A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana, Part 67

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080

USA > Indiana > Boone County > A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 67
USA > Indiana > Clinton County > A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 67
USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 67

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majority, when he made a trip through the western and northern parts of the United States, and was variously employed during this time in Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and other places, being absent from Clinton county about two years, after which he clerked in a mercantile establishment at Frankfort a year. While in Wisconsin, in 1837, he was elected a clerk of the committee on land claims, in Mil- waukee county. August 1, 1839, he was mar- ried in Frankfort to Miss Mary G. Thomas, daughter of Isaac P. Thomas. Of the eleven children born to this union six are living: Isaac W., a physician of Michigantown, Ind. ; William E., deputy clerk of Clinton county; Virginia F., wife of Elwood Avery, of Frank- fort; Sarah Adelaide; Martha G., wife of Mil- ton C. Merrill, a postal clerk, residing at Frankfort; Amy V,, wife of Charles Ross, of Frankfort. Four children died in early child- hood, and a daughter, Harriet E., died at the age of eighteen years, December 25. 1861.

In 1839 Mr. Douglass was elected assessor of Clinton county for the term of two years. The same year, 1839, he engaged in the mer- cantile business at Frankfort, and in 1843 re- moved his business to Michigantown, where he followed mercantile pursuits until 1884, when he retired from the active duties of busi- ness life and became a resident of Frankfort. In his political views Mr. Douglass was democratic. In 1860 he was commissioned to take the census of the eastern half of Clin- ton county. He was commissioned first lieu- tenant of a militia company, and in 1860 he received a commission of notary public. In 1861 he was a member of the relief commit- tee of Clinton county to look after the families of those who were serving their country and to distribute funds for their relief. In 1861, also, he was elected a trustee of Michigan township, holding that office for several terms 1 by re-election. Mr. Douglass was a member

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

of. Clinton lodge, No. 184, A. F. & A. M., of Michigantown, of which he was past master. He was a member of the Odd Fellows order and passed all the chairs in both lodge and en- campment at Frankfort, and represented both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders in the grand lodges of the state. His death took place October 31. 1888. Mrs. Douglass is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and yet resides in Frankfort.

Dr. I. W. Douglass, after a preparatory education, entered the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he gradu- ted with honors in 1862, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Michigan- town, where his great abilities were at once recognized, and where, with the exception of a few months, he has since continuously prac- ticed, winning fresh laurels every day, and now standing at the head of the profession. He is the owner of a very extensive and valua- ble library of medical works, including the latest published, and also has a well selected private library. He is a regular contributor to the leading medical journals of the Union, and his contributions are eagerly read by the pro- fession in general. The doctor's military rec- ord is a brief one : He enlisted, in 1862, in company H, Eighty-sixth Indiana volunteer infantry, was assigned to the army of the Cumberland under Gen. Thomas, and took part in the battle of Perryville, Ky., and was in the pursuit of Bragg, but was taken sick and sent to the hospital, from which, after a tedi- ous illness, he was honorably discharged. Fraternally, he is a member of Herman lodge, No. 184. F. & A. M., and is also a K. of P .; politically, he is a democrat, and a member of the pension board, which meets at Frankfort every Wednesday. The doctor married Lill- ian Knight September 11, 1877, the daughter of James and Anna R. Knight, and to this union have been born Ithamer, and George E.

EORGE W. DUNN, a substantial young farmer of Forest township, Clinton county, Ind., was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, October 9, 1857, and is of Irish extraction, but has an American pedigree of several generations. His grandfather, Armstrong Dunn, was a citizen and farmer of Lawrence county, Ohio, for some years, but had previously been a musi- cian on board of one of the steamers plying the Ohio river; the latter part of his life, how- ever, was passed in Hamilton county, Ind., as a minister in the Baptist church. His son, Jos- eph Dunn, was also born in Lawrence county, Ohio, in 1833, and married Amanda Murphy, daughter of Archie and Elizabeth Murphy, this union resulting in the birth of the following children: Jennie, Isaac E., George W., Robert, Burton E., Louisa, Katy, Joseph H., Eva and Bertha. By trade Joseph Dunn was a carpenter, and, on moving to New Britain, Hamilton county, Ind., became a con- tractor and did an excellent business. He and wife were members of the regular Baptist church, in which he was deacon for a number of years. His death took place February 22, 1889, but he had been preceded to the silent land by Mrs. Dunn February 22, 1879.

George W. Dunn learned carpentering under his father, and for a number of years worked at the trade in Clinton county. He married Miss Laura B. Davis, daughter of Hueston and Mary (Cowdrey) Davis. The children born to George W. Dunn and wife are five in number, and are named Loren O., Olney I., Neva L., Mary C., and Marvel C. Mr. Dunn and wife own a fine farm of 170 acres, highly cultivated, and improved with a com- fortable dwelling, and a large, new, modern farm barn, and Mr. Dunn is happy in the pos- session of the noted draft horse, Hawk Eye Pate. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dunn are members of the regular Baptist church, which they aid

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

liberally with their means, as well as with their moral influence. In politics Mr. Dun in strongly republican, and by this party has been elected a trustee of the township, and at pres- ent is an incumbent of the office. He is a member of Forest lodge, K. of P., and is highly respected as a useful citizen and progressive farmer.

LFRED Z. DUNN, a substantial farmer of Michigan township, Clin- ton county, Ind., is of German-Irish descent. Ambrose Dunn, his grand- father, was a native of Kentucky, but the major part of his life was spent in Bartholo- mew county, Ind., where he carried on a tav- ern and entertained royally for that day. Zethaniah Dunn, his son, and father of Alfred Z., was born October 5, 1824, in Bartholomew county, Ind .. and married Elizabeth Pruitt, and the following year, 1845, the couple set- tled in Clinton county, Ind., then a howling wilderness, on an eighty acre farm. Zethaniah Dunn died August 11, 1854; his widow is now past eighty, and is yet hale and strong. Her children are named Rebeeba L., Margaret E., William A., Mary M., John M. and Alfred Z.

Alfred Z. Dunn was born in Clinton county, Ind., February 16, 1855, and has always lived on a farm. He married Lydia Walker; their only child, Laurence E., has resided with his grandmother Dunn ever since he lost his mother, when he was but a few months old. The second marriage of Mr. Dunn was with Mrs. Hattie Beabout, widow of Junius C. Beebout and daughter of James C. and Eliza- beth (Paris) Heaton. To this union the fol- lowing children have been born: William, died in infancy; Vernal G., Kannie C., Gladys F., Truman W. and Basil C. Mr. Dunn owns a fertile and well-improved farm of eighty acres, with modern residence and substantial

farm buildings, and makes a specialty of Ches- ter White hogs. He is a dormant member of the I O. R. M., and in politics is a democrat. He is able to say, what very few others can say, that he does not owe a dollar in the world.

a ASHINGTON L. DUNN, a pros- perous farmer of Michigan township. Clinton county, Ind., and an ex- soldier, was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, February 12, 1844. His great- grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Armstrong Dunn, grandfather of Washington L., was born in Kentucky, but abhored the institution of slavery, and emi- grated to Lawrence county, Ohio, where he became noted as a minister in the Missionary Baptist church. Although he had been a dem- oerat he voted for Lincoln and was thereafter a republican. He married Mary Brandon, and his death took place in 1876. John D. Dunn. son of Armstrong and father of Washington L .. was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, and was a carpenter and farmer. He married Jane Murphy, and to this union were born the fol- lowing children: Washington L., Henry H., Eliza J., Mary, Manda, Elizabeth. John, Joann, Lina, Rosaline, George and William. Grand- father Murphy was a planter and slave-holder in Kentucky, but, as he did not approve of slavery, moved to Lawrence county, Ohio. John D. Dunn died in 1875, but his widow is still a well preserved lady.

Washington L. Dunn was taught the car- penter's trade and followed it for a few years, but greatly preferred farming. February 14. 1864, he enlisted in company E, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Indiana volunteer infantry, and was assigned to the army of the Potomae, and served in Virginia and Delaware. He was honorably discharged in August, 1864, and now receives a pension of $12 per month. His

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

patriotism prompted him to enlist at the be- ginning of the war, but on account of an injury" caused by an accident in his youth, and his small stature, he was rejected. Mr. Dunn was married, January 2, 1874, to Sylvia A. Helms, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Hidy) Helms, the former a well-to-do farmer of Hamilton county, Ind., and a class leader in the U. B. church and a steward thereof. After his marriage, Mr. Dunn rented a farm in Hamilton county, Ind., on which he lived until 1888, when he bought his present place in Michigan township, Clinton county. This farm comprises ninety acres, is in a high state of cultivation, and is improved with a neat dwelling and a modern barn, all earned through his own industry. Mr. Dunn is a member of Herman lodge, No. 184, F. & A. M .; in poli- tics he is a republican, and he and wife are members of the Baptist church. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were named Pearl M., Elda (died at sixteen), Ethel, Oscar C., Claude, William, Electa B. and Alvin, decas- ed. Pearl M., the eldest son, has attended the Michigan high school and Frankfort nor- mal college, and is now thoroughly prepared as a teacher, and already holds a license to teach in Clinton county.

R EV. CLAYTON K. DRUMHELLER, pastor of the Lutheran church of Mulberry, Ind., was born in Chester county, Pa., May 8, 1855, and is of German descent. His father, George M. Drumheller, was born in the Keystone state in 1822, and became a shoemaker. Having ar- rived at years of maturity, he married Eliza- beth R. Kulp, a native of the same state, and to them were born two children-Clayton K. and George W., of Montgomery county, Pa. During the late war he was drafted in the One Hundred and Seventy-Fifth Pennsylvania in-

fantry and served for about ten months. His wife is still living.

The gentleman of whom we write spent his early youth on the old homestead farm and began his education in the public schools. He afterward attended Kallegan academy, then received private instruction of Prof. Elgrow, and in 1876 entered the Theological seminary of Philadelphia, where he took a three years' course. He was graduated from that institu- tion in the spring of 1880, and on the 26th of May of the same year was ordained to the Lutheran ministry. In June he entered upon his work as pastor of the church at Hamburg, Pa., where he remained until the ist of April, 1883. The following year was then spent in Dauphin county. Pa., and on the ist of April, 1884, he removed to Tamaqua, where he con- tinued until 1886, at which time he became pastor of a church in Danville, Pa. His labors at that place were carried on until the 3rd of December, 1889, when he removed to Ring- town, Pa. On the Ist of October, 1892, he ac- cepted a call from the church and located at Mul- berry, where he has since made his home. While at Danville, Mr. Drumheller, was also manager of the Central Publishing house, and also belonged to the Star Lecture bureau of New York. He was likewise editor and pub- lisher of the Family Visitor. Since coming to Mulberry he has laid the corner-stone of a new church at Fair Haven, and has begun the work of erecting a new house of worship in Mulberry. He is an untiring worker and his labors in the church have been productive of much good. On the Ist of June, 1882, Rev. Drumheller was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Etta A. Wagner, daughter of Benjamin B. and Amanda E. (Smith) Wag- ner, natives of Hamburg, Berks county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner now have three children -- Mary M., wife of William Bodenhorn of Pennsylvania: Sallie A., wife of George H.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Spindler; and Mrs. Drumheller, who was born January 25, 1861. Mr. Wagner, father of this family, enlisted in the Union army during the late war and was killed May 10, 1864, at the battle of Spottsylvania. His wife survived him until September 10, 1879, when she, too, was called to the home beyond. When Mrs. Drumheller was a child of nine years she was sent to Chester Springs, Chester county, Pa., and pursued her studies in the Soldiers' Orphan home at that place until sixteen years of age. She then spent two years in the State Normal at Kutztown, being graduated therefrom in the class of 1879. She then successfully en- gaged in teaching for three years. She is a highly educated lady and is of great assistance to her husband in his work. This worthy couple have one child, Luther Earnest, born March 14, 1886. In politics, Mr. Drumheller is a democrat. He is a faithful laborer in the Master's vineyard and in the circles of the Lutheran ministry is widely known. October 21. 1894, he dedicated the Zion Lutheran church at Mulberry, Ind., at a cost of about six thousand dollars.

ON. HUGH D. DUNNINGTON, held in high esteem and known to poor and rich alike, is one of the foremost citizens of the city of Frank- fort. Mr. Dunnington was born on a farm near Greencastle, Putnam county, Ind., De- cember 15, 1841. His ancestral history is traced to old families of Kentucky and Vir- ginia. His father, William Dunnington, was born near the city of Richmond, Va., and was of English lineage. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Douglass, was born near Shelbyville, Ky. Her father, Hugh Douglass, was an early settler in Putnam county, Ind., and it was there that William Dunnington and Mary Douglass were united in marriage. To

this marriage were born the following chil- dren : John N., deceased; Dr. A. Dunnington, of Thorntown, Ind .; Hugh D., subject of this sketch; Emily; William W., of Westfield, Ind .; E. M .; of Frankfort; and Dr. R. C., of Darlington, Ind. After their marriage, the parents settled on a farm in Putnam county. The mother died in 1857, aged forty years. The father died in 1873. at the age of sixty- four years, while residing in Hendricks coun- ty, Ind.

Hugh D. Dunnington remained on the farm and at home until he was nineteen years of age, when he entered the army, becoming a private in company A, Thirty-ninth Indiana infantry, on the sixteenth day of August, 1861. The company was subsequently mounted, and became company A. Eighth Indiana cavalry. The term of enlistment was for three years, and after serving the term, Mr. Dunnington re-enlisted in company A, Fourth United States veterans, under Gen. W. S. Hancock. This company was held on duty one year after the surrender at Appomattox; it was mustered out of the service at Washington, D. C., in February, 1866, after being discharged.

Mr. Dunnington returned to his home, and having a desire to take up a business career, he attended Bryant & Stratton's Commercial college at Indianapolis. He then accepted a clerkship in a hardware store at Greencastle and later became proprietor of a hardware store in that place. For twelve years he was in business at Greencastle, then one year at farming, and during the three succeeding years was in the drug business at Bainbridge, Ind. From Bainbridge Mr. Dunnington went to Cloverdale, where he was in the drug business for three years: then accepted a clerkship in a hardware store at Crawfordsville, in which city he resided about the same length of time. In 1883, Mr. Dunnington became a citizen of Frankfort. On coming to Frankfort, he em-

S. S. Earhart

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Eliza A. Earhart

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

barked in the real estate, loan .and insurance business, in which he has since continued. In politics Mr. Dunnington has always been a stanch republican, and as such was elected mayor of Frankfort in 1888, and re-elected in 1890. He made a just and efficient executive officer, and retired from the office with a good record behind him. Fraternally Mr. Dun- nington is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of the order of the Knights of Phythias, and is a knight templar Mason. He was married, in 1872, to Miss Margaret C. Corwin. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Dun- nington has been blessed by the birth of two children, namely : Carl and Alma.

a M. DUNNINGTON, proprietor of one of the leading grocery houses of Frankfort and one of the city's enter- prising business men, was born on the fifteenth day of May, 1848, in Putnam county, Ind. He is a son of William Dunnington, a native of Virginia, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Douglass, was a Ken- tuckian by birth. Mr. and Mrs. Dunnington were married in Putnam county, Ind., and set- tled on a farm, where they brought up their family, consisting of seven children.

E. M. Dunnington attended the country schools, in which he obtained a fair knowledge of the branches usually taught, and, at the age of nineteen, commenced life for himself in the drug business at Greencastle. He was thus engaged with good success for a period of twelve years, at the end of which time he disposed of his interest, and during the four years succeeding represented a stove manufac- turing company of Troy, N. Y., as traveling salesman. Mr. Dunnington became a citizen of Frankfort in 1884, and during the four years prior to 1891, did an extensive and suc- cessful insurance business in the city and

throughout Clinton county, representing a number of the leading companies of the United States. In 1891, he closed out his office to other parties and embarked in the grocery trade, to which he has since devoted his attention, owning at this time a large and well-equipped store on west Barner street, sup- plied with a fine line of goods, including all articles usually found in first-class establish- ments of the kind. Mr. Dunnington began his business career with but limited capital, but by close attention, sagacious management, and by consulting the wishes of the public, he has gained a reputable place among the suc- cessful business men of Frankfort, and his reputation in commercial circles is by no means confined to the city in which he lives. Pro- gressive in his ideas, genial in his manner and painstaking in his efforts to please, he has gained the esteem and confidence of his fellow- citizens, and his future is fraught with much promise. Mr. Dunnington is a member of the Pythian fraternity and a friend and liberal patron of all enterprises having for their ob- ject the public welfare of Frankfort. He was happily married in October, 1892, to Mrs. Ma- tilda Rothermer, of Clinton county.

S TEPHEN S. EARHART, one of the highly respected citizens of Madison township, Clinton county, who is now engaged in farming and stock raising on the old Earhart homestead, is a native of Ohio. His birth occurred in Butler county, Angust 22, 1844, and he is a son of George and Susanna (Slipher) Earhart, who were also born in Butler county, and are of German de- scent. The paternal grandfather, Andy Ear- hart, was likewise a native of Ohio, and the maternal grandfather, Stephen Silpher, was born in Virginia in July, 1779. He married Elizabeth Flenner, who was born in Maryland,

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

April 10, 1780, and was a daughter of Rudolph and Magdelene (Cashner) Flenner. Rudolph Flenner died in 1818, his family having num- bered thirteen children. George Earhart was born April 5, 1815, and passed away on the 30th of November, 1875. His wife was born September 21, 1819. In their family were six children, all yet living, namely: Andrew J., Isaac S., a leading physician of Mulberry; Syl- vester, Stephen S., David and George. The father of this family came to Clinton county in 1850, and here accumulated valuable property, including 480 acres of rich land.

Upon the old homestead farm Stephen S. Earhart was reared to manhood, and in the public schools of the neighborhood acquired a good English education. Upon his father's death he took charge of the farm, and is now the owner of 240 acres of rich land, which yields to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon it. Since 1880 he has made a specialty of raising short horn and Durham cattle and Poland China hogs, and this branch of his business has proved very profitable.

Mr. Earhart was married June 27, 1867, to Eliza Miller, daughter of Elias and Maria (Rex) Miller. To them were born three chil- dren, and they also reared a grandson. Jen- etta, born June 20, 1868, is now the wife of Jacob Fleming; Clora E. was born August 2, 1872; Allen L. S. was born February 16, 1876. The grandson, Earl L., died August 19, 1893. The son has also passed away. Of him it was written: "On the 16th of June, 1894, the young, the promising. the heroic spirit of Allen Earhart sailed out upon the bosom of that great ocean toward that peace- ful harbor which is the destiny of the race. His life was an exemplary one, though short. He was just entering upon young manhood when called to his final rest, yet his character had its influence on the community, and will

long be felt. He was respected and loved by his associates of his own age, and his parents looked upon him with pride, for they could al- ways depend upon him, and the confidence they reposed on him was never betrayed. He was converted to Christianity, and on the 28th day of February, 1882, joined the Methodist church, but his entire life was that of a Chris- tian, and he was devoted to the interests of his church. He belonged to the Young Peo- ple's society, and upon his death that organ- ization passed the following resolutions:

"Resolved, That as a union we deeply feel our loss, for we ever found in him a willing worker.

"Resolved, That we cherish his memory and strive to emulate his virtues for church and temperance.

"Resolved, That we tender to the family upon whom the shades have fallen so heavily, our sincere sympathy, and commend them to the All-wise Father, who doeth all things well."

Both Mr. and Mrs. Earhart are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are act- ive and consistent workers therein. Mr. Ear- hart served as steward for about nine years, and has been class leader for a similar period. In politics he is a prohibitionist. All worthy interests and enterprises find in him a friend, and he is numbered among the best citizens of Madison township. Mr. Earhart held, on November 30, 1894, his sixth annual sale of fine Poland China swine, he owning the best strains that are produced. The attention of the reader is respectfully called to the life-like portraits accompanying this sketch, portraying the features of S. S. Earhart and wife Eliza, and those of their deceased son, Allen Ear- hart, all three works of art, being the produc- tions of first-class artists, and in every respect true to nature. The sad bereavement of the parents is here somewhat compensated by the preservation of the likeness of their son.

allen & d. Earhart

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

O SCAR WILLIAM EDMONDS, M. D., one of the-prominent young phy- sicians of Frankfort, is a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, and son of Rheuden J. and Anna Edmonds. The doc- tor's grandfather, Augustus Edmonds, was a native of Berkshire, England, in which coun- try he married Elizabeth Hines, and about the year 1789 immigrated to the United States, set- tling in Bucks county, Pa. For valuable serv- ices rendered to the American cause in the war of the Revolution, he obtained, by the assistance of Gen. Washington, 500 acres of land near the present city of Mauch Chunk, which he subsequently sold for fifty cents an acre, and resided in the county of Bucks until his death. By occupation he was a gunsmith, and for a number of years he followed civil engineering, in which he acquired great skill and proficiency, having been widely known as a profound mathematician. His wife died in 1869 and his death occurred in the year 1872 at an advanced age. Augustus and Elizabeth Edmonds were the parents of eleven children -nine sons and two daughters-and it is a fact worthy of note that the sons all grew to man- hood and took part in the late great rebellion. One of them, Capt. J. H. Edmonds, was killed at the battle of Parkersburg in 1864, and his brother, J. J., lost a leg on the nine- teenth of June of the same year. Five of the brothers held officers' commissions while in the service, the rest being privates, and all, with the exception of the two mentioned, went through the war without receiving any injury. At this time Lewis and James Edmonds are acceptable ministers of the Reform church and are recognized for their abilities in that sacred calling. R. J. Edmonds, the doctor's father, was born in Bucks county, Pa., in the year 1812, and in early life learned the trade of cigarmaker, which he followed for a number of years, though now in the grocery trade. He

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Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Bowen & Co. Number of Pages: 1080

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080