A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 8

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

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

years he carried on an extensive business, employing seventeen men in his factory. In his present mill Mr. Anderson keeps six men busily employed and does good work, making a specialty of sawing quarter oak and poplar, the products of his plant being widely known and always in demand.

On October 5, 1887, Mr. Anderson married Josephine Busald, who was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, a daughter of Francis and Mar- garet (Meister) Busald, natives of Germany. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, namely: Addie, born September 9, 1888, died July 21, 1893 ; and Francis Clyde, born May 1, 1895. Mr. Ander- son has been an earnest worker in the Democratic party for many years. Fraternally he was made a Mason in Burns Lodge, No. 55, of Manches- ter, Indiana, and afterward belonged to Olathe Lodge, No. 19, of Olathe, Kansas.

ALBERT DINKEL .- In the operation of his extensive florist business Albert Dinkel, of Brazil, combines fine executive qualities with a scientific knowledge of his avocation and an enthusiastic love of flowers-the last named trait having a not unimportant bearing on the successful cultiva- tion of all forms of plant life. Perhaps this trait was inherited, the other elements of his skill and efficiency coming as the result of long experi- ence and close application to the mastery of the smallest detail of the business. He was born in Pennsylvania, on the 31st of March, 1859, and when he was six years of age the family came from the Keystone state to Terre Haute, Indiana, where the father passed many years as a butcher and gardener, and died June 18, 1908. Early in his boyhood Albert worked for his brother George in a nail factory, assisting his father also in his gardening. The latter feature of the business proved so agreeable to him that he decided to learn the florist's business, his first experience of two years being with Lawrence Heinl, of Terre Haute, after which he was identified with John Heinl, in the same line, until May, 1891.

The latter date marks the coming of Mr. Dinkel to Brazil, and the establishment there of an independent and flourishing business. His plant is now the finest in the county, and is the only one in this section of the state that has 12,000 square feet of light. His home trade is large and supported by the most substantial people of the community, and he also ships quite an amount of plants and cut flowers, as well as floral designs. Connected with his establishment is a heating plant of such capacity that it supplies heat for two blocks of store rooms and offices. Mr. Dinkel's first stand was on the site of the public library in a building forty-eight by sixteen feet, and this was the headquarters of his business until 1901, when he bought the property which he now occupies at No. 25 North Walnut street. In politics Mr. Dinkel is a firm Democrat, and his popularity and good business qualities were recognized in November, 1904, by his election to the office of city and township assessor. He is also widely known as an active participant in the work of the fraternal and benevolent orders, holding membership in the following: Centennial Lodge, No. 541. F. & A. M .; Brazil Lodge, No. 30, Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank, No. 39; Lodge No. 3418, M. W. of A .; Brazil Lodge, No. 762, B. P. O. E .; and Order of Home Defenders of America, No. I.

William and Martha (Schenberger) Dinkel were the parents of Albert, the former born in Germany, in 1829, and the mother in Penn- sylvania, in 1827. She survives her husband, who died in 1908, and now lives in Terre Haute, spending her declining years in an honorable and

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

comfortable retirement. William Dinkel emigrated to America when he was fifteen years of age, coming hither with his parents on a vessel which made the ocean trip in thirty-one days. From New York city the family removed to Pennsylvania, where William married Martha Schenberger, and where four children were born, of whom those still alive are: George, William, and Albert, of this sketch. In 1865 the parents brought their family to Indiana, locating in Terre Haute on April 15th of that year. There the father established himself as a butcher and gardener, purchas- ing as a homestead and business site a tract of ten acres on East College street. At this location he continued to rear his family in ways of honor and thrift, and engaged in active business until his retirement in 1905. Both he and his wife were stanch German Lutherans, and he himself always cast his vote for the Democracy.

Albert Dinkel married Miss Emma J. Montgomery, on the 13th of October, 1880, his wife being a native of Marshall county, Illinois, where she was born in November, 1859. She is a daughter of Alexander and Amanda (Summerville) Montgomery, and is the youngest of three chil- dren. The others of the family are Melissa, who married John Van Sickle, and S. Frank, who is a school teacher in Brazil. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Dinkel are the parents of the following: Frances, wife of Fred Weaver, of Brazil; Ruby, Alberta and Albert Reese.

ABRAM W. TURNER, who has been closely identified with the interests of Brazil and surrounding country for many years, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, December 15, 1835, son of Jeptha and Martha (Gaar) Turner. Jeptha Turner, the father, was the first white child born in Wayne county. He was born in the neighborhood in which he died, Octo- ber 29, 1806, and was at the date of his death aged seventy-eight years, seven months and fifteen days. He lived in the place of his birth all of his life, and had much to do with the developing of the county. January 14. 1830, he was married to Martha Gaar, by James P. Burgess, a justice of the peace. To them were born six sons and three daughters, as follows : Larkin G .; Levi P .; Abram W .; Sarah Jane, wife of John Endsley ; Eliza Ann; M. V. B .; John Milton ; whose sketch follows this: Martha Ellen, who died aged twenty-eight years; Jesse D. Jeptha Turner's par- ents were John and Mary ( Holman) Turner. John Turner came from Kentucky at a very early day and was a pioneer in Wayne county; was the first sheriff and a progressive farmer all his life. Of Jeptha Turner it may be added that he was an ideal citizen. He was a man of intelli- gence and became a leader in the society of his neighborhood. He pos- sessed a rare and excellent judgment and entered with zeal in whatever he undertook to accomplish. In politics he was of the strict Jeffersonian Democratic stripe. About ten years prior to his death, he united with the Baptist church, in which he became an active member. He was cousin of Hon. William S. Holman. Martha (Gaar) Turner, the mother, was a native of Wayne county, Indiana, born September 25, 1810, and died September 15, 1890.

Abram W. Turner, of this notice, spent his youthful days on his father's farm and attended school winters, until he was twenty-four years of age. In 1860 he went overland to Denver, Colorado, by means of ox teams, leaving Nebraska City, Nebraska, April 26, 1860, and arrived at Denver June 5 of that year. He was a miner and prospector until the autumn of 1864. in both Colorado and Montana. He made his return trip,

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

a distance of fourteen hundred miles, with mule teams. In the spring of 1867 he located in Brazil. Indiana, in the drug business, which he conduct- ed in a successful manner until 1870, when he engaged in the woolen mill business, continuing until 1884, when he was elected clerk of the Clay county circuit court, which position he held four years; then acted as deputy clerk for about four years more. He next engaged in the dry goods trade and is at present associated with Wehrle & Sowar Company.

like many another of the up-to-date men of his times, Mr. Turner is connected with civic societies, in which he has been deeply interested for many years. He was made a Mason in July, 1866, in Cornelius Lodge, No. 262, of Abingdon, Wayne county, Indiana, and now belongs to Cen- tennial Lodge, No. 541, A. F. and A. M .; Brazil Chapter, No. 59, Royal Arch Masons; Brazil Council. No. 40, R. & S. M .; Brazil Commandery, No. 47. Knights Templar. He is also a member of Brazil Lodge, No. 30, Knights of Pythias, as well as holding membership with the Knights of Honor fraternity. Politically, he supports the Democratic ticket and has served as councilman in Brazil. He was united in marriage to Catherine Wehrle. July 19. 1876. Mrs. Turner was born in Newark, Ohio, in 1853, the daughter of Sebastian and Annie ( Woolinsnider ) Wehrle. (See sketch of Frank J. Wehrle for family history.) The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner are as follows: Martha, wife of Dr. E. G. Glasgo, of Brazil. Indiana : Irene, wife of John H. Holliday, who now lives at Washington, District of Columbia, where he is secretary to his father, Hon. E. S. Holliday; Lester, who married Sadie Murphy; Loretta ; Wallace ; Clyde ; Hubert.

JOHN MILTON TURNER, well known in the vicinity of Brazil as a business man, county official and a most excellent citizen, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, June 22, 1847, son of Jeptha and Martha (Gaar) Turner. On the father's side Mr. Turner is from French extraction, while on the maternal side he traces his lineage back to John and Eliza- beth Gar, of German ancestry. The name is now spelled Gaar. John Gar was born in Bavaria, November 17, 1657, and died in that country, May 22, 1738. John and Elizabeth Gar were the parents of four children.

Jeptha Turner, father, was born in Wayne County, Indiana, October 20. 1806. and died April 16, 1885. On January 14, 1830. he married Miss Martha Gaar, born in Wayne county, September 25, 1810, and died September 15, 1800. They were the parents of the following children : Larkin G. : Levi P. : Abram W .; Sarah Jane, wife of John Endsley ; Eliza Ann; M. V. B .; John Milton; Martha Ellen, who died aged twenty- eight years of age: Jesse D. Jeptha Turner, the father, was reared in Wayne county, Indiana, and followed farm life. He was a member of the Baptist church and in politics a Democrat. His parents were John and Mary ( Holman) Turner, the former being a native of Kentucky who came to Indiana at a very early day and became a pioneer in that state. He was the first sheriff of Wayne county and spent his life on the farm.

John M. Turner remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age. then went to Brazil as the manager of a woolen mill, which he followed three years, then engaged in merchandising business with Will- iam II. Shannon. In 1879 he was made deputy county treasurer under Leason B. Pruner, and in 1881 he was appointed deputy county auditor under James T. Casteel, where he continued between five and six years, after which he embarked in the hardware business. In 1900 he engaged

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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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OLIVER GRIFFITH, "THE PIONEER"

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

in the insurance and real estate business which he still conducts. Being a prudent, painstaking man, he does thoroughly whatever he undertakes. . He has for years been active in civic society work. He became a member of Brazil Lodge, No. 264. A. F. and A. M., and was one of the organizers and a charter member of Centennial Lodge. No. 541, A. F. and A. M. He is also a member of Lodge No. 30 of the Knights of Pythias order, which he joined in 1875, and has held all the offices in the same. He belongs to Ben Hur Court, No. 8, and is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Brazil Lodge, No. 762. Politically, Mr. Turner is a supporter of the Democratic party. He was united in marriage, November 14, 1877, to Anna E. Dickson, born in Illinois, July 14, 1862. The children born of this union are: Clarence M., who married Mary McGurdy ; Irma A .; Sarah H., wife of H. S. Rector ; Beulah E .; Gaar N .; Martha Mae ; Paul Dudley.

Concerning Mrs. Turner's people it may be said that she is the daugh- ter of John and Ruth Dickson. Her father located in Bowling Green in 1863, but in 1866 moved to Brazil. He was married in 1840 and resided in Indiana, except eight years in Illinois. Mrs. Dickson died May 28, 1882, of heart disease, aged fifty-one years. She was a native of Ohio. but moved with the family to Indiana in 1834. She was the mother of eight children, five of whom survived her.

OLIVER GRIFFITH .- As a native-born citizen of Clay county, a soldier in the Civil war, and for many years one of the most industrious and thrifty farmers of Lewis township, where he is now residing, Oliver Griffith well merits representation in a work of this character. He was born February 1I, 1832, in Harrison township, in the rude log cabin built by his father in the midst of a dense forest. His father, Bartlett Griffith, was born in Tennessee, and his grandfather. Joseph Griffith, was, it is thought, a native of North Carolina.

After living a few years in Tennessee, Joseph Griffith followed the march of civilization westward and northward to Clay county, Indiana. and as one of the original householders of Harrison township bought from the government a tract of timbered land in section 12. He was a gunsmith by trade, skilled in the use of tools, and had the reputation of making the best rifle to be obtained in these parts. He followed his trade in connection with farming, and here spent the remainder of his three score and ten years of earthly life. His wife, Melinda Griffith, died a number of years before he did.

Coming with his parents from Tennessee to Indiana, Bartlett Griffith assisted his father in clearing a homestead, using axe and hoe with dex- terity. On one occasion, when returning from a horseback trip to Ken- tucky, he broke a water sprout from an apple tree, and on arriving home stuck it in the ground, very near the house, and it grew and proved to be an excellent winter fruit. Several trees grew from that one, and on these and the parent tree an abundance of fine fruit has been produced. Arriv- ing at manhood, he bought eighty acres of land adjoining the parental homestead on the west, cleared an opening in the woods, erected a house of round logs, with a stick and clay chimney, and rived boards to cover the roof. His wife had no stove, but did all of her cooking by the fire- place. He cleared quite a tract of the land, and continued there, engaged in tilling the soil until his second marriage, when he came to Lewis town- ship to live on his wife's farm, and here, two years later, in 1855, died.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

He married first Patience Dalton, who spent her entire life in Harrison township, dying in 1840. Ile married second Mrs. Susan Neal, who sur- vived him a number of years. His children were all by his first marriage, and of them six grew to years of maturity, namely: Joseph, Elizabeth, Oliver, William, Sampson and Henry. During the Civil war William enlisted first in Company A. Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and later in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, served until the close of the war, and died soon after receiv- ing his honorable discharge from the army. Sampson served in Com- pany B, Twenty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was captured at Tyler, Texas, and remained a prisoner eleven months and seven days. Henry served in the same company, and died while in the army.

Born and reared in pioneer days, Oliver Griffith well remembers the hardships and privations endured by the early settlers of this part of the country, and the strenuous labor that he, as a boy, performed while assist- ing his father to clear a homestead. For many years after his birth there were no railways in the state, and no convenient markets. Indeed! Why should there be? There was very little to sell, the people being what might be termed home livers; that is, they produced almost everything they ate or wore. Corn bread and wild meats were the principal articles of food, and the father raised, pulled, broke and hackled the flax which the mother carded spun and wove into the homespun from which she fashioned garments for the whole family. Sugar was made from the sap of the maple tree, and the head of the household was oftentimes his own cobbler .. Mr. Griffith says that he was quite a lad before he had a pair of shoes, and that his first ones were made for him by his grand- father, who tanned the leather himself. In order to pay for these shoes, Oliver pumped the bellows for his grandfather, who was a blacksmith as well as farmer and cobbler, a whole spring, summer and fall. Those shoes, so hardly earned, were worn when the ground was covered with snow, at other times being carefully wrapped up and put away, to be given, when he outgrew them, to a younger brother. In going hunting in cold weather, he used to warm a board to take along, and when the dog started a rabbit he would place the board on the ground, and keep his bare feet on it while waiting.

From early boyhood Oliver Griffith worked with his father, and for weeks at a time would split rails that sold at twenty-five cents a hundred, that being one of the ways the brave pioneers had of securing ready money. Occasionally his father would take one or two hogs, some furs, venison and honey to Terre Haute, trade them for coffee, salt, needles, thread, and such other small articles as must be had, taking two days to make the trip. During the winter of 1848 Oliver lived with William Edmundson, and worked for his board and attended school for three months, getting up at four o'clock in the morning to do his chores, and afterwards walking five miles to the school, which was the only one that he ever attended, having obtained his education by good reading and observation. He is an intelligent reader, keeping abreast of the times in regard to current events, and for many years has kept a daily record of things of importance and interest. Growing to manhood, he was for a number of years employed in farming by the month or year. In 1856 he worked for Christopher Trinkle, receiving at the end of the year, in addition to his board, fifty dollars in cash and two suits of clothes. A part of the next year he worked for Joseph Liston, and then returned to

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

Mr. Trinkle and farmed on shares, his share of the crop in the fall amounting to twenty-one dollars. The result was so discouraging that he returned to Mr. Liston, with whom he remained until after the breaking out of the Civil war.

On October 29, 1861, Mr. Griffith enlisted in Company A, Forty- third Indiana Volunteer Infantry ; was with his regiment in Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Kansas, and took part in several engagements, the more important being the battles at Fort Pillow, Memphis and Island No. 10. In February, 1863, on account of physical disability, he was honorably discharged, and after his return home was unable to work for more than six months. Going in the fall of that year to Knox county, Indiana, Mr. Griffith was there married, December 6, 1863, to Sarah Chambers, who was born in that county, April 18, 1831, a daughter of John and Mary ( Hollingsworth) Chambers. The young couple remained on the farm of Mr. Chambers for two years, and then settled in Lewis township. In 1866 Mr. Griffith bought the farm which he now owns and occupies, ten of its eighty acres being cleared at the time of purchase, while on it was a log cabin, with an addition built of poles, the whole roof being covered with boards rived by hand. This cabin was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Griffith for two or more years, and in it two of their children were born. By dint of per- sistent toil, he cleared the timber from the remainder of the land, and after a few years built a nice hewed log house, one and one-half stories in height, and that in time gave way to the commodious frame house in which the family now live. Successful in all of his undertakings, Mr. Griffith wisely invested his money in more land, and has now one hun dred and thirty-seven and one-half acres of land in his farm, which, in regard to its improvements and appointments, ranks well with any in the community, his house, substantial barn and outbuildings being well adapted to the purposes for which they are used. Mrs. Griffith died in 1889, and Mr. Griffith now lives, retired from active labor, on the home farm, which is managed by his youngest son.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Griffith, namely: John Franklin and Richard Harland, now living ; and Thomas and Claude, who died in infancy. John Franklin Griffith, the oldest son, is a minister. and now has charge of the Missionary Baptist church at Spencer, Owen county. He married Effie Trinkle, and they have two children, Flossie and Edith. Richard Harland, who lives on the home farm, married Viola Strahla, and they have three children living, Sarah Margaret. Will- iam Oliver and Courtney Lee, one child, Orris Graeme, dying at the age of twenty months. Mr. Griffith is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, to which his wife also belonged.

. WILLIAM C. PRINCE, the present sheriff of Clay county, Indiana, is a native of Ohio, born in Portsmouth, Scioto county, September 9, 1862, son of Henry and Phebe Prince. His father was born in Darmstadt, Ger- many, and died, at the age of fifty-nine years, in 1878. The mother was a native of Wittenburg, Germany. and died, at the age of seventy-seven years and nine months, in 1904. They were united in marriage in Penn- sylvania and the union was blessed with eight children, three of whom are now living, their names being as follows : Emma, wife of John Rauch, residing at Terre Haute, Indiana ; William C., of this notice : and Phebe. wife of Joseph Davern, living at Terre Haute. The father came to

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

America when but ten years of age, making the voyage across the ocean alone, in a sailing ship. His youthful days were mostly spent in Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, where he worked in a blast furnace and iron mines. Though far from home and native land, at the time of the Civil war in this his adopted country, he enlisted as a member of Company A. Thirty- fourth Ohio Volunteer Regiment, for the term of three years, or the war. He was stricken with paralysis at Pomeroy, Ohio, and this prevented fur- ther service in the army. He was a devout member of the German Lutheran church and voted the Democratic ticket.

When thirteen years of age, William C. Prince, the subject, began the real work of life in a rolling mill at Portsmouth, Ohio, receiving thirty-five cents a day. He continued in one mill up to July 3, 1878. He commenced work as a "pull-up boy," but later worked at shearing, when he received seventy cents a day. July 5. 1878, he went to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he worked in the old Wabash rolling mill, remain- ing in that plant until 1884. There his work was that of roughing on an eight-inch mill, for which he received three dollars and a half a day, and sometimes as high as four dollars. He next went to Brazil and was employed by the Central Steel Company until June 12, 1898, when he was elected city marshall, taking that office the first Monday in Septem- ber of that year. He performed the duties of that office up to September 7, 1902. From that time until November, 1906, he was employed in a coal mine, and left that position to take the office of sheriff of Clay county, to which he had recently been elected and which he still holds.

Be it said to his credit, that the subject of this memoir was a dutiful son to his widowed mother, who was left with three children, which she supported as best she could until William C. was able to earn wages, though small at first they were. He gave her all he could and support himself, and in later years, when fortune had smiled on him more truly, did he care for his mother in her declining years.

Mr. Prince is interested in fraternal societies as a member of Brazil Lodge, No. 264, A. F. and A. M .: Brazil Chapter, No. 59, Royal Arch Masons ; Brazil Council, No. 40, R. & S. M. He is also a member of Brazil Lodge, No. 215, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; is a Past Grand and delegate to the State Grand Lodge. He holds membership in the Iron City Encampment, No. 118, and Canton No. 47, and has been a delegate to the State Encampment. He is a member of Indianola Tribe, No. 61, of the Order of Red Men, and belongs to Indianola Hay-makers. No. 611/2, and the United Mine Workers of America-Billtown Local No. 2011. Politically, Mr. Prince affiliates with the Democratic party.

He was united in marriage November 27, 1889, to Forest Stough, born in Van Buren township, Clay county, Indiana, August 30, 1865, a daughter of Jesse G. and Catherine M. (Reynolds) Stough. Her father was born in Crawford county, Ohio, September 17, 1840, and died . September 2. 1902. The mother was born in Putnam county, Indiana, August 3, 1848, and is now living with her son-in-law, Mr. Prince. Jesse G. Stough and wife were the parents of four children. three of whom still survive, and are as follows: Mrs. Prince, Edward, Charles H. and Mary E., who was the wife of Charles Gilmore, and she died at the age of thirty years. Mr. Stough was a carpenter and contractor in Brazil for the last twenty-two years. He supported the general principles of the Democratic party, and in church connection was identified with the Presbyterian denomination.

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A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 8

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

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