History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 73

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 73

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The following is a brief sketch of one who, by close attention to busi- ness, has achieved a pleasing degree of success in the world's affairs and who occupies an honorable position among the enterprising men of the coun- ty with which his interests are identified.

Evan Jackson DeArmond is a native of the Buckeye state, born in But- ler county, Ohio, on September 21, 1855, a son of Alexander Harden and Isabella (Jenkins) DeArmond, both natives of the county above mentioned. Alexander DeArmond was a son of King and Hannah (Harden) DeAr- mond, while subject's mother was the child of Evan and Isabella (Handley ) Jenkins. For many years they lived at Okeana, Ohio, and both died there. They were farmers, as were also subject's paternal grandparents. Alexan- der Harden DeArmond, father of our immediate subject received his school- ing in the early district schools of his native county (Butler) and lived there until about 1875, when he moved to Franklin county, Indiana. He secured a location in Whitewater township and there passed the remainder of his days. He was a man of industrious habits and one who was highly respected by a large circle of friends. While living in Butler county, Ohio, he served as assessor of Morgan township for a number of years. He was the father of four children, namely: William Harrison and Hannah Jane, both deceased; Samuel King and Evan Jackson, our immediate subject.

Evan DeArmond received his education in the district schools of his home county in Ohio and from early youth was trained to the work of a farm home. After attaining maturity, he farmed for several years and then started a huckster route to Cincinnati. In this work he continued for eighteen years, meeting with marked success. However, he wearied of the routine of his business and settled down at Mount Carmichael, where he purchased a stock of goods and for seven years followed the life of a mer- chant.

Mr. DeArmond has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah F. Stansbury, with whom he united in marriage in 1881. To their union were born two children: Maude Evert and Minnie Jolliff, the mother's death occurring April 30, 1905. Mr. DeArmond remarried on March 29, 1913, choosing as his wife Mrs. Elizabeth Ruth (Roudebush) Klemm, daughter of Henry and Sarah J. (Simonson) Roudebush, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter born in Ohio. Henry Roudebush was a son of John and Mary (Hersh) Roudebush, who came from Pennsylvania with their family and located in Dearborn county, this state, where they

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farmed for a number of years and where both died. Sarah J. Simonson, mother of subject's second wife, was a daughter of Aaron and Margaret (Passmore) Simonson, who lived their entire lives in the vicinity of Harri- son, on the border between Indiana and Ohio. Henry Roudebush, who throughout his life was a farmer and dairyman, was the father of eleven children. Sarah J. Simonson, his first wife, was born in 1843 and died in 1865, leaving two small children at the time of her death. These were Emeline Roser and Elizabeth Ruth, wife of Mr. DeArmond. Mr. Roude- bush's second wife was Priscilla Owens, who was the mother of nine chil- dren, namely : Anna (deceased), John, Jacob, Mina (Mrs. Cleaver), Louise (Mrs. Riner), William, Vergiline (Mrs. Pierson), Irene (Mrs. Hutcheson) and Emmert. Mr. Roudebush died in 1908 at the age of seventy-four years. Mrs. DeArmond was the mother of two children by her first marriage: Emma Elizabeth, deceased, and Clyde Henry. Her first husband, John J. Klemm, died October 15, 1896.

Mr. DeArmond has made his influence for good felt in his home com- munity, being a man of sterling worth. While giving his main efforts to promoting his own interests, he has always been ready to shoulder his re- sponsibility as a citizen and perform his part toward advancing the general welfare of the community. Genial and unassuming in his relations with his fellowmen, he has won and retains the confidence and good will of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

PARRY CLINTON SHERA.

One of the largest land owners and most successful farmers and stock raisers of Franklin county, Indiana, is Parry Clinton Shera, whose whole career has been spent within the limits of this county. He has a beautiful country home and one of the best improved farms in this section of Indiana.

Parry Clinton Shera, the son of James and Jane (Johnston) Shera, was born in Laurel township, Franklin county, Indiana, September 28, 1858. His father was born in Springfield township, Franklin county, Indiana, De- cember 28, 1832, and died in Franklin county, Indiana, October 2, 1912. His mother was born in Franklin county in 1838 and died July 6, 1912.

James Shera, the father of Parry C., was reared in Franklin county, Indiana. He married January 20, 1856, while living at College Corner, Ohio. and later settled in Fayette county, Indiana, later moving to Franklin county, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres, to which he gradually

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added until at his death he owned three hundred and twenty acres of well- improved land. He was a Republican in politics and took an active part in the civic life of his community while living in this county. After establish- ing his farm in Franklin county he moved to Connersville, Indiana, and from 1881 until his death was engaged in the dry goods business in that city. James Shera and wife were the parents of four children, three of whom are deceased : Allie, who died October, 1914; Emma, who died at the age of eighteen; and Lydia, who died at the age of four. Parry C. is the only one of these children living.

The paternal grandparents of Parry C. Shera were Caleb and Sallie (Shaffer) Shera, the former of whom was born in Ireland and came to Pennsylvania with his parents when he was twelve years of age. Later has parents located in Butler county, Ohio, where he met and married his wife, who had been born in eastern Pennsylvania and moved with her par- ents to Butler county, Ohio. They passed the remainder of their days in Butler county, Ohio, grandfather Shera dying at the age of eighty and his wife when she was about seventy-two years of age. The maternal grand- parents of Parry C. Shera were Lucas and Rachel Johnston, the former of whom was born in New York state and came to Fayette county, Indiana, early in its history and settled in Columbia township. He married after coming to this state and later in life moved to Laurel, where he spent the remainder of his life. The members of the Johnston family were stanch members of the Methodist church.

Parry C. Shera was educated in the public schools of Laurel and since his marriage in 1881 has been engaged in farming. In that year his father moved to Connersville and engaged in business and he has been on the home farm since that time. Being the only child, he has inherited his father's farm and by good management he has increased it until he now owns five hundred acres. He has a beautiful country home, colonial in style, and everything about the farm indicates that he is a man of thrift and taste. He is an extensive feeder of live stock for the market and annually markets and sells several carloads of cattle.

Mr. Shera has been twice married. He was first married September 28, 1881, to Glendora Norris, who died in 1887, leaving one son, Evan, born in 1883, who is now a farmer of Laurel township, and who married Pauline Ensminger.

Mr. Shera was married, secondly, November 20, 1889, to Sallie Ben- nett, who was born in Laurel, Indiana, the daughter of James and Elizabeth Bennett, both of whom are still living in Laurel. To this second union have been born two children, Frances, born in January, 1895, and now a

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student in the Muncie high school, and Alice, born in 1903, who is attend- ing school at home.

Mr. Shera is a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church, his wife being also a member of the same denomination. He is a trustee of the church and has taken an active interest in all of the different departments of church and Sunday school work. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a Republican, in the local campaigns of which party he takes as much interest as the manifold duties connected with the management of his large farm will permit, his excellent business judgment giving to his counsels a degree of weight which is recognized by the local managers of the party. In all movements directed toward the bet- terment of local conditions Mr. Shera takes a close interest and is very properly regarded as among the leading residents of his part of the county.

EDWIN DUBOIS.

The cultivation of the soil is conceded by all thoughtful persons to be the noblest occupation of mankind. To no other occupation is given greater opportunities of serving humanity. It is the basis of all other industries, for upon the farmer depends the welfare of the nation. Among the many promi- nent farmers of Franklin county is Edwin Dubois of Bath township, who has lived in this county practically his entire life.

Edwin Dubois was born.in Union county, Indiana, July 25, 1858, the son of William Newton, and Emeline (Sumpter) Dubois, both of whom were natives of this county. Edwin Dubois was the first of the four children of William and Emeline Dubois, the others being Ellen, Elizabeth and Morton. Elizabeth, the third child, died in infancy.

William Newton Dubois, father of Edwin Dubois, was always rated as a substantial citizen of this county, where he still lives at a ripe old age, respected by all who know him. He was born in Union county, Indiana, June 19, 1834, the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Wright) Dubois, the former of whom was born in New Jersey, September 23, 1798, the latter being a native of Indiana. William N. Dubois received his early education in the common schools of Union county and spent his early youth on his father's farm, where he learned the basic principles of farming, a vocation which he followed during the greater part of his life. After his marriage he pur- chased the farm on which he now lives in Bath township, a place of one hundred and twenty acres, upon which he moved in 1864. He immediately

MR. AND MRS. EDWIN DUBOIS.

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proceeded to improve this place, erecting a new house and remodelling the barns. His farm, known as "Sunshine Farm," is widely admired as a model of thoroughness of equipment and modern convenience. William N. Dubois married Emeline Sumpter, a daughter of James and Rachael (Himelick) " Sumpter, who were among the earliest settlers in Union county. Emeline (Sumpter) Dubois, mother of Edwin Dubois, was born on the old Himelick farm, now a part of Bath township, and died July 31, 1892, survived by her husband and four children, and mourned by a wide and admiring circle of acquaintances. Mr. and Mrs. William Dubois were of the wholesome type of good citizens who gave to the community in which they lived an atmos- phere of solidity which will leave its impress for generations.

Edwin Dubois received his early education in Union county. His early training gave him the vigorous discipline of the average boy who is raised on the farm. He has lived practically the entire time since moving here on the farm purchased by his father.

In 1880 he was married to Emily Alice Miller, a daughter of Noah and Melinda (Jones) Miller. Mrs. Dubois was born February 5, 1859, and was reared where the present farm of Frank Shafer is, in Bath township. Her mother was born December 12, 1823, on the Abram Jones farm, now occu- pied by Earl Myers in Bath township. She was a sister of Abram B. Jones, a prominent farmer of this county. Noah Miller, the father of Mrs. Edwin Dubois, died about fifty years ago. He was conspicuous in his advocacy of all measures for the public good and took a prominent part in the political affairs of his day. He was elected to and served a term in the Indiana State Legislature and also served as township trustee. He was an ardent Demo- crat and stood high in the councils of that party. His children were Clarissa (deceased), John (deceased), Alford, Sarah Elizabeth, Edward, Emily Alice, wife of Edwin Dubois: Addie and Viola, the latter of whom is now dead.

To Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Dubois have been born five children, Harry Earnest, born June 29, 1881, who died January 27, 1913; Omer Roswell, August 17, 1885; Ada Maude, December 1, 1886; Vern Raymond, December 27, 1889, died October 13, 1890, and Newton Lester, January 22, 1895, who died October 2, 1897.

Edwin Dubois is a public-spirited citizen. He is a man of affairs in his community, popular wherever known and greatly admired for his many ex- cellent qualities. Mrs. Edwin Dubois has a wide circle of friends and takes an active part in the social affairs of this community. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Dubois and family occupy a prominent place among the most substantial families of this county.

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ALLISON LOPER.

One of the most interesting citizens of this county is Allison Loper. His life presents many interesting incidents and from the time he was fifteen years old, when he learned the blacksmith trade, to the present time his career has been one of the greatest activity and usefulness, and one that might set a fine example for the youth of this community.

Allison Loper was born near the village of Fairfield in the year of 1841, and is a son of Oliver and Hester (Baxter) Loper, his father having been born in New Jersey and his mother in Ohio. His paternal grandfather, who was Oliver Loper, early moved to this community and located at Fairfield, where he lived in the house now occupied by Mr. Loper, and is the same house in which his parents were married. His grandfather was a teamster by occupation and with his son, Oliver, went many times to Cincinnati, which was a common trip in those early days by wagon. These trips were always fraught with the greatest of adventure, and many times they were followed by wild animals. Mr. Loper's father, Oliver Loper, Jr., followed the occupation of teamster for a great many years. He died in this county when Allison Loper was but five years old. Mr. Loper's maternal grand- parents were Lewis and Catherine Baxter, who came from Ohio, but later located at Richmond, Indiana. Mr. Baxter early learned the trade of brick- layer, which occupation he followed for some time. He was survived by two sons who later came to this community.

Allison Loper was educated in the public schools of this county, attend- ing the little brick school where the present Fairfield school is now located. On the death of Mr. Loper's father his mother was confronted with the serious problem of making a living not only for herself, but for her family which was quite large. However, being an industrious woman and above all, a very good mother, she committed herself to the task of keeping her little family together. Allison Loper started to work and began learning the blacksmith trade under Samuel Rose and A. B. Smith, of Fairfield. After completing his time as an apprentice at his trade, he became a jour- neyman, following this for several months, when he engaged with John Herron in the trade of ironing carriages at the factory in Fairfield. He later formed a partnership with his former employer. Samuel Rose, and ironed and repaired buggies and carriages for a period of ten years. At the end of that time he embarked in the blacksmithing business alone and established a shop where he remained for twenty-eight years, making a total of fifty-three years' employment at his trade.

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In 1867, Mr. Loper was married to Martha J. Curry, a native of Fay- ette county, Indiana. Her father was Thomas F. Curry, who was born in Virginia, the son of Thomas and Elsie (Gordon) Curry, both of whom were also natives of Virginia and were of Irish descent. Thomas F. Curry came with his parents and located on Duck Creek, where they were pioneer farmers and were noted for their industry. They later moved to Fayette county, Indiana, where they died. Thomas Curry, the father of Mr. Curry, went to Fayette county, Indiana, when quite young, where he became a prom- inent farmer. He also served as superintendent of the county poor farm for three years, this infirmary serving for Fayette, Union and Franklin coun- ties. He married Catherine Whitaker, also a native of Virginia, the daugh- ter of Isaac and Nancy (Miller) Whitaker, of the same state. Isaac Whit- aker was of German descent. He served in the War of 1812, and later came west and located in Franklin county, Indiana. The Whitakers were considered among the most aristocratic families of Virginia. Isaac Whit- aker followed the trade of saddler. A sister of Mrs. Allison Loper has in her possession a set of spoons made from the silver of his saddle; solid silver ornaments being common in the early days before the manufacture of substitutes began.

Mr. and Mrs. Loper are the parents of the following children: Grace G., who married F. C. Goodwin, a dentist of Portsmouth, Ohio; Harry, who died when only six months old; Anna M., who married Charles L. Spencer, a shoe merchant of Portsmouth, Ohio; Herbert Baxter, a dentist located in the Colonial Building, Richmond, Indiana, who married Rhea I .. Hutchinson, and Lucile, now Mrs. Steven J. Burk, of Harrison, Ohio, whose husband is the president of the First National Bank, of that place.

Mr. and Mrs. Loper were members of the Universalist church, of Fayette county, Indiana, and Mr. Loper was trustee for some time of his church here before it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Loper is a Democrat in politics and has been active in the affairs of his party for many years. He served as township trustee for a period of eight years, serving the citizens of Fairfield township with satisfaction to all concerned. At this time there is not a family living in Fairfield who were living at that place when Mr. and Mrs. Loper were married. Mr. Loper is the last of his father's family . living, and takes a keen interest in all the affairs of the day and has always been devoted to the best interests of this county and its people.

Mrs. Loper's family, the Curry family, have lately received documents that make them eligible to the order of Sons and Daughters of the Revolu- tion, and some of her sister's children have already become members.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

SYLVESTER M. SEAL.

Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Franklin county, Indiana, none stand higher in the esteem of their fellow citizens than Syl- vester M. Seal. He has long been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county and the years of his residence here have but served to strength- en the feeling of admiration on the part of his fellow men owing to the hon- orable life he has led and the worthy example he has set the younger genera- tion.

Sylvester M. Seal was born in Brookville township, Franklin county, Indiana, July 5, 1853, and was the son of Henry Harrison and Lydia (Meyers) Seal. His father was born in Pennsylvania and his mother in Shannon, Ohio. He was one of twelve children born to his parents, Har- riet, who married Joseph Shafer; Eliza, who married first Isaac M. Smalley · by whom she had one son, Burton H | Smalley, and second, William Murphy ; Ira, who married Mary Davis; Sylvester, whose history is given here; Mar- tha Eldora, who became the wife of Willis Stout; Jane, who married Wesley Holden ; Frank E., a physician of Brookville, Indiana, and who married Dora Quick; James, who married Flora Schultz; she now deceased, then married Dora Long; William, Jolin, George and one who died in infancy. John was sheri of Franklin county from 1862 to 1866. He died in 1896.

The paternal grandparents of Sylvester M. Seal were William and Eliza Seal, both of whom came to Indiana from Pennsylvania. His paternal great-grandfather was Joseph Seal, who came from Pennsylvania and lo- cated in Ohio in 1801. Seven years later he moved to Cincinnati. He was one of the patriots who fought for American independence in the War of the Revolution. During the war he received two severe wounds, one in the face and another in the hip, these wounds causing him much trouble. He finally settled on Big Cedar creek near Mt. Carmel, where his death oc- curred at the age of ninety-six years. William Seal, the paternal grand- father of Sylvester M., was born in 1742 and died in 1837 at the age of ninety-five. He owned and operated a distillery on the bank of Big Cedar creek and accumulated considerable property. The family were of Quaker origin. He and his wife were the parents of six children, Hannah, Harriet, Eliza, Henry Harrison, John and William. The maternal grandparents of Sylvester M. Seal were John and Harriet (Bricount) Meyers, natives of Ohio. At an early day they located on a farm in Springfield township, Franklin county, Indiana, where he died in 1840. His widow later moved to White county, where she lived the remainder of her life, her death oc- curring in 1874.

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When Henry Harrison Seal was a boy a band of Indians visited his father's cabin, begging for whiskey. The request was refused and the Indians became angry and carried away the lad, Henry. A party of neigh- bors immediately organized and started on the trail of the redskins, deter- mined to recapture the child. The Indians were overtaken near Indianap- olis and the stolen child was found, being carried on the back of a squaw. The child's captors were not inclined to surrender the boy and were not persuaded to do so until they were presented with various trinkets. When nineteen years of age, Henry H. Seal conducted a distillery which he man- aged until his marriage on April 15, 1837. Mr. Seal was married to Lydia Meyers, the daughter of John and Harriet Meyers. Lydia Meyers was born in 1819 and she and her husband lived happily together for sixty-one years, when she died May 27, 1896. When she came with her husband to his new farm in 1837, only ten acres of the land were cleared and they made their home in a rude log cabin. Their market for many years was Cincinnati, where they hauled their produce by wagon. After living for two years on the farm he erected a barn and later put up a brick house which took the place of the old log house. The original small farm was gradually enlarged until it contained three hundred acres. Henry H. Seal cast his first vote for General Jackson and continued through life to vote the Democratic ticket. He was the justice of the peace from 1862 to 1870. Henry H. Seal was born in Miami, Ohio, February 16, 1813, the son of William and Eliza (Owens) Seal. He continued to work the distillery of his father and sent the whiskey to New Orleans on a raft down the Mississ- ippi river. He was a member of the Universalist church.

Sylvester M. Seal received his early education in the local schools and all of his life has lived in the same township, living for the last eight years on the old homestead, where he has one hundred and ninety-three acres. He is a practical farmer, devoting his land to stock raising and to general farming.

He was married December 24, 1874 to Sarah V. Millspaugh, of Spring- field township. She is the daughter of Molbury S. and Susan (Hinds) Millspaugh. Mr. Seal and his wife are the parents of five children : Clifford H., Oppie Logan, Charles G., Raymond M. and Retta F.

Mr. Seal has always been active in politics, being affiliated with the Democratic party. He has been prominent officially, having been held the following offices: County supervisor for four years, constable for four years and school director for twelve years. He and his family are active and consistent members of the Christian church. His excellent farm and well kept stock are material evidence of his thrift and keen business ability.

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CHARLES TRUMAN JONES.

The history of our state is contained in comparatively recent years, as history goes. It is the story of the steady and healthy growth of a com- munity started in a wilderness not much more than a century ago and it has reached its wonderful present state of development without other aids than those of continued industry and wise management. Each county in the state has borne its burden of the earlier days and each has played a part which has entered into the history of the state. The history of any county, state or country is, after all, only a record of the doings of its people and the pioneers of our own state occupy places of no little importance. While there was not much that was out of the ordinary, or much that was spectacu- lar in a great way among our earlier citiens, there was something still better than that in the quiet, plain and honest lives that were lived, each one brave- ly meeting his own battles and every life, no matter how humble, adding its part to the wholesome upbuilding of a community. Charles Truman Jones, the immediate subject of this sketch, is one of the leading farmers and stock-men of his community and can well point with pride to the record left by his forbears.

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 73

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