USA > Indiana > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Indiana: its people, industries and institutions > Part 116
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RICHARD A. WILLIAMS.
In a work of the character contemplated in the publication of this his- tory of Decatur county it would be highly improper to omit fitting reference to the numerous band of faithful sons and daughters of Decatur county who have gone out into other fields of actitvity seeking their fortunes away from the scenes of their youth. Naturally enough a large number of these errant children of old Decatur have gravitated to the state capital, carrying with them the sterling principles of manhood and womanhood inculcated in their early schooling, and have entered into the larger life of the city in such a way as to reflect great credit upon their youthful admonitions. Among this considerable number of former residents of Decatur county now living at Indianapolis few are better known in the latter city or are more kindly remembered in this county than is the gentleman whose name the reader notes above.
Richard A. Williams, an honored product of the Greensburg schools, who is now a prominent figure in the musical and cultured life of the state capital, was born at Richmond, Indiana, on February 24, 1870, the son of Edgar S. and Druet ( Worthin) Williams, the former of whom also was born in Richmond.
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Edgar S. Williams received his education in Richmond, the city of his birth, and upon reaching manhood's estate entered into the general mer- chandise business; later he moved to this county, locating at Greensburg, where he engaged in the same form of business. He married Druet Worthin, who was born in Greensburg. Druet Worthin received her elementary edu- cation in the Greensburg schools, supplementing the same by a course in the Western Female Seminary at Oxford, Ohio, from which admirable old institution she was graduated.
Richard A. Williams was educated in the schools of Greensburg and was graduated from the high school in that city. He then entered upon a three-years' course at Purdue University, and in 1893 entered into partner- ship with James DeArmond in the piano business in Greensburg, a business connection which continued with much success for a period of ten years. This long connection with the piano business gave him an acquaintance with the same which caused his services to be sought elsewhere and in 1903 he went to Indianapolis, where he ever since has been connected with the sales force of the Starr Piano Company, at present occupying the important position of city sales manager for that company.
Mr. Williams, though living at Indianapolis, is still devoted to the interests of his old home in this county. He retains his membership in the Presbyterian church at Greensburg and in the Odd Fellows lodge in the same city, being much interested in the affairs of both. Mr. Williams not only is a skilled pianist, but is well known in Indianapolis as one of the most earnest promoters of the musical interest of the city, and there are few large musical functions there that are not in some way helpfully influenced by his intelligent and skillful direction.
STRAUTHER VAN PLEAK.
The debt which the present generation owes to those hardy pioneers who opened up this favored section and made it a fit habitation and place of abode, of course, never can be paid. Indeed, it is difficult even to estimate the value of the extraordinary service which those early settlers rendered; an ungrudging, unselfish and faithful service rendered in the sweat of their faces-often, indeed, in their very life's blood. Though impossible ever to reward that service, the present generation at least may offer some slight requital, some fitting tribute, by preserving the utmost devotion to the mem-
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ories of those who "blazed the ways." "Rely upon it," said William E. Gladstone, "that the man who does not worthily estimate his own dead fore- fathers will himself do very little to add credit to or do honor to his coun- try." Among the pioneer families of Decatur county there is one which dates back to the very beginning of a social order hereabout, a family to which unstinted credit is due and to which the biographer takes pleasure in here calling to the attention of the reader.
The Pleak family in Decatur county had its origin in this country through Johann Pleak, a Hollander who emigrated to America in the mid- dle of the eighteenth century and settled in Kentucky in the neighborhood of Castletons Fort. now Mt. Sterling, where he married 'a Miss Wade, a sister of General Wade, of Revolutionary fame, to which union was born Fielden Blickenstorfer. In 1818 Fielden married Sabina Virt, who was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent, who was six months old when her parents emigrated to Bryants Station, in Kentucky, and was a member of that station at the time of her marriage. Following this marriage Fielden Pleak and his bride moved across the Ohio river and settled at Crossplains, in Jefferson county, this state. They remained there, however, but a short time, on March II, 1822, coming to this county, where they entered a farm in Washington township, which farm still is in the possession of the Pleak family.
Johann Pleak, whose mother was a Blickenstorfer, was born in Holland on April 15, 1726. In the year 1750 Johann, with two brothers and a sis- ter, emigrated to America, landing at Jamestown. Joseph, one of the broth- ers, went to North Carolina and never was heard of again. The sister mar- ried a Pennsylvanian of the name of Throgmorton and reared a consider- able family. Johann presently pushed along into the wilds of the West and settled in Kentucky, where he bought a piece of land. His abilities as a scout frequently brought him into scouting service and he became one of the best-known of the pioneers of the region about Castletons Fort. One day while scouting for a party of salt makers, he followed an Indian trail to a salt "lick," discovering encamped about the "lick" a band of Indians. These aboriginals maintained a loose guard and were lolling about the camp in lazy comfort. Johann was alone, and of course hardly could expect to be a match for the entire camp, but he then and there demonstrated the white man's superiority over the red man. Pulling off his high-top Dutch hat, he yelled in his native tongue: "What ye doin' here, ye lazy rascals!" which so affrighted the Indians that they broke camp instanter and ran pellmell, dis- appearing in the depths of the forest fastness, leaving their war accoutre-
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ments behind. These Johann very carefully gathered up, and taking them back to the fort sold them, the money realized from the sale of this booty being applied to the purchase of the bit of land above referred to. It was shortly after this incident that his marriage to Miss Wade, a sister of Gen- eral Wade, took place. To this union there were born three sons and three daughters. One of these sons was slain by the Indians. The other two were Dawson and Fielden.
Fielden Pleak married Sabina Virt and in 1822 came to this county, as set out above, locating on a tract of eighty acres in what is now Washing- ton township, which original tract still is in the possession of the Pleak family. The first shelter which he set up in this forest wilderness for his wife and babies was a brush lean-to, covered with branches of trees and blankets, which served as a home until a log cabin presently was erected. Not long after making good his location here, Fielden returned to Kentucky for the purpose of bringing his furniture to the new home. The trip was long and arduous. When he finally rejoined his family he found that dur- ing his absence his wife had sawed the logs and had erected the first four courses of a log cabin. This structure speedily was completed and in this log cabin a large family was reared. Fielden Blickenstorfer Pleak was born on December 24, 1792, and died on December 29, 1835, his widow surviving until December 24, 1875. They were married on June 9, 1814, and to this union there were born thirteen children, namely : Louisa, who married Charles Miller ; Llewellyn, Joseph Dawson, John Isaac, George G. W. B., Catherine, Joseph D., Eletvan, America, Susannah, Norcus Baron Steuben, Isaac Henry Fielden and Louis, the latter of whom was the father of the immediate subject of this sketch.
Louis Pleak was born on June 27, 1832, and spent his entire life on the old homestead, to which he added adjoining tracts until he had a farm of four hundred acres. He married Elizabeth Woolverton, who was born on February 17. 1853, and erected a large brick house across the road from the old parental home, in which both he and his wife spent the remainder of their days, his death occurring on December 24. 1875, her death occurring on July 4, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Pleak were members of the Christian church and were persons of large influence in their community, being among the leaders in that part of the county. Mr. Pleak was a Republican and ever took a good citizen's part in the political affairs of the county, his excellent judgment often proving of value in the deliberations of the party managers. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and took a deep interest in the affairs of that historic order.
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To Louis and Elizabeth (Woolverton) Pleak were born seven children, as follow : Walter B., born on March 23, 1854, is now residing on a part of the old homestead farm; Strauther Van, the immediate subject of this sketch; Dawson Steuben, October 14, 1857, now lives in Oakland, Iowa; John Charles, September 8, 1859, now living at Red Oak, Iowa; George W., September 14, 1861, died on November 29, 1862; Louisa, November 23, 1863. married Elmer Upjohn, and lives at Lebanon, Indiana; and Misse- line. April 15, 1867, who lives at Greeley, Colorado.
Strauther Van Pleak was born on the old Pleak homestead in Wash- ington township, Decatur county, Indiana, September 7, 1856, and lived there until the year 1892, in which year he retired from the farm and moved into the city of Greensburg, where he has a very pleasant and com- fortable home at 525 Broadway. He received his youthful education in "Beech-foot Hall" school, which then stood on a corner of the Pleak farm, and early in life entered upon the responsible duties of a farmer's life. He succeeded his father on the home place, where he remained until his retire- ment from the farm, as noted above. He has been quite successful in his farming operations and owns, in addition to his farm of two hundred and seventeen acres in Washington township, in this county, a farm of two hun- dred and twenty acres in Jasper county, Indiana, giving close personal direction to the management of these farms from his home in Greensburg.
On October 19, 1880, Strauther Van Pleak was united in marriage to Anna M. Meek, daughter of John and Sarah Jane ( Montgomery) Meek, of a prominent family of this county. For genealogies of the Meek and the Montgomery families the reader is referred to sketches relating to those two well-known families presented elsewhere in this volume. To the union of Strauther Van Pleak and Anna M. Meek one child was born, a daughter, Floy, who married Harry Butterton, of Tucson, Arizona, to which union there has been born one son, Van Pleak, now about three years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Pleak are members of the Presbyterian church of Greensburg, in the various good works of which they are actively interested. Mr. Pleak is a Republican and though taking a proper interest in political affairs, never has been included in the office-seeking class, preferring to devote his time and attention to his extensive personal affairs rather than to the public service. He is an active and public-spirited citizen, however, and does his part in promoting all movements having as their object the advancement of the common weal. He is a member of the Elks lodge at Greensburg and takes his part in the general affairs of that order. He and Mrs. Pleak are held in the highest regard in their large circle of acquaint- ances and are popular with all.
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LUTHER D. HAMILTON.
In the biography relating to the venerable Chester Hamilton, of Fugit township, this county, presented elsewhere in this volume, there is a compre- hensive presentation of the genealogy of the well-known Hamilton family of this county. It, therefore, will be unnecessary, in presenting the biog- raphy of the gentleman whose name is noted above, to enter largely into the history of that interesting family before its active entrance into affairs of this county. The reader is respectfully referred to the genealogy above mentioned for details regarding the lineage of the subject of this sketch, one of the best-known and inost prosperous farmers of Decatur county, who is living in the fine home which his father built in 1865 and where he has made his home for the past fifty years, on the south edge of the town of Clarksburg. The large brick residence which is the seat of the home farm sets well back in a fine grove and is one of the most comfortable and attractive homes in the county, the center of much genial hospitality.
Luther D. Hamilton was born on the old home farm, where he still lives, on March 9, 1860, the son of William M. and Euphemia ( Donnell) Hamilton, both members of old and prominent families in this county, the former of whom was born on November 26, 1822, and died on February 25. 1905, and the latter of whom died on December 6, 1896.
William M. Hamilton was the son of Cyrus and Mary (McCoy) Ham- ilton, natives of Kentucky, the former of whom was the son of Robert, who was the son of Col. William Hamilton, who served in the War of 1812. William M. Hamilton was reared on the paternal farm in the Kings- ton neighborhood, in this county, and on January 27, 1854, married Euphe- mia Donnell, moving immediately thereafter onto the farm on which his son, Luther D., now lives. At that time there was an old pioneer dwelling house on this farm, which a few years later was supplanted by the fine large brick residence which Mr. Hamilton erected and which, with remodeling to suit modern conditions, still does fine service as a place of abode. Mrs. Hamilton inherited about six hundred acres of land from her father and gradually this was increased by Mr. Hamilton until he became possessed of about three thousand acres. One of Mr. Hamilton's specialties was the buying of timber tracts, clearing the same for the valuable timber thereon. He also was an extensive breeder of mules, large numbers of which he raised for the market and also dealt extensively in cattle and hogs. In creating a market for his mules he made several trips to Iowa, before the days of the railway, and on one occasion swam the Wabash river. a large
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hierd of mules swimming along behind him, following an old gray lead mare. William M. Hamilton was one of the most substantial citizens in Decatur county. He was an earnest Republican and took an active part in the political affairs of the county. He was a fiery Abolitionist and was prom- inently connected with the affairs of the "underground railroad," by which agency many slaves found their way to freedom in ante-bellum days. His home was on the line of this historic "railroad" and many runaway slaves found welcome shelter there on their way to Canada. On one occasion an irate slave-owner obtained a judgment for three thousand dollars against Mr. Hamilton for the latter's participation in the escape of a slave and Mr. Hamilton's father-in-law and willing friends gladly paid the judgment. Mrs. Hamilton was as ardent a friend of the fugitive slaves as was her husband, and many a harried black man and woman had cause for gratitude by reason of her sympathetic interest in their efforts to secure freedom. Mrs. Euphemia Hamilton was the daughter of Luther A. Donnell, one of the wealthiest landowners of his day in this county. He was the son of Thomas Donnell, the son of Samuel Donnell, the founder of the family in Decatur county. The reader is referred to a biographical sketch of the Donnells, presented elsewhere in this volume, for further information relat- ing to this interesting family and the important part it played in the early history of Decatur county.
To William M. and Euphemia (Donnell) Hamilton were born five children, namely: Enrie Jane, born on November 8, 1854, who, on Septem- ber II, 1883, married Edwin S. Fee, and resides in the town of Clarksburg, in this county ; Grace Greenwood, November 20, 1859, died on January 16, 1898; Luther D., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Myrta Gay, February 18, 1865, married John M. Berry on December 26, 1893, and died in Chicago on March 19, 1897; and Mary Blanch, March 9, 1863, who, in 1900, married George Lyons and lives at Greensburg.
Luther D. Hamilton received his elementary education in the schools at Clarksburg, supplementing the same with a course at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1884. Following his graduation Mr. Hamilton entered upon the serious business of farming, taking up his location on the old home farm, where he ever since has resided and where he has prospered largely. Mr. Hamil- ton's farm of twelve hundred acres is the largest estate in Decatur county under one management. He operates the great farm as a whole and all grain that is raised is fed on the farm, Mr. Hamilton finding it much more profitable to put his grain into cattle and hogs than to sell it. He feeds and
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sells more than one hundred head of cattle and two carloads of mules annually, besides large numbers of hogs. Included in this fine estate is the land which was pre-empted by William Fugit, after whom the township received its name.
On February 22, 1899, Luther D. Hamilton was united in marriage to Carrie Emmert, who was born at Greensburg, this county, on October 18, 1862, the daughter of Jacob Emmert, a well-known retired miller and farmer, who moved from Greensburg to Clarksburg, this county, in October, 1868.
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are active working members of the Presbyterian church at Clarksburg and for many years have been persons of large influence in that part of the county, ever displaying their interest in all movements looking to the advancement of better conditions thereabout. Mr. Hamilton is a Republican and has taken a prominent part in local politi- cal affairs, his sound judgment and wide experience giving to his counsels much weight. He has served on the township advisory board and in every relation of life has proved his worth as a good citizen, he and his wife being held in the highest esteem throughout the whole countryside.
JOHN T. MEEK.
The Meek family was established in Decatur county, Indiana, by Josiah Meek, who came with his family from Kentucky to this state about 1827 and who shortly after coming to Decatur county purchased land in Fugit township, and became one of the enterprising and successful citizens of the county. He and his wife, Jemima Meek, had the misfortune shortly after coming to Decatur county to lose four members of the family from fever, due, perhaps, to the unhealthful condition brought about by the vast swamps common in this county during the first half of the last centurry. For nearly a hundred years the Meek family have been prominent in Decatur county, not only as large landowners and enterprising farmers, but as highly honored and respected citizens of this great county, each successive generation having contributed its full share to the material growth and civic development of the community. Few families have had a larger part in the agricultural development of Decatur county than the Meek family, and few families have furnished better citizens to this political subdivision of the great Hoos- ier state.
John T. Meek, a well-known capitalist of Greensburg, Indiana, was (75)
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born February 13, 1848, in Clinton township, on a farm, and who is the son of John and Sarah Jane (Montgomery) Meek, is a representative of the third generation in Decatur county, Indiana. John Meek, a native of Kentucky, who was born in 1826, and who passed away in 1909, at the age of eighty-two years, came to Decatur county, Indiana, with his father, Josiah Meek, about 1827. After having been educated in the rural schools of Decatur county, where he had no better advantages than the average youth of his day and generation, and after growing to maturity on his father's farin, he was married to Sarah Jane Montgomery, a native of Decatur county, who was born in 1827, and who passed away in 1892. To them were born ten children, one of whom, the youngest, Lola Frances, is now deceased. The children, in the order of their birth, are as follow : Robert S., who lives in Greensburg; Margaret, who married J. B. Robison, lives in Greensburg; John T. is the subject of this review; Martha Louise married Capt. John A. Meek, of Kansas; Adam is living retired in Greens- burg; Jethro C. also lives in Greensburg; Mary is the wife of J. C. Brown, of Rushville; Theresa Lavinia is the widow of Robert Innis, deceased ; Mrs. Anna Pleak lives in Greensburg.
John T. Meek has been one of the most successful farmers in the history of Decatur county. Educated in the district schools of the county, he began farming for himself at the age of twenty-three years. Two years later, at the age of twenty-five, and after his marriage, he moved to a farm of eighty acres located in Clinton township, and five years later, in 1878, removed to Rush county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm of three hun- dred and twenty acres. The Rush county farm, however, was not purchased until after the disposal of the farm in Decatur county. Later, during his thirty years' residence in Rush county, he purchased altogether twelve hun- dred acres of land in Anderson township, acquiring a considerable portion of the land during the agricultural, commercial and industrial panic of the second Cleveland administration, when it was possible to buy land at thirty- five dollars an acre which now sells for four and five times that amount. In 1908, Mr. Meek, after having resided in Rush county, Indiana, for thirty years, moved back to a farm in Fugit township, Decatur county, and in 1910 he moved to Greensburg. Altogether he owned some two thousand acres of land in Indiana, a plantation in Louisiana in partnership with John E. Osborn, consisting of five thousand acres, and located across the river from Natchez, Mississippi, and four hundred and eighty acres indi- vidually near Tallulah, Louisiana. Messrs. Meek and Osborn took charge of tlie Louisiana plantation, which is located in Concordia Parish, in 191I. They own a large saw-mill and are well equipped for lumbering. Also they
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have extensive holdings in live stock, and one of their principal revenues from this plantation is the sale of stock raised on the farm. Moreover, Mr. Meek is a part owner in a cooperage company at Helena, Arkansas, and another cooperage company at McGehee, Arkansas. Both of these concerns are in a most prosperous condition, due to the natural advantages for acquiring timber and to the able and skillful management of the owners and proprietors. In addition to his many other interests, Mr. Meek also owns a fine residence property in Indianapolis. This property is a part of the present Horton addition to the city of Indianapolis.
In 1873, when John T. Meek was twenty-five years old, he was married to Florence E. Bonner, of Fugit township, the daughter of James Bonner, a representative of one of the oldest families in this section of Indiana. Mrs. Meek, who was born in 1854, has been the mother of four children, Mrs. Lura Helen McCoy, of Washington township; Mrs. Mildred Davis, of Rush county ; Elbert E., a well-known farmer of Fugit township, and Flora E., who lives at home.
John T. Meek is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Meek and the family are leading members of the Presbyterian church of Greensburg, and are among the largest contributors to the support of this church.
Although it may be said quite truthfully that John T. Meek has enjoyed exceptional advantages and was given a good start in life, nevertheless he has done what a comparatively large percentage of the sons of the "second generation" failed to do. He has used the opportunities which fell in his way, and has greatly increased the property which came to him by gift or inheritance. Moreover, he has lived the life of a good citizen of this state. He is charitable to a fault, generous with the poor, broad-minded and liberal in all his views-a man eminently worthy to bear the name of the distin- guished family to which he belongs.
CHARLES McHARGH NESBITT.
Native sons of Decatur county are found in responsible positions of trust and authority in many of the chief cities of the country. One almost is inclined to express the belief that there is something in the atmosphere hereabout that has a tendency to make men and women of fine caliber. dependable in all the relations of life; firm characters, self-reliant and enter- prising. The attention of the reader is here called to a brief biography of one of these Decatur county men whose special talents were so well used
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