USA > Indiana > Rush County > Centennial history of Rush County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 11
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
DONALD H. DEAN, M. D., who has by his ability and attention to the progress of his profession built up an enviable reputation for himself, was born near Columbus, in Bartholomew county. Indiana, the son of Jeremiah L. and Amanda (Heager) Dean, the former of Corydon, Ind., the latter of near Columbus. Soon after his marriage, J. L. Dean moved to a farm near Columbus and there his five children were born: Donald H., the subject of this biogra- phy ; J. H., D. D. S., of Franklin, Ind .; G. D., an attorney at Indian-
JOSEPH S. WINSHIP
85
HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
apolis, and Frances and Ella, both living in Franklin. When his children were yet young, J. L. Dean moved to Columbus, retiring from active farming, in order that his children might have the ad- vantages of the public schools of that place. After completing the public school curriculum, Donald H. Dean entered Franklin College. from which he was graduated in 1885. Having decided upon a pro- fessional career, and after careful consideration of the merits of the various medical colleges, he was matriculated at the Chicago Home- opathic Medical College, from which institution he received his degree in 1889. For two years thereafter, Doctor Dean practiced at Columbus, Ind., in partnership with Dr. A. Rice, who had been a fellow student of his. At the expiration of this period, he came to the conclusion that there were greater opportunities awaiting him in a different field, and he accordingly located in Rushville. Here, though at first a stranger, his success was never in doubt, and he has gradually attracted to himself an extensive and profitable practice. His modern offices are situated in the Logan building at the corner of Main and Fourth streets, where he is able to meet the demands of his constantly growing clientele. On January 1, 1894, Doctor Dean was married to Mary A. Irvin, of Rush county, and they have become the parents of three children: Phyllis, who is teaching in the Fair- view high school; Janet, who is attending Butler College; and Donald, the youngest, who is a student in the Rushville schools. Doctor Dean is a member of various societies in which he enjoys a deserved popu- larity, and in his political affiliations aligns himself with the Re- publican party.
JOSEPH S. WINSHIP, in whose passing Rush county lost one of its representative citizens, left a good memory. As the day, with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its eve- ning of complete and successful efforts, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this honored man. Through the long years of his residence in this locality he was ever true to every trust reposed in him and his reputation in a business way was unassailable, so that he left the strong impress of his individuality upon all whom he met. Mr. Winship was a native son of Indiana, having been born in Boone county on June 22, 1847, and his death occurred at his home in Richland township on January 11, 1918, he having passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten. Ile was the son of Jabez and Jane (Milligan) Winship, both of whom also were natives of Indiana and former residents of Boone county. Later they moved to Rush county and located in Anderson township, where they spent the remainder of their years. Joseph S. Winship was reared to manhood in Anderson township, receiving his educational training in the common schools of that community. After leaving school he continued to assist his father on the home farm, where he remained until his marriage, when he located in Richland township, where he bought 160 acres of land, comprising the farm on which his widow now resides. He later increased his land holdings to 188 acres and here he carried on
86
HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
general farming operations with success and profit during the remainder of his active years. He made all the improvements on the place, these being of a substantial character, and brought the place up to a high standard of excellence. His attractive and con- veniently arranged home is one of the best in this locality. Mr. Winship's active career was characterized by indefatable indus- try, persistency and sound business judgment, and he was num- bered among the progressive and enterprising farmers of Richland township. Mr. Winship was married to Gertrude Hunt, the daugh- ter of Morgan and Sallie C. (Brooks) Hunt. Mrs. Winship was born in Rush county, but when she was but six months old her parents moved to Franklin county, where she was reared .and educated and where she continued to reside until her marriage. Her parents remained there until the father's death, in 1887, when the widow moved to New Salem, where she lived until her death, which oc- curred in 1908. They were the parents of four children, Gertrude, Elizabeth, Edwin and Clara. Mrs. Winship is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Winship was a Democrat in his political views, though he was never an aspirant for public office. Mrs. Winship is a lady of many kindly qualities of character, which have endeared her to all who know her.
JESSE F. MILLER, one of the substantial farmers of Anderson township, now living at Milroy, was born on the farm he owns in that township and has been a resident of Rush county all his life. He was born on November 11, 1859, son of Augustus and Celia (Winship) Miller, both of whom were born in that same township, members of. pioneer families. Augustus Miller, who for many years was a well known farmer of Anderson township and for some time a member of the board of county commissioners of Rush county, was born on a farm in Richland township on February 16, 1827, son of Michael and Sarah (Thompson) Miller, Virginians, who settled in this county in the spring of 1823, two years after Rush county had been created a separate civic unit in the growing list of counties in the then new state of Indiana. Michael Miller was born in that section of the Old Dominion now comprised in West Virginia on February 28, 1801, and was reared there. At the age of twenty-two years, January 9, 1823, he married Sarah Thompson and in the March following he and his bride came to Indiana and located in Rush county, where the young pioneer had entered a quarter section tract of "Congress land" in Anderson township, the grant to the land, which is still in the possession of the family, bearing the signature of President Monroe. As an interesting sidelight on the subject of comparative land values it will be informative to the present generation to know that this pioneer paid the government $1.25 an acre for that quarter section. As in all that section of Rush county in its primitive state, this tract was covered with bard timber and the task the young pioneer faced in clearing the place and fitting it for cultivation was one that now would seem well nigh insuperable, but he and his bride buckled down to the task of creating a home for themselves and those
87
HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
who should come after them and in proper time they had a fit abiding place there and a productive farm. In the log house they erected for their first dwelling place in the wilderness their three children were born : Christian, Augustus and Mary. Michael Miller continued to prosper and in time added to his farm an adjoining quarter sec- tion, which he also proceeded to improve, and on that place he resided until his retirement in 1852 and removal to Richland, where he died in 1878, he then being seventy-seven years of age. His widow sur- vived him for twelve years, her death occurring at the home of her daughter in 1890, she then being eighty-six years of age. In the cabin home above referred to Augustus Miller was reared. From the days of his boyhood he was a helpful assistant in the labors of improving and developing the pioneer farm and he remained with his parents until his marriage to Celia Winship at the age of twenty- four, after which he established a home of his own, buying a farn: in the neighborhood, and as he prospered in his affairs added to his holdings until he became the owner of an excellent farm of 400 acres and came to be regarded as one of the substantial and influential men of the community. Mr. Miller took an active interest in local political affairs and for two terms served as a member of the board of commissioners of Rush county for his home district. In 1881 lie disposed of some of his interests in this county and moved to Greensburg, in the neighboring county of Decatur. He continued his political activity in his new place of residence and not long after moving there was elected to represent his district on the board of commissioners of Decatur county. He also continued to extend his land interests and at one time owned farms in Howard and Madison county besides his holdings in Rush and Decatur counties. Augustus Miller was twice married. By his first wife, Celia Winship, he had six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being Louis Irwin, who died in infancy ; Michael S., who died at the age of eleven years; Lucien B., now living in Rushville; Oscar G., who for years has been engaged in business at Greensburg, and Anna B., who met with a fatal accident when four years old. It was prior to the removal of Augustus Miller to Greensburg that the mother of these children died and in 1894 he married Sarilda Lanham. Jesse F. Miller was reared on the home farm in Anderson township and from the days of his boy- hood was trained to effective farm ways. He supplemented the course secured in the local schools by a course in the normal school at Danville, Ind., and remained at home, a valued assistant to his father in the labors of developing the farm, until his marriage at the age of twenty-five, after which he rented a tract of land from his father and established a home of his own. Later his father appor- tioned to him a tract of 112 acres and to this he presently added an adjoining "forty." On this farm he and his wife continued to make their home until 1913, when they moved to Milroy, where they have since resided and where they are very comfortably situated. Mr. Miller, however, continues to oversee his farm operations and has lost none of the activity of former days, though living "retired,"
88
HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
and it is but proper to state that these farming operations are car- ried on in strictly up-to-date fashion, his son, Donald E. Miller, being a valued factor in the continuing operations of the old home place, which has thus been operated by four generations of the Miller family since the original grant to the pioneer, Michael Miller, nearly a century ago. It was in 1884 that Jesse F. Miller was united in marriage to Minnie E. Elstun, who also was born in this county. daughter of Freeman and Lucinda Elstun, and to this union las been born one child, a son, Donald E., who is unmarried and who is referred to above as carrying on the continuing farm operations of the Millers in his generation in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist church and have ever taken an inter- ested part in church work, Mr. Miller having been for some time a member of the board of trustees of the church. In his political views Mr. Miller is an ardent Republican, as was his father, but has not, been an office seeker. He is a Mason, affiliated with the local lodge of that order at Milroy, and is also a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, in which latter lodge he has been "through the chairs."
JOSEPH E. HARDIN, a well known farmer and stock dealer of Posey township and one of the substantial and enterprising citizens of Rush county, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, on the 10th day of October, 1860, and is the son of Christopher V. and Sibbey J. (Faust) Hardin, both of whom were born and reared in North Carolina. The subject's father was a farmer by vocation and owned 200 acres of land. To him and his wife were born nine children, seven of whom are living, namely: Jolin L., Cicero C., Peter A., Bettie, Joanna, Maude and Joseph E. Joseph E. Hardin was educated in the public schools of his native state and remained at home until he had attained his majority, when he came to Indiana. settling at Knightstown, where for four years he was employed as a farm hand. At the time of his marriage, in 1885, he rented forty acres of land in Hancock county, but two years later he returned to Henry county, where for ten years he operated a rented farm. He then went to Greene county, Indiana, where he engaged in the butch- ering and stock business, and he also became the owner of sixty acres of land there. Fifteen years later Mr. Hardin sold his interests there and came to Rush county. After operating rented land here for seven years, he bought the farm on which he now resides, comprising eighty- five acres of fine, tillable land, on which Mr. Hardin carries on gen- eral farming operations, in which he has been very successful. Mr. Hardin is also extensively engaged in the business of buying and shipping of live stock, handling large numbers of cattle and hogs. He is an indefatigable worker, a good business man and enjoys to a marked degree the confidence and good will of all with whom he has dealings. On January 15, 1885, Mr. Hardin was married to Rebecca A. Sexton, who was born and reared in Greene county, Indiana, the daughter of Joel B. and Mary (Lamb) Sexton, both of whom also were natives of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hardin have been born nine children, of whom seven are living, namely: Carl V., who is a
PHILIP S. DUBENSPECK
89
HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
farmer in Hancock county, married Elizabeth Manche and they have three children, Herchel, Lewis and Russell, Joseph B., who also is a farmer in Hancock county, married Eunice Gardner and they have three children, Harold, Wilbur and Joicey; Robert B .; Edith is the wife of Raymond Higgins, a mechanic in Indianapolis, Ind .; Edna, Blanche and Levonne. Politically, Mr. Hardin is a staunch sup- porter of the Republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Wesleyan Methodist church.
PHILIP S. DAUBENSPECK, a well known and substantial farmer and stock man of Union township, proprietor of an excel- lent farm there, was born in that same township and has lived on the farm all his life with the exception of a period of twelve years when he was engaged in the grain business at Glenwood. He was born on June 25, 1866, son of Harvey and Margaret (Hinchman) Daubenspeck, and grew to manhood on the home farm in Union township, receiving his schooling in the neighborhood schools. From the days of his boyhood Mr. Daubenspeck was well trained in the ways of the farm and after completing his schooling he re- mained on the farm, assisting his father in the operations of the same for about ten years, at the end of which time he became en- gaged in the grain business at Glenwood and was for twelve years thus engaged. In 1900 he returned to the farm to take up the operation of the same in his father's behalf and has since remained there, having taken over the farm after his father's death in April, 1917. Mr. Daubenspeck has a well kept and well improved farm of 230 acres, and his operations are carried on in up-to-date fashion. He for years has given special attention to the breeding of hogs, in connection with his general farming operations, and is accus- tomed to feed out from 500 to 800 head of hogs a year, thus long having been recognized as one of the leading feeders in this section. He also feeds a hundred or more head of cattle annually and has done well in his live stock operations. He has an excellent farm plant, with spacious barns and feeding pens, the plant including a cattle barn 70x160 feet and three others 40x60 feet and two 100-ton silos, and keeps things up about the place in real "ship-shape" style. In 1915 Philip S. Daubenspeck was united in marriage to Anna Cook, daughter of Wilson and Louise Cook, and he and his wife have a very pleasant home on rural mail route No. 2 out of Glenwood, where their friends are ever sure of a hospitable wel- come. In his political leanings Mr. Daubenspeck is a Republican and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs, though not what may be called an "active" politician in the sense in which that term generally is used. He does, however, take an active interest in general community affairs, movements that have to do with the advancement of agricultural interests hereabout, and his influence in that behalf has been an ever widening one.
GEORGE W. KUNTZ, a general farmer and life-long resident of Walker township, was born on his father's farm on February 19, 1874. His parents were Frederick and Elizabeth (Weber) Kuntz,
90
HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
both of whom were born in Germany. Frederick Kuntz came to the United States in boyhood and later, in Cincinnati, married Elizabetlı Weber, who had accompanied her parents to America in childhood. They had eight children born to them and four of these survive: Jacob, John, Conrad and George W. Frederick Kuntz was a farmer all his life and owned 176 acres in Walker township, this county. George W. Kuntz attended school in district No. 3, Walker township, in boyhood, helped on the farm during this period and afterward farmed for his father, and at the time of the latter's death, inherited forty acres of the old homestead. Later he bought thirty additional acres from his brother, Jacob, and now profitably operates a farm of seventy well improved acres. He feeds from fifty to seventy-five head of hogs yearly. On April 25, 1900, Mr. Kuntz married Jennie Cross, who was born in Shelby county, this state, daughter of Edmund and Sarah (Hauk) Cross. The parents of Mrs. Kuntz were born in Shelby county and her father was a farmer there all his life. They had four children: Frank, Vern, Clara B. and Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. Kuntz have two children : Opal P. and Voyd G. Opal P. Kuntz was born on October 29, 1906, and is a member of the fresh- man class in the high school at Manilla. She has musical gifts of a high order and is organist of the Methodist Episcopal church at Manilla, to which the family belong. Voyd G. Kuntz was born on January 17, 1911, and is attending school at Manilla. In politics Mr. Kuntz has always been a staunch Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Manilla and belongs also to the Modern Woodmen lodge at Manilla.
CONRAD D. POSZ, farmer and stockraiser in Walker township, was born in Union township, Shelby county, March 7, 1869, a son of Valentine and Margaret (Backer) Posz. Both parents were born in Germany. The father was eighteen years old when he came to the United States but the mother of Conrad Posz was only four years old when she accompanied her parents to this country. Both families came to Indiana and settled in Shelby county. Valentine Posz fol- lowed farming there during all his active life. Of his family of eight children there are seven living: Catherine, Adam, Emma, Conrad D., Maggie, George and Barbara. Conrad D. Posz attended school in boyhood in Union township, Shelby county, and grew to manhood on his father's farm. When he married and started out for himself, he began as a renter in Shelby county, where he remained for fourteen years, then moved to Rush county and bought the farm in Walker township on which he still lives. He has 118 acres of well improved land, having put up substantial buildings and done a great deal of fencing and ditching. He has been quite successful as a general farmer and has given much attention to raising Duroc Jersey hogs, usually marketing about 150 head a year. On January 15, 1896, he married Louisa Kuhn, who also was born in Union township, Shelby county, daughter of Daniel and Louisa (Haehl) Kuhn. The father of Mrs. Posz was born in Germany and the mother in Shelby county. They had six children, three of whom are living : Herman, Curtis and Louisa. Mr. and Mrs. Posz have two
91
HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
daughters, Ethel and Julia, both of whom reside at home, Julia still attending school at Homer. Mr. Posz and his family are members of the Christian Union church at Homer. He is interested to some degree in politics and has always voted the Democratic ticket. Mr. Posz is well known at Homer and belongs to the Odd Fellows' and Red Men's lodges at that place.
LEON C. McDANIEL, a well known farmer of Posey township and a man of high standing and influence in the western part of Rush county, was born on October 17, 1887, in Posey township, and has been a resident of that township all his life. His parents were Lee and Mary (Cowger) McDaniel, the former of whom was born in Georgetown, Ky., and the latter in Posey township, Rush county. The father was brought to Rush county in childhood and in the schools of this locality he received his educational training. He was a farmer and stoek raiser, giving a good deal of liis attention to cattle and sheep. He was married twice, being the father of three «hildren by his first marriage and one, the subject of this sketch, by his union with Mary Cowger. Leon McDaniel attended the common schools of Posey township, followed by attendance at the Rushville high school, where he was graduated. He then entered the agricul- tural department of Purdue University, at Lafayette, where he was graduated with the class of 1911. He then devoted his attention to the home farm, which he operated for his mother until her death, when he inherited it and has since continued to operate it. Mr. McDaniel is the owner of eighty acres of land, which he devotes to general farming and stock raising, feeding about eighty head of hogs each year. On February 26, 1914, Mr. McDaniel was married to Bertha Woliung, a native of Rush county and the daughter of William and Ella (Gilson) Woliung. Mr. Woliung, who was a car- penter by trade, became a prosperous contractor. To him and his wife were born two children, Jesse and Bertha. Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel are the parents of one child, Mary Ellen, who was born on January 13, 1916. Politically, Mr. McDaniel gives his support to the Republican party, while fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men at Rushville. He is also a member of the college fraternity, Delta Upsilon. He and his wife are earnest members of the Christian church of Arlington and Rushville respectively.
PAUL L. DAUBENSPECK, who, starting upon his independent career as a renter at the time he had attained his majority, has advanced himself within the short space of eleven years to a place among the substantial general farmers and stock raisers of Noble township. Mr. Daubenspeck was born in Union township, Rush county, November 4, 1889, a son of H. E. and Jessie (Blacklidge) Daubenspeck. His success has been achieved on the basis of a com- mon school education, a careful home training which stimulated a desire to be of use in the world, and the quality of perseverance which assures the accomplishment of any task undertaken. After his graduation from the high school at Glenwood, in 1907, he took up farming with his father, whose associate he continued to be until he
92
HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
reached his majority. At that time he married and entered upon his independent career as a renter, which was his status for about eight years, in the last year of which he was operating a rented farm of 500 acres. In 1918 he purchased his present property of 160 acres, located in Noble township, where he has made numerous improvements, including the erection of two sets of modern build- ings and the installation of numerous appurtenances and appliances indicative of present-day progressiveness. In addition to being a general farmer, he gives much attention to stock raising, and at this time is shipping about 300 hogs annually. Mr. Daubenspeck has an understanding of scientific agriculture that has secured the best results from his land, and its disposal is arranged with a view to the greatest economy of expenditure, as well as the largest rewards from: various side lines. He is a member of the Christian church at Little Flat Rock, and gives liberally to religious movements, being also a generous contributor to charities and social demands. He is a Knight Templar Mason and an Elk, and gives his political support to the Republican party. Mr. Daubenspeck married Hazel, daughter of Robert N. and Sarah J. Hinchman, and to this union there have been born two children, Robert H. and Marion H.
WILLARD H. AMOS, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of Rushville township, was born in that township on February 26, 1856, a son of Johanan J. and Amanda (Hildreth) Amos. J. J. Amos was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, September 30, 1803, the fourth child of Nicholas and Ann (Jones) Amos, natives of Maryland. In 1823, he came to Rush county to live with his uncle, Abraham Jones, but returned to Kentucky, not returning to Rush county until 1839, when he located on a farm near New Salem, and became very successful as a farmer, at one time owning 2,000 acres of land. Williard H. Amos was reared on his father's farm, receiving his schooling in the schools of Noble township. He then engaged in farming operations on the home farm until his marriage when he went into business for himself on a farm of seventy acres. Since that. time he has rapidly increased his holdings until he now owns 350 acres in the county. In 1900 he moved to Rushville and has conducted his various enterprises from that city since that time. He married on October 22, 1879, Ann Elizabeth Poston, a daughter of George W. and Nancy (McNeal) Poston, of Noble township, and to their union there has been born one child, Mary, the wife of Luke Duffy. In fraternal circles Mr. Amos is a well known member of the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically he aligns himself with the Republican party, in the councils of which he has long been regarded as a leader and for six years rendered public service as a member of the board of county commissioners from his district.
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.