USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > History of Hendricks County, Indiana, her people, industries and institutions > Part 37
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Elmer L. Fuson, the son of R. A. and Elvira (Allison) Fuson, was born in Crawford county, Illinois, January 20, 1872. R. A. Fuson was educated in Crawford county, Illinois, and after leaving school worked, for a time, on the farm. He then began preaching in the Missionary Baptist church, and continued in the service of the ministry for the remainder of his life. He married Elvira Allison, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Allison, and to this union four children were born, Thomas C., Elmer L., Martha A., who married Thomas Smork, and Mary, who died at the age of seven.
Elmer L. Fuson was fortunate enough to be educated in several different states, his father's occupation as a minister taking him to many different localities. He attended school in Kansas, Illinois and Indiana, and several schools in each state. Upon reaching mature years he took up the barber
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trade, at Brownsburg, Indiana, and after he had mastered the trade, he lo- cated in Amo, this county, where he worked for about six years. He then took up the insurance business, life, fire and accident, and has continued in that line of endeavor since. He has made a special study of the insurance business and is now recognized as one of the prominent insurance men in the central part of the state. He is claim agent for the Farmers National Life Insurance Company, of Chicago, Illinois, an organization incorporated under the laws of Indiana. He has made a wonderful success as an in- surance man and has built up a very lucrative business.
Mr. Fuson was married February 14, 1894, to Flora Garrison, the daughter of Joel and Amanda (Bryant) Garrison, and to this union have been born four children, Madeline and Gwendolene, who died in infancy ; Wendall and Wenfred, twins, born March 5, 1901.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Fuson was Judson A. Fuson, a native of Ohio, who came as a young man to Illinois, locating in Crawford county, where most of his children were born. He then went to Missouri, where he lived until his death, at the age of eighty-six years. He was a minister, in the Missionary Baptist church, during all his life. He was married to Elizabeth Taylor and to this union nine children were born, John L., Stephen A., William, George B., Roland A. (father of the immediate subject of this sketch), Alvin, Mary, Jane and Alice. William Fuson, the great-grand- father of Elmer L. Fuson, was a native of Virginia and was a minister in the Missionary Baptist church for sixty-five years.
Mr. Fuson has been a prominent Republican and has taken an active in- terest in politics, both in local and state conventions. He was appointed deputy state oil inspector by Governor Frank J. Hanly and served in this capacity for three years. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, at Coatesville, Indiana, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being treasurer of the latter lodge. Mr. Fuson has made a pronounced success of his new line of work and deserves great credit for branching out in a new line of business. He is rapidly building up a list of clients in Amo and vicinity, and in the course of a few years he promises to be one of the most prominent and influential insurance men of the state. With his genial per- sonality and cheery way of talking there is no reason why he should not con- tinue to be as successful in the future as in the past. By his honest dealings he has won the confidence of his associates and it is confidence that spells success. His life shows what a young man can do who starts out with nothing, and is determined to succeed in spite of all obstacles and hindrances.
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LEON EATON.
One of the best known and most enterprising of the younger agricul- turists of Hendricks county is Leon Eaton, now in the very prime of life and usefulness, and his influence as an honorable, upright citizen is productive of much good upon all with whom he comes in contact. His past success gives assurance of something yet to come, and he is evidently destined to continue a potent factor for substantial good for many years to come. The farm he is tending, now belonging to his mother, is one of the fine farms in Brown township, which he conducts in a manner that stamps him as fully abreast of the times.
Leon Eaton is a native of Brown township, having been born here on October 1, 1881, the son of Henry I. and Allie (Herring) Eaton, both of whom were also natives of Brown township, Hendricks county, the former being the son of Greenup and Cynthia (Watson) Eaton and the latter the daughter of Jackson and Isabelle (Worrel) Herring, who were both natives of Harrison county, Kentucky. When quite small, both were brought to Indiana by their respective parents, both families locating near Clayton in Hendricks county, where the young people in question grew to manhood and womanhood and where their marriage was later solemnized. There were four children in their family, Allie, mother of the subject of this sketch, remaining under the parental roof until the time of her marriage.
Henry I. Eaton, father of the subject, remained on his father's home, some two miles north of Brownsburg, until the time of his marriage in 1879, when he took up his residence on a farm about five miles northwest of Brownsburg, living there about a year and a half. After that, they made several changes in their place of residence, at one time residing in Indian- apolis, again in Danville, where he owned a livery stable, which he later sold and returned to the farm. In November, 1898, he was elected sheriff of Hendricks county on the Republican ticket, having always taken an active interest in that party's affairs. He served as sheriff for two years, after which he received the appointment as superintendent of the Hendricks county farm. There he lived for eighteen months, resigning before the expiration of his term. He then became deputy sheriff under Sheriff Figg, serving in this capacity until September, 1904, when he removed to the home now occu- pied by his family and where he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring January 20, 1906. Henry I. Eaton was a man of great force of character and was rightly regarded as one of the leading citizens of his com-
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munity. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and, although not affiliated with any religious body, he was a loyal supporter of the Baptist denomination, doing all within his power to further the interests of that organization.
Leon Eaton has lived under the paternal roof all his life, attending the schools of Hendricks county when a boy. In March, 1906, he was united in marriage with Edna M. Herring, daughter of Thomas and Tira (Watson) Herring, natives of Hendricks county, residing near Brownsburg. He brought his bride to his mother's home and there they have since resided. To their union have been born four children, Wallace Edward, Keller Allen, Mary Constance and Lawrence Leon. Mr. Eaton is an active member of the Republican party, serving as township committeeman and also serving as a deputy sheriff both under his father and Sheriff Figg, although never having been sworn into that office. His fraternal affiliation is with the Knights of Pythias, Mrs. Eaton being a Pythian Sister. Mrs. Eaton is a charming woman with a host of friends. She is a graduate of Browns- burg high school and active in social affairs of the community. Mr. Eaton is wide awake to the best interests of the community and gives a whole- hearted support to all movements for the good of his fellows. He has a wide acquaintance and is well liked by all who know him.
PERRY HUNT.
One of the conspicuous names on the list of Hendricks county agricul- turists is Perry Hunt, owner of two hundred acres of excellent land in Marion, Center township, a gentleman of high standing, to whom has not been denied a full measure of success. Long recognized as a factor of im- portance in connection with the farming and stock-raising industries here, he has been prominently identified with the material growth and prosperity of this part of the state, his life having been closely interwoven with the history of the county where he has been content to live and follow his chosen vocation throughout his life.
Perry Hunt was born on August 8, 1858, on the old homestead farm in Marion township, this county, the son of Ithamer and Fanny Jane (Bush) Hunt. Ithamer Hunt came of an old American family of English ancestry. Both his grandfathers were named Hunt and were distantly related. Eliezer Hunt was a farmer in Guilford county, North Carolina, where he passed
PERRY HUNT
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away at the age of eighty years. His son Asher was born in that county, was reared a Quaker and married Jane Hunt, daughter of Abner and Mary (Starley ) Hunt, who was a very distant connection. Asher Hunt came west- ward into Indiana, where he settled in Sullivan county and entered about two hundred acres of government land, which he put into cultivation and where he lived for about sixteen years. At the end of that period he came to Hendricks county and purchased a farm in the eastern part of Marion township, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in his eighty-fourth year. He was twice married. His first wife died in Sullivan county and he again married, his second wife being Abigail Foster. Both he and his wives were Quakers, honorable and industrious and highly respected by all.
Ithamer Hunt, son of Asher Hunt and father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was a Hoosier by birth, born while his father was living in Sullivan county, and was fourteen years of age when his father came to Hendricks county. He passed his youth and early manhood under his father's roof and when twenty-five years of age was united in marriage with Fanny Jane Bush, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Norton) Bush, the former of whom was one of the pioneers of this county, having come here from Kentucky at an early date. He was an honorable and upright citizen who did much for the community at that early date. He died at the age of fifty-three years. Ithamer Hunt was a thoroughly good man, absolutely honest both with himself and others. He lived a strictly religious life, ad- hering firmly to the principles of his life. He was a very prosperous man and won his way through persistent energy and excellent management. He was a life-long farmer and at his death owned something over six hundred acres. His death occurred on May 14, 1903, at his home on the New Win- chester road, at the age of eighty-one years. He had a birthright in the Friends church for twenty-one years, but afterwards became a member of the Baptist church. He was a consistent and faithful member and a liberal contributor to all 'benevolent and religious objects. He never sued nor was sued, avoiding all controversies and litigations, and never paid a cent of interest, so conducting his business, which was considerable, that interest was not incurred. He was a devoted husband and, while a strict disciplinarian, was a kind and loving father and a genial and helpful neighbor. He was a thoroughly manly man and a devout Christian, absolutely without ostenta- tion, cant or hypocrisy. He was a man of peace, quiet and unobtrusive, never used profane language nor intoxicating liquors in any form. In poli-
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tics he was a stanch Republican. although taking no active part in the affairs of the party.
Perry Hunt grew from childhood into manhood on the homestead, re- maining under his father's roof until the time of his marriage, in the mean- time receiving from his father instruction in the secrets of successful agri- culture and having firmly implanted on heart and mind the right principles of life. After marriage he came to his present farm, or, more properly speaking, eighty acres of it. He has increased the size of his farm to two hundred acres, winning his increase by persistent effort, untiring energy and good management. His farm is one of the best in the community, with excellent residence and other buildings, and all attest to the up-to-date methods of the owner. He is progressive in his work, putting brains as well as brawn into whatever he undertakes. In addition to his general work, he gives particular attention to two excellent strains of cattle, Polled Dur- hams and Shorthorns. He raises for the market and also breeding purposes and is now giving especial attention to a herd which he intends to exhibit. He is an excellent judge of stock and takes great interest and pride in this phase of his business.
In politics Mr. Hunt is an old-line Republican and takes an interest in local politics, while never desiring an office. Both he and his wife are men- bers of the Friends church at Hadley and contribute generously of their time and means to fostering the principles of that society.
On August 21, 1882, Mr. Hunt was united in marriage with Loretta E. Hadley, daughter of Mathias and Matilda Hadley, the former of whom was a native of Hendricks county and died at his home in Clay township in 1895. The wife preceded him one year into the great beyond. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hadley were members of the Friends society and lived quiet. useful lives. While earnestly desiring every good for the varied life of his community, Mr. Hadley chose to do his share quietly. He did not care for public office, nor for any lodge. They were the parents of eleven children, two of whom died in infancy. Those beside Loretta, wife of the subject, are Leora (Mrs. Harvey) ; Alzora, who died in California, where she had made her home; Orlando, who died at his home near Indianapolis; Ozella (Mrs. Furnace) ; Orien, who lives on the homestead farm in Clay township, this county ; Ozro, deceased, who lived in Plainfield; Orvis, who resides at Amo, and Elnora ( Mrs. Shirley), who also lives in Clay township, just west of the old home- stead.
To Mr. and Mrs. Perry Hunt have been born five children, namely :
.
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Fauna, who married Clay A. Vannice, a native of this county, born near New Maysville. He is a farmer and they reside in Center towsnhip, south of Danville. They have no children. Ona R. is a school teacher, teaching one year in Marion. The two years previous she taught in the schools of Center township. Her early education was received in the township schools near her home; later she attended the high school at Danville, from which she was graduated, and later she studied for a year at Earlham College, Rich- mond, this state. Later on, she took a twelve-weeks teachers' course at the Danville Normal College. Ray, the youngest of the family, remains at home. However, he has taken the short course at Purdue University, Lafayette. Two children died in infancy.
Perry Hunt is a worthy son of his father and stands high in public esti- mation. He is a kind and loving husband and father and an excellent neighbor in every respect. He has proven himself an honorable member of the body politic, proving himself thoroughly worthy of confidence and esteem in every phase of life. He has never fallen below the dignity of true man- hood nor in any way resorted to methods that have invited criticism or cen- sure. As a citizen he is easily ranked with the most influential of his com- peers and is ever looking toward the betterment of his community. His course has ever been such as to win from those who know him nothing but praise for his broad-mindedness and excellent qualities of heart and mind.
ANDREW S. GARNER.
Agriculture has been the primal source of man's dominion on earth ever since the existence of labor and has been the pivotal industry that has controlled, for the most part, all of the fields of action to which his intelli- gence and energy have been devoted. Among the sturdy element of Hen- dricks county whose labors have profited alike themselves and the com- munity in which they live is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch and, in view of the consistent life record lived by the subject, it is particularly fitting that the following short record of his career be in- corporated in a book of this nature.
Andrew S. Garner, enterprising citizen and successful farmer of Brown township, Hendricks county, Indiana, was born on the family homestead, the home which he now occupies, on March 9, 1852, being the son of Har- rison and Frances (Lowder) Garner. Harrison was a son of Solomon and
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Deborah Garner, who came originally from Kentucky. Francis Lowder, mother of the immediate subject of this sketch, was a daughter of Solomon and Jane (Leonard) Lowder, and was born in the state of North Carolina, being brought to Indiana by her parents while still a small child. Harrison Garner was eight years old when his parents came to Indiana and his father entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Brown township, Hendricks county, part of which tract the subject now resides on. This land was then in virgin forest and Solomon Garner began the laborious task of converting his wilderness into well tilled fields and a comfortable home. Before his death Solomon Garner deeded the forty acres south of the road to his son, Harrison, who lived thereon until his death. Harrison Garner never had ad- vantages in the way of schooling. and grew to manhood wholly untutored in the way of books. However, he was of an ambitious and inquiring turn of mind and after his marriage he attended a night school, where he learned to write, and became still more determined to educate himself. He became, through his own efforts, a man who was considered well read, for his time and community, and was regarded as one of the leading men of his day. He was an earnest advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and took an active part in the administration of its affairs in his locality. He was one of the first road officers in Brown township, and, through his efforts, much was accomplished in this line. He served as road supervisor for a number of years. He was married to Frances Lowder, in 1851, and to their union was born a family of nine children, the subject of this sketch being the oldest child of the family.
Andrew S. Garner attended the district schools of Hendricks county when a youth, and remained at the family home until the time of his mar- riage, in the meantime receiving, under intelligent direction of his father, the secrets of successful agriculture. His marriage to Marguerite Adams, daughter of John Adams, took place on February 14, 1877, and they took up their abode on a farm about one mile northwest of his father's home, residing there until the time of the wife's death in 1880. After the death of his wife he came back to his paternal home where he remained for ten years. In 1890 he chose as his second wife, Emily J. Leonard, daughter of Lindsey and Amanda (Spencer) Leonard, both of whom are natives of North Carolina. They came to Indiana about 1861, locating in Hendricks county, where Emily J. was born, near Amo, on June 2, 1872. After his second marriage Mr. Garner again moved to his farm and there remained until the death of his parents, when he came back to the old homestead and has since resided there. Mr. Garner has two children by his second wife, namely: Mary F.,
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who was graduated from the Brownsburg high school and is now studying music at the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music, Indianapolis. The second child is Walter Lee, now a student at the Brownsburg high school.
Politically, Mr. Garner is a staunch Democrat, as was his father before him, and he also takes an active interest in the party's work. Some years ago he was road supervisor and the highways, under his care, were in as excellent a state as it is possible to keep them. While not a member of any church. Mr. Garner is interested in the affairs of the Baptist church, of which his wife is a member, and to the support of which he contributes. Mr. Garner's career has been one of honor and trust. He has been a consistent man in all that he has undertaken and his actions in all the relations of life have been abso- lutely without pretense. He has ever been anxious to do all in his power to further the moral or material interests of his community and his family stand high in the regard of all who know them. He is, therefore, eminently entitled to representation in a work of the scope of the one in hand.
WILLIAM PENNINGTON.
An enumeration of the representative citizens of Hendricks county would be incomplete without specific mention of the well known and popular gentle- man whose name introduces this sketch. A member of one of the old and highly esteemed families of this locality and for many years a public-spirited man of affairs, he has stamped the impress of his individuality upon the community and added luster to the honorable name which he bears, having always been actuated by a spirit of fairness in his dealings with the world in general, and leaving no stone unturned whereby he might benefit his own condition as well as that of his friends and the favored section of the great commonwealth in which he has been content to spend his life. Straight- forward and unassuming, genial and obliging, Mr. Pennington enjoys the good will and respect of a wide circle of friends throughout this part of the state.
William Pennington, who enjoys an enviable reputation in his part of the county because of his eminent success as a farmer, is a native of the Hoosier state, having been born in Boone county on August 12, 1841, the son of Isaac and Delpha (Guilliams) Pennington, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky, the latter being from Virginia. When nine years old she was brought by her parents to Putnam county, and from there they
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went to Hendricks county, locating in the northern portion of Brown town- ship. She was a daughter of Richard and Rosani (Scott) Guilliams, both natives of Germany, who came to this country while yet children. Richard Guilliams was a son of William and Delpha (Hunter) Guilliams, and was a patriot in the War of 1812. Rosani Scott Guilliams was a daughter of William and Christena (Sellers) Scott, William Scott also being a hero of the War of 1812. Isaac Pennington, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, came with his parents to Jamestown, Indiana, when he was about ten years old. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, on September 18, 1836, when he took up his residence on a farm in Boone county, just west of Fayette. He was a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party and was considered one of the leading men, of his community in his day. He was the father of a family of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was one.
William Pennington passed his boyhood in Boone county, receiving his education in the district schools of that county, and later assisting his father in the work about the home place. In 1862, near the beginning of the Civil War, he enlisted for service in Company G, Seventy-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and saw much active service. He was in the battles of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Perryville and other engagements. During the battle of Stone's River he was taken prisoner and was confined in Libby prison for sixty days. He was sent to Annapolis, Maryland, from there, and thence home. Four months after his capture he was back with his regiment and served without special incident until the close of the war, being mustered out of service at Nashville, Tennessee, in June, 1865. He returned to his father's home, where he remained until in 1868, when he was united in mar- riage to Lucinda Doyal, born October 5, 1852, a daughter of Edward and Sarah Ann (Howard) Doyal. They were natives of Lewis county, Kentucky, who had come to Indiana in 1839, and settled in Hendricks county in the northeast part of Brown township. Edward Doyal was a son of John and Christena Ann (Davis) Doyal. John Doyal was a native of the state of Pennsylvania, where his father had settled when he emigrated from Ireland. Christena Ann Davis was a native of Maryland and was of French ancestry. Sarah Ann Howard, mother of Mrs. Pennington, was born in Kentucky, but both her parents, Samuel and Ellen (Fort) Howard, were from Baltimore, Maryland. After his marriage the subject of this sketch lived on a rented farm in Boone county for two years and at the end of that time he re- moved to the farm where he now resides, which farm was left to him by
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his wife's father, Edward Doyal. There they have passed a great many years, rearing and educating their family of eight children, having lost but one. Charles F., the eldest son, took as his wife Lela Shirley, daughter of Levi and Jane (Roberts) Shirley, and they make their home in the north- eastern part of Brown township. They are the parents of two children, Ova and Hazel, both of whom are attending school in Indianapolis. Ova graduated from Manual Training high school in 1914. Charles F. Penning- ton is one of the leading men of his community and is at present serving as trustee of Brown township, the duties of which position he is discharging in a manner highly satisfactory to every one. He is engaged in teaching in the pub- lic schools, having taught twenty-five consecutive terms. Dora F., a daughter of Mr. Pennington, is a teacher of English in the city schools of Indianapolis, having received her higher education at the State Normal School, at Terre Haute, and also being a graduate of Indiana University at Bloomington. Ernest L. married Ava Brouhard, daughter of Marion Brouhard, of near Zionsville, Indiana, and lives at Wichita, Kansas, where he is a carpenter and contractor. He is the father of one daughter, Frances. Bertha also is a teacher in the public schools of the state, being stationed at present at West Baden, Indiana, where she is instructor in domestic science. She is a graduate of Shortridge high school at Indianapolis, spent three years in study at Butler College, Indianapolis, and took her special training in domes- tic science at Bradley Institute, Peoria, Illinois. Three of the children, Edward I., Clarence O. and Harley W., remain at home with Mr. and Mrs. Pennington.
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