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 16
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Mrs. Saddie E. Goldsberry, well known president of the Relief Corps of Colfax, and esteemed as one of the most active and zealous women who is working for the moral and spiritual uplift of Clinton county, and wlio has long been a popular and efficient officer of the above named society, is a native of Boone county, Indiana, and there she was rearcui to womanhood. She received a good educational training in her native state, and, having re- mained a student all her life, is an exceptionally well informed woman on current topics of the times.
She is a daughter of Thomas and Emma Herbin, natives of Monroe county, Indiana, where they followed farming. They were the parents of five children, three of whom survive: William and Sherman, farmers, of Colfax, and Sadie, subject of this sketch. Thomas Herbin, died in 1897 at the age of fifty years. Mrs. Herbin still survives. They were members of the Christian church. He was a Democrat.
When nineteen years of age our subject was united in marriege to F. M. Goldsberry, for many years a leading criminal lawyer of central Indiana, and who served the Union most gallantly in her struggle to suppress the rebellion of the sixties, serving three years. He was one of the most active and influential men of Colfax during a past generation and did much for the material and civil progress of the town, ranking among her leading citizens, and he ably served the people of Clinton county in various official capacities for many years, always giving the utmost satisfaction. He had few peers and no superiors in the profession of law in this section of the state, and when, on February 19, 1913, he was summoned to his eternal rest, at the age of sixty-nine years, he having been born April 20, 1844, all realized that a good and useful man had gone whose place it would be exceedingly difficult to fill.
To Mr. and Mrs. Goldsberry two sons were born: Fred M., who is attending high school, and Truman, also a pupil in the local schools.
Mrs. Goldsberry's beautiful and neatly furnished home is often the gath- ering place for the many friends of the family.
The officers of the Relief Corps are, Mrs. Sadie Goldsberry, president ; Mrs. Mary Roudebush, senior vice president ; Mrs. Nancy Herbin, junior
F. M. GOLDSBERRY, DECEASED
MRS. SADIE E. GOLDSBERRY
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vice president ; Mrs. Mary Lanum, chaplain ; Mrs. Hattie Benfield, secretary.
The Relief Corps owns the old Grand Army Hall where the local Post used to meet, and they are doing a most commendable work.
C. F. GERY.
Energy, sound judgment and persistency of effort, properly applied, will always win the goal sought in the sphere of human endeavor, no matter what the environment may be or what obstacles are met with, for they who are endowed with such characteristics, make stepping-stones of their adversi- ties to higher things. These reflections are suggested by the career of C. F. Gery, manager of the Colfax Grain Company, who, while yet young in years has shown himself to be the possessor of many commendable traits that never fail to win no matter what the vocation in life may be. With but little assistance of any kind he has forged his way to the front ranks among the representative young business men of Clinton county.
Mr. Gery was born at Colfax, Indiana, December 10, 1888, and here he grew to manhood and received his education. He is a son of H. L. and Susan (Frees) Gery, a prominent and well known family of Colfax for many years, where the father engaged successfully in the mercantile business for a number of decades, building up an etxensive trade through his able management and honest dealings with his many customers. To H. L. Gery and wife six children were born, five sons and one daughter. Two of the sons are well known merchants of Colfax. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of the family. He began clerking in a store at an early age and gave evidence of rare natural business ability from the start and finally launched out in the grain business, and, learning rapidly the ins and outs of the same eventually became manager of the Colfax Grain Company, one of the largest business firms of its kind in this part of the state, and, owing to our subject's able management and courteous and honest treatment of pa- trons it is rapidly growing. Of this firm, John Waugh is president, William Tyson, secretary, and H. R. Woodburn, treasurer, the two latter being also trustees. The elevator has a capacity of one thousand bushels per day, or three hundred and fifty thousand bushels annually: The buildings are large, substantial, up-to-date and commodious, equipped with all modern machinery and appliances, everything denoting thrift and good management. Modern (33)
,
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mill machinery has been installed for grinding feed and corn chops of all kinds. Standard brands of flour and all kinds of feed are kept on sale, and their operations cover a very large territory.
Mr. Grey was married on July 19. 1910, 10 Adah Estelle Reeves, who was born, reared and educated in Crawfordsille, Indiana, where her family has long been prominent, she being a daughter of William Reeves and wife.
Politically, Mr. Gery is a Democrat, but he has never been especially active in public affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, No. 417; also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Mercy Lodge.
HENRY CLAY JACKSON.
Success has been worthily attained by Henry Clay Jackson, who is today accounted one of the prosperous farmers and business men of Clinton county. To his energy, enterprise, careful management and keen discernment his present station in life is attributed. He participated in that titanic struggle between the North and the South, and made a record for bravery and forti- tude. A bullet wound stopped his martial career before the end of the war, but his patriotism lasted and he aided the Northern cause in every way pos- sible. Mr. Jackson is admired and respected by everyone with whom he is acquainted, and indeed his life has ever been directed in the paths of right- eousness, and his ideals have been high.
Henry Clay Jackson was born in Washington township, this county, June 7, 1846, and was the son of John and Margaret (McKy) Jackson. John Jackson came from the state of Maryland, being born there May 5, 1824, the son of Joseph and Anna (Lemar) Jackson. Joseph was also born in Maryland, was a farmer, and died about the year 1834. After his death his widow and children came overland to Clinton county, and entered land from the government in Perry township. John Jackson followed farming and carpentering together all of his life, and politically was a Whig. He died in 1854 in Tippecanoe county, Ind. His wife was Margaret McKy, and they were married in July, 1841. She was a native of the Buckeye state, and died in 1846.
As his mother died the same year as his birth, our subject was reared by his grandmother, who married a Hosea Baggs just before coming to Indiana. On February 21, 1862, Henry Jackson enlisted in Company A, Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac.
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After participating in the second battle of Bull Run, he was transferred to . the Army of the Cumberland, remaining with this division until the battle of Resaca, Ga., when he received a severe wound in the left shoulder which totally disabled that arm. Further active service being impossible, he went to Madison, Ind., and there went to school though the expense was to him .. very heavy. On March 14, 1865, he was discharged honorably from the Union army. He then came back to the farm and stayed there until 1873, then moved to Hillisburg, where he went into the mercantile business, which he followed until 1883. He next came to Frankfort, and served as deputy sheriff under Jerome Clark from 1896 to 1900. During the term front 1904 to 1908 he again served in this office under John W. Haggert.
Mr. Jackson was married on December 28, 1865 to Mrs. Sarah A. Barnes, a widow of an old soldier. She was a native of Clinton county, born here February 24, 1844, and had two children, both of whom are deceased.
Politically, Mr. Jackson is a Democrat, and religiously is a member of the Methodist church. Fraternally, he is a Mason, third degree, and Past Worthy Master of the Order of the Eastern Star. He belongs also to the Grand Army of the Republic.
HARRY ARLANDO MEIKEL.
He who adds to the beauty of the world and makes it attractive . through the sense of vision is a benefactor of his race though his name be unknown beyond the circumscribed limits of the little locality in which the even tenor of his life is passed far from the maddening crowd. Such an in- dividual is Harry Orlando Miekel, the subject of this review, and the leading florist of Frankfort, through the medium of which calling he has done much to arouse a taste for something else than the merely practical and induce not a few to turn their attention to the cultivation of flowers-the most beauti- ful of nature's adornments and among the most precious of God's gifts to man. Mr. Meikel is a native of Indiana and of German ancestry, from whom he doubtless inherits his taste for the true, the beautiful and the good. His father, Charles P. Meikel, was born in Pennsylvania, of German par- entage, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary E. Null, was a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a lady of much more than ordinary intelli- gence and natural refinement. Charles P. Meikel when a youth learned the
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printer's trade and in due time became very experienced and skillful in the art preservative, as the several responsible positions he held with various publishers abundantly indicate. A number of years ago he located in Indian- apolis, Indiana, where he followed his chosen calling successfully until his death, in 1884, his wife surviving him ten years after that date.
Harry Orlando Meikel was born in Indianapolis February 28, 1863. and received a good education in the schools of that city. While still a mere youth he manifested much more than ordinary interest in the growing of flowers and later decided to make floriculture his life work. In 1901 he came to Frankfort to engage in the business which proved successful from the beginning and to which lie has devoted his attention with satisfactory financial results ever since. As already stated, he is today the leading florist in the city, being proprietor of an establishment consisting of 132 square feet of space on East Barner street, nearly all under cover, besides owning two acres of fine bottom land which he devotes exclusively to the cultivation of the different varieties of bulbous plants, which of recent years have become so popular with gardeners and others.
Mr. Meikel has made a careful and systematic study of his vocation, keeps in touch with every advancement in floriculture and carries a full and complete stock of all kinds of flowers and plants for which there may be a demand. His place is a favorite resort of people of refined taste, as well as for the general public and his financial success has kept pace with the growth of his business, as is indicated by the respectable standing he occupies among the solid men of his adopted city. As a citizen he is public spirited and popu- lar, keenly alive to every laudable movement having for its object the mater- ial advancement of the community and the intellectual and moral welfare of the populace.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Meikel is a Republican, but in no sense a partisan or aspirant for the honors and emoluments of office. His frater- nal relations include membership with the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Red Men and the Haymakers. Religiously, he has strong and well grounded convictions, being a sincere believer in the Sacred Scriptures and a respected member of the Presbyterian church of Frankfort, to which eccles- iastical organization his wife also belongs. He is a gentleman of domestic as well as refined tastes and has a pleasant home in the above city which is presided over by an intelligent and gracious lady, to whom he was united in the holy bonds of wedlock August 1, 1900, and who previous to that time was Miss Ada A. Kelly, of Shelbyville, Indiana.
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GEORGE DAVIS.
This representative and honored citizen of Colfax, Clinton county, has been distinctively the architect of his own fortunes. He has been true and loyal in all the relations of life and stands as a type of that sterling manhood which ever commands respect and honor. Mr. Davis is a man who would have won his way in any locality where fate might have placed him, for he has sound judgment, coupled with great energy and business tact, together with upright principles, all of which make for success wherever and whenever found. By reason of these principles he has won and retained a host of friends throughout Clinton county where he has spent his life and of which he is a native. He is one of the pioneer business men of Colfax, having been engaged successfully and continuously in business here for the past twenty-seven years.
Mr. Davis was born in Clinton county, near Colfax, July 27, 1862, on a farm. He is a son of Joel Davis, who was born in Ross county, Ohio. The mother of our subject was Elizabeth Patton, of English descent, and a native of Indiana. The death of the father occurred at the age of sixty-eight years. Politically, he was a Democrat, and he belonged to. the Christian church. The mother is still living and resides with her daughter, Mrs. F. L. Shirley, in Clinton county. To this union of the parents of our subject seven children were born, four sons and three daughters.
George Davis grew to manhood on the home farm, where he did his full share of the general work, and he received his education in the common schools of his home community. He learned the drug business when young and has followed the same in Colfax for a period of twenty-seven years, during which time he has enjoyed an ever growing trade with the city and surrounding country owing to the fact that he keeps a fresh and well selected line of drugs and drug sundries in a tastily arranged, up-to-date drug store, and deals honestly and courteously with his hundreds of patrons. He is re- garded as one of the best pharmacists in central Indiana. Everything found in the modern drug stores in the large cities is to be had at his store.
Mr. Davis was married in 1885 at Darlington, Montgomery county, this state, to Flora E. Murphy, a daughter of one of the honored and well known families of that locality. There she grew to womanhood and re- ceived a good education. One daughter, Oma L., has been born to our sub- ject and wife.
Politically, Mr. Davis is a Democrat. He is an active member of the Christian church, and has been superintendent of the Sunday school for about three years. His wife is also active in church and Sunday school
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work. He is a liberal supporter of the church, and took an active part in building the new Christian church edifice in Colfax in 1912, which is an elegant structure, well suited to the local congregation's needs in every way. Fraternally, Mr. Davis belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a lover of home and takes little interest in political work. He has a pleasant and modern residence, furnished with electric lights, furnace, hot and cold water, etc. In fact, it is one of the most desirable homes in Colfax, is neatly furnished and tastily kept, and is often the mecca for the many friends of the family who always find here genuine hospitality.
J. W. DUNBAR .;
This is often called the automobile age, and such a phrase is not at all far-fetched, for during the past few years, we have seen the automobile al- . most relegate the horse to the rear, at least in many sections of the country. It is a time saver, and, since time is money, as the wise Franklin said. the auto is therefore a money saver and money maker, and the pleasure in own- ing and operating one is not to be overlooked. The man who has become familiar with the automobile business in any of its phases is sure of a liveli- hood nowadays. A great many people know how to start and stop an auto, thinking that nothing else is required but everybody who owns, operates or has anything to do with one should know its mechanism, its possibilities and limitations, for many reasons. The machine handled by an expert will last much longer than one handled by a novice, besides the trouble that is to be expected if one knows little about them.
It is safe to say that no man in Clinton county is more of an automo- bile expert than J. W. Dunbar, proprietor of the popular Dunbar garage at the city of Colfax. He became interested in them at the start, began studying them from every viewpoint and is now one of the most thoroughly up-to- date automobile men in the state; in fact, he is one of the pioneers in the automobile business, and he constructed one of the first machines to be built in Indiana. He has been an expert mechanic for many years, and his long experience in the study and operation of the automobile makes his ideas exceptionally valuable. He understands all the details and mechanical work- ings of the different makes, from start to finish, and is very thorough in all his work and every job he turns out is done in the best possible manner and may be depended on to be all right in every detail. His repair work on
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machines for years has been regarded as far above the average and he lias had all the work he could turn out, many of his patrons coming from long distances, and they are never disappointed with the results. His aim is ever -accuracy and promptness. His large, modernly equipped and convenient garage building is twenty by eighty feet, is a one-story annex, well adapted in every way for the purposes to which it is put. Also adjoining is a sub- stantial two-story brick, forty by forty feet, which is devoted to his work in this line. He is prepared to promptly repair any make of machine, and he keeps all kinds of repairs and accessories to be found in the best garages and automobile repair shops everywhere. He has an extensive trade in Indian- apolis and Washington, Indiana, having been at one time foreman of a large machine shop in the latter town.
Mr. Dunbar was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, January 28, 1863. He received a common school education, and in his earlier life engaged in farming and merchandising in Wright county, Iowa, and met with encourag- ing success at both. When a young man he learned the machinist's trade, and at the age of twenty-two was quite proficient in iron and steel work. He mar- ried Ida Blacher, and of this union one son has been born.
Politically, Mr. Dunbar has been more or less active in public affairs. He was formerly a member of the town board ,and was at one time marshal of the city of Colfax, performing his duty in a manner that met with general satisfaction to all concerned.
WILLIAM LADEN DAVIS.
Agriculture in Clinton county has a worthy representative in the person of William L. Davis, of Jackson township. He is a large land owner, and his many acres are very productive, resulting from the best methods of tillage and care. Mr. Davis is honored and respected by his fellow citizens, because he has assisted them in every laudable enterprise they have ventured for the prosperity of the county. He is a man of the strictest integrity, and his every action is based upon the principles of doing right.
Mr. Davis was born in Ironton, Olio, on March 17, 1855, and was the son of John J. and Catherine (Marshall) Davis, the fathier being a native of Wales. John J. Davis first settled in New York state. He came to Irontou, Ohio, where he worked in furnaces, and also kept hotel for a number of
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years, then to Fulton county, Illinois, where he spent eighteen years in farm- ing; then to Champaign county, Illinois, still farming. He died in 1888. Mrs. Davis died in June, 1908, in Champaign county.
William L. Davis had a common school endcation, after which he worked on the farm. He came to Clinton county in 1900 from Champaign county, Illinois, and now owns about three hundred and ten acres of land in Jackson township, all of which is tillable, well fenced, tiled and improved. For the last five years Mr. Davis has managed the place, but has led a retired life.
Politically, Mr. Davis is a Progressive, but voted the Republican ticket from 1877 to 1909-thirty-two years. At one time he was a township com- missioner in Champaign county, Illinois. He is a member of the Christian church, and is teacher of the men's Bible class of Antioch. He is a Mason at Frankfort, belonging to the Council, Royal Arch, the Chapter, Knights Tem- plar, and Commandery of Frankfort.
On September 25, 1879, he was married to Mary E. Barrick, born in Champaign county, Illinois, December 28, 1857, the daughter of William R. and Louisa Barrick. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis: Fred R., on the farm; May died when five years old; Wood W., of Lebanon, Indiana; Ray H., of Frankfort ; John W., of Los Angeles, California; and Merle C., wife of Charles T. Knobes, of Frankfort, Indiana.
FRED P. KENNEDY.
Among the leading contractors of Clinton county is Fred P. Kennedy, of Jefferson, Washington township, who is carrying on his chosen line of busi- ness with that care and discretion, that enterprise and foresight which are sure to find their sequel in definite success. He leaves no stone unturned whereby he may do better work and do it more promptly and satisfactorily, and, because of his honest and conscientious work he has won the good will and esteem of the people, and his services are in great demand all over the locality.
Mr. Kennedy was born in Jackson township, Clinton county, in 1873. He is a son of David Kennedy, also a native of this county. The paternal grand- father of our subject was born in Ireland. David Kennedy married Anna J. Mattux, a native of this county, who is still living, having now reached the age of seventy-five years. The father is deceased. To David Kennedy and wife
FRED P. KENNEDY AND FAMILY
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the following children were born: Louise, Henry T., Perton L., Mary Agnes, Minnie, Edward, Miltig and Fred P., our subject.
Fred P. Kennedy was reared on the farm, and he received a good edu- cation in the common schools. When twenty-five years of age he married Julia Redinbaugh, who was born, reared and educated in this county, a daughter of John Redinbaugh and Usilla ( Moudy), his wife, who now live in Arkansas.
To our subject and wife six children have been born: Lela, Paul, Edna, Stanley, Lester, and David (deceased).
Mr. Kennedy and family are members of the United Bretliren church, and they stand well in the community.
Mr. Kennedy formerly operated a threshing machine in this locality for a period of eighteen years, during which he became one of the best known threshers in the county, knowing well all the details of the business and be- ing able to cover more territory and thresh more bushels of grain in a season than any other man of his time. He is exceptionally well versed in steam en- gineering. He always looked to the farmers' best interests, did his work promptly and carefully, and always dealt honestly with them, so that he was hailed as the farmers' friend wherever he was known. During the past num- ber of years he has been engaged extensively in gravel road building and grading, in fact, does various kinds of contractin . and has been very success- ful in the same, turning out large jobs annually.
R. F. PALMER, M. D.
Doctor Palmer was born in Howard county, Ind., on June 17, 1855, and was the son of Judge Truman H. Palmer. Before taking up the details of our subject's life, it is fitting that adequate mention should be made of Judge Palmer, who was one of the noteworthy men of the county.
Judge Truman Henry Palmer, a native of Henry county, Ky., was born November 28, 1827, and was a son of William and Parmelia Palmer. The family first settled in Montgomery county, Ind., near Crawfordsville, in November, 1830, and came to Clinton county in February, 1844, where Judge Palmer received his early education under Prof. Milton B. Hopkins, who was afterward State Superintendent of Public Instruction. At the age of twenty, Mr. Palmer began teaching school, and continued in this occupation four years. At the age of twenty-four he married Margaret Ann Moore,
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the daughter of Robert and Margaret Moore, of Clinton county. Soon after his marriage he moved to Kokomo, Ind., and, in connection with two associ- ates, started a cabinet shop. Ile was thus engaged for a period of three years, when, in consequence of failing licalth, he was compelled to cease. He then returned to the teaching profession, and at the same time improved his leisure moments by studying law. After a patient course of study he was admitted to the bar in March, 1857. The early days of his practice were not lucrative, however, and he experienced the "starvation period" of most young lawyers. In the year 1864 his practice began to increase, and people began to place confidence in the young lawyer. Thus in a few years his prac- tice became very remunerative, and he was regarded as one of the rising members of the bar. His political views were always in conformity with the principles of the Democratic party, and by this party he was nominated for the office of township clerk of Center township, Howard county, Ind., and although the Whigs had a large majority in the town ship, he was elected to the office. One year later, he was nominated for surveyor of Howard county, and, although making a good race, his opponent was elected to the office.
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