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 34
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 34
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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
Mr. Bringle grew up in his mother's home, remaining with her until he was twenty-one years of age, and acquiring a common school education. On January 31, 1880, he married Miss Catherine Bill, a daughter of Jacob T. and Anna (Heintz ) Bill of New Sauls- bury, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Bringle started out with little capital and have proved their claim to prosperity by hard work and thrifty management. In March, 1884, they removed to Iroquois Township in Newton County, and after renting a farm for twelve years Mr. Bringle bought the eighty acres in that township where he now resides. From carly boyhood he was taught the duties of farming and that has been his real vocation. His farm is well improved, well stocked, and grows all the best grain crops of Newton County. He has also provided a comfortable home for his family and he and his wife have given their children the best of advantages. Politically Mr. Bringle is a democrat.
They have five children : Jacob L., Anna M., Nora E., Mand T. and William Merrill. All the children were given a good education and the daughter Anna, after attending the common schools, spent two years in Valparaiso University in the normal department, and for the past four years has been a successful and popular teacher
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in Jasper and Newton counties. Nora E. graduated from the Mount Ayr High School, and taught two ternis in Newton County. Mr. Bringle is a member of the Mount Ayr Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
GEORGE W. LYNCH. Starting life as a farm laborer, first sup- porting himself and then a family, gradually accumulating some means by careful savings and good management, until he was able to secure land of his own, Mr. George W. Lynch has a record of commendable progress and prosperity, and is now well established as the leading merchant of Mount Ayr in Jackson Township.
A native of this section of Indiana, he was born at Goodland April 23, 1873, a son of James A. and Amy (Nace) Lynch. His father, who was born in Pennsylvania, came west to Illinois in 1871, and for a time followed his trade of wagon maker in that state, but in 1872 moved to Goodland, where he was steadily em- ployed until he retired. He had a fine record as a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted from Pennsylvania, and continuing almost from the beginning until the close of hostilities. He was long identi- fied with the Grand Army of the Republic, and in matters of politics was a republican. His death occurred in 19II.
Mr. George W. Lynch is the fourth in a family of nine children, four of whom are still living. He was reared and received his early education in Indiana, and at the age of eighteen began earning his living as a farm laborer. That was his employment for twelve years, and later he went to Oklahoma and bought 160 acres, con- stituting a quarter section of land in that new country. While living in Oklahoma Mr. Lynch was married September 9, 1901, to Miss Florence Clinton. A happy family of five children were born to them, and the four now living are Charles L., Kenneth, Donald and Clary.
In 1908 Mr. Lynch returned to Newton County, and engaged in the restaurant business. After five years in that line he bought a stock of goods and is now proprietor of the leading general store and restaurant of Mount Ayr. He is a well liked business man, and is equally public spirited in matters of citizenship. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, Mount Ayr Camp No. 6834, and a number of other fraternal orders and is a republican voter.
EPHRAIM BROWN. The Brown family is one of the oldest in Newton County, and its members have been continuously identified with the development and improvement of this section for about seventy years. Mr. Ephraim Brown is carrying on the work of farming and stock raising where his father left off, and is well known among farmers and stock raisers not only in the county but all over this part of the state.
Born September 23, 1863, in Newton County, Ephraim Brown is a son of Philip and Mary Ann (Bridgeman) Brown. His father
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was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and died in 1910. The mother died in 1903. Philip Brown when a boy removed to Newton County with his brother some time in the 'Jos, and by hard work and good management built up an estate of 190 acres of land.
Ephraim Brown was the oldest in a family of six children, five of whom are now living. He acquired his present farm in Jackson Township by inheritance and is now living there as a bachelor. Ile is a very successful general farmer, and he also enjoys the recrea- tions of hunting and fishing. He takes great deliglit in fast horses and some of his runners have been entered on the track in various fairs and racing meets.
PRESTON F. ROBERTS. One of the family names best known and most highly esteemed in Newton County is that represented by life and activities of Preston F. Roberts, who sustains the reputation of being a real farmer, a man who makes agriculture a successful busi- ness instead of a haphazard pursuit, and has deservedly prospered. He has been as vigorous and public spirited in matters of the local welfare and the advancement of his county as he has been in look- ing after his private affairs, and he is one of the prominent men of Jackson Township.
Hle was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, January 12, 1844, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Hooker) Roberts. His mother, whose maiden name was Hooker, was born in Washington County, Indiana. They were married in Washington County, and when Preston Roberts was a small child his father went down the Ohio River on a boat and was never heard of again. The mother died when Preston was eleven years of age.
Thus thrown upon his own resources, he had to battle for success without the environment in which most boys are reared. For ten years he lived in the Kerby family and practically grew up in their household.
On December 28, 1863, Mr. Roberts married Miss Louisa Keith- ley, and they have continued life's mutual companionship now for more than half a century. Seven children were born to them. The five now living are: Jesse E., Lora C., Claude P., Lillian, and Bela F.
After his marriage Mr. Roberts spent the summer seasons in farming and taught school in the winter. In spite of the handicap to his early career, he has managed to acquire a liberal education, partly in the common schools and partly in an academy.
On August 3. 1864, Mr. Roberts came to Jasper County, and was a resident of Newton Township in that county for three years. He then moved to Newton County, and has since been one of the progressive citizens of Jackson Township. The original forty acres which he bought nearly half a century ago is still the site of his home, and he and his family reside in the house which he erected in 1869. It is one of the landmarks of this rural district. Mr.
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Roberts' prosperity has come from the successful management of his farm, the raising of corn and hogs, the conduct of a dairy, and he has also engaged in market gardening as a side line.
He has also been called to public office, and has acquitted himself most creditably. He served as supervisor four years, and for four years was a member of the county council. In politics he is a democrat, is a member of the Grange, and has always given liberally of his means to those institutions which are most important factors in the life of a community.
CHARLES A. Wood has for a number of years been successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry at Brook, Indiana, Ile is a native of Jasper County, and represents one of the old families in this section of the state.
He was born on a farm south of Rensselaer in Jasper County August 25, 1874, a son of William Henry and Mary ( Pierson) Wood. The Wood family originally came from Virginia. William HI. Wood was born in 1847 and when a boy came to Rensselaer, where he remained with his cousin Jacob Wood for a time. He was one of the boy soldiers in the Civil war, spending two years in the ranks, and giving a good account of himself. In 1869 he mar- ried, and then established a home on a farm southeast of Rensselaer, afterward moving to Rensselaer, where he and his wife still live.
Doctor Wood secured his early education in Jasper County and in 1899 graduated from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. Locat- ing at Brook, he has practiced successfully there for the past seven- teen years, and at the same time has borne a full share in the public affairs of that community. Doctor Wood is an ardent supporter of the public schools at all times, and for ten years he served as town clerk and is now town trustee. He is a member of the Brook Knights of Pythias Lodge, Castle Hall No. 277, and belongs to the United Brethren Church.
May 11, 1900, Doctor Wood married Olive Wilson, daughter of Samuel and Marilla (Ncely) Wilson. Both her parents were Ohio people and they moved to Indiana in 1876, locating at Brook, where the father was a farmer. Mrs. Wood's mother was born July 31, 1838, in Pickaway County, Ohio, and died July 29, 1909. Her father was born November 4, 1828, and died November 17, 1893. Doctor and Mrs. Wood have four children : Frances E., in the eighth grade in school and has taken musical training; Helen M., in the sixth grade; and Marvin A., and Martha N., twins, in the fourth grade.
FRANK BREWER, who has spent all his active life in Washing- ton Township of Newton County, is a man of no small distinction in that community. People know and speak of him as a very pro- gressive and successful farmer. One of the fine farms of the township stands as ample evidence and proof of the truth of this
Vol. II-19
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observation. At the same time he is a leader in public affairs, and is now serving as township trustee.
His birth occurred on a farm in Washington Township Septem- ber 22, 1875. He is a son of Benjamin and Sarah An (Rider) Brewer. When Frank Brewer was less than a year old his father died and he spent his carly life on the old farm with his mother. He was given such advantages as the public schools of the locality could afford, and he wisely improved his early opportunities to secure a practical training for the serious responsibilities of the world. His father owned at the time of his death 120 acres in Washington Township, and 40 acres of that land has since become the property and home of his son Frank Brewer. Mr. Brewer has in many ways improved this land during the past twenty years, and has increased his holdings to 160 acres. The farm has every equipment and facility necessary for progressive agriculture, and he is a master of the art of raising good crops and good livestock.
On October 29, 1901, Mr. Brewer married Miss Carrie E. Buswell, daughter of George and Florence A. (Bell) Buswell. To their union have been four children, Gladys P., Lela M., Dale W., and Harley F. These children have all received the benefits of the local schools, and Gladys graduated from the grade schools in 1916.
The family are active members of Mount Zion United Brethren Church. Mr. Brewer is a democrat and in 1916 was elected to his present office as trustee of Washington Township. He has accepted . that office as a place of trust, and is giving much of his personal time to the supervision of the many interests entrusted to him, with particular regard to the welfare of the local school system.
GEORGE A. MERCHANT. The Town of Brook has one store which more than any other has for many years stood as the reliable center of first class merchandise and the home of adequate and fair service. This is a store established many years ago by the late Joseph Merchant, and one of whose proprie.ors is George A. Merchant, a son of Joseph.
George A. Merchant is a young and progressive business man of Newton County, has spent all his life within the borders of this county, and knows the people and aims constantly to supply their wants in a mercantile way.
He was born in Brook October 26, 1881, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Warr) Merchant. Both families were from England. On coming to America Joseph Merchant located in Newton County, and engaged in the mercantile business by himself. He afterward formed a partnership with Reinhardt Bossuing. That name was continued with all its honorable relations and association until the death of Mr. Joseph Merchant in 1904. Thereafter the firm name became Bossuing & Merchant, with George A. Merchant owner of a half interest in the business.
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This firm conducts a complete department store. It is the lead- ing concern of its kind in the Town of Brook. The late Joseph Merchant was not only well known as a merchant but as a capable and upright citizen of Newton County. He has built up an exten- sive trade by honorable and fair methods, and these same qualities have descended to his son George.
George A. Merchant was one of a family of five children, only three of whom are still living. lle was reared in Brook, received the advantages of the common schools, and was practically brought up in his father's store. When he was twenty-three years of age the death of his father threw upon him the responsibilities of con- tinning the business, and he has more than made good in his voca- tion. He is an active member of Brook Lodge No. 670, Free and Accepted Masons, politically is a republican and is a member of the United Brethren Church.
On May 23, 1905, he married Miss Alice Sell, a daughter of Edward Sell. Her family came to this section of Indiana in the early days from Pennsylvania, and were identified with the agricultural growth and prosperity of Newton County. Mr. Merchant is one of the public spirited citizens of Brook, and gives his influence and means to the promotion of every worthy enterprise.
HUGH M. LIGHT has long been an active business man in Brook. He is associated with several other well known citizens of the town in the grain business. His principal industry, however, has been farming. Mr. Light knows farming as the result of long and capable experience. He owns one of the fine farms in Washington Township of Newton County, and has extensive interests in lands elsewhere.
The Light family were among the pioneers of Newton County. They originated in the State of Kentucky, and in an early day moved from there to Owen County, Indiana, where grandfather Light was a pioneer settler. H. M. Light was born in Owen County March 27, 1858. His parents were Bluford and Martha (Burton) Light. Bluford Light, who was also a native of Indiana, came to Newton County and acquiring land in the southern part of Washington Township began a career as a farmer which eventually made him known all over this county. He was one of the leading stock raisers of the early days, and was a resident of Washington Township for more than forty years. He finally moved to Kentland, where he died. He was a very active member and a trustee of the United Brethren Church in Washington Township. The church in which he worshiped for many years was finally destroyed by fire, and from its ashes arose a modern chapel built at a cost of $12,000. Bluford Light was very much interested in this new church but he died before it was completed. His long and honorable career was an exemplification of the fact that strict honesty and probity are no bars to success in business. His character was indeed his best
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asset, and he not only left a good property but also a cherished name and reputation.
Ilngh M. Light spent his carly years in Newton County, attended the public schools, and lived in the paternal home until he was twenty-four. On March 1, 1871, he was married in Washington Township near the Illinois State line. To their marriage were born six children, and the five now living are: Oral B., Zena B., Clara, Vernon, and Opal who is a college graduate and in 1913 began teaching in the district and grade schools in Newton County. At present ( 1916) she holds the chair of Domestic Science in Brouk High School.
Mr. Light is a republican in politics, belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and for several terms has served as a member of the Board of Stewards of the United Brethren Church at Brook and was a member of its building committee. This committee com- pleted a handsome church at Brook in 1910.
In 1902 Mr. Light engaged in the grain business at Brook, and is interested in the elevator there and in several other elevators. His principal success has come from farming. He has a splendidly improved and valuable farm of 215 acres in section 20 of Washing- ton Township. He also owns an entire section of land in South Dakota a mile and a half from Langford. Mr. Light is a director in the Brook Terra Cotta Manufacturing Company.
JOSEPH E. HOOKER has one of the very responsible and important official places in Newton County, that of superintendent of the County Infirmary. He has long been well known to the people of Newton County, has been a progressive and enterprising farmer, and a leader in republican politics.
He was born August 18, 1875, in Iroquois County, Illinois, a son of John and Olive (Fry) Hooker. His father was a native of Ohio, went west in 1861 and located in Iroquois Township of Newton County, Indiana, afterwards moved to Iroquois County, Illinois, and in 1877 went west. He was married to his second wife in 1884, and she survived him and is now living in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Joseph E. Hooker grew up on a farm, lived with his mother, and on August 15, 1900, married Miss Bertha Anderson. Mrs. Hooker is a niece of W. B. Anderson, a prominent farmer of Jeffer- son Township in Newton County. Her mother was Miss Ella Harriman, wife of John Anderson, a brother of W. B. Anderson, and she died in 1896. Mrs. Hooker was third in a family of five children.
After his marriage Mr. Hooker farmed in Fulton County, Indiana, from 1901 to 1903, and then returned to Newton County, Indiana, and continued his chosen vocation here. On September 1. 1905, he was appointed superintendent of the Newton County Infirmary, and for more than ten years lie has given a capable direc-
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tion to its affairs. Ile and his wife are people of great kindliness of heart, show a deep interest in the welfare of the unfortunate people entrusted to their care, and the institution has never been better managed than at the present time.
Mr. 1looker is affiliated with Kentland Lodge No. 361, Free and Accepted Masons, and with the Knights of Pythias at Kentland, Indiana. He and his family worship in the Mount Zion United Brethren Church in Washington Township. Politically he is a republican, and stands high among the leaders of that party in Newton County. In 1912 he was candidate for the office of sheriff, but as every one knows that was a year when few republicans were elected anywhere in the country. However, he was defeated by a very narrow margin.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hooker were born five children. Four are now living : Buneita, born July 12, 1901; John H., born April 11, 19044; Selma, born May 21, 1906; and Joseph E., Jr., born May 21, 1908. These children are receiving the best of advantages in home and the local schools, and are being well trained to lives of usefulness and honor.
MRS. GEORGE MI. HERRIMAN is one of the cultured and honored ladies of Newton County and has lived the greater part of her life within its borders. Since the death of her husband, the late George M. Herriman, she has lived on the old homestead in Washington Township and is surrounded by every comfort of her declining years.
She was born July 15. 1846, in Tippecanoe County. Indiana, a danghter of Jacob and Mary Ann (Krasher) Jones. Her father died October 5. 1885, and her mother on November 18, 1901. Mrs. Herriman was the third in a family of eight children.
On April 19, 1868, in Newton County she married the late George M. Herriman. Mr. Herriman's first wife was Miss Eliza- beth Denny, who died in 1867. By Mr. Herriman's first marriage there were eight children, and those now living are as follows: Sarah M. Herriman Martin, born August 23. 1852; Albert A. Herriman, born May 15. 1857; John B. Herriman, born May 9, 1863; and William P. Herriman, born February 26, 1865.
Mrs .. Herriman also became the mother of eight children, and the five now living are: Arthur, born December 2, 1873; Alva E., born October 12, 1875 ; Grace E., born October 9, 1877; Harry W., born June 11, 1882; and Clyde R., born February 6, 1887.
After his second marriage Mr. Herriman bought and sold a num- ber of farms in Newton County. He had almost a genius for the development of land, and it was his custom to buy and improve a tract and after keeping it a short time sell out when the land was much more valuable than when he first took hold of it. Later he bought the old homestead in Washington Township where Mrs. Herriman now resides. They moved to this place in 1880 and most
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of their children were born and reared there. Besides farming the late Mr. Herriman also manufactured ditching tile, and erected a tile yard on his own farm. He made the tile primarily for his own purpose in reclaiming the low and swampy grounds, but he also sold large quantities of it to his neighbors. Mr. Herriman was widely known in Newton County, had the reputation of strict honor and integrity and was always ready to sacrifice his own welfare for the benefit of the public in general. He was a stanch republican, and for several years served on the county council. Another feature of his farm improvement was the erection of a sawmill, which he operated until the timber on his land had been converted into merchantable lumber. Mr. Herriman died August 1, 1914. His was a useful and purposeful life. Mrs. Herriman is now living with some of her children at the old homestead, and she recently cele- brated her seventieth birthday, though her mental vigor and activity in the management of her affairs would belie her age.
SYLVESTER BREES. The following sketch contains the important facts in the life and family record of a Newton County citizen whose name has always stood for all that is honest and of good report in this community. for successful thrift and business integrity, and for a position which all must respect. Sylvester Brees has lived in this county since early boyhood, for more than half a century, and as he knew some of the hardships of an earlier time so he has enjoyed the ample prosperity of the twentieth century.
He was born in Clinton County, Indiana, January 4, 1856, a son of Moses and Catherine ( Gibson) Brees. His father was born in Darke County, Ohio, moved from there to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, later to Clinton County, and on September 10, 1861, arrived in Newton County with his wife and four children. They lived only a little while in Kentland and then moved to a farm in Jefferson Township, where Moses Brees spent his last years. He was owner of 160 acres in Jefferson Township at the time of his death, and had succeeded in converting most of this from a wild tract into cultivated fields. Ile was a republican and a member of the Christian Church.
Sylvester Brees was the oldest in a family of eight children. He lived with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age, and on January 10, 1882, married Miss Ettie E. Peterson. Her father, who was of Danish descent, was one of the early settlers of Wash- ington Township in Newton County, and a sterling citizen, being a strong democrat in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Brees have seven chil- dren, all of whom are still living: Ethel I., Ivah L., Leslie A., Bernard W., Edith E., Velma and Florence C.
Mr. Brees and family are active members of Mount Zion United Brethren Church. After his marriage he engaged in farming in Washington Township on the farm of his wife's father, and actively
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managed that until the death of Mr. Peterson. He and his wife have since acquired a large amount of land in Washington Town- ship and also eighty acres in Iroquois County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Brees are people of eminent worth, are well known socially, and have one of the homes of culture and hospitality of Newton County.
WILLIAM T. MCCARTY. Few residents of Newton County have more thoroughly deserved the esteem and high standing among fellow citizens than Mr. McCarty, whose home has been in this county since boyhood. He has long been an active and successful farmer in Washington Township, has won a comfortable com- petence, and has also been an influential figure in political affairs.
He was born December 13, 1852, in Virginia, a son of James S. and Nancy ( Hull) MeCarty. His father was a native of Virginia and from there brought his family to Greene County, Ohio. He lived there for ten years, and in 1863 came to Newton County, Indiana. The family located in Washington Township, where the father was a renter for ten years. He then bought a place of twenty acres, and was identified with its cultivation and management and made it his home until his death in 1902. James S. McCarty was a citizen of much practical good sense, of great loyalty to his convic- tions, and a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was true to the teaching of Christianity and also a man of exemplary morality. He and his wife had ten children.
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