Centennial History of Grant County Indiana, Part 61

Author: Rolland Lewis Whitson
Publication date: 1914
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Indiana > Grant County > Centennial History of Grant County Indiana > Part 61

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Mr. and Mrs. Connelly have five children : D. Gretchen, who is now in school at Upland; Barbara H., also in school; Marjorie E., Phillip, and Roger Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Connelly are members of the Upland Methodist church, and he has fraternal associations with the Masonic Order at Upland, and the Royal Chapter at Hartford City.

EDGAR THORNBURG. One of the prospering farmers of Grant county, Edgar Thornburg is one whose success has been won entirely as the result of his own well directed efforts. He had no fortune given to

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him by families, and early in life had the courage to marry and estab- lish a home for himself, and since that time has steadily prospered, until he is reckoned as one of the substantial men of Monroe township. In that township he purchased a home place of seventy-four acres of land, and in 1912, as an indication of his progressive farming efforts, he harvested one thousand bushels of corn, seven hundred bushels of oats, cut seven tons of hay and shipped to market about fifty hogs. His farm is not only a profitable business, but is an attractive home place, where he and his family enjoy life. His large brick house is located on a hill, with land sloping down from it, and among other im- provements are some good barns, while all the farm is kept in good condition. Edgar Thornburg was born May 9, 1863, in Henry county, Indiana, a son of Alfred M. and Emeline (Wallace) Thornburg. His father was born in North Carolina, and the mother in Fayette county, Indiana. Her parents were natives of New Hampshire, and she died in 1872 in Marion. Grandfather Benjamin Thornburg emigrated from North Carolina to Henry county, among the pioneers. Alfred M. Thornburg, the father, was a carpenter by trade, and moved to Marion in 1871. He lived there until February, 1886, when he went west to Los Angeles, California. The five children were Edgar; George of Los Angeles; Elmer of Marion; Mrs. Aletha L. Beck, who died in De- cember, 1911; and Mrs. Ida Belle Fruchey of Marion.

After the death of the mother, several of the children were placed in the homes of friends to be cared for and reared. In this way Edgar Thornburg entered the home of Samuel R. Thompson of Monroe town- ship, where he was reared to manhood. When he was twenty-two years old he married and moved to the Holloway farm, where he spent fifteen years. Shortly after moving to the Holloway place in 1886 he bought sixty acres of land, and after selling that in 1901 bought his present homestead.

Mr. Thornburg was married in 1886 to Martha A. Hodson, a daugh- ter of Jonathan Hodson. Their two children are Mrs. Alma N. Boller, of Center township, wife of Lee Boller, and they have one daughter, Helen Louise; and Hazel, who was married November 12, 1913, to Ollie Thurman. Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg are also rearing an orphan child, Oscar Wickum. In politics Mr. Thornburg allies himself with the Pro- hibitionists and he and his family worship with the Methodist church.

NIXON WINSLOW. Many lives have entered into the foundation of Grant county, and none of them more worthy to be considered in a history of pioneer personalities than the late Nixon Winslow, who for many years was prominent as a business man, farmer and banker and public spirited citizen in Fairmount township and city.

Like many other of the early Grant county pioneers, Nixon Winslow was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, June 28, 1831. He died at his home in Fairmount City, May 25, 1910. His parents were Thomas and Martha (Bogue) Winslow. His father was born in Randolph county, July 14, 1795, and his wife in the same state on August 3, 1802. She was a daughter of John and Lydia (White) Bogue, who were married in 1797. John Bogue was a son of Marmaduke and Sarah (Robinson) Bogue, who were natives of England, and who died at a good old age in Randolph county, North Carolina. They were what is known as Fox Quakers. John Bogue and wife Lydia died in Randolph county, North Carolina, when in the prime of life, leaving four daughters, all young. These daughters came north, were married, had large families, and were all identified with Grant county. The oldest of the daughters of John Bogue was Mary, better known as Polly, who married Phineas

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Henly, and lived and died in Grant county. Thomas and Martha Wins- low came to Grant county in 1836, entering land and living there until their death in Fairmount township. They were both Charter members of the Old Northern Quarterly Quaker Meeting in that township. Thomas Winslow and wife were married in North Carolina about 1829, she being his second wife. His first wife who died in North Carolina was Millicent Gazan, who left four children at her death.

The late Nixon Winslow, who was the oldest child of his mother, Martha Bogue, was five years old when the family moved to Grant county, and here he grew up on his father's farm in Fairmount township. His education was obtained in the local schools, and from the time he started out on his own account, he steadily prospered. He bought some land of his own two miles east of Fairmount city, and some years later bought one hundred and sixty acres just outside the city limits on the east, and on that land spent his final years. As already stated, he was one of the most successful farmers and able business men in the county. He was one of the organizers and for many years was president of the Citizens Exchange Bank of Fairmount, having sold his interest and retired from the office only a short time before his death. Among other public things to which he contributed his efforts and means was the Fairmount Academy, and also the Quakers church in the city. He served as trustee and elder of the church, holding the latter office at the time of his death. Though no politician in any sense he was a regu- lar supporter and voter for the Prohibition interests.

In Jonesboro, in the Friends church and according to the strict forms of the Quaker ceremonies, the orthodox faith, Nixon Winslow was married October 25, 1854, to Miss Cynthia Ann Jay. Her marriage introduces another interesting family into this biographical sketch. She was born in Miami county, Indiana, May 5, 1832, and when seventeen years old came to Mill township in Grant county. Her parents were Denny and Mary (Jones) Jay, her father a native of North Carolina, and her mother of Ohio. Her mother was a daughter of Elisha and Susanna (Hollingsworth) Jones, natives of Georgia, and early settlers in Ohio, where they located government land near Troy in Miami county. There Susanna Jones was killed by a stroke of lightning, while in the prime of her life. Her husband married the second time and continued to live in Miami county until his death at a good old age. Denny Jay and wife on coming to Grant county located on the Mississinewa River, north of Jonesboro, where they had their home until their lives came to a peaceful close, his at the age of sixty-one and hers when sixty-three years old. They were active members, and both were elders in the Jones- boro Quaker Meeting. In the Jay family were four sons and five daugh- ters, three of them being: Jesse and Lambert B., and Mrs. Winslow. Jesse Jay is a farmer on the old Mill township homestead, is married and has a family, while his younger brother lives in Grant county, and is a genial bachelor, being a farmer by occupation.

To the marriage of Nixon Winslow and wife were born seven chil- dren, one of whom, Marcus Alden, died at the age of two and a half years. The living children who grew up are mentioned as follows: Le- vina, wife of John Kelsie, a prosperous farmer, and a former county commissioner living in Fairmount township, has a family of children. Webster J. is retired and lives in Fairmount, his first wife having been Mary Jean who died leaving children, of whom two are living; his sec- ond marriage was to Ora Winslow, daughter of J. P. Winslow, and there were no children by the second union. Ella, maiden lady, resides with her mother in Fairmount, and between the mother and daughter there exists a strong affection and many mutual sympathies, which render the

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declining days of Mrs. Winslow specially pleasant. Thomas D. is 8 farmer in Liberty township, and has twice married, his first wife being Eva Pearson, who left three children, of whom two are living, and his second wife is Anna Ellis, by whom there is one daughter. The next two children of the family are Ancil and Clinton, both of whom are given more specific mention elsewhere in these pages.

Ancil Winslow, the youngest but one of the children of Nixon and Cynthia Winslow, was born in Fairmount township, December 29, 1864. He is deservedly regarded as one of the most enterprising and success- ful farmers and business men of Grant county. With the precedent of several generations of solid family success behind him, he has not failed to meet the expectations of family and friends, and among his asso- ciates is called a hustler, which very accurately described his character as a business man.

During his youth he was reared and trained in a good Christian home, and was taught the lessons of industry and honor. He was also a student in the local schools, and completed his education at Fairmount Academy. In 1889 Mr. Winslow bought one hundred and eighty acres of fine farm land on section seventeen of Fairmount township. There he later constructed in 1904, probably one of the handsomest and most comfortable rural residences to be found anywhere in Grant county. It is a thoroughly modern structure, and while built to harmonize with its surroundings and on the basis of utility, its is really as luxurious as many of the best city homes. The farm establishments contain all the improvements that would be expected of the best Grant county home- steads, excellent barns, equipment of outbuildings and machinery of every kind, and the farm is well stocked with high grade cattle, hogs and horses. Mr. Winslow grows a great deal of alfalfa and feeds prac- tically every pound of the crops produced on the land to his stock. He uses a silo with a capacity of eighty tons. His success has lain especially along the line of stock raising and on his place he grows many varieties of fruit also.

At Marion, Mr. Winslow married Ida Elliott, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Small) Elliott. Her parents still live in Fairmount, and her father was born on the site now occupied by the Soldiers' Home of Grant county, the land having been entered by his father, direct from the government. Isaac Elliott and wife are hale and hearty old people, and both have been members of the Quaker faith since birth. Mrs. Ida Winslow is the only daughter and child of her parents. She graduated from the Marion high school and the Fairmount Academy, and is a woman of cultured tastes and an excellent homemaker. She is the mother of two children. Isaac R. was born June 7, 1893, graduated from Fair- mount Academy, and is now a student in Earlham College. Marcus R. was born December 17, 1901, and is now attending the grade schools. Both Mr. and Mrs. Winslow were born to membership in the Quaker church.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN VAN VACTOR. A well known resident of Center township, Benjamin Franklin Van Vactor has been an important factor in agricultural circles of Grant county, and his popularity is well de- served, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending in- tegrity, unabated energy, and an industry that never flags. While he has been an exceedingly busy man, with large personal interests, he has ever been public spirited, and is thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the community .where he has resided all of his life. He was born on a farm about one mile west of his present home, March 12, 1857, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret Burkel Van Vactor.

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MRS. THOMAS J. BROOKSHIRE

THOMAS J. BROOKSHIRE

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Joseph Van Vactor was born in Holland, and on emigrating to the United States, settled in Ohio, where his first wife, a native of Prussia, died. After his second marriage he came to Center township, Grant county, Indiana, and took up a tract of eighty acres across from the Sol- diers' Home to the east, there continuing to reside until his death Sep- tember 10, 1867, at which time he was the owner of five hundred and eighty acres of land. Mr. Joseph Van Vactor was a faithful member of the Methodist church, and took an active interest in its work, liberally supporting its various movements. He was the father of four chil- dren, all of whom are living at this time: Joseph, who is is engaged in farming in Monroe township; Benjamin F., of this review; C. E., who was for twenty years cashier of the First National Bank of Marion, and is now superintendent of the United States Glove Factory in that city; and Mary E., who married Roland Ratliff, principal of public schools of Danville, Illinois.

Benjamin Franklin Van Vactor was educated in the public schools of Center township, and was about eighteen years of age when he com- pleted his education and turned his entire attention to farming, in which he had been formerly engaged only during the summer months. Some six years later he was married and took up his residence about one-half mile east of his present home, and since that time has continued to add to his property, until he now owns two hundred and twenty-five acres. In addition he has a one-sixth interest in nine hundred and sixty acres of land in North Dakota. He is a skilled farmer, employing mod- ern methods in his work, and securing excellent returns for the work he expends upon his property. His fellow citizens have recognized his general worth and the confidence and esteem in which he is held is evi- dence of the confidence he has inspired in those who know him.

In 1881 Mr. Van Vactor was married to Miss Jennie Caldwell, who was born and reared in Center township, where she secured her educa- tion in the public schools. Mrs. Van Vactor is a daughter of Nicholas and Anna (Nelson) Caldwell. Nicholas Caldwell was a native of Vir- ginia, near Harpers Ferry, while his wife was born in Grant county, Indiana. Three children have been born to Mr. Van Vactor and wife: Grace L., a graduate of the common schools, is now the wife of Burr Wolff, formerly of Center township, but now residing in Montana on a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of land, and they have five chil- dren-Faye Anna, Francis W., Ivan, Wayen W., and Lavon C. Lea A., formerly a teacher of music, is now the wife of Claude J. Stout, living near Ambrose, North Dakota, and they have one child, Lena Audra. Leo C., a bright lad of ten years, is living at home and a student in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Van Vactor are consistent members of the Griffin Chapel of the Methodist church. . He is a Democrat in his political views, although not active, and his fraternal connection is with the F. M. B. A.

THOMAS J. BROOKSHIRE. No more estimable citizen may be found in Liberty township, nor no more capable and prospering farmer than Thomas J. Brookshire, who has been a resident of the state all his life and of Grant county since 1867. A veteran of the Civil war, his record is one of the highest honor and integrity, and he enjoys the unqualified esteem of the best people of his township, and wherever he is known. He was born in Henry county, Indiana, on November 26, 1844, the son of. Emsley and Elizabeth (Shelley) Brookshire. The father was a native of North Carolina, and the mother of Tennessee, both of whom came to Indiana in the early days of their lives. The father entered land iu Henry county, and in addition to his farming activities, was widely

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known as an itinerant preacher of the Wesleyan faith. He lived and died on the land he obtained from the government, there rearing a family of ten children, of whom two are yet living at this writing. Besides the subject, the only other survivor is Sarah A., who married Joshua Nuby of the state of California, and there resides. Three of their sons, among which was Thomas J. of this review, served in the Civil war.

Thomas J. Brookshire was reared on the Henry county farm of his parents, and attended the district schools of his community. He was still very young when he enlisted in Company E of the Ninth Indiana Cavalry from Henry county, of which he was made first corporal, and be rendered a service approximating almost three years during the course of the war, the same being characterized by the most valiant action throughout. He was discharged in 1865, when the last gun had been fired, and the period of his service embraced some of the most exciting campaigns of the long civil conflict. He participated in the Vicksburg campaign and the Atlanta Campaign; and fought in many of the most hotly contested battles of the war. Following his discharge he returned to the Henry county farm, devoting himself quietly to farm life.

In 1866 he married Clementine Akers, of Rush county, Indiana, and to them were born ten children, six of whom are living at this writing. They are Leroy; Anna, the wife of John Dare; Jesse, living in Missouri; Cornelius, living near Hackelman; Nixon H., of Liberty township; and Nettie, the wife of Leroy Saders. Sixteen grandchildren have been added to the progeny of the family, and one great-grandchild, James Frederick Smith.

The year 1867 marked the removal of the family from Henry county to Grant county, and here he has a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Liberty township. In the years that passed he has acquired title to a goodly bit of land in the county, at one time owning as high as five hundred acres. His present holdings, however, are sufficient for his demands, and here he is busy in the breeding of Percheron and Bel- gian horses, while the finest grade of shorthorn cattle may be found on his place. He has prospered all his days in his farming enterprisc, and his neighbors know him for a successful man, as well as one of the most trustworthy men in the township, where he has a wide circle of stanch friends, as have the other members of his worthy family. He helped organize the Citizens Bank of Fairmount, was a director of the institution for several years and now a heavy stockholder and a director of the Fairmount State Bank.

Mr. Brookshire is a member of the G. A. R., and has served the local post as commander at times. He and his family are members of the Wesleyan church at Backcreek, taking an active part in the varied enter- prises of that body, and in his politics Mr. Brookshire is a Progressive Republican. He is a man who ever manifests a good citizen's interest in political affairs relative to his own community at least, and is now serv- ing on the Advisory Board of his township, where he has performed a valuable service for the town. He is known to be one of the progressive men of the county, not content to live in the past, but up and doing with the most advanced men of his community in both thought and action.

GEORGE D. LINDSAY. Although George D. Lindsay has lived in Marion, Indiana, for comparatively a few years only, he has come to be an important factor in the business life of the city and has taken a prominent part in its civic and political affairs. Mr. Lindsay is a law- yer by profession and in his position as part owner and manager of the Marion Chronicle, he has had much to do towards influencing the minds of the people. He is a man of splendid education and fine mental abil-

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ity and with the legal training and experience he has had he is extremely well fitted for the position which he holds.

George D. Lindsay was born at Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of March, 1862. He is the son of David G. and Janet (Nichol) Lindsay, both of whom were born in Scotland. They came to America in 1860 and settled at Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, but some time after- wards settled on a farm in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where they now reside.

George D. Lindsay attended the public schools of Mckeesport and then took a business course in a Pittsburg business college. He later attended Washington-Jefferson College, at Washington, Pennsylvania, where he majored in history. He next became a student in Wooster College, at Wooster, Ohio, and upon leaving college he began life as a teacher. He was principal of the Belmont Academy at Belmont, Penn- sylvania, for some time and was superintendent of public instruction at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, for a year. He next read law in the office of Judge John S. Robb at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

In 1889 Mr. Lindsay graduated from the McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, and entered the ministry of the Presby- terian church. He held the pastorates in Ionia, Michigan, Galena, Illi- nois, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and served as summer supply in many of the largest churches in the country, three times representing his presbytery as Commissioner to the General As- sembly. While in the ministry Mr. Lindsay frequently occupied the lecture platform, speaking in lecture courses, at school commencements and on special occasions such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, etc.

It was in 1907 that Mr. Lindsay came to Marion. He here opened a law office and has been engaged in the practice of his profession ever since. In 1912 Mr. Lindsay bought an interest in the Marion Chron- icle and assumed the business management of it. He has not only made the paper a financial success, but he has also made it a power to Marion and Grant county. In addition to these interests Mr. Lindsay is general manager, secretary and treasurer of the Commercial Printing Company of Marion, Marion's largest job printing concern.

He has been active in all matters pertaining to the civic improve- ment of Marion and in the enforcement of the law, being one of the fac- tors in the fight for a clean city. He has been one of the leading men in the fight for local option, and in every movement that has the progress of the city as its aim he is found on the firing line.

In 1889, on the 11th of July, Mr. Lindsay was married to Emma Breed, a daughter of Richard E. Breed, of Chicago. Five children were born to this union, Katharine, David, Jeannette, Sarah and Richard. Mr. Lindsay is a member of the Country and Golf Clubs of Marion. In politics he is a member of the Republican party.

ELEAZAR NEWBY. The Newby family, today one of the prominent and well thought of families of Grant county, has been identified with the county since 1830, in which year Thomas Newby, the father of Eleazar Newby, whose name introduces this review, came as a lad of six years to make his home with an uncle, who reared the orphaned child. The family has had a large and worthy part in the development and growth of the county and the communities that have represented the homes of the various members of the family in the passing years have benefited generously from the influences and activities of these men.

One of the oldest American families extant, the Newbys have played a worthy part in the life of the country. They are descended from

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sturdy English stock, the first of the name having located on these shores prior to the earliest struggles of the American colonies in their. quest for independence, and men of the name have borne arms in the defence of whatever cause the country has taken up from then down to the present time. A branch of the family in the eighteenth century set- tled in North Carolina, and from that branch have come the Newbys who have lent their powers to the upbuilding of Grant county. The first of the name who will be mentioned specifically in these columns is Eleazar Newby, grandsire of the subject, who bears the same name. He was born in North Carolina, and passed his life in that state. He died while yet in the prime of his manhood, being survived by his widow, who in her maiden days was Mary Winslow, of a fine old Carolina fam- ily. She bore him one son, Thomas W., who became the father of the subject, and after the death of her husband she married Daniel Thomas. They took up their residence in Fairmount township, where they passed their remaining years, and left one son, William Thomas.

Thomas W. Newby was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, in 1824, and he was two years of age when his father died. He was taken into the home. of his uncle, Cajie Newby, and in 1830 came with them to Grant county, Indiana. He was reared in his uncle's home and was brought up in the faith of the Quakers, his uncle being a stanch ad- herent of the faith and a powerful example to his fellow men all his days. Thomas W. Newby had in him those qualities that ever make for signal success and prosperity in the life of the man who possesses them. He devoted his life to agricultural activities, and was one of the few men of his day who amassed in the neighborhood of a million dol- lars. He gave to each of his six children an eighty-acre farm, well de- veloped and rich in improvement, as well as giving to each a large sum of money in cash. He was recognized as one of the foremost men of the county, as well as one of the richest of his time. He died at his old home in Fairmount township on December 7, 1903, when he was seventy-nine years of age. Mr. Newby was a Whig in early life, and later became a Republican. He was a man of the most estimable qualities, and his ster- ling character made him an influence in his community that was far- reaching and beneficent at all times. In his citizenship he was a man among men, and his opinion in matters of civic duty and political ques- tions of all manner was one that was eagerly sought by his contempora- ries. When he died he was truly mourned and his loss is still felt in those places where he was best known.

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Centennial History of Grant County Indiana, Part 61

Author: Rolland Lewis Whitson Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Rolland Lewis Whitson
Publication date: 1914
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1034