USA > Indiana > Greene County > Biographical memoirs of Greene County, Ind. : with reminiscences of pioneer days, Volume II > Part 21
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John W. Cisney, our subject, attended the public schools in Ohio until he was fourteen years old, when he was brought to Indiana by his parents, with whom he re-
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mained until reaching his majority, when he rented a farm and continued this manner of work for thirteen years, when he went to Illinois, remaining one year, after which he returned to Greene county and bought forty acres of good farming land, which was later joined by a twenty-acre field which he purchased of a neighbor. In time he sold this farm and bought another consisting of seventy-five acres. Then his wife inherited seventy-three acres adjoining it, all of which was sold and another farm purchased. In fact, the subject traded in farm lands for several years before he located on the farm where he now lives, having made a trip to Nebraska and bought an eighty-acre farm, which he managed for three years, when he went to Kansas, bought a farm and there remained for three years. Returning to Greene county in 1904, he purchased the farm of two hundred and twenty acres where he now resides.
Mr. Cisney was united in marriage to Nancy Ann Larue, August 1, 1863, who was born in Greene county, of French extraction. Two children were born to this union, one now living, Joseph D., who was born No- vember 7, 1864, who is in Tennessee engaged in the lumber business. His first wife died in 1879 and the subject was again married October 30, 1880, to Margaret L. Crites, daughter of William and Mary Crites, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. One of the brothers of the wife of the subject was a soldier in the Union army from Indiana. Three children have been born to the sub- ject and his second wife, namely: Zelma L., the wife of widely and favorably known for his industry and up- rightness at all times.
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and the wife of Lee Harris, of this county : she also has one child. Rex. Ruby Pearl. the youngest child. is living at home.
The subject enlisted in Company I. Fifty-fourth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, in 1862. feeling that it was his duty to sacrifice the pleasures of home and his business to save his country, serving three months, and he came near losing the sight of one of his eyes from disease contracted while in line of duty. It has always troubled him and he is now practically blind in it. but he does root regret his service to his country. His brother George was also a soldier in Company A. Ninety-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, who served three years and was with Sherman on his march to the sea and in many bat- tles. Another brother. Joseph, was a private in Company I. Fifty-ninth Indiana Regiment, who served three years and two months, when he was wounded before Vicks- burg May 22. 1863. after which he was never able to do soldier duty and was assigned to the invalid corps, never fully recovering from the wound. He was in fifteen battles and always acquitted himself with honor. He died in 1896.
The subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. For fourteen years he has preached. from time to time. having been licensed to the ministry in the Church of God, in which he has always taken an active part. He has also been Sunday school superin- tendent. His wife is also a member of the same church. as are also his children except the oldest, who is a Meth- list. Politically Mr. Cisney is a Republican. He is widely and favorably known fos his industry and up- rightness an all times.
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GEORGE DOUGLAS TAYLOR.
The business-like management of the affairs at the postoffice at Worthington is owing to the care and dis- cretion of the present postmaster, whose name initiates this sketch. This gentleman was born at Worthington, August 23. 1866. His father, Merritt C. Taylor, was a native of Greene county, but his mother, Emily ( Top- ping) Taylor, was born in Ohio. Merritt C. Taylor was a merchant of this city and died here September 24. 1899. His military record is worthy of being preserved. He enlisted in the Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry in 1861, and his sterling qualities were soon recognized. for he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and participated in the siege of Corinth, together with all of the other important campaigns up to 1862. Later he re- sumed the responsibility of raising another company. which was mustered in as the One Hundred and Fif- teenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company A. which was to serve for six months, and Mr. Taylor was also given the rank of first lieutenant of the same, which saw active service in eastern Tennessee and elsewhere.
George D. Taylor received his early education in the public schools of Worthington and upon reaching ma- turity devoted himself to business and farming. As a merchant he managed his affairs with singular success. having the faculty of combining strict business methods with a congenial temperament. It was owing largely to these qualifications that led his friends to encourage him to accept the appointment to the postoffice, where he is now acceptably serving his first term. He is a Repub-
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lican in politics, but at no time does he place party above principle, preferring rather to win out on the line of square dealing with every one.
Mr. Taylor affiliates with the Episcopal church, in which he has for several years acted as warden. He is a good mixer and finds not only a social welcome among his many friends, but quickly inspires confidence on the part of newly formed acquaintances. He owns business and residence property in Worthington. Fraternally he is a Mason, Blue Lodge, No. 577 ; also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Jeffersonville Lodge, No. 362; the Knights of Pythias, Worthington Lodge, No. 253. He is past master of the Masonic lodge and has passed the chairs in the Knights of Pythias and is keeper of records and seal of the Knights of Pythias. He took the office February 20, 1906, and holds same for four years in the third class.
LEVI J. FAUCETT.
A dry recital of dates and events of a man's career can convey no adequate notion of what manner of person he is in the flesh, of his methods, his ideals and influence among his fellows amid the busy scenes of daily life. Only those who come in contact with the subject of this re- view understand how thoroughly nature and training and habits of thought have developed his powers of mind and heart and made him what he has long been, a fit represent- ative of the large and respectable class of citizens to which
2 p. Faucet,
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he belongs, and in no small degree a leader of thought and moulder of opinion in the various lines of business activity to which his energies have been devoted.
Levi J. Faucett, for many years a leading business man and representative citizen of Bloomfield, is a scion of two of the oldest pioneer families of Greene county, to which part of the state his grandparents, both paternal and maternal, migrated in a very early day, the latter as long ago as 1819, settling originally on a tract of land in Taylor township, which is now in possession of the subject.
Abel J. Faucett, father of Levi, was a North Carolin- ian by birth, but grew to maturity in Orange county, where in his young manhood he married Almira Fellows, who was born in Greene county, and who bore him a family of nine children, all except two sons and one daughter dying in early life.
The subject's maternal great-grandfather served five years in the Revolutionary war, going in at the age of fifteen years.
On the paternal side he was English, and in an early day, on account of the religious wars, the family went to Ireland and there settled until they came to the United States and settled in Carolina until they located in Indiana.
The subject's father served four years in the Civil war and was with Sherman on his march to the sea.
The subject's maternal grandfather, whose arrival in Greene county is noted above, served with distinction in the War of 1812, and shortly after moving to Indiana was made colonel of militia, which position he held for a 48
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number of years, doing much the meanwhile to develop the system and render efficient the command under his immediate charge. By occupation he was a tiller of the soil, cleared and brought to successful cultivation a fine farm, and in addition to his efforts in promoting the ma- terial development of the country wielded a wholesome moral influence among his fellow men and was long a recognized leader in all movements having for their object the advancement and general welfare of the community in which he resided. He also was a millwright, and built and operated a mill for many years. The Faucetts were also among the substantial people of the county of Greene, and for a series of years the name has been inseparably connected with the material growth of this section of the state and closely interwoven with what- ever tends to the intellectual and moral progress of the community.
Few lives in recent history more clearly illustrate the possibilities of the great American republic and its insti- tutions than that of Levi J. Faucett, to a brief epitome of whose career the reader's attention is here respectfully invited. Born near Bloomfield, Indiana, on the 27th day of July, 1843, with advantages in no wise superior to those of the majority of youths reared amid the busy scenes of rural life, by sheer force of character, indom- itable courage and industry, directed and controlled by sound discretion and well-balanced judgment, he has sur- mounted obstacles and difficulties and steadily forged to the front in the business world until he now occupies a leading position among his fellows and is recognized as one of the influential men of his day and generation in
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the community long honored by his citizenship. His early opportunities for an education were confined to the country schools, but feeling the need of higher mental discipline than could there be acquired, he subsequently entered Moore's Hill College, where he prosecuted his studies until 1869, when he laid aside his books and began the struggle of life upon his own responsibility as a part- ner of his father in the milling business. The firm then constituted, operated a mill which manufactured both lumber and flour, and, the volume of business continuing to increase under the joint management, the enterprise, after a few years, was removed to Mineral City, where a larger and much better equipped plant, operated by steam power, was erected. The patronage now took a very wide range, and in due time the business grew to large proportions and became the most extensive of the kind in Greene county, the reputation of the firm for safe and conservative methods and essentially honorable deal- ing, obtaining the meanwhile a wide publicity throughout a large section of south central Indiana. The better to find a still wider field and more enlarged facilities the plant was subsequently transferred to Bloomfield, where the same line of business was conducted until 1905, at which time the mill was thoroughly remodeled and equipped with the latest improved machinery for the man- ufacture of chairs, which branch of industry, under the personal management of the subject, has since been car- ried on, the factory at this time being the largest and most important industrial enterprise in the city.
As may be inferred from the foregoing, Mr. Faucett is a business man of ripe experience and sound judgment,
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whose enterprising spirit nothing can discourage, and all of whose transactions have been characterized by scru- pulous integrity and gentlemanly demeanor. He stands high in the esteem of his fellow-citizens by reason of large success, unblemished character, just and liberal life and has nobly earned the eminent position he occupies in business circles and the universal respect with which he is regarded by the people of his city and county.
In addition to his business career, Mr. Faucett has a military record which, though comparatively brief, is eminently honorable and replete with duty bravely and conscientiously performed. In February, 1865, he en- listed in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, with which he served until mustered out in the following August, his command, in the meantime, being stationed in the Shenandoah Valley and near Win- chester, where it was variously employed. His brother, George Faucett, was also a soldier, entering the service at the beginning of the rebellion, serving four years in the Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, Colonel Cavin's regi- ment, and falling in the bloody battle of the Wilderness while gallantly upholding the honor of the Union.
In his political relations, Mr. Faucett supports the principles of the Republican party in state and national affairs, but in matters purely local, gives his support to the candidates best qualified for the offices to which they aspire. He keeps in close touch with the trend of current thought on all matters relating to the public, is well in- formed on the leading questions and issues of the day, but has never asked official position at the hands of his fellow citizens. Interested in all that is calculated to
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benefit the community, materially, educationally, morally and religiously, his influence has ever been exerted on the side of right and, from what he has accomplished in the various avenues to which his talents have been exert- ed, it is easy to see that the world has been made better by his presence. The Methodist church, of which he has long been an active and consistent member, holds his religious creed, and L. H. R. Post, No. 326, Grand Army of the Republic, represents his fraternal relations.
Mr. Faucett's domestic life dates from October 27, 1871, at which time he was united in marriage with Susan Ashton, daughter of Joseph and Marinda (Prather) Ashton, a union blessed with the following children : Joseph A .; Charles W .; John M., deceased; Wendell H .; Frank F .; Hattie, deceased; Aldah; Mary, Read; the two oldest being associated with their father in business.
He owns seven hundred and fifty acres of land in Richland and Taylor townships.
WILLIAM DAVIDSON BOYD.
Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied. never fails of success, for it carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual characteristics. and acts as a powerful stimulus to others. The greatest re- sults in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of ordinary qualities of common sense and per- severance. A man who has profited by the little things of life and turned the seeming trivial opportunities to
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splendid account. thereby reaping abundant success. is the gentleman whose honorable recond we now call the attention of the reader to. William D. Boyd, whose name forms the carcion of this sketch. for it will be seen upon perusing it that he is one of the most enterprising agr :- : Great powership. ME E ri mas kom in Highland county, Ohio. De- cember 10. 1980. but he was nivelve years old when he was brought po Greene county. Indiana. by his parents. Mitere le attended the common schodis, making good tise Ellis time. and worked on his father's farm during the nemis that the school's were not in session. preferring renato with his parents until he reached manhi. when he ergoged in farming in the same neighborhood for some time In : Say he settled in his present value- bie farm of two hundred and fire acres. which his min- itte Imnowledge of agriculture has made one of the choice His success in this respect has en- biel him therest comf. stable buildings and purchase all necessary modern farming implements t. make his Work lighter and more satisfactory. But Mr. Bord dices not depend upon the fertile fields of his farm alone in a Trellhood. dealing extensively in all kinds of good stock. acti his excellent judgment in the selection and care of stock especially horses cannot be questioned. M: Bami was happily married to Ella Himebrook. : native E Grant townshin. and the daughter of Frei- erick and Mary Himebrook the former a native of Ger- many, who came in America when he was twelve years old The home of the subject and wife has been blessed with the following children: Faith C .. who is in high
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school ( 1908); Margareith. Pearl and Helen. They are all apt in music and promise to become proficient in It. Their father has presented them with a high-grade piano.
The parents of William D. Boyd were Eli B. and Elizabeth ( Davidson) Boyd. the latter a native od Oh! and the daughter of Thomas Davidson. a native of New Jersey, and in politics an old-line Whig. He was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary war and fought at Brandywine. Eli B. Boyd was the son of Berryman Boyd. who was a native of Ireland. having come to the United States in an early day and settled on a farm in Ohio. Eli lived on a farm in Highland county. Ohio. until 1876. when he came to Greene county. Indiana. settling in Smith town- ship. where he farmed until his death. He was one of the first to respond to his country's call in 1861. when he enlisted in Company A. Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, remaining at the front until the close of the war. He was a Republican and cast his first ballot for John C. Fremont for President in 1856. He was a Bap- tist. while his wife remained in the Christian church. She died in 1899.
Politically William D. Boyd. our subject. is a stanch Republican and an active worker in that party. He served six years as township trustee. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. hav- ing filled all the chairs and represented his lodge at tite meeting of the grand lodge. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs Boyd is a mem- ber of the Christian church. Mr. Boyd was for a num- ber of years a teacher in the common schools of Graut township. He is a member of the degree staff Rebekah lodge at Lyons.
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The Boyd family is spoken of in the highest terms by all who are fortunate enough to be numbered among their friends and acquaintances.
BENJAMIN B. MITTEN.
A man of unblemished character and sterling worth, who has stamped his individuality upon the community and discharged worthily important trusts, Benjamin B. Mitten is distinctly one of the representative men of the day and generation in Greene county, and occupies a con- spicuous place among those who have contributed to the standing and stability of the section of Indiana, honored by his citizenship. The Mittens are of Irish lineage, the branch of the family in America springing from a single representative who settled in one of the eastern colonies a number of years prior to the War of Independence. Little is known of this ancestor beyond the fact of his having married and reared a family, descendants of which are now scattered over various parts of the United States. It is fair to assume, however, that he was a man of good mind, consecutive energy and well defined purposes, as these attributes appear to be characteristic traits of all who bear the family name so far as known. Nimrod Mitten, the subject's father, a native of Maryland, was born November 22, 1819, and when a young man married Susan Beck, whose birth occurred on April 23, 1823, in Pennsylvania. The former, who was educated at West- minster, Maryland, devoted the greater part of his life
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B. B. Mitten
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to teaching, and he is remembered as a man of fine intel- lect and deeply religious, having long been a zealous member of the United Brethren church, of which his wife was also an active and consistent communicant. De- prived of educational privileges in her youth, never hay- ing attended school more than three days in her life, Mrs. Mitten took advantage of every opportunity to improve her mind, and in due time became not only a practical scholar, but by a wide range of reading in many subjects acquired a fund of valuable knowledge such as schools and colleges fail to impart. She was a diligent and crit- ical Bible student and many divines and others well versed in the Scriptures were wont to speak in high terms of her familiarity with the word of God and bear testimony to the clear, original and logical manner in which she in- terpreted the same. Profoundly pious and exemplifying her family by a life devoted to good words, it was a pleas- ure to hear this good woman discuss sacred subjects, as she possessed rare ability in the art of public discourse and by her expositions and practical deductions never failed to interest and edify her hearers.
Nimrod Mitten died November 21, 1900, his wife following him to the unknown world on December II. 1901. They reared a large family of fifteen children, the oldest of whom, Mary E., was born July 11, 1841, mar- ried Charles Reed, who was killed in the Civil war, later becoming the wife of Noah Fiscus, by whom she had five children, two children having been born to her first union. William T., the second of the family, was born January 12, 1843, and departed this life August 14, 1851. Sarah Ann, born July 13, 1844, is the wife of L. C. Ar-
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ney, of Owen county, Indiana, and the mother of six daughters and three sons. All but one of the sons are liv- ing. J. P., born March 5. 1846, a farmer of Owen county, married Eliza Heaton, who died in 1890, the mother of nine children, five of whom are deceased. Eu- reth, the fifth in order of birth, born August 29, 1847. was married the first time to Lawrence Fiscus, by whom she had seven children, one being deceased. Some time after the death of Mr. Fiscus she became the wife of Thomas Fulk, with whom she is now living in the county of Owen. Catherine, wife of Alexander Childers, by whom she has two sons living, was born January 9, 1849. She is now a widow, her husband having died in Janu- ary, 1908. Samuel J., born November 23. 1850, is a farmer in Owen county and has been twice married, both wives deceased. To the first union two children were born and one to the second, all living. Martha, born May 12, 1852, is the wife of Lawrence Currie, of Bloomington, this state, and the mother of six children, one deceased. Amanda Jane, whose birth occurred May 1, 1854, mar- ried Solomon Arney, of Owen county, and has two chil- dren. Margaret M., born February 28. 1856, is the wife of R. S. Bledsoe and lives in Kansas, being the mother of six children, two of whom are deceased. Albert A., a resident of Shelby county, Iowa, who was born Febru- ary 9, 1858, is married and the father of three offspring.
Benjamin B., the subject of this sketch, is the twelfth in order of birth, after whom is George O., who was born May 15, 1863. He lives in Spencer, Owen county, and has a family consisting of a wife, two sons and three daughters. Jesse W., the next in succession, also a resi-
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dent of the county of Owen, was born October 19; 1865. He married in that county and is the father of six chil- dren, four daughters and two sons.
James, the youngest member of the large and inter- esting family. under consideration, lives at New Castle, Indiana, and dates his birth from September 14, 1867. He, too, is married and the head of a family consisting of one son and two daughters.
Benjamin B. Mitten, to a brief review of whose life the remainder of this article is devoted, was born March 16, 1860, in Owen county, Indiana, and spent his child- hood and youth on the family homestead, receiving his early educational training in the public schools, subse- quently pursuing the more advanced branches of study in a normal institution of higher grade. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and when a youth earned his first money working as a farm hand in the neighborhood of his home, later engaging in tilling the soil upon his own responsibility. In due season he moved to a farm of his own, which he cultivated in connection with stock rais- ing for a period of eight years, at the expiration of which time he turned his attention to the manufacture of flour. After operating a mill with fair success for three years he disposed of his interest in the same, and. returning to his farm, devoted the ensuing eleven years to agriculture. meeting with encouraging success the meanwhile.
At the expiration of the time indicated Mr. Mitten discontinued the cultivation of the soil to become clerk and salesman with a hardware and furniture firm at Worthington, in which capacity he served until receiving the nomination for the office of county treasurer one year later. Severing his connection with his employers, he
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entered Tear hustastically into the campaign
and made : : vigorous canvass. att only os
but if possible. to ensure the Republican ticket. Being Quite pog- respective of political ties. he re-
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