USA > Indiana > Grant County > 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 57
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the heaviest crops grown on the entire farm. The primitive log house gave way recently to the handsome and convenient residence that affords ample accommodations for the entertainment of the guests, who here find the most hospitable reception and cordial greeting.
While his attention has been largely given to general farming. Mr. Butler has devoted considerable attention to the breeding of a high-grade stock though he does not class himself as a thoroughbred, man except in the production of Dorking and Leghorn chickens, of which he has several valuable specimens, though the pleasure derived from the breeding gives him greater satisfactioni than the financial returns.
The development of the oil industry in the section has, also, assisted materially in swelling the income of this gentleman, there now being seven wells in action, some of them among the first placed in this field, while others were sunk only during the past year. This source of revenue in addition to the receipts from the agricultural feature, has enabled the farmers of this community tc not only make all the anticipated improve- ments to the farms but many of them have made investments or engaged in enterprises distinct from the farm itself. Life to them has lost all the uncertainties of former years. all vagueness having assumed an agreeable and felicitous assurance commensurate to the easy position in which they now find themselves.
Mr. Butler was called to mourn the loss of his companion after traveling the highway of life together for fourteen years, her death transpiring in March, 1881. On the 31st of October of the year following, he became the consort of Miss Mary E. . Alexander, of
Rush county, who in youth had been the schoolmate of both himself and of the first Mrs. Butler. Of six children born to the first lady, two died in early childhood and four survive, viz. : Winnie E., wife of Clin . ton R. Witmer, of Van Buren ; Lacy G., who operates the farm with his father; Etta ... wife of Moses Powell; and Josie N., who was taken from the home by Benjamin Cook. of Warren, Indiana. Lena, Sallie and Mabel all in school, remain of the four born to the present wife.
The fact of the popularity of Mr. Butler where he is best known is fully attested by his neighbors having repeatedly chosen him as the township trustee, in which position he served the community faithfully for six years. He was first elected in 1878. at which time he served two years; and after an interregnum was placed in office again in 1886, and was again chosen at the expiration of that term. As an official he stood consist- ently for the advancement of the material in- terests of the township, as well as for ed- ucational growth. Several new schoolhouses were erected during his career as trustee, effort being exerted constantly to have the most approved plans, every attention being paid to the comfort and health of the pupils. The same attention was paid to the general conduct of the schools, the ablest teachers being secured that the finances of the times would allow. Much credit is given him by those who kept observation of his methods, for the carefully conducted business of the community, economy having been practiced all along the line. Better roads were advo- cated by Mr. Butler with equal fervor ; and his own contributions to the Washington pike, which passes his own farm, exceeded | three dollars per acre. While ever a Dem-
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ocrat, his conduct of the public business was with a view of serving the community re- gardless of political feeling or favoritism. He has taken a keen and ardent part in the conduct of the local Democracy, being rec ognized as one of the ablest men of the party in the county. His presence is felt and his voice heard in the conventions, local and state. Mr. Butler is possesed of a happy and agreeable nature, the features that make men popular predominating.
While not a communicant, he assists ilt the support of the Christian religion, his wife holding active relations with the Methodist Episcopal church. His character is an even one, the natural brusqueness being tempered by contact with the world and the modifying influences of attention to social amenities. He is not a man of hobbies, not being espe- cially devoted to sports of any nature, muchi pleasure, however, having been derived dur- ing the latter years by travel, he having vis- ited the principal places of interest in this country, especially in the southern states.
JULIU'S CLINTON LAKE.
Among those men who have been promi- nently identified with both the agricultural and the manufacturing interests of Grant county, Indiana, for several years, is Julius C. Lake, now living retired at the pushing village of Sweetser. Mr. Lake was born in Henry county, Indiana, October 13, 1837, and is a son of William and Mary (Current) Lake, both of whom were born in Virginia, where they grew to maturity and were mar- ried, coming to Indiana in 1834. They were poor, but with strong hands and will- ing heart, he set himself to the making of
a farm in the then wilds of Henry county, where, when Julius had reached the age of seven, the father was called from the wife and five little ones, the eldest being but twelve years old. The mother, realizing fully the heavy responsibility thrust upon her, set her face resolutely to the task im- posed, and by the exercise of those quali- ties that are purified and ennobled by adver- sity, managed to keep her little flock intact, seeing them grow to maturity under her own direction, and living to have them all settled in life and holding positions of honor and responsibility. Her own death occurred in Jay county, where her latter years were passed, having attained the age of seventy- six.
Julius remained with his mother till the age of twenty-one, being soon thereafter wedded to Miss Martha J. Skinner, who was born in Fayette county, Indiana. He went in debt for the first horse he owned, and in every respect had to work from the ground up. He rented land for fifteen years, dur- ing which time, by the carefulest manage- ment and strictest economy, he succeeded in accumulating about two thousand, five hundred dollars, which he invested in a one hundred and forty-four acre farm in Richland township, Grant county, paying at the rate of fifty-one dollars per acre, and assuming an indebtedness in excess of five thousand dollars, which he paid off at one thousand dollars per year with six per cent interest. While the farm was considered an improved one, he began to add to its value by a system of ditching by laying up- wards of eleven hundred rods of tile, erect- ing a three-thousand-dollar residence, build- ing a barn at a cost of more than one thou sand dollars, and contributing over a thou-
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sand dollars to the building of pike roads. He came to be recognized as about the most successful and the most scientific farmer of the neighborhood, devoting that careful at- tention to every detail that he knew any properly conducted business demanded. He now owns a second farm of eighty acres for which he paid three thousand, seven hundred dollars, and which he has also greatly im- proved with house and tiling.
Realizing that if a thing was worth do- ing it was worth doing well, Mr. Lake took early and active steps to improve the breeds of stock of the county, being one of the most successful and enthusiastic breeders of short- horn cattle of this section of the state.
Having attained that position in life that enabled him to retire from the arduous labors of the farm, he decided to secure a small tract close to the village, and here he has recently erected a handsome and convenient residence, which, with the other improve- ments he is making, never fails to attract the admiration of the traveler, who can but feel that here may be found the peace and con- tentment that comes to him whose duty on every occasion has been done with a spirit of honesty and faithfulness.
For several years Mr. Lake has been identified with the Burge-Lake Milling Company, of Marion, further mention of which will be found in connection with the sketch of its manager. Ollie Thomas. He has also taken an active part in the develop- ment of the gas industry of this region, as- sisting in the demonstration of its abund- ance for manufacturing purposes, and being at the present a stockhokler of three different companies.
Of ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lake seven are living at the present : John
W., of Pleasant : James R., who operates the old homestead; Julia A., wife of AAllen King, of Sweetser; Leonard, of Wabash county; Mollie, wife of George B. Phillips, a trav- eling salesman of Chicago; Ross, a farmer of Richland, and Thomas, living at home.
Mr. Lake has taken rather an active part in the promotion of the principles of the Democratic party, being generally found in the conventions of that organization, and even having been elected as township as- sessor in a Republican stronghold. He is a member of the Masonic craft, but is not particularly active in the workings of the fraternity, or in fact in any matter not as- sociated with his closer business relations. The years he has passed in this county have brought to him many close friends, who appreciate his worth as a citizen and a neighbor.
THOMAS BENBOW.
The civilization and progress of the states have been largely the reflection of ex- isting physical conditions, as where nature produces wealth with lavish hands. man be- comes idle and weak ; so where effort is re- quired to live he becomes enlightened and virtuous. The latter conditions prevailed in Indiana when the state was first open to emigration, and no doubt accounts for the present sturdy manliness and intelligence which exists. Stored beneath the soil of the state is a vast amount of wealth-producing material, but its existence was little sus- pected and before it was available the heavy timber and brush was cleared from the land ; low, swampy places brought to a state of cul .. tivation, and during all this time a living had
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to be dug out of the soil. It will readily be seen that the early settler of this region was thrown upon his own resources and that with the progress of civilization he also ad- vanced in ideas and capability. Among the men who contributed in no small or uncer- tain manner to this remarkable growth and development is the gentleman whose name is found at the head of this biography. Born June 11, 1836, in Grant county, In- diana, which is still his home, he is one of those prosperous, progressive agriculturits who may well be placed among the repre- sentative men.
Evan Benbow was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, September 29, 1809, and lived to the age of sixty-one years. He learned the trade of a blacksmith in his youth and followed it for many years, but finally abandoned it for the pursuits of ag- riculture. When he was about eighteen years old his parents moved to Wayne coun- ty, this state, in a one-horse wagon. Here the father, John Benbow, purchased a small tract of land which was their home for about eleven years. They then loaded their effects in the one-horse wagon and started for Grant county, crossing the Mississinewa river on the ice, and locating in Mill township, where the father had entered land from the government. He married Margaret Scott, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, October 30, 1812, and died in September, 1885. Her grandfather was taken captive by the Indians and burned at the stake. Five sons and four daughters were the off- spring of this union three of whom are liv- ing, viz .: The second in the family and oldest living child is Thomas, whose name opens this sketch; Rachel, wife of a Mr. Gerkin, resides in Iowa; and John, a me-
chanic, of Gas City, Indiana. Both parents were devout Christians and regular attend- ants of the Quaker services, to which so- ciety they belonged. He would have his wife take the little daughter on the horse before her, while he would carry the son, Thomas, in his arms, and in this manner they would traverse the four miles that in- tervened between home and the church. Deer, wolves and wild turkey were the most plentiful game, and many have been the deer killed by the elder Benbow. He engaged in many a "fire hunt," placing the fire or torch in the front of a canoe and then mov- ing cautiously on them. He frequently brought home as many as three deer in one night and placed them inside the log cabint in order to prevent the wolves from devour- ing the carcasses. He was very successful in his business and had accumulated one hundred and fifty-six acres of land in Mill township where he lived until overtaken by death. He made many friends and at one time had a personal acquaintance with every man in the county.
Thomas Benbow attended the common schools, his first being a subscription school which was kept in a log cabin 16x18 feet in dimension. The roof was of clapboards and the seats of slab, upheld by wooden legs. The writing desk for the large boys and girls was a wide board which rested upon wooden pins driven into the sides of the wall, while their pens were made from the quills of the goose. An old fashioned stove heated the room. He remained in Mill township until he was twenty-two years of age, attending to the duties of the farm and giving to his parents the wages he earned. On September 5, 1858, he was united in matrimony with Miss Hannah E. Jenkins, who bore him
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three sons and five daughters. Five chil- dren are living, namely : Israel, a farmer of Liberty; Margaret, wife of George Haines, a prosperous farmer whose history is record- ed elsewhere in this work ; Robert L., who re . sides on the old homestead and assists with the duties there; Amy S., who lives at home . and has been educated well in the common schools and also in music; and Minnie L., who graduated from the common schools in the class of 1900, and is now devoting her time to music. Mrs. Benbow was born in this county September 12, 1840. and is a daughter of Israel and Lydia (Dwiggins) Jenkins. She obtained a lim- ited education in the old log school and is a lady of warm hearted and benevolent dis- position. Israel Jenkins was born September 30, 1814, in Frederick county, Virginia, and came to this state in 1840, locating in Grant county. He was a man of earnest Christian character, a kind, indulgent father and affec- tionate and considerate husband, whose ; death, which occurred November 10, 1875, was felt to be a public loss. The mother was born in Clinton county, Ohio, October 6, 1812, and was permitted to round out seventy-eight years of useful, kindly life. She passed to the beyond on September 27, 1890, mourned by a wide circle of friends who knew and appreciated the beauty of her life.
Mr. and Mrs. Benbow began housekeep- ing on thirty-four acres in section 31, in: Monroe township, an inheritance from the Jenkins estate. An attempt had been made to improve this by buikling a log house and clearing off some of the dense timber with which it was covered, and about five acres had been partially cleared, but there were no fruit trees, no well, and not even a barn on
the premises. It required fortitude and ener- gy to develop this land, but they were equal to the task, and by exercising perseverance and frugality not only improved this land, but added to it until they had accumulated two hundred and seven acres in this town- ship. The well-fenced fields, tiled and neat- ly kept, the excellent barns and outbuildings and the large, commodious farm residence are monuments to their industry and good management. They have reared a family that are a credit to the county and are de- serving of the commendation they receive. They have journeyed together for almost half a century, sharing the vicssitudes of life and lightening its burdens. Many a weary plodder has been cheered and helped by this worthy couple who have scattered kind deeds and cheering words as they passed along life's highway. They are members of the Christian church in Jefferson township, at- tending services at the first church, which was made of logs, and assisting in erecting the new church, which occupies the site of the old. They have also contributed toward the erection of two other churches. They are zealous workers both in the church and Sun- day-school, and their daughter. Miss Min- nie, is organist, while their son, Robert L., is treasurer. They are strong advocates of the public school, and as Mrs. Benbow says, "We want the very best schools that money can obtain, as the best is none too good for 11s." Mr. Benbow is a Republican who cast his maiden vote for Abraham Lincoln, and. has supported every presidential candidate since. He has represented his party several times in county conventions.
September 14, 1864. Thomas Benlow en- listed in Company E. Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry, and leaving family and friends he
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went forth to battle for his country's rights. They were ordered to Indianapolis, thence to Atlanta, Georgia, under General William Tecumseh Sherman. He was on detail duty, laying pontoon bridges and helped to lay, most all the bridges in Georgia in that men- orable march to the sea. He went clear through to Savannah and was on the long march through the Carolinas to Washing- ton and underwent all the fatigue and pri- vations of a soldier's life. He was obliged to carry knapsack, gun and ammunition as well as doing duty as bridge builder, and knew what it was to be foot-sore and weary. When camped near the Neuse river about seven miles from Raleigh, the glad tidings reached them of the surrender of General Robert E. Lee. Their joy knew no bounds. Bands played, cannons thundered and gen- eral rejoicing was indulged in by the troops. However their pleasure was not unalloyed, for close upon the news of the surrender followed the direful tidings of the assassina- tion of their beloved President. Mr. Benbow received his honorable discharge on June 4, 1865, and returned to his family and again took up the duties of life as a private citizen.
SAMUEL HARVEY DAVIS, M. D.
Samuel Harvey Davis, M. D., eclectic physician and surgeon, with his office in the Davis block in Marion, Grant county, Indi- ana, and a gallant ex-Union soldier, is a native of Carroll county, this state, borri September 3, 1844, and is a son of Benjamin Laurance and Elizabeth Jane ( Watts) Davis, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio, but married in the Hoosier state.
Benjamin Laurance was a farmer, and settled on his place in Carroll county soon after marriage. He and wife had born to them a family of nine children, in the follow- ing order: Cynthia Ann, who died in in- lary Catherine, wife of John Cox, lives near Delphi, Indiana; Samuel H., of this sketch; Annie, now Mrs. James M. Har- 1ell, resides in Johnson county, not very far from Indianapolis; Martha Jane, wife of Eli McNeal who resides near Kokomo; George W., a physician of Marion and in partnership with his brother, Samuel H .; Eveline is the wife of Jesse Williams, her second husband, and lives near Kokomo, her first husband was William Miller ; Samantha Jane, married to William Monroe, and re- sides in Burlington, Carroll county. The father of this family died on his farm in Car- roll county when sixty-two years of age, his wife survived him six years.
Samuel Harvey Davis acquired his liter- ary education in the schools of Carroll coun- ty, began the study of medicine about 1864 in the office of Dr. William Cooper, at Bur- lington, Carroll county, and completed his studies in the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in the winter of 1874-5. He began practice in Miami county, established a fine reputation ir Miami Town where he remained twelve years, then removed to Bunker Hill in the same county, bought a stock of drugs, etc., and on account of impaired health confined himself to that line of trade and a quiet office business professionally, knowing that rest would assist him to recuperate.
At the end of four years, Dr. Davis sold out his stock of drugs in Bunker Hill, Indi- ana, and went to Memphis, Tennessee, where he enjoyed a remunerative and extended
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practice for nearly four years. In 1892 he came to Marion and practiced alone until 1898, when the business became too exten- sive for his individual attention to all its de- tails and his brother, Dr. George W. Davis, joined him as his partner. The Doctor's visits extend all over the city and far into the country, and it is stated that he drives over more miles of territory in a year than ary other two physicians in the city of Marion.
Dr. Davis has been thrice married, his first union having been with Miss Elizabeth Jane Miller, whom he married in the spring of 1864, but, sad to relate, this lady lived but two months and six days after marriage, ty- phoid fever having done its insidious work. The second marriage of the Doctor was with Comfort E. Harrell in 1868. This lady sur- vived until February, 1892, when she was called away, leaving a daughter, Lou Emma Jane, now the wife of Calvin A. Fitzgerald, of Little Rock, Arkansas, the husband being a physician and dentist and very successful in his practice. He married his present wife. Minnie A. Scott, in July. 1895. She is a native of Louisville, Kentucky.
Dr. Davis is a member of the State Ec- lectic Medical Society, is an Odd Fellow and a Freemason, though at present not affiliat- ing with the latter. In politics he is a stanch Republican and is a member of the G. A. R., having been surgeon of the Post at Bunker Hill. In August, 1862, when but eighteen years of age, young S. H. Davis enlisted in Company G, Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until March, 1864. He was with A. J. Smith's Twentieth Army Corps, under General Sherman and partici- pated in some fourteen regular engage- ments. He saw equally severe service it
other parts of the country, notably on the Red River campaign, where his comrades fell all around him and it seemed as if he alone remained standing, but he served through until honorably discharged.
The Doctor has achieved success in his profession in which he stands at the head. He owns a fine home in Marion, besides other valuable properties, from which he derives a satisfactory revenue in rentals.
JOHN A. SPENCER.
John A. Spencer, the present engineer at the city waterworks at Fairmount, Indiana, was born in Henry county, this state, Janu- ary 9, 1842. He is a son of John and Eliza- beth ( Deselms) Spencer, the father being a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio, in which state they were married. In 1830 they removed to Henry county, Indiana, where they lived the remainder of their lives, the mother dying in 1871 and the fa- ther in 1888. John Spencer, the father of our subject, was a blacksmith by trade, a business he followed mostly through life, though he also owned a farm. To John and Elizabeth ( Deselms) Spencer were born seven children, in the following order : Ezra, who lives in Kansas; Sarah Jane, deceased, died the wife of Frank Boren; Louisa, wife of Abram Simons, living at Kennard, Hen- ry county, this state; Lindley died in 1868 from effects of army service : David died in Texas, was also a soldier : John .1., the sub- ject of our sketch: Milton died in young manhood while in Texas. Of the five broth- ers four were soldiers during the Civil war. the subject of this sketch being the only one living.
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While yet in school John A. Spencer be- came interested in the one all-important question of the time, that of serving his na- tion in preserving the rights of those who were under bondage, and leaving school he enlisted in the army in August, 1861, in Company D, Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry, and here served three years in the Army of the Cumberland under Generals W. S. Rose- crans and Buell, and was also in Sherman's command in the Atlanta campaigil. He participated in the following battles : Chick- amauga, Missionary Ridge, Look Out Mountain, Ringgold, Dallas, Tunnel Hill, Resaca, Buzzard Roost, Peach Tree Creek, Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee River, and the battle of Atlanta, and Lovejoy Sta- tion. He also assisted in destroying the railway from Atlanta to Jonesboro, and par- ticipated in many skirmishes and important battles not here enumerated. During his engagement at Chickamauga he received a wound in the head, for which he is now drawing a pension.
After his time of service had expired he returned to his home and engaged in the milling business in Freeport, Shelby county, where he remained three years, after which he was employed in the same business at Greensboro for several years, spending eleven years in that line of business. He then engaged in the saw-mill business for about twenty years, being engineer or saw- yer all of this time. His many years ex- perience of stationary engineering has well qualified him for this vocation. Previous to his present location he was employed as engineer of the Bridge Works at New Car- lisle, Indiana, until September 13, 1900, when he was chosen as one of the engineers of the waterworks and electric light plant
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