USA > Indiana > Rush County > Centennial history of Rush County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 31
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
received his education in the public schools of Posey township, princi- pally at the Conaway schoolhouse, so named because of its proximity to the Conaway home. After completing his studies he began his farming career as a hand in the fields of the neighboring agricultur- ists, and continued to be thus employed until his marriage, at which time he rented the home farm. After one year as a renter from his father, he moved with Mrs. Conaway to the home of his father-in-law, William H. Nelson, a tract of eighty acres in the same township, and there remained for fifteen years, during which time he carried on operations as a renter. Disposing of his interests, he went to Colorado, but found conditions there not to his liking and accordingly returned to Rush county and for about eighteen months made his home at Arlington. He then secured his present farm of forty acres in Ripley township, where he has made numerous improvements and has substantial buildings, high-grade equipment and a good grade of live stock. He has devoted himself to general farming and his industry and good management have combined to make his operations a success. Mrs. Conaway is the owner of 205 acres of valuable land in Posey township, now being operated by tenants. On December 31, 1891, Mr. Conaway was united in marriage with Mertie M. Nelson, who was born in Posey township, daughter of William H. and Elizabethı (Adams) Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Conaway are members of the Chris- tian church, belonging to the congregation at Carthage. Politically a Republican, Mr. Conaway is a stanch supporter of his party's prin- ciples, but has not sought the honors of public office, having been con- tent to express his good citizenship through his co-operation in worthy civic movements.
CHARLES J. CARON, whose name, in the minds of the people of Rushville, is indissolubly connected with the manufacture and sale of candies, ice cream and sweetmeats, has been identified as proprietor of the Caron Confectionary, now one of the city's thriving enter- prises, since 1902. Mr. Caron was born at Union City, Ind., July 12, 1868, a son of John and Lydia (Romiser) Caron. John Caron was born in Darke county, Ohio, and as a young man went to Ran- dolph county, Indiana, settling at Union City, where he was employed for many years as a finisher in a furniture factory. Mrs. Caron was a native of Randolph county, and they were the parents of eight children, of whom four are living: Peter, Edward, Mary and Charles J. Charles J. Caron was educated in the parochial schools of Union City, and on leaving school took up the trade of cabinet-maker, which he followed for about twenty years. In 1902 he came to Rushville and opened his present establishment on North Main street, having now been in the same location for nearly twenty years, although on several occasions he has found it necessary to rearrange his establish- ment and to make additions thereto in order to meet with the demands of a constantly increasing business. He now operates an ice cream factory with a capacity of 300 gallons daily, and manufactures all the ice cream which he sells, in addition to making most of the candy handled in his establishment. He does both a wholesale and retail
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business, and elose study of his business has given him many secrets of composition which add to the delicacy and piquancy of his products, which are high in favor with the people of Rushville and the surround- ing communities. Mr. Caron is a Democrat in politics. He belongs to the Rushville Rotary Club, and as a fraternalist holds membership in Rushville Council, No. 764, and fourth degree of Indianapolis Knights of Columbus; and Rushville Lodge, No. 1307, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. With his family, he belongs to St. Mary's Catholic church of Rushville. In June, 1897, Mr. Caron married Helen Wallace, born at Union City, Ind., and educated in the paro- chial school there, a daughter of Patrick and Helen (Leary) Wallace, Mr. Wallace being a road contractor. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, all of whom are living, James, Edward, John, William, Catherine, Daisy, Mary and Helen. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Caron: Jerome, who served about fifteen months as a member of Company K, Thirtieth Infantry, Third Divi- sion, during the World war and participated in numerous battles, including Champagne, Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse and Argonne, and is now associated with his father in business; Lester, who is also assisting his father in conducting the business ; Cyril, who is taking civil engineering and chemistry courses at Purdue Univer- sity ; and Katherine, who is attending Ursiline Academy, at St. Mar- tins, Ohio.
CHARLES E. KINCAID, one of the well known and successful farmers of Richland township, not only has achieved success along steady lines of action, but has also been deeply interested in the advancement of the locality. Mr. Kincaid, who operates a splen- did farm of 240 acres, is a native son of the old Hoosier state, hav- ing been born in Decatur county on May 17, 1868, and is the son of John C. and Sarah (Patterson) Kincaid, the former a native of Decatur county, Indiana, and the latter born in the state of Ken- tucky. John C. Kincaid was reared to manhood in his native county, and was there married. After following agricultural pur- suits there for a number of years, he engaged in the general mer- cantile business at Clarksburg, which commanded his attention for a number of years. He is now living in Kokomo, Ind., where he is following the carpenter trade. He is descended from sterling old Kentucky stock, from which state in an early day came his paternal grandfather, John Kincaid, who entered land in Decatur county and there spent the remainder of his days. ITis son, David, father of John C. Kincaid, also lived and died on that farm. To John C. and Sarah Kincaid were born fourteen children, of whom eleven are living, namely : Charles E., Samuel, Nora, Clyde, Bertha, Clin- ton, John, Cora, Albert, India and William. Charles E. Kincaid spent his boyhood days on the paternal homestead and received his education in the schools of that locality. For several years he was employed in his father's general store at Clarksburg. after which he bought and for a short time operated a store in Shelby
CHARLES E. KINCAID
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
county. Then, following his marriage, he located on the farm where he now lives and which he operated for eleven years. During the following eight years he operated a hotel and livery barn in Clarks- burg, at the end of that time returning to his farm, to which he has continuously since devoted his attention. He also gives con- siderable attention to the breeding and raising of live stock. Pro- gressive and up-to-date in his methods, he is considered one of the most enterprising farmers in Richland township and occupies a deservedly high position in the esteem of his fellow citizens. Mr. Kincaid was married to Pearl Moore, the daughter of Jasper and Mary (Stevens) Moore, and to them have been born two children, Ralph, who is now pursuing the agricultural course in Purdue University, and Sanford, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid are members of the Christian church, while fraternally, Mr. Kin- caid belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained the degrees of the council, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. In political affairs, he gives his support to the Democratic party and he takes an intelligent part in all movements for the general welfare. Mrs. Kincaid also was born in Decatur county, of which her parents for years were residents. Her father, Jasper Moore, was born in Hamersville, Ohio, and her mother (Mary Stevens) was born in the vicinity of Milford, Ky. Following their marriage in Kentucky, Jasper Moore and his wife came to Indiana and located in Rush county in 1852, Mr. Moore becoming engaged in farming here. He presently moved to Cincinnati and was there a number of years engaged in business with the George Biglow dry goods house, later returning to In- diana and locating at Clarksburg, where he opened a general store and continued thus engaged at that place the remainder of his life. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, of whom but two are now living, Mrs. Kincaid and her brother, Rufus S. Moore.
CHARLES R. OLDHAM, one of the successful agriculturists and respected citizens of Center township, this county, is a native of the township now honored by his citizenship and was born on December 7, 1859. His parents were James and Levina (Moffitt) Oldham, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Knox county, Ohio. Both were brought to Rush county in childhood by their respective parents and were here reared and educated. James Oldham followed the vocation of farming throughout his active life and from the time of his marriage until death he lived on the farm now occupied by the subject of this sketch. He was eighty-one years of age at the time of his death. He owned 180 acres of land in Center township, Rush county, and eighty acres in Randolph county, Indiana. To him and his wife were born eight children, five of whom are living, namely: Mollie, Ella, Charles R., Lillie and Chester. Charles R. Oldham received a good practical education, having attended the common schools of Center township, the school at Mays, and then two years at Spiceland Academy. On completing his studies he turned his
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attention to farming, devoting his energies to the home farm up to within a year of his marriage, when he went to Ringgold county, Iowa. Returning to Rush county a year later, he was married and then for two years he operated rented land in Center township, but once more he went to Iowa, where he remained about four years. Returning to Indiana, he located on rented land in Hancock county, where he remained for about five years, at the end of which time he bought eighty acres of land, which he sold three years later. For two years he rented land, and then bought 100 acres in Center township, which he still owns. On the death of his father he bought the old homestead farm, consisting of 180 acres of excellent land and where he now lives, thus giving him a total of 280 acres of land. Mr. Oldham and his sons operate all this land and have been rewarded through the years by a satisfactory measure of success. He carries on general farming operations and also gives some attention to live stock, feeding about two carloads of hogs annually. On February 28, 1884, Mr. Oldham was married to Martha Huddleson, a native of Center township and the daughter of John J. and Elizabeth (Turner) Huddleson, the former of whom was a farmer and the owner of 100 acres of land in Center township. To Mr. and Mrs. Oldham have been born five children, four of whom are living, namely: Herschel, a farmer in Center township, who married Nellie Heiner; Ralph; Clarence, and Ruby, wife of Marion Stoten, of Knightstown, Indiana. Mr. Oldham is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Spiceland, Ind., while his political faith is that of the Republican party.
HARRY E. STAGER, whose fortunes since 1889 have been identified with Rush county and who at present is the owner of a well-cultivated property in Ripley township, a community in which he is held in high esteem, was born at Jonestown, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1862, a son of Henry and Mary E. (Roebuck) Stager. His father, who in early life was a teacher and later turned his attention to the wood-turner's trade, enlisted during the early days of the Civil war in an infantry regiment of volunteers from Pennsylvania, and took part in the battle of Bull Run. Con- tracting disease while in the service, he returned to his home and there passed away while still a young man. Harry E. Stager acquired a public school education at Jonestown, and as a youth learned the vocation of miller, which he followed for some eighteen years. It was while he was thus employed that he came to Rush county in 1889, and continued to interest himself in this line for several years thereafter. He then turned his attention to the creamery business, and for seven years was successful in conducting the creamery at Carthage, at the end of that period disposing of his interests and purchasing his present farm in Ripley township, a tract of ninety- four acres which he has continued to cultivate. Mr. Stager is indus- trious, progressive and enterprising and has combined these qualities with good management in a way that has brought him well-merited success. He has substantial and attractive buildings and modern equipment and in every way is considered representative of the best
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agricultural element of the community. On March 31, 1891, Mr. Stager was united in marriage to Sallie R. Gear, who was born at Carthage, a daughter of Henry and Mary E. (Hill) Gear, well-known and highly respected farming people of this county. She received her education in the public schools of Carthage and at Earlham Col- lege, Richmond, Ind., and is a woman of superior attainments. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stager: Mary Inis, who married Allen T. Blacklidge, of Rush county, and has one child, Betty, and Henry G., who is unmarried and assists his father on the home farm. Mr. Stager, the elder, belongs to the Carthage lodge of the Masonic fraternity. With his family, he holds membership in the Carthage Methodist Church, and in politics he is a Republican.
THEODORE HUMPHREY, a substantial farmer of Richland township, is a native son of the old Hoosier state, having been born in Union county, Indiana, on April 25, 1846, and he is the son of Robert and Margaret (Crist) Humphrey, both of whom also were natives of Indiana, the father having been born in Union county and the mother in Franklin county. On the paternal side the subject is descended from sterling old Scottish stock, his grandfather having been John G. Humphrey. Robert Humphrey grew to manhood, received his early education and was married in his native county. He followed farming pursuits there until 1848, when he located in Decatur county, where he bought a farm, to the operation of which he devoted himself thereafter, excepting one year when he farmed in Franklin county. He was the owner of 100 acres of land. To him and his wife were born four children, of whom the only survivors now are the subject of this sketch and a sister, Amanda. Theodore Humphrey attended the schools of Decatur county and on attaining mature years took up farming on the home place, his father having died some years previously. He remained with his mother until he was twenty-nine years of age, when he married and came to Rush county. He first began his farming operations here on rented land, and so continued for thirteen years. He then bought his first farm of eighty acres and so successful was he in its operations and so wise his management that he was enabled to increase his land holdings to 240 acres, all in Richland township. He made many permanent and substantial improvements on his land, which he devoted to general agricultural purposes and stock raising, and gained a high reputation as a progressive and enterprising farmer. He has been retired from active business pursuits since 1910 and is now enjoying the fruits of his former years of toil. In 1875 Mr. Humphrey was married to Elizabeth J. Stephenson, who was born in Anderson township, Rush county, the daughter of Newton and Rosanna (Mitchell) Stephenson, both of whom also were natives of this state. Newton Stephenson was a farmer by vocation, having farmed on rented land in Anderson township and also farmed in Tipton and Boone counties, this state. To him and his wife were born five children, of whom Mrs. Hum- phrey is now the only survivor. To Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey have been born four children, namely: Robert, who married Margaret
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Dickinson and has three children, Guy, Bertha and Dale; Grace, a professional nurse, who was graduated from the Frankfort Hospital, at Philadelphia, Pa .; Frank, who married Bessie Brickler and has two children, Harold and Dorothy; Mattie, who died at the age of seventeen years. Mr. Humphrey and his family are members of the Spring Hill United Presbyterian Church of which he is an elder. Politically, he is a Democrat.
GEORGE W. DARNELL, whose residence in Anderson town- ship covered a period of about a quarter of a century, was a well- known farmer and stock raiser and a citizen honored for the con- scientious discharge of his duties in whatever walk of life he pur- sued. IFis death, therefore, December I, 1910, was sincerely and generally mourned. Mr. Darnell was born on December 25, 1862, in Scott county, Kentucky, a son of James and Mary Darnell, both natives of the Blue Grass state, and farmers who passed their en- tire lives in Scott county, Kentucky. Of the children of James Darnell and wife only two came to Rush county, George W. and his brother, John Darnell, who now resides near Falmouth. George W. Darnell received his education in the district schools of his native state, and when his training in this direction had been com- pleted took up farming as an employe of others. He was past his majority when he came to Rush county and for a time worked in the fields as a hand, but at the time of his marriage began farming on his own account, and two years later located on the property in Anderson township upon which was spent the balance of his life. Mr. Darnell was a Democrat, a faithful member of the Christian church at Milroy, and affiliated with the lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America. He was united in marriage with Ella Bar- ton, daughter of James A. and Lucinda (Amos) Barton, and to this union there were born four children : James Clarence, who mar- ried Mabel Foster and has four children, Mildred, Kenneth, Mo- rine and Lorene; Mary E., who is unmarried; Clara Barton, who married John Vansickle and has two children, Dorothy Mae and Earl; and J. Albert, who is unmarried and resides on the home farm. Mrs. Darnell was born on the farm on which she now lives, in Anderson township. Her father, a native of Kentucky, came to Rush county as a young man, here met and married Mrs. Barton, a native of Rush county, and passed the rest of his life here in agri- cultural operations. There were five children in the Barton fam- ily, of whom two survive: Mrs. Darnell, and Lura, who married Henry Davis. Mrs. Darnell is a helpful member of the Christian church at Milroy.
CHARLES B. KENNER is one of the prosperous farmers of Noble township, who finds it profitable to feed his grain to cattle and hogs, and is making a success of his agricultural labors. He was born in Brown county, Ohio, January 31, 1858, son of William L. and Mary (Bordon) Kenner, both of whom were also born in Ohio. William L. Kenner was reared, educated and married in his native state. He
GEORGE W. DARNELL
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learned the carpenter trade, and from that went into ship building work, and in the latter connection went to Covington, Ky., living in that city from 1858 until 1866 when he came to Rush county, located in Noble township, and here began farming, alternating work at that calling with carpentering until his death which occurred in 1872. His widow survived him until 1890, when she passed away. While he farmed to quite an extent in Noble township, he rented his land. He and his wife had nine children, seven of whom survive, namely : William Taylor, Belle, William Frank, Charles B., Ella, Dan and Ralph. Charles B. Kenner attended the country schools of Rush county until old enough to work out as a farm hand in the summer and a sawmill operator in the winter, and he continued to follow these two occupations for seven years. At the end of that time he was married, and then began farming, for twelve years renting land for that purpose. He and his wife then inherited the home- stead of 135 acres of land from her father's estate, all of which is in Noble township, and moved to it, and here they have since resided. Mr. Kenner raises about forty-five acres of corn and the same amount of small grain, and feeds it to hogs and cattle, feeding out from 100 to 150 head of hogs annually. All his life he has been a general farmer and stockraiser and believes that his land is best adapted to the pur- poses to which he devotes it. Mr. Kenner married Priscilla, daughter of John S. and Priscilla (Thompson) Looney, and they became the parents of five children, namely : Ray, who is the eldest; Grace, who married Harry Armstrong and has two children, Charles Borden and Robert Allen; Clarence, who married Rhoda Applegate and has one child, Marcella; Arthur, who married Bessie Baring; and Louise, who is deceased. In politics Mr. Kenner is a Republican and he is a mem- ber of Little Flat Rock Christian Church.
FRANK HUBER, one of the well-known agriculturists of Center township, this county, was born in that township on March 12, 1879, the son of Fred and Katherine (Hoff) Huber, the former a native of Franklin county, Indiana, and the latter of Dearborn county, Indiana. The father followed farming all his life, in Center township during the major portion of this time, being the owner of eighty acres of land. He and his wife were the parents of five children, all of whom are living, namely : Claude, Elizabeth, Cora, Mable and Frank. The last named was educated in the common schools of Center township and after leaving school turned his attention to agriculture, working on the home farm up to the time of his marriage. After the latter event he worked by the month as a farm hand for about a year and then began to operate rented land, in which method he still continues, now renting his father-in-law's farm of 100 acres in Center township. He also owns twenty-five acres of land in that township. He is a thoroughly practical and painstaking farmer and carries on a general line of operations, raising all the crops common to this locality. He also gives due attention to that most valuable adjunct of the up-to- date farm, live stock, raising about sixty lead of hogs a year. He keeps the place in good repair and is considered a good farmer. In
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1898 Mr. Huber was married to Elsie Lyons, who was born and reared in Center township, the daughter of Charles and Florence (Downey) Lyons, both of whom also are natives of Rush county. Mrs. Lyons was a cultured and well educated woman, having supplemented her public school education by attendance at a normal school at Xenia, Ohio. Mr. Lyons was a farmer and stock-buyer, having bought stock over much of the surrounding country. He was successful and owned 125 acres of land in Center township. To him and his wife were born three children, Blaine, Nellie and Elsie. To Mr. and Mrs. Huber have been born three children, namely: Pauline, who is the wife of Clay Shields, a farmer in Center township; Carroll and Mar- garet, who are attending school. Politically, Mr. Huber is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and gives his influence toward the advancement of every enterprise or movement for the general welfare.
D. D. BALL. It is a well authenticated fact that snecess comes not at the caprice of chance, but as the legitimate result of well-applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a definite course of action. The subject of this sketch sought no royal road to success, but has followed the well-beaten paths of those who have won in the battle of life along legitimate lines. As county agent of Rush county he is today giving a service to the community of inestimable value and second in importance to no other line of effort. D. D. Ball was born in Rushville, Ind., on February 11, 1894, and is the son of James H. and Carrie M. (Overman) Ball, also natives of Rush county. Here the father was reared and educated and later took up farming and stock raising. He became a very successful breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, and also was extensively engaged in the grain business here for some years. Several years ago he moved to Roswell, New Mexico, and later to Enid, Okla., where he now resides. To him and his wife were born six children, namely : Myron O., Donald D., James R., Harold H., Cedric O. and Florence H. Donald D. Ball attended the public schools of Rushville up to the second year in high school, when the family moved to New Mexico. There he completed his high school course and then entered Purdue University, where he took the course in agriculture, receiving his degree from that institution in 1917. Soon afterward he was appointed county agent for Daviess county, Indiana, filling that position until 1920, when he was appointed county agent for Rush county, which position he is now filling to the entire satisfaction of all who are interested in the advancement and development of better farming methods and conditions. On February 11, 1919, Mr. Ball was married to Hazel Plummer, the danghter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Plummer, and they are the parents of one child, Anna Belle. Mr. and Mrs. Ball are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Rushville. He is a member of the college fraternities, Delta Tau and Alpha Zeta. Personally, Mr. Ball is genial and obliging in man- ner, gives evidence of a thorough knowledge of the subject which he has made his life work and has created a most excellent impression on those with whom he has worked or come into contact.
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