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 17
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In 1858 he returned to Clinton county, and four years later, 1862, made the race for surveyor against James Downer; was elected by a handsome majority for the term of two years, and at the expiration of the term was elected a second time. In 1866 he was nominated by his party for the same office, but was defeated by one vote. Two years later, 1868, he was repre- sentative from Clinton county to the Indiana legislature, and served during the regular and special sessions of 1869. In 1870, he was elected common pleas judge, for the district of Boone and Clinton counties. He served the district in that capacity until the legislature abolished the court in 1873. A circuit court was then formed, composed of the counties of Boone and Clin- ton, and Judge Palmer was appointed by Governor Hendricks to preside over the court. At the special election in the fall of 1873 he was elected judge of this circuit.
Judge Palmer, during his useful career, gained many friends by reason of his strong character, and his official record was one of which to be proud. In every position of responsibility awarded him by his fellow citizens, he discharged his duty from conscientious principles and with impartial success. Ten children crowned the happiness of his married life-four boys and six girls. Judge Palmer was a member of the Baptist church, and was an active
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and loyal supporter of that denomination. On November 18, 1903, he was called to his rest, his wife having died in October, 1899.
Dr. R. F. Pahner, when only four years of age, was brought by his parents to Clinton county, where he received his early school training, and then began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. G. W. Brown, with whom he remained until attaining his majority. On February 22, 1877, lie was graduated from the Hospital College of Medicine, of Louisville, and immediately began the practice of medicine at Frankfort, where he has since continued in his profession.
Doctor Palmer was united in marriage on September 9, 1878, to Jose- phine Hillis at Michigantown, Ind. She was the daughter of James and Mary (Etherton) Hillis, of Jefferson county, Ind., where her birth occurred April 17, 1856.
On March 6, 1899, Dr. Palmer established the hospital in the city of Frankfort. The institution has been a distinct success ever since, and is one of the best equipped of its size in the state. The hospital accommodates eighteen patients, and twelve nurses are on duty by turns.
WILLIAM C. HENDRICKS.
William C. Hendricks is a young man who gives promise of attaining prominence in the journalistic circles of Clinton county, and should equal the record of his father, William G. Hendricks, who is well known as a capable printer and publisher. The Frankfort Daily News has earned the reputation of a progressive newspaper of metropolitan style, and it is through the efforts of Messrs. Hendricks, that the paper has been brought to its present excellent quality. The News is complete in every department, and is representative of the city of Frankfort, and county of Clinton.
William C. Hendricks was born in the city of Plymouth, Ind., on Janu- ary 15, 188y, the son of William G. and Emma (Westling) Hendricks.
William G. Hendricks was also born at Plymouth, Ind., November 26, 1863, and today is the eldest surviving son of George and Wilhelmina Hend- ricks. He received his early education in the Catholic parochial schools at Plymouth. In 1882 he learned to be a telegrapher, and his first position as suchi was with the Pennsylvania railroad in his home town of Plymouth. He next accepted a place with the Nickle Plate railroad at Hibbard, this state, and later became employed with the Texas and Pacific railroad at Dallas and Sweetwater, Texas. These positions occupied his time until 1888. In 1890
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he entered the newspaper field, purchasing a half interest in the Plymouth Republican. He sold this paper two years later and then removed to Indi- anapolis, where he conducted a job printing plant in 1898. In the latter year he returned to Plymouth, once more acquired the Plymouth Republican, which he sold to S. E. Boys in January, 1911. A short time afterward, he and his family moved to Logansport, and there he purchased a half interest in the Hendricks Brothers job printing plant. On January 2, 1912, he bought the Frankfort Daily News of Robert A. Brown.
William G. Hendricks was married to Emma Westling on June 11, 1884. She was the daughter of John and Louise Westling, of Inwood, Ind. Four children have been born to this union : Theresa, L. E., William C., Gertrude I. (deceased), and Cecil C.
William C. Hendricks received a good education in Plymouth, in the Catholic schools of that city. He graduated from the Plymouth high school with the class of 1907, and then took a position as city editor of the Plymouth Tribune, which position he held until January, 1911, when he obtained a place in the editorial department of the South Bend Times, one of the largest newspapers in the northern part of the state. He fulfilled the duties of this place with efficiency. until January, 1912, when he came to Frankfort, and went into partnership with his father in the management of the Frankfort Daily News. Clinton county is a progressive county, both commercially and socially. and consequently is a good field for the operation of a modern news- paper, which the News fills in every respect.
JOSIE A. WELLER.
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The efficient and popular principal of the Frankfort Business College, widely known in educational circles throughout northern Indiana, was born in Spencer county, Ky., where she received her preliminary intellectual train- ing. After completing the prescribed course of Taylorsville Academy, she entered the Normal School and Business College at Bowling Green, Ky., from which, in due time, she was graduated, the discipline there acquired being afterwards supplemented by a full course in the Northern Valparaiso University, at Valparaiso, from which institution she received her degree in the year 1911. In the meantime she taught seven years in the grade schools of Bowling Green, Ky .. three years in the high school of Tracy. Minnesota, in both of which places she earned an honorable record as an efficient and
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popular educator and stood high in the confidence and esteem of her pupils and the boards by which she was employed, as well as of the general public. llad she seen fit to continue in general school work, she doubtless would have attained distinctive prestige in the profession and become one of the leading teachers of the country.
The year in which she finished her course at Valparaiso, Miss Weller established at Frankfort the Business College of which she is still the execu- tive head and which under her able and judicious management has rapidly grown in numbers and influence until, as already indicated, it is now one of the most thoroughi and popular institutions of the kind in northern Indiana. The college opened with an attendance of thirty-four students which number has steadily increased with each recurring ycar until the several commodious departments are now taxed to their utmost capacity to accommodate the many young men and women cager to prepare themselves for the duties of life by acquiring a thorough practical training, such as the school imparts. The curriculum, which has been carefully devised and prepared, includes the branches usually taught in such institutions, such as penmanship, bookkeep- ing, banking, stenography, typewriting, etc., also a complete training in English, without a knowledge of which one's business education, however thorough in the main, must of necessity be sadly defective. Miss Weller is a southern woman in the broad sense of the term and fills a large place not only in the public eye of Frankfort and Clinton county, but also in the intellectual and moral life of the city in which she lives-she has realized the needs of the rising generation for something more than a mere mental dis- cipline and with strong brain and hand, well balanced judgment and superior academic and professional training, has supplied the demand most generously and unsparingly. Dozens of the graduates of her school are today filling positions of honor and trust in many institutions and lines of industry in various counties, cities and states and there come to her almost continuously a constantly growing demand for the services of those whom she has pre- pared for the exacting duties which await them in the great practical world of today. Being still in the prime of life and usefulness and at the head of an institution in which the citizens of Frankfort take a pardonable pride, she has before her a future of still greater achievement and honor and it is hoped by her numerous friends that her span of life may be lengthened many years in which to help and bless the world by her perseverance, activity and influence.
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VESPER B. HARDY.
It is a notable fact that most of the celebrated artists of history have not been men of elaborate school education. Indeed so conspicuous is this truth that metaphysicians have raised the question as to whether one born with the art instinct is fully qualified to grapple successfully with the stubborn rudiments and rules of the school books. Be that as it may, the subject of this review, Vesper Burton Hardy, gave carly manifestation of the tempera- mental qualities, and like his great prototype, James Whitcomb Riley, first gave vent to his talent in the more or less artistic profession of sign writing. In this calling he became quite an adept, bringing to bear upon its development all the resources of a rich and ardent mind. Later on the accurate reproduc- tion of nature by photography appealed to him, and he made choice of that for his life work. He is now the leading photographer of Frankfort and his reputation for artistic effects ext. nds far beyond the borders of Clinton county.
Mr. Hardy is now in the prime of life and full vigor of his powers, having been born at Michigantown, Ind., December II, 1868. He is the son of Charles O. and Lucy M. (Edwards) Hardy. His father was born in Jasper county, New York, in 1840, and at the age of twenty-five went from there to Clinton county, Ind. This was in 1865, just after the termination of his service in the Civil war with the Fifty-sixth New York Volunteers. He settled in Michigan township and followed the trade of cabinetmaking. In 1871, he went to Frankfort, and was there engaged ten years or more in stave factories. With his savings he bought a truck farm southeast of Frankfort, from which he derived a comfortable living and a margin for the rainy day. He is a Republican and a Baptist and a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and Grand Army of the Republic. In 1867, he married Lucy M. Edwards, who was born in 1843, daughter of William and Barbara (Harnsberger) Edwards. He was born in Kentucky in 1816 and she in Virginia in 1819. Both came to Michigan township, this county, she in 1828 and he in 1834. The families of hoth became large land holders and farmed all their lives. Mr. Edwards also taught school during the winter months. He died in 1896 and his wife in 1905.
The subject of this review, Vesper B. Hardy, received ample education in the common schools of Frankfort to meet the exactions of his business career, and takes special delight in supplementing the vocation of the studio with the pursuits of classic literature. He thus combines the best in literature with the art of his choice, and is consequently a man of exceptional cultiva-
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tion. He is well known and is very popular in the lodge circles of Frank- fort, being a member of the Odd Fellows, Elks, Knights of Pythias and a third degree Mason. He is independent in politics.
February 7, 1893, Mr. Hardy married Theresa A. Gangwer, who was born in Madison township, Clinton county. They have two children, Everett E. and Esther, both of whom are receiving all the advantages that the school- ing facilities of Frankfort can supply. The children are photographed at every stage of development by their father and by this series of interesting pictures one may see them growing to maturity. Incidentally, it may be said that the photographic work of Mr. Hardy has the finish, pose and accuracy that once characterized the renowned art photography of Morrison and Otto Sarony.
JAMES LINCOLN REBSTOCK.
James Lincoln Rebstock, at the present time is chief of the Frankfort fire department. The city as a whole attests to his capable leadership in this capacity, and an insight into his methods of work supply abundant proof that his success is due to a perfect system of fire fighting. As fire chief, Croker, of New York City, once said, it is not in putting out fires that effi- ciency is obtained, but in preventing them. So does Mr. Rebstock believe, and he is constantly taking measures and issuing warnings whereby a de- stroying blaze may not start. However, in case of fire, Mr. Rebstock knows exactly the campaign to be waged against it, governed by the character and extent of the fire. In all his services are indispensable to the city, and bar- ring political injustice, his services will be retained so long as he sees fit to "handle the job."
Mr. Rebstock was born May 19, 1865, in the city of Frankfort, Clinton county, and was the son of Amos Samuel and Esther (Kyger) Rebstock. Amos Rebstock came to Frankfort from the state of Ohio, starting a tan yard. He died at Seymour. Our subject's mother died when he was only si :. years of age. He then was taken and cared for by Charles P. Pence and wife until he was twenty-two, in the meantime obtaining a good common school education. In the year of 1887 he traveled to the state of Colorado, spending three years in Boulder county, working in a lime kiln. Cripple Creek was his next destination in 1891, where he located three claims, sell- ing them later at a handsome profit. He subsequently went to Idaho and Washington on prospecting trips, and then came back to Frankfort. He fol-
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lowed the vocation of the farmer for a period of three years, and also worked in the city. On February 14, 1909, he was appointed chief of the fire depart- ment, and under him the services of the city has improved wonderfully. An auto truck has also been added to the apparatus.
November 2, 1898, marked the date of his marriage to Maggie W. Hicks, a girl born in Illinois, later moving to Indiana. No children have been born to the union.
In political matters Mr. Rebstock is a Republican. In fraternal mat- ters, he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Loyal Order of Moose, Woodmen of the World, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Re- ligiously, Mr. Rebstock attends the Methodist Eposcipal church.
PETER DAVIS.
Among the sturdy and enterprising farmers and popular public officials of Perry township, Clinton county, is the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical review, whose life has been one of industry and strict ad- herence to honor :. le principles, which has resulted in gaining a comfortable living and at the same time winning the esteem of his fellow men.
Peter Davis, owner of Fairland Farm, and trustee of Perry township, having been elected to that office in 1908, is a descendant of an excellent old pioneer family of this county. He was born within a mile of where he now lives on December 9, 1868, and he has been content to spend his life in his- native community. He is a son of Joel Davis, now deceased, he having been a native of Ohio, and from which state he came to this township and county in an early day and became a leading farmer here. He grew up on a farm in Ross count. Ohio, and attended the old time schools there, equipped with slab seats, puncheon floor and greased paper for window panes. In early life he married Elizabeth Patton, who made him a good wife and helpmeet. She is still living, being now advanced in years. To Joel Davis and wife seven children were born, namely: Jesse, George, Jolın, Peter, Anna C., Sarah I., and Mary. The father of these children died at the age of sixty-nine years. Politically he was a Democrat and he belonged to the Christian church. His widow is also a faithful member of this church. He was one of the lead- ing members and most liberal supporters of the church in his neighborhood during his life time.
Peter Davis was reared on the home farm and there was taught to
PETER DAVIS
MRS. LEONA S. DAVIS, DECEASED
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work, how to rotate crops, raise live stock, etc. On March 20, 1891, he mar- ried Leona Stook, daughter of Ben and Margaret Stook, the father long since deceased. Mr. Davis' first wife died some fourteen years ago. By this union four children were born: Flossie B., a teacher of considerable local promi- hence ; Ruby M., a graduate of Marion College, has a good position in In- dianapolis ; Lena M., attending high school in Colfax, and Ferris Earl, now sixteen years old, attending high school.
Mr. Davis was first owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres and later bought the Isaac Goodnight farm. He now has a valuable and pro- ductive farm of two hundred and fifty acres, one of the best in Perry town- ship, and is carrying on general farming and stock raising on a large scale in a manner stamping him as among the leaders in this field of endeavor m the county. He has a large and well arranged home, in the midst of fine shade trees, with numerous outbuildings, and about his place is always to be seen an excellent grade of live stock of all kinds. No small part of his annual in- come is derived from this source, since he understands well the proper care of stock. He has one of the largest and best orchards in the township, noted for its fine fruit of all kinds. He has become well established through his long years of good management and persistent work, and is now surrounded by all the comforts of life.
Politically, Mr. Davis is a Democrat and is influential in public affairs locally. He has been a frequent delegate to county and state conventions. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator at Colfax. He is a jovial, well in- formed man, a od mixer and generally popular throughout the county.
OLIVER C. UNGER
The raising and marketing of the pure bred hog is a growing industry in Indiana. There are many successful breeders in Clinton county. The man who, a half century or more ago, had the hog market here was the man who could raise his stock mainly without feeding corn. Many who formerly owned large timber land acreage. bought up a herd of half breed hogs in the fall and turned them "on the range" to keep alive on the mast and other nature's wild products during the winter, finishing them on a sparse feeding of wheat middlings or corn in the spring, have quit this practice entirely. Successful hog raisers in this part of Indiana-Clinton county and vicinity -- follow the scientific methods of feeding and fattening hogs. They have pure (34)
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bred hogs in the main. Oliver C. Unger, of Forest township, a widely known breeder of Durocs and other breeds of hogs, is one of the most successful hog men of this part of the state and cashes in to the extent of several thousand dollars annually from his operations. He has done more, no doubt, than any other man in the county to encourage modern methods in stock raising and in sticking to well bred hogs. The influence of such a man to the good of a community can not be easily estimated.
Mr. Unger was born May 17, 1872 in Warren township, this county. He is a son of George W. and Elvira (Magart) Unger. The father was born May 28, 1825. in Morgan county, West Virginia, and he moved to Springfield, O., in 1834, and lived there three years, later removing first to Carroll county and then to Clinton county, Indiana, where he became well established on a farm and soon ranked as one of our leading citizens. A fuller history of the Ungers will be found on another page of this work. Suffice it to say here that the progenitors of our subject were people of ster- ling worth and did much for the communities in which they settled.
Oliver C. Unger grew to manhood on the home farm and there did his full share of work during crop seasons, attending the public schools during the winter months. He also attended the State Normal for awhile, and was a student at the Valparaiso University.
Mr. Unger has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was wedded September 16, 1893, was Margaret .1. Lucas, who was born in Boone county, Indiana, March 9, 1875. She was a daughter of Purdine and Martha (Canada) Lucas. Her death occurred on October 29, 1901. Three children were born to this union, namely: Nellie Hazel, born July 14, 1894, now at home : Carrie Canada, born September 22, 1896, and Manson Henry Martin, born December 14. 1898. On April 15, 1903. Mr. Unger married Grace Cleaver, who was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, March 29. 1877. She is a daughter of William and Rowena ( Payne) Clever. The father was born in Tippecanoe county, March 20, 1840; he has devoted his life to farming and is now living in Carroll county, this state. The mother of Mrs. Unger was born in Rossville. Clinton county, December 18, 1847, and she, too, is still living. William Cleaver was a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in Company G. Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, September 19, 1861, and was honorably discharged for disability in 1862, afterwards re-enlisting in the One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served six months, until the close of the war.
Mr. Unger's present wife received a good education in the common schools and Valparaiso University. She studied music in which she is
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specially talented, and successfully taught the piano for a period of eight year. One child of the second union, Harold DeVon, was born on Septem- ber 4, 1908.
Mr. Unger has devoted himself to farming nearly all his life, but the live stock business has claimed the major part of his attention for many years, he having been largely engaged in the hog breeding and raising business for seventeen years. He owns seventy-five acres of valuable land, all tillable, but about five acres, which is timbered. The place is well tiled and on it is to be seen a comfortable home and splendid set of outbuildings. He has made most of the improvements now to be seen on his place. He is one of the most influential stock men in central Indiana. He is a member of the Live Stock Association of Indiana, of the American Duroc Jersey Record Associa- tion, and the Howard County Fair Association. He is the oldest breeder of Duroc-Jersey hogs in Clinton county, having been in this business since 1896, and has made a pronounced success of the undertaking. He has an extensive trade, finding a very ready market for his hogs not only in this county but in remote parts of the country. He raises a general breed of cows, keeps a good general breed of horses and has started several horses of his own on the Frankfort fair grounds.
Mr. Unger is a member of the Indiana Corn Growers Association, and in this as well as the other associations of which he is a member, he is active and influential. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Middle Fork, and of the Order of Eastern Star at Russiaville. Religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, he is faithful in his support of the Democratic party.
Persona y, Mr. Unger is a genial gentleman and a good mixer, and has a host of friends wherever he is known, not only because of his pleasing address but because of his honorable business methods.
JOSEPII E. FICKLE.
Farmers come nearer being their own business masters than any other class of workers. It takes considerable capital these days to go into farming. but a farmer does not need so much land as he has been taught he should have. Where one hundred and sixty acres has been considered a necessity for a good farm, forty aeres will soon be regarded as plenty ; and for some kinds of crops ten acres is all a man can properly care for. Intensive culti-
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vation with modern methods makes a successful farm out of few acres of land. Ownership and proper development of even a few acres will amply provide for the unproductive period in the lives of farmers.
One of the men of Washington township. Clinton county, who has clearly demonstrated his ability to successfully manage either a few or many acres is Joseph E. Fickle, owner of "Clover Leaf Farm." He was born in Madison township. February 4, 1872. He is a son of William Fickle, for many years one of the prominent citizens of that township, who was called to his eternal rest on March 25, 1913. He was born in Ross township, Clinton county, in 1839. He was a son of Isaac Fickle, who moved from Ohio in 1832 io Clinton county, and was therefore one of the early settlers here, and from that time to the present the family has been influential and well known in this locality. William Fickle grew up on the old homestead which he helped clear and develop. He received his education in the old log school house in his district. Isaac Fickle was a native of Butler county, O. His family consisted of the following children: Joseph, Isaac, Hugh, John and William. The death of Isaac Fickle, Sr., occurred in 1889 at the age of seventy-six years.
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