USA > Indiana > Howard County > History of Howard County, Indiana, Vol II > Part 36
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After the war Mr. Newkirk returned to Grant county. Indiana.
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and later located in Howard county, near Russiaville, on a farm. He has always devoted his life to agricultural pursuits with marked success in connection with trading and dealing in stock. He still owns a fine farm in Liberty township, Howard county, which is well improved and well managed. Mr. Newkirk has been able to lay by a comfortable competance for his declining years owing to his habits of industry and frugality.
Our subject was united in marriage January 9. 1867, to Martha 1. Floyd, of near Russiaville. Three sons, all deceased, were born to this union, namely : William, Morris and Charles.
The subject's first wife died and he was again married, his second wife being Mrs. Kingery. Two daughters have been born to this union, one of whom is living, Maude, who was born April 21, 1878, is the wife of Thomas C. DeVaney. They live in the state of Washington. Maude was a student at New London and received a musical education at Indianapolis, later becoming a successful teacher of music.
The subject and wife are members of the Christian church. having always been active workers in the same. Fraternally Mr. Newkirk is a Mason, having taken the first degree in 1865. He has taken the York Rite, the Knights Templar and the Scottish Rite degrees. In March. 1892, he became Master of the Blue Lodge. The daily life of the subject shows that he is living up to the teach- ings of this great order.
In politics Mr. Newkirk is a loyal Republican and his public- spirited nature, coupled with his popularity among the members of this party, caused him to be selected for various county offices of re- sponsibility and trust. He has served very creditably as county com- missioner of Howard county for two terms, from 1888 to 1894. filling this important position to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned, having represented the first district.
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Our subject is a member of the post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Russiaville, being commander of the same, and he has served as delegate to six of the national encampments of this great organization. In 1906 he was commissioned colonel on the staff of the commander-in-chief. It is quite an honor to receive such an appointment, which is never given unless the recipient has had a past record worthy of the same.
Mr. Newkirk has found time during his busy life to travel to nearly all parts of interest in the United States, having spent con- siderable time in the South.
Since 1904 our subject has made his home in Greentown, hay- ing practically retired from business life and he is spending his clos- ing years in comfort and the blessings of a serene age, conscious of the fact that his life has been well and profitably spent. He is a well informed man on current topics, honest and upright in all his re- lations with his fellow men, and but few citizens of Howard county are better known and none more highly respected, for he has spent nearly his entire life within the borders of this county, and has al- ways been active in the promotion of the county's welfare.
JOSEPH SILCOX.
Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Howard county none stand higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch. He has long been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county and the years of his residence here have but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his fellow men owing to the honorable life he has led and the worthy example he has set the
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younger generation, consequently the publishers of this biograph- ical compendium are glad to give such a worthy character repre- sentation in this work.
Joseph Silcox was born in Shelbyville. Kentucky, January 4, 1844, the son of Joseph Louis and Letticia ( Ryder ) Silcox. Grand- father Silcox was a native of England, who came to America about 1807. settling first in New York, later in Maryland. He and his wife raised two children to maturity.
The father of the subject was born in New York August 25, 1808. His early educational advantages were limited, but by close application he has become a well informed man on general topics. He went with his parents from the Empire state to Maryland and became a journeyman shoemaker and followed his trade until he came to Indiana in 1846. He was married in Kentucky. He oper- ated a grist and saw mill in Shelby county, this state, the mill hav- ing come into his possession by inheritance, and which he managed for a number of years, continuing to operate it all his business life, dying in 1856, at the age of forty-eight years, having been killed in an explosion in a saw mill. The mother of the subject was a member of the Christian church. She lived until about seventy- three years of age. They were the parents of ten children, two of their sons having met death in the same unfortunate manner as their father at the same time. The other children lived to maturity ; one of them, William, was a soldier in the Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, serving two years until the close of the war.
The subject's early education was obtained in the district schools of Shelby county. He afterward attended graded schools, working on the farm after his father's death, later working at the carpenter's trade.
Our subject was one of those patriotic sons of the North who could not stand idly by and see the foundations of the Republic
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shaken with rebellion. consequently giving rem to his patriotic feelings he enlisted in 1863 in the Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry and served in a most gallant and commendable manner until the close of the war. He took part in the battles around Murfreesboro, Ten- nessee, and the siege of Mobile, and was in all the battles and cam- paigns in which his regiment was involved from the time of his en- listment to the close of the struggle, having been honorably dis- charged in 1865. after which he came to Howard county, where he bought an interest in a saw mill, which he successfully managed for several years. Then be bought eighty acres of heavily timbered swamp land, which he cleared, drained and made a comfortable home on and where he has since resided. He has a splendid dwelling house and several convenient out buiklings. His farm is well fenced with both wire and rails and is well tiled. His land is rather low, being in the creek bottoms, consequently it is kept rich by deposits of silt and on favorable years is very productive. Ile rotates his crops on the fourth year plan, corn, wheat, oats, clover ; and he says his soil is in a much better state of productiveness than when it was new. He feeds all his corn to hogs and sheep, his favorite breed of the latter being Shropshire. He uses every home method known to keep his soil fertilized, but does not employ commercial ferti- lizers, and he now produces much more wheat per acre than formerly and it is just as sure a crop. He still raises good apples but this crop is not so sure as formerly, but peaches do fully as well. for our subject undertsands the care of fruit trees, being something of a horticulturist, although he has not followed spraying. a system em- ployed by many. But he has the best of luck with his trees and when there is a failure of either apples or peaches it is invariably due to climatic conditions, rather than pests and other causes.
Mr. Silcox was united in marriage in 1800 to Mary E. Hercules, daughter of William and Margaret ( Newcomb ) Hercules,
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natives of Ohio. Her father was a soldier from Shelby county, In- diana, serving out his enlistment.
Five children have been born to the subject and wife as follows: Nettie, born in 1870, died when a child: Henry, born in 1871, is also deceased: Jennie, born in 1874. is single and a member of the home circle: William, born in 1876, is married and the father of three children : George A., who was born in 1882, is single and liv- ing at home with his parents, assisting with the work on the farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Silcox are faithful Christian people, always do- ing what they can to foster religious principles in their community. Fraternally Mr. Silcox is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having filled all the chairs in the local lodge, and has been representative to the Grand Lodge. He has been active in Re- publican politics for many years, having been for some time justice of the peace and he is in 1908 assessor. successfully performing the «luties of this office in a laudable manner. He is known to his com- munity as a man of upright business principles and but few men in his township stand higher in the estimation of the public.
REV. CHARLES E. DISBRO.
The honored gentleman whose name introduces this article is one of Howard county's most popular citizens and his life forcibly illustrates what energy, integrity and a fixed purpose can accomplish when animated by noble aims and correct ideals. Rev. Disbro has long been prominently identified with the moral and spiritual affairs of Howard county, having devoted nearly a half century to the ministry in this and other sections of Indiana, and is also a veteran of the war of the rebellion, in which he rendered valliant service in defense of the nation's honor. During the long years of his resi-
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dence in the county he has held the unequivocal confidence and esteem of its people as is today a popular and much admired resident of the beautiful and serene village of Greentown, being widely known prin- cipally through his office as presiding elder of the Kokomo district of the Methodist Episcopal church which he held with great credit from 1881 to 1885, having done a very commendable work in this field during those years.
Rev. Charles E. Disbro was born in Johnson county, Indiana. February 5, 1839, the son of Zalmon and Rachel ( Massey ) Disbro. the former a native of New York and the latter of Kentucky. Both came with their parents to Johnson county, Indiana, in an early day ; there they became acquainted and married, moving to Tipton county in 1851, when this county was practically a wilderness. The sub- ject's father followed farming all his life, becoming a man of con- siderable influence in his community. He passed to the "silent land" in 1904. after an active and useful life, having reached the advanced age of ninety-one years, his faithful life companion having been called to her rest in 1892.
As a young man our subject worked on his father's farm, at- tending the common schools in the district in the meantime ; being a close student he received a fairly good education. He was converted to the Christian faith at the age of eighteen years and soon after- ward joined the Methodist Episcopal church. Being under the in- pression that he should preach, he entered the ministry at the age of twenty years. Owing to devotion to study, coupled with his natural ability as a speaker, etc., it was soon seen that he would be emi- nently successful in this calling, later years proving that he made no mistake by entering the field of the Gospel. For his first year's work he received one hundred and twenty-two dollars and one hundred and twenty-five dollars for his second year's work. He was in the ministry for forty-one years, having served in the following places
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during that time : Peru, Huntington. Decatur. Bluffton, LaGrange, Kokomo district, Elkhart and Portland. In all these charges he became popular and much liked, having built up the churches at each and won scores of souls for Christ. Finally the great strain was too much for his nerves and he was compelled to relinquish the work in 1899, much to the regret of all who knew him or had heard him expound the Gospel.
Rev. Mr. Disbro responded to the patriotic fervor that seized him when the integrity of our nation was threatened, and severing home ties, he went forth to defend the stars and strips, having en- listed early in the war in Company H, Fifty-seventh Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, as a private. Soon his conspicuous service caused the superior officers to promote him to the rank of second lieutenant, later to first lieutenant, and he served as captain nearly all the time he was at the front. but he was never commissioned as captain. His regiment took part in the battles at Pittsburg Landing. April 6 and 7. 1862, Perrysville, Corinth, Murfordsville, Stone River, Mission- ary Ridge, Atlanta campaign, Franklin and Nashville. The regi- ment was later sent to Texas, but the subject did not accompany it. He was mustered out late in 1863. He at once returned to Howard county, Indiana, and re-entered the ministry and for forty years occupied the pulpits of various charges of the Northern Indiana Conference. In 1800 he became pastor of the church at Greentown. serving five years in that capacity, and with the exception of five years has continued to make Greentown his home ever since.
Rev. Mr. Disbro was appointed postmaster of Greentown in 1904. in which capacity he served very efficiently until 1008. He was nominated as trustee of Liberty township at the close of his term as postmaster and his nomination was generally regarded as a most fortunate one.
The subject's happy domestic life dates from March 7. 1861.
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when he was united in marriage with Mary C. Hall. of Tipton county, this state. She was born November 13, 1843. the daughter of Eli and Margaret Hall, who resided in Tipton county, where they were reckoned among the leading families of their community. Her father was a Kentuckian and her mother was a native of Scott county, Indiana. They were Methodists. Mrs. Disbro received a common school education and early gave evidence of the possession of many admirable attributes, which her subsequent life has mani- fested. Four children, two sons and two daughters, have been born to this union as follows: Mary Florence and Emma Flora, both still members of the family circle; Charles M. is in the supply de- partment of the Wabash Railroad Company, located at Decatur, Illinois ; Willie S. died March 24. 1884.
Our subject is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. the post at Butler, Indiana, and he receives a twelve dollar pension. He owns a beautiful and comfortable suburban home in Greentown, and is pleasantly situated, enjoying his declining years, conscious of the fact that his life has been well spent. He is well preserved physically and gives promise of a very long life: this is no doubt due to the consistent and even tempered life he has led. He is held in high regard by those who know him, as is shown by the confidence the people of his community repose in him by honoring him in official capacities and many other ways.
BENJAMIN F. DIXON.
Among the honorable and influential citizens of Howard county, Indiana, is the subject of this review, who has here maintained his home for many years, winning a definite success by means of the
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agricultural industry, to which he has devoted his attention during the years of an active business life. His career has been without shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and thus he has ever com- manded the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.
Benjamin F. Dixon was born in Morgan county, Indiana, in 1855. the son of Riley and Anna Jane ( Thompson ) Dixon. Grand- father Dixon came from North Carolina, locating in Indiana in 1828, settling among the pioneers in the southern part of the state. Taking up land from the government he improved it and developed a fine farm to which he gave his attention, also assisted others in getting land in order that he might have neighbors. Here he made a good home and raised his family, dying at the age of seventy-five years, having spent his last years on this farm in which he took a great pride. His wife passed away at an earlier age. They were both Quakers, being active members of this denomination. Grand- father Thompson was from North Carolina and came to Indiana about the same time of grandfather Dixon's advent, also settling in the southern part of the state, near Paoli. Orange county. He was a farmer. having raised his family and spent his last days in Orange county, dying well advanced in age, having been preceded to the other shore by his wife. They, too, were loyal Quakers.
The father of the subject was born in North Carolina and was brought to Indiana by his parents when six years old, having been reared at White Lick, Boone county, this state. He attended such schools as there were at that early time, working on his father's farm during the summer months, but he was a close student and re- ceived a good practical education. He lived with his father until he was about twenty-five years okl, when he was married. Being thrifty he always owned a farm but did many other things in a commercial way, having in turn been successful as a merchant and live stock dealer. Eleven children were born to the subject's parents.
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two dying while young, nine reaching maturity and living to raise families of their own, eight of whom are living in 1908. The father and mother were Friends in their religious affiliations, the former dying at the age of seventy-five and the latter when fifty-five years old.
Benjamin F. Dixon, our subject. first attended school in In- diana and Illinois, working on his father's farm until he was about twenty-five years old. Then he rented one hundred and sixty acres of land in Howard county on which he farmed for two years when he bought a farm in the same county. Selling it at an advance he bought another farm in Hamilton county, managing this with his accustomed success for two years, when he sold it for one thousand and two hundred dollars more than he gave for it. He then dealt in produce for a time, later going to Kansas, where he bought one hun- dred and twenty acres of prairie land, which he kept for fourteen years, making considerable money on it, principally by raising large crops of wheat. He then worked at the carpenter's trade for some time, and, returning to Howard county, finally bought the farm on which he now resides. It consists of eighty-two acres, all but eight acres of which are under the plow. The eight acres are in woods- pasture, in which is a fine set of blue grass. The entire farm is well drained with tile and the soil is in a good productive condition. The fields are under a good system of wire fencing. however, some rails are used for fences. He keeps his soil in a fertile condition by the skillful rotation of crops and the employment of home fertilizers. The subject is a hard worker and understands all the modern and improved methods of farming, consequently he has one of the best farms of the size in the township and it yields him a comfortable living.
Mr. Dixon's dwelling is modern. substantial and commodious. nicely furnished. He has two good barns and other convenient out
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buildings. He delights in horticulture and has a good orchard, well kept and of excellent quality. He has all that goes to make up good provisions. He carries on general farming, feeds hogs and cattle, using all the corn that the place produces. He is a believer in sowing plenty of clover after crops of larger grains have been har- vested. He has been on his present farm five years in 1908 and since he secured the place the soil has been constantly improved.
Mr. Dixon was united in marriage in 1880 with Alamanda Richardson, the refined and estimable daughter of John Henry and Mary ( Heaton ) Richardson, the father a native of Indiana and the mother of Ohio. Grandfather Heaton was a colonel in the war of 1812. He was also a soldier in the Mexican war, having served out his enlistment and received an honorable discharge. His saber is now in a lodge room in Kokomo. Grandfather Richardson was also a soldier in the War of 1812. He lived to be an old man and his wife reached the age of ninety-four. All but two of this family are living in 1908 and all but one have raised families of their own. The Heaton stock originated in England. The father of the sub- ject's wife was a contractor, having spent the last years of his life in Howard county, his death occurring in Frankfort. this state. Ten children were born to them, five boys and an equal number of girls.
Three children have been born to Benjamin F. Dixon and wife as follows: Lela, born March 14, 1881, is the wife of John D. Rogers, of Marion, Indiana, and they are the parents of one child : Doyle J .. who is a graduate of Kokomo high school. is a teacher and was born August 6, 1888, is single and living at home : Walter N .. who was born March 31, 1892, is also a member of the family circle.
Mr. and Mrs. Dixon and family are members of the society of Friends, Mrs. Dixon having joined this faith after her marriage. The subject has always been a Republican in politics, but is now a Prohibitionist. He is known to all who have formed his acquaint-
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ance to be a man of genuine worth and integrity, scrupulously honest in all his dealings with his fellow men and he and his family are all highly respected and have hosts of friends throughout the county.
THOMAS A. RUSE.
Hard and laborious effort was the lot of our subject during his youth and early manhood, but his fidelity to duty won him the re- spect and confidence of those with whom he was thrown in contact and by patient continuance in well doing he gradually arose from an humble station to his present high standing among the leading farmers and stock raisers in the vicinity of Kokomo, Indiana, al- ways giving his personal attention to his various industries with the same energy and foresight that have characterized his labors during his busy and honorable career and having every dollar in his pos- session as the result of honest effort, and that, too, in the face of opposing obstacles and not a few adverse circumstances, he can without ostentation lay claim to the proud American title of a self- made man.
Thomas A. Ruse was born in Clinton county, Ohio. August 28. 1868, the son of Lewis and Sarah ( Mayes ) Ruse, the father having been one of those patriotic sons of the North who, in time of the nation's dark days of rebellion, came forth, offering his services and his life in its defense, serving in the Federal ranks until the close of the war, having enlisted in an Indiana regiment, from Clinton coun- ty. After the war he returned home, spending the remainder of his life there, dying at a fairly advanced age, leaving a large family of children.
In 1872 the subject's mother moved with her children to How-
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ard county, Indiana, where she resided until she was summoned to another world in 1885. These parents were people of high integrity and spared no pains in giving their children every comfort and en- couragement to lead noble and wholesome lives, which influence has been plainly manifested in the subsequent careers of the subject and his brothers and sisters.
Thomas A. Ruse was one of the most industrious lads in his native community, having worked hard to assist his mother in main- taining. the home, consequently his early education was somewhat neglected. However, being an observing man and an avid reader. he has broadened his intellectual views and is now a well informed man on diverse topics.
At one time he met with misfortune and was deprived of all his earthly possessions, being thereafter compelled to begin life over again as a common laborer, working for a dollar and twenty-five cents per day ; this was as late as 1898, ten years ago from this writ- ing. But in these ten years he has rapidly accumulated a competence. being a man of extraordinary perseverance, soundness of judgment and force of character. Today he has three fine farms in Howard county and is conservatively worth twenty thousand dollars, all of which he and his wife have made by their individual efforts.
Mr. Ruse maintains a fine dairy farm, as indicated above, ad- joining the corporate limits of Kokomo, on which he has caused to be erected many substantial and up-to-date buildings. In the city he finds a ready market for all the products of his well managed and excellently equipped dairy.
Mr. Ruse was united in marriage in 1894 to Lula Cook, who was born in Hancock county, this state, July 22, 1870. She was left without parents early in life and was placed in the Orphans' Home at Cincinnati, Ohio. This couple started at the bottom, and so well and wisely have they worked that their lives have been
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singularly harmonious and resulted in much good to others as well as successful from an industrial view-point. They have no children.
Mr. and Mrs. Ruse are pleasant and affable, their honor and integrity being irreproachable and they number their friends by the scores.
Mr. Ruse is affiliated with the Red Men's lodge at Kokomo, and in politics he is a staunch Republican, being an admirer and supporter of men in public office whose records are honest and un- assailable, and he is widely known as a man of strictly honest busi- ness methods and upright principles in every walk of life.
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