USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 2 > Part 26
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county : Ada L. is the wife of Fred Wissing, of Rush county: Clinton W. is a farmer in Rush county, and is the oldest of the family. The father of R. 11. Phillips passed away June 10, 1901.
Edward N. Phillips was reared upon his father's farm, and received a good education in the district schools of his neighborhood. having remained in school until he was twenty-one years old. On January 6, 1805. he was married to Rosa B. Six, of Rush county, having been born there October 8. 1872, the daughter of George Six, Jr. She received .a common school edu- cation. To this union one son. Lowell J., was born, October 22, 1902.
Mr. Phillips moved to Shelby county in 1895. locating in Hanover township, where he rented his father's farm. Since locating here he has owned several farms in the eastern part of Hanover township. He farmed and conducted a dairy for seven years with much success. He purchased the place where he now lives in August. 1906: it consists of one hundred and fifty-two acres, and lies in section 17. He also owns eighty-six acres in sections 19 and 20. of this township, near his other farm. His hand is highly improved, and the soil is kept in excellent condition through the rota- tion of crops, etc. He has a splendid residence and good barns. Mr. Phil- lips is a hard worker and he has succeeded through his habits of industry and economy. He is a great stock man, and is widely known as a breeder of pure short-horn cattle. He has sold much thoroughbred stock. He has taken a great pride in the farmers' institute, and his neighbors look to him as a leader in this worthy movement. He was elected president of the same, the duties of which he so well performed that he was re-elected. He is a man who does things, and is a leader in his township. In politics he is a Republican, but has never held office. He holds a birthright in the Quaker church. His wife is a member of the Christian church. From an humble beginning Mr. Phil- lips has gradually climbed the ladder of success until today he is comfortably well-to-do. Such a man can justly claim the esteem of his fellow citizens. which they seem to freely accord throughout this locality, for he and his es- timable wife are popular with all classes in Shelby county.
SIMON MILLER.
A widely known and highly esteemed citizen of Van Buren township. Shelby county, is Simon Miller, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, April 11, 1830. His grandfather. Peter Miller, was born in Germany, but came to the United States many years ago and settled in Virginia, thence moved to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his days. his widow subsequently moving to Shelby county, Indiana, where she died
MR. AND MRS. SIMON MILLER.
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the year following her arrival. Peter Miller was a linen weaver, and he worked at his trade for some time after coming to America, but in Ohio fol- lowed farming for a livelihood. Jacob K. Miller, father of the subject. was born in Virginia, as was also his wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Kern. Abont 1823. he changed his residence to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he resided until his removal, October. 1839. te Shelby e unty, Indiana. He lived on the Brandywine, one-half mile east of the present Miller home- stead. spending the remainder of his life there, dying at the early age of forty- eight : his widow, who survived him a number of years, reached a very old age and became widely known in her community. The Kern family came to America from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania some time between the years 1735 and 1785. They removed to Frederick county, Virginia, and about 1838 the parents of Mrs. Milier moved to the northwestern part of Shelby county, Indiana, where they lived until gathered to their fathers many years later. James K. and Elizabeth Miller were the parents of seventeen children, of which large family nine are still living, namely: Simon, Noah. Jacob. John H .. Lucinda, Lewis, Dr. L. C., Ephraim and Nancy MI.
Simon Miller, of this review, was ten years old when his parents moved to Indiana. since which time he has resided in Shelby county, and has been closely identified with its growth and prosperity. Owing to limited oppor- tunities his early education was considerably neglected. nevertheless he learned reading, writing and arithmetic. besides obtaining a valuable practical knowl- edge, which has enabled him to transact business and discharge successfully the duties of a very active and useful life. In 1848 he worked on the first railroad in Shelby county, from Edinburg to Shelbyville. During his youth and early manhood he helped clear the home farm, and. after remaining under the parental roof and assisting his father until his twenty-seventh year. he began life for himself as a tiller of the soil, which humble vocation he has since followed with gratifying results. At the above age he entered the marriage relation with Sarah A. Sexton, who was born in Shelby county in the year 1840. the ceremony taking place in September. 1857. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller the following children have been born: Laura B., who married Lee Rhodes, of Van Buren township : Purley B .. also a resident of Van Buren township and a farmer by occupation : David L., who lives in this county : Alice, wife of Frank E. Rohm. of Van Buren township, and Charles R., who lives in Freeport. Indiana.
Politically Mr. Miller is a Republican. He cast his first Presidential bal- lot for John C. Fremont, and he has been an earticst and uncompromising advocate of the principles of this party ever since. though never an office- seeker nor aspirant for any kind of public honors. The Methodist Protestant church represents his creed, and for a number of years he and his good wife have been sincere and faithful members of that congregation and active in
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all lines of good work under the auspices of the same. Mr. Miller has a beautiful and highly improved farm of one hundred and forty acres in Van Buren township, and is well situated to enjoy the many material comforts which have come to him as a result of his labors and management. He is enterprising and progressive, and he and his wife enjoy the friendship of a wide circle of friends and neighbors.
MRS. ANN POLLITT.
This estimable lady who, previous to her marriage, bore the name of Ann Evans, comes from the historic island of Great Britain, and combines in her personality the sterling attributes characteristic of the sturdy race to which she belongs. She was born February 21. 1848. in the town of Dudley, Worcester- shire, England, and when five years old accompanied her parents, Thomas and Mary A. ( Pitt) Evans, to the United States, the family settling, Septem- ber. 1853. in Shelbyville, Indiana, thence a little later removed to Indianapolis, where they remained until 1854. In August of the latter year Mr. Evans entered the employ of Mr. O'Brien Gwynne, to operate a stationary engine in that gentleman's mill at a point in Shelby county which, in compliment to the proprietor, was called Gwynne's Mill. afterwards Gwynneville, by which name the place has since been known. although at that time there was nothing but the mill by which to designate the locality. In due time the mill became the nucleus of a thriving local trading point, and in the course of a few years a number of dwelling houses were erected which gave to the place the dignity of a village. Meanwhile, Mr. Evans, who worked for Frances Bros .. moved his industry to Fairland, where Mr. Evans continued in the capacity of en- gineer until his return to Gwynneville, in 1859. where the two gentlemen formed a partnership in the manufacture of drain tile and built up a large and lucrative business. Mr. Evans continued the tile business with encouraging success for a number of years and was also quite fortunate in various other lines of enterprise. He succeeded admirably in all of his undertaking's, accu- mulated money readily and rapidly, and it was not long until he was one of the financially strong and solid men of the county, leaving at his death quite a large fortune, also a reputation for honorable dealing which causes his memory to le revered in the community where he lived and achieved success.
Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Evans, ail died in England. except the subject of this sketch, who is now the only surviving member of the family. Anna Evans spent the greater part of her childhood and youth at or near the village of Gwynneville, received her education in the public schools and since her arrival in this country in 1853 has resided continuously in
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Shelby county. From her youth she was instructed in the humble arts and homely virtues which dignify the sex and make for upright conduct.
On June 6, 1881. Miss Evans became the wife of Alexander Pollitt, who came to Indiana from his native state of Kentucky in his boyhood and grew to maturity in Shelby county. He possessed keen, practical intelligence. well- balanced judgment and for a number of years took an active interest in the growth of the country and the development of its resources, devoting especial attention to the village of Gwynneville, which he laid out in the year 1880. and which was indebted to him for much of its subsequent prosperity. For some years Mr. Pollitt was employed by a manufacturer of drain tile. subse- quently became a partner in the business and still later operated a factory of his own, which returned him a liberal income. In connection with this in- dustry he was also engaged in agricultural pursuits, and for several years cultivated the beautiful and highly improved farm of one hundred and eight acres in Hanover township, which he owned. the land being in his widow's possession since his death. Mr. Pollitt was not only a successful farmer and enterprising business man. but was also a local politician of considerable note. a leading Democrat of the township in which he resided. and stood high in the confidence of party councils, besides rendering efficient service in county. district and state affairs. He was public-spirited in the sense of assisting every worthy enterprise, which appealed to his judgment and, as already stated, was alive to the material advancement of his township and county. also in the social and moral welfare of his fellowmen. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow, and a zealous worker in the ledge with which he held member- ship. Religiously he was in sympathy with the plain simple teachings of the Christian church, belonging to the congregation at Morristown.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pollitt one child was born in 1885, and died in 1889. the husband and father departing this life in the year 1892. After the death of Mr. Pollitt his widow occupied the home place near Gwynneville for four years ; she is now residing in Gwynneville, and gives personal attention to the large business interests which she assisted in building up and in the manage- ment of which she has demonstrated judgment. discretion and executive abil- ity of a very high order. In addition to the farm alluded to she owns other valuable real estate, her lands amounting to five hundred acres, all in Hanover township, and containing as fertile soil as any like area in Shelby county. She has also been interested in Gwynneville, having laid out her first addition to the town, September, 1898, and the second some time afterward. the former consisting of twenty-one and the latter of forty-five lots. Although in her sixty-first year. Mrs. Pollitt is a well preserved woman, retaining the posses- sion of her physical powers to a marked degree, while her mental faculties are as keen and alert as in the days of her prime. Her interest in material things has not abated by the passing years, as is indicated by her connection with her
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two cousins, Edward and John T. Evans, in the ownership and management of the Gwynneville Natural Gas Plant, of which the former gentleman is superintendent. As stated in the preceding paragraph. Mrs. Pollitt gives personal attention to her business affairs, which have always been successful. and her valuable real estate and other property at this time represents a for- tune conservatively estimated to be in excess of one hundred thousand dollars. a goodly portion of which is the result of her rare foresight and management. Although wealthy far beyond the average man or woman, Mrs. Pollitt is iree from the slightest tinge of vanity and never allows her possessions to interfere with her daily routine of duty. She is the embodiment of whole-hearted . hospitality, always meeting her neighbors and friends on a common social plane, she has endeared herself to them by many kindly acts and loving minis- trations. Many years ago she made a public profession of religion and has ever since lived the humble devoted life of a true disciple, being a member of the Christian church of Gwynneville, for which she is an earnest worker and liberal contributor.
In closing this brief sketch of the career of one of Shelby county's most enterprising and highly esteemed women. it is proper to glance hastily at the village, which her husband founded, and to the growth of which she has con- tributed as much, if not more, than any other individual. Since the platting of Gwynneville by Mr. Pollitt in 1880, it has grown into a thriving country vil- lage with a population considerably in excess of three hundred. and it is How the principal trading point of a large and thickly settled section of country. The business interests, which are in the hands of enterprising and capable men. are steadily advancing and. judging from present indications. it is safe to prophesy for the village a growing and prosperous future.
AI H. SCHNAITTER.
Among the emigrants from Germany in 1834 was Henry Schnaitter, who came over when twenty years of age, and settled at Sandu-ky. Ohio. A year later he removed to Indiana, and located on a farm which he purchased and cultivated until his death in 1879. He married Agnes Roland, a native of England. who came over with her parents when eight years of age, and set- tled at Toronto, Canada, and married there about 1849. At present she is residing in Switzerland county. Indiana. at the age of seventy-four. They became the parents of eleven children : Charles S .. the eldest, married Irene Vernon, has two children and resides on a farm in Jefferson county. William S. died when twenty years old. Elizabeth S. married R. E. Coleman, an agent of the Prudential Insurance Company, has three children, and is a resident of
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Indianapolis. Cornelius S. first married Mae Bantat, who died in a year, and then Addie Taylor, by whom he has four children. Ile is a contractor and owns a cement plant at Anderson, Indiana. Alice S. married Frank Danner. has five children and lives at Indianapolis. Priscilla S. married .A. J. Law- more, a farmer and stock raiser in Jefferson county. They have five children. Frank S. married Tabitha Sample, superintendent of a box factory at Madi- son, Indiana. John L. S. married Stella Conklin, a furniture maker of Con- nersville, Indiana : they have three children. Agnes S. married Joseph Dischi. a farmer of Jefferson county, and died a year later. Walter V. S., a bache- lor, lives with his aged mother, and takes care of her farm.
Ai H. Schnaitter was born in Jefferson county. Indiana, November 22, 1871, and was educated in the district schools. At the age of fourteen he took charge of his mother's farm and looked after the welfare of his brothers and sisters. He thus continued until the completion of his twenty-eighth year. when he went to Columbus. Indiana, and engaged in the insurance business. In 1903 he removed to Shelbyville and has since been assistant superinten- dent and agent for his company. In order to avoid another removal, he re- signed the assistant superintendency and took an agency, in order to be with his family. He now comrols the largest line of policies in his district, hay- ing won a number of the best prices for quality and quantity of business done. Mr. Schnaitter is a stockhokler in the Shelbyville Foundry and Machine Works and is in all respects an up-to-date and wide-awake business man. He is popular in other ways, having been a candidate for Councilman from the First ward in 1905. He is a member of Chillon Lodge. No. 129. Knights of Pyth- ias, at Shelbyville, and belongs to Blue Ladge No. 28. of the Masonic Order. December 7. 1900. Mr. Schnaitter married Carrie Joyce, daughter of Pleney and Clara ( Brooks) Joyce, of Trimble county, Kentucky. Her father is a large farmer there and of his nine children. Carrie was the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Schnaitter have two sons. Edgar Joyce, born July 20, 1902, and Paul R., born October 5. 1904.
MRS. NANCY A. SMITH.
The esteemed lady whose life is briefly outlined in the following para- graphs is a native of Johnson county, Indiana, and a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Smith) Thompson, both parents representatives of well known families who came to the state in an early day and took an active part in the development of their respective communities. The Thompsons were originally from Virginia, but many years ago migrated to Pennsylvania, where James Thompson, Mrs. Smith's grandfather, was born and reared. He served in the 46
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War of 1812, and later moved to Indiana, locating in the county of Marie n. where he spent the remainder of his life as a tiller of the soil. Joseph Thomp son came to Indiana when young and lived for some years in Marion coanty. subsequently moving to Johnson county, thence to the county of Tipton, where his death occurred in the year 1850.
Elizabeth Smith, wife of Joseph Thompson, and mother of the subject of this review, was born in July, 1814. in Kentucky, and in 1833 accompanied her parents to Johnson county, Indiana, where she married and resided for some years. Later she moved with her husband to the counties of Marion and Tipton, and in due time. after an active and useful life, finished her labors and was gathered to her fathers in the world beyond death's mystic stream. To Joseph and Elizabeth Thompson five children were born. two sons and three daughters, viz : George C., a fruit grower of Southport. Indiana : Mary. deceased; Nancy, of this review : Mrs. Lucinda Ferguson, of Indianapolis, and John M., of Irvington, Indiana.
Mrs. Smith's maternal ancestors were Germans, her great-grandfather Smith was born in the oll country, and when a young man took passage for America, and while en route married a lady whom he met aboard the ship. On landing the happy couple made their way to Kentucky, where they established a home and reared a family, the maternal side of which had its origin in tre- land. the immigrant lady who changed her name ere landing on the shores of the new world having been a native of the Emeraldl Isle.
Nancy Thompson was born March 25. 1845, and when quite young re- moved with her parents from Johnson county to Southport in the county of Marion, where she grew to maturity and received her education. She was reared to habits of industry and economy, early became familiar with the duties of the household and grew up with well defined ideas of the responsi- bilities in store for the young woman desirous of becoming a homemaker and helper in the great struggle of life. On January 2. 1866, she gave her hand in marriage to James E. Smith, who was born in Georgetown, Kentucky, Jaly 11, 1827. and who, when about three months old, was brought by his parents to Marion county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood's estate and began life for himself. After teaching school for a number of years he located at Foun- taintown, where he engaged in business with Benjamin Freeman. the firm thus constituted lasting twenty-one years, during which time Mr. Smith became widely known and achieved marked success in the line of trade with which he was identified. He early rose to an influential position in the village, served two terms as trustee of Van Buren township, and with the exception of two terms was postmaster at Fountaintown from the time the office was es- tablished until his death.
Mr. Smith was twice married, the first time to Margaret Cunningham, who died in February, 1865. after bearing him two children, Elizabeth, wife
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of Charles I. Taylor, of Van Buren township: Mary died when two years of age. His marriage with the subject resulted in the birth of four children. namely : Margaret. born October. 1800, is unmarried and lives with her me ther : she was educated in the common schools and at Duville Normal College, and is a lady of culture and excellent character. and is highly esteemed by the large circle of friends with whom she associates. W. H., the second in order of birth, is noticed at some length on another page of this work. Adelaide. born in 1874. is the wife of Dr. Harry H. Miller, chief surgeon of the Sol- diers' Home at Marion, and James R .. the youngest of the family, whose birth occurred in the year 1876, and who married Bessie Allen, lives in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Smith was a successful man and, by strict attention to business, accumulated a handsome fortune, which at the time of his death was con- servatively estimated at seventy-five thousand dollars. every dollar of which was earned by fair dealing and eminently honorable methods. He always manifested a lively interest in the community. assisted all worthy enterprises. and was a liberal donor of churches, charities and other humanitarian objects. A Republican in politics, he had little taste for political life or the honor of public place, nevertheless he kept abreast of the times on all matters of local and general interest and like all good citizens never forgot the debt he owed the community or his obligations to his fellow men.
Since the death of Mr. Smith, which occurred July 22. 1905. Mrs. Smith has kept the home in Fountaintown, where she is widely known and highly esteemed. She is a lady of beautiful character and many amiable traits, a sin- cere Christian and a zealous member of the Baptist church.
W. H. SMITH.
W. H. Smith. the second child of James and Nancy A. Smith, is one of Shelby county's native sons, and dates his birth from the month of August. 1869. having first opened his eyes to carthly scenes in the village of Fountain- town, of which he is still an honored resident. At the proper age he entered the schools of the town, and after finishing the prescribed course and receiv- ing a certificate of graduation from the high school. he became a student of the Central Normal University at Danville, where he continued his studies for a period of four years. On leaving the latter institution. Mr. Smith turned his attention to business pursuits, and from the year 1889 until 1902 was with his father in the mercantile trade at Fountaintown, during which time he acquired a thorough knowledge of the principles of business. In the lat- ter year he took charge of the establishment and has since been sole manager
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of the same, building up an extensive and lucrative patronage the meanwhile. and with a stock of between five and six thousand dollars, is now one of the leading merchants in the place. In 1905 he succeeded his father as postmas- ter, and still has charge of the office, in addition to which he is also identified with various other enterprises, being public-spirited and interested in all measures having for their object the material advancement of the community and the welfare of the people.
In connection with his mercantile interest Mr. Smith devotes consider- able attention to agriculture and live stock. He is also an enterprising farmer. his farm consisting of two hundred ten acres, to the management of which he gives his personal attention. Mr. Smith is a man of sound judgment and practical intelligence. a notable example of the broad-minded American of today, fully in touch with the times and an influential factor in building up the community and giving strength and stability to the body politic. He is a Mason of high degree. belonging to Morristown Lodge, No. 197, Green- field Chapter and Commandery, and Murat Temple. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Indianapolis, in all of which branches of the order he has been an active worker, besides being honored from time to time with important offi- cial stations. He is a staunch supporter of the Republican party, and an un- tiring and influential worker for its success, but has never sought office nor aspired to public honors, although a natural leader and well fitted for any position within the gift of his fellow men.
Mr. Smith's first wife was Grace Bowman, daughter of William Bow- man, of Shelby county, who bore him one child. Nanny L., and departed this life in 1906. Subsequently, October. 1908, he was united in marriage to Vernie Cole, of Van Buren township.
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