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 36
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ALBERT T. DENNIS.
Among the capable men whose integrity and depth of character have gained a prominent place in the community and the esteem and admiration of his fellowmen is the honored subject of this sketch. A leading farmer and stockraiser of Clinton county, and a man of very good views and high ideas, his influence has ever been for the betterment of his community and the vocation in which he is interested. He ranks among the leading agri- culturists of the county.
Albert T. Dennis was born on April 15, 1844. Henry county, Indiana, the son of Benjamin and Clarkey Pool Dennis, the former a native of
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Pennsylvania and the latter of North Carolina. Benjamin Dennis was born in 1795 and was soldier in the American army during the war of 1812. Albert Dennis has four brothers and five sisters dead, and one brother living, William C. Dennis, of Greenfield, Ind., retired and father of a large family. The grandfather Dennis owned a half section of land in Pennsylvania, which he gave to the Shakers of Lebanon, O., when he joined them. Benjamin Dennis had three brothers: John, Thomas and Elijah, and one sister, who stayed with the Shakers.
Albert Dennis received his early education in a district school of Henry county, and later attended Earlham College in 1862-63, but was forced by sickness to abandon his course there. Albert was too young to enlist in the army during the Civil war, but he had two brothers whe served. Jolin and Thomas P., the latter dying during his enlistment. Mr. Dennis moved to Frankfort in 1883, shortly after being appointed commissioner of drainage. He filled this office in a very acceptable manner for five years. For one year, Mr. Dennis clerked in a hardware store, and then went into the grocery business, where he stayed for eleven years. The call of the open field was too strong for him, however, and he retired from business life to look after his magnificent farm of two hundred 'and forty acres in Forrest township. This estate is in excellent condition, being one of the model farms of the state. Mr. Dennis raises corn and oats, and takes great pride in his cattle, sheep, and hogs. He now lives in Frankfort, in a very pretty and commodious home on East Clinton street. Part of the timber in the house was grown on the land where it stands.
Mr. Dennis is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, is a Quaker, of rather, belongs to the Society of Friends, and in politics votes the In- dependent ticket.
In the year 1864, Mr. Dennis entered domestic life by marrying Emily Caroline Waddell, the daughter of Charles and Euphemia Waddell, natives of Pennsylvania. Only one child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and it died while in infancy.
Mrs. Albert Dennis is fortunate in possessing a very complete record of her large family of ancestors. Her grandparents were among the carly settlers of the East, both being born on the shores of Maryland, and were married in North Carolina in the year 1799. Her grandparents on the maternal side were Jacob and Sarah Roush of Pennsylvania, and the great- grandparents were John and Jane ( Montgomery) Cook, of Cook county, Ireland.
Mrs. Dennis's brothers and sisters are William IL., of Rushville: Martin
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F., of Indianapolis; Dilliha II., of Strawns, Ind. ; and two brothers and four sisters now dead. Her mother's brothers and sisters were James, AArchic, William, Samuel, Robert, David. John, Jane and Betsy, all of whom are dead. Her father's brothers and sisters were Polly, Elizabeth, Charles, Sallie, Nancy, Henry and Jennie, all now passed from this life. The brothers of her grandfather on her father's side were from Germany and all of them have died. They were Peter Waddell, John, Jacob, Henry, Grotford and Katherine. Jacob Waddell's grandmother's maiden name was Willis.
MAURICE HERTZ.
There is a great deal of satisfaction to the biographer in setting before the reader the salient facts in the life of the gentleman whose name heads this paragraph, but whose soul has traveled to "that undiscovered bourne from whence no traveler returns." His life was one of the highest in- tegrity, his name was synonymous with good deeds, and his influence in his home community was ever helpful and progressive. Today his memory is held in profound respect by all who knew him, and his record will go down in history as one worthy of emulation.
Maurice Hertz brought with him from Germany frugality, economy, and industry ; his Teutonic training gave him that wealth of education which only the German system affords, and although he left the Fatherland at the early age of sixteen, the schooling he possessed was far in advance of that of the American youths several years older. This element, when tempered with the Yankee grit and dash, makes a wonderful combination, which, has meant untold benefit to every section of the United States. The Germans have filled the best positions in the land, have entered all the professions, have tilled our lands, made onr laws, and have fought under the stars and stripes. Their patriotism is unquestioned, and the President of the United States occupies an equal place in their affections with their beloved Kaiser. Such is the type of men represented singly in Mr. Hertz, and it is a source of much satisfaction to present the following in regard to his life.
Maurice Hertz was born in the little town of Guntersblum, in the state of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, on November 25, 1854, and was the son of Aaron and Jeanette (Wolf) Hertz, who represented the best families of the province of their home. Aaron Hertz lived under the German flag
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a great part of his life, but went to South America, where he contracted a fever from which he ultimately died after returning to Germany.
Maurice Herte boarded a ship for this country when he was but sixteen years old. His travels first took him to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where he settled in the city of Lafayette, and in this place he remained a number of years in the dry goods business. He next came to Frankfort, at this time being twenty-one years of age. He founded the Hertz Dry Goods Com- pany, which concern he managed all of his life, making a success of it. and carning a reputation of being an honest and straightforward man of business. His friends were many and they held him in the highest esteem and respect all of his life.
On March 21, 1888, Mr. Heri was united in marriage with Bella Moritz, the daughter of Mayer and Caroline ( Frank ) Moritz, both natives of Germany and who came to this country, settling first in Cincinnati, O .. and later moving to the state of New York. These parents were married in this country, and eight children afterward blessed the union: , Moses, Her- man. Sigmund, Charles, Albert, Henry, Isaac and Bella.
To Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Hertz there were born two children, Ruth and Herman, both of whom now live at home in company with their mother.
Mr. Hertz, during his life, shunned the offers and inducements to enter public life or to hold political offices. He believed in the Republican policy and always was a liberal contributor to the support of the party. Fratern- ally, he was affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons and the Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Hertz departed from this life on August 26, 1905, at the age of fifty years and nine months.
WILLIAM B. KRAMER, Sr.
The following is a brief sketch of a man who, by assiduous attention to his business affairs, has achieved success among his fellows and has risen to an honorable position in the city where his interests are located. His record is plain, unadorned by strange or unusual incident, or dramatic episode, but is one of accomplishments. William B. Kramer is one of those estimable characters whose honesty and personality force them into notoriety of estimable form, which their modesty does not court, but which their good nature does not resent. Mr. Kramer occupies an enviable position
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in Frankfort, by reason of his character and his material interest in the affairs of his townsmen.
Mr. Kramer was born in Frederick county, Maryland, January 31. 1836. the son of Frederick William and Margaret (Schobl) Kramer. Fre lerick Kramer was a native of Maryland, and descended from good German stock. his father having come to this country in 1769 from Berlin, Prussia. He served valiantly in the Revolutionary war under General George Wash- ington and left service at Valley Forge on account of frozen feet. He died in Frederick's county, Maryland. Frederick Kramer was the father of thirteen children, a typical pioneer family. These were: Sarah (deceased ), Elizabeth (deceased), John A. (deceased) William B. Daniel (dec .se). Anna M. (deceased ). Phillip E. ( deceased ), James T. ( deceased), Franklin B. (deceased), Mary C., Alice C., Lewis N, and Virginia.
William Kramer was educated in the common schools of Maryland, and af er leaving them, took up farming, which occupation he followed until the year of 1873, when he moved to Clinton county. Here he went into the planing mill and lumber business as a member of the firm known as Kramer Bros., and in 1903 this firm was incorporated with William Kramer at the head of the enterprise. It is now known as "Kramer Bros. Co.," and con- tinues to do a thriving business.
In 1860, Mr. Kramer married Elizabeth Trundle, the daughter of Jolm C. and Elizabeth ( Hays) Trundle. Her parents were natives of Maryland. Frederick county, spending their entire lives in this state. Six children, John F., Samuel B., William B., Nellie, Rowland and Bertha Leuelle, have been born of this union. Mr. Kramer was forced to suffer the loss of his wife by death in the year 1909.
So far Mr. Kramer has not held any political or public offices, but contributes his services to the Democratic party. Mr. Kramer is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the Knights Templar. At one time he was a mem- ber of 1': state grand lodge of the latter order.
ELIAS CAMPBELL.
The life of a man whose successful career is accomplished through achievements in the business world is not so replete with stirring, dramatic qualities as that of the man whose deeds have been the outcome of a military career. However, it is fully as commendable. Very fortunate is the man who
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may boast of a highly successful business career in addition to a career in the field. Such is the man we treat of in this sketch. He joined the ranks of the brave fellows who went to the front in '61, and he returned to civilian life to valiantly serve the interests of the public as loyally as he did the flag of his country. Mr. Campbell has been in public office several times and has always acquitted himself well by reason of his integrity, altruism. and his delightful personality.
Elias Campbell was born May 24, 1848, in Clinton county, the son of Mark and Agnes S. ( Barkley) Campbell. His parents came to this county in 1848 from Franklin county, Penislyvania, and found here a wilderness which they, undaunted, cleared for the making of their farm. Mark Campbell remained on this estate all of his life and brought up a family of five children there: Elias, Andrew, Sarah, William and Oliver, the last two named being dead at this writing.
Elias Campbell attended the Clinton county public schools and soon mastered everything they had to offer, then turned to the business of farm- ing. Eighteen hundred and sixty-one and 1862 passed and the country was at a fever heat. Mr. Campbell resisted the temptation to drop his plow and don the blue uniform until May 7, 1863. Then, a lad of only fifteen years, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which company was attached to the Army of Tennessee. He was discharged from this first service at Indianapolis in 1864, but immediately reenlisted in Company G. One Hundred and Fiftieth Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, Army of the Potomac. This time he served until the end of the war, being mustered out at Indianapolis in November, 1865.
Until 1879, Mr. Campbell farmed and worked at the trade of car- pentering, then went to Sedalia, Ind., where he entered the mercantile busi- ness. He continued here until 1888. While in this town he won the esteem and respect of everyone. He was recognized as a leader and he justified every confidence placed in him. For ten years he held the position of post- master there. Atter moving to the city of Frankfort Mr. Campbell quickly became idenitfied with the commercial and civic interests of that place. He served for four years as street commissioner in that city, and in 1898 he took the office of deputy revenue collector for the United States in charge of a division of the seventh district of Indiana. He was appointed to this position under D. W. Henry of Terre Haute, and is still active in the furtherance of his duties.
Mr. Campbell has been married twice, and each time he has been com- pelled to undergo the loss of his wife by the hand of death. His first wife
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was Mary Young, the daughter of Dr. R. O. Young and Margaret ( Robi- son) Young. Her father was one of the oldest practitioners in the county and was one of the earlier pioneers of Greetingsville, Ind. Mr. Campbell married Miss Young in 1879, and ten years after, 1889, she was called to her Maker. Mr. Campbell's second wife was Kate DeCamp, the daughter of Capt. Edward Reed DeCamp and Maria ( Darr ) DeCamp, carly settlers of Clinton county, who traveled there from the state of Ohio. Mr. Camp- bell's second wife died May 23, 1910. Mr. Campbell has no children of his own, but has one adopted daughter, Grace Titus, who is now Mrs. Herman Nelson of Chicago. Before her marriage she graduated as a trained nurse from the llome Hospital at Lafayette, Ind., and then took a post-graduate course at Chicago. April 8, 1911, she married Mr. Nelson, who is an ad- justor for the Hart, Shaffner & Marx Company, clothiers of Chicago.
Mr. Campbell is a Republican by politics, sticking to the G. O. P. when the split came in 1912. Fraternally, he is connected with the Free and Accepted Order of Masons, Knights of Pythias, and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, all chapters at Frankfort, where he resides.
FRANCIS MILTON CLARK.
Much has been written in history and literature extolling the brave deeds of the "boys in blue"; it is eminently fitting that much more should be written, and it should be inscribed on records that are permanent. When we think of the bright-faced boys of the early sixties who left home, mothers, sweethearts, wives, everything, to fight for a great cause, we feel that each one should have an individual record to perpetuate his share in the struggle for a union. It is with pleasure that the biographer seizes the opportunity to place in print the life of one of the veterans who stands for the true type of soldier, besides being a successful man of the work. .
Francis Milton Clark was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, Novem- ber 3, 1843, the son of Daniel D. and Julia A. ( Belnap) Clark. His father was a native of Connecticut, who in 1839 moved to Tippecanoe county and settled down to farming and stock raising. Three children added joy to his home: Ama A. (deceased) Francis 31. and John ( deceased). Politically, Daniel Clark was not active, but took great interest in the welfare of the county, practically securing the first railroad through the locality.
In his early life. Francis Clark attended a log cabin school in Tippe-
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canoe county, then, as was the custom for young men of his day, he took up the pursuit of agriculture. In this occupation he was engaged at the out- break of the Civil war.
On August 8, 1862, Mr. Clark entered the Northern army, casting his lot with Company G, Seventy-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which regiment later was changed to a mounted troop. Col. C. O. Miller in com- mand. The troop formed a unit in the famous Wilder's Brigade. Army of the Cumberland. With this troop, Mr. Clark served through the entire war, participating in the sanguinary battle of Chickamauga. Mr. Clark was mustered out July 7, 1865, at Indianapolis.
For a short time after the war he worked upon his farm, and on October 30, 1867, he married Sarah Elizabeth Buntin, the daughter of Elihoe and Margaret (Maddux) Buntin. The bride's parents were very carly settlers in Clinton county, coming from Kentucky. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark: Lunetta, married to Walter Paris, now dead; Roberta C .. married to Finton Crull: Russell B. (deceased), married to Gertrude Maish, had two children, Marjory and Frances Willard: Julia D. (deceased), and one that died in infancy.
Mr. Clark has the reputation of being one of the largest land owners in the county, having six hundred acres in Clinton county and nine hundred acres in other places. In every way he is the typical self-made man, per- sistent, severe, but kindly, and always ready to extend a helping hand to a neighbor. He is an enthusiastic member of the Methodist church at Frank- fort, being president of the official board. In politics, Mr. Clark takes an interest, though he does not proclaim his views. He is a Republican.
JOHN T. PRICE.
There is no vocation, however humble it may be, in which industry and perseverance, in company with an honest purpose, will not be productive of some measure of success, and in the business of farming these qualities are highly essential. Among the progressive farmers of the younger generation in Clinton county, who have already attained a large measure of success is Tolin Price, of whom we speak in this cursory review. He is descended from good Kentucky stock, and has inherited many characteristics which have stood him in good stcad in life's battle for supremacy.
Mr. Price was born January 3, 1875, in Sugar Creek township, this
JOHN T. PRICE AND FAMILY
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county, and has lived within three miles of his home here all of his life. The date of his birth was the beginning of a life, the limits of which we can not prophesy, but it is safe to say that in the years to come his works will be pointed to with pride by his children and his fellows. His father was William Price and the mother, before marriage, was Martha Wilson. The father was born October 13, 1843. in Kentucky, and moved to Clinton county, Indiana, when he was only seven years old. He died in 19to after a long life of success in farming. He was a soldier in the Civil War, serving four years three months and twenty days in Company E, Fortieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Ilis two brothers and seven brothers-in-law were also in the service. William Price was a Democrat in politics, and always be- lieved in pure campaigns. The mother was born in Sugar Creek township on August 9, 1851, and still lives on the old home place near the farm of John Price. Both parents received common school educations in their youth. Six children were born to them: James, John, Charles A. (dec.), George H. (dec.), Tullia L., Tura and Ida F. (dec.).
Our subject was married March 7, 1897, to Lettie B. Ellis, the daugh- ter of Henry and Elizabeth ( Brown) Ellis. She is a native of Montgomery county, Indiana. The father is a native of Ohio and the mother was reared in the county of her daughter's birth. The father is dead, but the mother still lives. Seven children have been born to John Price and wife: Olive Fern, June 22, 1896; William Henry, November 15, 1899; Flossie Myrtle, October 10, 1901 ; Raymond L., May 18, 1905; Bertha Florence, October 10, 1908; Hazel Valentine, February 14, 1910, and Harvey Woodrow. July 20, 1912.
The main part of Mr. Price's activities is confined to general farming. stock shipping and breeding. Outside this he deals quite a little in real es- tate, and has interests in merchandise at the Pickard Mills. He owns 260 acres of fertile land in Sugar Creek township, all but thirty acres of which is tillable and well tiled and fenced. This comprises the home place, the im- provements on which were built by Mr. Price himself. In addition he has another one hundred and twenty acres in Sugar Creck township and one hundred and twenty acres in Adams county, this state, besides a house and lot in Union City, Ind.
Mr. Price belongs to the Masonic Order at Pickard, also the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men at the same place. Politically, he is a Democrat. For a time he served on the advisory board here. He takes a great interest in education and is a strong advocate of the country schools.
(46)
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MELVILLE FOREST BOULDEN, M. D.
The medical profession has a worthy exp ment in Clinton county in the person of Dr. Melville Forest Bouklen, of Frankfort, who, because of his skill and long years of practice here is well known throughout this locality and who ranks high among his professional brethren in this sec- tion of the Hoosier state. He was, it seems, well adapted by nature for the vocation, being in the first place, a student, who has kept well abreast of the times in everything that pertains to his work, and also the possessor of those personal traits which one must have in order to be popular with the masses. He is a man who can be depended upon and his hundreds of patients know that they can repose the utmost confidence in him and rely upon his judgment. He is also of a sociable and optimistic nature, and believes in finding the silver lining to every cloud, maintaining that all clouds have such, and that the obstacles we daily encounter on the road of life should but ser to arouse our combative nature and cause us to accomplish more rather than yield to the perverse rulings of fate.
Dr. Bouklen was born August 4, 1869, in Clinton county. He is a son of J. N. and Sarah An( Ellinore) Boulden, who came to Clinton county as early as 1830 and here lived the life of pioneers, and took an active part in the carly development of their community. They were frugal and hard-working, and consequently established a good home in due course of time. They were noted for their honesty, hospitality and true Christian impulses. To them nine children were born: Asa HI., Horace G., William A., Mortimer D., Oliver J., Hattie M., Charles E., Dr. Melville Forest, of this sketch, and Edward, who died in childhood. These children received ex- cellent educational advantages and some made noted teachers; four of the family being engaged in teaching at the same time.
After attending the public schools at Frankfort, Dr. Boulden entered the Danville Normal, from which he was graduated in 1899, after which he taught school for six years in his native county, and was making a great success as an educator ; but tiring of the school room, and believing that hiis true bent lay along another line, he entered the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, where he made an excellent record during the three years he spent there. He then spent a year in the Illinois Medical College in Chicago from which he was graduated with the class of 1903. He then took a hospital course in Louisville, graduating September 30, 1903. Dur- ing his spare time from college he practiced his profession at Brookville, Ind., under Dr. Buckingham. In 1904 he located in Frankfort, where he has
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since remained, having built up a large and lucrative practice and taking his place in the front rank of local medical men. He is one of the most suc- cessful general practitioners the county has ever known. He is a member of the Clinton County Medical Society and the Indiana State Medical Society. Under his brother, Charles E. Boulden, the doctor was deputy county sur- veyor. Politically, he is a Republican, and religiously, a member of the Christian chruch. Ile belongs to the Masonic Order. Blue Lodge and Chap- ter at Frankfort.
Dr. Boulden was married in October, 1894. to Millie Buckingham, a lady of refinement and winning personality. She was born in Brookville. Ind., June 15, 1875. She is a daughter of Erasmus and Jennie (Myers) Buckingham, a highly esteemed oldl family of Brookville, where Mrs. Boulden grew to womanhood, getting her education there and in the Frankfort high school.
The union of the doctor and wife has been blessed by the birth of two children, Herbert, born May 26, 1896, now attending school; and Beatrice, born September 24, 1900, also a student.
REV. CLEM RICKETTS.
On June 30, 1863, amid the primitive scenes of Sugar Creek township, Clinton county, as it v. s fifty years ago, with much of the landscape covered with forests, and thickets, and ponds, and swamps, Rev. Clem Ricketts, the subject of this sketch, first saw the light of day, and was reared on a farm amid days when boys on the farm knew something of the trials, hard- ships, and privations of those early days. The subject of this sketch was the son of John and Arilda Ricketts. John Ricketts was born in 1812 in Fleming county, Kentucky, and moved to Rush county, Indiana, when a young man. Later he came to Clinton county, which at that time was quite new, and entered land from the government, but few people lived here at this time. The county had no natural drainage and much of it lay in swamps and flags, and willows, with deer and wild turkey, and prairie chickens and wild ducks abundant. Fevers and agne came with their toll of sickness and death.
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