USA > Indiana > Clinton County > History of Clinton County, Indiana : With historical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families, Volume II > Part 11
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
CHARLES A. DAVIS.
The subject of this sketch is a native son of Clinton county and a repre- sentative of one of its sterling and honored families. He has shown himself to be a man of marked individuality and enterprise, ranking among the most successful and popular of our modern agriculturists, and he has labored not for himself alone, but has found time to assist such worthy movements as have had for their objects the general improvement of his locality, whether in a material, civic or moral way, and no man stands higher in his community than he.
Charles A. Davis, owner of The Oaks, a most desirable stock and grain farin of Section 7, Perry township, which place contains one hundred and seven acres, is the scion of one of our worthiest pioneer families, whose good reputation he has been careful in sustaining. He was born on the old home- stead December 5, 1862. Ile is a son of William Davis, an early settler here, who was born in Ross county, Ohio. He spent his earlier years in the Buckeye state and there received such education as the old-time schools of his day af- forded, and married Edith Tharp, who was born in Galion county, Ohio, on October 4. 1827. She was a daughter of James Tharp, a native of Pennsyl- vania. His wife was born near the city of Carlisle, that state. She was known in her maidenhood as Caroline Wicker, daughter of Thomas Wicker, who lived and died near Carlisle. James Tharp died in 1835. His family consisted of four sons and four daughters. The mother died at the age of sixty-five years.
William Davis married Elizabeth Tharp when she was nineteen years old in Ross county, Ohio. John Davis was born in Virginia of an old fam- ily of that state. The mother, Catherine Stuckey, was born in Ohio. Her parents came to this country from Germany. The death of William Davis occurred in 1896 at the age of seventy-two years. They were active work- ers in the Christian church of Colfax. Their children were Robert (de- ceased), Mrs. Mahala ITolt, Elsberry, now at home; John, at home ; Darius (deceased) ; Charles A., of this sketch; Noah, living at Clark's Hill, Tippe- canoe county, and Mary Belle, married to William Hudson.
Charles A. Davis was reared on the home farm and there did his share of the work during crop seasons, and in the winter time he attended the district schools. Ile was married on October 13, 1892, to Eliza J. Arbegust. a daughter of Benjamin and Anne (Lindsay) Arbegust. Two children
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were born of this umion, Ella. who died in childhood, and Coral, who is at home.
About this period Mr. Davis was elected county recorder by a large majority and he served for four years in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. Ilis books were in fine shape when he turned them over to his successor, for he was ac- curate, methodical and painstaking. He always looked out for the best in- terests of the county. After the expiration of his term of office he was en- gaged successfully in the abstract real estate business in partnership with William Milroy. He sold ont his interest to Mr. Milroy and has since en- gaged extensively in the live stock shipping business and farming, being an excellent judge of all kinds of live stock. He keeps his fine farm well stocked, often having as many as three hundred sheep at a time. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, and politically, he is a loyal Democrat.
F. EMIL KNABE.
The great empire of Germany has contributed a most valuable element of our national social fabric, and, among the worthy sons of the Teutonic fatherland, who stand as reputable and honorable citizens of Frankfort, mone ecupy a 1: . @ prominent place in the esteem and confidence of the public than the well known business man whose name appears ali Mr. Knabe will soon have resided in the city of Frankfort twenty years, and it is evident, from the well wishes of the people towards him that he has "made good," as they say in business parlance, and has established an honorable reputation.
1. Emil Knabe was born in Leipzig, Germany, November 12, 1861, and was descended from a family of florists. He spent his youth in the usual manner of the German youth, enjoying the benefits of the excellent primary educational system of his country. When he became of proper age. he en- tered the army, as is required by law, and served out his full time of three years in the military service. In 1893 he crossed the Atlantic to America, settling first in the city of Washington, D. C. In 1895, he came to Frank- fort and established his present business as a florist, the rudiments of this trade having been learned by him in Germany as an apprentice. His estab- lishment now is the largest in the city, and in point of equipment and quick service is one of the best in the state. Mr. Knabe has twelve thousand square
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MR. AND MRS. FRIEDRICK E. KNABE
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
feet of space in his greenhouses, and grows the handsomest varieties of the common flowers, as well as various species of the more uncommon and ex- pensive plants. He has made a specialty of handling large contracts, often taking over the entire responsibility for the floral decorations of weddings, receptions, and other entertainments. Also, so satisfactory has been his work, that his efforts are frequently desired by outside towns. Mr. Knabe is a member of the American Florists Association.
On January 7, 1904, Mr. Knabe was married to Angusta F. Kaiser, also a native of Germany, having been born in Urfurt, Germany, November 20, 1875, and coming to America in 1893. One child has been the result of this union, Frederick Otto. born March 17, 1908, and now in school.
In political matters, Mr. Knabe takes the cause of the Republicans as the best, and in religious affairs holds membership with the Methodist church. Fraternally, our subject belongs to the Masonic order, the York Rite, the Knights and Ladies of Security, and the Woodmen of the World.
MARION ANDERSON.
The well known owner of Cherry Grove farm, Marion Anderson, has been contented to spend his life in Clinton county, and he has always had deeply at heart the well-being a1 improvement of this locality, using his influence whenever possible for the promotion of enterprises calculated to be of lasting benefit to his fellow men, besides taking a leading part in all move- ments for the advancement of the community along social, intellectual and moral lines.
Mr. Anderson, who is a representative of one of our sturdy pioneer families, was born on February 14, 1859, and is a son of James Anderson, Sr., who was born in Butler county, Ohio and was a son of Samuel Anderson, also a native of Ohio. The family is of Scotch-Irish descent. Samuel Anderson's wife was of an old Southern family and she was born in Virginia. Samuel Anderson and wife came to Indiana when the state was little less than a wilderness and here he found many things to discourage, but being of the true pioneer type he went to work with a will and soon had a good home established, first erecting a cabin in the woods, then clearing a place for his crops. Here he spent the rest of his life, dying at the age of eighty years. His family consisted of ten children : Jeremiah, who was a soklier in the Civil war, deceased : James and Elijah, both deceased ; John. Samuel, Jr.,
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Griffith, Joseph, died when twenty-one years of age; Nancy, Almeda and Amanda.
James Anderson grew to manhood on the old home place, and. being a pioneer child, he found plenty of hard work to do when a boy, helping to clear the land and develop a farm, build corduroy roads, log barns, etc. When twenty-one years old he married Catherine Young, daughter of David Young, a pioneer citizen, who married Anna Johnson. They are both long since deceased. The father lived in Frankfort thirteen years prior to his death. The following children were born to James Anderson and wife : Annie, Frank, deceased : Lloyd, Marion, of this sketch; William is deceased, Jeremiah, Jennie. Carrie, James, Jr .. Catherine, deceased. The death of the father occurred at the age of seventy-five years. He was a member of the Christian church and was a liberal supporter of the same, was a deacon for some time. His wife is still living and eighty years of age.
Marion Anderson, of this review, was reared on the home farm and there worked hard when a boy. He received his education in the public schools of his native community. When twenty-seven years of age he married Mary Leary, of an old family, daughter of Ignatius Leary, for many years a well known citizen of Frankfort. He was a native of County Kerry, Ireland, from which country he emigrated to the United States when young. While living in Brooklyn, New York, he married Ellen Curtain, a native of the same county in Ireland. This couple came to Frankfort, Ind., in 1857, and here became well established through their industry. Here the father's death occurred at the advanced age of eighty-four years. His family consisted of four children, namely : Mary, who married Mr. Anderson ; Mar- garet Devitt, of Frankfort ; Mrs. Julia Berkmeyer, and William S., who died at the age of fifty-three years.
M1. Anderson is owner of a finely improved and productive farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Perry township, which he manages in an able manner and which is well adapted in every way to general agricultural pursuits. He has a good residence and substantial outbuildings, and he raises an excellent grade of live stock, feeding large numbers from time to time for the market. His residence is one of the most attractive in the township and it stands in the midst of beautiful surroundings, and his barn is also one of the most desirable in this part of the county.
He has two sons, Frank J., born May 30, 1887, received both a good high school and business education, and graduated from Purdue University ; in February, 1909, he married Zula Price, daughter of U. S. Price, of Perry township, and here she was reared and educated. To this union
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one child, a son, has been born, Hubert, whose birth occurred on November 4, 1911. Our subject's other son, Charles N., was born January 7, 1890. Ile attended school at Frank fort and was later a student at Purdue University. Lafayette, Ind. He married Olena Weaver, of Frankfort. Ind. She is a daughter of Samuel Weaver and wife.
Politically the subject of this sketch is a Republican, and he has been more or less active in public affairs for years. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Christian church and his wife is a member of the Catholic church. They stand high in all circles in which they move.
W. J. CRULL, JR.
This is a time of progress and development. Old methods are being revised and old or previously accepted facts are being examined or questioned as never before. "Every man to his own business" no longer means that the knowledge of others is to be ignored by the successful business man or successful farmer. The successful business man, whether he be agriculturist or merchant knows more of the business in which he is engaged than any outsider can know; but this is no longer interpreted to mean that the suc- cessful basmess man may not learn many useful and profitable fact. ..... principles from the outsider who has made a thorough study of a large num- ber of business establishments and their methods.
One of the successful young farmers and stock men of Washington township, Clinton county, who is quick to adopt a new idea, if it be practicable, no matter where it is obtained, is W. J. Crull, Jr. System seems to be the watchword on his farm, and consequently everything runs smoothly.
Mr. Crull was born in this township and county on November 5, 1886. Hle is a son of W. J. Crull, Sr., a prominent and well-to-do retired farmer and business man and a veteran of the Civil war. He resides in an at- tractive home in the city of Frankfort, and is one of the most substantial citizens and large tax payers of the county. He owns two well improved and valuable farms in the western part of Washington township, aggregating four hundred and sixty-five acres, of as productive land as the township affords. The elder Crull was born in Ohio some seventy years ago, coming from a sterling old Buckeye family, noted for its industry and honesty. He was reared and educated in his native state, coming to Clinton county when
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a young man and here soon got well established through his good manage- ment. He married Emma D. Allen, daughter of Moses Allen, also a fine old family.
To W. J. Crull, Sr., and wife two children were born, F. Allen and WV. J., Jr.
WV. J. Crull, Sr., is a strong Republican, and has been more or less in- fluential in local party affairs in past years. He is a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The immediate subject of this review was reared on the home place in this county and he was taught to work and to handle live stock when a boy. He obtained a good education in the common and high schools.
On March 4. 1908, he married Mamie Harshman, who was born, reared and educated in Clinton county. She is a daughter of Edward Harsh- man, a sketch of whom appears on another page in this work. The union of our subject and wife has resulted in the birth of one child, Emma Lucille.
Young Crull has charge of his father's large farm and he is making a pronounced success in the management of the same, carrying on general farming and stock raising on a large scale, feeding annually large numbers of cattle and hogs for the market. He has a beautiful rural home and every- thing about the place denotes thrift and good taste. He is a young man of pleasing address and is well liked by all who know him, and, judging from his past excellent record as a business man he gives avery promise of eventit- ally ranking among the leading argriculturists and stock men of the county.
JOHN J. KALLNER.
The people of Perry township, Clinton county, point to John J. Kallner. the proprietor of the Tree Lawn Farm, as one of their most valued citizens. admiring him for his high moral character, for his life among them for many years has been as an open book. That they place implicit confidence in him is evidenced by the fact that they have selected him as their delegate to numerous conventions and to occupy several local offices in various lines of public service, the duties of which he has ever discharged with credit to him- self and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned.
Mr. Kallner was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. in the north- western part, on April 14, 1860. He is a son of Matthew and Rosa (Shafer) Kallner, an excellent and thrifty old German family, both parents having
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
been born in Germany, in which country they spent their earlier years, and they became very comfortably established in the old Keystone state, the father toiling as a village blacksmith, having learned his trade in Germany. He became an expert iron and steel workman. His death ocenrred in 1871. at the age of sixty-five years. He was known for his sterling honesty in all relations of life, and was a faithful member of the German Lutheran church. The death of the inother occurred at Portsmouth at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Six children were born to these parents, four sons and two daughters; Jacob J., John J. (our subjeet), William, Caroline, David (deceased), and Margaret (deceased).
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native state and " hen a boy assisted his father with his blacksmithing, and he received his educa- tion in the common schools. Early in life he came to Indiana and worked five years for W. J. Crull, of Frankfort, then rented a farm. He managed well and saved his earnings, and in due course of time purchased a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres in 1896. He is now the owner of a finely improved and productive farms of one hundred and seventy-three acres in Perry township, Clinton county, which is regarded as one of the best farms in the township. He has an attractive residenee and substantial outbuildings, including a modern garage for his automobile, etc. Beautiful shade trees stand on the lawn and about the buildings, and an excellent grade of live ยท stock is to be seen in his fields. His place is pleasantly located two miles east of Colfax.
Mr. Kallner was married in 1885, when twenty-five years old, to Soph- ronia Cunningham, daughter of Nicholas Cunningham and wife, of Butler county, Ohio, and a prosperous and highly respected family, owning a good farm in Jackson township.
Four children, three sons and one daughter, have been born to our sub- ject and wife: Clayton C. married and now living in Carroll county ; A. B., at home, took a six months' course in the Marion Business College, now twenty-one years old; A. Fleet, sixteen years old; Ruth, eighteen years old, was graduated from the Colfax high school with the class of 1913.
Mr. Kallner is one of the leaders in the ranks of the Democratic party in Perry township, and his advice is always sought at elections. He has done much for the success of the party in Clinton county. In the year 1900 he was elected township trustee by a large majority. having been the first Democratic trustee Perry township had had for sixteen years. He proved to be a most efficient official. He has been chosen frequently as a delegate from
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIAN.I.
his locality to township, county and state political and other conventions, and, being active, well read and a fluent talker he always makes his influence felt. Hle is a member of Masonic Lodge, No. 472, and has been treasurer of the same for many years. He is also a member of Mercy Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee and a liberal supporter. His wife and daughter are also meni- bers of this church.
Mr. Kallner is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator at Colfax and is a director in the same. Personally, he is a genial, friendly and helpful gentle- man whom everybody likes.
JAMES ANDERSON
Perry township, Clinton county, has no more progressive farmer than James Anderson, although many may farm on a more extensive scale, yet he handles his place with such skill and sound judgment that he makes his acres produce more than is grown by some on much larger farms. He is a man of keen observation and is also a student of both nature and literature as they bear on the various phases of his vocation.
Mr. Anderson, owner of Maple Grove farm, was born on the old homestead in Perry township, this county, on Septeniber 25, 1869. He is a son of James Anderson, Sr. This family was among the early settlers of the county, having located here in 1833 and from that early day to the present they have performed well their part in the work of development, and no family has been held in higher regard here than they. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Anderson, found upon his arrival a vast wilderness, in which the cabins of first settlers were as yet few and far between. He was a man of courage and resource and he set to work with a will to clear a place for his cabin and put out a crop, and in due course of time he was very comfortably established. His son, James, father of our subject, was born in 1830 and was therefore only three years old when he was brought to this locality. Here he grew to manhood and assisted in clearing and developing the home farm, growing up to know what hard work meant, and he had but meager opportunities to be educated. He devoted his life successfully to farming in Perry township. He was one of a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. James Anderson, Sr., married, in early manhood, Catherine Young, who was born and reared in Clinton county. She was a daughter of David Young, also a pioneer settler. To James Anderson,
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Sr., and wife ten children were born, six sons and four daughters, some of whom died in early life. Among the number were Lloyd, Marion, Jerry, Mrs. Jennie Sayers, Mrs. S. M. Philips, Catherine, died in 1887, and James, Jr. Frank and William both died early. The death of the father of these children occurred in 1905 at the age of seventy-five years. Politically, he was a Republican, and was a member of the Christian church, and was for many years an officer in the church. He was a good and useful man, liked by all who knew him.
James Anderson, Jr., was reared on the home farm and there worked hard when a boy. He received his education in the public schools and the Frankfort high school, attending the latter two terms. He began life for himself as a railroader, being employed by the Clover Leaf Route for a period of eight years, during which he gave them very faithful and satis- factory service. Finally tiring of this line of work he rented a farm, the old homestead of his uncle, Elijah Anderson, and soon had a good start farming. He is now owner of a well kept place of ninety-four acres of rich land, on which he carries on general farming and stock raising. He has a cozy residence and an excellent barn. He feeds considerable live stock from year to year.
Politically he is a Republican, and he affiliates with the Christian church .. He does his part in supporting good public measures. Mr. Anderson was. married June 25. 1913, to Miss Emily Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Johnson of Frank fort. He is a member of the K. of P. order.
CHARLES A. ERMENTROUT
One of the enterprising business men and public-spirited citizens of Mulberry, Clinton county, is Charles A. Ermentrout, a man who would have succeeded in any line of endeavor or under any environment for he seems to possesses by nature those attributes that make for success wherever found. Such men are a distinct asset to any community. He is proprietor of a popular livery and feed stable.
Mr. Ermentrout was born near Colfax, Montgomery county, Indiana, October 28, 1872, a representative of an old family of that section of the Hoosier state. He is a son of Joseph HI. Ermentrout, who is now making his home with our subject. His father was an carly settler of Montgomery county, having come from Virginia to Indiana about the year 1832. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Mary Davis, and
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she was a native of Clinton county, of which section the Davises were early. settlers. The mother of our subject is deceased. She left three children, Mrs. Clara Lanum, of Lafayette: Rena, who lives in White county. this state; and Charles A., of this sketch. Politically, the father is a Democrat, and a member of the Baptist church, of which his wife was also a member.
Charles A. Ermentrout was reared on the home farm, and he received his education in the public schools. Early in life he spent two years on a farm in South Dakota, later returning to Clinton county, where he engaged in farming. For some time he has been proprietor of the livery and feed barn at Mulberry, which is located near the center of the town, and near the railroad and traction lines. He has a large barn, seventy-five by one hun- dred feet, which is well arranged and well equipped for a general livery busi- ness. Eighty horses can be fed at a time. A good grade of horses is always kept and modern vehicles of all kinds, so that the traveling public is properly accommodated at all times. Most of the baggies are rubber tired. A good automobile is also kept, for those wishing to make long trips quickly. His rates are reasonable, and his barn is very popular and is known throughout the country. He keeps excellent help, his drivers being familiar with all the roads, nearby towns and even farms of this locality.
Mr. Ermentrout was married in White county, Indiana, in 1896, to Rosa Utley, who has proven to be a most faithful helpmeet. She was born in White county and there was educated and grew to womanhood. She is a daughter of John Utley, a soldier of the Civil war.
To our subject and wife one child has been born, Carroll II., who is now eight years old.
Politically, our subject is a Democrat.
SAMUEL G. FICKLE.
It must be gratifying indeed, to know that our own family has been influential in the upbuilding of the locality in which we reside and that they have borne unstained reputations and that we have so ordered our daily lives before men in all vicissitudes of this none too pleasant world that our neighbors may conscientiously say of us that we have kept entirely un- tarnished the bright escutcheon of our family name. That is just what Samuel G. Fickle, successful farmer of Madison township, Clinton county, has done. Those who peruse the history of this locality are familiar with the facts of this fine old family which has honored Clinton county with their
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