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 86

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 86
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 86
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 86

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Mills, and for six years was engaged in thresh- ing wheat, oats and clover- in the fall of 1894 running through 45,000 bushels of wheat and oats. In the fall named, he disposed of his interest in this business, and in October pur- chased a half-interest in the livery, feed and sales stables of Petty & Maish. in Frankfort, that half-interest being then the property of Daniel Maish, Jr., and in his new undertaking the prospects of Mr. Cripe are brighter than they had even been in the past. He is a live, energetic and genial gentleman, and has hosts of friends, who will be glad to welcome him to his new business. The marriage of Mr. Cripe took place, in 1882, to Miss Rosa C. George, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Indi- ana in early womanhood, and this union has been blessed by the birth of three children- Lillie, Clarrie and Effie. In his political affini- ties Mr. Cripe is a stanch republican and is active in his aid to his party, but is not a seeker after office; his wife is a consistent member of and worker in the German Re- formed church.

HOMAS C. PINER. one of the oldest settlers and most prominent farmers of Michigan township. Clinton county, Ind., was born in Carteret county, N. C., April 19, 1823. His grandfather was a native of Virginia, was a cooper by trade, and later a planter in the Old North state. His son, George Piner, the father of Thomas C., was born in North Carolina. February 26, 1795. He was a soldier in the regular army in the war of 1812, and for his services re- ceived a land warrant from the government. In 1834 he sold his farm in North Carolina and removed to Bartholomew county, Ind., where he lived about eighteen years, and in 1853 took up his claim in Richland county, Ill., where he resided until his death on his

sixtieth birthday, February 26, 1855. His ·wife bore the maiden name of Rebecca Dick- erson, and bore him the following children: Mary, Thomas C., Vashti and Daniel. She died in Richland county, Ill., January 18, 1855.

Thomas C. Piner was reared on a farm in Bartholomew county, Ind., remaining at home until manhood. In 1848 he went to Shelby county, and a year later to Franklin, Johnson county, where he worked at the cooper's trade. *In August, 1851, he moved to Clinton county, and bought eighty-seven acres of unimproved land, which he has cleared and brought under cultivation, and has since bought forty acres adjoining on the north. He has worked at his trade in connection with attending to his farm, and has accumulated a good property. Mr. Piner was married April 29, 1849, to Susan J. McFadden, a native of Virginia, born April 1, 1825, daughter of William and Mar- garet (Wade) McFadden, early settlers of Henry county, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Piner have had six children; but four are living-George W., William D. Margaret A., and Martha E. Rebecca Ann, wife of George W. Miller, died in 1870, and Thomas Clay died in 1880, aged sixteen years. In politics Mr. Piner is a dem- ocrat. He and wife are members of Baptist church, in which Mr. Piner was elected dea- con, but declined to serve.

WILLIAM POWERS, a retired farmer residing in Colfax, Clinton county, Ind., was born in Ross county, Ohio, December 2, 1816, and descends from Revolutionary ancestors, of English extraction. His grandfather, Valen- tine Powers, was a native of Virginia (born in that part now included in West Virginia), and was a patriot in the war for independence. He owned a large farm, on which there was a cave, in which the family found hiding during

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

the troublous days of the war. He also had a water-mill on the banks of the Potomac, which served as a grist, flour and saw-mill. His son Daniel, father of our subject, was born and reared on the home farm in West Virginia. He also was a true patriot and took an active part in the war of 1812. He married Eliza- beth Bryant, and soon afterward moved to Ross county, Ohio, and later to the vicinity of Dayton, where the father farmed until his death. His widow then returned to Ross county with her children, who were named, in order of birth, as follows: Mary, Susan, Eliza, Daniel, William and Catherine. The mother was a devout member of the Christian church, and died in that faith in 1858.

William Powers lived on the home farm in Ohio until fifteen years of age, when he came to Indiana and learned the blacksmith trade, and became a good workman in wood as well as in iron. He married Mary A., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Allen) Cooley, of Clin- ton county. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley stood high in the Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Cooley was an elder; he was a whig in politics and also a justice of the peace. After mar- riage Mr. Powers followed his trade for forty- three years, but invested his earnings in real estate, until he owned 560 acres in Sugar Creek township, Montgomery county, 348 in Clinton county, and 160 in Tippecanoe county. For many years he also traded in cattle, and finally returned to Colfax, where for fourteen years he has been engaged in banking. Janu- ary 28, 1880, he lost his wife, who was well known in several counties of Indiana as a pious and charitable lady. Their son, Francis W. Powers, lives in West La Fayette, and for a young man has acquired the handsome fortune of 900 acres of good land. He mar- ried Elizabeth Shoob, who has borne three children: William, Lelia and Grover. A few years ago Francis W. visited the old Virginia

homestead of his ancestors, and returned with several valnable souvenirs. He is a demo- crat in his politics.

OHN PRUITT, a prominent farmer and one of the oldest citizens of John- son township, Clinton county, Ind , was born in Fayette county, Ind., April 29, 1820, and is of good old English stock. His grandfather, also named John, was a na- tive of South Carolina; William Pruitt, his son, was born in South Carolina, December 25. 1793. He married Rebecca Hawkins, and they came, in company with another family, to Indiana in 1817, a one-horse wagon bring- ing the effects of both families. Mr. Pruitt located, consecutively, in Franklin, Fayette, Rush and Bartholomew counties, and while a resident of the latter was the owner of the first spring-wagon and first set of check lines ever owned in the county.

John Pruitt attended the pioneer school- house of his early days, in which school was kept from daylight till dark. He began his business life by purchasing twenty acres of his present farm in Clinton county, but at one time owned, before dividing with his children, 720 acres. He married Nancy J. Stewart, who became the mother of nine children, viz: Rebecca E., William O., James W., Dorcas L., Stephen A. (died an infant), Mary A., Caroline M , Maggie and Jennie L. To the surviving eight children of this family Mr. Pruitt has given eighty acres of land each. Mr. Pruitt is a sound democrat, and has been elected to the office of county commissioner twelve consecutive years-during which period the county court house was erected. He and wife are devoted members of the Church of God, and fraternally he is a member of Her- man lodge, No. 184, F & A. M., at Michi- . gantown. Mr. Pruitt has been an industrious,

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

upright and enterprising citizen; and has been rewarded by a competency, and, what is in one sense more precious, the esteem and re- spect of his fellow-citizens.

J OSEPH G. REVIS, one of the practi- cal farmers of Ross township, Clinton county, Ind., son of Enoch Revis, was born in Butler county, Ohio, Septem- ber 21, 1838, and came with his father to Clinton county, Ind., in 1845, when he was seven years old. Joseph G. received a com- mon education, became a farmer and married Charlotte C. Bailey, August 4, 1872, daughter of Philip P. and Hagar (Johnson) Bailey. To Mr. and Mrs. Revis was born one child-Mil- ford W. Mr. Revis died October 26, 1887. After marriage Mr. Revis settled on a farm three and one-miles north of Colfax, Ind., and here lived until 1890, when he married, on July 29, Catherine A. Waget, nec Catherine Trentz. Peter Trentz, her father, was born in Saarlovis, Germany, lived in the town of Linbach, and was a farmer. His father was also Peter Trentz, and the family have been farmers for generations. The elder Trentz owned a farm of twenty acres, which was a good property for that country. He and wife were the parents of six children: Peter, Nicholas, Catherine, John, Peter and Mary. Beside his farm, he kept a bakery and hotel; in his later life had a grocery and butcher shop, and was a well-to-do man. He and wife were members of the Catholic church. In July, 1885, Mr. Trentz came to America, as two of his children-Catherine A. and Peter- had settled in this country. Mr. Trentz bought a farm of 120 acres in Stark county, Ind., one mile from Hamlet, and there he still lives. Catherine A. Trentz, wife of our subject, mar- ried, in Germany, John Waget, who had been

to America and returned to Germany. He then came back to this country and settled on the farm where J. G. Revis now lives, con- sisting of 129 acres, which is the old Wolf farm, near Edna Mills. To Mr. and Mrs, Waget was born one daughter, Annie. Mr. Waget died January 12, 1886, aged fifty years. Mr. and Mrs. Revis reside on the Waget home- stead and have one child, Leonie. Both Mr. and Mrs. Revis are members of the Baptist church, and politically Mr. Revis is a demo- crat, and he has been supervisor. Enoch Revis, father of J. G. Revis, is one of the pioneers and the oldest man in Ross township, if not in Clinton county, being eighty-seven years old. He springs from sterling English stock on his father's side, and on his mother's side from the Irish. Jesse Revis was the grandfather of Enoch, was born in Surry coun- ty, N. C., and was a farmer. He married and reared a family of five children by his first wife: John, David, Edward, Susan and Nancy; by his second wife he was the father of two children-Jesse and Joel. He lived to be one hundred years old and died on his farm in Surry county, N. C. He was a prominent man, yet remembered by our subject, who was in his nineteenth year when he died. Edward Revis, the father of Enoch, was born in Surry county, N. C., was a farmer, married, in his native county, Mary, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Alexander) Hattick. Mr. Revis set- tled on the old home farm, and here passed all his days. He and wife were the parents of seven children: William, John, Enoch, As- bury, Elizabeth, Lydia and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Revis were members of the Baptist church. He died at the age of about forty years, on his farm, of fever.

After the death of her husband Mrs. Revis married Jerry Patrick, and they had three children: Jerry, Sarah and Mattie. She lived to be an aged woman and died in Ashe

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

county, N. C. Enoch Revis, father of J. G. Revis, was born July 10, 1807, on his father's farm, remaining there until twenty-three years old. He married. in 1829, Tempie Revis, his second cousin, daughter of Abel Revis, son of David, who was a son of Jesse, grandfather of Enoch. In 1830 Enoch Revis moved to Butler county, Ohio, where he lived fifteen years on a farm. He and wife are the parents of five children: Mary, John, Joseph G., Elsie and Elizabeth.

Joseph G Revis came to Indiana in 1845 and settled on his present land, then covered by heavy timber, and which by industry and thrift he cleared up and made a good home. Mrs. Revis died and he married widow Lucy Cripe, formerly Miss Daniels, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Cockran) Daniels. Mr. Daniels was an old settler of Carroll county, Ind., from Scioto county. Ohio, and settled in Indiana as a pioneer in 1827, when the Indi- ans and wild game were plentiful. To Mr. and Mrs. Daniels were born eleven children: Sophia, Eliza, Jesse, Stephen, Jane, Elizabeth, Sarah and Lucy (twins), Samuel, Mary and William. Mr. Daniels was a prosperous farmer and died aged sixty-one years. His father, Nehemiah Daniels, was a farmer of Virginia and here Samuel was born. Nehemiah Daniels was killed in battle, in the Revolution- ary war. To Mr. and Mrs. Reves were born six children: Lucy R., Catherine M., Martha A., Daniel, Hannah and Thersa. Enoch Revis has remained on his present homestead since he settled there, a residence of one-half a century. Mr. and Mrs. Revis are members of the Regular Baptist church, and Mr. Revis is an honest and respected citizen, having been a very industrious and hard-working man throughout his life, and in his younger days endured the hardships and privations of the pioneer. He has always stood high for his integrity of character, and throughout his

long life has maintained the confidence and respect of the people.

Daniel Revis, son of above and brother of J. G. Revis, was born November 2, 1856, re- ceived a good common education, became a farmer, and married Clara Stinson, daughter of Henry and Rosa (Bailey) Stinson. To Mr. and Mrs Revis have been born three children: Walter H., Wilson F. and L. D. Mr. Revis is a practical farmer and manages the home farm. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church, and in politics he is a democrat.

ARRISON RODENBARGER, a well known farmer and representative cit- zen of Union township, Clinton coun- ty, Ind., has the honor of being a native of Indiana. He was born in Tippeca- noe county, February 26, 1848, and is a son of George and Lydia (Walters) Rodenbarger. They were natives of Pennsylvania and came of old German families. Emigrating west- ward they settled in Tippecanoe county, where the father purchased eighty acres of land.

ater he came to Clinton county and bought a farm of 141 acres, which he operated until his death in November, 1885. Of their nine chil- dren, eight are still living, namely: William, Sarah, Harrison, Emma, Mary, Catherine, Levi and Hannah. Caroline has passed away.

Harrison Rodenbarger, whose name heads this sketch, remained with his parents until twenty-four years of age. As a companion and helpinate on life's journey he chose Linnie I. Carter, their wedding being celebrated March 6, 1873. The lady is a daughter of Richard J. and Eleanor (Byers) Carter, who both were of German lineage. The father was born in Loudoun county, Va., in 1808, and was a son of Jesse and Hannah (Richards) Carter, who were also born in the Old Dominion. His

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

grandfather, William Carter, was a native of Wales, and died in Clinton county, Ind., at the advanced age of ninety-two. His maternal grandfather, Richard Richards, was born in Virginia, and came of an old English family. When Richard J. Carter was five years of age his parents removed to Butler county, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm. At the age of nineteen he came west on an exploring expedi- tion and was very favorably impressed with this country. He then returned to Ohio, and the following January his father removed the family to this county, settling in Union town- ship, where he entered 240 acres of wild land. He was the first representative elected to the state legislature from this county, and served as county agent in an early day. He here re- sided until his death, which occurred in 1872, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight. His wife passed away in 1840. In their family were five children, namely: Julia A., Richard J,, William, who was president of the First Na- tional bank from its organization until his death in 1882; Dr. Franklin M., a prominent physi- cian of Frankfort, Ind., who died in 1856; and Manly who died in 1840.

Richard J. Carter remained at home until his marriage, which occurred December 15, 1836. His wife was a daughter of Ephraim and Catherine (White) Byers, who became resi- dents of Juniata county, Pa., in 1833. Upon his marriage, Mr. Carter settled upon a farm adjoining the old homestead which he had pre- viously purchased. At one time he owned 500 acres of valuable land, most of which has now been in the family for half a century. He was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1882, when he retired and removed to Frank- fort, where his estimable wife is still living. They were both active and consistent members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics he was a stalwart republican. Although a resi- dent of Center township for over fifty-six

years, he never sought or accepted public office, except on one occasion, when he served for three years as county commissioner. No man was more widely or favorably known in Clin- ton county than Richard Carter. He was always ready to help those in need, and gave freely to church and benevolent work, yet ac- cumulated a handsome fortune, and after lib- eral gifts to his children, he still had $75,000, much of which is invested in the First Na- tional bank.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rodenbarger have been born nine children, seven of whom are yet living: William G., who was born September 14, 1874; Cora D., who was born October 7, 1876, and died December 17, 1881; George, born August 27, 1878; Bertha, born May 3, 1881; Edith P., born April 6, 1883; Carrie, born July 9, 1885; Manly R., born May 21, 1887; Herman W., born November 29, 1889; and one who died in infancy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rodenberger are members of the Ger- man Reform church, and are prominent peo- ple of this community, widely and favorably known. In politics he is a republican, but has never been an aspirant for office. He now owns and operates 178 acres of good land, all under a high state of cultivation, and his farm is one of the best in the neighborhood.

J OHN ANDREW RICE, dealer in dry- goods and notions, Frankfort, is a na- tive of Clinton county, Ind., and a son of John and Rebecca Rice. The father, a son of Dr. Jonathan Rice, was born in Penn- sylvania in 1833, and came to Clinton county, Ind., with his parents when about seventeen years of age. By occupation he was a farmer and he married in the county of Clinton Re- becca J. Richardson, who was born in the state of Virginia in the year 1835. Her father, Richard R. Richardson, also a Virginian by

RobustRoss

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

birth and of English descent, was a pioneer of Clinton county and died' here a number of years ago. The following are the names of the children of John and Rebecca Rice-Wil- liam (deceased), Wesley, (deceased), John A., Milton H., Matthew (deceased), and Mary (de- cesaed). The father of these children died in Clinton'county, Ind., in 1867, and the mother departed this life two years prior to that date. Dr. Jonathan Rice, the subject's grandfather. a native of Pennsylvania, moved to Indiana a number of years ago, settling in Henry county; thence, in 1850, he moved to the county of Clinton, where his death occurred in 1858 at the age of sixty-five years. He was a farmer, a physician and minister, and was known as a man of marked intellectuality. The follow- ing are the names of his children -- Daniel, a prominent farmer of Clinton county; Mary J., Nancy, John, Joseph, also a farmer of Clin- ton; William S., Elmira, Angeline and Jona- than. The mother of these children, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Sawyer, was also a native of Pennsylvania.

John A. Rice was born January II, 1859. grew to manhood on a farm and received a good education in the common schools. For some years, he taught in the public schools of Clinton county, eleven terms in all, and made a creditable record as an instructor. In 1883, he accepted a clerkship with a business firm in Frankfort, and, after serving in that capacity three years, embarked in the mercantile trade upon his own responsibility and has since con- tinued the same with success and financial profit. Mr. Rice deals in dry-goods and no- tions, making a specialty of fine furnishings, and his store room, No. 212 Main street, is one of the well-known and popular business places of the city. Mr. Rice is a pleasant gen- tleman, affable and courteous, stands well in business circle and socially enjoys great popu- larity in Frankfort. His business venture has

fully met his expectations and his standing in the commercial world is quoted as strictly first class. Mr. Rice was married in 1879 to Miss Maggie C. Beard, of Clinton county, to which union two children have been born-Zua and Claude. Mr. and Mrs. Rice are valued mem- bers of the Methodist church of Frankfort and politically he supports the democratic party. He is a member of the Pythian fraternity, Red Men and Knights of Honor.

J OHN A. ROSS, of Frankfort, Ind., was born in Tippecanoe county, near La Fayette, Ind., January 26th, 1861, a son of Alexander and Mary (Johnson) Ross. Alexander Ross is of Scotch extraction, born in Ireland, and was but thirteen years of age when he came to the United States, locat- ing at La Fayette. He was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Johnson, who was born in Sweden, but came to the United States when twelve years of age.

John A. Ross, the subject of this sketch, is the eldest of eight children and until twenty- one years of age resided in La Fayette, where he received an excellent education, including a course of book-keeping and civil engineering, and from the age of fifteen until twenty-one he greatly assisted his father, who was a gen- eral contractor. In 1882, John A. Ross lo- cated in Frankfort and engaged in contracting for a year; in 1883 and 1884 he was engaged in the same business in La Fayette and Hunt- ington, Ind. After alternating between Frank- fort and La Fayette he permanently located in Frankfort, in 1888, and formed a partner- ship with James A. Hedgcock for the purpose of doing a general contracting business, embrac- ing gravel-roads, bridges, street improvement, sewerage and erection of business blocks, and the firm were awarded contracts for the im- provement of many of the principal streets of

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Frankfort, miles of gravel-road and a large number of the principal iron bridges for the county. In every instance their work has proved eminently satisfactory to all con- cerned, and stands as a monument to their ability and integrity as public contractors. They were able at all times to furnish em- ployment to hundreds of laboring men at a just and reasonable compensation, believing that, "the laborer is worthy of his hire." The business of this firm has been most successful, · the Petty building, Clark block, Sheets block . and numerous other buildings being among their work in Frankfort. Street contracting, bridge building, and general contracting oc- cupied the time of the firm from 1888 until 1892, the business amounting to thousands of dollars annually.

In 1892 the firm established The Frank- fort Brick works, with a capacity of three and one half to four million brick annually, giving employment to sixty or seventy men. In the spring of 1894 their brick works were totally destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $16,000 or $18,000, which was only partially covered by insurance. Not discouraged by this mis- fortune, the firm at once cleared the wreck and proceeded to re-build the works on a larger scale and with increased facilities, and at the present have one of the best equipped brick works in central Indiana. During all these years, thus engaged in public works, giv- ing employment to hundreds of men, this firm has never experienced the least trouble on ac- count of strikes or dissatisfation on the part of the men in their employ.

On the twelfth day of February, 1884, Mr. Ross was happily married to Miss Lola A. Curtis, daughter of Charles P. Curtis, who was born in England, and Esther (Rinard) Curtis, born in America but of German ex- traction. Miss Lola was born La Fayette, Ind., and of a family of eleven children she

was the youngest. To this union have been `born three children, viz : Worley A., Carrie Venita and Margaret Zola. Mr. Ross is an honored member of the K. of P. and I. O. R. M., is a Methodist, and in politicts is a repub- lican; socially he and his estimable wife hold an enviable position.

ILLIAM J. ROUSH, famous as a caterer of Frankfort, Ind., is a na- tive of Clinton county and was born in Cyclone, Jackson township, Jan- uary 30, 1866, a son of John J. and Rachael (Cook) Roush. The father, John J., was born in Milwaukee, Wis., January 31, 1842, and came to Clinton county, Ind., in 1863, began farming, but soon entered the Eighty-sixth In- diana volunteer infantry, gallantly served through the Atlanta campaign, was wounded in the right leg, returned home at the close of hostilities, resumed farming, and died January 29, 1879. His wife, daughter of William and Catherine Cook, natives of Indiana, survived until March 16, 1874, and was the mother of six children: William J., Frank, David, Milton, Frederick (deceased) and Oscar (deceased). The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father was a Free- mason and a republican.

William J. Roush, at the death of his father, went to live with an uncle, Seth A. Cook, who was in the restaurant and bakery business, and with him remained until 1885, when he accepted a position with Kempf Brothers, bakers and confectioners, of Frank- fort, as general assistant; in 1889, in company with O. C. Parsons, he engaged in the restau- rant business in the same city; in 1890, Mr. Parsons withdrew from the firm, which became known as Roush & Thompson, and so re- mained until 1891, when Howard Amick suc- ceeded Mr. Thompson; in 1892 Charles Me-

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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