USA > Indiana > Decatur County > A Genealogical and biographical record of Decatur County, Indiana : compendium of national biography > Part 39
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The birth of Walter W. Bonner occurred on the old home place, near Spring Hill, July 30, 1860. In his youth he was en- gaged in the usual occupations that fall to the lot of the farmer's boy, and his element- ary education was obtained in the district schools. Later he attended the Indiana State University, at Bloomington, until he arrived at his junior year, when he con- cluded to take up the study of law without longer delay. This was in 1881, and for a period he studied in the law offices of Judges Miller and Gavin, then of Greens- burg. Judge Miller has since entered the. silent land. and Judge Gavin is now a resi- dent of Indianapolis. In the fall of 1882 our subject was admitted to the bar of Decatur county, but when the Third Na- tional Bank was organized, in the January ensuing, .he accepted a position as book- keeper, and in 1884 was elected assistant cashier. Later he was chosen to fill the
position of cashier, to succeed the late Cor- tez Ewing, who had held that office from the founding of the bank. Accordingly, he entered upon his new duties on the 3d of February, 1887, and has continued to give entire satisfaction to everyone doing busi- ness with the bank up to the present time. His judicious management of the affairs entrusted to him is largely responsible for the gradually increasing volume of business transacted by the bank, and its patrons are uniformly his friends.
Fifteen years ago, in September. 1884. the marriage of Mr. Bonner and Libbie Donnell, of Spring Hill, was solemnized. A daughter, Ruth, now thirteen years of age, adds to the happiness of the pleasant home of this estimable couple, who move in the best social circles of the city and take an active interest in its welfare.
BENJAMIN F. MOORE.
One of the substantial and prosperous farmers of Jackson township, Decatur coun- ty, is Benjamin F. Moore, well known in his section. He was born in Butler county. Ohio, September 14, 1840, was educated in the common schools and reared to the honest labor of a farmer's lad. He remained at his parental homestead until twenty-two years of age, then married and settled on a portion of his father's farm. Seven years later he went back to the home to care for his father, who with increasing years felt the loneliness resulting from the death of the beloved companion of his youth, who passed away in 1861.
Our subject was married in 1863 to Miss Annie Bentley, who bore him three chil-
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dren: Ulysses E., who is a farmer on the old homestead; Alta M., Mrs. W. Jackson; and Anna. The mother, who was a most estimable woman and a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, died January 19, 1877. Two years after the death of his wife, Mr. Moore, having placed his fathi- -er in the, care of a brother-in-law, was mar- ried again, and, purchasing a farm from W. Rutherford, he moved upon it and be- gan farming for himself. He remained on this place nearly three years, then sold it to J. E. Robbins and returned to the home farm and cared for his father until the lat- ter's death in 1885. He then purchased the interests of the other heirs in the home- stead and has since made his home there. He is a general farmer and stock-raiser and has made a successful one. In politics he is in sympathy with the Democratic party. but has never held an elective office, al- though he has served on the advisory board of the township. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he was for many years a deacon and is now filling the office of elder.
Mr. Moore was married to his second wife, Miss Cynthia Cheek, August 27, 1878. and by this union one child has been born, Luna M., who is at home. Mrs. Moore was born in Decatur county, October 2, 1845, and is a daughter of John and Catharine . (Goodman) Cheek, both natives of Dear- born county. Her father was a farmer, very popular in his community and influ- ential in politics in that locality. He was a Democrat and served as trustee, was con- sidered an honest and honorable man, and was a member of the Baptist church. He died in March, 1878, his wife having pre- ceded him in 1877. The Cheek family com-
prised eleven children, as follows: James, a farmer and local Baptist preacher; Moses; Simeon; Cynthia, Mrs. Moore; Ruth, Mrs. Samuels; John, a farmer; Catharine, Mrs. Randall; Charles, a farmer; Mobeal, Mrs. C. Evans; Penelope, Mrs. I. Davis; and William, a farmer.
The first Mrs. Moore was a daughter of William and Sarah Bentley, of Ohio, who came to Indiana at an early day and im- proved a good farm in Jackson township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Bentley was a Whig and later a Republican, but never held office. He was a member of the Baptist church, in which he was a deacon, while his wife be- longed to the Presbyterian denomination. The family was highly respected and es- teemed by the community in which they lived. There were ten children born of these parents, namely: Ebenezer; Adolph- -us; Gideon; Calvin; Alexander; Louisa. Mrs. L. N. Brunton; Sarah, Mrs. B. F. Linch; Annie, Mrs. B. F. Moore; Leathy, deceased; and Calvin.
The parents of Mr. Moore were Turner and Charlotte (Evans) Moore, the former of whom was born in Mercer county, Ken- tucky, and the latter in Ohio. They were married in the latter state and came to Decatur county, Indiana, in 1843. At this time the country was in a primitive condi- tion; to prepare the land for crops the trees had to be felled, brush cleared away. roads made and fences built. The days were filled with hard work, neighbors were few and distant from each other, and even the necessaries of life had to be hauled a long distance: but patience and persever- ance conquered all these obstacles and the homes wrested from the wilderness were
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so much the dearer for the labor they had cost. Mr. Moore helped roll logs a num- ber of days, then built a cabin and set to work with courage and determination. In the course of time he had a good farm and devoted considerable attention to stock- raising, buying, feeding, and selling cattle to the neighboring farmers and at the near- est market. He was an honorable. upright man and had the respect of the entire com- munity. He was a Democrat in his politic- al views, and with his wife was a member of the Presbyterian church. Their children were ten in number, as follows: William L., a farmer in Jackson township, Decatur county; Martha A .. Mrs. G. A. Patrick; Benjamin F., the subject of this sketch; Fannie E., deceased; Hulda J., Mrs. M. Thompson; Harriet E., Mrs. T. Matthews; Ephraim D., who was engaged in farming in Decatur county and is deceased: Oliver P., who died when seventeen years old; Albert R., a farmer, also deceased: and John A., farming in Decatur county.
The mother of B. F. Moore was a daugh- ter of William Evans, who removed from Maryland to Butler county, Ohio, and sub- sequently, in 1836, came to Decatur coun- ty, Indiana. He located with his family in Jackson township, where he entered three hundred and twenty acres of land and was a very successful farmer. The first home they had was a log cabin in the clear- ing, surrounded by trees of various kinds. and the children used to go out and pick up bushels of hickory-nuts, lying all around the house. There was an abundance of nuts, wild grapes, crab-apples, plums and persimmons to be had for the gathering; so the young folks had plenty to do to pro- vide for the winter's store of good things.
Mr. Evans carried on general farming and was looked upon as a good citizen, reliable and honest in all his dealings. Both he and his wife were consistent Christians, he be- ing a member of the Swendenborgian church, and she of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Evans died in 1864, his wife surviving him until 1885. They had ten children. namely: John, who is-now eighty-five years old; Charlotte, the mother of our subject : Dinah, Ephraim, Elizabeth, Sarah, Ed- ward, Martha, William and Harriet.
HUGH THOMAS MCCRACKEN.
The wave of immigration which carried in its current a large population from the southeastern states to what was then the new northwest, brought into Indiana, by way of Kentucky, hundreds of the families which contributed most effectually to the growth and development of the resources of this now flourishing commonwealth. Among these the McCracken family was prominent, and for two or three generations they have borne their share of the hard- ships and responsibilities which rest upon the shoulders of the sturdy frontiersmen.
James McCracken, grandfather of the subject of this article, was born in Ken- tucky, and, when arrived at maturity, he there married Sally Meek. Some years later they removed to this state and took up their permanent abode in Fugit township. being numbered among its earliest settlers. Entering land, the worthy man engaged in its cultivation until his death, which event occurred in September. 1857. His wife survived him a few years, dying in October. 1864. They were the parents of four sons
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and three daughters, namely: Thomas, Hugh, Adam R., John J., Betsy, Martha and Ann, of whom only one, Adam R., is now living, his home being near Greens- burg.
John McCracken, our subject's father, was a native of Kentucky, and, like his an- cestors, he followed agricultural pursuits as a means of livelihood. He owned and greatly improved the farm which now is in the possession of his son, Hugh T., and here he continued to dwell until death released him from the cares of life. His first wife was his cousin Sarah Ann, daughter of Hugh McCracken, and her death took place in 1869. To this marriage three sons and two daughters were born, namely: David. Hugh T., Martha Louise, Benjamin P., and Mary, who died when young. The second wife of John McCracken was Mary Spell- man, and four children blessed their union: Newton Jasper, John W., Gilbert G., and Myrtie Ann.
Born November 22, 1843, on the old home place, Hugh Thomas McCracken's first memories are of this place and vicinity, .and from his early years he has loved and been identified with the welfare of this com- munity. In choosing a life partner he was very judicious, and his marriage to Martha Ellen Kincade, daughter of John and Pris- cilla Kincade, old residents of this town- ship, has been a happy one. The ceremony which united their destinies was performed October 27, 1864. Four children were born to this estimable couple, named in or- der of birth: Cynthia Ann, Sarah Ellen. Mary E. and Wilma Ordie. The McCrack- en family are identified as members with the Spring . Hill Presbyterian church, and are- always counted upon to perform their
full share in all good works carried on in this vicinity. Like his grandfather and father, Mr. McCracken is a Democrat in politics. A
DAVID N. HAMILTON.
David Nelson Hamilton, an old and re- spected citizen of Greensburg, was born near Cynthiana, Harrison county, Ken- tucky, December 9, 1817. His parents were Joseph and Jane (Dills) Hamilton. The grandfather, Benjamin Hamilton, was a native of Ireland, but emigrated to this country before the Revolutionary war. He was a very large, powerfully built man, and by occupation was a weaver of linens, etc. He settled in Bourbon county, Kentucky, and there engaged in raising poultry and stock. In religion he was a Presbyterian. and in politics a Jackson Democrat. He married Miss Nancy Wallace, of Scotch de- scent, and their family consisted of four sons and three daughters. Grandfather Hamilton died in Ripley county, Indiana, at the good old age of eighty-two years.
The father of our subject was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, where he mar- ried and had a family of two daughters and four sons. His wife died in 1830, and he again married, his second wife being Polly Martin. In 1834 the family moved to Indi- ana, and located near Rising Sun. Mr. Hamilton had previously bought eighty acres of land in Clifty, in this county, and after two years removed to it, and there carried on farming and stock-raising until his death, in 1855, at the age of sixty-four years.
David Nelson Hamilton was in his eigh- teenth year when the family came to Deca-
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tur county, and three years later went to Ripley county, where his paternal grand- parents then resided, and for some time made his home with them. While there he attended school, and in 1837-8 taught school for nine months. after which he re- turned to his old home in Harrison county, Kentucky. From there he removed, on March 17. 1839, to Clifty, near Sandusky, where he bought of Elias Ferguson a lease of land owned by Jacob Sandusky, of Bour- bon county, Kentucky. This land com- prised twenty acres, of which three were devoted to rye and three to wheat. On this place he remained nearly four years, and then again took up school-teaching.
Some time later Mr. Hamilton visited his father, intending to go on to Missouri, but instead he used his earnings to purchase a farm in Adams township, Decatur coun- ty. He followed farming for many years, his last place comprising three hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Hamilton has always been an industrious and enterprising man, and deeply interested in educational mat- ters. It was owing mainly to his efforts that the building known as the White Oaks school-house was erected, and he taught the first school held in it. While on the farm he (lealt in stock to some extent, and often wintered over one hundred head of mules, one hundred hogs and a number of sheep and cattle.
In politics Mr. Hamilton was in his early days an old-time Whig, and readily en- dorsed the principles of the Republican party, which are along the same line. He voted for William Henry Harrison, and was solicited to become a representative for his district and also to serve as justice of tlie peace. He united with the Methodist
church in 1844, and lias always been active in church work, filling many of its offices and giving liberally of his time and money to its support. He has for many years been a member of the Masonic fraternity, join- ing that order at Adams.
Mr. Hamilton's first wife was Martha Ann Taylor, to whom he was married in Harrison county, Kentucky, March 17. 1839. She bore him five sons and five daughters, of whom all but two are living. The mother of these children died Decem- ber 23, 1863, and in 1864 Mr. Hamilton married Miss Julia Nichols, of Harrison county, Kentucky.
ELMER C. JERMAN.
This gentleman, who is closely identified with the educational interests of Decatur county, and who is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Greensburg, was born near Delaware, Ripley county, Indiana. June 26, 1869, and is the son of Dr. L. W. D. and S. L. (Lee) Jerman. His grand- father. William Jerman, was a native of Maryland, but removed to Ripley county in 1835, when he was quite young. He there spent the remainder of his life. being quite extensively engaged in farming. He died some time in the '6os, at the age of fifty years. He was an active member of the Baptist church, an upright man and useful citizen. His wife was Miss Sarah Rounds, of Maryland, and they reared a family of eleven children.
Dr. Jerman, the father of our subject. was born in Ripley county, Indiana. Octo- ber 15, 1837, and there resided until 1887. when he removed to Newpoint, Decatur
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county, where he now lives. He was edu- cated at Franklin College, at Franklin, In- diana, and for a few years taught school. Subsequently he began the study of medi- cine, and in 1878 was graduated from the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. Dr. Jerman is a man of fine attainments, skill- ful in his profession, and has always com- manded an extensive practice. He was married to Sarah L. Lee March 12, 1863, and five children were born to them: Ed- ward C., a medical electrician at Indianap- olis; Elmer C .; Myrtle M. and Stella E., residing with their parents; and one who died in infancy.
Elmer C. Jerman was educated at Frank- lin College, from which he was graduated, in the classical course, in 1892, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He subse- quently took a term in post-graduate work at the State Normal School, at Terre Haute, and also at Franklin College, re -. ceiving the degree of Master of Arts from the latter institution, in 1895. He taught one term of school in Ripley county before his graduation, and also in Franklin county in 1892-3. In the latter year he was elected principal of the public schools in St. Paul, Decatur county, which office he held until 1897, inclusive. He was then elected su- perintendent of schools for Decatur county, on the Republican ticket, and was re-elected in June, 1899, for a term of four years. He has been connected with the Decatur Coun- ty Summer Normal for the past two years, his special line being instruction in methods. In June, 1899, he was appointed on the board of directors of his alma mater, Frank- lin College. a deserved compliment to his standing as an educator.
Mr. Jerman has deeply at heart the im-
portance of raising the standard of scholar- ship for teachers, and his work in the school of methods is largely devoted to strength- ening their professional spirit. He is also trying to establish a uniform course of high- school work in the county. He is . pos- sessed of boundless energy and persever- ance, is progressive in his ideas, possessed of superior natural gifts, and is so deeply in love with his vocation that he cannot fail to accomplish his end, which is the ele- vation of the profession of a teacher and the consequent improvement in the meth- ods of imparting instruction.
Mr. Jerman, in spite of his busy life, finds time to belong to some of the fraternal or- ders, being a member of Newpoint Lodge, No. 255, F. & A. M., and St. Paul Lodge, No. 368, K. of P., in the latter of which he has been vice-chancellor. He is also a mem- ber of the Baptist church, and is always ready to do his part in all enterprises for the public good. He is a favorite in social circles, and commands the respect of all who know him.
WILLIAM A. ROBBINS.
William A. Robbins is of German lineage and is descended from good old Revolu- tionary stock. His great-grandfather was a native of Germany and crossing the At- lantic to America took up his residence in Pennsylvania, where his son William Rob- bins (the latter was the grandfather of our subject) for eight years loyally served in the war of the Revolution, thus aiding in the struggle which brought to America her independence. When hostilities had ceased he removed to Virginia, where his
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children were born, and at the early period of the development of Kentucky he re- moved with his family to that state. About 1825 he came to Indiana, where he joined his sons, who had entered an eighty-acre tract of land and improved a farm in Deca- tur county. He was a farmer, a gunsmith and blacksmith, and was a man of industry and enterprise. He died in 1835. his re- mains being interred in his adopted country. Reared in the faith of the Baptist church, he always adhered to that denomination, and in his political connections he was a Whig. His children were Nathaniel, Dosia, William, John, Marmaduke, Jacob, Polly and Lottie.
John Robbins, the father of our subject, was married in Kentucky to Miss Ruth Anderson, and then located on the farm where two children were born to them, Mary E. and William A. In 1821 he came to Indiana, where he entered land, and the following year he brought his little family to the farm upon which our subject now resides.' The place was then an unbroken tract upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. The forests abotinded in wild game and not only turkeys and deer were killed, but occasion- ally a bear was shot in the locality. Brook- ville was the nearest place where supplies could be obtained, and as there were no roads travel was by horseback through the unbroken country. The pioneer settlers endured many hardships and privations. but like others Mr. Robbins and his family met all difficulties courageously and partic- ipated largely in opening up this region to civilization. He was instrumental in secur- ing the establishment of the first church in this locality. Through his efforts a few
earnest Christian people of the Methodist faith met together and prayer-meetings were held in the home of Mr. Robbins. They were attended by Ruth Robbins, J. H. Kirkpatrick and his wife and N. Rob- bins, and soon afterward John Stewart joined them. Late in the summer of 1822 James Murray was on the Connersville cir- cuit, which extended into Ohio, and preached in the cabin of Calvin Hendricks. of Greensburg. There he met John Rob. bins, who desired him to make an appoint- ment to preach in his (Robbins') home. Mr. Murray made a conditional promise and not long afterward Mr. Robbins re- ceived a class paper made out in due form, which was sent from neighborhood to neighborhood until it reached Mr. Rob- bins, for there were no mails in those days. In that paper he was requested to open the doors of a church and receive such as would join him in conducting a class, and if he succeeded in forming a class to report to the conference. To this call A. L. and Nancy Anderson, Jacob Stewart, Elizabeth Garrison, Nathaniel Robbins, John Rob- bins and Ruth Robbins responded and thus was formed the first class of Methodists and the first religious organization of De- catur county. Mr. Robbins sent his report to Mr. Murray and the class reported to the conference, and in the fall of 1823 Aaron Wood was appointed to Connersville circuit and arranged to hold regular services at the home of Mr. Robbins. Now a good church and flourishing Sunday-school are conducted on the site where were held the first religious meetings in the county. Mr. Robbins never wavered in the prosecution of his work, and during his life his house was the home of the pioneer preachers who
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came to that locality to deliver the message of Christianity to the pioneer settlers.
He prosecuted his business with diligence and enterprise and thus became the owner of a good farm. He saw the country trans- formed from the wild region into one of prosperity, while Greensburg grew from a little hamlet to a thriving city. He was a broad-minded, intelligent man, possessed of many virtues, was charitable to the needy and kindly and obliging to his friends and neighbors. He commanded the respect - and confidence of all who knew him. In politics he was first a Whig and afterward a Republican. He married Miss Ruth An- derson, a daughter of William and Sarah Anderson, who removed from Virginia to Kentucky. the father dying in the latter state. In 1823 the mother came to Indiana, where her death occurred, in 1825. She had a family of six children, namely: Ruth, Sarah, Nellie. A. L., Wesley and James. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rob- bins were Mrs. Mary E. Palmer, of Greens- burg; William A .. and Mrs. Sarah B. Ban- field, all yet living.
William A. Robbins, whose name begins this sketch, was born in. Henry county. Kentucky, December 27, 1820, and during his early boyhood was brought to Decatur county, where amid the wild scenes of fron- tier life he was reared to manhood. After attaining his majority he purchased the old homestead of his father and throughout his business career he has carried on general farming and stock-raising, making a special- ty of the breeding of fine hogs. He is one of the leading swine dealers in this country and his fine stock have taken many premi- ums at different local and state fairs. His farming operations have been systematic-
ally conducted and as a result of his prac- tical and progressive methods he has ac- quired a handsome competence and is numbered among the substantial farmers of the neighborhood.
Mr. Robbins was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Gates, of Franklin county, Indiana. a daughter of a prominent and . highly respected pioneer family. She died in 1891. Her children are William, now a resident of Kokomo, Indiana; Charles F .. a prominent attorney of Indianapolis: and J. G., who died at the age of forty-five years. In politics Mr. Robbins was a Re- publican and was reared in the faith of the Methodist church, to which he has always adhered. His life has been an honorable and upright one and he is both widely and favorably known in his adopted county.
JOHN P. HITTLE.
The record of a successful life, and espe- cially that of a self-made man, is always interesting. not only to those of his imme- diate family but to the community in whose development he has been an important fac- tor. Decatur county can show many such histories, and among them is that of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. and who for many years was a valued citi- zen of Greensburg, where his widow still resides.
Mr. Hittle was born in Butler county. Ohio. December 15, 1812, and was the son of Solomon Hittle. His education was. limited to that which could be acquired in the common schools of those days, and when he started out for himself he learned the trade of carpenter. This, however, was not a congenial occupation, and his com-
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