USA > Indiana > Clay County > A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2) > Part 11
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J., of this review ; Rosa, the wife of James Carroll. also of Brazil ; Catha- rine, the wife of Thomas Finn, who makes his home in Indianapolis; Frank, who is engaged in the business of railroad contracting as a partner of his brother, Thomas J .; and Theresa, the wife of Thomas Reynolds, of Terre Haute.
Reared upon the homestead farm in Monroe county until twelve years of age, Thomas J. Keegan then began working as water boy, car- rying water for the men employed on the construction of the railroad. He afterward drove teams in that connection until about nineteen years of age, when he lost his father. He afterward became a contractor in rail- road building on the G. & M. Railroad in Illinois and on the Illinois & Indiana Railroad between Coal City and Johnstown. In 1879 he became a resident of Carbon, Clay county, Indiana, where he engaged in mining for about three years, when he again took up the work of contracting and continued in that line until 1896, also doing gravel road work. In the year mentioned he was elected county recorder of Clay county for a four years' term and in the office discharged his duties with ability. promptness and fidelity. Upon his retirement in 1900 he joined his brother in a partnership and they have since been engaged in the con- tracting business as builders of railroads, gravel roads and streets. They are thus occupied at the present time and are receiving a good patron- age which makes their business a profitable one.
On the Ioth of January, 1893, Mr. Keegan was married to Miss Margaret McKillop, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, July 19. 1864, a daughter of John and Mary ( McCallester ) McKillop. both of whom were natives of Ireland, born in county Antrim. They were married in Belfast and unto them were born ten children, of whom three are now living: Daniel who is a resident of Fontanet. Indiana; James, who is living in Jonesville, this state; and Mrs. Keegan. The father came to this country first when a young man, after having traveled nearly all over the world. He had spent some time in Calcutta and visited many points of interest. He returned to America in 1881 and located in Litchfield, Illinois, where he had purchased a home. The following year he sent for his family to join him and they spent about four years in Litchfield, after which they removed to Carbon, Clay county, Indiana, where Mr. McKillop resided until within a short time of his death. He then went to Caseyville, Indiana, which place is today known as Dimond. He died at the age of seventy two years, while his wife passed away at the age of sixty-nine. They were both communicants of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. McKillop was a Democrat in his political views.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keegan have been born eight children, Mary, Catherine, John, Thomas, Margaret. James, Rose and Frank, but the daughter, Rose, died in infancy. The parents are members of the Roman Catholic church, in the faith of which they reared their family. Mr. Keegan belongs to the Young Men's Institute, to the Ancient Order of Hibernians and to the Catholic Knights and Ladies of America, while his political support is given to the Democratic party. Starting out in life for himself at the age of twelve years he has since worked earnestly and diligently to acquire success, and has been both the architect and builder of his own fortunes.
JOHN ZURCHER, who for many years has been an industrious and useful citizen of Washington township, Clay county, has a pretty home in section 35. He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, September 30, 1856.
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being a son of Peter and Annie ( Steiner ) Zurcher, the father a native of Switzerland, and the mother of Ohio, of German ancestry. They were married in the Buckeye state, and about five years later moved to Har- rison township, Clay county, Indiana, where the husband bought the farm upon which his widow now resides. Mr. Zurcher died in 1886. Nine children were born to their union, of whom three sons and two daughters are still alive.
John Zurcher received his education in the country schools of Har- rison township and at the German school connected with the Reformed Lutheran church known as Butro Chapel. To this denomination the fam- ily has been stanchly attached for many generations. Mr. Zurcher lived on the farm with his parents until October 4, 1883, when he married Rachel Moyer, who died in September, 1888, leaving two children- Allie K. and William H., both living with their grandfather, Henry Moyer, in Clay City. On October 6, 1891, Mr. Zurcher married Nancy E. Hud- son, born in Washington township, Clay county, on the 20th of January, 1864, daughter of Jacob and Margaret J. (Luther ) Hudson, of the town- ship named. To this union was born one child, Mary F. Zurcher, now seven years of age.
Upon leaving his parents Mr. Zurcher conducted a rented farm for a time, but his principal work was that of operating a thresher. He has also owned and operated a saw mill to advantage. At his second mar- riage he built a four-room house on land given to his wife by her father, and Mr. Zurcher also owns an interest in his father's homestead. The family home is located on a tract of five acres in section 35, Washington township. Mr. Zurcher is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Bowling Green lodge No. 513. In politics he is a Democrat, and, as stated, is strongly rooted in the faith of the Reformed Lutheran church.
NATHAN ANDREW HARRIS .- Among the substantial and enterprising business men of Clay county is Nathan A. Harris, who for the past quarter of a century has conducted a store of general merchandise at Howesville. He is a man of sterling qualities, and has accumulated his property by downright hard labor and the exercise of the good judgment and sound sense with which nature generously endowed him. A son of Jesse Harris, Jr., he was born July 16, 1851. in Morrow county, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, Jesse Harris, Sr., migrated from Virginia, his native state, to Ohio, becoming an early settler of that state. In 1851, still following the march of civilization westward, he removed with his family to Illinois, making the overland journey with teams. Locating in Iroquois county, he bought prairie land from the government, and on the farm which he improved spent the remainder of his life.
Born, bred and educated in Ohio, Jesse Harris, Jr., was there engaged in agricultural pursuits during his comparatively short life. his death having occurred in 1851, while he was yet in manhood's prime. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Hall, was born in Knox county, Ohio, and spent her last years in Middlebury, Indiana. After the death of Mr. Harris, she married for her second husband John Auld. By her first mar- riage she reared three children, namely: Sarah M., Hester Ellen, and Nathan Andrew.
But an infant when his father died. Nathan A. Harris was early thrown upon his own resources, and at the age of eight years went to
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live with Beverly Chase. of Morrow county, Ohio, and from that time was self supporting. Beginning to learn the trade of a harness maker at the age of fourteen, he subsequently served an apprenticeship of three years after which he worked as a journeyman for a year. Seeking a favorable location, Mr. Harris then came to Clay county, and soon after established himself in business on his own account at Middlebury, where for a few years he was engaged in the manufacture of harnesses and other leather goods. He has since been actively employed in business in Clay county, for the last twenty-five years having been a general merchant at Howes- ville, where he has built up an extensive and remunerative trade.
Mr. Harris has been twice married. He married first, in 1871, Ellen J. Rogerson, who was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Charles and Mrs. (Bryant) Rogerson. She died July 11, 1894, leaving three children, namely : Charles L., who married Nannie, Calvert; Mamie J., now the wife of Oscar Briley, has one child, Otis M .; and Joseph Blaine, who married Jennie Terhune. Mr. Harris married second, in 1895, Lucy C. Rogerson, a half-sister of his first wife, and of this union two children have been born, Nathan Mckinley and Jesse Theodore. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are esteemed members of the Presbyterian church, and are held in high respect throughout the community.
SAMUEL RIZLEY .- Prominent among the earlier settlers of Clay county was Samuel Rizley, who in his day was one of the most widely known and most highly esteemed residents of this part of the state. A man of strong individuality, possessing excellent judgment and much business ability, he became influential in the management of public affairs, and served in various positions of trust and responsibility. In addition to carrying on farming successfully he did much of the surveying in the county, in that capacity becoming thoroughly acquainted with the sur- rounding country. He was born in Virginia September 19, 1792, and after spending a few years of his childhood in Bullitt county, Kentucky, came with his parents to Indiana in 1804. His parents were among the original settlers of Knox county, Indiana, locating there in 1804, as before stated, and there spending the remainder of their lives. His father was David Rizley, a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
After completing his early education in the district schools, Samuel Rizley worked at surveying with his father, becoming a competent sur- veyor. Upon the declaration of war in 1812 he enlisted and served as a soldier for thirteen months, during which time he assisted in building Fort Harrison. While serving in the army Mr. Rizley crossed the part of the territory now included within the limits of Clay county, and noticed while passing along a beautiful spring of clear, cool water lying in what is now called Cass township. In 1819, still remembering the spot, he . entered from the government the tract of land in which that spring was located. Clearing a small spot, he erected a cabin of round logs, which was the first home of his family in Clay county. His property was then in Owen county, and while occupying that log cabin he served as county commissioner of Owen county. When Putnam county was afterwards organized it embraced Cass township, and he subsequently served as county commissioner for Putnam county. Clay county was afterwards organized. and Cass township became a part of it. Mr. Rizley was soon after made one of the board of county commissioners for Clay county, thus, without changing his place of residence, he served three counties in that capacity. He was also tax collector, was the first school teacher in
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Clay county, and for one term was associate circuit judge. He was prominent as well in religious circles, and from the time of the organiza- tion of the Predestinarian Baptist church until his death, February 3, 1868, served as deacon.
Besides being a successful farmer, Mr. Rizley was a natural mechanic. He manufactured gun powder, farming implements-such as the pioneers used-as well as water and milk pails, barrels, tubs, keelers, churns, pig- gins, etc., also chairs, tables, spinning wheels, looms, warping bars, flax- breaks, etc., and he erected the first whip-saw, which stood three miles west of the present village of Poland, Cass township, and one of the first hand grist mills.
Mr. Rizley was twice married. He married first, in Knox county, Indiana, February 4. 1816, Polly Thomas, who was born in Maryland, August 10, 1794, and died in Clay county, Indiana, June 17, 1851. Her father, David Thomas, was born May 23, 1767, in Maryland, and remover! from there to Indiana in territorial days, settling first in Knox county. In 1816 he moved with his family to Owen county, and in 1818 located in what is now Washington township, Clay county, and was the original settler of the Eel River valley. Improving a farm near the present site of Bowling Green, he resided there until his death, January 28, 1858, aged eighty-five years. His wife, Huldah (Parsons) Thomas, died July 7, 1851. Of the union of Mr. Rizley with Polly Thomas nine children were born, namely : Huldah ; Sarah : Polly : Eliza, who was the first white child born in Clay county : Susan ; Elizabeth A. ; Drusilla : Naomi ; and Ellen. Mr. Rizley married for his second wife Mrs. Lucretia ( Witty) Barnett, and to them three children were born, namely: Mary, Candace and Alice.
. FRED WILLIAM HUCKRIEDE .- Widely known as a prosperous agri- culturist of Cass township, Clay county, Fred W. Huckriede has been very successful in the work to which he has given his attention since his boyhood. his energy, sound sense and good judgment bringing forth satis- factory results. A son of the late Henry H. and Catherine ( Altemiller ) Huckriede, he was born May 16, 1868, in Owen county, Indiana, of substantial German ancestry.
For two years after attaining his majority he was engaged in farming on his father's estate, and then bought sixty-five acres in section twenty- two and section twenty-seven, Cass township. Clearing off the timber, Mr. Huckriede built a six-room cottage on section twenty-seven, and has since resided there. After the death of his father, he and his brother, John, bought the interest of the remaining heirs in the home farm, and have since managed it in partnership, carrying on general farming most profitably.
On March 27, 1890, Mr. Huckriede married Mary E. Kortepeter, who was born in Marion county, Indiana, April 23, 1866, a daughter of Frederick and Mary ( Kattman) Kortepeter, natives of Germany. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Huckriede, namely : Oscar F., who died at the age of two and one-half years, in 1896; and Mary A .. born October 31, 1897. Fraternally Mr. Huckriede is a member of Poland Lodge, No. 364. K. of P., and he and his wife also belong to lodge No. 319, Pythian Sisters: and he is a member of Bowling Green Lodge, No. 85. A. F. & A. M. Politically he is a Democrat, and for one year served on the township advisory board.
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WILLIAM H. PHILLIPS .- Posey township. Clay county, has been the home of William H. Phillips since he was fourteen years of age, and he has been identified with its agricultural life throughout his entire busi- ness career. He has never moved from the place on which his father first located on coming to Clay county, and his homestead numbers ninety- three acres of rich and well improved land, on which he has made all of the improvements, even to the carpenter and brick work on his buildings. He has performed the hard and laborious work of clearing and grubbing about eighty acres of his land, and the farm stands as a monument to his industry and excellent business ability.
Born in Warren county, Ohio, May 9, 1833, William H. Phillips is a son of Isaac Phillips, whose name is enrolled among the pioneers of Clay county. He was born and reared in Pennsylvania, but when a young man he went to Ohio, and from there in 1847 emigrated with his family to the then frontier of Clay county, Indiana. He at once bought one hundred and eighty acres of what has since become known as the Phillips farm in Posey township, and the first home of the family was a little log cabin. With the advancing years he succeeded in clearing about one hundred and fifty acres of his farm, and he remained there until his life's labors were ended in death at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He was born in the year 1797. Lydia Davis became his wife in Ohio, where she was born and reared, and they became the parents of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, of whom William H. was the fourth born. The father gave a life-long support to the Democratic party.
In 1866 William H. Phillips was united in marriage to Bridget E. Crow. who came from her native land of Ireland to the United States when a little lady of twelve years, and was reared in Cincinnati. Of the five children born of this union, two are now deceased, and all were born on the Phillips homestead farm. Mr. Phillips favors Republican prin- ciples but votes independent of party ties.
JOHN P. HOFFMAN .- In an early period in the development of this section of Clay county the Hoffmans established their home here, and the representatives of this family are substantial citizens, honored sons of Germany, and have taken an active and helpful part in the progress and welfare of the community. Conrad Hoffman, during many years a promi- nent farmer in Posey township, was born in Germany. December 30, 1825. and when about twenty-seven years of age he left the fatherland for the United States, making his way at once to Indiana and establishing his home in Posey township. The nucleus of his later large estate was one hundred acres in the woods, on which he erected a log cabin and began at once the hard task of clearing his land and preparing it for cultivation. He was married here to Eva M. Fulgard, who was born in Germany, May 19. 1822. and was reared and educated in her native land. They became the parents of five children, as follows: George C., Anna, Kath- erine. John P. and Barbara, all of whom were born on the Hoffman home- stead in Posey township. Mr. Hoffman, the father, gave his political allegiance to the Democracy, and was a member of the Lutheran church, passing away in its faith when he had reached the age of sixty-one years. Through his long identification with the business interests of this commu- nity he became well and favorably known and was honored for his many sterling characteristics.
John P. Hoffman was born on his father's homestead in Posey town-
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ship. June 20, 1861. and on the 12th of October, 1882, he was married to Eva Romas, who was born in Posey township but reared in Perry township, her father, Michael Romas, having been one of the early settlers of the former community. The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman -- Anna, Effie. Edna and Dora-were also born on the Hoffman home- stead, which makes three generations of this family who have had their nativity on this farm. Mr. Hoffman now owns one hundred and sixty- six acres of this valuable old place, and in addition has eighty acres else- where in the township and one hundred and ten acres in Perry township. His politics are Democratic and he is quite an active worker in the party cause. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
JACOB H. STOUGH .- Jacob H. Stough has been an active factor in the affairs of this community for many years, but he is now living retired from active labor with the exception of superintending Cottage Hill cemetery, which is located on the old family homestead. He was born in Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania, November 13, 1845, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Frick ) Stough, natives of Pennsylvania, and a grandson of John Frick, of German parentage. Joseph Stough was a farmer in Pennsylvania, but in 1851 moved to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and lived there until the spring of 1856. He then traveled with team and wagon to Lancaster, Owen county, Indiana, and in September of 1856 came to Clay county, Indiana, and purchased in Posey township two tracts of improved land, consisting of ninety-two and eighty acres each. He lived on this place until his death. He was born in 1807 and died in January, 1893, while Mrs. Stough was born in 1810 and died in 1884.
There were three sons and three daughters in their family that attained to years of maturity, and Jacob H. Stough was the fourth born. He received his educational training in select and high schools in Brazil, and in 1872 became identified with the ice business here, which he sold in 1803. He has served as the superintendent of Cottage Hill cemetery since 1876, and from July 1, 1893, until September, 1897, was the assistant post- master of Brazil. During one year he was also the proprietor of a music and book store in this city, and was substitute mailing clerk of Brazil for years, serving both as assistant postmaster and mailing clerk during Cleveland's second term of office. Mr. Stough inherited part of the home farm of his father in Posey township, Clay county, in connection with two brothers, John and Joseph, and the land was worked by two of the brothers until 1898, when they rented the farm, and Mr. Jacob H. Stough has since lived retired, save to superintend the cemetery.
He married, September 12. 1881, Minnie F. Curl, born in Paris, Illinois, in August, 1859. a daughter of Jeremiah and Sarah Curl, natives of Ohio. The four children of this union are Grace May, Ralph A., Lester W. and Helen Marie. Mr. Stough is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge. chapter and council.
MELBOURNE C. LANNING, present treasurer of Clay county, Indiana, was born in Pearson township, Vigo county, Indiana, May 22. 1868, son of Ewing and Elizabeth (Pierson) Lanning. The father was born in Clay county, Indiana. July 14, 1838, and died March 20, 1892. The mother was born in Sullivan county. Indiana, December 29, 1841, and died August. 1879. This worthy couple were married in Sullivan county and were the parents of six children, two of whom still survive: Mel-
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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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FAMILY GROUP OF MR. AND MRS. ALFRED SHIDLER
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bourne C., of this notice, and Ewing W. Lanning. The father spent his active life in Clay county, Indiana, on his farm, which contained one hundred and thirty-four acres. Eighty acres of this farm he had to clear up from out the dense forest. He was a very energetic and thorough- going man in whom all could put the utmost confidence. Politically he was a life-long and active Democrat, but never cared to hold office. He was an active member of Lodge No. 29, A. F. and A. M., and belonged to the Baptist church.
Melbourne C. Lanning, son of pioneer Ewing Lanning, whose history has just been narrated, remained at home with his parents until twenty years of age and the following year commenced teaching school and con- tinued ten years in Clay county, Indiana, teaching winters and farming during the farming months. In November, 1906, he was elected county treasurer of Clay county, taking the office on January 1, 1908. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias order, Lewis Lodge, No. 511, at Lewis, Vigo county ; also belongs to Shabbona Tribe of Red Men, No. 370, at Lewis; Brazil Lodge, No. 762, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a firm supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and does his full share toward maintaining a good form of local and national government.
He was united in marriage, April 12, 1893, to Constance Mccullough. born in Brazil, Indiana, October 16, 1871, the daughter of Dr. Francis B. and Mary (Johnston) Mccullough. The father was born in Kentucky, October 3, 1832, and died January 18, 1903. His wife was born in Put- nam county, Indiana, January 13, 1838, and died April 13, 1902. They were married in Indiana and were parents to the following children : There were five-four sons and one daughter-all deceased but Charles J. and Mrs. Lanning. The father came to Indiana when about one year of age, the family located in Clay county, where he was a pioneer doctor and continued the practice of his profession up to within about ten years of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Lanning are the parents of one son, Laurance Melbourne Lanning.
REV. ALFRED SIIDLER .- A man of exceptionally fine principles, honest, industrious and persevering, Rev. Alfred Shidler bravely served his country during the Civil war as a soldier in the Union army, was after- wards an active and tireless worker for many years in his Master's vine- yard, and is now successfully employed in tilling the soil, owning and occupying a fine farm in Lewis township. A son of Daniel Shidler, he was born June 30, 1847, in Berlin, or near that city, in Holmes county, Ohio. His grandfather, Isaac Shidler, whose parents were Germans, was a native, it is thought, of Pennsylvania. From there he migrated to Holmes county, Ohio, at an early period of its settlement, improved a farm lying about three miles northwest of Berlin, and there resided until his death, at a ripe old age.
A young man when his parents removed to Ohio, Daniel Shidler there learned the blacksmith's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years with John Korns. He subsequently opened a smithy at Berlin, and three years later established himself at a point three miles east of that place. Coming from there to Indiana in 1858, he spent a year in Jennings county, and then located in Clay county. Buying land about one and a half miles east of Middlebury, in Harrison township. he there followed his trade and superintended the management of his farm until 1880, when he went
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