History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions, Part 89

Author: Richman, George J
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Federal publishing co., inc.
Number of Pages: 1272

USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 89

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On March 14. 1905, Dr. Carl W. McGaughey was united in marriage to Helen Downing, who was born in Greenfield on April 9. 1882, daughter of Charles and Angie ( Williams) Downing, prominent residents of that city. the former of whom, a former clerk of Hancock county and former prose- cuting attorney for this judicial district, has been secretary of the Indiana state board of agriculture since 1899, and to this union two children have been horn. Carl and Elizabeth. Doctor and Mrs. McGaughey are members of the Presbyterian church, in the various beneficences of which they are warmly interested. They also take a general interest in the social and cultural activities of their home town and are held in high esteem throughout this whole section. Mrs. McGaughey was graduated from the Greenfield high school and later

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attended Butler College, from which she was graduated with the class of 1903. and is a valuable and competent helpmeet to her husband in the exacting duties of his profession. Doctor MeGanghey is a Mason, a member of the chapter of that fraternity, and takes an active interest in Masonic affairs. He is a member of the popular college fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, and still retains a warm interest in the doings of that organization. In his college days the doctor was quite an athlete and continues to give considerable attention to the questions involved in college and professional sports. For some time he was a professional baseball player, a well-known and popular pitcher, first attached to the Northern League as a member of the Duluth team and later to the American Association as a member of the Kansas City team. He also was a member of the Young Men's Christian Association champion team of basket- ball players, playing center, and played in the first game of basketball ever played in Indiana.

SAMUEL J. OFFUTT.

Samuel J. Offutt, well-known attorney-at-law at Greenfield, this county. is a native son of Greenfield, having been born in that city on November 2. 1878, son of Judge Charles G. and Anna ( Hammel) Offutt, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Pennsylvania, who were the parents of three children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch is the second in order of birth. Judge Charles G. Offutt was for years one of the best- known lawyers in central Indiana. He came to Hancock county from Ken- tucky in the days of his young manhood and entered into the practice of law at Greenfield, quickly taking a leading place at the bar of the Hancock circuit court. He was a Democrat and was elected to the office of judge of the circuit court on the ticket of that party. Upon the conclusion of his judicial service he re-entered the practice of the law and thus continued until his death in 1903, he then being fifty-six years of age. His wife had preceded him to the grave about four years, her death having occurred in 1899.

Samuel J. Offutt was reared in Greenfield, the city of his birth, and was graduated from the local high school. He then entered Butler College, from which he presently was graduated. after which he graduated from Chicago University, where he also studied law, and then entered the Indiana Law School, from which he was graduated in 1905. Thus equipped for the practice of his profession, Mr. Offutt returned to Greenfield and opened an office in his home town. A little later he formed a partnership with George J. Richman.

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under the firm name of Offutt & Richman, which partnership continued until 1911. Mr. Offutt then maintained his office alone until on March 1. 1916. he formed a partnership with William A. Hough, under the firm name of Hough & Offutt, which firm is now actively engaged in the practice of law. In 1913 Mr. Offutt was appointed county attorney for Hancock county and served in that capacity until 1915. Mr. Offutt is an orator of more than usual ability and during his attendance at Butler College represented that college in the state oratorical contest.

On December 27. 1913. Samuel J. Offutt was united in marriage to Nell Reed, who also was born in Greenfield, daughter of James F. and Anna ( Pope) Reed. the former a well-known lawyer of that city. To this union was born a daughter. Margaret Ann, on May 14. 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Offutt are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and give attention to the various social activities of their home town, displaying interest in all movements having to do with the advancement of the community. Mr. Offutt is a thirty- second degree Mason, a Knight Templar and Shriner, and a member of the local lodges of the Improved Order of Red Men and of the Knights of Pythias. in the affairs of which organizations he takes a warm interest.

WILLIAM MARTIN COFFIELD.

William Martin Coffield. deceased, formerly a well-known and well-to- dlo farmer of Center township, this county, proprietor of the attractive "Twin Maples Farm" in that township and who for many years was one of the best- known school teachers in Hancock county, was a native son of Hancock county and lived here all his life. His father. Barnabas Coffield, for many years one of the best-known and most influential citizens of Hancock county. was born in North Carolina on January 12. 1825, and was but a child when his parents came to Indiana and settled in this county, where he grew to manhood on a pioneer farm and in his turn became a farmer, the owner of a quarter of a section of land in Center township. He was an ardent Democrat and for years took a prominent part in local political affairs, serving in various public capacities. Ile married Mary Jane Tyner, who was born in this county in 1833 and who lived here all her life. They were earnest mem- bers of the Baptist church, in which for many years Mr. Coffield served as as a deacon. Barnabas Coffield lived to the great age of eighty-five years. his death occurring in 1910. His wife had long preceded him to the grave.

WILLIAM M. COFFIELD

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her death having occurred in 1873, at the age of forty years. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being as follow: William M., the subject of this biographical sketch; James, who is living in Texas: America, deceased, who married Perry Collins; Lucinda. deceased ; Martha Ellen, wife of J. S. Thomas, of Greenfiekl. this county, and Flora, deceased, who was the wife of Charles Bailey.

William M. Coffield was reared on the paternal farm in Center township and obtained his elementary education in the district school in the neighbor- hood of his home, upon completing the course at which he began teaching school, his initial experience in the profession which for more than thirty years claimed his attention having been in one of the district schools of Blue River township. He then attended the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute for four terms and thus admirably equipped for the profession to which he had devoted himself. entered seriously upon his career as a teacher. For three terms he conducted schools in Brandywine township; then for seven terms was engaged in teaching in Blue River township, and then, for twenty-one terms, his services were engaged by the trustees of Center township, four terms of which service were devoted to the schools at Maxwell, during which time he helped to organize the high school at that place. He then was employed for four or five years in the Greenfield city schools, as principal of ward schools, also at Longfellow school. In 1878 Mr. Coffield married and after awhile bought a home in Greenfield, where he lived for years, but in 1908 sold his home in this city and erected a new home on the farm of one hundred and ninety-three acres in Center township. "Twin Maples Farm," which his wife had inherited, and there made his home until his death. The lumber which entered into the construction of the Cofield home was sawed from timber cut on "Twin Maples Farm" and the residence is one of the most attractive and substantial in that neighborhood.

Mr. Coffield was a Democrat and ever gave earnest attention to local political affairs, but never was included in the office-seeking class.

It was on June 27, 1878, that William M. Coffiekl was united in marriage to Charlotte Catt, who was born on the farm in Center township on which she is now living. December 25. 1856, daughter of Jacob and Elsie (Cannon) Catt. both of whom were born in this county, and to this union three children were born, Rhoda May and Mabel, both of whom are at home, and Ira Guy. who died at the age of seven years. Mrs. Cofield is an active member of the Baptist church. Mr. Coffield was an ardent lover of music and was prom inent in all music circles throughout this section. He belonged to the "Old Missouri Harmony Singers," a musical association that met annually for the

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purpose of singing and perpetuating old time melodies. He also belonged to the "Diapason Singing Class" at Morristown, Indiana. Before his marriage he taught a singing school.

William M. Coffield died on March 12, 1916, aged sixty-four years, two months and fourteen days. He was a worthy and useful member of the Shiloh Baptist church, which he joined on December 3, 1881. On May 2. 1885. he was unanimously elected clerk of this church, which position he filled continuously until called by death. He was singing clerk from the time he was united with the church until his death. He was very devoted to his family and his death was mourned by those, not only of his family, but by all who came within the touch of his splendid personality. He was a fine type of citizen, who knew his duty well and performed it at all times con- sistently and conscientiously.

NEWTON RAMSEY SPENCER.

Newton Ramsey Spencer, editor and proprietor of the Daily Reporter and the Weekly Republican at Greenfield, a former attorney-at-law and for four years postmaster of that city, is a native of Indiana, born at Portland Mills, Parke county, March 6. 1855, son of Robert and Mary A. ( Ramsey) Spencer, both also natives of Indiana, the former born in Washington county and the latter in Putnam county. Robert Spencer was educated at the Indiana State University and early engaged in mercantile pursuits at Portland Mills, where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring on July 28. 1865. He left a widow and three children, the subject of this biographical sketch having had two sisters, Martha E., who married James R. Critchfield, of Waveland, Montgomery county, this state, and Mary M .. now deceased, who was the wife of Shelby W. McCormick.

Newton R. Spencer received his elementary education in the public schools of his home village and supplemented the same by a course at Waveland In- stitute, after which he entered Indiana University, from which he was grad- uated in 1885 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. For three years thereafter he taught school in Fayette and Henry counties, and served as principal of the schools at Springport and at East Connersville. In the meantime he was studying law in the offices of Joseph I. Little and David W. McKee at Con- nersville and in 1888, at Indianapolis, was admitted to the bar. Thus equipped for the practice of his profession. Mr. Spencer went to Johnson City, Kansas.

SPENCER BUILDING, GREENFIELD

----.

........

NEWTON R. SPENCER

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where for three years he was engaged in practice and where he served one term as prosecuting attorney. In 1890 Mr. Spencer returned to Indiana and located at Greenfield, where he opened an office for the practice of his pro- fession and in 1800 took charge of the Evening Tribune and the Weekly Re- publican for W. S. Montgomery, and continued in this until his appointment to the position of postmaster of Greenfieldl in 1902. Upon the expiration of his term of service in the postoffice four years later, in 1906, Mr. Spencer bought an interest in the Greenfield Weekly Globe and in the Evening Star. with which publications he was connected until Igc8, when he sold his interest in those papers and established the Greenfield Daily Reporter. In February. 1900, he bought the Evening Star and combined that paper with the Daily Reporter. The next year. 1910, he bought from Walter S. Montgomery the Evening Tribune and the Weekly Republican and merged these latter publi- cations with the Reporter, which he has ever maintained as a non-partisan paper, though his weekly edition the Republican, continues to champion the principles of the party of that name. Mr. Spencer is a Republican and served his party as chairman of the Hancock county Republican committee. 1896- 1900.

On November 26, 1885. Newton R. Spencer was united in marriage to Viola Banks, daughter of Andrew J. and Viola Banks, of Greenfield, and to this union has been born one child, a son. Dale Banks Spencer, who was born in 1899: was graduated from the Greenfield high school and is now an able assistant to his father in the newspaper office, having a thorough acquaint- ance with the details of both the office and the printing shop, from paper routes to linotype machines. Mrs. Spencer also is a practical printer and has been associated with her husband's work since the Reporter was started. Mr. Spencer is affiliated with the Phi Gomma Delta fraternity.

THOMAS HOPE.

Thomas Hope was born on January 14. 1860, in New City, New York. He was a son of Charles and Ellen ( Ilughes) Hope, who both lived and died in New York state. Thomas Hope was eight years old when he came to Greenfield, Indiana, in January, 1868. He was afterward adopted by Willard Lowe, who raised him. He went to the common schools for a period of four months each year and Martin Ragsdale was his first teacher. He stayed with Willard Lowe for about seven years and then he worked around

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in the neighborhood by the day and by the month and often received only fifty cents a day for his work, but he saved enough to purchase his home.

On November 24. 1881, Thomas Hope was married to Sarah C. McCor- mick, who was the daughter of Patrick and Catherine ( Bennett ) McCormick. Patrick McCormick was born in Ireland and emigrated to America and lived in this county for a number of years. He was a farmer and a Democrat in politics. Catherine Bennett was born in Hamilton county, Ohio. Patrick and Catherine McCormick were the parents of the following children : James. John, Samuel, Andrew. Sarah C., who is the wife of the subject of this sketch : Laney Ann, who is the wife of James Liming, and Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife of William Cup. Sarah C. McCormick was born on April 2, 1857. She is the mother of one child, Edgar Hope, who was married in May, 1915. to Ada Heim, of Greenfield. Edgar Hope was educated in the common schools of Brandywine township and the high school at New Palestine. Ile. taught school for six years in Brandywine township and then graduated from the Central Business College of Indianapolis.

Thomas .A. Hope has earned what he has by hard labor. He has never had a dollar given him. Ile now has a tract of twenty acres of land on which he has built a modern house of eight rooms. He raises hogs and cattle and horses. Mr. Hope is a Democrat in politics and was township assessor for six years, elected in 1908. He has also been a strong party worker. Edgar, his son, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Red Men.

ROBERT WILLIAMSON.

Robert Williamson. a well-known lawyer of Greenfield. this county, who has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in that city since 1881, during which time he has been connected with some of the most im- portant cases tried at the bar of the Hancock circuit court, is a native of the Emerald Isle. having been born in the town of Larne, in County Antrim. Ireland, July 15, 1848. son of Hugh and Martha ( Moore ) Williamson, both natives of that same county, the former of whom was born in 1794 and the latter in 1804, both of Scottish descent. the Williamsons and the Moores both having been refugees from Scotland to Ireland during the days of the per- secution.

In 1849 Hugh Williamson and his family emigrated from Ireland to Canada, settling in the province of Ontario, where they remained for about

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ten years, at the end of which time they came to Indiana and settled in Han- cock county. Hugh Williamson was a weaver by trade and had followed that calling in Ireland, but upon coming here became a farmer and thus con- tinued the rest of his life, his death occurring on his Hancock county farm on December 31. 1863. he then being sixty-nine years of age. Ilis widow survived him thirteen years, her death occurring in 1876. she then being seventy-two years old. They were the parents of four sons, namely: James W., who was a Presbyterian minister : Andrew, a farmer of Brandywine town- ship, this county; John, deceased, and Robert, the subject of this biographical sketch.

Robert Williamson was one year old when his family crossed the water and settled in Canada and was ten years old when they came to Indiana and settled in this county. Upon coming to this county Robert Williamson re- simmed his studies which had been interrupted by the removal from Canada and finished the course in the Couden school in Brandywine township. after which he attended the high school at Greenfield and a couple of years later began teaching school, and for nine years was thus engaged, teaching in the public schools of Hancock county, after which he for some time was engaged in work on the home farm. In the meantime, and for some time, he had been deeply interested in the study of the law and when thirty years of age entered the law office of Judge J. L. Mason at Greenfield and studied under that able preceptor for three years. The second week of such a connection Mr. Williamson was engaged on his first case in court and he began to make a success of his practice from the very start. He was admitted to the bar in October. 1881, and ever since has been engaged in practice in Greenfield. long having held a high position in the regard of his associates of both the bench and the bar in this section of the state. Mr. Williamson first opened an office in the Barnard building on Main street, where a part of the Masonic Temple now stands. When the former building was destroyed by fire he moved to the Thayer building, where he now has offices. Mr. Williamson served as city attorney for some years and is not infrequently appointed as special judge to hear cases arising in the Ilancock circuit court, from the hearing of which the sitting judge is for any reason disqualified. and his rulings and decisions ever have been marked by high quality of judgment characteristic of his fine judicial temperament.

Mr. Williamson was a Democrat, but holds to somewhat independent views in connection with his political affiliations, and is more wont to scruti- nize the qualifications of the respective candidates on the various tickets rather than the mere party emblems under which such candidates' names appear. Mr.

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Williamson is a member of the First Presbyterian church and for years was an elder in the same. For years he has taught a class of young ladies in the Presbyterian Sunday school, known as the "Olive Branch." and has written for the benefit of the "Olive Branch" class of that school two charming little stories, "The Story of Ruth" and "The Resurrection of the Body." He takes a warm interest in the general welfare of the community, lending his influence to all worthy movements designed to promote the same, and is held in high esteem by the entire community.

WILLIAM P. JOHNSON.

William P. Johnson, well-known druggist at Greenfield and one of Han- cock county's most enterprising and progressive business men, has been a resi- dent of that city since he was two weeks old. He was born at Summan, in Ripley county, Indiana, April 30. 1877. son of John R. P. and Eleanor ( McConnell ) Johnson, who came to this county two weeks later and settled at Greenfield. where they established their permanent home. John R. P. Johnson was born in Ohio in 1849 and was but a boy when his parents moved over into Indiana, settling in Hancock county, where he completed his schooling and where he was trained in the trade of brick-making. His father, John R., grandfather of William P'., operated an extensive brick-making plant at Greenfield, he and his six sons carrying on the business in a large way, the Johnson firm man- ufacturing much of the brick that entered into the construction of most of the chief buildings erected in Greenfield during that period.

Having been but an infant in arms when his parents moved to Greenfield. William P. Johnson was reared in that city and has spent all his life since then there. He received his early education in the Greenfield schools and was graduated from the high school in 1897. after which he entered Purdue Uni- versity and spent a year there. pursuing the course in civil engineering. He then taught school at Westland for a couple of years, at the end of which time he re-entered Purdue University and was graduated from the pharmacy department of that institution in 1902. he having in the meantime, beginning in 1900, been connected with the Pilkenton drug store at Greenfield, and upon receiving his diploma re-entered that store as a registered pharmacist. When the A. C. Pilkenton Drug Company was incorporated in November, IQII. Mr. Johnson became one of the members of the firm and on April 1. 1913. he bought the remaining interests of the other stockholders and has since

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been sole owner of the store, of which he has made quite a success, his well- stocked store and up-to-date methods of doing business attracting a large trade.

On April 19, 1903. William P. Johnson was united in marriage to Lottie Smith, who was born in Blue River township, this county, daughter of J. B. and Mary E. Smith, both of whom are now living in Shelly county. Mrs. Johnson has three sisters, Mrs. Bert U'uger, of Morristown, this state; Mrs. Vernal Long, of Gwynneville, Shelby county, this state, and Mrs. Il. G. Kennedy, of Greenfield. Mr. Johnson has one brother and four sisters. John T. Johnson, of Cambridge City, this state: Mrs. Eli Gillingham, of Indian- apolis ; Mrs. J. W. Taylor, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri : Mrs. Ora Taylor, of Illio, Missouri, and Miss Nellie Johnson, of Greenfield. One sister, Mrs. Forman, is deceased.

To William P. and Lottie ( Smith) Johnson three children have been born, Martha J., born on April 5, 1904: Mary E., October 7, 1907, and William E., November 15, 19144. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Johnson is one of the elders of that church, as well as the teacher of the young ladies' class in the Sunday school. He is a Mason and a member of the local lodges of the Improved Order of Red Men and of the Modern Woodmen of America. lle has been "through the chairs" in the Red Men's lodge and is now degree captain. Mr. Johnson is a Demo- crat and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has never been an aspirant for public office.

JAMES P. SCOTT.

James P. Scott was born on January 20, 1853. He was a son of John Scott, who was born in Fayette county, Indiana, on June 26, 1830. John Scott's father, Noble F. Scott. came to this neighborhood from Fayette county. He moved to lowa in 1858, with James E. Scott, his brother, and with his father and mother, and lived and died in Page county, Iowa. James E. Scott later went to Nebraska and died in Blue Springs on March 27. 1916. He was a successful retired farmer. John Scott, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, received his early education in Brandywine township, this county. When he came here with his father the country consisted of timber and swamp land and was a terrible wilderness. Grandfather Scott cleared the land and settled it and John Scott received his early education in the schools of that time and he was considered an unusually well educated man for that period.

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Ile was a farmer and school teacher and also music and singing teacher. He was considered one of the best spellers of his time. He had singing schools at different places in both churches and school houses.

John Scott was married on September 15, 1850. to Elizabeth .\. . Alyea. She was the daughter of James and Hannah ( AAbbott) Alyea, who came to this county in 1835 and settled in Brandywine township. They had formerly lived in Ohio. Mr. Alyea was born in New Jersey in 1798 and his parents died when he was only a child. He lived in Ohio with AAbraham Hopper .a blacksmith. He started to learn the trade while there, but later came to In- diana. He lived on his farm and followed both farming and blacksmithing. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Alyea were William, Catherine. Frank, who died in infancy: Eliza J., who was the mother of the subject of this sketch : Aaron, John. Jackson, Hannah and Mollie. John Scott enlisted in the war in 1861 and died on September 11, 1863, at New Orleans in a hospital. He was buried there. He had served faithfully in the war, having gone to war with Charles Gunn and John and Jackson Alyea. He was a Democrat and he and his wife were both members of the Christian church. He was a leader in the community and was well liked and greatly respected, a man whose honesty and integrity was beyond question.

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History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions, Part 89

Author: Richman, George J Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Indianapolis, Federal publishing co., inc. Number of Pages: 1272

Author: Richman, George J
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Federal publishing co., inc.
Number of Pages: 1272