USA > Indiana > Newton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 48
USA > Indiana > Benton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 48
USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 48
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 48
USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 48
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 48
USA > Indiana > White County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 48
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WALDO L. HARMON.
Waldo L. Harmon, a prosperous land-owner and stock-raiser of Adams township, Warren county, was born near Moberly, Randolph county, Mis- souri, March 23, 1855, where he lived until ten years of age, at that time coming with his father's family to the township mentioned, where he has since resided and of which he is a prominent citizen. Anthony Harmon, the father of our subject, was a native of Virginia, but on reaching his majority he went to Ohio, from there to Mississippi, and subsequently to Missouri, making a permanent settlement in Adams township, Warren county, Indi- ana, in 1865. He at first farmed in connection with his brother, Jacob, but in 1875 purchased the farm adjoining that on which our subject now lives and there spent the remainder of his life, dying October 13, 1896, in his
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eightieth year. He was a stanch Democrat and while a resident of Randolph county, Missouri, was a member of the state legislature.
The wife of Anthony Harmon, to whom he was married in 1820, was Miss Dorothy Turner, by whom he had two children, -Benjamin and Jacob M.,-farmers and stock-raisers living near Milford, Illinois. His second wife was Miss Theodocia Carver, who is still living and is now in her eighty-first year. The children of this marriage are: Virginia, wife of Benjamin Lee, of Benton county, Indiana; Oscar P., a stock-raiser and farmer residing near Milford, Illinois; Emma, the wife of John R. Hamilton, of Attica, Indiana; Waldo S., and John J., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.
Our subject lived until reaching manhood on the farm which his brother John now occupies, and in 1885 came with his father to the place which he now owns, and together they carried on the business until the death of his parent, since which time he has had entire charge of the property. He now owns six hundred and ten acres of land, of which five hundred and sixty acres, all in one body, is situated in Adams township, and the other fifty acres adjoins it in Warren township. His residence is in Adams township, four miles south and three miles east of Pine Village. Mr. Harmon is exten- sively engaged in general farming, raising short-horn cattle and high-grade sheep and hogs. In politics he is a Republican, but has always been too busy to become an office-seeker. He is a man of good practical education, intelligent and well posted on all questions of the day.
Mr. Harmon was married February 22, 1888, to Miss Ella Coghill, who was born on the farm in Adams township where Jacob Martindale now (1899) resides. She is a daughter of J. Wilson and Mahala (Hinton) Coghill. Mr. and Mrs. Harmon have one child,-William Milton,-born December 22, 1893.
WILLIAM HARMON.
One of the most prominent farmers and stock-raisers in Medina town- ship, Warren county, William Harmon, was born on the farm where he now resides, July 27, 1857, a son of Abraham A. and Elizabeth D. (Dawson) Har- mon, the former a native of Ohio, where he resided until he came to Indiana, first locating in Liberty township. After working there on a farm by the month for several years, he purchased, in the early '50s, the farm on which our subject now resides, and where he died November 26, 1874. To him and his wife were born five children, as follows: Mary J., wife of George McGahan, a prominent farmer of Medina township; Edna, who married Beatrice Munson; Martha J., deceased; Eunice, the wife of Simon Thomp- son; and William, our subject. At the time of his death Mr. Harmon had six hundred and forty acres of well improved land, three hundred of which
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were in Medina township and two hundred and forty in Warren township, but all comprising one farm. Mr. Harmon was a self-made and a successful man. Mrs. Harmon died in 1887, aged sixty-eight.
Our subject worked on the farm with his father until the latter's death, when he took entire charge of the property on which he has since made his home. In 1875 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Watkins, who was born in Maryland, October 7, 1853, a daughter of Josiah Watkins, who emigrated to Indiana when Mrs. Harmon was a small child. Five children have been born to our subject and his wife: Abraham, Lizzie, Oscar, Wilbur and Alta, all of whom are living and reside with their parents.
Mr. Harmon owns one of the finest and best improved farms in Medina township, consisting of six hundred and ninety-five acres, fifty-five acres of which is in Warren township. He handles the finest breed of short-horn cattle, sheep and hogs, which he feeds and ships to market. His place is located between Green Hill and Independence, one and a half miles west and one mile south of the former town. In politics Mr. Harmon is a stanch Republican.
JOHN ROSS.
John Ross an extensive grain dealer and the senior member of the ffrm of Ross, Ross & Company, of Lafayette, is a resident of Highland Park in that city and is one of the most highly honored and respected citizens of Tippecanoe county. He was born near Montreal, in Canada, October 17, 1837, the son of James and Mary (Hargrave) Ross. His parents were natives of Scotland, who were married after coming to America, eight chil- dren being born of their union, all of whom are living. They are William; Jane, widow of James Bryson; James; Agnes, wife of James W. Mack; Joseph; John; Mary, wife of William Barr; and Robert. The father came to America when a boy and settled near Montreal, where he did contract work and also owned a farm. He was a volunteer in the Canadian war of 1837-8 and died in 1847, aged fifty-four years. His wife passed away in 1859, at the age of fifty-nine years. They were members of the Presbyterian church and a most excellent couple.
The paternal grandfather of our subject spent his entire life in Scot- land, where he followed farming. The maternal grandfather, Joseph Har- grave, was also a Scotchman and a farmer, who emigrated to Canada at an early day, reared a large family and died at the age of ninety-three.
John Ross remained on his father's farm near Montreal, attending the district and later the high schools, during his leisure time learning the car- penter's trade until he was seventeen years old. He then began work for himself, following his trade for six or seven years. In 1856 he came to the
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United States and located at Lisbon, Illinois, where he was engaged in the mercantile business for twelve years. In 1868 he removed to Benton county, Indiana, where he bonght a farm on which he lived for twenty years. At the end of that time he, in 1888, went to Sheldon, Illinois, residing there for four years. Mr. Ross's residence in Lafayette dates from 1892, since which time he has been engaged in the grain business, his two youngest sons, John B. and Blanchard H., being associated with him.
On October 4, 1860, Mr. Ross was united in marriage with Miss Debo- rah Wilkinson, daughter of George and Sarah (Middlemore) Wilkinson. Of this union eleven children have been born, of whom the following record is given : George W., an attorney-at-law in Chicago, who married Miss Helen M. Butzow, and they have two children-Dorothy and Mary; James C., who married Miss Louise Perkins, and is assistant surgeon at Fort Mc- Pherson, Georgia; John B., who is in business with his father, married Miss Lucy E. Moore and lives in Brookston; Charlotte W. resides with her par- ents; Blanchard H., one of the firm of Ross, Ross & Company, and also living at Brookston; he married Miss Mary Daggett and they have one son, Kneal D .; William, who died at the age of nine months; Annie Laura, who is the wife of Cloyd Marshall, lives in Chicago and has one son, Cloyd, Jr .; Mary, who is the wife of Edward J. Weigle and resides in Lafayette; Samuel, who died when fourteen months old; Maud Leith, who is a graduate of Kenwood Institute, Chicago, and is now a student in the Conservatory of Music in that city; she is a fine musician and gives promise of becoming a superior violin- ist; and Luetta J., who is attending the high school in Lafayette.
Mr. Ross is a large land owner, having farms situated in White and La Porte counties, containing in all seven thousand acres or more. He owns and operates elevators at three different points in this state-Brookston, Reynolds and Stockwell-and does an extensive business at these several localities. In politics he is a Democrat, and although never an office-seeker has this year (1898) been compelled by the urgent desire of his party to ac- cept the nomination for candidate for congress from the tenth district of Indiana.
He began life a poor boy, but by his industry and good management has accumulated a competence, of which he makes good use, being liberal in his support of all worthy enterprises. He has reared his large family to manhood and womanhood, inculcating in their minds principles of honor and piety, and has given them every advantage of education. All of them have been brought up in the fear of God, and with their parents are con- sistent church members and honored citizens. Quiet and unostentatious in his mode of life, Mr. Ross is at the same time a genial companion and most hospitable to all who visit his pleasant home.
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BENJAMIN FEWELL.
Among the pioneers of White county, none are held in higher regard than Benjamin Fewell and his estimable wife, whose home, for nearly forty years, has been, as at present, in Prairie township. They have witnessed much of the development of this section of the state, and have certainly done their share in the work of improvement. Loyally have they upheld the law, good government, schools, churches, and all which goes to make up the sum of civilization.
John, father of Benjamin Fewell, was of Irish extraction, and was a native of Delaware. Going to Ohio, he there married Sarah McCalip, a native of the Buckeye state, and until 1827 he carried on rented farms. That year he removed to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and after leasing land for a short time he entered eighty acres, to the improvement of which he devoted the rest of his life. A typical pioneer, industrious, brave-hearted and persevering, he won the good opinion of all with whom he was asso- ciated. He was a Democrat, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife held membership in the United Brethren church. Their children are as follows: James, a resident of Texas; William, of Arkansas; Hugh, deceased; Benjamin; Mrs. Evaline Marquess; Mrs. Nancy Davis; Mrs. Lucy Williams; Mrs. Elizabeth McCarty. With the exception of Hugh, all of the children removed to Missouri after the death of their parents, and all save our subject have since lived in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas.
Benjamin Fewell was born in Fayette county, Ohio, January 6, 1823, and, owing to the fact that his boyhood was spent in a thinly settled neigh- borhood, he had no opportunities for obtaining an education. He helped his father in the arduous task of clearing and cultivating the farm and caring for the family. He remained in Missouri for about five years, but not liking the country he returned to this state. He worked at farming and as a carpenter for two or more years, then was married and located on a rented homestead. About 1854 he went to Wisconsin, where he entered some land, improved the property and sold it to good advantage three years later. From 1857 to 1861 he rented farms in Indiana, finally buying a place in Newton county. This he sold within a short time, and, coming to White county at the beginning of the civil war, he purchased a portion of the home- stead which he now owns and has since lived upon. He has replaced the small log cabin with a substantial, two-story frame house; and good barns, fences and tiling make this one of the best country homes in this part of the county. These numerous improvements are the result of the combined labor and brave efforts of himself and wife, she having been his faithful co-worker in everything. They started out poor in this world's goods, and
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have cheered and sustained each other, trusting in the Lord, who "has been a very present help in time of trouble." In February, 1865, Mr. Fewell enlisted in an Indiana regiment, and was on guard duty until the close of the Rebellion.
On the 2d of December, 1847, Mr. Fewell married Amelia, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Beauchamp) Reynolds, the latter natives of Delaware and Ohio, respectively. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812, sub- sequently to which he went to Ohio. There he was married, and in 1834 he and his family settled in Tippecanoe county, whence they went to White county three years later. Here he entered and improved a farm, passing the remainder of his life thereon. He died in 1867, having survived his wife many years, as she had died in 1841. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and were conscientious and upright in all of the varied relations of life. Their eldest son, Jeremiah, died in Andersonville prison during the war of the Rebellion, and Risdon, also deceased, was quite prom- inent in his community, holding various local offices. Miness is deceased; John lives in Iowa; and Moses in this state. Mrs. Fewell and Mrs. Mary Reed are the only daughters living. To our subject and wife three children were born: Clarissa E., wife of J. W. Rush, a farmer; Keziah, wife of J. H. Giles, of Brookston; and Gustavus A., a progressive farmer of this dis- trict. He married Nettie Giles, daughter of William Giles and a sister of J. H. Giles, above named.
On the fifty-first anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fewell, December 2, 1898, all of their children, their five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren gathered at the old home and celebrated the happy event with the assembled friends. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fewell are consistent members of the United Brethren church, each having been connected with the denomination for over half a century. They have been actively inter- ested in the work of the Sunday-school and the various departments of church work. Mr. Fewell is a trustee, and took such an influential part in the building of Fewell Chapel that it was a most fitting act when his friends and fellow-workers honored him by naming the church for him. This is but one evidence of the high place which he occupied in the hearts of the people of this vicinity, and all unite in praise of worthy, upright Benjamin Fewell.
WILLIAM RUSH.
William Rush, a retired citizen of Lafayette and a respected veteran of the civil war, was born near Logansport, Indiana, April 8, 1844, and is a son of Henry and Rachel (Douglas) Rush, both of whom were natives of Ohio and became the parents of nine children, seven of them still being alive, namely:
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Eliza, the widow of Alexander McLucas, who now lives at Dayton, Indiana; Mary Jane, who became the wife of Narcemus Beeker, of Battle Ground; John W., of Carroll county, Indiana; James A., of Otterbein, Indiana; William, our subject; Harvey, of Dayton; and George W., of Idaville, this state. The father was a farmer and came from Ohio to Cass county, Indiana, in 1829, and located there for a number of years in Clay township, where all but the two eldest children were born. He moved from Cass county, this state, to Jasper county, Missouri, in 1859, and when the war broke out he returned to Tippecanoe county, locating near Battle Ground in Tippecanoe township, where he resided until his death in 1873, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His wife died May 15, 1865. They were members of the Chris- tian church and lived useful and honored lives. Mr. Rush was appointed paymaster general of the militia in Cass county about 1844-5.
The paternal grandfather was James Rush, a native probably of Penn- sylvania and of English descent. He was a farmer by occupation and served as associate judge and also as captain of the militia for a number of years. He reared a large family and was a man highly respected in his community. Mr. Rush came to Cass county, Indiana, where he died when about sixty- eight years old and was buried in Clay township. The maternal grandfather was David Douglas, a native of Ohio and of Scotch descent. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was present at the siege of Charleston, South Carolina. He was one of the early settlers of Cass county and died there when upward of ninety years of age.
William Rush remained upon his father's farm in Cass county until seventeen years old, assisting in the various tasks which fall to the lot of a farmer lad and during the winter months attending the district school. In 1861 he, with the other members of the family, removed to Tippecanoe county, and in 1862, although only a boy in years, he determined to offer his services in defense of the flag and the national government, and accordingly enlisted and was assigned to Company F, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving about three years and being mustered out June 15, 1865. Among the celebrated battles in which he took part were the siege of Vicksburg; Jackson, Mississippi; Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Georgia; Kenesaw mountain, Atlanta, and on July 28 to the left of Atlanta; then at Jonesboro; Kingston, North Carolina, and many skirmishes, going all through the Atlanta campaign.
After his return from the war Mr. Rush carried on farming in Tippecanoe township for two years until failing health compelled him to give up this occupation. He then engaged in general merchandising and the grain busi- ness at Culver Station, which he conducted for ten or twelve years. In 1890 he was elected to the office of county recorder for one term of four years.
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Politically, Mr. Rush is a stanch Republican and has always been a loyal worker in the interest of his party. During the entire time of his residence at Culver Station, in addition to his other business, he acted as postmaster and freight and ticket agent.
On March 12, 1868, Mr. Rush was married to Miss Lucy Fewell, daugh- ter of Hugh and Elizabeth (Gay) Fewell. They have one son, Frederick H., who is a clerk in a wholesale house in Lafayette. For many years our sub- ject has been a member of the I. O. O. F. Financially, he is in good circumstances, owning three farms, two in Wea township and one in Wash- ington, comprising in all two hundred and thirty-eight acres of land. He also owns the pleasant home in which he resides and which was built in 1893. Mr. Rush has been a resident of Tippecanoe county for thirty-seven years and is classed among its most highly honored and valued citizens.
DAVID H. FLYNN.
One of the most popular and best known citizens of Lafayette is David H. Flynn, who in 1890 was elected clerk of the Tippecanoe county circuit court, and, having made a most creditable official, was renominated and re- elected for another term of four years. It had previously been a rule that an official in this position should not occupy the place more than one term, but such was the popularity of Mr. Flynn that the old custom was disre- garded. Thus for eight years he faithfully discharged the duties of clerk, proving a most efficient incumbent. He has taken an active part in politics and in 1898 made a splendid race for nomination for the state treasurership, receiving the second largest vote given the several candidates in convention assembled at Indianapolis. He enjoys the esteem of a multitude of friends, many of whom predict for him a brilliant future.
Born in Syracuse, New York, May 25, 1846, D. H. Flynn is a son of John and Mary (Martin) Flynn, who were natives of Ireland. They re- moved from the Empire state to Ohio and settled in Troy, when their son David was not more than seven years of age. Soon afterward, however, the father contracted to do state ditching in White county, Indiana, and in 1857 removed to that locality. When he was fifteen years old young Flynn started upon his independent career by accepting a position with the whole- sale boot and shoe firm of L. Falley & Sons, of Lafayette. At first he re- ceived but two dollars a week for his services, but he rendered himself valuable to the firm, who gradually promoted him from one position to an- other during the several years that he remained in their employ. Finally he was sent out on the road as a salesman, at a salary of two thousand dollars a year, and for a number of years he traveled throughout this and adjoin-
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ing states. In 1875 he was taken into the firm as one of the partners and during the next five years acted as bookkeeper andconfidential clerk for the company. In 1880 he sold out his interest in the business, withdrawing from the firm, and for about ten years thereafter he traveled for a Portland (Maine) shoe factory. He has been very successful and enterprising in his business relations, and has won the genuine respect and good will of all with whom he has had financial dealings.
When the civil war came on, threatening to disrupt the Union, Mr. Flynn shouldered arms in the defense of the stars and stripes and is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is also prominent in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 492, F. & A. M .; Lafayette Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M .; Tippecanoe Council, No. 68, R. & S. M .; is past eminent commander of Lafayette Commandery, No. 3, K. T .; is a member of the Scottish rite branch and of the Mystic Shrine, and of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
In 1869 Mr. Flynn married Clara A., daughter of J. K. Snyder, of Lafayette. She died in 1880, leaving three children. In 1886 Mr. Flynn married Miss Martha Hovey, of Michigan.
MELVIN COTTINGHAM.
This representative farmer of Medina township, Warren county, was born in Miami county, Ohio, February 23, 1844, a son of Robert and Lavina (Mahurin) Cottingham, and one of six children, three of whom are now living. His father's second wife was previously Sarah A. Harris, who bore him six children.
Mr. Cottingham came to Warren county in 1851 with his father, the lat- ter renting land on which he lived for three years, afterward purchasing the farm where his widow now lives and where our subject was reared to man- hood. When twenty-one years old, young Cottingham enlisted in the army, becoming a member of Battery G, Fifth Artillery, United States Army, in which he served three years. He was stationed in Little Rock, Arkansas, for two years and in Plattsburg, New York, one year. He then returned to Adams township, where he engaged in farming until 1871, and in 1872 he took up his residence in Medina township, where he has remained ever since following agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Cottingham was married February 23, 1871, to Miss Harriet N. Bushong, who died in 1882, and in the same year he was married to Mrs. Sophia (Wallace) Kiger, widow of Millard Kiger, and of this marriage one child has been born, Robert, now fourteen years old. Our subject owns one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 35, Medina township, his post-
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office being Independence. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, is a Republican in politics and has been supervisor of his township. He is a man of intelligence and is highly regarded in his community.
WILLIAM SPENCER, M. D.
Dr. William Spencer, the oldest resident physician of Monticello, Indi- ana, is now retired from practice. He has been a resident here for almost three-score years, and has a wide circle of acquaintances throughout the county. He is a native of the Buckeye state, having been born in Zanes- ville, Ohio, November 5, 1833. His parents were Robert and Ellen (Bar- nett) Spencer, the father being a pioneer physician of White county whose practice covered a large territory, and who was at one time professor of anatomy and physiology in the Cincinnati Medical College. He was a prom- inent physician, skillful and efficient, and his life was filled with deeds of kindness and help to his fellow men. His name was beloved by many a household, whose inmates had occasion to remember his kindly ministra- tions. He married a lady, Ellen Barnett, who was a native of Washington, District of Columbia, but a resident of Ohio. Four children were the fruit of this union: William, whose name appears at the head of this sketch; Benjamin, deceased; Jane, a resident of this county; and Robert, deceased.
Dr. William Spencer received the advantage of a good common-school education, and was a student in the Crawfordsville schools. He determined to make the study of medicine his profession, and applied himself so diligently to the task that he soon mastered its intricacies, graduating at Rush Medical College, at Philadelphia, in 1855. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession, entering his father's office and working with him until the latter's death. His skill and ability soon became known and he was meet- ing with a most flattering success when the civil war broke out in 1861. He entered the Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a surgeon, the experi- ence there acquired being of great value to him in his later practice. After the close of the war he returned to Monticello and resumed his practice, which in a short time was of a lucrative, and most desirable class. The efficiency of his system was proven by the success attending his treatment, and he was at once popular and prosperous. He has accumulated a large property, and has the means to retire permanently from business, but his energetic habits will permit of no such measure, and he has given up the arduous life of a practicing physician and devotes his time and attention to his drug store. He owns about two thousand acres of land in White county besides his other property.
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