USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 79
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The early training of Jacob Urban, Jr., was that of farming and after
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he reached his majority he concluded to continue in that occupation. This was a matter of choice with him, as his education at the Dubois schools and Shuman schools was liberal enough to fit him for a career in any one of a number of industries. Mr. Urban is engaged in general farming, but spec- ializes somewhat in stock raising, a branch of the agricultural industry which has won him some prominence.
On October 9, 1884, he was married to Lorenda Sayers, the daughter of Stephen Sayers. Mrs. Urban has three brothers, Charles, Frank and Harvey. To the union of Jacob and Lorendia (Sayers) Urban there were born two children, Charles and Roy, the former of whom was married to Ethel Porter December 31, 1908.
Jacob Urban is well liked for his sterling qualities and has always been regarded as one of the substantial citizens of this community.
SAMUEL B. ROSE.
The fertility of the soil around Franklin county, Indiana, and its ma- terial prosperity is best attested by the fact that those who reside there are descendants of the very earliest settlers in this county and a number of them still live on the original farms of their forefathers. Among those whose families have been prominent in the affairs of this county for a great number of years is Samuel B. Rose, who was born April 29, 1883, a son of Samuel and Emeline (Smalley) Rose, the former of whom was born November 24, 1831, and the latter March 16, 1845, both of whom were residents of Bath township, this county.
Samuel B. Rose's paternal grandparents were Eleazar, born February 24, 1805, and Rebecca (Elwell) Rose, both born in Salem county, New Jersey, she being born May 6, 1800. They were married in February, 1829, and shortly afterward they moved to Bath township, this county, where Samuel E. Rose, father of Samuel B. Rose, was born November 24, 1831. Samuel E. Rose married Mary Jane Hibbard, of Preble county, Ohio, February 19, 1856. By this union there was one child, William. After the death of his first wife Samuel E. Rose married, secondly, Henrietta Sanders, who died four months later. He again married, June 4, 1869, Mrs. Eme- line Rusing, who was born March 16, 1845, the daughter of William and Harriett (Cassidy) Smalley. By this union there were four children, as follows : Henry W., Mary Estella, Bertha and Samuel B.
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Samuel E. Rose enrolled in the Union army May 4, 1864, at Fairfield as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment In- diana Volunteer Infantry. His service while in the army was largely con- fined to guard duty, mainly guarding government stores, etc. He also was engaged in protecting General Sherman's lines of communication in Ken- tucky, Tennessee and part of Georgia. He was honorably discharged Sep- tember 17, 1864. A brother of Mary Jane Hibbard, his first wife, also served in the Civil War. His name was Marion Hibbard and he served in the Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
After returning from the war, Samuel E. again took up the occupation of farming and lived until his death on the farm formerly occupied by his grandfather as early as 1816. He owned at the time of his death one farm of one hundred and twenty acres and another of one hundred and thirteen acres, his farms being noted for the excellency of their buildings. At the time of his death he was a member of Hackelman Post No. 64, Grand Army of the Republic, at Brookville, Indiana, and was very prominent at all of its meetings to the time of his death. Mr. Rose died May 9, 1914, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1904.
Samuel B. Rose, son of the above, was born in this county April 29, 1883, was educated in the schools of Bath township and always has lived on the home farm. In 1912 he was married to Cora McNichols. To this union two children have been born, Helen Esther and Genevieve Ellen. The Rose family, like other pioneer families, were the products of the pioneer days when men's souls were tried and the best in every man was put to the test. They did their duties faithfully and lived their lives honorably, and their descendants after them have been imbued with the same high qualities.
DENNIS SIZELOVE.
One of the best known citizens of Bath township, Franklin county, In- diana, is the man whose name appears above. He resides on his farm of eighty acres, where he has made his home since 1904 and where he carries on general farming in a most approved fashion. He is considered one of the successful agriculturists of this section, and peculiar honor attaches to this fact in that he has made his way practically alone and unaided. When a young boy of only twelve years he commenced working out among the farmers of his home district, and every summer since that time has found in him a faithful tiller of the soil. He brings to his task energy, ambition and good management, and has, therefore, succeeded well in his undertaking.
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Dennis Sizelove was born in Drewersburg, Indiana, on March 26, 1854, being a son of Albert and Hanna (Benton) Sizelove, the latter the daughter of Arnold Benton, who was a farmer all his lifetime in the vicinity of Drew- ersburg.
Albert, father of our immediate subject, was a son of Joseph Sizelove and his second wife, Hannah Rafter, and was born at Newton. Joseph was probably born at New Trenton, this state, but in later years located at Drew- ersburg, and still later at Mixersville. He went from here to Grant county, this state, and there he died. He was for many years a huckster and mer- chant throughout this section and was widely known. Subject's father at- tended the district schools in his youth, later taking the higher grades at the academy at Peoria, this county. He decided upon the work of a farmer as his vocation and for a number of years was located near Drewersburg. He retired in later life, and at that time became a resident of Mixersville, where his death occurred about 1910. His widow survived him about a year. Both were devout church members, she holding her membership with the Harmony church, while he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which faith he was reared by his father, who was one of the faithful mem- bers of that denomination throughout this section.
Dennis Sizelove was the second child in a family of eight children, the others being Francis, Henry, George, Adelia, Ella, Joseph and Anna. He received but a limited education in his youth, when he attended the schools at Mixersville. As stated in the opening paragraph of this sketch, he com- menced working when quite a young boy, and his school days were soon over. Since purchasing his present home in 1904 Mr. Sizelove has greatly improved the place. He has built a fine residence and barn and other build- ings have been repaired or remodeled, while the general appearance of the farm bespeaks the work of the careful and methodical farmer. Mr. Size- love was married to Harriet Ellen Dubois, daughter of George Dubois, de- ceased. He was a brother of Oscar Dubois, mentioned elsewhere in this vol- ume, and was for many years one of the leading farmers of Union county. Mr. and Mrs. Sizelove had an interesting family of four children: Lincoln, Bertha, Watson and Loren, Lincoln having died at the age of thirty-one years. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church, while his political preference is with the Republican party, although he has never been active in political circles. Mr. Sizelove has been true to every trust and obligation of life and has, therefore, a well rounded character which has won him the friendship of a large circle of friends. He also owns a farm of two hundred and sixty acres in Union county, which is a fine place.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.
CHARLES E. SAYERS.
Charles E. Sayers, who is one of the prominent farmers of Bath town- ship, Franklin county, Indiana, is a native of that county, having been born there on July 8, 1864, a son of Stephen and Margaret (Campbell) Sayers, both also born in Bath township. Stephen Sayers was a son of Matthias and Matilda (Burk) Sayers, who were among the early settlers of Franklin county. It is thought quite likely that they were natives of New Jersey who had come here shortly after marriage and here made their home for the remainder of their lives. They secured from the government a tract of land containing one hundred and sixty acres and set about clearing it and establishing a home. That was the farm on which the immediate subject of this sketch was born and reared. Matthias Sayers had mastered the gunsmith trade in the east, before emigrat- ing westward, and he followed that trade more or less his entire life, find- ing it of inestimable value to himself and neighbors in a pioneer territory that was largely infested by Indians, who had learned from their paleface broth- ers of less noble character something of the attractions of "fire water," and were often, therefore, much more dangerous than even in their native state. Stephen, the father of Charles E. Sayers, with whom this history deals, lived for many years on the old family homestead and in his youth received a somewhat limited education in the early subscription schools of this section, and doubtless received much valuable training from both father and mother, who came from a section where education of the young was given consid- erable attention. He was early trained to help the father in the arduous tasks of the home place, and in later years cleared much of the land and erected several farm buildings, the frames of which are still standing. Stephen Sayers was one of the influential men of his day in this district and was often importuned to enter public office, but this he steadfastly refused to do. He was one of the most helpful of friends and neighbors and would go to any extent to accommodate a friend in need. His death occurred on the home place on March 26, 1900. At the time the Civil War was in prog- ress and men were being drafted for service, Stephen Sayers was one so chosen, but instead of going himself he sent a substitute, feeling his greater duty lay with his young and growing family. There were five children, namely: Sarah, who died in infancy; Lourinda, Charles (our immediate subject), Frank and Harvey.
Margaret Campbell Sayers, the wife of Stephen Sayers and mother of Charles E., was a daughter of Andrew and Lucinda (Baker) Campbell. who
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about one hundred years ago entered land from the government near Coul- ters Corners, and there reared their family and passed the remainder of their lives. Andrew Campbell was a son of Hugh, who emigrated from Ireland in the eighteenth century.
Our subject, together with his brothers and sisters, received the best education the common schools of this section at that time afforded. He assisted in the work of the home farm until he was twenty years of age, when he went to Oxford and became apprentice to the blacksmith trade. After mastering its secrets he set up a shop of his own in Mixersville and there for about twenty years he labored at his chosen vocation. A short time before disposing of his shop and good will he purchased what was known as the "Old White farm," and has since made that his home. That farm consists of eighty acres, and he has purchased another tract of ninety- one acres, lying just across the road, and on that land he carries on general farming after a most approved fashion, giving considerable of his time and efforts to raising live stock, which the up-to-date farmer finds his most lucrative line. Mr. Sayers gives particular attention to hogs and is highly successful in his handling of them.
Mr. Sayers was married on August 6, 1893, to Minnie Flint, of Bath township, a daughter of Mahlon and Hannah (Stinger) Flint, the former also a native of this county, while the latter was born and reared in Penn- sylvania. Mahlon Flint was a son of Thomas and Anna (Thurston) Flint, who, so far as is known, were natives of this county, their parents being among the earliest settlers. Mahlon passed almost his entire life in Bath township, the exception being a few years he lived in Iowa. However, in later life he returned to his native county and here his life closed on Decem- ber 12, 1908. Mrs. Sayers' mother, who before her marriage was Hannah Stinger, was a daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Welch) Stinger, both na- tives of Pennsylvania, who located in this section some seventy-five or eighty years ago. There were eleven children of Mahlon and Hannah (Stinger) Flint, of whom Mrs. Sayers is the youngest. The others are: Adaline, William, Perry, Philis, Elmer, Mary, Alonzo, Etta, Flora and Orpha.
Mr. and Mrs. Sayers are the parents of three children, namely: Lu- ther, Elzie and Dorothy. This family is regarded as one of the repre- sentative families of this section. The Sayers people have always stood for what was broad-minded and honorable in whatever day they have lived. The first history of the family in this country has shown them to be in Pennsylvania, and from there to New Jersey the immediate forbears of the subject seem to have gone ere they emigrated westward to this section.
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Charles E. Sayers has proven what industry and integrity can accomplish when united, and today he is one of the most successful farmers of this sec- tion. Since taking possession of his present location he has greatly improved it as to buildings and general appearance and it is in every way a, repre- sentative American farm home. The family stands high in the regard of the community. Mrs. Sayers is a faithful member of the Harmony Presby- terian church, and while Mr. Sayers does not hold church membership any place, he is a man who regulates his life by the teachings of Holy, Writ. Politically, he gives his support to the Democratic party, although never a seeker after office. Success has attended his efforts because he has worked for it along legitimate lines and has not permitted discouraging situations to thwart him and has been honest and fearless in pursuing a course once he knew he was right.
SAMUEL A. DAVIS.
Agriculture has been the true source of man's dominion on earth ever since the primal existence of labor and has been the pivotal industry that has controlled, for the most part, all the fields of action to which his intelligence and energy have been directed. Among this sturdy element of Franklin county, Indiana, is the man whose name appears above, and in view of the consistent life recorded by the subject of this sketch, his faithfulness and persistency, it is particularly fitting that the following short sketch of his career be incorporated in this history.
Samuel A. Davis, a farmer of Bath township, Franklin county, is a na- tive of this same county, having been born on February 9, 1861, in Riley township, Butler county, Ohio, a son of Aaron and Sarah (Decker) Davis, the latter having been born and raised at Millville. Subject's paternal grand- parents were Charles and Mary Davis, who came to this section early in the history of the state. Their original location is thought to have been Penn- sylvania. His father, when a young man, learned the carpenter's trade and throughout his life he worked at that occupation while operating and man- aging his farm home. He lived in Butler county, Ohio, just across the line, and died when Samuel A., the subject of this sketch, was but eight years of age. He was the youngest of the family, the others being Philip, Martha Jane, Frank, Kate, Isaac, Levi and Mary (deceased). The mother of this family died when subject was but fifteen years of age, so that he was early bereft of both parents. Before her marriage she was Sarah Decker, a daugh- ter of Isaac and Rebecca Jane Decker, who were early settlers in the vicinity
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of Millville, Ohio. Her father was a carpenter, and his skill was put into many of the homes throughout that section in those days.
Our subject received his schooling in the district schools of his home neighborhood when a boy and he early turned to farming as his life work. Being without his parents and a home at an early age, he worked among the farmers of his section, making his home at the place of his employment. He worked in this manner by the month until about the year 1905, when he started to farming for himself. He was married in 1886 to Ella Sizelove. She was born at Mixersville and there resided until the time of her marriage. Mr. Davis and wife are the parents of two children, Anness and Philip. Mrs. Davis is a faithful member of the United Brethren church and is regarded as one of the kindest and most friendly women of the community. Mr. Davis gives his political preference to the Democratic party, although he has never taken any active interest in political circles. He is a hard working, honest and, in every respect, worthy man, of upright character and one who is opposed to vice and lawlessness in every form. He stands ready at all times to give his support to any movement for the betterment of any condi- tion of community life, whether along social, moral, educational or material lines.
ISAAC ROSE.
A number of those who first settled in Franklin county, moved here from New Jersey and among those who early came from that state, were the Rose family and the Elwell family.
Eleazar Rose, who was born February 24, 1805, and Rebecca Elwell, born May 6, 1800, both having come from Salem, New Jersey, were married in February, 1829. They were the parents of Isaac Rose, whose son, Abram, still lives in Bath township. The paternal grandparents of Isaac Rose were Abram and Catherine (Crawford) Rose, both born in Salem county, New Jersey, and both moving to Union county, Indiana, about 1812. They started with a one horse wagon and because of the lack of the means of con- veyance most of the family walked. During their journey, they were forced to ford many streams and rivers and while attempting to ford the Ohio river, two of their boys were drowned. They finally arrived at their destination and at once began to clear the forest. They lived in this vicinity until their death which occurred near Bath Springs.
The maternal grandparents of Isaac Rose were Samuel and Mary (John- son) Elwell, also of Salem county, New Jersey, who came to this county in
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1816, locating in Bath township where Mr. Elwell died March 23, 1875, hav- ing almost reached the extreme old age of one hundred years. After coming to this state he spent the rest of his life on his farm of one hundred and seventeen acres in this township with the exception of a few years spent in Fairfield. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, following in the footsteps of his father, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Eleazar Rose, father of Isaac Rose, spent the balance of his days in Bath township and died in Dublin, Indiana, September 1, 1881, age seventy-six years. His first wife died in 1864 and he married in 1866, Elizabeth Ann Hester, and she died in 1906 at Dublin, Indiana.
Isaac Rose was educated in the district schools of Bath township and remained on the farm during his whole life. He came from a military family and when the state was threatened with Morgan's raiders, he took'an active part in repulsing them. At that time the excitement was very intense and Mr. Rose and his father were forced to hide the money and deeds and other valuables until the scare was over. Mr. Rose and his father took great pride in their farm and, unlike many of the structures built in those days, the brick house which still stands on the farm was built in 1845 and remains today in good condition.
On October 6, 1859, he was married to Isabel Gant, who was born at Mount Carmel, September 8, 1840, the daughter of Briton and Elizabeth (Jones) Gant. Elizabeth Gant was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, and Briton Gant was born on Big Cedar creek in Franklin county. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Rose were Briton and Mary Ann (Russell) Gant, both coming from South Carolina and locating on Big Cedar creek at a very early day. They both died and were buried at that place. Her maternal grand- parents were John and Fannie (Dawson) Jones, both of whom were born at Riley, Ohio. They later moved to Terre Haute, where Mr. Jones followed the vocation of farmer. A brother of Mrs. Rose, Cader Gant, enlisted in the Civil War when only sixteen years of age in February, 1864, and was killed in battle at Cedar Creek, Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Rose were born the following children : Abram L., born February 19, 1861 ; Fannie Smaley, born February 2, 1864; Emma Hannah, born August 24, 1867; Grant, born May 9, 1869; Laura, born December 30, 1870; Nellie Doner, born April 9, 1873; and Katie Mill, born September 13, 1875. Mr. Rose was a Presby- terian in faith and his wife a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Rose died October I, 1888, survived by his wife, who later married John Vinson Swift, this marriage taking place February 28, 1899. They are still living and reside at Fairfield.
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Abram L. Rose, son of Isaac Rose, was born in Franklin county, Febru- ary 19, 1861, on his father's farm which adjoins that of his maternal grand- father's, who was Samuel E. Elwell, a veteran of the War of 1812. Abram Rose was reared on his father's farm and has been actively engaged in farm- ing ever since and, with the exception of ten or twelve years, has confined his efforts to the home farm where he operates one hundred and seventeen acres and is engaged in general farming. In 1884 he was married to Eliza Barnum and to them were born two children, May and Harry M. They are members of the United Brethren church and are prominent in all of the affairs of this county.
JOHN H. BECKMAN.
To live in a manner that will earn the approbation of one's fellow men is the ambition of every right thinking man. Whether one occupies a higher sphere or labors in the ranks of the obscure, the same obligation to society exists. There is no higher attainment than to have lived an industrious life, doing the daily duties of life in a conscientious manner and living clean and wholesome, earning the respect of one's neighbors and dying conscious of a duty well done. This might in truth be applied to the late John H. Beck- man of Franklin county, who died January 13, 1891, at the age of fifty-two years.
John H. Beckman was born in Franklin county, Indiana. His parents were Henry and Christinia Beckman, both of whom were natives of Germany and came to this country, leaving their homes about the early forties of the last century.
After coming to this country, the parents of John H. Beckman came to Indiana and located in Highland township in Franklin county. They engaged in farming and became people of substantial means. They lived here for a number of years and died on their homestead in this county. They were members of the German-Lutheran church and were devout God-fearing people.
John H. Beckman was educated in the common schools of this county, attending the schools of Highland township. He early in life learned the carpenter trade, which he afterward followed as contractor for many years. He was of an industrious and thrifty nature and soon acquired a farm, con- sisting of one hundred and twenty acres. He married Minnie Bronz who was born in Germany. She was a daughter of Hammon and Sophia (Eberl- ing) Bronz.
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Hammon and Sophia Bronz, parents of Mrs. John H. Beckman, were natives of Germany. They left their native land in 1842 and migrated to America. They came to Indiana, locating in Highland township, Franklin county. Hammon Bronz was a tailor and farmer in Germany, but after locating in Franklin county, he engaged in farming. He acquired a farm of eighty acres on which he and his wife lived the remainder of their lives. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bronz were Henry, William, Margaret, Chris- tiani, Frederick, all of whom are deceased, and Minnie, who afterwards be- came Mrs. John H. Beckman.
John H. Beckman and wife lived on their farm of one hundred and twenty acres after their marriage. To them were born the following chil- dren, Anna (deceased) William H., Henry (deceased), Emma, now the wife of Doctor Levinger of Fairfield, Mary and Susan.
After the death of Mr. Beckman, his family moved to Indianapolis, Indi- ana, where they lived one year, later moving back to Fairfield. It was after returning to Fairfield that Anna and Henry, the two children, died. Mrs. Beckman now possesses two hundred and twenty-seven acres of land and a house and lot in Fairfield, where she resides. John H. Beckman was a splendid citizen, and honest and industrious man, earning and retaining the friendship of all who knew him. His widow and family are among their old friends, honored and respected, a just tribute to themselves and to the memory of the husband and father, John H. Beckman.
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