USA > Indiana > Blackford County > Biographical memoirs of Blackford County, Ind. : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography embellished with portraits of many well known residents of Blackford County, Indiana > Part 38
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M. D. Celouair
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received a certificate of graduation in 18.42. Immediately thereafter he began practicing his profession in Clinton county, where he continued for a limited period only, remov- ing to Blackford county, Indiana, the above year, and locating at Hartford City, at that time an insignificent hamlet. but abounding in opportunities for a young and ambitious man with his fortune still in the future. It would be interesting to note in detail a his- tory of the Doctor's carly practice among the sparse settlements of Blackford and neighboring counties, how for ma: v days and nights in succession he was kept con- stantly on the go in order to answer the calls of his numerous patients living at remote distances and how upon more than one oc- casion while traversing lonely roads through dense orests he was compelled to climb trees in order to escape being torn to pieces by the wolves then so plentiful in this part of the state, but anything more than a mere reference to these and other thrilling ex- periences would far transcend the limits of an article calculated, as is this, to be merely a synopsis of the leading parts in his life. The Doctor's practice from the time of his settlement has more than met his most san- guine expectations and its history, if prop- erly chronicled, would fill a respectably sized volume of interesting reading. Coming to Blackford county when he did, a young man animated by a laudable desire to succeed, le has seen the country gradually develop from its primitive condition of woodland, with settlements like niches in surrounding for- ests, into one of the best populated and most highly improved sections of central Indiana. In the gradual upbuilding of civilization in these parts the Doctor has been no idle spectator, but imbued with the progressive spirit characteristic of our cosmopolitan pop-
ulace, he contributed freely his share of the energy and activity necessary to lay broad and deep the foundation upon which the prosperity of the community now rests. For a period exceeding by six years a half-cen- tury his familiar form was seen traversing the highways and byways of the county. prompt to answer every call, pausing at no obstacle except his own disability, which was rare, and ministering alike to rich and poor in their afflictions, the good Doctor was everywhere a welcome guest and his presence in the sick room a comfort and a benedic- tion. His familiarity with every detail of the general practice, his long and success- ful experience in treating diseases with which humanity in this part of the west has been afflicted during the last half-century, the gentle touch and the confidence inspired by his presence long since combined to make him the ideal family physician, and even now, since advancing age and infirmities in- cident thereto have compelled him to forego much of his former activity, there are still patients who cling to him and refuse rem- edies when tendered by other hands. Dr. Clouser practiced continuously until 1898. since which time, by reason of a severe spell of sickness then suffered, he has not been able to much more than administer to such patients as visit his office. His present in- tention is to retire permanently from the profession, to which his best years and ripest energies have been devoted, and spend the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of that rest and quiet which only those who have battled so long and successfully with the world know fully how to appreciate.
The Doctor has kept pace with the prog- ress of his profession and during his practice has met. in consultation and otherwise, many of the most eminent physicians and surgeons
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of the state. He was really the second medi- cal man to locate in Hartford City, and to many who have since come and gone he proved of valued assistance and more than one man now distinguished in the profes- sion owes much of his success to the kind words and sound advice of the old physi- cian who could look upon the advancement of others without envy and frecly give of his knowledge and experience to alleviate the suffering of mankind. ITe has been a mem- ber of the Blackford County Medical So- ciety ever since its organization and in all the deliberations of that body his voice has been heard and his counsels heeded. He was a leading spirit in the organization of the Medical Society of Grant County and at the present time his name appears upon the records of the American Medical Associa- tion, the State Medical Society (since 1862) and the Mississippi Valley Medical Society, with all of which he has frequently met and while in attendance has been no idle spec- tator. For a number of years he served at different times as president of the Blackford County Society, and to him more than any other individual is duie the success with which i: has been crowned. The Doctor is a mem- ber of the Pan-American Medical Congress and met with it in Washington, D. C., in 1893. They had a large group picture made, in which the Doctor occupies a conspicuous place. Through infirmities he has not been permitted to attend the congress since that time. Fraternally the Doctor belongs to the Masonic order and in religion was for- merly a Methodist, but in recent years in- clines towards the teachings of Advent- ism.
Dr. Clouser has been thrice married, the first time to Mary Mann, of Greene county. Ohio, daughter of Charles Mann. She was
his faithful companion and helper for over fifty years, sharing during that long period his joys and sorrows and by wise and judi- cious counsel enabling him to overcome many obstacles with which his early profes- sional life was beset. The fruit of this union was five children, whose names are as fol- lows: Charity Ann, wife of James Ruck- man ; Robbie D .; Lydia married, first, Jacob Wells, after whose death she became the wife of Charles Steer; Charles; and Eliza- betli, now Mrs. George W. Merrick. Mrs. Clouser departed this life on the Ist day of April. 1891, and September 29, 1898, the Doctor entered into the bonds of wedlock with Rosa Dill. Subsequently, on the 23d of May, 1900, he married his present wife, Ida Frances McConnell, who looks after his interests and makes pleasant the home where his declining years are being passed.
Thus briefly and modestly have been portrayed the salient facts in the life of one of Hartford City's most eminent profes- sional men. During his long and somewhat eventful residence. covering the greater part of the history ( Blackford county and its seat of justice, Dr. Clouser has made a record which is the legitimate subject of criticism by the people, as is that of any man occupy- ing a conspicuous place in the public gaze. Devoted to a profession, through the medium of which he has administered comfort and healing to thousands of afflicted mortals. earnest in his endeavor to promote the good of a people among whom so many of his years have been spent, kind and considerate to all with whim he has had relations of any kind whatsoever, it is fitting that this tribute be paid to his worth as a man, with the hope that his days may yet be long in the land, and that finally when the race is run a bounteous reward may await him for all
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the good he has been the means of dissemi- nating while so nobly fulfilling his earthly mission.
HENRY . PENCER FARGO.
Henry Spencer Fargo, a distinguished attorney-at-law in Hartford City and a gal- lant ex-soldier of the Civil war, was born in Warsaw, Wyoming county, New York, April 29, 1846, a son of David M. and Sarah A. (Wilson) Fargo.
David M. Fargo was also a native of Wyoming county, New York, and was there reared to farming and stock raising. and there made his home until 1858, when he removed to Ionia, Michigan, where he resided until 1870, when he went to Paola, Kansas, and there passed the remainder of his life, dying January 10, 1880, his wife surviving him until July 20, 1888. They were the parents of eight children, who were born and named in the following order : Wilson D., now in the insurance business at St. Paul, Minnesota ; Laura A., wife of C. J. Towne, of Duluth, Minnesota ; George F., who died in Virginia March 15, 1864. while taking part in the Civil war: Henry S., the subject of this sketch; Emily L., widow of P. M. Rockwell, M. D., and now residing in Philadelphia; Amelia A., wife of Rev. John Staley, of the Congregational church, in Michigan: Frank F., telegraph operator at St. Paul, Minnesota, and Ella F .. wife of Frederick C. Stevens, member of congress from St. Paul, Minnesota. The parents were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and stood very high in social circles and the father was quite prominent as a Republican.
Henry S. Fargo, the subject of this
sketch, was about twelve years of age when he was taken by his parents from Now York to Michigan, and in the latter state he attended the common schools until six- teen years old. February 9, 1864, he en- listed at Grand Rapids in defense of the integrity of the Union, and served until after the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., in No- vember, 1865. He then returned to his Michig a home, attended school and clerked until 1868, then moved to Paola, Kansas. and engaged in farming and stock raising until 1871, in the meantime studying law in the office of W. B. Brayman in Paola until the date mentioned. when he moved to Sumner county, which he assisted in organ- izing, hauling to it the first load of lumber ever taken there for building purposes.
After the organization of Summer coun- ty Mr. Fargo opened an office for the prac- tice of law at Wellington, the county seat, but soon became interested in the cattle busi- ness, took up an extensive land claim, and followed cattle dealing until 1873, when he returned to Paola and continued in the same line until 1887.
In the year last mentioned Mr. Fargo engaged in the real estate business and in building in Kansas City. Missouri, and also in mining in Joplin, in the same state, and while in Kansas City was claim agent for the Kansas City. Springfield & Memphis Railroad Company and adjusted many losses throughout the states of Missouri and Ar- kansas, to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned. thus adding considerably to his pres- tige. But in September, 1892, he sold out his interests in the west and came to Indi- ana, built a zinc smelter at Upland, in Grant county, organized a company at that lo- cation and also a company at Ingles, Indi-
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ona, of the former of which he was the sec- retary, and of the latter the president, but at the same time made his home in Hartford City. In 1894 he sold his interests in these smelters and opened a law office in Van Buren, Grant county, where he had a suc- cessful practice for two years, then sought the broader field of Hartford City, where he has had his office since 1896, a fact indicative in itself of proseprity.
It is necessary, however, to allude to the domestic affairs of Mr. Fargo and to state that he married, in Saranac, Michigan, in 1866. Miss Gertrude E. Perry, who was born in that city April 2, 1848, and is a daugh- ter of Henry and Julia ( Ellsworth) Perry. To this felicitous union have been born three children, viz: Eva F., who is the wife of T. W. Sharpe, D. D. S., of Hartford City; Wyona F., a teacher and residing under the parental roof, and Estella, also at home. The family are Presbyterians in their re- ligious faith, and fraternally Mr. Fargo is an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Tent of Maccabees.
Mr. Fargo is a fine specimen of fully de- veloped manhood, physically as well as men- tally, is very popular in the community, and the indications are that he will reappear in Washington, D. C., in another capacity than that of a discharged defender of his coun- try's flag.
THOMAS A. KEGERREIS.
Thomas Andrew Kegerreis, a prominent young attorney-at-law and educator at Hart- ford City. Licking township, Blackford county, Indiana, was born in Randolph coun- ty, Indiana, September 14, 1864, and is a
son of Jacob C. and Margaret A. Kegerreis, to the biography of whom, on another page. the attention of the reader is respectfully called.
Although born in Randolph county, young Thomas A. was educated in the com- mon schools of Delaware county, the ad- jacent county to the west, until fourteen ears of age, when he came with His parents to Blackford county and again attended school until sixteen years old. General labor next occupied his time until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he entered Dan- ville Normal College, attended two terms, and immediately afterward entered on his career of teaching, in which he met with eminent success in Licking township, for twelve years, or until 1899, when he turned his attention exclusively to the law, the study of which he had begun in 1893, and with wonderful energy and enterprise had also conducted a grocery rrade during the summer while pursuing his pedagogic career.
In 1896 Mr. Kegerreis was admitted to the bar by Judge E. C. Vaughn and practiced in partnership with Charles W. Pierce until the fall of 1898, and then alone until 1899, in the summer of which year he formed a partnership with H. S. Fargo, which part- nership still exists. He did not see fit, how- ever, to relinquish teaching until he had fully established his reputation as a lawyer, which he has done beyond all shadow of doubt, as he now commands a lucrative and extensive practice.
The marriage of Thomas A. Kegerreis took place in Hartford City. September 7. 1889, to Miss Dora Bolner, a natice of Black- ford county and a daughter of Henry and Amanda Bolner, pioneers and farming peo- ple of the highest respectability. Four chil-
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dren have graced this marriage, the eldest of whom, however, Howard W., is deceased. The three survivors are Harry H .. Edessa D. and Thomas, Jr.
The Kegerreis family attends the Methodist Episcopal church, and, socially, mingle with the best people of the townshi; by whom they are held in the highest es- teem. In politics Mr. Kegerreis is inde- pendent and is the present truant officer of the county. He is a Knight of the Tent of Maccabees, and is a public-spirited, rising young professional man for whom the near future holds in store a brilliant destiny.
THOMAS W. SHARPE, D. D. S.
Standing at the head of the dental pro- fession in Hartford City is Dr. Thomas W. Sharpe, who was born in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, October 29, 1865. llis fa- ther, Samuel Sharpe, also a native of the Keystone state, was by occupation a farmer and the mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Griffith, was born and reared in the aforesaid county of Fulton. The family of these parents consisted of five children, the subject of this sketch being the first in order of birth, and besides him there is but one other living at the present time, viz : Edith, who became the wife of J. B. Binga- man, a jeweler of Hartford City. Samuel Sharpe was a farmer by occupation, which useful calling he parsued with varying suc- cess and profit in the state of his nativity un- til his death, in the year 1889. The widow, who by a previous marriage had three chil- dren, still survives, making her home at this time under the family roof of the subject of this sketch.
Dr. Thomas W. Sharpe remained with his parents until his sixteenth year, at which early age he began life for himself as clerk with a mercantile firm at Franklin Mills, Pennsylvania, attending meantime the com- mon schools of his native county, in which he mastered the elements of a practical Eng- lish education. He continued clerking at in- tervals for a period of five years, spending a number of winter seasons during this time as a teacher, having by close application to his studies and a wide range of reading suc- ceeded in becoming sufficiently well quali scholastically to obtain, when only eighteen years of age, a license entitling him to ex- ercise the functions of a public instructor in the common schools of his native state. In 1886 Mr. Sharpe made a prospecting tour throughout various parts of the west and while there entered a tract of government land in Hamilton county, Kansas, upon which he settled and remained for a period of six months, but spent in all two years in the state.
In the meantime, having decided to turn his attention to dentistry as a life work, and the better to prepare himself for the suc- cessful discharge of the duties of the pro- fession, he disposed of his western real es- tate and returning east entered. October, 1889, the Baltimore College of Dental Sur- gery, from which he was graduated with the degree of D. D. S. in 1891. Within a comparatively brief period after leaving col- lege Dr. Sharpe began the practice of his profession at the town of McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained with en- couraging success about one year, removing at the expiration of that time to Hartford City, Indiana, where a larger and more re- munerative field awaited him. Since opening an office here, in .892, his suc-
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cess has been most commendable and trom the beginning his thorough mastery of every detail of the profession, together with his skill as an operator in its purely mechanical de- partment, has won for him a liberal and con- stantly increasing share of public patronage. Dr. Sharpe brought to his chosen calling a mind well disciplined by years of careful study and believing in the dignity of the profession and pursuing it with an enthus- iasm born of a determination to master every difficulty, it would indeed have been a mat- ter of wonder had he not met with success such as few attain in a much longer and more extended practice.
On the 13th day of June, 1895, Dr. Sharpe entered into the marriage relation with Miss Eva L. Fargo, who was born in Wellington, Kansas, April 18, 1872, a daughter of a well-known attorney of this place.
Such in brief are the le, ling facts in the life of a man, whose labors for the benc- fit of his fellows have been productive of so much good to them and of substantial value to himself. He is indeed a notable ex- ample of the self-made man. Beginning life's contest with a well defined purpose to succeed as his only capital, he overcame obstacles that would have been insurmount- able to many persons of less energy or weaker ambitions, and in view of the fact that he created instead of waiting for op- portunities, he may be regarded in a peculiar sense the architect of his own fortunes. As an instance of the difficulties surmounted in the way to success may be cited the fact that the means to enable him to enter col- lege was obtained by canvassing for and lo- cating library associations and when the funds thus produced became exhausted he worked his way through the remaining terms
by turning his hands to anything honorable that presented it. 1f.
Dr. Sharpe has already acquired a com- fortable competence of this world's goods. owning besides his property and business home several valuable houses and lots in Hartford City and a half interest in the Fairmount telephone plant, all of which yields him a liberal interest on the invest . inent. He is an active worker in the Wood- men and Pythian fraternities and since his twenty-first year has been an ardent sup- porter of the Democratic party.
WILLIAM A. BONHAM.
William A. Bonham, for many years a prominent attorney of Hartford City, was born in Perry county, Ohio, January 14, 1834, his parents, Peter and Susanna (Yost) Bonham, boing natives of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, respectively, the latter borti in Wheeling in the year 1800. They were married in Perry county, Ohio, and to them were born eight children: Isaac lives in Lawrence county, Indiana; Nicholas died in the hospital at Louisville during the war; Lyman, deceased, was a soldier in the Civil war; George W., also a soldier of the Civil war, is now decoas ....; William A., the sub- ject of this sketch, deceased, and Francis M., deceased.
In 1837 the parents came by team with their family to Indiana, locating first in Dela- ware county, and in 1839 came to Black- ford county and settled in Washington town- ship, whore the father lived until his death. Although game was in abundance in the country, Mr. Bonham was no hunter, pre- ferring to devote his time to clearing his
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land and making a home for his family. His' widow continued to reside on the oldl home- stead until 870, when she moved to Law- rence county, Indiana, and resided there until her death.
William A. Bonham was a lad of five years when brought by his parents to Black- ford county, where he was reared on his father's frontier farm and claimed Black- ford county his home until his death.
His education was received in the com- mon and select schools near Hartford City and in Auglaize county, Ohio. When twenty- one years of age he commenced teaching school in Ohio, where he was thus engaged for two years. He then returned to Black- ford, where he followed the teacher's pro- fession until 1864. He was persuaded to adopt the legal profession by Andrew J. Neff, who was at that time the leading law- yer in Hartford, and in 1858 he began the study of law with Mr. Neff. In January, 1861, he was admitted to the bar in Hart- ford City, before Judge J. M. Haynes, judge of the common pleas court. His first law partnor was Jacob T. Wells, with whom he was associated at intervals for about six years. From about 1874 until 1879 he was associated with John Cantwell, after which he practiced alone until the fall of 1885, when his son John A. became his partner, under the firm name of Bonham & Bonham. Mr. Bonham was united in marriage, Feb- ruary 2, 1860, to Miss Mary A. Robey, whose parents, Henry and Mary M. Robey, came to Blackford county from Perry coun- ty, Ohio, in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Bonham were the parents of three children: John A., George L., married and living in IIart- ford City, and Florence Alice, wife of F. T. Smith, of Hartford City. Mr. Bonham was connected with the Republican party
since 1860, although his first presidential vote was cast for a Democrat. His father was a Democrat in politics, and at the time of his death was holding the office of county commissioner. In 1860 Mr. Bonham was a candidate for rocorder of Blackford county, on the Republican ticket, but with the entire ticket suffered defeat. In 1862 he was ap- pointed deputy collector of internal revenue for Blackford county, and held this position until superseded by an appointee by Presi- dent Andrew Johnson. In the fall of 1864 he was elected state senator from the dis- trict composed of Blackford and Delaware counties, and served in the rogular and special sessions of 1865 and in the regular and special sessions of 1867. In April, 1865, he was one of those invited from In- diana to escort the remains of President Lincoln to the Illinois state line. In 1866 he was the editor of the Hartford City News, a Republican paper published by John M. Ruckman, and continued until a difference arose between himself and the publisher of the paper as to the policy of President John- son. Mr. Bonham vigorously opposod the administration and supported congress, while Mr. Ruckman for a while inclined to sup- port the policy, but finally yieldled. In 1869 Mr. Bonham was elected assistant secretary of the senate, serving in this capacity in the regular and special sessions. He was the Republican candidate for congress in the Democratic twelfth district of Indiana, but was defeated in 1876. In 1870 he was can- didate for representative from Jay and Blackford counties, but he being a candidate on the issue of negro suffrage his opponent was successful. He served as chairman of the Republican central committee during several campaigns.
Mr. Bonham was a member of both the
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Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and passed through all the chairs in the local organizations of each. He represented the Odd Fellows lodge in the gra I lodge of the state, and also represented the chapter of the Masonic lodge in the grand lodge. His death occurred December 29, 1887.
STEPHEN B. BORDEN.
1
Stephen Bailey Borden, one of the rep- resentative business men of Hartford City, manufacturer and dealer in harness, was born in the city of Huntington, Indiana, April 12. 1863, the son of Thomas E. and Vir- ginia (Bailey) Borden, natives, respectively, of Ohio and Virginia. Shortly after the marriage of these parents, which occurred at Pennville, Indiana, they began house- keeping in that town, where for a number of years Thomas Borden carried on harness- making, moving thence to Portland, Indi- ana, where he became proprietor of a flour- ishing hotel. The latter business was con- tinued for a period of eighteen years, at the end of which time Mr. Borden returned to Pennville, where he is now passing the evening of life, practically retired from its active duties. By his first wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, he had five chil- dren, as follows: Mary, deceased; Addie, deceased; Charles, deceased ; Josephine W., wife of J. Canfield, of Parker, Ind ana ; and Stephen Bailey. Some years after he death of his first wife, which occurred in 1863, Mr. Borden was united in marriage to Ma- tilda Magill, of which union there was no issue. The third marriage, which was sol- emnized with Laura E. Thomas, resulted in the birth of two children, Maudella, de-
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