USA > Indiana > Rush County > Centennial history of Rush County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 12
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JOHN R. WARD, a well known and substantial farmer of this county now residing at Rushville, is a native of Rush county, having been born here on September 21, 1860. His parents came to Indiana and located in Jackson township, this county, where the subject grew to manhood and where he remained until his removal from the farm
JOHN O. WILLIAMS
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
to Rushville about 1910, where he since has made his home, he and his family being very pleasantly situated at 1230 North Main street. Mr. Ward's parents, George and Mary J. (Lee) Ward, were the parents of nine children, of whom but two are now living, Mr. Ward having a brother, Leonard Ward. George Ward, the Virginian, was first engaged as a cabinet maker when he came to Rush county, but some time later became engaged in the practice of medicine, to which lie had been schooled in his native state. Having been but a lad when he came to this county, John R. Ward received his schooling in the schools of Jackson township and as a young man became engaged in farming in that township, where, after his marriage, he established his home and in time bought a place of eighty acres. As his affairs prospered Mr. Ward added to his holdings until he became the owner of an excellent farm of 550 acres, which he continues to operate from his home in Rushville. It was in 1880 that John R. Ward was united in marriage to Harvina Cross, who was born in Jackson township, this county, daughter of Jacob and Martha J. (Harter) Cross, well known residents of that section of the county in their generation, and to this union were born two children, Mrs. Effie W. Abbercrombie and Roscoe, the latter of whom died at the age of twenty-four years.
JOHN O. WILLIAMS, former county treasurer, whose life history is closely identified with the history of Noble township, for there he has spent practically his entire life, a life of unceasing activity, was born in that township on December 13, 1848, and is the son of John and Elizabeth Williams. IIe received his education in the schools of his locality and then was employed as a farm hand. Later he rented on shares until he was about thirty years of age, when he married. During the following two years he operated rented land and then he bought eighty acres of the old home place, to the operation of which he devoted himself. Energetic and prac- tical in his work, he was prospered and eventually accumulated an estate of 243 acres, all located in Noble township and comprising one of the choice farms in that section of the county. Here during his active years he carried on general farming operations and stock raising, but he is now retired from active labor and is residing in New Salem. On January 9, 1879, Mr. Williams was married to Ocea E. Matney, the daughter of Elijah and Adah (Roberts) Mat- ney. To this union have been born three children, Chester O., Ada and Elmer, the last named of whom died on July 4, 1913. Chester O. Williams married Bessie Stone and has three children, Thelma, Lethia and John O. Mrs. Ocea Williams was born in Noble township. Iler father was born and reared in Fayette county, Indiana, and after his marriage came to Rush county, locating in Noble township, where he carried on farming operations during the remainder of his life, owning at one time 220 acres of land. To him and his wife were born eight children, six of whom are living, namely : William F., John, Elijah, Dora, Mary and Ocea. The two deceased are Edward and Malissa. Mr. Williams is a member of
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the Christian church and in his political faith he is a Republican. He has ever given his support to those things which have been for the upbuilding of the community and his course has been such that he has earned and enjoys the universal respect of the entire com- munity. In the fall of 1914 Mr. Williams was elected treasurer of Rush county and in that capacity served the county for two terms. He also has rendered service to the public in other capacities; was trustee of Noble township for five years and for some time super- visor of roads in his home district.
WILLIAM J. BROWN, a substantial retired farmer of Orange township, this county, now living at Milroy, was born in the neigh- boring county of Shelby but has been a resident of Rush county for many years, having moved to this county and established his home not long after his marriage. He was born on a farm in Union town- ship, Shelby county, August 30, 1850, son of William W. and Nancy (Linville) Brown, both of whom also were born in that county, mem- bers of pioneer families, and who spent their lives there. William W. Brown was the youngest of the nine children born to Robert and Catherine (Cotton) Brown, who were among the pioneer settlers of Union township, Shelby county. Robert Brown in his day was known far and wide as a mighty hunter. He cleared the land on which he set- tled and effectually "blazed the way" for succeeding generations of the family on that place and as his nine children mostly married and reared families of their own the Brown family of that connection in this region is no inconsiderable one in the present generation. Will- iam W. Brown established his home in that section after his marriage and became the owner of an excellent farm of 110 acres which he improved and on which he spent his last days. He and his wife were the parents of five children, four of whom are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being Franklin P., David E. and Electa, wife of John Linville. Reared on the home farm in Shelby county, William J. Brown became a farmer on his own account and after his marriage at the age of twenty years established his home as a renter in his home county, but presently came over into Rush county and for twenty-seven years thereafter made his home on a rented farm in Orange township. He then bought a farm of eighty acres in that township but some time afterward sold that place and bought the farm of 110 acres which he still owns there and on which he made his home until his retirement from the farm and removal in 1904 to Milroy, where he is now living and where he and his family are very comfortably situated. Mr. Brown is a Democrat and has ever given a proper degree of attention to local civic affairs, but has not been a secker after office. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and have for years been interested in the work of the same as well as in all neighborhood good works. It was in 1870 that William J. Brown was united in marriage to Missouri F. Hume, daughter of Benjamin Hume, a member of one of the old families of Rush county, and to this union four children have been born, Wilbur C., Harvey F., Stella and Clarence, all of whom are still living and the first two named of whom are grandfathers in
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their own right, thus giving their parents the distinction of being great-grandparents. Wilbur C. Brown married Myrtle Paulus and has two daughters, Mary, wife of Earl Harcourt, who has one child, a son, Robert Lincoln, and Carrie, wife of Clifford Harcourt. Harvey F. Brown married Rena Paulus and has one child, a daughter, Marie, who married Glenn E. Foster, assistant cashier of the Peoples National Bank of Rushville, and has one child, a son, Charles. Stella Brown married Owen Harcourt, who died leaving her with one child, a daughter, Cannie, who married William Ward. Mrs. Harcourt later married Edward Barlow. Clarence Brown, the unmarried son, is the cashier of the Milroy State Bank and has long been looked upon as one of the progressive and enterprising business men of that part of the county, ever interested in movements having to do with the advancement of the commercial and industrial activities of his home neighborhood, and, as his friends say of him, is "a mighty fine fellow," which every one must allow.
PETER KUNTZ, for many years a highly respected citizen and prosperous farmer in Walker township, this county, was born in that township on July 4, 1861, and died on his farm there on July 19, 1910. He was a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Weber) Kuntz, both of whom were born in Germany and who came to the United States in youth and were married at Cincinnati. Frederick Kuntz was a well known farmer in Rush county and owned 176 acres of fine land in Walker township. Peter Kuntz with his brothers attended school in district No. 3, Walker township, after which he faithfully assisted his father on the home farm until his own mar- riage. He rented land from his father at first and later received from him the forty-two acres on which Mrs. Peter Kuntz now resides. Mr. Kuntz operated this farm very profitably, growing grain and pro- duce and also raising stock. It was in August, 1894, that he married Anna (Porten) Brooks, who was born in Decatur county, Indiana, daughter of Henry and Mary (Mack) Porten. The father of Mrs. Kuntz was a stonemason by trade. Her parents had five children and she is one of the three survivors, having one sister, Mary, and one brother, Nicholas. Mr. and Mrs. Kuntz had one child, Frank, who died when nineteen years old. Mr. Kuntz was a member of the Lutheran church in Shelby county. He belonged to the order of Red Men and attended lodge at Arlington, where he was well known and had many friends. He was never willing to accept a political office but was always a staunch member of the Democratic party. By a former marriage Mrs. Kuntz had one son, Albert Harry, who died at Columbus, Ohio, barracks, having joined the army in 1913, passing away shortly thereafter.
FRED E. CATT, one of the best known farmers and most suc- cessful veterinary surgeons of western Rush county, a resident of Posey township, is a native son of Rush county, having been born in Center township on August 23, 1879, and is the son of Harvey and Abbie (Henley) Catt, the former a native of Hancock county, Indiana, and the latter of Rush county. They were the parents of five children, of whom those now living are Frank, Fred E., Walter
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and Florence. The subject of this review attended the common schools of Ripley township and the high school at Carthage. He then entered the Indiana Veterinary College, at Indianapolis, where he was graduated, after three years' study, in 1916, with the degree of Veterinary Surgeon. After completing his professional course, he returned to Posey township and continued to farm and practice his profession. After his marriage in 1901 the subject engaged in farm- ing on his own account, first renting land for about three years. He then bought his grandfather Henley's farm of eighty acres, which he operated for about three years, when he sold it and moved to Arlington, where he remained about a year. He then bought the splendid eighty-acre farm where he now lives in Posey township, and he has made many permanent and substantial improvements on the place, including the erection of new buildings, which have rendered the place very attractive and comfortable. Mrs. Catt also inherited a part of the farm where they live, so that the place now comprises 170 acres of land. Doctor Catt carries on general farming opera- tions and also raises from 100 to 150 head of hogs annually. As a veterinarian he has won an enviable reputation throughout this section of the county and enjoys a large and successful practice. On the 23d day of October, 1901, Doctor Catt was married to Nelle Suitz, who was born in Franklin county, Indiana, and is the daughter of Frank and Mary (Reeves) Suitz. To Doctor and Mrs. Catt have been born one child, Leroy S., who is now a farmer in Posey township and who married Ruth Handy and has one child, Wilfred Nigh. Politically, Doctor Catt gives his support to the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of Beech Grove Lodge, No. 399, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, at Arlington.
NOAH O. MOORE, a well known farmer of Posey township, was born in the township now honored by his citizenship, on February 18, 1876, and is the son of John F. and Rachel A. (Leisure) Moore. both of whom also were born, reared and educated in Rush county. John F. Moore, after completing his studies in the Arlington school. turned his attention to farming and became the owner of ninety-seven acres of land in Posey township. Of the four children born to himn and his wife, the subject of this sketch is now the only one living. Noah O. Moore received his educational training in the public school at Arlington, and then he took up the vocation of farming, working for his father on the home place until his marriage, after which he began farming on his own account, renting 320 acres of land from his father-in-law in Posey township. He operated this farm with success for nineteen years, and then moved onto the place where he now lives and which he received by inheritance. On this place he has placed many permanent and substantial improvements, bringing it up to a high standard of excellence, and here he has met with splendid success as a general farmer and stock raiser, so that some time ago he was enabled to retire from active work and now has the farm rented. He and his wife together own 204 acres of land in Posey township. On March 9, 1900, Mr. Moore was married to Fannie P. Nelson, a native of Rush county and the daughter of William H. and Elizabeth
His
FESTUS HALL AND WIFE
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
(Adams) Nelson, and to them have been born two children, Wildean O. and John L. Politically, Mr. Moore is a staunch supporter of the Democratic party, while, fraternally, he is a member of Beech Grove Lodge, No. 399, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal and Christian churches respectively.
WILLIAM A. HALL, one of the most substantial farmers of Ripley township, who is still carrying on operations of an extensive character on his valuable property not far from Carthage, has been a typical representative of the best and highest class in the agricul- tural element of Rush county. Mr. Hall was born on the farm which he now owns and operates, March 2, 1853, a son of Festus and Maria (Abernathy) Hall, natives of the state of Ohio. Festus Hall was engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout a long and active career, principally in Rush county, where he was the owner of 400 acres of valuable and productive land. He was also a man of prominence and influence in his community, and in 1858 was elected as representative of his district to the state legislature, in which he served capably for one term, during which there was a special session of the House. He at all times discharged faithfully the highest duties of citizenship and friendship, and was accord- ingly greatly esteemed among his fellow citizens. He and his wife were the parents of five children, three of whom survive, J. Chal-
me Frank L. and William A. Two died in infancy. J. Chalmers If& is identified with the Abernathy Furniture Company, of Kan- sas City, Mo., manufacturers of and wholesale dealers in high-class furniture. He married Elizabeth Barton, and is the father of one son, Barton. Frank L. Hall is also identified with the same fur- niture house, and is a member of the board of trustees of DePauw University. He is unmarried. William A. Mall was given excellent educational advantages in his youth, first attending the common schoolhouse in Ripley township, later the high school at Knights- town, and finally DePauw University, where he spent two years. He then began farming on the home place, and in 1879, because of the enfeebled condition of his father's health, assumed its man- agement. After his father died, in 1880, he continued to operate the farm as part owner and manager for his mother, and after the death of the latter, October 27, 1896, bought out all the heirs to the estate, and now is sole owner of the farm of 416 acres, one of the largest and best in that part of Rush county. Although he is now sixty-eight years old, he continues the operation of the land with hired help, and in addition to carrying on farming in a suc- cessful way has been a large grower of cattle, shipping about three carloads annually, in addition to about 200 head of hogs. The greater part of his agricultural work is done by tractors, as Mr. Hall is a believer in the efficacy of modern inventions and the use of up-to-date methods. Intelligent, practical, systematic, diligent, persevering and provident in his farming operations, his career as a farmer has reflected credit upon that vocation. Mr. Hall is a
7
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
Republican. During his attendance at DePauw University he was made a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
M. L. STEWART, a worthy native son of Rush county, one of the best known citizens of Noble township and the scion of one of the pioneer families of Rush county, was born in Richland township on July 25, 1860, and is the son of Samuel and Amanda (Limpus) Stewart, the former a native of Rush county and the latter of Fayette county. Samuel Stewart was the son of Harvey and Mary (MeKee) Stewart, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. They came to Rush county in their young days and were married here, being numbered among the earliest settlers in this part of Rush county. Samnel Stewart was reared to manhood in Noble township and secured his educational training in the common schools of that locality. In young manhood he went to Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand for about three years, and during which time his marriage took place. At the end of that period he returned to Rush county and rented a farm, to which he devoted himself until his death, which ocenrred in 1866. To Samuel and Amanda Stewart were born four children, James, M. L., Edgar and Samuel. M. L. Stewart received his education in the common schools of Noble township and on the completion of his studies he went to Warren county, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand one year and then for two years operated rented land. He then went to Scott county, Kansas, and pre-empted 160 acres. After remaining on this land three years, Mr. Stewart returned to Rush county and rented a farm in 'Noble township, which he operated until 1899, when he bought the place where he now lives, his first purchase amounting to 100 acres, which he has greatly improved in various respects, so that it is today numbered among the up-to-date farms of Noble township. Here he has carried on general farming and stock raising and has gained a reputation as an enterprising and progressive agriculturist. Mr. Stewart was married to Luella Kemptner, the daughter of William and Rebecca Kemptner, to which union have been born three children, Paul, Ruby and Samuel S. The mother of these children died on December 2, 1920. Paul Stewart married Anna Holton. Mr. Stewart is an active member of the Little Flat Rock Christian Church and was formerly a deacon. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his political affiliations are with the Republican party.
JOSIAH BISHOP, a retired farmer, now living at Rushville, was born in Union township, this county, December 15, 1842, and is the only survivor of his parents' family of eight children. IIis father, Purnel Bishop, was born in Maryland, and his mother, Julia (Kiser) Bishop, was a native of Kentucky. They came early to Rush county, traveling by wagon, and spent the rest of their lives in Union township. By the time Josiah Bishop was old enough to go to school, the Hinchman schoolhouse, near his father's farm had a competent teacher, and after his school period was over he assisted his father for a time, then bought the home place and conducted it himself during the last years of his father's life. In the course of
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many years of agricultural activity, Mr. Bishop became the owner of 219 acres in the home place, 180 acres of this being in Union township and thirty-nine acres in Jackson township, and another farm of sixty acres in Union township. In addition to general farming, Mr. Bishop was very successful in growing stock, raising cattle, hogs and sheep quite extensively. On March 3, 1868, Josiah Bishop married Mary E. Cline, who was born in Jackson township, this county, daughter of Conrad and Sarah J. (Smith) Cline. The father of Mrs. Bishop came alone from Kentucky to Rush county, while the mother was brought here from the same state by her parents. Mr. Cline owned a farm of 161 acres in Jackson township. Of his four children three are living, Lewis J., Rachel and Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop have had six children, as follows: Alma, who is the wife of Greeley P. Mauzy, of Rushville, a farmer of Jackson township, who had. two children, Chase and Grace, by a former marriage; Woodson C., a farmer in Rushville township, who married Mary McGee; Thomas, a farmer in Union township, who married Cora Webb, and has three children, Laverne, Robert and Thomas; Estel C., an accountant resid- ing at Indianapolis, who married Lonise Ginn; Rice, who married Mary J. Gray and rents his father's land and very successfully operates it, and Rachel M. (deceased), who married Alonzo MeGinn, also now deceased, as is also their only child, Alma, who was born on January 25, 1873, and died on June 18, 1917. Mr. Bishop has never cared for political office, although for many years a vigorous supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He is one of the older members of the Ben Davis Christian Church.
GOLDIA CARR, who is engaged in the garage and transfer business at Milroy, one of the best known business men in that part of the county, was born in Rush connty and has lived here all his life with the exception of a period of about three years when, shortly after his marriage, he was a resident of the neighboring county of Decatur. He was born on a farm in Rushville township on July 28, 1884, son of Leander and Callie (Parson) Carr, the former of whom also was born in this county, a member of one of the old families of the county, and both of whom are still living. Leander Carr is a son of George Carr, a Pennsylvanian, who established his home in this county many years ago and became a substantial farmer. Reared in this county, Leander Carr became engaged in farming on his own account after his marriage to Callie Parson, who was born in Wabash county, this state, and has continued farming, now the owner of a well kept farm of eighty acres in Anderson township. To him and his wife, four children have been born, two of them are living, the subject of this sketch and Urmston Carr. Reared on the farm, Goldia Carr received his schooling in the schools of Anderson township. After his marriage he bought a small farm in Decatur county and was there engaged in farming for about three years, at the end of which time he returned to this county and rented a farm in Anderson township. A year later he moved to Milroy and was for five years thereafter engaged, in the garage of Logan Parson. He then started a garage of his own in a building 20 by 40 feet, giving special atten-
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tion to repair work, and his business grew so rapidly that in the following year he found it necessary to seek larger quarters. He then moved into the old Mercer livery barn, a building 41 by 87, remodeled the same to suit his needs and has ever since been engaged in business at that location, doing a general garage, repair and transfer business. Mr. Carr started with one truck and now has five trucks and employs eight men in his business. Goldia Carr has been twice married. In 1905 he was united in marriage to Lena Fidler, who died in 1913. leaving one child, a son, Leonard. In 1917 Mr. Carr married Bertha Ray, daughter of Louis Ray, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Thelma. Mr. and Mrs. Carr are members of the Christian church and take a proper interest in the work of the same. In his political views Mr. Carr is a Republican. Fraternally, he is affil- iated with the local lodges of the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias, and in the affairs of these several organizations takes an active interest.
PLEASANT A. NEWHOUSE, former county commissioner and one of those farmers of Rush county who have gained the respect and friendship of their fellow citizens, is a native of Rush county, having been born in Jackson township, May 30, 1861, the son of Lewis J. and Mary (Hackleman) Newhouse. Lewis J. Newhouse was also born in this county, in Union township, May 23, 1824, the son of Samuel and Polly (Kitchen) Newhouse, natives of Virginia. Samuel Newhouse, who was the son of John and Elizabeth Newhouse, came to Rush county from Franklin county in 1821, entering eighty acres of timbered land in Union township. In 1837 he sold his farm, and bought a larger one of 240 acres in Jackson township where he spent the remainder of his days. Lewis J. Newhouse grew to man- hood amid pioneer surroundings, and at the age of twenty-one began farming for himself. On April 17, 1849, he married Mary A. Hackle- man, a daughter of Richard and Hannah Hackleman, pioneers of this county, and to their union were born five children: Hannah M. (deceased) ; Marshall E. (deceased) ; Elbert O., Samuel R., who is living in Jackson township, and Pleasant A. Lewis J. Newhouse had started out with eighty acres of land, most of which was paid for by ditching for twelve hours a day, and before his death he had increased his holdings to 400 acres by constant application to business. After the death of his first wife, he married Nancy Pouge and they became the parents of five children, Alfred M., who is living in Illinois; Harvey M., who is living in Center township, this county ; Almeda, Schuyler C., who is living in West Virginia, and Erasmus T. (deceased). Pleasant A. Newhouse was educated at the Kinning school house in Jackson township, upon leaving which he took up farming in association with his father until his marriage. He then engaged in agricultural operations for himself in Washington town- ship, where he remained for four years, when he moved back to Jackson township and bought eight acres of land. By careful atten- tion and modern methods he has made a splendid success, having increased his property to 230 acres lying in Jackson and Noble town-
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