USA > Indiana > Newton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 12
USA > Indiana > Benton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 12
USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 12
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 12
USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 12
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 12
USA > Indiana > White County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 12
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
May 2, 1874, Mr. Compton married Miss Rachel C. Mills, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Barton) Mills, of Grant county, Indiana, formerly of Clinton county, Ohio. Having no children of their own, they have acted the part of kind and loving parents to other children, having reared two of
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his brother's, Joseph S. Compton's, children, namely: Hettie Margaret, who married Burton Hughes, employed in the store of Compton & Company, above referred to; and Blanche, wife of John Gentis, a farmer in York town- ship, Benton county. At present Mr. and Mrs. Compton are rearing Miss Blanche Kennedy, a daughter of Charles and Ella (Kneedler) Kennedy; and they have an adopted son, William F. Compton, son of John Curtain.
Mr. Compton attends worship at the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his family are members. Politically, he is a Democrat, and fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, at Earl Park, in which he has filled all the chairs, and which he has represented, as delegate, in the grand lodge at Indianapolis. Also he is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Court of Honor, and at Fowler has a membership in the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
ALEXANDER H. CROUSE.
Alexander H. Crouse is one of the substantial and respected citizens of Tippecanoe county, and a son of one of the honored pioneers. He belongs to the same family as Dr. Jerome Crouse, of Dayton, Indiana, in whose sketch may be found the genealogical history of the family. There is a tradition that three brothers of the name came from Germany at a very early day and located in Philadelphia, but more authentic records give proof that George Crouse, the great-grandfather of our subject, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in the first part of the eighteenth century and took up his abode in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania.
Henry Crouse, the grandfather, was of sturdy Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, and was born in Cumberland county, July 6, 1768. In that locality he was married to Miss Hevison, who was born February 15, 1766, and their children were: Catherine, born May 20, 1792 ; Leah, born March 6, 1794 ; Henry, born August 1, 1796; Maria, born July 15, 1798 ; Simon, born July 25, 1802 ; John, born August 15, 1804; David, born September 18, 1808 ; Elizabeth, born October 15, 1810; and Daniel, born November 20, 1814. About 1820 Henry Crouse, the father of this family, removed to German- town, Ohio, and cleared a farm in that locality. In 1830 he became a resident of Marion county, Indiana, and purchased and cleared a section of land, including the site which was afterward chosen for the asylum for the insane, near Indianapolis. He died in the prime of life, owing to injuries sustained while felling a tree. He was a meniber of the German Reformed church.
John W. Crouse, the father of our subject, was born April 15, 1805, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and during his youth accompanied his
A Hl Grouse And Family
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parents on their removal to Butler county, Ohio. He was married in Preble county, March 17, 1825, to Miss Eliza Christman, the marriage ceremony being performed by Rev. Bishop Kumler. The lady was born in Preble county, June 1, 1805, a daughter of Daniel and Magdaline (Oza) Christman. Her parents were both natives of Guilford county, North Carolina, the father born March 27, 1773, and the mother, December 8, 1776. They were among the early pioneers of Preble county, Ohio, where they reared their family of four sons and a daughter, namely: John, Eliza, Solomon, Jacob and Daniel. The sons spent the greater part of their lives in Preble county, where they were highly respected citizens. Daniel Christman entered land from the government and developed a good farm, at one time owning about three hun- dred acres. He was a straightforward, honorable man, a member of the United Brethren church, and died on the Ohio homestead when about eighty years of age.
The family record of Mr. Christman, the grandfather of our subject, is as follows: He was born November 2, 1745, and died March 11, 1810. His wife Magdaline died June 7, 1800. Their children were: Margaret, born June 6, 1769; Jacob, August 9, 1770; John, September 17, 1771; Dan- iel, March 27, 1773; Mary B., April 3, 1774; Catherine, October 3, 1775; Peter, March 17, 1777; David, January 5, 1779; Mary E., February 27, 1782; Elizabeth, March 16, 1783; Roseanah, November 6, 1785; Susannah, Sep- tember 6, 1787; Solomon, February 2, 1790; and Sophia, April 5, 1792. Jacob Christman, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born May 5, 1720.
After their marriage, the parents of our subject took up their abode near Liberty, Union county, Indiana, in 1825. The father purchased land, also a sawmill. In the fall of 1828 he removed with his family to Wayne township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, locating two miles from the present Crouse homestead. He bought one hundred and forty-two acres of land and entered a quarter section from the government, and thereon resided until his death, which occurred September 13, 1844. He cleared away the timber, turned the first furrows upon the prairie land, and developed a good farming property of three hundred acres, the greater part of which he placed under a high state of cultivation. He and his wife were both members of the United Brethren church, in which he served as class-leader and held other offices. He assisted in building a number of churches, contributed liberally to their support, and was very active in advancing the work of his denomination. In politics he was a Whig, and was at one time a candidate for state senator. He was a loyal and valued citizen, a substantial, practical farmer and a straightforward, reliable business man. His wife died March 26, 1883, at the age of seventy-eight years. She had been a widow for many years and had depended upon her son Alexander to manage the farm and business affairs in 7
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her old age. Her children were Mary A., born October 5, 1826; Alexander Hamilton; Daniel Franklin, born June 11, 1837, and died July 11, 1866; and Mary A., who became the wife of James W. Stewart and died March 23, 1874.
Alexander Hamilton Crouse was born on the homestead farm in Union county, Indiana, October 23, 1828, and was only six months old when brought by his parents to Tippecanoe county, so that he was reared amid the pioneer homes and scenes of this locality. He pursued his education in a log school-house, made of round poles, with puncheons for seats and con- structed with the sharp edge uppermost, so that the children would not get lazy. In one end of the building was an old-fashioned stick chimney, and a back-log ten feet long could be put in the huge fireplace! For a window a log was removed and the aperture covered with greased paper. Between the ages of six and fifteen years Mr. Crouse attended that school through the winter season, with the exception of short intervals spent in a school of little better grade, near Odell. When he was a small boy his father instructed him in practical business methods, and he began to learn how to buy young cattle, being encouraged by his father, who gave him the money and taught him to know the points of good stock. He was also early inured to the labors of the fields, and when only nine years old cultivated thirty-five acres of corn. When he was sixteen years of age his father died, and the care and manage- ment of the farm devolved upon him. It was a great responsibility for a youth of his age, but he performed the work manfully and nobly, being assisted by the wise advice, counsel and encouragement of his devoted mother.
As the years passed, his thrift and enterprise brought him increased wealth, and following the teachings of his father he became a prosperous cattle dealer. He was a good trader, and accumulated a handsome prop- erty. He remained at home with his mother until after her death, and was therefore not married until late in life. Some time after losing his mother he saw a Kentucky lady in whom he became much interested, and five years later they were married, in Hardin county, that state, June 24, 1894. She was in her maidenhood Miss Tee P. Humphrey. Their wedding was cele- brated about three o'clock on Sunday afternoon, in a beautiful chestnut grove on the Humphrey homestead, Rev. Felix Humphrey, her brother, per- forming the ceremony in the presence of a large concourse of the best peo- ple of the county, more than twelve hundred being present. The bride was twenty-two years of age, the bridegroom sixty-five years. On their return to Indiana they gave a large reception to the many friends and neighbors of Mr. Crouse, over six hundred people being royally entertained. Their chil- dren were John Thomas, who was born April 26, 1895, and died in infancy; William Alexander, born March 24, 1896; and Mary Magdalene, born Octo-
From painting by WH HAVERBECK ..
AH . CROUSE'S Corner
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Etwis Pyb. Ca, Chi"
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ber 7, 1898. Mrs. Crouse was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, March 25, 1872, a daughter of Thomas and Arminda (Royalty) Humphrey. Her father was a son of Samuel and Drusilla (Haywood) Humphrey, the former born in Hardin county, his father being Samuel Humphrey, Sr., who left his Vir- ginia home and became one of the pioneers of Kentucky, making his home there among the Indians. The grandmother of Mrs. Crouse, Mrs. Drusilla Humphrey, was the daughter of a prominent official of Hardin county, who had Indian blood in his veins, and more remote members of the family served as chiefs of the Shawnee Indians. It is claimed that a vast amount of land in Kentucky belongs by right to this branch of the family. The chil- dren of Samuel and Drusilla Humphrey were Sallie, John, Lydia, Samuel, William Wesley, Thomas, Rachel and Mahala. The last named died in early womanhood. Mr. Humphrey was a substantial farmer of Hardin county and a good citizen. In politics he was a Republican, and died in his native state in middle life.
Thomas Humphrey, father of Mrs. Crouse, was born in Hardin county, March 12, 1827, was a farmer by occupation and when about twenty years of age married Arminda Royalty, who was born in Hardin county, July 1, 1832, a daughter of Daniel and Annie (Saunders) Royalty. Her father was born in Washington county, Kentucky, and was a son of David Royalty, one of the pioneers of Kentucky. Annie Saunders was a daughter of Thomas and Sally Saunders, and her father was a Kentucky pioneer, who served through the Revolutionary war under General Washington. He was a very strong man and weighed two hundred pounds when he entered the army, but was wounded in battle, which rendered him a cripple for life. His parents lived near a battle-field, and the window glass in their house was shattered by the firing. After leaving the army Mr. Royalty took up his residence in Washington county, Kentucky, where he spent his remaining days. His children were Annie, Isaac, Rebecca, Hannah and several daughters whose names are forgotten. Daniel Royalty was a shoemaker in Hardin county, Kentucky, where he also owned land, being one of the substantial citizens of that locality. He removed to that place soon after his marriage and there made his home until his death. His children were Sarah, Thomas, Jane, Rebecca, Catherine, Mary A. and Arminda. After their marriage Thomas Humphrey and his wife located at the head-waters of Mill creek, where he purchased a farm and spent the remainder of his life, while some of his children yet remain at that place. He and ·his wife were the parents of the following named: Felix, Thomas, Missouri, John W., Isaac F. and Wiatt W. (twins), Mary, Christian D. and Tee P. Mr. Humphrey died December 22, 1894, at the age of sixty-seven years, a member of the Baptist church, in which he had served as clerk and moderator. He had
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a common-school education, was an industrious, energetic man, trust- worthy in business, and with his family a kind and affectionate husband and father. His widow is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Alexander H. Crouse. She, too, is a member of the Baptist church, in good stand- ing, and all of her children are connected with the same denomination. In politics the family are stanch Republicans. The Humphreys are of the old and respected families of Kentucky, well known for their sterling worth and excellent traits of character. Rev. Felix Humphrey, a brother of Mrs. Crouse, was educated in Garnettsville, Meade county, Kentucky, and is now an ordained minister in the Baptist church.
Mr. Crouse, whose name introduces this review, is accounted one of the prominent, diligent and prosperous agriculturists of Tippecanoe county, the greater part of his attention being devoted to his farming interests, which he manages with marked ability and success. He cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln and for many years was a stanch Republican, but is now a Demo- crat and free-silver man. For eight and a half years he served as a justice of the peace, during which time he tried many cases and was always noted for his moderation and justice. His good common sense also played a part in his official service and was manifest in the settlement of many cases out of court, through arbitration between the litigants. He is a man of sterling rectitude of character, and his word is as good as his bond. Like his father, he was at one time a candidate for state senator, and it is claimed that he originated and suggested the present liquor laws of the state of Indiana. He has traveled quite extensively, visiting the principal cities of the United States, and in 1869 he went abroad, spending some time in England, Ire- land, Scotland, Wales, France, Germany, Spain and Turkey, viewing the many points of modern and historic interest in those lands. Socially, he is connected with the Odd Fellows society and has passed all the chairs in the lodge and also belongs to the encampment. He is a man of kindly disposi- tion, generous nature and courteous manner, and is one of the most highly respected and popular residents of Tippecanoe county.
CLEMENT S. KINGSBURY.
Mr. Kingsbury is a trustee of Union township, White county, Indiana, and a prominent business man of Monticello. He came to this county in 1860, and has been a resident here for the greater part of the time since. He was born near Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county, New York, March 14, 1843, and is a son of Harvey and Julietta (Small) Kingsbury. Harvey Kings- bury was a farmer of Vermont, and moved to St. Lawrence county, New York, and thence to Michigan, where he died in his fifty-fourth year. He
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married Julietta Small, of New York, who died when she was but twenty- eight years of age, leaving three children: Clement S., our subject; and Charles and Eugene, both deceased.
Mr. Kingsbury was about three years old when his parents moved to Michigan. Here he remained until he was seventeen, when he came to this state. His opportunities for receiving an education were very meager, the schools which he attended being from one to three and a half miles distant from his home. This distance had to be walked. However, he made the. most of his opportunities, and since then has made up for this unfortunate circumstance by reading and keen observation, and has stored a naturally strong mind with varied knowledge. He was put to work during his very tender years, and at the age of six we find him doing chores, milking cows and doing whatever could be found for a child of that age. He was com- pelled to rise early in the morning and commence his work. This training, though severe, taught him habits of industry and promptness which have never been forgotten and have contributed largely to his present success in life. He came to Indiana when seventeen years old and engaged in car- penter work with an uncle. This kind of work came naturally to him, but he gave it his entire energy. His uncle soon became a candidate for the office of county treasurer and abandoned his trade, throwing our subject out of work. He then. worked at whatever came to his hand, -on farms, in the harvest fields, and later in a woolen mill at Monticello. He worked in the mill for a number of years, until 1862, when the dark cloud of rebellion threatened the destruction of our fair land, and he hastened to offer himself in the service of his country. August 14, 1862, he enlisted in the Twelfth Indiana Regiment, Company D, and from that time until he was mustered out, in June, 1865, he endured all the hardships of a soldier. He was under General John A. Logan, also for a time with Sherman, and took part in the skirmishes of Grant's campaign in the vicinity of Memphis and Vicksburg. He was in the thick of many a battle,-was in the siege of Jackson, fought at Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, in the Atlanta campaign and in numerous other engagements. He was taken prisoner at Richmond, Kentucky, but was fortunately paroled in five days' time. He was with Sherman when he made his famous march to the sea and up through the Carolinas. He was a brave and fearless soldier, rendering valiant service to the cause of the Union, and enduring hardships not dreamed of by the soldiers in the late war with Spain. He participated in the grand review at Washington, and was mustered out in June, 1865.
After returning to private life Mr. Kingsbury, engaged in the general mercantile business in Michigan for a couple of years, returning to Monticello, Indiana, in 1867, and working one year in the woolen mills. He again lo-
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cated in Michigan for a time, and then came once more to this state, where he engaged in business and has since made his home. About four years ago he started a grocery store and has met with flattering success, building up a large and extended patronage of the most desirable class. He conducts a first-class store in every respect, a fact that is appreciated by the public, as shown by their continued patronage.
Mr. Kingsbury was bound by the golden fetters of Hymen to Miss Har- riet Ross. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five children, viz. : William Sherman, of Columbus, Ohio; Frank Logan, of Kokomo; Estella; Burt, who is in the store with his father; and Harry, who died at the age of. six years. Mr. Kingsbury has always supported the Republican party, but can not be considered a politician, as he has never sought office, although his purity of heart and honesty of purpose have led his friends to believe that he is the proper man to serve the public interests. They have persuaded him to allow his name to be used a few times, and placed him in the office of con- stable, where he served several years and did almost the entire collecting for the justices of the peace in the county. He also served as city marshal for two years, and four years ago was elected trustee of Union township, an im- portant place which he still fills. His administrations have been singularly pure, and a credit alike to himself and his constituency. He was made a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1872, and is past grand and a member of the encampment. He is a prominent member of Tippecanoe Post, G. A. R., and is actively interested in all its proceedings. He is a member of the Christian church and is a liberal contributor to its advance- ment.
JOHN M. MAVITY.
John M. Mavity is the popular owner and editor of the West Lebanon Gazette, which was established November 23, 1883, by F. J. Pasteur, well known as " Toney " Pasteur; and, while he owned it, for one year it was in charge of W. H. Soden, who at the end of that time purchased the paper and after two years took in as a partner A. R. Caldwallader. A year later Mr. Caldwallader became sole owner, though the paper was conducted under the name of Caldwallader Brothers, A. R. being the editor and H. A. the general manager. Mr. Mavity took possession of the plant on the Ist of January, 1889. From July 1, 1890, to July 1, 1891, Charles Caldwallader owned an interest, but since the last named date Mr. Mavity has been sole owner. From 1868 to 1883, when the Gazette was established, a dozen or more efforts had been made to conduct the publication of a paper at West Lebanon, all of which were failures. The Gazette was a fair success from
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the beginning, inasmuch as it succeeded in keeping alive. That Mr. Mav- ity has proved himself a successful newspaper man is universally admitted. On April 1, 1896, the paper was increased to its present size, a seven-column, four-page paper. There is no patent work about it, but all is home print. Eight hundred copies are printed weekly, and it is safe to state that no town in Indiana not larger than West Lebanon has a paper of larger circulation.
Mr. Mavity was born in Decatur county, Indiana, May 14, 1862, the son of John A. Mavity, who was a native of Madison county, Indiana, born May 14, 1833. John A. Mavity in his youth learned the trade of black- smith, an occupation he followed until the opening of the war of the Rebel- lion. He married Susan Z. Wise, a cousin of the late Governor Wise, of Virginia, of John Brown fame. Her father was a pioneer of Indiana and a member of the first legislature that met at Indianapolis. When civil war was inaugurated Mr. Mavity entered the Union army as a member of Company B, Sixth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service until he was wounded at the battle of Resaca. After that, being unable to serve in the ranks, he made himself valuable in hospital service. After the war he was for many years a minister of the Christian church, preaching in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. He is now practically retired and with his estimable wife resides in West Lebanon. They were the parents of three sons,-Jesse H., of Atlanta, Indiana; John M., the subject of this sketch; and Thomas Wise. The last named died at West Lebanon in June, 1898, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving two daughters. His wife's death occurred two years before his.
John M. Mavity received a good education and was for ten years a suc- cessful teacher, six years of his experience as teacher being in Warren coun- ty. For two years he was principal of the West Lebanon schools. He was married July 7, 1886, to Miss Laura F. Hendricks, and they have a daugh- ter, May, born June 4, 1889, and a son, J. Earl, born April 2, 1899.
Mr. Mavity possesses much energy and ability and includes in his make- up the necessary qualities which insure success in any calling. He is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, Order of Modern Woodmen and Sons of Vet- erans, and both he and his family are identified with the Christian church.
MRS. RACHEL TALBOTT.
There is so much of romance in the history of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Talbott, of Oxford, that the biographer has thought best to give a separate sketch to each.
The subject of this sketch was born near Independence, Warren county, Indiana, on the 13th of September, 1837. She is a daughter of Frederick
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and Mary Waymire, natives of Ohio. Her mother's maiden name was like- wise Waymire, though she was not related to her husband. They had ten children, seven of whom have crossed to the "other shore." They were named as follows : David, who died at the age of forty years; Solomon, who died in 1898; Isaac, Elizabeth and John are deceased; Huldah is the widow of John Steadman, and resides in Boswell, Benton county; Daniel, who lives in Warren county, Indiana; Rachel, of this sketch; Sarah, the wife of Jacob B. Lebo, died at Lebo Springs, in the fall of 1898, the family owning the famous magnetic springs; and Frederick also is deceased. The mother of our subject died in 1843, at the age of thirty years, and subse- quently the father was united in marriage with Mrs. Nancy Draper, a native of Delaware. By this union there were no children, and finally both father and stepmother died, within a few days of each other, the mother's death occurring on the 7th and the father's on the 18th of January, 1868, the father at the age of seventy-six years and the mother seventy-three.
Rachel Waymire grew to womanhood in her native county. Her opportunities for education were somewhat limited, since her early years were necessarily devoted to hard work; yet in later years, when the goddess of fortune smiled upon her, she devoted herself to careful study and thus became very well informed.
At the age of eighteen years she yielded her heart and hand to Joseph Atkinson, on the Ist of March, 1856, and together they traveled life's journey for many years. Both being industrious and frugal, their united efforts yielded a handsome recompense, and they became very well-to-do. Their union was a happy one, since their dispositions were amiable, and no word of reproach or censure ever passed between them during those happy years of wedded felicity. The time was when their possessions aggregated the snug fortune of two hundred thousand dollars. But finally the demon of intem- perance entered the happy home and the accumulations of years of hard toil seemed to take wings. This continued for several years and was the only source of discord; yet that was a sufficient one. In time this led to personal estrangement, and the happiness of the home was destroyed. The tears and prayers of a loving and devoted wife were unavailing, the entreaties of grown-up children were not effective, the home was broken up and the hap- piness of years was dissipated by a legal separation of the husband and wife. Mrs. Atkinson received her share of the depleted estate, and with blighted hopes for the comforts and happiness promised in earlier years, retired from the home which had sheltered her as a happy girl wife. She came to Oxford and invested a portion of her means in a handsome home, which she built and where she now resides.
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