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 15
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Mr. Sunier was born April 16, 1877, at Bluffton, Wells county, Indiana. He is a son of Jesse E. and Sarah (Reef) Sunier. The father was also born in the same vicinity as was our subject, and there he grew up and was edu- cated. He has followed the shoe business since early manhood and is now conducting a store in Bluffton, Indiana, enjoying a very extensive trade, owing to his wide acquaintance and his honesty and courteous treatment of his many customers from all over Wells county, and he is rated as one of the successful business men of that city. He has long been one of the pro- gressive men of Bluffton and has done much toward its general development. : He served very acceptably as city councilman for a period of eight years.
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He has for some time been a leader in political and public matters there, being a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, who was also born reared and educated in Bluffton, is still living. The paternal grandparents of our subject were natives of Switzerland and Germany, and they emigrated to the United States in an early day.
Frank L. Sunier grew to manhood in Bluffton and there received a good common and high school education. When but a boy he turned his attention to the laundry business and this has continued to be his life work, until he has mastered the ins and outs of the same and is recognized as one of the leading laundrymen of the state, having few peers and no superiors. When only seventeen years of age he began an apprenticeship in a laundry in his native city and continued working there until he was twenty-two years old, when he became foreman of the Eagle Laundry at Fort Wayne, Indiana, one of the largest laundries of that city, and this important position he continued to hold for a period of eight years, discharging his duties in an eminently satisfactory manner to his employers and learning the business thoroughly. He then went to Vanwert, Ohio, where he continued the laundry business, remaining there for a period of eighteen months. Then, in 1909, he came to Frankfort, Indiana, and established the American Laundry on East Clinton street, and here he has been continuously engaged in the business for which he is so well equipped by both nature and training. He was successful from the first and his business has steadily and rapidly grown until it has now as- sumed large proportions. He has added to and improved his plant from time to time until he now operates one of the best and most modernly equipped laundries in the state. He has left no stone unturned whereby he might turn out better work and do it more promptly. He keeps a large force of experienced employes, and his business covers a wide territory. His fine plant is often visited by others in the same line of business who learn much from his methods.
Fraternally, Mr. Sunier is a member of the Masonic Order, Tribe of Ben Hur, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically he is a Republican, but he has never sought public honors, being contented to devote his time exclusively to his business and his home.
Mr. Sunier was married on September 29, 1901, to Lelia DeLong, a native of Bluffton, where she was reared and educated. She is a daughter of J. S. and Mae (Brickley) DeLong, a highly respected family of Bluffton.
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JAMES C. B. BEATTY.
The making of pottery is one of the oldest trades of the world. From the collection of relics and other historical data, the first known living being with anything akin to human intelligence, acquired the art of pottery. The primeval man fashioned his bowls out of a stone or piece of wood, pro- ducing an utensil after much arduous work, which was crude, but in a meas- ure effective. It was not long until mud and clay were used in the making of pottery, but the art of baking did not become known until the ancient Egypt- ians discovered the process by mere accident. From then on, in all countries. among the American Indians, Aztecs, Greeks, Syrians and South Americans, the science of pottery developed until. in some places, it was an art, the quality of which we cannot reproduce in this enlightened twentieth century. The exquisite vases and utensils of the Greeks and Romans, also the Egypt- ians, were made by a process, the knowledge of which has been lost. We can imitate, it is true, but not reproduce. Commercialism has entered largely into the pottery trade by necessity, and the business is represented by many men of sterling character and high business ability. Mr. Beatty, of this sketch, is one of the most progressive of the pottery men of the state, and in Clinton county enjoys the esteem and respect of all of his fellow citizens.
James C. B. Beatty was born at Fredericktown, Ohio, on April 1, 1876, and was the son of Isaac and Amy Ann Beatty. Isaac Beatty was born in Fredericktown in 1836, was raised on a farm, following agriculture all of his life. Mr. Beatty was descended from good Irish stock. He was called to his rest in March, 1895, after a long life of usefulness and hard work. Mr. Beatty was a third degree Mason, a Democrat, and a Presbyterian, and at one time was township school director for a number of years. In 1850 he was united in marriage with Amy Ann Huston of Columbiana county, Ohio, and they lived happily together for more than forty years, she dying in 1891. She was the mother of twelve children, eleven of whom are living.
James C. B. Beatty went to the common schools until he was eleven years of age, when he quit, and began to work on the home farm, continuing there until he was twenty-one. He then went to East Liverpool, Ohio, and took a two years' course in photography, but gave that up, and went to East Pales- tine, Ohio, and began traveling for a pottery company in Indiana. He soon made his mark in the pottery field and was given the position of manager of the sales department of the Sebring Pottery Company of Ohio, in which po- sition he remained until 1908, when he came to Frankfort, Ind., and or- ganized the Beatty Pottery Manufacturing Company, with a capital of forty
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JAMES C. B BEATTY AND SON NEWTON GASKILL BEATTY .
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thousand dollars. This was in December of 1908. He also organized in 1910, the Diamond Pottery Manufacturing Company, capitalized at twelve thousand dollars, and then the James C. Beatty and Son Manufacturing Com- pany, capitalized at ten thousand dollars, and doing a mail order business strictly, being the only pottery conducting business in that way in the state. In 1911 he went to East Palestine, Ohio, and organized the Consolidated Pottery Manufacturing Company, capitalized at one hundred thousand dol- lars, and now, Mr. Beatty is acting as secretary of this business firm. He also holds the position of general manager of the sales department of the II. R. Wyllie China Manufacturing Company of Hutington, W. Va. All of these companies are in first-class order, which fact attests to the business ability of Mr. Beatty and his competence as an organizer.
On March 20, 1903, Mr. Beatty was married to Gertrude K. Barner, a native and resident of Frankfort. One child has been born of this union, Newton Gaskill, born in Frankfort, Ind., April 10, 1904, and who is now attending school in this city.
Fraternally, Mr. Beatty is a Mason, belonging to the York Rite. He also holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Beatty has been a great traveler all of his life, not only traveling for pleasure but in the pursuit of his business. He estimates that he has covered nearly six hundred and fifty thousand miles, and as he is yet a young man, his record when he quits may be a world-beater. His son, Gaskill, from the time he was a year old until he was six years of age, accompanied his parents and traveled a total of 62,000 miles, visiting every city of 50,000 population and over between New York and Denver. Mr. Beatty is very gifted in language and mathematics, having cultivated a knowledge of these by self-training and reading.
DAVID D. KENNEDY.
Success is only achieved by the exercise of certain distinguishing qualities and it connot be retained without effort. Those by whom great epoch changes have been made in the industrial and political world began early in life to prepare themselves for their peculiar duties and responsibilities, and it was only ยท by the most persevering and continuous endeavor that they succeeded in rising superior to the obstacles in their way and reaching the goal of their ambitions. Such lives are an inspiration to others who are less courageous. While David D. Kennedy, the well known and popular tailor of Frankfort, Clinton county,
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has not become a great captain of industry, yet judging from the record he is making, he has carefully laid the foundattion for large future success, some of which he has already achieved.
Mr. Kennedy was born in Rush county, Indiana, on a farm, October 15, 1878. He is a son of William M. and Sarah .1. (Powell) Kennedy. The father was born in 1843 in Rush county, this state, the Kennedys have been a well known and highly respected family there from the pioneer period to the present time. William M. Kennedy grew to manhood on the farm in his native community and received such education as the common schools of his day afforded. Early in life he took up farming for his vocation and continued that line of endeavor with successful results until a few years ago when he retired, having accumulated a competency, and is now spending his declining years in quiet in the town of Fairmount, Grant county. His wife was also a native of that county, born there in 1842. She was called to her eternal rest in 1912. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents of the subject of this sketch were pioneers of Rush county, becoming well known to the early residents there.
David D. Kennedy grew to manhood in his native community and assisted with the general work on the farm when he became of proper age. He received a good common school education and spent two years in high school. He decided upon the tailoring business, and at once, after leaving school, began learning the same, taking the course of instruction taught by the noted J. J. Mitchell School of Cutting, in New York City. He made rapid progress in the same, and he began working at his trade at Fairmount, Indiana, where he continued with success for a period of four years as an em- ploye of the leading tailor there. He then went in business for himself in the same town and continued for a period of six years, building up a very satis- factory trade. His ability was recognized by all who had occasion to learn of his fine work and pleasing personal address, and the mammoth tailoring con- cern of Kahn Brothers, of Louisville, wholesale tailors, offered him a lucrative position as traveling salesman which he accepted. Between season trips he worked in Indianapolis at his trade. He continued with this firm for a period of four years as salesman, giving eminent satisfaction in every respect, being regarded as one of the firm's most efficient and trustworthy employes. After severing his connection with Kahn Brothers, Mr. Kennedy spent two years in the South as a clothing salesman, meeting with his usual success. A few years ago while Mr. Kennedy was spending the winter in the South, three Confederate bills were given him, $5.00, $20.00 and $50.00, dated February 17, 1864, which are prized highly. In 1911 he came to Frankfort, Indiana.
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and established a tailoring shop in the Fitzinger Block. He was successful from the start and his place has become quite popular and widely known, many of his customers coming from remote parts of Clinton county and near- by towns. He maintains a neat and modernly equipped shop, carrying a very extensive line of samples, and high grade and prompt service is his aim. Only the most skilled workmen are employed. He has a strong personality and is regarded as one of the most progressive and popular of the younger business men of Frankfort.
Fraternally. Mr. Kennedy is a member of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias. Religiously, he holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, he is independent, voting for the candidate whom he regards as best suited for the various offices sought.
Mr. Kennedy was married on April 7, 1899, to Cornelia Rodman, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and she was summoned to an untimely grave at Fairmount, Indiana, on June 18, 1809. She was a young lady of pleasing personality and the possessor of many estimable characteristics.
JOHN DAVID MILLER.
The age of the twentieth century is productive of men of quick action, high resolve, and untiring labor and perseverance in the pursuit of everyday affairs. Among the counties of Indiana, Clinton has come to occupy a prominent position by virtue of the quality of citizens identified with the busi- ness interests of the county. In the main lines of commercial intercourse Clinton has excelled, and at this writing there are even more and promising lines being developed, which all point to a brilliant and successful future for the section. John David Miller has helped not a little in this growth, and he is today numbered among the representative men of his township and county. Fair and liberal in all his dealings with his fellows, he numbers his friends by the hundreds.
Jolin David Miller was born in Madison township, this county, on De- cember 10, 1865, and was the son of Joseph O. and Martha A. (Hammel) Miller. Joseph Miller was born on March 8, 1832, the son of Jacob and Jane (Mattix ) Miller.
Jacob Miller was a native of Ohio and came to Indiana in 1833 and entered eighty acres of land, later bouglit forty acres. He lived the usual life of the pioneer, clearing the land, building his home, and own improve- ments which, in those days, were very limited in number and character. The
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times were hard in Clinton county, for it was practically an uncultivated state, but the land was rich, as it is now, so the reward for the struggle was entirely adequate. Jacob Miller died in 1856, and his wife died in 1892.
Joseph Miller was a farmer during his life, and also an expert wheel- wright and shingle-maker. He occupied the position of a successful mer- chant for a few years, and was very successful in that undertaking. In politics he was a Democrat, and was always active in the support of that party, although he never sought public office. Mr. Miller was a third degree Mason, and a charter member of the Jefferson lodge. In 1862 he was mar -. ried to Martha A. Hammel, who was born in Madison township, this county, on October 2, 1845, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Hammel, who were among the very carly settlers of this section of the county. Mrs. Miller is still living, and enjoying the comforts of a healthy old age.
John David Miller obtained his education in the common schools, vary- ing his attendance there with his work on the farm. In 1889 he opened a grocery and butcher shop in the village of Hamilton, but two years later, in 1891, sold out, moved to Kingman, Fountain county, and in partnership with S. D. Alexander, opened a general store there. During the second adminis- tration of Grover Cleveland, Mr. Miller was appointed assistant postmaster of Kingman, and filled the office to the satisfaction of the citizens of the town. At the expiration of his term he went to Alexandria, Ind., and started in the grocery business; this was in 1897. However, his period of residence there was only for three months. His next move was to return to the old home farm in Madison township, where he remained until 1907, when he went into the grocery and butcher shop business again at Mulberry, and im- mediately made a success of this undertaking. On January 1, 1909 he was appointed deputy sheriff under John Mattix, a sketch of whom is on another page of this volume, and he served four years in a most commendable man- ner. The year 1912 marked Mr. Miller's election to the office of sheriff, and at the present time he is fulfilling the duties of that position.
On April 17, 1892, Mr. Miller was married to Lilly M. Jacoby, the daughter of John and Mary C. Jacoby, who was born on January 29, 1871, in Ross township, this county. Two children have been born of this union : Bernice E., now at home, and Troy E., who is in school.
Mr. Miller places his political faith in the Democratic party, under whose banner he has often won honors and office. He is a very active campaign worker. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously he belongs to the Christian church.
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NATE SIFTON, D. C.
The world judges any new science by results. Theories look well on paper, but unless they get us somewhere or do some definite, tangible thing we soon cast them aside. Judging from results, it would seem that the science of chiropractic is one of the most wonderful truths that has been dis- covered in the present age of man. For by its knowledge and application, it has been shown, man will be able to live long and be well. Chiropractic re- places all past theories of disease with a knowledge of the cause, and makes it possible for man to live much longer and be free from the multiform ills to which humanity is heir. For with the cause adjusted there can be no effect, the innate nature will be enabled to transmit and express life and health in all parts of the body, making it almost impossible for disease to exist. However, chiropractic is not related to the science of medicine, surgery, ostco- pathy, Christian Science, nor are chiropractors physicians, as they do not treat, heal or relieve diseases, and they do not pretend to do so. Their theory is that nature alone can treat, heal, relieve or cure, but must be unhindered. Chiropractic, it is claimed, makes it possible for nature to do this work. Chiropractic proves that the brain is the center of the nervous system and the spinal cord is the transmitter of impulses or nerve force from the brain to all parts of the body. Any interference with the spinal nerves transmitting these impulses, results in abnormal performance of the functions of that part of the body to which those nerves lead and this abnormal condition is called disease. The trained chiropractor is able to instantly locate the point of in- terference and by his art, quickly and scientifically, by the mere laying on of the hands, adjust the veterbrae involved, thereby removing the cause-pres- sure on the spinal nerves. Then nature restores normal conditions which we call health.
Clinton county, has within her border a worthy representative of this great science in the person of Nate Sifton, of Frankfort. He hails from the "north countree," the land of the "Lady of the Snows," his birth having occurred in the Province of Ontario, Canada, July 8, 1859. He is a son of John W. and Mary (Sweener) Sifton. The father was born in London, Ontario, and there he grew up'and was educated. He devoted his life to farming and railroad contracting He was widely known to the railroad world of Canada and was a man of ability. His death occurred in 1903. His wife, mother of our subject, was born at Catham, Ontario, and was reared and educated in her native province. Her death occurred in 1882, more than thirty years prior to that of her husband.
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Nate Sifton grew to manhood in Ontario and received a good education. Early in life he took up gold mining and engaged in that line of endeavor with varying fortunes all over the Pacific coast country and in Alaska. Studying law he was admitted to the bar, and practiced with success in Colo- rado and Alaska. Seized with sciatic rheumatism, he was practically in- capacitated for work for a period of six years. Finding relief through Chiro- practic, after all known methods had failed, he decided to take up this science as a life work. After five years of investigation, study and practice, under the original methods, he entered the National School of Chiropractic at Chi- cago, Ill., where he made a splendid record and from this institution he was - graduated in 1912. Soon thereafter he came to Frankfort and established an office over the M. B. Thresher store, and here he has remained, enjoying a large and constantly growing practice, his patients coming from all over this section of the country.
Mr. Sifton was married in January, 1905. to Anna Kelley O'Neil, who was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of Kelly O'Neill, who for many years figured prominently in the political affairs of Tippecanoe county. His death occurred there ten years ago. The mother of Mrs. Sifton is living in Lafayette, Ind.
Politically, Mr. Sifton is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and religiously belongs to the Presbyterian church ..
PAUL PENCE.
In placing the subject of this sketch in the front rank of Frankfort's business men, simple justice is done to a biographical fact, universally recog- nized throughout Clinton county by men at all familiar with his history. A man of judgment, sound discretion and business ability of a high order, he has managed with tactful success important enterprises and so impressed his individuality upon the community as to gain recognition among its leading citizens and public spirited men of affairs. Mr. Pence is young in the com- mercial life of Frankfort, but his efforts in his chosen occupation, that of stock buying, have been rewarded with unusual success, considering the time he has been active.
Paul Pence was born on May 8, 1871 and was the son of Charles R. and Martha J. (Gaskill) Pence. Charles Pence, or "Dick," as he was known
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to his friends, was one of the best known men in the county. He followed farming most of his life, but was in the milling and elevator business in Frankfort for about three years, and made a success of the enterprise. In time Mr. Pence became the owner of several hundred acres of fine farming land, and he tilled the acres in the most approved style, employing the latest and best farm machinery obtainable. Mr. Pence took a prominent part in the politics of his community and always preferred the Democratic ticket. In religious affairs he attended the Methodist church. In the summer of 1861 Charles Pence was married to Martha J. Gaskill, and to them were born five children : Charles W., Paul, Della, May Thatcher and Frank Earnest. Charles was stricken with heart failure while working on his farm.
Paul Pence spent his early life on the farm of his father, and attended the common schools of his vicinity. In the year 1911 he came to Frankfort and entered upon the business of stock buying, which business he has gradu- ally increased in scope every year, and now has a large trade with the farmers of Clinton county. His work aids the agricultural people, and he has earned a reputation for honest dealing and wise judgment. Mr. Pence learned the rudiments of stock selection from his father during the nine years he spent on the farm, and this early training was not in vain, for it enabled our sub- ject to start early without the embarrassment of learning the pitfalls by hard and bitter experience.
In politics Mr. Pence has ever taken an active part, being affiliated with the Democratic party. He is chairman of the. Democratic committee of Clinton county. Fraternally, Mr. Pence belongs to the Masonic Order. the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men.
SADIE E. GOLDSBERRY.
The part women played in assisting the early settlers can not be under- estimated. By nature not as robust physically as their male companions, hardships and privations leaned more heavily upon them, but the women of that day who came with their husbands and families into the loneliness of what was then the wilderness were equal to the occasion. They not only did their full share of the hard manual toil, but helped to dispel the gloom, the sense of hopelessness which occassionally fell upon the setlters in their relent- less labor. Women of such caliber were the antecedents of the estimable lady whose name initiates this paragraph. The hardships and adventures of
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the careers of her mother and grandmothers would prove material for a volume. A study of her praiseworthy characteristics would indicate that Mrs. Goldsberry has inherited many of their sterling attributes of head and 1 art, and she is doing a great work for the general amelioration of humanity, and is therefore deserving of specific mention in the histories of her section of the state along with other unselfish and noble workers in life's vast arena.
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