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 4
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engaged, at the age of nineteen years, when he answered his country's call for troops to serve in the Civil war. On August 6, 1862, with his brother, Charles H., he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and with that organ- ization served until the close of hostilities. After a short period in the camp of instruction, at Kankakee, Illinois, Company K was sent to Chicago and there incorporated into the Third Board of Trade Regiment, which was mustered for service October 1st, and left Camp Hancock, via Chicago, November 6, 1862, for Memphis, Tennessee. The first service of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Infantry was in the Tallahatchie expedition, in November, 1862, and Mr. Van Alstine's baptism of fire occurred at the battle of Arkansas Post, where 5,500 Confederate prison- ers were taken, while the regiment lost 5 killed and 22 wounded. After this engagement, Companies C, D, F, I and K were detailed to guard prisoners to Camp Butler, where they remained until March, 1864, when the regiment came together at Memphis, soon after which it was engaged in the fruitless expedition against Forrest. At Guntown, Mississippi, but seventeen out of sixty-three Union soldiers escaped from the forces of the gray, and in this engagement Mr. Van Alstine was wounded in the left side, the bullet breaking two ribs. After almost incredible hardships he managed to get back to Memphis, and did not allow his wound to incapacitate him, for he next participated in the engagement at Muscle Shoals, where the Federal troops once more suffered defeat at the hands of General Forrest's command. Returning to Memphis, Mr. Val Alstine was engaged in detached duty during the remainder of the war, and was mustered out of the service June 15, 1865. His war record is an excellent one.
Returning to Illinois, Mr. Van Alstine located at Momence and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Not long thereafter, October 21, 1865, he was married to Mary Ellen Kile, and for many years they made their home on the farm, although later he turned his attention to mer- cantile operations and for four years kept a store at Lowell, Indiana. In the fall of 1892 Mr. Van Alstine came to Monticello, Indiana, and with his son established the electric light plant here, and in 1893 took up his residence here permanently. Mr. Van Alstine has been president of the White County Loan, Savings & Trust Company for four years, and under his direction it has grown, developed and prospered, until it is one of the leading enterprises of the community. A republican in politics, he served Monticello for four years as postmaster, and then resigned because of his increasing business interests. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Alstine have two children: Ernest E .; and
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Minnie J., the latter the wife of F. F. Heighway, county superintendent of schools of Lake County, Indiana.
GEORGE W. KASSABAUM. The bar of White County has some mem- bers whose attainments place them well to the front among Indiana lawyers, and one of these is George W. Kassabaum, who for the past ten years has enjoyed a large practice as a lawyer and influence as a citizen at Monticello.
While not a native of White County, George W. Kassabaum has spent the most part of his life in this part of Indiana. He was born on a farm near Goodland, in Newton County, Indiana, March 7, 1877. His parents, Henry and Mary (Gettings) Kassabaum, were both born in Prussia, but came as children with their respective parents to the United States at a time when sailing vessels provided the chief means of transportation over seas. Henry Kassabaum was a sturdy type of the German youth who came in such numbers to America during the '40s. When gold was discovered in California he made the trip to the Pacific coast around Cape Horn, and spent about a year in the gold fields. Returning east he located at York, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in farming there and was married in Pennsylvania. In 1856 he came west and located at Joliet, Illinois, and from there removed to Newton County, Indiana, where he continues to reside. His wife died October 10, 1904. Eleven of their twelve children are still living.
George W. Kassabaum, one of the younger children, grew up on the old home farm in Newton County, and while assisting with such strength as he possessed in the duties of the farm also attended district school. His literary education was completed by two years in the University of Indiana at Bloomington. He read law in the office of Comparet & Schoonover at Kentland, Indiana, and was admitted to the bar in 1898.
Mr. Kassabaum also has a military service to his credit. On July 28, 1898, the year of his admission to the bar, he enlisted in Company I of the One Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry and went with the regiment to Cuba and was stationed at Havana and in that neighborhood during the term of his service. He was sergeant of his company and received an honorable discharge in April, 1899. On returning home he began the practice of his profession at Kentland, but in 1901 removed to Brookston, where for three and a half years he was assistant cashier of the Bank of Brookston.
Mr. Kassabaum removed to Monticello and began practice as a lawyer January 1, 1905. Politically he is a stalwart republican, has supported that party in its campaigns since he reached manhood, and
J. D. Meleaun/ M. D.
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has firm faith in the grand old party as a party of achievement which more than any other political faction has caused the great strides in national history during the past sixty years. Mr. Kassabaum is a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason and also a member of the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Kassabaum was married January 7, 1914, to Miss Maucie Myers, of Monticello. They have one daughter, Isabel.
JOSEPH D. MCCANN, M. D. The work of the high-minded and pro- gressive modern physician is not confined entirely to the treatment of individual cases or the needs of an exclusively private practice, but in the case of a man like Dr. Joseph D. McCann is broadened into efforts. affecting the vital welfare of the entire community. Doctor McCann at Monticello is not only a physician who has enjoyed a large and dis- tinctive practice there for twenty-five years or more, but has also taken the lead in various movements for sanitary reform and civic improvement.
Joseph D. McCann was born at Newport, Madison County, Ohio, August 15, 1858, and is the only one of two sons and two daughters still living who were children of James and Margaret (Packer) McCann. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother was born in Alleghany City, Pennsylvania. After the death of his first wife James McCann married Catherine Eskridge, and one of her children is still living in Ohio. The family came out to White County, Indiana, in 1872, and the father died there in January of the following year.
Dr. Joseph D. McCann passed a considerable part of his youth in ill health, but in spite of that handicap at the beginning has made him- self useful and prominent in his community. As a young man he clerked in general stores and drug stores, and in 1885 removed to Monticello and took up the reading of medicine with Doctor Robison. He later entered the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, where he was graduated M. D. in June, 1888. Returning to Monticello he became associated in practice with Doctor Robison, and their relationship was continued uninterrupted until Detor Robison left Monticello at the close of 1914. Doctor McCann now looks after the practice by himself.
For twenty years Doctor McCann has served as surgeon of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He has taken the lead in the introduction of several important improvements in Monticello. After three petitions his plans for a local sewer system were adopted. He was the cause of laying the first paved streets of the town, and also brought about the ordinance which abolished for sanitary reasons the keeping of hogs within the town limits. Doctor McCann is prominent in Masonic circles, belong- ing to the Consistory of Scottish Rite, and is a Past Grand Patron of Vol. II-3
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the Eastern Star. He is president of the Monticello Library Board, is past president and secretary of the State Eclectic Medical Society and a former president of the National Eclectic Society, honors which well indicate his high standing in the profession. He is also a former presi- dent and is now secretary of the Association of Railway Surgeons. In politics he is a democrat of the Wilson type.
On August 15, 1889, Doctor McCann married Elizabeth Engle, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Gingrich) Engle of Pennsylvania. Dr. and Mrs. McCann lost one daughter at the age of eleven months. They are members of the Methodist Church, and Mrs. McCann is prominent in foreign missionary work.
THOMAS BUSHNELL AND WILLIE S. BUSHNELL. For considerably more than half a century the name Bushnell has had a place in the White County Bar. Knowledge and ability in the law have been combined with a successful prosecution of business affairs, and in com- munity affairs the members of the family have stood for those principles that are most enduring and beneficial.
The late Thomas Bushnell, who is remembered as an early prominent lawyer in White County, was a native of Licking County, Ohio, the youngest of a large family of children born to Thomas Hubbard Bush- nell. The Bushnell family has been in America since early colonial days, having come from England on board the ship Speedwell and locating in New England probably in Connecticut. Thomas Bushnell when a boy was left an orphan, and early in life went out to the State of Wisconsin, where he learned the cooper's trade. Subsequently he returned to Ohio, and some time after his marriage, in 1855, came to White County, Indiana. For several years he was employed at his trade in the old cooperage shop on the Tippecanoe River in Monticello. An accident while in that shop compelled him to give up work for about a year and he employed his leisure thus forced upon him in the study of law. In 1858 Thomas Bushnell was admitted to the bar. In 1860 he was honored by election to the office of county auditor, and by re-election four years later served two terms of eight years. Prior to assuming the duties of a county office he had practiced law, and subse- quently resumed practice and was active both in the profession and business affairs. While serving as county auditor Thomas Bushnell became interested in the woolen mills at Monticello, and was not only the principal owner of that local industry but directed its operations until the time of his death.
Thomas Bushnell married Rebecca Downs, who died in 1860, the mother of four children, two of whom are still living. Mr. Bushnell
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after the death of his first wife married Susan T. Parker, who also became the mother of four children, and two of these survive.
Thomas Bushnell died at Monticello November 5, 1875. He was a Methodist in church affiliation, a republican in politics, and was identified with the Masonic fraternity. Few of his contemporaries were regarded more highly, and his name deserves to be remembered in White County. Intensely loyal to his country, he was physically unable to share its peril at the time of war, but his purse and influence were ever ready to make up for the service he could not perform as a soldier in the ranks. His influence and acts were also on the side of morality, education and good government.
Willie S. Bushnell, who was the oldest of Thomas Bushnell's children by the first marriage, has for thirty-nine years been a successful prac- titioner of law at Monticello. He was born at Urbana, Ohio, September 22, 1852, and since infancy has lived in Monticello, now fully sixty years. As a boy he was a student in the public schools and in 1873 was graduated from the old Asbury College (now DePauw University) at Greencastle, Indiana, with the degree Bachelor of Arts. Three years later his alma mater conferred upon him the degree Master of Arts. After engaging in the law Mr. Bushnell built up a large general prac- tice, but of later years has devoted his attention chiefly to probate prac- tice and abstract work. For twenty-seven years he was secretary of the Monticello School Board and served one term as prosecuting attorney of the county.
Mr. Bushnell is affiliated with the Lodge, Chapter and Council of the Masonic fraternity, is a republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Church. He and his wife are charter members of Crystal Chapter, No. 165, O. E. S. On May 20, 1885, he married Anna B. Coen. Their four children are: Elizabeth, wife of Rupert B. Redic, a lawyer in El Paso, Texas; Thomas M., who married Virginia Brown, and is. now connected with the agricultural department of the Federal Gov- ernment, his chief work being in the soil survey; Louise, and Ruth.
As an expression of his attitude towards life and as illustrative of a somewhat facile pen which he wields, in common with many other Indiana men, the following lines written by Mr. Bushnell on the occasion of his sixty-second birthday should be published :
I'm three score years and twain And feeling somewhat vain Because my brawn and brain So long withstand life's strain.
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For this is longer than The common, average span Of Life that Nature's plan Seems to accord to man.
And yet, I hear folks say, There's sure to come a day When, though I would, I may Not any longer stay, But must, well-pass away.
But whither I shall go, There's no one seems to know, Or even care, although But few admit 'tis so.
This is the common lot
Here on this mundane spot, We are, and then are not, Our very names forgot.
This common lot suits me, I am content to be Wrapped in equality With all humanity.
WILLIAM BLICKENSTAFF, D. D. S. In the profession of dentistry Doctor Blickenstaff is one of the leading representatives in White County and began his practice at Monticello several years ago with a thorough training and with practical experience gained in other localities.
Dr. William Blickenstaff was born in La Place, Illinois, February, 5, 1874, a son of David D. and Hannah H. (Wagner) Blickenstaff. The family on both sides are of German origin. In 1902 the parents removed to White County and located on a farm near Idaville, where the mother died in 1911. David Blickenstaff is now a resident of California, after having followed farming and stock raising for many years.
William Blickenstaff was one of nine children, seven of whom are living. His early education was acquired in the public schools of Illinois, and at the age of twenty-one he took up the study of dentistry. He attended the Indiana Dental College at Indianapolis, and in 1900 was graduated D. D. S. His first place of practice was at Osage, Iowa, and two years later he removed to Monticello, Indiana, and now has
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a liberal patronage. He is a member of the Indiana State Dental Asso- ciation and the American Dental Association.
He belongs to the Church of the Brethren at Pike Creek, and in politics is a republican. On April 15, 1900, Doctor Blickenstaff married Miss Ada A. Snyder, daughter of Edwin and Hannah (Rex) Snyder of Pennsylvania. Of their three children one died in infancy, while Jose- phine Hannah was born June 3, 1906, and Pauline Ruth was born March 10, 1912. Mrs. Blickenstaff is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
FRANK ARTHUR EWING. The real estate and insurance interests of White County are being well represented at Monticello by Frank A. Ewing, who, although comparatively a newcomer to the county seat, has already attained a recognized position among the substantial busi- ness men of this thriving and progressive community. Mr. Ewing is a man of broad and varied experience, his activities, in addition to his present enterprise, having included school teaching and mercantile operations, and since coming to Monticello he has contributed materially to the business interests of the place.
Mr. Ewing was born near Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio, December 25, 1856, and is a son of John and Hidassah J. (Glasgow) Ewing. His parents, who spent their entire lives in Ohio and are buried at Sidney, had a family of six children, of whom five survive. The publiic schools of Sidney furnished Mr. Ewing with his education, and as a young man he entered upon his career as a teacher in the country schools. His advent in White County occurred October 9, 1884, when he located at Buffalo and became the proprietor of a general store, in partnership with Mr. Cyrus F. Neel. When this association was mutually dissolved, Mr. Ewing took charge of the business, which he conducted alone for some years, but finally exchanged his stock and good will for a tract of land located in the southern part of the state. Mr. Ewing came to Monticello in October, 1911, and this city has continued to be his home to the present time. Here he has been successful in building up an excellent realty business, operating all over this part of the state, and also has sold a great deal of insurance. As before stated, his stand- ing in business circles is high, his dealings have been of a nature to inspire confidence in those who have been associated with him.
Mr. Ewing was married May 8, 1888, to Miss Addie L. Holmes, who was for several years a teacher in the public schools of White County. She is a daughter of the late Job and Elmira J. (Jenkins) Holmes, pioneers of White County, who came here at an early date and for many years were engaged in farming in Union Township. They are
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both buried at Monticello. 'There were six children in their family, of whom five are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Ewing there has come one son: Ward Holmes, who was born October 16, 1895, and who has finished the eighth grade of school. Mrs. Ewing is affiliated fraternally with the Order of the Eastern Star, also the Maccabees and Royal Neighbors of Monticello, Indiana, while Mr. Ewing holds membership in Temperance Lodge, No. 73, A. F. & A. M., of Sidney, Ohio. A republican of progressive tendencies, he has taken a keen interest in public affairs, and while a resident of Liberty Township, White County, served five years in the capacity of assessor of his township. At Monti- cello he has allied himself with every movement which has promised to better the interests of the community or the people.
EDWARD R. GARDNER. The career of Edward R. Gardner of Monti- cello, who has spent practically all his life in that community, is a competent illustration of the fact that enterprise and ability are much more desirable qualities than capital in a business career. Mr. Gardner learned a trade and when he started independently in business had only a handful of dollars, but has now for many years been head of one of the most prosperous hardware houses in White County.
Edward R. Gardner was born November 11, 1856, and in 1860 removed with his parents, John P. and Martha Ellen (Higgins) Gardner, to White County. There were nine children in the family. The parents were from Virginia, and John P. Gardner was a miller by occupation and for a time operated the old mill on the Tippecanoe River at Monti- cello. Edward R. Gardner was four years old when brought to Monti- cello, and has never lived anywhere else since that time. His boyhood days for the most part were spent in working at odd jobs and also as an employe of the old woolen mill. His father dying when he was yet a boy, it was necessary for him to get into the serious work of life in order to make a living. In a limited way he attended the city schools. When about seventeen he began learning the tinsmith's trade from John Bennett, and after about a year transferred his services to Charles Weber. After that he was employed by Frank Large in making tin buckets, and when the demand for those utensils reached almost the height of a craze the price for three buckets was $1. Subsequently he worked for Josiah Purcell and his father who had succeeded Mr. Large in business.
With John Biederwolf as a partner Mr. Gardner then bought out the Purcells and later Mr. Weber, and thus established the firm of Gardner & Biederwolf. They continued for about two years in the stove and tinware business, at the end of which time Mr. Gardner became sole
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proprietor and has since continued along the same line, but with expansion to include a general line of hardware. The firm of Gardner & Bieder- wolf began on practically nothing, since their combined resources did not exceed $50. When Mr. Gardner bought out his partner he paid him only $500 for his interest.
Mr. Gardner is a democrat, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 107, of Monticello, Indiana, and the Knights of Pythias, Castle Hall Lodge, No. 73. He was a member of the first city council of Monticello. His wife is a Methodist. On May 13, 1880, Mr. Gardner married Miss Maggie Cullen. Their four sons are: Joseph Russell, Everett Linn, Herbert Allen and Edward Randolph. One daughter, Mildred Agatha, died when three years old.
CHARLES W. DAVIS. One of the older residents and active business men of Monticello is Charles W. Davis, who grew up in that town, and while following his trade or conducting a successful business as grocer has also manifested those traits of good citizenship which make any man an influential factor in social affairs and the civic life of a county. He is a man of the finest business probity, regarded among his associates as the soul of honor, and his large business is but a reflection of his individual character.
Charles W. Davis was born in Delphi, Indiana, November 3, 1868, a .son of Charles C. and Carrie C. (Ruffing) Davis. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of the Atlantic Ocean, she hav- ing been born on shipboard while her parents were coming from Ger- many to America. Both parents are now deceased. Charles C. Davis had an exceptional record as a soldier of the Civil war, in which he served four years and three months. He was first with a company in the Second Indiana Cavalry, and later in the Infantry branch. He fought in many battles, and was twice made a prisoner of war. After his first capture he was incarcerated in Andersonville Prison, and while being transferred to Belle Isle made his escape by cutting through a box car. He was at liberty only a short time until recaptured, and was exchanged and returned to the Union lines a little while before the close of the war. A painter by trade, he followed that occupation for many years and is well remembered for his skill in painting and decorating at Monticello. His death occurred March 17, 1885, while his wife survived until June 2, 1910. They were the parents of two children, and the daughter Fay is the wife of Elvin Hoshour of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Charles W. Davis was two years old when brought to Monticello in 1870. He grew up in that city, attended the country schools, and as a young man learned the trade followed by his father. At the age of
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fourteen he was earning journeyman's wages. His trade has been the foundation of his business career and he followed it even for two years while a merchant. Mr. Davis established a grocery business at Monti- cello in 1898, and has continued it with growing proportions and with a widening circle of trade down to the present time.
Mr. Davis has the distinction of having been a member of the first city council after Monticello was incorporated under city government. He is a republican in politics, is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 107, the Knights of Pythias, Castle Hall, No. 73, and the Independent Order of Foresters, No. 1690, of which he is record- ing secretary. On November 6, 1889, he married Ida M. Price, daughter of Joseph S. Price, of Carroll County, Indiana. They are the parents of two children, Agnes M. and Ralph W.
JAMES C. JONES. By more than forty years of residence James C. Jones claims White County as his home and the chief center of his achievements in life. While farming has constituted the basis of his work and prosperity, Mr. Jones is also widely known over the county through his interest in public affairs, and especially because of his efficient record in the country treasurer's office. Mr. Jones now resides at Monticello, but still owns a farm out in West Point Township.
James C. Jones was born in Big Rock Township, Kane County, Illinois, October 14, 1848. His parents, Thomas and Anna (Evans) Jones, were both natives of Wales, where they were married. Later they came to America, went onto a farm in Illinois, and both spent their last years in Kane County.
James C. Jones grew up on the old farm in Kane County, and had the usual training of an Illinois farmer boy. He attended the neighbor- hood school and developed both mind and body by exercise in the fields and in such duties as were required of him around the home.
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