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 14
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A planing mill is maintained in connection with the large yard, and all kinds of fixtures for stores are turned out, also for banks or special home furnishings. Cement blocks, posts, columns for buildings, etc., are also manu- factured here. Their main building is fifty by seventy-five feet, two stories high, and the building is well adapted to the business. The office is neat and well arranged and tastily furnished.
J. Frank Smith was married in 1896 to Emma J. Metsker, a daughter of David Metsker, now deceased. He was a soldier in the Civil war and was for a number of years a prominent Carroll county citizen. His death occurred in 1906. His widow makes her home with our subject.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, namely : Huldah Blanche and Richard Don.
Mr. Smith is a Republican, and he belongs to the Masonic order, of which he is secretary; to the Knights of Pythias, and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs. He belongs to the Christian church, as do also his wife and family. He has a large and beanti- ful home with all modern conveniences in Mulberry.
Mr. Smith does an extensive wholesale lumber business, operating under the name of J. Frank Smith Lumber Company.
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JOHN D. COOK.
The firm of Cook Brothers, blacksmiths and wagon makers, of Mulberry, Clinton county, is one of the most popular and best known of its kind in this section of the state. It would be a credit to towns much larger than this. The firm has met with exceptional success, partly because these gentlemen have developed into experts in their line, and partly because they turn out honest work and never fail to deal with their fellow men as they would have them deal in return. The Cook brothers are also men of persistency and indomita- ble industry, and never let the grass grow under their feet. They are good citizens in every respect as all will gladly attest who know them well.
The firm is composed of Jacob Cook, the senior member of the firm, and John D. Cook our subject. They have two large shops, one for horseshoe- ing and general blacksmithing, and one for wagon making. A number of skilled artisans are employed in each. John D. is in charge of the black- smith shop and Jacob superintends the wagon works. They both understand well all the ins and outs of the work that is constantly going on in both shops and each shop is under a superb system, and equipped in an up-to-date man- ner for prompt and high-grade work. They are kept busy, work coming to them from all parts of the county and there is a good demand for their wagons owing to their superior qualities of workmanship and material.
John D. Cook was born near Mulberry, Clinton county, March 11, 1864. He is a son of Philip Cook or Koch, as it is spelt in German, this being a German family. The father was born at Hesse-Darmstadt, and there he grew to manhood, was educated and learned the shoemaker's trade. He married Clara Heddrich, also a native of Germany. They remained in their native land until two daughters were born-Elizabeth, who lives in Mulberry, and Christina, who married Dr. Koons, who died, leaving two children, Mrs. P. V. Ruch and a son. After cmigrating to America three sons were born to Philip Cook and wife: Jacob, member of the firm mentioned above; Henry, who is a successful druggist, who married and has one child; and John D., of this review. The death of Philip Cook occurred at the age of sixty-one years, his widow surviving until she was eighty-one years old.
John D. Cook was reared on the farm and he received a common school education, besides attended the State Normal at Terre Haute. He began life for himself by teaching school two years, then entered the shop with his brother Jacob and learned the blacksmith's trade and wagon making and ne has continued in this line of endeavor to the present time with much success. He was married in 1894 to Margaret Peters, who was born, reared and edu-
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cated in Clinton county. She is a daughter of R. H. Peters. To this union one child was born, Lena M. His first wife died in March, 1895. Mr. Cook was married again on August 13, 1896, to Amanda Jacoby, daugliter of Moses and Christina (Kauffman) Jacoby, there were two children by the second wife: Lee, born May 20, 1898, and accidentally killed December 28, 1911, and Emma, born February 17, 1900, now attending high school.
Jolin D. Cook was elected township trustee in 1895 and served five years, during which time he did much to encourage education in his vicinity ; also in securing good gravel roads and in making many other lasting improvements. In fact, it may be said that he made Madison township famous for its good roads. Politically, he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Masonic order, and is a member of the Lutheran church, to which his family also belong.
WILLIAM J. LEADER.
Although he himself would never admit such thing, being a modest man, William J. Leader is one of the best farmers in Washington township, and one of the most valuable citizens of the home-building class in Clinton county. He has sought to perform well the duties of good citizenship while laboring for his own advancement, and every movement which has had for its ultimate goal the bettering of local conditions, whether material, civic or moral has found in him an ardent advocate, for he has the best interests of the county at heart.
Mr. Leader was born September 26, 1878, in Washington township, Clinton county. He is a son of David F. Leader, who died in 1898, He was a native of Pennsylvania, as was also his father, Charles W. Leader, of Ger- man ancestry. David F. Leader grew to manliood in his native state and there received his education. On May 12, 1870, he married Sarah F. Beil. She was a daughter of Jonathan Beil, of Pennsylvania. He died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife was Anna Fenstermaker before her mar- riage. She also died at the age of seventy-five years. The death of David F. Leader occurred in 1898 at the age of fifty-five years. For many years he operated a saw mill, sawing the material that went into the houses and barns of his locality for miles around, doing an extensive business. He finally moved to Clinton county and became owner of a good farm of one hundred and fourteen acres four miles east of Mulberry.
William J. Leader, of this sketch, grew to manhood on the farm and
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received a common school education. When twenty-three years of age he married Margaret Ruclı, a native of this township and a daughter of Martin Ruch, deceased, formerly a well known farmer here. Martin Ruch was a son of Peter Ruch, born on April 12, 1809, in Pennsylvania, and who died December 19, 1881. Peter Ruch married Lucy Troxall, who was born Octo- ber 9, 1811, and died May 9, 1886.
To David F. Leader and wife five children were born: Anna, wife of Manson Hart, of Stockwell, Indiana: William J., subject of this sketch; Alva, living in California; Edna E., of Mulberry, and Robert, died when a child.
Martin Ruch was born January 11, 1850. He married Amelia Bear, whose death occurred in 1877. To them four children were born, three of whom are deceased, the one living being Mrs. Flora Leibenguth, of Ross township, Clinton county. Mr. Ruch was married a second time, his last wife being Emma Deibert, who was born November 9, 1853. She is a daugh- ter of Nathan and Lavina (Landis) Deibert. By this second union eight children were born: Mrs. Margaret Leader, wife of our subject; Nathan, a soldier in the Philippine Islands; Lucy, Calvin, Mrs. Anna Burns, Thomas, Elma, Garrett, and Ella. The mother of these children died February 13, 1898. The father is a Republican and a member of the Reformed church.
Mr. Leader is a member of St. Luke's Reformed church, and is superin- tendent of the Sunday school there, and active in church work in general. In a business way Mr. Leader is engaged in farming.
FRANK MARION HINDS.
One of the ablest and busiest contractors of Clinton county is the subject of this sketch, Frank M. Hinds, of Frankfort. His success is due to his uni- form method of accomplishing his best in whatever he undertakes, proof of which is shown in the many buildings in the city which are monuments of his ability in his chosen profession. Mr. Hinds' father followed the same vocation, and under him our subject received his early training, learning the technicalities and other points that otherwise would have been the result of only years of patient and discouraging labor.
Mr. Hinds was born in Madison, Indiana, March 10, 1846, and was the son of Jesse and Johanna (Jacax) Hinds. Jesse Hinds was a native of Zanesville, Ohio, and was a contractor by trade. His early work was in
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Indianapolis, and there he built the first Union station, also a great many other blocks that are now replaced by new ones. He spent the latter years of his life in Frankfort. He died February 12, 1896.
Our subject, after a good common school education, took up work with his father. In 1877 he went to Frankfort and undertook contracting work for himself. Both opera houses, all of east side square except the I. O. O. F. hall and Cushwa block, Paris block, old first ward school building, old Bap- tist church, the addition to the Presbyterian church, Shanklin wholesale house, Fuller block, fire department, Wirt block, Frankfort, Kokomo & Western traction building, Young's block, the addition to Coulter hotel, Times building, telephone exchanges, and the township school houses in the county, all are the products of Mr. Hinds' building talents, and are among the finest structures of their kind in the state. Religiously, Mr. Hinds is a Presbyterian, and politically, is a Republican.
In April, 1872, Mr. Hinds was married to Frances Rose, who was born in Zionsville, Indiana, in November, 1851, being a daughter of Col. A. D. Rose, of Civil war fame. Two children have been born to the union, name- ly ; Philip R., a Frankfort contractor, and Rasemary, died July 22, 1894. Mrs. Hinds died May 20, 1908.
MRS. EMMA McBRIDE GRICE. .
The estimable lady whose name forms the caption of this article is well known to the people of Washington township,. Clinton county, where she has long maintained her home and where her reputation is such as to win and re- tain a host of warm personal friends. Mrs. Grice has proven herself to be a woman of fine business acumen, managing her finely improved and pro- ductive farm in Section 4 with that care, discretion and foresight that in- sures abundant returns annually for the care and labor expended.
Mrs. Emma McBride Grice is a native of this locality, and here she was reared to womanhood, received a good education, and has lived continuously to the present time. She is the widow of Eli M. Grice, for many years one of the best known and progressive general farmers and stockmen. He was born in Delaware county, Indiana, near the city of Muncie in 1852, and there he grew to manhood and received a good common school education. As boy and man he was always noted for his industry and honesty. He was a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Hardrick) Grice, natives of Ohio, in which state
ELI M. GRICE, DECEASED, AND WIFE
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
they grew up and married, finally removing to Delaware county, Indiana, where they established a home, but later removed to Washington township, Clinton county, where they ended their days. Their family consisted of two sons and eight daughters.
Eli M. Grice grew to manhood on the home farm, and it was in 1877 that he and Emma McBride were married. She is a daughter of John Mc- Bride, a native of Butler county, Ohio, and a son of James McBride. The lat- ter was a native of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parents. He emigrated to America in an early day and settled in Ohio. John McBride married Mahala Wyant, a native of Virginia, she was a daughter of William Wyant, of an old Vir- ginia family. He came to Montgomery county, Ind., when a young man and there settled. John McBride came here in the fall of 1857 and established the family home in the woods, and, being a hard worker, he soon had a good place developed from the wilds. His family consisted of eight children, three sons and five daughters: William, James, Thomas, all deceased; Louisa, Elizabeth, Martha, Amanda, and Emma, our subject, the youngest. Elizabeth is the wife of William Fickle, of Mulberry. The father of the above named children died at the age of fifty-six years, while the mother lived to be eighty-seven years old.
Mrs. Grice lives in a pleasant and attractive nine-room home, which has always been noted for its hospitality. Her valuable and well kept place. is known as Woodland Park Farm, and it consists of one hundred and ninety- seven acres. Here general farming and stock raising are carried on success- fully, and the place is well improved in every way.
To Mr. and Mrs. Grice five sons were born: William Henry, farmer, married to Laura Need, has two children, Alma Need and Marian Carroll; John Wilson, farmer, married to Rosa Ann Lachner; Albert Ross, at home.
SAMUEL P. THOMAS.
Among the venerable and highly honored citizens of Madison township, Clinton county, is Samuel P. Thomas, who has devoted his life to agricul- tural pursuits. He is a scion of a gallant old Southern family, of Welsh origin, many of whose sterling traits seems to have been handed down to him, which caused him to succeed in his business life and at the same time win and retain a host of friends wherever he is known, and his career might well be emulated by the younger farmers of his vicinity, who are ambitious of making a success at farming and at the same time making good citizens.
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
Mr. Thomas was born June 30, 1839, in Jefferson. He is a son of Asahel W. Thomas, a native of Virginia, his progenitors having come from Wales to the Old Dominion in Colonial days. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Thomas, born in Wales, from which country he emi- grated to Virginia, and served under General Washington in the Revolu- tionary war. The powder horn he carried in that memorable struggle is in possession of the subject of this sketch. After the war he returned to Vir- ginia, where he died. In that state Asahel W. Thomas grew to manhood and married Margaret Davis, who was a native of Ohio, and a daughter of George Davis, born in Ireland. He crossed the Atlantic ocean five times before finally settling down in the United States. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. He eventually came to Madison township, Clinton county, where he spent the rest of his life. Asahel W. Thomas was a cabinet maker by trade and he followed the same for some time when he and his wife lived in Frank- fort. He made many of the old bureaus in the homes of this section of In- diana. He later lived at the village of Jefferson. His death occurred at the age of seventy-two years. He was first a Whig, later a Republican, and was a member of the United Brethren church. The mother of our subject was born in 1811 and her death occurred at the age of seventy-one years in Mul- berry. Eight children were born to these parents, namely: George W., a soldier in the Civil war, died in Mulberry, leaving five children; John M. died in Butler county, Kansas; Milton died in early childhood; Samuel P., subject of this sketch; Almira D. (deceased) ; Demars, Mary, Almeda and Drusilla J., all deceased. The subject of this review is the only one of the family living.
The boyhood of Samuel P. Thomas was spent at Jefferson in this county, where he received a public school education. On October 19, 1862, he married Susanah Buck, who was born, reared and educated in Madison township and married here. She was a daughter of Nicholas Buck, a native of Pennsylvania, born there June 4, 1811. His grandfather Buck was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Nicholas Buck was a son of Andrew and Eve (Tox) Buck. Nicholas was three years old when his parents took him to Perry county, Ohio, in 1832. The family eventually came to Clinton county, Indiana, and entered eighty acres of government land in section 17. Madison township. Nicholas Buck married Catherine Burkhalter, a daugh- ter of Peter and Catherine (Berry) Burkhalter, born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1817. Nicholas Buck was a blacksmith by trade. His family consisted of six children : George W., Mary C., James A., Susanah, Eliza Ann, and one who died in infancy.
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
Samuel P. Thomas has lived on his fine place of one hundred and ten acres, known as the Walnut Grove Farm, since 1870, and has been successful as a general farmer and stock raiser. He has a roomy, comfortable home, near a splendid walnut grove. He has paid considerable attention to stock raising, and now in his declining years, he having passed his seventy-fourth milestone, he finds himself very well fixed in every respect, surrounded with such luxuries as make a man of his simple tastes happy. He has three chil- dren : Zelda May, wife of Professor Kyger, of Frankfort, two children living : Lial Glen and Susan Jane : Nicholas A., engaged in insurance and light business in Mulberry, married to Nettie Shaffer, two children, Bessie and Park Thomas: and Dallas C., who died leaving a wife and one child, Cath- erine Irene. Lia l
Politically, Samuel P. Thomas is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist church. They are popular with all who know them, being friendly, neighborly and helpful.
EDGAR SWACKHAMER.
Among the men of influence in Clinton county who have interest of their locality at heart and who have led consistent lives, thereby gaining de- finite success along their chosen lines, is the subject of this sketch, Mr. Swack- hamer being regarded as one of the leading farmers of Perry township, owning an excellent farm in section 15, his highly productive landed estate being managed with that care and discretion that stamps him as a twentieth century agriculturist of the highest order, his place being known as Grand View Farm, which he has owned since coming here from the state of Iowa a number of years ago. He was born in Athens county, Ohio, near the town of Nelsonville, January 8, 1853. He is a son of Elijah and Caroline ( Bates) Swackhamer, who removed to Clinton county in an early day and spent the balance of their lives here, becoming well established and well known. The father, who was a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, died at the advanced age of seventy-five years. The mother, who was a native of Athens county, Ohio, is still living, making her home at Frankfort, Indiana, having attained the ripe old age of eighty-one years. Six sons were born to this couple : Edgar, of this review; Clarence, Frank, living in Elwood, Indiana ; George, Morris, living in Jackson township. this county; and Charles.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm and there he
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worked hard when a boy, and during the winter months he attended the neighboring schools. When twenty-one years of age he went to western Iowa, locating near the Missouri river in Harrison county, near the town of Woodbine, that section then being a new country. There he engaged in farming and soon had a good start, and there he married in 1879 Mary Barnumn, a woman who proved to be an excellent helpmeet. She was born near Woodbine, reared and educated there, and was a daughter of David Barnum and wife, pioneers in western Iowa, her mother having been known in her maidenhood as Lovina Palmer. Both these parents died at Woodbine. Our subject and wife continued to live in that vicinity until 1903, having the meanwhile developed one of the finest farms in that locality, when he sold out and came to Perry township, Clinton county, where he purchased an ex- cellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which is well improved and well kept, and on which stands a comfortable residence and good outbuildings, surrounded by large shade trees, his place being well located two miles east of Colfax.
Seven children have been born to our subject and wife: Mrs. Caroline Copeland, of Vernon county, Missouri; Charles, now at home; Daisy mar- ried to a Mr. Robinson, now living at Woodbine, Iowa, a teacher in the public schools before her marriage; Jessie, living in Frankfort, Indiana; Ruby, engaged in teaching; Lovina, at home; and Birdina. These children all received good educational advantages.
Politically, our subject is a Republican, and he and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian church of Colfax. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a strong advocate of education, religion and temperance. He is a man whose word is as good as his bond. He is hospitable, neighborly, and above criticism in all his relations with his fellow men.
ALONZO E. TIMMONS.
The habit of self-help is what has determined the distinctive business success and prestige of the gentleman whose career we now take under con- sideration, and who stands at the head of one of the leading industrial en- terprises of Clinton county, where, in the city of Colfax, he has built up one of the leading mercantile establishments in this locality, controlling a trade which ramifies throughout the county, and having the high reputation which is ever signicant of personal integrity and honorable methods.
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Mr. Timmons, who is proprietor of a dry goods and grocery store and who has been one of the prominent business men of Colfax for the past twenty-four years, was born in Clinton county April 3, 1859, on a farm. He is a son of Andrew J. and Susan ( Whitesell) Timmons, an industrious old family of this county. The father was a gallant soldier in the Union army dur- ing the Civil war, serving in the Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, having enlisted in 1861. He contracted a disease while in the army from which he finally died, when in the prime of life, at the age of thirty-five years. His widow is still living, making her home at Frankfort, this county. being now advanced in years. Five children were born to Charles J. Tim- mons and wife: Mrs. Elizabeth Shepherd, of Logansport, Indiana; J. S., Alonzo E., subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Tegener, and W. T., of Col- fax. The father was a Democrat in politics.
Alonzo E. Timmons was reared on the home farm and worked hard when a boy. He received his education in the public schools. For twelve years he worked in Dawson's tile factory, one of the first concerns of its kind to be established in Indiana. Then for three years he traveled selling a patent tile machine, covering the states of Indiana, Ohio and New York, and - was very successful in this work. He then took a clerkship for E. H. John- son, which he held for a period of thirteen years, his long retention being an indication of the excellent and satisfactory service he rendered. He subse- quently formed a partnership with Martin Dunbar, and for many years en- . gaged successfully in the general mercantile business, building up a large trade with the surrounding country. He now has one of the largest and most popular stores in this locality, carrying a large and carefully selected line of dry goods, boots, shoes, staple and fancy groceries. His prices are always right, according to his hundreds of regular customers and his trade is constantly growing. He is scrupulously' honest in his dealings with his fellow men, and is uniformly courteous. His store is neatly arranged with everything under a superb system, and it is a favorite stopping place, winter and summer, for the country people from all over Clinton county when they come to Colfax.
Mr. Timmons was married in 1886 in Colfax to Junietta Swallow, a native of Indianapolis, where she was reared and educated. She is a daugh- ter of Benjamin and Caroline (Milburn) Swallow. The father was one of the brave sons of the North who fought against the hosts of rebellion in the sixties. The mother and father are both deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Timmons have one daughter, Mrs. Louise Griggs.
Politically, Mr. Timmons is a Demcorat. Fraternally, he belongs to the
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias and is active in lodge work, being also a member of the Maccabees and the Woodmen of the World. Mrs. Timmons belongs to the Presbyterian church. They have both been laborers for the general good of Colfax and vicinity in every way, and are highly esteemed by a very wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
FRANK L. SUNIER.
Those who have given the matter proper thought are unanimous in their opinion that there is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be fol- lowed by the youth whose fortunes are yet matters for future years to deter- mine. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the op- portunities that are encountered in his pathway. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differ but slightly, and when one individual passes another on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out in their respective careers before him, it is because that individual has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. Today among the progressive and well known business men of Frankfort, Clinton county, is Frank L. Sunier, proprietor of one of the largest and most up-to- date laundries in the state, and a man who, by his own hands and sheer force of will has worked himself up from a modest beginning, almost entirely without aid from any one. The qualities of keen discernment, rare discrim- ination, sound judgment and executive ability enter very largely into his makeup and have been contributing elements to the material success which has come to him.
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