A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 60

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

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EDWARD FRANKLIN STRAUCH, the well known farmer and stock raiser of Washington township, was born within the limits of the town- ship where he has attained a substantial station, on the 27th of March, 1870. He is a son of John and Mary (Knippe) Strauch, his father being a native of Germany and his mother of Union county, Indiana. On the paternal side his grandparents were John and Mary ( Mann) Strauch, and on the maternal, George and Margaret Knippe, all born in Germany, as were their ancestors for many generations. The father came with his parents to the United States, in 1839, and until his death at Jeffersonville, Indiana, in 1878, the grandfather was identified with the ministry of the German M. E. church. John Strauch, the father, settled down in Wash- ington township, bought timber land, and also became an extensive dealer in horses. After also amassing quite a property in agricultural lands and becoming quite prominent as a Republican and a man of affairs, he died on his Washington township homestead on the 2nd of February, 1892. He was the first Republican sheriff of Clay county, and an honorable, useful citizen. His worthy widow, who was born in November, 1836, has resided with her son, Edward F., since the death of her husband.

Edward F. Strauch, the fourth in a family of two sons and five daughters, has continuously resided on the old family homestead with the exception of two years after his father's death, when he was engaged in farming in Douglas county, Illinois, and two winters in Terre Haute, where he was employed in a dairy. He has had charge of the home farm, with fifty-one acres adjoining which he has purchased, and the entire property has been brought to a high standard of productiveness and at- tractiveness. He produces the general crops, and raises Pole Angus cattle, coach horses and Poland China hogs, as well as turkeys and chick- ens. Married December 22, 1897, to Miss Clara M. Kattman, he has become the father of the following: John Robert, born August 12, 1901 ; Ross William, born July 18, 1904, and Leona May, born December 7, 1907. His wife is a daughter of John G. and Sarah (Schroer) Kattman, and is of German parentage.

SAMUEL M. STIGLER, who makes his home in Brazil while superin- tending business interests elsewhere, is a well known dealer in stock and also derives a substantial income from a farm of about two hundred acres which he superintends. He is likewise one of the stockholders in the Citizens' National Bank of Brazil. There has never been anything indefi- nite in his business plans. On the contrary they have been well defined and carefully executed, and in this lies the secret of his success.

Mr. Stigler is one of Clay county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Cass township August 21, 1863. His parents were David and Lavina (Mccullough) Stigler, both representatives of old families of this state. The father was born in Cass township, Clay county, in 1835, while the mother's birth occurred in Putnam county, on the 11th of November, 1841. They were married at her father's home in the county

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of her nativity. Mr. Stigler was a tanner by trade and also engaged in farming and dealing in stock. In fact, he was one of the prominent and representative business men of the community, and at the time of his death was the owner of five hundred acres of rich, productive and valuable land. He also bought and sold cattle on quite an extensive scale, having at times one hundred head upon his place, while at his death he had sixty- five head on his farm. He never cared for public office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, yet he gave stalwart support to the Democracy and ever kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. Unto him and his wife were born six children, of whom five are now living: Samuel M., Sarah M., West, Mack and David. The father died August 14, 1881, and the mother, who still survives, is yet living on the old homestead.

The ancestry of the family can be traced still farther back. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Stigler, was a native of Virginia and came to Indiana at a very early day, making the journey across the country with a one-horse wagon. He first entered government land in Cass town- ship, Clay county, where he built a log cabin in the wilderness and began life in true pioneer style. He married Miss Sarah Phegley, and they were well known and worthy pioneer people. For many years Samuel Stigler was identified with farming interests, and eighty acres of the land which he entered from the government at a very early day is now in possession of his grandson, Samuel M. Stigler.

In taking up the personal history of Mr. Stigler of this review we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known. He worked upon the home farm through the period of his youth and attended school until eighteen years of age, when he lost his father. As he was the oldest child he then took charge of the old home farm, which he operated until twenty-three years of age, when in order to better equip himself for life's practical and responsible duties he attended a commercial college in Terre Haute in the winter of 1886-87. In June of the latter year he engaged in the drug and grocery business at Asher- ville, Indiana. He continued in this business until 1891, when he re- sumed farming in Jackson township, successfully carrying on the work of the fields for seven years. In 1898 he was elected county auditor for four years and removed to Brazil where he has since made his home. He conducted the office in most capable manner, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He carefully supervises his business affairs and his sound judgment and persistency of purpose have brought him gratifying success. His investments have ever been judiciously made, bringing him well earned success.

Mr. Stigler was married December 16, 1888, to Miss Clara A. Car- rithers, who was born in Jackson township, Clay county, Indiana, Novem- ber 11, 1863, and died March 21, 1898, so that their married life covered less than a decade. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James T. Car- rithers. Her father was a farmer of Jackson township, Clay county, In- diana, and died in December, 1897. His early political support was given to the Whig party. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stigler were born three children, Roy C., Madge A. and Harold, but the last named died in infancy.

Mr. Stigler in his fraternal relations is a Mason, belonging to Brazil lodge, No. 264. A. F. & A. M .; Brazil chapter, No. 59, R. A. M .: Brazil commandery, No. 47, K. T .; and William Black chapter, No. 80, O. E. S. His political allegiance is given to the Democracy. His record as a

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.business man and as an official has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact. His courtesy is unfailing and his integrity is above question, and without ostentation or any desire for praise he has labored most earnestly for the welfare of his native county, for the name of Stigler has figured prominently and honorably throughout almost the entire period of its history.

WILLIAM COLLIER, associated with Thomas Thompson as owner of one of the leading grocery stores of Brazil, was born in Manchester, Lancastershire, England, September 1, 1864. He is the second in order of birth in a family of five children whose parents were Henry and Jane (Snowden) Collier. The father's birth occurred in Manchester April 29, 1834, and his life record covered the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, for he passed away in Brazil on the 8th of May, 1904. His wife was born in Yorkshire, England, in October, 1835, and died in Sep- tember, 1877. They were married in Yorkshire, and while still in his native country the father learned and followed the brick mason's trade and was also a coal miner. In the year 1866 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, for the reports which he had heard concerning business opportunities in this country were favorable and he hoped to thereby improve his financial condition. Landing in New York in 1866, he made his way to Hancock county, Kentucky, where he resided for about a year, when he removed to Perry county, Indiana. In 1872 he took up his abode in Martin county, Indiana, and also lived for brief periods in Davies and Sullivan counties. In June, 1875, he arrived in Brazil, where he gave his attention to mining. He belonged to Zenith lodge of the Knights of Honor and lived a quiet and unobtrusive, yet honorable life that won him the respect of those with whom he was associated. His children were: Alice, the wife of James Skene; William, of this review; Sarah, the wife of Joseph Lenhart, who is mentioned on another page in this volume ; and James H., who wedded Jessie Sharp and resides in Muncie, Indiana.

William Collier was little more than two years of age when brought to the United States by his parents. He was largely reared in Indiana and is indebted to its public-school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. His opportunities of life were somewhat limited, owing to the necessity of his providing for his own support at an early age. When a youth of thirteen he engaged in working in and around the mines and was thus employed for eleven years. On the expiration of that period he entered the employ of Shannon & Fast, grocers, with whom he continued for nine years, his long service standing in incontro- vertible proof of his fidelity, trustworthiness and his capability. He was next in the employ of the firm of Kruzan & Company for about two years, when as the result of his economy and diligence he acquired capital sufficient to enable him to engage in business on his own account. There- fore, in May, 1900, he formed a partnership with Thomas A. Thompson and they opened a grocery store, dealing in staple and fancy groceries. They have a well appointed establishment, carrying a first class line of goods, and by reason of their honorable dealing, fair prices and earnest desire to please their customers they have secured a profitable and grow- ing trade. Mr. Collier is also a stockholder in the Brazil Clay Company and in the Citizens National Bank.

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On the 27th of November, 1887, occurred the marriage of Mr. Col- lier and Miss Margaret Ferguson, who was born in Scotland March 23, 1865, and is a daughter of Adam and Gene (Gemmel) Ferguson. Her father was born in the north of Ireland, October 30, 1840, while the mother's birth occurred in Scotland, August 12, 1842. They were mar- ried in the land of hills and heather, and in 1874 made the long voyage across the briny deep to the new world. Mr. Ferguson devoted his entire life to mining. He died October 16, 1891, while his wife passed away April 9, 1892. They had six children, five daughters and a son, and those still living are: Margaret, now Mrs. Collier; Mary; Nessie, the wife of Henry Boucher ; William, living in Terre Haute; and Ruth, the wife of Richard Alley, a resident of Clay county.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Collier has been blessed with three daugh- ters, Ethel, Nellie J. and Margaret. Mr. Collier belongs to Brazil lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M., and also affiliates with the Modern Woodmen camp No. 3418 and with Clay lodge No. 169, of the Knights & Ladies of Honor. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are highly esteemed for many good qualities, while their home is justly noted for the warm hearted and attractive hospitality which is extended to their many friends.

HOMER T. ZENOR, deputy sheriff of Clay county, was born in Cass township, this county, December 7, 1879. His parents were Milan and Amanda (Cromwell) Zenor, both of whom were natives of Cass town- ship, the father born April 18, 1849, and the mother on the 20th of Au- gust, 1846. Milan Zenor was the son of a pioneer farmer, Joseph Zenor, who located in Cass township at a very early period in the development and settlement of this part of the state. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and removing westward, aided in reclaiming the wild region of Clay county for the uses of civilization. The great-grandfather of Homer T. Zenor in the maternal line was Samuel Risley, the first school teacher in Clay county, and also one of the first clerks of the county court. His daughter Eliza was the first white child born in this county. His daugh- ter, Susan Risley, became the wife of William L. Cromwell, the maternal grandfather of our subject. Both were born in Indiana and Mr. Cromwell devoted his life to farming. He served his country in the Civil war for three years as a member of Company B, Seventy-first Regiment of In- diana Volunteers, and later this company became a part of the Sixth Indiana Cavalry. He was mustered out with the latter command. Both he and his wife died in Missouri while on a visit there, there being only a brief period between the time of their demise, and both passed away at the age of seventy years. However, they made their home in Indiana until they were called to the home beyond. Thus in both the maternal and paternal lines Mr. Zenor of this review is a representative of two of the old and honored pioneer families. His father spent his entire life in Cass township except for a period of about six or seven years, when he was living in Sugar Ridge and Perry townships. He was called to a number of local offices, the duties of which he discharged with prompt- ness and fidelity, and his record as a citizen and as a business man was entirely above reproach. He was a firm believer in the teachings of the Baptist church and gave his political allegiance to the Democracy. He died May 22, 1905, and thus passed away one of the worthy pioneer set- tlers whose labors have been a beneficial element in the upbuilding of this

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part of the state. His widow still survives and is now living in Cory, this county. They were married in Cass township, and unto them were born six children, five of whom survive: Walter; Cora, the wife of George P. Rushlin; Homer T., of this review; Susie B .; and Mary E.

Homer T. Zenor spent his boyhood days under the parental roof, and during the summer months largely assisted in the work of the farm. He had little opportunity to attend school, for the session was continued only through two or three months in the winter season, but he studied when he could and at the age of eighteen had qualified himself for teach- ing and was employed as teacher in the school of Sugar Ridge township. He taught for five years in all in that township and also for a year in Iowa. In the spring of 1904 he returned to Indiana from Iowa and en- gaged in business as an electrical engineer with the Terre Haute Elec- trical Company at Terre Haute, but on account of his father's ill health he gave up the position and took charge of the old homestead, devoting his time and energies to farming for a year. On the expiration of that period he removed to Cory, where he engaged in the livery and stock business, continuing therein until January, 1907, when he was appointed deputy sheriff of Clay county, which position he is now capably filling, discharging his duties in a prompt, fearless and efficient manner.

On the 10th of April, 1907, Mr. Zenor was married to Miss Dora C. Kohberger, who was born in Sugar Ridge township September 6, 1880, and is a daughter of August and Margaret (Bireley) Kohberger. Her father was born in Germany and came to Indiana in the latter '6os. He was a cabinet maker by trade, having mastered that business in the fatherland, but following his arrival in America he has given his attention to farming and mining. He has filled some of the township offices and is well known in his community as a public-spirited and progressive citi- zen. His political faith is that of the Democratic party. His wife was born in Owen county, Indiana, and by their marriage they have become the parents of nine children, of whom six are living, namely: Mrs. Zenor, Elizabeth, William, Emma, Harry and Robert.

Mr. Zenor is a member of Lockport lodge, No. 390, A. F. & A. M., at Riley, Indiana. He also belongs to Terre Haute lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F., and Cory encampment, No. 326, at Cory, Indiana. He is also connected with Rebekah lodge, No. 320, at Terre Haute, while his wife is a member of Silver Leaf lodge, No. 604, of the Rebekah degree at Brazil. She is also a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a most estimable lady. Both Mr. and Mrs. Zenor have many friends in the community where they have long resided, and Mr. Zenor is well known as a stalwart advocate of the Democracy and an earnest worker in the local ranks of the party. He served as deputy assessor of Perry township for one term and then did not again hold public office until called to his present position as deputy sheriff, in which connection he is winning high encomiums by reason of his efficiency and faithfulness.

SOLOMON TUCKER .- Noted as the descendant of two prominent pioneer families of Clay county, as a gallant soldier in the Civil war, as a skilful and successful agriculturist, and as an honored and highly respected resident of Perry township, Solomon Tucker well merits repre- sentation in a work of this character. A son of John Tucker, he was born October 28, 1838, in Jackson township, Clay county, Indiana. His grandfather, General Nathaniel Tucker, was, as far as known, a life-long

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resident of Montgomery county, North Carolina, where he spent his clos- ing years of life. He was an officer in the war of 1812, holding a gen- eral's commission. A natural mechanic, he was both a locksmith and a gunsmith, operating a number of shops, and was also an extensive land- holder, owning five farms, a part of which he conducted with slave labor.

Born in Montgomery county, North Carolina, June 21, 1810, John Tucker there learned the trade of a blacksmith. About 1830 he came with a small party, which included his father-in-law, Stephen Lowder- milk, to Indiana, making an overland trip, and in the wagon drawn by six horses brought his family and all of his worldly goods. Locating in Jackson township, Clay county, he bought eighty acres of land, which was still in its primeval wildness. He then built a log cabin of the typical pioneer style, with a stick and clay chimney, a roof covered with rived boards, and no door, a quilt being used in its place. Soon after coming here he bought a cow and calf, paying for them by manual work. Wild animals of all kinds were numerous and destructive, and one night while he was away wolves came and tried to get his calf, but his wife went out and scared the beasts away. Selling out at the end of a few years, Mr. John Tucker bought another tract of timbered land in the same township, and having cleared a part of the land planted the first orchard in that part of the county. Subsequently selling that land, he rented land in Jackson township for a few years, and then in Riley township, Vigo county, where he lived until 1842. He subsequently rented land in Perry township, Clay county, then went back to Riley township, where for some time he was a renter. Locating in Perry township in 1851, he bought a tract of canal land in section nineteen, paying two dollars and a half an acre for it. Clearing a space in the dense growth of timber, he built a house of poles, and a few years later erected a good two-story hewed log house, which he subsequently weatherboarded. Devoting his time to clearing the land and tilling the soil, he afterwards lived there until his death, October 5, 1860.

The maiden name of the wife of John Tucker was Elizabeth Lowder- milk. She was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, March 30, 1813, a daughter of Stephen Lowdermilk, a native of North Carolina and a pioneer of Jackson township, Indiana. Mr. Lowdermilk improved a farm from wild land that he bought on locating in Jackson township, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was a man of much ability and intelli- gence, and was very prominent in public affairs, as justice of the peace serving satisfactorily for thirty years, during which time his decisions were never appealed from. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Graves, died at a good old age. John Tucker and his wife reared a large family of children, namely: Nathaniel, Polly Ann, Hedge, Solomon, Guilford, Stephen, Annanias, Evan and Martha Ann. . Solomon Tucker was reared in pioneer days, and during his life has been an interested witness of the various changes that have here taken place, watching with delight the rapid transformation of the heavily tim- bered land into a rich and productive agricultural country, and aiding by every means within his power its growth and advancement. He began attending school at the age of thirteen years, in Simpson's Chapel in Riley township. As a boy and a youth he helped his father to clear and improve a homestead, and when seventeen years old he, with Samuel Butt, chopped wood for fifty cents a cord. With the money that he thus earned he bought enough lumber to finish the hewed log house that his father built.

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On September 5, 1861, responding to his country's call, Mr. Tucker enlisted in Company H, Thirty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was mustered in as corporal, and with the exception of the thirty-six days that he was held as prisoner by the enemy, and the four weeks that he was confined in the hospital, he was with his regiment, taking part in all of its marches, campaigns and battles, and with his comrades being honor- ably discharged September 15, 1864. At the battle of Stone river he with nine hundred brave soldiers was captured and taken to Libby prison, where he was confined sixteen days. He was then transferred to City Point, from there being taken to Annapolis, and thence to Indianapolis, where he was exchanged, after which he joined his command at Cripple Creek, Tennessee. The more important engagements in which he partici- pated were those at Fort Donelson, where after being twice wounded he was taken to the Marine Hospital at Evansville, and confined there for four weeks; at Shiloh, where he had command of the headquarters of General Crufts; the siege of Corinth; the battles at Iuka, Perrysville and Chickamauga ; the various engagements during the march to Atlanta, and the siege of that city. Very soon after the capture of Atlanta Mr. Tuck- er's term of enlistment expired, and he returned home. During his life as a soldier he did service in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Virginia. He kept a diary giving minute details of each day's proceedings, and from it we find that he marched with his comrades eighteen thousand, five hundred and sixty-five miles.

After his return to Jackson township Mr. Tucker was engaged in farming on his Grandfather Lowdermilk's estate for a year, after which he worked as a cabinet maker for a year and a half. The following three years he had charge of his grandfather's farm, moved then to Ashboro, Indiana, where he followed cabinet making for eighteen months, and thence to William Stoop's farm, as a renter, for three years. He then bought eighty acres in section thirty, Perry township, on which he soon built a hewed log house, shaving the shingles to cover the roof. He im- proved a large part of the land, living there ten years. Then selling, he bought his present fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in sections thirty-one and thirty-two. With characteristic enterprise and industry he has labored hard, and in addition to clearing and improving the land, has it under a high state of cultivation, and has erected a substantial set of frame buildings.

On March 29, 1865, Mr. Tucker married Maria Jane Stoops, who was born in Perry township October 12, 1844, a daughter of William Stoops and granddaughter of Moses Brown Stoops. The place of birth of the latter is not known, but he was for a number of years a resident of Ohio, from there coming in pioneer times to Perry township, Clay county. Indiana, where he spent the last years of his life. The maiden name of his wife was Rebecca Porter. Coming from Clermont county, Ohio, where he was born and bred, William Stoops settled in Perry township, Indiana, becoming one of its earlier householders. From land that he bought in the northwest quarter of section thirty-three he improved a good farm and was there busily employed in agricultural pursuits until his death, at the age of sixty-six years. He married Mary Laycock, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, a daughter of Reuben and Sarah (Jordan) Laycock. She died at the age of fifty-three years, leaving seven children, as follows: Francis Marion, Moses Brown, Maria J., William Newton, John R., Mary Melissa and Martha Belle. The union of Mr.

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A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 60

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

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