A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 46

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

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Mr. Macbeth was a valued member of General Canby Post, No. 2, G. A. R., and greatly enjoyed the campfires of the organization. During his younger years he took an active part in politics and was a stalwart supporter of the Republican party. When death claimed him his remains were taken back to the old home at Wellsville, Ohio, for interment and the pallbearers at his funeral were members of his regiment and three of them were members of his own company. In November, 1907, his remains were removed to "Highland Lawn," Terre Haute. He was an active and substantial citizen, respected by all for the straightforward methods which he followed, and success with him was gained through the rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity and unfaltering diligence.

JOSEPH R. FINLEY is engaged in the fire insurance business in Brazil as a member of the firm of Finley, Ell & Finley. In former years he engaged in farming and in teaching school, but now concentrates his entire time and attention upon the insurance business with the result that success is attending the firm, their patronage having reached extensive proportions.

Mr. Finley is a native of Van Buren township, Clay county, Indiana, born on the 17th of October, 1848. His father, James Milton Finley, died

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on the 27th of December, 1907, and was buried on the last day of that year. Further mention of the history of the family is made on another page of this volume. The public schools afforded to Joseph R. Finley his early educational privileges and he lived at home until twenty-three years of age, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He left home at the age of twenty- three years and, becoming identified with educational interests, taught his first school in Clay county, William Travis being at that time county superintendent. The winter seasons were devoted to the work of the schoolroom, while in the summer months he carried on the labors of the fields and thus his life was a busy one, with few leisure hours. He taught school in Putnam county, Indiana, for fourteen or fifteen winters, and that his services were most acceptable is indicated by the fact that he taught in only two districts in Washington township, being employed year after year in the same district. In the summer months he plowed and planted the fields and cared for the crops and was thus engaged con- tinuously until 1901, when he came to Brazil, Indiana, and engaged in the fire insurance business, being today a member of the firm of Finley, Ell & Finley. The firm is well known in their special line and their busi- ness is large and growing.

On the 25th of August, 1871, Mr. Finley was married to Miss Lucinda Riddel, who died twenty years later on the 2d of September, 1891. She was a daughter of Thomas and Lucinda Riddel and by her marriage she became the mother of four children: Walter, who married Ella Lambert; James Ross, who wedded Anna Riseler; and Grace, the wife of Thomas Boyd. After losing his first wife Mr. Finley was again married, in November, 1893, his second union being with Matilda Bobo, who was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, a daughter of Garner and Elizabeth Bobo. The father is now deceased, but the mother is living with Mr. and Mrs. Finley. By this marriage there is one son, Harvey F.

In his political views Mr. Finley is a stalwart Republican but has never cared for nor sought public office. He is, however, faithful in citi- zenship and cooperates in many measures which have direct bearing upon the interests of the community. He belongs to the Christian church and his life is in harmony with his professions.

JOHN A. FINLEY early displayed the elemental strength of his char- acter in providing the way whereby he might acquire a more advanced education than the common schools afforded. Strong purpose and lauda- ble ambition have ever been numbered among his salient characteristics and have made him a man of local prominence and worth. Long identified with educational interests, he did much to raise the standard of the schools in this part of the state. He is now engaged in the fire insurance business as senior partner of the firm of Finley, Ell & Finley.

One of Indiana's native sons, John A. Finley, was born in Van Buren township, Clay county, on the 5th of April, 1858, his father being James Milton Finley, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume and who died on the 27th of December, 1907. The son spent his boyhood days on the farm, working in the fields in the summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his education in the public schools. Desirous of enjoying better opportunities than he had thus far received, in the winter of 1874 he was a student in the academic department of Union Christian College at Merom, Sullivan county, Indiana, and con-

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tinuing his course there as opportunity offered, he was graduated in the class of 1881. In the meantime he taught school in the winter months to provide funds necessary for continuing his college course and also taught in the college to some extent. The year after he left school he was married and then engaged in farming for a year. Subsequently he took up the profession of teaching in Van Buren township, where for six terms he was principal of the schools. In 1884 he established his home in the city of Brazil, where he taught for seven years, being principal of three different ward schools. He was thus connected with the Lambert street school for one year, for one year was principal of the Pinkley school and for five years was principal of the Jackson school. He had the ability of inspiring teachers and pupils with much of the zeal and interest which he himself felt in the work. He stood for high ideals and wrought along practical lines toward securing the progress which he desired. At length, retiring from that field of professional labor, he became a partner of the firm of Miller & Finley in the fire insurance business and subsequently the present firm of Finley, Ell & Finley was organized. They have a large clientage, annually writing an amount of insurance which makes their business profitable and gratifying.

On the 8th of October, 1882, Mr. Finley was married to Miss Mattie Davis, a native of Ohio and a daughter of L. A. and Ann (Griffith) Davis, both of whom were natives of Wales. They were married in West Virginia, however, and had two children, Mrs. Finley and Evan J., the latter a resident of Jackson township, Clay county.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Finley have been born three children, Gladys A., who died in infancy; Vita Ethel, who was graduated from the Brazil high school with the class of 1907 and is now attending DePauw Uni- versity ; and John M. B. Mr. Finley gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and is in thorough sympathy with its principles and purposes, yet has never been an aspirant for office. He is a member of the Christian church and in all his life has been actuated by high and honorable principles that have been manifest in his stalwart and loyal citizenship and his fidelity to all the duties of business and home life.

ELIAS D. WILDER, associated with the commercial and industrial interests of Brazil as a partner in a lumberyard and planing mill, belongs to that class of representative American men who through the judicious use of their opportunities and the careful development of their native talents, have gained whatever success has been theirs. In the community where he lives Mr. Wilder is known as a reliable, energetic business man, actuated at all times by a spirit of progress. He was born June 5, 1861, in Van Buren township, Clay county, Indiana. His parents were Christopher and Lucinda (Pell) Wilder. The father was born in the state of New York November 20, 1836, while the mother's birth occurred in Van Buren township, Clay county, Indiana, September 27, 1840. By trade Christopher Wilder was a carpenter and for some time was engaged in the operation of a sawmill. He came to Indiana in 1856, settling first in Putnam county and engaging in the sawmill business, but for a year or two was engaged in teaching school in Parke and Clay counties, this state. On the 8th of June, 1859, he wedded Miss Lucinda Pell, and for a year they resided in Illinois, Mr. Wilder engaging in teaching school in Fayette county. They then returned to Indiana and located upon a farm

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6. 6. Wilder

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in Clay county near Harmony. In 1866 Mr. Wilder went west on account of impaired health, devoting some time to prospecting near Helena, Montana. In 1870, however, he returned to Clay county, where he devoted his time and energies to contracting and building and also engag- ing in agricultural pursuits. In 1874 he removed from his farm to Brazil and bought a furniture store, which he conducted for about three years. In 1880 he established a lumberyard and planing mill, thus entering upon one of the successful epochs in his business career. He is a member of Brazil Lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M .; Brazil Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M .; Brazil Council, No. 40, R. & S. M .; and Brazil Lodge, No. 215, I. O. O. F. He is in fact one of the oldest Odd Fellows of the city, having been a representative of the order for fifty-one years and throughout this entire period has been most loyal to the beneficent teachings and purposes of the society. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as one of the trustees, and his views upon the temperance ques- tion are indicated by his allegiance to the Prohibition party. In fact his influence is always found on the side of right and progress, of justice and truth, and his efforts and life have ever been an influence for good in the community where he has lived.

Elias D. Wilder is the second of the three surviving children in his father's family, his sister, Hattie B., being the wife of James N. Halstead, while his younger sister, Myrtie A., is the wife of Dr. S. G. Hollings- worth. Two children of the family died in infancy.

In the public schools Elias D. Wilder acquired his early education, which was supplemented by study in Asbury College, now DePauw Uni- versity, in 1884. When he put aside his text-books and turned his atten- tion to business interests and cares he worked at drilling for coal in Clay and Parke counties for a time, while later he became weighmaster for the Brazil Block Coal Company. For one winter he engaged in clerking in a grocery store, and in February, 1887, entered the employ of his father in connection with his lumber and planing mill interests. In January, 1901, he became a partner in the business, in which he has since continued with gratifying success. They have a large trade in both departments, and theirs is to-day one of the important industrial enterprises of the city.

On the 28th of December, 1886, Mr. Wilder was married to Miss Kate C. Riggs, who was born in Greencastle, Indiana, April 23, 1865. She graduated from DePauw University in 1885. She was a daughter of D. W. Riggs, a native of Kentucky, now living in Greencastle, Indiana. In 1893 Mr. Wilder was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 18th of December of that year, leaving two children, Marshall P. and Louisa B. On the 22d of June, 1905, Mr. Wilder was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Dora Diel, who was born in Brazil March 16, 1876, a daughter of J. Henry Diel, a resident contractor of Posey township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilder has been born a daughter, Katheryn Virginia, born September 12, 1906. The parents are greatly esteemed in the community where they live and have an extensive circle of warm, admiring and faithful friends. Mr. Wilder belongs to the Modern Woodman Camp and to the Methodist Episcopal church, serving on the board of stewards of the latter. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he prefers to give his time and energies to his busi- ness affairs. He is now closely associated with the commercial and indus- trial interests of Brazil as a representative of one of its important business

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concerns. Added to the long experience and keen discrimination of the father is the enterprise, diligence and energy of the younger man, con- stituting this one of the strong firms of the city, and their combined efforts have brought to their business a large degree of success. The methods and plans which have been augmented commend themselves to the judg- ment of all and have secured to the company a patronage which makes their business a profitable one.

MARY E. (RARDIN) CORNWELL .- Having a pleasant home on the National Road, near Knightsville, Mrs. Mary E. (Rardin) Cornwell, widow of the late Benjamin Franklin Cornwell, is held in high respect and esteem by her neighbors and friends, who have ever found her kind and helpful. A daughter of James Rardin, she was born April 23, 1844, in Van Buren township, this county. Her grandfather, Timothy Rardin, moved from Kentucky, his native state, to Ohio, becoming a pioneer of Clermont county. Securing a tract of government land about a mile from the present site of New Richmond, he cleared a good farm from the dense wilderness and there resided until his death, at a ripe old age. His children, named Pamelia, William, Timothy, George, James and Jonathan, all came to Indiana, settling first in Parke county, some of them subsequently going from there to Illinois.

James Rardin, born in 1805, in Clermont county, Ohio, was there employed in tilling the soil until after his marriage. Subsequently, accompanied by his wife and three children, he came across the country with teams to Indiana, bringing with him all of his effects. For a few years thereafter he lived in Parke county, where he had taken up land, but there being so much sickness, known as milk sickness, in that locality he sold out and came to Van Buren township. Here buying one hundred and sixty acres of land that was still in its virgin wildness, he cleared a space to make room to erect the small log cabin which the family occupied for several years and in which Mrs. Cornwell was born. There being no convenient markets near, all farm produce and the dressed hogs were drawn to Terre Haute to be disposed of. The people lived almost entirely on the products of their land, cornbread being their chief article of diet. The women of the household cheerfully performed their full share of the pioneer labor, carding, spinning and weaving the homespun with which the family was clothed, and with their own hands fashioning the gar- ments. Mrs. Cornwell now has among her most treasured possessions a coverlet woven by her mother, who also spun and carded the flax from which it is made. Improving a farm, Mr. Rardin occupied it about forty years, when he sold and bought another farm north of Brazil. Disposing of that, he bought a place south of Brazil, and there resided until his death, in the seventy-fifth year of his age.

Mr. Rardin married first Mary Sapp, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Sutton) Sapp, both of whom were born in Ireland, emigrated when young to Ohio, and spent their last years in Clermont county, Mrs. Sapp attaining the age of ninety- two years. Mrs. James Rardin died in 1848, leaving seven children, as follows: Amanda, Edward, Rebecca, Pamelia, Abel, James and Mary E. Abel, James and Edward served in the Civil war. Abel and James both lost their lives while in service. Abel dying in the Andersonville prison and James at Bowling Green, Kentucky. Edward now lives in Cumber- land county, Illinois.

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Mary E. Rardin Cornwell, the special subject of this sketch, was but four years old when her mother died, and at the age of ten years she went to live in the family of John and Nancy Weaver, with whom she remained until her marriage, October 19, 1866, to Benjamin Franklin Cornwell.

Benjamin F. Cornwell was born in Clermont county, Ohio, June 3, 1836, a son of David Cornwell. The latter was born in New Jersey, but in early manhood moved to Clermont county, Ohio, and was there a resident until 1839. In that year he made a trip to Indiana, coming on horseback, with his gun and axe strapped to him. Entering a tract of government land in Dick Johnson township, he built a log cabin, and then went back to Ohio for his family. On his return trip to this state he brought with him his family and all of his worldly goods, journeying with teams and camping and cooking by the way. This part of the county was then a wilderness, in which wild turkey, deer, coons, and other wild game were abundant, helping in a large measure to supply the home larder. After occupying the log cabin for a number of years he erected a brick house, in which he lived until his death, in 1865. His wife, whose maiden name was Diadama Frazier, was born in Ohio and died on the Indiana homestead in 1865, a short time before he did. Seven of their children grew to years of maturity, namely: Maria, Benjamin F., Eliza- beth, Oliver, William, Delitha and Henry.

But three years of age when he came with his parents to Clay county, Benjamin F. Cornwell grew to manhood on the home farm, attending the short sessions of the pioneer schools, and at other times assisting in clearing the land, being reared to habits of industry and thrift. In 1861, at the first call for troops, he enlisted in Company F, Tenth Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, and with his regiment went to the front and participated in the battle of Rich Mountain, Virginia, serving bravely until the expiration of his term of enlistment. Receiving his honorable discharge in July, 1861, he returned home, and the following December married Mary E. Griffee, of Parke county. She died in October, 1864. In Feb- ruary, 1865; Mr. Cornwell enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment joined the command of General Thomas at Pulaski, Tennessee. In the following July he was honorably discharged from the service, resuming the peaceful operation of farming at his old home. In 1868 he purchased a farm in the northwest quarter of section twenty-one. A part of the land had pre- viously been cleared and a set of log buildings had been erected. After living in the log cabin a few years he built a commodious brick house, a frame barn and other necessary buildings, and made other improvements of value. Clearing the remainder of the land, he there carried on general farming with most satisfactory pecuniary results until his death, in August, 1900. A few weeks prior to his death Mr. Cornwell had bought a home on the National Road, near Knightsville, and in this his family now reside. By his first marriage he had one child, Nettie R., wife of Thomas S. Pell. By his second marriage he had four children, David, James, Elda and Ora. David married Katie Miller, and they have one child, Mary. James is unmarried. Elda, wife of Frank W. Hunt, has an adopted son named Frank. Ora is the wife of James Summers. Mrs. Cornwell and family are members of the United Brethren church, to which Mr. Cornwell also belonged. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and in politics was a sound Republican.

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JOSEPH M. SMITH .- A practical and enterprising agriculturist of Van Buren township, Joseph M. Smith exercises great skill and excellent judgment in his chosen vocation, and during his many years of toil and labor has accumulated a competency. He is distinguished as a native- born citizen, his birth having occurred in this township January 19, 1857. His grandfather Smith was an early settler of Indiana, and but little is known of his history, excepting that he spent his last years in Rush county, where, it is thought, his son Perry, father of Joseph M., was born.

Left an orphan in childhood, Perry Smith was early thrown upon his own resources and he successfully paddled his own canoe, working at any honest occupation. He was employed in different places, for awhile being in Madison county. Coming from there to Clay county, he traded property for land in section three, Van Buren township, and at once began its improvement, his first work being to cut down enough timber to make room for a small log cabin, it being the one in which his son Joseph was born. This cabin he afterwards replaced by a more commo- dious one made of hewn logs, and it is still in excellent condition. By dint of hard pioneer labor he cleared quite a tract, and was here engaged in tilling the soil until his death in 1872. He was twice married. The maiden name of his second wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch. was Mary Harmless. She was born in Ohio, but came with her parents to Indiana when a girl, and here lived and died.

Joseph M. Smith received his early education in the district schools, and during his long vacations assisted his father on the farm, thus becom- ing early acquainted with agricultural labors. After the death of his father he continued to reside with his mother, and now, having pur- chased the interest of the remaining heirs, owns the old homestead. Possessing excellent business and executive ability, sound in judgment and a wise manager, Mr. Smith has met with eminent success in his operations, and in addition to owning the home farm of one hundred and fifteen acres has also title to eighty acres in Parke county.

In 1879 he married Laura E. Coleman. She was born in Mansfield, Parke county, Indiana, a daughter of Zopher and Tabitha Coleman. For a number of years Mrs. Smith has been an invalid, unable to fully enjoy the comforts of life. Fraternally Mr. Smith is a member of Carbon Lodge, No. 145, Knights of Pythias, and of Carbon Lodge, No. 693, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

JAMES K. Moss, M. D .- The medical profession of Clay county numbers among its leading members Dr. James K. Moss, of Ashboro, a representative of one of the county's earliest pioneer residents. In the early and formative period, in 1827, there came to reside within its bor- ders one George Moss, the grandfather of Dr. Moss. He settled near where Center Point is now located, and in 1832 he came to Ashboro and became the proprietor of one of the old historic inns of Clay county, and there the stage coach on the road between Terre Haute and Bloomington used to stop for a change of horses. He also laid out the Ashboro ceme- tery and deeded the same to Clay county on the 9th of July, 1845. He was one of the most prominent factors in the early history of this vicinity. Both he and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Bilderback, were born in Virginia.

Among the children of George and Lydia ( Bilderback) Moss was a

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son George Mc., who was born in Sugar Ridge township, Clay county, November 19, 1832. On the 16th of August, 1854, at what was then known as Grimes church, located in the center of the county, he married Martha E. Adams, who was born in Rosedale, Parke county, Indiana, a daughter of Samuel C. and Nancy ( McGinnis) Adams. The young couple took up their abode on one hundred and sixty acres of land on the northwest half of section 16, township 11, range 6 West, Clay county, and there spent their useful lives and died, the husband in June, 1899, and the wife on the 22d of January, 1882. Of their large family of ten children, six sons and four daughters, four sons and two daughters are now living, as follows: Andrew, whose home is in Ashboro; James K., who is mentioned later ; Samuel'T., an educator in Birmingham, Alabama ; Ida M., the wife of William Slack, of Ashboro; Eva, the wife of Henry Fogle, and their home is in Sugar Ridge township; and John J., who resides on the old homestead farm and is the assessor of Sugar Ridge township.

Dr. James K. Moss, the second born of the ten children of George Mc. and Martha E. (Adams) Ross, was born in Ashboro October 14. 1857, and received his early training in its common schools and in the high school of Center Point, where he was a pupil of William Travis. His professional training was received in the Medical College of Indiana. at Indianapolis, where he graduated as a physician and surgeon, and after his marriage he began practice in Ashboro. During the many years which have since come and gone he has become well known as a medical practitioner, and at the present time is also the proprietor of a drug store in this city. He owns twenty acres of the old Moss farm, but his resi- dence, a beautiful place surrounded by eight acres, is in town. For twenty years the Doctor served as committeeman of this precinct, and during two years or one term served as the coroner of Clay county.

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A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 46

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

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