USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Daviess County, Indiana : Its people, industries and institutions > Part 30
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Mr. Clark is a member of the Christian church, while Mrs. Clark be- longs to the Baptist church. Politically, Mr. Clark is a Democrat and for years has been a potent factor in the political affairs of Daviess county. He is a modest, unassuming man, although he has won more than ordinary success in life; first, having made a success in his life's vocation ; secondly, having served the people of Dayiess county in a satisfactory manner, in at least two important offices. His integrity is beyond question, and he is not only highly respected by the people of Daviess county, but he is much admired for what he has been able to accomplish in life.
REV. CHARLES H. BUCHANAN.
There is no station in life higher than that of the ministry of the Gos- pel; no life can do more dignified and uplifting than that which is devoted to the amelioration of the condition of the human race; a life of sacrifice for the betterment of the brotherhood of man, one that is willing to cast. aside all earthly crowns and laurels of fame in order to follow in the foot- steps of the lowly Nazarene. One of those self-sacrificing, ardent, loyal and true spirits is the Rev. Charles H. Buchanan, whose life forcefully illustrates what energy, integrity and a fixed purpose can accomplish, when animated by noble aims and correct ideals. He has ever held the confidence and esteem of the people among whom he labors, and his career may be- profitably studied by the ambitious youth, standing at the parting of the ways.
Charles H. Buchanan is a native of St. John, province of New Bruns- wick, Canada, where he was born on November 5, 1875, the son of James and Mary J. (Gay) Buchanan, both of whom were of English descent. The father was born on November 27, 1842, in London, England, his father, James W. Buchanan, having been a native of Glasgow, Scotland, where he was engaged in the bookbinding business. James Buchanan was educated in the public schools of his native city and country and remained there until seventeen years of age, when he decided to leave England for Canada. At the age of twenty-three he entered the English army, was duly assigned and later became a sergeant, then was promoted to the ranks of major and drill-master of St. John's Infantry. He remained in the army service for a period of twenty-eight years and then established himself in the bookbinding business in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, which
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he continued for twenty-three years and at the present time is working at that trade. He was the founder and organizer of what is known as the Scots company of the boy's brigade, of St. John. His wife, Mary J. Gay, was born on June 12, 1848, in Somerside, Prince Edward Island. To their union were born eight children named, in the order of their birth, as fol- low: George A., born on September 3, 1868, who married a Miss Crofoot and now lives in Syracuse, New York, where he is president of a chemical company ; William J., August 28, 1870, who married Maud Hanna, now living in the city of Brooklyn, New York, where he is pastor of a Congre- gational church; Anna Maud, June 10, 1873, who married Alfred Buckle, and died in September, 1904; Charles H., the subject of this review ; Minnie I., December 25, 1877, who is now Mrs. Edward Smith, of Springfield, Massachusetts; Elizabeth Gay, May 7, 1880, who married Percy W. Camp- bell and died in July, 1907; Agnes L., April 13, 1882, who is the wife of Elbridge Benn, and Victoria R., August 24, 1887, who married Walter Sproul. The parents of these children are living in Canada and are active and devout members of the Presbyterian church in their home city, where they enjoy the high regard and confidence of all who know them. Their lives have been ideal and and have been marked by the utmost devotion to their children.
Charles H. Buchanan received his early education in the public schools of St. John, New Brunswick, and lived with his parents until about the age of nineteen. During this time he was occupied for the term of five years as an apprentice in the tinsmithing and plumbing trades, but, having decided that his vocation lay in another line, he left St. John when twenty- one years of age and came to the United States, going to Lexington, Kentucky, where he became enrolled in a Bible college, where he remained during the years 1897. 1898 and 1899 preparing himself for the ministry. After his graduation, in 1899, he went to Elnoro, Daviess county, Indiana, having been assigned to the pastorate of the First Christian church of that place, and on January 27 of that year was married to Bradie Lane. During the years 1899 and 1900 he served as pastor for the church named, in Elnoro, and also took up work in connection with the First Christian church in the town of Odon, this county, and for four years preached for both congregations. In the year 1903 he organized a congregation in Plain- ville, this county, and kept this under his charge until 1912. At the pres- ent time Reverend Buchanan divides his time between his congregation in Elnoro, this county, and the congregation of the Christian church in Hous- ton, Jackson county, Indiana.
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Mrs. Buchanan was born on September 13, 1882, in Odon, this county, a daughter of Dr. Allen K. Lane, by his third wife. Doctor Lane was born on January 25, 1843, in Washington county, Indiana, a son of Richard and Jane (Martin) Lane, who were natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, born in 18II and 1817, respectively. They were married about the year 1837, shortly after which they took up their residence in the town of Mar- tinsburg, Washington county, Indiana, where the father lived until 1845 and the mother until 1873. Mrs. Buchanan's father, Dr. Allen K. Lane, re- mained with his parents in early youth and received his preparatory edu- cation in the public schools. At the age of seventeen he began the study of medicine under Dr. James McPheeters in Fredericksburg, Washington county, Indiana, and remained with this preceptor until the year 1865, when he began the practice of medicine for himself in Pitts Point, Kentucky, continuing to practice there until the year 1869, when he removed to this county. He first located in the village of Raglesville, where he stayed until 1876, in which year he moved to Odon, this county. Through the able teaching of his friend, Doctor McPheeters, and by constant study and research, Doctor Lane, ac- quired a thorough practical knowledge of medicine; and, on account of his sympathetic ministrations, gentle consideration and fine fellow-feeling for the sufferings of humanity, he inspired confidence and is held in the highest esteem by everyone who knows him. Doctor Lane retired from the active practice of medicine in 19II and now devotes considerable time to his farm of two hundred acres, situated near Odon.
Doctor Lane has been married three times. His first wife was Angie Glenn, born in 1844; married in 1863 and died in 1875. To that union were born three children, Chester A., deceased at the age of five years; Maude, who married John T. Sears, to which union four children have been born, Dale, Verna, Hobart and Bessie, and Blanche, who married Ripple Sears, to which union three children have been born, Paul, Lettie and Margaret. The second wife was Mary J. Kelsey, born in 1853 ; married in 1876 and died in 1878. To that union was born one child, who died in infancy. The third wife, Sarah Kelsey, a sister of the second wife, is the mother of but one child, Bradie, the wife of the subject of this review. Doctor Lane is a member of the Christian church of Odon, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Free and Accepted Masons. Personally, he is held up by everyone in the community as example of right living, his honorable methods in all dealings with his fellow men having won for him the admira- tion of all, and he is eminently deserving of the high position he holds in this community.
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Rev. Charles H. Buchanan and wife, who make their home with Doctor Lane, are the parents of two children, Allen K., born on March 9, 1908, and died on September 24, 1913. The Rev. Charles H. Buchanan is held in the highest regard throughout the wide field covered by his ministerial labors,. and his devotion, as a worker in the cause of his Master, merits for him a. place in any history touching upon the lives and deeds of those who have given the best of their powers and talents for the aid and betterment of mankind in this section of the state. To those who are familiar with his. life there comes a feeling of reverence in the contemplation of his services. and their beneficent results. His long labors in this community have en- deared him to the hearts of everyone with whom he has come in contact and he is, in the most significant sense, regarded as a true friend of humanity ..
ELMER E. HASTINGS.
The life of Elmer E. Hastings has been for many years closely identi- fied with the history of Daviess county, Indiana. His life has been crowned with a degree of professional success attained by comparatively few of those who aspire to eminence in the legal profession. Although a comparatively young man, years of conscientious work as a lawyer have brought with them not only an increase of practice, but a higher and more eminent standing in the estimation of his clients and fellow citizens. Mr. Hastings' life is an excellent example of what may be accomplished by a young man endowed with common sense, energy and determination. He has achieved a splendid reputation before the bar, at an age when many are merely starting out on their life's work. He has always been methodical and unswervingly per- sistent in search of essentials.
Elmer E. Hastings, of the law firm of Hastings, Allen & Hastings, Washington, Indiana, was born in Bogard township, Daviess county, on March 4, 1870, a son of John A. and Laura (Allen) Hastings, whose family history is contained in the biographical sketch of M. S. Hastings, a brother of Elmer E., presented elsewhere in this volume.
Elmer E. Hastings was reared on his father's farm in Bogard town- ship, and attended the public schools of this county and the Southern Indiana Normal School at Mitchell, as well as the Central Normal School at Dan- ville, Indiana, being graduated from the latter school in 1891. While a student at the Danville school, Mr. Hastings took the scientific and literary
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courses. After graduation, he taught school; in fact, he had taught several terms before leaving Danville. Two years later, he began the study of law in the office of Hastings & Allen. Mr. Hastings was admitted to the bar in 1892, and on January 1, 1894, he became a member of the firm of Hastings, Allen & Hastings, which firm has continued in business in Wash- ington since that time, a period of nearly a quarter of a century. It is one of the oldest and well-established law firms of Washington and enjoys a large and lucrative practice in the courts throughout this section of Indiana.
Shortly after his admission to the bar, Elmer E. Hastings was married, November 30, 1893, to Bertha J. Garten, who was born in Madison town- ship, this county, the daughter of Capt. James H. and Mary E. (Booth) Garten, to which happy union three children have been born, Ralph G., John S. and Eleanor E.
Capt. James H. Garten was a native of Indiana, having been born in Lawrence county, but he grew to manhood in Davies county. His wife was born in Ohio and came to Daviess county when a child. Captain Garten died on April 15, 1914, at the age of seventy-seven. His wife had pre- ceded him to the grave in 1892. Capt. James H. Garten was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War. He enlisted as a private and was mustered out of the service as a captain. He and his wife were the parents of two children, James E. and Bertha J.
Elmer E. Hastings is a Republican and served as city attorney of Wash- ington for two years; deputy prosecuting attorney for four years and prose- cuting attorney for one term of two years. Mr. Hastings was city chair- man of the Republican committee through four campaigns. He was presi- dent of the Lincoln League of Indiana in 1910 and 19II. Mr. and Mrs.
Hastings are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is one of the trustees of the church and is president of the Brotherhood class. Fra- ternally, Mr. Hastings is a member of Charity Lodge No. 30, Free and Accepted Masons ; Washington Chapter No. 92, Royal Arch Masons; Wash- ington Commandery No. 33, Knights Templar; Liverpool Lodge No. 110, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Washington Lodge No. 933, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was grand master of the In- diana grand lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Hastings reside at 609 East Walnut street, Washington, Indiana.
Elmer E. Hastings is one of the influential figures in the councils of his party in the second Congressional district and has been so for many years. By reason of his connection with the Lincoln League of Indiana,
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he has the reputation which extends beyond the limits of the second district. He is genial in disposition and, by training and temperament, is well equip- ped for the duties of a public career.
HON. JAMES PORTER.
Indiana has been especially honored in the character and career of her men of industry and public service. In every section have been found men born to leadership in the various vocations; men who have dominated be- cause of their superior intelligence, natural endowment and force of char- acter. It is always profitable to study the lives of such men, to weigh their motives and to hold up their achievements as incentives to greater activity and higher excellence on the part of others. These reflections are suggested by the career of one who has forged his way to the front ranks and who, by a strong inherent force and marked business ability, directed and con- trolled by intelligence and judgment of a high order, has been recognized, for over a quarter of a century, as one of the leading men of the state. No citizen in southern Indiana has achieved more honorable mention or occupied a more conspicuous place in the public eye than Senator James Porter, of Washington. Success is the result of methodical and consecu- tive endeavor. Senator Porter's success was attained by normal methods and means-the determined application of mental and physical resources along correctly defined lines. To offer, in a work of this character, an ade- quate resume of the career of this man, would be impossible; but, with others of those who have promoted the civic, agricultural and commercial progress of Daviess county and this section of Indiana, we may well note the more salient points that have marked his life and labors. He is a prominent and influential factor in the public affairs of his county, as well as in the enter- prises with which he has been connected; having gained success through legitimate and worthy means, he stands as an admirable type of the self- made man.
James Porter, state senator from this district, was born in Reeve town- ship, Daviess county, Indiana, on May 3, 1845, son of James and Ann (McCoy) Porter, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Virginia, who came to Daviess county in 1832 and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Reeve township, which they cleared and improved and where they reared their family. James Porter was a man of enterprise and push
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and prospered from the start, adding to this farm until he owned about five hundred acres. He died on the home farm in 1890, at the age of eighty- nine years. His wife had preceded him to the grave, her death occurring in 1875, at the age of sixty-two. Both were members of the Presbyterian church. James Porter served as justice of the peace for Reeve township for a number of years. He and his wife were the parents of ten children,. Robert, Calvin, John and William, all deceased; James, the subject of this sketch; Steward, deceased; Marion, of Oklahoma; Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph H. Watts, of Grand View, Alabama; George, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Joseph, of Enid, Oklahoma.
The paternal grandfather of Senator Porter was James Porter, Sr., a native of Ohio. He and his wife lived in Jefferson county, Ohio, and died there well advanced in years. They were farmers and had five children, James, Joseph, Calvin, Elizabeth and Margaret.
James Porter, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm. He attended the old-fashioned subscription schools, in a log cabin with puncheon floor and a fire-place with clay-and-stick chimney, the teacher "boarding around." There were slabs for seats and the writing desk con- sisted of a board placed along the wall and supported with wooden pins .. Mr. Porter lived at home until grown. He made his first money by hard labor and considered himself fortunate if he received fifty cents for a day's. work. He then took a lease on a piece of timber land and cleared it up, making the rails with which to build the fences, and continued to farm as he cleared the land. His first purchase was three hundred acres of land on the east fork of White river in Harrison township, in partnership with two of his brothers. They cleared two hundred and forty acres of this land and a few years later James Porter owned the whole place. He lived there some. years and added to this farm until at one time he owned about seven hun- dred and forty acres. His children were all born in that neighborhood. In March, 1889, he bought a home in the corporate limits of the city of Wash- ington, with six acres of land, which has been his home ever since. In the meantime, Senator Porter has sold all his other lands.
In 1863 James Porter enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Seven- teenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served about seven months as a corporal. There were five brothers in the Porter family who went into the service and all lived to return home. Two, however, were wounded.
On October 1, 1874, James Porter was married to Judith Lemmon, the daughter of Elijah and Isabel (Summerville) Lemmon. Five children were
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born to this union, one of whom died in infancy, the others being Eva, who died young; Artie and Bessie, both at home, and Clara, who married Robert Porter, of Enid, Oklahoma, and has one daughter, Thelma.
Mrs. Porter was born in DuBois county, Indiana, and her parents, both of whom are now deceased, also were natives of this state. They were the parents of six children, namely : James, deceased; Clay Houston, deceased; Scott, Judith and Elizabeth, the latter of whom is deceased. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Porter were Jacob and Catherine Lemmon, both na- tives of Pennsylvania, the former being of German descent. They had four children, Elijah, Jacob, James and Judith. Jacob Lemmon, Sr., had been formerly married and had four children by that union, John, David, Abra- ham and Susan.
Mrs. Porter is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Porter be- longs to Charity Lodge No. 30, Free and Accepted Masons; Washington Chapter No. 92, Royal Arch Masons, and Washington Commandery No. 33, Knights Templar. Politically, he is a Republican. He has served the people of Daviess county as county commissioner and county councilman, and in 1914 was elected to the state Senate of Indiana, which office he did not seek. During the session of 1915 of the Indiana General Assembly, Senator Porter was one of the leaders of the Republican minority in the Senate.
PROFESSOR HAMLET ALLEN.
Perseverance and sterling worth are almost always sure to win con- spicuous recognition in any locality. Prof. Hamlet Allen has a remarkable record as an educator. He has been teaching almost continuously for forty years and for more than twenty years has been principal of the Washington, Indiana, high school. His career affords a splendid example of the success- ful self-made man, who is not only eminently deserving of the confidence re- posed in him by the people of Washington and Daviess county, but who also possesses the talents and forcefulness that have made him successful as an instructor and educator. He is a man of strong mental fiber and has achieved a signal success in the educational world. Professor Allen has earned a signal success in the educational world. Professor Allen has earned high words of commendation from those competent to form a proper esti- mate of his worth, and his long tenure as principal of the Washington
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high school is a distinct evidence of the esteem in which he is held by the people of this city.
Prof. Hamlet Allen was born six miles northeast of Washington, In- diana, in Washington township, Daviess county, on August 12, 1849, son of Johnson and Mary J. (Sanford) Allen, the former a native of Wash- ington township and the latter of Mason county, Kentucky, who were the parents of four children, Hamlet;"William, deceased; Anna J., who married M. J. Hayes, a merchant of Washington, and is now deceased, and Vir- ginia C., the widow of Benjamin F. Strasser, now living in Denver, Colo- rado.
Johnson Allen was reared in Daviess county, Indiana, and became a substantial farmer, at one time owning a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which he improved. He first cleared a farm of eighty acres in Har- rison township and the three younger children were born in Harrison town- ship. During the last twenty years of his life he lived in Washington, his death occurring there in 1897, at the age of seventy-three. His , widow lives with her son and is now eighty-four years old. Johnson Allen was brought up as an old-school Presbyterian, but soon after his marriage he and his wife united with the Baptist church. He was township assessor at one time and a man of considerable political influence in the county. He was a Democrat and took an active part in the councils of his party.
Professor Allen's paternal grandparents were William and Elizabeth (Eads) Allen, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Ohio. They were pioneers in Daviess county, coming here in December, 1816. William Allen was a shoemaker and farmer and lived in Washington town- ship. He and his wife died on the old homestead, she at the age of about sixty and he about seventy. Mrs. William Allen was the aunt of Capt. James B. Eads, who built the St. Louis and Brooklyn bridges. William and Eliza- beth (Eads) Allen were the parents of twelve children, James C., John, William, Robert, Johnson, Firman, George, Mary Jane, Elijah R., Hannah A., Moses and Melville W.
William Allen was the son of Col. John and Rachel (Wykoff) Allen, natives of New Jersey, who came to eastern Indiana prior to 1810 and settled in Dearborn county. Colonel Allen assisted in laying out the town of Harrison, and came to Daviess county in 1816, bringing with him his family of fifteen children. The first Presbyterian church organized in the Whitewater valley was organized at his home in 1810.
(22)
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The maternal grandparents of Professor Allen were Hamlet and Ann (Clark) Sanford, natives of Orange county, Virginia, who moved to Ken- tucky, settling in Mason county, where all of their children were born. They came to Indiana in November, 1832, and located two miles northeast of Washington, where they engaged in farming and where they reared their children. Hamlet Sanford was a carpenter, farmer and builder. He lived two miles northeast of Washington until July, 1849, when he died at a ripe old age. He had formerly been married to a woman in Virginia, who died leaving two children, Lucinda and Eliza, who, with all of the children by the second marriage, came from Kentucky to Daviess county, Indiana. The second group of children were Lucretia, Pierce, Reuben, William, Vir- ginia, John C., Tabitha Ann, Mary Jane and Elizabeth.
The great-grandfather on Professor Allen's maternal side was Pierce Sanford. Ann Clark, who was Professor Allen's maternal grandmother, was the daughter of William Clark, whose wife's maiden name also was Clark. This brings the family back to Clarks mountain in Virginia, where the original Clarks held a valuable estate, which was finally settled only a few years ago.
Prof. Hamlet Allen was reared on his father's farm in Washington township, Daviess county. He first attended the district schools and later the graded schools of Washington. Upon completing the course in the local schools, he entered Franklin College and from there went to the Indiana State University at Bloomington. He began teaching in the country schools of Daviess county in 1866 and received his college training subsequently. In 1874 he organized the Washington high school and was the principal of this school for five years. He then removed to the farm and for a time taught in the country schools, later taking up grade work in the city schools. In 1886 and 1887, Professor Allen was deputy postmaster in the Washington postoffice, and four years later served a term as deputy clerk of the circuit court. In 1894 he again was elected principal of the Washington high school, and has served continuously in that capacity since that date.
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