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 42
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In 1890, when about twenty-three years of age, Mr. Chamberlain further fortified himself for the battle of life by taking unto himself a wife, in the person of Miss Lillie Jarrett, a daughter of Levi and Lydia Jarrett, of Prairie Township, this county. After more than twenty years of happy domestic life the gracious home circle was broken by the death of Mrs. Chamberlain, who was summoned to the life eternal on September 14, 1913,-about one month prior to the death of her husband's venerable father. Her remains were interred in the cemetery maintained at Chalmers by the Knights of Pythias, and her memory is revered by all who came within the sphere of her gentle influence. Mrs. Chamberlain is survived by four children, all of whom have been given excellent educational advantages: Leroy and his wife, whose maiden name was Ethel Hambridge, reside in West Point Township, where he represents the fourth generation of the family as a farmer in this town- ship; and Viola Hazel, J. Ford, and Estella Maude all remain at the paternal home, which is known for its generous hospitality.
Mr. Chamberlain has achieved definite success as a general agricul- turist and stockgrower, and his finely improved farm of 240 acres is
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eligibly situated three miles west of the Village of Chalmers. In addi- tion to giving close attention to the work and management of his farm Mr. Chamberlain has exercised his resources in a number of ways for the benefit of local business and the furtherance of legitimate improve- ments. He is a stockholder and director of the State Bank of Chalmers, the Chalmers Grain Company, which operates a modern grain elevator at Chalmers, and of the Chalmers Telephone Company. He has made a specially admirable record also in connection with the good-roads move- ment, and is one of the enterprising citizens who not only believe in but are willing to work for well made public highways. It was through his initiative that the John H. Moore turnpike road was constructed between Big Creek and West Point townships.
For a number of years the name of Mr. Chamberlain has had a political significance in his native township, and he is a recognized leader in the councils of the democratic party in White County. His principal public service was rendered in the office of township trustee, which he filled with credit and with exceptional benefit to the township, especially its schools, during a period of ten years. His first term ex- tended from November, 1900, to January 1, 1905, and his second term from January 1, 1909, to January 1, 1915. Mr. Chamberlain is affiliated with Chalmers Lodge, No. 178, Knights of Pythias, and holds member- ship in the Baptist Church, of which his wife likewise was a zealous adherent.
LEWIS B. MARTIN. During a residence in White County of nearly half a century, Lewis B. Martin has not only identified himself in a suc- cessful manner with the cares and responsibilities of farm management. but has possessed and exercised that public spirit which looks after the welfare of the community, and supports institutions and movements that have a broader significance than the well being of the individual. Mr. Martin has one of the fine rural places in West Point Township. situated on rural route No. 12 out of Chalmers.
Though not a native of White County he was brought here in early youth by his father, John W. Martin, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, March 12, 1828, and moved with his family to White County on November 18, 1865. He was reared in his native state and was married there in 1849 to Samantha J. Neiswander, who was born November 20, 1832, and died July 25, 1901. Her parents were natives of Germany. John W. Martin was a son of John J. Martin, a native of Scotland but of English stock. Of the nine children born to John W. and wife, two died in infancy. Charlotte is the wife of Soloman Carr and lives in Frankfort, Indiana. The second oldest is Lewis B. Virgil A. and
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Walter both reside in West Point Township. Ella is the wife of J. H. Carson, living in Rensselaer. Adda married George W. Chamberlain and they live at Chalmers. Lillie is the wife of Oliver Reid, living at Frankfort.
John W. Martin died May 30, 1902, and is buried in West Point Cemetery. He was a man of many positive qualities and a useful factor in every community where he lived. For two years he served as town- ship assessor and was a democrat, who stood loyally by his party and its principles but was not an office seeker. He was a man of college train- ing, well informed, was keen in debate and argument, and for about ten years followed the vocation of teacher. He taught four or five terms in White County, having charge of the old West Point School two terms, the old Evolve School two terms, and for many years served as school director. He held to the Universalist faith in religion. John W. Martin arrived in White County with about $3,000, and at the time of his death was the owner of about 200 acres of fine farming land. He was a big man physically, stood 6 feet 2 inches tall, and weighed 200 pounds or more. For two or three years from. 1883 he conducted a store at Wheeler Station.
Lewis B. Martin was born January 18, 1853, in Franklin County, Ohio, and was about thirteen years old when he came with the family to White County. His father first settled in section 11, range 5 west. West Point Township, and in that locality the son completed his educa- tion in the common schools and was well trained in the industry, good habits and skill required of the successful farmer.
In 1883 he married Lulu Campbell, a daughter of John J. and Susan Campbell of Tippecanoe County. The first of the five children born into their home is Edna M., now the wife of Frank Reissig and living in Hobart, Indiana. Mrs. Reissig was graduated from the Valparaiso Uni- versity, and all the children have been given an excellent home training and the opportunities of schools. Blanche M., the second daughter, married Charles Wynekoop of Princeton Township, and their two sons are named Lewis and Allen. Cecile is the wife of John Sensenbaugh, living in Carroll County. The other children are at home, named John W. and Estella C.
A farmer all his life, Mr. Martin is now the possessor of what is known as the "Good Hope" farm, situated eight miles northwest of Chalmers. It comprises about 172 acres and in general improvements and value ranks with any of the farmsteads found in that community. Mr. Martin also owns some property in Chalmers, and has stock in the Farmers Elevator Company at Chalmers, in the Bank of Chalmers and in the Reynolds Creamery. One of the secrets of his success has been
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his strict adherence to the rule never to go in debt and always pay cash for what he buys.
He has more than once been a factor in securing local improvements. He took the initiative in the building of several roads and ditches, and started and circulated the petition for the Ernest Scipio and Charles Vineyard roads. In every direction he has stood for improvements of this character throughout the county. In politics he is a democrat, but only nationally, while in local affairs he votes for the man who will give the best service, but has never sought any honors of that kind for himself. Though not a member he supports the Methodist Church, and has no secret affiliations.
FREDERICK MYERS. In the life of the late Frederick Myers were found many of the qualities of character and the vigorous activities which have brought White County to the forefront as a prosperous agricultural center. Endowed with natural ability and backed by shrewd business judgment and determination, though beginning in poverty and with only the work of his hands to rely upon, he was able before the close of his life to step aside from the path of labor to let pass the younger generation with their clear-cut hopes and unrealized ambitions. His career deserves record in a history of White County, where his sons are now found among the active and prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Prairie Township ..
His parents were sturdy Swiss people, who came from that country and settled in Ohio a short time before the birth of Frederick Myers, which occurred in Franklin County, Ohio, September 23, 1833. When he was still a child his father died, and the mother married again, and brought the boy to Tippecanoe County, where both his mother and foster father died, and she is buried in that locality.
Under such circumstances Frederick Myers had to start life on his own responsibility when quite young and acquired only the rudiments of an education, which was later supplemented by observation and practical experience. He was trained to farming and stock raising and made that the basis of his substantial success. In 1855, soon after attaining his majority, he married Elizabeth Duncan, a daughter of Crawford Duncan. A brief record of their eight children is as follows: Martha I., who was born April 26, 1856, and is the wife of David Gun- trip; William F., who was born November 15, 1858, and is living in Brookston; Morris L., born August 9, 1860; Oliver C., born August 24, 1862; Charles F., born June 9, 1867; Albert A., born September 19, 1869; Alice, born September 23, 1873, and died in infancy ; Elizabeth, born October 24, 1875, and also died in infancy.
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The late Frederick Myers came to White County in 1855, and settling in Prairie Township purchased forty acres of land there, but for some reason, perhaps a defective title, lost this property, and then returned to Tippecanoe County. He settled permanently in White County in 1867, securing eighty acres in section 23 of Prairie Township. Around that nucleus he built up a generous prosperity, and at the time of his death left an estate of 224 acres. Frederick Myers' useful and honorable career was terminated by death on April 8, 1897. His wife had passed away February 16, 1896, and both are now at rest in the cemetery at Brookston. Frederick Myers was a radical Lincoln republican in poli- tics, and took a keen interest in public affairs, though this interest was never accompanied by office holding. He and his wife died in the faith of the Baptist Church, and were active members at Brookston. Their home had been in Brookston since 1892, in which year he was able to retire from his long continued work as a general farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Myers is remembered for his devotion to his home and the welfare of his family, and at the same time his interest extended to any- thing that would better the life of the community. Among the older generation White County possessed few men who more thoroughly exemplified and advocated the cause of temperance. His life was such as to command respect among all classes, and while his time and energies were devoted to farming and he was not widely known beyond the limits of Prairie Township, the influence of his character and activities is probably more strongly impressed than those of many better known men.
Among his sons, Morris L. is one of the best known residents of the Brookston community. He was reared and educated in White County, attended school along with other farmer boys of his neighborhood, and at the age of seventeen was self-supporting in the capacity of a farm laborer by the month. After two years of that he bought with his brother, Frank, eighty acres of land. Since then his time has been profitably devoted to agriculture, and he has bought and improved and sold several tracts of land. His present home is in section 31, range 4. He imbibed many of the sterling principles exemplified by his father, is a republican and temperance man, and stands for the best things in his community. On February 2, 1887, Morris L. Myers mar- ried Miss Estella Vencill, daughter of John and Rebecca (Shigley) Vencill. Six children were born to their union: Clara A., born April 5, 1888, and now the wife of Ora Cassaday; Edna M., born June 15, 1890, and the wife of Bert Fisher; Anna Pearl, born November 9, 1893; Mabel, born September 30, 1897; Owen R., the fourth child, born October 7, 1895; and Amy Belle, born June 9, 1900. The four younger children are all living at home with their parents. Vol. II-25
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Charles F. Myers, who has made for himself a substantial position in the community and is a supporter of all worthy and beneficial move- ments, was born in the home of his parents June 9, 1867, and grew up in White County with about the same advantages of education that were bestowed upon his brothers and sisters and all the farmer boys of that time and community. He also had some higher education in the Valparaiso University, but at the age of twenty-one started out to carve his own fortune. Farming and stock raising has been his substantial pursuits, and since early in his career he has had the responsibilities of home and family.
On January 23, 1889, he married Miss May M. Smith, a native of Ohio, born February 29, 1864, the second of the four living children of Isaac and Nancy (Correll) Smith. Amanda is the widow of Freeland Harmon and a resident of Chalmers; Mrs. Myers; Cora B., wife of David F. Yost, of Chalmers; and Francis M., who wedded Daisy Knox and resides in Tippecanoe County. Mr. Smith, the father, was born in Ohio in 1830, and died on the 2d of August, 1886, and he lies buried in the Brookston Cemetery. In about 1859 he came with his family to White County, but later returned to Ohio, where he enlisted for the Civil war, entering a regiment of infantry, and served for three years, receiving then his honorable discharge. He was a republican and a strong temperance advocate, and he was a member of the Methodist denomination and a pillar of his church. Mrs. Smith was also a native of Ohio, born in 1836, and she died on the 6th of December, 1898. She lies buried by the side of her husband in Brookston Cemetery. Mrs. Myers was but three years old when she became a resident of White County, and here she was reared and educated. She is a devout mem- ber of the Baptist Church, and is now the president of the Foreign and Home Missionary societies of her church. Four children have been born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Myers: Curtis S., born January 11, 1890, and died September 23, 1895; Ord F., born July 22, 1895, and died April 2, 1905; Ira J., born April 8, 1897; and Kenneth L., born October 7, 1905. Both the boys are living at home with their parents and are receiving the best advantages of home and school train- ing. Ira graduated from the graded schools at the age of twelve and from the Brookston High School with the class of 1914, and is now a student of Purdue University, in the agricultural department. Ken- neth is a member of the fifth grade of the public schools.
Some of the evidences of Mr. Myers' work as a business man and farmer are found in the possession of his large estate, 160 acres in his homestead in Prairie Township and 120 acres in Round Grove. All this land is under cultivation, and he has carried forward the improvements
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until they now comprise a comfortable home, substantial barns, and all facilities needed for his business. Mr. Myers is a republican and like his father a stanch temperance advocate. He has been continuously honored with a position on the township advisory board for the past sixteen years and for the last six years has been township assessor. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, Lodge No. 289, at Brookston, Indiana.
WILLIAM T. WAGNER. Of the men who have participated actively in the agricultural, financial and civic development of White County, none are better or more favorably known than William T. Wagner. By the ownership of 400 acres of fine land in sections 8, 9 and 17 in Prairie Township, nearly all of which he made through his own efforts, he bears a peculiarly close relation with the agricultural welfare of that com- munity. By his official position in two banks, one at Reynolds and one at Brookston, he is one of the men who direct and conserve the financial resources of the county. In other ways also his career has not been without substantial benefit to the county in which he has spent most of his life.
For the beginning of his career we must look to that old German Province of Mecklinburg, Germany, where he was born April 14, 1857, a son of Fred and Dora (Cruse) Wagner. A little more than ten years later, after he had gained considerable knowledge through the medium of German books and schools, the family emigrated to the United States in 1868. For six months they lived at Medaryville, Indiana, and then moved to the Brookston community, where the parents spent the rest of their days.
After coming to White County William T. Wagner acquired a knowledge of the English language and further instruction in the funda- mentals at the Fairview schoolhouse. When eighteen he started for himself, and was soon engaged in active farming on the place where he now lives and which has been his home ever since. He had little to start with but out of his thrifty management, and long continued industry, has evolved a substantial competence. As a farmer he has paid attention to the general crops of Indiana and the raising of graded stock.
On February 18, 1887, Mr. Wagner married Miss Bertha A. Selmer, daughter of John Selmer. Into their home have been born six children : Lena, who died when one year old; Edward, who died at the age of eighteen; Fred J., who lives at home; Elmer; one that died unnamed ; and John C.
At this writing all the 400 acres owned by Mr. Wagner are under
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cultivation, raising abundant crops of corn, oats and hay and with a large number of cattle and hogs on his premises. In the course of his ownership he has laid many rods of tile, and practically every foot of his land is now susceptible of cultivation. As a banker Mr. Wagner was one of the organizers of the bank at Reynolds, is vice president of that institution, and is also a stockholder and vice president of the ยท State Bank of Brookston. The only office which he has held in the county was that of township supervisor: He is a democrat, he and his family are communicants of the German Lutheran Church at Reynolds, and Mrs. Wagner is very active in church affairs. Since coming to this country as a boy of eleven Mr. Wagner has never returned to the father- land, and is more than satisfied to be known as a loyal American citizen.
JOSEPH V. YOUNGER. "Broadview Farm" is an attractive name for a country place, and the traveler in Prairie Township is impressed with the eminent consistency of applying such a title to the valuable, well managed and beautiful farm of J. V. Younger in section 3. For many years successfully engaged in diversified agriculture and the raising of high grade stock, Mr. Younger has more than thirty years of residence to his credit in White County and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who have known him from earliest youth.
He was born in Brown County, Ohio, March 2, 1857, a son of Joseph and Anna (Oldenhagen) Younger, the former a native of Ohio. His mother was born in Germany, but when a little girl came with her parents on a sailing vessel that was delayed by adverse winds and did not land its passengers on American soil until ninety days had elapsed since the date of starting. The Oldenhagens located in Ohio, where the daughter grew up and married Mr. Younger. They became the parents of nine children, one of whom, George, died in infancy, while J. V. Younger is the oldest of those now living. The others with names and dates of birth are: Mary, 1860; Walburga, 1862; Rickey, 1864; Eliza- beth, 1866; Rose, 1869; Catherine, 1876; and John, 1878.
The Younger family first came to White County in 1864, and remained in the county during that year and part of 1865, when they moved down into Tippecanoe County. Joseph Younger was a farmer and stock raiser there for a number of years and both parents died there. He was a democrat in politics.
J. V. Younger was about seven years old when he first came to know White County, but grew up and spent most of his early days in Tippe- canoe County. His education was limited to a few terms in the com- mon schools, and at the age of fourteen the necessities of the family compelled him to become self-supporting, his wages being contributed
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to the household exchequer. In this way he was well trained to bear responsibilities when he reached manhood, and a few years later on February 8, 1881, took upon himself the obligations of a home and family by his marriage to Miss Minnie Primmer. Her parents, Noah and Barbara (Geyer) Primmer, came to White County about 1870, locating in Princeton Township. Mr. and Mrs. Younger have had a happy married life of thirty-five years, and in that time six children have come into their home: Elva Blanche, deceased; Earl, deceased ; Warner, a farmer in Big Creek Township; Anna; Pearl; and Charles.
It was in 1884 that Mr. Younger and wife removed from Tippecanoe to White County, and the following twenty-five years were spent on the old John P. Carr farm. He then bought the John Price farm of 197 acres, and has since lived there and his management and industry have made Broadview Farm well worthy of its distinctive title. Besides the general crops he raises a number of graded live stock. All his land is under cultivation and extensively tiled, and since taking possession Mr. Younger has erected a substantial group of buildings and carried on other improvements.
In politics he is a democrat but no aspirations for public office have ever interfered with his course of quiet industry. His family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church at Chalmers and he takes much interest in fraternal matters, being affiliated with the Knights Templar Com- mandery of the Masonic Order at Delphi and is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, both of Chalmers, Indiana. Mrs. Younger is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star at Brookston, and of the Rebekahs at Chalmers, Indiana.
JAMES ERVIN CARSON. His active membership as one of the present county council of White County makes James Ervin Carson well known through all the townships and village and rural communities. Though long retired and living at Brookston, Mr. Carson spent many years of productive activity as a farmer in Prairie Township, and still owns a nice property in that community. Another feature of his honorable and useful career is that he spent several years as a soldier in the Union army, and his record of patriotism is one that will always be cherished by his descendants.
Though a resident of White County for nearly forty years, James Ervin Carson was born at Mount Carmel in Franklin County, Indiana, December 22, 1842, a son of Isaac Newton and Martha Elizabeth (Reed) Carson. His father was of Scotch and his mother of Pennsylvania German stock, but the original ancestors came to the United States a great many years ago. Both the parents are now deceased and are
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buried in the Clarkesburg Cemetery in Johnson County, Indiana. The father, who received the name of one of the world's greatest scientists, grew up on a farm, and fitted himself for a self-supporting occupation by learning the harness making and saddlery trade. That was his busi- ness through all his active career.
After his education in the local schools of his native county had been accomplished James E. Carson at the age of nineteen made himself a farmer and put in one or two crops on rented land. In the meantime the great struggle between the North and the South was in progress, and on August 5, 1862, he responded to Lincoln's call for 300,000 more troops and enlisted in Company II of the Sixty-eighth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry. He was mustered into the service at Greensburg, and did not receive his final discharge until June 20, 1865, a number of weeks after the practical cessation of hostilities and the disbandment of the Southern Confederacy. He was discharged at Nashville. His army service was with the Army of the Cumberland, and he partici- pated in a number of the arduous campaigns which marked the record of that western army. At Mumfordsville, Kentucky, he was captured, but was soon paroled. Another battle in which he participated was that of Hoover's Gap, and he was in many of the operations around those key points of the Confederacy, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Chickamauga and elsewhere.
Before the close of his army service and while at home on a furlough, Mr. Carson was married March 9, 1865, to Miss Melissa Catherine Jones. In the spring of 1915 Mr. and Mrs. Carson celebrated that interesting and impressive event, the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. Mrs. Carson is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Helm) Jones, of Butler County, Ohio. Since their marriage both children and grandchildren have grown up around them. Their oldest son, William Francis, died one week after his birth. Lora Lee, the next son, is a prosperous farmer in Prairie Township. Joseph Ellsworth lives west of Lafayette. Martha Elizabeth is the wife of L. G. Nice of Tippecanoe County, and in the same county lives her sister, Nora Myrtle, the wife of Lemuel T. Ross.
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