USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 41
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 41
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 41
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 41
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As a boy Lemuel J. Wilson was inured to the work on a farm, and attended the common schools of his district. Leaving school, he engaged in teaching during the winters in his home district, while his summers were employed in raising crops. This program was continued, with the most flat- tering results, until after his marriage, on November 9, 1865. His wife was Sarah E. Martin, daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Warne) Martin, of Brook- ville township, the latter of whom is still living. The children who have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are Edward S .; Mamie E., wife of Frank Hopkins, of Tuscola, Illinois; Maggie, wife of Jacob Calvert, living in the same vicinity, in Illinois; Harry, deceased; John C., deceased; Sarah E .; Annie; Calvin H .; Lizzie M .; and Walter J., at home. After marriage he continued to farm in his old neighborhood for four years, when he moved to Illinois, where he remained until 1889, when he returned to Brookville town- ship and purchased the homestead farm. He is an industrious, hard-working man, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he con- tributes liberally both of time and money, He affiliates with the Democratic party.
GEORGE W. BEESON.
George W. Beeson, of Falmouth, Indiana, is a lineal descendant of Edward Beeson, the Quaker emigrant of 1682; and his mother was Ellen Harvey, of the family of Harveys which has been prominent and honored in Indiana and elsewhere in many generations. An interesting account of these families is given in the biographical sketch of Marquis D. Beeson in this work. George W. Beeson is a son of Marquis D. and Elizabeth (Harvey) Beeson and was born in Wayne county, Indiana, September 6, 1840, edu- cated in the public schools and reared to honest toil. The other children of his parents were named Lycurgus, LaFayette and Evaline. George W. Beeson remained under the paternal roof until 1896, when he married and settled on his farm of one hundred and eighty acres, in Fairview township, which he has finished clearing, remodeled and put under excellent cultiva- tion. He has good buildings, in every way adequate to his needs. and a.com- fortable home.
Mr. Beeson was married, in 1896, to Miss Sylvia Caldwell, a lady of
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allegiance being given to the Democratic party, and he is the only surviving member of the state constitutional convention of 1850, as is believed. Relig- ious work has been a matter of deep moment to him throughout his life, and, like his father before him, he is an ardent member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. .
For a wife, Dr. Bracken chose Miss Patience A. Berry, and together they trod the pathway of life for many long years. The devoted wife and mother was summoned to the silent land, April 16, 1898, when eighty years of age. Five of their children lived to maturity, namely: William H .; Thomas E., a farmer of Decatur county; James B., who was a successful physician and surgeon for years, and is now retired and living with his father, Martha E., who is at home also; and John L., an attorney of Greensburg,. Indiana.
The birth of William H. Bracken occurred in Jackson county, Indiana, September 9, 1838. His early education was acquired chiefly in the old- fashioned subscription schools, and when in his fourteenth year he entered Asbury University. There he continued but a few months, owing to his delicate health, and some time afterward he accepted a position in a woolen mill at Big Flat Rock, his father being a partner in this concern. Subse- quently he clerked in a store partly owned by his father, at Milroy, the firm name being Smith & Bracken. When Mr. Smith withdrew from the busi- ness it was carried on, under the style of Bracken & Son, from 1855 until the fall of 1859. In June, 1860, our subject went to the west, and after looking the country over considerably returned, and on the 27th of Septem- ber came to Brookville and took up the study of law, with Wilson Morrow as his preceptor. Admitted to the bar the following year, he was soon after- ward appointed deputy prosecuting attorney, which office he filled accept- ably until June, 1862, at the same time acting also in the capacity of town clerk, to which position he was elected.
At the time just mentioned, Mr. Bracken turned over to others all of his business and official duties in order to fight for the stars and stripes. He assisted in raising Company B, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, and upon its organization was made first lieutenant. During much of his three years of service in the army he was on detached duty, doing excellent work in several important departments. At Henderson, Kentucky, he was made post quar- termaster and commissary, and served as such from August, 1862, until the following April, when, his regiment being ordered to join the Army of the Cumberland, he was ordered to report to General Mitchell at Nashville, where he was assigned to the commissary department. Later, ordered to Murfreesboro, General Rosecrans placed him in charge of a "courier line, "- some twenty-five men, engaged in the transmission of despatches from one 56
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branch of the army to the other, through a very dangerous section of country. During the advance from Murfreesboro to Chattanooga, the lien- tenant was ordered to report to department headquarters, and held the very important post of chief of the secret service department in that locality, sub- mitting all despatches received to General Garfield, chief officer on the staff of General Rosecrans. Soon after the battle of Missionary Ridge he was ordered to assume the command of a train running on the railroad from Nashville to Chattanooga, his position being that of military conductor. At the end of a few months he was assigned to the office of the provost marshal at Nashville, was then made assistant provost marshal under General John F. Miller, by General Sherman, and was in the same branch of the military service at the time that he was mustered out, in June, 1865, at Edgefield. Ten- nessee. From the beginning to the close of his service he was faithful, ever at his post of duty, ready to undertake any necessary work, however perilous, and his superior officers placed all confidence in his fidelity, sagacity and promptness in the performance of the arduous tasks assigned to him.
For a few months after the war had been successfully terminated, Mr. Bracken was engaged in the practice of his profession at Nashville; but find- ing sectional prejudice too strong at that time, he returned to the north, and in March, 1866, resumed his long interrupted practice in Brookville. In February, 1880, he entered upon the duties of clerk of the circuit court, to which position he had been elected, and here he continued to serve the pub- lic for two terms, or eight years. After an interval, in which he was again engaged in regular law practice, he became collector of internal revenue for the sixth collection district of Indiana, filling that office from November 1, 1893, to October 31, 1897. He has ever been a strong Democratic partisan, active in the promotion of his party's welfare, and for twelve years or more was chairman of the county central committee, besides having been at the head of the electoral ticket in 1892. Well and favorably known in all parts of this state, it is safe to say that few of Indiana's native-born sons are more honored or more earnestly concerned in her prosperity.
In the local fraternities Mr. Bracken has a distinctive place. He is past master of Harmony Lodge, No. 11, F. & A. M .; is past high priest of Brook- ville Chapter, No. 16, R. A. M .; is a charter member and was the first past chancellor of Brookville Lodge, No. 76, Knights of Pythias, organized in 1877; and is past commander of Hackleman Post, No. 64, G. A. R.
On the 16th of January, 1863, Mr. Bracken married Miss Phoebe A. Ker- rick, of Low Point, Illinois. They have three sons and three daughters living. William K., the eldest, is a successful attorney of Bloomington, Illinois. Jo- sephine M. is the wife of Professor William L. McMillen, teacher of English in the Fort Wayne (Indiana) high school. Martha E. married George W.
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Kimble, a railway postal clerk, of Liberty, Indiana. Thomas E., a young man of much promise, graduated in the Indiana University in the summer of 1899. Sarah B., the youngest daughter, is now the wife of Professor Her- bert S. Voorhees, superintendent of the Brooklyn schools; and Leonidas L. is a student in the state university. The children have been afforded excel- lent educational advantages, and are well qualified in every way for the serious duties of life.
JOHN WRIGHT,
The honored subject of this memoir was born August 15, 1815, at Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancaster, England. His parents, William and Eliza- beth (Bardsley) Wright, left their native country and located in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1820. After residing there for a period of five years they moved to Franklin county, Indiana, where the father died in 1853.
John Wright remained with his father until the death of the latter, and it was not until February 14, 1861, that he entered the state of matrimony. The lady of his choice was Miss Cecilia Glidwell, daughter of Thomas Glid- well, an old and highly esteemed citizen of Franklin county, Indiana. Four children blessed this union: Rachel, wife of Leander L. Lewis, of Grant county, this state; William; Frank A .; and Elizabeth, deceased. Mr. Wright accumulated a large property, owning land both in Grant and Frank- lin counties. His death occurred January 11, 1875, and was widely mourned, as the honesty of his character and its true nobility made him greatly respected. Since his death his widow and son, Frank, have managed the home farm, which is one of the most productive in this region.
Frank A. Wright was born in Brookville township, Franklin county, Indiana, November 30, 1869. He received a common-school education and is now engaged in the live-stock business. In politics he is a Democrat, and fraternally is a member of the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
CHARLES MOUNT.
Charles Mount, president of the First National Bank of Connersville, and one of the leading lights in business circles, is a native of Connersville, Indiana, born November 9, 1838, the son of James and Mary (Dixon) Mount. His father was born November 9, 1805, in New Jersey, and emi- grated to Franklin county, Indiana, in 1818. Five years later he removed to Connersville, where he became prominent in business and social circles. For a time he was associated in business with the late Daniel Hawkins, the pioneer merchant, and later with Meredith Helm. He was one of a com- pany that built a large brick structure on Eastern avenue, near the C., H. & I. railroad, where he operated a large machine shop and foundry. He was also one of the founders and the president of the Farmers' Bank. Later
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he was largely interested in agricultural pursuits. He died November 30, 1882, leaving a large estate. His wife Mary, the mother of our subject, was a native of Connersville and the daughter of Arthur Dixon, another pioneer merchant of Connersville. They reared a number of children, including Charles, our subject.
Charles Mount was educated in his native city and took a thorough commercial course at Cincinnati, Ohio. He began as a bookkeeper and con- tinued as such until the autumn of 1861, when the civil-war cloud hung heavy, and he answered the call for brave men to enlist. A member of the Second Indiana Cavalry, he was promoted to the position of second lieuten- ant in the commissary department, serving in all four years, and then resigned on account of failing health. After the war he was engaged in the boot and shoe trade about five years. In July, 1873, he sold out and was then made cashier of the First National Bank, filling that place until 1889, when he was elected president of the bank and now fills this position with credit to all interested. Aside from this, he is a director in the Connersville Furniture Manufacturing Association, besides being a large land-owner and carrying on an extensive farm business.
Mr. Mount has been married twice, -first to Sarah E. Huston, Novem- ber 15, 1865. This lady was the daughter of Hon. John Huston. By this union three children were born: James C., Mary E. and John H. Mrs. Mount died, and for his second wife Mr. Mount married Mrs. Esther E. Pumphrey, of Connersville, Indiana.
He of whom we write is a living example of the fact that it pays any young man starting out in life to obtain first a good business education and then be constant and practical in whatever he attempts. The great need of the world to-day is men, -good men, -the type that can be relied upon as efficient and withal honorable; and to such an one there is always an open position, with the respect of the great business world.
STEVEN C. STEVENS.
The Stevens family, of which the subject of this article is a most worthy representative, is one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families of eastern Indiana. As early as 1814 the parents of Steven C. Stevens, William and Mary (Fouts) Stevens, came to this section of Indiana from their old home in North Carolina, making the trip in company with their respective families and about three or four years after their arrival here their marriage was celebrated.
The father of William Stevens, Spencer Stevens, had purchased land in Abington township, Wayne county, and there he passed the remainder of his days. The younger man, William Stevens, settled in Brownsville township,
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Union county, soon after his marriage, his home being near the Pleasant Hill church. Subsequently he removed to the vicinity in which his father had settled, and about 1836 he located permanently in Brownsville township. His finely improved homestead was the one adjoining that now owned by the subject of this sketch. From time to time he bought land until there were about five hundred acres in the home place, and in order to give each of his eight sons a start upon an independent career he sold farms to them, on easy terms, and assisted them in various ways, as his means permitted. Of his nine sons and four daughters all but one reached mature years, mar- ried and had children, and only three are now deceased. They have gone to various parts of the country, and at the present time only four are residents of this county, namely: Spencer and Hampton, of Liberty township; Steven; and Melinda, wife of George Harlan. The old homestead is still in the possession of the family. William Stevens was an honorable, just man, respected by all who knew him. Though in no sense a politician, he was an earnest believer in the superiority of the Democratic party, and once served in the office of county commissioner, acquitting himself with credit.
Steven C. Stevens was born December 27, 1832, in Harrison township, Union county, where his parents lived for a few years, and with his numerous brothers and sisters he was reared on farms and instructed in the proper methods of agriculture. When he had arrived at the dignity of manhood he purchased the farm which he now owns, from his father, and at once pro- ceeded to make substantial improvements upon the place. To the original tract of one hundred and forty-eight acres he has added other land until the homestead comprises two hundred and sixty-three acres, and he also owns two hundred and twenty-eight acres at Clifton. He has been blessed with success in his financial ventures and long since gained the name of being one of the leading farmers and business men of this neighborhood. Following the splendid example of his honored father, he has made a point of aiding his sons to make a start in the difficult battle of independent life. Also emulat- ing the example of his father, he is active in the Democratic party, attending the local conventions of the same, and in 1897 he was present at the Indiana state convention.
Mr. Stevens has been twice married. His first wife bore the maiden name of Martha Snyder, her father being Simon E. Snyder. Her sister Mary became the wife of our subject's brother, Spencer Stevens. Mrs. Martha Stevens survived her marriage but four years, and some time subse- quently to her death Mr. Stevens wedded Oletha, daughter of James McVicker, who was the proprietor of the farm adjoining his own. Mrs. Stevens was born on the old McVicker homestead and has spent her whole life in this immedi- ate locality. The three children of Steven C. Stevens are Newton E., an
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enterprising young farmer, who is engaged in cultivating the fine homestead in Preble county, Ohio, which our subject gave to him; George M., who is equally practical and progressive as a man of affairs, and whose home is on a farm not far distant from that of his father; and Irene, a young lady, who was educated at Oxford, Ohio, and is now at home.
Since the time when, as a young man, he became a member of the Masonic fraternity, Mr. Stevens has been an enthusiastic worker in that order. He stands high with his brothers in the home lodge, and has repeat- edly served as worshipful master of the same. In his religious views he is liberal, but believes in churches and gives regularly to the support of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Honesty, justice and uprightness have characterized his whole life, and all who know him accord him praise and wish him well.
WILLIAM H. H. ERB.
William Henry Harrison Erb, a venerable citizen of Blooming Grove township, Franklin county, has passed almost his entire life in this locality, and has been a witness of the vast changes which have been made by the work and industry of man, himself aiding in felling the forests and reducing the land to cultivation. His straightforward, honorable course in life has given him the esteem and confidence of his neighbors and associates, many of whom will take pleasure in tracing his history on these pages.
As the surname indicates, Mr. Erb is of German extraction. His father, Major David Erb, was a native of Pennsylvania and won his title during his service in the United States army in the war of 1812. He married Rosanna Richards, and in 1815 emigrated to Indiana, settling in the wilderness in what is now known as Blooming Grove township. There he was one of the first permanent settlers, and during the years of his residence in the district he took a prominent part in whatever tended to promote the welfare of the community. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church for years, zealously concerned in the upbuilding of the denomination and in all measures calculated to uplift humanity.
William Henry Harrison Erb, his parents' only son, was born in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1813, and was but two years of age when he was brought to this county. He had four sisters, two of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Eliza Smith and Cynthia Ann, wife of Aaron Yountz. Mrs. Mary Masters, wife of Aaron Masters, and Mrs. Levisa Harris, are deceased.
The boyhood of William H. H. Erb was filled with hard labor, as he helped his father in the clearing of his farm in the dense forest. Then, learning the trade of wagon-making in Fairfield, he followed that calling for a number of years, very successfully. By diligence in business and economy
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in the expenditure of his hard-earned money he acquired a competence, and is spending his declining years in comfort and contentment. His home is on a fine farm situated in Blooming Grove township.
On the 19th of October, 1870, Mr. Erb married Anna, daughter of John W. and Mary (Scott) Fowler. She was born in Arkansas, to which state her father had removed from South Carolina. Her mother was a native of Indi- ana, but had gone to Arkansas when about ten years of age, accompanying her parents. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Fowler adhered to the Union and for that reason his life was endangered, owing to the fact that the inhab- itants of Fulton county, Arkansas, where he dwelt, were mainly sympathiz- ers with the south. In 1862 an opportunity was afforded for Mr. Fowler and his family to escape, under the protection of the Union army, which had been engaged in a campaign in their state, and of this they gladly availed themselves. Mrs. Erb was about ten years of age at that time, and well remembers the stirring experiences of the stormy war period. Her father died in Missouri, in March, 1863, and the widow, with her five children, returned to Franklin county, where she had relatives living. She survived her husband many years, dying at her home in Fairfield, in 1891. All of her children are living, namely: Frank, Louisa, Anna, Kelly M. and Will- iam M. The last named is a resident of Brookville. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Erb was blessed with three children,-William H., Maynard and Bessie.
J. B. McFARLAN, SR.
The gentleman nanied above is the most extensive manufacturer of Connersville, Indiana. He was born November, 1823, of English birth and parentage, and emigrated to this country, with his parents, when a small boy. The family at first located at Cincinnati, Ohio. Subsequently our sub- ject moved to Cambridge City, Indiana, where he was engaged in business for a time, but not being entirely successful there he came to Connersville, in 1856, almost a half century ago, and has with all these passing years been closely allied to every interest of the place. Indeed he has been styled "the father of Connersville." He is purely a business man, but is liberal and contributes to all worthy enterprises. He is unquestionably a leader among the manufacturing concerns of his home city. He was president of the Fayette Banking Company for four years, and is interested in nearly all the factories of the place.
Mr. McFarlan's life-work has been the manufacturing of fine carriages. Forty years of unremitting toil and effort and experiment, with the employment of every known element, are the distinguishing features of the manager of this great plant, one of the largest in America. It was in the year 1856 when J. B. McFarlan first set foot in Connersville and at once
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
established, in a small way, the business now of such great magnitnde. A small building on the corner of Sixth street and Grand avenue marks the birthplace of the McFarlan Carriage Company's business. The plant now covers more than five acres. The main building is a four-story brick structure sixty by two hundred and seventy feet, with two large wings. The shipping facilities are complete. Two switches from the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad enter the grounds. The mechanical equipment of the shops is quite modern and full of special machinery. Here are made the best of carriages, buggies, surreys and all other vehicles known to modern-day travelers. Every state in the Union has felt the influence of this immense factory. The pay-roll of multiplied thousands of dollars each month, to the average of four hun- dred operatives, has been the financial making of Connersville. The com- pany has branches at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Kansas City, Missouri. Scores of traveling salesmen and collectors ply the roads for them constantly. This concern is officered and owned by J. B. McFarlan, president; C. E. J. McFarlan, vice-president; J. E. McFarlan, superintendent; W. McFarlan, secretary; J. B. McFarlan, Jr., assistant secretary. In the state of Indiana, and all the great western country, the mere mention of these names is to pro- nounce the highest tribute of praise to their mental caliber as business men, each peculiarly adapted to the place he so ably fills. The name of the founder will go down to posterity, for in him is really vested the interests of the city of Connersville. He has lavished both time and money in the upbuilding of his long-ago adopted city home. Prominent among the indus- tries with which he is connected may be mentioned the Connersville Blower Company, the Connersville Natural Gas Company, the Connersville Land and Improvement Company, the Fayette Banking Company and the McFarlan Building Company,-all lasting monuments to his business sagacity and enterprise.
The truly successful man is he who in reaching his own ends is also serving the public. Such a one is he of whom we write this sketch for future generations to refer to in trying to define what success was at the threshold of the twentieth century.
LOT S. WAGGONER.
Lot S. Waggoner, of Blooming Grove township, is a son of Michael and Sarah (Clanford) Waggoner, well known citizens of Franklin county. The father, who for a score of years lived in this township, was a native of Jack- son township, Fayette county, his birth having taken place in 1822. In childhood he removed to Iowa with his parents, but subsequently to the death of his father he returned to Indiana, here to pass the rest of his life. For a short period he lived in Indianapolis, after which he settled in Knightstown
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