USA > Indiana > Madison County > History of Madison County, Indiana ; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 73
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In Elwood, Father Biegel's influence, always for the good, is felt in every nook and corner. The respect which he inspired in the little village on his arrival has not abated as the place has grown into a pros- perous city, but is increased as time goes on. To the talents of a pastor is added the learning of a scholar and literatteur, which, united with a rare business tact and ability to govern, has made him already a con- spicuous figure in the church and the state, and has gained him the con- fidence, the good will and the love of all classes, denominations and nationalities.
GEORGE F. THURSTON. A man of enterprise, intelligence, and ex- cellent business capacity, George F. Thurston, living two miles east of Summitville, stands high among the wide-awake, progressive farm- ers of this section of Madison county. A native of Boone township, Mad- ison county, Indiana, he was born January 16, 1864, a son of John F. and Margaret (Morris) Thurston, of whom a more extended notice may be found elsewhere in this work, in connection with the sketch of R. O. P. Thurston.
Educated in his native township Mr. Thurston attended the Dead Dog school as a boy and youth, in the meantime obtaining on the home farm practical experience in farming. Finding the occupation most congenial, he rented the farm where he now lives a year before attain- ing his majority, and began the battle of life for himself, taking up his residence in the old log house standing upon the place. This farm was entered from the government during the administration of Presi- dent Jackson by Robert Spear, who erected the first frame blacksmith's shop put up in this section of the state. At the end of two years of successful farming Mr. Thurston received a sum of money from the parental estate, and immediately invested it in land, buying the farm which he had been renting. He has now one hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land, on which he has made improvements of great value, including the erection of his fine residence and other neces- sary farm buildings. He is carrying on general farming with satis- factory results, making a specialty of raising Duroc-Jersey hogs, a branch of industry which he has found pleasant and profitable. He is one of the largest breeders of that grade of hogs in the county, from his estate. which is known as the Duroc-Jersey farm, having shipped in two years $7,000 worth of that breed.
Mr. Thurston married, in 1884, Sarah Etta Ellsworth, daughter of Walker and Martha (Harris) Ellsworth, and they have one child,
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Alva W. Thurston, who married Bessie Rutherford. Politically Mr. Thurston is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.
LEVI P. BROWN. Especially worthy of note among the active and progressive men who have contributed so largely towards the develop- ment and advancement of the agricultural prosperity of Madison county is Levi P. Brown, a well-known farmer of Van Buren township. A son of the late Jolin G. Brown, he was born on the farm where he now resides, his birth having occurred on October 31, 1857. Born in Rush county, John G. Brown obtained the rudiments of his education in the public schools of his native district, and completed his studies in the rural schools of Madison county. Subsequently purchasing a tract of land in Van Buren township, he began the improvement of a farm, and was there busily engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, at a comparatively early age, in 1871. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Allen, seven children were born, as follows: Cather- ine J .; Levi P .; Mary E., deceased; Naney Ellen; Sam'} R .; George W .; and John H.
Brought up on the parental homestead, Levi P. Brown first attended the Allen school, later continuing his studies in the township school. While yet a boy he became familiar with the various branches of agri- culture, and after the death of his father assisted his mother in the management of the home place, which he now owns and occupies, he having purchased the interests of the remaining heirs in the estate. He was for many years very active and successful in the management of his fine farm of one hundred and sixty-six acres, but having accumulated a competency he has relegated the care of the estate to his son-in-law, and is now living retired, enjoying a well-deserved leisure from busi- ness affairs.
Mr. Brown married, September 22, 1880, Emma Florence Allen, a daughter of Amos G. and Salina (Runyan) Allen. Their union has been blessed by the birth of four children, namely: A child that died in infancy ; Adah Mae, wife of Robert Broyles; Garry, who lived on the Brown farm, and had charge of its management; and Lulu F., wedded A. E. Tomlinson and resides with her parents. Garry Brown, the only son, married, September 22, 1910, Edna Trader, a daughter of Harvey and Eldy ( Woolen) Trader, and they have one child, Dorothy Florence.
Religiously Mr. Brown is an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is serving as steward. Politi- cally he is identified with the Democratic party, and is prominent in public affairs, taking an intelligent interest in everything pertaining to the improvement of the community in which he is living.
CHARLES HI. ALLMAN. An enterprising and highly successful farmer of Van Buren township, Charles Allman is a fine representative of the native-born citizens of Madison county, his birth having occurred. September 16, 1883, on a farm lying two miles west of his present place of residence, which is located four miles southeast of Summitville. His father, John Allman, for many years- a prominent agriculturist of Mad- ison county, was born and reared in Tipton county, Indiana, 1838. He married Leaner Perry, who bore him ten children, as follows: Asbury, Phoebe .J., Maggie, Edna, William, John, Cora, Lorenzo, Charles, and Myrtle.
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Brought up in his native township, Charles H. Allman acquired his education in the Allen school, and on the home farm was well drilled in the agricultural arts. Choosing the independent occupation which his father so successfully followed, and satisfied that no better region for general farming could be found in Indiana than that in which he lived, Mr. Allman bought eighty acres of land that are now included in his present estate of three hundred and twenty acres, and began its im- provement. Successful in his undertakings, he has given his undivided attention to its management, and each year in the gathering of his bountiful crops is rewarded for his toil and trouble.
On December 21, 1904, Mr. Allman was united in marriage with Miss Bertha M. Thurston, who is one of the six living children of the late Joseph and Mary E. (Welch) Thurston, who were the parents of seven children. Mrs. Allman was reared in county of Madison and edu- cated in common schools with one term in the Summitville high school. She is vice president of her Sunday school class, No. 2, at Summitville, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Allman have two children, namely: Estelle Lucile and Paul T. Politically Mr. Allman is a Democrat, and reli- giously both he and his wife are active and valued members of the Christian church at Summitville.
JOSEPH E. BRADLEY. Industriously engaged in the prosecution of a calling upon which the wealth and prosperity of our nation largely depend, Joseph E. Bradley, a well-known farmer of Madison county, has owned and occupied his present farm since 1900, and in its manage- ment has met with signal success. He was born August 19, 1851, in Brown county, Ohio, a son of William Bradley, Jr. He is of English ancestry on the paternal side, his grandfather, William Bradley, Sr., having immigrated from London, England, to the United States, set- tling in Ohio.
William Bradley, Jr., was born and reared in Brown county, Ohio. Early in life he migrated to Missouri, taking his family with him, hop- ing there to find a more favorable opportunity for advancing his finan- cial condition. Not satisfied with the change, he subsequently returned East, locating in Indiana, where both he and his faithful wife spent the closing years of their lives. He married Susan Sells, and to them eleven children were born, as follows: Harvey, deceased; Joseph E., the subject of this brief sketch; Susan, deceased; Harzella; William; John; Addie; Samuel; Martha; Lincoln; and Cora, deceased.
Obtaining the rudiments of his education in the district schools of Ohio, Joseph E. Bradley subsequently attended school in Missouri for awhile, later completing his studies in Indiana. In March, 1901, he took up his residence in Madison county, and has since been numbered among its citizens of worth. A farmer from choice, he rented land a number of years, but in 1900 bought from William Davis his present farm of eighty acres, located just at the edge of the city of Summitville, on the Bradley Gravel road, and as an agriculturist is meeting with gratifying results, each year reaping abundant harvests of the crops common to this part of the state.
Mr. Bradley married, in 1882, Martha Wilson, who died in 1909, her body being buried in Eden Cemetery, in Hancock county, Indiana. Three children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley : William E., who was graduated from the Summitville High School, and
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was just at the point of entering the law school when his untimely death occurred July 11, 1902.
The following excerpt is taken from the eulogy dedicated to his son at the time of his demise: "Into the peace and happiness of a bright and sunny day burst the gathering storm. It passes quickly, but ere 'tis gone it scatters sorrow and gloom to its unhappy victims. Young Mr. Bradley departed this life at his home, aged nineteen years, just in the flower of young manhood with all the promises of tender and mature manhood. He graduated from the common schools of Center township in Madison county in 1898 and at the Marion High School, also at the Summitville High School in 1902. He would have entered Indiana Uni- versity in the fall of 1902 had he lived. He united with the United Brethren church in 1898. In his school work he was ever faithful and was loved by both teachers and pupils. He spent most of his life in Madison county. He came of the best of parentage and his young life was a model for other young men to pattern after. His loss is sadly felt in the community of Summitville, Indiana, and had he lived, no doubt he would have written his name high in the scroll of honor."
Margaret, wife of Dr. A. L. Thurston; and Minnie, living wtih her father, are the living children of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley. Fraternally Mr. Bradley is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, No. 691, and of the Knights of Pythias, Gas Belt Lodge, No. 361. Religionsly he belongs to the United Brethren Church, while his daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
GEORGE W. BROWN. A prominent and successful agriculturist and stock-raiser of Madison county, George W. Brown is the owner of a well- appointed and well-managed farm in Van Buren township, his native place, where he holds a position of note among the substantial farmers of his community, his farms being on the G. W. Brown road, about four miles from Summitville.
His father, the late John G. Brown, was born in Rush county, but as a boy came with his parents to Madison county, where he grew to man's estate. Subsequently purchasing land in Van Buren township, he carried on farming until his death, in 1871. He married Sarah Allen, and they became the parents of seven children, namely: Catherine J .; Levi P., of whom a brief biographical sketch may be found on another page of this volume; Mary E., deceased; Nancy E .; Samuel B .; George W., the special subject of this sketch; and John H.
Completing his early education in the public schools of his native township, George W. Brown turned his attention to agriculture, and at the age of twenty years rented his mother's place, and began farming on his own account. Fortune smiled on his earnest efforts, and as his means increased he bought adjoining land, and is now the owner of a productive farm of one hundred and forty-eight acres, his estate in its appointments and improvements comparing favorably with any in the vicinity. A man of ability and integrity, Mr. Brown takes an intelli- gent interest in political affairs, and is a trustworthy member of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Brown married, April 13, 1889, Eda J. Painter, daughter of Silas. P. Painter, who owns and occupies a fine farm on the S. P. Painter road, about four miles southeast of Summitville.
Mr. Painter was born December 4, 1835, in Henry county, Indiana, of Virginia ancestry. His parents, George W. and Ira (Marsh) Painter,
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came from Virginia, their native state, to Henry county, Indiana, in pioneer days, and having bought a tract of wild land cleared and im- proved a homestead, on which they spent their remaining years. They were the parents of twelve children, as follows: Samuel D., deceased; Silas P., father of Mrs. Brown; George A .; William B. and James A., deceased ; Martin A .; Lewis; Mrs. Rosanna Kelley and Sarah Almarine, deceased ; Noah; Peoria; and Mrs. Janie Rumberg.
Silas P. Painter attended first the district schools of Henry county, completing his early studies in Madison county. As a young man he rented the farm where he now lives, and managed it so ably that he was enabled after a few years to buy the entire property, which he has placed under a good state of cultivation, having cleared the greater part of it from its primitive wildness. Energetic and enterprising as a young man, Mr. Painter not only carried on general farming with ex- cellent pecuniary results, but for some time operated a saw mill, and for one year owned and operated a threshing machine. Among the valuable improvements he has made on his place is the building of his house, which is situated on the north side of the Silas P. Painter road, which is the main thoroughfare to Gaston, Indiana.
Mr. Painter married, January 19, 1863, Dorcas Heritage, and of their union nine children were born, as follows: Mary, Elizabeth, Lucinda, Eda J., George David Lot Leonidas, Perry, and three children that died in infancy. Mary, wife of Thomas Hunt, has had three children, Frank; a child that died in infancy and Talmage. Elizabeth married first Roh- ert Atkinson, by whom she had three children, Lester; Birdie; and Lot- tie, deceased. Elizabeth married for her second husband Al Shields, and of that union three children have been born; a child that died in in- fancy; Ina; and Silas H. Lucinda Frances, who died in Madison county, married C. E. Brandon. Lot L. married Della Webster, a daughter of Geo. W. and Olive (Vinson) Webster, and they have one child, Pauline Josephine.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown are striving to give their children good educa- tions, fitting them for the higher walks of life. Their eldest child, Cletis R., graduated from the public schools at the age of fourteen and also graduated from the Fairmount High School. He then took the normal course at Marion, Indiana, and afterward successfully taught school one year in Madison county. He is now in his third year in Franklin College and will graduate with the class of 1914. Agnes J. is also a graduate from the public schools and the Fairmount Academy, and is now a student in Franklin College. She has also taken musical instruc- tions. The other two children are Dorcas and George P. Mrs. Brown is a lady of cordiality and gentle manner, and her happy home is her paradise. She received a good common school education and has always been her husband's counselor at all times. Mr. Brown comes from one of the old families of Madison county as does also his wife. He is a Democrat politically and has always upheld the principles of that party. He makes a specialty of "The Chester White swine and the farm is known as "The Chester White Stock Farm."
JAMES C. HULL. On the Hull gravel road about five miles northwest of Summitville, is a farm which represents the sturdy industry and good management of one of the best known farmer citizens of Madison county. Mr. Hull has lived in this county for more than forty years as a farmer and stock raiser, and beginning his career as a renter, and as a young
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man completely dependent upon his own resources for advancement he has made a success that might well be envied by his neighbors. At the present time he is the owner of one hundred acres of fine land in Boone township, and has won all his prosperity as a result of his well directed efforts.
James C. Hull was born September 17, 1848, a son of Jesse and Susan (Evans) Hull. His father, a native of l'ennsylvania, first moved to Ohio, first locating in Marion county, and afterwards went out to Maeon county, Illinois, where his death occurred. The mother also died in Macon county. Their children were: Eliza, Joel, Mary and Rosella, all deceased ; James C.
James C. Hull spent a part of his youth in Macon county, Illinois, where he attended the public schools, but finished his education in Boone township of Madison county. When he was twelve years old be began his first practical experience as a farmer. He soon afterwards leased some timber land, and cleared the trees and brush from seven- teen acres of it and raised two erops. With this beginning he went on from one step to the next higher, and has steadily prospered. He finally bought eighty acres of land, and after selling that moved out to Missouri, where he spent about two years. Then returning to Madison county, he bought his present farm in Boone township. He has engaged in gen- eral farming, and has improved the land so that it is several times more valuable than when it first came into his possession.
On March 5, 1871, Mr. Hull married Elizabeth D. Ross, a daughter of John N. and Caroline (Douge) Ross. Her father was one of the first settlers of Madison county, having moved here from Rush county, In- diana. The five children in the Ross family were: Martha, deceased ; James B .; Mrs. Hull, Josephine, deceased, Anna, deceased; and Mrs. Kate Hodson.
The family born to Mr. and Mrs. Hull are deseribed as follows : Arthur V., who married Mabel Bair, and lives in Washington state, has four children, named Mildred, Forrest, Louis and Kenneth; John, who married Ida Clary, and their children are Edith C .; Helen Ferne; Joel H .; and Cecil Harold; J. Carey, at home; Maude M., deceased; Rosa Madge, who married Roy Higgins, and has children, Wayne, Wilma and Violet ; Emma D., who resides at home ; Harvey E., at home ; and F. Ray at home. The family worship in the Church of God. Mr. Hull in poli- ties is a Prohibitionist and a strong advocate of temperance.
BERT MANN. One of the young men of progressive enterprise whose energies are contributed to the welfare of the community as well as to the accumulation of a goodly share of material prosperity for them- selves, is Bert Mann, of Boone township. Mr. Mann is owner and occu- pies a fine place of one hundred and forty acres, located about 61/2 miles west of Summitville. There he carries on the solid industry which in Indiana brings good crops, and a satisfying degree of prosperity, and is not only providing well for his family, but is regarded as one of the men of influence in his community.
Bert Mann was born in Howard county, Indiana, January 17, 1877, a son of George and Ellen (Traitor) Mann. The father died when Bert was a child, and there were three children in the family, the sister being Lilly Runyon. Tony died aged two years. Bert Mann as a boy attended school in his native county, and when he had completed the course of study in the common schools, took up active work on the home
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farm. When he was twenty years old he had the courage to marry the girl of his choice, who was Miss Dora Bell Young, daughter of Ellison and Laura Young. To their marriage have come four children, whose names are: Myrtle N., Tressie E., Georgia E., and Zelpha. By their united efforts Mr. and Mrs. Mann have been steadily prospering in the past fifteen years, and now have much to show for their efforts. Mr. Mann was formerly connected with the Gospel Workers Church, and he and his family now attend the Friends church. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. It is always a pleasure to speak laudably of a young man when he has forsaken the haunts of pool rooms, billiard halls, and places where disreputable characters abide. He endeavors to make a place amongst the successful and honorable men, who become the back- bone of literature, commercialism, mechanics and agriculture, the latter the basis of the nation's prosperity, and to such a class of young Ameri- cans belongs Mr. Mann of this brief review.
He, aided by his estimable wife, has one of the valuable farms in Boone township, Madison county, and they have acquired this compe- tency by their united efforts and they merit the respect and esteem of all their many friends in Madison county.
RICHARD H. BRUNT. A life long resident of Madison county, Rich- ard H. Brunt has in later years somewhat retired from the strenuous activities which brought him a large degree of material prosperity, but still lives upon and enjoys his fine country estate in Boone township. This farm consists of two hundred and forty acres of fine land, which is situated about five and a half miles from Summitville, on what is known as the Brunt gravel road, along the rural free delivery route No. 24 out of Summitville.
Richard H. Brunt was born in Boone township of Madison county about three miles west of Summitville, on the fifth of October, 1856. His parents were Thomas and Sarah Ann (Lee) Brunt, both of whom came from North Carolina. The mother was related to the same family which produced so many eminent men of the south. Thomas Brunt was a young man when he moved from North Carolina, and settled in Madison county, about 1833. The land on which he settled he attained from the government, and his patent was signed by President Andrew Jackson. As a pioneer he contributed his labors to the improvement and clearing of the land, and was a man of sturdy habits and wholesome influ- ence in his community. In business he prospered, and before his death had become one of the large land owners of Madison county. The ten children in his family were as follows: William D .; James A. J .; Eliza- beth Noble; Nathan, Mrs. Lydia Swindle and Mrs. Sarah F. Black, de- ceased; John R .; Samuel F., deceased ; Mary F. Hudson, deceased ; and Richard H. Brunt.
Richard H. Brunt grew up in Boone township, and as soon as he had reached the proper age he became a pupil in the schoolhouse near the old farm. He finished his education at Osceola, Indiana. Farming and stock raising has been the calling which he has pursued with much diligence and success, and from boyhood to the present time has been familiar with all the details and processes of country life. During his earlier years he was associated with his brother in the management of the home farm. He got his start by renting a piece of land from his father, and gradually got ahead in the world and became independent.
Mr. Brunt was first married to Dora A. Runyan, who is now deceased
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and is buried in the Alexander cemetery. The four children of their union are : Samuel E .; John C .; Oscar H., who married Miss Blanch McDermitt, deceased; and A. J. Brunt, Jr., who married Zola Neal and has one child, Hazel Alice. The second marriage of Mr. Brunt united him with Miss Carrie J. Thomas. Their two children are Loessie Hazel, who wedded Wilbur E. Runyan, and Forrest Lee. Mrs. Brunt died August 8, 1912, and was laid to rest in the Alexander cemetery.
Mr. Brunt is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Sweetzers Lodge No. 475; with the Improved Order of Red Men, Neoska- leta Tribe No. 149; the Knights of Pythias, Gas Belt Lodge No. 361; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Alexander, No. 274. The family have membership in the Christian church and all the male members of the Brunt household are Democrats. Mr. Brunt has 2 very attractive and comfortable home with excellent out-buildings and all the equipment necessary for the conduct of a twentieth century farm. The estate of Mr. Brunt is known as "The Cherry Grove Stock Farm."
JOEL M. JONES. In Boone township, located on the rural delivery route No. 22 out of Alexandria, Mr. Jones is one of the prosperous young farmers, and is engaged in the operation of one hundred and twenty-five acres in his home place and owns considerable other land in this township. He started out without much capital, did hard work as his preparation for his successful career, and in later years has come into a plane of quiet prosperity and the esteem of his community.
Joel M. Jones was born March 8, 1872, in Monroe township of Madi- son county. His parents were John H. and Mary M. (Vinson) Jones. The father was also born in Monroe township, and the Jones family has been identified with this county since pioneer times. The father was a farmer, owned considerable land, and grew up and was educated in Monroe township. He is now deceased and his body was laid to rest in Mt. Pisgah cemetery. There were only two children and the older, William E., died in young manhood. The mother now makes her home in Alexandria.
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