USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 74
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Our subject is a son of Philip Tenley and Lydia (Goff) Jones and was born on the farm where he now resides in Bath township, Franklin county, Indiana, on the 28th day of January, 1867. He received his education at the Mixersville school near his home and from his earliest boyhood was in- structed by a wise father in the management of farm work and was, there- fore, well fitted to assume a man's place in this vocation long before he had reached his majority. Mr. Jones was married on January 26, 1887 to Flora R. Alexander, daughter of Bush R. and Mary (Waterson) Alexander. Their union has been blessed with two children, the elder of whom is Orin T., located on a farm in Bath township. Orin T. married Ida Ludwig. Ida, the younger child, is the wife of Albert Dubois of Union county, this state, and she is the mother of one child, Janet Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are considered among the leading citizens of their community and are interested in the welfare of those about them. She is a member of the Presbyterian church and a woman of broad sympathies and kindly heart. Politically, Mr. Jones gives his support to the Democrat party and takes an active interest in local affairs. He has served on the advisory board of Bath township and also the county council.
Philip Tenley Jones, father of our immediate subject, was a finely educated man for this community in his day, and later in life was one of the
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leading men of these parts. He was born on February 5, 1820 and lived until March 17, 1907. He was a son of Abraham Jones and a brother of Abraham B. Jones, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Philip Tenley Jones was born at Cincinnati, or Bath township, the exact location not being defintely known, and in his youth attended the early subscription schools of that locality. Later he went to Liberty, this state, where he took the high school work and studied civil engineering to some extent. After finishing his studies there, he engaged in teaching school for twenty years, and also did some surveying. He remained under the paternal roof until 1843, the time of his first marriage, when he and his bride set up their home in a little cabin on the father's farm. He at that time decided to live the life of a farmer and assumed charge of a forty-acre tract of land located in Union county, and which was given him by his father at the time of his marriage. The elder Jones gave each of his children a tract of land and thus started them out in life for themselves. Philip managed his forty-acre farm for seven years, in which time he had greatly improved it and then sold it to advantage and purchased land in Bath township and in 1862 he purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in the same township and there passed the remainder of his life. He employed the most up-to-date methods of which his time boasted in the operation of his farm and met with excellent success. Good buildings were erected and in every respect it was a model farm home. It is now occupied by his son Charles, the subject of this review.
Philip T. Jones was twice married, his first wife being Caroline Girton who was born in Butler county, Ohio, and whose father was Jacob Girton, a wealthy merchant and farmer of that county. In later life he came to Shelby county, this state, and there passed his remaining days. To Philip T. Jones by his first wife were born three children, two of whom died in infancy, the remaining one being Benjamin who in earlier life was a farmer and later in the implement business in Frankton, Madison county, this state, where he still lives. The first Mrs. Philip T. Jones died on March II, 1861, and just one year from that day Mr. Jones united in marriage with Mrs. Lydia (Goff) Bourne. By her former marriage she had had two daugh- ters, Lorinda and Lucy, and these little girls Mr. Jones reared as his own. All have passed into the Great Beyond. To Mr. Jones by his second wife were born five children, as follows : Orin H., who died while young; Morton P., a farmer living in Union county ; the third child in order of birth was Charles T., our subject; the fourth child was Benton, who died when an infant and the youngest of the family is Arthur H., who resides at Ander- son, Indiana, where he is engaged in the practice of law. The mother of
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this family died on March 28, 1899. She was a woman of tender sym- pathies, ever ready to lend a helping hand to all in need and her death was regretted by a large circle of warm friends. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones were earnest members of the Baptist church and ordered their lives in ac- cordance with its teachings.
Some interesting stories have been handed down in the family con- cerning the early history in this country of our subject's mother's people. She was a Goff and her paternal grandfather was William Goff, a native of Ireland, who came to America during the colonial days preceding the Revolution and during that war he was employed by the government as a ship carpenter. Shortly after coming to this country he married Prudence Passenter, a courageous colonial maid and during the time he was in the service of his adopted country, she operated a grist mill, thus rendering à man's service to the colonists. After the close of the Revolution he decided to come further westward into the country and, accordingly, in 1804, he came to Hamilton county, Ohio, where he purchased land and was a farmer the rest of his days. After coming to Ohio and at a very early day in the history of this section, he entered land in Bath township this county and upon that tract his son John afterward located, John being the maternal grandfather of Charles Truman Jones, our subject. The other children in that family were William, Lydia (Mrs. Crippin), Hannah, wife of J. Ap- plegate; Sarah (Mrs. Bateman), and another daughter, who married a Garrison.
John Goff, as mentioned above, was the maternal grandfather of our subject and was born in New Jersey previous to the time his parents located in Hamilton county, Ohio. He was ten years old when the move was made and grew to manhood in that state. When a young man he came to this state and settled for a time in Rush county, where he erected a small dis- tillery and sold whiskey to the Indians who were still in that section. He married in this state and located on the land which his father had entered from the government in Bath township. It was still in a virgin state and he erected a small cabin in a little clearing and commenced the gigantic task of redeeming the land for farming purposes from the grasp of the forest. He raised flax and from his own sheep gathered the wool which his indus- trious wife spun into linen and wool threads and then wove into material for clothing for her family. We of to-day can little appreciate the labors of the early and persevering pioneers of this section who had to depend on the work of their own hands for everything that was needed in the home. Mr. Goff's wife before her marriage was Lucy Johnson, a native of Kentucky.
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Her parents were Edward and Margaret (Dunn) Johnson, the latter having come to Kentucky from Pennsylvania. They were married in Kentucky and came to Indiana territory about the year 1805, locating first in Dear- born county, but about two years later they came to Franklin county and settled on land on which the present town of Laurel is located. Mr. John- son entered land from the government, some of which is still in the posses- sion of his heirs. The Johnson family consisted of John, Edward, Demire, Lemuel, William, Phoebe and Lucy, who married John Goff. To John and Lucy (Johnson) Goff twelve children were born: Prudence, Phoebe, John J., William, Edward, Wesley, Lucy A., Margaret, Sarah, Lydia who first mar- ried H. Bourne and whose second husband was Philip Tenley Jones; James B., and Adeline.
John Goff was an ardent Democrat and at a time too when that party was not in such high favor. At one time he cast the only vote for that party in Bath township and in 1824, when General Jackson was that party's presidential candidate, he cast one of the three votes for him in this town- ship. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and did much to advance the interests of that religious society in the early days of this section.
WILLIAM KUEHN.
To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and re- spected, even from childhood, deserves more than mere mention. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy, and even remain in the hearts of friends and neighbors, but such examples are rare, but to the man who in a quiet, humble way, day after day, keeps quietly and steadfastly on in his appointed task, attaining a moderate degree of success and retaining the respect and confidence of all who know him, much more praise is due. Such men are the bone and sinew of a nation and that nation is blessed which can point to many such sons.
William Kuehn, the immediate subject of this sketch, is a native son of this county, born in Highland township on May 3, 1863, a son of Jacob and Christina (Siebel) Kuehn, both of whom were natives of the German em- pire. However, their marriage took place in this country, as John, subject's father, was brought to this country by his parents who located in this county. He was between eighteen and twenty years old when he left his native land, and had been well educated along general lines. He devoted his energies to farming after becoming located here and had an excellent farm of one
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hundred and fifty-five acres which he cleared and greatly improved and there his family was reared. Subject's mother came to this country about the same time the father did, being brought here by her parents who located at Hamburg, this state. The father was a cooper by trade and followed this the remainder of his life.
Our subject was one of a family of ten children, namely: Elizabeth, Margaret, Henry, Daniel, Louise Elizabeth, William (our subject), Thomas, Mary, John Jacob and Philip Frederick. The parents of this family were devoted Lutherans and reared their children most carefully in the teachings and tenets of that church.
William Kuehn was educated in the schools of Highland township, this county, and during his spare time assisted the father in the work of the home farm. After attaining his majority he started out in life for himself and located on a farm about eight miles west of Connersville. There he remained for some time and then for the next six years was employed by Peter Worst as a teamster. He decided, however, that he could do this work just as well on his own responsibility, so for sixteen years he gave his attention to teaming exclusively. During all that time he lived in Brook- ville, but divided his time between that city and Elwood, working at the latter place from March to June and from June to October in his home town. In 1906 he purchased a farm of sixty acres in Brookville township, where he has since made his home and carried on general farming. He has great- ly improved the place since coming there and follows up-to-date methods in his work.
Mr. Kuehn has been thrice married. His first wife was Miss Anna Elizabeth Stang, of Brookville township, who bore him two children : George Jacob, born May 22, 1896, and Katie Elizabeth born on January 9, 1899. He was married the second time in 1901 to Elizabeth Lohrey, by whom he had one son. Clarence Daniel, born on April 17, 1905. The present Mrs. Kuehn was Mrs. Minnie (Grimme) Prifogel, with whom subject united in marriage on October 20, 1906.
Frederick S. Grimme, father of Mrs. Kuehn, was a native of Hanover. Germany, and died on December 29, 1901, at his home in this county at the age of seventy-two years. Upon coming to America, he came almost di- rectly to this county, locating in Highland township, where he farmed all the rest of his days. In his native land he had mastered the shoemaker's trade, but did not follow it in this country. He married Hannah Kurse before emigrating to this country, she being the only one of her family to leave her native land. Her death occurred in May of 1907, when she was seventy-two years old. Mr. Grimme owned a fine farm of two hundred
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acres in Highland township, this county, and there he raised his family. There were originally six children, of whom five grew to maturity. They are : Henry W., Emma, Amelia, Minnie M. (wife of Mr. Kuehn), Mary Wagner and Vina, a little child who died at the age of two years. The Grimme family were earnest and consistent members of the Lutheran church and have so continued to be. The present Mrs. Kuehn was first married on October 9, 1894 to James Prifogle and to them was born one child, Hazel A., who first saw the light of day on December 7, 1896.
Politically, Mr. Kuehn supports the Democratic party and while resid- ing in Brookville, he was a member of the town board for four years. He is a man of quiet and genial temperament, who has a host of friends throughout the county.
JOSIAH ELWELL.
Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Franklin county, Indiana, none stands higher in the esteem of their fellow citizens than does the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch. For many years he was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in his county and having won a competence has now retired from the active duties of life and is able to pass his declining years in pleasant retirement. Owing to the energy and ambition he has displayed throughout his life and the worthy example of honorable living he has set before the younger generation, he is held in high esteem by those who know him best.
Josiah Elwell was born in Bath township, Franklin county, Indiana, on August 1, 1847, a son of William and Phoebe (Murphy) Elwell, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. His mother was born on May 6, 1809 and was brought to this township and county by her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Hitchner) Murphy in 1818, when she was nine years old. They entered land in Bath township, their original holdings being what is now known as the Isaac Howell farm and containing one hundred and sixty acres. Jacob Murphy, father of Samuel, accompanied his son to this state and as- sisted him in clearing up the land, getting it in proper shape for cultiva- tion, erecting the home, etc., and passed the remainder of his days with them.
William Elwell, father of subject, was also born in New Jersey. but did not come to this state until he had attained his majority, when he lo- cated in Franklin county on the farm on which Josiah Elwell now resides. This contains sixty-eight acres and part of the original homestead is still standing. After coming to this county he married Phoebe (Murphy) Dare.
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a young widow, and to this union were born three children: Sarah (Mrs. . Fry), Beulah Ann (Mrs. Darr), and Josiah, immediate subject of this sketch. Josiah's mother was first married to George Dare, and they set up housekeeping in an old log schoolhouse. Two children were born to them: Martha J., born January 13, 1832, and Elizabeth, born November 7, 1833.
Josiah Elwell received his education in the local schools of this vicinity and has always lived on the home farm, living at first in the old house orig- inally built on that site. However, he has in recent years built a new house, moved the barn from its original place and remodeled it and put up many other outbuildings, so that the farm and buildings are both in an excellent state.
Mr. Elwell was married on February 2, 1875 to Angeline Dubois, daughter of John K. Dubois of Union township, Union county, Indiana. To their union were born two children, the elder of whom, Ora M., is a merchant located at Bath, this county, and the younger child was a daugh- ter, Elsie Pearl, now deceased.
John K. Dubois, father of Mrs. Elwell, was born in Bath township, this county, on September 15, 1827, being a son of Smith and Rachael (Krom) Dubois, farmers who had come in the earlier days from their native state of New Jersey. John K. was also a farmer throughout his life, and chose as his wife Elizabeth Wilson, who was born and reared in Union county, this state, a daughter of Christopher and Sarah (Sutton) Wilson. Her brother John, together with his son Frank, were veterans of the Civil War.
Subject comes from excellent families who have been prominently identified with the history and affairs of this county from its early days. They have been men of brains and laudable ambitions and each, in his day, has left the impress of his indivduality and influence for good upon the community and its various phases of life. Agriculture and its allied inter- ests are always the first business enterprise of a newly opened territory and other businesses follow in proportion to the energy and enterprise devoted to agricultural interests. Therefore, the man who follows farming after the most approved fashion of his day in a new territory, is conferring an untold benefit upon the subsequent life of the community, and both the paternal and maternal ancestors of Mr. Elwell belonged to this virile type of citizen. He has followed in their footsteps and added his quota to the general wellbeing of the community chosen by his predecessors so many years ago. He is a man who can rightly boast a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, which is but a fitting tribute to his well-rounded manhood.
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GEORGE H. HITCHNER.
Among the citizens of Bath township, Franklin county, Indiana, who have built up a comfortable home and surrounded themselves with valuable landed estates and personal property, few have attained a higher degree of success than the subject of this sketch. With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of providing and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made an exceptional success in life and in his later years has the gratification of knowing that the community in which he resides has been benefited by his presence and counsel.
George H. Hitchener, who is operating a fine farm of two hundred and twelve acres in Bath township, Franklin county, is a native of the state of New Jersey, born in the town of Elmer, Salem county, on January II, 1844, a son of Matthias and Sarah (Hannan) Hitchner, both of whom passed their entire lives in the same county, where George H. was born. Subject's paternal grandparents were natives of the German empire, who settled in Salem county, New Jersey, immediately upon coming to this country and there passed the balance of their lives as leading farmers of the community. Also on his mother's side subject is descended from German ancestry, al- though one generation more remotely. His mother was a daughter of George and Sarah Hannan, both of whom were born in Salem county, but were in their turn children of parents who had emigrated to this land from Ger- many.
Matthias Hitchner, father of our George H., was well educated in the schools of his home locality when a boy and was known as an honorable and industrious man. He was the father of a family of thirteen children, the twelfth child being our subject. The names of the family follow: Mary, - Daniel, Susan, Elizabeth. Adam, Elwell, Oliver, Caroline, Matthias, who was a veteran of the Civil War; Samuel, Sarah, George and Jacob.
George H. Hitchner, who was given a good practical education when a boy and was well trained in farm work by his capable father, came as a young man in 1866 to this county. In 1867 he and his brother, Matthias, who is deceased, purchased one hundred and sixteen acres of land in Bath township, where he has made his home for so many years. He later added ninety-six acres and has one of the best farms in this section. All of the improvements have been put on the land by him, and all are first class, and wholly adequate to the needs of the farm. There are two complete sets of buildings, many of them devoted to the care of live stock, in the raising of which he has been highly successful. However, he gives, perhaps, the largest amount of care
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and attention to his hogs, which he has found to be a highly remunerative venture. To general farming he also gives due and proper attention, con- ducting all such work along the most approved and modern scientific lines. He is regarded as one of the best farmers in this section and stands today as evidence of what can be accomplished by one with determination, industry and other manly qualities.
Mr. Hitchner was married on September 12, 1876, to Cynthia Mary Bourne, daughter of Nathan Bourne, Sr. She was born in this township and has never lived elsewhere. To their union have been born four children : Winnetta, Retta Bourne, Carrie Louise and Martha Jane. Winnetta mar- ried Gilbert D. Smith, of Bath township, and has one boy, George Hitchner Smith. Carrie L. married Mark E. Maley, of Bath township, and has one child, Richard Orlin.
The Hitchner family are members of the Presbyterian church, and give liberally of their means to the society. His political preference is with the Democratic party and he has taken active interest in local affairs, having served on the advisory board of the township. Mr. Hitchner is of that class of sterling citizens who go quietly about their own affairs; who, by reason of their many admirable qualities win for themselves success in a material way and also secure the high esteem of all who know them. They lend a dignity to any community honored with their residence, and stand at all times in the forefront of the rank of worthy citizens who desire for their home locality the finest and best along all efforts of life.
PERRY OTIS SCHULTZ.
Among the strong and influential citizens of Franklin county, the rec- ord of whose lives has become an essential part of the history of this sec- tion, the gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place and for years he has exerted a beneficial influence in the locality where he resides. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless en- ergy, honesty of purpose and motive and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely con- tribute to the moral and material advancement of the community.
Perry Otis Schultz, than whom no farmer in Bath township, Franklin county, enjoys a higher degree of popular confidence and regard, was born on October 29, 1872, on the farm where he now lives, and is the son of Perry and Agnes (Gilchrist) Schultz, both natives of this county, the for-
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mer born in Bath township and the latter in Springfield township. Sub- ject's paternal grandfather, John, was married twice. His first wife was born in Virginia, settled in Bath township, and was the mother of five chil- dren. After his first wife's death he went to Virginia and married Cath- erine Cox, returning to Bath township. Six children were born to their union. Having made a clearing, John Schultz was successful in putting his land in a good state of cultivation, and succeeded well in his undertaking and later he burned sufficient brick to erect a dwelling house and barn which still stand. He added to his original holdings until at the time of his death he possessed two hundred acres of good farming land. He married a sec- ond time and their deaths occurred on this home place. Our subject's ma- ternal grandparents were William Gilchrist and Charlotte (Turgison) Gil- christ, who settled in this county near Mt. Carmel, Indiana. He was a native of Scotland and she was born in Springfield township. He became one of the leading farmers of this section and was highly respected by all who knew him.
Perry Schultz, father of our immediate subject, was educated in the local schools of this section and later attended Peoria Academy, at Peoria, Indiana. He had given special attention during his studies to subjects re- lating to agriculture, and after completing his school work, he returned home and decided to follow the vocation of a farmer. He was a prominent man in his day, active in many undertakings which had for their object the ad- vancement of the interest of the citizens of this community. For many years he operated a Granger store at Old Bath; he was active in the Farmers Institute of Franklin county and president of the Oxford Farmers' club. He also took a keen interest in political questions affecting local conditions and at the time of his death was president of the pioneers' meeting of this section ; while for many years was a notary public. His last public service shortly before his death, was securing right-of-way for the road which passes his farm. His original farm consisted of eighty acres and this he got into an excellent state of cultivation and on which he placed good and substantial buildings. Then he added another eighty-acre tract and made further additions from time to time until at his death he owned three hun- dred and sixty acres in his own right and held a half-share in one hundred and forty acres, the balance being owned by his son Perry Otis, the imme- diate subject of this sketch. He gave careful attention to general farming and the proper rotation of crops and found the raising of hogs a most profitable side line. He was the father of three children, namely : Watson, Perry Otis and Zatheria Blanche, who is the wife of Joseph McMahan of Union county. Watson married Elizabeth Owens of Shandon, Ohio, and
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