USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County Indiana : From its earliest settlement to the present time with biographical sketches and reference to biographies previously compiled, Volume II > Part 38
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buildings, and is known as one of the valuable tracts of the township. Mr. Segraves has other business interests and in numerous ways con- tributes materially to the importance of his community as a center of business activity.
On May 8, 1884, Mr. Segraves was married to Miss Clara Crockett, a daughter of John Crockett, a sketch of whose life appears in another part of this work. Five children have been born to them: William E., an enterprising young agriculturist who is managing his father's interests, married Lola Bowman, and has two children, Irena and Geneva, also Mary, deceased; Earl, of Saskatchewan, Canada, manager of his father's half-section of rich farming land, who married Mabel Noakes and has three children, Anal, Harold and a baby daughter, and Mary Mabel, Ruth and Lenna, all at home with their parents. Mr. Segraves is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and with his sons holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mrs. Segraves being a member of the Rebekahs. The family's religious affiliation is with the Universalist church. Mr. Segraves has proved himself in all the relations of life an earnest, honest, upright man, and a citizen of whom any community might be justly proud.
ALLEN SNYDER. Cass is essentially an agricultural county. It has its factories. its mills and its business houses, and the professions are, of course, well represented, but the chief industries here have been those of farming and stock raising, and along these lines the leading citizens have attained their positions of prestige. Among the men who have devoted their lives to the tilling of the soil, and through their operations have added to the general prosperity and welfare of the community, Allen Snyder takes prominent place. He is the owner of two farms, of one hundred and sixty and forty acres, respectively, and has also been active in public affairs, being at present a member of the common council of Logansport. He has been a resident of this section all of his life, having been born in the old house now standing on his present farm in September, 1863, a son of William and Catherine (Senseman) Snyder. William Snyder was born in Lancaster, Penn- sylvania, and came to Cass county, Indiana, as a young man, taking up land in the vicinity of Galveston, where he spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. He and his wife were the parents of fourteen children, as follows: Samuel; John, who is deceased; Wil- liam ; Charles; Allen, of this review; Justina, who is deceased; Eliza- beth ; Mary ; Jennie; Martha ; Minnie; Frank; Sarah and Henrietta.
Allen Snyder first attended the Runaway school and later the Pep- permint and Washington schools, in Washington township, and during his entire school period worked on the home farm, assisting his father and brothers in clearing, cultivating, plowing and harvesting, and in the thousand and one tasks that occupy the busy farmer's attention. William Snyder had a large farm and there was plenty for each of the sons to do, but their educations were not neglected, nor was their moral training forgotten, the good mother rearing them to habits of industry, honesty and thrift. On attaining his majority, Allen Snyder embarked upon a career of his own on a part of his father's farm, and as the years passed he added to his holdings and continued to put up
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new buildings and make other improvements until his farms are con- sidered some of the most valuable in the township. Although he does not engage as actively in the farm labor as in former years, Mr. Snyder still superintends the operations, and is known as a practical farmer and excellent judge of cattle, of which he has large herds.
On March 5, 1887, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage with Miss Anna Eckerle, daughter of Leopold and Nancy (Mallory) Eckerle, who came to Cass county from Ohio, and here took up land at an early date. There were eight children in the Eckerle family : Frank; Charles; Anna, who married Mr. Snyder; Alice and Martha, who are deceased; Wil- liam; Rose and Mary. Mr. Eckerle, a retired mechanic, still survives and makes his home at Flora, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have had five children: Eddie L., who has charge of the home place, where he resides, married Myrtle Bone; Howard, who married Mary Lam- bert; Rollie; Marvin and Vera. Mr. Snyder has taken a keen interest in public matters, and was recently elected a member of the common council of Galveston, where he has rendered efficient and conscientious service. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Young America and of the Democratic party. He has a widespread reputation for integrity and honorable dealing, and his friends are only limited to the number of his acquaintances.
ANDREW J. GRAY, M. D., physician and surgeon at Young America, Indiana, is one of the eminent professional men of this part of Cass county, and his activities as doctor, civic official and public-spirited citizen have marked him as a representative of the best type of progres- sive American citizenship, and gained him the esteem and confidence of his fellow townsmen and the sincere regard of a wide circle of per- sonal friends. Since locating in Young America, in 1890, Dr. Gray has identified himself with various movements for the public welfare, his connection with which has caused his election to positions of honor and trust, and in his discharge of the duties of which he has displayed the same faithfulness and conscientiousness that have marked his pro- fessional career. Dr. Gray was born October 1, 1854, in Jackson town- ship, Cass county, Indiana, and is a son of John and Harriet (Culver) Gray.
John Gray was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. On leaving the Keystone state, he went to Butler county, Ohio, but remained there only a short time, subse- quently coming to Carroll county, Indiana, where his father had taken up land. Mr. Gray spent the remainder of his life here in agricultural pursuits, and died with a comfortable competence and with the full esteem and respect of his numerous friends. He and his wife were the parents of four children, namely : Jacob, James, Joseph and Andrew J., of whom James is deceased.
Andrew J. Gray received his early education in the common schools of Jackson township, and during the summer months assisted his father in the work of the farm. Following this he took a finishing course at Walton, and then prepared for a collegiate course by attendance in the preparatory school at Valparaiso. Succeeding this, he entered the Indiana Medical University, at Indianapolis, where he was graduated
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with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1897, and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at North Grove, Miami county, Indiana, where he continued for ten years. In 1890, Dr. Gray came to Young America, where he has since become the possessor of a large and representative professional business. He has been a close student and is the possessor of a valuable medical library, the perusal of which occupies whatever time he can spare from his professional duties. He has a well-appointed office, equipped with the most highly improved equipment of the profession and everything that will in any way add to the comfort and convenience of his patients. He belongs to the Cass County and Indiana State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association, in the work of which he takes great interest, and his fra- ternal connections include membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
On November 10, 1891, Dr. Gray was married to Mrs. Kate P. Ham- ilton, the widow of Joseph Hamilton, of Kokomo, Indiana, and they have one child, Joseph P., who is engaged in teaching school in Cass county. For four years Dr. Gray served efficiently in the office of trustee of schools, and during his administration the present Young America high school was erected. At the present time he is a member of the board of Cass county commissioners, and is giving his best services in behalf of the community in which he has resided for so many years.
CLAUDE BECK. It is almost entirely upon the standing of its busi- ness men and leading citizens, upon their reliability, integrity, enter- prise and public spirit. that the standing of any community rests. That locality is indeed fortunate when it can boast of a number of self-made men, for, while they have been advancing their own interests, they have at the same time been forwarding the growth and prosperity of their community, and, having succeeded themselves, are almost invariably ready to assist others to success, thus materially contributing to the public welfare. Among the citizens who have been the architects of their own fortunes, and who have builded wisely and well, none stands higher in general esteem than Claude Beck, of Deer Creek township. Losing his father before his birth, his life from earliest boyhood has been one of incessant activity, and today he is the owner of a finely cultivated tract of more than two hundred acres of land. Mr. Beck was born August 18, 1872, near the village of Liberty, Union county, Indiana, and is a son of Alvin and Cynthia T. (Showalter) Beck. His father, also a native of Union county, was a farmer by occupation, and died when still in the prime of life, leaving his wife with five small children, George E., Edwin A., Bruce and Garry, who are now deceased, and Claude.
The educational advantages of Claude Beck were somewhat limited, owing to the fact that it was early necessary for him to become self- supporting, but he attended the schools of Young America, made the most of his opportunities, and, being ambitious and industrious, man- aged to acquire a much better education than many who had much better chances. When still an infant he was brought by his mother to Cass county, and here when still a lad he began his career as an agriculturist. When yet in his teens he started operations on a tract of rented land
FRANK V. GUTHRIE
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in Deer Creek township, and as the years passed invested his earnings in property until at the present time he has, as before stated, two hun- dred acres. Here he has made numerous improvements, his buildings being large and substantial and of modern architecture, and his ma- chinery being of the latest manufacture and in the best of repair. The greater part of his attention has been given to general farming, but he has also experimented in stock raising with a full measure of success. In business affairs Mr. Beck is a man of keen discrimination and sound judg- ment, of energy and perseverance, and the prosperity which has at- tended his efforts is the merited reward of his own faithful labor.
In May, 1892, Mr. Beck was married to Miss Mary A. Roach, and they have had a family of eight children: Maude, who is deceased; Ethel E., who became the wife of Carl S. Zook and resides on her father's farm; Ruby S., Tonawanda, Virgil, Alvin, Bruce and Victor. The chil- dren have all been given good chances for an education, and fitted for the positions in life which they may be called upon to fill. Mr. Beck is a popular member of the local lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
FRANK V. GUTHRIE. It not infrequently occurs that the men in a family will display an inclination to follow the same business or voca- tion, and this is especially true in the professional occupations. Where the son has inherited the father's predilection and ability, it is but natural that his bent should be along the same line, and Cass county furnishes a number of instances of one profession being passed down from one to the succeeding generation. An example of this kind is found in Frank V. Guthrie, the capable county attorney of Cass county, whose career before the bar is but a continuation of the success gained by his father in the practice of law. It is probable, however, that Mr. Guthrie's high position can be accredited as much to his hard, faith- ful work, as to any qualities of a hereditary character, for his has been an active and industrious career, filled with earnest, painstaking endeavor directed along well-defined lines. He is a native of Cass county, having been born in Washington township, August 19, 1865, and is one of six children, five sons of whom are now living, born to Alexander and Mary (Brosier) Guthrie.
Alexander Guthrie was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, and was ten years of age when he accompanied his father, William Guthrie. to Cass county. Here he was reared on his father's farm, early in life became a school teacher, and eventually took up the study of law, a profession which he followed for about thirteen years from 1870. His death occurred in 1906, and he is survived by his widow.
Frank V. Guthrie attended the public and high schools of Logans- port, graduating from the latter in 1886, and following this began the study of his chosen profession under the preceptorship of his father. Subsequently he entered the office of DeWitt C. Justice, although prior to this time he had been elected justice of the peace, an office in which he served four years. In 1892, Mr. Guthrie took the examina- tion and was admitted to the bar, and since that year has continued in constant practice in Logansport. He was associated with his former
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preceptor in a professional partnership until Mr. Justice's death, and since that time has practiced alone. He was not long in securing recogni- tion as a lawyer of high attainments, and soon acquired a large and representative practice. His activities in Democratic politics won him the chairmanship of the Democratic Central Committee of Cass county in 1906, and as such he served until January, 1912. In the meantime, on January 1, 1909, he was the successful nominee of his party for the office of county attorney, a position in which he has served with the greatest ability to the present time. Mr. Guthrie has been connected with much of the important litigation of recent years in Cass county, and has acquitted himself in an able manner in all the cases with which he has been connected. Among his associates at the bar he is recognized as a valuable associate and as an antagonist to be feared. His religious connection is with Eel River English Lutheran church, while fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 417, and Lodge No. 66 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
On June 25, 1890, Mr. Guthrie was married to Miss Catherine Miller, of Logansport, who was born and reared here, and to this union there have been born two sons, namely: Earl F. and Asa E.
BART SWAFFORD. The life history of the gentleman whose name heads this brief review has been commensurate with that of Cass county, where he has made his home since 1866. It is difficult for the enter- prising and energetic farmer, after spending long years of earnest toil in cultivating a property, to retire from active pursuits and turn his property over to younger hands, but when he eventually arrives at the conclusion that he has reached an age when he is entitled to rest from his labors, he generally removes to a nearby city or village, and there becomes a welcome addition to its population as a man whose long ex- perience makes him valuable in forwarding his community's interests. This remark is in no sense inappropriate to Mr. Swafford, who is now living a life of retirement in Lincoln, whence he removed when he turned over the management of his 160-acre farm to his sons.
Bart Swafford was born in Preble county, Ohio, on the 22d day of May, 1845, a son of Archibald Swafford. His parents were farming people of Preble county, where they spent their lives, both now being deceased. They were the parents of eight children, namely: William, Bart, John, Emmett, Reese, James, Mary and Ella. Bart Swafford received his education in the district schools of his day and locality, and was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. He was thrifty and industrious in his youth, carefully saving his earnings with the view of becoming a property owner himself, and in 1866 was able to realize his ambition when he came to Deer Creek township and pur- chased his present land. Each year he added to his property and made improvements thereon, until it became one of the valuable tracts of the township. He erected a modern home, substantial barns and good out- buildings, and was successful in the raising of good stock and abundant crops. At the time of his retirement he moved to Lincoln, where he has since resided, and has taken a keen interest in the growth and develop- ment of his adopted place. He has not entered public life, having no desire for public office, but has done a good citizen's part in promoting
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the welfare of his community and its people, and has never been back- ward in supporting those movements which he has believed would work out for the ultimate good of all concerned.
Mr. Swafford was married to Miss Melinda Toney, and they reared a family of seven children, namely : Reese, John, Archibald, Beverly, Em- mett, Dennis, who is now deceased, and Mrs. Roxie Maryland.
Beverly and Emmett Swafford, sons of Bart Swafford, are the owners of a sixty-acre farm just across the road from the homestead, and also rent the latter place from their father. Both were educated under the veteran Cass county teacher, John Babb, working on the farm during their school period and continuing to be tillers of the soil after attain- ing their majority. They have been successful in farming and stock raising operations, and have maintained the family reputation for in- dustry and integrity.
WILLIAM O. BURROWS. One who has considered the pursuits of pri- vate life as abundantly worthy of his best efforts, and who has concen- trated his interests, energies and attention upon his home county, la- bored persistently for its advancement and growth, and at the same time has promoted his private interests so that he holds a place of prestige among his fellow citizens, is Wiliam O. Burrows, of Deer Creek township, the owner of 145 acres of excellent farming land.
The subject always closest to Mr. Burrows' heart has been agricul- ture, and he has not only gained an enviable position in his chosen call- ing, but has marked his career by a memorable showing forth of the utmost fidelity to principle and to the highest standard of human con- duct. He was born on the old Burrows homestead, owned by his brother, John E. Burrows, in Deer Creek township, Cass county, December 21, 1855, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Custenborder) Burrows. His father, a native of Greene county, Ohio, came to this township as a young man, and during the remainder of his life was engaged in the cultivation of the soil, becoming one of his community's substantial and influential citizens. He and his wife became the parents of six children, namely : Sarah, who became the wife of Peter Pierson; Priscilla, who married David Studebaker; Mary C., Amanda, widow of Chauncey C. Mummert ; William O. and John E.
William O. Burrows commenced his education in the old Thomas school and passed all of his school days in the country. His boyhood was spent much the same as other farmers' youths of his day and locality, there always being plenty of work on the homestead to keep his hands busy and his mind occupied. In the meantime he was securing experi- ence of a practical nature that was of great value to him during the years that followed. He was always industrious and ambitious, and on attaining his majority embarked upon a career of his own, first renting land and later going into debt for his present property. He was able after some years of labor to clear his land from its incumbrance, and from that time his rise has been steady and continued. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, in both of which lines he has met with a full measure of success, and his land is constantly increasing in value. As a farmer Mr. Burrows is inclined toward modern methods and ideas. In his every-day citizenship he displays the same enterprise Vol. II-19
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and practices the same creed. He has enriched his community and added to its importance by developing a choice property, and for this reason, if for no other, deserves a place among Deer Creek township's represen- tative men.
On December 31, 1879, Mr. Burrows was married to Miss Eliza J. Blue, daughter of Uriah and Mary ( Cohen) Blue, and they have had the following children : Grace; Delbert, who married Grace Seward and has four sons-Harold, Robert, Arthur and Richard; Elmer, who died at the age of fifteen years; and Margaret, who is attending school. Uriah Blue was born in Carroll county, Indiana, and there spent many years on a farm, but eventually came to Cass county. He and his wife were the parents of four children: Eliza J., who married Mr. Burrows; Ella M., Mary Ann and Oretta. Mr. and Mrs. Burrows are prominent mem- bers of the German Baptist church.
JOHN R. BABB. There is no vocation in which man can engage that is more highly honored than that of the teacher. Placed under his care are the plastic minds of youth, eager for knowledge, easily impressed, and the responsibility resting on the shoulders of the educator is a heavy one. Each year the standard of education has been placed higher, and he who would keep abreast of his calling must constantly study, even as those under him study. For forty years John Babb has been engaged in teaching in the public schools of Cass county, and during this time he has made a name for himself in his profession, has been also a successful agriculturist, and as a citizen has gained the respect and good will of all with whom he has come in contact. He is now the owner of a farm of forty acres, on which he still resides, located on Lin- coln rural free delivery route No. 15, in Deer Creek township, although he has retired from active agricultural pursuits. Mr. Babb is a native of Ohio, born near Greenville, in Darke county, August 31, 1850, a son of William H. and Mary C. (Anderson) Babb. His father brought the family to Cass county when John Babb was still a lad, settling on a farm in Deer Creek township, where he continued to be engaged in till- ing the soil during the remainder of his life. He met with a reasonable amount of success, and was known as one of his section's industrious men and practical farmers, and as a citizen who ever had the welfare of his community at heart. He and his wife were the parents of ten chil- dren, of whom five grew to maturity, namely : John, James N., David B., Reese M. and Ulysses S., who is deceased.
John Babb commenced his educational training in the old Salem school, originally a log church, following which he attended the public schools of Valparaiso and a preparatory school at Lebanon, Ohio. Thus equipped he secured his teacher's license and at once entered upon his pedagogic work, in which he has since become known all over Cass county. In the meantime he has followed farming to some extent, de- voting himself to his calling in the winter months, and spending his summers in cultivating his fields, although he retired from the latter occupation some years since. Mr. Babb is known as an ideal educator, who has the much-desired quality of being able to impart to his students his own extensive knowledge. Many of his pupils have gone out into the world and made names for themselves in various lines of endeavor,
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and have frequently given credit to their preceptor for his wise and valu- able teachings that started them off well prepared for the serious business of life.
Mr. Babb was married in 1877 to Miss Indiana Toney, who died, leaving two children : Claude D., who married Florence Kelly, and has three children-Omer, Elwin and Wilma; and Clyde, who married Laura Daggert, and has two children-Hilda and Robert.
Mr. Babb belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and has been liberal in his support of religious and charitable movements. He has not entered public life, having had no desire for personal preferment, but has not been unmindful of the duties of citizenship, and has done all in his power to further the interests of his community and to aid in securing good government. His long connection with educational matters has made him widely known, and everywhere he is esteemed as a man whose long life has done much to better his locality and those about him.
JAMES ALEXANDER NELSON. An excellent illustration of the rewards to be gained through a life of industry, energy and probity, is to be found in the career of James Alexander Nelson, of Deer Creek township, now the owner of 403 acres of valuable land, whose success has been attributable to individual worth. A resident of Cass county since boy- hood, he has been closely identified with the growth and development of this section, and has done his full share in bringing about the wonderful changes that have marked Cass county's history during the past several decades. James Alexander Nelson was born September 25, 1851, in Union county, Indiana, and is a son of John and Nancy (Allen) Nelson. His father, also a native of that county, spent his life in tilling the soil, and became one of his community's prominent and substantial citizens. There were four sons in the family : John, William, Jacob, who is now deceased, and James A.
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