USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 45
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Benton B. Bower was born in Washington township, Clark county, May 8, 1857, the son of John A. and Mary (Coombs) Bower, the former being the son of Col. Daniel W. Bower, an officer in the War of 1812. Col. Daniel W. Bower was a native of North Carolina, who came to Indiana and purchased one thousand acres of land when it was cheap, entering most of it from the government. He married Elizabeth Hostettler, who was a native of North Carolina.
There were eight children in this family, namely: Adam, John A., Corydon C., Daniel, George B .. Mary A., Elizabeth and Catherine B. John
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A. Bower, father of the subject, was reared in Washington township, this coun- ty, where he married Mary J. Coombs, the daughter of William and Mar- garet (Myers) Coombs. They settled in Silver Creek township in which they lived until 1858, when they moved to Coles county, Illinois, in which place they lived the remainder of their lives.
John A. Bower attended the early schools in his boyhood days in his na- tive vicinity. He married Mary Coombs, the daughter of a prosperous farmer, her parents being members of the Christian church, the former being an elder in the same. He was a strong Democrat. He died November 16, 1903, and she passed to her rest in October, 1903. Three children were born to them. Orrie D., who became the wife of F. J. Stutsman, is now deceased. They re- sided in Chicago. Benton B., our subject, was the second in order of birth, and Daniel WV. was the youngest. Benton B. was reared on the old home place on which he worked when a boy attending the district schools in the mean- time, later, took a course in the Charlestown Academy, where he received a sufficient education to enable him to teach, and he taught with success in this county for two years. He was in the merchandise business at New Washing- ton for five years during which time he built up a good trade. Disposing of his goods here he was in the merchandise business at Indianapolis for two years, but tiring of the exacting life of a large city he preferred to live in the country and returned to his native community, buying a good farm of ninety- one acres. which he now owns and on which he carries on a general farming with much success, being the owner of the old homestead which he has greatly enhanced in value by is careful management and extensive improvements.
Mr. Bower was united in marriage in May, 1893, with Laura A. Jackson, and to this union one child, Harold M., was born in February, 1894. Mrs. Bower passed to her rest in 1897, and Mr. Bower was married a second time October 19, 1906, his last wife being Leora Blackford, who was born in Jeffer- son county, Missouri, December 9, 1870, the daughter of John W. Blackford. She was educated in the district schools and the normal school at Indianapolis, and also at Danville, Indiana. She was a teacher in the district schools and later in the primary schools at Hanover, Utica and New Washington. No children have been born to this union.
Mr. Bower is a member of the Christian church. In politics he is a Demo- crat, and has long taken considerable interest in his party's affairs. He was postmaster at New Washington during one of Cleveland's administrations, and he proved to be a very faithful public servant. He finds time to devote some attention to music, having been a student of this art while in Indianapo- lis, and he is regarded as an excellent performed on musical instruments, hav- ing taught music with success. He has made several instruments. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bower are intelligent and friendly people, and they are highly re- spected by all who know them.
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GEORGE W. SWENGEL.
Among the representative citizens of Clark county, Indiana, the subject of this sketch has long been prominent, being a well known and successful business man and a factor of value in the development of the section of the county in which he lives, having formerly been engaged in the mercantile business, but of late years he has devoted his energies to farming pursuits, but whatever he has turned his hand to he has made a marked success.
George WV. Swengel was born in Jackson county, Indiana, March 19, 1850, the son of Charles and Catherine (Kiser) Swengel. Charles Swengel, grandfather of the subject, was a native of Maryland, having come from that state to Circleville, Ohio. He married Virginia Kensel. They were the parents of these children: Michael. John, Samuel, Charles, Elizabeth, Sophia and Catherine.
Charles Swengel, father of the subject, was reared on a farm in Pickaway county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, attending what schools there were in his neighborhood in that early day. He married Sarah Kiser in 1848. To that union three children were born. Charles Swengel was first married to Katherine Kiser, to which union five children were born. This wife died and he married her sister. One of Charles Swengel's children, Mary, is the wife of Joseph Ryan, a resident of Elizabethtown, Bartholomew county, Indiana.
George WV. Swengel was born and reared in Jackson county, this state, having grown to manhood on the farm and he attended the district schools of that county, being enabled to teach at the age of seventeen. He successfully followed this line of work for four years. He then engaged in the mercantile business until 1901, building up an extensive trade in the same, but desiring to lead the freer life of the husbandman, he then went on a farm in Wash- ington township, where he has since resided. He has a good farm which he manages with success, carrying on general farming and keeping about him some good stock.
Mr. Swengel was married to Rose I. Haymaker September 23, 1879, who was born at New Market, Indiana, in 1857, the daughter of Dr. George WV. Haymaker, brother of Capt. Isaac N., Joseph M. and J. W. Haymaker. Dr. George Haymaker married Foster Henley, daughter of Noah and Lous- ana (Munday) Henley. Noah was the son of Jesse Henley, who came to In- diana in 1806 from North Carolina. Jesse Henley married Catherine Fouts. He was the owner of twenty-eight hundred acres of land in Clark county. He died in 1829, his wife having died in 1806. He ag» married a Miss Bower
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Swengel are the par is of the following chi !. dren : Carl H., born January 28, 1881 ; Lulu B., born July 20, 1884; Jessie F., born March 26, 1887; Margaret R., born April 16, 1890; George W., Jr., born. December 25, 1891 ; Helen T., born April 21, 1895; Kenneth, born August I, 1897. Five of these children are living at this writing ( 1909).
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The Kiser family emigrated to Indiana from Brownsville, Pennsylvania, where the subject's maternal grandfather was engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, having moved from there to Ohio. Grandmother Kiser, whose maiden name was Landis, was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Swengel are members of the Christian church. In politics Mr. Swenger is a Democrat, and has long taken considerable interest in the affairs of his party. He at one time served as postmaster of Sellersburg, In- diana, during Cleveland's administration. His father was also interested in political affairs and was Commissioner of Jackson county, Indiana. Our sub- ject is known as a man of sound practical ideas, honest in his purpose and is regarded as an excellent neighbor and citizen.
F. M. CARR, M. D.
The venerable and honored physician whose name initiates this review, is one of the best known and useful men in Oregon township, Clark county, his practice having long ago pervaded the entire county, his fame having been augmented as the years increased until today his name is a household word throughout the locality.
Dr. F. M. Carr was born in Charlestown township, Clark county, Indiana, January 3, 1831, the son of Absalom and Jane ( Weir) Carr. Thomas and Hannah (Coombs) Carr were the grandparents of the subject, Thomas Carr having come to this country from Fayette county, Pennsylvania in 1806, and settled on Sinking Fork of Silver creek, in Charlestown township. He was of Irish descent. The subject's great-grandfather came from Ireland and landed at Annapolis, Maryland, with one sister and one brother, this being the first advent of the Carr family in America; one of these brothers went to Tennessee and the other remained in Maryland. Doctor Carr is a descendant of the Carr who settled in Pennsylvania. Jane Weir was born in Virginia May 1, 1792, and was reared in Kentucky. She came to Indiana in 1810.
Absalom Carr and Jane Weir were married in Union township in October, 1812, and they resided in Charlestown township until in the thirties, then moved to Washington county, Indiana, where they lived until about 1838, when they moved to Washington township, Clark county, where they remained the rest of their days, the father of the subject dying in 1876, and his wife preceded him to the silent land in 1862. They were the par ats of ten children, namely : Thomas J. lived to be eighty-one years old and died in Missouri : Hulda, who became the wife of Felix Huston, died in Illinois in 1857; Julia married Thomas McClosky in 1836; Susan became the second wife of Phelix Huston ; Martha died early in life, having remained single; Mary, who also remained
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single, is deceased; A. W., who died in Scipio, Indiana, married Martha Go- forth : F. M., our subject, was the next in order of birth ; Joseph married Eliza- beth Cartner, both deceased; John married Nancy J. Amick, both deceased.
Dr. F. M. Carr was born in Charlestown township, and he went with his parents to" Washington county, this state, and back to Clark county when they returned. He worked on his father's farm until 1852. He attended school at Charlestown, read medicine in New Washington, Indiana, having early de- cided that his talents lay along the lines of medical science, and he made rapid progress in the same from the first. He attended a medical college at Louis- ville, Kentucky, graduating in 1855. In the same year he commenced practice in New Market, Clark county, and practiced continuously until 1906, when he retired. During those long years of faithful service, he built up an extensive patronage, as already indicated, and became known as one of the most suc- cessful practitioners in the county.
Doctor Carr was united in marriage with Martha E. Cortner, December 25, 1854. They are the parents of seven sons, all living, namely : J. P., super- intendent of schools at Vicksburg, Mississippi; J. W., who is a telegraph op- erator at Colwich, Kansas; M. W. lives in Corydon, Indiana; S. E. is a drug clerk in Jeffersonville, this state; F. W. is a lawyer in Charlestown, Indiana ; C. L. lives at home ; Manton M. lives in Corydon, this state.
Doctor Carr is a member of the Presbyterian church and has been an , elder in the same for many years. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and he cast his first vote for President Franklin Pierce in 1852. He served as Trustee of Oregon township for five years. J. P. Carr served as Superin- tendent of county schools from 1883 to 1887. S. E. Carr served in the same capacity for four years. F. W. Carr also served as Clerk of Clark county for a period of four years.
Doctor Carr is a man of wonderful memory and it is interesting to hear his instructive and entertaining conversation on the development of this local- ity, and scenes and conditions as they existed in the early days and he is the . historian of Oregon township. Doctor Carr has a comfortable home with beautiful surroundings.
HENRY H. RATTS.
Among the enterprising and progressive men of Washington township, Clark county, whose efforts have been lent to the prestige of the agricultural industry of this locality, is the subject of this review, whose long life has been passed within her borders.
Henry H. Ratts was born in Washington township, Clark county, In- diana, March 9, 1842, the son of Jacob and Lucintha (Fouts) Ratts, the for-
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mer a native of North Carolina, who came with his father, Henry Ratts, when Jacob was eighteen years old. Jacob Ratts married Lucintha Fouts. Grand- father Fouts also came from North Carolina. Jacob Ratts and wife were the parents of seven children, three boys and three girls growing to maturity, namely : Thomas L., David F., Mary A., Sarah J., Henry H. and Margaret E. The three living in 1909 are David F., Henry H. and Margaret E.
Our subject was reared on the farm on which he worked when a young man and attended the district schools in the meantime until he was eighteen years old, when he quit school, but remained at home until he was thirty.
He rented the farm and was married in 1872 to Anna Rodgers, who was born and reared in this county. They at once moved to where they now live, and have since remained in the same home, being the owners of a valuable farm consisting of two hundred and thirty acres of land, which is well im- proved. The land has always yielded rich harvests of various kinds. Mr. Ratts has a substantial and comfortable dwelling and convenient out buildings. He always keeps plenty of good stock on the place, and he is regarded by his neighbors as an up-to-date farmer in every respect.
To Mr. and Mrs. Ratts six children have been born, namely : Harry. Thomas, Olive, Jacob, Roy and Cynthia. Thomas was killed.
The subject and wife are members of the Christian church at New Wash- ington, this county, and the former is one of the trustees of the same. They take considerable interest in church work. In politics Mr. Ratts is a Demo- crat, but he has never taken a very active part in political movements. He is a man of much force of personality and stability of character, and he has made a success as a result of his close application to his farm work.
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JOSIAH C. CRAWFORD. _
Among those of the farming element in Clark county whose labors have been rewarded with proportionate fruits is he whose name appears above, who is the owner of a well improved landed estate in Owen township.
Josiah C. Crawford was born in Owen township, Clark county, Indiana, January 26, 1861, the son of Josiah and Phoebe H. (Crosby) Crawford, the former a native of this county. William Crawford, grand ther of the subject, was a native of Virginia and one of the early settlers of ( k county, Indiana. He was the father of five children, all deceased. The Crosbys were natives of Massachusetts, from which state they emigrated to the West. The family originated in England. Josiah Crawford, the subject's father, was a man of considerable prominence in his day, having been a graduate from Hanover College, and a Presbyterian preacher, traveling over a large circuit in Southern
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Indiana. He passed to his rest in 1892. He and his noble wife were the parents of seven children, all now deceased but the subject of this sketch, Josiah C., who was reared on grants Nos. 104 and 105, and he began working on the farm at an early age, in the meantime attending the district schools. Not being satisfied with a common school education, he entered Hanover College and graduated with the class of 1896, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, having made a splendid record in that institution.
Our subject was united in marriage with Anna Bowyer, a native of this township, the date of their wedding occuring October 9, 1887. She is a grad- uate of the common schools. They have farmed continuously since their mar- riage, their fine farm of two hundred acres being located in Owen township, which is well managed and highly improved under the direction of our subject, who is one of the most progressive agriculturists of this locality, carrying on general farming with that energy and sound judgment that always insures success.
To Mr. and Mrs. Crawford nine children have been born, one of whom is deceased, namely : Sophronia, Nellie, Mary, deceased; Alma and Alice are twins; Charles, Helen, Esther and Margaret.
Mr. and Mrs. Crawford are faithful members of the Presbyterian church. In politics our subject is a loyal Republican, but he prefers to devote his at- tention to his farm rather than seek political preferment at the hands of his fellow citizens. He is a member of several college orders, and is known in his community as a man of excellent mental endowment, integrity and industry, and his nicely furnished home is a place of generous hospitality.
EDWARD M. GRAVES.
Edward M. Graves first saw the light of day February 5, 1865, on the fertile acres which he now owns in Owen township, Clark county, and he is regarded as one of the most progressive agriculturists in that community. He is a man of advanced ideas, and his farm is occupied with the most modern machinery. As a lad he showed a great aptitude for learning, and his ad- vancement in such studies as he pursued in the township schools was rapid, although in connection with his studies he did much work upon the farm. He settled down in the old homestead, and as a result of his energy can 'day point with pride to a fine farm.
He is the son of Charles and Elvira A. (Rogers) Graves. Charles Caves was born in Washington township in 1821, while his wife came into the world in 1823. David Graves, the father of Charles, came to Indiana in the days when the southern portion of the Hoosier state was practically a wilderness.
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Charles Graves and Elvira A. Rogers were married in Washington township. After a short residence in Oregon they returned to their old home, and pur- chased a farm in the west half of section 22. Here they lived happily until 1894. when Mrs. Graves died. Ten children were born to them, six of whom are living, namely : James M., John O., Willie, Samuel D., Thomas, Cyrus, Lottie, Rhoda, Laura and Edward M.
Edward M. Graves was united in marriage July 24 1892, to Hattie L. Moore, the daughter of William Moore, who was a native of England. To them were born four children, three of whom survive, viz: Isoline, Alzena and Alberta.
Ever since he attained manhood's estate Mr. Graves has been a staunch adherent of the Republican party, but that he is popular with the voters of the community in which he has so long resided is evidenced by the substantial plurality that he received in the fall election of 1908, when he was the candidate of his party for the office of Township Trustee, and received several votes over the regular. majority. He entered upon the duties of this office January I, 1909.
Mr. Graves not only gives close attention to the cultivation of his land, producing some of the finest corn and wheat that is shipped out of Clark county, but is also extensively engaged in the stock business, which in the last few years he has found very profitable. He has made a close study of this line of business, and has the reputation of being one of the best judges of live stock in Owen township. Therefore Mr. Graves experiences no difficulty in finding a ready market for the products of his stock farm, which is well drained and consists of one hundred forty-eight acres.
JOHN W. CLAPP.
John W. Clapp is a native of Clark county, Indiana, where he first saw the light of day March 7, 1849, the son of William and Catherine (Amick) Clapp, the former who was a native of Indiana, was the son of Valentine Clapp, who emigrated to the Hoosier state from North Carolina, from which state the Amick family also came, being among the first settlers in this part of the state. William Clapp and Catharine Amick were married in Clark county. having lived and died on the farm where the subject now lives. They were the parents of the following children : J. W., Lois M., James V., William W., . L. M., Henry P., Robert A., Sarah, the wife of J. D. Robinson ; Magg :. A., the wife of O. G. Thomas; Zella, the wife of M. Mosser, lives in Illinois.
John W. Clapp was reared on the farm adjoining the one on which he now lives, having been born there, and he early began working on the same, at-
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BAIRD'S HISTORY OF CLARK CO., IND.
tending the district schools in the meantime, for a few months each winter, having remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years old. He was married February 27, 1873, to Margaret A. Searles, and five children were born to the subject and wife, namely : Lulu M., the wife of Fon Jones; Ira D. was killed; Clarence V. lives in Illinois; Julia F. is the wife of Ira Bowles, of Illinois. The subject's wife passed to her rest December 18, 1885, and Mr. Clapp was married again, his second wife having been known in her maidenhood as Emma J. Himnlhever, whom he married June 10, 1886. Three children have been born to this union, namely : Amza R., Clyde C., and Ine E., all single. This wife was called to her rest September 18, 1906, and the subject was married to Lillie B. Sanders, widow of John M. Sanders. She was born in Clark county, November 29, 1861.
Mrs. Clapp is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while the subject belongs to the United Brethren church. In politics he is a Democrat.
Mr. Clapp is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and seventeen acres of land in grant No. 213, which he has improved until it ranks with the best farms in the county. In fact he has devoted his life to the improvement and cultivation of this one farm and he has been amply repaid for his labor. He has a good old substantial dwelling and convenient barns, sheds, etc. Besides managing his farm he runs a threshing machine and husker with much success. and no man in Oregon township keeps better stock than he, especially cattle and hogs, the latter being the Poland-China breed. In 1901 he met with an unfortunate accident which resulted in losing his left hand in a shredder. He is well known throughout this locality and is regarded as a man of excellent business ability.
ANDREW M. FISHER.
The subject has spent his long life in Clark county, where he has labored for the general good of his community as well as for his own interests. He is the owner of a very valuable farm in Washington township, and is classed among the prosperous, self-made men of this county.
Andrew M. Fisher was born in Washington township, Clark county, this state. December 8, 1841, the son of John and Elizabeth (Fouts) Fisher. Jacob Fouts, the grandfather of the subject, came to Clark county prior to 1800, from North Carolina. He married Mary Dugan, and to the union four boys and five girls were born, Elizabeth being one of their numbe . she being the mother of our subject. John Fisher, father of Andrew M., was born in North Caro- lina in 1802. He was the son of George Fisher, who came to Clark county, Indiana, in 1813, settling in Washington township, living neighbors to the Fouts family. John Fisher and Elizabeth Fouts were married in 1828, and
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they became the parents of these children : William, Sarah J., James L., Isa- belle A., Jacob H., Allen, Andrew M. and Mary C. Five of these children are living in 1909.
Andrew M. Fisher was reared on the farm where he now lives in section 19, township 2, range 9 east, assisting with the work about the place in his youth and attending the district schools of Washington township during the winter months. He assisted in clearing the land and improving the home place until he was twenty years of age. He obtained a fairly good schooling for those early days.
Our subject was married to Ellen Taff, who was a daughter of James Taff. She was a native of Jefferson county. Indiana, and was educated in the common schools of that county, and to this union six children were born: Frank M., born November 9, 1884, a graduate of Hanover College; Emery L., born in 1893, is a graduate of the common schools.
Mr. Fisher owns five hundred acres of land, all in Washington township. where he carries on farming and stock raising in a general way. He is regard- ed by his neighbors as one of the leading agriculturists of this locality, keeping his farm in splendid condition and stocked with various kinds of live stock of excellent grade. He has a beautiful home, an excellent barn, and in fact, everything about the place shows thrift. At the organization of the New Washington Bank in 1907, Mr. Fisher was made vice-president and one of the directors, and he is performing his duties with rare care and foresight. He is a fine type of the modern business man, alert, progressive and honorable.
W. A. BRITAN.
The subject of this sketch, who has lived in Clark county for more than half a century, in fact all his life, has been a witness of the great development which has characterized this section, and indeed has borne his full part in mak- ing the community in which he resides one of the choice sections in this part of the state.
WV. A. Britan first saw the light of day in Clark county, Indiana, May 15, 1853, the son of Dr. W. W. and Jane A. (Dickey) Britan, the latter a daugh- ter of Rev. John M. Dickey, a pioneer preacher in the Presbyterian church of Indiana. Dr. W. W. Britan was a native of Massachusetts, hav: « grad- uated from a medical school and he was also : student at Andover. : le prac- ticed medicine and also engaged in farming, owning the old Dickey farm of one hundred and ten acres. To the subject's parents eleven children were born, six of whom are now living, W. A., our subject, being the sixth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Britan were people of much sterling worth.
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