USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > History of Hendricks County, Indiana, her people, industries and institutions > Part 43
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Mr. Mitchell was married September 30, 1891, to Ella Givan, the daughter of George M. and Ann Givan. George Givan was born June 19, 1827, in Dearborn county, Indiana, and was a lifelong farmer and carpenter. His parents were Gilbert T. and Sarah (Merrill) Givan, who were natives of Maryland and Virginia, respectively. They came to Dearborn county, Indiana, early in its history and lived on a farm there for over fifty years
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George Givan died May 29, 1906, his wife having passed away several years previous, on November 1I, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. George Givan were the parents of eleven children, John F., Mrs. Mary Bell Bruce, Sanford E., Mrs. Harriet J. Smith, Sarah E., Mrs. Eva A. Farquer, Charles M., Mrs. Ella J. Mitchell (the wife of Thomas H. Mitchell), Harry R., Erving, deceased, and Mrs. Cora A. Slater.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have one child, Carl Columbus, born April 26, 1894, who is still with his parents. The family are all members of the Presbyterian church at Clayton, Indiana, and Mr. Mitchell has been an elder in the church for the past ten years. Politically, he is a Democrat, but has never been inclined to take a very active part in politics. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and is now serving his fourth year as master of the lodge at Clayton. He is a man of splendid characteristics which have won for him a wide circle of friends in the community where he has lived his whole career.
SAMUEL BARBER.
A review of the life of the honored subject of this biographical sketch must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of the career of Mr. Barber, touching the earnest and persistent efforts of his earlier years and successes of later days, would far transcend the limits of this article. He has filled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising and public-spirited men of his day and has been an im- portant factor in the growth and development of North Salem's industrial and commercial interests.
Samuel Barber, a prominent retired business man of North Salem, In- diana, was born April 25, 1840, in Montgomery county, this state, the son of John and Annie (Cunningham) Barber, both of whom were born in Botetourt county, Virginia, where they grew up and where they were mar- ried. Shortly after their marriage, they came to Indiana and entered gov- ernment land near Ladoga, Montgomery county, where they lived for about thirty-five years. Some years before the Civil War they came to Hendricks county and settled about one and one-half miles north of North Salem, but after a short time they went back to Montgomery county, and still later went to Boone county, this state, where they located on a farm near Jamestown,
SAMUEL BARBER
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where they lived for the remainder of their lives. John Barber and his wife were the parents of two children, Samuel and Eliza. Eliza married Roland Alexander and died about the year 1878.
Samuel Barber lived with his parents until his marriage, at the age of twenty. He was married September 9, 1860, to Mary Ann Robbins, a native of North Carolina. Her parents, Jacob and Barbara Robbins, came from North Carolina and settled three miles south of North Salem when Mrs. Barber was only about one year old. After his marriage Mr. Barber operated a farm near North Salem for about fifteen years, after which he engaged in the lumber business at North Salem, which he followed for the rest of his active life. He was in partnership with F. M. Davis until the latter's death, which occurred in 1887, and from that time until 1909 he managed the busi- ness alone. In the latter year Smith Davis became a partner and the business is still continued under the firm name of Barber & Davis. In addition to his lumber interests, Mr. Barber owns a farm of eighty acres north of North Salem, and also formerly owned two hundred acres of good land in addition, which he gave to his daughter, Annie, the only child of his first marriage. The first wife of Mr. Barber died July 9, 1908, and on February 2, 1910, Mr. Barber married Mrs. Mary Jane Cusick, the widow of Joseph Cusick, who was born at Freeburg, near Belleville, Illinois, the daughter of George W. and Martha (Smith) Smith. In 1865 her parents moved to Douglas county, Illinois, where she grew to womanhood and married Mr. Cusick. After her marriage she lived at Terre Haute until her husband died, in July, 1907, after which she moved to Newman, Illinois, where she remained until her marriage to Mr. Barber. Annie, the only child of Mr. Barber, married Elbert Hays, and has one daughter, Hattie. Mr. and Mrs. Hays live on the home farm of Mr. Barber which he bought.
Mr. Barber has been a life-long Republican in politics, and has always taken an active part in the councils of his party. He and his wife are con- sistent members of the Christian church and he is a member of the board of trustees. For a man of seventy-four years, Mr. Barber is remarkably well preserved and active, and would easily pass for a man twenty years younger. His long life in this community has made him an influential factor in the growth of the town and vicinity and because he has always been ready to lend his aid and support to all laudable measures and enterprises for the welfare of his community, he is very popular with the people of his town and vicinity.
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JOHN C. RYNERSON.
It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has won a definite goal in life, whose career has been such as to com- mand the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such, in brief, was the record of the well-known agriculturist whose name heads this sketch, than whom a more whole-souled or popular man it would be difficult to find within the limits of Hendricks county, where he maintained his home and where he labored not only for his individual advancement and that of his immediate family, but also for the improvement of the entire community, whose interests he ever had at heart.
John C. Rynerson, whose death occurred on May 17, 1914, was born on March 7, 1835, in Liberty township, this county, the son of John and Elizabeth (Cunningham) Rynerson, the former of whom was a native of Salt River, Mercer county, Kentucky, and was a life-long farmer. He was born in Kentucky in 1795 and died in Owen county, this state, in 1864, at the age of sixty-nine years. When he first came to Hendricks county it is thought that he probably entered government land about one mile northeast of Clayton. He later returned to Kentucky, but after a short time again came to Indiana, this time locating in Belleville, this county, at the time when the immediate subject of this sketch was four years old. In addition to his duties as a farmer, he was a minister in the Missionary Baptist church, devoting all the time possible to the work of the Gospel in different coun- ties in the state. He took an active part in politics during the dark days of the Civil War and was an extremist against slavery. He was a stanch Re- publican, being among the first to affiliate with the party at its birth. He never held any offices, but was at one time active in the race for delegate to the constitutional convention. He did not belong to any secret orders, giving all his time to his ministerial labors and the work of conducting his farm. He had an excellent farm in Liberty township, which he had wrested from the grasp of the wilderness. He was twice married. his first wife be- ing Elizabeth Cunningham, by whom he became the father of eleven chil- dren, namely: William L., deceased, as are also James H. and Thomas Christopher. The fourth child was Ary Adeline (Mrs. Willis) and the fifth child in order of birth was the immediate subject of this sketch. Mary Ann (Mrs. Worrell), Sarah Frances (Mrs. Worrell), Laura (Mrs. Goss), and Elizabeth (Mrs. Moon), all deceased. Two other daughters are Jane (Mrs. Worrell) and Martha (Mrs. Cooper). The first Mrs. Rynerson was
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a native of Mercer county, Kentucky, and died at the age of forty-one years, in 1853. Her parents were also natives of the same county in Kentucky.
Mr. Rynerson chose as his second wife Sarah Goss, daughter of George and Mary (Goss) Goss, both of whom were natives of Owen county, this state. To this union were born five children, three of whom are dead. These are Justin, Jessie (Mrs. Eaton) and Eddie (Mrs. Goss) ; the surviving mem- bers of the family are Merlin and George.
John C. Rynerson received his schooling in the township schools of this county and when quite young began to take an active interest in the home farm. He has devoted the entire efforts of his life to the vocation of farm- ing and is unusually well informed along this line. He owns one hundred and three acres of excellent land located close to the Pennsylvania railroad tracks in Liberty township, this county.
On October 24, 1860, Mr. Rynerson was united in wedlock with Sarah Jane, daughter of James and Salinda (Darnell) Ferguson, the former of whom was a native of Virginia and the latter born at Mount Sterling, Ken- tucky. He was a carpenter and also farmed some. When but fourteen years of age, he came with his father from their native state. He was born in 1816 and died in Liberty township in 1872. With his parents he settled about two miles northeast of Clayton. On February 28, 1839, he was united in marriage with Salinda Darnell, whose parents had come to the Hoosier state from Mount Sterling, Kentucky. Her death occurred in 1863 on the homestead in Liberty township. They were the parents of nine children, the eldest of whom was Sarah Jane, wife of the immediate subject of this sketch ; Martha A. (Mrs. Jackson), Frank C., Mary (Mrs. Robinson), Alonzo, all of whom are living. Those who have passed away are Louisa E. (Mrs. Haynes), Alice (Mrs. Thompson), Emma, who died when seven years old, and one babe which died in early infancy.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rynerson have been born a family of seven children, two of whom, John Lucien and Jennie Belle, died when young. Viola, the eldest daughter, married Milo McCormick, who is a farmer and trader and resides in Clayton. They have no family. Minnie became the wife of Ora Mountain (now deceased), a hardware and implement merchant at Clay- ton. He died in 1913, leaving two children, Paul and Carl, both of whom reside at home and Paul now manages the business for the widow. Eliza- beth is the wife of John Lucas, of Des Moines, Iowa. He is now retired from active labors, but has filled various offices for the past sixteen years, being ex-treasurer of his county. They are the parents of two children, Noble and Chester. William took as his wife Anna Downing and they have
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two children, Hazel and Calvin. He is an operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company and is at present stationed somewhere in Colorado. Er- nest married Maude Pruitt and lives on his father's farm in Liberty town- ship. He is the father of one son, Max.
Mr. Rynerson's political affiliation was for many years with the Repub- lican party. His first vote after reaching his majority was cast for Fremont, the Republican nominee for President in 1856, and during his earlier man- hood he was a most enthusiastic Republican, but of later years he has been. rather independent in his politics, choosing the man in preference to the party or platform. Mr. Rynerson is a member of the Christian church at Clayton and, together with his wife, does all within his power to promote the cause of the church. He has served his society as deacon for many years. His fraternal affiliation is with the ancient order of Freemasonry, being a member of Lodge No. 463 at Clayton. Mr. Rynerson is a man of unusually fine character, standing "four-square to every wind that blows." His is a well-rounded and useful life, showing true blue in all his relations with his fellow men. He is quiet and unassuming, a man of sterling qualities and well grounded principles, and during the years of his residence here he has endeared himself to a great circle of friends and acquaintances who regard him with all confidence and esteem. While Mr. Rynerson has exceeded man's allotted span of three score- years and ten, being seventy-nine years old at this time, he is hale and hearty, unusually well preserved both bodily and mentally.
DAVID B. WILLS.
David B. Wills belongs to that class of men who win in life's battles by sheer force of personality and determination, rather than by the influence of friends or freak of fortune, and in whatever he has undertaken he has shown himself to be a man of ability and honor, true to whatever trusts have been imposed in him. Mr. Wills was born in Clayton, Hendricks county, Indiana, on October 25, 1856, the son of Amos Stewart and Lucinda (Tateman) Wills.
Amos S. Wills was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, in 1809, and came to Hendricks county in 1831 where he settled north of Clayton and entered land from the government. He had received a fairly good education in his native state and was by natural ability a leader among men. He was a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party and a devout
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member of the ancient order of Freemasonry, of which order he became a member soon after attaining his majority. Prior to coming to this state, he was united in marriage with Lucinda Tateman, born in his native county on May 8, 1815. Shortly after coming to Hendricks county, Mr. Wills was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which office he held for sixty consecutive years, a truly enviable record. So wise and impartial was he in his administration of justice that in all his years of service he had never had a decision of his reversed on appeal. His death occurred at Clayton in 1892, and was a distinct loss to the community. In every community some men are known for their upright lives, strong common sense and moral worth. rather than for their wealth or political standing. Their neighbors and ac- quaintances respect them, the younger generations heed their examples and when they "wrap the drapery of their couch about them and lie down to pleasant dreams," posterity listens with reverence to the story of their quiet and useful lives. Among such men of a past generation in Indiana was the late Amos Stewart Wills, who was not only a progressive man of affairs, but a man of modest and unassuming demeanor, a fine type of the reliable, self- made American, a friend to the poor, charitable to the faults of his neigh- bors and who always stood ready to unite with them in every good work and active in the support of laudable public interests. He was proud of the grand state of Indiana and zealous of its progress and prosperity. He was a man who in every respect merited the high esteem in which he was universally held, for he was a man of public spirit, intellectual attainments and exemplary character. During the latter years of his life, both he and his good wife made their home in Clayton with the immediate subject of this sketch, and there she, too, passed away in 1897. While Amos S. Wills never united with any church, yet throughout his life he lived the life of a devout Christian and no communicant could order his life more carefully nor more in conformity with the principles laid down by the Master than did he. He was a regular attendant on the services of the Christian church and contributed liberally of both time and means to further the great cause. In all his activities in this direction he was ably assisted by his devoted wife. They were the parents of thirteen children, one of whom, William Henry Harrison, died in infancy and Lena Leota passed away at the age of sixteen years. Several others of the family have passed away, being James Irwin, Elizabeth (Mrs. Mitchell), John W., Parker, Mary Ruth and another infant. Those remaining, in addi- tion to the immediate subject of this sketch, are Eldridge, Nancy Jane (Mrs. Garrison), Taylor Allen and Lilly Belle (Mrs. Farquer).
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David B. Wills passed the years of his early boyhood on the home farm, attending the township schools and assisting in the home work. Deciding against the vocation of farming as his life work, at the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, which he followed for nearly thirty years, confining his efforts largely to work within the limits of this county .. About 1901 he associated himself with a partner and engaged in the lumber business, later purchasing his partner's interest. He has continued alone in this enterprise and by his ability and energy has built up a large and thriv- ing business. Mr. Wills is a worthy son of his excellent father and has come to his position as one of the leading business men of Clayton through the practice of the principles implanted in him during his childhood. Mr. Wills' religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church, of which he is an active and devout member. His fraternal affiliation is with the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of Lodge No. 463 at Clayton. Politically, he is a Republican with decidedly progressive views. His integrity has ever been unassailable, his honor unimpeachable, and he stands now, as he has stood in the past, one of the successful men and representative citizens of the day and generation. He is a busy man, but he finds time and opportunity to take an interest in matters pertaining to the progress and growth of his com- munity and county and keeps abreast of the times on all questions of vital interest. Mr. and Mrs. Wills are the parents of seven children, three of whom have passed away. These are Carl, Esther and Helen, who died in infancy. The others are Eva, Luella, George and Frank, the last three named remaining at home.
LEANDER M. CAMPBELL.
The gift of life is so mysterious that when that other mystery which we call death interrupts the current of human hopes and aspirations, we know not in what new channel the spirit may be turned, but if the life has been characterized by uprightness and honor everything that it has touched in its onward passage must have received a beneficent inspiration.
In the various relations of life the late Leander M. Campbell, of Danville, gave to the world the best of an essentially strong, noble and loyal nature; his life was guided and governed by the highest principles of integrity and honor; he was humanity's friend and his nature was attuned to tolerance and sympathy. Mr. Campbell was a pioneer member of the Hendricks .
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county bar, and for a long lapse of years he was recognized as one of the leaders of his profession, figuring prominently in nearly all the important litigation of the county. His fine capabilities and upright character endeared him to a large circle of friends, and he was honored by a lucrative clientele , and called to positions of high official trust, being at different times a mem- ber of both houses of the Indiana Legislature.
Leander M. Campbell was a native of Lewis county, Kentucky, born February 12, 1833, and he was a son of Lewis and Susan Campbell, both of whom died in the state of Kentucky. Leander was educated in the common schools of his community, and studied law with his brother in Maysville, Kentucky. He came to Indiana before attaining his legal majority, and set- tled on section 17 in Middle township, Hendricks county, in 1852. He was too young to be admitted to the bar, and so he taught school for a few years, being at one time principal of the Belleville school. A few years later he was admitted to the bar and was actively engaged in the practice of his pro- fession up to the time of his death. As a lawyer he showed abilities of the most solid and definite order, gaining success by close application and the effective employment of his talents, and ever observing those unwritten ethics through whose influence the dignity and honor of the profession are main- tained. He was not long in attending high prestige as one of the representa- tive members of the bar of Hendricks county, a bar notable at the present time, as in the past, for the professional brilliancy and marked precedence of its general personnel. Broad and comprehensive knowledge of the law and a distinct facility in its application, both as a trial lawyer and a coun- selor, enabled him to build up a very substantial practice. This success in the work of his profession was cumulative and his prestige grew apace, so that at the time of his death he stood in the front ranks as a lawyer.
As a citizen Mr. Campbell occupied an equally high place in the com- munity, being ever mindful of those moral obligations that the highest citi- zenship entails. His long residence in the county gave him an extensive acquaintance and endeared him to many people who will be moved to appre- ciation and admiration of this brief tribute to a man essentially simple and unostentatious in his tastes and habits, one of the world's faithful and pro- ductive workers whose success was worthily won.
Leander M. Campbell was first married September 19, 1852, to Ma- tilda Hammond, by whom he had four children, only one of whom is now living, Mrs. Cora Campbell Barnett, of Indianapolis. On June 15, 1867, he was married to Lucinda Hamrick, a daughter of A. D. and Eliza (Simpson) Hamrick, both natives of Mason county, Kentucky. The Hamrick family is one of the most prominent families of Putnam county, Indiana, members of
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the family figuring largely in the political and civic life of the county for several generations. A. D. Hamrick was a prosperous farmer and lived to the venerable age of ninety-two. He was a prominent politician and Re- publican party worker, being a special friend of Governor Oliver P. Morton. His father was in the Revolutionary War.
Leander M. Campbell was a stalwart in the camp of the Republican party, and he was an effective exponent of its principles and policies. Fra- ternally, he was a prominent Odd Fellow. Mr. Campbell died at his home in Danville June 16, 1890. Mrs. Campbell, a woman of rare culture and charming personality, still resides in the Danville home, a home endeared to her by the associations of the past, long known for its generous and refined hospitality.
Viewed in its clear perspective, the life of Leander M. Campbell counted for much. He made for himself a secure place in popular confidence and es- teem, and while he now rests from his labors, his name is graven deeply in the hearts of a legion of friends who came in touch with his large and generous influence.
JONATHAN F. PHILLIPS.
In placing the late Jonathan F. Phillips in the front rank of the leading men of his community, justice is rendered a biographical fact universally recognized throughout the locality long honored by his citizenship by those at all familiar with his history. Although a quiet and unassuming man, with no ambition for public position or leadership, he contributed much to the material, civic and moral advancement of his community, while his admirable qualities of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his daily life won for him the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he moved, and, although he is now sleeping the "sleep of the just," his influence still lives and his memory is greatly revered.
Jonathan F. Phillips, who was the owner of one hundred and nifty acres of fine farming land in Clay township, this county, was born in the town- ship where his entire life was spent, on April 16, 1840, and died in the home where he spent so many happy years, October 28, 1907. He was the son of Samuel and Rachel (Newman) Phillips, his father being a native of North Carolina, his birth having occurred there on July 6, 1808, while his mother also was born in the same state on March 16, 1818. When Samuel Phillips was a young man he and his parents came to Wayne county, Indiana, where
JONATHAN F. PHILLIPS
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they remained until the death of his father, which occurred about one year later. He, with his mother, came to Hendricks county, settling in Clay town- ship, where he remained until his death, which occurred July 31, 1880. Samuel Phillips was married to Rachel Newman, daughter of John and Eliza- beth (Pool) Newman, and to this union were born nine children: Jonathan, the immediate subject of this sketch; Susannah, born November 11, 1841, who married Enoch Harlan; Albert Lorenzo, born March 27, 1844; Lewis, born December 12, 1846, married Rozella Masten; Samuel E., born Novem- ber 5. 1849, deceased; Sallie, born July 10, 1852, married William Shirley ; John N., born June 24, 1855, married Joanna Ratcliff ; Oliver P., born Octo- ber 28, 1858, first married Ella Swain, and after her death he married Addie O'Neal; Emery, born November 3, 1863, first married Rosa Justice, and after her death, Martha Parker.
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