USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Daviess County, Indiana : Its people, industries and institutions > Part 44
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Albert Buran was married on October 6. 1875. to Sarah A. Jomes. the daughter of Thomas and Ruth (Freeland) Jones, well-known farmers of Daviess county and influential members of the Christian church. To this union four children have been born. Elmer H .. Bertha S .. Theodosia and Maria. Theodosia and Maria are deceased: Elmer H .. who lives in Wasb-
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ington, married Pearl Fickey and has two children, Ruby Elbert and Nor- wood. He is treasurer of Daviess county at the present time, and a man of wide political influence; Bertha S. is unmarried and is keeping house for her father. Mrs. Buzan died some years ago.
Albert Buzan is a well-known and prominent member of the Christian church, and is a Republican in political affairs.
WIRTSEL V. ROSENBURY.
One of the well-known young men of Van Buren township, Daviess county, Indiana, is Wirtsel V. Rosenbury, a man of unassuming manners and extremely modest in his claim to preferment. He was graduated from the Odon high school in 1914, and subsequently attended the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute. He is now a successful young school teacher in Van Buren township and has charge of the Patterson school.
Wirtsel V. Rosenbury was born on September 10, 1895, in Van Buren township, Daviess county. He is the son of George William and Clemen- tine (Overton) Rosenbury, the former of whom was born on December 4, 1869, in Van Buren township, and the latter of whom was born on October 14, 1871, in Madison township. Wirtsel Rosenbury's mother is the daugh- ter of Anderson Overton, a farmer of Madison township, who owns about one hundred and sixty acres of land. The Overtons were early settlers in Madison township.
Wirtsel V. Rosenbury's grandfather was Josiah Rosenbury, a native of Ohio, who lived in Tuscarawas county, and who was married to Sarah Penrod. They moved to Indiana after their marriage and were pioneers in Daviess county. In 1860 Josiah Rosenbury purchased land near Ragles- ville. He was a member of the United Brethren church, and an active worker in that church. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, Harry Belden, who is deceased; Emma, George William, Sallie, Bertha, Joseph E., Minnie and Mary.
George William Rosenbury was the third child born to his parents. He was educated in the common schools and throughout his life has lived in Daviess county. He owns one hundred and thirty acres of splendid farm- ing land in Madison township and Van Buren township. While he has engaged in general farming he also operates a dairy and keeps a great num- ber of Holstein cattle. Seven children have been born to George W. Rosen-
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bury and wife, Wirtsel being the eldest. The other children are: Wallace, Arnold, Harry, Irene, Myrtle and Edith.
George William Rosenbury and his family are all active members of the United Brethren church and Sunday school. Fraternally, George Will- iam is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Wirtsel V. Rosen- bury is unmarried. He is a young man who is very fond of the vocation he has chosen and who promises to become one of the successful teachers of Daviess county. He has inherited from his father and mother the good qualities of body and mind, and is a close student of all current historical events. He is not only popular with the pupils and patrons of the Patter- son school, where he is now teaching, but he is likewise popular in the neigh- borhood where he was born and reared and where he is so well known.
HAMAN WOODLING.
It was once remarked by a celebrated moralist and biographer that there has scarcely passed a life of which a judicious and faithful narrative would not have been useful. Believing in the truth of this opinion, expressed by one of the greatest and best of men, the writer of this review takes pleasure in presenting a few facts in the career of a gentleman who, by industry, perseverance, temperance and integrity, has worked himself from an humble station to a successful place in life, and who has won an honorable position among the well-known and highly esteemed men of Van Buren township, Daviess county, Indiana.
Haman Woodling, the subject of this sketch, was born in Stark county, Ohio, on January 20, 1842. He is the son of Andrew and Catherine (Kern) Woodling, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1800, and the latter born in that state, three miles from the Delaware Water Gap, in 1807. Catherine Kern was the daughter of John Kern, a native of Prussia, where he was a farmer. He was a member of the Lutheran church and, after coming to America, settled in Pennsylvania, where he lived the rest of his life. The grandfather of Haman Woodling was Andrew Woodling, Sr., a soldier in the War of 1812, and a farmer by occupation, who lived and died in Pennsylvania.
Andrew Woodling, Jr., the father of Haman Woodling, was educated in the common schools. He removed from Pennsylvania to Stark county, Ohio, in 1833, where he owned two hundred and sixty acres of land. Later
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he removed to Stark county, where he lived the remainder of his life. He and his wife had seven children. The first three, Bernard, Amos and Julia Ann, are deceased. Rachel and Daniel are also deceased, Daniel dying when an infant. Haman and Simon P. are still living. Of these children, Amos was county surveyor of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, for nine years, and also a justice of the peace in Franklin township. The late President McKin- ley practiced law in the court of Amos Woodling when a young man; Ber- nard was a farmer in Ohio; Simon Peter is a farmer in Daviess county, Indiana. Andrew Woodling, Jr., the father of these children, was a mem- ber of the Lutheran church and active in its affairs. He was an ardent Democrat throughout his life. Andrew Woodling died in October, 1872. His wife died in February, 1880.
Haman Woodling was educated in the common schools and lived with his father until he reached maturity. He was married on June 23, 1864, to Mary Jane Allen, the daughter of Samuel Allen, a native of Scotland, who came to America where he was a farmer. By this first marriage seven children were born, Andrew A. is deceased; Mary B. is also deceased; the other children are: William Oscar, Edgar Evans, Rachel Minerva, Flora May and Frank Haman. Of these children, William Oscar lives in St. Louis, Missouri; he married Emma Henry, of that city, and they have one child, Mable; Edgar Evans lives in Daviess county on a farm; he married May Perkins, and they have four children, Norman, Viola, Ray and Frank; Rachel Minerva lives in Greensburg; she married Harry Kretsch, and they have one child, Russell; Flora May lives in Indianapolis; she married Cass Kretsch, a brother of Harry Kretsch, and they have one child, Madge; Frank lives in St. Louis; he is unmarried, and is employed in the office of the Missouri Pacific & Iron Mountain Railroad.
Haman Woodling was married the second time to Catherine (Wrape) Morgan, who was born on January 17, 1848, in Jennings county, and who is the daughter of Henry and Ann (Bible) Wrape. Henry Wrape was a native of Ireland and a devout member of the Catholic church. His wife was a native of Germany. They lived in Jennings county all their lives, where they owned eighty acres of land. Their children were John, Robert, Catherine and Henry. Henry Wrape, Sr., was the son of Robert Wrape, who was a native of Ireland and who never came to America.
In 1866 Mr. Woodling came to Daviess county and purchased one hundred and fifty-nine acres of land in Van Buren township, where he now lives. Mr. Woodling taught two terms of school in Stark county, Ohio, before coming to Indiana, and one term after his arrival here. He repre-
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sented Daviess county in the Indiana Legislature in 1883, and was a Demo- crat and served one term as county councilman from 1910 to 1914. He and his wife are members of different churches. He is a member of the United Brethren church and his wife a member of St. Michael's Catholic church of Bogard township. By his second marriage Mr. Woodling was the father of one child, Calvin, who died at the age of one year.
Haman Woodling is now retired upon his farm. He is a keen student of government and is a well-informed man regarding political questions. He is a prominent citizen in Van Buren township. He has been active in. Sunday school work and has been its superintendent many years.
HENRY POINDEXTER.
In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a sub- stantial career on the part of the average farmer, there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational chapter, but to a mind thoroughhy awake to the reality and meaning of human existence, there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who, without other means than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity and, toiling on, finally wins not only pecuniary independence, but what is far greater and higher, the deserved respect and confidence of those with whom his active years have brought him in contact. Such a man is found in the person of Henry Poindexter, the proprietor of a fertile farm in Bogard township, Daviess county, Indiana.
Henry Poindexter was born on February 27, 1873, in Martin county. He is the son of Paton and Elizabeth (Keutch) Poindexter, the former of whom was born about 1848, in Martin county, and the latter of whom was the daughter of Finley Keutch, a farmer of Martin county. Paton Poin- (lexter was the son of Christian Poindexter, a native of Ireland, who mar- ried Lucinda Keck, a native of Martin County, this state. He was a farmer, owning about five hundred acres of land, and an extensive dealer in live stock, a business in which he accumulated a substantial fortune. Mr. Poin- (lexter was a member of the Methodist church and active in its work. He served as county commissioner of Martin county at one time. Fraternally, he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Christian and Lucinda Poin- (lexter had eleven children, Ida, deceased; Amelia, Lorinda, deceased; Whit-
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ton, Rufus, John, Christian, Tillman, William, Paton and Wiley. Chris- tian Poindexter was the son of Samuel Poindexter, a native of Ireland, who came to America, after his marriage, with his family. He settled in Martin county, north of Loogootee on a farm, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army and an influential member of the Christian church.
Henry Poindexter, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools and has been a farmer all of his life. He moved to the farm where he now lives eleven years ago and rented it for nine years, pur- chasing it two years ago, which farm comprises one hundred acres. Henry Poindexter is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has made a specialty of Duroc-Jersey hogs.
Henry Poindexter was married on December 16, 1901, to Anna E Hatry, the daughter of Aaron Hatry, a carpenter and contractor of Ragles- ville. Mr. and Mrs. Poindexter have had two children, Flossie May and Irwin, an infant, who died in 1908.
Henry Poindexter and wife are members of the Christian church, while Mr. Poindexter is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias. Henry Poindexter is a man who is popular in the community where he lives, because of his genial good nature and his sympathy in the progress and prosperity of his neighbors. He occupies one of the richest farms in the community and is making rather a complete success in his chosen profession.
Reverting to Mr. Poindexter's father, Paton Poindexter, it may be said that he is still living in Epsom in Bogard township. He came to Daviess county twenty-seven years ago and, although he was at one time a man of considerable wealth, he had the misfortune to lose most of his. property.
LOUDA BEEKER.
Among the prosperous farmers of Daviess county, Indiana, who have built up comfortable homes and surrounded themselves with the comforts of life, few have attained a higher degree of success than Louda Beeker, of Bogard township. With few opportunities, except what his own efforts and those of his wife were capable of mastering and with many difficulties to overcome, he has made a success of life, and in so doing has earned the universal respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. He is a man of tireless energy and strong courage and one whose career shows,
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that he is an able and conscientious worker. As a citizen, he is public spirited and enterprising to an unwonted degree. As a friend and neigh- bor, he combines those qualities of head and heart that have won confidence and commanded respect. His life affords a splendid example of what an American youth, plentifully endowed with good common sense, energy and determination, can accomplish when accompanied by good moral principles.
Louda Beeker was born on March 7, 1869, in Bartholomew county. He is the son of Frederick and Matilda (Shaffer) Beeker, both natives of Germany. The latter died in 1883. She was the daughter of John G. Shaffer, a native of Germany, who came to America and settled near Colum- bus, Indiana, on a farm. He owned two hundred and forty acres of land and was a member of the Lutheran church. Frederick Beeker was edu- cated in the common schools of Germany. He was married twice, the first time to Matilda Shaffer, who bore him six children, Clara, Louda, the sub- ject of this sketch, Pauline, Lewis, John and Mary. The mother of these children died and Frederick was married to Margaret Shank, the daughter of Peter Shank, a farmer living near Columbus, this state. One child, Anna, was born to this second marriage. Frederick Beeker owned two hundred and fifty acres of land in St. Louis Crossing, Indiana, near Colum- bus. He was a member of the Methodist church and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Louda Beeker was educated in the common schools of Bartholomew county, and when a young man, performed the customary duties of the average farmer boy and grew up amidst the surroundings of a country lad. When Mr. Beeker reached maturity, he was married to Tessie Fox, the daughter of Adam and Laura (Treon) Fox. Adam Fox was a butcher at Hope, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Louda Beeker, five children have been born, Florence E., Anna Grace, deceased; Edna Laura, Eula May and Ora L.
Mr. Beeker owns two hundred and seven acres of land in Daviess county, Bogard township, where he does general farming and stock raising. For several years he was engaged extensively in the horse-racing business, but quit that business because he could not be successful without gambling, and his conscience would not permit him to engage in it. Nevertheless, Mr. Beeker has made more than an average success as a farmer and has acquired a substantial competence. Mr. Beeker moved to Daviess county from near Columbus in 1907.
Louda Beeker is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Beeker is a man who enjoys the confidence to
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the highest degree of his neighbors and the people of Bogard township. His genial manners and goodness of heart have won for him a host of friends.
AUSTIN B. OSMON.
Though nature affords excellent opportunities for carrying on certain lines of labor, in every locality there is demanded of any man great industry and diligence if he succeeds. Competition makes him put forth his best efforts and it requires great care to conduct any business enterprise along profitable lines. This is especially true of farming. From the time of earli- est spring planting, until the crops are harvested, the farmer's life is a very busy one. Even through the winter months he prepares for the labors of the coming year, and thus lays the foundation of his success for the ensu- ing year. And yet, the farmer lives the most independent existence, and always has the satisfaction of getting a day off when he desires. Daviess county has as fine farms as may be found anywhere in the state of Indiana, and one of the very progressive farmers of Daviess county, whose property is kept in a very high state of repair at all times, is Austin B. Osmon.
Austin B. Osmon was born on August 21, 1879, in Bogard township, Daviess county. He is the son of George W. and Cordelia (Wilson) Osmon, the former a native of Bogard township, and the latter the daughter of William A. and Keziah Wilson, who were farmers of Barr township, Daviess county, and large landholders. They were members of the Christian church.
Austin B. Osmon's grandfather was Charles Osmon, a native of Daviess county, born in 1821, and who married Margaret Seifrit, also a native of Daviess county, Indiana, and a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Evert) Seifrit. Charles Seifrit and wife came to this county in an early day. They were of Dutch descent and were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Austin Osmon's great-grandfather was Jabus Osmon, a native of Ohio, who married Mary Baker. Jabus Osmon was a farmer and one of the early settlers of Daviess county. Jabus Osmon and a man by the name of Eagle were engaged extensively in trade with the Indians, who eventually killed Mr. Eagle, at which time Jabus Osmon swore vengeance. He killed a large number of them, eleven, at one time. He afterward entered about three hundred and sixty acres of land in Van Buren township, and lived there the remainder of his life. He and his wife had nine children, Dyer, John, Wesley, Thomas, Isaac, David, Philip, Sarah and Elizabeth. Jabus
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Osmon was a member of the Methodist church and one of its pioneer lead- ers. He was a great hunter, and when there was to be a log-rolling he was. the man whose duty is was to kill the game for the dinner. He dressed and acted a great deal like an animal while he was in the woods. Indians were continually on his trail, but he was never caught unawares.
Charles Osmon, the grandfather of Austin B. was educated in the common schools, was a farmer in Bogard township, Daviess county, and owned one hundred and forty acres of land. He and his wife had eight children, Martha, Ellen and Elizabeth are deceased; Alice, Lorie, George and Charles are still living. Isaac is also deceased. Charles Osmon was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, was active in local Republican politics, and died on January 2, 1863, while in the service of the Union: army. His wife, Mrs. Charles Osmon, born on July 4, 1824, is still living: in Epsom, Daviess county.
George W. Osmon, the father of Austin B., was educated in the com- mon schools, and was a farmer. He owned about six hundred acres of land, while he and his wife and family were members of the Methodist church. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. George W. Osmon was a quiet and unassuming man. and was married at the age of twenty-five to Cordelia Wilson, as heretofore related. Her father, William A. Wilson, was a farmer in Barr township, and a large landowner. He was a member of the Christian church. George W. Osmon and wife had eight children, Austin B., the subject of this sketch; Ada, Bessie, Nora, Homer, Everett, Bonnie and Charles. Bessie is deceased. Of the other children, Ada married John E. Cox and lives in Montana ; Nora. married R. J. Crist, and lives in Montana; Homer lives on the home place. He married Clotie Wadsworth. The remainder of the children of George. W. Osmon are single.
Austin B. Osmon was educated in the common schools, and after leav- ing the common schools took a normal course at Vincennes University, which he attended for one term. He taught school for five terms in Daviess. county.
On November 24, 1904, Mr. Osmon was married to Maud Williams, the daughter of Adolphus G. and Angeline (Cummings) Williams, of Cor- nettsville, Bogard township. Mr. and Mrs. Austin B. Osmon have five children, George, Robert, Benson, Roena and Pauline.
Mr. Osmon removed to his present farm of one hundred and seventy- five acres when he was married. In 1914, he built a comfortable and com --
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modious home. He is an extensive breeder of Shorthorn and Polled-Dur- ham cattle, and of Poland-China hogs and Shropshire sheep.
Mr. and Mrs. Osmon and family are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Mr. Osmon is a member of the Masonic lodge. Mr. Osmon is now living upon the farm and owns the farm which his father formerly owned. He is an enterprising, progressive young farmer, well known and highly respected.
DANIEL I. MYERS.
Among the representative farmers of Daviess county, Indiana, is Daniel I. Myers, the owner of a splendid farm in Bogard township. Mr. Myers has carried on the various phases of farming with that discretion and energy which are certain to find a successful issue. Mr. Myers has been a hard worker and a good manager. He is a man of economical habits and is highly respected in the community where he lives, and where for many years he enjoyed an unusual influence for good. Mr. Myers has been for- tunately situated in a thriving farming community, and has always made the very best of his opportunities. Early in life, his opportunities for a thorough education were limited, but he has supplemented the education of his younger days by home study and is a well-informed man today. He is the father of S. E. Myers, a well-known lawyer of Washington, whose life- work is recited elsewhere in this volume.
Daniel I. Myers was born on September 12, 1860, in Bogard township in Daviess county. He is the son of Elijah H. and his first wife, who was Asemeth (Eaton) Myers. Asemeth Eaton was the daughter of Joseph and a Miss (Boyd) Eaton. Joseph Eaton was the son of Joseph Eaton, Sr., a Daviess county farmer and an early settler in Daviess county. He in turn was the son of Isaac Eaton.
Elijah H. Myers, the father of Daniel I., was a son of Daniel Myers, a native of North Carolina, who entered land where Cornettsville in Bogard township is now situated. Daniel Myers and wife had nine children, Elijah, Tempa, Isabella, Mary, Frank, Daniel A., Josiah, Thomas and William.
Elijah H. Myers, the father of Daniel I., was educated in the common schools. By his first wife six children were born, Frank P., Mary S., Elijah N., James (deceased), Daniel I., the subject of this sketch, and Josiah. By his second wife, who was Clara Carp, the daughter of Wilson Carp, five children were born, Wilson C., Anna K., Stella, May and Olive. Elijah
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H. Myers was a prominent and influential member of the United Brethren church. He was also influential in the political affairs of Bogard township, having served both as trustee and as constable. In addition to operatnig a mill, he was an extensive stock buyer in this community and owned about four hundred acres of land, and was a farmer of large affairs.
Daniel I. Myers was educated in the common schools. His opportuni- ties for obtaining an education were meager and he was not able to pursue his studies as far as he wished. Mr. Myers was married on October 22, 1882, to Ada Jane Williams, who was born on August 14, 1862, in Daviess county, on a farm. She was the daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Peachee) Williams. Joseph Williams owned two hundred acres of land, the farm upon which Daniel I. Myers now lives and the farm which he owns. He was a local preacher in the Methodist church. Joseph Williams was mar- ried twice. By his first wife, who was Sarah Maston, he had four chil- dren, all of whom are now deceased. Stephen, the eldest son, was killed in the battle of Bull Run. Alfred, John and Martha were the other chil- dren. By his second wife, Ada Jane Williams, the mother of Mrs. Myers, four children were born, Lewis, Rosie, Rachel and Ada Jane.
Joseph Williams died in 1876, and was a son of Archibald Williams, a native of Kentucky and an early settler in this part of Indiana. He mar- ried Mary Ross, and they had eight children, John, William, James, Joseph, Presley, Debby, Matilda and Ada. Archibald Williams entered land in Washington township. He was a prominent member of the Methodist church and a strict doctrinarian, all of which he practiced.
After his marriage, Daniel I. Myers removed to the form where he now lives. Mrs. Myers inheriting thirty acres, Mr. Myers purchased the interest of the other heirs, or in all one hundred and thirty acres.
Daniel I. and Ada Jane (Williams) Myers have had six children, Stephen E., the eldest, who is a prominent lawyer in Washington; Pearl May; Verna Grace; Alva E., deceased; Nelson L. and Ernest L. Stephen married Bessie Allen; he was educated at the Indiana State Normal at Terre Haute and at the State University at Bloomington; Pearl May married William Lester and they live in Washington; Verna is the primary teacher at Cornettsville, having been educated in the Indiana State Normal at Terre Haute.
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