USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 104
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To James Madison Hussey and wife were born the following children : Henry W., born November 15, 1845, in Gibson county, a farmer of Canada, married Mollie J. Harberson October 13, 1869; Robert Dale Owen, born in Gibson county May 16, 1848, married Eliza J. McClellan December 15, 1870. He was in the Civil War, serving three years in Company D, One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His death occurred May 3, 1877, and his widow married the second time L. B. Wallace, a drug- gist at Francisco, Indiana. The third child was Richard Louis, the subject of this sketch; Franklin C., born in Gibson county January 15, 1852, died November 29, 1855, at the age of three years; Etta Elmira, born in Gibson county April 10, 1855, married Alonzo C. Dilday, of Princeton, on Septem- ber 25, 1873; James M., born in Gibson county March II, 1857, a farmer on part of the old Hussey homestead in Center township, married Isabelle Ingram November 10, 1880; Joseph Devin, born in Gibson county August I. 1859, a retired farmer residing in Princeton, whose first wife was Jermi- mah E. McFetridge, married August 22, 1883, and whose second wife was Rose Langford; Arabella M., born in Gibson county June 23, 1862, married in September, 1881, the widow of Isaac M. Eby, of Warrick county, Indiana. He was a farmer and died December 8, 1898, leaving two children, Earl Hussey and Allen Dale.
James Madison Hussey, father of this interesting family, devoted his energies to agriculture and owned and operated a flour mill and a sawmill before the war on the banks of the Patoka river at Kirksville, now known as Wheeling. On August II, 1862, he took up arms in the Civil War, enlisting in Company B, Sixty-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as first lieutenant. He did not live long after leaving home and died on November 2d of the same year at Henderson. Kentucky. The body was brought home and interred in Lawrence cemetery with all the honors of war. The widow continued to make her home on the old place until her death, March 18, 1898. She was of a deeply religious temperament, an earnest work in church circles and a consistent member of the United Presbyterian church for fifty-five years. She was a woman much loved and respected by all and spared no ef- fort to rear her family in a proper manner.
R. L. Hussey received his elementary education in the public schools of Gibson county, later attending the Oakland City Normal School. He fitted
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himself for a teacher in the public schools and for seven years followed this vocation. He went to Francisco, Indiana, and served as trustee of Center township for two years. Also for eleven years he was railroad and express agent for the old "Air Line" railroad at Francisco and built the first depot at that place. He also had charge of the mail. In addition to these duties he was a grain dealer and owned a half interest in a hardware store in partner- ship with Samuel McConnell, where, in addition to the regular line, he was agent for a complete line of farming tools and implements. He also at one time had a flour and feed mill there. He was nominated for county auditor on the Democratic ticket in 1892, but was defeated. He removed from Fran- cisco to Princeton and in 1896 was again a candidate for the office of county auditor and again met defeat, both times on account of the Republican party having an overwhelming majority in the county. He has always taken an active interest in politics and has done much for his party. In 1897 he be- came connected with S. M. Hess & Bro. of Philadelphia, as elsewhere stated, and this connection has been in force for the past sixteen years. Mr. Hussey is a man of ability and tireless energy and stands as an example of what a young man with determination and right principles can accomplish alone and unaided. Each year of his life has placed him higher in the estimation of his large circle of friends and acquaintances and he is well worthy the high es- teem in which he is held. Mr. Hussey has been a member of Lodge No. 64. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Princeton since 1895 and has filled all of the chairs in the local lodge. He was also made camp district deputy grand patriarch of Gibson county for the national encampment held in In- dianapolis in 1911. He is also a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, the woman's degree in Odd Fellowship.
Mr. Hussey has been twice married. In 1885 he was united in wedlock with Luella May Whiting, of Francisco, Indiana, a daughter of Captain C. C. Whiting, of Francisco, who died August 5. 1890. To this union were born two children, namely : Luella Ray, the wife of Jacob E. McCurry, of Green- castle, Indiana, parents of one child, Mary Ella, and Dora Edna, who died at the age of seven years. On October 29, 1896, Mr. Hussey was married to Amelia Beck, of Princeton, daughter of Valentine and Catherine ( Heck- man) Beck, natives of Germany. They came to Princeton in 1853 when young and unmarried, their marriage taking place in 1855. lle was a shoe- maker in his earlier years and later a shoe merchant in Princeton until 1898. His death occurred in 1908 and his wife still lives in Princeton.
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Mrs. Amelia Hussey was born in Princeton on April 29. 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Beck were the parents of several children, of whom Amelia is the present Mrs. Hussey. To Mr. Hussey, by his second marriage, have come three children : Ruth Lucile, born July 8, 1898; Richard Louis, Jr., born May 20, 1901, and Helen Amelia, born January 31, 1903. Their home is a pleas- ant center for the life of the neighborhood, the family being rightfuly num- bered among the leading ones of the community.
W. A. BARNETT.
It is by no means an easy task to describe within the limits of this re- view a man who has led an active and eminently useful life and by his own exertions reached a point of honor and trust in the line of industries with which his interests are allied. But biography finds justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history, as the public claims a certain property interest in the career of every individual, and the time in- variably arrives when it becomes desirable to give the right publicity. It is, then, with a certain degree of satisfaction that the chronicler essays the task of touching briefly upon such record as has been that of the subject who now comes under this review.
W. A. Barnett, well-known business man and agriculturist of Gibson county, is the son of Robert and Mary Barnett and was born August 24, 1859. on the family homestead about a mile and a quarter southwest of Hazleton. He received his early education in the district schools of the county and early showed his unusual business ability, for at the tender age of twelve or thirteen years, with the assistance of his mother, from whom he probably inherited his business ability, he rented and conducted successfully a large farm. Wishing to engage in other lines of activity later, he gave his atten- tion to different enterprises, among them being a grocery store and later an hotel. In 1880 he decided to take charge of the old homestead, which had come into his possession, part of which he had inherited through the death of his parents and the rest he had acquired by buying out the interests of other heirs. He was as eminently successful in this enterprise as in others, but was not content to confine his activities to that vocation. After a few years he became associated with the Challenge Wind Mill and Feed Mill Com- pany of Batavia, Illinois, and for ten years was their general state agent for Indiana. In connection with this work he had tried to continue the oper- ation of his farm, but finding the various interests too much to handle, he
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removed his family to Hazleton in 1897. In February of 1903 he purchased a building on Mill street, Hazleton, from T. N. Davidson, and in this build- ing placed a full line of farm tools and machinery. Ilis success in this en- deavor can not be questioned, yet he again longed for the life of the farm, and in 1905 returned to his homestead and the vocation of farming, where he has since remained. He engages in general farming along modern meth- ods, and in addition to this, gives particular attention to raising seed corn for the market. He is the only licensed corn judge in Gibson county and is a member of the Purdue staff. Mr. Barnett originated and furnished the seed corn for the first boys' corn contest held in Gibson county, January 19. 19II, at Princeton. The picture of the boys who took part in the contest are found elsewhere in this volume, as well as an article on the contest. He also raises considerable live stock of good breeding and is in every respect a thoroughly successful and up-to-date agriculturist.
On November 14, 1888, Mr. Barnett was united in marriage with Carrie Beck, of Princeton, daughter of Martin and Mary ( Embree ) Beck, the for- mer a native of Ohio and she of Gibson county. To their union have been born eight children, the eldest of whom, Arthur, is engaged in farming in White River township in this county. Mary, while engaged in teaching in the public schools of Hazleton, makes her home with the parents, as do also the rest of the family, namely: Sarah E., Wilbur, Martha, Miriam, Zelia and Chester. The family is considered one of the foremost in their community and beneath their hospitable roof there is always a warm welcome for friend and casual guest alike.
Politically, Mr. Barnett is a Democrat and while he does not seek office for himself, his influence is counted upon by those who do seek that honor. His religious membership is with the Cumberland Presbyterian church, to whose support he gives of his means. His fraternal affiliation is with the time-honored body of Free and Accepted Masons. being a member of blue lodge No. 420; he is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, No. 389, at Hazelton, and the Modern Woodmen of America. In every avenue of life's activities he has performed his part to the best of his ability, believing that anything worth doing at all is worth doing well, the result being that he has won and retains to a notable degree the confidence and re- spect of all who know him. He has a large number of acquaintances, among whom are many loyal. stanch and devoted friends and wherever he goes he receives a hearty welcome. Because of his high personal character and his genuine worth as a man and citizen, he is specifically entitled to mention in a work of this character.
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HENRY SUHLING.
It is proper to judge of the success and status of a man's life by the esti- mation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, in his church, at his devotions, hear his views on public questions, observe the outcome of his code of morals, witness how he con- ducts himself in all the relations of society and thus become competent to judge of his merits and demerits. 'After a long course of years of such ob- servation, it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know his worth, because as has been said "Actions speak louder than words." In this county there are nothing but good words heard for the subject of this sketch, a man born on a foreign soil and who, after much wandering, has taken up his abode in Gibson county and by his honor, integrity and sterling worth has placed himself in an enviable position in the regard of his community.
Henry Suhling is a native of Kessel, near Moscow, Russia, where he was born on August 4, 1831, the son of Henry and Ann Adelade (Brining) Suhling, she a native of Russia and he a native of Germany. The father was a man of vast learning, a doctor and lawyer, and possessed of consid- erable landed interests. There were nine children in the family, all of whom were brought up in the faith of the Lutheran church. They emigrated to Germany when the subject was three years old. The parents and the rest of the children always remained in Germany, but Henry, subject of this sketch, together with his brothers, John and .Albert, emigrated to this country. It was on March 12, 1845, that Henry Suhling bade farewell to his parents and set out to take passage for America. He was enabled to work for his passage over and earned six dollars in addition. The vessel was six weeks in crossing, but finally reached the harbor at New Orleans. Then began a period of travel for the young emigrant, during which he was in fourteen states and worked at various employments. In January of 1861 he was at St. Louis, Missouri, where he enlisted in Company C, First Missouri Regiment, under command of General Rosecrans. He served in the army for three years, receiving his honorable discharge in 1865. After the close of the war he was for a time in New York City, Cincinnati, Ohio, Evansville, Indiana, and different places and finally came to Gibson county. He had been here once before, in 1848, when he had visited an uncle and had worked as a farm hand on the farm which later came into his possession.
In 1868 he united in marriage with Catherine Weaver, a native of Penn- sylvania, who died March 13, 1910, at the age of seventy-nine years and
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thirteen days. He has always been a farmer and after he settled in Gibson county he secured ninety acres of land which served as a nucleus of his pres- ent possessions, one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in l'atoka township. He has always followed up-to-date methods in managing his farm and has been equally successful in stock raising. To him and his wife were born three children: Henry J., who farms on the old homestead in Patoka township; Clara Catherine, wife of Philip Brakmeier, a farmer of Patoka township and mother of two children, Emma and Clifford. and John . Albert. unmarried, who is associated with his brother on the home placc. Some seven years ago Mr. Suhling retired from an active life. He is a man wonderfully preserved for his years, with an excellent memory, and who has many in- teresting things to tell of his earlier experiences.
Mr. Suhling is a member of the Lutheran church, as was also his wife and children. He is also a member of the time honored Grand Army of the Republic and in every relation of life stands high in public estimation. He is a worthy representative of that foreign-born element which has played such an important part in the development of our state, and is well entitled to representation in this work. He has always been actively interested in every- thing which tended to promote the development of the community and has been confidently counted on at all times to indorse any progressive measures and to uphold everything which stands for the best interests of the people. During his long residence here he has not only gained the confidence of his fellow business men, but as a man of force of character, upright and honest in his dealings with his fellow citizens, he has gained the esteem of all who know him and has a great number of warm personal friends.
CHARLES K. PARRETT.
It is with pleasure that the biographer has an opportunity to place be- fore the readers of this work the life record of the honorable gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, for he is deemed eminently worthy of representation along with the best and most industrious citizens of Gibson county, owing to the fact that he belongs to the energetic and enterprising class that has made this favored section one of the most noted and richest in the great Hoosier state. Enjoying distinctive prestige as a farmer, he has achieved marked success, while his practical intelligence, mature judgment
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and sound business principles have had much to do in molding public senti- ment in the community where he has long maintained his home.
Charles K. Parrett, who, for the past twenty-five years, has resided on his fine farm of three hundred acres in White River township, Gibson county, is a native of this county. He was born on May 4, 1867, a son of R. M. and Ann E. (Hudleson) Parrett, both natives of the Hoosier state and she of White River township. R. M. Parrett came to Gibson county before there were any railroads completed in this section of the state. He desired to at- tend DePauw University, then known as Asbury College, at Greencastle, Indiana, and made the journey from his home in Evansville to Greencastle on horseback. There he studied theology and was later ordained a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was well known throughout Gibson county, having followed his calling in various sections. To him and his wife were born ten children, of which the subject of this sketch is the eighth in order of birth.
Charles K. Parrett received his elementary education in the common schools of Gibson county, later attending the normal school at Danville, In- diana. On February 23, 1888, he was united in marriage to Anna Robb, daughter of David and Phoeba A. Robb, born February 23, 1866. To their union were born three children, namely: Nora, wife of Ross Key, who re- sides on a farm in Patoka township, Gibson county; Eva M., at home, and Ruth, the youngest daughter, who is attending high school.
As an agriculturist, Mr. Parrett is numbered among the best in the county, his thorough methods and up-to-date ideas marking him as a man of mature judgment and wise discrimination. He is a man of good business principles and has so conducted his affairs as to reap a gratifying return for his labor. He is a man who takes an interest in the financial affairs of his neighbors and friends and his advice and material assistance is often sought along this line. In addition to carrying on general farming along modern methods, he pays special attention to raising high grade cattle and hogs. The farm he occupies is his old family homestead, endeared through many years' associations.
Mr. Parrett is a stanch Republican of the old school and has taken an active interest in politics, while not wishing office for himself. The family takes a part in the affairs of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Parrett is a member, and does much to further the interests of that society.
Because of the part Mr. Parrett has taken in the upbuilding and progress of the community, he has merited the high esteem in which he is held among
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his fellow men. He has given his support to all movements which have had a tendency to advance the moral, educational or social interests of the people and among those who know him best, he is considered one of the best men in this section of the county.
BYRON S. SPAIN.
To write the personal record of men who have raised themselves from humble circumstances to positions of responsibility and trust in a community is no ordinary pleasure. Self-made men, men who have achieved success by reason of their personal qualities and left the impress of their individuality upon the business and growth of their place of residence and affect for good such institutions as are embraced in the sphere of their usefulness, unwitting- ly, perhaps, build monuments more enduring than marble obelisk or granite shaft. Of such, we believe, is the gentleman whose name appears above.
Byron S. Spain, who owns two hundred and sixty acres of finely located land in White River township. Gibson county, Indiana, and is now living quietly in his comfortable home, is a native of Gibson county, born within its borders on December 12, 1849. He is a son of William A. and Jemima (McFetridge) Spain, both of whom were natives of Gibson county. William A. Spain was among the earliest children born in this county, and passed his entire life here. He was born May 4, 1828, and died in November, 1886, hav- ing been engaged in farming all his life. The death of his wife occurred in April, 1911. They were the parents of eleven children, of which the im- mediate subject of this sketch is the eldest.
Byron S. Spain received his early education in the district schools of the county and remained under the parental roof until he reached manhood. When quite young he began to assist his father in his farm work, and has always continued in this line of business. His present spacious acres are well cared for; he employs up-to-date methods in carrying on his work, and his success attests his ability as an agriculturist. Besides carrying on general farming and the business incident to the successful operation of such a farm, he pays particular attention to the raising of a good strain of short horn cattle, Clydesdale horses and Poland China hogs.
On May 1, 1872, Mr. Spain was united in marriage with Arvilla Decker. a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Thompson) Decker. To their union have been born seven children, namely: Margaret. the wife of David Hazel- ton, who resides in Dalhart, Texas; Fred, who is engaged in farming in
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White River township; William W., who resides in Rockport, Indiana, and is cashier in the bank there; Nellie D., wife of E. E. Curtner, of Hazleton, Indiana; Allen G. C., who lives on the farm with his parents and assists in operating the farm; Bessie, who married Wilbur Fisher, of Patoka, Indiana, and Ruth, who remains at home.
Mr. Spain is a stanch Democrat, one who has always taken an interest in the affairs of his party and while not desiring office for himself, his in- fluence is considered of value by those who have such ambitions. There is much that is commendable in his life's record, for he has been found true to every relation of life, and while energy and untiring industry have been salient features of his career, he is equally well known for his uprightness and the honorable methods he has always followed, and for his loyalty to any trust imposed in him. Because of his genial and unassuming disposition and his genuine worth, he enjoys a well deserved popularity throughout his part of the county.
DAVID W. HULL.
In a brief sketch of any living citizen, it is difficult to do hin exact and impartial justice, not so much, however, for lack of space or words to set forth the familiar and passing events of his personal history, as for the want of the perfect and rounded conception of his whole life, which grows, de- velops and ripens, like fruit, to disclose its truest and best flavor only when it is mellowed by time. Daily contact with the man so familiarizes us with his virtues that we ordinarily overlook them and commonly under-estimate their possessor. It is not often that true honor, public or private, comes to a man without basis in character and deeds. The world may be deceived by fortune, or by ornamental or showy qualities, without substantial inerit, and may render to the undeserving a fortuitous and short-lived admiration, but the honor that wise and good men value and that lives beyond the grave must have its foundation in real worth, for "worth maketh the man." Not a few men live unheralded and almost unknown beyond the narrow limits of the city or community where their lots are cast, who yet have in them, if fortune had opened to them a wider sphere of life, the elements of character to make statesmen or public benefactors of world-wide fame. Compared with the blazon of fame, which some regard as the real seal or stamp of greatness, there is a lowlier and simpler, and yet true standard whereby to judge them and fix their place in the regard of their fellow men. During his
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life of sixty years in Gibson county, its people have had means to know what manner of man David W. Hull is. The record of testimony is ample that he is a good citizen in the full sense of the term, and worthy of honor and public trust, ever doing worthily and well whatever he puts his hand to do -- an encomium worthy of being coveted by every man.
David H. Hull was born in Gibson county, Indiana, February 11. 1853. the son of John and Nancy J. (Stormont) Hull, she a native of Gibson county and he of Boston, Massachusetts. In 1835, when a boy, John Hull was brought by his parents to Princeton, Indiana, and passed the most of his life in this county. He spent nine years of his life in New Orleans, where he went to school and studied French. He attended the early subscription schools in Princeton and upon reaching years of maturity, took up the vocation of a farmer. To him and his wife were born eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the oldest. Mr. Hull comes of a family whose history is in- terwoven with the earlier history of Gibson county. His great-great-grand- mother, Mary Boyd by name, lived to the unusual age of one hundred and six years, and was the first person to be interred in the old Archer cemetery.
David W. Hull received his elementary education in the district schools of the county, later attending a commercial school at Evansville. Indiana, where he finished his course in 1874. Soon after returning home, he was em- ployed as a bookkeeper by James Little, where he remained until in 1878, when he engaged in farming in the Wabash valley. In 1885 Mr. Hull pur- chased one hundred acres of well located land in White River township, which served as a nucleus for his present possessions. He now has seven hin- dred and fifty-five acres, and the manner in which he conducts his business as an agriculturist attests his ability as a man of foresight and correct judg- ment. He raises graded Shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs and is one of the largest melon growers of the county. Of the many acres which he owns, Mrs. Hull claims the distinction of having purchased seventy with money she had earned teaching school. In addition to his interests on his home place, Mr. Hull is also engaged in the banking business at Patoka. He is a heavy stockholder in the Patoka National Bank of Patoka, Indiana, of which institution he has also been president for the last three years.
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