USA > Indiana > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Indiana: containing a history of the townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies, etc., etc. > Part 39
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open air, which he effectually did by several months'
sport with gun and fishing rod. With returning health came back the old ambition that had gone out
with wasting energies, and he purchased E. Camp- bell's stock of goods, which at the time was some- what run down. His means being inadequate to replenish, Henry Goodlander and the Hon. Newton Claypool, his first endorsers, endorsed for him to amount of $1,000 in a Richmond bank. Part of 1856 and 1857 he rented and operated the flour- ing-mill now owned and run by Wetherald & Sons. In 1857 he disposed of his store business and
immediately opened a confectionery, bakery and eat.
ing-house, which proved a source of profit for twenty-
four years; he disposed of his business May 11, 1881,
all business restraint, he gave free rein to the together with all other business cares. Once outside
natural bent or inclination of his mind, and the inventive genius that had been smothered in the
struggle for accumulation, burst forth with all the glow and ardor of youth. His fertile mind at once devised the humane invention calculated to protect the operators of buzz-saws from accident. For three years he labored untiringly, having secured ten let- ters patent, and has one more now pending. The invention is now perfected to a nicety, is self-adjust- ing, effective, and will afford absolute protection to all manipulators of the deadly buzz saw. In October of 1882 he associated with him Augustus A. Bennett, of the firm Kitridge & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, for the manufacture of the Uncle Joe's saw guard. The firm, which is named the Groff & Bennett Saw Guard Manufacturing Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, has extensive manufacturing facilities of the highest order, and can on short notice supply every demand of the trade. Mr. Groff has been twice married. His first wife (nee Nancy J. Minor), was born in Union County, Ind., October 6, 1831. Their marriage was consum- mated September 26, 1850. Two children were born to this union, Lnella and Mabel, latter of whom died August 22, 1859, aged ten months and twenty-six days. Mrs. Groff died November 1, 1861, and our subject's second marriage was celebrated September 9, 1863, with Nancy J. Moyer, who was born in Lima, Ohio, September 25, 1844. Four children have been born to them, Edwin G., Mabel, Louie and Erla.
SAMUEL N. HAMILTON, M. D., Connersville, was born near Fayetteville, this county, November 23, 1845, son of Elijah and Mary J. (Smith) Ham- ilton, former a native of Ohio, latter of this county. The Doctor was engaged in farming until, April 8, 1863, (then quite a youth) he enlisted in Company L, Third Indiana Cavalry, serving until July 20, 1865, when he was mustered out at Lexington, N. C., and discharged following August. He participated in the celebrated march to the sea, and was through the Carolinas with the Third Cavalry Division, Gen. Kilpatrick's command. Returning home, our subject commenced his education, attending school for follow- ing three years. He then taught for a time, reading medicine during vacations and such spare time as he could find while teaching. He attended Indiana Medical College term of 1872 and 1873; went to Texas early in 1874, returning home latter part of same year; took a medical lecture course and gradu- ated in 1875. In 1876 the Doctor returned to Texas, making his home on the Colorado River, some twenty miles above Austin, and dwelt among the people of the mountains, practicing the healing art. On March 22, 1877, our subject married Miss Mary E. Haire, born April 19, 1858, near Greenfield, Mo., but resid- ing at time of her marriage at Smithton, Mo. To this union have been born two boys: Eugene Everett, born January 9, 1879, and Arthur Mazzini, born
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BIOGRAPHIES.
October 2, 1884. In the spring of 1877 Doctor Hamilton moved to this county and located at Ever- tou, where he practiced medicine until 1880. He then went to Schell City, Mo., but owing to the poor health of his family he returned to Everton (where he had formerly practiced in 1881) and there re- mained till June 3, 1882, at which date he moved to Connersville and formed a partnership with Dr. V. H. Gregg, in general practice of medicine and sur- gery. Our subject is a member of the County Dis- trict and State Medical Societies; he is a member of the G. A. R.
CAPT. JOHN W. HANNAH, dealer in dry goods, groceries, notions, etc., Eighth Street, between West- ern Avenue and Walnut Street, Connersville, is a nativo Hoosier, born in Rush County, June 5, 1838, son of James and Susannah (Peterson) Hannah, who were born in Bourbon County, Ky., the former Janu- ary 10, 1797, and the latter September 4, 1804. They came to Rush County, Ind., in 1836, where the father followed farming until his death, which occurred March 25, 1876. Our subject received a common school education. He came to this county in 1870, locating in Harrison Township, and was married, January 19, same year, to Miss Rhoda A. Kerr, a native of this county, born March 10, 1849. Three children, Howard W., Alvia M. and Josiah G., have been born to them. During the late war of the Rebellion Mr. Hannah enlisted April 19, 1861, in Company E, Sixteenth Ind. V. I., and was appointed Sergeant, serving fourteen months. After returning home he re-enlisted October, 1863, in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment, and was elected First Lieutenant; March 2, 1864, he was pro- moted to Captain, serving until September 16, 1865, in the Armies of the Potomac and the Cumberland. Capt. Hannah has served several years as Justice of the Peace. He is a Knight Templar. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Captain is a self-made man, and has prospered in life.
JAMES HERON (deceased) was formerly a busi- ness man of high standing in the city of Conners- ville. He was born in Baltimore, Md., June 10, 1825, and settled in this community with his parents in 1837. His mother is still living, aged eighty-five. He was educated in Oxford College, Ohio, and was early initiated into business life. In 1845 he assisted in engineering the Whitewater Valley Canal and was subsequently appointed Secretary and Treasurer of the company, serving in that capacity several years. He also assisted in locating and engineering the Junction Railroad, and was instrumental in securing the location of the W. W. V. R. R. on the banks of the canal. For twenty years Mr. Heron was cou-
nected with the pork-packing interests of Conners- ville, being associated with all the varions firms from George Frybarger & Co., down to Caldwell, McCann & Co. He was married, in May, 1855, to Caroline, daughter of Hon. Enoch McCarty, a native of Cul- peper County, Va., where he was born Jannary 5, 1783, and soon after his birth his parents removed to Tennessee, where he lived till the general immigration set in for the country northwest of the Ohio, when he moved to the Whitewater Valley. Mr. McCarty was then just in the prime of young manhood, and his many excellent qualities soon pointed him out as a public servant. He was first made Justice of the Peace, and on the organization of Franklin County was elected County Clerk, serving in that capacity at different times for about twenty years. He assisted in framing the State Constitution in 1816; served three years as State Senator, two terms as Represent- ative, and seventeen years as Associate Judge. Through his entire official career he was distinguished for the wisdom of his policies and the integrity of his purposes. He was also a brother of Gen. Jona. than McCarty. A second daughter of Mr. McCarty became the wife of the brother of Hiram Powers, the celebrated sculptor. By his union with Miss Mc- Carty Mr. Heron became the father of three children. He died June 19, 1876, mourned by many warm friends and business associates. His son, James M., has been identified with the business interests of Con- nersville for the past six years. He was born in Connersville, was given the advantages of the public schools of Connersville, also two years' study in the public schools and Chickering Institute of Cincin- nati. He abandoned his literary pursuits on account of failing health, and in 1875 engaged with Q. A. Mount as salesman in a boot and shoe store. In 1879 he purchased Mr. Mount's interest, and since that date has conducted the business at the old Mount stand in partnership with his sister Kate. He was married, in June, 1882, to Miss Nanna Dolph, daughter of Rev. E. L. Dolph, Presiding Elder of the Methodist Episcopal Southeast Indiana District Conference. They have one child-Noreh, born February 8, 1884. Mr. Heron is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank; a Democrat in politics. He is an energetic young business man, and member of a family which is highly esteemed.
JOHN M. HIGGS, editor and proprietor of the Examiner, office opposite court house on Central Avenue, Connersville, was born in Franklin County, Ind., near Halstead's Mills, April 5, 1841, and com- pleted his education at Brookville, where he resided until 1859. During the last five years of his abode in that village he learned the printing business and worked under C. B. Bentley, editor of the Democrat ;
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then moved to Connersville and purchased the old Telegraph office, continuing its publication for two and a half years, at which time he sold out and en- listed, September 18, 1861, in Company L, Second Indiana Cavalry, under Col. Bridgeland, serving three years in the Army of the Cumberland, partic- ipating in the battles of Perryville, Shiloh, Chicka- mauga and Gallatin, Tenn. In the last-named en- gagement his company was captured by John Morgan, but, not being satisfied with their new commander, cut their way out, losing nine men, killed and wounded. After returning home Mr. Higgs resided two years in Indianapolis; then, in 1868, came to Connersville and started the Examiner, a six-column paper, with an entire new outfit. By strict attention to business, and carefully studying the demands of the people, patronage so increased that in 1882 he was compelled to increase the size of the paper to nine columns, and add presses which would enable him to do job work with neatness and dispatch. The enterprise has proved a success, and as a reward for his labor the Examiner has the largest circulation of any paper in this part of the State. Mr. Higgs was married October 31, 1861, to Miss Kate I. Davis, who was born in New Paris, Ohio. In 1873 our subject was elected to the City Council from the Second Ward; in 1876 he was a candidate for County Treasurer and received more votes than any Democrat ever did in the county, lacking only ninety-nine votes of election. He is a member of the G. A. R.
HON. JAMES N. HUSTON, banker, farmer, stock- dealer, manufacturer and Legislator, Connersville. This enterprising and public-spirited young man is the son of William and Isabella E. (Duncan) Huston, the ancestors of both of whom were Scotch-Irish. The father was born in Franklin County, Penn., September 3, 1801; was married in 1847 and removed to Connersville, Ind., in 1851. He was for years en- gaged in farming and milling, being associated in busi- ness both in Pennsylvania and in Connersville with his brother James. In 1870 William Huston with oth- ers opened in Connersville a private bank known as the Citizens' Bank, with which he was connected until his death, which occurred January 5, 1875. He was a man of unbounded integrity of character, was extremely scrupulous in regard to religious and moral observances, and would permit of no Sabbath dese- cration. Early in life he united with the Presby- terian Church, of which he lived a consistent and zealous member, adhering, after the division in that church, to the Old School branch, serving as Elder for half a century. He was an excellent business man, understanding human nature well; his judg- ment was rarely at fault. A marked trait of his character was his great decision, reaching conclu-
sions quickly. He was an ardent Whig and subse- quently a Republican, being ever a great Anti-slavery man. At his death he left a large estate. Our sub- ject, the only child by the marriage spoken of above, was born in Franklin County, Penn., May 11, 1849. When but twenty days old his mother died, and he was consequently deprived of a mother's care and guidance. He received the benefit of a liberal edu- cation, which was completed at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. On the death of his father, in 1875, Mr. Huston became engaged in many lines of busi- nesy as his father's successor, in which he has been remarkably successful. He is one of the most active, enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Conners- ville, which city owes to him a debt of gratitude for the general interest he has shown in its development and improvement. He was for a period President of the Coffin Company, Eagle Milling Compa- ny, and Silver Plating Company, and is now Pres- ident of the Connersville Buggy Company, and Western Hosiery Mills; is interested in the Gas Works, Creamery, Indiana Furniture Factory, be- sides various other enterprises; and is proprietor of the Citizens' Bank. In 1876 and 1878 Mr. Hus- ton was chosen for the City Council from the Second Ward. In 1880 he was elected to the State Legisla- ture and re-elected in 1882, receiving a strong sup- port from the laboring classes, for whom he ever feels a deep sympathy; was elected from the district com- prising the Counties of Fayette, Rush and Union, by a majority of 1,960, to the State Senate, November 4, 1884. Mr. Huston takes great interest in matters pertaining to agriculture, and being an extensive land owner, he has carried on farming by "proxy" to a considerable extent. He has served for a time as President of the Agricultural Society. He is now serving as Chairman of the Republican Central Com- mittee of the county, which position he filled in 1880 and 1882, and under his management the Re- publican majority in the county has been increased from 290 to 535. He takes an active interest in tem- perance movements, and does not conceal his opinions on the subject for party considerations. He is a R. A. M .; a member of the order of K. of P.
HEMAN JONES, retired farmer, Connersville, an old and highly osteemed pioneer of Fayette County, is a native of New Hampshire, born near Hanover, June 10, 1812. His parents, Nathan and Elizabeth (Spaulding) Jones, were natives of Massa- chusetts, of English extraction. In a very early day they emigrated to New Hampshire, and settled near Hanover, where they remained some time; thence moved to Vermont, and subsequently returned to New Hamp- shire, and in 1820 to Huron County, Ohio, where they remained permanently. They were the parents
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BIOGRAPHIES.
of nine children: Harvey, Lovel, Almira, Lanra A., Elizabeth, Enos, Heman, Alonzo and Lucy. Heman came with his parents to the State of Ohio, and when about sixteen years of age went to Mount Vernon, where he began as an apprentice to shoe-making, and subsequently moved to Springfield, where he completed his apprenticeship. In 1829 he went to Hamilton, and there remained, working at his trade one winter; thence moved to Mason County, Ky., and there fol- lowed his trade about one year, and in 1831 came to Liberty, Union Co., Ind., where he purchased a boot and shoe business. He was there married, April 2, 1835, to Lydia A., dangliter of John and Elizabeth (Fosdiek) Hughes, born in Campbell County, Va., November 26, 1817, and one of nine children, viz .: Mary, John, Elizabeth, Lydia A., Permelia, Marga- ret, William, Aaron, and one who died in infancy. In October, 1838, Mr. Jones sold his boot and sbee interest at Liberty, and moved to this county, where he purchased eighty acres of land in Columbia Town- ship, on which he settled and engaged in farming, and several years later he traded it for 160 acres in the same township, which he improved, and as he prospered he kept adding to it until he owns at pres- ent 560 aeres in this county, and eighty acres in Ben- ton County, Ind., and also has money at interest, and several houses and lots in Connersville. In illustra- tion of what may be accomplished by energy, indus- try and well directed effort under our free American Government, may be cited the career of Mr. Jones, who started in life a poor boy, contending with all the disadvantages and inconveniences of a new coun - try, he battled his way up through an obscure life, and is now one of the wealthy men of Fayette County. He has always led an honorable life, his motives be- ing guided by the golden rule, " Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Our subject and wife are members of the Christian Church. They had born to them five children, viz .: Elizabeth (deceased), Mary, Candas (deceased), Anna (deceased) and Cor- nelia (deceased).
SAMUEL KIRKHAM, Sheriff of Fayette Coun- ty, Ind., Connersville, was born in Centre Township, Rush Co., Ind., February 14, 1842. He was raised on a farm and received a common school education. His father, Jonathan E. Kirkham, was born in Ken- tucky, May 27, 1804, and died January 28, 1876. His mother was born in South Carolina, May 20, 1806. Our subject enlisted August 28, 1862, in Company G, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving until April 3, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disabil- ity. He re-enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Jan- uary, 1865, serving until the close of the war; was taken prisoner at Richmond, Ky., held two days and
then paroled. Mr. Kirkham was married October 4, 1870, to Miss Lonzena B. Knipe, who was born De- cember 3, 1845, and to this union were born three children: Ophelia I., Phora B. and Ozro P. After marriage they left Rush County and located in Posey Township. Ho was elected Sheriff November 7, 1882, and re-elected November 4, 1884. Mr. Kirkham is a member of the K. of P. In politics he is a Re- publican.
LEVIN McINTOSH, clerk in Huston's Bank, Connersville, was born in Dayton, Ohio, June 6, 1826. His father, Joshna, was born in Virginia, May 16, 1795; his mother was born near Snow Hill, in Maryland, in 1792. They moved to Indiana, locating in Connersville April 15, 1824, where the father followed shoe-making and the grocery business. Levin had the benefit of a common school education, and learned the trade of plasterer in early manhood, which he followed for thirteen years. He then clerked for Daniel Hankins twenty-six years. In 1876 he accepted a position in Huston's Bank, where he bas devoted his time and services ever since. Janu- ary 29, 1843, he married Miss Louisa Lower, and by this union are two children: Edwin, and Joshua G., now in Marion County, Kan. Mr. McIntosh is Pres- ident of Connersville Gas Company. He is a Knight Templar; a member of the G. T., and the U. O. of the G. C.
JAMES M. McINTOSH attorney, Connersville, born in this city November 14, 1858, spent the greater part of his life in the schoolroom. He graduated in the class of 1880 at Greencastle, Ind., after which he filled the responsible position of Secretary and Treas- urer of the Whitewater Valley Silver Plating Com- pany, during the years 1880 and 1881. He read law under Mr. Charles Rohel and was admitted to the bar in January, 1880. In 1882 he formed a partnership with Hon. Charles A. Murray, in law business, and by strict attention to the same, and close application to books, the firm is prospering and is being justly rewarded for their labor. Mr. McIntosh is the son of James C. McIntosh, whose biography appears in the history proper under head of the distinguished dead.
JOHN M. KELLUM, photographer, Connersville, was born in this county August 8, 1845, son of John and Jane (Morrow) Kellum, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively, his maternal grandfather having been one of the first settlers of Kentucky. His paternal grandfather was a native of North Caro- lina. Our subject's parents were married in 1831 and settled on Williams Creek, where they resided till 1869, when they moved to Minnesota. Here the mother died in 1870 and the father in 1880. Their six children are: Cynthia A., Margaret J., Mary I.,
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CONNERSVILLE CITY.
Rolston, William N. and John M. Our subject was brought up on a farm, where he was employed till his eighteenth year, receiving an ordinary common school education. He learned the trade of carriage painting in 1864 and this was his chief occupation till 1872, when he took up the art of photography. He began the latter business in Kokomo, Ind., in 1872. Mr. Kellum was twice married; on first occasion October 19, 1869, to Alice Hunt, of Rush County, who died September 30, 1870, leaving one child, which passed away six months later, and October 16, 1873, he was married to Carrie Craver, a daughter of M. B. and Mary A. Craver. One child-Claude-has been born to them. In the practice of his chosen art Mr. Kel- lum has not a rival in southeastern Indiana, his work in all its details showing a true perception of artistic effects, its tone and finish being seldom surpassed by metropolitan artists. His management of light is excellent, while the effect of ease and grace in position is no less thoroughly understood. In short, Mr. Kel- lum stands well in the front rank among the members of his calling, and truly merits the liberal patronage which an appreciative public is bestowing upon him.
MARTIN MEYER, manufacturer of saddles and harness of every grade, also keeps in stock whips, robes, nets, curry-combs, etc., west side of Central Avenue, No. 512, between Fifth and Sixth Streets, Connersville. He was born in Baden, Germany, July 23, 1852. His parents came to America in 1854 and located near Cincinnati, Ohio; in 1858 they came to Connersville, Ind. Martin received a common school education. He commenced learning his trade with John Cassady, of Connersville, and in 1869 completed learning same under Mart Updegroff. In 1878 Mr. Meyer began in business for himself. He was united in marriage September 12, 1875, with Miss Susan Donavon, who was born in Cambridge, February 28, 1854. By this union there are three children: Maudie, born November 24, 1878; Harry A., born August 19, 1880, and Gertrude, born August 16, 1884. Mr. Meyer, May 7, 1884, was elected from the Second Ward to City Council. He is a member of the German Benevolent Society and of the Catholic Church.
CHARLES MOUNT, Cashier of First National Bank and manufacturer, Connersville, is descended from one of the old and prominent families of the Whitewater Valley and Connersville. His parents, James and Mary (Dixon) Mount, were natives of New Jersey and Connersville, respectively, the latter being a daughter of Arthur Dixon, one of the first mer- chants of Connersville. James Mount was born No- vember 9, 1805, and in 1818 immigrated to Franklin County, Ind., locating, in 1823, in Connersville, where he became a prominent business man and leading
citizen. He was for a time associated in mercantile business with Daniel Hankins, and subsequently with Meredith Helm. He was one of the number who built the large brick structure on Eastern Avenue near the C., H. & I. R. R., where he opened a large machine shop and foundry. He also, in connection with others, inaugurated a private bank, known as the Farmers' Bank, of which he was President. Sub- sequently he engaged in farming. His life was one of honest industry and, as an evidence of his frugality, at his death, which occurred November 30, 1882, he left quite a large estate. His widow survives him. Our subject was born in Connersville, Ind., Novem- ber 9, 1838. He was educated in the schools of his native village, finishing his studies in one of the commercial colleges of Cincinnati, where he took a complete business course. Mr. Mount began his business career as book-keeper in the business house of Mr. Castle, and subsequently filled a similar posi- tion for W. J. Hankins. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the Second Regiment Indiana Cavalry; the following fall he was promoted to Second Lieu- tenant in the Commissary Department, serving in all four years; then resigned on account of failing health. On November 15, 1865, Mr. Mount was united in marriage with Sarah E. Huston, daughter of Hon. John Huston, born in January, 1844. To this union have been born three children: James C., Mary E. and John H. Mr. Mount, for some five years, was engaged in the boot and shoe business with John F. Castle; then the firm became Mount Bros., which con- tinued until in July, 1873, when our subject sold out and was appointed Cashier of the First National Bank of the city. Mr. Mount is also engaged in manufact- uring, being interested in the Connersville Furniture Manufacturing Company; has also carried on farming to a considerable extent. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, with which he has been connected since 1859, when he became a Deacon in the church. He is now one of the Trustees and church Treasurer.
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