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 57
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ABRAM C. FRAZIER.
Success in agriculture is not, as a rule, reached at so early a period in life as in other vocations; independence is the result of many years of toil, privation and economy; but when the time comes when the profits roll in, their influx is sure, steady and adequate. Abraham C. Frazier, of Sugar Creck township, ranks among those farmers of Clinton county who have made the most out of their work, and today lives to enjoy the fruits of a life of hard work and lots of self-sacrifice. He enjoys the prestige of an honest man, and he numbers his friends by his acquaintances.
A. C. Frazier was born October 30, 1848, in Clinton county, Ohio, and moved to Clinton county, Indiana, with his parents when he was but two year old. He was the son of William C. and Minerva ( Hill) Frazier. The father was a native of Tennessee, being born there on January 5, 1817, and came to Clinton county when but a boy, and died January 5, 1895. The father & all of his life followed farming and the trade of brick masonry. He was a Democrat. The mother died in the year 1854. Five children were born to this first union, namely: John, deceased ; Eliza Jane, Margaret, Abraham C. and Elizabeth. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Frazier married again to
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his first wife's sister, Rebecca Hill, and eight children were born to them, six of whom are still living.
Our subject received his education in the common schools of this county, and then took up immediately the vocation of farming in Sugar Creek town- ship, which trade he followed with ever increasing success until the present time. He owns ninety acres of land, all tillable and well tiled with the ex- ception of eight acres, the modern improvements on the estate having been built by Mr. Frazier himself.
On January 2, 1871, our subjeet was married to Mary A. Hinkley, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Owens) Hinkley, being born in Carroll county, Indiana, September 25, 1850. Five children have been born to MIr. and Mrs. Frazier, namely: Mrs. Minnie Walker, born April 22, 1872, of Boone county; Walter, born March 16, 1877, who married Della Wire, and they live in Boone county; Harvey, born July 31, 1882, married Maude Hig- gins, and lives in Randolph county, Indiana; Charles, born February 4, 1884, married Kate King, and resides near the home of his father, and lastly, Laura, born January 6, 1888, and married to Frank Harris May 19, 1906, and have three children, Russell, Harvey and Mary Agnes.
Fraternally, our subject is a member of the Masonic lodge at Kirklin, this county. In religious affairs he is a member of the Christian church, be- ing a trustee. Politically, Mr. Frazier is a Democrat.
SAMUEL R. FRIEDRICHI.
Germany has contributed, many times oft, to the citizenship of the United States. Invariably she sends to our shores men who later benefit the intense and careless American world. Frugality, industry, and simplicity of life are native to the German, and such an element is what the country needs; it is something the nature of oil on the troubled waters. The Father- land has not given up her men to us in order that they might gain inroads into our commercial interests, although they are there welcome, but has per- mitted them to serve in our armies, risking life and career under a strange flag. Countless Germans have fought for us, and these brave numbers in- clude the father of our subject, who joined the Federal army in the days of '61. 'Our subject is comparatively a recent settler in Clinton county, but he has already made his influence felt in connection with many worthy enter-
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prises, and gives promise of becoming one of the representative men of the community.
Samuel R. Friedrich was born on December 22, 1860, in Champaign county, Illinois, and was a son of Eugene and Sarah E. (McClonghen) Friedrich. The father was born in Germany, and moved to the United States when he was sixteen years of age. His first location in this country was in Virginia, and later he moved to the state of Illinois. When the Civil War opened he enlisted in the Fifty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in Company I, and in the later years of the struggle he became captain of the company. He departed from his earthly life on May 28, 1912. During his life Mr. Freidrich was very prominent in politics, in which he was alternately a Democrat and a Republican. He served in several offices, among them be- ing that of township trustee. He was twice married, our subject's mother being his second wife. The mother was a native of Ohio, born there in 1841, and she is still living in Illinois. Six children were born to them, namely: Samuel, Thompson, Rosy, Mary, Edward and Sherman, the last three being deceased.
Samuel Friedrich received a common school education and also attend- ed high school in Illinois. Since his school days he has farmed, and in 1903 he moved to Boone county, Indiana, and lived there two years, later coming to Jackson township, Clinton county, in 1906. He now lives on his well tiled and fenced farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres. While in the state of Illinois Mr. Friedrich carried on quite an extensive horse breeding business, at first in the light horse class, chief among his property being "Golddust," and later he had heavy draft horses, including an imported Percheron and an English shire. At present Mr. Friedrich owns a registered Percheron sire, and he also is raising Chester White hogs and registered Short Horn cattle.
On December 25, 1879, Mr. Friedrich was married to Martha E. Peters, who was born April 9, 1861, in Champaign county, Illinois, and was the daughter of William FF. and Rozana ( Herald) Peters, natives of Indiana and Illinois respectively. Mrs. Friedrich received a common school education in her youth. The nine children born to this union were: Sarah Rozella, born October 4, 1880, and died in 1884; Lawrence, born March 19, 1882; Sher- man E., born August 26, 1884; Floyd, born July 1, 1888; Amy F., born October 30, 1890; Ethel May, born June 15, 1893; Bessie V., born April 3, 1896; Winnie, born October 17, 1899, and one child who died unnamed.
Politically, Mr. Friedrich is a Democrat, and religiously is a member of the Christian church. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Court of Honor Insurance Order.
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JACOB STROUP.
One of the owners of extensive farming interests in Clinton county is the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch. Ilis valuable property has been acquired through persistent effort and directness of purpose and the prosperity which is the inevitable result of such niethods is today his. In his daily life he manifests a kind regard for his fellows and a tendency to aid in any undertaking which will benefit the community of which he is an honored members. Mr. Stroup is a pioncer of the best type, and as such his life record will go down on these pages in order that future generations may be familiar with the records of their forefathers.
Jacob Stroup was born January 9, 1839, in Madison county, Ohio, and was the son of Jacob and Naoma ( Debington) Stroup. The worthy father lived a very useful life. He was a Republican in politics and had the honor of holding a friendship with Abraham Lincoln.
Jacob Stroup had the advantage of a common school education in his youth in the schools of his native county. Tipton county, Indiana, was the scene of his next location and he lived there for a period of five years. Then he removed to Johnson township, Clinton county, and lived prosperously and happily in this place until March, 1913, when he retired and with his family moved to Kempton, Indiana, in preparation to spend the rest of his days in peace and quiet.
In the Civil War Mr. Stroup bore a part, although he did not enlist until February, 1865. The end of the war at that time was very near, but the country did not see it; hostilities appeared to be reaching a crisis instead of the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, and fresh enlistments were being sent to the front from all the Union states. Mr. Stroup was a member of one of these. He recruited in Company C. Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, under Captain Milburn. Mr. Stroup participated in several skirmishes during his service, many of them in and around Bentonville, North Carolina. He was mustered out on July 25, 1865, but not discharged until August 5 of that year. According to his comrades, Mr. Stroup ever proved a valiant and faithful soldier.
On September 19, 1869, Mr. Stroup was married to Margaret J. Eford, who was born in Clinton county, the daughter of Edward and Julia ( Ranci- pher ( Eford, natives of Ohio. Her father was a farmer and later in life was a merchant and stock shipper. Twelve children were born to our subject and wife, namely: Margaret, Oliver, Mrs. Oltie Boulden, Mrs. Ora Long, Mrs.
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Bertha Goodnight, Mrs. Orphie Bell Eaton, James B., John B., and married Rachel White; Zona, born June 10, 1887; Mrs. Chloe Orr, A. J., and Garnett.
All of his life Mr. Stroup has followed farming. He owns three hun- dred and sixty acres here in Clinton county, all of which is tillable with the exception of about twenty-five acres. The land is well tiled and fenced. Once Mr. Stroup raised Short Horn cattle, and Poland China and Chester White hogs, he now devotes his time to the Duroc brand of swine. Mr. Stroup owns a fine home in the little town of Kempton, where he is now living.
Naturally, Mr. Stroup is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and he takes an active part in the running of the same. Politically, he is a Progressive.
JONATHAN N. RUSSELL.
Prominent among the many and excellent farmers of Kirklin township, Clinton county, is the subject of our sketch. In a history of a given com- munity, great accord must be given to the agriculturists, for they are the peo- ple who form the basic and fundamental character of a locality. It is their work which "makes the wheels go 'round,'" and therefore it is appropriate to briefly sketch the life of our subject, who, by his honest and energetic efforts in his chosen line of endeavor, has carved out for himself an everlasting name among those of Clinton county, and the result of his labors will stand as a monument to guide the way of the next generation.
. Jonathan N. Russell was born January 11, 1845, in Kirklin township, Clinton county, Indiana, on the same farm where he now resides. He was the son of Johnson Russell, one of the carly pioneers who settled here in the year 1826, entering one hundred and twenty acres of land from the gov- ernment. Johnson Russell remained a farmer all of his life and believed in the principles of the Democratic party. He was born in 1802 in the state of Ohio, and died in 1866. On July 5, 1822, he was married to Cynthia, the daugliter of James E. Ely, and she was born in Plainfield, Indiana, on August 15, 1805, and came to this county when but a child. She passed away in 1856. Ten children were born to the union, namely: Elizabeth Jane, born April 30, 1824; Ellen R., born December 8, 1825, died September 14, 1840; James, Hannah, Robert, William, Johnson D., Mary Ann, Jonathan and Thomas.
In early life Mr. Russell was the recipient of a good common school
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education. He took up the work of farming immediately after leaving the scholastic life, and in that occupation has remained all of his life to date. He undertakes farming on a general scale and is an interested worker in the science of animal breeding. He makes a specialty of Poland China hogs and Jersey cows. He formerly confined his stock of cows to the Short Horn va- riety, but lately has changed to the more attractive Jersey. At one time, in 1904, Mr. Russell transported his family to Kirklin, Indiana, where they lived for a period of four years. The call of the open fields was too strong for him, however, and he returned to his farm. He has a hundred and fifty-four and ninety-two hundredths acres, all tillable with the exception of fifteen or twenty acres. The place is well tiled, improved, and upon it there is a com- modious and substantial home , the handiwork of Mr. Russell himself.
On September 28, 1865, Mr. Russell took as his wife, Clara Huffine, born in Ohio in November, 1846. Six children comprised the issue of this union, namely: Effie, born July 1866, and died 1905; Oliver, Richard, Myrtle, Fern and Freddie.
Politically, Mr. Russell is a member of the Democratic party, but fra- ternally or religiously, is not affiliated with any organization.
ORACE CLINTON DAVIS.
It is a good sign when a county like Clinton can boast of so many of her enterprising farmers and business men who are native sons, for it indi- cates that here are to be found all the opportunities necessary to insure suc- ยท cess in the material affairs of life and that her native sons, unlike so many from various sections, have found it to their advantage to remain at home. They have been wise in doing this, for nature has offered the husbandman unusual advantages here and seldom fails to reward the honest worker with gratifying results, and when the tillers of the soil are prosperous all lines of business flourish, consequently not only the farmers have succeeded in Clin- ton county, but also the merchants, millers, lumbermen, stock dealers and men of many other vocations. The county ranks well with the thriving sections of this or any other state.
One of the prosperous native sons of this county is the well-known farmer and stock man, Orace Clinton Davis, of Forest township, who was born but a few miles from where he now lives, on May 3, 1867. He is a son of Hueston and Mary (Cowdry.) Davis. Hueston Davis was born September
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14, 1822, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. Early in life he came to Clinton county, Indiana, where he married Jane Lynch on April 10, 1845. He had come to this locality with his mother who settled in Warren township. Here he became an extensive land owner and a successful farmer, owning a valu- able tract of land in Johnson township, at one time his estate aggregating over eight hundred acres. By his marriage to Jane Lynch, seven children were born, namely: John A., deceased; Morten P. is living; Allen is deceased ; Samuel M., an enterprising citizen of Clinton county, was killed by a vicious horse a few days prior to the convention that would have nominated him for the office of county auditor; William H., Martha and George E. are all liv- ing. After the death of the mother of the above named children Hueston Davis married Mary Cowdry, by which union four children were born, two of whom are deceased, namely: Laura is the widow of W. Dunn, he being deceased; Orace C., subject of this sketch. the other two died in early life. The death of Hueston Davis occurred on February 2, 1877. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in Ohio September 16, 1838, and her death occurred on May 11, 1894.
Grandfather Davis was an early day trader in the state of Pennsylvania. He made the long voyage on a raft from Pennsylvania down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans frequently, walking back home. On one of these trips he disappeared and nothing of his whereabouts was ever heard He may have been drowned, but most probably was murdered by highway- men, who frequently killed and robbed strangers passing through the coun- try, as they were always supposed to carry gold. Soon after his disappear- ance his wife removed with a brother of her husband, Hamilton Davis, to Clinton county, Indiana, and here established the permanent home of the family, and from that early day to the present the Davises have been leading citizens here.
Orace Davis grew to manhood on the home farm and he received a com- mon school education, later attending the normal school at Ladoga, Mont- gomery county. On May 23, 1888, he married Jennie L. Pruitt, daughter of John and Nancy J. (Stewart) Pruitt. Mrs. Davis was born February 25, 1869, in Johnson township, Clinton county, and there she grew to woman- hood and received a common school education. Her father was in early life a blacksmith, later a farmer.
Four children have been born to our subject and wife, one of whom is deceased, namely: Glenn H., born March 22, 1889, died February 16, 1890; Lillian M., born May 21, 1896; Palmer J., born March 22, 1899; Paul P., born March 27, 1907.
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Mr. Davis has been engaged since carly manhood in general farming. raising and feeding live stock. He has control of three hundred and thirty- eight acres, including one hundred and eight acres which is in his wife's name, the rest being in his own name. The land is valuable, fertile and under a high state of improvement and cultivation, all being tillable but about seven acres which is in timber and pasture. He has built nearly all the buildings now to be seen on the place, and he has a pleasant, commodious home. He buys large numbers of cattle and hogs annually which he prepares for market. ITe formerly used many horses, but is now making gasoline do as much of his work as possible.
Fraternally, Mr. Davis is a member of the Masonic lodge at Forest, and is a Knight Templar. Politically, he is a Democrat and has been more or less active locally. He once made the race for county clerk, but was defeated. He votes independently in local affairs. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOSEPH J. BIERY.
An illustration of skill as a farmer, as well as the ability to concentrate efforts along some special line until success is achieved in that undertaking is found in the case of Joseph J. Biery, of Warren township, Clinton county, who is not only a successful farmer as the term is understood, but is also one of our worthy native sons, being a man of public spirit who encourages any enterprise that makes for the upbuilding of Clinton county where his life has been spent and where he has ever maintained a reputation of good repute. 0
Mr. Biery was born on May 24, 1862, in Washington township, Clin- ton county. He is a son of Henry and Maria (Ruch) Biery. The father was born in 1830 in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, where his carly life was spent and from which county he removed to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1852, remaining there until 1863. He then came to Clinton county and established the family home here, and it was shortly after his arrival that our subject was born. He devoted his active life to farming. His death occurred Sep- tember 6, 1902, at the advanced age of seventy-two years. The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylvania October 17, 1833, and her death oc- curred on November 5, 1905, at the ripe old age of seventy-five years. This was a fine old couple of the pioneer type, rugged, honest, hard working. They had only two children, Peter and Joseph J.
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Our subject was reared on the home farm, where he worked hard when he became of proper age. He received a common school education. On Oc- tober 2, 1883, he married Rosa Gray, who was born in Illinois, May 23, 1862, thus is only one day older than Mr. Biery. She is a daughter of John and Nancy ( Misner) Gray, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio. They are both deceased. Mrs. Biery grew to womanhood in the Hoosier state and there received a common school education. She was three years of age when her parents removed from Illinois to Clinton county, Indiana, locating on a farm.
To our subject and wife five children have been born, all living, namely: Cora, born September 21, 1884, married Charles Cox, and they live near Mr. Biery; Orley, born September 7, 1886, married Ethel Shaw; Gertie, born July 21, 1889, married Orville Quick and they live in Frankfort; Elsie, born June 23, 1894, is at home; Ralph, born January 23, 1899, is the youngest.
Mr. Biery has always engaged in farming. He owns one hundred and sixty acres, all tillable but seventeen acres, and constituting one of the best farms of Warren township. The seventeen acres mentioned is in timber. The place is well tiled, well fenced. All the improvements now to be seen were made by Mr. Biery himself. He has a pleasant home and good out- buildings. In connection with general farming he raises Short Horn cows and buys and fattens hogs of a general breed, also handles all-purpose horses.
Mr. Biery is a member of the Presbyterian church, and politically he is a Republican.
GEORGE W. KELLY.
Varied and interesting has been the career of George Kelly, filled with the usual amount of hardship and failure, but with a corresponding amount of success. So it is with every man. Mr. Kelly has been carpenter, huckster, farmer and undertaker, and in all these vocations he has made a success, hay- ing fortified himself well for the years of old age.
George W. Kelly was born January 2, 1857, in Michigan township, and was the son of Edward and Susanna (Fall) Kelly. The father was born March 7, 1820, and died June 20, 1897. He moved to Clinton county from Ohio when but a boy. He came to Boone county first with one horse which they took turns riding. He was a farmer all of his life and a Democrat. The mother was born February 9, 1824, in Rush county, Indiana. Eight children were born to them, and they were: James Milton, born January 25, 1847,
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died 1851 ; Mary Jane, born July 18, 1851; Lucinda M., born November 11, 1844; George W., John W., born January 2, 1857, twin sister of our sub- ject ; William M., born February 9, 1864. The rest were not named.
George Kelly received a common school education in Michigan township. After that he made his start on the farm and lived there until the year 1887 and then moved into Michigan township. He followed the carpentering trade for awhile, and for a period of eleven years was a huckster. In 1910 Mr. Kelly went into the undertaking business with his wife's brother, M. B. Huf- fer, and they continued for a year when Huffer sold out to George H. 1Iam, who is now the partner of our subject. Mr. Kelly owns a farm of seventy acres, all tillable but two and one-half acres. There is a good wire fence around the estate and the land is well tiled. Mr. Kelly owns the building in which is his undertaking establishment, also a very beautiful and modern home.
Mr. Kelly was married to Phoebe Huffer, who was born March 4, 1866, in Clinton county, and was the daughter of George and Mary (Shanks) Huffer. Her father was a native of Virginia and came here when a boy, and was married April 8, 1855. He died on April 30, 1907. Her mother was born January 20, 1834, in Ohio and is still living with our subject. Seven children were born to Mrs. Kelly's mother, namely: Phoebe, John R., Stephen I., Sophronia A., Sarah Elizabeth, James S., and Matthew B. Mrs. Kelly's father was a farmer, and a Democrat then a Prohibitionist.
Mr. Kelly is a trustee and treasurer of the Christian church, and politic- ally is a Prohibitionist.
THOMAS ZANE WOOD.
Thomas Zane Wood comes of a family who were among the early pioneers of the county of Clinton. He is comparatively young in the ranks of the county's agriculturists, but he bids fair to uphold the reputation estab- lished by his honored ancestors before him. In all undertakings with which Mr. Wood has been identified, he has shown a willing spirit and has suc- cessfully co-operated with the community at large for the betterment of the county.
Mr. Wood was born on February 4, 1887, in Clinton county, Indiana, and was the son of Otto Victor and Inez Engenia (Dew) Wood. Otto V. Wood was born in the same county on May 4, 1869, and was the son of Willis and America (King) Wood. Otto Wood received a common school
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education such as the schools of the day afforded, and then took up farming, which trade lic followed all of his life. He now ships hay and baled straw for the markets. Religiously, he belongs to the New Light church, and politically is a Republican. On December 26, 1885, he was married to Inez E. Dew, a native of Logan county, Ohio, born there December 2, 1867, and died October 3, 1891.
Willis Wood was born in the state of Kentucky on April 25, 1820, and he came to Clinton county in 1841 and entered cighty acres of land from the government. His parents died while he was very young. In 1861 he gave the same land in the cause of the Civil War, as a substitute, and then bought eighty acres. He followed the agricultural profession all of his life, dying in 1906. Politically, he was a Democrat, religiously a Baptist and then a Methodist. Fraternally, he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. America King, his wife, was born in Kentucky.
Thomas Zane Wood received a common school education in Logan county, Ohio, and then became a farmer, and has remained so ever since. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land, all tillable, with the exception of thirty acres, which is in timber. He is also associated with O. Perciful in the breeding of stock, particularly horses.
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