USA > Indiana > Warren County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 31
USA > Indiana > White County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Newton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Benton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 31
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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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afterward married his brother, Isaac. Steward was twice married. His first wife, Eliza, néc Loy, bore him one child, Hiram, now deceased, and his second wife, Sarah Eliza Steward, three, - Nathan, Riley and Eliza. The family made their home in Kansas. James Jackson married Elizabeth Lef- ler and lived in Nebraska. They had one child, a daughter, Nancy. Will- iam Harrison lives in Washington. The maiden name of his wife was Isabel Venard. Enoch married Elvira Routsin, and their children are Marion and Emma. Sarah Jane married Robert Sellers, of Logansport, Indiana, and their children are Elizabeth, Rebecca, Renie (Mrs. Ed Murphy), and Rose (Mrs. William Isaacs). Lydia Margaret Benefield married William Henry Sellers, more familiarly called "Tip," who was a half-brother of Robert. He is a carpenter of Logansport and has four children, -Edwin Mc., Har- vey, Minnie and Harry.
WILLIAM E. FOX.
One of the honored citizens of Wolcott, Indiana, and a patriotic veteran of the civil war, is the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch and who is now serving as postmaster of his home city. He was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1843, and is the son of Washington and Marion (Kennedy) Fox, the former of whom is also a native of Greene county, where his birth took place March 17, 1816. Upon attaining manhood he began farm- ing on the place where he now resides, and continued to be actively engaged until 1868, when he retired to enjoy the fruits of his early labors. His wife was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1818, and attended the dis- trict schools of her neighborhood. She was a devout member of the Method- ist church and died in that faith, in 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Fox were born the following children: David, who is a carpenter in Greene county, Penn- sylvania; William E., our subject; George, who lives on the home farm; Perry, a farmer residing near the home place; two who died in youth; Lydia, who became the wife of Benson Boyers, a farmer in Nebraska; Mary, who married Bernard Bell, of West Virginia; and two others who died in in- fancy. The paternal grandparents of our subject were William and Kather- ine (McLarney) Fox, natives of Virginia and Ireland, respectively, and both members of the Methodist church. On the maternal side the grandparents were David and Mary (Wildman) Kennedy, natives of Pennsylvania, who also were Methodists in their religious belief.
William E. Fox attended the common schools of Greene county, and in 1866 moved to Fairbury, Illinois, securing work in the adjoining county for one year, and then renting sixty acres of land near Fairbury, where he con- tinued farming for the ensuing nine years. In 1876 he came to West Point
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township, White county, Indiana, having bought, in 1874, three hundred and twenty acres of land, located four and a half miles south of Wolcott, and there he continued to till the soil until the spring of 1883, when be bought three hundred and twenty acres adjoining his original purchase and carried on stock-raising to a large extent. In 1883 Mr. Fox moved to Monticello, where he continued in the stock-raising business for six years, and then moved to Wolcott, where he bought one hundred acres of land adjacent to the city, on which, in 1893, he erected his present handsome and commodi- ous residence. He continues to superintend his other landed interests, be- sides which he is a stockholder in the Bank of Wolcott and has served as postmaster since September 1, 1897.
On September 2, 1861, Mr. Fox enlisted at Morgantown, West Virginia, as a member of Company F, Seventh Regiment, West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at Romont, West Virginia, October 26, 1861, from which he recovered shortly and returned to service. He participated in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, South Mountain, the second bat- tle of Bull Run, and in the Peninsula campaign, and served under Generals. Shields, McClellan, Hancock and Sumner. He was honorably discharged March 1, 1863, at Falmouth, Virginia.
Mr. Fox was married November 4, 1869, at Forrest, Illinois, to Miss Effie G. Robinson, a daughter of James K. Robinson, a native of Ohio. Mrs. Fox was born near Washington Court House, Ohio, July 17, 1844, and came with her parents to Bloomington, Illinois, when six years old. She there attended school and later at Fairbury. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fox, namely: Estella, a graduate of the State University, at Bloomington, is now teaching school at Indianapolis; and John J., who is attending the high school at Logansport. Mr. Fox is a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist church and in politics he is a stanch Republican. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. at Monticello and to the G. A. R.
JOHN WATSON.
Mr. Watson, who is a retired farmer of White county, Indiana, was born in Yorkshire, near Hull, England, April 17, 1827, and is the son of John and Mary (Adkinson) Watson. The maternal and paternal grandparents of our subject were natives of Yorkshire, England, and were members of the Church of England. The father also was a native of Yorkshire, where he lived until attaining the age of seventy-five years, when, in 1846, he came to America, landing at Quebec, Canada, and later locating near Newark, Ohio, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land. This he subsequently sold, and moved to White county, Indiana, seven miles south of Wolcott,
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where he lived with his children until his death. His wife was born in York- shire, where she was married and where her death occurred when seventy years old. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson: William, deceased; Martha, the widow of George Davidson, who lives near Alexandria, Ohio; Elizabeth, the wife of William Dickenson, living eight miles southwest of Wolcott; John, our subject; Robert, a retired farmer, who resides in Remington; Sara, deceased, and Henry, a retired farmer, living at Otterbein, Indiana.
John Watson lived in Yorkshire until he was nineteen years old, attend- ing the common schools and working on his parents' farm. He came with his father to America, and at the age of twenty-one started in life on his own responsibility, near Newark, Ohio. In the fall of 1865 he came to White county, Indiana, locating seven miles southwest of Wolcott, where he bought two hundred acres of land, adding to the same at various times, until now he is in possession of six hundred and forty acres, all the improvements on which were made by him. Here he farmed for thirty-two years, when, having re- tired to Wolcott in 1896, he purchased the residence in which he now lives. He still superintends his farm of six hundred and forty acres.
Mr. Watson was united in marriage in 1850, near Newark, Ohio, to Miss Margaret Downing, a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Birks) Downing, natives of England and members of the Church of England. Mrs. Watson was born in Yorkshire, England, February 23, 1835, and came to this coun- try when she was eight years old. Fourteen children have been born to our subject and his wife. One died in infancy, and the others are: William, a grocer in Wolcott; John, a farmer in Texas; Annie, the wife of William Mantle, of Lafayette, Indiana; Harry, a farmer living southwest of Wolcott; Mary, who became the wife of James Blake, residing eight miles southwest of Wolcott; Sadie married James Sheetz and they live ten miles southwest of Wolcott; Mattie, wife of James McGruder, living in White county; Charles also lives eight miles southwest of Wolcott; Joe is on the old homestead; Belle married Thomas Dickenson and they live on the home farm; Elizabeth is the wife of Absalom Hawk and they reside seven miles southwest of Wol- cott; and James and George both live on the home farm.
Mr. Watson is a member of the Church of England, but now attends the Presbyterian church at Cedar Lake. In his political views he is a stanch Republican.
CHARLES W. DILTS.
Charles Wesley Dilts, a well known business man of Winamac, Pulaski county, is a native of Rochester, Indiana, his birth having occurred Novem- ber 22, 1857. From the age of ten years he has been largely dependent
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upon his own resources, and he owes his success entirely to his industry and good business management. He is a son of Francis and Sarah (Weaver) Dilts, and is a worthy representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of Indiana. A full history of his parents and ancestors is given in the biogra- phy of M. A. Dilts, an elder brother of our subject.
When he was in his eleventh year Charles W. Dilts left the parental roof, and for the next four years dwelt with his brother Preston. The fol- lowing few years were devoted to farming and clerking, and in 1876 he went to Kentland, Newton county, Indiana, where he carried on a farm for two years. Going then to Sheldon, Illinois, he learned the butcher's trade of Deaner Anderson, remaining in his employ for four years. Becoming more ambitious, the young man next turned his attention to contracting, and superintended the construction of some forty miles of ditches in Iroquois county, Illinois, keeping fifteen teams and numerous workmen busy until the task was brought to a successful close. Desiring to see something of the west, he went to Arkansas, and in the town of Paragould, Greene county, opened a meat market. Later, going to Pocahontas, in the same state, he tried the life of a fisherman, selling the fish which he caught, and making a good livelihood. His next venture was in Rector county, same state, where he contracted for and furnished logs to a sawmill. In August, 1894, he re- turned to his native state, and locating in Winamac, opened a market, and for two years was in partnership with his nephew, Bert Dilts. Afterward he bought and sold live stock, traveling through Pulaski, Starke, La Porte and Fulton counties. In February, 1899, he embarked in an entirely new enter- prise, and has the monopoly in his line of business in the county. He handles the McCormick farm machinery and does a general second-hand business, and though but a short time has elapsed since this new undertaking was begun he bids fair to prosper, and has won the favorable attention of the public. He is a Republican in politics, and socially is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. Like his forefathers for generations, he is a member of the German Reformed church.
In September, 1880, Mr. Dilts married Alpharetta Miller, a daughter of William Miller. She was a native of Ohio, born September 5, 1855, and died in Rector, Arkansas, November 23, 1894. The children of this union were: Charles W., born September 19, 1881, died May 15, 1893; Carrie Ellen, born December 2, 1883, died March 29, 1895; Florence May, born January 20, 1887, died September 22, 1893; Francis Earl, born January 22, 1889; Myron, born October 2, 1891; Bessie, born November 22, 1885, died August 29, 1887; and Francis Marion, born May 18, 1894. On the 27th of January, 1897, Mr. Dilts married Miss Mary Jenkins, daughter of Daniel Jenkins, but their wedded life was of short duration, as she died on the 20th
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of the ensuing September, aged twenty-seven years. Much sorrow has fallen to Mr. Dilts-trouble in the form of sickness and death and in the guise of financial adversity; but he has performed every duty devolving upon him, has met affliction in a brave and noble spirit, and has developed into strong, self-reliant manhood.
MOSES B. ALTER, M. D.
When Dr. Moses Braddock Alter passed away from earth, on February 13, 1899, a large circle of intimate friends was shrouded in gloom. He had been for so long a time a prominent factor in the social, business and relig- ious life of Rensselaer and of Jasper county, had been so thoroughly the tried and confidential medical adviser of so many of the leading families of a large extent of country, that it seemed as if his loss was an irreparable one. His tender ministrations at the couches of their loved ones had ceased, his wise counsels in public and in personal matters were no longer available, his Christian labors and sympathy no longer could support the hands of his religious associates, and the head of a loving home had departed to return no more, and the entire community felt deeply the loss. For nearly half a century he had walked the streets of his adopted town and city, and in all the varied relations of trust, honor and of professional duty in which his per- sonality was called to act, never were his motives called in question, nor did malice ever dare whisper aught against his integrity, his honor or his sterling Christian character. Could one leave a nobler legacy to his descend- ants than such a memory?
Dr. Alter came to Rensselaer about fifty years ago, and was in active practice here for forty years,-longer than any other physician. He was born at Greenfield, Hancock county, Indiana, April 27, 1838, and was a son of Dr. Simon and Nancy (Braddock) Alter. Dr. Simon Alter was born in 1810, at Freeport, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and there took up the study of medicine, graduating at Jefferson Medical College. Soon after this he came to Indiana and located at Greenfield, Hancock county, where he built up a large practice and was one of the pioneer physicians of the state, esteemed no less as an honorable citizen than as a skillful and suc- cessful physician. He was here married to Nancy Braddock, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Broad Ripple, near Indianapolis. From there he went to Peru, and in 1848 came to Rensselaer, where for thirty years-until his death in 1878-he was considered as the leading physician and an influential citizen of Jasper county. He gained a most enviable reputation as a skillful practitioner, and his patronage covered a large territory, while his services were dispensed impartially among rich
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and poor alike. He was charitable in his judgment of others, but with a high standard of morality. He was a pronounced Abolitionist and an earnest advocate of the rights of others. He was the efficient treasurer of Jasper county for four years, discharging the duties of the office in the most satis- factory manner. His wife is now in her eightieth year and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Richards, at Elk Falls, Kansas. Six children were born to them: Dr. Moses B., the subject of this biography; John Q., a resident of Rensselaer; Ella, who grew to womanhood and died many years ago unmar- ried; David, also deceased; Nancy, wife of Edward Richards, of Elk Falls, Kansas; and Isaac B., a banker of Rossville, Kansas.
Dr. Alter was about ten years of age when his father removed to this place. He was educated in the public schools and then read medicine with his father, supplementing this with an attendance at Rush Medical College at Chicago during the years 1858-9, from which institution he received his medical degree. Soon after commencing his studies in this institution his father received injuries in an unfortunate accident which resulted in making him a cripple for life, and to our subject fell the task of taking up and car- rying on the practice. He faithfully followed that profession until his death, and was universally conceded to be a physician of ability who gave to the work his most earnest efforts, and performed his duty conscientiously and well, thus winning the approbation and confidence of all. The fol- lowing tribute is from a local paper: "At the time of his death he was, in length of time here, our oldest physician. He was greatly esteemed in his profession and had a very large practice, in fact probably too large for his own good, as he no doubt greatly overworked himself in answering the many calls upon him. His country practice, especially, with its long and frequent journeys in all kinds of weather and over all kinds of roads, must have greatly contributed to accelerate the progress of his disease; and more, perhaps, than any other doctor, he exerted himself in the treatment of those whom he knew no reward could be expected of. His kindness of heart was such that he seldom if ever refused to answer the calls of the poor or the improvident.
"Besides his good record as a careful, kind and competent physician, Dr. Alter has left behind him a most excellent record as a private citizen and as a public official. He was county treasurer of Jasper county for two terms, from August, 1881, to August, 1885, filling the position to the entire satisfaction of the people of all parties.
"In the spring of 1892 he was elected a member of the board of trus- tees of the town of Rensselaer, and re-elected every year until the town was incorporated as a city, in the spring of 1896, when he was elected an alder- man from the first ward, and still filled the position at the time of his death.
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He was president of the board under town government, and also president pro tem. of the city council. Neither town nor city ever had an official more watchful and zealous for the people's interests, nor one more wholly above every suspicion of corrupt or selfish motives. In politics he was always a firm Republican."
Dr. Alter was converted early in youth and from that time was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was long an official member of the Trinity church at Rensselaer, and was a trustee when the present church edifice was erected. To this cause he was a zealous contributor of time and means.
Dr. Alter was married on September 14, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Peacock. Four daughters were the result of this mar- riage: Flora B., wife of W. W. Watson, an employee of the pension department in Washington; Olive H., wife of H. L. Gamble, a civil engineer; Anna L., wife of Dr. A. E. Kirk, of Terre Haute, Indiana; and Floy G., wife of Dr. H. J. Kannal, a graduate of the Chicago Veterinary College.
CHARLES PARROTT.
A prominent citizen of Winamac, and the leading insurance manager in Pulaski county, Indiana, is Charles Parrott, who was born October 3, 1866. He is well known in this county, where he has resided since childhood, and is a favorite with every one. He has an ancestry of which he may well feel proud, his parents being George and Susan (Emery) Parrott, and his grand- father, John Parrott, a native of Maryland and well known in that state and Ohio. John Parrott was a man of high principles, and in order to live up to them refused to receive the money which he inherited from his father's estate, because the latter had been an extensive slave-owner. The slaves he took and liberated. He was an earnest worker in the Free-will Baptist church, and was one whose sterling worth made him an object of admiration and respect wherever known. He married Nancy Sewell, whose father came with La Fayette to fight for American freedom. John Parrott died in his forty- eighth year, leaving his widow and the following children: Elizabeth Ann, Mary Jane, Isaac, George, Rebecca, William and Martha.
George Parrott was a lad of ten years when his father was taken by death, and for the next six years he made his home in the family of John Andrews. At that age he began to learn the trade of a carpenter, but was obliged to quit after six months and learned the trade of tanning. This was not to his liking, and he again took up carpentering, working with his brother- in-law and later forming a partnership with him. He wished to enter the Mexican war, but was not accepted, as more than enough had volunteered;
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so with a party of friends he made a tour of the middle west, having excit- ing encounters with the Indians. He made a brilliant record in the civil war, after which he returned to farm and carpenter work a few years, when he retired. He was a hunter of skill, and a more detailed account of his history is given elsewhere in this book. His wife was Miss Susan Emery, a native of Marion county, Ohio. Their children are Nancy Jane (Mrs. Benjamin Boyles), born January 1, 1850; John Emery, born October 8, 1851, married Ada Hawes; Martha Elizabeth (Mrs. Frank Boyles), born August 26, 1853, died October 29, 1879; William Sewell, born September 9, 1855, married Etta Hawes; Charles George, our subject; and Annie, who died in her six- teenth year.
Charles Parrott was afforded an opportunity to attend the normal school for a short time, and made the most of the chance. He received his early training on the farm, remaining there until 1892, when he determined to try his hand at something besides agriculture as his life work. He accordingly went to Winamac and opened an insurance office, in company with M. L. Burton. The firm was known as Burton & Parrott, the senior partner also dealing in real estate. The firm was dissolved in 1894 and Mr. Parrott gave his entire attention to the insurance business. He has worked up the counties of Pulaski, Jasper and Starke, and controls the business in his line in this territory. His specialty is fire insurance, in which he represents the Aetna, Hartford, Home, Connecticut and Phoenix, although he also writes life and accident policies, the former in the Aetna and the latter in the Fidelity & Casualty. He is untiring in his work, and his energy and industry have gained him hosts of friends, and has also placed him at the top as a success- ful man of business. Commencing as a novice, his progress has been surprising, even to those who were best acquainted with him.
Mr. Parrott was made a benedict March 27, 1892, his bride being Miss Mary Simmons, daughter of Fielden and Sarah (Hoosier) Simmons. Two bright children have been added as a blessing to their home-Fern Olive, who was born December 29, 1894, and Helen Mary, a "wee tot" who added her bright presence to the circle January 3, 1897. Mr. Parrott was made an Odd Fellow in Winamac Lodge in 1896. In politics he is a Republi- can.
HON. ANSON WOLCOTT.
As an honored representative of the eighth generation of the Wolcott family, the gentleman whose name initiates this review retains the distinctive characteristics of his ancestors, whose residence in this country dates back to May 30, 1630, and who have achieved prominence in both political and com-
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mercial circles, and his career adds to the name a lustre attained by long years of personal endeavor and intrinsic worth. Born in Oneida county, New York, October 21, 1819, he is a son of James and Louisa (Gould) Wolcott, the former of whom was a native of Northampton, Massachusetts, and the latter of Paulett, Virginia.
James Wolcott remained in the town of his birth until twenty-six years old, when he went to Springfield, Massachusetts, and secured employment in the United States armory, remaining so engaged for several years. He then removed to Oneida county, New York, and there secured government contracts for repairing guns. In 1826 he embarked in farming near Weston, New York, for three years, at the end of which time he took up his residence at Rome, New York, and there operated a farm and also instituted the Wol- cott Hotel. His next venture was a distillery, at Ontario, New York, which he conducted for five or six years and then purchased a farm near Royalton, New York, which he disposed of in 1841 and moved to Lockport, there engaging in the sawmill and lumber business. This he subsequently sold, and went to Chicago, where he remained with his son, Ebenezer G. Wolcott, the first president of the Chicago board of trade, and there he died. Mrs. Wol- cott departed this life in 1856. She was a first cousin of Thaddeus Stevens, a leader in congress during the civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott eight children were born, two of whom died in infancy, the others being as follows: Ebenezer, Anson, Chauncey S. (deceased), Charles, Beula and James. The paternal grandfather of our subject was named James Wolcott.
Anson Wolcott acquired his education in the academy at Richmond, New York, located on Allen's Hill, and when twenty years old he attended a similar institution at Royalton for one year, He then went to Louisiana and held the position of superintendent for Francis Surzett, near Natchez, with whom he remained for some time. He then studied law under Judge Peats and was appointed deputy sheriff of Natchitoches county, retaining that office for a year, when he returned to Lockport and studied law under Joseph C. Morse and later under Wood & Bowen, teaching school in the meantime. For three years he was head clerk of the firm of Woods & Bowen, and was admitted to the supreme court of New York in 1846, being one of five out of a class of one hundred and fifteen who passed the required examination. In 1848 he was admitted to the United States supreme court, and served as counsel and attorney in several prominent cases, representing the state at various times, and continued the active practice of law until 1861.
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