USA > Indiana > Wells County > Biographical memoirs of Wells County, Indiana : embracing a comprehensive compendium of local biography, memoirs of representative men and women of the county whose works of merit have made their names imperishable, and special articles by Hugh Dougherty [et al.] > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
Bardstown, Kentucky, reaching New Ma- drid, Missouri, in time to take part in the battle at that place. Subsequently his regi- ment operated for some time along the Mississippi river, later joining Grant's force in the campaign against Vicksburg. He took part in the battles near that city and the long siege before its final reduction, being almost continuously under fire from May 1, 1863, until the capitulation on the 4th day of July following. After the fall of that Confederate stronghold, the Forty- seventh was sent to New Orleans, thence re- treated to Sabine Cross Roads and Alex- andria, Louisiana, meantime engaging the enemy at many points and experiencing its full share of the horrible realities of war. Mr. Wisner remained with his command in Louisiana until the expiration of his period of enlistment when he received his discharge and returned home, after three years of very active service. His military experience was marred by no disaster and he was sel- dom if ever absent from duty. Ready and willing at all times to meet danger, he won the good will of comrades and officers and when he retired from the service it was with a record for bravery and duty well done, of which any gallant defender of his country's honor might well feel proud.
After the war Mr. Wisner resumed work on the family homestead and con- tinued under the parental roof until his mar- riage, which was solemnized in February, 1867, with Miss Mary J. Pippard, of Lan- caster township. Mr. and Mrs. Wisner set up their first domestic establishment on her father's old farm and began the struggle of life with a combined capital of about one hundred dollars. After renting ground for three years he purchased sixty acres in the
township of Lancaster, where he made his home until 1872, at which time he disposed of the place and bought an outfit for boring wells. He followed the latter business with gratifying success for several years, oper- ating in various parts of Wells and neigh- boring counties, his family meantime liv- ing in Bluffton. During the winter sea- sons, when well drilling could not be prose- cuted successfully, Mr. Wisner devoted his time to all kinds of repairing requiring su- perior mechanical skill. He also made guns to order, besides doing other work which proved financially remunerative. Disposing of his well-boring outfit, he afterwards purchased a threshing outfit and for several seasons followed the threshing of grain as a business. While thus engaged he invented a machine for threshing flax seed which has since been patented and put on the market and a little later took out letters patent on a skillful appliance for the stretching of lace curtains. In partnership with A. E. Sum- mer, Mr. Wisner about 1890 started the first steam laundry in Bluffton. After operating the plant jointly for three years, the subject sold his interest and established the Hoosier Laundry in the city of Hunt- ington, running the same until 1900, when he disposed of the business and returned to Bluffton where he has since resided. For many years Mr. Wisner has spent consider- able time in hunting, a sport which he loves and prosecutes with all the ardor of his in- tense romantic nature. In company with Hon. Levi Mock, his friend and companion, he has pursued all kinds of game in the northern wilds, hunting from the Great Lakes to the gulf of Mexico besides travers- ing at different times various states and territories of the west. He has killed sixty-
236
WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
three deer, one bear and much smaller game in his time, which fact attests his skill and experience in what to him is the most pleas- urable and fascinating means of recreation.
Mr. and Mrs. Wisner have not been blessed with children of their own, but for a number of years have given a home to Alice Church, a niece of Mrs. Wisner, upon whom they have lavished all the wealth of their love and affection. Their domestic circle is a very pleasant one and the open- handed hospitality which reigns within the walls of their dwelling is freely and gener- ously dispensed to the many friends and ac- quaintances who frequently gather there. Mr. Wisner is a member of Lew Darby Post, G. A. R., but formerly belonged to the organization at Huntington, of which he served a term as commander. He still manifests much interest in military affairs and nothing affords him more sincere grati- fication than to meet his old army com- rades and with them recall the thrilling in- cidents and startling experiences of war times. Of Mr. Wisner personally much in the way of compliment may be said. The soul of honor in his relations with his fel- low men, of unimpeachable integrity in all of his business transactions and a citizen whom the people of Huntington and Bluff- ton hold in the highest esteem, it is a fitting tribute to speak of him as one of the intelli- gent, enterprising and progressive men of Wells county. He gave some of the best years of his life for the preservation of the Union and since that time has supported the political party which in his judgment best represents the principles for which he fought. While a pronounced Republican, he is not a partisan and has never enter- tained any political aspirations. Measured
by the true standard of success, his life has heen fruitful of good results and he stands today, as he has always stood, for every- thing that subserves the public welfare and makes a higher order of citizenship.
C. S. BRINEMAN.
He who devotes his life to the educa- tion of others has a work that is generally thankless and always poorly paid. This is one of the many reasons why. so few enter the profession of educators with a view of making it their life work. It will do for the time being, it will tide over a period in life for the student or graduate, fresh from school, who knows nothing of any other calling. But the man or woman who takes it up, cognizant of all that must be en- countered in it, and determined to stay by it in every emergency, has in him or her a good deal of the material out of which phi- lanthropists are made. One of this very class is Clement S. Brineman, the subject of this sketch. He is a teacher of acknowl- edged ability, one of the very few who has not broken the birch or cast the ferule aside with a view of bidding farewell to the call- ing forever.
Clement S. Brineman is the son of Malachi and Sarah (Malotte) Brineman and was born in Chester township, Wells county, Indiana, July 12, 1866. His grand- father was John Brineman, a native of Ger- many, who, when a young man, to better his condition in life emigrated to America, settled in Pennsylvania and began life in this country as a common laborer. Here he met his future wife, married her and with-
237
WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
in a short time changed his habitation to Ohio, which was then supposed to possess many advantages over the older and more densely populated parts of the country. Not finding his home in the Buckeye state wholly to his liking, after residing there a number of years, he effected a second re- moval, this time settling in Liberty town- ship, Wells county, Indiana. This was in 1852. In those days the purchase price of land, per acre, was not nearly so great as it is today. The poor German emigrant was financially able to invest in an eighty-acre tract of land and although little schooled in the art of chopping trees, sawing logs or making rails, he set about clearing his land with an earnestness of purpose and an un- flagging industry that was soon productive of results. Here he lived, maintained, reared and educated his children, and here he finally died, commended and extolled for the many good qualities he was known to possess. He was the father of a large fam- ily, his son Malachi, father of the subject hereof, being the second child.
Malachi Brineman was born and edu- cated in Ohio. When he arrived at man's estate he was married and became the father of a number of children. While he was still a comparatively young man his wife died and about the time his father moved to Indiana he determined to try his fortune in the same locality. But . before moving to Indiana he formed the acquaint- ance and later secured the friendship of Miss Sarah Malotte. This developed into a stronger passion, so that before many months elapsed, in 1852, Malachi Brineman and Sarah Malotte were husband and wife. Mrs. Malotte was the daughter of A. J. and - Elizabeth (Baldwin) Malotte. Her
father, who was of French descent, was born October 14, 1816, and died February 26, 1862; his wife, of German descent, was born in 1818, and died January 31, 1850. They were married in 1835, and their daughter Sarah was born March 23, 1857, her death occurring during the winter of 1873. With the slender means in his pos- session, Malachi Brineman purchased eighty acres of land, upon which he erected an humble home and proceeded to improve it. Mr. Brineman was a hard worker, a man of fair education, shrewd and saga- cious, and took quite an active part in local politics even at that early date. He was a member of the Christian church and promi- nently identified himself with the work of that denomination. He died in 1877, loved, admired and respected by all his friends and acquaintances. They were the parents of nine children, of whom five are dead and four are still living. The dead are Caro- line, Fielden, Dora, Mary and Elizabeth. The living are Clement S., the subject of this sketch; Commodore, who is a resident of Chester township; Uriah, whose home is in Jackson township; Rosa, wife of Carl Smith, a resident of Mount Zion.
Clement S. Brineman was the sixth child of the family and at his father's death he was a boy of only eleven years. The family was poor, each member being left dependent upon his own resources and at this tender age the lad was obliged to look in the face of the world and solve for him- self the problem of life. He went to work by the month for such neighbors as would give him employment, and at whatever work he was capable of performing. For five months he worked for one man and re- ceived the munificent sum of seven dollars
-
WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
238
per month. In this way, not always, how- ever, for such meager wages, he continued to work, embracing every opportunity to obtain an education. No days were too cold or inclement to keep him out of the school- room when school was in session. He ap- plied himself with a zest and earnestness to his books, which zeal threatened to under- mine his constitution. His eager thirst for knowledge won the sympathy of his teach- ers and they were only too ready to impart to him every morsel of instruction his youthful mind could grasp. When he was seventeen years of age, with much timidity and some misgivings, he applied for a li- cense to teach. He took the examination and in fear and trembling awaited the re- sult. It was favorable and a license of six months was granted him. He secured a school and taught it most successfully. The bow of promise was now far up in the heav- ens. He felt that learning was indeed the key. From that time up to the present he has labored steadily in the school-room and is regarded as one of the best educators in this part of the state. When we consider the obstacles he had to surmount, the efforts he had to put forth to reach the goal, we need not be surprised that he decided to make teaching his life work. For two years he has been principal of the schools at Vera Cruz. His first certificate was for a period of six months, but the one he now holds is in duration six times that.
On July 18, 1888, Mr. Brineman was united in marriage to Miss Zeffa Hower, who was born in Coldwater, Michigan, August 8, 1866, the daughter of John Y. and Ethelinda (Chalfant) Hower. She re- ceived her education in Bluffton, graduating from the high school of that city in the
class of 1884, and was a teacher, previous to her marriage, for three years. One son has been born to this marriage, John H., the date of whose birth is November 7, 1889. He also has a thirst for learning, which is without doubt inherited. Although only in his thirteenth year, he is in the sec- ond year of high school. Mr. and Mrs. Brineman are both members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, be- longing to Lodge No. 114 of Bluffton, and is a past grand. Politically he is a Demo- crat, and at the last Democratic county con- vention held in Wells county he was a can- didate for the office of auditor. He was regularly selected by the voice of his party as its nominee and at the regular election held November 4, 1902, was elected to hold the office for the term of four years be- ginning January 1, 1904. He is honest, capable and most deserving. Although he was before the people many months as a candidate, not a blot nor blemish has been found to tarnish his fair name.
JOSIAH SLUSHER.
Although this gentleman was left an orphan when a mere infant, he is today one of the substantial and most respected farm- ers of Wells county, Indiana. He was born August 27, 1844, on section 17, Jackson township, this county, a son of William and Hettie (Cale) Slusher, the former of whom was the first to pass away, and on the death of the latter the child, Josiah Slusher, was taken to the home of Isaac Jones, by whom he was reared on a farm until he reached his
239
WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
majority, when he was given a horse and saddle by Mr. Jones, with which he made a trip to Iowa, where he passed one year.
When Mr. Slusher returned to Wells county he worked out as a farm hand for about twelve months, then went back to Iowa and worked in the same capacity for another year, then made a trip through Mis- souri, Kansas and other parts of the west, and finally, in the fall of 1868, returned to Wells county and again worked out by the month until his marriage, October 29, 1869, to Naomi Morgan. This estimable lady was born September 3, 1848, in Wayne county, Indiana, and is a daughter of Charles H. and Mary Morgan, natives of South Caro- lina, the latter of whom passed away on the farm on which Josiah Slusher now lives, and the former in Warren, Indiana, in 190I.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Slusher lived on rented land in Jackson township, Wells county, for a considerable time and then lived on Dr. Good's farm in Hunting- ton county for three years. He then made a sale of his personal effects and went to Arkansas in November, 1876, but, not lik- ing the country, returned to Wells county, Indiana, the following February and pur- chased forty acres of the farm on which he now lives, but which was then a wilderness and had no improvements except an old log cabin containing but one room, but in 1886 Mr. Slusher erected a comfortable house in which he and his family lived until 1901. In the meanwhile he worked industriously at clearing off the land from its incum- brance of timber and converting it into a fruitful and profitable farm.
By 1901 Mr. Slusher had acquired the means with which to purchase the parental
homestead, of which he then took posses- sion. He continued to follow his indus- trious habits and now owns one hundred and twenty acres of as fine farm land as can be found in Wells county, and has besides seven oil wells which yield him about forty dollars per month. He carries on general farming and at the same time devotes much of his time and attention to the breeding of live stock, giving the preference to Jer- sey cattle and Poland China hogs.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Slusher has been blessed with nine children, namely : Emma Eliza, born July 23, 1870, is now the wife of Oliver Williams, of Jackson town- ship, and is the mother of four children, Frederick C., Arthur C., Howard D. and an infant; William, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Slusher, was born August 14, 1872, is a farmer in Jackson township, is married to Miss Daisy Riggs, and is the father of two children, Ruie G. and Ran- dall C .; Samuel was born November 20, 1874, and died February 4, 1877; Leora, born November 25, 1877, died September 2, 1878; Charles H., born September 20, 1879, still lives under the parental roof; Mary L. was born March 23, 1882, is mar- ried to Eugene Cruse; James R. was born July 27, 1885, and is still at home; Goldie was born June 28, 1891, and the youngest child died in infancy unnamed.
In politics in his earlier manhood Mr. Slusher did not identify himself with any particular party, but voted for such candi- dates as were best suited in his opinion to fill the various offices for which they were nominated, but he is now a strict Prohibi- tionist. With his family, he is a member of the Radical United Brethren church, is an active worker in the congregation and
240
WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
has also been a trustee in the church ever since the erection of the church edifice.
Too much credit cannot be given to Mr. Slusher for the prudence he has exercised throughout life and the care with which he and his estimable wife have reared such of their children as have reached mature years and who are now ornaments to the com- munities in which they live.
PHILIP B. ALBERSON.
The gentleman of whom the biographer now writes is widely known as one of the honored citizens of Wells county and for a number of years he has been actively iden- tified with the varied interests of the town- ship in which he resides .. His well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his own business in- terests and his worthy discharge of import- ant trusts, together with his sound judg- ment and sterling integrity, have brought to him prosperity and public confidence and his life demonstrates what may be accomplish- ed by a man of energy and ambition who is not afraid to work and who places upon hon- orable endeavor its proper value. In all the relations of life he has commanded the re- spect and confidence of his fellow citizens and without a brief record of his career the biographical history of Wells county would be incomplete.
Philip B. Alberson was born January 29, 1854, in Adams county, Indiana, and is a son of Charles and Mary A. (Brown) Alberson. Charles was the son of Joshua and Catherine Alberson, who were among the early settlers of Randolph county, Indi-
ana, subsequently removing to the county of Adams. Charles Alberson was born in Randolph county, but grew up and married in Adams, moving from the latter to Wells county about the year 1860, settling on the farm which his son Philip B. now owns. He cleared eighty acres of this place, became one of the substantial men of his community and died in the year 1878, honored and re- spected by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. His widow is still living at the ripe old age of eighty and is quite strong and vigorous for one of her years, retaining in a marked degree her mental as well as her bodily powers. Mr. and Mrs. Alberson reared a large family of eleven children, ten of whom grew to years of maturity, namely : Joshua, a resident of Nottingham township; Elizabeth, wife of W. S. Settles; Henry, of Nottingham township; Philip, subject of this sketch; Catherine, who married Warren Walser; Nancy, now Mrs. Mat Tinsley ; Daniel, of this county; Julia, wife of Robert Gilby ; Jacob, a farmer of Nottingham, and Samuel, also a resident of this township; the first born of the family was a son by the name of John who died in infancy.
Philip B. Alberson received a limited knowledge of books in the schools of his native township and owing to circumstances which he could not command was unable to prosecute his studies as far as he desired. He remained at home faithfully attending to the duties of the farm until seventeen years of age, when he began earning money for himself by working as a farm hand for a man by the name of Settle, later entering the employ of Mr. Jacob Wolf. He was thus engaged for two years, at the end of which time he took charge of the home place on account of his father's ill-health and con-
PHILIP B. ALBERSON.
MRS. PHILIP B. ALBERSON.
24I
WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
tinued to look after the same until beginning life for himself several years later. While cultivating the old homestead he purchased twenty-five acres of his own and on the 16th of September, 1877, was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah Davis, daughter of T. F. and Alice ( Rogers) Davis, of Adams county. Immediately following his mar- riage Mr. Alberson moved to his little place in Nottingham township referred to above, but did not long remain there, his father's continued ill health causing him again to return to the old home. On the death of his father he purchased his brothers' and sis- ters' interests in the estate, after which he took possession of the farm and has since cultivated it in connection with stock rais- ing, realizing liberal returns from his labors. He has added many improvements to the place in the way of buildings, draining, etc., and from time to time has purchased other lands until he is now the owner of two hun- dred and thirty acres of real estate which for productiveness and advantage of situation is not excelled by any like area in the town- ship of Nottingham. In addition to his country real estate, Mr. Alberson has valu- able town property, owning a large store building and several dwelling houses in Phoenix, besides lots and buildings in the village of Petroleum. In connection with agriculture he has made for a number of years past a specialty of live stock, particu- larly the rearing of hogs, and has shown excellent judgment in this important branch of husbandry. Not a little of Mr. Alber- son's wealth of recent years has been derived from the twenty-three oil wells on his land, his share of the proceeds now averaging from sixty to seventy dollars per month, although much greater than these amounts
for some time following the development of the industry.
Mr. Alberson has always been recognized as a man of sound judgment and excel- lent business qualifications, in view of which facts his services have frequently been in demand to settle estates and act as guardian for minor heirs, several of which trusts he has on his hands at the present time. His ad- vice in legal matters has also been sought by his neighbors and his opinions in these and other affairs have seldom if ever been at fault. As a Republican he has taken an active interest in political and public affairs and as a citizen his voice and influence have always been used to further legitimate ob- jects for the material advancement of the community and the social and moral im- provement of his fellowmen. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 721, at Petroleum, his wife belonging to the Rebekah degree, Lodge No. 571, at Petroleum.
Mr. and Mrs. Alberson have had nine children, whose names and other facts con- cerning them are as follows : Rella M., born July 5, 1878, is the wife of John Young, of this county, and the mother of three off- spring. Arlie, Esther and Oakes; the sec- ond of the family was an infant daughter, born and died on the 6th of October, 1880; Emma C. was born November 18, 1882, and still lives under the parental roof; the next in order of birth was an infant that died unnamed ; John C. was born on the 7th day of June, 1885; Arvil, born July 28, 1887, died October 6, of the same year ; Mary A. was born August 11, 1888, departed this life on the 13th of September, 1889; William was born August 11, 1890, and Violet, whose birth occurred on the Ioth day of
16
242
WELLS COUNTY, INDIANA.
June, 1894. Mr. Alberson's family is one of the best known and among the most popu- lar in this part of the county. He has every reason to be proud of his fine home, of his well cultivated farm and of his good citi- zenship and excellent name. The high es- teem in which he is held bears testimony to his moral character and substantial worth, and his life has been so filled with good deeds that he finds little to regret in the years gone by.
SANFORD H. TEMPLIN.
Rent is one of the most exacting and persistent sources of expense to the poor. It feasts upon a slender income with as much voraciousness as a hungry guest at a cheap restaurant. Nine-tenths of the poor would not be so poor as they are if they did not have to pay rent all their lives. The average man who has been the head of a family twenty-five years is appalled when he figures up the amount he has paid out in rent. Most people think there is no other help for it but to pay and keep on paying. Sanford H. Templin, of Nottingham town- ship, Wells county, the subject of this sketch, long ago discovered that the rent cormorant could be avoided. It would be difficult for a young couple to be much poorer than he and his young wife were when they were first married thirty-seven years ago. They started in their married life with the purpose of avoiding all unnec- essary expense, rent among the rest, and now in the fifty-eighth year of his age he can truthfully say he never defrauded a landlord out of a penny or paid a cent of rent in his life. In reply to those who in-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.