USA > Indiana > Clay County > A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2) > Part 61
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and Mrs. Tucker has been blessed by the birth of fourteen children, namely : Mary E., Evan A., Ennis, Melissa Belle, Ross, Ora A., Vinnie. James Howard, Nola, John R., Solomon L., Effie J., who are living, and two deceased, Zelma and Freddie Garfield. Mary E., the wife of Perry Ewart, has four children, Alfred P., Lulu May, Mary L. and Lois Vivian. Evan A. married Willie Corn, and they have three children, Ovie E., Oakley and William. Ennis married Susanna Staggs, and they have three children, Roy, Grace and Ray. Melissa B., wife of Charles Myers, has six children, Mary J., Ross L., Roy Austin, Rela M., Claretta and Zora Sophronia. Ross married Iva Guard, and they are the parents of six children, Edith, Jacob, Sarah J., Lucy Ann, Ernest and Velma F. Ora A. married Mary Cade, and they have one child, Ethel Blanche. Vinnie, wife of Carl Rector, has two children, Ancil D. and Veva. Nola. wife of George Kaufman, has one child, Clarence O. John R. married Arminta Gresham, and they have two children, Mildred and Eva. The estate of Mr. and Mrs. Tucker is known as "The Lilly Dale Farm." Mr. Tucker is a stalwart Republican.
WILLIAM DALY .- The spirit of undaunted enterprise and of un- wearied diligence has characterized William Daly in his business career and prompted his rise from a humble financial position to one of affluence. He is now conducting a large and growing business as a merchant tailor of Brazil and is meeting with gratifying success in the undertaking. One of Indiana's native sons, he was born at Vevay, Switzerland county, January 30, 1858, and is of Irish lineage. His parents, William and Elizabeth ( Kelley) Daly, were both natives of the Emerald isle, the former born .in Limerick and the latter in county Monaghan. They came to America in early life, however, and were married in New York city. William Daly, Sr., crossed the ocean in one of the old time sailing ships and landing in the eastern metropolis he there worked at the tailor's trade, which he had previously learned in his native land. Event- ually, however, he made his way westward to Vevay, Indiana, where he engaged in business for some time, while subsequently he took up his abode at Bardstown, Kentucky, where he also opened and conducted a merchant tailor establishment. His next removal took him to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was engaged in the merchant tailoring business until in the early '6os, when he returned to Vevay, Indiana. After spending two years in that city he removed to Indianapolis, where he conducted business for about four years. In 1878 he removed to Brazil and accepted the position of cutter with Solomon Gundelfinger. This was his last business association, for eventually he retired from active life and was traveling in Arkansas, when at the age of eighty years he passed away at Pine Bluff, that state. He was a member of the Roman Catholic church and his political views were in accord with the principles of the Democratic party. His wife died in Muncie, Indiana, at the age of sixty-four years. Their family numbered seven children, of whom four are now living, as follows: Annie, the wife of John L. McCleary, a resident of Michigan; John L., who makes his home in Brazil; William, of this review ; and Joseph M., a resident of Terre Haute, Indiana.
William Daly, whose name introduces this record, learned the mer- chant tailor's trade with his father in his boyhood days. His education was largely acquired in the common schools of Louisville, Kentucky, and after putting aside his text-books he worked with his father in Indian-
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apolis and in Anderson, Indiana. In 1878 he became a resident of Brazil and accepted the position of head cutter with Samuel Seigle, his expert workmanship well qualifying him for this important position. For fif- teen years he remained with Mr. Seigle, and his labors were an element in the success of his employer. In the meantime, by the careful hus- banding of his resources, he secured capital sufficient to enable him to engage in business on his own account and he opened a merchant tailor- ing establishment, since continuing in the trade as one of its most promi- nent representatives in this part of the state. In the intervening years, covering two decades, he has made but one move and is now conducting business in the store to which he removed in 1899, at No. 108 West Main street. A liberal patronage is accorded him in recognition of his ability, the excellent line of goods which he carries, his reasonable prices and his earnest desire to please his patrons. His establishment has long since become a profitable one and he is justly accounted one of the leading and successful business men of Brazil.
On the 19th of June, 1882, Mr. Daly was married to Miss Elizabeth Shaw, who was born in Russellville, Ohio. Her death occurred on the 24th of December, 1904. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, but only one, Arthur Daly, is now living. For his second wife Mr. Daly chose Anna L. Guthrie, whom he wedded in March, 1905, and who is a native of Gosport, Indiana.
Mr. Daly is prominent in fraternal circles, being an honored and exemplary member of Brazil lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master. He also belongs to Brazil chapter, No. 59, R. A. M., and has taken the degrees of chivalric Masonry in Brazil commandery, No. 47, K. T., of which he is a past eminent commander. In community affairs he is deeply and helpfully interested and his co-operation is regarded as a valuable asset in promoting matters of public moment.
FREDERICK W. SCHROMYER, for thirty years a shoe merchant of Brazil, his business record being alike creditable to himself and to the city, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, November 12, 1840, and is the younger of the two sons of Herman Henry and Catherine (March) Schromyer, both of whom were natives of Mechlenburg, in the province of Prussia, Germany. They came to America in 1834 and established their home in Maryland. The father was a tailor by trade and he con- tinued his residence in Hagerstown until his death, which occurred, however, in 1842, when he was but thirty-four years of age. His wife long survived him and died at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. Mr. Schromyer was a member of the German Reformed church and a man of many good qualities. The elder son of that marriage was Henry Schromyer. Following the death of her first husband Mrs. Schromyer became the wife of John Rodenburger, and unto them were born seven children.
Frederick W. Schromyer was only two years of age at the time of his father's demise. His boyhood days were spent in his mother's home to the age of seventeen years, when he became an apprentice at the shoe- . maker's trade in Poland, Indiana, and received his board and twenty dollars for a year's work. Having thoroughly acquainted himself with the business he then removed to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he worked at his trade for some time. He was then induced by a friend, E. W. Bridges, of Bowling Green, Indiana, to remove to that city and embark
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in business for himself. He erected a shop in Bowling Green and con- ducted shoemaking there until 1874, when he was elected treasurer of Clay county for a term of two years. So capable and satisfactory were his services that in 1876 he was re-elected, thus continuing in the office for four years. Upon his retirement in 1878 he opened a boot and shoe store in Brazil, and has continued in business to the present time, being one of the enterprising, alert and wide-awake merchants of the city. He carries a well selected line of goods of varying prices to meet the tastes of the general public and has long enjoyed a liberal patronage, which is indicative of the confidence reposed in his commercial integrity by his fellow townsmen.
On the 17th of November, 1861, Mr. Schromyer was married to Miss Josephine Tapy, a native of Union county, Indiana, born February 5, 1839. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tapy, were both natives of Prussia, Germany, and were married in that country. They bade adieu to the fatherland in the '30s and crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling first in Union county, Indiana, among its pioneer residents. Mr. Tapy was one of the first farmers upon the frontier of that locality and aided in planting the seeds of early civilization and progress there. Later, in the '40s, he came to Clay county, settling about two and a half miles northeast of Bowling Green, where he spent his remaining days. His Christian faith was indicated by his membership in the German Reformed church, and his political belief was manifest in the stalwart support which he gave to the Democratic party at the polls. Unto him and his wife were born five children, four sons and a daughter, but Mrs. Schromyer is the only one now living. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children, five of whom still survive: Alice Julia, the widow of J. M. Wehrly, a resident of Brazil; Anna, the wife of L. S. Beckley, who resides in California ; Frederick, a merchant at Clay City ; Orley, a travel- ing salesman, who resides in Brazil; and Ross, who resides in New York city, where he is a vocalist of some note.
Mr. Schromyer is a Mason, having been initiated into the order in Clay lodge, No. 85, A. F. & A. M., at Bowling Green. He was promi- nent in that association, and for seven years served as its treasurer. On his removal to Brazil he demitted and placed his membership in Brazil lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of Brazil lodge, No. 30, K. P., and the Knights & Ladies of Security. While in limited financial circumstances in early life, he has gained a place among the men of affluence in his adopted city and is now enabled to enjoy many of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He and his wife have recently returned from a trip to California, Washington, Montana and other western districts, 'during which time they visited their daughter Anna, now living in the Golden state. They are widely and favorably known in Brazil, where their many good qualities have gained them a circle of friends that is constantly increasing. Their home is justly noted for its warm-hearted hospitality, which is always attractive because of its sincerity.
DR. JAMES A. RAWLEY is a successful member of the medical fra- ternity of Brazil, enjoying a large and growing patronage. He was born in Van Buren township, Clay county, Indiana, May 11, 1870, and is a son of John and Nancy (Torr) Rawley, of whom mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Judge John M.
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Rawley. Liberal educational advantages were afforded Dr. Rawley, who attended the Northern Indiana College at Valparaiso and also the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana, from which he was graduated on the 9th of September, 1894. His professional course was pursued in the Illinois Medical College of Chicago and was completed by graduation in 1904. On the Ist of October of that year he located for practice in Brazil, Indiana. Here he soon demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate and complex problems which continually confront the physician. That he is capable in administering remedial agencies is evidenced from the excellent results which attend his efforts, and the public has given him endorsement in a liberal patronage, while the profession entertain for him the most thorough respect because of his close conformity to a high standard of professional ethics.
Dr. Rawley was married on the 21st of January, 1894, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth Dickson, who was born in Greencastle, Indiana, September 30, 1869, and is a daughter of William and Susan Dickson, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Her father is now living in Marion county, Indiana, at the age of seventy-nine years, but the mother died when sixty years of age. William Dickson is a graduate of the old Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and removing west- ward, located in Putnam county, Indiana, where he engaged in active practice at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. Putting aside all personal considerations he offered his services to the government and became a surgeon of an Indiana Regiment, with which he served for four years, rendering valuable aid to his country in his care of the sick and wounded. After the war was over he returned to Putnam county, where he continued in practice until 1871. In that year he removed to Knightsville, Clay county, and remained an active and valued member of the profession until 1890, when he retired and has since enjoyed a well merited rest. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Dickson were born eight children, of whom six are now living, Mrs. Rawley being the youngest. She has become the mother of two children, but the son, James Alfred, died at the age of six and a half years. Margaret, the younger, is still with her parents and is the light and life of the household.
Dr. Rawley is prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to Knights- ville lodge, No. 409, A. F. & A. M .; Brazil chapter, No. 59. R. A. M .: Knightsville chapter of the Eastern Star; Rawley Temple, No. 205, of Rathbone Sisters, at Knightsville; Brazil lodge, No. 30, K. P .; the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 3418, at Brazil: Zenith lodge, No. 169, of the Knights and Ladies of Honor; the Knights and Ladies of Security, No. 366; and Brazil lodge, No. 762, B. P. O. E. He is thoroughly in sympathy with the beneficent spirit of these different organizations and has ample opportunity to bring this into play in his practice. In pro- fessional lines he is connected with the Clay County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He thus keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession and personally has carried his investigations far and wide into the researches of scientific knowledge to promote his efficiency and render his professional aid of greater value to his fellowmen.
ALBERT CHAMBERS .- Holding an assured position among the suc- cessful agriculturists of Lewis township is Albert Chambers, whose birth occurred in this particular part of Clay county September 9, 1854. The
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son of Benjamin F. Chambers, a pioneer of Clay county, and the grand- son of Samuel Chambers, one of the very early settlers of Knox county, Indiana, he can almost be considered a pioneer himself, having watched the development of his native township and county from their infancy. During the past half century he has seen small hamlets transformed into prosperous cities, while thriving villages and populous townships are now filling the places once occupied, even in his boyhood days, by dense forests.
Coming from sturdy Scotch-Irish ancestry, Samuel Chambers was born and reared in Pennsylvania. A young man of push and energy, anxious to establish a home for himself and family, he came as a pioneer to Knox county, Indiana, and after living there a number of years settled in Clay county, buying a tract of wild land in sections five and six, Lewis township. This part of the country was then a comparative wilderness, bears, deer, wolves and other wild beasts alone disputing the rights of the Indians to its sole possession. Cutting down the progeny of the forest, the giant beech and maple trees, he improved a homestead, and on the land that he had cleared raised large fields of wheat and corn. He died at a ripe old age, before his death seeing the township well settled by an enterprising and intelligent class of people. To him and his wife eleven children were born and reared, namely: John, William, Mar- shall, Benjamin F., Rice, Samuel S., Thomas, Letha, Emmett, Margaret and Sarah.
Born in Knox county, Indiana, Benjamin F. Chambers was brought up on a farm, and after attaining man's estate continued in the pursuit of agriculture. Buying a tract of land in section thirteen, Lewis township, he built the hewed log house in which his children were born. Devoting his time to clearing and improving the land, he was there employed in tilling the soil until his death in 1857, while yet in the prime of life. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha Creviston, was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Samuel Creviston. She survived him many years, retain- ing her residence on the homestead, where she reared her five children, James, John, Louisa, Albert and Flora.
Spending his early life on the home farm, Albert Chambers assisted his mother in its care when not in school, remaining a member of the household until his marriage. The following five years he lived on the farm of his father-in-law, Henry Crist. Buying then his present farm in section seven, Mr. Chambers has made improvements of great value, and in his free and independent occupation has met with a signal success.
Mr. Chambers married, in 1876, Ellen Crist, a native of Lewis town- ship. Her father, Henry Crist, was born in Clark county, Indiana, a son of Nicholas and Nancy (Biggs) Crist, who moved from Kentucky to Indiana, locating first in Vigo county, but afterwards coming to Lewis township. He married Lucinda Liston, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Thomas) Liston. She died several years ago, but he is still living, a venerable man of eighty-six years, in Lewis township. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers have three children, namely : Blanco is the wife of Walter H. Woodrow, of Terre Haute; Henry Beecher; and Mary Esther. Relig- iously both Mr. and Mrs. Chambers are members of the Missionary Baptist church.
HENRY GASTINEAU, M. D .- Occupying an excellent position among the successful and able physicians of Clay county is Henry Gastineau,
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M. D., of Howesville, a man widely known not only on account of his professional work but for his great interest in agriculture, more especially for that branch of it relating to the raising of fine stock and thoroughbred horses. As his name implies, he is of French origin, his great-grandfather on the paternal side, Elder Gastineau, having come to this country from France with Lafayette, and with him fought in the Revolutionary war. After the close of the great struggle he remained in this country, settling in Virginia, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the remarkable age of one hundred and four years.
Henry Gastineau, M. D., was born September 6, 1846, in Greene county, Indiana, near Owensburg, a son of Charles Gastineau and grand- son of George Gastineau. Born, it is supposed, in Virginia, George Gastineau migrated to Kentucky when a young man, and having pur- chased land in Pulaski county cleared a large plantation, which he operated for a number of years, the work being done by slaves. On this plantation, which was located near Somerset, he resided until his death, at the vener- able age of ninety-eight years. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Roper.
Reared to agricultural pursuits, Charles Gastineau remained in Pulaski county, Kentucky, his place of birth, until 1842. Following then in the footsteps of his ancestors, he migrated westward, coming with his family to Greene county, Indiana, which had seemingly many inducements to offer the pioneer. Settling in Jackson township, he bought a tract of heavily timbered land, and in the small clearing that he made soon built the humble log cabin in which his son Henry was subsequently born. He improved the land and added to it by purchase until he had a valuable estate of four hundred acres. He carried on general farming and stock- raising with signal success, and dealt extensively in horses. He was well known and highly respected throughout this part of the state, and until his death, at the age of four score and four years, was actively interested in things pertaining to the welfare of town or county. His wife, whose maiden name was Cerelda Morrow, was born in Kentucky and died in Jackson township, Indiana, when but sixty-five years old. She was a daughter of Adam and Hannah ( Boone) Morrow, and a descendant of Daniel Boone, the noted backwoodsman.
Having completed his early education in the district schools, Henry Gastineau went, in 1865, to Mills county, Iowa, where for seven years he was employed in mercantile pursuits. Returning to Indiana in 1872, he conducted a store of general merchandise in Owensburg for two years. Turning then his attention to the study of medicine, for which he had a natural talent and liking, he attended the Miami Medical College at Cin- cinnati for two years, after which he attended lectures at the Indianapolis Medical College, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1895. During the ensuing seven years Dr. Gastineau was engaged in the practice of his profession at Worthington, after which he was for four years clerk of Greene county. His health becoming impaired, the Doctor determined to try life in the open for a few years, and with that object in view was engaged in farming and stock-raising in Greene county until 1895. In that year, having recovered his former vigor, he settled in Howesville, where he has since been actively engaged as a physician, his skill and success as a practitioner having placed him among the leading men of the medical fraternity of Clay county. Soon after coming to
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Howesville the Doctor purchased a farm adjoining the village, and he and his son are carrying on farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of thoroughbred Kentucky horses, of the Hambletonian strain.
Dr. Gastineau married Melcenia Short, who was born in Lawrence . county, Indiana, where her father, Senteney Short, was a pioneer settler. The Doctor and Mrs. Gastineau have two children, namely: Senteney and Leonora. Senteney Gastineau married Lesta Wright, and they have two children, Henry and Louise.
JOSEPH CROOKS .- Although born in the little rock-ribbed country of Wales, Joseph Crooks has been a resident of the United States from the age of five years, and since January, 1868, has made his home in Brazil, where he is now living retired. He was born in Blonavon, Wales, August 3, 1844, and his parents, Richard and Harriet ( Morgan) Crooks, were also natives of that country. Both are now deceased, the mother dying but recently, March 19, 1908. Richard Crooks was a miner and in the year 1849 made the voyage to America on a sailing vessel, which dropped anchor in the New York harbor. He then located at Johnstown, Penn- sylvania, where he engaged in mining. On the 5th of December, 1868, his son Joseph came to Indiana and the following year the father made his way to this state, following mining near Brazil. Thus throughout his entire business career he continued in that line of activity, in which he embarked in his early manhood. He died at the age of fifty-three years and six months in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was an active, sincere and consistent member. There were four chil- dren in the family, of whom three are living: Joseph, of this review; Mary, who is the widow of David Thomas; and Richard J., living in Brazil.
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As stated, Joseph Crooks was but five years of age when brought to the United States by his parents and in the schools of Johnstown, Penn- sylvania, he mastered the common branches of English learning. The year 1868 witnessed his arrival in Indiana, and for some years he engaged in mining. He then established a meat market, which he conducted for about two years, from 1878 until 1880, and in the latter year he opened a drug store in Harmony, this county. Afterward he removed to Marion, Indiana, and was in the drug business for about a year and a half. In 1891 he returned to Brazil, where he carried on business successfully for about twelve years, or until July, 1903, when he retired. His well directed labor, his business enterprise and capacity and his thorough, trustworthy methods have secured him a patronage which gained him place among the men of affluence of the city.
It was on the 5th of December, 1869, that Mr. Crooks led to the mar- riage altar Miss Elizabeth K. Llewellyn, who was born in Ohio October 29, 1849, while her parents, Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Lewis) Llewellyn, were both natives of Wales. They have now departed this life. The father was superintendent of mines in Ohio, and following his removal to Indiana accepted a position as mine superintendent at Harmony. Both he and his wife died in Brazil in the faith of the Presbyterian church, of which they had long been devoted members. Their family numbered ten children, of whom five are now living: Margaret, Watkins J., Jeannette, Elizabeth J. and Hannah.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Crooks was blessed with five children : Harry, who was associated with his father in business and died at the
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