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 93

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 93
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 93
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 93

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Doctor Young is so well known throughout this community that he needs no special intro- duction to our readers. His early life was spent in the usual manner of farmer lads, the summer months being devoted to work upon the farm, while in the winter season he gave his time toward acquiring an education. In 1841 he took up the study of medicine under Dr. Mendenhall, and in 1843 entered the Ohio Medical college of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in the class of 1845. He then

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

began the practice of his chosen profession near his old home in Butler county, Ohio, but in 1845 came to Indiana, locating near Sedalia. Subsequently he purchased his present farm, and then opened an office in Clinton county, where he successfully engaged in the practice of medicine for thirty years. His skill and ability won him a liberal patronage, and he did a good business. As his capital increased, he invested it in land, and on his retirement from business he owned 900 acres, which he has since divided among his children. In all his practice he never refused to trust a man, but treated all alike.

On the twenty-first of March, 1848, the doctor was joined in wedlock with Miss Mar- garet N. Robinson, daughter of Andrew and Grizzella Robinson, who were natives of Penn- sylvania. They had five children-Robert, now living in Owen township; Louisa, wife of Alexander H. Coapstick, of Warren township; Mary, Milton and Hulda, who are now de- ceased. The mother of this family died March 17, 1863, and in November, 1865, the the doctor married Susanna Compton, daugh- ter of Archibald Compton. Both Mr. and Mrs. Young are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a republican, and in an early day served as treasurer of Warren township. He is numbered among the hon- ored pioneer settlers of the county, having long been identified with its history, and throughout the community is held in the high- est regard.

0 AVID YUNDT, a well known farmer of Owen township, Clinton county, Ind., was born in Allentown, Lehigh county, Pa., April 3, 1823, and is of German lineage, the family having been found- ed in America by the great-grandfather of our subject. George Yundt, son of this founder,

was born in Lehigh county, and became an extensive land owner, through industry and per- severance. He supported the democratic party and afterward became a whig. His death occurred at the age of eighty years. Both he and his wife were members of the German Re- form church, and in their family were eight children: John, Abraham, Jonathan, Daniel, Henry, Elizabeth, Catherine and Saloma. George Yundt, father of David, was born April 3, 1785, and at the age of eighteen wedded Mary Saloma Newhart, a maiden of sixteen summers. The following children graced their union-Henri and David, who died in early life; Paul, Thomas, David, Fran- cis, Mary, Rebecca and Eliza. The father se- cured 120 acres of land near Allentown, and extensively engaged in farming and stock deal- ing. He and his wife belonged to the German Reform church, in which he served both as deacon and elder. He voted with the whig party. His death occurred at the age of seventy-seven, and his wife passed away at the age of seventy.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was reared on the farm and received such educational advantages as the common schools afforded. At the age of twenty-four he started westward and spent two years in Seneca county, Ohio. The following winter was passed in his old home, but in the spring he came with a neighbor's family to Clinton county. When quite young he wished to see something of the country, and his father gave him $50 for the purpose. He then visited New York, Rochester, Buffalo and other cities, and worked for some two years before return- ing home: when his father asked him what he had done, he had $180 to show. On reaching Indiana he purchased forty acres of land for $300, and after selling it for $500, bought the eighty acres on which he now re- sides. He then purchased 160 acres, and also

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

became the owner of . 320 acres in Kansas. He has ever manifested excellent business and executive ability, sagacity and foresight. At one time he owned more than 500 acres of land and now has 400 acres.

In Pennsylvania, in 1857, Mr. Yundt mar- ried Louisa Weaver, who was born in 1840, and is a daughter of Thomas and Lucy (Shaf- er) Weaver of the Keystone state. Their union has been blessed by the following chil- dren: Uriah, who was born in 1858, and mar- ried Emma Lone; Sylvester, born in 1860; Silas, who was born in 1862, and married Edith Gray, and after her death wedded Mag- gie Harrington; Joseph, who was born in 1 864, and married Clara Weaver; William, who was born in 1866, and wedded May Cole; Ida, who died at the age of twelve years; Alice, who was born in 1870, and is the wife of Clyde Bun- nell; Rosa, who was born in 1872, and is the wife of Frank Mabbitt, and Wilson, who was born in 1874. The mother died in June, 1890, and her loss was deeply mourned. Mr. Yundt is an active member and has long been elder of the German Reform church. He is an active republican, and has been a delegate to the county conventions. His home is a fine frame residence, and upon the farm are barns and outbuildings which are models of conveni- ence. Everything denotes the thrift and en- terprise of the owner, who has prospered.

OBERT A. BOOMER, superintend- ent of the Toledo division of the To- ledo, St. Louis & Kansas City rail- road, was born in Philo, Champaign county, Ill., on the thirteenth day of October, 1862. He is a son of Andrew B. and Perme- lia (Seymour) Boomer, who were born, reared and married in New York, from which state they removed to Philo, Ill., in 1852. The Boomers are of Scotch ancestry, and the

Seymours of English progenitors. Hobert A. ·was given an ordinary education, such as the country schools of his neighborhood afforded, and passed his earlier days on his father's farm. At the age of sixteen years, he went into the office of the Wabash railway at Philo, his home, and there began what has been a brilliant career as a railroad man. His first position was that of station agent and operator for the Wabash railroad at Edwardsville, Ill, "This position he held for three years and re- signed, that he might become the first station agent and operator for the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City railroad, at Edwardsville. This position Mr. Boomer held for a little over three months, and was then promoted to dis- patcher in the superintendent's office at Charleston, Ill., which office was later changed to Frankfort, then to Toledo, then back to Frankfort. During the meantime Mr. Boomer remained as dispatcher, but, in 1889. his posi- tion was changed to that of train master, a position he held until February, 1894, when he was promoted to his present position. As a railroader, Mr. Boomer is regarded as a man of unusual ability. He is still young, but not- withstanding this his promotions to high and responsible positions have been deserved.

November 5, 1891, Mr. Boomer was mar- ried to Miss Lillian B. Lundy, daughter of Ira C. and Margaret J. (Hart) Lundy, of Indian- apolis. Mrs. Boomer was born near Colum- bus, Ind., but reared at Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Boomer have one child, Margaret. Mr. Boomer is one of the representative citi- zens of Frankfort, where he has claimed a resi- dence since the year 1885. In his profession he is an "all round" man and very efficient, affording the fullest satisfaction to his em- ployers, while socially he sustains a position of which any person might well be proud, and Frankfort could not well afford to lose so valuable a citizen.

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

S AMUEL A. BRAND, one of the. prominent farmers of Ross township, Clinton county, Ind., descends from . German ancestors. The founder of the family was an old settler of Maryland, and the grandfather of our subject was from Hagerstown. The latter moved to Ohio at an early day and was one of the pioneers of Butler county. He married Lydia Vance and to them were born eight children: Washing- ton, Michael, Samuel, Eli, John, Elizabeth, Mary and Lydia. Mr. Brand later settled in Sheffield township, Tippecanoe county, Ind., where he entered 162 acres and cleared up his farm from the wilderness, made a good home, owned at one time 320 acres, and was accus- tomed to assist each of his children to land. In his old age he became a member of the Lutheran church, was a republican in politics, was well known as a pioneer citizen of Tippe- canoe county, was highly respected and died an aged man. Washington Brand, father of Samuel A., was born in Butler county, Ohio, and was a small boy when brought to Indiana by his parents. He received a common edu- cation and became a farmer; married Catherine Clausen, and to them were born four chil- dren: Samuel A., Orlando, Eli L. and Alexan- der A. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brand settled on 160 acres of land in Sheffield town- ship, half of which he cleared up and made a good home. His wife having died, he mar- ried a widow, Susan A. Hellick, nec DeLong, and by her became the father of three children: Morton, Roy K. and Ella H. Mr. Brand passed his remaining days on his farm and died aged fifty-two years, a member of the German Reform church. He was a man of honest purposes in life, and noted for his integrity and business ability. By thrift and industry he accumulated 664 acres, all in Tippecanoe county except 154 acres, in Clin- ton county, on which his son, Samuel A.,

now resides. Beside being a prosperous farmer, Mr. Brand ran a steam threshing machine for years, having the second steam thresher in this part of the country.

Samuel A. Brand was born January 3, 1852, on his father's farm, received a common education and became a carpenter and farmer. He married, March 26, 1878, at twenty-six years of age, Louisa Heaton (born August 27, 1857, at Battle Ground city, Tippecanoe coun- ty, Ind.), daughter of Andrew J. and Delia (Schurtz) Heaton. Andrew was the son of William Heaton, whose remote ancestors were English Puritans, and came on the good ship "Mayflower," with the Pilgrims, in 1620. William Heaton was born in Kentucky, where his father was one of the original pioneers with Daniel Boone. He settled on the site of what is now Louisville, Ky., purchasing a claim of 900 acres, from which he was driven by the Indians, and died a short time after. William Heaton, one of his sons and grand- father of Mrs. Brand, settled at Wyandotte, Tippecanoe county, as one of the pioneers. When he passed through La Fayette it con- tained but four log cabins. At Wyandotte he built the first grist-mill in the state of Indiana, and also built a saw-mill. He began life with 160 acres of land and kept adding until he finally owned 2, 200 acres on Wild Cat Prairie. He was a man of great energy and force of character and a prominent citizen. Andrew J. Heaton, father of Mrs. Brand, was born in Ohio, received a good education, and was brought to Indiana by his father when a boy. He married a widow Randolph, nee Schurtz. To Mr. and Mrs. Heaton were born three chil- dren: Rachael, Louisa and Milton. After marriage, Mr. Heaton lived in Battle Ground, Tippecanoe county, kept a general store and was postmaster many years. He moved to Americus, Ind., where he died aged sixty-three years. He was a member of the Methodist

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

church, politically a democrat, and fraternally he was a Mason. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Brand settled on their present farm of 154 acres, of which Mr. Brand inherited from his father seventy-four acres. There were no improvements on the farm when Mr. Brand settled on it, and he erected his present taste- ful and substantial residence in 1877, and has also put up cominodious barns and other build- ings. Mr. Brand is a practical, progressive farmer, keeps well up with the times, and has one of the best farms in Clinton county. To himself and wife have been born five children: Gerda E., Lula, Augusta, Samuel O. and Ralph W. Mr. Brand is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Brand is a mem- ber of the Progressive Baptist church. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of Mulberry lodge, No. 395, I. O. O. F., and has held all the offices. Mr. Brand is a prac- tical mechanic, thoroughly understands the use of tools, and has done much of his own car- penter work, and stands high in Clinton county for his sterling worth.

ARCELLUS BRISTOW, a promi- nent member of the Frankfort bar, is a native of Indiana, born on the 12th day of September, 1849, in Clinton county. His father, John Bristow, was born in Owen county, Ky., and married Lucinda Harding, daughter of Noah and Mary (Carr) Harding, natives of the same county, and about 18- came to Indiana, locating at Danville, thence moving to the county of Clin- ton, where he remained until his death, which occurred in the year 1874. John Bristow was a well-to-do farmer and citizen, who enjoyed great popularity in the community where he resided. His widow is now living, at the age of seventy-five years, on the home farm. She is a devout member of the Christian church,

to which religious body her husband also be- longed for many years. The following are the names of their children: Euclid, a resident of Clinton county; Marcellus, the subject of this mention; Louisa, wife of William A. Thomas; Jasper, deceased; Melvin, who lives in one of the western states; Caroline, wife of Squire Moore, and Noah, residing in Okla- homa territory.

Marcellus Bristow grew up on a farm, en- joyed the advantages of a good English educa- tion, and remained under the parental roof until his seventeenth year, at which time he began life for himself, on a place given him by his father, who also allowed him his freedom at that age. Until his twenty-third year Mr. Bristow was engaged in the pursuit of agricult- ure in connection with buying and selling cat- tle, and then began the practice of law, which profession he had previously prepared for by a course of reading at the town of Scircleville. In 1878, he sought a wider field for the exer- cise of his legal talent, going to the town of Tipton, where he practiced for five years, meeting with flattering success in the mean- time, but losing considerable money through ill-advised speculations of various kinds. From Tipton Mr. Bristow returned to his farm in Clinton county, and there resided several years, engaged in agriculture and looking after the interests of his property, which had be- come considerable. In 1884, he located at Frankfort and resumed the practice of his pro- fession, in partnership with Judge Higin- botham, and later was associated with Bert Beard for a period of two years. At this time Mr. Bristow is a member of the law firm of Hickman & Bristow and has a large and lucra- tive practice in Clinton county, taking high rank among the successful lawyers of the Frankfort bar. In the matter of accumulating property, Mr. Bristow has been signally fortu- nate, his possessions representing valuable real

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

estate in Clinton and Tipton counties, also lots. in the town of Scircleville and the city of Frankfort. Politically, he wields an influence for the republican party, and he has decided opinions on all leading public questions, which he does not hesitate to express. Mr. Bristow was married in Clinton county, Ind., to Miss Sarah J. Biddel, and has had born to him three children, viz: Mariam (deceased), Mar- vin and Merton.

BSALOM BRANDON, one of the in- fluential and wealthy farmers of Mich- gan township, Clinton county, Ind., is a native of the county, and was born January 19, 1839. His paternal ances- tor, the fourth generation back, came from England, and his son, Absalom, the first native-born Brandon, was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Virginia, but the greater portion of his life was passed in Butler county, Ohio. Samuel Brandon, father of our subject, was born in Butler county, Ohio, and was a wagon-maker by trade. He and wife came to Frankfort, Clinton county, Ind., when that city was a mere village of log huts, and there he worked at his trade for ten dollars per month, while his wife worked for her board. Within the year, however, he bought a shop of his own, and this he carried on for fifteen years. He then sold out, and engaged in butchering and packing pork. Later he sold this business and engaged in land speculation, having, at times, secured large tracts in Clinton county. He married Mariah Hill, daughter of Willson Hill, and to this union were born the following children: Orr; Mary; William (who died while sheriff of Clinton county), Nancy A .; Mynda; Absalom, and Mariah.

Absalom Brandon, subject of this sketch, passed the latter part of his youth as a clerk

in a store in Frankfort, and at the age of twenty began farming, and now owns 240 acres and a large house and barn. He mar- ried Lovina Dow, daughter of Edmund and Mary (Storer) Dow. Grandfather Dow was an early settler of Pennsylvania, coming from New Jersey, and Edmund Dow was a pioneer teacher of Clinton county, Ind. He pursued his vocation in Michigantown when the log school-house was the recognized edifice for school purposes. He was also a farmer, own- ing 170 acres. To the marriage of Absalom and Lovina Brandon have been born the fol- lowing named children: James E., Samuel, Mariah, Humbert, Lulu, Virgil, and Clinton. Mr. Brandon is a strong democrat, and was one, among others, to visit Toledo to investi -. gate the advisability of voting a tax in his neighborhood for railway purposes-the report being favorable. Mr. Brandon is a non-affili- ating Red Man, but he is of a very social turn, and his spacious home is often . filled to overflowing by congenial neighbors. He often compliments his wife by saying, "We will consult her; she has made me what I am."

IMOTHY B. COX, M. D., one of the oldest and most experienced physi- cians of Frankfort, Clinton county, Ind., was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., January 9, 1817, and is a son of David J. and Rosanna (Bake) Cox. David J. Cox was born in Monmouth county, N. J., and was a son of James Cox, also a native of New Jer- sey, and a tanner by trade. James Cox was a hero of the Revolutionary war, and a very prominent man. He married Miss Deborah Potts, to which union were born thirteen chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Cox were old-fashioned Baptists. James Cox was a brave man, en- dowed with more than ordinary intelligence,

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

and his political career was a most brilliant one. His son, David J., was reared in New York, served seven years as an apprentice at cabinet-making, then, at the age of twenty- eight, came west and followed his vocation in Preble and Butler counties, Ohio, and else- where, until he reached middle age, when he entered the ministry of the Methodist church, and had charge of the Shelbyville circuit at the time of his death, August 20, 1837. The mar- riage of David J. Cox took place in New York, in 1814, to Miss Rosanna Bake, daughter of Peter and Phœbe (Titus) Bake, of New Jersey, and to this union were born the following chil- dren: William, Timothy B., M. D., Jonathan, Henry, M. D., Samuel, James, Phoebe Ann, and Rosina. The mother of this family died May 17, 1858.

Timothy B. Cox was reared in Decatur county, Ind., and remained on the home farm until twenty-five years of age, receiving, in the meanwhile, his preliminary education. In 1842 he came to Clinton county, Ind., located in Kirklin, and, having graduated from the Medical college of Ohio in 1853, began prac- tice, which he followed with much success until 1864. when he moved to Frankfort. Here his medical career was an uninterrupted series of successes and triumphs until 1890, when he practically retired from the active duties of the profession, although he feels the binding power of the ÆEsculapian pledge, and generously aids the lowly when called upon. The allopathic school of medicine has been with him a life- long study, and his library is complete and in- valuable. His abilities as a physician have been recognized by an appreciative public, and his great services have been remunerative:

The marriage of Dr. Cox took place in De- catur county, Ind., September 6, 1836, to Miss Mary Ann Shepherd, a native of Fayette county, Ky., and daughter of Dickey Shepherd, of the same state. To this felicitous union

seven children were born, one of whom yet sur- 'vives-Elizabeth, who resides in Kirklin. The mother of this family was called away in 1872, and her mortal remains lie interred at Kirklin. Dr. Cox is the owner of 350 acres of good land, most of which is arable, and also owns considerable real estate in town. As will have been seen, the doctor was in active practice over half a century, and during all that time has maintained a position at the "very head "and front" of his profession, and many articles from his pen have added to the fund of medi- cal knowledge.

a OL. NOAH T. CATTERLIN, de- ceased, was probably one of the most enterprising, energetic and successful of the early business men of Frank- fort, Ind., but the narrow scope to which our pages are now limited precludes any thing more than a brief mention of the chief facts in his eventful life. He was born in Butler county, Ohio, September 20, 1806, and with his father, in 1823, came to Indiana and estab- lished a home in Montgomery county. He assisted his father on the farm some two or three years, working at intervals at brick lay- ing, and then entered upon a career of trade, beginning as a peddler in 1827. He passed through Tippecanoe county, up Lauramie creek, through the region where Dayton was subsequently located, down Wild Cat creek to the Wabash and to La Fayette, then a mere village, and for a few months there ran a store. Selling out, he went to Logansport, trading for furs on the way, with the Indians, and these furs he disposed of at Terre Haute. He continued peddling until the summer of 1828, when he opened a store in Edinburg, Ind., in connection with Patrick Cowan; then built two flat boats, loaded them with corn and provisions, and pushed his way to New

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

Orleans, making a successful speculation. At. Crawfordsville, he opened a store in the spring of 1830, but in July of the same year sold out and purchased a number of lots in Frankfort. Here he erected, on one of these lots, on the west side of the public square, a hewn log house of two rooms-one for business purposes and one for family occupation. This was the first store in Frankfort, and here he established himself in business in September, 1830. In 1833 he connected himself with his brother-in- law, Samuel Ship, which business was con- tinued until 1836. In 1837, Mr. Catterlin be- gan the transportation of live stock and pro- visions to the south, and conducted a most successful trade until the Civil war broke out, having connected with it, for fifteen years, an extensive pork packing enterprise, and during the war carrying on a general store. In 1835 he erected the first grist and saw-mill in Frankfort. In 1837 he erected the first brick building, which still stands on the north side of the square.

The marriage of Col. Catterlin took place at Edinburg. Ind., August 27, 1829, with Miss Malinda Peoples, who was born in Kentucky, February 28, 1810. Several children were born to this union, and of these Noah Catter- lin, Jr., was promoted from the ranks in the Tenth Indiana infantry to a captaincy in the One Hundreth regiment, and two other sons took an active part in the defense of the Union during the late Civil war.

Mr. Catterlin gained his military title by being honored with a commission, in the early part of the history of the county, as a reward for raising a military regiment, of which he was given the command; he was also honored, afterward, with the positions of sheriff of the

county, justice of the peace and probate judge. The death of the colonel took place Septem- ber 6, 1883; his wife died a few years later at her residence in Frankfort.

YRUS CLARK, of Frankfort, Ind., was born in Juniata county, Pa., April 18, 1840, a son of Matthew and Elizabeth (McPheatures) Clark. The family came to Clinton county in 1852, and here the father died in 1870, at the age of seventy years; the mother died in 1873, at the age of about seventy-six years. These par- ents had eight children.

Cyrus Clark's boyhood days were spent on the home farm, but he gained a fair common school education, and taught district schools for four years before the war, at the outbreak of which he enlisted in company C, Tenth Indiana infantry, September 19. 1861, and was mustered out September 20, 1864, when he resumed farming and school teaching. In 1868, he came to Frankfort and served as deputy county auditor till January, 1873, then was appointed to the office of auditor, and in the fall of 1874 was elected by the people to the office and served till the fall of 1878; was then in the Farmers' bank as assistant cashier, about one year; later was elected mayor of Frankfort, and served one term. He then farmed until five years prior to 1891, when he was engaged in the grocery business. In the fall of 1867 he married Laura J. Pierce; she died in 1873, leaving three children, viz: Elgie, Miles and Laura. In December, 1874, he married Mrs. Julia Jenkins, née Steele, who has borne him three children-Jason, Mabel and Elmer.

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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