USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Indiana > Part 75
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Mr. Earnest has twice been married, first, on November 1, 1877, to Lida R. Freeman, who died in 1896, leaving one daughter, Anna, who is now the wife of Edward C. Vest, a farmer of this county, and they have two children, Mary Pauline and Lottie Davis. Mr. Earnest's second marriage was in February, 1899, to Mrs. Cora M. Ragsdale, nee Willard, who by her former marriage was the mother of a son, Herbert Collier Ragsdale.
Politically, Mr. Earnest is an ardent supporter of the Democratic party and has served his township efficiently as road supervisor. He takes an intelligent interest in the current affairs of the day, but is not a seeker after public office. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and to the Anti-Horsethief Association, while his religious membership is with the Baptist church, of which he is an earnest supporter and to which he contrib- utes liberally of his means. The members of the family move in the best social circles of the community and, because of their genuine worth and splendid personal qualities, they enjoy the warm regard of all who know them.
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ISAAC W. BOWDEN.
It is proper to judge of the success of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his fam- ily circle, in church, hear his views on public questions, observe the operations of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization, and are therefore competent to judge of his merits and his demerits. After a long course of years of such daily observation, it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know of his worth, for, as has been said, "actions speak louder than words." In this connection it is not too much to say that the subject of this sketch has passed a life of unusual honor, that he has been industrious and has the confidence of all who have the pleasure of his friendship.
Isaac W. Bowden, whose splendid farm is located in Pleasant township, Johnson county, Indiana, is a native of the state of North Carolina, having been born in Davie county, on August 27, 1857, and is a son of Caleb and Mary (Etchison) Bowden, both of whom were also natives of North Caro- lina, where they spent their entire lives. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom, besides the subject, a brother and sister are still living in Davie county, one of the children is in Nebraska and one in Iowa. Three brothers of this family served in the Confederate army during the war of the Rebellion. one having been killed at Seven Pines, and one died at Goldsbor- ough, North Carolina. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of his native community, and as soon as old enough be- gan farm labor, with which industry he has been identified ever since. On January 26, 1880, he came to Johnson county, Indiana, and located on his
present farm in Pleasant township, to which he is giving his close attention. He is the owner of eighty-six acres of land, practically all of which is under cultivation, and here he gives due attention to the rotation of crops and other modern ideas relating to successful agriculture, so that his efforts have been abundantly rewarded with success. He gives some attention to dairying, hav- ing sold milk for the past fifteen to twenty years. In addition to the cultiva- tion of the soil, he gives considerable attention to the raising of live stock. particularly Poland China hogs, in the handling of which he has been quite successful. He has been a close observer of modern methods and is a student at all times of whatever pertains to his chosen life work, and, judging from his past record, he will undoubtedly achieve much in the future years. He takes
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his place among the leading agriculturists of a community noted for its fine farms and adroit husbandmen.
Politically, the subject of this sketch has always given his support to the Democratic party, though aside from the casting of his ballot he has not taken an active part in campaigns. He is a staunch advocate of all that will ad- vance the interests of his community, and no worthy movement bids for his support in vain. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Ma- sons and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the workings of both organizations taking a deep interest. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and gives his support to every phase of that so- ciety's work.
On June 10, 1880, Mr. Bowden was united in marriage to Margaret J. Sheek, the daughter of Leven W. and Mary E. (Henry) Sheek, both families having long been identified with Johnson county, of which they were early settlers. Mrs. Bowden's mother, Mary E. Sheek, was a daughter of Hiram Henry, who was a prominent man in Johnson county during his life. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowden have been born five children: Lola May, the wife of Jesse Tilson; Jessie, the wife of Ray Brown; Flora, of Indianapolis; Annie Marie, the wife of Oral Fix. of Greenwood, and Julia; who remains at home. The family move in the best social circles of the community and are held in the highest esteem by all who know them because of their genial disposition and genuine worth.
JOHN T. OVERSTREET.
All callings, whether humble or exalted, may be productive of some measure of success, if enterprise and industry, coupled with a well directed purpose, form the motive force of the person directing the same, and in no case is this fact more apparent than in agricultural pursuits. It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance as well as the above enumerated qualities. When a course of action is once decided upon these attributes are essential. Success is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, only those who have diligently sought her favor being crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the prosperous and influential agriculturist whose name forms the cap- tion of this biographical review, we find that the above named elements have
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entered largely into his make-up and therefore we are not surprised at the large and ever-growing success which he has attained.
John T. Overstreet was born in Clark township, Johnson county, In- diana, on August 28, 1860, and is a son of John H. and Eleanor V. (Covert) Overstreet, the father born January 12, 1809, and the mother on December 25, 1818. John H. Overstreet was a native of the state of Kentucky, from whence he came to Johnson county in an early day, settling in the city of Franklin, where he and his brother, William, entered the mercantile business, which they continued about two years; then John H. Overstreet came to Clark township, his entry here being in the year 1848, and he settled on the land which the subject of this sketch now owns and cultivates. Just before coming to this township, however, he had tried out some land in Franklin township, but after three years' residence there he decided on a change and came to Clark. He was twice married, and by his first union had four children, George S., Mary, Benjamin W. and Willis G., of whom Mary is deceased. To his second union were also born four children, Nancy, Cornelius B., deceased; Martha, deceased, and John T., the immediate sub- ject of this sketch. Both parents are now deceased. They were prominent in the community during their active lives, standing staunchly for the best interests of the people, and, because of their sterling integrity and the high order of their living, they were numbered among the leading citizens of the community.
The subject of this sketch received a good common school education, after which he spent two years as a student in old Asbury College, now DePauw University, at Greencastle. Thus well qualified for life's duties, he returned to the home farm, to which he has since given his attention and in the cultivation of which he has shown sound judgment and wise dis- crimination. In addition to husbandry, he has also given considerable atten- tion to the buying, feeding and shipping of live stock, to which he closely applied himself for about fifteen years with good financial results. He has up-to-date ideas as to farming methods, has rotated his crops so as to retain the original fertility of the soil and he raises abundant harvests. He is a man whose years of straightforward and honest dealing have gained for him the confidence of his neighbors and have made him a man of influence in his community, as his geniality and amiability make him welcome in any social gathering or group of men.
On January 14, 1880, Mr. Overstreet was united in marriage with Dessie D. Reece, a daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Garrison) Reece, both of
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whom were natives of Indiana, though on the paternal side the subject's wife was of German ancestry, her grandparents having come from the fatherland and located in Kentucky, from which state they came to Indiana in an early day. Thomas and Eliza Reece were the parents of five children, Elmira, Artie. Albert, Dessie D. and Desmus, twins. To Mr. and Mrs. Overstreet has been born one child, Chella Cecil, who became the wife of Arlis G. Patter- son, of Clark township.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Overstreet has for many years taken an active part in the public affairs of his locality, and in 1909 was elected trus- tee of Clark township, in which responsible position he is now serving and in which he is discharging the duties of that office to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Franklin and the Knights of Pythias at Greenwood, being a char- ter member of the latter lodge. Religiously, he is a member of Rock Lane Christian church, in the prosperity of which he is deeply interested and to which he contributes liberally of his means. Clark township has had no worthier or more highly respected citizens than the Overstreet family, which has been identified with its progress from the pioneer days to the present time, its several members working simultaneously for their own advancement place in this history.
WILLIAM EDGAR McCASLIN.
Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and .thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-door life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood and no truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and dis- tinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were indebted largely to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.
The subject of this sketch is descended from one of the old established families of Indiana, his paternal grandfather, Alexander McCaslin, having come to this state from Mercer county, Kentucky, in 1816. He settled first in Scott county, where the family remained until 1829, when they came to
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Johnson county, locating about two miles south of Franklin, where Alexan- der remained during the remainder of his life. His son, John McCaslin, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Scott county and accompanied the family on its removal to Johnson county. He married Martha Jane Alexander, and among their children was the subject of this sketch.
William Edgar McCaslin secured a good practical education in the com- mon schools of Johnson county, and, being raised to the life of a farmer, he early recognized the fact that no other career offered to him so many opportunities for advancement and independence as agriculture, therefore he has never forsaken this vocation, but has given it his undivided attention with eminent success. He is the owner of a good farm of ninety-one acres in Franklin township, and his systematic methods and persistent energy have resulted in a commensurate degree of success.
In 1899, Mr. McCaslin married Hattie May Halstead, a daughter of Albert and Louisa (Hoagland) Halstead, the father a native of Blue River township, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. McCaslin have been born two children, Martha Elizabeth and Eleanora Louise. Politically, Mr. McCaslin gives his support to the Republican party, and he takes a deep and commend- able interest in public affairs, though he has never been a seeker after office of any kind. In every avenue of life's activities he has performed his full part as a man, standing "four square to every wind that blows," and because of his genuine worth and high character he has enjoyed to a large degree the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. He and his wife move in the best social circles of the community and are extremely popular among their acquaintances.
HERNAN BARLOW.
It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the life of one who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of pur- pose and determined action. Such a life. whether it be one of calm, con- secutive endeavor or of sudden meteoric accomplishments, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to young men whose fortunes and destinies are still matters for the future to determine. The subject of this sketch is distinctively one of the representative agriculturists of Johnson county. For a number of years he directed his efforts toward the goal of success and by patient continuance in well doing succeeded at last in over-
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coming the many obstacles by which his pathway was beset, and is today con- sidered one of the foremost farmers of the county.
Hernan Barlow, whose fine farm of two hundred and forty acres in Clark township is one of the show places of Johnson county, was born in this county on September 15, 1870, and is a son of John and Hannah (Smith) Barlow, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother of Indiana. John Barlow came to Johnson county with his parents when he was but a boy, the family settling near Edinburg, where they remained until 1853, when they moved to Clark township, where they spent the remainder of their days. John Barlow was a farmer during all his active years and enjoyed high repute in the neighborhood where he lived because of his honest character and good business ability. He held no offices, although he took a deep interest in the public affairs of the community. He was a member of the old Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry, and among his neighbors he co-operated in the ad- vancement of the interests of the community. He and his wife were the par- ents of four children : William, Ora, May, who married a Mr. Copeland, and Hernan.
Hernan Barlow received his elementary education in the common schools of Clark township, and then was a student in the Acton Normal School for a while. Upon the completion ofthis educational training, he took up the vocation of farming, to which? fiei had been feared, and is still actively and successfully engaged in that pursuit. He is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of as fine land as can be found in Johnson county, it being eligibly located in Clark township, and here Mr. Barlow .carries on mixed farming. To say merely that he is a successful farmer does not imply the true facts, for he has given to his affairs such able and intelligent direction and has car- ried on his business transactions on so large a scale that he is almost in a class by himself as a farmer. For about four years Mr. Barlow carried on dairying with abundant success, giving his special attention to Holstein cat- tle, which breed he found gave the best general results. His dairy barns are up to date in every respect, and are built to accommodate between seventy- five and one hundred head of cattle. Vacuum milking machines are used and were connected to each stall. In connection with the barn there are big cement silos, and altogether about two hundred head of cattle, both dairy and feed cattle, can be accommodated. Mr. Barlow's residence is one of the finest in the county, the house itself being modern and up to date in every par- ticular, with all the conveniences that one could desire, while cement walks and beautiful lawns, as well as a large cement veranda encircling the entire
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house, give it an air of comfort and hospitality that makes it very inviting to one passing by. One would have to travel far before finding a more satis- factory agricultural prospect than is to be found on the Barlow farm, and among his fellow citizens Mr. Barlow is held in the highest esteem, because of the success he has achieved.
Politically, Mr. Barlow is a supporter of the Progressive party and takes a deep interest in public affairs, though he is not himself a seeker after public office. He is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Detective Associa- tion, and, religiously, is affiliated with the Christian church, of which he is a stanch supporter.
On January 27, 1907, Mr. Barlow was united in marriage with Mamie Whitton, a daughter of Joseph and Maggie (Wells) Whitton, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother of Marion county, Indiana. The father came to this county in his early life, and he took up the occupation of farm- ing, to which he devoted his active years. His marriage also occurred here. To Mr. and Mrs. Barlow have been born three children, Ethel May, Russell W. and Everett J. By a straightforward and commendable course Mr. Bat- low has made his way up to a respectable position in the business world, win- ning the hearty admiration of the people of his neighborhood, and earning a reputation as an enterprising and progressive agriculturist and a broad- minded and upright citizen, and has much in his life record that could be studied with profit by a young man starting on the battle of life.
THOMAS W. McQUINN.
Among the citizens of Nineveh township, Johnson county, Indiana, who have built up a comfortable home and surrounded themselves with valuable landed estates and personal property, few have attained a higher degree of success than the subject of this sketch. With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made an exceptional success in life and in his old age has the gratification of knowing that the community in which he resides has been benefited by his presence and his counsel.
Thomas W. McQuinn, who is successfully operating a fine farm of one hundred and ninety acres in Nineveh township, Johnson county, Indiana, was born April 2. 1852. in this township, and is a son of Martin and Abigail (Legan) McQuinn, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. As the name
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would indicate, the McQuinns are of Irish descent, and have inherited the staunch qualities which have made that nationality so desirable an element in our national life. Martin McQuinn reared four children by two marriages, their names being Mrs. Frances (Sawans) Branigin, who is the stepmother of Elba L. Branigin, editor of the historical portion of this work; Alfred T., of Nineveh township; Mrs. Sarah Coons Kephart, of near Bargersville, and Thomas W., the immediate subject of this sketch. The subject's mother, who was Martin McQuinn's second wife, died in 1861, and her husband died in the spring of 1895. Mrs. Abigail McQuinn had been married before her union with Mr. McQuinn, her first husband having been a Mr. Coons.
Thomas W. McQuinn received his education in the common schools and lived on the paternal homestead until he had attained his twenty-second year. After his marriage, which occurred in 1874, Mr. McQuinn lived a year on rented land and then bought eighty acres of land, to the cultivation and im- provement of which he gave his attention, and subsequently bought additional land from time to time until he is now the owner of one hundred and ninety acres of as good land as can be found in Nineveh township. In 1896 he erected a splendid home and now his buildings are up to date and first class in every respect. His barn, which is of the bank style, is large and com- modious and the residence, which is attractive and well arranged, is set in a beautiful grove of lawn and shade trees. In addition to the cultivation of the soil, Mr. McQuinn gives a good deal of attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, selling annually one hundred head of cattle and a like number of hogs, his cattle being of thoroughbred Jersey stock. His 1913 crops embrace fifty acres of corn, forty-eight acres of wheat and fifty acres of hay. He is up to date in his methods and is achieving a splendid success as a farmer, his place being considered generally one of the best in Johnson county.
On March 8, 1874, Mr. McQuinn married Elizabeth Mullendore, the daughter of Lewis Mullendore, and to them have been born seven children, six of whom are living, namely : Everette M., a mechanic and contractor of Indianapolis, married Dora Featheringill, the daughter of Thomas Feather- ingill, and they have two children, Harry and Margaret; Bertha Abigail, who was the wife of Oscar Adkins, died on July 5, 1909: Mrs. Harriet Brewer, of Whiteland, is the mother of two children, William and Donald; Ernest Raymond, a farmer, married Opal Forsythe, and they have one child, Ralph Mullendore; Louis E., who lives in northern Michigan, is an auto mechanic and shop manager ; Alice Marie and Thomas Wendal are at home.
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Mrs. Elizabeth Catherine ( Mullendore) McQuinn, who was born on Janu- ary 5, 1851, is a representative of one of the best known families in Johnson county, a complete sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. She is a lady of splendid personal qualities of character and is beloved by all who know her. Mr. McQuinn is a man of many praiseworthy traits of character, being scrupulously honest in all his dealings with the world, gener- ous and pleasant, possessing rare fortitude and good judgment, advocating clean policies, wholesome living and honest in business. Needless to add that such a man has hosts of friends and stands high in the estimation of all who know him.
JOHN A. McCASLIN.
In the history of Johnson county, as applying to the agricultural inter- ests, the name of John A. McCaslin occupies a conspicuous place, for through a number of years he has been one of the representative farmers of Frank- lin township, progressive, enterprising and persevering. Such qualities al- ways win success, sooner or later, and to Mr. McCaslin they have brought a satisfactory reward for his well-directed effort, and while he has benefited himself and community in a material way, he has also been an influential factor in the educational, political and moral uplift of the community favored by his residence.
John A. McCaslin, who is numbered among the enterprising and success- ful farmers of Franklin township, Johnson county, is a native of the county in which he now lives, and was born on November 11, 1870, being the son of John and Martha Jane ( Alexander ) McCaslin. The subject's paternal grand- father, Alexander McCaslin, was a native of Mercer county, Kentucky, and- came to Scott county, Indiana, in 1816, remaining there until 1829. The subject's father was born in Scott county, and came to Johnson county with his parents in 1829, locating about two miles south of Franklin, where they remained for the remainder of their lives. To John and Martha McCaslin were born five children, George A., Robert W., Belle, John A. and Edgar. The subject's father was a Presbyterian in his religious belief, and a Republican in politics, though not active in political matters.
John A. McCaslin received the advantage of a good common school education in Franklin township and spent his early years under the parental roof, giving his assistance in the operation of the home farm. He has never
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forsaken the basic science of agriculture, in which he has achieved a splendid success, and he is still actively engaged in that line of effort. He is the owner of a splendid farm in Franklin township, the general appearance of which is a credit to him, and he has exercised a wise judgment and sound common sense in its operation, so rotating the crops as to not impair the fertility of the soil. In addition to the tilling of the land, he gives some attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, which he has also found a profitable source of income.
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