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 58
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at Fairmount, where he receives a reward for his services and is entrusted with the whole plant, having an assistant to relieve him of a portion of the work.
John A. Spencer was married, Febru- ary 28, 1870, to Miss Sallie Garris, a na- tive. of North Carolina, born in Wayne county, but while still young was removed to the north. Her father, Isaac Garris, be- ing a Union man, found it more pleasant living among "his own kind," as it were, and came north during the Civil war, dur- ing which unpleasantness he suffered severe losses for his country's sake; though he had the pleasure of living north but a short time, as he only lived a few weeks after reaching Indiana, and his wife died a few days later, leaving a family of small chil- dren in a new and strange country and in straitened circumstances. As to the ances- try of the Spencer family little may be said, though it is learned that the father descended from Scotch-Irish, while the mother's fam- ily were of English ancestry.
To Mr. and Mrs. John A. Spencer have been born six children, named as follows : Milton Edgar, agent for the L. E. & W. Railroad at Ossian, Indiana; Montana L., now Mrs. Schultz; Julia M .; Cora E., now Mrs. Dr. Harvey Koons; John C., yard- master and freight agent on the L. E. & W. Railroad ; and William P. B., in school. Po- litically Mr. Spencer is a stanch Republican, ever ready to do what he finds to do in the betterment and furthering the interests of his party.
Mr. and Mrs. Spencer, as well as their children, worship with the Friends or Quak- ers, as has been the belief of their family for generations back.
Fraternally Mr. Spencer is a member
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of the A. F. & A. M. at New Castle, and also is a member of the G. A. R. at Spice- land, Harmon Rail Post No. 260, of which he is an honored member. In Mr. Spencer is found a kind husband, a loving father, and is honored and esteemed as an indus- trious, prosperous and worthy citizen.
ADDISON KEEVER.
Addison Keever, a highly respected far- mer of Grant county, Indiana, and ex-soldier of the Civil war, comes of Revolutionary stock and was born in Monroe township, where he now lives, February 18, 1842. The Keevers have been an exceptionally long lived race, the great-grandfather having reached his one hundred and sixth year when he died. The grandfather was eighty-seven and the father had passed his seventy-eighth mile. stone when death called them. The great- grandfather was a soldier in the great war which brought freedom to this country, and General Washington was well known to him. His patriotism has been transmitted to his grandson, the gentleman whose name heads this biography, and the record made by him in the war of the Rebellion has placed hin among the heroes of our country.
Daniel C. Keever the father of Addison, was born in Preble county, Ohio, July 13, 1816, but the family sprung from German stock. Daniel was educated in the schools common to his time and brought up on a farm. He was a man of quick perception, a great reader, and one well informed on the current events of the day. At the age of twen- ty-four he moved from his native state, lo- cating in section 35, Monroe township.
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He was united in marriage with Miss Nancy J. R. Asher, a native of Vir- ginia, who was born January 17. 1817. She bore him eight sons and one daughter, all of whom, except the daughter, survive them, namely : Addison; Martin, a farmer, mar- ried and residing in Smith county, Kansas. He was a soldier in the Civil war, serving four years and five months ; George, with his family is also living in Smith county and en- gaged in agricultural pursuits; John W. is married and a farmer in his native town- ship; William, true to the traditions of the family, has followed in the footsteps of his brothers and is a tiller of the soil in Fair- mount township: He is also a man of fam -. ily; Franklin is a farmer of Monroe town- ship; Walter resides at Upland and is em- ployed as engineer in the factory of King & Teeters ; and Elmer E., the youngest, who is married and a farmer in this township.
When this young couple. Daniel Keever and wife, first settled in Grant county, the country was wild and unbroken and wild beasts were plentiful. Deer and other game were common while the wolves often came close to the little log cabin in the woods, many times running the dog under the barn to seek safety when the chase was hot. Their first residence was constructed of round logs, the roof of clapboards held in place by a weight, while a puncheon floor completed the structure. For a long time a quilt did duty as a door for this domicile which was but a re- production of the home of other pioneers. There was not a railroad in the county and Marion was but a straggling little village when those brave men and women began their work, undismayed by the difficulties which surrounded them, and amid the pri- vations and want which the carly settlers
ADDISON KEEVER.
MRS. MARGARET KEEVER.
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alone have felt and can understand, helped to lay the foundation for those sterling principles which have made Grant county what it is to-day. Daniel Keever and his wife were industrious, frugal people and the name was then, as it is at present, associated with the substantial, influential farmers of the community. He owned a farm of two hun .. dred and eighty acres at the time of his death. In politics he was a Jackson Democrat but transferred his allegiance to the Republi- can party when it came into power and re- mained true to its principles until his deatlı on March 18, 1895. He was kindly by na- ture, ever ready to do a favor and had lived a Christian life according to the tenets of the Friends' church to which society he belonged. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a good, true wo- man and devoted mother whose zealous, ar- dent interest in all affairs of the family con- tributed largely towards their success. Her death occurred September 12, 1876, and was the most severe blow experienced by the family.
Addison Keever was reared a farmer boy and received his educational training in the public schools of his native county. Just as life held out her most alluring hopes, when his feet had scarcely crossed the portals of manhood, came the distant thunders of strife which threatened for a time to disrupt our beloved nation, and Addison Keever was among the noble young men who willingly offered his services, his life if necessary, for the upholding of the flag. War is a cruel thing and many a broken heart has resulted and many a life laid low which is never listed in the names of killed and wounded, as our loved ones were given back to us mutilated 28
and tortured almost worse than death itself, and our most strenuous efforts were without avail to give relief to the pain- racked body. Mr. Keever was among these unfortunates. On the Ioth of December, 1861, he enlisted at Indianapolis in Company F, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. R. B. Jones and Col. Steele, his regi- ment being assigned to the division whose commander-in-chief was Gen. Buell in the Army of the Cumberland. For nine months he was in the thickest of the struggle and then came that terrible accident which cost him his sight and came near taking his life. One of the Confederate vessels, the Prince of Vicksburg, loaded with ordnance and am- munition, in endeavoring to pass the Federal lines some three months before, had been shelled, struck below the water line and sunk. Mr. Keever, with a companion, Michael Capper, was detailed to get out of this sunken vessel whatever could be used by the army. In raising what they thought to be a carpenter's chest they struck the per- cussion cap of a shell or schrapnel, explod- ing it and receiving severe injuries. The right eye was carried away, the facial bones severely injured and it was seven long weeks ere he finally recovered sufficiently to see a gleam of light with the remaining eye, a blessing not long left him as that member also soon became useless. Notwithstanding this dire misfortune he bravely took up his work and the courage and spirit displayed by him are worthy the admiration he re- ceives. All honor to the old soldier to whose bravery and endurance this country owes her present and ever increasing national pros . perity.
Mr. Keever chose as his companion
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through life, Miss Mary Reasener, to whom he was united in the holy bonds of matti- mony on May 18, 1865. Two children were the fruits of this union, viz. : Ida C., wife of Levi Scott; and D. R., an engineer, who is married and resides in Iowa. Mrs. Keever is a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, was born October 27, 1846, and is-a daughter of Noah and Jane (Seaton) Reasener. Her grand- mother Reasener was spared for a long and useful life, being one hundred and six years old at the time of her death. Her parents came to this county at an early day, and it was here that she met and married Mr. Keever. She has been a most efficient part- ner in their domestic life and is a woman of noble character. Mrs. Keever is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which they both contribute liberally, and that church, as well as the Friends' church at I'pland, has been the recipient of his gener- osity when they were building their church edifices.
Mr. and Mrs. Keever are in affluent cir- cunstances and their home, consisting of seventy acres of highly cultivated land in the vicinity of Upland, is improved in the most attractive manner with neat, substantial buildings and trees. He is an amiable and ac. , complished gentleman in private life, whose strong mind and retentive memory have ac. cumulated a store of varied and useful in- formation that with his genial disposition has created for him a wide degree of popu- larity. Ile is a Republican and cast his firs. vote for AAbraham Lincoln when he was elected for his second term. He is an hon- pred member of John Reush Post. No. 406. C. A. R. of Upland of which he is junior vice, and has filled all the offices in a highly commendable manner.
NATHAN HILL OVERMAN.
To the traveler passing north from Sweetser, Grant county, Indiana, no place offers greater attraction than does the home of Nathan H. Overman, whose biography it affords the publishers pleasure to give space in this volume. Mr. Overman was born near Richmond, Wayne county, Indiana, March 19, 1820. His parents were Joseph and Hulda ( Hill) Overman, the former of whom was a son of Nathan and Thamar ( Brothers ) Overman, who came from North Carolina-he from Randolph and she from Pasquotank county.
Nathan Overman was a son of Isaac, who with his brother, Charles, had come from Germany to Philadelphia, where they joined Penn's colony and the Society of Friends. At the time of coming to Indiana in 1806, Joseph and Hulda were mere chil- dren-their marriage occurring near Rich- mond. Their lives were passed in Wayne county, each attaining great age. their deaths occuring in the case of each when in their ninety-third year. Both died members of the Society of Friends. She had a birth- right, but was turned out of the Society for having married outside of its pale. Not till much advanced in life did he seek member- ship, she joining with him in a return to the fold. Their remains repose in the burial ground of the Society at Dover, Wayne county. Of their six children but three were living at the opening of the new century. They were Emsley, who was a well known farmer of Wayne county, dying at the age of eighty-two. Thomas Overman was for forty years a resident of Marion, where he was a successful stonemason and contractor. Ilis death occurred also at the age of eighty-
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two. Jesse is a farmer of Webster, Wayne county. The sisters were Anna, who mar- ried William Brooks and died in middle life. and Elizabeth whose home is at Wichita, Kansas.
Nathan Hill Overman remained at home until the age of nineteen, when he began to learn the carpenter's trade, at which he con- tinued as workman and contractor until 1861. He then secured a small farm from which he came in 1864 to Grant county. After farming for some time near Summer- set he returned to Wayne county, purchasing some miles north of Fountain City. Subse- quently he spent one year in Richmond, when in 1876 he bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres two miles north of Sweetser. This is known as the old Billy Kaypholtz farm, he entering it upon the opening of the Indian Reservation. To him is due the credit of making the farm, the purchase by Mr. Overman being from his heirs.
Mr. Overman has made quite extensive improvements in the clearing of new land, in the extensive laying of tile drains and in rebuilding the barn which was destroyed by a cyclone. Devoting his attention almost wholly to the conduct of the farm, the well tilled fields yield a golden tribute for the care and labor bestowed upon them.
The old Raypholtz burial ground is lo- cated on the convenient site upon this farm. This has been greatly enlarged and improved by Mr. Overman and is now better known as the Maple Grove cemetery.
At the age of twenty-eight Mr. Overman was married to Miss Lucinda Poston, who died in less than two years thereafter. In 1855 he was again married, Miss Elizabeth Lough being the lady of his choice. It is a
peculiar coincidence that she also was taken from him after about the same length of companionship as his former wife. In 1858 he was united to Mrs. Mary Ann Teagle nec Harris, who has remained a suitable compan- ion to the present. Oliver Overman, who is now a merchant at Laketon, Indiana, was the only child by the first marriage, while William, whose mother was Elizabeth Lough, remained upon the home farm until his death, at the age of twenty-seven, leaving one child, William, a boy of seventeen, now a student in the Marion high school. To the present Mrs. Overman have been born tliree children, viz: LeRoy, who died at eleven; Milton A., who took a commercial course at Richmond, and is operating the homestead ; and Anna, who is at home. She was licensed to teach after a three years' course in the Normal school, and taught quite successfully in Pleasant township, un- til delicate health compelled her retirement for the time being. Mr. Overman is identi- fied with the Republican party, with which he has acted during its entire existence.
GEORGE WILEY DANIELS, M. D.
Among the many men whose lives have contributed somewhat to the advantage of the communities in which they live, and whose daily walk is a suitable pattern for the youth to follow, is Doctor George Wiley Daniels, of Sweetser, Grant county. His in- fluence is felt in more ways than one in the community, identified as he is with almost all that makes for the betterment of the vil- lage. The affable and courteous gentle- man is not obscured by the professional man ;
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but on the contrary the broad experience of an active profession has tended to emphasize those qualities that endear an agreeable man to the many friends.
Doctor Daniels was born near Conners- ville, Fayette county, Indiana, on the third of February, 1848. He comes naturally by the desire to follow his chosen profession, as his father, Edward Daniels was, for nearly half a century, a successful physician before him. He was a native of Butler county, Ohio, but began his practice in Indiana. His chosen companion, the mother of George, was Amanda Wadams.
When George W. Daniels was seven years of age the family removed to Shelby county, where the father practiced in con- nection with the operation of a farm. Some years later he removed to St. Paul, Indiana, where his latter years were passed, and where he died at the age of sixtyfour. The widow survived till 1875, her last days be- ing spent with a son, Orvilee. R. Daniels, at Marion.
The father being a stanch supporter of the Union when it was assailed gave con- sent to his son George to offer his services to sustain its integrity, which he did, and was accepted in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-third Indiana Volunteer In- fantry. This is the regiment that attained a national reputation, by being known as "Hovey's Babies," owing to the large num- ber of extremely young boys in the ranks. Then rendezvous of the regiment was at Greensburg, Indiana, where the first winter was passed, going in March, 1864, to Nash- ville, Tennessee. When the famous At- lanta campaign was inaugurated the regi- ment was placed in the front, and partici- pated in all the battles of that memorable
struggle, which culminated only with the fall of Atlanta. Upon the return of Hood to the west this corps was sent in pursuit; and, at this terrible defeat at Nashville. did most valiant service. However, young Dan- iels, during this battle, was incapacitated from active field duty, and was placed in the hospital, from which he did not emerge for some weeks. Meantime the regiment had been transferred via Washington and Beau- fort, to the coast of North Carolina, march- ing then to rejoin Sherman. When able for duty George was returned to his companions reaching them at Raleigh. After the sur- render of Johnson, the command was re- tained at Charlotte all that summer, being finally discharged in September.
After nearly two years of soldier life Mr. Daniels was only too ready to return to the old Indiana home and enjoy the at- tentions of old friends. He soon learned telegraphy, and was given positions on the I. C. & L. Railroad. However his thoughts had ever favored the idea of the practice of his father's profession, and securing the nec- essary volumes he devoted his spare time to their reading. He then supplemented this knowledge with a course at the Louisville Medical College and at the School of Medi- cine, completing his studies and graduating with the class of 1877.
Choosing Sweetser as a suitable loca+ tion he established himself in the practice, and for twenty-three years, with the excep- tion of five years, has been ready to respond to the calls of the sick at this thriving vil- lage. He is a member of the Grant County Medical Society, of which he has served as president. He is held in the highest estima- tion by the members of the profession for his recognized ability and the conservative
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judgment so often displayed when in con- sultation. He enjoys the greatest popularity, however, in the sick room for the tender and sympathic attentions to the details, the ob- servance of which has more to do with the ' resentative to the Grand Lodge. recovery of patients than the administration of medicines. A devoted student of medical practice, his well selected library affords ref- erence to the best and latest thought on all matters pertaining thereto. Without having given particular attention to any one of the i various specialties, he has kept abreast with the fundamental principles, familiarizing i himself with the latest practice by close at- tention to the medical reports and journals.
Doctor Daniels was married at the age of twenty-three to Miss Theresa L. Steele, daughter of the late Col. Asbury Steele, and sister to the Hon. George Steele, M. C. She was a most exemplary lady, whose de- mise, in 1884, created the profoundest griet on the part of many friends.
The lady whom the Doctor married later on and whose influence extends to every home in the village was formerly Mrs. Mat- tie Anderson, and whose maiden name was Stauffer. She is also a Marion lady, and is a woman of more than ordinary capacity and attainments. She is a registered pharmacist, whose knowledge is often called into requi- sition at the drug store conducted by her sons. Her abilities of a social order are also of a high character, having passed the chairs in Bernice Lodge of Rebekahs, and has been the representative to the assembly. The Daniels family consists of two sons, Edward, who conducts the drug store; and George, who is following in the line laid down by his father, being a graduate of the Medical College of Indianapolis, and is now associat- ed with his father.
Doctor Daniels, besides being a member of the Grand Army, has been quite active in Odd Fellowship, having passed the chairs in Laban Lodge, No. 433, and been the rep-
GEORGE H. VEACH.
George H. Veach a retired citizen of Sweetser, Grant county, was born in Rush county, Indiana, June 21, 1835, his parents being Jeremiah and Nancy (McLoney) Veach both of whom were natives of Ken- tucky, where they were married, coming to Indiana soon thereafter. The father was en- gaged in the business of contracting at In- dianapolis for some years, having located there when young George was but a small boy. When he had reached his seventeenth year they removed to Grant county, settling on a farm in Richland township, where he reached his majority, and where his mother died some twelve years after coming, having attained the age of sixty. His father was afterward married to a lady of Fayette coun- ty, where he went, residing there till in ad- vanced years. Having become helpless he was brought back by George who cared for liis latter years. He continued to live until he had reached the advanced age of ninety. Of the family of eight, six lived to maturity. ard of these three are living in 1900. Joel did his duty in sustaining the cause of the country during the Civil war, and is now an inmate of the Soldiers' Home at Marion, and Sarilda is the wife of Oren Tagle of Kosciusko county, Indiana.
George H. Veach remained with his par- ents till manhood, being married September 22, 1856, during the famous Fremont cam- paign, to Miss Sarah L. Alexander, daugh-
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ter of Henry and Catherine ( Hornbrake) Alexander. Her father had died when she was nine years oldl, leaving a widow with six children, who came, in 1854, when she was fifteen. They came from Preble county, Ohio, to Pleasant township, Grant county, where the mother soon after married Abra- ham Reeves and continued to reside in the county till her death, in August, 1900, hav- ing reached her ninety-fifth year, the latter years having been passed with her daughter. Rachael J., wife of Loren Massey, near Marion.
After marriage George took charge of his father's farm, finally buying it, when his father remarried and removed from the coun- ty. For nearly forty years he conducted that farm making a decided success of the busi- ness. Devoting his energies and attention to the one line of effort, he made a careful study of all that pertained to the operation of a farm, and by giving the same careful supervision to the farm that other lines of business would demand, he made constant progress. To him is due the credit of mak- ing the farm from its wild condition ; for his father. not being accustomed to farming, the work of clearing and improving the original tract devolved almost wholly upon George. The tract being flat it was formerly covered with ponds that required years of the most untiring effort and perseverance to bring into a suitable state for the production of crops. Pipe creek was finally opened so as to afford a means of carrying off the water, when it became possible to institute a systematic plan of drainage by the means of timber ditches. which answered a good purpose for many years, being finally replaced with the more modern and lasting tile. Now, after these years of the most untiring industry, what
was once but ponds and swamp, is one of the best improved and well-tilled farms of the township, the well-worked fields yielding handsome returns for the care and labor bestowed upon them. Finding himself am- ply able to live in ease and comfort without the necessity of former indefatigable toil, he removed to his pleasant village home, some five years since, now taking the well earned rest that comes to the industrious in this productive section of the state.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Veach has resulted in the birth of nine children, Ce- lesta Ann being the wife of Harrison Ray- poltz, of Oklahoma : William resides in Pul- aski county. Indiana: Mary is the wife of Willcutt Stevens of Richland: Joel is à farmer of Richland; Albert is a blacksmith in Sweetser : Johnnie operates the homestead ; Catherine married John Archer and died at twenty-four and Della is the wife of Tip Brown of Pulaski county. All are represen- tatives of the better class of citizens of the county, and all have received more or less assistance from their parents when leaving the old family circle. They received the best home training possible and all are a credit to their parents and to the communities in which they live.
Becoming identified with the Republican party at its birth. Mr. Veach has consistently held to the old relations, believing that the opinions that have stood the test of half a century are good enough to stand by the re- mainder of life.
JACOB BRILES.
Jacob Briles, city clerk and treasurer of the town of Fairmount. Grant county. Indi- ana, was born in Randolph county, North
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