History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 65

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

USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 65

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remaining with this company for four years he moved to Brookville, and here he has since resided.

After leaving Louisville and his many friends, Mr. Otto soon found that his lack of education was going to be a handicap in the way of secur- ing the sort of service he desired, a hindrance in the way of obtaining a position of responsibility in factory work. He then began to make good use of the scientific books and papers in the library and reading rooms of the Covington Young Men's Christian Association. He also attended the architectural drawing class of the Ohio Mechanics' Institute at Cincinnati for two seasons, at the end of which time he entered upon the correspond- ence course of the International Correspondence School at Scranton, Penn- sylvania, through which he studied mechanical engineering for four years, or until his work in Brookville increased to such an extent that he found it impossible to complete the course. In taking up this study Mr. Otto adopted a system by which he rigorously restrained himself from partici- pating in any social or other entertainments which would interfere with his school work during five nights in the week, permitting himself only Saturday nights and Sunday for recreation and rest. As a consequence of the many sacrifices entailed by this self-imposed task of wading through such a tiresome and strenuous course of training he prizes the instruction he then received very highly and holds a most exalted regard for corres- pondence training in certain lines, when the student has had a sufficient amount of practical experience to serve as a basis, as a last resort for the training of a young man whose parents have not been able to afford him the proper training during his normal school years.

Upon coming to Brookville in 1903 Mr. Otto became foreman of the woodworking machine room in the A. M. Tucker Furniture Company. Three years later he was made superintendent of the factory and bought all the lumber which was used. In 1907 the company was reorganized, and is now known as the Brookville Furniture Company. At the time of the reorganization, Mr. Otto became a stockholder in the company, be- coming at the same time its superintendent and timber buyer, and has seventy-five men under his charge.

Mr. Otto has been twice married. He was first married July 3, 1904, to Anna Mueller, who died August 31 of the same year. Mr. Otto was mar- ried, secondly, April 3, 1907 to Anna Amelia Mueller, a half-sister of his first wife, who was born in Milton, Wayne county, Indiana, a daughter of C. H. and Elizabeth Mueller, the latter of whom is dead, while the former of whom is still living, being eighty-six years of age.

The father of Mrs. Otto was a tailor by trade and learned his occupa-

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tion in Germany before coming to the United States. As an indication of his robust health and sturdy constitution, it is interesting to note what he did during the flood of 1913 at Brookville. He was living at Milton, and upon hearing of the terrible condition in Brookville, became so anxious to know what had become of his daughter and her family that he rode by train to Connersville and walked the entire distance from there to Bloom- ing Grove. It was early in the spring and was very cold, yet he forded many streams, and despite his advanced age suffered no inconvenience from exposure, although that particular day happened to be very cold.

Mr. Otto and his wife are the parents of three children, George H., born April 24, 1908; Samuel L., born April 12, 1910, and Martha Louise, born July 14, 1911. Mr. Otto has a beautiful home on East Eleventh street in Brookville. He bought it in 1908, and in 1912 remodeled it, and now has one of the finest homes in the city. He has the unique distinc- tion of having the only home in Brookville which is lighted by a private electric light plant. He has a gasoline engine, dynamo and storage bat- teries, and with this equipment not only lights his house, but furnishes current for cooking, running the washing machine, ironing and many other uses. The family are members of the Methodist church. Fraternally, Mr. Otto is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the German lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Junior Order of American Mechanics.

PLEASANT HACKLEMAN BRADBURN.

A review of the life of the late Pleasant H. Bradburn must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting de- tails of his career and trace his struggles through early manhood to the suc- cesses of his later days would far transcend the limits of this biography. He filled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising men of his day and generation and the memories which attach to his name form no inconsider- able chapter in the history of the community where he did his work and achieved his success. It is sufficient to say that he was eminently entitled to the honorable position he long occupied among the energetic men of his county and that he belonged to that class of men who have helped to make this state one of the best in the union.

Pleasant Hackleman Bradburn was born in Franklin county, Indiana, May 18, 1831, and died at his country home in Brookville township, May 27, 1914. He was a son of Henry and Anna (Hackleman) Bradburn, his

MR. AND MRS. PLEASANT H. BRADBURN.

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father having been born in Cincinnati in 1805, and his mother in Fayette county, Indiana, in the same year. He was one of nine children born to his parents, the others being as follows: John, Isaac, Samuel, Jacob, Eliza- beth, Catherine, Sarah and Joseph. Of this large family of children, Jacob is the only one living.

Jacob Bradburn was born in Franklin county in February, 1836. He married Mary Wilcher and to this union were born five children, Elizabeth, Minnie, Phoebe, Frank and James, deceased. Jacob has been a life-long farmer and is ranked among the successful men of his community. .

Henry Bradburn, the father of Pleasant H., was a son of Dr. John and Sally (Cotton) Bradburn. Dr. Bradburn and his wife were both born in Pennsylvania and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, when there were only three houses in the town. Later Dr. Bradburn moved to Fayette county, Indiana, and still later permanently settled in Franklin county. Dr. Bradburn died at the age of sixty-five, his wife dying in 1853 in this county.

Pleasant H. Bradburn made the successive changes with his parents from Cincinnati to Fayette county and later to Franklin county. He was married in Fayette county and a short time after his marriage located in Brookville township in Franklin county. He became a successful farmer and died about 1888, his widow passing away in 1893. He was a stanch Demo- crat in politics and for many years was a land appraiser in his township.

Pleasant H. Bradburn was educated in the public schools of Franklin county and devoted his whole career to general farming and stock raising. At the time of his death he had three hundred acres of land and his widow is now living on two hundred acres of this large farm. He was successful in everything to which he turned his attention and gradually accumulated the farm which he left at the time of his death. It was not the result of any sudden success, but rather by years of consecutive effort that he attained to a comfortable position in life. He always managed his affairs in such a way as to retain the esteem of all with whom he was associated.

Pleasant H. Bradburn was married in 1853 to Donna Allissa Rodman. She was born in Brookville in 1835 and was one of the first twins born in that town. To Mr. Bradburn and his wife were born seven children: Solo- mon, Martha, Charles, Henry, Edward, James and Lily. These children are now all deceased with the exception of Charles and Lily.

The parents of Mrs. Bradburn were Solomon and Elvira (Hurley) Rodman. Her father was born in Pennsylvania in 1815, and her mother in the same state in 1817. Her father died in California in 1912, her mother

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having passed away in Franklin county in 1894. Solomon Rodman and wife were the parents of twelve children, including three sets of twins: Donna Allissa and Alpine, Alpine and Lavina, Georgiana and John Davis, all twins, and Elizabeth, the others dying at birth. Mr. Rodman was a tailor by trade and located in Brookville in 1834. In politics he was a Republican and he and his wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Bradburn was a member of the Democratic party and for many years served as land appraiser in his township. He was a stanch member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was always interested in the welfare of his denomination. Ever ready to contribute of his means and influence to all objects looking to the advancement of the material, charitable or religious welfare of his community, he was considered one of the most progressive men of the locality and in a large sense was a fine type of the true American citizen.

THOMAS WILKINSON ALLEY.

The history of the great state of Virginia ever will be deeply entwined with the more important incidents in the history of the United States. Virginia has been called "The Mother of Presidents," having furnished to the nation many of its chief executives. The Old Dominion state also has furnished many prominent men to the nation who attained eminence, both in public and private affairs, and many of the early settlers of the middle states came from Virginia. We have inseparably associated the aristocracy of the United States with the early Virginians, and to have been born in that state in the early days was indicative of possession of the real "blue blood," attributed to the first families of the "Old Dominion." Many of the sons and daughters of Virginia have come to Indiana, among whom was the late Thomas Wilkinson Alley, who during his lifetime was one of Franklin county's most valued and influential citizens.

Thomas Wilkinson Alley was born June 7, 1806, in Scott county, Vir- ginia, and died in this county July 10, 1889. His parents were John and Mary (Porter) Alley.

John Alley, father of Thomas W. Alley, was a native of Scott county, Virginia. He married Mary Porter in that state and some time after their marriage came to Indiana and located in Franklin county. They came over- land on horseback, bringing their several children with them. They pitched their tent on the banks of Pipe Creek, at the north edge of Butler township,

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and lived in this primitive abode until they were enabled to build a log cabin. They later obtained a government land grant of one-half section. There were Indians in this part of the state at that time and wild beasts were roam- ing about in great numbers. To John Alley and wife were born the follow- ing children : John, who wrote a prophecy relating to flying machines, which is given below; Susannah, Samuel, Sally, who married John Jones, who was the first man to be buried in the graveyard near the Alley homestead; Fanny, David, Margaret, Anna, Joseph and Thomas Wilkinson. John Alley and his family were members of the Methodist church. Mr. Alley was noted for his industry and was one of that noble class of pioneers whose good influence is felt unto this day in the community in which they wrought so well and so wisely.

Thomas Wilkinson Alley was educated in the public schools of Meta- mora township and also in Brookville Seminary. He walked from his home to Brookville, where he attended school, carrying provisions sufficient to last him for a week. After he was graduated from the seminary he became a school teacher, teaching in the schools of Metamora and Brookville town- ships. He was known as a thorough teacher, possessing a firm grasp on the intricate details of his work. While teaching he devoted his spare time and vacations to the farm. He taught school a number of years and then devoted his exclusive time to his farm in Metamora township, which consisted of two hundred and twenty-eight acres. In addition to his farm interests he en- gaged in the real estate business, in which he met with substantial success. He also served as justice of the peace for many years.

Thomas Wilkinson Alley was twice married. By the union with his first wife, Mary, he had two children, both of whom are now deceased, Addison and James Pollock. Addison died in infancy and James married Julia Martindale, to which union there were born two children, Lelia and Ethel, both of whom, with their mother, live in Indianapolis. Mrs. Mary Alley died September 22, 1839, and on April 20. 1847, Mr. Alley married, secondly, Sarah S. Cooley, who was born March 15, 1828, a daughter of Isaac and Fanny (Alley) Cooley. Her grandfather was David Alley, who, with the uncle of John Alley, father of Thomas Alley, came to Franklin county from Virginia in 1812 and entered land in Metamora township. David K. Alley took up the land that is now in the possession of the Alley family. As was common in those days, it required the utmost struggle to provide a living and pay for the land. David K. Alley lived here his entire life. To his marriage were born the following children: Sarah, Hosea, John, Jane,

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Frances, Mary, Nancy, David, Elizabeth and James. They were members of the Methodist church.

To Thomas W. Alley and wife were born the following children : Omer, who lives in Muncie, Indiana, married to Indiana Pelsor, to whom was born the following children : Leona (deceased), Lettie, Alsie, Nira, Maida, Mary J., Fame (deceased), and Agnes; Lyman, the second child of Thomas W. Alley, is dead; Cassius, living in Indianapolis, married Sarah Bunyard, and to them were born the following children, Clifton, Nellie, Frank, Thomas W. and Kenneth; Elsie, the fourth child of Thomas W. and Sarah S. (Cooley) Alley, lives at home with her widowed mother and manages the farm.

During his life-time, Mr. Alley was an active member and worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and assisted in building the new church at Elm Grove. In politics, he was a stalwart member of the Republican party and was active in the councils of that party in this community, his sound judgment and mature experience giving weight to his counsels, which were regarded as valuable by the party managers in this county.

The Cooley family, to which Mrs. Thomas W. Alley belongs, was one of the most prominent families in this section .. Besides Mrs. Alley, the other children were Sarah S., William, John, David, Isaac and Elizabeth, who died young. The grandfather of Mrs. Thomas W. Alley was Ezra Cooley, who lived the greater part of his lifetime in Dearborn county. His children were Isaac, David, Nancy and Mary.

Mrs. Thomas W. Alley is a woman of many fine attainments and, after the death of her husband she took up the burden of managing the home farm and has met with pronounced success. The death of her husband was a loss that was not only felt very keenly by his immediate family but left a void in the social life of the community, as he was a public-spirited citizen and highly popular among all classes. The Alley family in general in this county always has been regarded as one of the best families in the county and the family of Thomas Wilkinson Alley has constituted one of the best units of the communal life of this section of Indiana.

A PROPHECY.

Below is a prophecy made nearly sixty years ago by John Alley, brother of the late Thomas W. and Samuel Alley, and published in the Indianapolis Star of recent date. In view of the wonderful accomplishments by aviators of the present day the lines seem truly prophetic :

The time long looked for is at hand

When man, grown tired of sea and land,

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On artificial wings shall fly,

And navigate the liquid sky;

Not in balloon made fast to boat,

And only with the winds to float,

But mounted on .a flying car,

He'll steer his course through trackless air-

Cross counter winds, confront the breeze,

And over mountains, lakes, and seas,

Survey all nations with delight-

Outride the eagle in his flight,

And teach the world from Freedom's home,

To every land where man may roam,

The light of science, revelation,

Man's high, eternal destination.

WILLIAM PETER HAMMOND.

The Hammond family was one of the earliest to locate in Franklin county, Indiana, and here William P. Hammond has spent his whole life of more than three score and ten years. The family has been prominent, not only in county affairs, but in the affairs of the state. The father of William P. Hammond was a valiant soldier in the Mexican War, while his father's brother, Abram, was a governor of Indiana. William P. Ham- mond has devoted his active life to general farming and now owns one hundred and twenty-three acres of fine land in Metamora township, where he lives.

William Peter Hammond, the son of John G. and Charlotte (Davis) Hammond, was born February 6, 1844, in Metamora township. His par- ents reared a family of nine children, Nathaniel, who died at the age of twenty-one; Abram, William Peter, with whom this narrative deals; Sarah, who became the wife of Nathan Force; John J., who married Maria Mat- hews; two children, who died in infancy; Robert, who married Clarissa Bright, and Augustia, who became the wife of Henry Lacy.

John G. Hammond, the father of William P. was born in Vermont in 1800 and came with his parents, Nathaniel Hammond and wife to Franklin county, Indiana early in its history. Nathaniel Hammond and wife had four children, Abram, David, William and John G. Abram Ham- mond was elected lieutenant-governor in the fall of 1856 at the time Ash-

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bel T. Willard was elected governor. Governor Willard died October 3, 1860, and Lieutenant-Governor Hammond succeeded him as governor and served out the unexpired term. John G., the father of William P. Ham- mond married Charlotte Davis after coming to this county. She was born in South Carolina, and was a daughter of Francis and Sarah Davis. John G. Hammond was in the Mexican War in the latter part of the forties, and was twice wounded while in the service.

William Peter Hammond spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Metamora township. The subscription schools of that day afforded him the only schooling he received, but he has supplemented his early schooling by careful reading and close observation. After his marriage he located on a farm in the township, where he was reared and now owns one hundred and twenty-three acres on which he carries on a general system of farm- ing and stock raising.

Mr. Hammond was married to Elizabeth Lacy, who was born in 1845, a daughter of Eli and Frances Lacy. To this union have been born three children, Hattie, William H. and John G. Jr. Hattie was born September 2, 1866. William H., who was born January 29, 1869, married Leola Jones, and has four children, Blanche, Maude, Taft and Gladys. John G. Jr. was born May 17, 1871. The mother of these children is now deceased.

The Republican party has always claimed the hearty support of Wil- liam P. Hammond, and in its welfare he has always taken an active in- terest. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

GUS C. BAITHER.

Born and reared in Brookville, Indiana, Gus C. Baither has spent prac- tically his entire life in this city. Like many of the other young men of Brookville, he started to work in the furniture factory when a young man, and later worked in a furniture factory at Connorsville, Indiana, for a few years. He served in the Spanish-American war in 1898, and has since lived in Brookville, with the exception of a short time when he was in business in Bloomfield, Indiana. He now has a modern variety store in Brookville, and has built up a business which insures him a very comfortable income.

Gus C. Baither, the son of Christ and Louisa (Prifogle) Baither, was born in Brookville, Indiana, February 4, 1875. His father was born in

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Bavaria, Germany in 1849, and died at Brookville in 1901. His mother was born in Franklin county, Indiana, and died in Brookville in 1909.

Christ Baither, the father of Gus C., served an apprenticeship in the tanner's trade in his native land and, when about twenty-one years of age, came to America and located in Cincinnati, where he followed his trade. Shortly afterward he moved to Brookville, Indiana, married and started a tannery in partnership, and continued in that business until his death in 1909. The paternal grandparents of Gus C. Baither lived all their days in Bavaria, Germany, and his maternal grandparents, William and Mary Prifogle, were also born and reared in Germany. His maternal grandpar- ents came to America, however, and located in Pennsylvania, remaining there a few years before settling in Franklin county, Indiana.

Gus C. Baither was one of twelve children born to his parents, and received his education in the schools of his native city. When a boy he began to work in the Brookville furniture factory in the finishing depart- ment. He worked there for several years, and then went to Connersville, Indiana, where he continued in the same line of work in a furniture fac- tory in that city. In 1898, at the opening of the Spanish-American war, he enlisted in Company H, First Regiment Heavy Artillery of the United States regular army. He served for three years, being stationed most of the time at Fort Barancas and Fort Pickens, Florida. After he was honor- ably discharged from the service he returned to Brookville and worked for a short time in the furniture factory. Later he engaged in business in partnership with Eugene Bates at Bloomfield, Indiana, where they opened a variety store, but after conducting the store in that place for eight months, they transferred it to Brookville. Two years later Mr. Baither bought out his partner's interest in the store, and has since carried on the business alone. He has gradually enlarged his stock, and now has a store which will compare with any in cities of this size in the state.

Mr. Baither was married in August, 1906 to Katherine Fritz, who was born in Brookville township, and is a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Fritz. Her father is deceased, but her mother is still living in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Baither are the parents of three children: Edna, born in June, 1908; Maynard, born in November, 1911, and Ruth, born April I, 1913.

Mr. Baither has always taken an active interest in Democratic poli- tics, and in the fall of 1914 was elected assessor of Brookville township. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men. Mr. Baither is a progressive and enterprising citizen, and stands high in the estimation of those who know him.

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WILLIAM JONES.

One of the Civil War veterans of Franklin county who is still enjoying good health is William Jones, whose whole life of more than seventy years has been spent in Franklin county. He enlisted when a youth of eighteen and during his service at the front passed through harrowing experiences. After the close of the war he was in the timber business in this county for a few years and then engaged in general farming in Metamora township, which vocation he has since followed.

William Jones, the son of John B. and Elizabeth (Gloshen) Jones, was born in Metamora township, July 23, 1844. His father was born in Virginia in 1828 and was one of the early settlers of Franklin county. He married in this county and he and his worthy wife reared a large family of children, among whom were the following: Mary Jane, who married Jacob Risk; William, with whom this narrative deals; Esther Ann, who became the wife of William Wilson; Anna, who married William S. Lacy ; Catherine, the wife of William Lang; Kosciusko, who married Phoebe Bradburn; Her- man, who married Belle Lewis; Charles, who married Anna Bates; Kappa, who became the wife of Ellis White; Michael, who died at the age of four- teen, and several others who died in early childhood.

John B. Jones, the father of William, was educated in the public schools of Virginia land came with his parents to Franklin county when a young man. He farmed all of his life in Metamora township and at one time owned two hundred acres of choice land. At the time of his death he had one hundred and twenty acres. The father of John B. Jones was Isaac Jones, who was probably born in Virginia. His wife was Jane Osbourn and to their union were born ten children: Squire, John B., Elizabeth, William Cregg, Jane, Isaac M., Lettie, James, Obed and David.

William Jones was educated in the public schools of Brookville township and remained at home until he was eighteen years of age. He enlisted in the service of his country August 12, 1862, at Brookville, as a member of Com- pany G, Sixty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Shortly after going to the front he was captured by the Confederates in Kentucky, along with some of his comrades, and was kept a prisoner for three weeks before being exchanged. He was shortly afterwards stricken with typhoid fever and was given a furlough until he could recover. He went home and as soon as he recovered he returned to his regiment at Louisville, Kentucky. Among many other battles he was in the engagements at Mumfordsville,

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 65

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