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 39
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 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
Perry P. O'Connor was brought up in the atmosphere of a White County farm, securing his education in the district schools of his native locality. He early decided upon a career in agriculture, and at the age of twenty-one years started out for himself. As the years have passed he has kept pace with the advance in agriculture through the various mediums at the disposal of intelligent students of land culture. His 190-acre farm, located in section 30, Round Grove Township, is all tiled and under cultivation, with substantial buildings and the best of improve- ments. In addition to general farming, Mr. O'Connor is interested in the breeding of Short Horn cattle, as well as a general line of hogs, a department in which he has met with success. Politically a democrat in his affiliation, Mr. O'Connor has avoided the thorny and uncertain ways of the office-seeker, but at the same time has not been unmindful of his duty in promoting clean and fair local government, and has served both as assessor and trustee of Round Grove Township. In his public service he has shown the same marked ability that has gained him prosperity and position in private life.
On March 31, 1891, Mr. O'Connor was united in marriage with Miss Nettie Digman, a native daughter of White County, Indiana, born March 22, 1870, to Joseph and Angeline (Williams) Digman. She was one of their five daughters, and four are yet living, namely : Ida, wife of Isaac Childers, a farmer at Hopkins Park, Illinois, and they have six children ; Ella, wife of Cary Henderson, of Hopkins, Minnesota, and they also have six children ; Mrs. O'Connor; and Mary, wife of Jefferson Rardon,
869
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY
of North Dakota, and they have two children. Mr. Digman, the father, was born in Germany and came to the United States when a young man of eighteen years. He made the voyage in a sailing vessel, and three weeks were consumed in crossing the Atlantic. He arrived in this country without means, but diligence and economy won him success, and he became the owner of a good farm of 120 acres in Prairie Town- ship, White County. He affiliated with the democratic party, and was a member of the German Lutheran Church. His death occurred in February, 1888, and he was buried in the Hebron Cemetery. Mrs. Dig- man was born in Ohio, and she died when her daughter, Mrs. O'Connor, was but two years old. The daughter grew to mature years in White County, and she has been an important factor in the success which has attended her husband's efforts. They began their married life poor in purse, but today they have one of the valuable estates of the community, an excellent farm of 190 acres, and they also have a Studebaker touring car. Their children, five sons and one daughter, are as follows: Camillus Paul, Cyril Ignatius, Joseph Patrick, Charles Dennis, Perry Francis and Gertrude Hope. Camillus and Cyril graduated from the common schools and had two years training in the Brookston High School. Joseph received one year's training in the Montmorenci High School after graduating from the common schools, as did also his brothers, Charles and Perry. The daughter is in the sixth grade of the public schools and is also studying music. The family are members of the Catholic Church.
SAMUEL WOOLSTON THOMPSON. One of White County's capable business men, for many years a merchant, and a citizen who was never remiss in his performance of the duties of membership in a social com- munity, was the late Samuel Woolston Thompson, a former resident of Monticello, where his widow, Mrs. Thompson, still resides. Mrs. Thomp- son is also a member of an old and prominent family of this county.
Samuel Woolston Thompson was born July 13, 1849, at Lewistown, Pennsylvania, son of Francis and Hannah (Eisenkise) Thompson. The Thompsons were of Irish stock and the Eisenkises were Germans. Fran- cis Thompson came to the United States from Ireland when he was eighteen years old, locating first at New York and later at Lewistown. Pennsylvania, where he died and where his body is now at rest. He was. captain of one of the old canal boats. After his death his widow came. West and died at Sheldon, Illinois, and was buried at Remington,. Indiana.
Samuel W. Thompson in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, learned the trade- of jeweler after completing his education in the common schools, and that was his regular business throughout his active career with the ex-
870
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY
ception of one year spent in farming. He removed to White County, Indiana, in March, 1871, and in 1895 located in Monticello, which city remained his home until his death on December 6, 1907. Mr. Thompson was a republican in politics and represented his ward for one term in the village council. He was essentially a home man, was successful in his business, and had many friends. He was an ardent fisherman, and in every way was a broad gauged and upright citizen. In Masonry he stood very high, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scot- tish Rite, and being a member of the Consistory at Indianapolis. He was also affiliated with the Mystic Shrine and belonged to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
On December 26, 1872, Mr. Thompson married Sarah Royer, daugh- ter of Samuel and Anna (Shafer) Royer. To this union were born four children : Samuel Woolston; James Alexander; Lillian Royer, wife of Henry O'Connell of Huntington; and Laura May, wife of Harry S. Brewer.
Samuel Royer, the father of Mrs. Thompson, was born at Madison- burg in Center County, Pennsylvania, September 23, 1829, a son of John and Nancy (Shafer) Royer. He came out to White County, Indi- ana, in the fall of 1865 and thereafter for many years was a successful farmer and stock raiser in Jackson Township. His death occurred July 21, 1892. On December 23, 1852, Samuel Royer married Hannah Shafer, and the names of their eight children are given as follows: Jonathan Franklin; Sarah; John S .; Samuel A .; Mary C., who died in November, 1914; Ida Mary, wife of Jacob Fross; Emma P., who died in 1870; and Ellis S.
SAMUEL MAC BURNS. Many of the best honors of pioneer activity belong to the Burns family, which has been identified with White County continuously for over eight decades. S. M. Burns represents the third generation in this county, and has for many years been successfully en- gaged in farming and other enterprises in Big Creek Township.
Samuel Mac Burns was born December 1, 1863, in Big Creek Town- ship, and the fine farm which he now occupies as his residence, 41/2 miles east of Chalmers, was formerly the estate of his father. John Burns, the paternal grandfather, came into White County about 1830 from Pickaway County, Ohio. He brought with him his wife and his six children were all born in White County. It is generally supposed that William Burns, father of S. M. Burns, was the first white male child native of White County. John Burns, the grandfather, settled in the midst of the woods and on the overflowed marshes in Big Creek Town- ship. He had come from Ohio in a wagon drawn by horses, and the
871
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY
wagon contained his wife and household furniture. He landed at what is now known as the B. B. Baker farm, and his worldy possessions were represented by his team and his furniture. Until he could get assistance to build a log cabin he camped out and he and his wife lived in the wagon. A brief experience in the midst of the wilds of White County, with few neighbors, was almost sufficient to discourage the stout- est heart and it is not strange that John Burns repented of his coming and would have returned to Pickaway County except for the fact that he had no money and practically out of necessity was compelled to re- main. He had entered 160 acres of land, and making the best of what he considered a bad bargain he started energetically to work to improve the land and make a home in the wilderness. Prosperity smiled upon his efforts, and his surplus capital was again and again invested in more land until at the end of his life he was the possessor of more than 1,100 acres. A large part of that estate had been brought under cultivation by his own efforts and under his management, and the accounts of early settlement show few men who equalled him in contributing to the sub- stantial development of this county. The greater part of the 160 acres he originally entered was in timber, while the rest of it was exceedingly wet during the greater part of the year. The low portions of the land he drained by open ditches. The old log house was eventually replaced by a substantial frame house, surrounded by barns and those buildings are still in existence. He subsequently built another house and lived there until his death. His wife had passed away several years previously. Her maiden name was Malinda Ferguson, who was probably born in Ohio, where she was married.
William Burns, father of Samuel Mac Burns, was born in White County, April 23, 1831, and spent all his long life in the same com- munity. His death occurred within one mile of his birthplace. He grew up on the old homestead, learned to work as one of his first ex- periences, and had only a meager education from such schools as were conducted when he was a boy. He often recalled the many interesting facts concerning the pioneer experiences of the family. In the early days the grain raised by the hardest kind of labor on the land was taken to market over rough roads to Chicago, and there sold at a price which would buy only the barest necessities of the household, which according to present day standards would not have been sufficient to reward the work necessary to plant, harvest and market the grain. William Burns married Etna M. McIntire, who was born in Champaign County, Ohio, and moving to Indiana first located in Tippecanoe County, and thence came to White County. The parents are both now deceased, their deaths occurring only three days apart, the mother dying March
872
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY
19, 1913, and the father March 21, 1913. They were buried side by side in Riverview Cemetery, where beautiful stones are erected sacred to their memory. Mrs. Burns was born November 19, 1828, and died at the age of eighty-four years four months. She lost her mother when two years of age, and she and her twin brother, Daniel D., then returned to Ohio and lived with their grandparents until she was twenty-one years of age. Her brother subsequently enlisted in the Union army in Captain Bowman's company of an Indiana regiment, and was killed in battle at Richmond, Kentucky. Mrs. Burns finally returned with her brother from Ohio to White County and they lived on the farm of John Burns until her marriage. William Burns died March 27, 1913, at the age of eighty-one years ten months and twenty-nine days. He and his wife were married October 24, 1860. Mary Etta Burns, a sister of S. M. Burns, married W. E. Brown, of Urbana, Ohio, and she is the mother of two daughters, Lucy B. and Christine E.
S. M. Burns grew up in Big Creek Township, attended the local schools there, and has applied himself since coming to manhood to his business as a farmer, with such success as to place him among the suc- cessful men of the county. He married Miss Martha Clagett, daughter of William Clagett, who was from Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Burns be- came the parents of three children: William C., born May 23, 1895; Sarah Etta, born June 7, 1902; and one that died in infancy.
Mr. Burns, as was the case with his father and grandfather, has always been steadily a republican, and his fellow citizens always know that he takes a firm stand for justice and morality, education, and social improvement in his community. He is a member of the Maccabees Order. The homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Burns is called "The Hillside Farm."
JOHN H. SMITH. By reason of the extent and quality of his useful- ness, his commercial soundness and acumen, his public spirit, integrity, and nearness to the fundamental requirements of citizenship, John H. Smith affords an encouraging example of success gained through the proper use of everyday abilities and ordinary opportunities. Of Mr. Smith it may be said that his life-work is a response both to his early teaching and to the needs of his maturer years. He has laboriously climbed the steps of the mercantile and financial ladder, and today, as cashier of the State Bank of Chalmers, is one of his community's sub- stantial men.
Mr. Smith was born in Jasper County, Indiana, October 24, 1869, and is a son of Erastus and Sarah (Layman) Smith. Erastus H. Smith came from the Town of Troy, Ohio, to Jasper County, Indiana, but
-
873
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY
later moved to White County, Indiana, and bought in Round Grove Township a farm of 260 acres, totally unimproved save for a log house. There he did much work in tiling and putting up buildings, and while residing in that community was an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, assisting in putting up the church of that denomina- tion at Pine Grove. Later, Mr. Smith moved to Battle Ground, a small town, and entered the livery business, in which he was engaged until his retirement some fifteen or twenty years later, when he retired and dis- posed of the business. A very active democrat, Mr. Smith served for a number of years on the school board and in other local offices. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. John H. Smith was the sixth of eleven children born to his parents. After the death of the mother the father married again, being united with Mary Tolby, the daughter of John Russell, and the widow of John Tolby, a Methodist Episcopal min- ister. Mrs. Smith became the mother of two sons, who still survive, B. Wilson and Horace Erastus.
After attending the public schools of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, John H. Smith entered upon his career in the capacity of clerk in a general store located at Battle Ground. Later he went in the same line of work to Lafayette and then to Chalmers, where he was married to Millie Minch, the daughter of George and Catherine M. (Luther) Minch. On his arrival in Chalmers, Mr. Smith went to work in the general store of Smith & Fisher, the senior partner being his brother, who, after two years, disposed of his interests to Mr. Fisher. At that time was formed the firm of Smith Brothers, which continued to do business for twelve years, at the end of which time John H. Smith, having decided to enter the banking business, disposed of his interests in the general store to his brother and became cashier of the State Bank of Chalmers, a position which he has retained to the present time. Since he has been connected with the State Bank of Chalmers, Mr. Smith has done much to increase its business, for his well-known integrity is such as to attract depositors and gain their confidence in the institution's stability.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Baptist Church, and is fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias, Castle Hall Lodge, No. 178, and the Modern Woodmen of America, Chalmers Camp, No. 6058, both of Chalmers. A democrat in his political views, he has taken an active interest both in the success of his party and the public affairs of his community, and for six years, from 1909 until 1915, has served Big Creek Township in the capacity of trustee.
JACOB RAUB. More than fifty years have passed since Jacob Raub, president of the Bank of Chalmers, came to White County. He is classed
874
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY
among the honored pioneers who not only have been eye-witnesses of the great advancement and progress of this community, but have taken an active part in the work of development and improvement. Throughout all the long years he has been prominently identified with agricultural, business and financial interests, and although his efforts have brought him excellent success, he continues to be actively engaged, daily dis- charging the duties of the management of his manifold interests. He has seen the growth of Chalmers extend its boundaries over much of his land, and while the work of progress has been carried forward he has lent his aid and influence as opportunity has offered, and in this way has helped to lay broad and deep the prosperity of the community.
Jacob Raub was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 3, 1835, a son of Jacob Raub, who was born in 1796 in Warren County, New Jersey, where is located a farm that has been in the family possession for 135 years and is now occupied by a cousin of Mr. Raub. It was originally settled by his great-grandfather, and there was born Andrew Raub, the grandfather, as well as Jacob Raub, his father. The latter came to In- diana in 1836 and settled near Lafayette, near which city is still a sta- tion known as South Raub, and named in honor of the family. Educated in the public schools and the Quaker College seven miles southwest of Lafayette, Jacob Raub, of this review, early in life entered the grain business with his brothers at South Raub, where the firm was known as A. and E. Raub Brothers. During the time they were engaged in busi- ness, the brothers invested in land, much of which was in White County, which was purchased in 1856, and when the partnership was mutually dissolved, in 1864, Jacob Raub and his brother, John, took this land, while Andrew and Edward Raub, the other brothers, took the firm's grain and land interests in Tippecanoe County. Jacob purchased 160 acres and laid out the town on N. W. 1/4 of section 34, located on the present site of Chalmers, although it was not until several years before that a station was brought to this point on a flat car from Reynolds and set up on stilts. The land owned by the brothers here consisted of 736 acres, all in Big Creek Township, and was then known as the Joseph Carr Farm, and it, like all the surrounding country, was partially im- proved. He paid $15 per acre for the land. Jacob and William W. Raub laid out several additions to the Town of Chalmers, and also engaged in the grain business, in which they continued until about 1891. In 1891 Jacob Raub, recognizing the needs of the community and his own opportunity, established the Bank of Chalmers, at that time a pri- vate institution with a capital of $10,000. This institution has con- tinued on the same location to the present time, Mr. Raub having erected the original building for the purpose. The bank was reorganized as a
875
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY
state institution in 1904, with a capital of $25,000, and Mr. Raub ad- mitted two of his sons to its management : Charles J., cashier ; and Clyde W., assistant cashier. Mr. Raub himself continues in the capacity of president, and through his wise management of its affairs has built up its business to large proportions. Mr. Raub is the father of three other sons : Edward B., county attorney of Marion County, Indiana, and a leading practitioner of Indianapolis, who married Martha D. Draper of that city and has two children, Eleanor and Edward B .; Joseph R., who is secretary of the Indianapolis Life Insurance Company, of Indian- apolis ; and George A., cashier of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Logansport, Indiana.
Jacob Raub was married to Miss Sallie C. Reynolds, a daughter of Benjamin and Lydia J. Reynolds, the former of whom was one of the first settlers of White County and Big Creek Township. There he im- proved one of the first farms to be opened up in the community, and also became an influential man of affairs, being one of the prime movers in securing the railroad for that section. Mr. Raub is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in the faith of which the members of his family have been reared. With his sons he holds membership in Masonic Lodge No. 66, at Brookston; the Knights of Pythias at Chalmers, of which he is a charter member; and in other orders. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. His life has been one of great industry, and although he has reached an age when most men retire from active affairs, he still manages his property, working with the vigor and de- termination of a young man who still has his way to make in the world. His career has been well spent, and the integrity of his dealings and the continuity of his labors furnish an example that is well worthy of emulation by those who would gain a competence and win the respect of their fellow men.
CHARLES VAN VOORST. A career of signal usefulness, characterized by earnest and well-directed effort and crowned by success in several lines of endeavor, has been that of Charles Van Voorst, president of the State Bank of Chalmers, and the owner of large and valuable tracts of land in White County, where for many years he was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. Always enterprising and progressive, Mr. Van Voorst was probably the first man in his community to commence ditching, and this is but an illustration of the manner in which he has assisted his locality to advance, for each of his ventures has in some way promoted the general welfare.
Charles Van Voorst was born in Knox County, Ohio, February 23, 1864, and is a son of James S. and Mary A. (Debolt) Van Voorst, also
876
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY
natives of Knox County. The father, who was for many years a farmer and also engaged in various business and financial ventures, died Janu- ary 16, 1914, at Chalmers, while the mother passed away some years before. There were eight children in the family, Charles being the fourth in order of birth. The boyhood and youth of Charles Van Voorst were not characterized by the usual advantages granted to those of his age, and the greater part of his education has been secured from experience and self-teaching. He was but sixteen years of age when he left the parental roof and began farming as a hand on the properties of the neighboring agriculturists, and from that time to the present has always been self-supporting. When he left his home community he went to Streater, Illinois, near which town he secured employment at a salary of $18 a month. At the end of a year Mr. Van Voorst returned to White County, Indiana, and here made his home with an uncle, Abrams Van Voorst, and while living with this relative secured his only school train- ing, attending for about two terms in all, and sawing wood to pay his board. When he again left White County he struck out for the West, arriving in Indian Territory, where he became a herder of cattle on a large ranch. Six months of this kind of work, however, sufficed and he then again came to White County and invested his small capital in a team and meager equipment and started farming operations on a rented property which belonged to his father. After two years Mr. Van Voorst leased considerable land and for a time continued to "keep bach," but finally decided to establish a home of his own and accomplished this by his marriage to Miss Mary J. Roe, the daughter of John Roe, who lived near Pine Grove. The ceremony, which took place in 1886, was per- formed by J. C. Tedford. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Voorst, all in West Point Township: Goldie, who married Charles F. Minch and has two children, Mary Catherine and Charlean ; and Mabel and Gilbert, who are single and make their home with their parents. The children were all given high school and collegiate edu- cations.
For several years after his marriage Mr. Van Voorst continued to rent land, and during the first months of his married life made his home in a little log cabin consisting of one room. This was connected to a frame house, but a family was already living therein, and Mr. Van Voorst was compelled to wait until it vacated. It is a curious coincidence that this farm had been formerly owned by Mr. Van Voorst's great- grandfather. Years of hard, persistent work brought to Mr. Van Voorst the necessary capital with which to purchase the Kennedy farm, and from that time to the present his fortunes have been on the increase. This property was a tract of 160 acres, on which there were located a
,
877
HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY
house and barn, and some few other improvements, but the land was far from fully developed and there had been no ditching done. Here it was, in 1890, that Mr. Van Voorst believes he did the first ditching in this section. In the years that followed Mr. Van Voorst made numer- ous improvements, built new structures, and continued to add to his holdings until he now has 2,000 acres, all earned by himself except forty acres which he received from his father.
Mr. Van Voorst entered the financial field in 1897, when, with Matt Reams, he started a private banking institution at Chalmers. In 1907 Mr. Reams' interests were disposed of to Mr. Van Voorst's father, the bank became a state institution known as the State Bank of Chalmers, and the original capital of $10,000 was enlarged to $50,000. When this concern started to do business it was located in one corner of a hardware store, but the bank now occupies quarters in a modern structure which was erected by Mr. Van Voorst and his father especially for banking purposes and which is known as the Van Voorst Building. Charles Van Voorst started, in 1901 or 1902, the Bank of Kempton, with his father, but the latter subsequently sold his interests in this concern, which was capitalized at $25,000, and was made a State institution in 1907. Charles Van Voorst continued as president of this bank until January 1, 1914, since which time he has had no official position therein.
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.