USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 2 > Part 22
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Henry Briggeman received his education in the city schools of Cincin- nati. He was married to May Lena Whissing, daughter of George and Bar- bara Whissing. She was born May 30, 1848, in Germany, and came to the United States with her parents when eight years of age. This family lived in Cincinnati for awhile, and then came to Shelby county, buying land in Liberty township, where our subject now resides. All was a wilderness here in those days. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Briggeman were married October 3, 1869, and the following children have been born to them: Barbara, born May 24, 1870, died September 24, 1870: Rose Caroline, born December 31. 18,1, died March 17. 1873: Mary Magdalena. born November 14. 1873, married John Kepple, and they live in Union township. Shelby county, Indiana : Wil- helmina, born December 13. 1875. married Jacob Kepple; they are the par- ents of three children, and are living in Liberty township: George Frederick was born February 7. 1878, and is living at home; Anna Margaret. born May 3, 1881, is at home : Louise Charlotte, born February 7, 1884, is livng at home; Jacob Edward, born July 25, 1886. married Elece Daywalt ; they are the parents of one child and live in Liberty township.
When the subject married he settled in Shelbyville, where he lived until 1872, when he came to Liberty township, and he has remained on the same place ever since, except a short time near Waldron. He settled in Shelby- ville in 1865, after returning from the army. He has one of the best farms in Liberty township, and he has carried on general farming and stock raising with eminent success attending his efforts, being a good manager and desiring to keep abreast of modern methods. He has a good house and barn and plenty of new-style farming machinery.
Mr. Briggeman was one of the patriotic men of our country who showed their loyalty to the old flag during the dark days of the sixties, having en- listed in the Federal army at Cincinnati. February 3. 1865. in Company K. One Hundred and Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was in the employ of the government about one and one-half years before his enlistment. He was in the great battle of Nashville, and in many skirmishes toward the close of the war. He was in the review at Winchester. Virginia, and was honorably discharged in that state in 1865. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. Post 18. He is usually found at work about his place, which is always attractive. He is a member of the German Evangelical church, in Union township. He says that when he came to Shelbyville it was a very small village. That was in the days of the old Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad, before the building of the Big Four. Mr. Briggeman is one of the best known of the German element in Shelby county, and his career has been without a blemish in every respect. and in his old age he is the recipient of the friendship of all who know him.
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JOSIAH IL. CONGER.
One of the well known agriculturists of Shelby county, Indiana, is Josiah H. Conger, who was born in Noble township, this county, June 10, 1853. the son of David Jefferson Conger. of Butler county, Ohio, who married Delila Jeffers, a native of the same county. the wedding occurring there. Butler county having been their home since childhood. They were educated in the common schools. Believing that better opportunities existed in the newer country to the west of the old Buckeye state they accordingly came to Shelby county. Indiana, in 1838, and located in Noble township. They were thrifty and besides their property in this county, also owned a farm in Mar- shall county, this state. The land which David Conger secured in this county was only partly improved. He finished clearing it and placed it in a high state of improvement making his home on the same until his death in 1894. his widow surviving only one year. They were members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Mr. Conger was first a Democrat and later a Republican. To this union seven children were born, two of whom died young. The names of the others are as follows: Wilson T., a farmer in Shelby township. this county : Thomas J., a farmer and truck raiser in Addison township: John T .. a farmer and sorghum maker at Geneva, Indiana: Malissa J. married Wil- liam H. Jones, of Kosciusko county, Indiana ; Josiah H., of this review.
Josiah H. Conger received only a common school education. He re- mained at home and took care of his parents in their old age. This he deemed a pleasure as well as a privilege. He was first married December 21. 1879. to Mary J. Thompson, of Shelby township, this county. She was the daughter of Elias Thompson, and her death occurred March 14. 1891. Mr. Conger's second marriage was with Eliza C. Medsker. on March 4. 1899. She was the widow of Francis M. Medsker, of Shelby county. He was a farmer and died in 1896. The subject's second wife was the daughter of Spencer H. De- Forest. of Bridgeport. Connecticut, who married Rebecca N. Gardner, of Dundee. New York. They married January 22, 1846. He was born October 10, 1822, and the date of his wife's birth was February 2, 1826. Mrs. Conger was born in Bourneville, Ohio. Spencer H. DeForest lived in Penn- sylvania. later Ohio; then he came to Shelby county. Indiana, and settled in Hendricks township. He practiced medicine successfully for many years. dying in 1892. his wife having preceded him to the silent land in 1890. Three children were born to them. namely: Marian H., widow of Abraham Wil- liam, who is deceased : she is living in Indianapolis. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Spencer H. DeForest is the wife of the subject of this sketch : and their third child is Laura R., who married James H. Ross, of Shelbyville. Indiana. To the subject and his first wife one son was born, Paul T., whose birth occurred October 22. 1882. and whose death was on September
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30, 1905. Mrs. Conger's father was a natural musician, being proficient ou the guitar. He composed considerable music of excellent quality.
In 1902 Mr. Conger located in Addison township in Section 3, where he now resides. He secured sixty acres of land and made many valuable im- provements on the same. He raises Jersey cattle and Poland China hogs, also Barred Plymouth Rock poultry. Everything about his place in the way of stock, poultry, etc., is first class. He has devoted his life to farming and is well abreast of the times on all subjects relating to farming. He has a com- fortable home, also a good barn and farming machinery.
Mr. Conger has never aspired .to office of public trust. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mrs. Conger holds membership with the Baptists. The former is a member of the Royal Neighbors and a Mason since 1874. belonging to the Blue Lodge of Shelbyville. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, No. 241, of Sulphur Hill; also a member of the Modern Woodmen, No. 3272, of Shelbyville. The fine home of the subject is known throughout the county as West View Farmı.
JOHN M. MOBERLY.
The large vote that he received when he successfully sought public office attested to the great popularity of John M. Moberly in Shelby county, and was an evidence of the perfect confidence the people thereof place in him. Mr. Moberly is a thoroughly practical farmer, and has had much success in agri- cultural pursuits He was born in Union township. Shelby county, August 8, 1843. and is the son of Thomas Moberly, of Madison county, Kentucky. His father was born January 20, 1821, being the eldest of a family of three children. His parents were William and Martha ( Robertson) Moberly. They were originally from North Carolina. Both of them died in Kentucky. When James Robertson, an uncle of Thomas Moberly, came to Shelby county to live, the boy accompanied him. He was given as good an education as it was possible to procure in these early days. He was married in February, 1842, to Julila Barnes, of Kentucky, and they became the parents of six chil- dren. Besides John M., there were the following: William N .. farmer in Decatur county, died 1905; James H .. single, justice of peace, Shelbyville ; Mary married Dr. A. M. Pherson, Osborn, Ohio, and has three children, Adella, Ora and Hester ; Martha married Samuel Farthing. Union township. has one daughter, Bertha M .: Edward R., farmer in Marion township, mar- ried Carrie Yearling.
Thomas Moberly was a hard working and thrifty man. He owned four hundred acres of valuable land, and gave each of his children a good start in
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life. He and his wife were both active members of the Baptist church and highly respected. He was a Whig and then a Republican. He served as a justice of the peace for thirty-six years. In 1887 he moved to Shelbyville. and died there October 11, 1908. His wife had preceded him to the grave in June, 1902.
John M. Moberly lived at home with his parents until he was thirty-one. On December 28, 1876, he was married to Mary E. De Witt. of Union town- ship, daughter of Hiram DeWitt. He was born February 10. 1818. being the fourth of a family of nine children. The De Witts came to Shelby county in 1822 and settled in Union township. Iliram lived at home until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He had been educated in the primitive log school of that day. He married Mary E. Gunning. May 20. 1840, and they had eight children, two of whom are now living. the latter being Mrs. Moberly and Phoebe A. Talbert. Those dead were Hiram W., Thomas J., William E., David W .. James M. and Peter M.
Mr. and Mrs. Moberly have four children: Charles E. married first to May Brown, deceased, second to Florence Jones; has one son, by first wife. Thomas L .. and two sons by second. Morris and Clark: Harry M. married Mildred Major, one son. Major : Frank and Oris, single and at home. Shortly after their marriage the Moberlys located on a farm in Addison township. where they still live, and where they own one hundred and twenty-two acres of very valuable land. Since entering upon this place they have made many costly improvements. He also is the owner of forty acres upon which his son. Charles E., resides. Mr. Moberly has always been a farmer, of that caliber that insists upon keeping abreast of the times. He has always been a consistent Republican, and was honored by that party with the office of County Commissioner. serving for three years. The subject is a Mason, being a member of Blue Lodge. No. 24, Shelbyville, Indiana. Mrs. Moberly is a member of the Little Blue River Baptist church. Mr. Moberly and his wife have both taught school at one time in their lives. the former having served in that capacity for eleven terms. They are very well known throughout Shelby county, and highly respected by their neighbors.
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OSCAR COX.
The family of this name, which has been identified with Shelby county for over forty years. originated in Kentucky, where its members were well known and connected extensively with the development of the farming in- terests. Samuel F. Cox, who was born in Kentucky in the twenties, grew up to be a farmer and following agricultural pursuits all his life. He mar-
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ried Mary Flack, a girl of Kentucky nativity, by whom he had seven children. the survivors being Henry, Wesley. Albert and Oscar. These children were all reared upon the Kentucky farm and. after reaching manhood, branched out with various callings as a means of livelihood. Oscar Cox. the third of his father's living children, was born in Gallatin county, Kentucky, Novem- ber 13. 1844. The schools in Kentucky in those days were few and poor, and the chances for education were limited. Oscar, like all farmer boys, had to help with the farm work as soon as he was able to do chores, drop corn or handle a hoe. By intermittent attendance in subscription schools, he acquired a knowledge of the essentials sufficient to fit him for the ordinary business of life. He was ambitious and not finding the prospects in Kentucky very promising, he determined to seek a locality that offered better opportunities to the aspiring. Turning his face northward, across the Ohio and eventually found himself in Shelby county, Indiana, he secured a job as farm laborer and worked by the month for some years. It was in 1866. shortly after the close of the Civil war, that he became a citizen of Noble township, with which he has ever since been connected. There was then in Noble township a family of Moores, descendants of early pioneers, who came in when everything was wild and only partly developed. The first arrival was Henry Moore, a native of Virginia, who married a daughter of ancther old southern family. John Moore, one of their sons, who was a child when his parents came to the coun- ty, was reared on his father's farm, and in early manhood married Rebecca Haymond, by whom he had eight children: Rebecca, A. A., Henry C., Mary J., John and James, twins; John W. and Sarah R. The only survivors are A. A., Sarah R., and Mary J. The latter was born March 16. 1839, and on September 18, 1873, was married to Oscar Cox. Mrs: Cox was reared on her father's old homestead, where she and her husband now reside. Her training and education was similar to that of most farmers' daughters, and she grew up to be an excellent housewife, possessing a fair education, ob- tained in the district schools and well qualified to make a good farmer's wife. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have an only daughter. Ida M., who was born April 3. 1875. and is now the wife of Edward Hawkins, a farmer of Washington township. Mr. Cox owns sixty acres of land in a desirable section of the township, which he spent many years in cultivating, but is now retired from active business. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Waldron, of which Mr. Cox is one of the stewards. In politics he adheres to the Democratic party, but is not an office seeker, though he consented to serve one term as Road Supervisor. He has led the quiet. unobtrusive life of a farmer, but has so conducted his business as to earn the good will and esteem of all his neighbors. The family are respected as among the worthy citizens of the township who have well fulfilled their duties as friends and neighbors.
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WILLIAM AVERY.
One of the progressive agriculturists of Noble township. Shelby county. and a native born citizen of the same is William Avery, whose date of birth occurred February 17. 1860, the son of Oscar and Elizabeth ( Brooks ) Avery, an old and influential family of this locality. Oscar Avery was born in 1832. The Avery family came to this county in a very early day and set- tled on Flat Rock creek in Noble township, and to its several members as much as to any other family is due the subsequent development of the same. Here Oscar was born and here he helped develop the farm which his father entered from the government. Oscar grew to manhood in this community and married here, the maiden name of his wife being Elizabeth Brooks, the daughter of a family who also settled here in a very early day. He went to New Albany. Irdiana, where he still resides. To Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Avery twelve children were born, five of whom are now living, namely : Edwin, of Texas: William, of this review : Dudley, of Noble township: Eugene. a con- ductor on the Chicago & Alton Railroad: Lester, of Salisbury, North Caro- lina. He is assistant superintendent on the Southern Railroad.
William Avery was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools : also studied in the Danville Normal School, where he prepared him- self for a teacher, which profession he followed with great success for a pe- riod of thirteen years, having during that time taught many district schools. giving the utmost satisfaction to both pupil and patron. He was principal of the Waldron schools for a period of five years. But believing that greater opportunities awaited him in the business world, he abandoned teaching, and is now a contractor of bridges and macadamized roads. He has been emi- nently successful in the contracting business and he has turned over many large jobs during the past few years. He also finds time to do general farm- ing on one hundred and sixty acres of land which he owns in sections 5 and 6. in Noble township. He has a good farm, which he manages successfully. although very busy with his other work. He keeps a large number of ex- cellent teams for his work in contracting and on the farm. He has a beautiful modern residence, and good barns and outbuildings.
Mr. Avery married Ella McNeeley in 1880. She was born and reared in Shelby county, and her family has long been well known in this locality. To this union three children have been born, one dying in infancy. Those living are Clyde, who is now twenty-six years old, works with his father in his contracting and other business : Stella is the wife of C. C. Curtis.
Mr. Avery's first wife died in 1897, and he married a second time. his last wife being Ida MI. Marshall. She is a woman of refinement. and to this union one child, Lois Bernice, was born in 1899.
Mr. Avery is a member of Waldron Lodge, No. 234. Free and Accepted
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Masons; also belongs to Lodge No. 422, Knights of Pythias, at Waldron, and Lodge No. 197, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past chancellor and post noble grand. He is a member of the Grand Lodges.
Mr. Avery is a Democrat in his political relations, and he very faithfully served his county ( Shelby) as Collector from 1896 to 1900. He is well known throughout the county and is generally popular.
HAYDEN HAYES WAGONER.
The family of this name, long and favorably known in Rush and Shelby counties, is of Southern origin. Milton L. Wagoner, who was born in Harri- son county, Kentucky, in 18cg. came with his parents to Indiana when he was seventeen years old. His father entered land in Rush county, near Mos- cow. when the whole region was covered with primeval forest and entirely destitute of the appliances of civilization. The nearest cabin was seven miles away. the mill so distant that a trip for meal or grain was quite an under- taking. and little to console the incomer, except the abundance of game and the fine fish that wriggled in the clear. pure water of the unpolluted streams. The older Wagoner, assisted by his boys, had to cut a trail through the forest from St. Omer back to his newly entered land. After he had reached his ma- jority, Milton L. Wagoner began branching out for himself and soon dis- played talents of a high order. in different pursuits. Being devoutly religious from youth he figured conspicuously for years in all matters of church govern- mient and development. He was instrumental in establishing the Ebenezer church of the Methodist Episcopal denomination in Orange township. Rush county, and for forty-two years was superintendent of the Sunday school. Having a good education and a natural talent for oratory, he gained local fame as a public speaker and was always in demand when an address was needed. As an exhorter, the Methodist church could show few equals to this backwoods master of eloquence. He was also successful as a school teacher and followed this profession for twenty-three years. He was fond of out-of- door life, an excellent shot with a rifle and a game hunter that ranked with the best of his time. September 8, 1831. he married Lavina M. McDuffee, who was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, June 29, 1813. and came with her people to Rush county in company with the Wagoners. The families located in a mile or two of each other. the children grew up together and there was always the greatest intimacy and neighborly exchange between them during all the years that followed their settlement. To Miller L. and Lavina Wagoner the following children were born: Cinderilla. deceased: Ruhama ( Bushy). of Illinois : Catherine, deceased. as are Peter and Anna. also: Robert, a resi-
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dent of Rush county: Sarah Ann and Venila (Simpson) live in Blue Ridge. and James is a resident of Rush county.
Hayden Hayes Wagoner. the ninth child, was born in Rush county. June 16, 1849. His father being a teacher, he had the benefit of his instruc- tion for several terms and also attended private school in old Ebenezer church. This, in connection with much hard study at night. made him in time an in- usually well educated young man and be utilized his advantages by teaching eight years in Liberty township. After completing these terms, he spent some time in Greensburg, but eventually settled down again to residence on his farm. His father died at the advanced age of ninety-three years, and his mother closed her earthly experiences on January 24. 1892. She was highly respected as an exemplar of what a good Christian mother should be and her religious inclinations came naturally, as she was the daughter of a pioneer preacher of the Methodist church.
October 6, 1870. Mr. Wagoner married Elizabeth, daughter of William and Helen (Boring) Boys, natives of Ohio and among the early settlers in the Milroy neighborhood of Rush county. They have three children : Otto, born February 24. 1872. married Nannie, daughter of Doctor Shrout, at Wal -. dron, has one child. Floyd Earl. and resides in Rush county: Alto, born April 23. 1874, married Delbert Norris, of Liberty township. and has two children. Marie and Stanley : Bessie, born December 14. 1877. married Dora Hunger- ford, resides in Noble township and has one child, Vanch. Mr. Wagoner keeps up with the procession as a progressive farmer and is quite prominent in the affairs of Liberty township. Instead of joining in the cry against the "red devils." Mr. Wagoner purchased an automobile for his own use, taking the view that these machines were more useful to farmers than any other class. His home is supplied with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of modern life. and it is only necessary to glance over the place to see that there is a man in charge who likes to see things kept in good order. The rural mail delivery, telephone and fine pike roads and nearby electric trolley line leave nothing to be desired in the way of conveniences and give evidence that the Wagoner home, like thousands of others in our great country, is en- joying the best that can be accorded by twentieth century civilization.
JOHN WILLIAM GREENE.
North Carolinians bearing this name migrated to Ohio about the time it was made a state, or shortly afterward. and joined in the development of that new commonwealth. Absalom Greene. a son of the first settler, was born in Ohio January 20, 1820. and was some five or six years old when his wid-
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owed mother decided to leave the Buckeye state and plunge into the still wilder regions of Indiana. It was about 1826 that the mother and eight chil- dren appeared in the little town of Shelbyville, seeking an opportunity to secure some government land. They finally k cated on Blue river, just above the town, when the whole face of the country was covered with swamps and timber. After he grew up AAbsalom became a farmer. and in the course of years prospered, being considered one of the well-to-do land owners of the county. He was a man of unusual intelligence, read much and aimed to keep well posted on current events. He was a member of the Baptist church in Addison township, held the office of deacon, was a regular attendant, and led in the old-fashioned singing. and was one of the most enthusiastic workers in the congregation. He devoted his entire life to his farm, his home and his church. He died at Shelbyville. December 19. 1898. He married Mary Montgomery, who was born in Kentucky. December 19, 1822, and died March 5. 1900. Her parents, who brought her here in girlhood, located four miles east of Shelbyville, on the Michigan road. To Absalom Greene and wife six children were born: John William: Sanford Perry, of Madison county ; Elizabeth Ann ( McCauley) lives at Waldron: Annis Laird lives at Meltzerville: Oliver Lindsay, deceased: Emma J. ( Thompson) lives at Winchester. John William Greene, his father's oldest child. was born in Addison township. Shelby county, Indiana. October 8. 1843. Schools were scarce and poor in those days, but he managed to obtain enough education to qualify him to teach school. Thus equipped, though still quite young, he started out as an educator, and devoted ten years to the business in Noble, Addison, Liberty and Moral townships. After he quit teaching he farmed for several years, but in April. 1887, located at Waldron for the purpose of en- gaging in other pursuits. For several years he was employed by David Grubb in the grain business, and later became interested in the implement business for several years. Eventually he became connected with the gas in- terests, and at present is secretary of the Citizens' Gas Company at Waldron.
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