USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Daviess County, Indiana : Its people, industries and institutions > Part 56
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All the members of the Peek family are faithful and earnest adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church, having their membership in the Bethel church of that denomination. in whose welfare they are deeply interested, and to the support of which they are liberal contributors. Mr. Peek is an
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active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he has been deeply interested for many years. Levi Peek was one of the leaders in the Bethel church which he helped build and was active in church work. He also held office in the church.
GEORGE EMMERLING.
Among the citizens of Daviess county, who have attained a place of prominence in the community in which he lives, is the man whose name is used for the heading of this sketch. Coming to this county when but a child, and having led a life of unceasing industry, uprightness and honor, and acquired a fair measure of this world's goods as a result of his honor- able methods and good business ability, he is entitled to recognition in a volume of the character now in hand. During his career, he has demon- strated his worth to his fellow citizens, and on account of his ability, integ- rity and progressive ideas, holds the respect and high esteem of everyone who knows him.
George Emmerling was born, December 12, 1856, in Lawrence county, Michigan, and is the son of Anthony and Bridget (Madden) Emmerling. His father was born in Germany in 1832 and came to this country with his parents when but a lad of four years of age. His mother was born in Ire- land in 1836. The paternal grandparents, Joseph Emmerling and wife, were both natives of Germany and came to this country in an early day, settling in the state of Pennsylvania, where they both died.
George Emmerling's father received his early education and grew to manhood in Pennsylvania, where he was married. After his marriage, he removed to Lawrence county, Michigan ; then in 1867, left there for Daviess county, Indiana, where he and his brother, George, engaged in the flour and saw-mill business in Maysville, and continued as partners for several years. George sold his interest and removed to Jasper, Dubois county, Indiana, where he again engaged in the flour-mill business. Anthony Emmerling continued business in Maysville for a few years and died there. He was a supporter of the Democratic party and a member of the Catholic church. His wife died in 1876 in Daviess county. To their union were born five children, John (deceased), George, the subject; Frank (deceased ), Charles and Mary.
Mr. Emmerling received his early education in the public schools of
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Maysville, Indiana, and, in 1880, was married to Lena Neighbor, who was- born in 1860, in Daviess county, Indiana, the youngest daughter of William and Lena Neighbor, both natives of Germany, and who came to this country,. first settling in Evansville, Indiana, then removed to Daviess county, Indiana. Her father died in 1880, and her mother is still living at the age of eighty- nine years.
To the subject and his wife have been born six children, as. follow : Austin, who was educated in the Washington, Indiana, high school, later in' the Central Normal School, Danville, Indiana, finished in the Indiana State Normal School and now engaged as a teacher in the consolidated schools of Washington township, this county; Effie and Gertrude, who reside with the parents; Lester, who is manager of his brother Austin's cigar and tobacco store on Main street, Washington, Indiana; Noble and George, both living at home and attending school in the Washington public schools.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Emmerling engaged in farming and now owns one hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land in Washington town- ship. He carries on general farming and stock raising with considerable suc- cess. Politically, he is an active supporter of the Democratic ticket, though he does not aspire to public office. Religiously, the family are members of the United Brethren church and to which denomination he gives his liberal support. Personally, the subject is a man of pleasant manner, genial disposition and is well liked by everyone who knows him. He takes a deep interest in mat- ters pertaining to the improvement of farming methods, and is ever ready to give consideration to the support of meritorious enterprises which tend to promote the interests of his fellow citizens.
CHARLES E. PEEK.
Daviess county, Indiana, was not lacking in loyalty during the dark days: of the Civil War when the Ship of State was almost stranded on the rocks of disunion. She .contributed her quota of brave and valiant me nto assist in preserving the integrity of the government, among whom was Charles E. Peek, at present an enterprising farmer of Veale township. Loyal to his country in its hour of peril and extremity, as was demonstrated on many bloody battlefields, he has ever been a stanch supporter in the times of peace. There are few ex-soldiers in Daviess county, who are more widely known than Mr. Peek. The ranks of the noble organization to which he belonged
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in the days of his youth, are fast diminishing by the one invincible foe. It is fitting that in a publication of this nature, special tribute be paid to those who served in the greatest civil war known to history.
Charles E. Peek was born in 1845, in Veale township, near Mt. Olive church. He is the son of John and Winnie (Palmer) Peek, both of whom were natives of South Carolina, and was born in 1808, and she in 1813. John Peek was the son of Cager and Mildred (Harrall) Peek, of South Carolina, who settled in Martin county and there died. Cager Peek was at one time a member of the Indiana Legislature and in political tendency was a Democrat. Mrs. Winnie Peek was the daughter of Perminus Palmer, who settled on the Petersburg road in 1818.
John Peek, the father of Charles E., came to Daviess county with two brothers. He was a prominent man in the early affairs of Daviess county, having served as county assessor and as a school teacher for many years. He was a shoemaker and operated a store with a shoe shop on the Petersburg road and had a large business in the early days and employed several shoe- makers to care for his trade in which he continued until his death. Upon coming to Daviess county, he entered eighty acres of land on White river, about 1836, part of which is still held by the Peek family. John Peek was identified with the Know-Nothing party, but after the disintegration of that party, he became a Whig and, still later, a Republican. He was the father of six sons and four daughters.
Charles E. Peek was educated in the common schools and upon reaching maturity, took up farming as his life's vocation. He has always lived in Veale township, although he has traveled extensively, having visited thirty- three states in the union.
Mr. Peek enlisted in Company F., Tenth Indiana Cavalry, in the fall of 1863 and was discharged in the fall of 1865. He was attached to the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Regiment and was never wounded nor taken prisoner during the war. He was in a train wreck en route to the south, in which accident he was slightly injured. Mr. Peek owns one hundred and thirteen acres of land where he lives and thirty-three acres in the bottoms, in Veale township.
Charles E. Peek was married to Julia A. Thomas, the daughter of Will- iam Wright Thomas, of Washington township. William Wright Thomas was born in Daviess county on June 4, 1826, the son of John and Vina Thomas, the former of whom was likely born in South Carolina. John Thomas was the son of David Thomas, who was a native of South Carolina, and who came very early to Washington township, where he entered land and
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farmed until his death. He and his wife are both buried in Bethel cemetery. William W. Thomas died at the age of forty-one. He was the father of seven children and he, together with his family, were members of the Meth- odist church. John Thomas was prominent in the organization of the Bethel church and deeded to the congregation the land upon which the first church was built.
Charles E. and Julia A. (Thomas) Peek have been the parents of nine children, Mrs. Viola Glenn Barber; William E .; John E .: Mrs. Carrie Belle Stucky ; Mrs. Bertha E. Mckown; Callie Eveline, died at the age of six years ; Mrs. Cora E. Ackman; Mrs. Melina Opha Wood and Thomas J., who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Peek are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Peek is a Republican and has served as road supervisor and constable of Veale township. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, has been class leader in the Methodist church and Sunday school for forty years, and for thirty-five years, acted as treasurer of the board of trustees of the Bethel Methodist church. Charles E. Peek is a man of exceptional prominence in Veale township, not only because of his long residence here, but because of his many good. worthy qualities for which he is honored and respected by his neighbors and fellow citizens.
STANTON BARBER.
The occupation of farming to which the major part of the business life of Stanton Barber has been devoted, is the oldest pursuit for a livelihood known to mankind and the one on which man will ever be the most dependent. The Barber family has long been connected with the general growth of Daviess county of which Stanton Barber is a native and where, in fact, he has spent all of his life. While primarily attending to his own various inter- ests, his life has also been devoted somewhat to his fellow man and he has been untiring in his efforts to inspire a proper respect for law and order and has been ready at all times to uplift humanity along civic and social lines. Stanton Barber is the present efficient township trustee of Veale township and in this office is making a commendable record for himself.
Stanton Barber was born where he now lives in Veale township on October 5. 1869. He is the son of Nelson and Mary (Batchelor ) Barber. the former of whom was born on the old homestead, on June 12, 1833, and the latter in Knox county, Indiana, the daughter of George Batchelor and
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wife, who died in California. Nelson Barber was the son of Aden and Eliza Katherine (Houts) Barber, the former of whom was born in New York, and the latter in Kentucky in 1813. Eliza K. Houts was the daughter of George and Jennie (Graham.) Houts, who came from Kentucky and who entered what is called the old Barber homestead, just south of where Lew W. Barber now lives. They entered one hundred and sixty acres. Stanton Barber, the subject of this sketch, now lives on this farm. The Houts family was of Scottish descent. George Houts was unmarried when he came to Veale township. He purchased a farm from a man who had entered the land and added to his original tract of forty acres until he owned one hun- dred and twenty-five acres. He put up part of the house which is still stand- ing.
Nelson Barber, the father of Stanton, was reared on the old home farm and educated in the public schools. He taught in Daviess and Franklin counties, for several years, but soon took up farming and stock raising. He resided where his son, Stanton, now lives. He owned two hundred and twenty-five acres. Nelson Barber was a man of wide political influence in Veale township, having served as township trustee at one time. He and his family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Nelson Barber and wife were married in May, 1857. They had twelve children, Adon C., Frank, Ellis, Edgar, Lew W., George L., John N., Stanton, Cora D., Bertha A., Ottis C. and Jennie Pearl.
Stanton Barber was educated in the common schools and has spent prac- tically all of his life on the farm where he now lives. He has one hundred and forty-five acres where his great-grandfather Houts entered land. Mr. Barber has a saw-mill and threshing machine and is also engaged in general farming. He has made an unusual success of his life's vocation, a success which is recognized by all of his friends and neighbors.
Mr. Barber was married, in 1890, to Hattie Ricks, and to this union one child, Fern, has been born, who died in infancy. Mrs. Barber died in 1892 and, subsequently, in 1895, Mr. Barber was married a second time, to Viola G. Peek, the daughter of Charles E. Peek. To this union seven chil- dren have been born, Virgil, Venus, Norman, Charles, Lester, Ruth and Thomas Dale.
Mr. Barber is a Republican and has served on the township advisory board, and on January 1, 1915, took charge of the office of township trustee, to which he had been elected, in the fall of 1914. All the members of the Barber family are identified with the Bethel Methodist church and are active in both the work of the church and the Sunday school.
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WILLIAM M. SUTHERLAND.
There are several hundred different occupations at the present time, but there is only one of all this number that is absolutely necessary to man's existence. The three things without which man cannot live are food, cloth- ing and shelter, and it is the farmer who not only controls the food supply, but also holds the clothing products of the world in his hands. His is the only occupation which can exist independently of all others. An increasing number of our best farming men are taking agricultural courses in college, thereby fitting themselves the better for scientific farming. The profession has taken on increased dignity within the past few years and more and more of our young men are applying themselves to the modern idea in husbandry. The farmer of today has the immense advantage of working with machinery which renders his work free from many of its former disadvantages. Daviess county has hundreds of splendid farmers and among them was the late Will- iam M. Sutherland.
The late William M. Sutherland was born on August 17, 1873, in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, and was the son of George and Margaret Suther- land, both of whom were natives and lifetime residents of Pennsylvania, in which state they died.
William M. Sutherland was educated in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, and was there married to Mary Hettington. About 1860 he moved to Coshocton county, Ohio, and was there engaged in the occupation of a farmer. William M. and Mary (Hettington) Sutherland had six children, Lucy Jane, Sarah Elizabeth, Laura Levina, George, William and David Campbell. Mr. Sutherland was married again in 1876 to Harriette A. Rutherford, who was born in Coshocton county, in 1855, and who is the daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth (Teaz) Rutherford, both natives of Ire- land, who were married there and came to America and located in Ohio. They had two children born in Ireland and they came to America about 1850. Anthony Rutherford was a soldier in the Civil War and a member of an Ohio regiment. He came to Daviess county in 1883, and located at Wash- ington township where he died. To William M. and Harriette A. (Ruther- ford) Sutherland two children, Ernest T. and James P., were born. Ernest T. is deceased. The late William M. Sutherland served as township trustee in Coshocton county, and was an active Democrat and died, April 21, 1900. He came to Daviess county in about 1890 and located where his widow still lives in Veale township. He had eighty-four and a quarter acres and erected buildings which are still standing on the farm.
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James P. Sutherland, the son of William M. and Harriette A. ( Ruther- ford) Sutherland, was born on May 14, 1887, and was educated in the public schools of Daviess county. He has always lived on the home place with the exception of four months. James P. Sutherland was married in 1909, on June 20, to Della May Dayton, of Daviess county. Two children have been born to this union, William Berton and Dorothy Belle.
James P. Sutherland and wife and children are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Fraternally, James P. Sutherland is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a well-known farmer and dairyman of Veale township.
FRANK A. McMULLEN.
Among the worthy citizens of Elnora, Indiana, whose residence here has contributed in no small degree to the prestige of the vicinity, is Frank A. McMullen, for, while laboring for his individual advancement, he has never forgotten his obligations to the public, and his support of such measures and movements as have been made for the general good has always been depended upon. Although his life has been a busy one, he has never allowed his private interests to interfere with his obligations as a citizen and as a neigh- bor. Through the long years of his residence in this locality, he has ever been true to the trusts reposed in him, whether of a public or private nature, and his reputation in a business way has been unassailable. Possessing in a marked degree those traits which have commanded uniform confidence and regard, he is today honored by all who know him and is numbered among the representative citizens of his community.
Frank A. McMullen, the present genial postmaster of Elnora, Indiana, was born in Lawrence county, Illinois, on June 13, 1878, and is a son of Archie and Laura (Shirkliff) McMullen, natives respectively, of Ohio and Indiana.
The paternal grandparents of F. A. McMullen were John and Mary (McCleary) McMullen, the former of whom was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and the latter a native of Ireland. The paternal great-grandfather of Mr. McMullen, was John McMullen, who came from Ireland in an early day and located in eastern Ohio, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. In the late fifties, he settled near Dover Hill, where he again engaged in farm-
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ing, and here lived the rest of his life, as well as his son, John, the grand- father of F. A. McMullen. Archie and John McMullen drove a team in the army.
The maternal great-grandparents of Mr. McMullen were John and Mary (Gough) Shirkliff, the former of whom was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving under Andrew Jackson, and at New Orleans received a bullet wound, which bullet he carried until his death. He was a native of Tennessee, the family having originally come from France to the United States, settling first in Carolina, from whence they moved to Tennessee, and later, John Shirkliff moved to Kentucky. After remaining in that state for a time, he moved to Indiana, but later returned to Kentucky, where his death occurred. The maternal grandparents of Mr. McMullen were Alex and Rose (Gough) Shirkliff, both natives of Kentucky. The Gough family came to Indiana more than one hundred years ago, settling in what is now Barr township, Daviess county, Indiana. Alex Shirkliff came from Kentucky also in an early day, settling near Mr. Pleasant, where he was engaged in watch making, and also conducted a blacksmith shop. He was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War, while his wife, Rose Gough, had cousins who served in both the Union and Confederate armies during that great struggle, and who participated in the same battles.
Archie McMullen, the father of Mr. McMullen, has been a farmer all his life and is now living on a farm in Washington township in this county, where he and his wife are the parents of the following children, Charles, Rose, Laura, Mrs. Mary Ketchem and F. A.
Frank A. McMullen was educated in the common schools of his home- township, and was a student in the University of Valparaiso, for two years. After leaving school, he engaged in teaching, which vocation he followed in Elnora township for ten years, and was very successful in his educational work. In 1914, he was appointed postmaster of Elnora, and is now efficiently serving his fellow citizens in that capacity.
Mr. McMullen was married in 1908 to Lola Sears, a daughter of Luther Sears, of Elmore township, and to this union have been born four children, Lois, Lewis, Gerald and Donald. Mrs. McMullen is a native of this county, and is a lady of much culture and refinement. She is an active member of the Church of Christ.
Mr. McMullen is an adherent of the principles of the Democratic party, and has always taken an active interest in its affairs. He is a member of the. Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the welfare of which organization he takes an active interest.
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JACOB C. STILLWELL.
The greatest results of life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success, and it brings out the individual character of the man to the end that it acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. Among the men of Daviess county, Indiana, who have attained a good measure of this world's success and who started in an humble way is the man whose name appears above.
Jacob C. Stillwell was born in Pike county, Indiana, near the town of Petersburg, on November 3. 1874, and is the son of Richard and Sarah (McKlin) Stillwell, the former a native of this state and the latter also a native of Indiana, Daviess county, and the wife by a second marriage. Jacob C. Stillwell's paternal grandfather was born in Germany and came to this country when a very young man, settling in Indiana where he engaged in farming to some extent, but gave closer attention to the race-horse business and was a familiar figure at county fairs and other exhibitions where horses are an important part of the entertainment. To their union were born four children, as follow : Thomas, at one time elected state representative on the Populist ticket : Richard, subject's father ; Anna and Julia.
Richard Stillwell, was educated in the public schools of this state and remained with his father until about the age of twenty years, when he enlisted in the army of the United States and was in the service during the war with Mexico. When that war was ended he went out into the west part of the country, where he remained for a few years, then returned to Indiana and was married. After farming here for a number of years, the Civil War broke out and he enlisted again in the service of the Union as a cavalryman for a period of three years. After the war, he again returned to Indiana, and continued to farm for a number of years, then removed to Stoddard county, Missouri, where he farmed and raised live stock for the remainder of his life, and died there. To Richard Stillwell and wife were born, by the first marriage, four children, Anna, Gardener, Charles, and a child that died in infancy. After the death of the first wife, Richard Stillwell was married to Sarah McKlin and by this second marriage were born, Jacob, the subject of this review, John, who married Julia Bremmett and they have one child, Mary. The last named is engaged in farming in Washington township, this county.
Jacob Stillwell received his early education in the public schools of Daviess county, and began his career working as a farm hand wherever he
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could secure employment, and continued in this way until the year 1900. By constant saving and careful management, he was able to buy a farm known as the Carpenter farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, in Wash- ington township, which purchase was made in 1903, and has resided on this place ever since. This farm is located about two miles east of Washington, and Jacob Stillwell has devoted his entire time to making improvements to the extent that the observer is not slow to conclude that the owner has been a success in his calling as an agriculturist, and, secured a good portion of this world's goods. Mr. Stillwell has a commodious and comfortable home, in which he and his family take a great pride. Jacob Stillwell was married on August 6, 1900, to Susannah T. Wilson, who was born on December 31, 1876, and is the daughter of James H. and Susannah (Litten) Wilson. To their union have been born the following named children : Perry, August 6, 1902 ; Theodore A., August 30, 1913.
Jacob Stillwell is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Woodmen of the World. He has always been a worker in the Re- publican ranks and lends his support to the progressive principles of that party. The family are regular attendants of the Christian church, to which Mr. Stillwell renders liberal contribution in accordance with his means. Personally. the subject is a quiet, unassuming and very pleasant gentleman to meet. He is a man of kindly disposition, charitably disposed to all classes, honest and thoroughly trustworthy, and is much admired by all who know him for his uprightness and business integrity.
THOMAS C. SINGLETON.
Indefatigable industry, sound business judgment and wise management have been the elements which have contributed to the success achieved by Thomas C. Singleton, of Veale township, who for many years has been an enterprising and progressive farmer of this section of the state. Mr. Single- ton lives on a well-improved farm in Veale township, a farm, in fact, which is numbered among the best in the township. Because of his splendid char- acter and unquestioned integrity, he enjoys, to a marked degree, the highest respect of the community. Mr. Singleton has paid particular attention to live stock and has been very successful in raising hogs and cattle for the market.
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