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 43
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Mr. Lane owns one hundred and forty acres in section 34, Perry town- ship. 'Here he carries on general farming and stock raising. Everything about the place denotes thrift and good management. He pays considerable attention to stock raising and no small portion of his income is derived from this source. He has a silo which holds one hundred tons, and has the largest barn in the township. He keeps registered Percheron stallions and mares and is also a breeder of Poland China hogs. His fine stock is greatly ad- mired by all who see it.
One child, Blanche, has been born to our subject and wife. She was graduated from the Colfax high school and is taking a four years' course in DePauw University. Another child, Olive, died when sixteen months old.
Politically, Mr. Lane is a Republican, and fraternally a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
SAMUEL N. DAVISON.
This well known citizen is another of the old soldiers who went out to fight their country's battles a half century ago. What a pleasant sight it is at the present day to see a company of these honored veterans go by on Decora- tion Day or the Fourth of July, in the blue uniforms and with their tattered flags flying. But they will all be gone in a few more years, and nothing will be left but a memory. That memory should be perpetuated in song and story and monument, so that future generations may draw inspiration from their patriotism and gallantry. After an eminently successful, active and useful business career, Mr. Davison is now living in retirement in the village of Jefferson where he was for many years a merchant and for thirty-one years post master. In the development of his town and county he ever showed his eagerness to assist in any way he could; and, as a result of his public spirit, his honesty and neighborliness, he has ever enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who know him, having a wide acquaintance throughout Clinton county.
Samuel N. Davison was born in Decatur county, Ind., October 28, 1839. He is a son of William and Clarissa (Sythens) Davison. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of New Jersey, and of Irish and English lineage. William Davison, paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Dublin, Ireland, where he grew up, married and had two children. He then emigrated with his family to America, being on the ocean eleven months and one child being born on the ship. On reaching the United States, William Davison settled in Pennsylvania, and a number of years later he moved to Butler county, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his life. His family consisted of six children : Samuel, Mary, Esther, Jane, Betsy and William, father of our subject.
William Davison, Jr. was ten years old when his father settled in Butler county, O. In his youth he learned the cooper's trade at which he worked in Butler county and in several places in Indiana, and for two years he farmed in Arkansas. Later he lived in Madison, Ind., then returned to Ohio and in November, 1852, came back to Indiana, locating on a farm in Clinton county. In 1857 he moved to the town of Jefferson and resumed his trade. A few years later he embarked in the hotel business which he followed with fair success until about 1871 when he retired from active life. His death occurred on July 22, 1893, his wife having preceded him to the grave on
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S. N. DAVISON AND FAMILY
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
January 2d of the same year. They were the parents of twelve children : Elizabeth, wife of William Bake; Jane, Josiah, William, De Witt C., Sammel N., our subject ; Clarissa, Margaret, wife of William Campbell; Charles G., Henry, John, and Esther, wife of Frank Doty.
Samuel N. Davison remained under his parental roof-tree until he was about twenty-one years of age, having in the meantime learned the cooper's trade under his father, maintaining a shop at the village of Jefferson until the breaking out of the Civil war. Upon learning of the defeat of the Federal troops at the first battle of Bull Run he soon took leave of his wife and enlisted September 11, 1862, in Company A, Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry and was with that noted, regiment in all its various experiences in the strenuous campaigns and bloody battles in Virginia. At the second bat- tle of Bull Run he was, among others, detailed to bury the dead. He then went to Arlington Heights, near Washington City, where the Union army was encamped. He was soon, however, on a forced march with the rest of the troops through Maryland, and from that time on he was in almost constant service, proving to be a most faithful and gallant soldier, always gladly per- forming his duty no matter how dangerous or arduous. He fought in some of the greatest battles of the war, including Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He was wounded and taken prisoner at the last named battle, but a few days later he was retaken and sent to Baltimore, thence to Annapolis, Maryland, where he remained in the hospital for some time. He was also severely wounded at Chancellorsville, which resulted in the loss of one of his eyes. Mr. Davidson was honorably discharged on May 11, 1864 and immediately thereafter returned home, taking up his trade of cooper in Jefferson, continuing the same until 1869, when he purchased the hotel formerly owned by his father. He remodeled the same and continued to operate it with success until 1872, when he sold out and embarked in the mercantile business which he carried on for some time with very gratifying results, then began buying and selling staves and other cooperage material.
On August 11, 1860 Mr. Davison married Lucinda Dilmon, daughter of Daniel Dilmon, and of this union seven children were born : William II .. Dilmon, Flora E., Lucia B., Etta S., Russell and Emma May. Russell shot himself accidentally January 1, 1894, the wound finally resulting fatally.
Politically, Mr. Davison is a Republican. He was postmaster at Jeffer- son for a period of thirty-one years, his long retention giving evidence of his
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIAN.A.
faithful and satisfactory service. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal clmirch. but was for years a member of the United Brethren church. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Frankfort. He was one of the veterans who attended the fiftieth ar iversary of the battle of Gettysburg on the battlefield, the first three days of July, 1913. He again stood on the spot where he was wounded.
FLOYD S. FICKLE.
One of the most enterprising of our younger generation of farmers in Clinton county who has believed from the' outset of his career that "The wisdom of yesterday is sometimes the folly of today." and that while the methods of our grandfathers in tilling the soil were all right in their day. yet in the twentieth century we are compelled to adopt new methods and farm along different lines, in view of the fact that conditions of climate, so grains, etc., have changed since the days of the pioneers, is Floyd S. Fickle, owner of Winding Brook Farm. three and one-half miles southwest of Mul- berry, Madison township. He has been a close observer of modern methods and is a student at all times of whatever pertains to his chosen life work and he has therefore met with encouraging success all along the line, and, judging from his past record, he will undoubtedly achieve much in the future years and take his place among the leading agriculturists of a community noted for its fine farms and adroit husbandmen.
Mr. Fickle was born in Madison township, Clinton county, on May 3, 1882. He is a son of William Fickle and wife, extensive mention of whom, together with the rest of the Fickle family, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed in the county, is made on other pages of this work, hence the biographer does not deem it advisable to reiterate same here.
Mr. Fickle of this review, grew to manhood on the old homestead and there assisted with the general work when a boy. He attended the public schools in his district in the winter months. He is one of a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, eight of whom are still living. namely : Mrs. Fena Horlacher, Alvin T., Fernando I. is deceased; Joseph E. lives in Washington township: Sarah L. died when eighteen years old; Charles R. lives in Madison township; Stella M. is deceased; Orville O. is deceased; Ora A. lives at Clarks IIill ; Floyd S., of this sketch ; Lora L. is on
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787
CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
the old home place with his mother and Mrs. Elda E. Bennett lives in Madi- son township. The father of these children died March 25, 1913.
When twenty-five years old Floyd S. Fickle married Cathelene J. Conlon, who was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana and there she grew to maturity and was educated. She is a daughter of Michael and Mary A. Conlon, both natives of ireland from which country they emigrated to America in early life and located in Tippecanoe county, this state. The father died in 1900, but the mother is living at Mulberry, Indiana.
Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Earl and Francis.
Mr. Fickle is successfully farming his well kept and well improved farm in Madison township, and here he has a good residence and other buildings, and he keeps a good grade of livestock. There is a beautiful winding brook near his home from which he named his place Winding Brook. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and politically he is a Democrat.
PERRY A ROTHENBERGER.
As the name would indicate Perry A. Rothenberger, well-known farmer of Madison township, is of German descent and he has seemingly inherited the characteristic thrift of his forebears which has resulted in the attainment of a definite degree of success as habits of thrift, perseverance and fortitude always do when properly directed.
Mr. Rothenberger was born on the old family homestead in Madison township, Clinton county, July 27, 1865. He is a son of Christian Rothen- berger, a native of Pennsylvania, and he a son of Peter Rothenberger. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Marietta Leibenguth, and to these parents ten children were born.
Christian Rothenberger came to Clinton county in 1848, locating in Madison township, where the family has remained to the present time. He was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1824. He is a son of George and Sarah (Mentry) Rothenberger. October 14, 1852, he married Marrietta Leibenguth, daughter of Peter and Hannah (App) Leibenguth. She was born December 3, 1831, in Northampton county, Pennsylvania. The following children were born to Christian Rothenberger and wife: Frank P., Josiah, Flora E., Peter, Lydia M .. Perry A., Lewis, Ida A., Sarah H. and Mary J. The father of these children was without means when he came to
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDI.A.N.A.
Clinton county, but he worked hard, saved his earnings and in a few years had a good start and finally became one of the leading farmers and stock raisers in his locality. Politically he was a Democrat, and religiously a Lutheran. For recreation he engaged in fishing, often making large catches. His death occurred in 1900 at an advanced age, he having been born in 1824.
Perry A. Rothenberger grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the common schools. On December 25, 1887, he married Ella A. Peter, who was born on the old home place in Clinton county and here she was reared and educated. She is a daughter of Franklin and Eliza ( Bryan) Peter, and was one of four children, namely: Mrs. Emily F. Gable, Mrs. Marcella Rothenberger, Ella A., who married our subject, and Anise W., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, which also contains a fuller history of the Peter family.
Perry A. Rothenberger has devoted his life to general farming and has been very successful. He is now owner of beautiful Sunny Slope, a farm of one hundred and sixty acres well located in Madison township, and well im- proved. He has a substantial group of buildings, and in connection with gen- eral farming he keeps large numbers of a splendid grade of livestock. He feeds cattle and hogs for the market. He first purchased and inherited eighty acres, and, prospering through hard work and good management, was able in a few years to add another eighty, thus making him an ideal farm, which at this time is worth about twenty thousand dollars.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rothenberger two children have been born, namely: Mrs. Edith A. Ritenour, of Lafayette, and Ralph W., who is assisting his father operate the home farm.
Mr. Rothenberger is an active member of the Lutheran church, of which he has been a deacon for a period of eighteen years, and he has been Sunday school suprintendent for several years. His wife and family are also mem- bers of this church.
"Ephraim Rothenberger was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, Oc- tober 24, 1829. He came to Indiana in 1853 in company with the Fretz and Foster families, the trip having been made overland, the party walking almost the entire way. Settlement was at first made near Monitor, but later on Mr. Rothenberger moved to the farm east of Mulberry, where he lived until re- tiring to the home here in town.
"Mr. Rothenberger was married to Elizabeth Slagle on March 11, 1856, by Squire John Clendenning. This union was blessed with the following chil- dren: Marietta (Mrs. William Balser), Susan, Elias, Simon J., Elizabeth (Mrs. Frank Stinespring), James (deceased), Alice ( Mrs. Ed Martz), Ida
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
(Mrs. Clint Hart, deceased), Sarah ( Mrs. Albert Miller), Minnie ( Mrs. Thomas Waldron). Mother Rothenberger died July 15, 1893, and Father Rothenberger died Marca 2, 1911."
FRANK HARSHMAN
The name of Frank Harshman, well-known citizen of Madison town- ship, Clinton county, stands, as did that of his esteemed father before him, for progressive ideas in reference, both to agricultural pursuits and public affairs, and we are glad to give his personal record and that of his family in these pages, for such people are the class that advance civilization and make this world, none too elysian-like at best, a fairly fit place in which to live.
Mr. Harshman was born on the farm where he now lives, on June 15, 1872. He is a son of Henry C. and Kate (Shockey) Harshman, an old pion- cer couple of this locality. Henry C. Harshman was a son of Henry and Molly (Fogel) Harshman. Henry Harshman was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, December 22, 1797. From there his parents moved to Greene county, Ohio, when he was a child and there he was reared and mar- ried. Later in life he removed to Clinton county, Indiana, locating in the woods in Madison township, and here he developed a home and died here on August 20, 1843, and is buried in John Seager's cemetery. His wife was born in Maryland, February 8, 1800. She was quite young when her parents re- moved from the old Oriole state to Greene county, Ohio. She died in Clin- ton county, Indiana, at the home of Moses Harshman in May, 1876, and is buried in Jefferson cemetery. The grandfather of Henry, Peter Harshman, was born in Germany, from which country he came to America when a young man in the old Colonial days, and he served seven years in the patriot army in the Revolutionary War. He afterward settled in Rockingham county, Vir- ginia, where he was married, and after a few years removed to Greene county, Ohio, where he died in the fall of 1827 at the age of eighty-two years. Ilis wife was an English woman and lived in Greene county, Ohio.
Mr. Harshman's father and all his sons were Democrats except Moses. When the family came to this country, deer, bear and other wild animals were in abundance. The elder Harshman at one time killed three bears as fast as he could load his gun.
Henry C. Harshman, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was born February 3, 1841, the same year in which President Mckinley was born.
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
He devoted his life to farming, acquiring valuable farming property through his thrift, and his death occurred here in Madison township, Clinton county, on September 25, 1902. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. and was a Democrat. His wife, Kate Shockey, died July 28, 1911, at the age of sixty-two years. To them nine children were born, seven of whom are still living, namely : Alonzo E., Bertha, Grice, Lettie Mercer, Frank, subject of this sketch; Richard, Lawrence, Albert, Harry and Mrs. Kate Ayres.
Frank Harshman was reared on the old home place and he received a common school education. He was married June 15, 1898, to Laura J. Wes ner, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana. She is a daughter of Rev. J. Wesner, a well-known minister of the gospel in Darke county, Ohio. He was born in Davies county, Indiana. He married Lucinda Klingensmith, who was born in Marion county, Indiana. To them two children were born, Mrs Laura Harshman, and Neva.
Mr. Harshman moved to the old home farm in 1912. His place consists of one hundred acres of good and well improved land. He has a good home and substantial outbuildings.
To Mr. and Mrs. Harshman three children have been born, Henry Harold, born Angust 11, 1899; Freda M., born March 20, 1903, and Martin Luther, born August 19, 1913. The daughter is musically inclined and is be- ing educated in music.
Mr. Harshman is a member of the Lutheran church, also belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
P. J. BEISEL.
When he gazes over his broad acres of well cultivated land, P. J. Beisel, of Ross township, Clinton county, is justified in feeling that he has achieved the acme of his ambition, when in his early life lie became imbued with a determination to some day take front rank among the agriculturists of his locality. He has not attained to this position without long years of indefatig- able toil and good management, but he has been a man who never permitted any stone to remain unturned whereby he might advance himself, and he has so ordered his private life as to keep aloof all idle cavil.
Mr. Beisel was born in the year 1859, in Ross township, on the old homestead. He is a son of Solomon Beisel, who came to Clinton county in 1852 from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, where he was born and reared. He was a son of Peter Beisel, of Pennsylvania and of German ancestry. Solomon
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIAN.A.
Beisel married in Clinton county, Angeline Bear, a daughter of Jacob Bear of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. She was born in 1839 and in 1841 came with her parents to Clinton county, Indiana, and located in Ross township. Our subject's grandparents are both deceased, having spent their last years in this county. Solomon Beisel developed a good farm in Clinton county through his . industry, having come here when the land was little improved, and here he and his wife reared their children, eight having been born to them, namely: H. D. lives in Ross township, B. F. lives in Union township, Peter J., subject of this sketch; Mary, who married Mathias Troxel, of Ross township; Sarah L., who lives on the old home place: Mrs. Rosa Shaw, Mimmie is the wife of B. O. Strange of Owen township, and Flora died in infancy. Solomon Beisel, the father, was a shoemaker by trade, but most of his life was devoted to farming.
Peter J. Beisel was reared on the home farm and educated in the public schools. When twenty years old he made a trip to the West and remained a year, and returned home. When twenty-four years old he married Clara Troxel, daughter of Allen Troxel, who was a soldier in the Civil War. Mrs. Beisel was born in Pennsylvania, but reared and educated in Clinton county. Mr. Troxel was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lehigh county in 1842. Ile is a son of Stephen and Esther (Mickle) Troxel, both of whom died in Clin- ton county. Allen Troxel married on January 23, 1864, Louisa Samuel, who was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Samuel. To Allen Troxel and wife ten children were born, namely: Mrs. Clara Beisel, Mary, Ella, Eva, Emerson, Orpha, Cora, Ivy, Daisey, who died in 1909, and Pearl. Allen Troxel was twice married, his second wife being Maggie Burkhalter. He now lives in Mulberry, Indiana.
Peter J. Beisel grew to manhood in his native county and early in life began farming in Tippecanoe county, which he followed there for a period of fifteen years. In later years he came to Clinton county, Indiana. In 1898 he bought the old home of his grandfather, Bear, which consists of one hundred and six acres, and later he purchased forty acres more. He has kept the place well tilled and well improved and has a large ten-room house, well furnished. He keeps a good grade of live stock, and is one of the leading farmers of his township. He owns a standard make automobile and is very comfortably fixed in every way.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Beisel, namely: Pearl is the wife of Noalı Ganzwer, of Clinton county; Marvin is a traveling sales- man with a wholesale house of Indianapolis; Nevis S. is farming in this county ; Mabel and Clarence P. are living at home.
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CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
Politically Mr. Beisel is a Republican. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Reformed church, in which he is an chier and active worker.
JOSEPH H. STECKEL.
All credit is due a man who wins success in spite of obstacles and by persistency and energy gains a competence and a position of honor as a man and citizen. The record of Joseph IT. Steckel, now living in retirement in the town of Mulberry. Clinton county, is of such a man. He grew up amid rather discouraging environments, but it was during the formative period of this country and he was quick to see opportunities, and, managing well and working persistently, he worked his way to definite success and independence.
Mr. Steckel was born in a log cabin in Tippecanoe county, February 7, 1852. He is a son of Joseph Steckel, who became one of the most extensive farmers in what was formerly Ross and later Madison township, Clinton county. He was born in Lehigh county, Penn., January 22, 1824, in a house built in 1756, in which there is a table set in the wall, made of plaster, which bears the following inscription, "God protect this home from all danger. Our Lord and Savior. (Selah.)" The home was built by John Peter Drexel and Mary Magdalena Drexel. Its size is forty by fifty feet. It is the opinion of Joseph Steckel that this property was purchased by his grandfather Steckel of Mr. Drexel, the builder., The paternal great grandfather of Joseph Steckel was brought to America from Switzerland when only two years old. The Steckels all settled in Lehigh county, Penn. At one time a reunion of this family was held there at which seven hundred Steckels were present. John Peter Steckel, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Lehigh county, in 1785, and there spent his life, dying in 1866. His wife, Elizabeth Biery, born in that county in 1795, died in 1840. The Bierys were of German descent. Joseph Steckel had an uncle, Solomon by name, who served in the war of 1812. On February 26, 1846, Joseph Steckel married Anna Maria Ludwig, daughter of David and Lydia (Fatzinger) Ludwig, natives of Penn- sylvania. The father was born in 1803 and the mother in 1804.
· Joseph Steckel, father of our subject remained with his parents until he was twenty-six years old, then moved to Sheffield township, Tippecanoe county, Ind., where he lived four years. In 1853 he moved to Clinton county
JOSEPH H. STECKEL AND FAMILY
CLINTON COUNTY, INDIAN.1. 793
and located on the county line, about two miles west of Mulberry until March, 1885, when he built a beautiful brick residence in Mulberry. He was known to be an honest, reliable man, friendly to both rich and poor. He held the office of supervisor for four years. He was a member of the Reformed church, while his wife held membership in the Lutheran church. They were the parents of twelve children, an equal number of sons ar daughters: Lydia, Oliver. David (deceased), Phaon, living in Mulberry; Mrs. Mary E Bear (deceased), Deborah (deceased), Joseph H. of this sketch; Mrs. A. Burk- holder ( deceased), Mrs. Ellen J. Elliott (deceased), Mrs. Matilda Combs (deceased), Mcthusaleh, living in California; Martin, living on a farm near Mulberry.
Joseph H. Steckel grew up on the home farm and received a common school education. On February 2, 1873 he marreid, at Rossville, Clinton county, Maria M. Gable, who was born in Northampton county, Penn., Janu- ary 26, 1851, a daughter of Tobias and Hannah (Leibenguth) Gable, both natives of the same county in which Mrs. Steckel was born. The mother is living with our subject and has reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years. The father died at the age of sixty-seven years in Ross township. They were the parents of five children : William, Francis, John J., Maria M., married to Mr. Steckel; and Robert W. The father of these children was a carpenter by trade. Politically, he was a Democrat.
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