USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 84
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Audrey B. Barnard, second daughter of William C. and Amanda ( Gib- son) Barnard, was united in marriage on March 15. 1894. to Elmer J. Bin- ford. an attorney of Greenfield, and to this union two children were born. Hugh Barnard, who died on December 12, 1898. at the age of three years. and Ralph Coleman, born on June 15. 1900, who is now living with his father at Tampa, Florida. For ten years before her marriage, Mrs. Binford had
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been a teacher in the public schools of Greenfield, and was a member of and active worker in the Christian church. Mrs. Audrey ( Barnard ) Binford died on February 21. 1904.
CHARLES VETTERS.
Charles Vetters, the subject of this review, and one of Brandywine town- ship's distinguished citizens and most successful financiers, live stock and grain growers, first saw the light of day in Hamilton county. Ohio, October 6. 1856. Born of humble parents, who emigrated from Germany in about 1852, and losing them in infancy, he, along with a little sister. became wards of charity. When eight years of age he was brought to Rush county, Indiana. and placed in a family to remain until he reached his majority. After attain- ing his majority he continued seven years with the family who had proven to be his benefactors.
Mr. Vetters' education, like that of many other men of his age and time. was limited to the district school, but his longing for knowledge made him a student of books and men, until there is not a better informed men in Han- cock county on general affairs and present-day happenings. In 1884 he dis- played his usual good judgment in choosing the life companionship of Sarah C. Wheeler, a most estimable young lady of Rush county, to share with him the joys and blessings of his married life. She was born on September 9. 1862, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth ( Arnold) Wheeler.
In 1886, Mr. and Mrs. Vetters moved to Hancock county, settling on the farm where they have since resided. Their farm was at that time one that had been greatly neglected, but he, being endowed with a strong body and in- domitable will, soon created one of the best and most productive estates in Brandywine township. Mr. Vetters has been eminently successful in all his farming ventures and is rated among the most successful grain growers and live stock raisers in Hancock county, and the Vetters family is recognized as a financial stronghold.
Mr. and Vetters, while living lives of toil, have been mindful of those dependent upon them and the influence for good that rested upon them in the church and community in which they reside. Their family of three children. consisting of one daughter, .Anna E., who was born on November 22. 1885. and who is the wife of Claude White, and two sons, Carl, born on January 4. 1887, and John C., born on January 26, 1890, are all graduates of the
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common and high school and each is a talented musician. They are all mem- bers of and officials in the Christian church.
Mr. and Mrs. Vetters have long been members of the Christian church and much of the time since residing in Hancock county Mr. Vetters has been presiding eller of the Christian church at Little Sugar creek, while his wife has been a zealous worker in the church and Mite and Helping Hand Societies at that place.
Mr. Vetters is a temperance man of no uncertain meaning : a total ab- stainer from early manhood; one who believes when one confesses Jesus Christ as his Savior and only hope for the endless life-just that soon should he become divorced from the use of all kinds of alcoholic beverages and should live a life of total abstinence.
The Vetters estate and home is as near ideal as can be found in the rural districts. The farm, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres of land. is kept up in a high state of cultivation. The crops of the farm compare favor- ably with the best. The well filled barns and dwellings complete in their appor- tionments ; fruits in abundance ; a place for everything ; and peace and plenty abound in the Vetters household.
For nine years Mr. Vetters has not enjoyed good health, but rejoices in the fact that he has lived to see his family of children well educated and well started in life with every indication of making useful men and citizens.
Mr. Vetters is one of Hancock county's best citizens : a factor in his com- munity : a man whose influence is toward the right; a man industrious, ener- gentic and public spirited: a man whose honesty and integrity are beyond question.
EDWIN P. WILSON.
Edwin P. Wilson, of Greenfield, for years one of the best-known mer- chants of that city, is a native son of Hancock county, having been born in the village of Eden, in Green township, November 7. 1872, son of James W. and Martha ( Johnson ) Wilson, the former of whom later became a merchant at Greenfield.
Reared at Greenfield, Edwin P. Wilson attended schools of that city and had reached the high school when the death of his father interrupted his plans for a higher education, his time thereafter being devoted to the support of his widowed mother. Hfe secured a position in the mercantile establishment of the J. Ward Walker Company and has ever since been actively connected with
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that establishment. He began his service with the company in the capacity of clerk and gradually advanced until he presently became a stockholder in the concern, later being advanced to the position of vice-president of the com- pany and general manager of the store, which position he now occupies. Mr. Wilson for years has given his most thoughtful attention to the business affairs of Greenfield and has done much in the way of promoting the general commercial interests of the city and of the county at large. He is a Democrat and also has given a good citizen's attention to local political affairs. For years he was a member of the school board of Greenfield and served as secre- tary of the board during the period 1905-08, in which capacity he was able to render admirable service in behalf of the city schools and the general cause of education hereabout.
On October 18. 1894. Edwin P. Wilson was united in marriage to Nannie B. Walker, who was born in Greenfiekl, daughter of the late J. Ward Walker, for many years one of the best-known merchants in central Indiana and head of the company which controls the store still bearing his name and of which Mr. Wilson is general manager, and to this union two children have been born, Josephine and James W. Mr. and Mrs Wilson are members of the Bradley Methodist Episcopal church and give their thoughtful attention to all movements having to do with the general advancement of the community interest. Mr. Wilson is a charter member of the locally influential Temple Club. He is a Mason, a Knight Templar, member of the blue lodge and the commandery at Greenfield and of Murat Temple. Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Indianapolis. He is also a member of the Greenfield lodge of the Knights of Pythias and of the Improved Order of Red Men.
HARRY W. UMBENHOWER.
Harry W. Umbenhower, son of Almer and Frances ( Brown) I'mben- hower, was born in Madison county, Indiana, in 1882. His father was a native of Miamisburg, Ohio, his mother was born in Madison county, Indiana. His paternal grandparents were Thomas and Lydia ( Kuntz ) Umbenhower. both born in Pennsylvania. Thomas Umbenhower was a merchant in Penn- sylvania, but removed to Indiana in early times and was one of the pioneer settlers in Green township, Hancock county. The maternal grandfather was Simeon Brown, of Madison county, Indiana, and followed the trade of a carpenter. Vbner U'mbenhower was educated in Hancock county and was
HARRY W. UMBERHOWER AND FAMILY
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living at Anderson, working at his trade as a machinist, at the time of his death. Ile was a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and also a member of the Knights of Pythias. His children were: Burt, Harry W .. Ethel and Otto.
Harry W. Umbenhower was educated in the public schools of Green township, and worked on the farm during his boyhood years. In 1907 he engaged in the mercantile business in Eden, Hancock county, in partnership with Odd Fuqua, under the firm name of Fuqua & Umbenhower. This part- nership continued until February, 1915: since that time Mr. Umbenhower has continued the business in his own name.
On December 22, 1901. Harry W. Umbenhower was married to Mary Fuqua, daughter of Joseph Fuqua, of Vernon township, Hancock county, Indiana. They have one child. Floyd, and are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Umbenhower is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Umbenhower is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Daughters of Rebekah.
ABRAM C. PILKENTON.
Abram C. Pilkenton was born on a farm one mile west of Fortville, In- diana, in Hamilton county. He was the son of Jesse F. and Elizabeth J. ( Cottrell) Pilkenton. Jesse F. Pilkenton was born in North Carolina and died on August 8, 1886. He was educated and raised in North Carolina and came to Indiana and took up his residence in Hamilton county when a young man. He farmed all his life. He married Elizabeth J. Cottrell, who was a native of Indiana and whose parents were also farmers. They were the par- ents of the following children: Abram C., who is the subject of this sketch ; Lydia, who married Marion Brooks, of Vernon township. Hancock county ; William A .. who is engaged in the mercantile business in MeCordsville. Han- cock county ; George, who is a miner living in California: Thomas, who is working with the street car company of San Francisco; James S., who is engaged in the mercantile business in Oklahoma and the following, who are all deceased : Nancy, who married John Blonton, was born on July 5. 1849. and died on February 10, 1881 : John, who was born on May 1. 1851, and died on August 18. 1874: Mary M., who was born on July 19. 1867. and died on October 17. 1881: Susan J., who married John Anderson, was born on April
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24. 1853, and died on October 11. 1914. The mother died on September 3. 1007. Both she and her husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Pilkenton was a Republican in politics.
Abram C. Pilkenton, the subject of this sketch, was born on April 7. 1855. He lived on the farm on which he was born for fifteen years and at that time was thrown on his own resources. He worked from that time on at any sort of manual labor he found to do until he had received sufficient education to procure a teacher's license. He then taught school for six years. His first teacher's license was a six-months' license and his second was a three-years' license-the best that could be granted at that time. He began the drug busi- ness at Fortville on November 7, 1881, and continued there in that business until June 1. 1895, at which time he moved to Greenfield and established a drug store, at which place of business he remained until April I. 1913. when he sold his business to W. P. Johnson, who had been in his employ for thir- teen years. While he lived in Fortville, Mr. Pilkenton served several years on the school board. He was later appointed one of the trustees of the school for the blind at Indianapolis. This appointment was made by Gov. Winfield T. Durbin on January 1, 1902. He was later re-appointed to the same posi- tion by Governors Durbin, Hanly and Marshall and still holds the appoint- ment. At the present time and for several years he has held the position of president of this board of trustees. He was also appointed and later elected president of the state pharmaceutical board.
On May 25, 1882, Abram C. Pilkenton was married to Annie F. Brown. who was born in Salem, Indiana, on January 27. 1858. She was the daughter of Robert R. and Mary T. Brown, who were both born and raised in Salem. Indiana. They were the parents of the following children: William .A., who resides in Marion, Indiana : Paul D., who lives in Indianapolis: Carl T., who is a physician claiming his residence in the state of Texas, but who spends most of his time in traveling: Bessie B. Hackett, who lives at Rochelle, Illi- nois, and Annie F., who is the wife of the subject of this sketch, and the fol- lowing, who are deceased : Mary S., Robert A. and Earl. Robert R. Brown tlied on April 24, 1899, and his wife died on September 30, 1907. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Brown was a Re- publiean in politics.
Abram C. and Annie F. (Brown) Pilkenton are the parents of the fol- lowing children : Neva Chittick, who resides at Frankfort, Indiana. and who was born on September 24. 1883: Marie, who married S. B. Hughes and resides in Omaha, Nebraska, was born on February 15. 1885, and Robert Jesse, who was born on June 17, 1886, and who died in infancy.
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Mr. Pilkenton is a man of varied activities, in addition to the activities already stated he is a thirty-second degree Mason and was elected for three consecutive times as one of four representatives of Murat Temple to attend . the Imperial Council, once at Chicago, once at Los Angeles and once at St. Paul, Minnesota. He is a member of the Columbia Club and of the Marion Club. He has traveled very extensively, having visited every state in the U'nion. He also toured Europe in 1905.
CHARLES L. POPE.
Charles L. Pope was born in Buck Creek township, Hancock county. December 4, 1850. He is a son of Christian and Sophia ( Rupke ) Pope. both natives of Germany, who were married there. Fred Pope, the paternal grand- father of the subject of this sketch, was born in England and was a soldier in the English army. He was sent to Germany and was stationed at one place for seven years and while there he married a German woman : there they both died. The civil occupation of the elder Pope was that of a dealer in live stock.
Christian Pope came from Budeburg, Germany, in December. 1833. and located in the German settlement in Sugar Creek township. Hancock county. Soon after he bought forty acres of timber land in Buck Creek township. and built on this land a kind of a brush house in which to live. This land and all surrounding land was at that time an unbroken forest in which wild animals of various kinds roamed at will. Wolves were numerous and inclined to be savage and troublesome to the pioneer settler, especially at night. MIr. Pope tells how he protected himself from these ferocious animals by building a fire and keeping it burning all night in front of his isolated brush abode. He had only fifty dollars to start with and, in order to earn enough to pay for his land and "keep the wolf from the door" he and his brothers, William and Frederick, worked on the canal. coming home every two weeks. Their wives would make an occasional trip to Cumberland to purchase the necessary supply of groceries. By this sort of economy and industry, Christian Pope made his start in the woods. He cleared the timber from his forty acres and built a log house in which to live. lle manufactured the lumber necessary in building by sawing it from logs by hand. Later he purchased an additional tract of land, consisting of one hundred and seventeen acres, the same that is now owned by his son, the subject of this sketch. Here Christian Pope and his wife both died. They were members of the German Lutheran church.
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Their children were: Christian, Sophia ( deceased). Mrs. Mary Brindler. William. Mrs. Laura Myers, Henry. Charles L. and Andrew, deceased.
Charles L. Pope was educated in the schools of Buck Creek and Sugar Greek townships, and thirteen days in the Lutheran school. His education was in the German language : whatever he has of English education is self- acquired. He came to the farm where he now lives with his father in 1864, and has lived here ever since, except seven years that he lived in Indianapolis and worked at the trade of chair-making. He has here ninety-four acres of good land, on which he has built two good houses, barns and other buildings. He was engaged in general farming here for many years, but retired from active work about 1911. and turned the management of the farm over to his two sons, Andis and Fred. Mr. Pope was married, August, 1881, to Susan Roberts, of Hancock county: Andis and Fred, named above. are their two sons. They are members of the Lutheran church.
Mrs. Susan ( Roberts ) Pope is a daughter of Leander Roberts, who was born in Richmond. Indiana, May 11. 1829. He was a son of Joseph and Etta (Cox) Roberts, who were early settlers of Richmond, Indiana. They came to Center township, Hancock county, in 1843, and located on a farm of sixty-three acres, which was cleared and improved by Mr. Roberts. Here he and his wife made their home during the remainder of their lives.
Leander Roberts, father of Mrs. Pope, was educated in Richmond and followed the occupation of a farmer. He lived for a time in Green township, Hancock county, and later in Madison county. He was a large landowner in these two counties, and was largely engaged in stock buying. His wife's maiden name was Leah Henry, born in Virginia, a daughter of Samuel and Attie Henry, who were among the early settlers of Green township. Hancock county, where they both died. Mr. Roberts was the owner of about two hun- dlred acres of land in Green township. The Roberts family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOHN H. HITTLE.
John H. Hittle was born near Rushville, Rush county, on September 15. 1863. He is a son of George and Elizabeth ( Briggs) Hittle. George Hittle was born at that same place on December 20, 1833, and he was the son of Nicholas and Susan ( Morgan ) Hittle. Nicholas Hittle was born in Penn- sylvania in 1807 and died in Rush county in August. 1867. He was of Ger- man descent and spent his early life in Pennsylvania and came to Indiana as
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a young man and settled in Rush county, where he engaged in farming. He entered a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jackson township. Hancock county, although he never lived there. He bought a one-hundred- and-sixty-acre tract near Rushville, which became the family homestead. This was all virgin timber. He first built a log house and a log stable and pro- ceeded to clear his land and bring it under cultivation. Ile suffered all the privations and hardships of the early pioneers. He later engaged in buying and selling stock in addition to his farming interests and in those days he drove his stock to Cincinnati and personally sold them on the market. He so prospered that he became quite wealthy, owning at one time about eight hundred acres of land. He was a member of the Christian church and a strong Whig and later a Republican. His wife survived him about ten years, dying in 1877. They were the parents of nine children, four boys and five girls, of whom George Hittle was the fourth child. Only one of these children still survives, Mrs. Elmira Keaton, of Fountaintown. It was on the old homestead of his father that George Hittle was born and it was there that he spent his childhood and youth and received his education in the typical log school house of the pioneer days. He helped his father on the farm and helped him in driving stock to market. He remained at the old home until he was twenty-seven years of age, at which time he was married to Elizabeth Briggs. who was born on March 13. 1833, near Rushville, Indiana, and who was the daughter of Andrew and Martha ( Farrow) Briggs, who were likewise early pioneers, both from Kentucky. They had nine children, of whom Elizabeth was the fourth, all these being now deceased. After his marriage George Hittle, with only two hundred and fifty dollars in money, bought ninety-six acres of land near the home place, for which he paid thirty dollars an acre. Here he lived until 1871, when he sold his farm and on October 19, 18;1. moved to Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, and bought a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land one and one-fourth miles east of New Pales- tine, on the old Brookville road. This place had only slight improvements. vet the cost was sixty dollars an acre. Only about half of the place was in cultivation, but George Hittle cleared up the place and drained and fenced it. The farm had a good nine-room house, which is still in a splendid state of preservation. About 1900 Mr. Hittle retired and moved to New Palestine. where, on December 13, 1903. he died at the age of seventy years. His wife survived him for only a few months and died on June 19. 1904. They were the parents of the following children: Omer N., who resides in Kansas City : John 11., who is the subject of this sketch ; AAlma E., who was the wife of Albert Parish, and who is now deceased. George Ilittle was a Republican
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in politics and was a member of the Christian church. His wife was a men- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
John H. Hittle, subject of this sketch, spent his early childhood in Rush county, where he attended the old MacMillan school. He was only eight years of age when he came with his parents to Sugar Creek township. Han- cock county. Here he spent the remainder of his childhood and youth. After finishing the common schools he continued to help his father on the home place. When he was twenty-one years of age he was married on April 2. 1885. to Alice Rawlings, who was born in Sugar Creek township on Novem- ber 4. 1864, and who was the daughter of Stephen S. and Sallie Rawlings. To this nnion one child. Anna Pearl, was born on September 15. 1886, who afterward married Guy B. Westlake. She was the mother of the following children : Elise, who was born on January 17, 1905: John. August 28. 1907. and Keitha, September 2, 1913. AAnna, who was her father's pride and hus- band's joy, died on April 19. 1915.
On July 23. 1892. John Hittle's first wife died and on November 29. 1893. he was married to Nora Fritts who was born in Moral township. Shelby county, March 24, 1868, the daughter of John and Eliza (.Anders) Fritts. The former was born in North Carolina. March 27, 1839. and his parents died when he was seven years of age. He was one of nine boys, all of whom were taken to raise by friends. When John was a young man he came over- land to Hancock county. He was later married in Shelby county to Eliza .Anders, who was born in Maryland on September 30. 1838. She moved with her parents to Ohio when three years of age and later her parents moved to Shelby county and here she was married. She was one of nine children. six girls and three boys, all deceased except Elisha. John. Martha and Eliza. who was the mother of Nora ( Fritts ) Hittle. After his marriage. John Fritts engaged in farming in Shelby and Hancock counties until his death. He died in Shelby county on July 28, 1891. at the age of fifty-two years. His wife still survives and resides with her daughter. Mrs. Mollie Brown, at In- dianapolis. They were the parents of the following children: Jennie. Leonard, Nora, Joseph and Mollie, all living. After his second marriage. John H. Hittle continued to farm the old home place. He has rebuilt his barn and built his silo, drained and fenced his farm and brought it under a high state of cultivation until today he has a hundred and twenty acres of as fine farming land as there is in this part of the country.
Mr. Hittle is a member of the Christian church and his wife is also a member of this church. He is a Republican in politics and is a member of the following lodges: New Palestine Lodge No. 404. Free and .Accepted Masons,
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New Palestine Lodge No. 844. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. a charter member of New Palestine Lodge No. 215, Knights of Pythias, and all the auxiliaries. Mr. Ilittle is one of the substantial citizens of Sugar Creek town- ship and is considered one of the most advanced farmers in the county.
HENRY M. LANTZ.
Henry M. Lantz, one of the largest landowners of Hancock county. In- diana, residing on his fine farm in Sugar Creek township, is a native of that same township, born there. October 28, 1872, a son of John George and Eliz- abeth ( Manche) Lantz. John George Lantz was a German by birth, born 111 Hesse, Darmstadt, in 1830, and died at his home in Sugar Creek township when seventy years of age. December 16. 1900. He was one of those rugged characters who carved out a career for himself in his chosen land, winning a competence in the face of many obstacles, and dying possessed of the confi- dence and respect of many friends.
John George Lantz emigrated to America in 1849. when nineteen years of age, making the voyage on one of the slow-going sailing vessels of that time, spending six weeks on the water. He first settled in Ohio, where, how- ever. he remained but a short time when the opportunities which Hancock county, Indiana, presented to an ambitious young man, brought him here. For a few years he worked at teaming and cutting timber, this portion of the state being largely wooded at that time. and at the age of twenty-five he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Manche, a native of Butler county, Ohio, born in 1850. For further particulars of the Manche family, the reader is referred to the sketch of John Manche, a brother, presented elsewhere within these covers. To John George Lantz and wife were born seven children, two (Benjamin and Annie) dying in childhood. The others were Mollie, Emma. William, Nettie and Henry, the latter the immediate subject of this sketch.
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