USA > Indiana > Decatur County > A Genealogical and biographical record of Decatur County, Indiana : compendium of national biography > Part 30
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he had located, about three-quarters of a mile from the present town of Cambridge City. He died during the '20s, faithful to his strong belief in the Baptist creed.
George Van Buskirk, father of our sub- ject, was born in 1802 in Estill county, Kentucky, and to him was fulfilled the promise of long life, for at the time of his death, in January, 1898, he was in his ninety-sixth year. He was reared from his eleventh year in the vicinity of Cambridge City, but after his marriage he made his home in Fayette county, devoting his en- tire attention to farming, in which pursuit he met with marked success. Conscien- tious regard for right and duty was the strongest phase of his character, and when the great slavery issue forced itself upon the minds of men, he gave up his long-contin- ued . allegiance to the Democratic party, through which was offered no hope for the enslaved race, and from 1854 until the or- ganization of the Republican party he stood aloof from all political bodies; then, with a hearty will, joined the party pledged to the upholding of freedom and justice to all mankind. He was in no sense a politician. but was a true patriot, his first thought be- ing the welfare of his loved country. He associated himself with the Disciples or Christian church, in his early manhood, and was a zealous worker thenceforth for the church which has no other creed "than Christ, and Him crucified." To the mar- riage of George and Rachel (Helm) Van Buskirk twelve children were born, and all but one of the number grew to maturity and were married.
The birth of the Rev. Daniel R. Van Bus- kirk occurred in the vicinity of Benton- ville, Fayette county, Indiana, July 27, 1831.
Until he was over eighteen years of age he remained on the old homestead, in the meantime laying the rudiments of an edu- cation in the schools of that district. After teaching for one term, he spent two terms in Fairview Academy, and subsequently at- tended Bethany College for a short time. Then, going to Butler University (formerly known as the Northwestern Christian Uni- versity), at Indianapolis, he spent the open- ing year (1856) in that celebrated institu- tion's history, engaged in theological studies. He had been ordained to preach in the Christian church, at Fairview, in 1854, and in 1858 was placed in charge of the academy there. During that year and the one ensuing he not only managed the col- lege in a masterly way, but also occupied the pulpit and carried on general minis- terial work.
In the autumn of 1860, the Christian church at Greensburg, for which he always had a special love, called him to its pas- torate, and for just a decade he faithfully labored in this field. The period was one which tried men's souls, as it covered the darkest years of our nation's history, and through it all the young minister never wavered in his zeal for the abolition of slavery, nor in his belief that the cause of right was bound to triumph, and in 1864 he became the chaplain of the One Hun- dred and Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteers. He had been an earnest Democrat until 1852, when he decided that he could no longer endorse the course of that party, and he was one of the most influential founders of the Republican party in 1856. Those were days in which, as it has been said, "men fouglit for God and the right. with the Bible in one hand, and the sword
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in the other," and the strong and well founded convictions, necessarily expressed in public upon many an occasion, brought Mr. Van Buskirk into widespread notice. In 1862 he was elected to be the representa- tive of the people of his county in the legis- lature of the state, and two years later he was further honored by being elected to the senate, serving one session in each body, and in the meanwhile occupying the Greens- burg pulpit every Sunday.
At the close of the war, when the great issues of that strife had been settled, there was "a parting of the ways" for Mr. Van Buskirk. On one hand were the allure- ments of a political career, into which he had been drawn by his zeal in the cause of the oppressed and downtrodden-by his love for the Union,-and on the other side appeared, in somewhat sober colors, the humble pathway on which he had started a few years earlier. He manfully fought the battle with his inclinations, and the result was that he resigned his place in the sen- ate-a place which was tendered to Will- iam Cumback, who later won high and well deserved honors as president of the senate and in a brilliant political career. (See his sketch, printed on another page of this work.)
For a period of seven and one-half years the Rev. Daniel R. Van Buskirk was pastor of a church at Bloomington, Illinois; for two years was engaged in ministerial labors in Rushville, Indiana, and for five years held the charge of the church of the Dis- ciples of Christ near the center of New York city. Then, going to Indianapolis, he was greatly blessed in his work as min- ister of the Third Christian church of that city, one of the most flourishing churches
in this country. He remained there for twelve years, or until 1896, when he re- signed his pastorate, with a view to retir- ing, after almost half a century of work in the Master's vineyard. Coming to Greens- burg, he was urged so strenuously to again become pastor of the church to which he had devoted ten years of his early prime that he at length consented, and thus he bids fair to "be in the harness" when the summons comes to him to lay aside his earthly cares and to "enter into the rest which remains for the people of God." The Greensburg Christian church edifice was built during the former pastorate of our subject, and among the members are many of the foremost citizens of this thriv- ing town.
To those who have not had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Van Buskirk personally, and there are many who know him by name and who are familiar with his merits and accomplishments in the spreading of Chris- tianity, it may be of interest to learn that he is gentle and unassuming in manner, a fit servant of the meek and lowly Master. Cheerfulness and hopefulness are pro- nounced qualities in his makeup, and sun- shine seems to be engendered by his pres- ence in any gathering. He is a strong, forcible speaker, logical and convincing in argument, and at the same time fair and tolerant of those who honestly differ with him in opinion. He enjoys the love and high esteem of old and young, rich and poor, and it is hard to believe that he has an enemy in the world.
In all his joys and sorrows Mr. Van Bus- kirk has been aided and cheered by his loved wife, whose maiden name was M. B. Kemmer. They were married April 13,
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1852, and became the parents of two sons and three daughters, namely: William, of Cambridge City; Emma, who resides at home; Laura, wife of H. C. Hodges, of Morgan county, Indiana; Grace, who was educated at Butler University, and is a teacher; and Walter Scott, who carries on the old family homestead, in Fayette coun- ty. Mrs. Van Buskirk is a daughter of Daniel Kemmer and granddaughter of "John Nicholas, who was a soldier in Wash- ington's army during the Revolutionary war.
HON. J. B. ROBISON.
The agricultural class of Decatur county has no better or more progressive repre- sentative than the Hon. J. B. Robison, who is now living retired in Greensburg, after a very busy, and useful career. His family has been actively associated with the devel- opment of this county for almost four-score years, during which period they have strongly upheld all measures for improve- ment and advancement, and from a wilder- ness they witnessed the transformation of the country into a fertile farmland, aiding materially in the grand work.
The father of our subject, Andrew Robi- son, of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, came to this state in 1821, a young man, and took up his abode in Fugit township. There he improved a farm and devoted him- self to its cultivation until his death, in 1853. In his youth he had learned the trade of a tanner, and he followed that call- ing for a year or two after his arrival in this county. Politically he was a man of strong convictions, and, as a stanch Whig, was one of the first men in this section to agitate the
suppression of slavery. For many years he was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church, and his daily life was in full accord with the noble faith which was his anchor in the storms and trials which he encountered. He married Mary Donnell and two of their children grew to maturity: Mrs. Hanna McCoy and J. B., subject of this review.
The birth of the Hon. J. B. Robison took place on the old family homestead in Fugit township, July 11, 1834. There he lived as boy and man, and this property, comprising two hundred and forty acres, now belongs to him. He continued to carry on the farm, long ago considered one of the best in the county, until 1896, when he retired to enjoy a well earned rest. To the original homestead he added other land until it now comprises five hundred acres. For years he was an extensive dealer in and shipper of live stock, and in this branch of business made a snug little fortune.
Mr. Robison was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion for a short time. As a citi- zen he has been known as a true patriot, eager to promote the interests of the people. He has given his political allegiance to the Republican party, and in 1880 was honored by being elected to the state legislature. Again, in 1888. and in the sessions of 1889- 90 and 1891-2, he represented this county in the general assembly. He has been a member of the Presbyterian church for many years and has long acted as an elder in the congregation.
The marriage of Mr. Robison and Mar- garet Meek, of this county, was solemnized May 19, 1863. A son and two daughters bless this union, namely: William E .. an enterprising young farmer, now managing the family homestead; Stella, who is the
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wife of A. M. Reed, of Sandusky, Indiana; Clara, who is living at home with her par- ents.
THEOPHILUS E. F. MILLER, M. D.
The family physician sustains an intimate relation with all members of families in which, in his professional work, he is estab- lished more or less permanently, and gains an influence in the community second to that of no other man. To be markedly successful, he must be able professionally and tactful and sympathetic beyond most men; and, for the reason that he is made the confidant of his town's-people in mat- ters of delicacy and privacy, he must needs be a man of honor not given to gossiping with one about the doings of the other. All that the good family physician may be to his people Dr. T. E. F. Miller, of West- port, Decatur county, Indiana, has become to the large number of families who consti- tute his.following.
Dr. Miller, who was the first homeopathic practitioner in Westport, is a native of Buf- falo, New York, and was born February 4, 1852,, a son of J. J. and E. E. (Diedrick) Miller. His father was a native of Wurt- temberg, Germany, and his mother was born near Barenwalde, Prussia. They came to America while yet young and be- cante acquainted and married in Buffalo, New York. The father of J. J. Miller was manufacturer of cloth at Metzingen, Stuttgart, and died at Stuttgart nearly a hundred years old. All of his family re- mained in Germany but his sons J. J. and Charles. The latter came to the United States and soon afterward entered the United States army and served all through
the civil war, and he is at this time an in- mate of a soldiers' home at Milwaukee, Wis- consin.
Forty or forty-five years ago J. J. Miller removed with his family from Buffalo, New York, to Chicago, Illinois, and there he en- gaged in the manufacture of snuff and ci- gars. Later he made glue and was inter- ested in other manufacturing enterprises until after the great fire of 1871. He then went to New Orleans, Louisiana, and gave his attention for a time to the improvement of processes for the refining of sugar. After some years of success in this work he re- turned to Chicago, where he is living in retirement, aged seventy-three. Follow- ing are the names of the children of J. J. and E. E. (Diedrick) Miller: Charles, de- ceased, who was identified with express in- terests as a local agent; Emil, who is living in the west; Paul, who is an employe of a leading German newspaper of Chicago, Illinois; Dr. Miller, of Westport, Indiana; and Madaline, who is now Mrs. Louis Car- ciotto. The father of these children is a German Lutheran, and the mother, de- ceased, was a Lutheran.
Dr. Miller was reared in Chicago and in his day was a boy about town and knew the city pretty thoroughly. He acquired a good education and studied veterinary med- icine and surgery. But he did not like the career that he had mapped out for himself. and gave up veterinary practice and went to New York and engaged in the laundry business. He saved money and after a time returned to Chicago, where he took up the study of homoeopathic medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Hobart. Later he studied under the direction of Professor Chas. V. Pusheck. In 1879 he attended
a
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lectures at Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, at Chicago. After four courses of lectures at that institution he located at Clifty, Decatur county, Indiana, where he practiced his profession success- fully two years as the pioneer homoeopath- ic physician of that town. After a post- graduate course at Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, he came in 1886 to West- port, where he has built up a large practice which extends into all the country sur- rounding the town.
In January, 1895, Dr. Miller married Mrs. Nannie Cann, daughter of Jacob and Gabriella (Hamilton) Back, of Decatur county, Indiana. Jacob Back is a son of John Back, of German descent, a native of the state of Kentucky, who settled in Deca- tur county, where he was for a time a hotel- keeper and later a farmer. The Backs were a Baptist family devoted to the church and all its interests. James and Judy (Owens) Hamilton came out from Pennsylvania to Indiana, at an early date, and settled on land in Decatur county which they im- proved and where Mr. Hamilton died, aged seventy-eight. His wife died in Tipton county, Indiana, at the ripe old age of ninety-nine. They were active Baptists all their lives. The children of John Back were Elizabeth (Mrs. Griffy, of Shelbyville, Indiana), Nancy (Mrs. Lloyd, of Iowa), Jacob (father of Mrs. Miller), Jane (Mrs. Holmes, dead), Wallace (who died at twen- ty-one), and Sarah (Mrs. Pavey). The children of James and Judy (Owens) Ham- ilton were: Rebecca J. (Mrs. Armstrong), John Henry (of Oregon), Nancy (Mrs. Williamson), Jane (Mrs. Robbins, of Ore- gon), Margaret (Mrs. Tyner, of Tipton, In- diana), George (dead), Melinda (Mrs.
Pike), Gabriella (mother of Mrs. Miller), and W. T. (a farmer in Tipton county, Indi- ana). The children of Jacob and Gabriella (Hamilton) Back were: Nannie (Mrs. Miller), John W. (a tinner living at Tipton, Indiana), Era (Mrs. Pike, dead), Abie (Mrs. Snite, of Tipton, Indiana), and Jacob (who died leaving a widow). Dr. and Mrs. Miller have no children. Dr. Miller is a charter member of Westport Lodge, No. 317, Knights of Pythias, which was organ- ized in 1892, and he is a popular and public- spirited citizen. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Christian church and the Doctor is helpful to all its interests.
REV. ROBERT A. BARTLETT.
Among the most popular ministers of the gospel in Decatur county is the Rev. Robert Alexander Bartlett, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Kingston. Gifted with natural talents and an earnest love for the noble vocation to which he has chosen to devote his life, he further prepared him- self for work in the Master's vineyard by years of careful study and training, and though yet in his early prime has beheld gratifying results from his labors.
A native of the grand old Buckeye state, Mr. Bartlett was born in the village of Aus- tinburg, Ashtabula county, January 6, 1865. His father was the Rev. Alexander Bart- lett, who was well and favorably known in the Presbyterian denomination, in whose ranks he nobly labored for several decades. He was a man of profound learning and good judgment, and was revered and loved by every one who knew him. He was a graduate of Oberlin College and Theologi-
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cal Seminary, at Oberlin, Ohio, and was a clergyman who kept abreast of the times, preaching the word of God fearlessly. After the cessation of hostilities between the north and south in the civil war, he received a call to become the pastor of the New Providence church, at Maryville, Tennessee, in the eastern part of that state, and, accept- ing it, continued to make his home in that locality until his death, in 1883. For a long period he not only occupied the pulpit of the Presbyterian church in Maryville, but also held the chair of Latin in Maryville College. His wife, the mother of the sub- ject of this sketch, bore the name of Laura S. Merrill in her girlhood. She died in 1892, at Dayton, Tennessee, and was buried in the college cemetery at Maryville. Both led lives which were above reproach and in- finitely helpful and inspiring to all who came within the reach of their influence.
Reared in such an ideal home atmos- phere, where love toward God and mankind was held as the mainspring and object of life, it is not strange that the youthful Rob- ert decided that he could do no better than to follow in the footsteps of his beloved par- ents, consecrating his talents to the uplift- ing of humanity. It was his privilege to re- ceive an excellent education, and in 1884 he was graduated with honors at Maryville College. He then pursued a thorough course of study at Lane Theological Semi- nary, in which well known institution he was graduated in 1887.
The first charge of the young minister was at Dayton, Tennessee, to which place he was sent by the New York Board of Missions. From the first he was blessed in his endeavors and his enthusiasm and earn- estness were the means of awakening the
people to renewed enterprise and activity in all of the lines of their church work. Ere he left he had succeeded in getting his con- gregation to build a new church, of which they were in great need, and the same thing is true of his next pastorate, for, during the two years which he passed in charge of the Presbyterian church at Harriman, Tennes- see, a new house of worship was erected by his people. In 1893 he was elected moder- ator of the synod of Tennessee.
The energy and general ability of Mr. Bartlett made many friends for him, both outside and inside his own denomination, while he was in the south, and in 1894 he received an urgent call to the pulpit of the Presbyterian church at Kingston, which, as it is well known, is one of the largest and most important churches in this section of the state. The same devotion to his work which he has shown ever since he entered upon his noble vocation, is meeting with deserved success, and a most promising fu- ture may safely be predicted for him. He possesses the true missionary spirit and his devotion and self-sacrifice are matters of wonder to those who know him. In addi- tion to his regular work in his home church. he now preaches in the afternoon at Clarks- burg, where also he is greatly esteemed. He is also chairman of the home mission committee of Whitewater presbytery.
In all his efforts to uplift and benefit hu- manity, Mr. Bartlett finds a true helpmate in his estimable wife, a lady of lovable Christian character and superior attain- ments. In her girlhood she bore the name of Minnie Dobson, and it was in Washing- ton College that she obtained her educa- tion. Her marriage to Mr. Bartlett was solemnized December 18, 1895. They have
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two little ones, namely: Miriam, born Jan- uary 30, 1897; and Robert Merrill, born December 23, 1898.
WILLIAM T. HOOD.
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The history of pioneer development is always of interest, for progress and develop- ment ever form the theme of which the American citizen never tires. A region wild, unimproved, with barren prairies and unbroken forests as framed by the hand of nature affords ample opportunity to the early settler who would establish a home on the frontier. The arduous task of clearing away the trees that fields of grain may take their place is one demanding great energy and determination. In many other lines also the work of advancement and civiliza- tion must be carried forward in order that the new locality may rank with the older- settled districts. Mr. Hood is one who has always been an active factor in bringing about the great transformation in Decatur county, Indiana, and is not only numbered among the pioneers but is also one of the oldest native sons of the county. He was born in Washington township, November 7, 1831, and is a son of William and Isa- bella (Blair) Hood. both of whom were natives of Kentucky, in which state their marriage was celebrated. The paternal grandfather was a native of Scotland. and with his parents removed to Ireland and then came to America, prior to the war of the Revolution. After residing in several localities he took up his residence in Pennsylvania, at an early day, and subse- quently went to Kentucky, where his last years were spent. There he reared his
family and cultivated his farm, with the aid of negro labor. His children were Samuel, Stewart, John, William, Adam, Ann, Mary and Jane. The parents were both members of the Presbyterian church.
William Hood, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1791, but was reared to manhood and married in Ken- tucky. His wedding occurred in 1815, after which he located on the farm, making his home there until 1824, when he came to Decatur county, Indiana, and entered from the government two hundred and forty acres of wild land. In the midst of an unbroken forest he developed a good farm, upon which he made his home for many years. Subsequently he removed to Greens- burg, but after a few years purchased an- other farm, near Clarksburg, Indiana. He was a successful agriculturist, and in con- nection with general farming he carries on stock-raising. His political support was originally given to the Whig party; later he became an advocate of the Free-soil party. and when the Republican party was formed he joined its ranks; but though he was deeply interested in political issues he never sought office. He served in the war of 1812 and was with General W. H. Harrison in the Indian campaign in Indiana. He was an active factor in the material and moral development of this section of the Hoosier state and aided in organizing the United Presbyterian church at Springhill, then known as the Associate Reformed church. This was established in 1825 and he was the last survivor who took part in its organization. He held the office of elder of the church at one time and was active in promoting its work among the people of this locality. He was a man of strong con-
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victions and neither fear nor favor could turn him from a course which he believed to be right. He occupied an advanced posi- tion in regard to slavery and temperance reform and was distinguished for his high standard of integrity and honor and for his charity. His first wife died in 1840, and the following year he wedded Jane Doug- lass. He died November 16, 1879, and four of his children survived him. Nellie A. died at the home of her brother Will- iam, in April, 1899; John died March 20, 1860, leaving a son, who is now a noted Presbyterian minister: Samuel, born in 1823, died November 20, 1855; Mary J. became the wife of John Wiseman and died in 1858, leaving four children; Almira, born in 1827, is now the wife of Mr. Foley, a farmer; William T. is the sixth of the fam- ily; and Sarah E. is the widow of Dr. W. F. Riley, who served as senator. She now resides in Colorado.
William Thomas Hood was born and reared on the old family homestead in Decatur county and yet owns a portion of this farm. He was educated in the com- mon schools and was early trained to habits of industry and economy. At the time of his marriage in 1859 his father gave him eighty acres of land, the greater part of which was cleared. He has built upon the place commodious barns and outbuildings, has a pleasant home, and his farm is under a high state of cultivation, the fields in their dress of tender green in early spring giving promise of the golden harvests of autumn.
Mr. Hood has been twice married. He wedded S. A. Ardery, a native of Decatur county and a daughter of James Ardery. who belonged to a prominent family of Kentucky. Her death occurred September
19, 1863. She was a member of the Pres- byterian church and had many friends in the community. In 1866 Mr. Hood wedded Martha A. Barnett, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in August, 1840, a daughter of Jacob H. and Elizabeth (Grimes) Barnett. Her father died in 1842. and in 1844 the mother removed with her family to Iowa where her death occurred. One sister married and came to Decatur county to live, and not long afterward Mrs. Hood took up her residence in the home of this sister. There were nine children in the Barnett family, namely: Mrs. Eliza Mc- Cully; Mrs. Mary Reed; Milton, a resident of Iowa; Catharine, deceased; Caroline, . wife of J. Antrobus; Rachel, wife of J. Cameron, who was a soldier in the civil war; Franklin, a farmer; Amy, wife of C. Mc- Cully; and Mrs. Martha Hood. The par- ents were both members of the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Hood belong to the United Presbyterian church, and in his po- litical affiliations he is a stanch Republican. yet has never aspired to office, preferring to give his time and energy to his business af- fairs.
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