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 37
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It was a time that called for strong sturdy manhood, and Mr. Ricketts with others gave his life to overcoming the wilds of nature, and to make the once howling wilderness to bloom as the rose; and in December 1888, he was laid to his rest.
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Arikla Ricketts, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Jennings county, Indiana, and shared with her companion the trials and hardships necessary to build for themselves a home and to rear a large family in those days, many times joining with him in the work out in the fields. Thus, worn with a life of toil and hardships for nearly three score years and ten, she too, fell asleep.
To this union, eleven children were born: James M., Priscilla Jane, Mary Ann, William L., John E., Nathan, Joseph 11., Clem, Sarah E., Ada M., and Charles W.
Clem Ricketts, the subject of this sketch, passed the years of his carly life amid the scenes common to a life on the farm, working on the farm in summer and attending the district school in the winter season, and so complete the common school course. When 18 years of age, he made a journey to the state of Kansas in an immigrant wagon, which was the usual way of going in those days. On the 14th of February, 1884, he was married to Ella Cooper, the daughter of James M. and Sarilda Cooper, of Sugar Creek township, Clinton county, Indiana. Of this union, one child was born, Daisy May, born May 28, 1885, who is at this writing, the wife of Harry Kuhlman of Kirklin township, Clinten county.
At the age of twenty-five, the Rev. Clem Ricketts having united with the Hills Baptist church near his home, felt that he was called to preach the gospel, and entered Franklin College to fit himself for that work. His first pastorate was his home church which both licensed and ordained him to preach. This church he served as pastor for nearly thirteen years, and saw, during those years, a new commodious church house built, which he planned and carried to completion, and some two hundred and fifty members received into the church. :
Except when he was in college he has always lived on the splendid. well kept farm of one hundred acres which he owns, and the time not given to study or church work, he spends working on the farm. In the spring of 1908, Mr. Clem Ricketts realized the longing of many years, in making an extensive voyage to the Holy Land, and many foreign countries, visiting Egypt, Athens, Constantinople, Rome, and Asia Minor, thence across Europe through Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France and England. This, within itself, was an education, giving him a wider range of vision as well as help- ing him to better understand the Bible, by visiting the scenes where the wonderful events of the Bible occurred, and by studying the conditions of that unchanging country, where one may see the Bible lived today much the same as in the days of long ago; for the manners and customs of the people
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there are as changeless as are her hills and plains and mountains mal seas. Such a trip is what many would enjoy, yet so few ever take-a deepening and widening of life's current.
Mr. Ricketts has always been active in the church work of th Baptist denomination. At various times he has been pastor of many churches throughout the state and at one tin was moderator of Judson Association, has had offers of city char hes, but the call of the country appears to him! more than the city, and in his beautiful country home is probably where he will spend the remainder of his days, amid the scenes he loves so well.
JOSEPH H. RICKETTS. ATTY.
Joseph H. Ricketts, son of John Ricketts and brother of Rev. Clem Ricketts, was born in Sugar Creek township, Clinton county, Indiana, October 23. 1861. He passed his boyhood life on the farm, attending district school in the winter season and working on the farm in the summer. Completing the common school course, he afterwards went to Danville Normal School at Danville, Ind., and after completing a course there, he took up the work of teaching in the district schools and followed the same vocation for twelve yea . He developed a fondness for law, and entered the law school at Washington, D. C., and while there, at the age of twenty-eight, he was nomi- nated at the Republican convention at Frankfort, Ind., for county representa- tive.
He soon after returned home and entered the campaign with his party, taking a very active part, but at the election, he went down with his party, being defeated by only thirty-four votes. He afterwards was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law in Frankfort, Ind. Hle formed no partnership, but was associated with both attorneys Judge Doyal and Perry Gard, and afterwards with Martin \ Morrison. He was elected chairman of the Republican county committee and in 1898, He was appointed city at- torney of Frankfort, which place he held imtil his death.
After he had become settled, the practice of law as his life work, he imited with the Disciples church in the city of Frankfort, Ind. Joseph I !. Ricketts was a man among men. He was of the strictest integrity and with- al, a man of noble impulses, whose life was clean and above reproach. His quiet. imassuming life won for him many friends. He was a good lawyer, and his counsel in law was often sought. He was building up a great law
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practice until in December, joor, he was stricken with a deep seated cold which lingered with him until the following February, when pneumonia laid its hold upon him and February 8, 1902, he passed into the great beyond. He still lives in the memory of many who knew him best, and who knew him to be a true man.
(CERO SIMS.
Over ninety years have dissolved in the mists of time, embracing the major part of the most remarkable century in all the history of the race of mankind, since the honored and venerable subject of this sketch first saw the light of day. Heaven bounteously lengthened out his life until he saw the crowning glory of this the most wonderful epoch of all the cons of time, and rewarded the consistent living of his youth and active manhood, his early years of industry and frugality, with an old age surrounded by . comfort and plenty. Mr. Sims could well have felt that his had been a useful, successful and happy life-a life of sunshine and shadow, of victory and defeat, according to the common lot of humanity since the world began, but nobly lived and worthily rewarded. He was a native of the section of the Hoosier state of which this volume treats and here he was content to spend his life, his long residence having won for him a very high place in the confidence and esteem of his many acquaintances and friends. He noted and took part in the wondrous transformation of this country from the pioneer days to the present, saw the wilderness transformed into one of the world's richest farming communities, saw the log cabins of the first settlers give way to pretentious modern dwellings, and Indian trails to superb turn- pikes. He was always deeply interested in whatever tended to promote the prosperity of his native locality and the sections where he resided were greatly indebted to him for their material, educational and moral development. Ile used his influence for benevolent enterprises, was always friend and liberal patron of the church, which he believed to be the most potential factor for substantial good the world has ever known or will ever know. He merited in every respect the high esteem in which he was universally held.
Cicero Sims, for a long period of years a well known teacher and attorney of this section of Indiana, was born about eight rods from where the present court house at Rushville, Rush county, now stands. He was a son of Stephen and Elizabeth (McCarty) Sims. The father was born in Cocke county Tennessee, in the year 1792, he having been a son of William and
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Amelia ( Russell) Sims. William Sim- was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, from which he eventually moved to Tennessee. The Sims were among the carly families of the Old Dominion and Tennessee and became prominent in the various communities where they established their homes. being known as public-spirited, patriotic, progressive people. A number of them served gallantly in our various wars, William Sims, mentioned above, having had the distinction of serving on the staff of General Washington during the Revolutionary war. He spent the latter part of his life in Ten- nessee and died in that state. His widow eventually came to Indiana in a very early day and died near the town of Brookville. In that carly period also came Stephen Sims, father of our subject, to the Hoosier state, settling near Rushville. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, after which he re turned to Indiana. He was a pioneer of Rush county and experienced the usual privations and hardships of that period. He was a rugged, hard- working, honest man who cleared the land of its primeval forest and de- , veloped a good farm and a comfortable home by hard, persistent work. He was a leader in church, school and political work in his county and was re- garded as a leader in public affairs there. He was appointed school com- missioner for that county and had charge of the school lands there. Re- moving to Boone county, this state in 1834, he also became a leader of public affairs there during the two years of his residence, but in 1836 came on to Clinton county, where he developed another farm. He built the early court houses at both Rushville and Connersville and he erected many of the best residences in that section of the state. Besides being a skilled carpenter and builder, he was also an extensive brick maker, and many of the sub- stantial brick residences he erected are still standing. His death occurred in 1863. Politically, he was a Republican, and was active in the affairs of the party. In relig huis matters he was a Methodist. His wife was also a descend- ant of sterling Revolutionary stock. Her death occurred in Clinton county.
Cicero Sims grew to manhood on the home farm, and being a son of a pioneer and growing up amid pioneer environment, he naturally found plenty of hard work to do. He received such meager educational training as the carly schools of his time afforded, but, closely applying himself to such books as he could get, he acquired sufficient knowledge to teach, and he followed that profession for some time with much success. He was gifted by nature as a musician and taught music for quite awhile with equally gratifying results, his services as a musical director in the days when rural singing schools were in vogue, being in much demand. Ile remaied a student and studied law, making rapid progress in the same and engaged in the
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practice of this profession for many years in this locality. Being appointed pension agent, he discharged the duties of that office for many years in a manner that reflected credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. He retired from active duties sometime before his death, which occurred July 6. 1913, at his home in Frankfort. Though past ninety-one years of age, he had the appearance of a man much younger and was in fair possession of all his faculties. He had lived a careful. abstemions life.
Mr. Sims, was a Republican in politics and has always been loyal in his support of his party's principles. He was also prominent in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church for many decades, holding memilenship in that denomination since early life. On March 1. 1842, Mr. Sims, was united in marriage to Mary Caroline Black, who was born June 6, 1824, near Centerville, Ind., where she grew to womanhood and received, like her hus- band, the meager education of the old-time schools. She is the daughter of William and Isabella Black, carly settlers of Wayne county, this state, and a well known family of the vicinity of the town of Centerville. Mrs. Sims, is still living, being past eighty-nine years of age. She has been a faithful helpmate to her husband, and has a host of warm devoted friends. To Mr. and Mrs. Sims were born the following children: James N., born April 25, 1844. a soldier in the Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war, and died of camp fever at Memphis, Tenn., during the service; Sarah C., born in 1846, now the wife of Rev. O. M. Merrick, of Rossville, Ind .; Nancy J., born in 1848, now the wife of A. J. Merrick, of Howard county ; Isabelle E., born in 1849, now the wife of J. W. Lee, of Frankfort; William M., born in 1854, now living in Florida; Stephen B., born in 1861.
JOHN I. GUN.
One of the substantial native sons of Clinton county, who has been content to spend his life in his native community, is John 1. Gum, a worthy representative of the agriculturists of this county. By close application he established those habits of industry when a boy which insured his success in later years, being able to extend, from time to time, the area of his posses- sions and activity. He has always used his influence in behalf of all moral and benevolent enterprises, and has been interested in whatever tended to promote the prosperity of this township and county.
MR. AND MRS. JOHN I. GUM
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John 1. Gum was born December 18, 1848, in Warren township, Clin- ton county, Indiana, and was the son of Charles and Rebecca ( Nutter ) Gum. Charles Gum was born September 2, 1802, in Virginia, moved to Indiana in 1837, and died in August, 1885. The mother was born November 24. 1806, in the Old Dominion also, and she departed from this earth on October 16, 1896. Both parents received common school educations, and the father, by occupation, was a farmer all of his life, and politically was a Democrat. Seven children blessed the union, and their names were: Anson P. (dec.), Martha, Harrison (dec. ), Elizabeth (dec. ), Elmira (dec.), John L., and one who died without being named.
John I. Gum, in his early years, received very little education. During the progress of the great Civil War he ran away from home with the pur- pose of enlisting in the Union army, which he did on October 12, 1863, at Lafayette, Ind., in Company A, Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, under I. L. Laflesh. During the subsequent years Mr. Gum performed every duty that was assigned to him with unswerving fidelity, most of his service con- sisting in guarding the railroad lines. He was honorably discharged on June 2, 1865, in St. Louis, Mo. He then returned to Clinton county, and took up farming, which was to remain his work for the rest of his life to the present time.
He was married on February 10, 1867, to Nancy E. Gallegher, who was born October 28, 1850, in Clinton county, and was the daughter of John and Charlotte (Bogan) Gallegher, people from the state of Virginia, her father being a farmer and a Republican.
Mrs. Gum received a good common school education. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gum, and they were: Lady L., born December 18, 1868, married to Harrison Quick, died April 12, 1902, children, Grace and Lady Ruth; Charlotte R., born February 25, 1871, married Harry D. White- man, lives in Frankfort, children, Hazel, Leslie, Clarence, Mary, and Irene; Lora Annette, born September 9. 1874, married William Taylor, children, Ethel F. and Cecil II., living with subject ; Orth Porter Harrison, born Sep- tember 13, 1882, died February 28, 1883, and Lennie Minnie Alice, born October 21, 1885, died December 16, 1907, married to Fred Sanderson Feb- ruary 15, 1903, children, Beatrice Leora and Irwin B.
Jolm I. Gum has always farmed here, and owns one hundred and ten acres, all tillable but ten acres, which is in timber. On his farm are the latest improvements, including eighteen hundred rods of tiling. Our subject now leads rather a retire " life, but carries on general farming and stock raising, including common cattle, Duroc and Berkshire hogs. He has not made a
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specialty of horses, although he owns a mare which has taken thirty-eight prizes at horse shows and fairs, etc., in the general purpose and coach classes. Politically, Mr. Gum is a Republican, and fraternally belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Michigantown.
CHARLES C. GENTRY.
Another one of the native sons of Clinton county who has shown a marked versatility in being able to make a living in many different things is Charles C. Gentry, now proprietor of the Palace theater in the city of Frankfort, one of the leading playhouses of its kind in this section of the state. He quickly adjusts himself to new environments and makes a success ยท of whatever he turns his attention to, and, being a gentleman who has the best interests of his town and county at heart and who believes in leading an honorable life, has the good will of his hundreds of patrons.
Mr. Gentry was born in Center township, this county, February 19, 1856. He is a son of Dr. Z. B. and Charlotte R. (Tetlow) Gentry. Z. B. Gentry, the father, was a physician of the old school. He received but a meager schooling, and learned medicine from persistent home study, and he became successful in his profession, enjoying a wide practice, which he attended to on horseback, riding all over the county. Politically, he was a Republican, and he did much for the general upbuilding of Clinton county in its carlier days. His death occurred on April 7, 1879, his widow surviving until March 12, 1909, reaching an advanced age.
Charles C. Gentry grew up in his native town and here he has been content to spend his life, living to see many changes which have taken place here during that period of fifty-seven years. He was educated in the public and high schools of Frankfort.
On October 15, 1895, Mr. Gentry married Minnie D. Dory, who was born in Cambridge City, Ind., February 14, 18; 7, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Groscourt) Dory. The mother is deceased, but the father is living and making his home with our subject. He is a locomotive engineer by profession, and politically is a Republican.
The union of our subject and wife has been without issue.
After Mr. Gentry left school he entered the mercantile field in which he remained until 1876 when he became assistant postmaster at Frankfort under W. H. Hart, and he remained in that capacity until 1885, giving
mum which o remains la may be
which he built hier. If the Day Walker street, where In hat resided Since November 18. Fr DI - to the Knights of Pain and the Real Noch Nie mt . ht
Among the epresentarse griculture and public spirited more of Clinton county who, while achatting their own interests, have not neglected their duty to the community at large is Nicholas Peter, of Michigan town- ship. Reared to a farming life, he has so applied his energies and ability as to attain a success worthy the name, while his present high standing in the community indicates the appreciation of his sterling character.
Nicholas Peter was born into this world on September 8, 1843, in Tippe- canoe county, Indiana, and was the son of Daniel and Mary ( Burkhalter ) Peter. Our subject came to Clinton county in 1871. settling first in Madison township.
Daniel Peter, his father, was born on the first day of September, 1807. in the state of Pennsylvania, and moved to Ohio when but a boy, later coming to Tippecanoe county. He died on December 22, 1889, after a long and useful life spent as a farmer, wagonmaker and millwright. He was a Democrat until the chetion of Abrahen Lincoln when he turned to the Republican party and there he cast hr vou over afterward. The mother was born in Ohis in the year of our second war with England, and she died in July. 1865 These parents received very little education for that time, but could read, write and speak tien an. Ten children were born 1. then the six living being: William, Henry. Elizabeth, Nicholas, Calvin and Er. in.
Nicholas Peter received his early education in the common schools. mostly in Tippecanoe county, his birthplace. Being prepared for an agri- cultural carecer, he immediately entered into that vocation. He moved to Michigan township in the spring of 1891, and ont: a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, all tillable with the exception of twenty acres. The land was well tiled. Besides general farming he carried on stock raising, making Poland China hogs, Shorthorn cattle, and a mixed breed of
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horses his specialty Mr. Peter came here to Michigantown in February, 1911, and still owns a farm. He has a fine two story home here, and is living a retired life. Mr. Peter is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church and votes the Progressive ticket.
On May 11, 1867, Nicholas Peter was united in marriage with Emma Rothenberger, who was born in Tippecanoe county, February 26, 1848, the daughter of George and Lydia ( Walters) Rothenberger. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, a farmer all of his life, and died in 1887. The mother of Mrs. Peter was also a native of the Old Keystone state, and she departed this life in March, 1903. Mrs. Peter had the advantage of a good common school training. To Mr. and Mrs. Peter have been born five children, namely: Emerson, born February 3, 1868, and married Dora Vergin, and living in Beard, this county: one died in infancy, unnamed: Dasiy, born Augr t 29, 1873, married Preston Newhart of this county; Mabel, born January 2, 1876, and died January 17, 1895; and Lydia, born March 31, 1878, married to Clinton Maxwell,
DR. WARD J. MARTIN.
Until the last half century the medical profession was in a primitive state scientifically ; men who specialized in that division of medical treatment were few and far between. However, the possibilities of dentistry became a realization ; increasing population demanded men to devote their time ex- clusively to the trade, and consequently, improvement and progress attended the practice of the profession. Now, there is to be learned many things by the young man contemplating the dental trade ; new appliances, methods and materials have been discovered and invented, and the modern dentist uses none of the primitive and painful methods once used in the care of the teeth, in fact, the only cure for the toothache seventy years ago was to pull the tooth, but now the maxim of the dentist is always "save a tooth at any cost." One who represents the best accomplishment of the professioni
county is Dr. Ward J. Martin. He has kept to the top of his pr .
keeping himself informed as to the latest improvements in technical and operative matters, and by exerting himself to please the many patrons who visit his office.
Dr. Ward J. Martin was born in Winchester, Indiana. on October 30, 1873, and is the son of John K. and Ann Eliza (Quinn) Martin. John K.
CLINTON COUNTY, INDIAN.A. 733
Martin was a native of the county of Randolph also, having been born there on February 7, 1837, the son of Elisha and Susan ( Kelley) Martin. Elisha Martin came from near Cincinnati, Ohio, and was a brickmaker by trade during his life. As an artisan in this trade he was an adept, and hell a record in the making of brick by hand which has not been surpassed to the present day. In his later life he moved to Randolph county, Indiana, being one of the very first pioneers to the eastern county, and there he followed his old trade of brickm king and building.
John K. Martin received an excellent education and from his honored father karned the art of brickmaking and building. He became proficient in this trade, and invented the first round tile in the state, making the same, and also the mold. He was the promoter of the only brick and tile manu- facturing plant in that section of the Iloosier state. During the Rebellion Mr. Martin was a first lieutenant in Company C, Sixty-ninth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, serving three years in the struggle and acquitted himself with honor. He was wounded in the fighting around Richmond, Kentucky, and subsequently discharged. He died on March 31, 1897. Mr. Martin was married to Ann Eliza Quinn on January 13, 1858 and she was the daughter of Marison and Dorinda Quinn, and was born on November 3. 1837 at Eaton, Ohio. Fraternally, Mr. Martin was a member of the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically, he was a Republican for many years after the war, and once served as deputy United States marshal. Religiously, he was an Universalist. Mrs. Martin is still living.
Ward J. Martin received a common school education and naturally learned the brickmaking trade. as had his father and grandfather before him. He did not remain in this trade very long and possessing talent as a musician, secured a position with the Forepaugh circus, with which organization he traveled for seven years as a musician. Later, he was with the Diffenbaugh ten-cent circus in the same capacity. In 1892 Mr. Martin came to Frankfort and studied dentistry under Dr. J. J. Parr. Mr. Martin passed the examina- tion and all requirements given by the State Board in 1904, and immediately began active practice in this city, which he has continued to this day, with great success and satisfaction to his many patrons. Fraternally, Dr. Martin is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, also the Knights of the Maccabees. In politics he supports the Republican party.
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