USA > Indiana > Decatur County > A Genealogical and biographical record of Decatur County, Indiana : compendium of national biography > Part 40
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mercial instincts prompted him to become a merchant. Carefully saving his earnings until he had enough to purchase a limited amount of stock, he began storekeeping in a small way, at Camden, Ohio, being as- sociated with his brother, Squire Hittle, who afterward resided at Richmond, Indi- ana. In a few years Mr. Hittle removed to Richland, where he carried on merchan- dising until he came to Greensburg and opened a dry-goods store, to which he add. ed a clothing department.
Later, Mr. Hittle gave up his business and for four years lived retired, but at the end of that time, in partnership with his son, John T., he organized the firm of J. P. Hittle & Son. From this time until his death, November 30, 1889, he was not en- gaged in active business, although he was among the earlier promoters of the natural- gas industry in Decatur county, and in partnership with Hubert Eich put down, in 1888, three of the first wells ever sunk in the county.
Mr. Hittle was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Sefton, a resident of Decatur county, their marriage taking place on May 4, 1848. Three children were born of this union, of whom one died in infancy. Those living are Amelia, wife of J. H. Gal- łup, who for many years was a jeweler in Greensburg and now follows the same busi- ness in Denver, Colorado; and Ella, the wife of J. H. Christian, a prosperous mer; chant of Greensburg. The mother of these children died September 12, 1856, and on February 2, 1858, Mr. Hittle was united in marriage with Cynthia Jamison, who sur- vives him.
By his untiring energy and perseverance, combined with excellent judgment and a
system of fair dealing, Mr. Hittle became one of the leading merchants of Greens- burg and accumulated a handsome fortune. He was quiet and unassuming in his person- ality, a man of few words, but of an un- doubted integrity of character which won him many friends, not only in the business world but also in social circles. He was an ardent advocate of the principles of the Republican party and took a deep interest in its success, but was never an aspirant for office. He was a member of the Presby- terian church at Greensburg and was al- ways ready to assist in all its enterprises, and in every relation in life his record is that of a Christian gentleman.
Mrs. Hittle, who was born in Greens- burg, Indiana, January 15, 1835, is the daughter of Martin and Margaret (Free- man) Jamison, early pioneers of Decatur county. They were both natives of Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, the former born in 1806 and the latter in 1812. When they first settled in Greensburg there was but little prospect that it would ever become a city. What is now the public square was a wilderness of stumps, and all the country about the place was in its primitive condi- tion. They lived to see many improve- ments and took their share in the develop- ment of the town. Mr. Jamison was a man of fine natural ability and had a good edu- cation. He was an able lawyer, was prom- inent in political affairs, and represented Decatur county in the legislative sessions of 1839-40-41-42. He was a stanch Whig and an admirer and supporter of Henry Clay. Before he. began the practice of law Mr. Jamison followed merchandising for a time, bringing his goods from New York and Philadelphia by stage, and sending back
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produce to pay for the same. After he took up the profession of law he rode over most of the country on horseback to make col- lections, a custom then in vogue among the attorneys of the "far west." Such facts as these show more forcibly than anything else the immense strides which have been made in these states which now, instead of being on the frontier of civilization, are far eastward of the center of this great repub- lic. . Mr. James Freeman, whose daughter married Mr. Jamison, came to Decatur county about the same time as his future son-in-law, and was for many years a suc- cessful merchant of Greensburg. Mr. Jam- ison died in 1842 and his wife in 1849.
Mrs. Hittle since the death of her hus- band has remained in her pleasant home at Greensburg, where her circle of friends is extensive. Here she finds ample em- ployment for her talents and for the abun- dant means with which she is blest, in min- istering to those in need and in aiding those efforts which have for their object the wel- fare of the community. She has recently suffered a severe affliction, in the death of her only child, John T. Hittle, who departed this life March 6, 1898, at the age of thirty- two years. He was one of the most suc- cessful young business men of Greensburg and gave promise of a long career of useful- ness.
JAMES G. ROBBINS.
The name of Robbins has long been prominent in the history of Decatur coun- ty, Indiana. and of the citizens of the pres- ent generation bearing the name none is more widely or more favorably known than James G. Robbins, of Horace, a leading
farmer and senior member of the firm of J. G. Robbins & Sons.
James G. Robbins was born in Decatur county, June 10, 1829, a son of William and Eleanor (Anderson) Robbins and is a brother of the late John E. Robbins, one of the most prominent men in this part of the state. William Robbins was born in Vir- ginia, August 6, 1797, Eleanor Anderson in the same state July 5, 1797, she having been about one month older than he. Mr. Rob- bins's grandfather, William Robbins, an Englishman, settled early in Pennsylvania and fought for the cause of the colonies all through the Revolutionary war. He went to Virginia after the war, and there his chil- dren were born. His wife was Mrs. Bethiah Robbins, and she was a widow of William Robbins when he married her, with two sons, named Abel and Benjamin, who were brought up by their stepfather. Abel lived out his days in Kentucky and Benjamin re- moved to Tennessee and died there. By William Robbins, her second husband (both husbands having the same name), she had children named as follows: Elizabeth (Mrs. Jesse Watkins), Jacob and Marmaduke (twins), Mary (Mrs. J. H. Kirkpatrick), Nathaniel, John and William (younger sons), Charlotte (Mrs. A. L. Anderson), Dosia (Mrs. J. Herron). The family re- moved to Kentucky and came from there to Indiana in due course of events. John was first to come, in 1821, and Nathaniel and Marmaduke came in 1822. The others came afterward. William Robbins, Sr., and his wife came in 1828. He died Sep- tember 11, 1834, his widow December 8, 1850. When his father went from Virginia to Kentucky William Robbins, father of James G. Robbins, was six years old. He
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took up land in Indiana in 1821 and first made his home on it in 1823. He had a team, a wagon and some stock, besides a little portable personal property, but his little cash capital was borrowed. For con- siderable distances he had to cut his way through the woods to his new home and some of the streams he had to cross were serious obstacles to his progress. But he was a young man of pluck and persever- ance, and he finally arrived safely at his des- tination and established a camp which he utilized as well as he could until he was able to build a small log house, at first scarcely more than a shelter. He soon had comfortable improvements and a good patch of land under cultivation and the new farm in the Indiana woods was made self- sustaining. He raised wool and flax and his wife spun and wove and colored the ma- terial and did the family's primitive tailor- ing. He farmed successfully and bought land to such an extent that he gave each of his children at marriage an eighty-acre farm, retaining another of one hundred and twenty acres for the one who should give him and his wife a home in their old age. He was a Whig and an abolitionist. an hon- est man who hated a lie and was very severe upon all sham and pretense, eminently a friendly man of fine social qualities. He died February 3, 1865.
Eleanor Anderson, who became his wife. was a daughter of James Anderson, who re- moved from Virginia to Kentucky in the old, interesting pioneer days. Journeying by flat-boat down the Ohio river to Henry county, Kentucky, some distance below Cincinnati, he set up there as a farmer and remained until the end of his life. He had children as follows: Wesley, James, Ruth
(Mrs. John Robbins), Eleanor (Mrs. Wil- liam Robbins), Nancy (Mrs. W. White), Isaac and Sarah; and all of these except the last two removed to Indiana. William and Eleanor (Anderson) Robbins had children named as follows in the order of their na- tivity: Sarelda R. (Mrs. W. Stires), John E. (who became prominent in Indiana), Will- iam M. (who died young), James G. (the immediate subject of this sketch), and Mer- ritt H. (who is dead).
James G. Robbins was educated in the common schools and by hard work gained a practical knowledge of agriculture. He re- mained under the parental roof until he was twenty-five years old assisting in the farm operations of the homestead until he be- came of age, when he and his brother Mer- ritt (now dead) rented the place and man- aged it on their own account. In 1853 he married Miss Elmira H. Stout and made a home on land which he bought for that pur- pose. A few years later he went back to his father's homestead, at his parents' re- quest, to afford them the care they required in their old age, and later inherited the place, which he subsequently gave to one of his own sons. He early gave intelligent attention to general farming and to the handling of stock, in which he was so suc- cessful that he gradually acquired a large amount of land. He has given to each of his children a good-sized farm and retains a fine home for himself. In 1876 he began breeding · thoroughbred shorthorn cattle. purchasing stock in Kentucky for that pur- pose. He has made purchases since. al- ways of first-class stock, and now owns the finest herd of cattle in eastern Indiana. He has made exhibits at various fairs and has always proven a formidable competitor. He
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has sold calves in about every state and ter- ritory in the United States and is known throughout the entire country as one of America's leading stockmen. He is an honorable, enterprising, successful and pub- lic-spirited man, independent in his views, and influential as an earnest Republican who has never sought and would not accept any public office.
Miss Elmira H. Stout, the lady who be- came Mrs. James G. Robbins, was a daugh- ter of Rev. Joab and Amanda (Raridan) Stout, and was born in Franklin county, Indiana, September 28, 1834. Her par- ents were early settlers in Franklin county, and her father passed the active years of his life in the ministry of the Baptist church. The family removed from Franklin county to Decatur county in 1851 and Mr. Stout bought a farm upon which there were some improvements and upon which he made more and which he traded later for another, which he sold to Mr. Robbins when he re- tired from active life to make his home with his son at Letts Corners. He died in 1887, having reared a large and estimable family. He was twice married. By his first wife his children were: Milton and Jonathan, both of whom died young; Rhoda E. (Mrs. J. M. Brown); Elmira H. (Mrs. James G. Rob- bins); and Mary E. (Mrs. William Murphy, later Mrs. M. Howard). By his second marriage he had children as follows: Joab H., a farmer; Sarah E. (Mrs. J. E. Tanner); John W., of Greensburg, Indiana; Isaac M., who was a soldier in the cause of the Union in the civil war and died unmarried soon after his return home: Rachel J. (Mrs. A. G. Taylor); Helen (Mrs. Thomas Eu- banks); Frances R. (Mrs. J. Templeton); and Clarissa, who died young.
James G. and Elmira H. (Stout) Robbins have children as follows: William S .. a farmer and stockman and a representative of the Breeders' Gazette; John E., a ment- ber of the firm of J. G. Robbins & Sons; and Elmira F., wife of the Rev. J. F. Huckleberry, of the Missionary Baptist church. With this religious denomination all of Mr. Robbins's family are identified.
BENJAMIN S. WHITE, M. D.
Dr. Benjamin Smith White, a successful and highly respected physician of Greens- burg, the son of Frank S. and Rebecca A. (Reilly) White, was born in Decatur coun- ty, Indiana, January 18, 1855. His pater- nal grandfather, Conyard White, was of English descent, and came west from Vir- ginia, settling near Newport, Kentucky. His early life was spent in farming, but he later engaged in hotel-keeping in Alexan- dria, Campbell county, Kentucky, where he died. His wife was Sarah Spillman, and their family consisted of five sons and four daughters.
Smith Reilly, the maternal grandfather of our subject. spent his early life in Camp- bell county, Kentucky, and about sixty- three years ago, at the age of forty years. he settled in Decatur county. He followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and was a prominent figure in local affairs. He was a Democrat, and for one term was county commissioner, and later was a candidate . for state senator. He was a leading mem- ber of the Baptist church, filling varions offices at different times in that organiza- tion. His home was five miles south of Greensburg, where he owned a large farm.
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He died in December, 1871, when nearly seventy-five years of age. Mr. Reilly mar- ried Lettice Spillman, a native of Ken- tucky, and nine children were born to them-four sons and five daughters. All of the sons adopted the medical profession, and of these W. F. is deceased; J. H. S. is a resident of Decatur county; and O. S., of Red Oak, Iowa. Dr. W. F. Reilly was state senator, a politician of note, and had the largest practice of any physician in the county. He died in 1860.
Frank S. White, the father of our subject, was born in 1812, on his father's farm, near Alexandria, Kentucky, where he followed his trade, that of carpenter. He was a strong Democrat and took an intelligent in- terest in party affairs, was a great reader, well posted on the issues of the day, and held to his opinions with firmness. He was an active worker in the Baptist church from his boyhood, and filled many positions of honor therein. He was twice married, his first wife being Rebecca A. Reilly, who died in September, 1858. Two children were born to them: Sarah L., who died in childhood, and Benjamin S. Mr. White's second wife was Mrs. Jane Smith, of Ken- tucky, who died in 1894. His death oc- curred in Decatur county, Indiana, in 1887.
Dr. Benjamin S. White was educated in the common schools of Decatur county, and took up the study of medicine under the instruction of his uncles, W. F. and J. H. S. Reilly, then of Sardinia. At the age of twenty-three he entered the College of Physicians & Surgeons, at Keokuk, Iowa, at which he graduated in 1881. He then located in Sardinia, where he practiced for three years, after which he removed to Letts Corner, remaining there nearly four
years. In 1899 the Doctor came to Greens. burg, where he is now practicing his pro- fession. In 1898 he took a post-graduate course in the Chicago Clinical School. He was United States pension examiner dur- ing the last administration of President Cleveland. · Dr. White is an active member of the. Centenary Methodist Episcopal church at Greensburg, and belongs to Letts Corner Lodge, No. 357, K. of P., and was keeper of record and seal for three years.
Dr. White was married October 1, 1884. to Ina D., daughter of John and Elisia Watkins, who were natives of Kentucky. Dr. White is a genial gentleman and worthy of the high esteem in which he is held.
MATTHEW E. PORTER.
The subject of this notice is of the blood of Virginia and Kentucky which has given to Indiana one of the most virile and valu- able elements of its population, and in one line descended from an ancestor who, as an American colonist, risked his life in defense of the crown, in Indian warfare, and later imperiled it again for American freedom in the struggle for the independence of the colonies from British authority. In his own life he has shown himself possessed of all those characteristics which go to consti- tute the industrious, high-minded and pro- gressive citizen.
Matthew E. Porter is a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Elder) Porter and was born July 5, 1836, on the Porter homestead, in . Decatur county, near where he now lives. His father was a son of David Porter, of Virginia, and came early to Dearborn county, Indiana. He saw much warfare in
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his time, having served under the king five years in campaigns against Indians and five years in the patriot army during the strug- gle of our forefathers for American inde- pendence. He was an old man when he came to Dearborn county, but he went about the work of a pioneer with all the vigor and hopefulness of youth and cleared and improved a good farm. His wife, who survived him for several years, lived with her son Alexander until she died. Their children were David, John, James, Alexan- der, and Mary, who became Mrs. Evans. All of them are deceased.
Alexander was the first white child born in Dearborn county, where he remained un- til, at twenty-three, he removed to Decatur county, and leased school land, though later he entered government land, on which he settled and which he improved and left to his son, the immediate subject of this sketch. He experienced all the hardships of pioneer life and showed his public spirit by assisting every movement tending to the development of the county and the pros- perity of its people. He did not marry un- til he was thirty-six. His wife was a daugh- ter of Rev. Matthew Elder, a native of Vir- ginia, who settled in Kentucky and later (in 1824) in Decatur county, Indiana, where he took up public land and made it a good and productive farm. He was a minister of the Baptist church and as such organized the first church in Decatur county, within the boundaries of which he preached for sixty- eight years. He was one of the leaders in his denomination in eastern Indiana and the good which resulted from his long service as a preacher and as an evangelist can never be estimated. As a citizen he demonstrated that he possessed every commendable char-
acteristic and principle and he won the con- fidence of his fellow citizens in a remarka- ble degree. Politically he was a Democrat. He died July 7, 1865, aged seventy-nine. and his wife died October 12, 1859, aged sixty-eight. Their children were Mary (Mrs. William Goodwin), Elizabeth (Mrs. Alexander Porter), Jane (Mrs. S. Porter), Martha (Mrs. E. Goodwin), Rebecca (Mrs. William McCormick), Andrew (dead) and Asenath (who married Peter Martin and is the only one of her father's children living). To Alexander and Elizabeth (Elder) Porter were born two children,-Matthew E., and Asenath, who died when three years old.
Matthew E. Porter remained at his par- ental home until after the death of both his parents. His father died September 9, 1891, aged ninety-two, and his mother died October 22, 1893, aged eighty years. In 1857 he married and settled on his father's old homestead. In 1892 he bought a farm adjoining that place and built upon it a large and elegant house in which he has since lived, and a fine barn, besides remodel- ing most of the other buildings. He now owns two hundred and sixty-five acres. He has given his attention to general farming and to raising, feeding and dealing in stock. A Democrat in politics, he has never aspired to political life, but is not without influence in the councils of his party. He was one of the organizers and has for five years been secretary of the Farmers' Insurance Con- pany, a local concern of high standing which does a large and safe home business on ag. ricultural risks only.
Mr. Porter married Miss Rebecca Mc- Kinney, a native of Orange county, Indiana, born February 20, 1836, a daughter of John and Martha (Van Cleave) Mckinney, na-
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tives of Kentucky and early settlers in Indi- ana, where Mr. Mckinney achieved success as a farmer and where they both lived out their days. They were devout and active members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Mckinney was an earnest Republican, though he never aspired to political prefer- ment. Their children were James (a farm- er), Sarah J. (Mrs. J. Porter), William R. (dead), Margaret (unmarried), Elizabeth (Mrs. William Goddard), Rebecca (Mrs. Matthew E. Porter), Emily (Mrs. John Puls) and Martha (who died young). To Matthew and Rebecca (Mckinney) Porter have been born children named as follows: Alexander, who is the proprietor of a plan- ing-mill and lumber-yard at Greensburg, Indiana; John, who died in 1893, aged twenty-nine years; William, who is a part- ner with Alexander; Martha, who married J. McConnell; Elizabeth, who died at the age, of eleven years; James, who lives at Greensburg, Indiana; and Andrew, Barton and Edward, who are members of their father's household. It is somewhat re- markable that these children were all born in the house in which their father was born and rocked in the same cradle in which he was rocked when an infant. Mr. Porter is a Baptist and Mrs. Porter is a Presbyterian.
CRETH J. LOYD.
Creth J. Loyd, one of the enterprising young business men of Greensburg, was born in that city December 4, 1872. He attended school in his native place until about thirteen years old, and from that time until 1893 was associated with his father in the poultry business. In that year the lat- ter sold a one-half interest to Charles
Zoller, Jr., and the firm was known as Loyd & Zoller. This partnership contin- ued until Creth J. purchased the interest of Mr. Zoller, his father having retired from the business. He carried on the establishment alone until 1898, when he took a partner, William Brune, and the firm became C. J. Loyd & Company.
The business of this company consists principally in the shipment of poultry to New York, Boston and Philadelphia, but they incidentally handle butter and eggs. They employ from twenty-five to thirty men during the winter season, and own fourteen huckster wagons, which go through the country and gather up the produce in which they deal. Their business amounts to about one hundred thousand dollars annually. Mr. Loyd is an expert in his line, being thoroughly posted in every- thing pertaining to it. Such extensive dealers as John Corell and George Brown, of New York city, and Frank Littlefield. of Boston, confer with him in regard to future crops of turkeys, ducks and chickens and their probable prices.
Mr. Loyd has an enviable reputation as a business man of strict integrity and fair dealing, and with his push and unlimited perseverance and industry is bound to suc- ceed in life. He is a Republican in politics. and takes an interest in local affairs, though he is too busy to care for holding office. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. With A. Goyert, he is joint manager of the Grand opera-house at Greensburg.
Mr. Loyd was united in marriage, No. vember 14, 1894, to Miss Wilhelmina Brune, of Greensburg, and two children have been born to them, Lilian, deceased, and Frank L.
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The parents of our subject were Joseph H. and Margaret E. (Mowrer) Loyd. The former was born in Decatur county, Indi- anà, near Greensburg, December 25, 1841, a son of Creth J. and Phoebe Ann (English) Loyd. His grandfather, William Loyd, came from Kentucky to Decatur county in . 1820 and settled southeast of Greensburg, on a tract of gov- ernment land. He eventually became a large land-owner and accumulated a hand- some fortune. He was a member of the Baptist church, and prominent in his com- munity. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Polter, who bore him six children, five sons and one daughter. He was a second time married.
The father of Joseph H. Loyd was born May 29, 1817, in Kentucky, and was only three years old when his father's family re- moved to Decatur county, Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a plasterer by trade, but spent most of his time in farming. In the latter part of his life he became a dealer in poultry, shipping largely to New York and other eastern markets, and did an extensive business. His death took place in January, 1885. Mr. Loyd was an ardent Republican and took a great interest in local politics, but never ran for office. He was brought up in the Baptist faith, but afterward united with the Methodist church. He was three times married, his first wife being Phoebe Ann English, who became the mother of two sons and four daughters, all of whom are deceased except Joseph H., and Mrs. Re- becca E. Straight. of Denver, Colorado. The wife and mother died in 1856. and Mr. Loyd then married Nancy Walker. Three children were born of this union, of whom
Mrs. Della Dille is the only survivor. His third wife was Mary English.
Joseph H. Loyd was a lad of ten years when his father settled at Greensburg, and he has always made his home in that city. He learned the trade of a plasterer and fol- lowed it for several years. In 1885 he suc- ceeded his father in the poultry business, continuing in the same until 1893, when he in turn handed over the business to his son. In 1897 he was appointed street commis- sioner, and is now (1899) holding that of- fice. He was for ten years a member of the city council, representing the first ward, and is prominent in the Republican party of his county. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Greens- burg. Socially Mr. Loyd is a member of Greensburg Lodge, No. 103, I. O. O. F., and of the G. A. R.
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