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 88

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 88
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 88
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 88

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

he sold out and engaged in the brick-making business, and in 1879 in making tile. in which he was successful. He returned in 1890 to Rossville and bought a one-half interest in the tile factory with Henry L. Smith. He still retains his interest in the tile and brick works in Owen township, with his sons, John A. and Charles E., managers. Mr. Smith has done an extensive business in this line through this part of the county. John W. Smith's wife's father, Abner L. Jones, was born in Pennsylvania in 1797, emigrated to Ohio and married Prudence Cassel in 1818. Prudence Cassel was born in North Carolina in 1805. They came to Owen township. Clinton county, in 1836. Abner L. was the owner of 160 acres of land when he died, June 24, 1847, aged fifty years; Prudence died July 8. 1857, aged fifty-two years; both died on the farm settled on, and both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. To them were born John, Ralph, Abner, Isaac, Isabel, Han- nah, Martha, Prudence and Mary, all now dead but Isabel, Hannah and Abner. Mr. Smith and wife were the parents of three children-William T., John A., and Charlie E. Mrs. Smith died July 29, 1894. She was a devout member of the Methodist church for thirty-nine years. In politics John W. Smith is a republican and is now a member of the town council of Rossville, and no one in the village and township is more highly respected than he .. He is a comrade of Oliver Short post, No. 390, G. A. R., has filled all the offices, and has been re-elected commander for the year 1895. The following resolutions were passed by the Woman's Relief Corps, on the occasion of the death of Mrs. Martha J. Smith, she having been an honored member of that association :

WHEREAS, the Almighty, in His providence, has called from our midst our respected sister, Martha J. Smith, be it

Resolved, That in the death of Sister Smith, the

Oliver Short Corps, No. 98, has lost a much respected and worthy member. One that we esteemed as our sister indeed. One that was ever ready to do her full share at giving relief to the worthy and one that when pleasure spread its mantel o'er us was ready withal to contribute her share of mirth.

Resolved. That we tender our sincere sympathy to the bereaved husband and his family, in this their time of mourning, and would remind thein that we weep not as those who are without hope. It is only a transition from mortality to immortality, from Earth to Heaven.

Resolred, That we tender a copy of these resolu- tions to the family, and request their publication in the ROSSVILLE JOURNAL.

EMMA C. WHITE. ) MAUD BATES. Committee.

July 30, 1894.

LYDA J. WALTER,

ENRY L. SMITH, one of the leading merchants of Rossville, Clinton coun- ty, Ind., an old soldier and one of the present county commissioners, is of German parentage. His father, John H. Smith, was born in Germany. November 14. 1811, on the river Rhine, and came with his brothers, Philip and George, to America, when a boy. He learned the saddler's trade at Springfield, Ohio, came to Indiana when a young man, settled at Rossville in 1835, was one of the pioneers of that town, and married Anna Dehner, born August 15. 1815. To Mr. Mrs. Smith were born nine children: Mary A., born in 1840; Henry L., born May 12, 1842: Lizzie, born July 1, 1843; Joseph F., born September 2, 1845; George, born January 21, 1848; Sophia, born September 28, 1850; Caroline, born Novenber 29, 1852; John A .. born December 24, 1854; Amanda, born Feb- ruary 10, 1857. Mr. Smith foliowed his trade of a saddler until 1852, when he bought a farm of 160 acres, adjoining the town of Rossville. where he lived until 1865. He then sold this farm and moved to Kentland, Newton county, Ind., where he bought a section of land and died September 3, 1870. He was a hard- working, industrious man, of excellent busi- ness qualifications, and accumulated a hand-

861

OF CLINTON COUNTY.

some property, owning, at his death, 700 acres of improved land. He was a man of sterling worth, and entirely self-made, having accumulated his property by his own unaided efforts. In politics he was a democrat, was one of the early justices of the peace of Ross- ville, serving many years, and was elected township trustee of Newton county, Ind. His wife is still living in Nebraska with her children.

Henry L. Smith was born May 12, 1842, in the town of Rossville, received a good com- mon school education, and began life as a clerk at the age of seventeen in Rossville. He enlisted at La Fayette, Ind., May, 1861, in company D, Fifteenth Indiana infantry, for three years, under Capt. Jack Templeton and Col. G. D. Wagoner, and served eighteen months, when he was transferred to brigade headquarters as an orderly for Gen. Wagoner, and was afterward transferred to division head- quarters. He was in the battles of Rich Mountain-the first battle of the war-Cheat Mountain, Elk Water Valley; was then trans- ferred to the army of the Cumberland under Gen. Buell, and was in the battles of Stone River, Pittsburg Landing and many skirmishes. He was also at the battles of Perryville and Missionary Ridge. His time expired in June, 1864, when he was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, returned home, engaged as a clerk at Kentland, where he remained one year and then engaged in business for himself in Rossville, since which time he has here been in mercantile and general business. Beside his mercantile interests he has a farm of 300 acres adjoining Rossville, and has an interest in the tile factory. He was one of the original members of the republican party and of the famous " Wide-awakes," a marching club in the days of the Fremont campaign. He was elected township trustee in 1876 and held that office two terms, has also been trustee of the

town of Rossville several terms, was elected county commissioner in 1892, and now fills that office to the general satisfaction of the people.

Henry L. Smith married, December 15, 1868, Mary S., daughter of Uriah and Eliza- beth (Masters) Rose. Mr. Rose came to Clinton county, Ind., in 1865. and settled on a farm south of Rossville. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born six children: W. Dale, Inez, Ettie, Grace, May and Henry R. Mr. Smith is a member of Rossville lodge, F. & A. M., and is junior warden; he is also a member of the chapter, council, and the com- mandery of Frankfort, also a 32d degree Scot- tish rite Mason; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Rossville lodge, No. 183, and has passed all the chairs, including noble grand. He is also a member of Oliver Short post, No. 390, G. A. R,, and has held the office of quar- termaster and commander. He and wife are members of the Methodist church, and man- ifestly sincere in their profession of that faith. As a soldier, his severest march was from Mc- Minnville. Tenn., to Louisville, Ky., when Bragg, the famous Confederate general, was making desperate efforts to get to Louisville in advance of the Union forces. Another very hard march was from Nashville, Tenn., to the battle of Shiloh, the last two days' march being forced part of the time on the "double quick" through a hard rain. In the battle of Missionary Ridge he was shot through the calf of the right leg; his wound disabled him about ninety days, during which he was home on a furlough, which was extended thirty days. Mr. Smith is now a substantial business man and a prominent citizen of Clinton county, and is noted for his integrity of character. His war experience and gallant part he bore in de- fense of the Union, and his bearing in the pur- suit of the ways of peace, have won for him the ardent esteem of his fellow-men.

862

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

HOMAS JEFFERSON SMITH, who was commissioned postmaster, for Frankfort, on the 9th day of May, 1894, is one of the best known citizens of Clinton county, was born in the city of Indianapolis, Ind., April 30, 1844, and is a son of George and Eva (Ward) Smith, Virgin- ians by birth, and of Scotch ancestory. The mother died when Mr. Smith was a child, and in the year 1853 his father, then a widower, removed to Clinton county, Ind., and settled in Center township. Here, with his father, Mr. Smith made his home until seventeen years old, and at this age he enlisted, July 3, 1861, in company E, Twentieth Indiana in- fantry, and re-enlisted in December, 1863, as a veteran of the same company. He served throughout the entire war, being mustered out on the 30th day of June, 1865. Mr. Smith participated in the engagements at Yorktown, Williamsburg, and the seven days' fight in front of Richmond, Va .; Malvern Hill. Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericks- burg. Chancellorsville, Culpeper, the Wilder- ness. Spottsylvania, North Ann River, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and was at the surrender at Appomattox. He was wounded three times; first at Chancellorsville, where he re- ceived a wound in the breast from a minie ball; at North Ann River, he received a shell wound in the side, and at Petersburg, a minie ball struck him in the right leg.

Mr. Smith is a prominent member of the G. A. R., being a comrade of Stone River post, No. 65. After his discharge from the army, Mr. Smich returned to Clinton county, and accepted a clerkship in a mercantile es- tablishment at Frankfort. Two years later he accepted a clerkship with another mercantile firm, with which he remained for eight years. In 1875, he and Mr. W. J. E. Morris, under the firm name of W. J. E. Morris & Co., em- barked in the lumber business, at Frankfort.

One year later Mr. Smith withdrew, and for one year held a clerk hip in the store of J. H. Paris. In politics he has always been a stanch democrat. In 1878 he was elected coroner for Clinton county and on the death of the sheriff, W. A. Brandon, Mr. Smith acted as sheriff a short time by virtue of his office. He then became deputy clerk of Clinton county, serving as such for eighteen months, and his next employment was in the clothing store of S. A. Hoover, for four years. In 1885 he again entered the employment of J. H. Paris, as manager of the cloak and carpet depart- ment, which position he held until he became postmaster.

He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, being a thirty-second degree Mason. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the Improved Order of Red Men, having filled all the chairs in the two former orders, and in the Order of Red Men he has twice served as chief of records of the great council of the state of Indiana and three times as representative to the great council of the United States from Indiana.

Mr. Smith has been twice married. In March, 1866, he was united with- Caroline Armstrong, who died in January, 1867. In October, 1871, he was married to Miss Agnes Morrison, daughter of the late John Morrison and his wife, Jane (Skidmore) Morrison, and this union has been blessed by the birth of the following named children: Guy B., Clare M., and Max.

B OBERT EMORY C. SMITH, one of the successful and well-known teachers of Clinton county, now residing near Kirklin, was born in Johnson county, Ind., November 2, 1869. He is of Scotch, Irish and English descent, and is of prominent, early families of Indiana. His paternal grand-

863

OF CLINTON COUNTY.

father, Robert Smith, moved from Virginia to Indiana, in 1833. He'was a typical pioneer and fearlessly withstood the trials and incidents peculiar to a pioneer's life. He married Elenor Mckinney, a most estimable lady of Irish descent; this marriage was blessed with several children, of whom only two now sur- vive. Being left a widower, he married Lonisa E. Clem, a most estimable lady of Johnson county. This union was blessed with several children, but one of whom now survives. He lived an exemplary life, was a worthy citizen, a devout and consistent Christian, and was called from labor to reward, in 1873.

His maternal grandfather, Clark Gregg, who was born in Franklin county, is a representa- tive of sturdy Scotch ancestry and traces the genealogy of the Gregg family back to one Samuel Gregg, who was born in Scotland in the year 1699. In the year 1711, the said Samuel Gregg emigrated from Scotland to Pennsylvania. According to framily tradition, he married an accomplished and distinguished English lady, and they resided in or near Philadelphia; from this marriage sprang Clark Gregg, who inarried Martha Bowling, a lady of Franklin county; this union was blessed with five children-Nancy E., Margaret J., Cassins M., Aaron G. and Mary H .; of these five children, three are deceased. Mr. Gregg was an economic, ingenious and hard-working mechanic, and by his persistent energy he became possessor of a good farm in Franklin county, and here he labored as a mechanic and at farming until 1859, when he purchased a farm in Illinois and moved thither in the same year. But there are few households without their vacant chairs, and in 1861 the remorse- less and unwelcome visitor of death visited the family and carried away the mother as his trophy. The remainder of the family lived in Illinois until 1863, when they moved to John- son county, Ind. Mr. Gregg was a member of

the Methodist Episcopal church and worthily ex- emplified that faith by his daily walk. In poli- tics he was a stern abolitionist and fearlessly ad- vocated the doctrine of the party mentioned. His father's home was a station on the under- ground railroad, and many a poor, fugitive slave was safely conducted to places of security and rest by the instrumentality of this fearless anti-slavery family. Mr. Gregg showed by his life that " Honor and shame from no conditions rise." and having taught this noble lesson so worthy of imitation by all, he quietly and peace- fully sank to repose in 1873.

William T. Smith, father of Emory, was born in Johnson county, Ind., September 16, 1837. By occupation he was a farmer, and brick-mason, at which trades he worked alter- nately until 1861. when it seemed that the nation would be rent in twain. When the news came flashing northward of the battle of Bull Run, he was one of the loyal legion that reported to the call for volunteers, and in July, 1861, he enlisted in company I, Eight- eenth Indiana volunteer infantry, under Capt. Jonathan Williams. of Franklin, Ind., for three years' service. He was a participant in the Missouri campaign, was in the battle of Pea Ridge and several other hard-fought bat- tles; being taken sick he was sent to Benton Barracks hospital, St. Louis, Mo., whence he returned home and was discharged in 1863. He then began farming as soon as able, and also worked a portion of his time at the brick- mason's trade. He was united in marriage to Nancy E. Gregg in 1864, and soon purchased a farm in Johnson county, where he resided until 1879, when he exchanged that farm for a farm in Clinton county. Mr. Smith was a shrewd business man, a good financier, went through all the trials and discouragements in- cident to a frontier life, but steadily worked his way upward and secured a handsome prop- erty. He was an ardent republican and

864

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

championed without fear the cause of the re- publican party. He was from early years con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal church, and lived a worthy, consistent, christian life. His death occurred at the age of forty-six. His wife, a faithful member of the Methodist church, and a most estimable lady, is still liv- ing. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born five children : Arthur A., Martha E., Louisa J., Carl C. and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Smith, whose name heads this record, began school in his fifth year, and at the age of nine was a fourth-grade pupil. At the age of sixteen he graduated from the township school. His father's death made it necessary for him to work upon the farm, but he has always been a great lover of history, a great reader and a lover of any subject that would aid in educating him. In 1892 he began teaching and has made that his vocation since, having followed it with most excellent success. He is a member of the "Sons of Veterans, being identified with Capt. W. H. Hart camp, No. 118, Division of Indiana; has filled with honor and competency nearly all the offices in this loyal order, and points with pride to the fact that his father was one of those who helped to crush the foe. He is also a member of Kirk- lin lodge, No. 443, F. and A. M., and in this lodge is the honored secretary. . In politics he is a stalwart republican, and was one of those who helped to bring about the political revolu- tion in November, 1894. He is prominent in his party and has served as delegate to the county conventions.

ARRETT SNODGRASS, a promi- nent and influential farmer and ex- tensive land owner of Kirklin town- ship, Clinton county, Ind., claims Indiana as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Hancock county, on the

Ist of August, 1833. On the parental side he is of Scotch-English descent, and on the maternal side of Irish lineage. His grand- father Snodgrass was born in Virginia, re- moved to Kentucky, where he owned a grist mill, and in 1824 came to Hancock county, Ind., where he entered 160 acres of land for himself and eighty acres for each of his sons. He was a member of the Christian church, an old-time whig, and lived to be fifty-one years of age. His children were John, Rob- ert, James, Elizabeth, Nancy, Epsey, Minerva, Lucinda and Garrett. Robert Snodgrass, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Kentucky, January 8, 1802, and became a miller and well-to-do farmer. He married Rebecca Cregg, who was born in Campbell county, Ky., in 1809, and died in 1879, and was a daughter of John and Frances Gregg. Their children are John D., who married Miss Secord: Nancy J., wife of Robert Slocum; Frances, wife of James Hopkins; Garrett; James, who married Clara McCain; Mary A., who died at the age of thirteen; and Elizabeth A., wife of John Wynkopp. The father of this family came to Indiana in 1824, and secured a heavily timbered tract of land. After living in this state for seven years he spent three years in Missouri, but not wishing to rear his family in a slave state, he returned to Boone county, Ind .. in 1840, there spend- ing four years. On the expiratian of that period he purchased a water-mill at Mechanics- burg, and after operating it for eighteen months traded it for a farm in Boone county. A year later he exchanged that property for a farm near Mechanicsburg, to which he remov- ed after operating a mill in Thorntown for a year and a half. Six years later he sold his farm and purchased 247 acres of land in Kirk- lin township, where he made his home until his death in August, 1876. He was a faithful member and deacon of the Christian church,

865

OF CLINTON COUNTY.

and in politics was a republican. In his busi- ness he was successful and accumulated 480 acres of valuable land. In rearing their chil- dren the parents showed a special care and brought up a family which is an honor to their name.

Garrett Snodgrass has spent his entire life in this state, with the exception of three years passed in Missouri. He shared in the hard- ships and experiences of frontier life and was early inured to the arduous task of developing wild land and improving a farm. At the age of twenty-two he started out in life for himself, and his career has been that of an industrious and progressive man. By hard labor and well directed efforts he accumulated 293 acres of land, which he sold when his father suffered a stroke of paralysis, returning to the farm to take care of his aged parents. Mr. Snodgrass was married October 29, 1884, to Laura F. Bridgeford, who was born in 1851, and is a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Hessong) Bridgeford. Their children are: Clarence G., born April 25, 1887; Robert Andrew, born March 26, 1891, and Mary Rebecca, born December 16. 1893. Mr. Snodgrass now car- ries on general farming and stock raising. His home is a pleasant country residence, erected at a cost of $2,000, and a large, substantial barn has just been completed. Of his 293 acres of land, more than 200 acres are under cultivation, with 1,400 rods of tiling, and is now one of the most valuable and desirable farms of the county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass hold membership with the Christian church, and in politics he is a stalwart repub- lican, but has never sought nor desired official distinction, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with most excellent success.

With his happy young family about him, and his pleasant surroundings, Mr. Snodgrass has every reason to be happy and contented.

M. SMOCK is the leading livery- man of Colfax, Ind., and has been a resident of the city since the late Civil war. His father, Jacob Smock, of German descent, was reared in In- diana, and married Martha McCabe, daughter of James McCabe, a cabinet maker. The father settled in Royalton, Boone county, where he owned a fertile farm, and where he died in 1863, leaving two children-Morlen M. and Annie. The mother subsequently mar- ried Andrew W. Straine who survived until October, 1872. Mr. Straine was a physician of large practice, was a justice of the peace, and a prominent member of the Presbyterian church, in which he was an elder. The mother is now well advanced in years, but hale and hearty.

M. M. Smock married Miss Cynthia Wat- kins, February 5. 1880, a daughter of Enoch and Eliza J. (Morrison) Watkins, the former of whom was a brave soldier in the late war, is a stanch republican, a well-to-do farmer, and, with his wife, a strict member of the Methodist church. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smock are two in number, and are named Thora Ethel and Nellie. By trade Mr. Smock is an engineer and mechanic. He entered upon his present business in 1888, and has met with a phenomenal success. He owns a number of fine horses and rigs and a commo- dious livery barn, as well as a comfortable dwell- ing, all of which have been accumulated by his own and his wife's industry, accompanied by good management. Mrs. Smock is a faithful Methodist, while Mr. Smock is a member of Frankfort Shield lodge, No. 71, K. of P., also of Yosemite tribe No. 168, I. O. R. M., of which he has acted as trustee. He is a re- publican in his politics, and as such has served as city marshal. Mr. and Mrs. Smock are ac- complished musicians, and both enjoy the full esteem and respect of their neighbors.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

ILLIAM V. SNYDER is a leading farmer of Union township, Clinton county, Ind., and a native of Butler county, Ohio, where he was born on the eighth day of November, 1849. His parents were John and Eleanor (Van Sickle) Snyder, the father of German descent, and both natives of the Buckeye state. John Snyder came to Clinton county, Ind., in 1849, and purchased a tract of 180 acres of land, upon which he made a number of very valu- able improvements. He died in 1883; but his widow still resides on the home farm in Union township. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder had born to them six children, named respectively as fol- lows: William V., the subject of this sketch; Garrett resides in Montgomery county, Ind. ; Jennie married Eli Marvon, and lives in Frankfort; Aaron is a resident of Frankfort; David is deceased, and James N. is a resident of Center township. The father of these chil- dren was a man of local prominence in the community, and became one of the leading farmers of the township in which he resided. Financially he was more than ordinarily suc- ces iful and he made a name for himself as a man of the highest integrity and of honorable dealing, of which his decendants feel justly proud.

William V. Snyder, like the majority of boys born in the country, passed his youthful years in the uneventful work of the farm, and early in life learned to set a proper value on honest toil. Having decided to make agricult- ure his life work, he began the same on ar- riving at manhood's estate, and in 1888 pur- chased his present farm, consisting of ninety- seven acres of valuable land in the township of Union. On the second day of October, 1873. Mr. Snyder and Miss Candace Shortle were united in the bonds of wedlock, and to their union have been born three children-Frank J., whose birth occurred October 15, 1874,

Homer V., born June 13, 1886, and an infant deceased. Mrs. Snyder was born June 10, 1851, and is the daughter of Samuel C. and Elizabeth (Teeters) Shortle, natives of Vir- ginia and of Irish and German lineage respect- ively. Mr. and Mrs. Shortle came to Clinton county, Ind., shortly after their marriage, and they had a family of twelve children, the fol- lowing being their names: Mary, Oma, Henry, Sarah, Matilda, Elizabeth H., George M., Esther J., Martha V. (wife of John T. Sheff- ler), Julia E. (wife of D. P. Pence) and Can- dace who married the subject of this mention. Mr. Snyder has a comfortable home, a good farm under a successful state of cultivation, and belongs to that large and eminently re- spectable class of agriculturists to which the country is so much indebted for its present prosperous condition. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to blue lodge No. 54. of Frankfort, and has also taken the chapter and commandery degrees. Politically he wields an influence for the democratic party, and in religion his wife is a devout member of the Methodist church.

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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