USA > Indiana > Greene County > Biographical memoirs of Greene County, Ind. : with reminiscences of pioneer days, Volume III > Part 5
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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
Benedict Kirk, father of the subject, was born May 21. 1808, and brought to Kentucky when one year old. He spent his boyhood days in that state but did not have very good advantages of early schooling. However, by self- study and close application, he became well read and was a fluent and interesting conversationalist. When he became a man he traded in produce on flat boats, and was engaged in buying and selling slaves; but the last years of his life were spent on a farm. He was a member of the Christian church and a loyal union man, an aboli- tionist and a strong Republican, and he was generally regarded as a man of high moral principles. He died in 1887, at the age of seventy-nine years. His widow sur- vived him until 1896, when she died at the age of sixty- nine years.
Charles C. Kirk, our subject, spent his early life in Kentucky, where he attended subscription schools for about five months each year ; but he is an educated man. having studied all his life and been a close observer, gain- ing knowledge first handed from those with whom he comes in contact. As a boy he worked on a farm and quarried stone, cut cord-wood and did manual work in general until he was about thirty years old. After the death of his father he went to McLean county, Illinois. where he rented a farm and worked it continuously for five years. Then he moved to White county, Indiana, and purchased eighty acres, which he improved until it was in most excellent condition. having successfully worked it for nine years. He then came to Greene coun- ty, and in March 1902, bought two hundred acres of improved land which he worked for two years and then traded it for an elevator at Sandborn, Knox county, which
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he successfully managed for four years. Then Mr. Kirk came to Lyons, Indiana, as cashier of the Bank of Lyons, where he has since remained. After selling the elevator he purchased two hundred and twenty acres adjoining the town of Bicknell, Knox county, which he still owns, rent- ing it out. This is a high class, level farm and highly im- proved, well fenced with wire. About half of the land is kept in clover and the crops rotated under Mr. Kirk's di- rection, all clover, grass and straw being turned under. which keeps the soil in fine condition, constantly improv- ing it. Mr. Kirk has a large share in the bank of Lyons. also a fine residence in town. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church in which he has been a trustee. He is a Republican of high grade and takes an active part in all elections, being a public spirited man and desiring to see fair play upon all occasions.
Mr. Kirk was married in McLean county, Illinois, to Stella Chase, the daughter of Jacob and Eleanor (Blasdel) Chase. They are the proud parents of the fol- lowing children: Euphrasia, who is attending high school ; Chase died in childhood ; Earl is attending school ; Lloyd is also in school; Alma is a student ; Ruth, Mary and Mildred are little girls (1908). These children are all bright and promising and the pride of their parents. making their home a place of cheer and sunshine. The Kirk family is regarded as among the very best in Greene county.
PROFESSOR VASSALL E. DILLARD.
Music is one of the highest of the fine arts, and to be a recognized master of this branch of the aesthetics
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is to be among the few "favored by the gods," as a Ro- man would have said. The subject of this sketch evi- dently possesses this rare gift to a high degree, as a perusal of the following paragraphs, which touch briefly on his career, will show. Coming from a musical fam- ily, Professor Dillard could not well be anything but a musician, being at present not only a teacher of the vio- lin and other instruments and director of the Citizens' Band at Linton, Indiana, but he is looked to for prac- tically all the music furnished to that populous commu- nity. He was born March 14. 1878, in Washington, In- diana, the only child of John W. and Miranda E. ( Wed- dell) Dillard, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. The father, who has been a dealer in marble and granite work almost all of his life, is now retired, he and his wife living in Washington, this state.
The mother of the subject being an accomplished musician, Professor Dillard's early studies in this fasci- nating branch were encouraged and brought into prom- inence under her tuition and his early educational advan- tages were most excellent, having attended the Wash- ington schools and the College of Music in Cincinnati, where he studied under such noted masters as Marriem and Terrendella, under whom he made a brilliant record. Since completing his studies he has been a member of the C. Z. Bronson Concert Band of the Great Wallace Shows. Then for two and one-half years he was in- structor and bandmaster of the Dana Band, of Lima, Ohio. Giving up his work there he came to Linton, this county, and after a year's rest at home took charge of the Citizens' Band of twenty pieces, then known as the
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Archibald Band. Professor Dillard was the originator of a system of weekly concerts which have become a fea- ture of great interest to the music-loving public. He also has charge of the opera house orchestra of eight pieces.
Professor Vassall E. Dillard was happily married to Georgia Estella Talbott on November 14, 1906. She is the daughter of A. G. and Rachel Pauline ( Nation) Talbott, natives of Bowling Green and Patricksburg, In- diana, respectively. The former is a barber in Linton and the two families occupy the same home there. The Talbott family consists of three sons and two daughters, namely : Lulu, wife of Robert Clements, a coal operator of Linton; Howard is in the United States regular army : Georgia E., wife of the subject : Edward O. and Herbert E. are both living at home.
A son, Byron Amadeus, was born to Professor and Mrs. Dillard May 24. 1907. Fraternally the subject is a member of the Modern Woodmen of the World. He is independent in politics. Mrs. Dillard is a member of the Christian church.
Everybody in Linton and vicinity knows Professor Dillard, either personally or by reputation, and he is honored and respected by all, not only for his professional work but also for his upright life.
GEORGE B. McCLELLEN EASTON.
The subject, who is one of the most prominent busi- ness men of Linton, was born February 24. 1864, at
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Stinesville, Monroe county, Indiana, of English and Irish lineage, being the son of William G. and Virginia ( Williams) Easton, natives of Virginia and Kentucky. respectively. Mr. Easton being born during the stirring time of the Civil war, was named in honor of the beloved commander of the Army of the Potomac and presidential candidate in 1864. William Easton was left an orphan in early youth, consequently he knew but little of his parents or ancestors except that he was a cousin of Mrs. William H. English, among the best known pioneers of Indianapolis. He was a shoemaker and proprietor of a hotel in Stinesville during the major part of his life, and died at the age of sixty-eight years, survived by a widow. who still lives there.
George B. Easton was married June 29. 1884, to Margaret Elizabeth McCown, daughter of Elijah and Nancy (Williams) Mccown, and she was born near Stinesville. Her father, who is still living, was born in 1818. Mr. Easton's family consists of the following chil- dren : Jean I., bookkeeper and assistant cashier at the First National Bank of Linton : Nancy D., assistant in a store : Jennie B., Cecil M., Margaret E., Marie and Mary, in school, except the last named.
Mr. Easton received his education at Stinesville and early in life launched in business there as a merchant, also conducting the old home hotel. He moved from Stinesville in 1896 to Spencer. Owen county, where he was engaged in the mercantile business for a period of three years. He then went to Bloomfield, where he was in the same business for an equal number of years, and came to Linton in 1900, where he was in partnership
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with his brother, W. P. Easton & Company, for five years. He was also in the real estate business, which was combined with a general merchandise business. He assisted in opening up a large coal field west of Linton. Soon after this enterprise was started he disposed of his store and soon afterward opened a grocery and provi- sion market at his present location, 359 A street, Southeast where he carries a full line of groceries, fresh and canned meats, notions, etc.
The subject of this sketch is a Mason, being a mem- ber of Spencer Lodge, No. 95. He is also an Ancient Odd Fellow and was the first noble grand of Oolitic Lodge, No. 682, at Stinesville, of which he was a char- ter member. Four of the first members built the lodge room, the first story of which was occupied by Mr. Eas- ton, who conducted a hardware business in it. The building was destroyed by fire and the loss to the stock of goods was four thousand dollars.
Mr. Easton is a Democrat and he has always been a public-spirited man, but has been too busy to devote much time to politics. However, he was postmaster at Stinesville until he resigned when he moved from that place. Success has always attended his business career and he now owns a handsome home and a substantial store building, both built of concrete blocks. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church and is regarded as one of Linton's most progressive citizens.
ERNEST K. CASWELL.
Ernest K. Caswell, who is engaged in the insurance, real estate and loan business at Linton, is a native of On-
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tario, Canada, born in the county of Minton. September 9. 1878. He is of Scotch-Irish extraction, his mother's people coming to Canada many years ago from Scotland, while his grandfather was a native of Ireland. Both branches of the family settled in Canada. The subject's ancestors, both paternal and maternal. were long noted for physical vigor and longevity, several of the two fam- ilies nearing the century mark in age, while one member reached the remarkable age of one hundred and thirteen years.
Rev. Alexander K. Caswell. the subject's father. was a prominent Presbyterian clergyman in Canada for a number of years, but is now on the retired list, spending the evening of his life in California. Fannie Baird, who became the wife of Alexander K. Caswell, and, like him, a native of Ontario, died in the year 1897. the mother of six sons and two daughters, Ernest K. being the only representative of the family in Indiana. The others- Bessie, Andrew Baird, Arthur M. L., Clarence A., Gor- don S., Nellie MI. and Francis-live in different states of the Union, the majority of them attending school.
Ernest K. Caswell, our worthy subject, at an early day accompanied his parents to Iowa, where he spent his childhood and youth, entering the public schools of Cherokee, that state, and in due time finishing a high school course at the same place. Subsequently he received a business education in a commercial college at Storm Lake, Iowa, and having decided to devote his life to the medical profession he took a two years' course in Brown's College, Philadelphia, later finishing his pro- fessional training by a full course in the S. S. Still Col-
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lege of Osteopathy in the city of Des Moines, where he was graduated in 1903. Immediately after receiving his degree Dr. Caswell located at Linton, Indiana, but after a year's practice he discontinued professional life and took up business pursuits, giving his attention to insur- ance, real estate and loans, in which he soon built up an extensive and very lucrative patronage. At the present time he is a leader in the lines of business he represents. handling as much real estate perhaps as any man in the county, and in addition thereto is local and district agent for a number of the largest insurance companies in the United States, including, among others, the Equitable Life Insurance Company of New York, the United States Fidelity and Guarantee Company of Baltimore, besides holding the position of secretary of the Home Loan and Savings Association, a local enterprise of large and grow- ing interest. Mr. Caswell is a thorough business man of progressive ideas, whose practical experience has made him familiar with every phase of the various interests with which he is identified, and whose continued success has won for him a conspicuous place among the enterpris- ing, public-spirited men of the thriving city in which he resides.
Although a young man, Mr. Caswell's life has been one of activity and strenuous endeavor. He has traveled extensively over Canada and the United States, visiting the leading cities and places of interest in both countries, and coming in contact with all classes and conditions of people, this experience tending to broaden and strengthen liis mind. He has always been a close observer as well as careful student, and he is thoroughly informed on
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many subjects. In fraternal and secret benevolent work he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Unity Lodge, No. 637. at Linton, and in religion he holds membership in the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Caswell and May Stull were married on June 14, 1905. They have two daughters, Catherine Francis and an infant.
JOHN MILTON HARRAH, M. D.
In the planning and conduct of public affairs the leaders are supposed to inspire confidence in their ability to promote the best interests of society. This confidence can only be obtained by association with constituency on the highest moral plane. When obtained on such grounds success comes to the one who proposes to help and aid in the development of the best side of human life. Dr. John M. Harrah always extended the helping hand to- ward the friend who needed counsel and advice, doing it in the spirit of humanity and kindness, thus wending his way into the love and esteem of his fellow men. He was born in Stockton township, Greene county, January 24. 1837. His parents were William and .Mary J. Harrah, natives of Kentucky, the former coming from Mont- gomery county, while the latter was born in Fleming county.
William Harrah was the son of John Harrah, who came from Greenbrier county, West Virginia, into Ken- tricky in an early day. and in 1821 migrated to Greene county, Indiana, settling in Wright township and later
Jus. Un Narsich
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moved into Stockton township, where he ended his days at the end of seventy years. He was one of the early tillers of the soil, driving out the wildness from before the onward march of civilization and culture. John Har- rah's wife was Margaret Harrah, and came from the same community in West Virginia, and was his compan- ion in those pioneer days. She died at the age of sev- enty-five, but being several years younger, time length- ened out to her until 1871. They had nine children- William, James, Robert, John, Daniel, Mary Jane, Sarah S., Eliza and Rebecca. None of them are now living. The parents were members of the Presbyterian church.
His son William, the father of our subject, was born in 1815, and was only six years of age when the family moved to Indiana. He grew up to manhood on his father's farm and learned the trade of a tanner, fol- lowing it for several years. Death came to him early in life, the summons reaching him in 1842, when he was but twenty-seven years of age. In a few years his wife married again and she lived until 1893. They had three children-Dr. John M., Daniel L., who died in 1877, and William, who died when only sixteen years of age. Wil- liam and wife were both members of the Christian church. Her second marriage was to Frederick Himebrook, and the result of this union was six children-Rebecca, Jo- seph W., Stephen, Mary, deceased : Marshall and Ella Our subject was reared on a farm in Stockton town- ship, and he obtained his education as best he could, as pioneer methods were still in use during his youthful - days : but he was an inveterate reader, and did much to educate himself. In 1858 he read medicine with Dr.
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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
Abraham J. Miller and first practiced at Jasonville in 1860; then he went to practicing in Warren county, Illi- nois, where he remained until 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army. In 1865 he graduated from the Rush Medical College in Chicago, and afterwards practiced for a while in Henderson county, Illinois, and in 1868 he returned to Greene county. Indiana. He first located in Linton and afterwards in Bloomfield, where he prac- ticed for three years. He then went to Solsberry and remained at this place twelve years. After short stays at Switz City and Bloomfield again, he finally came to his present farm in Fair Play township, where he has made his home since 1889.
In 1855 he married Mary Owen, daughter of John S. and Sarah ( Daugherty) Owen. John S. was one of the early settlers in Greene county, and also one of the first county treasurers. His wife died in 1887. They had nine children: Eva, who married Frank Glover, is now a widow: Julia, wife of Benton Glover: Norma. wife of Wesley Anderson, now living in Spencer ; Min- nie, who died in childhood: Frederick, who also died in infancy: Lillie, wife of Ziba Fitzpatrick, now living in Bloomfield : Mary, principal of the high school in Browns- town, Indiana. She is a graduate of the State Normal at Terre Haute, also a graduate of the State University at Bloomington. They had two other children, who died in infancy.
The second marriage of our subject was with Mrs. Mary Klinger (nee Motz), born in Monroe county and daughter of Samuel. and Sarah (Harvey) Motz. He came to Greene county in an early day and built the first
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house in the town of Worthington, and for several years he ran a tanyard. He died in 1893, his wife preceding him in 1872. He was also a Methodist Protestant min- ister for a number of years. To them were born nine children : William H., Ananias W., Permelia, Sarah, Mary, wife of the subject ; Della, and three died young. He was always an active man in public affairs. Dr. Harrah also took an active part in all the public ques- tions of the day, and, being an ardent Republican, it was natural for him to be forced to the front as a candidate for public offices several times. But he was defeated both for sheriff and for clerk. He is an active member of the Greene County Medical Association, and also a member of the pension board, receiving the appointment from President Mckinley. Mrs. Harrah is a member of the Methodist Protestant church.
The war record of Dr. Harrah is brief, not from choice, but failing health compelled his relief, and he was sent home. He enlisted in Company B. Ninety-first Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and went to the front, but only remained there about eight months, and most of that time in the hospital. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
ELMER S. BENJAMIN.
The subject, who is a prominent dealer in general merchandise in Linton, was born in Owen county, this state, August 9, 1862, where he grew to manhood and was educated, having begun teaching there in 1880 and
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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
continuing for three terms in his native county. Then he went to Bloomfield in 1883 and taught in the public schools of that city for five consecutive years. In Au- gust, 1888, he moved to Dugger, Sullivan county, and entered the employ of the Dugger & Neal Company in the capacity of bookkeeper, remaining with this firm for eight years. In 1896 he moved to Linton and was book- keeper for Dugger & Neal, doing business there as the Summit Coal Company, in which capacity he remained for six years. He resigned that position to accept that of assistant cashier in the Linton Bank, which he held for two years. In 1904 he purchased a stock of mer- chandise and engaged in his present business, having at all times a large and carefully selected stock of general merchandise. He requires the services of six employes to assist in conducting his store, handling a full line of dry goods, shoes, hats, ladies' cloaks, groceries and pro- visions.
The subject was married October 14. 1885. at Bloomfield, to Ella Fitzpatrick, daughter of Henry and Mary A. Fitzpatrick, of that city. Her father died in 1882. Her mother is living in the subject's family. Seven children have been born to this union, namely : Lava, Mary, Blanche, Glen and Donald, living at home : two children, Mildred and Roy, died in infancy.
The subject and wife are members of the Christian church. The former is a Democrat in his political be- heis, and he served for some time as an influential mem- ber of the Linton city council. Hle is a member of the Kinghts of Pythias. Linton lodge, having joined1 sev- erul years ago at Bloomfield.
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The father of the subject, David J. Benjamin, was a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, where he was born in February. 1840, and the subject's mother, whose maiden name was Mary E. Vaughan, was born in Owen county, Indiana, where they are both living at Middle- ton, the father being a retired farmer.
The subject of this sketch began life poor, but he has always been a hard worker and self-dependent, and has achieved success in whatever he has attempted. After leaving the common schools he educated himself, and has since looked to no one for aid, always being reason- ably prosperous, and he is well liked by all who known him.
LINTON BOTTLING WORKS.
One of the busiest places in the thriving city of Linton, Indiana, is the Linton Bottling Works, operated by the Harting brothers-Fred, William and Otto-all splendid types of the modern business man, and all na- tives of Westphalia, Germany, having come to America with their parents in 1882, first locating at Edivardsport, Knox county, Indiana, but in the fall of 1887 they moved to Linton, where they have resided to the present time.
The father of these boys was Frederick Harting. who was a miner. His sons also engaged in work about the mines in their early manhood days. The father died as the result of injuries received in a mine January 2. 1888. His wife died June 6, 1897. They reared a fam- ily of three sons and three daughters, the latter being
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Louisa, Liesette and Emma. The eldest sister lives in Indianapolis. Liesette keeps house for her unmarried brother, William. Emma is the wife of Alfred Froeschke. of Linton.
Fred Harting, the eldest of the family, married Ber- tha Reimers in 1894, who died a year later. He married a second time, his last wife being Bertha Pohlmeier, a native of Westphalia, Knox county, Indiana. Their wedding occurred October 24, 1897. Four children have been born to this union, namely : Paul, Esther, Gertrude and Hedwig, all living.
Otto Harting was married October 13, 1904, to Belle Reed, a daughter of Daniel Reed, of Linton. They have no children.
The Linton Bottling Works was established by Fred Harting and Fred E. Strietelmeyer in 1895, and was op- erated under their management for a period of twelve years, when William and Otto purchased the interest of Mr. Strietelmeyer.
They manufacture all kinds of soft drinks and car- bonated beverages, and they have built up a prosperous business. Their plant is equipped with modern machin- ery and all up-to-date appliances for turning out first- class products of that line. They operate four wagons. delivering to Linton customers, railroad stations and to nearby towns.
The Harting brothers are well and favorably known to all residents of Linton, especially to the business world, having always been upright in their dealing with their fellow men.
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JOHN NANTZ GASTINEAU.
The subject, who is a retired farmer, now making his home in Linton, was born in Shelby county, Illinois, December 9. 1857, and received a common school ed- ucation in Benton county, Arkansas, partly at Pea Ridge, three years of his early boyhood days having been spent away from home in that state.
The subject was married in Stockton township. Greene county. December 11, 1879. to Mary Klink. daughter of John and Martha ( Ramacher) Klink. Both parents of the wife of the subject were natives of Ger- many, who came to the United States early in life and married in Greene county, Indiana, where they spent their youth. John Klink was a cooper and worked in Terre Haute for some time after his marriage, remaining in that city until January 31, 1856. There were six chil- dren in the Klink family, four of whom are living. They are: Mrs. Gastineau, the subject's wife, who was the eldest : Frederick, deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of Wil- liam Heitman, Sr., living in Linton ; John, deceased ; an- other child was also named John, who is living on a farm in Stockton township. Greene county : Henry is a hard- ware merchant in Linton.
John N. Gastineau had always been a farmer until he retired in 1893, and he still owns eighty acres in Grant township. On November 21, 1906, he met with a serious accident by coming in contact with a "live" electric wire. which came very near causing his death. One side has remained partially paralyzed from the effects of the shock, and he lost a finger from his right hand.
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