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 42
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 42
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
He passed away October 6, 1903, at Battle Creek, Michigan, and was brought back. to Kentland for burial at Fairlawn Cemetery. He was mourned by all who shared his acquaintance. His widow survives him and is now living in Kentland.
WASHINGTON SCOTT AND GEORGE W. SCOTT. One of the old and honored families of Jasper County is now represented at the court house in the office of recorder. The Scott family has lived in Jasper County for about sixty years. In the main their vocation has been that of substantial farmers. Members of the present genera- tion can also take pride in the fact that their grandfather was a veteran of the Mexican War and their father a soldier of the Union. In all their varied relations it can be said that the family has lived up to its opportunities and has helped advance the standards of civilization and as individuals have proved worthy and useful.
The late Washington Scott came to Jasper County some years prior to the Civil war. He was born in Mercer County, Ohio, April 28; 1836, a son of Nathaniel Scott, who was a native of Ireland and came to America when a boy. Farming was his steady occupation, and he finally located on a farm west of Rensselaer in Jasper County, Indiana, and died there when about ninety-seven years of age. Nathaniel Scott was the member of the family who served in the Mexican war during 1846-47. During his residence in Ohio Washington Scott married Margaret Davidson, and shortly after that event located on a farm about six miles east of Rensselaer. From there he returned to Ohio, but after a few years came back to Jasper County, and lived in this vicinity until his death. In 1891 Washington Scott left the farm, to which he had given his active attention for so many years and moved into Rensselaer, where he lived a retired life until his death on December 29, 1904. Wash- ington Scott was a veteran of the Civil war, having responded to President Lincoln's call for troops in 1861. He went out with an Indiana regiment, and served until his honorable discharge nearly three years later, on account of disability occasioned by sickness. He was a democrat in politics, and for a time was trustee of Milroy Township: He was also a member of the Masonic Fraternity af Rensselaer, Indiana. By his first wife Washington Scott had seven children: Margaret, Mrs. Alva J. McCashen of Jasper County; Samuel, a Jasper County farmer; William, also a farmer in the same county ; Nathaniel, a merchant at Rensselaer; Robert, who
777
JASPER AND NEWTON COUNTIES
died when a small child; George W .; and Catherine, who died in 1897, when about twenty years of age. The mother of tleri children died November 23, 1883. For his second wife Wash- ington Scott married Mrs. Rachel E. Cox, who is still living at her home in Rensselaer. The late Washington Scott is remembered as a man who was extremely temperate in all his habits, was inclined to be somewhat reticent and always attended strictly to his own affairs. The death of his first wife left him with six small children, to whom he was both father and mother. By precept and example he set before them the best qualities of citizenship and those who are now living and filling useful positions in the world have many reasons to respect and admire the qualities in the character of their father. While a member of no religious denomination, he was in all essentials a true Christian.
George W. Scott, whose name is specially familiar to Jasper County people through his official relations as county recorder, was born on the old homestead in Hanging Grove Township November 17, 1874. He attended country public schools and when about sixteen entered the Rensselaer High School where he graduated with the class of 1896. He qualified for work as a teacher, and for about ten years was one of the popular school men of Jasper County. About 1900 he became interested with his brother in merchandising at Rensselaer, and is still a partner in the well known concern conducted under the Scott name.
In 1912 Mr. Scott was the successful nominee of his party for the office of recorder of Jasper County, and is now giving a competent service in the performance of his official duties. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Castle Hall No. 82. On September 23, 1908. Mr. Scott married Miss Lora Helen Rhoades. They have one daughter, Naomi Genene, born September 17, 1909.
MRS. STATIRA BETITIAHI GOFF was born April 22, 1859, in Lisbon, Illinois. She was the eldest of five children born to Urial and Lucy Evaline (Hecox) Nichols: The subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Mary Church N. Runyan, born January 11, 1870; Mrs. Harriet Cynthia N. Armfield, born April 8, 1872; Lillian Hester N., born February 22, 1874, died August 2, 1905 : Henry Urial N., born December 8, 1877, died December 11, 1905.
Her father and mother were. both born in Oneida County, near Utica, New York; were married July 25, 1854, and in a short time came west and located on a farm in Grundy County, Illinois; from there they moved to Chicago, then Logansport, Indiana, and then to Goodland, Indiana, as pioneer settlers, where they resided until their death (Mrs. Nichols died October 24, 1904, aged sixty-five years, and Mr. Nichols died March 8, 1912, aged eighty years), which is the present home of our subject, Mrs. Goff.
Her husband, the late Gilbert Goff, was born in Manchester,
778
JASPER AND NEWTON COUNTIES
New Hampshire, July 28, 1828, the eldest son of Stephen and Mary T. (Cutler) Goff, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire. Stephen Goff died in 1836 at the age of thirty-three and his wife also passed away in New Hampshire, June 13, 1894, at the age of ninety years.
Gilbert Goff lived at home and labored on the farm until twenty- five years of age. He then came west, first locating in Ottawa, Illinois, where for fourteen years he was identified with mercantile enterprises. In 1869 he came to Kentland, Indiana, and opened a dry goods store; was one of the pioneer merchants of that vicinity. He continued one of the leading merchants of Kentland for a num- ber of years, but finally retired and moved to Goodland, Indiana, where he lived until his death, April 5, 1910, aged eighty-one years.
Mr. Goff was married September 23, 1853, to Susan E. Post of Spencer, New York. Mrs. S. E. Goff died January 27, 1883, at Kentland, Indiana, having been the mother of five children, all of whom are now deceased. On July 24, 1890, he married Statira B. Nichols at Goodland, Indiana. To this union one son, Gilbert Henry, was born, July 24, 1897, who is now living with his mother and attending high school.
Mr. Goff was affiliated with the Occidental Lodge No. 40, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Ottawa, Illinois, and also belonged to the Kentland Chapter No. 89, Royal Arch Masons.
MILTON E. GRAVES. A native of Newton County, Milton E. Graves has for a number of years been in the successful practice of law at Morocco. He has both the learning and industry requi- site for success in this profession, and has already handled a large amount of important litigation in behalf of his clients.
He represents one of the older families of Newton County. He was born there July 31, 1883, a son of Harvey M. and Louise (Archebald) Graves. His father was a native of Ohio and brought his family to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, where he acquired a large farm. The grandfather also came to Indiana, and Harvey was the fourth in a family of nine children, three of whom are now deceased. Harvey Graves lived in Tippecanoe County until his removal to Newton County, and here he became an early settler in Beaver Township. He lived there for twenty-five years, and besides the material prosperity accumulated by his judicious efforts he also gained a wealth of esteem as an upright citizen and kindly neighbor. IIe was a consistent member of the Christian Church and a republican in politics.
Milton Graves grew up on his father's farm. That gave him a valuable physique and wholesome environment and outlook upon life. He attended the common schools, and from 1905 to 1907 was a student in Valparaiso University. Studying law Mr. Graves was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1908 and has since been in the active practice of his profession at Morocco.
779
JASPER AND NEWTON COUNTIES
On January 20, 1911, Mr. Graves was married in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Graves have one daughter, Ethel L., born November 12, 1902.
JOHN 11. LEE. On October 26, 1895, John H. 1.ee brought his family to Newton County. While his advent was not widely heralded, and attracted attention only in the immediate locality, it was in fact an event of great significance and of subsequent value to the entire county.
Mr. Lee has for the past twenty years been one of the most progressive and successful farmers and stock men of Lincoln Town- ship. His home place near Roselawn is in every way a credit to his management and ability. He had added thousands of dollars to the value of that community, and his example has been an encouragement and inspiration to others. While he has been very successful in material affairs, his worth to the community should not be measured by that alone. He has been progressive in matters of general improvement, and throughout has consistently upheld the cause of morality and education.
Mr. Lee was born in Norway, February 28, 1862, a son of Helge A. Lee and Anna J. Lee, natives of Norway. Helge A. Lee came with his family to America, arriving July 4, 1864. He finally located in the State of Illinois, where he acquired a tract of eighty acres in Kendall County and developed it into a splendid home- stead, on which he lived out the rest of his years. He was born May 14, 1816, and died March 24, 1893. His wife, Anna J. Lee, was born September 16, 1817, and died May 24, 1905. Their chil- dren, who came with them to America, were Askel A. Lee, now of Chicago; Inga, Mrs. N. L. Jager, of Plattville, Illinois; Mary, Mrs. L. T. Peterson, of Newark, Illinois, and John H. Lee, of Roselawn, Indiana.
John H. Lee was reared on a farm, learned the lessons of thrift . and industry which have stood him in such good stead in his mature life, and at the age of sixteen went to Chicago and started a tailors' express route. Starting with one horse and wagon, he developed this into a business, employing seven wagons and eight men. It gave him a good start, and while in Chicago he married and estab- lished a home of his own. He sold the express business in 1893.
On coming to Newton County he bought 280 acres in Lincoln Township, and that land still constitutes his home. However, it has been almost completely transformed by his labor of improve- ment. A fine barn, residence and other buildings have been added, and it is now an ideal country estate on which to spend his years in peace and comfort.
On September 4, 1886, Mr. Lee married Miss Mary Swedberg. Mrs. Lee is a daughter of Rev. and Mrs. A. G. Swedberg. Her father is a minister of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and is now preaching at Waukon, Iowa. Her mother's maiden name was
780
JASPER AND NEWTON COUNTIES
Fredika Boberg. She was born near the City of Linkoping, Swe- den, March 13. 1829, and died October 3, 1910, at the age of eighty- one years, six months, twenty days. She was twice married, her first husband having the same name as her father. In 1850 she and her husband, Anders, Boberg, and an infant child crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, and after fourteen weeks of tedious journey landed in America. They went on west to Burlington, Iowa, and on the way their child died of cholera. From Burlington they removed to Rock Island, and in 1854 Anders Boberg died, also of the scourge of cholera which was then raging throughout the country. Mrs. Boberg rendered much assistance in caring for the sick and helpless in that time. In 1852 she and her husband and four others organ- ized the first Swedish Baptist Church in America. Of this church A. G. Swedberg became the pastor in 1854, and held that position for two years. Under his administration the first Swedish Baptist Church in America was built.
Mrs. Boberg was married April 5, 1856, to A. G. Swedberg, and they shortly afterwards removed to a home in Allamakee County, Iowa. In that community they became members of the third Swedish Baptist Church organized in America, and Rev. Mr. Swed- berg was its pastor eight years. In 1874 Mr. and Mrs. Swedberg embraced the Seventh Day Adventist faith. Mrs. Swedberg was constantly true and devoted to her church, upheld her husband in his arduous work in the ministry, and was a splendid mother to her children. By her marriage to Mr. Swedberg there were six chil- dren, five daughters and one son. The son became prominent as editor of the Swedish organ of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The daughters were: Minnie, who married Mr. Houghsted; Mrs. Mary Lee of Roselawn; Hannah, Mrs. Jedding; Augusta, Mrs. Frank Erickson, and Clara. Mrs. A. G. Swedberg in the course of her long life enjoyed that comfort which comes from the presence of many descendants, and at the time of her death she had fifteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Lee are the parents of three children : Henry A., born October 22, 1887; Willie, born October 11, 1889; and Ettie A., born August 30, 1900.
د
844
844
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.