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 20
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John Harding was born December 31, 1855. in Kirklin county, Indiana. He was the son of Samuel and Delilah (Thompson) Harding, natives of Ohio. Samuel Harding was born in Union county, Indiana, August 25, 1833. and in 1846 moved to Clinton county. He gained a common school education and after leaving the schoolroom he took up the trade of blacksmithing in Kirklin, an occupation he followed nearly all of his life, shoeing horses until after he was seventy-five years of age. Twelve children made up his family. They were: John, Robert (dec.), Orlando C., Kate R., Lily L. (dec. ). O. T. (dec. ), Minnie (dec. ), Frank S. and Pearl ; remainder not named. having died in infancy.
John Harding attended the public schools in Kirklin during bis boyhood days, and spent his time otherwise learning the trade he was to follow from his father.
Mr. Harding was married September 29, 1882, to Emma Mckay, the
MR. AND MRS. J. A. HARDING.
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daughter of James and Margaret ( Mart ) Mckay, and born in Clinton county. Ohio, December 9, 1860. Her father died when she was but a baby ,and the mother is cared for part of the time now in John Harding's home in Kirk- lin. Mrs. Harding received a common school education, and is the mother of three children: John G., born June, 1883: Fanny L., married to George Kutz, a Kirklin druggist, and Anna L.
John Harding has always followed the blacksmithing trade. He began with just a small shop and now owns a large and completely equipped place, also a two-story brick factory where he has the latest machinery installed for the making of buggies, farm wagons and implements of use to the farmer. He also paints buggies and does much rabler tiring. Mr. Harding has, in the course of his studies in his chosen trade, invented a patent storm top for buggies and automobiles. He has obtained a patent on his contrivance and sells a number to Clinton county people.
Mr. Harding belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men at Kirklin, and also is affiliated with the Masonic order. He is a loyal member of the Presbyterian church and is one of their strongest supporters. Politically, he believes in the principles of the Democratic party.
MONROE C. SH.AV
Monroe C. Shaw was born in Clinton county, July 22, 1872, and died September 24, 1911. His life occupation was that of a farmer, his home- stead consisting of ninety-five acres, all tillable except ten acres of woodland. A feature of the Shaw farm is that all its improvements were built by the owner. Besides tilling the soil, Mr. Shaw made of his place one of the finest stock farms in the state. Here he raised principally Shorthorn cattle. fine breeds of hogs and general purpose horses. His reputation as a stock raiser was not confined to Indiana, but extended throughout Ohio and Illinois. The Shaw farm is one of the well known and attractive centers of Clinton county, people going there from near and far for the purchase of blooded horses, cattle and hogs. It has contributed very largely to the fame of Clinton county and the state of Indiana as suitable regions for raising stock of the first quality.
The subject of this sketch was the son of James C. and Margaret ( Fritz ) Shaw. His father was born near Rockford, Surry County, N. C., Jan. 31, 1828, and died at his home near Russiaville, Ind .. April 8, 1901, aged 72
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years. The mother of Mr. Shaw was born near Westmoreland. Somer-et County, Pan Ang. 12. 1838, and died near Russiaville, Ind., in March, 1900. She was a devoted wife and mother and active member of the Baptist church. She was united in marriage October 10, 1865. to James C. Shaw, who was then at home after three years' service in the civil war. This was Mr. Shaw's second marriage. To him and his first wife were born five children, as follows: William, John, Joseph, James and Catherine, and the children born of the second marriage were Christian, Monroe C., Howard, Maggie and Letitia.
March 8, 1896, Monroe C. Shaw married Rosa IJ. Bryan, who was born in Warsaw, Indiana, June 20, 1873, the daughter of James and Barbara ( Breeding ) Bryan. To them have been born three children, two of whom are living: Irene V., born December 1, 1896, and Beulah Lorea, horn De- cember 25, 1907. Mrs. Shaw's father was a farmer and served in the 47th Ohio Infantry one year. She is the youngest of a family of six children, five of whom are living. The names of the others are Perry J., Lester J .. Acy .A., James and Catherine ( dec. ) Her mother was born in Virginia January 1, 1838, and died July 16, 1901.
Monroe C. Shaw affiliated with the Baptist church and was a Repub- lican in politics. It may be truly said of him that he lived and died in the realization of the Christian faith that lifts men above the friction of life and provides them a sphere of congenial and happy activity. In politics Mr. Shaw was no less ardent and active than in the discharge of his religious duties. To him the Republican party was something of an idealism, and he referred to its achievements in the cause of constitutional government and the liberty of the people with the utmost reverence and enthusiasm. Fidelity was a very marked trait with him. He was a true man in all the relations of life.
BERT KERN.
The life history of the subject of this sketch is such as to warrant praise and commendation. By honest dealings and hearty co-operation with his fellow men Mr. Kern has guaranteed a comfortable living to himself the rest of his days on earth. The man is indeed fortunate who has done so. Besides his interests in agriculture, Mr. Kern has been versatile enough to make a success of other vocations, at present being connected with one of the largest interurban systems in the United States.
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Bert Kern was born in Jackson township, Clinton county, on December 28, 1867, and was the son of A. D. and Sarah ( Young) Kern. The father was born in the year isto in Boone county and lives in Clinton county with our subject. During h's life he was a farmer and breeder of shorthorn cat- tle. Ile still is active in the interests of the farm. The mother was born in Clinton county in 1843, and she passed from this life on February 18, 1910. Both parents 1 1 a common school education. Four children were born to them: Edward ( deceased), D. S., Bert and Charles.
Bert Kern received a common school education nad made his early start on the farm. Until 2003 agriculture was the field of his endeavors, and then he went to work for the Indiana Traction Railway, holding the position of sub-station operator. He was later promoted to sub-station foreman, and as such he still is making good. He owns twenty-six acre, of fertile and well tiled land here in this county, and besides general farming thereon he is rais- ing Chester White hogs. The home on the estate was built by our subject.
On October 27, 1888, he was married to Minnie B. Davidson, who was born December 12, 1870, the daughter of William and Lucinda ( Price) Dav- idson. One child has been born to them, Alta B., born January 3, 1890. She married Carl Hutchinson, and they live near our subject.
Religiously, Mr. Kern is a member of the Christian church, and in political affairs is a Democrat. Although he has never run for office he takes as much part in political activities as his other duties, which he considers paramount, will allow.
WILLIAM S. RIDNOUR.
Success has come to William S. Ridnour, undertaker and funeral direc- tor, of the village of Forest, Clinton county, because he has worked for it along legitimate and well established lines, and at the same time has dealt honestly and conscientiously with his fellow men. He has always manifested an abiding interest in the general welfare of this community and his support could always be depended upon in furthering any landable undertaking for the public weal. He. therefore, enjoys the good will and respect of a wide acquaintance.
Mr. Ridnour was born May 3, 1872, in Russiaville, Howard county, In- diana. Ile is a son of Adam and Sarah ( Wilson ) Ridnour. The father was born July 5. 1846, in Tennessee, and there he grew to manhood, working hard
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when a boy to get a start in the world. He remained in his native locality until after his marriage, when he removed to Indiana, locating the future home of the family in Howard county. His death occurred on September 17. 1911. The mother of our subject was born in Knox county, Tennessee, May 18, 1844, and her death occurred on October 19. 1911. Adam Ridnour de- voted his life to general farming and stock raising and to the buying and selling of live stock, making that a business for many years. He raised Hereford and shorthorn cattle, Poland-China hogs and later Chester White hogs, and a great many mules. Politically. he was a Republican. He en- listed for service in the Civil war when only fifteen years of age. in 1862, in a Tennessee regiment, and served three years as gallantly as the older veterans of the army.
Six children were born to Adam Ridnour, four of whom are still living. namely: Mrs. Emma Jordan, Mrs. Della Fitzer, William S., of this sketch. and Grant, the latter two being twins. Alice and Isaac W. are deceased.
William S. Ridnour received a common school education in the schools of Howard county, Indiana, and during the summer months he worked on his father's farm. On April 7. 1895. he married Alona Blair, a native of Decatur county, Indiana, the date of her birth being May 4. 1876. She is a daughter of Leonard B. and Elizabeth ( Parkeson) Blair, both natives of Decatur county and both now deceased, the mother passing away when Mrs. Ridnour was young. Mr. Blair engaged in farming all his life. Mrs. Rid- nour grew to womanhood in her native locality and received a common school education.
Three children, only one of whom survive, have been born to our sub- ject and wife, namely: Fern Madilene, born September 3. 1896. died in March, 1898: Arthur W., born December 15, 1898, died November, 1911. having been killed by a playmate with a rifle: Adam Omar, born February 21. 1904. now in school.
Mr. Ridnour moved to Clinton county in February, 1906, to make his permanent home, but has traveled for four years, sightseeing. first in the northern states and Canada, and later in Iowa, the Middle West, and other sections. He lived on a farm in Clinton county thirteen years all tokl, and he still owns a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres, all tillable but about five acres. It is well improved in every respect and has a good set of buildings. He keeps his place rented. While engaged in general farming he raised black cattle and shorthorns. the O. T. C. hogs and draft horses. 1Ic moved to the town of Forest in January. 1912, and went into the furniture
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and undertaking busmess, in partnership with a Mr. Lowery, under the firm name of Lowery & Company. He bought out his partner in July, 1912, and is now engaged in the furniture business alone ,although he has a partner in the undertaking business. W. L. Stout, the firm being Ridnour & Stout. He has built up a growing business in both lines of endeavor, keeping a large and carefully selected stock of furniture and is well equipped as an undertaker. He lives in a pleasant home in Forest.
Mr. Ridnour is a Republican in politics, and fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Forest. He made the race for sheriff of Clinton county in 1910, but was defeated. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
GEORGE 1. AUBLE, JR.
Not everyone is capable of making a successful newspaper man. It is true that thousands of young men just out of school take up the work be- cause it requires no special college course to get ready and all the implements necessary are a sharpened pencil and a pad of note paper; but these same thousands soon drop out and turn their attention to something else. Why ? Not because the work is not fascinating or renminerative, but because a suc- cessful journalist is, in a measure, like the poet, born-especially gifted by nature. That does not mean that he is wiser than the average professional man, that he is a seer, a philosopher or genius, but that he has a peculiar fit- ness for this line of human endeavor. One of the men in Clinton county who was undoubtedly marked by mother nature for this vocation is Georg A. Anble, Jr., editor and publisher of the Forest Weekly News, one of the in- fluential newspapers of this locality.
Mr. Auble was born March 5. 1889, near Las Vegas, New Mexico, and is therefore yet only a young man, but nevertheless a successful newspaper publisher. He is a son of George A. and Emma S. ( Nettinger) Auble. The father was born October 9. 1864. in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the mother March 29. 1865, at Geneseo. Illinois. She is a graduate of Ottawa, Illinois, high school, class of 1885. The father has been a successful implement dealer for nearly twenty years, and he was engaged in railroading for a period of seven years in the West. His family consisted of ten children: George .\., Jr .. Robert N .. Ruth (deceased). Frank IL., Sydney, Mary (deceased), Woodard, Muriel. Fred and Mildred.
George A. Auble, Jr., spent his early boyhood in the West, and in 1894
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removed with his parents to Forest. Clinton county, where he attended school, being grdanated from the common schools here in 1904, and from the high school in 1907. He attended Frankfort high school two years, being graduated from that institution in 1909, after which he attended the Univer- sity of Indiana at Bloomington for a while.
Mr. Auble was married on December 24. 1910, to Grace Robinson, who was born in Geetingsville. Clinton county, April rt. 1801. She was a dangh- ter of William A. and Dean ( Beck ) Robinson, an excellent old family of this locality, where they have spent their lives on a farm. Mrs. Auble was edu- cated in the common schools of her community and at the high school in Frankfort. She was called to her eternal rest on December 18. 101. without issue. S. . was a young lady of many winning characteristics, and a favorite in her home community.
After leaving school Mr. Auble engaged in the implement business for some time in Forest with his father. Later he purchased the Forest Weekly News, of which he has since been editor and publisher. He has also been successfully engaged as an electrical contractor for some time, being a skilled electrician. He has made his paper a bright and newsy sheet, which goes into many homes in this vicinity. Its subscription list is constantly growing and from a mechanical standpoint it is all that could be desired and ranks well with the weekly papers of the state.
Politically, Mr. Auble is independent, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Forest, also the Modern Woodmen here. He is a member of the Baptist church, being superintendent of the Sunday school and is an earnest and influential worker in the church.
WILLIAM H. KESTERSON.
One of Cli ton county's most substantial and highly respected farmers is William H. Kesterson, now living retired at his picturesque home in Jef- ferson township, after a long life of close work and excellent management on the farm, his place there being one of the choice and valuable farms of that section of the county. His residence of a score of years here has been such as to bring to him the good will and esteem of his neighbors, for he has not only been industrious but public spirited and honorable in his dealings with his fellow men. His record in Tippecanoe county, where he lived for some time, is equally good. Prior to that he lived in Hamilton county, where he
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was born on January 7, 18446. but left there when a boy for Tippecanoe county, where he remained until about twenty years ago. He also lived in lowa a few years when a boy, also in Illinois.
Mr. Kesterson is a son of Thomas and Susan ( Norwood ) Kesterson. The father was a native of Tennessee, from which state he came to Hamilton county. Indiana, when a young man and there married. The mother of our subject was born in Hamilton county, this state. These parents spent the lives on a farm, and were honest. hard working people. Six children were born to them, four of whom are still living. Thomas Kesterson was twice married. His children were named Mary E., who is now deceased : Spicy A .. George. William IL .. our subject : Lonsina ( deceased), and Delphina.
William H. Kesterson grew to manhood on the home farm and he re- ceived a good common school education, mostly in Tippecanoe county and partly in Iowa, where he lived for four years. At Lafayette, in the fall of 1864. he enlisted as a recruit in the Seventy-second Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, Company E, mounted infantry, under Captain Mahon, and although he saw considerable service he was in no very important engagements. He was with the troops in Alabama and Georgia, going as far as the city of Macon.
Mr. Kesterson was married on November 12, 1858. to Lillian Douglas. who was born on October 9, 1858. in Clinton county, Indiana. She is a daughter of Morland and Jane (Craig) Douglas, both natives of Ireland, where they spent their earlier years, emigrating to America in an early day and here became well established through their industry. Mrs. Kesterson grew to womanhood in Clinton county and here received a common schoo' education
Seven children have been born to our subject and wife, namely : Thomas, born November 23, 1869: Van, born January 31, 1871. (deceased) ; Anna J., born June 27, 1872: Frank, born December 1. 1874: Mattie, born March 6, 1878: George S., born February 6, 1880; ITerman, born March 28, 1882.
Mr. Kesterson began farming when a young man and made this his life work. He owned a finely improved and productive place of three hnudred and twenty-four acres, all tillable but about twenty acres, which is in timber. It is well tiled and otherwise well improved and is one of the best farms of Jack- son township. He carried on general farming on a large scale, and is still engaged somewhat in stock raising, formerly specializing in shorthorn cattle, and now he makes a specialty of Red Poll cows, Jersey hogs, Shire and Clydesdale horses. He understands well the handling of all kinds of live
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stock and no small part of his competency has been obtained in this manner.
Ile is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, is a Progressive in politics, leaning to the Republican party, however. Religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Our subject's son, George S. Kesterson, enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war on September 18, 1899, at Frankfort in Company 1, Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain William 11. Col- lier. Ile was sent to St. Louis, where the company remained until October 20th of that year, then went by rail to San Francisco, leaving that city in November on a transport to Philippine Islands, by way of Honolulu, landing in the city of Manila in December, 1899. From there the company was sent to Datangus, where it did guard duty, having a few skirmishes and remaining there until 1900. Then they were sent to Iloilo, remaining there until 1901 on guard duty, and having several skirmishes. These troops were then ordered to San Francisco and were mustered out on June 30, 1901. in that city. Young Kesterson's experiences abroad were of much value to him and he talks interestingly of them.
DAVID L. MABBITT.
Some people forget that a worn soil is a hungry soil-a soil whose breathing is difficult because its organic matter is exhausted, and whose natural mineral clements of plant food have been depleted by constant crop- ping-a soil that does not furnish a suitable home for the manufacturing bacteria-a soil that constantly pleads through its stunted, scrawny, half- nourished plant growth, for material with which to satisfy its hunger. One hundred bushels per acre crops are never grown on such soil, and a resort to stimulants in the form of so-called "complete fertilizers" only hasten land ruin. One of the progressive farmers of Jackson township, Clinton county. who has long understood fully the above facts and who has thus avoided wearing out his soil and has kept it as strong as when it was in its virgin state by proper rotation of crops, the application of proper natural and arti- ficial fertilizer and other well established methods is David L. Mabbitt, who is at present trustee of his township.
Mr. Mabbitt was born on May 21, 1862, in Owen township, this county. Ile is a son of W. L. and Catherine ( Long) Mabbitt. The father was born on April 8, 1829, in Union county, Indiana, and his death occurred on De-
MR. AND MRS. D. L. MABBITT
cember 13. 911. The mother and BomenD. when 12 18. 2. i metlen www. Ohio, and she was three your old when her parent- brought ber to Chaton county in 1835. being thu ong the tet settler Fire William Mabbin. material grandfather founded, som Nului in 199 from which state be removed to North Carolina and from there to I'nion county, Indiana in 1815. His death accured in Bize in Clinton county on the old Mabbit homestead. He was fine type of the rugged honest pine The came to Indiana on her-druck and entered land from the government when this country was still a territory. Grandfather Long was born in 1792, and Grandmother Long was born in Virginia in 1806.
W. I. Mablitt, father of our salir 1. was rened ander pioneer rendi- tions and helped develop the heap far from the wilderness The mureded school only . e month. but could read and write, and was a self-made man. He followed farming all his life. He was a Democrat in politics, but with never a candidate for office. He joined the Masonic Order in 1850, being a charter member of Middle Fork and Wild Cat lodges. His family consisted of nine children, only two of whom are now living. These were: Mrs. Martha Brown (dec. ), Warren ( dec. ). George W., killed by lightning; Eliza (dec. ), Mrs. Lucinda Plott and David L., of this review, the only two living at this writing ; Mrs. Emma Bronson (dec. ), Charles and Frank also deceased.
David L. Mabbitt grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked during crop seasons. He had excellent educational advantages, having at- tended the common schools in his home community and, later, Purdue Uni- versity at Lafayette, Ind. After leaving school he engaged in the milling business for several years in Sedalia, this county, and built up a good trade, later trading his mill for a farm in Jackson township in 1890. Thither he moved soon after, and here he has continued to reside to the present time with the exception of one year spent in Frankfort and two years in Sedalia. He has been very successful as a general farmer, paying special attention to stock feeding, ranking among the leading feeders in the county for many years, preparing annually large numbers of cattle and hogs for the market. He owns one hundred and seventy-three acres of valuable and well improved land, all tillable but about thirty acres, which is in woods. The place is well tiled and on it stand an excellent set of buildings. These improvements were made by Mr. Mabbitt himself. He has one of the most attractive rural homes in the county. He raises Jersey cows, Poland-China and mixed breeds of hogs: horses, mostly Norman and Percheron, and Plymouth Rock chickens. Mr. Mabbitt was married on December 24, 1885. to Laura A. Wilson, who was born in Clinton county. September 15, 1865. She is a daughter of
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William B. and Nancy ( Tinkle ) Wilson. Mrs. Mabbitt's Grandfather Wil- son came to Clinton county in an carly day. Her father, who is still living, has always been a carpenter. He is a native of this county.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were the parents of four children: George. Joseph, Dora and Laura A., wife of our subject. Mrs. Wilson was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wilson belonged to the I. O. O. F. and the Red Men. He has been a justice of the peace, and in politics is a Democrat.
The union of our subject and wife has resulted in the birth of fom chil- dren: Catherine A .. born September 14, 1887, married Earl Jackson. They live on a farm in Jackson township, and have two children, Edward and Lonis D. Louis D., our subject's second child, was born on July 25, 1800. ad in October, 1912, he married Catherine Tapkin. They live on the farm with our subject. Claude M. was born February 8, 1893, and died December 27. 1903; Ethel M., the youngest of the family, was born on September 2, 1898, and is now attending school.
Fraternally Mr. Mabbitt is a member of the Masonic Order, Frankfort Lodge, No. 54, also the Improved Order of Red Men, Woodmen of the World, and the Modern Woodmen, all of Frankfort. He is a member of the United Brethren church, and politically he is a Democrat, and has long been more or less active in local party affairs. He was appointed to the office of trustee of Jackson township in January, 1913, and is discharging the duties of this office in a highly satisfactory manner to the people.
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