One of the most striking examples of the rewards to be gained through industry, perseverance and integrity in the affairs of life, is furnished by the career of Charles G. Carison, one of the largest land owners of White County. A poor emigrant boy when he came to the United States in 1889, he started life here in the humble capacity of farm hand, but so well have his labors been prosecuted and so clear has been his judgment that today, when still in the prime of life and with powers still undiminished, he finds himself the possessor of means that few men acquire even after a lifetime of earnest endeavor. His life should prove encouraging to those who are entering upon their careers without financial assistance or friendly influence.
Born in Sweden, July 11, 1871, Charles G. Carlson is a son of Franz and Charlotte (Peterson) Carlson. His parents, farming people of Sweden, never left the old country, where the mother died, although the father still survives and is the owner of a good property. There were five children in the family, all of whom are living. As a boy Charles G. Carlson assisted in the work of the home farm and attended the public schools, but it was always his idea that America furnished better opportunities for the ambitious and his determination was early formed to try his fortunes here. Accordingly, at the age of eighteen years, or in 1889, he came to America on a visit, an older brother, Frank, having preceded him and being at that time a resident of Livingston County, Illinois. The younger brother worked for a time as a farm hand in Livingston County and finding that his previous conception of America was correct determined to remain. He was careful with his earnings, worked energetically with one end in view, and finally purchased a property in Livingston County, which he farmed until 1905. In that year Mr. Carlson moved to Pulaski County, Indiana, where he purchased 480 acres of land, and continued to farm this property until 1911, when he came to Monon Township, White County, which has continued to be his home to the present time.
Here Mr. Carlson has advanced rapidly among the men who made a success of agricultural work, and has added to his holdings from time to time until he now owns 1,102 acres. This is not only one of the largest, but one of the most highly improved farms in Monon Township, and boasts of the most modern and substantial buildings and improvements of all kinds to be found anywhere in this part of White County. This beautiful and valuable estate is known as High View Stock Farm.
In 1913 Mr. Carlson lost by fire a very fine barn, as well as other farm buildings and paraphernalia, but since then has erected a barn which surpasses in value and appearance his other one, and has replaced his equipment. The greater part of this land Mr. Carlson now rents to tenants, while he devotes his attention almost exclusively to the handling of livestock, a venture in which he has been more than ordinarily successful. His reputation in business and financial circles is an excellent one, and he possesses in the fullest degree the confidence and esteem of those who have been associated with him in business ventures.
Politically a republican, Mr. Carlson has served in various local offices. He has shown an interest in the welfare of his adopted community and has always been ready to contribute of his time, means and abilities in the advancing of movements for civic, educational or moral betterment. His fraternal connection is with Castle Hall Lodge, Knights of Pythias, at Monon, and with his family he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Carlson was married July 2, 1893, to Miss Caroline Erickson. She was born August 5, 1876, at Pontiac, in Livingston County, Illinois, a daughter of Alfred Erickson, who was born in Sweden and emigrated to the United States as a young man. To Mr. and Mrs. Carlson there were born ten children, eight of whom are living, namely: Alfred, Emery, Florence, Myrtle, Clyde, Edward, Harold and Hazel Fern. On March 22, 1914, Mr. Carlson suffered the greatest and bitterest loss of his life in the death of his devoted wife, who passed away leaving their youngest child still an infant. She had been his companion throughout the years of his struggle for independence, and her excellent advice and loving encouragement had done much to aid him in his attainment of success.
In early life Mrs. Carlson was confirmed as a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church and remained a member of that denomination until she took up her residence in Indiana, when she united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Prairie Chapel. For several years she was an attendant at Monon Chapel, and she was buried in the chapel cemetery. The funeral service was preached before a large congregation by Rev. W. B. Morgan, and the Pythian Sisters, of whom she was a member, attended the funeral in a body. Of the significance of her life the following well worded tribute was expressed: "Mrs. Carlson was in every sense a mother loved and loving. Her last thoughts were of her children and her desire so earnestly expressed to have them meet her in heaven is certain to be a constant inspiration to all of them to enter in at the straight gate. Children and father are left to cherish the memory of a woman whose sweet disposition and love have made life more worth living. Mr. Carlson will sadly miss and feel the deprivation of a wife whose earnest solicitude was his constant encouragement. Her father and mother, who were present when she passed from earth to heaven, are blessed with the memory of a daughter who was faithful unto death. Her friends, who were legion, will remember her as a friend indeed, honored and respected."
Of the individuals whose ability, industry and forethought have contributed to the character, wealth and good government of Monticello, none is better known than Hon. Benjamin F. Carr, mayor of the city and junior member of the law firm of Palmer & Carr. Mr. Carr is an attorney, not only by education and long practice but by temperament and preference, and for twenty years has been engaged in practice at Monticello.
Benjamin F. Carr was born on a farm in Prairie Township, White County, Indiana, January 16, 1874, and is a son of Martin R. and Olive J. (Laylin) Carr, natives of Fayette and Huron counties, Ohio, respectively. Martin L. Carr was in early life a physician, and about the close of the Civil war was commissioned a captain in the Union army, but his regiment never went to the front and he accordingly saw no active service. In later years he gave up his practice and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which, with various other occupations, occupied his time until his death. The boyhood and early youth of Benjamin F. Carr were passed on the home farm, and his education was secured in the public school at Chalmers. That he was a precocious lad is shown by the fact that he conceived the idea of becoming a school teacher when but fourteen years old, and with this end in view applied for examination and successfully passed the grades but was refused a teacher's license by John A. Rothrock, the county superintendent of schools, who wrote across his certificate: "This is not a license, but simply indicates the grade of the applicant, who, in my estimation, is too young to enable him to successfully teach." It is more remarkable that he thus passed the examination in that his advantages for an education had been of a somewhat limited character.
When Benjamin F. Carr was seventeen years of age his father died and in the fall of the same year he came to Monticello. Acting upon the advice of Judge T. F. Palmer, he went to Bloomington and entered the law department of the State University, and while attending that department also carried several studies in the literary department. He was duly graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, but could not be admitted to the bar, as he was but nineteen years of age, and he accordingly returned to the university, where he specialized on several subjects. In 1895, having attained his majority, Mr. Carr was admitted to the bar, and in November of that year began practice with his brother, R. R. Carr, under the firm style of Carr & Carr. This partnership continued for two years, after which Mr. Carr was alone for seven or eight years, and then became the partner of Judge Palmer, under the style of Palmer & Carr, which style has since obtained. While Mr. Carr's practice is broad and general in character, he has become generally recognized as an authority on real estate law, ahd in this department has a large and prominent clientele. During his early law practice Mr. Carr, during his leisure time, compiled a set of abstract books of White County, and organized the White County Abstract Company, of which he was for several years the directing head. He belongs to the various organizations of his profession and is held in the highest esteem by his fellow-practitioners in the county. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, having passed the York Rite and Knight Templar degrees, and also holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. A strong and uncompromising republican, he has long taken a part in the activities of his party at Monticello, and in 1913 was elected to the office of mayor, his administration having been marked by much progression.
Mayor Carr was married, December 2, 1897, to Miss Luella Crowell, daughter of Dr. W. P. Crowell, and to this union there have been born two daughters: Amy Louise, and Martha Helen.
One of the esteemed farmer citizens of Big Creek Township is Edward E. Carr, who has lived in this county for forty years. His early life was one of considerable hardships, being the oldest son, and he was early in the fields and engaged in the work about the home, when most boys of his years were in the schools. What he has accomplished has therefore been all the more creditable.
Edward E. Carr was born in LaPorte County, Indiana, August 25, 1861, a son of Martin L. and Olive J. (Laylin) Carr. Out of eleven children the five who grew to maturity were: Editha E., who married Abram Cranmer; Edward E.; Reuben R.; Luther L.; and Benjamin F.
Martin L. Carr was man of roving disposition, and spent his life in many different localities. He died June 31, 1891. During the Civil war he lived in Iowa, and became captain in a Union regiment, but never saw any active service. His wife died in White County May 23, 1912, being then eighty-two years of age. She was born in 1830 and lived in White County forty years. The family came to Indiana in 1870, and in 1874 located on the land in White County where Ed Carr now lives. The land was covered with wild grass, and the father and son set fire to this and burned it off before putting the plow in the land. Their first home was a log house, and about 1878 the present comfortable home of Mr. Carr was erected.
Mr. Carr married India Mills, daughter of Samuel K. Mills. To their marriage
have been born three children: Edward Theodore, born December 18, 1903; Ruth
Ada, born September 21, 1910; and Robert Elmore, born March 1, 1912. All are
natives of White County. Mrs. Carr was born March 8, 1881, and was one of a
family of six sons and four daughters, being the eighth child born. Her
father died in November, 1892. Mr.
Carr has taken considerable interest in republican politics, and has been a
candidate for state representative and for the office of county clerk. He is a
member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity.
Suddenly, without warning and without a struggle and with no word of farewell to his family or his many friends, John P. Carr died on Sunday evening, January 12, 1896, while sitting in his chair at his splendid farm home just south of Chalmers, at the age of nearly seventy years. Mr. Carr was born in Ohio in June, 1826, and came to White County in 1848, locating at Chalmers. He first herded cattle for Ohio parties, but later worked for John Price, whose daughter he later married. In 1876 he was elected a representative in the Indiana Legislature, and again in 1880. He was a strong man physically and mentally, and his force of character gave him a leading position among the state's lawmakers. He left to his heirs one of the largest and best farms in White County.
His active membership as one of the present county council of White County makes James Ervin Carson well known through all the townships and village and rural communities. Though long retired and living at Brookston, Mr. Carson spent many years of productive activity as a farmer in Prairie Township, and still owns a nice property in that community. Another feature of his honorable and useful career is that he spent several years as a soldier in the Union army, and his record of patriotism is one that will always be cherished by his descendants.
Though a resident of White County for nearly forty years, James Ervin Carson was born at Mount Carmel in Franklin County, Indiana, December 22, 1842, a son of Isaac Newton and Martha Elizabeth (Reed) Carson. His father was of Scotch and his mother of Pennsylvania German stock, but the original ancestors came to the United States a great many years ago. Both the parents are now deceased and are buried in the Clarkesburg Cemetery in Johnson County, Indiana. The father, who received the name of one of the world's greatest scientists, grew up on a farm, and fitted himself for a self-supporting occupation by learning the harness making and saddlery trade. That was his business through all his active career.
After his education in the local schools of his native county had been accomplished James E. Carson at the age of nineteen made himself a farmer and put in one or two crops on rented land. In the meantime the great struggle between the North and the South was in progress, and on August 5, 1862, he responded to Lincoln's call for 300,000 more troops and enlisted in Company H of the Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered into the service at Greensburg, and did not receive his final discharge until June 20, 1865, a number of weeks after the practical cessation of hostilities and the disbandment of the Southern Confederacy. He was discharged at Nashville. His army service was with the Army of the Cumberland, and he participated in a number of the arduous campaigns which marked the record of that western army. At Mumfordsville, Kentucky, he was captured, but was soon paroled. Another battle in which he participated was that of Hoover's Gap, and he was in many of the operations around those key points of the Confederacy, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Chickamauga and elsewhere.
Before the close of his army service and while at home on a furlough, Mr. Carson was married March 9, 1865, to Miss Melissa Catherine Jones. In the spring of 1915 Mr. and Mrs. Carson celebrated that interesting and impressive event, the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. Mrs. Carson is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Helm) Jones, of Butler County, Ohio. Since their marriage both children and grandchildren have grown up around them. Their oldest son, William Francis, died one week after his birth. Lora Lee, the next son, is a prosperous farmer in Prairie Township. Joseph Ellsworth lives west of Lafayette. Martha Elizabeth is the wife of L. G. Nice of Tippecanoc County, and in the same county lives her sister, Nora Myrtle, the wife of Lemuel T. Ross.
In October, 1871, Mr. Carson and wife removed to White County and located upon a space of eighty acres five miles west of Brookston in Prairie Township. For many successive years he cropped and improved that land and its present valuable condition is largely due to the industry he bestowed upon it in his active years. In 1896 he turned over its management to his son, who has since capably directed its resources and in that year moved in to the Town of Brookston, where he now enjoys a well earned freedom from the pressing cares of life. As a farmer he raised the usual crops and gave particular attention to graded stock.
In politics Mr. Carson is a Lincoln republican, having cast his first vote for
the great emancipator while in the army. He gave a good service to his locality
by twelve years as justice of the peace, and is now in his third term as a
member of the county council of White County. He and his wife are active
members of the Baptist Church and he keeps up associations with old army
comrades by membership in Champion Hill Post No. 171, G. A. R., at Brookston.
For a number of years John A. Carson was one of the active merchants of Idaville, but since 1901 has looked after his interests as a farmer in Jackson Township. He is a member of the township advisory board, and in many ways has made himself a useful factor in the community in which the greater part of his life has been passed.
The Carsons belong to that substantial Scotch-Irish stock that was such a prominent factor in the settlement and development of the American country, particularly in the mountainous districts of the states from Pennsylvania to the Carolinas. The grandfather was David Carson, who formerly lived in Blount County, Tennessee, and from there came north to Indiana as a pioneer, and pre-empted land in Carroll County. He was a substantial farmer, a democrat in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. David Carson married Rosanna McCully. Their seven children, all now deceased, were: David Riley; John McCully; Eliza, who married John D. Scroggs; William C., who married Sarah Montgomery; Elizabeth, who married Lawson Steel; Rosa, who married William Delzell; and James A., who married Mary Oliver.
John McCully Carson, father of John A., spent his early life in Carroll County and later located in White County. He married Elizabeth Barnes, who was born June 19, 1826. Her parents were Thomas and Phoebe Barnes, who came from Greene County, Ohio, and became early settlers in White County. There is a numerous kinship of the Barnes family still found in White County. John McCully Carson and wife had eight children, as follows: Adeline, who lives at Idaville, married Joseph Henderson, a captain in the Civil war and who served the whole time. He was wounded in hip and shoulder. Her three children are Minnie, Elizabeth and John Marshall. Thomas W., who lives in Lafayette, Indiana. married Ella Birchby, and has a child, Bernice. James Adams, who lives at Idaville, married Jennie Arnott, and their one child is Frances A. Ellen E., now living at Lafayette, Indiana, is the widow of Jacob Waldsmith, and her six children are Cecilia, Oscar, Earl, Mabel, May and James. Finley C., who lives in Tipton, Indiana, married Jennie Hutchinson, and has one child, Joy H. Perry E., who lives in Peoria, Illinois, married Ella Murray, and their five children are named Leslie, Elsie, Donald, Lowell and David. Clara F., of Idaville, married Milton Friday, and their children are Leland, Irene and Ruth. John Albert is the eighth and the youngest of the family. The parents were members of the United Presbyterian Church and John M. Carson was very active in church affairs and served as elder for several years, and was also a leader of the church singing. He was a soldier in the Civil war and received his honorable discharge. In every community where he lived he stood well, was a man of upright actions and principles, and though of a reserved disposition had many close friends. He was quite successful in his work as a farmer, provided well for his family, and was in comfortable circumstances at the time of his death. Up to the great political upheaval during the '50s he was a democrat, but joined the new republican party in 1856. His children have heard him relate many interesting experiences of early times in both Carroll and White counties. Indians often visited the home, and though usually peaceful, frightened the children. In early days he and his wife attended church by riding horseback.
John Albert Carson, who was the youngest of his father's children, was born near Idaville in Jackson Township of White County, November 23, 1867. When he was twelve years of age his father retired from the farm and moved to the town. He thus acquired his education partly in the town schools, and afterwards took a business course in a college at Burlington, Iowa. For three years he was employed in Doctor McAllister's drug store at Idaville, and then spent two years in a wholesale drug house at Burlington, Iowa. Returning to Idaville, he bought the drug business formerly owned by Doctor McAllister in 1889, and continued actively in business until 1901. After selling his store he moved to his present farm three miles west of Idaville.
On November 23, 1892, at Idaville, Mr. Carson married Wilda M. Glasgow, daughter of Samuel P. and. Elizabeth Jane (Stipp) Glasgow. Their home has been blessed with the birth of six children: Verna I., now deceased; Merle G.; John I.; Harold G., who died in infancy; Preston G. and Dale D.; all of whom are living at home and most of whom have been educated in the Idaville schools. Mrs. Carson was born in White County, Indiana, February 15, 1873, and was one of a family of four children born to Samuel Preston and Elizabeth Jane (Stipp) Glasgow, and she is one of twins, but her twin brother is now deceased. Her sister Maggie is the wife of Thomas Melvin, a resident of Jackson Township. James S. Glasgow is a resident of Jay County, Indiana, and a farmer. He was first married to Miss Jennie Burnett, and he married for his second wife Miss Maggie Hogg. Mr. Glasgow, the father, was born in Ohio. He is now a retired farmer and a resident of Idaville, this state. He was a soldier in the Civil war, is a republican politically, and a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Glasgow is a native of Shelby County, Ohio, and both she and her daughter, Mrs. Carson, are also members of that church. The attractive estate of Mr. and Mrs. Carson is known as the Silver Leaf Stock Farm. The land is well fenced and drained and raises the best of corn, and Mr. Carson makes a specialty of the raising of hogs. The farm comprises 175 acres of land.
Mr. Carson is a strong republican in his party affiliations and has been a delegate to a number of county and congressional conventions. Since the last election he has been a member of the township advisory board. Like his father, he is active in the United Presbyterian Church and is now its choir leader. He has no affiliations with secret fraternities.
Lydia A. Carson was born in Reading, Ohio, April 8, 1824, and was married to James Carson, December 14, 1840. To this union was [sic] born nine children, seven of whom survived her. She was the mother of Capt. F. D. Carson, of Monon. She came to White County in 1839 and for nearly seventy years her home was in the western part of the county. Her maiden name was Brecount and her husband died in 1875. Her death occurred at Monon, Saturday, December 30, 1911.
As a banker and business man S. A. Carson has been a valuable factor in White County for many years. His individual integrity of character has helped to make the State Bank of Monticello an institution enjoying the highest confidence in the community which it serves. The present generation in White County knows the name of S. A. Carson too well to require introduction, and for the memory of the future the following brief sketch is written of his life.
S. A. Carson was born on a farm in Carroll County, Indiana, January 5, 1859. His father, William Carson, was a native of Tennessee and was brought to Indiana at the age of seven years, his parents locating in Carroll County, and on the old homestead in that county William Carson lived the life of a quiet and prospering farmer until his death.
Mr. S. A. Carson had an education in the common schools, was taught the lessons of industry and thrift at an early age, and lived on the farm until twenty-one. Then followed several years of teaching in the rural schools, and for sixteen years he served as deputy county auditor of White County. Mr. Carson began his career as a banker by assisting in the organization of the Monticello National Bank, in which for eight years he held the post of cashier. He then sold his interests in the National Bank to become president of the State Bank of Monticello, and has since been chief executive in that institution.
Mr. Carson is affiliated with the Masonic order in the lodge and council degrees,
also with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees. Politically
he is a democrat. On May 15, 1885, he married Mabel Spencer, daughter of Dr.
William Spencer. They are parents of two children: Spencer; and Helen, who
is the wife of Earl McCollum, who lives in Chicago.
For half a century a resident of White County, the late John H. Caughell was an able assistant in promoting its agricultural prosperity, as an energetic and progressive farmer meeting with good success, while as a man and a citizen he was held in high esteem. A native of Canada, he was born July 26, 1834, in Lincoln County, near Niagara. His father, John Caughell, a Canadian by birth, was of German descent, his immigrant ancestor having come from Germany to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, while his mother, whose maiden name was Johanna Merithew, was born in Canada, of French ancestry.
Born, bred and educated in Canada, John H. Caughell there married, February 25, 1862, Elizabeth Gardner, a daughter of Archibald and Margaret (Morrison) Gardner. Just after that important event, he came with his bride to White County, where her parents joined them on November 13, 1864. Mr. Caughell purchased land in Jackson Township, and immediately resumed the free and independent occupation to which he was reared. Laboring diligently and successfully, he cleared and improved a valuable estate, which yielded him rich returns each year. In addition to general farming, he engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of growing hogs for market. Having by good business methods accumulated a competency, Mr. Caughell retired from active pursuits, in 1908 buying 3½ acres of land on which he lived free from business cares until his death, July 25, 1912.
Mr. and Mrs. Caughell became the parents of nine children, namely: James, born
February 12, 1863, was killed June 6, 1892, in Carroll County, by an explosion,
and is buried at Burnetts Creek; Margaret, born
November 27, 1864, married John Gillespie, of Monticello; Thomas Richard, born
November 2, 1866, died November 8, 1909; John Henry, born July 19, 1868; Liddy
Ann, born April 13, 1870, died March 10, 1878; Minnie, born February 11, 1872;
Archibald G., born October 15, 1873, died February 17, 1904; Jennie, born
January 10, 1876; and Flora Johanna, born September 1, 1878. Mr. Caughell was
actively identified with the republican party, and while a resident of Carroll
County served as school director. He was a prominent member of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church, in which he served as an elder for twenty years.
The tendency of young men of scientific and liberal education and of exact and practical business training to embark in agriculture is one of the wholesome signs of the times. It means not only that the true dignity of the calling is now being better appreciated, but also that the introduction of such a vigorous and high minded class of young men to the profession will result in greatly increased standards of farm life and management, so that in a generation or two the old fashioned type of farmer, who has been the subject of so much ridicule, will become obsolete if not entirely extinct.
No better illustration of the scientific modern farmer who, contrary to a somewhat persistent opinion, does not find college degrees a handicap in his profession, is Sidney L. Chaffee, one of the owners and the active manager of the Cloverdale Stock Farm, situated five miles west of Chalmers in West Point Township. This place is perhaps more familiarly known as the Chaffee Farm, and comprises fully 960 acres. The land has been in the ownership of the Chaffee family for fully half a century. Sidney L. Chaffee is now a third owner and has the entire management of the farm. His grandfather Sidney L. Chaffee bought land in White County about 1865 to the extent of some 2,200 or 2,300 acres. From him its ownership descended to Charles B. Chaffee, father of Sidney L., and thence to the present heirs. For many years the land was only nominally productive and valuable, but more recently, especially since Sidney L. Chaffee has taken possession, has been converted into one of the finest stock farms in Northwestern Indiana.
Sidney L. Chaffee was born at Tippecanoe City, Ohio, February 27, 1882, a son of Charles B. and Alma A. (Freet) Chaffee, both of whom were natives of Ohio and of English descent. Mr. Chaffee was liberally educated, attending the high school at Cleveland, was graduated Ph. B. [sic] from Western Reserve University with the Class of 1904, and in 1907 received his Bachelor of Science degree from the Case School of Applied Science at Cleveland. Then for two years he was an instructor in the civil engineering department at Cornell University, and from that institution received his degree of Civil Engineer in 1909. For the following two years he was in Chicago connected with the bridge department of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway, but in June, 1911, came to White County to assume the management of the Cloverdale Stock Farm.
On June 27, 1911, Mr. Chaffee married Miss Nannie Nutting, daughter of Rev. John D. Nutting of Cleveland, Ohio. Of their three children one died in infancy and the other two are named Sidney Bernard and Charles Carroll Nutting. Mr. Chaffee usually votes for the best man, and he and his wife are members of the Springdale Baptist Church.
George W. Chamberlain, who died in October, 1913, at his home west of Chalmers, had long been one of the largest land owners and business men in that section of the county. He was born in Carroll County in 1836 and came to White County in 1845, locating in West Point Township. He was a leading member of the Universalist Church.
Four generations of the Chamberlain family have found representation in White County, and this mere statement in itself bears significance, for it indicates conclusively that the family name has been associated with the history of the county since the early pioneer days. Further than this, those who have borne the name have in each successive generation stood exponent of the best type of citizenship and have given to the world assurance of sterling integrity and worthy achievement. He to whom this memoir is dedicated was a scion of the second generation of the family in White County and was a lad of about seven years when, in 1843, his parents established their home in what is now West Point Township, this county, where his father became one of the organizers of this township, even as he was one of the strong and loyal pioneers who here instituted a reclamation of a productive farm from the virtual wilderness. George W. Chamberlain was a man of staunch rectitude, broad mental grasp and much constructive ability, his having been a large and benignant influence in connection with the civic and industrial progress and prosperity of White County, where his memory is held in enduring honor now that he has passed from the stage of life's mortal endeavors, his death having occurred on the 5th of October, 1913, and his remains being laid to rest in the West Point Cemetery.
George W. Chamberlain was born in Carroll County, Indiana, on the 12th of September, 1836, and was a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Thatcher) Chamberlain. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and was there reared to adult age under conditions and influences that admirably fitted him for his subsequent activities as one of the sturdy pioneers of the fine old Hoosier State, where he initiated the reclamation and cultivation of lands that are worth nearly fifty times as much as was paid for the property in the pioneer era. Aaron Chamberlain was born in the year 1805, and was in the very prime of his strong and resourceful manhood when he came from the old Keystone State to cast in his lot with the pioneers of Indiana. He came with his family to White County in the year 1843, and obtained a tract of wild land now included in West Point Township. He was actively associated in the organization of the township and with all community affairs of public order, with secure place in the confidence and good will of all who knew him. With characteristic energy and discrimination he set to himself the herculean task of reclaiming his embryonic farm, but he lived only six years after establishing his home in White County, where he died, at his pioneer homestead, in 1849, shortly prior to his fiftieth birthday anniversary. His wife survived him by a number of years, and the names of both merit high place on the roll of the honored pioneers of White County. They became the parents of ten children, namely: Joseph, Henry, Henrietta, Daniel, George W., Emeline, Caroline, Mary, John and Aaron. All of the children are now deceased except Henry, who is a well known resident of Big Creek Township, this county.
George W. Chamberlain was a child at the time of the family removal from Carroll County to Tippecanoe County, in which latter county the family home was maintained several years, near Battleground [sic]. In 1843, as already noted in a preceding paragraph, removal was made to White County and a home was established in West Point Township, which had not yet been set off as a separate subdivision of the county. Here young George was reared to manhood under the invigorating discipline of the pioneer farm, and he early began to contribute his quota to its work, the while he made good use of the advantages afforded in the early schools of the community and laid adequate foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of broad knowledge and mature judgment that denoted the man of later years. He became one of the extensive land holders and representative agriculturists of the county that was his home for the long period of seventy years, and at the time of his death he was the owner of a valuable landed estate of 1,120 acres in White County, where few men could claim more extended possessions in evidence of worthy material success and prosperity. He stood representative of the best in the community life and fully merited the unqualified esteem in which he was uniformly held. Somewhat conservative in his opinions, he was firm in his convictions and combined with an abundant physical vigor, an equal staunchness in upholding what he believed to be right, whether in politics, religion or general morality. He was independent and fearless, seldom required advice from others, though he was a valued counsellor to others. He gave close attention to his business activities as one of the foremost agriculturists and stockgrowers of White County, and from his honorable and well directed endeavors he achieved large and worthy success.
Well fortified in his views concerning governmental and economic policies, he accorded allegiance to the democratic party, though he had no predilection for the activities of so called practical politics. He never sought public office, but his civic loyalty was such that he did not refuse his service when called to local positions of trust, including those of township supervisor and township assessor. He was affiliated with the lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Chalmers and was an earnest member of the Universalist Church.
On the 15th of March, 1860, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Chamberlain to
Miss Eliza Robinson, who likewise was born and reared in Indiana, as a member
of a sterling pioneer family of this favored commonwealth. Of the nine children
of this union Eva, Mary and Caroline are deceased; Rosa Ann is the wife of Eldon
Bostick and they reside in Honey Creek Township; John W. is individually
mentioned on other pages of this publication; Josephine is the wife of William
Shumaker, of Big Creek Township; Lee and Robert are prosperous agriculturists in
West Point Township; and Sarah is the wife of Arthur Crockett, of Denver,
Colorado. Mrs. Chamberlain died in June, 1884. She was a Methodist in belief.
A scion in the third generation of a family whose name has been one of special prominence and influence in connection with the social and material development and upbuilding of White County, John W. Chamberlain has made himself a worthy successor to his honored father, both as a loyal and progressive citizen and as one of the substantial exponents of the great basic industries of agriculture and stock-growing in his native county, where he is recognized as one of the leading citizens of West Point township. On other pages of this work is entered a memorial tribute to his father, the late George W. Chamberlain, and thus a further review of the family history is not demanded in the present connection.
On the old homestead farm of the family, in section 12, range 5 West, of West Point Township, John W. Chamberlain was born on the 10th of November, 1867, and virtually all of the intervening years have found him a resident within the borders of his native township, where he well upheld the prestige of a name that has been honored in the annals of the county from the early pioneer era to the present time. The conditions and influences of the home farm compassed the period of his boyhood and youth and in this connection he early learned the valuable lessons of practical industry and came to proper appreciation of the dignity and value of honest toil and endeavor. He received excellent educational advantages and put his scholastic attainments to practical test by two terms of service in the pedagogic profession, as teacher in the Lake View School, in Big Creek Township.
In 1890, when about twenty-three years of age, Mr. Chamberlain further fortified himself for the battle of life by taking unto himself a wife, in the person of Miss Lillie Jarrett, a daughter of Levi and Lydia Jarrett, of Prairie Township, this county. After more than twenty years of happy domestic life the gracious home circle was broken by the death of Mrs. Chamberlain, who was summoned to the life eternal on September 14, 1913,—about one month prior to the death of her husband's venerable father. Her remains were interred in the cemetery maintained at Chalmers by the Knights of Pythias, and her memory is revered by all who came within the sphere of her gentle influence. Mrs. Chamberlain is survived by four children, all of whom have been given excellent educational advantages: Leroy and his wife, whose maiden name was Ethel Hambridge, reside in West Point Township, where he represents the fourth generation of the family as a farmer in this township; and Viola Hazel, J. Pord, and Estella Maude all remain at the paternal home, which is known for its generous hospitality.
Mr. Chamberlain has achieved definite success as a general agriculturist and stockgrower, and his finely improved farm of 240 acres is eligibly situated three miles west of the Village of Chalmers. In addition to giving close attention to the work and management of his farm Mr. Chamberlain has exercised his resources in a number of ways for the benefit of local business and the furtherance of legitimate improvements. He is a stockholder and director of the State Bank of Chalmers, the Chalmers Grain Company, which operates a modern grain elevator at Chalmers, and of the Chalmers Telephone Company. He has made a specially admirable record also in connection with the good-roads movement, and is one of the enterprising citizens who not only believe in but are willing to work for well made public highways. It was through his initiative that the John H. Moore turnpike road was constructed between Big Creek and West Point townships.
Fot a number of years the name of Mr. Chamberlain has had a political significance in his native township, and he is a recognized leader in the councils of the democratic party in White County. His principal public service was rendered in the office of township trustee, which he filled with credit and with exceptional benefit to the township, especially its schools, during a period of ten years. His first term extended from November, 1900, to January 1, 1905, and his second term from January 1, 1909, to January 1, 1915. Mr. Chamberlain is affiliated with Chalmers Lodge, No. 178, Knights of Pythias, and holds membership in the Baptist Church, of which his wife likewise was a zealous adherent.
Among other distinctions White County enjoys that of having what is generally conceded to be the finest farm of Indiana within the limits of this county. This is the great W. E. Morris farm, situated in Prairie Township. It contains 640 acres, and every square yard is susceptible to cultivation. A long article might be written to describe this estate, its equipment and improvement, and the efficiency which governs all its processes. These may be briefly suggested when it is stated that the price of $275 an acre has been refused for the farm.
The responsibilities of managing such an estate are naturally in proportion to its value. For a number of years these duties have been entrusted to the capable hands of Joseph W. Chamberlain, who is a native of White County and is one of the practical men who have done so much in recent years to develop the agricultural resources of this region.
The Chamberlains are among the older pioneer families of White County, having been established here more than seventy years ago. His grandfather, Aaron Chamberlain, was a native of England and came from New York State to Prairie Township in White County in 1843. Daniel Chamberlain, father of Joseph W., was born in the State of New York, April 12, 1834, two years after the Black Hawk war, and was about nine years of age when he came to White County. He married Sinia Robinson, a daughter of George W. and Eliza (Andrews) Robinson, who were also early settlers in White County. All the six children of this union are living, very unusual for an aged family: Joseph W., Aaron F., George W., Melissa, Lola and Charles E. Only Joseph W. and his brother George W. are residents of White County. George W., who lives in the Village of Chalmers, married Addie Martin, and their children are Amy, Earl, Leo, George and Opal.
Grandfather Chamberlain was the owner of 180 acres of land in White County at the time of his death. Farming has been the regular vocation throughout the three generations. The male members of the family, from grandfather to grandson, have been Jeffersonian democrats in politics, but office seeking has not been a family characteristic. The earlier members of the family in White County were of the Universalist faith but the younger people are Baptists.
Joseph W. Chamberlain was born in Prairie Township on section 7, August 7, 1862, and practically all his life has been spent in that one locality. For fourteen years he was engaged in the hay business at Brookston and gave up that vocation fifteen years ago to take the management of the W. E. Morris estate known as the "Bank Farm," in Prairie Township. At different times he has made his influence felt as a democrat, and has taken a prominent part in the different branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 164 at Brookston. He is affiliated with Grand Prairie Lodge No. 164, with the Encampment and with the Rebekahs, No. 376. He has been through all the chairs and is a member of the Grand Lodge.
A successful man from a business point of view Mr. Chamberlain has been helped
throughout his career by a noble wife, and they have a fine family of children.
On December 9, 1883, Joseph W. Chamberlain and Miss Melissa E. Darnell were
united in marriage. The seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain are: Ethel
D., who married Winnie Deckard and lives in Bloomington, Indiana; Sinia Blanche,
who is the wife of
Martin Van Schapen, living in Lafayette; Tinia May, who is the wife of Thomas
Vanderkolk, living at Liberty, Indiana, and they have two children, named Helen
Irene and Gertrude; Hattie B. is the wife of Charles Vanderkolk, and they live in
Tippecanoe County; Ira C. is unmarried and lives at home, and Chester C. and
Alice Gertrude an also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain have given their
children good practical educations, and all have graduated from the common
schools. The two youngest, Chester and Alice Gertrude, are now attending the
Brookston High School. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain have also given a home to an
estimable young lady, Miss Gertrude Belle Upjohn, since her parents' death. She
took a complete course as a nurse in the Home Hospital at Lafayette, Indiana,
and now occupies a high place in her profession. She is a graduate of the
Brookston High School, and is a member of the Baptist Church and of the order
of Rebekahs at Brookston. Mrs. Chamberlain was born in the Blue Grass State of
Kentucky, December 4, 1861, the seventh of the ten children, seven sons and
three daughters, of John G. and Melissa (Arrowsmith) Darnell. Eight of the
children are living, and all are residents of Indiana, while four are living in
White County. Mr. Darnell, the father, was born in Virginia, March 16, 1825,
and died in March, 1902. He remained in his native state until young manhood,
locating then in Kentucky, where he married. He was a cooper by trade, but the
most of his active life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. It was in 1868
that he came to Indiana, locating first in Decatur County, and in 1876 came to
White County. He gave his political support to the democratic party, served as
a soldier in the Mexican war, and became a member of the Campbellite Church, now
known as the Christian Church. Mrs. Darnell was born, reared and educated in
Kentucky, and her death occurred in White County in 1896. She was a Baptist in
her religious belief. Mrs. Chamberlain was but seven years old when she became
a resident of White County, and here she was reared and educated. She is one of
the grand and noble wives and mothers of her community, has reared her children
to lives of usefulness, and has been a true helpmeet to her husband. She is a
member of the Baptist Church and also of the Order of Rebekahs at Brookston. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain come from old and prominent families, and their names
should be recorded among the honored residents of White County.
One of the oldest residents of White County is Henry Chamberlin of Big Creek Township. He has lived in this part of Indiana so many years that his range of recollection comprises practically every phase of development and improvement that would be mentioned in any general survey of local history. The activities of his life have been largely concentrated on farming, and his fine farm in Big Creek Township represents to a great extent improvements that bear the direct impress of his own labor and management. He is a prosperous citizen and a man of fine reputation in that part of the county.
Henry Chamberlin was born in Ontario County, New York, December 29, 1830, son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Thatcher) Chamberlin. He was the second in a family of ten children. His mother was born in New Jersey and his father in Pennsylvania. In early life Aaron Chamberlin was employed in rafting on the Delaware River, and later took up farming in Ontario County, New York, where he was married. In the fall of 1834 he brought his family to Carroll County, Indiana, when Henry Chamberlin was about four years of age. In the spring of 1837 they removed to Tippecanoe County, where his father farmed on shares until the spring of 1843, and then moved to West Point Township in White County. Here he entered a quarter section of land, and made that his home until his death on February 29, 1849. His widow survived him many years, passing away May 30, 1882.
Henry Chamberlin was thirteen years old when he came to White County, grew up on his father's homestead, and had only the limited education which the local schools of that day could supply, and the necessities of the little household precluded regular attendance even at such schools as were available. After his father's death, when he had arrived at manhood he went out to work by the month for other farmers, and was also employed along the old Wabash and Erie Canal. This was his principal work for four years. In the spring of 1859 Mr. Chamberlin bought his present farm of 160 acres. Its present condition shows how well he acquitted himself of the heavy task of improvement. He opened up ditches, from time to time invested in tile and thus cleared away the water which made such a formidable obstacle to agriculture, and at the same time cleared away the woods and the brush. He also erected substantial buildings.
On March 2, 1854, Mr. Chamberlin married Catherine J. Biddle, who was born in the City of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, March 11, 1838. Mrs. Chamberlin died November 23, 1913, at Lafayette, Indiana. To their union were born five children, only three of whom grew up and the only one now living is Henrietta, wife of Ira Baldwin, and still living in White County. The daughter, Clara, who died some years ago, married Harry McClain; while Edward H. died unmarried.
Mr. Chamberlin is a Mason and in politics a democrat. When he came to this county seventy years ago there were no towns of any importance, and none of the large cities of the state had yet advanced beyond the village stage. He can recall the time when the building of the Monon Railroad was a subject of general discussion in the locality. In the early days he could have skated the entire distance of six miles from his present home to Monticello, since at times practically all the country was under water. He continued actively in his business as farmer until he was eighty-one years of age, and now rents his land, and lives alone at home, enjoying the contentment and prosperity which are the proper rewards for a life of such continued enterprise. During the war Mr. Chamberlin was drafted for the army, and later volunteered, but on both occasions was rejected on account of poor health.
In Princeton Township, five miles south east of Wolcott, and on Rural Route No. 11, out of Reynolds, one of the homes which suggest comfort and enterprise and the best standards of Indiana agriculture, is that occupied by Frank S. Chenoweth. Mr. Chenoweth has had a somewhat varied and active career, was in business as a meat dealer for a number of years, has a reputation over White County and elsewhere as a capable auctioneer, but for practically twenty years has devoted his best energies to the development of land, and while providing for his family has also accumulated the honors of good citizenship and the kindly and helpful relations with the community.
Fully three generations of the Chenoweth family have been identified with White County. They came when the country was new and shared in the diseomforts of pioneer existence and did something to extend the area of cultivation and provisions for homes and institutions in this region. In America the Chenoweths have lived since the years preceding the American Revolution. Two brothers of the name came to this country from England, and from one of these was descended Thomas Chenoweth, grandfather of Frank S. Chenoweth. Thomas Chenoweth was born January 29, 1787, only a few years after the close of the revolution and a short time before the United States had formally been gathered together in one stable federal government under the constitution. He was a son of Richard and Martha Chenoweth. On April 13, 1813, Thomas Chenoweth married Asenath Mounts, who was born January 9, 1797. Of their children the only one to grow up was Ira, three of whose descendants now live in Indiana in the Battleground [sic] community. For his second wife Thomas Chenoweth married, March 25, 1819, Sarah Steenbergen, who was born March 25, 1801. The two children of this union were: Peter H. S. B. and Charles. The latter has descendants now found in Tippecanoe County. Prior to the year 1848 Thomas Chenoweth and his three sons, Ira, Charles and Peter moved out from Miami County, Ohio, to Big Creek Township in White County, settling on what is now known as the George Wolverton farm. Thomas Chenoweth, though at that time past middle life, was well fitted for the duties of leadership into a new country. He was a big man physically, and had the strong elements of character which well fit in with the pioneer type and with the best ideals of Christian citizenship. In the early days he was known as a whig and later became a republican voter, but it is not known that he ever held office and probably never cared for such distinction. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Peter H. S. B. Chenoweth, one of his sons, was born September 26, 1822, and died December 15, 1860, in the prime of his useful manhood. He was buried in Big Creek Township in the old Carr Cemetery just south of Chalmers, where the remains of his wife also repose. He was married July 13, 1848, the year he came to White County, to Magdalene Schuetz, who was born in Wayne County, Indiana, July 4, 1827, of Pennsylvania Dutch and German descent. Her parents were Anthony and Esther Schuetz. Anthony Schuetz deserves remembrance for the fact that he constructed the old Schuetz Mill, now known as Oakdale, which is said to have been the first mill ever built on the Tippecanoe River. Peter Chenoweth and wife became the parents of three children: Dr. William S., now deceased; Gilbert A., who lives in Colorado; and Frank S. The mother of these children died January 16, 1908.
Frank Schuetz Chenoweth was born on what is now known as the old George Wolverton place in Big Creek Township, August 21, 1860. The advantages and circumstances of his youth were similar to those of other farmer boys in White County during the '60s and '70s, and his education came almost entirely from country schools. He has no conscious remembrance of his father, who died a few months after the birth of this son. His father was a whig and republican, a Methodist, and followed the vocations of farming and mason work. On September 26, 1888, Frank S. Chenoweth married Lizzie Hemmer, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, July 1, 1865, the third of the nine children, five sons and four daughters, of Peter and Mary Magdalene (Miller) Hemmer. Six of these children are yet living, namely: Theresa, the wife of Thomas Doudicon, an engineer at Danville, Illinois, and they have three children: Katie, the wife of M. A. Lewis, a merchant at Peru, Indiana, and they have six children; Mrs. Chenoweth was the next born; Peter, Jr., a resident of Effingham, Illinois, and superintendent of a canning factory, married Lena Ruppert and has three children; Mamie, wife of Jacob Vogel, a farmer in White County, and they are the parents of seven children; and John, a resident of Fountain, Michigan, married Miss Marie Seymour and has three children. Mr. Hemmer, the father, was born in Bavaria, Germany, January 6, 1832, and came to the United States when nineteen years of age, at that time a poor but industrious lad. In 1874 he came with his family to White County, and this county continued his home until his death, which occurred on the 1st of August, 1898. He was a democrat politically, and both he and his wife were members of the Catholic Church. Both now lie buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery at Reynolds, Indiana. Mrs. Hemmer was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 2, 1835, was reared to young womanhood in her native land, and then came to the United States. The vessel on which she took passage was wrecked, and the voyage consumed three months. Mrs. Chenoweth was educated in the parochial schools of her church. She and her husband began their married life poor in pocket but rich in industry and perseverance, and together they have won for themselves a prominent place in the life of their community. Four children were born into their home, Robert E., who lives with his father and mother; Helen M., the wife of Charles Van Voorst of West Point Township, and the mother of one child named Frank William; Paul G., who also lives at home; and Loretta L., deceased.
About 1887, the year before his marriage Mr. Chenoweth engaged in the hardware business at Chalmers, and spent three years as a merchant in that village. While there he also bought grain for the William Scott & Company of Indianapolis. His next enterprise was operating a butcher shop for three years, but at the end of that time he sold out and engaged in a similar business at Wolcott, where he remained about a year and a half. It is recalled that he built the first structure on the south side of Main Street in Wolcott, now known as the Jackson Meat Market. His original enterprise there was burned out, but he rebuilt and finally sold and came into Princeton Township in 1895, locating in sections 34 and 35, range 5 west, where he has since applied himself industriously to farm enterprise. When his shop was burned in Wolcott it practically spelled bankruptcy for him, at least cleaning out all of his visible resources, and had to begin all over again, putting his foot on the first round of the ladder toward prosperity. He has since regained more than he lost and is now the owner of 140 acres of land in Princeton Township. For the past five years he has paid much attention to his work as an auctioneer, and his services are in great demand by all people holding sales. It is said that he has probably sold more real estate at auction than any other man in White County. As a farmer he has taken special pride in developing his land from a crude and unprofitable condition until it now stands as one of the representative farmsteads of White County. An important part of the improvement has been the laying of many rods of tile, so that the land is practically now all drained and susceptible of intensive cultivation every season. He may take the more credit for the fact that he has performed most of the labors himself. His individual experience in this work made his services all the more valuable when he held the office of drainage commissioner two years.
Though never a seeker for office, Mr. Chenoweth has been quite active in republican politics. He belongs to no secret fraternities, and he and his wife are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Reynolds, and give liberally to its support. Besides the raising of crops he pays much attention to blooded Duroc Jersey hogs and in every sense of the word is a progressive farmer and a live and public-spirited citizen.
Among the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of the western part of Prairie Township, was James Chilton, who resided just south of Badger Grove for almost fifty years. Mr. Chilton was born in Henry County, Kentucky, July 25, 1820, and died November 5, 1914, at the ripe age of a little more than ninety-four years.
The first twenty-two years of his life were spent on his home plantation in Kentucky. Here he was first married to Maria Johnson; and to them were born two daughters, now Mrs. Margaret Brown of West Lafayette, and Mrs. Letitia Brown, of Brookston. His first wife died in 1845, and in 1847 he was again married to Mary Russell, who died six months later. He then married Nancy Russell, daughter of Samuel Russell, and to them were born two sons, Joseph and Charles Chilton, both still well known residents of Prairie Township. This Mrs. Chilton died in 1870 and in 1873 he was again married, this time to Mrs. Rachel Miller, who died in January, 1901.
Mr. Chilton was a quiet, unassuming citizen, greatly attached to his home. Coming to White County in the early '40s, he was one of the pioneers, whose long and useful life reached down to the present day. He saw the development of the open prairie region of the county, with no roads and scarcely any communication with the outside world, to a highly developed community of pleasant, comfortable homes, with all the modern conveniences of communication and travel. As one who knew the burdens of the early pioneer has well said: "He traveled in an ox cart that his children and his children's children might travel on the trolley and in the automobile." He was fortunate enough to himself live awhile in the electric and automobile age, and only a short time before his death he accompanied his son Joseph and family to Monticello, noting at the time that it was his first visit to the county seat in more than thirty years, and that the trip overland was made in one-tenth of the time it would have taken him in the old days.
The life of the late Daniel Z. Clark, whose death occurred March 12, 1912, in Monon Township, embraced a wide range of experiences and covered a period of more than a quarter of a century in White County. He was one of those whose labor lent dignity and stability to unsettled and undeveloped conditions, and whose faith in the future was readily communicated to his associates among the early settlers. He was a native of Shelby County, Ohio, born February 4, 1845, a son of Daniel Clark, for whom he was named.
Mr. Clark started life under what many would consider very undesirable conditions. He was only three years of age when his parents died, and he was bound out to John L. Ogden, on whose farm he was reared in Shelby County, where he acquired a somewhat limited education in the district schools. Mr. Clark remained on the farm until the age of eighteen years, when he demonstrated his patriotism by enlisting, in 1863, in Company K, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and served actively through the remaining period of the Civil war. Having joined this organization as private, he was honorably discharged at the close of hostilities with the rank of orderly sergeant. He then returned to the home of his foster parents, with whom he resided until they passed away in 1881, and continued to reside in that community until 1886. He was married there August 23, 1866, to Miss Laura Belle Clark (no relative), and they became the parents of eight children, as follows: Maggie A., who became the wife of George Foulks and now resides near the old Indiana home in Jasper County; John R.; Thomas C.; Mary P. and Joseph E., twins, the former of whom is the wife of Frank May, a farmer living near Wolcott, Indiana, and the latter of whom married Ida M. Jacks, of Monon Township; Daniel C., who married Arty Gilmore and resides at Morocco, Indiana; Edwin S., who died in infancy; and Martha E.
Daniel Z. Clark had relatives living in White County, Indiana, and in 1886 he came to this locality and purchased 200 acres of land in Monon Township, a property which is still in the family possession. To this he later added forty acres. At the time of his arrival this property was practically in its virgin state, little improvement having been made, and it was almost entirely surrounded by sand hills and swamps, through which there were scarcely any roads. He here passed the remaining years of his life, engaged successfully in diversified farming, stock-raising, ditching and clearing, and through his energetic and well-directed efforts accumulated a handsome competence. Mr. Clark was a man who weighed more than 200 pounds, was jolly, generous and kind hearted, and became known affectionately all over this locality as "Uncle Daniel." While he was inclined to be quiet, unobtrusive and self-effacing, he still wielded a great influence for good in his community and did much to advance the cause of intelligence and morality. He was honest almost to the point of a fault, and the universal respect and esteem in which he was held by those among whom he had lived and labored were shown in the many expressions of sincere regret and sorrow which his death occasioned. Mrs. Clark, who was also widely known and greatly beloved in Monon Township, died January 29, 1911. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
John R. Clark, the eldest son of this estimable couple, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, December 5, 1870, and was fifteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to White County, Indiana. He was educated in the public schools of Ohio and Indiana, and was married in the latter state, February 23, 1893, to Miss Bertha Lamar, their union being blessed by the birth of six children: Charles C., Zelitha A., Amy L., John G., Lawrence L. and Ayra Evadine. Mr. Clark is the owner of 100 acres of good land which he devotes to diversified farming, and is known as one of the energetic and progressive agriculturists of his part of the county. He is a republican in politics, takes an active interest in public affairs, and is a hearty and helpful co-operator in movements for the general welfare. His fraternal connection is with the Knights of the Maccabees and he and Mrs. Clark are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Thomas C. Clark, son of Daniel Z. and Laura Belle Clark, was born November 17, 1874, in Shelby County, Ohio, and there began his education in the public schools. He was twelve years of age when brought to White County, where he completed his schooling, and where he has since continued to make his home. Mr. Clark is the owner of sixty acres of fertile land, on which he has made numerous valuable improvements, and in addition to carrying on farming operations on this property is also accepting and fulfilling contracts for dredging, carpentering and plastering. He has shown his public spirit when occasion has demanded, and is known as one of the live, stirring men of his community. On February 12, 1898, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Tillie Denton, and they have four daughters: Alethea D., Maggie P., Dora May and Alice Rose. Mr. Clark is a republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
White County is fortunate in claiming Mr. Clark as one of its alert, progressive and representative agriculturists and stock growers, for in his operations he brings to bear the energy and good judgment that make for large success, the while his example is well worthy of emulation as showing the splendid possibilities for achievement in connection with the important lines of industry to which he pays fealty. He controls a fine landed estate of 320 acres, equipped with modern improvements, and he brings to bear mature judgment and scientific principles in the carrying forward of the various operations of his farm, the land on which his residence is situated being in section 22, Monon Township. He is liberal and progressive also in his attitude as a citizen, and as one of the substantial men and representative farmers of White County he commands unqualified confidence and good will in the community.
On the old homestead farm of his father, in Milroy Township, Jasper County, Indiana, Enoch J. Clark was born on the 4th of April, 1868, a son of Enoch and Eliza (McCashen) Clark, both of whom continued their residence in that county until their death, the father having been one of the prosperous farmers and highly honored citizens of that county. He whose name introduces this article was reared to manhood in his native township and his early education was acquired in the public schools. He continued to be associated with the work and management of the old home farm until he had attained to the age of twenty-two years, since which time he has made consecutive progress in his activities as an independent agriculturist and stock-raiser, his success having been the direct result of his own ability and unremitting toil and endeavor. He has been a resident of White County since 1900 and, as previously stated, his farming operations are by no means circumscribed, owing to the fact that they cover a tract of 320 acres, the land being of the best order and making possible the securing of the maximum returns for the labor and care expended.
Mr. Clark is a man of broad views and well fortified opinions, is always ready to give his influence and direct co-operation in the advancement of measures and enterprises for the best interests of the community, and though he is signally free from predilection for political office, he is found aligned as a stalwart supporter of the principles of the democratic party. In his farm enterprise he devotes special attention to the raising and breeding of the best grade of full-blood shorthorn cattle, many fine specimens of which are always to be found on his farm.
In the year 1892 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Clark to Mary Soltwell, and their three children, Oliver, Verna and Raymond, all remain at the parental home.
One of the esteemed and prominent members of the medical profession in former years at Monticello was Dr. Robert J. Clark, who as a kindly family physician continued to give his services to a wide circle of patients for many years and was a valuable factor in the life of the community.
Robert Johnson Clark was born at Lafayette, Indiana, May 24, 1844, a son of Dr. O. L. and Charille (Durkee) Clark. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother of New York State, and they were the parents of nine children, only one of them now living. The City of Lafayette, Indiana, was the home of nearly all these children, and those deceased are all buried there.
Dr. Robert J. Clark attended the common schools, was also a student in the Notre Dame University at South Bend, and finally entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, where after his graduation he served as an interne [sic] in the Cincinnati Hospital. He came to Monticello to take up practice in partnership with Dr. W. S. Haymond, under whom he had read medicine before entering medical college. After 1872 Doctor Clark practiced alone. He was a thorough student, always regarded as a man of broad scholarship, and was very successful in the handling of all cases entrusted to his charge.
Doctor Clark also had a military record. In March, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-second Indiana Light Artillery, and his most important service was during the Atlanta campaign. He was discharged in 1865 at Indianapolis, and it was after the war that he began his studies for his profession. While a democrat in politics, the only offices he ever held were as coroner and as a member of the board of health.
On July 5, 1871, Doctor Clark married Miss Mary Elizabeth Reynolds, a daughter of James Culbertson and Miranda (Sill) Reynolds. To this union were born two children: Cornelia R., widow of Lloyd Logan; and Frederick Anderson.
James C. Reynolds, the father of Mrs. Doctor Clark, was born in Perry County,
Ohio, and in an early day settled on farm land in Union Township in White County.
He was married in this county and his seven children were named William E., Mary
E., Ashbel deceased, Ida, James C., Carey, and Edith. In addition to farming
James C. Reynolds also operated an old mill at Monticello and was a dry goods merchant,
and took a prominent part in public affairs, at one time having served as county
treasurer. He was a democrat, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and among his
benefactions to the community was the donation of the land where the Monticello
High School is now located. Miranda Sill, who became the wife of James C. Reynolds,
was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Martin) Sill, who were also among the old
settlers of Union Township, where they lived and died.
For nearly half a century the subject of this sketch lived in White County. He was born in Greene County, Tennessee, October 24, 1824, and in December, 1845, came to Prairie Township, and six years later removed to Princeton Township, where he resided until his death on July 23, 1895. November 9, 1848, he married Susannah Smeleer by whom he had eight children, all of whom died before his death, except one, Joseph H., who is still a resident of White County. His wife died October 25, 1871, and on March 13, 1880, he married Eunice Wortman. About twenty-eight years before his death he united with the Christian Church at Palestine. His one son, Joseph H. Clary, is a respected citizen of the county.
Both the Clary and Smelcer families, of which Joseph H. Clary is descended, were companions of the wilderness in early White County, and he is himself not only a sharer in the prosperity unfolded by the zeal and enterprise of these pioneers, but has himself been a witness to and a participant in the wonderful changes which have transformed this section of Northwestern Indiana from an unproductive, valueless waste into one of the most fertile and valuable farm regions of the state.
The home of Mr. Clary is on a well improved farm of eighty acres in section 16 of Princeton Township. He was born on the old Smelcer farm in Prairie Township, March 9, 1850, a son of James S. and Susanna M. (Smelcer) Clary. His father, who was a native of Tennessee, came to White County in 1845, when very little had been done in the progress of civilization over most of the county. He located in Prairie, and was married there in 1848 to Miss Smelcer, who was a native of Union County, Indiana. Her father, Samuel Smelcer, found himself almost entirely alone and occupying an isolated position in the wilderness of White County when he first arrived in 1830 and settled in Prairie Township one mile east of where Brookston now stands. Samuel Smelcer was born in Tennessee October 4, 1804. At an early age his mother was left a widow with a family of children, Samuel being one of the younger. His mother kept the family together until all came to mature years. Samuel Smelcer married Sarah Mesmore, and not long afterward they came to Union County, Indiana, and on moving to White County they made the journey with ox teams in the month of March through what was then called the Wilderness. It snowed seventeen days during their journey. They crossed swollen streams, the oxen sometimes swimming through the turbulent waters. There was no feed for the oxen, and at places they had to cut the branches of young timber to give fodder for the cattle. For a number of years after coming to White County Samuel Smelcer and his neighbors hauled their wheat to Chicago, where it was sold, and they then bought with the proceeds the necessaries of life sufficient to tide them over to the next harvest. In the early days White County was a great country for game, and Samuel Smelcer was sn expert rifle shot, and many a deer and wolf fell before his trusty rifle. In June, 1881, while he was at work repairing his porch floor, he fell dead, probably due to heart disease.
Samuel Smelcer was not only an early settler but a very prominent citizen in the early days. For twenty-one years he held the office of county commissioner, and along with his work as a farmer combined the trade of wagon maker, and had a shop which provided an important service to the community in which he lived. He was of German descent, was a democrat in politics, and a member of the Christian Church. He and his wife had the following children: Lovina, Susanna, Marion, Hezekiah, Levi, Mary, Sarah, Samuel and Canarissa. Of these the only two now living are Hezekiah and Samuel.
A few years after his marriage James Clary and wife located in February, 1851, on section 23 in Princeton Township, and that was their home throughout the rest of his industrious and useful career. He died July 23, 1895, and is laid to rest in Prairie Township. His wife passed away in 1871. James Clary was a republican without political aspirations, and was a substantial farmer in his day and generation. To the marriage of James and Susanna Clary was [sic] born eight children: Joseph H.; Jasper N., deceased; Sarah A., who died at the age of ten years; Samuel, James and William, all deceased; Lucy, who died at the age of twenty-one, leaving a son James by her marriage to Ernest M. Robathan; and the youngest died unnamed.
Joseph H. Clary made the best possible use of the advantages of the early schools found in White County and by the time he was eighteen years of age was qualified to direct other young minds in the quest of knowledge. From 1868 to 1875 he spent most of his time as a teacher either in Princeton or West Point Township. For three terms he taught the Clover Green District, spent two years in the West Point Township schools, and for one term had charge of the Willow Grove School. Many of his former scholars, now grown to manhood and womanhood, are still living in White County.
While still following the profession of teacher Mr. Clary was married March 7, 1872, to Miss Sarah M. Wright, a daughter of David and Mary (Carmine) Wright. The Wright family came to White County about 1850 and the name has been well known here ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Clary became the parents of four children: Guy; Roy, who was killed by a dog m 1887; the third, a son, died unnamed, and Homer.
The enterprise which he has directed for so many years as a means of livelihood has been chiefly in general farming and stock raising, and he has made a specialty of the Poland-China hogs. His farm is all under cultivation and well improved and the judgment and ability with which he has handled its management has also caused his services to be called upon for public duty. Mr. Clary served two terms as county drainage commissioner and wherever possible has used his influence for local improvements. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and she takes much interest in its work, while he has served either as elder or deacon of that denomination for forty years. In politics he is a democrat.
For thirty-four years a practicing physician at Monon, the life of Doctor Clayton has been a benefit and an inspiration to the people of his community. His work as a physician has long made him a familiar figure in that part of White County, and has been of an order eminently calculated to bring him the respect and love of all, and in those qualities his life has been richly endowed.
Dr. George R. Clayton was born April 20, 1854, at Pittsfield, Illinois. His parents were Thomas C. and Margaret (Carrier) Clayton, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Virginia. Thomas C. Clayton was a wagon maker, followed that trade at Pittsfield, and that was at a time when wagon manufacturing by machinery was still in the future, and all work was performed by hand. During the Civil war epoch Thomas C. Clayton was a pronounced Union man, and in the section of Illinois where he lived the lines of opinion were tightly drawn, and a man of pronounced Union sentiments was likely to be very unpopular. During the war he became provost marshal of Pike County and because of his official activities his life was often in danger. Listening to the entreaties of his wife, who feared for his safety, in 1866 he removed to Hancock County, where he and his good wife spent the rest of their days.
It was in Hancock County that Doctor Clayton was reared to manhood, getting his early education in the public schools of Bowen. After the high school course he read medicine under the direction of Dr. A. E. McNeall, subsequently took one term of lectures in the Keokuk Medical College of Iowa, and in 1879 entered the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, from which he was graduated in the June class of 1880.
Doctor Clayton has had an active membership in the medical profession for thirty-five years. He began his practice at Donaldson, Iowa, in the spring of 1881 located at Rockfield, Indiana, and in the following January removed to Monon and entered upon the practice which has kept him busied down to the present time. It is his distinction to be now the third oldest physician in point of years of practice in White County. He has been both a friend and physician to hundreds of families, and is one of the best liked men in White County. He is a member of the White County and State Medical societies, and has fraternal affiliations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic order.
On January 17, 1882, Doctor Clayton married Nettie E. Sharrer, who was called away by death January 17, 1907, on her twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. There are two children: George R. Jr., a physician at Fowler, but formerly was in practice at Monon. Anna Fay, the daughter,