USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 2 > Part 27
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WILLIAM M. HUFFMAN.
Farmer, stock raiser and one of the leading citizens of Van Buren town- ship, is William M. Huffman, a native of Shelby county, Indiana, and a son of George B. and Mary ( Plummer ) Huffman, the former born in Ohio, the mother in South Carolina. The Plummers were originally an old southern family, but in a very early day migrated from one of the Carolinas to Indiana.
George B. Huffman came to Shelby county with his widowed mother when quite young, and grew to maturity in Van Buren township, where he began life for himself as a school teacher. He was a man of good mind and strong character, a successful teacher and for a number of years took an active and prominent part in politics, as well as in religious work, having been one of the influential Republicans of the county, and a leader in the Christian
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church, to which he belonged. At one time he was elected Justice of the Peace, and during the latter years of his life was familiarly known as 'Squire Huffman, the title clinging to him to the end of his days. He died in Marion township in 1880, and nine years later his faithful wife was called to her final rest. Of their family of eleven children. five are living at the present time. the subject of this sketch being the second child in order of birth.
William M. Huffman was born July 16. 1862, and spent his early life in Marion township. where he first saw the light of day. He was reared on the farm. His educational training embraced the branches of the common school course. this discipline being afterwards supplemented by a wide range of reading and close observation, these with the valuable knowledge obtained by mingling with his fellows in various business capacities making him a very intelligent and well infermed man.
Mr. Huffman was eighteen years of age when his father died, up to which time he had remained at home and assisted in the cultivation of the farm. Three years after that event, on January 22, 1885. he was united in marriage to Lucinda Thompson, of Van Buren township, and in the following fall the young couple moved to the old Thompson farm in Van Buren town- ship, which Mr. Huffman subsequently bought and which he still owns. His real estate at this time embraces two hundred and twenty acres of excellent land, the greater part under a high state of cultivation and otherwise well improved, the place being very productive and admirably adapted to stock raising, which branch of farming Mr. Huffman makes a specialty. In the breeding and raising of high grade stock. he has few equals and no superiors in Shelby county, his horses of the Percheron and Norman breeds and fine trotting animals being among the best in this part of the state, as the prices they command and the number of premiums they have taken abundantly at- test. Mr. Huffman is a lover of the horse and takes delight in raising them and from the sale of his fine animals the greater part of his ample fortune has been derived. His business qualifications are of a high order. By industry and economy he has placed himself in a position of financial independence, his farm being conservatively valued at one hundred dollars per acre, which with his live stock and other personal property interests, swells his fortune to a sum considerably in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars. Politically he is a Republican, and as such has rendered efficient service to his party for a number of years: fraternally he is identified with Morristown Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons, and the Knights of Pythias, at Fountaintown, in both of which organizations he has been active and influential, besides being hon- ored with important official positions from time to time.
To Mr. and Mrs. Huffman three children have been born, namely : Rubie E., born October 19, 1889. now a high school student : Mary O., born May 31. 1899, and an infant that was born between these two and died unnamed.
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Mrs. Huffman and her daughter, Rubie, are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. of Fairview, and occupy prominent positions among the in- fluential workers of the organization.
GEORGE H. MILLER.
The subject of this sketch is a descendant of Peter Miller, a native of Germany, who moved to Shelby county in an early day and took an active part in the development of Van Buren township. and the advancement of its various interests. becoming one of the leading farmers of the community , which he helped establish, and a citizen whom to know was to respect and honor. For the early history of the family the reader is respectfully referred to the sketch of Noah Miller, the subject's father, which appears elsewhere in these pages, also to the biography of Nicholas A. Miller, in which certain data may be found.
George H. Miller, son of Noah and Sitha ( Boss) Miller. was born August 16. 1857, in Shelby county. Indiana, and spent his childhood and youth at the family home in Van Buren township, where he early became familiar with hard work and the many duties required of a boy on the farm. In the district school which he attended while growing up he obtained a fair education, and in the fields he was able to do a man's work long before reach- ing his majority. After remaining at home until his twenty-first year and contributing to the support of the family, he hired to his father for five years at one hundred and fifty dollars per year and board, during which time he saved the greater part of his earnings, so that at the termination of the con- tract he had a goodly sum with which to begin life upon his own responsibility. Meantime he accompanied his grandmother to Missouri, where he spent one winter. this being his first trip from home.
After accumulating the sum of six hundred dollars, Mr. Miller decided to set up a domestic establishment of his own. and to assist him in the enter- prise he entered into a life partnership with a young lady by the name of Missouri Willard, to whom he was united in the bonds of matrimony on the 16th day of August. 1883. Mrs. Miller was born in 1865. in Shelby county. Indiana, received a good common school education, and from her marriage t the present time has been her husband's faithful companion and helpmeet. The three years following his marriage. Mr. Miller spent in Johnson county on a large rented farm and his success during that time was very gratifying. At the expiration of that period he returned to Shelby county, and in the year 1880 when twenty-three years old. he purchased the farm of seventy aeres in Van Buren township, on which he has since lived. improving his
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place the meanwhile, and achieving more than ordinary success in the raising of grain and fine stock. His farm, which is admirably adapted to agriculture and stock raising, lies in one of the most fertile sections of Van Buren town- ship. its value being conservatively estimated at one hundred dollars per acre. In addition to its productiveness, the place contains two valuable gas wells. which add greatly to the income of the proprietor. the carnings from this source, with that derived from the sale of live stock and the products of the soil, placing him in independent circumstances.
Mr. Miller is a member of the Methodist Protestant church at Freeport. in which he has been active in all lines of religious work. He is temperate in his habits, and honorable in his dealings with his fellow men. Mrs. Miller also belongs to the same religious body with which her husband is identified. and her daily life is in harmony with the faith to which she yields allegiance. . Their family consists of eight children, whose names are as follows: Oscar, Omer, Lulu, Noah, Ray, Vania, Ruth and Perry. Oscar and Lulu are grad- uates of the public schools. The others are still pursuing their studies in the schools.
ALFRED N. ARNOLD.
Among the prosperous farmers in Hanover township. Shelby county, who. having won marked success in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. is the gentleman whose name appears above, for he started in life in a humble manner with few to assist him in the long battle of bread winning, but he has been persistent and exercised such traits of business ability that always win.
Alfred N. Arnold, son of Lewis F. and Margaret E. ( Dersett ) Arnold, was born in North Carolina. November 9. 1854. and in 1858 he was brought by his parents to Shelby county, Indiana, settling in Marion township. having made the long journey from the old Tar state in wagons. Although a good man and a hard worker, Lewis Arnold remained in moderate circumstances all his life. having rented land. He and his wife were the parents of six children, one of whom died young. They are: Martha .1 .. deceased: Emily F., wife of K. E. Barnes: James H., Assessor of Hanover township: Alfred N., subject of this sketch ; Margaret E .. wife of John Parvis.
Alfred N. Arnold was past three years old when he was brought to Shelby county. He received his education in the district schools in which he spent three months out of each year from the time he reached school age until he was eighteen years old. He assisted his father with the work on the farm during the remainder of the year.
The chapter bearing on the domestic life of our subject dates from the year 1881. when he was united in marriage with Nancy J. Myer. a native of
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Hanover township. her birth occurring in 1858. She was reared in this county and educated in the commen schools.
When Mr. and Mrs. Arnold started out in life together they rented a farm in Hanover township. Mrs. Arnold inherited thirty-five acres of land which the subject began to improve in a short time, renting adjoining land. Later he began to buy the interests of the heirs of the old Myer homestead. until he had a fine farm. He purchased his present place of one hundred and seventeen acres in 1901. This place, located in section 18, has been brought up to a high state of improvement, for the owner is a good manager, keeps well abreast of the times in agricultural matters. He crected a splendid barn in 1908, which burned in July, cf that year, but he has replaced it with an- other very substantial building. He also has a good dwelling house. pleasant- ly located. Besides carrying on general farming. Mr. Arnold keeps con- siderable stock, especially horses and hogs which always find a ready market.
To Mr. and Mrs. Arnold five children have been born, namely : James D .. who is married : Orpha E. married Frank Walker, of Van Buren town- ship : McKinley Hobart. Charles F. and Ralph O. They are all living at home. except James D. and Orpha E.
In religious matters Mr. Arnold is a member of the United Brethren church, being a liberal supporter of the same. having served both as trustee and class leader, also as steward. In politics he is a Republican, and while he is an active worker during election times he has never held office.
Mr. Arnold has found time to travel considerably, having. among other trips, twice visited his old homestead in North Carolina. Ile is well and fa- vorably known throughout Shelby county, and easily ranks among the best farmers of the same.
CHARLES M. JACKSON.
An enterprising farmer and representative citizen of Van Buren township is Charles M. Jackson, a native of Monroe county, Ohio, and one of four children whose parents were W. P. and Martha Jackson. Robert Jackson. the subject's grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, but when a child was taken to Ohio by his parents and grew to maturity in Monroe county, where he married Mary Hawkins, and in due time became the father of eight chil- dren, whose names are as follows: Cassie, Isaac. Sylvester. W. P., Mary. Martha. Albert and James. all deccased except W. P .. of Shelby county. Indiara. and Albert, who lives on the family homestead in Ohio. Abraham Jackson. father of Robert, and a Pennsylvanian by birth, married in his native state a Miss Leonard, and in an early day migrated to Monroe county, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying many years ago.
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W. P. Jackson was born in 1845, grew to maturity on a farm in the county of Monroe, and was twice married. the first time to Martha Nugent. who died May 13. 1883. after leaving him four children, but one of whom. Charles M., of this review, is living. By his second wife. Mrs. Pierpont. nee Bassett, Mr. Jackson has a son. Robert, a well educated young man and one of the popular teachers of Van Buren township.
Charles M. Jackson was born December 20. 1865, and at the age of four years was brought by his parents to Shelby county, Indiana, where he grew to maturity and has since resided. He early became familiar with the rugged duties of country life and at the proper age assisted his father in clearing the farm, ditching the land and cultivating the crops and during the winter months attended the district school until acquiring a fair knowledge of the common branches. He remained with his parents until attaining his majority, when he set up a domestic establishment of his own, choosing for his partner in the important enterprise a young lady by the name of Sarali C. Reeder, who was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on the 12th day of February, 1863. being a daughter of Elmer and Calina ( Bassett ) Reeder. Mr. Jackson and Miss Reeder were married on October 20. 1886, and the union has been blessed with the following children: Perry L .. born in 1887. died June 6. 1888: Frank D., February 11, 1880: Hallie M., May 7. 1891 : Arthur. April 2, 1803. died in infancy : Mabel C., July 31. 1899. and Nina G., who was born on the
21st day of February. IOCI. By the death of her mother. Mrs. Jackson was left an orphan in her infancy, from which time until her marriage she lived with her grandmother Bassett, who moved to Shelby county when her charge was about eighteen months old. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have lived in Van Buren township. and prospered in worldly affairs, owning a good farm and manifesting a lively interest in all that concerns the material progress and moral welfare of the community. They are respected members of the Methodist Protestant church at Morristown.
Mr. Jackson is an Odd Fellow of high standing. belonging to Valley Lodge, No. 627. and Encampment, in both of which he has filled all the chairs. besides being honored at different time: as a representative to the Grand Lodge. Mrs. Jackson is an influential member of the Rebekah Lodge, No. 281, in which she holds the title of past noble grand, and on three occasions she has been chosen to represent the organization in the Grand Lodge in the deliberations of which exalted body she takes an active and prominent part.
In his political views Mr. Jackson is a Democrat and for a number of years has been deeply interested in public affairs. In 1908 he was nominated and elected Trustee of Van Buren Township, overcoming a strong Republican majority and defeating his competitor by an excess of forty votes. He dis- charged the duties of the office in an able and business-like manner and looked carefully after the interests of his jurisdiction and made a record creditable to
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himself and eminently satisfactory to the public. His father was Trustee of Hanover township for five years and was also a member of the Board of County Commissioners, in both of which capacities he rendered efficient service and proved an able and conscientious official.
LEE FORTNER.
The gentleman of whom the biographer writes in this connection has achieved an honorable reputation in a profession which calls for a high order of ability and which many enter only to meet with failure. as profound as it is humiliating. He also enjoys prestige as a farmer and citizen, and it is a fact worthy of note that in every relation of life he has acquitted himself with credit and that in the community where he has long resided few enjoy in as marked degree the confidence and esteem of the public. Lee Fortner, a native of Bartholomew county. Indiana, and the only survivor of a family of five children, was born on the first day of September. 1845. His parents. William and Martha ( Gabbert ) Fortner, were Kentuckians, but came to Indiana a number of years ago, settling in the county of Bartholomew, where they spent the remainder of their days.
Lee Fortner was reared amid the attractive scenes of a beautiful rural home. grew up in close touch with nature, and early became familiar with the practical duties of farm life, for which he has ever since maintained a de- cided preference. After finishing the common school branches, he entered Hartsville College, and upon completing his studies in that institution, took a scientific course at Terre Haute, in connection with which he also made a specialty of elocution and oratory. under the direction of several able instruc- tors, notably among whom was Ex-United States Senator Burton, of Kansas, who taught the first term the subject attended.
Subsequently Mr. Fortner became a student of the Elocutionary School at Cincinnati and, after completing his course there, entered the Chicago School of Expression, where he prosecuted his studies until finishing the full course and receiving his degree, which bears the date of 1885. After grad- uation at the latter institution, he returned to Shelby county, and during the fifteen years ensuing gave private instruction in elocution, varied at intervals by public recitals at various cities and towns, which were always highly ap- preciated.
Mr. Fortner is an accomplished elocutionist. familiar with every phase of his profession, and never fails to please the most critical and exacting an- diences with his renditions of favorite authors, notably James Whitcomb Riley, whose productions in dialect he interprets according to nature. being
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a master of the art of expression and a finished actor. By long and thorough drill under some of the most distinguished artists of the times, he has trained his voice until it can be suited to any kind of recital or declamation. from the most tender and pathetic to the tragic and sublime. Indeed, there is nothing within the entire range of the profession which he has not mastered and in the interpretation of which his ability has long been conceded. Ile belongs to the old classical school of elocutionists. now unfortunately too rare, and has scant respect for the superficial pretenders, who. of recent years, have brought a once dignified and highly prized profession into disrepute. In connection with his professional work, Mr. Fortner has been a tiller of the soil, owning a beanti- ful farm of sixty acres on Brandywine creek, where he lives, and one hundred acres of land in other parts of Van Buren township. He was married Febru- ary 17. 1880, to Mary Thomas, daughter of Sylvester Thomas, of Shelby county. and is the head of a family of five children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows : George A .. May 4, 1881. wife of Verlie Nigh : Bessie B., July 7. 1883. now Mrs. Charles Bassett : Wade. July 11. 1886: Colista L .. August 15. 1888, and Sarah, who was born on January 12, 1893. all graduates of the public schools. Wade being a high school alumnus, and a student at the State University.
Mr. Fortner is a Republican in his political affiliation and in close touch with the leading questions of the day and the issues concerning which men and parties divide. He is a reader and observer, a student of events, and is one of the well informed men of the community as well as one of the town- ship's most popular and praiseworthy citizens. Optimistic in all the term inn- plies, and of an amiable and happy turn of mind, which makes him a favorite in the social circle, he has many warm friends and admirers and is held in high esteem for his excellent qualities of mind and heart and general manly worth.
CHARLES T. WILLIAMS.
Among the successinl self-made men of Shelby county is Charles T. Wil- liams, cashier of the Union State Bank of Morristown, and for many years identified with the commercial and general interests of this prosperous and attractive little city. He was born August 3. 1855. in Fayette county. In- diana, being one of a family of eleven children, whose parents, John and Mary ( Reynolds ) Williams, moved from Delaware to Indiana in an early day, and were among the pioneers of the county of Fayette. When Charles T. was eighteen months of age his father died, leaving to his widow and nine chil- dren the eighty acres of land which he had purchased some time previously, and on which there remained an indebtedness to a considerable amount, to be
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paid. Finding it impossible to support her family and meet this obligation. Mrs. Williams disposed of thirty acres of the farm and on the remaining fifty reared her children and provided well for their future.
At the age of fifteen Charles T. hired to a neighboring farmer, who agreed to pay him fifty dollars for three months' labor, this being the first money he ever earned, and to his credit be it said that he not only saved every dollar of his wages, but invested it so as to add thereafter to his income. After working two seasons for others, he returned home, and, during the three years ensuing. cultivated the home farm and contributed very largely to the support of his mother and the younger children. Selling the place at the end of that time and receiving two hundred dollars as his share of the proceeds, he rented other land and continued the pursuit of agriculture until October. 1882, when he embarked in the drug business, investing in the enterprise about one thott- sand five hundred dollars, which, the meanwhile. he had succeeded in saving.
Mr. Williams began business on the site now occupied by the Union State Bank, and his success during the three years he handled drugs was fairly suc- cessful. Later he devoted his attention successively to the grocery. hardware. live stock and the implement business. in all of which he made rapid advance- ment and, in due time, became one of the progressive and successful tradesmen in a town long noted for the energy and enterprise of its business talent. In June, 1896, he sold his stock and retired from merchandising for the purpose of entering the Union State Bank, which was organized, and of which he was elected president. Subsequently, January 1. 1898. he was made cashier, which position he has since worthily held, discharging his offiial fonctions in an able and eminently satisfactory manner, and continuously adding to his reputation as a capable financier and judicious business man.
Mr. Williams' career presents a series of successes such as few much more advantageously situated attain, and he is now one of the financially solid men of Morristown, and a leader in a number of interests which make for the growth and prosperity of the community.
He has succeeded in amassing a comfortable fortune, owning at this time. in addition to his private means and interest in the bank. a handsome residence and fine business property in Morristown, also considerable valuable real es- tate, including a tract of about one thousand two hundred eighty aeres in Dal- Jam county. Texas. the latter well adapted to agriculture and grazing. Mr. Williams attributes no small part of his success to the saving and judicious in- vestment of his first fifty dollars, which proved the beginning of his business career.
Mr. Williams votes the Democratic ticket, and is well versed in the his- tory and principles of his party though not an active politician. nor has he ever aspired to office or public honors at the hands of his fellow citizens.
Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
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and Knights of Pythias orders, in both of which he has passed all the chairs ; religiously he subscribes to the Methodist Episcopal faith, being one of the in- fluential members of the church at Morristown, and a trustee of the same. Ile is a man of domestic tastes and has a beautiful and desirable home. the pre- siding spirit of which is the estimable lady whom he married some years ago. and who, prior to that event. bore the name of Annie E. Connaway. Mrs. Williams, who is a native of Unien county, has borne her husband the follow- ing children : Mamie. Montie, Hattie. Paul and Edward. all married except Mamie. Edward died in infancy. Paul. the youngest of the family, was edu- cate:l in the public schools. DePauw University and Butler University, and is now assistant cashier of the Union State Bank. He is a young man of fine business ability, a shrewd, clear-brained financier, and is familiar with banking in all of its details, besides being widely informed on monetary questions in general and their relation to other lines of activity. He is a married man. his wife having formerly been Alma Pierson, daughter of Doctor Pierson, of Morristown.
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