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 84

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 84
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 84
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 84

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RS. ELIZABETH B. PAINTER is living a retired life in a handsome modern cottage in Michigantown, Clinton county, Ind. She bore the maiden name of Elizabeth B. Cox, and is the daughter of William and Matilda (Stull) Cox. Her father is a tanner and formerly lived in this village, but now resides in Scircleville, Ind., and is over eighty years of age.

Isaac N. Painter, deceased husband of Mrs. Elizabeth B., was born in Clinton county, in April, 1840, and died February 8, 1879. William Painter, the father of Isaac N., came to Clinton county in its early history and was closely identified with its development. He married Mary Wilson, and both he and she were members of the Methodist church, while he was a Jacksonian democrat. Isaac N. Painter was reared on a farm and received a good common school education. He married Miss E. B. Cox, October 5. 1865, and settled on a farm of eight acres and was quite success- ful as an agriculturist and stock raiser. There were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Painter the following children: Iona, Flor- ence, Charles, Beecher and Harland, all liv- ing, and Claude, deceased. Miss Iona is the present post-mistress of Michigantown; Flor- ence is married to Jacob Whiteman, a pros- perous young farmer; Charles married Nettie Carter; Harland and Beecher remain at home with their mother. Mr. Painter enlisted, August 22, 1861, in company C, Tenth Indi- ana volunteer infantry, and received an honor- able discharge September 19, 1864. He was in Gen. Rosecrans' campaign, in the Atlanta campaign, and with Gen. Sherman on his march to the sea. He was in the wagon serv- ice most of the time, and for his ability and meritorious service was promoted to the rank of wagon-master. Many were the attempts of the rebels to capture him and his train, but he evaded them all. He died some years after

I. N. PAINTER. DECEASED.

۔۔

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

he close of hostilities. Mr. Painter was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. n politics he was an ardent democrat and ook active interest in his party, and filled ome of the ininor township offices. His laughter, Mrs. Whiteman, now resides upon he old homestead settled by her grandfather, Villiam Painter, and which was the home of er father until his death. In 1893 his widow ecovered back pay and pension, amounting to 3,000. and is now receiving twelve dollars monthly.

3 UDGE TRUMAN HENRY PALMER, one of the most prominent figures in the city of Frankfort, Ind., is a native of Henry county, Ky., was born Novem- er 28, 1827, and is a son of William and 'ermelia Palmer. The family settled in Mont- omery county, Ind , in November, 1830, and ame to Clinton county in February, 1844, nd here he received his early education under Prof. Milton B. Hopkins, who was afterward uperintendent of public instruction of the tate. At the age of twenty, Mr. Palmer be- an teaching school, and continued in this ccupation four year. At the age of twenty- our he married Miss Margaret Ann Moore, aughter of Robert and Margaret Moore, of Clinton county. Soon after his marriage he noved to Kokomo. Ind., and, in connection vith two associates, started a cabinet shop. He was thus engaged for a period of three ears, when, in consequence of failing health, le was compelled to abandon the enterprise. Ie then resorted the second time to the ex- jedient of school teaching, to gain a liveli- lood for his family, and, at the same time, mproved his leisure moments by studying law. After a patient course of study, he was ad- nitted to the bar in March, 1857. The early

days of his practice, however, were not lucra- tive. He experienced the difficulties of all young lawyers in their efforts to build up their practice; and, until the year 1864, his life was a constant struggle with the difficulties of his position. In that year his practice began to increase, and with increased practice came in- creased confidence on the part of the people. Thus in a few years his practice became quite renumerative, and he was regarded as one of the rising members of the bar. His political views have always been in conformity with the principles of the democratic party. By this party he was nominated for the office of township clerk of Center township, Howard county, Ind., and, although the whig party had a large majority in the township, he was elected to the office. One year later, he was nominated for surveyor of Howard county, and made a brave race, but his opponent was elected to the office.

In 1858, he returned to Clinton county, and four years later, 1862, made the race for surveyor of the county, against James Doster, Esq. He was elected, by a handsome majori- ty, for the term of two years, and at the ex- piration of that time he was elected for a sec- ond term. In 1866, he was nominated by his party for the same office, but was defeated by one vote. Two years later. 1868, he was representative, from Clinton county, to the Indiana legislature, and served during the regu- lar and special sessions of 1869. In 1870, he was elected common pleas judge, for the dis- trict of Boone and Clinton counties. He served his district in that capacity until the legislature abolished the court in 1873. ' A circuit court was then formed, composed of the counties of Boone and Clinton, and Judge Palmer was appointed, by Governor Hen- dricks, to preside over the court. At the special election, in the fall of 1873, he was elected judge of this circuit.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

During his residence in this county, his up- right character and sterling qualities have gained him many friends, and his official rec- ord is one of which he may justly be proud. In every position of responsibility awarded him by his fellow-citizens, he has discharged his duty from conscientious principles and with impartial success. Ten children have crowned the happiness of his married life-four boys and six girls. Judge Palmer united with the Baptist church more than thirty years ago, and since that time he has been an active and consistent member of that denomination. The judge has now the most extensive and remu- nerative legal practice of any member of the profession in Frankfort, as his eminent abilities fully entitle him to have.

R F. PALMER, M. D., is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Frankfort and has much more than a local reputation in his profession. He was born in Howard county, Ind., June 17, 1855, and is a son of Judge T. H. Palmer. Dr. Palmer was only four years of age when brought by his parents to Frankfort, in the schools of which he received his educational training and then began his medical studies in the office of Dr. G. W. Brown, with whom he remained until attaining his majority. On the twenty-second of February, 1877, he was graduated from the Louisville college and began the practice of his profession at Frank- fort, where he has since enjoyed a large and lucrative business, being one of the ablest and best known physicians and surgeons, at this time, in Clinton county. He has served as surgeon of the Clover Leaf R: R. for a period of seven years, and his success, while in that capacity, has done much to establish the repu- tation which he has since enjoyed. As a

physician, Dr. Palmer has indeed a most creditable record, but it is as a skillful surgeon that he is best known among his professional brethern of Frankfort, where in all matters pertaining to that part of the profession he is justly considered an authority. From the time he adopted medicine as a profession he has been enthusaistically devoted to it, having always been a close and deliberate student, going into wide research for authority. In his personality, the doctor realizes the ideal of a successful physician and surgeon, adding to a quick apprehension and thorough professional knowledge the gentle.manner and sympathetic heart of the true lover of suffering humanity. In every relation with his fellows, profession- ally or otherwise, he has borne well his part, and now enjoys, in full measure, the con- fidence and esteem of his brethren in the pro- fession and of his fellow-citizens in all the walks of a life. The doctor is a splendid specimen of physical manhood, possessing a tall, well knit frame, and a commanding pres- ence, which, with a natural grace and courteous manner, impress those with whom he comes in contact as a true type of the well-bred pro- fessional gentleman. Dr. Palmer was married in Michigantown, Ind., on the ninth day of September, 1878, to Josephine Hillis, daughter of James and Mary (Etherton) Hillis, of Jef- ferson county, Ind., where her birth occurred April 17, 1856. The doctor has a fine home in Frankfort, and, judging by the past, his future is certainly fraught with much that is promising.

BRAHAM P. PARKER, M. D., an influential citizen and very prominent physician of Kirklin, Clinton county, Ind., springs from sturdy Irish stock. His grandfather, Abraham Parker, was a farmer. The next in the line of direct descent

827

OF CLINTON COUNTY.

was Isaac Parker and his brother, Noah Parker, became the father of our subject. The last named was born in Highland county, Ohio, September 26, 1823, and he, too, follow- ed farming, entering from the government eighty acres of land in Tipton county, Ind. He married Deborah Williams, daughter of John C. and Margaret Williams, and to them were born the following children: Isaac, who was killed at the age of fourteen; Victoria J., wife of Joseph Kemp; Abraham P .; Noah A., who married Miss Stranahan; Margaret A., wife of Henry Miller: one who died in infancy; Charity E., wife of Melvin Keaton; and Cyrus N. The father of this family was a republi- can in politics and was a Presbyterian in relig- ious belief. For twenty years he owned and operated a saw-mill in Tipton county, Ind., where he and his estimable wife are now living retired.

Dr. Abraham Putnam Parker, the subject of this sketch, was born in Tipton county, March 16, 1855, and with the exception of two years has always resided in his native state. He attended the public and high- schools of Tipton until about seventeen years of age, when he began teaching, a profession which he successfully followed for seven years during the winter season. In 1874, he de- termined to enter the medical profession, and the following summer began reading with Dr. Mf. V. B. Newcomer of Tipton. Thus he prepared himself to enter the Kentucky School of Medicine of Louisville, in 1876. In the spring of 1877, he began practice in Kempton, Ind. In July of the same year, Dr. Parker married Miss Nancy J. Bishop, who was born in Tipton county, September 26, 1858, and is a daughter of William and Rebecca S. (Butler) Bishop. Three children grace their union --- Frank E., born April 18, 1878; Elma, born August 8, 1883; and William N., born April 1, 1887.

. For three years Dr. Parker practiced medi- cine and then removed to a farm which his wife had inherited, and which he operated un- til 1885. He then purchased fifty-five acres in Kirklin township and upon it he. lived for one year, when he removed to Frankfort, where he served as deputy treasurer for three years, proving an efficient and capable officer. He afterward purchased eighty acres of land, and later sold this and bought 100 acres, of which about eighty acres are now cleared and under a high state of cultivation. Wishing to return to his profession, Dr. Parker rented his land, and in August, 1892, came to Kirk- lin, where he formed a partnership with Dr. W. A. T. Holmes, this connection continuing until September, 1893. In the spring of that year, he once more entered the college at Louisville, Ky., and after receiving his diplo- ma he returned home and opened an office of his own. Here he has since engaged in prac- tice and has met with most excellent success, receiving a very liberal patronage. The doc- tor exercises his right of franchise in support of the republican party. He served as justice of the peace until resigning that office to be- come deputy treasurer. In 1880, he was made a master Mason, and belonged to Buena Vista lodge, No. 552, F. & A. M., of Hamilton county, Ind. Both he and his wife are mem: bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.

O LIVER CLINTON PARSONS, of Frankfort, Ind., was born in Clinton county on the twenty-fourth day of September, 1859, the son of Peter and Hannah (Douglass) Parsons. Peter Par- sons, the father, was born in Perry county, Pa., August 22, 1834, and is the son of George and Elizabeth (Fisher) Parsons, both natives of Pennsylvania-the former of English and the latter of German descent. George died

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

March 7, 1848. His wife then sold the farm and came to Clinton county, Ind., where she bought 138 acres of land. She was born in 1813, and her death took place April 16, 1894. They were the parents of seven children: George, Peter, Elizabeth, Anthony, Catherine, William and Aaron. Peter Parsons was reared partially in Pennsylvania and partially in Clin- ton county, Ind. At his majority he rented the home farm, and in 1879 bought his present place. March 7, 1858, he married Miss Hannah Douglass, daughter of Uriah and Jane (Murphy) Douglass, natives of Ohio and of Irish extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass were the parents of thirteen children, viz: Sina, Elizabeth, Jane, Hannah, Margaret, John, Jerry, all still living; James, George, Samuel, Maria, Sarah and Eurias, deceased. The children born to Peter and Hannah Parsons were three in number, and are named Oliver C., William E. and Charles M. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Parsons is a member of Owen grange, No. 555. Politically, he is a democrat.

Oliver C. Parsons was brought up on a farm and remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age, in the meantime attending the district schools. At the age of twenty-three he came to Frankfort, and for seven years thereafter worked at any honest employment to which he could turn his hand, but during that time he did not succeed in ac- cumulating any capital. In the latter part of 1888 Mr. Parsons purchased a small restau- rant in Frankfort, the price being $250, which was borrowed, with his father as surety. On taking charge of his business he stepped into the next door and borrowed a dollar which he used in making change with his customers, it being the only available money at that time in the establishment. He continued the busi- ness, which from the beginning was successful, until 1890, when he changed locations, estab-

lishing his restautant on the south side of the public square, calling it the "Model Bakery, Oyster and Short Order House." Since open- ing his place of business, he has added largely to his stock, and at this time it is one of the neatest and best stocked and most systematic- ally equipped establishments of the kind in Frankfort. Another fact which redounds to Mr. Parsons reputation, is the manner in which his business is conducted. His management has been exceptionally praiseworthy, and it is a fact worthy of note, that nothing of a boister- ous nature is ever permitted at his place, and all going there are assured of receiving most respectful attention. Mr. Parsons' business consists principally in conducting a bakery, an oyster parlor, and a general restaurant, and he deals extensively in confections, California and tropical fruits, fancy canned goods, cigars and tobacco, etc., his entire stock being of the highest standard of excellence.

Additional to the place above mentioned Mr. Parsons also conducts two other well equipped and well arranged restaurants in Frankfort, one being on North Main street, be- tween Washington street and the railroad, and the other on West Clinton street. In connec- tion with his restaurants, he has a number of first-class rooms and apartments furnished for the accomodation of the traveling public. Mr. Parsons justly deserves the success which has attended his business efforts. He is care- ful in his management, honorable and straight- forward in every transaction, and can be de- pended upon to carry out faithfully any agree- ment into which he may enter. Though still a young man, he has displayed a remarkable aptitude for business, which places him with the successful business men of Frankfort. On the nineteenth of November, 1884, Mr. Par- sons and Miss Ella Barnhart of Frankfort en- tered into the marriage relation, and they have two children-Orpha and Earl.

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

HOMAS J. PARTRIDGE, a highly respected farmer of Forest township, Clinton county, Ind., was born in Fulton county, in the same state, March 24, 1848, and has always lived on a farm. His grandfather, Samuel Partridge, was a native of Vermont, but passed the major part of his life in Onondaga county, N. Y. Edwin Partridge, his son, was born in Onon- daga county, April 3, 1813, and married Rachel Logan, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Frazier) Logan, and came to Indiana and lo- cated in Marshall county at first, but in 1833 moved to Fulton county, where they settled permanently. He now owns a farm of 220 acres, which is considered to be one of the best in Fulton county, and which has been earned through the industry of himself and wife. They are the parents of four children, viz : Thomas J., the subject of this sketch; Clinton, Samuel and William. The parents belong to the church of God, and in politics the father is a democrat.

Thomas J. Partridge was married August 12, 1869, to Miss Lydia A. Hisey, daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Crunbaker) Hisey. Jacob Hisey was the son of Henry Hisey, and owned a good farm of 128 acres in Fulton county, Ind. He was a democrat in politics, and twice served as township trustee. Thomas J. Partridge and wife resided for some years after marriage in Fulton county on a farm, but have had their home since 1873 on their present farm of eighty acres in Forest township, Clinton county. This farm is well cultivated and well improved, and Mr. Partridge is in a prosperous condition. The nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Partridge were named, in order of birth, as follows : Corie R., Laura E., Frank D., Nellie F., Amy W., Leona L., Mabel P., Earl E. and Lelie M. Of this family the par- ents have been bereaved of Nellie F., who died August 21, 1893, at about eighteen years

age. She was a most amiable and accomp- lished young lady, and her loss was deeply de- plored, not only by the immediate menbers of the family, but by a large circle of admiring young friends of both sexes. In his politics Mr. Partridge is ardently democratic, and has been honored by his party with the nomination, by acclamation, for township trustee, although he is no office-seeker. Mr. Partridge is pro- gressive in all his impulses, reads the paper daily, and keeps well abreast of the times, and intends that all his children shall be well edu- cated and prepared for social intercourse.

ESLEY PATRICK, a retired me- chanic of Colfax and ex-soldier, was born in Jennings county, Ind., March 26, 1836, and descends from Revolu- tionary ancestors, of Irish origin. His great- grandfather, on coming from the old country, settled in North Carolina, and in the war for independence became a captain under Gen. Greene. Adam Patrick, grandfather of our subject, was one of the first settlers in Indiana territory, and aided in the organization of Clarke county, where he had entered a large tract of land. Jeremiah Patrick. son of Adam and father of Wesley, was born in North Carolina, was a young man when he went to Clarke county with his father. Here he had command of a company in a noted Indian fight at Pigeon Roost, in which his father also took part, and which decided the supremacy of the whites in the state forever. He married Catherine Holman, daughter of Moses Holman and a distant relative of the senator of that name. On settling in Jennings county he entered a farm of 160 acres, which by hard toil he cleared and improved, and on which he erected a modern brick dwelling, the only one in that part of the country, and became noted

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

for his help to those who were needy. He and his wife were strict Methodists, he being trustee of the church.

Wesley Patrick was reared a farmer and was educated in one of the primitive, old- fashioned school-houses-that were taught by subscription, at $3.00 per term of three months; the seats were made out of sawed slabs, without backs to them; the writing table was made out of the biggest slab. He was married to Miss Eliza Jane McMindes, daughter of Monroe and Abigail McMindes, also of Revolutionary fame.

Wesley Patrick enlisted, October 25, 1861, in company I, Sixth regiment Indiana volun- teer infantry, and was transferred to Louis- ville, Ky. His first battle was at Shiloh, where one bullet went through his cartridge box and another cut his canteen strap; then went into the siege of Corinth; was next at the battle of Stone River and the battle of Chattanooga. While assisting in laying a pontoon bridge across the river in the night, he had his skull fractured by a pontoon boat, and was sense- less for many hours, and still suffers from the injury; he next aided in the capture of Mission Ridge; at Fort Wood a piece of shell cut through his knapsack and knocked him down; was in the main line at the fight of Chicka- mauga; he also aided in storming the fortress at Waldron's Bridge; he went through the entire Atlantic campaign of ninety days; was at Buzzard's Roost and Rocky Faced Ridge; fought at Marietta, Resaca and Peach Tree Creek, and all the other skirmishes and engage- ments through to Atlanta and back to Chat- tanooga, where he was mustered out October 28, 1864, after a gallant service of three years or more. He was also permanently injured by a kick from a mule. Mr. Patrick moved from Jennings county, Ind., to Clinton county, in the year 1869, and settled at Colfax, when there were but few houses in the place, and

took up engineering and worked at that busi- ness for twenty years or more, until the pres- ent time, but is now so broke down by exposure during the war, he is not able to do anything.

Mr. Patrick is a member of Stillwell post, No. 375, G. A. R., in which he has been honored with more than one office. In poli- tics he is a stanch republican, and socially he and family stand very high.

T PILLIAM T. PATRICK, of Union township, Clinton county, Ind., was born in Franklin county, Pa,, July 21, 1842, the son of Robert and Elizabeth Patrick, both parents natives of the same state and of Irish and German descent respectively. Robert Patrick was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in the year 1808, was married there to Elizabeth Minich, and in 1855 came to Indiana, locating in Clinton county, where he purchased eighty acres of of land, which he improved. Robert and Elizabeth Patrick were the parents of ten children, of whom the following are living- Jacob, John, Mrs. Harriet Black, Reuben, Samuel, William and David; the following are deceased; Elizabeth, Catherine and Robert.

The subject of this sketch came with his parents to Indiana in the year above referred to and spent his youthful years on a farm, at- tending in the meantime the country schools. On the fourteenth day of February, 1862, he entered the army as a private in company A, Sixty-third Indiana infantry, and went into camp at La Fayette, thence went to Indianap- olis, where his first active service was as a guard of the rebel prisoners. After four months spent in that capacity, his regiment was transferred to Washington city, thence to Alexandria, Va., and participated in the bat- tle of Bull Run, and after some time spent in active service in that state, the Sixty-third re-

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

turned to Indianapolis for the purpose of re- cruiting its depleted ranks. Later, Mr. Pat- rick accompanied his command to Kentucky, thence to Knoxville, Tenn., and from the lat- ter place joined Sherman's army in time to take part in the celebrated Atlanta campaign. He participated in the battle of Resaca, and states that on the day following that bloody engagement he dressed the wounds of thirty soldiers whom he found lying in an old log stable. During the operations around Atlanta and through Georgia, Mr. Patrick was almost constantly under fire for three months, and after the fall of that city he joined in pursuit of the rebel general, Hood, to Franklin, Tenn., in the battle of which place and at Nashville he took an active part. Later, his regiment was ordered to Gainesville, Ala., thence via Cincinnati to Washington city and Alexandria, Va., where the command embarked in three large vessels for Fort Fisher, N. C. From the latter place Mr. Patrick went to Wilmington, that state, and afterwards returned to Wash- ington, but saw no further active service while he remained in the ranks. During the time spent in the army, Mr. Patrick was with his regiment, with the exception of three weeks, which he spent in the hospital with a fever. While at Alexandria, Va., he suffered a sun- stroke, the effects of which were felt for some time afterward.

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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