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 89

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 89
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 89
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 89

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J AMES ALLEN SPARKS, farmer and stockraiser of Perry township, was born in Clinton county. Ind., August II, 1838. His paternal ancestors were among the early residents of Maryland, of which state his grandfather, James Sparks, was a native. From Maryland James Sparks emigrated to Pennsylvania, thence moved to Ashland county, Ohio, and later came to Clin- ton county, Ind. He married Margaret Ray and reared a family, his descendants being among the substantial residents of Clinton and other counties of Indiana.

Thomas Sparks, father of James A., was born August 11, 1810, in Pennsylvania, from which state he went to Ohio when twelve

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

years of age. When twenty-seven years old he became a resident of Clinton county, the date of his arrival being about 1837, and he is classed among the pioneers of this section. He made the journey from Ohio to Indiana in a wagon, and moved to a place upon which no improvements of any kind had been made, but in time he cleared and developed a good farm of 140 acres and erected substantial build- ings. He was a prominent man of the com- munity in which he resided, a member of the Methodist church, and a whig in his political belief, later a republican. The following are the names of his children -- James A., Elizabeth, Mary A., Emmeline, Franklin, Margaret M., Joseph and John H. Thomas Sparks died April 3, 1879, and his wife was laid to her final rest on the twelfth day of September. 1856. .

James Allen Sparks was reared on the old home farm, was educated in the common schools, and has passed nearly all of his life within the present bounds of Clinton county, being one of the oldest native-born citizens at this time. Having decided to become a farmer, he has carried out his intention and to-day is one of the leading agriculturists of his township. He began life for himself on the place where he now resides, consisting originally of fifty acres, which through his in- dustry has been well improved, and he now owns seventy-two acres of well cultivated land, supplied with all the conveniences calculated to make him satisfied with his condition. Mr. Sparks was united in marriage, in 1864, to Mariah Waynscott, daughter of L. and Hulda (Bean) Waynscott. Mr. Waynscott was one of the early settlers of Clinton county, mov- ing here from Kentucky as long ago as 1832; he was a leading man of the community, a prominent member of the Baptist church, and died June 14, 1879; Mrs. Waynscott is still living, having reached the ripe old age of

of eighty-four years. Mr. Sparks takes an active part in politics, voting the republican ticket, and fraternally belongs to the Masonic order. He and wife are members of the U. B. church and are among the most highly respectable citizens of Perry township. Hav- ing no children of their own, they adopted a child of Samuel J. Ghere, when only eight months old, whom they have yet, and are still fondly caring for at the age of nine- teen years.

J OHN N. SPITZNAGEL is a native of Germany and inherits in a marked de- gress the characteristics of the sturdy race to which he belongs. He was born in the northern part of the dukedom of Baden, April 23, 1840, of which country his parents, Adam and Burga Spitznagel were also natives. They had the following children-Burga, de- ceased; Frederick, living in La Fayette; Mary, deceased; Theresa, deceased; Magdaline; Ur- ban, deceased; John N. and one that died in infancy without being named. The father of these children died in Germany about 1848, at the age of forty-eight years. Frederick and Magdaline (now Mrs. Philip Dorner of Frank- fort) came to the United States in 1852 and were joined the following year by John, Urban and the mother, all of whom settled in La Fayette, Ind., where Mrs. Spitznagel died in 1865, at the age of sixty-five years.

John N. Spitznagel was thirteen years old when the family came to the United States. He then had a fair German education, and, after coming to this country, learned to read and write English by a course of private study. His first five years in America were spent as a cigar maker, and in 1858 he began the butcher- ing business at La Fayette, where he continued until 1870, becoming thoroughly familiar with every detail of the trade in the meantime. In

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

the year 1870, Mr. Spitznagel opened a meat market in Frankfort, where he has since car- ried on a very large and lucrative business, his success in a financial point of view being of the most gratifying character. During the years 1861-62 he carried on the business in Canada, but, being better pleased with the United States, he has since made the latter country, his home, and proposes to do so the remainder of his days. Mr. Spitznagel was happily mar- ried in the city of La Fayette, Ind., in 1868, to Lena Maus, who was born in Prussia, and who died in the month of March, 1891. Two children of this marriage are living at the present time-Mary and Charles. Mr. Spitz- nagel is a member of the Masonic order and in every respect a most estimable citizen. Measured by the usual standard, his life has been' a successful one, and his business, always conducted in a most honorable manner, has yielded him a goodly portion of worldly wealth. Eminently social in his nature. Mr. Spitznagel has never lacked for friends, and with a'l classes in Frankfort he enjoys a degree of popu- larity second to that of few people of the city.

ENRY NELSON SPRAY, one of In- diana's native sons, now living near Cyclone, Clinton county, was born near Jonesboro, Ind., March 21; 1831. His grandfather, Abner Spray, was an Indiana farmer, and was of Irish and English descent. He married Polly Little, and after her death wedded Naomi Underhill. The children of the first marriage were: George, Jonas, Mor- decai, James, William, Rachel, and Rebecca. Abner Spray served in the war of 1812, and was taken prisoner. He voted with the whig party and died at the age of sixty-five years. William Spray, father of Henry Nelson Spray, was a native of Kentucky, became a farmer and owned at his death 120 acres of timber

and prairie land. He wedded Elizabeth, daughter of Josiah and Naomi Lamb, and they became the parents of nine children: Josiah, Lucretia, Henry N., Louisa, Josiah. Elwood, John, Naomi and Mordecai. The father died at the age of forty-six, and his wife passed away at the age of sixty-seven.

Henry N. Spray, subject of this sketch, was a youth of fifteen at his father's death, and he . then cared for his mother and was her chief support. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Keziah Young, and . they were married in 1852. She was born in 1832, and is the daughter of Henry and Sarah (Karker) Young. The following children were born to them: Louisa A., Sarah, Elizabeth and Thomas H. (both deceased), Mary B., Flora, Frank and Edward (twins), Nellie, Julia, and Henry and Carrie (both deceased).

Mr. and Mrs. Spray inherited about $1,200. They lived in Clinton county until 1853, and then removed to Dallas county, Iowa, where they purchased 130 acres of land, but after four years they disposed of the farm and returned to this state. In 1862, Mr. Spray laid aside business cares, and on the twenty-ninth of August, joined company I, of the One Hundredth Indiana infantry. He went from Indianapolis to Cairo, and thence to Memphis, Tenn. The troops then started to Vicksburg, but returned to Grand Junction and afterward went to Collierville, where company I was sent to guard the rail- road, there remaining until June 8, 1863. They next went to Memphis and then down the Mississippi to Vicksburg, and up the Yazoo river, after which they marched seven miles into the country. On the surrender of Vicks- burg they started after Johnston's army, driv- ing them across Big Black river, and then went to Jackson, Miss., where a seven days' engagement occurred. Later they went to Iuka, Corinth, and marched through Alabama.

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

They took part in the' hard-fought battle of . Missionary Ridge and then followed the enemy two days to Knoxville. At Scottsburg, Ala., where they went into winter quarters, Mr. Spray was confined in the field hospital for several weeks and was then detailed as a mem- ber of battery C, First Missouri light artillery. He was discharged May 25, 1865, from the artillery, and then went to join his old regi- ment, and was finally discharged July 4, 1865.

On his return, Mr. Spray operated a rent- ed farm for eight years, and then purchased eighty acres of timber land, which he has cleared and drained, making it a valuable and highly cultivated tract. He now superintends it, but it is operated by his son. His home is a tasty and comfortable residence, built in modern style, and all the accessories and con- veniences of a model farm are there found. He and his estimable wife belong to the Chris- tian church, and he is a member of Stone River Grand Army post. "A public-spirited and progressive citizen, he still manifests the loyalty which caused him to join the boys in blue.

ON. ERASTUS HARMAN STALEY, one of the best-known citizens of Clinton county, Ind., was born in Tippecanoe county, this state, Febru- ary 6, 1830. His father, Aaron Staley, son of Martin Staley, was born near Guilford Court House, N. C., February 5, 1802, but was a resident of Carroll county. Ind., at the time of his death, November 4, 1854. The marriage of Aaron Staley took place April 30, 1829, to Catherine Parsons, and resulted in the birth of the following children: Erastus H., Catherine Ellen, Marietta and James Griffith, of whom the Hon. Erastus H. is the only survivor. Mrs. Catherine Staley was born in the state of New York, May 17, 1809, and died in Tippe-

canoe county, Ind., May 5, 1843. The Staley family are of German origin, and the first of this particular family to come to America was Isaac Staley, who settled in North Carolina. A brother of Isaac also came from Germany and settled in Virginia, and through marriage his descendants became connected with the family of Pres. John Tyler. Hon. E. H. Staley's paternal grandmother, Mary Staley, belonged to the Virginia branch of the family, and was a cousin of her husband, Martin Staley, the son of Jacob, who was a son of the immigrant, Isaac. About 1816, Martin Staley and family moved from North Carolina to Ohio, and thence came to Indiana in 1828, settling in Tippecanoe county. James G. Staley, brother of Erastus H., was killed in the battle of Franklin, Tenn., being then cap- tain of company F, One Hundred and Twen- ty-eighth Indiana infantry.

Hon. E. H. Staley was educated at the district schools, but at the age of twelve lost his mother by death. His father being in re- duced circumstances, he quit school and lent his best aid toward the support of the family, but kept up his studies at home. At the age of nineteen he was granted a license to teach, a vocation which he followed until the winter of 1852-53, when, having saved fifty dollars, he entered Asbury (now DePauw) university, from which he graduated in 1858, at the head of his class, being its valedictorian. In April, 1858, by invitation, he opened the Battle Ground institute in Tippecanoe county and tauglit the spring term, although he had not yet graduated. For four years he held the principalship of the Battle Ground institute, and for the succeeding three years was presi- dent of the Valparaiso Male & Female college, which he endeavored to have converted into a normal school, but did not succeed. Having been ordained a deacon while at Asbury uni- vergity, and later an elder, and being a mem-

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ber of the Northwest Methodist Episcopal conference, he was appointed pastor of the church at Frankfort, then a town of eight hundred inhabitants, and served one year, after which he taught the Dayton, Ind., schools one year. In the fall of 1866, he be- came principal of the Frankfort schools, held the position six years, and during that incum- bency organized the present system of graded schools.

About this time the Crescent publishing company induced Mr. Staley to assume editor- ial charge of this sterling democratic journal, and this position he filled at a weekly salary until 1874. when he purchased the Crescent and conducted it until 1891, when he sold it, having built up its circulation and earned for it a reputation unexcelled by any other weekly in the state. The summer and fall of 1891 Mr. Staley passed in needed recreation in Europe, but is now living in retirement in Frankfort, simply taking care of his real estate interests. A democrat in politics, in 1884 Mr. Staley was elected to the state legislature, in which he served one term, with great ability. He was married, November 14, 1861, to Miss Salome Barr, a native of Pennsylvania. who has borne him two children-Catherine B. and James H .- the latter now conducting a prosperous grocery trade at Frankfort. Mr. and Mrs. Staley have been members of the Methodist church for many years, and he is also a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Staley is a gentleman of fine physique and of abundant intellectuality, and few men in Clinton county are more favorably known and honored.

H. STALEY, senior member of the firin of Staley & Burns, pro- prietors of the Frankfort Evening News, was born in Tippecanoe county, Ind., in 1845, was reared on a farm,

and was educated in the public schools of Car- roll county, from which he was called, how- ever, at the early age of seventeen years, to take part in the defense of his country's flag and in the preservation of the integrity of his nation's government. At the age mentioned, he became a member of the Tenth, and then of the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth regi- ment, Indiana volunteer infantry, and for three years and five months did faithful and valiant service in his country's cause. For the past ten years he has been engaged in news- paper work, and as one of the proprietors and editors of the Frankfort Evening News, and of the Weekly Banner, he has done much to elevate the tone and character of the press of Indiana.

D. H. BURNS, of the firm of Staley & Burns, proprietors of the Frank- fort Evening News, and of the Weekly Banner. is the son of Joseph and Mary Burns, and was born at Montezuma, Parke county, Ind., September 22, 1863. After completing his course of study in the schools of his native place. Mr. Burns diligently devoted his attention to learning the printer's trade. After serving as .. devil " for one year,' he took a two years' course of study in the university [ of Michigan, at Ann Arbor; returning, he worked at the printer's trade and local news- paper work at Clinton and Chrisman, Ill., and in 1885, established the Reporter in his native town, which journal he conducted until April, 1887, when he sold out and came to Frank- fort and purchased an interest in the Banner, with Mr. Cheadle editing that paper for a year; and in May. 1889. he purchased of E. T. Staley his interest in the Evening News, which had been established the year previous.

In December, 1886, Mr. Burns was mar- ried to Miss Flora T. Donaldon, who bore him

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

three children-Robert F., Edward H. and Blanch.

The enterprise of Staley & Burns in con- ducting the Daily Evening News, is a most commendable one. The News is a bright, sparkling daily, and always contains the gist of the news of the city, county and state. It is a deserving paper, is worthy of the patron- age bestowed upon it, and would be a credit to any city in Indiana. In 1889, the firm of Staley & Burns purchased the Saturday Ban- ner and consolidated the two offices. The Saturday Banner, their weekly publication, ranks among the best of the weekly publica- tions in the state and is indicative of the enter- prise and progressive ideas of the publishers.

S ETH STRANGE, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Jackson township, is a native of Clinton county, Ind., born April 8, 1836, the son of Heze- kiah and Nancy (Cook) Strange. Hezekiah Strange was born in Montgomery county, Ky., in 1801, and was the son of Stephen Strange, who came to the United States, in an early day, from England. In company with Stephen Strange came his two brothers, one of whom penetrated the wilds of Kentucky to locate land, and was never heard of afterward; the other died in that state in an early day, and his widow subsequently went to Ohio, where her death occurred many years ago. Hezekiah Strange located in Hendricks county, Ind., in 1827, and two years later moved to the county of Clinton and entered a tract of government land, which he subquently developed into a fine farm. He died January 19, 1883, at the age of eighty-two years, and his wife was laid to her final rest on the thirteenth of March, 1885. Hezekiah and Nancy Strange were the parents of eight children, namely: Stephen, who owns a part of the land which his father

purchased from the government; William, a well known physician of Frankfort; Jesse, Seth, Mary E., wife of Marion F. Cook, deceas- ed; James, deceased; Henry and Dicy, also deceased.

Seth Strange, the immediate subject of this mention, remained with his father on the farm until becoming of age, when he purchased forty acres of land in Jackson township and engaged in the pursuit of agriculture upon his own responsibility. He has added to the area of his farm, made valuable improvements on the same, and for a number of years has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock, in which he has been quite successful, making a specialty of Poland China hogs. He is also engaged in breeding full-blooded short horned Durham cattle, and his flock of Shrop- shire sheep is among the best in Clinton coun- ty. As a farmer and stock raiser, Mr. Strange takes high rank, and as a citizen is popular in the neighborhood where he resides, enjoying the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact in business or other re- lations.

Mr. Strange was married December 11, 1856, to Emarine Cook, of Shelby county, Ky., daughter of Abraham and Sarah Cook, both parents natives of that state and of English descent. Abraham Cook was born November 1, 1809, and died March 20, 1893; his wife was born December 1, 1800, and died at a ripe old age on the tenth day of June, 1890. They were the parents of nine children, namely: Edmund, J., Israel, Henry B., Em- arine, Squire B., Warren A., James .C., Isaac L., and an infant, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Strange have never been blessed with any children of their own. They are both active members of the Christian church, and he has filled the office of trustee in his home congregation for a number of years. In poli- tics Mr. Strange affiliates with the democratic

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

party, and fraternally belongs to the I. O. O. F., being an active worker in the local lodge.

B ENJAMIN F. STARKEY, one of the enterprising business men- of Mul- berry, Clinton county, Ind., and one of the stockholders and the manager of the Jay Grain company, claims Ohio as the state of his nativity. He was born in Ashland county, December 9, 1845, and is a son of Thomas G. and Sarah (Holsinger) Starkey. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish descent. The mother was born in Virginia, and was of German lineage. The paternal grandfather, Thomas G. Starkey, was born January 22, 1809, and in 1837 re- moved to Ohio, where he followed farming. Ten years later he became a resident of La Grange county, Ind., and there purchased and cultivated a farm. His death occurred in that county May 28, 1884, and his wife passed away in March, 1891.

Benjamin Starkey is one of a family of thirteen children, viz: William, who was killed in the late war; Sarah Jane; Benjamin F .; Susan; Adelia, wife of Robert Finley; Adeline, wife of Charles Bartlett; Ida, wife of Eugene Emminger; Leticie, wife of John Sturgis; Alice, wife of John Myers; Rhoda, wife of Martin Lovett; and Daniel B. In the usual manner of farmer lads, Mr. Starkey of this sketch spent the days of his boyhood and youth, being reared on his father's farm in Mil- ford township, La Grange county, Ind. His educational privileges were those afforded by the public schools, and he became a well in- formed man by general reading and observa- tion. In 1864, at the age of nineteen years, he came to Clinton county, where for a while he engaged in farming. He then turned his attention to other pursuits, establishing a

grist-mill at Mulberry. Since that time, in ·some capacity or other, he has been connected with the grain. business. He afterward sold his mill to the Jay Grain company of Ohio, of which he is now a stockholder and is manager of the company's business at this place. They buy and ship all kinds of grain and flour, and under the able supervision of Mr. Starkey the business has constantly increased at this place. He previously carried on a tile factory for *about three years in Owen township, and he also owns eighty acres of well improved land in that township. Mr. Starkey was married February 20, 1873, to Frances Lovett, daughter of Thomas G. and Catherine Lovett. Her father is still living in La Grange county, but her mother died in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Starkey have one son, Thomas W., born in April, 1875. Our subject holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal church and with the Masonic fraternity of Mulberry. He votes with the prohibitionist party, and for two terms served as trustee of Owen township. He may truly be called a self-made man, for his success is due to his own efforts, being the reward of earnest application, industry and perseverance.

J ACOB STROUP, a prominent farmer of Johnson township, Clinton county, Ind., was born in Madison county, Ohio, January 9, 1839. John Stroup, his grandfather, was born in Germany, came to America before the Revolution, and was at that time a single man. He served eight years in the patriot army, and at Charleston, S. C., during the siege, while dipping loose powder to load a cannon, the magazine exploded and blew him a distrance of one hundred yards. He was badly mangled, but finally recovered. He was an early settler of Ross county, Ohio, and a farmer. Jacob Stroup, father of our

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

subject, was born in Ross county, Ohio, was married there and thence moved to Madison county, Ohio, remained there a number of years, and then came to Indiana and settled in Clinton county, in 1848, one the farm where his son John now resides, and which comprised 240 acres. He and wife were members of the first Methodist church organized in the neigh- borhood, of which he was a charter member and class leader. In politics he was a demo- crat, and held the office of township trustee. He married Naomi Debington, daughter of Patrick and Catherine Debington, who were of Scotch-Irish descent, and to this union were born the following children: Sarah A., Reuben, Levina, Mary, Lemuel H., Naomi, Jacob, Catherine, John, Nancy and Eliza- beth, all of whom lived to marry and have families.

an honorable discharge July 25, 1865, and now draws a pension of eight dollars monthly. He is senior vice-command of Joe Hooker post. No. 97, G. A. R., and is universally esteemed. Mr. Stroup married Miss Elizabeth Burget. daughter of William and Lydia (Keefer) Bur- get, and the union was made happy by the birth of one child, Margaret. Mrs. Stroup died July. 1863, a member of the Methodist church; seven years later Mr. Stroup married Margaret Deford, of French descent, and daughter of Edgar and Julia (Ransipher, De- ford, and to this union have been born the fol- lowing children: Oliver, Alta, Ora, Bertha. Orpha B., James C., John. Zonie and Chloe. Mr. Stroup is a republican, and he and family are highly respected in the neighborhood and throughout the township.

Jacob Stroup, the subject proper of this sketch, received as good an education as the ILLIAM A. STULTZ, the popular and successful proprietor of the Eureka Hotel at Frankfort, was born and reared on a farm in Put- June 16, 1857, and his parents were William A. and Catherine (Underwood) Stultz. Will- iam Stultz was born and reared in Putnam county, the son of Philip Stultz, a pioneer set- tler of Putnam. Philip Stultz was born in Germany and lived in Putnam county many years, dying there. The mother of the sub- ject of this sketch was a daughter of Jesse : Underwood, also a pioneer in Putnam county. and her birth occurred in the state of Virginia. schools of his neighborhood afforded, and this he has supplemented with self-culture and a wide range of historical reading. He has a model farm of 320 acres, with modern resi- | nain county, Ind. The date of his birth is dence and substantial out-buildings, and here inakes a specialty of thoroughbred sheep. Mr. Stroup enlisted, February 14, 1864, in com- pany C, Fifty-eighth Indiana volunteer infantry, and was assigned to the army of the Cumber- land. He was in the campaigns of Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia; was in the battle of Kingston, N. C., in the famous march to the sea, and on de- tached service in repairing railways in North and South Carolina, skirmishing every day; he , The Underwoods are of Scotch-Irish lineage. was also in the battles of Bentonville, Smith- William A. Stultz spent his youth at farm work, and in the country schools gained a fair common school education. He left the farm upon reaching his majority, and went to In- dianapolis, where for three years he was em- ployed as clerk in different mercantile estab- ville and Raleigh. At one time, when sent out with 125 men to forage, the little party was surrounded by a superior force and nearly captured, and here a bullet passed through a small tree behind which he was standing and filled his eyes with bits of bark. He received . lishments. In 1885, Mr. Stultz went on the 42

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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