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 51
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A native of Ohio, Morgan Craft was born on a farm in Knox County October 21, 1848. His parents were Thomas and Lucinda (Forshay) Craft, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. About 1853 the family removed to Lake County, Indiana, which was then almost an undeveloped wilderness, and only about one of the vast net- work of rail lines had been then laid across its boundaries. Thomas Craft as an early settler bought a tract of land about four miles east of Lowell, and directed his attention to the improvement of this prop- erty and providing a living for himself and family. Much later, after the death of his wife, he removed into Lowell, and lived retired there until his death.
Morgan Craft was only five years of age when the family took up their residence on the new farm in Lake County. His early boyhood had the usual associations of a farmer boy in a new country and the monotony of existence was varied by attendance at the district schools
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and a share in the duties of the home place. For several years he was a farmer, also had some training in business, and a short time after his marriage engaged in the furniture trade at Lowell. He remained at Lowell until September, 1884, and then established a store at Monon, and has been the vigorous factor behind this business ever since. He has seen other merchants come and go, and no other dealer in the town has been selling goods for a longer time than Mr. Craft. Successful himself, he has helped to make the town better and has contributed whenever possible to the progress and prosperity of the community.
Mr. Craft is a democrat in politics and is affiliated with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Monon. On April 26, 1876, while living in Lake County, he married Barbara Haan. To their union have been born two children: Charles and Goldie. Charles Craft married Mrs. Eva (Hazen) Murray, a daughter of Albert and Melissa (Ward) Hazen, of Indianapolis. By her first marriage she had one child, Paul Murray.
GEORGE WOLVERTON. In its improvements and the extent of lands one of the finest rural homes in White County is that owned and occu- pied by George Wolverton in Big Creek Township. The Wolverton fam- ily were among the pioneers, and no name has more important associations with the early life of Big Creek Township than theirs.
George Wolverton was born in Big Creek Township August 22, 1849, a son of Phillip and Margaret (Barnhardt) Wolverton. Phillip Wol- verton was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, November 29, 1805, of German and English descent. He began life as a worker at the blacksmith trade. For several years he lived in Pickaway County, Ohio, and while there married Miss Mary Prigett. After her death he married Mrs. Barnhardt, who was the widow of Benjamin Barnhardt and the mother of three children by her first husband. Phillip and Mar- garet Wolverton had two children, one of whom is George, while the other was Phillip, Jr., who was born January 30, 1852, and died at La- fayette, Indiana, May 7, 1905, at the age of fifty-three years three months twenty-three days. Phillip Wolverton, Jr., married Emma Price, daugh- ter of Joseph and Ellen Price. They were married December 1, 1880, and she died May 13, 1882. Her only daughter, Margaret Ellen, was born October 27, 1881, and now makes her home with her uncle, George Wolverton. Phillip Wolverton was a prosperous farmer and horse raiser, a democrat in politics, and a charter member of Chalmers Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. After the death of his first wife he married Carrie Cutler on June 18, 1885. She was born March 18, 1862, and died March 6, 1890. The three children of the second marriage of Phillip Wolverton
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were: Clara Cutler, born May 16, 1886; Pearl, born August 19, 1887, and the wife of Charles Carroll; and Ethel T., born January 25, 1890.
Phillip Wolverton, Sr., came into White County before the Indians had been dispossessed of this their happy hunting ground. He secured by entry from the Government 300 acres of land in Big Creek Town- ship, and hired a man to build a cabin, and then returned to Ohio. In 1834 he brought out his family, making the journey by the usual pioneer means, and his was one of the first homes established in the county. Phillip Wolverton, Sr., had one master passion, and that was the acquisi- tion of land. Starting life a poor boy, whenever he secured a few extra dollars he invested in land, and eventually acquired nearly all the land between the present home of George Wolverton and the Town of Chalmers. His first entry in White County was 160 acres, and to this he added from time to time until his estate comprised 2,500 acres, part of which he deeded to his children. He was a member of the Masonic Order. He died August 4, 1869, at the age of sixty-three years eight months five days. His second wife, who was born August 4, 1817, died October 5, 1876, aged fifty-nine years two months and one day.
Mr. George Wolverton married on December 22, 1874, Nancy Jane Reynolds, daughter of Benjamin and Lydia (Gardner) Reynolds. She claims that her brother, Isaac Reynolds, was the first white child born in White County. Benjamin Reynolds was a prominent early settler and the Town of Reynolds was laid out by him and bears his name. He became an early hotel keeper, and acquired a large amount of land in the township. Benjamin Reynolds died June 6, 1869, aged seventy years. His wife was born in North Carolina February 21, 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Wolverton have two living children, while two are deceased. Lillian, who was born November 2, 1875, and died May 9, 1877; Ella, born July 10, 1877, married Burdell B. Baker, son of Charles Baker, and they have a son, Burdell W. Baker, born March 17, 1901; Guy Reynolds Wolverton was born May 15, 1882, and lives at home with his father ; while the youngest child, born March 20, 1884, died the thirty- first day of the same month.
Mr. George Wolverton has lived on his present fine estate since 1874. He put up the farm house and all the other buildings, and together they comprise perhaps as attractive and valuable a group of farm improve- ments as can be found in the county. His farm consists of 477 acres, and besides this he has deeded a part of his land holdings to his children. Mr. Wolverton has always been a hard working citizen, and is still active in affairs. Stock raising is his main forte as a farmer, and he pays particular attention to thoroughbred shorthorn cattle. He and his wife and children are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is affiliated Vol. II-30
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with the Knights of Pythias order, and in politics follows the lead of his father and gives his support to the democratic party.
WALLACE W. NANCE. One of the substantial farmers of Big Creek Township, Wallace W. Nance owns a well improved farm of sixty acres.
Mr. Nance is a native of White County, born April 18, 1872, a son of Frank M. and Sallie (Kepley) Nance. Both parents were natives of Indiana. Two of their sons died in early childhood, while those who grew up were: Phoebe, who married Nathan Grace; Wallace W .; Rich- ard, who married Lula Williams; and Louis, who married Ethel Thomas.
Frank M. Nance moved to White County in 1871, and after living on a rented place for a short time moved to the Waltz farm, and lived there for twelve years. He then bought eighty acres of his own, im- proved the land and put up buildings, and is now owner of 120 acres. His wife is now deceased.
Wallace W. Nance had only a common school education, and his youth- ful years were spent in hard work rather than in the leisurely employ- ment of attending school or in the usual recreation and sports of modern boys. In 1895 he married Stella Hilman, daughter of Henry Hilman. Their three children are named Margaret, Fay and Irene. After his marriage Mr. Nance removed to his father's place, lived there twelve years, and then bought his present farm of sixty acres. Practically all the improvements are the result of his own labors and management, and the buildings have been constructed since he took possession. Mr. Nance is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a democrat. His father is also a democrat and has served as assessor and supervisor in his township.
URIAH S. HUSSEY. Notwithstanding the marvellous and ever acceler- ating advance in other lines of material industry, that of agriculture must perforce continue as the stable basis of national prosperity in all lands, and White County, Indiana, is signally favored in the personnel of those who are so ably upholding its prestige as a center of progres- sive industry and enterprise along agricultural and stock-growing lines. A well known and highly honored representative of this element of citizenship is Uriah Stillwell Hussey, who is a scion of one of the old and sterling pioneer families of the Hoosier State, which has represented his home from the time of his birth and in which he has marked the passing years with large and worthy achievement, so that now, at the venerable age of eighty years, he finds just reward for his past endeav- ors in the peace and comfort that are his in his gracious retirement from the labors and responsibilities that were formerly his. He still
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Mrs. Uriah S. Hussey
Uriah S. Hussey.
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resides on his homestead farm of eighty acres, in section 12, Monon Township, and, with mental and physical vigor that belies his years, he finds much satisfaction in giving a general supervision to his farm, the while he rests content in the confidence and esteem accorded to him by all who know him.
Mr. Hussey was born in Delaware County, Indiana, on the 17th of December, 1835, and is a son of Rameth and Elizabeth (Thornburg) Hussey, both of whom were born and reared in Indiana and the marriage of whom was solemnized at Muncie, the judicial center of Delaware County. Both the Hussey and Thornburg families were founded in this state at an early period in its history and the names of both have been closely linked with the civic and industrial development and progress of the Hoosier commonwealth, the Hussey family lineage being of Scotch and English extraction. He whose name initiates this article was the second in order of birth in a family of ten children and is the eldest of those now living: Ida is the wife of Elwood O. Ellis; Arthur is a resi- dent of Lafayette, Tippecanoe County ; and all of the others have passed forward to that "undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns. "
Rameth Hussey was reared to manhood under the conditions and influences of the pioneer era in Indiana and that he made good use of the advantages afforded in the schools of the period is evidenced by the fact that as a young man he proved himself eligible for pedagogic honors and became a successful and popular teacher in the common schools. He was a deep student and became a man of broad intellectual ken. He finally entered the ministry of the Methodist Protestant Church and thereafter devoted himself with all of earnestness and consecrated zeal to service in the vineyard of the Divine Master and to the aiding and uplifting of his fellowmen. He became widely known throughout Northern Indiana and held the reverent affection of all who came within the sphere of his exalted and gentle influence, his wife having been his loved coadjutor in his work and having been a woman whose life was a veritable benediction. He was implacable in his animosity to the liquor traffic and it is a matter of historical record and interest that this noble pioneer was the first to deliver a temperance lecture in Clinton County. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, with which he united at the time of its organization, but he had naught of worldly aspiration and never held public office. He died on the 7th of Decem- ber, 1879, at the age of sixty-six years, and his widow was summoned to eternal rest in 1887, the remains of both being interred in the ceme- tery at Fairmount, Grant County. They established their residence in
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White County in 1865, but later removed to Jonesboro, Grant County, where they passed the residue of their lives.
To the public schools of Clinton County Uriah S. Hussey is indebted for his early educational discipline and he was signally favored in being reared in a home of distinctive culture and high ideals. He attended Oberlin College for a short time and at the age of twenty-one years he initiated his independent career. For a time he had the management of a general store at Newport, Madison County, Ohio, and he then iden- tified himself with agricultural pursuits, with which he has continued his association during the long intervening years and through the medium of which he has attained to definite prosperity. He purchased and established his home on his present fine farm in 1887, and here he has made excellent improvements of a permanent nature, including the erection of a substantial brick barn of most modern facilities and a com- fortable and attractive residence, the latter being known for its gracious hospitality and pervading atmosphere of peace and good cheer. The homestead is known as "'Hickoryhurst Farm" and is one of the valu- able rural estates of White County, the farm being given over to diver- sified agriculture and the raising of high-grade live stock. In partner- ship with Thomas A. Kennard Mr. Hussey established a tile and brick factory 31/2 miles east of Monon, and the enterprise was made very suc- cessful, Mr. Hussey having continued his association with the business until 1910.
Though he has had no desire to enter the turbulent current of so called practical politics, Mr. Hussey is a stalwart supporter of the cause of the republican party, is loyal and public-spirited as a citizen, and has served as a valued member of the advisory board of Monon Township.
June 26, 1860, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hussey to Miss Emma A. Peck, who was born January 26, 1839, in Madison County, Ohio, where she was reared and educated. She is a daughter of Gideon and Deborah (Kilgore) Peck, who were natives of Ohio and came from the Buckeye State to Indiana, where they passed the remainder of their lives, both having been members of the Methodist Protestant Church, to the faith of which Mrs. Hussey adheres. Mr. and Mrs. Hus- sey have two children : James C. is a prosperous farmer of White County, and S. Alice, who resides in the City of Monon, this county, is the widow of John Pogue and has two children : Hazel Dot, who was educated in the Monon High School and is the wife of C. C. Hughs, a resident of Monon ; and Emma A., who also received her education in the Monon High School, and in the University of Valparaiso and is now the librarian of the Carnegie Library at Monon Township. June 26, 1910, Mr. and Mrs. Hussey celebrated their golden wedding and seventy-two guests were present to congratulate the dear old couple on this memorable day.
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JOHN W. COWGER. Having begun life for himself on a log rung of the ladder of attainments, John W. Cowger, a prosperous farmer of Lib- erty Township, by close application, untiring energy, and a wise use of his faculties and opportunities, has steadily trod the pathway of suc- cess, in every way proving himself a worthy and useful citizen. A son of Silas and Elizabeth (Bott) Cowger, he was born December 24, 1855, in Monon Township, White County.
Brought up in his native county, Mr. Cowger received his early edu- cation in the public schools of West Bedford. As long as his mother lived, he remained at home, rendering her every assistance possible, working at anything he could find to do. After her death, he went to Buffalo, and there entered the employ of Harvey Claridge, from whom he learned the blacksmith's trade. Mr. Cowger subsequently followed his trade successfully for thirty consecutive years, having an extensive pat- * ronage. In the spring of 1914, desirous of a change of occupation, he purchased eighty acres of land in Liberty Township, and is devoting his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, being a general farmer and stock raiser.
On December 24, 1877, the twenty-second anniversary of his birth, Mr. Cowger married Zilpha Yount, a daughter of Frederick and Caro- line Yount. Three children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cowger, two of whom, Ida and Beatrice, have passed to the life beyond. the only child now living being Carrie, wife of O. C. Hutchings. Mr. Cowger belongs to no secret societies, but both he and his wife are con- sistent members of the Christian Church.
ELISHA WARDEN. The son of a pioneer of White County, and one of the very few survivors of its early settlers, Elisha Warden is a worthy representative of those energetic, courageous men, who bravely faced all the dangers, hardships and trials incident to frontier life, in order to pave the way for those who followed, and that their descendants might enjoy the comforts of life without the labor and toil which they, them- selves, had so patiently endured. Having been a resident of this part of Indiana for nearly four score years, he has witnessed wonderful changes in the face of the country, and in this grand transformation has taken an active part, spending many of the best years of his long and useful life in reclaiming a portion of this rich and fertile land from its original wildness. He was born October 12, 1836, in Delphi, Carroll County, Indiana, on the paternal side being of thrifty New Eng- land ancestry, and on the maternal side he is a grandson of the French trader Dubois, for whom Dubois County, Indiana, was named.
His father, Elisha Warden, Sr., was born in Vermont, and as a young
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man migrated to Illinois, which was then under territorial government, and there married Agnes Dubois, who was of pure French descent. Com- ing to White County in 1836, just after the death of his wife, which oc- curred in Carroll County, Indiana, he located at Norway, where he was for many years engaged in the manufacture of half-bushel measures. A man of much intelligence and ability, he was prominent in public affairs, twice serving as sheriff of the county. Of the eight children born to him and his wife, but one survives, Elisha, of this sketch.
As a boy Elisha Warden attended the pioneer schools of Monticello and of Liberty Township, acquiring a good education for his times. At the age of twenty-six years, desirous of having a home of his own, he bought land in White County, and set to work with characteristic energy and industry to improve a homestead. Successful from the start, he con- tinued farming throughout his active career, although for many years he was profitably employed as a house mover. Since disposing of his estate, Mr. Warden has lived retired from active pursuits.
In November, 1860, Mr. Warden married for his first wife Christiana Grant, who died thirty-one years later, leaving no children. Mr. Warden married, January 11, 1894, Catherine Reprogle, a daughter of Wert and Susan (Smith) Reprogle, who came from Ohio to White County many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Warden have no children of their own, but they have partly reared two boys. In his political affiliations Mr. Warden is a democrat, and fraternally he is a member of Libanus Lodge No. 154, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; and of Monticello Chapter No. 103, Royal Arch Masons.
JOHN W. RUSSELL. A business man of Monon who has shown both aggressive and popular qualities in building up his retail establishment, John W. Russell have lived at Monon ever since it became a town, and his residence in White County dates back to April, 1876. His is one of the highly respected names in that section of the county.
John W. Russell was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, July 29, 1858, one of five children, four of whom are still living, born to Sher- man and Margaret (Layman) Russell. His father was a native of New York State and his mother of Ohio. Sherman Russell was brought to Indiana when a small boy by his parents, and spent the rest of his life in the state, dying February 27, 1880. In 1876 he had moved to the present site of the Town of Monon, and when the town was organized he became a member of the first town council. His life, for the most part, was passed in farming, and while he accumulated no great share of this world's goods, he bore the reputation of being an excellent farmer, a good neighbor, and for his many sturdy qualities for good in the
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community was universally respected. His widow survives him and resides in Monon.
John W. Russell was eighteen years old when he came to White County, and his youth and early manhood were spent on a farm with an education from the public schools and for nearly twenty years he was actively identified with agricultural industry. In 1896 he em- barked in the general retail merchandise business at Monon and for nearly twenty years he has continued to deal with the public with an unassailable reputation for integrity as well as for successful manage- ment.
Mr. Russell is a republican in politics and is affiliated with the Mod- ern Woodmen of America at Monon. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church at Monon. On October 30, 1880, he married Florence K. Baughman. Their three children are: Mary E., now Mrs. Frank Horner; Eva Alice and Herbert V.
ENOCH J. CLARK. White County is fortunate in claiming Mr. Clark as one of its alert, progressive and representative agriculturists and stock growers, for in his operations he brings to bear the energy and good judgment that make for large success, the while his example is well worthy of emulation as showing the splendid possibilities for achieve- ment in connection with the important lines of industry to which he pays fealty. He controls a fine landed estate of 320 acres, equipped with modern improvements, and he brings to bear mature judgment and scientific principles in the carrying forward of the various operations of his farm, the land on which his residence is situated being in section 22, Monon Township. He is liberal and progressive also in his attitude as a citizen, and as one of the substantial men and representative farmers of White County he commands unqualified confidence and good will in the community.
On the old homestead farm of his father, in Milroy Township, Jasper County, Indiana, Enoch J. Clark was born on the 4th of April, 1868, a son of Enoch and Eliza (McCashen) Clark, both of whom continued their residence in that county until their death, the father having been one of the prosperous farmers and highly honored citizens of that county. He whose name introduces this article was reared to manhood in his native township and his early education was acquired in the public schools. He continued to be associated with the work and management of the old home farm until he had attained to the age of twenty-two years, since which time he has made consecutive progress in his activi- ties as an independent agriculturist and stock-raiser, his success having been the direct result of his own ability and unremitting toil and en-
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deavor. He has been a resident of White County since 1900 and, as previously stated, his farming operations are by no means circum- scribed, owing to the fact that they cover a tract of 320 acres, the land being of the best order and making possible the securing of the maxi- mum returns for the labor and care expended.
Mr. Clark is a man of broad views and well fortified opinions, is always ready to give his influence and direct co-operation in the ad- vancement of measures and enterprises for the best interests of the community, and though he is signally free from predilection for po- litical office, he is found aligned as a stalwart supporter of the principles of the democratic party. In his farm enterprise he devotes special attention to the raising and breeding of the best grade of full-blood shorthorn cattle, many fine specimens of which are always to be found on his farm.
In the year 1892 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Clark to Mary Soltwell, and their three children, Oliver, Verna and Raymond, all remain at the parental home.
DR. ERNAN A. BUSH. A brainy, wide-awake young man, full of vim and energy, Dr. Ernan A. Bush is prominently identified with the best and highest interests of Reynolds, which has been his home since 1906. He was born February 19, 1882, in Jackson County, Iowa, of German and English ancestry.
The doctor's father, Henry Bush, was born in Germany, and as a young man came to America, settling first in Clinton County, Iowa, where he married Elizabeth Williamson, who bore him seven children, of whom six are now living. Both of the parents are dead, the later years of their lives having been spent in Iowa.
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