USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 2 > Part 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
1 :
875
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
Robert Hughes was married to Sarah Parkes on the 4th day of Febru- ary, 1852. For more than two years they lived in Union county. Indiana. In 1854 Robert Hughes bought a large farm in the Windfall neighborhood. in Van Buren township. Shelby county, and there lived until his death, which occurred February 12. 1882. In 1862 Robert Hughes abandoned his trade to devote his time exclusively to agricultural pursuits. He was a most sue- cessful wheat grower. He was of a progressive spirit. and welcomed and aided new enterprises which promised the improvement of Shelby county. One of his long cherished hopes was the erection at Shelbyville of factories for the manufacture of agricultural implements. He was scrupulously honest and upright in his dealings with his fellow men. Though stern of face and character, he was kindly and generous in heart, helpful to all, an obliging neighbor, a worthy citizen. He never connected himself with any church. Ilis life was chaste, his motives pure throughout, and he bequeathed to his children the memory of a life unstained.
To Robert and Sarah ( Parkes) Hughes were born nine children : Mary. wife of Edward H. Chadwick : Rebecca J. and Catharine Hughes, unmarried : John Hughes, residing in Brandywine township. Shelby county : Dora, mar- ried to Simcon Lewis, now a widow : Mazie P., married to Horace M. Chad- wick: Anna, married to Charles S. Patten, of Morristown: Sarah, married to William F. Robinson, of Van Buren township, and Edith, married to a southern man and now resides at New Orleans.
Sarah Parkes, married to Robert Hughes February 4. 1852, was born in Wabash county, August 20, 1828. She was a daughter of Thompson and Re- becca (Burtch) Parkes. Nothing is known to the Hughes family of Thomp- son Parkes save that he was born about the year 1800. in New Jersey, and that while yet a young man he migrated to Wabash county. Indiana, where, in his early manhood, he was married to Rebecca Burtch. Rebecca Burtch was a daughter of Asa Burtch, who was born in Scotland. but came in early life to America, sojourning for awhile in the East, settling later in Wabash county, Indiana, and finally taking up his abode in Shelby county, where he owned considerable land. Asa Burtch and wife died in Shelby county, and both are buried in Hanover cemetery. Thompson Parkes and all his family, except Sarah Hughes, migrated to the state of lowa about the year 1853, settling in Keokuk county. The descendants of the Parkes family are numerous and live mostly in Keokuk county, Iowa. Sarah Hughes departed this life on the Ist day of June. 1898, in the seventieth year of her life. She and her hus- band, Robert Hughes, are both buried in Forest Hill cemetery, Shelbyville. Stephen Hughes, father of Robert Hughes, departed this life about the year 1850, and is buried in the cemetery at Brownsville. Union county. Indiana. His wife. Catharine Hughes, died at the home of her son, Stephen Hughes, in Hamilton, Ohio, in the year 1874. and is buried in the cemetery there.
876
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
The Chadwick family, as far back as its annals can be traced. have been unevangelical in religious belief. Some of the family have been Unitarians. others Universalists, and some of the family have been agnostics. Edward! H. and Mary Chadwick have never been connected with any church organiza- tion. They have acquired for themselves a comfortable and spacious home in Shelbyville, and Edward H. Chadwick is the owner of something over three hundred acres of valuable land in Shelby county, the acquisition of nearly thirty years of unremitting labor in his profession, and in his abstract and loan business.
Five children have been born to Edward H. and Mary Chadwick : Jolm W. Erwin Chadwick, born January 20, 1880, now practicing dentistry in Shelbyville, and yet unmarried : James Manning Chadwick, born January 14. 1882, died when only six weeks and six days old. the first week in March. 1882: Edward Hughes Chadwick, born November 30. 1884. died March 9. 1889, four years, four months and nine days old, a remarkably beautiful and promising child: Mary Rebecca Chadwick, born June 15, 1891. and Marcus B. Chadwick, born March 2, 1894. Mary Rebecca Chadwick graduated from the Shelbyville high school with the class of 1909. Marcus B. Chadwick will enter the Shelbyville high school in September, 1909.
Throughout his adult years Edward H. Chadwick has been affiliated with the Republican party. casting his first Presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes. in 1876, and his last for William Howard Taft, in 1908. His son. Dr. John W. Erwin Chadwick, has always aligned himself with the same party. Robert Hughes, father of Mary Chadwick, was always an uncom- promising Democrat, but his only son. John Hughes, has always been a Re- publican in his party affiliations.
WILLIAM T. WICKER.
This honored citizen and progressive farmer of Van Buren township. is a representative of one of the well known pioneer families of Shelby county. where he has lived from the time of his birth. His personal standing in the community entitles him to consideration in a work devoted to the leading men of the county, while his distinguished record in the great struggle which tested the perpetuity of the national Union gives him prestige which com- mands the respect of those who love their country and have its interests at heart.
Thomas Wicker, father of the subject, was born in Stokes county, North Carolina. March 9, 1821, and his mother. Nancy Zike, whose birth occurred February 1.4. 1824. was a native of Kentucky, the former of English, the latter
!
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
of German descent. Thomas Wicker came to Shelby county, hidiana, as early as the year 1827, and was among the first permanent settlers of Union town- ship. He was married to Miss Zike on the 28th day of February, 1842. from which date to the present time he has lived on the farm in the above township. which he developed from the wilderness, being among the oldest residents of the county, as well as one of the most esteemed and highly honored citizens. In many respects he has been much more than an ordinary man. Mmost a giant in physique, over six feet in height and correspondingly developed. without an ounce of surplus flesh, he was well fitted for the vicissitu.les of pioneer life and bore his full share of the hardships incident to the settlement of a section of country which he has seen grow from a wilderness to its present advanced state of progress and enlightenment. By observing a few simple rules of health, avoiding the use of tobacco and intoxicants, etc .. he has re- tained his splendid physical powers to a great extent, and mentally is almost as keen and alert as in the days of his prime. Mr. Wicker united with the Blue Ridge Baptist church in 1848, and is the oldest living member of that organization. His ancestors were Baptists, and his father was for years a deacon. A man of firm convictions he earnestly defends what he conceives to be right, and in politics as well as religion his position is easily. understood by all with whom he comes in contact. Originally a Whig, he later became a Republican, and since the organization of that party has been one of its most loyal supporters. Mrs. Wicker is also a Baptist in religious belief, and throughout her life maintained her Christian integrity, and cast a wholesome influence among those with whom she mingled. She bore her husband eleven children, nine of whom still survive. namely: William T., David. Thomas. Jasper, George. Katherine. Elizabeth, Sarah. Dorothy, Jane and Hester. Katherine and Elizabeth are deceased.
William T. Wicker was born December 26, 1842, and spent his early life on the home farm in Union township. Like most country boys he learned by experience the meaning of hard work, and until his eighteenth year assisted his father in cultivating the farm. attending the district schools of winter months in the meantime. Actuated by motives of patriotism, he tendered his services to the government when its safety was threatened by the armed hosts of disunion, enlisting September 10, 1862, in Company F. Fifty-first Indiana Volunteers, under Col. A. D. Straight, and shortly thereafter experienced much active duty in the Army of the Cumberland, of which his regiment formed a part. On December 25th, of the ab we year, he participated in an engagement with a body of Texas Rangers, and later took part in a number of battles including Stone River. Nolandsville. Mount Hope. Crooked Creek. Day's Gap. Dandridge. Morristown, Pulaski, Franklin, Nashville, Columbi :. Elk River. Dalton, and other engagements of the Atlanta campaign, besides numerous skirmishes through all of which he came unscathed. his only dis- ability during his three years of service being a severe sunstroke at Steward's
878
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
Creek. in 1863. from the effects of which he never fully recovered. Mr. Wicker's army record, replete with duty faithfully performed. is one of which any brave soldier might well feel proud. He was mustered out of service June I.f. 1865, and returned to Shelby county, secured a license and during the en- suing two years devoted his attention to teaching in the public schools of Van Buren and Brandywine townships. On September 10. 1865, he contracted a matrimonial alliance with Sarah E., daughter of Henry and Rhoda ( Cotton) Mckay, who was born July 9. 1842. in Shelby county, and who from her mar- riage to the present time has proven a faithful and true helpmeet, deeply in- terested in her husband's welfare.
Immediately following his marriage Mr. Wicker turned his attention to agriculture which he has since pursued with gratifying success, owning at this time one hundred and thirty-three and one-third acres of excellent land in Van Buren township, which he has substantially improved. it now being one of the most productive and valuable in the township, and his home a model of con- venience and comfort.
With the exception of one thousand five hundred dollars given him by his father. Mr. Wicker has had no assistance other than his own willing hands and a determined will. and the handsome competency he now enjoys is the re- sult of his industry and capable management. He ranks among the most en- terprising farmers of his part of the county. In addition to agriculture and stock raising, he deals in fur, which he has bought and sold quite extensively for a number of years.
Mr. Wicker subscribes to the Baptist faith, and has been a member of the church since 1876, his wife since her sixteenth year. Politically he is a Republican. He holds membership with Dumont Post. Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was past adjutant in 1867, under the old charter.
Mr. and Mrs. Wicker are the parents of eleven children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Bertha A .. May 24. 1866. died May 31. 1880; Warren, July 1. 186;, died February 18, 1870: Mary Z .. February 21. 1869. died August 28, 1894: Thomas H., October 24. 1871 : Nancy F .. Octo- ber 26, 1873: John W., August 20. 1875. died January 30. 1876: Joseph, De- cember 10, 1876: Christie E .. December 8, 1878: Corie B., March 19. 1880: Josephine, November 1, 1882, died September 25, 1908. and Katie R., March 25. 1884.
WILLIAM M. PATTERSON.
The subject of this review holds worthy prestige among the leading busi- ness men of Morristown. A native of Shelby county, Indiana. William M. Patterson was born December 11. 1860, in Van Buren township, and he early
8-9
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
became a tiller of the soil. His mother, previous to her marriage hore the maiden name of Sarah Timbk. The family of this estimable couple con- sisted of seven children. William M. being the fourth in order of birth, and the best known.
After the usual discipline in the district schools William M. Patterson spent two years in the Central Normal College, at Danville, following which he engaged in teaching, taking charge of his first school in 1879 and, with the exception of three winter season .. continuing the work thereafter until 1895. his educational experience being confined to the townships of Van Buren and Hanover, where he achieved an honorable record as a teacher. His efficiency and popularity are indicated by his retention for several successive terms in the same district. Mr. Patterson continued to reside in his native township until 1889, when he changed his place of abode to the township of Hanover. Four years later he was elected Township Trustee and, taking charge of the office in August, 1805, he discharged the duties of the same in an able and eminently creditable manner for a period of five years, giving the people a safe and satisfactory administration. During his incumbency he did much in the way of public improvement, and to him belongs the credit of constructing more miles of gravel roads than any of his predecessors. in addition to which he also erected two modern school-building's, sank three tubular wells, besides lengthening the term of the schools and looking carefully after public prop- erty. On entering his office he found a standing debt of a thousand dollars against the township, which in due time he wiped out and at the expiration of his term he turned over the office to his successor with three thousand dollars in the treasury and not a cent of indebtedness, a splendid evidence of the able and judicious manner in which he safe-guarded the interests of the public.
In the year 18go, while engaged in teaching. Mr. Patterson began writing fire insurance, to which he subsequently ad led real estate, both of which lines he has since conducted with encouraging success. being at this time associated with Charles A. Rigdon, and doing a large and very lucrative business. He is identified with the Foundation Elevator Company, of Fountaintown, in which he owns a third interest, and of which he has been secretary and general manager ever since the company was organized. In this, as in the business to which his attention in the main is devoted, Mr. Patterson displays sound judg- ment. In his political affiliation he is a Republican and for a number of years has been an influential factor in his party in Shelby county, having served from time to time on the county central committee, besides rendering valu- able service in various other capacities.
Being public-spirited Mr. Patterson has done much to improve the town in which he resides, not the least of his efforts in this direction being the plat- ting of what is known as the Patterson-Rigdon Addition, and putting the lots on the market on easy terms. In 1997 he erected a fine modern dwelling in this
880
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
addition and others having following his commendable example, it bids fair. at no distant day, to become one of the most attractive residence portions of the town. To him more perhaps than to any other man are due the recent im provements in Morristown, including the fine graded school buildings, excel- lent streets and various other enterprises, of which he has been the promoter.
Mr. Patterson was married in the fall of 1889 to Linnie E. Lowe, of Van Buren township, the union resulting in the birth of two children. Iona B. and Benjamin HI., both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are members of the Methodist Protestant church, ard in addition to their activity in religious and charitable work, they move in the best society circles of the community. Fraternally Mr. Patterson belongs to Chillon Ladge. No. 129. Knights of Pythias, at Shelbyville, and to Valley Lodge, No. 627. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Morristown. He has attained to high standing in the latter society, having filled all the offices within its gift. besides holding the honor able position of past commander of the Grand Lodge of Indiana. He also holds membership with Morristown Encampment, No. 267. in which he has passed all the chairs and to him now belongs the honorable title of past chief patriarch.
WILLIAM BASSETT.
.A descendant of one of the early pioneer families of Shelby county and one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of the township in which he re- sides. William Bassett is well entitled to notice among the representative citi- zens of the county, and it is with much satisfaction that the following brief (utline of his life is accorded a place in these pages. William Bassett is a native of Shelby county and was born July 19. 1852. on the farm in Marion township which his grandfather purchased from the government and which has been in possession of the family from the pioneer period to the present time. His father was Sylvester Bassett, whose birth occurred on a boat while his parents were en route from New York to Ohio, and he spent the first six years of his life in the latter state. At the expiration of that time the family moved to Shelby county, Indiana, and located in Marion township. where the father of Sylvester entered land and improved a farm, being among the first permanent settlers of this part of the country.
Sylvester grew to manhood in what is now Marion township, and in due time became a successful farmer and public-spirited citizen. He was one of the leading Whig politicians of his part of the country. Later he became an ardent and influential Republican and for a number of years took an active part in pubhe affairs and encouraged all enterprises for the material progress of his township and the welfare of the people. He was born March 24. 1814.
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM BASSETT.
881
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
and departed this life on the family homestead in Marion township in the year 1902.
Susan Mowroney, wife of Sylvester Bassett, was born April 15, 1818, in Dearborn county, Indiana, and was sixteen years old when her parents settled in Shelby county. She grew to womanh wd in Marion township, and Decem- ber 23. 1837. was united in marriage with Mr. Bassett, the union resulting in the birth of nine children, eight of whom are still living. Mrs. Bassett's pen- ple originally lived .in Virginia, but migrated to Kentucky in a very early day and from the latter state to Indiana about the year 1824. being among the first white families to penetrate the forests of what is now Marion town- ship for the purpose of making improvements. The father came in advance. and after selecting a location and erecting a etbin, returned to Kentucky for his wife and children, who accompanied him to the new home in the wilder- ness the following year. Mr. Mowroney was a true type of the pioneer of the early day, strong, active, fond of the woods and found his greatest pleasure in hunting the wild animals with which the country then abounded. He entered land in Marion township now known as the Billman farm and made a number of improvements and in time became a well-to-do agriculturist and excellent citizen.
The early life of William Bassett was closely identified with the closing years of the pioneer period, and while still a youth he experienced his share of the hard work necessary to the clearing of land and fitting it for tillage. He attended school for some time, having been a pupil in the school taught in an old frame house.
Mr. Bassett assisted in the cultivation of the home farm until about twenty-three years of age, when he left the parental roof and began life for himself on a part of the same place, choosing for his partner in the undertak- ing an excellent young lady by the name of Sarah F. Kaster, whose parents. John and Rebecca (Cook) Kaster, were also early settlers and well known residents of Marion township. Her grandfather, one of the first white set- tlers in the township, was a rugged pioneer and fond of hunting. After a few years on the homestead. Mr. Bassett moved to his present farm, a short dis- tance south of the former place. where he has since lived and prospered. making all the improvements on the farm and bringing it to a high state of cultivation. In connection with agriculture he has devoted considerable at- tention to live stock, which has proven quite profitable, and he is now in inde- pendent circumstances, his beautiful and well improved place in section 17. about three miles from Shelbyville, on the Marion township turnpike. being one of the finest farms and most attractive country homes in Shelby comay.
Mrs. Bassett is a native of Shelby county and was born January 15. 1855, and not far from her present place of residence. She has heartily assisted her husband in all his labors, presided over the home with the ability
56
882
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
characteristic of the true wife and helpmeet, and to her watchinl care and seli-denying efforts is due no small part of the success which has attended the family. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett have three children: Arthur, who was born October 3. 1876, died September 21. 1897. Chandis, born October 21. 18-8, married Rosa May Crosby, and is a farmer of Shelby county and the father of one childl. Francis F. Ora, whose birth occurred March 29. 1882. departed this life on the 9th day of December following.
Mr. Bassett is a Republican but not an active politician ; nevertheless he manifests a lively interest in public matters and is ever ready to encourage all legitimate enterprises for the common good. In religion he is a Baptist and. with his wife, belongs to the First church of that denomination in Shelbyville.
WILLIAM ZIKE.
This old and respected citizen whose period of residence in Shelby county dates from 1828 is a native of Kentucky, and the fourth of nine children born to David and Catherine Zike. The name indicates the German origin of the family, the history of which in this country began with the appearance of one Jacob Zike, a German soldier in the service of England, who fought against the colonists in the war of the Revolution. At the close of that struggle he abandoned military life and settled in Jessamine county, Kentucky, where he married. reared a family and spent the remainder of his life as an industrious and thrifty tiller of the soil. He and his wife died many years ago and left to mourn their loss five sons and three daughters, namely : Joseph, John. David, William. Jacob. Esther, Sarah and Susie.
David Zike, father of the subject of this sketch, grew to maturity in his native state of Kentucky, and there married Catherine Smith, whose people moved from Pennsylvania to Kentucky when she was a child. To this couple nine children were born, whose names are as follows: Elizabeth, Joseph. George. William, Sarah, Nancy. Hester. Catherine and Margaret. the ma- jority of whom grew to maturity and had families of their own. William Zike, whose birth occurred in Jessamine county, Kentucky, February 15. 1821. was brought to Indiana by an uncle, William Smith, when seven years of age. his widowed mother coming at the same time and settling with Mr. Smith on land in Union township. Shelby county, which that gentleman had pur- chased from the government. When the subject was thirteen years old. his mother married David Brown, who proved a father, indeed. to the children thus consigned to his care and from that time until his twentieth year William remained at home assisting in the cultivation of the farm. Severing home ties at the age indicated he started out to make his own way, and for several years
883
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
thereafter not only supported himself, but laid up money as a farm laborer whose wages at no time exceeded ten dollars per month. While thus engaged he was employed at various places in the states of Illinois, Ohio, Missouri. Iowa and Indiana, but becoming tired of this kind of roving life, with no set- tled place of abode. he finally decided to marry and establish a home of his own. The lady whom he chose for a wife and helpmeet was Mary Phares: after his marriage Mr. Zike rented a farm which he cultivated with encourag- ing success until able to purchase land of his own in Shelby county. from which time forth his rise was steady and it was not long until he found him- self on the high road to prosperity. He added to his original purchase from time to time until becoming the possessor of two good farms, but on the death of his wife. in 1875, he disposed of all his real estate and moved to Greenfield, where he spent the following year. At the expiration of that time he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres near the town to which he at once removed. but after living there until 1884. disposed of the place and took up his abode in Morristown, where he has since resided. In the meantime he bought and sold land in various parts of Shelby county, which line of business he continued until recently, his real estate transactions proving quite extensive and in the main successful.
In connection with his real estate interests he also devoted considerable attention to farming and stock raising. in both of which he has prospered. being at this time one of the substantial and well-to-do men of Morristown, as well as one of the county's most enterprising citizens.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.