USA > Indiana > Greene County > Biographical memoirs of Greene County, Ind. : with reminiscences of pioneer days, Volume III > Part 17
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Dr. Hixon has been twice married. the first time on February 20, 1876, to Rosetta Huey, daughter of Nathan Huey, of Owen county, who bore him the following chil- dren : Mabel, born September 7. 1877. died on the 13th
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day of the same month; Thornton, born January 18, 1888, died, on the 3d of the month following : Daisy D .. born September 19, 1881 : Mary J., born May 18, 1884. and Eva May, whose birth occurred December 2, 1886. After the death of the mother of these children the doctor entered the marriage relation with Laureeta McClarren, of Greene county, the ceremony taking place in June. 1895, the union being blessed with three offspring-Wil- liam J. B., born August 28, 1896, now deceased : Marga- ret, July 25, 1897, and Dewey, who first saw the light of day on August 3, 1898. The doctor's first wife was a member of the Christian church, his present companion being a Methodist and a zealous worker in the local con- gregation with which she is identified. Fraternally Dr. Hixon is a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Red Men, the Modern Woodmen and Knights and Ladies of Honor.
Dr. Dixon owns business and residence property in Jasonville and is consequently interested in all that pro- motes its welfare. In politics he is a Democrat, and while in Owen county he held the office of coroner four years and justice of the peace nine years, and is at present sec- retary of the board of health of Jasonville.
JOHN ANDY POE.
Prominent among the families of Greene county is the one taken up in this review, the subject having been born in this county on September 9, 1861. He is the son
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of John and Emaline ( Humphrey) Poe, both natives of Greene county. Mr. Poe's paternal grandfather, John B. Poe, emigrated to Indiana from Virginia in an early day, settling in Greene county. He took up unimproved land and in time transformed it into a well improved and pro- ductive farm. He made several trades, but remained in the county, passing to his reward while still living in Wright township, having attained the remarkable age of almost one hundred years. He was a devoted worker in the Baptist church, in which he was a trustee for several years. He was the father of six children.
Our subject's maternal grandfather, Andy Hum- phrey, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, and after reaching manhood began life as a blacksmith. He was made justice of the peace in his district and later was sent from Greene county to the state legislature. Here he served continuously for fourteen terms. When not on duty at the state capital lie continued the management of his farm. He served out the unexpired term of "Blue Jeans" Williams, and during his last term was joint sen- ator from Sullivan and Greene counties. He then removed to Linton, Indiana, and there ended his days at the age of eighty-three years. He was a devout member of the Baptist church and has left to his children the heritage of a clean and well spent career.
Our subject's father received his early education in the public schools of Greene county. He made farming his life work and died at the age of sixty-three, being sur- vived to the present time by his companion in life, who is now living at Linton at the age of sixty-four.
John A. Poe, our subject, was also educated in the
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county schools. He remained at home until reaching his majority. He later went to Kansas, but returned to Greene county, after a short absence. He has come into possession of a valuable farm, but after removing to Ja- sonville engaged in the feed business in connection with the handling of real estate.
In June of the year 1884 Mr. Poe was married to Eliza Ellen Elwood, who was born in Iowa September 27. 1859. She was the daughter of John and Eliza Elwood. Mr. and Mrs. Poe have become the parents of eight chil- dren, here enumerated in order of birth: Cleo, born in 1887, is the wife of Albert Cole, and is the mother of one child; Otto was born in 1889; Leon was born in 1892; Don, 1894; French, 1896; Rex, 1901 ; Kennett, 1903 ; and Lloyd, 1905.
Mr. and Mrs. Poe have not only proven themselves to be admirable parents, training their children to strive for high ideals in character and achievement, but have en- deavored to set an example of Christian piety before all with whom they come in contact. They are devoted mem- bers of the Baptist church, and have been of great service in promoting interest and efficiency in Sunday school work.
Mr. Poe has been for many years an exemplary Odd Fellow, having passed through all of the chairs, and is now serving as treasurer for the local lodge. He has won the confidence of friends by his love for fair dealing, and has served as supervisor, as member of the township advisory board and as president of the town board. In all of these activities he has measured up fully to the ex- pectations of neighbors and friends.
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JOHN B. WORKMAN.
One of the solid and substantial citizens of Lyons, Greene county, is he whose name appears above, and he is eminently worthy of a place in this volume, having spent all of his well regulated life in this county, where he was born November 25. 1852, the son of John and Lucy (Shields) Workman, and the grandson of Josiah Shields. a Virginian, who came to Indiana, where he farmed until his death, dying at a very old age, having been preceded by his wife, to whom seven children were born.
John and Pleasant Shields and Henry Sampson and Isaac Workman, uncles of the subject, were soldiers in the Union army, having enlisted from Indiana. John Work- man, the father of the subject, was born in Greene county, Indiana, and received his early education there in the common schools. He spent his life on a farm near where he was raised. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and a Republican. He was survived by eight children, only three of whom are living in 1908.
John B. Workman was born and raised in the county. attending the public schools when a boy and applying him- self to the best advantage possible. Early in life he went to farming. which life he successfully followed until four years ago, when he sold his well improved farm and bought property at Lyons, where he now resides, a highly respected citizen. Mr. Workman was married in 1874 to Mary Calvert, who was born July 25, 1855. daughter of Nimrod and Sarah (Wheeler) Calvert, natives of Ken- tucky, who came to Indiana sixty years ago, settling on a
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farm in Greene county, where they spent the remaining years of their lives, he dying at the age of sixty-two years, she dying a few years later at the age of seventy-two. They were Baptists and raised five children.
Five children have been born to the subject, John B. Workman, and wife, as follows: Edward, who is mar- ried and living in Greene county ; Curtis, a blacksmith, married and living in Greene county ; Ella, the wife of El- mer Shilkeet, a farmer in the same county ; Lustie is also living in this county, the wife of Ernest Spear; Fannie R. is the wife of Henry Rollison, also a farmer living in Greene county, Indiana.
Fraternally Mr. Workman is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Republican in po- litical belief, and while he does not aspire to positions of honor or emolument at the hands of his fellow voters, he keeps well versed in political movements and always sides with the right, not only in reference to political subjects, but all questions. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church.
The subject has always been a painstaking, business- like and industrious man, as his neighbors where he farmed so successfully for upwards of a half century can testify, and his sober and honorable everyday life has won for him the lasting esteem of the entire community. His children, without exception, have tried to maintain the high standard of living which he set, and the Work- man family is given the respect by every one which it justly deserves.
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JOHN FREELAND STAFFORD.
Among the representative farmers of Greene county. Indiana, is the subject of this review, who is the owner of a fine landed estate and carrying on the various depart- ments of his enterprise with that discretion and energy which are sure to find their natural sequel in definite suc- cess. To such men as Mr. Stafford we turn with par- ticular satisfaction as offering in their life histories justi- fication for works of this character. John F. Stafford is a native of the county in which he now resides, having been born May 5, 1852. His parents, Presley and Sarah (Mowery) Stafford, were of English lineage, grandfa- ther Jesse Stafford having come from England and set- tled in Kentucky, later coming to Indiana in an early day. Presley Stafford was raised in Indiana, having worked on a farm in Washington township, Greene county. He was born July 11, 1811, and died February 22, 1862, his widow surviving him two years.
The subject of this sketch received his early education in the public schools of his community, where he applied himself in a manner that caused him to outstrip many of his companions and fellow students. He points with in- terest to the old log school house which he attended in his boyhood days, which is now standing on his farm, being used as a cow barn. The subject was sent to great-uncle after his father's death, where he remained until he was twenty-one, working on a farm and in a saw-mill. After working for three years as a farm and mill hand he went on the old homestead, having inherited a part of it and purchased an additional part form his brother. Mr. Staf-
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ford still owns this farm, in which there was originally two hundred and forty acres. He has added to it until he now owns a very valuable farm, consisting of three hun- dred and eighty acres. It was originally timbered, but he has cleared the major portion of it, and carries on general farming and stock raising, being particularly sound in his judgment of good horses and cattle. He also successfully handles hogs and sheep, preferring Poland-China hogs. He prepares his cattle for feeders and usually feeds all the corn the place produces. Mr. Stafford's excellent knowl- edge of the rotation of crops has resulted in the soil on his place becoming strengthened as the years go by instead of depleted and growing thin. It is more productive gener- ally at present than when he first directed his attention to it thirty years ago when it came into his possession. He rotates his crops as he sees the soil requires, using clover principally to fertilize it instead of commercial fertilizers. A part of his land is leased on a five years' cash rent, the balance being used by Mr. Stafford and his son. They deal extensively in mules, handling large numbers from time to time.
Mr. Stafford was married on November 4, 1880, to Allie Shake, daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Jarrell) Shake, both natives of Indiana, their ancestors having come from Kentucky and settled in the forest in Sullivan county. Mrs. Stafford's father died when eighty-three years old ; her mother is still living at eighty-four. The wife of the subject was born May 22, 1858, in Sullivan county, where she attended the common schools. The subject has one son. Roscoe Murphy, who was born on January 14, 1883. He was married April 16, 1902, to
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Grace Florence Hatfield, and they have one daughter, Fern Lucile, born June 19, 1905. He is farming on the old homestead.
Mr. and Mrs. Stafford are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In national affairs the former is a Democrat, but he is an independent voter, always casting his ballot for the best candidates according to his judg- ment, which, owing to his careful study of the trend of events, is usually singularly sound, as it is in his business affairs. Mr. Stafford enjoys the unstinted esteem of a wide circle of admiring friends, and he is regarded as one of the leading citizens in his township.
PETER WHEELER.
In considering the men of wide experience in busi- ness life we find an interesting example in the character of our subject, who was born in Jackson county, Indiana, February 17, 1865, the son of Jacob and Anna ( Callahan) Wheeler, both natives of this state. Jacob Wheeler fol- lowed the occupation of farming throughout his days and was among the most progressive men in his community. He died when about fifty years of age and is survived by his wife, Anna, who has acquired the age, at this writing, of seventy-four years. She is a devout member of the United Brethren church, and has impressed her personal- ity upon all who have been fortunate enough to become closely associated with her. She became the mother of these children: Jerry, now deceased, was the father of
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two children; Rushia has also departed this life, leaving two children: Frank was likewise gathered to rest, leav- ing three children, and Robert is deceased.
Peter received his early education in the district schools of Owen township, Jackson county, making the most of the opportunities that offered themselves. He applied himself diligently to whatever he undertook, and in this way formed habits that have been a valuable asset in his subsequent career. He remained at work on the farm until nineteen years of age, at which time he went to Missouri, where he became employed at farm work during the summer and in winter he engaged in coal mining. In . the latter work he took considerable interest, and this has continued to occupy some of his time since. After six years of life in Missouri he returned to Indiana and be- came interested in the drug business, and followed it for several years. Some attention has been given by him also to bridge construction on railroad work. He has readily adapted himself to the varied pursuits that have come within the range of his opportunities, but he finally gave his attention exclusively to blacksmithing, and has con- tinued to follow that trade.
Mr. Wheeler's first marriage took place in 1885, to Caroline Cameron, of Nodaway county, Missouri, and to this union was born one son, William Roy, still living. Mrs. Wheeler was called hence on August 11, 1886, end- ing thus a life full of promise for domestic and maternal usefulness. In March, 1892, Mr. Wheeler was united to Charlotte Womack, who was born in Johnson county, In- diana, in 1865. She was the daughter of John and Mar- garet (Prater) Womack. She has won for herself a host of friends and is a member of the Christian church.
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Mr. Wheeler has managed to find time aside from his busy career to participate in the social life around him, and has been especially interested in the work of frater- nal organizations. He has taken an active part in promot- ing the growth of several societies and has held many im- portant offices of trust in these organizations. He has been treasurer for the Masonic fraternity for some time and has discharged his duties with skill and exactness. In the Knights of Pythias he has been chancellor com- mander and trustee, and in that capacity has succeeded in spreading materially the popularity of the order, stimulat- ing its growth appreciably. He has served for several years also as treasurer for the miners' union, of which society he is an active member. As a member of the board of town trustees Mr. Wheeler has given valuable service to the public, being found at all times punctual and conscientious in the discharge of his duties. It is need- less to say that his work is highly appreciated by neigh- bors and friends.
JOHN CALLAHAN.
There is both lesson and inspiration offered in a con- sideration of this well known and highly honored citizen of Lyons, for he has overcome many obstacles in his ca- reer and won success where hearts less courageous would have quailed and gone down to defeat. He has worked out his own fortunes and gained a position of solidity and no little precedence in the business world, while his in-
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tegrity of character has brought him into the favorable regard and unqualified confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.
John Callahan, who is a native of Davies county. Indiana, born November 14, 1848, is a scion of the sturdy citizenship of the Emerald Isle, where his paternal grand- parents lived and died and where his father was born. His maternal grandfather Henry was born in Germany and settled in Greene county, Indiana, about seventy year- ago, and lived on a farm until his death in 1854. Both he and his wife were German Lutherans. She lived until 1864. she being blind for several years prior to her death. They had five children, all now deceased.
John Callahan, the subject of this sketch, attended school until he was thirteen years old, when he began caring for himself, working at whatever he could find to do. He worked out as a farm hand until he was thirty- four years old, but by habits of economy he saved enough money during those years to begin business on his own ac- cord, which he did by opening a grocery store and res- taurant in Newberry, Indiana, which he conducted for sixteen months and was obliged to give it up on account of a physical ailment which made it difficult for him to stand on his feet. He then went to Indianapolis and took treatment at the Surgical Institute, where he was greatly benefited so much that he returned to clerking, which he followed for eighteen months. Then he moved to Ef- fingham, Illinois, and engaged in the peddling business on a wagon, later returning to Lyons and engaging in the general merchandise business on his own account for three years, which he made a success. After conducting the
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Lyons Hotel for a year he and Frank Reed established a saw-mill and brick yard. He later bought a hardware and implement store in that town, which he conducted for about sixteen months, later trading his store for a farm, which he superintended for five years in a most successful manner. when he sold it, but he continued farming until 1903. His wife and two stepdaughters own two farms, which Mr. Callahan superintends, at the same time han- dling a general line of insurance.
The subject was three times married, first in 1872 to Talitha C. Hawkins, a native of Greene county, Indiana. One child was born to this union, which died in infancy. His first wife survived only one year after her marriage. In 1880 Mr. Callahan was married a second time, Mrs. Mary Benham (nee Clogston) being the name of this wo- man, who had one child by her first husband. One child was born of this second union, which died in infancy. The subject's second wife died in 1881. He was again married in 1886. his third wife being Mrs. Talitha J. Bo- gard (nee Skomp), a native of Greene county. She had four children, two daughters still living. Three children were born to the subject by his third wife, namely : Wes- sie L., who makes his home with his father ; Charles, who died in childhood : Annie, who lives at home and attends school. The two daughters of Mrs. Callahan are mar- ried, one of them, Mrs. Sadie Criss, living in Lyons ; the other daughter is married to Lon O'Haver, and lives in Indianapolis.
The subject and wife are both members of the Meth- odist church. Mr. Callahan is a Democrat and a public- spirited man, although he does not find time to take an
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active part in politics. He numbers his acquaintances and friends by the score, but his energies are an unknown quantity, mathematically speaking.
MELVIN GRAY EDINGTON.
The record of the subject is that of a man who, by his unaided efforts, has worked his way from a modest be- ginning to a position of influence and comparative afflu- ence in his community. His life has been one of unceas- ing industry and perseverance, and the systematic and honorable methods which he has followed have won him the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens of Greene county. Mr. Edington, who conducts a real estate busi- ness and operates a lumber yard in Lyons, where all his property is located, was born August 13, 1869, in the county where he now resides. His father was Francis M. Edington, who married Docia Miller, both natives of this county. Grandfather Edington, who was a native of Ohio, moved to Indiana and spent his life on a farm, rear- ing seven children. The elder brother, Francis M. Ed- ington, killed himself accidentally by throwing stones at a squirrel in a tree. Grandmother Edington lived to be eighty-five years old, having died in 1906. Grandfather Miller came from Kentucky to Greene county and was one of the early farmers there. He also had seven chil- dren. He was a soldier in the Union army and fought in defense of his country until he died of disease before the war closed. Grandmother Miller lived to be eighty-six
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years old, dying in this county in 1900. The father of oftr subject was born in 1849 and spent his early life in working on a farm which he was compelled to care for. his father dying early. But after he reached maturity he bought a farm of his own. He later sold this and in 1900 purchased another, which he still owns and lives on.
M. G. Edington's early life was not unlike that of thousands of other boys in Indiana at that time. He spent it in attending the public schools during the winter months and working on his father's farm during the summer months, but his ambition led him to greater efforts than the majority of his schoolmates showed, so he applied him- self more assiduously, and also attended the county nor- mals and prepared himself for a teacher, which profession he followed for many years with great success. He then went into the real estate business, locating in Lyons, be- ing successful in this from the first. But his native busi- ness ability is capable of looking after many things at one time, so he later added the lumber business to his enter- prises and has been reasonably successful in this.
Mr. Edington was happily married in 1888 to Stella Meredith, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Mereditlı, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Missouri. Jacob Meredith was a soldier in the Civil war. He died in 1898. His widow is still living. Six children have been born to the subject of this sketch and his wife, as follows : Cledie Ann, now ( 1908) attending high school : Jacob F .. also in high school: Harly N., who is a graduate of the common schools: the fourth and fifth children both died in infancy : Mary is living at home and attending the pub- lic schools.
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Mr. Edington takes a great interest in lodge work and has a wide acquaintance through their mediums, being a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias, having filled all the chairs in the last named lodge. He is a Democrat, but has never as- pired to office. However, he takes a lively interest in the welfare of his party. He is a member of the Christian church and Mrs. Edington is a member of the Baptist church. The three older of their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lyons, Indiana.
CHARLES HENRY ROBERTS.
Among the many volunteer patriots of the grand old state of Indiana, we find the name of our subject, Charles H. Roberts, of Fair Play township, who was born near Ithaca, New York, August 5. 1839. His parents, Edward J. and Ann ( Bartholomew) Roberts, were both natives of Pennsylvania. Edward J. Roberts was a physician, prac- ticing successfully both in Pennsylvania and Ohio, who came to Greene county, Indiana, in 1860, settling in High- land township, where he practiced his profession until his death. His companion, who departed this life in 1904. bore him eleven children, enumerated here in the order of birth: Josiah, now farming in South Dakota; Petrican died at Knoxville, Tennessee, and was a soldier in the Ninety-seventh Indiana Regiment : Charles H., our sub- ject : Caroline, now living in the east ; Cordelia, deceased ; Agnes, wife of William Farmer, a Christian Science prac-
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titioner at Bloomington, Indiana : George Clark, a carpen- ter, living at present at Terre Haute ; Edward, deceased; Josephine and Celesta were twins, the latter deceased ; Va- lary, wife of Henry Kindred, now living at Worthington.
Charles received a common school education and be- gan working out by the day or month very early in life. keeping this up until twenty-one years of age, turning over all his earnings to his father. In 1863 he enlisted in Company I, of the One Hundred and Twentieth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, remaining in that company for about two months, after which he became quartermaster sergeant, continuing in that capacity until 1866. His reg- iment joined Sherman's army in Tennessee, and was un- der fire for one hundred and seventeen days. They partic- ipated in various important battles, and were finally mus- tered out at Raleigh, North Carolina.
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