USA > Indiana > Rush County > Centennial history of Rush County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 2
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THOMAS E. McCOY, of Posey township, was born in Rushville township on March 12, 1871, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (Moran) McCoy. These parents were both natives of Ireland, whence they came with their respective families to the United States, the father at the age of three years and the mother when thirteen years of age. They settled in Niagara county, New York, where Thomas and Mary were married, soon after which event they came to Indiana
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
and located in Rush county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Their son, Thomas E., was educated in the schools of Rushville No. 7, Posey No. 7, and Walker township, attending in District No. 6, and after completing his studies he went to work on the home farm, where he remained as his father's assistant until the latter's death. However, for several years prior to that time he had rented land from his father, and now he inherited eighty acres of land, comprising the land on which he now resides. His brother, William H., also owns eighty acres adjoining and they operate these tracts together. Mr. McCoy keeps the place in fine repair and has made a number of substantial improvements thereon. He carries on a general line of farming and also raises live stock, feeding and marketing about one hundred head of hogs each year. Politically, Mr. McCoy has been a lifelong supporter of the Democratic party. He is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church at Rushville and is also a member of Council No. 769, Knights of Columbus, at Rushville.
HARRIE JONES. There is no county in the United States that has won more fame for its fast harness horses than Rush, and few men have been here engaged in horse dealing and training who have won more far reaching renown than Harrie Jones, of Rushville. He was born in that city, August 23, 1872, the son of W. A. and Laura M. (Oglesby) Jones, both natives of Ohio, the former of Har- rison, the latter of Sidney. When he was eighteen years of age, W. A. Jones came to Rush county, walking from his home in Harrison. and located at the county seat. His first employment was found in a restaurant where he worked for a short time at a small wage, leav- ing there to enter the boot and shoe business for a brief period. He then engaged in the hotel business, and bought the Windsor hotel in about 1870. This he conducted successfully for about three years. then selling out and going to Cincinnati where he bought the Galt House. After a little more than a year in that city, he returned to Rushville, buying the Windsor hotel again. However, he sold out in a short time to engage in the harness horse business. He then bought back the hotel and in addition a farm adjoining the city of Rushville, known as Riverside Park. Here he constructed a mile track and a racing stable where he trained and bred many of the finest speed horses in the country. For many years he gave an annual race meeting on his track, but in 1902 he retired from active racing inter- ests to devote his entire time to the management of his 242 acre farm. Among the most notable of his horses were: "Florence M.," 2:221/4, which won forty-nine out of fifty-three races in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky; "Raven Boy," 2:1514, which held several track records over the country, and "Harrie Jones," 2:181/4. William A. Jones was born in Dearborn county, Ohio, October 2, 1845, the seventh of thirteen children born to Thomas H. and Emily (Wilkins) Jones, who moved to Hamilton county, Ohio, settling near Harrison, where the boy's youth was spent on the farm. On May 5. 1869, he married Laura M. Oglesby, who was born on September 1, 1850, daughter of Jacob H. and Mary (Fielding) Oglesby, and to
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
their union were born three children: Carrie, Harrie, and Freddie. Harrie Jones received his education in the public schools of Rushville, upon leaving which he engaged in the harness horse business with his father with whom he was associated until 1902, when he engaged in business for himself. He had one of the best equipped "plants" to be anywhere found, including a barn 300 feet long, every stall box 12x12, 210 acres of ground, good pasture for brood mares and colts and other attractive features. During the fall, winter, and spring he devoted his time to preparing horses and colts for the coming season's campaign, as well as preparing them for sales. He sold several animals for from $1,000 to $8,500, and among the list of horses he marked while racing and in his stable may be mentioned : "Alcyfras," 2:0314, which held the world's record for mares on a half-mile track; "George Gano," 2:02; "Fay Richmond," 2:0334; "Harry the Ghost," 2:041/2; "John Ward," 2:0514; and ninety-six others in 2:20 and better, too numerous to be here enumerated. Mr. Jones raced on the Grand Circuit and the Great Western Circuit, and. in 1907 had sixty-six horses in his care, and employed from twenty- five to thirty men on his place. In 1918, he retired from the harness- horse game to devote his attention to farming, in which he is at present occupied, but in 1921 he became engaged in the horse business again. In 1895 Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Mayme Mauzy, a daughter of G. G. and Lydia (Wolf) Mauzy, and he and his wife are popular members of Rushville society. Fraternally, Mr. Jones holds membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, in the affairs of which he takes an active interest. His political views incline him toward the Demo- cratie party, which he supports.
BEN STEVENS, who was formerly one of the active and enter- prising farmers of Noble township, is now practically retired from: active work and is enjoying the fruits of his former years of labor. He is a member of one of the old pioneer families of this section and has enjoyed an enviable standing in the community where he has spent his entire life. Mr. Stevens was born in Noble township on January 24, 1862, and is a son of Mack and Phoebe (Sutton) Stevens, both also natives of Rush county. Mack Stevens was the son of Isaac Stevens, who came to Rush county in an early day, entered land and remained here during the rest of his life. He received a common school education and after his marriage he acquired a farm, which he operated up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1865. To him and his wife were born three children, Clara, Jesse and Ben. After the death of Mr. Stevens, his widow became the wife of Levi Bartlett, to which union were born three children: Ida, Rhoda, and John. Ben Stevens received his educational training at the old Pinhook school house, and then turned his attention to farm work, being employed by the day up to the time of his mother's death, at which time he inherited a part of the home place. He then bought ont the other heirs, giving him possession of thirty-two aeres of land, which he cultivated for about a year. He then sold the home place and bought another farm of fifty acres, to which he devoted
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
his labors until 1904, when he bought the place which he now owns and which comprises 1081/2 acres of fine, fertile land. He put many good improvements on this place and cultivated it successfully unti! 1910, when he retired from active work and rented the farm. Among the improvements on the farm are two sets of farm buildings and in other ways the place ranks as among the good farms of the township. Ben Stevens was married to Laura C. Logan, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah O. (Le Forge) Logan. They have one child, Roscoe, who married AAlma Dearmond and has one child, Lloyd Wallace. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church at New Salem, and both occupy official positions in that organization, Mr. Stevens being a steward and trustee and Mrs. Stevens being president of the Ladies' Aid Society. Politically, Mr. Stevens gives his support to the Democratic party.
JOHN F. McKEE, cashier of the New Salem State Bank, is a native son of Rush county, having been born in Noble township on March 6, 1875. He is the scion of sterling old pioneer ancestry, his paternal grandparents having been John F. and Hester Ann (Mor- row) McKee, natives of Pennsylvania, but who emigrated, first to Kentucky, whence, in 1832, they came to Indiana. Locating in Noble township, this county, Mr. McKee bought forty acres of land, which was densely covered with the primeval timber. Clearing three acres of this land, he built a log cabin and then went ahead with the task of creating a homestead, where he spent the greater part of his life. To him and his wife were born six children, namely: Elizabeth. Charles H., John F., Malissa J., Samuel Simpson and William. Of these, Charles was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in the Noble township home and there grew to manhood, receiving his educational training in the common schools of that, neighborhood. He followed the vocation of farming and stock raising during all his active life. As a dealer in live stock he was particu- larly active, being at one time one of the heaviest stock buyers in Rush county. At one time he owned 320 acres of land, all of which was located in Noble township. Ife took an active part in all move- ments for the upbuilding of the community and for nine years served as trustee of his township. He married Catherine Simonson, a native of Franklin county, Indiana, and to them were born ten children, nine of whom are living, as follows: Ella, wife of L. Beaver; Carrie B. and Elizabetlı, who remain unmarried; Hester, wife of William P. Sipe, of Orange, Ind .; Martha L., wife of C. Moore; John F., the immediate subject of this review; Margaret, wife of Albert May: William S., who lives in Noble township, and Nelle G., wife of O. P. Wamsley, proprietor of the Scanlan hotel at Rushville. John F. McKee received his elementary education in the common schools of Noble township and then attended the high school, at Orange, Ind., after which he took a course in a business college at Indianapolis. He then formed a partnership with his father and together they bought ninety-five acres of land which they farmed until his brother, William S., attained his majority, when the latter entered the part- nership and they purchased 120 acres more. This they farmed
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IIISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
jointly until the father's death, when John F. and William S. divided the land and the former began farming for himself on seventy acres of land. He was successful in this work and eventually was enabled to add to his land holdings until they amonnted to 240 acres, all of which was located in Noble township. Mr. McKee gives personal direction to the operation of this land, which he devotes to general farming and stock raising, putting 100 acres to corn and 100 acres to small grain. He feeds about 700 head of hogs annually. In August, 1917, Mr. McKee took an active part in the organization of the New Salem State Bank and was elected cashier of that institu- tion, a position which he is still filling with entire satisfaction to the stockholders and patrons of the bank. Mr. McKee was married to Georgia Gregg, a daughter of Walter S. and Sarah A. (Carter) Gregg, and they are the parents of two children, Kathleen and John F., Jr. Mr. MeKee and family are members of the Little Flat Rock Christian Church, of which he is a deacon. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has attained the degrees of the chapter and council, and the Improved Order of Red Men. Mr. McKee is a man of kindly disposition and generous impulses and is deservedly popular in his community. He is essentially a mau of affairs, being a leader in all public movements in his locality and giving his support to every enterprise for the advancement of the public welfare.
JOHN W. CALLAHAN, for many years an industrious farmer in Walker township, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, August 22, 1856, a son of Edward and Percell Callahan, and died on his farm in Walker township, December 17, 1900, his burial being in East Hill cemetery. After his school days were over Mr. Callahan left Kentucky and came to Indiana, locating in Rush county, where he found work as a farm hand and made many friends through his honest and pleasant manner. After his marriage in 1881 he began farming on his own account. When his father-in-law died his wife inherited 100 acres of land which he operated very successfully for many years. A few years later he bought a tract of sixty-one acres adjoining Mrs. Callahan's property, and this 161 acres comprises the family estate. February 17, 1881, Mr. Callahan married Mada- line Mull, born in Walker township, Rush county, daughter of Wil- liam and Elizabeth (Jones) Mull. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Callahan : Mazy A., Dossie M., Vernie E., William H. and Daisy N. Mazy A. married Clem Gardner, a farmer in Walker town- ship, and they have three children : Von, Ruth and Ruby. Dossie M., who is a farmer in Walker township, married Bertha Hiner and they have three children, IIubert, Harold and Lowene, Hubert now at- tending school at Homer. Vernie E. died at the age of thirty-four years. He married Gertrude Holzyder and they had five children, four living : Lowell, Norma J., Iris M. and Manetta. William H., a farmer in Walker township, married Bertha Lower and they have two children : Doletta and Estel. Daisy N. married Noah Webb, a farmer in Rushville township, and they had two children, Mary and
JOHN K. GOWDY
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
Rita, the latter of whom died at the age of three years and six months. Mr. Callahan had many friends and acquaintances at Homer, where he belonged to the order of Odd Fellows and had passed the chairs in the lodge. He was always interested in the welfare of his neigh- borhood and the country and was a sturdy Republican in his political life.
JOIIN KENNEDY GOWDY, son of Adam McConnell and Nancy (Oliver) Gowdy, was born at Arlington, in this county on August 23, 1843. In 1849 the family moved from Rush to Jasper county, Indiana, where John K. received his education in the public schools. His father, who was a public speaker of ability, attained prominence in politics and was elected a delegate to the second state constitutional convention which met at Indianapolis in Octo- ber, 1850, and a member of the legislature for the legislative dis- trict then composed of Jasper, White and Pulaski counties. Re- sponding to the nation's call when Civil war threatened the life of the republic, John K. Gowdy enlisted in Company L, Fifth Indiana Volunteer cavalry, at Lafayette, July 17, 1862, at the age of eight- een. He served with his regiment in the pursuit and capture of John Morgan, the notorious raider, and in Kentucky during the spring and summer of 1863; with General Burnside in the East Tennessee campaign during the fall and winter of 1863-64; with General Sherman in the Georgia campaign until after the evacu- ation of Atlanta, and then with General Thomas at Nashville, Tenn. After three years and three months of service he was mustered out with his company at Pulaski, Tenn., October 5, 1865. After the close of the war he returned to Rush county. On January 24, 1867, Mr. Gowdy was married to Eve E. Gordon, daughter of one of the pioneers of Rush county. To this union were born two children, Latta Theodore, who died in infancy, and Fanny Alice, who was married to Robert E. Mansfield, American consul general to Chile, on April 17, 1906. In 1870, Mr. Gowdy was elected sheriff of Rush county, to which office he was re-elected two years later. In 1879, he moved from the farm to Rushville. In 1882, he was elected to the office of auditor of Rush county for a term of four years, at the end of which time he was renominated by his party by acclamation, and again elected, serving eight years as auditor. He also served his party as chairman of the Rush county Republican committee for ten years, 1879 to 1889. In the capacity of chairman of the county committee, and in the management of local political affairs, Mr. Gowdy showed such genius for organization and displayed such splendid executive ability that it brought him into prominence and made him a potent factor in state politics. In 1890, Attorney Gen- eral Louis T. Michener resigned as chairman of the Indiana Re- publican state committee, and Mr. Gowdy was chosen to succeed him. In 1892, when the state committee was re-organized he was elected chairman. His ability as a leader enabled him to create and maintain for many years one of the most efficient political organ- izations ever effected in Indiana. In 1894, Mr. Gowdy was again 2
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
chosen chairman of the committee, and the success of the party in Indiana in that campaign, when the entire Republican state ticket and thirteen representatives in Congress were elected, the first time in the history of the state that one party secured a full Con- gressional delegation, added to the reputation that Mr. Gowdy had already gained as an organizer. In 1896 when the Republican state committee was reorganized Mr. Gowdy was chosen chairman for the third time, and it was in the great campaign of that year, when William McKinley was elected President, and the free coinage of silver at the ratio of sixteen to one was made the paramount issue by Mr. Bryan, that the executive ability, resourcefulness and splen- did political judgment of Mr. Gowdy were demonstrated. The party was confronted with a new and dangerous issue and dis- turbed by internal dissension, but under his leadership achieved one of the most notable political victories in the history of he state. During that memorable campaign Mr. Gowdy made the ac- quaintance and won the friendship of many men of national prom- inence, including Major MeKinley, the presidential candidate, and Mark IIanna, chairman of the Republican national committee. His conduct of the contest in Indiana, which early took an advanced position in favor of the gold standard, received the enthusiastic support of the managers of the national campaign, and focused upon the state the political attention of the entire country. It was dur- ing that great contest that Mr. Gowdy's friends bestowed upon him the sobriquet of "Oom Jack," comparing him with Oom Paul Kruger, the great, strong, fighting character of South Africa. The term was one of affection and endearment used by Mr. Gowdy's friends and admirers. Soon after the inauguration of President McKinley in March, 1897, Mr. Gowdy was appointed consul general to Paris, where he achieved the honor and distinction of being one of the most efficient and popular officials who ever represented the United States Government at the French capital. Consul Gen- eral Gowdy's official residence in Paris covered a most interesting period, and a series of historic events, including the Spanish-Amer- ican war, the meeting in Paris, after the war, of the commission which arranged the terms of peace between the United States and Spain, and the Paris exposition in 1900. Mr. Gowdy was the recip- ient of many honors and compliments from various societies and organizations in Paris, and from the French government he re- ceived the decoration of Officer of the Legion of Honor, being the first American consular officer to have that distinction bestowed upon him. He also received as a mark of esteem from the Amer- ican Chamber of Commerce in Paris, a beautiful, hand-illumined certificate of commendation and appreciation for honorable serv- ices rendered that association personally and officially. Among other special and distinguished acts was his assistance in locating the body of John Paul Jones, the American naval hero, whose re- mains were found in a Paris cemetery, disinterred and returned to his native country under naval escert, and buried at Annapolis
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
with naval honors. On July 3, 1900, Consul General Gowdy deliv- ered the address presenting the statue of George Washington, at Place d'Iena, Paris, a gift of the American people to the French government. It was also his pleasant duty, as consul general, to certify the signature of the signers of the deed of transfer of the Panama canal property by the French government to the United States. After eight and a half years of official residence abroad Mr. Gowdy resigned his position as consul general, and returned with his family to his home in Rushville, to resume his business, and to live among his neighbors and friends. Ilis homecoming was made a gala day by his old friends and neighbors, and many admir- ing friends throughout the state, who gathered at Rushville in large numbers to receive, and to extend a welcome to him and his fam- ily, the reception being characterized by a warmth of greeting and enthusiastic demonstration that testified to the affectionate regard in which he was held by the people in his home and in his native state. Mr. Gowdy represented the best type of American citizen- ship. Born in Indiana in 1843, his early impressions, education and training were received and character formed during that period of the nation's history when patriotism was the dominant note, and loyalty to the Government and its institutions characterized public sentiment. The best estimate that can be obtained of a man's character and personal worth is the concensus of opinion in the community in which he lives; an estimate based upon an intimate knowledge of his home life. Judged by this standard the memory esteem and affections of the people of Rushville, and of Rush county that evidenced a very high regard for him as a citizen, a neighbor and a friend. Endowed with a strong, but genial personality, a kindly disposition and a charitable nature, he impressed those with whom he came in contact as a man of high ideals and compelling purpose, a leader of men. Positiveness of character was one of Mr. Gowdy's chief characteristics. When once he made up his mind to do a thing, decided upon a plan of action, he pursued it with a determination that never hesitated until the object was achieved, or every resource at his command exhausted. To this fixity of purpose was largely due his success as an organizer. Men believed in and co-operated with him, knowing that once he entered upon a project and, believing he was right, that he would pursue it industriously and determinedly to a conclusion. In 1866, Mr. Gowdy joined the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he remained a consistent and devout member. Although prevented by ill health from attending services, or participating actively in the work for many years, he never lost interest in the progress and welfare of his chosen church, and his Christian faith continued always to be a comfort and a consolation. He was a charter member of the Rush- ville post of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Freemason and an Odd Fellow. His charities, which were general and extensive, were conducted so quietly and unostentatiously that few except those who were beneficiaries of his bounty knew to what extent his
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
hand went out to the poor, the needy and distressed. Like his daily life, his charities were inspired and directed by generous, Christian impulses. Although exercising a wide influence for good, personally, morally and socially in the community, and throughout the state, all his private and public acts were characterized by ex- treme modesty. Ile was essentially a home person, preferring al- ways the quiet and comforts, the pleasure and intimate associations of the home to the formalities of social life, or the discomforts, and the promiscuous associations encountered in travel and in public places. Ilis love for children was reciprocated, as shown by the affectionate regard in which he was held by all the little folk in the neighborhood of his home. In the summer time crowds of youths of both sexes were wont to gather under the big white tent under the trees in the rear of his home, where he spent most of the days during the hot weather, reading and conversing with the vis- iting children, and exchanging greetings with passing friends and neighbors. While observing the actions of the children, and lis- tening to their conversation and candid comments on the actions of each other, he frequently remarked: "The hope of the American nation is in these boys and girls, and if properly educated and trained in the ethics of government, the future of the republic is secure." Mr. Gowdy endeavored to inspire the children who came within the sphere of his influence with high ideals, pure motives and patriotic sentiments. And many Indiana men of the younger generation testify to the inspiration and encouragement they re- ceived through his kindly, good advice, and from his patriotic example. Mr. Gowdy died at his home in Rushville on June 25, 1918.
J. W. GREEN, M. D., the first in three generations of Rush county physicians and one of the early medical practitioners in the county, was born here on February 5, 1825, the son of Lot and Anna (Cooper) Green, pioneers. They came to Rush county in 1824, lo- cated in Posey township, and here J. W. Green grew to manhood. He had early become interested in the medical science, and by dili- gent application to such works on anatomy and other branches as he could obtain, trained himself to minister to the ills of his fellow beings. He was generous to a fault, and during the Civil war never accepted any remuneration for services rendered to the families of soldiers, his kindness and sympathetic nature winning him a legion of warm friends. On May 18, 1846, he married Mary J. Gowdy, of Arlington, and they were the parents of twelve children : Lot, Nancy, Ann, Preston S., Adam W., Mary L., John, Thomas, William Lewis, Nellie R., James and Charles. Dr. Lot Green was born in Arlington, where his father, Dr. J. W. Green, practiced medicine, July 29, 1847. and after completing his preliminary schooling entered Butler Uni- versity at Irvington, Ind., and was graduated from the medical de- partment of that institution in 1881. He came to be a very suc- cessful member of the profession, was an ardent worker in various medical associations, and for several years was county health officer.
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