USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 59
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 59
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 59
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 59
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1897, he was the possessor of seven hundred acres of finely improved farm land. His home place is a beautiful one, with a commodious two-story brick house, large barn and numerous farin buildings, -all modern conveniences and appliances which could add to the comfort of his family having been supplied by the generous head of the household, who found his greatest pleasure in making every one around him happy and contented. He was influential in the ranks of the Democratic party, and occupied many positions of honor and trust, serving to the entire satisfaction of every one concerned. He was county commissioner for a period, and made a fine record in that important office. He was endowed by nature with the keen mind and quick wit of the Irish people, and his genuine appreciation of fun or a joke was one of his chief charms to many people, for a fine sense of humor is a rare quality among the sober, plodding Anglo-Saxon race, and many a burden would be made lighter and many a heart happier if a happy, humorous way of looking at things were more cultivated.
On the 17th of November, 1853, Mr. Dickson married Nancy, daughter of Patrick and Margaret (McCue) Blacker, who were natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania, respectively, though the mother was of Irish parentage. The father was five years old when he accompanied his father, Robert Blacker, to America, and early in the opening year of this century they located in the wilds of Ohio, where they improved a farm, on which the elder man resided until his death. Patrick Blacker left home on attaining man's estate, and soon after his marriage, in 1827, he came to Franklin county, and bought a tract of heavily timbered land. He proceeded to clear this, with character- . istic energy, and won a competence, educated his children, and enjoyed the good opinion of all with whom he had dealings. He was not a politician, but favored the Democratic party, and was faithful in all of his relations with his fellow inen. His well spent life came to a close in 1879, his devoted wife having passed to the better land four years previously. He left a large and valuable estate and, what is much better, a name and record of which his children may justly be proud. He was a long and faithful member of the Methodist church, and reared his children to be upright, useful citizens. They were seven in number, namely: Mrs. Sarah Meeker, deceased; Mrs. John Dickson; Robert, deceased; Mrs. Catherine Beard; Mrs. Mary Ayers; Mrs. Margaret Garner; and Mrs. Louisa Jones.
John and Nancy Dickson became the parents of four children, of whom the eldest, George, is a prominent farmer of Bath township; Maggie is unmar- ried; William is a farmer of Whitewater township; and Clinton is a chemist for the Midland Steel Works, at Muncie, Indiana. Each one received an excellent education, the sons attending college and thus fitting themselves for the arduous duties of life. William remained at home until he was
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twenty-two years old, and then managed the old homestead of Patrick Blacker for five years. He married Miss Jennie, daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Seal) Shafer, in 1895. She was born March 20, 1868, in Springfield town- ship, this county, coming of an honored pioneer family. Her grandfather, John Shafer, of Pennsylvania, was of German descent, and was a local min- ister in the Methodist church. He died in this county, whither his son, Joseph Shafer, had come among the early settlers. The latter's wife was a daughter of Harrison Seal, likewise one of the pioneers of this region. Mrs. Dickson has two brothers, -Frank, a farmer, and Burton, who is at home. The only child of William Dickson and wife is Howard E., who was born December 24, 1896.
WILLIAM OSBURN.
This honored and highly respected citizen of Butler township, Frank- lin county, is a representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of the county, being a son of James T. Osburn, who settled here at an early day and bore an important part in its early development and prosperity. The father was born in Virginia, about 1797, and was a son of Squire Osburn, who died during the childhood of James T. Soon afterward his mother emi- grated to Indiana, accompanied by her five children, one son and four daugh- ters, and the family located in Metamora township, Franklin county, where the son was reared. On attaining man's estate he married Miss Ruth Nel- son, who came from Virginia with her parents about the same time the Osburn family did.
In February, 1834, James T. Osburn settled on the farm in Butler town- ship where his sons now reside, William being at that time but nine years old. He cleared the land where the village of St. Mary's now stands, and from the wild land developed a good farm, on which he died April 6, 1859, and his wife passed away March 20, 1857, honored and respected by all who knew them. He was a typical pioneer and a hard-working, indus- trious man. The section of the country where he located was new and wild game was abundant. He was an expert hunter; and on one occasion, while making a short trip across the country, he killed seven bears in one day. He was a man rugged in nature and fearless in character, and was withal an honest and good citizen. A full account of his many experiences in pioneer days would fill a much larger space than can here be given. Suffice it to say that he lived a useful and upright life, and did his part toward developing the resources of the county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Osburn were born eleven children, of whom the follow- ing are still living: George R .; Mary and Hannah, twins; William; and Squire. The last two mentioned own and occupy the old homestead. Will- iain Osburn, from whom inuch of the information contained in this sketch
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was obtained, is one of the most successful, enterprising and progressive farmers and stock-raisers in Butler township. He has never married, but his brother Squire has a wife and family. These gentlemen have spent nearly their entire lives on the old homestead, and are widely known and highly respected.
PETER LICHTENFELS.
Heter Lichtenfels, deceased, was born December 19, 1845, in the city of Richmond, were he grew to manhood and won the respect and approbation of all classes for his manly, upright conduct. Liberal-hearted, broad-minded and charitable to a fault, his name will long be cherished in the affectionate remembrance of many who think of him with gratitude and reverence. He was no less favorably know in business circles for his strict honor and integrity. His parents were John C. and Eva (Bertz) Lichtenfels, both natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1833, and nine years later to Richmond, where they remained until their death. John Lichtenfels established the first German bakery in the city and met with remarkable suc- cess, even in those early days. He died in 1852, leaving four children. His widow was afterward married to Paul Drapert and survived until 1878.
Peter Lichtenfels attended the St. Andrews parochial school and the Richmond Business College, graduating at the last named institution. When fifteen years of age he accepted a clerkship in the New York Store, the pro - prietor of which was the late Richmond Jackson, father of Attorney R. A. Jackson. Young Lichtenfels was unusually popular and showed marked aptitude for business, a fact that caused him to be regarded with good-natured envy by many of the young men less fortunately endowed. He was then tendered a position in the employ of James S. Starr & Son, with whom he remained until he opened a store of his own in May, 1879. At that time he and Frank Gahsepohl entered into partnership under the name of Lichtenfels & Gahsepohl, and opened a store at 622 Main street, now occupied by Seefloth & Bayer. Two years later our subject bought out his partner and continued alone in the business. In 1882 he moved his stock to the Hittle block, corner of Ninth and Main, in the rooms now occupied by the Western Union Telegraph. He remained in this building, doing a prosperous busi- ness, until 1894, when he took possession of the building across the street, where the business is still located, and where, as Peter Lichtenfels & Com- pany, he remained until his death, January 27, 1897.
Mr. Lichtenfels was married in Cincinnati, November 11, 1872, to Miss Fredrica Josephine Giltz, daughter of Christopher J. and Caroline Giltz, deceased. Her father was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, about 1824, and came when a young man to Philadelphia, where he met Caroline Burkhart, who was a native of Stuttgart, Germany, where she was born in 1826.
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They were married in Philadelphia and moved to Cincinnati in 1855. The father died in August, 1858, and the mother in 1893. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lichtenfels, seven of whom reside with their mother in her pleasant, commodious home at 135 South Eleventh street. They are Eva C. P., Edward G., Raymond H., Cornelia F., Frank J., Julia M. and Peter A.
Besides being a most successful man of affairs and operating one of the largest and most complete clothing stores in the state, Mr. Lichtenfels was prominently identified with St. Mary's Roman Catholic church and the Maen- nerchor, and a German benevolent society, in all of which his absence is deeply felt. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Lichtenfels in a most amiable lady, who was always a constant inspiration to her husband, encouraging him by word and deed to further efforts, and is now living in confortable circum- stances, provided by a loving and indulgent husband, surrounded by her family and a wide circle of warm friends.
JOHN V. BLOSE.
A prominent farmer of Whitewater, Wayne county, Indiana, is John V. Blose, who was born October 1, 1838, a son of Henry and Ann (Fisher) Blose, and a grandson of George and Elizabeth Blose. George Blose died in Warren county, Ohio, leaving three small sons, -Peter, Henry and George. His widow, who was of German birth, was then married to John Vinard and with him came to Wayne county, Indiana, when Henry was a lad. Mr. Vinard was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was in Detroit at the time of Hull's, surrender. He re-enlisted and served through the entire war. He died of cholera, in 1852, when sixty-four years old. His wife lived several years after his death. They were the parents of the following children: Polly; Susan; Stephen, who went to California in 1850 and died there in 1892; Barbara; Philip, who lived here and reared a family, one of the sons now residing in Centerville, and Sally, who was the youngest of the family. Of the children by her first husband, George moved to Huntington county, Indiana, and died there at an advanced age; and Peter died, at Whitewater, when about seventy-two years old: he had a family of ten children, and one of his sons, William S. Blose, now lives in Richmond.
Henry Blose, the father of our subject, married Ann Fisher, the daugh- ter of Daniel and Demeris (Starbuck) Fisher. She was a native of this town- ship. Henry Blose and his wife lived on the old homestead for many years and accumulated considerable property. They afterward disposed of this farm and moved to Whitewater, where they spent the remainder of their lives, she dying at the age of sixty-eight, and he five years later, when seventy-five 66
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years old. They had ten children, five of whom died of diphtheria, in the fall of 1860, within a month. They were Adam, William Daniel, Stephen, Bar- bara Addine and George Wester, and their ages ranged from four to sixteen years. The remaining five were: Mary Jane, who married Barney Merine and died at the age of thirty-three; John, our subject; Charlotte, who mar- ried Cyrus Thomas and died at about the same age as did her sister; Sarah Ann, who is the wife of Nathan Groves; and James, who resides in Whitewater.
John Blose remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age. He then learned the trade of a plasterer, working at the craft both here and at Huntington, Indiana. He then took charge of the home farin for a time, and on May 9, 1861, was united in marriage to Miss Melvina Commons, a daughter of Jonathan and Mary Ann (Moore) Commons. Mr. and Mrs. Blose took up their residence on the middle fork of the Whitewater river, where she owned a farm. Theythen bought a farm one mile west of White- water, and in 1868 traded it for his present farm, on the west fork of the Whitewater. Here he has one hundred and twenty-one acres, which he has greatly increased in value by putting in tile and otherwise improving the place. He feeds a great many hogs, keeping the Poland-China stock. He was for several years an extensive sheep-raiser, and made considerable money by that enterprise.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Blose are as follows: William Henry, who owns sixty acres of ground adjoining his father's homestead, has one child, Jesse Vinard; Cora B., who is the wife of McClelland White, of Franklin township, has one child, Marie; Frank E., who married Miss Maud Green, lives at home and works the farm; and William Seward. Mr. and Mrs. Blose are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Whitewater, in which he is trustee. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, and has served as an officer in the lodge. In politics he is a Republican and has rendered that party valuable aid in its campaigns. He is a good inan, and his worth is appreciated by those with whom he has had dealings.
DANIEL SHERWOOD.
There is a particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of this honored and venerable gentleman, since his mind bears the impress of the historical annals of Franklin county from early pioneer days, and from the fact that he has been a useful and valued citizen of the community, where he was born and where he has retained his residence until the present time, being now one of the revered patriarchs of the community. .
Mr. Sherwood was born in Blooming Grove township, Franklin county, March 9, 1817, and is a son of Thomas G. Sherwood, a native of Kent
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county, Delaware, who, during his youth, served a seven-years apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade, and in his native state married Ann Townsend. In the fall of 1813 they came to Franklin county, Indiana, where he followed shoemaking for many years, and also engaged in milling on Duck creek. In 1834 he settled on the farm, in Blooming Grove township, where his son Daniel now lives, and there died in 1875, at the age of eighty-two years. His first wife had died in 1839. The children born to them were Daniel, Elizabeth, Sally Ann, Edward, Thomas and Solomon, but only Daniel and Thomas are now living. For his second wife Thomas Sherwood wedded Mary Sturtevant, of Brookville, who was a native of New Orleans; and the only child, Hannah, born to this union, is now deceased. Mrs. Sherwood died in 1849.
Daniel Sherwood, of this review, was named for his paternal grandfather, a native of Scotland, who on his emigration to America settled in Delaware, where he lived the rest of his life. At the age of fifteen years our subject commenced operating his father's mill, and throughout his active business life engaged in milling and farming. On the 5th of October, 1837, he was united in marriage with Miss Louise Hughell, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hughell. Her father was born in Virginia and. in 1813 came to Franklin county, Indiana, where he died in 1834. His wife long survived him, dying in 1876, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Their chil- dren were Parthevah, Eliza, Samuel, James, Louisa, Rhoda Ann and Mar- garet Jane, all of whom have passed away with the exception of Mrs. Sher- wood. The children born to our subject and his wife are as follows. Eliza- beth, who is mentioned below; Mary Ann, wife of Hiram Ferguson; William T .; Martha J., wife of Jefferson Holmes; Matilda, wife of Frank Harder; George L. and Jobn N.
Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood are among the oldest and most honored resi- dents of Blooming Grove township, being held in high regard by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. They are faithful members of the Meth- odist church. Mr. Sherwood drew the stone from his farm to build Duck Creek chapel.
Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood, was born April 15, 1839, at the old homestead where she now resides with her parents.' On the 17th of April, 1862, she gave her hand in marriage to John M. Miller, who also was born in Blooming Grove township. May 4, 1839, a son of Isaac and Mary (Hatfield) Miller, who lived near Blooming Grove, where both died. He was one of their family of twelve children, of whom two sons were soldiers of the civil war. In early life he learned the black- smith's trade, which he followed at Blooming Grove for many years, also at Everton, Fayette county, and at Morristown, Indiana. He operated a farm
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in Rush county for two years, and then returned to Blooming Grove, where he resumed work at his trade, which he continued there for fifteen years. His health failing, he was obliged to give up work to a great extent. and finally removed to Metamora, where he died June 11, 1896. He possessed an extensive acquaintance and was highly esteemed. He was popular socially and was a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Improved Order of Red Men. In disposition he was cheerful and inclined to look on the bright side of life. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller is Hiram Ellsworth Miller. of Cincinnati, who is married and has two children, -Esther Marie and John Cosset.
WILLIAM P. BEST, M. D.
One of the able medical practitioners of Dublin, Wayne county, William P. Best, is a native of Fairfield, Franklin county, born August 3, 1864. He is of English-German descent, his father's ancestors having emigrated to North Carolina, while his mother's people settled in Virginia. Our subject is the eldest of the three sons of Frank P. and Mary V. (Ogden) Best, the others being Frank M. and Henry T. For several years Frank P. Best owned and ' operated a gristmill in Fairfield, Indiana, and for a number of terms he served in the capacity of township trustee. He was a patriotic citizen, as were all his near relatives, and his brother, Milton, a Union soldier, was wounded while fighting for the preservation of his country at Chickamauga, and died from the injuries received on the battle-field.
Dr. Best and his two brothers received excellent educational advantages in the common schools of Fairfield, and all have since taken degrees, the latter two being Doctors of Philosophy. William P. Best was but seventeen years of age when he took charge of a school, and his winters for several years were passed in teaching. During this period he commenced the study of medicine, and in the fall of 1886 he matriculated in the Eclectic Medical Institute, at Cincinnati, Ohio. Being graduated with honor in that institu- tion, in 1888 he established himself in practice at Mount Carmel, Indiana, and in the spring of 1893 he removed to Indianapolis. A few months later he came to Dublin, where he opened an office, and soon had won the confi- dence of the public. He was admitted to membership in the Indiana State Eclectic Medical Association the same year, is a permanent member of the National Eclectic Association of the United States, and of the Eclectic Alumni Association. He has pursued special courses of study at his alma mater and at the Pulte Medical College, in Cincinnati, and keeps thoroughly abreast of the times in everything pertaining to his profession.
Fraternally Dr. Best belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of Pythias. In the sum-
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mer of 1890 he had the pleasure of a voyage across the Atlantic and an extended trip through England. He visited the many notable points of inter- est there, making the acquaintance of places where his forefathers had dwelt, and gathering a store of knowledge and information concerning a variety of subjects.
The marriage of Dr. Best and Miss Harriet Dennett was solemnized at the home of her parents, John and Lucretia Dennett, of Brookville, Indiana, June 22, 1887. A son and a daughter have blessed their union, namely: Claud H., born September 23, 1889; and Marie A., born August 19, 1891.
WILLIAM JACKMAN SCOTT.
With a few exceptions, which serve to prove the rule, the saying of one of the prominent business men of New York city, that "not in time, place or circumstance, but in the man lies success," must be regarded as literally true. The man who possesses such a strong desire to succeed in any field of endeavor that he exerts every power of his mind to achieve his purpose, undoubtedly will have at least some fair measure of success, and in tracing the lives of individuals we find that this is the only secret of success.
William Jackman Scott, one of the representative citizens of Franklin county, has forged his own way to the front, and his innumerable friends in business and social circles will take pleasure in a perusal of his history. His paternal grandfather, William H. Scott, more fully referred to in the sketch of Smith Scott, elsewhere in this work, was a native of Virginia, whence, in 1830, he came to Indiana with his family, one of whom was John H., father of our subject. His birth had occurred in the Old Dominion, May 8, 1805, and he was thus in the prime of early manhood and able to cope with the difficulties of pioneer life, which were the lot of the settler in the wilderness. With his relatives, he located in the western part of Rush county, near the border line of Franklin county, and later married Miss Sally Jackman, daugh- ter of Atwell Jackman, of Laurel township, Franklin county. They spent their peaceful, industrious lives on their Rush county farm, and were beloved and honored by every one. They reared eight children to maturity, and of these the following named survive in 1899: Mrs. Margaret A. Power, Will- iam J., Robert H., Mrs. Elsie M. Nelson and Smith. Those who have passed away are Sarah Jane, Virginia C. and Mrs. Eliza A. Caskey.
William Jackman Scott was born April 15, 1838, but a few miles from his present home. Upon attaining his majority, he went to Marion, Iowa, where he engaged in clerking for some time, after which he was similarly employed at Milroy, Rush county, Indiana.
When the war of the Rebellion broke out and it became evident that a long and troublous struggle had been entered upon, Mr. Scott arranged his
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personal affairs as well as he could, and promptly offered himself to his coun- try. ' Enlisting in Company E, Sixteenth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in September, 1861, he served in Maryland and West Virginia, in Banks' division of the Army of the Potomac. The hardships inseparable from army life eventually broke down his health, and for this cause he was granted an honorable discharge, in May, 1862.
Returning to his accustomed occupations, Mr. Scott held a position as a clerk at Neff's Corners, and Andersonville, Rush county, until 1865. Then, for three years, he was engaged in farming, succeeding which period he clerked for Mr. Hazard, at Laurel. Returning to Andersonville, he car- ried on a store there for about four years, later exchanging his stock of goods for the farm which he now manages. In addition to these enterprises, he has dealt in real estate, making excellent investments. He has made many valuable improvements on his farm, which is situated on section I, Posey township, Franklin county. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican, and fraternally he is a Master Mason and a worthy member of Thomas G. Hall Post, No. 304, Grand Army of the Republic, of Anderson- ville.
Mr. Scott has been married twice. His first wife, whose maiden name was Dulcina Tompkins, died January 28, 1877. Their five children are Kate L., John H., George W., Frank S. and William C., the latter having died in infancy. On the 16th of June, 1880, Mr. Scott and Miss Sarah J. Bohan- on, who was born in Franklin county, were united in marriage. They have a pleasant home, and extend a gracious hospitality to all who enter its portals.
WILLIAM S. KALER.
William S. Kaler, of Andersonville, Franklin county, is one of its prominent citizens, and few, perhaps, are more widely and favorably known in this and adjoining counties, both on account of his being of a pioneer family here and because of his being a veteran of the civil war and con- nected with the Grand Army circles of this section.
The same spirit of patriotism which prompted him to lay his life and service on the altar of his country, led his grandfather Kaler to do the same in the second war of this country with Great Britain. The latter was born and lived and died in Virginia, and in that state our subject's father, Jacob M. B. Kaler, was born, in 1813, during the progress of the war mentioned. When twenty years of age he came to Indiana, and in Floyd county wedded Catherine Dale, whose birth had taken place in Kentucky, in 1812. Her father, who was a hero of the war of the Revolution, was a pioneer of Floyd county, where he died many years ago. The mother, who survived him, died when about four-score years of age. In 1834 J. M. B. Kaler
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