USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Indiana > Part 76
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In 1897, Mr. McCaslin was married to Lella Covert, the daughter of Albert N. and Susan ( Magill) Covert, who were early settlers of this county and reared a large family here. Politically, Mr. McCaslin has always given his support to the Republican party, while his religious membership is with the Presbyterian church, which he attends regularly and to which he gives a liberal support. He has become well and most favorably known through- out his locality for his loyalty to the truth, his uprightness in business, his public spirit and friendly disposition. He and his wife are among the most influential and popular citizens of their community, being abreast of the times in every way and always willing to give their time and substance, if need be, to further any movement looking to the betterment of the locality where they reside, religiously, socially or educationally.
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J. J. CLARY.
Fealty to facts in the analyzation of the character of a citizen of the type of J. J. Clary is all that is required to make a biographical sketch interest- ing to those who have at heart the good name of the community, because it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true glory of a city or state revered at home and respected abroad. In the broad light which things of good repute ever invite, the name and character of Mr. Clary stand revealed and secure and, though of modest demeanor, with no ambition to distinguish himself in public position or as a leader of men, his career has been signally honorable and it may be studied with profit by the youth entering upon his life work.
J. J. Clary, a successful farmer of White River township, of which civil subdivision he is trustee, was born on May 23, 1870, on the farm on which he now. lives, and is the son of Wesley P. Clary, whose death occurred
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in 1884. His mother, Ursula (Dorrell) Clary, a native of Johnson county, is still living. Wesley P. Clary was the son of David Clary, whose parents were natives of Ireland. He married a Miss Bristow. of Welsh descent. The Clarys were early settlers and pioneers of Indiana, and have always been numbered among the best citizens of their community. To Wesley P. Clary and wife were born five children, namely: Mrs. Martha Sedden, of Marion county, Indiana; David Franklin, who died in 1879; Mrs. Mary Catherine Surface, of Oldenburg, Texas; J. J., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Minnie, who was born in 1876 and died in 1882. After the death of her husband, the subject's mother married George Hughes, with whom she is still living.
J. J. Clary received a good practical district school education and has followed farming during all his active years. He lived with his mother on the home farm until attaining his majority, when he went to Indianapolis, where he was a member of the police force for two years. He was a good officer, but preferred the independent and out-door life of the farm and returned to the home farm, thirteen acres of which he had inherited from his father and to which he thereafter gave his strict attention. He was prosper- ous in his efforts and added to his original holdings from time to time as he was able until he is now the owner of sixty-seven acres in White River town- ship and forty acres in Pleasant township. The place is well improved and maintained in excellent condition, the nice lawn and attractive home, with all modern appointments, making life very pleasant and commending the owner as a man of good judgment and excellent taste.
From boyhood Mr. Clary has taken an active interest in political affairs, giving his support to the Democratic party, and in 1897 he became road supervisor of the township for four years, while in 1908 he was elected trus- tee of White River township for a four-year term, which, however, by legis- lative enactment was lengthened to six years. He is now engaged in the erection of a new school house, which will cost about fifteen thousand dollars, having four rooms and basement and modern in every respect. Religiously, Mr. Clary has for a long time been an active member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Stone's Crossing, in which he has been a member for twenty-two years and an incumbent of one office or another for eighteen years. He also be- longs to the Masons at Bargersville.
On January 31, 1891, Mr. Clary was united in marriage to Brusan Hughes, a daughter of George Hughes. To them have been born three
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children, Hazel Kirk, born August 17, 1893, George Denzel, born June 30, 1899, and Elsie Glenn, born November 8, 1900. Mr. Clary is a most gracious and companionable gentleman, honorable and reliable in all his dealings, and he ranks among the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of the com- munity in which he resides, manifesting an active interest in whatever per- tains to the progress of his county, and co-operates with others in forwarding all measures whereby his fellowmen may be benefited. Because of his high principles and his success in life he is held in high favor by his fellow citizens.
CHRISTIAN HELD.
Among the earnest men whose enterprise and depth of character have gained a prominent place in the community and the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens is the honored subject of this sketch. A leading farmer and stock raiser of the township in which he resides and a man of decided views and laudable ambitions, his influence has ever been exerted for the advancement of his kind, and in the vocation to which his energies are de- voted he ranks among the representative agriculturists of the county.
Christian Held, who is operating successfully one of the largest and most fertile farms in Franklin township, Johnson county, is a native of the do- minion of Canada, where he was born October 25, 1855, and is the son of Christian and Mary (Henglesten) Held. The father was a native of the Ger- man empire, who came to this country in an early day, landing in New York City, from whence he went to Canada, where he resided for a time, eventual- ly coming to Indiana, where he spent the balance of his life. He was engaged here in farming and in the community where he lived he was held in high es- teem because of his genuine worth and high character. To him and his wife were born ten children, six of whom are still living.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of Jennings county, Indiana, where the family resided for some time, and on attaining mature years he took up the vocation of farming, which he has followed ever since. He is now operating the R. V. Ditmars farm of two hundred and ninety-three acres, located in Franklin township, one of the best and most fertile tracts of land in the county, and to this farm he is giving most intelligent direction, the fruits of his efforts being evident in the abundant harvests he reaps annually. In addition to a general line of farm- ing. Mr. Held also gives some attention to the raising of live stock, in the
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handling of which he has met with considerable success. The cozy and attrac- tive home, large and commodious barns, well-kept fences and other features of a modern and up-to-date farm characterize the place, and in the com- munity where he has resided so many years Mr. Held is regarded as a com- petent and progressive agriculturist. Because of his sterling qualities of char- acter and the deep interest he has taken in the affairs of the community, he has enjoyed to a marked extent the confidence and esteem of his fellow citi- zens. Politically, Mr. Held has given his support to the Democratic party, but has never been an aspirant for public office of any nature. His religious belief is embodied in the creed of the Presbyterian church, which he attends and to which he gives a liberal support. Socially, he and the members of his family move in the best circles of the community and are popular among their acquaintances.
On March 9. 1893. Mr. Held was united in marriage to Cora M. Hensley. the daughter of Prettyman B. and Barbara Ann (Wallace) Hensley. The father was a native of this county, of which his family had been very early settlers. More details of the family history will be found elsewhere in this work in the sketch of Hiram Hensley. Mrs. Held is a woman of many splendid qualities of character and, like her husband, she is popular among her acquaintances.
ROBERT A. SERVICE.
The student interested in Johnson county, Indiana, does not have to carry his investigation far into its annals before learning that Robert A. Service has long been an active and leading representative of its agricultural interests and that his labors have proven a potent force in making this a rich farming region. Through several decades the subject has carried on farming, gradually improving his valuable place, and while he has prospered in this, he has also found ample opportunity to assist in the material development of the county, and his co-operation has been of value for the general good.
Robert A. Service, one of the most enterprising and progressive farmers of Needham township, Johnson county, Indiana, was born in Franklin, this county, on November 12, 1858, and is a son of Henry and Leah (Whitenack) Service. The father was a native of county Derry, Ireland, and came to this country in a very early day, landing at Quebec, Canada, from whence he went to Philadelphia, later to Cincinnati, and in 1855 came to Johnson coun-
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ty. He was a shoemaker by trade, which vocation he followed until 1878, when he moved to Needham township, where he remained until 1884, and then came back to Franklin, where he died in 1885. He was prosperous in his business affairs, and erected the old building at the northwest corner of the public square in Franklin, which is now owned by his widow. He was prominent in the public life of the community, though never an office holder. Fraternally, he was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Franklin, and was a member and an active worker in the Presbyterian church. To him and his wife were born two children, namely: Robert A., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Lydia, who married a Mr. Bronson and lives in Bridgeport, Alabama.
The subject of this sketch received his preliminary education in the common schools of Franklin, after which he attended the old Franklin Academy. He then followed the vocation of his father, being employed at shoemaking from 1874 until 1878, when he relinquished the bench and took up the vocation of farming, which has been his active pursuit since that time. He is now the owner of eighty acres of splendid land in Needham township, to the operation and cultivation of which he gives intelligent direc- tion, and on which he raises abundant crops annually. In addition to the till- ing of the soil he gives considerable attention to the breeding and raising of Jersey cattle, of which he sells large numbers every year. He gives every de- tail of the farm work his personal attention, and by his enterprise, progressive ideas and systematic methods he has achieved eminent success in his calling.
On February 5, 1885, Robert A. Service was united in marriage to Elizabeth Stephens, who was reared by Jacob and Jeannette (McQueston) Stephens, who were natives of Scotland, from which they came to America and some time afterward settled in Johnson county. To the sub- ject and his wife have been born four children, namely: Essie, who married a Mr. Cecil Holdren, an insurance agent of Indianapolis; Harry, of Johnson county, and Guy and Rhea, of Needham township.
In his political ideas Mr. Service is in full harmony with the platform of the Progressive party, to which he gave his earnest support in the last election, and during the period from 1890 to 1895 he rendered efficient serv- ice as assessor of Needham township. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Franklin. In the widest and best sense of the term, his life has been a pronounced success, as he has always measured up to the high standard of citizenship required by men of his stamp, serving well and faithfully his day and generation, and by (50)
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virtue of his consistency to truth, honor and right living he has won an honored name in the township in which he resides. Therefore, he is eminent- ly well qualified for a place in the present volume.
WILLIAM MARTIN FISHER.
Johnson county, Indiana, enjoys a high reputation because of the high order of her citizenship, and none of her citizens occupy a more enviable position in the esteem of his fellows than the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. A residence here of over sixty years has given his fellows a full opportunity to observe him in the various lines of activity in which he has engaged and his present high standing is due solely to the honorable and upright course he has pursued. As a leading citizen of his community he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this char- acter.
William Martin Fisher, a prominent citizen and the present popular trustee of Needham township, Johnson county, Indiana, was born in this township on October 31, 1849, and is the son of Jacob and Katherine (Bowers) Fisher. both of whom were natives of North Carolina. In their youth they came to Indiana, their marriage occurring after their settlement in Clark county, and in 1826 they came to Johnson county, settling on the farm which the subject of this sketch now owns. It consists of one hundred and forty-nine acres, all of which is eligible for cultivation, and here Mr. Fisher has carried on successfully for many years his vocation as an agricul- turist. He is systematic in his methods and raises all the crops common to this locality, among his fellow citizens being considered a man of exceptional ability and acumen. His father spent his entire life on this farm after locat- ing on it, and here he raised to maturity eleven children, namely: Henry, John, Phoebe, Jane, George, Katherine, an infant, Thomas, Mary, William M. and Eliza, seven of these children being now deceased. Jacob Fisher was a Methodist in his religious views and active in religious work. Politically, he was not active, although taking a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community.
On October 29. 1883, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage to Jane Boner, the daughter of Henry and Penelope (Kinnick) Boner. both of whom were natives of North Carolina, coming to Johnson county, Indiana, in 1857, settling in Pleasant township, where they remained during their ac-
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tive lives. They were successful farming people and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew them. The mother is still living. To the subject and his wife have been born two children, Olesta and Erie R.
The subject of this sketch has been a prominent worker in the ranks of the Democratic party for many years, served as road supervisor for one term, and in 1908 entered the office of township trustee, to which he had been elected and the duties of which he is discharging to the entire satis- faction of his fellow citizens. His term will not expire until 1914. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Franklin, in which he takes an active interest, while his religious membership is with the Second Mt. Pleasant Baptist church, in which he is an active worker and to which he contributes liberally of his means. He is a man of sound and practical intelligence, keenly alert to everything relating to his interests, and, in fact, with all that concerns the prosperity and advancement of his com- munity. Because of his splendid personal characteristics and his genuine worth, he enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of the character of the one at hand.
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ELMER VANDIVIER.
One of the most enterprising of our younger generation of farmers in Johnson county, who has believed from the outset of his career that the "wisdom of yesterday is sometimes the folly of today," and that while the methods of our grandfathers in tilling the soil were all right in their day, yet in the twentieth century we are compelled to adopt new methods and farm along different lines, in view of the fact that conditions of climate, soil, grains, etc., have changed since the days of the pioneers. 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 he has therefore met with encouraging success all along the line, and, judging from his past record, he will un- doubtedly achieve much in the future years and take his place among the leading agriculturists of a community noted for its fine farms and adroit husbandmen.
Elmer Vandivier, proprietor of the well known Spring Hill farm in Franklin township, Johnson county, Indiana, is a native of this county, his
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birth having occurred on October 3, 1872, the son of Isaac N. and Sarah M. (Byers) Vandivier. His father and his grandfather also, John Vandivier, were natives of Johnson county, of which locality the Vandivier family were early settlers and. prominent citizens. The subject's mother was also a native of this county, the daughter of Henry Byers. The subject is the only child born to his parents. Isaac N. Vandivier was a life-long farmer after his marriage, before which event he had followed the mercantile business to some extent at Trafalgar. His first farm was in Franklin township and he never left the home place, giving his entire attention to its cultivation and improvement, in which he was successful to an eminent degree. He carried on general farming and stock raising, and in all the affairs of his community he was considered a prominent and potential factor.
The subject of this sketch attended the common schools during his boyhood days and early he learned the mysteries of successful agriculture through his father's direction. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of splendid land in Franklin township, where he carries on general farming and also successfully breeds the finest strains of Jersey cattle, for which he finds a ready sale. He owns an attractive and comfortable resi- dence, large and commodious barns and other necessary farm outbuildings, and in the operation of his place he exercises a wise discrimination and sound judgment, which has insured his material success.
On November 16, 1893, Mr. Vandivier was united in marriage to Carrie Park, a daughter of Rufus L. and Serelda (Silver) Park. The Park fam- ily originally came to this county from Kentucky and were early and prominent settlers of the same. To Mr. and Mrs. Vandivier have been born five children, Ruth, Margarette, Helen, Bonnie and Grace, all of whom are at home with their parents.
Mr. Vandivier's political preferences are with the Republican party, of which he has been a staunch supporter for many years. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, while his religious membership is with the Baptist church, of which he is an earnest member. Personally, Mr. Vandivier is friendly, a good mixer and wins and retains friends with- out effort, for he is at all times a gentleman, obliging, unassuming and honest to the letter in his dealings with his fellow men. His life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance, and the notably systematic and honora- ble methods he has followed have won for him the unbounded confidence and regard of all who have formed his acquaintance.
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. GEORGE OWENS, SR.
Descended from honored ancestry and himself numbered among the leading citizens of Johnson county, Indiana, the subject of this sketch is entitled to specific recognition in a work of this character. A residence in this county of many years has but strengthened his hold on the hearts of the people with whom he has been associated and today no one here enjoys a larger circle of warm friends and acquaintances, who esteem him because of his sterling qualities of character and his business ability.
George Owens, Sr., one of the oldest residents and successful farmers of Johnson county, was born on June 30, 1833, in Needham township, this county, and is the son of Samuel and Millie ( Fisher) Owens. His father is a native of Clark county, Indiana. The subject's paternal grandfather came from Virginia in a very early day in its history and located in Clark county, later settling in Johnson county, where he made his future home. He was a farmer during all his active years. He was the father of seven children, three of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of Johnson county, and has followed farming through- out his active years, being now the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of splendid tillable land in Needham township, to which he devotes his attention. His farm is well drained and well fenced and his fields are kept in a high state of productivity, owing to his skill in rotating crops and other modern methods of farming. He has a modern and comfortable dwelling, which is nicely furnished. Many convenient outbuildings also stand on the place, which altogether stands in marked evidence of the owner's wisdom and good judg- ment. He is among the most highly respected citizens of Needham township, where he is well known to all classes and much liked by all who know him, for his life has been led along even-tempered and useful lines. He is re- garded as unqualifiedly upright and as advocating whatever tends to promote the moral, civic and educational affairs of the county, being known to be kind and hospitable to those whom misfortune of any kind has overtaken.
Politically, Mr. Owens has always given his support to the Democratic party, in the success of which he has taken the deepest interest, and he served four years efficiently as supervisor of Needham township, performing the duties of his office to the full satisfaction of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Owens has been married twice, first on January 18, 1854, to Kath- , ryne Owens, the daughter of John and Mary (Fisher) Owens, who were early settlers of this county. To this union were born two children, Emma,
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deceased, and Martin. On March 10, 1859, Mr. Owens married Serena Hutchings, the daughter of John and Lilly (Fisher) Hutchings, who were natives of North Carolina, coming to Clark county, this state, in an early day, where they spent the rest of their lives. Mr. Hutchings was a life-long farmer and a prominent man in his community. To him and his wife were born eleven children, five of whom are still living.
To George and Serena Owens were born seven children, namely: Mary Etta, Robert, Joseph, Bert, Ora, Lula, Willis and Grace. The members of the family move in the best social circles of the community and are well liked by all who know them, for the family has always stood for the best things in the community and is numbered among the progressive and enterprising families of the county.
SAMUEL M. MITCHELL.
The character of a community is determined in a large measure by the lives of a comparatively few of its members. If its moral and intellectual status be good, if in a social way it is a pleasant place to live, if its reputa- tion for the integrity of its citizens has extended into other localities, it will be found that the standards set by the leading men have been high and that their influence has been such as to mold the characters and shape the lives of those with whom they mingle. In placing the late Samuel M. Mitchell in the front rank of such men, justice is rendered a biographical fact universally recognized throughout the locality long honored by his citizenship by those at all familiar with his history. Although a quiet and unassuming man, with no ambition for public position or leadership, he contributed much to the material, civic and moral advancement of his community, while his ad- mirable qualities of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his daily life won for him the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he moved and gave him a reputation for integrity and correct conduct such as few achieve, and although he is now sleeping the "sleep of the just." his influence still lives, and his memory is still greatly revered.
Samuel M. Mitchell was born in Johnson county, Indiana, on Novem- ber 10, 1868, and his death occurred at his home in Franklin township on August 25, 1911. He was a son of John F. and Martha ( Fishback) Mitchell, his father also having been a native of this county, as was his father before him, James Mitchell. The subject's paternal great-grandfather, John D. Mitchell, was a native of Kentucky, and came to Johnson county in 1820,
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