, he sailed from Liverpool with his family on hoard the Ocean Star, but the vessel sprang leak and put back to port. He and his family then embarked on another sailing vessel, the Mary Ward, and after an ocean voyage of six weeks landed at New Orleans. He then went up the Mississippi River to Galena, Illinois, from there going to Joliet, in June, 1850. In October, 1850, he moved to Kankakee County, Illinois, where he bought a small tract of land and engaged in farming. In 1867, accompanied by his son, James, the subject of this sketch, he made a trip to White County, Indiana, and being pleased with the country roundabout, bought 160 acres of land in West Point Township. The following spring he assumed possession of the land, and on the farm which he improved both he and his wife spent their last years, his death occurring April 15, 1883, at the age of seventy-five years, the year of his birth having been 1808. His wife, who was born June 11, 1819, survived him, passing away March 27, 1898. He was a republican in politics, and in his early life was connected by membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, but later he became identified with the Presbyterian Church. Of the seven children born to him and his wife, three are living, as follows: James, the subject of this brief biographical sketch; Joseph, and John.
After attending school in his native land for a year, James Blake came with his parents to the United States, and as a boy attended the Illinois schools. While living on the home farm, he acquired a good knowledge of agriculture, and at the age of eighteen years began working as farm laborer. Starting farming on his own account in 1864, Mr. Blake met with most satisfactory results in his agricultural labors, and has since accumulated a fine property, his land holdings at different times aggregating 560 acres. He now owns, in West Point Township, 160 acres of rich and productive land, from which he reaps abundant harvests each year.
Mr. Blake has been twice married. He married first, December 6, 1865, Elizabeth Ann Grimes, a daughter of Charles O. Grimes. She was born December 31, 1846, and at her death, June 19, 1889, left three children, Alden D., of Detroit; Ada May, who wedded Charles Martin, a grain merchant of Wolcott, Indiana, and have [sic] two children, Helen Elizabeth and Charles T.; and Ida Elizabeth, who wedded Doctor Joy, of Royal Center, Indiana. Mr. Blake married second, November 18, 1891, Julia Chapman, who brought up her step-children wisely and well, and, like the children's own mother, has proved herself a worthy companion, and an efficient helpmeet.
In politics Mr. Blake is a republican, with progressive, but not aggressive,
tendencies. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Christian Church at
Wolcott. He is interested in financial matters, having been one of the organizers
of the Citizens State Bank, of which he was the first
president, and is now serving as vice president.
The western part of White County was the last to be occupied by the white man and its early pioneers came some time after the other parts of the county were opened for the new homes. The subject of this sketch settled near Wolcott in 1867, having removed from Kankakee County, Illinois. He was born in England and came to America in 1850 and died at his home near Wolcott on April 13, 1883, in his seventy-fifth year. For some years prior to his death he was a leading member of the Presbyterian Church of Meadow Lake and his descendants still live in Wolcott and Princeton townships.
In the profession of dentistry Doctor Blickenstaff is one of the leading representatives in White County, and began his practice at Monticello several years ago with a thorough training and with practical experience gained in other localities.
Dr. William Blickenstaff was born in La Place, Illinois, February 5, 1874, a son of David D. and Hannah H. (Wagner) Blickenstaff. The family on both sides are of German origin. In 1902 the parents removed to White County and located on a farm near Idaville, where the mother died in 1911. David Blickenstaff is now a resident of California, after having followed farming and stock raising for many years.
William Blickenstaff was one of nine children, seven of whom are living. His early education was acquired in the public schools of Illinois, and at the age of twenty-one he took up the study of dentistry. He attended the Indiana Dental College at Indianapolis, and in 1900 was graduated D. D. S. His first place of practice was at Osage, Iowa, and two years later he removed to Monticello, Indiana, and now has a liberal patronage. He is a member of the Indiana State Dental Association and the American Dental Association.
He belongs to the Church of the Brethren at Pike Creek, and in politics is a republican. On April 15, 1900, Doctor Blickenstaff married Miss Ada A. Snyder, daughter of Edwin and Hannah (Rex) Snyder of Pennsylvania. Of their three children one died in infancy, while Josephine Hannah was born June 3, 1906, and Pauline Ruth was born March 10, 1912. Mrs. Blickenstaff is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
One of the well improved estates of White County is occupied by Charles Boeye, a hundred acre farm in Prairie Township, where he is successfully engaged in the business which has been his lifelong pursuit, that of diversified agriculture.
As his name may indicate, Charles Boeye is of French ancestry, and was born in that country May 11, 1847, a son of Joseph and Augustine (Sordley) Boeye. His father died in France and in 1849 the widowed mother brought her little family to the United States. The voyage by sailing vessel required many weeks. She located near Buffalo, New York, and soon afterwards married John Vincent. She died in Indiana more than forty years ago and is buried in Allen County.
It was during the winter of 1855-56 that Charles Boeye first became acquainted with White County, being then a boy of about eight years. He grew up and was supplied with some of the advantages of the public schools of that time. In the year 1866 he located on the farm where he has resided now for almost half a century. He has been thrifty and hard working and has managed his affairs so that for a number of years he has been able to look into the future without dread. A number of years ago he did a considerable business in the raising of Shorthorn cattle, but now confines his attention to the simple branches of agriculture.
In politics he is a republican and has served as township supervisor. Mr. Boeye married Martha Alice Cooley, daughter of Calhoun and Eliza Cooley. Calhoun Cooley came to White County from Montgomery County in 1849, being an early settler and pioneer in Prairie Township. Mrs. Boeye is the only survivor of the family of five children. To their union was born one daughter, Grace, who is now the wife of John Draper and they live in Chicago. Mr. Boeye and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Brookston, which is also his postoffice address.
Absalom Boicourt was born March 3, 1808, near Louisville, Kentucky, and in 1812 came with his parents to Indiana and settled in Clark County. Later he removed to Decatur County and here on February 11, 1833, he married Miss Rebecca Holmes by whom he had seven children. In 1857 he came to Princeton Township, White County, where he lived until his death, November 6, 1889. He lived in Indiana seventy-seven years, could call to mind when Indianapolis was a wilderness and was an eye-witness to the development of the entire state. He was a member of the United Brethren Church and a republican in politics though he never held any office. He cast his first vote in 1832.
Augustus S. Bordner, one of the prominent business men of Brookston, has been a resident of that town since 1868. He was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, the son of Augustus and Harriet Bordner. In his younger years Mr. Bordner was a teacher in the public schools and in 1810 he engaged in the lumber business in Brookston, in which he has continued for more than forty years. Soon after locating in Brookston he was elected trustee of Prairie Township and was twice re-elected, serving three terms in that office. He is a man of the strictest probity, is held in high esteem by all who know him and has long been one of the substantial men of his town.
A lifelong resident of Prairie Township, Thomas S. Bostick is now making his home at Brookston, where he is the proprietor of a cabinetmaking shop, and in spite of his sixty-eight years is still actively interested in business matters and in the affairs pertaining to the community in which he has lived so long. He was born on his father's farm in Prairie Township, October 17, 1847, and is a son of Joseph and Hadila (Chestnut) Bostick.
Joseph Bostick was born in Delaware and in young manhood moved westward, locating at Chillicothe, Ohio, where he was married. Subsequently, in 1830, he came to what was then Tippecanoe County, Indiana, but at the time of the organization of White County, the county line passed through his land. He devoted his entire career to agricultural operations, and through industry and perseverance became the owner of valuable property. Of the nine children of his parents, Thomas S. was the youngest, and is now the only one living. He received his education in the district schools of Prairie Township and was only sixteen years of age when he enlisted for service in the Union army during the Civil war, becoming a bugler in Company K, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry. After a little more than two years of service, he received his honorable discharge, October 12, 1865, having passed through his military career with an excellent record, and escaping wounds or capture. Returning to the farm, he assisted his father for several years and then turned his attention to the trade of harnessmaking at which he served some years. When he gave up this vocation he took up cabinetmaking, and this vocation has been the one in which he has centered his activities during the greater part of his life. He still enjoys a good trade at Brookston and has built up and maintained a reputation for skilled workmanship and fidelity to engagements.
Mr. Bostick married Miss Ella L. Cress, a daughter of James C. and Clarinda
Cress, of Prairie Township. They have no children. Mr. Bostick is a republican
in his political views, but is not a politician nor an office seeker. He and
Mrs. Bostick belong to the Universalist Church. He has always maintained his
interest in his comrades of the days of the '60s and is a popular member of
Champion Hills Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Brookston, while his
fraternal connections include membership in Brookston Lodge No. 66, A. F. &
A. M., of which he is past master; and Grand Prairie Chapter No. 171, Order of
the Eastern Star.
William McCoy Bott was born in Virginia February 16, 1821, and at the age of fifteen came to White County, Indiana, where the remaining forty years of his life were passed. He died in Monticello, January 28, 1877. He shared in all the hardships incident to pioneer life, was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he became a member at the age of eighteen, and at his death it was said of him by one who had known him for many years, "He was an honest and good man; he always did the best he could."
Capt. George Bowman, a veteran soldier, teacher and student, has left an impress on White County which it would be difficult to measure. Many of our oldest citizens were his pupils, and all cherish his memory and hold it in highest honor. He was born on a farm near Martinsburg, Berkley County, Virginia, on February 28, 1818, and died at his home in Monticello, November 29, 1894. His parents also were of Virginia, and his father was a teacher during his entire life. The subject of this article was the fourth child in a family of seven children, and his parents died while he was yet a child, leaving him in the care of a guardian, in whose store he worked until he was twenty years old, and at the same time fitted himself to enter college by private study.
He then came to Delphi, Carroll County, Indiana, to join his brothers, who had located there some years previous. Here he taught school for several years and attended Wabash College, intending to graduate in 1848, but was prevented from doing so by a severe illness but graduated five years later in 1853. In September, 1848, he married Ruth Angel, of Delphi, who died two years later, and by this marriage was born one daughter, Ruth Angel Bowman, who was married in 1873 to Rev. Edwin Black and who died in the spring of 1915.
On April 15, 1858, he married Mary Dill Piper, of Piper's Run, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, who survives him and now lives near Chippewa, Ontario, Canada. By this union they were given seven children: Phebe, Anna, Rebecca, Georgia, Caleb Mills, Mary M. and Carrie.
At the close of his school in 1862 he enlisted in the Union army and became captain of Company D, Twelfth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. He was warmly attached to his company, most of its members being his former pupils, and saw active service for more than a year. In November, 1863, he was severely wounded in the battle of Mission Ridge and was carried off the field by Dr. John Schultz, David Laing, Clem Kingsbury, Mr. Sandifer and Mr. McMannis, who supposed him to be dead. He later revived and on Thanksgiving day was brought to his home in Monticello, where he later recovered from his wound but was never able to rejoin his company.
Almost all of his life was spent in school work in White and Carroll counties. He was at different times at the head of the schools in each of these counties, as well as the schools in Monticello and Delphi. He often said he hoped to die in school work, and this wish was gratified, for he taught school until within four weeks of his death. He often told that when quite young he had taught a slave to read, for which the owner of the slave had given him a dollar, which he had invested in an algebra. His love for learning was the predominant characteristic of his life.
In 1847 he united with the Presbyterian Church at Crawfordsville, Indiana, while making his home with Prof. Caleb Mills, president of Wabash College, after whom one of his children was named, and who was largely responsible for the founding of the school system of Indiana. In 1891 he represented his church in the general assembly, the highest court in the church. For many years his was a familiar form in the church. At his funeral was no brass band nor parade of any lodges in regalia, but seldom has there been a larger assemblage here on any funeral occasion. It showed in no uncertain way the heartfelt and universal respect in which the good man was held.
Who would learn of one of the finest landed estates of White County need but investigate that of which Mr. Brackney is the owner, the same comprising about 850 acres and the entire tract being situated in Prairie Township, within whose borders he has resided from the time of his birth, his father having settled in this county seventy years ago and the family name having been most worthily linked with the civic and industrial development and progress of White County. He whose name introduces this paragraph is essentially one of the representative agriculturists and stock-growers of this section of his native state and is a citizen of prominence and influence in his home community, where his unequivocal personal popularity effectually contraverts any application of the scriptural statement that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country."
On the old hometead [sic] farm of his father, in section 19, Prairie Township, Charles W. Brackney was born on the 8th of October, 1859, the youngest of the four children of Arthur J. and Harriet C. (Bryan) Brackney, the former of whom, the seventh in a family of fourteen children, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, on the 31st of December, 1823, and the latter of whom was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, on the 16th of August, 1833, a daughter of John and Susan Bryan, who were numbered among the sterling pioneers of that county.
The marriage of the parents of the subject of this review was solemnized, in Tippecanoe County, on the 29th of December, 1849, and of the children of this union Charles W. is the youngest, as previously stated; Corydon, the first born, died in infancy; Melissa J. is the wife of Stephen T. Cochran and they reside in the Village of Brookston, this county; and Mary C. is the wife of Theodore Dimmitt, a prosperous farmer of Prairie Township.
Arthur J. Brackney was reared in Ohio till seven years of age and then came to Carroll County where his early environments were those of the pioneer days. About the year 1844, shortly after attaining his to legal majority, he came to White County, Indiana, where he essayed the herculean task of working his way from his status as a young man of but nominal financial means to the goal of definite independence and prosperity. His energy and good judgment were on a parity with his ambition, and the passing years enabled him to realize worthy success as an agriculturist and stock raiser, with the result that he became a substantial farmer in Prairie Township, where he reclaimed and made excellent improvements on his land, his homestead place having been one of the valuable farms of the county at the time of his death, on the 12th of October, 1908, about two months prior to his eight-fifth birthday anniversary, so that he was one of the honored pioneer citizens of the county when he thus passed from the state of his mortal endeavors, "in the fullness of years and well earned honors." He was a man of sterling and unassuming worth of character, known for his industry and well fortified convictions, and he commanded the unqualified respect of the community in which he long lived and labored to goodly ends. Mr. Brackney was one of the valiant patriots who went forth from Indiana to give loyal service in defense of the Union in the Civil war, in which he made a record that redounds to the lasting honor of his name. He enlisted in a company that was recruited in White County and that was mustered in to the United State service at Indianapolis, on the 7th of October, 1862, as Company F, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, George H. Gwinn and Andrew Cochran having served in turn as captains of this company. With this gallant regiment Mr. Brackney continued in active service until the close of the war, and it was his to participate in many of the important campaigns and battles marking the progress of the great internecine conflict. He took part in the Vicksburg, Atlanta and Chattanooga campaigns, participated in the battle of Atlanta and thereafter accompanied Sherman's forces on the ever memorable march to the sea, thence proceeding with his command through the Carolinas and finally taking part in the Grand Review of the victorious armies, in the City of Washington, where he was mustered out on the 5th of June, 1865, his honorable discharge having been received after his return to Indiana. In later years he vitalized the more gracious memories and associations of his military career by retaining active affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics Mr. Brackney was aligned with the democratic party until the organization of the republican party, the cause of which ever afterward received his staunch support, though he never sought or held political office. He was liberal and loyal in his civic attitude and always did his part in furthering the best interests of the community. He gave active support to religious work, though not formally identified with any church. The major portion of his active career was devoted to agricultural pursuits and at the time of his death he owned about ninety acres of land in Prairie Township, besides real estate in the Village of Brookston. His devoted wife survived him by six years and was a resident of Brookston at the time when she was summoned to eternal rest, on the 29th of December, 1914, her gentle personality and abiding kindliness having endeared her to those who came within the sphere of her gracious influence.
Charles W. Brackney found the period of his childhood and youth compassed by the invigorating and benignant influences of the farm, and in all commendation may it be said that he has never abated his allegiance to the fundamental industries of agriculture and stock-growing, of which he is recognized as one of the most progressive and successful exponents in his native county. His active identification with these important lines of enterprise has continued in an independent way for the long period of thirty years, and those familiar with his career have full appreciation of the advancement which he has made through his energetic and well directed endeavors. Mr. Brackney received his early education in the public schools and the lessons gained in the broad school of experience have further fortified him, with the result that he is a man of marked maturity of judgment and broad mental ken.
Mr. Brackney is one of the active and influential representatives of the republican party in Prairie Township, and while he has not been imbued with ambition for office his civic loyalty has been such that he has not denied his service in public positions of trust. He was for some time a member of the board of trustees of his town and for the long period of fourteen years has been a member of the advisory board of the township. He is liberal in the support of churches, schools, public improvements, especially good roads, and drainage enterprises, and he has been a supporter of general measures and agencies tending to advance the communal welfare. Mr. Brackney is a stockholder and director of the Farmers Bank of Brookston, and also of the White County Trust Company, at Monticello. Though he gives a general supervision to his extensive landed estate Mr. Brackney owns one of the fine, modern residence properties in the Village of Brookston, where he and his wife maintain their home.
On the 25th of March, 1885, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Brackney to Miss
Adda M. Hornbeck, who was born and reared in Prairie Township, a daughter of
Nelson and Phoebe Hornbeck, who were honored citizens and early settlers of
White County and both of whom are now deceased, Mrs. Brackney being the owner
of 297 acres of her father's old homestead and her sister, Mrs. Erickson, owning
the remainder about 240 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Brackney have two children: Reed H.,
who was born February 4, 1886, was graduated in the department of electrical
engineering in Purdue University, as a member of the class
of 1907, and now holds the responsible position of assistant superintendent of
the Madison River Power Company, at Three Forks, Montana, the maiden name of
his wife having been Orpha Johnson; Emory P., the younger son, remains at the
parental home and is actively associated with his father in the management of
the latter's farm property, he having been graduated in the agricultural
department of Purdue University as a member of the class of 1913.
John W. Brannan, a son of Adam and Rachel Brannan, was born in Perry County, Ohio, November 2, 1841, and four years later came with his parents to Monon Township, which has been his home for seventy years. Here he grew into manhood and in 1861 enlisted in Company K, Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the engagement between the Monitor and Merrimac, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, was in the first battles of the Wilderness and was not discharged until July, 1864.
Mr. Brannan was twice married, first on October 26, 1865, to Louisa J. Line, a daughter of David Line, by whom he had three children. She died December 27, 1872, and on March 17, 1874, he married Mrs. Mary E. Dunlop, the widow of John Dunlop, and to this union were born four children. As a citizen, soldier and man Mr. Brannan has a record of which he may justly feel proud, and no one stands in higher repute in the locality in which he lives.
In the autumn of 1836, there came to Monticello a man who for more than forty-one years was an active business man of the town and whose influence for good was always felt. Doctor Brearley was born in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, August 15, 1807; was educated at Princeton College, New Jersey, and Rush Medical College, Philadelphia. On June 13, 1843, he married Miss Ophelia Hughes, of Zanesville, Ohio, but after her death he married Mrs. Martha Dale. He engaged in the practice of medicine for many years, but at the same time he was connected with many other business interests. He united with the Presbyterian Church at Monticello, March 26, 1843, and remained a member until his death, which occurred April 12, 1878. Two of his children, Mrs. Annie Roach and Jones Brearley, are yet living in Monticello.
Robert B. Breckenridge was known by almost every resident of White County and held many positions of trust and honor. He was born in Washington County, Ohio, November 21, 1844, being one of a family of ten children. Only two, a brother, George, of Montana, and a sister, Mrs. Martha Ayres, of Monticello, survived him. When an infant his parents removed to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and about 1854 the family came to White County, where he lived until his death on June 16, 1911. On December 18, 1873, he married Jane Reynolds, and to this union was [sic] born five children, four of which survived him. The wife and mother died in Oklahoma, April 22, 1901. He had served four or five terms as trustee of Union Township and in 1884 was elected treasurer of White County, and was re-elected in 1886. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church and for many years was a leading worker in the Sunday schools of the county.
Leander Bringham was born on the present site of Purdue University, September 9, 1826, and died February 20, 1899. On February 27, 1851, he married Louisa Chamberlain and shortly afterward moved to Jasper County, Indiana, then in 1854 moved to Monon, where he lived until April, 1867, when he removed to Brookston, which was his home until his death. He had born to him seven children, five of whom survived him and four were present at his death. Mr. Bringham was a man much respected by all who knew him.
A resident of White County more than thirty-five years, Thomas T. Britton formerly lived in the Reynolds community, but since 1893 has had his home in Monticello. His has been a long and active career. The service for which his name deserves lasting honor and respect was as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, and he continued in the ranks until a wound compelled him to retire. He is one of the rapidly decreasing grand army still to be found in White County.
Thomas T. Britton was born in Center County, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1839, and is the only survivor of six children born to James H. and Eliza (Courter) Britton. His father was of English and his mother of Scotch-Irish stock. In 1856 the family went West and located in Livingston County, Illinois. Thomas T. Britton at that time was seventeen years of age. His education was the result of attendance at schools in the East, and when twenty-one he started life for himself. He was a farmer for a few years, but when the war came on he was one of the many thousands of northern youth who responded to the call to arms. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H of the Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry and was mustered in August 27, 1862. His regiment was a part of the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and many other skirmishes and marches which marked the contest for the possession of the central section of the Confederacy. He was in active service fifteen months, and after the battle of Stone River was placed on Rosecrans' roll of honor. He marched and countermarched over the country between the Mississippi and Northern Georgia for about 2,000 miles until wounded at Missionary Ridge. On that battlefield a ball struck him in the head, was deflected into the shoulder and thence into the arm, and was not extracted for forty days. That bullet is still in his possession, the most interesting memento of his army service.
After the war Mr. Britton returned to Illinois, and lived there until 1879, in which year he moved to White County. For several years Mr. Britten followed the business of preparing patent medicines and selling them over Northern Indiana. He has dealt extensively in real estate, but at the present time has given up most of the cares of business.
On December 4, 1859, in Illinois, he married Miss Fannie Krouse, daughter of David Krouse. On October 28, 1876, Mr. Britton married Amelia Newman, daughter of Christian and Christina (Greenwood) Newman. The four children by the first marriage were: Melvin K., Grant M., Wilmer A., deceased, and Edith May, deceased. Four children were also born of the second marriage, namely: Maud, deceased; Harry O.; Sherman R.; and Beatrice C.
Mr. Britton has always been a republican in politics since casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. About the only official honor which he has accepted has been as election commissioner. Though not a member of any church, he is a man of strong religious principles, and has no fraternal affiliations.
A certain quality of vigorous enterprise seems characteristic of this branch of the Brown family, and all of the name who have been identified with White County have been distinguished for an ability to rise above the level of early circumstances, to acquire and direct large farming and stock raising interests, and to make themselves influential and forceful factors in the community. Ambrose T. Brown came to this county a little more than twenty years ago and could very properly have been called a poor man. He is now one of the principal farmers and stock buyers of the Monon community.
A native of Illinois, he was born in Ford County, June 30, 1869, a son of John and Catherine (Hunt) Brown. An older son of the same family is Hon. John G. Brown, who has gained a high position in White County both through his business as a farmer and in public affairs. When Ambrose T. Brown was four years of age his father died, and he was one of eight children left to the care of their widowed mother. Undoubtedly this fine Christian mother should receive a large share of credit for the success which has followed the careers of her children. Her teaching left an impress for good on them which has always remained a dominant influence in their lives. As soon as reaching the requisite age Ambrose T. Brown attended the district schools in Illinois, and also performed his share of the household duties. At the age of twelve he was formally started upon his self-supporting career in the employ of a neighboring farmer, at very small monthly wages. He continued to live with this farmer, Theodore Morris, in Vermilion county, Illinois, for a period of seven years, and his wages were gradually advanced until his stipend amounted to $22 per month. At the age of nineteen, with his accumulated experience and demonstrated industry, he started out on his own account, renting land from his former employer. In that way he continued for the next five years and accumulated a very modest capital.
Mr. Brown arrived in White County, Indiana, in the spring of 1893. His brother John G. had come in the previous fall. With another brother Brasier H., he bought the Robert Little farm, five and one-half miles northeast of Monon. That was his home for three years, at the end of which time he sold his interests and bought the land west of Monon on which his brother John G. had first lived on coming to White County. Still later Mr. Brown moved to the Curtis farm, east of Monon, which consisted of nearly 1,000 acres and which he operated for seven years on the shares. During that time he was one of the largest stock raisers in White County. In 1908 Mr. Brown moved to his present home, and there has devoted his attention primarily to farming, stock raising and buying and the dairying industry. His estate now comprises about 400 acres of valuable land. Few men, starting with nothing, have so much to show for their efforts at the end of twenty or twenty-five years.
On February 27, 1895, Mr. Brown married Margaret E. Olentine, daughter of Richard and Mary (Applegate) Olentine, who were substantial farming people of Vermilion County, Illinois. When Richard Olentine died near Monon February 4, 1912, at the age of seventy-seven, his was the first death to break a family circle of eight children and more than a score of grandchildren. Mr. Olentine and wife had lived together fifty-two years. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born five children: Ruth, Ora B., Curtis M., Kenneth P. and Donald L. Mr. and Mrs. Brown take great pride in their home and endeavor to give their children the best of advantages in preparation for lives of usefulness. Mr. Brown and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they enjoy a large social acquaintance in the Monon district.
The business of real estate and insurance is one of primary significance, particularly in such a progressive and growing community as Monon, where a capable representative is found in the person of Brasier H. Brown. For nearly twenty years he has been engaged in business here, and prior to his coming carried on farming operations and is still the owner of a good tract of land in Monon Township. In his various capacities he has shown himself possessed of ability and good judgment and of high business ideals which have gained for him the confidence of his fellow citizens.
Brasier H. Brown was born in Champaign County, Illinois, September 4, 1860, the fourth of his parents' children. He remained at home until he reached the age of sixteen years, and during this time, in addition to helping to support the family, attended in a small way, during the winters, the district schools. When sixteen he began working for the neighboring farmers, his first wages being $14 per month, and thus continued working until he reached his majority, when he began farming for himself as a renter, his mother keeping house for him. On September 27, 1883, Mr. Brown was married to Sarah E. Seals, daughter of Charles B. and Jemima (Parsley) Seals, farming people of Champaign County, Illinois, and following his marriage continued farming as a renter for three years. At the end of this period Mr. Brown was ready to enter a career of his own and accordingly purchased eighty acres of land, on which he continued to carry on operations until January, 1893, then coming to Monon Township, White County, Indiana, where, with his brother, Ambrose, he farmed for about three years.
In the spring of 1896, Mr. Brown came to the City of Monon and embarked in the
real estate business, to which, in 1904, he added insurance. He has built up an
excellent business, and by his energy and perseverance, united with progressive
methods and good business qualifications, has placed himself among the substantial
men of Monon. Mr. Brown is
a republican in politics, and his fraternal connection is with the Knights of
Pythias, Castle Hall No. 196, of Monon. He has been the father of seven children,
of whom the following survive: Roy, who married Helen Beck, and is a cement
construction contractor at Beloit, Wisconsin; Orval H., who married Hazel Sharp
of White County, has one daughter, Viola May; he is associated with his father
in the real estate and insurance business, and is present chancellor commander
of the Knights of Pythias lodge and also is a member of the Red Men; Glen C.,
who is a barber, wedded Bethel Rutherford and has his home at Monon; he is a
member of the Red Men of Monon Tribe No. 536; and Leona E., who resides with
her parents, wedded Albert H. Day of Monon Township. Mr. Brown is a member of
the Methodist Church, while Mrs. Brown is a Baptist.
A community prospers and grows in proportion as it contains men of enterprise and liberal progressiveness in its population. During the last twenty years one of the lantern-bearers of progress in the community of Burnettsville has been James D. Brown, whose activities, while mainly associated with the drug business, have also been a factor in other important developments, and when help is needed in a movement that requires co-operation and the combined resources of many he is always quick and liberal in his response.
This branch of the Brown family has been identified with White County more than fifty years, and members of several generations have contributed their labor and influence to local affairs.
It was in 1852 that George Washington Brown, grandfather of the Burnettsville merchant, moved from Bradford, Ohio, to Liberty Township, in White County. For about two years he lived in the vicinity of Norway, and then moved to the old Brown farm about a mile south and a half mile west of Buffalo, on the Tippecanoe River. By his marriage to Miss Wilburn he was the father of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. Late in life George W. Brown moved to Attica, Indiana, where he died in 1884, at the age of eighty. In politics he was first a whig, and later joined the grand old republican party. He was rather successful as a farmer and was able to provide an abundance for his numerous children. It was a record to be proud of that he had seven sons in the Civil war at the same time. He was noted for his generosity, and besides his own children he reared one of his grandsons, and at different times provided homes for several orphan children. He was Scotch-Irish descent.
Curtis Henry Brown, who was the tenth in the family of children of George W. Brown, was born near Bradford, Ohio, May 12, 1849, and was only three years of age when brought to Liberty Township. He lived on the old farm and when only fourteen years of age enlisted in Company F of the One Hundred Twenty-eighth Indiana Infantry. His service continued until April, 1866, about a year after Lee's surrender, and he received his honorable discharge when still a boy in years. After returning from the army he lived with his brother James for several years. After his marriage, in 1870, he spent a few years as a farmer, then moved to Idaville, where he became foreman of a railroad section gang, and about 1881 moved to Burnettsville. He continued in the employ of the railroad for about twenty years. In polities he was a republican, and he and his wife were not members of any church. He was affiliated with Burnetts Creek Lodge, No. 740, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and went through the chairs of the lodges at Idaville and Burnetts Creek. His widow is still living at the family home in Burnettsville. Curtis H. Brown owned eighty acres of land and had considerable town property. Public honors were also bestowed upon him, and in 1890 he was elected township assessor on the republican ticket by a majority of one, at a time when the township was regularly democratic. On December 1, 1870, he married Goretta L. Shoop. The Shoop family came originally from Pennsylvania. To their marriage were born five children: One son that died in infancy; Charles J., who lives in San Diego, California, and has a wife and one living daughter; James D.; Clinton E., who lives at Lafayette, Indiana, and married Maggie Shell; Cecil M., who is unmarried and lives in Jefferson Township of Cass County.
James D. Brown was born at Idaville April 26, 1875. After getting himself established in a business way he was married on March 22, 1900, to Maude Bishop, a daughter of Peter F. and Mary (King) Bishop. The Bishop family have long been identified with Jackson Township. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have one child, J. Clayton, who is now being carefully reared and attending school at Burnettsville.
Since he was about six years of age Mr. Brown has lived in Burnettsville, and attended the public schools of that village. His first experience in a business way gave him an opening to his permanent career. He was clerk in J. W. Schneider's drug store at Burnettsville, and later left the store to take a course in the School of Pharmacy at Purdue University, where he was graduated Ph. G. with the class of 1895. Following this, he was employed for eight months at Alexandria, and then bought out J. W. Schneider's drug store at Burnettsville in the fall of 1896. This has since been his principal business and he has conducted a fine store and is one of the most capable pharmacists in White County. This does not complete his business record, since from time to time he has acquired other influential connections, and is a stockholder in the State Bank at Burnettsville and has been a director in that institution since its organization. He is secretary and treasurer and a director of the Burnettsville Elevator Company and was one of the organizers of that company on July 1, 1911. The company has a capital stock of $14,000, and its operations have been an important factor in making Burnettsville a centcr of trade in a wealthy farming district. He also owns considerable town property in the village, and has recently completed a new home, the best and most modern residence in the town. It has all the conveniences and facilities of a city place, with an individual light plant and waterworks. Several years ago Mr. Brown bought a portion of the Hanna estate and has put on the market Brown's Addition to Burnettsville.
In a civic capacity Mr. Brown has always taken an active part in republican politics, but has accepted office more for the opportunity it affords to perform good service to the community than as a reward of political activity. For seven years he served as town treasurer, and for the past five years has been a member of the school board and is now its treasurer. He is not a member of any church, though he gives liberally to the Baptist denomination, of which his wife is a member.
John C. Brown was born in Logan County, Ohio, November 22, 1818; died at Monticello, Indiana, on his eightieth birthday, November 22, 1898. He was married at Hagerstown, Maryland, on July 9, 1840, to Miss Ann M. Schleigh, and the same year located in Monticello. He was a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow, and in July, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company K, Twentieth Indiana. He was then past forty-two years old and was made first sergeant. His promotions were rapid and he became captain of his company on December 20, 1862, serving in that position until seriously wounded at North Ann River, Virginia, late in 1864, when he received a musket ball through the head. This wound gave him much trouble throughout the remainder of his life. As a soldier Captain Brown was among the bravest of the brave, and throughout his long years of suffering always carried himself with an erect and soldierly bearing, quick spoken and incisive, but withal courteous—a gentleman of the old school. One daughter, Mrs. Rose Marshall, is still a resident of Monticello.
A little more than twenty years ago a young Illinois farmer, burdened with debt and with the responsibilities of a family, arrived in White County. With uncompromising earnestness he faced difficulties that would have discouraged many persons. To day [sic] John G. Brown is one of the honored and successful men of the county, owns a valuable farm immediately adjacent to the town of Monon, has been repeatedly honored with public office, and is a former member of the State Legislature.
In Ford County, Illinois, John G. Brown was born May 11, 1865. His parents were John and Catherine (Hunt) Brown, the former a native of Union County, Indiana, and the latter of Union County, Ohio. The Browns are of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and both parents are now deceased. John Brown was an Illinois farmer and died in August, 1873. He was the father of ten children and at his death left his widow with the care of eight, five of whom are still living. The mother was a woman of great strength of character and by her self-sacrificing efforts kept her family together and reared them to worthy parts in the world, where they have since been a credit to her love and instruction. She was a Christian woman, living the life as Christ taught, and reared her children to tell the truth, to live clean, upright lives and to love the works of the Almighty. Her death occurred in April, 1912.
Eight years of age when his father died, John G. Brown began struggling with the problems of life at an early age. He shared the burdens of the household, and remained with his mother until reaching manhood. On September 15, 1887, he assumed new responsibilities by his marriage to Lizzie Jones. They began housekeeping on a rented farm, finally Mr. Brown moved to Hoopeston, Illinois, where he conducted a livery and seed store. His arrival in White County, Indiana, was in the fall of 1892. At that time his family consisted of his wife and two children, and to offset a debt of six hundred dollars he had only a wagon and team and a few household goods. Strong, self reliant and industrious, he was able to acquire forty acres of land on credit, and with that started out to make a success as a White County farmer. For a number of years Mr. Brown handled real estate and was instrumental in bringing a large number of solid and substantial farming people to White County. In this connection few men have done so much as Mr. Brown in the improvement and betterment of the community. No worthy enterprise in the past twenty years has been launched but what he has been one of its supporters. His prosperity is now indicated by the ownership of 235 acres in his homestead, and he also has 200 acres of pasture land. He has lived on his farm close to Monon for the past fifteen years. Mr. Brown has been an extensive raiser, buyer and seller of stock, shipping to Indianapolis and Chicago.
Through all his privations and successes his ablest source of help and encouragement was his wife. They are the parents of eleven children and those that lived have had the benefit of a good home and excellent advantages both in the home circle and in the schools. The names of these children are: Gladys, who died at the age of three; Reva C., wife of Edward L. Lowe of Monon Township; Bonnie E.; Archie D.; Vera F.; Gail W.; Floyd J.; Galena; Nellie, who died in infancy; Deward D.; and Helen May.
The public services of Mr. Brown have been largely directed through the
avenue of the republican party in which political faith he was reared, and he
has been a strong advocate for all that is best in its principles and policies.
At the same time he is a man of conviction who does not hesitate to condemn what
he does not approve. His fellow townsmen speak highly of his service of four
years as trustee of Monon Township. The efficiency with which he administered
that office gave him strong support and in 1908 he became a candidate for the
lower house of the State Legislature and two years later he was re-elected to
that position. In 1911 Governor Marshall appointed him a member of the Industrial
and Agricultural Commission, and in the work of that state board he gained
considerable prominence. Such in brief is the record of one of the men who are
especially loyal to White County as the scene of their successful endeavors in
the world and whom the people esteem in accord ance with his achievements.
For many years one of the best known residents of Reynolds, John Brucker killed himself on Sunday morning, July 13, 1902, by firing a bullet into his head. The rash deed was committed in his drug store and while he was alone. No known cause was disclosed. He was a son of Jacob F. and Caroline Brucker and was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, November 23, 1850. He was a wagon maker and blacksmith by trade, but for some years had been engaged in the drug business. In 1873 he was married to Rebecca Ridgeway, who died some years later, leaving him three children: Lula, now Mrs. Clint Casto; Alta, and John.
A citizen whose career in White County has been characterized by sufficient accomplishment and influence to make his name known in every township and locality is William F. Brucker, who for many years was identified with railroad service, is a former county treasurer, and at this writing is temporarily engaged in the manufacture of tile at Monticello.
Nearly all his life has been spent within the limits of White County. William F. Brucker was born in Logan, Ohio, August 4, 1863. Jacob F. Brucker, his father, was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, and married there Fredericka Keller. In the old country he learned the wagonmaker's trade, and was employed in that line until he came to America. With his wife and two children he crossed the Atlantic Ocean on board a sailing vessel about the year 1856, and from that time until 1865 the family resided in Ohio. It was in 1865 that the Brucker family came to White County, Indiana, and located at Reynolds, where Jacob F. Brucker worked at his trade and where he lived until his death. He and his wife are the parents of six children, three of whom are living. William F. the only one in White County.
While there was little out of the ordinary in the life of the late Jacob F. Brucker, he was the type of man whose life after all counts for most in any community or nation. He came to the United States with only sufficient means to pay the expenses of the journey. He was unable to speak the English language and was unacquainted with the customs and manners of the country. He possessed two important attributes—a willingness to work early and late to support his family, and a sturdy, rugged industry characteristic of the best German people. He lived a clean, upright life, paid his honest debts, and passed away with the respect of his fellow men. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church.
William F. Brucker was reared to manhood in and around Reynolds, where he
acquired his education in the public schools. Twenty-two years of his life were
spent in railroad work for the Pennsylvania System as telegraph operator and
station agent, being located at different times at Reynolds, Goodland, Kentland
and Wolcott. In 1903 Mr. Brucker removed to Monticello, and that city has since
been his home. In 1904 he was elected county treasurer of White County, filled
that office with scrupulous integrity and efficiency for two years, and has also
served three years as city treasurer of Monticello. Mr. Brucker is a democrat,
and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. On
October 10, 1889, he married Miss Gertrude Goodrich, and they are the parents of
three children: Fred L., Fay and Henry K. Fred L., who is in the employ of the
Michigan Central Railroad, was educated in the Monticello schools and then took
a business course in the State
University at Bloomington, Indiana. His residence is at Monticello, Indiana. Fay
is the wife of Harry R. Hildreth of Monticello. She is a graduate of the Monticello
High School and also of the Ladies' college at Jacksonville, Illinois. She is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a Pythian Sister. Henry K. will
graduate from the Monticello High School with the class of 1916.
James W. Bulger was born September 22, 1814, in Frederick County, Virginia. On May 10, 1835, he married Miss Minerva James, with whom he lived until his death on March 8, 1879. He was a charter member of Libanus Lodge No. 154, F. & A. M. which was organized in 1854, and of which he was the first senior warden. He was buried by the lodge of which he had so long been a member.
Barzilla Bunnell, who came to White County in 1834, where he lived the remainder of his days, was born in Ross County, Ohio, April 9, 1807. He was one of the first ten members who organized the first Methodist Episcopal Church in White County, and his great life work was in behalf of the church which he never forsook in its darkest hours. His habits of thrift and frugality enabled him to acquire a competence, which he was free to share in the assistance of all who stood in need. While sitting in his chair, December 29, 1891, he closed his eyes in the final sleep.
John Barton Bunnell was born in White County, February 2, 1839. He was a son of Thomas and Nancy Bunnell, who settled three miles southwest of the present site of Monticello, in 1832. From his birth till 1890 he lived on almost the identical spot where he was born. In the latter year he removed to Sheldon, Illinois, where he died June 24, 1896.
A name that has been significant of honest worth and of thorough capabilities both in its private and public relations, has been that of Bunnell since the early days in White County. The late John Barton Bunnell was one of the real pioneers in Princeton Township.
So far as can be determined he was born in the State of Ohio, and was taken by his parents to Porter County, Indiana, where his father died. In the early '40s, with his mother, he came into White County and subsequently his life was closely contemporaneous with the growth of the county from its pioneer stages. His mother died in White County. Mr. Bunnell was a practical farmer, a shrewd but exceedingly scrupulous business man, and the result of his labors were [sic] found in the accumulation of about 600 acres of land. He was a general farmer and stock raiser and seemed to prosper in every undertaking. He became learned to some extent in the law, and for a number of years held the office of justice of the peace and was an impartial administrator of justice. He was prominent in early public affairs, and was one of the original members of the republican party.
John B. Bunnell married Sarah M. Lear who was born in Virginia July 8, 1828. To their marriage were born seven children: Nancy J., now Mrs. Sam Spencer; Thomas Jefferson, now deceased; Maria, deceased; Alice, deceased; Milton M.; Teal, deceased; and Homer, also deceased. The father of these children died about 1888, and is buried in the Dobbins Cemetery. He was an active member of the Masonic Order and belonged to the Christian Church. His widow is still living at an advanced age, her home being at Wolcott.
The only surviving son who now bears the name is Milton M. Bunnell, who has a fine country home of 159 acres in section 18 of Princeton Township. He was born in that locality July 25, 1857, and for many years was one of the township's most industrious citizens. Besides farming he was also a well driller. In 1877 Mr. Bunnell married Libbie Carmine, who became the mother of three children: Vera and Ray and Roy, twins. Following her death in 1906 Mr. Bunnell married Miss Anna Snickenberger. In politics Mr. Bunnell is a republican, and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias.
The name Bunnell has long stood for substantial success and sterling qualities of character in Honey Creek Township, where the late John N. Bunnell lived to many years and expressed the energy of his life in large accumulations as a farmer and land holder and in an attitude of practical helpfulness toward community affairs,
When Mr. Bunnell died, March 24, 1914, his death marked the passing of a splendid pioneer citizen. His family were among the first to come into White County, and he was born in Big Creek Township, September 28, 1836, the third in a family of ten children. His parents were Nathaniel and Susanna (Runyan) Bunnell. John N. Bunnell was a product of pioneer conditions in White County. The school he attended was kept in a log building and with such training as he could acquire from this institution he started to make his own way with his principal reliance upon his industry, his strength of mind and body and his courage in the face of all difficulties. A few years after he had attained manhood and was in the successful prosecution of his early enterprises he enlisted in 1861 as a soldier for the defense of the Union. He became a member of Company C of the 46th Indiana Infantry, and was in active service in the South until December 26, 1864. He received his honorable discharge at New Orleans.
On April 8, 1868, Mr. Bunnell married in White County, Miss Martha E. McColloch, who was born in Union Township, a daughter of Van and Elizabeth (Rothrock) MeColloch, and this family too is among the first to be mentioned in White County history. While Mr. and Mrs. Bunnell never had children of their own, they adopted several, trained them and kept them in their home until they started out in life independently. One adopted daughter, Mabel, is making her home with Mrs. Bunnell, in Honey Creek Township.
The late Mr. Bunnell was a republican, and a strong temperance man. His only office was as township supervisor, which he filled for an unexpired term. He followed farming and stock raising all his life, and his activities as a stock shipper covered all this section of the state. By hard work and able management he accumulated about seven hundred acres of land, all in Honey Creek Township. Much of this was improved and brought into a high state of cultivation under his immediate supervision. Mr. Bunnell was laid to rest in the Bunnell Cemetery, near Reynolds. He and his wife were long identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mrs. Bunnell has her religious home.
Van McColloch, the father of Mrs. Bunnell, was born near Urbana, Ohio,
and was married in Monticello. His wife's people, the Rothrocks, came to
White County about 1829, at a time when very few other families could be
found either in this or the adjacent counties. Van McColloch was a
practical farmer, and in the later years of his life moved out to Kansas,
where he and his wife died and are buried. There were seven children in the
family, and all are living except one. Mary C. is the widow of Thomas Beers
of Carlsbad, New Mexico, and has four children. She was formerly a teacher,
and she is a member of the Presbyterian church. Nancy E. is the wife of
Augustua [sic] W. Lane, a resident of Burlington, Kansas, and a retired
farmer. He is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Lane have
seven children. Mrs. Bunnell is the next in order of birth. J. W.
McColloch resides in Wichita, Kansas, and is employed as an engineer in a
flouring mill. He
is also married. Zillah, is the wife of David Deen of Witchita, [sic]
Kansas, and an engineer. Frank B. McColloch, a druggist at Lawrence,
Kansas, is married and has three children. Mrs. Bunnell is well known
for her many kind and charitable deeds, for her benevolence and for her
care of the orphan children to whom she has given a comfortable home.
Nathaniel Bunnell came to White County in 1833. He was born in Ross County, Ohio, December 27, 1805, and on December 29, 1831, was married to Susanna Runyan, of Clark County, Ohio, and to them was [sic] born ten children. His wife died in 1873 and on August 25, 1875, he was married to Mrs. Mary A. McNealey, of Kentucky. His life was spent in White County in which he proved himself a good citizen. He accumulated quite a fortune, was an ardent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in all relations of life proved himself a man. He died in Reynolds, September 4, 1891.
In the spring of 1834, prior to the organization of White County, Stephen Bunnell removed to what is now Big Creek Township and settled on a farm where he continued to reside until his death on April 25, 1880. He was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 9, 1803, and in 1826 he married Miss Nancy Roberts by whom he had five children. In 1849 he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and remained a consistent member of that church until his death. He was one of the most respected of our early settlers.
Hannah Moore Burget was born near Chillicothe,
Ohio, June 14, 1826, and when
she was less than two years old her parents moved to Tippecanoe County, Indiana,
where she lived until married to Frederick Burget on September 2, 1847. In
November, 1873, she came with her husband and family to Big Creek Township,
locating on a farm about two miles east of Chalmers, where the husband died
October 30, 1896, when the family moved to Chalmers, where Mrs. Burget died
November 8, 1915, in her ninetieth year. She was the mother of four children,
three sons and one daughter, namely: Silas, who died in infancy; William, now
of Monticello; Morgan, of Chalmers; and Mrs. Lura Belle Stephan, of Rolla,
Missouri. Mrs. Burget at her death was the oldest resident of Chalmers, a
woman of splendid character, lofty ideals and highly respected. Some fifty
years prior to her death she united with the New Dunkard Church at Pious Chapel,
about seven miles northeast of Monticello,
but about four years before her death transferred her membership to the Methodist
Episcopal Church at Chalmers, in which she was a faithful and consistent member
until her death.
Francis Marion Burns, only son of Washington Burns, for many years one of the best known residents, died at his home in Union Township, near Guernsey, March 14, 1902, aged a little more than forty-eight years, having been born there October 18, 1853. He was married to Emma L. Moore, October 29, 1879, and left surviving him his widow and two children, Washington A. and Margaret O., and an only sister, Mrs. James V. Vinson.
James Burns, one of the early settlers of White County, was a son of Hugh Burns and was born near Lewistown, Pennsylvania, November 10, 1825. Died at his home south of Monticello, September 1, 1905, at the advanced age of nearly eighty years. His father moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1835, and some three years later, September, 1838, started with his family to move to Springfield, Illinois. On leaving Lafayette they missed their way and drove northward to Monticello. They were so pleased with the country that they located about two miles south of town on what they called "Edge Hill" farm, their log house standing on the hill on the west side of the road, a short distance south of the McKain stone barn. Here his father died in 1842 and his mother in 1852. In 1865 he was married to Miss Mary Jane Burns, daughter of John Burns. She died in August, 1877, leaving three sons, Samuel, Edward and Bert. In 1880 he was married to Miss Susan Ferry, who with four children, Mae, Pearl, Earl and Sadie, are still living.
Jane Burns was the widow of John Burns, a large land owner and well known resident of Big Creek Township. Her maiden name was Jane Virden, she being a sister of Silas, Samuel and David Virden, all well known residents and all of whom died within the three years preceding her death. She also had two brothers who died in California during the gold craze of 1849. She was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, October 17, 1825. Died November 23, 1897.
John Burns, one of the most successful of our early farmers, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 4, 1809, and came to what is now White County in 1830 and resided on his farm in what is now Big Creek Township until his death, which occurred on December 26, 1884. Beginning life in a log cabin, by industry and frugality he amassed a fortune and what is far better he left this life with the respect of his neighbors, who knew him as one of our best and most honored citizens.
Maj. Liberty M. Burns came to White County in 1839. He was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, June 5, 1810, and died in Monticello, March 27, 1879. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California in the search for gold. In 1843 he united with the Presbyterian Church at Monticello and retained his membership therein until his death. In November, 1837, he was joined in marriage with Miss Amanda Grigga of Preble County, Ohio, and to this union was born two children, a son and a daughter.
Many of the best honors of pioneer activity belong to the Burns family, which has been identified with White County continuously for over eight decades. S. M. Burns represents the third generation in this county, and has for many years been successfully engaged in farming and other enterprises in Big Creek Township.
Samuel Mac Burns was born December 1, 1863, in Big Creek Township, and the fine farm which he now occupies as his residence, 4½ miles east of Chalmers, was formerly the estate of his father. John Burns, the paternal grandfather, came into White County about 1830 from Pickaway County, Ohio. He brought with him his wife and his six children were all born in White County. It is generally supposed that William Burns, father of S. M. Burns, was the first white male child native of White County. John Burns, the grandfather, settled in the midst of the woods and on the overflowed marshes in Big Creek Township. He had come from Ohio in a wagon drawn by horses, and the wagon contained his wife and household furniture. He landed at what is now known as the B. B. Baker farm, and his worldy [sic] possessions were represented by his team and his furniture. Until he could get assistance to build a log cabin he camped out and he and his wife lived in the wagon. A brief experience in the midst of the wilds of White County, with few neighbors, was almost sufficient to discourage the stoutest heart and it is not strange that John Burns repented of his coming and would have returned to Pickaway County except for the fact he had no money and practically out of necessity was compelled to remain. He had entered 160 acres of land, and making the best of what he considered a bad bargain he started energetically to work to improve the land and make a home in the wilderness. Prosperity smiled upon his efforts, and his surplus capital was again and again invested in more land until at the end of his life he was the possessor of more than 1,100 acres. A large part of that estate had been brought under cultivation by his own efforts and under his management, and the accounts of early settlement show few men who equalled him in contributing to the substantial development of this county. The greater part of the 160 acres he originally entered was in timber, while the rest of it was exceedingly wet during the greater part of the year. The low portions of the land he drained by open ditches. The old log house was eventually replaced by a substantial frame house, surrounded by barns and those buildings are still in existence. He subsequently built another house and lived there until his death. His wife had passed away several years previously. Her maiden name was Malinda Ferguson, who was probably born in Ohio, where she was married.
William Burns, father of Samuel Mac Burns, was born in White County, April 23, 1831, and spent all his long life in the same community. His death occurred within one mile of his birthplace. He grew up on the old homestead, learned to work as one of his first experiences, and had only a meager education from such schools as were conducted when he was a boy. He often recalled the many interesting facts concerning the pioneer experiences of the family. In the early days the grain raised by the hardest kind of labor on the land was taken to market over rough roads to Chicago, and there sold at a price which would buy only the barest necessities of the household, which according to present day standards would not have been sufficient to reward the work necessary to plant, harvest and market the grain. William Burns married Etna M. McIntire, who was born in Champaign County, Ohio, and moving to Indiana first located in Tippecanoe County, and thence came to White County. The parents are both now deceased, their deaths occurring only three days apart, the mother dying March 19, 1913, and the father March 21, 1913. They were buried side by side in Riverview Cemetery, where beautiful stones are erected sacred to their memory. Mrs. Burns was born November 19, 1828, and died at the age of eighty-four years four months. She lost her mother when two years of age, and she and her twin brother, Daniel D., then returned to Ohio and lived with their grandparents until she was twenty-one years of age. Her brother subsequently enlisted in the Union army in Captain Bowman's company of an Indiana regiment, and was killed in battle at Richmond, Kentucky. Mrs. Burns finally returned with her brother from Ohio to White County and they lived on the farm of John Burns until her marriage. William Burns died March 27, 1913, at the age of eighty-one years ten months and twenty-nine days. He and his wife were married October 24, 1860. Mary Etta Burns, a sister of S. M. Burns, married W. E. Brown, of Urbana, Ohio, and she is the mother of two daughters, Lucy B. and Christine E.
S. M. Burns grew up in Big Creek Township, attended the local schools there, and has applied himself since coming to manhood to his business as a farmer, with such success as to place him among the successful men of the county. He married Miss Martha Clagett, daughter of William Clagett, who was from Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Burns became the parents of three children: William C., born May 23, 1895; Sarah Etta, born June 7, 1902; and one that died in infancy.
Mr. Burns, as was the case with his father and grandfather, has always been steadily a republican, and his fellow citizens always know that he takes a firm stand for justice and morality, education, and social improvement in his community. He is a member of the Maccabees Order. The homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Burns is called "The Hillside Farm."
Washington Burns was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1820, and at the age of seventeen came with his parents to Montgomery County, Ohio, and in 1847 was married to Martha J. DeLong. In 1848 he came to White County, where he lived until his death on March 12, 1895. He was a soldier in the Civil war, but was not a member of any church, though in 1892 at his request he was baptized in the Methodist Protestant Church. He was a kind and indulgent father and one who never complained in any of his sufferings.
This name will be recognized by the oldest resident of Monticello. It carries us back to about 1846. He was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1802, but became a resident of White County about sixty-five years ago. He will be remembered as the keeper of the old toll bridge across the Tippecanoe River and later as mail carrier, for several years serving faithfully in both capacities. He died after a brief illness, September 5, 1895. He came to White County in 1846, which was ever after his home. In 1858 he became a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Idaville and remained to the last a consistent member. In 1871 he removed to Idaville and spent much of his time in reading the Scriptures, in which he was well versed. His wife died about 1863, but one daughter, Mrs. Mary Horine, is yet living in Idaville.
A brainy, wide-awake young man, full of vim and energy, Dr. Ernan A. Bush is prominently identified with the best and highest interests of Reynolds, which has been his home since 1906. He was born February 19, 1882, in Jackson County, Iowa, of German and English ancestry.
The doctor's father, Henry Bush, was born in Germany, and as a young man came to America, settling first in Clinton County, Iowa, where he married Elizabeth Williamson, who bore him seven children, of whom six are now living. Both of the parents are dead, the later years of their lives having been spent in Iowa.
An ambitious student from his childhood, Ernan A. Bush early resolved to fit himeslf for a professional career, and while yet in his teens began the study of medicine with Dr. L. W. Little. He subsequently continued his studies for a year at the Chicago Physico-Medical College, and then entered the Physico-Medical College at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was graduated on March 21, 1903, winning then the distinction of being the second youngest man to apply for a physician's license in this state. Dr. Bush was subsequently engaged in the practice of his profession at Stockwell for nearly there years, and then opened an office at Reynolds. On January 1, 1906, the doctor located in Reynolds, and here, in addition to continuing his practice as a physician, established a drug store, which he conducted successfully for more than two years. On April 1, 1908, he was appointed postmaster, and held the position until July 21, 1914, serving in that capacity under Presidents Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson. He was for four years a member of the town board, and was once a candidate for representative to the State Legislature, on the prohibition ticket, and in 1914 was a candidate for Congress on the same ticket.
Dr. Bush married, February 16, 1905, Arba Belle Waters, a daughter of Howard and Alta (Kennedy) Waters, of Tippecanoe County, and into their household two children have made their advent, namely: Ernan Waters, born March 8, 1906; and Henry Wayne, borne [sic] March 11, 1913. A prominent member of the State League of Postmasters, Dr. Bush served that organization as treasurer one year, as secretary two years, and as president three years. He is a member of the National Association of Retail Druggists; of the Retail Merchants' Association; and of the Indiana Physico-Medico Society. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being now one of its trustees, and the superintendent of the Sunday school.
For considerably more than half a century the name Bushnell has had a place in the White County Bar. Knowledge and ability in the law have been combined with a successful prosecution of business affairs, and in community affairs the members of the family have stood for those principles that are most enduring and beneficial.
The late Thomas Bushnell, who is remembered as an early prominent lawyer in White County, was a native of Licking County, Ohio, the youngest of a large family of children born to Thomas Hubbard Bushnell. The Bushnell family has been in America since early colonial days, having come from England on board the ship Speedwell and locating in New England probably in Connecticut. Thomas Bushnell when a boy was left an orphan, and early in life went out to the State of Wisconsin, where he learned the cooper's trade. Subsequently he returned to Ohio, and some time after his marriage, in 1855, came to White County, Indiana. For several years he was employed at his trade in the old cooperage shop on the Tippecanoe River in Monticello. An accident while in that shop compelled him to give up work for about a year and he employed his leisure thus forced upon him in the study of law. In 1858 Thomas Bushnell was admitted to the bar. In 1860 he was honored by election to the office of county auditor, and by re-election four years later served two terms of eight years. Prior to assuming the duties of a county office he had practiced law, and subsequently resumed practice and was active both in the profession and business affairs. While serving as county auditor Thomas Bushnell became interested in the woolen mills at Monticello, and was not only the principal owner of that local industry but directed its operations until the time of his death.
Thomas Bushnell married Rebecca Downs, who died in 1860, the mother of four children, two of whom are still living. Mr. Bushnell after the death of his first wife married Susan T. Parker, who also became the mother of four children, and two of these survive.
Thomas Bushnell died at Monticello November 5, 1875. He was a Methodist in church affiliation, a republican in politics, and was identified with the Masonic fraternity. Few of his contemporaries were regarded more highly, and his name deserves to be remembered in White County. Intensely loyal to his country, he was physically unable to share its peril at the time of war, but his purse and influence were ever ready to make up for the service he could not perform as a soldier in the ranks. His influence and acts were also on the side of morality, education and good government.
Willie S. Bushnell, who was the oldest of Thomas Bushnell's children by the first marriage, has for thirty-nine years been a successful practitioner of law at Monticello. He was born at Urbana, Ohio, September 22, 1852, and since infancy has lived in Monticello, now fully sixty years. As a boy he was a student in the public schools and in 1873 was graduated from the old Asbury College (now DePauw University) at Greencastle, Indiana, with the degree Bachelor of Arts. Three years later his alma mater conferred upon him the degree Master of Arts. After engaging in the law Mr. Bushnell built up a large general practice, but of later years has devoted his attention chiefly to probate practice and abstract work. For twenty-seven years he was secretary of the Monticello School Board and served one term as prosecuting attorney of the county.
Mr. Bushnell is affiliated with the Lodge, Chapter and Council of the Masonic fraternity, is a republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Church. He and his wife are charter members of Crystal Chapter, No. 165, O. E. S. On May 20, 1885, he married Anna B. Coen. Their four children are: Elizabeth, wife of Rupert B. Redic, a lawyer in El Paso, Texas; Thomas M., who married Virginia Brown, and is now connected with the agricultural department of the Federal Government, his chief work being in the soil survey; Louise, and Ruth.
As an expression of his attitude towards life and as illustrative of a somewhat facile pen which he wields, in common with many other Indiana men, the following lines written by Mr. Bushnell on the occasion of his sixty-second birthday should be published:
By his capable superintendence of his fine farm of 180 acres in section 22 of Honey Creek Township and by the integrity and energy which characterize all his public relations, William M. Buss is well on the way toward realizing those things which are considered most worth while by ambitious men, an honorable success in business with satisfying material rewards, the esteem of his fellow men, and a public spirited share in the social and civic life of the community.
William M. Buss is a native of Honey Creek Township, where he was born November 16, 1871, a son of Charles and Dorothy (Schultz) Buss. His parents were both born in Hamburg, Germany, and came to the United States in 1865. At that time they were still single and were married after reaching White County. To their union were born six children: Charles; Minnie, who is deceased and is buried in the Bunnell Cemetery; Augusta; William; Herman; and Louis, who is deceased and buried in the Lutheran Cemetery. The father of these children made his mark as a farmer and stock raiser and before his death had accumulated 180 acres of land and had brought it up to the best standards of improvement. He was a self-made man in the best sense of the term and had come to America without money and friends and with nothing to start him to success except a pair of willing hands and a courageous temper in the face of all problems and difficulties. He was thoroughly honorable and enjoyed the highest respect of the entire community, where he died March 4, 1914. His widow is now living with her son Charles. The father is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery. He served for a time as supervisor of his home township, was a member of the German Lutheran Church in Reynolds, and in politics a democrat.
William M. Buss was reared in White County, attended the public schools and lived at home with his father up to the age of twenty-five. At that time he started out to meet the difficulties of life on his own account and having learned the carpenter's trade followed it for five years, but since then has given most of his attention to farming and stock raising. He is now the manager of the old homestead of 180 acres, and also owns two acres and three lots in the Village of Reynolds.
On April 28, 1898, Mr. Buss married Miss Annie Spinn, a daughter of Henry and Sophia (Schultz) Spinn. The first child born to their marriage died in infancy. Martha, born April 16, 1901, is a bright and intelligent girl and has made good progress through the public schools. The youngest child is Vernita, born September 30, 1913. Mr. Buss is a democrat in politics and for two years has been township supervisor in Honey Creek. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church.