USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 2 > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
After being mustered out of the service at Nashville in 1865. Mr. Miller returned home and resumed the pursuit of agriculture, which he has since successfully prosecuted. Being in independent circumstances he no longer labors as in former years, but nevertheless he manages his extensive interests with characteristic ability and is still keenly alive not only to his own affairs, but to all enterprises having for their object the welfare of his fellow men.
Mr. Miller has been twice married, the first time on October 21, 1866, to Mary J. Robinson, who was born in 1847 in Shelby county, of which her father, Able J. Robinson, was an early settler. Three children were born to this couple, one son and two daughters, both of the latter dying in 1880. Harry, the oldest of the number, was born August 3. 1867. taught school in his young manhood, later read medicine, and shortly after graduating from the Indiana Medical College was appointed surgeon of the National Soldiers' Home, near Marion, Indiana, which responsible position he still holds. Mrs. Miller departed this life August 10. 1898. and later Mr. Miller married Mrs. Wright ( nee Callahan), who was born January 21. 1863, in Henry county. Indiana.
Mrs. Miller spent here early life on a farm, but at the age of fourteen ac- companied her parents, John and Amanda ( Baughlian ) Callahan, to Knights- town, where she grew to womanbrod and received the greater part of her edu- cation. In 1884 she married Milton A. Wright, who died November 21, 1897. leaving besides herself two children to mourn their loss. the older of whom. Ermadell, born May 30. 1887. is now the wife of Fory Engle: Russell, whose birth occurred May 19. 1891, is a member of the home circle and a student in the high school of Morristown. Mrs. Miller, who is a lady of more than or- dinary intelligence and culture, has been much before the public and is widely known in religious circles throughout the state. Early in life she manifested
645
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
strong religious convictions, and. while still young. became an active and influential worker in the United Brethren church, and in due time devel- oped a marked talent as a public speaker. Her abilities being recognized by the ecclesiastical authorities, she was finally induced to enter the ministry, and for a number of years her labors in this capacity resulted in great success, and there were always demands for her services. Her first regular work was as supply of the Second United Brethren church, of Indianapolis, where she re- mained six months, after which she served four years as pastor of the Flint church, of New Castle: was four years with the church of Marion, and three ycars on the Blue River circuit, and one year in Delaware county, in all of which places her efforts were greatly blessed, the various churches under her charge continuously growing in strength and influence during her pastorates. Since her marriage she has done supply work where her services were needed, in addition to which she has dedicated a number of churches in Indiana and other states, besides solemnizing the rites of marriage and officiating at fu- nerals. Hers has indeed been a very busy and useful life, and wherever she has gone her able ministration and kindly words are held in grateful remem- brance.
Mr. Miller is a Methodist in his religious belief, and one of the trustees of the church with which he holds membership. He is also a member of the school board and of the Board of Town Trustees and takes great interest in all matters relating the municipality.
JACOB THEOBALD.
The gentleman whose name heads this biography is another one of the sturdy German citizens of Shelby county. He was born May 10, 1827, in Germany, on the Rhine. His parents were George M. and Katherine ( Haehl) Theobald, who were peasant farmers in the Fatherland, and came to the United States by way of New Orleans. They ascended to Cincinnati, and from there they came to Shelby county, and were among the pioneer German families in this section. George M. Theobald was a man of gocd education and served in the German army for six years, before coming to America. He died in 1882, at the age of eighty-three years. His companion in life had preceded him in 1875, aged seventy-seven years. Six children were born into this fam- ily, viz: Michael, Margaret. Mary, Jacob, 'Barbara and Katherine. the last named and Jacob being the only ones that survive.
Jacob received his education in Germany before coming to America. After the arrival of the family he remained on the farm with his parents. and assisted in establishing the new homestead, which was an undertaking of no
646
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
small proportions. The land had to be cleared and made ready for cultivation. The markets for produce were far away, but in the face of these difficulties they toiled bravely on until they became established in comfortable circum- stances.
On November 28. 1848. Jacob was married to Margaret Becker, daugh- ter of Conrad and Margaret Becker. She was born April 8, 1831, and was three years old upon her arrival here with her parents from Germany. Mr. Becker entered the land where Mr. Theobald and his wife now live, and the farm is still recorded as deeded to Conrad Becker, the record never having been changed.
Mr. and Mrs. Theobald have become the parents of the remarkable family of fifteen children : Mary, now deceased. was married to William Hutchinson : Barbara E .. deceased. married George Wising, and bore him six children, four of whom are still living: Julia W. married Fred Gayheimer, and has a family of five children ; John M. married Isabel Theobald and lives in Madison, his family consisting of four children : Caroline A. married Michael Gayheimer and lives in Madison, having become the mother of seven children, five of whom are living ; Lewis T. married Isabel McCollough, and both are now de- ceased. one child surviving : Peter J. married Rose Hensly, their home being in Union township and their family consisting of two children; August C. married Mary Mook, who bore him nine children; Jacob R. married Luella Worland. the latter being deceased. leaving one child; Emeline R. married Thomas Worland, who died leaving two daughters, Ida and Nellie, who make their home with their grandparents; to her was also born a son, Roy. now de- ceased ; Clara I. married William E. Hill. and now lives in Illinois, the family consisting of two children: Alexander. Catherine, Carl William and Edward all died in infancy. Mrs. Theobald passed to her rest February 9. 1888.
Mr. Theobald has devoted himself to farming with the exception of three years that he spent in Shelbyville. He is a Democrat and served for one term as Supervisor. He is a member of the German Evangelical church of Union township, which church he helped to build. He has now reached the full age of eighty-two years and is held in high respect by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
LINDLEY H. PITTS.
The achievements of Mr. Pitts represent the result of honest endeavor along lines where mature judgment has opened the way. He possesses a weight of character and a discriminating judgment that command the respect and approval of all with whom he has been associated.
Lindley H. Pitts was born in Union township. Shelby county, Indiana,
647
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
September 8. 1867. the son of Branson and Luzena ( Coffin ) Pitts: the former was born in North Carolina, and when the war began he came north in 1861, locating in Shelby county. He was married in the old Tar state and brought his family with him to this county, locating in Hanover township, where he developed a farm on which he spent the remainder of his life. He was a mem- ber of the Friends church. He accumulated rapidly after coming here and became one of the prosperous farmers of this locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Branson Pitts ten children were born, three of whom are deceased : those living are H. C., of Union township: J. M., also of Union township: Martha, the wife of Frank Worth, of Rush county; J. E., of Bedford. Indiana; A. C., of Hanover township: R. E. also lives in this township: Lindley H.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and assisted his father with the work about the place, attending the district schools in the meantime. He later attended the Central Normal College, at Danville, Indiana. Turning his attention to teaching he engaged in this profession for one year in Union township. but not liking it as well as he had contemplated, he then went to farming, which he has since followed with much success. He bought his present farm of over seventy-seven acres in 1895, on which he carries on gen- eral farming, handling some stock from time to time. He keeps everything in first class shape about his place, and always raises good crops, mostly grain.
The married life of Mr. Pitts began November 26, 1891, when he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Cora Swain, who was born in North Carolina, January 2, 1869, the daughter of Joseph and Huldah ( Macy ) Swain. She came to Shelby county when a girl, her father and mother both having died previously. She received a common school education.
Five children have been born to the subject and wife, named in order of birth as follows: Agnes, born October 15. 1892, is a student in the Morris- town high school: Alta, born July 20, 1894, a student in the common schools : Dorothy, born April 4, 1897; Margaret, born January 21, 1901 : Belva, born February 22, 1905.
Mr. Pitts is a member of the Friends church. In politics he was reared in the Republican faith, but he is a Prohibitionist, and is liberal in his views. He is a man that makes friends easily and the Pitts family is well thought of in this community.
SERG. DANIEL E. OSBORN.
The state of North Carolina has furnished a larger percentage of the emigrants from the Atlantic States to the various sections of Indiana than might at first be apparent to the casual observer, and of the vast number of enterprising, aggressive citizens who have taken up their abode here, the sub-
648
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHIELBY CO., IND.
ject of this sketch must hold a place in the front rank. as we shall see by a study of his interesting career, for in him are manifested many of the sterling characteristics known to his worthy ancestors which has resulted in his win- ning material success and at the same time gaining the confidence and respect of those with whom he has come in contact.
Serg. Daniel E. Osborn was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, March 18. 1872. the son of Jesse H. and Luarcha ( Phillips) Osborn. Jesse H. Osborn died when our subject was a child. and his wife reared the five chil- dren left to her. She successfully managed a small farm, and was enabled to give her children a fairly good education, and D. E. was thus prepared for teaching.
The subject of this sketch came to Indiana in 1894. and worked as a farm hand. Desiring to see something of the great wide world and give ex- ercise to his military instincts, he enlisted in December, 1896. in Company G. Eleventh United States Infantry, which was stationed at Little Rock, Ar- kansas, until the spring of 1898, when it was sent to Mobile, Alabama, from which place it was sent to Tampa, Florida, thence to Porto Rico, and at- taclied to General Miles' army during the Spanish-American war. This regi- ment served in that island until April 3. 1902, having done some fighting in the meantime. They landed at Ponce and were then sent to Yaco and placed under General Swan for the purpose of taking the western end of the island. On August 10, 1898. the Spaniards were engaged near Maygues and the enemy was taken on August 13th. following. Then the Eleventh did garrison duty." On the date mentioned above, April 3. 1902. this regiment left Porto Rico for the Philippine Islands. and thus a voyage of over fourteen thousand miles was made. They landed in Manila. May 3d following, and at first did gar- rison duty. then went on the expedition to Mindano under General Sumner : they encountered the natives in several places. Mr. Osborn says that while in the Philippines they were compelled to guard the Americans while they constructed roads and did other work, for the natives were treacherous. He left there in October. 1902, and arrived in Indianapolis on December 22d. following. after having remained in the service for a period of six years, and he is remembered by the government, which he so ably and faithfully served, with a pension.
Mr. Osborn was married December 31, 1902, to Lula Rigsbce. a native of Shelby county, Indiana, her birth having occurred August 11, 1882. She is the daughter of Adrian and Alice ( Powell ) Rigsbee, and she is a graduate of the high school at Arlington.
In 1904 Mr. and Mrs. Osborn moved onto the farm where they now live. section 29. Hanover township, and each succeeding year has added to their prosperity. This farm, which is under a high state of improvement, and is worth twenty thousand dollars, consists of one hundred and twenty acres.
649
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
Grain is extensively grown. and much interest is taken in stock raising. good stock of various kinds being constantly kept on the place, Mr. Osborn being es- pecially interested in well-bred horses, of which he is an excellent judge. Ilis residence is a modern and commodious one, a heating plant supplying hot and cold water having been installed. A large, substantial barn and other neces- sary outbuildings are also to be seen on this very attractive farm. Mr. Os- born is also a stockholder in the Gwynneville Breeding Association.
Mr. and Mrs. Osborn are the parents of two interesting children, Garel- dene, born December 11. 1905. and Martin, born December 30, 1907.
In politics our subject is a Republican. Mrs. Osborn is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church." Mr. Osborn is an interesting conversational- ist, having traveled extensively and been a close observer, and he and Mrs. Osborn are held in high esteem by all who know them.
JAMES H. ARNOLD.
That indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to Mr. Arnold's nature is evinced by the fact that the farm on which he lives in Hanover township. Shelby county, Indiana, shows that a hard-working man has managed it. for the fields are well tilled and the buildings on the place are kept in good repair.
James H. Arnold was born December 11. 1852, in North Carolina, the son of Franklin and Elizabeth ( Dorsell) Arnold, both, like our subject. na- tives of the old Tar state. in which they were married and from which they came to Indiana just before the war in 1861. They located in Marion town- ship. Shelby county, where Franklin Arnold lived until his death in 1877. He was a devout Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which faith he died. His wife joined him in the spirit land in 1880. Five children were born to them, namely: Martha, Emily, Elizabeth. A. N. and James H. Four of these are living. Martha being deceased.
James H. Arnold was six years old when his parents brought him to Shelby county. He was reared in Marion township, where he attended the district schools, having alternated schooling and farming on his father's place until he was nineteen years old.
In 1874 Mr. Arnold was married to Theodosia Graham, who was born December 25, 1855. the daughter of James M. Graham, a native of Ken- tucky. Mrs. Arnold is a native of Shelby county, where she received her education in the common schools. To this union nine children were born, seven of whom are living and two are deceased. Those living are : Walter, Margaret. Frank, Pearl. Oler. William and Ona. William graduated from the Morristown high school.
650
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold are faithful members of the United Brethren church, the former being one of the trustees of the local congregation. and he has served very capably as superintendent of the Sunday school, being a teacher and active worker in the same.
In his political relations Mr. Arnold is a Republican, and in 1901 he was elected Township Assessor of Hanover township, and served in this capacity for a period of four years in a most acceptable manner ; in fact so well pleased were his constituents with his work that he was again elected Assessor in 1908, and is now serving his second term.
Our subject enjoys in the fullest measure the confidence of the public, because of the honorable business methods he has ever followed. and one of the most successful and honored men in Hanover township is James H. Arnold.
JOHN T. KEATON.
He of whom this brief sketch is written is a representative of one of the pioneer families prominent here over a half a century ago, the subject having passed his entire life within the borders of Shelby county. with the exception of trips of short duration to other localities, and he is now regarded as one of the successful citizens of Hanover township. having attained prosperity through his own well-directed efforts. His birth occurred in this township, August 24. 1852, the son of Benjamin and Mary (Spurrier) Keaton, the former a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was born February 2, 1811. Mr. Keaton, great-grandfather of the subject, was killed in the Revolutionary war. Thomas Keaton finally came to Indiana, settling in Fay- ette county, later coming to Madison county, where he owned a farm and in which county he died. Benjamin Keaton came to Hanover township. Shelby county, where he was married to Mary A. Spurrier, a resident of Hanover township at that time. Benjamin Keaton entered four hundred and forty acres of land and spent the balance of his life here, developing his farm from the primitive. He is remembered as a quiet unassuming man of upright character. He and his wife were the parents of the following children : Eliza- beth and Jane (twins) ; America, James L., Walter A., Alonzo, deceased ; Missouri, deceased ; Emeline, deceased ; John T., Albert R. and Zelda.
John T. Keaton was reared on the farm where he now lives, which he helped to clear and ditch. He attended school in the meantime in the district schools and obtained a good education. He remained on the farm, assisting with the work there until he was twenty-seven years old.
Mr. Keaton was united in marriage with Belle Gowdy on October 8. 1879. She is the niece of Captain Gowdy, and was born in Jasper county.
651
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
Indiana, March 3. 1860, and she was reared on a farm in her native commu- nity. She was thirteen years old when she was brought to Posey township, Rush county, by her people.
Mr. and Mrs. Keaton are the parents of these children: Louis B., born September 4. 1884. married Nellie Linville. They live on a farm west of that of our subject. Mary, Mr. Keaton's daughter, was born September 17, 1892.
Mr. Keaton owns a fine farm of one hundred ninety-one and one-half acres. It is well improved in every respect and on it stands a substantial and comfortable dwelling and cther good buildings. Mr. Keaton is largely in- terested in short horn cattle. keeping much registered stock and his sales on the same are rapid. his excellent breeds of cattle often bringing fancy prices. for they are admired by all who see them. Our subject is also a stockhokler in the local telephone and gas company. In politics he is a Democrat. His name is associated with progress in his native county and among those in whose midst he has always lived he is held in the highest esteem by reason of an upright life and of fidelity to principles that command the respect of all.
WILLIAM D. KEATON.
Mr. Keaton has an enthusiastic interest in his business and he does not scorn that close attention to detail without which the highest degree of suc- cess can never be obtained. He has many characteristics which have gained for him the warm regard of those with whom he has had dealings.
William D. Keaton was born on the farm where he now lives. October 29, 1851. the son of William and Kezar ( Selby) Keaton. William Keaton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; he emigrated to the West, locating in Hanover township. Shelby county. Indiana, being the first settler in this neigh- borhood. He entered eighty acres of land. all in the woods. He soon began cutting away the timber and erected a cabin, and he lived to see all the land cleared and-ditched, and improved in general. He purchased the first tile in this locality. His death occurred in 1874. He was twice married, five children hay- ing been born to his first union, and nine children by the last marriage. Out of the fourteen children there are now living. A. H. : Laura, the wife of Elmer Gunning, of Morristown, Indiana: Effie, wife of Vernon Wagnel; William D., our subject.
William Keaton's father was a cabinet maker. of Philadelphia, hut owing to ill health moved from that city to Fayette county. Indiana, where he began farming. He brought his children, six sons and two daughters, with him and they soon had a good home in the then western wilds. His wife was a de- scendant of a Welsh family and a native of Maryland. She was a small
652
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
woman, physically. William Keaton was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and he was known as one of the leading pioneers of this township.
William D. Keaton was reared on the farm and his education was obtained in the district schools. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years old. Thomas and Oliver Keaton, brothers of the subject, saw service in the Civil war as members of the Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
Mr. Keaton married Sarah Addison October 30, 1873. She was born and reared in Shelby county, the daughter of a well known family. This union has resulted in the birth of two children-Bertha, who received a com- mon school education, and Pearl, who married Charles Racer, a railroad man.
Mr. Keaton is making a good living on a neat little farm of forty acres, which is well drained and well kept. He is a member of the Morristown Lodge, No. 193. Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he is a Republican, but has never aspired to office. Mrs. Keaton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Keatons are among the best known families in this part of Shelby county, and they have always borne an excellent reputation. being both honest and industrions.
JOSEPH L. SULLIVAN.
To his own efforts is the success of Mr. Sullivan attributable, for he started out in life with small capital and few influential friends to aid him, but by persevering he ranks today among the successful farmers of Hanover township, of which he is a native, having been born here March 22. 1874. the son of Joseph F. and Melissa A. ( Wicker) Sullivan, one of the old and well known families of this locality. Darby Sullivan, grandfather of the subject, was born in Ireland. Upon coming to America he located in North Carolina. in which state he lived the remainder of his life. There Joseph F. Sullivan, father of the subject, was born September 10. 1827, and he secured what edu- cation he had in the old Tar state, assisting with the work of establishing a home in those early days. But while his educational advantages were limited, he educated himself. being an ambitious youth, and became a noted speller and a great reader. He married in North Carolina and came to Shelby coun- ty, Indiana, locating in Union township. November 19. 1858. Here he exer- cised his ability as a speller. winning a prize, a Webster's unabridged diction- ary, at a county spelling match held at Morristown in 1875, in which the whole county was interested. He was a good manager and succeeded in winning success from the primitive conditions he found here. In politics he was a Democrat, but never held public office and took but little part in public affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Sullivan were the parents of eight children, three sons and one daughter, living. They are John W., Thomas. Nancy Webb, and Joseph L., our subject.
653
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
Joseph L. Sullivan was reared in the neighborhood where he now lives. He attended the district schools, receiving a fairly good education, working on the home place until he was twenty-one years old, when he left his parental roof-tree. When twenty-three years old he married Grace Conaway, a daugh- ter of a well known family of Dearborn county, Indiana, and to this union one son, John C., was born July 11. 1898, and is now a student in the local school. He is a bright lad with much of the proverbial Irish vivacity in his nature.
Mr. Sullivan after his marriage rented two hundred acres of land, and he has made a success in his farming pursuits. being a careful manager and a hard worker. His forty-acre place on which he now lives has excellent im- provements on it in every respect and the general appearance of the place in- dicates that the subject, who is yet a young man, will some day rank among the most successful men in this locality.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.