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 33
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but not believing in the principles of the party as they changed, he cast his support to the Republicans. By his first wife, Elizabeth Dennis, Mr. Johnson had six children, namely: Eliza, Lindley, William, Ellen, Albert T., and Barclay. He was married the second time to Abigail White, and had one child, Oliver T. Johnson, farmer, of Adams county.
Our subject's education was divided between the common schools of Forest township, this county, and Howard county. On February 22, 1880, he was married to Ellen Venneman, who was born in Warren township, this county, in February, 1874, the daughter of Cornelius and Lorena (Morgan) Venneman, both of whom are deceased.
Mrs. Johnson received a common school education. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson there ' ave been born nine children, five boys and four girls, namely : Louie, Dessie, Laben, Raymond, Glenn, Dwight, Effie, Anc'e and Ottle.
Mr. Johnson has been a farmer all of his life, and has been exceedingly successful in the pursuit of the same. He owns one hundred and twenty acres in Clinton county, and sixteen acres in Howard county, and all is till- able with the exception of seven acres. The land is well tiled and fenced, and Mr. Johnson has built thereon a comfortable and pretty home and mod- ern farm buildings. Besides general farming Mr. Johnson raises Durham and Shorthorn cattle, a general breed of hogs, and general purpose horses. Religiously, he is a member of the Friends church. In political affairs, he has always supported the Republican party, believing that its basic principles are the best for the country's prosperity.
RUSSELL B. CLARK.
One of the sterling young citizens of Frankfort and Clinton county was Russell B. Clark, who on May 8, 1913, when only thirty-nine years of age, was stricken by the hand of Death, thus reversing the proper order of things as we have been taught to believe. It seems to us sometimes, that destiny has gone wrong, or that divine power has forgotten, when a young and promising man, in the prime of life should be snatched away. We do not declare in the words of the fool that "there is no God," but we wonder whether or not there is an explanation yet unrevealed to the knowledge of humanity, a reason why the logical should not happen, and the illogical should occur. It oversteps the bounds of nature. Mr. Clark was a man who had begun to
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make a mark in the city of Frankfort, and he had won the esteem and re- spect of everyone with whom he had become acquainted.
Russell B. Clark was born on the old homestead five miles southeast of Frankfort, February 24, 1874, the son of Francis Milton and Sarah Elizabeth (Buntin) Clark, sketches of whom occupy other pages of this volume. Francis Milton Clark was born in Tippecanoe county, Ind., November 3. 1843, and was the son of Daniel D. and Julia A. (Belknap) Clark. Our sub- ject's grandfather was a native of Connecticut, and came to Tippecanoe county to farm. Francis M. Clark received his education in the log schools of his home county, and took up farming with his father until the outbreak of the Civil war, whereupon he enlisted in Company G, Seventy-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of the army of the Cumberland, and later was a part of Wilder's Brigade and participated in the Confederate victory at Chickamauga. Mr. Clark was married to Sarah Elizabeth Buntin, October 30, 1867, and of this happy union there were born: Lunetta, Russell B., and Roberta C.
Russell B. Clark lived his early life on his father's farm, and during the winters attended the common schools. His education was also continued in the Danville Business College, of which institution he was a graduate, and at Wabash College where he spent a few years. Upon completing his educa- tion he took up farming as a vocation and continued the same very success- fuly until August, 1912, when he came to Frankfort, Ind., and purchased a beautiful home on South Clay street. His first business venture in this city was in the automobile line, when he bought out the Kernodle Automobile Com- pany on South Main street. In this line of endeavor, Mr. Clark immediately began to have stiecess, and his trade was constantly increasing. He acted for the Studebaker Company of South Bend, and placed many of their cars in this and surrounding counties. Besides this business, Mr. Clark owned and operated a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres southeast of the city and at one time owned land in the state of Texas and in Randolph county, Indiana. Among his financial enterprises he was a steokholder in the People's Life Insurance Company and the American National Bank. In politics, Mr. Clark always supported the Republican party, even through the crisis of 1912, when the split came. Religiously, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in fraternal affairs was a loyal member of the Masonic order.
In 1899 Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Gertrude Maish, daughter of ex-County Treasurer W. P. Maish. Mrs. Clark was one of seven chil- dren, namely : David B., of Frankfort; Gertrude, John W. and Walter S.,
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both Clinton county farmers; Altha J., a trained nurse, and graduate of the Portsmouth Training School, Ohio; ITomer C., a time keeper for the Me- Dougal Cabinet Works ; and Mary Lavone, a school teacher. Mrs. Clark's parents were among the early settlers of this county, her grandfather enter- ing land in this section of the state from the government. Both her father and mother are natives of this county. Her father is a farmer, and at one time filled the position of county treasurer, to which he had been elected. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark there were born two children: Marjorie and Francis Willard. Both children are now living with their widowed mother.
JOHN E. SHANKS.
Agriculture has been the true source of man's dominion on earth ever since the primal existence of labor and has been the pivotal industry that has controlled for the most part all the fields of action to which his intelligence and energy have been devoted. In a civilized community no calling is so certain of yielding a compensatory return as that which is culled from a kindly soil, albeit the husbandman at times is sorely taxed in coaxing from mother earth all he desires or even expects; yet she is a kind mother and sel- dom chastens with disappointment the child whose diligence and frugality she deems it but just should be rewarded. One of those who have found a benefactress in Mother Earth is John E. Shanks, who, with his wife, is the owner of two fine farms in Clinton county and one of our most progressive agriculturists. He has never found allurements for any kind of work outside the realm of nature, and, having been a close student of the soils, climatic conditions, seed time and harvest and all the phases that contribute to hus- bandry, he has profited by his observations and is today well established and is reaping ample rewards for his outlay of labor, both physical and mental.
Mr. Shanks is a descendant of two of the industrious and courageous pioneer families. He was born in Clinton county, Indiana, November 15, 1862. He is a son of Stephen and Sarah (Walker) Shanks. The father was born in Ohio, November 29, 1829, and the mother's birth occurred in Rush county, that state, October 9, 1830. The parents of each were farmers and both families removed in a very early day from their homes in the Buckeye state to Clinton county, bringing the parents of our subject here when they were young, and here they grew up, received such educational ad-
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vantages as the old-time schools afforded and here they were married on April 24, 1853. Stephen Shanks became a prosperous farmer here, owning at one time almost a section of good land, but before his death he had dis- posed of all his landed estate and moved into the city of Frankfort. Ile was for many years a leading citizen in his locality and a trustworthy public servant. He was justice of the peace of Johnson township for many years, also served as trustee of that township, and was county treasurer of Clinton county from 1870 to 1874. Politically, he was a Democrat, and in religious matters a Methodist.
To Stephen Shanks and wife five children were born : Emmazet, died in infancy ; James M., born December 20, 1856, died May 22, 1902: William R., born October 15, 1858, now living retired in Frankfort; John E., subject of this sketch ; and Willard D., born November 24, 1860, died July 25, 1881.
The death of Stephen Shanks occurred on July 27, 1903, and his wife passed away on December 22d of the same year.
John E. Shanks was reared on the home farm and here he has spent his life, being well content to remain at home, which, as most everyone will agree, is the best place after all. He received his education in the schools at Frankfort. He and liis wife are the owners of two farms, one consisting of one hundred and sixty acres in Union township, and one containing a equal acreage located in Michigan township. He also owns some valuable city property. He has kept his farm well improved in every respect, has care- fully rotated his crops, added proper fertilizers and kept the land from wash- ing until the soil is today better perhaps than it ever was, and he carries on general farming and stock raising on a large scale, and these are among the best farms in the county. He has kept the old home well repaired and the surroundings neat and inviting, and he has large, substantial barns and con- venient outbuildings of all kinds, everything present a thrifty, tasty ap- pearance.
On April 8, 1885, Mr. Shanks was united in marriage with Emma I. Maish, daughter of David Maish and Altha (Norris) Maish, and to this union three children have been born, Lura, Dale and Carl. Lura is a graduate of the high school at Frankfort. Dale is taking the agricultural course at Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio, after graduating from the Frank- fort high school. Carl attended the Frankfort high school for three years.
Politically, Mr. Shanks is a Democrat and is more or less active in local public affairs. He was trustee of Union township for a period of four years, and in the fall of 1912 he was elected county commissioner to serve
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three years and is at this writing discharging the duties of the office in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned.
JAMES A. G. LYNCH.
In a county such as Clinton, where there are so many men of moral, intellectual, and business character, it is hard to determine who is the most worthy. Success in life, however, does not determine character, nor does strong character always insure monetary success in later years. There are some, though, who have found fortune early in life, and the worry of making a living cast aside, have ample opportunity to develop the other side of life, the aesthetic, the side which so few people in this world at this day find time to enjoy. At this writing Mr. Lynch has just passed his thirty- first year, but in those years he has made a practical and lasting success, and now has the pleasant thoughts of many years to come in which to enjoy the rewards of his work.
James A. G. Lynch was born April 14, 1882 at Walton, Roane county, West Virginia, and was the son of J. W. and Mary A. (Looney) Lynch. He was one of a large family of children, namely: Harvey W., of Clendenin, W. Va .; Mrs. Permela B. Hively, Mrs. Phoebe Jane Robertson, Mrs. Eva Ann Donahue, William S., Mrs. Sarah F. Camp, all of West Virginia; Sil- vin O., of Maxwell, N. M., and Woodard A. and Emerson E., both deceased.
The father of our subject was a farmer all his life, and a Republican, in politics. He died February 12, 1911. The mother is still living at Clen- denin, W. Va. Both were Christian Adventists in faith.
Mr. Lynch, our subject, was born and reared on his father's farm in the state of West Virginia, and he remained there until his marriage. After the last mentioned event he went into the grocery business in Clay county, West Virginia, and followed that vocation until the next year, then moved on to his father-in-law's farm in Roane county, West Virginia, and later removed again to his father's farm. His next change was for Clendenin, Kanawha county, West Virginia, where he commenced dealing in horses and oil royalties. .
Mr. Lynch today has interest in several oil companies, is president of the Kanawha Oil Company, and a stockholder in the Koontz Oil & Gas Company of Virginia. He also retains land of four hundred and fifty acres of oil fields with his brothers and sisters. Mr. Lynch came to Clinton
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county, this state, in 1911 and built his present beautiful home on West Kyger street, in Frankfort. Politically, he is a Republican.
On June 4, 1903, Mr. Lynch was united in marriage with Lucy J. Lewis, the daughter of Edward and Mary M. Lewis, of Rockbridge county, West Virginia, a family which settled in Monroe county, that state, in the early days, and where our subject's wife was born. Her parents were ex- tensive farmers, at one time owning a total of seven thousand acres of land. All were Presbyterians by religious faith, and were among the best families of the New England states. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lync! : Beatrice, born August 16, 1903; James McChesney, born June 1, 1905, and Ivan Paul, born March 22, 1907.
Mrs. Lynch's brothers and sisters are: Prudence Campbell (deceased) ; Mrs. Fannie M. Simpson, of Wellsburg, W. Va .; William A., (deceased) ; James McChesney, of Marietta, O .; John Edward, of Wheeling, W. Va .; and May Good, of Cotton, W. Va.
HARRY BARNHART.
In examining the life records of self-made men, it will invariably be found that indefatigable industry has constituted the basis of their success. True, there are other elements which enter in and conserve the advancement of personal interests,-perseverance, discrimination, and mastering of expe- dients,-but the foundation of all achievement is earnest, persistent labor. At the outset of his career, Mr. Barnhart recognized this fact, and he did not seek any royal road to the goal of prosperity and independence, but began to work earnestly and diligently in order to advance himself. The result is that he is now numbered among the progressive, successful and influential citizens of Clinton county, where he conducts a thriving restaurant business and caters to the most fastidious of patrons.
Harry Barnhart was born April 4, 1870, at Hawthorne, Illinois, and was the son of Benjamin and Sarah ( Hollingsworth) Barnhart, both parents having been born in Illinois. The father was a farmer. Both parents died in the year 1876, after worthy lives devoted to their work and family. The Methodist church was their denomination, and in politics the father was a Republican. Five children were born of the union, including our subject.
Harry Barnhart, being only six years of age when his parents died, was (44)
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adopted by an uncle, and raised on his farm. The boy remained there until he was eleven years of age, during which time he obtained as much education as possible from the common schools. At the age of eleven he went to the city of St. Louis, Missouri, and began to work in a restaurant. Ilis work was hard here, and, being but a lad he was forced to undergo a great many embarrassments, but he stayed on the job, and gradually began to progress. He worked in various restaurants and hotels until he had, by strict economy. saved enough money to begin for himself in the restaurant business. He selected Frankfort. Indiana, as his first location, and he started here in 1895. Mr. Barnhart had previously come to Frankfort in 1892 and had worked for O. C. Parson.
Since 1895 Mr. Barnhart has engaged in the trade of the restaurateur here in Frankfort, and his popularity in his chosen profession has constantly increased since his opening. Mr. Barnhart has the only restaurant in Frank- fort which has the approval of the state board of health. He has equipped his place of business with every modern device to insure cleanliness and quick service. His kitchen is of the new sanitary type, and is open at all times to the inspection of the patrons.
In politics, Mr. Barnhart is a stanch Republican. Fraternally. he be- longs to the Woodmen of the World and the Loyal Order of Moose, of which latter lodge he is a trustee. Mr. Barnhart has invested his savings in Florida farm lands. He also owns his home at 8 Freeman street, and his place of business at 14 North Main street, on the west side of the square.
In 1899 Mr. Barnhart was married to Ethel Hunt. the daughter of John and Sarah Hunt, of Kirklin. Indiana. Her father is a haybuyer and baler of that town, and the father of eleven children.
STEPHEN SLIPHER CLARK.
One of the most versatile men in Clinton county, a man who had many interests in life and who was equally successful in all of them, is the subject of this sketch. He was descended from one of the hardiest of the pioneer families, and inherited a great deal of their aptitude for unceasing and capable labor. Mr. Clark was well equipped mentally and physically for a life of unusual activity, and he made the most of his advantages. As a teacher, farmer, and minister of the gospel, he won high esteem and affection
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from his fellow citizens, and he well deserved their respect, for in every un- dertaking with which he was identified he employed the most honest and commendable methods of procedure.
Stephen S. Clark was born in Butler county, Ohio, December 2, 1831. and was the son of David C. and Mary Magdalene ( Slipher) Clark.
David C. Clark was born January 15, 1804, in the state of New Jersey and came to Ohio, accompanied by his parents when he was but an infant. He was raised on a farm. later becoming a farmer himself, also a bricklayer and plasterer. He obtained his early education in the common schools of his home county. He came to Indiana in 1832, settling on the farm now owned by William Rose in Ross township, Clinton county, and entered several hun- dred acres of land from the government. His wife possessed an excellent estate, inherited from her father, and Mr. Clark also entered a fourth section five miles east of his main holdings. He moved to the quarter section in Ross township, and later came to Frankfort, dying there on December 31, 1873. Mr. Clark cleared the land and prepared it for division among his children. He built his log home here, and during the first winter was com- pelled to live without doors, windows, or floor. Blankets were used to keep the cold out, and every hardship experienced by the pioneer was included in their life. Wolves and others animals prowled about the cabin at nights and added their mournful cries to the lonely hours. Mr. Clark was once a trus- tee of Ross township, and was a county commissioner in the early days. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist chruch, as were all of his family.
David Clark was first married to Mary M. Slipher, the daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Flenard) Slipher, who were of German descent. and who settled in Ohio in 1804. Ten children were born to this union : Elizabeth, Augustus F., Stephen S., Isaac Newton, Eliza J., Jonas D. Tilgh- man A. Howard, Willian Allen and David Austin (twins). and George W. William A. was a soldier in the Union army, and served faithfully through- out the whole Civil war. He and his brother, Isaac Newton, were ministers. Mrs. Clark died in 1865.
Mr. Clark was married the second time to Rebecca White, whose maiden name was Ivins. No children were born to this second union, and the wife died on August 10, 1896.
To say a word more of our subject's ancestry. his great-great-great- grandparents on his father's side were English, while those of his mother were Germans. His great-great-grandfather. John Clark, was born in Long
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Island, New York, in 1710, and he died on May 12, 1794. His great-grand- father, Samuel Clark, was born in New Jersey, December 9. 1752, and his grand father, Stephen Clark, was born in New Jersey, June 6, 1778.
Stephen S. Clark spent his early life on the farm. He received a good common school education, attended a private school, and was a student in Franklin College until small-pox broke out there, whereupon he quit. never to return. At this time Mr. Clark treasured the ambition to be a teacher, thinking that in this vocation his training and excellent education might be put to the best advantage. He was actuated in this resolve by more than pecuniary compensation ; he was intensely interested in the educational de- velopment of his state, and believed that more rapid progress could be made. Accordigly, he entered the pedadogic profession, and continued for the long period of twenty years, during which time he built for himself a lasting reputation as a successful and efficient instructor. Not only was he capable in the class room, but in the development of a definite system of teaching and the installation of new ideas he made his name noteworthy among the educators of the county and state. Many of his old pupils are among the in- fluential people of Clinton county today, and their respect and admiration for their former teacher has never diminished, and remains one of the pleas- antest memories of the days gone by. During the years in which he taught, Mr. Clark kept himself in perfect physical condition by work on the farm, with consequent greater vocational capacity and endurance.
At the age of twenty, Mr. Clark's whole family became members of the Missionary Baptist church, and in the year of 1855 he himself was ordained a minister of this church. His vocation were then teaching, farming and preaching, and he was equally successful in all of them. None of these occu- pations could be called an avocation, for Mr. Clark's heart and soul were in everything he undertook to do, and his versatility was only an aid to his efficiency. He belonged to the Judson Association, and preached in a num- ber of churches. He devoted a great deal of his time and efforts to the church in Frankfort, and helped liberally in the building of the same. He was also a large contributor to the new church being built at this writing. The first church was damaged by a wind storm and rendered unfit for further use.
On November 7. 1860, he was married to Mary Jane Ayers, of Frank- fort, the daughter of Albert G. and Abigail ( Bunnell) Ayres, farmers. Two children were born of this union: Julia Magdalene, who died in infancy; and Elizabeth Stark, now living at Cleveland, Ohio, where her husband is
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pastor of the Glenville Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Stark had two chil- dren : Stephen Stevens, died in infancy, and Stephen Weeks, born Novem- ber 22, 1906.
Stephen Slipher Clark, our subject, departed from this life on May 24, 1913, after a career of usefulness and good deeds. As a teacher, primarily, he won an imperishable reputation in the county, and as a farmer and preacher, he added to the respect that is paid him.
THOMAS A. GILLRIE.
The theory that success is the result of hard work and perseverance is scouted by many people of the twentieth century, and the reason, of course, is that many men have not known the necessity of building from the ground up. Their business has been established for them, their fortunes have been made by others, and so their view of life's vicissitudes is not the right one, although they are sincere in their belief. However, when facts are studied, it is proved that the element of success, to be true success, is obtainable only through the most persistent industry. Frankfort has many citizens who have won for themselves prosperity and position by dint of labor, and among them may be listed prominently Mr. Gillrie, of this sketch. He began life under hardship, but Spartan-like, fought through the discouraging first years, and today is enjoying the reward for his past work.
Thomas A. Gillrie was born at Lavena Center, Michigan township, this county, on October 15, 1881, and was the son of James Andrew and Katie L. (Heimbach) Gillrie. James A. Gillrie was born in Lockport, New York, in 1840, and was the son of Thomas Gillrie and Sarah (Tartsell) Gillrie, and was one of four children, the other three being Charles H., W. L., and Edwin D. The Gillries were of Scotch and English descent and originally came to Canada, settling on the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. The Hartsell family were originally of Germany, and they were among the early settlers of Lock- port, New York. James A. Gillrie, the father of our subject, was a carriage painter by trade, and died in the autumn of 1886 in Detroit, Michigan. Mrs. Gillrie, the mother, is now making her home with Thomas A. Gillrie.
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