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 41
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 41
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HENRY K. CORBIN. One of the farms which contribute to the well ordered prosperity of Newton County is the place of Henry K. Corbin in Beaver Township. Mr. Corbin is well known and stands high in the citizenship of this locality, and in whatever direction his enterprise has turned he has been prospered. Life has been to him a serious proposition, and he has given it the best of his character and the best of his ability. About thirty years ago he was known as a renter, and from that position graduated into an independent farm owner and while providing a good home and rearing a family has been able to accumulate a sufficiency for his declining years.
A native son of Newton County and a son of an old settler, Henry K. Corbin was born in Washington Township October 2, 1864, a son of William and Nancy (Myers) Corbin. His father was a native of old Virginia, while his mother was born in Indiana. William Corbin came West in 1854, and in that early year located on a place three miles south of Brook in Newton County. He was comparatively a poor man and rented land for several years, but eventually bought a place of 208 acres and spent most of his active
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years in improving and cultivating it. He is now living retired at Brook.
Henry K. Corbin was the fourth in a family of ten children, seven of whom are still living. Within his conscious recollection more than forty years have gone by in Newton County, and he has been a witness to nearly every development. He attended the local schools, and being reared on the farm was competent for all phases of farm labor when he arrived at his majority. After leaving home he rented land for several years and his first purchase was eighty acres in Jasper County. After farming there for a time he came back to Newton County and spent five years on his father's estate. lle then bought 150 acres near Morocco in Beaver Township, and has made that his home ever since. In later years he has been grad- ually relieving himself of some of the heavier responsibilities of farming and has sold all his farm land except forty-five acres, but he owns 180 acres of rich land in the State of Colorado in the Arkansas Valley.
On January 2, 1896, in Beaver Township he married Miss Mary Sell. Mrs. Corbin has been a hard worker in their mutual success, and has been a splendid manager of the home. They are the parents of three children. Ruth V. was graduated from the Morocco High School in the class of 1916. The two younger children, still in school, are Vannus Lawson and Gracie May. In political matters Mr. Corbin is a democrat, has voted the ticket of that party for thirty years. He is a member and trustee of the United Brethren Church, and has served one term as trustee of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Corbin's beautiful home is known as "Cedar Lodge."
JAMES POTTS is one of the' surviving pioneer citizens of Newton County. His home has been here since early youth and for a period of more than sixty years. These years have rewarded him with a substantial prosperity. At the same time he has enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens, and has a wide acquaintance over the county and is a man deserving of the best things in life.
He was born in Tippecanoe County, January 29, 1839, a son of Ephraim and Elizabeth Potts. His father was born in Pennsylvania. Ephraim Potts when fourteen years of age went to Ohio with an uncle, and not long afterwards moved to Carroll County, Indiana. From Carroll County he removed in early days to Newton County, and established one of the first homes in a district then sparsely populated. The father bought a farm of forty acres in section 17 of Beaver Township, and lived out his useful and honorable career at that place. He was a member of the Christian Church, and had graduated from the old whig party into the republican ranks, and adhered to that political doctrine until his death.
In the various localities where he lived as a boy James Potts acquired an education in such schools as were then maintained for the benefit of boys and girls. He also acquired industrious habits
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and was well disciplined for the heavy work of clearing and farm- ing as practiced fifty or sixty years ago. At the age of seventeen he left home and spent five years in working on the farms of his neighbors.
On November 29, 1860, Mr. Potts married Elizabeth M. Baker. Mrs. Potts passed away in 1904. after forty-four years of married life. Mr. Potts has lived on his farm of eighty acres in Beaver Township since 1867, a period of half a century, and in many ways this farm reflects his enterprise and good business judgment.
WILLIAM COLLINS. Since his arrival in Newton County nearly thirty years ago William Collins has been identified with the agri- cultural interests of Jefferson Township, and is now the owner of a very splendid farm in that locality. His career has been one of sig- nal usefulness and his name is always spoken with the respect which it deserves.
He was born in Oxfordshire, England, and emigrated to America in 1887, making the journey alone. IIe came direct to Indiana, locat- ing at Brook, where for the following eight years he carried on farming as a renter. Later he bought two iracts of sixty acres each, and has since employed his time in the development and cultivation of his large landed interests in Jefferson Township.
On July 4. 1889, he married Miss Catherine Martin. To their union were born six children, one of whom died young, and their four daughters and one son still living. These children have all had the advantages of the common schools, and have been well trained for the serious responsibilities of life.
Politically Mr. Collins is a stanch republican, and he and his wife are active members of the Christian Church in Kentland.
JAMES B. CIIZUM. In the realm of those practical economics that represent the productive results of human thought and action there is always room for a man of force, and he makes room for many others. Among the native sons of Newton County, Indiana, who have marked for themselves places of definite and worthy achievement and whose success has been the result of their own ability and efforts a place of not a little relative precedence must be accorded to James B. Chizum, who is president of the Western Publishing House, of Chicago, a corporation engaged in the publica- tion of maps and other works for use in connection with schools, including higher educational institutions. That Mr. Chizum has not faltered in his appreciation of and loyalty to his native county needs no further voucher than the statement that liere he is the owner of the finely improved landed estate known as Oakwood Farm, the same comprising 400 acres and being eligibly situated about mid- way between the villages of Morocco and Brook. This is one of the excellent farms of Newton County and under the control of Mr. Chizum it has won a reputation that transcends local limitations,
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especially through his progressive and successful enterprise in the breeding of Short-horn cattle and Percheron horses of the best type. Though he is the executive head of a substantial and im- portant publishing business in the great western metropolis, Mr. Chizum takes marked satisfaction in giving a general supervision to his country estate in Newton County, where he stands exponent of civic and industrial progressiveness, and thus there is special consistency in according to him definite recognition in this pub- lication, further mention of the family being made on other pages of this work.
James B. Chizum was born in Beaver Township, Newton County, Indiana, on the 19th of September, 1856, and is a son of Joseph W. and Mary J. (Ilanger ) Chizum, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Virginia. The father of Joseph W. Chizum came from Ohio to Indiana and became a pioneer settler near Stockwell, Tippecanoe County, where he established his home in 1840 and where he reclaimed the productive farm on which he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, both having been earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and his political support having been given to the republican party, with which he identified himself at the time of its organization.
Joseph W. Chizum, the first in order of birth in a family of seven children, continued his association with agricultural pursuits in Tippecanoe County until 1852, when he came with his family to Newton County. Here he purchased a tract of forty acres of land, in Beaver Township, and he reclaimed one of the excellent pioneer farms of the county, the while he exemplified the best in loyal citizenship and constructive enterprise in connection with the civic and material development and upbuilding of this now opulent section of the Hoosier State. By his ability and well directed energy he accumulated a landed estate of about 800 acres, and he was one of the substantial and honored citizens of Newton County at the time of his death, both he and his wife having been zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and his political allegiance hav- ing been given to the republican party. Of the six children three are now living, and of the number James B., of this review, was the fourth in order of birth.
The preliminary educational discipline of James B. Chizum was acquired in the Whitson Schoolhouse, one mile south of Morocco, and in his youth he gained full fellowship with the work of the home farm. In pursuance of higher academic education he attended the Methodist College at Stockwell, Tippecanoe County, and there- after he put his attainments to practical utilization by teaching in the district schools of Newton and Tippecanoe counties. He availed himself also of the advantages of the Northern Indiana Normal School, now known as Valparaiso University, in which he pursued the studies of the scientific and classical courses, 1880-82.
After leaving college Mr. Chizum was for three years in the
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railway mail service on the Monon Railroad -- between Chicago and Louisville and between Michigan City and Indianapolis. Ilis service in this capacity was during the administration of President Arthur, appointments to such positions having at that time not been under civil-service regulations, so that change of political administration was usually accompanied by the policy of removing such minor officials of opposing political allegiance. .
In 1886 Mr. Chizum assumed a position as salesman for the Western Publishing House, of Chicago, and with this corporation he has continued his consecutive association during the intervening period of thirty years, save for an interim of one year, during which he was in the employ of the old Chicago Times, the greater part of this year having been passed by him on the Pacific Coast. In connection with the publishing business Mr. Chizum effectively developed a maximum potential, and the best evidence of his executive ability and concrete success is that given in his incum- bency of the office of president of the Western Publishing House, a corporation that had its inception in 1877 and the publications of which are used to a greater or less extent in nearly all of the civilized countries of the world. Virtually all of the publications of the Western Publishing House are designed for use in direct educational work, and that they are maintained at the highest standard at all times is shown by the substantial demand for the maps and other publications in connection with the work of the public schools and institutions of higher education.
Of special interest as touching the province of this history is Mr. Chizum's close association with the industrial activities of Newton County. In 1896 he instituted the improvement of his land in Washington Township, this county, and he has made the Oak- wood Farm a veritable model. He has installed a thorough system of tile drainage and has erected on the estate two sets of buildings for the accommodation of his two tenant managers and their fami- lies. By medium of the mails and by frequent personal visitations to his rural estate Mr. Chizum keeps in close touch with its various affairs and directs the general economic and material policies of the property. He is also vice president and director of the Farmers State Bank and stockholder of Farmers Elevator Company at Morocco. He is known for broad intellectuality as well as his busi- ness ability and civic progressiveness, and while he has had no desire to seek the honors or emoluments of public office he is found aligned as a loyal advocate of the principles of the republican party. In his extensive travels he has visited nearly all of the states and principal cities of the United States, has similarly familiarized himself with the different provinces of the Dominion of Canada and has toured in the different European countries, where, a few years ago, he specially noted the strenuous military preparations that fore- shadowed the present and most tremendous war in the history of the world. In his native county Mr. Chizum still maintains his
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active affiliation as a member of Morocco Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and in the time-honored fraternity he has received also the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite, his affiliation in this branch of Masonry being with the consistory in the City of Indianapolis, where also he is a member of Murat Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In the Village of Morocco, Newton County, he is a charter member of the Lodge of Knights of Pythias. The offices of the Western Publishing House, of which Mr. Chizum is presi- dent, are maintained in the Pontiac Building, 542 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, and his metropolitan residence is at 124 Marquette Road.
In the year 1890 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Chizum to Miss Nellie F. Read, of Des Moines, Iowa. They have no children. For the past several years Mrs. Chizum has been actively concerned with the business of the Western Publishing House, and in this connection she has shown marked discernment and ability as a busi- ness woman, so that she proves to her husband a valuable coadjutor in the handling of the manifold details of a successful publishing enterprise.
MRS. SARAII ZOBOROSKY is one of the oldest residents of Newton County. She and her family have always been objects of special esteem among the people of this county, and she stands at the head of a family of splendid sons and daughters whose respective posi- - tions in the world need no apology. Mrs. Zoborosky is one of the women who have guided the destinies of their own homes and have extended their influence into the social and moral activities of their respective communities.
She was born on July 8, 1846, in the State of Ohio. IIer father was a native of Pennsylvania, and from Ohio moved to Jasper County, Indiana, locating near Rensselaer, where he followed his vocation as a farmer and blacksmith until his death in 1891. Mrs. Zoborosky was one of eight children, all of whom are still living. Her father lived to be ninety-three years of age.
Mrs. Zoborosky was reared in a good home and given a good education, and at the age of nineteen, on February 25, 1865, she married Mr. Joseph Zoborosky. To their marriage were born eleven children, all of whom are still living, their names being: Ulysses, Frank, Joseph, Martin, Laura, Lewis, Parmer, Walter, Blanch, Edith and Charles. All these children had the advantages of the local schools, were well trained to lives of usefulness and honor, and all except two have married and have families of their own. Two of the children still live with Mrs. Zoborosky.
Mrs. Zoborosky has one of the most attractive country homes in Newton County. It is situated close to the Jackson Township line in Beaver Township, and the fine residence is surrounded by a farin of 520 acres. Mrs. Zoborosky has shown much skill and business
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ability in managing this farm, and at the same time she has identi- fied herself with the wholesome life of the community.
JAMES R. CRAIG is one of Newton County's prominent business men and land owners. His elegant mansion is situated at Thayer in Lincoln Township, and in those commodious and beautiful sur- roundings he is enjoying the prosperity which his years of labor and intelligent efforts have gained and his life has also been of the character which bears a rich fruitage in community esteem.
Mr. Craig has long been identified with all public movements for the good and benefit of his home county. It has been his pleasure to work for others and help in proportion to his ability those less fortunate than himself. That these efforts have been appreciated can be understood by the words of respect which are spoken of him wherever he is known.
Mr. Craig is a stanch republican, and is affiliated with Earle Lodge No. 649, Free and Accepted Masons. He has shown his interest as a good citizen in roads and schools, and at the climax of his busy career is found always ready to give his time to some public movement and is otherwise busied in looking after his farms and town properties.
GUY P. HOLLY is one of the prominent young business men of Morocco, and represents an old and substantial family of Newton County.
He was born in Newton County. December 29, 1886, a son of the late Charles E. and Alice A. (Smith ) Ilolly. Charles B. Holly was born in New York State, and when he was quite young his parents moved west and located in Kankakee County, Illinois. They lived there for twelve years, and in 18to the family came to Newton County, Indiana. Charles B. Holly found his first work as a cattle herder in Illinois, and after coming to Newton County took up farming, buying 132 acres of land two miles cast of Beaver City. That was the home and the stage of his successful efforts as a husbandman for eighteen years. In 1898 he removed to Morocco, and for two years was in the hardware business alone. He then formed a partnership, and the store was conducted by himself and his partner for seven years. This partnership was followed by the firm of Kay & Holly, which continued for five years. After that Charles Holly lived retired from active business until his death in 1914. His wife's people came from Pennsylvania.
Guy P. Holly grew up and received his education in Newton County and he also attended Valparaiso University.
On December 27, 1906, he married Miss Bessie K. Smith. They are the parents of four children: Zeland, Corice, Esther and Frank.
LABAN LYONS is a prominent member of that worthy family whose name has been identified with all the historical progress of Vol. II -- 23
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Newton County from the pioneer days three-quarters of a century ago until the present. Mr. Lyons has spent his life rather quietly and unostentatiously as a farmer in Iroquois Township. The pros- perity which resulted from his well directed efforts has enabled him to live retired or partially so for several years, and he has a comfortable home in Brook.
He was born May 31, 1853, half a mile east of Brook and is a son of Samuel and Margaret ( Smith) Lyons. Jlis parents came to Northwestern Indiana about 1840 from Ross County, Ohio. The Lyons ancestry is originally from Holland but the family has lived in America since colonial days. Mr. Lyons' mother, Margaret Smith, was born near Hoboken, New Jersey, of Dutch stock, and her parents came to Indiana during the decade of the '20s and about 1832 or 1833 moved to Iroquois Township and were among the first pioneers to invade the wilderness of Newton County. Samuel Lyons, who died June 5, 1905, at the age of ninety-two, had learned and followed the trade of blacksmith in young manhood, but in Newton County was chiefly known as a practical farmer. Ile lived in Jefferson Township about thirty-three years and finally moved to Iroquois Township, where he died. Of his family of four chil- dren, all are still living.
Laban Lyons grew up in Newton County, and has many interest- ing recollections of this section as it was fifty or sixty years ago. On February 4, 1886, he married Miss Mary R. Wolf. Her father was an Ohio man and in 1861 enlisted in Company P of the Seventy-first Ohio Infantry and was a soldier for four years. Among other great battles in which he participated were those of Pittsburg Landing and Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Lyons had four children : Samuel, Mary E., Russell and Ralph, the last two being twins.
Mr. Lyons has long been a prominent member in the United Brethren Church, in which faith his family also worshiped. He was a steward in the church for twelve years. Politically he is a republican. After his marriage he rented land for some time, and then bought a place of fifty-two acres in Iroquois Township and lived on it eight years. He now owns a fine farm of 200 acres in that township, but a few years ago left the farm and has since lived retired in Brook.
AARON OSCAR PHELPS. The late Aaron Oscar Phelps was one of the pioneer citizens of this section of the State of Indiana, and he spent a busy and useful life in business enterprises in and about Kentland. He was a man of many splendid qualities of heart and mind, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.
Mr. Phelps was born in Old Suffield, Connecticut, in 1836, the 16th of November being his natal day. He was a son of Aaron and Susan ( Morley) Phelps, both of them of English ancestry. The progenitors of the Phelps families in this country were the
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brothers George and William, and Aaron Oscar Phelps was de- scended from William's line. His parents were married in Con- necticut and they became the parents of five children. Four of the number grew to years of maturity, but only one of them is living today, Dr. J. 11. Phelps, now resident in California.
In 1836 Mr. Phelps married Harriet Peacock. One son, Clarence Phelps, was born to them, and he died at the age of four years. Mrs. Phelps died on April 29, 1867, and she is buried in the Kent- land Cemetery.
The second marriage of Mr. Phelps took place August 9, 1876, at Ottawa, Illinois, when Miss Isabelle Buell became his wife. She was the daughter of Oliver and Martha (Post) Buell, who were natives of New York, later settling in Ottawa, Illinois, where they passed away late in life. No children were born of this second marriage.
In 1847 the family moved from Connecticut to Illinois where his father bought 350 acres of land near Aurora. The father's health failed in a few years and in hopes that a change would restore him, he returned to their old honte in Connecticut. He died in a few weeks after his arrival. The mother died at the home of a son in Burden, Kansas, after living a widow for over fifty years. Her remains were taken back to Old Suffield and placed beside her husband.
Their son, Aaron O. Phelps, had his early education in Illinois, and when he was quite a young man he came to what is now Kent- land. At that time it was a barren prairie, innocent of tree or shrub. Ile found employment in the only store, selling dry goods and groceries for a while, and later he worked at carpentering and paint- ing. In fact, he was willing to do anything that was honest and would yield him a living. In his carpentering days young Phelps helped to build the first hotel in the place, owned by Mr. Kent, one of the pioneers of the district. He was a thrifty and prudent man and was able to save money enough in a few years to build and stock a small drug store. He went to Lafayette to buy his stock of goods, making the purchase from a Mr. Daggett there, and then was established the first drug store in Kentland. Mr. Phelps was not a pharmacist, but the laws in those days did not demand that he qualify himself strictly for the profession, and he was able to get along by studying carefully in the evenings, and in what other spare time he had. His studious habits, together with his great care in dispensing drugs, made it possible for him to succeed in that venture. As years passed he built, stocked and sold three different drug stores in the town, each of them successful business enter- prises.
Mr. Phelps prospered in his business life, and when he died he was the owner of a good deal of property in this district, includ- ing a valuable farm of 370 acres in Newton County. He left Kent- land in 1871 and went abroad and on his return lived in Chicago
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and Ottawa until 1884 when he returned to Kemland and where he built and established his home and retired from business. He was always a prominent man in his community and served his fellow townspeople in various capacities during his lifetime. He had a great enthusiasm for the advancement of the public school system, and any movement having for its object the betterment of the town had his hearty support at all times. His interest was always a beneficent one, and he lived a life of rectitude and purity that made hini an example to his fellowmen to the end of his days.
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