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 9
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Mr. Van Eaton was born in Boone county, Indiana, September 17. 1872. He is a son of Valentine Harlan Van Eaton and Harriet Elizabeth (Shumway) Van Eaton, natives of Union county, Indiana, from which they removed to Boone county in 1865 and there they spent the rest of their lives. The father was born at Brookville, January 29. 1833, and his death occurred on April 30, 1873, near Thorntown. The mother of our subject was born at Dunlapsville, and her death occurred near Thorntown. April 20, 1906. Valentine H. Van Eaton was a school teacher by profession and United States Senator LaFollette went to school to him. The former de- voted some of his time to farming, owning eighty-two acres in Union county. Politically, he was a Republican. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Methodist church. His family consisted of seven children: Ludlow Harland. born October 28, 1855: Winchester Val- entine, born July 18, 1857: Danforth Irving, born September 22, 1860; Rosella IJarriet, born March 4. 1863. died December 8, 1893: Ulysses Grant, born May 4, 1865, died October 14, 1867; Theodore Potter, born
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October 8, 1868; and Harry Boyd, of this review; who is the youngest child.
The subject of this sketch grew up on the home farm and he attended the public school three miles east of Thorntown. He remained on the home place until he was nineteen years old, then learned the barber trade at Thorntown, at which he worked for a period of seventeen years, becoming one of the most skilled barbers in the country. He came to Frankfort in 1905, and here has since resided. In November, 1909. he was elected city treasurer, and took office January 1. 1910, and he is still in the office, having discharged the duties of the same in a manner that has been entirely satis- factors to all warned. He is very careful, painstaking and courteous official, looking well to the interests of the county. At the primary of 1913 he received the nomination for re-election, which fact proves that his fellow men place implicit confidence in him. Politically, he is a Republican and has been more or less active in the ranks. Fraternally, he belongs to the Ma- sonic order, the Blue Lodge; the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Loyal Order of Moose. Ile belongs to the Methodist church.
Mr. Van Eaton owns property on Sims street. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Lena II. Rathfon, a daughter of John and Lucinda (Norman) Rathfon, an old family of Frankfort, where Mrs. Van Eaton grew to womanhood and was educated. The father was killed about 1875 by a hayfork. The mother, with whom our subject and wife are making their home, still lives in Frankfort.
Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Ralph N. and Mary Elizabeth. They are both attending school.
Mrs. Van Eaton has one sister, Nola, wife of William Hodge, of Frankfort.
JAMES W. BOYLES.
The student who is interested in the history of Clinton county does not have to carry his investigation far into its annals before learning that James W. Boyles has long been an active and leading representative of its agricul- tural interests and that his labors have proved a great force in the develop- ment of the resources of the county, and the upbuilding of her citizenship. Mr. Boyles is one of the early pioneers who are living today, and his recol- lections of the strentous times when homes were being hewn from the native forest is interesting and vivid. In every enterprise with which he has been identified, Mr. Boyles has given it his whole-souled effort and all of his time.
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Personally, Mr. Boyles is a genial oll gentleman, and is a very acconto- dating and entertaining man to meet.
James W. Boyles was born in Green county, Ohio, on a farin February I7. 1835. and was the son of John and Catherine (Skinner) Boyles. John Boyles was born May 24, 1798, near Lexington, Kentucky, and spent the years of his youth in that state. Until 1839 he acted as an overseer on a tobacco plantation, then he moved to Clinton county, and bought one hun- dred and sixty acres in Union townhisip. Here he spent his entire life, farming until about four years prior to his death, which occurred January 26, 1875. Ile was married December 15, 1817, to Catherine Skinner, who was born in Kentucky on April 1, 1802, and who died November 16, 1870. Mr. Boyles was a Methodist in religion, and politically was a Republican.
Our subject, James W. Boyles, received a common school education in the limited pioneer schools, working on the farm during the time he was not in attendance at school. Mr. Boyles became an excellent agriculturist, hav- ing had his early training in that vocation under his father, who was con- sidered one of the most successful and industrious farmers of the pioneer community. Our subject has followed this vocation more or less all of his life, and also raised live stock on a large scale, becoming the owner of the finest animals in the county, and doing an extensive shipping business. Today his land is in excellent condition, well tiled and fenced and covered with the latest improvements, including a large home, commodious and attractive, also a large barn and outbuildings. Mr. Boyles owns an automobile, a Cole "30." out of which he derives a great deal of pleasure. Mr. Boyles is a Republican politically, and has served as county commissioner three terms of three years each, leaving his farm during the period of service, but returning immediate- ly after the expiration of his time in office. In religious affairs, Mr. Borles has always been a Methodist, and is a deacon in that church.
April 27, 1857, marked the date of Mr. Boyles' marriage to Mary E. Bell, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, October 20, 1836, and was the daugliter of William and Mary Ann ( Ilamilton ) Bell. William Be'l, a na- tive of Pensylvania. came to Clint. county in 1842 and lived here . il his death. Holding eight acres of atered by his father from 1. ernment and deeded to him when he came here. Mr. Bell, at different times in his life, was a Democrat and a Republican, but in church matters remained with one denomination, the Presbyterian. He served as squire of Union township, this county, for quite a number of years. Mrs. Bell was a native of Oliio.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Boyles there were born eight children, five girls and three boys; the boys all died in infancy. The girls are: Delcina, wife of Frank Wonders, of Frankfort: Carrie Bell, wife of Landa Elliott, a farmer near Michigantown: Fannie May, wife of William Price, of Union town- ship; Anna Maude, wife of Parks Robinson, near Sedalia: and Bessie E., wife of Smith Salmon.
In 1864 he was drafted while threshing wheat, but bought his release, paying eight hundred dollars. At that time he was the father of three small children.
JEFFERSON PARKER HOLLOWAY.
Jefferson Parker Holloway, owner of Pleasant View Farm, consisting of two hundred and eighty acres in section 10, of Perry township. Clinton county, was born in Boone county. Indiana, October 8, 1850. He is a son of Thomas Holloway, a native of Montgomery county, this state. The fam- ily is of English ancestry, and have been in America for many generations, proving to be excellent and loyal citizens all the while. Thomas Holloway grew to manhood on the home farm, and, being a pioneer child, found plenty of hard work to do when a boy in the development of the farm from the wilds. He received a meager education in the old-time schools. In early manhood he married Sally M. Truitt, a daughter of Anderson Truitt, of English descent and an early settler in this part of Indiana, where he secured government land. . 1. . patent for the same being signed by Andrew Jackson. One hundred and twenty acres of this land is now owned by the abject of this sketch, constituting his home place. Anderson Truitt reared a large family, one son, Parker Truitt, is a prosperous farmer and well known citizen of this county. The mother of our subject died on the home farm at the early age of thirty-two years, leaving five children : Enoch, a soldier in the Civil war and now living in Minnesota : Jefferson Parker, of this review; John T., I. N. and Mahala. The father of these children was a soldier in the One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company G, and saw con- siderable hard service. IJe was with General Sherman on his march to the sea through Georgia. He was shot in the mouth and lost seven teeth and part of the jaw. He died at Danville, Illinois, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a member of the Methodist church.
Jefferson P. Holloway spent his boyhood on the farm and there learned
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the various phases of general agricultural pursuit .. He had little opportunity to attend school, but, remaining a student all his life, he is a well educated man.
In 1870, when twenty years of age Mr. Holloway married Mary E. Dukes, a woman of fine attributes of head and heart, who has proven to be an excellent helpmeet. She was born January 12, 1853, and is a daugliter of William S. Dukes, born in Ohio, from which state he came to Indiana and lived in Boone county for many years. He was born in 1825 and died in 1892 at the age of sixty-seven years. Ile was a leading fariner and extensive stock shipper of his community, a man highly respected by all. Ile was a member of the Methodist church and a trustee of the same for some time. The death of the mother occurred in 1912 at the advanced age of eighty-three years. She had remarried, her second husband being U: C. Mckenzie, now deceased.
Our subject began life for himself by renting land. Managing well he soon was enabled to purchase a farm of his own and each succeeding year has found him further advanced. He first purchased forty-five acres, then pur- chased the Truitt estate of one hundred and twenty acres, later adding to his holdings until l now has two hundred and eighty acres as stated above, con- stituting one of the most desirable and productive farms in the county, on which he carries on general farming and stock raising, reaping large annual rewards for his outlay of labor and good management. He has an attractive rural home in the midst of pleasant surroundings, and his ontbuildings are large and convenient, everything about his place denoting thrift and pros- perity. He always keeps an excellent grade of live stock, preparing large numbers for the market from time to time. His place is located three miles east of Colfax.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Holloway: Dr. William A., a graduate of Bellevue Medical College, New York City, and post graduate of the Polyclinic Institute of that city, now one of the leading physicians of Logansport, Ind .; Thomas C., educated in the State university at Blooming- ton, Ind., a successful farmer and stock man of Clinton county, owns a fine farm of one hundred acres, married, has two sons; Asher E., a graduate of electric engineering, from Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind., now married and living at San Diego, Cal.
Fraternally, Mr. Holloway is a member of the Masonic Order at Colfax. Politically, he is a staunch Republican and has long been active in the interest of his party, and regarded as a local leader. He was elected to the state legis-
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lature as representative from this county in igo ;. He made a notable night in regard to the county license question and the liquor law.
Personally, Mr. Holloway is a man of fine presence, one whom it is a pleasure to meet. He is cordial, gentlemanly, obliging and a man of cy- emplary hal.its. Both he and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Colfax, and they stand high in all circles in which they moved.
CHARLES B. McCLAMROCIT.
Whether the elements of success in this life are innate attributes of the individual, or whether they are quickened by a process of development, is in- possible to clearly determine. Yet the study of a successful life, whatever the field of endeavor, is none the less interesting and profitable by reason of the existence of this same uncertainty. In studying the life history of Charles B. McClamroch, prominent business man and leading agriculturist of Kirklin township, Clinton county, and one of the substantial and enter- prising citizens of f s section of Indiana, we find many qualities in his make- up that would insure success in any career if properly directed. In his case, it has resulted in a life of good to the community, and to himself and family. The splendid success which has come to Mr. McClamroch is directly traceable to the salient points in his character. With a mind capable of planning he combined a will strong enough to execute his well-formulated purposes, and his great energy, sound judgment, keen discrimination and perseverance have resulted in the accumulation of a handsome property, and at the same time he has proven himself in every way to be a worthy son of a worthy sire.
Mr. McClamroch was born December 8, 1861, in Kirklin township, Clinton county. He is a son of Robert and Elizabeth J. (Hollcraft) Mc- Clamroch. Robert McClamroch was born in Buttler county, Ohio, October 24, 1834. His ancestral record is traccable through several generations to Scotland, from which country his great grandfather emigrated to America in our Colonial days, and settled in North Carolina. In this state his son, James McClamroch, grandfather of Robert McClamroch, was born grew to manhood, there married Elizabeth Cornell, and was the father of the follow- ing children: Thomas, father of Robert; James, John, Mrs. Martha J. Long- fellow and Mrs. Sarah Beal. Thomas McClamroch was born in August, 1808, in North Carolina, but a year later the family removed from that state to Butler county, Ohio, settling on a farm. There he grew to manhood, and
com Clamsoch
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was united in marriage to Nancy Bildridge, who was born in Ohio, November 15, 1815. The parents of Mrs. Mc Claumnroch were Daniel .und Sarah ( Woods) Baldridge, both natives of Ohio and members of old and highly respected families of Butler county. After his marriage Thomas MeClamroch engaged in farming, which he carried on in Ohio until 1838. Then he emigrated to Indiana, locating in Boone county, where he purchased a tract of wild land, which he afterward cleared and developed into a good farm. He possessed abilities as a trader, and during a residence in Boone county, covering a period of about eleven years, he became the possessor of over eleven hundred acres of land, besides other valuable property. In 1849 he moved to Indianap- olis, from which time until his death, December 15, 1859, he lived a life of re- tirement. He was a man of excellent judginent and intelligence, an earnest member of the Christian church, which he assisted liberally with his means, and until 1854 he supported the Democratic party, but after that year was a strong adherent of the principles taught by the Republican party.
Robert McClamroch was four years old when brought by his parents to Boone county, Indiana. In his youth he assisted his father in the work on the farm, and such education as he gained was that afforded by the common schools, which he attended during the winter season until he was twenty- one years of age, when he entered what is now Butler College, then known as the Northwestern Christian University, at Indianapolis. He then accepted a position with the old Idianapolis, Cincinnati & Lafayette Railroad Company, now the Big Four, as bridge repairer, holding the position four years. Feb- ruary 7, 1858, he married Elizabeth J. Hollcraft, daughter of Abraham Holl- craft and wife, and of this union seven children were born: Mary F., mar- ried to C. K. Smith; Charles B., the subject of this sketch; Thomas (dec. ). Abraham A., James, Nancy, married to Nathan Frith (dec. ), then to H. C. McClamroch, and Grace, married to James Lucas The mother of the above named children, passed to her rest on November 8, 1896.
For two years after his marriage Robert McClaumroch engaged in farm- ing on the old homestead, removing then to Indianapolis, but not being sat- isfied with his residence in the capital city, he moved to a farm in Kirklin townshin, Clinton county. This was in the early sixties, and here he continued to reside until the year 1891. Many years before this date, however, he had become an important factor in the business work !. His mind had a financial trend and he gradually became interested in banking affairs. This interest took practical shape in 1874, when he was made director in the Farmers' Bank at Frankfort. In 1881 he was made president of the institution, a place which his integrity and ability retained for him continuously up to the time
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of his death. The demands of his busine in the county seat became such that in 1891 he moved to Frankfort and retained his residence there up to the end, the final summons conning to him on January 22, 1900, at the family residence on Sonth Jackson street.
In a business way he was eminently successful, and he left what was probably the largest estate in Clinton county, estimated at a fourth of a mil- lion dollars, his holdings consisting of several hundred acres of Clinton county real estate, city property, a large stock in the Farmers' Bank of Frank- fort and valuable holdings of realty in Indianapolis and Marion county. He also carried heavy life insurance. In attaining to this high position in the business and financi: 1 world Mr. MeClamroch retained to a remarkable degree the good will and confidence of those with whom he had transactions. Many indeed, are there now among Frankfort and Clinton county citizens who were materially helped by him. In judging human nature he had few superiors, having the rare faculty of closely estimating a man as to his business and personal integrity. This endowment stood well to his advantage and to that of the institution of which he was the head, but it can truthfully be said that he never used this faculty as an oppressor. He was of decisive character, open in his expression and tenacious in his purpose, and while never losing sight of a full and complete regard for the rights and privileges of others, he was un- yielding in protecting that which he clearly thought his own. Personally he was unpretentious, unassuming and always courteous. He appeared to have no higher ambition than to be honest and successful, and pone who knew him well ever questioned but that he was both. In a social way he was pleasant and generous to his friends.
At the time of Robert McClamroch's death lengthy tributes were paid hi mby the local press, which, to copy in full would far transcend the limits of the present article, so we quote only the following paragraph from The Frankfort Evening Notes, of January 22, 1900:
"In the death of Robert McClamroch Clinton county loses one of its most valued and beloved citizens. He was a man universally esteemed. While a man of great wealth his success never excited the envy of the people, as is so frequently the case, and the writer has the first time to hear an ill word spoken of him. His charities, while not paraded, were many. There are hosts of people throughout this and adjoining counties who have been recipients of financial assistance of a substantial kind from this great-hearted modest man who will bear witness to this statement. His interpretation of the word charity was not indiscriminate giving but to help those who were willing to help themselves. He was never known to force an honest debtor and there are
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many prosperous people today who are their success to Mr. McClamroch's kindness in starting them in business. He was a splendid judge of human nature-conll tell the worthy from the unworthy with wonderful accuracy, and a creditor was always safe in his hands. It was due to this rule which he adopted in carly life, that he won the admiration (and hell it) of all with ·whom he came in contact; due to this admirable trait of character that the genuine sorrow over his death exist- today throughout the community."
Robert MeClamroch was preceded to the grave by his estimable wife four years, she having passed to the silent land November 8, 1896, after a lingering illness at the family residence in Frankfort. She was born July 19. 1835, grew to womanhood and was educated at Kirklin, Clinton county. She was a prominent member of the Christian church, and was always active in its work. She was universally loved and respected by her large circle of acquaint- ances to whom she was endeared by her many virtues. Kind and charitable, she was always the friend of the needy and distressed, a comfort in the hour of sorrow to those about her. The memory of her good deeds will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew her.
Charles B. McClamroch grew to manhood in Kirklin township, this county. His early education, which he received in the district schools there and in Frankfort, has been greatly supplemented by wide study and actual contact with the business world until today he is an exceptionally well in- formed man.
On April 8, 1891, he married Effie Berry, who was born in the year 1871, in Jackson township, Clinton county, Indiana. She is a daughter of James and Louisa (Burchart) Berry, an influential and highly esteemed family of this county, and here Mrs. McClambroch grew to womanhood and received a common school education. She is a lady of many estimable at- tributes and is a favorite with a wide circle of friends.
The union of our subject and wife has been graced by the birth of two children: Mary, born June 7, 1895, and Charles, born April 8, 1903.
Charles B. McClamroch began life for himself on the farm in Kirklin township soon after he had quit school. He had much natural ability as a judge of livestock and soon began buying and shipping on a large scale, be- ing very successful from the start, and he won the sobriquet of "The Kid Stock Buyer." In this vocation he was nearly always thrown with much older men who marveled at his good judgment and tact. Although known widely as a business man and banker, he has always carried on a large live stock business, raising large numbers annually and preparing them for the market, and he has for many years ranked among the most extensive and progressive
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general agriculturists of Clinton county. He owns four hundred and forty seven acres in Kirklin township individually, and in partnership with his brother owns three hundred and twenty acres in another part of the same township. He lives in a commodious, modernly furnished and attractive home on the former tract. His land is all under a high state of improvement and cultivation, a small portion being in timber and pasture.
In the year 1908 he and Eli J. Goar organized a state bank in the village of Kirklin, of which he has been president for some time, discharging the duties of the same in a manner as to reflect much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of the stockholders and patrons of the bank, which is regarded as one of the soundest and safest banks of this part of the state, and its prestige and large success has been due to the wise management, keen foresight and honest dealings of Mr. McClamroch.
Politically, he is a Progressive, and while he is deeply interested in all public matters as affecting the general upbuilding of his county, he has not cared for the emoluments of office, preferring to devote his exclusive atten- tion to his large personal interests. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, Knights of Pythias, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, all of Kirklin. He seems to have inherited many of the sterling traits of char- acter of his honored father, and is therefore popular with all classes and de- serving of the high esteem in which he is universally held.
CATHARINE BEWSEY.
The life of this estimable lady has been as an open book, and those who know her best find least to criticize, for she is the possessor of those praise- worthy characteristics of head and heart that never fail to win friends and retain them. She is industrious and a good manager. She always finds time to help others on the highway of life, and therefore knows that happiness which is truest and which can only come with unselfish service.
Mrs. Catharine Bewsey, widow of Manson A. Bewsey, of Colfax, Clin- ton county, was born in this locality, reared and educated here. She is a daughter of Isaac Goodnight, now deceased, for many years a prominent farmer of Perry township. Ile was a native of Virginia, of an excellent old family of that state, and here he grew to manhood and married Alvaline Davis on January 18, 1849, she being one of a family of ten children, born to John Davis, Sr., a sturdy pioncer, who lived to be eighty-five years old.
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