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 38
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 38
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On November 24. 1891, he married Kate L. (Wildasin) who was born in Miami County, Indiana, October 10, 1873, the youngest of the eleven children born to Emanuel and Maria (Unger) Wildasin. Mr. Wildasin, the father, was a native of Maryland but was reared in Pennsylvania, and he became a tiller of the soil. In an early day he came to Newton County, and the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Kindig now reside was his farm. He was allied with the democratic party and strong in the advocacy of its principles, was at one time township assessor, and both he and his wife were members of the Reformed Church. His death occurred in 1904. Mrs. Wildasin was born on the state line separating Pennsylvania and Maryland. She was a kind and affectionate wife and mother and a devoted Christian. Both she and her husband lie buried in Kentland cemetery, where a monument marks their resting place. They were among the early settlers of Newton County. Mrs. Kindig was well educated in the local schools, and since her marriage has given very capable superintendence to her home and the careful training of her children. These children, seven in number, are named as follows: Earl R., born June 3, 1893, received a good common school education, is a practical farmer and resides with his parents. Curtis B., born September 6, 1896, graduated from the common schools with the class of 1911 and from the Kentland High School in 1915, and then entered Purdue University. John E., born De- cember 23, 1898, received his diploma from the common schools in
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1915. Gladys V., born June 11, 1903, is in the eighth grade. San- uel G., born July 1, 1907, is in the fourth grade. Helen K., born May 22, 1910; and George D., born December 15, 1913.
A number of years ago Mr. Kindig bought eighty acres in Jefferson Township, and he still owns that as part of the posses- sions devoted to his enterprise as a farmer and stockman, Mrs. Kindig inherited the 160-acre farm where the family now reside. Eleven years ago they put up a residence which is one of the most beautiful and convenient in that section of the county. It is not only a home with all that word implies, but is also a center of indus- try as the large barn, outbuildings for stock and equipment, and the various facilities indieate. As a stock raiser Mr. Kindig has been especially fortunate and successful in the breeding and raising of hogs, and is undoubtedly one of the leaders in that line in Newton . County. He has a number of farm horses and keeps a herd of Red Durham cattle. In politics he is a republican, and for the past two ยท years has served as a member of the county council.
MIRs. D. J. CRAWN of Jefferson Township represents some of the old and substantial families of Newton County. This is a name that has always stood for honor and has commanded high respect in this section of Indiana.
Her husband, the late Daniel J. Crawn, who died in 1913, gave his years most successfully to the tilling of the soil in this county. He was a son of Martin Crawn, who was one of the very early settlers of Newton County, having come from Darke County, Ohio, to this section of Indiana as early as 1843. He helped clear up a part of the wilderness in Jefferson Township, and at the time of his death owned 300 acres of land. Martin Crawn and wife had a family of six children : Mary E., Francis M., Daniel J., William David, Charles E. The daughter Mary, died October 8, 1855, Francis M. passed away October 6, 1876, while Charles E. died December 15, 1872.
The late Daniel J. Crawn was married in 1884 to Miss Phebe Laffoon of Newton County. After his marriage he settled ou a farm in section 8 of Jefferson Township, and was actively identified with its management until his death nearly thirty years later. Mrs. Crawn still occupies that old homestead, and is a devout member of the United Brethren Church. Her husband was a democrat in politics and always enjoyed the confidence of his fellow citizens in Jefferson Township.
Mrs. Crawn's father was a loyal soldier of the Union during the Civil war, serving two years in an Indiana regiment. Apart from his military service he spent his career as a farmer, and for many years lived near Brook. He was a member of the Grand Army Post in that place.
Mrs. Crawn is the mother of three children: Tunis, Effie and Phebe. Effie completed the eighth grade of school and was a
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teacher of music. She wedded Irvine Groscort, an agriculturist, and has one little daughter, Laura Ellen Tunis, who resides with her mother. Mr. Groscort is a democrat and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Phebe completed the eighth grade of the public schools. She is a member of the Christian Church.
WILLIAM D. LITTLEJOHN. Since assuming control as manager of his present farm in Jefferson Township, William D. Littlejohn has scoured excellent financial results and has evidenced a broad knowledge of the vocations of farming and stock raising. Many years of practical experience contribute to his agricultural equip- ment, and his entire career has been devoted to the cultivation of the soil.
Ile represents one of the very carly names associated with the pioneer settlement of Jefferson Township. Mr. Littlejohn was born May 27, 1876, in Newton County, a son of David and Lavina (W'yatt) Littlejohn. His father was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, and was brought to Newton County when a young man and has lived there ever since. Grandfather William Littlejohn was in his time one of the foremost farmers and stockraisers of Newton County. At the time of his death he left an estate of 1,050 acres. He passed away in 1858, honored and respected, and universally admired not only for his business success but for the qualities of his character. He was among the first to cultivate the soil in Jeffer- son Township. Ile was a devout Christian and nearly all his life was a member of the Methodist Church. Politically he was a strong republican. His widow survived him many years and passed away December 16, 1912.
William D. Littlejohn grew up in Jefferson Township, attended the common schools there, and his early experience well equipped him for the career of farming which he has since followed. In his twentieth year he was a farm hand and after that he rented land for some years.
On January 7, 1900, he married Miss Mary Swanson. Two children have been born to their union: Helene Ferne, the elder daughter, received her diploma from the common schools in the class of 1916 and will take a high school course at Kentland. She has taken instruction in music, and is a member of Church Choral So- ciety of the Christian Church, of Kentland. The younger daughter, Gussie Vera, has completed the eighth grade and also taken instruc- tion in music. She too is a member of the Choral Society of the Christian Church. Mrs. Littlejohn, who has proved a most excellent helpmate to her husband and has been devoted to the rearing of her children, is a daughter of Swedish parents who were early settlers in Jefferson Township. Her father died there March 18, 1916, while her mother is living in Kentland, Indiana. Fraternally Mr. Littlejohn is a Knight of Pythias, being affiliated with Kent- land Lodge No. 276, and he also belongs to the Kentland Lodge of
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Masons. In politics he is a republican. Mr. and Mrs. Littlejohn are members of the Christian Church.
WILLIAM O. THOMPSON. Farming is now both a practical and scientific business and many of the most successful farmers are pursuing it according to the intensive methods, making one acre grow what the old fashioned husbandmen produced on two or three acres. A conspicuous illustration of this method is found in the enterprise of William O. Thompson in Washington Township in Newton County. Mir. Thompson has spent the best years of his life in Newton County, and since gaining a foothold has made rapid progress in the accumulation of material prosperity.
He was born August 7, 1859, in Warren County, Indiana, a son of Abel and Susanna (McFarland) Thompson. His paternal ancestry were Scotch and the family have lived in America for several generations. Abel Thompson was born in Warren County, Indiana, where the grandfather located on coming from Ohio. In 1859, the year William O. Thompson was born, the family removed to Newton County, Indiana, and planted a home here when there was a very sparse population. Abel Thompson established a farm in Washington Township, living there till his death in 1878. In Warren County he had been engaged in the sawmill business for seven years, but in Newton County he gave his entire time and attention to farming. He died in 1878. He was not only a general stockraiser but also quite prominent in the stock business, giving his attention chiefly to cattle and hogs. He has the distinction of being the first man in Newton County to introduce high grade Poland- China hogs. He brought the nucleus of his stock from Warren County. Abel Thompson married for his first wife Miss Matilda McGee, who died, and both her children are now deceased. Ile afterwards married Miss Susanna McFarland, and there were five children of that marriage. Of these William O. and a sister, Miss Elizabeth Edmonson of Colorado, survive. Abel Thompson was a man of influence in his day and a strict upholder of religious and moral progress in his community. He was a class leader and superintendent of Sunday school for years in the United Brethren Church, and was always prompt in attending the Sunday school and a liberal contributor to the support of his church in Washing- ton Township. He was also a republican, and he filled the office of advisory board member in Washington Township.
William O. Thompson grew up on his father's farm in Wash- ington Township, and on September 30, 1880, he was married there to Miss Cynthia J. Best. Her father, John B. Best, was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1825, and he afterwards moved to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and from there went to White County, where two of the children were born, and in 1860 to Newton County, where the other two children were born. John Best was a blacksmith by trade, and kept a shop in Brooksboro, Indiana. In Newton County
1
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he bought eighty acres in Washington Township, and lived there until his death, October 21, 1895. He was a very active member and deacon in the Baptist Church, was a democrat, and for one term held the office of township trustee. Fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was especially strong in supporting the temperance cause, and was almost a pioneer in that movement. He was past seventy years of age when he died on October 21, 1895. Mrs. Thompson's mother, whose maiden name was Moffett, belonged to a family of carly settlers in Newton County. Mrs. Thompson was one of a family of four children, only three of whom are now living and her brother, Frank D. Bert, is a resident of Franklin, Indiana. He formerly was an agriculturist, but is now retired. Mary E. is the widow of Edwin Johnson, of Morocco, Indiana, and a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Beaver City Baptist Church and she is superintendent of the Sunday School. She was educated in com- mon schools and the first graded school in Morocco, and was a teacher 21/2 years in Newton County. Mr. Thompson was edu- cated in the common schools and a seminary of Green Hill, Warren County, Indiana, and he taught in Newton County. He is a prohi- bitionist and takes high ground on the subject of temperance. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had five children, all sons, and four are living : Walter S., after one year in the Goodland High School, entered Franklin College and spent three years in the Scientific Course, and training in telegraphy. He is a naturalist by nature, and he resides with his parents. William II. resides in DeWitt, Mich- igan. He has been a minister of the Baptist Church for six years, and is now preaching at Lansing, Michigan. He was educated in the common schools and high school of Goodland and had a fine course at Franklin College, and took a post graduate course at that insti- tution. He then pursued a regular theological course at Rochester College, Rochester, New York. He married Miss Viola Cauldwell and they have two children, Mary and Kathryn. He is a prohibi- tionist. Albert F., after a common and high school training, spent four years at Franklin College. He is engaged in farming in Howard County, Indiana. He married, first, Miss Belle Parks, and they had one child, William Parks. His wife died and he wedded Mrs. Minnie (Potthoff) Lybrook, who had two children by her first husband. Albert F. Thompson is a prohibitionist and a deacon in the Baptist Church. James B. received a common and high school training and graduated from Franklin College in 1909. He married Miss Carrie Pierce and resides in Jasper County, where he is engaged in farming. He is a member of the Baptist Church and his wife of the Christian Church. The estate of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson is known as Maple Row Farm.
ALGIE J. LAW is one of the prominent bankers of Newton County, being cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Morocco. Mr.
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Law has been identified with this county practically all his life, and for many years was a progressive farmer until he moved into Morocco and took the responsibilities of cashier.
Born May 18, 1870, in Newton County, he is a son of Joseph and Catherine ( Kessler) Law. In the maternal line he has a spe- cially interesting ancestral record. His mother was a daughter of David Kessler. His great-great-grandfather Law came from Eng- land to fight under King George III against the colonies in their struggle for independence. On reaching America he changed his mind and allied himself with the Continental army, fighting under Washington and proving a gallant and brave soldier.
Joseph Law, father of the Morocco banker, was born in Vir- ginia and at the age of twenty-five came West and located in Wash- ington Township of Newton County. He was one of the early settlers there and was a very successful farmer and stock raiser. His estate comprised 1,600 acres in Washington Township, and he - lived on that homestead until his death. By his marriage to Miss Catherine Kessler he had eight children, five of whom are still living, Mr. Algie J. Law being the sixth in order of birth. Joseph Law at one time owned 1,600 acres of land in Washington Town- ship. He was also prominent in civil affairs, being twice elected trustee of the township and refusing a third term. He was a sincere Christian, was an active member of the Baptist Church and for more than twelve years superintendent of its Sunday School. Politically he was a democrat and his secret society was the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of Iroquois, Illinois.
It was on his father's farm that Algie J. Law spent the first twenty years of his life. He attended the common schools of his home township, and also spent a year in Franklin College. In Beaver Township, January 23, 1890, he married Miss Maude Shafer. Mr. and Mrs. Law have one daughter, Ethel C., who graduated from the Morocco High School, took a course in a training school at Chicago, also attended Franklin College a year.
After his marriage Mr. Law rented a farm for one year and then bought eighty acres in section 18 of Washington Township. He was successfully identified with its management for a quarter of a century, and finally retired and moved to Morocco to accept his present post of cashier of the Citizens State Bank.
Politically Mr. Law is a democrat and was elected to fill the post of trustee of Washington Township one term, and in the fall of 1897 was elected a member of the state senate to fill out an unexpired term. While in the state capital he gave an excellent account of himself as a legislator, and has always tried to perform his duties to the public as well as those responsibilities which he owes to his family and his special line of business. He has filled the various chairs in the Knights of Pythias Lodge Castle Hall No. 492, and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America,
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all of Morocco, Indiana. His church home is the Baptist denomi- nation.
ABRAHAM W. BEROUT. Well upwards of ninety years of age, Abraham W. Bebout has spent all his years from early manhood in Newton and Jasper counties. His has been a career notable not only for the length of its years but for the value and spirit of the service rendered his community. As a carpenter he followed his trade diligently for many years and it is said that he has probably erected more buildings in Newton County particularly in and around Morocco, than any other man.
llis birth occurred in Wayne County, Ohio, November 15, 1827. His parents were Abraham and Elizabeth ( Vankine) Bebout. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of New Jersey. In the carly days his father came to Crawford County, Ohio, and after a short tinie moved to Wayne County, and after three years there went to Kentucky, spending twenty-two years in Crittenden County. He died at Marietta, Ohio, while on his way to visit a rela- tive in Pennsylvania. By trade he was a millwright, and followed that occupation both in Ohio and Kentucky. He was also a minister of the Baptist Church and gave twenty years to the cause of the Master.
In the family were nine children, and the venerable Abraham W. Bebout of Morocco is now the only one living. While the family lived in Western Kentucky the children had to walk three miles to attend school, and Mr. Bebout's early advantages were somewhat limited so far as books were concerned. After leaving home at the age of twenty-one, he visited some of his people in Crawford County, Ohio, and then came to Newton County, or what was then Jasper County, since Newton County had not yet been formed as a separate civil government. That was upwards of seventy years ago, and altogether Mr. Bebout spent about sixty years in the active work of the carpenter's trade. During his life here he has witnessed the entire development of this section of Northwestern Indiana from wilderness conditions to a time when nearly all the land is cleared, drained and under perfect cultivation, and when almost numberless improvements and advantages are found that were hardly dreamed of when he became a resident. A number of years ago Mr. Bebout retired from active business and is now enjoying comfort and leisure, in good health and in the exercise of all his mental faculties.
On November 5, 1854, in Morocco he married Miss Nancy Pulver. Eight children were born to their union and the six now living are Ella E., David Henry, Mary Elizabeth, Otto, Anna May and Bert.
Since early youth Mr. Bebout has been an active member of the Methodist Church and as a local preacher has officiated in that capacity in many pulpits and has been a leader in the moral and
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religious welfare of his community. He is also identified with the Masonic order and politically is a republican, having cast his first vote at the beginning of that party's existence.
JOHN KENNEDY. A life that was significant of sturdy character, upright manhood, long continued industry, and lasting esteem from family, friends and neighbors in Newton County, was that lived by the late John Kennedy. He had spent fully sixty years of his life in Newton County and both as a citizen and business man his record deserves to be read by the people who knew him in his youth and in his later years.
He was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, March 27, 1847. A little more than sixty-eight years later his death occurred at his home in Morocco April 29, 1913. His parents David and Susan (Goodman) Kennedy moved from Montgomery County to Newton County in 1851, becoming pioneers on a farm four miles east of Morocco. It was there that John Kennedy spent his early years, growing up to a life of industry, substantial character, and gaining such instruction as the local schools afforded.
It was only a deserved expression of public esteem which found record in some editorials following his death, appearing in the Morocco Enterprise. What was said at the time should be given here as a permanent memorial to his life of industry and character :
"Mr. Kennedy was a farmer and stock raiser who combined prac- tical ideas with sound business judgment and by industry he worked his' own success. At the time of his death he was the owner of over 1,600 acres of land. Early in his career as farmer on the unimproved and unpromising prairie lands of this county he became discouraged, and for two weeks traveled the country attempting to sell his then small farm of eighty acres at $35 an acre, but found no buyer. Returning home he resolved that if he could not sell he would take the opposite course and buy. So, acre by acre, he added to his possessions and these acres grew into a handsome fortune. He was a man who gave his whole thought and energy to his busi- ness, and even to a few days before his death directed his affairs with a keen mind.
"Mr. Kennedy possessed a fine personality and attracted friends by his open hospitality, genial nature and frank honesty. He prized the friendship of his neighbors and it was one of the pleasures of his life to meet with them and talk of events of common interest. He possessed fine memory and kept in close touch with the world about him.
"As a man of affairs Mr. Kennedy retained to the fullest extent the confidence of all. His sterling integrity and unyielding honesty commanded recognition and his generosity and unselfish interest in the welfare of his neighbor and the community in which he lived made him an important factor in the county's history. He never sought public honor, but served one term as county commissioner.
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"In the home Mr. Kennedy was a mode! husband and gave to his family the love, care and council that best served their wel- fare. He was indulgent to his children and they have as a sweet memory the rich heritage of a noble father."
On April 19, 1874, Mr. Kennedy married Miss Sarah An English, daughter of Mir. and Mrs. Job English, a prominent pioneer family of Newton County elsewhere referred to in this publication. Mrs. Kennedy, who is still living in her home at Morocco, has spent nearly all her life in Newton County. Her father Job Eng- lish, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, and came to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, with his parents. In 1854 the English family removed to Newton County locating 21/2 miles west of Morocco.
At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy established their home on a farm in Jackson Township two miles south of the old Kennedy homestead. There they continued to reside until 1905, when they moved on the ranch, seven miles northeast of Morocco, but in 1907 Mr. Kennedy retired from active business and moved with his family to Morocco, where he built for their comfort and convenience the most commodious residence in the town erected in 1907.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. John Kennedy were born ten children. One son died in infancy and Emmet died in carly life. Surviving their honored father were eight children: Mrs. Jennie Grace Hunter, Mrs. Ruby Hunter, Kinder, Condy Earl, Samuel Miner, Nellie Gay, Bertha Tennis and Frieda Kennedy. Mr. John Kennedy was one of nine children, and the only survivor is his brother Joseph Kennedy of Morocco.
CHARLES W. BELL has lived a carcer that entitled him to a place of honor and respect among the citizens of Newton County, and on his home farm in Beaver Township he enjoys all those comforts and conveniences which it is the ambition of every energetic farmer to attain.
A native of Newton County, he was born February 10, 1859, a son of John and Betsy E. (Armstrong) Bell. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother of Ohio. John Bell in early life lived for several years on a farm in Warren County, Indiana, then removed to Iroquois County, Illinois, and in that locality he married and from that state he enlisted in 1861 for service in the Union army. He was a loyal soldier and followed the flag over many southern battlefields for three years. After his honorable discharge he returned to Illinois, resumed his business as a farmer, and from that state came to Newton County. He bought a farm in Beaver Township and was successfully identified with its management until his death. He was in every sense an upright and conscientious Christian, an active member of the Baptist Church, and was a strong and steadfast republican in his citizenship.
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In a family of nine children, five of whom are still living, Charles W. Beli was the fifth in age. Ile was reared on his father's farm, and after reaching manhood found in farming the most congenial and profitable pursuit.
October 7, 1906, Mr. Bell wedded Miss Magnolia Horton, the daughter of Peter and Lucinda (Padgett) Horton. His father was a native of South Carolina and came to Newton County about 1875, locating on a farm about five miles northwest of Kentland. Mrs. Bell was born in Dubois County, Indiana, April 2, 1862, and she was a little maiden when she first saw Newton County and this has been her home most of the years since. Mr. Bell is an ardent republican and the church of their choice is the Baptist.
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