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 80
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RICHARD A. MCCLURE. Madison county is noted for its fine farm- steads, many of which have been under cultivation since pioneer days. In Duck Creek township, about four miles northeast of Elwood, is located one of the most attractive and valuable, the home place of Richard A. McClure. Its chief industry is cattle raising, and Mr. McClure aims to develop a high grade of stock and to make his place
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profitable from every point of view. The farm contains two hundred acres, is worth considerably more than one hundred dollars an aere, and its fields give evidence of a high state of improvement. Like many other prosperous men of the present time Mr. MeClure began without any capital to speak of, and in less than twenty-five years had accumu- lated a fine estate entirely through his own initiative and industry.
Richard A. McClure was born February 20, 1857, in Brookville, Indiana, a son of James and Anna (McCaw) McClure. His father was born in County Sligo, Ireland, and came to America with his parents, James and Katherine MeClure, who moved to Indiana, and located at Brookville, where they became farmers and stock raisers. James McClure followed farming as his regular occupation, and he and his wife were the parents of nine children, namely : John F .; Katherine, deceased; Richard A .; Eliza J .; James Coburn, deceased; Margaret A .; Henry F .; Scott, deceased; and one that died in infancy.
Richard A. MeClure as a boy attended the country schools near Brookville, Indiana, and finished his education in the Brookville high school. He learned the lessons of thrift and industry at an early age and remained on the home farm, contributing his labors to the family until he was thirty years old. In 1887 he came to Madison county, where he began his independent career, as a tenant. As a tenant he farmed the very estate which he now occupies as owner, receiving a part by inheritance and paying for the remainder from the proceeds of his hardy toil and successful management. At this writing Mr. MeClure has just finished one of the most attractive rural residences to be found anywhere in Madison county. The house contains four- teen rooms and is built on modern lines, and with the facilities and conveniences which make country life attractive, and in comparison place a residence in the city at a low discount. The MeClure home- stead stands off the road, about twenty yards, and with its attractive surroundings of trees and outbuildings, easily ranks as one of the finest places in the county. All the out buildings are also new, and since coming to this place Mr. MeClure has increased its value by many thousand dollars.
On February 7, 1894, Mr. MeClure married Martha E. Stoker. Their two children are Edna A., and Howard S., both attending school. Fra- ternally Mr. MeClure is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, he and his family worship in the Christian church, and in politics he is a Republican.
MICHAEL MEYER. One of the attractive and valuable farms of Duck Creek township, located on the township lines between Boone and Duck Creek townships, is the Michael Meyer place. Its proprietor, Mr. Meyer, bought the land a number of years ago when it was almost entirely a landscape of trees and stumps. He went in debt to acquire posses- sion of this first property and toiled both early and late in order to make his regular payment and finally to reach independence. Since early life be has been accustomed to hard work, has learned the lessons of successful agriculture, and has made his farm a homestead which measures well up to the best standards of Madison county rural homes. His farm has been largely shaped out by his own labors and plans, and represents both a comfortable home and a gratifying success. He raises most of the crops familiar to Madison county, and makes a specialty of live stock.
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Michael Meyer was born June 5, 1858, in Franklin county, Indiana, a son of Martin and Maggie (Fierston) Meyer. Both the parents were natives of Germany, where they were married and then came to America, first locating in Cincinnati, Ohio. The father had a career in which hard work and progressive industry finally brought him to a comfortable prosperity. In Cincinnati he worked at any honorable occupation which he could find and finally moved to Franklin county, Indiana, where he began as a farmer, later he raised truck, and was a huckster for some twenty years. After that he lived a retired life enjoying the fruits of many well spent years. His last days were spent in Elwood, where he died at the age of eighty-two years. The children in his family are mentioned as follows: Barbara, deceased; Kate; Joseph, deceased; Michael; Mary ; Lizzie, deceased, and Margaret.
Michael Meyer was reared on a farm, assisted his father in growing the vegetable and fruit crop which were their specialty on the home place, and in the intervals of this occupation he attended the common schools. When ready to begin life on his own account, he rented a small farm in Franklin county, and was afterwards employed at monthly wages for four years. Finally his capital reached a point where he possessed a couple of cows and two horses. He then borrowed four hundred dollars and coming to Madison county rented a portion of the old Roberts farm for seven years. During this time he was grad- ually getting ahead in the world, and finally was able to purchase the land, which comprises his present place. Most of that land was in timber, and he had already contracted to clear off the woods and sell the timber before concluding his purchase of the land. With the pro- ceeds of his timber he made his first payment, and from that time to the present has steadily prospered until he is now owner of the one hun- dred and sixty acres comprising the original farm. Since then he has also added one hundred and twenty acres and is now owner of two hun- dred and eighty acres in Madison county. His success has been most honorably won and he deserves to stand in the front ranks of Madison county farmers.
In March, 1878, Mr. Meyer married Miss Mary Senefeld. They have become the parents of ten children, namely: Joseph, who is married and has two children, Sylvanus and Marie; Mary, who married Martin Goans and has five children named Blanch, Cecil, Mervel, Wil- liam, and Helen; William M., at home; George, August, Carrie, Anna, Michael, Jr., Tillie, and Claire.
Mr. Meyer is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Rigdon, Indiana, and the family are church members and take an active part in the Catholic church at Elwood, Indiana, and in benevo- lent affairs. In politics he is a Democrat. As a farmer he devotes much of his time and has made a great success in the raising of Hamp- shire hogs and Belgian horses. His stock raising is really his diversion, as well as his vocation, and he finds both profit and pleasure in man- aging the farm estate, which he has won as a result of his own hard work and intelligent management.
WARD K. CANADAY. Born in the township of his present residence and on the farm which he now occupies and cultivates, Ward Canaday is one of the progressive young agriculturists of Madison county, and at an early age has established himself solidly in the industrious and
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business enterprise of the country, and is a man of influence in his community.
Mr. Ward K. Canaday was born on July 20, 1886, on the farm of eighty acres, located on the south Douglas road, about three and a half miles southeast of Elwood. On this same place was born his father, the late Nathan Canaday. Nathan Canaday, who was one of Madison county's prominent farmers, until his death a few years ago, married Anna Connor, and their two children are Jessie and Ward. Nathan Canaday was first married to Elizabeth Ferguson, and the two chil- dren by that marriage were Vernon and Rowena, the latter the wife of Otis Heck and the mother of one child, Maurice.
Ward Canaday was reared on the home farm, and as a boy attended the Canaday school in this vicinity. That school having taken its name from the family and representing the local prominence of the family in this vicinity. After leaving the common school he finished his edu- cation at Elwood, and then for about six terms was engaged in teaching in this county. He then turned his energies to farming, and on the death of his father took the management of the home estate. On August 14, 1907, he married Miss Dovie Waymire, daughter of David and Cynthia (Ring) Waymire. Her father David Waymire came from Wayne county, Indiana, and was a son of John S. Waymire, who was the founder of that family in Madison county. David Waymire spent his active career as a farmer, and was the father of four children, whose names follow : John E., who married Carrie Jones and had one son named HIarland; Ernest, who married Lottie Bagley, and their chil- dren are Okla and Arnold ; Mand, the wife of Ed. Adair, and the mother of Lowell and Russell, and Mrs. Canaday. Mr. and Mrs. Canaday are the parents of two children. IIelena and Loral. The family worship in the Christian church, and Mr. Canaday is in politics a Democrat.
JOSEPH R. CANADAY. Madison county has many fine farms and they are owned to a large extent by members of old families of this section, in a number of cases the land having been acquired by heritage. A wide stretch of 457 acres of fertile soil in one body lying about two miles from Anderson, is owned by Joseph R. Canaday and his father, Harrison Canaday. The latter also owns 400 acres in Lafayette township. Joseph R. Canaday, although now retired from active life, continues to be one of the influential citizens of his community and a man whose good management, natural ability and persevering industry have placed him in the front rank of this section's substantial residents. Mr. Canaday has resided in this section since his sixth year, and during his long resi- dence here has formed a wide acquaintance in agricultural circles, fairly earning the regard and esteem in which he is universally held. He was born August 24, 1859, between Richmond and Milton, in Wayne county, Indiana, and is a son of Harrison and Elizabeth (Howard) Canaday. A review of his father's life appears on another page of this work.
Joseph R. Canaday accompanied his parents to Madison county in 1865. and his boyhood home was a small frame house situated not far from Anderson, although in later years the family acquired a more commodious and comfortable residence. As a lad he attended the old Dillon schoolhouse, and later supplemented this by attendance at the school at College Corners, and in the meantime, like other farmers' sons of his day and locality, spent the spring, summer and fall months in the work of the homestead. He was thoroughly trained in all matters con-
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sidered necessary for the successful agriculturist to know, proved an industrious workman and apt scholar, and when twenty-one years of age his father rewarded his persevering efforts by giving him charge of the homestead, where he embarked upon a career of his own. He is now the only representative of the family here, his one sister, Mrs. George Quick, being at present a resident of Indianapolis. Mr. Canaday has been successful in his general farming and stock raising operations, hav- ing brought his property to a high state of cultivation and always find- ing a ready market and top-notch prices for his cattle. He has been a firm believer in the use of modern machinery and methods, combining the practicality and sturdy industry of former years with the use of improved equipment and scientific treatment of this time, with exceed- ingly satisfactory results. His career has been one of steady advance- ment, marked by the strictest integrity, and as a reliable man of affairs his reputation is firmly established among his neighbors and business associates.
Mr. Canaday was first married to Miss Lavina Coburn, daughter of Amos and Elizabeth (Stover) Coburn, and to this union there were born two children: Cora, who married Richard Powell, and is a resi- dent of Anderson; and Lovina, who married Claude Roney, and has one son,-Joseph. Mr. Canaday's second marriage occurred October 3, 1895, when he was united with Miss Dora Belle Cooper, daughter of Isaac and Mary E. (Hoel) Cooper, early settlers of Madison county, and well known agriculturists of Adams township. There were seven chil- dren in the Cooper family: Harry, who is deceased; Dora Belle, who married Mr. Canaday; Cora, now Mrs. Walker; Fannie, who married Mr. Fattick; Walter; Ruby, now Mrs. Mitchell; and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Canaday have one son: George Harrison, a bright and interest- ing lad who is attending the public schools of Anderson.
In addition to his farming operations, Mr. Canaday has been inter- ested in breeding Shetland ponies and has built up a large trade in this line. He has taken an active interest in political matters, although not as an aspirant for public honors. With his family, he attends the Christian church, and at all times has given his support to its move- ments.
EDWARD OSBORN. A member of the present Indiana legislature from Madison county, Mr. Edward Osborn represents the progressive farm- ing element and the substantial rural citizenship of his section of Indiana. He is himself a practical and successful farmer, has a large acquaintance and is very popular in his home county, and by experience and native ability is well fitted to represent the interest of his constituency in the legislature.
Edward Osborn makes his home on 80 acres of fine land on the range line road in Pipe Creek township. He was born in Franklin county, Indiana, May 6, 1859, a son of Thomas and Mary (Claypool) Osborn. Both parents are deceased and buried at Elwood, and the family has long been prominently known in this state. Mr. Osborn's grandfather, Redin Osborn was a pioneer of this state and one of the early members of the legislature. Mr. Osborn's father was a California forty-niner, and came back home with a greater degree of wealth won on the gold coast than most of the adventurers who went out from this state during those days. Thomas Osborn, the father, was born at Brookville, Indiana, and with the exception of his California experience devoted practically all his
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life to blacksmithing. There were three children in the family, and the other two are Charles Osborn at Elwood, and Mrs. Cora Brier.
Edward Osborn as a boy was reared in his native county, where he attended the common schools, and he also attended Old Smithson College in Cass county. On leaving school he skilled himself in the blacksmith trade, and worked at that for some years during his youth. When about twenty-four years old he took up farming as his regular vocation, and by application of energy and good management has made a creditable record in this line. On May 31, 1884, he married Miss Emma Greenlee, daughter of John and Angelina (Bartlow) Greenlee. Her father was originally from Pennsylvania, and first settled in Franklin county, Indiana, where Mr. Osborn was born. Mrs. Osborn was one in a family of eight children, the others being Leora, Clara, Cassius M., Mollie, Flora, Mattie, and Ida. Mrs. Osborn is a Methodist.
Fraternally Mr. Osborn is a Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Elwood, Indiana. One daughter was born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Osborn-Bessie, who wedded Clarence Legg, and they reside in Madison county. The pretty estate of Mr. and Mrs. Osborn is one of the beautiful homes in Pipe Creek township, and they are citizens who take much pleasure in the entertainment of their many friends. Mr. Osborn is a popular man amongst his colleagues in the halls of legisla- ture, and reflects credit on his home county of Madison.
C. R. WRIGHT, M. D. For more than twenty years an active physi- cian of Madison county, possessing the ability and skill which bring suc- cess in this profession, Dr. Wright has a splendid practice at Frank- ton and vicinity and is known among hundreds of families throughout this community, as both a kindly and able doctor and a friend and good counsellor. Dr. Wright began his career without wealth or influence, earned his way through medical college, and sinee beginning practice has enjoyed all the features of success.
C. R. Wright was born November 18, 1862, in Burlington, Iowa, where his parents William T. and Ellen (Sumpter) Wright were resi- dents for a few years. The father was a prosperous farmer, a native of Fayette county, Indiana, and spent about two years in the west, after which he returned to Union county, and then came to Madison county, locating in Jackson township. He owed a valuable farm, and was recognized as a substantial and honorable citizen in all his relations with the community. There were three children in the family, Dr. C. R., Flora, and James H. Wright. Dr. Wright attended the common schools, and then attained a certificate and taught school in the districts of Jackson and Monroe township of Madison county, and by this means he had earned enough money to see him through school, and took a pre- paratory course in the Central Normal College at Danville, and then entered the Indianapolis Medical school, where he was graduated M. D. in 1888. The first year of his practice was at Windfall, Indiana, in Tipton county, where he attended his first regular patient. The follow- ing year was spent at Linwood, and from there he moved to Frankton, and established an office which he has maintained now for more than twenty years.
Dr. Wright was married in February, 1891, to Miss Anna Morning- star, whose father was a farmer originally from Morgan county. The two children of the doctor and wife are Mary and Julius. The family belong to the Presbyterian church, and take a very prominent part in
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all church affairs. The doctor is affiliated with the Blue Lodge of Masonery, and is connected with various medical organizations. Mrs. Wright passed away in January, 1906, and is buried in Maplewood cemetery near Anderson.
THOMAS J. KING. One of the successful farmers and a citizen always held in high esteem was the late Thomas J. King, who died at his home in Pipe Creek township, March 10, 1912. The late Mr. King was a man of thorough industry, knew how to apply his energies to thie com- plicated tasks of farming, with the best results, and in all his relations he stood honorably toward his community.
The late Thomas J. King was born in a log cabin on the home farm which he occupied at the time of his death, on January 30, 1858. He was a son of Washington and Elizabeth . ( Howard) King. The Howard family came to Indiana from North Carolina. Washington King, the father, was a son of William King, who came to Indiana from the state of Ohio. The parents had the following children: William, Joseph, Rinda, Catherine, Barry, and Frank, (who were twins), Thomas J., Margaret, Jonathan, Daniel, and Ozro.
Born in the old log house which before the war was the home of the King family in Pipe Creek township, Thomas J. King grew up in this locality, and for his education attended what was known as the King school house. His attendance at school was alternated with work on the farm, and he was a farmer all his life. On the day he was married he moved his residence to a portion of the old homestead farm, renting land, and thus beginning his career.
Mr. King married March 8, 1883, Miss Eliza J. Johnson, a daughter of Penn and Eliza (Wilborn) Johnson. The father came from North Carolina, and for many years was a farmer near Elwood. The seven children in the Johnson family included Mrs. King, the oldest; Wil- liam, Lewis, Harley, Rindy, Catherine and Eliza. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. King are mentioned as follows: Rose, who wedded W. R. Johnson, is the mother of four children, Hessel, Russell, Lucia and Helen, the last named being deceased; Floy, who is single and lives at home; Willard; and Arthur, who is a school boy. The son, Willard, manages the home farm of one hundred and twenty-three acres, and has his home in a house located a short distance below that of his mother. He rents the place and is a very progressive and indus- trious agriculturist. Willard King wedded Miss Flossie Little April 5, 1913. She comes from one of the good families of Madison county and received a good education, both in the public and high school. The King family is one which commands the respect and esteem of all who have the pleasure of their friendship. Their home is in a pretty cot- tage and is the abode of hospitality. The late Mr. King was affiliated with the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias, and the family all worship in the Methodist church.
JAMES W. CARLTON. The owner of eighty acres of fine land on what is known as the East Coon Valley Road, and on rural route No. 33 out of Elwood, James W. Carlton is one of the prosperous and progressive farmers of Pipe Creek township, and has spent practically all his life in Madison county.
He was born on a farm in this county September 14, 1862, a son of Robert and Lavonia (Atwell) Carlton, he being the only child of the
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parents. Ife received his education in the Coon Valley school, and from early boyhood worked on a farm and learned its duties.
Mr. Carlton has been twice married, first to Miss Dora Etehison, daughter of Richard and Amanda (Carter) Etchison and to this mar- riage were born two children-Mayne and Mayme L. Mr. Carlton's second marriage was to Mrs. Alice (Cunningham) Jeffries, a daughter of Samuel and Dorcas E. (Nanee) Cunningham.' By her first mar- riage to Mr. Jeffries, there was born a daughter, Levada, and she is liv- ing in Pipe Creek township. Mrs. Carlton's father was a native of North Carolina and was one of the prosperous agriculturists of Monroe township. They also had one son, by name Andrew J., the brother of Mrs. Carlton. Mr. Carlton is a member of the United Brethren church, but his father was in sympathy with the Christian church. Politically he is a Progressive Republican and in a fraternal sense is an honored member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America, and Mrs. Carlton was a Pythian Sister. She is an affable lady and is an able factor in making her home one of the pleasant and peaceful abodes. Mr. and Mrs. Carlton have the good will and esteem of the people of Pipe Creek township.
ABRAHAM R. PROCTER. Among the successful Madison county farm- ers of the present day, probably none has won his prosperity by more thoroughi reliance upon his individual efforts and by a more complete process of industry, self-denial, and thrifty management than Abraham R. Procter. Mr. Procter is now regarded as one of the most substantial stock men and farmers in the northern part of the county and is owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land in Pipe Creek and Duck Creek townships.
Mr. Procter was born April 3, 1863, in Franklin county, Indiana, a son of John and Elizabeth (Shockley) Procter. The paternal grand- father came to Indiana from New Jersey, locating in Franklin county, where John Procter was born. The children of John Procter and wife numbered eight, the following four being now living: India, Thomas, Harvey and Abraham R.
Mr. Procter enjoyed his early schooling in Franklin county and was a worker on the home farm all the time he attended school. When he started out on his own account it was as a renter, and on a very small scale at that, but with every year since his beginning his resources have increased, and he can say that every dollar he owns was made by his honest efforts. Mr. Procter moved to Madison county on March 4, 1896, and rented a portion of his present farm. He later bought a part of the land, and has gradually increased it until he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres and has placed practically all the modern improvements upon the estate.
On February 9, 1888, Mr. Procter married Miss Anna Dare of Franklin county, and a daughter of James and Ruthana (DuBois) Dare. The four children born to their marriage are as follows: Roscoe, now bookkeeper for the Washburn-Crosby Company at Cleveland, Ohio; Blanch, the wife of Ed McCord; Ilarry and Elzie, both at home. Mr. Procter is independent in politics, and he and his family are attend- ants of the Methodist church.
WILFRED SELLERS, secretary, treasurer and manager of the kitchen cabinet manufacturing company of G. I. Sellers & Sons, at Thirteenth
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and North Carolina streets, Elwood, belongs to that type of successful business men who have risen to the top through hard work and con- scientious application to the duties given them to perform. The ability to rise, meet and master situations spells success, and thus Mr. Sellers has steadily fought his way to the front rank, overcoming obstacles by the sheer force of his own resource and capacity. He is a native of the Hoosier State, and was born at Kokomo, May 10, 1884, a son of George I. and Rebecca (Kellar) Sellers.
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