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 6
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Samuel H. Thompson began life with hard work on a farm and he con- tinued in this occupation until August 1, 1862. At that time the heat of the war reached him. He was engaged in the blacksmithing trade at the time and immediately he dropped his tools and started for the front. On September 4, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Captain Gorham. During his service with this troop, Mr. Thompson smelt the smoke of many of the more important engagements, including Missionary Ridge and Chickamauga. He was with William Tecumseh Sherman on the famous march below Atlanta but when the army was divided he was sent back to join Hood. Later he was made a corporal of the twenty-third corps and sent back to Tennessee to take charge of his command. From there he participated in many smaller battles in and around Nashville, one being the conflict at Franklin. For a time he was on the sick list, but after recovering he joined forces again at Pulaski, Tenn. Again he suffered illness and he was returned to Nashville to mend. His next service began at Huntsville, Tenn., and he continued then without interruption. Mr. Thompson was honorably discharged at Knoxville, Tenn., June 6, 1865, and was later mustered out at Indianapolis, Ind.
After the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, Mr. Thompson went into the merchandise business at Kirklin, Ind. and remained in it for about twenty years. In 1885, he gave up his interests in the merchant line and until 1895 lived a retired life. Then he became active again, this time in the insurance business and has continued thus ever since. He was appointed postmaster of Kirklin, Ind., under President William B. Mckinley in September, 1898,
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and served eight and one-half years in that capacity, to the gratification and esteem of his friends.
Mr. Thompson owns a palatial and comfortable home in Kirklin, and frequently entertains his many friends. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both lodges at Kirklin. Mr. Thompson saw fit to change politically in 1912, and he cast his lot with the Progressive party.
CHALMERS HAYDEN HILLIS.
That man lives not to himself alone, as stated long ago, is an assurance that is amply verified in all the affairs of life, but its pertinence is the more patent in those instances where persons have so employed their inherent talents, so improved their opportunities, and so marshalled their forces as to gain prestige which finds its angle of influence ever broadening in practical beneficence and human helpfulness. He whose productive activities are directed along legitimate and normal lines is by very virtue of that fact exerting a force which conserves human progress and prosperity, and the man of capacity for business affairs of importance finds himself an involun- tary steward upon whom devolves large responsibilities. To the extent that he appreciates these duties and responsibilities and proves faithful in his stewardship does he also contribute to the well being of the world in which he moves. The late Chalmers Hayden Hillis, for a number of years one of the best known and most successful business men of Clinton county, was essentially a man who "did things" and this accomplishment was alto- gether worthy in all lines in which he directed his energies. As a man of ability, sturdy integrity and usefulness, and as a citizen representative of the utmost loyalty he merited the highest consideration of his fellow men, and his life record is eminently deserving of a place in this publica- tion, which touches those who have given to and sustained the civic and material progress and prosperity and precedence of the city of Frankfort and adjacent country and therefore the state of Indiana. As was said at the death of the great Corsican, "His race was short, but it was useful, success- ful, brilliant," and when the Reaper, whose name is Death, gathered him in with the relentless scythe which spares neither "the flowers nor the bearded grain" all knew that the county had sustained an irreparable loss.
Mr. Ilillis was born in Frankfort, Ind., May 25, 1876, the only child of Joseph Etherton Hillis and Jennie E. (Avery) Hillis. The father, who passed away in 1904, was for over three decades one of the leading business
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mien of Clinton county, successful as a banker, financier and merchant and a man who did much to encourage the material and civic growth of the locality. He was born on September 26, 1840, near Madison, Jefferson county, Ind. He was a son of Hiram and Louise ( Etherton) Hillis. Ile was reared on the home farin and received a common school education. IIe began his business career unusually early. Leaving his native county he came to Michigantown and worked for R. S. Benfield in the general merchandise business, and, having a quick, plastic mind lie soon mastered the ins and outs of the business and started a store of his own when only a boy. He and Elwood Avery conducted a store in Michigantown for some time, also in Zionsville Finally 1 , :ing in Frankfort be formed a partnership with R. P. Shanklin in the wholesale grocery business which he continued until his death. He was also president of the Clinton County Bank which he helped organize and was largely interested in many other lines of endeavor. A further sketch of his life and character will be found on another page of this volume
During his early life Chalmers H. Hillis attended the public schools in Frankfort, and later attended Purdue University at Lafayette, Ind., also a business college at Danville, Ill., making a splendid record for scholarship in all. Like his father he entered business carly, being still in his teens when he took a position in the Clinton County Bank, holding the position of book- keeper there for many years, discharging his duties in the most careful and faithful manner. At the death of his father about nine years ago he was advanced to the position of assistant cashier, which he held to the entire satisfaction of the officers of the bank, the board of directors and patrons of the institution. Several years ago he retired from the bank, resigning his position to give his time to the management of his personal affairs, which occupied a greater part of his time. He finally associated himself with W. G. Slagle and purchased the Lahr hotel at Lafayette, but disposed of his in- terest in the business about a year prior to his death.
Mr. Hillis was popular among the young men of Frankfort and was a member of Frankfort Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which he was an active worker. Of his many good traits, one of his most characteristic was his devotion to his mother. He was of a nature that held him close to his home and his mother and he was happiest when in her com- pany. The two were almost inseparable, and his death was a severe blow to the mother, equally as devoted to the son as he to her. He was of a jovial, genial disposition and made friends with all with whom he came in contact. He had a personality that was pleasing and none knew him but (27)
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to esteem him. He was a young man with all the world and a bright future before him, and his passing away caused general regret and sadness in his city and county. He had been in declining health for over a year and had visited Southern California in the hope of being benefited, but returned to his home city in the spring of 1913, where he grew worse until the end which came on Saturday, June 14, 1013. He had remained unmarried.
ROY AARON GHERE.
The subject of this sketch is a fine example of the successful business man who, with a well defined purpose in life, overcomes all obstacles and by consecutive effort, well balanced judgment and perseverance finally wins his way to independence and honor. Endowed by nature with keen practical intelligence, force of character and the courage of his convictions, he has filled with credit the various positions to which called from time to time and while still a young man became a forceful factor among his fellow citizens and attained a standing of influence in the community second to that of few of his contemporaries.
Roy Aaron Ghere, one of the leading business men of Frankfort, is a native of the city honored by his residence and a descendant of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Clinton county. His ancestors were Pennsylvanians and among the intelligent and respected people of the county in which they long resided. His great-grandparents, David and Sarah Ghere, both natives of the Keystone state, migrated to Indiana in an early day and settled southeast of Frankfort, where David entered a large tract of public land from which he cleared and developed a fine farm, where he and his good wife lived after the usual pioneer customs until their respective deaths, which occurred some time prior to the late Civil war. In addition to culti- vating the soil he was a skillful blacksmith, and the shop which he estab- lished on his farm was among the first industries of the kind in the county and appears to have been well patronized not only by the citizens of his own community, but by those who lived in other and distant parts.
Among the children of David and Sarah Ghere was a son, Aaron, whose birth occurred at Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in 1832, and who, when a mere child, accompanied his parents to Clinton county, where he grew up amid pioneer surroundings and took an active part in the development of the
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section of country in which he lived. He was reared to agriculutral pur- suits and in due time became not only a successful farmer. but also a very capable blacksmith, the shop he operated for a number of years having stood on the site now occupied by the Methodist Episcopal church.
After a useful life of sixty-two years Aaron Ghere was gathered to his fathers, dying in 1894. his wife, Flizabeth, having preceded him to the other world in the year 1854.
William H. Ghere. son of the above parents and the honored father of the subject of this review, was born in Clinton county AAugust 21, 1849, and, like so many of his ancestors, obtained his livelihood by cultivating the soil. He followed that vocation vody success and profit until accumulating a sufficiency of the world's goods to enable him to retire, following which he was indneed to become superintendent of the county infirmary, a position he filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the public for a period of eight years, resigning the charge in 1901 and moving to Indianapolis, where he now resides. In politics he has long been an active worker in the Republican party and fraternally, holds membership with the Independent Order of Red Men and the Order of Maccabees, in both of which he has from time to time been honored with important official positions. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Cynthia Gaskill and to whom he was married in the year 1872, is likewise a product of Clinton county, having been horn April 24, 1854, in Union township, of which her people were early settlers. She, too, is living in Indianapolis and, like her husband, is highly esteemed by the social circles of the capital city in which she moves.
Roy Aaron Ghere, whose name introduces this article, and to a brief consideration of whose life and character the reader's attention is here re- spectfully invited, was born July 7. 1877, in Frankfort, Indiana, and re- ceived his literary education in the high school of his native city, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. Actuated by a landable desire to fit himself for the more practical duties of life, he subsequently entered the commercial department of the Northern Indiana Normal University at Val- paraiso, where he finished his course in due time and then entered the United States mail service, with which he was identified until 1910. Severing his connection with the postal service that year he became bookkeeper in the Farmers' National Bank of Frankfort, but a year later resigned the position to engage in business for himself, since which time he has been proprietor of one of the leading shoe stores of the city, and today occupies a prominent
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place among the successful merchant - of the place. His store is extensively patronized by those who cater to high class goods, and in addition to their sale he also does a large repairing business, en ploying several workmen selected with reference to their efficiency and skill in their line of work. He carries a full and carefully selected stock and his patronage, satisfactory from the beginning, has already grown in magnitude and importance until, as already indicated, he stands today among the most progressive and suc- cessful shoe dealers in the city of his residence.
From his boyhood Mr. Ghere has taken an active part in the growth of Frankfort and the development of its resources and for a number of years his name has appeared in care tion with every important enterprise of the city. He has likewise been deeply interested in public and political matters, but not as an office seeker or aspirant for leadership, having been content to use his time and efforts for the common good and to support principles and measures which in his judgment make for the general wel- farc. In a partisan sense, he is not strictly speaking a politician, nevertheless he has the courage of his convictions on all the important questions of the times and is today recognized as one of the leading members of the Pro- gressive party in Frankfort, whose opinion and counsel always carry weight and command respect.
Personally, Mr. Ghere is a most courteous and affable gentleman, popu- lar alike in business and social circles and not a little of his success as a mer- chant is attributable to his ability to win and retain warm friendships. He stands high in the esteem of all with whom he comes in contact and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to class him with the representative citizens of his city and county. Fraternally, he belongs to the B. P. O. E., the K. . of P., and the K. and L. of H., in all of which orders he is an active and influential worker and not infrequently has he been called to fill positions of honor and trust in each.
Katharine Aughe, who became the wife of Mr. Ghere June 21, 1901, was born in Center township, Clinton county, on September 25 of the year 1876, being a daughter of Samuel and Jane (Smith) Aughe, a well known and highly respected couple of the community in which they resided. Mr. and Mrs. Ghere have a pleasant home which is brightened and cheered by the presence of three interesting children, Lawrence, Ruth and William, all pupils in the public schools of Frankfort.
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WILLIAM FIELDEN MEEK.
The painter's and decorator's art is a fascinating one, also one that re- quires artistic talent and creative genius. Mr. Meck has been successful in this vocation because he possesses to a marked degree these same qualities. Ilis work is to be seen in many of the larger buildings, churches and resi- dences of Frankfort, and seeing it once, one understands the peculiar qual- ity of his art. Mr. Meck is descended from a family of sturdy pioneers, men who blazed their way into the unknown west, and hewed their homes from the thick forests Mr. Meck did not follow the agricultural life as his forefathers, but took up painting and decorating, knowing that there was more opportunity there for the full play of his ability.
Our subject was born in the town of Greenfield, James Whticomb Riley's birthplace, on September 26, 1858, and was the son of Jared C. and Martha (Crockett) Meck. Jared C. Meck was born June 15, 1828, the son of Jere- miah and Rebecca (Williams) Meck.
Jeremiah Meek was a native of Kentucky. He came to Wayne county, Indiana, and entered a tract of land from the government. However, lie sold this acreage and went to Hancock county, this state, in the eraly twen- ties and entered and bought a large amount of land, situated just where the court house at Greenfield stands. He was one of the very prominent men of his day, and was a judge of the county by virtue of a commission from President Harrison. He was also a Methodist preacher and circuit rider. He died about the year of 1840. Mrs. Meek died in 1873.
Jared Meek lived the typical life of a pioneer. In his early years he learned the blacksmith's trade. He sold forty acres of land in order to get three months schooling. He followed the smithy's trade until his retire- ment from active life. When the Civil war began Mr. Meek enlisted in Company G. Fifth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, under Captain Reuben A. Riley, the father of the Poet Riley. He served valiantly throughout the war. acting most of the time as a scout. He participated in the siege of Knox- ville, Tennessee, and was mustered out in 1865, with full honors. He re- tired from active life in 1890. History has it that he was the first white child born in the town of Greenfield. In 1852 he was married to Martha Crockett, who was born in Xenia, Ohio, in 1826, and was of Scotch descent. She died in 1883. Six children were born to the union, two of whom-our subject and Nancy Barr, of Hood River, Oregon-are still living. Jared Meek was a Republican, a Methodist and was a third degree Mason.
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W. F. Meck obtained a very good common school education during his early life, and then learned the painting and decorating trade, which he fol- lowed ever since. In 1894 he located in Frankfort. Mr. Meek has had work on most of the large blocks in Frankfort and many of the churches ; he just finished the decoration of the new First National Bank. His work has ex- tended over all of this section of the Hoosier state.
On October 12, 1888, he was married to Marie B. DuLaney, who was born in Carrollton, Illinois, in 1860. Five children-James C., Elizabeth M., George W., William E., and Martha I., have been born of the union.
Mr. Meek recalls many interesting stories of James Whticomb Riley, who was one of his boyhood friends in Greenfield.
JOHN CALVIN SHANKLIN.
It is the progressive man of affairs that makes the real history of a com- munity, and his influence as a potential factor in the body politic is difficult to estimate. The examples such men furnish of patient purpose and stead- fast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish, and there is always a full measure of satisfaction in adverting to their achievements in advancing the interests of their fellow men and giving strength and solidity to the institutions which make so much for the pros- perity of the community. Such a man is John C. Shanklin and it is emi- nently fitting that he should be accorded this space in the volume in hand. He is one of the prominent and representative men of Frankfort and enjoys the best regards and respect of the city's people.
John C. Shanklin was born in Carroll county, Indiana, on November 20, 1848, and was the son of John S. and Sarah G. ( Young) Shanklin. John S. Shanklin came from Monroe conuty, West Virginia, having been born there April 12, ISI1, and was the son of Robert and Betsey (Shirky) Shank- lin. Robert Shanklin was from Scotch-Irish stock, his family coming to this country in the year of 1748. Robert traveled to Monroe county, West Vir- ginia, in 1803. He settled there and lived the strenuous life of the poincer, besides raising a large family of children. John S. and his wife came to Carroll county, Ind., in 1835, and there they entered a section of land from the government, four hundred acres of which is yet in the possession of the family. He farmed until his death in October, 1888. During his life John S. Shanklin was a staunch Republican, and served as county commissioner
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for two terms. He was also an elder in the Presbyterian church. His wife departed this life in November, 1800.
Our subject, John C. Shanklin, obtained his early scholastic training in the common schools and then spent two years in the Logansport Academy. After leaving this academy he farmed until thirty years of age near Bring- first. Ind .; also he was in the general store and grain business until 1890. Frank fort was his next objective point and in this city he continued in the grain business for two years, in company with J. D. Fritch. In 1892 he bought a hardware store on south side of the square, and is still running this as an incorporation. He holds the office of president. Besides this busho. .. Mr. Shanklin is president of the First National Bank of Frank- fort. and is fulfilling the duties of the same with the utmost fidelity and success.
Mr. Shanklin, on September 19, 1872, was united in marriage to Mary E. Olds, of Covington, Indiana, where she was born September 19, 1853. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shanklin : Bert G., Eldridge M., Blanche Quick, Harry C. Dick, Frank, died November, 1903; Andrew D., and Fred G.
Fraternally, Mr. Shanklin is a member of the Masonic Order, and has attained the thirty-second degree, also is a member of the Knights Templar and Murat Shrine. He belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men. Re- ligiously, he holds membership with the Presbyterian church, and in politics is a loyal worker for the Republican party. He served as county com- missioner for three years very successfully.
CAMERON L. AND J. PAUL MERRIMAN.
Prominent among the business men of Frankfort are the Merriman Brothers, who are engaged in the real estate and insurance business. Frank- fort has gained a reputable place in the roster of Indiana cities on account of the success of whatever enterprise launched by her citizens. Frankfort owes much to these same citizens, and included among them are the subjects of this sketch. Their offices over the First National Bank are pointed out to strangers as typical of the city's best, and the transactions that occur within these offices are known to be ever for the good of the community and guided by the strictest principles of integrity and honor. The Merriman Brothers
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are deservedly popular, and great promise is given for their accomplishments in the future.
Cameron I. Merriman, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Johnson county, Indiana, where he was born on May 16, 1871. He was educated in the same county, and after leaving school began teaching. Later he entered the profession . the ministry, and served admirably as a pastor for seventeen years. Ile resigned his pastorate on April 30, 1913, in order to move to Frankfort and engage in his present business.
J. Paul Merriman, the junior member of the firm, was also born in Johnson county, he in the car 1885. Like his brother, he received a good high school education, and after leaving school engaged in farming for a few ycars, and later went into business in Franklin, Indiana. He remained in that city until he moved to Marion, where he remained for two years, when he removed to Frankfort to enter in partnership with his brother in the real estate and insurance business. He belongs to the Red Men and attends the Baptist church. Cameron L. Merriman is also a Baptist.
TAYLOR HARSHMAN.
Luck plays a very unimportant part in the average man's career. We generally like to excuse our own shortcomings and account for the success of other men on the grounds of luck. A fertilized soil, rotation of crops, well fenced land, intelligently tilled fields, well kept machinery, painted houses and blooded live stock are not the result of luck, unless hard work intelligently directed, can be characterized as luck.
One of the successful farmers and stock men of Washington township, Clinton county, who has believed rather in persistent application and the ex- ercise of sound judgment than in hick is Taylor Harshman, owner of "Maple Wood Farm" in Section II, which consists of one hundred and twenty-six acres, and where he has resided since 1876.
Mr. Harshman was born in Carroll county, Indiana, September 18, 1847. He is a son of Moses Harshman, who was born March 26, 1821, in Butler county, Ohio. Moses was a son of Henry and Mary (Fogle) Harshman, who were the parents of nine children. Henry Harshman was killed by accident. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Christing Everding, was a native of Germany, who emigrated to the United States in an early day and settled in Maryland. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as
TAYLOR HARSHMAN AND FAMILY
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Elizabeth Everding, and she was a native of Ohio. Her death occurred at the advanced age of eighty-six years. To Moses Harshman and wife the fol- lowing children were born: Aaron (dec. ), Taylor, of this review: Mary M., Susan J., Sarah A., Amanda M., Jasper N., Louisa (dec. ), Alice E., Isabel E., Ida C., and Weaver.
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