USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Indiana > Part 66
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Joseph Johnson, who, for a number of years, has been successfully en- gaged in the marble and monument business at Edinburg, Johnson county, Indiana, is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Cler- mont county, Ohio, on March 2, 1827. He is the son of Richard and Kazia (Vonosdal) Johnson, the former of whom was a native of Virginia and who followed the vocation of farming. He came to Ohio in an early day and his death occurred in 1870. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of his native state and his first independent employment was as a carpenter, which trade he had learned in his youth and which he followed for a number of years. In 1855 he came to Edinburg, Johnson county, Indiana, and engaged in the marble business, in which he has con- tinued since and in which he uniformly met with splendid success. He has erected a large number of the best and most expensive monuments in this and surrounding counties, and no man in this line of business enjoys a wider reputation in his line than he. He has a well equipped marble shop and his own ideas are artistic in the highest degree, so that those who come to him find in him a wise adviser and expert workman.
In 1870 Mr. Johnson was married to Margaret Parker, a daughter of James Parker. Mrs. Johnson's death occurred on August 17, 1889. They were the parents of the following children: William A., who is now a suc-
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cessful attorney of Franklin, this state; Jennie, who became the wife of Capt. M. C. Badger, who is now deceased and she makes her home with the subject of this sketch, and Maggie, the wife of Charles Bokenkrager, of I.os Angeles, California.
Politically, Mr. Johnson gives a stanch support to the Republican party, and he takes a deep and intelligent interest in all public questions, though not in any sense a seeker after public office. Religiously, he is a faithful and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which he gives liberally of his time and means. Mr. Johnson can honestly claim all the honor accorded him for what he has accomplished, for he started in life with practically nothing, but is now one of the substantial men of his com- munity as a result of his close application to business and his persistency. He is well known throughout the county and has a host of warm friends here, for his life has been honorable in every respect. He is entitled to special distinction because of the fact that he is the oldest Mason, the oldest Methodist and the oldest Republican in this county, and helped to organize the Republican party.
SAMUEL DEITCH.
In the early days the Middle West was often a tempting field to ener- getic, ambitious, strong-minded men, and Indiana was filled with them during the time she was struggling up to a respectable position in the sisterhood of states. There was a fascination in the broad field and great promise which this newer region presented to activity that attracted many men and induced them to brave the discomforts of the early life here for the pleasure and grati- fication of constructing their fortunes in their own way and after their own methods. It is this class of men more than any other who give shape, direc- tion and character to the business of a community. The late Samuel Deitch, for a long lapse of years one of the most substantial and prominent citizens of Johnson county, became identified with the commerce of this favored section of the country at an early date, and from the first wielded a potent influence in local commercial circle's. He gave to the world the best of an essentially virile, loyal and noble nature and his standard of honor was absolutely in- flexible. He was a citizen of high civic ideals, and ever manifested his lib- erality in connection with measures and enterprises tending to advance the general welfare of the community honored by his residence. He was the architect of his own fortune and upon his career there rests no blemish, for he
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was true to the highest ideals and principles in business, civic and social life. He lived and labored to worthy ends and as one of the sterling citizens and representative men of his locality in a past generation his memory merits a tribute of honor on the pages of history.
Samuel Deitch was born in October, 1811, in the province of Alsace, which at that time was a part of France, but now belongs to Germany. He secured his education in Paris, France, and in 1847 decided to emigrate to the United States. The tiresome ocean voyage, which was made in an old-fash- ioned sailing ship, required eleven weeks, and immediately after reaching this country he came to Franklin, Johnson county, Indiana. At that time his cash capital amounted to but eighty dollars, but he possessed a large stock of energy and ambition and looked about at once for a favorable opportunity to get a start. His first venture was in the mercantile business, having opened a small general store at Waverly, Morgan county. About a year later he moved to Williamsburg, now known as Nineveh, Johnson county, where he conducted a store with considerable success until 1857, when he disposed of his business and came to Franklin, where he lived until his death, which occurred on May 29, 1882. Measured by the true standard of excellence, Mr. Deitch was an honorable, upright, courteous gentleman, true to himself and to others, and his influence was always potent for good. He gave close attention to his busi- ness affairs and amassed a sufficient amount of this world's goods to make his later years comfortable and free from embarrassment. He was a man of broad human sympathies, an element of his character that was specially em- phasized at the time of his burial by the following words uttered by Rev. J. W. Duncan, who knew him well: "From all that I can gather of his life (and all who know him well will bear me out in the remark), he was a man whose sympathies were easily reached. He could scarcely endure to see any one suffer, and when he did the falling tears said, 'I would relieve you if it were within my power.' When he entered the home of the poor and found them in distress, no time was lost until he had relieved that distress. The citizens of Franklin will recall his interest in the stricken people of Chicago a few years ago, and when a subscription was made for their relief, no one gave more than the deceased. He that said years ago, 'If ye shall give a cup of cold water in my name it shall be remembered,' will not forget the charities of our deceased fellow man. In his business life, which was very successful, he was particular and prompt. Carrying out his own promises to the letter, he looked for the same promptness and fidelity from others. The unanimous expression of the business men of Franklin toward the deceased was that of commendation and approval."
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On March 3, 1850, he was united in marriage to Caroline Lowe, who was born in Johnson county, Indiana, on October 21, 1829, the eldest daughter of Thomas and Sarah Lowe, who had come to Johnson county when it was prac- tically a wilderness. She was a granddaughter of Jacob Whetzel, who was a prominent figure in the opening and development of this locality. He came to this county in 1819, cutting his way through the forests until he reached a point on White river where Waverly is now situated, and for a long time the "Whetzel trail" was well known to the settlers in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Deitch was born one daughter, Sarah, who became the wife of William F. Sibert, a prominent and well known citizen of Franklin, now deceased, and who is referred to elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Deitch was a woman of ex- alted character and enjoyed to a notable degree the love of those who knew her. Though not a member, she was an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which she gave liberally of her means. Many of her liberal deeds are remembered, among these being the gift, by herself and her daughter, to the Methodist church of the parsonage, and, later, the payment of the Baptist church indebtedness. In the words of one who knew her, "Her religion was one of deeds, not words. Her principles were coin that passed current at the court of heaven. She did not wait for the needy to come to her, but, like the true Samaritan that she was, she sought them out. The world will never know the loving deeds of this good woman." Though a wife, mother and home- maker first of all, she had not confined her work to the boundaries of her home, but had found the opportunity and inclination to extend her field of usefulness into the world around her, and had become an integral part of the best things that make up the whole of the community life.
WILLIAM B. JENNINGS.
It is not an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led an emi- nently active and busy life and who has attained a position of relative dis- tinction in the community with which his interests are allied. But biography finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that is de- manded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touch- ing briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of the honored subject whose life now comes under review.
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William B. Jennings, who in many respects is one of the most prominent citizens of Johnson county, Indiana, was born January 4, 1852, on a farm in White River township. He is the son of William H. and Margaret J. (Lyons) Jennings. The father, who was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, in 1818, died January 30, 1873. He was the son of Thompson Jennings, who was born and reared in Kentucky, and he came to Johnson county with his father in the early thirties, spending his first night in Pleasant township, where they slept in a barn. The father eventually filed on land in White River township and became a successful and influential citizen of this locality. In 1846 he was elected sheriff of Johnson county and was re-elected to the position in 1848. In 1850 he was elected county treasurer and two years later was elected to succeed himself. He was then appointed to fill a vacancy as state senator from Johnson and Morgan counties, and was eventually elected mayor of the city of Franklin, this fact being noteworthy from the fact that he was a leading Democrat of his community, and at the time of his election the city of Franklin was Republican by an ordinary safe majority. He was serving as mayor of the city at the time of his death, having been re-elected. His record was one of which his descendants may justifiably be proud. for his political career was marked by a faithful performance of every duty and an intelligent interest in the welfare of his fellow citizens. The subject's mother, who died in April, 1907, at the age of eighty-four years. was a native of Johnson county, Indiana, and a daughter of Robert Lyons, one of the early pioneer settlers of White River township; his estate adjoining the Jennings estate. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings were the parents of five children, namely: William Byron; Laura E. the wife of Edmundson Cutsinger, of Franklin, who died October 25, 1900 : Robert th, who died in infancy ; Harry V., deceased, and Emil H., who is connected with 'the Merchants National Bank of Indianapolis.
The subject of this sketch received his elementary education in the Frank- lin public schools, after which he was a student in Franklin College, and later attended Hanover College about one and one-half years. In 1873 Mr. Jen- nings was appointed deputy auditor under E. Newt Woolen, in which posi- tion he served a year and then became deputy auditor under William K. Sproule in Marion county, under whom he served four years. In 1878 he was elected auditor of Johnson county, assuming the duties of his office in November, 1879, and in 1882 he was re-elected to that position. In 1896 he was elected county treasurer, and so satisfactory was the performance of his duties that he was re-elected to that position in 1898, having no opposition at either election. He had demonstrated in an unmistakable manner his emi- (44)
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nent ability and efficiency in the performance of public duties, so in Novem- ber, 1907, he was again elected auditor of Johnson county. Upon the termi- nation of his official term in 1912 Mr. Jennings moved to his farm, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has devoted his undivided attention. He is the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of fine land on the state road in Blue River township, and he maintains the place at the highest standard of agricultural excellence, it being known as one of the best farms in the locality.
Politically, Mr. Jennings has always given his earnest support to the Democratic party and has taken active and appreciative interest in local polit- ical affairs. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife and daughter belong to the Christian church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to the several bodies of this order, including that of Knights Templar at Franklin.
On December 10, 1895,. William B. Jennings was united in marriage to Claudia B. Cutsinger, the daughter of Edmondson Cutsinger, whose wife's maiden name was Carroll. After the death of Edmondson Cutsinger Mr. Jennings was appointed administrator of his estate. To the subject and his wife has been born one daughter, Clara Margaret. whose birth oc- curred on September 20, 1896, who has received a good musical education and is a student in the Franklin high school. Personally, Mr. Jennings is a pleasant man to know, hospitable in his home, straightforward and courteous in his business transactions, and a man in whom all who have occasion to know him repose the utmost confidence.
GEORGE W. WYRICK.
George W. Wyrick, a well-known citizen of Franklin, is descended from sterling old German ancestry, his progenitors having emigrated from the fatherland first to Pennsylvania, from which state they moved to Virginia, and thence to Indiana, where the family has been established for many years. The subject's paternal grandfather, Nicholas Wyrick, first settled in this county west of Providence. in Union township, where he created a farm and established his permanent home. He married a Miss Leonard, and to their union were born the following children: Eli, Andrew, Hiram, Arch, Jacob, Henry A., Ephraim W. and two daughters, Diana Grose and Mrs. Betsey Henderson.
The subject's father, Ephraim W. Wyrick, was born in Wytheville, Wythe county, Virginia, on June 15, 1829, and was but six months old when
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his parents brought their family to the Hoosier state. In his young manhood he was a carpenter, but later also followed agricultural pursuits. As a carpenter he was a good workman, and a few of his buildings are still stand- ing practically just as he built them. He farmed in White River township, and during the sixties he served as trustee of that township. He was a strong Democrat in his political faith and an earnest worker for his party. Religious- ly, he was affiliated with the Christian church, of which he was an elder at the time of his death, which occurred on January 22, 1902. He married, on October 17, 1850, Elizabeth L. Garshwiler, who was born in 1832 in Union township, Johnson county, Indiana, and whose death occurred on the 20th of August, 1905. They became the parents of two children, the subject of this sketch and Mrs. C. M. McCool, of Franklin.
George W. Wyrick was born in Union township, Johnson county, Indi- ana, on July 7, 1851, and spent his early childhood on the home farm. His educational training was secured in the public schools of his home neighbor- hood. On August 29, 1889, Mr. Wyrick left the farm and removed to Franklin, where he engaged in the grocery business for eleven years. In the fall of 1904 Mr. Wyrick was elected to the office of county treasurer, assum- ing the duties of that office on January Ist following and served the full term of four years. In the discharge of his public duties he exercised the same careful and painstaking care over every detail and his administration of the county's finances was eminently satisfactory to his fellow citizens. Since retiring from the treasurer's office, Mr. Wyrick has occupied himself in look- ing after his farming interests, otherwise being practically retired from active affairs. His business career was characterized by sagacity and shrewdness in judgment, promptness in execution and strict integrity, so that he has ever enjoyed to a notable degree the confidence and good will of all with whom he has had dealings.
On the 17th of October, 1872, Mr. Wyrick was married to Serena C. Tresslar, who was born on September 21, 1852, the daughter of Valentine M. Tresslar, an early settler and well-known citizen of Johnson county. To this union have been born the following children: Mary Cecil, born August 9, 1873, died September 4, 1873; Adda M., born January 27, 1875, is a suc- cessful teacher in the Woodruff school, at Indianapolis; Amador T., born September 19, 1879, is a partner in the dry goods firm of M. J. Voris & Com- pany, at Franklin.
Politically, Mr. Wyrick has been a life-long supporter of the Democratic party and has been active in its campaign. His religious membership is with the Christian church, of which he is a trustee and deacon.
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SQUIRE H. McCLAIN.
The subject of this sketch is one of those strong, self-reliant and deter- mined characters who are occasionally met with and who are of such a dis- tinct type as to seem to be born leaders of their fellow men. Not that Mr. McClain courts that distinction, for he is entirely unassuming, but his great force of character and his zeal and energy in whatever he undertakes natu- rally place him at the head of the crowd, and he has been a potent factor in the development of Johnson county, where he has long maintained his home and where he is well known to all classes for his honorable and industrious life, in both private and public.
Squire H. McClain, one of the most prominent farmers of Needham township, Johnson county, Indiana, was born on August 23, 1860, in Iowa, and is a son of Alexander McClain, who was born in August, 1835, and died in April, 1910. His mother, Mary Jane (Hendricks) McClain, was a daugh- ter of Landon N. Hendricks, an early settler of this section of Indiana. Alex- ander McClain, who was a native of Marion county, Indiana, settled in Iowa, but after one year's residence there became dissatisfied and returned to John- son county, Indiana, in October, 1860, settling on the farm where the subject of this sketch now lives, and there he made his home until his death. He was successful in life, accruing two hundred and forty acres of fine land, and was highly respected in the community where he lived. He was the son of John McClain, of Kentucky. During the latter years of his life he retired to the city of Franklin and the subject of this sketch took charge of the farm. To Alexander and Mary Jane McClain were born six children, namely : Jasper, deceased; S. H., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Emma Brockman. William, Mrs. Laura Adams, and John, deceased.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of the community where he now lives and was reared to the life of a farmer, a vocation which he has never forsaken. He inherited part of his farm at his father's death and later bought out the interests of the other heirs in the homestead, so that he is now the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of splendid land, forty-two acres of which are planted to wheat, sixty acres to corn and twenty-seven acres to clover. He has the reputation of being one of the best raisers of wheat in Johnson county, his yield this year averaging from thirty-five to forty bushels to the acre. He is also interested to some extent in the breeding and raising of live stock, having sold nineteen cattle in 1912.
In 1887 S. H. McClain was married to Elva Tilson, the daughter of
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James Tilson, and to them have been born five children, namely: Delta, a graduate of Franklin College; Mary and Marie, both graduates of the Frank- lin high school and now students in Franklin College; Oake, who is at home and is a student in the college, and Lyman, twelve years of age.
Politically, Mr. McClain is an ardent supporter of the Progressive party, while his church relations are with the Methodist Episcopal church at Frank- lin. Mr. McClain has, by his indomitable enterprise and progressive methods, contributed in a material way to the advancement of his locality, and during the course of an honorable career has been highly successful in his business enterprises, having been a man of energy, sound judgment and honesty of purpose, and is thus well deserving of mention in this volume.
WILLIAM F. SIBERT.
To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and re- spected even from childhood deserves more than mere mention. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy, and even remain in the hearts of friends and neighbors, but to take the same position by dint of the practice of an upright life, and without a craving for exaltation and popularity, is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. The late William Frank Sibert, one of the successful business men and pub- lic-spirited citizens of Franklin, Indiana, who departed this life on April 10, 1912, who was well known throughout this coffunity, was a man respected and honored, not because of the vigorous training of his special talents, but because of his daily life, each day having been one that was above criticism and passed upon in the light of real, true manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellow men, he not only made his presence felt, but also gained the good will and commendation of both his associates and the general public, ever retaining his reputation among men for integrity and high char- acter, no matter how trying the circumstances, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of a gentleman. Consequently his influence for good in the general life of his community was most potent, and he will long be sadly missed from the various circles in which he moved and over which his influence was like sunshine on a field of ripened wheat.
William F. Sibert was a native and lifelong resident of Johnson county, Indiana, having been born at Franklin, on May 5. 1857, and was the son of
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Henry and Minerva C. (Shaffer) Sibert. He secured his educational train- ing in the public schools of Franklin, after which he qualified himself as a bookkeeper. His first employment was in the flouring mill of Baldwin & Payne, and he later continued with Payne, Johnson & Company, as book- keeper, in which line he was an expert. He believed thoroughly and abso- lutely in doing well whatever he undertook and he at all times enjoyed the confidence of those with whom he was associated. He possessed a rare equa- nimity of temper and a kindness of heart, which won for him sincere regard among all who knew him. His nature was genial and social and his manners courteous and attractive. His mind was rich in the fruits of a life of reading and observation. He had no personal enemies and provoked no one to enmity, for the simplicity and cordiality of his nature and manners invited friendship and forbade enmity. His personal character was above reproach. He was a hospitable man and cordially responsive to all social claims, his home being well equipped and attractive to all whom he numbered among his list of friends. The death of such a man is a great loss to any community, and not alone his personal associates, but the people of the city, felt a sense of per- sonal bereavement in his loss. Mr. Sibert had been in ill health for some time prior to his death, though able to attend to his business interests. For several years Mr. and Mrs. Sibert had spent the winter months at Deland, Florida, and had been back at his home in Franklin but a few days when the summons came which called him to a higher life.
Fraternally, Mr. Sibert was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he had attained to the Knight Templar degree, and in the Knights of Pythias he was affiliated with the Uniform Rank. Religiously, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his daily life he was an exemplar of that religion which he professed. A busy man, Mr. Sibert never took a very active part in political affairs, though in 1894 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for the office of city treasurer, to which he was elected and the duties of which responsible position he discharged for eight years to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens.
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