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 29
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On February 20, 1882, Mr. Conn was united in marriage with Miss Leota Rotruck, a daughter of John and Christiana Rotruck, and into the household thus established three children have made their advent, namely : Grover, engaged in farming on the old home place; Gertrude, wife of Loyd Thrasher, of Honey Creek Township; and John, living with his parents. Politically, Mr. Conn is a steadfast democrat, and relig- iously both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JAMES H. THOMAS. Widely known as a prosperous agriculturist of Jackson Township, James H. Thomas is numbered among the citizens of good repute and high standing in White County, where the larger part of his life has been passed. He was born, June 26, 1844, in Rock- ingham County, Virginia, near Harrisonburg, of English and German ancestry.
Born, bred and married in Virginia, Alexander Thomas, the father of the subject of this sketch, followed the tide of emigration westward in 1852, coming with his family to Indiana in pioneer days. The first year after his arrival he spent at Buffalo, White County, and the next year resided in Cass County. Returning in 1854 to White County, he bought land in Jackson Township, and was subsequently there engaged in farming and stock raising until his death in October, 1863, while yet in the prime of life. His wife, whose maiden name was Lurenna Eaton, was born in Virginia, and died, September 8, 1897, in Jackson Town- ship, where both she and her husband are buried. Seven children were born of their union, four of whom survive, as follows: Mrs. Emanda Van Voorst ; James H .; Sarah, wife of J. W. Powell; and Jacob W.
A lad of eight years when he came with his parents to White County, James H. Thomas acquired his education in the rural schools, and on
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the home farm was trained to those habits of industry and economy that laid the foundation for his present success. At the age of nineteen years he enlisted in Company F, 128th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was first commanded by Col. R. P. Dehart, who was succeeded by Jasper Packard. Mustered into service at Michigan City, he continued with his regiment through the Nashville, Georgia and North Carolina campaigns, and though he took part in many engagements was never wounded. Remaining in North Carolina for a year after the close of the war, he was honorably discharged from the army at Indianapolis in 1866. Returning to Jackson Township, Mr. Thomas resumed his agri- cultural labors, and subsequently bought his present farm of 160 acres, lying in Section 4. A skilful and practical farmer, systematical and thorough in his methods, he has made all of the improvements on the place, and, with the exception of twelve or fifteen acres of timber, has all of the land under cultivation.
Mr. Thomas married March 21, 1867, Melissa J. Wright, a daughter of Stephen P. and Elizabeth (Billingsley) Wright. Of the seven chil- dren born of their marriage, one is dead, and six are living, namely : George A., Dora E., wife of E. C. Barnes; William O .; Sarah A., wife of J. S. Berry ; Everett A .; and Flora. Politically Mr. Thomas is identi- fied with the republican party, but has never sought public office. Re- ligiously Mrs. Thomas is a member of the Christian Church.
ROBERT E. DUNCAN. One of the foremost insurance men of White County, Robert E. Duncan, of Monticello, is a man of solid worth, pos- sessing in a high degree those traits that command respect in the busi- ness world, and gain esteem among one's neighbors and associates. A son of William Duncan, he was born October 17, 1862, in Monon Town- ship, White County, where his early life was spent.
Born and reared in Virginia, William Duncan came with his parents to White County when but nine years old, this section of the state be- ing then comparatively new, although the settlements were growing rap- idly. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted in Company -, Forty-Sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and until the close of the war did brave duty for his country. Receiving his honorable discharge from the service, he returned to Monon Township, and there for upwards of thirty years he was engaged in general farming. In the fall of 1888, soon after the death of his first wife, he moved into the Village of Monon, where he lived retired until his death in 1899. He married first, in White County, Weltha Briggs, who was born in New York State, and of the nine children born of their union, seven are now living. He mar-
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ried second, Cordelia Elder, who survives him. He was a staunch Lincoln republican in politics, and a member of the Christian Church.
Obtaining a substantial education in the public schools of his native county, Robert E. Duncan began working for wages when young, and in addition to earning his own living, contributed somewhat toward the support of his invalid mother and the family. He moved to Monticello on March 7, 1901. Since establishing himself in the insurance business, Mr. Duncan has met with rare success as an underwriter, his work along this line being very extensive, taking him all over Northwestern Indiana.
Mr. Duncan married, March 26, 1890, Miss Eva R. McCampbell, daughter of David T. and Elizabeth (McCullough) McCampbell, who are of Scotch ancestry. Politically, Mr. Duncan is a straightforward republican ; fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an elder in the church.
THOMAS S. BOSTICK. A lifelong resident of Prairie Township, Thomas S. Bostick is now making his home at Brookston, where he is the proprietor of a cabinetmaking shop, and in spite of his sixty-eight years is still actively interested in business matters and in the affairs pertaining to the community in which he has lived so long. He was born on his father's farm in Prairie Township, October 17, 1847, and is a son of Joseph and Hadila (Chestnut) Bostick.
Joseph Bostick was born in Delaware and in young manhood moved westward, locating at Chillicothe, Ohio, where he was married. Subse- quently, in 1830, he came to what was then Tippecanoe County, Indiana, but at the time of the organization of White County, the county line passed through his land. He devoted his entire career to agricultural operations, and through industry and perseverance became the owner of valuable property. Of the nine children of his parents, Thomas S. was the youngest, and is now the only one living. He received his education in the district schools of Prairie Township and was only sixteen years of age when he enlisted for service in the Union army during the Civil war, becoming a bugler in Company K, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry. After a little more than two years of service, he received his honorable dis- charge, October 12, 1865, having passed through his military career with an excellent record, and escaping wounds or capture. Returning to the farm, he assisted his father for several years and then turned his atten- tion to the trade of harnessmaking, at which he served some years. When he gave up this vocation he took up cabinetmaking, and this vocation has been the one in which he has centered his activities during the greater part of his life. He still enjoys a good trade at Brookston and has built
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up and maintained a reputation for skilled workmanship and fidelity to engagements.
Mr. Bostick married Miss Ella L. Cress, a daughter of James C. and Clarinda Cress, of Prairie Township. They have no children. Mr. Bos- tick is a republican in his political views, but is not a politician nor an office seeker. He and Mrs. Bostick belong to the Universalist Church. He has always maintained his interest in his comrades of the days of the '60s, and is a popular member of Champion Hills Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Brookston, while his fraternal connections include membership in Brookston Lodge No. 66, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master; and Grand Prairie Chapter No. 171, Order of the Eastern Star.
AUGUSTUS U. Lux. There are few residents of Princeton Township whose prosperity is marked by more definite and convincing terms than that of Augustus U. Lux. At the outset of his career Mr. Lux had none of those resources such as capital and influential friends, and was com- pelled to rely entirely upon what he had within himself-character, honesty, industry, and a judgment which was soon developed by experi- ence. In early life he had vicissitudes and crosses, but now for thirty years or more has been traveling the center of the road to prosperity, and without any conspicuous deviation therefrom.
His family is one of the oldest represented in Northwest Indiana. His parents were Peter and Christina (Fox) Lux. Peter Lux was born January 11, 1809, in the Province of Lorain, which only a few years before had been transferred from German sovereignty to the French Empire by the great Napoleon. However, Peter Lux was of Teuton family and grew up with an education in both the French and German languages. Very early in his career he emigrated to America and in 1830 located at Logansport, Indiana, becoming one of. the earliest set- tlers along the Wabash in Cass County. He was married after coming to Logansport. By trade he was a blacksmith, but for many years fol- lowed farming. A few years after his location in Cass County he was detailed to take charge of a party of Indians when the red men were being removed from the country around Peru and Logansport to their homes west of the Mississippi. In this work he was under the command of General Tipton and Doctor Fitch and made three separate trips with his charges. Later he saw active service in the war against Mexico in 1846-48, serving with the cavalry. He was a man of no little promi- nence in Cass County during the early days, and for eight years served as deputy sheriff. In politics he was a democrat. In 1862 Peter Lux moved out to Piatt County, Illinois, locating on a farm near Bement.
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While in Illinois he served as a constable and justice of the peace. He was a Catholic by training and by faith until a few years before his death, when he joined a Protestant Church. He died in Illinois and was buried in Bement Cemetery, in Piatt County, passing away May 14, 1902, at the age of ninety-three years, four months, three days. He and his wife became the parents of thirteen children. Those now living are named Peter, Henry F., Martin E., Mrs. Louisa Bogue, Augustus U., Harvey A., Mrs. Katie Bauman. Those deceased are Mary, John, Jacob, Mrs. Susan Myers, Charles and Nicholas.
It was in the city of Logansport, Indiana, that Augustus U. Lux was born, March 27, 1861. In infancy his father removed to Illinois and he grew to manhood in Piatt County. At the age of twenty-two he returned to Logansport to enter the employ of his brother, John, in the wholesale and retail grocery business. He was with his brother four years, fifteen days. He then married Alice Sidenbender, a daughter of George and Mary (Hoover) Sidenbender of Carroll County, Indiana. After his marriage he removed to Piatt County, Illinois, took up farming on the old homestead, but within a year his wife died and after this loss he became dissatisfied with farming and returned to Logansport. Here he was once more in the employ of his brother four months, and from there moved to Seafield in White County and bought the only store of that village from John G. Kerlin. This was in 1886, and after conducting the store nineteen months he sold out to G. L. Schlademan, and returned to Logansport. For eight years Mr. Lux was a traveling salesman, at first for his brother and later for the firm of Marion Collins Company of Chicago.
At Seafield, in White County, December 1, 1887, Mr. Lux married Miss Anna Hinchman, daughter of William Hinchman, one of the promi- nent pioneers of Princeton Township. To this marriage were born five children. The sons, Verdent and Fred, are associated together in the grocery and fire insurance business at Wolcott, and Verdent married Mabel Watson, while Fred's wife was Estella Keck, and they have a child named Jean. The other three children are Ola, Floyd B. and Helen, all living at home. Ola received her diploma from the public schools, also graduated from the Wolcott High School, and is now a member of the class of 1916 in the Woman's College, at Jacksonville, Illinois. She is a member of the Baptist Church, as are also all the children. Floyd B. received his diploma from the public schools, and has eight honor rolls for promptness, never having been tardy, and is now in the first year of the Wolcott High School. Helen is a member of the seventh grade of the common schools.
Since 1888 Mr. Lux and family have resided in Wolcott, with the
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exception of one year spent at Royal Center, Indiana. During all this time lie has been esteemed for his substantial civic qualities as well as his business enterprise. As a democrat he has served three terms as justice of the peace, and for a number of years has been a trustee of the Baptist Church, to which both he and his wife belong. He is affili- ated with Wolcott Lodge No. 180, F. & A. M., of which he is past master, and with the royal arch chapter at Monticello. He and his wife are members of Wolcott Chapter No. 171 of the Order of Eastern Star, in which Mrs. Lux served as worthy matron two years.
On giving up his business as a traveling man Mr. Lux entered the road contracting business, with headquarters at Wolcott. That was his . chief work from about 1898 to 1906, and in that time he was associated with Robert F. Dobbins and George M. Cheney in the construction of the Charles E. Thrasher macadam road, a system aggregating in length 24 miles, 311 feet, all in Princeton Township. Mr. Lux had the active charge and the entire superintendence of this important piece of road building, which required 433 days to complete. Following this he was engaged in the building of concrete arches and bridges in Sullivan and Greene coun- ties, Indiana, and fulfilled several large contracts there. Mr. Lux was in the grocery business at Wolcott up to two years ago, at which time he retired from merchandising, and has since devoted his time to the handling of real estate and loans and the active supervision of his ex- tensive farms. His holdings in White County comprise 140 acres, be- sides 192 acres in Cass County, while in Central Missouri he has 440 acres and 160 acres in Kearney County, Kansas. Thus, at the middle stage of life, Mr. Lux finds himself situated high above the line of want, and with promise of many years of usefulness before him.
WILLIAM H. WATSON. There are many ties that connect the Wat- sons with White County. They settled here nearly half a century ago, and in the years which have elapsed the different members have borne an important share in development and progress, particularly in West Point Township and in the Wolcott community. One of the well-known citizens of Wolcott is William H. Watson, of this family, who for many years has been identified with stock shipping and other affairs at that village, and is well known to the public life of the entire county. A splendid type of fine old pioneer citizen was the late John Watson, his father. Hundreds of people in White County mourned the loss of this old gentleman, who died in the fullness of years and accomplishment at his home in Wolcott, November 20, 1914, aged eighty-seven years, seven months and three days. John Watson was born in Yorkshire, England, April 17, 1827, a son of John and Mary (Atkinson) Wat-
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son. In 1847, with his parents, four brothers and three sisters, he came to America and the family located in Licking County, Ohio. In that county he came to his majority and was married there August 31, 1850, to Margaret Downing. For a number of years they were among the oldest married couples of White County. Their companionship remained unbroken for more than fifty-seven years, when Mrs. Watson was called away by death on December 4, 1907. She was born February 23, 1835, in Sheffield, England, and was brought to the United States by her par- ents in 1843, when she was eight years of age. Both she and her hus- band were laid to rest in the Meadow Lake Cemetery. In 1866, after a number of children had been born into their home, John Watson and wife moved from Licking County, Ohio, to White County, Indiana, locating near what is known as Meadow Lake, in West Point Township. Though he came to the county a poor man, by years of patient industry and intelligent management, he not only provided for the rearing of thirteen children until they were all married, but acquired the owner- ship of a section of land. In the fall of 1896, after his children had all gone into homes of their own, he and his faithful wife removed to Wol- cott, and in that village they spent their declining years surrounded with comforts and with the esteem of their own children and their hosts of friends. In the early days the Watson home was noted for its hos- pitality, while John Watson and wife were always instant and untiring in responding to those calls for charity which were so common when this country was new. John Watson had no political ambition to serve, was quiet and undemonstrative in demeanor, and always lived at peace with his neighbors. In politics he was a republican, and about fifteen years before his death united with the Presbyterian Church at Meadow Lake. He was an honest, upright citizen, and one whose integrity was never questioned. Mr. and Mrs. John Watson became the parents of fourteen children, seven of whom were born in Ohio and seven in White County, and twelve survived their father, in addition to twenty-nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. A brief record of the children is as follows: William H .; John F., who lives at Corsicana, Texas; Margaret A., who died , in November, 1899, as Mrs. William Mantle; Thomas B., who died in infancy; Harvey T., who lives in Wol- cott and married Eliza Magruder; Mary E., now Mrs. Joseph Blake of Lafayette; Sarah A., Mrs. James Sheetz, of Lafayette; Martha J., wife of James Magruder of West Point Township; Charles E., who lives at West Point Township and married Emma Cowgill; Charlotte Belle, wife of Thomas Dickinson of Rushville; Joseph B., of Delphi; Eliza, Mrs. A. A. Hauk of Bluffton; James, who lives in West Point Township
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and married Lillie Sullivan; and George, also a resident of West Point, who married Lydia Wood.
William H. Watson of Wolcott was born in Licking County, Ohio, September 18, 1851, and was about fifteen years of age when he accom- panied his parents to White County. His early schooling was acquired in Ohio, and he also attended school in White County while growing to manhood on the old farm in West Point Township. He adopted the ca- reer of farmer and made that his chief business up to 1894, in which year he moved to Wolcott, and has since divided his time between farm management and the shipping of live stock. He is one of the prosperous citizens in that section of White County ; owns a fine place of 160 acres in addition to his interest in his father's estate, which has not yet been settled, and owns some town property in Wolcott. On December 16, 1874, Mr. Watson married Sarah Blake, a daughter of James Blake of White County. To this marriage were born four children: one that died in infancy ; Ella, wife of Walter Baker, living in the State of Ore- gon ; Mabel, wife of Verdent Lux, of Wolcott; and Martha, now deceased. On May 19, 1900, Mr. Watson married Lucy (Compton) Currie, a daugh- ter of A. J. and Rachel M. Compton of Brookston.
Mr. Watson has always actively supported all local improvements, and as a citizen has won deserved respect in White County. In politics he is a republican, has served two years as a member and president of the town board of Wolcott, and for four years was president of the city school board. He was twice an unsuccessful candidate for county com- missioner, and in 1914 was defeated in his candidacy for county treas- urer. Though he has consented, at the urging of his friends, to become a candidate for different offices, he is not a politician, and should be classed as a hard-working, public-spirited and intelligent citizen who is willing to sacrifice his own interests occasionally in order to serve the public.
JAMES BLAKE. A well-to-do agriculturist of White County, James Blake, is prosperously engaged in his independent vocation in West Point Township, where his well-improved farm is under excellent culti- vation, and, with its comfortable buildings and ample equipments, indi- cates to the passer-by to what good purpose the proprietor has devoted his time and means. He was born December 11, 1843, in Shropshire, England, which was his childhood home.
James Blake, Sr., Mr. Blake's father, was born and reared in Flint- shire, and there married Martha Shone. On March 1, 1850, having decided to emigrate to America, he sailed from Liverpool with his fam- ily on board the Ocean Star, but the vessel sprang leak and put back
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to port. He and his family then embarked on another sailing vessel, the Mary Ward, and after an ocean voyage of six weeks landed at New Or- leans. He then went up the Mississippi River to Galena, Illinois, from there going to Joliet, in June, 1850. In October, 1850, he moved to Kan- kakee County, Illinois, where he bought a small tract of land and engaged in farming. In 1867, accompanied by his son, James, the subject of this sketch, he made a trip to White County, Indiana, and being pleased with the country roundabout, bought 160 acres of land in West Point Town- ship. The following spring he assumed possession of the land, and on the farm which he improved both he and his wife spent their last years, his death occurring April 15, 1883, at the age of seventy-five years, the year of his birth having been 1808. His wife, who was born June 11, 1819, survived him, passing away March 27, 1898. He was a republican in politics, and in his early life was connected by membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, but later he became identified with the Presbyterian Church. Of the seven children born to him and his wife, three are living, as follows: James, the subject of this brief biographical sketch ; Joseph, and John.
After attending school in his native land for a year, James Blake came with his parents to the United States, and as a boy attended the Illinois schools. While living on the home farm, he acquired a good knowledge of agriculture, and at the age of eighteen years began work- ing as farm laborer. Starting farming on his own account in 1864, Mr. Blake met with most satisfactory results in his agricultural labors, and has since accumulated a fine property, his land holdings at different times aggregating 560 acres. He now owns, in West Point Township, 160 acres of rich and productive land, from which he reaps abundant harvests each year.
Mr. Blake has been twice married. He married first, December 6, 1865, Elizabeth Ann Grimes, a daughter of Charles O. Grimes. She was born December 31, 1846, and at her death, June 19, 1889, left three children, Alden D., of Detroit; Ada May, who wedded Charles Martin, a grain merchant of Wolcott, Indiana, and have two children, Helen Elizabeth and Charles T .; and Ida Elizabeth, who wedded Doctor Joy, of Royal Center, Indiana. Mr. Blake married second, November 18, 1891, Julia Chapman, who brought up her step-children wisely and well, and, like the children's own mother, has proved herself a worthy companion, and an efficient helpmeet.
In politics Mr. Blake is a republican, with progressive, but not aggres- sive, tendencies. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Chris- tian Church at Wolcott. He is interested in financial matters, having
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been one of the organizers of the Citizens State Bank, of which he was the first president, and is now serving as vice president.
JACOB DIEMER. After a man has perseveringly and industriously pursued his chosen vocation in life for forty or fifty years, it is eminently fit and proper that he should find some relief from the exacting respon- sibilities of earlier years, and should have the opportunity if not the inclination to enjoy a well-earned rest. That is the condition to which Jacob Diemer has arrived, and for the past ten years he has contented himself with merely the nominal classification as a farmer, and while still a resident of his fine farm of 215 acres in Section 28 of Princeton Township, has allowed its operation to be directed by a tenant through the last decade. His farm is the old Dibell place, and is one of the at- tractive and highly-improved farms of White County.
The birthplace and early home of Jacob Diemer were in Southern Germany, where he was born May 20, 1848, a son of John Peter and Elizabeth (Buam) Diemer. His parents died in the old country and left five children. Jacob Diemer grew up there, was given a fair edu- cation, and an earnest purpose to make something of himself and to secure the broadest possible opportunities led him, at the age of nineteen, in 1867, to set out for America. After landing in New York he came on west as far as far as Peoria, Illinois, and lived there for about eleven years. After that he moved to Livingston County, Illinois, and in 1894 came to White County, where he invested part of his hard-won capital in his present farm. For twenty-eight years Mr. Diemer worked in- dustriously at the trade of blacksmith and was also an implement dealer, and before coming to White County had been engaged in farming in Livingston County about four years. In the twenty years or more of his White County residence he has carried forward the work of improve- ment on his farm, and has tiled many acres, thus adding a great deal to the value and productiveness of his farm.
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