USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 39
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CHARLES W. WEAVER, liveryman, of the firm of Weaver & Nance, was born in Van Buren Township, Clay Co., Ind., November 18, 1853, and is a son of John C. and Margaret (Huff) Weaver, natives of West Virginia, and of German extraction. John C. Weaver was a farmer by occupation, and in 1838 emigrated with his family to Clay County, Ind., and was a pioneer. He built a water-power saw mill, which he operated for a number of years, to which he afterward attached a corn-cracker, and thus prepared food for the people for miles around, and by his industry acquired a good home. He was the parent of eleven children, and died in Van Buren Town- ship in August, 1880, having buried his faithful wife six months before.
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Charles was the youngest child ; was reared to industry, and acquired a fair education from the common schools. Previous to engaging in his pres- ent business, he was a farmer and stock trader. He and his partner, Mr. Nance, are now using two large barns filled with good stock and vehicles, and doing a good business. Mr. Weaver is a shrewd aud capable business man, and has been successful. In addition to his livery business, he has a fine farm of 160 acres on the National road, east of Harmony, which is well cultivated and improved, having good buildings, orchard, etc. He is also owner of a 200-acre farm in Cumberland County, Ill. Mr. Weaver is one of the most enterprising and promising young men in this township and county, and in politics is a Democrat. September 4, 1881, he married Miss Victoria Mckinley, of this county.
FRANK J. WEHRLE, owner and manager of the two mammoth boot and shoe houses on Main street, Brazil, was born in Newark, Ohio. He located in the city of Brazil, Ind., in 1870, and engaged as a boot and shoe manufacturer. This he followed until 1877, when he established the Main street store. By close attention to business and fair dealing, he had, at the end of three years, so increased his trade that a branch store was estab- lished in addition to the original. He now handles the largest stock of boots and shoes shown by any firm in Western Indiana, and his honesty and business ability are rewarded by an unequaled patronage.
ABSALOM B. WHEELER was the eldest of three children of Thomas and Frances (Thompson) Wheeler, natives of Kentucky. The parents located in Harrison County, Ind., about the year 1820, but, in 1825, removed to Clay County, where they both died, the father in his ninety-ninth year (he having been a soldier in the war of 1812), and the mother at eighty-eight years of age. The father's father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died at the age of one hundred and eight years, the mother's father at the age of one hundred and four years, the former being interred in the Sloan Cemetery, and the latter in the Zenor Cemetery, near Bowling Green. The subject of this sketch was born in Clay County April 30, 1825; was reared on a farm, and enjoyed rather limited educational advantages ; yet close application and industry in after years, although under very unfavora- ble circumstances, he succeeded in acquiring a good business education. He began life for himself at the age of nineteen as a common laborer, his com- pensation being from $6 to $7 per month. At the end of eighteen months he leased land and went to farming. At the end of eight years, he owned eighty acres of land, which he traded to his father for eighty acres of the home farm, to which he eventually added 120 acres more. Thus he pros- pered until the panic of 1873, when he was a heavy loser by indorsing for those who failed ; but by close application to business and economy, in a few years he recovered, and, in 1879, moved to Brazil, where he has since been engaged in the fire and life insurance business. In 1845, he was mar- ried to Jane Lowdermilk. To this union have been born eight children, all living in Clay County except one, who resides in Parke County. His wife died August 10, 1878. He was next married, July 13, 1879, to Mrs. Eliza- beth Babbitt. Mr. Wheeler is one of the first children born in Clay County, and is consequently a representative pioneer of the county. In 1855, he and his wife united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for twenty- two years he has filled in the church an official position, and is still a con- sistent member, his wife dying in that faith. In 1864, he enlisted as First Lieutenant in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, and was honorably discharged in the autumn of the same year.
H. WHEELER, a retired coal operator of Brazil Ind., was born in Cler- mont County, Ohio, April 21, 1827. In the fall of 1835, he removed with his
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father to Clay County, Ind., where he grew up on a farm, working during spring and summer and attending school during winter. By close applica- tion, he acquired a good common school education, and at the age of eighteen years began teaching, which occupation he followed for about eight years very successfully. On July 20, 1851, Mr. Wheeler was married to Effie Harp. She was born in Claiborne County, Tenn., on September 5, 1824. Seven children were born to them, viz., Rachel, born June 2, 1852; William O., October 11, 1854; Perry L., October 17, 1856 ; Ann E., October 4, 1859 ; David H., December 8, 1861 ; Phil Sheridan, June 8, 1864, and Iva May, May 19, 1867. In 1854, Mr. Wheeler entered into the mercantile business in Staun- ton, Clay Co., Ind., in partnership with Allen W. Carter. They continued in business together till the fall of 1859, when Mr. W. was elected County Audi- tor, being the first and only Republican ever elected to that office in the county. In 1863, he was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated by George W. Wiltse. In January, 1864, he removed from Bowling Green to Brazil, where he again engaged in the mercantile business, in partnership with D. W. Bridges and John G. Ackelmire, the firm name being H. Wheeler & Co. During the summer and fall of this year (1864), they also built, and put in operation, the large woolen mill, known as the " Brazil Woolen Factory," and which is still being run by Messrs. A. W. Turner & Co. In March, 1866, Mr. Ackel- mire retired from the firm, and Capt. T. M. Robertson, the present efficient Postmaster of Brazil, became a member of it, the style of the new firm being Wheeler, Bridges & Co. Mr. Wheeler continued at the head of this firm till April, 1879, when the business was sold out to D. Hawkins, his son-in-law. In 1868, Mr. Wheeler was chosen by the City Council a School Trustee, and served in that capacity till 1872. At that time (1868), Brazil, with a pop- ulation of 2,000, had but one small schoolhouse, barely sufficient to accom- modate sixty to seventy-five pupils. The importance of erecting a new and commodious school building was apparent but how to raise the funds was the question. The City Council was asked, and consented to issue the bonds of the city to the amount of $8,000. These bonds were placed in the hands of Mr. Wheeler for sale, but the city having little reputation, and no credit in the money marts of the country, it was found very difficult to negotiate them at any price. Mr. W. S. Hubbard, of Indianapolis, finally consented to purchase $3,000 of them if Mr. Wheeler, and the firm of Wheeler, Bridges & Co., would indorse them, and guarantee their prompt payment when due. This they did, and thus the first money was obtained for building the large and commodious schoolhouse on North Meridian street. It comprises six school rooms, and cost $16,000, and was completed and opened for schools in September, 1870. In 1876, Mr. Wheeler became interested in the mining business, and continued operating in coal till September, 1883. He was not successful, having suffered considerable Joss by being burned out twice within twelve months. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F. and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
LUTHER WOLFE, editor and proprietor of the Clay County Enter- prise, was born in Washington County, Penn., July 13, 1829. His father, Daniel Wolfe, settled at Mount Vernon, Ohio, in 1830, where he remained until Luther was twelve years of age, when they moved to Centerburg, Ohio, where he remained until he had attained his majority, when his father purchased a small quantity of worn Long Primer type, manufactured his own cases, furniture and leads and press, and projected the Universalist Ad- vocate, a monthly publication. In this primitive office, young Wolfe had his first experience in type-setting, following it for four years, after which he purchased of his father the whole concern, boxed up the material and stopped the issue of the paper, and entered the office of the Western Home
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Visitor, published at Mount Vernon, and the following winter he helped to establish and was the publisher of the first Republican paper ever printed in Lima, Ohio, viz., the Western Gazette. This was about the year 1854. After this he was the foreman of the printing of different papers, when, in March, 1856, he purchased the Kalida (Ohio) Sentinel. This paper was Democratic, and he published it four years, but at the end of this time, in 1860, sectional strife was growing so bitter that he sold out, and in 1861 moved to Owen County, Ind., and purchased a farm, working it one year, when, the war breaking out, he enlisted and was made First Lieutenant of Company B, Ninety-seventh Indiana Infantry. He held this position until December, 1864, when he was promoted Captain of his company and held that position at the time of his discharge. Mr. Wolfe participated in the principal campaigns and battles of the war, and closed his military career with Sherman's grand " march to the sea," and its engagements. On June 27, 1864, he received a wound from a shell at Kenesaw Mountain, which dis- abled him several weeks. After his discharge he returned to the farm, re- maining on it one year, and in the March following moved to Bowling Green. In the summer of 1872, he went to Knightsville, Clay County, and took the foremanship of the Clay County Enterprise, which paper, in March, 1873, he purchased, and in October, 1875, moved the office to Brazil, where he has since made the paper a success for himself and party. At the break- ing-out of the war, Mr. Wolfe became a Republican in politics, and still advo- cates the principles of the party. On September 6, 1855, he was married to Mary Mills, who was born August 5, 1839. To them have been born five children, viz., Luther A., born October 18, 1856 ; Mary Alice, born August 27, 1858 ; Robert E., born January 28, 1861 ; Harriet A., born December 10, 1862 ; and Arthur, born August 26, 1870, died September 22, 1870. Mr. Wolfe is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the G. A. R. Mrs. Wolfe is a consistent member of the Christian Church.
L. A. WOLFE, United States Mail Agent on the Vandalia Railroad, was born October 18, 1856, and is a son of Luther and Mary (Mills) Wolfe, of Brazil. His early advantages were fair, and being industrious and am- bitious, he acquired a good education. In February, 1877, he received the appointment of Route Agent from Indianapolis to St. Louis. Mr. Wolfe now holds the position of Chief Clerk on that line. His marriage occurred April 17, 1877, to Josephine Mckinney, of Gosport, Ind. They have one son, Freddie, born July 10, 1880. Mr. Wolfe is industrious and temperate, and has a handsome competence.
FRANK M. WRIGHT, proprietor of a grocery and provision store, was born in Preble County, Ohio, October 17, 1837, and is the eighth of twelve children of Isaac and Rachel (Kelley) Wright, natives of Virginia, he being of English descent, and his wife of Irish. They located in Illinois in 1844, where they both died, he in 1863, and she in 1870. Frank was reared on a farm in Illinois, with limited common school privileges, remaining home until twenty-three years of age ; then he farmed for himself a few years. In January, 1867, he located in Brazil, and engaged in making brick during the summer, and mining coal in the winter season, which he followed for seven years, when he stopped making brick and worked altogether in the mines for two years, at the end of which he was engaged in teaming for a few years, hauling a great deal of the material for the court house and jail of Clay County. In 1879, he bought one-half interest in the grocery store of Joseph Spry. This partnership existed in the firm name of Spry & Wright for one year, when Mr. Wright purchased the entire stock, which he has successfully managed since that time, his business being now located on East Main street, where he is commanding a liberal patronage as a re-
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ward for his honesty and fair dealing. He was married, August 13, 1863, to Jane Carruthers, a native of Ohio, and of Scotch descent. To them were born nine children, three only of whom are living-Thomas B., Stephen I. and Gracie, the others dying young. Thomas and Stephen are bright little boys. Mr. Wright is a member of the Baptist Church, as is also his wife. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and Knights of Honor, and the Knights and Ladies of Honor. Mr. Wright is an energetic business man, but he has met with misfortune. He lost his barn with contents by fire in September, 1883.
BOWLING GREEN AND WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
HIRAM P. ALLEN, M. D., of Bowling Green, was born in Monroe County, Ind., August 15, 1827. His parents, James and Delia (Wright) Allen, are natives of North Carolina, and of English origin. Dr. Allen emi- grated with his parents to Putnam County in 1829, locating in Greencastle, which was then a log village, and the county a wilderness. His father died when he was but ten years of age, and his mother and two sisters were left to his support. At the age of fifteen years, he was apprenticed to a carpen- ter for three years, after which he entered Asbury University, remaining in that institution some time ; then commenced the study of medicine, continu- ing several years, two of which he was employed in a drug store at Green- castle, leaving there during the years 1861 and 1862 to attend Rush Medical College at Chicago. After completing his medical course, he began imme- diately the practice of his profession in Fillmore, Ind., where he remained a short time ; then removed to Bellville, Ind., where he continued in practice until the year 1881, when he located in Bowling Green, Clay Co., Ind., where he is at present engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery. He was married in 1850 to Miss Knetzer. Six children were born to this union. Mrs. Allen died in 1881, and the Doctor, having the care of a family, was next married to Jennie A. Stites. She has borne her husband one child.
ADAM BAUMUNK was born in Ohio May 28, 1848, and is the young- est of ten children of Michael and Margaret (Storm) Baumunk, both natives of Germany. Adam, in company with his parents, came to Owen County, Ind., in 1851, remaining one year, going then to Clay County, where they settled in Washington Township, near Poland, where they began clearing land for a home, enduring all the hardships of pioneer life, and living to enjoy the fruit of their labors. Adam worked upon the farm and attended school, remaining with his parents until his majority. He was married March 21, 1872, to Rebecca, daughter of John and Lavinia (Barr) Ulrich. Two children have been born to them, viz., Clara and Dora. Mr. Baumunk is an enterprising farmer living on a farm near Poland. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baumunk are members of the German Reformed Church, and are ever ready in all benevolent works.
GEORGE N. BEAMER is the fifth of twelve children of George and Elizabeth (Stoody) Beamer, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Pennsylvania, and of German extraction. Mr. Beamer, Sr., was a soldier of the war of 1812, and, it is thought, was under Gen. Harrison, and at the bat- tle of Sandusky, Ohio. The subject of our sketch was born in Ohio on Jan- uary 6, 1827, and spent his early youth on a farm, and acquired only a common school education, sufficient, however, to enable him to teach school,
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which occupation he followed successfully during ten years of his life, and during this time he was married, on October 19, 1854, to Henrietta Bear, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Jacob and Henrietta (Walter) Bear, natives of Pennsylvania. After his marriage, Mr. Beamer farmed and taught school in Ohio until the year 1862, when he came to Washington Towns hip, Clay Co., Ind., and purchased a farm of 110 acres near Bowling Green, and since that purchase, by industry and thrift, has added 202 acres more, making a grand total of 312 acres. This farm has all modern improvements, and all the surroundings are calculated to make one's life pleasant, and his home attractive. Mrs. Beamer has borne her husband seven children, viz., Emma J. (Huber), born September 16, 1855 ; Laura Ellen (Huber), born June 15, 1858 ; Charles Elmer, born March 7, 1861, died July 9, 1861 ; Alva C., born July 31, 1862 ; Jasper F., born March 30, 1865; Howard E., born November 30, 1869 ; Willace M., born February 16, 1873, died July 11, 1875. Mr. Beamer is politically a Democrat, and cast his first Presidential ballot for Lewis Cass in 1848. He is Justice of the Peace of Washington Township, this being his second term. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ABNER BOHANNON is a resident of Bowling Green, the fifth of ten children of John and Mary (Sacrey) Bohannon, natives of Kentucky and Maryland, and of English extraction. 'Abner was born in Shelby County, Ky., November 12, 1817, and was reared on a farm, receiving only a com- mon school education. Soon after his majority, he was married to Sarah Rogers, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of George and Elizabeth (Pear- son) Rogers, also natives of Kentucky. After his marriage, he began farm- ing in Hendricks County. Ind., where he remained until 1857, when he moved to near Cloverdale, Ind., remaining there until 1862. His wife died there June 23, 1858. To this union were born ten children-William H , Thirza (now Trout), Melinda M. (now Phegley), Mary F. (now Zering), Nancy J. (now Boswell), Elizabeth (now Haden), Monroe and Squire. The other two are deceased. He was next married, October 15, 1861, to Pal- myra (Pinkston), daughter of John and Peggy Garvin, natives of Kentucky. Mr. Bohannon came to Washington Township, Clay County, in 1862, and located on a farm near Bowling Green, where he resided until October, 1882, when he permanently located in town, taking charge of the post office. His present wife has borne him four children-Candace (now Clingerman), Curtis, Robert and John. Mr. B. is a Mason ; in politics a Republican, and cast his first ballot for Harrison in 1840. For six years he was Assessor of Washington Township. Both he and his wife are members of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church.
WILLIAM H. BOOTHE was born in Clay County, Ind., on December 20, 1842, and is the seventh of eight children of Thompson and Huldah (Thomas) Boothe, the former a native of Harrison County, Ind., the latter of Shelby County, Ky., and of English and Welsh extraction. During his youth, our subject worked on a farm in the summer, and attended school in the winter seasons, thus receiving a common school edu- cation. He remained with his parents until he was seventeen years old, and when the war of the rebellion broke out he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-fifth Indiana Infantry, serving three months, and participated in the battle of Richmond, Ky., where he was taken pris- oner and paroled, and he then returned home. His time had ex- pired before this battle had occurred, but he with his regiment volunteered service during this battle. At the expiration of his term, he re-enlisted for six months in Company B, One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Infantry, most of this time being on detached duty. At the expiration of this term,
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he again re-enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-third Indiana Infantry for three months, being during this time on guard duty in East Tennessee. On his fourth enlistment for one year in Company B, One Hun- dred and Forty-ninth Indiana Infantry, he was promoted First Lieutenant, and then to Captain, and served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged in July, 1865. After his return to civil life, he spent five or six years in traveling. On August 25, 1870, he was married to Sarah J. Stin- son, the daughter of Lynza and Sallie A (Lucas) Stinson, natives of North Carolina. To them have been born five children, viz., Addis, Frederick R., Harley M., Bessie H. and Thomas T. Mr. Boothe is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is. one of the pioneers of Clay County, living at this time on a farm, near Bowling Green, of 210 acres of good land, well improved. He was well provided for by his parents, and by his industry and economy has accumulated enough to provide all the comforts for himself and family dur- ing the rest of their lives.
MARTIN BOYER, a resident of Bowling Green, was born in Germany November 6, 1839, and is the eldest of five children of Charles and Caro- line Boyer, both natives of Germany. Charles Boyer came to America in 1848, settling in Blair County, Penn., where he remained until the spring of 1857, when his family crossed the Atlantic and took up their abode here. He died in the year 1859. Martin only received a common school education. After the death of his father, he was left to the support of the family, he sawing wood for a living. On July 4, 1861, he was married to Susanna, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Reese) Glass, natives of Penn- sylvania. To them have been born nine children, viz., Charles (deceased), William H., Ettie B., Laura, Eliza B. (deceased), Walter, Lillie, Rosie and Homer. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Boyer came to Owen County, Ind., locating in Atkinsonville, and working at the carpenter's and cabinet-maker's trades until February 8, 1865, when he enlisted in Company B, One Hun- dred and Forty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and served nearly six months, but during the month of June he was sent to the hospital at Huntsville, Ala., at which place he was discharged on July 11, very much disabled physical- ly. After his return home, he was for six months unable to perform any manual labor, yet he recovered sufficiently to attend the post office and work in a country store, being employed in that capacity about three years. He then engaged in the lumber trade, buying and selling, in which he was en- gaged for about three years, being located in Spencer, Owen County. Leav- ing there, he located in Poland, Clay County, where he purchased a saw-mill, which was soon after destroyed by fire. He purchased another mill and continued the business, establishing himself in Bowling Green in 1880, where he has a fine saw and planing mill. The value of the mill and machinery is $5,000 ; of the logs and lumber on hand. $1,000; of the teams and wagons, $1,000 ; of the real estate, $2,500. Mr. Boyer commenced busi- ness life without any assistance from others, and is doing a business of the value of $5,000 a year. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
FRANCIS M. CAMPBELL, an enterprising farmer of Washington Township, was born in Butler County, Ohio, December 16, 1840, and is the youngest of eight children of Martin and Margaret (Taylor) Campbell, natives of Pennsylvania, of German origin. Gen. Taylor, of Mexican war fame, was the great-grandfather of Mrs. Margaret Campbell. Our subject, during his youth, attended school during the winter, and labored on the farm during the summer seasons. Being patriotically inclined, on August 20, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Forty-third Indiana Infantry, for three years, serv-
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ing sixteen months, and participated in the battles of Island No. 10, Fort Pillow, Chickasaw Bluffs and Memphis. Owing to ill health, he was then discharged. After returning home and partially recovering his health, he assisted in raising Company M, Sixth Indiana Cavalry, of which he was made Lieutenant. He served with this company until the close of the war, being engaged in the battles of Nashville, Resaca, Kingston, Ga., Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta and Atlanta, Ga. He was honorably discharged Sep- tember 15, 1865, returned to civil life, and engaged in farming. On April 15, 1868, he was married to Mary E., daughter of Fergus and Mercy Snoddy, natives of Kentucky. To them have been born four children-Harry, Court, Clarence and Gilberta, all of whom are living. Mr. Campbell is one of the pioneers of Clay County, being at present the owner of 200 acres of good land near Bowling Green. His farm has all the modern improvements. He and his wife are both members of the Christian Church.
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