Centennial History of Grant County Indiana, Part 99

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

USA > Indiana > Grant County > Centennial History of Grant County Indiana > Part 99

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).

In January, 1895, Mr. Niccum married Miss Laura Rennaker, who was born in Wabash county. Their two children are Merville, a student in the first year of the local high schools, and Geraldine, twelve years of age and in the grammar school. Mr. Niccum is a member of Beacon Lodge No. 320, I. O. O. F. In politics he has been prominently identified with the Democratic party, and is one of the influential workers for Democratic success in this end of Grant county. Until his appointment as postmaster he had served as a member of the village council of Swayzee.

NOAH A. WEST. A prosperous merchant at Mier, Mr. West has lived in Grant county all his life, and represents a family long well known and prominently identified with farming and business and civic activ- ities in this section of the state. Noah A. West was born in Sims, Grant county, September 25, 1874, a son of James Milton and Sarah C. (Ammon) West. His father, who was long a prosperous farmer and public spirited citizen, died in 1886. The mother is still living in Mier. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are yet living. mentioned as follows: Della A., wife of Jackson Miller; Lou E., of Rochester, New York, wife of F. J. Borgwald; Hattie L., wife of Arthur George; Cora J., wife of Charles W. Myers, of Peru, Indiana; Nathaniel .

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY

1329

G., of Rochester, New York, principal of the high school in that city; and Earl A., a railroad man at Ecuador, in South America, and Noah A.

Noah A. West was reared on the home farm, and received his educa- tion in the district schools. When he was about eighteen years of age he found his first regular work in the employ of R. R. Taylor, the present trustee of Richland township. He continued in the employ of Mr. Taylor on the farm until January 1, 1913. He bought a stock of goods at Mier and has since been rapidly progressing as a merchant. Fraternally he is affiliated with Converse Lodge No. 601, A. F. & A. M., and in politics is an active Republican. In June, 1913, he was elected truant officer of Grant county for a term of two years. He is a man of quiet disposition, thoroughly honest and upright, and highly respected in his part of Grant county.

HENRY F. MINNICK. Love of land, of peace and industry, have been ever present and controlling influences in the life of Henry F. Minnick, one of the respected citizens of Richland township, and proprietor of the "Old Homestead Farm." Mr. Minnick has been a capable farmer, one who has used intelligence in the cultivation of the soil, and has pros- pered and provided generously for his family.

It was on the "Old Homestead Farm" that Henry F. Minnick was born, May 13, 1857, a son of Jacob and Sarah G. (Lawshe) Minnick. Jacob Minnick was born in Pennsylvania, a son of William Minnick, a native of Virginia, who moved first to Pennsylvania, and then to Wayne county, Indiana, and finally to Wabash county, Indiana, locating near Somerset, where he had his home the rest of his life. William Minnick was the father of seven children, three of whom are still living, Milanda, wife of Isaac Hammer, David Monroe and John Minnick. Jacob Min- nick, the father of our subject, died in May, 1900. He had located in Richland township of Grant county in 1851, and on the farm where his son, Henry, still lives. There he pursued the quiet vocations of farming until his death. His wife died in May, 1909. In politics he was prominent, and was a man of substance and influence in the com- munity. He served a term as county commissioner, and was regarded as a man of exceptionally good judgment. He had eight children, six of whom are now living: Horace R., a resident of White county, Indiana; Charles S., unmarried, who makes his home with our subject; Henry F .; Cary A., wife of Rev. Henry Neff, of South Whitley, Indiana; Amanda, wife of Oscar E. Haynes of Sims township; and Ira A., of Indianapolis, who is connected with the National Dry Kiln Company, manufacturing dry kilns, and a stock holder in the concern.

Henry F. Minnick was reared on the home farm, and attended dis- trict school until he had completed the course of study provided for country pupils. He continued at work on the farm for several years after leaving school, and in May, 1880, established a home of his own through his marriage to Mary A. Stewart. She was born in Illinois and was reared in Richland township. She is a daughter of Steven and Jane (Blomer) Stewart. The father died in Indianapolis, Indiana. He had enlisted as a soldier in the Civil war, but died in camp in Indianapolis. His wife is still living. After their marriage they located in South Bend, Indiana, where Mr. Minnick was employed in the Studebaker Wagon Company's works for five years. He then returned and settled on a farm near Somerset, which was owned by his grand- father, William Minnick, and where he was a renter for five years. He then bought land in Miami county, and in 1909 moved to the old home- stead, where he now lives. He bought the place in June, 1909.

To the marriage of himself and wife have been born four children,

Digitized by Google

1330

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY

named as follows: Bessie G., wife of Alva A. Snyder, of Lansford, North Dakota, and they have two children, Rex Henry and Margaret Florence; Jay, a graduate of the common schools and of the Amboy high school, and formerly principal of one of the ward schools at Peru, and now engaged in the electric light business in Danville, Indiana; Paul, who is unmarried and lives at home; Florence I., who graduated from the common schools in 1913 and is now at high school at Sweetser, Indiana. Mr. Minnick and family belong to the Methodist church, of which he is one of the trustees, and is now assistant superintendent of the Sunday school, having formerly been superintendent. In politics he is a Republican, and was elected trustee of Jackson township in Miami county, serving in that office from January, 1904, to January, 1908. Mr. Minnick is the owner of one hundred acres of land, situated eleven miles northwest of Marion, and seven miles northeast of Converse. He is a general farmer and stock raiser, and success has come to him as the result of long experience and close attention to business. While on his farm in Miami county, he conducted a nursery. He is a stock holder in the Miami County Fair Association, and is always ready to join in any undertaking for the general good of his community.

HARRY O. LANNING. A successful educator who puts much practical idealism into his work is the way the people of Sweetser regard Pro- fessor Lanning, superintendent of schools there since 1910. Mr. Lan- ning has been closely identified with school work in both country and town for ten years, and has an exceptional equipment both in training and talent for his chosen work.

Harry O. Lanning was born in Blackford county, Indiana, in the village of Mill Grove October 21, 1882, a son of William J. and Mary F. (Thorp) Lanning. Both parents now reside in Sweetser, the father being in the general merchandise business, and one of the substantial citizens of the town. Professor Lanning was reared in the village of Mill Grove, where he received his early education in the grammar and high schools, and in 1909 graduated from the state Normal School. He also has some post-graduate credits. His first work as a teacher began in September, 1902, in a district school, and he continued to teach in the country for four years. For one year he was principal of the Mill Grove school, taught science in the Rensselaer public schools, and in 1910 was chosen superintendent of the Sweetser City schools. Professor Lanning is unmarried, and is active and popular in social and civic affairs. He belongs to the Methodist church, is a teacher in the Sunday school, and fraternally is affiliated with the Improved Order of Red Men and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is past sachem of the Sweetser Tribe of Red Med, and belongs to the Odd Fellows at Sweetser and the Encampment at Marion. In politics his support has recently been given to the Progressive party, and he served as a state delegate in campaign of 1912.

GILBERT BAUM. Throughout practically all his active career Gilbert Baum has been a stock and grain dealer, and now lives at Sweetser retired from the regular routine of business, but still a factor in affairs there through his official relations with several Grant county banks and by other vested interests. Mr. Baum has been a resident of this county for thirty-five years, and his business career was marked by such thor- ough integrity, that his name is spoken with respect wherever known.

Gilbert Baum was born in Clinton county, Ohio, January 19, 1846, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Terrell) Baum. The oldest in a family of children, Gilbert Baum was reared on a farm, had a substantial edu-

Digitized by Google

1331

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY

cation and was early trained in the business which he has followed most of his active career. On June 29, 1901, was celebrated his marriage with Mary Fansler, of Franklin township. Mrs. Baum was born in Franklin township of Grant county, August 10, 1864, had a district school education, and has proved a worthy assistant to her husband both in the home and in counsel in business affairs.

Mr. Baum through many years of close attention to business has accumulated a good competency. He has a fine residence in Sweetser, is a stock holder and director in the First National Bank of Marion, a stock holder in the Swayzee Bank, a stock holder in the Sweetser Bank, and interested in other ways in local business affairs. In politics he has always been an active supporter of the Republican party, but in the campaign of 1912 voted the Progressive ticket.

JULIUS C. LAKE. With a fruitful and honorable life time of more than three quarters of a century behind him, Mr. Lake enjoys a pleasing retrospect of years, and having long since acquired a comfortable com- petence is living retired. For a number of years he and his wife have been in the habit of spending their winters either in California or Flor- ida. Although not continuously a resident of Grant county, Mr. Lake recalls this section at a time when improvements, railroads, cities and other evidences of modern civilization were exceedingly few in number.

Julius C. Lake was born in Henry county, Indiana, October 13, 1837, a son of William B. and Mary (Currant) Lake. Both his parents came from the old commonwealth of Virginia, and after their marriage located in Henry county, Indiana, which remained their home for a number of years. The father died in Henry county, in 1847. Later his widow moved to Grant county. She lived here many years but died in Jay county, Indiana, while on a visit to her daughter.

Julius C. Lake grew to manhood in his native county, had a district school education, though it was limited by the circumstances and con- ditions of the period. In 1858, at the age of twenty-one, he married Martha J. Skinner. Mrs. Lake was born in Fayette county, Indiana, March 5, 1839, a daughter of John and Julia Ann (Hicks) Skinner. She was reared to young womanhood in Fayette county, Indiana, then moved to Henry county, Indiana, where she met and married Mr. Lake. Her parents later moved to Grant county, Indiana, and both died in Sims township, Grant county, where they had lived about thirty years.

In 1873 Mr. and Mrs. Lake moved to Grant county, locating in Richland township, on the farm still owned by Mr. Lake, two miles west of Sweetser. In 1885, he put up the comfortable brick house on the farm. Among other improvements to be noticed about the farm is a fine barn, which was built by Mr. Lake in 1888., In 1900 he erected a fine home at Sweetser and moved to it, retiring from the farm, which his son Leonard now operates.

The four sons and two daughters, comprising the children of Mr. and Mrs. Lake, are mentioned as follows: John W., a farmer in Pleasant township; Julia, wife of Daniel Williams, of Marion, Indiana; James R., a farmer in Richland township; Leonard L., on the home farm; Mary, wife of George B. Philips of Glassford, Illinois; and Ross, a farmer in Richland township.

Mr. Lake owns three hundred and four acres located in Richland township, and the ten acres where he has his home in Pleasant town- ship. When he was married more than fifty-five years ago, he had prac- tically nothing, and he and his wife through a long process of years and thrifty management accumulated a generous prosperity. He is a stock holder in the Farmers Trust & Savings Bank at Marion. Frater-

Digitized by Google

1332

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY

nally he is affiliated with Samaritan Lodge No. 105, F. & A. M. A Dem- ocrat in politics, he served five years as township assessor of Richland township, and was a member of the county council four years. He is a stockholder in the Sweetser Telephone Company.

ORA C. KING. A farmer business man is a phrase that well charac- terizes Ora C. King of Sweetser. Getting his initial prosperity through hard-headed, practical management of the soil and its products, he latterly has branched out into business and is now president of the Farmers State Bank of Sweetser, and interested in several other important concerns in that part of Grant county. Mr. King got an early start in his career, and is still a very young man for all that he has accomplished.

His birth occurred on the farm where he now lives, three quarters of a mile west of Sweetser in Pleasant township, January 11, 1880. His parents were Alvin C. and Elnora King. The mother is the daughter of Julius C, Lake, a prominent farmer of Pleasant township. Alvin C. King is deceased, and his wife, who was married a second time, now lives at 604 Spencer Avenue in Marion. The three living children of Alvin C. King and wife are Eva, a graduate of the Sweetser schools, and the wife of Elbert Stephens of Marion ; Ethel, a graduate of the Sweetser schools, and wife of George Leming, of Marion; and Ora C.

Reared on the home farm Ora C. King as a boy went to the town schools of Sweetser, Marion Normal College, Marion, Indiana, and the Indianapolis Business University at Indianapolis. He then taught school in Grant county for three years. He later returned to the management of the home farm. In September, 1903, at the age of twenty-three, Mr. King married Mary D. Morris, who was born near Swayzee in Sims township, received her education in the Swayzee High School, and for one year before her marriage was a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. King have one child, Herman C., aged four years. Mrs. King is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Sweetser.

Mr. King was one of the organizers of the Farmers State Bank of Sweetser, and at its organization was elected president, an office which he has held to the present time. He is one of its largest shareholders. The other officers are as follows: John N. Miller, vice president; Williard Elkins, cashier ; Nelson L. Shockey, A. E. Reece, George C. Baum, William Hoover, Charles W. Simmons, Joseph P. Winger, Preston Shields, Ora C. King, and John Miller, directors. Mr. King is a member and also president of the Farmers Progressive Club and is a stockholder in the Sweetser Telephone Company. On his farm he operates one hundred and four acres of land, and gives very successful attention to the breeding of cattle, sheep and hogs.

GEORGE C. BAUM. Among the men of the younger generation to whom those of the older point as the ones who have a future before them is George C. Baum, of Grant county, Indiana. He is not yet thirty but he is one of the successful men of Sweetser, Indiana. Full of energy and ambition he brings to his business the enthusiasm and fire of youth, but he has also had a number of years of valuable experience in the business world, and the combination of experience of youthful energy has made him very successful indeed. Honorable and generous in his business dealings he has won many friends and the respect of the business world.

George C. Baum is a native of Grant county, having been born here on the 14th of August, 1884, the son of William J. Baum and Roxie (Riggs) Baum, both of whom are living and are residents of Sweetser. George C. Baum is the younger of the two children of his

Digitized by Google

1333

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY

parents and he grew up in the village of Sweetser. Here he attended the public schools and received a good common school education. He later took a course in the Marion Business College.

After completing his education the boy first became associated with his father in business and after two years he went into business for him- self in Sweetser, first as a member of the firm of W. J. Baum and Com- pany. Later he became interested in the Sweetser Grain Company, Incorporated, and this is the firm with which he is associated at present. The president of this company is Alfred Burger, George C. Baum is secretary and treasurer and O. M. Thomas is vice-president. The active manager of the firm is Mr. Baum. They are general dealers in grain and live stock and have a most prosperous business. Mr. Baum is also one of the directors of the Farmers' State Bank of Sweetser.

In politics Mr. Baum is a member of the Republican party but he has never taken an active part in the political game. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Sweetser Lodge No. 433.

Mr. Baum was married on September 17, 1907, to Miss Goldie A. Dicken, of Van Buren township, Grant county, Indiana, her father being Thomas Dicken. She is a graduate of the Van Buren high school. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baum, Helen R. Baum, who was born on the 3rd of September, 1909. -

NELSON THOMPSON. Among the highly respected citizens of Grant county, Indiana, none occupies a more enviable position in the regard of his fellow citizens than Nelson Thompson. He has now retired from active life but for many years he was engaged in farming in this district, being one of the pioneer settlers. Mr. Thompson has also played a prom- inent part in the general life of the community, his honesty and up- rightness winning him the friendship and respect of all. He has now passed his eightieth year but he takes a keen interest in all that goes on in the world and his judgment is often consulted on important mat- ters.

Nelson Thompson was born in Champaign county, Ohio, on August 7, 1831. He is a son of Curtis M. Thompson and Fannie (Rector) Thomp- son, and his grandparents on his father's side were Charles Thompson and Mozella Bohonnis Thompson. The latter was born on a ship when her parents were on their way to the United States. They located near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, near which place the Thompson family also located, and here she met and married Charles Thompson. They lived in this part of the country until the end of their lives, and became the parents of five children, namely, James, William, John, Elizabeth and Custis. John was a private and William was a colonel in the American army during the Revolutionary war, and after the battle of Baltimore nothing was ever heard of either of them, so they both probably gave their lives for their country.

Custis Thompson was reared in Pennsylvania, remaining in his native state until he was twenty-eight years of age. He received his education in the common schools of the district and in addition to being educated in the English branches also studied German. He came to Champaign county, Ohio, upon leaving Pennsylvania and here he met and married Fannie Rector. She was born in Mason county, Kentucky, and came to Ohio in 1801. After his marriage Mr. Thompson was a farmer and also was employed at his trade as a cabinet maker. He was an active member of the Methodist Protestant church in those early days and indeed took an active part in all the activities of the community in which he lived. Seven children were born to Custis and Fannie Thompson,

Digitized by Google

1334

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY

only four living to maturity. Of these children, Nelson Thompson is the only one now living, and he was the next to the youngest child.

Until he was twenty-one years of age, Nelson Thompson lived in ' Ohio with his parents. He attended the public schools of the state, 'and received a fairly good common school education, although in those days schools were very primitive, and the teachers often knew little more than their older pupils. On March 19, 1856, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Martha Miller, who was born in Ohio, on the 17th of May, 1836. She was of sturdy frontier stock and so although during the first years of their married life poverty was their constant companion, she never complained. They had little furniture in their house and often even the bare necessities of life were hard to find, but they fought their battles together and she was always his strong right hand. In 1861 they came to Indiana and located on the farm where he now lives. Ten dol- lars an acre was the price he paid for land which is now valued at one hundred and fifty dollars per acre. This land was then covered with woods and the young frontiersman found himself confronted with the task of clearing this off before he could plant a crop. With the aid of his wife he set to work and he gives her the credit for much of his success for she aided him in the same way all through life. For many years he was a farmer in Franklin township, his property being located on section 9, and though he has been retired for some time he still lives on the old place.

Mrs. Thompson is a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Thompson is a prominent member of the Democratic party, being exceedingly enthusiastic in the work of his party. He has served as a justice of the peace for four years, from 1883 to 1887, being elected to this office by a majority of a hundred and four votes, which shows his popularity in Franklin township, which is a strongly Republican town- ship. In the fraternal world Mr. Thompson is a member of the F. & A. M., belonging to Samaritan Lodge No. 105. He was a charter mem- ber of the Royal Arch Chapter No. 55, in Marion, Indiana. Although justice of the peace is the only office which Mr. Thompson has filled, he has been a very valuable man to his party. He has been a member of the election board for thirty-five years, but in spite of his loyal service he has never asked any reward in the shape of office. Mr. Thomp- son has broadened his mind by travel and has spent considerable time in other parts of the country.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson. Of these Benjamin W. is married and is a carpenter in Fairmount, Indiana; George W. is a farmer in Pleasant township; Mary F. is the wife of James Dooley of Marion, Indiana; Sarah C. is Mrs. Charles Martin of Swayzee, Indiana; John W. is a carpenter in Sweetser, Indiana, and Eliza T. is the wife of Nelson Shockey of Pleasant township, who is the trustee of Pleasant township.

GEORGE A. MODLIN. A worthy representative of that pure-blooded American race whose forebears emigrated to the Middle West shortly after the Revolutionary war, and laid the foundations which have made this section of the country the seat of so much solid prosperity and the pivotal point of national life, is George A. Modlin, of Grant county, Indiana. Mr. Modlin is not only a very successful farmer but he has also served his fellow citizens in office, to his honor and their satisfaction. Progressive and practical in his views, he has handled his farm with great success, and is considered one of the best farmers in this section of the county. His personal popularity is good evidence of the conscientious way in which he has carried out the duties of the various offices of which he has been an incumbent.

Digitized by Google

1335

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY

George A. Modlin was born in Liberty township in Grant county, Indiana, on the 16th of April, 1863, a son of William and Jane (Benbow) Modlin. The Modlin family was founded in this part of the country during the earliest days of the statehood of Indiana. George Modlin's great-grandfather, George Modlin, emigrated from North Carolina to what was at the time the territory of Indiana. Upon his arrival in Wayne county, Indiana, he found that he had taken up his abode in a full- fledged state, for Indiana was made a state just eleven days prior to his arrival, this being in December, 1816. After living in Wayne county for a number of years the old pioneer located in Henry county, Indiana, and there he lived until his death. His son, Dillon Modlin and the grand- father of George A. Modlin, was reared in Henry county and came to Grant county in 1837. He first located in Liberty township and later lived in Center township for a time. He finally moved to Franklin town- ship and here he died in 1897. William Modlin was born in Grant county and grew up on his father's farm. When he was of an age to support himself he began farming, following in the footsteps of his father and grand-father. With the exception of two years which he spent in Wis- consin, he lived all of his life in Grant county. He was a quiet and unassuming man, but one who was highly respected and thoroughly liked by all the citizens of the community in which he lived. Politically he was a member of the Republican party, casting his first vote for that party when Lincoln was nominated for his first term, and continuing to stand by the party until his death, which occurred on the 8th of August, 1897 .*

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.

Centennial History of Grant County Indiana, Part 99

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

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