History of Jackson County, Indiana, Part 57

Author: Brant & Fuller
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 759

USA > Indiana > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Indiana > Part 57

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tion on the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad called Retreat; in 1875 removed to Seymour and formed a co-partner- ship with A. H. Gibson, of Madison, Ind. Their business has now assumed very large proportions. Besides the large factory at Seymour, that employs nearly one hundred men at the factory and in the woods, they control a large concern at Birdseye, on the New Albany & St. Louis Airline Railway. The factory at Seymour prepares the staves ready to set up in barrels. They have the latest improved machinery, and the annual product amounts to millions. The plant is located in the southern part of the city of Seymour, near the track of the Jeffersonville, Mad- ison & Indianapolis Railway. Upon a side track stands a line of cars constantly receiving and discharging staves. They receive staves from all lines tributary to the Ohio & Mississippi and Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railways, and many scores of men are either directly or indirectly dependent upon them. Mr. McDonald is a fine example of a self-made man- refined and courteous in his bearing, esteemed by all who know him. His example is worthy of emulation by every young man whose only "stock-in-trade" is brain and muscle. He is univer- sally regarded as the busiest man in Seymour, and by his unre- mitting energy he has overcome almost every obstacle. He is a member of the F. & A. M. secret society, and in politics is a Republican.

JOHN McDONALD, is of Scottish extraction. He was born October 14, 1833, in Jackson County, near Seymour. He was almost entirely destitute of early school advantages, having never attended the common schools altogether more than three months, but by a system of self-culture he ultimately acquired a very good common school education. He was raised upon a farm. He was married, September 5, 1858, to Margaret Marling. She was a native of Jackson County. Seven children were born to this union, four of whom are living: Hiram E., Oliver S., John M. and George C. He varied his occupation upon the farm by teaching school in the winter. He taught fourteen terms of school. He began cutting stave timber sixteen years ago. He abandoned it for a while and tried farming again. About three years ago he embarked in the stave manufacturing business in

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Seymour. His business has grown very extensively. He now handles between 3,000,000 and 4,000,000 staves a year. His business is the result of his own prudence and thrift. His factory is situated in the southern part of the city, on the Jeffer- sonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad, contiguous to that of McDonald & Gibson. He also does quite an extensive busi- ness in heading, handling between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 heads a year. Mr. McDonald is one of the most enterprising citizens of Seymour, conducting a business that is a very im- portant factor in the life and business of the city. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Republican. DEDRICK MILLER, a citizen of Jackson Township, was born December 12, 1825, in Hanover, Germany, the sixth in a family of eight children born to Dedrick Miller, Sr., who was also a native of the same State and married a Miss Oelschlaeger. His father's occupation was that of a common laborer, and his early education was obtained in the common schools of his native land. In the year 1847 he emigrated from the land of oppres- sion and poverty, to one of liberty, opportunity and plenty, the New World, coming direct to Jackson County; he has now been a resident of Jackson Township about twenty-five years. Mr. Miller was married, December 4, 1852, to Barbara Shepherd, and by that union three children were born, namely: William,

George C. and one who died in infancy. For his second wife, Mr. Miller married Mary Kasting, August 7, 1856; she is also a native of Hanover, Germany. By this matrimonial union there have been ten children, six of whom are now living: Frederick Lewis, E. Frederick, Caroline E., M. Elizabeth, H. Edward and Catharine. The names of the deceased are Annie K., Louise E., Dedrick W. and John Henry. Mr. Miller is a Republican in his political principles and sympathies, and in religious matters his standing is denoted by his membership in the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Mrs. Miller is also a member of the same church.

VICTOR HUGO MONROE, M. D., was born at old Rock- ford, Jackson County, August 8, 1852. His father was engaged in various newspaper enterprises. It was here that the subject of our sketch learned the business of the printer's art. He was engaged in this vocation until about the year 1871, when he

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began railroading as brakesman, and was promoted to the position of yard master at Seymour on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. He began the study of medicine in the office of his father, who was a practicing physician of Seymour, attending lectures at the Louisville Medical College in 1878-79. He subsequently grad- uated at Indianapolis, where he took one course of lectures in 1882. He has been engaged on several different papers in Sey- mour in an editorial and reportorial capacity, and was also the first editor and proprietor of the Seymour True Republican. He is at present engaged in the practice of his profession in Seymour, Ind. He is a prolific writer and a perfect gentleman.

MISS MARY MOONEY is a native of Jackson County. She was born July 1, 1821, upon the present site of Rockford. She was the third born to James and Nancy (Shields ) Mooney. They were natives of Kentucky and Tennessee respectively. They im- migrated to Indiana upon pack-horses, when the State was one vast wilderness. She was a first cousin of the renowned Gen. Tip- ton. Miss Mooney removed to Seymour, when there were very few houses in the village, and has resided here ever since. She estab- lished the first millinery store in the town, and has continued in the business ever since. Miss Mooney has been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church ever since her fifteenth year, and has been a consistent member of the church and faithful Christian, all these years.

DR. A. L. NEWKIRK, of Seymour, Ind., was born in Hamil- ton County, Ohio, near the city of Cincinnati, on the 4th day of December, 1826. He is the eldest of seven children, of whom C. S. and Mary E. (Lackey) Newkirk were the parents. The latter were natives of New York and Ireland, the mother having left her native island when but two years old and settled in Pennsylvania, The early life of Dr. Newkirk was spent upon the farm, and at- tending the country schools in the winter time. At the age of nineteen years he began a two years' course in an academy at Montgomery, Ohio. At the close of that time he began teaching school and reading medicine. In the spring of 1850 he located at Newry, in Jackson County, and began the practice of his profes- sion. After six years he moved to Farmington and under Bu- chanan was postmaster at that place. In 1860 he cast his fortune

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in with that of Seymour, when the place was yet small. In the meantime he had graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville in 1858. In 1848 he married Mary W. Compton, & descendant of Gen. Compton, of New Jersey. To them were born four children: Hamlin R., Olinda, Thomas J. and Martha, the first and last named being now dead. Mrs. Newkirk's death occurred January 29, 1883. Politically Mr. Newkirk is a Democrat, and has held some political positions. He is a leading member of the Masonic fraternity.

JOHN Q. A. NEWSOM is a native of Bartholomew County, Ind. He was born September.5, 1835. His parents, Nathan and Lydia (Ruddick) Newsom, were natives of North Carolina and Ohio respectively. His education was received in the common schools of his native county and later attending Bloomington University one year. He has devoted the best years of his life to agricultural pursuits. He was united in marriage, December, 30, 1858, to Margaret E. Newby, of Seymour. Five children have blessed their home circle: Nathan Lincoln, Joseph N., Lydia May, Maggie (deceased), and Amy M. He has had great influence for good among men of his calling. When the society of P. of H. was first organized none took a greater interest than John Newsom. He had always thought there was a lack of the proper spirit of progress and intellectual and social culture among farmers as a class, and that this society was the most effectual means at hand for this purpose. He was the first chairman of the executive committee of the Indiana State Grange. Politically Mr. Newsom was formerly a Republican, but became a member of the National party at its first inception. He was a candidate for State treasurer on that ticket in 1876 and made a canvass of the State. He ran considerably ahead of his ticket. John Newsom is a courteous, affable gentleman, a good talker, and is always willing to aid in any enterprise which, in his opinion, is for the good of the public. He has been engaged for the last two or three years in perfecting a steam plow, in which he hopes to be ultimately successful.

WILLIAM OLIVER, a favorably known citizen of Jackson Township, was the second son of Henry and Mary (Logan) Oliver. His father, a native of Ireland, was a weaver by trade,

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and immigrated to America, the land of opportunity, about the year 1805. William's mother was also a native of "Erin's green isle." Mr. Oliver, our subject, was born in Long Island, N. Y., January 6, 1815, and during his infancy his parents moved with their family to Cincinnati, Ohio. His school education was that which only the limited advantages of pioneer times afforded, and his early occupation was that of a farmer. He became a pioneer farmer in this county in 1853, and, being a hard-working, indus- trious man, felled much of the original timber upon his land in preparing the ground for cultivation. He purchased his farm of Leonard Friedman, and that place has ever since been his home. March 31, 1839, Mr. Oliver was married to Eliza Bonnel, and of their ten children five are living, namely: Mary, Milton, Lewis, Justus and Francis. The deceased were James, William, Abby, Jane and Sarah. Three of the above sons were in the Union Army, and one of them died in the service. Mrs. Oliver, the mother, died in May, 1883, a devoted member of the Christian Church, of which denomination Mr. Oliver is also a member. In politics he is a Republican.

DR. GEORGE Q. ORVIS is a native of Franklin County, N. Y. He was the fourteenth in a family of fifteen children born to Simeon Victor and Deroxy (Campbell) Orvis, who were natives of Brattleboro, Vt. The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, and at the age of seventeen could scarcely read and write. At the age of fifteen he removed with his brother to Iowa and worked upon a farm for two years. At the expiration of this time he entered the college at Oscaloosa, where he graduated in 1871, taking the degree of Master of Arts. He then began reading medicine with Dr. Huffman, of Oscaloosa, remaining until the fall of 1871, when he entered the Louisville Medical College, where he took the degree of M. D. in June, 1876, carrying off the second prize in a class of over one hun- dred members. In the spring of 1876 he obtained the degree of M. D. of the Kentucky School of Medicine, where he gained the first prize in a class of seventy-five. On March 18, 1876, he came to Seymour with 70 cents in his pocket to commence the practice of his profession. Although entering a field already occupied by old and established physicians, he at once took a

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position in the front rank of his profession. He was married, in 1877, to Miss Lizzie Koons, a native of Clarke County, Ind. One child was born to them, dying in infancy. He is a member of the order of K. of P., and he and wife are also members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics the Doctor is a conservative Democrat.

JACOB PETER was one of the pioneer merchants of Jack- son County. He was born in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. He immigrated to America with his stepfather, Henry Bruner. They settled in Indiana, where Jacob Peter engaged by the month to drive oxen for John Fishlay, a large land owner in those days. He then entered 160 acres of land. He attempted . to farm this, but gave up farming and removed to Scipio, Jen- nings County, where he established a trading post. Becoming disgusted with his business here he removed to Rockford, Jack- son County, situated upon White River. Here he bought an interest in the store of Solomon Ruddick, who kept a sort of gen- eral supply store at this point. Upon the death of Mr. Ruddick the management of the business devolved upon Mr. Peter. He later married the widow of his partner. He added pork packing to an otherwise extensive business, and bought large tracts of land, besides shipping large quantities of produce south by flat-boat. He removed to Jeffersonville in 1860, where he engaged in a general commission business in Louisville, Ky., dealing largely in provisions. He also became identified with many of the leading enterprises of the day. They made exten- sive contracts with the Government during the civil war for the supply of provisions. He owned a large share of the stock in the " Mary Houston," a steamer that plied upon the Ohio and Mis- sissippi Rivers. He now owns 2,000 acres of land in Jackson County; about the same quantity at Gosport. He owns consider- able of the wharfage at Galveston, Tex., besides large quantities of land in Kansas and Michigan. He was formerly president of the First National Bank, of Louisville, Ky. Mr. Peter is a bril- liant example of a self-made man. Beginning as an ox driver he now counts his wealth by the hundreds of thousands.

J. H. PETER was born in Jackson County, May 27, 1847. He attended college at Bloomington and also Hanover, in this

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State. He was married to Ella M. Kester, November 18, 1876. Two children were born to this union: John and Estelle. Mr. Peter is engaged in farming and looking after the landed interests of his father in Jackson County. He is a Republican in politics.

PETER PLATTER, photographer at Seymour, is a native of Ripley County, this State, where he was born July 29, 1825, being a son of Henry and Emily (Redding) Platter, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Remaining on the farm until the age of nineteen, he then began to learn the trade of brick-laying and plastering, under the supervision of Seth Platt, remaining with him two years. After following his trade a few years longer, he in 1849 embarked in mercantile bus- iness at Aurora, which he carried on for some time with success; but he is now a photographic artist at Seymour, in partnership with his sons. Although his early schooling was meager, he has succeeded well in business, and done much to make the city where he resides what it is to-day in respect to its high standing. He is honest, upright, and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. In his politics he is a Republican, and he has been honored with the office of postmaster of Seymour from 1868 to 1876; was deputy United States assessor of this district under Col. Tripp, of Vernon, during the administration of President Johnson; and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Platter's marriage to Miss Sarah Jane McCracken, of Dearborn County, this State, occurred October 17, 1847. Their three children are Hartzell H., Herbert T. and Amelia W. The two first named are now engaged in trade in books, stationery, fancy goods, queens- ware, etc., and, as above mentioned, are in partnership with their father in photography.

THOMAS N. POSTLETHWAITE is a native of Louisville, Ky. He was born on the. 23d of June, 1822. He is a son of William and Mary (Neal) Postlethwaite, who were both natives of Germany. Thomas N. Postleth waite's early school advantages were good. He attended St. Joseph's College, at Bardstown, Ky., and graduated from that institution at the age of twenty- three years. He then served an apprenticeship to the milling business, under Dye & Alsop, of Louisville, Ky. He continued with this firm for five years, at the expiration of which time he

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engaged in business on his own account. In 1867 he removed to Jackson County, and located at Rockford. He continued here about four years, in the employ of Peter & Pfaffenberg. In 1871 he removed to Seymour, and took charge of the milling depart- ment of the Steinbrink Mill. He was subsequently engaged as an employe for a period of six years. In 1877 he built the First Ward Mill, of which he is proprietor. He has built up, by honorable dealing and fair treatment of his customers, a nice trade. In 1844 he married Sarah Sanders, a native of Louis- ville, Ky. Seven children have blessed this union, six of whom are living: Kate, Raymond, Willie, Sallie and Addie. His wife died in 1876. He is a member of the order of Masons and the K. of P. In politics he is a Democrat.

MILLS S. REEVES is a native of Brown County, Ohio. He was born near the town of Ripley, situated sixty miles east of Cincinnati. He was the first born to Ila and Franky (Ste- venson ) Reeves. His mother was a half sister of Col. Mills Stevenson, who built Fort Stevenson, which was so ably defended by Col. Croghan, in 1812, when it was attacked by the Indians, who fought for the British cause. Mr. Reeves' father was a na- tive of Kentucky, and his mother of Delaware. They were early pioneers of Ohio. Mills S. Reeves, the subject of this sketch, spent the early years of his life upon a farm, in which neigh- borhood he attended the common district school of the times, attending only three months each winter. At the age of four- teen he immigrated with his parents to Indiana, where they set- tled in Rush County. The recently deserted Indian wigwams were still standing at that time. He remained upon the farm till the age of twenty-one, when he bound himself to a carpen- ter named Millburn Coe. He subsequently assisted Mr. Coe in building the first hotel in Marshal County. Returning to Rush County he was married, November 26, 1835, to Rosanna Mc- Laughlin, an orphan. Shortly after marriage he and his young bride moved to Missouri, where he farmed for about ten years. He then removed to Iowa, where he worked at his trade for ten years. He then removed to Nebraska, where he held the position of mayor of Kearney City, where now stands Nebraska City. Mr. Reeves was subsequently elected justice of the peace,

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and also served three years in the Territorial Legislature, and one year as a member of the Senate after the organization of the State; then three years as treasurer of Otoe County, Neb. In 1870 he returned East, settling at Seymour. Seven children have been born: Minerva J., Matilda A., Ursula F., Columbus L., Louisa C., Ada A. and Oliver H. He has held the position of justice of the peace of Seymour for thirteen years. On the 26th of November, 1885, he celebrated his golden wedding, upon which occasion he was made the recipient of many valuable presents by his friends. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious belief a Universalist.

EMIL E. RETTIG was born March 28, 1854, on the pres- ent John R. Hamilton farm, adjoining Brownstown. His grand- father, Robert Cunningham, homesteaded said farm, coming from West Virginia, when his daughter, Elizabeth (mother of , our subject), was about thirteen years of age. Edward Rettig, the father, was a native of Baden-Baden, Germany, and highly educated for the ministry at Heidelberg University. He came to this country, and had charge of a church near Brownstown at the time he was married, in 1853. He subsequently became a chaplain in the regular army, and died at Albuquerque, N. M., in 1856. Emil E. Rettig was on a farm most of the time until thirteen years of age. He attended school at the Miller School- house, also at Ewing and Brownstown, all in Brownstown Town- ship, and received a good common school education. In 1867 he became an apprentice to Mr. Henry M. Beadle, so well known as a publisher in this county, to learn the printer's trade. He sub- sequently worked for William Frysinger, in the Brownstown Ban- ner office, and in 1871 went to New Albany, Ind., where Hon. M. C. Kerr secured him a situation on the Ledger. He next worked one year for Mr. A. A. Davison, on the Seymour Democrat. Still later he was employed in some of the largest and best print- ing offices of Cincinnati, Ohio, Indianapolis, Lafayette, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and in 1875 on the Burlington, Iowa, Hawkeye. He left the last named office in July, 1875, and with Mr. Henry M. Beadle, purchased the Seymour Weekly Democrat. In 1876 he became sole proprietor, and in 1877 established the Daily Magnet, and later changed its name to Daily Democrat, and then

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to Local Lever, which name the paper bore when he sold the office to Mr. Edward W. Collins, deceased, in 1881. He next en- gaged in the book and stationery trade, in Seymour, until Au- gust, 1881. In April, 1882, he, with Mr. L. M. Boland, estab- lished the Daily Business in Seymour, as an independent news- paper. In December, 1883, he sold his interest in the Business, and it was made a Republican paper. Politically Mr. Rettig has ever been a Democrat, and is now publishing The Latest News, a Democratic paper, at Seymour, the first number of which was issued July 4, 1885. Mr. Rettig built the business house now partly occupied by The News in 1881, and has a centrally located residence. He is a Jackson County product, and proud of the county where he considers himself permanently estab- lished. He has always been successful in business undertakings in Seymour. Mr. Rettig was married, August 30, 1876, to Miss Maggie Iddings, at her father's home, three miles east of Lex- ington, Scott County. To them have been born four children, two of whom are living. Mr. Rettig's mother, now Mrs. Eliza- beth Waddle, resides at Brownstown, and is sixty-eight years of age.

JOHN ROEGER, deceased, was born November 27, 1813, at the city of Engelfinger, State of Wurtemberg, Germany. His mother died when he was two years old, and his father when he was thirteen, and, being left penniless, he was bound to a shoe- maker to learn that trade. He left Germany for the United States in May, 1839, and arrived in New York the next July, in debt $12 for money borrowed to bring him over. He worked his way from New York to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he commenced work at his trade, and in 1842 he had $300 laid up in a savings bank, which afterward broke, paying only 50 cents on the dol- lar. He married Margaret Dresseldorfer January 4, 1843, in Cincinnati. Eight children were born to this union, six of whom are living: Julia, now Mrs. John Vogel; Carrie, now Mrs. W. A. Carter; Maria, now Mrs. H. Schwing; Charles and Harry. Eliza, a daughter, died some years ago. He moved to Jackson County the next year after his marriage, where he afterward lived. Shoe-making not agreeing with him, he bought ninety acres of land paying at the time $5.25 per acre. He paid $200

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down, and the remainder in a short time. As fast as he made the money and could spare it, he kept adding to his land until he had 900 acres. In the meantime he was ever ready to help his neighbors, and he also aided all he could in building up Say- mour. He took stock in the Jackson County Agricultural Soci- ety at this place, as well as in the Bell Ford Bridge Company. He also purchased bonds of the city, issued to obtain money for the erection of the Shields High School building and the city buildings. He also helped to build all the churches in Seymour. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church, and of Say- mour Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 204, and was a life-long Democrat, and as honest a man as God ever made. He has one sister living in Germany. He died December 21, 1874. In every relation of . life he was a true Christian gentleman. The lesson taught by his busy life should be remembered by all. His career was hon- orable to himself and useful to his country.

J. A. ROSS, a son of Amos and Martha (Ruffner) Ross, was born December 27, 1837. His parents were natives of Virginia. His primary education was received in the primitive log school- house of the time. Leaving Washington County at the age of fourteen, he came direct to Seymour, where he engaged at the McCollum House as a hostler. This was the only hotel in Sey- mour at this time. He continued his employment at the hotel, attending school in the winter, until 1856, when he began break- ing on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. He continued at this employment only a month, owing to an accident in which he was injured, afterward entering the blacksmith shops of the Ohio.& Mississippi Railroad in September, 1857, as helper, till 1864, when he was promoted to blacksmith. He occupied this position until December, 1871, when he was given charge of the Seymour round house. With but trifling intermission he has held this po- sition for ten years. November 22, 1865, he was married to Mar- garet Newby, of Washington County. Seven children have been the issue of this marriage, six of whom are living: Harry O., Mary C., Walter I., Thomas E., Andrew J. and Martha A. Mrs. Ross died March 4, 1880. January 17 he was married to Mary Weyer, of Madison. Two children were born to them: Virgie and Stella L. He is a Mason and a Republican.

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History of Jackson County, Indiana, Part 57

Author: Brant & Fuller Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Number of Pages: 759

Author: Brant & Fuller
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 759