USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 2 > Part 12
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On June 23, 1861, Mr. Weingarth enlisted in Company K. of the Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, and saw three years of hard and active service, during which he participated in many a hard-fought battle and spirited cam- paign, among which were Pea Ridge. Vicksburg. Fort Esparanza. Texas. and Magnolia Hills, at Jackson, Mississippi. He was under such commanders as Donaldson, Thomas and Pattison. After the close of the war he returned to Shelby county, farmed during the summer and taught school during the winter, having taught eighteen consecutive terms at school No. 3. in Union township. He received his education largely through his own diligent ap- plication and study.
Mr. Weingarth is a Republican in politics, served as Trustee of Union township from 1880 to 1884. He is a successful farmer and cattle bree:ler. being a member of the Short Horn Breeders' Association. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. Dumont Post. No. 18. of Shelbyville, and affiliates with the German Evangelical church, of Union township, and is in all respects an exemplary patriot and citizen.
SAMUEL H. TUCKER.
A son of a pioneer settler who knew that only hard work was attendant upon ultimate success. Samuel Henry Tucker. of Hendricks township. Shelby county, Indiana, inherited his father's penchant for industriousness and thrift and has succeeded in acquiring something more than a competence as a re- ward for his toil. He was born on the place where he now lives. February 25, 1858, and the old farm has always been associated with the fondest mem- ories of not only his boyhood days, but the later days of his father and mother. He is a son of Henry L. and Catherine ( Woodruff) Tucker, who were of native Ohio stock and accounted sturdy American citizens. They were married in Butler county, Ohio, and were among the first settlers of Hendricks township. When he arrived in Hoosierdom he entered one hun- dred and sixty acres of land. a part of which the son now owns. With the vigor and vim of the settier he cleaned up a spot where he erected a log cabin to shelter his loved ones, and then began to clear away the forest for a farm.
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He succeeded and added to his holdings and became a wealthy man for his day. He died on March 12. 1892, and his wife passed away the following December and both are buried in the old burying groand at Mount Pleasant.
Henry Tucker was a son of Ephraim Tucker. a sketch of which family appears in this book. The children born to him and his wife were: Mary, deceased ; James lives in Missouri: Hannah married Martin Babb the latter deceased: she is living in Hendricks township: Phoebe married James Babb and lives in Hendricks township: Samuel H .. subject of this biography.
Samuel H. Tucker began life helping his father on the farm, where he received a training which fitted him for his work in later years. He never received much of an education owing to the poor school facilities of his time. He lived at home until he was married and for four years afterward. when he removed to where he now lives on another part of the old home place. His wife was Martha McKee, who was born in Fulton county. Indiana, they being united in wedlock on August 27. 1876. She is a daughter of Russell and Elizabeth ( Gill) McKee, both now dead. To Samnel Tucker and wife were born the following children: Viola married Ernest Yelton, deceased : she is living with her parents: Nancy married Joseph V. Shipp and lives at Franklin, Indiana : Everett lives on part of the home farm: he married Cath- erine Riser and they have two children living. Florence and Henry. Madge married Ossie Eads and lives in Johnson county. Indiana : they have one child, Mary. Emma, Ruluff and Tyocia are living at home.
Samuel H. Tucker has made many improvements on the old farmstead, and is possessed of one of the best farms of the county. By strict and care- ful attention to details he has made a success of his business and is accorded both honor and respect from his neighbors.
JOHN D. POTTENGER.
To be known as a man whose word is as good as his bond. and whose honesty no one could question. is worth something. Such an individual, by character and reputation was the late Jolin D. Pottenger, of Hendricks town- ship, Shelby county. Indiana. He was born February 19, 1845. in Delaware county. Indiana, and died March 21, 1896. He was a son of Harvey Pot- tenger and went to Hendricks township in about 1874. where he located. July 29, 1876, he married Carrie L. Clendening, of Franklin county, Indiana. He obtained one hundred sixty acres of land which he succeeded in putting into an exceptional state of cultivation. He carried on general farming op- erations and was a great horse man, raising the finest of any one in the neigh- borhood. He was accounted a successful man from all view points and re-
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garded as one of the leading citizens of the county. He was held to be a strictly honest man, and his neighbors and friends thought so well of him that he was elected Trustee of the township on the Republican ticket, truly an honor, when it is known that he was the only Republican ever elected in that township.
Although not a professed church man. he thoroughly believed in re- ligion, and gave bountifully to its cause. He donated ground for the build- ing of a church edifice at Bengal, and also assisted otherwise in its erection and maintenance. He has one daughter. Rita D., who married Cletha Free- man and lives on a part of the old farm. They have one child, Bayne D.
John Pottenger lived the life of a useful citizen and his death was a mat- ter of regret to the community. His body lies buried in the Second Mount Pleasant cemetery. His widow is a member of the Second Mount Pleasant Baptist church, and is actively identified with its work. She is a woman of many praiseworthy traits of character.
DAVID PFENDLER.
Visitors to Moral township will find in "Locust Hill Farm".a model in agriculture, as well as a monument to the skill and energy of the fine Swiss gentleman to whom we are indebted for its upbuilding, but his talents were not confined strictly to agricultural pursuits, as he showed adaptability for achieving success in other walks of life. David. son of Nicholas and Ann (Streif) Pfendler. was born in County Glarus, town of Schwanden, Switzer- land, and when seventeen years old came to America. After a tedious voyage of twelve weeks. his vessel reached New Orleans, and the young foreigner hastened his journey up the river until he reached Indianapolis. He worked for some years as a laborer, meantime persuading his father to sell out his property in Switzerland and join fortunes with his son. The parental money was invested in a farm near Pleasant View, where the old people spent the remaining years of their lives. This worthy couple had five children, of whom Anna, now Mrs. Norris, resident of Louisville, Kentucky, and Fanny. Samuel, Nicholas and David. are all dead. David Pfendler, before his father came over, put in his time at various occupations, including some years at the old Palmer House, in Indianapolis, for seven dollars per month, and board. He helped to start the German paper called "The Telegraph." When his parents took possession of their farm Mr. Pfendler went to live with them, and man- aged the property. It was badly run down, but he cleared and greatly im- proved the place, making it eventually one of the finest farms in the county. A commodious residence, with neat outbuildings, was put up, and everything
DAVID PFENDLER.
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given a shape that indicated modern methods. By purchases he added to the original tract until it included two hundred and ninety-three and one-half acres of highly developed land.
In 1864 Mr. Piendler married Ann Barbara, daughter of Lorenze Fick- ensher, a native of Bavaria, Germany, who came to America in 1861 via New York to Indianapolis. By this union there were five children: Clara, wife of Charles Stanley, of Moral township; William, who died in youth ; Fannie is at home ; Amelia, deceased, and David C. The latter was born in Moral township, October 11. 1873. and received an excellent education as he grew up. After finishing the common school branches he spent a year in a business college in Indianapolis, then four years in the agricultural department of Purdue University. He was graduated from this institution after finishing the course. October 9, 1907. he married Miss Vesta Sample, native of Chat- tanooga, Tennessee, by whom he has one child, David C., Jr., who was born August 26, 1908. Mr. Pfendler now farms the home place and is im- proving even on his father. Besides the regular crop work and other general features, he has added registered Aberdeen Angus cattle and Shropshire shecp. In fact, he is ranked as one of the successful young farmers of the county, and is an excellent example of the best type of professional agriculturists. In June, 1907, Mr. Pfendler was made a Mason in Pleasant View Lodge, at Ac- ton, and is past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias lodge at the same place. His father was a member of the Presbyterian church in Switzerland, but he and his wife attended the German Evangelical church at New Palestine, dur- ing their residence in Shelby county. He died September 8, 1896, and after his remains were laid to rest in Pleasant View cemetery, it was the common remark that the community had lost a good citizen and neighbor who was always ready to help the worthy in distress or any good cause.
DAVID A. LEE.
When the fact is considered that he was born and reared on the farm on which he is now spending his declining years in peace and contentment, it is no wonder that David A. Lee is pointed out to the stranger as one of the best known men in Washington township. Shelby county. His birth occurred on June 23, 1844, his parents being James N. and Mary ( Hughbanks ) Lee. The former was born in Kentucky April 2, 1802. and the mother in the same state in 1803. The former passed away January 23. 1879, and the latter February 17, 1873. The marriage of this couple occurred in Mason county. Kentucky. April 6, 1823, and a little more than a year later they removed to Indiana, taking up their abode in Shelby county. The greater portion of that section
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of the state was practically an unbroken wilderness at that time, but, nothing daunted by the many obstacles that confronted him, James N. Lee went to work with vigor, and soon cleared a strip of land upon which a portion of the city of Shelbyville now stands. Later he leased considerable land east of where the town is now, situated, but eventually removed to Washington township, where he entered one hundred sixty acres of then thickly timbered land. Under his skillful hands it was soon converted into very prolific farm land. This land is now described as the northwest quarter of section 7. town- ship II north, range 7 east.
The patent of this land is now in the hands of David Lee, of this review. It bears the date of October 22, 1834. and the signature of President Andrew Jackson. Here James N. Lee spent the closing years of his life. In the fam- ily there were ten children. five sons and equally as many daughters. Of these David A. and a sister, Mrs. Martha Wood, survive. The latter re- sides in Hendricks county.
David A. Lee resided with his parents until he was married, working on the farm when he was not attending school. He acquired what was con- sidered a very fair education in those early days. He was married twice, the first time December 27, 1866. to Martha E. Young. She died July 2, 1898, having given birth to six children, as follows: Mary A., born November 10. 1867: William N., born July 7. 1872; Maggie, born October 12, 1874: Da- vid McClelland, born January 15, 1877; Gertrude E., September 24, 1891 ; Nora M., born March 23, 1883. Of these Mary, Maggie, Gertrude and Nora are dead.
The second wife of Mr. Lee was Sarah E. Conover, widow of Frank Conover. Her maiden name was Cochran, being the daughter of William M. and Eliza (Drake) Cochran. She was born September 24, 1850. Her father was a native of Ohio, and came to Shelby county with his father when but two years of age. As a result of her first marriage Mrs. Lee had two chil- dren, Wilber Conover and an infant girl.
In national campaigns Mr. Lee nearly always casts his lot with the Dem- ocratic party, but in local politics he is an independent voter. and looks to the qualifications of the candidates. Ile has been an active agriculturist ever since he was able to perform the labor required on a farm, and he has also made a specialty of hog raising, his porkers being of the corn-fed variety. He has always taken great pride in maintaining his land, of which he has in all one hundred and forty-four acres. up to a high standard of cultivation.
Early in youth Mr. Lee showed a decided fondness for the study of music, and he is possessed of no little talent as a musician. He takes a great interest in the welfare of the community in which he has resided so many years, and he is regarded as a very public-spirited citizen by his neighbors.
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MARTIN A. CHERRY.
The fact that his ancestors were active in the work of contributing to the material progress of Shelby county in the way of building roads and making many other improvements is naturally a matter of pride to Martin A. Cherry. who was born in Shelby township forty-eight years ago, his parents being Andrew J. and Catherine J. ( Larrison) Cherry. They are also natives of Shelby county. This section of the state was an unbroken forest when Wil- liam Cherry, paternal grandfather of the subject, first settled in the county, and the woods were filled with wild animals. His wife was Cynthia Jackson, a distant relative of Andrew Jackson. They were the parents of ten children, Andrew. Thomas, William, Eli, Jesse. Stephen. Mary, Eliza, Melinda and Sarah. Andrew. the father of Martin Cherry, was reared on a farm and at- tended school a sufficient length of time to procure a very good education. He taught several terms of school, but eventually began to devote his entire time to agricultural pursuits. He is still living, and he and his wife are de- vont members of the Christian church. To them were born ten children, in- cluding Martin A., the others being William, deceased: Cyntha. wife of George S. Jones, of Indianapolis: Nancy E .. deceased, wife of Albert W. Dobbins; Mary F., wife of Jacob Greggs; James L. lives in Hendricks town- ship, married Ella Shaw : Robert died in young manhood: Phoebe J., wife of Louis Drager, Addison township: Harvey, farmer, of Shelby township, married Ella Plunkett : Franklin, a farmer in Shelby township. married Lil- lian Sawyer.
Martin A. Cherry attended the public schools and spent a year at the normal school at Danville. Indiana. He then engaged in the profession of a school teacher, devoting his time thereto for eighteen years. On October 20, 1885, he married Jennie Florence Shaw, who was born in Jackson township, Shelby county, and is the daughter of John and Celina ( Willets) Shaw. Mrs. Cherry's father was a stock raiser on a large scale, and an early settler in Shelby county. He died in 1889. His widow is still living at Shelbyville. She is the mother of five children. including Mrs. Cherry. The others are Thomas, cf Indianapolis; Ella C., wife of James L. Cherry : James O., of Greensburg, Indiana, and Harry W., of Shelbyville.
Mr. and Mrs. Cherry are the parents of two children-Claude C. and Russell. The former is married and the latter lives at home. Mr. Cherry is a Democrat and takes an interest in politics. He is a member of the local Advisory Board at the present time. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Shelbyville, and he and his wife are members of the Christian church at the same place. Mrs. Cherry, who is a woman of high attainments, taught school for twenty-two years, having begun when she was seventeen years of age. Her son, Claude. is engaged in the same profession. The
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Cherrys own one hundred fifteen acres of highly improved land upon which stands a modern eight-room house and a commodious barn. Mr. Cherry handles a very fine line of live stock, being one of the leading dealers in Shelby county.
GEORGE WASHINGTON SPURLIN.
Born and reared in close proximity to the spot where he now resides in Washington township. Shelby county, Mr. Spurlin naturally has a wide- spread acquaintance in that section of the state. He is the son of Joshua and Hester (Layman) Sparlin, who spent the greater portion of their lives in Shelby county, where they had the high respect of the community.
The father of Mr. Spurlin was a native of Virginia, his parents, how- ever, moving from that state to Ohio when he was quite young. He was married to Hester Layman, in the last named commonwealth. shortly after he had attained his majority, and they finally settled in Shelby county. They became the parents of a large family. The birth of George W. occurred on January 1. 1847. He attended school when not working upon the farm, and received a fair education. In 1866, when but twenty years old, he married Eliza Hupp. daughter of Samuel and Sarah E. (Watson) Hupp. She was born in July, 1850, in Warren county. Ohio, her parents moving to Shelby county five years later, where they settled on a farm. She took a course in the district schools of those days, and acquired what was then considered a very good education. Six children were the fruits of her marriage to Mr. Spurlin. as follows: Wellington, born January 11, 1868, married Dora Haw- kins, died December 29, 1902: Monroe, born March 18. 1870, married Rosa Sullivan. resides at Shelbyville: William, born November 10, 1871. married Lethia Sullivan, is a farmer in Washington township: Ivrey, born in 1872, married Sarah Dill, lives in Addison township. Shelby county ; Maud. born June 20, 1875; is the wife of Ora Spurlin and lives in Washington town- ship; Marvin, born November 15, 1878. married Nina Cochran.
When Mr. Spurlin embarked upon matrimony he was not well off in this world's goods, but being a man of great energy and ambition, he determined to attain success and is today known among the prosperous men of the com- munity. With the small funds that he possessed. he leased a farm, and in a few years by frugality and hard work had secured sufficient money to pur- chase a place of his own. He now holds the title to eighty acres of very fer- tile and productive land. which is located in section II. The work of im- proving this land was performed by his own hand. and he has a farm that is well equipped with modern agricultural implements of every description.
Mr. Spurlin is a public-spirited man in the true sense of the term, and
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has always done his part toward aiding the progress of Washington town- ship. The modern dwelling in which he and his family reside was largely constructed by himself. He has high moral ideas and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Flat Rock, being very reg- ular in their attendance and taking a deep interest in the welfare of the con- gregation. Mr. Spurlin believes in prohibition, and has been a member of the party that opposes the continuation of the liquor traffic since the year 1886.
JEFFERSON CLAYTON EBERHART.
The man who does not feel proud of the place of his nativity is a peculiar specimen of humanity, and J. C. Eberhart is certainly not one of this class. It has been more than forty-four years ago since he opened his eyes upon the world in Washington township. Shelby county, and he is today one of its substantial citizens. He was born October 1. 1864, being the son of Andrew Jackson and Barbara F. (Osborn) Eberhart. Andrew J. Eberhart. his father, was born in Warren county, Ohio, February 21, 1824. and became a resident of Shelby county in 1828, his parents settling in Jackson township. He showed traits of industry early in life and put in his entire time working on the farm when not attending school. Before he reached manhood he had helped to clear and improve a great acreage of land. On December 16. 1860. he was married to Barbara F. Osborn, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, August 4, 1843. and who is still living in Jackson township. IIer hus- band passed away March 31. 1909.
John Eberhart, the grandfather of the subject, was born in Pennsylvania. March 18, 1804, and died in Jackson township. Shelby county, May 5, 1889. His wife was Nancy Randolph, a native of Ohio.
Including J. C. Eberhart. there were ten children born to Andrew J. and wife. Besides him those living are Mrs. Lottie Conover, James D. and Wil- lard M., both of Jackson township.
Jefferson C. Eberhart was married to Agnes May Brand, of Hamilton county, Ohio, June 29. 1887. The latter was born in 1862. and received in her girlhood a common school education and also attended the Amity high school. The union of the couple resulted in the birth of four children, as follows : May A., born May 2, 1888; Raymond J., born April 2, 1891 : Mau- rice J., born May 4. 1903: John C., born September 15. 1906. The first named of these children is a graduate of the high school, while Raymond has finished a course in the common schools. They are now both taking a musical course in the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music. Mr. Eberhart is very proud of the achievements of his children, and with considerable reason.
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May, the eldest daughter. in 1904 received the highest grade ever given a pupil in the schools of Shelby county, easily carrying off first honors. She completed her course in the high school in 1007.
The people of Jackson township are a unit in the declaration that no man in the community is more deserving of success than Mr. Eberhart, who has made his way in the world through perseverance and close attention to business. In politics he is a Republican. having been an adherent of that party for a number of years. He and his family are highly esteemed by their neighbors.
JOSEPH L. TUCKER.
Starting in life a poor boy with nothing but his strong hands and a still stronger determination. Joseph L. Tucker (deceased) accumulated a large landed estate and became one of the best known farmers of Hendricks town- ship, Shelby county, Indiana. He was born in Essex county, New Jersey, on July 19, 1811, and was a son of Ephraim and Phoebe Tucker. When Joseph was but a lad his parents moved to Butler county, Ohio, where he was en- gaged in farming for the rest of his life, his wife dying in Shelby county. They were the parents of the following children, all of whom are dead: Eph- raim, Joseph L., James. Henry, father of Samuel Tucker, whose sketch ap- pears herein ; Daniel, Frazy. Elijah, Hannah married Elijah Hand: Phoebe married first James Ross and later Edward Norris: Sally Ann first married a Mr. Lang and second a Mr. Hand: Betsy married Elijah Van Ness ; Rhoda, Mary. The grandfather of Joseph L. Tucker was Ephraim Tucker.
Joseph L. Tucker was married in Butler county, Ohio, to Martha Bowen. and to them the following children were born: Mary Ann married James Welliver, both dead : Dennis lives in Missouri: Maurice died young : Nancy W. married William Clark, September 1. 1871. William Clark was born in 1841 and died November 6, 1903. He is remembered by a large circle of friends as a man who stood high in the esteem of his fellow men. He was known for his charity and benevolence and was known to be a man who always stood ready to help those in distress. He was a kind husband and a good citizen. By trade he was a miller and followed that occupation for many years. His deeds of kindness are remembered by many of his less fortunate neighbors. There was one other child. Ephraim, now dead.
Joseph L. Tucker began life for himself at an early age. receiving a meager and unsatisfactory education. He remained in Butler county, Ohio, until about 1850, when he removed to Hendricks township. Shelby county. Indiana, where he began to buy land and develop it. He owned one hundred twenty acres near Bengal and two hundred acres on the Shelby pike, besides
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two hundred forty acres in section 14. where he lived the latter years of his life. He erected a large brick house in the early sixties and it stands today. Although poor when he started in life, he worked hard and by his thriftiness and saving methods soon amassed a comfortable fortune. It is said of him that his word was as good as his bond. Although he was not a church mem- ber he always gave liberally to its support and to the relief of his fellow men. no matter who they were. There are many who are living today that bless the name of "Uncle Joe," as he was affectionately called, and "Aunt Martha," his good wife. for their many deeds of loving kindness. He was a Democrat in convictions and always took interest in the work of his party. Besides the general farming and stock raising he carried on, he was locally famous for the fine horses he raised. He was a great lover of horse flesh and his stables were noted.
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