USA > Indiana > Miami County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Howard County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Cass County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Tipton County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 31
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Throughout the years of its existence the Shidelers have been connected with the Republican party, warmly advocating its principles. The father was a Whig in early life and on the formation of the Republican party joined its ranks and became one of its zealous advocates. No one questions the position of Abraham Shideler on political issues, for he has given material aid in all the successful battles for Republican supremacy in Cass county. Soon after attaining his majority he was elected township assessor, and was again elected a few years ago to the same posiiton. In November, 1894, by the vote of the people, he was called to the office of county commissioner, serving until December, 1897, and acting as chairman of the board during the last year. The board performed much good work in that time, but the princi- pal progress made was in the line of bridge-building, and the excellent Market street bridge in Logansport, together with others, is a monument to the enterprising efforts of Mr. Shideler and his colleagues. Socially he is a Mas- ter Mason, and religiously is a member of the Christian church, to which his wife also belongs.
H ON. L. D. ADKISON, a prominent citizen and pioneer of Peru, is a native of Fayette county, this state, born about three miles west of Connersville, May 26, 1816. His parents, Robert and Rebecca (Hender- son) Adkison, were born in North and South Carolina respectively, of Irish lineage. In 1829 the father removed to Fountain county, where his death
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occurred one year later. The mother was born in 1776 and departed this life on the 27th of August, 1846.
Lewis D. Adkison, the subject of this sketch, when thirteen years of age accompanied his parents to Fountain county, where for two years he worked on his father's farm. His early educational advantages were limited, being only those derived from attendance at the indifferent subscription schools of that time for about three months each year until he arrived at the age of eighteen. He left home in the spring of 1835 and went to Logansport, where he worked at brickmaking until the following fall, at which time he came to Peru and secured employment on the Wabash & Erie canal, then in process of construction. After one year's work on the canal he accepted a clerkship in the mercantile house of I). R. Bearss, and later was engaged in the same capacity by Mr. Bearss' successor, Jacob Lindsey, acting as clerk in all about three years.
In 1838 he was appointed by Governor Wallace sheriff of Miami county, to fill the unexpired term of Asa Leonard, who died in office, and at the ensuing election in 1840 was chosen sheriff, the duties of which position he discharged for about four years. On leaving the office he engaged in the plasterer's and bricklayer's trades for about four years, and then opened a general store in Peru, which he conducted with good success. He subse- quently abandoned that line of trade and for some years was engaged in the Juinber business, which he carried on extensively in connection with a general hardware trade.
In 1855 he disposed of his mercantile interests in Peru and emigrating to California opened a general store at Oak Valley, in the mines, in 1856, and while there he attached himself to the order of Freemasons. On the organization of the Republican party in that year he was nominated without his consent for representative. He was subsequently elected supervisor of Yuba county, that state, an office similar to that of county commissioner in Indiana, and after serving a year and a half was chosen sheriff, the duties of which office he discharged for about four years. In 1868 he returned to Indiana and settled in Fulton county, where until 1874 he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, disposing of his farin at the end of that time and return- ing to Peru. In 1874-5 he was assistant doorkeeper of the Indiana state senate, and in 1882 was elected state senator from the counties of Miami and Howard. He took an active part in the deliberations of that body and served 20
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on some of the most important committees, among which were those on banks and banking, public printing, public building, swamp lands, fees and salaries, etc. Since the expiration of his term as legislator, Mr. Adkison has been engaged in the insurance business and money-lending at Peru, and is enjoy- ing a good patronage.
In politics he was originally a Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party he has been an ardent supporter of its principles. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and belongs to the Odd Fellows fra- ternity.
On December 16, 1840, he married Mrs. Lucy Davis, daughter of Judge Albert Cole, of Peru, by whom he had four children, only one of whom, Lucy A., wife of James H. Fetter, is living. Mrs. Adkison was born in 1820 and died March 11, 1885.
JOHN MARION LAROSE, one of the most enterprising and thorough- going farmers of Clay township, Cass county, Indiana, owns and occu- pies a portion of the original LaRose homestead, where he was born and reared, near Logansport. As the representative of a prominent and highly respected family and as a man who, aside from family relations, stands high in his locality, it is fitting that personal mention be made of him in this com- pendium.
John Marion LaRose dates his nativity April 25, 1854, and is the only son of John S. and Lucretia (Chesnut) LaRose, natives of Ohio, who were among the early settlers of Cass county, Indiana. Mr. LaRose has one sis- ter, Annie V. For a more extended notice of the LaRose family the reader is referred to the sketch of Joshua S. LaRose, which will be found on another page of this work.
In his youth Mr. LaRose attended the common schools near his home and finished his schooling in Logansport, where he was a student three years. From his boyhood up to the present time his energies have been devoted to agricultural pursuits. His farm comprises two hundred and ten acres, is well improved with good buildings, etc., and is regarded as one of the best farms in Clay township.
March 6, 1876, Mr. LaRose was united in marriage to Miss Nancy M. Brown, a native of. Cass county, Indiana, and a daughter of Isaac Brown,
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one of the prominent farmers of this county. They are the parents of one child, John B.
Mr. and Mrs. LaRose are members of the Methodist Episcopal church,. and politically he harmonizes with the Democratic party.
W ILLIAM B. SMITH -- More than half a century has passed since Will- iam B. Smith, a leading farmer residing in Kokomo, came to Howard county. He is classed among the honored pioneers who have not only been eye-witnesses of the progress and advancement of the community, but have borne an active part in the work of development and improvement. Throughout all the long years he has been prominently identified with the agricultural interest, and although his efforts have been crowned with excel- lent success, he still continues his active labors, for indolence and idleness form no part of his nature. The growth of the city has extended its bounda- ries until much of Mr. Smith's land is now within the corporation limits and is very valuable. Great changes have occurred during his residence in the county; wild lands have been transformed into beautiful homes and farms; villages and towns have sprung up; railroads, the telegraph, telephone and all modern improvements have been introduced, industries and commercial interests have been established. Thus the work of progress has been carried forward, Mr. Smith lending his aid and influence as opportunity has offered, and in this way has been laid broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity of the community. He well deserves mention among the honored pioneers, and it is with pleasure that we present a review of his life to our readers.
He was born in Ross county, Ohio, near Chillicothe, on Paint creek, December 1, 1818, and is a son of Ephraim and Charity (Weliver) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandparents on both sides were also natives ol the Keystone state and were farming people. The father of our subject was an agriculturist, and at an early day removed to Ohio, whence, in 1821, he went to Henry county, Indiana, where he carried on a tavern by the Big Blue river until his death. He passed away at the age of fifty, and his widow died in Montgomery county, Indiana, near Crawfordsville, at the age of eighty-six years. She was a member of the regular Baptist church.
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William B. Smith is the only surviving member of their family of four- teen children. He was about five years of age when his parents removed from Henry to Montgomery county, Indiana, where he was reared on a farm amid the wild scenes of frontier life. His educational privileges were limited. He pursued his studies, as opportunity offered, in a log school-house two miles from his home, but his father died when he was quite young and his services were needed on the farm. He was married at the age of eighteen and was afterward persuaded to attend school for a few months. He then began teaching, which profession he followed for two years, having charge of the first school taught in Clay township, Howard county. He came with his family to this county on the 18th of February, 1845, and has made his home within its borders continuously since. For four years he resided on a farm six miles west of Kokomo, and then, selling that property, purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land three and a half miles southwest of Kokomo, to which he added another quarter section on the south. He still owns that property, together with a ninety-acre tract which adjoins the original purchase on the north. In 1859 he purchased a farm of seventy-two acres that is now a part of the best residence portion of the city of Kokomo. The purchase price was thirty-two hundred dollars and he went in debt for the entire amount, which, however, was soon paid. The growth of the city and the consequent rise in property has made this very valuable, and a part of the tract he has sold for five hundred dollars per acre. He now owns ninety acres in the edge of the city, and upon this stand eight good residences, which he rents. His own home, replacing the old structure which was destroyed by fire, was built in 1887, and is a fine modern residence.
Mr. Smith was married February 18, 1836, to Miss Sarah Ann Canine, daughter of Cornelius and Dorothy (Vannice) Canine. Eight children, five sons and three daughters, were born to them: Mary Ellen is the deceased wife of Robert McClellan and by her marriage had two children, Margaret and Edward; Cornelius C. married Georgie Kellar, and two of their three children are living, Alonzo and Lew Henry. The mother died and lie afterward married Mollie Thompson, by whom he has three children, Emma, Sadie and Julia. Charity is the wife of David Fawcett, and their children are Albert, William, Charles, Frank, John P. and Nel- lie. Milton died when about seventeen years of age. Richard H., a phy- sician of Kokomo, married Miranda A. Freeman, and they have six chil-
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dren living, May L., Byron K., Mary Pearl, Raymond F., Fred H. and Will- iam Carl. Isaac V. married Fannie Dennison and has two children, Earl and Elsie. Dorothy died at the age of two years. William C., an attorney of Delphi, Indiana, married Julia Gwinn and they have five children, Ada, Carl, Dorsey, Edna and Gwinn. Mrs. Sarah A. Smith, the mother of this family, died June 1, 1896, at the age of seventy-seven years. She was a mem- ber of the Christian church and a most estimable lady. On the 14th of December, 1896, Mr. Smith wedded Mrs. Louie S. Farmer widow of Mil- ton B. Farmer, and a daughter of Lewis and Eliza A. (Swindler) Cooper. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and by her first marriage she had one son, Calvin Wallace Farmer, who died at the age of twenty- one years.
Since casting his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, Mr. Smith has voted for every presidential nominee of the Democratic party with the exception of Horace Greeley, and is a stanch advocate of the party principles. He was county assessor of Howard county for four years, and township assessor several terms. For four or five years he filled the office of supervisor, and has always proven a capable official.
Mr. Smith started out in life empty-handed and has steadily worked his way upward to success, overcoming the difficulties and obstacles in his path by resolute purpose and unflagging energy. His life has been one of great industry, and he manages his property, working with the vigor and deter- mination of a young man who has his own way to make in the world. His life has been well spent, and the honesty of his dealings and the continuity of his labors furnish an example that is well worthy of emulation by him who would gain a competence and win the respect of his fellow men.
A NDREW DODDS .- Success to some seems an elusive thing, but failure usually results from a lack of one of the elements which may be acquired by all, -perseverance, energy, industry and resolute purpose. An analysis of the life records of the successful men shows that these qualities have been the causation of their prosperity, and such is the case with Andrew Dodds, a leading and successful farmer of Clinton township, Cass county, who owns and occupies a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres, pleasantly situ- ated near Logansport.
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His father, the late John Dodds, was one of the pioneers of the county and was prominently identified with its progress in an early day. He was born in Ireland, and soon after his marriage came to the United States, locating in Butler county, Ohio, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1835. On the tide of emigration then steadily pouring into Indiana he came to this state, and purchased canal lands at a dollar and a quarter per acre. He spent the remainder of his life in the development and improve- ment of his new farm, and died in 1851. He was an industrious and ener- getic man, entirely unassuming, and passed his time "in the clearing," where he trained his children to practical habits of industry and enterprise. He was not known in politics, other than as an adherent of the Republican faith. He married, and his seven children were: David, the eldest; Margaret, deceased wife of Jacob Neff; Nancy, who married Thomas Stevens; John, deceased; Matthew, a resident of Clinton township, Cass county; Andrew; Matilda, widow of Alfred Wagoner.
Andrew Dodds, of this review, was born in Butler county, Ohio, in November, 1826, and was therefore but nine years of age when he accom- panied his parents to this county. He was reared in the midst of the rural scenes of the frontier, where he had ample opportunity for work, but few educational privileges. He remained an inmate of his father's home until twenty-two years of age, when he began farming on his own account, and at the age of twenty-five he was married and located on his father's farm. His capital was small, but he possessed unbounded energy and resolution, and as time passed his financial resources were increased and were wisely invested in farming land and he made excellent improvements on his property. He has a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation, while the substantial buildings, modern machinery, good grades of stock and other accessories of modern times render this one of the desirable farm properties of the county.
Mr. Dodds was married in Clinton township, Cass county, to Miss Eliz- abeth Spader, daughter of Benjamin Spader, one of the pioneers of Cass county. Their children are Margaret, who married Robert R. Reed, a prominent and prosperous farmer of Clinton township; Ira, who married Frances McKinney; Edna, wife of John McKinney; Benjamin, who married Sophia Homburg, and resides in Minnesota; Carrie, wife of Isaac Yost; Henry, Willard, Charles, Minnie and Josie, at home. Having spent almost his
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entire life in Cass county, Mr. Dodds is widely and favorably known to her settlers, and has the regard of many friends, for his life has ever been upright and commendable.
W TILLIS R. CLEM .- A worthy representative of the agricultural inter- ests of Miami county and a member of one of the pioneer families of the state, Willis R. Clem was born in Kentucky on the 26th of April, 1822, his parents being Isaac and Nancy (Sheppard) Clem. The family is of Ger- man descent. The grandfather, Philip Clem, a native of Germany, crossed the Atlantic to America in colonial days and located in Virginia near Powell's Fort at a time when the settlers often had to contest their right to the land with the Indians. He died in the Old Dominion and his wife afterward removed to Pennsylvania and later to Kentucky. She lived for a time in Henry county, that state, and then went to Trimble county, three miles from the mouth of the Kentucky river, where she was married again. Subse- quently she came with her husband and children to Indiana, and died in Johnson county when between eighty-five and ninety years of age. The children of Philip Clem and his wife were John, Adam, Isaac, Jacob, Susan, Betsy and Peggy.
Isaac Clem, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia and during his boyhood removed to Kentucky. There he enlisted for service in the war of 1812 under Isaac Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky. In that state he was married to Nancy Sheppard, daughter of James Sheppard, and they located on a farm in Trimble county, where they reared their children, namely: Jemima, William, David, Peggy, Willis R., Louisa, Jane, Francis M. and Sallie. In 1832 Mr. Clem, accompanied by his wife and children, removed to Johnson county, Indiana, then an almost unbroken wilderness, and at once began to develop a farm. He made his home there throughout his remaining days, but died while visiting our subject, in Miami county, at the age of eighty-five years. He was a life-long member of the Methodist church, and his fidelity to his Christian faith won him the confidence and respect of all.
Willis R. Clem was between eight and nine years of age when he accompanied his parents to their frontier home in Johnson county, Indiana. He acquired his education in a log school-house, furnished in primitive style,
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and there he familiarized himself with the common branches of learning. He received ample training in farm work, field and meadow claiming his attention until he became familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. The occupation to which he was reared he has made his life work and has ever been progressive and practical in his methods so that he has acquired a handsome property.
As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss Elizabeth Pierce, their marriage being celebrated December 25, 1846. The lady was born February 12, 1823, in Orange county, Indiana, and is a daughter of John and Frances (Nichols) Pierce, the former a native of Kentucky. Her grandfather, George Pierce, was of German descent, and was one of the pio- neers of "the dark and bloody ground." Mrs. John Pierce was also a native of Kentucky, and by her marriage she became the mother of thirteen chil- dren, namely: Nancy, Polly, Elizabeth, William, John, Jacob, Eliza, Rachel, Sallie, George, James, Lettie and Jariah. Prior to 1819 John Pierce located in Orange county, Indiana, where he secured eighty acres of wild land, which he transformed into a good farm. He afterward spent three years in Greene county, Indiana, and then went to Morgan county, this state, where he improved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, making his home thereon until his death, which occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat, and was a member of the Baptist church.
The first home of Mr. and Mrs. Clem was in Morgan county, where our subject carried on farming for a time. He then sold his property there and removed to Johnson county, Indiana, where he purchased eighty acres and made a good home, continuing his residence there until his removal to Miami county in 1872. Locating in Deer Creek township, he purchased one hun- dred and seventy-five acres of improved land, which he has further devel- oped until he now has one of the finest farms in the county, with substan- tial buildings, the latest improved machinery, well kept fences, fertile fields and verdant meadows. His business interests have been so capably man- aged that he is now in prosperous circumstances. Honesty and integrity have characterized all his transactions; industry has been the keynote of his suc- cess, and his perseverance has been rewarded by affluence.
Mr. and Mrs. Clem became the parents of nine children: Sarah F., Isaac, John, Willis G., George W., Nancy J., Angeline (died an infant), Tinna
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E. and Angeletta C. The first named was married and is now deceased. The parents are both members of the Christian church and their lives are in harmony with their professions. In politics Mr. Clem is a Populist, but is independent in his views and claims the privilege of settling all matters, polit- ical and otherwise, by means of his own good judgment. He is worthy the high regard which is uniformly extended him, and it is with pleasure that we present to his many friends the record of his career.
C HESTER O. PHILBRICK .- Born in Hillsboro, New Hampshire, on the 30th of December, 1854, Chester O. Philbrick is a son of Caleb and Mary (Travis) Philbrick. The father is also a native of the old Granite state and is now a resident of Keene, New Hampshire. Throughout his life he has followed the stone-mason's trade. His family numbers six children, as follows: James G., of Chicago, an employe of the Pan Handle Railroad Company; Chester O .; Lucretia A., wife of Jonas White; Reuben; Ann Eliza, wife of William Vose; and Elbridge J., a painter. The four last named reside in the vicinity of the old home in New Hampshire.
During his boyhood and youth, Chester O. Philbrick attended the public school and by his mastering of the English branches of learning was fitted for the practical affairs of life. He entered upon his business career as an employe in a clothespin factory in the state of New York, occupying that position about two years, when he returned to Keene, New Hampshire, and learned the tanner's trade under the direction of Frank Foster. On the completion of his apprenticeship he resolved to try his fortune in the west, believing that the less thickly settled district of the country would furnish better opportunities to a young man having his own way to make in the world. In 1879 he arrived in Terre Haute, Indiana, and secured a position in the foundry department of the car shops at that place. He considered this, however, merely a temporary step, -a means of earning a livelihood until he could secure something more to his taste. On the 4th of March, 1882, he entered the service of the Vandalia Railroad Company, in the capacity of hostler's assistant in the Terre Haute roundhouse, and on the 27th of June of the following year he was made fireman on the Terre Haute & Logansport division of the Vandalia Railroad, making his first trip with
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Arthur Holton as engineer. He was promoted from the position of fireman to that of engineer on the 18th of September, 1889, and went into the regular freight service in 1891. For almost ten years he has served in the capacity of engineer, and his great care, faithfulness and promptness have gained him the confidence of the road and made him one of their most trusted employes in the engineering department.
Mr. Philbrick was married in Logansport, June 30, 1886, to Mrs. Anna McDonald, daughter of David Cothram. She has one daughter by her former marriage, Lovie McDonald. In 1891 Mr. Philbrick removed his family to Logansport, where he has since made his home, and on Syca- more street he has a pleasant residence and highly improved property. He is a member of both the firemen's and engineer's orders, and in his association with his brethren of those fraternities he has won their high regard.
JAMES W. FAIRMAN, a conductor on the Pan Handle Railroad, with J headquarters at Logansport, has rounded out more than a quarter of a century in railroad service, and is the son of a retired railroad man.
Mr. Fairman was born December 27, 1849, near the town of Frankfort, Canada, where his father, the venerable James C. Fairman, was born eighty years ago. The latter was married in the Queen's Dominion to Miss Cath- erine Smith, ten years his junior, and together they have traveled life's path- way for many years and are now living retired in Logansport. Of their five children, only two, George, an engineer on the Pan Handle, and James W., are residents of Logansport.
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