USA > Indiana > Clay County > A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2) > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
CLINTON M. THOMPSON, a successful farmer of many years of hon- orable standing, with a fine landed estate of agricultural productiveness in Washington township, was born in Bowling Green, Clay county, on the IIth of October, 1856. He is a son of Edward R. and Cardelia (Sutliff) Thompson, his father being a native of Jackson county, In- diana, and his mother of Putnam county, same state. In 1865, at the close of the Civil war, when Clinton M. was nine years of age, his par- ents moved to the farm of ninety acres in section 16, Washington town- ship, where the son now lives and which he has had vastly improved as his own homestead. The elder Mr. Thompson (Captain, as he was generally called) had owned this property for about a year before the war, and it remained the family home until 1882, when Captain Thomp- son returned to Bowling Green and engaged in general merchandising until 1889, in that year deeding the business to his two sons and retiring to spend his remaining years in comparative quiet and rest.
After Clinton M. Thompson had completed his education, he en- gaged in work upon the farm until his father removed to Bowling Green, when he assisted him in the store for some three years, about 1885 re- turning to the home farm. This he rented and operated until 1889, when he purchased the farm of one hundred acres, his brother continuing the business which their father had made over to his two sons. Mr. Thomp- son has not only conducted the old home farm with profit but has con- tinually added to his land ownership until he now possesses two hundred and ten acres of improved property in section 16, Washington township. Since 1885 he has resided on the original homestead, which has thereby become endeared to him both from family associations and from the fact that most of its improvements are the results of his industry, judg- ment and taste.
On January 29, 1888, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Miss Alice Hostettler, a native of Stockton, Owen county, Indiana, born October 13, 1858, daughter of Jacob P. and Mary J. (Ellis) Hostettler. Her parents, who were Ohioans, came to Owen county with their par- ents when they were children, and were there married. The father, who was a physician, practiced in Stockton until 1861, when he enlisted in the surgical service of the Union army, and after three years of such experi- ence returned to Indiana and located at Bowling Green. There he pur- chased a drug store, which, with his professional practice, he conducted until his death, April 1, 1877. His widow is still living, being a resident of Crawsfordsville, Indiana, and the mother of four children, of whom Mrs. Thompson is the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Clinton M. Thompson have become the parents of the following: Glennie O., now the wife of John
Digitized by Google
178
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Blubaugh, of Washington township; Willet W., Aubrey C., Jean O., Vivian C. and Emmons E., all residing with their parents. Mr. Thomp- son is a faithful member of the M. E. church of Mt. Zion, Patricksburg circuit; is connected with the Bowing Green lodge of Masons, No. 85, and because of his fathers' fine war record is enrolled with the Sons of Veterans, also of Bowling Green. In politics he is a Republican, and although he is highly honored for his record in the ways of industry and peace he has never sought advancement through public channels.
ANDREW J. JEFFERS .- Prominent among the pioneer farmers of Perry township was the late Andrew J. Jeffers, who spent the larger part of his long life in Clay county, being actively engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. A son of James F. Jeffers, he was born April 30, 1817, in Clermont county, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, William Jeffers, was, as far as known, a life-long resident of Pennsylvania.
James F. Jeffers was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and there spent the earlier years of his life. About 1835 he came across the country to Clay county, Indiana, being accompanied by his wife and nine children. Settling in Perry township, he bought a tract of land, partly prairie and partly timber, and on the farm which he redeemed from its original wildness he spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the venerable age of four score and four years. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Reece, was born in Greene county, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of John and Susan ( Mordock) Reece. John Reece was an expert wood worker, and manufactured both furniture and wagons. Moving from Pennsylvania to Ohio, he settled on the Ohio river, a short distance above Richmond, and there improved a farm, which he afterwards sold for twelve dollars an acre. Subsequently com- ing to Indiana, he located in Perry township, Clay county, where some of his children were then living, and was here a resident until his death.
About eighteen years old when he came with the family to Indiana, Andrew J. Jeffers remained with his parents until his marriage. He then began housekeeping in a log cabin that stood on his father's farm. Sub- sequently removing to Sugar Ridge township, he bought a tract of heavily timbered land and erected a rude log cabin of round logs, putting in one door, a three-light window, and making the chimney of sticks and mud. It was heated by a fire in the fireplace, before which his wife did all of her cooking, stoves being then practically unknown in this locality. After living there five years Mr. Jeffers returned to Perry township, purchased land in section five, and for a number of years carried on gen- eral farming. He then traded that farm for land in Kansas, but his wife refused to move to that state, so he purchased another farm in section fourteen, and there resided until his death, August 31, 1889.
On December 26, 1840, Mr. Jeffers married Jane Gilbert, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Ebenezer and Mehitable (Seeley) Gilbert. Coming from Ohio to Indiana in 1832, Mr. Gilbert settled in section nine, Perry township, Clay county, and on the farm that he improved spent his remaining years. Mrs. Jane (Gilbert) Jeffers survived her husband, passing away October 13, 1894. She reared nine children, namely : Margaret ; Frank; Reece; Ebenezer; Marion; John, of whom a brief sketch may be found on another page of this work; Porter; Ben- jamin ; and Mary.
Digitized by Google
179
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
FRANK G. CASTEEL was one of the organizers of the firm of Cas- teel, Hauck & Casteel, conducting a real estate, loan and insurance busi- ness in Brazil. He was born in Van Buren township, Clay county, In- diana, a son of James T. and Olivia J. (Taylor) Casteel. The father was a native of Madison county, Indiana, born September 2, 1845, and his death occurred in Missouri, September 3, 1887. He was married on the 2d of September, 1865-the twentieth anniversary of his birth-to Miss Olivia J. Taylor, who was a native of Marion county, Indiana, born January 1, 1847. She survived her husband for several years and passed away October 13, 1893. They were married in Carbon, this county, and both were, representatives of old families of the state. The paternal grandparents were Franklin and Martha A. (Dunlavy) Casteel, who were of Spanish and German extraction, the great-grandfather Dunlavy having been banished from Spain on account of his religious belief. Franklin Casteel was a native of Ohio, while his wife was born in Ken- tucky. They were married in October, 1844, in Madison county, Indiana, where they established their home, and there upon a farm James Cas- teel was reared, receiving but limited educational opportunities. At the outbreak of the Civil war he proved his loyalty by enlisting as a mem- . ber of Company I, Sixty-seventh Indiana Infantry. Proceeding to the front, he was first under fire at Munfordsville, Kentucky, and later par- ticipated in the siege of Vicksburg. He did valiant service at the front and after being honorably discharged returned home May 18, 1865. Taking up the pursuits of civil life he engaged in the operation of a sawmill and also in speculation, and in 1874 in association with a brother he opened up a coal mine on his father's farm, finding a rich vein of this mineral deposit, so that the venture proved successful. In the same year he embarked in merchandising at Benwood and continued in that busi- ness until called from private life to public service. He received from the Democratic county convention the nomination for the office of county auditor and was elected to the office by a good majority, serving in that position until 1882. That his administration received public endorse- ment was indicated by the fact that he was reelected and continued as county auditor until 1886, when after an eight years' incumbency he retired from the office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of all. He was always a zealous advocate of the Democracy and labored earnestly and effectively for its welfare. In 1872 he had been chosen justice of the peace and was filling that position when called to the office of county auditor. For a long period he figured as one of the prominent and influential residents of the community and enjoyed in large degree the respect and confidence of his fellowmen. Unto him and his wife were born five children : Minnie M., now the wife of W. J. Hauck; Emma, the wife of John S. Montgomery, a resident of George- town, Kentucky; Welby, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Frank G., of this review; and Bence L., who married Estelle Torbert.
The father removed from Clay county, Indiana, to Missouri, settling near Springfield, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until a short time prior to his demise. He was survived by both his parents; his father, Franklin Casteel, passing away February 16, 1906, while the mother, Mrs. Martha A. Casteel, is still living. She has passed the sev- enty-seventh milestone on life's journey, her birth having occurred in Wayne county, Indiana, December 24, 1830. She is now a resident of Brazil and is enjoying good health for one of her years.
Digitized by Google
180
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Frank G. Casteel, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the public schools of Brazil and started upon his business career when a youth of fifteen years as a clerk in a grocery store. He gained a thorough knowledge of the business in principle and detail, being thus employed until he attained his majority, when he embarked in business on his own account. He was thus engaged for ten years and later was called to public office, serving as deputy county recorded from 1900 until 1903. Hle then took charge of the farm belonging to his grandmother, Mrs. Martha Casteel, and managed it until December, 1907, when he turned his attention to the real estate, loan and insurance business, in partnership with his brother and brother-in-law, under the firm style of Casteel, Hauck & Casteel. They handle fire and tornado insurance and are agents for the Shawnee Fire Insurance Company of Topeka, Kansas. They have built up a good clientage in the real-estate and loan department of their business and the new firm is meeting with gratifying prosperity.
Frank G. Casteel is well known as a stalwart supporter of the Democracy and an earnest worker in its ranks. He is an enterprising young man, of good business ability and keen discernment and possesses the strength of purpose which enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
GEORGE W. OSWALT .- The somewhat hackneyed but altogether ex- pressive title of a self-made man is well merited by George W. Oswalt, who, starting out in life at an early age dependent entirely upon his own resources, has achieved a fair measure of success and is now a prosper- ous grocer of Brazil. He was born in Jackson township, Clay county, Indiana, August 14, 1857, his parents being Henry and Nancy (Rum- mell ) Oswalt. The father was born in Pennsylvania and died in the thirty-seventh year of his age. He was a son of a Pennsylvania farmer, who came to Clay county, Indiana, at an early period in its development. In fact few white settlers had established homes within its borders and he entered land from the government, securing a claim in Jackson town- ship, where he spent the remained of his days. Henry Oswalt, father of our subject, was reared to manhood amid the wild scenes and environ- ments of pioneer life upon the old homestead in Jackson township. There he was early trained to the work of the farm and assisted in the arduous task of clearing and developing new land. He also operated a shingle mill and got out timber and ties for railroad building. He led a most active, useful and busy life and in addition to his other interests he conducted a store about a mile and a half east of Harmony for two years. He was thirty-six years of age, when, in response to his country's
call for aid, he offered his services to the government and was enrolled in 1862 as one of the boys in blue of Company I, Sixteenth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. He was mustered into the service at Indianapolis, Indiana, and for a brief time was stationed at Camp Morton there, but the regiment left for the front without being drilled in camp. They had their first engagement at Bayour Hill, Kentucky, where Mr. Oswalt sustained a saber wound and was taken prisoner. Having been ex- changed, he was sent to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, but he grew worse, his wound not healing properly, and he only lived twelve hours after having been sent home, thus giving his life as a sacrifice on the altar of his country. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, took
Digitized by Google
181
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
an active part in its work and served as one of its class leaders. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy. In early manhood he had wedded Nancy A. Rummell, a native of Ohio, who, long surviving her husband, passed away in Clay county, Indiana, at the age of sixty- one years. They had been married in Clay county and unto them were born seven children, of whom only two are now living, the younger being Arraminta.
George W. Oswalt, having lost his father when but five years of age, began to aid in the support of his widowed mother when a very young lad and his youth was largely a period of unremitting toil. This naturally limited his educational and other advantages but he learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience, knowing that strong, stalwart and honorable purpose constitute a safe basis upon which to build prosperity. He was sixteen years of age when he engaged at work in the mines, following that business for about fourteen years. In that period his proficiency and skill gradually increased, so that at length he became superintendent of the Wheeler Coal Company at Newburg, In- diana. There he remained for four years and during that time had saved from his wages the sum of seventeen hundred dollars but the bank in which he had deposited failed and he only got twenty-two per cent of his money. He then, with his old employer, H. Wheeler, leased the mining property and operated it for about eighteen months. On the expiration of that period he entered the employ of Charles F. Fisher, a grocer of Brazil, with whom he continued until 1900, when he bought out Mr. Fisher and has since conducted the store. IIe carries a large and carefully selected line of staple and fancy groceries and his earnest desire to please his patrons, combined with his known integrity in busi- ness transactions, has secured to him a large trade and gratifying profit.
On the 22d of September, 1890, Mr. Oswalt was married to Miss Sarah Evans, who was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1872, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Telpher) Evans. Her father, who was a native of Wales, died in Brazil, while the mother, whose birth occurred in Glasgow, Scotland, is now living in Brazil. Mr. Evans was head rollman in the iron and steel mills. He learned the business in his native country and on crossing the Atlantic to America located in the east. Subsequently he removed westward to Indiana and afterward lived at Bay View, Michigan, and later at Chicago, Illinois. On leaving that city he came to Brazil early in the '8os and was here engaged as head rollman by the Central Iron & Steel Company. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Evans were born these children: Maggie, the wife of Henry Newtson, a resident of Indianapolis; Mrs. Amy Davies; Mrs. Oswalt; Eliza; and Bell. Jennie is deceased.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Oswalt have been born two children, but the elder, Mabel, died at the age of ten years. The younger, Vincent Evan is at home. Fraternally Mr. Oswalt is connected with Coal City Lodge, No. 522, I. O. O. F., with the Improved Order of Red Men, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights & Ladies of Security, and in these orders is highly esteemed as one whose loyalty to their teachings and tenets is above question. By perseverance, determination and hon- orable effort he has overthrown the obstacles which have barred his path to success and reached the goal of prosperity. The difficulties which he had to encounter in his own early business career have made him ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who try to aid themselves ..
Digitized by Google
182
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
In citizenship he has ever been actuated by fidelity to his country and her welfare and in Brazil has given tangible evidence of his interest in her upbuilding.
HARVEY E. HICKS is a representative of one of the old and promi- nent pioneer families of Indiana, his ancestors having come here at an early period in its development, and he is also well known as a repre- sentative of the legal interests of the state. His birth occurred in Tahlequah, in the Indian Territory, December 27, 1879. His father, Homer Hicks, was a native of Clay county, Indiana, born on a farm near Center Point, January 4, 1847. The grandparents were Uriah and Clarice Hicks, who removed from Randolph county, North Carolina, to this state in 1820, settling first in Jackson county. The state had been admitted to the Union only four years before and there were great quanti- ties of wild, unsettled land, for in many districts the seeds of civiliza- tion had not yet been planted. About 1822 Uriah Hicks and his family came to Clay county. He was born in Swansboro, Onslow county, North Carolina, and was of Welsh parentage but during his boyhood days his parents removed to Randolph county, North Carolina, where he resided until his removal westward in 1820. While in the south he married Clarice Prestnell, and they became the parents of twelve children : Sarah, who died in infancy; Mary, who became the wife of Nathan Gibbons, and is now deceased; Wealthy, who became the wife of William Ealy and lives in Urbana, Illinois; Nancy, who married William Butt and is residing in Jackson township, this county; Eliza, the wife of Thompson Zenor, living near Prairie City, Indiana; Clara, the deceased wife of John Gibbons; Emma, who married Henry H. Williams and lives near Center Point, Indiana; Harrison and Hamilton, who died unmarried ; Harvey, who wedded Rebecca Loveall and lives at Center Point; and Hardy Hicks, who married Sarah Morgan and now makes his home in Center Point.
Homer Hicks, the other member of the family, was reared to farm life upon the old family homestead and after attending the common schools of the neighborhood in which he resided, he spent two terms at Westfield, Illinois, and completed a course of study by graduation at Merom, Indiana.
In early life he turned his attention to the profession of teaching, which he followed for a long period and was a most capable educator, imparting clearly, accurately and concisely to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He held to high standards of education and did every- thing in his power to promote the public-school interests of the county. He was at one time elected county surveyor and for two years discharged the duties of the office, while during the succeeding two years he acted as deputy and did much of the work pertaining to the office.
On the 13th of May, 1876, Homer Hicks was united in marriage to Miss Sylvia Bogle, who died in June, 1880. Immediately after their marriage in 1876 they removed to the Indian Territory and Mr. Hicks was made principal of the Indian Seminary at Tahlequah. His work was very successful there among the red race, for he possessed much adaptability, tact and keen discrimination in his professional labors. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hicks were born three children, one of whom passed away prior to his demise. The other two children are: Uriah H., who
Digitized by Google
183
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
married Sarah Syster and now lives at Center Point, Indiana; and Harvey E. The death of the father occurred October 16, 1882.
Harvey E. Hicks was less than three years of age when left an orphan, for he lost his mother when but five months old. He then went to live with his grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Adamson ) Bogle, with whom he remained until 1893, when he came to Brazil and resided with his uncle, Jerome Bogle, until 1902. Here he pursued his education as a public-school student and later he attended the Northern Indiana Law School at Valparaiso, also spending one year as a student in the Indianapolis Law School. He next entered the law office of James A. McNutt, of Brazil, with whom he continued his reading for eighteen months, when in January, 1901, he was admitted to the bar and entered upon practice. On account of ill health, however, he temporarily gave up the practice of law in 1904.
On the 2d of June, 1903, Mr. Hicks was married to Miss Maud E. King, who was born in Montezuma, Parke county, Indiana, March 13, 1882. She is a daughter of Charles H. and Mattie E. (Myers) King. Her father, who was a native of Zanesville, Ohio, died at the age of fifty years, while her mother, who was born in Parke county, Indiana, is now living in this city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. King were born two children : Mrs. Hicks; and Sophronia, a teacher in the grammar schools of Brazil. The father was a railroad and gravel road contractor and did quite an extensive business in that line.
Mr. and Mrs. Hicks are now well known in Brazil, where they have an extensive circle of warm friends, to whom they extend the cordial hospitality of their own home. In politics Mr. Hicks is a Republican.
WILLIAM DICKEY .- Occupying a good position among the worthy and respected citizens of Clay City is William Dickey, who during his many years of residence in this place has been more or less actively identified with the interests of town and county. A son of John E. Dickey, he was born November 23, 1860, in Marion township, Owen county, where his grandfather, Emanuel Dickey, was a pioneer settler.
Emanuel Dickey was born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestors on both sides of the house. Removing when a young man to Ohio, he lived for a number of years in Tuscarawas county, where he was a tiller of the soil. Again turning his face westward, he came in 1851 to Indiana, driving across the country with his family and bringing all of his house- hold effects. Locating in Marion township, Owen county, he paid eighty-two dollars for forty acres of land, built a log house, cleared a good farm, and there lived and labored until his death, at the age of seventy-four years. He married Mary Magdaline Mishler, a daughter of David Mishler, who moved from Pennsylvania, his native state, to Tus- carawas county, Ohio, in pioneer times. She survived her husband but a few months, passing away at a good old age.
One of a family of eleven children, John E. Dickey was born April 4, 1844, on a farm situated two miles from Shanesville, Ohio, and there lived until coming with his parents to Indiana. Choosing the free and independent life of a farmer, he settled in Marion township after his marriage, buying forty acres of land, a small portion of which was then cleared, but was not otherwise improved. Erecting a set of log buildings, he placed the greater part of his land under cultivation, remaining on it until 1864. Trading then his farm for a saw mill and a grist mill at
Digitized by Google
184
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Hausertown, he operated both plants for eleven years. He then sold out both mills, and from that time until November, 1907, when he came to Clay City to live with his son William, was engaged in farming in Marion township, his early home. He married Amanda R. Stewart, who was born in Marion township, Owen county, in May, 1842, and died August 9, 1881, in the same township. Of the ten children born of their union, four died in early childhood, and Isabelle at the age of fourteen years, and two are living, namely: William and Eli. Both parents belonged to the German Baptist Brethren church.
Attending the short terms of the district school, William Dickey obtained a good knowledge of the "three r's," and as soon as old enough to wield an axe or hoe began to assist his father on the farm, while in the mill he learned the trade of a sawyer. In 1886, searching for more lucrative employment, he went to Vermilion county, Illinois, but his stay in that locality was limited to two years. Returning in 1888 to Indiana. he, with the exception of a few months as sawyer in a steam saw mill, has been a resident of this place.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.