USA > Indiana > Miami County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 21
USA > Indiana > Howard County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 21
USA > Indiana > Cass County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 21
USA > Indiana > Tipton County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 21
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he passed the residue of his life and where he died in the year 1887, at about the age of seventy-two years.
At the time his father came west Godfrey Twells was a child of only three years, and his early recollections are of pioneer life in Cass county. He was reared on the farm and received as good an education as the common schools then afforded. After reaching his majority he engaged in farming on his own account, which occupied his time and attention for ten years, and at the end of that time he moved into Logansport, where he has since resided. For twenty years he was engaged in draying here. In the spring of 1896 he established himself in the grocery business in which he has built up a good trade, and by his square and honest dealing gained a representative place among the grocers of the city.
Mr. Twells was married in 1861 to Miss Christiana Cox, a daughter of James G. Cox of Bethlehem township, Cass county. She died in 1887, leav- ing four children, viz .: Richard S., Edward C., Jesse H. and Godfrey, Jr. In 1888 Mr. Twells married, for his second wife, Miss Annie H. Kloenne, daughter of Julius C. Kloenne, of Logansport. The fruit of this union is one child, Geneva A.
Fraternally, Mr. Twells is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of Pythias. He is in his political views a free- trade Democrat.
M ICHAEL HORAN, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Peru, is a native of Roscommon county, Ireland, born September 22, 1841, a son of Michael and Margaret (Byrne) Horan. He had the misfortune to lose his mother by death when he was an infant, and in 1847, when he was six years old, his father and the other members of the family came to Amer- ica, leaving him in Ireland. Ten years later, in 1857, he crossed the Atlantic and joined his father's family in Hamilton, Ohio. He had received fair advantages for education in his native land, and after coming to Ohio was for three years a student in the Hamilton high school, subsequently to which he was under the direction of a special tutor. In the meantime he had decided to fit himself for the work of civil engineer, and to this end bent his energies. He came to Peru, Indiana, in 1861. Here he was for a time engaged in the occupation of painting, a knowledge of which he had gained
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in his boyhood. In 1880 he was elected surveyor of Miami county, and served in that capacity eight years, and for nine years was city engineer of Peru.
Mr. Horan was married September 23, 1886, to Miss Elizabeth Camp- bell, a daughter of John Campbell, a well-known citizen of Cass county, Indiana. They have two sons, -John and Thomas.
Politically, Mr. Horan has always affiiated with the Democratic party, and religiously he was reared in the Catholic faith. A man of sterling worth, honest and upright in all the relations of life, he has the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
W ILLIAM W. GARR .- Numbered among the early settlers of Howard county is William W. Garr, who now owns and operates a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres in Taylor township. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Bavaria, Germany, where Lawrence Garr was born and reared. Determining to seek his fortune in America, he sailed to the New World in 1732, and a copy of the original church certificate and passport which were given him before his embarkation is in possession of our subject. Lawrence Garr first located in Pennsylvania, and afterward removed to Virginia, whence the family has branched out in all directions, having its representatives in many of the states of the Union. Most of the name have followed agricultural pursuits, and have lived industrious, upright lives. The parents of our subject were Benjamin and Nancy (Smith) Garr, the for- mer a son of John and Margaret (Wilhite) Garr. About 1829 Benjamin Garr removed with his family to Kentucky and purchased a farm, becoming a prominent planter and slave owner of that state. His wife died at the age of sixty-nine years, and his demise occurred at the age of eighty-two. Both were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, but later in life became identified with the Primitive Baptist church. He was a man of limited edu- cation, of natural strength of mind and considerable force of character, and his life work was creditable and commendable. His honesty and reliability were proverbial, and he was frequently called upon to settle estates and attend to the business of the courts. His wife was a daughter of William D. and Diana (Yager) Smith, natives of Virginia, and the former of English
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descent. Mr. and Mrs. Garr were the parents of twelve children: William W., John W., Mrs. Parmelia Smith, Mrs. Mary Shrader, Mrs. Susan Kellar, Winston B., Robert L., Fountain J., Lewis Cass, Diana J., Benjamin F. and Mrs. Priscilla Fenton. Seven of this number are yet living.
William W. Garr, the eldest of the family, was born in Madison county, Virginia, on the 30th of October, 1815, and at the age of fourteen accom- panied his parents on their removal to Kentucky, where he was reared to. manhood and acquired his education in the subscription schools. His choice of an occupation was that to which he had been reared, -farming, -and all his life he has followed that pursuit with industry and energy, accumulating thereby a comfortable competence. In early manhood he married Miss Mary A. Garr, a distant relative, who died two years later, leaving one son, Hiram Jefferson, who was an engineer and was scalded to death while serving in the Civil war under General Buckner. Three years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Garr was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Lucy B. Vance, daughter of Abraham Clore, who was then engaged in farming in Kentucky, but was a native of Virginia. He became a very prominent and influential citizen of the former state, and there remained until his life labors were ended. Nine children have been born to the second marriage of Mr. Garr, and in order of birth are as follows: Florence H., wife of W. B. Elson; Mildred S., who carried on farming; Mary E., who died at the age of sixteen years; Abraham and Crawford, who are also farmers; Betty, deceased; Jesse D., a physician; John F., an agriculturist; and Barbara, wife of Arthur B. Kelly, who manages the homestead farm. He is a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, and in his early life followed farming and school- teaching. Coming to Indiana, he located in Howard county, where he met and married the youngest daughter of Mr. Garr, and they now have two children, Mary B. and Harry.
Mr. Garr removed to Howard county from Kentucky in 1852, and located on the farm which he yet makes his home. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on which few improvements had been made and with characteristic energy began the development of a fine farm. He extended its boundaries from time to time by additional purchase and at one time had a very large tract, but has since sold some of this, his landed pos- sessions now aggregating two hundred and forty acres. He has made many excellent improvements on the place, and all the modern accessories and
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conveniences of a model farm are there found. In addition to general farm- ng, Mr. Garr was extensively engaged in the raising of stock and has bought and fed cattle for the markets. He has been very successful in his opera- ions and has acquired a very desirable competence. He always has very fine grades of both horses and cattle and has done much to secure better stock in Indiana.
When he arrived in Howard county, it was largely wild and unimproved, and in the work of development he has ever borne an active part. He gives his support to all measures for the public good, and believing firmly in the principles of the Democracy, he casts his ballot for the men and measures of that party. His wife is a member of the Christian church and, like her husband, shares in the high regard of many friends.
G EORGE BURKHART, manufacturer of lumber and other building material and dealer in the same and in saw-logs, with mill on section 13, in Washington township, has been a resident of Cass county since 1866.
His father, John G. Burkhart, a native of Germany and a miller by trade, came to this country when sixteen years of age, settling in Pennsyl- vania, afterward in Ohio, next in Fulton county. Indiana, and lastly in Cass county, this state, during the Civil war, and died at the age of sixty-six years. He was united in marriage with Miss Susan C. Felmley, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who passed to the other life at the age of fifty-five years. They had three children: John, who resides in Chester township, Cass county; George, the subject of this sketch; and Eliza, who died at the age of twenty-eight years.
Mr. George Burkhart is a native of Center county, Pennsylvania, where he was born September 14, 1846, and was five years old when his parents removed with him to Ohio, where he was reared to hard work on various farms. Being early thrown upon his own resources, he commenced to take care of himself at the age of thirteen years. He never had any opportunity of attending school more than three months during all his young life. He has a good practical education, however, which he has obtained by his own industry. Having a clear and acute understanding, he has a more accurate knowledge of things in general than many who have been far more favored with opportunity.
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On coming to Indiana he was employed one year on a farm in Fulton county. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-sixth Regiment of Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry, and faithfully served for three years. He was in the Thirteenth Army Corps and also in the Sixteenth Army Corps, and later in the Department of the Gulf. He participated in many hard-fought battles, among which were the famous engagements at Vicksburg, Nashville, Yazoo Pass, etc. He was always true to his post of duty, never flinching. Although he never received a wound in action, the hard service which he was obliged to undergo wore him down considerably. Ever since the war he has been engaged in lumbering and in the manufacture and sale of building material, and in this business his fair dealing and pleasant manner have won him success.
He was united in matrimony with Miss Rosetta H. Seybold, of Cass county, and they have had five sons and two daughters, named and resident as follows: John I., at his parental home; Harry F., living in Fulton county, this state; Joseph and Frank, at their parental home; Mary, deceased; Clar- ence and Geneva.
Mr. Burkhart is one of the most active Democrats in the county and a most efficient "stump " speaker, being a free-silver champion. During the campaign of 1896 he was even called out of his state to deliver campaign speeches in Ohio. Having a wonderfully retentive memory and an emphatic style of expression, his utterances on the rostrum are "telling " and impress- ive. He is extraordinarily well posted in the history of this country and with the personal record of all the presidents and other eminent statesmen, and is also deeply versed in the history and nature of finance and money. Indeed, he is so familiar with his subject that all his utterances are delivered " pat " and his ideas slip from his tongue all fully fledged, and he is there- fore a ready debater, able to sustain his positions against the opposition of any man. He is a natural campaign orator.
M OSES B. LAIRY .- During the pioneer epoch in the history of Indiana the Lairy family was founded within its borders, and its representatives have since figured prominently in promoting its development and substantial improvement. Daniel Lairy, the grandfather of our subject, left his Ohio home and took up his residence in Tippecanoe county when that locality was almost an unbroken wilderness, and there he made his home until his death.
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Thomas Lairy, the father, was born in Butler county, Ohio, but in his boy- hood accompanied his parents on their removal to Tippecanoe county. where amid the wild scenes of pioneer life he was reared to manhood. He' aided in the cultivation and improvement of his father's land and also became the owner of a raw tract which he entered from the government and upon which he located at the time of his marriage. When about forty years of age he wedded Miss Eliza J. Barnett, a daughter of Moses Barnett, one of the pio- neers of Cass county, where he lived for many years. Mrs. Lairy, however, was a native of Ohio and by her marriage she became the mother of two sons, Moses B. and John S., both of whom are members of the Logansport bar.
Judge M. B. Lairy, whose name introduces this review, was born in Harrison township, Cass county, August 13, 1859, and in his youth became familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He assisted in the planting, plowing and harvesting and then, when the crops were garnered in the autumn, pursued his preliminary education in the dis- trict schools. Later he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School, and engaged in teaching and attending school alternately until fitted for more important duties in life. For about ten years he devoted his energies to teaching, and during the latter part of that period studied law at intervals. In 1889 he was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan, and immediately afterward began practice in Logansport, where his pronounced ability has gained him marked prestige. His arguments are logical, his reasoning clear and cogent, his utterances forceful and convincing and the weight of fact and law which he brings to bear upon his cause has won him many notable forensic victories.
In politics Mr. Lairy is a pronounced Democrat, unwavering in support of the party whose principles he believes are calculated to promote the coun- try's best interests. In the fall of 1894 he was the Democratic candidate for the judgeship of the Cass county circuit court, but with the others on the ticket met defeat. In 1895, on the resignation of Hon. D. B. McConnell, then circuit judge, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term and served on the bench for twenty months, when he was succeeded by Judge D. H. Chase, who had defeated him in the election of 1894. In 1897 he became the senior partner in the well-known law firm of Lairy & Mahoney and is now enjoying an extensive general practice, handling with masterful skill the intricate problems of jurisprudence which are entrusted to his care.
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Judge Lairy was married in 1892, the lady of his choice being Miss Mazetta Rogers, of Logansport. Religiously he is connected with the First Presbyterian church, and fraternally is a member of the Masonic order and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Upright, reliable and honorable, his strict adherence to principles commands the respect of all. The place he has won in the legal profession is accorded him in recognition of his skill and ability, and the place which he occupies in the social world is a tribute to that genuine worth and true nobleness of character which are universally recognized and honored.
E LLIS H. ANDREWS, the superintendent of schools of Miami county, is a native of this county, born at Macy, in Allen township, November 12, 1870. Besides attaining a common-school education he was for some time a student at the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso; but outside of school hours, he has also been an ardent student from early boyhood. Be- ginning in 1887, he taught nine terms of district school. In 1895-6 he taught the grammar department of the graded school at Mexico, Indiana, and in 1896-7 was principal of that school. His reputation as an educator led to his nomination and election as county superintendent in 1897, to succeed John H. Runkle. Mr. Andrews is one of the youngest county school super- intendents in the state of Indiana; and although his experience in all the edu- cational relations mentioned has been attended with success, he does not intend to follow the teacher's profession as a life work.
He has in view the medical profession. On May 23, 1893, he entered upon the study of medicine under the tuition of Dr. Jay W. Newell, of Den- ver, Indiana, and he has already taken two courses of lectures at the Ken- tucky School of Medicine at Louisville. In fact he was a student at that institution when he received the nomination for the office of county superin- tendent, and he intends, at the end of his term as superintendent, to resume his medical studies.
Our subject is a son of Amos B. Andrews, one of Miami county's suc- -cessful teachers, as well as a veteran of the war of the Rebellion. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Randolph county, this state, in 1855, .and to Miami county in 1859. He served in the war for the Union, first as a
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member of Company D, Thirteenth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in April, 1861. At the end of a year he was honorably discharged and three months afterward he re-enlisted, becoming a member of Company H, Eighty-eighth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and faithfully served till the close of the war. He has taught thirty-three terms of school, all but three of which have been in Miami county; he is now retired from the profession.
He was born in Pennsylvania, September 23, 1840. His father was a native of Vermont, and on his mother's side he is of German descent. His mother's grandfather, Valentine Balsbaugh, was born on the Atlantic ocean while his parents were on their journey to America. They were early settlers of the Keystone state. Valentine Balsbaugh died in 1850, in his ninety-ninth year. Mr. and Mrs. Amos B. Andrews have five children: Sarah E., Ellis H., Merton E., Orion B. and Amos V. The family are residents of Rich- land township, Miami county.
ESSE FOOTE .- This gentleman is the only surviving representative of J' the family of Charles Foote, who was long one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Peru. Charles Foote was born in Middle Haddam, Connecticut, July 1, 1817, and became one of the pioneer business men of Peru. In connection with Jesse Smith he conducted a mercantile establish- ment and grain business for many years, and his capable management, sound judgment and unflagging industry brought to him rich success. His older brother, Carter Foote, was the bookkeeper of the firm, and these two were the only members of the family who ever came to Peru. Charles Foote was united in marriage, in Peru, to Miss Caroline Zern, of this city, a daughter of Henry and Deborah (Shepherd) Zern, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to Indiana and located in Peru in 1837. Her father became actively identi- fied with its early business interests and erected the Peru Flouring Mills, one of the most important early enterprises of the place. He was also one of the county commissioners in pioneer days and a well known and highly respected citizen. His death occurred January 21, 1868, at the age of sixty-three years, and his wife passed away in December, 1876, at the age of seventy-eight years. 14
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Charles Foote was a successful business man and a worthy and respected resident of Peru. He invested the profits of his business in real estate, which rapidly rose in value, making him one of the wealthy citizens of the county. He died on the 25th of October, 1862, and his widow afterward married again, but she, too, is now deceased. Charles Foote and wife became the parents of three children who grew to mature years, the eldest being Mary, who was born April 7, 1852, and died .January 3, 1890. Roger, the elder son, was born in 1854, and died in 1873.
Jesse Foote was born in Peru, on the 26th of October, 1858, and was a child of but four years when bereft by death of his father. In the public schools of his native city he acquired his literary education, which was supplemented by a commercial course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College, thereby fitting him for the responsible duties that came to him as he reached his majority. He then succeeded to his father's estate, which had already become very valuable, and since that time he has engaged in the real-estate business and managed his own extensive property. He is a man of excellent ability, keen discrimination and untiring enterprise, and these qualifications have enabled him to control his affairs so as to gain therefrom a handsome profit. He owns a beautiful home in Peru and by reason of his genial, cordial manner is one of its popular citizens.
JOHN W. LEARNER .- One of Howard county's native sons who has attained distinction in business circles and who ranks among the most enterprising and progressive citizens of Kokomo is John Wesley Learner, secretary and treasurer of the Opalescent Glass Works. He was born near the city which is now his home, February 7, 1848, and is the youngest child of Barnhart and Catharine (Raymond) Learner, who are mentioned else- where in this work. The father was a native of Germany and in 1833 came to America. After some time spent in Pennsylvania he came to Howard county and purchased land on what was known as Little Wild Cat creek. Subsequently he bought his present farm and for fifty years has made his home thereon.
It was upon the old homestead that the subject of this review was reared to manhood, and in the district schools he acquired his education,
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together with one term's attendance at Howard College. Subsequently he engaged in teaching for several terms, after which he engaged in farming and in selling agricultural implements. Later he manufactured drain tile for three or four years, and then became deputy sheriff, serving for two years. On his retirement from office he became proprietor of a livery stable, which he conducted two years, and for a year he dealt in carriages. In the fall of 1891 he became one of the organizers of the Opalescent Glass Works Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer. They manufacture art window-glass and furnish employment for from fifteen to twenty hands. Hè entered upon a practical business experience at a very early age, for during the war his brother Benjamin went to the front and served his country for four years. He was on the Sultana at the time of its explosion, being one of the few survivors of that disaster. While Benjamin was fighting for the Union the father became afflicted with sore eyes, and thus the management of the farm devolved largely upon Mr. Learner, who displayed many of the qualities which have since made him a prominent and successful business man.
On the 25th of December, 1879, Mr. Learner was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Adamson, daughter of Jackson and Rachel Adamson. They had three children, Grace A. and two who died in infancy. In 1890, the mother was also called to the home beyond, and on the 8th of July, 1892, Mr. Lear- ner wedded Mrs. Emma J. Wilson, widow of John Wilson, a brother of Wilson, the inventor of the Wilson sewing machine. She had one daughter by her former marriage, Belle, who is now attending DePauw University. Mr. and Mrs. Learner belong to Grace Methodist church, of which he is treasurer; he also holds membership in the Masonic lodge, and in politics is a Republican. His life is that of a thoroughgoing business man. He is particularly prompt in keeping his business engagements and expects the same consideration from others. He is at all times reliable and his business career and private life are alike above reproach.
H ENRY GOTSHALL, a highly respected farmer of Washington township, Cass county, has been a resident here ever since 1852, and is therefore entitled to the honored term " old settler."
First, with reference to his parentage, we give the following record: His father, Peter Gotshall, was born in Pennsylvania, and in 1837, with a
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large company of emigrants seeking homes in the then far west, with twenty- eight teams altogether, came by way of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Rich- mond, Indiana, with the intention of settling in Illinois. On the way, how- ever, he stopped in Indiana for a short time, where he rented a piece of land, and changed his intention to go to Illinois, and located at a point eight miles south of Terre Haute, Indiana, whence, in 1845, he came to Cass county, settling in Noble township on a tract of land which he had purchased during the autumn of the preceding year. Here he built a log house and in true pioneer style began to develop a farm and fit out a comfortable home; and here he spent the remainder of his days, as a farmer, and died in 1857, at the age of fifty-seven years. His wife, whose name before marriage was Ann Woodling, survived him until she had reached the age of seventy-nine years. Their seven children are named as follows: John, who now lives in Kansas City, Missouri; Henry, whose name heads this sketch; Elizabeth, deceased; Frank, Jacob and Eliza, residents of Noble township, and Alva, who is deceased.
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