USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 1
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 1
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Gc 977.201 F82c v. 2 1490224
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02299 8386
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/pastpresentoffou02clif
PAST AND PRESENT
Fountain and Warren Counties OF
INDIANA
EDITED BY THOMAS A. CLIFTON OF THE COVINGTON REPUBLICAN
ILLUSTRATED
1913 B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
1490224
Vener Gerduin
Barbara Goodwin
BIOGRAPHICAL
ABNER GOODWINE.
There can be no impropriety in scanning the acts of any man as they affect his public, social and business relations, so in this work will be found mention of worthy citizens of all vocations, and at this juncture we are per- mitted to offer a resume of the career of one of the substantial aud high !. esteemed representatives of the agricultural interests of Jordan township. Warren county, Indiana, where he has maintained his home for many years and where he has not only attained a high degree of success in his chosen field of labor and enterprise, but also established an imperishable reputation for uprightness in all the relations of life.
Abner Goodwine, who is a native son of the old Hoosier state, was born in Bartholomew county on July 10, 1826, and is therefore now in the eighity- seventh year of his age. He is the son of James and Sarah ( Schumacher) Goodwine, both of whom were natives of Virginia. They were married after their removal to Bartholomew county, Indiana, and remained there but a short time, when they came to Warren cour y, arriving here in 1828. They located six miles northwest of Williamsport and made that their home until the death of the father, who died in 1852. The mother died in 1871 in Jo Daviess county, Illinois. They were the parents of eight children, namely : Thomas, deceased; James; Harrison, deceased; John W., deceased; Abner, the immediate subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, deceased; Indiana, deceased, and Martha, deceased, The father of these children was a man of consider- able prominence in the early history of the county and served several terms as county commissioner. He was a Whig in politics.
The subject of this sketch was reared by his parents and is thus nun- bered among the earliest settlers of Warren county. He has vivid recolec- tions of many of the stirring scenes of those early days and remembers when the Indians used to come to his father's cabin home, though they never caused them any trouble. Mr. Goodwine received his elementary education in the common and subscription schools of those early days, which in both equip- ment and methods were somewhat primitive. He early became inured to the hard labors incident to opening up and preparing the land for cultivation atul
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he rendered valuable service in this way. His father's original home load entries in Warren county had amounted to three thousand eight hundred and eighty acres. Mr. Goodwine himself is now the owner of three thousand1 eight hundred sixty-seven and a half acres, lying in Jordan township, Warren county, Indiana, and Ross township, Vermilion county, Illinois. This con- prises as fine a body of land as can be found anywhere and is well improved and in tillable condition. Mr. Goodwine has followed farming all his life and has been eminently successful. He was not slow to adopt newer methods as they were demonstrated by experience to be the best and he. has at all times shown a progressive spirit and a desire to maintain his place at the highest standard of excellence.
In 1852 Mr. Goodwine was married to Barbara Pence, the daughter of George and Mary (Swisher ) Pence. The Pence family were among the early settlers of Warren county, coming here in 1825, and members of the family have at different times been prominent in the public affairs of the county. They were originally from Pennsylvania and on coming to Indiana first located in Bartholomew county, later, at the date mentioned, to Warren county. To Mr. and Mrs. Goodwine have been born twelve children, namely : George, deceased ; Mary, the wife of William Himmelright : Newton Curtis, of Warren county ; Belle, deceased; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Winegardner : Clara Virginia, now Mrs. Crawford; Frank S., of Ambia, Indiana : Olive, now Mrs. Heaton ; Nora, formerly Mrs. Pugh, now Mrs. Lakin ; Cora, now Mrs. Briggs, widow ; Leola J., at home; Harry M., who was killed by a horse. The mother of these children died on March 4, 1904, at the age of seventy-three years. It is rare that one meets with a family of men and women who evidence more of worth and ability than the sons and daughters of Mr. Goodwine, and not the least of his achievements is the rearing of this family and their upbring- ing to usefulness. Mr. Goodwine stands high among his fellow citizens, being an honest, kind and generous man who, while laboring in his own inter- ests, never neglected his duty to his fellow men.
HON. ISAAC E. SCHOONOVER.
Indiana has always been distinguished for the high rank of her bench and bar. Perhaps none of the newer states can justly boast of abler jurists or attorneys. In Judge Isaac E. Schoonover are found united many of the rare qualities which go to make up the successful lawyer and jurist. He possesses,
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
perhaps, few of those brilliant, dazzling meteoric qualities which have some- times flashed along the legal horizon, riveting the gaze and blinding the vision for the moment, then disappearing, leaving little or no trace behind, but rather has those solid and more substantial qualities which shine with a constant luster, shedding light with steadiness and continuity.
Isaac E. Schoonover, of Covington, who is ably and satisfactorily dis- charging the responsible duties of judge of the circuit court, was born October 22, 1849, in Warren county, Indiana, and is a son of Peter and Maria ( Wake- ly) Schoonover. The subject's paternal grandfather was James Schoonover. one of the carly and well-known residents of Warren county, where his death occurred. Peter Schoonover was a native of New York state, born on Jan- uary 1, 1806. He then went to Warren county, Ohio, and then came to Warren county, Indiana, in about 1834, and here was successfully engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. He was a man of unusual mental ability and served one term as judge of the Warren county court. His death occurred on Sep- tember 17, 1867. The subject's mother was born in Ohio in 1814 and her death occurred in 1889.
Isaac E. Schoonover was :eared under the paternal roof and secured his education in the common schools. At the conclusion of his preliminary studies he determined to take up the legal profession, and to this end he en- tered the law department of Michigan . tate University at Ann Arbor. Upon the completion of his legal course Mr. Schoonover located in Attica, Foun- tain county, Indiana, and "hung out his shingle." He soon acquired a good reputation as a careful and painstaking attorney and commanded a representa- tive clientage. He attained to an enviable position among his fellows and served as mayor of Attica four terms with entire satisfaction to his fellow townsmen. In 1906 Mr. Schoonover's abilities received definite recognition in . his election to the circuit judgeship and he has since presided over the judicial proceedings of the county in such a manner as to win the approbation of the bar and the appreciation of all litigants who have appeared before him. Years of conscientious work brought with them not only increase of practice and reputation, but also that growth in legal knowledge and that wide and accu- rate judgment the possession of which constitutes. marked excellence in the profession. In rendering opinions he is noted for clearness of statement and candor and but few of the cases appealed from his court to the higher courts have been reversed. His relations with the members of the bar have been most cordial and at all times he has commanded the sincere respect of all with whom he comes into contact.
On March 18, 1869, Isaac E. Schoonover was united in marriage with
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Marguerite Yeager, who was born November 12, 1851, the daughter of John B. and Jane (Jefferson) Yeager. She received a good conunon school educa tion and is a lady of many estimable qualities of mind and heart. To the Judge and wife has been born one child, Albert, a lawyer, who married Enuna Green, and is now living in San Diego, California. They are the parents of two sons, Hansel and Manson.
Fraternally, Judge Schoonover is a Mason and Knight of Pythias, be- longing to the local lodges at Attica. His religious faith is embodied in the creed of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is an earnest member Politically, he is a Democrat and has always taken an active interest in the success of his party. While at Attica, besides giving efficient service as mayor. he served as city attorney and was also county attorney, these positions being but stepping stones to the exalted station he now occupies. Judge Schoon- over owns one of the best residences in Covington, where he now lives, and also possesses valuable city property in Attica. Of strong social instincts, he readily makes friends and is an appreciated member of the circles in which he moves.
DANIEL C. REED.
The name Reed has long been connected with the development and prog- ress of the section of Indiana to which this work is related and the record of the family is one which reflects eredit upon the state. It is a well-attested maxim that the greatness of a country lies not in the machinery of govern- ment nor even in its institutions, but rather in the sterling qualities of the in- dividual citizen, in his capacity for high and unselfish effort and his devotion to the public welfare. In these particulars, those who have borne the above name have conferred honor and dignity upon their community and as an ele- mental part of history we are pleased to record a sketch of a leading represent- ative of the family with the object in view of noting his connection with the advancement of one of the most flourishing and progressive parts of the com- monwealth and affording an example worthy of emulation by the young man whose life work is largely a matter of the future.
Daniel C. Reed, successful farmer, ex-legislator and member of the state board of agriculture, is a native of Fountain county, Indiana, having been born at Newtown, Richland township, on December 22, 1871, and is descended from sterling pioneer ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Stephen Reed, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in December, 1791, being the son of
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES. INDLINA.
Josephi Reed, a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Stephen Reed was a sol dier in the war of 1812, in which he rendered valiant service for his country. He left Virginia for the then western frontier, floating down the Ohio river to Kentucky, where he lived until 1826 or 1828, when he pushed on westward and established his permanent home in Fountain county, Indiana, thus being among the earliest settlers here, the homestead being located about two miles southeast of Veedersburg. He was twice married, his first wife being Eliza- beth Castleman, the Castlemans being a prominent Kentucky family, of Scotch descent. To this union were born nine children, four boys and five girls. Mrs. Elizabeth (Castleman) Reed died in 1842, and subsequently Stephen Reed married for his second wife Sarah A. Finley. Stephen Reed died in July, 1866, at the age of seventy-five yea. ..
For extended reference to Joseph and Mary A. ( Young) Reed, parents of Daniel C. Reed, see their sketch elsewhere in this volume.
Daniel C. Reed was reared under the paternal roof and he secured his ele- mentary education in the common schools of Richland township, completing his studies in the high school at Attica. He then became a student in Purdue University, which he attended for several terms, but did not graduate. He has always had a deep interest in practical agriculture and the scientific train- ing he received at Purdue only served to stimulate this interest. He is the owner of the old home farm at Newtown, comprising three hundred acres of valuable land, also several other good farms in Shawnee township, this county, to the management of which he devotes his attention. He resides in an at- tractive home in .Attica, but much of his time is spent on his farms, where he gives intelligent direction to their operation. He carries on general farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and also gives con- siderable attention to the raising of live stock, which he has found to be a profitable source of income. He farms according to twentieth-century meth- ods and the results of his systematic and advanced methods are scen in the splendid returns from the soil. That Mr. Reed's ability as an agriculturist is widely recognized is evinced in the fact that he has served several years as a member of the state board of agriculture, of which he is now serving as vice-president. Here he is rendering efficient and appreciated service to the state at large, his valuable knowledge and administrative ability being highly valued by his fellow members of the board.
Politically, Mr. Reed is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and has taken an active and important part in the campaigns of his party. His re- ligious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church, to which he gives a liberal
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support. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, be- longing to Lodge No. 105, at Attica.
In 1898 Daniel C. Reed was united in marriage to Zeta Fowler, the daughter of Bryan and Catherine (Rowland) Fowler, her father being a native of Ohio, who came to this section of Indiana in a very early day, set- tling just south of Attica, where he followed farming. ( See sketch of George Rowland, elsewhere in this work.)
Mr. Reed has always commanded an exalted position in the esteem of his fellow citizens, and in 1907 he was elected a representative to the state Legis- lature where he acquitted himself in a manner highly cerditable to himself and honorable to his constituency. He took part in the discussions of the legis- lative body and was a member of several important committees, where he rendered efficient service. In every avenue of life's activities he has done his full duty and been true to every trust. Personally, he is a man whom it is a pleasure to meet, genial, obliging, kind of heart and broad-minded, and he nun- bers his friends by the scores wherever he is known. In his record there is much that is commendable, and his career forcibly illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish when plans are wisely laid and actions are governed by right principles and high ideals. His actions are always the result of careful and conscientious thonghit, and when once convinced that he is right, no sug- gestion of policy or personal profit can swerve him from the course he has de- cided upon.
ROBERT E. RAY.
The most elaborate history is necessarily an abridgment, the historian being compelled to select his facts and material from a multitude of details. In every life of honor and usefulness there is no dearth of incident and yet in summing up the career of any man the writer needs touch only the salient points which give the keynote of the character, but eliminating much that is superfluous. Thus in giving the life record of Robert E. Ray, editor of the Attica Tribune, sufficient will be said to show that he is one of the enterprising, influential and progressive citizens of Fountain and Warren counties.
Mr. Ray was born in Hannibal, Missouri, famous as the boyhood home of "Mark Twain," on January 27, 1856, and he is a son of John M. and Eliza M. (Summers) Ray, a highly respected old family of that city. The elder Ray came to Fountain county, Indiana, from Missouri in 1835, when Robert E. was nine years old. The former was born in Kentucky, as was also
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
his wife, Eliza M. Summers, each representing fine old families of the Blue Grass state, and there they spent their earlier years. Upon removing from Missouri the family settled near Newtown, Richland township, and in that locality John M. Ray followed teaching for a period of forty years, becoming one of the leading and best known educators in Fountain county during his day and generation. He had previously taught in Missouri, and was always popular with both pupils and patrons. During the summer months he devoted his attention to farmning. His family consists of nine children, namely : John. William J. and Murray are deceased; Martha, Thaddeus and Robert E., also Arch, the eighth in order of birth, are all living: Edward. the seventh child, and Nannie, the youngest, ar. both deceased.
Robert E. Ray, of this review, grew up under the parental roof-tree and received a good education in the common schools of Missouri and Indiana, partly in the high school at Attica He followed in the footsteps of his father in a professional way and began teaching when only sixteen years of age, and he continued in this line of endeavor for a period of eleven years, in a man- ner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned, like his worthy father, his services having always been in great demand. He kept well abreast of the times and was known in the school room as both an instructor and an entertainer. But finally tiring of the school room, he abandoned the same and took up the drug business at Wayne- town, Indiana, later at Veedersburg, continuing in that vocation for about thirteen years, during which he enjoyed a large and growing patronage and earned the right to rank with the leading druggists of the county. Then turn- ing his attention to the field of journalism, he has since devoted his attention exclusively to the same, with very gratifying results. He established the Saturday Press at Attica, which he placed on a firm footing, then sold it and established the Attica Daily Tribune, March 5, 1912, which was a successful venture from the first and which has had a remarkable growth during its brief existence, its circulation increasing almost by leaps and bounds until it now covers both Fountain and Warren counties, which it seeks to serve with the biggest, best and brightest news of the day, and its editorial column is strong and convincing, potent for the general good of the community. The Tribune's mechanical appearance is all that could be desired and it has become a valuable advertising medium. It is indeed a power for good in this section of the state and is an influential molder of public opinion, always advocating what- ever is best for this locality in a material, civic and social manner. The office of the Tribune is well equipped with modern and the latest approved appliances for prompt and high grade work, and the plant would be a credit to a town
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FOUNTAIN AND WARRES COUNTF . INDEXA.
much larger than Attica. It is owned jemily by Mr. Ras and R. M. Cook, the former having charge of the editorial end of the same and the latter look. after the business department.
Mr. Ray was married in 1903 to Emma Louise Frelich. daughter of fact and Catherine Fralich, early settlers at Evansville, Indiana, where they were long highly respected and influential; these parents are both now deceased. The union of the subject and wife has been without issue.
Politically. Mr. Ray is a Democrat and is loyal to the party. He is an Episcopalian in his religious tendencies, and, fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 95. and the Uniform Rank, No. 111. Attica.
VOLNEY PATTON.
In the present sketch is recorded briefly the history of a member of one of the oldest families of Fountain ounty, whose name has always stood for uprightness and virtue. Of the good old Virgina native stock, his ancestors came to this county when it was almost a wilderness and took a foremost part in making of it the prosperous farming community of today.
Volney Patton was born in Fountain county, on July 24. 1851. the son of William and Deborah ( Kepner ) Patton. Thomas Patton, the grandfather of Volney, was born in Virginia, and moved at an early date to Parke county. Indiana, and at a later date to Fountain county, Indiana, when his son Will- iam was but two and a half years old. Thomas Patton entered land from the government at one dollar and twenty -five cents per acre, and spent the re- mainder of his life in this county, of which he was a respected and influential citizen. He accumulated a large amount of land. William Patton was born in Sugar Creek township, Parke county. He spent his life in farming and was successful in all senses of the word, being a man well known and well liked by all who knew him.
To William and Deborah Patton eight children were born : Vohey : Sarah, who married Albert Hershberger. now deceased. and is now living in California; Nancy, the wife of Dr. Petit, of Veedersburg : Edward, now post- master at Veedersburg; Morton, a farmer of Wabash township: Francis and Thomas, deceased; and one child who died in infancy. William Patton made most of the impovements on the farm on which his son Volney now lives. which adjoins the old Patton homestead, with its sturdy brick house, which
WILLIAM PATTON.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDLIN.1.
has always been occupied by the Pattons. He died in 1906 and his wife died in September, 1872.
Volney Patton had no educational advantages in his youth, but by a liberal course of reading has made himself a well-informed man. He was married in 1873 to Hattie Fisher, a dangliter of C. C. Fisher, a well-known carpenter of Covington, Indiana. She taught five terms in the country schools in the vicinity of Covington before her marriage, and her work in that respect was a force for good in the lives of many of the younger citizens of that locality. To this marriage were born four children, Francis, deceased ; Fannie, the wife of Marion Foxworthy, now an Indian agent in North Dakota, formerly in the civil service at Washington; Katie, the wife of Butler LaBaw of California; and Madge, deceased.
Mr. Patton is the owner of one hundred and seventy-three acres of land in a high state of cultivation, part of that which was entered by his grand- father. On this he engages in mixed farming, raising many cattle and hogs, as well as grain crops, and has been quite successful, having gained much knowledge of profitable farming from his lifelong experience. He and his wife are living in prosperity and. quietness in the midst of their well-tilled acres, and enjoy the confidence, respect and friendship of all who know them well.
THOMAS J. DOTSON.
It is an agreeable task for the biographer and pleasant and profitable for the reader, to contemplate the life record of a person who has made a success of life and won the confidence and rest. ct of his fellow citizens. Such is the record, briefly stated, of the well known young business man of Veedersburg. of which city he is at present ably discharging the duties of mayor-Thomas J. Dotson, than whom a more highly respected or popular citizen it would be hard to find in' the locality of which this book treats and where his life has been spent.
Mr. Dotson was born in this county on October 26, 1872. He is the son of Frank and Eliza ( Reed) Dotson, both natives of Mason county, Kentucky, where they spent the earlier years of their lives, and from there they came as pioneers to VanBuren township, Fountain county, Indiana, and established the permanent home of the family, spending their lives in agricultural pur- suits. There were five children in their family, named as follows: Charles, who lives in California; John also resides in that state; Mollie, who married
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William Lucas ; Mattie is the wife of Joseph Williams; and Thomas J , sub: ject of this sketch.
The parents of the above named children are still living in Van Buren township, where they have a pleasant home. They are members of the Christian church. The father is a Democrat, but has never been especially active in political affairs. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for the past fifty-three years.
Thomas J. Dotson grew to manhood on the home farm and there he assisted with the general work during crop seasons. In the winter time he attended the common schools of his native community, and in 1904 he came to Veedersburg and since that time has been engaged in the grocery business, with ever-increasing success, having built up a large and satisfactory business with the town and surrounding country, carrying at all seasons a large and carefully selected stock of fancy and staple groceries.
Mr. Dotson was married on December 23, 1895, to Belle Foxworthy, daughter of Dan and Margaret (Colwell) Foxworthy, an excellent old fam- ily of this county.
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