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 36
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. The late Christian Miller, who lived in White County for many years, but from 1893 was a resident of West Lafayette until his death on August 29, 1913, was born in Wuertemberg, Germany, October 28, 1839, and came to America with his parents at the age of ten years. After a residence in New York and later in Ohio, he came into White County, and for several years found employment among the neighboring farmers as a farm hand. That was his means of subsistence until he was twenty-four, and his success is entirely attributable to his own char- acter and industry. At the time of his death he owned about 600 acres
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of land, and the farm estate is still kept intact, not having been divided among the heirs. Christian Miller was married April 1, 1863, to Cath- erine Fulton, who died six years before her husband. To their mar- riage were born nine children, and of these the only two now living in White County are Albert and Lewis. In order of age these children are: Charles, of West Lafayette; Mrs. Emma Dickson, of Mechanics- burg, Ohio; Frank J., of Lafayette; Miss Florence, of West Lafayette; Mrs. Elizabeth Fauber, of Delphi; Albert J., of Wolcott, who married Lelia Arihood and has a daughter named Mabel; Lewis M .; Mrs. Martha Reed, who lives in Saskatchewan, Canada; and Miss Clara L., of West Lafayette.
The late Christian Miller had many qualities which made him greatly admired by his large circle of acquaintances and in his own family. Hle was a man of deep religious convictions, was a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Lafayette, but in his later years regularly at- tended the West Lafayette Methodist Church. Politically he supported the republican party all his active career and favored every local im- provement, and his own example and his influence helped to forward the cause of good roads and the building of ditches. During his resi- dence in White County he helped organize the Meadow Lake Presby- terian Church and was one of its elders for a number of years.
Lewis M. Miller was born May 21, 1879, on the old farm in section 30, range 6 west, of West Point Township. This has been his home ever since with the exception of five years spent in Lafayette. His education was acquired from the common schools and from a business college and he is numbered among the successful and progressive farmers of West Point Township. He lives on the undivided estate of his father, his land being in section 26, range 5, and his home 61/4 miles south of Wol- cott. Just recently Mr. Miller has secured a petition for a new gravel road through his farm on the east and to be known as the Miller Road, and he has frequently exerted his energies to secure that class of im- provement in his township.
On December 17, 1907, Mr. Miller married Miss Bertha E. Wilson, a daughter of Martha G. Wilson, whose name is well known in White County and a sketch of whom will be found on other pages. Mr. Miller is a republican, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
ANDREW HUMPHREYS. Prominent among the men whose ability, business judgment, agricultural foresight and steady industry have contributed to the wealth, character and good government of White County, one who is widely and favorably known is Andrew Humphreys,
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who has been living on his present farm in West Point Township for twenty-six years. Mr. Humphreys was born August 21, 1857, in Mont- gomeryshire, Wales, a son of John and Mary (Humphreys) Humphreys.
John Humphreys was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, where he grew to manhood and learned the trade of blacksmith. He was married there to a very distant relative, Mary Humphreys, and after the birth of their children they came to the United States, in 1881. They came direct to Wolcott, Indiana, and after staying a short time at Pugh's Southwest, moved to Parmlee's Meadow Lake Farm, in West Point Township, and there Mr. Humphreys continued operations until his death, August 10, 1903, at the age of seventy-five years, ten months, twenty-seven days. After coming to the United States he did not follow his trade to any extent, confining himself instead to his agricultural work, and when he died was the owner of a well-cultivated property of eighty acres. He and Mrs. Humphreys were members of the Meadow Lake Presbyterian Church, and were buried at Meadow Lake Cemetery. They were the parents of three children: Mary, who is the wife of R. C. Pugh, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Andrew; and Thomas, who married Mary Shine and has his residence in Chicago.
Andrew Humphreys, following in the footsteps of many of the male members of his family, learned the trade of blacksmith in his youth and received his education in the public schools of his native land. He came to the United States with his parents in 1881, and spent the next five years in getting himself established and in preparing a home for his wife. In 1886 he returned to Wales, where he was married in 1887 to Margaret Jones, a daughter of Maurice and Margaret Jones, whose family have been living on Tynrwtra Farm in Montgomeryshire, Wales, for over 100 years. Almost immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Humphries came to the United States and located in West Point Township, White County, Indiana, where Mr. Humphries was employed as foreman by R. S. Streeter, who had bought from Mr. Parmalee the Meadow Lake Farm in West Point Township. There Mr. Humphreys continued to live for two years when, feeling he was ready to embark upon operations of his own, in 1889 he located on his present property, on section 7, range 5, west, West Point Township, which has continued to be his home. He now has about 280 acres of land, all under cultiva- tion and all very productive. His improvements are of the finest character and his buildings substantial and attractive. As an agricul- turist he follows the latest approved methods and his ability, knowledge and good judgment enable him to gain full returns for the labor he expends upon his land. He is also the owner of stock in the Farmers' Co-Operative Elevator at Wolcott. A democrat in his political views,
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Mr. Humphreys takes an active interest in civic and political affairs, and has at various times been called upon to act in public positions of trust in which he has displayed executive ability of a high order and a conscientious endeavor to contribute to the welfare of his community. He has been for eight years a member of the West Point Township advisory board and for two years township assessor, and in the fall of 1914 was chosen a member of the township board of trustees. He and Mrs. Humphreys are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is serving as elder.
Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys : Margaret B., who married Chester Watson, of West Point Township, and has four children, Ada M., Alta M., Harvey B. and Margaret A .; John M., who married Bessie M. Darrow and lives in Princeton Town- ship, this county ; and Thomas J., Mary E., Richard E., Maurice J. and Albert E., who reside at home with their parents.
JAMES M. MCCLURE. As a representative of the agricultural interests of White County, James M. McClure has established a creditable record for industry, perseverance and integrity. He has spent most of his active life in this county, and he and his wife, who was a daughter of the late James S. Van Voorst, now have one of the attractive farm homes of West Point Township, situated on Rural Route No. 12 out of Chalmers.
Born September 29, 1867, near Logan, Dearborn County, Indiana, James M. McClure is a son of James and Mary E. (Boatman) McClure. Grandfather McClure came from Ireland. Mr. McClure was born on a farm, but at the age of seven years was taken to Logan, and at eighteen came to Benton County, Indiana, and after five or six years there moved to White County and for several years was in the employ of Jacob W. Roll.
On October 28, 1902, Mr. McClure married Miss Laura D. Van Voorst, a daughter of James S. and Mary A. Van Voorst, whose lives are traced on other pages. Mr. McClure is a stanch republican, one of the leaders of his party in West Point Township, served one term as township supervisor, and in the fall of 1914 was elected township assessor overcoming the combination of the democrats and bull moosers against him. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America at Chalmers, and he and his wife are members of the Spring- dale Baptist Church.
JAMES S. VAN VOORST. Among the old and honored families of White County none is held in higher esteem than that bearing the name
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Van Voorst, which was first established here nearly seventy years ago. There is still an extensive relationship of the name in different parts of the county, several of the family being closely identified with the State Bank of Chalmers, the president of which is Charles Van Voorst. Particular attention is given in this sketch to the career of the late James S. Van Voorst, who was for a period of half a century one of the county's leading citizens.
James S. Van Voorst was born in Marion County, Ohio, September 7, 1836, and died at the home of his daughter Mrs. James Morton Mc- Clure at Chalmers, January 16, 1914, aged seventy-seven years four months nine days. His parents were Sylvanus and Elizabeth (Kerr) Van Voorst. The paternal grandfather was John Van Voorst, a native of Pennsylvania but of Irish stock. The maternal grandfather was James Kerr, who was of Scotch ancestry and was born on the ocean while his parents were coming to America. Sylvanus Van Voorst was a native of Ohio and lived there until 1846, when he came to White County and settled seven miles southeast of Wolcott. In his time he was an extensive stock raiser, and a very capable business man. He served one year in the Civil war as wagon master, and died in 1875 at the age of sixty-five. He was married three times. By his marriage to Elizabeth Kerr his children were: James S., John, Abraham, and Elizabeth, all now deceased. The two children of the second marriage were Robert, now living in Kansas City, and Mrs. Catherine Bennett, a resident of Indianapolis. The only child of the third wife is Albert, now living in Columbia City, Indiana.
During the childhood of James S. Van Voorst his parents moved to Knox County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In the year 1864 he came to White County, settling on a farm near West Point, and con- tinued to live there forty-six years. Three years before his death he retired from active life and moved to Chalmers to live with his daughter, Mrs. McClure.
On February 4, 1858, he stood at the marriage altar and plighted his love to Miss Mary Aditha DeBolt, who was a wife and mother with all these sacred words imply. Together they toiled, enduring with great courage and perseverance the trials and sacrifices incident to the development of their new home. Their union was blessed with the birth of thirteen children, five of whom died in infancy. The eight now living are: Catherine Ella, wife of Joseph Craft, living in West Point Town- ship; Clara, wife of D. C. Jackson, living near Lafayette; William, whose home is east of Chalmers; Charles mentioned elsewhere in this publication ; John L., who lives near Larwell, Indiana; Frank, a resident of Dickinson County, Kansas; Mary, wife of Noah Davis of Carroll
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,
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County ; and Laura, wife of James M. McClure, their home being on the old Van Voorst farm in West Point Township. Mr. Van Voorst was survived not only by their eight children but also by twenty-two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren. He was also survived by four brothers and two sisters: C. B. Ewart, Oliver C. Ewart, John R. Van Voorst, Albert Van Voorst, Mary E. Ewart and Mrs. Alphonso Bennett.
An appreciation of Mr. Van Voorst in his religious and social rela- tions was written by Rev. J. G. Tedford of Logansport, from which the following quotations are taken: "He was a man of great energy and was a most highly respected citizen, ever standing for the principles of truth and right. He took great delight in seeing his children live true and clean lives. Thus they lived happily until October 4, 1904, when an irreparable loss swept across the threshold of their happy home, and his beloved companion and the devoted mother was called to her reward. The great loss to him and loved ones was never overcome. Mr. Van Voorst was a constituent member of the Pine Grove Baptist Church, ever ready to help bear its burdens and sacrifice for its interests. Following this he united with the West Point church nearer his home, where he manifested the same interest. When the two churches were merged together and formed the Springdale Baptist Church he identified himself with the same and took an active and leading part in building the new church and greatly rejoiced in its final completion and dedica- tion free from debt. He continued his membership with the same until his death. "
In his political associations the late Mr. Van Voorst was one of the most ardent democrats in White County, though he was not a seeker for the honors of office, and consented only to serve as a member of the county council one term. He had no secret order affiliations, and his long and useful life was devoted to his business as a farmer, to his church, to his home and children and grandchildren, and as one of the burden bearers of the community in which he lived.
JOHN R. NELSON. In the prosperous little Village of Wolcott and in the agricultural community of West Point Township one of the chief factors in business enterprise is John R. Nelson, who while essentially a farmer has also identified himself with the business activities of Wolcott and is vice president of the Farmers Cooperative Company which operates the new elevator in that town. Mr. Nelson has spent his life in White County and long years of industry, honorable dealings with his fellow men, and strict observance of the principles of integrity have given him a high esteem in this community.
His father was the late Henry Nelson, one of the best known citizens
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of White County, who for a great many years had been engaged in farming near the Meadow Lake Church in West Point Township. Henry Nelson, a son of Robert and Hester (Atkinson) Nelson, was born May 19, 1842, at Beverley, Yorkshire, England. While growing up there he received a limited education in a boys' school, but at the age of seven- teen, in 1859, accompanied the family on its removal to America. The Nelsons located at Luray in Licking County, Ohio, where he became associated with his father and older brother Peter in the building of wagons, buggies and the operation of a general repair shop.
On March 23, 1865, Henry Nelson married Miss Almeda Goss, who was born in Hardin County, Ohio, a daughter of John Goss. To their marriage were born nine children, seven sons and two daughters, one son and one daughter dying in infancy. The oldest is Peter William, who is now station agent at Brookston; John Robert is the second in age; Henry Harvey lives at Rose Lawn, Indiana; Charles Frank lives at Chalmers; Fred Clifton and George Albert both reside at Rose Lawn ; and Grace May died September 16, 1892. In 1878 Henry Nelson brought his family to West Point Township in White County and he lived there for thirty-one years. Early in 1909 he sold his farming implements and stock and moved with his wife and two sons on the 15th of February to Rose Lawn where he had purchased a little home and was planning to enjoy a season of rest. There after a brief illness he died March 21, 1909, aged sixty-six years ten months and two days. He was survived by his widow and the six sons already mentioned. Henry Nelson was a man of many excellent traits of character. In politics he voted the democratic ticket without making any effort to advance himself in political favor. He was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Hebron, Ohio. He was a faithful and devoted husband, a kind father, and a man who strove to realize the ideals associated with truth, justice and honor. It is a pleasant task to be able to record that these fundamental qualities of character have been reproduced and find expression in the lives of his children.
John Robert Nelson, whose activities have brought him in such close touch with the agricultural and business interests of his home township, was born June 23, 1868, near Newark, Ohio, and was about ten years of age when the family came to White County. Studious in his boy- hood, he gained an adequate education and is remembered by many people for his successful work as a teacher. He taught eleven terms in his home township. The record of this service includes one term at the Snyder School, one at the Walker, one at Salem in Benton County, two at Brownedge, two at West Point, two at Wynekoop, and for three years he was in the primary department of the Meadow Lake School.
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Since then his career has been almost entirely taken up with his farming interests.
On January 31, 1891, Mr. Nelson married Miss Margaret A. Jones, daughter of J. C. and Ellen (Pugh) Jones, who are mentioned on other pages. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have three children: Albert H., Eleanor M. and Mary A. The oldest, Albert, is making his mark in the educa- tional world. He was graduated A. B. from Wabash College at Craw- fordsville in 1913, and in the following year received his degree Master of Arts from the same institution. At this writing he is assistant instructor in the English department of the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College at Stillwater, Oklahoma.
An active democrat, Mr. Nelson has given some capable public service to his home township. He served three years as township assessor, finishing out the unexpired term of Stephen Plummer, and for four years had the responsibilities of the local schools in the office of town- ship trustee. He and his wife are members of the Meadow Lake Presby- terian Church. Their home is on the old Backus farm, where Mr. Nelson superintends the cultivation of 265 acres of land.
SIDNEY L. CHAFFEE. The tendency of young men of scientific and liberal education and of exact and practical business training to embark in agriculture is one of the wholesome signs of the times. It means not only that the true dignity of the calling is now being better appreciated, but also that the introduction of such a vigorous and high minded class of young men to the profession will result in greatly increased standards of farm life and management, so that in a generation or two the old fashioned type of farmer, who has been the subject of so much ridicule, will become obsolete if not entirely extinct.
No better illustration of the scientific modern farmer who, contrary to a somewhat persistent opinion, does not find college degrees a handicap in his profession, is Sidney L. Chaffee, one of the owners and the active manager of the Cloverdale Stock Farm, situated five miles west of Chalmers in West Point Township. This place is perhaps more famil- iarly known as the Chaffee Farm, and comprises fully 960 acres. The land has been in the ownership of the Chaffee family for fully half a century. Sidney L. Chaffee is now a third owner and has the entire management of the farm. His grandfather Sidney L. Chaffee bought land in White County about 1865 to the extent of some 2,200 or 2,300 acres. From him its ownership descended to Charles B. Chaffee, father of Sidney L., and thence to the present heirs. For many years the land was only nominally productive and valuable, but more recently, especially
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since Sidney L. Chaffee has taken possession, has been converted into one of the finest stock farms in Northwestern Indiana.
Sidney L. Chaffee was born at Tippecanoe City, Ohio, February 27, 1882, a son of Charles B. and Alma A. (Freet) Chaffee, both of whom were natives of Ohio and of English descent. Mr. Chaffee was liberally educated, attending the high school at Cleveland, was graduated Ph. B. from Western Reserve University with the Class of 1904, and in 1907 received his Bachelor of Science degree from the Case School of Applied Science at Cleveland. Then for two years he was an instructor in the civil engineering department at Cornell University, and from that institution received his degree of Civil Engineer in 1909. For the following two years he was in Chicago connected with the bridge depart- ment of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway, but in June, 1911, came to White County to assume the management of the Cloverdale Stock Farm.
On June 27, 1911, Mr. Chaffee married Miss Nannie Nutting, daugh- ter of Rev. John D. Nutting of Cleveland, Ohio. Of their three children one died in infancy and the other two are named Sidney Bernard and Charles Carroll Nutting. Mr. Chaffee usually votes for the best man, and he and his wife are members of the Springdale Baptist Church.
WILLIAM HENRY GRAY. The life of the late William Henry Gray, which came to a close at his home in Honey Creek Township, February 9, 1913, was of more than ordinary length in point of years, and in point of achievements was broad and beneficent measured by any standard used in estimating the worth of the individual in human affairs.
William Henry Gray was born in Marshall County, Illinois, in February, 1836, and had reached the age of seventy-seven. He was one of seven children born to John and Mary (Deever) Gray, all of whom are now deceased. His father, after the death of his first wife, was married at Bedford, and this second wife and three children are buried in that community.
William H. Gray had his early education in Marshall County, where he grew up to manhood. When he was twelve years of age he lost his father, and from that time forward was largely dependent upon him- self. He was self-educated and self-made, but the endowment of a good intellect and an energetic disposition enabled him to accomplish more than most of his contemporaries. He was a farmer, and was peculiarly successful as a stock raiser, and in his lifetime handled many thousands of hogs and cattle. At his death his estate was represented by about 900 acres located partly in Illinois and partly in Indiana. In 1906 he
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had removed to White County, Indiana, and bought half a section of land in Honey Creek Township, where Mrs. Gray, his widow, now lives.
The late Mr. Gray outside of business was noted for one enthusiasm, his religion and church work. At his death he left property for the benefit of several different churches. He was a teacher in the Sunday School and his own life was an exemplar of practical christianity. He belonged to no secret orders, and in politics was a stanch republican of the old school.
Mr. Gray was twice married. His first wife was Augusta Kircher. On May 16, 1900, he married Julia R. Rogers, who survived him and has her home in White County. Her parents were 'Samuel and Sarah (Miller) Rogers, Ohio people. By his first marriage Mr. Gray had one son, John, who died at Bloomington, Illinois, leaving a son Allen Gray.
JOHN T. RADER. Noteworthy among the able and successful agricul- turists of White County who, in the pursuit of their chosen occupation acquired a sufficient amount of this world's goods to enable them to spend the later years of their lives retired from active labor was the late John T. Rader, of Wolcott. He was born, October 27, 1840, in Henry County, Indiana, of pioneer ancestry.
His father, Peter S. Rader, a native of Tennessee, was a brick mason by trade, and to some extent was engaged in farming. He married, in Tennessee, Margaret Lintz, who was born in Germany. Not very long after that event he came with his family northward, locating first in Henry County, Indiana, later going to Rushville, Indiana, where he resided until 1858. Coming in that year to White County, he lived in the vicinity of Palestine a number of years, from there removing to Rushville, Illinois, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days.
Brought up and educated in Rushville, Indiana, John T. Rader served an apprenticeship at the plasterer's trade, which he followed several years, at the same time becoming familiar with the many branches of agriculture while assisting his father on the home farm. Accompany- ing his parents to White County, he subsequently became owner of a farm advantageously located in Princeton Township, near Palestine. During the progress of the Civil war, he offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company G, Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and being mustered in at Kentucky. Continuing with his command until honorably discharged at Indianapolis, in 1865, he took an active part in many engagements along Red River, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg, never, however, being wounded. Returning to White County, Mr. Rader resumed his work as an agriculturist, and
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