USA > Indiana > Newton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Benton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 39
USA > Indiana > White County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 39
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Mr. Judy is most pleasantly placed in the matter of his domestic rela- tions. In December, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Hunter, daughter of John P. Hunter, one of Warren county's wealthy and influential citizens, and the happy union has been blessed with four children, - three daughters and one son. Valera, is the wife of Frederick R. Letcher, proprietor and publisher of the Home Journal, at Lafayette, this being the oldest and largest home and farm weekly in the state of Indiana.
The only son, Ole R., was born October 28, 1880, and is already prom- inently identified with his father's business affairs, being a young man of exceptional ability.
He is the manager of the horse sales for the Grand Prairie Horse and Mule Market. He borrowed one thousand six hundred dollars from his father when nine years old and paid it back in a few weeks, and made seven hundred dollars out of a lunch counter at the Horse Market before he was thirteen years old, without help except board and clothes. He graduated in the common schools when thirteen years old, learned short-hand in a few weeks, went to high school a few weeks, and quit school for practice before it spoiled him for execution. Though he is only eighteen years old he can trade horses with ten men at once, keeping in mind all their propositions and all of his own. Has never been accused of lying, nor by an employe of bad treatment. Though he gives many double-quick orders and positive commands, the employes at Judyville like to execute his orders. He has the confidence of all who know him, and of his father, who gives him unrestricted right to sign "John F. Judy" to checks, drafts, deeds or mortgage release. He has also
EMBRYO OF JUDYVILLE.
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a recorded power of an attorney to make all of his signatures legal and bind- ing. He buys and sells the horses, more than two thousand yearly, and he is capable of doing any part of the business or of managing any of the branches of the business successfully, or superintending the whole business. A por- trait of him accompanies this sketch.
Elsie and Esta who are twins, were born in September, 1886, and both add brightness to the family circle. The home is one in which hospitality and distinct refinement are ever in evidence, and it is needless to say that Mr. Judy finds here the fullest measure of rest and solace in his life of inces- sant activity and out-reaching enterprise.
A portrait of the subject of this sketch, John F. Judy, also accompanies this biographical record.
THOMAS S. BOSTICK.
In the early development of White county the Bostick family took a prominent part, and for nearly seventy years they have been closely asso- ciated with its upbuilding and progress. Thomas S. Bostick, of Brookston, departed from the customary vocation of his forefathers, on both sides of the house, when he became a manufacturer and business man, instead of an agriculturist, as many generations of his ancestors had been; but he has won success in his chosen field of effort and commands the respect of all with whom he has dealings. He worked in Brookston at carpentering for many years and in 1887 established the Brookston Novelty Works, for the manu- facture of all kinds of fancy wood-work, grilles, banisters, etc., hard and soft finish. He furnishes various kinds of moldings and house trimmings to contractors and builders, and his shop, finely equipped with the most modern machinery necessary in the business, is able to turn out whatever work is desired in his line, on short notice.
The paternal grandfather of T. S. Bostick was born, and lived and died in Delaware. He was of Scotch extraction, and was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Our subject's father, Joseph, was one of four children, two of whom were daughters. Born in Delaware, he came to White county, Indiana, in 1831, before the red men had departed to the west, and in this locality he resided for over half a century. Having entered one hundred and twenty acres of government land he improved the property, reared his children there, and died on the old homestead endeared to him in a thousand ways, when past seventy-seven years, in 1887. He had married Adella Chestnut, who was born in Ohio, and her death occurred many years prior to his own, in 1871, when she was in her seventieth year. They were both earnest members of the Methodist church, and possessed the love and admiration of a large circle of friends. Mrs. Bostick was one of the twelve
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children of Daniel Chestnut, a pioneer farmer of Ross county, Ohio, where he passed away, after a long and useful life.
Thomas S. Bostick is one of ten children, five of whom were sons, and, with his brothers, William and Daniel, he alone survives of the once large and happy family who gathered around the hospitable table of Joseph Bostick, the pioneer. He was born on the old home farm, three miles from Brookston, in Prairie township, October 17, 1847. His education was that afforded by the old-fashioned district schools, which he attended, more or less, part of each year. When sixteen years of age he enlisted in Company K, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry (One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Regiment), and served from November, 1863, until after the war had closed, his dis- charge being dated in August, 1865. He was chosen to act in the capacity of bugler, and, with others of his company, was detailed to hunt guerrillas much of the time. He took part in the battle of Nashville and in numerous skirmishes with the enemy, and was frequently commended for his bravery and fidelity to duty. When his country no longer needed him he returned to the peaceful occupation of farming, but at the end of two years he com- menced learning the harness business, which trade he followed with success for several years. He then embarked in carpentering, and, as said above, engaged in his present business, of which he has made a success by careful attention to the wishes of his customers and promptness and skill in meeting their requirements.
Mr. Bostick is a member of Brookston Lodge, No. 66, F. & A. M., in which he has filled all the chairs and has been worshipful master. He belongs to Champion Hill Post, No. 171, G. A. R., and is a Knight of the Maccabees. In political affairs he is a " true blue " Republican. He is a trustee in the Universalist church, of which he and his wife are members. Mr. Bostick was married February 24, 1869, to Miss Ella Gress, a daughter of James and Clara (Kelley) Gress. They have a pleasant home on East Third street, it having been built by Mr. Bostick in 1880.
JOHN H. ROW.
Twelve years has John H. Row been numbered among the leading citi- zens of Brookston, of which place he served for two terms as a member of the board of trustees. In political affairs he takes his stand on the platform of the Democratic party, and socially he is a Mason, being identified with Brookston Lodge, No. 66, F. & A. M., and Lafayette Chapter No. 3, Royal Arch Mason. For many years he has been honored with the office of deacon in the Baptist church of this place, and both he and his wife are valued members of the denomination.
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Our subject's grandfather, William Row, was born in Scotland, and in early manhood came to America, settling in Ohio, where he devoted himself to farming until his death, a few years later. He had married a Miss Har- rison, an own cousin of William Henry Harrison, and she after his death became the wife of a Mr. Bell. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Jarrett Ford, a native of Virginia and of Irish ancestry. At an early day he removed to Kentucky, where he acquired wealth and large landed possessions. He reared six sons and seven daughters, and lived, hale and hearty, until nearly eighty-nine years of age.
Townsend D. Row, father of John H., was born in the Buckeye state, and for years he was a respected farmer of Henry county, Kentucky, whence, in June, 1863, he came to this county, settling on a quarter section of land in Prairie township, near Badger Grove. He sold half of his farm subse- quently, and continued to dwell on the remainder until death claimed him, in 1876, when he was in his seventy-fourth year. His wife, Margaret Ann (Ford) Row, a native of Henry county, Kentucky, had died over a score of years previously, in 1853, when about forty-eight years old. Both were Methodists in religious faith. Only four of their three sons and nine daugh- ters are now living, namely: John H .; Josephine, wife of Albert Herst; Emeline, widow of T. M. Ford; and Jane, widow of Saul Colvin,-all resi- dents of Brookston.
The birth of John H. Row took place on the parental homestead in Henry county, Kentucky, October 10, 1829. In his youth he learned every department of farm work and concluded to make agriculture and stock-rais- ing his main occupations. Until he attained his majority he gave his time to his father, and then he rented a farm for one year and managed the prop- erty successfully. Such education as had fallen to his share was gained in the old-style subscription schools of his boyhood, and with this foundation he became well informed along practical lines. On March 22, 1864, he came to White county, and has since made his home here, with the intention of being a permanent resident.
On the 26th of December, 1852, Mr. Row married Elizabeth White, a daughter of Joel and Jennie (Ford) White. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Row, namely: Evander, Nora, Granville, Mary, Margaret, and one who died in infancy. Mary, the only survivor, is the wife of Charles Van Voorst, of Chalmers, and they have three children,-Goldie, Mabel and Gil- bert. Mrs. Elizabeth Row, who had been a devout Baptist from early life, died at her home, in February, 1885.
The present wife of John H. Row was Mrs. Susan M. (Stewart) Stewart, widow of William Allen Stewart, and a daughter of John and Susan (Chilton) Stewart, natives of Virginia. The parents were both reared in Kentucky,
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whither they were taken when young. John Stewart was a pioneer in Tippe- canoe county, Indiana, and as a farmer and stock-raiser was very successful, owning twenty-four hundred acres of land at the time of his death. His father was Allen Stewart, of Virginia, and of Irish extraction. The father of Mrs. Susan (Chilton) Stewart was George Chilton, also a native of the Old Dominion, and of German descent. He was a wealthy farmer, owning a large plantation. He was a Freemason, and had the privilege of voting for Washington as president. At the time of his death he was about " four score years and ten." The marriage of our subject and wife was solemnized February 16, 1886. Mrs. Row had one child by her first union, -little Nora, who died when eight years of age.
CHARLES T. BROCKWAY, M. D.
During the five years that have passed since Dr. Charles T. Brock- way established an office and commenced the practice of medicine in Brook- ston, he has built up a lucrative business and has won distinction among the members of his profession. He is the present health officer of Brookston, and is an honored member of the local and state medical societies. As a general practitioner he has commanded the attention of the public, and he has frequently been called into consultation with physicians in this and neighboring towns.
The Doctor's father, Truman Brockway, was born January 24, 1832, and was a native of New York state, and was one of the pioneers of Living- ston county, Illinois. He built the first substantial store erected in the town of Chatsworth, and with his family lived in the pleasant and comfortable suite of rooms over the store for some years. He was a merchant there for several years, a contractor and builder, a farmer for a period, and here in the fullness of time he passed away from earth in his sixty- seventh year, March 18, 1899. His wife, Sarah (Ewing) Brockway, likewise born in the Empire state, survives him. For many years she has been an earnest member of the Methodist church. Though Mr. Brockwy was not regularly connected with the denomination, he gave support to the cause and was in sympathy with the grand work which is being carried on under its auspices. He held various township offices of more or less responsibility, and the respect of all who knew him was his in large measure. Both of the Doctor's grandfathers died in the east, but the wife of his maternal grandfather is still living, near Chatsworth, and is now in her ninety-third year. One of the five children of Truman and Sarah Brockway died in infancy. Laura is the wife of George W. Myers, of Chatsworth, and Mary, unmarried, resides in the same
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town, while Dr. Frank Brockway is engaged in medical practice in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The birth of Dr. C. T. Brockway took place on Christmas day, 1863, in Chatsworth, and in that pretty village he spent the years of his youth. His early education was obtained at the Chatsworth public school and at the district schools ; and for five summers he worked for his father on the old homestead. Then followed twelve years of service for the Illinois Central Railroad Company as a station agent and telegraph operator. Ten years of that period were spent at Colfax, Illinois, and the remainder at Irwin, Kemp- ton and Pontiac, same state. His health failing while he was at Pontiac, he resigned, and after his recovery he commenced studying medicine in the Columbus Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio. Later, he was graduated from the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, in the spring of 1893, and at once located in Brookston, as previously related. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the "Rathbone Sisters," and politically he is a Republican.
The pleasant home of the Doctor, on Railroad street, is presided over by his charming wife, formerly Miss Mertie Brown, born January 1, 1864. They were married December 30, 1884, at the home of Mrs. Brockway's mother, Mrs. Mary C. (Leisure) Brown, now of Bloomington, Illinois. Her father, James Brown, was in later life a cripple, in consequence of a minie bullet received while a Union soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and died many years ago. The Doctor and wife are members of the Baptist church and take deep interest in various charitable organizations. They have two chil- dren, Howard T. and Charles J.
GEORGE ILGENFRITZ.
George Ilgenfritz, one of the venerable farmers and respected citizens of Tippecanoe county, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, March 29, 1822, and is the son of David and Sallie (Miller) Ilgenfritz. The family is of sturdy German stock, and was founded in the Keystone state in colonial days. Their religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. Martin Ilgenfritz was the first of the name to locate in York county, Pennsylvania, where he followed farming, entering between four and five hundred acres of land in Manchester and Cussawago townships. Through his land ran two streams, across one of which, the Cussawago creek, he built a dam and erected near by a grist and saw mill. That was one of the first grist mills in that section of the country, and he successfully operated it for a number of years prior to the Revolution - ary war. He was also extensively engaged in farming, and was a prosper- ous and reliable citizen. Among his children were Samuel, who followed
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blacksmithing in the city of York, Pennsylvania ; Frederick, grandfather of our subject ; Martin, who inherited the mill property and one hundred acres of land, and George, or Jacob, who was a shoemaker of York.
Frederick Ilgenfritz was born on his father's farm August 18, 1760, and spent his entire life on the homestead. He was married April 8, 1783, to Maria E. Zinn, who was born in Dover township, York county, Pennsyl- vania, in December, 1862. They became the parents of the following named, all of whom were born on the old family homestead : John A., born August 14, 1784 ; George, born March 20, 1786; Elizabeth, born June 14, 1789 ; Jacob, born March 20, 1791; Magdalena, born February 20, 1793 ; Samuel, who was born March 1, 1796, and died in infancy ; David, born March 5, 1798 ; Rebecca, born September 9, 1800 ; Frederick, born January 27, 1804, and Daniel, born March 9, 1807. The father of this family was a prosperous farmer of York county, and there died at the age of sixty years. His old family Bible, printed in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1765, is now in possession of our subject.
David Ilgenfritz, father of our subject, was born on the old homestead, March 5, 1798, and acquired a common-school education. Up to that time the family had spoken the German language, but he became familiar with the English tongue. He married Sallie Miller, and their children were Sam- uel, who was born in December, 1818; Lydia, born August 13, 1820; George, born March 29, 1822; John A., who died at the age of five years; and David, born in February, 1830. The mother of this family died and the father afterward married Susannah Misenhaelter, who was born in York county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John and Mary (Kleinfelter) Misenhaelter. By this marriage there were two children, Aaron and Peter, both born on the old homestead. The latter was a soldier of the civil war and died from the effects of his service one year after his return to the north. He veteranized and served for nearly four years as a member of Company A, Fortieth Regi- ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, participating in a number of important battles. In the spring of 1850 David Ilgenfritz removed with his family to Indiana, locating in Tippecanoe county, where he purchased of Joseph Cow- ley a farm of three hundred and nine acres, at a cost of four thousand dol- lars. About two hundred acres of the land was then under cultivation, and a good brick residence, barn and orchard were among the improvements on the place. On that farm Mr. Ilgenfritz spent his remaining days, his death occurring August 9, 1866, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years. He was a substantial citizen, a member of the Lutheran church and was. respected by all who knew him.
George Ilgenfritz, the subject of this sketch, was born on the old family homestead in York county, Pennsylvania, and was reared as a farmer lad.
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His educational privileges were somewhat limited, but experience and obser- vation have brought him practical knowledge. He was married in Manchester township, in York county, February 22, 1844, to Sarah A. Wild, whose birth there occurred April 26, 1824, her parents being Jacob and Elizabeth (Conkle) Wild. Her father was a native of York county, and a son of Michael Wild, of an old colonial family of Pennsylvania, of German lineage. The former was a teamster in early life and afterward became a substantial farmer, being very industrious and energetic. He was a member of the Ger- man Reformed church and was very kind-hearted. He died about 1847, when between the ages of fifty and sixty years. His children were Sarah A., Samuel, Caroline, Daniel, Henry and Jacob.
After his marriage Mr. Ilgenfritz located in Manchester township, York county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a small farm of twenty-four acres, upon which he built a house and barn and made other improvements. He operated that farm until 1846, when he sold the property. In the fall of 1850 he came to Indiana, making the journey to Tippecanoe county with a two-horse team and wagon. He brought with him his wife and four small children, and while en route stopped at the old-time western taverns, also spent two half-days resting and visiting with friends along the way. They reached their destination after twenty-five days of travel, and spent the first winter in the home of Mr. Ilgenfritz' father. In 1851 our subject purchased the farm upon which he now resides,-a tract of prairie land somewhat under cultivation. There was a small house and log stable upon the place, but these have long since given way to more substantial and commodious buildings. From time to time, as the result of his perseverance and indus- try, he has been enabled to extend the boundaries of his farm and now has three hundred and ninety-five acres of rich land under a high state of culti- vation.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ilgenfritz were born seven children: John, who was born in York county, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1844; Elizabeth, born in the Keystone state, July 8, 1846; Jacob, born in Pennsylvania, July 18, 1848; Henry, born in Pennsylvania, August 10, 1850; Sallie, who died in infancy; David, who was born on the homestead farm in Tippecanoe county, June 25, 1854, and died in infancy; and Sarah, who was born in Indiana, September 19, 1855. Jacob, the second oldest son, was a soldier in the civil war-a private of Company A, Fortieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His enlistment was for three years or during the war. He was in the great battle of Franklin, Tennessee, and came out bravely. The March following he took a severe cold and was left at a private house, on the banks of the Elk river, and there he died. The mother of this family died at the birth of her youngest child, and on the 20th of March, 1856, Mr. Ilgenfritz
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was again married, his second union being with Levina Hess, who was born in Bethel township; Berks county, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1827, a daughter of Daniel and Eve (Baumbarger) Hess. Her father was of sterling Penn- sylvania-Dutch stock, was born in the Keystone state, and was a cooper by trade. For many years he resided in Berks county, and was an upright, honorable man and a consistent member of the Reformed church. His chil- dren were Elizabeth, Mary, Caroline Levina and Catherine. Mr. and Mrs. Ilgenfritz became the parents of six children, as follows: Samuel, born January 5, 1857; Margaret J., born October 21, 1858; Daniel, born July 28, 1860; George, born August 15, 1862; Emma C., born July 17, 1864, and Riley, born July 6, 1866.
Mrs. Levina Ilgenfritz died September 6, 1897. In early life she was a member of the German Reformed church, and afterward held membership in the Presbyterian church. She was a woman of many virtues, and during her long life span of seventy years, five months and one day, she found many opportunities for doing good. She possessed unusual industry, was a true helpmeet to her husband, and had the regard and affection not only of her family, but also of many friends. On Christmas day of 1898 there occurred a pleasant celebration at the old homestead,- a reunion of the family, at which were present nine of the children and a number of the grandchildren. The son Daniel could not be present, on account of his absence in the Klondike mining regions. A very happy day was spent,-one long to be remembered by all present. Mr. Ilgenfritz has always been a frugal and hard-working man, and has therefore prospered in his undertakings. His first religious connection was with the German Reformed church, but he now belongs to the Presbyterian church and is widely known for his virtues, his kindliness and his love of humanity. He has now reached the venerable age of seventy-seven years. In all trade transactions his word has ever been as good as his bond, his integrity is proverbial and his high character makes his an honored old age.
CHESTER C. FRENCH.
The able editor of the Brookston Reporter, Chester C. French, and for thirty-one years a resident of Brookston, White county, is a gentleman of versatile talents, so much so that it is safe to say that he would undoubt- edly have succeeded in many other lines of business or professional life than the one to which he has especially devoted his energies. He has been a witness of the development of this town from a hamlet to a flourishing little city, and through the columns of the journal he edits has always advocated everything which would conduce to the well-being of the place and its in-
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habitants. In 1894 he was elected justice of the peace and is still serving in that capacity, and for several terms he held an appointment as a notary public from the governor. At present he is precinct chairman of Prairie township, for his second term, and in 1880 he was census enumerator for the same locality. In his political belief he is an uncompromising Repub- lican, and in the fraternal organizations he is associated with the Masons, Odd Fellows (of which he is past grand), Daughters of Rebekah and Knight of the Maccabees.
In tracing the ancestry of C. C. French it is found that he is of Scotch- Irish descent on the paternal side, and that both of his grandfathers were natives of Pennsylvania. Asa French, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a pioneer settler on the Big Miami river in Ohio, and was a farmer by occupation. His death resulted from an accident received when he was between sixty and seventy years of age. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Dr. Chester Clark, who came to Indiana from the Keystone state in early days and settled near Rockville, where he practiced medicine. Later, he lived in Bloomfield, Illinois, and his last years were spent in Cov- ington, Indiana, where he conducted a mercantile business and likewise car- ried on a nursery. Death came to him when he was over four-score years old.
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