USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 92
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setts, in which he took the electrical course, and also took the musical course in the conservatory at Warren, Ohio. He went to Washington, D. C., where he became the leader of the Fourth Regimental Band. being assigned to Fort Monroe, Virginia. There he took up military studies and was one of the class of four who graduated, receiving his commission as second lieuten- ant in the coast defense department. He has been stationed at Fort Mor- gan for the last two years, having charge of the Thirty-ninth Regimental Band. He is an excellent musician, being a splendid performer on almost all the band instruments. George, who is unmarried and remains at home, is the owner of a farm in White River township, in this county, and is interested with his father.
In politics, Mr. Cunningham has always been allied with the Demo- cratic party, and has always taken an interest in Democratic affairs in this locality. Religiously, Mrs. Cunningham is a member of the First Presbyter- ian church at Princeton. Mr. Cunningham is a man of splendid influence in his community, having been a very industrious man and having had an honor- able career, setting a worthy example to the younger generation of this com- munity and giving his own children a splendid training. He is regarded as a public-spirited man, and can always be counted on to support the right side of any movement involving the moral, educational or social welfare of his fellow citizens.
SAMUEL T. HESTON.
That life is the most useful and desirable that results in the greatest good to the greatest number, and though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some measure each can win success and make life a blessing to his fellow men. It is not necessary for one to occupy eminent public posi- tions to do so, for in the other walks of life there remains much good to be accomplished and many opportunities for the exercise of talents and influence that in some way will touch the lives of those with whom we come in contact, making them better and brighter. In the list of Gibson county's successful citizens, Samuel T. Heston has long occupied a prominent place. In his record there is much that is commendable, and his career forcibly illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish when plans are wisely laid and actions are governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals. In his public career, as well as in his private life, no word of suspicion has ever been
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breathed against him. His actions are the result of careful and conscientious thought, and when once convinced that he is right, no suggestion of personal profit or policy can swerve him from the course he has decided on. In offer- ing the following brief resume of his life it is believed that it will serve as an incentive to the youth whose careers are yet matters for the future to determine.
Samuel T. Heston was born in Gibson county, Indiana. May 12, 1866, the son of Joseph S. and Margaret A. ( Wallace) Heston. The father was born in Ellicot City, Maryland, and came west in 1855, following the busi- ness of milling for some time after his arrival in Indiana and later turning to farming and stock raising, in which he was very successful. To Joseph S. and Margaret Heston were born six children: Samuel T., with whom this narrative deals; Olive B., who married John E. Joyce, of Princeton ; Eunice E., who married Harry K. Stormont ; and three children who are deceased.
After acquiring an elementary education in the district schools, Mr. Heston attended Eastman College at Poughkeepsie, New York, later taking a course in the business college at Lexington, Kentucky. After completing this commercial course the subject was employed as bookkeeper for the Moore Milling Company at King's Station, which occupation he followed for about two years, and then helped to organize the Farmers Bank, in 1889. and is still connected with that institution. He started in the bank as assistant cashier, then became cashier and eventually president. The institution has grown and prospered until it is one of the best banking houses of its class in the community. The capital stock is $100.000, and the institution, which was a state bank for twenty years, was changed to a national bank, and now is called the Farmers' National Bank.
In addition to his financial interests at Princeton, Mr. Heston is also president of the Bankers National Bank of Evansville, Indiana, which he organized in 1907. with a capital stock of $250,000.
For four years Mr. Heston served as city treasurer, and filled that responsible office in a manner that gave entire satisfaction to the tax payers. Among Mr. Heston's other business connections, he is director and treasurer of the Mechanics Building and Loan Association and is also on the board of directors of the Perpetual Building, Loan and Savings Association. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Oil Company and is still a stock- holder, although not at present holding an office in that corporation. When the Evansville & Princeton traction line was projected, he was one of the prime movers and was its first treasurer.
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In 1890 Mr. Heston was united in marriage to Sarah F. Grace, daughter of Benjamin and Merchans Grace, who lived in Michigan and never moved to this state. To this union have been born five children: Gladys G., Joseph S., Darwin M., Edwin B. and George W., all living at home.
In politics Mr. Heston supports the Democratic party, while his religious affiliations are with the First Presbyterian church. The home of Mr. Heston at 603 South Main street, is a model of all that a modern, comfortable, hospitable home should be. His father died in 1911, the mother having passed away five years before, in 1906.
The Heston family at one time owned fourteen hundred acres of land, and Mr. Heston and his sisters are now the possessors of twelve hundred acres.
GEORGE WITHERSPOON.
It cannot be other than interesting to note in the series of personal sketches appearing in this work the varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are outlined, and the effort has been made in each case to throw well focused light on the individuality and to bring into proper perspective the scheme of each respective career. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is deserv- ing of recognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor, and it is the func- tion of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such pub- lications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, showing forth the individual and specific accomplishments of which generic history is ever engendered.
George Witherspoon, the son of W. P. and Sitha A. (McDonald) Witherspoon, was born September 17. 1858, in Gibson county, Indiana, his father being a native of Tennessee, while his mother was born in North Carolina. His father came from Tennessee when he was about eighteen years of age and settled in Columbia township, this county, where he taught school for a number of years. With the money saved from his teaching, together with what he earned in the summers by farm work, he was enabled to buy a farm south of Oakland City. Later he disposed of this tract and secured a farm near Francisco, but in 1863, he moved to Illinois and lived on a farm in Vermillion county in that state, for the remainder of his days.
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Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Witherspoon, the subject of this sketch being the second in order of birth.
George Witherspoon was educated in the district schools of Vermillion county, Illinois. As a farmer's boy he was the recipient of all those advan- tages which fall to the lot of the boy on the farm, and there learned all the intricacies which the successful farmer must have at his command. He was married October 4, 1893, to Mary Wood, daughter of John and Lovvie ( Ireland) Wood, and to their union have been born two children : Lura, born November 6, 1894, who is now attending the high school at Francisco and will graduate in spring of 1914; Edna, born June 6, 1899, is also a student in the Francisco high school, from which she will graduate in 1915. John Wood, a native of England, came to this country with his parents and the rest of the family. They first settled in Vanderburg county, Indiana, near Warrenton, and later moved to the farm where they lived the rest of their lives. John Wood came here after his marriage and bought a farm in Center township where he remained all his life. Lovvie Ireland was a native of Gibson county. Her parents were early settlers in this county and are referred to elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Witherspoon is living on his fine farm of one hundred and eighty acres and in addition to his general farming, makes a specialty of breeding fine Percheron horses. He has registered his farm under the laws of Indi- ana as the "Sunnyside Stock Farm." He keeps well informed on the latest and most improved methods of farming and has his farm equipped with all the latest improved machinery, and as a result he has been very successful in the prosecution of his chosen vocation and is fast accumulating a very comfortable competence for his old age. He is now getting ready to build a modern home and expects to have it completed within the coming year.
Mr: Witherspoon has been a life-long member of the Republican party. but has never sought any political office, being content to devote all of his time and attention to his agricultural and stock raising interests. He and his wife are loyal and earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Francisco, and are actively interested in all the different organizations of the church. Every movement which has for its object the bettering of the social or civic life of the community finds a ready helper in Mr. Witherspoon. and because of the clean life he has led in this community and the worthy movements which he has helped, his friends and acquaintances are found everywhere throughout the community.
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CUNACUM McELLHINEY.
The United States is the most cosmopolitan nation of the earth. Her citizens are drawn from every country and clime, and a residence of a few years in this country so imbues them with the American spirit that they become among our best citizens. No nation has furnished better or more substantial citizens to this country than has the little island of Ireland. From the Emerald Isle has come many a family which has won an honored place in the community in which they chose to settle. Among the many families of Irish descent who have come to this state, there is none who are more loyal to their adopted country than the McEllhiney family of Gibson county.
Cunacum McEllhiney, the son of John and Mary J. (Curscadin) Mc- Ellhiney, was born November 19, 1875, at Princeton, Indiana. His father and mother were married in Ireland and came to this country in 1866, land- ing at New York. Later they moved westward and settled in Princeton, Indiana. John McEllhiney was a millwright in the old country and when he came to Gibson county he followed his trade and also was a watchman at an engine house in Princeton for several years. Afterward he engaged in farm- ing, continuing in that occupation until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. John McEllhiney were born nine children, some of whom were born in the old country.
Cunacum McEllhiney received his elementary education in the district schools of Gibson county, and early in life started out to make his own way. He was first a bricklayer and plasterer and worked at his trade for several years. He then bought a small tract of land and went to farming, and by hard work and wise management he has become a very successful farmer in this county, and is the owner of one hundred acres of good land with a beautiful home on it.
Mr. McEllhiney was married December 14, 1899, to Ida Legier, the daughter of Amos and Mary (Wallace) Legier, both natives of Gibson county, and to this union there have been born two children, Earl, born Jan- uary 25, 1902, and Lloyd, born November 27, 1912.
Politically, Mr. McEllhiney is an ardent Prohibitionist and does all he can to further the interests of his party. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and contributes of his substance to the support of that denomination. He has always been an industrious and hard working citizen and has made his way unaided from the bottom of the ladder. Whatever success he now enjoys he can attribute to those sterling qualities of head and
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heart which are always the concomitants of success. He has managed his business affairs in such a way that he has won the hearty approbation of all the citizens of his community, and always takes a stand on the right side of every public question and every movement which seeks to better his com- munity's welfare finds in him a sympathetic helper.
William J. McEllhiney, the brother of the subject of this sketch, was born in April, 1866, in Donegal county, Ireland, and came to this country with his parents when he was about one year old. He received his early edu- cation in the district schools of this county. He has always exercised those admirable qualities which characterized his brother and the success which he has attained is the natural result of persistent effort backed by these qualities.
William McEllhiney was married November 7, 1889, to Elissa M. Greek, the daughter of Joseph and Berilla (Mills) Greek, the father a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where his birth occurred October 7, 1822. At an early age he accompanied his parents to Indiana, coming down on a flat boat to Evansville on the Ohio river. Joseph Greek's father was a car- penter by trade, which occupation he followed until his death in 1835 at the age of forty years, his widow, Catherine (Sellers) Greek, surviving him many years, her death occurring in 1875, at the advanced age of eighty years. In his early life Joseph Greek was employed in various ways until he finally secured a permanent position in a brick yard, where he remained for several years. Mr. Greek was married to Berilla Mills on March 4, 1848, and this marriage was blessed with the following children : Mrs. Ellen Seals, deceased April 11, 1873; A. T., deceased October, 1908; Mrs. M. T. Paul; Samuel M., deceased; George W., deceased; John H., who lives in California; Mrs. Alice M. Brown; A. L., deceased; Mrs. Hattie L. McCormick, who lives in Gibson county ; Mrs. Rhoda McEllhiney, the wife of Thomas J. McEllhiney, who is represented elsewhere in this work, and Mrs. Elissa McEllhiney, the wife of William McEllhiney.
To Mr. and Mrs. William McEllhiney have been born eight children : Moses M., born November 25, 1890, who graduated from the commnon schools of Gibson county March 29, 1907, from the Francisco high school March 31, 1911, and will graduate from Valparaiso University in 1914. He taught school one winter in Center township; Rhoda A., born July 29, 1892, is still at home; Margaret F., born January 7, 1896, died November 5, 1897; William A., born November 8. 1898; Rosie A., born January 9, 1901 ; Joseph H., born October 6, 1902; Rachel H., born December 28, 1905, and Mary B., born February 5, 1908.
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William J. McEllhiney has by his industry acquired a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres of land in this county. This has been ac- complished only by steady persistence and untiring effort and the application of upright principles in all of his financial transactions. He carries on a sys- tem of diversified farming and is recognized as one of the most progressive farmers of his township. He and the members of his family are attendants of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and are very actively interested in all the organizations of the church. He has always been a stanch Prohibition- ist and ever faithful to uphold the teachings of that party. Since his party has never been in power he has never held any public office, although he is deeply interested in all the great political questions of the day. Mr. Mc- Ellhiney is a fine type of the man who makes his way unaided and while he has been primarily attending to his own agricultural interests he has not neg- lected that larger life, which tends to the upbuilding of the community in which he lives. He has always been a man on whom his neighbors could de- pend in every respect. He has that respect for law and order which char- acterizes a good citizen and is ready at all times to uplift humanity along civic and social lines.
The McEllhiney brothers are respected throughout the length and breadth of Gibson county and their friends and acquaintances honor and es- teem them for the good work which they have done in their respective com- munities.
WILLIAM PRENTICE DEARING.
The life of the scholarly or professional man seldom exhibits any of those striking incidents that seize upon public feeling and attract attention to him- self. His character is generally made up of the aggregate qualities and qualifi- cations he may possess, as these may be elicited by the exercise of the duties of his vocation or the particular profession to which he may belong. But when such a man' has so impressed his individuality upon his fellow men as to gain their confidence, and through that confidence be retained in important positions, he becomes a conspicuous figure in the body politic of the com- munity. The subject of this review is one of the scholarly men of his county, who, not content to hide his talents amid life's sequestered ways, by the force of will and a laudable ambition forged to the front in an exacting and responsi- ble calling and earned an honorable reputation in one of the most important
WILLIAM P. DEARING.
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branches of public service. A well educated, symmetrically developed man, his work as an educator has for many years been of such a high standard of excellence that his position in the front rank of his profession has long been conceded. Keeping abreast of the times in advanced educational methods, and possessing a broad and comprehensive knowledge, he is, because of his high attainments, well rounded character and large influence, eminently entitled to representation in the annals of his county.
William Prentice Dearing, the president of Oakland City College, with which institution he has been connected for many years, is a native son of the Hoosier state, having been born in Pike county on September 30, 1874, and is a son of J. B. T. and Betty A. (Selby) Dearing. the former a native of Ken- tucky and the latter of Pike county, Indiana. These parents are both living and reside on a farm five miles south of Petersburg, Pike county. William P. Dearing received his elementary education in the public schools of Pike county and in the Oakland City high school, where he was graduated in 1890. He then entered Oakland City College, from which he was the first graduate in the classical course in 1895. He was then a student in the University of Chi- cago for a time and at the age of twenty years became dean of the faculty of Oakland City College. He served eight years in that capacity, and in 1903, at the age of twenty-eight years, became the president of the college and has been retained continuously in this position until the present time. It is a notable fact that Professor Dearing was born, educated, married and began his life work within a radius of five miles. While endowed naturally for the career to which he has devoted himself, Mr. Dearing supplemented his natural equipment with an enthusiasm for his profession and a close and critical study of advanced educational methods. He keeps in close personal touch with the student body, and as instructor or adviser he holds the interest of those under him, and many of the students who have come forth from Oakland City Col- lege have received from him their greatest inspiration for their life work. He is widely and favorably known as a lecturer before teachers' institutes and associations, as well as on the Chautauqua platform. He is naturally eloquent, his marvelous descriptions and vivid word pictures holding his audiences and stamping him as a public speaker of unusual attainment. Among the special lectures which President Dearing has delivered on different occasions through- out the Middle West, are the following: "The Heritage of the American Youth," "The Battle with the Beast," "If I Were You," "The Educated Man and His Mission," "Jack and the Bean Stalk," "The Other Fellow." "The Old
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and the New," "The Double Role," "An Hour With Poe," "The Dignity of Youth," "A Theology For the Business Man," "The Teacher's Creed," "Big Business," and "The Drama of Esther." A modern, practical thinker and an eloquent and forceful speaker, Doctor Dearing's lectures have given universal satisfaction wherever he has spoken.
On January 1, 1896, William P. Dearing was married to May Cockrum, the eldest daughter of Col. W. M. and Lucrecia Cockrum of Oakland City. To this union have been born two children, Mazo and William Cockruni.
Fraternally, William P. Dearing is an appreciative member of the Knights of Pythias, while religiously, he is a member of the General Baptist church, of which he is an ordained minister and in the various activities of which society he is greatly interested. Although a quiet and unassuming man, he has con- tributed much to the material and civic advancement of this community, add- ing to admirable qualities of head and heart, a straightforward and upright character in his daily life, that has won for him the esteem and confidence of all the circles in which he has moved. His personal relations with his fellow man have ever been mutually pleasant and agreeable, and he is highly regarded by all, being easily approached, obliging and straightforward in all the relations of life.
FRED C. KUESTER.
The farming profession has been revolutionized within the last fifty years and the farmer of today knows few of the disadvantages which sur- rounded the pioneer farmers of this state. Scores of inventions have been put on the market which enable the farmer to lead a life of ease as compared to the arduous labors which his father had to undergo. The result is that an ever increasing number of our best young men are remaining on the farm in preference to trying their fortunes in the city. The farmer is certainly the most independent man of the country and all other professions must bow to him. Indiana is known throughout the length and breadth of this country as one of the best agricultural states of the Union, and Gibson county ranks with the best farming sections of the state. Gibson county farmers are not to be excelled by any other county in the state and among its many excellent farmers no one occupies a more prominent place than the subject of this review.
Fred C. Kuester, the son of John and Katherine (Swartz) Kuester, was
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born October 20, 1859. in Vanderburg county, Indiana, near Evansville. Both of his parents were of German extraction. His father came to this country in 1854, settling near Evansville, on a farm and there lived for four- teen years, after which he engaged in the grocery business in Evansville, at the corner of Sixth and Main streets until his death.
Fred C. Kuester, the subject of this sketch, received his early education in the schools of Evansville, and assisted his father in the grocery store until the time of his father's death. He then went on a farm and supported his mother and the rest of the family for several years by his work. At the age of twenty-one he was married to Barbara Apple, of Posey county, Indi- ana, and to this union were born three children: William, who lives with his father on the farm; Mrs. Katherine Rosemeyer, of Center township; one child died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, he was again married on April 15, 1891, to Matilda Garbers, the daughter of John and Lena (Labra) Garbers. Mrs. Kuester's father was a native of Germany, while her mother was born in Indiana. To Mr. Kuester's second marriage were born six children, five of whom are living : Myrtle, Laura, John, Hulda, Ed- ward and one child who died in infancy.
Fred C. Kuester lived on a rented farm for five years after his first marriage and then came to Gibson county, September 21, 1888, and bought forty acres of land from John Auburn, and by unflagging industry and strict attention to his agricultural interests. he gradually increased his land hold- ings until he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of as fine land as can be found in the township. It is interesting to note that the first house on his farm in Gibson county was a log structure, which he built himself. However, with his good wife and his children, he started to build up his farm and not many years rolled around before he was able to put up a substantial home and other good farm buildings. His farm is now under a high state of cultivation and is well equipped with all modern improvements and shows what can be accomplished when a goal is set and the proper energy applied.
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