USA > Indiana > Newton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 51
USA > Indiana > Benton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 51
USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 51
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 51
USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 51
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 51
USA > Indiana > White County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 51
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
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general reading he has stored his mind with useful knowledge, and is excep- tionally well informed upon the current topics of the day. He has also read law, though he never entered practice, using his legal knowledge in his busi- ness. He is a gentleman of domestic tastes, greatly attached to his wife and daughter and to the sacred retreat of home. In respect to religion he inclines to be rather cosmopolitan; and while he does not antagonize the views of others he is especially sensitive upon certain orthodox teachings, being ready to defend his position from the depths of a well stored mind. He reasons that man as a rational, intelligent being should do right because it is right and not from any fear of the penalties inflicted for violation of divine law. Human nature is rebellious, and the saint who performs a noble or generous act for fear he will be punished if he doesn't do it will bear watching.
Personally Mr. Wadsworth is a man of strong " will power," positive in his " likes and dislikes," independent in all things, but neutral in noth- ing. He is an entertaining converser and a companionable gentleman whom it is a real pleasure to meet. As the only representative of his family in America we gladly accord him a place in this work, hoping that his life of self-sacrifice, indomitable energy and industry may serve as a beacon light to some struggling young man in similar circumstances.
December 20, 1882, Mr. Wadsworth was united in marriage with Miss Jane Thornton, a native of Elland, England, born in 1844. Her people were distinctively English, several generations of her family being buried at Elland. Her father, Thomas Thornton, was an architect and contractor in Elland. Coming to America, he was employed on extensive contract work at Toronto, Canada, returning to England about 1841, and dying at the home of his daughter at Elland. Mrs. Wadsworth is a highly accomplished lady who was educated in her native country. Coming to America to visit relatives in New York city, Mr. Wadsworth made her acquaintance there and at length married her, near Hartford, Connecticut. She had been pre- viously married, her first husband being J. Hanson, whom she wedded in England in 1866 and who died four years afterward, leaving a daughter, Emma, who was born in 1867. Mr. Wadsworth is the only " father" whom she ever knew, and the relations between them have always been the same as those which ought to exist between every parent and child. Emma received the love and adoration of her mother and foster father, and no pains or expense were spared to give her the best advantages possible. Like her mother, she has a rare musical talent, and this accomplishment was recognized in her education. Though very proficient in instrumental music, she is specially gifted as a vocalist. She became the wife of Ed. G. Simp- son in 1889 and resides at Marne, Cass county, Iowa, where her husband is 29
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engaged in banking and the grain trade. They have two children, the eld- est of whom-an interesting little boy of four years-is named Thornton; and his sister and colaborer in childish "mischief" is little Miss Mildred.
JOHN W. SAPPINGTON.
This prominent and influential citizen of Medina township, Warren county, was born in Shelby township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, May 10, 1835.
The parents of our subject were Stephen and Mary (Foster) Sappington, who were natives of Ross county, Ohio, and who were among the earliest pioneers of Tippecanoe county, where they settled in Shelby township about 1826. Here the father purchased a tract of wild government land, for which he paid one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and on which he spent the remainder of his life. The place is now owned by James Van Natta. Mr. Sappington was an important factor in the development of that section of the county, helping to clear the land, organize the schools and in every way acting the part of a useful and progressive citizen. He died January 31, 1873, at the age of seventy-seven years, ten months and twelve days. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, of whom only two survive, namely: Mary J., wife of Thomas Dougherty, of Tippecanoe; and our subject.
John W. Sappington was born and reared on the farm where his father first located, and obtained his education in one of the old-fashioned log school-houses, to which he walked two miles each way. Among his boy- hood friends and school companions were Mr. Van Natta and his son James. In 1875 he purchased and moved upon the farm where he now resides and which consists of two hundred and seventy-eight acres of fine, well im- proved land on sections 17 and 18, Medina township, six miles east of Pine Village, on the old road running from the latter place to Lafayette. For many years Mr. Sappington was extensively engaged in stock-raising and general farming, but at the present time (1899) he rents his farm and is leading a retired life.
Our subject has always been a strong supporter of the Republican party, although never an office-seeker. He is past master of Lodge No. 455, F. & A. M., at Green Hill, and a member of Lodge No. 605, I. O. O. F., at Otterbein. While not connected with any church organization he is a liberal contributor to religious institutions and to all enterprises having for their object the interest and welfare of his township or county. He is almost entirely self-educated, but by reading and observation has become well informed and is thoroughly posted on all leading questions of the day.
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DAWSON SMITH.
Few men have had a more varied career than the gentleman whose name appears above. He has been largely self-dependent from the age of eight years, and his travels have extended to two continents.
Mr. Smith was born in Yorkshire, England, on the 25th of March, 1840, and at the tender age of eight years began life's struggles in a woolen fac- tory, and followed that business both in Europe and the United States for many years. He mastered the rudiments of an elementary education by self-culture, and in whatever he engaged he never relinquished his efforts to improve his mind. He was married in his native land, in 1860, to Miss Emily Thomas, and four years later set sail for the United States, leaving his wife in England. Arriving here during the great civil war, he at once allied himself with the cause of the American Union, enlisting in Boston as a mem- ber of Company C, Eleventh Massachusetts Infantry, and immediately went to the front. The desultory work of the Union army had been succeeded by the activity inspired by General Grant, who had determined to "fight it out on this line if it takes all summer." This was said by the great military chieftain after the undecisive battles in the Wilderness, and the "line" was continued until it culminated in the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox. Mr. Smith entered the service at the beginning of this hard struggle and re- mained at the front until the final capitulation of the enemy. He shared with his comrades the honor of participating in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, siege of Petersburg and the final manenvers at the close of the war. To the uninitiated it would seem that but two general engagements were included in this list, but those who have "been there " know that "from the Wilderness to Appomattox" embraces one continuous battle, covering a period of eleven months. For forty days through the Wilderness and Spott- sylvania campaigns, the rank and file of the army were not out of musket range of the enemy, while every day brought its record of casualties where small detachments of the army were engaged in fierce combat. To protect our forces from sudden ambush it was necessary to have heavy details of flankers on both sides of the marching column, and these were almost con- stantly engaged with the enemy's flankers or skirmish line. Then came the double picket line at night, and hence there was but little rest and no relief from the constant peril of the battle-field.
Mr. Smith was discharged June 16, 1865, and for two years was engaged at his trade in different factories in New England. His family arrived in July, 1865, but during the next autumn they were attacked with typhoid fever and none survived. He lost his wife and two children-Fred and Emily-by the ravages of this disease.
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In 1868 Mr. Smith came to Monticello, White county, Indiana, and took charge of the woolen mills at that place. December 24, of that year, he married Miss Tillie Hackenburg, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Henry Hackenburg, who died in White county, this state. While in Monti- cello Mr. Smith began the study of law and was admitted to practice while a resident there. In 1869 he went to Fairbury, Illinois, and engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods; but by the treachery of his partner he failed in business and was left penniless, with a debt of four hundred dollars upon him, which in time he paid off. Then for a time he was again engaged in law practice.
In 1871 he went to Leavenworth, Kansas, and started a woolen factory for eastern capitalists, and when this enterprise was successfully established he returned to Fairbury, Illinois, and secured a position as superintendent of coal mines at that place, which he held for three years; and while thus em- ployed he spent his leisure in studying law, the better to fit himself for his chosen profession. His previous experience justified the conclusion that his vocations had not been well chosen. In the fall of 1874 he located in Fow- ler and engaged in the practice of law as a partner of D. E. Straight; and he has been measurably successful as an attorney and counselor, wise and able. He is now the senior member of the law firm of Smith, Gray & Berry.
Mr. Smith is prominently associated with the Democratic party and is a recognized leader in local politics. He served two years as county attorney of Benton county. In 1884 he went to Ashland, Clark county, Kansas, near the neutral strip, and there engaged in successful practice for several years; and while there he was elected county attorney and served two years in the office. He was also nominated by the Democratic party for circuit judge and made a valiant fight in a district considered hopelessly Republican; yet the unofficial returns gave him the election by a small margin. He had at least the satisfaction of thinking himself elected for one day, as the official canvass of the district counted him out by a few votes only. While a resi- dent of Ashland he organized a post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and took great interest in seeing his old comrades brought into the ranks of the " fire-tested" fraternity. His law partner in Ashland was elected circuit judge and is still clothed in the ermine of that office. While in Kansas Mr. Smith was located within the district of the celebrated Jerry Simpson, whom he knows very well. He removed from Kansas to Mayfield, Kentucky, where also he organized a Grand Army post and in the town displayed " Old Glory" for the first time since ante-bellum days.
Returning to Benton county after an absence of ten years, he again resumed practice here, taking his old position in the social, professional, political and fraternal affairs of the city, is affiliated with the Masonic and
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Odd Fellows orders, and in his religious views is liberal, according the privileges of free thought to others as well as claiming them for himself.
Mr. Smith is an orator of more than ordinary gifts and power. In 1897 he was recalled by his comrades at Ashland, Kansas, to deliver the Memorial Day address; and he performed a like service in Fowler in 1898.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have no children of their own, but are rearing and educating an adopted daughter, whom they took when a babe of seven months. Little Miss May Smith is now past her eighth year. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, an enthusiastic worker in the Woman's Relief Corps and Order of the Eastern Star. She was initiated as a Daughter of Rebekah by the founder of the degree, the late Hon. Schuy- ler Colfax, once vice-president of the United States.
SCHUYLER C. HUTTON.
A life-long resident of White county, Schuyler C. Hutton was born in the year that witnessed the close of the great civil war, the date of his birth being August 17, 1865. Several years ago he came to Chalmers and for the past four years has been profitably occupied, in a business way, in the management of a livery stable, which he purchased from Charles Snyder December 17, 1894. He is looked upon as being one of the leading citizens of Chalmers, and in everything which relates to the welfare of the town and its inhabitants he is earnestly concerned.
Henry Hutton, of Scotch-Irish descent, was the grandfather of our sub- ject. At an early period he emigrated from Kentucky to the vicinity of New Paris, Preble county, Ohio, and there carried on a farm. He lived to pass the eighty-fifth anniversary of his birth, dying at his old homestead in the county named. He was the father of fourteen children, many of whom occupied prominent positions in the several communities in which they resided. Our subject's father, John Hutton, was born in the Buckeye state, as was also the lady whom he chose for his wife, Miss Angeline Brower. In 1851 Mr. Hutton removed to Indiana and until the autum of 1864 made his home in Miami county, then coming to White county, where he has resided ever since, one of its most respected citizens. Locating near Wolcott, he purchased a quarter section of land, improved the place and reared his chil- dren there. In the spring of 1895 he concluded to retire from active labor, and has since dwelt in Chalmers, though he owns his homestead and merely rents it to the present occupant, his son Charles. His children comprise three sons and two daughters. The latter are named respectively Clara and Bessie, and Elsworth is the son not mentioned hitherto. John Hutton and wife are earnest members of the Baptist church, he being a trustee in the same.
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Politically, he is a Republican. Mrs. Hutton is one of the two children of John Brower, a native of Ohio, and an agriculturist. His death took place in his early manhood.
S. C. Hutton attended the district school and the high school at Wolcott, and later he went to Purdue University for two years. Thus well equipped for the battle of life he obtained a certificate and taught school during two winter terms at Seafield. Returning home, he worked on the old farm until he was married, when he embarked on an independent career. Two years prior to that event, however, he had purchased an eighty-acre farm, situated five and a half miles south of Wolcott and half a mile to the east. The place adjoins his father's farm, and thus the young man was able to attend to the cultivation of both homesteads. The day after his marriage Mr. Hutton assumed charge of a hotel and restaurant in Chalmers, and carried on the same successfully for two and a half years, and since the close of 1894 has been engaged in managing a livery here. Socially, he is a Knight of Pythias, a Knight of the Maccabees, and ranks high in the Odd Fellows order, being a member of Monticello Lodge, No. I, and identified with the Encamp- ment.
The marriage of S. C. Hutton and Miss Mary A. Stevenson was solemnized September 1, 1892. Mrs. Hutton was a daughter of Richard Stevenson and had been a successful teacher until her marriage. She was a faithful member of the Methodist church, and died, strong in the faith, in January, 1895, leaving two little ones, Bessie Ethel and Robert Elsmere. Mr. Hutton subsequently married Miss Mary Elizabeth Fisher, a daughter of David Fisher, the wedding being celebrated on the 19th of January, 1898. Mrs. Hutton holds her ecclesiatical membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and, like her husband, is interested in all worthy enterprises which tend to help and uplift their fellow men.
JOHN V. MALSBARY.
John V. Malsbary, who owns, occupies and operates a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Jackson township, Tippecanoe county, is a representative of an old colonial family of New Jersey that was founded in that state during the period of its early development. Job Malsbary, the grandfather of our subject, was born near Trenton, Monmouth county, New Jersey, was a farmer by occupation and spent his entire life in the state of his nativity, dying when about seventy years of age. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist church, and in politics he was an old-line Whig. Their children were Samuel, Isaac, William, Sarah, and a daughter who married John Robbins.
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William Malsbary, the father of our subject, was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, March 19, 1794, acquired his education in the common schools and at an early age was trained to all the labors of the farm. In his native county he married Eliza Bowman, who was born in Monmouth county, March 13, 1799. For a number of years they lived on the old home farm and there several of their children were born. In 1835 they removed with their family to Hamilton county, Ohio, making the journey with wagons. At night they camped out along the wayside, and crossed the rivers by means of ferries. After eight weeks of travel they reached their destination, and Mr. Malsbary rented land in Hamilton county. Later he purchased a small farm in Sims township, twelve miles northeast of Cincinnati, and spent his remaining days there in his comfortable pioneer home. In politics he also was a Whig, was a member of the old Ohio state militia, and was a faithful member of the Methodist church. He died on his farm January 6, 1863, at the age of sixty-nine years. He was an industrious, straightforward man, of excellent moral habits and much respected by all who knew him. His chil- dren were Elizabeth A .; Job; Samuel B .; Linda M., born February 22, 1827; John V., born June 18, 1829, Sarah; and William, -all nativesof New Jer- sey; and Mary, Alfred and Jasper N., born in Ohio. Samuel, Alfred and Jasper were soldiers in the civil war. Samuel and Jasper were members of an Ohio infantry regiment, and Alfred served for three years in the Fortieth Indiana Infantry. He participated in many engagements and died from the effects of his service one year after receiving his discharge. Mrs. Malsbary, the mother of these children, died July 4, 1880, at the age of eighty-one years. She, too, was a consistent Methodist and was a most estimable lady.
John V. Malsbary, whose name begins this sketch, was born June 18, 1829, in Monmouth county, New Jersey, and when six years old accompanied his parents to Hamilton county, Ohio. He can well remember the journey and the early experiences among the pioneers of the Buckeye state. He ac- quired the usual pioneer common-school education, early became familiar with all the labors which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and when a young man learned the carriage-making trade, in Carthage, Ohio. In 1853, when about twenty-four years of age, he came to Indiana, and worked at his trade in Montgomery county for about four years.
He was married in that county to Martha E. Berry, and they had one child, Martha E., born April 27, 1855. The mother died two days later, and Mr. Malsbary was afterward married, in Mace, Montgomery county, to Sarah Johnson, the wedding taking place June 19, 1856. She was born August 24, 1834, in Mace, a daughter of Francis and Hannah (McClure) Johnson. In early life her father was a farmer of Adams county, Ohio, and in pioneer times removed to Montgomery county, Indiana, where he cleared up a farm. He
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was twice married and by his first union had one son, William, while by the second marriage Mrs. Malsbary is the only child. Mr. Johnson died in mid- dle life. To Mr. and Mrs. Malsbary have been born the following children : Eliza A., born August 24, 1857; Linda I., born April 3, 1859, William F., who was born December 20, 1860, died at the age of two years; Alfred E., born November 30, 1862; Samuel, born February 9, 1865; John M., born August 30, 1866; Mary A., who was born February 25, 1869, died when about seventeen years of age; Sarah E., born June 11, 1871; and an infant child who was born August 9, 1874, and died on the same day, unnamed. The mother of these children died April 28, 1880, at the age of forty-five years. She was a life-long and devoted member of the Methodist church and a woman highly esteemed for her many virtues.
In 1857 Mr. Malbary took up his residence upon the farm where he now resides, first purchasing eighty acres of prairie land, on which a log cabin had been built. By thrift and industry he was enabled to add to his property from time to time, and is now the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of valuable farming land, upon which he has made excellent improvements. He erected a substantial and tasteful residence in 1876, manufacturing the brick used in its construction upon the farm. All the accessories and conven- iences of the model farm are there found, and the owner is accounted one of the progressive and practical agriculturists of the community. For many years he has held a membership in the Methodist church, is a liberal contribu- tor to its support, and has held the offices of steward and trustee. An hon- ored and valued citizen of his township, he is a public-spirited citizen and a man of true nobility of character, who justly merits the high regard in which he is held.
JOB X. CASSELL.
Mr. Cassell is a native of Warren county, Indiana, his birth occurring on the 17th of December, 1852. He was the only child born to Job and Nancy (West) Cassell. His father was a native of Warren county, Ohio, born April 11, 1811, and moved with his parents when a small boy to Fount- ain county, Indiana, and his father was one of the first white settlers of that county. Our subject is therefore a representative of one of the first pioneer families in northwestern Indiana. His ancestors were of those who subdued the wilderness, contended with the wild beasts and wilder men and established civilization, building churches and schools and preparing the way for the happiness and prosperity of future generations. Too much cannot be said in honor of the hardy pioneers who left comfortable homes in the east and endured all the trials, dangers and hardships of frontier life for the benefit of their posterity. History is almost silent as to the details of
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their sufferings, and what we know of them is principally by tradition. In many instances they occupy unknown and unmarked graves under the soil which now produces the sustenance of the nation. The story of their trials and sufferings will never be known, except in answer to the prayer of the poet who said:
"Oh for a voice to speak One word that is unspoken! Oh for a hand to break One seal that is unbroken!"
The father of our subject ended his brief career still in the pioneer days, his death occurring January 13, 1853, when his son was but four weeks old. He had been previously married, however, having five children by a former marriage. James, Archie, Thomas, Sarah and Mary were the only brothers and sisters our subject ever knew; and of these Archie, Thomas and Sarah are deceased. James is a resident of West Point, Fountain county, this state, -an invalid and a pensioner by reason of inju- ries received in the civil war. He was a member of the Seventy-second Indiana Regiment. Mary, now Mrs. Sleg, resides in Florida. The mother of our subject was a native of West Virginia, born January 18, 1827. After the death of Mr. Cassell, her first husband, she married again and had two daughters, -Mrs. Elizabeth Lawson, now of Oklahoma territory, and Mrs. Fannie Maddox, of Warren county, this state. The mother died in Allen county, Kansas, February 23, 1885.
Mr. Cassell, the subject proper of this sketch, was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving a good common-school education. During the years of his early manhood he learned the carpenter's trade, and followed that business mostly through life, and in the prosecution of his calling he traveled extensively in the west. Ever since his eighth year he has been crippled with necrosis of the thigh-bone, though this did not seriously inter- fere with his work as a carpenter until 1890, since which time he has been obliged to use crutches. Perhaps it was this disability which led him to seek lighter and less active employment; and possibly, in recognition of this disa- bility, too, he was successful. Still, important public offices are not dis- tributed wholly in view of the candidate's necessities. Mr. Cassell is a stal- wart Republican, and was nominated and elected to the office of county recorder by that party in 1892. His first term of four years was a sufficient probationary period; and had he not shown his special fitness for the position his unanimous renomination and re-election, in 1896, would not have fol- lowed. He has now served nearly six years in the office, and is recognized as a very competent, painstaking and obliging public officer.
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