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 28
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The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch grew up on the home farm and he received a common school education, later at- tending Valparaiso University. On September 4, 1906 he married Mabel M.
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Hollingsworth, who was born in 1887 in Howard county, Indiana, a daughter of Charles and Molly (Stiffler ) Hollingsworth. They are both living in Howard county on a farm. In that county Mrs. Thomas grew to womanhood and received a common and high school education. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas one child has been born, Lucile May, whose birth occurred May 25, 1908.
Mr. Thomas began life for himself by teaching school which he con- tinued for a period of twelve years in his native township, where he has . given most satisfactory service to both pupil and patron, and is regarded as one of the most efficient teachers in the rural schools of Clinton county. During that period he has worked on the farm during the vacation season. He owns eighty acres of good land which he has placed under a good state of cultivation and improvement, all tillable and well tiled. He lived on his father's old home place. He raises Shorthorn cows, a general breed of hogs, general purpose and draft horses.
Fraternally, Mr. Thomas is a Mason and a member of the Independent · Order of Odd Fellows, both at Middlefork. He is a member of the Universa- list church, and in politics votes the Democratic ticket.
WILLIAM S. RECORD.
The old Buckeye state has long ranked as one of the best and greatest in the Union. She has been favored in position among the sisterhood of states, favored in the character of settlers that drove the Indians from her borders and redeemed her wildernesses, and she has furnished many of the nation's greatest nien, Presidents, statesmen, generals and authors. The rank and file of her citizens have ever been noted for their industry and honesty as well as their public-spirit and patriotism. She has sent perhaps more of her worthy citizens into Clinton county, Indiana, to help develop this locality into the fine agricultural section it is today than any other state. So we owe her a deep debt of gratitude. One of this sturdy number is William S. Record, farmer of Warren township.
Mr. Record was born in Adams county, Ohio, June 15, 1859, and there his earliest years were spent, he being five years old when he left there and located in Johnson county, Indiana, in 1864. Later he came on to Clinton county, locating in Jackson township, then moved to Michigan township, and in 1877 located in Warren township where he has since remained.
Mr. Record is a son of Josiah and Nancy J. (Duffy) Record, both
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natives of Ohio, the father of Brown county, born July 13, 1822, and the date of the mother's birth was January 18, 1825. His death occurred April 12, 1880, and the mother passed away April 15, ISSO. They were the parents of four children: William S., of this sketch; Nelson, Henry and Charles.
William S. Record was reared on the home farm and educated in the public schools. On October 6, 1881, he married Maria Whiteman, who was born in Michigan township, this county, February 12, 1860. She is a daughter of Samuel and Alvina (Richardson) Whiteman, who lived on a farm in Michigan 'township, where Mrs. Record grew to womanhood, and she was educated in the public schools of that vicinity. Her death occurred August 10, 1904. She was a good helpmeet and kind mother, and a woman who was spoken well of by all her neighbors.
To our subject and wife eight children were born : Florence (deceased), Elby V., Samuel F., Gilbert O., Neva G., Beulah Glendola, Cloie Jane and Lenora M.
Mr. Record has always followed farming. He is now owner of an ex- cellent place in Warren township, consisting of eighty acres, all in cultivation but four acres which is in timber. He has a comfortable home and his place is under good improvements and yields a comfortable livelihood under his able management. He makes a specialty of raising Shorthorn cows, Poland- China hogs and draft horses, also Plymouth Rock chickens.
He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, in which he is a steward. Politically, he is a Republican and has been a worker for the party's good. Five years ago he made the race for township assessor and was beaten by only two votes.
WILLIAM E. RICE.
It is a good sign to see so many of Clinton county's farmers who are native sons, men who have been content to spend their lives here, for it shows that this is a fine agricultural section and therefore her natives have not needed to go elsewhere in order to make a good livelihood by tilling the soil. It also shows that this is a good place to live in reference to climate, con- veniences of advanced civilization and congeniality of people. When one goes into a community and finds that all the residents have come from other countries one begins to suspect at once that something is wrong whether it is apparent on the surface or not; but that does not seem to be the case in this instance.
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
One of the successful farmers of this county who has been content to spend his life here is William E. Rice, whose birth occurred on December 13, 1866 in Warren township, Clinton county, and here he still resides. He is a son of William S. and Rebecca (Michaels) Rice. The father was born February 19, 1839, in Union county, Indiana, but left there with his parents when two years old, the family locating in Clinton county, and here he is still living, having devoted his life to general farming. The mother of our subject who was born in Clinton county, October 2, 1841, is also living. To these parents six children were born, four of whom are still living, namely : Sarah I., married to Mr. Beard; William E., of this review; Mrs. Minnie V. Ray, and Mrs. Bertha Kirkpatrick.
William E. Rice grew to manhood on the home farm in Warren town- ship and there he assisted with the various work about the place when a boy, and during the winter months he attended the district schools in his neighbor- hood.
On December 10, 1896, he married Maggie Ford, a native of Warren township, where she grew to womanhood, and was educated in the public schools. She is a daughter of William and Martha (Finney) Ford. Mr. Ford is now living in Michigan. His wife is deceased. Mr. Ford has devoted his life to farming. Politically, he is a Democrat.
The union of our subject and wife has been without issue.
Mr. Rice was taught the various ins and outs of general farming and stock raising by his father while at home and thus when he started out in life for himself on a farm he knew what to do and has gradually forged ahead. He owns eighty acres of well improved and productive land in Warren township, all tillable and well tiled. He built his own home and has a good set of outbuildings. He keeps good Jersey cows and raises a mixed breed of hogs and general purpose horses.
Mr. Rice is a member of the Methodist Protestant church and politically is a Democrat.
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WARD WRIGHT.
" We are glad to note in passing over Clinton county so many of her young men engaged in farming. As a rule most boys reared in the country ought to remain there instead of hurrying off to some large city where, in course of a year's time, they will do far more hard and health-destroying work than they can possibly do on the average farm, and they are, taking
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it all in all. not so well paid for it, either. The question of health alone is a big item when the young man from the farm begins to debate whether he will stay in his native community or whether he will go to the city and try to carve out a career. Few young men can make the change without serious impairment of their physical powers. Besides the mental worries that more than counterbalance the so-called "pleasures" of the town are lacking, for the most part, in the daily life of the ruralist.
One of Clinton county's young farmers who has started well in his chosen vocation is Ward Wright of Warren township. He was born May 26, 1880, in this township and county. He is a son of Newt W. and Amanda (Nunemaker) Wright The father was born in Virginia, September 16, 1848, and he spent his early life in his native state and received a common school education there. In 1872 he removed to Clinton county, Indiana, and is now-living in Frankfort, retired, after a successful life as a farmer and stock raiser. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in this township and county, September 14, 1855. She too, received a common school education. Four children were born to these parents, named as follows : Cora, Ward, Guy and Russell.
Ward Wright grew up on the home farm in his native township, and he received a common school education here, also attending the high school at Forest for awhile. On June 17, 1901 he married Jessie Robison, who was also born in Warren township, this county, the date of her birth being January 6, 1881. She is a daughter of Milton Robison, a brother of Dr. John E. Robi- son, a sketch of whom, containing the history of the Robison family, is to be found on another page of this work. Mrs. Wright grew to womanhood in her native community and received a good education. She taught school for some time before her marriage.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wright, namely : Lucile, born December 20, 1902 : Vera, born July 31, 1905; Mildred, born September 24; 1906; and Herbert, born July 17, 1910.
Mr. Wright has always engaged in farming. He is now operating his father-in-law's place of one hundred and sixty acres in Warren township, which he is keeping well tilled and well improved and is being suitably re- warded for his toil by good annual crops. The land is all under cultivation but about fifty-five acres. Mr. Wright carries on general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle and Duroc hogs. He also keeps some good horses and mules.
Politically, he is a Republican. He belongs to the Presbyterian church, and is a member of the Masonic order at Frankfort.
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OWEN E. BEARD.
It is a pleasure to live in the country when one can live as comfortably and do as well as Owen E. Beard, farmer and stock raiser of Warren town- ship, Clinton county, but unfortunately this can not be the cause with every- one, owing to various circumstances, but mostly because all do not work with the zeal, perseverance and determination of our subject ; and we all know, or at least ought to know, that little is ever accomplished in this world along any line unless one has the characteristics mentioned above.
Mr. Beard was born in the township and county where he now resides, and where he has always been too well contented to reside to move elsewhere, the date of his birth being recorded as November 13, 1866. He is a son of Martin and Delilah (Orr) Beard, one of our respected old families. The father was a native of the state of Ohio, where he spent his earlier years, finally coming to Clinton county, Indiana, where he became well established on a farm, devoting his entire active life to agricultural pursuits. He had the advantages of an exceptionally good education for his day and genera- tion and he was a man of considerable influence in his community. His death occurred on the home place here in February, 1892. His family was large, but only three of his children are now living, these were Mrs. Alice Sheets, Jesse F., and Owen E., of this sketch.
Owen E. Beard grew to manhood on the home farm and he assisted with the general work there during the crop seasons. During the winter months he attended the public schools in his district and received in that man- ner a very practical education.
On June 5, 1900, Mr. Beard was married to Mrs. Louisa (Young) Coapstick. She was born February 18, 1851, in Clinton county, and is a daughter of Dr. R. O. and Margaret N. (Robison) Young. Dr. Young at- tended a medical college in Cincinnati, and followed the medical profession all his life with singular success. He came to Clinton county, Indiana, in 1835 and was one of the leading pioneer physicians here. His family consisted of five children, namely: Robert, and Louisa, wife of Mr. Beard, of this sketch, both living; Mary, Hulda and Milton, all deceased. The parents of these children are also both deceased. Mrs. Beard was first married to A. H. Coapstick, November 7, 1871. A sketch of Mr. Coapstick appears else- where in this work. He has been deceased some eighteen years. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Beard has been without issue.
Mr. and Mrs. Beard have one hinudred and sixty acres of well improved and productive land, all under cultivation but thirty acres, and they have
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a fine and modernly furnished home, which was built by Mrs. Beard's first husband in 1851. It has been well kept and is in the midst of attractive surroundings. Mr. Beard has always been a farmer, and in connection with general farming he is raising Shorthorn cattle and Duroe hogs. He has been very successful as a business man. Ile has a splendid five-passenger auto- mobile of standard make. He is a Republican politically. and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church
URIAH JONES,
Those who are content to lead the mitch-spoken of "simple life" are, no doubt, happier than any other class. The reasons are too obvious to need much setting forth here. Such people know little of the jar and fret, the contention and strife, the petty jealousies for place and power of those who choose the great marts of the land for their dwelling places, the latter never really knowing what the word "freedom" means in its broad and literal sense, in fact, they are bound in a kind of slavery that wears the better nature to shreds, then all sorts of unpleasant things follow from which it is hardly possible to flee. Uriah Jones, a plan farmer of Warren township, Clinton county, is a happy man because he has been wise enough to lead the "simple life" next to nature, away from the "harsh, jangled roar" of the city, and he is therefore in his autumn years not only contented but healthy, finding plenty to still live for and to do. He was born July 25, 1843, in Dearborn county, Indiana, and he was five years old when he moved to Clinton county with his parents, Thomas and Anna K. (Kile) Jones. Thomas Jones was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in June, 1805, and his death occurred on September 16, 1869. The mother of our subject was born in Strassburg, Germany, and her death occurred at the age of seventy-eight years. She came to America when young and met and married Thomas Jones in Pennsyl- vania, the date of their wedding being January 10, 1822. The mother was educated in Germany, and was a bright woman, speaking several languages. Thomas Jones devoted his life to general farming. Politically, he was a Democrat. His large family of sixteen children are now all deceased but Uriah, of this sketch.
Uriah Jones grew to manhood on the home farm and there he worked until reaching man's estate. He received a limited education in an old-time log school house, but has since become a well-informed man on general topics
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through home reading. On August 4, 1870, he married Charlotte Stod- 'dard, who was born in Frankfort, Ind., December 29, 1852. She is a daughter of Abram and Catherine (Byers) Stoddard. These parents were born in Pennsylvania and there grew up and were married, and from there they came to Clinton county, and located in Frankfort, where Mr. Stoddard established a tailor shop, he having been the first tailor there.
To Mr. Jones and wife six children were born, namely: Albert, born May 12, 1872; William B., born April 5, 1874; Franklin Pierce, born August 28, 1876; Martin V., born January 12, 1878; Milton Carrol, born April 25, 1882, and Freddie. Grover, born September 12, 1884.
Mr. Jones has followed farming all his life. He owns eighty acres in Warren township, most of which is under cultivation. He built his own home and make good improvements and is very comfortably fixed. He keeps Jersey cows and Chester White hogs.
Politically, he is a Democrat, and in religious matters belongs to the Pres- byterian church.
JOHN E. ROBISON, M. D.
It is often said that a poet is born, meaning that the individual who essays to court the muses with success must have been peculiarly fitted by mother nature. It seems that the same phrase might be applied with equal truth to the successful practitioner of medicine. Of course the poet can go ahead and write without taking any special preparatory work in college. There is not much to be learned in the way of the "mechanical" part of his work, such as the laws of prosody, and on the other hand the physician must take a long and special course of study, but if he succeeds above the ordinary plodder he must be specially gifted by nature. Many men go through the prescribed routine of work under the law and obtain a diploma entitling them to practice medicine when they are utterly unfit for this field of work and do more harm than good. One of the general practitioners of Clinton county who seems to have been peculiarly fitted for his chosen vocation is Dr. John E. Robison, of the village of Geetingsville, Warren township, for he has been successful from the first and has ingratiated himself into the hearts and affections of his patients. In due course of time he will doubtless rank among the leading. professional men of this section of the state.
Dr. Robison was born August 28, 1871, in the above named township and county. He is a son of Andrew M. and Hannah A. (Bate) Robison.
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DR. AND MRS. J. E. ROBISON
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The father was boru November 27, 1833, also in Warren township, Clinton county, having enjoyed the distinction of being the second white child born in Warren township. He was a son of Andrew Robison, Sr., one of the first settlers in this vicinity, who entered land here when the country round about was a wilderness and still roamed by red men and wild beasts. He began life in typical pioneer fashion, in a log cabin and cleared his land by hard work and perseverance. From that early day to the present this family has been well known and highly respected for thir industry and exemplary habits. The father of our subject, who has devoted his life successfully to general farming is still living, making his home in Owen township, this county. The mother of the doctor was born January, 1837, and her death occurred on May 7, 1899. Eight children were born to these parents, named as follows: Mrs. Margaret Smythe; James P., married Maud Bayles; An- drew (deceased),; Dr. John E., of this sketch; Mrs. Emma Erdle; Grizella and Winfield, twins (deceased), and Mrs. Jessie B. Wright.
Doctor Robison was reared on the home farm and educated in the district schools in Warren township. First deciding to be a teacher, he at- tended the Danville Normal School in order to fit himself, after which he taught two terms, but deciding that his true bent lay along the line of a practitioner of medicine he abandoned the school room and began the study of medicine, in which he made rapid progress. He attended the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, where he made an excellent record and from which he was graduated with the class of 1901. He soon afterwards located for practice in the village of Geetingsville, in his native township and county, and here he has since remained, enjoying a large and growing practice which extends all over this section of Clinton county.
Doctor Robison was married June 23, 1901 to Sarah E. Miller, who was born in Ross township, Clinton county, March 7, 1874, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated in the public schools. She is a daughter of Christian and Jane (Troxell) Miller, both still living. Mr. Miller devoted his life to general farming in this locality.
To the doctor and wife three children have been born, namely: Adeline, born July 8, 1902; Paul M., born October 12, 1905; and Lena Esther, born November 24, 1910.
Doctor Robison is owner of eighty acres of valuable land in Tippe- canoe county, near Dayton, Ind., which is well improved. Fraternally, he is a Mason, being a member of the Council and Commandery, the Blue lodge at Beard and the Knights Templars of Frankfort. He is a member of the (41)
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Presbyterian church, and politically, is a Republican. He is a member of the Clinton County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association.
ALVIS DEAN.
The character of a community is determined in a large measure by the lives of a comparatively few of its members. If its moral and in- tellectual status be good, if in a social way it is a pleasant place in which to reside, if its reputation for the integrity of its citizens has extended into other localities,, it will be found that the standards set by the leading men have been high and their influence such as to mould their characters and shape the lives of those with whom they mingle. In placing the subject of this sketch in the front rank of such men, justice is rendered a biographical fact universally recognized throughout Clinton county by those at all familiar with its history. Although a quiet and unassuming man, with no ambition for pub- lic position or leadership, he has contributed much to the material advance- ment of the community, and his admirable qualities and upright course of life have tended greatly to the development of the circles in which he has moved ". and the county.
Alvis Dean was born on August 30, 1854 in Randolph county, North Carolina, and was the son of Robartis and Sarah (Lucas) Dean. Robartis Dean was also born in Randolph county, North Carolina, on August 27, 1820, and was the only child of Wesley and Susan Dean. He died November II, 1908, a little over eighty-eight years of age. He led a very useful and worthy life, and was a farmer with the exception of a few years in his younger days when he taught school. In the year 1838 he was united in marriage to Margaret Lucas, and to this union were born the following children : Emeline, Caroline, Susan, Kizziah and Margaret. His second marriage was to Sarah Lucas, and to this union were born nine children: Isley, John W., Margaret L., Albert, Alvis, Robartis, Jr., John Milton, W. R., and William H. In 1871 he came from North Carolina to Indiana and with the aid of his family cleared many acres of dense timber land which then existed. Shortly after his arrival in this state he joined the Christian church, and during his whole life took an unusual interest in the welfare of that church. He bore the reputation of being a very pious man, and his friends and acquaintances revered him as the children loved him.
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Alvis Dean received his education for the most part in the common schools of North Carolina, in fact, he attended the Indiana schools but one day. In 1871, on October 18, Mr. Dean came to Boone county, Indiana, but did not stay there many years, for in the autumn of 1880 he came to Clinton county and has lived here ever since. Mr. Dean has always farmed, with the exception of two years, during which time he lived in Frankfort. He moved there in 1910, but came back to the farm in 1912. Mr. Dean owns eighty acres of excellent land in this county, all of which is tillable but nine acres. The land is well tiled and equipped with other improvements which Mr. Dean himself built. Besides general farming. Mr. Dean deals quite successfully in stock raising. He handles the Shorthorn variety of cattle, Duroc hogs, and English draft horses. He is known to have had the best breed of the latter class in the township. Fraternally, Mr. Dean is a Mason at Middlefork ; religiously, he belongs to the Missionary Baptist church, and politically, is a loyal Democrat.
On September 22, 1878, Mr. Dean was married to Nancy Jane Unger, the daughter of George W. and Elvira (Maggart) Unger, extended reviews of whom are given in another part of this volume. Five children were born to this union : one who died unnamed; Elsey E., born October 20, 1881 ; Elmer C., born June 18, 1883; Thomas C., born October 27, 1884, and Inez, born June 26, 1886.
A. H. COAPSTICK.
In the person of the late A. H. Coapstick, for many years a well known and progressive agriculturist of Warren township, Clinton county, we have a sample of a worthy race of people to whom the country is largely indebted for its development and progress. He was not a showy man, but simply a plain, industrious tiller of the soil, who worked hard to get a start in the world, provided well for his family, did his duty to his fellow man and made a good neighbor and citizens. To such as he Indiana owes much. Here and there scattered over the state in every county, they toiled and worker, cleared. grubbed and ditched, fought the hinderances of nature in the way of swamps and dense forests, gradually making hedaway, until in time we see beautiful and highly cultivated farms as the result of their arduous labors. Such were the farmers of the generation that has passed. They did not figure in public life, most of them. Their names were seldom mentioned in the papers, for they lived quiet, unpretentious lives, but it was their work and
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