USA > Indiana > Decatur County > A Genealogical and biographical record of Decatur County, Indiana : compendium of national biography > Part 41
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Mr. Loyd was married in 1861, to Mar- garet E. Mowrer, who was born in Cincin- nati, Ohio. Her parents were Philip and Sarah Mowrer, who were natives of Penn- sylvania and Maryland respectively. They came to Indiana in 1833, and settled in Salt Creek township, Decatur county, where they lived until 1861, then removing to Greensburg, where the mother died Janu- ary, 1891, and the father March 14, 1896. The latter was a Republican, and served two terms, from 1861 to 1864, as sheriff of De- catur county, and was assessor of Salt Creek township for four years and of Washington township for eight years. He was a promi- nent member of the First Methodist Epis- copal church at Greensburg, in which he was class-leader for a number of years. For fifty years Mr. Mowrer was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, hav- ing filled all the chairs in the latter order;
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was a Royal Arch Mason, and belonged to other organizations. He held a high rank in the esteem of his fellow citizens, and was a man of fine character.
AUGUST GOYERT.
August Goyert, a well known citizen of Greensburg and an extensive dealer in poul- try, butter and eggs, was born at Batesville, Ripley county, Indiana, July 28, 1864. He is the son of John H. and Lena (Sitterding) Goyert, natives of Germany, the former be- ing born in the province of Hanover, near the city of Hamburg, and the latter at Os- nabruck.
The father of Mr. Goyert came to the United States when a lad of fifteen and for a number of years made his home at New Orleans, where he was employed on various steamboats. He afterward settled at Al- ton, Illinois, and was living there when the first railroad through that city was built. From Alton he went to St. Louis and was for several years engaged in the confection- ery business. His next location was in Cincinnati, where he bought and sold horses. In 1864 he removed to Batesville. Ripley county. Indiana, where he purchased land and also engaged in general merchan- dising. In 1891 he retired from active business and will spend the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his industry and good management. He is a leading member of the Lutheran church and is liberal in the support of its work. Seven children were born to this worthy couple, six sons and one daughter.
August Goyert spent his younger days in Batesville and Cincinnati, and completed i
his education at Nelson's Business College. in the latter city, from which he was gradu- ated in 1884. During his summer vaca- tions he was employed in a produce com- mission house in Cincinnati. In 1884 he started at Batesville a grocery and meat market, which he carried on for three years. and at the same time operated the Willow Springs Creamery. In 1887 he took charge of the Langtry Valley Flouring Mills. which he ran until 1890, when he started the Batesville Candy Company, owning a nice little plant. In 1893 he embarked in the produce business, under the firm name of Goyert & Vogel, continuing thus for four years, when he bought out his partner and has since conducted the business alone. He deals entirely in poultry, butter and eggs, employing a number of people in the store and on the road. He ships to Boston and New York, sending from one to two car- loads a week and doing an annual business of from seventy-five thousand to one hun- dred thousand dollars.
Mr. Goyert was a member of the city council for two terms in Batesville. He is a member of Lodge No. 255, K. of P., and Greensburg Lodge. No. 475. B. P. O. E. In connection with C. J. Loyd, he is man- ager of the Grand opera-house. Mr. Goy- ert is an energetic, live business man. and popular with all who know him. He was married May 2, 1885. to Miss Louise Bind- er, of Batesville. Indiana, and they have three children living.
JAMES M. WOODFILL.
For more than a half century James M. Woodfill has been a resident of Greensburg. connected with its commercial, educational,
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political and social advancement. He is distinctively American in thought and feel- ing, and has aided in developing at this place a typical American city, whose prog- ress and enterprise are worthy of the spirit of the west. For many years he was a prominent factor in the business life of the place, and when his consecutive and well directed labors had brought to him a hand- some competence he retired to private life, and is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil.
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Mr. Woodfill was born in Greensburg, August 31, 1841, his parents being Gabriel and Elizabeth (Van Pelt) Woodfill. The history of the ancestry of the family appears in connection with that of W. S. Woodfill on another page of this work. Under the parental roof -James M. Woodfill passed his boyhood days, his time being occupied with various minor duties, with the work of the school-room and with the amusements which delighted the boys of that period. From an early age he was employed in his father's large general store and there be- came familiar with business methods, gain- ing a good practical experience which well fitted him for his own successful career as a merchant in later life. On the Ist of Janu- ary, 1863. his father retired and was suc- ceeded by his three sons, John, William and James, under the firm name of Woodfill - Brothers. Our subject was then connected with the business until January 1, 1883. when he sold his interest. He had been an active factor in securing the success which attended the enterprise, for he is a man of keen discrimination, of sound judgment and of indefatigable energy.
For six years Mr. Woodfill was connected with no active business interests, but in
1889 he again entered the field of merchan- dising, as a dealer in clothing and men's furnishing goods. Prosperity attended the new undertaking, and a liberal patronage was soon secured. Mr. Woodfill remained at the head of the business until 1897, when he retired, being succeeded by his sons, William C., Charles M. and James V., un- der the firm style of J. M. Woodfill's Sons. They are now conducting a first-class cloth- ing establishment and have a large trade, extending over a wide section of the county. They are very fair and reliable in all their dealings and are courteous and progressive business men, who well deserve the success which is attending their efforts. They occupy spacious and well appointed rooms on the south side of the public square, and the firm are ranked among the leading business representatives of the city.
Mr. . Woodfill exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, of which he is a stalwart advocate. He does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the suc- cess of his party, nor has he sought official preferment as a reward for his services. He belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal church, and is a member of its official board. He has labored earnestly in behalf of the church, and his work has proved most beneficial. Socially he is a valued repre- sentative of Greensburg Lodge, I. O. O. F.
April 6, 1869, Mr. Woodfill was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Cones, a daugh- ter of Robert Cones, of Greensburg, and to them have been born four sons: William C .. who married Elizabeth Donnell and is the senior partner of the firm of J. M. Woodfill's Sons; Charles M., who married Pearl Kitchin, and is a member of the firm;
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James V., who is a partner in the enterprise, and Robert, a student in the high school. The family is one of prominence in the .community, and its representatives enjoy the hospitality of the best homes in Greens- burg. James M. Woodfill is a public-spirit- ed and progressive citizen, deeply interested in the welfare and improvement of his na- tive town, county and state, withholding his support from no movement which he be- lieves will prove of public good. He earned for himself an enviable reputation as a care- ful man of business, and was always known · for his prompt and honorable methods of dealing, which won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellow men. He is pleasant and agreeable in manner, is popular with all whom he has met, and has the happy faculty of inspiring strong friend- ships.
MARSHALL GROVER.
Marshall Grover, a member of the firm of Grover & Bonner, of Greensburg, is one of the most popular and enterprising mer- chants of this flourishing town. About half a century has rolled away since he en- tered upon his successful business career here, and everyone with whom he has had dealings during this long period speaks of him in the highest terms.
A son of Ira and Elizabeth (Glanton) Grover, our subject, was born in Union county, Indiana, in September, 1830. His parents were among the early settlers of southeastern Indiana, and each lived to at- tain the age of over four-score years. When he was eight years old Marshall Grover removed with the family to Greens- burg, which he has since looked upon as his
home. Such education as he acquired was obtained in the common schools of his boy- hood, which, as everybody knows, were of a very poor character. . A keen power of ob- servation and the benefits of private read- ing and the experience which comes with advancing years, however, rendered him well qualified to meet the battles of life.
In 1847 Mr. Grover accepted a position as a clerk in a dry-goods store in this place, and in 1856, having proved his ability, he was taken into the firm on a partnership basis. He continued to devote his whole attention to his chosen work until the war of the Rebellion came on. Entering the volunteer army, he was made paymaster's clerk, and so efficiently served that he was appointed paymaster, by President Lincoln, in 1863. He continued to serve at various stations and in the field until 1866, when he was honorably mustered out, with the bre- vet rank of lieutenant-colonel. Then, after a period, during which he was interested in the hardware business in this town, he was appointed, in 1871. to a position in the United States internal-revenue service.
Since 1872 Mr. Grover has conducted a retail drug store in Greensburg, special lines of books, wall-paper, paint, oil, window- glass and similar articles also being kept in excellent variety. His store is centrally located, is modern in style and fitting, and is tastefully decorated. A large and re- munerative patronage is enjoyed by the partners, who spare neither pains nor ex- pense in their desire to please their custom- ers. Mr. Grover is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and always has taken an active part in public affairs.
In June, 1871, Mr. Grover was united in marriage to Miss Anna Cook, then a resi-
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dent of this place, but formerly of New Jer- sey. Two children were born to them. but both have entered the silent land. Mr. and Mrs. Grover have a handsome residence, situated in the midst of beautiful, well kept grounds, at the corner of East street and Central avenue. The house, which is of modern architecture, is constructed of brick, and is two stories in height.
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Hon. Ira G. Grover, youngest brother of our subject, was born December 26, 1832, in Brownsville, Union county, and from 1838 until his death, in 1876, his home was almost continuously in Greensburg. From his youth up it was seen that he possessed unusual ability and talents, and in the sum- mer of 1856 he was graduated in Asbury University, at Greencastle, Indiana, with the highest honors of his class. Returning home, he became interested in teaching. and for a few years divided his attention be- tween that calling and the study of law. In 1860 he was the Republican nominee for the lower house of the state legislature. and .was elected by a large majority. He served in both the regular session of the following winter and in the special session called at the breaking out of the civil war. in the spring of 1861. When the Seventh Indi- ana Infantry responded to the three-months call for volunteers, Mr. Grover was elected first lieutenant of Company B. and when the regiment was ordered to the front, in May, he resigned his seat in the legislature. and for four years was found faithfully follow- ing the fortunes of his command. In 1866 he was the Republican nominee (against hopeless odds) for congress, but he was elected clerk of the Decatur circuit court in 1867 and re-elected in 1871 .. Soon after his second election his health began to fail,
for the wounds, exposure and ill treatment which he had received while a prisoner in the hands of the enemy, had gradually un- dermined his strength. All that the tender care of friends could do was in vain, and his life came to a quiet and peaceful close. He had married Kate, daughter of Hiram Wall- ingford, December 26, 1871, and she sur- vived him only a few months.'
EDGAR N. MENDENHALL.
Prominent among the educators of Indi- ana is Professor Edgar Mendenhall, who is principal of the high school in Greensburg. The importance of the different professions has been variously estimated, but all agree that that of the teacher ranks first among those to which men have directed their en- ergies. Not only must his own knowledge be extensive and exact, but he must have the power of imparting readily and clearly to others that which he has acquired, mak- ing his themes both interesting and instruc- tive. Upon the proper mental development in youth often depends the success of life. The ability of mental concentration, of keen discernment and close application then gained are important factors in the work-a- day world and, whether in commercial, in- dustrial or professional life, are indispensa- ble concomitants to a successful career. With a just appreciation and realization of the importance of the labors of the edu- cator, Professor Mendenhall has carefully prepared himself for his chosen life-work and to-day occupies a leading position among the educators of this section of Indi- ana.
Edgar Nelson Mendenhall is one of the
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native sons of the Hoosier state, his birth having occurred near Greensburg, on the Ioth of September, 1872. His preliminary education was acquired in the public schools near his home, and later he pursued a course in the Franklin high school, in which institution he was graduated in 1890, when eighteen years of age. Later he con- tinued his studies in Franklin College, in the State University, at Bloomington, Indi- ana, and then within the classic walls of old Harvard. He began his career as a teacher in 1890, upon his graduation from the high school, and since that time has followed his chosen vocation through the winter months, spending the summer season in studying either at home or in some of the institutions of learning mentioned. He is a man of broad and scholarly attainments, and his mental acquirements give him pres- tige in educational circles.
After teaching for three years in the dis- trict schools he spent two years as principal at Letts Corner, this country, and in 1895 came to Greensburg as assistant professor in the high school. In 1897, when Profes- sor Shannon, city superintendent of schools, died, Professor Roberts, principal of the high school, was promoted to that position and Professor Mendenhall was appointed to the place which he now occupies. He makes a specialty of English and history and is the possessor of one of the best gen- eral libraries of the state. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity, and in his religious belief is Presby- terian. He is an entertaining conversa- tionalist and a gentleman of pleasing man- ners and courteous deportment. and is very popular, occupying a leading position in so- cial circles where true worth and intelli-
gence are received as a passport into good society. He is a man of high intellectuality and imbued with fine sensibilities and clear- ly defined principles. Honor and integrity are synonymous with his name. He enjoys the respect and esteem and confidence of all who know him, and the future undoubtedly holds in store for him still higher honors.
JOHN M. REDINGTON.
This has been often referred to as "the age of self-made men." All ages have presented opportunities to men who have had the ability to do something for others and make something of themselves; and doing something useful for others has al- ways been the surest way to personal suc- cess. The men who make themselves are, individually and in the aggregate, the builders up of enterprises which have ad- vanced the interests of the whole people, and every man who does something for himself is more of a factor in the general prosperity than he ever dreams. Indiana and Decatur county have had their self- made men in every decade since their his- tory began, and at this time there is not a more worthy representative of the class in the county than the man whose name is above.
John M. Redington, assessor of Washing- ton township, Decatur county, Indiana, and one of the representative farmers of that county, was born at Greensburg, this coun- ty, September 8, 1854, a son of Alonzo and Catherine Doles Redington. His father was a native of Jefferson county, Indiana. and his mother was born in Decatur county. Alonzo Redington's father was John Red-
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· ington, who came to Indiana from New England at an early day and died there aged ninety-eight, after having lived the life of a plain, honest farmer, a man always ready to render unto any man his due and never seeking undue advantage in any deal, however trivial or however important. His children were named as follows, in the order of their birth: John, who is living in the west; Jacob (dead), Frank (dead), Alonzo, father of the subject of this sketch (who is a resident of Washington township), Dan- , iel (dead), Jane (Mrs. P. Hart), Hattie (Mrs. J. Pemberton), Mary (Mrs. H. Ro- zelle) and Elizabeth (Mrs. M. Perry).
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Alonzo Redington, father of John M. Redington, was born in 1818 and grew to manhood in Jefferson county, Indiana, and there he received his education in the pub- lic schools. He came, while yet a young man, to Decatur county and worked at the stone-mason's trade, and later located on a farm. His first wife (Catherine, nee Doles) died in 1866, and for a time his family was broken up. He married his second wife in 1871. She died and he has since married again and his third wife is dead. He worked at his trade until too old to follow it longer and now has a home with a daugh- ter. He is a consistent member of the Bap- tist church and his influence has always been on the side of patriotism, morality and justice. Some interesting facts concerning his children follow: His daughter Sarah. his eldest child, married S. Graham. Henry. his oldest son, served in the cause of the Union in our civil war and lost an arm in battle. After he returned home he ac- quired a good education, his preparation for business life having been interrupted by his enlistment; and later he was elected to
the office of sheriff of Decatur county, but died before the beginning of the term of service for which he was chosen, leaving a widow and two children. Mary, deceased. was Mrs. W. Boyce. Marinda died unmar- ried. Melissa is Mrs. W. H. Perry. John M. is the immediate subject of this sketch. Isaac is achieving success as a farmer. Anna married J. W. Doles. Ellen is Mrs. Will- iam Springer, and her home claims the aged father of this very respectable family as one of its most cherished inmates.
Catherine (Doles) Redington, mother of John M. Redington, died when he was only twelve years old, and the boy was, through stress of circumstances, cast upon the world to look out for himself. Even at this ten- der age he was not found wanting in manly self-reliance. He found employment with a nurseryman for three years and from the time he was fifteen until he attained his ma- jority worked on a farm. His services had not been so well paid that he possessed any capital worth mentioning, but he managed to possess himself of a team and now began the struggle of life independently at team- ing and farming. For ten years he was thus employed. Then he engaged in the manufacture of tile, a business which he continued for fourteen years. He made money and during the time purchased his present farm of one hundred and ninety-two acres, now mostly cleared and in a good state of cultivation. He came to this place in 1896 and has since done much to improve and beautify it and increase its value and productiveness. At this time he is remodel- ing his house, which when finished will be one of the best and most attractive in its vicinity.
Mr. Redington is a self-made man who
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owes his success entirely to his own efforts. He has proven himself a capable business man, of good motives and creditable meth- . ods, and those who know how he has won his success know that he deserves it because it has been achieved fairly and above board in the broadest sense of those sometimes abused terms. Politically he is a Republican, earnest and active in the sup- port of Republican principles. He has been elected the assessor of Washington town- ship, in which office he is now filling out his fourth year to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
The lady who became the wife of Mr. Redington was Miss Elizabeth Hopper, a member of one of the pioneer families of Ripley county, Indiana, and a woman of many attractions and graces of heart and mind. She is a daughter of Barnabas and Martha (Bates) Hopper, natives of Jeffer- son county, Indiana. Her father served his country in our civil war until honorably dis- charged for disability. He was a successful - farmer and an enthusiastic Republican who liked to think that he voted as he shot. and always tried to do so with what he believed was the truest aim. He never aspired to office, however. He was a consistent and helpful-member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His death occurred in 1881. His widow survived until 1895. Their children were: John (dead). Elizabeth (wife of John M. Redington). George (dead). Deborah (Mrs. T. Cook, now dead), Silas (dead) and Charles (dead). Mr. and Mrs. Redington have six children, none of whom have as yet left their roof-tree and whom they named as follows in the order of their nativity: Flora, Grover. Jessie. Charles, Ethel and Lillie. Mrs. Redington is a Methodist.
alive to every interest of the church and lib- eral in support of all its work. Mr. Red- ington is a Mason and an Odd fellow.
FRANK R. ROBBINS.
The man whose name is above is a repre- sentative of the best American stock. His family had its representative in the Revolu- tionary war and has been patriotic and pro- gressive in .every generation since. He is of a family of pioneers which has made its impress on the civilization of the east, the south and the west.
The subject of this sketch is a son of John E. and Nancy (Hunter) Robbins. John E. Robbins was a son of William and Eleanor (Anderson) Robbins. The father of Will- iam Robbins came from England to Penn- sylvania at an early date, served the cause of the colonies as a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war and afterward located in Vir- ginia, where his children were born. Dur- ing the period of the early settlement of Kentucky he located there, where he was a gunsmith, blacksmith and farmer until his children were reared and ready to take up the battle of life on their own account. Some of them came to Indiana and there the father joined them about 1828. He took up eighty acres of land and improved it and lived on it until his death, which occurred in 1834, and he is buried near the John Rob- bins homestead. He was a plain, honest man, blunt and straightforward. with a high standard of morality and integrity. in religion a Baptist, in politics a Whig. He married Bethiah Robbins, a widow not even indirectly related to him. who was born December 1, 1760, and who had two
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sons, Ab and Benjamin, who were reared by their stepfather. The following facts concerning his own children will be found interesting:
Elizabeth became Mrs. J. Watkins. Marmaduke and Jacob were twins. Mary became Mrs. Kirkpatrick. Nathaniel. John and William were younger sons. Charlotte became Mrs. Anderson. Dosia married J. Herron. All of the children of the pioneer and his worthy wife came to Indiana. Abel and Benjamin Robbins, Mrs. Robbins's sons by her former marriage, remained behind .and Abel lived and died in Kentucky, and Benjamin removed to Tennessee and there lived out his allotted time.
John Robbins was the first of all the fam- ily to come to Indiana. He came in 1821 and Marmaduke in 1823. William, who was six years old when his father moved from Virginia to Kentucky, was reared and began his active life there. He entered land in Indiana in 1821 and in 1823 married and moved upon it. He had borrowed. money to enter his land and at the time he -came to Indiana had paid half of the amount and had no money in hand for present needs. He had a team and wagon, how- ever, and brought along a few cattle. hogs and sheep. He was a true pioneer and overcame numerous obstacles, not the least of which was his moving, for he was obliged at times to cut his way through the forest and to make long detours to cross streams. He first made a comfortable camp. then erected a log cabin, and he lost no time in putting under cultivation as much land as possible. It was not long before his pio- neer home was self-supporting. He grew wool and raised flax, and his wife spun and wove and made clothing. He became suc-
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