USA > Indiana > Rush County > Centennial history of Rush County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 25
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E. R. CASADY
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
interests, and bought a partnership in the store of which he is now sole proprietor. This firm was known as Kennedy & Casady for four years, or until January 1, 1914, when it became the E. R. Casady Company, as it is today. The business grew, Mr. Casady enjoying the confidence of a large and profitable trade, and the quarters. were enlarged to include another floor of the building. Mr. Casady was married to Ethel Readle, a daughter of John A. and Lillie (Emons) Readle, and to their union have been born four children, Phyllis, Readle, Mildred, and Catherine. Mr. Casady is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Rotary Club. He adheres to the policies of the Democratic party, of which he has always been a supporter, and is a communicant of the Christian church.
HENRY F. ADDISON, than whom no citizen of Posey township is better known or more highly esteemed, was born in that township on January 22, 1869, and is the son of Levi and Elizabeth (Stinger) Addison. Levi Addison was a farmer during all his active years, own- ing a farm of fifty-three acres. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living, Samuel, Marshall, Thomas, Henry F., Savanna, Osa, Dora and Lillie. Henry F. Addison attended the Conaway school in Posey township and his youth was spent on the paternal farmstead. He remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, when he began working out by the month, con- tinuing to be employed in this way for about eighteen months. After his marriage, in 1892, Mr. Addison began to farm on his own account, renting land for about twelve years, at the end of which period he bought eighty acres, comprising his present farm in Posey township. He conducts general farming operations and has met with splendid success, being numbered among the progressive and substantial agri- culturists of his section of the county. Mr. Addison has been married twice, first in 1892 to Martha Hendricks. To this union were born two children, Sherman, a mechanic at Anderson, Ind., who married a Miss Tally, and Bessie, who became the wife of Gurney Earnest, a farmer in Ripley township, this county, and has one child, Kenneth. Mrs. Martha Addison died in 1900 and in 1904 Mr. Addison was mar- ried to Stella Wymond, a native of Fayette county, Indiana. To this union have been born two children, Grace and Bertha, both of whom are attending school. Mr. Addison is an ardent Democrat. Frater- nally, he is a member of Beech Grove Lodge, No. 399, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Arlington. He is a member of the Chris- tian church and gives his unreserved support to every worthy benevo- lent or charitable object or any movement calculated to advance the general welfare of the community in any way.
WILLIAM R. GARTIN, a well-known farmer of Jackson town- ship, is a native son of the township in which he now lives and where his entire life has been passed. He was born on his father's farm in Jackson township on June 29, 1889, and is the son of Omer G. and Clara (Newkirk) Gartin, both of whom also were natives of Jackson township. The father has been a lifelong farmer and is now the
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
owner of 140 aeres of land in Jackson township; however, he is now practically retired from aetive business affairs and is living in Rush- ville. To him and his wife were born two children, the subject of this review having a brother, Lowell C. William R. Gartin received his edueation in the Osborn sehool in Jaekson township, after which he turned his attention to farming, working for his father until 1911, when he began farming for himself on fifty acres of land which he had inherited from his mother. He also rents sixty aeres of his father's land. He carries on general farming operations and also raises all the hogs the farm will support. Systematie and practical in every- thing he does, his snceess has been marked and he has gained a good reputation as an enterprising and progressive farmer. On September 6, 1910, Mr. Gartin was married to Hollie Moek, who was born in Rush county and is the daughter of William H. and Dora (Shires) Mock. To Mr. and Mrs. Gartin was born a son, Vernon L., born on January 11, 1917, who died on May 15, 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Gartin are members of the Christian church at Rushville. Mr. Gartin is a Republiean in his political views, while, fraternally, he is a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 62, Free and Accepted Masons, and Franklin Lodge, No. 35, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Rushville. He has always taken a keen interest in everything pertaining to the wel- fare of his community and served two years as assistant county road superintendent.
JESSE M. POE, member of the firm of William B. Poe & Son, whose jewelry store on Main street is one of the well-known landmarks of Rushville, was born in that eity on April 9, 1876, and is the son of William B. and Ruth F. (Carr) Poe, the former a native of Mason county, Kentucky, and the latter born and reared in Rush county. The Poe family was an old established one in the Blue Grass state. William B. Poe first went from Kentucky to Ohio, where he learned the trade of watchmaking, though he had previously begun his appren- ticeship at Maysville, Kentucky, in October, 1858, receiving the princely wage of $50 a year. He was a young man when he arrived in Rushville and immediately established himself in business. Good workmanship and fair dealing brought him business and through the subsequent years he has enjoyed an enviable standing throughout Rush county. His first location was in the Melodeon Hall block, but in 1910 he located where he now is. Jesse M. Poe received liis educational training in the publie schools of Rushville and on completing his studies he entered a watchmakers' sehool at Peoria, Illinois, where he received the best possible training in the very important and intricate art of watehmaking and repairing. He then returned home and worked for his father for a time, and then was admitted to a partner- ship in the business, which has since been run under the firm style of Wm. B. Poe & Son. Mr. Poe is also a registered optometrist, optieal work being a very important branch of their business. Courteous treatment, high-grade goods and right prices have been the elements which have contributed to the popularity of this firm, whose business covers a wide radius of surrounding country. Mr. Poe was married
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
to Ina F. Pugh, the daughter of Joseph and Caroline Pugh, and they have a daughter. Mary Louise, wife of Dr. T. L. Jones. Politically, Mr. Poe is a stanch Republican, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Improved Order of Red Men. He and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he gives his unreserved support to every movement or enterprise for the advancement of the general welfare.
WILLIAM S. McKEE, who is a prominent figure among the native sons of Noble township who have applied themselves to the pur- suits of agriculture and have found therein success in the community in which they were born, has passed his entire life in Noble township, where he was born on his father's farm, July 14, 1879, a son of Charles H. and Catherine (Simonson) McKee, the former a native of Rush county and the latter of Franklin county, Indiana. Mr. McKee is indebted to the country schools of Noble township for his educa- tional training. After completing his studies he joined his father and brother, John McKee, in the cultivation of the home place, and when the father died, in July, 1904, the two sons took charge of operations and continued to work in partnership for about eight years. The association was mutually dissolved at the end of that time, and William S. McKee has since carried on operations on his own account. At this time his activities cover 240 acres, of which he is the owner of eighty-five acres. He carries on general farming and stock raising. feeding out about 300 head of hogs annually. Mr. McKee has done much work in the way of development and improvement, and it was he who installed all the present modern conveniences and equipment on his property, which now bears the stamp of proper management and progressive ideas. He is thorough, practical and energetic in carrying through his plans, and in business matters is known to be absolutely reliable. Mr. McKee married Charity Hoy, daughter of Lafayette Hoy, and to this union there have been born four children : Donald, Lowell, Geraldine and Lawrence. Mrs. McKee is a member of the Christian church, at Orange. In political matters Mr. McKee gives his support to the Republican party and has always stood for worthy civic movements tending toward progress. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and the Red Men at Orange, in both of which orders he has numerous cordial friends.
FRANK McBRIDE, one of the leading business men of Mays, this county, who has by his enterprise and progressive methods con- tributed in a material way to the commercial advancement of his local- ity, is a native of Center township, where he was born on June 13, 1868, and he is the son of William J. and Nancy A. (Zion) McBride, both of whom also were born and reared in Rush county. The father followed farming throughout his active life, having been prospered in his efforts so that in 1858 he was able to purchase a farm of 192 acres. To him and wife were born nine children, of which number five are living, namely : Anna M., Luella, Selma, Charles and Frank. The subject of this review received his educational training in the
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HISTORY OF RUSII COUNTY
schools of Center township and after leaving school he devoted his attention to work on the home farm, remaining with his parents until his marriage, in 1890, when he took up farming on his own account, renting sixty-five acres of land, which he subsequently increased to eighty acres. He devoted himself closely to the operation of his land for fifteen years, and at the end of that time he moved to Mays and engaged in the grocery business. He has been eminently successful in this enterprise and enjoys a large trade, not only locally, but through- out the surrounding country. In 1890 Mr. McBride was married to Eva E. Young, also a native of Rush county, and to them have been born three children, Guy, Zula and Fern, all of whom are at home. Mr. and Mrs. McBride are earnest members of the Presbyterian church at Mays, to which they give generous support. Politically, Mr. McBride has been a lifelong supporter of the Democratic party and for the past six years he has served as postmaster of Mays, giving efficient service and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Personally, Mr. McBride is a man of unassuming manners, but genial and obliging, and he enjoys an enviable standing in the community honored by his citizenship.
OLIVER J. COOK, one of Rush county's native sons, whose energetic nature and laudable ambition have enabled him to con- quer adverse conditions and advance steadily, until today he is numbered among the representative farmers of Richland township, was born in Noble township, this county, on July 4, 1865, and is the son of William and Susanna (Johnston) Cook, both of whom also were born and reared in Rush county. William Cook attended the common schools and completed his studies in the Fairview Academy. He then devoted his attention to farming his father's land, remaining at home until his marriage. At that time he moved to near Glenwood, where he remained but a short time, moving then to Hamilton county, Indiana, where he was engaged in farm- ing for about four years. Returning then to Rush county, Mr. Cook located on land which he owned near Glenwood, which he operated until about 1893, when he retired from active business and moved to Rushville, where he lived until October, 1919, when, following the death of his wife, he went to live with his son, the subject of this review, with whom he still lives. Of the seven children who blessed the union of himself and wife, but two are now living, Oliver J. and Robert B. Oliver J. Cook attended the public school at Glenwood and from the time of his leaving school until the present he has continuously devoted himself to agricul- tural pursuits. Until 1892 he cultivated rented land, but in that year he bought the farm which he now owns in Richland township, his first purchase being 1151/2 acres, which he subsequently increased to 220 acres, all in Richland township. He actively pur- sued the cultivation of this land during the following years, but did not erect a house until 1910, since which time he has resided on the place. The improvements are all of an attractive style, the home
O. J. COOK
201
IIISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
being convenient and well arranged, the barns substantial and commodious, while the general appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of good taste and practical ideas. He carries on general farming operations and also gives considerable attention to the raising of live stock, specializing in the big type of pure bred Poland China hogs, of which he feeds from 400 to 500 annually. Mr. Cook was married to Orpha E. Beaver, daughter of John M. and Mary Beaver, and they are the parents of four children, Willard, Wallace, Emma and Mary Evelyn. Emma became the wife of Ray Compton and they had a child, Mary Estell. Mrs. Cook is a faith- ful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, Mr. Cook gives his support to the Democratic ticket, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order at Andersonville and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
ALVA E. NEWSOM, who is recognized as a progressive and energetic exponent of the most advanced methods of agriculture and who is carrying on extensive farming and stockraising operations in Ripley township, has passed his entire life in this county, having been born on his father's farm in that same township on July 12, 1866, a son of Jabez H. and Margaret (Cox) Newsom. Jabez H. Newsom was also born in Ripley township, where he passed his life in the suc- cessful cultivation of the soil. He was the owner of 160 acres of good land, and was likewise the possessor of a reputation for sound integrity and good citizenship. He and his worthy wife, who was a native of Washington county, Indiana, were the parents of eight children, of whom four are living: Oliver M., Anna J., Alva E. and Laura A. Alva E. Newsom was educated in Ripley township, where he attended what was known as the Stinger schoolhouse. He was but five years of age when his father died, aud at the early age of thirteen years he began to assume a man's responsibility on the home farm, which he managed for his mother until the time of his marriage, after which, he rented the home place from his mother, this being a tract of eighty acres, in addition to which he rented 220 acres more land in the same community and devoted himself there to farming and stock raising for some ten years. After the death of his mother he bought the interest of the other heirs in the home place, and on this property has continued general farming and the raising of live stock. Industry and good management have combined to bring him success and he is justly accounted in his neighborhood as one of the most pro- gressive of the agriculturists of Ripley township. At this time he is shipping on an average of between 100 and 125 hogs annually to the big markets. On December 10, 1890, Mr. Newsom was united in mar- riage to Virginia Alexander, who was born in Ripley township and was educated there, a daughter of Joseph W. and Sarah J. (Stinger) Alexander, natives of Ripley township, and the owners of 120 acres of land, on which they carried on operations all their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander were the parents of six children, of whom four are living: Frank M., Laura A., Ola V. and Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Newsom have two children : Grace M., who married Frederick Solın, a
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
traveling salesman living at Knightstown, Ind., where they hold mem- bership in Friends church and has one child, Alvan; and Mazie, who married George Apple, a farmer of Ripley township, with no children. Mr. Newsom has always been ready to play his full part in discharging the duties of citizenship. In his political allegiance, he gives his support to the Republican party. With his wife and children he attends the Methodist church at Carthage.
NORMAL V. PATTERSON, a teacher in the New Salem high school, is a native son of the county in which he now lives, having been born in Richland township on June 13, 1872, and he is the son of Darins and Mary Irene Patterson. He received his elementary edu- cation in the common schools of Richland, completing his public school studies in the high school at Richland. He then attended Indiana University, where he took a general course and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1895. He then engaged in teaching school in Franklin county, being employed one year in a country school, six years in the school at Laurel and three years in the high school at Brookville. Mr. Patterson then returned to Rush county and for four years he tanght in the Richland school. He then quit teaching and for two years devoted his attention to the management and cultivation of his father's farm of 200 acres. He then located at Clarksburg and for two years taught in the school at Sandusky, fol- lowing which he again returned to the home farm and remained there six years, operating 255 acres of land. He is still giving attention to the operation of this land, but in 1919 he accepted a position as teacher in the New Salem high school and is still filling that position. The farm is one of the best farms in this locality, being well improved in every respect and well adapted to general farming operations. Besides the raising of all the crops common to this locality, he gives some attention to live stock, feeding from one hundred and fifty to two hundred hogs a year. Mr. Patterson's work as an educator has gained for him much favorable comment. Of scholarly tastes and studions habits, he keeps abreast of the times in advanced educational methods and is ably filling the position he holds in the New Salem school. In 1899 Mr. Patterson was married to Lillie M. Cloud, the daughter of 1. W. and Deborah Cloud, and they are the parents of seven children, Howard, Mary, Ruth, Stanley, Willard, Whitmer and Maurice. Mr. Patterson is a member of the Christian church and Mrs. Patterson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Clarksburg. In his political views Mr. Patterson is an independent Democrat.
JOHN JACKMAN, a substantial farmer and dealer in live stock, now living at Milroy, was born in Rush county and has resided here all his life. He was born on a farm in Anderson township on July 10, 1873, son of Allen and Frances (Winship) Jackman, both of whom also were born in this county and further and fitting reference to whom is made elsewhere in this volume of biographies relating to the old families of Rush county. Reared on the home farm, John Jackman received his schooling at Milroy and from the days of his youth was
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
well trained in the ways of the farm. After his marriage he continued on the home farm for about five years, farming with his father, and then rented 170 acres of the home place, which he continues to operate besides operating an excellent farm of 135 acres of his own which he has acquired since his marriage, and is doing well in his operations, making his home at Milroy. In addition to his general farming Mr. Jackman has for years given considerable attention to the raising of live stock, feeding out about 200 head of hogs annually, and is also dealing quite extensively in mules, at present having about forty head, and is gradually extending his operations in that direction. On Feb- ruary 14, 1900, John Jackman was united in marriage to Mary Tomp- kins, who also was born in this county, daughter of Nathan E. and Louisa (Crosby) Tompkins, and to this union two sons have been born, Frank and Ned, both of whom are at home, valued assistants to their father in the latter's agricultural and live stock operations. The Jack- mans have a pleasant home at Milroy and take a proper part in 'the community's general social activities. Mr. and Mrs. Jackman are members of the Christian church. In his political views Mr. Jackman is a Republican and fraternally he is affiliated with the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and has been "through the chairs" in this lodge, in the affairs of which he has for years taken a warm and active interest.
FRANCIS H. McCOY, a well-known agriculturist of Jackson township, is one whose well-directed efforts have gained for him suc- cess and a position of desirable prominence in the locality honored by his residence, for he has so combined within him the elements of indus- try, perseverance and sound common sense that he has made a record of steady progression in his work. Mr. McCoy was born, in Rushville township, this county, on October 26, 1863, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (Moran) McCoy, to whom more extended reference is made in the sketch of Joseph McCoy, elsewhere in this work. The subject received his educational training in the local public schools, mostly in the Concord school in Rushville township. On leaving school he ap- plied himself to the work of the home farm, remaining with his father there until his marriage. He then rented from his father eighty acres of land in Jackson township, where he now lives, and has continued to cultivate it to the present time, having inherited the land at his fa- ther's death. He has made a number of permanent and substantial im- provements on the place, including a new home and garage, and keeps the place in the best of repair, the general appearance of the place indicating the owner to be a man of taste and good judgment. He carries on general farming and also raises about 120 hogs each year. On February 27, 1900, Mr. McCoy was united in marriage with Marie A. Schetgen, who was born in Jennings county, Indiana, but was reared and educated in Hamilton county, Ohio. She is the daughter of Peter and Mary (Kirchner) Schetgen. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are the parents of nine children, all of whom are living, namely: Mary E., Francis L., Margaret E., Thomas W., Lena K., Harry A., Walter J., Charles and IFugh. All of these children are unmarried and at
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
home. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are members of the Catholic church at Rushville, and Mr. McCoy is a member of the Rushville Council of the Knights of Columbus. Politically, he gives his support to the Dem- ocratic party and takes an intelligent interest in the course of public events, ever giving his support to every movement for the general welfare. Genial and obliging, he enjoys the friendship and good will of all who know him.
EDWARD DOLAN, one of the substantial farmers and land- owners of Union township, is not one of Rush county's native sons, but he has resided here since the days of his young manhood and has developed an excellent piece of property here, long having been regarded as one of the leading farmers and stockmen of his community. He was born in Dearborn county, this state, Septem- ber 14, 1864, son of Patrick and Emma (Briggs) Dolan, the latter of whom was born in that same county, a member of one of the pioneer families there. The late Patrick Dolan, whose last days were spent in Rush county, where he had resided for many years, was born in Ireland and was but a lad when he came to this coun- try with his parents, the family coming on out to Indiana and lo- cating in Dearborn county. There he grew to manhood, married and became engaged in farming, remaining there until about 1875 when he came over into Fayette county where he lived on a rented farm until 1880, in which year he moved over into Rush county and rented a farm here, on this latter place spending the rest of his life, a resident of this county for about thirty years. Patrick Dolan and wife were the parents of twelve children, all of whom save one, Cora, are living, those besides the subject of this sketch being Thomas, Elizabeth, Ellen, John, Charles, Anna, Roy, Kate, Glenn and William. Edward Dolan completed his schooling in Fayette county, having been but a lad when his parents moved to that county from Dearborn county, and after leaving school he went west and for three years worked as a farm hand in Nebraska. He then rejoined the family in Rush county and after coming here was engaged as a farm hand for about six years, at the end of which time he rented an eighty-acre farm, in the meantime having married, and on that place made his home for seven years. Ile then bought a tract of 120 acres in Union township and on that place resided until 1910, when he bought the farm of 114 acres on which he is now living in that same township. In addition to these tracts Mr. Dolan has other farms, being now the owner of 430 acres in Rush and Fayette counties besides a quarter of a section of land in Nebraska. In addition to his general farming Mr. Dolan has for years given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and feeds out from 300 to 400 head of hogs a year. Ile has four sets of buildings on his land and his operations are carried on on quite an extensive scale. In his political views Mr. Dolan is a Dem- ocrat. Mrs. Dolan is a member of the Fairview Christian church. The Dolans have a very pleasant home on rural mail route No. 1
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