USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 19
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 19
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WILLARD B. OVERHISER.
This sterling citizen of Posey township, Fayette county, is an honored veteran of the civil war, and in peace and war alike has played the part of a true patriot. He is one of Indiana's native sons, his birth having occurred in Fayette county, November 1, 1841. As his surname indicates, he is of German descent, though his father and paternal grandfather were natives of New York state. The latter, Casper Overhiser, was a well-to-do farmer. He was twice married, by his first wife having two children, Keturah and George, and by his second union having eighteen children.
George Overhiser, the father of our subject, was born in 1804, and after his marriage he carried on farming in the Empire state until 1836, when he located in Blackford county, Indiana, on land which had been entered by Peter Storms, his father-in-law. This property, which was heavily timbered,
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he cleared and placed under cultivation, and at the end of fifteen years he turned it over to the owner, Mr. Storms. Beginning again. he improved another tract of wild land, which he purchased, and here he spent the remainder of his days. In his community he stood deservedly high, and for years he was the township assessor and an active worker in the ranks of the Whig party. His wife, Elizabeth, likewise a native of New York state, was one of four children, the others being Willard, who died in the Empire state; Reuben, who died in Blackford county; and Sarah, wife of Thomas Raplee. Thirteen children blessed the humble pioneer home of George and Elizabeth Overhiser, and only one of the number, Martha, Mrs. H. Shrader, is deceased. Her death occurred about 1878, and she left five children. The other brothers and sisters of our subject are named as follows: Mrs. Belinda Williams; John, of Indianapolis; Mrs. Mary Johnson; Mrs. Alvira Johnson; Henry and Lonson, of Michigan; Mrs. Ann Bonham; Charles, of Kansas; Marion, who served in the late civil war in the Seventeenth Indiana Battery; Mrs. Sarah Tourtellotte; and Keturah, wife of Thomas Mills. The father died in 1862, about two years after the death of the wife and mother.
Willard B. Overhiser had learned the carpenter's trade and had just launched his boat upon the sea of an independent business career, when the war of the Rebellion came on. He enlisted for three years' service in the Union army, in 1861, and was a private in the Thirty-fourth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, Thirteenth Army Corps, of the western brancli of the army, and participated in the noted siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Champion Hills, Magnolia Hill, Raymond and others, part of the time under the leader- ship of General Grant. Later he went into Texas, where the last battle of the war was fought in May, 1865. It was not until February 3d, of the fol- lowing year, however, that Mr. Overhiser was mustered out of the service and honorably discharged.
Resuming his interrupted work, he engaged in the building of houses and barns in various parts of Fayette and Wayne counties. In 1873 he located in Cambridge, and in 1881 he settled upon his present fine farm, which bears little resemblance to the place of eighteen years ago .. The substantial house and other buildings were erected by the thrifty owner, and many other good improvements were instituted by him.
The personal popularity of Mr. Overhiser is shown by the fact that he has been elected time and again to the position of township trustee on the Republican ticket, though the opposite party is much the stronger in this locality. He is at present acting for the eighth year in this capacity, and has acquitted himself with ability. Socially he is a Mason and a member of Cambridge City Post, No. 179, G. A. R.
In 1873 the marriage of W. B. Overhiser and Miss Elizabeth Kemmer
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was solemnized in this county. She comes of one of the pioneer families here, her parents being Samuel and Elizabeth (Campbell) Keminer. The father, who was a son of John Kemmer, was born in Bracken county, Ken- tucky, September 27, 1823, and in 1831 removed with the family to this locality. After his marriage he settled upon a tract of wild land, which he proceeded to clear and otherwise improve, ultimately making a fine home- stead. He is still living, his home being with a daughter. The wife and mother was a daughter of Charles and Jane (Gillan) Campbell, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ireland, respectively. The latter, with her two brothers, came to this country from the Emerald Isle, and with them she entered land in Posey township, and on this place dwelt after her marriage. Mrs. Elizabeth Overhiser has four sisters, namely: Sarah J., Mrs. Benjamin Crane; Luzena A., Mrs. William Henby; Mary F., Mrs. Emory Sloan; and Emma F., Mrs. Henry Mason. The union of our subject and wife was blessed with five children, of whom the eldest, Emory A., is occupying an official position in Connersville, this state; and the others, Corwin G., Mabel B., Fanny E. and Mary E., are still at home.
MRS. ELIZABETH ROBERTS, M. D.
This lady, now a successful physician of Connersville, is a native of Indiana, born in Abington township, Wayne county, November 1, 1832, and is a daughter of George G. and Mary Ann (Manchester) Ranck. Her grand- father, Mathias Ranck, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Susannah Guytner, and in 1819 he came west with his family to Indiana, settling in Union county, where he died in 1838, at the age of sixty-five years. By occupation he was a shoemaker. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Moravian church.
George G. Ranck, the father of our subject, was also born in Lancas- ter county, Pennsylvania, and was about twelve years of age when he accom- panied the family on their removal to Union county, Indiana, where he was reared and married. About two years after his marriage he took up his residence in Abington township, Wayne county, where he made his home throughout the remainder of his life. He was quite an extensive farmer and met with well deserved success in his labors. His political support was always given the men and measures of the Democratic party, and being a man of sound judgment and strict integrity he most acceptably served as justice of the peace for twelve years. He died upon his farm in Wayne county, in 1883, at the age of seventy-six years. In his family were thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters, of whom but two sons and two daugh- ters are living.
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Mrs . C. Robert, 16.2.
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Dr. Roberts, of this review, was reared upon the home farin in Wayne county and completed her literary education at Centerville College, after which she engaged in teaching school for three years. While thus employed she took up the study of medicine, and in 1882 she was graduated at the Physio-Medical College of Indianapolis. During the following fifteen years she successfully engaged in practice in Wayne county, first in Abington township and later in Washington township, near Richmond. Before graduating she had practiced some four or five years in Wayne county. Coming to Conners- ville, in 1891, she opened an office here and was not long in building up the large and lucrative practice she still enjoys. She is a lady of marked intelligence, culture and refinement and in the treatment of cases that have come under her care has been remarkably successful. She is a member of the County, State and American Medical Associations.
On the 23d of October, 1867, Dr. Roberts was united in marriage with William M. Roberts, a native of Pennsylvania and a farmer by occupation, who is now living retired in Connersville, but during their residence in Wayne county he engaged in agricultural pursuits. They still own two good farms in that county. Their children are George W., who now occupies and oper- ates one of their farms; Anna M., at home; and David J., who is interested in the gentlemen's furnishing business in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
ALEXANDER S. WHITE.
This gentleman is a prominent citizen of Blooming Grove and a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Franklin county, where he has made his home for eighty-one years, a longer period than that of any other living resident. He has been actively identified with her busi- ness and agricultural interests but is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest. His is the honorable record of a conscientious man who by his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.
A native of Indiana, Mr. White was born in Dearborn county, July 11, 1816, and as his paternal grandfather was a native of Wales and his wife of Ireland, he is of Welsh and Irish extraction. The father, William White, was born in the state of Delaware, in 1771, and on reaching man's estate there married Nancy Skinner. In 1804 they emigrated to Indiana and set- tled in Dearborn county, where they lived until coming to Franklin county in 1818. They were among the earliest settlers of the county and made their home in Blooming Grove township the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1851, and the mother about thirteen years later. He entered the land upon which they located, improved the same, and converted it into a pleasant home. He was a substantial and highly respected citizen, and later in life became a communicant of the Methodist church, of which his 44
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wife was a lifelong member. They were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters, but of this once numerous family, only Alexander S. and his sister Nancy are now living. In order of birth the children were as follows: William, Thomas, John, Daniel, one who died in infancy, Alex- ander S., Isabel, Elizabeth and Nancy.
Alexander S. White was but two years old when brought by his parents to Blooming Grove township, where he was reared amidst pioneer scenes, and in his youth he was apprenticed at the tailor's trade, which he followed for about twenty years. He then turned his attention to farming, and hav- ing met with excellent success in his labors he is now enabled to lay aside business cares and spend his declining years in ease and quiet.
In 1840 Mr. White married Miss Nancy Ann Templeton, a native of Indiana, who died in 1860, leaving five children, all but one of whom are still living. They are Edgar, Melville, Mary, Sarah and Anna, deceased. For his second wife he married Martha Webb, who died in 1875. Four children were born of this union and three are living, namely: Ella, Laura, Minnie and William. The third wife, Elizabeth Stant, lived but a short time after their marriage, and his present wife was, in her maidenhood, Miss Catherine Pearson.
Mr. White can well remember the early days when this region was all new and wild, and in the wonderful changes that have since taken place he has always borne his part. In 1840 he united with the Methodist church, and for nearly sixty years has done what he could to promote the interests of religion and morality in the community, where almost his entire life has been passed. He cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, and continued to support the Whig party until the formation of the Republican party, with which he has since affiliated. As a citizen he is highly respected and esteemed, and is passing the evening of life in the consciousness of hay- ing tried to do his duty to his God and to his fellow men.
CASPER C. CRIST.
An honored veteran of the civil war is Casper C. Crist, sheriff of Union county, to which office he was first elected in 1896, on the Republican ticket, and again, in 1898, was the nominee of his party. He is a native of Liberty, his present place of residence, his birth having occurred here September 27, 1841.
The paternal grandfather of the above named gentleman, George W. Crist, was born in Cincinnati, and came to this neighborhood about 1807 or 1808, and passed the rest of his life here. He located on a tract of land a portion of which is now included in the town of Liberty, and his son, Judge William B. Crist, the father of our subject, settled upon a farm just south of
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the village. George W. Crist lived to be over four-score years old. He married a Miss Bell and they became the parents of four sons and four daughters. Three of the sons, James W., William B. and Christian W., continued to dwell in the vicinity of Liberty as long as they lived, but Reason B., the youngest, went to Louisiana.
Judge William B. Crist, who died in 1860 at the age of fifty-five years, was a man of more than local prominence. He was a successful builder and contractor, and a farmer as well. He erected numerous public and private buildings in Liberty and elsewhere and laid out part of his farm into town lots; and in addition to this property he owned other land, more or less improved. The old homestead still stands about the same as he left it, and at the present it is occupied by a dairy farmer. When the Cincinnati, Hamil- ton & Dayton Railroad was projected he gave the right of way through his farm, and was superintendent of the stone-work construction along the line, between Hamilton and Rushville, but died before the same was finished. In 1854 he built the first permanent store building in Liberty and this is still owned by the family. For several years he served as associate judge of Union county, and in his political attitude he was first a Whig and later a Republican. He married Margaret La Fuze, who is still living, now in her eighty-ninth year, and is cared for at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. W. Connoway. Eight of their twelve children are living, in 1898. Mrs. Crist is a devout member of the Presbyterian church.
Casper C. Crist learned the carpenter's trade of a brother and subse- quently followed the calling for fourteen years, with marked success. He has been employed as a clerk in a hardware store and has been connected with other business enterprises of this locality. Probably the most notable part of his career was when he was wearing the blue uniform of a Union soldier and was fighting for the preservation of the land he loved and the principles in which he had been reared. He enlisted in Company G, Sixty- ninth Indiana Infantry, -that ill-fated regiment which lost nearly half of its contingent in the severe campaigns in which they actively participated. Leaving home on the 19th of August, 1862, the regiment was sent to Rich- mond, Kentucky, where on the 30th of the same month it suffered dreadful loss. In the Vicksburg campaign seventy-five men of Company G were killed or died of wounds and disease. Later the regiment was sent up the Rio Grande river and went on the Red river expedition, closing its service with the Mobile maneuvers. After taking part in the fight at Fort Blakely, Alabama, April 9, the regiment went into camp until the following July, when it wa's mustered out. Among the battles in which it had made its name famous were Richmond, Chickasaw Bluff, Arkansas Post, Thompson Hills, Champion Hills, Black river, Vicksburg, Jackson (Mississippi) and the numerous engage-
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ments of the Red river campaign and at Fort Blakely. With the exception of eleven days, when he was assigned to hospital duty, Mr. Crist was always with his company, never missing a skirmish with the enemy; and at Jackson he received a wound, which did not prove of a very serious nature. For some years he has been an honored member of Du Vall Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He is also a member of the lodge and chapter of the Masonic fra- ternity and is identified with the Improved Order of Red Men.
The marriage of Mr. Crist and Miss Emma E. Knowlton, a native of Brownsville, was celebrated June 20, 1870. Her father, Charles C. Knowl- ton, was formerly engaged in merchandising in this place and is highly respected as a citizen and business man. Mr. and Mrs. Crist have four chil- dren: Bessie B., now occupied in clerking; Estella M., wife of Charles Douglas, of Union township; and Charles W. and Mabel N., twins. Relig- iously, the family is Presbyterian, attending the local church of that denom- ination, and contributing liberally toward its support.
JOHN A. SPEKENHIER.®
Although a young man, few are better or more favorably known than the gentleman whose name appears above. By industry and steady applica- tion he has won his way over many obstacles to a good business position and the trust and confidence of his fellow men.
He is a son of John and Margaret E. (Bickel) Spekenhier, and is a native of Columbus, Ohio, where he was born April 12, 1866. His father was born in 1827, in Ahlen, Westphalen, Prussia, educated there, and upon reaching mature years engaged in the manufacture of cigars and the curing of tobacco, in which latter he became an expert. In 1849 he came to America, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he continued his trade, doing a wholesale business and meeting with success. He remained there until 1861, when he removed to Columbus, Ohio. In 1875 he located in Richmond, where he opened a wholesale and retail cigar store, manufacturing his own goods, and followed that business until overtaken by death, July 16, ISSO. He had returned to Columbus on a visit, when he was suddenly stricken with apoplexy of the brain, dying in a short time. He was a man of strong domestic traits, devoted to his family, and never so happy as when in their midst. In 1859 he married Miss Margaret Bickel, and they had three sons: Irving, who died in infancy in 1862; Frank F., foreman for Culleton & Company, book print- ers and binders in Richmond; and John A., whose name heads this sketch. Mrs. Spekenhier, the mother, is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and is now residing in Richmond.
John A. Spekenhier, our subject, attended school in Columbus until 1875, at which time his parents removed to Richmond, where he continued
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his attendance at school for a few years. After quitting the halls of learn- ing he still continued his studies during spare hours. While attending school he had also a newspaper route, by which he earned enough to enable him to attend a business college for a term. At the early age of thirteen years he constructed a perfectly working telegraph, in connection with which enter- prise he began to learn his favorite trade. At the age of fourteen he entered the office of A. E. Crocker, of Richmond, as office boy, remained there one year and received for his services the " munificent" sum of one dollar a week! He next became messenger boy in a Western Union Telegraph office, where he remained six months and mastered the art of telegraphy. His next vent- ure was in the freight office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, under H. S. Kates, agent. He began as messenger boy, and worked his way to the office of cashier, a position he held several years. Later, in 1889, he accepted the position of railroad teller in the First National Bank. In 1896 he entered the county treasurer's office as deputy under John W. Turner, and so acceptably has he filled the office that he is earnestly spoken of as the next treasurer. He is an active worker in the Republican ranks and also in local matters. He is a member of 'St. Paul's Episcopal church, in which he has served as treasurer one year. He held the same office for St. Stephen's hospital. A subject deserving charity is sure to meet his ready sympathy and aid. He is a member of a number of fraternal orders, as the Coeur de Lion Lodge. No. 8, Knights of Pythias; of Hokendauqua Tribe, No. 196, Improved Order of Red Men; Whitewater Lodge, No. 41, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand; Webb Lodge, No. 24, F. & A. M .; and of Eden Degree Lodge, No. 30, Daughters of Rebekah.
Mr. Spekenhier is a musician of promise, playing both the mandolin and the guitar, and can also take the clarinetist's part in an orchestra or band; and he has composed a number of pieces for those instruments, of which the best known are entitled Dreams of Spain, Sounds from the Pacific, San Miguel Waltz, Mephisto Phantasie and the Pirates' Serenade. In the line of out-door sports Mr. Spekenhier is also a fine marksman with the rifle and is a member of the Richmond Gun Club. He is fond of horses, treats them kindly and will not permit others to abuse them. One of his favorite diver- sions is a mount on his horse and a canter across the country. His home is always open to his friends and acquaintances, who are ever assured of a warm hospitality.
FRANK LAND.
Frank Land was born in Richmond, Indiana, November 30, 1860, his parents being Horatio Nelson and Emeline (Gaar) Land. He attended the public schools until seventeen years of age, when he began earning his own livelihood as an employe in the works of Gaar, Scott & Company, serving an
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apprenticeship in the machine department. He completed his term when twenty years of age and worked at it through the two succeeding years in the same department in which he had mastered the business. His close applica- tion and ability won him promotion in 1882, when he became foreman of the erecting department, and in 1893 his duties and responsibilities were further increased by his appointment to the position of foreman of the machine department. He continued at the head of both departments until 1898, when he was elected a director of the company and made superintend- ent in charge of all the iron-working in the immense establishment.
Mr. Land is a very prominent Mason and an exemplary representative of that ancient and benevolent fraternity. He belongs to Webb Lodge, No. 24, A. F. & A. M .; King Solomon Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; Richmond Commandery, No. S, K. T .; and the Consistory of the Valley of Indianapolis, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree. In 1886 he was united in marriage to Miss Nellie B. Walker, of Wilmington, Ohio, and they now have two interesting children, -Walker and Horatio Nelson.
JOHN C. BOYD.
John C. Boyd, who devotes his energies to agricultural pursuits and was in former years one of the leading lime manufacturers of the state, has spent almost his entire life in Wayne county, Indiana, his home being now in Wayne township. He was born on the east fork of Whitewater river, two and a half miles east of Richmond, September 28, 1822, his parents being Adam and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Boyd, the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of South Carolina. About 1815 Adam Boyd came to this county, and later married Elizabeth, daughter of Amos Hawkins, of South Carolina, who had located in Indiana in 1816. About 1833 the parents of our subject removed to Boone county, Indiana, where the father, who was a carpenter by trade, died at the age of forty-eight years. The mother survived him about ten years, and died in Carthage, Indiana, at the age of fifty. Adam Boyd was at one time justice of the peace in Richmond, and many old deeds and legal papers of those early days were drawn up by himn. In his family were seven children: Alexander, of Marion, Indiana; Charity, deceased; John C .; Henry W., of Michigan; Jonathan D., an extensive farmer living on the old homestead in Boone county; Oliver, of Westfield, Indiana; and Mar- tha A.
John C. Boyd was a lad of eleven years when he accompanied his parents to Boone county, but at the age of thirteen he returned to Wayne county and lived with his uncle, Jonathan Hawkins, on the old Amos Hawkins farm, on the New Paris road. It was the place of his birth, and continued to be his home until he had attained his majority. He attended the district schools of
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the neighborhood, pursued his studies under the direction of James M. Poe, and also attended a school, in Richmond, taught by William McGookin. Mr. Boyd afterward engaged in teaching several terms of school and then took up the tanner's trade, which he learned under Eli Hiatt, who had a country tannery near Middleboro. He afterward worked for Wiggins & Son, of Richmond, and later, in connection with Isaac Cook, purchased the Hiatt tan-yard, which he successfully conducted for nine years, making considerable money. As the supply of bark was then limited, he sold out and in 1856 constructed a patent lime-kiln near the village of Middleboro, the first of the kind in the state. For thirty-two years he engaged in the manufacture of lime, building up a large and profitable business. His first partner died in 1856, and in 1858 he formed a partnership with Amos Cook for the erection of a similar kiln at New Paris, Ohio. After the war he purchased Mr. Cook's interest and admitted Henry Downing as a partner in the New Paris quarries and kilns. Three years later they sold the New Paris quarries and kilns to the firm of Smith & Brother. That business had become quite extensive, turning out twenty-five thousand bushels per year. Mr. Boyd, however, continued the operation of the Middleboro quarries until about three years ago, and by the practical methods which he followed secured a very large and remunerative business. He furnished employment to twenty men, about twelve or fifteen being employed in the home quarries. His farm comprises one hundred and sixty-two acres of land near Middleboro, and twenty years ago he erected thereon a large and handsome residence, which is supple- mented by other substantial and modern improvements, all of which indicate the careful supervision and the progressive spirit of the owner. He has another farm, comprising one hundred and thirty-eight acres, which he also operates, and now carries on general farming in connection with the raising of hogs. He has invested a considerable amount in real estate, owning farm property and Richmond realty, besides lands in Iowa.
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