USA > Indiana > Rush County > Centennial history of Rush County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 26
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MR. AND MRS. EDWARD DOLAN
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out of Glenwood. On October 7, 1888, Edward Dolan was united in marriage to Alma Saxon, who was born in the neighboring county of Fayette, and to this union five children have been born, Verne, Gertrude, Clarence (deceased) and Nina (deceased), and one who died in infancy. Verne Dolan married Beatrice Dunham and has four children, Edna, Zelma, Xen and Marjorie. Gertrude Dolan married Albert Dickey and has two children, Thelma and Max. As noted above, Mrs. Dolan was born in Fayette county, which also was the birthplace of her parents, Robert and Mary Ann (Nichols) Saxon, the latter born in Fairview township. Rob- ert Saxon, who is the owner of a 240-acre farm in Fayette county, has been a farmer there all his life. He has been married twice and by his first wife had three children, those besides Mrs. Dolan being Leroy and Mollie. By his marriage to Mary Lovejoy he has had six children, five of whom are living, Gillespie, Daisy, Phoebe, Alfred and Robert.
EARL M. TWEEDY, one of the strong, sturdy characters who has contributed largely to the welfare of the community where he lives and a well known farmer of Posey township, this county, was born in the neighboring county of Henry on the third day of July, 1870, and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Stinger) Tweedy, the former a native of Rush county and the latter of Hancock county, In- diana. James Tweedy was reared and educated in his native com- munity and followed the trade of a carpenter throughout his active life. To him and his wife were born five children, four of whom are living, Jesse F., Otis A., Philip W. and Earl M., and one, Mrs. Effie McDougal, who died at the age of forty-seven years. The subject of this review attended school in his native county and on completing his studies he turned his attention to the carpenter trade, which he followed for about fifteen years. Mr. Tweedy then turned his atten- tion to farming and for about three years he operated rented land. He then bought sixty acres of land in Posey township, Rush county, and lived there for eight years. He then sold that place and bought his present farm, comprising 100 acres of land in Posey township, and he devoted his energies indefatigably to the operation of this farm, in which he has been very successful. He has made many important improvements, remodeling and repairing the buildings, which are comfortably and conveniently arranged, the entire property present- ing a very attractive appearance. Mr. Tweedy carries on general farming and stock raising, feeding and sending to market from 100 to 150 hogs annually. On June 29, 1899, Mr. Tweedy was married to Nellie C. Leisure, a native of Posey township, and the daughter of William and Caroline (Powell) Leisure, who were both natives of Rush county, where Mr. Leisure followed the vocation of farming. Of their four children, Mrs. Tweedy is the only one living. To Mr. and Mrs. Tweedy were born three children, Donald, deceased, Lowell B. and Alta C. Mr. and Mrs. Tweedy are members of the Methodist Episcopal and Christian churches respectively. Fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 255, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at
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Carthage, of which he is a past noble grand, having "passed through the chairs." Politically, he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. Personally, Mr. Tweedy is a man of kindly manner and genial disposition and enjoys a host of warm personal friends throughout the section of the county where he lives.
JESSE MURPHY, owner of a well-cultivated farm in Noble township and a man who has exercised a helpful influence for prog- ress and good citizenship, was born on the farm which he now occupies, November 7, 1865, a son of John and Anna (McCrory) Murphy, and a grandson of Jesse Murphy. John Murphy was a child when brought to Rush county by his parents, from his native Butler county (Ohio), and he was educated and reared in Union township. There he engaged in farming upon reaching his majority, but some time after his marriage to Anna MeCrory, a native of Fayette county, moved to Noble township, where he purchased a farm. He was a man of industry, good judgment and able management and succeeded in the accumulation of 232 acres of land, which he devoted to general farming and stock feeding. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, of whom five are now living, George, Charles, Jesse, Roy and Ida May. Jesse Murphy received his education in the public schools of Noble township, and upon the completion of his schooling began to farm on the home place. He remained with his mother after his father's death, and was married at the age of twenty-four years, following which he continued to center his activities in the operation of the home property. When the estate was divided, following the death of his mother, he received his share, and also farmed consider- able land in addition, but during the past three years his property has consisted of forty-two acres, on which he has successfully applied himself to the growing of grain and the feeding and shipping of cattle and hogs. Of the latter he generally feeds out from fifty to sixty annually. Mr. Murphy is a Republican in his political allegiance. In 1890 he married Clara, daughter of Joseph and Emily Horton. She died in 1913, leaving one daughter, Hazel, who married Ernest Applegate.
WILBUR STIERS, cashier of the Rushville National Bank, is a member of one of the old families of this county and has ever held the county's best interests closely to heart. For more than twenty years actively engaged in the banking business in Rushville Mr. Stiers has gained a knowledge and a comprehension of the general commercial, industrial and economic conditions of this community second to none and during that time has done much to promote these interests, helpful in many ways in advancing the cause of sound and healthy investment and enterprise hereabout. Starting in his youth to acquire a knowledge of banking methods and procedure, Mr. Stiers applied himself diligently and thoughtfully and step by step was advanced in the bank's service until before he was thirty-five years of age he was made cashier of the institution to the interests of which from the very beginning of his connection he had given his most studious and punctilious attention, and has since done much to
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further those interests. Mr. Stiers was born on a farm in Anderson township, this county, July 4, 1879, son of John M. and Mary Frances (Morgan) Stiers, both of whom also were born in this county, mem- bers of pioneer families, the latter of whom died on February 5, 1910, and the former of whom is still living at Rushville. John M. Stiers was born on a farm and all his life has been interested in farm development. Following his marriage he established his home on a farm in Anderson township, later acquired a farm in Noble township and continued actively engaged in farming until his retirement and removal to Rushville, where he now resides. Since taking up his residence in Rushville, however, Mr. Stiers has not wholly relinquished his interest in farming and not long after moving there bought a farm in Rushville township and to the operations of this piece of property gives his active oversight. He has four children, the subject of this sketch having three sisters, Stella, Effie and Chessie. Reared on the home farm in Noble township, Wilbur Stiers was graduated from the New Salem high school in 1897. For two years thereafter he attended a business college at Indianapolis and in 1899 was taken into the Rushville National Bank as a bookkeeper. By close application to the duties in hand he showed himself worthy of promo- tion and in 1911 was made second assistant cashier of the bank and in 1913 the board of directors of the bank elected him to the respon- sible position of cashier of the bank, which position he since has held. one of the best known bankers in this part of the state. In October, 1911, Wilbur Stiers was united in marriage to Mae Bebout, daughter of William J. Bebout, of Rushville, and to this union have been born two children, Elinor and Evan. Mr. and Mrs. Stiers are members of the Christian church and Mr. Stiers has served as a member of the diaconate of the local congregation. Mr. Stiers is a Knights Templar Mason, affiliated with the local lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, at Rushville, and with the Commandery. Politically, he is a Democrat and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs.
MILTON W. OSBORN, manager of the plant of the Pinnell- Tompkins Lumber Company at Mays, this county, is a native son of the Hoosier state, having been born in Franklin county on June 21, 1859, and he is the son of James T. and Elizabeth (Sutton) Osborn, both of whom were born and reared in Franklin county. James T. Osborn was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted as a private in the Sixty-eighth regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served over three years, taking part in a number of the most impor- tant battles of that great conflict, including those of Stone Mountain, Chickamauga and Cumberland Gap. After the close of the war, he returned to Franklin county and was engaged in farming for about ten years. He then worked at the carpenter trade for a few years, and then purchased a general store at Buena Vista, Franklin county, becoming also postmaster at that place. To him and his wife were born eight children. The subject of this sketch received his educa- tional training in the common schools of Franklin county and after
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leaving school he was employed as a farm hand up to the time of his marriage. He then moved to Connersville, where he lived until 1896, when he moved to a farm of 145 acres, which he operated for about four years. In 1901 he moved to Mays and engaged in carpentering and contracting, in which he has met with pronounced success, being now one of the largest contractors in Rush county. He has done a great deal of construction work and enjoys an enviable reputation because of the high quality of his work and his fair dealing. In 1918 Mr. Osborn became manager of the Pinnell-Tompkins Lumber Company at Mays and is still holding that position. Mr. Osborn was married to Margaret A. Evans, a native of Decatur county, Indiana, and they have had three children, namely: Myrta, who became the wife of Berry Rush, of Mays, and they have two children, Elmyra and Russell; Mande became the wife of Fred Jackson, of Washington township, and they have five children William, Byron, Morris, Thelma and Luella; Glodys, who was born in 1888 at Connersville, received her education in the schools of that city and at Mays. She became the wife of P. H. Kirkpatrick, of Center township, and they had two children, John W. and Floretta. The mother of these children died in December, 1918, of influenza. Politically, Mr. Osborn is an active supporter of the Republican party, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a man of kindly manner and generous impulses, keenly alive to the best interests of the com- munity and stands high in the esteem of the community.
THEODORE F. HOLDEN, one of the worthy native sons of Rush county and a progressive farmer of Noble township, but now practically retired from active work, is the peer of any of his fel- lows in the qualities that constitute correct manhood and good citizenship and is therefore eminently worthy of representation in a work of this character. Mr. Holden was born on February 28, 1863, in the township where he now lives, and is the son of James T. and Lucinda Jane (Hunt) Holden, both of whom were natives of Rush county. The subject's paternal grandparents were Reuben and Frances (Talbott) Holden, natives of Kentucky, whence they emigrated, in 1827, to Rush county, Indiana, where they estab- lished a homestead and spent the remainder of their lives. James T. Holden was reared in the Noble township home and secured a limited education in the common schools of that early period. He then obtained employment as a farm hand, but later for a number of years he operated rented land. He was energetic and a good manager, so that eventually he was enabled to buy land of his own, his first purchase of eighty acres heing increased to 137 acres, on which he made his home up to the time of his death, which oc- curred on November 6, 1909. Ilis wife had died on February 13, 1908. They became the parents of seven children, of whom five are now living, namely: William T., Flora A., C. Cade, Theodore F. and Ellen. Theodore F. Holden received his educational train- ing in the common schools of his home neighborhood and then
THEODORE F. HOLDEN
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turned his attention to the work of the home farm, on which he has spent practically his entire life. For many years he was an active agriculturist, giving his attention to general farming and he met with splendid success, so that he was enabled to lay aside the actual details of farm work and is now enjoying that rest which former years of labor entitle him to. He is the owner of 125 acres of well improved land, with substantial and well-arranged build- ings, all of which he now rents out. Mr. Holden gives stanch sup- port to the Democratic party. He is a member of the Little Flat Rock Christian Church. A man of genial personality and genuine worth, he has long enjoyed the sincere regard and loyal esteem of all who know him. Mr. Holden gives his thoughtful attention to local civic affairs, and to general movements having to do with the betterment of conditions in his home county. He has held a com- mission as notary public since 1908, and in 1920 was the census enumerator for Noble township.
ARTHUR BRADEN, whose excellent farm is located in Ripley township, Rush county, was born in Scott county, Kentucky, on the 26th day of December, 1862, and he is the son of Harvey and Dorcas (Powell) Braden, both of whom were born and reared in Kentucky. The father, who followed farming during the most of his active years in the Blue Grass state, came' to Rush county in 1878. To him and his wife were born twelve children, of which number seven are living, namely : Wyatt, James, Tison, Irvin, Arthur, Hallie and Lillie. Arthur Braden received his educational training in the schools of Scott county, Kentucky, and Rush county, Indiana. After leaving school he turned his attention to farming, remaining on the home farm until 1886, when he went over into Fayette county, and began farming on his own account on rented land. Two years later he went to Muncie, Ind., where he was employed by a glass factory as a straw buyer. After being engaged in that work for one year, Mr. Braden went to Scott county, Kentucky, and for two years was engaged in farming there. Then, his wife having died, he returned to Rush county and worked as a farm hand. Subsequently he again married and on the death of his father-in-law he and his wife moved on the place with Mrs. Braden's mother, where they continued until her death, October 29, 1909, when Mrs. Braden inherited the farm, com- prising 120 acres, where they now live. The farm is well equipped and improved in every respect, and here Mr. Braden is successfully carrying on general farming, and also gives considerable attention to stock raising, being one of the largest hog raisers in Rush county. He is energetic and progressive in his methods and has merited the repu- tation as one of the best farmers in his community. Mr. Braden has been twice married, first on September 9, 1886, to Belle Hardy, who was born in Scott county, Kentucky, the daughter of George and Rebecca (Jarvis) Hardy. This union was blessed by one child, Alma D., born on May 17, 1888, who became the wife of Albert J. Fields, an attorney at Bedford, Ind., and they have two children, Mary E. and Elizabeth. On June 9, 1890, Mr. Braden was married to Minnic
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A. McCarty, who was born on December 1, 1865, in Rush county, where she was reared and educated. She is the daughter of John and Catherine (Rhoeds) McCarty. John McCarty was born in Lin- coln county, North Carolina, March 14, 1816. When but four years of age he was taken to Champaign county, Ohio, by his parents, who settled on a tract of woodland. Three years later the mother died and seven years later the father remarried. In about 1833 the parents came to Indiana and settled in Rush county, where the father spent the remainder of his life, dying when eighty-three years of age. John McCarty remained in Ohio a short time after the removal of his parents, but in 1835 he likewise came to Rush county and here he too spent the remainder of his days. He was twice married. On December 24, 1836, he married Eliza Siller, who was born in Mont- gomery county, Ohio, on February 2, 1818. She died on December 14, 1863, and on February 1, 1865, Mr. MeCarty married Catherine Rhoeds, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, on October 10, 1828, the daughter of George and Sarah (Ruby) Rhoeds. When John McCarty was first married his only capital was a pair of willing hands and a courageous determination to succeed, and so energetic and per- sistent were his efforts that he succeeded in accumulating an estate of 120 acres of fine land in Rush county. His wife also owned forty acres of land in the same township. John McCarty died on December 22, 1895. Arthur Braden is a Democrat in his political predilections and he is a member of Knightstown Lodge, No. 266, Knights of Pythias, at Knightstown. He is a member of the Baptist church, and Mrs. Braden is a member of the Christian church. Personally, Mr. Braden is a man of genial manner, obliging disposition and public spirited in his attitude towards all movements for the advancement of the general welfare.
CHARLES H. FOUST, one of the substantial agriculturists and leading citizens of Ripley township, was born in that township, Jan- uary 22, 1858, a son of Henry and Rachel M. (Isgreeg) Foust. Henry Foust was born in Pennsylvania and as a young man came to Rush county, where he met and married Miss Isgreeg, a native of Ripley county. They spent the rest of their lives in Ripley township, where the father accumulated some 400 acres of land before his compara- tively early death when but forty-eight years of age. He was a man of great industry and native ability, and in his community was held in high esteem because of his high principles and strict integrity in matters of a business nature. He and his worthy wife were the par- ents of nine children, of whom five are living, Margaret, Josephine, Lucy, Columbus and Charles H. Charles H. Foust was educated in the public schools of Ripley township, where he attended the Stinger schoolhouse, and upon the completion of his studies began farming on the home place with his father. At the time of his marriage Mr. Foust built a house for himself and bride on the home farm and resided therein for some ten years. His mother then becoming enfeebled by the ill health of advanced age, Mr. Foust and his wife moved to her home and cared for her until her death. Since then Mr.
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Foust has continued to carry on general farming and stock raising operations on this land, which he has brought to a high state of pro- ductiveness. His crops are large and each year he ships about fifty head of hogs to the big markets. June 27, 1883, Mr. Foust married Mary Dieter, who was born in Adams county, Ohio, and resided there until her eighth year, when following the death of her father she was taken by her mother to Hancock county, Indiana, where she received her education in the public schools. Her parents were John C. and Mary J. (Smith) Dieter, the former a native of Strausburg, Germany, and the latter of Adams county, Ohio. Mr. Dieter immigrated to the United States in young manhood and followed farming in Adams county, Ohio, until his early death. He and his wife were the parents of six children, of whom three are living, John, Florence and Mary J. Mr. and Mrs. Foust have one son, Russell E., who was born on Sep- tember 18, 1891, and was educated in the public schools of Carthage, since which time he has been assisting his father in the work of the home farm. He married Louva Roberts, of Carthage, and they have one child, Edna G., born on August 7, 1914. The family belongs to the Methodist church at Carthage, and the Fousts are Republicans in their political allegiance.
RUSH W. TOMPKINS, proprietor of the leading general store at Milroy, and well and favorably known to the citizens of that thriv- ing little city where he has resided all his life, was born at Milroy on June 6, 1876, a son of Nathan E. and Louisa (Crosby) Tompkins, both natives of Rush county. Nathan E. Tompkins was reared at Milroy, where he adopted a business career and was for many years a merchant at that place. He was known to the people of his com- munity as a man of the highest integrity and strictest business honor, and also won respect and esteem by reason of his neighborliness and good citizenship. He and his wife were the parents of three children, Edward F., Mary C. and Rush W. Rush W. Tompkins completed high school of Milroy, after leaving which he became associated with his father in the conduct of the store. At the end of six years, in 1901, he and his brother, Edward F. Tompkins, bought out the father and continued the business at the same location for eleven years, at the end of which time they moved it to its present location. This is a modern establishment, and the leading general store of Milroy. A wide and well-chosen assortment of goods is carried and the industry and unfailing courtesy of the proprietors have combined to swell the trade and to make the business a flourishing one. Rush W. Tompkins is a stalwart Republican in his political views, and his religious relationship is with the Methodist church of Milroy. On January 23, 1902, he was united in marriage with Mary B. Winship, who was born in Rush county and who attended school at Richland. She is a daughter of William H. and Alice (Anderson) Winship, who passed their lives in farming in Rush county, where they accumu- lated 160 acres of land. They had three children, Lavone, Mary B. and Vera. Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins have one child, Alice Maurine, who was graduated with the class of 1921, Milroy high school.
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JOSEPHI FEY, one of the up-to-date farmers and stock raisers of Richland township, who has worked hard for what he now pos- sesses and who among those who know him best bears a reputation for sound judgment, exercising the duties of citizenship in a con- scientious manner, was born in Franklin county, Indiana, on June 7, 1872, and is the son of Adam and Sophia (Kutzendoffer) Fey, both of whom were born in Germany. Adam Fey came to the United States in young manhood and located in Franklin county, where his marriage occurred. He followed farming as a vocation, in which he was successful and became the owner of 120 acres of land. When he bought the land it was covered with timber, which he cleared off and broke the soil to cultivation. Ile improved the farm in every needful respect and made of it a good farm. To him and his wife eight children were born, namely: John, Benia, An- drew, Joseph, Edward, Albert, Mary and Carrie, Joseph being the only member of the family living in Rush county. Joseph Fey at- tended the schools of Franklin county, and on completing his studies obtained employment as a farm hand, his first pay being at the rate of $8 a month. He also clerked some in a store and as farmer and clerk he was employed until he was twenty-five years of age, when he rented a farm with his brother Andrew for two years in Franklin county. He then returned to the old home farm, which he operated until he was thirty years old. During the fol- lowing two years Mr. Fey rented a farm of 143 acres in Franklin and Rush counties, and at the end of that time returned to Frank- lin county, and for six years operated a rented farm of 133 acres. Then for five years he operated 160 acres of land in Rush county. In 1914 Mr. Fey bought 112 acres, comprising his present farm, and here he has given his efforts to make the farm one of the best in the locality, in which effort he has been notably successful. He keeps the farm well improved and carries on general farming and stock raising, feeding about a carload of cattle every year. Mr. Fey was married to Ella Marlin, the daughter of John and Caro- line Marlin. Politically he gives his support to the Republican party, and in everything pertaining to the welfare of the com- munity is deeply interested.
ALVA NEWHOUSE, trustee of Jackson township, one of the substantial farmers and leading citizens of that township and recog- nized as one of the representative men of Rush county, was born in Jackson township on May 30, 1867, and is a son of George L. and Mary S. (Downey) Newhouse. These parents were both born, reared and educated in Rush county, and here Mr. Newhouse followed agri- cultural pursuits all his life, mostly in Jackson township, where he owned a home of twelve acres. To him and his wife were born two children, the subject of this sketch and a sister, Elizabeth. Alva Newhouse attended the district schools of his home community, and then spent a year at the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio. During the following five years he was engaged in teaching school in Jackson
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