USA > Indiana > Miami County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 15
USA > Indiana > Howard County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 15
USA > Indiana > Cass County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 15
USA > Indiana > Tipton County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 15
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Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Gilbert have lived in Tipton ever since 1861, and both are sincere and exemplary members of the Presbyterian church, as well as their children: Mrs. Gilbert's father was a Presbyterian minister. He left Ireland at the age of sixteen years and landed on one of the West India islands, with only pants and shirt, but no hat. He was fed by a colored women who, smuggled victuals so him and his companions.
In his politics Mr. Gilbert is a Republican.
P HILIP WOLFORD .- The record of Mr. Wolford is that of a man who has by his own unaided efforts worked his way upward to a position of affluence. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and the sys- tematic and honorable business methods which he has followed have won him the support and confidence of many. He not only occupies a leading position among the agriculturists of Harrison township, where he makes his home, but is also prominent in political and social circles, and is now occu- pying the position of township trustee, his election thereto being a tribute to his personal worth and popularity.
Mr. Wolford was born in Noble township, Cass county, February 13, 1847, and is a son of Abraham and Rebecca (Kline) Wolford, both of whom were natives of Ohio, whence they came to Indiana at an early day, settling in Boone township, Cass county. They had a family of seven children: Jacob and Lottie, who are now deceased; George; Philip; Eliza; Lettie and Maggie.
Under the parental roof Philip Wolford spent his boyhood days, living in Noble township until sixteen years of age. Although but a boy, he then enlisted in the service of his country, joining the army in November, 1863,
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at Logansport. He was assigned to duty with the boys in blue of Company F, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, to serve for three years or during the war, and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, in November, 1865. He partici- pated in the battles of Mobile and Murfreesboro, and displayed as great bravery as that of the time-tried veterans before the enemy's guns. He now receives a pension of eight dollars per month in slight compensation for his service.
With an honorable military record he returned to the duties of the farm, and in connection with agricultural pursuits engaged in the marble business for some time. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, in Harrison township, and has made his farm one of the most highly culti- vated tracts in that locality. A good residence, substantial barns and out- buildings, improved machinery, good stock and well-tilled fields all attest the enterprise of the owner, whose efforts have been consecutive and well directed, bringing him therefore a substantial financial return.
On the 13th of July, 1879, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wolford and Miss Dora Leach, a native of Pulaski county, Indiana, and a daughter ot John Leach, a farmer. They have had seven children, five of whom are living: Mary, Daisy, George, Owen and LeRoy; Grace and Harley are deceased. In his political affiliations Mr. Wolford is a stalwart Republican, unswerving in support of the principles of that party, and in a township which usually gives a Democratic majority of forty he won a large majority when made the nominee of his party for the office of township trustee, in 1894. He was elected for a five-years term, and is now capably and accept- ably discharging the duties of that position with a singleness of purpose in behalf of the public good that has won him high commendation. Socially, he is connected with Lucerne Lodge, No. 680, I. O. O. F., has passed all the chairs, and also belongs to Lucerne Post, No. 591, G. A. R., both of Lucerne. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church, and their fidelity to its teachings has gained them the confidence and good will of all.
G EORGE L. GWINN, a farmer, and trustee of Center township, Howard county, was born in Carroll county, this state, January 14, 1852, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Taylor) Gwinn, natives of Virginia, who had
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four sons. Of these three are still living, namely, John, Sylvester and George L .; E. Allen is the name of the one deceased. Mr. Joseph Gwinn, also a farmer by occupation and a stock-raiser, on his emigration westward arrived in Carroll county in the autumn of 1851 and purchased a tract of land at Young America in an adjoining county, and after a residence of three years at that place he moved back into Carroll county and lived there about four years. Then he moved to Howard county, settling in Center township three miles southwest of Kokomo, where he bought two hundred and forty acres of land. In 1864 he purchased eighty acres more, in 1865 another eighty, and in 1870 ninety-five acres, on which last tract is the present residence of the sub- ject of this sketch. He died in 1875, at the age of fifty years, on the place he had purchased in 1864. He was a faithful member of the Christian church. Some time subsequently his widow married Mr. Barnabas Busby, and they now live on North Main street in Kokomo. She also is a member of the Christian (Disciples') church, sincere, intelligent and zealous. As a humble and loyal citizen he set a good example, never aspiring for office but working and voting conscientiously for the men of the Republican party. During the Civil war, although unable to do military duty, he hired a man to add his services to those of the Union army.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, also named Joseph Gwinn, was a native of Virginia and of German descent, a farmer by occupation, and finally died in his native state, at the age of sixty-two years. Although he owned a large plantation and was a zealous Democrat, he never owned slaves. He had a large family of children, -twelve in number. Mr. Gwinn's mater- nal grandfather, John Taylor, was also a native of Virginia, who came to Indiana in an early day, settling in Madison county. He had thirteen chil- dren, and was upward of seventy years of age when he died, his death tak- ing place in that county.
Thus it is seen that Mr. George L. Gwinn represents two very old fam- ilies of Indiana, especially of Howard county, where they have so long main- tained a high reputation for honesty, industry and general intelligence. Mr. Gwinn was reared on a farm in Howard county from the time he was seven years of age, forming that sturdy character which only a life in the pioneer west, especially in a community like that in Indiana, can develop. Besides obtaining the usual education afforded by the district schools, he followed blacksmithing in Kokomo about eighteen months, during his youth; and
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until the present time he has been an industrius and judicious farmer, his pros- perity evincing his good judgment. In August, 1894, he was elected trustee of Center township, where he resides, and entered upon the duties of his office a year afterward, in due course of law; and he is still holding this posi- tion. He is a gentleman of very modest disposition, many of whose best qualities can be ascertained only by close scrutiny and long acquaintance. Being very careful of the rights of his neighbors, he enjoys their profoundest respect.
On the first day of January, 1885, Mr. Gwinn was united in matrimony with Miss Mary E. Gwinn, a daughter of Joseph L. Gwinn and Amanda (Allen) Gwinn, and they have one daughter, named Arline. Mrs. Gwinn is a member of the Christian church.
W ILLIAM H. AMOS .- One of the most greatly esteemed agriculturists of Clay township, Howard county, is the gentleman whose name appears above. He is a native of this county, born November 20, 1850, reared to honest toil on the farm and educated at the common schools. His father, William C. Amos, was a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, who married Elizabeth Perkins, a native of Rush county, Indiana, and of Irish and German descent.
Mr. William C. Amos was born June 29, 1808, in Kentucky, and reared to manhood in that state, becoming in a very early day a pioneer settler in Rush county, this state. In 1844 he removed to Howard county, locating in what is now Ervin township, upon canal land which he purchased in the wilderness and where he cleared land and made a good farm. When he arrived here Indians, game animals and other wild beasts were still plentiful. The nearest gristmill was at a great distance, to which the settlers would take their corn in bags on horseback, following a trail which was often diffi- cult to discern. Mr. Amos was an industrious man and honorable in all his dealings, was a Republican in his politics but never aspired to office. He died at his homestead in 1869, but his wife yet survives, living in Ervin town- ship, now aged seventy-five years, and is a consistent member of the Meth- odist church. Her children are: Jasper, a farmer of this county, who served in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment of the Indiana Volunteer Infan-
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try during the Civil war; Ira, who also was a soldier in that war and died in the service; Harriet, who is now Mrs. John Barnet; Lucy, who became the wife of John Wheeler; William H., the subject of this sketch; Eliza, who is now Mrs. George East; Marion L., James W. and Samuel F., well and favorably known farmers of Ervin township.
Mr. William H. Amos passed his young life till he was grown at his parental home. In 1873 he married, and then made his livelihood upon rented farms for a number of years. In 1897 he purchased the place which he now occupies and where he has made many radical improvements, remod- eling the buildings, etc. He is an industrious and prosperous farmer.
In his political principles he is a Republican, and he takes an active interest in public affairs, and has filled some of the township offices.
In matrimony he was united, December 29, 1854, with Miss Eliza Mil- ler, a member of an honored pioneer family, being a daughter of Stephen J. and Emeline (Crisman) Miller. Her father was born in 1819 and her mother in 1826. Her father came from Ohio to Howard county in early times, pur- chased land and made a farm in the wilderness, and died there August 6, 1897. He was an efficient factor in the development of the country and was widely known for his many excellent qualities. He was an intelligent mem- ber of the Missionary Baptist church, and in his politics was a decided Dem- ocrat, but he never aspired to office. His wife left the shores of time many years ago, dying March 2, 1855. Their children were: Lewis C., who now owns and manages the homestead; and Eliza, the wife of our subject. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Amos are: Anna B., who is now Mrs. W. L. Thompson; Stephen J., unmarried; Flora, Ira, Glen, Cora, Carrie and Clyde Grover.
Mr. Amos is an exemplary member of the Missionary Baptist church and is an esteemed citizen.
G EORGE W. FIPPEN, one of the honored and highly esteemed citizens of Tipton, is the gentleman whose name appears above and who is a justice of the peace. He was born in the edge of Hamilton county, seven miles from Tipton, June 1, 1848, the son of Samuel and Mahala (Foutch) Fippen, natives of Maryland. His mother was of German descent and his father of French and English. They had five children-four sons and one
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daughter, namely: George W., our subject; Ardilla, wife of Oliver Jayne; James M .; Ebenezer; and John W. N., deceased. The father, who was a farmer all his life, came to Indiana, October 9, 1847, locating in Hamilton county, where he purchased a tract of eighty acres of the man who had entered it from the government. He improved the land, brought up his children there, and died March 6, 1872, aged forty-nine years. His wife survived until March, 1884, dying at the age of fifty-four years, a Presbyterian in her relig- ious belief. Mr. Samuel Fippen was a Democrat in his political views, but never held any public office. Being a man of good business ability and integ- rity, he was often appointed as administrator of estates, as road viewer, etc., and as an arbitrator in the settlement of disputes among his neighbors. He was a director of the first gravel road constructed in his neighborhood, run- ning from Atlanta to Ekin, on the Hamilton and Tipton county line.
Ebenezer Fippen, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a native of Maryland, moving in 1837 to Muskingum county, Ohio, and in 1847 to Hamilton county, Indiana, where he died March 6, 1874, at the age of eighty-four years. He had been a soldier in the war of 1812. He had five children: Burton, Samuel, James, Elizabeth and Margaret. By occupa- tion he was a farmer and stock-raiser.
The maternal grandfather of Esquire Fippen was John Foutch, a native of Maryland and a farmer, who came to Indiana, about 1847, from Ohio, where for a time previously he had been a resident. He settled in the northern part of Tipton county when it was called the Indian reserve, where Indians were still living and wild game of all kinds was plentiful. He died in Hamilton county, about 1863, at the age of about sixty-five years.
Mr. Fippen, the subject of this biographical notice, was reared to the heavy duties of farm life in Hamilton county, attending the district school in the winter time, until he was twenty-one years of age.
In June, 1869, he was married, and October 14, 1869, moved to Tipton county, where he has ever since lived-in the city of Tipton since 1882, his residence at present being at No. 32 Third street, which he bought in 1887. His long residence in and near the place of his nativity has ever been a test of his integrity, while his fidelity in official position has been equally a test of his capacity, as well as integrity. He was first elected justice of the peace in 1882, when he served four years ; the next four years he declined to have the office; and in 1890 he was again elected, since which time he 10
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has served in that office eight years; thus he has administered the duties of this judicial office for a period of twelve years altogether. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Royal Arch Mason as well as a member of the blue lodge, also of the Improved Order of Red Men, in connection with which he also belongs to the Pocahontas degree, to which his wife also belongs. In religion he and Mrs. Fippen are members of the Christian church, in which body he is a deacon.
June 3, 1869, is the date of Mr. Fippen's marriage to Miss Rachel E. Rushton, daughter of John P. and Alice (Horn) Rushton, and they have had three daughters and one son, Ardilla J., Ethel Ola, Admiral A. and Alice M. Ethel Ola became the wife of O. L. Bohanan, who is the proprietor of the City Barber Shop, and they have one child, Lester L. Admiral A. died when six months old. Ardilla J. married John Taylor, and they now reside in Pasadena, California, and have three children; and Alice M. lives at her parental home. Mrs. Fippen, the mother of the above children, died Janu- ary 31, 1881, a member of the Christian church; and November 1, 1883, Esquire Fippen was united in matrimony with Miss Catharine J. Pennock, daughter of Alexander and Barbara (Bennett) Pennock.
RA F. KEISLING .- One of the highly esteemed citizens of Clay township, I Howard county, is a farmer named Ira F. Keisling, a native of this state, born October 1, 1868, in Decatur county, brought up in agricultural life and educated at the common school.
His parents, William R. and Harriet (Miller) Keisling, were also natives of Decatur county and were married there. William Keisling, the father of William R., was born in Virginia about 1825, was a farmer by vocation, and moved to Indiana, locating in Decatur county. In his religion he was a consist- ent Methodist. His children were Sophia, Lloyd, William R., Joseph, Lewis and Sarah. Of these William R., the father of our subject, was the only one who emigrated to Howard county, Indiana, which was in 1878. He purchased the tract of land where Ira F., our subject, is now living, and passed there the remainder of his life, dying in 1888. His life was an honorable one, and his death was mourned by all who knew him. His vocation during life was that of agriculture. His wife survives, residing in Kokomo. Her father, Joseph
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Miller, was also a native of Virginia, where he married and came to Indiana in its pioneer days, settling in Decatur county, where he improved a farm. In 1856 he removed to Howard county, purchased land where Mr. Keisling now resides, at a time when there was only a log house on the place and no other valuable improvements. He made this place his home, improving it, etc., until his death. He was a pious Methodist and an exemplary citizen. His wife had died in Decatur county. Their children were Johnson, Sally, Polly, Harriet, Elizabeth and Marion. The children of William R. Keisling were: Julia, now Mrs. E. M. Moore; Phoebe, now Mrs. A. Shaffer; John, who is a farmer; Alba, now Mrs. Stevens; George, a Methodist minister in Nebraska; Ira F., whose name heads this sketch; and Emry, of Evansville. After the death of Mr. Miller, William R. Keisling bought the farm he owned, and since the death of Mr. Keisling it was purchased by the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Ira F. Keisling grew up to manhood at the place where he yet resides, was married in 1892, and removed to a farm in Tipton county, where he lived two and half years, then moving to the old home place, where he now lives. He is a good manager in agricultural pursuits and prospers accordingly. His industrious hands have produced a comfortable living, and his honorable dealings have established a good reputation. In his political views he is a Republican, but he has no taste for public position.
In matrimony he was united with Minnie Tarkington, a lady of intelli- gence and culture, being a daughter of John E. and Amelia A. (Honey) Tark- ington. She was born September 24, 1870. By this happy union there are the following three children, interesting sons: Lloyd, born in July, 1893; Paul, in January, 1895; and. Frank, in January, 1897. Both the parents are intelligent and highly esteemed members of the Methodist church.
AMES F. STUTESMAN .- One of the native sons of Peru is the well- J known lawyer, James F. Stutesman, and his family has been connected with the history of Miami county since pioneer days. His father, James M. Stutesman, located in Peru in 1842 and still resides in this city, where for a long series of years he was recognized as one of the most prominent business men.
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The son was born July 19, 1860, and having acquired his elementary 4 education in the primary and grammar schools entered upon a course of study in the Peru high school, in which he was graduated in the class of 1875, at the early age of fifteen years. Through the three succeeding years he was employed as bookkeeper and cashier in the mercantile establishment of John S. Hale & Company, and in 1879 he continued his education by matriculat- ing in Wabash College, in which he pursued a five-years classical course and was graduated. During the summers of 1884 and 1885 he acted as one of the assistants of Professor Campbell, chief of the United States geodetic sur- vey for Indiana. In the meantime he had taken up the study of law, enter- ing upon that work in the fall of 1884 in the office of Cole & McClintic. A few months later, however, he discontinued his studies for the time being and accepted a clerkship in the employ of George D. Baldwin & Company, on the Chicago Board of Trade, where he remained two years. On the expira- tion of that period he engaged in the banking and real-estate business in Kansas, carrying on operations along that line for four years. In 1891 he was appointed by Attorney-General Miller to the position of examiner in the department of justice, his duties consisting in the examination of the accounts of United States attorneys, commissioners, marshals and clerks of the cir- cuit and district courts, and to observe the administration of the federal courts generally.
At the close of the Harrison administration, Mr. Stutesman returned to Peru and resumed the study of law in the office of Loveland & Loveland, and on being admitted to the bar entered at once upon the active practice of his profession. He now occupies a place in the front rank at the Miami county bar, and excels as an able, eloquent and convincing speaker. His knowledge of the law is comprehensive and accurate, and this, supplemented by keen analytical power which enables him to make correct application of the law to the points at issue, gives him a standing at the bar among its most prominent members.
In 1894 Mr. Stutesman was nominated on the Republican ticket to rep- resent in the state legislature the district composed of Miami and Cass coun- ties. The fact that he was elected by a large majority in a district strongly Democratic attests his popularity and the confidence of his fellow citizens in his qualifications as a legislator. He proved to be one of the most active and useful members of the general assembly, and it was said of him: "His
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voice was beard on nearly every important question. He was a favorite in the caucus, in the lobby and in the house. He served his constituents with ability, and won a name for himself not confined to the limits of his own state." He was warmly supported for speaker and was a member of a num- ber of very important committees, serving as chairman of two of these.
Socially he is held in high estimation and is respected as a public-spirited and progressive citizen.
R OBERT F. JOHNSTON .- A resident of Logansport, Robert F. John- ston is now serving as trustee of Eel township, and is one of the leading and influential citizens of the community. A modern philosophical writer has aptly said, " Within yourself lies the cause of whatever enters into your life. To come into the full realization of your own awakened interior powers is to be able to condition your life in exact accord with what you would have it." It is this. understanding of his own capabilities, and the careful selection of a business to which he was especially suited that led to Mr. Johnston's success, and made him what he is to-day, one of the substantial citizens of Cass county.
He is a native of Stark county, Ohio, born on the 31st of August, 1834, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (McDowell) Johnston, who were also natives of Stark county. With their family they removed to Wells county, Indiana, locating on the farm whereon our subject grew to manhood, while in the public schools of the neighborhood he acquired a good English educa- tion, which has been supplemented by that knowledge which only travel and experience in the practical affairs of life can bring. In 1862 he came to Logansport, after which he was for ten years engaged in carpentering here. Going upon the road as a traveling salesman, he represented shoe houses of Toledo and Chicago for twenty-two years, and his cordiality, genial disposi- tion, unfailing courtesy and thorough reliability made him very popular all along his route and won him a liberal patronage.
On the first of January, 1857, Mr. Johnston married Miss Sarah A. Donaldson, a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and unto them have been born four children, namely : Isaac S., John M., Eben E. and Robert M. Mr. Johnston and his family belong to the Presbyterian church, and enjoy the hospitality of many of the most cultured homes of the city. In his political views
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Mr. Johnston is a stalwart Republican, and on the 5th of August, 1895, was elected township trustee of Eel township for a four-years term, overcoming a very strong Democratic majority, -a fact which indicates his personal pop- ularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. In the discharge of his duties he is prompt, faithful and progressive, and he is recog- nized as a most capable official. Socially he is an esteemed member of the Masonic lodge of Logansport.
Since the above was set in type we learn that Mr. Johnston has departed this life, leaving a wide circle of friends who mourn his loss.
THOMAS PAUL .- Forty-three years have passed since Thomas Paul became a resident of Tipton county, and with the passing decades, by the exercise of his powers, by industry and enterprise, he has laid by in store a comfortable competence, which now enables him to live retired. He was born in Henry county, Indiana, on the 27th of June, 1824, and is a son of Daniel and Leah (Swope) Paul, natives of Virginia. The former was a son of Isaac Paul, who also was born in the Old Dominion and was of Scotch descent. He was a farmer by occupation and some time in the '30s removed to Indiana, locating in Henry county, where he made his home until his death, which occurred when he had arrived at the age of seventy-six years. During the war of the Revolution, he valiantly aided in the struggle for independence. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Michael Swope, was a native of Virginia and was of German descent, his parents having come from the Fatherland to the New World. For five years he served his country in the Revolutionary war, and lived and died in Monroe county, Vir- ginia, where he carried on agricultural pursuits. He had long since passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey when called to the other world. He had a large family of sixteen children, the youngest being the mother of our subject.
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