History of Boone County, Indiana : With biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Volume II, Part 33

Author: Crist, L. M. (Leander Mead), 1837-1929
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : A.W. Bowen
Number of Pages: 522


USA > Indiana > Boone County > History of Boone County, Indiana : With biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Volume II > Part 33


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Mr. McDaniel was born near Greencastle, Putnam county, Indiana,


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October 2, 1864. He is a son of J. T. McDaniel, who was born in Kentucky, of Scotch ancestry. He married Lucy Allen, also a native of the Blue Grass state, she being of English descent. The Allens have long been a prominent family, large dealers in live stock, especially cattle and mules, and they came to this part of Indiana many years ago. For many years J. T. McDaniel was a lumber and sawmill man, and was successful in business affairs and known to be of good character. His death occurred at the age of sixty- four years, and his wife died when fifty-seven years of age. They were the parents of thirteen children, most of whom are now deceased; those who grew to maturity were, George, of Duncan, Oklahoma; Harry, of this sketch; James and John C., live in Benton county. Indiana ; Henry, Ida and Ada.


Harry McDaniel was reared in Putnam county and received a public school education. When twenty years old he began his career as a railroader and has been with the Big Four for a period of thirty years; his long reten- tion is an indication that he has been one of their most faithful and trusted employees. He has thoroughly mastered the business, being energetic and a quick observer, honest and faithful. He first worked in Illinois for some time. For the past twenty-two years lie has been agent of this company at Zionsville.


Mr. McDaniel married May A. Lowe, a native of Illinois, and she is a daughter of Henry P. Lowe, a prominent citizen in Illinois.


Our subject and wife have the following children: Maude, who married Lee Fink, has been a telegraph operator for ten years for the Pennsylvania road: Florence is attending high school at this writing.


Mr. McDaniel is a thirty-second degree Mason, and has been master , of the local lodge for the past seven years. He is also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Murat Temple, at Indianapolis. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 257, and is a member of the Christian church. Mrs. McDaniel was called to her eternal rest in 1913. She was a woman of many fine characteristics, and was a favorite with a wide circle of friends. She was active in church and social life and took much interest in Sunday school work. Her place can never be filled, not only in her home but in the community as well, and her example as a woman of beautiful Christian faith will continue to be emulated by many of her associates for years to come.


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WILLIAM H. ELLIS.


One of the citizens of Boone county who believes that the most pleasant if not the most profitable calling is agriculture is William H. Ellis, of Marion township, and we are of the same opinion, for statistics show that farming compares most favorably with other occupations from the standpoint of success. It is said that ninety per cent. of the merchants fail and sixty per cent of the manufacturers, but there are very few farmers that make an assignment. It is true no great riches are acquired by the individual farmer, but in the big feat of making both ends meet, his record is good and he has fewer skeletons in his closet than those who follow any other industry, and the statement that it is the most healthful vocation needs no argument, and for those who have an eye for the beauties of nature and delight in her rest- fulness and inspiration, no line of endeavor is so pleasant.


Mr. Ellis was born in Scircleville, Clinton county, Indiana, December 13. 1859. He is a son of Thomas and Permilla (Hopkins) Ellis, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. The father came to this state when a young man and these parents were married in Clinton county and established their home there. Grandfather Ellis was an early settler in Tip- ton county, Indiana. The parents of our subject died in Clinton county when he was a boy, the father in 1873 and the mother in 1874, which threw their son, William H., on his own resources, having to support himself and care for two younger sisters, consequently he had little opportunity to acquire an education. In February, 1881, he married and began farming the home place in Clinton county, owning sixty acres, and he remained there until March 2, 1903, when he sold out and bought one hundred and forty acres in section I, township 19, Marion township, Boone county. The place was partly improved and he has added many important improvements since then, building a fine barn, forty by fifty feet. He carries on general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of raising Poland-China hogs, keeps Shire and Belgium horses and maintains a dairy. No small portion of his com- fortable annual income is derived from his live stock, and he is regarded as one of the leading farmers of his township in every respect, managing well and keeping constantly busy, deserving a great deal of credit, for he started under unfavorable circumstances.


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Mr. Ellis married Alzina Gregg, who was born in Clinton county, Indi- ana, where she grew to womanhood and was educated there in the common schools. She is a daughter of James and Eliza (Thurman) Gregg, of Clinton county. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ellis : Ellsworth, Leotho C., William Everett, Jesse E., Armilda, Claude, Lawrence, Laoma and John.


Politically, Mr. Ellis is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 691, Sheridan, Indiana.


GEORGE STOLTZ.


In the death of the late George Stoltz, Boone county lost one of its repre- sentative citizens. As the day, with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of complete and successful efforts, ending in the rest of the night, so was the life of this honored man. His career was a long, busy and useful one, and although he devoted his attention primarily to his individual affairs, as is quite natural and right, he never allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, but preserved his faculties and the warmth of his heart for the broadening and helpful influences of human life, being to the end a kindly, genial friend and gentleman whom it was a pleasure to meet. Through the long years of his residence in this locality he was ever true to the trusts reposed in him, of whatever nature, and. although born under another Hag, he proved his loyalty to the Stars and Stripes by defending same in our great rebellion. and his reputation in a busi- ness way was unassailable. He commanded the respect of all by his upright life and engraved his name indelibly on the pages of Boone county's history. Mr. Stoltz's actions were ever the result of careful and conscientious thought. and when once convinced that he was right, no suggestion of policy or per- sonal profit could swerve him from the course he had decided upon. His career was complete and rounded in its beautiful simplicity ; he did his full duty in all relations of life and was beloved by those near to him and re- spected and esteemed by his fellow citizens.


Mr. Stoltz was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, January 20, 1845. He was a son of George and Marguerite Stoltz, who emigrated with their son


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to America in 1847, locating near Arcanum, Ohio, where the father engaged in farming for some time, then moved near Fort Wayne, Indiana, where. his death occurred. The mother of our subject had died in Ohio previously. George Stoltz, Jr., spent his childhood on the farm and received his educa- tion in the common schools, and when fourteen years of age he began work- ing in a lumber mill, learning the business thoroughly. Finally, he formed a partnership with John Bowser, later with James Tyre. They owned saw- mills in Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri, and carried on lumbering on an extensive scale. With James Weed, our subject started a stone mill in Leb- anon in 1876, which was converted into a sawmill and lumber business. He was also with Kellog Brothers in Indianapolis for two years in the lumber business. He prospered all along the line by the exercise of sound judg- ment and by close application and was one of the substantial men financially in Boone county. He built and owned several valuable buildings in Leb- anon, building up-to-date residences on some of his lots here. Having ac- cumulated a comfortable competency, he retired from the active affairs of life in 1904.


Mr. Stoltz enlisted in August, 1864, in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Fletcher of Indian- apolis. and he served faithfully for the Union until the close of the war.


On October 31, 1876, at Tabor, Iowa, Mr. Stoltz married Anna Cloud, who was born in Waynesville, Ohio, and is a daughter of Thomas and Vir- ginia (Stitt) Cloud, the father from Marysville, Ohio and the mother from Crawfordsville. Indiana, she having been the first white child born in that town. She was a daughter of Judge Stitt, who entered land from the govern- ment on the present site of Crawfordsville and who became one of the most prominent citizens of that part of the state. He was judge of Montgomery county for a period of eight years. The paternal grandparents, Joel and Hanna (Cox) Cloud, were from Virginia. The maternal grandparents were James and Mary (Richardson) Stitt, he a native of Ireland and she of Vir- ginia. Mrs. Stoltz grew up in her native locality and received a good educa- tion. She is a lady of many commendable characteristics and has a wide circle of friends who often gather at her beautiful and modernly appointed home in Lebanon where they always find genuine hospitality.


To Mr. and Mrs. Stoltz the following children were born: William


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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.


lives with his mother; Oscar died when twenty-one years of age; Mary is at home; George lives in Lebanon; Charles also lives in Lebanon.


Politically, Mr. Stoltz was a Democrat, fraternally a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and religiously was a Lutheran, while Mrs. Stoltz holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was truly a good, honorable, kindly and useful man, and when his death occurred on May 20, 1906, he was sincerely lamented by a host of friends and ac- quaintances.


JAMES MELVILLE WORLEY.


It is not often we are able to ascertain what is our best avenue of labor, when we begin casting about for a suitable vocation in life, so most of us try various things before we finally decide along which line lies our true bent. This was the case with James Melville Worley, lawyer, real estate and insur- ance man of Lebanon and one of Boone county's best known citizens. As a practitioner he is cautious, vigilant and indefatigable, contesting every point with unyielding tenacity and employing his vast store of legal knowledge in sustaining his positions and attacking those of his opponents. In argument, Mr. Worley is clear, forceful, logical and convincing, his irreproachable per- sonal character giving him great weight with juries, and his known ability and learning equally impressing the bench.


Mr. Worley was born November 22, 1867 in Ashboro, Clay county, Indiana. He is a son of William Floyd and Jerusha J. ( Cromwell) Worley, the father a native of Rush county, this state. Stephen Worley, the grand- father of our subject, came from east Tennessee to Rush county in the forties and in 1851 removed to the northeastern part of Boone county, where he spent the rest of his life. Of his family there were four sons, the father of our subject being the oldest: Enoch R., who lives in Sheridan, Hamilton county, still owns the old homestead in Boone county ; John Wesley, the third brother is deceased; and James the youngest, moved to Illinois and later to Arkansas where he died a number of years ago. There were also two daugh- ters in the family, both dying a number of years ago. William F. Worley, father of our subject, married in Boone county and afterwards moved to . Clay county in 1866 where he lived until 1882 then returned to Boone county,


J. M. WORLEY


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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.


locating in Marion township and there followed general farming until his death, January 12, 1904. The mother of our subject is a direct descendant of the great Englishman, Oliver Cromwell, whose name was borne by her father, the names being carried down through the succeeding generations to the present. Grandfather Oliver Cromwell came from Kentucky with the family about 1814 and settled in what is now Owen and Clay counties, Indiana, thus being among the earliest pioneers of this state. The only members of the family who came to Boone county were our subject's mother and her sister, Amanda, the latter marrying Jacob Parr, and she is still living as is also Mrs. William F. Worley, the latter remaining on the old home place in Marion township.


Four sons and one daughter were born to William F. Worley and wife, namely : Dr. Oliver P., formerly clerk of the circuit court of Boone county, who also practiced medicine here a number of years before removing to Kokomo, where he is now engaged in the practice; Amanda is the wife of Dennis Zenor, of Marion township; Stephen is farming the home place; Jesse B. is deceased ; and James M., of this sketch.


James M. Worley was reared on the home farm and there worked when a boy, and he received his early education in the district schools, and when only seventeen years of age began teaching in the district schools, and he followed this work for a period of twelve years with much success, his services being in great demand because of his thorough work and popularity with pupils and patrons. During that period he attended the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana, two summers. Finally tiring of the, school room he came to Lebanon in 1896 and became deputy clerk of the circuit court under his brother, and he continued in that position and as record clerk for a period of ten years, under four different administrations, his long re- tention being evidence of his eminent fitness as a public servant. During these years in the clerk's office he read law and was admitted to practice in 1900 at the Boone county bar, and after leaving the clerk's office he formed a partnership with A. J. Shelby, as Shelby & Worley which continued during 1907-8, since which time he has been practicing alonc. He has been admitted to practice in all the state and federal courts, and has built up a very satis- factory and growing clientele and is kept constantly busy with his large legal affairs and his other business, for since 1911 he has been engaged with Watt Fogle in the real estate business under the firm name of Worley & Fogle.


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They handle farm and city property and also handle fire insurance. They have been very successful and their operations are extensive.


Mr. Worley was married December 24, 1888 to Elizabeth Farwick, a daughter of John B. and Jane ( Hamilton) Farwick, of Marion township, Boone county where Mrs. Worley was reared to womanhood and educated. To our subject and wife four sons have been born, namely: Edward B., born in September, 1889: Vernon, born in July, 1891; Ralph L. born in February 1895; and Clark A., born in April, 1904.


Politically, Mr. Worley is a Progressive and he has long been active in public affairs. He served one term as a member of the Lebanon school board, during which the new high school building was erected in 1907, and which he strongly advocated. His party has honored him several times with nominations, for circuit clerk, first in 1898 and again was a candidate for prosecuting attorney in 1910. but each time the party suffered defeat at the polls in Boone county. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and he and his family belong to the Methodist church, and are faith- ful in their support of the same.


CAPT. CARSON PORTER RODMAN.


This gentleman is another of the old soldiers whom it is a delight to honor. They are getting fewer and fewer in number and their march is not as quick and full of meaning and fire as it was fifty years ago when they were fighting for the perpetuity of the Union. but it thrills one to see them in their old uniforms, with their tattered flags flying and their forms bent as they hobble along on their canes at reunions or on Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. And how interesting it is to hear them tell the story of the dreadful hardships they endured in the crowded hospitals, on the harrassing marches, or in the battles and skirmishes, or in the prison cells of the South- ern Confederacy. But their time is short now, so all persons should join in honoring them for the sacrifices they made when they were young and full of the love of life, but which was offered free on the altar of their country.


Capt. Carson Porter Rodman, who, after a very active, useful and suc- cessful life, is living in honorable retirement in his cozy home in Lebanon, is


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one of the oldest native-born citizens of Boone county, his birth having occurred on a farm here October 15, 1835. He is a son of James and Mary (Guysinger) Rodman, one of the thrifty pioneer families of this county. James Rodman was born near Frankfort, Kentucky, about 1802, and was a son of John H. and Nancy (Cusic) Rodman. John Rodman was an early settler in the Blue Grass state, and was of Scotch-Irish descent, tracing his ancestry back to the sixteenth century in Scotland. He was a farmer in Kentucky and after the war of 1812 moved near Zanesville. Ohio, where he lived until about 1836, when he came to Marion county, Indiana, where he lived with his daughter until his death. James Rodman came to Boone county, Indiana, in 1820, when eighteen years of age, to hunt and trap game and fur-bearing animals then being abundant hereaway, and it is highly probable that he was one of the first white men in the county. In 1824 he entered one hundred and sixty acres here, which he cleared and developed into a good farm and on this he established a comfortable home, where he lived until 1839, when he removed to Shelby county, Illinois, and purchased two hundred and forty acres, on which he farmed until 1842, when he was killed by a bully who had a grudge against him. He was a strong character, rugged, courageous, hospitable and honest. Politically, he was a Democrat and in religious matters a Scotch Presbyterian. He and Mary Guysinger were married in 1824. She was born in Maysville, Kentucky, in 1805, and was of Austrian descent. Her death occurred in 1893.


Capt. Carson P. Rodman grew to manhood on the farm and there he found plenty of hard work to do when a boy. He received his education in the common schools. When seven years of age he went to live with his uncle at Zionsville. When the Civil war came on he enlisted in July, 1861, in Company A, Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was at once com- missioned second lieutenant, and he proved to be a most faithful and gallant officer, having the good will and confidence of both his soldiers and superior officers. After the battle of Mill Springs he was ordered home to receive a promotion to adjutant, appointed by Gov. Oliver P. Morton, and was as- signed to the Eighty-sixth Indiana' Volunteer Infantry, which he organized. He was offered the colonelcy of this regiment but refused on account of his youth. After the battle'of Stone River he was promoted.to captain of Com- pany H, Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He participated in about twenty-six engagements, including the following: Stone River, Dalton,


.


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Cave Hill City, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Cassville, those incident to the At- lanta campaign, Eutaw River, Burnt Hickory, Little Pine Top Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesville, Lovejoy Station and numerous others of lesser note. He contracted rheumatism and was mustered out of service in November, 1864, with the rank of captain, and was honorably discharged.


After his military career, Captain Rodman returned to Indiana and began in the milling business at Clarkshill, which he continued two years, then spent a year near Michigan City, two years at Goodland, two years at Eugene, two years at Danville, Illinois, all the while continuing the milling business. He then superintended the building of an elevator at Remington, Indiana, where he remained three years. He spent the next four years in Boone county, having been appointed deputy county treasurer under S. S. Daily. After his term of office expired he spent a year in the hardware business. In 1878 he went to Chanute, Kansas, where he engaged in the milling business until 1880, then went to Kansas City, where he continued the same line for three years. We next find him in Sedalia, Missouri, where he spent two years, then in Kingman, Kansas, operating a mill at both places, continuing in the latter until 1907, when he retired from active life, having accumulated a handsome competency through his industry and good manage- ment, having had few equals and no superiors in the milling business. every phase of which he thoroughly mastered. When he retired he moved to Lebanon. Indiana, where he has since resided in a modern and attractive home, spending his declining years in comfort and surrounded by every con- venience.


Captain Rodman was married on February 11, 1858, to Mary E. Daugherty, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, September 10. 1840. and there she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. Her family was well known and highly esteemed in that locality. She proved to be a faithful and competent helpmeet and was always a favorite with a wide circle of friends, being the possessor of many charming attributes of head and heart. She was called to her eternal rest August 22, 1895.


To the Captain and wife three children were born, namely: Roland L., of Corpus Christi, Texas; Luella M. married C. B. Parmenter, and they live in Kingman, Kansas: Harry C. makes his home in Baltimore, Maryland.


On October 2, 1907. Captain Rodman married Mrs. Mary A. Hen- dricks, a lady of refinement and a representative of an excellent old family.


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Personally, the Captain is a man of fine characteristics, honorable in all the relations of life, companionable, charitable and public-spirited, and he has been highly respected and influential in the many different localities where he has resided.


WILLIAM BRANDENBURG.


Perhaps no state in the Union has a greater right to be proud of her Union army veterans than Indiana, which sent regiment after regiment into the "jaws of death" "in order that the nation, under God, might live," and she did not send them in vain as their records readily attest. In fact, it is not too much to say that the national troops would have failed had it not been for the support of the Hoosiers, her thousands of gallant, intelligent. determined soldiers and her numerous able and renowned officers playing a great role in that tremendous drama of half a century ago, in fact, the state did all in its power in not only sending soldiers and furnishing her best men for leaders, but also spent vast sums of money and her women worked heroic- ally one way and another for the cause of the Union. And, as one of our great men said. "There is glory enough for all." The hardships and sorrows were bravely borne by our people, the mothers gave up their sons like the brave Spartan mothers of old and everything is reconciled and justified. One of this praiseworthy band of Union supporters is William Branden- burg, a venerable citizen of Royalton, Boone county.


Mr. Brandenburg was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, June 20, 1849. He is a son of Patterson Brandenburg, also a native of the Blue Grass state, his parents having been natives of Germany, from which country they emigrated to America in an early day and settled in the "dark and bloody ground" country when it was still an undeveloped region, the home of the savage and the wild denizens of the woods. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Malinda Matthews, whose people were natives of Virginia from which state they came to Kentucky in pioneer days and there she was born. In that state the parents of our subject grew to maturity, received such educational advantages as the old-time schools afforded which was very meager, and there they were married and established


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their home. The father eventually moved to Harper county, Kansas. Several of their sons were soldiers in the Civil war, Dave, James and William, all fighting for the Union; however, James served principally as a teamster.


William Brandenburg grew to manhood on the farm and received his education in the district schools. When twenty-one years of age he married a Miss Wilson, and to this union these children have been born: Thomas, Henry, Walter and Rettie. Our subject's first wife died twelve years ago, and he subsequently married Mrs. Ginn, a widow.


Mr. Brandenburg enlisted in May, 1864, in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the one hundred day service, and he was with the troops in Tennessee and Alabama and gave a good ac- count of himself as a soldier, and was honorably discharged.




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