USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 80
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James M. Larimore received his schooling in the primitive schools in the neighborhood of his boyhood home in Boone county, this state, and later in Hancock county, Illinois, and grew up with a full appreciation of the hard- ships attending life on a pioneer farm. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in Company E. Seventh Missouri Cavalry, and served under General Curtis and later under General Sigel. in Missouri, doing scouting and general guard duty in the campaign against the guerillas. During the battle of Lone Jack he was severely wounded in the arm and was taken to the hospital at Macon, Missouri. He presently recovered, however, and rejoined his regi- ment and participated in the battle of Pea Ridge. He received his honorable discharge in 1863 and upon the conclusion of his military service returned to his home in Illinois. From the days of early boyhood James M. Larimore's mind had turned to the contemplation of the thought of being a physician and he presently entered seriously upon the study of medicine. Thus equipped by preparatory study, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, lowa, from which institution he was graduated in 1867. Instead of immediately entering upon the practice of his profession, Doctor Larimore engaged as a traveling salesman for a wholesale tobacco house at St. Louis and was thus engaged for some years, in the meantime saving sufficient money to see him through a post-graduate course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, from which he received his supplementary degree in 1877. Thus admirably equipped for the practice of his noble profession. Doctor Larimore returned to Indiana and located at Carrollton, in Brandy- wine township, this county, now known as Finly-the original of the poet Riley's famous "little town o' Tailholt;"-and there he remained in the
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active practice until in July. 1893, at which time he moved to Greenřekl and opened an office in the Arcade building, where he continued his practice until his retirement in 1907. During his long and active career as a physician in this county, Doctor Larimore has prospered, as he deserved to prosper. being the owner of four hundred and thirty-five acres of fine land in this county, a handsome home in Greenfield and other substantial possessions.
On July 11. 1878. Dr. James M. Larimore was united in marriage to Florence C. Taylor, who was born on a farm in Center township. this county. five miles northwest of Greenfield. April 1. 1860. daughter of William and Caroline ( Martindale ) Taylor. prominent residents of that community. William Taylor was born in Warren, Ohio. April 30. 1831, and was about one year old when his parents moved to this county. settling in Center town- ship, where they spent the rest of their lives, becoming substantial and useful members of that neighborhood. William Taylor grew to manhood on the home farm and remained a farmer all his life, being at the time of his death the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres. On May 2. 1851. William Taylor was united in marriage to Caroline Martindale, who was born on a farm northeast of Greenfield, her parents having been pioneers of that part of the county. September 16, 1835, and to this union ten children were born, of whom four grew to maturity. as follow: Florence ( .. who married Doctor Larimore : Mary, who married Charles Williams, a Hancock county farmer, both of whom are now deceased: Rose. now deceased, who married Benjamin McClarren, of Maxwell, this county, and Sarah, who married Charles Mauck, of Newcastle, who now is county surveyor of Henry county. William Taylor and his wife were earnest members of the Methodist church. Mr. Taylor for many years having been an office bearer in that church, and their children were reared in that faith. It is noteworthy that Mr. and Mrs. Taylor presented the bell now used in Curry's chapel in Center township. Mr. Taylor was an ardent Republican and during the activities of the Grange in this part of the state was one of the leaders in that interest- ing organization. He died in 1900, being then sixty-nine years of age, and his widow survived until 1913. she being seventy-eight years of age at the time of her death.
To Dr. James M. and Florence C. ( Taylor ) Larimore five children have been born, namely : Gertrude, who married the Rev. M. H. Lichliter, a minister of the Methodist church, now stationed at Cleveland, Ohio: Nellie. who married David Griffith, a draftsman, now living in New York City: Dr. Joseph W. Larimore, a graduate of the Washington University, of St. Louis. now practicing his profession in that city, where he is a Scottish Rite Mason:
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James T., who is a student of the Greenfield schools, now preparing for college, and Iva, who died at the age of nineteen months. Doctor and Mrs. Larimore are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, the doctor being a member of the official board of the same, and for years have taken an active part in the social and cultural affairs of their home community, being held in high esteem by their many friends throughout the county. Doctor Lari- more is one of the most active members of the Greenfield post of the Grand Army of the Republic and for years has been the post surgeon. He is a Re- publican, with somewhat independent views, and has ever given his thought- fnl attention to political affairs, though never having been an aspirant for public office. Doctor Larimore is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the blue lodge of that order at Greenfield and of the chapter. the council and the commandery of the order in the same city, being eminent commander of Greenfield Commandery No. 39, Knights Templar. He is a member of the Indianapolis Consistory and of Murat Temple, AAncient Arabic Order. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis, in the affairs of all of which depart- ments of Freemasonry he takes a warm interest.
JOHN MANCHE.
John Manche, one of the most prominent citizens and successful farmers of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, and one of that county's largest landowners, was born on the old family homestead in Sugar Creek township, just cast of the town of New Palestine, January 26. 1845. He is a son of John Manche, Sr., and Catherine Lang, his wife, both of whom were born in Germany, the latter the daughter of John Lang, who emigrated to this country and became one of the pioneers of Hancock county. John Manche. Sr .. was born about 1813 and as a young man emigrated to America. coming to this county, where he located in Sugar Creek township and where he met and married Catherine Lang. For a few years after marriage he resided on the old Lang homestead and in 1848 moved to his own farm of one hundred and sixty acres on the eastern bank of Sugar Creek, about one and one-half miles north of New Palestine. That land was then all virgin forest and John Manche, Sr .. set about clearing the land and placing it under cultivation. His first home was a small two-room log cabin and log barn, but he did not live there long, for within a short time after taking up his residence in the wilderness he contracted pneumonia from driving hogs
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through the icy waters of the creek, from which he died, when about forty years of age. His wife survived him about eleven years and then fell a victim to the plague of spotted fever which swept over this section in 1864, two . children, Catherine and Josephine, dying with her. There still remained five children, three girls and two boys, but two of whom survive. These are John, the immediate subject of this sketch, and Elizabeth, widow of George Lantz. Christina was the wife of C. F. Rafert, both of whom are deceased. Mary was the wife of E. W. Faut, and both are deceased, as is also Paulcer.
John Manche was but three years of age when his parents took up their residence on their own farm and there he spent his boyhood. He attended the early school of that section, taught by George Robinson, in the old Mor- ford school house. He was only eight years of age at the time of the death of his father and thus early in life he felt the responsibilities falling upon the eledst son of the family. When but seventeen years of age he enlisted for ser- vice in the Civil War, in October of 1863, as a private in Company B. Ninth Indiana Cavalry. He remained in service until almost the close of the war. seeing much active service during that time. He participated in the battles of Franklin, Nashville, Pulaski and numerous less important engagements. He served under General Thomas until his regiment was ordered to New Orleans in the fall of 1864 and shortly afterward they were ordered to Vicks- burg, where they remained until the close of the war. In the spring of 1865 he received his honorable discharge and in June of that year returned to his home, his mother having died in the meantime.
After the close of the war, John Manche assumed ownership of his part of his father's estate, buying out some of the heirs, so that he had in all eighty- nine acres, which he began to farm. The following Christmas, December 25. 1865, he was married by Alfred Potts, justice of the peace, to Mary L. Ash- craft, who was born in Sugar Creek township in 1847, a daughter of John Ashcraft and wife, both of whom were natives of Ohio and pioneers of Sugar Creek township. The spring after his marriage, John Manche remodeled the little two-room log house which his father had built, and lived there for abont two years, when he gave up farming and went into the milling business. He purchased two water mills on Sugar creek and felt he had before him an era of prosperity but his venture proved so unfortunate that within some six or seven years the steam power mill had practically replaced the old water mills, and he found his business going elsewhere. He disposed of his milling prop- erty and purchased a small tract of twenty-seven acres some four miles north- east of New Palestine, on which he practically had to start life anew. The land he purchased was part of an eighty-acre estate and had on it a small log
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house and stable and all except about twelve acres were still covered with virgin forest. John Manche set about clearing his land and within eight or ten years had it all under cultivation and was meeting with success. He built a fine new frame house of eight rooms, cutting all the timber himself and hauling it to the mill and later took the finishing timber to Greenfield to be dressed, his home being one of the best in the community when completed.
In the ensuing years, John Manche bought out the other heirs of the eighty acres and added to his farm from time to time until he owned two hundred and sixty acres, which he farmed for a time. In later years he branched out and began buying and selling farming lands until he at one time owned twelve hundred acres of Hancock and Rush counties' best lands. all of which he has of recent years given to his four surviving children, a remarkable tribute of his generosity and affection and his trust in them. In January of IOTI John Manche suffered the great and irreparable loss of his life's companion through death. Mrs. Manche had throughout the years been a most loving and helpful wife and devoted mother and with her husband was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is also a trustee. To their union had been born six children, three boys and three girls. Emma, the eldest, is deceased; Charlie has been twice married, his first wife being Anna Ostermeyer, who bore him four children, one of whom died in infancy, and the others are Ralph, Claude and Mary. After Anna's death, Charlie married Dena Kleiman, who has borne him one son, Norman. William, the third child in the Manche family, is deceased. Della resides on the home place. Maurice married Daisy Scott and has two children, Raymond and Ruth. Elizabeth is the wife of Carl Hardin and has three sons, Herschel, Louis and Russell.
Mr. Manche gives his political support to the Democratic party, served two terms as trustee of Sugar Creek township and was afterward elected county commissioner, serving one term. During his term the new court house was completed and furnished, to which project he gave much time and effort. and after the expiration of his term, he retired to his farin and resumed his duties there. Mr. Manche has always been one of the foremost farmers of the county, following advanced methods of agriculture and has seen great changes come about in the field of his chosen life work. His first farm cost him twenty-seven dollars per acre, while the last ground he purchased cost him at the rate of one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, indicating the won- derful advance in the cost of local farm lands. Mr. Manche long since demonstrated his possession of unusual business ability, for he has prospered in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and is today one of the
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county's strongest men financially. For many years he was vice-president and one of the largest stockholders of the Farmers' Bank of New Palestine. . As a man and citizen he is held in the highest esteem. his life record being replete with good deeds. Mr. Manche was the first farmer in the county to buy an automobile and also the first man to buy a farm tractor.
CHARLES E. VAUGHN.
Charles E. Vaughn. one of the best-known merchants in Greenfield, who has conducted a grocery store in the Howard block on Main street in that city since the year 1898, was born in the neighboring county of Shelby on October 10, 1872, son of William N. and Jerusha ( Wolfe ) Vaughn. the former a native of Ohio, born in 1854, and the latter of Indiana, born in Shelby county, who later became well-known residents of Greenfield.
William M. Vaughn came to Indiana carly in life and grew up in Shelby county, where he became a miller and where he married. He later came to Hancock county, locating at Greenfield, where he engaged in business as a general contractor in road and cement work. He was a Democrat and in 1878 was the nominee of his party for the office of sheriff. but was defeated. Hle was a Mason and Knight Templar and took an earnest interest in the affairs of those organizations. He and his wife were members of the Chris- tian Union in Shelby county. William M. Vaughn died at his home in Greenfield in March, 1908, at the age of sixty-three years. His widow is still living in that city, being now past seventy-two years of age. They were the parents of two children, the subject of this biographical sketch having a sister. Jessie, who is at home with her mother.
Upon completing his schooling in the Greenfield public schools, Charles E. Vaughn was engaged as a clerk in the grocery store of Hamlyn I. Strick- land at Greenfield, remaining there for seven years, at the end of which time he transferred his services to the L. C. Thayer grocery store, where he re- mained three years, or until he opened a grocery store of his own. Mr. Vaughn began business for himself in July, 1898, and has ever since occupied his present location in the Howard block, where he has long enjoyed an excellent trade, his store being well stocked and up-to-date. Mr. Vaughn's progres- siveness as a merchant is indicated by the fact that he was the owner of the third or fourth automobile ever used in Hancock county. Hle is a Democrat. but has never been an aspirant for public office.
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On November 12, 1895, Charles E. Vaughn was united in marriage to Nellie May Hatfield, who was at that time employed as cashier in the Thayer store, where Mr. Vaughn was clerking, and to this union one childl has been born, a daughter, Gertrude Harriet, who is attending DePauw University. Mrs. Vaughn was born at Cleveland, this county, February 14, 1877, daugh- ter of Joseph Everett and Lavina ( Ross ) Hatfield, both of whom also were born at Cleveland, the former in 1855 and the latter in 1853. Joseph E. Hat- field for years was the telegraph operator for the Pennsylvania railroad at Cleveland and later moved to Knightstown, where he engaged in the general merchandise business and was thus engaged until his retirement from business, after which he moved to the home farm in Jackson township, this county, where he and his wife are now living. They were the parents of four chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy, the others besides Mr. Vaughn being AAlma, who married Joseph Williamson, and Russell, who lives at Indian- apolis. Mrs. Vaughn was graduated from the Greenfield high school, after which she was engaged as cashier in the Thayer store, remaining there for three years, or until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn attend the Pres- byterian church and take an earnest interest in the various beneficences of the same. Mr. Vaughn is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, a inember of the blue lodge, the chapter and the commandery at Greenfield. and takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs, this interest having induced him to "cross the sands" and become a member of Murat Temple, AAncient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis. He is also a member of the Greenfield lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men.
JONAS P. WALKER.
Jonas P. Walker, well-known attorney of Greenfield, one of the leaders of the bar of the Hancock circuit court, is a native son of Hancock county, hav- ing been born on a farm in Brown township, this county, November 23. 1874. son and only child of James R. and Mary C. (Piper) Walker, both natives of this same county, the former of whom was born in Jackson township and the latter in Green township.
James R. Walker was reared on the paternal farm in Jackson township and made his home there until his marriage, after which he moved to the farm in Brown township where the subject of this sketch was born and there he followed farming until well past middle age, when he moved to Greenfield and
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engaged in the insurance business, in which he has been quite successfully engaged ever since, being one of the best-known residents of the county seat. Mr. Walker is a Democrat and for years has given a good citizen's attention to the political affairs of the county, though not included in the office-seeking class. He is a member of the United Brethren church, as was his wife, who died in 1910. The Walkers are one of the old families in Hancock county. having come here in pioneer days by way of Kentucky. The Pipers were also early settlers in this county, coming from Tennessee, both families having done well their parts in the respective communities in which they settled.
Jonas P. Walker was reared on the home farm in Brown township. receiving his elementary education in the old Buchanan district school in the neighborhood of his home, supplementing the same by a course in the high school at Warrington, upon the completion of which he entered the Central Normal school at Danville, this state, and was a student of that excellent old institution during the years 1893-4-5. On September 16 of the latter year he began reading law in the office of Marsh & Cook at Greenfield and at the end of two years of careful tutelage under those able preceptors was admitted to the bar and immediately thereafter, in 1897, formed a partnership with John G. Wiggins, who was then the prosecuting attorney for this judicial district. He continued in partnership three and one-half years with Mr. Wiggins, at the end of which time the partnership between him and Mr. Wig- gins was dissolved and he entered into a partnership with Elmer J. Binford. under the firm name of Binford & Walker, which continued for five years. during which time the firm of Binford & Walker acted as general counsel for the company operating the interurban railway line between New- castle and Indianapolis. In January. 1913. Mr. Walker formed a new business connection, entering into a partnership with Charles H. Cook, for the practice of law in Greenfield, and this mutually agreeable partnership continued under the firm name of Cook & Walker, one of the best-known firms of lawyers in the county, the senior mem- ber of the firm being the son of an eminent attorney under whom Mr. Walker read law upon taking up the study of the same at the conclusion of his school course, and the firm is doing business in the same offices at that time occupied by the old firm of Marsh & Cook.
On May 6, 1903, Jonas P. Walker was united in marriage to Margaret A. White, who was born in Greenfield, this county, March 8, 1886, daughter of Albert and Isabelle ( Brandon) White, the former of whom is a native of Indiana and the latter of the state of New York. Albert White is a well- known general contractor of Greenfield. his particular line being street paving.
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and he and his wife are the parents of two children, of whom Mrs. Walker is the youngest. The latter was reared in Greenfield, receiving her education in the local schools and was graduated from the high school with the class of 1895. To her union with Mr. Walker one child was born, a daughter, Isabel M., who is now attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Walker take a proper part in the social and cultural activities of the county seat town and are held in high esteem by their many friends throughout the county.
Mr. Walker is a Democrat and is an ardent party man, having been prominently connected with the party organization in this county ever since taking up his residence in Greenfield. Mr. Walker was elected vice-chairman of the Hancock county Democratic central committee and upon the resigna- tion of the chairman was elected chairman to fill out the term ending March II, 1916. He is an active member of the Greenfield lodge of the Masonic order, as well as a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men and Knights of Pythias, and in the affairs of these several organizations takes a warm interest.
CHRISTIAN FINK.
Christian Fink, one of the substantial farmers of Hancock county, was born on his father's farm in Sugar Creek township, near Julietta, on May 9. 1858. He is the son of Henry and Louisa (Miller ) Fink, pioneers of the township.
Christian Fink spent his childhood on the home place and attended school at the old Swamp school house. After leaving school he continued to assist his father on the farm until he was twenty-seven years of age. At that time the father retired from the farm and moved to Irvington. It was then that Christian received a part of the farm which he operated until 1888, when he moved to the farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which his father had pur- chased north of and adjoining the town of Gem. This has been the home of Mr. Fink since that time. He now owns two hundred and fifty-five acres of well-improved land.
Christian Fink is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of which he is a trustee. Politically, Mr. Fink is a Democrat but does not aspire to office, yet he takes an interest in the selecting of the best men to office. He is well and favorably known both in the township and the county and is held! in high esteem by all who know him.
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
CHARLES MILO GIBBS, M. D.
Dr. Charles Milo Gibbs, one of the best-known and most successful phy- sicians in Greenfield, this county, is a native son of Hancock county, having been born on the old Gibbs homestead farm in Center township, three miles northeast of Greenfield, March 28. 1873. son of John S. and Sarah I. (Bris- tow) Gibbs, both members of pioneer families of this county.
John S. Gibbs was born on a farm east of Greenfield, in Center town- ship, this county, March 30, 1851. son of Milo and Elizabeth J. ( Crider) Gibbs, the former a native of New York and the latter of Virginia, who came to this county with their respective parents in the early thirties of the last century, both families establishing permanent homes here. After their mar- riage Milo and Elizabeth Gibbs set up a home on a farm four miles east of Greenfield and shortly thereafter moved to Effingham, Illinois, where he died at the age of twenty-six years. His widow, who was born on January 30, 1828, returned to Hancock county a few years later and is still living in Han- cock county, being now nearly ninety years of age. John S. Gibbs grew to manhood on the farm and is still living in Center township. within two miles of the farm on which he was born. Ile married Sarah 1. Bristow, who was born on a farm on the banks of Sugar creek, on the line between Vernon and Brown townships, eight miles northwest of Greenfield. June 2. 1850. daughter of Henry and Louisa ( May) Bristow, both natives of Ohio, the former of whom was born on February 15, 1819, and the latter. June 27. 1826, who settled in this county in an early day of the settlement of this com- munity and became large landowners and useful and influential citizens of this county, where both spent the remainder of their lives. Henry Bristow was a pioneer Methodist preacher and for years was a well-known circuit rider in this part of the state, his ministrations taking him into widely sepa- rated neighborhoods throughout this region. He followed farming quite successfully and was regarded as one of the most substantial citizens in that part of the county. Both he and his wife lived to advanced ages. Sarah I. Bristow received her schooling in the old Frazier school house in Vernon ownship and was married to John S. Gibbs on April 18, 1872. To this union five children were born, all of whom are still living, as follows : Charles Milo, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch: Mary E., Forn on August 2. 1875, who married Andrew J. Briney. a well-known Hancock county farmer : Ida O .. March 3. 1878, who married John Briney, who is living on the old Briney homestead in this county: Iva O .. March 23. 1883. who married Edgar Howrey, living seven miles northeast of Greenfield, and
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