USA > Indiana > Newton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 36
USA > Indiana > Benton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 36
USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 36
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 36
USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 36
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 36
USA > Indiana > White County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 36
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After their marriage Absalom Nisewander and wife settled where they now live; and here their forty-four years of married life have been spent. Their industry and good management have brought to them success. They have a fine farm of two hundred and fifty acres, well improved, with com- fortable house, etc., their place ranking with the best in the township.
Their family record is as follows: Lydia Elizabeth, born June 21, 1856; Jacob, March 20, 1861; John, March 16, 1865; Andrew C., May 1, 1864: Rosie, who died at the age of two years; Samuel, born March 20, 1871; and Harry, born in September, 1872.
J. H. LETCHER.
J. H. Letcher, of Williamsport, Warren county, Indiana, is the editor and publisher of the Warren Review, which was established on January 1, 1890, by Thomas A. Clifton and Charles H. Morrison. In August, 1892, it passed into the full control of Mr. Clifton, and in April, 1897, it was pur- chased by its present owner.
Mr. Letcher is a native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where he was born in 1850. He removed when a child to Lenawee county, Michigan, where he was reared on a farm. Returning to Ohio, he served an apprenticeship to the trade of printer in the office of the Bryan (Ohio) Press, after which he went west and for five years was engaged in the publication of newspapers in Minnesota and South Dakota. Following his western experience, he went back to Bryan, Ohio, and purchased a half interest in the Press, with which he was connected seven years. At the end of this time he sold his interest in that paper and bought a job printing office in Lafayette, Indiana, and from that place came, in the spring of 1897, to Williamsport.
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Mr. Letcher is a practical, wide-awake newspaper man, and, while the Review was an eminent success under its former management, he has largely increased its circulation and influence. He believes in making the best news- paper possible and takes a commendable pride in the success of his efforts. The large circulation of the Review in Warren and adjoining counties, and the liberal advertising patronage that the paper receives, prove that his efforts are appreciated. The Review is and always has been Republican in politics.
PHILIP GEMMER.
Major Philip Gemmer, of Williamsport, Indiana, manager for the War- ren County Lumber Company, ex-treasurer of Warren county, and a veteran Union soldier in the war of the Rebellion, was born in Nassau, Germany, near Frankfort-on-the-Rhine, November 8, 1832. His father was Justus Gemmer and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Beck. The latter died when her son Philip was a child, and subsequently the father married Gratia Kincel. In 1849 the family emigrated to America and settled in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and later took up their abode in Wabash county, Indiana, where the parents resided the rest of their lives. Philip was the first of the four sons born of the first marriage. The second, Peter, is a resident. of Marion, Indiana. Frederick served in the Union army in the war of the Rebellion as a member of a Missouri regiment, and is now deceased. Henry, the youngest of the four brothers, is a resident of Wabash county. There were also four children by the second wife.
Philip Gemmer learned the trade of carpenter, and was engaged in that occupation previous to the war of the Rebellion, in Wabash county; also in Lafayette and West Lebanon. From the last named place he went to. Marshfield, Indiana. This was just on the eve of the civil war. He re- solved to enter the army in defense of his adopted country. Accordingly, in April, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Tenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in response to President Lincoln's call for "three hundred thou- sand more." He was a participant in some of the most important events of the early part of the war, including the well known battle of Rich mountain. Soon after the expiration of his term of enlistment, three months, on August 4, 1862, he again entered the service of his country, this time for three years or during the war. He now entered the Eighty-sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and on the organization of Company E was made its first lieutenant. He was soon after promoted to the captaincy of his com- pany, and just before the army entered on the famous Atlanta campaign he was made major of his regiment. Major Gemmer participated in some of
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the most important campaigns and battles of the war. Among the famous battles in which he took part, as a member of the Army of the Cumberland, were Stone river, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and all of those connected with the campaign and siege of Atlanta. When General Sherman set out on his famous " march to the sea," the command to which Major Gemmer be- longed remained to re-enforce General Thomas, and participated in the battle of Nashville and in the pursuit and destruction of Bragg's army. Though Major Gemmer took part in so large a number of severe battles and had many narrow escapes, he was never hit by the bullets of the enemy.
After his return from the army, Major Gemmer was for two years engaged in the grocery trade at Marshfield. In 1867 he came to Williamsport. Near this city, in Washington township, he purchased a farm which he operated for many years. In 1878 he was elected treasurer of Warren county, and re- elected two years later, serving four years.
His first wife was Miss Maggie Moore, who bore him one son, Fred L. Gemmer, who is the present manager of the Boston dry-goods store at Will- iamsport. His second wife was Miss Lydia E. Smith, who bore him a son and a daughter. The former, William H. Gemmer, is a graduate of Purdue University and is the present surveyor of Warren county. The daughter, Lydia E., is a graduate of the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, and is a successful teacher in the public schools of Williamsport. Major Gem- mer's present wife was formerly Miss Minerva E. Flemming. A son, George A., has blessed this union. He is now a student at Purdue University, being a member of the class of 1899.
Major Gemmer belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Union Vet- erans' Union, an order to which only those who have seen actual military service are entitled to membership. He has been the competent manager of the Warren County Lumber Company since the spring of 1891. Major Gemmer is a gentleman who is held in high esteem by all who have the pleas- ure of his acquaintance. He was a gallant and faithful soldier in the war for the preservation of the Union and has ever been a most loyal and respected citizen. In his political affiliations he is an ardent Republican.
JOHN P. KISSINGER.
John P. Kissinger, one of the substantial farmers and respected citizens of Randolph township, Tippecanoe county, springs from sturdy Pennsylvania- Dutch ancestry. At a very early period in American history members of the family located in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather of our subject was one of the heroes who valiantly fought for liberty in the war of the Revolution. The grandfather, Samuel Kissinger, was born in Penn-
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sylvania, and followed farming near Harrisburg. Later he removed to Ohio, settling in Butler county about 1848. He purchased a farm and thereon made his home until his death, which occurred when he had reached an advanced age. His political support was given the Democratic party. He was married near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and his children were Samuel, Peter, Fred, Adam, Isaac, Margaret, Catherine and Mary.
The first named, Samuel Kissinger, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1810. By trade he was a hatter and followed that vocation for many years. He was married May 19, 1831, in Stark county, Ohio, to Elizabeth Trump, who was born in that county April 27, 1814, a daughter of John Peter Trump, who belonged to one of the old Pennsylvania-Dutch families and was one of the pioneer set- tlers of Stark county, Ohio, where he cleared land and developed a farm, becoming one of the substantial citizens of that community. He, too, was a son of a Revolutionary hero. In his religious belief he was a Presbyterian, and he died on his farm at an advanced age, respected by all who knew him. His children were John, Peter, Jonas, Catherine, Margaret and Elizabeth.
The parents of our subject began their domestic life in Stark county, Ohio, where the father followed the hatter's trade. About 1835 he removed with his family to Miami county, Ohio, where he entered land and developed a farm, making a comfortable home. There he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring February 26, 1862, when aged fifty-one years, seven months and sixteen days. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and gave his political support to the men and measures of the Democ- racy. He held the office of township trustee, and was one of the valued citizens of the community in which he resided. In his family were nine chil- dren: Catherine, born in Stark county, Ohio, November 13, 1831; John P., born January 23, 1834; Samuel H., born January 30, 1836; Daniel, born October 13, 1838; Mary A., born September 6, 1840; George W., born Feb- ruary 22, 1844; Isaac, born August 25, 1849; Margaret, born September 19, 1851; and Henry, born September 24, 1854. Two of the sons served in the civil war; Daniel was a member of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry, and veteranizing served for four years in the west; and George W. was a member of the Sev- enty-first Ohio Volunteers and served for four years, re-enlisting at the expi- ration of his first term. He was under the command of Generals Sherman and Grant, and participated in many battles, including the engagements at Pittsburg Landing and Fort Donelson, and at the latter but sixteen of his company survived. He was also in the great Atlanta campaign and went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea.
John P. Kissinger, whose name introduces this review, was born January 23, 1834, in Stark county, Ohio, and was about a year old when taken by
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his parents to Miami county, Ohio, where he was reared amid the scenes and surroundings of pioneer life. He pursued his education in a log school- house, wherein school was conducted on the subscription plan, and through- out the summer months he aided in the plowing, planting and harvesting which largely make up the round of daily life on the farm. Having arrived at years of maturity he was married, in Miami county, June 12, 1862, to Sarah J. Clark, whose birth occurred there October 27, 1828. Her parents were John and Susan (Clark) Clark. Her father was a native of Cumber- land county, Pennsylvania, and a son of Robert and Mary (Alexander) Clark. The former was of sturdy Scotch-Irish ancestry, and for a time made his home near Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He went to Sherman's valley as a vol- unteer against the Indians, and, noting the fine timber, pure water and rich fertility of the soil, he decided to locate there, and settled on land which is still in possession of his descendants. He died August 24, 1819, at the age of eighty years, and his wife died October 13, 1828, at the age of seventy- six years. Their children were Thomas, born January 15, 1781; Hugh, born June 8, 1785, became a resident of Piqua, Ohio; Francis, born December 26, 1787; John, born December 26, 1790; Daniel, born in October, 1792; Martha and Margaret, the date of whose births is not recorded; Joseph, born October 19, 1798; and Andrew, born June 15, 1800. The Alexanders were a prominent colonial family, of Scotch lineage, and were represented in the Revolutionary war by those who bore the name and valiantly aided in the struggle for American independence.
John Clark, father of Mrs. Kissinger, was married in Perry county, Pennsylvania, to Susan Clark, who though of the same name was not related to his family. They removed to Ohio and cast in their lot with the pioneers of Miami county about 1816, making their home on the banks of the Miami river three and a half miles south of Piqua, on the Troy road. Success attended the efforts of Mr. Clark and he became one of the representative farmers of that locality. He died about 1844, respected by all who knew him. In his religious belief he was a Presbyterian. He had six children: Amanda, born in Pennsylvania, Stephenson, John, James, Sarah J. and Duenna.
For three years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger resided in Ohio, and in the spring of 1865 removed to Randolph township, Tippe- canoe county, Indiana, where our subject purchased an improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres. By his thrift and energy he has been enabled to extend its boundaries until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, which is under a high state of cultivation, the well tilled fields yielding good harvests in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them. He has improved his place with substantial buildings and a tasteful
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residence, and everything about the farm indicates the supervision of a painstaking and progressive owner. The home has been blessed with three children, but one, John C., died in infancy. The daughters, Lydia J. and Julia M., are at home. On the second of January, 1892, the family was called upon to mourn the loss of the loving and faithful wife and mother, who died at the age of fifty-four years, two months and five days. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and a woman of many vir- tues. Socially, Mr. Kissinger is connected with Romney Lodge, A. F. and A. M. In politics he is a stanch Republican and aided in the organization of the party in his township. He has always been a reliable, industrious, straightforward citizen and well merits the respect in which he is held by his fellow townsmen.
WILLIAM P. RHODES.
This prominent citizen of Williamsport, who is a leading member of the bar in Warren county, Indiana, was born near what is known as Crane, for- merly Crane's Station, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, July 17, 1833. He is a son of James I. and Nancy (Forshee) Rhodes, and a grandson of Jacob Rhodes, who was born in Philadelphia, fought in the Revolutionary war, set- tled in Virginia and later in Warren county, Ohio, where he died at the age of one hundred and four years. James I. Rhodes was a native of Virginia, went with his father to Ohio, and from that state moved to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1828. Here he entered a tract of land, on which he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in January, 1860. His wife lived to an advanced age, dying in 1888. He was a typical representa- tive of the early pioneer-honest, industrious and sturdy. He possessed strong religious convictions, and for many years was an active worker in the Methodist church. Three sons and two daughters were born to this estimable couple, namely: Thomas J., a resident of Lafayette, Indiana; William P., our subject; Margaret E., widow of Eli Peters; Joseph M .; and Sarah E., the wife of E. J. Miller, of Wellington, Kansas.
William P. Rhodes received his early training on the homestead farm and attended the old log school-house of pioneer times. He had reached his majority in 1854, and entered Fort Wayne College, where he remained two years. In 1856 he began the study of law at Lafayette with the well known firm of Huff, Baird & LaRue. He made such rapid progress that in 1858 he began the practice of his profession in Williamsport, and two years later was admitted to practice in the supreme court. In 1864 he enlisted and was elected captain of Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Indi- ana Regiment, served in Tennessee and Alabama, and was mustered out of
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service in the fall of the same year. He then gave his attention to the news- paper business, purchasing an interest in the Warren Republican, and most ably editing the same for about a year. In 1870 he was elected to the lower branch of the state legislature, representing Warren county, and in 1872 represented Warren and Fountain counties in the state senate.
Mr. Rhodes and Miss Mildred B. Dickson were united in the holy bonds of wedlock September 14, 1859. She was born in Williamsport September 30, 1840, and is a daughter of John Wesley Dickson, who was born at Terre Haute, Indiana, when that city was a military post. He came to Williams- port at an early day and was a well known merchant here, but removed to Chicago, where his wife died about the year 1888. He then made his home with Mr. Rhodes until his own death a year later. Mrs. Rhodes is the only daughter and eldest child in a family of four. Her brothers are John B., James T. and Isaac F., all residing in Chicago. She has borne Mr. Rhodes three sons, James L., Wesley D. (deceased) and Joseph W. James L. and Joseph W. are residents of Chicago.
Mr. Rhodes is a lawyer of undoubted ability, and has been in practice longer than any other man of that profession in the county. In his fifty years' experience before the bar he has had many important cases and many and varied interesting happenings. He is an unswerving Republican, and renders valuable aid to the party. His reputation for fair-minded, fearless expression of opinion is without a rival, and he has the courage of his con- victions and lives up to his expressed sentiments.
REUBEN T. WEBB.
One of the respected and venerable citizens of Randolph township, Tippecanoe county, and an honored veteran of the civil war is Reuben T. Webb, who was born on the 28th of March, 1817, in Jackson township, Brown county, Ohio, a son of Reuben H. and Annie (Thompson) Webb. He springs from sterling English ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides. The founders of the Webb family in America settled in Virginia in colonial days, and representatives of the name fought for the independence of the nation. Reuben H. Webb was a native of Orange county, that state, was reared there on a farm, and when a young man went to Kentucky, where he married Miss Thompson, a daughter of James Thompson. Her father was a native of England, and having crossed the Atlantic took up his resi- dence in Pennsylvania, whence he afterward removed to Kentucky, and from there to Brown county, Ohio, becoming one of the substantial farmers of the last named place. He took no active part in the Revolutionary war. He was a member of the Methodist church, a straightforward and honorable
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business man, and his death occurred when he was about eighty years of age. His children were James, Annie, Elizabeth, Alice and Minta.
Reuben H. Webb located near Cynthiana, Kentucky, at the time of his marriage and conducted a tavern for several years. Subsequently he went to Brown county, Ohio, where he purchased and partially cleared one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, but not being able to secure a clear title to the property he lost it. He then settled on a new farm of fifty acres in the . woods, which by dint of hard work he converted into a comfortable pioneer home. He was a very energetic and enterprising man and his business methods were above question. He, too, belonged to the Methodist church, and in his political belief was a stanch Jacksonian Democrat. He died at the age of eighty years, having reared an excellent family. His children were Reuben T., Mary Ann, James, Rittie Ann, Elizabeth, Alexander, Alice, Jacob, Nathaniel and George; and Nathaniel died in early manhood.
In the pioneer schools of Brown county, Ohio, Reuben T. Webb ac- quired his early education. School was conducted on the subscription plan and was held in a little log building with a stick chimney and an immense fireplace, ten feet long. On the fire was placed a high back log; which was rolled in by the big boys and would last two days. Windows were made by taking out a section of a log from the side of the room and covering the aperture with greased paper. The cabin floor, seats and desks were made of puncheon, and the instruction was almost as primitive as the furnishings of the school-house. Mr. Webb attended school only until he was nine years of age, for after that his services were needed on the farm. When a youth of thirteen he began learning the cooper's trade, which he readily mastered. He was a large, strong boy and could do a hard day's work, taking the timber from the tree and making it into barrels. He worked for one year and received half the sum that came from his work,-two hundred dollars, which was quite remarkable wages for a boy in those days. He gave his money to his father and it proved a great help in paying for the family homestead. He afterward worked in a carpenter shop on his father's farm and his great industry made him very capable.
On the 5th of May, 1835, in Brown county, Ohio, when only eighteen years of age, Mr. Webb married Miss Annie Sidwell, who was born in that county, November 13, 1816, her parents being Henry and Casandra (Slack) Sidwell. Her father was of English descent, his parents having come from England at an early day and located in Mason county, Kentucky. Henry Sidwell became a farmer of Brown county, Ohio, where he secured one hun- dred and sixty acres of wild land, which he cleared and improved, making it a valuable property. He set out a good orchard, transformed the place into fertile fields, and throughout his remaining days continued its further devel-
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opment and improvement. He belonged to the Methodist church and gave his political support to the Whig party. His life was an honorable one, and his death, which occurred when he was about sixty years of age, was mourned by many friends. His children were Horace, John, Sewell, Hugh, Henry (who died in childhood), Annie, Jane, Emily, Warren, Ellis, Abraham and Catherine.
Mr. and Mrs. Webb began their domestic life upon his father's farm. He worked at the cooper's trade for some years, and on the Ist of October, 1849, removed to Indiana, making the journey with horses and wagon and reaching his destination after eleven days of travel. He brought his family with him and spent the first winter in Wingate, Montgomery county, but in the spring came to Tippecanoe county, locating on the division line between Jackson township and Fountain county. During the next few years he resided on several different farms and in 1861 purchased the property in Corwin, where he now makes his home. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Webb was blessed with seven children: Casandra; John H., who died at the age of five months; Reuben Horace; Emily; James; Ellis and Elizabeth.
On the 12th of October, 1861, in Corwin, Mr. Montgomery enlisted, under Captain Henry Leaming, in Company C, Fortieth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, to serve for three years. After fifteen months, however, he was honorably discharged, on account of blindness. He participated in the battle of Shiloh under Buell and many skirmishes on the way from that point to Corinth and on to Perryville. He was about forty-five years of age at the time of his enlistment, but was a very rugged man, and though past the age limit was accepted. He was ill with lung fever in the hospital before he went to the front, but was granted a furlough and returned home. On recovering he rejoined his regiment, then in the south, and afterward suffered from the jaundice, but was not placed in the hospital. After the battle of Shiloh he nursed the sick for eight months, until at last he was stricken with blindness while in camp in front of Corinth. Thus totally disabled for military service he was honorably discharged, and has never yet recovered his sight. He was a most patriotic and loyal soldier and the same qualities were manifest by two of his sons, who went to the front. James, who was in the Twentieth Indiana Infantry, re-enlisted in the United States Regular Army and served for about six years. He acted as one of the guards to Jefferson Davis, when the president of the Confederacy was held as a prisoner in Fortress Monroe. James participated in many battles and faith- fully followed the stars and stripes for almost a decade. He is now deceased. Reuben Horace served for four years in the Sixty-third Indiana Infantry, veteranizing and participating in many battles. He was wounded in the battle of Resaca, but recovered from his injuries. Franklin L. Perkins, a 21
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son-in-law of Mr. Montgomery, was also in the army, as a member of the Sixty-third Indiana, and died of typhoid fever.
After the war Mr. Webb returned to his home in Corwin and has been totally blind ever since. He and his wife are both sincere and faithful mem- bers of the Methodist church and contribute liberally to its support. The lady united with the church in Brown county, Ohio, when only fourteen years of age, and Mr. Webb became a member in the same county, at the age of twenty years, since which time they have lived faithful to the teach- ings of the church, following in the footsteps of the Master. Mr. Webb cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison and voted with the Whig party until 1856, when he supported John C. Fremont, and has since been an earnest and zealous Republican. His patriotism has ever been most marked, his loyalty to all duties of citizenship is one of the prom- inent traits in his character, and he has ever endeavored to instil into the minds of his children the same commendable principles. He and his faithful wife have traveled life's pathway together for sixty-four years, their mutual love and confidence increasing as time has passed. Many descendants now revere and honor them, and a large circle of warm friends esteem them for their sterling worth.
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