USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Daviess County, Indiana : Its people, industries and institutions > Part 53
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WILLIAM C. CAMP.
The gentleman, whose name appears above this sketch, belongs to that class of men who win life's battle by sheer force of personality and determina- tion, coupled with soundness of judgment and keenness of discrimination. In whatever he has undertaken he has always shown himself to be a man of ability and honor, ready to lend his aid in defending principles affecting the public good. He has ably and conscientiously served his county in the capac- ity of deputy auditor, while in other phases of civic life he has earned the unqualified endorsement and support of his fellow citizens. Recently, Mr. Camp has been engaged in the real estate, insurance and abstract business and is well known throughout Daviess county as one of the leading business men of the city of Washington.
William C. Camp was born on March 9. 1872, in Reeve township, Daviess county, Indiana. He is the son of John B. and Sarilda (Myers) Camp, the former born on June 21. 1841, near Steubenville, Jefferson county,
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Ohio, and the latter born in 1846, in Fleming county, Kentucky. The paternal grandfather of William C. Camp was Chester Camp, who was born in 1819 near Steubenville, Jefferson county, Ohio, and who came to Indiana from Ohio in 1846, settling in Reeve township, Daviess county. Chester Camp was a Republican, though earlier in life he had been a member of the Whig party. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their children were John R., Isaac, Lewis, William J., Harriet and Electa Jane. Mr. Camp's maternal grandparents were Henry and Susan (Sullivan) Myers, the former of whom was born in Fleming county, Ken- tucky, in 1825, and came to Indiana sixty years ago, and the latter born in Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1826. They were married on October 6, 1844, and were early settlers in Daviess county. He was a farmer and in politics was identified with the Democratic party. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their children were Sarilda and John.
John R. Camp, the father of William C., came to Daviess county, Indiana, with his parents. He was a farmer by occupation, a Republican in politics, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They now reside in Reeve township, on the old Camp homestead, a part of which was entered by Chester Camp, the grandfather of the immediate subject of this sketch. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John R. Camp, as follow: Charles C., Clara A., William C., John H., Bertha E., Ella, Mason H., Jesse and Harrison, all of whom are now living.
William C. Camp was born on a farm and educated in the public schools of Daviess county, principally. For some time he was also a student at the normal school at Mitchell, Indiana, and, later, was a student at DePauw University. Mr. Camp was a school teacher for eleven years, teaching principally in the district schools of Daviess county. He is well remembered as one of the most successful teachers in this county.
In 1903. Mr. Camp moved to Washington, after his appointment as- deputy county auditor. He served continuously in this position for seven years, or until August, 1910, after which he went into the insurance, abstract and real estate business, at 115 East Main street. Mr. Camp has built up a large connection, and is one of the best-known business men in Daviess county. He is a director in the Industrial Savings and Loan Association, and to this, during late years, he has devoted considerable time and attention. Until the campaign of 1912, Mr. Camp was identified with the Republicans, but at the formation of the Progressive party, at Chicago, in August of that year, he became identified with and has since been a Progressive. He is a great admirer of Colonel Roosevelt and of ex-Senator Beveridge.
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Fraternally, Mr. Camp is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Daughters of Rebekah, the Pythian Sisters and the Daughters of Pocahontas. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. At the present time, Mr. Camp is serving as a member of the Washington city board of health.
Mr. Camp is a well-informed man on all current political and civic questions, and is regarded as a leader in the political affairs in the city where he lives. He is honored and respected by his contemporaries in business and is widely admired for his genial good nature.
JAMES F. MACKELL.
One of the conspicuous names on the list of Daviess county teachers is: James F. Mackell, one of the brilliant young citizens of Montgomery, Indiana. He is a young man of high standing in the community where he lives and one to whom has not been denied a rather full measure of success. He has long been recognized as a factor of importance in connection with the educational profession of Daviess county, and has been identified with the recent growth and development of the educational system of this county. For one who has been engaged in the educational profession a comparatively short time, James F. Mackell has to his credit achievements beyond those which fall to the average man.
James F. Mackell was born in Montgomery, January 24, 1888. He is the son of John and Katherine (Clarke) Mackell, both natives of Daviess county. James F. Mackell's paternal grandparents were James and Anna Mackell, natives of Ireland, who came to America from their native country and located in Barr township, Daviess county, where James Mackell was a farmer. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land which he cleared and improved and here he lived until his death. The maternal grand- parents of James F. Mackell were natives of County Cork, Ireland, who came to America from their native country and first located in Philadelphia. Later, they moved to Barr township, Daviess county, where he was a farmer and entered the land upon which he lived.
John Mackell, the father of James F .. was educated in the common schools of his day and generation. His wife, who, before her marriage, was Catherine Clarke, was also educated in the common schools of Barr town-
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ship. He became a farmer upon the same land his father had owned and remained there until his retirement, in 1913, when he moved to Montgomery. He and his family are all members of the St. Peter's Catholic church. John and Katherine Mackell had two children, James F., the subject of this sketch, and Henry, a machinist.
James F. Mackel was educated in St. Peter's parochial school, which he attended for eight years. He was then a student in the Montgomery high school for two years and, after finishing his high school work, attended the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute. Continuing this work, he took the normal degree in 1912 and the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1915.
Mr. Mackell began teaching in 1906 in Barr township and taught three terms in the district schools of this township. He also taught two years at Cannelburg in the grades and has been principal of the Montgomery high school for four years. In this latter place, Mr. Mackell has made an enviable record for himself and is popular not only with the patrons of the school, but also with the pupils and has endeared himself to the hearts of a great many people. Fraternally, Mr. Mackell is a member of the Knights of Columbus at Washington, Indiana. As a teacher, he is well known through- out Daviess county, not only for his professional attainments, but for his genial manners and democratic habits. He is a young man who is expected to make a rapid rise in his chosen profession.
WILLIAM E. ULRICH.
It should be interesting to note in the series of personal sketches appear- ing in this work the varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are outlined, and the effort has been made in each case to throw well-focused light on the individuality and to bring out into proper perspec- tive the plan of each respective career. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is deserving of rec- ognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor. It is the function of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record con- cerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such publications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, showing forth the individual and specific accomplishments, of which generic history is ever engendered. In presenting the life record of the late citizen of this community whose
WILLIAM E. ULRICH.
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name forms the caption of this article the chronicler takes due consideration of his former humble station in life and his steady advancement by honor- able methods to a position of high esteem, making his worthy of mention in a work of this nature.
William E. Ulrich was born in Germany on November 4, 1848, and came to this country in the year 1865. He remained for a while in Daviess county, Indiana, but being a single man and seized with the desire to see the country, he traveled over the various states of the Union before his marriage, on May 14, 1875, in Washington, Indiana, to Anna Fromme, a daughter of Henry and Christina (Kuhlman) Fromme, natives of Germany, who were married in Evansville, Indiana, after coming separately to this country. Their marriage occurred in the year 1847, after which they removed to Daviess county, settling in Washington township in 1860, where they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying on December 16, 1874, and the mother on August 7, 1889. Both were devout members of the Lutheran church, and he was a supporter of the Democratic party during his life. To their union were born nine children, named in the order of their birth as follow : Henry, Christina, Frederick, Anna, William, Gustina, Louis, Albert and Charles.
Soon after William E. Ulrich was married he engaged his services in the capacity of a miner and worked at this for a while; then went into the retail liquor business for a few months, and later entered the butcher busi- ness, which he continued until he started in the ice business, which he con- ducted for a period of twelve years; then bought fifty-seven acres of land near the town of Washington, Indiana, where his widow now resides, and farmed until the time of his death, on February 28, 1900. To this union of William E. and Anna (Fromme) Ulrich, were born twelve children, all of whom are living, named in the order of their births as follow: Bertha, Ada, Cora, Henrietta, William, Louis, Carl, Augusta, Maud, Adolph, Fred- ricka and Erustine, the three latter of whom live at home with their mother.
William E. Ulrich was an ardent supporter of the Democratic party. He was a member of the Lutheran church and his family also are members of this church. Personally, Mr. Ulrich was a man well thought of by all who knew him. He had a most genial disposition, and was truly devoted to his family, affording them a first-class living. He forged to the front in spite of all obstacles and was always held in high esteem by all classes, because of his honesty of purpose and genuine courtesy to everyone.
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WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS.
The history of a county or state, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly a chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by those of its representative citizens, and yields its tribute of admiration and respect to those, whose works and actions constitute the record of a com- munity's prosperity and pride. Among the prominent young business men of Daviess county, who are well known because of their success in mercantile affairs and the part they have taken in the affairs of the locality, is William H. Williams, the well-known proprietor of a flourishing laundry in Wash- ington.
William H. Williams was born on December 22, 1875, in Washington, Indiana, the son of John and Martha (Cook) Williams, the former a native of Daviess county, born on February 14, 1842, and the latter of Zanesville, Ohio, born on January 21, 1841. They were pioneers in Daviess county, Indiana, and both died in this county. John Williams was a blacksmith by trade and owned a shop about three miles south of Washington, Indiana. Mrs. Martha Williams was the daughter of William Cook, who came to Daviess county, Indiana, in an early day. He was a carpenter by trade and worked at this occupation until his death. John Williams, the father of William H., was educated in the public schools of Daviess county, and was a well-known farmer during his active life. He enlisted at the outbreak of the Civil War, in Company E, Twenty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the war, and was wounded several times. In politics, he was an ardent Republican. John and Martha Williams, who now live in the city of Washington, have been the parents of two sons, Charles C., who lives in Indianapolis, and William H., the subject of this sketch.
William H. Williams was educated in the public schools of Washington and in the Washington high school. Early in life he engaged in the laundry business, and, in 1902, started for himself at 421 and 423 East Main street. In 1912, he erected the building in which his present business is housed, at 16 Southeast Fourth street. This building has a room sixty-three by ninety feet and employment is found for about sixteen people. Mr. Williams has been very successful in this undertaking and has a large and lucrative pat- ronage.
William H. Williams was married to Frances L. Baker, who was born on December 28, 1875, in Virginia, and who is the daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Uttley) Baker, both natives of Virginia. Isaac Baker is now
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deceased, but his widow is living in West Virginia. They were the parents of four children, Barton, Uttley, Frances and Earl, all of whom are living.
To Mr. and Mrs. William H. Williams, one son, Carl, was born on Sep- tember 10, 1902.
In politics, Mr. Williams is a Republican, but has never been an aspirant to public office and has never held office. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. William H. Williams, although a comparatively young man, has made an unusual start in life, and has a business which very probably will grow to much larger proportions in the years to come. He is a man who enjoys the entire confidence of the com- munity in which he lives, because of his honorable and upright methods of business dealings.
A. LAWRENCE CLARK.
The final causes which shape the fortunes of individual men and the destinies of states, are often the same. They are usually remote and obscure, their influence wholly unexpected, until determined by results. When they inspire men to the exercise of courage, self-denial and industry and call them to play the higher moral elements; lead men to risk all upon conviction, faith in such causes lead to the planting of great states, great people, and great movements. That country is the greatest which produces the ablest and most manly men, and the intrinsic safety depends not so much upon methods and measures, as upon that true manhood from whose deep sources, all that is precious and permanent in life, must proceed. Such a result may not be consciously contemplated by the individuals instrumental in its accom- plishment ; each pursuing his personal good by exalted means, they work out as a logical result; they have wrought on the lines of the greatest good. What A. Lawrence Clark, a well-known school teacher of Van Buren town- ship, Daviess county, Indiana, is doing for the people of this township, may be told in a few words, yet its far-reaching influence cannot be measured by any definite standard of value. Mr. Clark is a brilliant young man and well equipped for the profession he has chosen for a life's vocation.
A. Lawrence Clark was born in Van Buren township, October 7, 1895, and is the son of A. MI. and Rosettie ( Hobbs) Clark, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter the daughter of WV. P. Hobbs, a physician and Methodist minister, who married a Miss Elrod, of Orange county, Indiana.
Lawrence Clark was educated in the common schools of Daviess county
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and was graduated from the Odon high school with the class of 1913. He spent a short time at the Indiana State Normal and one term at Indiana University. He has now been teaching for two years and, at present, is the principal of the Raglesville non-certified high school. Mr. Clark is unmar- ried and is prominent in the affairs of the Methodist church.
Reverting to Mr. Clark's ancestry, his grandfather, W. P. Hobbs and wife, were the parents of several children, among whom were Cyrus, Will- iam, Jr., Melvin, Mildred and Rosettie. W. P. Hobbs was a soldier in the Civil War, in which he served as assistant surgeon in Company A, Eighty- fifth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers.
Mr. Clark's paternal grandfather, John Y. Clark, was born in Pennsyl- vania and was a very early settler in Indiana. He married Belinda Correll, of Ohio, and to them were born eleven children. John, William, James, Mar- shall Lovina, Belle, Mary and Ellenor are still living. John Y. Clark was a blacksmith by trade and owned a small farm. He was a prominent member of the United Brethren church.
Mr. Clark's father, A. M. Clark, was educated in the common schools and was a student in the normal school for two or three terms. He taught in the common schools of Daviess county for twelve years and after quitting this profession, took up blacksmithing and is a blacksmith at the present time. He is now the trustee of Van Buren township, Daviess county, having been elected in November, 1914, on the Republican ticket. Mr. Clark also held this same office twenty-one years ago. He is an influential member of the Methodist church and very active in this denomination. He is also active in the Sunday school and at present is serving as superintendent.
Lawrence Clark is one of four sons born to his parents, the others being Charles A., John A. and Oliver H. Of these children, Charles A. is living in Indianapolis. He married Lillie Garten and they have two children, Donald G. and Harry Hobbs. Charles A. is the auditor of the Indianapolis News. John A, is cashier of the Indianapolis News. He married Clara Ida Paterson, and they have two children, Ralph Waldo and Myron. Oliver H. is also living in Indianapolis and is president of the Arian Realty Company. He married Delphia Menefee. The parents of these children are now living in Raglesville. Mr. Clark is prominent in the affairs of his township. Fraternally, A. M. Clark is a member of the Ben-Hur tribe and the Knights of Pythias.
The family of A. M. Clark have all made good in the world, and have brought additional honor and respect to their worthy parents. Lawrence Clark is a young man of unusual promise, with a bright future before him.
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EDWARD T. O'CONNOR.
It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that move a life of ceaseless activities and large professional success. Little more can be done than to note their manifestation, in the career of the individual under consideration. In view of this fact, the life of a man in public affairs, a man who holds public positions, such as Edward T. O'Connor, the subject of this sketch, affords a striking example of well-defined purpose. Mr. O'Connor has shown himself to have the ability to make that purpose serve, not only his own ends, but the good of his fellow men, as well. At present, the efficient superintendent of roads in Daviess county, Indiana, Mr. O'Con- nor has made a success in several lines of endeavor. He is well known throughout Daviess county, and is admired and respected by a host of people for his interprise, his industry and his genial good nature.
Edward T. O'Connor was born April 22, 1875, in Van Buren township, Daviess county, Indiana. He is the son of Michael and Anna (Sims) O'Connor, the former a native of Ireland, born in 1835, and the latter of Daviess county, Indiana. The maternal grandparents of Edward T. O'Con- nor were Asbury and Kitura (Kilgore) Sims, both natives of Kentucky and among the pioneers of Van Buren township, Daviess county, Indiana. He was a farmer and entered land from the government in Van Buren town- ship, and lived on this farm the remainder of his life, dying at about the age of ninety-two. His wife, also, died at the age of ninety-two. The paternal grandparents of Mr. O'Connor were John and Mary (Brown) O'Connor, both natives of Ireland and both came to Indiana after their marriage, settling in Park county. He worked on the railroad and later moved to Daviess county, where he became a farmer. He owned a farm at the time of his death. He died in Van Buren township at an advanced age and his wife also died in this township at an old age.
Michael O'Connor, the father of Edward F., throughout his life, was identified with the fortunes of the Democratic party. He was a member of the Catholic church as was also his wife. She died in February, 1884, and he is now living on the old homestead. They had a family of five children, Edward F. ; Mary K., deceased; John ; Elizabeth, deceased, and Nora.
Edward T. O'Connor was reared on the old homestead in Daviess county, and educated in the Daviess county public schools. Early in life he became a farmer, and, later, he became a general contractor. He was not only a successful farmer, but he made an unusual success of contracting.
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and had a large business in this and adjoining counties. In 1912, Mr. O'Con- nor came to Washington, and was engaged in the livery business until 1913, when he was appointed by the board of county commissioners as superintendent of roads. He is now filling this position and is much interested in good roads, also being thoroughly familiar with the science of building highways that will last.
Edward T. O'Connor was married on April 30, 1900, to Mary B. Fanning, who was born in Reeve township, and is the daughter of Frank and Bridget (Flannigan) Fanning, early settlers of Reeve township. Mr. Fan- ning is now deceased and his widow still lives in this township. To Mr. and Mrs. Edward T. O'Connor seven children have been born: Marguerite Marie, Nora, Mary Kitura, Francis Fanning, Edmond, Estella and Vincent Edward, all of whom are living.
All of the members of the O'Connor family are identified actively with the Catholic church, to which Mr. O'Connor is a liberal contributor.
JOHN H. SPENCER.
In placing the name of John H. Spencer as one standing in the front ranks of the enterprising men of affairs and a leader of the bar at Washing- ton, Indiana, one whose influences tend to the upbuilding of the city and the advancement of the affairs of his native county, simple justice is done. Mr. Spencer, who is now district collector of income taxes for the seventh district of Indiana, is recognized throughout Daviess county by all familiar with his history, as a man of real influence in this section of Indiana. His career presents a notable example of those qualities of mind and character which overcome obstacles and win success in the battle of life.
John H. Spencer was born on December 28. 1861, at Greenville, Ten- nessee, the son of William M. and Elizabeth (Jones) Spencer, natives of South Carolina. They had six children, Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of J. W. Canady: Jennie, who is unmarried ; Ella, who is the wife of Milton M. Mitchell, of Washington: Tillie, who died unmarried ; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Thomas L. Dant, and John H., of Washington.
William M. Spencer was reared in South Carolina and came to Rush- ville, Indiana. in 1867. where he lived for two years. He then came to Washington, Indiana, in 1869, and engaged in the lumber business, which he followed during the greater part of his life. He operated a saw-mill for many years. William M. Spencer died in Washington, January 2, 1895, at
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the age of sixty-seven, and his wife died in 1906, at the age of eighty-one. Both were members of the Methodist church. William M. Spencer was a soldier in the Confederate army, first, a captain and, subsequently, a colonel in this army.
John H. Spencer's paternal grandfather was John G. Spencer, a native of South Carolina, but removed to Kansas and settled on a farm between Iola and Humbolt. He was a farmer and died there at an advanced age. Mr. Spencer's maternal grandfather was Thomas M. Jones, also a native of South Carolina. He moved to Missouri and settled in Carroll county. In early life he was a carpenter and coffin maker, but later a farmer. He died in Missouri, as did also his wife. Both were very old at the time of their deaths,-perhaps ninety-four or ninety-five years.
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