USA > Indiana > Newton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 41
USA > Indiana > Benton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 41
USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 41
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 41
USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 41
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 41
USA > Indiana > White County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 41
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After his marriage William H. Hoffman opened a barber shop in Wina- mac, and conducted the same successfully for ten years. At the expiration of that period he became interested in his present line of business, but for a number of years was employed by an old established firm, for whom he sold monuments. For about five years he has been engaged in the business on his own account, as previously noted. Politically he is a Republican, and socially an Odd Fellow. He is one of the trustees of the Methodist Episco- pal church, with which denomination both he and his wife are identified.
LUTHER OWINGS.
If there is any public institution in Fowler, except her model school, of which the town ought to be proud, it is the livery business of Owings & Eller, -- a large and conveniently arranged brick barn, kept as clean as a house, sup-
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plied with fine driving animals and " high steppers " if required, and a large display of handsome rigs sufficient to satisfy the most exacting. Should the patron require a careful driver to pilot him to some friend in the country or to another town, he can be accommodated here. A special effort is made to supply the best stock and best service to be found anywhere ; and it is a real pleasure to the traveling public to know that their needs are thus anticipated.
Luther Owings was born at Blaine, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1869, and is a son of William and Mary (Fitsel) Owings, also natives of that place. His father was born in 1829 and has been a carpenter and contractor in his native town all his life. His mother was born in 1843 and died in 1886, at that place. They were the parents of seven children, named as follows : Howard, born in 1871 and died in 1891 : he was a blacksmith in Blaine ; Ella, born in 1873, married Mr. Myers, a prosperous liveryman at Canton, Ohio; Edward, born in 1875, is a tinner in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania ; Harry is a carpenter and contractor at Johnston, and he was born in 1877 ; the next is the subject of this sketch ; Alice is the wife of Thomas Watson, a farmer at Forrest, Illinois ; she was born in 1881 ; and Grace, born in 1883, is living at home caring for her father.
John Owings, the paternal grandfather of our subject, died at Blaine, Pennsylvania, at the age of ninety-two years ; and his wife, whose maiden name was unknown to the subject of this sketch, died at the same age. Mr. Owings' maternal grandparents were natives of Ickesburg, Pennsylvania, where they died, the grandfather at the age of sixty-five years, in 1888, and the grandmother in 1895, at the age of seventy. The Owings family is of English origin and the Fitsel of German.
Luther Owings received an English education in the schools of his native town and began life's struggles on his own account at the age of seventeen. He first worked a year on a farm in the vicinity of home, and used the means thus procured to make a trip to the west. He secured a place on a farm near Forrest, Illinois, and continued in the employ of one man for three years. He then followed farming on his own account near Chatsworth one year, and was thus employed for two years near Forrest. He saved his money and on coming to Fowler, in March, 1893, he had nine hundred dollars to put in business. He first bought a half interest in the stock of George Fisher and became a partner of H. O. Fuller. William Eller bought Fuller's interest and the firm has been Owings & Eller since January 1, 1896. They have purchased the building which they formerly rented, and have this season (1898) erected a large addition to the original plant, at a cost of two thousand dollars. The buildings and stock are valued at ten thousand dollars. The business produces a revenue of from three hundred to four hundred dollars per month. The patronage is largely tran-
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sient since the introduction of the "wheel;" yet they have a fair local trade: They also operate a.' bus line between Fowler and Barce, making all passenger trains on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. Mr. Owings has always been an admirer of the horse, and this fact was probably the cause of his entering his present business. He is an excellent judge of horses, and this capacity enables him to buy and sell to advantage. He is a gentleman of genial disposition, quiet and unassuming in manner; is in the enjoyment of perfect health, and is a splendid specimen of physical man- hood. Like his ancestors, he is stout and heavy built, even tempered and free from corroding vices. His future promises a successful career.
As to the marriage relation, Mr. Owings is "heartwhole and fancy free," enjoying the freedom and independence of "single blessedness." He was reared by Lutheran parents, but makes no religious profession, and in politics he has always voted the Republican ticket.
ROBERT S. DWIGGINS.
Robert Starbuck Dwiggins, counselor at law, at Rensselaer, Indiana, was born November 12, 1834, in Clinton county, Ohio. Two years later his father, Daniel Dwiggins, moved with his family to Grant county, Indiana, then a wild and sparsely inhabited country, abounding in Indians and wild game, where he resided until 1858, when he located on a farm near Rensse- laer. Daniel Dwiggins was born in 1807 and was married to Mary Starbuck, who was born in 1811. She was the great-granddaughter of Edward Star- buck, whale fisherman, and one of the ten men who purchased the island of Nantucket from Governor Mayhew in 1659. They were granted nine-tenths of the island, the purchase price being thirty pounds sterling and two beaver hats. Whaling operations were commenced and Nantucket became the greatest whaling station in the world. Her grandfather was an extensive slave owner of North Carolina. At his death his children, having previously located in Ohio and Indiana, brought all the slaves to Ohio and set them free. Her union with Daniel Dwiggins resulted in the birth of eight children, viz. : Sarah Jane, wife of Berry Paris, whose biography appears in these pages; Robert S., who is here represented; Isaiah, who was the regimental post- master in the Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteers during the civil war, where he lost his life; Susannah, now deceased; Lydia, assistant principal of the schools at Marion, Indiana; Eliza, wife of William W. Owens, of Benton county, Indiana; Zimri, now residing at Lincoln, Nebraska; and Nancy Ella, a teacher in the public schools of Marion, Indiana.
Robert S. Dwiggins was educated in the common schools and at Antioch College, located at Yellow Springs, Ohio. He was raised on a farm and con-
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tinued to labor as an agriculturist until he reached his twenty-fourth year. In March, 1859, he came to Rensselaer and entered the office of Judge Robert H. Milroy to study law. He applied himself with so much diligence to his studies that he was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of his chosen profession in 1860. The day after President Lincoln's call for seven- ty-five thousand volunteers, he enlisted for three months, in the Ninth Indi- ana Regiment, in Captain R. H. Milroy's company, and served through the West Virginia campaign. In 1862 he was commissioned by Governor Mor- ton as recruiting lieutenant, and enlisted over two hundred men for the Eighty-seventh Regiment. He also recruited a company for the Ninety- ninth Regiment, but on account of sickness he was unable to get this company into camp before the quota was full, and he did not therefore again enter the service. Once more he bent his energies to the practice of the law. This he continued until 1879, when he and his brother Zimri organized the Citizens' Bank of.Rensselaer.
In 1862 he was married to Fannie Travis, who was born in Pennsyl- vania May 1, 1836, and died October 20, 1898. Two sons, Elmer and Jay, and a daughter, Gertie, deceased, were the fruits of this union.
Mr. Dwiggins is an adherent of the Republican party, and was elected district prosecuting attorney in 1860, soon after his admission to the bar. Seven years later he was appointed, by President Johnson, as inspector of snuff, tobacco and cigars. In 1868 he was presidential elector on the Repub- lican ticket, and two years later was elected to represent the counties of Jasper, Newton, Benton, White and Pulaski in the state senate. He has always taken an active part in the cause of good government, and has been prominent in the work of prohibition. While in the senate he was chairman of the committee on temperance, and it was very much on account of his efforts that the "Baxter Bill," which was the first local-option law ever enacted in the state, was passed. Through his efforts and the efforts of the temperance people generally, Jasper county was without a licensed saloon for twelve years. He was the nominee of the Prohibition party for governor in 1884, and two years later he was the nominee of the same party for judge of the supreme court. Religiously, he is connected with the Church of God, and was twice made president of the national conference of his church. He is a regularly ordained minister of that church. He is a man whose acts will admit of no question of doubt, and his standing in the community is such as is seldom accorded to men in private life. He broke his nervous system down by overwork, and on the advice of his physicians he retired from business in 1886, and was not from that time actively engaged in busi- ness until within the last few months, although he has been prominent in all
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movements that promised the advancement of the best interests of the coun- try or humanity.
After he quit business he and his wife traveled a great deal, visiting all of the southern states, nearly all of the northern states and territories, many of the provinces of Canada, and spent two years in old Mexico. He is a close student of current events, an accurate thinker, and well informed upon national and international questions likely to affect the destiny of nations in the immediate future. He is an active writer on these and kindred subjects. His idea is that England and the United States will, united, dominate the world, especially the commerce on the high seas.
CURTES M. PENCE.
One of the few remaining early settlers of Warren county is C. M. Pence, of Jordan township, who was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, September 22, 1828, a son of George and Mary (Swisher) Pence. The father, a native of the Shenandoah valley, in Virginia, was born in 1804, and when a young man he went to Kentucky, there finishing his education and pursu- ing a medical course, though he never put this knowledge into professional use. For several years he went to New Orleans each year with flat-boats loaded with supplies and provisions. Then, locating in Bartholomew county, this state, he married Miss Swisher, and in November, 1834, they became residents of Warren county. The wife and mother was called to her reward in 1851, and the father, after living a few years longer, departed this life, at his old home in this township, in 1876. By occupation a farmer and stock- raiser, he was very successful, and as a citizen, no one in the community was more highly esteemed. From time to time he occupied local official positions, and for twenty years he was a justice of the peace. In his early manhood he was a Whig in his political views, a strong abolitionist, and later an ardent Republican. Though he was not identified with any church, he gave his preference to the Methodist denomination, of which his wife was a mem- ber, and was very liberal in its support. In all the various relations of life, business, social, etc., he was just and upright, ready to promote the interests of others rather than his own. After the death of his first wife he wedded. Gaynor Romime, and subsequently he married Catherine Lloyd. By his first union eight children were born, and those who survive are Curtes M .;. Barbara, wife of Abner Goodwine; and William Wallace; and the child of the third marriage is George.
When Curtes M. Pence was about six years of age he came to Warren county with his parents, and here he has since dwelt, busily occupied
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in the cares of farming. He owns a finely improved and well cultivated homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, on which stands a comfortable house and substantial buildings. By well directed energy and good business methods he has carved out prosperity for himself and has reared his children to be useful citizens, giving them good advantages. He votes for the nomi- nees and the principles of the Republican party, and never neglects his duties as a citizen of this great state and county.
The wife of our subject, to whom he was married in 1853, was formerly Miss Susanna Etnire, a daughter of David Etnire, an early settler of Warren county. Mrs. Pence was summoned to the better land June 1, 1896, leaving five children to mourn the loss of a most loving and faithful mother. Three other children died when young and those who yet survive are named respectively Allen M., Emily J., Frank E., Clara Belle and Harry S.
BENJAMIN GREENFIELD.
The life record of the subject of this article should impress the minds of the young with the oft repeated axiom that merit commands success, almost without exception, and that a lad may rise from a humble place to one of prominence in the community if he will but labor earnestly and persever- ingly to that end.
Born in Hocking county, Ohio, May 2, 1834, Benjamin Greenfield is a son of - - and Nancy (Berry) Greenfield, both of the Buckeye state. As the father died when our subject was but two years of age and his mother departed this life some two years subsequently, he knows but little of his ancestry, save that they were intelligent, respected members of the agricultural class. He was an only child, and was brought to White county, Indiana, by his mother, who accompanied some relatives to this locality. The orphan was bound out to John Burns, his mother's cousin, who played the part of a wise, kind father toward the lad, who fared as well as the other children in the family. He remained on the farm owned by Mr. Burns until twenty-seven years of age, working a part of the land on shares. For three years after his marriage he rented farm land, and in 1862 removed to the homestead in Prairie township, which has since been his place of abode. He is the owner of this place, which is well improved, and, in addition to this, be has another valuable farm in this portion of the county. As a farmer and stock-raiser he has met with deserved success, and, in view of the fact that he has been the sole architect of his fortunes, his high standing is some- thing of which he has just cause to be proud. Politically, he is an uncom- promising Republican, and religiously, both he and his wife are identified with the United Brethren church.
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Two score years have rolled away since Mr. Greenfield wedded Miss Martha A. Hornback, a daughter of Adam and Margaret (Dungan) Hornback, who were natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively, and were married in Ohio. Adam was a son of Isaac and Margaret (Funk) Hornback, both of German extraction and natives of the Blue Grass state, where their marriage was celebrated. They reared their children in Ohio, and in their old age they came to Indiana to live with them. The mother died in this state, but the father returned to Ohio, where his death occurred. He was a licensed preacher in the Christian church, and led a noble, conscientious life. His son Simon carried on the old homestead in Ohio until his death. The other son, Adam, settled in the Hoosier state as early as 1838, at which time he bought land in Prairie township, and proceeded to improve a farm. His wife was a daughter of John and Mary (Titus) Dungan, natives of Ireland and Virginia, respectively. They were married in the Old Dominion, and Mr. Dungan be- came a wealthy farmer and slave-owner. They were strict Presbyterians in religious belief. Their children included Mrs. Jane Bethel, William, John, Patterson, Margaret, Mrs. Rebecca Dolby, Mrs. Nancy Burchart, and Titus, who lived on the old Dungan homestead until his death, and his son is now managing same. Of these, only two, Margaret and Rebecca, settled far away from their original home, the latter going to Iowa. Adam Hornback became a prosperous farmer of this locality, and was the first to build a frame house in this part of the country, as well as to be the possessor of the largest barn in the county at one time. At death he left a valuable estate, though he had always been generous and charitable in the extreme, and was noted for his liberal hospitality. His wife was a faithful member of the Christian church, and before the days of churches in this new country their home was used as a meeting place for worship. He was not connected with any denomination, but his worthy career was animated by the spirit of Christianity. Politically, he was a Whig and a Republican, but his death took place soon after the formation of the last-named party. His wife survived him six years, her death taking place in 1864. Their children were Sarah, who married a dis- tant relative of the same surname; Nelson, deceased; Isaac, now in the west; Milton, deceased; John, a successful farmer of this township; Alexander, de- ceased; Martha A .; F. T., who owns and operates the old homestead; Re- becca, Mrs. D. Little; and Mrs. Nancy E. Benjamin.
To the union of our subject and wife a son and daughter were born. Charles E., the son, is the superintendent of the Cook County Hospital, in Chicago, is a graduate of Rush Medical College of that city, and has an office at No. 260 South Halstead street. He enjoys a large and remunerative prac- tice, and is one of the most successful physicians and surgeons of the metrop- olis. His wife was formerly Miss Edna Davry, of Prairie City, Illinois.
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Alice M., the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Greenfield, received a liberal education and was a successful teacher for some time. She is now the wife of Artemas Ward, a professor in Taylor University, at Upland, Indiana.
CHARLES O. STIMSON.
Nineteen years ago this young man entered upon his exceedingly pros- perous railroad career, and step by step was advanced on account of merit and genuine ability and executive skill until he was made division freight agent of the Big Four Railroad, with headquarters at Lafayette. This posi- tion he has held since August, 1894, and here, as in other official places, has won the strong commendation of his superiors by his unswerving diligence and attention to duty, and by his fidelity to the best interests of the railroad corporation. As a citizen he is very popular and progressive, standing as an exponent of all that is enterprising and beneficial to the general public.
The parents of our subject were Albert M. and Nancy E. (Creamer). Stimson, natives of Maine and Ohio, respectively. Their children were seven in number, and of those living Mary Elizabeth is the wife of F. L. Stutson, of Washington Court House, Ohio; Clara E. is the wife of W. M. Simpson, of Chicago; Abbie J. is the wife of Dr. S. F. Allen, of Washington Court House, Ohio; and Bertha S., unmarried, is a resident of Lafayette. Up to 1879 the father was a merchant at Washington Court House, but from that year until 1893 he made his home in Lafayette. While here he was the general agent of the Big Four Railroad, and was later promoted to the posi- tion of purchasing agent for the road, with headquarters at Cincinnati. His
death occurred in that city March 8, 1898, and his widow and one unmarried daughter returned to this place, where they had resided for so many happy years. Mr. Stimson was a man who was universally respected, and his loss is sincerely mourned by all who enjoyed his acquaintanceship. Though an active Democrat, he was undesirous of obtaining public office, preferring to keep to the quiet walks of life. Both he and his wife were identified with the Presbyterian church. His father, Theophilus Stimson, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, was a native of Maine and made the keeping of hotels his chief business. He removed to Ohio on account of his health and died at Washington Court House, but his remains were taken back to his old home in Maine for burial. His children comprised four sons and a daughter. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Virginia. In early life he was a civil engineer, and later he was occupied in farming in Ohio. He died at the meridian of life and left a large family.
Charles O. Stimson was born in Washington Court House, Ohio, May 12, 1863. After completing the curriculum of the public schools he entered
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the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and later was a student at Pur- due University in this city, during the winter of 1879-80. In the fall of the last named year he commenced his railroad career by accepting a position as telegraph operator at Fowler, Indiana, on the C., I., St. L. & C. Railroad, now a part of the Big Four system. He had previously learned the trade of blacksmith and was a practical machinist. As fast as he proved himself val- uable to the company he was promoted, and for several years he was employed in the auditing department of the Big Four, in Cincinnati. Having become familiar with the details of the business he was returned to Lafay- ette in 1887, and was the chief clerk, for his father until 1890, when he resigned, and for a brief period was the private secretary of the general super- intendent of the O., I. & W. Railway, at Indianapolis. For over four years he has been the division freight agent of the Big Four in Lafayette, for this company soon recalled him to their service, and he now has charge of all of the freight traffic between Indianapolis and Seneca, Illinois, the western terminus of the Chicago division; is in control of the forty stations embraced in that one hundred and eighty-three miles, besides directing all freight inter- changing with connections crossing at junction points. In December, 1894, he was elected chairman of the Lafayette freight committee, composed of the freight officials from the four Lafayette lines.
In April, 1892, Mr. Stimson joined the Masonic order; is past master of Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 492, F. & A. M .; past high priest of Lafayette Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M .; a member of Lafayette Commandery, No. 3, K. T., and of Indiana Consistory, A. A. S. R. He possesses considerable histrionic talent, and has often entertained his friends in a delightful manner.
February 12, 1890, Mr. Stimson married Miss Emma Belle Moore, of . this city, a daughter of George W. Moore. One child blessed their union, namely, Ruth Lawrence, born October 21, 1891.
PETER GOLDSBERRY.
Peter Goldsberry, deceased, was for years one of the prominent and in- fluential farmers and leading citizens of Tippecanoe county. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, April 4, 1813, a son of Thomas and Mary (Putnam) Goldsberry. Thomas Goldsberry was a Virginian who moved out to the Western Reserve at an early day, and after living in Ohio for some time came over into Indiana and settled first in Wea township and then in Shef- field township, Tippecanoe county. That was about 1831. His children were Thomas, Robert, Peter, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Matilda, Mary and Susan. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in middle life and she lived to a ripe old age.
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Peter Goldsberry was seventeen years of age when he came with his parents to Indiana. Being reared on the frontier, as he was, his educational advantages were limited. He was first married, at the age of nineteen years, August 28, 1833, in Sheffield township, to Amelia Heaton, a native of this township, born December 6, 1816, a daughter of William Heaton, a wealthy pioneer. On coming to Sheffield township Mr. Heaton bought a large tract of land of a Mr. McGeorge, who had purchased it from the Indians; and at one time owned about two thousand acres. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Goldsberry settled in this township. He farmed and ran a sawmill in Wyandotte, belonging to his father-in-law, and after- ward lived in Dayton for a few years. His wife died July 15, 1852. Their children were : Robert, born February 10, 1837; William, born February 13, 1839; and Julia, December 20, 1844.
August 29, 1853, Mr. Goldsberry married a second time, in Shef- field township, the lady of his choice being Miss Margaret Ann Rycraft, a native of Butler county, Ohio, born November 5, 1819, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Hoffman) Rycraft. Mr. Rycraft was a native of the "Old Dominion " and when small was left an orphan, he being an only son and having but one sister, Kate. This sister was twice married, -first to a Mr. Wilson and after his death to a Mr. Lytle. In their childhood Joseph and Kate Rycraft were taken by a family to Ohio, where they were reared. Joseph was married in Butler county, Ohio, to Mary Hoffman, and was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in that county. He built a large brick house on his farm near Oxford, and in con- nection with his farming also kept tavern, doing a large business with the teamsters as they passed on their way to and from Cincinnati. In 1830 he moved to Indiana and settled in Dayton and shortly afterward moved to lands he had entered in Sheffield township, and which he partially cleared. His wife died October 31, 1832, at the age of forty-two years, and he sur- vived her only a short time, his age at death, June 29, 1836, being fifty. In addition to the land above referred to he had other realty, including town property, and also owned and ran a large distillery. His large estate has not even yet been fully settled ! He was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving under General William Henry Harrison, and it is believed was at the battle of Tippecanoe. His children were Harriet, born May 30, 1811; Elizabeth, June 15, 1813; George H., November 29, 1814; John H., November 17, 1817; Margaret A., November 5, 1819; Joseph H., December 2, 1821; Cath- erine, December 10, 1823; Mary A., May 27, 1826; and Squire L., Septem- ber 30, 1828. In politics, Mr. Rycraft was a Jacksonian Democrat.
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