USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 23
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Mr. Wood was married April 24, 1879, with Mary E. Todd. She was born at Paris, Indiana, the daughter of William Todd, a representative citizen of Jennings county, this state, the wedding occurring at Paris. Mrs. Wood's mother was known as Mary Cleland, a native of Madison, Indiana. Mrs. Wood was one of a family of the following children : Mary, Lizzie, deceased; William, who married Florence Wells; Stella, who married a Mr. Carlock; Bertha is living at home; Fletcher is deceased.
Mr. Wood is a Socialist. He has never held politica! office, however, he takes considerable interest in local political affairs, and is liberal in his religious views, being a well read man and keeps abreast of the times and is an interesting conversationalist. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. The Wood family is well and favorably known in Clark county, having always borne good reputations and taken an active part in local affairs for the general welfare of the community.
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JOHN MACKAY.
Death came to Mr. Mackay after he had retired from active life and was living quietly amid the scenes of his early manhood, and was, in his declining years, enjoying the fruits of a career that was marked by few idle moments. Very peaceful indeed were the latter years of his long and honor- able life, as he was absolutely free from the cares that overburden many men in their old age. It was a consolation to him to know that he had reared a family of children who had thrived and prospered and had been guilty of no act that might cast dishonor upon the family name. This venerable man was one of the best known citizens of Utica, having made it his home for more than half a century.
John Mackay was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, in 1831, and came to Utica seventeen years later, and engaged in farming with his cousin, M. P. Howes, working very hard and saving his money. He was married February 20, 1861, to Julia Morrison, a native of Utica township. and daughter of William and Sarah Morrison, being one of a family of nine children, three of whom died in infancy. The survivors are Ephraim, who is married ; John, who wedded Miss M. Gibson; Mrs. Samantha ( Morrison) Worthington; James married Ellen Goodwin; William remained single.
Mr. and Mrs. Mackay were the parents of four children, namely : Mrs. Mollie Marsh ; a son. William; Mrs. Cora Emmerich, and John Floyd Mackay, who married Nora Colvin.
Mr. Mackay died November 13, 1905. While a Democrat all his life he took no part in politics beyond casting his vote, and never held, or aspired to any public office, his interest being centered in his agricultural pursuits. He was not a member of any secret order, but attended church regularly, being a Methodist. There was a strong bond of affection between the de- ceased and his wife. He was a man of high character and sterling worth, and his demise was greatly deplored by the community which looked upon him as a man it could ill afford to lose.
OSCAR DIX.
To conduct successfully a mercantile business requires not only a knowl- edoe of articles handled, but a broad conception of human nature, and the skill so to manipulate affairs, as to bring about a satisfactory relation between merchant and consumer. Prominent among the merchants of Utica, Indiana, is the firm of Dix Brothers, dealers in general merchandise, and now for many years rated as among the town's most progressive business men. The mem- bers of the firm are Oscar and George B. Dix.
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Oscar Dix was born at Utica on the 5th of April, 1876, the son of James and Margaret (James) Dix, both of whom were born in Clark county. Samuel Dix, grandfather of Oscar Dix, was a native of Virginia, and after coming to Indiana was married to a Miss Swartz, of Utica.
Oscar was educated in the local school and after completing the work there decided later to prepare himself thoroughly for business. He accord- ingly went to Louisville and completed the course at Bryant and Stratton's Business College. Following this he returned to Utica and soon entered into business, continuing therein up to the present time.
On September 6, 1900, Mr. Dix was united in marriage to Leanora Cleffmann, who was born at Florence, Indiana, on the 21st of November, 1875. She is the daughter of Henry Cleffman, a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Dix are the parents of one child, Dorothy, born January 25, 1904. They are members of the Christian church and stand well in the community. Mr. Dix is a Democrat in politics, and has served his party as a member of the Township Advisory Board.
JAMES W. TAYLOR.
James W. Taylor, well known in Port Fulton and Jeffersonville, and throughout Clark county in general, has arisen to his present high standing in the community through his own innate ability and personal worthiness. His career is a direct refutation of the charge made nowadays that men of worth and merit have not the scope and opportunity in our present complex business life to develop themselves without injury to their own individuality. While yet a comparatively young man, he is successful in business life and a factor in the political affairs of his county. He is the present paymaster of the Ameri- can Car & Foundry Company, an office which he fills with distinction and credit to himself. He has also for many years been proprietor of the Excelsior Laundry in Jeffersonville and has brought that concern to a high state of perfection. He is in addition treasurer of the town of Port Fulton, having held the office for four years.
James W. Taylor was born in Port Fulton on the 19th of December, 1870, and was the son of Thomas and Catherine (Sweeney ) Taylor. Thomas Taylor was born in Wales, and in his boyhood lived near London, England. In 1837, having meanwhile emigrated, he settled in Jeffersonville, where he carried on a butchering trade for a great many years. He died in 1894. Mrs. Catherine Taylor was a sister of the Sweeney brothers, the shipyard and foundry men. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Taylor four boys and two girls were born. They are all living with the exception of one boy. Benja-
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min is in Mobile, Alabama, as representative of the American Car & Foundry Company. Thomas B. is at Thomasville, Georgia, having previously resided at Mobile and Birmingham for the past ten years. He is engaged in the lumber trade as a buyer for the Chicago Lumber and Coal Company. Catherine Taylor, one of the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Taylor, is secretary to the district manager of the car works in Jeffersonville. She has held her present position for about fifteen years and is said to be a woman of unusual business ability. Her sister, Mary C. Taylor, is a stenographer in the general offices of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad at Louisville, Kentucky.
James W. Taylor was educated in the public schools and the high school at Jeffersonville. He also graduated at-the - Louisville Business College. Upon leaving school he was for the period of eight years a clerk for the Penn- sylvania Railroad. He then changed to the American Car and Foundry Com- pany, the firm with which he is now paymaster, a position which has been his since 1907. Prior to that time he was with the same company for about five years as assistant auditor and paymaster.
In July, 1904, he succeeded Cheney and Williams in the proprietorship of the Excelsior Laundry, an industry which for the term of. twenty years and up to quite recently was the only one of its kind in Clark county. Mr. Taylor has directed and concentrated all that business resourcefulness with which he is credited in an effort to bring the Excelsior Laundry to a greater state of efficiency. In this he has admirably succeeded, and it is now well equipped to meet the competition of the most up-to-date concerns of its kind.
James W. Taylor has always been the friend of the fraternal societies. He belongs to the Elks and Red Men, being a past exalted ruler of the former. In religious life he is a practical and influential member of St. Augustine's Catholic church. He is a Democrat, and he is looked upon by the party leaders as a coming power in county politics. He is an able accountant, a level- headed, practical business man whose success has been due to his own efforts, and a man who possesses amiable and kindly traits.
GEORGE B. DIX.
The second member of the firm of Dix Brothers, George B. Dix, was born at Utica on the 21st of September, 1878. The facts regarding his parentage are given under the article headed Oscar Dix on another page of this work.
George received his early education in the Utica public schools, and after reaching maturity entered into business as a partner with his brother Oscar. Much of the success of the firm is owing to his close attention to business and
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his ability to interpret the demands of the trade. He holds liberal views on religious questions and votes with the Democratic party. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and is a popular figure in the social life of the community.
The firm of Dix Brothers has now been doing business for twelve years. Their stock is complete, their prices popular and their equipment second to none. They are obliging to their trade and are able to meet all the demands made by the exactions of competition and progress. They enjoy a large patronage and hold a high place in the esteem of neighbors and friends.
MATTHEW COLVIN.
The family of Matthew Colvin, made up as it was of thirteen children, will stand as an example of plenitude both in numbers and in domestic spirit. After all there is a charm that gathers about the home life of a large family. There is a feeling of kinship and a spirit of fellowship that is not found else- where in life. The circle of children gathered about the evening fire awakens in the breast a bond of fellowship never to be broken and one that years may make dimmer but can never efface. The contest of mind with mind and the many calls for sympathy and brotherly kindnesses are not without their in- fluence in shaping the disposition and temperament of boys and girls in the most impressionable period of their lives.
Matthew Colvin was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, on January 4, 1845. He was the son of Elisha and Margaret (Curry) Colvin, both natives of Kentucky, as were also the grandparents of our subject, Abraham J. and Sarah Colvin. Abraham Colvin reached the age of seventy-five years. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Colvin were James and Jane Curry, also natives of the Blue Grass state.
Mr. Colvin was educated in the district schools of Mercer county, Ken- tucky, and upon reaching maturity began life as a farmer. When about forty- five years of age he came to Indiana and continued to farm after his arrival.
Matthew Colvin chose as his companion in life, Lorenda Tatum, who was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky. Their union took place in 1867 and as stated above, resulted in the birth of thirteen children. as given below : Elisha Thomas, husband of Mary Carmany ; Joseph, married to Ellen Driscol; William Ivory, deceased; Ruth, wife of Granville Hooper; Georgia Ann, wife of William Ross; Lucy, wife of William Bruner; Jennie, wife of John Mackay ; Maggie and Sarah, deceased; Martha, living with her parents; Mary, wife of Edward Zable; Ophelia, deceased; and Emma, at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Colvin are members of the Christian church as are almost
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all of the children. The parents are held in high esteem, not only by their children, but by friends and neighbors as well. The home is often the scene of happy social gatherings and the spirit of welcome and genial hospitality is a strong characteristic known far and wide, and heartily appreciated.
WILLIAM GOODWIN.
Many of the early settlers of Clark county were descended from ances- tors that came to the Middle West from Maryland and Virginia. These made their way for the most part through the Cumberland Gap into Ken- tucky, branching later into the territory north of the Ohio river, as oppor- tunity afforded. Prominent among these families coming to Clark county is the one from whom our subject is descended.
William Goodwin was born on the farm where he now lives, in Utica township, Clark county, on May 20, 1846. His father, Isaac Goodwin, was born in the county also in 1818, and died September 19, 1883. Amos Goodwin, William's grandfather, was born in Virginia, in 1789, and died in August, 1863, having attained the age of seventy-three years. His wife, Amelia (Dunn) Goodwin, grandmother of William, was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, in 1793, and died in 1885, having reached the age of ninety-two years.
William Goodwin was one of a family of seven children, as follows: Amelia Ann, deceased; William, of this review; Amos married Miss A. Sharp and is now deceased; Beverly died at the age of thirteen years; Maria, wife of Dr. W. N. McCoy ; Charles died at the age of seventeen years, and Mary Bell, wife of John D. Sharp.
Mr. Goodwin received his early education in the neighboring district school, but as he advanced toward maturity he was possessed with the ambi- tion to acquire a more liberal training, and accordingly attended the North- western Christian University, at Indianapolis, later known as Butler Col- lege. He also took up a period of study at Kentucky University at Lex- ington, Kentucky. After these years of study he addressed himself to the wholesome task of running the farm, and his subsequent career demonstrated his ability to bring intelligent and scientific thought to bear upon the problems of the soil.
On the 15th of February, 1888, Mr. Goodwin was married to Lena Goodwin, to whom was born one child that died in infancy. She was the oldest daughter of Columbus C. Goodwin, a native of Clark county, and was one of a family of thirteen children.
Mr. Goodwin affiliates with the Republican party and has always taken a
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firm stand for thoroughness and a conscientious discharge of all public duties. From 1896 to 1900 he served as Clerk of the Circuit Court, giving general satisfaction to all with whom his duties involved connection. He has also served two terms as Township Trustee and was for seven years postmaster at Utica. In all of his public life he has made a clean record and has left the affairs of the several offices in excellent condition.
His farm of three hundred and fifty-six acres keeps Mr. Goodwin, for the most part, engaged. He has shown in its management the same busi- ness sagacity that characterized his public career, and has applied a most intelligent and sane judgment in its management. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is a most worthy exponent of the principles laid down by the order. The Goodwin home possesses a most wholesome atmosphere of social welcome and domestic happiness.
CHARLES SHARP GOODWIN.
From 1900 to 1904 Utica township, Clark county, Indiana, was served in the official capacity of Assessor by the youngest incumbent to that office in the history of the township. This was none other than Charles Sharp Goodwin, who was nominated for the office before he was twenty-one years of age, reaching his majority in time to fulfill the requirements of the law. Although the office is one that is humble in its scope, yet it requires good judgment and close application to bring about satisfactory service and in this Mr. Goodwin was eminently successful.
Mr. Goodwin was born on the 21st of June, 1879, in Utica township, on the farm where he resides at the present time. He is the son of Amos and Alice (Sharp) Goodwin, who are among the highly respected citizens of the township. The family consisted of five children, viz : Maggie, wife of Charles Litzler; Iva, deceased; Lena, wife of Homer Holman; Charles, of this review ; and Ella, who is unmarried.
Charles was educated in the neighboring district school and after com- pleting the work of the grades took a two years' high school course. As a student he was apt and industrious and was generally well liked by companions and teachers. After leaving high school Mr. Goodwin began farming and has continued in that line up to the present time. In this he has achieved success, bringing to bear on his work the benefits of his training and experience. He does not waste time on day-dreams or theories, but drives steadily at the vital duties that come to hand and as a result is enabled to make a splendid showing without any waste of time or energy. He operates the farm on which he lives, consisting of fifty-one acres, and also controls a farm of one
.
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hundred and fifty acres in the neighborhood state of Kentucky. No doubt future years will be for him years of opportunity and achievement.
On April 29, 1903, Mr. Goodwin was united in marriage to Maud Fry, an estimable young lady of good education and excellent tastes. This union has been graced with one son, Charles, who was born on the 4th of June, 1905.
Mr. Goodwin votes with the Republican party and advocates a strict . observance of the principles of honesty and the fair discharge of all official duties and obligations. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Utica Lodge, No. 112, and is a faithful exponent of the principles of that noble organization.
PETER H. BOTTORFF.
Although bent with the weight of years the mind of Mr. Bottorff is as bright and active as that of many men still in the middle journey of life, and he relates with a keen relish incidents of the days when Indiana. and especially the southern section of the state, was practically a trackless forest. This ven- erable man's memory of the stirring events, and the hardships that confronted the men and women of those early times is very vivid. He has seen a great commonwealth grow from an almost inpenetratable wilderness, his family having been one of the eight original settlers of Utica township, Clark county, and it was there that Peter H. Bottorff first saw the light more than eighty- one years ago. having been born in Utica township, October 19, 1827. His parents were Peter and Sarah (Fry) Bottorff, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania, and the latter from the state of Kentucky. The date of the birth of the father was December 17, 1791, while the mother was born August 17, 1799. Peter H. Bottorff was one of a family of nine children, three of whom are living, Abraham, eighty-eight years old; Sarah Ann, eighty-six years old, and the subject of this review.
Mr. Bottorff secured little or no education, as schools were very scarce in the days of his boyhood, and such as did exist were decidedly crude, the course of study being confined to reading, writing and spelling, with a smatter- ing of arithmetic. He began to work on his father's farm very early in life, accumulating sufficient money to enable him to become a land owner him- self after he had attained his majority. He is at the present time the possessor of one hundred and thirty acres of very productive soil. He was married three times, his first wife being Clarissa Ann Crump, by whom two children were born, namely : William Peter and Mary Alice. His second marriage was with Hannah Carr, by whom one child was born, which died in infancy.
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Later they adopted a son ten years old, Albert Carr Bottorff. He has reached manhood's estate, having been born December 25, 1879. He is married and the father of two children. His present wife was known as Eliza Crandall in her maindenhood and was the widow of James Bottorff.
Mr. Bottorff is a member of the Methodist church. He has been a deacon in this church for many years and is also an ordained elder of that body, having been a local preacher of that denomination and accomplishing much good. During early and mature years he was a hard worker, one of the most active in the neighborhood and second to none in the township in skill and speed with a cradle. He does not belong to any fraternal order. In politics he is a Democrat, and never held but one public office, that of Supervisor.
DAVID ALDEN SPANGLER.
Many of our families are constantly changing their place of residence and the family traditions and warm associations clinging about the old home are entirely wanting. Close observers think this is a serious defect in our modern life and should be met and adjusted as rapidly as possible in order to conserve the best interests of our community life. But we are already. old enough as a nation to be as well provided with a stable population as are many other nations of today, and it is to be hoped that the keeping of the family homestead by members of the same family will be more common in the future that it has been in the past.
This thought leads us to mention the fact that the man whose name heads this review, was born on the farm where he now lives, having never left the old homestead. He was born on New Year's day in 1851, and was the son of James and Clarissa (Smith) Spangler, the former having been born in Clark county, Indiana, and the latter in New York state.
David Alden Spangler received his early education in the district schools in the neighborhood, and showed many excellent traits as a student when a boy. As he grew to manhood he resolved to widen his general training as a preparation for life, and finally decided to go to Moore's Hill College. After returning from there he went back to the farm and later took up the study of law under Judge J. K. Marsh, of Jeffersonville, a leading authority on legal matters. He was admitted to the bar, but never practiced, for, upon the death of his father, he was looked to as the proper one to manage the farm, which duty he assumed in 1882. This farm of one hundred acres bears the marks of thrift and good management. Mr. Spangler has given it his entire time and thought, with results that are noticeable to the most casual observer. Mr. Spangler is a member of the Methodist church and the Masonic fraternity.
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JACOB LENTZ.
Jacob Lentz was born on May 12, 1860, the son of Jacob and Mahala Lentz, the former being a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Clark county, Indiana. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom be- sides Jacob are still living. They are Frank, who was married to Amanda Gilman, of Kentucky; Fannie, who became the wife of Bruner Daily; and Mary, who was married to D. Tuttle.
Mr. Lentz's early days were spent upon the farm, where he acquired his habits of industry and steady application to work. His opportunities for education were limited both on account of the lack of good school facilities and also on account of the short periods of time that could be given over to the work of education and school training. However, he made the most of his common school course that he was privileged to obtain and has made the edu- cation thus acquired instrumental for self-culture and development after com- ing to maturity. As soon as he reached manhood he began farming on his own responsibility and has continued at that occupation ever since.
His domestic career began with his marriage to Emma Howes, an accom- plished lady and daughter of Mitchell and Eliza ( Parks) Howes, the former being a native of New York and the latter of Kentucky. Four children were born to this union, three of whom survive. They are, Bernice E., who has become the wife of Cornelius Kennedy; Frank has become the husband of Carrie Ross; the third child, Charles, married Ethel McCoy ; the fourth child, Bertha, being deceased.
Although a member of no particular church Mr. Lentz sees something of good in all churches and stands ready and willing to further the interests of righteousness and justice in his neighborhood in every way that he can. He is independent in his views in church questions of a doctrinal nature. In politics he adheres to the Republican party although he has always advocated the need of placing great emphasis on the sovereignty of the ballot, and makes of it an instrument for the advancement and uplifting of the cause of good government. .
WALTER J. HOLMAN.
Walter J. Holman was born in Clark county, Indiana, near Utica, Sep- tember 29, 1870, and, unlike many of his contemporaries, never sought his for- tune in other fields, but early in life concluded that the best opportunities for him were to be found right at his door, consequently he has remained in his native county, with the result that his labors have been crowned with success. He is the son of Andrew Jackson Holman, who was born and reared in this
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county, spending his life here in such a manner as to gain the respect and plaudits of his fellow men. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Rozella Worrall, who was born near Utica. Isaac Holman, who was born in Virginia, was Walter J.'s paternal grandfather, and Thomas Worrall, who was born in Kentucky, was his maternal grandfather, whose wife's name was Eliza, and who was also born in Kentucky.
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