USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 38
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 38
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SHANNON & FAST (William H. Shannon and Jonathan M. Fast), confectionery and restaurant, are the leaders in this enterprise, estab- lished in 1872, and which has continued successfully ever since. They started with a capital of $1,500, and now own and occupy one of the fin- est three-story business houses in the city. The building is 24x120 feet. On the first floor is the restaurant, a room 100 feet deep, back of which
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is the kitchen. On the second floor is a fine ice cream parlor, which is often used for private parties, for oyster suppers and other social feasts. On the third floor is found the Masonic Hall. The basement is used for a bakery, for preparing ice cream, etc. The building is situated on the corner of Center and Main streets, Brazil. The senior member of the firm is a native of Ashland County, Ohio, born January 22, 1849, and the only son of Samuel and Sarah (Van Tilburg) Shannon. Samuel Shannon was a farmer, and lived his entire life in Ashland County, Ohio. He died in 1851, his wife in 1860. William was only two years old when his father died, and after the death of his mother, which event oc- curred when he was eleven years old, he went to live with his grandfather, Henry Van Tilburg, with whom he lived until he was fourteen years old. He acquired a very fair education at the common schools of that day. At fourteen, he was apprenticed to a baker and confectioner for three years, receiving as compensation his board and $50 per year. After working on a farm about two years, in 1868 he came West, and, after many successes and some reverses, he found himself part owner and pro- prietor of a fine and prosperous business. In October, 1877, he was mar- ried to Hannah Reddie, a native of Ohio. Two children have been born to them, viz., Charlie, and Eddie (deceased). Jonathan M. Fast, the junior partner of this firm, is a native of Ashland County, Ohio, born May 16, 1839, and is the fourth of eight children of George and Sarah (Brink) Fast. He was reared on a farm, and acquired a fair education from the common schools, and about six months' attendance at a high school. When he was twenty-one years of age, he assumed charge of the farm, remaining in control until 1872, when he sold out, gathered to- gether his personal effects and came to this county, and went into busi- ness with Mr. Shannon. After three years, he again sold out and re- turned to his former home and engaged in farming and dairying. At the end of three years, he again disposed of his property and returned to Brazil and purchased a one half interest in his present business. Mr. Fast was married, April 3, 1869, to Vernelia F. Shannon, of Ashland County, Ohio. Two sons have been born to them, viz., Elza Delbert and William. Mr. Fast is a stanch Republican, and a member of the Order of Chosen Friends. Mr. Fast's father is still alive, and is a hale, hearty. healthy old gentleman, seventy-five years of age.
BENJAMIN F. SHATTUCK (deceased) was born in New York June 4, 1813, and located in Vigo County, Ind., in 1820, and in the year 1847 he moved to Clay County. His first wife, by whom he had seven children, died June 25, 1851, and May 18, 1852, he married for his sec- ond wife Moriah James, who was born in Monroe County, Ky., Novem- ber 20, 1830. He lived in Williamstown, Clay County, until the autumn of 1855, when he located where Brazil now stands. He bought a large quantity of land, a great deal of which is now owned by his estate. To this last marriage have been born eight children, five of whom are living, viz., James F., William S., Anna M., Ulelah B. and Charles. In 1870, he erected the fine brick edifice the family now occupy. June 14, 1871, Mr. Shattuck died, but he left his bereaved family in independent cir- cumstances. Since his death, Mrs. Shattuck has remained in her beauti- ful home, and manages her business with the aid of her advisors. Her children are all married, except Ulelah and Charles. These are at home with her. Mrs. Shattuck and her whole family are members of the Christian Church.
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VOLNEY B. SHATTUCK, one of the police force of Brazil, was born in Vigo County, Ind., March 10, 1846, and was the son of B. F. and Tirzha (Snoddy) Shattuck, pioneers of Vigo County, coming there in 1820. The father died June 14, 1871, the mother June 24, 1851. Volney spent his youth on a farm with very limited educational privi- leges, but by industry and application acquired a fair business education. In 1864, at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Indiana Infantry. and was stationed at Bridgeport, Ala., until the close of the war. After his return home, he followed teaming and the livery business; also kept a grocery, but it not proving profitable, he sold out in 1877, and served as Deputy under Sheriff Hagart, also serving in the same capacity under Lankford, after which he was appointed Policeman. In the spring of 1881, the police force was reduced to iwo men, the choice of the board being Mr. Shattuck and Mr. Charles Hutch- inson. Mr. Shattuck was married, September 16, 1869, to Bessie Pierce, a native of Ross, Herefordshire, England. To this union have been born six boys, five of whom are living, viz .: Roy L., Ralph P., Volta, Austin M. and Scott. The other died in infancy.
SAMUEL SIEGEL, proprietor of clothing and merchant tailoring establishment in Brazil, was born in Ross County, Ohio, February 1, 1855, and was educated in Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1870. In 1879, he located in Brazil, as successor of J. Rothschild, and having sold out the stock in June, 1883, he purchased the mammoth stock of clothing of S. Gundelfinger (deceased), from the administrators, and in Septem- ber following moved into the beautiful store room built by deceased, where his ability and fair dealing have won for him a remunerative patronage, and where may be found one of the largest and best stocks of goods in the county. Mr. Siegel was married, January 4, 1882, to Fannie Gundel- finger, a native of Germany, where she was educated. One child has been born to them. Mr. Siegel is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 215.
ED. W. SMITH was born in Forsyth County, N. C., on July 20, 1843, and spent a part of his youth on a farm, and part in a machine shop, having had only common school advantages until he arrived at maturity, when he was engaged to work in a barrel factory. At the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion he enlisted, in May, 1861, and was wounded at Winchester, Va. He entered the service as an Orderly for the Colonel of the regiment, but was mustered out with the rank of Captain in 1865. On his return home at the close of the war, he en- gaged in the carpenter's trade, and became an expert mechanic, in the meantime attending one term of school. In June, 1866, he came to Co- lumbus, Ind., and thence to Brazil, where he now resides. When he came to Brazil, he had no means, but immediately engaged in the business of a house carpenter, in which he was very successful, and soon became a contractor, he having erected many of the best business blocks and the finest residences in the city. On January 29, 1869, he was married to Anna Pate, a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Smith has borne her husband two children, viz .: Jessie A., aged seven years, and Bertha B., aged two years. Mr. Smith is one of the energetic business men of Brazil, and his industry and business tact have made him the owner of several fine pieces of residence property, in desirable locations, and he is considered one of the leading contractors and builders of the city of Brazil. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, an Odd Fellow, and is in politics a
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Republican. He has been a member of the School Board for two years, and is now a member of the City Council.
J. FRANK SMITH, M. D., is the fifth son of George W. and Mariah (Shelley) Smith, natives of Ohio. Frank was born in Terre Haute, Vigo Co., Ind., on March 12, 1858, and had the school advantages that town afforded until he was eight years of age, when he moved with his father on the farm, where he remained for five years; thence to Brazil, where he has since resided. In 1875, at the age of seventeen, he commenced the study of medicine and surgery with Dr. T. A Glassgo, a physician in Brazil, with whom he remained two years, when he entered the Medical Department of. the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. After a
course there, he commenced the active practice of medicine and surgery at Clay City, where he immediately commanded a lucrative business, and where he remained four years. In 1882, he sought a better field for his talents, and found one in Brazil, where he located, and where his daily increasing practice and wonderful skill and success in complicated cases of surgery show him to be well up in his reading, and well adapted to his profession, and he is rapidly placing himself in the front rank of men of medicine and surgery in Indiana. He was married, on May 15, 1881, to Mollie Barnett, an accomplished lady of Putnam County, Ind. One bright little girl is the fruit of this union, viz., Shelley, born Feb- ruary 23, 1882, and one son, viz., Lester, born September 27, 1883.
A. J. STAPLETON, proprietor of grocery, East Main street, Brazil, Ind., was born in Vermillion County, Ind., February 27, 1841, and was a son of William and Elizabeth (Mossbarger) Stapleton, who came to Clay County in 1851, where the father died the same year. Mr. Stapleton, being left without a father at so tender an age, had no educational ad- vantages, but having an inquiring mind he acquired sufficient knowl- edge for business purposes, and has by his own exertions gained a com- petence, working at coal mining from 1861 to 1883, when he established his present business. He was married, in 1865, to Virginia Weir. Five children were born to them, two of whom are living, viz .: William H. and Inez M. In 1880, Mr. Stapleton lost his wife, when, on August 10, 1882, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Easter. She has two children by her former marriage, viz .: Elmer and Josephine. Mr. and Mrs. Stapleton are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Caledonia Lodge, No. 589, and his wife of the Rebekah Degree of the same lodge. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and his wife of the Ladies of Honor, No. 676, Olive Lodge, at Brazil. Mr. Stapleton is energetic, favoring all public improvements, moral and temperate in his habits, and an honored citizen.
GEORGE STEARLEY, Sheriff of Clay County, Ind., was born in Wittenberg, Germany, on January 27, 1848, and is the son of John and Rosanna (Burkhart) Stearley, natives of Germany. The father was a weaver by trade, but followed farming after his marriage, and came to this country in 1851. George was reared an a farm, and had no oppor- tunities for an education whatever, but the knowledge he possesses he acquired through his own perseverance, aided by an intellectual and ed- ucated wife. since his marriage. He worked for his father until he was twenty-two, then branched out for himself; learned the blacksmith trade at Bowling Green, the then county seat of Clay County, following this business until 1880, when he sold his shop to a younger brother and en- gaged in the saw mill business, which he still manages. On October 20,
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1869, he was married to Elizabeth Duteel, daughter of August and Josephine Duteel, of Clay County. To them have been born seven chil- dren, five of whom are living, viz .: William, Josephine, Lena, Louisa and an infant unnamed. He was elected Trustee of Jackson Township, Clay County, in 1876; was re-elected in 1878. Before the expiration of this last term his popularity secured him, at the hands of the regular Democratic Convention, the nomination for Sheriff of Clay County, but a revolution in politics having taken place, he was defeated, with the whole Democratic ticket. But Mr. Stearley possessed true courage and an invincible will; in 1882, again entered the field for Sheriff, was victor, and is now filling the office with credit and ability. Mr. Stearley has accumulated a considerable amount of this world's goods, but his kind and benevolent traits of character have been a financial disadvantage to him, inasmuch as they have compelled him liquidate debts of his friends amounting to several thousands of dollars. He and his family are mem- bers of the German Evangelical Church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Honor, and the Knights of Labor.
ROBERT S. STEWART, proprietor of a meat market on East Main street, Brazil, was born in Butler County, Ohio, July 15, 1832, and was a son of Robert S. and Sarah (Myers) Stewart, the former a na- tive of Connecticut, and of Scotch lineage, the latter of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. In the winter of 1843, the parents located in Clay County, Ind. Robert's school advantages were meager, being con- fined to two or three months in a log schoolhouse in the winter. When quite young, he worked at the plasterer's trade; afterward apprenticed to a wagon-maker, working the first two years for $50, and followed this trade five years. In 1856, Mr. Stewart established a meat market in a little log house in Brazil, and has continued ever since in the business, and been successful. He now does a business of from $30,000 to $40,- 000 per annum, and has accumulated considerable wealth, principally invested in real estate in Brazil and farms adjoining. He was married in March, 1862, to Rebecca Brackney. Four children have been born to this union, two of whom are living, viz .: Adelbert, aged twenty years, employed in the shop with his father, and Katie, aged ten years. Mr. Stewart is a member of many of the leading orders of the city, and en- titled to much credit, as a pioneer, in advancing the business interests of the city. Politically, he is a Republican.
JOHN STEWART, a farmer, near Brazil, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 15. 1826. In 1841, at the age of sixteen years, he came to Indiana with an older brother, and together they worked at the plasterer's trade, doing all the work of that kind in Brazil for many years. After he came to Clay County, he served an apprenticeship at wagon-making with Joseph Hall, which trade he followed eight years in connection with his plastering. He also kept a meat market with his brother, who is still in the business, he having lately devoted his atten- tion to farming. Mr. Stewart was married, August 29, 1850, to Lucina, daughter of Marom C. Hall, a native of Vermont, and one of Putnam County's pioneers. Nine children have been born to this union, six of whom are living, viz .: Sarah, wife of J. Young; John W., Charles, Mar- vin, Robert and Harriet, the two latter still at home. Mr. Stewart came here when the place was a wilderness, and has done much toward devel- oping the resources of the country, and has accumulated, by industry and economy, a fine property, and from his wealth gives liberally to all
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public enterprises. He and his brother donated the court house grounds, and have helped to build all the churches of the city. Mr. Stewart served two years as City Treasurer; has been on the School Board several terms, and in 1882 was elected Superintendent of Roads. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, Brazil Lodge, No. 264, of which he was Treasurer four years. He also belongs to the Knights of Honor, and he and his wife are members of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and are esteemed citizens.
JOHN S. STOUGH was born on December 23, 1835, and is the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Frick) Stough, natives of Pennsylvania. He located with his parents in Ohio in 1851, working there on a farm until April 1, 1856. He is the second of a family of eight children. For three years he served as an apprentice at the carpenter trade. As a builder, after his apprenticeship, he erected many fine buildings in Bra- zil and vicinity. He is the manager and proprietor of one of the best blacksmith and wagon-making shops in the county. He established this business in 1871, and employs four hands at an annual expense of $1,580, but his shop yields him an annual revenue of $3,500. On April 20, 1860, he was married to Mary S. Whitington, who died in 1881. Soon after her death, he remarried. Some time ago Mr. Stough was elected as a member of the City Council from the Third Ward of Brazil. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, I. O. O. F., Knights and Ladies of Honor, and of the Chosen Friends. In the societies of Odd Fellows and Knights and Ladies of Honor he has filled all the offices. In politics, he is a Democrat.
WILLIAM Y. STUART, a carpenter and millwright of Brazil, Ind., was born in Hampden County, Mass., February 13, 1817, of Eng- lish parentage. He spent his earlier years, up to the time he was eleven years old, on a farm, when he moved with his parents to the State of New York, remaining there a few years; thence to Ohio, remaining there two years, and thence to Clay County, Ind., where the father died. Our subject settled in Clay County in 1838, and there he has since resided, with the exception of a short time in Michigan. He had fair educational advantages, having taught several terms of school in Ohio, Indiana, and the first term of school ever taught in the the town of Brazil. He learned his trade, which he has constantly followed up to this day; built the first houses in the city of Brazil; had the honor of giving the town its name, and bringing the post office to the place; has filled several of the township offices, and was appointed by the Commissioners on the organ- ization of Dick Johnson and Brazil Townships. Mr. Stuart has been one of the useful pioneers of the county, having given much (valuable aid in its and the city's development. In 1844, he was married, but his wife died in 1857. He was next married in 1859, the second wife dying in 1870; and in 1873, he married his third wife, she dying in 1881. Mr. Stuart has nine children living, his eldest and youngest daughters now being with him at his home. In politics, he is a zealous Democrat.
JACOB THOMAS (deceased) was born in Union County, Ind., May 26, 1829. His youth was spent on a farm, and he followed that pursuit, also running a saw mill until, meeting with reverses, he in 1859 went to the gold regions of Colorado, assisted in building the first log cabin where Denver now stands, and remained there until 1864. Then, having been very successful, he returned to Clay County, Ind., purchased several farms, also owned one-third interest in the woolen mills of Brazil. He
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also dealt largely in real estate for many years. Mr. Thomas was mar- ried, December 13, 1849, to Rebecca A. Pell, born in Lewis County, Ky., May 27, 1834, coming to Van Buren Township with her parents in 1840, where they died. One child was born to this union, viz., John Charles, born February 7, 1859, died October 23, 1868. Mr. Thomas died in Brazil February 18, 1880. Since his death, Mrs. Thomas has erected two fine business buildings in the Thomas Block, and now owns her third interest in the entire Ackelmire Block, which was built by her hus- band in connection with Ackelmire & Turner. She also owns a number of residences, vacant lots, and an interest in the woolen mills. Mrs. Thomas contributed generously to the erection of the following build- ings, viz .: $1,100 to the Methodist Episcopal Chapel, $500 to Asbury University, $50 to the Brazil Rolling Mills, $100 to the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Harmony. She is a lady of great benevolence, and of high standing in the community. Mrs. Thomas is a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, President of the Women's Foreign Mis- sionary Society, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HENRY TILLY was born in North Carolina May 16, 1805, of ; ar- ents, John and Minnie Tilly, natives of North Carolina, and of Eng- lish and Irish extraction. Henry was reared on a farm, and enjoyed no educational advantages. On June 14, 1825, he was married to Mary Hooker, a native of North Carolina, and born in November, 1807. Two children have been born to them-Burley E., and Susanna, the widow of Elias Helton (deceased). With this daughter, Mr. Tilly and wife now reside, in Brazil. Mr. Tilly came to Indiana in 1830, locating in Hen- dricks County, and lived on leased land until 1837, when they moved to Clay County, where they entered and purchased eighty acres, now in a high state of cultivation, and which they still own. He lived on and worked this farm until 1879, when he moved to Brazil. He and his wife have been consistent members of the Baptist Church for nearly forty years. He was a strong supporter of the old Whig party, but since the Republican party came into existence he has been a zealous advocate of its principles. Mr. Tilly is one of the pioneers of Indiana and Clay County, and is a most worthy citizen. Mrs. Susannah (Tilly) Helton was born on December 20, 1828, and was married to Elias Helton on October 28, 1846. He was born on December 10, 1824. Two children were born to this union -- Mary E., born August 3, 1847, and Margaret M., born June 27, 1851. Mr. Helton was a native of Kentucky, and came with his parents to Clay County in 1837. Prior to 1857, Mr. Helton had filled several important township offices, but in 1857 he was elected by the Democrats to the office of County Treasurer. At the close of his term, he was re-elected to the same position, but was not permitted by Providence to complete his second term, as he died on November 30, 1860. His two daughters were married -- Mary E. to T. Rairden, who re- sides in Terre Haute, Vigo County, and Margaret M. to Mr. Solomon Gundelfinger (deceased).
WILLIAM R. TORBERT, Mayor of the city of Brazil, and manu- facturer of stoneware, was born December 31, 1829, in Georgetown, Es- sex County, Del., and was the only child of Laurence R. and Nancy (McCauley) Torbert, both natives of Delaware. The family came to Ohio in 1832, where William had the advantages of the common schools. He moved to Brazil with his parents in 1855, and in 1858 established
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the factory which he still owns and successfully runs. In 1856, Mr. Tor- bert took an active part in the organization of the Republican party of Clay County, having, previous to that time, been a Whig. Soon after Brazil was incorporated, he was appointed one of the Trustees, in which capacity he served many years, also being a member of the School Board, of which he has been Treasurer since 1874. Having by his faithful serv- ice won the esteem and confidence of the people, he, in 1883, was chosen Mayor of the city. Mr. Torbert's marriage occurred December 8, 1858, to Paralee Cromwell; eight children have been born to this union- Oliver C., Linna, Tryphena, Zorada, Estelle, Laurence, Katie and Ed - ward. Mr. Torbert is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is public spir - ited, working for the welfare of the people. and an advocate of law and order.
JAMES TRACKWELL, a pioneer of Indiana, was born in Monroe County, W. Va., June 14, 1811. His early youth was spent on a farm, with no school advantages, and at the age of twenty-one years he commenced work as a riverman, being a crew hand five years, then receiving a position as pilot, which place he retained ten years. During this period, he encoun- tered many hardships and dangers, having run on all the navigable rivers from the mouth of the Arkansas to the upper lumber regions, his principal route being from Cincinnati to Nashville and St. Louis. At the age of thirty-seven years, he quit the river life, and resumed his trade of painting, which he had learned in his youth, and which he has followed since, with short intervals of farming. In 1854, he came to Rush County, Ind. ; then to Clay County, where Brazil now stands, on what is known as the Shattuck estate, and living here since, having seen the wild country develop into a beautiful city. In 1846, Mr. Trackwell married Miss H. White, who hore him six children, dying in September, 1875. He was next married, April 7, 1877, to Mrs. Eliza, widow of James Young. Mr. Trackwell and wife are members of the Baptist Church. he having been a church member since 1847. He has always been a temperate man. Mrs. Trackwell, after the death of her first husband, James Young, which occurred in 1862, came with her six children to Brazil, where she supported herself, and raised her family, by hard work, at the end of five years owning a house that cost $1,600, all made by her own exertions with what little assistance her young sons could give her. She now commenced taking boarders, which business she followed successfully nine years, when, her family being all settled, she married Mr. Trackwell. Her son, LaFayette Young, was born July 10, 1859, in Rich- mond, Ohio, coming at an early age with his mother to Brazil, where be received moderate schooling, at the age of fifteen years commencing to learn the painter's trade, which trade he has since followed. He was married, May 28, 1882, to Mrs. Naomi Stewart, who died the following June, since which event Mr. Young has resided with his mother and step-father. He is indus- trious and much respected.
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