USA > Indiana > White County > A standard history of White County Indiana : an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and county, Vol. II > Part 16
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GEORGE HUFFMAN. Some of the best ordered farms in White County are found in Cass Township, and one of them is located on section 34, on Rural Route No. 21 out of Idaville. This is the farm where Mrs. George Huffman has spent many years and where her husband, the late George Huffman, lived out his career of enterprise and quiet worth and good citizenship until his death on September 9, 1906. His body was laid to rest in Warden Cemetery near Monticello, and his passing marked the removal of one of White County's best known citizens.
George Huffman was nearly seventy years old when he died. He was born at Dayton, Ohio, January 4, 1837, a son of John D. and Jane (Nichols) Huffman. The Huffman family is of German descent, and both John D. Huffman and wife were natives of Germany, whence they emigrated to the United States, locating first in Ohio, and afterwards moving to Carroll County, Indiana, but they died in White County and are there buried.
George Huffman was seven years old when the family moved to Indiana, and he grew up in Carroll County, getting his education from the common schools and a practical training for a life of useful- ness on the home farm. On October 3, 1858, when a little past his twenty-first birthday, he married Miss Elizabeth Jane Davis. The Davis family is one of the oldest in White County. Her parents were Jacob and Sarah (Wolf) Davis, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Wayne County, Indiana. They grew up in Ohio, and came among the first settlers to White County, where they lived until their death. Both Mrs. Huffman's parents were buried at Monticello. Mrs. Huffman was born December 24, 1839, her birthplace being a farm six miles south of Monticello on Big Creek. She and Mr. Huffman were married in White County, and then located on the edge of Liberty Township. They had been married about three years when the war broke out and Mr. Huffman responded to the call of patriotism and enlisted in the Union army in the fall of 1861. He went out with Com- pany F of the Forty-sixth Indiana Regiment, and after his first term of three years had expired he re-enlisted in the same company and regi- ment and continued in the faithful performance of his soldierly duties until the close of the war. He received his honorable discharge at Indianapolis and then returned home to take up the practical duties of civil life as a farmer. In 1867 he bought eighty acres of land and the following year took possession of this new place in Cass Township. Thereafter until the close of the active period of his life he was identi- fied with general farming, raised large numbers of stock, and showed his progressive spirit by introducing machinery into his farm operations wherever practicable. With the help of his good wife he did much to
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improve the farm, and at his death he left to his children an honored name and many substantial evidences of his industrious activity.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Huffman were born eight children : John D., who is a farmer in the country west of Brookston, married Tena Yelm, they have three children, Fred L., John D. and Donald; Sarah Jane, deceased; George, deceased; Margaret is the wife of Ridge- way Stillwell, of Monticello, and their three children are Benjamin, George and Wayne; Ellen, wife of John Smoyer, of Idaville, and they have one child, Charles; Charles, of Logansport, with the Pennsylvania Railroad, married Nancy Swallow, and they have two children, Charles and George T .; Frank and Grace, both living at home with their mother.
The late Mr. Huffman was a member of no church and no fraternal orders except the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he had mem- bership in the Post at Idaville. Mrs. Huffman is a member of the New Dunkard Church, at Pious, White County. The homestead which she still occupies contains 100 acres, all under cultivation except ten. acres of woodland, and it is known as Oak Lawn. It is a fine farm, and in addition to its material value it has many sacred associations for the family who have grown up and lived there in contentment and pros- perity for many years.
FRED REAMES. This substantial farmer and prominent and influen- tial citizen of Cass Township has here maintained his home from the time of his nativity and is a scion of one of the old and honored families of White County. His grandfather, Tavner Reames, of German lin- eage, came from Champaign County, Ohio, to White County, Indiana, about the year 1836, and here he reclaimed and developed a productive farm, to the management of which he continued to give his attention until the time of his death. He was a citizen who always did his part in supporting measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community and his sterling integrity gained to him the confidence and good will of all who came within the sphere of his influence. Though he never sought or held public office he was a staunch advocate of the principles of the democratic party, and both he and his wife were zealous members of the Presbyterian Church, the mortal remains of these honored pioneers having been laid to rest in the old Clark Cemetery, in Liberty Township. The maiden name of the wife of Tavner Reames was Sarah Steele, and all of their children are now deceased, their names being here entered : Jonathan, Margaret, Sarah, James, Simeon, and Elizabeth.
Jonathan Reames, father of him whose name initiates this review, was born in June, 1831, and through his well ordered industry he became
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one of the substantial agriculturists of White County, where he was the owner of a well improved farm of 185 acres at the time of his death, which occurred when he was in the very prime of his strong and worthy manhood, his wife having passed away in 1867, when the subject of this sketch was a lad of about fourteen years, and both having been consistent members of the Christian, or Newlight, Church. Jonathan Reames was a man of equable temperament, well fortified opinions and abounding tolerance and charity of judgment, so that he never came into strained relations with others and never had recourse to legal pro- ceedings of any kind, as he lived an honest, straightforward life and accorded to others their just rights and privileges, as he demanded the same for himself. He was a staunch democrat but had no predilection for the honors or emoluments of public office. He was forty-three years old at the time of his death and his remains rest beside those of his devoted wife in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Indian Creek, Pulaski County.
As a young man Jonathan Reames wedded Miss Catherine Yount, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Yount, who were early settlers of White County. Of this union were born eight children-Tavner, Daniel, Eliza J., Fred, William James, John E., Elizabeth, and Rachel A. Daniel is deceased, as is also Elizabeth, who died in infancy ; Eliza J. is the wife of William D. Pierce and they reside in the City of Headler, Indiana; John E. is individually mentioned on other pages of this work; and Rachel A. is the wife of George Kestle, of Carroll County.
Fred Reames was born on the old homestead farm of his father, in section 5, Cass Township, this county, and the date of his nativity was February 11, 1854. He acquired his early education in the public schools of this part of the county and during the long intervening years he has continued his active and successful identification with agricul- tural pursuits in his native township, his fine landed estate, equipped with the best of improvements, being situated one-half mile east of the Village of Headlee and comprising 200 acres of most fertile and pro- ductive land, the fine homestead being known as "Maple Ridge Farm." In addition to his general farming operations Mr. Reames has for many years conducted a prosperous enterprise in the operation of a threshing outfit, and in this line he has maintained his equipment at all times at the best modern standard. He is liberal and progressive as a citizen and gives ready cooperation in the furtherance of measures for the general good of the community, along both civic and industrial lines, his status and attitude being such that he is consistently to be designated as one of the representative citizens of his native county.
A loyal advocate and supporter of the principles and policies of the Vol. II-10
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republican party, Mr. Reames has been influential in public affairs of a local order and he has been called upon to serve in various positions of public trust. He was the incumbent of the office of township assessor for two terms, of four years each, and served somewhat more than five and one-half years as township trustee. He and his wife are earnest and zealous members of the Church of God, and of the church of this denomination at Headlee he has served as a trustee since 1884, besides which he is a trustee of the Indian Creek Cemetery.
On September 3, 1874, Mr. Reames wedded Miss Eliza M. Bayles, a daughter of the late Charles Bayles, an early settler of this section of the state. Mrs. Reames passed to the life eternal January 20, 1891, and of this union were born four children : Ellis F., who died in infancy ; Arra J., married Miss Leota Felker, and they reside in the Village of Wolcott, this county ; William F., married Miss Agnes Felker and they reside in the Village of Headlee and Della is the wife of Albert D. Moore, of Monticello, the county seat. The second marriage of Mr. Reams on October 10, 1893, was to Mrs. Ann E. (Bayles) Gruwell, a widowed sister of his first wife, and their only child is Estella A., who is the wife of Elmer Swisher, of Headlee.
JOHN E. REAMES. In this history John E. Reames is entitled to specific recognition as one of the representative agriculturists and honored and influential citizens of his native county, and concerning the pioneer family of which he is a scion due record is given on other pages, in the sketch of the career of his brother, Fred Reames, who like- wise is one of the substantial farmers of this county.
Mr. Reames was born on the old homestead farm of his parents, in Cass Township, and the date of his nativity was November 3, 1858. His advancement to the worthy goal of independence and definite pros- perity has been won by earnest application and good management, and he became largely dependent upon his own resources when he was a mere lad, in the meanwhile having not been denied the advantages of the local schools. He began working for his own support when but thirteen years of age, and through twelve years of efficient and faithful service in the employ of farmers of White County-notably Jeremiah Mattox and Joseph McBeth, he earned the money which finally enabled him to institute his independent operations as a farmer. His present homestead comprises 160 acres, is well improved and is eligibly situated in Cass Township, one mile south of the Village of Headlee. Mr. Reames has not only shown marked energy and progressiveness in his individual farm enterprise but has also been active and influential in the supporting of measures and agencies that have advanced the civic and material
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welfare of the community, his service having been specially notable in the supporting of road and drainage improvements in his home town- ship.
Mr. Reames is known as a stalwart in the local camp of the republican party and has been prominent and influential in its councils and general activities. He served six years as township assessor and in 1902 he was his party's candidate for the office of county sheriff, normal political exigencies, in the predominating strength of the democratic contingent, having compassed his defeat, though his successful opponent was elected by the very small majority of twenty-four votes. At Star City, Pulaski County, Mr. Reames is prominently affiliated with Lodge No. 442 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and at the same place he and his wife hold membership in the adjunct organization, Lodge No. 332 of the Daughters of Rebekah.
October 11, 1883, recorded the marriage of Mr. Reames to Miss Laura Guthrie, who was born and reared in Richland County, Ohio, a daughter of William C. and Sarah F. Guthrie, also natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Reames have one daughter, Sarah Katherine, who is at the parental home.
WILLIAM H. DOWNEY. It is essentially as a farmer and stock man that William H. Downey has been identified with the general progress and welfare of Cass Township during many years. While his farm is not one of the largest, it is easily one of the best in the quality of im- provements and in general productiveness and wherever Mr. Downey is known he commands the respect and esteem of his acquaintanceship. IIis homestead of 160 acres in section 18 of Cass Township represents many years of steady industry and intelligent management, and he has a dignified place in that section of White county.
William H. Downey was born in Monon Township of White County, October 15, 1857, a son of James and Mary J. (Cowger) Downey. His life has been one of varied usefulness and of earnest purpose from early boyhood. Besides assisting his father and learning the routine duties of a farm, he also obtained a good education and qualified as a teacher, and for about twenty-eight years in succession had charge of a school in the country district. He taught in Cass, Monroe and Liberty town- ships.
On June 14, 1881, Mr. Downey married Miss Leonia M. Yount, a daughter of Alexander and Emily (Bacon) Yount. The Yount family came to White County before the war, and lived in Big Creek and Cass Township and also for a time in Liberty Township. Mrs. Downey's parents are both deceased, her father being buried in Pulaski County and her mother in Buffalo. The Yount family is of German descent.
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About the time of his marriage Mr. Downey moved to the south eighty of the quarter section on which he now resides, and with the exception of four years spent in Liberty Township that has been the seat of his activities and the center of his home associations for nearly thirty-five years. He may be classed as a general farmer, and has been particularly successful with the Aberdeen Angus cattle. His farm has been improved in many ways, and he has laid a large amount of tiling and has also erected buildings in keeping with his prosperity and with the requirements of his business.
In politics Mr. Downey is a democrat, and takes a considerable interest in public affairs. His family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Buffalo. Mr. and Mrs. Downey had two children: William C., who died in 1889; and Homer R., who lives at Buffalo and married Miss Mary E. Renwick. Homer was educated in the common schools and graduated with the class of 1910 in the Monticello High School. He also spent one term in the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, and is successfully engaged in farming with his father. They belong to the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN MCCONNELL, A resident of White County more than half a century, a veteran of the Civil war, and for many years identified with the drug business in Monticello, John McConnell has turned the seventy- fifth milestone on life's journey and is now retired, having accomplished what the world must regard as a worthy share of life's duties.
John McConnell was born in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio, November 6, 1838. His parents were James Boyd and Sarah D. (Stewart) McConnell. Both were born also in Highland County, Ohio, the father October 10, 1813, and the mother also in the year 1813. James B. McConnell was a physician of the old school, had acquired his medical education by classical training and association with older doctors, and was regarded as an able and skillful practitioner. He moved to Cass County, Indiana, in 1852, and died there January 23, 1853. His widow survives him more than forty years, passing away January 24, 1898, at the age of eighty-five years and six days, and both are laid to rest in Logansport. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are still living. After the death of Doctor McConnell, the family, in the fall of 1859, after two years' residence in Illinois, came to White County, and this has been the home of John McConnell ever since.
He acquired his early education in Ohio, was about fifteen years of age when he came to Indiana, and was at the beginning of his manhood career on locating in White County. From this county early in the war
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he entered the Union army, being mustered in at South Bend, as a member of Company G of the Seventy-third Indiana Infantry, and served three years until discharged at Indianapolis. He was captured and spent two weeks in the notorious Confederate prison at Richmond, the Libby, and the same length of time at Belle Isle in the James River. After the war Mr. McConnell came to Monticello and bought an interest in the drug business conducted by Doctor McMillen. Doctor McMillen finally sold to Mr. Prior, and some years later Mr. McConnell acquired the other interest and was in business alone until he retired about three years ago.
He has served as a member of the city council of Monticello and has been generally interested in local affairs, though never a seeker for official honors. For years he has served as elder in the Presbyterian Church and takes much interest in church work. August 2, 1871, Mr. McConnell married Martha Cowger, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Bol- ton) Cowger. Mrs. McConnell's parents were pioneers in the Pike Creek community, were farmers, and people of the highest character. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell have two daughters, as follows: Abigail D., who died August 23, 1896; and Sarah Faye, who died February 7, 1908.
JOHN P. SHAFER. For fully eighty years the Shafer name has been represented in the role of honorable citizenship in White County. John P. Shafer has himself spent more than seventy years in the county, having been born here, and is the owner of one of the good country homes in Union Township. Mr. Shafer has a record as a Union soldier during the Civil war, and in addition to his private business has at dif- ferent times helped to carry on the burdens of local government.
John P. Shafer was born in Union Township of White County, February 9, 1841. His parents were James and Susan (Peebles ) Shafer. They were Ohio people, and were married in 1832 in Perry County, and two years later started for Indiana, driving a covered wagon to White County. James Shafer secured a farm of eighty acres in Union Township, and on that land erected a small cabin, which was his first home. His location was in the midst of the heavy timber, and in sub- sequent years he cleared off the heavy woods, brought many acres under cultivation, and increased his land holdings until he was one of the most substantial men in Union Township. The original log house which he put up eighty years ago is still standing on the farm, though no longer a place of human habitation. He and his wife both died on the old homestead. In politics he was a whig for many years, and when that. party organization was dissolved became a republican.
John P. Shafer, who was the fifth in a family of eight children,
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grew up in White County, and his education came entirely from the country schools of his generation. He was just coming into manhood when the war broke out, and in 1862 he enlisted in the Twelfth Indiana Infantry and remained until getting his honorable discharge in 1865. On account of illness he was disabled for service a large part of the time, and consequently did not participate in all the battles and campaigns which are part of the record of his regiment. However, he was present in the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, in 1862, and was in the hard fighting in front of Atlanta on July 26 and 27, 1864.
At the age of twenty-six, not long after the war, Mr. Shafer married Mary E. Wall, daughter of Daniel and Ann T. (Perry) Wall. The Wall family came to White County in the early days. Mrs. Shafer died with- out children. Mr. Shafer married for his present wife Clara J. Simons, daughter of George H. Simons. To that marriage were born two chil- dren : James H., who married Josephine Price, daughter of Frank Price, and they are the parents of four children, John, Frank, Joseph and Mary, all natives of White County; Margaret M., the second child, was born in White County and is unmarried.
Mr. Shafer has a well improved homestead in Union Township, com- prising seventy-nine and a half acres. This is land which he acquired in an unimproved condition, and its present value and improvements are all the result of his own management. He has succeeded as a general farmer and has surrounded his family with all the necessary comforts of life. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and fraternally he is affiliated with the lodge of Masons at Monticello and also with the Eastern Star. In public affairs he has served as super- visor of his township, and is an active republican.
CHARLES LEWIS FOSTER. One of the hard-working newspaper men of White County, Charles L. Foster, is now the editor and general manager of the Democrat-Journal-Observer Company, at Monticello, and has been in the profession actively in White County for more than ten years.
Mr. Foster is a White County citizen by birth, residence and an- cestry, having been born in Jackson Township, near Idaville, June 19, 1879, on the farm where his grandfather, Lewis Foster, settled in 1865, and which his father, Joshua D. Foster, bought from the heirs of the estate in 1870 and resided upon for over thirty years. Joshua D. Foster was a Civil war veteran, having served four years in the Seventy-second Indiana Mounted Infantry, which was part of the famous Wilder Bri- gade. His wife, Alice Moore, was born in Iowa, March 15, 1856; their other son, William, died from tuberculosis in 1907.
Charles Foster
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Mr. Foster secured his education in the common and high schools of Idaville and was a member of the first class to graduate after the high school was founded in that village. His first work was as a teacher, and he spent five years in that occupation. In May, 1904, he bought the Idaville Observer, and was instrumental in founding the Reynolds Journal in 1910. In November, 1912, he bought the Daily Journal at Monticello, and then effected a consolidation of the three papers with the White County Democrat. He became a third owner in the new company, which took the name Democrat-Journal-Observer Company, and in May, 1914, assumed the duties of editor and general manager. Mr. Foster was reared in the faith of the democratic party and has always been loyal to those principles.
On March 18, 1903, at Idaville, he married Pearl Schopf. She was also graduated from the Idaville High School, and they were the first graduates to cement the associations of school life by the ties of matri- mony. They have two children, both born at Idaville: Charles Fred- erick Foster, born February 18, 1906; and William Francis Foster, born May 9, 1908.
IRA JOHNSONBAUGH. Nearly fifty years of residence have given Ira Johnsonbaugh many strong and interesting associations with White County. He came here as a boy, and saw some service in the Union army before he reached his majority. He has performed the average share of the individual in developing the fertile lands of White County, and for many years has been one of the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Jackson Township. His home is on rural route No. 21 out of Idaville.
Born in Wayne County, Indiana, May 28, 1845, Ira Johnsonbaugh is one of the nine children born to Henry and Christina (Condo) Johnson- baugh. His parents were Pennsylvania Dutch people, and in the fall of 1856 moved to White County, Indiana, and located on land in Jackson Township, where they spent the rest of their years. The father in his time cleared up many acres, and provided abundantly for himself and his family through his vocation as a farmer and stockraiser. Both parents are buried in the Shafer Cemetery. Seven of their children are still living. Henry Johnsonbaugh was a democrat in politics and his fellow citizens showed their confidence in his integrity and ability by twice electing him township trustee.
When Ira Johnsonbaugh started to school he attended one of the now obsolete temples of learning which fifty or sixty years ago could be found in almost every school district of the county. It was an old log building, and the instruction he received was confined to the rudiments of reading, writing and arithmetic. His practical training, however, was
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not neglected, and he also started life well grounded in the principles of honesty and industry. At the age of twenty-two he became an inde- pendent farmer, and has made that his vocation ever since. Mr. John- sonbaugh owns a well improved farm of ninety-two acres in section 27 of Jackson Township.
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