USA > Indiana > Rush County > Centennial history of Rush County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 3
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IIISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
In addition to his professional interests he was the owner of a fine farm in Jackson township. In 1872, he married Cordelia J. Barnard, a daughter of Brasilla G. and Rachel (Roberts) Barnard, residents of Posey township, this county, and to them were born five sons: Lueien L., Hallie W., Frank H., Charles S., and Derby B. Dr. Frank H. Green was born on July 20, 1876, at Arlington, the third son of Dr. Lot Green, and after attending the common schools of Jackson township and the high schools at Gings Station and Rush- ville he was matriculated at Indiana Medieal College at Indianapolis. from which institution he received his M. D. degree on March 31, 1897. Return to Rushville, he began to practice with his father, with whom he continued until February 21, 1905, when he began to practice for himself. He took post-graduate work for three months in 1901 at the New York Post-Graduate Hospital and again in 1917. For fifteen years he ably assisted Dr. John C. Sexton, having been a member of the Sexton Hospital staff for that length of time. On October 3, 1918, he entered the military service of the country as a .captain in the medieal eorps, was stationed first at Ft. Oglethorp, Ga., for three months, and then at Camp Sheridan at Montgomery, Ala., where he was discharged in January, 1919. While at Ft. Oglethorp Captain Green completed a three-months course in X-ray, further perfeeting himself for civilian practice. On returning to Rushville, he opened a private hospital, making it possible for him to enlarge the scope of his work as well as enabling him to discharge more efficiently the duties entailed by his large clientele. On No- vember 23, 1898, Doctor Green was married to Kate R. Kiplinger, a danghter of Daniel F. and Mande H. Kiplinger. They have had one child. a son born in 1900, who died in infancy. Although almost his entire time is occupied by his professional duties, Doetor Green gives some attention to the 146-acre farm in Rushville township, which he and his brother Derby own. He is well known in fraternal bodies in Rushville, being a member of the Masonie order, Knights of Pythias, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Improved Order of Red Men. Politieally he is a Republican, and has never failed with his support in any worthy cause either in the realm of politics or in civie welfare. Doetor Charles S. Green, the fourth son of Doctor Lot Green and one of the county's leading dental surgeons. was born in the town of Occident, Jaekson township, this county, December 2, 1883. True to a family tradition, he deeided on a career of professional practice, though in a slightly different branch of the medieal seienee than that followed by his forebears, and after completing the course of study prescribed in the common schools of Jackson township and the high school at Rushville, he entered Indiana Dental College, from which he received the degree of D. D. S. in 1906. He returned to Rushville to enter upon the practice of his profession. and has won many supporters by the excellent character of the work he does, as his clientele all know that there is no improvement, inven- tion, or scientific discovery made in dentistry of which Doctor Green does not take instant advantage. He married Elma H. Retherford, a daughter of Robert and Lila Retherford, and they are the parents
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IIISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
of two children: Frank H., Jr., and Justine. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights of Pythias, in all of which he enjoys unusual popu- larity. The principles of the Republican party coincide most nearly with his political views, and it is there that his support is given.
WILLIAM M. BOSLEY, proprietor of the grain elevator at Milroy and who also is engaged in the coal and seed business at that place, a progressive and well known business man of this county. was born at Milroy and has lived there all his life. For ten years he was a member of Rush county's excellent teaching staff and then took up work at the elevator, presently buying the same and for nearly twenty years past has been proprietor of the plant, the busi- ness of which during that time he has greatly enlarged. Mr. Bosley was born on July 17, 1873, son of Samuel H. and Nora (Smith) Bosley, both of whom spent their last days here, the latter dying in 1911 and the former in 1918. Samuel H. Bosley was born in Ander- son township, son of Elijah Bosley, a Kentuckian, who had come to this county and settled in the Milroy neighborhood in the early . days. Some time after coming here Elijah Bosley moved up into Boone county but did not remain long there, presently returning to this county and locating at Williamstown, where for many years he was engaged in the general merchandise business. Samuel H. Bosley was reared in Anderson township, received his schooling there and as a young man became engaged as a carpenter and wagon maker, which trade he followed all his active life. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted his services in behalf of the Union and went. to the front as a member of K Company, Fifty-fourth regiment. Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and upon the expiration of that term of enlistment re-enlisted and returned to the front as a member of E Company, One Hundred and Twenty-third regiment, Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, serving about three years, and was thus with "Pap" Thomas on that general's memorable campaign South and took part. in the battle of Atlanta. Upon the completion of his military service Samuel H. Bosley returned to his home in this county, resumed his activities as a builder at Milroy and here spent the remainder of his life, a well known and useful citizen. He and his wife were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being as follows: Frances, wife of W. O. Fishback; George C., of Richmond; Maude, wife of L. E. Berner, and Nell, wife of J. L. Parsons. William M. Bosley was reared at Milroy and received his schooling in the excellent schools of that place. He prepared himself for teaching and for ten years was occupied during the winters as a teacher in the schools of this county. In the meantime during the summers he had been more or less engaged about the elevator at Milroy and in 1903 bought the elevator, which he ever since has been operating and which he has enlarged in every way. The Milroy elevator has a capacity of 15,000 bushels and is the center of the grain trade of a considerable area about Milroy. Mr. Bosley also does quite an extensive business in coal and seeds and has for years been recognized as one of the leading
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
business men of that part of Rush county. In 1899 William M. Bosley was united in marriage to Laura Bowling, daughter of Hiram and Alzina Bowling, and to this union two children have been born, William, who died in 1914, at the age of six years, and Catherine, born in December 2, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Bosley are members of the Christian church and take an active interest in church work, Mr. Bosley having been an office bearer in the church since 1896 and an elder from 1898 to January, 1921. In his political views Mr. Bosley is a life-long Republican, and takes a proper part in local eivie affairs. He is a York-Rite Mason, a member of the Milroy blue lodge, and of the commandery, Knights Templar, at Rushville, and is also a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, affiliated with Murat Temple, Indianapolis. He also is a member of. the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias at Milroy and in the affairs of these several orders takes a warm fraternal interest.
JESSE E. CREED, hardware merchant at Manilla, Ind., was born in Shelby county, Indiana, September 19, 1866, one of a family of mine children born to Smith and Laura (Henderson) Creed. The father was born in Shelby county and the mother in Rush county. Six of their children are living : Flora B., Lianna, Jesse E., John N., Theodore B. and Herman. Jesse E. Creed was reared on his father's farm of sixty acres in Shelby county and obtained a public school education in Liberty township. Instead of becoming a farmer like his father, he learned the blacksmith trade under his brother, the late William H. Creed, and followed the same for twenty-three years. About 1906 he embarked in the hardware business at Manilla, at his present location, and has built up a very satisfactory trade, handling farm implements as well as a full line of dependable hardware. On June 16, 1891, Mr. Creed married Martha M. Shook, who was born at Manilla, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Bell) Shook, who had a family of seven children, the following surviving : Robert M., Charles C., Amanda, Ida and Martha. Mr. Shook followed the shoemaking trade at Manilla. Mr. and Mrs. Creed had one child, who died in infancy. They are members of the Christian church at Manilla. In politics Mr. Creed is a Democrat and while residing in Walker town- ship, he served four years in the office of assessor. He is a past noble grand of Homer Lodge, No. 471, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
JESSE G. GRAY, a well known farmer of Jackson township. residing on rural mail route No. 8, out of Rushville, is a native son. of Rush county, having been born in Jackson township on November 6, 1876. His parents, James and Polly A. (Cross) Gray, were also natives of this county and here the father followed farming through- out his active life, being the owner of 141 acres of land in Jackson township. To him and his wife were born three children, all of whom are living, namely : Frances C., Emma J. and Jesse G. Jesse G. Gray attended the Downey school, district No. 4, and then turned his attention to the cultivation of the home farm, remaining with his father until about thirteen years after his marriage. He then moved onto the place where he now lives, comprising eighty acres, which he
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
operates for his mother. He carries on general farming operations. raising all the crops common to this locality and also giving some attention to the raising of hogs, feeding and marketing about one hundred and fifty head a year. Mr. Gray was married on April 30, 1899, to Lola A. Havens, a native of Posey township and the daughter of John and Adonia ( Able) Havens. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have a son, Wilbur, born on October 19, 1900, who attended the Osborn schoo!, in his home township. Politically, Mr. Gray is a staunch advocate of the Democratic party and takes a deep interest in public affairs, especially as pertaining to his county and township. Fraternally, he is a member of Ivy Lodge, No. 27, Knights of Pythias, at Rushville. Personally, he is genial and companionable and his friends are in number as his acquaintances. On October 19, 1919, his nineteenth birthday, Wilbur Gray enlisted in the marine corps and served for five months. In the spring of 1921 he became a Freemason, taking the degrees in Phoenix lodge at Rushville.
CHASE G. CROSS, one of the successful young farmers of Jaek- son township whose capable management of his own business inter- ests and his sound judgment have brought him prosperity, was born in that township on September 18, 1892, the son of John F. and Olive (Powell) Cross, who are mentioned specifically elsewhere in this work in the sketch of John F. Cross. The subject was educated in the schools of Rushville and immediately after quitting his studies he began working with his father, for whom he worked until his marriage. He then engaged in farming on his own account, renting two hundred and forty acres of land from his father and he has continued successfully to follow the vocation of farming, meeting with pronounced sneecss. Besides the cultivation of the soil, Mr. Cross gives considerable attention to the raising of live stock, raising about 400 hogs and a carload of cattle each year. He is up-to-date in his ideas and has demonstrated his efficiency and capability in no uncer- tain manner. On October 25, 1911, Mr. Cross was married to Jennie M. Osborn, who was born in Shelby county, Indiana, but who was reared and educated in Rushville township, this county, graduating from the Rushville high school in 1908. She is the daughter of Lucian B. and Harvina (Gruell) Osborn. To Mr. and Mrs. Cross have been born three children, Olive, Mary Ellen and Annabelle. £ The first named is now attending school at Henderson. Politically, Mr. Cross gives his support to the Democratic party. Genial and com- panionable in disposition and courteons in manner, Mr. Cross enjoys a marked degree of popularity among all with whom he associates.
ALBERT W. RIGSBEE, a leading citizen and representative agriculturist of Posey township, has spent practically his entire life in that locality. Ilis has been an active and useful life and he is thoroughly in sympathy with any movement looking toward the ad- vancement of the best interests of liis community. Mr. Rigsbee was born in Posey township on September 23, 1882, and is a son of Alveron and Clara E. (Swain) Rigsbee, both of whom also are natives of Posey township, Mr. Rigsbee having here followed agri- cultural pursuits during all of his active years. Of the two children
Dr Horatio G. Sexton 1822 - 1865
Dr. Marshall Sexton 1844 - 1892
The Sexton Hospital 1902
Dr. John C Sexton 1882
Dr. Cullen Sexton 1920
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
born to him and his wife, the subject of this review is the only sur- vivor. Albert W. Rigsbee received his educational training in the common and high schools of Posey township and after completing luis studies he turned his attention to the farm where he now lives and which is owned by his mother, with whom he lives. His father died when the subject was but two years of age. The home farm comprises eighty acres and in addition to this Mrs. Rigsbee owns thirty-two and one-half acres in Posey township and Mr. Rigsbee twenty acres in the same township and sixty acres adjoining just across the line in Hanover township, Shelby county, which he rents, confining his personal efforts to his mother's land. He carries on general farming and also raises some live stock. He has put exten- sive repairs on the place and has erected some new buildings, placed new fencing and done a good deal of tiling, with the result that this farm now compares favorably with the best in the community. Mr. Rigsbee is a Republican in politics and stands high in the esteem of, all who know him. He and his mother are charter members of the, Indiana Society of Mayflower Descendants, attaining their member- ship by right of descent from John Howland, who came over in the "Mayflower" in 1620.
JOHN CHASE SEXTON, M. D. The outstanding name in the medical profession of Rush county is that of Sexton, four of the name having been prominent practitioners whose services have ex- tended over a period covering nearly one hundred years. Dr. Horatio Gates Sexton, the grandfather of Dr. John C. Sexton, was among the earliest pioneers of the county. He was born in Wil- braham, Mass., January 21, 1796, a son of David Sexton of that city, and when a young man decided that there were greater op- portunities for advancement in the western states of Ohio or Indi- ana than in the older settled parts of the country. Accordingly, he made his way toward the West, and while engaged in teaching at Harrison, Ohio, began the study of medicine under a Dr. Cruik- shank. He had a natural talent as a doctor, and in about 1820 was far enough advanced in his studies to warrant his entering the ranks of the profession for himself, which he did, locating at Springboro, Warren county, Ohio. In 1822, he came to Indiana and located at Rushville, which at that time was nothing but a collection of modest cabins in the wilderness. His ability was soon recognized, and the confidence of the people resulted in his winning a fortune second to none in the county. He was one of the charter members of the Rush County Medical Society (1846), and took a keen interest in the welfare of that organization. He was also one of the founders of the Presbyterian church in Rushville, and re- mained one of its most ardent workers until the time of his death, June 13, 1865. He had married, in 1822, Hannah Pugh, of Spring- boro, Ohio, and to this union were born twelve children, of whom Marshall and Leonidas were two. The latter of these two sons came in later years to be one of the most prominent men of the state of Indiana-lieutenant governor of the state and representa-
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
tive in the forty-fifth Congress of the United States. Following the death of the mother of these children Doctor Sexton married Lucretia Cramer, and to that union was born one child, a son, Cramer Sexton, who is still living, now a resident of Tennessee. Dr. Marshall Sexton was born at Rushville, January 29, 1823, and after receiving his preliminary education in the schools there spent two years at Hanover College. He then began to study medicine with his father, and in the year 1842, was matriculated at Ohio Medical College from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1844. For ten years thereafter he practiced at Rushville with his father, continuing alone until the outbreak of the Civil war, in which he served as surgeon of the Fifty-second regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, until the spring of 1863, ill health then making it imperative that he resign his commission. He returned to civilian life at Rushville, where he remained until the long years of his successful practice were terminated by his death, January 9, 1892. He had been married in Wilmington, Ohio, in May, 1844, to Miss E. S. Brooks. They became the parents of five children, Horatio G .; Louise, afterward Mrs. George Ha- vens; Mrs. Ruby HI. Frazer, of Xenia, Ohio; Sally M., widow of Dr. Charles H. Parsons, of Rushville, and John Chase Dr. John Chase Sexton was born on January 21, 1859, at Rushville, and his early career was almost identical with that of his father. After being graduated from the Rushville high school in 1876, he entered Hanover College, and after nearly three years at that institution commenced the study of his profession under his father. In 1880 he went to Cincinnati to attend the Ohio Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1882 with the degree of Doctor of Med- icine. He took up active practice in partnership with his father, but wishing to have further training along medical lines he later took post-graduate work at Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. He was then equipped to take a commanding position in the pro- fession, and he quickly became recognized as one of the ablest practitioners in the state. He is looked upon as an authority in gastro-intestinal surgery and was made professor of that chair at the Indiana University Medical College. In 1902 Doctor Sexton instituted the only hospital within the boundaries of Rush county, and at this building, which is located on Sixth street between Main and Perkins, he carries on his practice. On September 27, 1882, Doctor Sexton was married to Hannah Cullen, the only daughter of Judge William A. Cullen, who was for years one of the leaders in Rush county legal and judicial activities. To them have been born two children: Frances E. and Dr. Marshall Cullen Sexton, the latter of whom passed the state medical examination in 1920 with a high grade, after completing his medical course at Miami Medical College, and is now associated with his father in practice. Dr. John C. Sexton has always been active in the work of the med- ical associations and is an ex-Fellow of the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a member of the American
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
Medical Association, a member of and ex-president of the Indiana Sate Medical Society, and a member of the Rush County Medical Society and the Union District Medical Society. The series of por- traits accompanying this review portray the four generations of the Sexton family who have maintained a continuing practice in Rushville, with the dates of the respective service of each of the doctors, beginning with Dr. Horatio G. Sexton, whose practice con- tinued from 1822 to 1865; Dr. Marshall Sexton, 1844-1892; Dr. John C. Sexton, continuing since 1882, and Dr. Cullen Sexton, 1920.
JOSEPH G. McCOY, a successful farmer of Posey township, was born in Rushville township, this county, on April 26, 1866, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (Moran) McCoy. Both of these parents were born in Ireland, but come to this country, he when three years of age and she at the age of thirteen years. Their families located in Niagara county, New York, where they were reared and married. Immediately after the latter event they came to Indiana, and engaged in farming in Rush county. He met with splendid success and at the time of his death was the owner of 465 acres of land. This worthy couple became the parents of eight children, all of whom are living, namely: John, Frank, Joseph G., Rose, Thomas, Mary, William and Elizabeth. Joseph G. McCoy received his educational training in the public schools of Walker township and Rushville. He early turued his attention to farming and remained under the parental roof until his marriage. He then went to work on his own account and rented a farm from his father, which he continued to operate as rented land for thirteen years, or until his father's death, when he inherited the land and it is still his home. He carries on a general line of farming and also handles some live stock, raising about eighty head of hogs annually. On October 24, 1899, Mr. McCoy was married to Elizabeth Schattner, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Henry and Mary Schattner, both of whom were born in Germany, coming to the United States in their childhood. He became a cabinet maker by trade. To Mr. and Mrs. McCoy have been born six children: Thomas, John, George, Joseph, Edith and Stella, all of whom are living. Politically, Mr. McCoy is an ardent supporter of the Democratic ticket. Religiously, he is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church at Rushville. Mr. McCoy is a member of Council, No. 769, Knights of Columbus, at Rushville, to which his sons, Thomas and John, also belong, the former holding the office of outer guard.
ROBERT SIMPSON DAVIS, a successful farmer of Rush county who conducts his agricultural operations in Richland town- ship from his home in Rushville, was born in Anderson township, this county, on August 14, 1859, the son of Samuel H. and Mary E. (Henry) Davis, both natives of Maysville, Fleming county, Kentucky. Samuel H. Davis was born on June 3, 1831, the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Henry) Davis, both natives of Fleming county, Kentucky. Robert Davis, familiarly known as "Uncle Bobby," became one of the most widely known men in Rush county, having come here in an early day and acquired 120 acres of land. He left Kentucky when
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
his son Samuel was six years of age, located in Richland township, and here the boy grew to manhood. He received his education in the primitive schools of the times and then took up farming. When he engaged in business for himself it was ou a farm of 240 acres in Anderson township that his wife had inherited. When he moved onto the place it was almost a virgin forest, but he cleared the land, living the while in a log cabin, and as the years passed brought it out of its wild state into a well-improved farm. He increased his holdings to 580 acres, all lying in Anderson and Richland township, and on his farms he did a general farming and stock raising business. He was one of the pioneers of the sheep industry in this county, entering extensively into this department of stock raising, and having as high as 1,200 head on hand at a time. He also would feed out between seventy-five and 100 head of hogs, usually ran a car load of cattle a year, and in addition dealt largely in fine horses. His thrift and industry were well rewarded, but he did not allow his prosperity to blind him to the needs of others. He gave largely to the poor, and was one of the best beloved and most highly respected men of the entire community. To him and his wife were born six children . Henry, who is living at Milroy, this county; Robert Simpson, Eliza- beth, Mrs. Ed Spradling, of Rushville, John, Mae, Mrs. John W. Anderson, and Charles, living at Milroy. Robert Simpson Davis at- tended No. 4 school house in Richland township, and also the old Richland Academy, a far-famed institution of learning of the time, after leaving which he took up farming with his father. He then for a time engaged in business for himself as a renter, and then was able to buy a farm of 116 acres in Richland township. In 1896, he went into the livery business in Rushville, and for nineteen years continued to be successfully engaged in that capacity. He was the owner of a fine string of from ten to fifty horses, but when it became evident to him that the automobile was to supersede the horse he sold out and went into the meat business, conducting an excellent market for some time. This he kept but also returned to his first calling, farming, buying a farm of eighty acres in Richland township, and the management of this together with the cares of his meat business keep him busily employed. He was united in matri- mony to Ida Margaret, the daughter of Freeman and Lucinda Ellston. Mr. Davis has always been counted among the strong supporters of the Republican party, and while he has never sought political prefer- ment for himself, he takes a keen interest in all local and national affairs. In his fraternal connections he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Christian church.
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