USA > Indiana > Warren County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 20
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 20
USA > Indiana > White County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 20
USA > Indiana > Newton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 20
USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 20
USA > Indiana > Benton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 20
USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
710
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
acre tract of prairie land, of which he also disposed, and bought eighty acres of prairie and twenty-five acres of timber in its stead. At last he settled down on the fine quarter-section farm which he now owns and cultivates, and for a number of years he rented land, as well. His possessions were added to from time to time, until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres of the productive land of Prairie township. For many years he has been a merchant and postmaster of Walnut Grove.
May 27, 1852, Mr. Gehris married Miss Anna Rockinfield, whose parents were among the first settlers of Logansport, Indiana. Mrs. Gehris died March 3, 1872. Of the children born to this marriage Eliza Jane died Au- gust 17, 1874, and Sarah Ellen died November 3, 1871, when in her fifteenth year. Those who survive are Henrietta, Rosa Ann, Susan Alice and Nathan R. December 13, 1874, Mr. Gehris married Lydia E. Hurst, a native of Warren county, Indiana, born in 1850. With her parents she removed to Benton county, Indiana, where she was reared. Mrs. Gehris departed this life October 8, 1876, and left a daughter, Rebecca Mary. March 27, 1879, Mr. Gehris wedded Mrs. Mary M. Herren, whose maiden name was Johnson. She was born in Fountain county and reared in Benton county, Indiana, and by her first marriage has two children, Anna B. and Sarah B., and by her union with our subject has one son, Charles Johnson.
For about thirty years Mr. Gehris was a justice of the peace, and in his own township he has taken a leading part in public improvements. He was specially interested in the construction of two good gravel roads, and super- vised the same in an official capacity, and was adjuster of taxes to pay for the cost of the turnpikes. He has lent his influence to the betterment of our local schools, and has discharged his duty as a voter independently.
THOMAS A. CROCKETT.
This well-known and representative farmer of Marion township, Jasper county, is a descendant of early settlers of that county and an honored vet- eran of the civil war. His parents were Mordecai and Caroline (Lamson) Crockett, both natives of Indiana.
Mordecai Crockett was employed, after his marriage, in Yount's woolen mills at Wabash, where he remained until 1848, then removing to Kokomo, Howard county, where he took up government land and made some improve- ments. In 1852 he came to Jasper county, entering land and finally owning some four hundred acres, which he converted into a valuable farm. He was an industrious and energetic man, a good farmer and trader, and carried on stock raising in addition to his other work. He was well and favorably known, was honest in all his dealings, and was a good citizen. He died Au-
711
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
gust 29, 1838, leaving his little family to the care of their mother, who brought up her children to revere the memory of their father and to follow in his foot- steps. In order to give the children better opportunities for an education Mrs. Crockett moved to Rensselaer, where she lived eight years, afterward returning to her farm, but spent her last days at Rensselaer, her death taking place January 9, 1889. She was a faithful wife, a loving mother and a worthy member of the Presbyterian church.
Mrs. Crockett's father, Thomas W. Lamson, came from Ohio to Indiana in pioneer times, and was a farmer by occupation. He was married near Lebanon, Ohio, and lived there until 1824, when he moved to Crawfords- ville, Indiana. He remained in that place until 1851, when he came to Jas- per county, where he died November II, 1864, his wife surviving him until October 19, 1875. They were members of the Presbyterian church. Their family comprised the following children: Eleazer, Caroline, Hanna, Daniel and Amos. To Mr. and Mrs. Crockett were born six children, namely: Thomas A., our subject; David B., a soldier in the civil war, who died while in service; Sarah A., now Mrs. Frederick Riesling; William W., a carpenter in Fall City, Nebraska; Mary, the wife of Harvey Wood, of Jasper county; and Charles A., a merchant in Olathe, Kansas.
Thomas A. Crockett was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, March 3, 1842, and spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, after the death of the latter going to Rensselaer, with his mother, when he was fourteen years old. Then he completed his education, and in 1862, when a youth of only twenty years, he enlisted as a soldier in the civil war, becoming a member of Company A, Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Hammond. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, under command of General Sherman, and he saw much hard service in that famous march to the sea. At the battle of Chickamauga Mr. Crockett was wounded in the ankle on the last day of the fight, and was sent to hospital No. 10, at Nashville, and from there to New Albany, where he received a twenty-day furlough and went home. At the expiration of his leave of - absence he returned to his regiment and overtook his command at Atlanta, and went through the remainder of the campaign. At the time of General Lee's surrender at Richmond, his division was at Raleigh, North Carolina, and marched from there to Washington, D. C., where it took part in that wonderful grand review of all the returning troops. The regiment was then mustered out and Mr. Crockett received his honorable discharge at Indian- apolis, June 22, 1865.
After his return home our subject resumed work on his mother's farm until his marriage February 3, 1871, when he began on his own account on a part of the old homestead which was made over to him. On this he made
712
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
many improvements, such as buildings, etc., and also has bought another farm in Millroy township. Mrs. Crockett, whose maiden name was Mary Reed, was a daughter of James K. and Jane Reed, the former born in Ohio of Irish and German descent, and the latter of English ancestry. They were pioneer settlers of Wabash, Indiana, where both died, the father October 19, 1862, and the mother July 22, 1852. They had three children: Mary, wife of our subject; Alfred and Alpheus.
To Mr. and Mrs. Crockett four children have been born: James M., liv- ing in South Dakota; Caddie (Mrs. McCord); Robert E. and George E., at home. Both parents are members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Crockett belongs to Post No. 84, G. A. R., at Rensselaer. He is a stanch Democrat and an honored and respected citizen.
ROBERT S. DRAKE.
This successful and progressive agriculturist and stock-raiser of Jasper county, is a native of Ohio, where he was born March 16, 1856, his parents being Zachariah and Elizabeth (Miller) Drake, both of that state. Jacob Drake, the grandfather, emigrated to America from England with his father and two brothers, part of them settling in Pennsylvania and the others going to some of the southern states. Jacob followed the different trades of tan- ner, saw miller and farmer, and finally located in Ohio, where he died. He attained prominence in his line of work and was well and favorably known. His son, Zachariah, was born in Springfield, Ohio, December 5, 1820, at which time that city had but few houses. His boyhood was spent on a farm and when twelve years old his mother died, after which he was taken in charge by an uncle, with whom he remained until 1856, and then moved to Delaware county, Indiana. In 1865, he went to White county, where he bought a farm, and later moved to Monon, where he died in 1873. His wife survived him and passed away October 10, 1895. She was a daughter of Thomas Miller, a farmer of Ohio who was of German descent, his family having originally come from Pennsylvania. He and his wife were zealous members of the Reformed church. They had six children, namely: Elizabeth, mother of our subject; Robert; Christiana, now Mrs. Nickey; Mary J. (Mrs. Steine); Abraham; Margaret (Mrs. Newman); and Sarah (Mrs. Bathrop). The grandfather died in 1836 and his wife was again married, her second husband being Judge Dunn, a prominent lawyer, by whom she had three children-Joseph, Frances and Thomas. Mr. Drake's father died in 1873.
To Mr. and Mrs. Zachariah Drake the following children were born: Sarah E. (Mrs. Leeds); Robert S., our subject; Martha (Mrs. Morton); Ada (Mrs.
713
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
&
Middlestat); and Emma (Mrs. Stimson). The parents were members of the Presbyterian church and an estimable couple.
Robert S. Drake was reared upon his father's farm remaining there until thirty years of age, and after the death of his father he took entire charge of the place, paid off the debts and helped his mother in the care and education of the other children. In 1886 Mr. Drake was married to Miss Jessie L. Lowe and settled on the place where he now resides. This property he has put under a fine state of cultivation, having tiled it and made many modern improvements. The first house which he built was destroyed by fire and he has since erected a commodious dwelling, which stands on a hill whence a fine view of the surrounding country is had. The entire place gives evidence of careful management. Mr. Drake gives considerable attention to stock- raising, feeding and shipping cattle, and has made a success of the business. He has two children: Hazel, born April 15, 1887; and Ola M., born April 25, 1897.
Mrs. Drake was born in White county, Indiana, March 13, 1865, and is a daughter of Hugh and Eleanor (Wilson) Lowe, the former a native of Vir- ginia, who came to White county at a very early day. He became a large land-owner and extensive cattle dealer and is a prominent and well-known citizen of White county, where he still resides. His first wife, who was an excellent woman and a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, died in 1873, leaving five children, namely: Lila S .; Charles, a farmer; Jessie L., wife of our subject; Mary (Mrs. Gray); and Hugh, a farmer. The father married a second time, but no children were born of this union.
Mr. Drake is a Republican in politics and takes an active interest in party affairs. He was elected township trustee and is now filling that office with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the community. He is a member of Lodge No. 524, I. O. O. F., of Monon, in which he has filled all the chairs and is also a member of the grand lodge.
VINCENT R. CRABB.
A worthy representative of an old and highly honored family of Warren county is Vincent R. Crabb, a farmer of Prairie township. Few families, indeed, have such a record as patriots as has the one to which he belongs, for of eight brothers all but the youngest fought and suffered for their country and the preservation of her honor, and two of the seven laid down their lives that the Union might be maintained. Of the others, several have borne severe wounds and through long, weary years have suffered untold miseries as the result of their heroic devotion to duty and love for their native land.
The proud father of these noble sons was Vincent M. Crabb, to whose 46
714
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
teachings must be attributed much of the spirit which manifested itself in the deeds of his sons. From their childhood they must have had instilled into their youthful minds the idea that all personal considerations should weigh as nothing when duty and one's country call, for they were all eager and anxious to go to the front in the hour of the nation's danger. Vincent M. Crabb came of the sturdy old Scotch stock, and one can well believe that his ancestors must have been of those who rallied around Bruce and Wallace, in their struggles that Scotland might be free and independent. Vincent M. Crabb married Hannah Rowen, whose lineage was traced to Germany, and some of the most notable and worthy characteristics of the sons of the Fatherland descended to her eight manly sons. In 1844 the Crabb family removed to Jasper county, Indiana, and two years later settled in Benton county, whence, in 1848, they came to Prairie township, Warren county. Here the wife and mother died in February, 1854, and later the father married Catherine Sar- gent, by whom he had three children, all now deceased. Mr. Crabb lived in Benton county from the date of his second marriage until his death, in 1869. His two daughters are Mrs. Rachel C. Sigler, of Boswell, and Mrs. Elizabeth Larch, of Perry township, Warren county.
The eldest brother of our subject, John W., now a resident of Idaho, was a captain of Company A, First Missouri Infantry, in the war of the Rebellion. Jarrett, the next brother, whose home is now in Kansas, served in the One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois Infantry. Joseph, now of Cali- fornia, served in the Twentieth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was seriously wounded at the battle of White Oak Swamp, near Richmond. Andrew J. also enlisted in the Twentieth Indiana, was wounded at the battle of Bull Run, and on the 2d of July, 1863, received mortal wounds at Gettys- burg, his death resulting on the 20th of the following September. George W. was a member of the Sixtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry for nearly three years, and then re-enlisted in the Eighty-sixth Indiana Regiment. At the close of that regiment's term of enlistment he was transferred to the Fifty- first Indiana, and continued engaged in the service of the government until January, 1866, when he was honorably discharged. At present his residence is in Fowler, Benton county, this state. Ira N. volunteered in the One Hun- dred and Fifteenth Indiana and died of disease contracted in the service, in Louisville, Kentucky, in January, 1865. The youngest brother, Dr. James N., is a prominent and successful physician of Millville, California.
Vincent R. Crabb was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, December 8, 1838, and from his boyhood was engaged in agricultural pursuits. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Eighty-sixth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and upon the organization of the same was made first duty sergeant. He took part in the hard-fought battles of Perryville, Ken-
715
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
tucky; Rural Hill, Tennessee, and other encounters with the enemy, and at the battle of Murfreesboro, December 31, 1862, he was so badly wounded that he was never able thenceforward to resume his place in the ranks. On the afternoon of that memorable and dreadful day he was in the thickest of the fight, and for a short time appeared to be the favorite target of the foe. First, a minie-ball grazed his forehead, but stopping not for this, he con- tinued bravely in his place until he was struck by a ball in the right arm, near the shoulder. This ball broke his arm and, immediately following, another bullet entered his right side, and passed through his body, emerging under the shoulder-blade at the back. Then a shell exploded near him and a fragment of steel struck his right arm, breaking the bone below the elbow, and still another fateful bullet found him out, striking him in the right thigh. His numerous and severe injuries, and the permanent trouble resulting from them, allow him to be rated on the pension rolls as though he had actually lost his right arm, as it was feared for a long time that he must certainly do. The arm was not amputated, but has been permanently disabled, so much so that it is justly considered equivalent to loss of the member, and the govern- ment pays but small interest on its debt of gratitude when it turns over to him thirty-six dollars a month (and an additional sum of fifty dollars every three years, the price of an artificial arm) as pension money. Mr. Crabb is an honored member of Garfield Post No. 32, Grand Army of the Republic, and is an ardent Republican in politics.
The marriage of Mr. Crabb and Miss Catherine Graham was solemnized December 7, 1870. They commenced housekeeping on the farm owned by Mr. Crabb, and this place he has managed to keep under cultivation, by the aid of hired help, as needed. Mrs. Crabb was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, June 9, 1844, a daughter of Samuel Graham. She was a true and loving helpmate to her husband, sharing and lightening his burdens, and when, on the 30th of March, 1895, after three and a half years of illness she was called to the silent land, the blow was a crushing one to her little family. Mr. and Mrs. Crabb lost a son in infancy, and three of their children survive, namely: Wilmer G., Edmond B. and Luella L.
CHESTER W. WICKWIRE.
Mr. Wickwire, who at present holds the office of sheriff of Newton county, where he has resided for twenty-five years, was born in La Salle county, Illinois, May 17, 1858, a son of Newton and Elizabeth (Crandall) Wickwire, the former of whom was born in Connecticut, in August, 1818, and was eleven years old when his father died. He went to New York and a few years later removed to Kendall county, Illinois, where he worked as a
716
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
farm hand. He was first married in New York state to a Miss Taylor, who accompanied him to Illinois, where she died, leaving four children, the eldest of whom, Clark O., was a soldier in the civil war and died while fight- ing for the Union. The other three children died while young. His second wife was Miss Crandall, and they lived in Illinois until 1873, when they moved to Indiana and settled in Newton county. He now resides in Good- land. Mrs. Wickwire was a native of Canada and died about 1870, having been the mother of four children: Frances M., the wife of George Linfoot, of Chicago; Elnora I., who married Albert Wild, of Goodland, Indiana; Chester W., our subject; and Clara J., the wife of George Sims, of Good- land. The third wife of Mr. Wickwire was Miss Margaret Liscom, by whom he had three children: Nellie C. and Frederick, deceased, and Dora, who lives at home. By his fourth union no children have been born.
Mr. Wickwire has followed farming and stock-raising and is a well known horseman. He has a farm of nine hundred and sixty acres, within two miles of Goodland, and he also has a good house in that town, where he resides while continuing to look after his farm land. In politics he is a Republican and always takes an interest in local affairs. He is not a mem- ber of any religious or civic societies, but has always been an honest, con- scientious and hard-working man, and an economical and shrewd manager, having by his individual efforts earned every dollar he owns.
Chester W. Wickwire was sixteen years old when the family settled in Newton county. He acquired his education in the public shools of Illinois and Goodland and remained at home until twenty-two years old, when he married and took charge of his father's farm, the latter having moved into town. Since attaining his majority he has taken an active part in local politics and has always been numbered among the party workers, having been a delegate to numerous district, county and state conventions. In 1896 he was chosen by his party as candidate for sheriff, and was duly elected, entering upon his duties November 18. He was renominated by acclamation and was again elected in November, 1898. He carried every precinct in the county, and had a larger majority than any other candidate on the ticket.
Socially Mr. Wickwire is a charter member of Goodland Lodge No. 141, K. of P., in which order he has filled all the chairs and has been its repre- sentative in the grand lodge.
On January 1, 1880, Mr. Wickwire was united in marriage to Miss Tillie Hayer, a daughter of Oliver and Julia Hayer, who was born January 13, 1857, in La Salle county, ten miles from the birthplace of her husband. Her parents still reside on a farm in that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Wickwire three children have been born, namely: Newton O., Russell W. and Vernie F.
717
-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
DAVID WELDON.
One of the prominent agriculturists of Jefferson township, Newton coun- ty, is David Weldon, whose residence on his present homestead dates back some sixteen years. A native of Will county, Illinois, born November 16, 1843, he is a son of John and Bridget (Mead) Weldon, who were of Irish birth. Subsequently to their marriage, in 1828, they emigrated to the United States, and for some time resided in the state of New York, where the father worked as a laborer, and at one time made some rails for the father of the celebrated General Halleck.
In 1842 the worthy couple removed to Chicago and later occupied a claim near Plainfield, Illinois. Selling out, in 1848, Mr. Weldon removed to Grundy county, same state, where he entered four hundred acres of land and improved a farm. There he dwelt until 1877, when a favorable opportunity of selling the place presented itself, and as Mrs. Weldon had died the pre- vious year, Mr. Weldon disposed of the property. Later he improved farms in Benton and Newton counties, Indiana, but his last years were passed with his children. He died December 10, 1897, at the ripe age of ninety years. One of the most noteworthy periods of his life was a few years prior to and during the civil war, when, filled with intense sympathy for the slaves, and as agent for the "underground railroad," he sheltered and protected them on many an occasion. His feeling on this subject led to his enrolling him- self under the new party banner, for he hoped that the Republicans would soon put an end to the hateful condition of affairs in the south. He was an active and loyal worker in the interests of his party, attending all of the con- ventions, and it was a matter of great pride to him that he was a delegate to the Chicago convention which nominated Abraham Lincoln to the presidency the first time. He held minor offices in his locality, and was a justice of the peace for some time. Both he and his wife were reared in the faith of the Catholic church.
The intense patriotism of the father was reflected in his sons, three of whom suffered in the defense of the Union. The eldest, James, who was first lieutenant of a company in the Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteers, was shot at the battle of Shiloh, and, returning home, died. John, the second son, also was a member of the gallant Fifty-fifth; and Margaret, the eldest daugh- ter, was the wife of Captain Tim Slattery, of the same regiment. Thomas, the third son, was a soldier in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois, was wounded at the battle of Mission Ridge, and for eighteen years carried a bullet in his leg, but at last succeeded in having it extracted. His death occurred in May, 1899. The two younger children were Catherine, Mrs. C. McNown; and Nancy, Mrs. F. Simons. Vienna township, where the broth-
718
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ers enlisted, had a remarkable record, for it furnished more soldiers than it had ever had votes.
His elder brothers all being away fighting the battles of their country, David Weldon, the youngest son, was obliged to stay at home and assist his father in the labors of the farm. He remained in Grundy county after his marriage and later owned farms in Livingston and Iroquois counties, Illinois. In 1883 he came to his present home, where he has one hundred and twenty acres. He has placed considerable tiling, has remodeled the house and built a barn, and in other ways made a desirable homestead of the property, which is situated three and a half miles southwest of Kentland.
David Weldon chose for his wife Miss Caroline McNown, daughter of Hugh and Margaret (Stewart) McNown, all of Canada, and of Scotch- Irish descent. In 1865, the parents bought a farm in Grundy county, Illi- nois, and there spent their declining days, the father dying in March, 1895, at the advanced age of ninety-one, and the mother dying in November, 1885. They were Presbyterians in religious faith. Their children comprised James, Charles, William, Mary (who married Mr. Moore), Mrs. Weldon, Robert, and Archie, who is still living in Canada. Robert, a member of the Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the civil war, died, after he had returned home, from the effects of imprisonment and hardship. Four chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. David Weldon: Olive, now the wife of Henry Carson, a farmer; Budd and Mabel, at home; and Ridgley, who mar- ried Millie Cobley and owns a livery at Raub.
Fraternally, Mr. Weldon stands high in the Odd Fellows and Masonic orders. He is an uncompromising Republican, and endeavors to perform his whole duty as a patriotic citizen. While a resident of Livingston county he served as commissioner of the county, and held a similar position as well as that of school trustee in Iroquois county. Since coming to this township he filled the unexpired term of a trustee, and has been regularly elected his own successor to the office since 1895. He and his wife are identified with the Presbyterian church, and all worthy causes receive their loyal support.
HARVEY W. WOOD.
Harvey W. Wood, who has been identified with the farming interests of Jasper county for many years, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, April 17, 1838, and spent his early youth on a farm, receiving his schooling in the district schools of the vicinity. Upon attaining manhood he went to Mis- souri but subsequently returned to Ohio, and in 1861 enlisted for three months in an Ohio company, but the quota being supplied he did not serve.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.