USA > Indiana > Rush County > Centennial history of Rush County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 58
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son of Alexander Hite, who was born in Virginia and migrated to Indiana, as a single man in 1823. He worked his way to the possession of 270 acres of good land in Rush county and made his home on his farm here until his retirement to Clarksburg, where he died with the respect and esteem of the entire community. He was the father of thirteen children, among whom was James D. Hite, who was born, reared and educated in Richland township, where he married Malinda Patterson, a native of Kentucky. His education was acquired in one of the first free schools in Richland township, and after completing his studies he worked in association with his father for about two years, following which he was married and at that time purchased his first land, a small tract of twenty acres, which forms a part of the farm now operated by his son. Mr. Hite was a man of industry and ability and during the course of an active career acquired 262 acres, all in Rush and Decatur counties. In 1895 he retired from active pur- suits, and from that time until his death lived a quiet life, enjoying the fruits of the years of his early labor. He and his wife were the parents of four children, of whom two survive, Ira B. and Walter E. Ira B. Hite was given excellent educational advantages in his youth, first attending the schools of Richland township, later the high school at Clarksburg, from which he was graduated with the class of 1887, and then Butler College, where he took a classical course of two years. He followed this by one year at Indiana University, where he studied economics and law, and after leaving college spent two years in read- ing law at Greensburg. With this preparation, Mr. Hite was emi- nently equipped for a city career, but chose. instead, the environment of the country, and when he entered on his active career it was as a farmer and live stock raiser. Locating on his father's property, he commenced its cultivation, and at this time is operating 125 acres and making a decided success of his activities. He feeds out about 100 head of hogs a year, and in every department of his work uses the most modern and highly approved methods. Mr. Hite married Grace Brandt, daughter of John Brandt, and to this union there have been born two children, J. Virgil and Vera Louise, studious and purposeful young people who are attending school at Clarksburg. Mr. and Mrs. Hite are members of the Christian church. Mr. Hite is well and favor- ably known in Masonic circles, being past master of his lodge and a Knight Templar, and also is a noble of Murat Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the latter of which he has passed through the chairs. In politics he is a Democrat.
HENRY HOOTEN, deceased, who long was a representative citizen and substantial farmer of Anderson township, this county, was born on his father's pioneer farm in that township on November 17, 1845. His parents were Jacob and Martha (Henry) Hooten, both of whom were born in Indiana. Jacob Hooten came to Rush county at an early day and entered land in Anderson township, where he devel- oped a farm and on which he reared his family and lived until his
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death. Henry Hooten had such school privileges as the neighborhood afforded in his youth and remained at home assisting his father until his marriage, at which time he moved to a tract of forty acres belong- ing to his father-in-law, which he operated together with the home place up to the time of his accidental death, August 4, 1879. He was a grain farmer and it was while attending to the threshing of his wheat that the engine in the thresher exploded and Mr. Hooten's death resulted. He was survived by his wife but by no children. In 1870 he married Jennie Somerville, who was born in Anderson town- ship, in Rush county, daughter of William A. and Eliza (Hood) Som- erville, both of whom were born in Fleming county, Kentucky. They were young when they came to Indiana, and they were married in Decatur county, in 1842. Three children were born to them: Sam- uel, Jennie and Ira, the only daughter becoming the wife of Henry Hooten. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Somerville came to Rush county and bought land in Anderson township, to which they added until they owned 300 acres all in the same township. In early man- hood William A. Somerville had worked as a cabinet maker, but after coming to Anderson township gave himself entirely to agricul- tural pursuits and prospered as a farmer and stockraiser. His death occurred on August 15, 1909. His wife had passed away on April 4, 1900. Mrs. Hooten still resides in Anderson township, where she owns 141 acres of valuable land. She is widely known and very highly esteemed and for sixty-one years has been a member of the Spring Hill United Presbyterian Church.
MELVIN MILLER is one of the progressive young men of Rich- land township who is devoting himself to agricultural pursuits instead of leaving the calling of his ancestors for others connected with city life. ITis success proves that his judgment was excellent when he decided to remain on the farm. He was born in Richland township, May 8, 1899, son of Otis L. and Mary (Smith) Miller, farm- ing people of Richland township, and well-known all over Rush county. Melvin Miller attended the Butler school in Richland town- ship where he acquired a fair knowledge of the fundamentals of an education, and then, upon leaving school, he began farming with his father, with whom he remained until 1920. In that year he secured 216 acres of the Lefforge land and is now engaged in farming it, car- rying on general farming and stockraising. He is feeding about seventy-five hogs a year. On September 26, 1918, Melvin Miller mar- ried Myrtle Emsweller, daughter of William and Rosa Emsweller, and they have one child, Rosa Mary. While he exercises his right of suff- rage and votes the Republican ticket, Mr. Miller has not yet cared to go into politics, preferring to devote all of his time and attention to his private affairs. He is a member of the Hopewell United Brethren Church. It would be difficult to find anywhere in the county a young man who enjoys in a higher degree the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens, and he deserves great credit for the efficient manner in which he is conducting his farm.
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LESLIE B. BROWN, one of the successful farmers of Rushville township and a man widely and favorably known throughout Rush county as a good farmer and substantial citizen, was born in Walker township, this county, December 10, 1878, son of James A. and Carrie (Lowden) Brown, natives of Kentucky and Rush county, Indiana, respectively. James A. Brown was a farmer during all of his active years and is now living retired at Milroy. He and his wife had five children, all of whom are living, namely : Lolah, Jacob, Pearl, Mary and Leslie B. Growing up in his native township, Leslie B. Brown attended the local schools and from an early age made himself useful on the homestead, remaining with his father until his marriage. He then rented 180 acres of land in Richland township, and remained on it for eight years, at the end of which time he bought seventy-eight acres in Anderson township. Subsequently he sold that farm, and bought his present farm of 112 acres in Rushville township, where he is carrying on general farming and also raises a good deal of stock. On October 1, 1905, Mr. Brown married Myrtle Hasty, who was born in this county, daughter of George W. and Sarah J. (Major) Hasty. Mr. Hasty owns a farm of 106 acres in Anderson township. He and his wife have five living children : Charles, Albert, Elizabeth, May and Myrtle. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two children, Lois, born on July 15, 1907, who is now a student in the Rushville high school, and Don- ald, born on April 14, 1914, who attends the Circleville school. Mr. Brown is a Republican and is a member of Milroy lodge, No. 654, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
JESSE C. BROOKS, a well-known young farmer and landowner of Union township and a former teacher in the schools of Rush county, was born in this county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Center township on October 27, 1885, son of Robin J. and Addie (Bitner) Brooks, the latter of whom also was born in Rush county, a member of one of the old families here, and both of whom are still living. Robin J. Brooks is a Tennesseean who left his home in Tennessee in the days of his young manhood and was for some time thereafter engaged in working in Kentucky, later coming up into Indiana and locating in Rush county, where he began working as a farm hand at $15 the month. Four years after coming here he mar- ried Addie Bitner and then began farming on his own account as a renter, continuing as a renter until he was able to buy a tract of land in Center township, where he still lives, owner of a well kept farm of eiglity acres. He and his wife have four children, those besides the subject of this sketch being Josie, Jennie and Orville. Reared on the home farm in Center township, Jesse C. Brooks received his schooling in the neighborhood schools and was graduated from the Center town- ship high school in 1901. For six years thereafter he was engaged as a teacher in the schools of Rush county, continuing his farming opera- tions during the summers on the home place, and after his marriage began farming on his own account. His operations prospered and in 1916 he bought the farm of 120 acres on which he is now living in
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Union township. Since he took possession of this farm Mr. Brooks has made numerous improvements on the place and now has a well equipped farm plant. In 1906 Jesse C. Brooks was united in mar- riage to Avis Austin, who also was born in this county, daughter of Jacob D. and Mary J. (George) Austin of Union township, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Frances Austin Brooks. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have a pleasant home on rural mail route No. 7 out of Rushville and take an interested part in the community's general social activities. They are members of the Plum Creek Christian Church. Mr. Brooks is a Democrat.
CLYDE ARCHEY, one of the representative men of Anderson township and active and experienced along agricultural lines, is a member of a well known Rush county family. He was born in Orange township on September 7, 1882, a son of James P. and Elizabeth (Hill) Archey, the former of whom was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, and the latter in Franklin county, Indiana. James P. Archey was nineteen years old when he accompanied his parents to Indiana, the journey being made in one of the oldtime "prairie schooners." His parents stopped in Shelby county but he pushed on into Rush county, with all his possessions tied up in a red handker- chief. He hired out as a farm hand and worked as such in Richland and other townships up to the time of his marriage, after which he operated rented land until he purchased the farm on which his son Clyde now resides. He continued as an active farmer until 1879, after which he devoted his energies to stock buving and trading, for which a keen business sense well fitted him. At the time of his death on December 9, 1918, Jams P. Archey owned 240 acres of land and was a stockholder in the Milroy Bank. He was a man of sterling integrity, generous and companionable, and will long be kindly remembered by many. Of his family of seven children all but one survive: Effie, widow of the late James F. Scull, of Orange township, Rush county, now the wife of Mr. Griffith, of San Francisco, Cal .; Edgar L., of Knightstown, Ind .; Zelma, wife of Walter Mansfield, of Milroy, Ind .; Hugh C., of Orange township; Clyde, of Anderson township; and Cleveland, of Mt. Victory, Ohio. Clyde Archey attended school in Orange and Anderson townships and in 1901 was graduated from the Milroy high school. Opportunity for usefulness was immediately at hand, and he was associated with his father in farming and handling stock until 1911, at which time he went into the newspaper business. purchasing the Milroy Press, which he conducted until 1916, when he sold out and returned to his earlier activities. He is now operating 123 acres of the old homestead, forty of which he owns, does general farming and stockraising and grows an exceptionally fine specimen of seed corn that sells throughout the county under the name of "Archey's Favorite." While operating in stock with his father the partners frequently fed out 300 head of hogs yearly and Mr. Archey now has about two car loads to ship. He is a breeder of the big spotted
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Poland China hogs. He is interested in all matters pertaining to farmers, is wide awake and keeps thoroughly posted, and ever since the Indiana Farmers' Association of Anderson township was organized he was secretary of this body until this year. On May 10, 1906, Clyde Archey married Amy Catherine Aldridge, daughter of W. A. Aldridge, of Milroy, and they have two children, James William and Mary Louise. Mr. Archey and his family are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church at Milroy, of which he is a steward, also district steward and a member of the finance committee. He is a Democrat, and is a member of Milroy lodge, No. 139, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America at Milroy.
ROSCOE LEFFORGE. Among the early settlers of Rush county was the Lefforge family, of whom the present generation is very cred- itably represented by Roscoe Lefforge, one of the best known farmers of Richland township and a man who has, by a life consistent in motive and action, won the confidence and respect of the entire com- munity in which he lives. Roscoe Lefforge was born in Richland township on January 4, 1883, and is a son of Philander and Ninetta (Scott) Lefforge, both of whom were also born in Rush county, the latter in Richland township. Philander Lefforge was reared to man- hood in Noble township, hut when about twenty years of age he accompanied the family on their removal to Richland township. Here he was married and then engaged in farming, continuing to follow that vocation continuously up to the time of his retirement, in October, 1905, when he went to Andersonville to live. He first started in as a renter, but soon afterward bought land now farmed by the subject of this sketch, increasing his holdings until eventually he was the owner of 240 acres, all in Richland township. He was the scion of one of the old families of this locality, his parents, Isaac and Florinda Lefforge, having been numbered among the pioneer families of this county. Both were natives of Indiana. The subject is the only survivor of the two children born to his parents. Roscoe Lefforge received his education in the schools of Richland township and after completing his schooling he went to work with his father and soon entered into a partnership with him. They carried on their farming operations together until October, 1913, when the partnership was dis- solved and Mr. Lefforge has since been working independently. From 1913 to 1919 he operated eighty acres which he had bought, but in the latter year he rented 240 acres additional from his father, so that he is now farming 320 acres. All of his grain is devoted to stock feed, as he feeds about 300 hogs and a carload of cattle each year. Mr. Lefforge was married to Lela King, the daughter of W. P. and Mary King, and to them have been born two children, Angus and Lowell. The family are identified with the Hopewell United Brethren Church. Mr. Lefforge has long been a strong supporter of the Prohibition party, as he is unalterably opposed to all forms of the liquor traffic. Personally, he is a man of many excellent qualities of character and is popular in the circles in which he moves.
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PAUL FOSTER, a well-known and progressive young farmer of Union township, this county, was born in that township and has lived there all his life, engaged in farming on his own account since his marriage at the age of twenty-five years. He was born on April 12, 1892, son of Charles and Harriet (Smith) Foster, who are still living, and further and fitting reference to whom is made elsewhere in this volume of biography together with additional details regarding the Foster and the Smith families in this section of the state, to which additional details the attention of the reader is invited in this connec- tion. Reared on the home farm in Union township, Paul Foster received his schooling in the Union township graded school at Ging Station and from the days of his boyhood has devoted his attention to farming, having been given careful training in agricultural methods by his father. After his marriage he became engaged in farming on his own account, renting from his mother an eighty-acre tract owned by her in Union township, established his home on that place and has since resided there, he and his family being quite comfortably situated. In addition to his general farming Mr. Foster feeds out about fifty head of hogs a year and is annually extending his operations, which are carried on in up-to-date fashion. It was in 1917 that Paul Foster was united in marriage to Myrtle Johnson, who also was born in this county, daughter of Otis and Nellie Johnson, and to this union one child has been born, a son, Emerson. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have a pleasant home and give proper attention to the general social activities of their home neighborhood. In their political views they are sup- porters of the principles of the Democratic party.
ALVA WEBB, owner of 160 acres of valuable land in Ruslıville township, has the satisfaction of possessing the homestead of his fam- ily to which he is very much attached. He was born in Rushville town- ship on April 8, 1871, son of Arthur and Casandra (Plessinger) Webb, both natives of Rush county. For fourteen years after his marriage Arthur Webb lived in Shelby county, Indiana, but then moved back to Rush county and located on the 160-acre farm now owned by his son, and here he spent the remainder of his life, having always been a farmer. He and his wife had eight children of whom four survive: Maria, Horatio C., Inis and Alva. Growing up in Rushville town- ship, Alva Webb attended the Webb school, which was named in honor of his father, upon whose farm it was located. After leaving school Alva Webb began farming with his father, remaining at home until he was twenty-eight years old. When he was twenty-six he was married, but did not leave the homstead for two years thereafter, and then went on a rented farm in Walker township, on which he remained for two years. Returning to Rushville township he rented the farm adjoining the homestead for ten years. At the expiration of that period he bought his father's old farm from his estate and has the entire 160 acres, on which he is carrying on general farming and raises about 200 head of hogs annually. On May 26, 1897, Mr. Webb was married to Mrs. Dora (Hollowell) Emmons, a widow with one
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daughter, Hattie L. Emmons. She is a daughter of William and Lydia (Davis) Hollowell, both of whom were born in Rush county, where William Hollowell was engaged in farming. Of their four children, Mrs. Webb is the only survivor. Mr. Webb belongs to Rushville lodge, No. 35, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Ivy lodge, Knights of Pythias. The Christian church of Homer affords him an expression for his religious faith and he has long been on its membership rolls. In politics he is a Republican. A hard-working and thrifty man he has prospered, and is justly entitled to the position he occupies in his community.
OMER PIERSON, one of Union township's well known farmers and formerly and for nearly a quarter of a century a resident of Rushville, was born in Rush county and has lived here all his life, with the exception of five years spent in West Virginia. He was born in New Salem in Noble township on July 14, 1870, son of Lorenzo B. and Mary H. (Jarrell) Pierson, the latter of whom also was born in this county, a member of one of the old families of Noble township. Lorenzo B. Pierson was a Virginian, born in that section of the Old Dominion which since the Civil war has been known as West Virginia and which remained loyal to the Union during that struggle between the states. He grew to manhood there and when the war broke out went over into Ohio and enlisted his services in behalf of the Union and went to the front with an Ohio regiment, serving until the end of the war. Not long after the completion of his military service Mr. Pierson came to Indiana and located in Rush county, beginning work here as a farm hand. He married in Noble township, rented a farm there and established his home, remaining here the rest of his life with the exception of a period of about five years during which he had resumed his residence in West Virginia, and his last days were spent in Rushville at the home of his son Omer. Lorenzo B. Pierson and wife were the parents of six children, of whom three are living, the subject of this sketch ; his sister, Florence, wife of Charles Boyes. and Raymond. Reared in Noble township, Omer Pierson received his schooling in the neighborhood schools and early turned his attention to farming. He married at the age of twenty-two and for two or three years thereafter continued farming. He then moved to Rushville and became engaged as a clerk in a grocery store, a vocation he followed for nearly twenty years, or until in 1917, when he returned to farm- ing, established his home on the place he is now farming in Union township and has since resided there, the old James R. Nixon farm on rural mail route No. 1 out of Falmouth. This is a well kept and well improved farm of 103 acres and since taking charge of the same Mr. Pierson has carried on his operations in accordance with up-to- date methods and has done well. In 1892 Omer Pierson was united in marriage to Kate Nixon, who also was born in Rush county, and to this union six children have been born, of whom but one, Myrl Nixon Pierson, is now living. Mr. and Mrs. Pierson are members of the Christian church and Mr. Pierson has during several different terms
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served as a member of the official board of the same. They are Republicans and Mr. Pierson is a member of the Rushville lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the. Maccabees. Mrs. Pierson was born on a farm in Washington township, this county, a daughter of James R. and Jane ( Abernathy) Nixon, the latter of whom also was born in this county, a member of one of the pioneer families of Union township and who is still living, now making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Pierson. James R. Nixon was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was six years of age when he came with his parents to Indiana, the family locating on a farm in Washington township, this county, where he grew to man- hood. After his marriage James R. Nixon bought a farm of 114 acres in that township and made his home there for about thirty years, at the end of which time he sold that place and bought the farm of 103 acres on which Mr. and Mrs. Pierson are now living and there spent the remainder of his life. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, of whom four are still living, those besides Mrs. Pierson being Robert W., Sallie and Lula.
WILLIAM MYERS, an experienced and capable farmer operat- ing in Anderson township, this county, was born in that township on June 1, 1886, a son of John J. and Elizabeth (Free) Myers, both of whom were born in Indiana, the father in Fayette county and the mother in Rush county. John J. Myers, who died in 1910, was a farmer all his life, first in Fayette county and afterward in other counties in the state. His widow survives and lives on the home place in Anderson township with her son William. Two other sons are living, Oren and Otis Myers, both residents of Rush county. William Myers had educational opportunities in Anderson township and ever since his school days ended has given attention to farming on the homestead. He is operating 100 acres and in his management has proved himself a practical business man. He turns off about eighty head of hogs a year. On October 4, 1916, William Myers married Helen Jarrell, daughter of Frank Jarrell. Mrs. Myers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Myers is an intelligent, well informed man, votes as an independent Republican, and performs every public duty asked of him as a citizen.
LESLIE MILLER, of Richland township, one of the representa- tive agriculturists of his section of the county-progressive, enter- prising and persevering, was born on February 14, 1882, in the town- ship in which he now lives, and is the son of George W. and Anna (Graham) Miller, both of whom are natives of Rush county. George W. Miller was reared to manhood in this county, receiving a good practical education in the common schools. After completing his studies, he turned his attention to agriculture, to which he devoted himself continuously until about five years prior to his death, which occurred on January 10, 1920. His wife had passed away on July 20, 1914. Mr. Miller had enjoyed a splendid reputation among his fellow farmers. He had started farming on a modest scale, but by
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