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 19
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Dr. Oliphant was born April 30, 1880, in Hendricks county, Indiana, moving to his present home when young. His grandfather, William Oli- phant, entered land from the government in Clinton county and was an early settler here. The Doctor is a son of Albert G. and Martha ( Richards) Oliphant. The father was born in Clinton county, in 1857, and here he grew to manhood. received such educational advantages as the early day schools afforded, and here resided until shortly before the birth of our subject when he removed to Hendricks county, afterwards returning here where he still makes his home. The Doctor's mother was born in 1857 in Hendricks county, this state, and she is still living. She was the second wife of Albert G. Oliphant. Of this union seven children have been born, five of whom are still living: Dr. H. N., of this review: Ora M., Herman
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E., John T., and Mary, Pearl and Ruby, twins, born in 1895, died young. The father of these children has devoted his life to general agricultural pur- suits. Politically he is a Democrat.
Dr. Oliphant grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked. when he became of proper age. He received a common school education in Forest township, also attended high school there. In 1901 he went to New York City and entered the Male Training School where he was graduated in 1903. after which he went to Chicago and entered the Illinois Medical College, which is the medical department of the Loyola University. Here he made an excellent record and was graduated with the class of 1908, dur- ing which time he spent one year in the work at the Illinois Medical IIos- pital. In June, 1908, he began the practice of his profession in Forest. Clinton county, and here he has remained to the present time, enjoying a large and growing practice. In June, 1908, he was on the honorary list of the Indiana Examination Registration Board of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr. Oliphant was married on June 6. 1908, to Florence K. Travis, of Janesville, Wisconsin, where she was born January 10, 1887. She is a daughter of William and Mary (Collier) Travis, both still living in Wis- consin, now retired, having spent their lives on a farm.
The union of the Doctor and wife has resulted in the birth of one child, H. N., Jr., who was born May 1, 1909.
Fraternally Doctor Oliphant belongs to the Masonic Order and the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, both at Forest. Politically he is a Demo- crat, and religiously he belongs to the Missionary Baptist church.
Dr. Oliphant is surgeon for the Clover Leaf Route, also the Indiana Light & Heat Company's railway, having been appointed on the electric line in 1912, and has been surgeon for the first named road ever since he came to Forest. He has given eminent satisfaction to both companies. He is a member of the Clinton County Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the National Medical Association. He is a member of the surgical clinic for the well known institute of the Mayo Bros. at Rochester, Minesota.
The Doctor enlisted for service in the Spanish- American war, in Com- pany C, One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in April. 1908, under Captain D. F. Allen. He soon rose from private to as- sistant commissary sergeant, regimental, under Commissary Sergeant H. G. Swope. The company was sent to Chickamauga Park, Georgia, where it remained until after the war, its services at the front not being required. Dr. Oliphant was honorably discharged on November 4, 1898, at Indian- apolis.
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J. B. CASEY.
In a country like Indiana the manufacture of draining tile is a large and important industry and gives employment to thousands of men, and innumer- able families are supported by reason of this industry. This state, it will be remembered, was originally a semi swamp, over, at least, a great part of its area, but the pioneers who settled here less than a century ago knew that as rich soil as could be found on the continent was lying beneath the shallow water. The problem which confronted them was to drain the land and get it ready for the seed. Thus in working out this problem enormous work has been performed and vast money expended, but the results have certainly been gratifying and warranted the outlay. Most of the farms in Clinton county have had to be tiled and the work is still going on. Colfax has become a tile manufacturing center. Perhaps no individual here has a more expert knowl- edge of the proper manufacture of draining tile than J. B. Casey, manager of the M. J. Lee Drain Tile Company.
Mr. Casey was born in Crawfordsville, Ind., some thirty-six years ago. He is a son of T. J. Casey, who was a pioneer brick manufacturer of Craw- fordsville. His family consisted of five children.
J. B. Casey grew to manhood in his native city and received his educa- tion there, attending the common schools and Wabash College. During the Spanish-American war he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. F. Alexander, and this regiment was mustered in and sent to Chickamauga Park, Tenn., where it camped, not being needed in Cuba, much to the regret of the regiment, which longed for active service against the Dons. Mr. Casey returned home with the regiment in the summer of 1898 and was discharged. He at once turned his attention to a business career, and, having learned the manufacture of tile as a boy under his father he quite naturally decided to continue in that field of en- deavor. He came to Colfax in 1902, and erected the tile plant mentioned above, and which he has since managed, and he has given every satisfaction in this connection, doing much to increase the efficiency and prestige of the same,
The Lee company has a large tile plant at Crawfordsville and New Rich- mond, Ind., also. Their plant in Colfax is adjacent to both the Vandalia and Big Four railways. M. J. Lee is president : HI. K. Lee, vice-president ; Neil Casey, secretary ; J. B. Casey, treasurer and manager. The Colfax plant was built in 1902, at a cost of seventy-two thousand dollars. It enjoys the dis- tinction of being the second largest tile factory in Indiana, and a very large
J. B. CASEY
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local business is carried on, and the products of the plant are shipped to all parts of the country. Fifty skilled employes are on the payroll all the year round. The size of the tile manufactured here is from four to thirty inches in diameter. Large contracts are taken by the Lees for county ditching in this and adjoining counties. All the machinery and appliances are modern and of the most approve! type, insuring high grade work and rapid service. The plant is a model in every particular and is one of the most important in- dustries in Colfax and this section of the state.
Mr. Casey is a member of the Sons of the American League, a charter member of the local post. He has remained unmarried. He is a good mixer among business men and stands high with all circles in which he chooses to move.
CLINTON E. ORR
It is encouraging to see enterprising and thinking young men like Clinton E. Orr remain in their native communities and engage in husbandry for it shows that that community is destined to be continuiously progressive and a good place in which to live.
Mr. Orr was born on April 15. 1872, in Forest township, Clinton county, and here he has been content to spend his life. He is a son of Nathan and Margaret (McCleland) Orr. The father was born January 29, 1838, in Ohio from which state he removed with his parents to Clinton county, Indiana, when a small boy and here he grew to manhood and received a meager educa- tion in the common schools, for those were pioneer times and he had to do a great deal of hard work on the home farm, which was new and not very well improved. He has devoted his life to farming, having cleared and improved the fine farm on which he lived and here he made a good income through his hard work and good management Politically. he is a Democrat, but has never tried to be a public man. He is now living in retirement in a pleasant ligne in the town of Scircleville. this state. His family consisted of six children, five of whom are still living, namely : Austin, Lorenzo, Eta, Alvin (deceased ). Clinton E. and Ella.
Clinton E. Orr grew up on the home place and there did his full share of the work when a boy. During the winter months he attended the neigh- boring schools.
On September 11. 1901, he was united in marriage to Mary Davis, who was born November 18, 1876 in Forest township, this county, and here she (35)
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grew to womanhood and received her education. A full sketch of the Davis family may be found in an article on Charles S. Davis, to be found chewhere in this volume, Mr. Davis being a brother to Mrs. Orr.
Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely : Mary Olive, born April 4, 1904 ; and Waldron, born June 29, 1907.
Mr. Orr has always been a farmer, never caring to follow any other busi- ness, and he has remained in his native township, as already indicated. He is the owner of eighty acres, all under cultivation, but about fifteen acres. It is well drained and otherwise well improved, and on it stands a good set of buildings, including a pleasant home. He makes a specialty of Jersey cows, a mixed breed of hogs and good draft horses ; also Rhode Island red chickens. He is succeeding well in all lines of general farming and stock raising.
Politically, Mr. Orr is a Republican, but he does not aspire to leadership in politics.
JOSEPIJ I. BURNS.
One of the most interesting men to spend an hour or so in conversa- tion with in Forest township, Clinton county, is Joseph I. Burns. He talks interestingly because he is a man of much experience and during his long life has been a spectator to many happenings out of the ordinary; and, further than that he possesses the happy faculty of being able to recall reminis- cences and tell of them in well chosen words. During his residence here of over a half century he has lived to see momentous changes in every re- spect and he has taken part in them. He ranked for many decades among the best known carpenters and builders in this section of the country, and he is now discharging in a commendable manner the duties of justice of the peace and those of secretary of the Forest Telephone Company. There is additional interest in setting forth his life record in this volume because of his care , as a soklier for the Union during the dark days of the sixties.
Mr. Burns was born September 19, 1842, in Hamilton county, O .. and there his carly boyhood days were spent, he having been nine years of age when he removed with the family to Clinton county in 1851, where he has resided continuously ever since with the exception of three years. He is a son of Peter and Nancy ( Ingersoll) Burns. The father was born February 13, 1818, in Hamilton county, O., and there also occurred the birth of the mother on December 25, 1817. The former died on May 16, 1874, and the death of the latter occurred on July 29, 1890. Peter Burns
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received a good education for the carly days in the Buckeye state and he was a school teacher for ten years, then turned his attention to general farming, which he followed the rest of his life. His family consisted of ten children, only four of whom are living at this writing, namely: Frances M. and Sarah Ann, both deceased: Joseph L., of this review : William .A. (dec. ). Elizabeth (dec. ), David. Lydia (dec. ), Mary Ellen (dec.), James . 1. and Emily 1.
Joseph I. Burns grew up on the home place, and, being the son of a pioneer he found plenty of hard work to do when a boy, consequently his early schooling was limited to about six months in a log school house, equipped with its usual puncheon floor, slab seats, greased paper for window panes, and open fire-place, but he has become a well informed man through contact with the world and by wide home reading.
Mr. Burns was married on October 29, 1865, to Lucy T. Lindle, who was born in Ripley county, Ind., December 13. 1841. She is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Carrick) Lindle. These parents were born, reared and married in England, and there they resided until after their first child was born, finally emigrating to America and locating in Ripley county. Thence they moved to Henry county, this state, when Mrs. Burns was five years old, and from there they removed to Clinton county in 1865. They spent their lives on a farm. Mrs. Burns received a common school educa- tion.
To Mr. and Mrs. Burns five children were born: Hannah E., born May 6, 1867, married H. W. Cochran, now residing in Forest, this county, taught school for several years: Lillian B., born September 20. 1869. mar- ried Payton Blanche, and they live in Warren township, this county; Anna E., born March 2, 1872, died July 29, 1873; Laura L., born March 11, 1874, died December 28. 1899; Samuel C., born December 2. 1877, followed teach- ing for fourteen years, married Maude E. Ogle, now engaged in merchan- dising in the village of Forest.
Joseph I. Burns learned the carpenter's trade when a young man and this he followed successfully for a period of thirty-three years, being known as one of the most skillful and conscientious workmen in Clinton county. and many buildings of all kinds stand in this locality as monuments to his art as a builder. He gave up his trade some eight years ago since which time he has been secretary of the Forest Telephone Company, which posi- tion he still holds. his long retention being sufficient evidence of his satis- factory service. He was elected justice of the peace of Forest township in 1906 and is still ably discharging the duties of this office, his decisions
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hing noted for their fairness to all concerned and for a clear interpretation of the law. He is also engaged in the real estate business under the firm name of Burns & Johnson. He owns a home in Forest and several lots. besides twenty-five acres in Forest township, all tillable and well improved in every way, with tile, fencing, etc. Ilis land is rented.
Mr. Burns has been a Mason for a period of forty-one years, being a charter member of the local lodge, the Star, of which he was secretary for a period of thirteen years. lle is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been financial secretary of the local lodge for a period of nineteen years; also a member of the Encampment and has been treas- urer of the latter. He is a member of the Rebekahs .. He was district deputy of this county for a period of eight years for the last named lodge. Polit- ically he is a loyal Democrat. He was township assessor in Johnson town- ship for a period of six years.
On August 5, 1862, Mr. Burns enlisted at Michigantown, Clinton county, in Company G, Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, called then the "Crazy Eighty-Sixth," under Captain Segar. Mr. Burns saw consid- erable hard service, being in many engagements, including Perryville, Frank- lin, Nashville, Chattanooga and many skirmishes. He was with the troops in Alabama and Florida. Falling sick he was brought north to Louisville. Ile was honorably discharged on June 6, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee.
ARTIE M. AVERY.
To be called a success when one is scarcely middle aged indicates that a man has managed well and worked hard, but that is the very thing that Artie M. Avery, for many years a well known farmer and stock man of Forest township, Clinton county, has attained to. Such a man is eminently entitled to mention in any history of his locality, and the biographer is therefore glad to pen the following brief line bearing on his personal record and that of his immediate family.
Mr. Avery was born on July 20, 1872, in Montgomery county, Indiana, but most of his life has been spent in Clinton county, whither he was brought when three years of age by his parents, Eli and Lou ( Wick ) Avery. The father was born in Howard county, this state, on December 7, 1845. and he died at Frankfort, Indiana, October 12, 1881. The mother of our subject was born on October 8, 1846, in Pennsylvania, and her death oc-
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curred on July 2, 1875. These parents received common school educations. Eli Avery made his home principally at Frankfort, where he was for many years a clerk in the county treasurer's office. He never engaged in farming. Politically he was a Democrat. His family consisted of two children, Arista, born September 16, 1867; and Artie M., of this sketch. Eli Avery was twice married, our subject being by his first wife. His second wife's maiden name was Sally Rivers, She was born in 1859, and is now living in Indianapolis. One child, Claude, born to them March 31, 1878, is now living in the town of Frankfort.
AArtie M. Avery received a common school education. On December 17, 1895, he married Dora Altic, who was a native of Michigan township. this county, the date of her birth being March 18, 1881. She is a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Cox) Altic. These parents are still living. making their home in Clinton county, engaged in farming near Frankfort. Mrs. Avery received a common school education in her native community.
Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Eva, born August 7, 1908; and Edward, whose birth occurred on June 24, 1912.
Mr. Avery has been engaged in general farming and stock raising prac- tically all his life in Forest township. Clinton county, where he works one hundred and ten acres of valuable and well improved land, owned by Thomas Avery, an uncle, who is now living retired in Forest. It is all till- able but about thirteen acres, which is in woods, and the land is well tiled. Mr. Avery makes a specialty of raising Jersey cows, Chester White and Duroc hogs and a general breed of horses.
Politically Mr. Avery is a Democrat.
JOHN CAPLINGER.
Nature's remedies and methods for curing the ills of man, beast or soil are always the best and most economical. Every farmer must sooner or later learn, if he would succeed, that simple lesson that wherever the nec- essary mineral elements of plant food are deficient, he must not only return them in their natural form, but must make them available for plant food by supplying organic matter in abundance. This was well understood at the outset of his farming career by John Caplinger, now living retired, after a successful life as a farmer, in his pleasant home in Forest township. Clinton county. In fact, he has always been a man who carefully noted
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things, and built up a splendid system of general farming which brought ample returns, enabling him to retire and spend his old age in quiet. He is one of our honored veterans of the great Civil war and a man who has done his full share in the work of general improvement in his community and county.
Mr. Caplinger was born on August 13. 1843, in Adams county, Ohio. and there he spent his boyhood years and received such educational ad- vantages as the old-time schools afforded. When twenty-six years old he arrived at Middle Fork. Clinton county, March 25, 1869. and he has con- tinued to reside in this county, engaging in general farming and stock raising and for a period of ten years operated a saw mill. He is a son of Moses and Martha (Dillon) Caplinger. The father was born in Highland county, Ohio, and he spent his life in that state, dying there on March 4, 1886, a highly re- spected citizen. The mother of our subject was born in Adams county, Ohio, and her death occurred on November 18, 1865. They spent their lives on a farm, and eight children were born to them: John. of this review: George, Susanna, Christopher and Cornelius, the others being deceased.
John Caplinger received a common school education and this has been supplemented in after years by extensive home reading and careful observa- tion. He often recalls with interest the scenes of the old log house which was the school room for the neighborhood.
John Caplinger has been thrice married, first, on October 24, 1866, to Frances E. Morrison, who was born in Adams county, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Baldwin) Morrison, both her parents being natives of that state, where they spent their lives on a farm. Our subject's first wife died on September 13, 1867, leaving one child, Frances E., who was born on July 7. 1867. She married John Chamblin, and they live in Ohio. On August 8, 1872, Mr. Caplinger married Laura E. Wright, who was born in Clinton county, Indiana. She is a daughter of Stanton and Martha ( Goodhart) Wright, both natives of Indiana. Our subject's second wife died April 16. 1874. Of this union one child was born-Martha E., whose birth occurred on May 8, 1873. She married James Beauchamp, of Kansas City, Missouri. In November, 1903. our subject was again married, his last wife being Mary Conover, who was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, May 2, 1844.
Mr. Caplinger began farming when a young man and this was his chief life work up to his retirement from active work some time ago, though he ran a saw mill for some time in Warren township.
Fraternally, Mr. Caplinger is a Mason, belonging to the Forest Blue
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lodge and the Commandery and Royal Arch at Frankfort. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religion belongs to the Universalist church. He was at one time constable of Warren township, also township assessor, filling these offices to the entire satisfaction of the people.
In 1864 Mr. Caplinger proved his patriotism to the government by en- listing for service in the Federal army at Cincinnati, Ohio, in Company G. One Hundred and Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. George Kountz, and although he saw some considerable service he was in but one battle, but that was a pretty hot one, that of Murphreysboro, Tennesee, dur- ing Hood's campaign, and was fought on December 7, 1864. In this our sub- ject was wounded by a minie ball which passed through his right shoukler. He was honorably discharged on June 2, 1865, at Jeffersonville, Indiana. 11e formerly belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic.
.ROBERT V. HEATON.
The world has realized more than ever during the past few years that the real source of progress is the farmer and his fields. Wall street and the stock markets, human subsistence, trades and vocations, education, and even our pleasures, depend solely on the agriculturist, and in turn the mechanical world has supplied him with contrivances for the economy of labor and in- creased production, so that the ever growing demands of the hungry millions may be satisfied. The farmer has responded nobly to this situation and has modernized himself to every possible extent, and to the degree that the pres- ent type cannot be called a "rube," but a highly cultivated and educated citizen, with knowledge and habits the same as his city brother. Such a man is Mr. Heaton, whom we write of in this sketch. He is a worthy and repre- sentative type.
Mr. Heaton was born February 28, 1854, in Michigan township, Clinton county, Indiana, and was the son of Alfred and Levici (Julian) Heaton. Alfred Ileaton was a native of the Hoosier state and he died in 1902. The mother was also born in Indiana. Both parents had a common school educa- tion, and the father followed farming all of his life, and was a Democrat. Six children were born to the union, namely: one infant, Alice, Hester .1., and Vesper, all deceased, and James and Robert, now living. Robert, our subject, received his elementary education in Michigan township.
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Mr. Heaton was married April 5, 18;6, to Elizabeth Becabout, who was born April 22, 1853, in Fayette county, Indiana, and was the daughter of Peter and An ( Parker ) Beeabout. Six children have been born to our sub- ject and wife, namely: Claudius; Eva; Angie married Orville Coy, who died June 7, 1912, leaving her with one child. Robert, both now living with our subject ; Ethel ( deceased), Erchel and Glenn (deceased).
Mr. Heaton has been a farmer all of his life in this county. He has now retired from active work, however, but still manages his eighty acres of fertile and well improved land. Besides general farming, he raises Jersey and a mixed breed of cows, Poland China hogs, and Plymouth Rock chickens.
Religiously, Mr. Heaton is a member of God's church, and in politics is a Prohibitionist.
JOHN A. IIARDING.
There are certain trades that possess an indefinable charm, and among them is that of blacksmithing. The smithy's shop in the small town is a place where children congregate and the politics of the day are discussed by their elders. The smithy is a man of prominence and his invariable good nature makes him a friend to all. This quality has been immortalized in poetry and song, and ever, especially to the younger generation, the forge and anvil and the "mighty man" above them will linger long in their memories. Clinton , county has her blacksmiths, among them John A. Harding, and about him we tell in this review.
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