USA > Indiana > Clay County > A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2) > Part 27
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
On April 29, 1883, Mr. Dickey married Marilda A. Seldomridge, who was born in Alpha, Greene county, Ohio, August 22, 1862, that being also the birthplace of her father, George W. Seldomridge. Her grandfather, Michael Seldomridge, was a pioneer settler of that county, and was. it is supposed, of German origin. George W. Seldomridge enlisted in an Ohio regiment, in 1862, and served until the close of the Civil war, taking part in many important engagements, including among others the battle of Gettysburg. He is a carpenter by trade, and is now following it in Clinton, Indiana, where he has resided for a number of years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. Ankney, was born in Greene county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Marilda (Schindle- decker) Ankney, farmers living about three miles east of Alpha. John Ankney, Sr., great-grandfather of Mrs. Dickey, was a pioneer settler of Greene county, and was for many years prosperously engaged in farming on the homestead which he cleared not very far from Alpha. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dickey, of whom George G., the youngest, died at the age of two years. The other child, Orville E., married Sophia Newport, and they have one child, Wade Lavere. Although taking no especially active part in political affairs, Mr. Dickey served for five years as a member of the board of trustees of Clay City. Religiously Mrs. Dickey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, towards the support of which her husband contributes liberally.
JOHN C. FRUMP, who is conducting prosperous farming operations in section 36, Washington township, Clay county, was born north of Harmony, Van Buren township, on the 27th of January, 1861. He is a son of John and Betsey J. (Matthews) Frump, and his father is still living at the age of eighty-six, bright mentally and possessed of com- parative physical vigor. In view of his prominent and remarkable preservation, a detailed review of his life is published elsewhere in this history. John C. Frump received his education at the Bowling Green school, and lived on the farm with his parents until December 9, 1884. He then married Miss Lizzie B. Orman, daughter of Jacob and Mar- garet (Lowcer) Orman, of Owen county, Indiana, and of German de- scent. At his marriage Mr. Frump rented land of his father, and after farming thereon for several years removed to Harrison township, where
Digitized by Google
185
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
he resided as a hard working and prosperous farmer for some seven years. Returning to Washington township he located on the home farm belonging to his father, upon which he still lives.
Mr. Frump has become the father of seven children, as follows: Minola M., wife of Daniel Funk, of Harrison township; Edna R., and Charles W., living at home; John Ray, deceased ; Olive May, George W. and Hazel A., who also reside with their parents. Mr. Frump is a member of the Church of Christ at Bellair, and in politics is a Democrat.
ALBERT O. CROMWELL .- The substantial and trustworthy citizens of Perry township, Clay county, have no better representative than Albert O. Cromwell, a man of talent, culture and strong individuality, who for the past fifteen years has devoted his time and attention almost exclusively to agricultural pursuits. A son of Oliver and Elizabeth (Wheeler) Cromwell, he was born November 18, 1851, in Posey town- ship, Clay county, of honored pioneer ancestry, both his grandfathers, Nicholas Cromwell and David H. Wheeler, having been among the earlier settlers of this part of Indiana.
Born and bred in Vermont, David H. Wheeler migrated when young to Clermont county, Ohio, where he met and married Rachel Lindsay, an Ohio girl. Soon after their marriage they came to Indiana, settling in Perry township, where he took up prairie land from the government and at once began its improvement, his first work being to drain it and clear from it the heavy swamp grass. Deer and wild game of all kinds were plentiful and furnished a large part of the subsistence of the pio- neers of those days. Laboring industriously and intelligently, he suc- ceeded in bringing his farm to a high state of culture, and it is to-day as rich and productive an estate as can be found in Clay county. On that farm his daughter Elizabeth, then a widow, married Oliver Crom- well, who was a widower.
Oliver Cromwell was born in Kentucky, in 1811, and died in Work- ington, Greene county, Indiana, in 1891. After his marriage with Mrs. Elizabeth Ann ( Wheeler) Walker he moved to the farm that he owned in Posey township, and resided there until 1867. Locating in that year in Ashboro, he built a grist mill and a saw mill, and operated both suc- cessfully for fifteen years. His wife died January 24, 1884, and for two years he lived with his children. Marrying then for his third wife Mrs. Natty Herron, he resided in Perry township until his death. By his first marriage Oliver Cromwell had three daughters. By his mar- riage with Elizabeth (Wheeler) Walker he had three sons and four daughters, of whom two sons only are living, namely : William, of Ash- boro, Indiana; and Albert O., the subject of this sketch. He was a man of prominence in the community, active in public affairs, and once rep- resented his district in the state legislature. He was a well informed man, and had a better knowledge, mayhap, of the contents of the Bible than any other man in Clay county.
At the age of fifteen years Albert O. Cromwell moved with the family to Ashboro, where, until becoming of age, he assisted his father in running the grist and saw mills. Entering then upon a professional career, Mr. Cromwell taught school for nine years in Perry township, having among his scholars during the first term thirteen children from one family, a fact worthy of notice in these days. He afterwards taught
Digitized by Google
.
186
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
for five years in Sugar Ridge township, having excellent success in his pedagogical work.
On September 1, 1882, Mr. Cromwell married Emma Fields, who was born in Owen county. Indiana, a daughter of Samuel and Susan (McAlister ) Fields, natives of Ohio and pioneers of Owen county. Sub- sequently, after living for a year in Perry township, he rented a farm and taught school during the winter terms for awhile. He then moved to the homestead belonging to his wife's parents, who had moved to the city. Two years later her father died, and she came into possession of one hundred acres of the Fields homestead, lying in sections nine and seventeen. On that farm Mr. Cromwell erected a house, and there he has since devoted his energies to general farming, having lived there since 1894. On March 3, 1895, Mrs. Emma ( Fields) Cromwell died in Salida, Colorado, where she went for the benefit of her health. Mr. Cromwell married for his second wife, in November, 1896, Emma Jef- fers, who was born in Perry township, a daughter of Reece and Amanda (Fagan) Jeffers. By his first marriage Mr. Cromwell had nine chil- dren, as follows: Fred, chief of the fire department in Linton, Indiana ; Charles, living on the home farm, married Grace Stoneburner; Albert A., of Terre Haute; George H., of Linton, Indiana; Rue L., living at home; Fay died at the age of seven years; and Susan died when but two years old. Two others are also deceased, Guy at the age of one year, and Lizzie at age of two years. Mr. Cromwell is a stalwart Republican. He is a member of Clear Creek I. O. O. F. lodge 449, and he is a mem- ber of the Encampment and Rebekah lodge 155. He aided in erect- ing the hall and he is the trustee of the lodge, and he has been a dele- gate to the Grand Lodge at Indianapolis. He has in his possession two old deeds, one executed under the hand and scal of President Martin Van Buren and dated August 1, 1839, this being the ninth deed of the kind found in Clay county. It is a valuable relic. The other bears the signature and seal of John Tyler, and is dated August 10, 1841. The farm of Mr. Cromwell is known as "Locust Farm."
ISAIAH S. EASTER, well known in the business circles of Brazil as proprietor of a grocery and meat market, his location being at No. 501 North Forest avenue, where he erected and owns a good business block, was born in Dick Johnson township, Clay county, Indiana, January 6, 1860. His parents were Isaiah and Elmira (Nixon) Easter. The father's birth occurred in Highland county, Ohio, January 17, 1837, while the mother was a native of Putnam county, Indiana, born in 1839. They were married at her father's home in Clay county, Indiana, Mr. Easter having come to this state with his parents, Daniel and Martha Easter, in 1838. They cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Clay county, where they remained for a short time, Mr. Easter entering a claim of government land, which was situated in the wilderness. He then returned to Ohio but soon afterward again came to this county, taking up his abode upon the claim, where he spent his remaining days.
Isaiah Easter, Sr., was reared to manhood upon the old home- stead farm in Clay county and assisted in clearing it from the wilder- ness. He made shingles by hand and by horse power and followed farming, following the primitive methods of pioneer days but keeping abreast with the progress in agricultural lines as time went on. He cleared nearly one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he had in his
1
Digitized by Google
187
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
possession at the time of his death, and on which he had made good im- provements, transforming it from a wilderness into one of the fine farms of his locality. His life was one of untiring industry and enterprise and his children have reason to be proud of his memory because of what he accomplished and because of the honorable, straightforward methods he followed in his business and in all his relations with his fellowmen. He died in 1870 and was survived for about seven years by his widow, who passed away in 1877. They were consistent and faithful members of the Christian church, took an active part in its work and Mr. Easter served as one of its deacons. He voted with the Democratic party but the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him, as he preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. In the family were ten children, of whom four are now living: Isaiah S., of this review; Alta, the wife of Tapley Brown; Isaac; and Mattie, the wife of Oscar Houk.
In his early boyhood days Isaiah S. Easter worked upon the home farm and attended the district schools, acquiring thereby a fair English education. He lost his father when ten years of age but lived upon the old homestead until his mother died in 1877. He then went to Knights- ville, Indiana, and resided with his uncle, Jefferson Nixon, at which time he turned his attention to mining and farming. He also operated a threshing machine.
When twenty-one years of age, Mr. Easter was married on the 27th of March, 1881, to Miss Rosa Alice Farris, who was born in Owen county, Indiana, near Spencer, March 12, 1861, her parents being Philip and Margaret (Galloway) Farris, both of whom were natives of Ten- nessee. Her father died in Texas at the age of sixty-nine years, while the mother passed away in Middlebury, Clay county, Indiana, at the age of fifty years. They were married in this state and their family numbered eight children, of whom five survive, namely: Mary, the wife of Francis Powell; John S .; Oliver T .; Mrs. Easter; and Bell, the wife of John W. Davis. Mr. Farris, the father of Mrs. Easter, came to Indiana when a young man and located in Owen county, where he spent a number of years as a farmer. He then removed to Middletown, Owen county, where he engaged in merchandising, opening a store in Stockton. He afterward carried on business in Middleburg and later opened the first store in Clay City, Indiana. Thus for a number of years he was identified with mercantile interests but at length he retired from business and spent his last days in Texas. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist church and his political views were in accord with the principles of Democracy.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Easter purchased a home in Knightsville, where he lived for about two years. He then returned to the old homestead, upon which he resided for about three years, and later he spent a short time in Kansas. Again coming to Indiana, he settled in Brazil and was first identified with the business interests of this city as a salesman in a grocery store. He also engaged in mining and in 1901, when his well directed industry and careful expenditure had brought him sufficient capital he embarked in business as proprietor of a meat market. Some time afterward he extended the scope of his business by establishing a grocery department at No. 211 East Main street, where he carried on business until 1907, when he removed to his present location at No. 501 North Forest avenue. Here he has erected
Digitized by Google
188
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
a good store building, which he now occupies. He has a neatly arranged store, carries a large and well selected line of staple and fancy groceries and choice meats and is conducting a business which is now proving gratifying and profitable.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Easter was blessed with seven children but only three are now living, Ross Lee, Bessie and Donald. Mr. Easter belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 3418; to the Improved Order of Red Men, No. 61 ; and to the Knights and Ladies of Security, No. 366. He has never cared to participate in public affairs as an office holder but gives his co-operation to various movements that have been beneficial measures in the city. He belongs to the Christian church and his religious belief is manifest in his business dealings and in other re- lations of life. He started out for himself when a young man in his teens and has since been dependent upon his own resources. He pos- sessed the enterprising spirit of the west which has been the dominant factor in producing the wonderful development of this section of the country. Brooking no obstacles that honest effort can overcome, he has steadily worked his way upward until he is now numbered among the leading merchants of Brazil.
ALPHARIS E. RUNDELL, M. D .- Many people regard the practice of medicine as the most important work to which a man can direct his energies. It is one of grave responsibility, and the faithful physician is often called upon to make large sacrifices of time and money for the interest of his fellowmen. Dr. Rundell, for some years a practitioner at Center Point, held to high ideals in his professional career and was greatly esteemed for his personal traits of character as well as his pro- fessional ability. His life record began in Lexington, Richland county, Ohio, on the 10th of March, 1850, and was terminated in Brazil on the 28th of December, 1900, when he was called to his final rest. His parents were W. W. and Harriet Rundell, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. The family comes of German-English origin and in 1856 the parents removed from the Buckeye state to Indiana, estab- lishing their home in Owen county. The father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and became a member of the Indiana con- ference. He labored effectively and untiringly for the upbuilding of the cause in his adopted state and was a man of considerable influence, his words of truth and wisdom sinking deep into the hearts of many and in course of time bringing forth rich fruit in upright lives. He con- tinued active in the ministry up to the time of his death, which occurred in Gentryville, Indiana.
Dr. Rundell, whose name introduces this record, was but six years of age when brought to Indiana by his parents and here he attended school to the age of fifteen years, spending three years in the high school at Boonville, Indiana. Determining to follow a professional career, he decided to make the practice of medicine his life work and when twenty-one years of age was enrolled as a student in Evansville Medical College, from which he was graduated on the 27th of February, 1874. He located for practice when twenty-three years of age at New Albany in southern Indiana. He practiced for a year at Elizabeth, Har- rison county, this state, and in 1875, removed to Center Point, Clay county, Indiana, where he remained in active practice until February, 1900. In the meantime he had always been a close and discriminating
Digitized by Google
189
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
student of the science of medicine and to still further perfect himself in his chosen calling he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1884. He then returned to Center Point, where he continued in practice about sixteen years, when he gave up his professional duties and came to Brazil, where he died on the 28th of December, of the same year.
In 1885 Dr. Rundell was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Harris, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Richard and Jane (Mc- Neece) Harris, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and were married in Harrisburg, that state. Their family numbered six children, of whom three are living: Robert, of Crawfordsville, Indiana ; Sarah, the wife of L. Kennedy, a resident of Center Point, Clay county, Indiana; and Mrs. Rundell. The father was a farmer of Ohio and came to In- diana in the early '40s, locating near Crawfordsville, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits. He belonged to the Methodist Epis- copal church throughout his entire life and was an earnest, consistent Christian man, who followed closely the teachings of his denomination. His political allegiance was given to the Whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party and continued one of its faithful followers until his demise.
Dr. and Mrs. Rundell became the parents of one son, Harry Brazil. Fraternally the Doctor was connected with Center Point Lodge, A. F. and A. M., with the Knights of Pythias and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and when death claimed him he received the honors of the Masonic burial, the interment being made at Center Point. He was prominent as a representative of the craft and was sent as a delegate to the grand lodge. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Epis- copal church, to the teachings of which he was most loyal and faithful. Although the last few months of his life were passed in Brazil and he was well known in that city and throughout the county, his remains were taken back to his old home at Center Point for burial. At his death the Clay County Medical Society, of which he was a member, passed the following resolutions: "Resolved, That in the death of our brother, Dr. A. E. Rundell, the society has lost one of its most faithful and valued members, he having been one of the original promoters of the society.
"Resolved, that in his demise the community and county has lost a noble and public-spirited citizen, who had ever at heart the good name and welfare of all his fellowmen and neighbors.
"Resolved, That while we mourn his departure from our councils, we shall ever emulate the good example he has set in his never failing cheerfulness of manner, his courteous treatment of all classes of people, his candor, his strict integrity and observances of medical ethics through- out his thirty years' practice, and especially his genial patience and for- titude as shown in his last long and painful illness.
"Resolved, That we extend our sincerest sympathy to his bereaved family in this their hour of saddest affliction, and hereby order that these lines of condolence be published and made to appear in our record of society proceedings. J. D. Sourwine, F. Nussel, G. W. Finley, com- mittee."
Such in brief was the life record of Dr. Rundell. He held to high ideals in his profession, was loyal in citizenship and devoted to his friends but the best traits of his character were reserved for his own
Digitized by Google
190
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
fireside, where he was a most devoted husband and father. His daily manner, his ready sympathy and his kindliness in the sickroom made him the loved family physician in many a household at Center Point and the surrounding district and caused the news of his death to be received with deepest regret by all with whom he had been associated.
SAMUEL ARBUCKLE .- Few men are more widely known in the enterprising city of Brazil than Samuel Arbuckle, who is proprietor of a grocery store here and whose life record proves the fact that the road to success is open to all; that ambition and energy constitute the factors that lead one on to prominence in the business world.
Mr. Arbuckle was born in Jennings county, Indiana, February II, 1850, his parents being William F. and Mary A. (Wells) Arbuckle, who were likewise natives of this state. The father, who was born in 1819, passed away on the 23d of December, 1874, while the mother died at the comparatively early age of thirty-five years. William F. Arbuckle followed the occupation of farming in Indiana until 1865, when he removed to Illinois, settling in Clark county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. He was an earnest Christian man, holding membership with the United Brethren church and his political allegiance was given to the Republican party. His influence was always found on the side of right, justice and prog- ress and he commanded the respect of all with whom he came in con- tact. The family numbered five children and of the three living Samuel is the youngest. The others are: John A., now a resident of Hendricks county, Indiana; and Charita A., the wife of Isaac M. Layton, Labette county, Kansas.
Samuel Arbuckle spent the days of his boyhood upon his father's farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors connected with the tilling of the soil and the care of the crops. After leaving home he engaged in teaming in Brazil and Clay county, devoting twenty-three years or more to that business, during which time he gradually acquired a comfortable competence and in May, 1897, he invested a portion of his capital in a stock of groceries and opened a store which he has since carried on. In this he has been quite prosperous, having built up a large trade, while his fair and honorable dealings and the neat and tasteful arrangement of his store insured a continuance of a liberal patronage.
On the 31st of August, 1871, Mr. Arbuckle was united in marriage to Miss Rachel A. Woods, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, January 25, 1854, a daughter of Charles and Hannah (Easter) Woods. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, January 22, 1802, and in the early '4os removed westward to Ohio, where he engaged in farming and also dealt in timber. There he remained until 1865, when he removed to Clay county, Indiana, settling in Van Buren township, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death. He passed away at the age of seventy-five years and the community mourned the loss of a citizen who had long been respected in the community. His wife was born in Highland county, Ohio, September 16, 1820, and sur- viving her husband, passed away in Brazil, September 14, 1903, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. They were married in her native county in 1850. Mrs. Woods had learned the trade of weaving when a girl under the direction of her father and became an expert in that line. She was a very active, energetic woman, who carefully controlled the
Digitized by Google
191
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
interests of her own household, while her many good qualities of heart and mind won her the love and esteem of all who knew her. She was for many years a devoted member of the Christian church and she was of that type of noble women of whom it might truthfully be said: "Her children rise up and call her blessed." By her marriage she became the mother of three sons and three daughters : Isaac; Mrs. Arbuckle; Lavisa J .; Charles B., who died at the age of forty-five years; Florence E .; and Lewis M.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Arbuckle have been born four children: Ruth E., now the wife of John Flack; Perry M., who married Tillie Schultz ; Hannah E., the wife of Joseph Yant; and Samuel M., who is living in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Mr. Arbuckle has never been an aspirant for public office but on the contrary has preferred to do his public duty as a private citizen and in many ways has contributed to the welfare and interest of the com- munity with which he is identified. He holds membership in the Chris- tian church and takes a helpful interest in all of its activities. He has served as the treasurer and also as steward and trustee of the church. He belongs to Clay City Lodge, No. 522, I. O. O. F., while he and his wife are connected with Mayflower Lodge, No. 604, of the Order of Rebekahs. He holds membership with the Improved Order of Red Men and his wife is past-chief of Peoria Council, Pocahontas, No. 64. She has also been a member of the Woman's Relief Corps of Brazil for the past eleven years and shares with her husband in every good work in which he is interested. In fact, they are both well known for their kindly spirit, their active benevolence and their general helpfulness, and wherever known are held in highest esteem.
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.