USA > Indiana > Newton County > A standard history of Jasper and Newton counties, Indiana : an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume II > Part 18
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > A standard history of Jasper and Newton counties, Indiana : an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume II > Part 18
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
As a citizen Mr. Washburn was always ready to do his part in the furtherance of those measures and enterprises that tended to advance the general welfare of the community, and though he was a staunch democrat in politics he had no ambition for public office. He was, however, called upon to serve as township assessor, a posi- tion of which he continued the incumbent for twelve years.
On the Ist of October, 1855, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Washburn to Miss Mary Elizabeth Clayton, daughter of Ephraim and Mary ( Bonscher) Clayton. Mr. Clayton was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and his wife was a native of Pennsylvania, her death having occurred when her daughter Mary Elizabeth (Mrs. Wash- burn) was but four years old, and the family home at the time hay- ing been in DeKalb County, Indiana. After the death of his wife Mr. Clayton removed to Miami County, and later he became the owner of a farm near Winemac, Pulaski County, where he died in June, 1862. Of the three children Benjamin and Eliza are deceased, and Mrs. Washburn, now venerable in years, is the only surviving member of the immediate family. Mr. and Mrs. Washburn became the parents of nine children, of whom two are deceased, John having died at the age of five years and Gertrude at the age of two months. The surviving children are: Clayton, who resides at Fowler, and who has three children ; Angus D., who is a resident of Kentland and who is individually mentioned on other pages of this work; Benton, who is one of the representative farmers of Benton County, where he owns a farm of 400 acres, he and his wife having six children ; Estelle is the wife of Sherman N. Geary, of Benton County ; James A. is likewise personally represented in this publication ; Garland is a retired farmer residing at Earl Park and is the father of two chil- dren ; and Miss Grace, the youngest of the children, remains with her widowed mother in the pleasant home at Kentland.
ANGUS D. WASHIBURN. A well known and distinctively popular citizen of Kentland, Newton County, Angus D. Washburn has been a resident of this favored section of the Hoosier State for more than half a century and is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families whose name has been worthily linked with the social and industrial history of Northwestern Indiana. In the memoir, on other pages of this publication, dedicated to his honored father, the
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late Perry M. D. Washburn, are given adequate data concerning the family record, so that further details need not be entered in the present article.
Angus D. Washburn was born in Marshall County, Indiana, on the 2d of November, 1858, and he was a lad of five years at the time of the family removal to Newton County, where he was reared to adult age under the conditions and influences of the pioneer farm and where he early began to learn the lessons of practical industry, as the financial situation of his parents at that time was such that it devolved upon him to aid in the support of the family. His father was for twelve years employed by the late Alexander Kent, who proved a true benefactor to the Washburn family as well as to many others in the community, this honored pioneer having been the founder of the Village of Kentland, which perpetuates his name. In 1868, under the direction of his father, Angus D. Washburn began herding cattle on the Newton County stock farm of Mr. Kent and in the meanwhile his educational opportunities were limited to a somewhat irregular attendance in the common schools of the locality. In 1870, with the rapid settlement of this section of the state, the open cattle range in Newton County was closed, but for many years thereafter Mr. Washburn continued in the employ of Mr. Kent, whose name and memory he reveres. In 1883 he established his residence on a tract of land near Fair Oaks, Newton County, and lie long continued his active association with the raising and herding of cattle, day after day having found him riding over the land on horseback, so that the saddle came to rep- resent his abiding place during much of the time of his active service.
The first land purchased by the father of Mr. Washburn was a tract of forty acres, in Benton County, and this embryonic farm was obtained in the year 1868. Thereafter he continued to invest his money judiciously in the purchase of additional land, with the result that, by energy and good management he eventually accumu- lated a large landed estate in this section of Indiana. Upon the division of the family estate the other sons took land but Angus D., of this review, received as his share the sum of $5,000 in cash. He has been careful and circumspect in his business transactions and activities and has shown himself to be an able and progres- sive man of affairs. He has bought and sold many acres of land and at the present time is the owner of 2,000 acres of most fertile and valuable land in Newton, Benton and Jasper counties, besides his beautiful residence property in the attractive and thriving Vil- lage of Kentland. He is vice president of the Kentland State Bank, known as one of the strong and popular financial institutions of this part of the state. In 1911 Mr. Washburn erected at Kent- land his present dwelling, which is one of the most modern and attractive homes in the village and which is known for its gener- ous and unostentatious hospitality, with Mrs. Washburn as its popular chatelaine.
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Mr. Washburn has been distinctively loyal and public-spirited in his civic attitude, is a staunch advocate of the cause of the democratic party and cast his first presidential vote in support of President Cleveland. He served three years as a member of the board of county commissioners of Newton County and was zeal- ous in the support of progressive policies, with careful considera- tion of the general administration of county affairs. Within his period of service was completed the erection of the fine county infirmary buikling, at a cost of $25,000. He and his wife are zeal- ous members of the Christian Church at Kentland and contribute liberally to the support of the various departments of its work. They enjoy most fully the generous prosperity which is their por- tion and they delight in the entertainment of their host of friends in the community.
On the 4th of January, 1894, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Washburn to Miss Myrtle Caldwell, and they have two chil- dren : Howard C. was graduated in the Kentland High School as a member of the class of 1915, and is now a student in the liberal arts department of Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, in which he is a member of the class of 1918. He is there affiliated with the Sigma Chi fraternity and he is a member of the Christian Church. Helen J. is a member of the class of 1919 in the high school at Kentland and is a popular factor in the activities of the younger social circles of her home village, where she holds membership in the Christian Church.
Mrs. Washburn was born and reared in Newton County and is a daughter of Dr. S. N. and Mary ( Mckinney) Caldwell. She is the only daughter in a family of four children, and her brothers, Mack, Samuel O. and Newton G., are now extensive cattle owners in the Province of Alberta, Canada. Doctor Caldwell was born at Piqua, Ohio, was graduated in the Cincinnati Medical College, and in 1865 he established his residence in Newton County, Indiana, where he engaged in the practice of his profession and where his consecration to his humane mission was shown by his earnest stew- ardship, for he traversed in the early days the almost impassable swamps and rough roads of winter and summer to give aid to those in suffering and distress. He was generous, kindly and sympathetic and never refused his ministrations no matter how great the hardship involved or how slight the hope of receiving financial recompense for his services. His name and memory are revered in the county that long represented his home. After the death of his first wife the doctor contracted a second marriage and the one child of this union is Grace, who is a milliner by occupation and who finds demand for her effective work at various places in the Union, in the successive seasons, the year 1916 finding her engaged at her trade in the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico, though she looks upon the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Washburn as her home. Mrs. Wash- burn gained her early education in the public schools and received
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a teacher's certificate, though she never engaged in active pedagogic service. She is a popular figure in the representative social life of her home village and has made the family home a veritable center of gracious hospitality.
FRANK A. COMPARET. One of the most learned of Newton County's early legal practitioners, was the late Frank A. Comparet, whose long membership on the Kentland bar was such as to reflect credit on both himself and the organization. As a citizen of Kent -- land, he was earnest, helpful and practical and when such men pass from life a community sustains a decided loss.
Frank A. Comparet was born at Fort Wayne, Indiana, April 8, 1860, a son of Joseph and Marian (Alexander) Comparet. On the paternal side the ancestry was French and on the maternal, was Scotch-lrish.
The Comparet family was closely identified with the early growth and development of Fort Wayne, and there the paternal grandfather of Frank A. Comparet died and was buried. In 1868, Joseph Com- paret, his father, brought his family to Newton County but later removed to the State of Washington and died there some years afterward. He married Marian Alexander in Indiana and of their four children but one is now living.
Frank A. Comparet attended the public schools at Kentland and in 1878 was graduated from the high school. He never had col- legiate advantages but was of a studious habit of mind, a lover of good literature and thus was mainly self educated, becoming one of the best informed men of his day at Kentland. He accumulated a fine library of standard books and many of his happiest hours were spent in their company.
Shortly after graduating from the high school, Mr. Comparet determined on the study of law and for this purpose became a student in the law office of Judge J. T. Saunderson, later becoming his partner in the practice of law. For twenty-one years this part- nership was maintained and was dissolved only when failing health required Judge Saunderson to seek another climate, he removing then to Oklahoma. For some time after the departure of Judge Saunderson, Mr. Comparet continued alone in practice, but subse- quently finding his duties too heavy to attend to alone, he entered into another partnership, his association with John Higgins con- tinuing thereafter up to his death on November 6, 1905. His ability as a lawyer was universally recognized and he was known as a safe counselor because of the profundity of his legal knowledge.
On February 26, 1884, Mr. Comparet was united in marriage with Miss Fannie McCray, who is a daughter of Greenbury Ward and Martha J. (Galey) McCray, and a sister of Hon. Warren T. McCray, one of the prominent men of Northern Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Comparet one son was born, Donald, on September 14. 1885, who graduated with the class of 1903 in the Kentland High
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School, and for a tiine was engaged in the Discount and Deposit Bank of Kentland, Indiana, which his grandfather had established years ago. He was a young man of exceptional habits, and com- manded the respect of all who came in contact with him. Ile died at the age of twenty-one years, a young man of much promise. Mrs. Comparet survives and is held in the highest esteem in the community in which she has passed much of her life. Her social circle includes many of the old substantial families of the county.
EDGAR LOTT PRESHER. Newton County knew the life and in- ยท fluence of the late Edgar Lott Presher for something like thirty- five years prior to his passing in 1901. He was a farming man, for the most part, though he spent about five years in the successful operation of an electric light plant in Kentland, and was known throughout the county as something of a mechanical genius. Hlad he clected mechanics for his career it is reasonably certain that he would have made a splendid success of the work, but he loved rural life, and found his best happiness in carrying on his farm in Jefferson Township, which he operated profitably for twenty- four years.
Mr. Presher was born in Kendall County, Illinois, on September 7. 1844, and he was a son of Lott and Eliza P. (Gridley) Presher, both natives of the State of New York. They came to Kendall County from New York in 1843, and there the father followed his trade of mechanic, but gave some time to farming ventures, as well. He died in February, 1874. They were the parents of three children : William Henry, Sarah Eliza and Edgar Lott, all now deceased. The father was a republican and a member of the Baptist Church. His wife survived him, and died in Newton County, greatly advanced in years.
Edgar Lott Presher received limited educational advantages in the primitive schools of his native county, and when he was seven- teen years old he began his independent career as the operator of a threshing machine. He owned the machine and ran it on his own responsibility, finding a good business in that line for a number of seasons. He, it is presumed, inherited his mechanical tendencies from his father, and all his life he displayed a remarkable bent for work along those lines.
He was just twenty-one years old when he married. The wedding took place on December 21, 1865, at Ottawa, Illinois, Miss Melissa S. Watson becoming his wife. She was the daughter of Joseph L. and Alisa (Philip) Watson, both of them pioneers of LaSalle County, Illinois. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Presher. Joseph Lott married Mrs. Eva Montgomery, and Edgar Blye is unmarried.
Mr. and Mrs. Presher came to Newton County on September 21, 1867, and for two years they maintained a residence in what is now Kentland. They then moved on a farm of 200 acres, located
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in Jefferson Township, and for the ensuing twenty-four years these good people continued to live there, devoted to agricultural life. In those years they developed one of the finest farms in their com- munity, and when they felt ready to retire from active life they took up their residence in Kentland, where Mr. Presher died on March I, 1901.
Mr. and Mrs. Presher were members of the Baptist Church and active workers in the cause. All his life Mr. Presher was a liberal giver to the church and to every good work that was carried on in his community. Ile was a man of excellent character and fine mental attainments, and his presence in Jefferson Township was one of its real assets. He was a republican, but never cared to hold office. His widow still survives, and is living in Kentland and she has one of the pretty, comfortable homes of Kentland. She is an affable lady and her home is her paradise. Her son, Edgar Blye, resides with her and he is a young man and quite an adept in painting and taxidermy, as well as mechanics.
JOHN W. TAYLOR. The dignity of labor raises the farmer to a level of importance corresponding to that occupied by any class of producers. To labor long and faithfully, giving the best of one's ability and talent along any line of endeavor, is to fulfill the destiny of mankind and to make possible a happy, contented old age. John W. Taylor, one of the substantial farmers and highly esteemed citizens of Carpenter Township, is a man whose life has been one of constant industry and honorable labor, and though always busy he has never failed to find time to make friends or contribute to the welfare and advancement of his community.
A resident of Jasper County thirty-five years, John W. Taylor was born near Warsaw in Kosciusko County, Indiana, January 16, 1852. His parents were Jonathan and Catherine (Carr) Taylor, the former a native of England who came to America about four- teen years of age, and the latter a native of Ohio. John W. Taylor came to maturity in Kosciusko County, had such training as was given to farmer boys of that time and locality, and first became acquainted with Jasper County in 1873, at the age of twenty-one, but remained only a short time until his removal to White County. In 1881 he returned to Jasper County, located in Carpenter Town- ship, and his home has been on a farm three miles north of Reming- ton ever since. His first purchase comprised eighty acres of land, and in a few years he had paid for and thoroughly improved, and has since gradually accumulated more land and property until he is now the owner of 360 acres, is a stockholder in the State Bank of Remington and in the Farmers Co-operative Elevator at Remington. All this he has to show for his own labors, since he did not begin life with inherited wealth, and has found means through diligence and thrift to gain a competence and provide liberally for his family.
In 1874, shortly after going to White County, Mr. Taylor
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married Miss Susan Alkire, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Alkire, who were among the early settlers of White County. Mrs. Taylor died January 29, 1881, and was laid to rest in the old Alkire Ceme- tery in White County. It was shortly after her death Mr. Taylor returned to Jasper County and located on his present farm. There are three children by that marriage: Wesley is a lawyer at Monti- cello, and is married and has one child named Cecil; Earl lives in White County and has one child, Benjamin Ralph; Catherine mar- ried Charles Seneff, and they live near Etna Green in Kosciusko County.
For his second wife Mr. Taylor married Emma Matthews, a daughter of Jolin Matthews of White County. They journeyed life's pathway together for many years until Mrs. Taylor died February 28, 1914. Her body now rests in the Remington Cemetery. There were three children by the second marriage also: Sadie is the wife of Albert Courtright, they live in Carpenter Township, and have two children named Carlin and Maurice ; Estella is now her father's housekeeper; and Russell also lives at home. In politics Mr. Taylor is a republican, but has never sought any of the honors conferred by public office. He has never joined any secret order, and is not a member of any church.
JOHN F. LAWRENCE, who for the past five years has been presi- dent of the Bank of Brook, while not a pioneer is one of the older citizens of Newton County, and has made his thirty-five years of residence react to the benefit of his community in many ways.
Born near Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, November 29, 1858, he is a son of Daniel A. and Catherine L. (Strubbe) Lawrence. His ancestors came to America from England several generations ago while his mother's family were of German stock.
He grew up and received his early education in Wayne County, Ohio. Here he chose a career of self reliance, and by hard work earned his way through the normal school at Smithville, and had experience of two terms as a teacher in Ohio before coming to Indiana. In 1881 at the age of twenty-three he came to Goodland, Indiana, and during that summer worked for Mr. Turner on his nearby farm. The winter he spent teaching school and altogether he gave about six years to that profession in Washington, Grant and Iroquois townships. He then turned his energies to farming, and the greater part of his life spent in Newton County has been devoted to the management of his extensive farming interests.
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On December 25, 1885, Mr. Lawrence married Ida M. Esson, a daughter of the late John Esson, whose career is sketched on other pages. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have five children : Le Roy Esson, who married Mellie Little, is an agriculturist and stockraiser near Brook; ITazel L., wife of Everett D. Hess of Brook, and the mother of two children named Helen Ruth and Lawrence Elmer; Ruth A., Donald L. and Harry C., all of whom are still
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John cosson Emerite Reasons
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at the Lawrence home. Mrs. Hess graduated from the Brook High School, also spent one year at Oxford College at Wooster, Ohio, and was then three years at DePauw University, taking the philosophical course. She is a member of the Delta Zata at DePauw and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ruth A. attended the high school at Brook, Indiana, and was one year at Rockford College at Rockford, Illinois. Donald L., graduated with the class of ( 1916) and Harry C. a member of the eighth grade.
Mr. Lawrence has always been identified with the republican party, but looks to the qualifications of the applicant for office in local affairs. In fact he has never dabbled in politics, and has been content to exercise his individual influence. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Brook, his wife being a member of the Order of Eastern Star, and both are members of the Methodist Church. The Lawrence home is one of the finest residences at Brook. While in no sense a politician Mr. Lawrence has in many ways worked for community betterment. For four years he served as a member of the town board and was president two years, and for three years was drainage commissioner of Newton County. For three years from 1901 to 1904 he had active management of the elevator of Beaver City.
JOHN ESSON. A more praiseworthy record than that of the late John Esson could scarcely be found within the annals of New- ton County. It was of such men that the Holy Writer spoke when he said : "Their bodies are buried in peace but their names live for evermore. The people will tell of their wisdom and the congrega- tion will show forth their praise."
For more than thirty-five years he had his home in Newton County. Ile was born in North Hamptonshire, England, August 21, 1844, a son of Thomas and Susan (Chamberlain) Esson who came to America in 1855 and settled in Will County, Illinois. John Esson grew up in Illinois, had a practical though limited education and was still a young man when he moved to Newton County in 1871 and located on a farm northwest of Brook. He was an active farmer and lived in the country until 1890, when he moved to Brook, where he had his home until his death on January 17, 1907.
He brought with him to Newton County a wife and small fam- ily. On October 17, 1866, he married Miss Emerette R. Park. Their second daughter Eva died in infancy, and the only other child was Ida M., now Mrs. John F. Lawrence of Brook. Mr. Esson was a republican and at one time filled the office of county coroner. He was one of the founders of the Bank of Brook. Soon after coming to Indiana he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was one of its active members as long as he lived.
Such are the ordinary facts of biography. What his life meant and his influence, are best realized in a review of his career which
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appeared in the Brook Reporter, from which the following para- graphs are quoted :
"Would that it were in the power of our pen to depict the life of 'Uncle Jack' as he was known to every one. Clean and upright, ever willing to help the needy, nay, not only willing but always first. In years gone by how well every one remembers that oft- time repeated sentence when there was needy or a needy enter- prise lagging for want of push, 'Get Uncle Jack, he can raise more money than any half dozen men in the community.' This was not only a fact in one line but everyaline where assistance was neces- sary. And did he ask any man to subscribe more than he was wont to give himself? Never. He always headed the list with the largest sum that was found on it. We give this as only an instance to illustrate the noble traits of manhood, ready to lend succor to the needy at all times and under all circumstances.
"Taken as a business man he was connected with the Bank of Brook as its vice president since the institution started, almost with the beginning of the town. While never taking an active part beyond the directorship of the bank, he lent his executive ability in assisting it to build up a reputation as one of the strongest finan- cial institutions in this section of the state.
"In one line will he be missed more than all others by the citi- zens of our town and community. He was essentially a booster, a believer in progress and progressive ideas, and there was no enter- prise started in our town but what the sound and calculating judg- mient of "Uncle Jack' was not sought. Still more along this line was his love for fair play and honest purposes, and his ever readi- ness to lend a helping hand or word of encouragement to a young man just starting out in life. Mr. Esson was a man of the broadest views on all subjects. Added not only were the interests of his home town, but the interests of the county at large, its farming advancement, good roads improvement, and all like projects, and there was seldom a time when he was not the leading official in a half dozen organizations for the betterment of the community and the county.
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