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 25
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and Pottawatomie Indians. James Mundell died long before his wife, leaving this life in 1855. This life was consistent with the full-blooded race he sprung from. Always a farmer, and an old-time Democrat, he succeeded in life de- spite the handicap of a poor education. There were no schools in Kentucky at that time, and the intelligence acquired by children had to come from the par- ents. The practical quality of such training had its value, and is now the ideal sought by modern educational theorists. There were five children in the family. George Mundell being the first. The others were: Isaiah, born May 28, 1850, died March, 1903; Elijah, born October 9, 1851 ; Benjamin, born April. 1853, and Joseph (dec.). All of the children lived to have families of their own.
Something of the strenuous training of the parents was imparted to George Mundell, but he had the advantage of a common school education, and a period of attendance in the Frankfort high school. On the fifteenth day of October, 1873, Mr. Mundell was married to Mary A. Hodge. She was born in Jackson township, Clinton county, August 17, 1852, of Scottish parentage. She was the daughter of James and Mary (Sims) Hodge. Both the father and mother were born in Scotland and were married there. having two chil- dren. The parents came to Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1836 and later settled in Clinton county. Mary Hodge was one of a family of ten children, four of whom are still living. Mary Hodge was educated in the common schools. To George Mundell and wife have been born eight children, namely: James Austin, born July 11, 1874, died May 10, 1881 ; Pearl R., born February 13, 1876; Flora Alice, born March 2, 1878, died April 9, 1879; Walter E., born October 5, 1881 ; Minnie May, born August 30, 1883 ; Robert R., born August 1, 1885; Lilas A., horn October 20, 1889, and Lenora, born March 2, 1892, clied July 15, 1897.
Mr. Mundell partially abandoned farming for a period of five years and taught school in Clinton county. His endeavors in the educational world were not limited to the public schools, for he has always been a worker in the Christian church. Mr. Mundell was a trustee and teacher in the Sunday school for thirty-one years. Such a record is enviable. Mr. Mundell also is a car- penter and he has followed this trade for many years. When Mr. Mundell moved to his present farm of sixty acres, he built his own home. The place is not too pretentious, but is comfortable and adequately fitted for an enjoyable and interesting life. Mr. Mundell now gives most of his time to general farm- ing, his land being very fertile and easily worked.
Fraternally, Mr. Mundell is a stanch member of the I. O. O. F. and is also affiliated with the Masons. Politically, he is a Democrat.
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ROBERT 11. IRWIN.
The statement is often made that invariably the Indiana farmer is pros- perous, and that his city brother is variably so. There is a reason for this seem- ing paradox, and it lies in the nature of the work in the rural, compared to the work in the urban community. In the former, the man progresses slowly, surely, and making every ounce of energy count for his profit. The life is slower, but not sluggish, and has a sure ultimate end. The latter type of man progresses by starts and bounds, short investments, devious business channels, a success and a failure all in a day, and nothing certain. The race resembles the fable of the tortoise and the hare. Perhaps one of the most typical of the "sons of the soil" is Robert H. Irwin, of Clinton county, Jackson township.
Mr. Irwin was born April 1, 1852, in the county in which he now lives. He was the son of Allen and Rosana (Gray) Irwin. Allen Irwin was a native of Ross county, O., where he was born on July 4, 1821. He moved to Indiana when he was still a boy and lived there until his death in 1887. Mont- gomery county was the first place Mr. Irwin settled when he came from the Buckeye state. While there he played a prominent part in the political game of the county, being a justice of the peace for eight years. He preferred the Re- publican political principles consistently. In his later life, Mr. Irwin culti- vatd his very excellent farm in Jackson township. Rosana Irwin, the mother, was born in Indiana in the year 1821, and died in 1865. Like her husband. she received a common school education. To them were born seven children, of whom Robert was the fourth. The others were : Sarah M., Albert (dec.). Julia (dec.), Joseph (dec.), Mary (dec.), and Percy (dec.).
Robert H. Irwin had a good common school education, beside two years spent in the academy at Frankfort, Ind. On December 25, 1874, he was mar- ried to Isabelle Douglas of Ohio, but she died in the autumn of 1883. Two children were born to them, both of whom are now dead. They were Mabel O. and Anna. B. On the fifteenth day of December, 1887, Mr. Irwin married the second time, to Mary M. Hoover, an Indiana girl. She was born March 15. 1854, the daughter of Enos and Ruhama ( Shaw) Hoover. She received her education and lived her early years in the city of Frankfort: By this second marriage. Mr. Irwin has two children: Clarence, born 1889, died 1890, and Ralph H., born 1891.
Besides his agricultural work, Mr. Irwin has taught in the schools of Clinton county. At the time of his second marriage he discontinued this work and devoted all of his time to the two hundred and forty acres he owns in Jackson township. This land is of the most excellent quality. The place has
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been well tiled by the owner and is in perfect condition, and a model estate to view. Mr. Irwin has a pretty and commodious house and there he has lived since 1882.
Mr. Irwin has been an indefatigable church worker all of his life. At present he is a member of the Presbyterian church which he attends regularly. For several years he was a deacon of the same institution.
AMOS E. BARNETT.
The subject of this sketch is a representative farmer and business man of Jackson township, Clinton county, and he is known as one of the alert, pro- gressive and most successful agriculturists of this section of the Hoosier state. In his efforts in his chosen occupation he has not allowed himself to follow blindly in a certain rut, but has studied and experimented, and thus has re- ceived the greatest returns for his untiring efforts, and at the same time so shaping his course as to win the confidence and respect of the community in which he lives, being a man of square business methods and a strong advocate of honest commercialism.
Amos E. Barnett was born June 26, 1862, in Kirklin township. Clinton county. His parents were John and Nancy (Points) Barnett, both of whom claim Rush county, Indiana, as their birthplace. John Barnett's parents came to Indiana from Kentucky in the early days, traveling overland; at that time William Barnett's father was a lad of ten years. John, Jr., traveled to Sugar Creek township, living there a very short time. He subsequently moved to Kirklin township and engaged in general farm work until 1868. In. that year he moved to Frankfort, Indiana, and entered the dry goods business. During the first year of his residence in that city, John Barnett was deprived of his wife, Nancy, by death. To them there had been born a family of eight chil- dren, namely : Malissa, Charles (dec.), Mrs. Mary Maish. Ola (dec.), Josie. Amos E., and William E. (twins), and Dora.
Mr. Barnett began his useful life with mental equipment furnished by the simple but effective public schools of his home county. On March 6, 1884, he was married to Laura Cunningham, a Clinton county girl, the daughter of Nicholas and Kate (Majors) Cunningham. Her parents are still living in Jackson township, Clinton county, and are numbered among the oldest couples of the locality. Laura Cunningham received a common school education the same as her husband. On July 2, 1906. Laura Barnett was removed by the
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hand of death, leaving an enviable record as a womanly woman. She was very active during her life in the work of the Presbyterian church at her home. To Mr. and Mrs. Barnett eight children were born, seven of whom are still liv- ing. They are : Floyd, born January 1. 1885 : Mrs. Jessie Jarrell, born April 22. 1887: Mrs. Fay Strange, born December 26, 1889; Fronie, March 14, 1893 : Marie, September 19, 1800; Gertrude, March 14. 1899, and Doris, born March 4, 1906.
Amos E. Barnett moved to Jackson township, Clinton county, in the year 1878. In this place, Mr. Barnett owns one hundred and sixty acres of excellent soil, well tiled and cultivated by his skillful hand. Besides this work on his estate, Mr. Barnett constructed his very comfortable home. The land is divided into two sections, one of cighty acres, where he lives, and another of like area south of the first.
Mr. Barnett belongs to the Frankfort Lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men, also is a member of the Woodmen of the World at the same city. Mr. Barnett believes in the principles of the new political party launched in 1912, and does not hesitate to proclaim that he is a Progressive.
CHARLES W. BRIDGES.
Among the representative farmers of Clinton county is the subject of this sketch, who is the owner of a fine farm in Jackson township, and is carrying on the various departments of his enterprise with a discretion and energy which are sure to result in a definite success. Having always been a hard worker, a clever manager, and a man of economy, and being fortunately situated in a prosperous farming community, it is small wonder that he stands in the front rank of the agriculturists of his region.
Charles W. Bridges was born in Hamilton county, O., on November 9. 1858, being the son of Elmer C .and Ellen (Jackson) Bridges. Elmer Bridges was a native of Ohio, being born in Hamilton county. He served valiantly in the Civil war with an Ohio regiment, and there met his death. Ellen Bridges, the mother, was born April 27, 1840, and now lives at New- port, Kentucky. Elmer Bridges, while he lived, was a farmer, and, politically, believed in the Republican party. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bridges ; namely, Charles, Frank, and Wesley.
Charles W. Bridges was married the first time to Susan May Baughman on September 16, 1880. She was born in Clinton county, Ind. On October 6,
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1896, her death occurred. On March 30, 1898, Mr. Bridges married his sec- ond wife, who was Anna Hoover, a Clinton county girl, born February 4. 1856, being the daughter of Enos and Ruhama ( Shaw ) Hoover.
From Hamilton county, O., Charles Bridges moved to. Clinton county, Ind., in the year October 6, 1870. Here he remained until 1889, when he re- turned to his native state. For six years he remained there and then made the return journey to Clinton county. Mr. Bridges entered the grocery busi- ness in Frankfort for a period of two years. In 1898 he moved to his farm in Jackson township, where he now lives in company with his wife. However, feeling the weight of active care of his place, Mr. Bridges rents his farm and leads a retired life. There are forty acres in the farm, all tillable and well drained. The latest improvements have either been added personally or under the direction of Mr. Bridges. Besides farming and other pursuits mentioned. Mr. Bridges, in his versatile and interesting way, has engaged in fruit grow- ing enterprises and the truck business.
Mr. Bridges belongs to the Woodmen of the World in Frankfort, and in politics is a Prohibitionist. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at Prairie Center, of which he is an elder and clerk, besides being superintendent of the Sunday school.
AMOS P. HARLAND.
Clinton county has had few better farmers or more loyal citizens than the Harlands of whom Amos P., of Owen township, is a most creditable representative. They have tried to keep well abreast of the times in all that pertains to general agricultural pursuits and it has been noticed that the land which they have tilled has retained to a remarkable degree its original fertility and strength of soil and in some instances been made better. It is such men as they who have brought Clinton county up to a par with the best in the Hoosier state.
Amos P. Harland 'was born on May 22, 1853, at Colfax, Perry town- ship, Clinton county. He is a son of James M. and Sarah A. (Purner) Harland. The father was born June 21, 1821, in Monroe county, Kentucky, and when nine years old, in 1830, he came with his parents to Clinton county, they being thus among the early pioneers. Here he grew to manhood and when the Mexican war came on he enlisted for service in 1846, fighting gallantly for his country until the close of the war. He seemed to be born for a military career and remained a soldier. In 1854, he was commissioned
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captain, and when the Civil war broke out he became first lieutenant in the One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was later promoted to captain of Company I, of that regiment, for meritorious service at the battle of Missionary Ridge. His first wife, Sarah Ann Purner, was a native of Pennsylvania, and her death occurred in 1857. He was later married to Keturah Jones nee Bates, who is now deceased, but outlived her husband some time. Of this second union, there were born two children, Charles and Retta, both living at this writing. Five children, four of whom are living, were born to Captain Harland's first union ; Rachael J., Amos P., of this sketch; Mary E., Sarah A., deceased, and John M.
Amos P. Harland grew to manhood on the farm and he received a com- mon school education. On August 27, 1877, he married Delilah E. Miller, daughter of George and Delilah (Tinkle) Miller, who was born in Owen township, Clinton county, April 2, 1860. Here she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue.
Mr. Harland moved from Perry township to Owen township, with his parents when he was a boy and here he has resided ever since, except from 1880 to 1895, when he lived in Carroll county. He has always engaged in farming, and is the owner of fifty-seven acres of good land where he lives and on which he has a good set of buildings. He built his own home. He raises Shorthorn and Jersey cattle and Poland-China hogs.
Politically, he is a Republican, and fraternally, he belongs to the Im- proved Order of Red Men at Moran. While not a member of any church he attends and supports the Methodist Episcopal church. Like his father be- fore him he bears a good reputation.
WILLIAM E. BARNETT.
In summing up the biography of such men as William E. Barnett, the impression comes that a life of subdued usefulness, no display, but real sincere work, is the most satisfactory, and the pleasantest for the subject to contem- plate as the autumn days of life come. Mr. Barnett is still a young man, in spirit and body, and his capable services rendered to the community in which he lives have earned for him the esteem, the admiration, and the loyalty of a host of friends. Mr. Barnett and his large family are known in every house- (39)
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hold in Clinton county, and his agricultural methods are spoken of in excel- lent terms by his fellow farmers who are, after all, the best critics.
Mr. Barnett is the son of John and Nancy ( Points) Barnett, and was born in Kirklin township, Clinton county, on June 26, 1862. John Barnett claims Rush county, Ind., as his birthplace and June 5, 1827, as the day. His parents were John and Bertha (Ames) Barnett who came to Indiana from Kentucky in a very early day, when John Barnett was ten years old. William Barnett's father was married on March 19. 1848. to Nancy J. Points, a young girl of Rush county, Ind. John Barnett traveled to Sugar Creek township, where he lived just a short time : he then went to Kirklin township and took up general farming work until 1868, then moved to Frank fort, Indiana. In that interest- ing city, Mr. Barnett engaged in the dry goods business. During the first year there Mr. Barnett suffered the loss of his wife, Nancy. To them had been born a large family of eight children. They are Malissa, Charles (dec.), Mrs. Mary Maish, Ola (dec.), Josie, Amos E. and William E. (twins), and Dora.
William Barnett began domestic life on March 3, 1885, when he married Anna Moore, a young girl born in Jackson township, Clinton county, on No- vember 9, 1866, being the daughter of Thomas and Martha (Major) Moore. Thomas Moore is still living at the ripe old age of seventy-six years. He was born April 27, 1837, in the state of Indiana. Martha Moore, born October 29, 1842, is also still living and enjoying excellent health. Anna Moore, before marrying Mr. Barnett, lived with her parents and went to the common schools of her county. To William Barnett and wife there have been born seven chil- dren. They are: Ethel, born October 3, 1888, married to Grover Dearth; Glenn, born June 1, 1890, still residing on farm and single; Ralph, born No- vember 5, 1892; Mary, born February 22, 1896; Maurice, born November 6, 1888, died January 13, 1904; Harold, born February 8, 1902, and Helen, born November 17, 1907.
The subject of this sketch started life with a good education from the public schools. Agriculture held the most fascination for him and he plunged into the work with a vim that has resulted in an elegant farm of one hundred and twenty acres of very tillable land in Jackson township, Clinton county. Mr. Barnett has improved his estate until it now is one of the best in the sur- rounding country, being well tiled and in condition to give the best yield. The owner is an enthusiastic stock breeder and delights in exhibiting his Poland China hogs, Jersey milch cows, and Percheron horses.
Mr. Barnett is a loyal member of the Improved Order of Redmen, Frank- fort lodge, and also a member of the Frankfort local lodge of the Woodmen of the World.
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Politically, Mr. Barnett is a Republican. He has since 1910 been serving on the advisory board of Jackson township. He was road supervisor at one time for a period of two years.
Mr. Barnett is active in the work of the Presbyterian church at Prairie Center, being at present an elder.
JAMES M. ALLEN.
There is something picturesque about the Hoosier pioneer, something strongly suggestive of primal power. That they came here when axes were needed to clear a space for a home, that they started the forces of progress, arouses our imagination, it is true ; but there is that ineffable charm about them, heightened by time, that romantic picture of their life which makes us abhor hot city streets and which more strongly arouses our admiration and respect. These hardy men of the frontier are disappearing rapidly, but many are left who may relate of the stirring and doubtful days of the early nine- teenth century. As the Haddons, the Fairfaxes, the Beatties stood for Vir- ginia, so might the Allen family stand for Indiana, particularly Clinton county. James M. Allen is descended from this family, and his presence today places a landmark in the history of the state.
James M. Allen is the son of Stephen and Mary (Ross) Allen, and was born in Washington township, Clinton county, December 30, 1837. Stephen Allen moved from Butler county, O., in 1829 to the little town of Jefferson, Washington township, Clinton county, being one of the first settlers in the county. Previous to his migration to Indiana, Mr. Allen had been educated as well as the log school houses in Ohio could afford. After moving to his new home, Mr. Allen began in earnest to farm and, until his death on September 4, 1878, continued that business. Until the Buchanan administration, Mr. Allen was a Democrat, but upon the formation of the Republican party he became a Republican, and remained so. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Allen, four of whom, Rachel, James, David, Almeda, are still living. Mary (Ross) Allen, the mother, was born in Ohio on October 5, 1804, and died February 13, 1876. She married Stephen Allen February 24, 1825.
James Allen received his education in the public schools, and took up farming immediately after leaving there. October 2, 1867, marks the date of his marriage to Martha M. Koontz, a girl of Washington township, Clinton county, and daughter of George and Catherine ( MeNutt) Koontz. To them
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have been born seven children, Ella, Mabel, Catherine, Bertha, Blanche, Lan - rence, and Jennie. All of them are living.
James Allen has farmed in Clinton county since his youth. In 1867, just after the turmoil of civil war days, he moved to Jackson township. There Mr. Allen possesses two hundred acres of the best soil in Indiana, with a good, substantial home place upon it and complete and modern equipment to aid in its management. Mr. Allen also owns eighty acres of other valuable land near his present home. In 1906 he moved, with his family, to Antioch, where he has since lived a retired life.
Mr. Allen does not have any fraternal affiliations, but claims brotherhood - with the Republican party, as his father did before him.
JOHN H. BURFORD.
From various pars of the Hoosier state good citizens have come to Clinton county and established permanent homes. Very few, comparatively speaking, have cared to move back to where they came from or to some other locality, having found here all that they desired to make life worth living. This has been especially true with farmers, for here they have found as fine a soil as the state affords and good roads and railroad facilities, in fact, all that goes to make a civilized community. One of these gentlemen who is deserving of spe- cial notice here is John H. Burford, for many years a successful merchant, now farming in Owen township.
Mr. Burford was born October 3, 1849, in Harrison county. Indiana, on the Ohio river. He is a son of Cary and Ann ( Shield) Burford. The father was born April 5, 1806, in Kentucky, and as a child, went with his parents to Floyd county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. He married in Harrison county, Indiana. Later he moved there and engaged in the mercantile business. He subsequently moved to Illinois where he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1879. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in Tennessee, Feb- ruary 22, 1806, near the city of Nashville. Cary Burford devoted most of his life to the mercantile business with success. Politically he was a Democrat up to 1861, after that was a Republican. His family consisted of twelve children : Mary Jane. Catherine C., Margaret P .. Elizabeth and Marion, all deceased, and Jessie M., Carrie S., Nancy H., William T., and James C., all living. The eleventh child died in infancy unnamed. John H., of this sketch is the youngest.
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John II. Burford received a common school education. On November 23. 1880, he married Martha Merrifield, who was born December 12, 1849, in Me- Lean county, Illinois. She is a daughter of Otha and Providence ( Conoway) Merrifickl. She spent her girlhood in Illinois and received a common school education.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burford: Ortha R., born September 16, 1883, now assisting his father in operating the home farm; and Clara C., born in 1887.
- Mr. Burford began life for himself in the mercantile business, which he followed with very gratifying results for about twelve years, but for some time he has been devoting his attention exclusively to general farming and stock raising. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable and well improved land in Section 11, Owen township, all tillable but fifteen acres, which is in woods. He built part of his home and all his buildings are substantial and con- venient. He keeps a good grade of livestock, feeding large numbers of cattle and Duroc hogs. He is very comfortably fixed and owns a standard make, five- passenger automobile. Politically he is a Progressive, and is an intelligent voter, keeping well informed on current events.
HARRY R. PAULEY.
Among the younger generation of farmers in Owen township, Clinton county, none seem to be more painstaking or ambitious than Harry R. Pauley, and, judging from what he has already accomplished, we may well expect him to rank among our leading agriculturists in future years. He believes not only in keeping at work, but in laying his plans well and in adopting the best of modern methods of agriculture. He is a student of the best agricultural jour- nal and also a student of mother nature, being ever a close observer, and noting carefully whatever may tend to serve his purposes.
Mr. Pauley was born in Jackson township, Clinton county, May 13, 1883. He is a son of Allen A. and Susan J. ( Maish) Pauley. The father was born September 1, 1857, in Jackson township, this county. The mother was born March 9, 1861, in Center township, Clinton county, and here they grew to maturity, were educated in the common schools and were married. They have devoted their lives successfully to general farming, and are now living in Frankfort. They have had four children born to them: Mrs. Myrtle Goeke, May (Ticen) Catron, both still living.
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