USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 46
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 46
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 46
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 46
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At the age of twenty-five years Mr. Clevenger wedded Miss Mary Mar-
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latt, a daughter of Harrison and Anna (Swisher) Marlatt. Her father was born in Wayne county, in 1831, and was a son of Thomas Marlatt, who came from Virginia to Indiana at a very early day and settled in Washington town- ship, Wayne county, where he improved a good farm and became one of the wealthy and prominent land-owners. His children were: Evaline, wife of S. Wolf; Rebecca, wife of W. Wolf; James Harrison; Mrs. Mary Cissell, Thomas, Washington, Abraham, Albert and Mrs. Ellen Walker. Harrison Marlatt still resides on the old homestead of his father, where he owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land. In his political views he is a Republican. In the spring of 1856 he married Anna Swisher, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, November 6, 1837, and was reared by her uncle, Boston Neff, in Wayne county, Indiana, as her mother died when she was very young and her father when she was only eight years old. She was a consistent member of the United Brethren church, and died in that faith, April 8, 1884. She was the mother of seven children: Alice, wife of John Doddridge; Mary E., wife of our subject; Walter, a resident of Henry county, Indiana; Mrs. Emma Ranck; Carrie, who died at the age of three years; Elmer and his twin, the latter deceased. For his second wife Mr. Marlatt married Mrs. Eliza McGrew, a daughter of Gideon Crull, a farmer of Wayne county, and by this union he has one son, Charles, at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Clevenger have seven children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Emma B., April 29, 1884; Ethel M., May 8, 1888; Bessie F., May 18, 1889; Anna R., March 12, 1891; Eva A., November 28, 1893; Charles F., September 12, 1896; and Walter A., May 12, 1898. In religious faith the parents are Methodists, and are connected with the church at . Doddridge Chapel. Mr. Clevenger casts his ballot with the Democracy, and gives his support to all enterprises which he believes calculated in any way to advance the moral, social or material welfare of his township and county.
HENRY P. MATHEWS.
This well known citizen of Metamora, Franklin county, Indiana, was born near that place, in 1838, being a son of John and Phoebe (Pond) Mathews. Both parents were natives of the state of New York. The father's vocation was that of a wheelwright, and he also engaged in chair- making, an occupation in which he was engaged at the time of his death and several years previously. He was a light horseman in the war of 1812. In 1835 he came to Indiana and settled in this village. His children were Samuel; Sarah; Stephen; Emily, wife of James McKee; Warren V., deceased; Arvilla, wife of James Lanning; Mary, wife of Henry Lanning ;. Eliza, wife of Isaac Garan, deceased; and Henry P., our subject. David Pond, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a music-teacher of more
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than local reputation; Henry Pond, an uncle, conducted a tannery for sev- eral years. He was a leading member of the Christian church, or Campbell- ite church, as it was called at that time, and was a man of godly traits.
Henry P. Mathews began working on a farm when but a lad, first hiring his service to a farmer near Oak Forest, Butler township, and receiving monthly compensation. He then worked for his brother in the same town- ship, until he enlisted in the army. He enlisted September 23, 1861, and was mustered into the service October 16, following, as a private in Company G, Thirty-seventh Indiana Regiment, under Captain James McCoy and Colo- nel George Hazzard for a period of three years. He was promoted to the rank of corporal and at Pumpkin Vine received a musket wound in the left side of the neck, causing him permanent injury. He was confined in the field hospital at Bacon Creek, Kentucky, for some weeks and was then sent to Chattanooga. Here he remained a week, when he was transferred to Nashville, and after three weeks was sent to New Albany, where he was dis- charged, as his term had expired, October 27, 1864. He was detailed to go to Russellville to repair the telegraph line before his discharge. His regiment was a part of Johnson's division of the Fourteenth Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, and took part in the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, December 31, 1862, and January 2, 1863, in which the regiment lost one hundred and thirty-one men. They remained in camp there until the Chatta- nooga campaign and had an engagement at Dug Gap on September II, and at Chickamauga eight days later. The regiment was here until the follow- ing spring and took part in Sherman's Atlanta campaign, the battle of Resaca, May 13, Dallas, May 27, Chattahoochie and other engagements, and then started on the famous march to the sea, through the Carolinas and up to Galveston. After receiving his discharge he returned home and again worked by the month on a farm during that season.
February 6, 1865, he was married to Miss Henrietta, daughter of Caleb and Nancy Jones. Caleb Jones spent his early years in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and in 1858 came to Butler township, this county. Seven years later he moved to Ripley county and later to Lawrence. He was a miller by trade and followed that business until old age, when he returned to this county and spent his declining days with his daughter, Mrs. Mathews. He has rounded out seventy-eight years of a noble manhood. His wife had died at the age of fifty-two years. They were prominent Methodists and earnest workers in the cause. Their children were Eliza, deceased; Mar- garet, wife of William Timblin; Marie, wife of Charles White; Robert Johnson, deceased; John, and James, deceased; Henrietta; David; Anderson (the last five sons were soldiers in the civil war); Mary; Scott; and Josiah, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mathews are zealous workers in the Methodist Episcopal church,
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of which they are members, and have reared their family according to the pre- cepts of that faith. The children who have come as a blessing to this esti- mable couple are Minnie; Florence, wife of Alvin Timblin; Serena, wife of J. W. Foster; Leora and Pearl. Mr. Mathews is a member of Washburn Post, No. 279, Grand Army of the Republic, and is one of the most interesting talkers around the camp-fire, as many of the experiences through which he passed were of the most thrilling nature and lose none of their interest in his way of recounting them. He is accounted one of the best farmers in this section, and his farm of ninety-three acres is a model of neatness.
BENJAMIN SMITH.
This well known pioneer of Springfield township, Franklin county, Indiana, is one of the men who have helped to build up the country, and his life should certainly be reviewed in this connection. Mr. Smith was born in the township above named, May 2, 1825. His early life differed but little from that of many another boy of his time and neighborhood. It was spent on the farm and he attended the common schools, receiving a limited educa- tion. His parents were Samuel and Lutitia (Updike) Smith, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were united in marriage. His grandfather was Thaddeus Smith, also of Pennsylvania. The Updikes were German. Thad- deus Smith served in the Revolution and was at the battle of Princeton and was wounded in the left hand, his middle finger being shot away. Later in life he came to Indiana and made his home with his daughter. He died here and was buried at Cedar Grove cemetery. His children were: Samuel (the father of our subject), Eli, Zopher, Benjamin, Nancy, Eliza and Osa.
Samuel Smith was reared in Pennsylvania, married there and moved to Indiana about 1814, locating in Springfield township, Franklin county, where he bought land, cleared up a small patch and erected a rude cabin in which
to live. He had but little means. By trade he was a wheelwright and fol- lowed this line in connection with his farming. It was not many years before he made his little farm self-supporting. He raised flax and wool, and from these products were spun and woven the material for all of the clothing of the family. He was a hard-working man, and prospered in his efforts. Later in life he gave more attention to farming. He was a large, fleshy man, weighing over three hundred pounds, and hence was not able to follow the plow. Game was plenty at that day, but he took no time to hunt. He was a deacon in the Primitive Baptist church. He was of a broad mind, enter- prising, and maintained a high standard of honor and integrity. Politically he was an old-line Whig. but never cared to hold office. His wife was an Updike, the daughter of Isaac Updike, of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. They came to Indiana at an early day, bought a farm and there
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died. Their children were: Betsey, Mrs. Smalley; Lutitia, the mother of our subject; Peter; and Elijah. In our subject's immediate family the chil- dren were: William Sardinia, now eighty-seven years of age; Nancy, Mrs. McCaw; Elizabeth, who died single; Peter, deceased; Eliza, Mrs. F. Burns; and Benjamin, of whom we write this biographical notice.
Benjamin Smith was reared and has always remained in the same locality in which he first saw the light of day, and has given the best part of his life to agricultural pursuits. He remained at home until about twenty years of age, when he married and settled on the old homestead, and also rented from his father. Twenty years later his father died, in his fifty-ninth year, and still the son remained in charge of the old place, with his mother. About twenty years later his good mother passed from earth. During her life-time he had bought the interest belonging to the other heirs, so he owned the old home, and there we still find him, amid the same scenes of his childhood,-no not the same scenes, for times have materially changed with these passing years, and friends, one by one, have gone hence, never more to return. In 1881 he built on the same place, but at a different point. The new farm-house is more on the up-to-date plan and his barns and other improvements are all first-class. He has retired from active labor, and now only looks after the details of his property interests. In political matters Mr. Smith holds the Republican party to be the most nearly correct and he does his part toward keeping this party organization intact in Franklin county.
As to Mr. Smith's domestic relations it may be stated that he first mar- ried Miss Sarah Landon, of Butler county, Ohio, who was from an old and honored pioneer family. The children born to her parents were: Daniel, William, Lanborn, James, Samuel, Elisha, Elizabeth, Amy, Polly, Jane, Sarah (the wife of our subject), and Anna, who died single. By his first marriage union Mr. Smith had the following children: Amy, who died young; Daniel, a farmer; Samuel, deceased; Josephine, Mrs. Hyde; Elisha, a rail- road man, at Indianapolis; Benjamin, of Illinois; and Elizabeth, Mrs. J. Nutty. The mother of this family died in 1875. She was a member of the Methodist church.
In 1878 Mr. Smith, for his second companion, married a widow, Mrs. Margaret A. Myres, the daughter of Elijah Smalley, of Pennsylvania, whose people were early settlers in Franklin county, Indiana. Her father was a prominent farmer and he died in 1878. He was a strong Democrat and was greatly esteemed by his neighbors. His children were: Sarah; Katie; Mar- garet. wife of our subject; Hannah; Isaac, who died at twenty-one years of age; Allison, a prominent farmer; and Mary A., Mrs. P. Whitman. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have no children, but by her first marriage her children
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were: Saloma, Mrs. McCammon; Melissa, Mrs. C. Thomas; Jane, Mrs. C. Hoag; Emma, Mrs. W. Whiteman; Theodore, a farmer; Frank, a farmer; Allison, a farmer; and Mason, who died and left two children. Mrs. Benjamin Smith is a devout Christian and connected with the Methodist Episcopal church.
In the review of such families as have been mentioned in this memoir, one is reminded of the fact that from such people come the best men and truest women of the nation. Morality, religion and industry are the sure characteristics of great and good men and women.
SIMON OSTHEIMER.
Simon Ostheimer, a progressive, practical and extensive farmer of Fayette county, was born in Bavaria, Germany, January 1, 1840, his parents, George and Mary Ann (Stapp) Ostheimer, being also natives of the same place. In 1844 they crossed the Atlantic to America with their four chil- dren,-three sons and a daughter, -and came direct to Indiana, locating first in Brookville, whence, six months later, they came to Connersville, making a settlement on the "old George Frybarger farm," two and a half miles west of the city. The father enlisted in the Union army as a member of the Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in July, 1862, and was killed in August of the same year, in the battle of Richmond, Kentucky. He fol- lowed general farming throughout his business career, and met with a fair degree of success. His political support was first given the Democracy, but on account of his opposition to slavery he joined the Republican ranks and voted for Lincoln in 1860. He was a member of the Roman Catholic church. His wife died about 1891. Their children were: Peter, a farmer of Iowa; Charles, of Tipton county, Indiana; Simon; Mrs. Mary Walter, of Nebraska; Michael, who died at the age of two and a half years; George, who is a farmer of Fayette county; Joseph, of Rush county, Indiana; Anna, deceased; and Alice, at home with her brother George.
Simon Ostheimer was only four years of age when he came with his parents to the United States. He spent his youth under the parental roof, and when ten years of age went with the family to Tipton county, where they remained for four years, when they returned to Fayette county, locating in Harrison township. He acquired his education in the common schools, and in September, 1861, when twenty-one years of age, responded to the country's call for volunteers, being mustered into the service on the 21st of September, at Indianapolis, in the Third Indiana Battery. He served for three years, and was mustered out September 21, 1864. During that time he was constantly engaged in active duty, spending two and a half years in Missouri and six months in Mississippi. The skirmishes in which he partici-
Simon Osthomes
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pated were numerous and dangerous, including that at Pleasant Hill, Louisi- ana, and two on the Mississippi river below Vicksburg. In Missouri, at one time, he had a horse shot from under him, and on the return from Pleasant Hill to Vicksburg with his command he was under fire for thirty days. He was never off duty, and made an honorable war record, of which he may well be proud.
On his return to Fayette county Mr. Ostheimer began farming in Har- rison township, where he has since resided, continuing that line of work. In connection with his brother he owns a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres, and he rents two farms, -one of one hundred and sixty acres, the other of one hundred and eighty-seven acres. He is extensively engaged in general farming and raises hogs in large numbers, both branches of his busi- ness proving profitable.
In September, 1866, Mr. Ostheimer married Miss Mary E. Simpkins, who was born in Ohio, but has resided in Fayette county since ten years of age. Seven children have been born to them: George, who is deputy county treasurer and resides at home with his father; Ella, wife of Dr. George Van Pelt, a young and successful physician of Connersville; Hattie, wife of Vin- cent Barker, of Harrison township; Lizzie, wife of Richard Elliott, an attor- ney-at-law of the firm of Elliott & Trusler; Laura, Rubie and Quincy.
In his political affiliations Mr. Ostheimer is a stanch Republican, and on that ticket was elected county treasurer in November, 1896, assuming the duties of the office on the Ist of January, 1897, for a term of two years, and was re-elected in 1898 for a second term. This is the first office he has ever held or sought, and his administration of the financial affairs of the county has been most commendable and acceptable. He takes a deep interest, how- ever, in the growth and success of the party, has been a delegate to many of the Republican county conventions, and to two state conventions. Socially he is connected with Connersville Lodge, No. 126, G. A. R., and with the Golden Cross, and has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church for a number of years. His life has been well spent, his activity in business affairs winning him creditable success, while his fidelity to public duty, both on the battle-field and in office, has gained him the respect and confidence of all who know him.
MAXWELL BAKER.
The proprietor of the popular and well conducted grocery store in Brook- ville, Franklin county, Indiana, is Maxwell Baker, who was born in Brookville township, February 13, 1847, and here grew to manhood. His parents are Oliver and Catherine (Brown) Baker, worthy and esteemed residents of this county.
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Oliver Baker was the son of Joshua Baker, a basket-maker, who was born in Virginia and moved to this county in middle life. The family are of German-English lineage. Oliver was a farmer and was born and reared in Franklin county, and now, in his seventy-eighth year, is living near Laurel. He was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Brown, and reared a family of fourteen children, ten of whom are now living and are honored members of society. The record of the children is as follows: Andrew; Sarah, deceased; David, deceased; Maxwell, our subject; Martha A., deceased; Emily, wife of David Johnson, of Clinton county, Indiana; Nancy, wife of Abraham Ham- mond, of Delaware county; Amanda, deceased; Mary, wife of Harvey White, of this county; Leatha, wife of Willett White, of Delaware county; Katie, wife of William Simpson, of the same county; William O., of Delaware county; Minerva, wife of Jacob Shafer, of Rush county; Missouri, wife of John D. Harley, of this county.
Maxwell Baker attended the schools in his native township, and was a lad of fourteen when the late rebellion cast its shadow over our fair land. He was imbued with a patriotic desire to take part in the struggle for free- dom, and finally succeeded in being admitted as a member of Company A, Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteers, which started for Greensburg, Kentucky, September 20, 1864. He was in the engagement at Franklin, and also in the battle fought at Nashville, Tennessee, in December, 1864. He was placed on guard duty at Victoria, Texas, from June, 1865, until his discharge, in November. Returning home, he engaged in farming until he was twenty- five years old, when he removed to the town of Brookville. Here he was employed at various work, -first as clerk in a dry-goods store, then for four years as government storekeeper under Dr. Hunter, and two years as clerk in the clothing house of Martin Rheinberg. In 1890 he opened a grocery store, and so gratifying has been the patronage accorded him that he has continued in that business. It has been his aim to cater to the wants of the people and furnish them with just the article desired. This effort has been duly appreciated and has placed his store at the head as a leading grocery in this vicinity.
Mr. Baker was married in June, 1872, to Miss Margaret E. Minneman, of Brookville. Her parents were John H. and Sophia Minneman, natives of Germany, but later residents of this village, where they died, the father pass- ing away at the age of eighty years, and the inother in her seventy-eighth year. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Baker are as follows: William, who is engaged in teaching with marked success; Anna, deceased, wife of George Story, of this village; and Emmett E., Bertha, Frank R., Earl A. and Nel- lie H.
Mr. Baker was elected two terms to the office of city treasurer and city
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assessor, serving from 1880 to 1884. The following year he was elected trustee of Brookville township, in which office he is still continued. During his term he has been successful in his efforts to increase the school term from seven to eight months, has lowered taxation, and is working for the perma- nent improvement of the public highways. He is a member of the Christian church, to which he is a liberal contributor, and is generally esteemed, his jovial disposition making him the center of any social gathering.
ABRAM B. JONES.
This gentleman is a representative of a prominent pioneer family of Franklin county, and has long been identified with the agricultural interests of the community in which he resides. He was born on the farm where he yet resides, October 19, 1829, a son of Abraham and Sarah (Flack) Jones, the former born in Maryland and the latter in Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, Philip Jones, was born July 12, 1752, and in 1800 removed to Pennsylvania. On emigrating westward he went down the Ohio river on a flat-boat and landed at a point called Mount Lookout. He there entered land, upon which the Cincinnati Observatory now stands, improved a farm and there made his home until his death, which occurred in October, 1831. His wife passed away August 18, 1828.
Abraham Jones, the fifth child of Philip, was born May 20, 1783, accompanied his parents to Ohio, and remained with them until twenty-seven years of age, when he was married. He had entered land in Bath town- ship, Franklin county, Indiana, in 1808, and located thereon in 1810. On first leaving home he went to Butler county, Indiana, where he took con- tracts to clear land, make rails and do other kinds of pioneer work. While making a tour of this section of the state he found land with which he was well pleased, and, borrowing money for the purpose, he went to Cincinnati, where he entered the tract. He continued to labor untiringly, and thus
made each payment when due. He built a small cabin in the midst of the timber, which was so dense that one could not see the sun without looking directly upward. He soon cleared a small tract and planted a crop, and as the years passed placed more of it under cultivation, until he had a finely developed farm. In politics he was a Whig, and was a man of strong con- viction,-one whom nothing could deflect from a path which he believed to be right. He served several times as justice of the peace, held other minor offices and was a leader of the township board. He was a man of broad intelligence and sterling integrity, and enjoyed the confidence and warm regard of his fellow men. He contributed liberally to the support of the Primitive Baptist church, was a delegate to its associations in all parts of the state, and when the association met in his home church he often entertained
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one hundred guests for three days. He was very charitable to the worthy poor,-a sincere Christian gentleman who closely followed the teachings of the Master. In his business affairs he met with success, added to his lands and made substantial improvement upon his farm, including the erection of a fine two-story brick residence and large barn. He was regarded as the most prominent and influential man of his township in his day. He married Miss Sarah Flack, a daughter of Robert Flack, an honored pioneer of Ohio and an early settler of Union county, Indiana. He was born in America but was of Irish parentage. He entered land in Union county and there developed a farm upon which he spent his remaining days. He was twice married, his daughter Sarah being the only child of the first union. There were four
children by the second union, David, John, Elizabeth and William. Both Mr. and Mrs. Flack were members of the Baptist church. Abram Jones, father of our subject, died July 2, 1863, and his wife passed away March 2, 1856. Their children were Mary. Benjamin, Elizabeth, Robert F., Nancy, Phil T., Matilda, Melinda, Nathaniel D., Sarah, Abram B., Emily and Phœbe. All are now deceased except Phil T., Emily and Abram.
The last named remained under the parental roof and took charge of the homestead farm, thus relieving his father of all care in his declining years. He was married in 1857, brought his bride to the old place and has resided here continuously since. He has cleared much of the land, tiled it, trans- formed it into rich fields, and added to it a tract of one hundred and forty acres but has since given one hundred and ten acres of this to his daughter. He expects, however, to retain possession of the old home place throughout his life, and is justly regarded as one of the leading agriculturists of the com- munity.
In politics Mr. Jones was first a Whig, and on the dissolution of that party became a stanch Republican, being one of the leaders of the party in the county. He has held a number of positions of honor and trust, includ- ing that of trustee, in which he served for ten years. He served three years as assessor and was elected for a fourth term but resigned in order to become trustee. He attends all the conventions of his party and has been instru- mental in promoting its growth and insuring its success. In addition to his other business interests he is a stockholder and director in the First National Bank at Oxford, Ohio, and is a man who has shown excellent executive ability, and whose well directed and honorable efforts have awakened uniform confidence throughout the community.
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