Robert A. Hamelle was born in Blount County, Tennessee, May 5, 1812, and in the spring of 1833 came on horseback to Indiana, where, two years later, he settled on a farm in Carroll County, about four miles southeast of Monticello, where he lived until 1872, when he removed to Monticello, from which place, in 1874, he moved to Idaville, at which place he died January 2, 1885. On November 11, 1840, he married Margaret G. Montgomery, who died at Idaville, January 25, 1888. To this union was [sic] born eight children, four of whom survive and are living in White County. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, a man of strong religious convictions and a good citizen.
Abram Hanawalt, a pioneer and one of the best known citizens of White County, was born in Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, February 21, 1829, and died December 9, 1909, at the home of his son, Prof. Frank W. Hanawalt, Tacoma, Washington. He was one of twelve children born to his parents and in 1846 came to White County, locating near Burnettsville, but in 1851 he came to Monticello and engaged with his brother, Joseph, in the plastering business, one of their first contracts being the old Methodist Episcopal Church, which stood at the northwest corner of Main and Marion streets. On Christmas eve, 1854, he was married to Barbara Hartman, who died and exactly forty years from his first marriage, on Christmas eve, 1894, he married Mrs. Mary Baum, who died on Christmas eve, 1908, on the eve of their wedding anniversary. To the first marriage eight children were born, one of whom, Alva, now lives in Monticello, and Frank W., another son, is professor of mathematics in the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington. Mr. Hanawalt was a model of industry and integrity and by a close application to his business had amassed considerable of this world's goods. He died universally respected by all who knew him.
Joseph Hanawalt, a member of an old and honored family, will long be remembered by the early citizens of White County. He was born October 10, 1823, in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and died in Burnettsville, February 8, 1909. He came to Indiana in 1846 and on August 18th of that year was married to Catharine M. Grassmyer. To this union were born three children, William, Mary, and a son who died in early infancy. The daughter Mary died in 1872 and the mother followed in 1893. Two years after the death of his first wife he married Nancy Bennett, who died October 19, 1910. Mr. Hanawalt was a brother of Abram Hanawalt, deceased. In 1849, with his wife, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he ever afterward gave his earnest support and was one of the active members who assisted in the erection of the first Methodist Church built in Monticello, about 1850. Twenty-eight years prior to his death he organized a Sunday school at the White Oak church in Cass Township and for many years was its superintendent. Father Hanawalt left his influence for good in every locality where he was known and his loss was deeply felt in the circle in which he moved.
All the trials incident to pioneer life were not undergone by the stronger sex—woman has often proven herself to be as true a soldier as man. Mrs. Mary Hanawalt was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, on January 1, 1801. She was the daughter of Rev. Joseph Rothrock and about 1820 joined the German Baptist Church and in 1846 came to White County and settled near Burnettsville. "Aunt Mary," as she was generally known, died May 23, 1885, at the residence of her son, Isaac Hanawalt, about five miles northeast of Monticello, universally respected.
Jerry Hancock, who has lived the quiet life in Norway for over half a century is
well known to most of the people in Monticello and vicinity. He is an old veteran
of the Civil war and is entitled to a pension of $30 per month, having served in
the army for more than three years and being almost eighty years old. He came to
Norway in 1860, from Southern Indiana, when that village had a flour mill, a
woolen mill, three sawmills, a tan yard, three blacksmith shops and several
stores, all doing good business. Uncle Jerry has outlived them all and bids fair
to be with us for many years.
The following sketch contains some of the important facts in the records of a White County family which has been identified with this community some eighty years, since the beginning of civilized things in this portion of the Indiana frontier. It would be impossible to trace all the varied influences and activities of such a family, which has been represented here through portions of five generations. It must suffice to say that the 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. As the first generation made homes out of the wilderness, so their descendants have likewise borne worthy parts as citizens, farmers and business men. Their lives for the greater part have been strong and useful without the conspicuous eventfulness of many less serviceable careers. They have been notable for the quiet performance of the homely, simple duties that come within the scope of every life.
The first name to be noted in this article is that of a Robert Hanna, who was a sturdy patriot in the years which marked the struggle of the colonies with Great Britain and who served in a Virginia regiment during the war for independence. This Revolutionary soldier married Mary Boyd.In the next generation is Robert Hanna, Jr., who was known in the early days of White County. He was born September 1, 1771, and married Elizabeth Moony, who was born December 26, 1785. As will be mentioned, two of his sons had preceded him to White County, but Robert Hanna, with wife and other children, came to this section in 1834, and located in section 35 of Jackson Township. This Robert Hanna was a tailor by trade, but after coming to White County followed farming and lived about seven years in the county before his death, which occurred July 19, 1841. The children who preceded or came with him and his wife to White County were: Lucinda, who was born November 18, 1808, and who married William Irelan; John, who was born December 10, 1810; Andrew, born May 6, 1816; Elizabeth; James, who was born June 18, 1823; Mary, or Polly: Sarah; and Robert, who was born October 26, 1826. All these are now deceased.
The first of the family in White County were John and his brother Andrew. They came in 1833, and John entered land in section 35 of Jackson Township. John Hanna was born in Greene County, Ohio, at the date above given, and came to White County from Cedarville. At that time he was unmarried and pre-empted 120 acres of Government land. His first shelter was a hewed log cabin, a somewhat pretentious dwelling for that time. Later, about 1848, he had the distinction of building the first frame house in Jackson Township. John Hanna married Margaret Gibson, and of their eleven children six are mentioned as follows: Emeline, who married Samuel Townsley, and later a Mr. Clewell, and still later John A. Whiteman, and is now living at Burnettsville and is in all probability the oldest continuous resident of Jackson Township; Lucinda, widow of James Cochran and living in the State of Oregon; Isabelle, widow of Harrison S. Stine, and also a resident of Oregon; Margaret, now deceased, who was the wife of Adolphus Peter Kocher; John W.; and William, the two latter being both residents of Burnettsville. John Hanna, their father, died January 4, 1899, and his wife passed away October 7, 1882. In the early records of White County the name of John Hanna is mentioned as a member of the first petit jury ever empanelled in the county.
John W. Hanna, of the third generation of the Hanna family represented in White County, is now living retired from his activities as a farmer at Burnettsville. He was born in White County, November 17, 1854, and was married November 19, 1874, to Mary Chilcott. They are the parents of four children: Zula, now living at Monticello as the widow of R. J. Million; Thomas J., a lawyer of Monticello; Guy C., who is superintendent of the Boys Reform School at Plainfleld, Indiana; and Erma, wife of William Kocher, a resident of Casper, Wyoming.
John W. Hanna has spent his entire life in White County and has gathered his prosperity from the capable management of his farming interests. In early life he attended the old Burnettsville Academy, and later the high schools at Logansport and Crawfordsville. For three years he was a teacher. The original 120 acres pre-empted by his father in Jackson Township is now owned by William Hanna, and there has been only one private name connected with its ownership since it passed out of the control of the Government. This land is still being farmed and is occupied by a representative of the fifth generation of the Hanna family in White County. John W. Hanna and wife are both members of the Christian Church. He is a democrat and the family have always been identified with that political faith since grandfather Robert Hanna cast his first vote for Thomas Jefferson. John W. Hanna was for thirty-six years precinct committeeman at Burnettsville. In 1908 he built a three mile stone road north of Burnettsville known as the Reiff Read. Mr. Hanna is affiliated with Burnettsville Lodge No. 663, F. & A. M.; and with Burnett Creek Lodge No. 740, I. O. O. F., and has been twice through the chairs of this lodge.
Thomas J. Hanna, a son of J. W. and of the fourth generation in White County, was born at Burnettsville, August 3, 1876, grew up there, received his primary education in the local schools, and subsequently attended the State Normal School at Terre Haute, the University of Indiana at Bloomington, and the Northern Central Indiana Normal School at Danville. He was graduated from the Indiana Law School of Indianapolis in 1902, and came to Monticello to begin the practice of his profession, in which he has now been engaged for thirteen years. In June, 1898, Thomas J. Hanna enlisted in Company M of the One Hundred Sixtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Spanish-American war. His command was stationed at Matanzas, Cuba, and he was in service about nine months until his honorable discharge March 1, 1899. Thomas J. Hanna was married December 2, 1899, to Miss Amy Hartman. He is affiliated with the Lodge, the Chapter and Council of the Masonic fraternity and also with the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men.
Mrs. Belle Hannum, daughter of Joseph and Eliza Rothrock and sister of Bowman and Samuel Rothrock and Mrs. James S. Wigmore. She was born in Monticello, where she spent her girlhood. She was married to George B. Hannum, December 31, 1868. In those early years there lived with them a younger sister of Mr. Hannum's, Miss Melissa Hannum, who, in her younger days, displayed considerable literary talent, writing several poems of local interest. Among these the most pretentious was "The Legend of the Tippecanoe," a lengthy production purporting to give the origin of the name of this beautiful river. This was printed in the local papers at the time, and a number of years later—July 26, 1901—was reproduced in the White County Democrat. Mrs. Hannum removed to Denver, Colorado, in the '70s, where she died November 18, 1907, leaving three daughters, Mrs. Marion Lord, Mrs. Julia Strong and Mrs. Maude Karstul, of Colorado, and one son, Joseph Hannum, residing in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Born November 14, 1830, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; died March 30, 1897. On December 23, 1856, he was married to Elizabeth Baker at Hanover, Pennsylvania. Located in Monticello in 1862, where he enlisted in Company G, Sixty-third Indiana Volunteers. He was stricken with paralysis in 1891 and continued an invalid until his death. He left two sons, George H. and Thaddeus E., the latter being at present (1915) the well known manager of the Monticello Telephone Company.
Jonathan Harbolt, who died at Monticello, August 12, 1872, in his sixty-seventh year, was a man who was an honor to White County. He was a native of Culpeper County, Virginia, and when a youth crossed the mountains on horseback, located in Monticello about 1835, and followed his trade of cabinet-maker and undertaker. The old cemetery north of town is filled with his old-fashioned coffins. He was for many years a justice of the peace and his probity has passed into a proverb: "As honest as the old Squire." He was a Presbyterian of the old school, a democrat and a man of unfeigned honesty of purpose. In the convention of 1850, that formed the present constitution of our state, he was chosen a delegate from the counties of Benton, Jasper, Pulaski and White, was present at its opening session and took an intelligent part in all its proceedings. He favored the election of one senator for each 3,000 voters, and a representative for each 1,000 voters, which would have made both bodies too large. He was instrumental in having a clause inserted in article 2, section 9, providing that in counties casting less than 1,000 polls the office of clerk, auditor and recorder, or any two of them, may be held by one person. His wife died December 25, 1872. Two young children are buried by their parents, one son, John, went west and died, one lost his life in the Civil war and one other son, the unfortunate "Billy," is the sole survivor of the family.
Juniata County, Pennsylvania, sent forth many of her sons to people our county and one of the older ones was Thomas A. Hardy, who was born in Mifflin, Pennsylvania, on December 19, 1832. On January 22, 1857, he married Miss Mary Sulaff, of Mifflin, who died December 28, 1878. In 1864 he enlisted in the army and at his death was a member G. A. R. Post No. 101 of Monon. He came to Wolcott in 1865, to Monticello in 1866, then to Monon in 1872. He united with the Presbyterian Church at Mifflin, Pennsylvania, when a mere youth, brought his letter to Monticello in 1866 and then to Monon in 1889 and was one of the original members of the latter church at its organization. He died at his home west of Monon, November 12, 1895. He had nine children, five sons and four daughters, but was survived by only two sons, David and Alexander, and one daughter, Mrs. George McDonald. His life was that of a consistent Christian.
The Harrison family have been prominently identified with White County for half a century. As a family they have been identified with the agricultural activities of Cass Township, have been known for their progressive work in the country districts, have stood as advocates for good roads and other improvements, have been excellent neighbors and friends of church, school and morality, though as a whole they have seldom accepted the medium of public office in order to render service to the community. One exception to the rule is found in Francis M. Harrison, who served as township trustee from 1905 to 1909, and also filled a vacancy as county supervisor.
The founder of the family in White County was the late Robert T. Harrison who moved from Greene County, Ohio, to Cass Township in the spring of 1865, and located in section 5, near the Village of Headlee. Robert T. Harrison was born in the State of Kentucky, March 6, 1816, went from there to Ohio when seven years of age and spent all his active career as a farmer. His first wife was a Miss Atkins. She died without children and he was married in Ohio to Elizabeth Bryan. By this union there were six children: Scott, who lives in Monticello and married Clara Boze; Martha A., who lives in Monticello, is the wife of William Fisher; Andrew A.; Francis M., who is a prosperous farmer in Liberty Township, where he owns eighty acres of land, and by his marriage in 1897 to Laura Benjamin has four children—Silas Ray, Cecil E., Mary and Madge; Nancy, now deceased; and Anna A., also deceased. Robert T. Harrison married for his third wife Mary Benjamin.
Robert T. Harrison was a republican but never sought any public position, was a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church and gave the ground on which the White Oak Church now stands in Cass Township. Though he came to White County with practically nothing, he possessed 320 acres of land at the time of his death. He took a very active part in local improvements, especially those providing for the construction of roads and ditches. He was a man of quiet disposition, lived always at peace with his neighbors, attended strictly to his own business and was a man of large brain, with proportionate strength, vigorous and hearty and a congenial companion. His death occurred September 6, 1900, and he was laid to rest in the Buffalo Cemetery.
On part of the old homestead farm, owned by his father, Andrew A. Harrison is still living. His home is three-quarters of a mile west of Headlee. He was born in Greene County, Ohio, March 12, 1862, and was about three years of age when the family moved to White County. He grew up here, attended the local schools and by practical experience on the home farm was well trained for the duties and responsibilities of the agriculturist. Mr. Harrison now owns 120 acres of land, a part of which he inherited, but a larger part of his property represents his individual efforts continued through many successive years. He has stood for improvements in his home district and is one of the most esteemed citizens of Cass Township. While a republican, he has never sought office and has not the slightest desire for rewards and honors of that kind. He is affiliated with Buffalo Tent No. 125 of the Knights of the Maccabees.
On May 18, 1891, Mr. Harrison married Miss Ida Dowl, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Morcraft) Dowl, who were early settlers in White County and lived for many years in Monon Township. Mrs. Harrison was a native of Monon Township, born July 28, 1866. She has done her part nobly in the rearing of her family. To their marriage was born one child, May C., who married Cecil Van Meter, and of that union became the mother of five children: Lawrence, Edward, Harley, Louise and Walter W.
Born in Trenton, New Jersey, October 6, 1819, Spencer C. Hart died at his home in East Monticello, Indiana, April 17, 1915, in his ninety-sixth year. He removed to Dayton, Ohio, when a young man, coming on to Indiana in 1863, locating at Battleground [sic]. He came to White County in 1864 and located in Prairie Township, near Brookston. About four years prior to his death he moved to Monticello. November 30, 1853, he was married to Miss Catharine Stine, who died January 2, 1886. They leave four children surviving. These are Lee S. Hart of Brookston, Mrs. Charles Alkire of West Lafayette, Mrs. James L. Stanford of Brockton, and Miss Nettie Hart, who kept house for her father in his closing years. Mr. Hart was one of the oldest Masons in the state, having been a member of the order sixty-five years. He was buried at Battleground [sic] under the auspices of the Masonic lodge at Brookston, of which he was a member.
Mrs. Carrie Hartman, the mother of Hon. Charles S. Hartman, and for half a century one of the beloved women of Monticello, died at the old Heckendorn home, where she had been her father's housekeeper so many years after the death of her husband, on the 15th of December, 1911. She was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, on the 12th of December, 1835, a daughter of Samuel and Ann C. Heckendorn. Her parents located in Monticello in 1838, where she resided until her marriage to Sampson Hartman on May 12, 1856. Shortly after their marriage the young couple moved to Hudson, Wisconsin, where Walter S. Hartman was born February 22, 1867, and Alpheus D. Hartman on March 6, 1859. Soon afterwards the family moved to Hannibal, Missouri, but owing to the ill health of Mr. Hartman they returned to Monticello in the fall of 1860. The illness of her husband terminated in his death on January 26, 1861, and on the following first of March, Charles S. Hartman was born. The widow bravely assumed the care of her three young children and, at the same time, was her father's housekeeper for nearly twenty years preceding his death in 1886.
In a lifetime of more than seventy years John Hartman has fulfilled his many obligations with a credit which does him honor. In the dark days of the Civil war he displayed a loyalty which brought him into the service of the Union army when still a boy, and the same quality of public spirit has been manifest in all his subsequent relations with every community where he has lived. A resident of White County for forty-five years, his influence and activities have been associated in various ways for the benefit of his locality at Brookston.
The Hartman family is of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, Abel Hartman, was born in Virginia in 1808. He married Eveline Downs, who was a native of Pennsylvania. From Virginia he moved to Ross County, Ohio, later to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and in the spring of 1870 established his home in Prairie Township of White County. He was a blacksmith by trade, but after coming to Indiana followed agriculture. In politics a republican, he was more interested in church than in party affairs, and lived and died in the faith of the United Brethren denomination. He died July 1, 1897, at Fort Scott, Kansas; and was buried there. He was the father of a large family of ten children, whose names are: Rebecca, Henry, Catherine, Sarah, Margaret, Jemina, Lavina, Samuel, John and Libby. The only ones now living are Sarah, Libby and John.
Mr. John Hartman was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 20, 1844, but when less than two years of age the family moved to Indiana. He grew up with that education which most of the young men of his time have acquired in the common schools, and when about nineteen years of age, on May 3, 1864, enlisted at Brooklyn, New York, in Company D of the Second New York Cavalry. He saw active service with the Union army until his honorable discharge at Alexandria, Virginia, on June 23, 1865. On September 22, 1864, he was captured at Fisher Hill and spent twenty days in a Confederate prison.
On April 18, 1872, Mr. Hartman married Mary A. Mansfield, a daughter of William H. and Elizabeth (Shigley) Mansfield of White County. To this union were born five children. Henry, who is a practical farmer in Prairie Township, married Laura Stewart, and their three children are named Irma B., Ruth M. and John C. Amy A., the first daughter married Thomas J. Hanna, of the well known and prominent Hanna family of White County, and they live in Monticello. Effie I. is the wife of James I. Heman, of Tippecanoe County, and their two children are Lelia M. and Ray C. Carl E. is deceased. Mattie E. is the wife of Guy Stewart, and they live at Brookston.
Since his discharge from the army half a century ago, Mr. Hartman has made the farming the basis of his successful career. He has also participated actively in public affairs, and has been a republican voter throughout almost the entire period of the existence of that party. He served one term of four years as county assessor just prior to the beginning of the service of the present incumbent Mr. Snyder. For five years he was also township assessor of Prairie Township, and for three years deputy township assessor and in the fall of 1914 he was again elected township assessor. He is a director in the Perpetual Building & Loan Association of Brookston and is one of the substantial property holders of that community, being the owner of considerable town property and about forty acres of valuable and well improved farming land. He and his wife lend a liberal support and are regular attendants of the Baptist Church, in which he has served as trustee. He believes in the principles of fraternities, and has been particularly active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both the subordinate lodge, Brookston No. 164, and the Encampment at Brookston. He has been through the chairs of the local lodge and for three terms was representative to the Grand Lodge. He and his wife are members of the Rebekahs No. 376 at Brookston. He is also affiliated with Brookston Lodge No. 66, F. & A. M., and keeps up his associations with old army comrades as a member of Champion Hill Post No. 171, G. A. R. at Brookston and is the present commander of that post.
One of the most highly respected men who ever lived in Monticello was Rufus L. Harvey, who served as deputy clerk of the county, deputy auditor, and eight years as county recorder, being elected to that office in 1874 and again in 1878. He was again his party's candidate for recorder in 1886, being defeated by a narrow margin. After the death of his wife in 1897, failing health compelled him to cease work, and he went to the National Soldiers' Home at Marion, where he died September 10, 1901. He was a dependable, working member of the Odd Fellows and K. of P. organizations, and also of Tippecanoe Post No. 51, G. A. R., and under the auspices of these organizations his body was brought back to Monticello for burial. He was born in Orange County, Vermont, December 14, 1824, and came to Monticello in 1860. He enlisted in Company K, Twentieth Indiana Volunteers, in 1861, but was discharged on account of failing health in December, 1862. April 13, 1863, he enlisted in Company G, Sixty-third Indiana Volunteers, and served mostly on detached duty until May 15, 1865. He left surviving two children, William R. Harvey and Mrs. Victoria Winchell, both some place in the West.
James Hay, sheriff of White County two terms, from 1878 to 1882, died at his home in Brookston, February 4, 1902. He was a genial, warm-hearted man, well liked and highly esteemed by all who knew him.
Thomas S. Hayes, for nearly forty years one of the best known citizens of Brookston, was born in Kinderhook, New York, in 1835. His parents, Hiram and Mary (Lee) Hayes, were born in England but were brought to America when quite young and both died in Columbia County, New York. Mr. Hayes passed his early life in Canaan, New York, where he was educated and later married Adelia Stickle, daughter of William P. Stickle, and in 1878 came to Brookston, where he is still living. Soon after coming to Brookston he engaged in the grain business and in 1892 he was nominated by the republican party for the office of county auditor, but was defeated by Morris J. Holtzman, his democratic opponent. For several years he served as justice of the peace, is an adherent of the Baptist Church and it is needless to say is one of the most respected citizens of Brookston.
When Captain Hays came into White County to become a permanent resident in the Idaville community, though only about twenty-three years of age, he bore the distinguishing marks of a long army service and for about a year had held a captain's commission in the Union army. In the past half century he has lived with honored usefulness in the county, and no man enjoys and better deserves the esteem of a greater number of people in the county than this veteran of the great war between the states.
Captain Hays was born at Nenagh, in Tipperary County, Ireland, March 3, 1843, a son of Andrew and Johanna (Quinlan) Hays. In 1845 the family set out for America, locating first in Dundas, Canada, and after moving to the United States in several places, but finally settled in Michigan City, Indiana. Andrew Hays died at Niles, Michigan, and his wife at Keokuk, Iowa. Andrew Hays was also a soldier in the Union army and for three years was in Company B of the Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, known as the "Wild Irish Regiment." The children of Andrew and wife were Patrick; Mary, who is living in Indianapolis; and Catherine and Margaret, both deceased.
There was a good deal of hardship in the early life of Captain Hays. When eleven years old he was "bound out" and for several years lived in the family of Job Northam, eight miles south of LaPorte, Indiana, where he was employed on a farm and for about one year with a railroad section gang. During all his life in White County Captain Hays has passed as a man of good education, and yet as a boy he attended the common schools very little and got most of his training while in the army. While a soldier, and in fact throughout the rest of his life, he has been constantly going ahead, and has learned all that was requisite for his advancement as he needed it. Before entering the army he began learning the shoemaker's trade with George Thomas at Medaryville, in Pulaski County. Six or seven months later he abandoned the apprenticeship in order to enlist at Medaryville on August 22, 1861, and about one month later was mustered in at LaPorte in Captain Allen's Company C of the Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was sent to Indianapolis, and thence to Mumfordsville on the Tennessee River, where his command was organized as a part of the Army of the Ohio, afterward known as the Army of the Cumberland, under General Buell. The late General Lawton was in the same brigade with Captain Hays. At the end of three years Captain Hays re-enlisted with the regiment for the remainder of the war. At the beginning of his service his command marched through Nashville and arrived at Shiloh in time to participate in the second day of that great battle. From that time on he participated in almost every battle of the Army of the Cumberland, until on the field of Chickamauga he was twice wounded. While recuperating he was sent on recruiting duty in Pulaski County and succeeded in getting twenty-two men. He filled up the quota of three townships and thus enabled those communities to avoid a draft. In April, 1864, he joined the army as first lieutenant, and from that time on participated in a number of battles and skirmishes. He was finally mustered out and given his honorable discharge at Marietta, Georgia, November 9, 1865, more than four years after his first enlistment. From time to time his services were given merited advancement. He was made corporal in February, 1862, fifth sergeant in May, 1862, orderly sergeant February 15, 1863, was commissioned first lieutenant April 11, 1864, and was captain from November 1, 1864, until the end of the war. After the war Captain Hays determined to finish his apprenticeship at the trade of shoemaker. In the meantime his employer, George Thomas, had moved to Jackson Township, in White County, and thus the young soldier became identified with that section of Indiana which has ever since been his home. In January, 1870, Captain Hays married Lauretta Irelan. The Irelans were pioneer settlers in White County. Mrs. Hays died at Idaville, February 3, 1893. In June, 1894, he married Elle Fry, daughter of Daniel Fry, also an early settler.
Having mastered the trade of shoemaker, Captain Hays steadily worked in that vocation until about 1875. From that he transferred his attention to merchandising at Idaville, and acquired large and substantial interests as a merchant and farmer, his business career being continued until his retirement in 1900. He owns a couple of hundred acres of land, considerable town property, and is one of the most substantial citizens of White County.
As a democrat, Captain Hays has long been the recognized leader of his party in
the country around Idaville. He served on party committees a number of times,
but has never been in politics for gain, and his many friends testify to his
disinterested service. At one time or another he has been offered almost every
office in the county. He was elected and served three years, from 1909 to 1912,
as county commissioner, and in 1912 was elected state representative from Caspar
and White counties, and served in the Legislature of 1913-14. This was
an honor which he accepted with reluctance, and it was practically forced on him.
Mrs. Hays is a member of the Church of God at Idaville, but his only fraternal
association is with the Grand Army Post at Monticello. His religion is to do
right, and few men have better fulfilled the scriptural injunction to walk
uprightly and do good. There are few men in that part of the county who have
given more liberal assistance to poor people and unfortunate than Captain Hays.
Truxton Head, long an active business man of Brookston, died at his home in Indianapolis on December 1, 1913. After conducting a general store at that place for a number of years, he located at Lafayette, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick. About 1903, with his wife and a portion of his family, he went to South McAlester, Oklahoma, and thence to Indianapolis. Mrs. Head, who had died in the preceding January, was born at Battle Ground, where her remains were interred. Seven sons and daughters, married and scattered from Indiana to California, survive the parents.
Charles Headlee was born in New Jersey March 15, 1794, and came to White County, Indiana, in 1856, where he died on March 3, 1877, aged eighty years. He was one of the early settlers of Cass Township and did his full share to redeem that locality from its wilds. He was a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and lived an upright Christian life.
Silas Headlee, son of Charles and Mary Headlee, was born in Green County, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1832. On September 7, 1854, he married Margaret Emmons, who died on March 17, 1857. On December 20, 1857, he married Angeline W. Crowder, who died August 2, 1908. To his first marriage was born one son, Charles J., who survived the father, and to the second marriage was born one son and five daughters. He was a devoted husband, a kind and loving father. In the great civil conflict he gave four years of his life in support of his country—for three years in Company G, Sixty-third Indiana Volunteers, and one year in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, in which he served until the close of the war. In early life he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and lived an unselfish, devoted Christian life. He died February 18, 1909.
Samuel Heckendorn was one of the oldest and best known of all the early settlers of White County. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1809, where he lived until 1838, locating July 4th of that year in Monticello. On October 23, 1832, he married Miss Ann C. McDonald. To this union was [sic] born three children, all of whom are dead. His first wife died March 1, 1857, and he was again married March 28, 1858, to Elizabeth M. Thayer, who died December 20, 1860. To this union was born one daughter, Ellen, who died at the age of sixteen. About 1833 he united with the German Reformed Presbyterian Church, but on coming to Monticello he joined by letter the Presbyterian Church, where he remained a consistent member until his death, which occurred at Monticello on June 10, 1886. It may safely be said that no citizen of this county was ever more universally loved than Father Heckendorn.
By a residence of almost three quarters of a century in the Idaville community the Heiny family has well established its position among the notable citizens, and there are many features of the record which deserve place in this publication. While Mr. Jonathan Heiny has during the greater part of his active life been in close touch with Idaville, his home up to two years ago was across the line in Carroll County. He and his wife now have one of the attractive homes of Idaville and are among the splendid people of that community.
The Heiny family in America was established about the middle of the eighteenth century by Jacob and Sebastian Heiny, who were natives of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and set out for the New World when Jacob was about seventeen and his brother fifteen years of age. They had no money to pay their passage, and according to a custom prevailing at that time, after arriving in this country, they were sold to labor to pay for their transportation. It is with Jacob that this history is particularly concerned. He worked out his passage money near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and after gaining his freedom married a Miss Diefenbach. Their first child was born in 1759. Jacob Heiny during the Revolutionary war served in the Pennsylvania regiment of artillery, a fact which is established by a certificate from the custodian of public records in Pennsylvania. His family record is contained in an old Bible, still in possession of a member of the family, the record being written in German. Jacob and his wife had twelve sons and one daughter.
Of these Samuel Heiny continues this lineage. He was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1771, and died September 8, 1847. He was trained to read and write in the German, but had no knowledge of the English language so far as to write it. About 1795 he married Barbara Stern, daughter of Peter Stern, and she was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1774, and died February 31 [sic], 1862. They had ten children. About 1824 Samuel left Pennsylvania and lived a few months near Dayton, Ohio, and in 1825 moved to Wayne County, Indiana, locating on a farm about four miles from Cambridge City. Samuel died there as a result of a kick from a horse.
Benjamin Heiny, in the next generation, the first son of Samuel and Barbara Heiny, was born in Lancaster County, May 27, 1800, and died October 29, 1861. He was already a young man when the family came to Ohio and Eastern Indiana and in 1842 he moved to Carroll County, Indiana, and bought Wabash and Erie Canal land in section 3 of Adams Township. Benjamin Heiny married Elizabeth Lantz, who died February 28, 1880. The first of their eleven children was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1829, the next five were born in Wayne County, Indiana, and the last four were born in Carroll County. Their names were Samuel, Joseph, Sarah, Rufus, Nancy, Henry, Jonathan, Jacob, Benjamin F., Elizabeth and Barbara.
Jonathan Heiny, who was the seventh of the children and the last to be born in Wayne County, was born January 15, 1840, and was three years of age when he came with his parents to Carroll County. He grew up on his father's farm in Adams Township, and prior to his army service had learned and worked at the carpenter's trade.
His army record is as follows: He enlisted October 10, 1861, at Logansport in Company F, Forty-Sixth Regiment of Indiana Infantry, and served as corporal and later as sergeant of the company. He was discharged January 1, 1864, at Algiers, Louisiana, but re-enlisted and was again enrolled January 2, 1864, as a veteran in the same company and regiment. His final discharge came September 4, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. He participated in thirty-one battles: New Madrid, Island No. 10, Riddle's Point, Port Pillow, Osceola, Memphis, St. Charles, Clarenden, Helena, Napoleon, Grand Prairie, Plunkett's Bluff, Duvall's Bluff, Tallahatchie, Goldwater, Yazoo Pass, Fort Pemberton, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Fourteen-Mile Creek, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Big Black River, Vicksburg, Jackson's second battle, Grand Choteau, Spanish Lake, Vermilionville, Nelson's Farm and Sabine Cross Roads. He was captured with his regiment at Sabine April 8, 1864, and was prisoner eight months and twelve days, four months at Tyler and four months at Hempstead, Texas. He was paroled in December, 1864, and was exchanged in the latter part of January, and rejoined his regiment in February, 1865, and continued with the command until his final muster out.
After returning to his old home in Carroll County Mr. Heiny took up farming and also worked at the carpenter trade. In those years Idaville was his trading center, and three years ago he came to town, having sold his fine farm of 160 acres for $23,000. This was a property which he had accumulated through his own industry and good management, and he is now prepared to spend his declining years in comfort. He owns property in Idaville, and has a good home in the east part of the village, and operates his own automobile. He is a republican, has never sought any office, and he and his wife are members of the Church of God Incorporated. His father, Benjamin, owned about eighty acres of land, and combined its cultivation with work as a plasterer. He was a whig until 1856, and then became a democrat. Though a man of modest manner, he had hosts of friends, who called him affectionately "Uncle Ben." He knew almost every person in the county, and for two terms served as township assessor.
On February 4, 1877, Mr. Heiny married Rosa Lytle, who was born in April, 1848, and died October 2, 1878. There were no children of this union. On February 4, 1880, he married Mrs. Amanda (McCully) Barnes, who was born August 19, 1855, and died April 21, 1906, and is buried in the Idaville cemetery. By her former marriage there is a daughter, Mrs. Lorena B. Nicholas, who lives at Imperial, California. By his second wife Mr. Heiny had five children: Mabel Lucretia, who was born November 22, 1880, and died November 15, 1888; Frank Hamilton, who was born December 19, 1882, is now living at Santa Anna, California, and by his marriage to Ora Kennedy has a son Max; Wilda Vance, born November 26, 1885, was married June 7, 1905, to Nathaniel Benjamin, and their three children are Kathryn Josephine, John Cecil and Robert; the fourth child, a son, born October 3, 1893, died in infancy; Dale McCully Heiny, born March 22, 1895, is unmarried and is living in California.
On January 10, 1912, Mr. Heiny married Mrs. Laurinda (Dimmitt-Grantham) Wikle. This marriage was the termination of a most interesting romance, which attracted a great deal of attention and comment over the state. More than thirty-five years before the ceremony which pronounced them man and wife Mr. and Mrs. Heiny had been sweethearts and had plighted their troth to each other. Mrs. Heiny's maiden name was Dimmitt, and her grandfather, Miles Dimmitt, was one of the first settlers in Carroll County. The romantic plans of Jonathan Heiny and Miss Dimmitt were interrupted for some reason, and she became the wife of a Mr. Grantham. Later she married Mr. Wikle, and only when well advanced in years returned to the love of her youth.
The wives and mothers of our nation play a most conspicuous part in its history, and amongst the noble ladies of White County, Indiana, none are more worthy than Mrs. Heiny. She is a native of Carroll County, Indiana, born June 15, 1855, and was the fourth in a family of nine children, three sons and six daughters, born to Robert and Matilda (Sibbitt) Dimmitt. Only three are living besides Mrs. Heiny: Sarah J., wife of Jeremiah Cramer, residents of La Fayette, Indiana, Mr. Cramer being a soldier in the Civil war. James F., who is married and resides in Burlington, Indiana, is proprietor of a hotel; and Miles Alva, a resident of La Fayette, Indiana, and who married Anna Orr. Father Dimmitt was a native of Carroll County, Indiana, born March 31, 1827, and died May 16, 1904. He was an agriculturist, was educated in the common schools, and politically was formerly a democrat, but when he died was a republican. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian Church. Mother Dimmitt was a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born August 20, 1829, and died January 29, 1892. She and her husband are interred in the Hickory Grove cemetery in Carroll County, Indiana.
Mrs. Heiny was the recipient of a good common school education. Her first marriage was with John Willard Grantham, November 26, 1879, and two children were born: Viola Bell, wife of Nelson Underhill, a resident of Colbourne, Indiana, and a motorman on the interurban railroad. Mrs. Underhill was educated in the common and high schools, and is a member of the Lutheran Church. They have three children: Dorothy L., Harold Robert and Gilbert C. Gertrude, the second daughter, was the wife of Ezra Vayou, a mail carrier, and one little daughter, Mona Louise, was born to them, and she is now in the first year of the high school. Her mother died June 2, 1905. Mr. Grantham, who was an agriculturist, died April 12, 1885. Mrs. Grantham wedded George W. Wikle, but there were no children by this marriage. He was an agriculturist and also a machinist. He died August 26, 1910. Mrs. Wikie subsequently wedded Mr. Heiny. She is a lady of agreeable personality and cordial, and she and her husband enjoy their modern home in Eastern Idaville. They also have a five passenger Overland car and life is a fleeting pleasure. Their hospitable home is ever open to their many friends as well as the stranger.
A number of the agriculturists of White County are living on farms on which they were born and have passed their entire lives. These men have an advantage, in a certain way, for they have, from earliest manhood, been thoroughly familiar with the conditions of the locality, particularly as they relate to soil and climate, and have been able to develop their properties along well-established and practical lines, without the necessity of experiment. In this class is found William J. Helfrich, who with the exception of one year has lived all of his life on his present property in Liberty Township. He was born here June 13, 1869, and is a son of William W. and Mary A. (Kutz) Helfrich.
William W. Helfrich was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1832, and was there reared and educated and learned the trade of wagon and buggy maker. He was married in his native community August 9, 1853, to Mary A. Kutz, who was also born there, November 13, 1832, and about the year 1866 moved to the State of Ohio. Three years later, in March, 1869, he came to White County, Indiana, and bought eighty acres of land on section 2, Liberty Township, which at that time was only partially improved. Mr. Helfrich settled down to general farming and stock-raising, cultivated his farm and added to its acreage, and resided there for some years, then moving across the line into Pulaski County. After a short stay, he returned to White County, locating at Buffalo, which place continued to be his home until his death, which occurred July 24, 1911. Mr. Helfrich was a man somewhat above the average in stature, was exceptionally industrious, and through his own exertions and those of his faithful wife became unusually well-to-do. At one time he owned over 400 acres of land, and was considered one of the substantial men of his part of the county. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian, and in politics a democrat. Living an exemplary life, honest to the penny and of the strictest integrity, he was universally respected as an excellent citizen, a kind and considerate neighbor and a friend who could be depended upon in times of need. Mrs. Helfrich, who survives her husband, lives at Buffalo where she has many friends and is highly respected and esteemed. She and her husband were the parents of twelve children, of whom eight are still living.
The ninth in order of birth of his parents' children, William J. Helfrich as a lad helped in the cultivation and operation of the home farm and secured his education in the district schools of his home neighborhood. He was carefully trained in the various departments of farming, and has always made his home at the old homestead place with the exception of one year when he lived on a farm in the immediate neighborhood. Mr. Helfrich is now the owner of 260 acres of valuable land, devoted to general farming and stock-raising, in both of which lines he has met with a full measure of success. He had good, modern buildings, and has made his farm one of the attractive and valuable country places of Liberty Township. Mr. Helfrich is a democrat in his political views, but not a politician.
On December 26, 1892, Mr. Helfrich was married to Miss Sarah E. North, the daughter of L. M. North, a veteran of the Civil war and a resident of Liberty Township. To this union there have been born five children, namely: Ernest, who died in infancy; and Lova L., Hazel M., Byron N. and William W.
Though still an active factor in the business affairs of Wolcott, Edward Hemphill has reached that time of life where he can be said to have earned the right to leisure and the enjoyment of the fruits of a well spent career. Mr. Hemphill is one of the surviving Indiana veterans of the Union army, has spent nearly all his life in White County, has been prospered [sic] as a farmer and business man, and has a high place in popular esteem.
Though now past the age of three score and ten Mr. Hemphill belongs to such a long lived family that he may still be considered a young man. His father, Andrew Hemphill, was born in the Territory of Ohio in 1797, several years before Ohio became a state, and died in 1870. He married Mary A. Bible, who was born in 1810, and whose father, Louis Bible, a native of Germany, lived to the patriarchial age of one hundred eleven years. Andrew Hemphill was an early settler in Indiana, locating in White County, and on September 19, 1847, arriving at his chosen location in section 1, range 6 west, in Princeton Township of White County. He was a farmer and miller by occupation, and at the time of his death his visible prosperity was indicated by the ownership of 440 acres. His success was well earned, he was honest, upright and an industrious worker, lived quietly with his neighbors, was never sued and never prosecuted a suit in all his life, and though a democrat in politics never sought any official honors. He is buried in the Hemphill Cemetery in Princeton Township. He and his wife became the parents of eleven children. The two now living in White County are Mary A., widow of Ambrose Moore, and Edward. Another son, George A., lives near Remington, in Jasper County.
Edward Hemphill was born near Attica in Fountain County, Indiana, September 30, 1843, and the family removed to Princeton Township too early for him to have any definite recollections of that event. He attended some of the old time schools kept in the township during the '40s and '50s, gained physical strength by active contact with the duties of the farm, and was a vigorous youth of eighteen when the war broke out between the North and South. Three years later, in 1863, he enlisted at Lafayette in Company K of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Infantry. In 1865 he re-enlisted at Reynolds, and was assigned to Company G of the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Indiana Infantry, continuing this second service until his honorable discharge at Indianapolis in the fall of 1865. Though he participated in several important campaigns during the war and was present at a number of battles, he escaped without wounds and capture.
With the consciousness of patriotic duty well done, Mr. Hemphill applied himself vigorously to his business as a farmer, which was his principal calling up to eight years ago when he moved into the Town of Wolcott and has since been proprietor of the Hemphill Feed Stable and Tie Barn. In addition to this he is the owner of some town property, and has a finely developed farm of 120 acres in Princeton Township.
In 1867, about three years after he returned from the army, Mr. Hemphill married Miss Harriet A. Dobbins, daughter of William and Elizabeth Dobbins of Princeton Township. For nearly forty years they traveled life's pathway together, sharing and dividing their experiences and burdens, and Mrs. Hemphill passed away December 4, 1906, and was laid to rest in the Dobbins Cemetery in Princeton Township. There are five children who survive and honor the memory of their mother and the example of their honored father. James T., the eldest, is a traveling salesman with home at Monon, and by his marriage to Leota Haskins has three children, Bervin, Mark and Gwendolin. Francis E. is the only one of the children now deceased. Gracie B. is the wife of Ed Right of Princeton Township, and they have a child named Philip. Jessie E. is the wife of Fern Kerr, a surveyor at Wolcott, and their two children are Hope and Nina. William H., who lives at Wolcott, married Leota Baxter, and they have a little daughter, Wilma.
In 1867 Mr. Hemphill joined the Masonic Lodge at Wolcott, and for many years
has been a member of the Grand Army Post at Rensalear [sic]. He belongs to the
Christian Church and is a republican who cast his first ballot for Abraham
Lincoln and has supported every presidential candidate of
that party since. It should be said that Mr. Hemphill has gained all his
prosperity through his own efforts, having inherited only forty acres of land
from his father's estate.
John Bible Hemphill, who died in Wolcott, Sunday, November 9, 1913, was born in
Fountain County, Indiana, June 3, 1830, and was the oldest son in a family of ten
children. December 3, 1854, be married Sarah Dobbins of White County, who died,
and in 1866 he married Mary E. Pugh, and to each of these marriages were born
four children. In his early manhood he united with the Christian Church and was
an active Christian worker until his death. He was one of the fourteen charter members of
Wolcott Lodge No. 180, F. & A. M., which was chartered May 30, 1866, and
James O. Johnson is the only one of this fourteen who is yet living. He was the
Master of this lodge for several years and was greatly attached to the institution
of Masonry.
A family that has long been identified with White County is that represented by the late James Hamilton Henderson, of Monticello. Mrs. Henderson, his widow, is still living at Monticello, and the name has been known and honored in this county for over two generations.
James Hamilton Henderson was born at Idaville, White County, December 27, 1860, a son of Matthew and Elizabeth (McCully) Henderson. His parents came to White County some years before the war and spent their lives here. His father was a blacksmith, a trade he followed at Idaville, and subsequently was a merchant, dealing in boots and shoes at Monticello, and also a blacksmith. For two terms he held the office of sheriff. He died May 30, 1887.
Matthew Henderson, the father of James Henderson, was married three times; first, to a Miss Barnes, and they had two sons, George and John. The second marriage was with Elizabeth McCully, and James Henderson was one of the children born of this union. The third marriage was with Maggie Ross, and two daughters were born to them, Maude and Jessie.
James Hamilton Henderson acquired a common school education and as a boy learned the blacksmith's trade under his father. When his father died he succeeded to the business. Monticello was his home and he died here after an honorable and successful career January 7, 1905.
The late Mr. Henderson is remembered as a useful citizen and one who was greatly interested in public affairs. He served as member of the city council and for several years was town marshal. He was a demoerat in politics, following in the same political faith as his father. His fraternal affiliations were with the Masons, the Maccabees, the Odd Fellows, all of Monticello, Indiana, and he belonged to the Methodist Church. On July 11, 1894, Mr. Henderson married Miss Lillian Southworth. To their marriage were born two children, Valorus H. and Doris, twins, but the daughter is deceased, and the son is a student in the eighth grade of the Monticello public schools.
Mrs. Lillian Henderson is a native of Carroll County, Indiana, born December 9, 1866, the younger of the children, two sons and five daughters, born to Valorus N. and Margaret (Linkhaur) Southworth. Only two of the family are living, Mrs. Henderson and her sister, Violet, who is the wife of Philip Parcel, residents of Monticello. They have a son and daughter, Gertrude, the widow of John Murray, and Frank, a resident of Logansport and a cigarmaker. Both of Mrs. Henderson's parents are deceased. Mrs. Henderson was educated in the public schools and she is a member of the Methodist Church at Monticello, Indiana.
The honors paid to a long and useful life were fitly bestowed upon the late Capt. Joseph Henderson, who died at Idaville, in White County, January 3, 1904. He had lived in this community more than half a century, spent his boyhood amid struggles and privations, gave a faithful service of nearly four years in the Federal army during the Civil war, and during the remainder of his active career was a farmer, county official and merchant at Idaville.
Capt. Joseph Henderson was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, May 16, 1841, one of ten children, only one of whom survive [sic]. His parents were Andrew and Martha (Harris) Henderson. Andrew Henderson and family came to Indiana in 1853, locating on a farm in White County. At that time the country was new and improvements were of a primitive kind. Soon after their removal to White County Mrs. Henderson died and Andrew Henderson passed away in 1855. The children, all of them young, were then parceled out among neighbors, and had their bringing up in the homes of strangers. Joseph Henderson was reared in the Hanna family and during boyhood did farm work, helped in the care of a younger brother, and as opportunity afforded attended the district schools. He had not yet reached his majority when on October 10, 1861, he volunteered for service in the Union army. He and other recruits rendezvoused at Logansport, and he was enrolled in Company C of the Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He reached the front at New Madrid, Missouri, saw his first real fighting at Tiptonville, later at Fort Pillow, and was with the first regiment entering the City of Memphis. He was afterwards in the campaign against Helena, participated in the White River expedition, witnessed the bombardment of Port Gibson, during the campaign around Vicksburg received a gunshot wound, was captured at Madison but soon afterward exchanged, was again wounded through the arm in the battle of Sabine Crossroads, rejoined his command at New Orleans and there enlisted for three years or during the war. At Lexington he was made first lieutenant of his company, and three months later was promoted to captain. His honorable discharge was dated September 4, 1865. From the official history of his regiment his record is noted briefly as follows: Enlisted November 7, 1861; wounded at Champion Hill, May 16, 1863; wounded April 8, 1864, at Sabine Crossroads, Louisiana; commissioned first lieutenant September 15, 1864, and captain January 1, 1865.
With his return from the army he engaged in farming in White County until 1886. In that year the people elected him sheriff and he gave an efficient administration of that office for one term. In 1889 he was appointed postmaster of Idaville and held that post four years. With the close of his official time he engaged in the lumber business, and continued that the rest of his life.
On August 21, 1866, Captain Henderson married Adeline, daughter of John M. and Elizabeth (Barnes) Carson. To their marriage were born four children: Minnie B., Mrs. W. P. Bushnell; Lizzie E., Mrs. Charles R. Zook; John M.; and Elsie L., deceased. At the time of his death Captain Henderson was a ruling elder in the United Presbyterian Church. He was a republican and was long affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic. His widow is still living. Captain Henderson was a man of high character, commanded universal respect because of his sterling qualities, and was a character for positive good in the community where he lived.
John M. Henderson, his only son and successor of his father in the lumber business at Idaville, was born March 5, 1875. He assisted his father as soon as his strength and years permitted, and received his education in the public schools. On October 17, 1906, occurred his marriage to Miss Mary Townsley, daughter of James Milton and Vine (Delzell) Townsley. To their marriage were born two daughters, Margaret E. and Esther V. Both Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are members of the United Presbyterian Church.
Matthew Henderson, one time sheriff of White County, was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1828, and came to Burnettsville in 1850. Ten years later he removed to Monticello, where he resided until his death, May 30, 1890. He was married three times, the last time to Margaret Ross on April 5, 1864. He was twice elected sheriff of White County and at his death was a justice of the peace in Monticello. He was a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow and his funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Monticello.
Capt. James Hess, son of John and Elizabeth D. Hess, was born in Findlay, Ohio, February 10, 1839. He was of Welsh-English descent and came with his parents in 1856 to Big Creek Township, where he learned the mason's trade, and in April, 1861, enlisted in Company K, Tenth Indiana Volunteers, and served for three months. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry, and served until December, 1864, when he was mustered out of the service at Lexington, Kentucky, having been promoted to the captaincy on September 12, 1863. He was in many hard fought battles and he it was who planted the first Federal flag on the ramparts of Fort Pillow. In 1874 he settled on a farm in Honey Creek Township and after a residence of a few years there he came to Monticello, where he died October 5, 1909. He was married February 21, 1866, to Lottie E. Lawson, a native of Sweden, who bore him three children, Lena (deceased), Mary D. McCuaig of Monticello and Clara W. Warden of Coffeyville, Kansas.
The substantial kind of success which is the fruit of hard labor, intelligent performance of the duties that are connected with agricultural management, and the fulfillment of the obligations imposed by family and society, is that now enjoyed by William Hickman, who owns one of the largest rural estates in Liberty Township. About forty years ago he began his independent career with little more than willing hands and an earnest purpose, and has since surrounded himself with the comforts of prosperity, with home and children, and with a large circle of loyal friends.
The Hickman family have been identified with White County since the early '50s, and William Hickman was born in the south part of Liberty Township September 30, 1857. His parents were Bluford and Elizabeth (Nichols) Hickman. His parents were married in this county, and all of their nine children are still living. His father was a substantial farmer and stock raiser and died in 1893, being buried in the Hughes Cemetery. The mother is still living. Bluford Hickman was a democrat in politics, and a member of the New Dunkard Church. In his time he endured many of the vicissitudes that were inseparable from pioneering, and besides his material position left to his descendants an honored name.
After such education as could be obtained in the local schools, William Hickman started out at the age of sixteen to use his energies and talents to the best advantage consistent with his opportunities. Farming has always been his regular vocation, and after many years of well directed effort he now finds himself the possessor of a good acreage and also town property. He is a democrat in politics, and he and his family affiliate with the Christian Church.
The most important event in his early career was his marriage on June 6,
1885, to Miss Margaret Jarringer, a daughter of John and Jane (Travis)
Jarringer. The father was born in Delaware County, Indiana, in 1838. In
1875 he came to White County, Indiana, locating in Liberty Township,
where he died in 1906 at the age of sixty-eight years. He owned a farm
each in Howard and White counties. Both he and his wife were members of
the Christian Church, and he affiliated with the republican party. Mrs.
Jarringer was born in Franklin County, Ohio, October 24, 1840, and came
to Indiana with her sister, Elizabeth Williams, when but eight years of
age. She is still a resident of Liberty Township. Mrs. Hickman was born
in Howard County, Indiana, July 8, 1868, and was but a child of seven years when
she came to White
County, which has continued her home since that time. She is a lady of
great energy and executive ability, and has been a constant aid to her
husband in business and home affairs. They started their married life
with but twenty-two acres of land, on which was a small mortgage, and
they are now the owners of 404 acres in Liberty Township, besides town
property, and they reside in the Village of Buffalo, one-half mile from
one of their farms and 1 1/2 miles from the other. Seven of their nine
children are also alive. For thirty years now Mr. and Mrs. Hickman have
shared the struggles and successes of their career, and have a fine
family of children to do them honor. These children are named: Walter,
Gustavus, deceased; May and Fay, twins, both deceased; Amy, wife of
Frank Richardson of Logansport; and James. Walter Hickman resides on
his parents' estate, is a member of the Christian Church, is a democrat
politically, and affiliates with the Fraternal Order of Red Men at
Monticello. He married Eva Siddle, and they have two children, William
E., Jr., and Geneva V. Amy G. became the wife of Frank Richardson, of
Logansport, employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and they
have a daughter, Helen Marguerite. Mrs. Richardson graduated from the
common schools at the early age of thirteen, and she is a member of the
Church of God. James Hickman follows farming. He is a democrat
politically, affiliates with the Fraternal Order of Red Men and is a
member of the New Light Church.
Representing an old established family in Princeton Township, Louis Hinchman was born and reared in the Wolcott community, and for many years has been identified with the business enterprise of that village, and is now cashier of the State Bank. His has been a career in which industry, good judgment and integrity have been prominent factors, and his high standing in the community is also attested by various honors paid him as a citizen.
His father was the late William Hinchman, a pioneer of Princeton Township, and whose death in July, 1912, removed one of the fine old citizens of that locality. William Hinchman was born in Cabell County, West Virginia, August 1, 1830, a son of William and Elizabeth (Symms) Hinchman. His grandfather came from England, and there is also an admixture of Irish stock in the family. William Hinchman, Sr. was quite an old man when the war came on and was at that time living in West Virginia, and on account of his positive expressions in behalf of the Union was made a prisoner by the Confederates and confined at Salisbury, North Carolina, where the hardship he endured caused his death. William Hinchman, Jr. obtained his education in the old field schools of Western Virginia, and early in his career was impressed with the increasing prosperity of the country north of the Ohio River as compared with the slave states, and on October 13, 1854, arrived in White County and began settlement on section 29 of Princeton Township. In early life he acquired the trade of carpenter and used that skill to good effect in the construction of his farm buildings. In the course of time he acquired 270 acres of land in Princeton Township, and was not only a prosperous but influential citizen. In his time he was probably the chief apiarist in White County and for a quarter of a century or more made bee keeping a specialty. Though a member of the minority party, the democratic, he was elected township trustee in 1860 for one term, and in 1877 received the nomination for county treasurer, but was not elected. On December 18, 1856, William Hinchman married Miss Rhoda Nordyke. In 1893 William Hinchman removed to the Village of Wolcott, and died there and is buried in the Meadow Lake Cemetery. His widow is still living at Wolcott. To their marriage were horn seven children, a brief record of whom is as follows: John, now a retired farmer, married Ella Primmer; Emma Elizabeth is the wife of George Ferguson, proprietor of the Ferguson Hotel at Wolcott; James, who lives in Lafayette, has been three times married and has a son Fred by his second wife; Mary is the wife of Henry Waymire, a retired farmer living at Wolcott, and they have four children; William Jr. has been twice married and has two children by his second wife; Anna is the wife of A. U. Lux of Wolcott, and has five children; the seventh and youngest child is Louis Hinchman.
Louis Hinchman was born on the old farm two miles east of Wolcott, September 7, 1868, and has been a resident of Princeton Township practically all his life. While growing up on the farm, to the duties of which he was well trained, he also attended the common schools in Wolcott and completed his education by several terms in Valparaiso University. He has to his credit five years of successful teaching, two years in Honey Creek Township and three years in Princeton Township. Following this he was appointed deputy postmaster at Wolcott, and held that office from 1893 to 1897. On retiring from office Mr. Hinchman became associated with W. C. Kinney in the hardware business at Wolcott and they were in partnership until 1903. Since that year Mr. Hinchman has been identified with the State Bank of Wolcott, and has had a large share of the responsibilities of its management in the post of cashier since 1904. He is also a member of the firm of Nordyke & Company, well known Wolcott druggists.
Mr. Hinchman is a man whose character and activities have been such as to command the confidence and respect of the community, and evidence of this is found in his service as town treasurer for nine years from 1901 to 1910. As a democrat he was nominated in 1906 for the