History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 131

Author: Reifel, August J
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1648

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Howard G. Koerner was married March 14, 1913, to Eleanor L. Housel, of Akron, Ohio, and to this union was born, April 29, 1914, a daughter, Elizabeth Belle. Mrs. Koerner is a daughter of former mayor E. C. Housel, of Akron, Ohio.

On August 8, 1914, Howard G. Koerner came with his wife and baby to Brookville to visit his parents. He had been in ill health for a number of weeks and the day after his arrival home developed typhoid fever. All that medical attention and skillful nursing could do was done for the suffering young man, but to no avail, and on Tuesday, August 18, ten days after he had arrived at his parents' home, he died. While at Metamora he united with the Christian church in 1900. He was a member of the Free and Ac- cepted Masons and Knights of Pythias. He was a young man of excellent character and was beloved by everyone who knew him.

One incident should be related in connection with this worthy son. He was away from home for nine years and during that whole time never failed to write to his mother every Sunday. It is not often that such devotion to a mother is found at the present time. It bespeaks for the lamented Howard the possession of a most amiable trait of character. By his parents he will be remembered as their dearest possession on earth and by his young wife as a devoted and loving husband, while the little daughter will be taught to venerate his name and cherish his memory. His memory also is held in the tenderest regard by countless friends, who lament the early passing of this brilliant young man.

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DAYTON D. BARBER.

Among the prominent farmers of Franklin county, Indiana, is Dayton D. Barber, who was born in Posey township in 1861, the son of Daniel and Katherine (Hite) Barber, both of whom were born in Rush county, Indiana.

Daniel Barber was the son of Simeon and Debby ( Eels) Barber. Simeon Barber was born in Tennessee, the son of Lifelet Barber, a farmer, who came with his wife and children to Indiana about 1810. Lifelet Barber entered one-half section of land upon which the east end of Andersonville, Franklin county, Indiana, is now located. He was the first settler in that locality. He cleared the land to make room for the cabin in which he lived. Half of his farm was in Rush county Lifelet Barber died on this farm.

Simeon Barber was a farmer and saw-mill operator and he also made the brick which was used in a splendid residence he erected at Anderson- ville and which is still standing. In his saw-mill he sawed the planks for the old plank road from Andersonville to Rushville. He built a steam saw- mill on the site of the present town of Andersonville. This was destroyed by fire and he later put up another mill nearby, which his sons operated. This was located south of Andersonville and was carried away by the flood of 1849. Simeon Barber's wife was born in New York state and reared by Daniel Neff, who brought her from New York to Rush county to a farm two miles west of Andersonville.

Daniel Barber, the father of Dayton D. Barber, was born in 1823. He received his education in the school near Andersonville, in which they used greased paper for windows and benches with pegs for seats. The building was a log cabin and had a large fireplace. He married and located two miles south of Andersonville on a farm which then consisted of forty acres and later of four hundred acres. There, in 1846, he erected a saw-mill operated by water power. He was married in 1848 and lived on this farm until his death, following milling and farming. Daniel Barber was an expert in making writing quills and the school teacher had him keep them in repair. He was a charter member of the Andersonville Lodge No. 96, Free and Accepted Masons.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Barber were the parents of ten children, William, Mary, Harriet, Simeon, Sarah, John, Emma, Dayton, Luella and Georgia Ann. Mary and Harriet died in infancy. The family were all members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mrs. Daniel Barber was the daughter of William and Sarah (Franker) Hite, who came from near the natural bridge in Virginia. They drove to

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Rush county, Indiana, in a two-horse wagon about 1828 and a year later he returned to Virginia on horseback to get his money. When he first made the trip he had a wife and one child. They located two miles north of Clarks- burg, his half brother also buying land there. William Hite located in Franklin county about a year later in Posey township on Salt creek. Here he bought about two hundred acres, which was all woods, and erected a log cabin, and other log buildings. The brick used for chimneys was burned on the farm.

Dayton D. Barber was educated one and one-half miles south of Ander- sonville at the McCready school. He was reared on the farm and remained there until thirty years old. He operated the saw-mill two years and then discontinued it.

Dayton D. Barber was married at the age of thirty to Hattie Hildredth, who was born in Laurel township, where she lived until she was nine years of age, after which she moved with her parents to Posey township. She is the daughter of Rees B. and Elizabeth (Osborn) Hildreth, the former of whom was born in Laurel township, a son of Joseph and Jane Hildreth, Joseph having been born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, the son of Rees B. and Martha Hildreth. Joseph Hildreth came to Franklin county with his parents about the year 1820, when he was five years of age and spent the rest of his life here. Elizabeth Osborn was born in Posey township, the daughter of Aaron and Maria (Crowell) Osborn, the former of whom was born in Kentucky and the latter in Virginia. For many years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hildreth lived on a farm in Posey township, but are now living in Andersonville. Mr. Hildreth has been justice of the peace for Posey township for about ten years and the reputation of his court is more than local, the cases in which appeals have been taken from his magisterial rulings being very rare indeed. In conducting his court it always has been 'Squire Hildreth's endeavor to settle neighborhood disputes out of court and many are the cases in which neighbors have been prevailed on by him to adjust their differences by compromise without entailing expensive and acrimonious litigation.

To Dayton D. and Hattie (Hildreth) Barber two children have been born, Beryl, a teacher in Rush county, and Amory, a teacher in Franklin county. Both Beryl and Amory began teaching at the age of seventeen. They attended the high school at New Salem and have attended the State Normal School at Terre Haute.

Mr. Barber owns one hundred and thirteen acres in Posey township, where he has erected splendid buildings and where he engages in general

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farming and stock raising. He also owns one hundred acres two miles northeast of New Salem.

Mr. Barber is identified with the Prohibition party. He and his family are active and devoted members of the Christian church. Mr. and Mrs. Bar- ber are socially popular in the community where they live and Mr. Bar- ber is known everywhere as a public-spirited citizen, interested in all good works, to which he devotes his attention and talents.

JAMES E. LOGAN.

The cradle of the Logan family was in Ireland where so many of the settlers of this country came from. The Irish character is one greatly to be admired and the best of this nationality were often identified with those who migrated to this country in its national infancy. One of the founders of the Logan family in Franklin county was Samuel Logan, who came from North Carolina and whose forefathers came from Ireland. Samuel Logan was the grandfather of James E. Logan, who lives in Brookville town- ship.

James E. Logan was born in Brookville township, Franklin county, Indiana, February 5, 1875. His parents were James W. and Adeline (Lev- ingson) Logan. Adeline Levingson was the daughter of Isaac Levingson, a resident of Union county, Indiana. To James W. Logan and wife were born six children : Burt, Della, James E., Inez, Albert and Ida, who died at the age of twelve. Burt married Clara Schlapp and lives on the old Logan homestead. Della is single and lives at Richmond, Indiana. Inez married Tom Linegar, of Seattle, Washington, and they have four children, Bert, Blanche, Grace and Frederick. Albert is living with his brother, James E.

James W. Logan, father of James E., was born on his father's farm and assisted his father in clearing and developing the farm. He attended the district schools of this county and after his marriage began to acquire prop- erty of his own. Through his natural thrift and energy he had accumulated six hundred and fifty-two acres before his death. He was a man of sterling integrity and was generally esteemed for his excellent character. While his education was not extensive he had a wealth of natural ability which he applied wisely to his business and became a man of means before he died. He died December, 1901, having survived his wife nineteen years.

Samuel Logan, the grandfather of James E. Logan, was born in North Carolina, where he lived a number of years engaged in the occupation of

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farmer. He was one of the first members of the Logan family to leave North Carolina and settle in Indiana. He came to this country after his marriage, coming overland by wagon and encountering the hardships which were com- mon in those days to those who undertook such a perilous trip. After his arrival in this county he entered two hundred acres, which constituted a gov- ernment land grant under the land grant act which was enforced at that time. His children were Craig, James, Peggie, Mary, Zora and Margaret. Samuel Logan was a man of magnificent physique, developed through years of hard labor, and in this county he was highly esteemed by all who knew him. With very little assistance he cleared the land he had acquired of the heavy growth of timber that was on it at that time. He died in this county beloved by all who knew him.

James E. Logan was born and reared on his father's farm and attended the common schools of this county. He engaged in farming, working on his father's farm in his early youth, and in 1901 was married to Opha Seal, the daughter of Sylvester Seal. Mr. Logan has acquired considerable property, owning a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, which is a model of good farming. His farm is especially noted for its neatness and cleanliness and shows the care of a modern farmer, being rated as one of the best in this community. Mr. Logan and his wife take an active part in the social affairs of the community and Mr. Logan is keenly alive to all of the public questions of the day. There is no family in Brookville township that can refer to a more distinguished lineage than the Logan family, and from their very earliest arrival in this community they have contributed much that has added to the development and uplift of Franklin county.

WILLIAM W. APPLETON.

Among the very early settlers in this county was the Appleton family, who came from Ohio. Amos Appleton, grandfather of William Appleton, of this county, came from Butler county, Ohio. The Appleton family has been prominent in the affairs of Franklin county and none of the members of the family has been more prominent or active in the affairs of this community than William W. Appleton, who lives in Springfield township.

William W. Appleton was born in Springfield township, Franklin county, Indiana, October 22, 1859, the son of Thomas Appleton and one of eight children, the others being James, Cicero, Hannah, John R., Reuben T., Perry and Emma. Of these James, Cicero and Hannah and

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deceased. John R. married Emma Luse and resides in Springfield town- ship. Reuben married Caroline Luse and has one daughter, Dora. Perry married Florence Abbott and has three children, Laura, Blanche and Wil- mer. Emma married Elmer Giffon.

Thomas Appleton was educated in the common schools of Ohio and after coming to this state engaged in farming with his father, at that time entering five hundred acres of land which was very heavily timbered. He cleared this land and his early training was such as to accustom him to the hardest kind of work and imparted to him very great bodily health and strength. He married Martha Ann Ardery, the daughter of James Ardery. He was a very ardent Democrat and believed in the principles of that party and had always faithfully advocated its policies. He was elected county commissioner and also township trustee, and had served in various other offices. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he devoted his entire life and was very active in all of its works. His wife died October 9, 1905. They were very highly respected people and held in the highest esteem by all with whom they came in contact.

Amos Appleton, grandfather of William Appleton, was married to Sarah Grant, and was one of the very earliest settlers in Ohio. To them were born four children: Thomas, William, Abbie and Gosian, all of whom are now dead. He followed farming throughout his life and was affiliated with the Baptist church.

William W. Appleton was educated in the common schools of this county and has followed the occupation of farmer almost his entire life. On February 7, 1884, he was married to Mary E. Applegate, the daughter of Paul and Elizabeth (Grissom) Applegate, who lived in Butler county, Ohio, where the Appletons originally came from, and who were the parents of nine children, William J., Stephen, Charles Edward, Mary E., who is the wife of the subject of this sketch, Elmer, Richard, Amy, Carrie and Frank L., of whom Charles Edward, Amy, Carrie and Frank L. are deceased.

Mr. Appleton has made his own way in the world and before getting a start or acquiring property. of his own he rented a farm. Gradually he acquired a competence and at this time owns two hundred and thirty acres of splendid farm land which he devotes to general farming. He also has achieved a reputation for the excellent breed of Durham cattle and Chester White hogs which he raises. His farm is well improved, every acre of it being utilized to the greatest advantage. To Mr. and Mrs. Appleton have been born three children, Riley C., Amy and Martha. Riley married Nettie Stone and lives in Springfield township. Amy and Martha

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are still single and reside with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Appleton are held in the highest regard by everyone in their community. They are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church with which they are prominently identified. In politics, Mr. Appleton is a Democrat, as were his forefathers and firmly believes in the principles of that party. The Apple- ton family for generations has been prominent both in Ohio and Indiana and William W. Appleton has followed the example of his family in that he has lived a life of much usefulness, contributing to the general welfare of his community in all proper ways.

JOHN DENNETT.

One of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Brook- ville, Indiana, is John Dennett, who has been a resident of that city for more than fifty years. He has always been an active citizen and his in- fluence has been widely felt in the growth and progress of this community. He is of English descent and possesses those fine traits of character which belong to those of true English blood.

John Dennett was born in New York city, August 15, 1837, the son of George and Harriet (Proctor) Dennett. His father was born in London, England, in 1796 and died in 1870. His mother also was born in London, in 1824, and died in 1880. John Dennett was one of a family of five chil- dren, Harriet, Anna, Thomas, John and Cecelia. Harriet, who is now de- ceased, married John Jones and lived in Danville, New York. Anna mar- ried James Halsey and now lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Thomas died in 1869, having been accidentally poisoned by a dentist, who by mistake, put poison in his mouth. Cecelia married James Dowdy and now lives in Cleveland, her husband being deceased.

George Dennett, the father of John, was the son of English parents who resided in London, England. The maternal grandparents of John Dennett also resided in London. His grandfather Proctor was killed in the battle of Waterloo while serving as a private in Wellington's army. After his death, his widow married a Mr. Ford and they immigrated to Elizabeth, New Jer- sey, where they died.

George Dennett learned the trade of an upholsterer and paper hanger, serving an apprenticeship of seven years. Before serving his apprenticeship he attended school in France and received a good education. He married

granduca Waters Comune

JOHN DENNETT.

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in 1833 and he and his wife immediately immigrated to New York city, the trip across the ocean consuming nine weeks, that being before the days of steamships. They later moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey, where they made their home for a time. They then returned to New York city, where George Dennet followed his trade until his death. They were members of the Church of England.

John Dennett was educated in the public schools of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and after leaving school served an apprenticeship of three years at the painter's trade, which he followed in Elizabeth until he was twenty years of age. In 1857 he moved to Cincinnati, where he continued to follow this trade for one year, after which he moved to Riley, Ohio. In that city he began his career as a contractor in painting. In 1861 he came to Brookville and there married, after which he returned to Riley, Ohio, and remained there until March 1, 1863, when he again came to Brookville and has resided here ever since. In 1867 he built a comfortable home in which he is still living. Ever since living in Brookville he has maintained a good business as a contractor in painting. He is known throughout several of the sur- rounding counties as an expert grainer and his services are always sought on a piece of extra fine work. He also has engaged, to a certain extent, in paper hanging.

On February 28, 1861, John Dennett married Lucretia Jones, who was born in Carroll county, Ohio, February 9, 1839, the daughter of Joseph and Leah (Helm) Jones, the former of whom was born in Maryland and the latter in Pennsylvania. Joseph Jones was a physician and lived in Riley, Ohio, until 1860, in which year he moved to Brookville, Indiana. In 1869 he moved to New Trenton where he died. To Mr. and Mrs. Dennett have been born eight children, all of whom grew to maturity and are still living. They are, Anna, who married Charles Blacklidge, a carpenter, of Brookville; Mary, the widow of Mr. Urmston, and who now resides in Boston, Massa- chusetts : Harriet, who married Dr. William Best, of Indianapolis, Indiana; George Elmer, a banker, of Brookville, Indiana; Lucretia, who became the wife of George Mormon, the editor of a newspaper in Greenwood, Indiana; Francis, a rural mail carrier, of Brookville; Edith, who married Guy Jones, an attorney, of New Castle, Indiana, and Thomas, who is a draughtsman in the Warner Gears Company, of Muncie, Indiana.

In 1911 John Dennett and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anni- versary. They prove an excellent and honorable example in this community of the married couples who for more than a half century have lived lives of

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usefulness and honor, side by side, true helpmates in all the term implies. In politics, Mr. Dennett is identified with the Republican party. He and his wife are loyal members of the Christian church and he is an elder in that denomination in Brookville. He is the owner of five houses in Brookville and also of several pieces of property in other towns. He has been a mem- ber of the Free and Accepted Masons for forty-eight years and of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows for forty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Dennett have reared an excellent family and have had the pleasure of seeing their children take their places as useful members of society. Honored and re- spected by all who know them, this venerable couple truly may be said to be enjoying the evening time of their lives with a degree of calm satisfaction rarely accorded, and upon which they receive the sincere congratulations of all.

WILLIAM H. BARBER.

Among the farmers of Franklin county, Indiana, who had to their credit many years spent industriously and intelligently in tilling the soil was the late William H. Barber, of Posey township. He came of a good family, one that always has been marked by high principles of right living and industrious habits, for moralty and for all that contributes to the welfare of a community. Such men have pushed the frontier of civilization ever westward and onward, leaving the green, wide-reaching wilderness and the far-stretching plains populated with contented people and beautiful with green fields. All in all they have constituted that sterling foundation upon which the present day citizenship rests.

The late William H. Barber was born in Posey township, Franklin county, Indiana, October 12, 1851, and was the son of Daniel Barber, men- tion of whose career in this country is made elsewhere in this volume.

William H. Barber was educated in the common schools and was a farmer throughout his life in Posey township. He owned a splendid farm of eighty acres, on which he was living at the time of his death. His son, Lewis, now occupies the home farm.

William H. Barber was married September 19, 1878, to Esther Ailes, who was born in Posey township, the daughter of Amos and Olive (Wes- ton) Ailes. Additional mention is made of Mrs. Barber's paternal grand- parents in the sketch of A. G. Ailes, found elsewhere in this volume.

To Mr. and Mrs. Barber seven children were born, Lewis, Charles,

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Mrs. Pearl French, Mrs. Mary Moore, Mrs. Martha Fey, Edgar and Edwin. Edgar and Edwin lived on the home place until their father's death. They have now been away from the home place for five years. They formerly occupied the Henry Cale farm in Laurel township, but now live on the Wiley farm just southwest of Laurel. Edgar and Edwin are general farmers and are known as the Barber brothers. They are unmar- ried and their mother lives with them and maintains the household.

William H. Barber was a man of rather wide local influence in politics. He served as supervisor and was serving his third year as assessor at the time of his death. Mr. Barber was identified with the Republican party. He died April 15, 1903, at the age of fifty-four years, mourned not only by his family but by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was a man who had no enemies, but who attracted people to him naturally by the force of a strong personality. The passing of such men is a profound loss to any community where they have lived and have labored so wisely for the good of the commonwealth.

WILLIAM J. LOGAN.

In the makeup of this country there are many leading nationalities who have contributed their share to the building up of the institutions of this country, and many of these have reflected great credit upon the country of their adoption and the country of their birth. From the very earliest settle- ment of this country there has been a healthy representation of the Irish race who came here at a very early day, and who have been prominent in the affairs of this country at all times, both in peace and war. Among the de- scendants in this state of the early Irish settlers who live in Franklin county is William J. Logan, of Fairfield township.

William J. Logan was born May 16, 1864, in Fairfield township, Frank- lin county. He is a son of James Florentine and Mary Ann (Templeton) Logan, and was one of four children, the others being Mary, George and Betty. Mary died in 1869. George is a resident of Jennings county, In- diana, and has been twice married, his first wife being Agnes Semple, who died in 1901, to which union were born two children, James Claude and Wil- liam Ernest. His second wife was Ettie Leak. Betty, the fourth child of James Logan, became the wife of Joseph Glaub, to which union were born nine children: Mabel, Earl, Howard, Irwin, Virgil, Verna, Ruby, Arnold and Mary.

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James Florentine Logan, the father of William J. Logan, was born Jan- uary 15, 1836, in Fairfield township, this county. His parents were James and Betsey (Colescott) Logan, to whom were born ten children, of whom James F. was the eldest. The others were Serepta, Nellie and William (twins), Elizabeth, Margretta and Mary (twins), Winfield S. and Vander- land W. (twins) and Alice C. James F. Logan attended the seminary at Brookville, and after leaving school engaged in teaching, which profession he followed for many years in this township. He then retired to a farm and followed agricultural pursuits the greater part of his remaining life. His wife was a daughter of William and Sarah (Roberts) Templeton, of this county. James F. Logan died in 1898, while his widow survived him until 1911. They were prominent citizens in the community where they lived for so many years, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. Mr. Logan was a Methodist, and in the good works of this denomination he was very active. Fraternally, he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 131

Author: Reifel, August J Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1648

Author: Reifel, August J
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1648