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 38
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On October 30, 1898, on his twenty-fifth birthday, Dr. Martin was united in marriage with Edith Blake, who was born in Kokomo, Ind., on
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March 24. 1873. Dr. Martin was saddened by the death of his wife on the 25th of February, 1906. On July 2, 1908 he was again maniel to Mrs. Bertha Mortsolf, a native of this county. No children have been born to Dr. Martin.
TAYLOR TOOPS.
One of the best remembered and most highly respected citizens of Center township, Clinton county, of a past generation, who after a successful and honorable career, have taken up their journey to that mystic clime, the "undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns," leaving behind him a heritage of which his descendants may well be proud-an un- tarnished name-was Taylor Toops, for a long lapse of years a successful tiller of the soil, having come to this locality when the rich soil had not yet all been redeemed from the primordial state, and here he played well his role in the drama of civilization. He was a man of industry and public spirit, willing at all times to do his full share in the work of development, never neglecting his larger duties to humanity, being obliging and neighborly, kind and genial, which made him popular with all classes and won the respect and good will of those with whom he came into contact, his long life of over four score years resulting in much good to those who came into contact with him, and his example is worthy of emulation by the younger genera- tion.
Mr. Toops was born September 6, 1832. in Jefferson, Washington township, Clinton county, Indiana. He was a son of Jacob and Sarah A. (Heavilon) Toops, the father was a native of Ohio and the mother of New York state. The former died in 1888 and the latter in 1874. Jacob Toops was a blacksmith by trade. His family consisted of seven children, three of whom are still living, namely: Taylor, subject of this memoir; Joseph, who was a soldier in the Civil war, is living; Mary Ann is deceased ; Hector and Clinton, twins, are living ; two others died in infancy unnamed.
Taylor Toops grew to manhood on the home farm and worked hard, and, being a pioneer child. in a time when there was plenty of hard work for all and few schools to attend, his education was very limited, but he was a man of extraordinary common sense and a strong character in every way. He was married on February 23, 1863 to Dorothy Sweet, who was born near Dayton, Ind., March 5, 1836. She was a daughter of Senicha and Elizabeth (Boyd) Sweet. They were natives of Hamilton county, Ohio,
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from which they removed to Clinton county, Indiana, and spent their re maining years. Here Mrs. Toops grew to womanhood and received a com- mon school education.
Nine children, only one of whom is deceased, were born to layton Toops and wife ; they were named as follows: Ada, Zona, Etna, Valen, Bond, Lamta, Merle, Dean, one died in early life.
Taylor Toops began farming when a young man and made that his life work, becoming one of the successful farmers of his locality. Hle owned one hundred and sixty acres which he placed under a high state of improve- ment and cultivation. It was all tillable and well tiled. He built a fine home on this land and was comfortably fixed in every way. He always handled a good grade of live stock although was not an extensive stock raiser, paying more attention to general tarming.
Politically, he was a Democrat, but he voted for the man whom he deemed best qualified for the office sought, being somewhat of an in- dependent thinker. He was supervisor of his township for a while, discharg- ing the duties of the office satisfactorily to all concerned. His wife preceded him to the grave a number of years, passing away on October 29, 1897. Mr. Toops had been a strong man physically most of his long life. About 1870 he contracted stomach trouble which bothered him for about seven years. then passed away and from that time on to his death he was in good health. He was summoned to his final reward on April 9, 1913. He was not much of a public man, preferring to stay pretty close about home. Three of his children, Bond, Ada and Valen, all unmarried, live on the homestead, which they operate successfully.
JAMES A. GROVE.
Another of Clinton county's substantial farmers is James A. Grove. who has led an eminently useful career, devoted to the interests of himself and community. Coming to this county when the land was just assuming a profitable state he grew up and learned the art of agriculture, becoming one of the respected citizens. Success such as his is the reward of perseverance and integrity. This cursory record herein set forth will, we hope, place be- fore the eyes of future generations a tale worthy of emulation. It is regret- table that more and adequate scope is not affarded in which to properly com- ment upon our subject's life.
James A. Grove first saw the light of day on February 24, 1864, in
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Fayette county, Ohio. Ile was the son of Jacob and Nancy (Armstrong ) Grove. Jacob Grove was a native of the Old Dominion, and Nancy Grove came from the Buckeye state; the former died in 1866 and the latter m 1888. Jacob Grove enlisted in 1862 in the ninety day service, and after that time he reculisted and served valiantly to the end of the conflict in 180- 1le was a farmer by occupation. Seven children bore his name, as follows. Susan, Abe, Henry, Agnes, Amis, Albert, James A., and Dora, who is de- ceased.
James A. Grove was fortunate to receive a common school training in his youth, after which he immediately took up farming. He was married July 22, 1888, to Jennie M. Hillis, who was born in Johnson township. Clin- ton county, on December 13, 1868, the daughter of John and Savannah (Jackson) Hillis, natives of Rush county, Indiana. Mrs. Grove received a common and high school education. Six children were born to the union, namely: Verna, Hillis, Lloyd, Frank, Thyrsa, and Thryl, who is deceased.
Mr. Grove owns three hundred and twenty-five acres of land in this township and it is all tillable with the exception of forty acres which is in timber and pasture. The place is fairly well fenced and adequately tiled. On this place Mr. Grove carries on high class general farming.
Fraternally, Mr. Grove belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men at Scircleville, and politically, is a Republican. He devotes his time to the in- terests of his chosen vocation.
JOSEPH FOREMAN.
In every community there are men whom, to take away, would be to remove the stoutest pillars of the economic and commercial life, and thereby the community would deteriorate industrially, socially and in reputation. This is a strict and fundamental law in the science of economics. Clinton county is a remarkably developed locality in the light of the above definition. There are men who have grown up with the community, and have succeeded by the sweat of their brow. These are few in comparison with the many who have seen the mirage of success in distant lands, but these few have reaped the reward of their perseverance and loyalty to the home town. Joseph Foreman is a grand example of this type, and as such it is our pleas- ure to narrate the few facts in connection with his life.
Joseph Foreman was born June 7, 1869, in Johnson township, Clinton county, and was the son of Henry and Julia ( Myers) Foreman. Henry
MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH FOREMAN
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Foreman was born in 1812 in Henry county, Indiana, and moved to Clinton county after his marriage, where he followed the vocation of farming all of his life. Politically, he was a Democrat. He died on May 23, 1877. The mother was born in the year 1849 in the state of Alssouri, and is stb being three miles north of Hillisburg. She had as good an education as the school of her day could afford, and at one time she taught school herself. Four children were born of the union: Molly E. Armstrong, Joseph, Job S and Leah H. After her husband's death Mrs. Foreman married the sound alu to Jacob Kirkendall in 1880. .
After a common school education, Joseph Foreman started in the farm- ing business and continued this until March, 1908, when he moved to Tlilli :- burg and went into the retail business in partnership with Carter & Clark. but sold out in 1911. He then went into the elevator business under the firm name of Foreman & Davis, sole owners of an elevator, with capacity of twenty-five thousand bushels. This elevator handles about two hundred and twenty-five thousand bushels per year. They buy and sell corn, wheat and oats, and handle salt, flour, feeds, etc. Our subject has a neat and attractive home in Hillisburg. He is assistant cashier in the bank at Hillisburg, also a director and stockholder. The Citizens' Bank has a capital of twenty thou- sand dollars.
On September 20, 1892, Mr. Foreman was married to Mary D. Main, who was born February 9, 1872, in Johnson township, this county, and was the daughter of Jacob and Harriett (Moore) Mann. Her mother was a native of Kentucky. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fore- man: Edith, born February 27, 1894, married to Archie Benge, and lives north of here on a farm, and Frances, born February 9, 1900.
Fraternally, Mr. Foreman is a member of the Masonic Order at Ilillis- burg, and also the Modern Woodmen. He attends the Methodist Protestant church. Politically, Mr. Foreman is a Democrat, and for a term of four years, beginning in 19044 he served as trustee of Johnson township.
GEORGE WINFIELD BENJAMIN.
Few men of Clinton county were as widely and favorably known as the late George Winfiell Benjamin. He was one of the strong and influential citizens whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this sec- tion and for years his name was a synonym for all that constituted honor-
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able and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, combined with every day common sense, were among his chief characteristics, and while advancing individual success he also largely pro- moted the welfare and prosperity of the community honored by his residence
George W. Benjamin was born in Newark, N. J., on November 3. 1852, and died on October 14, 1909. Ile was the son of Edward J. and Mary ( Hurd) Benjamin, who were both natives of the state of New Jersey. His family were originally from England, coming to this country in Mailing vessels in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Edward J. Benjamin came to Clinton county when our sul.ject was quite a small child, traveling overland in covered wagons, and settled on a farm near what is now Michi- gantown. In this place, favored by fertile lands and sunny skies, he remained all of his life, making a decided success of school teaching.
George W. Benjamin was educated in the common schools of this county, and thereafter followed railroading during carly life. In later years he was in the coal business in Chicago.
Mr. Benjamin was married on July 10, 1872 to Anna B. Taylor, the daughter of John C. and Deborah (Ghere) Taylor. Mr. Taylor was a native of the Old Dominion, and came to Clinton county in a very early day. traveling by boat down the Ohio river and then debarking to make the re- mainder of the journey by wagon. He was a publisher all of his life. Eight children blessed his home: Howard (deceased), Mary, Anna B .. Martha, Jennie C., Frank A., Charles C., and William (deceased). Both parents are now dead.
Three children have been born to the union of our subject and wife: Jeannette M., of Frankfort ; Francis B., of Detroit, Mich., and George W., Jr.
Politically, Mr. Benjamin was always a Republican, and took an active part in politics, but was never a seeker after public honors, preferring to spend his in the care of his business. He belonged to the Presbyterian church.
HON. HENRY Y. MORRISON.
That industry and sound judgment, combined with a wise economy both of time and money, are the surest contributing elements to success, was ex- emplified in the life of the late Henry Y. Morrison, who for a number of decades was one of the leading attorneys at law of Clinton county and one of the public spirited and useful men in civic affairs in Indiana. The cause
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of humanity never had a truer friend than this valued gentleman who has passed to the higher life. The stereotyped words customary on such occa- sions seem but mockery in writing of such a man when we remember all the grand traits that went to make the character of this, one of nature's noble- men. In all the relations of life-family, church, state and society -- he dis- played that consistent gentlemanly spirit, that innate refinement and unswery- ing integrity that endeared him alike to man, woman and child.
Henry Y. Morrison was born in 1825, near West Union, Adams county, Ohio, and he was the son of James M. and Margaret (Spahr) Morrison. James Morrison, who was a native of Kentucky, was a farmer all his life. When a young man, he went to Adams county, Ohio, coming on to Indiana not long afterwards, and there, amid wild surroundings, developed a good farm. The Spahr family came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, where, for a number of generations, they have been very prominent.
Henry Y. Morrison grew to manhood on the home farm and assisted with the general work about the place, attending the country schools during the winter months when he became of proper age. When but a boy he mani- fested a laudable ambition to enter the legal profession and with this end in view he went to Indianapolis and entered the law school in that city, where he made rapid progress and was admitted to the bar in Frankfort, Indiana, and here he spent the rest of his life successfully engaged in the practice of law with an evergrowing clientele, and taking rank among the leading legal lights in this section of the state, figuring in most of the important cases in the loca. courts for many years and gaining a state-wide reputation. He was at one time a representative in the state Legislature, serving his district in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfac- tion of all concerned. In this connection he will ever be remembered for his services to the state in view of the fact that he was the author of the famous drainage law in this state and it was through his efforts that the same was successfully put through the Legislature. From this untold benefits have been reaped, and to his wise foresight and keen discernment for the general welfare of coming generations of his state we owe much reverence to his memory. This one act alone marked him as one of our great men.
Mr. Morrison studied law after he was married, beginning his career under Judge Carver. He was very successful in a financial way and became owner of some of as valuable land as Clinton county can boast, owning a five-hundred-acre tract, near the town of Forest, but of this the family only retains about two hundred and sixty acres. He kept his place under a high
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state of improvement and cultivation and always took a great deal of inter- est in it, keeping it well stocked.
On February 28, 1851, Mr. Morrison was united in marriage with Nancy A. Campbell, daughter of William and Peninah ( Denman ) Campbell, a substantial and highly esteemed family. The father came from Pennsyl- vania and he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He came to Clinton county, Indiana, when a young man. Peninal Denman came here fish Dayton, Ohio, and they were married in this county.
Mr. Morrison was a faithful member and liberal supporter of the Presby- terian church and fraternally he belonged to the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he stood high in both church and lodge circles.
Five children were born to Henry Y. Morrison and wife, named as fol- lows: James, who has been twice married, first to Selina Ayers, by whom one child, Samuel, was born, who married Clara Blinn, and they became the parents of one child, Bruce Blinn. James' first wife is deceased and he later married Alice Spahr, by whom six children were born : Ruth, Mary, Milliard, Esther, James W., Jr., and IIenry Y. Martin A., second child of the subject of this memoir, married Lilian Thompson, and they became the parents of two children, Robert H. and Marilla M .; the wife and mother is now de- ceased. Martin A. is one of Frankfort's leading attorneys and he is at. this writing congressman from this district, being a prominent Democrat. He was educated in the schools of Frankfort, later attending Butler College at Irvington, a suburb of Indianapolis. He studied law at the University of Virginia, from which institution he was graduated, after making a brilliant record. John, the third child of Henry Y. Morrison and wife, is also a well known Frankfort attorney and lives at home with his mother. Margaret, the next child in order of birth, married Luther Heichert, and she is now deceased ; they became the parents of one child, Clara, who married Charles Silverthorn, and they have one child, Martin, who is a great-grandson to the subject.
The death of Henry Y. Morrison occurred on May 30, 1906, after a long, useful and successful life. Something of his high standing in Clinton county may be gained by perusing the following paragraphs reprinted from the Frankfort Morning Star, under date of Tuesday, June 19, 1906, which is an account of memorial services held to honor Mr. Morrison's memory, when eloquent tributes were given to a worthy and noble character, by the attorneys, the judge and his pastor :
"Yesterday morning the Clinton County Bar Association held memorial
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
services in honor of the late llon. Henry Y. Morrison, one of the oldest members of the bar, and a man deserving of the high tributes paid his mem- ory yesterday by attorneys and clergymen. The meeting was held in the large court room and was well attended, among those present being the widow of the man whose memory was being honored, and other members of the family. A number of ministers were also present. As an evidence of the genuineness of the eulogies there were many tears in the eyes of those who spoke. Judge Claybaugh presided at the meeting.
"The services were opened by the reading of the resolutions prepared by the committee, consisting of D. S. Holman, J. V. Kent and Joseph Clay- bangh, the resolutions containing a biographical sketch and reciting the splen- did service Mr. Morrison had rendered to Clinton county and paying tribute to the noble qualities and ideals that influenced him in all of life's affairs.
"Judge Kent then addressed the assemblage and in his earnest tribute he told of how Henry Y. Morrison had worked to bring railroads to Frank- fort. 'Ile was a man of tremendous energy,' said Mr. Kent. "All he wanted to know was, is it right? That question being settled in the affirma- tive, all else was a matter of detail that could be accomplished by hard work. and that he was ever ready to give for his county. If ever a man in this county deserved a monument in the court house square, that man was Henry Y. Morrison. The generations to come will reap the benefit of the tremend- ous energy of Henry Y. Morrison. He was a Christian man, a good man. Wherever he saw wrong stalking about, his idea was to hit it and hit it hard. As a lawyer he was a man of wonderful energy. I never knew him to bring a case he thought ought not to be brought. AAnd then when the case was brought he threw his whole energy into it.' The speaker paid a tribute to the deceased as a lisband and father and spoke of the splendid family that he had reared. In concluding Judge Kent said that Mr. Morrison had died in the triumph of a Christian faith.
"W. R. Moore: 'The resolutions that have been read recite very faith- fully my knowledge of Henry Y. Morrison. He was a man of kindly nature, and I have loved him for the kindness he has shown to my friends. ITis persistent energy left its impress on his community as no other man has. I remember his kindness to me when I was going to school here, and of how he would encourage me. He was a man of upright character, a lover of the right and ever the foe of that which debased.' The speaker then recited how Mr. Morrison had, with the assistance of a few others, conducted a vigorous fight on vote buying during a campaign and of how the great force of char-
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acter of the man had impressed it upon the minds of everybody and convinced them that he meant just what he said in every instance. 'And it was but a short time ago, continued Mr. More, 'that his own son proclaimed those same principles in a speech at Crawfordsville. It was Henry Y. Morrison speaking through his son.'
"J. W. Strawn: 'I remember very well when I first sa" Henry Y. Morrison. It was at a political speaking which my father took me to -- the first political speech I ever heard. Henry Y. Morrison was one of the speak- ers, and I came away feeling that he was one of the greatest men in the world. I remember how, in later years, when I was first starting out in the study of law, he took me kindly by the hand and encouraged me, and offered me all the help he could give. And as the years went by, that kindly interest con- tinned. IJe was ever the same, kindly, encouraging true. There was no false aristocracy about Henry Y. Morrison. Ile was a man whose honesty of purpose was never questioned, and we all learned that when his work went out we could always rely on it.'
"Joseph P. Gray: 'It was not my good fortune to know Henry Y. Morrison while he was in active practice. All I know of that part of his life is what I have heard his neighbors and those who practiced with him say. and it has been a recital of naught but good. But I have met him many times personally, and it is my experience that one always knew where he stood on a question. He always stood for that which he believed to be best for his fel- low men, and he had the courage of his convictions. As has been said by others here, there was no deceit, no hypocrisy about the man. He stood squarely on all questions and never equivocated.' In conclusion, Mr. Gray referred to the splendid drainage law that Mr. Morrison had passed, and which had increased the value of Indiana lands from ten to twenty fold.
"Joseph Combs: 'I never knew Mr. Morrison as a lawyer, as he was retiring from practice about the time I was beginning to practice but I knew him as a man, as a citizen, and I know that he deserves the tributes paid to him here today. What has been said here today is the truth. Ile was a man in whose word you could rely.'
"Charles Guenther: 'Henry Y. Morrison had practically withdrawn from practice when I entered upon practice. He left his impress on this com- munity in its material growth as well as in its educational and moral growth. IJe always stood for that which uplifted his fellow men.' At this point Mr. Guenther paid attention to Mr. Morrison's drainage law and to his efforts in securing railways for Frankfort. 'Frankfort is today a great railway cen-
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ter. Stop to think about it, you can get on the cars here and go anywhere - north, south, east, west. All honor to him to whom the honor of this splen- did state of affairs is due! As a man he had a character that we might all be proud of. Henry Y. Morrison's word was as good as his bond.'
"1J. C. Sheridan: 'I always regarded Ilenry Y. Morrison as a leading citizen, and my father and my grandfather always so regarded him.' Mr. Sheridan spoke of Mr. Morrison's drainage law that did so much for this county. 'When you say of a man that he was an honest man and a leader in the community in which he resides, you have said about all that can be said about him. I venture to say that no man has erected to himself a higher monument than has Henry Y. Morrison. The monument is the esteem of the people. By his efforts he has made this not only one of the greatest counties in Indiana, but one of the greatest in America.'
"Rev. H. R. Stark, of the Presbyterian church, joined his tribute with the others. He said: 'If I had not been a minister, in all probability I would have been a lawyer. I take pleasure in adding a few words to what already has been said. I knew enough about Henry Y. Morrison, his quiet, modest manner, to greatly appreciate him as a man and especially as a Chris- tion. One of the things which impressed me was his thorough conscientious- ness. His was not a conscience that was elastic, that could be stretched here, there and in any direction to meet any demand, but his was a conscience keenly alive and sensitive to the higher things. His life was a daily sermon. He was a sermon clothed in flesh and blood. He was a good man. The meaning of good is fitted to an end. And so he was a good man. He was fitted to the end for which God creates man-to live in the world and by pre- cept and example teach uprightness, purity and Godliness.'
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