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 41
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David Horlacher was reared on the home farm and he received his edu- cation in the early-day schools. He became a very successful business man and well known and respected by all. He married Lavina B. Watt, daughter of James Watt, who was a native of Scotland. David Horlacher owned two or three valuable farms, aggregating four hundred and ten acres, on which he carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. His death occurred on July 27, 1909, at the age of seventy-one years. He was a man of fine Christian character. His wife, who was born in 1840, died at the age of fifty-four years, leaving five children, namely: James L., of this sketch; David Bruce, Alba C., Mary L., who married a Mr. Dorner ; and Sylvia L.
James L. Horlacher was reared on the home farm and received his education in the public schools. When twenty-four years of age he married Nettie Whetstone, a school teacher, daughter of R. C. Whetstone, of Center- ville. Mississippi. Her mother was Evaline Netterville. To these parents ten children were born, an equal number of sons and daughters, all still living. Mr. Whetstone was a cotton planter of the old south but has lately retired and moved to town.
Our subject spent five years in western Kansas, in the great wheat dis- trict of Thomas county. Ile finally returned to Clinton county and has since been successfully engaged in general farming here. owning a well im-
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proved and well cultivated place of one hundred and sixty acres, his place being known as "Clear Water Valley Farm," named for Mrs. Horlacher's old plantation home in the southland. He has a good home and such outbuild- ings and improved farming machinery as his needs require. He also owns three hundred acres in Kansas.
Our subject and wife have three sons and one daughter, namely : Levi J .. student at Purdue University, born June 9. 1896: Walter, born Angust 4, 1897; John R., born December 14, 1898; Mabel W. was born November 16, 1904.
Politically, he is a Democrat. Fraternally Mr. Horlacher is a Mason, and he tries to carry its teachings into his every day life. Mr. and Mrs. Horlacher and the two oldest sons are members of the Christian church.
JESSE E. AYRES.
Among the citizens of Washington township, Clinton county, who are especially deserving of mention in a volume like the one in hand is Jesse E. Ayres, partly because he has lived a life that is free from blame, and partly because he has been industrious and public spirited, never failing in the duties of citizenship. Such men are appreciated in any community, and this county has been fortunate in the possession of a large number of this type.
Mr. Ayres was born in this county on February 19, 1858. He is a son of John B. Ayres, also a native of this county, and a grandson of Albert G. Ayres, who was one of the early settlers of Clinton county, having come here in October, 1833, the family settling in the woods, but they were industrious and soon had land cleared, crops growing and a comfortable home established. The grandfather came from Butler county, Ohio. Albert G. Ayres was born in 1801, and his death occurred in 1884. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Mary J. Armentrout, a native of Ohio, also. She was a daughter of Matthew Armentrout, a native of Virginia. John B. Ayres, father of our subject, made the overland trip to Pike's Peak in 1859. He was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting in 1861 as a member of the Fortieth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served three years, six months and five days, under both Grant and Sherman, and he fought in many battles. Ile was twice married. By his first wife one son was born, Jesse E., our sub- ject. His last wife was Sarah Louisa Chambers, a native of Ohio. By this union two children were born, namely: Albert G., a well-known citizen of
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Clinton county, and Mis. Anna Horine, who lives in Frankfort. The death of John B. Ayres occurred at Frankfort at the age of seventy-four years. He was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He hhe need to the Masonic Order.
Jesse E. Ayres was reared on the home farm and was educated in the public schools. He was married in 1880 to Sarah Tompson, of Center town ship, a daughter of Peter and Catherine C. (Lee) Tompson. To our subject and wife seven children have been born, two sons and five daughters, namely: Walter E., is a conductor on the Clover Leaf railroad; 1. Grace, wife of Lce Young. of this county ; Mary E., wife of Charles Fickle, of Madison town- ship; Mrs. Maud Rhod. . Mable F., Sarah B., and Find Peter.
Mr. Ayres is the owner of seventy-six acres of valuable and well im- proved land in Section 35. Washington township, where he carries on general farming and stock aising. He has a comfortable dwelling and good out- buildings. He also owns 160 acres in Union township.
Mr. Ayres is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which his family also are members. His great grand fathers on both sides were soldiers in the Mexican War.
EDGAR M. C. HARSIIMAN.
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There are no better or more progressive farmers and stock raisers in Clinton county than Edgar M. C. Harshman, owner of Oakwood Stock Farm in Perry township, Section 35, which valuable and desirable place contains two hundred and thirty-five acres. He keeps up with the best literature deal- ing with general farming and the handling of livestock, adopting such ad- vanced methods, as in his judgment, makes for the betterment of conditions in this locality, and he has always been a close observer, himself experiment- ing in the rotation of crops, different fertilizing agencies, etc., until he is today thoroughly grounded in the science of tilling the soil as the best farmers of the twentieth century know it.
Mr. Harshman was born November 2, 1863, in this county, the son of Oliver Harshman, a native of Ohio, and there he grew to manhood on a farm and received a common school education, and in early life married Rachael Thompson, who proved to be a faithful helpmeet in every respect. She died when comparatively young, leaving three children, namely: Mrs. Maggie Mercer, who lives in Michigan; Mrs. Ella Smith, wife of Joseph Smith, of Perry township, this county, and Edgar M. C., of this sketch. The father was
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married a second trino, his last wire being Rachael Pegg. The father of our subject died at the age of fifty-one years. He was a general farmer. Politically he was a Democrat, und was a member of the Baptist church, and was active in church and Sunday school work, wa- superintendent of the Sunday school for some time. Ile was a man of fine character and a good citizen in every respect.
Edgar M. C. Harshman was reared on the old homestead and there he assisted with the general work when a boy. He received his education in the common schools. When twenty-one years old he married Dora Payne daugh- ter of Jackson Payne. Her death occurred at the early age of twenty-five years, leaving thre Geldren, nan 1. Mamie, who married William Cmull, of this county ; Clancy, who resides on a farm adjoining his father, lost his wife and child some time ago; Oliver J. is at home. Our subject married in 1891 Agnes V. Mynes, who was born, reared and educated in Clinton county. She is a daughter of David Mynes, deceased. Mr. Harshman is the father of eleven children by his second wife, seven sons and four daughters, namely: Alfred B., Flossie, Frank J., Clarence, Clara, Curtis, Marie, Dorothy, Glen, Edgar, Merlyn, Jr., and Everett Berlyn, twins.
Mr. Harshman keeps F's place well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He has a large dwelling and good outbuildings. Hle raises a great deal of live stock of a fine grade, and feeds cattle and hogs in large numbers, averaging most years sending to the market from his place five car loads each of cattle and hogy. He is well prepared for properly caring for his stock, having large barns and sheds. He is regarded as one of the leading stock men in Perry township, and no one in the township is a better judge of all kinds of live stock than he. He is a good manager and has been very suc- cessful in his life work. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church. They live three and one-half miles northeast of Colfax. They are frank, genial, neighborly and well liked by all who know them.
EDWARD MCKINSEY.
Among the native born residents of Clinton county who have reached a well merited success we must certainly include the name of Edward Mc- Kinsey, well-known contractor of Colfax. Few of our younger business men are better or more favorably known in this locality than he. Honesty and fair dealing have been his watchwords, and these twin virtues have been personi-
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fied in his active life. He has studied long and carefully every phase of his vocation and seeks at all times to do thoroughly and well whatever he under- takes.
Mr. MeKinsey was born on the old homestead in Jackson township, this county, being a son of one of our worthy pioneer settlers. His birth occurred on August 13, 1878. He is a son of Thomas MeKinsey, also born in the above named township and county, in the old brick house built there eighty years ago, this having been one of the first brick houses built in this locality. It is a picturesque place, and in it may still be seen the old fire-place with its iron crane. There many of the prominent people of this section of the state par- took of the free hospitality for which the MeKinseys have always been noted. the latch string having always hung on the outside. Here the paternal grand- father of our subject, Nehemiah MeKinsey, entered one hundred and twenty- five acres from the government, and this he developed from the wiklerness into one of the choice farms of the county. His children were: Wesley was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, George, Jack. Thomas, Calvin, also a soldier in the Civil War, and was killed in battle: Charles and Anna. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Emma Cook, daugh- ter of Seth Cook, one of the early settlers of this county. The death of the mother of our subject occurred on July 29, 1889 at the early age of thirty- eight years. She was a worthy member of the Methodist church and a good woman in every respect, kind, forbearing and neighborly. The children born to Thomas Mckinsey and wife were five in number, three of whom are de- ceased, they were named Edward, of this review, and James are the two liv- ing. Anna, Clinton and an infant daughter are deceased.
Ed Mckinsey, as he is known to everybody, was reared on the home farm and there worked when a boy. He received a good common school education. At the age of twenty-one he was married in Colfax to Bertha Waggoner, a native of Champaign, Illinois, and a daughter of Thomas J. and Mary E. (Lanam) Waggoner. The union of our subject and wife has re- sulted in the birth of three children, namely: Flossie E., now thirteen years old, is in the seventh grade in school; Pauline is seven years old, and Harold is three.
Mr. McKinsey has been engaged in contracting in Colfax for a number of years and he has been very successful, now ranking with the leading con- tractors in this section of the state, doing a great deal of gravel and similar work, and operating a threshing machine and hay baler. He owns a sub- stantial and well furnished eight-roomed house, and he owns eleven and one- half lots in one of the most valuable parts of Colfax. For many years he has
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followed threshing throughout this locality and is one of the best threshing machine men in the country. Politically he is a Republican. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 487, and the Maccabees, No. 169. both of Colfax.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The history of the church in any community is an interesting one. To study such a history, an idea is obtained of the history of other institutions. So long as history has been written, we find that the church has been closest to the peoples' heart, that is, the trend of events, the vetrolling pa ow, have been molded by the teaching of God's propaganda; royalty is based on re- ligion, in fact, all government ; civilization and society depend upon it for sustenance and principals ; and the great law courts of the world have, as their scales of justice, the weight of religion. Eliminate the force of religion from the world, and the world will disintegrate, crumble and hasten to self-destroy- ing ruin.
Though religious services were held for the Catholic people of Frank- fort as early as 1859, the first church was erected in 1878. At that time Rev. Francis Lordman administered to the spiritual wants of the Catholics. -
A lot was found in 1878 on the Jefferson gravel road, and a frame struc- ture, twenty by forty feet, was built thereon for a church.
When Francis Lordman could no longer attend to Frankfort, the Bishop gave the Franciscan Fathers of Lafayette charge of it from 1888 to 1892, and again from 1896 to 1898. Reverend John Blum was the first resident pastor, from July 1, 1892 until January, 1896. The present location was selected by Bishop Dwenger, and in 1892 a Gothic frame structure was built. When Father Blum left, the Franciscans came here twice a month, and during this time an altar, new pews, as well as the frescoing of the church, was pro- vided. Also the entire debt was lifted. Rev. P. J. O'Reilly took charge on September 10, 1898, and during his stay of nine months, the present parochial residence was built.
The present church building was erected in 1912, and dedicated on the 25th of May. 1913. It is Roman style of architecture, of dark shale brick and Bedford stone. The building committee consisted of P. R. Corbett, J. B. Kelley, John Devitt, W. H. McQuiston and Michael Rowan. The present pastor is Rev. W. B. Hardeman, who took charge on October 30,
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
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1900. The priests who have had change from the beginning until the present time are: Edward O'Flaherty, Giunge .A. Hamilton, A. B. Oechtering, Francis Lordman, Leo Moling aft, P. A. Willing, J. C. Heitman, 1. M Wilkins, John Blue Angelu, Hafertope, Moysius Kurtz, P. J. O'Reilly, F. J. Jansen, and W. .. Hordeman.
Rev. W. B. Ilondeman is a native of Rensselaer, Indiana, where his father and four brothers are still living. After leaving the public schools, he entered St. Joseph' College, at Collegeville, Indiana, where he took the six year classical course, from iSoft to 196o. After completing this course, he spent five years at Alt. St. Mary's of the West, at Cincinnati, Ohio, in the study of philosophy, theology, history and Sacred Scripture. Finishing here in June, 1905, he was ordained by Bishop Alerding in the Cathedral . 1 Fort Wayne, Indiana, on June 17th of the same year. His appointments were : Assistant at Gas City, at the Cathedral of Fort Wayne, substitute at Fowler, pastor pro tem at SS. Peter and Paul's at Huntington, Indiana, and pastor at Frankfort since October 30, 1906.
JOSEPH HEAVILON.
A highly respected and public-spirited citizen of Washington township, Clinton county is Joseph Heavilon, a man who has lived a life of industry and has dealt honestly with his fellow men, so that he is every way deserving of the esteem which is gladly accorded him by his wide acquaintance. He has lived to see the community develop from a wild state into one of the foremost farming localities in the Hoosier state, and he has played well his part in the transformation.
Mr. Heavilon hails from the Badger state, having been born at Milwau- kee, Wisconsin, in 1840. a son of Taylor Heavilon, who was born in 1808. in Monmouth county, New Jersey. The mother of our subject was Sally Potter, a native of Rutland, Vermont. The father of our subject was a carpenter and contractor. Ile came to Chicago in 1833. about the time of the treaty with Chief Black Hawk. He moved to Milwaukee in 1845. He had been in Indiana as early as 1828. The father of our subject died at the age of sixty-six years, in 1874. The mother survived until 1907, reach- ing the advanced age of eighty-six years. Six children were born to them. namely : Lydia, Joseph. Charlotte. Kygar, Abel and Franklin.
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The father of our subject was a Universalist in religion, and the mother belonged to the Episcopal church.
Joseph Heavilon received a common school education. In 1865 he mar ried Virginia P. Caster, a daughter of Richard Caster, of Virgi in The union of our subject and wife resulted in the birth of three children, Hunehy . Mrs. Sally Groves, Jesse who lives in this county; and Mrs. Virginia P. Knapp, wife of George B. M. Knapp, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Heavilon's first wife died in 1873 and in 1875 he married Jessie Caster, a sister of his first wife, and to this union three children were born, namely : R. M. is a banker of Frankfort; Harry, Joseph, Jr., Mary, Daisy, Fanny, Gertrude. Harold and Hobert These children were given go of edu- cations, some attending Purdue University at Lafayette, Indiana.
Our subject and sons own one thousand acres of fine land and they carry on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. They have a pleasant home and are popular in the township.
JOSEPH J. RUCH.
Reform movements tr ... el slowly. The wearing-out process of the virgin fields of the United States has extended over a long period of years and their rejuvenation will require many years of agitation on the part of experiment stations, county experts and farm weeklies, but each year the farmers of the Middle West are showing improvement in their method of handling the soil. Judicious crop rotation, in which one of the legumes is in- cluded, is having much to do to bring about an increased yield per acre. There has not been, and will not be, a spontaneous movement to restore the soil's fertility. Farmers are no exception to the average of mankind. Some will take the initiative, others will doubt, still others will learn by example, and yet another class will wait until forced by a depleted soil and a decreased yield to take up the great work of rebuilding the soil.
One of the progressive farmers of Washington township, Clinton county, who has demonstrated here for more than half a century that he understands how to preserve the fertility of the soil is Joseph J. Ruch, widely known pioneer citizen and gallant veteran of the Civil war, who came to this locality in the year 1853. when a boy. He was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania,
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November 5, 1842. He is a son of a farmer. Peter Ruch, also a native of the above named county and state, and a son of Lawrence Ruch, born also in the Keystone state. The father of our subject grew to manhood in his native state and there received such educational advantages as the early times affordil. There he married Louisa Anna Troxel, a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Troxel, a Pennsylvanian. Peter Ruch and wife came, with a wagon and three horses, to Clinton county, Indiana in the days of the early emigration westward from the okl Eastern states, in 1853. and here Peter bought three hundred and eighty acres of land. for which he paid seven thousand and six hundred dollars. It was choice land. and thereon he established the future home of the family, which comistol of seven sons and three daughters, namely : William II., died at the age of sixty-six years; Peter died when nineteen years oldl; George, died sixty-four years old ; Joseph J. : Eli died in Pennsylvania : Martin died when fifty-six years old : Lucy is deceased ; Francis was the youngest. The father of these children died at the age of seventy-two years, leaving a large estate to his children. The mother passed away at the age of seventy-four years, beloved by all who knew her. She was a member of the Lutheran Reformed church.
Joseph J. Ruch was reared on the home farm and educated in the neigh- boring schools. He was eleven years old when the family moved to this county. He attended the old log school house in his neighborhood. Early in the Civil war he enlisted in Company I, Fourth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry for three years of during the war, under Captain Austin, of Lafayette, and Col. Isaac P. Grace. After spending some time at Camp Morton, Indian- apolis, he was sent to Madison, this state, then to Camp Gray, then crossed the Ohio river on horseback, spent two months at Carlton, Kentucky, then to Louisville. Ky. H. took part in a number of battles and skirmishes. including Bear Valley, Nashville, Lookout Mountain, Franklin and others. under General Thomas most of the time. He was discharged for disability April 26, 1863, after making a fine record as a soldier for the Union. He returned home to Clinton county and resumed farming.
In 1865, Mr. Ruch married Sarah A. Baer, who has proven to be a faithful helpmeet. She is a daughter of Jacob Baer, who died when fifty- eight years old, but the mother lived to the advanced age of eighty-three.
Our subject's farm of ninety-five acres is one of the best in the township. He keeps a good grade of stock, and he has good outbuildings, and a substan- tial nine-roomed dwelling, well furnished.
Six children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Mrs.
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Anme Hembach, Mr. Ella Schreier, Dallas P. J., who owns a good one hit dred and fifty acre farm: James who owns an eighty three acre farm; two children died young. Frank and George W.
Poltically, Mr Ruch is a strong Republican. He is a member of the Reformed church. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. Stone River Post No. 65, Frankfort, Ind.
D. H. PELLMAN.
There is a great deal in being born under a good eye, one that watches and guards off the error and folly that overtake so many young men. The parents that are able to infuse into their children the spirit of the Spartans -- the spirit that can meet any fate and make the most of the world-will see their children grow to years of maturity with excellent habits and splendid principles and see them become exemplary citizens. D. H. Pellman, superin- tendent and manager of the Ballard Ice Cream Company, of Mulberry, Clin- ton county, was fortunate in having broad-minded, honest and painstaking parents. He was taught from the start the duties of life-not ordinary in- struction. but the higher duties which all owe to each other and to society. The result has been to give him broad ideas of life and its responsibilities and to fit him for honorable citizenship.
Mr. Pel, an was born in Warren county, Indiana, near the city of Bos- well, on March 18, 1883. He is a son of Austin Pellman, of Milford, Iro- quois county, Illinois, however he was a native of Indiana, born on a farm. Ile married Sarah F. Wells, also a native of this state, now deceased. Six children were born to them, an equal number of sons and daughters.
D. H. Pellman was reared on the home farm and there taught to work. He received a good public school education and also attended Purdue Uni- versity, at Lafayette. Ind., where his uncle, IT Pellman, is boss butter maker in the agricultural department.
Mr. Pellman took charge of the Ballard Ice Cream Company's plant in Mulberry, in 1910. The capacity of the plant is three hundred gallons per day. Large quantities of cream and milk are purchased from the farmers round about, which is brought in early in the morning and is shipped to Indi- anapolis, about two thousand gallons being shipped each month. As good ice cream as can be obtained in the state is made at the local plant, and it is
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in greit demand all over this part of the state owing to its superior quality. Large shipments are made to remote sections of the country.
They have a twenty-hor e power plant. All milk is pasteurized. All equipment is modern and up-to-date, sanitary in every respect, cleanliness and high-grade as well as prompt service being the aim of the company. Mr. Pellam understands thoroughly every detail of the work and is giving his employers eminent satisfaction, having done much to increase the prestige of th . firm. While at Purdue he was for some time head herd man.
On June 26, 1907, Mr. Pellam was married to Flora R. Ambler, of Ox- fond. Indiana, who was born at Pine Village, Warren county, Ind., where she wis reared and educated.
To our subject and wife two children have been born, Marvin William and Herbert Sidner. Mr. Pellam is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Tribe of Ben-Hur.
ANISE W. PETER.
Useless to say that Anise W. Peter, farmer of Madison township, Clin- ton county, has worked hard and honorably earned the reputation which he enjoys as one of the leading farmers of his community, and it is also needless to add that he is held in the highest esteem by all who knows him intimately, for he is a man who throws the force of his strong individuality into the gen- eral werk of upbuilding the township and county.
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