USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 28
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 28
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 28
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 28
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
Alpheus M. Smith was reared on his father's farm and received his early education in the common schools. He commenced the study of medicine in the office of Drs. R. A. and I. M. Smith, the former at Greensboro, Indiana, and the latter at Monterey, this state, and later read medicine in Dr. S. R. Richie's office at Donaldson, also in this state. He attended his first course of medical lectures at the Cincinnati Medical College in 1871-2. After this he engaged in the practice of his profession, in partnership with Dr. Richie, in Marshall and LaPorte counties, where he remained for several years. In 1886, in order still further to prepare himself for his life work, he took a course in medicine at Indianapolis, and is a graduate of the Physio-Medical College, of that city. The same year, 1886, he went to Kansas, where he practiced for two years, returning at the end of that time to LaPorte county. The next two years he spent in the city of LaPorte, where he conducted a successful practice; thence he moved to Knox, three years later to Cadiz, Henry county, and in January, 1899, to his present location at Everton, Fayette county. Dr. Smith has had an extensive and varied practice, and is well worthy of the high confidence and respect he commands at his new loca- tion, with which he is well pleased and where he expects to remain perma- nently. He has at different places been interested in the drug business.
Dr. Smith has been twice married. In 1879 he married Miss Florence Harrison, granddaughter of Judge William Harrison, of Peru. Judge Harri- son was a cousin of General William Henry Harrison. Mrs. Florence Smith
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died June 6, 1881, leaving an only child, Cren. Oren Snith is now a tele- graph operator in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad Company, located at Hurdland, Missouri. In 1886 Dr. Smith married for his second wife Miss Lillian Green, of Indiana, born in 1864, daughter of Robert R. Green, who came to this country from England when a boy. Mr. Green is a veteran of both the Mexican and civil wars, a captain in the latter, and is now .living retired, an honored citizen and a consistent member of the Christian church. His wife died in 1881. To them were born five children, namely: Mrs. Bell Pownall, Robert, Lillian, Nelly A. and Worthy M. Nelly A. died in early childhood. Worthy M. was a member of the One Hundred Fifty-seventh Indiana Volunteers during the Spanish-American war and went with his regi- ment to Florida. Dr. and Mrs. Smith have one child, Bernice, born May 20, 1893.
The Doctor and his wife are identified with the Methodist Episcopal ·church. Fraternally he is a member in good standing of the I. O. O. F., K of P., and K. & L. of C.
WILLIAM J. ZACHARIAS.
The history of William J. Zacharias, of Brookville, Franklin county, is one of special interest, as it plainly demonstrates what may be accomplished by a young man possessing pluck and energy, even though he be a stranger in a foreign land. America, above all nations, has extended a welcoming hand to the sons of other lands, and has given opportunities for advancement which Europe does not afford.
A son of Joseph and Mary (Meyer) Zacharias, our subject was born in the province of Westphalia, Prussia, Germany, March 17, 1857. Growing to manhood there, he received an excellent education, and was graduated in the college at Brakel, his native town. He then entered a large dry-goods establishment as a bookkeeper, which position he continued to fill for three years, at the end of that period resolving to seek better fortune in the United States.
In 1875 Mr. Zacharias bade adieu to the scenes and friends of his youth, and upon arriving at Baltimore proceeded directly to Franklin county. Here he made his home for a short time with his uncle, Edward Zacharias, of Laurel, and, as he had no knowledge of the English language, he worked for his relative, who was a painter and decorator. Then, going to Morris, Ripley county, he engaged in clerking for about a year, rapidly mastering the lan- guage, as his more extended association with the public enabled him to do. Returning to Laurel, he resumed painting, and was later placed in charge of a day school. Spending all of his leisure time in study, his progress was rapid, and in 1883 he pursued a normal course in the Brookville school, and,
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being granted a license to teach, passed the succeeding four years as a teacher in the public schools of the county.
Prior to this, however, Mr. Zacharias had identified himself with the Democratic party, taking a particularly active part in local politics. In 1887 his numerous friends induced him to become a candidate for the office of sheriff, and in November, 1888, he was duly elected. In 1890 he was re-elected, and served to the satisfaction of all concerned. In the winter of 1893 he took quite an influential part in the organization of the legisla- ture, and was chosen as chief journal clerk of the lower house, serving through that session. In the fall of 1893 he was made deputy collector of internal revenue, under Captain W. H. Bracken, and travels through the sixth collection district of Indiana in the discharge of his important duties. He has made an excellent record and innumerable friends.
In his religious faith Mr. Zacharias is a Catholic, as were his parents before him. That he possesses unusual mental endowments, his success thus far in life indicates, and that enterprise and earnestness of purpose are among his strong traits of character can not be doubted.
W. T. MURRAY.
W. T. Murray, a well known representative of the agricultural interests of Fayette county, owns and operates two hundred and fifty acres of fine farming land, and through the careful conduct of his business interests has won a competence. He was born in Mason county, Kentucky, December 17, 1846, a son of Jeremiah and Malinda (Steele) Murray. On the paternal side he is of Irish descent, his grandfather, George Murray, having been born on the Emerald Isle, where he wedded Mary Murphy, also a native of that land. With his family he crossed the Atlantic to America and took up his residence in Mason county, Kentucky, but spent his last days in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his death occurred in 1863. Jeremiah Murray, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Ireland and was brought to America when a child of six years. After residing for a time in Mason county, Kentucky, he removed to Louisville, that state, and thence went to Cass county, Indiana. By trade he was a carpenter, and in connection with that pursuit followed the occupa- tion of farming through a portion of his business career. He married Malinda Steele, a daughter of William Steele, a native of Pennsylvania, who loyally served his country in the war of 1812, participating in the engage- ments at Fort Defiance, Ohio, and on the Camden border. He subsequently took up his abode in Mason county, Kentucky, whence, in 1854, he removed to Cass county, Indiana, his death there occurring in February, 1864, when he had attained the age of seventy-six years. Throughout his business career he devoted his energies to farming. The father of our subject died in Cass
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county, at the age of thirty-six years, and the mother, long surviving him, passed away, in Fayette county, in 1892. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters, of whom W. T. Murray is the third in order of birth and is the only one now living. George served in the war of the Rebellion, and died in 1874; Mrs. Mary E. Grant died in 1894; John died at Blue River, Rush county, Indiana; June died in infancy.
WV. T. Murray spent the first six years of his life in Mason county, Ken- tucky, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Louisville, where he remained two years. In 1854 he became a resident of Cass county, Indiana, where he was principally reared, acquiring his education in the public schools of that locality. Upon the home farm he was early trained to habits of industry, and continued to devote his time to plowing. planting and harvesting until his enlistment in his country's service during the civil war. On the 23d of January, 1864, at Logansport, he joined Company K. One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and joined Sher- man's army. He then participated in the Atlanta campaign, after which his regiment returned with General Thomas to Franklin and Nashville. At the latter place he was taken ill, in 1865, and after recovering was transferred to the Seventeenth Veteran Reserve Corps, being honorably discharged Novem- ber 22, 1865, at Indianapolis.
Returning then to Logansport, Mr. Murray was engaged in farming in Cass county for two years, after which he removed to Rush county, where he learned the harness-maker's trade, carrying on business along that line until 1873, when he located upon a farm near Connersville. He has since devoted his energies to the care, cultivation and improvement of his land, and now has two hundred and fifty acres, the greater part of which has been trans- formed into rich fields, which yield excellent returns to the owner for the care and labor he bestows upon them. He also follows stock-raising, dealing especially in hogs, which he buys and ships on an extensive scale.
On the 20th of April, 1872, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Murray and Miss Mary Goble, of Connersville, and to them have been born four sons and four daughters. Socially our subject is connected with Fayette Lodge, No. 31, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs, and is now past grand. He is also a valued member of Connersville Post, No. 126, G. A. R. He takes a deep interest in politics and is an active worker in the Republican ranks. He is now serving as county assessor, to which position he was elected in 1896, for a term of four years. He has frequently been a delegate to the county, district and state conventions, and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, thus being able to give an intelligent sup- port to the party of his choice. As a citizen he is progressive and public- spirited, and commands the respect of all by his sterling worth.
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GEORGE E. SQUIER, M. D.
A prominent representative of the medical fraternity of Brookville is Dr. George E. Squier, whose large patronage indicates his high standing in the profession and the ability which he manifests in exercising the healing art. He displays marked devotion to his profession, doing all in his power to per- fect himself therein, and thus render more perfect service to those in need of his ministrations. His skill is supplemented by a broad human sympathy and a cheery, kindly manner which makes his presence in a sick-room like a ray of sunshine brightening and strengthening all around.
The Doctor was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 25, 1846, a son of Ezekiel and Catherine (Ashton) Squier. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Benjamin Squier, one of the pioneers of New Jersey, and for many years his descendants lived in the Passaic valley. His son, William Squier, was a native of New Jersey and an early settler of Hamilton, Ohio. Being a carpenter and builder, he built the first jail there, a log structure, which was paid for by the subscriptions of the citizens. His son, Abraham Squier, was the grandfather of our subject, and was the founder of the family in Ohio. He wedded Mary Ball, a daughter of Ezekiel Ball, who was one of the first commissioners of Butler county, Ohio. The Ball family is of Welsh descent, and the ancestry can be traced back to Edward Ball, one of the original settlers of Newark, New Jersey. He and his two brothers crossed the Atlantic from Wales to Connecticut, and later he removed to Newark, while his brothers went to Virginia. He was born about 1642, mar- ried Abigail Blatchley, of Connecticut, and to them were born six children. In 1667 he removed with his family to New Jersey, and the last mention of him in any available record was in 1724, when he was about eighty-one years of age. He was a prominent nian of Newark, and held a number of offices, including that of sheriff and that of committeeman of boundaries, on settle- ment with the proprietors, the Indians and others.
Thomas Ball, his sixth child, was born in 1687 or 1688 and died Decem- ber 18, 1744. He was married about 1710 to Sarah Davis, who died Feb- ruary 1, 1788, at the age of eighty-eight years. They were the parents of twelve children. He was a blacksmith by trade and served as constable of Newark, New Jersey, in 1715-16. It was probably in the year 1718 that he removed to a tract of land between Hilton and Jefferson Village, where he spent his remaining days. David Ball, his fifth child, was born February 5, 1720, and died April 19, 1786. He was married to Phobe Brown July 9, 1740, and they had two children. The mother died July 10, 1748, and David Ball afterward married Joanna Watkins, of Rahway. New Jersey, November 9, 1748. She died February 18, 1776, and for the third time 49
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David Ball was married, December 12, 1776, but the name of the wife is not known. There were six children by the second union.
Ezekiel Ball, the fifth child of David and Joanna Ball, was born in New Jersey, February 6, 1756, and died January 22, 1826, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mary Squier. He was married January 26, 1777, to Abigail Robinson, probably of Westfield, New Jersey. She was born January 26, 1756, had four children and died September 18, 1794. On the 5th of June, 1785, he wedded Mary Little, who was born December 29, 1756, and died February 3, 1823. They had six children. He was married a third time. but did not live with his wife. He served as justice of the peace and postmaster at Middletown, Ohio, and was also judge of the Butler county court. His daughter Mary was born December 30, 1787, and became the wife of Abra- ham Squier, the grandfather of our subject. They had a family of twelve children, including Ezekiel Squier, who was born in Middletown, Ohio, in 1 806, and came to Indiana in 1850. He finally located on the north fork of Wild-cat creek, in Carroll county, and died on that farm September 28, 1896, when nearly ninety years of age. He was a brick mason by trade, but fol- lowed farming during the greater part of his life. In politics he was a Democrat, and served for a number of years as township trustee, when the board consisted of three and afterward of five members. In religious faith he was a strong Universalist. He married Catharine Ashton, and to them were born five sons and three daughters who grew to maturity.
The Doctor was only four years of age when his parents located in Carroll county, where he was reared and educated, pursuing his literary course in the district schools of the neighborhood. In 1878 he took up the study of medicine under the direction of his brother, Dr. E. A. Squier, of College Corner, Ohio, and later attended the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. He was graduated in that institution in June, 1882, and imme- diately afterward located in Brookville, where he has since engaged in gen- eral practice, meeting with general success in his undertakings. Before preparing for the profession, however, he assisted in the labors of the horne farmn until 1876, and then accepted a position as clerk in a drug store in New London, Howard county, Indiana, where he remained for three years, his experience in that connection aiding him materially in his practice. In 1897 he performed the first surgical operation in Franklin county in which the X-ray machine was used to locate a bullet. It was a very difficult operation and was performed against the advice of a number of prominent physicians. but was eminently successful. In 1889 the Doctor joined the Indiana State Medical Association, and he has since been one of its valued representatives.
He also belongs to several fraternal organizations, including Harmony Lodge, No. 11, F. & A. M., and Oshownee Tribe, No. 220, Improved Order
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of Red Men. He was instrumental in its organization and was its first past sachem. He is also the great mnishinewa, Indian Great Council. Improved Order of Red Men. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and after locating in Brookville was nominated and elected to the office of county coroner, in which he served for ten years. He was also a member of the town council for one term and was elected secretary of the board of health, which position he has filled for the past five or six years. He is now secretary of the county board of health, which office he has filled four years, proving a most efficient officer and rigidly enforcing the health laws. In the bulletin of the state board of health appeared the following: "Dr. George E. Squier, of Frank- lin county, discovered that, some butchers in Brookville had slaughtered some diseased cattle and shipped their carcasses to Indianapolis. He promptly notified the state board and the officers, and the diseased meat was returned to Brookville. After vigorous prosecution the men were found guilty, one being fined two hundred and fifty dollars and imprisoned six months; another fined fifty dollars, with six months' imprisonment; and the other fined one hundred dollars, with an imprisonment of three months." At all times the Doctor has been most prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties, and no trust reposed in him, whether of a public or private nature, has ever been betrayed.
Dr. Squier was united in marriage, in 1869, to Miss Ella Logan, of Clinton county, Indiana, and to them have been born three children, but Maude, now fifteen years of age, is the only one now living. She is at present a student in the high school of Brookville. The Squier family is one of prominence in the community, the Doctor and his wife occupying a high position in the social life of Brookville.
STEPHEN S. STRATTAN.
In the early colonial days of this country somne English people, members of the Society of Friends and bearing the name of Strattan, crossed the Atlantic to found a home in the New World, where they might enjoy the blessings of religious freedom. They settled not far from Philadelphia, and some time afterward, when the Quaker settlement was founded in Guilford county, North Carolina, there were several Strattans among the number. On the maternal side our subject is a descendant of a inan named Baker, of Scotch-Irish extraction and an early settler in Guilford county.
The parents of S. S. Strattan were Zimri and Elizabeth (Baker) Strat- tan. The father was born September 12, 1807, in New Jersey, and accom- panied his parents to Springboro, Ohio, when he was a small boy. He learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed during his entire life. He was an orthodox member of the Friends' society and politically he was a
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zealous Republican. In 1826 he came to Richmond, where he continued to dwell until his death, nearly half a century later, February 11, 1873. He had two sons,-Daniel Baker and Stephen S. His wife, who was a native of Guilford county mentioned, departed this life at her home in Richmond, November 2, 1832, when she was but twenty-four years of age.
Daniel B. Strattan, the only brother of our subject, is about three years his elder, as he was born August 18, 1828. He learned the blacksmith's trade when he was very young, and followed the business on his own account. He enjoyed an extensive trade and worked steadily for half a century lacking but one month and a day, finally retiring on account of his failing eyes. On the 30th of May, 1855, he married Rebecca Strattan, who though bearing the same surname was not nearly related and whose birth-place was in New Jersey. They became the parents of two children: Ida Le Hentz, who died when thirteen years of age; and Henry C., likewise deceased.
Stephen S. Strattan was born in Richmond, April 14, 1831, and was left motherless when he was an infant. He was reared to manhood in this county and has always made his home here save a few months spent in Indianapolis and one year in Ohio. From the age of sixteen years he has given his attention to the manufacture of carriages. Conscientious and thor- oughly reliable in his work, he has merited the wide patronage which he has enjoyed.
In his political standing Mr. Strattan is an uncompromising Republican, interested in the welfare of the party and active in local affairs. His zeal and influence as a citizen was manifested when, fifteen years ago, his name was placed in nomination for the responsible position of treasurer of Wayne county. In November, 1884, he was elected, and upon the expiration of his term he was again elected to the office, thus serving altogether for four years. He was accurate, reliable and painstaking in the discharge of his duties, winning the approbation of all concerned.
The marriage of Mr. Strattan and Matilda Elderkin, of Richmond, was solemnized March 5, 1856. They have a son, Stephen S., Jr., and a daugh- ter, Ida M., both residents of this city.
JOSEPH JOHN MILLS, M. A., LL. D.
One of the fundamental principles of this great government and one of her surest bulwarks against some of the mighty forces which have overthrown nations in the past and have threatened our own fair land, is the education of her sons and daughters. To trace the history of a man who stands pre- eminent in the educational circles of America; to follow him in this earnest endeavors to obtain knowledge and collegiate training, observing his deter- mination and commendable fortitude and perseverance in the pathway which
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he had marked out for himself, is a task that is not only interesting but in- spiring.
Dr. Joseph John Mills, who for fifteen years has stood at the head of Earlham College, Richmond, one of the leading educational institutions of the northern central states, is of English descent. His paternal ancestors located in Pennsylvania, upon their arrival in the United States, and thence some of the family went to the south, finally coming to Indiana. The great-grandfather of the Doctor resided in North and South Carolina, and latter in Georgia; while the grandfather, Enoch Mills, a native of North Carolina, settled in Clinton county, Ohio, where he led a quiet, pastoral life. The Doctor's father, Abner Mills, was a farmer of Marion county, Indiana, his death taking place on his old homestead, near the state capital. His wife was Hannah, a daughter of Robert Furnas, who, coming from South Caro- lina, became one of the pioneers of Warren county, Ohio. To the marriage of Abner and Hannah Mills four sons and one daughter were born. One son, Isaac Furnas Mills, a prominent teacher, died in early manhood. Dr. Seth Mills is a retired physician of Valley Mills, Marion county, and Thorn- ton A. is a merchant and township trustee in the same place. Their sister, Linda M. Newsom, resides near Columbus, in Bartholomew county, Indiana.
The birth of Dr. Joseph J. Mills occurred in the vicinity of Indianapolis, in Marion county, July 21, 1847. He was reared on the old homestead and received his elementary education in the schools of Valley Mills. Being of a very studious disposition, he made rapid progress, and at eighteen passed a satisfactory examination for admission to the sophomore class of the Univer- sity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. At the end of one year's work in that institution of learning the young man was obliged to leave college, as he had not the means to meet his further expenses. He had already eked out his living at Ann Arbor by serving as steward to a boarding club of fourteen of his fellow students, and had taught one term at a district school prior to his entrance into the college. When he was twenty-one years old it was his privilege to pass one year as a student in Earlham College, but again the exigencies of his position debarred him from further systematic mental train- ing such as he desired, and, instead, he accepted the principalship of Sand Creek Seminary, a private school in Bartholomew county, Indiana. After passing one year in that position he became the principal of the Wabash (Indiana) high school, and two years later was promoted to the superin- tendency of the city schools of that place, in which capacity he acted two years. Elected to the responsible position of assistant superintendent of the public schools of Indianapolis, he gained a favorable reputation as an educator, possessing sound, practical ideas, and was retained in the office
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eleven years, during which time the schools of that city made rapid strides toward perfection.
Since 1884 Dr. Joseph J. Mills has been the revered president of Earl- ham College, which institution bestowed upon him the degree of Master of Arts, while his degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him by Haver- ford College, located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of the finest and oldest colleges in this country, as it has passed the century mark in its his- tory. Earlham College is a well equipped institution, situated in the midst of extensive, beautifully kept grounds. Earlham Hall, Parry Hall, Lindley Hall and the gymnasium are among the modern, attractive buildings in which the students spend their days. Numerous valuable and substantial improve- ments have been made during the presidency of Dr. Mills, who has spared no effort in bringing the institution into the front ranks. The endowment of the college has been trebled within a few years past, and everything promises well for its future. The enrollment in the college classes was but eighty- nine when the Doctor assumed the management, whereas it is now two hun- dred and seven, exclusive of preparatory, theological and music students, and is advancing year by year. In 1891 he was president of the department of higher education in the International Educational Association, which met in convention in Toronto, Canada. During the greater part of 1889 he trav- eled abroad, visiting Great Britain, Italy, Greece, Turkey and other coun- tries on the continent, and thence proceeded to Egypt, Syria and lands of the Orient. In 1876 he was ordained to the ministry in the Society of Friends, and has preached with more or less frequency since. At one time he was tendered the pastorate of the Friends' church at Indianapolis, but he saw fit to decline the honor. Loyal and very prominent in the society, he was chosen to be the president of the general conference of the Friends throughout America, which assembled at Indianapolis in 1893. In his polit- ical preference he is a Republican, and, being a strong temperance man, would ally himself with the Prohibition party, if he did not feel that that organization is in a hopeless minority. A broad-minded philosopher, he takes a hopeful, optimistic view of life, individually and as regards the nation, believing that time and the education of the masses will solve all the prob- lems which confront us as a people.
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