USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 42
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and carried on a shoe store, for he had previously learned the trade of shoe- making. About 1855 he went to Wabash county and bought a tract of heavily timbered land, and during the ten years which followed he was busily engaged in clearing that property. In 1865 he sold out and came to Bloom- ing Grove township, where, in company with his brother Abraham, he pur- chased two hundred and forty acres of land in the northern part of that town- ship. At the end of three years the land was equally divided between the brothers, and Michael Waggoner continued to cultivate his share until 1878, when he took up his abode in the village of Blooming Grove. He died in 1885 and is survived by his widow, who still makes her home in Blooming Grove.
Of the children born to Michael Waggoner and wife, two are deceased, namely: Orpha and Ross. Those living are: Eugene; Minerva, wife of Levi Masters; Lot S .; Belle Maud, wife of John Naylor, of Fayette county; and Noah B., of Blooming Grove.
Lot S. Waggoner was born on his father's homestead in Wabash county in 1857. He followed the usual pursuits of country lads in his youth, aiding in the care of the farm, and after he had arrived at his majority worked for his father for two years, at a fixed salary. From that time until his father's death, in 1885, he rented the farm, of which he is now the sole owner, hav- ing bought the interests of the other heirs. He bears an honored name in this locality, where his entire life has been passed, except nine years spent in Wabash county, and integrity and justice have been the keynotes of his career.
His marriage to Rebecca M. Rose, the youngest of the six children of William P. Rose, late of Blooming Grove township, was solemnized March 4, 1883. Her father died April 18, 1899, when in his seventy-sixth year, and is survived by the wife and mother. Mrs. and Mrs. Waggoner are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, giving liberally toward its support. They possess the esteem of all who know them, and by their sterling qualities of mind and heart have endeared themselves to many.
JACOB BURGER.
Among the German-Americans who have by their own honest efforts each made a comfortable living and acquired a nice home and farm in Fay- ette county, Indiana, may be mentioned Jacob Burger, of Connersville town- ship.
Mr. Burger was born in Kuhr, Hessen, Germany, July 25, 1831, and lived in his native land until he was twenty-three years old. He was the ·only son in a family of four children. At the age above mentioned, having ·determined to come to America, he took passage for this country, accom-
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panied by an older sister, and in due time, July 17, 1854, they landed at New York, strangers in a strange land and without means. His sister mar- ried and is now living in Kentucky. Arriving in New York city with only five cents in his pocket, young Burger sought employment and soon secured a position as gardener. After working there a few weeks and saving his inoney, he came west to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he spent the next two years farming and gardening. On the last day of April, 1856, he arrived in Connersville, and from that time until 1860 he was employed as a farm hand in the vicinity of Connersville and from 1860 to 1867 he was a resi- dent of Wayne county. He purchased his present farm, in Connersville township, in September, 1869. This farm comprises eighty acres, well improved and under a high state of cultivation, many of the improvements having been placed here by Mr. Burger, including the building of his comfort- able and attractive residence.
Mr. Burger was married May 7, 1857, to Miss Veronica Fager, a native of Baden, Germany, born August 20, 1829. She came to America, alone, in 1853. July 19, 1898, after a happy married life covering a period of over four decades, she passed away, leaving husband and large family of children to mourn their loss. Of the nine children born to thein, -four sons and five daughters,-seven are now living, namely: Mrs. Anna Geis, John, Mrs. Clara Schoenborne, Miss Maggie, Joseph A., Miss Lizzie, and Louie. Those deceased were Mary and Charles, the eldest and the youngest of the family. Mr. Burger and family are members of the Catholic church.
JOSEPH SHAFER.
Among the early settlers of Franklin county were the Shafers, than whom no more enterprising, patriotic citizens have been found in this section of Indiana. For four-score years they have labored earnestly for the upbuilding of this county, which was naught but a wilderness at the time that they cast in their fortunes here.
The Shafers are of German descent, and formerly resided in Pennsyl- vania. Representatives of the family participated in the war of 1812, and patriotism has ever been one of their marked characteristics. Daniel Shafer, the grandfather of our subject, had eight children, namely: Daniel, George, Michael, John, Joseph, Catherine, Polly and Hannah. He came to Indiana and entered land, which he afterward improved, and here he passed the rest of his life. His son John, the father of Joseph Shafer, was born, reared to manhood and married in the Keystone state, and after the birth of two of his children he removed to Indiana, locating on a portion of the land his father had entered, in Springfield township. He had learned the carpenter's trade, and after clearing and improving his land, which was heavily tim-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
bered, he erected excellent buildings. At the time that he built the old brick house which sheltered his family for many years it was by far the finest residence in this district. For several years he worked at his trade in con- nection with farming, and later devoted his entire attention to his home- stead. He was particularly successful as a stock-raiser, and as the years rolled by he added more land to his original farm until, at his death, he left a valuable estate. He was a faithful member of the Methodist church, and assisted in organizing the local congregation. He had higher aims than the struggle for wealth which appears to be the greatest ambition of the present age, and he was never happier than when an opportunity offered for helping a fellow man. Hospitality was the rule in his happy home, and everybody was his friend. He was a Whig in political belief, but avoided public office. He was summoned to his reward in 1838, and was survived many years by his widow, who died in 1882. She bore the maiden name of Catherine Whitmore, and was a native of Pennsylvania. Their children were eleven in number, named as follows: Jacob, now of Sardinia, Indiana; John, who also resided at that place, and died, leaving a family; Daniel, who likewise died at Sardinia and left a family; Mrs. Elizabeth Shea; James, who died in 1891; David; Jesse, a resident of Illinois; William, who died in that state; Isaac, also of Illinois; Mrs. Mary Wardwell; and Joseph.
The birth of Joseph Shafer took place near his present home, December 2, 1833, and, from his early years, he was inured to arduous labor. He was but five years of age at the time of his father's death, and was instructed in farming by his elder brothers. When he was about eighteen, he took charge of the home farm, and later bought the interest of the other heirs in the property. His mother remained with him and was tenderly cared for in her declining years. He has been very industrious and thrifty, and has added to- the original homestead, of one hundred and thirty-seven acres, until he now possesses three hundred and seventy acres. All of this is finely improved, tiled and fenced, and kept in a high state of cultivation. In 1883, Mr. Shafer erected a modern house, two stories in height, and justly considered one of the best farm-houses in the county. Large barn and granaries afford pro- tection to the live stock and products of the farm, and everything bespeaks. the constant attention of an enterprising proprietor. Heraises and feeds cattle and hogs to a large extent and ships to the city markets. He has a power windmill for the grinding of feed and shelling of corn for his live stock, and all necessary modern machinery used in farming may be found on his place.
In 1860, Mr. Shafer married Miss Harriet Seal, a daughter of Harrison and granddaughter of James Seal, who were among the early pioneers of this county. The former has now attained the ripe age of eighty-six years. The
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marriage of our subject and wife was blessed with three children, namely: Frank, who is an enterprising farmer of Bath township; Jennie, wife William Dickson, of one of the old county families; and W. B., who aids his father in the management of the homestead. Mrs. Shafer is a member of the Methodist church. Both our subject and wife are liberal supporters of worthy charities and take great interest in the welfare of their fellow men. He is a Republican, and though he has no desire to officiate in public positions he is loyally concerned in the success of his party.
CLEMENC CONN.
An honored and prominent citizen of Philanthropy, Ohio, and a repre- sentative of an old pioneer family, is Clemenc Conn, who is to-day known as a large farmer and cattle-breeder. The object of this notice is to tell in brief the story of his life, with that of his family connections.
He was born on the state line, in Butler county, Ohio, July 8, 1849, and reared on his parents' farm. He received the common-school education of the day in which his youth was spent. His parents were Simeon and Nancy (Heard) Conn, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Ohio, the mother having been born in Butler county. The grandfather was of Irish descent, and came to Butler county in 1822. He was a blacksmith by trade, but soon after coming west he engaged in farming, making most of the improvements on the farm where he died. He was a Presbyterian by religious faith. He married Margaret Zearley, and their children were: Mary (Mrs. J. John), Lydia (Mrs. D. Frazee), Lovina (Mrs. A. Burr), Eliza- beth (Mrs. J. Beard), Hezekiah, Nancy, Simeon (our subject's father), Jacob, who died single; Isaiah, a farmer; Jeremiah, a farmer; William, a farmer; and James, who died when young. The above named are all now deceased, and all who attained maturity were identified with the agricultural industry. The father was born January 17, 1780, and the date of his death was December 29, 1851. The mother was born July 16, 1792, and she died April 30, 1852.
Simeon Conn was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio when but two years old. He grew up among the hardy pioneers, spent his life on the farm, and died in September, 1891. He had but a limited education because of the poor chances afforded at that early time. When married he was poor, but by industry he gained a competency. Politically he favored the Democ- racy, and he held a number of local offices. The family were very good to the unfortunate poor. They were members of the Presbyterian church. The wife still survives, and lives at College Corner. Her father, William Heard, was from New Jersey, and was a pioneer in Butler county, Ohio. He was an extensive and successful farmer, and was respected by every one. His chil-
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dren were: Peter, Fannie, Elvira, Mary, John and Nancy. This branch of the family was also of the Presbyterian faith. The children of our subject's parents were: Margaret E., Harriet, Clemenc (our subject), Mary F., and Emma (deceased).
Our subject remained at home until he was married and settled at Peoria, where he engaged in mercantile business for a year or two, after which he operated the old homestead until 1883, when he bought the place where he now resides, adjoining the old farm. It contains one hundred and seventy-two acres and has fine improvements, including a good house, while spacious barns, all modern and complete, are peculiarly well adapted for the feeding and stabling of cattle and horses. He also controls and manages the old homestead. Of his own land he has two hundred and two acres. About 1885 he began the improvement of his cattle by grading, and now has the finest of herds in the county. He makes a specialty of polled Durham cattle and finds ready sale for all his male calves. His stock is the boast of the community.
Politically, Mr. Conn is a lifelong Democrat and has held many local offices, doing credit to himself, but he generally refuses to be pushed as a candidate. He has shown himself to be a good financier and may justly lay claim to being a self-made man. He always counsels with his good wife, who has ever done her part toward the money-making, His wife, whose maiden name was Josephine Gillispie, is a lady of intelligence and comes of an honored pioneer family. She was born in Butler county, Ohio, Octo- ber 7, 1853. She is the daughter of Robert D. and Caroline (Balser). Gillispie, both of Butler county, Ohio. Her father was the son of Robert Gillispie, of Pennsylvania, and of Irish descent. The family are nearly all tillers of the soil and of the Presbyterian religious faith. The children of Robert Gillispie, Sr., were Nancy, John, Hunter, Samuel, Alexander, Mary, William, James, Robert and Sally.
After his marriage Robert D. Gillispie, father of Mrs. Conn, established himself as a farmer in Butler county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining years. He was successful and accumu- lated a large tract of valuable land. He died in 1895, leaving a handsome estate. His good wife survives and still remains at the old homestead. Her father was John Balser, of New Jersey. He was a successful merchant of Milville, and also owned farms. His children were Mary J., and Caroline, the mother of Mrs. Conn.
Robert Gillispie's children were: Alice, Mrs. Shultz; Deloss W .; Millissa; Josephine, wife of our subject; Florence, Mrs. Barbour; John S .; Mary, Mrs. Garner; Robert D .; Caroline, Mrs. E. Bevis; Sarah L., Mrs. Dr. Smith.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of three children: Mertie died
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at four years of age; Freddie, born July 28, 1877, is at home; and Thurman G. was born December 2, 1881. The family are of Presbyterian faith.
It will be of much interest in after years to be able to trace the genealogy of the family from this sketch, given and corrected by those in possession of the facts herein contained. Truly the members will be pleased to learn of the honorable mention of those who were among the early pioneer band and those of later date who have helped to develop this portion of the great west.
SAMUEL H. GOBLE.
Samuel H. Goble, of Connersville, Fayette county, Indiana, is a native of this state, having been born in Union county, June 26, 1856. His parents are Henry Washington Goble and Susanna (Harper) Goble, the former of wliom is a highly respected resident of Union county. His father, Abner Goble, was born in the state of New Jersey, lived in Pennsylvania, and came to the state of Indiana about the time it was admitted into the Union. He was one of the early settlers of Union township, Union county, Indiana, where he entered land and began the work of clearing a home in the wil- derness. He married Miss Lydia Johnson, who was likewise a native of the state of Pennsylvania. One son and five daughters were born to them- Nancy (Mrs. Staten), Leathe (Mrs. R. White), Sarah (Mrs. Krom), Mary (Mrs. C. White) and Amy Ann; Henry Washington Goble and his sister Mary, now Mrs. Crawford White, being the only survivors. Abner Goble was killed while chopping timber, by a tree falling on him. His widow sur- vived him many years and was past her ninetieth birthday when she received her final summons.
Henry Washington Goble was born November IS, 1823, in Union county, this state, on the farm which he inherited from his father in later years and upon which he now resides. His life has been spent in agricult- ural pursuits, and he has been very successful in his business. He has been twice married. His first wife, Susanna (Harper) Goble, was the mother of our subject and the daughter of Thomas Harper and Eliza (McCaminon) Harper. The former was born in 1803, the latter August 14, 1814. Thomas Harper's parents were born in Ireland. Eliza (McCammon) Harper's parents were born in Virginia.
Susanna (Harper) Goble was born January 24, 1835, and died in June, 1862. She left also two other children, besides our subject, -Lydia Ann (Mrs. L. H. Hand) and Robert M., who died at the age of three years.
The second wife was Miss Susan M. Gray, daughter of David Gray, of Franklin county, Indiana. This marriage resulted in the birth of five daugh- ters and two sons, namely: Henry D., Mary E., Mattie B., Kate L., Lida, Lawrence and Florence.
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Samuel H. Goble was reared on the homestead farm, educated in the common schools, and later was a student in the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, for two terms. At the age of twenty-two he went to west- ern Kansas, where he entered a homestead claim near where Dighton, Lane county, now stands. Here he experienced many pleasures and learned to surmount difficulties, overcome hardships and undergo privations. He has chased the antelope, buffalo and wild horse over the counties of Lane and Scott. Both he and his comrade, J. B. Cowen, would return to their sod shanty and dine on bacon and beans; then, to replenish these commodities of life, buffalo bones had to be gathered from the prairie and hauled with a yoke of oxen seventy-five miles and exchanged for food; and they utilized the only available fuel for cooking,-the well known buffalo chip.
During the winter months of the same years that he roamed the western prairies he was employed as teacher in Cass county, Missouri, and was an able and efficient instructor, winning the affection of his pupils and inciting them to their best efforts.
In the spring of 1882 Mr. Goble went to Elk county, Kansas, making his home with T. J. Johnson and family, Mr. Johnson being a former acquaintance, in Cass county, Missouri; and after trying different occupations for four years he became tired of single life and, on February 24, 1886, he married Miss Nannie Fisher, who was born in Shelby county, Indiana, May 4, 1868. She is the daughter of George W. Fisher and Mary Ann ( McClean) Fisher.
George W. Fisher was born June 6, 1826, and died February 6, 1887. He was the son of Michael Fisher, born October 9, 1800, whose father was born in Germany.
Mary Ann (McClean) Fisher was born in Tennessee, June 10, 1828, and died September 16, 1899. Her father was of Scotch parents, and she was the oldest of a family of four boys and seven girls, all living to the age of maturity. She was also the mother of ten children, her daughter Nannie, who married Samuel H. Goble, being the youngest, and to their marriage have been born four sons, namely: George Washington, born December 21, 1887; Harry Thomas, born August 23, 1891; Edward Earl, born January 17, 1896; and Loren Everett, born May 11, 1897.
Mr. Goble was reared a Democrat, but while a resident of Kansas fre- quently supported Republican candidates. He was secretary of the Elk County Farmers' Alliance for three years, and when it merged into the Popu- list party, with which he was closely identified, he was solicited many times to become a nominee for different offices, as he was popular and influential, and, had he so chosen, could have had any county office in the gift of the ,people. However, his ambition was not as an office-seeker, and he never
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could be induced to permit the use of his name for political honors. He returned to Indiana in 1892 and located at Brookville, the county seat of Franklin county, where he remained as mail-carrier on a star mail route for two and one-half years. He then took up his residence at Connersville, where he has since made his home. Here he has successfully engaged in the livery business. He has the respect and confidence of all who know him,. and to a degree far beyond that of the average man has the faculty of making and retaining friends. He is prominent in Masonic circles and takes an active interest in the work of the lodge.
HIRAM SPARKS.
Hiram Sparks, of Harrison township, Fayette county, Indiana, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of this county. His father, William Sparks, was born in South Carolina, August 16, 1772, son of Zach- ariah Sparks. The latter, also a native of South Carolina, was an officer in- the American army in the war for independence, had many interesting and thrilling experiences, and lost his life in that struggle. On one occasion he was taken prisoner by the soldiers under Cornwallis and in the march which followed, while he and others were prisoners, the British army encamped near his home. It is related that his wife went to the English camp at night and cut loose the bands that bound her husband and several other prisoners, who made their escape. Not long after this remarkable escape Zachariah Sparks re-entered the army and was a second time taken prisoner. Pre- tending to be reconciled to the situation, he was given much liberty and was finally placed on guard duty; but he had no intention of remaining with the enemy of his country and soon found an opportunity of escaping to the American lines. His escape, however, was attended with unfortunate results. As he approached the American line he was taken for an enemy and fired upon, receiving a severe wound in the hip. After his recovery from this wound he served under General Greene, with whom, it is related. he was quite intimate. One day while Mr. Sparks was being visited at his own home, by General Greene, the former was given as a keepsake, a coat which the latter had frequently worn. Putting it on, Mr. Sparks stepped outside his home early the next morning, and was immediately shot down by an enemy who had in view the shooting of General Greene. Thus Zachariah Sparks' life was sacrificed and General Greene's saved.
Zachariah Sparks left two sons, and of these William, the father of Hiram, was the younger and but a small child when his father was killed. The other son was named John. He disappeared in early life and no trace of him was ever found. William Sparks grew to manhood in his native state and married Mary Palmer, who, like himself, was of English origin.
Elizabeth Sparty
Hiram Sparty
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
In 1812 he emigrated to Indiana, and first located in Union county, near the site of the present town of Liberty. He remained there for a time, or till the land in this vicinity came into market, when he removed to Fayette county and entered land on section 36, in Connersville township, and there made a home and passed the rest of his life. He died January 31, 1862. His wife passed away on her birthday, July 6, 1848, at the age of sixty-nine years. William Sparks was a most estimable citizen, honored and respected by all who knew him, and both he and his wife were lifelong members of the Baptist church.
The father of Mrs. Sparks, Rev. Joshua Palmer, well deserves mention in this article. He and the Rev. Miner Thomas were among the noted pioneer Baptist preachers of this part of Indiana. Joshua Palmer was a native of England, and served on an English ship at sea, for three years, and then came to the United States when a very young man. He located in South Carolina, married and entered on his career as a Baptist minister. He had two sons, Joshua and William, besides the daughter, who became Mrs. William Sparks. It appears that when Joshua Palmer decided to emigrate north with his family he had appointments to preach at various places and felt that he must fill those engagements. It was therefore determined that the mother and children should come north in advance of the father, who would follow later. So the family, after making due preparations, started on their long journey. When passing through the state of Kentucky the mother became seriously ill, and they camped at a place now known as Crab Orchard. In that vicinity they found the hut of a settler and decided to remove the sick mother to it. On entering the hut, however, they found it unfitted for such a purpose, and returned to their wagon, and there the children had the sad experience of witnessing their mother die. Tenderly they laid her to rest and carefully marked the spot, and sadly the children continued their journey to Indiana. Later, when the father and husband came north, he sought and found the lone grave in Kentucky, where he tarried for a time, and while there collected the scattered settlers and preached to them the gospel of eternal life beyond the grave. These events proved to be an awakening influence that resulted in the organization of a Baptist society at Crab Orchard, and finally the erection of the first church at that place. Rev. Joshua Palmer settled in Union county, where nearly all of the rest of his life was spent, engaged in the work of the ministry. After taking up his residence in Indiana he often returned to Crab Orchard and preached to the people, and his visits were always warmly welcomed.
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