USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 62
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 62
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 62
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 62
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After Lee's surrender he was placed in charge of the property of the division, and continued in that position until the same was sold by auction. Later he was made assistant superintendent of sales, acting in that capacity until the stock was sold. He held the rank of lieutenant, and was quarter- master in charge of the train of the Twenty-third Army Corps, being also assistant superintendent of sales. His position was a very responsible one, demanding superior executive ability and excellent judgment, and that his service was eminently satisfactory and that he discharged his duties with marked ability is indicated by a letter of most complimentary character received from Lieutenant-Colonel D. W. H. Day, superintendent of sales, and dated December 16, 1865. This letter, which is still in possession of Prof. Bieghle, is strongly endorsed by Brigadier-General Boyd of General Schofield's staff.
When his country no longer needed his services, he returned to Indiana
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and resumed teaching at Metamora. He also followed that profession at Laurel, and in 1873 was chosen to organize and grade the schools of Brook- ville, which work he thoroughly accomplished, remaining in charge of the schools there for three years. He then located on his farm, on section 20, Laurel township, which he purchased in 1866, and which is now his place of abode. Both he and his wife, however, continued their educational labors until 1882.
On the 23d of August, 1848, Professor Bieghle was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth D. Harrald, who died November 6, 1870, leaving a daugh- ter, Minerva, who is now a resident of Colorado. On the Ist of July, 1874, he married Mary A. Barton, a native of Brookville, an educated and accom- plished lady, who was long a successful teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Bieghle have a beautiful home, their residence being situated on a natural building site which affords a fine view of Whitewater valley, in which a part of their farm is located. Much of the remainder of their farm contains valuable quarry and cement stone, rendering it a very desirable property. In his political views the Professor is a Republican, and fraternally is connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He also belongs to the Presbyterian church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist church. He is a gentleman of scholarly attainments and liberal culture, possesses a fine library of modern standard works, and with his favorite authors spends many of his most pleas- ant hours. He has done much to advance the intellectual status of the county, and his deep interest in the cause of education and his efforts for the mental improvement of his fellow men well entitle him to rank as a public benefactor.
SAMUEL LAMBERSON.
Among the self-made men of Fayette county Samuel Lamberson, of Posey township, ranks with the best. His life has been more than ordinarily industrious and filled with arduous labors, and from his earliest recollections privations and hardships were his portion until he acquired a competence by his own unassisted efforts. He possesses the respect and genuine regard of all who know him, and is eminently deserving of the admiration of his fellow citizens.
The father of our subject, Thoroughgood Lamberson, was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, and in his early manhood he removed to Ken- tucky, where he married Christina Thomas. His father, Samuel Lamberson, was a Virginian, who owned a plantation and kept slaves, his last years being passed in Maryland. He was a man of prominence in his community, and his children were reared to take places as useful citizens. Levi, the eldest, came to Indiana in 1835, and bought a farm in this county, though he later removed to Clinton county, this state, where he died. Samuel, the
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second son, became a resident of Vigo county, Indiana. Hetty, the only daughter, died unmarried. Thoroughgood, the youngest, bought a small farm in Kentucky and carried on agriculture there until 1831, when he emigrated to Posey township, Fayette county, and invested in land which had a cabin and few acres cleared, in the way of improvements. He soon instituted substantial changes, and eventually possessed a valuable home- stead, as the result of his diligence and application to business. A consist- ent member of the Christian church, hé strove to do good unto all men as he had opportunity, and every one loved and revered him. His useful career was brought to a close in' 1873, when he was in his seventy-sixth year. His wife was next to the youngest of the six children of John Thomas, the others being, Jacob, who was a well-to-do farmer and slave-owner in Kentucky; Henry, of whom the same facts were true until he came to Cass county, Indiana; John, a wealthy farmer and slave-owner, whose last years were spent in Missouri; Samuel, who settled in Ohio; and Mrs. Mary Kimmer, who died in the vicinity of Bentonville, Indiana. John Thomas, the father, was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he removed to the Bluegrass state, becoming prosperous and influential.
Samuel Lamberson, whose name heads this article, was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, April 28, 1823, being the second in order of birth of the five children born to his parents. His brother Henry died unmarried, and all of the others, John, William and Thomas, are enterprising farmers of this township. Our subject was but nine years old when he came to this state, and until he attained his majority he worked for his father in the clearing and improving of the farm. Attending school but a short season each year, he nevertheless managed to acquire a practical education, amply sufficient for the transaction of his business in later years. When starting upon independent life he worked for neighbors, and carefully husbanded his earnings until he was enabled to purchase eighty acres of land. Some of the timber had been deadened, but he was obliged to erect a cabin, and it was many years ere he had brought the place into its present fine condition. After making various improvements, including the building of a large barn, he sold the place, and, returning to his native state, remained there for three years. He bought a farm, which he disposed of at a good profit, and then he returned to this county and bought a quarter-section of heavily timbered land. Forty acres had been partially cleared, but the new owner had a great task before him. He was equal to the emergency, however, and in time added other land to his original possessions until he now owns seven hundred and forty acres of valuable property, divided into five or six farmns. For a number of years he has been very successful as a raiser and feeder of, and dealer in, live stock, and from this source alone derived a large share of his fortune. Both he
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and his faithful wife are hale and hearty, notwithstanding their advanced age, but they are now taking life easier, leaving to others many of the tasks which they so long performed themselves.
Politically Mr. Lamberson follows in the footsteps of his father, and votes the Democratic ticket, but he has never been an aspirant to public office. He takes just pride in the fact that he has never had recourse to the law but has amicably settled all of his own affairs.
In 1852 the marriage of Mr. Lamberson and Miss Damaris Overturf, of Ohio, was celebrated. She is a daughter of James and Frances (Hiatt) Over- turf, who were of German descent, natives of Kentucky, who died in the Buckeye state. Their only son, Demarcus, is an Ohio farmer; a daughter. Macenas, is the wife of J. Pickrell, of Kentucky; and the youngest, Alma, died when a child. Mrs. Lamberson and her parents have been identified with the Christian church. To the union of our subject and wife nine chil- dren were born, all living except Jacob, who died when fifteen years of age. The others are as follows: Benjamin, a farmer of Madison county; Anna. Mrs. William Thompson, Christina, wife of George Thompson, the station agent at Bentonville; Laura, wife of Walter Hicks, a farmer; Joseph, a farmer of this township; Jennie, wife of George Scott, a farmer; George, who is carrying on the old homestead; and Cora, wife of Arville Maple. a farmer.
NEWTON GANT.
Mr. Gant is a well known citizen of Laurel and has the distinction of being a self-made man, for the success that he has achieved in life is due entirely to his well directed efforts. He is a native of Indiana, but his ances- tors were residents of South Carolina. His father, Cacder Gant, was born in the latter state, about the year 1800, and having arrived at years of maturity married Catherine Jones, a niece of the famous statesman, John C. Calhoun. After their marriage they emigrated to Indiana, locating in Bartholomew county, where they spent their remaining days and where their twelve chil- dren were born. They had nine sons and three daughters, but several of the number died in childhood and only four are now living: Reuben, a resident of Oregon; Newton, of this sketch; Caroline, widow of Noah Gant, and a resident of Newton county, Indiana; and Andrew Jackson, who is also living in Oregon.
Newton Gant, of this review, was born on the old family homestead in Bartholomew county, Indiana, September 12, 1825, and being left an orphan at an early age was thus thrown upon his own resources, since which time he has made his way in the world unaided. At the age of sixteen he came to Franklin county, where he has since made his home. He lived for many years in Butler township, and while there responded to the country's call for
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aid, enlisting December 18, 1863, with the boys in blue of Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-third Indiana Infantry, under command of Captain A. F. McCoy, and Col. John C. McQuiston. He was in active service until mus- tered out at Charlotte, North Carolina, receiving an honorable discharge at Lexington, that state, August 25, 1865. He participated in many important battles of the war, including the engagement at Tater Hill, May 9, 1864; Buzzards' Roost, May 10; Resaca, May 15; Lost Mountain, June 17; Alla- toona, June 20; Kenesaw Mountain, June 22-27; Decatur, July 10; Atlanta, July 20-22; Lovejoy Station, September 1; and Nashville, December 15 and 16, 1864. After the defeat of Confederate General Hood at Nashville, the One Hundred and Twenty-third Indiana joined in the pursuit of the southern army and then took boats for Louisville and Cincinnati. They arrived at Washington, D. C., January 29, 1865, and on the 18th of Feb- ruary went by steamer down the Atlantic coast to Fort Fisher, thence to Newbern, North Carolina, and from there marched to Raleigh. The last fight in which the regiment participated was at Wise's Fork, after which they met Sherman's army at Goldsboro. Mr. Gant was always found at his post of duty, a loyal soldier who followed the old flag until it triumphantly waved over the capital of the confederacy.
The war ended, Mr. Gant returned to Indiana 'and was married March 1, 1866, to Mrs. Eliza Ann Enyart, widow of John Enyart. Her maiden name was Lefter. Her first husband was a member of the Fifty-second Indi- ana Infantry in the war of the Rebellion, and died at Jeffersonville, Indiana, soon after the battle of Franklin. Mr. and Mrs. Gant have had four chil- dren, but lost the eldest, Chester. Those living are Ida, Eva and Cora. By a former marriage Mr. Gant has two children, Jasper and Emnina.
During his business career our subject has engaged principally in farm- ing, but his service in the army greatly impaired his health, and this has interfered to some extent with his labors. As a citizen he is held in high esteem. He is a worthy member of the Grand Army of the Republic and in politics has been a stalwart Republican since casting his first vote, for John C. Fremont, in 1856. In religious belief he has been a lifelong Method- ist, and both he and his wife belong to the church of that denomination in Laurel.
ANDREW J. ROSS.
Andrew Jackson Ross, a prominent member of the Franklin county bar, is a self-made and self-educated man, having risen by his own merits and persistent efforts to a place of lionor among his associates.
The ancestors of A. J. Ross lived in Virginia, but in the early part of this century James Ross, his grandfather, emigrated to Indiana and was prominently connected with the construction of the Whitewater canal, being
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familiarly called Captain Ross, by reason of his experience and leadership in the enterprise. His son, A. J., father of our subject, was also a native of the Old Dominion, and was a mere lad when the family came to this county. Growing to manhood in Posey township, he enlisted in the Union army in 1862, being made captain of Company F, Fifty-second Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and serving until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged, his record being of the best. Resuming his accustomed occupation, that of farming, he continued in that line of business until his death in 1869, at his home in Posey township. He was married four times, our subject being a child of the second wife, who departed this life in 1859.
Andrew Jackson Ross, who was born on the old homestead December 9, 1856, was thus less than three years of age when death deprived him of his mother, and was not thirteen when his father died. Owing to this, largely, he had but limited advantages in many ways, particularly in the matter of education. His studious turn of mind, however, asserted itself, and he learned readily. For a period of five years he was absent from home, in the west, gaining much valuable experience and the spirit of independence which has been an important factor in his career. When but eighteen years of age he passed an examination and was placed in charge of a school, and for about ten years he gave his time to teaching. For the most part he taught in his native township, though for two years he was located across the line in Rush county, never far from Andersonville, however. About 1885 he began to give his serious attention to the mastery of law, and since his admission to the bar he has been actively engaged in practice. Winning recognition as a man of much more than ordinary ability, success came to him almost froin the first, and the ensuing years have but served to increase his general popular- ity and his acceptability among the members of the profession. The Repub- lican party receives his earnest support, and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, having been a master of the blue lodge.
The marriage of Mr. Ross and Miss Canzada A. Walters was solemnized August 5. 1879. She was born in Decatur county, Indiana, a daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Walters, of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the civil war. He, too, was a native of Decatur county, and died at his home in Rushville, January 14, 1869. Ten years before, he had married Harriet Marshall, who was a native of Posey township, Franklin county, and a daughter of Zephaniah and Elsie (Jackman) Marshall, the former of whom died in 1890 and the latter in November, 1896. Colonel Walters was made a captain in the One Hundred and Twenty-third at the time of his enlistment on account of his having had previous army service, and during the three following years he was promoted to the rank of major and finally to that of lieutenant-colonel. At one time
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he was captured by the Confederates and confined in a southern prison. His widow, the mother of Mrs. Ross, is still living, her home being in Andersonville, and her two sons, William Z. and DeWitt C., are citizens of Indianapolis. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ross were born two chil- dren, namely: Glenna, March 9, 1880; and Alexander Clinton, March 26, 1882.
WILLIAM T. LAMBERSON.
One of the most honored citizens and prosperous agriculturists of Posey township, Fayette county, Indiana, is William T. Lamberson, who was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, December 25, 1827, a son of Thoroughgood and Christina (Thomas) Lamberson, natives of Maryland and Kentucky, respect- ively. The father's family spent their entire lives in Maryland. At about the age of eighteen, he went to Kentucky, where he was first employed as a farm hand and later as an overseer. There he married and soon afterward inade a tour of inspection, seeking a good location for his future home. Com- ing to Posey township. Fayette county, Indiana, he entered eighty acres from the government and bought a similar amount, on which a cabin had been built. Into this the family moved about 1830, and the father at once turned his attention to the improvement and cultivation of his land. He was in limited circumstances, but soon prosperity smiled upon his efforts, and he became the owner of a good farm of two hundred acres. He gave his entire time and attention to farming and stock-raising and met with fair success. He was a stanch Democrat in politics and an earnest member of the Chris- tian church. He died in 1875, at the age of eighty years, and his wife, who was a member of the New Light church, passed away in 1850. To them were born five sons: John, Samuel, Henry, William, and Thomas, all of whom are still living in Posey township with the exception of Henry, who died at the age of twenty-four years.
During his boyhood and youth William T. Lamberson became thoroughly familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and was provided with a good common-school education, so that he was ably fitted to engage in teaching, a profession which he successfully followed for three winter terms when a young man. After his marriage, in 1855, he located upon a tract of eighty acres of land, which fornis a part of his present farm. A small house had already been built and thirty acres of the land cleared, and to its further improvement and cultivation he devoted his energies with marked success. As the years have passed prosperity has crowned his well directed efforts, and he is now the owner of nearly six hundred acres of valuable land, on which he is still engaged in general farming and raising and feeding stock.
In 1855 Mr. Lamberson was united in marriage with Miss Lois Knapp, a
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daughter of Nehemiah and Clarissa (Thatcher) Knapp, both natives of Massa- chusetts and of English descent. When a young man the father came west and soon found employment in a foundry in Cincinnati, where he worked for many years. About 1835 he located in Dearborn county, Indiana, and it was there his marriage was celebrated. In her youth Mrs. Knapp had removed with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Thatcher, to that county, but later they came to Fayette county, where her father entered a large tract of land and improved a farm, on which he spent the remainder of his life. She first married William Frazier, by whom she had three children, one of whom died young, the others being Elizabeth, wife of L. Thomas, and Mary, wife of A. Hillis. Mrs. Knapp had four brothers, namely: Elijah, a merchant of Dear- born county ; Harvey, a farmer; Henry; and Anson, who died young. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp came to Posey township, Fayette county, and located on land given them by her father, and to the improvement and cultivation of this property he devoted the remainder of his life. He died in 1850, his wife in 1875. Both were earnest, consistent Christians, the former a member of the Christian church, the latter of the Missionary Baptist. The children born to them were Emily, wife of E. Russell; William, who died young; Elijah, a resident of Bentonville; Lois, wife of our subject; Clara, wife of D. Finnie; Caroline; and Hattie, wife of W. Finnie.
Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lamberson, namely: Minerva, wife of A. Weaver, of Clinton county, Indiana; Alice, wife of B. Thiedbaud, a teacher and county official, living in Connersville; Charles, a fariner and assessor of his township; Ella, now of Chicago, who has for many years successfully engaged in school-teaching; Ida, wife of George Russell, of Irvington; William, a druggist of Greenfield; Minnie, who married Chester Pearson and died February 2, 1893; Grace, wife of C. Hackleman, of the National Supply Company, of Indianapolis; Frank, a druggist of Greenfield; and Harry, who is taking medical lectures at Indianapolis. The children have all been liberally educated, and with their mother are members of the Christian church.
In his political affiliations Mr. Lamberson is a stanch Democrat, and he gives a liberal support to all measures which he believes calculated to advance the moral, intellectual or material welfare of his community or state. He is widely and favorably known, and is justly deserving the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
PROFESSOR CHARLES G. REIFEL.
This well known and successful educator of Franklin county, Indiana, has for the past ten years had charge of the School of St. Mary's of the Rocks, at Haymond, Butler. township, having succeeded Professor Daniel
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Schwegel, now of Oldenburg, this state. Our subject is a native of the county where he still continues to reside, having been born April 24, 1865, at Peppertown, Salt Creek township, and is a son of Conrad Reifel, an early settler of the county, who was born in Belheim, Bavaria, in 1840, and canse to America with his parents when a lad of fifteen years. The grandfather, George Reifel, died in Peppertown, but hissons, Conrad and Jacob, still reside there. Our subject is one of a family of ten children, eight of whom are living, and three of this number are or have been successful teachers, namely: Charles G., August and Herman.
Professor Reifel, of this review, was educated in the common and nor- mal schools of this state, and when he left the public schools worked for a time at the blacksmith's trade, as it was his father's wish that he should learn the same, though his own desire was to become a farmer. Being fond of study and always a great student, he finally decided to turn his attention to teaching, and in this profession he has met with eminent success. For four terms he taught in the New Colony school, in Butler township, but since the beginning of the school year of 1888 has had charge of his present school, which is connected with the parish of St. Mary's of the Rocks. The enroll- ment of the school is from sixty to sixty-five pupils, and the length of the school year is nominally ten months, though in reality it is only nine and a half.
On the 24th of October, 1888, Professor Reifel married Miss Elizabeth Strasburger, of Butler township, a daughter of Conrad Strasburger, who is county commissioner at present. She was born December 26, 1870, and was formerly a pupil of her husband. They have become the parents of five children, four daughters and one son, namely: Matilda, Mary, Carrie, Dora and Harry, all of whom were born in Haymond, Indiana, where St. Mary's of the Rocks is located. Professor Reifel is well qualified for his chosen profession, and his school will compare favorably with the best of its grade in the county. As a citizen he meets every requirement, and possesses in a high degree the respect and confidence of all who know him. Among his friends Mr. Reifel is generally called "Our Charley." He is a candidate at present for clerk of the circuit court of Franklin county.
JOSEPH F. HACKMAN.
The successful business man is the one who makes a point of supplying the people with clean, fresh, honest goods at reasonable prices, and with this principle steadfastly in view, Joseph F. Hackman, of Laurel, Franklin county, has built up an enviable reputation as a merchant. Numbered among his regular customers are the leading citizens within a radius of twelve miles, and it is invariably found that his patrons are his warmest friends.
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Of sterling German ancestry, our subject was born at Oldenburg, Franklin county, September 28, 1860. His father, Anthony Hackman, was one of the prom- inent early settlers of the town mentioned, and was engaged in merchandis- ing there for many years, meeting with the same succcess which now attends his son. He was a native of Germany, and possessed the substantial quali- ties for which the sons of the Fatherland are celebrated. Death claimed him a number of years ago, but his name and worthy traits of character are perpetuated by his three sons, -Joseph F .. August and Henry.
Reared to manhood and educated in the school at Oldenburg, our sub- ject was well prepared for the more arduous duties of life. In his father's store he mastered the details of the business, laying the foundations of his future success. Carefully husbanding his earnings until he had about one thousand dollars, he came to Laurel in 1883, and bought out W. E. Pike, who had been associated in the grocery business with Thomas Brown. At the end of a year and a half, the ambitious young man purchased the interest of Mr. Brown, thus becoming the sole proprietor. Gradually adding to his stock as his means permitted, Mr. Hackman now has the finest and most completely equipped store in this portion of the county. His large, well lighted double store contains-in the departments devoted to groceries, dry goods, cloth- ing, boots and shoes, hats, queensware, and everything found in a well appointed general store-a stock valued at about fifteen thousand dollars. The modern methods of advertising judiciously, presenting goods in an attractive manner, and catering to the varied tastes of the public, are largely responsible for Mr. Hackman's success, and the fact that he is always fair and just in the treatment of his customers wins them for his friends.
Notwithstanding his extensive financial enterprises, our subject finds time to discharge his general public duties, and in 1887 he accepted the office of township trustee, for the accommodation of his neighbors, serving in that capacity until 1894. Politically he is affiliated with the Democratic party.
The beautiful modern home of Mr. Hackman is presided over by his wife, formerly Miss Anna Heeb, of Connersville, Indiana. Her father, William Heeb, is a resident of that place at this time. The only child of our subject and wife is Freddie J., whose birth occurred March 10, 1892. The Hackman family are identified with the Catholic church, but their friends are confined to no particular denomination.
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