A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 53

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

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In 1829 Daniel Webster came from Virginia to Indiana, entered government land in Dick Johnson township, and on the farm which he reclaimed from the wilderness he and his wife, whose maiden name was Rhoda Arthur, spent the remainder of their lives.

A native of Virginia, John Lewis Webster was born October 9, 1823, in Franklin county. At the age of six years he came with the family to Dick Johnson township, and was here brought up. He remained beneath the parental roof-tree until attaining his majority, assisting his father in the pioneer labor of clearing and improving a homestead. For a number of years after he was engaged in the manufacture of shingles, subsequently, in 1867, going to Brazil, where for six years he was engaged in the lumber business. Going then to Indianapolis, he was there a real estate dealer and agent until 1879. Returning to Dick John- son township, he then bought land in section twelve, and after living there a few seasons sold and bought the farm now owned and occupied by William F. Webster, his son. Here he carried on general farming until his death, July 6, 1897. He married first Fanny Brenton, who bore him ten children. His second wife, the mother of the subject of this brief sketch, was before marriage Martha Malissa Deupree. She was born April 17, 1834, in Johnson county, Indiana, near Franklin, and as a young woman taught school a few terms. Her ancestors for a number of genera- tions resided in Virginia, where her father, Joseph W. Deupree, was born

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December 22, 1809: her grandfather, Thomas Deupree, June 12, 1786; and her great-grandfather, William Deupree, July 7, 1759. The latter, who was of French Huguenot descent, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and a life-long resident of his native state, dying there June 16, 1854. His wife, whose maiden name was Amy Pettes, was born in August, 1761, in Virginia. Thomas Deupree, also a life-long resident of Virginia, died June 15, 1825. He married Martha Hatchitt, who was born March 15, 1790, and who survived him, after his death coming to Indiana to live with her children and dying in Johnson county December 20, 1865. Joseph W. Deupree settled in Johnson county, Indiana, in 1833, and from the heavily timbered tract of land which he bought hewed the farm on which he resided several years. Going then to Davis county, Iowa, he carried on farming until ready to retire from active pursuits, when he settled in Bloomfield, that county, where his death occurred January 21, 1878. He first married Sally Ann Nichel, who was born September 29, 1816, and died August 26, 1834, when her daughter Martha Malissa was an infant. He married second Mary J. McAlpine, by whom he had seven children. The wife of John Lewis Webster died February 18, 1895.

Having completed his early studies in the district schools of Brazil, William F. Webster attended the public schools of Indianapolis for awhile. He was but sixteen years old when his parents returned to Dick Johnson township, and he has been a resident of the township since that time and of the place he now owns since 1889. He has in his possession the parch- ment deed of his farm given by the government to Simon Archer, the original owner, and also has Mr. Archer's tax receipt, bearing the date 1828, Samuel Rigley, collector. As an agriculturist, Mr. Webster has met with excellent success, and has made improvements of much value. Very soon after moving on to the farm he erected a good frame house, which in 1904 he remodeled, putting in all modern equipments.

On August 4, 1887, Mr. Webster married Frances Alice Alma Har- desty, who was born in this township, a daughter of William Hardesty. Born in Kentucky, William Hardesty came when a young man to Indiana, and for awhile lived in Putnam county. Subsequently taking up his resi- dence in Dick Johnson township, he was here employed in tilling the soil until his death, in 1884. He married Charlotte Akers, whose father, Luke Akers, left his native place, Franklin county, Virginia, in 1828, and with his wife and two children came across the country with a pair of horses and a wagon to Indiana. Taking up land in Dick Johnson township, on section fifteen, he built from round logs a cabin in which the family lived for some time. Later he built a double house of hewed logs, and to this he subsequently put on a frame addition, and in it spent his remaining days, dying February 7, 1858, aged fifty-seven years. He married Jane Webster, a daughter of Daniel and Rhoda (Arthur) Webster, and she survived him, passing away March 16, 1872, aged seventy years. Mrs. Charlotte (Akers) Hardesty survived her husband many years, dying March 27, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Webster are the parents of three chil- dren, namely: Edwin Arthur, born October 4, 1890; Marcus Harold, born September 3, 1895; and Virgil Milton, born December 27, 1899. In May, 1908, Mr. Webster received the Prohibition nomination for sheriff of Clay county.

SIMON F. GONTER. The name of Gonter has figured in connection with the grocery trade of Brazil for many years and has always been a

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synonym for enterprise and reliability. He whose name introduces this review is now successfully conducting the business under the old firm style of J. M. Gonter & Company. Born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 30th of July, 1851, he is a son of Jacob M. and Mary (Sommers) Gonter. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Gonter, was a native of Penn- sylvania and removed to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, at a very early period in the development of that section of the state, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers who were extending the frontier and reclaiming a wild region for the purposes of civilization. He cleared and developed a farm, devoting his life to general agricultural pursuits and while thus engaged shared in all of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. At an early day he traveled through the woods for ninety miles, blazing his way to Zanesville, Ohio, to get salt. There were still many evidences of Indian occupancy in that locality and it required a brave, determined and courageous spirit to face the conditions that existed and to undergo the hardships entailed by reason of the remoteness from centers of civili- zation where the necessaries and comforts of life could be easily secured. He bore his full share in the improvement of his locality and lived to the ripe old age of seventy-five years.

The father, Jacob M. Gonter, a native of Ohio, born in 1822, spent his younger years in the state of his nativity and followed carpentering and farming. In the spring of 1857 he removed to Indiana, settling in Brazil, where he became a contractor and farmer. He built the Clay Hotel for Dr. Lebo and also the residence now occupied by W. A. Knight. He also erected many other prominent buildings of the city and the sur- rounding district and was a leading representative of industrial interests in Brazil. His political allegiance was given to the Whig party and in early life he was a member of the Lutheran church but a change in his religious views led him to identify himself later with the Methodist Epis- copal church. At all times he was an earnest Christian man, actuated by stalwart devotion to whatever he believed to be right. His death occurred in 1894. He had long survived his first wife, the mother of our subject, who died in 1857. They were married in Ohio and unto them were born four children, of whom three are now living: Eliza, the widow of Martin Raididon ; Simon F .; and Angie, the wife of Jesse A. Decker, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. For his second wife Mr. Gonter chose Rebecca Raididon and unto them were born two children: Mary, now the wife of Joseph H. Sampson; and Edward S., who is living at Centerpoint, Indiana. For his third wife Mr. Gonter chose Mrs. Mary Moterman, who has also passed away. In his early boyhood days Simon F. Gonter attended the public schools of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, but his educational privileges were very limited, for from the age of eleven years his entire time and attention were given to the work of the home farm and to carpentering, which trade he followed in connection with his father, save that in the winter months he had the opportunity of attend- ing school. In the school of experience, however, he learned many val- uable lessons, becoming a man of broad general knowledge and of prac- tical business ideas. In 1881 he engaged in the grocery business with his father and J. H. Sampson in the city of Brazil, and from the beginning the enterprise has been conducted under the firm style of S. F. Gonter & Company. They carry an extensive and well selected line of staple and fancy groceries and are justly accounted one of the representative firms of the city.

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On the 10th of February, 1875, Mr. Gonter was married to Miss Margaret Eacret, who was born in Hendricks county, Ohio, October 2, 1848, a daughter of Harrison and Mary Ann (Reed) Eacret, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father spent his days in Marion, Hen- dricks and Hamilton counties of Ohio, devoting his time and energies to farming. His father was one of the early pioneers of Ohio and in pioneer times owned the land upon which the city of Indianapolis now stands, including the site of the capital. Harrison Eacret hunted deer on the present site of the city and in an early day was a postrider, carrying the mail as far west as Lafayette, Indiana. Unto him and his wife were born six children, of whom five are now living: John, a resident of Indian- apolis; Catherine, the wife of Phillip B. Stitt, living in Danville, Indiana ; Mrs. Gonter; Foster ; and Mary, the wife of William Privitt.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Gonter was blessed with four children : May, now the wife of Dr. H. H. Thacker, a practicing dentist of Brazil ; Carena, the wife of Charles Hutchinson, who is living in Brazil; Grace, at home; and J. Frank, who died in his eighteenth year.

Mr. Gonter is not only well known as a merchant but has also been somewhat active in community affairs and for one term served as city councilman. His influence is always given on the side of improvement and progress and he is a valued supporter of the Republican party. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and to Centennial Lodge, No. 541, F. and A. M., Coal City Lodge, No. 522, I. O. O. F., and Brazil Lodge, No. 30, K. P. From early boyhood he has been a resident of this city and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from boyhood indicates that his has been an honorable career.

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM THOMAS ANDERSON .- Among the well- known and highly esteemed residents of Dick Johnson township, Lieu- tenant William T. Anderson occupies an assured position. A veteran of the Civil war, he is distinguished not only for his own life and work, but for the honored ancestry from which he is descended, being a grand- son of Reverend Daniel Anderson, one of the first white settlers of Indiana.

Rev. Daniel Anderson, it is thought, was a native of Kentucky. A Methodist preacher and an old-time circuit rider, he located in Monroe county, Indiana, in 1813, and a few years later settled in Owen county. Entering a tract of government land, he superintended its clearing, in the meantime preaching the gospel every Sunday and often traveling many miles to meet his appointments. For forty-six years he was a . licensed preacher, his circuit, which covered Owen, Clay and other coun- ties, being very large. In the performance of his pious duties he had to · travel miles upon miles on horseback, oftentimes over almost impassable roads. There being no bridges, the streams had to be forded, his horse being his bridge at low water, and his boat at high water, for many a time the poor horse had to swim. For many years after he came here there were no church buildings in existence, and he held meetings in the log cabin homes, which were oftentimes so diminutive in size that the loom, tables and other pieces of furniture had to be removed to make room for the worshippers. On the farm which he cleared from the primeval forest he spent the remainder of his life, passing to the higher

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life October 5, 1851. He married Elizabeth McGan, who was born Sep- tember 23, 1783. She survived him a number of years.

Vincent Anderson, the Lieutenant's father, was born in Kentucky, July 26, 1813, and was named for his uncle, Vincent Anderson, who was killed in the war of 1812. But an infant when he was brought by his parents to this state, he received his education in the pioneer schools of Monroe and Owen counties, and early became familiar with the various branches of agriculture. In 1845 he purchased a tract of land in Wash- ington township, where he resided six years. Selling out in 1851, he started with his wife and four children for Iowa, making an overland journey to Lucas county, where he entered government land about seven miles east of the county-seat and he built a log house. Iowa at that time was very sparsely settled, and there were no railways in the state. Four years later he sold out and moved to Chariton, where he was for awhile employed in teaming to Eddyville, a town twenty miles down the river. During his residence in Iowa, Mr. Anderson made three trips to Minne- sota, each time going with a drove of cattle. Returning in 1861 to Wash- ington township, Clay county, he was here employed in tilling the soil until 1864, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. Receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to Clay county and after farming for a time in Staunton settled in Dick Johnson township, and was here a resident until his death, December 31, 1885. He married Mary Lyon, who was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Valentine and a Miss (Payne) Lyon. She survived him ten years, dying November 7, 1895. She reared seven of her children, namely: William Thomas, Lucretia, James F., Charles E., Anna Maria, George F. and Julia E.

An active lad of seven years when his parents made the removal to Iowa, William T. Anderson made the journey on horseback, driving stock. He assisted his father in his various enterprises in Iowa, and returned with the family to Clay county in 1861. In August of that year he enlisted in Company A, Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was with his regiment in nearly all of its marches, campaigns and battles, veteranizing in 1863. In March, 1864, however, he was detached and sent home to get recruits. In April, a month later, he went to Little Rock, Arkansas, to join his command, and found that the greater part of his regiment had been captured. With his remaining comrades he returned to Indianapolis to guard the prisoners of war there confined. In the meantime he had been promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and in the absence of the captain had full charge of his company. In June, 1865, after serving bravely for three years and ten months, Lieutenant Ander- son was honorably discharged from the service. Returning home, he re- sumed his former occupation as a farmer at Bowling Green, remaining there until his marriage. He then settled on his present place in Dick Johnson township, and has since been engaged in general farming and stock-raising, in his operations meeting with satisfactory results.

On September 22, 1866, Lieutenant Anderson married Artemicia Shattuck, who was born in Vigo county, Indiana, June 30, 1842, and before her marriage was a school teacher. Her father, Benjamin Frank- lin Shattuck, was born in New York state June 4. 1813, a son of Dr. Eliphalet Shattuck. Coming from York state to Indiana at an early day, Dr. Shattuck was a pioneer of Vigo county. He located on the present site of Middletown at a time when that section of the county was mostly

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a wilderness, with only here and there an open space in which stood the cabin of the early settler. Establishing himself as a farmer-physician, he continued in active practice for many years, his ride extending many miles in either direction. Both he and his wife, Jane ( Wiley) Shattuck, were held in high esteem in the community in which they spent the great- er part of their active lives.

Benjamin F. Shattuck was employed in agricultural pursuits in Vigo county until 1847, when he located in Clay county. He at first bought an estate on the National Road in Posey. township and embarked in mer- cantile pursuits, opening a grocery. At that time, and for years after, emigrants going west traveled with teams, many passing over the National Road, and with them he carried on a thriving trade, also building up an extensive local trade. About 1857 he purchased land in Brazil township, and there carried on a prosperous business in general farming, stock raising and trading, continuing it until his death, June 14, 1871. The farm which he improved is now in the heart of the city of Brazil, and one of its school buildings occupies what was his door yard. Four church edifices now stand on land once included in his estate, he having donated the site for the German church and for the Christian church. The maiden. name of his first wife, mother of Mrs. Anderson, was Tirzah Snoddy. She was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Fergus and Elizabeth Snoddy, and died June 25, 1851, in Clay county. He married for his second wife Maria James, who was born November 20, 1830, and died January 27, 1888. Of the children born of the first marriage of Mr. Shattuck, six grew to years of maturity and four are now living, as follows: Arte- micia, Volney, Mary E. and Tirzah. Elizabeth and Martha have passed to the higher life. By his second marriage five children were born, James Frank, William Scott, Anna, Leila and Charles M.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are the parents of four children, namely : Walter McDougal, Guy E., Lestia R. and Otis S. Walter married Elda Weaver, and they have one daughter, Doris. Guy married Maude Kess- ler, and they have four children, Grace, Minnie, Leo J. and Philip. Lestia is the wife of Wiley E. Parrish. Otis married Lizzie Kennedy, and they have two children, Ruth and Charlotte. Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are consistent and valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

ORLY E. ADAMS .- From the age of eleven years Orly E. Adams has depended entirely upon his own resources, and the success which he has achieved is attributable directly to his labor and diligence. He is now extensively engaged in the manufacture of fine harness, is also a dealer in trunks and bags and is vice president of the Brazil Electric Light Company. He is, however, not alone active in lines resulting in substan- tial benefit to himself but is also a citizen whose aid and co-operation can ever be counted upon .to further the best interests of Brazil and his county. His life record began in Parke county, Indiana, September 9, 1859, his parents being John and Minerva ( Seybold) Adams. The father, who was born in Indiana in 1830, died in 1864 at the comparatively early age of thirty-four years. In his younger manhood he was a school teacher and later on turned his attention to farming, which business he was fol- lowing at the time of his demise. His political support was given to the Democracy and in the community where he lived he commanded the respect and good will of all who knew him. His wife, who was born in Parke county, Indiana, June 18, 1831, is now living in Terre Haute. She

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is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and also of the Rebekah Lodge of Odd Fellows and takes a great interest in these organizations, with which she has long been helpfully identified. In the family were five children, but only two are now living, the sister of our subject being Miss Martha Adams.

Orly E. Adams was but five years of age at the time of his father's death. In March, 1869, the mother removed with her children to Terre Haute, where the family home was established. During his boyhood he attended the public schools and when but a young lad sold newspapers in that city. He has been dependent entirely upon his own resources for a living from the age of eleven years. He spent one year in a printing office and when fifteen years of age he began working as a farm hand, being thus connected with agricultural interests until the 15th of March, 1882, when he came to Brazil and here began the manufacture of har- ness. He had a capital of one hundred and fifty dollars, which he had saved from his earnings. He had never served a regular apprenticeship at the trade but had learned it through observation and experience and has built up an excellent business in the manufacture of fine harness. He is also a dealer in trunks and bags, and this branch of his business is like- wise proving profitable. He was one of the men who took over the busi- ness on the re-organization of the Brazil Electric Light Company and is now its vice president. In business matters he shows sound judgment and enterprise and throughout his entire life his salient characteristics have been such as commend him to the confidence and trust of all with whom he has been associated.

Mr. Adams has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Julia Anderson, on the 26th of July, 1885. She was born in Bowling Green, Clay county, Indiana, November 14, 1859, a daughter of James Anderson. Her death occurred May 23, 1886, and for his second wife Mr. Adams chose Miss Mary A. Nees, whom he wedded November 23, 1893. She was born in Greencastle, Indiana, while her father, James M. Nees, was a native of Clay county, who throughout his active business career fol- lowed merchandising and farming. He died in the year 1901. By his second marriage Mr. Adams had three children : James S., Edwin L. and William H. H.

Mr. Adams is prominent in Masonry and has been identified with the order since 1885, when he became a member of Brazil Lodge No. 264, A. F. & A. M. He served as worshipful master for three years and for ten years as treasurer. He has taken the Royal Arch degrees, belonging to Brazil Chapter No. 59, R. A. M., and has also taken the degrees of cryptic and chivalric Masonry, belonging to Brazil Council No. 40, R. & S. M., and Brazil Commandery No. 47, K. T. His name is likewise on the membership rolls of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Brazil and the Elks Lodge No. 762. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he stands as a stalwart advocate of much that is beneficial to the city, giving active support to interests and measures that have for their object the welfare and improvement of this portion of the state.

IRA HOLLAND .- On the roster of county officials appears the name of Ira Holland, who is capably filling the office of deputy circuit clerk. He was born at New Baltimore in Hamilton county, Ohio, January 16, 1870, and is a son of James E. and Margaret (McHenry) Holland. On his father's side he is of Irish lineage, and on the mother's side of Ger-

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man, the great-grandfather of our subject, Elliott Holland, being a native of Ireland. The father, a native of Washington county, Ohio, born December 24, 1839, is now living in Owen county, Indiana, while the mother was born in New Baltimore, Ohio, January 14, 1841. They were married in Hamilton county, Ohio. The father has devoted his entire life to farming and in the year 1871 he came to Indiana, settling first in Bartholomew county. He afterward removed to Brown county, Indiana, and subsequently to Johnson county, whence he made his way to western Missouri, taking up his abode in Jackson county in 1880. He traveled westward by wagon and spent several months in Missouri, returning, however, in the fall of 1880 to Clay county, Indiana, where he continued to reside until 1902. In that year he purchased a farm in Owen county, Indiana, where he is now living, giving supervision to his agricultural interests. For many years he was identified with the Odd Fellows society but is not in active connection with the order at the present time. His political allegiance is given to the Democracy. Unto James E. and Mar- garet Holland were born six children, of whom five are now living, namely: Ira; James E .; Mary E., who is teaching school in Brazil; Charles L .; and Amos N. The father was twice married, his first union being with Rebecca McHenry, a sister of his second wife, and by that marriage there was one son, Harvey.

Ira Holland acquired his education in the public schools of Indiana, being less than a year old when brought to this state by his father. When sixteen years of age he began teaching school and he made his home under the parental roof until about twenty years of age. He was a young man of eighteen years when he became a teacher in Dade county, Missouri, being influenced to go to that state by the fact that his friend, William . Travis, was engaged in teaching in a normal school at Greenfield, the county seat of Dade county, and that W. S. Zenor, a former resident of Clay county, was county superintendent of schools there and was instru- mental in securing the position for Mr. Holland. After spending two years in educational work in Missouri, Mr. Holland returned to Indiana and in the intervening years has largely devoted his time to official service. In 1890 he engaged as deputy recorder in Clay county, Indiana, and dur- ing the winter of 1891-2 resumed his work as a teacher, becoming prin- cipal of the schools of Saline City. He afterward again entered the recorder's office and was later in the county auditor's office until July 20, 1895, when he was appointed clerk of the Clay county circuit court, serv- ing out an unexpired term of sixteen months. He then acted as deputy in the office until the spring of 1900, when he was appointed deputy prosecuting attorney for Clay county. In the following October, how- ever, he resigned to become editor of the Democratic paper and was thus identified with newspaper interests until November, 1902, when he became deputy clerk in the office of the circuit court, in which capacity he is now serving. His duties are discharged with the utmost promptness, accuracy and fidelity and his official record is most commendable. His political views are in accord with the principles of Democracy and he is recognized as one of the local leaders of his party.

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A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 53

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

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