USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Daviess County, Indiana : Its people, industries and institutions > Part 32
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Mr. Hastings is a Republican and was deputy county prosecutor for two years. He was chief clerk of the Indiana House of Representatives in
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1907. The firm of Hastings, Allen & Hastings acts as attorneys for the Peoples National Bank of Washington and the Washington National Bank, and practices in all the courts, having been called before the state supreme court in a large number of cases. M. S. Hastings, although a prominent and able lawyer, is quite modest and unostentatious in his general demeanor. Frequently he has been called upon to preside as judge of the circuit courts of Daviess and adjoining counties, in special cases, and is generally known as Judge Hastings, but his retiring and modest disposition makes him prefer to leave off the title, "judge", and to be known simply as Mr. Hastings. He is genial and kindly in his attitude toward all and no one is too humble to receive his attention and respectful consideration.
While Mr. Hastings' ambition as a lawyer is to continue to grow and be eminently successful, there is perhaps nothing that gives him more satis- faction and enjoyment than teaching his splendid Bible class and looking after the interests of his family; his exemplary home life being a source of infinite gratification to them. M. S. Hastings is held in highest esteem by the citizens of Washington for his integrity, his genuine Christian character and his real moral worth.
LEONIDAS SEXTON HORRALL.
The subject of this review is a representative farmer and stock grower of Washington township, Daviess county, Indiana, who is known as one of the alert, progressive and successful agriculturists of this favored section of the Hoosier state. In his labors he has not permitted himself to follow in the rut in a blind, apathetic way, but has studied and experimented and thus secured the maximum returns from his enterprising efforts; which he has so ordered his course at all times as to command the confidence and regard of the people of the community in which he lives, being a man of honorable business methods and advocating whatever tends to promote the public welfare in any way.
Leonidas Sexton Horrall was born in this county on March 18, 1871, the son of Edwin Ray and Johanna (Alexander) Horrall, both natives of this county. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Horrall was Cleaver Horrall, who arrived in Washington in an early day, and conducted a tannery on the site where the Baltimore & Ohio railroad station now is situated. In the early days he would haul leather to Evansville, Indiana, for the markets. He and his wife died in Washington. The maternal grandparents of Mr.
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Horrall also were early settlers of this county, being farmers in Veale township.
Edwin Ray Horrall, the father of Leonidas S., was educated in the schools of Washington, where he grew to maturity, and began life for him- self on a farm in Veale township, operating one hundred and twenty acres- of land which he owned in 'Possum Hollow. Later he purchased another farm on one hundred and forty acres in the same township and moved to. it. In addition to his farming interests, Mr. Horrall, in partnership with Hiram Hogshead, owned and operated the first steam threshing machine south of Washington, in this county. Mr. Horrall also operated a saw-mill in Veale township. He moved to Oklahoma, but later returned to Daviess. county, locating on the farm where his son is now living. He served in the Union army during the Civil War as a member of the Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Edwin Ray and Johanna (Alex- ander) Horrall were the parents of eight children, Cynthia Ann, Daniel Cleaver, Alfred, Elizabeth, Carrie Belle, Leonidas S., Lawrie Isaac and Videtta, all of whom are still living with the exception of Carrie Belle.
Leonidas S. Horrall grew to manhood on his father's farm in Veale township, receiving his education in the district schools of his home town- ship. He assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and also with his thresher-machine and saw-mill, and before his marriage had bought and paid for forty-seven acres of land. In 1895 he engaged in farming on his own account. His wife owned one hundred acres of land, and to this Mr. Horrall added until they owned three hundred and ten acres of land in Harrison township. Later they sold this farm and purchased one hundred and forty-eight acres, where they now live, on the Portersville road, about one and one-fourth miles out of Washington. The family moved to this place in 1904, and Mr. Horrall now does a road contracting business in connection with his farming.
In 1895 Mr. Horrall married Anna Wilson, who was born and reared in Harrison township, a daughter of William Wilson, a pioneer of Harri- son township. William Wilson came from Ohio in an early day, making the trip on foot, with all his belongings in a small carpetbag, which he car- ried. He settled in Harrison township, where he gradually accumulated a competency, and at the time of his death was the owner of eight hundred acres of land. He was an influential citizen in his day and generation, being a man of sterling integrity and of much strength of character.
To Leonidas S. and Anna (Wilson) Horrall have been born six chil-
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dren, Steward Sexton, Ermel Ethel, Lily Jewel, Glenn Irene, Roy and Nellie Lissie. The family are all loyal and earnest members of the Metho- dist Episcopal-church, in whose welfare they are actively interested, and. to whose support they are liberal contributors.
Mr. Horrall is a Republican, and for years has taken an active part in the political affairs of his county. On January 1, 1915, he assumed the duties of the office of county commissioner, to which office he had been elected in the previous election. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also of the encampment, and takes an active interest in the welfare of those fraternal organizations. As a citizen Mr. Horrall stands high in the esteem of his fellow men, being public-spirited and pro- gressive, and at all times willing to lead his aid and influence in behalf of enterprises for the material advancement of his county, and for the intel- lectual, social and moral good of the people.
PARIS A. HASTINGS.
Paris A. Hastings is a man, who, by close attention to business, has achieved marked success and has risen to an honorable position among the leading men of the county with which his interests are identified. It is a plain record rendered remarkable by no strange or mysterious adventures; no wonderful and lucky accidents and no tragic situations. Mr. Hastings is one of those estimable citizens whose integrity and personality must force them into an admirable distinction, which their modesty never seeks. He is one of that type of men who command the respect of contemporaries and posterity alike and leave the impression of their individuality upon the age in which they have lived.
Paris A. Hastings, the cashier of the Peoples National Bank, of Wash- ington, Indiana, was born in Bogard township, this county, on August 13, 1865, the son of John A. and Lauretta (Allen) Hastings, the former a native of Lawrence county and the latter of Daviess county, who were the parents of eight children, four of whom grew to maturity, Mary, the wife of Andrew T. Myers, of Plainville, Indiana; Milton S., a judge, of Wash- ington; Paris A., the subject of this sketch, and Elmer E., of Washington.
John A. Hastings was reared in Lawrence county, Indiana, and was a school teacher for about twenty-five years. He later operated a general store at Cornettsville, Daviess county, for a few years, and died there in
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18gr. at the age of fifty-nine. His wife survived him and died in Wash- ington in December. 1905, at the age of sixty-five years., In their early days they belonged to the Christian church but later united with the United Brethren church.
The paternal grandparents of Paris A. Hastings were Howell and Edith Edwards) Hastings, natives of North Carolina, who were among the first settlers of Madison township, this county, where they owned con- siderable land in the Odon neighborhood. Howell Hastings died in middle Dife, after which his widow moved to Kansas with her children and lived at Wellington for a dime. She died in Kansas, at an advanced age. They were the parents of six children. Henry H .. who died on his eighty-fifth birthday: Thomas, who died in the service of the Union army, during the Civil War: John A .. Zachariah S .. a Christian minister: Elizabeth and Charlotte. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Hastings were Hiram and Keziah ( Cook) Allen, natives of North Carolina and early settlers in Van Buren township. this county. Hiram Allen died in 1849. while still a young man. His widow married, secondly. William Wilson. By the first mar- riage there were three children. Lauretta. Milton L. and Mary. By the sec- ond marnage there were four children, George. Keziah. John and Cordella.
Paris A. Hastings was reared on his father's farm in Bogard town- ship and attended the district schools and the Southern Indiana Normal School at Mitchell Later he attended the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso and was graduated from the Central Normal College at Dan- ville. He taught school for two years. the last year at Cornettsville. He then served as deputy county auditor for tivo years and finally went into the newspaper business. for a number of years acting as business manager of the Washington Gazette, subsequently becoming the owner of that paper, continuing as sole owner until 1965, in which year the Gazette was consoli- dated with the Herald. Mr. Hastings was connected with this latter news- paper until July. 1912. when he sold his interest to C. G. Sefrit, and in January. 1913. became cashier of the Peoples National Bank, of Washing- ton, a position he still occupies.
In the campaign of 1902. Mr. Hastings was chairman of the Repub- lican county central committee. of Daviess county. He was elected to the Indiana Legislature at a special election that year, serving in the session of 1903. He was a city treasurer of Washington for four years and was inter- ested, while in the newspaper business. in road building. He built more than one hundred miles of gravel and rock road in Daviess county, in partner- ship with M. H. Wilson.
On August 28, 1891. Paris .A. Hastings was married to Cora A. Hen-
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dricks, of Hendricks county, the daughter of Milton and Mary E. (Sparks) Hendricks, to which union six children have been born, Frank H., Mary, Laura, Charles, Edith and Paul. Frank H. is a graduate of the Central Normal College and is now principal of the high school at Arcadia, Indiana. Mary and Laura were graduated from the scientific course at Central Nor- mal College in 1913 and are in school there now, taking the classical course. Mary taught one term of school in Barr township. Charles is a junior and Paul a freshman in the Washington high school. Edith died in infancy. During Laura's twelve years in school, she never missed a day; never missed a session of her Sunday school, nor was she tardy at either place in the entire twelve years. This is a remarkable record.
Mrs. Hastings was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, December 5, 1861. Her parents were natives of Indiana. Her father died in 1908 at the age of seventy-eight and her mother is still living. They were the par- ents of six children, Cora A., Myra Jane, Orestes H., Vada, Lora and Grace.
Mr. and Mrs. Hastings and all of their children are members of the Christian church, the local congregation of which Mr. Hastings is serving as an elder. He was superintendent of the Bible school for six years. He is a member of Charity Lodge No. 30, Free and Accepted Masons; Wash- ington Chapter No. 92, Royal Arch Masons, and the Washington council, Royal and Select Masters. He and his wife are charter members of Wash- ington Chapter No. 210, Order of the Eastern Star.
Because of his long experience in public and semi-official life, Paris A. Hastings is well known in Daviess county, and it is only fair to say that he enjoys the unqualified esteem of the people of this county. He has made success of many ventures and, although still in middle life, has earned a competence which is his reward for his toil and planning.
ELMER BUZAN.
The men of most influence in promoting the advancement of society and in giving character to the times in which they live are of two classes, students and men of action. Whether we are more indebted for the improve- ment of the age to one class or the other is a question of honest difference in opinion. Neither class can be spared and both should be encouraged to occupy their respective spheres of labor and influence, zealously and without mutual distrust. In the following paragraphs are briefly outlined the lead-
(23)
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ing facts and characteristics in the career of a gentleman who combines in his make-up, the elements of the student and the energy of the public-spir- ited man of affairs. Elmer Buzan, although formerly a teacher in the public schools of Daviess county, has enjoyed a successful career in business and at present is the treasurer-elect of Daviess county. He is not unknown to the wider educational circles of the state and, in political affairs, occupies a prominent place in Daviess county.
Elmer Buzan was born on May 13, 1879, in Washington township, Daviess county, Indiana, the son of Albert and Sarah Adaline (Jones) Buzan, both natives of this county, the former of whom was born in Barr township, and the latter in Washington township. The parental grand- father of Elmer Buzan was John Buzan, an early settler of Daviess county,. who died in this county, his wife dying in Kansas. John Buzan and wife had six children, Maria, Albert, William (deceased), Lafayette (deceased), John and Mattie A. John Buzan ·served as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War for about three years. The maternal grandparents. of Elmer Buzan were Thomas and Lorraine (Freeland) Jones, pioneers of this county, who were the parents of five children, Mary C., Hosea, Elijah, Theodore and Ella. Theodore Jones, now deceased, was a one-time treas- urer of Daviess county.
Albert Buzan, the father of Elmer Buzan, was formerly a farmer and a coal prospector. Though self-learned, his early educational opportunities having been limited, he is a well-informed man. He and his wife, the latter of whom is now deceased, were the parents of four children, Theodocia (de- ceased), Elmer, Bertha S. and Maria S. (deceased). Albert Buzan is a member of the Christian church, as was his wife, and their children were reared in the faith of that church.
Elmer Buzan was reared on a farm and was educated in the public schools of Daviess county, as well as in the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, where he spent more than three years. Mr. Buzan began teaching when twenty-one years of age and was engaged in teaching until 19II, when he was made deputy county treasurer, by appointment, a posi- tion he held for two years, at the end of which time he was employed by the Prudential Insurance Company. In 1914 Mr. Buzan was elected county treasurer of Daviess county and will take office on January 1, 1916. He is a man who is well known throughout Daviess county and who has made a host of friends. The people of Daviess county have absolute confidence in Mr. Buzan, and he will be the last man to abuse that confidence.
On October 17, 1909, Elmer Buzan was married to Edna Pearl Ficke
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who was born in Topeka, Kansas, September 22, 1883, the daughter of William H. and Glendora (Hogshead) Ficke, now residents of Washington township, this county. To this union two children have been born, Ruby Alberta, born on February 1, 191I, and Norwood Howard, August 7, 1913.
Upon attaining his majority, Mr. Buzan identified himself with the Republican party and for years has been active in local councils of that party. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.
NATHAN E. KILLION.
The true measure of individual success is determined by the character of work in which one has been engaged. The measure of success is what one has accomplished. An enumeration of the living residents of Daviess county, who have succeeded in various spheres of endeavor, and who at the same time are impressing their personalities on the citizenship of this county-men who have been conferring honor on the localities where they reside, would be incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of Nathan E. Killion, president of the Farmers Bank of Plainville, and one of the most influential citizens in that section of Daviess county. The splendid success which has come to him has been the direct result of great physical and mental energy. Mr. Killion has a mind capable of laying judicious plans, and a will strong enough to carry them into execution. His, energy, foresight and perseverance carry him forward to a position in the front rank of the successful men of this county. Nathan Killion has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken. His business meth- ods have ever been in strict conformity with the standard ethics of commer- cial life. He has taken an intelligent interest in the civic life of the com- munity and has earned the high regard in which he is held by all who know him.
Nathan E. Killion was born on March 12, 1862, in Steele township, Daviess county, Indiana, the son of Alexander and Jemimah (Caywood) Killion, the former of whom was born on November 9, 1822, in Steele township, Daviess county, Indiana, and died on April 21, 1903. Jemimah (Caywood) Killion was born on June 29, 1829, and died on January 6, 1892. She was the second wife of Alexander Killion, who was married three times.
The grandfather of Nathan E. Killion and the father of Alexander
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Killion was William Killion, a native of North Carolina, who married Dicey Ballard, and who, after their marriage, moved to Tennessee for a year. While the Killions were in Tennessee, one of William Killion's sons traveled to Indiana. He wrote back to his father that he had found a splendid place in which to live. William Killion, wife and family then moved to Indiana. His children were Alexander, Alfred, David, James, Sallie, Eva, William, Betsie, Frank and Wiley. The first wife of Alex- ander Killion was America Burch, who bore him three children, Dicey, John and Rachel. After her death Mr. Killion married Jemimah Caywood, and she bore him six children, Martha J., William, Nathan, Albert, Eva and Cora. Upon the death of his second wife, Alexander Killion married Mary Myers, but no children were born to this last marriage. Alexander Killion was a farmer of great wealth and owned four thousand acres of land in Daviess county, the most of which was in Steele township.
Many interesting things are to be recorded in the life history of Alex- ander Killion. He started in life with a small farm, which his father had given him. It was covered with timber and the only way he was able to secure the money with which to pay living expenses was by "working out" at twenty-five cents a day. Alexander Killion went back to his father and asked the latter to take part of the farm back and give him the money, but the father refused to do this. Alexander and his wife lived in a hollow sycamore tree for a time, and finally erected a log hut. After many years Alexander Killion became very wealthy and his life was continually in danger of thieves and robbers, who sought to get hold of his money. A letter was once thrown into his yard demanding five thousand dollars at once, this money to be placed under a certain culvert, death being the threat- ened penalty for failure to comply with the terms of the letter. Nothing ever came of the incident, however. On another occasion Alexander Killion was held up on his return from Washington, Indiana, but it happened that Webb Ogden and his son, Nathan, were nearby, one of them throwing a rock which fractured the skull of the robber and relieved Alexander from danger. It is said that this highwayman was a man from Martin county, Indiana.
Nathan E. Killion was educated at the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana, and was married on March 5, 1885, to Cordeli Single- ton, daughter of George and Lyda (Ragsdale) Singleton, who were Indiana farmers. George Singleton was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War. To Nathan E. and Cordelia (Singleton) Killion three children have been born, Ernest E., Clarence E. and Ralph A. He is cashier of the
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bank there and a biographical sketch of him is presented elsewhere in this volume. Clarence is deceased. Ralph A. married Eula Barnes, and they live in Steele township, this county. They have three children, Ralph, Jr., Clarence and Mildred. Nathan E. Killion lived for twenty-one years on White river, on a bottom farm in Steele township, owning seven hundred acres of the richest soil in Steele township and two hundred acres in Knox and Pike counties, Indiana. Mr. Killion is president of the Farmers Bank of Plainville, a position he has occupied since the establishment of that sound financial institution in 1907.' He also is a large stockholder in the Plainville Flouring Company, which is one of the most up-to-date mills in the state of Indiana.
Mrs. Killion is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Killion is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and both he and Mrs. Killion are members of the order of the Daughters of Rebekah.
Nathan E. Killion is known throughout the length and breadth of Daviess county, and in fact throughout this section of the state; not only as a successful farmer, but as a successful banker, a man who is well- informed on all current, political and civic questions and one whose advice and council is sought upon all sorts of questions. Naturally, he is a man who enjoys the confidence and esteem of a large number of people.
JAMES HARVEY GARTEN.
The character of a community is determined in a large measure by the lives of a comparatively few of its members. If its moral and intel- lectual status be good, in a social way it is a pleasant place in which to reside; if its reputation as to the integrity of its citizens has extended into other localities, it will be found that the standard set by the leading men has been high and their influence such as to mold the characters and shape the lives of those with whom they mingle. In placing the late James Har- vey Garten in the front ranks of such men justice is rendered to Mr. Garten. Although a quiet and unassuming man with no ambition for public position or leadership, he contributed much to the material, civic and moral advance- ment of his community, while his admirable qualities of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his daily life, won for him the esteem and confidence of the circle in which he moved. Although he is
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now sleeping the sleep of the just, his influence still lives and his memory is revered by many.
The late James Harvey Garten was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, near Springville, on September 13, 1837, the son of James and Lydia (Gray) Garten, the former a native of Lawrence county, who came to this county many years ago and located permanently in Madison township, owning a large farm, most of which is now included within the limits of the village of Odon.
James Harvey Garten was first married to Lucinda Sears. They located on a farm about one mile from Odon, and to their union was born one child, Delight. Mr. Garten was married, secondly, on May 27, 1894, to Mrs. Mary Eleanor (Dunlap) Kohr, of Ohio, widow of Henry Booth Kohr, and to this union two children were born, Bertha Jane and James Edward.
James Harvey Garten was a farmer and stock raiser and was very suc- cessful. He was a soldier in the Civil War, and at one time was township trustee. He owned two hundred and forty acres of the land in the home place and another farm in the river bottoms. Mr. Garten died on April 15, 1914, and was widely mourned, for he was one of the best known men in that part of the county, for years having taken a prominent part in com- munity affairs. He was a Republican and had served his township as trus- tee. He was a member of the Grand Army post at Odon.
Henry Booth Kohr, the first husband of Mrs. Garten, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in 1839, the son of James and Rachel (Booth) Kohr, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia. The Kohrs were of German descent. Jonas Kohr and wife died in Ohio, where they were farmers.
Henry B. Kohr was educated in the common schools of his home neighborhood and in a normal school. Before his marriage he came to Indiana and located at Odon, where he lived for some years before the Civil War. He was a teacher in Daviess county and followed this vocation all his life, clerking in stores during vacations. About three years before his death he moved to Tennessee in order to teach in a normal school there, but about two weeks after his arrival sickness seized him and after a period of invalidism of about three years he died on March 4, 1879.
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