USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Daviess County, Indiana : Its people, industries and institutions > Part 59
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That Francis Gillaspie was highly respected, and that he bequeathed to his children a name that they could honor, is shown by the fact that he was made township trustee on three different occasions, and was for one term county commissioner.
James W. Gillaspie's ambition could not be satisfied with what the Boone county schools had to offer, although they were on a par with other similar schools of their time. After attending the school nearest the farm, where he helped his father and brothers in their agricultural interests, hẹ began the career which was to make him a recognized leader by matricu- lating in the normal school at Ladoga, where he studied for two years. About this time he was the recipient of a certificate from the State Normal at Terre Haute, in 1898, followed by a spring and summer term at the
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State University at Bloomington, a summer term at Butler College, Indian- apolis, and a term at the Winona Normal College.
It must not be imagined, however, that this educational process was continuous, or that the vacations were spent in idle dreaming, waiting for the next term of school. In reality, they meant hard, strenuous work, sometimes in the harvest field, sometimes in the schoolroom. But always was the dream tucked away somewhere in his consciousness, always the desire to become a man of force and influence, and the purpose to persevere until this end should be reached. Long after he became a teacher he was himself a student, for he began teaching in 1881, while we find him still seeking knowledge and inspiration in normal schools as late as 1900. He taught every winter following 1881, except one, and that was a winter spent in study and research. Who can help but admire the perseverance and determination of such a man? In 1910 Mr. Gillaspie began the superin- tendency of the Odon schools, and his continuance in service there is evi- dence enough of his efficiency.
Those who remember Mr. Gillaspie as a college student recall that he believed in an all-round education, and therefore was a man of splendid physique and abounding energy.
In 1883 Mr. Gillaspie married Ella Jacks, daughter of James Harvey and Nancy (Covey) Jacks. Mrs. Gillaspie was born on October 10, 1866. Her father was born on April 2, 1828, and died on June 18, 1899. The mother, who is still living, was born on May 31, 1832. It is rather unusual that a man and wife should both belong to such large families as in this instance, for Mr. and Mrs. Gillaspie had an almost equal number of brothers and sisters. The family Bible in the home of the latter shows that there were nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacks. These were as fol- low : Mary A., who is the widow of Thomas Trusty, and resides in Indian- apolis; Ella, wife of James Gillaspie; Emma R., who, with her husband, Charles W. Robbins, lives on a farm in Boone county; Milton H., who married Lina Davis and lives in Indianapolis; Ethelind L., who, after her marriage to Charles A. Bell, moved to Gurdon, Arkansas, where they still reside; Cora B. and Flora, the former of whom lives at home with her mother and has never married, the latter of whom died in infancy; Beat- rice, wife of William M. Smith, living in Leesburg, Ohio, and Justina F., who, with her husband, James A. Starr, makes her home in Jamestown, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Gillaspie have no children.
Returning to the theme of our sketch, it is interesting to know that with all of his other activities, Mr. Gillaspie has found time for active
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church work, having been for some time an elder in the Christian church. He is a member of both the National and State Teachers' Associations.
Considering the years of preparation for his profession, it is not sur- prising to learn that Mr. Gillaspie, superintendent of the Odon schools, is a capable educator, a man of culture and refinement, and a citizen whose opinion is sought and respected. The main fact in this life is, it seems, that he, as a young man, did not wait for fortuitous circumstances to bring him fortune and happiness, but that he carved his destiny out of his early surroundings.
DAVID S. JACKMAN.
The student interested in the history of Daviess county does not have to carry his investigation far into its annals before learning that David S. Jackman has long been one of its most active and leading citizens in agri- cultural and stock raising affairs. His labors have been a potent force in making this a rich agricultural region. During several decades he has car- ried on general farming, gradually improving his valuable place, and while he. has prospered in this, he also has found time and ample opportunity to assist in the material and civic betterment of Daviess county. David S. Jackman, however, before he became a farmer was a skillful carpenter, and in connection with his father, with whom he was in partnership, he got his start in life as a contractor and builder.
Mr. Jackman was born on May 7, 1865, in Jefferson county, Ohio. He was the son of Isaac W. and Martha (Walker) Jackman, the former of whom was born in 1832, in Jefferson county, Ohio, and who died on Au- gust 13, 1910, and the latter of whom was born in Jefferson county, Ohio. in 1839, and is still living.
David S. Jackman's paternal grandparents were David and Ruth (Cole) Jackman. In 1856 they came by boat to Cincinnati, and then by rail to Reeve township, Daviess county. They were accompanied by David S. Jackman's father and by many relatives. The grandfather of David S. Jackman purchased one hundred and sixty acres, and died on this farm at the age of seventy-four years. All of his family belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. David S. Jackman's maternal grandparents lived and died in Ohio.
On account of the meager advantages offered during his youth, Isaac Jackman was unable to get a very extensive education. Early in life, how-
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ever, he learned the carpenter's trade. He served a three years' apprentice- ship and after his marriage moved to Iowa and worked at his trade for five years, after which he returned to Ohio. In 1866 he and his family, with his father, mother and other relatives, came to Indiana. Isaac W. Jackman first purchased twenty acres of land in Reeve township, but worked at his trade as a carpenter. He then traded twenty acres for fourteen and one-half acres south of Alfordsville and lived upon this tract of land until his death. He built the majority of the barns and houses in that community. Isaac W. Jackman was a large man, weighing more than two hundred pounds. He belonged to the home guards during the Civil War, when he lived in Ohio, and performed brilliant service on behalf of the Union. Isaac W. Jackman worked at his trade by contract. He and his son, David S., the subject of this sketch, for a time held a farm in partnership. His family were all mem- bers of the Methodist church.
Isaac W. Jackman and wife were the parents of nine children besides the subject of this sketch: Ella married Frank McCord, a farmer of Martin county ; Ruth Anna married M. H. McCord and lives in Cincinnati, her hus- band being a mail clerk on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad; Jennie married James S. Gould and they live on a farm in Martin county, Indiana ; Spencer O. is a farmer and lives in Reeve township; Robert died in 1899; Clara mar- ried Joseph Porter and lives in Cincinnati; Florain B. lives in Los Angeles, California, where he is a carpenter ; Gertrude married S. M. Porter and they live in Vincennes, Indiana, he being head car inspector for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad.
David S. Jackman attended the public schools of Alfordsville and early began to learn the carpenter's trade with his father. When twenty years old he went into partnership with his father, doing carpentering and con- tracting. As his father grew older, David S. gradually assumed all the bur- dens of this work. They purchased together a farm and David S. finally purchased his father's interest in this farm. He built his present house on this farm, just south of Alfardsville, in 1900.
Mr. Jackman was married on June 4, 1891, to Emma B. Allen, the daughter of Alfred and Harriet (Burress) Allen, both of whom are de- ceased. Mrs. Jackman was born in Reeve township. To this happy union nine children have been born: Clyde E. was born on December 7, 1892, and is a student in the Loogootee high school; Olive E. was born in 1894 and married Harry Myers; Marvel Mattie was born in 1899; Constance B. was born in 1901; Beatrice died in 1912 of diphtheria; Garnet B. was born on
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July 6, 1905; Ruth was born on March 17, 1909; Clara was born in 1911, and Bernard in May, 1913.
Politically, Mr. Jackman is a Democrat. He was appointed to serve an unexpired term of seventeen months as trustee of Reeve township in 1913, and in the following year was elected to the same office for a term of four years. Mr. Jackman has served on the advisory board of the township and has been more or less prominent for many years in the political affairs of this section of Daviess county. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to the Royal Order of Moose and the Woodmen. In his farming operations Mr. Jackman makes a specialty of Poland China hogs, with which he has been unusually successful.
JOHN W. WALLS.
There could be no more comprehensive history written of a city or county, or even of a state and its people, than that which deals with the life work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have. placed themselves in the category of progressive men. In this sketch will be found the record of one who has outstripped the less active and less able płodders on the highway of life, one who has not only not been subdued by many obstacles and failures, but who has made them stepping stones to higher things. At the time he was winning his way in material things, he- had an enviable reputation for uprightness and honor.
John W. Walls, an enterprising citizen of Alfordsville, Indiana, was born September 7, 1857, in Crawford county, Indiana. He is a son of Dr. William Barnett and Mary Ann ( Newton) Walls, the former of whom was. born in Ohio in 1834, and who died in 1895, and the latter of whom was born in Crawford county, Indiana, in 1838, and who died in 1910.
The maternal grandfather of John W. Walls was John Newton, a farmer of Crawford county, Indiana. The paternal grandfather was Will- iam Walls, who was a native of Ohio, coming to Crawford county, Indiana, about 1840. He was a farmer there and lived in that county the remainder of his life. He and his family were active members of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
Dr. William Barnett Walls taught school when a young man, then studied medicine in the office of a physician, and began the active practice of his profession in Haysville, Dubois county, Indiana, remaining there for two years. In 1867 he came to Alfordsville in Daviess county, where he con-
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tinued in the practice until his death. He was typical of the better class of country physicians, and was much beloved by all the people. He had the entire confidence of all the residents of Alfordsville and vicinity, and served these people several years as postmaster. He spent much of his time on horseback, going over the hills and through the mud of Reeves township to see his patients, and these exposures shortened his life. Politically, he was a Republican, and throughout his life took an active part in the councils of his party. He and his family were all devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Dr. William Barnett and Mary Ann (Newton) Walls were the parents of nine children: Sarah, who became the wife of Foster Emery, who con- ducts a feed stable in Loogootee, Indiana; John W., the immediate subject of this sketch; Alice, the wife of Alexander Swickmond, of Alfordsville; George B., a Methodist minister living in New Harmony, Indiana; Belle, the wife of L. Harrell, of Cannelsburg. Indiana ; Cony, a teamster residing in Alfordsville; Lou, the wife of W. T. Brown, deputy county auditor, and resides in Washington, Indiana; F. M., a farmer living in Reeve township, and Lena, the wife of Charles Newton, and lives in Bismark, North Dakota.
John W. Walls was seven years of age when his parents moved to Alfordsville, and here he grew to manhood and attended the schools of this village. Early in life he engaged as a hand in the timber business. For twenty years he was engaged in sawing out staves and headings, mostly in Reeve township. He afterwards engaged in the hotel business in Alfords- ville, Indiana, for four years. He now owns and operates a coal bank on his thirty-eight-acre farm in Reeve township. In 1912 Mr. Walls purchased a one-half interest in the Rose Milling Company, of Alfordsville, and became manager of the flouring-mill. He has since acquired all of the stock and still operates the mill. He also manages his farm in Reeve township.
Mr. Walls was married in 1885 to Elvira Alford, who was born in Reeve township, and who is a daughter of T. J. and Lucy Ann (Perkins) Alford, both of whom are deceased. The town of Alfordsville was named for James Alford, the grandfather of Mrs. Walls.
Politically, Mr. Walls is a loyal Republican, and has always been inter- ested in the affairs of his party. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men. Religiously, he is a loyal and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose welfare they are actively interested and to the support of which they are liberal contributors. Mrs. Walls is a member of the Christian church.
Mr. Walls has built up an extensive business at Alfordsville and enjoys the good will of all the residents of the village and surrounding community.
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PETER BERENS.
The two most strongly-marked characteristics of the East and the West are combined in the residents of Indiana. The enthusiastic enterprise which overleaps all obstacles, and makes profitable almost any undertaking in the comparatively new and vigorous states, is here tempered by the stable and more careful policy, that we have borrowed from our eastern neighbors. The combination is one of unusual force and power. It has been the means of keeping this section of the country on a par with the older East, and at the same time producing a reliability and certainty in business and agricul- tural affairs, which is frequently lacking in the West. This happy combina- tion of characteristics was possessed to a notable degree by the late Peter Berens. He was too well known to the residents of Daviess county to need any formal introduction. He was recognized as a man of strong and alert mentality, deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, and regarded as one of the most progressive and enterprising men of his county.
The late Peter Berens was born in 1823, in Germany, and was a son of Peter and Anna Marie Berens, both natives of Germany, the former of whom died in Germany and the latter of whom spent her last days in Washington, Daviess county, Indiana.
Peter Berens was reared and educated in Germany, and when a young man he came to Washington, Indiana, and engaged in the boot and shoe busi- ness in Washington. This was in an early day. Mr. Berens was in business for about thirty-five years, and during this period built up a large and flour- ishing patronage in Washington and Daviess county. He was a man who is remembered for his many good qualities of heart and head, a man who was kind to his neighbors and charitable to a fault. His business success was founded upon that sturdy integrity so characteristic of the German people.
Mr. Berens was married in Evansville, Indiana, to Anna O'Callahan, who was a native of Ireland and whose parents died in Ireland. She came to Evansville, Indiana, when a young woman and shortly afterward was married to Mr. Berens. They had eight children, Mary B., Charles, Rose, Peter, Jr., William, deceased; Catherine, Thomas and John, deceased.
Throughout his life Peter Berens was active in the affairs of the Catholic church, of which he was always a member. He helped to build the old St. Simeon church, and also the new church. Peter Berens throughout life was identified with the fortunes of the Democratic party. He died in 1887, his wife having died nine years previously, in 1878.
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Mary Berens, the eldest child of her parents, was married in 1898, to John E. Rickard, who, in that year, engaged in the book and stationery busi- ness at 112 East Main street, Washington, Indiana. He continued in this business for two years or until his death in 1900. Mrs. Rickard since his death has carried on the business alone. and has made a splendid success of it. Mrs. Rickard is well known in Daviess county as one of those women- who have demonstrated what her sex may accomplish in a business way. She has undoubtedly inherited much of her business sagacity from her deceased father.
MICHAEL J. BENNETT.
Michael J. Bennett is a representative farmer and stock raiser of Har- rison township, Daviess county, Indiana. He is known as one of the alert, progressive and successful farmers of this favored section of the Hoosier state. In his labors, he has not permitted himself to follow in a rut, in a blind and apathetic way, but has studied and experimented and thus obtained the maximum returns from his efforts. At the same time he has so con- ducted himself in all his undertakings, as to command the confidence and regard of the people of the community in which he lives. He is a man of honorable business methods and is an advocate of whatever tends to pro- mote the public welfare in any way.
Michael J. Bennett was born on August 15, 1845, in Collinsville, Illi- nois. He is the son of Patrick and Ann (McCuen) (Galoony) Bennett, the former of whom was born in 1815, in County Meath, Ireland, and died in July, 1887, and the latter of whom was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, in 1817 and died in 1885.
Patrick Bennett grew up in Ireland. His father was overseer of a big estate. After his father's death, Patrick started for the United States at. the age of twenty years. The sailing vessel upon which he came to this country was carried out of its course, and it took seven months to reach New York city. Patrick Bennett gradually came west, until he finally went to work for a Mr. Beasley, in Daviess county, Indiana. He then married in Washington, Indiana, and moved to Collinsville, Illinois, where he lived for two years. He then moved to Kankakee, Illinois, where he lived one year. From Kankakee, the family moved to Terre Haute, where Patrick worked four years in building the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad. After this he rented a farm in Harrison township, Daviess county, Indiana,
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and then purchased eighty acres and lived upon this farm until his death. He was a Democrat in politics, and a devout member of the St. Patrick's Catholic church.
Michael J. Bennett was one of two children born to his parents. He was the elder, and Elizabeth, who was the youngest, married John Colvin, and lives in Reeve township. Patrick Bennett's wife, Michael J. Bennett's mother, was first married to John Galoony and had one son living by this marriage, Bernard Galoony. He lives on a farm in Harrison township; three died-John, Ellen and William.
Michael J. Bennett attended school in the old log church at St. Patricks and grew up on the farm. He left home after attaining his majority and worked out on different farms until he was twenty-seven years of age. After this he came home and took care of his parents. Michael J. Bennett inherited the farm which his father had owned but it was heavily mort- gaged and since their death he has been able to pay off the mortgage and has added to it, until he now owns two hundred and forty-two acres in Har- rison township. Mr. Bennett keeps thoroughbred Hereford cattle and the very finest horses. He started without anything in life and has made a remarkable success. His present residence, which is one of the best in Daviess county, was erected in 1895.
Michael J. Bennett was married on February 4, 1873, to Catherine M. Donnolly, who was born in Harrison township, and who is the daughter of William and Mary Donnolly, both of whom were natives of Ireland, and early settlers in Daviess county, Indiana. To this happy union, eight chil- dren have been born: Ann, January 1, 1874, who married Martin Doyle, a wealthy farmer of Harrison township; William, April 5, 1875, who lives in Barr township; Mary, December 21, 1876, who married John Disser, and lives in Harrison township on a farm; Patrick, April 4, 1878, who lives with his father on the home place; Jerome, May 29, 1883, who is an elec- trician in Salt Lake City, Utah; James, June 18, 1885, who lives in Harri- son township; John, June 5, 1887, who is an electrician in Ogden, Utah, and Catherine, April 17, 1881, and died September 25, 1904, who was the wife of John Downey.
Although Mr. Bennett is affiliated with the Democratic party, he has never taken an active part in its councils and has never cared to hold office. He has always been keenly interested in his vocation and has given it his entire time and attention. Michael J. Bennett is a man highly respected in Daviess county, where he is well known, and is a devout member of the Catholic church
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ANDREW HAAG.
In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence in any career, on the part of a business or professional man, there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational chapter. To a mind thoroughly 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 that a clear head, strong arm and true heart, conquers adversity and 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 been spent.
Andrew Haag was born in Princeton, Illinois, on April 30, 1853, and is the son of Andrew and Philomena (Drum) Haag, both natives of Ger- many, born on November 24, 1812, and June 20, 1820, respectively. His father came to the United States in the year 1839, being then but nineteen years of age, and first settled in the town of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and his mother came to this country in the year 1841, also went to Williams- port, where they were married on October 15, 1844. The following year, on the 4th of June, they moved to Princeton, Illinois, where he engaged in the teaming business. They were the parents of the following children : George C., October 22, 1849; Andrew, April 30, 1853; William, June 17, 1856, who died in St. Joseph, Missouri, November 22, 1898; Henry, Octo- ber 6, 1858, who died in Jefferson, Iowa, August 19, 1910. The father and mother were devout members of the German Lutheran church, and he was an ardent advocate of the principles of the Republican party.
Andrew Haag was reared in the town of Princeton and attended school there until the seventeenth year of his age, and then went to Creston, Iowa. When a few years older he secured employment as locomotive fireman on the Burlington system, and remained at that work for a number of years. In 1877 he received promotion to the position of locomotive engineer, and three years later was transferred to another division of the road and made his headquarters in the city of St. Joseph, Missouri, where he remained until the year 1889, and was then engaged in the same capacity with the Balti- more & Ohio Southwestern railroad, making his headquarters in Wash- ington, Indiana, where he has continued as engineer to the present day.
In 1877 Andrew Haag was married to Carrie Hartsonrader, who was born on December 16, 1860, in St. Joseph, Missouri, a daughter of Nich- (40)
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olas and Margaret Hartsonrader, both of whom lived and died in St. Joseph .. To Mr. and Mrs. Haag was born one child, Charles Andrew, on August 17, 1878. He received his early education in the Washington public schools, graduated from Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, and is now acting in the capacity of superintendent of the mechanical and engineering depart- ment of Purdue University. He married Madge Cox, of Lafayette, Indi- ana, born in the year 1882, and they have one child, Hellen Phillis, born on July 4, 1913.
Mr. Haag is the owner of an attractive home at No. 706 West Main street, Washington, where he and his wife take great pleasure in entertain- ing their large circle of warm friends, and where the greatest hospitality exists. Politically, Mr. Haag is a member of the Republican party and in thorough sympathy with the policy advocated by that party, but does not take any active interest in affairs of this kind. He and his wife are devout members of the Westminster Presbyterian church, to which denomination they contribute liberally. Personally, the subject is a man of generous dis- position, pleasant and affable, and is numbered among the popular and most progressive citizens of Washington, Indiana. He takes a deep interest in current affairs, and is always ready to support meritorious enterprises that tend to the promotion of the public good. He has been a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers since 1877, becoming a member at St. Joseph, Missouri, and is now a member of No. 289, at Washington. He was a delegate to the St. Louis convention. Mrs. Haag is a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary No. 349.
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