USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 94
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JOHN ARBUTHNOT.
In the history of Gibson county, as applying to the agricultural inter- ests, the name of John Arbuthnot occupies a conspicuous place, for through a number of years he has been one of the representative farmers of Center township, progressive, enterprising and persevering. Such qualities al- ways bring success, sooner or later, and to Mr. Arbuthnot they have brought a satisfactory reward for his well-directed effort, and while he has benefited himself and community in a material way, he has also been an influential factor in the educational, political, and moral uplift of the community fa- vored by his residence.
John Arbuthnot, the son of Ulysses and Lurana (Davis) Arbuthnot.
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was born June 10, 1857, at Linnville, Indiana. His father came to Gibson county in 1867 and settled on a farm about three miles south of Princeton. He was a saddlemaker by trade and later followed farming until his death in July, 1893. His widow is still living with her son John at the advanced age of eighty-two. She is still very active for a woman of her age. To Mr. and Mrs. Ulysses Arbuthnot were born four children : Nancy J., John, Martha (deceased) and Elizabeth (deceased).
John Arbuthnot received his elementary education in the district schools of Gibson county, and in 1892 began to learn the trade of a miller. He followed this occupation for eleven years, but after his marriage he de- cided to engage in farming. Accordingly he moved to Tennessee and oper- ated a farm in that state for three years. Not liking to remain in that state, however, he sold his farm and returned to Gibson county, Patoka town- ship, Indiana, where he purchased a farm near Poseyville. He improved this farm and conducted it very successfully for a number of years, but finding a farm in Center township which suited him better, he sold his other farm and bought the one in Center township which he owns today. On this farm of one hundred and forty-two acres he carries on a diversified system of farming and also raises stock which has proved to be very remun- erative. He is a progressive and scientific farmer who is able to get the best results from the soil.
He was married on February 10, 1887, to Harriet E. Chism, the daugh- ter of William and Mary Fitzgerald Chism. His wife's parents were both born in Gibson county, his wife being born in the county on January 2, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Arbuthnot are the parents of five children: Mrs. Lillian M. Harbson (born November 21, 1887), whose husband is a teacher in Gibson county, at Francisco: Maud E. (born in Tennessee, April 12, 1890) ; Charles U. (born January 20, 1893), who is now living in the town of Francisco, Indiana; and two sons who are still under the parental roof-William C. born June 9, 1896) and Paul E. (born June 4, 1900).
Mr. Arbuthnot has been a Democrat all his life, and keeps well in- formed on the political questions of the day. He has not been a seeker after political honors, preferring rather to devote all of his energies to his agricul- tural interests. He and his family are loyal members of the General Bap- tist church and are interested in the various activities of that denomination. ination.
Mr. Arbuthnot has won his success only by hard and unceasing labor and deserves an honorable place among the representative farmers of his
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county. He has always taken a part in all movements which sought to amel- iorate the moral and social conditions of his community, and in so doing has won the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
C. A. SHUBART.
The following is a sketch of a plain, honest man of affairs, who by cor- rect methods and a strict regard for the interests of his patrons has made his influence felt in Princeton and won for himself distinctive prestige in the professional circles of that city. He is one of those whose integrity and strength of character must force them into an admirable notoriety which their modesty never seeks, who command the respect of their contemporaries and their posterity and leave the impress of their individuality deeply stamped upon the community.
C. A. Shubart, one of the most prominent photographers of this sec- tion of the state, was born October 5, 1869, in Bethel, Pennsylvania. His parents, Augustus and Elizabeth (Welborn) Shubart, were also natives of the Keystone state and lived their whole life in the city of Bethel. Au- gustus Shubart was a farmer and successful business man in Bethel during his whole career. He and his wife reared a large family of six children : Henrietta ; Anna, deceased; Katherine, deceased; Henry, deceased; Aden, deceased; and C. A., the immediate subject of this sketch.
C. A. Shubart received his education in the schools of his native city and upon reaching the years of young manhood he entered the service of a photographer at Canton. Ohio, in order to learn the trade. He remained here for about ten years, when he removed to Marion, Indiana, where he remained a short time. Feeling that there was a good opening in Prince- ton for a photographer he opened up an establishment in that place in 1898 and has been successful from the first. A destructive fire which occurred on December 23. 1912, destroyed twenty thousand negatives and all of his photographic equipment as well. However, with true determination to win and confidence in his ability to succeed he immediately re-established himself and is now rapidly winning back enough to recoup himself for his heavy losses by this fire. He is recognized as a man of artistic tastes and one who can satisfy the most fastidious subject, while his courteous manner and affable personality have been the means of attracting to him an ever
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increasing number of customers. He made the pictures and views which are used in this volume.
Mr. Shubart was married on November 30, 1896, to Minnie Reese, the daughter of Brubaker and Martha (Sheckler) Reese. He met his wife while working in Canton, Ohio, and they were married in that city. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Although he is a Republican in politics, he has never taken an active part in political affairs and public offices have had 110 attraction for him. Mr. Shubart is a man who has the good name of the community at heart and his is the life of a man who gives character and stability to the body politic.
JOSEPH K. McGARY.
Among the strong and influential citizens of Gibson county, the records of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, 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 energy; honesty of purpose and motive, and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely contribute to the moral and material advancement of the community.
Joseph K. McGary was born September 28, 1844, on a farm in Mont- gomery township, Gibson county, and is a son of Harrison D. and Nancy (Pritchard) McGary, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of North Carolina. Harrison D. McGary, who had come to Gibson county in early manhood, was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a farmer by vocation, and lived in Montgomery township until his death, which occurred in 1845, his widow dying some years later. The paternal grandfather, Hugh McGary, who was a native of Kentucky, took part in the early Indian wars with Daniel Boone, and became one of the first settlers of Evansville, having come up the Ohio river in a boat and tieing it to an elm tree which died only a few years ago; another tree was planted on the spot with considerable ceremony, the sub- ject of this sketch being present on that occasion. The subject of this sketch is one of three children, the others being William H .. who was killed in the battle of Stone's River on January 31, 1862, and Hugh D., who lives at Fort
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MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH K. McGARY.
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Branch, but who is engaged in business in Princeton in partnership with the subject. Mr. McGary received his education in the public schools of his home community, residing on the paternal farmstead until 1885, when he removed to Princeton, where he has since resided. He was very successful in the operation of the farm, and also engaged in a number of other commercial enterprises, having been treasurer of the sheet metal works for seven years, or from the time the company was organized until it sold out. He is now engaged in the loan business, in partnership with his brother Hugh, and they are numbered among the successful and enterprising business men of Princeton.
During the Civil war, Mr. McGary took an active part in his country's defense, enlisting in March, 1864, in Company E, Forty-second Volunteer In- fantry, being the youngest of three brothers who took part in that conflict. He participated in all of the battles from Chattanooga down to Savannah, and was with Sherman on his historic march to the sea, proving a valuable and faithful soldier, according to the testimony of his comrades. He is now and has been for a number of years an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he, in association with D. W. Smith, got up the petition and started the effort for the erection of the soldiers' monument in Princeton, and probably more to Mr. McGary than anyone else is due the credit for the suc- cess of this project, as Mr. Smith died sooon after the petition was started and the burden of the work fell upon Mr. McGary.
Mr. McGary has been twice married, first. in September, 1872, to Rebecca Weed, to which union no children were born. Mrs. McGary died in 1901, hav- ing been an invalid for many years, and in June, 1904. Mr. McGary married Mrs. Matilda Degraff, whose maiden name was Trible. She was born and reared in Johnson township, Gibson county, and is a lady of many excellent qualities of head and heart, who has endeared herself to all who knew her.
Politically, Mr. McGary is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. while religiously he is an earnest and active member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. In local civic affairs he has long taken a deep interest, having served efficiently as a member of the city council for six years, and giving his support to all movements for the betterment of the public welfare. Although his life has been a busy one, his every-day affairs making heavy demands upon his time, he has never shrunk from his duties as a citizen and his obligation to his church has never been neglected. He is, first of all, distinctively a man of the people, whose interests he has at heart and for whom he would not hesitate
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to make any reasonable sacrifice. Genial and unassuming in his relations with his fellows, he has a wide acquaintance, among whom are many warm and loyal personal friends.
HENRY WILDEMAN.
Among the prominent young farmers of Center township, Gibson county, Indiana, no one occupies a more prominent place than does the subject of this review. He comes from highly honored German parentage and has a herit- age of all those sterling qualities which characterize the German emigrants who came to this country early in its history. He takes a very active part in all the social, material and intellectual interests of his community and is alto- gether one of those citizens whom any county would be proud to possess. With his good common sense, strict integrity and steady persistence he has won a name for himself early in life and is well liked by all with whom he has come in contact.
Henry Wildeman, the son of Charles and Sally (Aker) Wildeman, was born in Posey county, Indiana, November 9. 1870. Henry Wildeman, Sr., the father of Charles, was a very highly educated man and school teacher in Germany. He spoke German and French. He brought his family to this country in 1849 and settled in Posey county, Indiana, where he remained the rest of his life on a farm. He directed the farm work but was never actively engaged. Charles Wildeman was born in Germany in 1835, while his wife, Sally Aker, was a native of Posey county, Indiana. In 1882, the family moved to Gibson county and settled on the farm where Henry now lives. Charles Wildeman died on July 27, 1909, his wife having passed away many years previous, February 23, 1881. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wildeman were born twelve children: Mrs. Carrie Whitman; Mrs. Katie Gerhart, de- ceased; Andrew, who is represented elsewhere in this work; Mrs. Lizzie Weaver; Mrs. Rosie Stateman; Charles, who is also represented elsewhere in this work; Henry, the immediate subject of this sketch; Joseph; Frank, a farmer of Center township in this county; Mrs. Maggie Smith and Sallie, who died in infancy.
Henry Wildeman received his common school education in the district schools of his neighborhood and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-five years of age; then he went west and followed teaming for two years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Gibson county, where
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he has since resided. He is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and forty-five acres in this county in Center township, which is well improved and equipped with the latest agricultural machinery. In addition to carrying on a system of diversified farming, he also raises considerable live stock, in which he has been very successful.
Mr. Wildeman was married on May 21, 1902, to Katie Deters, the daughter of Barney and Mary Deters, and to this union there have been born three children : Edgar, born January 22, 1904; Roy, born October 18, 1908; Albert, born October 6, 1911. Mr. Wildeman has had success commensurate with his ability and effort and is recognized in the community as a man of more than ordinary ability. In addition to his farming interests, he has stock in the Francisco State Bank, at Francisco, Indiana. Politically, he is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for political preferment. He is a member, with his family, of the Catholic church, and contributes liberally of his substance to the support of this denomination and takes an interested part in all the activities of the church. He is one of the most prominent and progressive farmers and business men of this section of the county, and his counsel is frequently sought by his friends. He belongs to that class of men who are pushing forward the wheels of progress and by sheer force of char- acter and persistency he has won his way to a place of influence and promi- nence in the community where he lives.
JOHN H. MILLER.
Success in this life comes to the deserving. It is an axiom demonstrated by all human experience that a man gets out of this life what he puts into it, plus a reasonable interest on the investment. The individual who inherits a large estate and adds nothing to his fortune cannot be called a successful man. He that falls heir to a large fortune and increases its value is success- ful in proportion to the amount he adds to his possession. But the man who starts in the world unaided and by sheer force of will, controlled by correct principles, forges ahead and at length reaches a position of honor among his fellow citizens achieves success such as representatives of the two former classes can neither understand nor appreciate. To a considerable extent the subject of this sketch is a creditable representative of the class last named, a class which has furnished much of the bone and sinew of the country and added to the stability of our government and its institutions.
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John H. Miller, a veteran of the Civil war and a retired lawyer of Princeton, Indiana, was born in Rockport, Indiana, on December 1, 1841. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Miller, his father being born in Virginia. B. F. Miller was reared in Washington, Pennsylvania, and after receiving a common school education started in the manufacture and wholesaling of tobacco, and later went to Covington, Kentucky, where he followed the same business. He was married at Harrodsburg, Kentucky, to Nancy A. Higgins, and in 1832 removed to Newberg, Indiana. After a resi- dence of two years in that city, he went to Rockport, and in 1849 to Gentry- ville, Indiana, where his death occurred in 1884, at the age of seventy-nine years, while his wife died at the age of eighty-two years. Mr. Miller was a Whig in politics before that party was a part of the Republican party, and from 1856 on until the time of his death, he supported the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Miller reared five children : Jane, deceased; Addie, de- ceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Benjamin F., who served during the Civil war in Company H, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was killed at the battle of Stone's River ; and John H., the immediate subject of this sketch.
John H. Miller received his common school education in the southern part of Indiana and for a time attended a private school taught by a Mr. Burns, a man of excellent learning for those days. When the Civil war was at its height in December of 1863, Mr. Miller enlisted in Company H, Tenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Cavalry. He organized the company and was the first lieutenant. being mustered into the service on March 8, 1863. His company saw service in the battles of Decatur, Alabama ; Nashville, Tennessee ; Mobile ; Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort and many other engagements. Since he was a member of the cavalry service he saw a great deal of staff duty. He served until the close of the war and was discharged in the summer of 1865.
Immediately after the close of the war Mr. Miller returned to this state and located in Petersburg, where he read law for a time with Wiley C. Adams, of Jasper, Indiana. In the spring of 1866, he was admitted to the bar and took up the active practice of his profession at Petersburg, with a partner, E. P. Richardson, and continued his practice at this place until 1884, when he located in Princeton and resumed his practice with J. E. McCullough. This firm of Mccullough & Miller did a general law business until 1906, when Mr. Miller retired on account of age, and since that time he has looked after his farm interests at Union in Pike county in this state, where he has one of the finest farms in the county. He is a breeder of fine mules, Here-
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ford cattle, Poland-China and Red Jersey hogs, and is regarded as one of the most successful stock breeders in this part of the state.
Mr. Miller was married on March 30, 1868, to Mary E. Montgomery, the daughter of Thomas L. and Elizabeth ( Edmondson) Montgomery, of Petersburg. Indiana. She died on August 11, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. John H. Miller were the parents of two children, Montgomery L., who died shortly after he was admitted to the bar, and Bessie A., who is still at home. Mr. Miller is a member of the United Presbyterian church of Princeton, taking an interested part in the various activities of this denomination. Fraternally, he is a member of the Archer Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and takes a lively interest in the affairs of this order. Like his father before him. he has been a life-long Republican, but has never been a seeker for or held any political office.
As a lawyer Mr. Miller, by a straightforward and honorable course has built up a large and lucrative legal business and financially has been fairly successful. His life affords a splendid example of what an American youth, plentifully endowed with good common sense, energy and thrift, can ac- complish when accompanied by good moral principles. He was intensely methodical and unswerving in his search of the essentials of the legal founda- tion and sources of legal conception and thought, holding devoutly to the highly embellished record of equity in all matters of jurisprudence. Now in his declining years he can look back upon a life which has been well spent and a record which needs no apology in any particular.
JOSEPH ROBERT KENDLE.
Among those who are eminently entitled to a place in a work of this character is the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, who has passed to his reward, but whose name will continue to adorn the annals of his community for all time, owing to the fact that he performed well his part in the drama of civilization and led a life that was exemplary in every respect. He set an excellent example to the younger generations, for he was a leader in his locality in all matters that pertained to its upbuilding. and in a conservative manner did what good he could in all lines as he la- bored for his own advancement and that of his family. His memory is well worthy to be cherished by his descendants and friends.
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Joseph Robert Kendle was born September 14, 1841, in Gibson county, Indiana, the son of George Kendle, who was a native of Harrison county, Indiana. George Kendle came to Gibson county at an early date, and passed the remainder of his life in this community, his death occurring in the city of Princeton.
The subject of this brief biographical review obtained such education as was afforded by the schools of that period, and then took up the pur- suit of agriculture, in which he was one of the most successful men in Gibson county. The breeding and raising of fine live stock occupied much of his attention, a ready market always being found for his products in this line.
September 25, 1862, Mr. Kendle was united in the bonds of matrimony to Isabelle Polk, daughter of Clayborn and Rachel (Shoptaugh) Polk, who were born and reared in Kentucky, although Mrs. Kendle was a native of Gibson county. Clayborn Polk was a blacksmith, an expert sawsmith and gunsmith, but on his removal to Indiana devoted almost all his attention to agriculture, in which vocation he soon established himself as a leader among the progressive men of his time. He was one of the first in his community to ditch land in order to increase its fertility, and it is noted that his influence along the lines of scientific farming was felt in later years, while his interest in the schools was productive of much good along educational lines. He built the first grist mill in Gibson county.
No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kendle. Mr. Kendle built the fine home in 1882 in which his widow resides, and at that time he retired from active farming. The discovery of oil on Mr. Kendle's farm added much to its value, there now being twenty wells located on the three hun- dred acres owned by his widow.
Although never aspiring to public office, Mr. Kendle took an active interest in public affairs, being a Democrat and having well defined views on the subject of prohibition, of which he was an earnest advocate. Frater- nally, he was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, while his church affiliations were with the General Baptists.
Mrs. Kendle, who is now spending the winters in Florida, has two sisters and two brothers living.
Thus, in this all too brief life record, are given the principal events of interest in the life of one who ever gave his support to all worthy enter- prises and projects for the general good, so that, although he has passed from the life militant to the life triumphant, his character still lives in
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the memories of his fellow men as a model citizen and one who made a large contribution to the development and progress of this section of the state. Mrs. Kendle has, since her husband's death, been very successful in the handling of her business affairs, and donates generously to all enter- prises having for their ends the good of the community.
GEORGE WEBER.
Though nature affords excellent opportunities for the carrying on of certain lines of labor in every locality, there is demanded of any man great industry and diligence if he succeeds in any business. Competition makes him put forth his best efforts and it requires great care to conduct any busi- ness enterprise along profitable lines. This is especially true of farming and from the time of earliest spring planting until the crops are harvested the farmer's life is a busy one. Even through the winter months he prepares for the labors of the coming year and thus lays the foundation of his success for the ensuing year. And, yet, the farmer leads a most independent exist- ence and always has the satisfaction of getting a day off whenever he desires. Gibson county has as fine farms and excellent farmers as can be found any- where in the state of Indiana, and among these farmers is the subject of this sketch.
George Weber, the son of Adam and Catherine (Cumbel) Weber, was born August 17, 1858, in Posey county, Indiana. His parents were both natives of Germany, and came to this country and settled in Posey county before the Civil war. Adam Weber was a very successful farmer and at the time of his death was one of the largest land owners in Posey county, having several hundred acres of land in the county. He exercised all those qualities of Ger- man thrift and industry which have made the sons of Germany leaders in this country in whatever they have undertaken. No country has sent better emi- grants to America than Germany and they are always an important factor in every community so fortunate as to get them as settlers. . Adam Weber lived to a ripe old age. not passing away until 1885.
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