USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 2 > Part 28
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The Union State Bank, with which Mr. Williams is connected. was or- ganized May, 1894. with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. the follow- ing well known business men constituting the official management and direc- torate : H. B. Coles, president : L. E. MeDonald. cashier : W. M. Pierson. L. F. McDonald. A. G. Mellis. B. H. Binford and C. T. Williams, directors The directors at the present time are Dr. W. M. Pierson. A. G. Mellis. John H. Binford, H. M. Rogers and C. T. Williams, the last named being cashier and general manager of the institution.
HARMON W. BOLES.
A respected farmer and veteran of the greatest civil war known to his- tory, the subject of this sketch. although a plain man of the people. has acted well his part in life and exercised an influence for good among his neighbors and fellow citizens. The family of which Harmon W. Boles is an honored member had its origin in Germany, but from a very early period the name has been familiar in Pennsylvania, where the antecedents of the American branch originally settled. William Boles, the subject's grandfather. was born and reared in the above state, but when a young man went to Ohio, where he married and reared a family of six sons and four daughters, only one of whom. John W .. the youngest of the number, is living.
William Boles moved to Indiana in an early day and settled in the north- eastern part of Shelby county, where he engaged in farming and spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1863.
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Abram Boles, son of William and father of the subject of this sketch. was a native of Shelby county, Indiana, and a blacksmith by trade. In early manhood he went to Kentucky, where he followed his vocation for some years. and while there married Louisiana Moore, later moving to Brown county, Ohio, thence in 1852 returned to Shelby county. Indiana. locating near Gwynneville, where he worked at his trade for three years. He then changed his residence to Ilanover township, and in 1859 moved to Hancock county, where he made his home until his death which occurred in the year 1878 or '70. Abram Boles p. ssessed mechanical skill of a superior order, and was an ex- pert at any kind of handicraft within the province of his trade. As a citizen he also ranked high, and in every relation of life his conduct was such as to win the esteem of his neighbors and friends, and give him a prominent place in the community. Like the majority of enterprising men, he took a lively in- terest in politics and was an influential worker in the Democratic party, also a leader in the Christian church, to which he belonged and to the teachings of which he continued true to the end of his days. Mrs. Boles, who proved a fit companion for her husband. is still living, having reached a green old age and retaining to a marked degree the possession of her faculties, physical and mental. Six sons and two daughters were born to this excellent couple, four of the former and one of the latter being the living representatives of the family at the present time.
ITarmon W. Boles was born in Pendleton county, Kentucky. April 21. 1841, and spent his early life on a farm, attending. as opportunities permitted. the district schools. When about eleven years of age he was brought to Shel- by county by his parents. from which time until the breaking out of the great rebellion, he deveted his attention to farm labor and grew up rugged and strong. well fitted to cope with the world and its many duties and responsibili- ties. When the safety of the government was threatened by the armed hosts of secession, he enlisted in Company G. Seventy-ninth Indiana Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war, taking part in several campaigns, and not a few of the bloodiest battles of that great conflict, among which were Stone River, Missionary Ridge and others. besides engagements of lesser note. On account of failing health he was obliged to leave his command prior to the movement against Atlanta, but when sufficiently recovered rejoined the regiment at Nashville, Tennessee, and remained with the same until the expiration of his period of enlistment. While in the service his eyes became affected, and he has never fully recovered from the ailment, nor regained his normal power of sight.
Returning to Shelby county on quitting the army, Mr. Boles engaged in farming, which he still carries on and from that time to the present his in- terests have been identified with Van Buren township, of which he is now an honored citizen. He married in June. 1861. Harriett A. Johnson, who was
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born in this county February 5. 1840, and who proved a loving wife and ten- der mother until her death, which occurred on the 21st day of September. 1908. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Boles, of whom the following sur- vive, namely : Harmon W .. Jr., Houry T., Oliver P., Florence E., Dora, de- ceased : Fred and Earl.
Mr. Boles was reared a Democrat, but becoming dissatisfied with the principles and tendencies of that party, especially the attitude of certain of its leaders towards the Union prior to the Civil war. he finally abandoned it and became a Republican. While firm in his convictions, well informed on the leading questions at issue and zealous in maintaining the soundness of his opinions. he cannot be termed a politician, nor has he ever sought official position. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias ledge, at Fountain- town, and is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, in which. from time to time, he has held positions of honor and trust.
JOHN T. DEVENING.
The name of the subject of this sketch indicates that it is of French origin, John T. Devening being of the second generation in the United States. his father. Philip Devening, having been born in Alsace, France, March 15. 1836. having been brought, by his parents, to America, when two years oldl. They settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. From there the family moved to Franklin county, Indiana, and later came to Shelby county. Philip Devening grew to manhood. received his education and married in Shelby county. His first wife was known in her maidenhood as Permelia Robertson, and his second wife was Hannah Smith. To the first union seven children were born, five of whom are living. To the second marriage four children were born, John T., our subject, being the third child by the first marriage. He was born March 28. 1861, and spent his boyhood on the farm, assisting his father with the work incident to improving a farm from the native soit. He attended the neigli- boring schools in Union township: also attended in Addison township. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years old. Desiring to become a railroader. he secured employment as fireman on the old Cincinnati, Hamil- ton & Dayton Railroad, at which he worked during the winter of 1883. He then worked at the tile business, as a hand, for two seasons. After this he and his father engaged in the tile business in Shelby township, where his father now lives, under the firm name of Devening & Son. They manufactured draining tile for two seasons, when the subject sold his interest to his father, and then rented a farm for two years.
John T. Devening's married life dates from October 27. 1886, when he
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was married to Jessie Yarling, of Addison township, where she was born May 11. 1868. the daughter of John W. Yarling, of Shelbyville. She re- ceived a common school education. Two children have been born to cur sub- ject and wife : Ethel, born January 16. 1893. is a student in the Morristown high school at this writing : Gladys, born February 23. 1895. is a student in the eighth grade in the Morristown schools.
Mr. Devening owned a farm in Hendricks township where he lived for ten years. He came to Hanover township in 1899 and purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in connection with his father-in-law, and this place is now known as the Glendale Farm, the name having no special sig- nificance. General farming is carried on here in a most successful manner. much grain being raised and stock of all kinds found in the most convenient and spacious barns. A daily business is also conducted. a ready market being found for the products of the same, which are shipped to Indianapolis. The finest farm buildings in Hanever township are to be seen on the Devening place which were erected in 1903. They are surrounded by attractive grounds. and are modern and give the place an air of prosperity. Our subject takes a great interest in farming and endeavors to employ modern methods in all its phases. He is a stockholder in the Ripley Farmers' Co-operative Tele- phone Company.
Our subject is a trustee in the Christian church at Morristown, in which he holds membership. He is also a member of Morristown Lodge, No. 193. Free and Accepted Masons: also the Rushville Chapter. No. 24. and Rush- ville Commandery, No. 41. He has never served in any official capacity. In politics he is a Republican, but has never aspired 10 political offices, preferring to spend his time looking after his extensive business interests which he has made a success, owing to the careful management and the exercise of sound business principles.
DR. ROBERT S. McCRAY.
In tracing the lineage of the subject of this biographical review, the genealogist finds that as far back as the year 1640 John and William McCray emigrated in an old-style sailing vessel across the broad Atlantic from the hills and heather of Scotland and located in Carolina. the Doctor being a direct descendant through a long line of honored ancestors, from these two adven- turers of several centuries previous, these McCray brothers having been typical representatives of the noble men of that rugged country, who, when they took up their home in the New World, laid the foundation for succeeding genera- tions on a sound basis. In that remote period of our history one of the McCrays came to Indiana, settling near the present city of Connersville, his family con-
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sisting of four sons. This family finally made its way to Kentucky, they being direct descendants of the first McCrays to come to America. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of the Blue Grass state, who eventually moved back to the old family settlement near Connersville. Indiana, where Steve McCray, father of the Doctor, was born, the family being fugitives from the South. Steve McCray, who has long since been deceased, engaged in agricultura! pursuits near Connersville, he and his wife becoming the parents of R. S., the subject of this review, and three daughters. The mother of the subject. Abigail Stoops, was a native of Brookville. Franklin county.
The date of Dr. Robert S. MeCray's birth is recorded as February 17. 1858. He is a native of Hancock county. Indiana, but was reared in Fayette county, this state. He assisted his father with the farm work until he was nineteen years old. attending the district schools in the meantime. He entered the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, in which he made a very com- mendable record, graduating from this institution in 1879. with the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts. Believing that the medical profession was best suited to his tastes, and actuated by a desire to alleviate the ills of suffering humanity. Doctor MeCray took a course in the Medical College of Indiana, at Indianapolis, in which he made rapid progress, grad- uating in the spring of 1884 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After completing his education, the Doctor began practicing in Kennard, Henry county, Indiana, and soon demonstrated to the people of that vicinity that he was well versed in the medical profession, thereby building up a good busi- ness, but. believing that a better field existed at Morristown. Shelby county. the Doctor removed there in 1886, opening his office on the 28th day of June. of that year, and he has remained here ever since, building up an extensive practice as physician and surgeon, his name having long since gone throughout this county and invaded surrounding territory. consequently he is kept very busy attending to his professional duties. However, he finds time to frequent- ly engage in his favorite pastime-hunting-being known as one of the great sportsmen of the county, and always keeping some fine fox-hounds and often is a participant in the exciting sport of fox-hunting.
The domestic chapter of Doctor McCray's life began in Pendleton, In- diana, when he was united in marriage with Nina G. Hardy, a representative of a well known family of Madison county, Indiana, where she was born and where she received her education. This union has been blessed by the birth of the following children : Anna, a high school graduate ; Owen, a high school student, and Harry, who is a small boy at this writing.
In his fraternal relations Doctor McCray is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Encampment. the Knights of Pythias, the Im- proved Order of Red Men, and the Court of Honor, having passed the chairs in all these orders; also represented them in the Grand Lodge, with the excep-
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tion of the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the County, State and National Medical societies, in ali of which he takes considerable interest.
Well versed in political matters, the Doctor supports the Republican ticket. nationally, but is independent in local affairs, preferring to cast his ballot for the man who, in his opinion, is the best fitted for the office sought, rather than for the party. And in all matters pertaining to the development of Shel- by county, Doctor McCray's support can be depended upon.
FRANK E. ROHM.
This prosperous farmer and stock raiser is a native of Shelby county, In- diana, born in Van Buren township on the 5th day of August. 1867. His father, John Rohm, of Butler county, Ohio, was the son of a German immi- grant, who settled in that county when he came to this country, and worked for some years at his trade of saddle and harness making. Later he disposed of his interests in Ohio, and moved his family to Shelby county, Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his life. John Rohm came to this country when a young man, and, in due time, married Lucretia Adeline Lisher, of Van Buren township. who bore him six children, five of whom, with their mother, are still living, namely : Jennie, wife of David Miller, Frank E .. John L., Charles W. and A. L., one dying at the age of eight years. John Rohin was Justice of the Peace for eight or ten years, holding the office at the time of his death.
Frank E. Rohm was reared to manhood in Van Buren township, and en- joyed such educational advantages as the public schools provided. Until his twenty-first year, he remained on the home farm helping his mother, but on attaining his majority rented the place and engaged in farming in the vicinity on shares. October 19, 1802. he married Sarah A. Miller, daughter of Simon Miller, of Van Buren township. and, in due time. became the father of three children : Laura M., fifteen years of age : Paul, who is in his thirteenth year. and Lee E .. a youth of eleven.
Mr. Rohm has a small, but highly cultivated and valuable farm in sec- tion 21, consisting of sixty-eight acres, and in addition to raising abundant crops of all the grain, fruits and vegetables grown in this part of the state. devotes much attention to live stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs. in the breeding and raising of which he has achieved wide repute. He keeps the highest grade of registered stock and his success has been such that he now has more customers than he can supply, the reputation of his animals causing a wide demand among stock men throughout the state. He is also noted as a chicken fancier, and for some years past has raised and dealt quite
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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
extensively in Barred and Buff Plymouth Rock fowls, which he ships to va- rious parts of Indiana and other states, and which have invariably taken first premiums wherever exhibited. Just now he has more customers than fowls. the high grade of the latter creating such a demand among chicken fanciers and others that he finds it necessary to procure a number of additional in- enbators and enlarge his business so as to meet the wants of those desirous of improving their grade of poultry by the substituting of first-class fowls for common and inferior breeds.
Since attaining his majority. Mr. Rohm has wielded an influence for the Republican party in his township, and, with his wife, he holds membership with the Methodist Protestant church, at Freeport.
LUCRETIA ADELINE ROHM.
Mrs. Lucretia Adeline Rohm (nee Lisher), daughter of Lewis and Martha J. Lisher, was born in Shelby county. Indiana, May 12. 1844. The Lishers were among the early settlers of the county, and in various capacities from the pioneer period to the present time. Lewis Lisher, the father of Mrs. Rohm, was born September 23. 1809, and died on the 9th day of August. 1871 ; his wife, Mary J. Baker, was born October 22. 1814. and departed this life on January 5. 1855. Later Mr. Lisher was united in marriage with Cyn- thia Plummer, whose family also figured in the pioneer settlement of this part of the state.
Lucretia Lisher was about ten years old when her mother died, from which time until young womanhood her life was by no means easy, or her burdens light. Although of tender years and limited experience, she assumed the mother's place in the family with its necessary accompaniment of respon- sibility and hard work. and facing the future with firm resolution, performed her various duties faithfully and well until the tine came for her to take charge of a household of her own. On March 23. 1865. she gave her heart and hand to John F. Rohm, whom she had known for some years, and with whom she lived a mutually happy and prosperous married life until the dissolution of the union. by the stern hand of death, on April 2, 1881.
John F. Rohm was born in Hamilton. Butler county, Ohio, March 3. 1841, came to Shelby county when young, and until his death devoted his at- tention to agricultural pursuits, in which he met with encouraging success. By industry and good management he succeeded in acquiring an excellent farm of eighty acres in Van Buren township, on which he made a number of substantial improvements, and, with the assistance of his wife, he became well situated as far as material comforts were concerned. By their united efforts
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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
the home was made beautiful and attractive and they were looking forward to a long and happy wedded life and a tranquil old age, when the King of Shadows, who calls at the palace as well as the hut, crossed their peaceful threshold and took the staff and stay of the family, leaving the wife and mother to tread the remainder of life's journey companionless. Since the death of Mr. Rohm. Mrs. Rohm has not only managed the farm with success and profit and attended to various matters of business, but has reared her chil- dren well and prepared them for the duties and responsibilities which awaited them in subsequent life. In all her efforts to provide a livelihood for her fam- ily and prepare for the future, she has exercised good judgment and wise dis- cretion and her relations with her neighbors and friends have been such as to gain their confidence and win a permanent place in their love and esteem. Mrs. Rohm is a Christian in the true sense of the term, and for a number of years has been an active member of the Fairview Methodist Protestant church, and an influential worker in its various lines of religious endeavor. Her life has been a useful one, and the world is wiser and better because of her presence and influence.
The family of John F. and Lucretia Rohm consists of six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Jane C., April 1. 1866; Frank E., August 5. 1867: John L., February 18, 1870: Charles W .. January 24. 1873: Laura B., April 11, 1875. and Arie L., who was born August 30, 1880, all living except Laura, whose death occurred on November 7, 1878.
ERNEST MAPLE.
Among the well known men of Washington township who are regarded as progressive and representative citizens of Shelby county, is Ernest Maple. a worthy representative of an honored family that has been prominent in Franklin and Rush counties, this state, since the pioneer days. He was born in Franklin county, Indiana. May 14. 1880. the son of Jasper Maple, who was born in the same county, May 29. 1854. The family later moved to Rush county. Jasper Maple married Jennie C. Cramer, of Franklin county. In- diana. She was born in 1855 and died in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Maple were the parents of five children, namely: Walter H., Lucy R., wife of John S. Cramer, of Iowa: Fred, of Rush county, this state : he was born in 1883. and has remained single. Benjamin, the next son, who was born in 1887. died May 7. 1906, and Ernest.
Ernest Maple was reared in Franklin and Rush counties, and he was edu- cated in the public schools of the districts in which he lived when a boy. He began to learn the blacksmith's trade in 1900 at Rushville, with John Mc-
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Carty, with whom he remained for a period of three years, thoroughly master- ing the trade which he had chosen as a life work. But at this time farming seems to have had a peculiar attraction for him, and he rented a farm on which he remained for three years, near Norristown, Washington township. He made a success of farming, but ascertaining that an excellent opportunity in the blacksmith business awaited him at Lewis Creek, this township. he came here in August, 1906, purchasing the blacksmith shop and the property where he now resides. He has managed his affairs skillfully, prospering in what- ever he has undertaken, owing to his natural business ability, his habits of perseverance and economy. He deserves a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished for he has been practically without aid from any source since he began life for himself.
Mr. Maple was married December 29. 1903 to Alta Arbuckle, daughter of Martin Arbuckle. a native of Bartholomew county, Indiana. No children have been born to this union.
Mr. Maple is a member of Sulphur Hill Lodge, No. 241. Knights of Pythias, also the Lewis Creek Lodge. No. 808. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand. He is a member of the Christian church at Flat Rock. In politics he is a Republican.
WILLIS EMMET DRAKE.
Willis Emmet Drake, one of the well known native sons of Shelby county, was born in Washington township. June 21, 1874. the son of George W. and Eliza ( Hawkins) Drake, the former the son of Ephraim and Sarah ( Fultz) Drake. Ephraim Drake was the son of Joseph Drake, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who emigrated to Warren county, Ohio, in a very early day. Ephraim Drake married in Warren county, Ohio, and in 1828 he came to Washı- ington township. Shelby county, Indiana, and entered land in section 11- forty acres-and then returned to Warren county. Ohio, and brought his family to his new home. He had only thirty-seven and one-half cents after locating here. He built a rail pen in which he lived for thirteen days until he could erect a cabin. This was during the month of March, and it snowed on them several times while living in the pen. He cleared and improved the land and spent the rest of his life here. He prospered and later purchased eighty acres more and the first log house he built was replaced by the brick one that may now be seen on the place. He burned the brick for the entire house, making three bricks at a time. Ile was a good manager and econom- ical, and saved all he made. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics he was a Democrat. Ilis death occurred in
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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
1870 in this township. His widow survived until 1874. They are buried in Jackson township. They were the parents of the following children : John. Elizabeth, Hiram. Ephraim M .. Sarah E .. and George W.
George W. Drake was reared upon the old home place which he helped improve. He was married to Eliza Hawkins, and the following children were born to them : Charles M .. Hiram T .. Wilfred W .. deceased : Ithamer, Willis E .. Joseph W .. Benjamin T .. Albert C .. and Eva J .. wife of Herman Weinantz. George W. Drake died June 2. 1905. and his wife passed away July 9. 1893.
Willis E. Drake was born and reared on the farm that his grandfather entered. He spent his youth working on this place and attending the district schools. He was married on July IS. 1893. to Cressie Trailer, who was born in Kentucky, December 25. 1876. the daughter of John and Polly A. (Jelph ) Trailer. When thirteen years of age she was left without a mother. Her father came to Shelby county. Indiana. March 11. 1892. She received only a limited education. Mr. Drake and wife moved where they now live, in sec- tion II, on a farm of forty-two acres and here they have since remained, Mr. Drake greatly improving the place and making a good living from year to year. To this union six children have been born, namely : Herbert. April 26. 1894; Bertha M., April 21, 1896: Roy. August 10. 1898: Morris, October 8. 1901 : Effie, October 29. 1903: Perry. June 24. 1906.
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