USA > Indiana > Miami County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 38
USA > Indiana > Howard County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 38
USA > Indiana > Cass County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 38
USA > Indiana > Tipton County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 38
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O LIVER P. KLINGER, of the firm of Charles & Klinger, proprietors of the Brookside Canning Works, Kokomo, Indiana, has been a resident of this place for ten years and is ranked with its most enterprising business men. The record of his life, in brief, is as follows:
Oliver P. Klinger was born near West Baltimore, Preble county, Ohio, June 23, 1845, one of the seven children of Peter E. and Sarah (Hopper) Klinger, natives respectively of Ohio and Tennessee. Of this family only three are now living-Oliver P .; Andrew J., of Arcanum, Ohio; and Belle, widow of William A. Albright. The parents both died in middle life, the father at the age of thirty-two years; the mother a few years earlier. He was a farmer in Preble and Darke counties, Ohio, and it was in the latter county that he died. His religious creed was that of the Lutheran church, while his wife was a Baptist.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Jesse E. Klinger. He was of Pennsylvania birth and German parentage, by occupation was a farmer,
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and was one of the early settlers of the Western Reserve, locating first in Ohio and later coming over into Indiana and taking up his abode at Fort Wayne while the Indians were yet inhabitants of this region. He died near Fort Wayne at about the age of fifty-eight years. Mr. Klinger's grandfather on his mother's side was Charles Hopper. He had a large family, was a great hunter, and his character was that of the typical pioneer. Leaving his native state, Tennessee, he removed with his family up into Ohio, and in Preble county, that state, passed the closing years of his life and died, his age at death being about sixty-three or sixty-four years.
Oliver P. Klinger, the immediate subject of this review, was reared in Darke county, Ohio, and received his earlier education in its public schools. Later he took a course in Notre Dame College, South Bend, Indiana, and, was for a short time a student in a school taught by his aunt at New Paris, Ohio. But his education was interrupted by the Civil war. In 1861, at the age of fifteen years, he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-fourth Ohio Zouaves, A. S. Piatt's regiment, and as a private served with that command three years and two months. Among the engagements in which he participated were those of Winchester, Lynchburg, Fayetteville, Charleston, and Harper's Ferry.
On his return from the army young Klinger went to Preble county, Ohio, and, as above recorded, went to school to his aunt for a time. After this he was assistant surveyor at Plymouth, Indiana, and later was employed in the office of county recorder and treasurer as deputy, and in March, 1869, he accepted a position in the clerk's office, where he served as deputy clerk twelve years. Subsequently he was elected county clerk, and was re-elected to succeed himself, and served eight years as the incumbent of that office. Thus he rounded out twenty years in the clerk's office-twelve years as dep- uty and eight as clerk. In 1889 he came to Kokomo and became bookkeeper in the Citizens' National Bank, in which institution he had an interest, and was occupied as bookkeeper until failing health compelled him to leave the close confinement of the bank. From this he turned to the grocery and fur- niture business, and in 1895 he became a member of the firm of Charles & Klinger, of the Brookside Canning Works, which was established in 1887 and which employs in the busy season about two hundred and seventy-five per- sons in the factory alone, in addition to the large number of those employed indirectly in the country. Their goods are used in all parts of the United
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States; they can all kinds of goods the market here affords, and their well known "Ruby " brand of tomatoes is in demand wherever their product is sold.
Mr. Klinger's home is at No. 70 North Union street, Kokomo. He was married October 8, 1869, to Miss Hettie E. Losey, daughter of John and Harriet (Kelsey) Losey, and the fruit of their union is one daughter, Edna Belle, now the wife of George W. Charles, Mr. Klinger's partner. Mr. and Mrs. Charles have one child, Grafton Oliver Charles. Mrs. Klinger died in 1875. Hers was a beautiful Christian character. She was a devoted mem- ber of the Episcopal church, a loving wife and mother, and a kind, true friend. Mr. Klinger is identified with the Presbyterian church.
For a number of years he has been prominently connected with the Masonic order. He was the first eminent commander of Kokomo Com- mandery, No. 36, K. T., and at this writing is its prelate. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and while in Plymouth took an active part in local politics. Aside from the office already named as filled by him, he served two terms as a member of the city council of Plymouth, Indiana.
B ARNABAS BUSBY, one of the venerable citizens of Kokomo, now living retired at No. 125 North Main street, has rounded out more than a half century of life in Howard county. His history in brief, is as follows:
Barnabas Busby was born in North Carolina, October 8, 1820, son of Ezekiel and Judith (Jones) Busby, natives of that state; he was one of a fam- ily of ten children, six sons and four daughters. Of this number only three are now living-Barnabas; Daniel, of Yamhill, Oregon; and Moses, of Ver- non, Missouri. The father was a farmer. He came from North Carolina to Indiana, accompanied by his family, about 1822, and settled at Madison, where he lived a number of years. Late in life he went to Arkansas, where he died about 1843. His wife's death occurred several years prior to his. They were members of the Christian church. The grandparents, both pater- nal and maternal, of our subjects, were natives of North Carolina. Grand- father Busby died in that state. Grandfather Jesse Jones went to Arkansas, where he died.
Barnabas Busby was reared on his father's farm three miles north of
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Madison and was early inured to all kinds of hard work known to farm life. His education was obtained in one of the primitive log school-houses of southern Indiana. In his youth he learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for several years. He came to Howard county February 18, 1841. and located east of Kokomo, before the land in this locality was on the market. Here he took up a claim, cleared a little patch and built a cabin, and some time afterward sold out for ninety-six dollars. With this sum he purchased eighty acres of land near Burlington, Howard county, which he improved and sold. In 1853, with the price of his eighty-acre farm, he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres in Center township, which he still owns. He came to Kokomo in 1880 and bought one of the finest residence proper- ties in the city, the house being of brick, and the lot ninety-four and one-half feet front by two hundred and thirty-one feet deep. In this place, surrounded by all that goes to make life enjoyable, he has lived for the past seventeen years.
Mr. Busby was first married in 1843, when he wedded Miss Ruth Hol- lingsworth, daughter of Joel and Annie Hollingsworth. She died in 1846, leaving one child, William F., who now resides on the old homestead in Cen- ter township, and who married Miss Ettie Landon, and has orie son, Paul. In June, 1852, Mr. Busby wedded for his second wife Miss Melinda Thresher, whose life was blended with his for a period of forty-two years, her death occurring in June, 1894. November 11, 1896, was consummated his mar- riage to Mrs. Elizabeth Gwinn, his present companion.
Mr. and Mrs. Busby are members of the Christian church. Fraternally. he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic, having membership in the Thomas J. Harrison Post, No. 30, Grand Army of the Republic.
He has a war record that includes service in two wars. In 1847 he enlisted in the United States Army for the war with Mexico, and was in the army a little over a year. When the Civil war broke out he was among the first to tender his services for the suppression of the rebellion. He enlisted in April, 1861, in Company E, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which he was first lieutenant, and the fortunes of which he shared for a year and nine months. At the end of that time he came home and raised another company, Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Indian'a Volunteer Infantry, of which he was captain. With Company A he served four months.
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During all his army life he was never reported on the sick list. He was in the battles of Rich Mountain, Alleghany, Winchester, and many smaller engagements. In Virginia he was in a great many small fights, and was in the eight-days fight at Richmond.
After the war he returned to his farm. Howard county has been his home for fifty-seven years, and he has never paid taxes in any other county. He has traveled quite extensively over the United States and in Canada and Mexico. In all his seventy-eight years he has never had but two spells of sickness.
ESSE BOND, who resides on section 31, Richmond township, Miami J county, dates his arrival here in the spring of 1841. He was born in Wayne county, this state, in 1822. His father, Jesse Bond, Sr., was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, in 1776, where he grew to manhood and married Phœbe Commons, a native of Virginia. They were both of Quaker birth, and emigrated to Wayne county at a very early period in its settle- ment. Mr. Bond entered from the government the land on which the Friends' College at Richmond is situated. Later Mr. Jesse Bond, Sr., removed to Washington, Wayne county, where he established a Friends' church, and has also been influential in the establishment of the church at Richmond. He was a minister of his church, and lived at Washington until his death, which occurred in 1862.
His first wife passed away in 1846, and for his second wife he chose the widow of Rev. Isaac Willets, who also was a minister of the saine society. The second wife survived her husband many years. Jesse Bond, Sr., was a man of marked ability, and in his views much in advance of his time; pos- sessed great influence among his people, and was in all respects a most worthy man.
By his first marriage he became the father of twelve children who grew up to maturity and had families of their own. The parents lived to see all their children settled in life; the father gave to each of his children a farm, and all but two of them settled in Wayne county not far from the old home. Of these, all have passed to the life beyond this visible face of nature except two sons and two daughters, viz .: William, who is the oldest of the sur- vivors, and lives where he settled when he left his paternal home: he was
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born in August, 1808; Mrs. Hannah Wilson, also residing in Wayne county; Jesse, the next in age and the youngest of the sons; Mrs. Mendenhall, another daughter, is a resident of Henry county, Indiana, near Newcastle; Isaac and Jesse became residents of Miami county; and the names of the deceased members of the family were Nathan, the eldest of the children, who died at the age of eighty-six years, Robert, John, Enos, Isom, Ruth and Isaac.
Jesse Bond was born in Wayne county, Indiana, April 4, 1822, grew up to manhood on the old homestead, and came to Miami county in 1841. In this county. in Jefferson township, in 1844, he married Miss Elizabeth Jane Cox, daughter of Elijah Cox. She died in 1856, and for his second wife Mr. Bond was united to Harriet Hough, who died in 1888. His present wife was Mrs. Isabel Titus, widow of George Titus, her maiden name having been King. By his first marriage Mr. Bond had three sons and a daughter, all of whom are living,-Robert, David, Emeline and Charles. By the second marriage the children were Mrs. Ruth Hood and Benjamin, of Macon, Georgia. They lost two sons, -- Ira and Alfred,-both of whom left families.
Mr. Bond's first settlement in Miami county was in Jefferson township, near the Cass county line, where he made his home for over fifty years, when he moved to the place he now occupies, in the spring of 1894. He has given all his children homes, and is passing his declining years in contentment. He has ever led an industrious, honorable course of life, has ever adhered to the upright Christian principles in which he was reared, and has ever been esteemed as an honest, upright citizen.
D R. EDWARD R. TAYLOR, dentist. - The dental profession in Logaus- port is well represented by Dr. Taylor, who has attained prestige in his chosen calling by reason of his marked ability. Dentistry may be said to be almost unique among other occupations, as it is at once a profession, a trade and a business. Such being the case it follows that in order to attain the highest success in it one must be thoroughly conversant with the theory of the art, must be expert in the use of the many tools and appliances incidental to the practice of modern dentistry and must possess business qualifications
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adequate to dealing with the financial side of the profession. In none of these requirements is Dr. Taylor lacking; on the contrary close study has given him a broad understanding of the science of dentistry, and his prac- tical experience is demonstrated by his extensive patronage, which at once indicates his high standing in the profession.
A native of New Market, Canada, the Doctor was born April 6, 1852, and was the youngest child of Joseph and Sarah (Laing) Taylor. His father was of English lineage, was born in New Jersey, followed farming as a life occupation, and died on the 14th of September, 1885. His wife, who was a native of New York, and was of Scotch descent, died about the year 1860. Dr. Taylor was reared in the vicinity of New Market, Canada, and in the school of that town obtained his preliminary education, which was supple- mented by a two-years collegiate course in the city of Whitby, Canada. He afterward engaged in teaching for a limited period and at the age of twenty- two years began the study of dentistry. In March, 1876, he came to Logans- port, where he completed his studies under Dr. D. L. Overholser, with whom he remained for more than two years. Having in that time gained a prac- tical as well as theoretical knowledge of the science of dentistry he entered upon his professional career under embarrassing circumstances financially. In 1878 he opened an office of his own in Logansport and for twenty years has continued to exercise his skill in the line of dental surgery, winning an excellent reputation by his pronounced ability. He has a pleasant suite of rooms, well equipped with the latest improved instruments and appliances, and his methods are modern and progressive. He still further perfected him- self for his work by pursuing a post-graduate course in the Indiana Dental College and to-day he ranks among the most eminent members of the pro- fession in this section of the state.
In his fraternal relations Dr. Taylor is a valued representative of the local lodges of Logansport of the Masonic order, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Independent Order of Foresters. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Repub- lican party and always keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but has had neither time nor inclination for public office.
On the 20th of September, 1883, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Taylor and Miss Clara E. Fox, daughter of Josiah Fox, of New Waverly, Indiana. They have three children, -Edith, George and Vivian. They are
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members of the Universalist church, enjoy the hospitality of the best homes of Logansport and figure prominently in its social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society.
H ON. SAMUEL E. NICHOLSON, author of the famous temperance bill which bears his name, was ushered into life on a farm near Eliza- bethtown, Bartholomew county, Indiana, June 29, 1862, and is the only child of Samuel Nicholson by his marriage to Rhoda H. Holliday, the father being a native of Indiana and the mother of North Carolina.
Samuel Nicholson's parents were North Carolinians who emigrated to Indiana about the year 1813 and located in Washington county. When their son Samuel was a boy of nine years they removed to Bartholomew county, where he was reared and where he was engaged in farming on the same farin until 1891, when he came to Howard county and settled at New London. Here the mother of our subject died, at a little over seventy years of age. She had come with her parents from North Carolina to Indiana when sixteen years old, settling in Wayne county and a year later removing to Orange county, where she was married. She belonged to the Friends" church, as also does her husband, who still survives and who now makes his- home with his son, the subject of this sketch. The senior Mr. Nicholson by a former marriage, to Miss Pennina Parker, daughter of Phineas and Zilpha Parker, had six children, four of whom are now living, namely: Elias P., of Bartholomew county; and Abigail, William T. and Benjamin C., of Kokomo. Elias P. was a soldier in the late war and has an honorable four-years war record.
The paternal grandfather of our subject also was named Samuel Nichol- son. He was a native of North Carolina, a member of the Society of Friends, and died in Indiana at about the age of seventy-six years. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Nicholson was Samuel Holliday. He came to Indiana from North Carolina, about 1838; was by occupation a farmer and miller, and gave most of his time and attention to milling. He died in Orange county, Indiana, at a ripe old age.
Samuel Edgar Nicholson was reared on the farm. He attended the Friends' Sand Creek Seminary, in which he completed a high-school course,
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and alterward entered Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, at which well- known Quaker institution he graduated with honors in the class of 1885. The next six years he was engaged in teaching. He was principal of the Sand Creek Seminary one year, three years principal of the schools at Azalia, and two years principal of the New London high school. Until he came to Howard county he farmed in the summer while he went to school or taught in the winter seasons. While in college he was editor of the college paper two years, the last year being editor-in-chief, and from the school-room he turned to the newspaper field. At Russiaville he was editor and publisher of the Russiaville Observer in 1892-93. Selling out in 1893, he came to Kokomo and published a new paper, called the Morning Times, for about a year. In 1895 he engaged in the real-estate business.
While publishing the Morning Times he was nominated on the Repub- lican ticket as representative to the state legislature, to represent Howard county, was elected in November following, and served two terms, being re- elected in 1896. During that time he drafted the celebrated Nicholson tem- perance bill, which became a law in 1895. At the close of his first session, having been identified with that bill, he was chosen president and organizer of the Indiana Good Citizens' League, and has devoted his energies largely to that work, lecturing throughout this and other states, principally on " Good Citizenship." In the 1897 session of the state legislature he was chairman of the Republican steering committee of the house, and was recognized as the leader of the Republican forces on the floor of the house.
For eight years Professor Nicholson has been recording clerk of the Western Yearly Meeting of the Friends' Church, one of the thirteen confer- ences or bodies into which the Friends on the American continent are divided. He has been recognized also as a minister in that body since 1891, though he has never held a regular pastorate. Before he was made clerk of the yearly meeting he was for two years superintendent of education in the yearly meeting. Every five years a quinquennial conference is held, and the third of these was held at Indianapolis in October, 1897. He was a delegate to that conference, and was made presiding officer of the body on that occa- sicn. He is also one of three trustees of the Friends' International Christian Endeavor Union, whose conventions are held annually.
In his manner Mr. Nicholson is grave and earnest, but never severe. He is a magnificent specimen of young manhood, handsome in feature and of
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·commanding stature. He has the complexion of a boy and the robust figure of an athlete. His voice is. clear and strong. Always cool and impertur- bable, he is never taken by surprise and never gets excited. He has an enormous capacity for work and a persistency of purpose that makes him a . winner. At the close of his last term in the house of representatives the press all over the state spoke of him in the most flattering terms and pre- dicted for him a place in the senatorial halls of the United States.
Professor Nicholson was married, May 28, 1889, to Miss Rhoda Elma Parker, daughter of Jesse H. and Caroline Parker; and they have two chil- dren, Vincent De Witt and Caroline Lucile. Mrs. Nicholson was a teacher for ten years of her life, and is an active member of the Friends' church. They reside at No. 176 East Walnut street, Kokomo.
ISAAC FISHER, an esteemed citizen residing on section 28, Jefferson town- I ship, Miami county, has one hundred and sixty acres of land, in good con- dition, on which the first improvements were made by John Albaugh, one of the pioneers of the township. Mr. Fisher settled here in March, 1876, but he has been a resident of Miami county ever since 1840.
This old settler was born in Franklin county, Virginia, in 1827. His father, Jonathan Fisher, emigrated from there to Preble county, Ohio, and in 1840 all the family came to Miami county, Indiana, locating in Richland township. The father did not survive many years, passing away in 1847. The wife and mother, whose maiden name was Susanna Neff, survived her hus- band for many years, passing away at the old homestead in Richland town- ship. Jonathan Fisher was an esteemed and worthy citizen, was a consist- ent member of the German Baptist church, as are his family still, and he was a man of cheerful disposition, upright and honorable in all his dealings, and respected and esteemed by all. They became the parents of ten chil- dren, the majority of whom were born in Virginia and Ohio. At the date of this writing there are seven living: Isaac, the subject of this sketch; Nancy, on the old homestead; Magdeline, widow of Absalom Wilson; Eliza- beth, wife of Gabriel Yoder; Noah, Moses and John, of Richland township. The deceased were Jonathan, Susanna and Deliah.
Mr. Isaac Fisher, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was in 25
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his fourteenth year when he came to Miami county with his father, and aided in clearing the old homestead, and, as he was the eldest, he was natur- ally much depended upon. November 4, 1853, he was married to Miss Mary Lybrook, whose father closed his life in Union county, this state, and who came to Miami county with her stepfather, William Moss. She was born in Union county, Indiana, in 1829, and died July 4, 1858. In Janu- ary, 1860, Mr. Fisher was married to Miss Sarah Moss, a daughter of David Moss, who is a resident of Cass county. She died April 21, 1897. By the first marriage there was one child who attained to mature years, namely, Joseph, of Howard county. By his second marriage Mr. Fisher had nine children, eight of whom are still living, as follows: Simon, of Lyon county, Iowa; Sylvester, Leander, Susanna, Mary, at home; Jennie, wife of Marcus Mor- row, of Cass county; Amos at home, and Noah C. The deceased is Levina, who died April 6, 1896, at the age of twenty-three years.
JOHN TRUMAN, of Logansport, has the distinction of being the oldest locomotive engineer of the Pan Handle Company now in active service, and is one of the few men who have rounded out a full half century in train service. He has followed railroading from almost its incipiency through its periods of greatest development down to the day of palaces on wheels and to the development of a system in the operation of trains undreamed of fifty years ago.
John Truman was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1828. The death of his parents when he was very young left him to the care of others, and he knows nothing of his antecedents. He was reared by Samuel Hoops, a farmer of Chester county, remaining with him until he reached the age of eighteen. At this time he started out for himself and earned his first money as a driver on the canal from Columbia to Hollidays- burg, Pennsylvania. During the one season he followed the tow-path he encountered many amusing incidents and met with some mishaps, and looks back now to that experience as one of the most unique in his life. When his time with the canal people had expired he determined to engage in railroad- ing, providing he could get a position. He applied to the Columbia & Phil- adelphia Railroad Company, through some political agency, which was nec-
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