Biographical memoirs of Grant County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography with portraits of many national characters and well-known residents of Grant County, Indiana., Part 52

Author:
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago: Bowen
Number of Pages: 1000

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NIXON WINSLOW.

MRS. CYNTHIA ANN WINSLOW.

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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS.

tributed by the patrons, the chopping being the only consideration of value. The "desks" were of hewn planks, smooth on the upper side, at least. These rested on stout pins driven into auger holes in the logs of the wall, about thirty inches from the floor ; nevertheless the small and the large pupils used the same "desks," if they could write, and it mattered little if the small pupils' feet were dangling in the air a foot from the floor. The "seats" were made of puncheons, later slabs, with the smooth side up. Auger holes were bored into them at proper angles, and stout legs driven in and cut to the proper length. Occasionally there was a "low" one, but usually the "a, b, c," class sat on the same benches as those "ciphering in the Double Rule of Three"-and that was the acme of mathematical ambition. Mr. Wins- low says he nearly mastered it under the tuition of his old teacher, William Neal, now living in Marion.

But the windows! Let the youth of to- day imagine a window without glass. True, "bad boys" sometimes break the glass, but these never had glass in them. They con- sisted of holes cut through the logs, and these holes were covered with greased paper. Through these an occasional beam of sun- shine reached the book of the student, but not often. The walls were adorned, not with outline maps, winsome mottoes, or beautiful pictures, but with dried mud which served to keep the wintry blasts outside the walls. Finish the building with a huge chimney from the ground to the top of the build- ing or "comb" of the roof. This was built of split sticks imbedded in mud so deeply that they did not often catch fire from the roaring, crackling furnace beneath, but some .- times they did. The door was made of boards 25

split from a straight-grained log. These were held together by wooden cleats pinned on with wooden pins. The "hinges" were an extension of the cleats, with an auger hole through them, resting on a projecting "half-hinge" pinned to the jamb. When the door opened its creaking would have alarmed the neighborhood, but for the fact that their "residences" were also furnished with the same kind of hinges. "Ventilation," about which so much is said and written in later days, was wisely though unconsciously pro- vided for in the wide open fire-place and chimney, and it is doubtful if any modern school-house supplies fresher or purer air, even though scientifically "ventilated."

Here, then, Mr. Winslow laid the foun- cation of an education. A knowledge of the "Three R's" was about the extent to which the average "school master" was able to take his students. And if, in recog- nition of superior merit or through favor- itism, a female teacher was employed the "big boys" left school for fear she would teach them grammar. On holidays, the pupils managed to reach the school-house before the "master," and "barred him out" for a treat. This was not always success- ful, however, for the projecting corners of the log house made quite a convenient means of ascent, and occasionally a belligerent master would place obstructions over the chimney and smoke the scholars out. How- ever, Mr. Winslow remembers sharing in the distribution of two bushels of apples, a great luxury in that day, by the generous hand of his friend and teacher, Mr. Neal, on a Christ- mas morning.

These old-time reminiscences afford the means of comparison, and to that extent are educational. It is also pleasant to reflect

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upon the "has beens" of life, and to recog. nize, by such reflection, the rapid flight of time and the wonderful progress made in the development of our country within the span, of a human life. Our subject assisted his father and brothers in the arduous task ot clearing up a farm in the wilderness, at that time infested by wild beasts and wilder men, the Indians, were numerous, treacher. ous and dangerous. Still the whites were so thoroughly organized and prepared that no serious Indian troubles occurred in the vicinity. The forest and the streams largely furnished the food supplies of the commu- nity-Indian corn and vegetables supplying the deficiency. Money was very scarce, and of uncertain quality. Pelts and skins, also certain grains, became a measure of values, and in some communities, the circulating medium. Day laborers were paid in these commodities, or their value, in other pro. (lucts of the field, forest or loom. Eight dol -- lars a month and "board around" was the usual contract with teachers, who taught twenty-two days for a month. Ordinary laborers received less.

Nixon Winslow was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, on the 28th of June. 1831. He is a son of Thomas and Martha (Bogue) Winslow, also natives of North Carolina, where they were married. Neither of them lived to old age, and both died near Fairmount, father at sixty-seven years of age and the mother at sixty-four. Three of their family of five children-Nixon, John and Nancy-were born in North Caro- lina, and David and Penina were born in Indiana. Of these only Nixon and his brother David are now living, though all lived to pass the meridian of life. The mother of Nixon was his father's second wife.

Nixon Winslow was married in this county in 1853. the lady of his choice being Miss Cynthia Ann, daughter of Denny and Mary Jay, natives of Ohio. They came to this county about 1850, and died near Jones- bero. Mrs. Winslow was born in Miami county, Ohio, in 1832.

Mr. and Mrs. Winslow have six children and one deceased. The eldest is Luvenia, now Mrs. Kelsay, who lives on a farm near Fairmount ; Webster, also a farmer, resides in Fairmount; Denny is a farmer in Liberty township; Mary Ellen, an accomplished young lady, is still under the parental roof. the companion of her parents; Ancel and Clinton are farmers in Fairmount township; Marcus died in childhood.

The sons chose the vocation of their father, and followed farming from choice. Mr. Winslow has been liberal with his chil- (ren, giving them all a good start in busi- ness life. This they have improved upon and are all very well-to-do.

Mr. Winslow is a Quaker, or Friend, in religious faith, being born into the church according to the cusotm of that branch of religious worship. He is devoted to the principles of this time-honored organization. His creed is to deal justly with his fellow man ; encouraged by example, as well as by precept. the tenets of a just righteous life. A leading characteristic of the Friends is their discountenance of strife and conten- tion. They foster and encourage the prin- ciples of temperance and sobriety, avoid bickerings and strife, and do not believe in war as a "civilizer." This is strongly em- phasized in the experience of the Quaker ac the battle of Gettysburg, who, being im- pressed into the emergency service to repel Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, and seeing

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a Rebel, called out to him "Friend, thec stands just where I want to shoot," fired his gun, and down came the Rebel.

The early geneology of the Winslow family is somewhat obscure, yet there is enough positively known to say that they came from England before the Revolution- ary war, and located in New England, this particular branch of the family locating in the South. Since the name figures promi- nently in the history of Revolutionary times, it is more than probable that this family was engaged in the great struggle for American Independence. It is now a very numerous family in Indiana and the middle west.

SALMON S. BOWMAN.

If there is one thing more than another in which every loyal citizen of Marion takes pride, it is that the public schools are unsur- passed in their efficiency by and town of simi- lar size in the state. Like much of the general growth of the city, the greatest ad- vancement of the schools has been during the past fourteen years, since when the corps of teachers has increased from thirteen to cighty-three, the principals having then been but three where there are now twelve. Among those who have done active work in the making of the school system and whose impress is keenly felt throughout is Salmon S. Bowman, the popular principal of the grammar grades at the high school building.

Unlike many of his profession, Mr. Bow- man takes a broad view of those things that tend to advance the interests of the human species, having passed that period where so many stop, adhering to the narrow view

of the pedagogue; but with a broader con- sideration of the duties of the true educa- tor, lends to the efforts of earnest men and women who, not tied by the lines of party or creed but with a love for mankind, use every honest means to make the world bet- ter and happier by their living in it. He is a true educator and follows the profession of teaching, not simply for the living it af- fords, but for the love inherent in his nature for the enfranchisement of the human mind and the converting of the youth of the coun- try into able and responsible men and women. He is a teacher by nature-not simply one the force of circumstances. The debt due a few conscientious workers like him may not be fully appreciated by the present gen- eration, but it is hoped those who succeed will be able to thoroughly grasp the advan- tages they have derived through the efforts of a few earnest and honest teachers.

Mr. Bowman was born in Henry county, Indiana, January 24, 1849, being the son of David and Ruth ( Bell) Bowman, the former of whom was the son of Benjamin Bowman, who came to Indiana from Ohio about 1816. He was of German ancestry but of Penn- sylvania birth. Ruth Bell, the mother of Salmon, was born in North Carolina and came to Indiana when but a small girl. The Bowman home being close to Hagerstown, Wayne county, Salmon had the advantage of the fairly good schools of that place, sup- plementing them with an attendance at the high school at Richmond. In May, 1864, when some months less than sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Company F, One Hun- dlred and Thirty-fourth Indiana V. I., un- der Col. James Gavin. His active service was in the northern part of Alabama, and consisted, in the main, of guard duty, as he

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was stationed along the various railroads of that state. In this way the one hundred days for which he had enlisted were employed, his discharge coming at the end of the period of service. This proved an excellent training for the youth, and was of much value to him in forming his subsequent opinions of men and events. He resumed the prepara- tion for life employment by further school attendance at Marion, and began to teach, when in his twentieth year, at the old home at Hagerstown. With the exception of but two years, he has taught constantly ever since. After some time in the schools of his native county, he accepted the position of principal of the high school at Bethany, Mis- souri, where his efforts did much to place the school upon a more exalted basis. Beth- any is one of the old conservative interior towns of the conservative state, and his in- troduction of more advanced ideas on edu- cational matters than the people had been accustomed to was met with no little oppo- sition and criticism; but the straightfor- ward manner in which he met the objections and aroused the enthusiasm of the pupils, finally reaching all who were interested, over- came former obstacles and resulted finally in the great advancement of the schools and the establishing of a new value of education that has since made Bethany the center of advanced and improved methods that have exerted a wonderful influence in the shaping of thought in Missouri.

On returning to Indiana, Mr. Bowman became the principal of the Converse school, where he remained for five years, succeeding this with three years in the district schools of Grant county. The two following years were passed in a bank at Converse, and then began his connection with the Marion

schools, in which he has remained constantly since 1886. The school was then just get- ting formed into something of the present system, embodying the application of those great and logical principles deducted by the world's most acute philosophical educators, Froebel, Pestalozzi, and Rousseau. The wide training and experience of Mr. Bow- man made his relation to the school mean something more than the mere addition of one more teacher. Having kept in touch with the movement toward better methods and with the strength coming from many years' studious application to the needs of the times, he entered heartily into the for- ward movement, here devoting his experi- once and ability to the shaping of a more advanced course of study and its introduc- tion without unnecessary friction into the work of the school. Believing that the great duty of the schools is to better fit men and women for the responsibilities of life, his efforts have been directed to the advance- ment of the practical rather than the mere culture of the mind, the lines of training that will the better fit the youth for actual citi- zenship.

For fourteen years, his every energy has been concentrated upon the one object, and to that end his influence has been to bringing his teachers to have equal enthu- siasm in the work as himself. That they have done so, becoming imbued with equal fervor, is proven by the uniform progress made in all the schools of the city. Manual training is advocated, its results, wherever adopted, being of so beneficial a nature.

The school over which Mr. Bowman has immediate supervision now employs ten teachers, who have four hundred and thirty 1avpils under their training, and the value of

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the work done is shown on every hand. He is also connected with all the educational work of the state, being a member of the Northern Indiana Teachers' Association, in the deliberations of which he takes an active and influential part.

Salmon S. Bowman was married at Con- verse, Indiana, December 25, 1878, to Miss Mattie, daughter of David Mendenhall, of Converse, where she was born, reared and educated. Their family consists of three children-Ethel, Donald, and Hazell. The latter is a high-school student, the son an electrician, and the elder daughter-Ethel- is becoming quite well and favorably known as a writer of reputation and promise. Her poetical productions breathe a spirit of pathos and tenderness, which, combined with a clear diction and pleasant versification, indi- cate a true poetical spirit. Herewith is a selection from her pen that will no doubt be appreciated :--

AT CURTAIN FALL.

Soon, I think, will fall the curtain on life's tragi- comedy,

Though I wait here all unknowing what my few last lines shall be,

I, long since, my plot unraveled, heedless how the critics caviled,

And my part is now so little there's no longer need of me.

In the far, fair days behind me when I first was on the stage,

I thought I should be the hero; to the world I flung my gage;

Ne'er a heart than mine beat gladder, fame seemed as a smooth-runged ladder.

Ardent, glowing heart of boyhood, how it chills and fails with age!

Then the Master of the drama gave an ancient role to play-

Lover-in the old, yet ever-new and ever-wondrous way.

Ah, the shine and shade of living, hasty quarrels, sweet forgiving!

Oh, the marvel of the moonlight! Oh, the miracle of day!

All our speech was set to music, music our two glad hearts made;

I no more craved fame and fortune, loved the minor parts we played.

But the joy-dial's flying finger would not let her further linger;

Done her sweet part in the drama, from my clasping arms she strayed.

Always earth is glad, nor cares she what of loss men's hearts may hold;

Still the redbird called his sweetheart, still the autumn leaves turned gold,

Still came winter's dazzling glory, still the springtide's flow'r-writ story,

Lyric winds sang through the tree-tops crooning dear old songs of old.

And soft-sandaled years strewed heart's-ease and white poppies in their flight-

Naught is left me trom that love-dream, save some- times a sob at night.

And a heart thrilled through its sadness, oftentimes by others' gladness,

And a sweet hope ever present that somewhere 'twill all come right.

Yes, the play is almost over, soon the curtain-bell will call;

Would I'd said my speeches better! Ah, well! He who wrote it all

Knows how hard it was to render; He can be but kind and tender.

" Well done, child, you did your best," I think He'll say at curtain fall.

-Ethel Bowman. Marion, Ind,

FRANKLIN DRUCKEMILLER.

Franklin Druckemiller is an extensive stock-raiser and farmer of Franklin town- ship, Grant county, Indiana, whose property has increased under his shrewd supervision until at this time he is in affluent circum- stances. He was born February 20, 1849,

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in Carroll county. Ohio, and was a child of six years when his parents moved to Frank- lin township, Grant county, where he grew to man's estate, receiving his education in the common schools. He remained at home until his twenty-sixth year, when he began to do for himself. In 1877 occurred his marriage with Miss Amanda Small, who has presented him with five children, Cal- vin, Gertrude, Myrtle, Melvin and Nora.

After his marriage he rented part of the homestead, where he remained many years, cultivating the ground and saving his earn- ings. In 1889 he purchased the property he now owns, containing two hundred and seventy-six acres of good land, most of which is under cultivation. He has been largely engaged in stock-raising, but also does considerable farming, and in 1897 saw an opportunity to increase his income by going into the wholesale business, and as he is ever on the alert to turn an honest penny he took advantage of the opportunity. His opinions carry weight in the business circles of the township and he is accorded the respect of all. He is not in sympathy with secret orders and in politics is an un- swerving Prohibitionist.

GEORGE SHUGART.

George Shugart, an old and esteemed resident of Franklin township, Grant county, Indiana, was born in Wayne county, this state, near Fountain City, May 19, 1823, is a son of John, grandson of George, and great-grandson of Zachariah Shugart.

John Shugart was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, and came to Wayne county with his father at an early day, en- tering government land here. There he met

and married Miss Sarah Ratcliff, who bore him nine children, all of whom have passed to the better world except our subject and his brother John, who is a farmer of Frank- lin township. They were as follows : Henry, Betsey, Cornelius, George, John, Mary, Sal- ly Abigail, and Isaiah. In 1838 the family came to Grant county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land of Mr. Bal- linger, situated in Mills township. There was on this land a log house containing two rooms, and here the father died in his six- ty-seventh year. He had been very success- iul in life and was an earnest Christian, a inember of the Quaker church.

George Shugart was a lad of fifteen when his parents located in Mills township, and he continued to live at home until his mar- riage December 24, 1844, to Miss Abigail Osborne. Early in the spring following he came to this farm in Franklin township, where he has since lived. He is the father of three children : Henry M., a farmer and dairyman of this township; Thomas N., de- ceased; and Mary J., widow of William Bogue. The present Mrs. Shugart, to whom he was united after the death of his second wife, was Mrs. Mary Smith, widow of Isaac R. Smith, and a daughter of Jesse and Han- nah Thomas. She was born in Wayne coun- ty, in 1829, and when but two months old was brought by her parents to Grant coun- ty. to North Marion, where they located. In 1846, Mr. Shugart erected a log house for his family. It had one room, one window, and one door, and occupied the site of his present handsome brick residence. There are one hundred and and one acres of this land and it was all in its wild state when purchased by Mr. Shugart : now there are ninety-six acres in cultivation, the remain-

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ing five being left for pasture and shade. The work of clearing has all been performed by Mr. Shugart himself, and his farming operations have also been carried on under his immediate supervision.

Mr. Shugart is a man of great strength of character, and has taken a very deter- inined stand on the question of temperance, giving his unqualified support to the Prohi- bition party, hoping in time to see the liquor traffic wiped from the face of our fair globe. He and his estimable wife are members of the Quaker church in which he has been an elder for many years. Many are the changes and improvements he has noted since becoming a resident of this county, the old log school-house with its puncheon floor, clapboard roof, and mud and stick chim- ney have long ago disappeared and their places have been taken by the neat frame and more substantial brick. Attractive farm houses dot the country over while the popu- lous and thriving little city of Marion he can distinctly remember as a small hamlet which boasted but one store.

Mr. Shugart has had much sickness in his family, entailing heavy expense, yet withal he has accumulated a competency.

Mrs. Shugart by her marriage with Isaac [ ?. Smith had five children ; two died young and three are living, viz. : Robert. L. Smith ; Allen J. Smith, and Miranda, wife of Frank- iin Wright.

JOHN SHIELDS.

John Shield's is an old anl highly re- spected farmer of Grant county, Indiana, having been a resident of Franklin township for almost half a century, and proved him- self a valuable citizen. He was born July

21, 1826, near Xenia, in Greene county, Ohio, and there grew to manhood, attend- ing the primitive schools which were kept in a log cabin and became familiar with the routine of agricultural life.

Preston Shields, father of John Shields, was a native of Virginia, served in the war of 1812, and married Miss Delilah Fulker- son and died in Jay county, Indiana, at the age of eighty-three years, his wife having died in the same county when seventy-nine years old. William Shields, father of Pres- ton, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The fa- ther of William Shields came from Ireland, was of Scotch-Irish parentage and was an elder in the old Presbyterian church at Phil- adelphia.

The lessons of his youth had prepared John Shiel:ls for a life of independence and at the age of twenty-one he struck out for himself, working at any honest employment he could find, cutting wood for a time and working by the day on a farm. The first summer he worked three months for forty dollars and in 1848 went to Dunkirk, Jay county, helping his father clear a new farm, returning to his old home in the winter and securing a position in the pork-packing establishment. During this time by the most frugal living he had managed to secure and save two hundred dollars, which was the nucleus around which his present comfort- able fortune has accumulated. He returned to Jay county with this money and purchased eighty acres of land for two hundred and fifty dollars, paying the two hundred down.

John Shields helped his father get in his crop that season and in December, 1849, took to himself a wife in the person of Miss Araminta J. Wroe, who was a daugh-

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ter of Benjamin Wroe, who was a soklier of the war of 1812 and died in Iowa, at the age of seventy-six years. Mr. Shields found he had his eighty acres paid for and just three dollars in money on which to live. They began housekeeping in the house in which he was born, farming that place for two years and in 1851 made a visit to Grant county, Indiana, to see the relatives of Mrs. Shields who lived in Franklin township. That was the turning point in their lives, as they both were so well pleased with this new country that they determined to make ij their future home, and at once settled down there, our subject securing employ- ment as sawyer in the saw-mills which he later owned and operated. In 1866 he bought his present farm of eighty acres, most of which he has cleared and improved it in a manner suitable to his requirements, making it a cosy, homelike spot. He has been engaged in general farming and stock- raising and was also interested in the lum- ber business at one time.

Mr. Shields has made a good record as a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting August 10. 1862. in Company C. Twelfth indiana Volunteer Infantry, for a term of three years, and receiving his discharge June 8, 1865. at Washington, under the rank of corporal. He was mustered in August 30, and on the same day the company was in the fight at Richmond, Kentucky, was cap- tured, but was paroled and sent home. Later on the prisoners were exchanged and Mr. Shields took part in many hot engagements and was never lacking in bravery and cour- age. He was in the rear line in the siege of Vicksburg: in the thickest of the fray at Jackson, Mississippi (second battle) ; re- turned to the Fifteenth Army Corps at Chat-

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Biographical memoirs of Grant County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography with portraits of many national characters and well-known residents of Grant County, Indiana., Part 52

Author: Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago: Bowen Number of Pages: 1000

Author:
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago: Bowen
Number of Pages: 1000