USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 21
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 21
USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 21
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 21
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John S. Martin received his education in the common schools, and at
John. L martin
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the death of his father took entire charge of the farm, although he was but sixteen years old. His father was possessed of five hundred acres of land at his death, and of this our subject inherited but one-ninth. He had a warm feeling for the old homestead, however, and purchased the interest of the other heirs, thus coming into possession of the entire place. By persistent energy and the display of considerable foresight he was enabled to succeed in this venture, and in 1876 he put up a fine brick building to replace the old one of logs. He also rebuilt the outbuildings and placed the farm under a high state of cultivation, making it one of the best in Brookville township and a model in all respects.
Mr. Martin was married October 21, 1863, to Sallie, daughter of James and Emeline Jones, natives of Maryland. Mrs. Martin was one of eight children, namely: William T., of Chicago; Samuel J., of this city; Anna D., wife of Dr. John B. Davis; Sallie; Rhoda J., wife of Harman Calpha, of Elwood, Indiana; Josie, wife of Alonzo Hays, of Blooming Grove; Amanda, wife of John Webb, of Metamora; and Mary, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have no children of their own, but have given their love and care to three orphans, -Willie Beutel, Josie Martin and Victor Hugo Tettenborn. These children have received all the benefit of a liberal education and well appointed home, and it has been the constant aim of the foster parents to bring them up to lives of honor and usefulness. On March 15, 1899, Victor Hugo enlisted in the regular army and is now stationed at the barracks at Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Martin is a man of splendid endowments and keeps in close touch with all matters of public importance. He is one of the prime movers and contributors in the building and support of the West Fork Methodist Episco- pal church, which was erected in 1889, and of which he is a member. He has voted the Democratic ticket since 1856, and was elected to the Indiana legislature, by a handsome majority, in 1875, serving until 1876. In 1890 he was elected by the legislature a member of the board of trustees of the Indiana Hospital for the Insane. He was appointed by Governor Matthews, in 1896, as trustee of Purdue University, a position he still fills. He was made an Odd Fellow when twenty-one years of age, and is still an honored member of the fraternity.
DANFORD LA FUZE.
The La Fuze family, of which the subject of this sketch is a representa- tive, is one of the oldest and largest families in Union county, Indiana. Danford La Fuze is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Immel) La Fuze. Sam- uel La Fuze was born in Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1805, son of Samuel and Eleanor (Harper) La Fuze, the former of English
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and the latter of Scotch-Irish descent, both born in Pennsylvania. The fathers of both Samuel La Fuze, Sr., and Eleanor Harper came with their families from Pennsylvania to Indiana in the year 1814, before Indiana had attained the dignity of statehood, and settled in Center township, Union county, a mile and a half northeast of Liberty. The senior Samuel La Fuze was a weaver by trade, but after coming to Indiana devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. Samuel, Jr., was a carpenter and spent some years at that work in Union county. At the time of his marriage he bought a farm and settled on it, and carried on farming the rest of his life. March 26, 1840, he married Elizabeth Immel, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Smith) Immel, the Immel family having come to Union county, Indiana, from Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1830, and settled in Brownsville township. Mr. Immel had passed the seventieth mile-post at the time of death, and his wife was over ninety when she died. The Immel homestead has since passed into other hands, and now only one of their children, Cath- erine, wife of B. F. Coddington, lives in Brownsville township.
When he started out in life for himself Samuel La Fuze, the father of the subject of this sketch, had only a small amount of means, but he was a man of pluck and energy, and he soon showed that he could both make and save money. He acquired a fine farm, four hundred acres in extent, which was the homestead, and besides it he owned other property, frequently buy- ing and selling. His political views were those advocated by the Republican party, and he was always active in promoting the best interests of his party, though never seeking official honors for himself. His death occurred Decem- ber 13, 1887, and up to within six years of that time he had a strong and vigorous constitution. He managed his own affairs to the last, at different times assisting his children, and he arranged his affairs in such a manner that all was settled quietly and without any litigation. He was a member of the Christian church, and throughout his life was a Christian in deed as well as name. His widow still survives him and is now seventy-eight years of age, clear in mind and vigorous in strength for one of her age. Their children,
in order of birth, are as follows: Mary, wife of S. A. Martin, of Liberty, Indiana; Ellen, wife of Alexander Creek, died at the age of thirty-five years; Samuel Monroe, a farmer of Harrison township, Union county; William Henry, a farmer of the same township; Leonidas Homer, also of that town- ship; Lucy, wife of T. J. Bennett, Harrison township; Danford, whose name forms the heading of this sketch; Oliver P., Liberty, Indiana; and George E., on the old home farm.
Danford La Fuze was born on his father's farm in Brownsville town- ship, Union county, Indiana, December 19, 1860, and remained a member of the home circle until the time of his marriage, which event occurred June
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13, 1888, the lady of his choice being Miss Myrtle Kitchel, daughter of John and Susannah (Patterson) Kitchel, of Harrison township, Union county, where she was born February 11, 1869.
Since his marriage Mr. La Fuze has occupied his present farm. He received eighty acres as his part of his father's estate and he has since added to it by the purchase of another eighty-acre tract, paying therefor ninety- three dollars and seventy-five cents per acre. He has carried forward the work of improvement and has developed his land into a first-class farm in every respect. He utilizes each year about fifty acres in the cultivation of corn and fall wheat and keeps a high grade of stock, his herd of fine cattle num- bering about twenty-five head. He has also for several years taken a pride in his poultry, keeping thoroughbred Plymouth Rock chickens, which he finds a profitable breed. An important feature of his place is its water system, a windmill furnishing the power by which the water is taken to places where used. In short, everything about the farm shows thrift and prosperity.
Mr. and Mrs. La Fuze have four children, namely: Hattie Belle, Her- bert Earl, Frank Ernest and Goldie Mabel.
Like his honored father, Mr. La Fuze harmonizes with the Republican party and the principles advocated by it. His wife is a member of the Christian church.
THOMAS D. EVANS.
Thomas Davis Evans, a prominent attorney of Liberty, Indiana, and well known throughout the state, was ushered into life in Decatur, Newton county, Mississippi, August 17, 1840, and there spent the early years of his childhood. When he was seven years old his mother died, leaving three little children. His father, Dr. Thomas E. Evans, was born and reared in Bath, England ; was educated at Oxford ; came to America when a young man and at Philadelphia won great honors as a physician. From there he went south, where he met and married Miss Sarah Yerby, a native of Ala- bama and a representative of a historic family of that state. After her death he married again and moved to Vicksburg, and in 1853 went to New Orleans. On account of the great cholera epidemic that year he sent his family north, himself remaining in New Orleans and caring for the sick in the hospitals. After several months spent in hospital work he started to join his family, who were at Gallatin, Tennessee, but at Vicksburg was stricken with the dread disease and died there July 31, 1853. He was buried with the honors of Freemasonry. While he had a large practice and was untiring in his efforts to relieve the sick and afflicted, he was liberal and generous to a fault and he died a poor man, the heritage of a good name being all the fortune he left to his family.
Thomas Davis Evans, when a youth, secured a position as clerk in a
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store and in that way provided for his own support and that of the two younger children, his stepmother meantime having married. After clerking in several stores, he learned the printer's trade in the office of the Gallatin Examiner. In the meantime, June 7, 1860, he married, at Gallatin, Miss Mollie Johnson, daughter of James S. Johnson, mayor of that place.
Mr. Evans had for a neighbor in Gallatin Joseph S. Fowler, later United States senator, then president of Howard Female Institute, in which Mrs. Evans was educated. It was largely due to the influence of this gentleman that Mr. Evans when he became a voter espoused the cause of the Repub- lican party. The majority of his friends and neighbors, however, were rebels, and at the outbreak of the civil war he took sides with the Union. At the beginning of hostilities he took his family and went into the mount- ains of east Tennessee, where he remained until Gallatin became a military post, commanded by Brigadier-General E. A. Payne, when he returned and subsequently secured a position in the United States quartermaster depart- ment as military storekeeper, an important position, which he held until the close of the war, sometinies having in his charge millions of dollars' worth of stores. This position gave him a wide acquaintance among military men.
While acting as storekeeper Mr. Evans took up the study of law, and at the close of the war was examined and admitted to the bar at Lebanon, Tennessee, and immediately afterward commenced the practice of his profes- sion at Alexandria, same state. He soon built up a large practice which extended, during the years immediately following the war, throughout Sum- ner, Wilson, Davidson and Smith counties, and in connection with his legal work he was active in political campaigns, stumping for the Republican party.
In 1870 Mr. Evans came north, locating first at Mansfield, Ohio, and shortly afterward came over into Indiana, settling in Albion, Noble county. In 1879 he removed from the latter place to Liberty, Indiana, all the while continuing the practice of his profession. At Liberty he soon became prominent at the bar, and has been connected with many important litiga- tions, his practice reaching into the higher courts of the state. For ten years he was county attorney of Union county, and it was during his incum- bency of that office that the court-house and poor-house were built. His activity in political lines has taken him into every county in the state, where he has addressed Republican gatherings. He is still conducting a large and lucrative practice.
August 31, 1863, Mr. Evans' first wife died, and a few years later he married again. His second wife died previous to his removal to Liberty, and he wedded his present companion, Miss Lucretia Julien, at Tiffin, Ohio. His first wife left one child, Mollie, now the wife of James A. Murphy, of
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Richmond, Indiana; and the children of his second wife, three in number, are: Thomas D., a hotel-keeper of Berlin, Wisconsin; Carrie, widow of James F. Copeland, who died in 1898; and Carl R., an attorney with Craw- ford & Crawford, Dallas, Texas. He has no children by his present wife.
ELIAS P. SCOTT.
Elias P. Scott was born February 19, 1841, on the homestead farm where he now resides, in Harrison township, Wayne county, his parents being James C. and Sarah (Willets) Scott. The former was born in Bour- bon county, Kentucky, in 1797; the latter was born in 1806, and their mar- riage was celebrated in 1826. In the spring of 1813 James C. Scott came to Wayne county, Indiana, with his father, John Scott, and William Scott, a younger brother, cleared a few acres of ground and built a log cabin. In the fall they returned to Kentucky for the rest of the family. John and Mary Scott, in the fall of 1813, took up their residence on section 5, Harrison township. They encountered many difficulties and hardships during the first few months. They had to leave their cabin and go to a block-house that was about two miles distant, on account of depredations of Indians, a number of times. So dense was the forest at that time that the only way of finding the various settlements was by the aid of blazed trees. Wild grape-vines grew luxuriantly in the rich soil of the locality and added to the difficulty of travel by sending their twining branches across the paths.
James C. Scott built a log house on the farm now owned by our subject, and this was later replaced by a frame building, while the present residence on the homestead is the finest in Harrison township. The grandfather lived only long enough to see a portion of the beautiful landscape freed from tim- ber and the cleared ground transformed into rich fields, the remainder of that labor falling to the lot of James C. Scott, who cleared the west half of the farm, embracing two hundred acres of land. His son, whose name intro- duces this sketch, now has in his possession the two parchment register cer- tificates given to his father and grandfather, and signed by James Madison, thus transferring the property to them. James C. Scott died upon the farm in 1854, but his widow survived him until 1880, and passed away at the ripe old age of seventy-four years. Her father was a native of Virginia, who, on emigrating to Indiana, took up his residence on Green's Fork, Wayne county. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. James C. Scott, namely: John M., Amanda E., Melissa A., Lewis, Levi W., Mary R., Elias P., Sarah J., Alice P. and Vashti. Only two of this large family now survive, Elias P. and Alice, who is the wife of Dr. Albert Southworth, of Los Angeles, California.
In the common schools of Wayne county Mr. Scott of this review obtained his education, and when twenty-one years of age he began operat-
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ing the home farm for an interest in the crops. He has always carried on agricultural pursuits, and is accounted one of the most progressive, enterpris- ing and practical farmers of the community. All the conveniences and acces- sories of the model farm are found upon his place, and its neat and thrifty appearance indicates his careful supervision.
He was married September 30, 1862, to Miss Mary L. Goodwin, who was born in New Castle, Indiana, November 21, 1844, a daughter of Rich- ard and Catharine (Kinsey) Goodwin. Eight children have been born of their union: Attie, wife of Charles Savage, of Centerville; James, of Jack- sonburg, Indiana; Richard, who is living on the adjoining farm; Katherine, wife of Joseph Burroughs, living on a farm one mile south of Jacksonburg; William, of Jacksonburg; Fred E., John and Frank, at home. Mrs. Scott's father, Richard Goodwin, was at an early day engaged in the pork-packing business, and later conducted a dry-goods store. He was a prominent man, influential and progressive, and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. Reared in New Castle, Indiana, he died in that place December 23, 1848, and some years later his widow, who was a native of Wayne county, married J. G. Welch, of New Castle. They had six children, Tidia, deceased, Will- iam, Nicholas, Jennie, Catherine and John. Mrs. Welch died in 1873.
In his political affiliations Mr. Scott has been a life-long Republican, and in 1882 was elected township trustee, in which position he served for two terms. Both he and his wife are members of the Disciples' church, and Mr. Scott has been active in its support and filled a number of its official posi- tions. Since the organization of Harrison township representatives of the Scott family have been among its substantial leading citizens, and he of whom we write shows the same generous spirit of hospitality and progressiveness which has characterized the ancestral line from the early days.
CHARLES S. LEWIS.
Honored and respected by all, Charles Sumner Lewis has been for sev- eral years prominently identified with public affairs of Fayette county, and is now serving as deputy sheriff. He was born in Andersonville, Franklin ·county, Indiana, April 13, 1856, but in the fall of the same year was brought by his parents, Moses and Eliza J. (Carter) Lewis, to Fayette county, where he has since made his home with the exception of four years.
His father, Moses Lewis, was born near Andersonville, Franklin county, February 5, 1830, a son of John and Susannah (Barber) Lewis, and grand- son of David Lewis, a life-long resident of east Tennessee and a soldier of the Revolutionary war, who contributed a large amount of money to the .cause, for which he received nothing. He owned and operated a gristmill, which was considered very large for those times, the products of which he
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gave to the army. Like the other representatives of the family, he was a Whig in politics. John Lewis, grandfather of our subject, was born in Sulli- van county, Tennessee, and in 1812 came with a large colony from that sec- tion to Indiana, settling first on Salt creek, where he assisted in putting down the first salt well in Franklin county. Later he removed to Andersonville, the same county, where he died in 1864, at the age of sixty-six years. He owned a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a Whig in politics and a Quaker in relig- ious belief, but as there was no church of that denomination in his locality he united with the Methodist church. His wife died in Andersonville in 1867, when nearly seventy years of age. She was a daughter of Eliphalet Barber, a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia, who came to this state in 1815 and setted at Andersonville, where he died in 1858, at the age of eighty years. He was a prominent farmer and became quite well-to-do. In politics he was a Whig.
Moses Lewis, who is one of a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, was reared in Andersonville and received a very limited edu- cation as he had to walk three or four miles to attend the public schools. Leaving the home farm at the age of eighteen, he learned the blacksmith's trade at Andersonville and after an apprenticeship of only a year and a half commenced working for wages, as he was very handy with tools and soon mastered the business. From 1850 until 1852 he worked at Glenwood, and for about three years in Decatur county, after which he returned to Anderson- ville. In 1860 he came to Fayette county and for fifteen years followed his chosen occupation in Orange township. The following two years were spent in Columbia township, and for four years he again carried on operations at Glenwood, since which time he has made his home in Connersville, being ·engaged in blacksmithing all the time. Politically he is a strong Republican. and religiously an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1855 he married Miss Eliza J. Carter, of Fayette county, and the following children were born to them: Charles Sumner, our subject; William D., a clerk of Connersville; Frank F., who is employed in a buggy factory in Indianapolis; Edward E., who is engaged in milling and also conducts a feed store in Connersville; Anna M., wife of Walter Nelson, of Indianapolis; and Ernest, a clerk in Connersville.
The boyhood and youth of Charles S. Lewis was passed upon a farm near Alpine, and his early life was devoted to agricultural pursuits until com- ing to Connersville. In 1877 he removed to Glenwood and in 1882 took up his residence in Connersville, where he was first employed by the Conners- ville Hominy Company, and later was manager for the Connersville Milling Company for eight years. In 1890 he was elected city marshal and served in
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that position for two terms of two years each. Before the end of the latter term he was elected sheriff of Fayette county, and the duties of that office he discharged with a promptness and fidelity worthy of all commendation for four years, from 1894 until 1898. Since then he has been serving as deputy sheriff, and has also been engaged in the fire, life and accident insurance business. He still owns a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres one mile east of Connersville, which is cultivated under his careful, supervision and conse- quently proves quite profitable.
On the 12th of August, 1891, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage with Miss Aurelia Cortleyow, of Fayette county, and to them have been born three daughters. Socially he is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Benevolent Patriotic Order of Elks, and politically he is a recognized leader in the ranks of the local Republican organization. He has ever taken an active interest in county politics; has. been a member of the county Republican central committee for a number of years, and was treasurer of the same in 1898. He is emphatically a man of enterprise, positive character, indomitable energy and liberal views, and is thoroughly identified in feeling with the growth and prosperity of the county which has so long been his home.
TIMOTHY HARRISON.
Timothy Harrison, deceased, for many years a leading promoter of commercial and industrial interests in Wayne county, was born May 10, 1832, in Yorkshire, England, a son of Timothy and Mary (Smith) Harrison. The family is one of the old and eminently respectable families of Yorkshire, and historians have no difficulty in tracing the genealogy back to the time when Charles I. was on the throne of England. Strong intellectuality has ever been one of the marked characteristics of the Harrisons, and many prominent representatives of the name have left the impress of their individuality upon the public life of both America and England. Among these are William Henry Harrison, Benjamin Harrison and Carter H. Har- rison. In England the family largely followed mechanical pursuits and were extensively engaged in the construction of locomotives.
The life record of Timothy Harrison is one which added new luster to a name already bright, for he manifested not only excellent business ability but also the higher traits of character which everywhere command respect and admiration. His mother died when he was only ten years of age, his father when he was eighteen. He was largely reared by his sister Rebecca, and when seventeen years of age completed his literary education at Rugby, one of the most famous preparatory schools of the world. He was fortunate in pur- suing his studies under the superintendence of the celebrated Dr. Thomas.
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Arnold, and his marked intellectuality and literary culture well fitted him for responsible duties in life. He could speak seven different languages, and his scholarly tastes and habits remained with him throughout life, enriching his thought and broadening his mental vision. In accordance with the laws of his native land requiring that all boys should learn a trade, he served a seven-years apprenticeship at mechanical engineering, completing his term in the Leeds Locomotive Works. A natural predilection for mechanics led him into the field of endeavor and he became an expert workman.
In 1856, in company with his aunt, Rachel Smith, he emigrated to the United States, and making his way westward finally located in Newcastle, Henry county, Indiana, where he was engaged in the dry-goods trade for a short time. Subsequently he purchased a woolen mill at Raysville, Henry county, operating the same on an extensive scale and meeting with excellent success. He continued in that line of business until 1860, and at the same time was associated with Charles Hubbard in the ownership of a large general store at Knightstown, Mr. Hubbard acting as its manager. Mr. Harrison, however, continued a partner in that enterprise until his death, when his son, Thomas H., closed out the business. In 1859 Timothy Harrison removed to Richmond and became one of the principal stockholders in the Quaker Machine Works, in which he served as bookkeeper for four years. In 1872 he became one of the organizers and directors of the Ezra Smith Manufact- uring Association, now doing business under the name of the Richmond Cas- ket Works. It was capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars, with a paid-up capital of ninety-six thousand dollars. Mr. Harrison continued to serve as bookkeeper in that industry until his death, which occurred March 22, 1881, and his wise management and business ability contributed not a little to the success of the undertaking.
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