USA > Indiana > Boone County > History of Boone County, Indiana : With biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Volume II > Part 38
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WILLIAM H. HUTCHINSON.
Agriculture is the greatest among all the arts of man, as it is the first in supplying his necessities. It favors and strengthens population; it creates and maintains manufactures ; gives employnient to transportation companies and furnishes materials for commerce. It animates every species of industry, and opens to nations the safest channels of wealth. It is the strongest bond of well-regulated society, the surest basis of internal peace, and the natural associate of correct morals. Among all the occupations and professions of life, there is none more honorable, none more independent, and none more conducive to health and happiness. And we agree with the ancient bard who wrote. "In olden times the sacred plow employed the kings and fathers of mankind; and some with whom compared your insect tribes are but the beings of a summer's day, have held the scale of empire, ruled the storm of mighty war with unwearied hand. disdaining little delicacies, seized the plow
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and greatly independent lived." One of the citizens of Boone county who has devoted his active life to agricultural pursuits and has made an independent living thereby is William H. Hutchinson, of Washington township.
He was born in Franklin county, Indiana, May 12, 1845. He is a son of John and Elizabeth Hutchinson, both parents natives of England where they spent their earlier years and from there emigrated to the United States and located on a farm in Franklin county, Indiana, where they established a comfortable home through their industry and there spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 18- and the death of the mother occurred about 1883. Their family consisted of ten children, six still living, namely: Wil- liam H., of this sketch; Charles E. makes his home in Franklin county; George W. lives in Jefferson township, Boone county ; Mrs. Jane Heap lives in the state of Nebraska, Frank lives in Franklin county, and Mrs. Alice Curry lives in Jefferson township, this county. These children were all reared on the homestead in Franklin county, received common school edu- cations and are all living on farms at this writing and are well situated in life.
William H. Hutchinson spent his boyhood on his father's farm and attended the rural schools of his community. He remained in his native county until 1870 when he came to Boone county, and purchased eighty acres of land two miles east of Thorntown, in Washington township, where he has since resided and during this period of forty-four years has made many important improvements in the place and has carried on general tarm- ing successfully and has a good home. He has built all his own outbuild- ings. He has increased his holdings until his farm now contains one hun- dred and sixty acres of fine land.
Mr. Hutchinson was married in Franklin county in 1864 to Martha Ann Beasley, who was born, reared and educated in that county. To this union the following children have been born, named as follows : Mrs. Susanna E. Stafford lives in Jamestown, Indiana; John W. is married and lives with his father; Frank is married and lives in Lebanon; Joseph W. is married and is practicing law in Indianapolis; Lydia A. is the wife of Fred Lewis, a farmer of Sugar Creek township, this county.
Politically Mr. Hutchinson is a Republican and he and his family at- tend the Presbyterian church.
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VALLANDINGHAM RIGGINS.
It is a well attested maxim that the greatness of the state lies not in the machinery of government or even in its institutions, but in the sterling qual- ities of its individual citizens, in their capacity for high and unselfish effort and their devotion to the public good. To this class belongs Vallandingham Riggins, successful farmer of Jefferson township, Boone county, a gentleman who has not only been industrious and public-spirited but who has also been actuated by the highest motives and lofty principles.
Mr. Riggins was born in Boone county, September 26, 1863. He is a son of Jesse and Manerva (Stewart) Riggins, the father a native of North Carolina, and the mother of Indiana. her parents being very early settlers of Montgomery county. The paternal grandparents, Richard and ( Marsh) Riggins, were natives of North Carolina, although no direct data to that effect can be obtained. Charles Riggins, the great-great-grandfather, emigrated from England to North Carolina. His wife was of French descent, and was a native of France. ' Grandfather Riggins came to Union county, Indiana, where he lived two years, then moved to Boone county in the early days. His son Jesse, was but one month old when brought to Indi- ana. The grandfather took up land in Jefferson township, and there estab- lished his future home and reared his family, and died on the land he im- proved, and here the father of our subject grew to manhood and remained at home until he was twenty-eight years of age. He received a meager edu- cation in the subscription schools. The clothing he wore in those days were woven and made by his mother. He was born October 26, 1833, and he and Manerva Stewart were married in 1861. She was a daughter of a pioneer, William and Rhoda Stewart, one of the early and well known families in this section of Indiana. The Stewarts were from Kentucky, and were descendants of the Stewarts of military fame. After their marriage the young couple worked a part of their father's farm in Boone county where they remained for about five years, then bought eighty acres in Jefferson township, where they resided a number of years, then bought and sold other land from time to time, always making a profit, and also succeeding as a general farmer, finally purchasing a farm near Shannondale, where Mr. Riggins now lives. Mr. Stewart attained the advanced age of eighty years. His wife died July 20. 1895, while living on the home farm in Jefferson
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township. The Riggins have always been a prominent family here. Jesse Riggins died December 28, 1913.
To Jesse and Manerva Riggins were born a family of five children, who grew to maturity, namely : Vallandingham was the oldest; the others were, Charlotte May, born in 1865, married William Kipplinger, lives in Indian- apolis, where she is in business ; George P., born in 1867, married Henrietta Green, a native of Boone county and is a farmer near Shannondale, and they have three children, Alone, Manerva and Vane: Una Gertrude, born in 1871, married William Jones, superintendent of the Standard Oil Company's trans- portation department at Indianapolis, and they have one child, Jesse ; Oliver was born in 1876, married Ethel Walton, a native of Boone county, and they are now living in Montgomery county on a farm. Two children born to our subject's parents died in infancy, James and Mary, thus making seven in all.
Vallandingham Riggins grew to manhood on the home farm and he received a good education in the local schools. He remained at home until he was thirty-three years old, working on the farm in the summer and teach- ing in the district schools during the winter months, also taught six years at Dover and four years at Shannondale. He ranked among the most popu- lar teachers of the county and his services were in great demand. On April 15, 1896, he married Rosetta Booher, who was born November 26, 1865. She is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Rebecca (Slypher) Booher, natives of Montgomery county. Our subject continued teaching two years after his marriage, then took up farming in section 31, on eighty acres in this township, where he still resides and which he now owns. He has made ex- cellent improvement, including the erection of a modern residence in 1912-13. It is one of the most desirable homes in the township, is equipped with fur- nace, heated with hot and cold water and lighted with electricity. It is in the midst of attractive surroundings and everything denotes taste and thrift. It is on the traction line between Lebanon and Crawfordsville. His farm is well kept and under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Riggins is deserving of a great deal of credit for acquiring this valuable property through his individual efforts.
Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Joseph V., born March 1, 1903, and Robert K., born August II, 1910.
Our subject and wife are members of the Bethel church at Shannon- dale, of which Mr. Riggins has been elder for a period of eighteen years,
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and they are both active in church work. He was also superintendent of the Sunday school for a period of thirteen years, and he has taught one class for twenty-five years. Many of these members, young people when they joined the class, are still living and attending the class. Few have been more prominent in church and Sunday school work in this vicinity than our sub- ject. Politically, he has followed in the footsteps of his father and is a loyal Democrat. Two of his uncles were soldiers in the Civil war, Benjamin Riggins died in the service and Isaac V. Riggins is living in Advance. Our subject has long been influential in local political matters, although he has never sought office. He was trustee of Jefferson township, having been elected in 1908. His term of office expired January 1, 1914.
THE STATE BANK OF ADVANCE.
In these days of large commercial transactions, when credits cut a large factor in the daily round of business, the province of the banker is very wide and very important .. The excellence of the banks of the present as compared with those of the past gives to all classes of business men first-class security for their deposits, assistance when they are in need of ready money to move their business, and a means of exchanging credits that could be accomplished in safety in no other way. In a large measure the success of the present time in all branches of business is largely the result of the present banking methods. It is quite common for the stockholders of the banks to be business men of prominence in the community, farmers, merchants, manufacturers and professional men, all of whom are known to the depositors and their standing well established. This gives stability to the bank and confidence to the community. Such is the confidence in the State Bank of Advance, the popular and substantial institution at Advance. Boone county.
It was established as a private bank many years ago, and was reorgan- ized, a co-partnership, starting business October 2, 1901. The main organ- izers of the private company were W. J. DeVol. president; Thomas Shera, vice-president : and W. Ailes, cashier. The latter resigned in 1907, and was succeeded by H. C. Epperson, who is still ably discharging the duties of this position and who has done much to make the bank popular. Mr. Shera died
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in 1910. The private company had a capital of ten thousand dollars, the shares being largely distributed among the patrons of the bank. The busi- ness of the bank grew so steadily and reached such large proportions that it became necessary to increase the capital stock to twenty-five thousand dollars on June 4, 1913, and organize it as a state bank, with the following officers: W. J. DeVol, of Lebanon, president ; J. S. Wilden, of Advance, vice-presi- dent ; and H. C. Epperson, cashier ; Fred Thompson, assistant cashier. Since then the prestige and business of this splendid institution has increased more rapidly than ever until now it is one of the sound, conservative, safe and im- portant banking houses in northern Indiana. Its home is mn its own building, a modern, substantial and attractive structure, with up-to-date furnishings, and modern equipment throughout, with late model screw door safes, with triple time locks, substantial vaults, and safety deposit vaults, in fact, is an institution of which the town and county should be proud. The deposits run from one hundred and fifty thousand to one hundred and eighty thousand dollars, loans and discounts about one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, and a general banking business is carried on. The board of directors are W. J. DeVol, A. Wysong, B. F. Coombs, all of Lebanon ; J. S. Wilden. M. P. Riner, R. D. Billingsly, and C. M. Day.
See statement of bank in chapter on Banks and Banking.
THE BOSS MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The name of the Boss Manufacturing Company of Lebanon is familiarly known over the middle states and has done much to increase the prestige of Boone county abroad and the county is indeed fortunate in having such a flourishing and important institution within her borders.
The firm manufactures working men's gloves, putting out the most dur- able, best and cheapest article of its kind to be found in the markets of the present day and it has therefore proven a great boon to humanity, and filled a long-felt want. A special glove is designed for corn huskers, thus saving much annoyance and even suffering to the husbandman in harvesting his corn crop. The plant of this famous concern has been located in Lebanon since December 1, 19II. It is equipped with every modern appliance and con-
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venience necessary to such an institution and convenient and sanitary quarters are occupied. Eight skilled workmen are constantly employed and this num- ber is increased during busy seasons. But this is only one of twenty-three factories of a similar nature, which this firm maintains at different points all over the country, each being equally busy and flourishing.
The superintendent and principal moving spirit of the Lebanon plant is Walter H. Brosar, who was born in Jackson township, Boone county. Indi- ana, November 24, 1888. He is a son of John E. and Malissa L. (Logan) Brosar, the father a native of Decatur county, this state, and the mother was born in Sugar Creek township, this county. John E. Brosar came to Boone county when a young man and located on a farm in Jackson township. After remaining there several years he conducted a general store at the village of Max for a period of five years, or until he was burned out, after which he moved to Lebanon and became a member of the police force, on which he re- mained about five years, then secured employment as assistant ticket agent at the interurban station here, which position he held six years, then became local agent for Boone county for the Public Savings Insurance Company, which embraces both life and accident insurance.
To John E. Brosar and wife the following children were born: Walter H., of this review : Ethel married Garfield Pollard: Jennie married Lon Com- linson, of Billings, Montana ; Samuel and Ernest are both at home, as is also Ola, the youngest child.
Walter H. Brosar was reared in his native community and received his education in the public schools. He began working at the Gregg Glove Com- pany's plant ( which has been succeeded by the Boss Manufacturing Com- pany) when he was seventeen years of age, and, being quick of perception and a willing worker he made rapid progress. After four months he was promoted to the laying table and tying cut gloves five months later he became a cutter which he worked at for five and one-half years. being regarded as a very skilled, rapid and artistic workman. On December 21, 1912, he was promoted to superintendent of the local plant and this responsible position he continues to hold, discharging his duties in an eminently able and praise- worthy manner, entirely satisfactory to all concerned. He has instituted many important changes in the local plant and has greatly increased its volume of business. Its products, as indeed are all the products of the Boss
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factory, being of a superior quality and workmanship, are eagerly sought after.
Mr. Brosar was married August 20, 1912 to Lottie C. Benger, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Charles H. and Lottie C. Benger, both natives of Indiana.
Politically, Mr. Brosar is a Progressive and in religious matters he belongs to the Central Christian church, serving as a Sunday school teacher a year.
BENJAMIN F. HAWKINS.
Among the most progressive and substantial agriculturists and stock men of Boone county is Benjamin F. Hawkins, who is now living in retire- ment in Whitestown, Worth township, spending his declining years in quiet and comfort, a man who has so lived that he can say in the twilight of his years that he is satisfied with his existence. He does not present any excep- tional experience ; he merely reflects the sentiments of a large number of the noble, silent men, scattered here and there, who silently think and silently work and whose achievements no newspaper chronicles. Carlyle, the great English author, tells us that these men are the salt of the earth, and adds, "A country that has none or few of these is in a bad way. Like a forest which had no roots ; which had all turned into leaves and boughs : which must soon wither and be no forest. And woe for us if we had nothing but what we can show."
Mr. Hawkins comes of a fine old Southern family and evidently in- herited many praiseworthy traits from them. He was born in Marion county, Virginia, in 1849, and is a son of Simeon H. and Eliza Ann Hawkins. Grandfather Hawkins was an Englishman and he married a French woman. Our subject's maternal grandfather was born in Germany and from that country, where her ancestors on both sides had long resided, she emigrated to America. The parents of our subject were both born in what is now West Virginia, but was at that time a part of the Old Dominion. There they were reared and married and established their future home and there the father's death occurred about 1888.
Benjamin F. Hawkins grew to manhood in Virginia and there received his education in the common schools. Later he came to Indiana and settled
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in the southern part of Worth township, Boone county, where he began farm- ing and became owner of two hundred acres of fine land which he brought up to a high state of cultivation and improvement and which he still owns, and for many years he ranked among the leading agriculturists of Boone county. On his place is to be seen a handsome residence and large barns and outbuild- ings and always a good grade of live stock. but about nine years ago he retired from the active work of the farm and removed to Whitestown where he now resides in one of the best homes in the township. He keeps his farm rented, merely overseeing it in a general way. He has spent over a thousand dollars in improvements on his place during the past two years.
After locating in Boone county and becoming well established here. Mr. Hawkins returned to Virginia. for his bride. Nancy Meyers, who was born in Virginia and there grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of a highly respected family of Virginia.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins, named as follows: Eunice J., thirteen years of age: Myrtle M., ten years old : and Gleona, who is now eight years old. They are all attending school, at this writing in Whitestown.
Fraternally, Mr. Hawkins belongs to the Masonic Order.
DR. J. E. TUCKER'S POLAND-CHINA HOGS.
On another page of this volume may be found a sketch of Dr. J. E. Tucker, well known citizen of Elizaville. Boone county, Indiana, in which article mention is made of his fine hogs which he keeps on his farm at that place and which receive what attention he can spare from his large practice as a general physician. These hogs have no superiors and not a large num- ber of peers in the Middle West of this particular breed, and the annual sales which the owner has held during the past eight years on his big type Poland- Chinas, have attracted widespread attention and been well attended, and the bidding very spirited, some of his choicest hogs bringing fancy prices. His last sale was held October 18, 1913. when he sold forty-five head of high type, big quality Poland-Chinas, that compared favorably with the best. and the sale was greatly appreciated by those wanting the most profitable strain of hogs, which were of the most popular big type blood lines as they repre-
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sented the A Wonders, Big Orange and Victor blood lines on the sire's side and Crow's Special, Major Hadley, Big Price Victor and other good ones on the dam's side. He has always made an effort to grow his pigs so they will make good in the breeding pens where the profit is. Those who attend these sales even if they do not make a purchase feel that they have been greatly benefited, for they always learn something of value to the stock raiser and farmer. All his hogs are guaranteed, and if any breeders fail, satisfactory settlements are made, if complaints are made within sixty days after sale. He does not guarantee boars that are allowed to run with herd, and nothing is guaranteed that sells under twenty dollars. It is his custom to crate all hogs to be shipped and deliver them at Lebanon free of charge. He entertains all parties from a distance at his expense when attending his sales. He always employes expert field men and auctioneers.
Dr. Tucker's three famous boars are, Orange Giant 86887-herd boar -farrowed March 18. 1912. Big Orange, Orange Chief 38226, Miss Long- fellow 3d 138041: Black Giantess 2d 147005. Pawnee Dad 30853, Black Giantess II 5623. Bred by J. O. James, Bradyville, Iowa. Ten in litter. He is the deep-boned kind and has proven to be a sire of the right sort. Victor Price 84331-herd boar-farrowed February 22, 19II. Litter of twelve. Victor 146513, Big Victor 130559. Big Maid 316294; Miss Anna Price Ist, Surprise Chief 2d 55519, Miss Anna Price 121765 bred by G. W. Sefrit, Lucas. Iowa. Victor Price is a large hog with good blood lines clear back of him on both sides; he has a good coat, good back and heavy bone and he is siring the good ones. A Wonder, Jr., 81009, herd boar, farrowed May 7, 19II : A Wonder 107353, Long Wonder 85533, Molly Fair 246474; Big Giantess 178142, Big Price 40066, Matchless Giantess 127621 ; bred by Henry Fesenmeyer, Clauda, Iowa. Litter of eight. Wonder is one of the big size, good quality, big boned, good colored sons of old A Wonder, and is breeding true to his great ancestor.
It would require a small volume to go into detail regarding each of the high-grade hogs owned by Mr. Tucker, most of them being, however descen- dants of the above mentioned hogs, and suffice it to say that they are all of such superior quality as to be greatly admired by everyone interested in this kind of live stock, and all who have made purchases of the Doctor's fine stock in the past have had the best of results and have been well pleased in every respect.
(62)
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SAMUEL R. CARTER.
Endowed with a liberal share of good common sense and possessing sound judgment, backed by a well founded purpose to succeed, Samuel R. Carter, for many years one of our leading farmers who is now living in re- tirement in Thorntown, Boone county, has labored with the object primarily in view of making a good home for himself and family and acquiring a competency for his declining years. This laudable desire has been realized, and he is in what we sometimes call "easy circumstances," with a sufficient surplus for the proverbial "rainy day," which sooner or later comes to every individual, and which, when not provided for, results in at least much in- convenience, if not downright suffering. It is perhaps possible for every able-bodied young man to prepare against such a time. but some, instead of doing so, trust to luck, which is an elusive and capricious thing, a mere marsh- light, and so, believing in the optiniism of the future, they spend all of the present. Mr. Carter, it seems, has been wiser and his prudence has urged him to pursue a different course, which. all contemplative minds will agree, is wiser, and therefore his example is to be commended to the younger genera- tion, whose destinies are yet matters for future years to determine and who are hesitating at the parting of the ways, apparently unable to determine which course it were better to pursue.
Mr. Carter was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, December 28, 1843. He is a son of Harlan and Ester (Seawright) Carter, the former born in 1807 in Butler county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents, Mortica and Mary Ann (Wilson) Carter, were natives of Pennsylvania. The parents of our sub- ject married in Ohio and in 1834 came to Clinton county, Indiana, where they remained until 1841, when they moved to Hendricks county. They owned land on which the present city of Frankfort is built. This land was sold by the elder Carter to his brother-in-law, William Seawright. The former was in the mercantile business in Frankfort for a number of years, also in Hendricks county. In the last named county he owned a large farm and was a prominent man of affairs there in the early days, and he served as a commissioner in that county for twenty-one years successively. He owned four hundred acres of valuable farming land about thirteen miles from Indianapolis, to which city he removed in 1879, and there operated a flouring
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