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 83

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 83
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 83
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 83

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J OHN Z. MOORE, deceased, was born in Virginia in 1827, son of John and Laura (Quick) Moore, also natives of Virginia and of English descent. John Z. Moore was reared on his father's farm and came to Clinton county, Ind., in 1852, and here bought 140 acres of land, and at the time

of his death he owned 257 acres in Jackson township. He died November 2, 1890, his wife having preceded him to the grave Novem- 1, 1888. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, as follows: James, Catherine, Clara B., John B., Andrew, two that died in infancy, and Angeline, the only survivor of the eight. An- geline has been twice married. Her first union was with Daniel Venis, to whom she bore one child-Miley N., who lives in Jack- son township and owns sixty-nine acres of good land, which his mother gave him. He married Mattie DeMoss, and to this union two children have been born-Belva F. and Lemon. Mr. Venis died in 1878; Mrs. Venis then mar- ried Charles Wolf, July 8, 1894. Mr. Wolf is a business man of Frankfort and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Wolf is a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Wolf is a republican. Mrs. Wolf still owns 157 acres of fine land in Jackson town- ship, Clinton county.

ARTIN A. MORRISON, a promi- nent member of the Frankfort bar, is son of H. Y. and Nancy A. (Camp- bell) Morrison, and was born April 15, 1862, in Frankfort, Clinton county, Ind. He was reared in Frankfort, where received his early educational training, graduated from the high school in 1878, and subsequently at- tended Butler university at Indianapolis, in which he pursued his studies until 1883. He selected law for his profession, and in the above year began a course of preparatory reading with his father, and afterward attend- ed the law department of the university of Virginia, from which he graduated in 1886. He was admitted to the bar in that year and at once entered upon the practice of his pro- fession in Frankfort, where he has since con- tinued, and he now occupies a conspicuous

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place among the successful attorneys of the Clinton county bar. From 1886 to 1890 he was associated in the practice with his father and brother, but since the latter year has had an office of his own.

Martin A. Morrison was married August 29, 1888, in Franklin, Ind., to Lillian L. Thompson, who was born in Dupont, Ind., May 29, 1862, daughter of Robert and Abigail (Williams) Thompson. Mr. and Mrs. Morri- son's home has been brightened by the birth of two children: Robert H. and Marillous M. M. A. Morrison, for a young man, has had a wide and varied experience in his profession and is recognized as one of the most successful attorneys of Frankfort. His services have been retained in many noted cases, among which was the celebrated railroad tax case, in which he was employed as counsel by the citi- zens of Center township. He was five times reading clerk in the general assembly of In- diana, also served as reading clerk for demo- cratic state conventions, and was similarly em- ployed, in 1892, in the democratic national convention. He represented his college in the state oratorical contest in 1883, and his wife was chosen to represent Franklin college on the same occasion. In 1883, Butler universi- ty conferred upon the title of A. B., and in 1887 he received from the same institution the degree of A. M. The university of Virginia, in 1886, confered the degree of B. L. Mr. Morrison is one of the leading democrats of Clinton county, with which party he has affili- ated ever since attaining his majority. He is a Mason of high standing, having taken the knights templar degree, and he also belongs to the order of the Eastern Star. He has a pleasant home in Frankfort, and as a citizen, he is ·progressive, public spirited and liberal, enjoying, in a marked degree, the confidence and good will of his fellow-citizens and the community at large.

O WEN A. J. MORRISON, M. D., who is successfully engaged in the practice of the medical profession in Middlefork, has the honor of being a native of Clinton county. He was here born February 26, 1845, and is a son of James and Margaret Morrison, who were highly respected people of the community. Upon his father's farm he was reared to manhood, and in the common schools of Warren township he ac- quired his primary education. He afterward pursued his studies in Frankfort. When he had attained his majority he began farming the old homestead, which he operated until 1878, but it was his earnest desire to enter the medical profession, and in that year it be- came possible for him in some degree to carry out his cherished plans. Mr. Morrison at that time entered the medical college of Fort Wayne, Ind., and after pursuing a two years' course was graduated therefrom on the second of March, 1880. Immediately after, he opened an office in Middlefork, where he has remained continuously since, and during the period that has elapsed he has built up a large practice, which is still increasing. He is a close student of his profession and his skill and ability well merit his success.

On the twenty-ninth of November, 1866, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Morrison and Miss Annie E. Johnston, daughter of Wil- liam V. and Lucy (Fuell) Johnston. Her parents were numbered among the early set- tlers of this county, and in their family were seven children, namely: Annie, wife of our subject; Catherine, Blake and Bartholomew, all deceased; Marjory, wife of Marion Stotter; Martha, wife of Martin Campbell; Effie, wife of Albert Betts. Mrs. Morrison was born August 11, 1848. Two children grace the union of the doctor and his wife-Olive B., who was born May 11, 1869, and is the wife of Andrew J. Farrier; and William H., who

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

was born January 30, 1871, and married Hat- tie Schafer. Dr. Morrison takes some interest in civic societies and belongs to Middlefork lodge, No. 304, F. & A. M., and also to the Good Templars' society. He holds member- ship with the Universalist church, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a prohibitionist, hav- ing supported that party since 1884. He has always made his home in Clinton county, and those who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his warmest friends, a fact which indicates an honorable and well spent life. Those who know him esteem him highly for his sterling worth and strict integrity, and he well deserves representation in this volume.

J OHN MURPHY, an ex-soldier, and one of the most prosperous farmers of Michigan township, Clinton county, Ind., is of Irish ancestry, but descends from an American family that antedates the Revolutionary war. His great-grandfather was, indeed, one of the patriots of that histor- ical and heroic struggle, having entered the army that fought for the independence of America from Juniata county, Pa., where he had settled. Andrew Murphy, the son of this Revolutionary hero, was born in Pennsyl- vania, married Martha Wharry, and was an early settler of Clinton county, Ind. He fol- lowed farming all his life, was a strict Presby- terian, and in politics was a Jacksonian demo- crat. Alexander B. Murphy, son of Andrew and Martha (Wharry) Murphy, was the father of John Murphy, the subject espescial of this sketch, was born and reared in Pennsylvania, where he married Mary VanSweringen, daugh- ter of E. VanSweringen, a wealthy farmer, and came to Indiana about the year 1857. For two years he lived in Carroll county, and in 1859 came to Clinton county and pur- 39

chased and improved a farm of eighty acres. He also taught for some years in Pennsyl- vania and Indiana. Mrs. Murphy died Feb- ruary 15, 1859, in Carroll county, Ind., the mother of the following children : John, An- drew, Margaret, Mary J., Martha W., and Druscilla, who died in infancy in Pennsyl- vania. Alexander B. Murphy then married the widow Tetrick, with whom he lived happi- ly until his death, November 30, 1882, when he was buried with Masonic honors.

John Murphy, whose name heads this bio- graphical notice, was born in Juniata county, Pa., May 25, 1840, and has always been a farmer. He came to Indiana with his par- ents, and August 29, 1862, enlisted in com- pany I, One. Hundredth regiment Indiana volunteer infantry, and took an active part in the engagements in which his regiment partic- ipated, including the siege of Vicksburg, the Atlanta campaign, Sherman's march to the sea, the battles of Jackson, Miss., at Chatta- nooga, at Knoxville, again at Cattanooga, and at Resaca was knocked down by the ex- plosion of a shell, and was struck by a spent ball at Missionary Ridge. He fought twice at Jonesboro, fought at Savannah, and marched on to Washington to take part in the grand re- view. Although he passed through all these perils and hardships, he was never sick nor in hospital, and was honorably discharged May 20, 1865. He now receives seventeen dollars per month for his gallantry and faithful service to his country. November 1, 1866, Mr. Mur- phy was married to Rebecca Kelly, a sister of James and William Kelly, whose biographies will be found elsewhere in this volume. In 1876, Mr. Murphy and wife settled on a farm of seventy acres in Michigan township, which farm he has increased to ninety acres, all highly improved and in a fine state of cultiva- tion; his residence is modern in its construc- tion, is well furnished, and is an ornament to

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

the neighborhood, and his barn is substantial and commodious. In politics, Mr. Murphy is a populist, and was honored by that party, in 1892, by the nomination for the office of coun- ty treasurer. Fraternally, Mr. Murphy is a member of Herman lodge, No. 184, F. & A. M., and of Stone River post, G. A. R., at Frankfort. He is respected as a most ener- 'getic and useful citizen, and as a progressive agriculturist, and socially he and wife stand very high. They have no children.

RANK C. MUSE, who is extensively engaged in contracting and building in Mulberry, is recognized as one of the most prominent business men of the place, and in the history of the county well deserves representation. Like many of his fellow-citizens, he is a native of Pennsyl- vania, his birth having occurred in Lehigh county on the fifteenth of September, 1854. In that county his parents, Charles and Sarah (Hartzler) Muse, were also born. During his boyhood Frank learned the carpenter trade with his father, and soon became an efficient and expert workman, so that at the age of eighteen he was admitted to a full partnership in a large contracting business. In 1878 he came to Clinton county, Ind., and located two miles east of Mulberry and lived there three years, and then built in the town, and moved into his house in the fall of 1881. In 1885, he also established a butcher shop in Mulberry, which he managed for three years, and at the same time continued his work at carpentering. The firm of Muse & Son employ twelve hands and are doing an extensive and constantly in- creasing business.

In 1877, Frank C. Muse was joined in wed- lock with Miss Clara Moher, daughter of John and Amanda Moher. Their marriage has been blessed with a family of eight children, six of

whom are yet living, viz: Milton, who was born December 8, 1877, died April 20, 1878; Oliver F., born February 4, 1879; Howard M., born April 9, 1881; Beulah A., born De- cember 9, 1882; Mamie M., born March 27, 1885. Harry R., born February 12, 1887, died in 1892; Sada, born November 3, 1892; and Claude I., born April 3, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Muse hold membership with the Lutheran church, and in social circles occupy an envi- able position. Mr. Muse votes with the demo- cratic party, but has never been an office seeker, preferring to give his time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with good success. He is progressive and en- terprising, faithfully lives up to his part of the contract, is straightforward and honorable in all dealings, and therefore receives from the public a liberal patronage. He is also a valued citizen and one who takes a commendable in- terest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community.'

RANK A. MUSHLITZ, trustee of Michigan township, Clinton county, Ind., for the years 1890 to 1895, with his residence at Michigantown while performing his official duties, descends from an ancient Austrian family, members of which, on his paternal side, settled in America in the early part of the eighteenth century. The great-grandfather of Frank A. was the pro- genitor of the American family Mushlitz, and founded his settlement in Northampton county, Pa. Monroe Mushlitz, grandson of the im- migrant alluded to above, and father of Frank A., was born in Northampton county, still resides there, and is one of the most successful agriculturists of the Keystone state. Monroe married Mary Rodgers, a daughter of Herman Rodgers, who, at the age of twelve years, came from Germany at the beginning of the present

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

century, and after passing through the usual tribulations of pioneer life, succeeded in acquir- ing a competency as a farmer in the Lehigh valley of Pennsylvania, and there died in 1856.

Frank A. Mushlitz, who was born in Northampton county, Pa., November 5, 1854, and was third son of a family of ten children, was reared on his father's larm, and also re- ceived an excellent education by attending the Weaversville Normal school of Northampton county, Pa., and this training was completed by an attendance at the Ladoga Normal col- lege of Indiana for several years. Thus pre- pared, he followed school-teaching for seven- teen terms, of which two terms were taught in Lehigh county, Pa., a year in the state of Michigan, and the remaining terms in Clinton county, Ind. He has been quite popular as a democrat, and beside his present office of township trustee, has filled the position of justice of the peace. He married Rebecca F. Cohee, daughter of Wilson- and Susanna (Douglass) Cohee. The father of Mrs. Mush- litz, was formerly a very prominent merchant of Frankfort, Ind., and died March 16, 1892, leaving a widow, who still resides in that city. F. A. Mushlitz and his wife settled on their present from of ninety-seven acres in 1881, and this property is now one of the best cultivated of any of its size in the township and one of the best stocked; is improved with a comfortable residence and a most excellent, modern barn-one of the best, indeed, in the township. On this desirable property reside Mr. Mushlitz, his wife and two children, Clara and Laura, who all enjoy the good will and esteem of their neighbors. In his fraternal relations, Mr. Mushlitz has a wide and influ- ential connection, being a member of Herman lodge, No. 184, F. & A. M., and also of the chapter, council and commandery of the same order; he is likewise an honored member of Dakota tribe, No. 42, of the I. O. R. M.,

of Rubicon lodge, No. 340, K. of P., and is lecturer in the P. of H. lodge, No. 2084. The degrees he has reached in these various orders attest the remarkable tenacity of memory of Mr. Mushlitz, and the esteem in which he is held by his brothers. He is also an esteemed member of the State Teachers' association, and possesses a private library that might be en- vied by any resident of the township. In his religious convictions he is a Lutheran.

URRAN ORR, an enterprising farmer, . was born in Johnson township, Clin- ton county, Ind., December 13, 1843, and here he still resides. His grand- father, Matthew Orr, came from Scotland and settled in the state of New York. He was a stone-cutter by trade, and became quite wealthy. He married Mary Eagles, and the two passed a great portion of their lives in Coshocton county, Ohio. Matthew Orr, father of our subject, and son of the above, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, and at eleven years began the life of a drover, which he followed till grown. Later he engaged in canal boat- ing. He came to Clinton county, Ind., in 1839, when this was a wilderness, and accu- mulated considerable property, owning, at his death, 1, 245 acres of Johnson township land. He could have purchased La Fayette and all it included, when he first came, for $300. He was a Jackson democrat, and held the first trusteeship of Johnson township. He married Armina Shaw, daughter of Elijah Shaw, and to this union were born the following chil- dren: Jerry, Nathan, Thomas, James, Mat- thew, Curran, Alford, George, Catherine E., Julia A., Mary J., William H. and John S. The death of the father took place March 20, 1870, but the mother is still living on the old home farm at the age of nearly eighty years.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Curran Orr has been a farmer all his life and now owns 100 acres of very fertile land. He is democratic in his political proclivities, and he and wife are members of the Method- dist church. He married Caroline Scircle, daughter of George A. and Malinda (Ryan) Scircle. Her father was one of the first to settle on Indian Prairie in Johnson township, and was a large land owner and prominent cit- izen, after whom Scircleville was named. James Ryan, Mrs. Orr's maternal grandfather, was a soldier in the war of 1812. The chil- dren of Curran Orr and wife were born in the following order: James M., Della, Minnie C., Jennie, Adam C. and Eve S .; of these, James has taught school five years in Johnson town- ship, Della has taught three winter schools and a number of summer schools, and both hold high rank in the profession. Both the Orr and Scircle families have always held high positions in the social circles of Johnson and surround- ing townships, and the younger generation gives fair promise of upholding the credit of the family name.

J OHN S. ORR, a progressive farmer, was born in Johnson township, Clin- county, Ind., March 8, 1857, is a son of Matthew and Armina (Shaw) Orr, and a brother of Curran Orr, whose biography, which appears in immediate proximity to this, contains further genealogical facts. John S. Orr married Miss Jennie McKenney, Septem- ber 17, 1879. This lady is a daughter of David and Mary E. (Chrostwhait) McKenney. Edward McKenney, the father of David, was a native of Virginia and among the earliest settlers of Shelby county, Ind., was a sub- stantial farmer, and was a member of the Christian church. When first married, David located on a farm in Shelby county, Ind., but in 1871 came to Clinton county and purchased

a farm. In politics he was a democrat. died April 13, 1894: his widow still resides the old home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Johi Orr, when first married, settled on t present farm of eighty acres, and this f will compare favorably with any other farr its size in the township. The children bor the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Orr are four number, and are named, in order of birth, follows: Donnie J., Robert G., Ellen L. Dale. Mrs. Orr is a devout member of Christian church.

.......

AVID WARREN OSBORNE, a n successful business man of Fra fort, Ind., was born in Troy, O December 25, 1851, and is a so' Elijah and Elizabeth (Daily) Osborne. father died while David W. was but an inf: 1 and the latter remained with his mother u | he was sixteen years of age. He then w to Homer, Ill., servedthree years at the l er's trade, and then passed a year in Cov ton, Ohio. In 1871 he came to Indiana for a year acted as shipping clerk for a wh sale confectionery establishment in La Faye attending, at the same time, the night sessi of the Star City Commercial college; for next four years he was employed on the r for the confectionery, and then traveled. 1876, for Ruger & Rodgers, wholesale c fectioners of the same city; then, for a b period, was on the road for C. Paige, wh sale grocer of La Fayette. The same y he and E. Stearns established a confection and bakery business at Homer, Ill., under firm name of Osborne & Stearns, but in I they sold out and Mr. Osborne returned La Fayette and went on the road for Rol son & Hale, wholesale grocers. In Janua 1878, Mr. Osborne came to Frankfort and tablished the firm of Osborne & Adair in

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

grocery and provision trade, which was pros- perously conducted until 1880, when Mr. Os- borne withdrew and became book-keeper for John M. Cast, hardware merchant, until Au- gust, when the grocery firm of Smith & Os- borne was organized. From this Mr. Osborne withdrew in 1883, and in November of the same year again engaged in the grocery trade, and in 1888 the present firm of Osborne & Swan, grocers, were placed upon a sound foun- dation. In 1888 Mr. Osborne and others or- ganized the Clinton Natural Gas & Oil com- pany, of which he was auditor and secretary, but in 1893 this company was succeeded, through sale, by the Indiana Natural & Illu- minating Gas company, of which Mr. Osborne is cashier. In addition to attending to his legitmate business duties Mr. Osborne has found time to assist in founding the Building & Loan association, No. 5. of Frankfort, or- ganized in June, 1884, and has always been its secretary; in 1886 he became a director of the First National bank of Frankfort, a posi- sition he still holds, and of which he was elect- ed vice-president early in 1894. Politically, Mr. Osborne is a republican, and in May, 1881, was first elected city councilman, a position he has filled with much credit to himself several terms. The marriage of Mr. Osborne took place October 30, 1879, to Miss Anna Paris, at Frankfort. Their only child, Mabel Paris, was born December 25, 1881, the thirtieth anni- versary of her father's birthbay. When it is taken into consideration that Mr. Osborne was left an orphan in his infancy, that he began his business life absolutely without capital and was unassisted by extraneous pecuniary aid, and that he has reached his present prominent po- sition in the business world simply through his own business energy and sagacity, the conclu- sion may be reached that his career has been phenomenal and is well worthy the emulation of the rising generation of Clinton county.

ENRY W. OSTERDAY, a represent- ative of one of the well known fami- lies of Clinton county, Ind., makes his home in Mulberry. He was born in Lehigh county, Pa., August 12, 1855, and is a son of Benjamin and Eliza M. (Baer) Osterday. His father, Benjamin Osterday, was born in Northampton county, Pa., Febru- ary 28, 1828. The grandparents, William and Mary (Kester) Osterday, were also natives of the Keystone state and were of German de- scent. The former was a tailor by trade, and, as was customary in those days, traveled from house to house doing work for his patrons. Later, however, he established a shop in Cherryville, Pa., where he remained until his death in 1871. His wife died in 1834. In their family were seven children, namely : Thomas; William, deceased; Lucy; Stephen; Benjamin; Mary, dcceased; and Eliza. Ben- jamin Osterday was reared in Cherryville, and when a young man learned the wagon-maker's trade. In April, 1865, he came to Clinton county, Ind., locating in Mulberry, where he established a wagon-making shop. Two years later he made his first purchase of land, which consisted of forty-five acres. He afterward sold and bought his present farm, a well im- proved tract of 153 acres. He was married March 2, 1850, to Miss Eliza Baer, who was born April 7, 1833, and is a daughter of Peter and Anna (Wood) Baer. Eight children graced their union : Mary J., who was born Septem- ber 18, 1851, and is the wife of Dr. I. S. Ear- hart; Milton J., born November 15, 1853; Henry W .; Manetta A., who was born Febru- ary 19, 1857, and is the wife of George Ear- hart; Ida J., who was born September 23, 1861, and is the wife of H. S. Lane; Maggie, who was born April 9, 1866, and is the wife of Frank Hausman; Ella, twin sister of Maggie and the wife of L. D. V. Bryan; Effie A., who was born February 3, 1871, and is the wife of

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

A. F. Jacobs. Both Mr. and Mrs. Osterday are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his political views he is a prohibitionist.

Henry W. Osterday has been a resident of this county since a child of eight years. He attended the public schools and continued at home until after he had attained his majority, when he took charge of his father's farm, in partnership with his brother Milton. His business career has been one of success. He carried on agricultural pursuits for awhile, but of late years has devoted the greater part of his time to discounting notes and loaning money. He is now a member of the firm of Bates & Osterday, brokers, real estate and in- surance agents, the firm having an elegant suite of rooms in the new Union block. Mr. Osterday is also the owner of a commodious residence in the west part of the town. His prosperity has come to him as the reward of diligence, good management and sagacity.

On the twelfth of October, 1881, Mr. Osterday led to the marriage altar Miss Laura Clark, who was born June 23, 1860, and is a daughter of Augustus F. and Anne C. Clark. They now have one child, Grace L., born January 24, 1886. Mrs. Osterday's father was born in Butler county, Ohio, December 26, 1828, and moved to Clinton county when only four years of age. Her mother, Anne C. Swadner, was born in Greene county, Ohio, May 31, 1832, and came to Clinton county when a child, and here died November 13, 1890. Mrs. Osterday is the second child in a family of eight children-William N., Laura A., Mary J., George S., Edwin A., Ada May (deceased), Rose J. and Herbert R. Mr. and Mrs. Osterday hold membership in the Method- ist Episcopal church. He belongs to Castle lodge, No. 240, K. P., and exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party.

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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