USA > Indiana > Rush County > Centennial history of Rush County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 38
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HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY
preferment at the hands of his party or his fellow citizens. He has been an active and willing supporter of all movements which have had as their object the betterment and advancement of his community.
GLENN E. MOORE, proprietor of one of the largest floral establishments at Rushville, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, July 15, 1886, only son of George F. and Irene (Hunt) Moore, both natives of Wayne county, this state, who had two children, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Hazel. For a number of years George F. Moore conducted a floral shop at Milton, Ind., then moved to Rushville and continued in the business here until 1913, when he retired, selling out to his son. Glenn E. Moore had excellent educa- tional advantages. Following his graduation from the high school at Rushville, he took a course in the Tri-State College at Angola, Ind., and upon his return home began to assist his father and has since continued engaged in the same business. In November, 1913, Mr. Moore purchased his father's plant and now has from 40,000 to 45,000 square feet of glass in his greenhouses. He grows many varieties of flowers but specializes on roses and carnations. On September 30, 1909, Mr. Moore married Lavonne Newhouse, who was born at Arling- ton, in this county, a daughter of William T. and Mary O. (Downey) Newhouse. The father of Mrs. Moore operated a blacksmith shop for many years at Arlington. She is the youngest of his three daughters, the others being Minnie A. and Rosa M. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have one son, Lowell E. T., who is attending school at Rushville. Mr. Moore and his family are members of the Christian church. Politically he has always been affiliated with the Republican party. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and belongs also to the Odd Fellows and Elks at Rushville. Mr. Moore is numbered with the enterprising and dependable business men of the city.
EARL H. SEARS, a well-known farmer of Center township, is a native of that township, having been born there on August 12, 1875, and is the son of J. Otto and Ella M. (Ballinger) Sears, the former also a native of Center township and the latter born in the state of North Carolina and brought to Rush county in her infancy. The subject's father has been a lifelong farmer in Center township, where he owns 120 acres of good land. Of the three children born to him and his wife, two are living, the subject of this review having a brother, Claude. Earl Sears was reared on the paternal farmstead and secured his educational training in the Schively Corner school. He remained at home with his father until his marriage, in 1899, when he began farming operations on his own account and is still pursuing that vocation, in which he has met with a satisfactory measure of success. He is still operating rented land, and is cultivating his father's farm of 120 acres. He follows general farming, and also raises considerable live stock, handling from 150 to 200 hogs a year. He is methodical and up-to-date in his work and overlooks no means to elevate the standard of his work. On January 11, 1899, Mr. Sears was married to Fern F. Duke, who was born in Rush county, but was educated in the public schools of Greensburg, in Decatur county.
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Her parents, John L. and Almeda (Williams) Duke, are both natives of Rush county, where the father followed farming throughout his life, being the owner of eighty acres of land. He and his wife had four children, namely: Elizabeth, deceased; Ina, Clennie and Fern F. Mr. and Mrs. Sears have one child, Lavaughn D., born on Novem- ber 2, 1902, who is now a senior in the high school at Knightstown. Mr. Sears is a Republican in his political views and takes a commend- able interest in public affairs, especially as pertaining to his own locality. He is now serving as assistant superintendent of roads for the fourth district of Rush county. He is a member of Lodge No. 99, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Knightstown. Mrs. Sears is an active member of the Center Christian church, while the daugh- ter is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Knightstown.
JOSEPH GREEN, who is successfully pursuing his vocation on a farm of 270 acres in Anderson township, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, September 12, 1864, and is a son of James Marion and Martha E. (Smith) Green, natives of Kentucky. The grand- parents of Mr. Green, James Green and his wife, who was a Nichol- son, were natives of the state of Kentucky, where they spent their lives in agricultural pursuits. James Marion Green also was born in the Blue Grass state, where he was reared, educated and mar- ried, and following the latter event moved in 1864 to Indiana and located in Putnam county. After a short time he moved from there to Boone county, this state, where he secured possession of forty acres of land, on which he farmed during the rest of his life. He and his wife, who also was a native of Kentucky, were the parents of nine children: Fannie, Nannie, Lilly, Nettie, Joseph, Charles, Frank, James and Willard, of whom Joseph only is a resident of Rush county. Joseph Green was an infant when taken by his par- ents to Boone county and there his education was secured in the rural schools. As a young man he took up farming on the home place, and also worked out among neighboring farmers, eventually coming to Rush county, where he was married. At the time of his marriage Mr. Green became a renter and continued as such for four years, when he bought seventy-eight acres, which acreage he has since increased by good management and wise investment to 270 acres, all of which is now under cultivation, and all located in Anderson township. Mr. Green has developed into one of the sue- cessful general farmers and live stock growers of his locality and feeds from 200 to 400 hogs annually. Mr. Green married Emily Harlan, daughter of Nathan and Sallie Harlan, and to this uniou there was born one child, Voorhees Green. After the death of his first wife Mr. Green married Clarissa Harlan, a sister of his de- ceased wife, and to this union there have been born six children: Oval Harlan; Lottie May, who married Ernest Bower; Clifford, who married Alta Handshoe, and has one child, James Willard ; and Ruth, Mary and George, who reside on the home place and are unmarried. Oval Harlan Green was born in Anderson township,
JOSEPII GREEN
OVAL HARLAN GREEN (Killed in Action at Soissons, France, July 18, 1918)
MRS. JOSEPII GREEN
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on October 14, 1893, and received his education in the schools of Anderson township and Milroy. After leaving school he took up farming with his father, and was so engaged until the entrance of the United States into the World war aroused his youthful patriot- ism and caused him to volunteer for service in June, 1917. He was accepted as a member of the Fifty-first Company, Fifth regiment, Second Battery, United States Marine Corps, and was sent to Paris Island, where he was in training until September, 1917, when he went to the Portsmouth (Va.) navy yards. On June 1, 1918, he started overseas and with his command'was sent immediately to the front and into action. After seeing hard fighting in Belleau Woods, he met a brave soldier's death at Soissons, July 18, 1918. Joseph Green is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows at Milroy, and in politics is a Democrat. He and the members of his family are widely known in their community, where they are held in the highest respect and esteem. Mrs. Green is a member of. the Christian church at Milroy.
JAMES W. MERCER, conspicuous among the representative agriculturists and stock raisers of Noble township, now residing in New Salem, has spent his entire life in this county. Mr. Mercer was born in Noble township on November 3, 1862, and is a son of John R. and Rebecca (Patterson) Mercer. Both parents were natives of Butler county, Ohio, where they were reared to maturity and were married. Several years after their marriage they came to Rush county and located in Noble township, where Mr. Mercer bought a farm of eighty acres and applied himself to general farming. He was successful in his efforts and increased his land holdings to 176 acres, lying in Noble and Richland townships. In 1865 Mr. Mercer ceased farm work and, moving to New Salem, engaged in the general mercantile business for a number of years. However, he finally again returned to farm work, locating in Fayette county, where his death occurred. He was a man of sterling qualities of character and in early life, in Butler county, Ohio, had been a successful school teacher. To him and his wife were born nine children, Genevera, Daniel W., Margaret Rosalpha, Emma J., James W., Olive Nancy, Jonas, Wilson Shannon and Rapha B. James W. Mercer received his educational training in the public schools at New Salem. Soon after leaving school, he was married and immediately thereafter rented ninety-six acres of land from his father and applied himself to its operation. After working rented land for about six years, he bought twelve acres of land, which he owned but a short time, and then sold that and engaged in the meat business at New Salem, following the latter business for several years. He then was engaged in the grocery business for about seven years, at the end of which time he bought forty-eight acres of land and again turned his attention to farming. Sometime later he sold that tract and bought eighty acres in Noble township, to which he has added twenty acres, making his present holdings 100 acres.
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Mr. Mercer follows a general line of farming, in connection with which he also gives some attention to the raising and feeding of live stock. Up-to-date and enterprising in his methods, he has met with a very satisfactory measure of success and is numbered among the progressive and representative agriculturists of Noble township. Mr. Mercer was married to Maggie McKee, daughter of James and Emily (Matthews) McKee. Mrs. Mercer is a native of Noble township and received her education in the local schools. Her father was a native of Rush county, while her mother was born and reared in Penn Yan, New York. James McKee, who was the youngest son of Nathaniel McKee, a native of Kentucky and one of the pioneer settlers of Rush county, was a farmer by vocation and also worked some at the black- smith trade. To him and his wife were born six children, of which number but two are now living, Mrs. Mercer and Henry, of Anderson, Ind. To Mr. and Mrs. Mercer have been born five children, namely : Grace, who became the wife of Leslie Miller and has two children, Ruth and Robert; Ethel, the wife of Glenn Guffin and the mother of three children. Lowell, Charles and Lucile; Fay, who became the wife of Carl Dausch and is the mother of three children, Russell, Norma and Florence : Eva, the wife of Earl Vogel; and Vera. Politically, Mr. Mercer is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, served as assessor of Noble township for three years, and can always be counted upon as a supporter of every worthy movement for the advancement of the community.
WILLIAM L. WALKER, an honored veteran of the Civil war, a former member of the board of commissioners of Rush county and formerly and for years postmaster of Carthage, in which city he is now living retired from the active labors of life, is a native son of Rush county and has spent all his life here. He was born on a farm in Center township, this county, June 19, 1943, a son of John W. and Cynthia (Phelps) Walker, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of North Carolina. The father was a lifelong farmer in Ripley town- ship, and became the owner of 400 acres of land. Of the five children in the family, only two survive: Amanda and William L. The edu- cational training of William L. Walker was acquired in the public schools of Ripley township, and at the age of eighteen years, in 1862, he enlisted in Company G, Sixteenth regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Civil war. He saw three years of hard and hazardous service, and during the engagement at Richmond, Ky., was captured by the enemy, but was subsequently exchanged and rejoined his regiment, with which he remained until the close of his term of service, being mustered out as sergeant major of the regiment. Upon his return from the war, the brave young soldier resumed farm- ing with his father, with whom he remained until his marriage, fol- lowing which he began operations on his own account on a small farm of forty acres, which he owned. In addition to this he rented other land, and as time went on and his capital increased added to his holdings from time to time until he had accumulated his present
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property of 199 acres, all in Ripley township. While he now resides at Carthage, he is still the owner of this property and supervises its. operation. In addition to being a general farmer, Mr. Walker has made somewhat of a specialty of raising live stock, and for a time was a successful breeder of Duroc hogs. Of more recent years he has devoted himself more especially to the raising of Shorthorn cattle, and his annual sales, at which he disposes of from twenty to thirty head, are largely attended by buyers from all over this and adjoining counties. He belongs to the various state cattle growers' associations and has been particularly active in the Shorthorn Breeders' Associa- tion. He bears an excellent reputation in business circles, and as a citizen has performed his duties in a capable and public-spirited manner. For nine years he was a member of the board of commis- sioners of Rush county, and for a like period held the postmastership at Carthage. In his political allegiance he is a stanch Republican. Mr. Walker, as a Mason, was the first to receive the degree of the lodge at Carthage. He belongs to the Carthage Methodist church. On March 11, 1868, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Nancy A. Hackleman, who was born in Rush county, daughter of Cicero and Elizabeth (Newhouse) Hackleman, farming people of this county, and who died on September 20, 1919. There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hackleman : Charlotte M., Mary A., Amanda, May, Cicero M., Nancy, James M., John and Richard, the last four of whom are deceased.
EPHRAIM W. BALL, senior member of the firm of Ball & Orme, grain elevator operators at Rushville, was born on March 13, 1856, at New Palestine, Hancock county, Indiana. His parents were William and Martha (Moore) Ball, the former of whom was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and the latter in Rush county, in which latter county they were married. Eight children were born to them : Mary, of Shelbyville, Ind .; Ephraim W., of Rushville; Olive, of Walker township, Rush county; Fannie, of Rushville; Edward, of Washing- ton, Ind .; Minnie, of Alexandria, Ind .; and Hattie and Lot, both of Rushville. The father of this family followed farming in Posey township, Rush county, during the greater part of his life, and owned 160 acres of fine land. Ephraim W. Ball attended the Offutt district school in Posey township and assisted his father on the home farm for a time, then went to Rushville and found employment with the A. G. Mauzy Elevator Company. He remained with this firm for twelve years, during which time he thoroughly mastered the elevator business, which knowledge he later turned to good account when he embarked in the same business in partnership with James H. Ball. For five years the enterprise was conducted under the firm style of the Ball & Ball Elevator Company, at the end of which time the business was sold, but two years later, when Arnold Orme went into the elevator business, Ephraim W. Ball re-entered business and the present firm of Ball & Orme was organized. It is still carried on at its original location which was formerly known as the Mauzy
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& Churchill elevator. A prosperous business with considerable expan- sion has followed, and the reputation of the firm is high. Mr. Ball has been twice married. On February 27, 1877, he was united in marriage to Belle Frazee, who was born in this county, daughter of Capt. James H. and Anna E. (Alexander) Frazee, who were the par- ents of five children, three of whom are still living, Mrs. Jessie Webb and Mrs. Mollie Gregg, of Rushville, and James Frazee, of Noblesville, Ind. To this union two children were born, Pearl and William H. Pearl Ball married Arnold Orme, Mr. Ball's business partner, and has five children, William, Thomas, Fern, Frank and Fay. William H. Ball also has been twice married and by his first wife is the father of two children, Kathryn and Donald. His second wife was Lillian (Ball) Seigersen. Following the death of Mrs. Belle (Frazee) Ball, Ephraim W. Ball married Mary Cherry, of Indianapolis. Mr. Ball and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. As a business man he takes an interest in civic affairs, has always been politically identified with the Republican party, and has served one term as city councilman. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, is a member of the Mystic Shrine and belongs also to the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the Red Men.
ORA V. SMITH, one of the well known farmers and land- owners of Union township living on R. F. D. No. 1 out of Falmouth, was born in Rush county, a member of one of the old families here, and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Union township on June 25, 1875, son of James and Rebecca (Dauben- speck) Smith, both of whom also were born in Rush county. James Smith, who is still living in Union township, is a member of one of the pioneer families of Union township, his father, George Smith, having been a son of Lewis Smith, who was one of the original entrants of land in that township, the Smiths thus having been represented here since the very beginning of a social order hereabout. James Smith "grew up" to the farm and has been engaged in the agricultural vocation all his life, one of the best known men in his home township. To him and his wife three ehil- dren were born, those besides the subject of this sketch being Verne and Lillie. Reared on the home farm, Ora V. Smith received his schooling in the local seliools and from the days of his boyhood has devoted his attention to farming. He remained on his father's farm, a valued assistant in the labors of developing the same, until his marriage when he rented his father's place. Then he bought a tract of 116 acres, the place on which he is now living, and there established his home. Mr. Smith has done well in his operations and by purchase of adjacent land has increased his holdings to 122 acres. He has developed and improved this place in admirable fashion and has a well equipped farm plant. In addition to his general farming he raises about 200 head of hogs a year and is recognized as one of the progressive farmers of the neighborhood. In 1912 Ora V. Smith was united in marriage to Henrietta Dissel-
ORA V. SMITII
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koen, who was born in New York state, a daughter of John and Marie Disselkoen, and to this union four children have been born, Florence, Ralph, James and Byron. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are Re- publicans. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Christian church and Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic lodge at Rushville. They have a pleasant home and take an interested part in the general social activities of the community in which they live.
BEN F. REEVE, who for many years has been substantially and honorably identified with the agricultural development of Noble township, from small beginnings rising to a prominent position and to the ownership of a property that enabled him to retire in 1917 upon a comfortable allowance, is a native son of Rush county and has lived here all his life. He was born on November 14, 1848, on the farm he still occupies in Noble township, a son of Elder Benjamin F. and Elizabeth B. (Parker) Reeve, the former born on October 28, 1798, in Prince William county, Virginia, of Welsh descent, and the latter of Kentucky. Further mention of Elder Reeve is made in the chapter on churches in this work. The parents of Mr. Reeve had three children, Hester, Jennie and Ben F. By a former marriage, with a Miss Driscoll, Elder Reeve had seven children, George Mac, Clay, Jack, Martha, Lillie, Elizabeth and Matilda. Ben F. Reeve spent his time after the usual manner of farmers' sons, sharing the educational, religious and social advantages of his neighborhood and forging to the front in his understanding and knowledge of agricul- ture. On leaving school he became associated with his father, with whom he remained until he attained his majority, then beginning his career as a renter on land owned by his father. When the elder man died in 1877, Mr. Reeve began the management and operation of his mother's farm of 160 acres, caring for her as well as the farm until her death in 1881, when he inherited fifty-three acres of the home place. That he was an exceptional manager and shrewd investor was patent to all who knew of his earlier struggles and the industry of his maturity, and he was later able to buy 120 acres additional, farming the whole tract of 173 acres until 1913. In that year he returned to the operation of the fifty-three-acre tract, which was cultivated by him until 1917, when he retired permanently from active labor. During his career Mr. Reeve applied himself to general farm- ing and stock raising. He always invested a reasonable share of his profits in improvements, and his property generally became one of the model and practical farms of the township. While not now engaged in active participation in farming, he still maintains his interest in matters agricultural, and is frequently consulted by the men of the younger generation who are entering upon their work in this field of effort. In 1871 Mr. Reeve was united in marriage to Lora Mitchell, daughter of Thomas V. and Amanda Mitchell, and to this union there have been born two children, one who died in infancy, and Margaret, who married Dr. George B. Jones and has one child, Richard. Mr. Reeve's first wife died in 1876 and in 1882 he married
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Sue Gray, a daughter of George and Mary Gray, and who died on January 10, 1920. Two children blessed this union: Frank, who married Abbie Shrader; and J. Blaine, who married Bertha Bowen and has two children, Agnes and Lillian. Mr. Reeve is a consistent member of the Little Flat Rock Christian Church. He is a stalwart Republican in his political views.
T. L. BEHER, one of the farmers of Rush county who have, by their own efforts, climbed the ladder of success until they are now in a position to command the respect and confidence of their fellows, is a native son of Rush county, having been born in Jackson township on February 19, 1871. His parents, Oren and Laura (Smith) Beher, were both also natives of Rush county. The father followed agricul- tural pursuits during the major portion of his life, or until 1900, when he retired and moved to Carthage. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, of which number seven are living, namely : Howard B., Cleveland, Herbert, Myrtie, Abigail, Olie and T. L. T. L. Beher was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the David schoolhouse, in Jackson township. After completing his studies he remained at home, assisting his father in the farm work until his marriage, when he began farming on his own account, first on rented land. After renting for about two years, Mr. Beher bought the place where he now lives in Center township, comprising 101 acres of excellent land, on which he has placed many permanent and sub- stantial improvements, maintaining the fertility of the soil and meet- ing with a satisfactory measure of prosperity. He has remodeled the house, built a new barn and now the place is one of the most attrac- tive in that locality. Mr. Beher carries on a general line of farming. and also gives some attention to the raising of live stock. On October 5. 1890, Mr. Beher was married to Bertha Florea, who was born on the place where she now lives, and who received her education in the Ball school in Center township. She is the daughter of Josiah and Martha (Price) Florea, the former a native of Adams county, Ohio, and the later of Rush county. Mr. Florea was a successful and prom- inent farmer, owning 120 acres of land in Rush county and 120 acres in Grant county, Indiana. To him and his wife were born eleven children, of which number six are now living, namely: Mrs. Sarah Saunders, of Battle Creek, Mich .; Mrs. Mary Johnson, of Shirley. Ind .; Mrs. Anna Dore, of Knightstown, Ind .; Mrs. Lena McDaniel, of Mays, Ind .; Mrs. Bell Jones, of Center township, Rush county, and Bertha, wife of the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Beher have no children of their own, but they have an adopted daughter, Doris, the wife of Edward Berry, a bookkeeper in Rushville. Politically. Mr. Beher is independent, preferring to vote for the man and measures approved by his own judgment, rather than to follow blindly the dic- tates of party. Fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 35, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, at Rushville. Quiet and unassuming in manner, Mr. Beher possesses the qualities which beget friendships and he is popular to a marked degree among his associates.
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