USA > Indiana > Warren County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 8
USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 8
USA > Indiana > White County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 8
USA > Indiana > Newton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 8
USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 8
USA > Indiana > Benton County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 8
USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 8
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When the war was over Mr. Foudray resumed farming in Indiana, and also engaged in the manufacture of lumber at various places. He was mar- ried in Fulton county, Indiana, April 18, 1875, to Clarissa J. Miller, who was born February 28, 1855, in Palestine, Kosciusko county, Indiana, a daughter of Jacob and Mary A. (Windbigler) Miller. In early life her father 39
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was a druggist, but later became a farmer. He was a representative of one of the old Pennsylvania Dutch families, and in Palestine, Indiana, he wedded Mary A. Brockey, a widow, and the daughter of John and Polly (Borchter) Windbigler. Her father was a prominent farmer and owned three hundred acres of land near Rensselaer, Indiana, at the time of his death. Jacob Miller, the father of Mrs. Foudray, was a farmer of Kosciusko county, and died there, at the age of fifty years. His children were Susannah and Mary Ann, twins, the former now deceased; and Clarissa J. Mrs. Miller was three times married, her first union being with Jonas Brockey, by whom she had five children: Levina, Fiana, Nathaniel, Elizabeth and Mariette. Her third husband was Charles Osburn, by whom she had a son, Jeremiah. Mr. and Mrs. Foudray have but one child, Bertha, who was born in Fulton county, Indiana, September 3, 1885.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Foudray located in Fulton county, Indiana, where he engaged in sawmill work. He purchased and operated a sawmill and carried on the lumber business, both in Rochester and Medary- ville, his connection with that enterprise continuing for twelve years. He purchased timber land in Fulton county, and used the forest trees in his mill, his business returning to him a good income. In 1893 he purchased one hun- dred and twelve acres of wild and very wet land, and at once began the de- velopment of a farm. He has drained the place, has erected excellent build- ings, planted a fine orchard and small fruits, and now has one of the most highly cultivated and desirable farm properties in the county. It is marvel- ous what he has accomplished within six years, and his farm may well be re- garded as a monument to his enterprise, thrift and business ability.
Mr. and Mrs. Foudray are mnost highly-esteemed residents of the com- munity, and are consistent members and active workers in the church of God. In his political connections he is a Republican, and served as con- stable in Newcastle township, Fulton county. He formerly belonged to Bloomingsburg Lodge, I. O. O. F., and served as its recording secretary. He is a self-made man, owing his prosperity entirely to his own efforts. He is most reliable and trustworthy in all trade transactions, is accounted one of the substantial citizens of the community, and well merits the respect in which he is uniformly held.
NATHAN C. GIBSON.
Nathan C. Gibson, who is well and favorably known in Idaville and White county, is a native of Jackson township, born April 27, 1839. He is a grandson of William Gibson, who was born at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and removed to Tennessee with his father in childhood. Upon reaching
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man's estate William Gibson went to Ohio, where he married Mary Cham- bers, and then returned to Tennessee. In 1813 the couple became residents of Shelby county, Ohio, and in the fall of 1834 they removed to White county, Indiana, in company with about thirty-five families belonging to the religious sect known as Seceders. Long since William Gibson and his estimable wife were gathered to their forefathers, and of their eight children but one sur- vives. Thomas died while young, and the others, all of whom lived to ma- turity, were John, Elizabeth, Robert P., Isabel, William, Margaret and Adam.
Robert Parks Gibson, the father of our subject, was born in Blount county, Tennessee, December 19, 1812, and is consequently one of the old- est residents of White county. He retains his faculties to a remarkable de_ gree, and his mind is as keen and active as ever. Notwithstanding his lack of educational advantages in his youth, he became well informed on a variety of subjects by private reading and study, and became particularly versed in the scriptures. For many years he was a minister of the gospel on the front- ier, preaching the word whenever opportunity offered. His chief occupa- tion in life was that of farming, and during his prime he was considered one of the most progressive agriculturists of Jackson township, where he is still living. In 1838 he married Sarah Tam, a native of Delaware, who had ac- companied her brother Joshua D. to Indiana. For more than three-score years this worthy couple have traveled life's pathway together, and now in their declining days they are quietly waiting for the summons to that land whither so many friends have passed. They lost eight children, who died in early life, and a daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Sands, died March 20, 1879. Their surviving children who live within the radius of a few miles are: Na- than C .; Mary B., wife of Cyrus Gibson; William J., Sarah Ann, wife of Morris Boehme; Belle, who is caring for her parents; Emeline, wife of John Gorman; and Ida Jane, wife of Marion Gates.
Nathan C. Gibson was born in Jackson township, White county, April 27, 1839, and for sixty years he has made his home in this immediate region. While he has been engaged in various lines of business at intervals, his main attention has always been given to farming, and he is the owner of a finely- improved homestead in Jackson township. He is one of the proprietors of the flouring mill at Idaville, and has resided in the village since November, 1898. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat. During the civil war he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served from October, 1864, to the close of the con- flict. With his regiment he took part in the Nashville campaign, under Gen- eral Thomas, and assisted in the destruction of Hood's army.
The marriage of Mr. Gibson and Miss Elizabeth Wilburn was solemnized
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March 8, 1867. Mrs. Gibson was born in Madison county, Indiana, April 8, 1849, and by her marriage became the mother of four sons and seven daugh- ters, namely: Amanda (Mrs. Richard Bird), Orion (deceased), Sarah B. (Mrs. Samuel Timmons), Minnie, John R., Elizabeth, Ruth, Milton, Pearl, Fred and Dilla. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson are members of the Church of God, and always use their means and influence in the support of worthy public enterprises.
CYRUS W. DUVALL.
The well known gentleman whose name heads this biographical review is agent for the Standard Oil Company, and also handles express, mail and freight at Rensselaer, Indiana, which place has been his home since 1853. His people were among the pioneers of the Western Reserve of Ohio.
Daniel Duvall, the grandfather of Cyrus W., was a Pennsylvanian by birth, and at an early day came west to Ohio, subsequently continuing his way westward, and taking up his abode in Kosciusko county, Indiana. About 1835 he removed to Jasper county, this state, where he died in 1842, at the age of forty-five years, leaving a family of seven children. His son, John W., the father of Cyrus W., was born in Darke county, Ohio, January 9, 1827, and from there came to Indiana, locating in Lafayette, later removing to Rensselaer, where he became connected with the stage business. He con- ducted a livery business and ran a stage line from Rensselaer to what is now Monon (then Bradford), and another to Remington. He was both a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and he was well known throughout the county. He died July 7, 1896. His first wife (née Rebecca Ann Anderson) was a daughter of Crawford Anderson. She died August 20, 1867, leaving six children, namely: Martha J., wife of J. Griswold, of Valparaiso; Cyrus W., whose name introduces this sketch; Samuel H., of South Bend; Mary D., wife of W. H. Eger, of Rensselaer; Jennie, wife of W. H. Cornell, of Grand Rapids; and Alberta, wife of Eugene Cornell.
For his second wife, John W. Duvall married Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Kenton, of Jasper county, who traced her lineage back to Simon Kenton, the noted Indian hunter, who was associated with Daniel Boone, of early Kentucky fame. The fruits of this union were two children, -Edmund D. and Ora, both of Rensselaer.
Cyrus W. Duvall was born July 22, 1853, at Rensselaer, and was reared here, early making himself useful as his father's assistant in the livery and stage business. When only thirteen he drove stage for his father. He attended the common schools at intervals, but his educational advantages were limited. Early in life he formed a partnership with his father and took
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charge of the hack lines, this association continuing until the winter of 1878, when he severed home ties and started out for himself. About this time he married, and with his father-in-law went to Elk county, southeastern Kansas, where he remained until the spring of 1879. He then came back and was in the livery barn with his father until the spring of 1881. His next venture was in the hotel business. During the following year he had charge of the old Austin House, and through the summer of 1882 he ran a boarding house, after which he returned to the livery barn with his father. In the spring of 1883 he became proprietor of the Nowels House, but in the fall of that same year he moved to a place near the depot and established a draying business, which he has since continued. As stated at the beginning of this sketch, he is now agent for the Standard Oil Company, and has also contracts to carry mail, express and freight.
Mr. Duvall married Margaret J. Thompson, a daughter of John and Sarah Isabel (Curl) Thompson, the latter now deceased. John Thompson was for many years engaged in merchandising at Rensselaer and is well known here. He is now retired. He and his wife had ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Duvall had five children, namely: Blanche May, who died at the age of nine- teen years; Cyrus Earl, who was for six years clerk in a hardware store in Rensselaer, but since January 1, 1899, has been connected with the clothing house of L. Wildberg in Rensselaer; and Cora Bell, John Wesley and Carl Leon.
Mr. Duvall and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church, and he maintains fraternal relations with the Knights of Pythias. In his political views he is Democratic.
NEWTON LYONS.
Mr. Lyons, who has been for many years engaged in farming and stock- raising in Jordan township, Jasper county, was born in Newton county, Indi- ana, August 13, 1849. He was educated in the common schools and reared upon his father's farm, where he remained until 1870, when he was married and settled on a farm of his own. He has done some trading in real estate, but has given his principal attention to general farming and stock-raising, and has also bought and shipped stock. In 1889 he bought two hundred and for- ty acres of land, on the county line in Jasper county, two miles east of Fores- man and there he has since made his home. He has put this place under a high state of cultivation, having tiled it, erected substantial buildings and made all modern improvements.
Mr. Lyons is an uncompromising Republican, and uses his influence for the good of his party in all public affairs, although he has never aspired to
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office. He is a man of excellent character, modest in his demeanor and is regarded as a valuable citizen.
The marriage of our subject to Miss Jennie Hershman took place April 14, 1870. Mrs. Lyons was born in White county, Indiana, September 6, 1854, and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Edmonson) Hershman. Her father was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, and is of German descent, while her mother is a native of Tennessee and traces her ancestry to the Emerald Isle. They were married in Hamilton county, Indiana, and both are now living in Newton county. Mr. Hershman is a farmer by occupation, a stanch Repub- lican, and he and his wife are active members of the Methodist church. Their children were: George, who died while a soldier in the civil war; John, a farmer in Iroquois township, Newton county; William, who has been coun- ty school superintendent in Newton county, and is now a professor in the New Albany schools; Jennie, wife of our subject; Frank; Sarah (Mrs. James Hoach); and Linna (Mrs. Thomas Gratners). To our subject and his wife five children have been born: Herman S., December 10, 1874; Morris E., September 24, 1876; Marian, August 19, 1879; and Lena and Leola, twins, born January 1, 1888.
Samuel Lyons, the father of our subject, was a son of Morris Lyons, a native of Virginia, of German and Irish descent, who was an early settler in Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life, engaged in farming. Samuel was born and reared in Ohio, and first came to Indiana in 1836, but did not permanently settle in this state until 1840. At that time the counties had not been organized, and what are now the counties of Newton, Jasper, Ben- ton and Warren comprised one county only. Mr. Lyons entered land in what is now known as Newton county, but later disposed of it, and improved a second farm,-the one on which he now resides,-at the advanced age of eighty-six years. He was a blacksmith by trade, and he carried on opera- tions in this line for many years in connection with his farming. He has always been a conservative man, strictly honorable in all his transactions, and never getting into debt. He has been fairly successful in life, and has always been regarded as an excellent citizen.
Samuel Lyons was married to Miss Margaret Smith, daughter of Joseph and Phebe (Earl) Smith, both natives of Hoboken, New York. The Smiths and Earls were early settlers of this portion of Indiana. Mr. Smith removed from New York to Ohio, and later to Newton county, Indiana, where he en- tered land and improved a farm, on which he resided until his removal to Kansas. After many years' residence there he returned to Newton county, and here passed the rest of his days, dying in March, 1894, at the advanced age of ninety-nine years. He made his home with the father of our subject for nearly twenty years before his death. Politically he was a strong Repub-
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lican, and he was a consistent member of the Christian church. His chil- dren were: Joseph, Margaret (mother of our subject), Nathaniel, Sarah (Mrs. Waters), Hannah (Mrs. Whitaker), John, James and Elizabeth. John, Margaret and Sarah are the only ones now living.
To Morris Lyons and his wife the following children were born: Isaiah, deceased; Newton, who lives in Ross county, Ohio; John, deceased; Abel, deceased; Samuel, father of our subject; Ann, who died when fifty years of age; Margaret (Mrs. Bookwalter); Elizabeth (Mrs. Hess); Morris, deceased; and Sophia (Mrs. Ponsler.)
GEORGE W. VAN ALSTINE,
Although but a comparatively recent acquisition as a citizen of Monti- cello, White county, Indiana, Mr. Van Alstine is one of the most enterpris- ing and esteemed men of the place. He came to Monticello some five years ago, from Kankakee county, Illinois, and has been closely identified with the best interests of the village ever since. He was born in Hillsdale county, Michigan, February 12, 1843, and is a son of Adam and Catherine (Gay) Van Alstine. His father was at one time a farmer in the state of Michigan, but died in Jasper county, Indiana, at the age of seventy-five years. He married Catherine Gay, who was born in Michigan and died when our subject was but four years old. There were but two children, - Charles, of Fostoria, Kansas, and George W., the subject of this biography.
After the death of his mother, George W. Van Alstine went to Elkhart, Indiana, and made his home with his grandmother for a time. His father moved west and took George with him, his early years being spent amid great disadvantages. He wandered around with his father, here and there, having no settled home. Sometimes they were engaged at one thing, some- times at another, but most of the time were employed in putting up telegraph lines, and they put up the first line on the Rock Island Railroad west of Chicago. Under these circumstances, his education was necessarily limited, in so far as school-book learning went; but he had a keen intelligence, and was quick to pick up any stray bit of information and store it safely away in his capacious memory, and it was surprising to find the variety and depth of practical wisdom thus acquired. When the civil war broke out, Mr. Van Alstine was very desirous of becoming a soldier, but was prevented from doing so by his father, as he was under age. However, the following year, 1862, he succeeding in eluding that parent, and in August of that year enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. His brother was with him, and the father, finding his sons had entered the army, followed and joined the same regiment. They took part
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in much of the fighting along the Mississippi river, and were under Sherman. Our subject's life here was replete with adventure and excitement, and the experiences through which he went would make an interesting chapter in his- tory. He was wounded at Guntown, Mississippi, but tenaciously kept out of the hospital and remained with his regiment, being off duty only six weeks. He was mustered out June 17, 1865, and returned to Kankakee, Illinois, where he resumed the peaceful pursuits of pastoral life, which he followed until he located in Monticello, five years ago. He was not suited with farm life, preferring some more genial occupation, and accordingly engaged in business, under the firm name of George W. Van Alstine & Son. He obtained the franchise and they introduced and operated the electric plant at this place, furnishing one thousand three hundred incandescent, and over twenty-eight, arc lights. After successfully completing this enterprise they sold it to other parties on May 1, 1899. Thanks to his enterprise, Monticello is now a well lighted city, and a new element of prosperity seems to reign in the community. Since coming here Mr. Van Alstine has estab- lished a horse market, which has proved of benefit to the surrounding country.
Mr. VanAlstine was married to Miss Ellen Kile, of Kankakee county, Illinois, to them have been born two children, -Ernest, who is in business with his father, and Minnie, the wife of Frank S. Highway, the principal of the high school at Crown Point. Ernest VanAlstine married Miss Cora Pul- ver, and is the father of two children, Oaks and Sula Ellen. Mr. Van Alstine is a Republican. He was made a Mason twenty-two years ago, and is a member of the Monticello Post, G. A. R. He is a man of ripe experience, exceptional capacity, and a thorough knowledge of his business, and has made a host of friends since his advent here.
VALENTINE BATES.
Among the honored old citizens of Big Creek township, White county, are Valentine Bates and wife, who have dwelt in White county for thirty- six years, and for three decades lived on one farm, which place they still own. By industry and thrift, by perseverance and well applied energy, they acquired a goodly competence, and may now look back with just pride over lives worthy of praise and emulation. Their children are reared and are occupying respected and responsible positions in the world's battle-field, and to them will descend a far more priceless heritage than wealth, an unblem- ished name.
John Bates, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in New York, and was of English descent. He owned and carried on a farm near
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New York city until his death. The parents of Valentine Bates were Gil- bert and Harriet (Valentine) Bates, both born in the Empire state. Of their seven children the following are living: Hannah; Amelia, who is the wife of Henry Dater, of New York city; Mary, who is now living in Roches- ter, New York, and is the widow of Thomas B. Griffith; and Laura V., who is the wife of Clement Rushton, of Springfield, Massachusetts. The father passed his entire life in New York city, dying in 1842, when but thirty-seven years of age. He had been engaged in the dry-goods business. Mrs. Bates died in 1884, when seventy-seven years old. Religiously, she was an Episcopalian, while her husband was a Methodist. Her father, Abram Val- entine, was of English descent, a native of New York, and in early manhood he was a merchant in the metropolis, and later was a farmer. He died at the ripe age of eighty-five years.
Valentine Bates, like his forefathers, was born in the city of New York, the date of his birth being January 28, 1832. When he was ten or twelve years old his mother settled in West Farms, Westchester county, and there the lad grew to manhood, attending the select school. Then he began clerk- ing in a country store in Mamaroneck, and a year later he went into the employ of a wholesale flour house in New York city and was there for over three years. His brother, John Bates, was captain of a sea-going vessel, and in 1852 our subject sailed from New York to San Francisco, arriving at his destination in the following spring. Several years passed, during which period he engaged in mining, succeeding well. In 1856 he shipped as a sailor for New York, thus making the long journey a second time. The next three years he worked for his uncle, Alfred Bates, on his Long Island farm, after which he went to Pickaway county, Ohio, where he was similarly employed for a year.
On the 26th of March, 1862, Mr. Bates was married to Miss Caroline Amelia, daughter of John B. and Caroline (Hammond) Denton, all of New York state. Mr. Denton was born in Cold Springs, Long Island, was a mechanic in early life and later a farmer in Suffolk county, New York, where he and his brother Jonah owned nine hundred acres of valuable land. He was a kindhearted gentleman, of the old school, and though not professing Christianity he contributed liberally to all good causes and especially to those of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Bates was his only child, and his closing days of life were passed with her in her pleasant home in Big Creek township, White county, Indiana. His remains now lie buried in the ceme- tery at Monticello, his death occurring after he had passed the age of eighty years.
On the very day of his marriage Mr. Bates started with his bride for the west, and located in Tippecanoe county, this state, where they spent two
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years. Then he rented land near Brookston for two years, and a farm in West Point township one year. Coming to Big Creek township, he rented a farm for a year and then bought one hundred and ten acres, which he pro- ceeded to improve to a great extent. By further purchases he has added to this until he now has two hundred and seventy acres, constituting one of the best kept farms in the county. In 1896 he settled in Monticello and opened a grocery, which he afterward sold, and in March, 1899, returned to his Big Creek home, where he is now passing the evening of his life amid plenty and comfort. In his political views he is an ardent Republican.
He has had seven children,-Laura, John, Edward, Samuel, Wilbur, Robert and Allen. Laura, the only daughter, married Colfax Mowrer, of Monticello, and has four children,-Edna, Alice, Helen and Schuyler. John married Miss Fannie Rinker and has two children, -Lina and Ralph, -and is living on the first place purchased by Mr. Bates; Robert is with his father on the present home farm; Samuel is a harness-maker in Logansport; Allen has been engaged in clerking for several years; Edward died when six months old; and Wilbur enlisted in the Spanish-American war, in the One Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was stationed in Cuba under the command of General Lee, and was honorably discharged at the muster out of his regiment in May, 1899.
To have reared these noble children to be such patriotic and representa- tive citizens, after commencing life with means so limited and humble, is an achievement exceedingly gratifying to the parents for their long years of self- sacrificing endeavor and heroic struggle.
ROBERT J. CLARK, M. D.
The subject of this sketch is an able representative of the medical pro- fession. He comes of a family of physicians, his father and grandfather be- fore him having followed the same profession, and his qualifications are both of a natural and acquired order.
Dr. Othinel Clark, his father, was a native of Clarksburg, Harrison county, West Virginia, who removed to Tippecanoe county, this state, in 1823, and became a prominent physician of the county. He died here in December, 1866. The mother of Robert J. (nce Charille Durkee) was a native of Vermont, and her father was a physician and surgeon in the army during the war of 1812. She died at the age of eighty-four years. Dr. Othinel and Charille (Durkee) Clark were the parents of nine children, namely: John D., who died in 1862, at the age of twenty-nine years; Cor- nelia, wife of Noah S. Thompson, San Francisco, California; Jane, a widow, living at Tacoma, Washington; Allison, a merchant in this state; William R.,
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