USA > Indiana > Rush County > Centennial history of Rush County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 41
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HUGH C. ARCHEY, a veteran of the Spanish-American war, former editor of the Milroy Press and a well known and progres- sive young farmer of Orange township, this county, was born in Rush county, and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Richland township on October 2, 1880, son of James P. and Eliza- beth (Hill) Archey, the latter of whom also was born in Indiana, a member of one of the old families of the neighboring county of Franklin. James P. Archey was born in Rockbridge county, Vir- ginia, but came to Indiana with his parents when but a lad, the family locating in Franklin county, where he married Elizabeth Hill. Shortly after his marriage he came over into Rush county and located in Richland township, later moving to Orange town- ship and still later to the village of Milroy. He became a substan- tial farmer, the owner of a good farm of 240 acres, and was also for years engaged in the shipping of live stock. James P. Archey and wife were the parents of seven children, of whom six are still liv- ing, those besides the subject of this sketch being Effie, Edgar, Zelma, Clyde and Cleveland J. Reared on the home farm in Orange township, Hugh C. Archey completed his schooling in the schools of Milroy and was but eighteen years of age when the Spanish- American war broke out in 1898. He enlisted his services as a member of A Company, One Hundred and Fifty-eighth regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command until it was mustered out at the termination of the brief war. About a year later he married and then began farming on his own account, renting a part of his father's farm, and was thus engaged for about fifteen years, at the end of which time he took over the Milroy Press and was for two years engaged in conducting the destinies of that sprightly newspaper, but finding newspaper work not so much to his liking as was the old line he returned to farming, locating on the farm he now occupies in Orange township, and after about five years of tenancy there bought the farm, a well kept place of 120
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acres, and is very comfortably established. In addition to his gen- eral farming Mr. Archey feeds out from two to three car loads of hogs a year and is doing well. It was on February 1, 1900, that Hugh C. Archey was united in marriage to Eva E. MeCracken, who was born on a farm in the neighboring county of Decatur, daughter and only child of Benjamin P. and Margaret (Robins) MeCracken, both of whom also were born in Decatur county, members of pio- neer families there, and to this union one child has been born, a son, Lawrence C. Archey, born on May 13, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Archey are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Milroy, and have ever taken an interested part in church work, as well as in the general social activities of their home neighborhood. In his political views Mr. Archey is "independent." Fraternally, he is affiliated with Milroy lodge, No. 139, Free and Accepted Masons, and with the local lodge, No. 5851, Modern Woodmen, and in the affairs of both of these fraternal organizations takes a warm interest.
WILLIAM FISHER, the subject of this sketch, has spent prac- tically his entire life in Rush county and is a worthy representative of one of its pioneer families, the Fishers having been identified with Rush county since 1821, which year marked the arrival here of Jacob Fisher and wife, both of whom were natives of Pennsyl- vania, where they were reared and married. Later they migrated to Clermont county, Ohio, where they lived until their removal to Indiana, where Jacob Fisher entered 160 acres of Rush county land. This land, which was still in its primeval wildness when he obtained it, was splendidly located and he at once applied himself to the task of clearing it and putting it in cultivation. He created a fine farm and there spent the remainder of his life. To him and his wife were born nine children, of which number the youngest was Jacob, father of the subject of this review. Jacob Fisher, junior, was born, reared and educated in Richland township, and here spent his entire life engaged in agricultural pursuits. He eventually became the owner of 320 acres of land and occupied a leading place in the community, having served for eighteen years as trustee of Richland township. IIe married Elizabeth Jane Buck, of Preble county, Ohio, and their union was blessed in the birth of nine children, of which number six are now living, namely : Marcus, William, Mary, Martha, Lula and Ira. William Fisher, who was born in Richland township on January 18, 1856, was reared under the paternal roof and secured his elemental education in the public schools of Richland township, completing his studies in Richland Academy. He remained on the home farm, assisting his father until his marriage, when he rented the old Fisher home- stead, which he operated for two years. IIe then moved to Riclı- land and since 1884 he has been renting and operating the farm on which he now lives, comprising 298 acres. He also gives some at-
WILLIAM FISHER
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tention to the raising of live stock, feeding about 125 hogs a year. He keeps the farm well improved and is numbered among the intel- ligent and practical farmers of Richland township. Mr. Fisher was married to Mary Ray, the daughter of David and Mary Ann (Loper) Ray, and they have one child, a son, Charles J. Fisher, who married Pearl Brown. To the latter union has been born a daughter, Margaret S. Mr. Fisher has been a life-long supporter of the Democratic party and served for seven years as assessor of Richland township. IIe and his family are active members of the Christian church at Clarksburg. His life has been a record of un- ceasing industry and honorable effort and he has richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
OSRO M. DRAPER, a progressive farmer of Ripley township and a fit representative of the young and enthusiastic agricultural element recruited from the farming class of Rush county, has passed his entire life in Rush county. He was born in Posey township, on July 22, 1894, his parents being James O. and Viola (Nelson) Dra- per. Mr. Draper belongs to a farming family which has long re- sided in Rush county, and which has contributed in no small way to its development. His education was acquired in Posey town- ship, where he had the advantages of attendance at the Beaver Meadow schoolhouse, after leaving which he became associated with his father in the cultivation of the home acres. The partner- ship existing between father and son continued until the latter's marriage, when he started out upon an independent career, and moved to the property which he now occupies, a tract of 120 acres which he rents from Ezra IIill. Mr. Draper is a young man of pro- gressive ideas and naturally his work is carried on according to the modern methods of his vocation. His general farming opera- tions have been successful, and as a grower of live stock he has likewise met with prosperity, he now shipping approximately 100 hogs annually. On February 18, 1917, in Posey township, Mr. Draper was united in marriage to May Plummer, who was born in Hancock county, this state, a daughter of William and Hattie (White) Plummer, natives of Rush county, who were the parents of four children, Vernie, Orville, May and Margaret. Mrs. Draper was educated in Center township and at the schools of Carthage, and is a faithful member of the Christian church at Carthage. Mr. and Mrs. Draper have one child, Anna Louise, born on December 1, 1917. Mr. Draper maintains an independent position politically, preferring to depend upon his own judgment rather than to follow blindly the call of party. He is a lover of good horses, and has in his stable a Belgian horse, which at the age of two years and eight months weighed 1,800 pounds.
GEORGE WEINGARTH, a well known general farmer, op- erating 230 acres of land lying in Rush and Shelby counties, is a resident of Walker township, Rush county. He was born in Union
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township, Shelby county, September 6, 1871, a son of Henry and Julia (Theobold) Weingarth, the former born in Germany and the latter in the state of Ohio. Henry Weingarth served three years in the Civil war, as a member of Company K, Eighteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, after which he engaged during the rest of his life, in general farming in Shelby county, this state. Of his eight children the following are living: George, Albert, Nora, Williamn, Catherine, and Emma Louise. Charles died on January 10, 1900, at the age of thirty years. George Weingarth obtained his school- ing in Shelby county and assisted his father on the home farm until his marriage, when he moved into Morristown, in Shelby county. During the eleven years he lived there, he was an active business man and was superintendent of the line of the Morristown Gas Company, of which company he was a director. In 1911 he re- turned to the homestead and since then has been operating the farms in Rush and Shelby counties on shares with his mother. He carries on a general farm business, growing grain, produce and stock. On March 5, 1902, Mr. Weingarth married Etta Nelson, who also was born in Shelby county, daughter of Francis M. and Mary J. (Smith) Nelson. The father of Mrs. Weingarth served three years in the Civil war, a member of Company E, Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, surviving the dangers and hardships of army life as did IIenry Weingarth. Of his family of eight chil- dren, six are living, Etta, Elva, Minnie, James, Luther and John. Mollie and Rose are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Weingarth have three children, Marie, Julia and Paul, all of whom are in school, the two elder being students in the high school at Manilla, Marie graduating with the class of 1921. Mr. Weingarth and his family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Manilla. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Morristown, in which he has passed the chairs. In politics he is a Republican.
WILBUR C. BROWN, farmer and stockraiser in Orange town- ship, this county, and trustee of that township, was born in Shelby county, Indiana, January 8, 1872. His parents are William J. and Missouri (Hume) Brown, the former a native of Shelby county and the latter of Illinois. They have four children, Harvey F., Stella, Clarence and Wilbur C. William J. Brown has been a farmer dur- ing the greater part of his life and owns 110 acres in Orange town- ship. Wilbur C. Brown attended the Selby district school in Orange township and afterward assisted his father on the home farm until his own marriage, following which he operated rented land for about twenty years. His wife then inherited 180 acres of land in Orange township, to which he added by purchase a tract of forty acres, and now has 220 acres all in one body. He carries on a general line of farming and raises about two car loads of hogs together with some cattle and sheep annually. Mr. Brown is not only a successful farmer, but he is a useful citizen in a public way.
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He is now serving as township trustee, and for years was township assessor, elected to both offices on the Democratic ticket. On Sep- tember 5, 1894, Wilbur C. Brown married Myrtle M. Paulus, who was born in Orange township, this county, daughter of Daniel and Hulda (Hungerford) Paulus. The father of Mrs. Brown was a farmer and stockman in Rush county and owned 331 acres of land in Orange township. He had but two children, Rena and Myrtle. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two children: Mary, who married Earl Harcourt, a farmer in Orange township, and has one son, Robert Lincoln, and Carrie, who is the wife of Clifford Harcourt, a farmer in Orange township. Mr. Brown and his family are members of the Christian church at Moscow. He belongs to Milroy Lodge, No. 139, Free and Accepted Masons, and to Milroy Lodge, No. 204, Knights of Pythias, at Milroy.
JAMES D. CLIFTON, a well known citizen and experienced farmer of Washington township, this county, was born in that township, March 14, 1873, a son of William A. and Martha E. (Kerr) Clifton. Both parents were born in Fayette county, Indiana, were reared and married there and then came to Rush county. William A. Clifton was an extensive farmer and stockraiser, at first operating 220 acres of land in Washington township and later operated 400 acres. He continued active until his death in 1912. The children of William A. and Martha E. Clifton were Maude, Nellie, Ethel, Thadeus, James D., Louella and Fannie, all surviving except Louella and Fannie. James D. Clifton had school advan- tages in Washington township, then assisted his father until his twenty-first birthday. He then purchased eighty acres of land in Washington township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since closely devoted himself. He married Edith A. Cum- mins, of Fayette county, Indiana, and they have three sons, Harold, Ray and Paul. Harold Clifton married Addie Dunavent, who was born in Kentucky, and they have three children, Wilma, Dorothy, and Harold, Jr. Ray Clifton married Ollie Dunavent, a native of Kentucky, and they have one son, Russell. Mr. Clifton and his sons vote the Democratic ticket. Mr. Clifton is held in high regard in fraternal circles at Falmouth, where he belongs to the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Red Men's lodges. Mrs. Clifton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Falmouth.
HARLEY WIKOFF, a well known citizen and successful farmer and stockman of Washington township, this county, was horn in that township, October 24, 1862, and was early adopted by J. M. and Jane (McCrory) Wikoff, both of whom were born in Rush county and died here, the former on January 18, 1913, and the latter, May 29, 1912. J. M. Wikoff was a prosperous farmer and stock buyer in Washington township, and was quite prominent in county politics, at one time serving on the board of county com- missioners. He was a son of Garrett Wikoff, who was born on Feb-
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ruary 3, 1799, and died on February 24, 1886. He founded the family in Rush county, coming here among the pioneers from Ohio, and entered land in Union township, which is now occupied by Edward Dolan. Harley Wikoff attended Fairview Academy and for about three years afterward was his father's main helper on the home farm, when he married, moving to another farm belonging to his father. His present well improved farm of 100 acres originally belonged to his father. It is a fine, well kept property and Mr. Wikoff turns off about 150 hogs a year. He gives his entire time to the management of his farm and all his industries are in a pros- perous condition. On March 12, 1884, he married Alfa Clifford, daughter of the Rev. Edward H. and Elizabeth (Franklin) Clif- ford, both of Rush county, and the former of whom aside from preaching devoted much time to farming and had also been engaged in merchandising in Indianapolis and Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Wikoff have one daughter, Lena, who is the wife of Richard Gray, of Fayette county, and an adopted son, Franklin Wikoff Clifford. Mr. Wikoff and his family are members of the Christian church at Fairview. In politics he is a Democrat.
E. O. GEORGE, for many years a substantial agriculturist of Rush county and a factor in its material growth and civic and moral upbuilding, was born in Franklin county, Indiana, on Decem- ber 15, 1871, and is the son of William H. and Lavina R. (George) George, who were born, reared, educated and married in Franklin county. While still a lad William H. George turned his attention to farming, remaining with his parents, Henry and Anna George, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Will- iam H. George came to Richland township, this county, where he engaged in farming for a few years, and then moved to Noble township, where he was engaged in farming up to the time of his death, at which time he was the owner of 320 acres of land. To him and his wife were born eight children, of which number seven are living, namely : E. O., Chester, Arthur, Anna, Frank, Riley and Earl. E. O. George received a good practical education in the public schools of his native county, and thereafter he was en- gaged in farming on the home place until 1892, when he came to Richland township and bought a small tract of land and at the same time rented other land, to the operation of which he devoted his energies with such success that in 1916 he was enabled to pur- chase 103 acres, comprising the nucleus of his present farm, and he also inherited forty acres from his father's estate. IIere he carries on general farming operations, including the handling of some live stock, feeding about one hundred head of hogs and a car- load of cattle annually. For about twenty years Mr. George has also operated a threshing outfit, with which he has covered a large part of the surrounding country. He maintains his place at a high state of improvement and is thoroughly up-to-date in his
E. O. GEORGE
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methods of work. Mr. George was married to Nelle Sparks, the daughter of Mrs. Edna (Sparks) Carr, and they have one child, Charles, who is now attending school. Mrs. George is an earnest member of the Christian church at Andersonville. Mr. George gives his support to the Republican party and is a member of the Masonic lodge at Andersonville. He is genial and unassuming in manner and is held in high esteem throughout his community.
CHASE P. MAUZY, one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Jackson township, and a member of the city council of. Rushville, is a prominent factor in the agricultural and civic life of his community. IIe was born in Jackson township, December 1, 1882, a son of Greeley P. and Alice (Newhouse) Mauzy, a review of whose lives will be found elsewhere in this work. Chase P. Mauzy secured his schooling in the country schools of Jackson township and the graded and high school at Rushville, and after leaving the latter engaged in farming in association with his father. Subsequently he embarked upon a career of his own, and at the present time is the owner of eighty acres of land in Jackson and Union townships, in addition to which he rents 210 acres from his father. He operates all of this land as a general farmer and live stock raiser, and each year feeds about 300 head of logs and from fifteen to twenty head of Shorthorn cattle. He is energetic in spirit and progressive in his views, and his industry and good man- agement are combining to win him deserved success. In politics a Republican, Mr. Mauzy has entered actively into civic affairs, and during his two terms as a member of the Rushville city council has shown himself a constructive and valuable worker in that body. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of the Elks, and of the blue lodge, the chapter, the council and the commandery of the Masonic order, and holds membership likewise in the Ruslı- ville Social Club. With his family he belongs to the Christian church. On November 29, 1905, Mr. Mauzy married Florence Davis, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, daughter of Oliver G. and Alice (Smith) Davis. Mr. Davis, who conducted an undertak- ing establishment at Williamsburg, Ind., was the owner of about 600 acres of land in Wayne county, but always rented his farm. Mrs. Mauzy owns 200 acres of the tract, which is operated by her husband. Oliver G. Davis died on February 22, 1914. Mrs. Davis passed away September 3, 1907. They were the parents of two children, Howard and Florence. To Mr. and Mrs. Mauzy there have been born two children, Emily, born on July 13, 1907, and Ruth, December 21, 1912, both now attending school at Rushville.
JOHN H. BROWN, a well known general farmer in Walker township, this county, was born in Union township, Shelby county, Indiana, July 18, 1865, one of a family of eight children born to Robert C. and Mary (Bright) Brown. His parents were born, reared and married in Shelby county, where his father was a, farmer
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all his active life. Mr. Brown has two brothers: Scott Brown, who lives at Manilla, this county, and Samuel C. Brown, who is a resi- dent of Waldron, in Shelby county. John H. Brown obtained a public school education in Union township, Shelby county, and re- mained at home helping his father until he was twenty-one years old. Then he worked as a farm hand for several years before rent- ing land and starting out on his own responsibility. After about fourteen years as a renter, he bought forty acres in Walker town- ship, this county, which he still owns and operates as a general farmer. On August 17, 1889, he married Mima Hewitt, who was born in Shelby county and who died on April 3, 1891, her burial being in the Vienna cemetery. Her parents were Martin and Nancy (Ray) Hewitt. On December 14, 1893, Mr. Brown married Sylvia Lee, who was born in Decatur county, Indiana. She died on March 27, 1895, her burial being in the Vienna cemetery, where also rests their one child, Earl, who lived but five months. On September 5, 1897, Mr. Brown married Katherine Weingarth, who was born in Union township, Shelby county, Indiana, October 5, 1872. Her parents were Henry and Julia (Theobald) Weingarth, well known and substantial people of Shelby and Rush counties. Her father was a veteran of the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had five children : Julia I., Alma M., Emma E., Claudius and Robert. Julia I., widow of the late Forest Webb, a farmer in Rush county, has a son, Hugh V. Alma M., who was the wife of William Ormes, a mechanic living at Connersville, Ind., died on October 24, 1918, and her burial was in East Hill cemetery. Emma E. was graduated from the Manilla high school with the class of 1921. The other children are still in school. Mr. Brown and his family belong to the Christian Union church at Homer. In politics he has always been a Democrat, but not a seeker for public office. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Manilla and also to the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias at Blue Ridge in Shelby county.
JAMES GRAY, one of the oldest and best known farmers and landowners of Rush county, proprietor of an excellent farm in Union township, now living retired at Mauzy, is a native son of Rush county and has lived here all his life, a witness to and participant in the amazing development that has taken place hereabout since the days of his boyhood. He was born on a pioneer farm in Union township on February 8, 1834, son of James and Mary (Nichols) Gray, who were among the early settlers of that township. James Gray and his wife were Virginians. They decided to make their home in the promising lands then being opened up in the comparatively new Hoosier state and having disposed of their interests in Virginia drove through with their belongings and located in Union county, this state, where for a year James Gray operated a grist mill. In March of the next year he came on over into Rush county and bought an "eighty" in Union township where he established his home and spent
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the remainder of his life, his death occurring there in 1872. His widow survived him for eight years, her death occurring in 1880. James Gray was a good farmer and as his affairs prospered he added to his original "eighty" until he was the owner of a fine farm of 300 acres in Union township and was long accounted one of the sub- stantial and influential men of that community. He and his wife were the parents of six children, all of whom grew to maturity but of whom the venerable subject of this sketch now is the only survivor, the others having been Margaret, Mary, Nancy A., John and George. The descendants in the present generation of the pioneer James Gray and his wife form a quite numerous connection, many families of which continue to make their home in Rush county, and of all these James Gray, the only surviving son of these pioneers and the subject of this biographical narrative, is the acknowledged dean. In his own family his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the latter comprising the fifth generation of Grays in this county, are in them- selves a considerable assemblage when all together and the venerable head of the family is justly proud of the manner in which the name is being perpetuated. James Gray grew up on the pioneer farm in Union township above referred to and in the then somewhat primi- tive schools of that neighborhood received his schooling. As a young man he continued working on the home farm helping his father develop the same and when he married at the age of twenty-three, established his home on the place and continued operations in asso- ciation with his father until the latter's death in 1872, when he took over the old home place and there continued to make his home until his retirement from the farm in 1919 and removal to Mauzy, where he and his wife are now living and where they are very comfortably situated. Mr. Gray has an excellent farm and always insisted on having things kept up in "ship-shape" fashion. He had increased his original interest in the home acres to 202 acres, but not long ago disposed of forty-nine acres of this tract and now is the owner of but 153 acres, all of which is well improved and profitably cultivated. In his political affiliation Mr. Gray is a Republican and has given his ardent support to the principles of that party ever since the time of its organization in 1856, in which year he had his first presidential vote. He and his wife are members of the Ben Davis Christian church and have ever given their interested attention to church work and to the general good works of the community of which they so long have been an influential part, and in which during their long residence there they have done much to promote movements having to do with the advancement of the common cause; during this time hav- ing witnessed wonderful changes in the manners and customs and in comparison with other days have many interesting stories to tell con- cerning the manner of doing things in "the good old days." On December 20, 1857, more than sixty-three years ago, James Gray was united in marriage to Martha Jane Nichols, who was born in Illinois,
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