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 30
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On December 24, 1900, Mr. Stoms was united in marriage with Bertha McAlrath, whao was born in Howard county, Indiana, on June 26, 1883, and was the daughter of Henry and Florence (Morris) McAlrath. Her parents are natives of Indiana, and are both living at this writing. Mrs. Stoms received a common school education, also high school training at Russiaville, Howard county, Indiana. There has been no issue to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stoms.
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
Mr. Stonis takes a large interest in the political life of the county, and has ever been a supporter of the Republican ticket.
ISAAC H. STOMS.
So long as there is a history will men and women love to read of their forefathers who braved the untracked forests of the West, so that homes might be built, and the resources of a new country opened up. Their mis- sion was a heroic one; they were not driven from the East by religious op- pression, political strife, or any other thing such as our ancestors across the sea have had to experience; instead, they traveled over the mountains and struck this territory because there they believed awaited greater prosper- ity and, in consequence, better homes for their children. Their names are written in letters of gold, and will ever be perpetuated in the annals of the country. One of the sturdy, God-fearing men was Isaac H. Stoms, a native of New Jersey. He came to Clinton county before there were any railroads, roads, bridges, and just a few settlements far apart, with homes scattered in the forest, surrounded by the native inhabitants, in the shape of ' animals and Indians. He was an honorable, courteous and sympathetic man. an indefatigable worker, and a man who held the esteem of every one who knew him.
Isaac H. Stoms was born on August 16, 1825, in New Jersey, the son of William and Phoebe (Hughes) Stoms. These parents were natives of New Jersey, and the father died when our subject was a small child. The mother died in 1878. The father was a farmer all of his life, and an active supporter of the Republican party. Five children were born to these par- ents : Mary Jane, Isaac, Martha, Jacob and William. all deceased.
In his youth our subject received a common school education. He moved from his native state, New Jersey, to Dearborn county, Indiana, and then to Clinton county in the early forties. He entered the agricultural pro- fession and continued in it during his entire life. He was very prosperous in this vocation, and being a good trader, he possessed at the time of his death, on August 16, 1887, over eight hundred acres of excellent and fillable land. Mr. Stoms saw a little service in the Civil war, enlisting in 1864, at one of the last calls for volunteers, in Company F, Fifty-first Indiana Volun- teer Infantry. During the short time he was permitted to serve, however,
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he performed well every duty which was assigned to hin, and was, in every respect, a gallant soldier.
On July 20, 1871. Mr. Stoms was married to Jemima Kingery, who was born in Union county, Indiana, on February 17, 1844, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Morrier) Kingery. Her father was a native of the Old Dominion and died in August, 1863. Her mother came from the state of Pennsylvania, and she passed from this life in 1881. Both parents lived and worked on a farm all of their lives. The father was a hardy specimen of the American farmer, and was a stanch Republican all of his life. Two children were born to the union of our subject and wife: Dora May, born May 24, 1874, died October, 1911, wife of John Hale; and Perry, born September 1, 1878, married Bertha McAlrath, and lives in Middlefork.
Mrs. Stoms was twice married. Her first husband was William Stoms, a brother of Isaac Stoms, our subject. William Stoms was born on August . 30, 1833, and was married to Jemima Kingery on March 4, 1860. He was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting in 1864 for a short term of service. His death occurred soon after the close. of that conflict. Mrs. Stoms now lives in Middlefork, where she has a home and about three hundred and seventy acres of excellent farm land, all tillable but about sixty acres. The land is well tiled, fenced and improved in various other ways. Mrs. Stoms rents the whole of the land.
Mrs. Stoms has been for forty years a member of the Middlefork Bap- tist church.
JAMES B. HILL.
The foundation of prosperity in Indiana is agriculture and the faithful husbandman can truly be called a pillar of the state, though in an incon- spicuous way. Such was James B. Hill, the memory of whose labors re- mains, though he has passed from this life.
Mr. Hill was born in Hamilton, O., August, 1828. When he was but a lad of eight years his parents brought him to Tippecanoe county and settled on a farm where they remained during the life-time of the parents. The tribulations endured by the early pioneers were not unknown to the Hill family, but they weathered the hardships in grand style and succeeded.
Mr. Hill was married to Mrs. Margaret (Southard) Ross, a widow, on February 12, 1880. She was the daughter of Aaron H. and Nancy ( Lemon)
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Southard. Her father was _a native of New Jersey, and came to Butler county, Ohio, when but a baby. Afterward he moved to Jefferson, Ind., where he was a merchant, then to Frankfort. He has the distinction of being one of the earliest settlers in the county, following his trade as a merchant all the time. At one time it was estimated that he owned a large part of the east side of Frankfort. He had six children, four of whom are still living. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. James Hill, but she has two children by her first husband, John F. Ross, they being Charles W. and John F. Ross.
Mr. Southard was a merchant in Frankfort, all his life. He had no ambitions to shine in the limelight of publicity by entering political life, but he supported the Democratic party very materially. He attended the Presby- terian church.
James B. Hill was a farmer most of his life, following that vocation in Tippecanoe county until he moved to Frankfort about fifteen years ago. The remainder of his life he spent retired. Fraternally, he was a member of the Masonic Order, and in religion was a Presbyterian.
M. R. CATRON.
The farming interest of Warren township, Clinton county, are carried on by an active and intelligent class of men who are thus performing their share in maintaining and extending the agricultural interests of this locality. Among them is the gentleman whose name is at the head of this sketcli, and who is a member of one of the pioneer families of this section.' Mr. Catron has wrought great improvements on his farm whereby it has become one of the best ordered farms in the western part of the county the soil being adaptable for full cultivation and valuable improvements on every hand adding to its worth and attractiveness. Mr. Catron is endowed with strength of mind and ability, and his sensible and practical views give him much prestige in his home community. He has achieved universal suc- cess and the esteem and respect of all.
M. R. Catron was born on September 16, 1858, in Warren town- ship, Clinton county, and was the son of Andrew and Sarah ( Proffit) Catron. Andrew Catron was a native of Tennessee, having been born there in 1822, and moved to Indiana after his marriage. He bought land in this county, and led the life of a farmer, passing from this earth in April, 1896.
M. R. CATRON AND FAMILY
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The mother was born in 1828, in Tennessee, and died in October, 1903. These parents received, in their youth, the best education that the pioncer schools afforded. Ten children came to bless the union: one who died in infancy ; Jacob L., Louisa I., John T., Sarah C., Adam, Henry Douglas, N. R., and Emma.
M. R. Catron has followed farming all of his life, and has been sing- ularly successful at it. He owns one hundred and thirty-seven acres of good land, all tillable but twenty acres. The estate is well tiled, and is otherwise improved. Mr. Catron, himself, cleared part of the land, and built fencing. He raises Shorthorn cattle, a general breed of hogs, and general purpose horses. His stock is well cared for, and ranks high among the stock dealers of the county and state.
Mr. Catron was united in marriage with Sarah Ridnour on April 9, 1884. She was born in Warren township, Clinton county, on October 9, 1859. Her parents were natives of Maryland, farmers, and the father was a supporter of the Democratic party. Mrs. Catron was given the bene- fits of a good common school education. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Catron eight children have been born: Elba, Lora, Fern, Curtis, Jesse, Cleo, William Bryan, and Arnold.
In the political circles of Clinton county, Mr. Catron has always taken an active part. He is a staunch Democrat, and was once supervisor in Warren township. He is at present on the advisory board and his services in this capacity are very acceptable to everyone. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Middlefork, and is treas- urer of the lodge. In religious affairs, Mr. Catron belongs to the Univer- salist church.
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DR. OWEN A. J. MORRISON.
One of the oldest practitioners of the county of Clinton and one who has made a success of his vocation in every way is Dr. Owen A. J. Morrison, of Middlefork, Warren township, and in a biographical work such as this it is highly appropriate and necessary that he should be given specific mention. Rapid progress has been made in the medical science since Dr. Morrison began active practice, but it must be said to his credit that he has kept abreast of the times in every particular, and has been successful, not only personally, but in the operation and technical side of his profession. Dr. Morrison is one
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of the pioneers of Indiana, and comes from a family who have made their name honored and respected in the county-indeed, in the state and country, and their activities have always been directed into a channel where some benefit would come to the community of their liome and the people who were their friends.
Dr. Owen A. J. Morrison was born on February 26, 1845, in Warren township, Clinton county, and was the son of James and Margaret ( Spahr) Morrison. James Morrison was born February 10, 1795, in Fleming county, Kentucky, moving to Clinton county in 1827, and entering land in Warren township in 1831. Before coming to Indiana, however, Mr. Morrison had moved to Ohio, where he followed farming and was a surveyor. He was one of the first men to come to the locality of linton county with the inten- tion of hewing a home from the wilderness. He succeeded in making good in this country, and lived a very active and useful life. He was a Democrat in politics, as are most of the Morrison family. He passed from this life in October, 1870. Our subject's mother was born July 27, 1800, in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, and moved from there with her parents to Ohio, where she married Mr. Morrison. She was called to her death on July 17, 1886. Both these parents had good educations, considering the character of the schools in those days. The father, for a time, taught school. : Seven children were born to this union, and they are all deceased with the exception of our subject. The children were: John, Martin S., Henry Y., Sarah Jane, Margaret M., James and Owen.
Dr. Owen Morrison obtained his early education in the schools of Warren township, also received some schooling in Frankfort. In 1866 he attended a commercial college in Indianapolis, and afterward the Fort Wayne Medical College, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1880. He immediately took up the practice of his profession in Middlefork, Warren township, and is still active. He has prospered because he has never flinched from the sternest duty imposed upon him, and many times he has faced tasks and undergone hardships which were accomplished at great sacrifice to himself, but at all time he has been actuated by the divine charac- ter of his calling, the art of healing. Dr. Morrison owns his own home here in Middlefork, and it is one of the handsomest residences in the town He also owns his own office.
On November 29, 1866, Dr. Morrison was married to Anna Johnson, who was born in Michigan township, August 11, 1848. being the daughter of William V. and Lucy (Fuel) Johnson. The father and mother were both
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born in Ohio, and the former was an honored attorney-at-law in Michigan- town, this county. Two children have been born to Dr. Morrison and wife. namely : William H., born January 31, 1870, married Hattie E. Shaffer, and now living in Frankfort; and Olive V., born May II, 1868, and mar- ried to A. J. Ferrier.
Since May, 1866, Dr. Morrison has been a member of the Masonic lodge; he now is enrolled in the Middlefork branch. Religiously, he is a mem- ber of the Universalist church. Until 1884 he voted the Democratic ticket, but in that year he changed to the Prohibition party.
CALVIN UNGER.
Perhaps no family in the history of Clinton county has occupied a more prominent position or has had more of an active part in the shaping of the county policy and history than the Unger family. The representatives of this large and illustrious family have spread into the four quarters of the globe, but Clinton county may claim the possession of their name and good works. From the sturdy and thrifty George Unger, who was born in the ยท German Empire in the sixteenth century, and who came to this country at a time when states were being formed and French and English explorers were alternately discovering new country and fighting hostile Indians, down to the present generation, represented strongly in Clinton county, the line has been one worthy of history's proudest encomiums. The Ungers have not always trod the royal road to prosperity; reverses which may fall to any people of the earth have obstructed their way; ambitions have been crushed, ideals shattered, hopes blighted, and dreams dissolved, but the steely per- sistence of the Teuton of old has predominated, and success has come from myriads of deeds and activities rightly performed. Calvin Unger is typical of the Unger blood, and it is our pleasure to present the facts in his life history which shall prove his right to hold the name of Unger.
Calvin Unger was born on October 5, 1861, in Warren township, Clin- ton county, Indiana, and was the son of George W. and Elvira (Maggart) Unger. George W. Unger was the son of George and Elizabeth (Bailey) Unger, who are given narrative treatment in the sketch of Martin V. Unger, a brother of our subject. George W. Unger was born on May 28, 1825, in Morgan county, West Virginia, and died on December 20, 1892, in Clinton
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county. He was married to Elvira Maggart on March 13, 1851, and she was born January 12, 1828, and died February 28, 1896. In 1866 George Unger was elected to the office of magistrate and was re-elected four suc- cessive terms of four years each. In 1886 he was drawn on the United States jury. Fraternally, he was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Middlefork lodge, No. 304. Nine children were born to Elvira Unger. namely : ' Sarah, John, David, Martin V., Nancy J., Calvin, Eliza E. and Oliver C.
Calvin Unger received a common school education in his youth. After leaving school he took up farming, which he learned in all its phases, and was trained properly by his father, so that it is nothing strange that he has made a success of his business. He has confined his farming activities to Warren township, and at present owns one hundred and thirty-five acres of excellent farm land, all tillable but about fifteen acres, and equipped fully with the most modern improvements, in tiling, fencing, farm building, and implements. Most of these improvements have been built by Mr. Unger, and it speaks well for his versatility and adaptability. Mr. Unger has a nice home on his estate, and it is of approved and convenient architecture. Mr. Unger raises a mixed breed of hogs, Jersey cows, and heavy draft and Shire horses. In the breeding of the Shire horses Mr. Unger has had unus- ual success. By careful mating and caution he has produced animals fifteen- sixteenths pure, and in one more season will have a pure Shire stock. Buff Orphington chickens are also raised on the Unger farm in large numbers.
On August 16, 1884, Mr. Unger was married to Eliza E. Branstetter, who was born in Warren township, Clinton county, on the 25th day of October, 1868, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Harmon) Branstetter. Her father was a native of Ohio and a farmer by occupation. He died March 4, 1876. Mrs. Unger's mother was born in Tennessee in 1844, and departed from this life on March 14, 1909, To Calvin Unger and wife five children have been born, namely: Ada D., born August 26, 1885, died November 22, 1887; Alma G., born December 22, 1887, married Mabel Catron; Nannie Gladys, born September 12, 1889, married Frank Ridnour ; Harry Glenn, born September 9, 1897; and Dallas G., born April 24, 1900. . Fraternally, Mr. Unger is a Mason at Middlefork. The Methodist
Episcopal church claims his membership, and he is a willing supporter of that institution. Politically, Mr. Unger is allied with the party now in power -the Democratic.
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JOHN BERRY.
To suchi gentlemen as John Berry, well known agriculturist and stock raiser of Russiaville, Forest township, is the locality of which this volume treats indebted for its high rank as a farming section, its prestige and high standing as a rich and finely developed community. Mr. Berry is an adept at farming, and has one of the best managed and most orderly farms in his township. He is known to his neighbors as a man of sensible views and sound convictions on all subjects with which he is conversant, and, taking a great interest in the general development of his community while he is labor- ing for his individual advancement, he has won and retained the respect and good will of all who know him.
John Berry was born February 16, 1850 in Connersville, Ind., the son of George C. and Sarah (Middleton) Berry. George C. Berry was born on August 22, 1818 in Maryland. When eighteen years of age he came to Indiana, accompanied by his brother and began farming in the new country. They were the only members of the family who ever came to this territory. He died here in 1877. He farmed all of his life, and was noted for his versatility, being able to delve into most any profession, a literal Jack of all trades. Our subject's mother was born April 15, 1818, in Indiana, and she passed from this life in April, 1900. Mr. Berry was her second husband, and three children were born to them, namely: Mary E., born August 6, 1846 (deceased) ; John and George, born November 6, 1854. Our subject's grandfather on his maternal side John Middleton was born on June 23, 1792. Both parents received the restricted education of pioneer times, and were well known and respected in their home community.
John Berry moved to Clinton county, with his parents, when two years of age. He was educated in the common schools during the time when there was no work to be done on the farm. At the present time Mr. Berry claims a residence within the borders of Forest township for a period of sixty-one years, an unusual record and one that speaks well for the prosperity of the community and the industry of our subject. He owns an excellent farm of one hundred and eighty acres, all of which is tillable but eight acres. The estate is well tiled, fenced, and the most modern equipment is used in the management of the place. Mr. Berry has a nicely furnished and appointed home thereon. Besides general farming, Mr. Berry raises Shorthorn cattle, Duroc hogs and general purpose horses. Fraternally, Mr. Berry is a Mason,
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a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Eastern Star, all at Forest. In politics, he takes an active part in Democratic circles.
Mr. Berry has been twice married, his first wife being Elizabeth Nunne- maker, and he was married to her on September 15, 1872. Two children were born to this union, Myrtle M. and Herman. Mrs. Berry was born in this county in 1849, and was the daughter of Joseph Nunnemaker. She departed this life September 15, 1882.
On February 16, 1898, Mr. Berry was married the second time, to Cora Mckinney, who was born in the state of Kentucky in June, 1867, the daughter of David and Mary E. (Crosswhite) Mckinney, and died in March, 1909. She was the mother of two children, namely: Margie, born April 6. 1899, and Ophiir J., born May 21. 1905.
JOHN A. MERRICK.
To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and respected even from childhood deserves more than mere mention. It is no easy task to resist the temptations of youth and early manhood and plant a character in the minds and hearts of associates that will remain an unstained figure for all time. One may take his place in life through some vigorous stroke of public policy and even remain in the hearts of friends and neigh- bors, but to take such a position by dint of the practice of an upright life and without a craving for exaltation and popularity, is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. John A. Merrick, one of the sturdy citizens of Forest township, Clinton county, is a man respected and honored, not be- cause of the vigorous training of his special talents, but because of his daily life, which is a record of real, true manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellow men, he has gained the good will of his associates, ever retaining his reputation among men for integrity and high character.
. John A. Merrick was born September 30, 1847, in the house where he now lives in Forest township, Clinton county. In the early days his father carried the cedar and pine trees to this place from Indianapolis on horseback. Our subject's father was John Merrick and his mother was, before marriage, Nancy Tyner, born in 1813, and the daughter of Rev. William Tyner. She died on September 24, 1870. John Merrick, subject's father, was born De- cember 17, 1815, in Pennsylvania, and moved to Ripley county, Indiana, when about eighteen years of age and came to Clinton county in 1846.
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When twenty-six years old, he married Nancy Tyner, and to this union there was born a family of six children, namely: O. M., William II., de- ceased; John A., India, Martha and George W. Mr. Merrick married the second time, in 1872, to Cynthia A. Hutchison, who was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, on March 1, 1831. Mr. Merrick was a farmer all of his life, having cleared the land comprising his farm. He passed from this life in January, 1895.
John A. Merrick, our subject, received a common school education in a log cabin school, which was the best the county afforded in those days. Later he attended Franklin College for a while, and graduated from the Ann Arbor Law School in 1873. After this event he returned to farming, which vocation he has followed untiringly all of his life. He is now managing the old Merrick home place in Forest township. There he owns one hun- dred and sixty acres, and ninety four acres in another farm of the same township. Of the one hundred and sixty acres all is tillable with the excep- tion of thirty-five acres, which is in woods. The land is well tiled, and other- wise improved in the most modern fashion, the equipment being the work of Mr. Merrick himself. With the exception of six years, which was spent in Frankfort in the practice of law, Mr. Merrick has carried on general farm- ing. He has retired from active work, but runs the farm, however, and in , a most successful manner. Besides general crop cultivation, Mr. Merrick raises various kinds of excellent stock, including Shorthorn cattle, Duroc hogs and general purpose horses, mostly Norman. Mr. Merrick brought the first Jersey Red hog that was ever in this county. Mr. Merrick finds time to take an active interest in the affairs of the Baptist church, and in the political circles of the county he bears the reputation of being one of the staunchest defenders the Republican party possesses.
Mr. Merrick was united in marriage on May 13, 1873 to Nancy J. Sims, who was born in Warren township, this county, on February 27, 1848, the daughter of Cicero and Mary (Black) Sims. Mrs. Merrick's father was born January 12, 1822 in Rush county, Indiana, and he moved to Clinton county in 1835, dying there July 6, 1913. Her mother was born June 6, 1824, in Wayne county, Indiana, and is still living in Frankfort. She was married to Mr. Sims seventy-one years ago the first day of last March, which fact comes near to being a record for the state. Mrs. Merrick was the mother of four children, namely: Lulie, born on February 25, 1874, died in 1882; Martha, born November 11, 1875, married to Bert Ogle, after
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