USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Indiana : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 51
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The business interests of the town are represented by the following firms : Joseph Beckwith, drugs and groceries: W. A. Alcorn, groceries; John Kep- ler, wagon-maker; Mel'arty & Shawcross, blacksmiths; Dr. P. P. White- sell, physician.
PHILIP P. WHITESELL, M. D.
The ancestors of Dr. Whitesell were natives of France. Jacob Whitesell was born in Amsterdam, and, in early manhood, was married to an Irish lady. After his marriage, he resided for awhile in Germany. In 1774, he emigrated to America, and in the war for independence he served as a soldier, and was wounded at the battle of Brandywine. At the close of the war, he settled near Pittsburgh, Penn., in charge of a church at that place as Pastor. Hle resided at that place until his death, in 1808, at the age of eighty-six years. He was the father of nine children, named George, Jacob, Philip, Wilson, Hannah, Susan, Sarah, Mary and Joseph-all deceased at this time except Joseph and Han- nah.
llis son Philip was born in Germany in 1786. IFe was reared and remained at home near Pittsburgh, Pean., until nineteen years of age, when he became a pilot on the Ohio River, from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati. He afterward built and run the Phebus, which was the second steamer run between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. He was married to Sarah Cubbage, and afterward, in 1821, he settled in the city of Cincinnati. He followed the river all his life, and died in 1839, at the age of sixty-one years. His widow died in 1853, at the age of seventy-two years. They were the parents of nine children, named Catharine, Sarah, William, Jacob, Wilson, Philip, Samuel. Charles and an infant (ileceased) not named. All these are living at this time save the one last named.
Philip P. Whitesell was born in Cincinnati on the 4th day of December, . 1823. His boyhood was passed in the schools until 1831, when, in conse- quence of the cholera, the family moved to Franklin County, Ind., where they remained until he was fourteen years of age, when they removed to Marion County, and settled near Indianapolis on a farm. The young hoy remained at home assisting on the farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he entered a school at Madison, where he remained three years. He then commenced the study of medicine with Dr. IT. B. V. Johnson, of Marion County, where he remained three years. lle then studied with Drs. Bullard & Mears, of Indian- apolis, and then for a few months was engaged on the Indianapolis & Peru Rail- road.
He next attended a course of medienl lectures at the Central Medical Col- lege at Indianapolis, and then, in the spring of 1850, he settled at Clarksville, Hamilton County, and commenced the practice of his profession, and where he has ever since resided, except an interval of two years in Noblesville and while in service in the army.
In December, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss May E. Heiny, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Heiny, of Clarksville. The Doctor continued in the practice of medicine until 1861, when the long-impending crisis between the North and South broke out into actual rebellion against the Government aod Union. The Doctor, who was an active and zealons supporter of the Repub- lican party, laid aside his profession and business and became actively engaged in enlisting men and means for the defense of the Government. Ho enlisted Company E, of the Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry, which he uniformed and clothed at his own expense, and then with it wont into the field as Captain. He
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
continued in command of his company, and with it participated in many hard- fought skirmishes and important engagements, nmong which were Green River, Pittsburg Landing and at the series of engagements before Corinth.
In June, 1862, he was promoted to Assistant Surgeon, and three months Inter was ngain promoted to Regimental Surgeon, in which position he served until May, 1863, when he was employed as Recruiting Officer and as Inspect- ing Surgeon of Recruits. Soon after that, he left the service, and was for two years in the practice of his profession at Noblesville, a portion of that time io copartnership with Dr. W. B. Graham, of that place. He then returned to Clarksville and resumed practice, where he has ever since resided. The Doctor has been an netive and honored member of the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons since 1851, and in all positions, whether ns Master or Com- panion of the Royal Arch, is regarded hy the craft ns " worthy and well quali- fied." Hle and his esteemed wife attend the ministrations of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Clarksville, of which they are worthy and consistent members.
The Doctor takes no active interest in educational matters, and has served as Trustee on the school board for the last nine years. He has for a number of years been one of the Directors of the Indiana Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany, and is at this time Vice President of that institution. Ile is known and recognized in the medical profession ns n well-read and skillful physician, and enjoys a large and lucrative practice in his locality. He is a member of the County, State nod National Medical Associations, and has been a representa_ tive in the National Medical Association of the United States.
The Doctor and his lady are the parents of six children, named Sarah E., Alice, Nellie K., Lillie, Philip B. and Edith M .- all living at home with the parents, except Sarah, who is the wife of George Richwine, and resides in Noblesville.
The Doctor is widely known, respected and esteemed professionally and socially among all classes in the county, and it is with pleasure we are able to present our readers, on another page of this work, the portrait of Dr. White- sell in the group of representative medienl men of Hamilton County.
WILLIAM IL. CASTOR
was born in Hamilton County, Ind., March 24, 1835. He is the oldest son of John and Sarah Castor, and oldest brother nf Samuel B. Castor. In regard to his ancestors, reference may be had to the biography of S. B Castor, which contains the genealogy of the family as far back as it is known.
Mr. Castor's earlier years were passed similarly to those of all farmer boys of his day. He worked on his father's farm during three-fourths of the year, attending the country school in the winter.
The lives of the enrly settlers of this county were one unbroken record of hardship and privation, and the children came in for their share. The mat- ter of obtaining an education in those days, involved a great deal of hard work and self-denial, and required of the children who attended the schools, situated at long distances from their homes, in log huts of the rudest deserip- tion, and devoid of all comfort, an amount of courage and endurance beyond their years, and before which the modern child would quail. Mr. Castor was not more fortunate in his opportunities for obtaining an education than were other children of his day, walking from eight to ten miles each day that ho attended school, through all kinds of weather, over roads of the poorest deserip_ tion, and often with no rond at all, merely n path to guide him to the neighbor. hond in which the hut called a schoolhouse was situated. But he made the most of his opportunities, poor as they were, and to-day he is a man of more than average intelligence and business ability. Having learned all that could be taught him in the schools of his day, he turned his attention toward ob- taining a competence. Farming seemed to be the best opening at that time. and would have been his choice under any circumatances. Entering upon his chosen vocation in a small way, he has steadily advanced and prospered, and he is now one of the most successful farmers in the county, and is the inrgest landowner. His home, n representation of which appears in this work, is n model of comfort and elegance. He moved on to the farm where he now re- widles twenty-five years ago, and has been adding to it and increasing its valno every year, and now, at the age of forty-five, he has an assured competence for life. Ile was one of the organizers of the Lebanon, Anderson & Saint Louis Inilrnad, and was a Director in the company for five years. As nn evidence of the indomitable spirit and energy of Mr. Castor, it may be well to mention that his railroad venture proved very disastrous to him, ho losing nearly $30,000 in it. Msny a mon would have given up the struggle in despair.
Not so with him. He bade farewell to his hard-enrned dollars, pocketed his dearly bought experience and returned to his original vocation, and hy indus- try and economy has about replaced his losses.
December 18, 1856, Mr. Castor was united in marriage to Miss Marthn J. Castor, who was born in Ohio, June 6, 1837, and died in Hamilton County, Ind., April 4, 1877.
On February 14, 1878, he was ngain united in marriage, this time to Miss Mary C. Benham, youngest child of Dr. S. Benham, of New York, who came to Hamilton County, Ind., with his family in 1860. This union has been blessed by the birth of a son, now a little over a year old.
Mr. Castor has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1855, and a Mason since 1862. Ile is a Republican in politics, and takes a liveiy interest in the affairs of his party, although he has no political aspira- tions. He is regarded by his neighbors as an earnest Christian, n careful and honest business man, and a true and faithful friend. He stands high in the Masonic fraternity, of which he has so long been an honored member. He is very enterprising and public-spirited, and is always in favor of, and kends his substantial assistance to. all enterprises which are likely to benefit his locality. but his modesty prevents his ever taking the lead. In a word, he is a perfect representative of the success due to honesty and fair dealing, in connection with cuergy and economy.
SAMUEL BEATTY CASTOR
was born in llamilton County, Ind., October 10, 1838. Ilis ancestors origi- nally came from Scotland, some time prior to our Revolutionary war.
The first authentic necount we have of the family begins with Conrad Castor, who lived nt Brock's Gap, Va. He was the father of thirty children, twenty-seven boys and three girls; and it is a fact of which this ,family may well he proud, that every one of these twenty-seven boys served in the Conti- nental army during our struggle for independence.
Noah Castor, from whom this branch of the family has descended, was one of the twenty-seven patriots above referred to. Ile was born nt Brock's Gap, Va., and removed to Pennsylvania. He was the great-grandfather of Samuel B. Castor, and father of Nathan Castor, who was born 1786 in Pennsylvania. Nothing is known regarding Nathan, which would he of interest here, except that he was the grandfather of S. H. Castor, and father of Joho Castor, who was born in Armstrong County, l'enn., October 22, 1810.
John Castor, the father of S. B. Castor, enme to this county February 1, 1834, and on the 11th day of the same month married Miss Sarah Beatty. settling upon land in Hamilton County, Ind., which he bought from the l'uited States. He and his wife nre still living on the same land; their children are all settled near them on farms of their own, some of them within sight of the old hutnestead. They are a hale and happy nld couple, and bid fair to live to see the beginning of another century.
Samuel B. Castor, the subject of this sketch, is the third son of John Cas- tor. He was not more fortunate than other young men of his time in his opportunities for obtaining an education. He had to go a long distance to a poor log hut, and in return for his efforts, received only a meager foundation for an education; but he had energy and a strong desire to learn, and did not content himself with the limited advantages his neighborhood afforded.
At about the age of sixteen he went to Indianapolis, where he attended school during the summer session, paying his way by teaching in the country during the winter. This he continued for several years and finally sneeceded in obtaining what was in those days considered a good eduention.
His carly training and natural inclinations decided him to adopt farming ns his vocation, and, having prepared himself by a good education to conduct his business intelligently, he bent every energy to the neomplishment of his chief ambition, which was to own and operate a fine forin. The same spirit which carried him through successfully in his efforts to obtain an education has finally witnessed the realization of all his hopes in this direction, and he is now the owner of one of the finest farms in the county. His home, a representa- tion of which appears in this work, is all that any reasonable man coukl usk, and is really a monument to his energy, economy and industry.
In 1862, he married Miss Francis A. Wilson, the only child of Mr. George W. Wilson, who came to this county ahout 1830. In 1838, Mr. Wilson mar- ried Miss Marthn Jane West, Francia A. being the only fruit of their union.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Castor hnx been blessed by the birth of six children, four of whom are still living, viz., Adda J., born March 13, 1865 ; Charles W., born March 21, 1870; George Bestty, born December 16, 1875;
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GRIFFITH, HOMESTEAD BUILT, ABOUT 1830
RES. OF W H. CASTOR, WAYNE, TP. HAMILTON, CO. IND.
RES. OF ALFRED J. SOHL, WAYNE. TP. HAMILTON. CO. IND.
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RES. OF C. F. MALLERY, WAYNE. T.P. HAMILTON, CO. IND.
148
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
Mary E., born May 28, 1879. The following named are deceased ; Homer M. and Martin W.
Mr. and Mrs. Castor are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are earnest Christians.
Mr. Castor is a Mason in high standing in his order. A Republican in polities, he takes a great interest in all party and political matters, and few men are better informed on the topics of the day than he. He has never held nor aspired to any political position, yet few men who are ambitious in that way would fill a position of trust more worthily.
Seen in his elegant howe, surrounded by his intelligent and interesting family, one cannot help feeling that he is singularly favored, and should be, ns he is, universally respected for his many good qualities, as well as for what he bax accomplished.
PETER PASSWATER
was born in Sussex County. Del .. September 16, 1787. When he was about five years of age, his father died, and he was bound to a brother-in-law by the name of Eli Coverdale, whom he served on his farm until he was of age. At about the age of twenty-one, he engaged with a Mr. Townsend as superintend- ent of his farm, with whom he remained n year. At the end of his year's engagement, he gave up his situation with Mr. Townsend on necount of his strong dislike of the duties devolving upon the manager of a large farm operated entirely by slave labor, ns was Mr. Townsend's farm. Another reason for his leaving was, that he had made up his mind to explore the West with a view to settling in some portion of it. Accordingly, he went to Virginia, stop- ping in Greenbrier County for about a year. Not finding a satisfactory loca- tion, he next went to Kentucky, spending considerable time in different see- tions of that State, without finding what he was in search of. He next went to Ohio, and located in Hamilton County, near North Bend, where he engaged in farming for a man by the name of Crane, with whom he remained more than a year. While in Hamilton County he was very ill, and the report went home that he was dead About this time, having been absent several years, he concluded to return home and visit his friends and relatives. Perhaps his recollection of n certain young lady whom he had left in his native State may have had something to do with his resolution to return. Be that as it may, be dul return, and gave his friends a complete, though joyful surprise, for, ns before stated, the report had gone home that he was dead, and no one had doubted its truth, Init had mourned him as gone from them forever.
In less than a year from the time of his return, he married Miss Rachel Coverdale, n niece of Eli Coverdale, who had raised him. Miss Coverdale was born in Sussex County, Del., in May, 1787. Her father dying when she was quite young, her uncle Eli Coverdale indneed her to make her home with him, notwithstanding the fact that her mother was well situated, being the owner of a good home and 100 acres of Innd. Mr. Coverdale felt anxious to attend to the rearing of his dead brother's child, and freely carried out his generous impulses regarding her. It was during her sojourn nt her uncle's that she made the acquaintance of Mr. Passwater, and it is supposed that when he went West, they were engaged. However, they were married in 1815, and remained in Delaware about a year.
In 1816, they concluded to go to Ohio, then in the Far West. They started in a one-horse spring wagon, which was about the only mode of over- land travel in those days. They traveled as far as Wheeling, Va., in their wagon, which contained all their wealth. Here they embarked on n flatbeat, the only means of river navigation in those days, taking their horse and wagon nboard with them. In this hoat they proceeded down the river to Cincinnati ; during the passage, a hurricane struck them, and they came near being. wrecked, but, after almost superhuman efforts, they succeeded in effecting a Innding, where they remained till after the storm, when they again proceeded on their wny. After great toil and many narrow esenpes, they finally reached Cincinnati, where they ngain proceeded in their wagon to their home in the wilderness. They were both natural farmers, if the expression may be per- mitted, and they at once began tho work of making for themselves n home. It may be well to mention here, that they were both poor, and hind come to this new country with very little money, depending entirely upon their own exertions to get themselves the home they had determined to possess. They first rented a small patch of cleared ground, and put in n crop, which they tetaded and harvested alono. The next year, a Mr. Pursell offered to rent them a larger placo, but, owing to their inck of stock and implemonts, they declined to tako it. Ilo, seeing that they were sure to aneceed, finally aided them to got what they needed, and they went on to his placo.
They next rented a farm from a Mr. Burke in the same neighborhood, where they remained for several years ; during this time, they had been very successful in their farming, and Mr. Passwater had made some ventures in merchandising by having his grain ground, hauling it to Cincinnati to market. By great industry and rigid cennomy, they had managed to save money, and they now concluded to buy themselves a home.
During their stay in Ohio, four children were born to them-Eli, Alfred, Elizabeth J. and William J. About November 16, 1826, they arrived in Ham- ilton County, Ind., settling on eighty acres which Mr. Passwater had pre- viously entered. Hle built a log cabin on the spot where Eli Passwater's resi- dence now stands, n representation of which appears in this work ; later, he built the house now occupied by Eli.
Hle and his wife again began building themselves a home out of the wil- derness, and after years of toil and privation, in which all participated, they not only cleared the eighty neres, but added to it from time to time, till at the end of a few years they owned 420 acres, besides considerable property in Noblesville. The following-named children were born to them in Hamilton County, Ind. : Israel, George W., Purnell, Richard, Rachel, Mary P. and Peter J.
The following-named are still living : Eli, William J., Elizabeth J., Purnell, Mary P. and Peter J.
Mr. Passwater and his family lived happily in the community they had helped to build up, drawing friends around them from year to yenr ; both were sociable and hospitable, and it could be truthfully said of their home "that the latch string was always outside," and to this day, their reputation for hospitality to their friends and charity to the poor is remembered by many who have partaken of one or the other.
Mr. Passwater and his wife were both members in good standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than thirty-five years prior to their death. During many years, all the camp-meetings for this circuit were held on a portion of the Passwater fartu, which privilege they donated the church for that purpose, and during camp-meeting, their tent was niways open to those who were not provided with a place to stay, and all were welcome to seats nt their table.
Peter Passwater was in the truest sense n Christian gentleman, and was encouraged in all his good impulses by the noble wife who had followed his for. tunes through years of trial and privation in the wildernesses of Ohioand Indiana.
She was a model of true womanhood, plain and straightforward in her intercourse with her associates, never hesitation to do what she considered her duty, either in the church, among her neighbors or in her family.
Mr. Passwater was one of the charter members of Clarksville Lodge, No. 118, A., F. & A. M., mention of his connection with that order appears in the history of Wayne Township.
During the war of 1812, Mr. Passwater was n volunteer from Delaware, and assisted in repulsing the English in their attack on Lewistown.
He always took ao netive part in all publie enterprises. Ile was among the first to take stock in the Indianapolis, Peru & Chicago Railroad. He wasalso among the first to take stock in the Noblesville & Pendleton gravel road. He was among the most liberal subscribers in the building of the Methodist Epis- enpal Church, known as the Hethel Church, being more interested in the success of that undertaking than any other in which he had engaged. He was a Democrat in politics, though a strong Anti-slavery man, and was several times solicited by his party friends to become their candidate for various posi- tions, but always declined, owing to his undervaluation of his abilities.
On the 11th day of March, 1874, this truly good man passed from this life, full of years and honors, having lived nearly sixteen years beyond the allotted time of man. He is buried in the yard of the little church he did so much to establish, and of which he was so long an honored member.
On July 31, 1874, Rachel, his noble wife, followed him, aged seventy-six, and there in the little churchyard, side by side, we lenvo thein to await the day that shall summon them to the reward which awaits all who have lived such lives of dovotion and usefulness as were theirs.
ELI PASSWATER
was born November 26, 1821, in Hamilton County, Ohio. He is the oldest child of Peter and Rachel Passwater. He enine to Hamilton County, Ind., with his. parents in November, 1826, and settled with them ou the farm where he now lives, and which his industry helped to make the splendid property it is to-day.
Ilis advantages for an ednention woro very limited; indeed, it may be said with truth that ho hind no advantages, and but few opportunities. Being one
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA
of the pioneers, and the country settling up slowly, he was a man in size, if not in years, before there were any schools, and even then school was in session only at irregular intervals during the winters. Like all portions of this country in these days, the obtaining of eveo a partial education was attended with a great deal of difficulty. The distance from his home to the schoolhouse Was several miles, the roads bad, and the schoolhonses comfortless log cabins, with puncheon floors, seats and desks hewn out of logs; no wimlows, only openings covered with oiled white pajar, through which the light struggled faintly. But if the light was seant, wir was not. In those days, there was no trouble about the ventilation of school buildings, as there was always plenty of spare between the logs which composed the walls of the buildings to let in pure air ; in fact, they always had more air than they needed.
The attendants upon our palatial schools of the present day have no con- ception of the discomforts under which the limited amount of learning these old pioneers obtained, was nequired. Nor do they ever think that the many comforts and luxuries they are enabled to enjoy are due wholly to these brave men and their wives, who first cleared the wilderness, and then provided them with all the comforts and advantages of which they had deprived themselves.
Mr. Passwater obtained what was in his day considered an average educa- tion, and had it not been for a misfortune, particulars of which appear further on, he would have taken a leading position in the business of his choice, which was farming. Ile was always devoted to his parents and home, and has spent nearly all his life at the old homestead. He was with his father on the farm until of age, when he went away to work for a neighbor for n short time. Several times he left for short periods to work for neighbors ; but the greater part of his life has been spent at home.
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