USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Indiana > Part 61
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his profession, with which he is en rapport, and among his colleagues he enjoys an enviable standing, both because of his marked ability and his high personal character.
On June 19, 1901, Mr. Owens was married to Minnie Barnett, daughter of H. C. Barnett, a well known attorney and prominent citizen of Franklin, and to them have been born two sons, John Henry and Roger Barnett.
Politically, Mr. Owens is a warm supporter of the Republican party, while his religious sympathies are with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member. Mr. Owens takes a deep interest in the welfare of his community, giving his support to every enterprise which promises to advance the best interests of the people. He is bound to Johnson county by strong family ties, for on the maternal side he is descended from two of her old pioneer families, his mother having been a daughter of Shelby and Elizabeth (Sutton) Fullen, names well known in the history of the county. The grandfather was born in 1819 and his wife in 1824 and members of their respective families bore their full part in the early development and progress of the community. Personally, Mr. Owens is a genial and companionable gentleman, widely read. and thoroughly informed on the leading questions of the day, and he is deserving of the marked popularity which he enjoys.
EVERETT R. BOHALL.
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The gentleman whose life history the biographer here takes under re- view is one of those strong, sturdy characters who have contributed largely to the welfare of the community where he lives, being a business man of more than ordinary sagacity and foresight, and as a citizen public-spirited and progressive in all that the term implies. He is a native son of the old Hoosier state, having been born in Jackson county, Indiana, on September 17, 1880. He is the son of Norban and Emma (Amfield) Bohall, the former of whom was a native of Jackson county, Indiana, and the latter born in New Albany, this state. The father, who was a farmer by vocation, came to Johnson county in 1881, living here until his death, which occurred in the city of Franklin, where he had moved a short time before, on January 19, 1896. He is survived by his widow, who now lives in Franklin. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five are living, namely: George, a farmer of Johnson county; Edgel, a grocer in Indianapolis; Everett R., the im- mediate subject of this sketch; Minnie, the wife of Ward Branes, of Frank- lin, and Bertha, the wife of Winfred Ransdell, of Franklin.
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E. R. Bohall was reared under the paternal roof in Jackson county and was but one year old when brought to Johnson county by his parents. He received his education in the Friendship school in Union township and fol- lowed the vocation of farming all his active life up until about ten years ago. Thereafter he was employed in a grocery store and about four years ago engaged in business on his own account at No. 296 Jefferson street, Frank- lin, where he has since enjoyed a liberal and continually growing patronage. He carries a large and well selected stock of staple and fancy groceries, with all accessory lines usually found in an up-to-date grocery store, and because of his strong business methods, uniform courtesy to his patrons and his evi- dent desire to please, he has long enjoyed his full share of the business in his line. He understands thoroughly every detail of the grocery business and seeks to carry such a stock as will meet the demands of the most fastidious customer.
Politically, Mr. Bohall is a staunch supporter of the Republican party and takes a commendable interest in public affairs, while his fraternal rela- tions are with the Free and Accepted Masons. Religiously, he is an earnest member of the Christian church, to which he gives a liberal support.
On April 23, 1902, Mr. Bohall was united in the holy bonds of matri- mony with Lulu May Jenkins, a daughter of William A. Jenkins, of Frank- lin, and to them were born two children, both of whom are deceased. They have also taken a child to rear and are giving to it the same care and loving attention that they would have given to their own children had they lived. In all the essential elements of good citizenship, Mr. Bohall is a man among men and by his earnest life, sturdy integrity and strict regard for the highest business ethics, he has earned and retained the warm regard of all who know him. He and his wife move in the best social circles of Franklin and are popular among those who know them.
EDWARD E. COBB.
The history of the Hoosier state is not an ancient one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community planted in the wilderness in the last century and reaching its magnitude of today without other aids than those of continued industry. Each county has its share in the story, and every county can lay claim to some incident or transaction which goes to make up the history of the commonwealth. After all. the history of a state is but a record of the doings of its people; among whom the pioneers and the sturdy de-
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scendants occupy places of no secondary importance. The story of the plain, common people who constitute the moral bone and sinew of the state should ever attract the attention and prove of interest to all true lovers of their kind. In the life story of the subject of this sketch there are no striking chapters or startling incidents, but it is merely the record of a life true to its highest ideals and fraught with much that should stimulate the youth just starting in the world as an independent factor.
Edward E. Cobb, who cultivates a fine farm of two hundred and seventy- five acres in Nineveh township, Johnson county, Indiana, was born January 14, 1873, on the Walsh farm in this township, and is the son of G. B. and Leah (Gillaspy) Cobb, both of whom are natives of Johnson county and are still living. The subject's paternal grandfather, Wesley Cobb, and his wife came from Kentucky and were pioneers of Johnson county, in the early life of which they bore a prominent part. The subject's parents for a time lived in Bartholomew county, to which they moved soon after the subject's birth, but when he was nine years old they returned again to their old home in Johnson county, where they are still living. To G. B. Cobb and wife were born two children, Dillard, of Nineveh township, and Edward, the immediate subject of this sketch. The latter received busueducation in the public schools of Nineveh and has devoted practically listening life to the vocation of agri- culture, in which he has achieved an eminent success. His farm is well im- proved in every respect and in the stilling of the soil and the planting of the crops Mr. Cobb pays due attention to modera ideas and theories relative to this science. His comfortable and attractive residence, large and commodious barns and other necessary outbuildings indicate him to be a man of good taste, while the general appearance of the place is creditable to the owner.
Politically, Mr. Cobb gives his support to the Democratic party, in which he has been active for many years. His abilities were recognized by his fel- low citizens, who elected him to the office of justice of the peace, in which he served for eight years, and in 1908 he was elected trustee of his township for a six-year term, in which responsible position he discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 344, Knights of Pythias, at Nineveh, and to Nineveh Lodge No. 317, Free and Accepted Masons, and the chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Edinburg. His religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church at Nineveh, in which he takes a deep interest and to which he contributes lib- erally of his time and means.
In 1892 Mr. Cobb was united in marriage with Laura B. Hardin, the : . (41)
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daughter of Abner Hardin, and to this union have been born eight children, five sons and three daughters, namely : Frank, Elizabeth, Ruth, Walter, Paul, Arthur, Catharine and Morris. By a life consistent in motive and action and because of his many fine personal qualities, Mr. Cobb has earned the sincere regard of all who know him, and in his home, which is the center of a large social circle, there is always in evidence a spirit of generous hospitality, old and young alike being at all times welcome. Mr. Cobb has the welfare of the community at heart, and at all times can be counted upon to give his ardent support to every movement having for its object the welfare of those about him. A man of sterling qualities, his honesty and strictly square deal- ings, his upright principles and genial disposition have won for him numerous friends throughout the community in which he lives.
WILLIAM A. BRIDGES, SR.
It is with pleasure that the biographer has an opportunity to place before the readers of this work the life record of the honorable gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, for he is deemed eminently worthy of repre- sentation along with the best and most industrious citizens of Johnson county, owing to the fact that he belongs to the energetic and enterprising class that has made this favored section one of the most noted and richest in the great Hoosier state. Enjoying distinctive prestige as a farmer, he has achieved marked success, while his practical intelligence, mature judgment and sound business principles have had much to do in moulding public sentiment in the community where he has long maintained his home.
William A. Bridges, Sr., who, after a life of unremitting activity, is now living retired from active labor at his pleasant and attractive home in Frank- lin, was born on October 11, 1850, in Hensley township, Johnson county, Indiana, on the farm owned by his parents, George and Martha (Clark) Bridges, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. George Bridges came from Shelby county, Kentucky, to Johnson county, Indiana, in 1827, locating in Hensley township. He was born in May, 1800, and his entire life was spent in connection with agricultural pursuits, in which vocation he achieved an eminent success, owning eight hundred and twenty acres of land in Hens- ley township at the time of his death, which occurred on August 22, 1872. In addition to the cultivation of the soil, he gave considerable attention to the raising of live stock, giving particular attention to Shorthorn cattle and to
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mules. Martha Clark also came from her native state to Indiana in an early day and her marriage to Mr. Bridges occurred after her arrival in this state. Mr. Bridges, however, had previously been married to a Miss Forsythe, by whom he had seven children, only one of whom is now living, and he mar- ried for his third wife a Miss Prather, to whom six children were born. .
The subject of this sketch, who was born and reared.on a farm, pro- cured his education in the common schools of his native township and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits continuously until 1892, when he relinquished ac- tive labor for a while and moved to Franklin. In 1895 he returned to the farm and gave it his attention until November, 1900, when again he decided to relinquish the labor to which he had been accustomed and came to Frank- lin, where he has since lived. As an agriculturist Mr. Bridges was numbered among the best in the county, his thorough methods and up-to-date ideas marking him as a man of mature judgment and wise discrimination. A man of good business principles, he so conducted his affairs as to reap a gratify- ing return for his labor and now, in the evening of his life, he is enabled to quietly enjoy the fruits of his former labors.
Mr. Bridges has for many years taken an active and intelligent in- terest in public affairs, and in 1886 was elected county commissioner from the first district, in which position he served a full term and a half term, amount- ing to four and one-half years, his additional service being because of the fact that one member of the board died and he was appointed to fill the vacancy. In 1900 Mr. Bridges was elected county treasurer, and was elected to succeed himself in 1902, thus serving two terms to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. In 1906 he was elected mayor of Franklin, serving continuously until 1910. He has been a staunch supporter of the Democratic party ever since attaining his majority, and has contributed materially to the success of his party in local elections. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders and has taken a deep interest in these societies. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Baptist church, as are all of their children and most of their grandchildren.
On October 11, 1870, Mr. Bridges was united in marriage to Alice M. Hunter, daughter of Singleton Hunter, of Hensley township, this county, and they have become the parents of three children: Otis Bridges, who lives on the home farm in Hensley township; Harry Bridges, county treas- urer, and Dell, the wife of Wiley Waggoner, of Franklin, who clerks in the store of M. G. Voris.
Mr. Bridges is the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of fine land in
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Hensley township, the tract also extending over into Nineveh and Union townships. The place is well improved in every respect, its general appear- ance reflecting great credit on the owner. Mr. Bridges is a man of genial nature, unassuming in his relation with others, and because of his genuine worth and high qualities of character he has deserved the high regard in which he is held by all who know him.
JAMES GILBERT COVERT.
It is a pleasure to investigate the career of a successful, self-made man. Peculiar honor attaches to that individual who, beginning the great struggle of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable environment, removes one by one the obstacles from the pathway of success and by the master strokes of his own force and vitality succeeds in forging his way to the front and winning for himself a competency and a position of esteem and influence among his fellowmen. Such is the record of the popular citizen of Franklin township to a brief synopsis of whose life and character the follow- ing pages are devoted.
James Gilbert Covert, who operates a splendid farm of one hundred and eighty-two acres in Franklin township, Johnson county, was born on February 24, 1870, in the Hopewell neighborhood, this county, and is a son of A. N. and Susan (Magill) Covert. The father, who was born in this state in 1841, and who now resides near the Hopewell church, was a son of John Covert, a native of Mercer county, Kentucky, and one of the first pioneer settlers in the Hopewell neighborhood, having been one of the first three families there. His wife, who was also born in this state in 1842, was the daughter of Samuel Magill, who first settled as a pioneer in Sullivan county, Indiana, and later came to Johnson county. To A. N. and Susan Covert were born six children, namely : Rev. William Chalmer, who is now pastor of the Forty-first Presbyterian church of Chicago, with a congregation of fifteen hundred persons, is married and has three children, Catherine, Hudson and William Seward; Etta Covert married a Mr. Lockwood, lives near Southport, this state, and they have three children, Helen, Marion and Lenore; James Gilbert, the immediate subject of this sketch; Lella, the wife of Mr. Mc- Caslin, lives on the Hopewell road; Emma, Mrs. Henderson, who lives in the Hopewell neighborhood; Omar, who is a singer of note, with a clear lyric tenor voice, is engaged in concert work, his home being in Valparaiso, In- diana. He is married, but has no children.
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The subject of this sketch received his education in the Hopewell high school, where he graduated at the age of twenty-one years with three scholar- ships. He was reared to the life of a farmer and has never forsaken that vocation. Upon taking up the active affairs of life on his own account he first lived on the old home place, two miles west of the Hopewell church, but in 1896 he came to his present splendid farm in Franklin township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his attention. The farm is splendidly improved and is devoted to the raising of a general line of products, practically all the grain raised on the farm being fed to live stock. Mr. Covert raises on an average of about sixty hogs annually, and also runs a dairy herd of twenty Jersey cows, the product of which he sells to the Whiteland creamery.
Politically, Mr. Covert is a stanch advocate of the policies of the Repub- lican party, to which he has given his lifelong support. Religiously, he was first a member of the Hopewell Presbyterian church, but is now a member of the First Presbyterian church at Franklin, to which he gives his earnest support and has been elder of the same for a period of nine years. His fra- ternal membership is with the Free and Accepted Masons.
On February 12, 1895, Mr. Covert married, Anna Moore Ellis, the daughter of Capt. W. B. Ellis, ja watan"Of the"Civil war, and a member of Company I, Seventy-ninth Regiment; Indianld Vdanteers. They have one child, Josephine, born December 10, 1896. Because of the active part Mr. Covert has taken in the upbuilding, and progress of the community, he has merited the high esteem in which he "is held among his fellow citizens. He has given his support to all movements which have had a tendency to advance the moral, educational or social interests of the people, and among those who know him best he is considered one of the best men in this section of the county.
A. W. OWEN.
The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are- in- structive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life, apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate success, if not renown. The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would
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seem almost to justify the conclusion that self-reliance, with a half chance, can accomplish any object. The life of A. W. Owen, well known and suc- cessful druggist of Greenwood, Johnson county, is an example in point, for, by his individual efforts and close adherence to his every duty, he has over- come the obstacles encountered on the highway of life and is now very com- fortably fixed regarding this world's affairs and has at the same time won a reputation for right living among his fellow men.
A. W. Owen is a Yankee by nativity, having been born in the state of Maine, and is a son of Wesley and Marcia (Ladd) Owen, both of whom were New Englanders by birth and rearing. The father, who was a black- smith, located first in Jennings county, subsequently coming to Johnson county, where he spent the remainder of his life, retiring from active labor some time before his death and moving to Greenwood, where he died in 1903. His widow is still living and makes her home with the subject of this sketch, being now eighty-three years old.
A. W. Owen received his education in the common schools and his early years of manhood were employed in various vocations, being employed a part of the time at factory work and as a drug clerk. The latter vocation had for him a fascination and he determined to make it his life work. He never studied medicine seriously, but during his experience as a drug clerk he picked up a great deal of accurate information along this line which has been of material assistance to him in his later life. He has been a resident of this county about fifteen years, having spent eight years in Indianapolis as a drug clerk. He is now established in a business of his own at Greenwood, and is numbered among the substantial, up-to-date and enterprising merchants of the town. His drug store is well furnished, including a beautiful and attrac- tive soda fountain with all modern accessories, and he carries a large and complete line of all staple drugs and druggists' sundries to be found in the best stores of the kind. His good business ability, sterling integrity and courtesy to the trade have had their influence in bringing him a large and profitable patronage and he is numbered among the prosperous men of Greenwood.
Politically, Mr. Owen is a staunch Republican, though he has no aspira- tions for public office. Fraternally, he belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Greenwood and takes an active interest in the workings of these orders. Genial and unassuming personally, he has won and retains a host of friends throughout the com- munity and he gives his unqualified support to every movement for the ad- vancement of the locality in which he lives.
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OREN C. DUNN.
The life history of him whose name heads this sketch is closely identi- fied with the history of Franklin and Johnson county, Indiana. His life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned with a degree of suc- cess attained by those only who devote themselves indefatigably to the work before them. He is of a high type of business man and none more than he deserves a fitting recognition among the men whose genius and abilities have achieved results that are most enviable and commendable.
Oren C. Dunn, vice-president of the Citizens National Bank of Frank- lin, Indiana, and one of the leading citizens of Johnson county, was born at Hanover, Jefferson county, Indiana, on the 15th of June, 1851. His parents were Samuel C. and Martha A. (Crothers) Dunn, the father a native of Danville, Kentucky, and the mother of Hanover. Samuel Dunn, who was born in 1809, died in 1881, his widow dying the following year. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom are deceased but the subject of this sketch. Samuel C. Dunn came to Johnson county in 1852, as agent for the old Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis railroad, having been the second agent at Franklin. He was not only a capable and efficient representative of the railroad at this place, but he took a large interest in the affairs of the community, becoming prominently identified with many of the important enterprises of that early day. He was connected with the old Franklin Insur- ance Bank, and later with the old Farmers' Bank, both of which he assisted to organize and in both of which he served as cashier for a number of years. He was thus one of the earliest bankers of Franklin and the history of his family here may be said to be almost identified with the history of banking in this community. Religiously, he was a member of the First Presbyterian church, in which he was an elder for many years and one of the most faithful and earnest members. Politically, he was affiliated with the Whig party until its dissolution, since which time he gave his support to the Republican party. A man of high moral character, unimpeachable integrity, persistent industry and excellent judgment, he stood "four square to every wind that blew," and throughout the community he occupied an enviable position in the estimation of his fellow men.
Oren C. Dunn received his elementary education in the Franklin public schools and private schools, concluding with one year's study in Franklin College. He then engaged in the mercantile business here, with which he was successfully identified for several years. On the organization of the Citizens
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National Bank at Franklin Mr. Dunn became connected with it in the capacity of bookkeeper, from which position one year later he was promoted to that of assistant cashier. Five years afterwards he became cashier, in which position he served for sixteen years to the eminent satisfaction of the direc- tors, and at the end of that period he was elected vice-president of the insti- tution, which position he has filled during the past four years, thus rounding out a quarter of a century of continuous service with the Citizen's Bank, during which he has seen the institution grow from a modest beginning to that of one of the leading financial concerns of this part of the state. In this splendid growth he has been an important factor and today in banking circles no man is held in higher repute than Mr. Dunn. A man of vigorous mentality and strong moral fibre, he has achieved signal success in a most im- portant field of effort and he is eminently deserving of the large measure of confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens.
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