A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 39

Author: William Travis
Publication date: 1909
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 631

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At the time of his death, which was caused by the kick of a horse on the 23d of June, 1881, he had served in the army for ten or twelve years. His wife was born at Grellenberg-Kreis, Grimmen, Stralsund, Germany, Sep- tember 29, 1826, and passed away near Rushville, Sheridan county, Nebraska, March 5, 1899. Her parents were Johan Christian Doss and Catharina Maria Prenick. Both Mr. and Mrs. John Witt were members of the German Lutheran church. Their family numbered eleven children, of whom two are now living: John, who resides near Rushville, Sheridan county, Nebraska, where he follows the occupation of farming ; and Fred- erick C. of Brazil. The last named was educated in Germany and in May, 1874, engaged in the tailoring business, to which he has devoted his entire life. The favorable reports which he heard concerning America and its opportunities so strongly attracted him that he determined to come to the new world and in 1882, when a young man of twenty-three years, crossed the Atlantic, settling first at Philo, in Champaign county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade. In 1883 he engaged with John Ross at Urbana, Illinois, while he further pursued his education in the German College at Springfield, Illinois, for two terms, having earned the money by his pre- vious labor. After again putting aside his text-books he returned to Champaign and clerked in a dry-goods store for six or eight months. He then returned to Danville, Illinois, where he engaged in the dry-goods · business in the capacity of clerk until August 1, 1887. On that date he arrived in Brazil, Indiana, and entered the employ of Samuel Siegel, with whom he continued until the 10th of January, 1898. He then gave up his position and engaged in the tailoring business on his own account, having since conducted his shop with creditable and gratifying success. He is an excellent workman himself and is therefore capable of directing the labors of those who serve under him. He has secured a liberal patronage and his business is now a profitable venture.

On the 9th of April, 1885, Mr. Witt was united in marriage to Miss Fredericka Fuchs, who was born in Danville, Illinois, July 9, 1864, a daughter of George and Christina (Pries) Fuchs, both of whom were natives of Germany. They were married, however, in Danville, Illinois, and unto them were born two children, the younger being Mrs. Witt, who by her marriage has become the mother of six children, of whom four are yet living, namely: George J., Louise D., Agnes W., and Clara A. Both Mr. and Mrs. Witt have a wide acquaintance in Brazil and this part of the county and their circle of friends is a very extensive one.

Mr. Witt is a valued member of Centennial Lodge, No. 541, A. F. and A. M., and both he and his wife are connected with William Black Chapter, No. 80, O. E. S. He also belongs to Brazil Lodge, No. 215, I. O. O. F., and Iron City Encampment, No. 118, and is likewise a member of the Canton No. 47 Uniformed Rank. He has served as state repre- sentative since 1889 and both he and his wife are members of Mayflower Lodge, No. 61, of the Order of Rebekah. He is likewise connected with the Fraternal Eagles, with the Improved Order of Red Men and with the Knights and Ladies of Security and the Haymakers. His political alle- giance is given to the Democracy and he is one of its stalwart advocates, unfaltering in his support of its principles. In 1908 he was the Democratic nominee for recorder, but on account of the sympathy felt for his oppo- nent, who was a cripple, was defeated. The recorder in office having resigned Mr. Witt was appointed to fill the unexpired term until the one elected qualified.

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Both he and his wife are devout members of the German Evangelical Lutheran church and he has been one of its deacons .for twelve years. His life has ever been actuated by honorable principles and upright mo- tives and he is known as a thoroughly reliable business man and progres- sive citizen and a faithful friend. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for in this land he has found the opportunities he sought and utilizing them he has through his well directed industry and diligence gained a place among the substantial resi- dents of the community, while at the same time he has enjoyed the friend- ship and esteem of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

NICHOLAS MARSHALL CROMWELL .- A representative agriculturist of Harrison township and a veteran of the Civil war, Nicholas Marshall Cromwell is distinguished not only for his own life work, but for the honored ancestry from which he traces his descent, being a lineal descend- ant of Oliver Cromwell, the Protector, and of pioneer ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides of the house. A native of Clay county. he was born in Washington township February 11, 1841, a son of Owen D. and Huldah (Rizley) Cromwell. Further ancestral and parental his- tory may be found elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of his brother, D. T. Cromwell.

Brought up in pioneer times, Nicholas M. Cromwell, as soon as physically able to work, assisted his father in the labor of clearing a homestead. in the meantime obtaining his early education in the short terms of the district schools. On July 9, 1862, imbued with the spirit of true patriotism, he enlisted in Company D, Seventy-first Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, which was subsequently known to the Sixth Indiana Cavalry, and was with his regiment in all of its marches, campaigns and battles throughout the remainder of the war, receiving his honorable dis- charge from the service on June 17, 1865. Mr. Cromwell enlisted as a private, but in 1864 was promoted to the rank of sergeant. After return- ing to his home he resumed the occupation to which he was bred, and carried on general farming on rented land for a number of years. In 1876 he bought the farm which he now owns and occupies, it being located in section thirteen, township nine, range seven. Under his management his land is well improved and judiciously cultivated, yielding abundantly of the crops common to this section of the country, the estate bearing substantial evidences of his agricultural skill and good judgment.

In August, 1865, Mr. Cromwell married Caroline Toelle, who was born in Hoofengeisen, a village of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, December 6. 1844. Her father, John Toelle, was born in the same locality, and lived there during his earlier years. In 1845, owing to accounts of life in this country as pictured by his brother Frederick, who had emigrated to Indiana and lived for a time in Washington township and later in Sugar Ridge township, he came to the United States to reside, being accompanied by his wife and four children, crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel, and being nine weeks on the water. After spending a short time in Ohio he came to Clay county, locating in Washington township, where he pur- chased the farm on which he lived several years. Removing from there to Harrison township, he resided there until his death in 1884, at the venerable age of four score and four years. He married Maria Louise Toelle, who, though bearing the same surname, was not a relative. She died at the age of seventy-seven years, leaving six children, namely :

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DO Weaver

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Christina, Mary, Elizabeth, Caroline, Frederick William and John F. N. Frederick served in the Union army in the Civil war as a member of Company M, Sixth Indiana Cavalry, and was killed at the engagement in Pulaski, Tennessee, being then but seventeen years old.

Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell are the parents of nine children, namely : Frederick, Annie M., Henry, Harley, Huldah, Rutherford, Harvey, Ray and Audrey. Fred married Nettie Horton, and they have five children, Fredie, Sylvia, Herbert, Caroline and Dorothy. Annie M., wife of William Caton, has three children, Blanche, Marie and Gladys. Harley married Mettie Scott, by whom he has two children, Lewis and Alice. Rutherford married Rose Craft, and they have one child, John Marshall. Religiously Mr. Cromwell is a member of the Christian church, while Mrs. Cromwell belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

DAVID WARREN WEAVER is now. enjoying well earned rest in hon- orable retirement from labor at his pleasant home which is situated about a half mile west of Brazil, on section 2, Posey township. He has at differ- ent times been connected with farming, with the pump business and with the manufacture of brick and tile, and his activity and enterprise brought him capital sufficient to enable him now to rest from further labor. He was born at Clermont county, Ohio, March 6, 1836, his parents being John O., and Nancy (Cornwell) Weaver. His paternal grandfather, Mathew Weaver, was a native of New Jersey and after living for a time in Virginia removed with his family from the old Dominion to Ohio in 1820. He was numbered among the pioneer residents of both Virginia and the Buckeye state.

His son, John O. Weaver, was born in Virginia, May 20, 1813, but spent his boyhood days in Ohio, and in 1845 came to Indiana, settling in Dick Johnson township, Clay county. Later he removed to Van Buren township, where he carried on farming until after the death of his wife, when he became a resident of Brazil. Mrs. Nancy Weaver was born in Ohio, October 15, 1815, gave her hand in marriage to John O. Weaver in that state, and passed away in this county in 1869. They were the parents of seven children, but only three are now living; David, Maria, who is the widow of Dr. J. M. Price and a resident of Brazil ; and George, who is living in Oklahoma. As stated, John O. Weaver removed to Brazil after losing his first wife, and here he married the widow of Dr. McGuire. Turning his attention to the real estate business, he continued in that line of activity up to the time of his demise, which occurred July 11, 1893. He was a member of Brazil lodge No. 264, A. F. & A. M., and in early manhood gave his political allegiance to the Whig party. His last votes, however, were cast for the candidates of the Prohibition party, for he was a stanch temperance advocate and did all in his power to suppress the liquor traffic. His life was honorable, his actions manly and sincere and during a long residence in Indiana he commanded the unqualified confi- dence and regard of his fellowmen.

David W. Weaver spent his boyhood days upon the home farm and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When twenty-two years of age he began farming on his own account. There was a coal bank on the old homestead, and his father shipped the first carload of coal sent over the Vandalia Rail- road from this coal bank. David W. Weaver continued in the work of

Vol. II-18

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tilling the soil until 1873, when he turned his attention to the stone pump business, in which he was associated with his two brothers, Silvin and George, together with W. H. Cordrey. They were in business for about thirty years, and Mr. Weaver of this review also engaged in the manu- facture of brick and tile as a member of the Hollis Brick & Tile Company. His interests were thus varied and important and the capable direction of his business enterprises, his sound judgment and his unfaltering diligence brought him a goodly measure of success, so that with a hand- some competence he retired in 1906 and erected a fine home on West Main street. It was built in 1906 and is one of the attractive dwellings of the locality.

Mr. Weaver has been married twice. He first wedded Martha Ann Triplett on the 29th of April, 1858. She was born in Ohio and died at the age of fifty years, while two of the four children of that marriage have also passed away. Those still living are: Clarence M., who wedded Mary Campbell, and Mary E., the wife of James Haywood. On the 19th of September, 1900, Mr. Weaver was again married, his second union being with Elvira Nickols, who was born in Dick Johnson town- ship, this county.

Mr. Weaver has served as township supervisor for two terms and has always been interested in the upbuilding and advancement of his com- munity. His political support is given to the Prohibition party. He belongs to Brazil lodge No. 264, A. F. & A. M., and has been a member of the lodge since 1865. He is thoroughly loyal to its teachings and is a worthy exemplar of the craft. It is fitting that after a life of intense and well directed activity such as he has lived, he should enter upon a season of rest in which to enjoy the fruits of his former toil.

THOMAS BROTHERS .- An enterprising, practical and progressive agri- culturist, Thomas Brothers, proprietor of a finely improved farm in Har- rison township, is there successfully employed in tilling the soil, exercising much skill and excellent judgment in the management of his estate. A son of Abner Brothers, he was born January 1, 1837, in Orleans township, Orange county, Indiana. His grandfather, Joshua Brothers, was a native of England, and, as far as known, was the only member of his immediate family to come to the United States. He lived first in North Carolina, but subsequently removed with his family to Orange county, Indiana, and again moving he spent the remainder of his life in Clay county.

Abner Brothers was born and reared in Pasquotank county, North Carolina, from there coming with his parents to Orange county, this state. Buying one hundred and fifteen acres of land that was still in its original wildness, he built the log cabin in which he began house- keeping and in which his children were born. He cleared quite a tract, and was there employed in farming until 1840. Selling out in that year he started for Pike county, Illinois, intending to locate there, having in his outfit a wagon drawn by three pairs of steers, an odd steer and one horse. He had made about half of the journey when he met his brother who had been in that county, and was not at all pleased with that section of the country. Thus discouraged, he changed his mind about going there, and went, instead, to Edgar county, Illinois, where, near Paris, he was engaged in farming for five years. Returning then to Indiana, he located in Clay county, where he secured work for a part of the time on the

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canal, which was then in process of construction, and with the money which he thus earned and saved he entered eighty acres of what was known as canal land, for which he paid the government one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre. Erecting a set of buildings, he continued his agricultural labors, living there until his death, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, Mary Dalton, who died two days before her husband, was born on the Clinch river, near Knoxville, Tennessee. They reared nine children, namely : Mahala, William, Harney, Mary, Elizabeth, An- drew, Thomas, Elijah and Franklin.

A lad of eight years when his parents settled in Harrison township, Thomas Brothers has a distinct recollection of many of the hardships and privations incidental to pioneer life. Settlers were few in number, and the forests were filled with wild game of all kinds, forming, with the productions of the soil, the chief subsistence of the inhabitants. Evans- ville and Terre Haute were the only market places, and the people used to haul their surplus farm products to those cities until after the com- pletion of the canal, when they loaded them on boats at a point near Brunswick. He assisted his father in clearing and improving a homestead when young, subsequently beginning the battle of life on his own account as a wage-earner, working by the day or month. Industrious and thrifty, he saved his money, and when he had enough to warrant it bought eighty acres of timber land in section seventeen, township nine, range six, west. In 1864 Mr. Brothers enlisted in the First Indiana Heavy Artillery, went to the front with his regiment, and subsequently took part in various engagements, remaining in his country's service until the close of the war, and in October, 1865, receiving his honorable discharge. Beginning to make preparations for his marriage, he built a log cabin on his land, and at once began the improvement of a farm. Active, energetic and an excellent manager, he has met with undoubted success in his operations, and by adding to his original has now a well-improved farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, equipped with a good set of frame buildings and all the modern mechinery necessary for successfully carrying on his chosen vocation.

Mr. Brothers married, April 7, 1867, Dorothy Yost, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio. Her father, Anastasius Yost, was born in Germany, and when a young man emigrated to Ohio, locating in Coshoc- ton county, where he married Catherine Row, who was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. Further account of the Row family may be found in connection with the sketch of Simon Row. After marriage Mr. Yost bought land near New Bedford, Ohio, and on the farm which he improved he and his wife spent their remaining days. They reared nine children, as follows: Johanson, Mary, Elizabeth, Simon, Dorothy, Leah, Rachel, Louis and Susanna. Mr. and Mrs. Brothers are the parents of three children, namely : William Franklin, Charles Nelson and Helen. William F. married Phebe Grim, and they have three children, Frederick, Freed and Eva. Charles N. married Cora Brown, by whom he has two children, Gilbert and Dewey. Helen, who married William Brown, died at the age of twenty-two years, leaving one son, Harold.

ROBERT MORRIS WILSON .- As one of the trustees of Van Buren township Robert Morris Wilson is giving in a generous measure his time and attention to the performance of his public duties, never begrudging

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any painstaking or any encroachment upon his leisure which has for its object the good of the community in which he resides. A native of Scot- land, he was born May 20, 1874, at Crossgates, Fifeshire, which was like- wise the birthplace of his father, David Wilson, Jr., and of his grand- father, David Wilson, Sr. The grandfather, who was an inspector of mines, spent his entire life in Crossgates, as did his wife, whose maiden name was Bessie Sharpe.

David Wilson, Jr., followed the shoemaker's trade for many years in his native land, and was also an inspector of mines, living in Cross- gates until 1883, when he emigrated with his family to Indiana. Locating at Knightsville, he was for a number of years thereafter employed in mining in that vicinity. He lived to a good old age, dying in July, 1907, in the eighty-first year of his age. He married Elizabeth Morris, who was born in Crossgates, Scotland, where her parents spent their lives. She is still living, a bright and active woman of seventy-two years. She bore her husband fourteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity, namely: Matthew, Mary, David, Maggie, Elizabeth, John, Jane, Kate, William, Robert M., Janet and Alexander.

Beginning his school life as a small boy in Crossgates, Robert M. Wilson completed his early education in the public schools of Knights- ville, coming here when nine years old. Commencing his career as a miner when but fourteen years of age, he continued thus employed until 1904, when he was elected trustee of Van Buren township. A man of energy and ability, he has since devoted himself to the performance of the duties devolving upon him in his official capacity, proving himself at all times trustworthy and capable.

Mr. Wilson married, in 1893, Annie Jones, who was born in 1875, at Sand Creek City, Indiana, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Reece) Jones, who were born and bred in Wales. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of three children, David Thomas, Frank Morris and Robert Earl.

Politically Mr. Wilson affiliates with the Democratic party. Fra- ternally he is a member of Knightsville Lodge No. 409, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; of Knightsville Lodge No. 186, Knights of Pythias ; and of Colfax Lodge No. 612, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Wilson has considerable literary talent, and a poem that he wrote by request, entitled "What Is Life," we are permitted to print in connection with this brief sketch :

Life is like the Morning's ray From Heaven's throne descending ; It begins at early dawn of day, At night we see its ending.

How glorious the light of day That bringeth forth the budding flowers; But just like life they fade away Within a few short hours.

Life is like the spider's web; A breath can make it sever ; Like the spider's web one tiny thread Holds Life and Death together.

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Life hath charms dear to all, Position, wealth and fame; Does Death have any? Let's recall- Yes, one,-"To die is gain."

Life is no dream nor idle jest That God gives to all men ; He placed us here just for a test Of fitness to live again.

AMOS HEDGE WRIGHT .- The family name of Amos Hedge Wright is one which is ineffaceably traced on the history of Clay county from an early epoch, and its members have performed their full share in the wonderful transformation which has been wrought in this section of the country. One of the first to enroll his name among the residents of Clay county was Amos W. Hedge, the step-grandfather of Amos H. Wright, who entered land in both Perry and Jackson townships, the latter being a part of the present Wright homestead. He cleared a part of his land, and was known far and wide as one of the pioneer ministers of the United Brethren church, his useful and beneficent life having been ended in death when he had reached the age of seventy-seven years and six months. During several terms he served as one of the commissioners of the county, a Democrat politically, and he was a soldier in the war of 1812.

Another of the early pioneers of Clay county was Elijah Wright, the father of Amos, and for many years one of the most prominent of its farmers. He was born in South Carolina on the 24th of October, 1801, and after having attained to years of maturity he came to Harrison county, Indiana, and was there married to Elizabeth Diel, by whom he. had six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom Amos was the youngest son and fifth child, and two were born in Harrison county and four in Clay county. In about 1819 he came with his family to Clay county and located in Washington township, north of Bowling Green on the Eel river, where he entered land, but later, after partially clearing it, he sold and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Perry town- ship. Building a little log cabin on the farm, he remained there for some years and then moved to Posey township and purchased a farm of forty acres. Two years later he moved to Missouri and bought a farm in Bates county, and there he spent the remainder of his life. He was a Democrat politically and a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Wright was married a second time after coming to Clay county, wedding Sabina Triplett, the widow of William Walker, a farmer of Washington town- ship and by whom she had five daughters. To the second union of Mr. Wright were born two sons.

Amos Hedge Wright, one of the sons by the first marriage, was born · in Washington township, Clay county, Indiana, March 26, 1830, and was reared principally by his step-grandfather, Amos W. Hedge, on his present homestead. He spent two years in Missouri with his father, and returning to Clay county entered forty acres of the present Wright farm in Decem- ber of 1850, the deed having been signed by President Filmore. He also purchased from his step-grandfather one hundred and sixty acres, and his present homestead now contains one hundred and twenty acres, but during his lifetime he has cleared over two hundred acres in Jackson

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township, and has made many valuable improvements on his farm, the present residence being the fourth dwelling which has been built on the place.

On the 2d of February, 1852, Mr. Wright was married to Elsie Jane Fisher, who was born in Ohio June 6, 1831, a daughter of Daniel Fisher, for many years a farmer in Sugar Ridge township, Clay county, where he established his home in 1843. Mrs. Wright attended the pioneer log school houses of that township, and her father died in Brazil after having lived retired there for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have had nine children ; Elijah, Daniel and William (twins), Louisa J., Amos Hedge, Theo Chaney, Robert E., Oto Ray and Molly, all of whom were born in Jackson township with the exception of one son, whose birth occurred in the township of Sugar Ridge, and two, Elijah and Louisa, are deceased. Mr. Wright has given a life-long support to the Demo- cratic party, and is an active worker in its local councils.

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A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 39

Author: William Travis Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Number of Pages: 631

Author: William Travis
Publication date: 1909
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 631