USA > Indiana > Madison County > History of Madison County, Indiana : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 18
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Spencer Gorland Bevilhimer whose farm of one hundred and fifteen acres is situated in Lafayette township was born September 12, 1845, in Franklin county, Indiana. His parents were Charles and Sarah (Gorland) Bevilhimer. The father, a native of Pennsylvania, had the following family of children: Susan, deceased; George, who was a soldier of the Civil war, and now deceased; Edmund, deceased, also a soldier of the war; Spencer G .; Sarah, Elmer, and Anna, deceased ; Charles M .; and Lewis.
The father brought his family to Madison county in October, 1849, and located his home in Lafayette township. It was in this vicinity there- fore that Spencer G. Bevilhimer spent his early career and when he was a boy he went to school in an old log school house, which stood in the neighborhood. He is probably one of the few citizens still living in this county whose early schooldays were passed in one of the old-time struc- tures, with its slab basis, its fireplace, and its generally rough and primi-
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tive accommodations and facilities. During his school days he also worked on the home farm, and in this way passed his years until he was eighteen. Then in 1863 at Anderson he enlisted in Company B, of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry under Captain E B. Downe and W. H. Mays. The One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana was assigned to the First Brigade, second division, of the Twenty-third Army Corps, under General Scofield. The brigade contained the following regiments, the Third and Sixth Tennessee; the Fourteenth Kentucky ; the Twenty-Fifth Michigan; the Ninety-Ninth Ohio, and the Sixth Michigan Battery, comprising about 3,500 men in all. The engage- ments in which Mr. Bevilhimer and his regiment participated were as follows: Taylors Ridge in Georgia, Rocky Face, Snake Creek, Buzzards Roost, Sugar Valley, Burnt Hickory, Kingston, Rome, Resaca, Pumpkin- vine Creek, New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Lost Mountain, Culp's Farm, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Chattahoochee River, Peach Tree Creek, Decatur, Atlanta, Rough and Ready, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Rome, Nashville, Kingston, and the final surrender of Johnson, the Confederate leader at Greensboro, North Carolina.
After the war Mr. Bevilhimer returned to this county and began his practical career as a farmer. He rented land from Stephen Kerr, and it was as a tenant and by hard labor and good management that he finally secured enough to provide for a home and to buy land for his career as an independent farmer.
On December 23, 1866, he married Miss Eliza J. Jenkins, a daughter of Daniel and Tabitha (Moore) Jenkins, from Pike county, Ohio. The parents settled in Lafayette township. Her mother's father, Samuel Moore, was one of the early pioneers. Mrs. Bevilhinier has one sister and brother living. Isaac Jenkins of Anderson and Mrs. Thompson. Mr. and Mrs. Bevilhimer attended the same school. The nine children of Mr. and Mrs. Bevilhimer are: Altha. Nora, Frank, Amanda, Anna, Wade, Walter, Lethie and Nila. Mr. Bevilhimer is a past commander of his G. A. R. Post No. 244 at Anderson. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic Order Lodge No. 77 at Anderson, and with Commandery No. 32 K. P. He is a member of the Methodist church and in politics affiliated with the principles of the new Progressive party.
JAMES W. GRIFFIN. An able representative of the business interests of Elwood, James W. Griffin is widely known in insurance circles of the Hoosier State as the assistant superintendent of the Prudential Life Insurance Company. Mr. Griffin was born March 6, 1868, at Pitts- boro, North Carolina, and is a son of James D. and Sarah A. (Harman) Griffin.
John Griffin, the paternal great-grandfather of Mr. Griffin, was a native of Ireland, whence he came directly to the United States and settled in Ohio. There also settled Henry Harman, the maternal great- grandfather of Mr. Griffin, who had been born in the Fatherland. Wes- ley Griffin, the grandfather of James W. Griffin, was born in Virginia (now West Virginia), was a farmer, and became an early settler of Chatham county, North Carolina, near Pittsboro, where he spent the remainder of his life. He reached advanced years, as did also his wife, Malsey (Bland) Griffin, a native of North Carolina, and they became the parents of a large family of children, among whom were: Sidney, James D., Joseph T., John Wesley, Julia A. and Betty, twins; and Elijah. James Henry Harman, the maternal grandfather of James
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W. Griffin, was born in North Carolina, and there married Rebecca Chad- wick. He was a wagon maker, and also engaged in general repair work, and at one time enlisted for service in the War of 1812-14, but saw no active fighting. He died on the old home place at Pittsboro, North Caro- lina, when eighty-nine years of age, while his wife was seventy-eight years old at the time of her demise. They had the following children : Joseph, Elizabeth, Sarah A. and Mary, twins, and John Thomas.
James D. Griffin was reared on his father's farm in North Carolina, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits at the time of the outbreak of the struggle between the North and the South. Enlisting in the Con- federate army, for four years he fought valiantly for the cause he believed just, and when the war was closed he had a record as a brave and faithful soldier. On his return to the pursuits of peace, he resumed his agricultural operations, and was so engaged until his retirement, · some ten years ago. At this time he is acting in the capacity of door- keeper of the North Carolina Legislature. His wife died February 3, 1883, at the age of forty-four years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, while he is connected with the Christian Church. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: James W., residing at Elwood; Isaac N., of Raleigh, North Carolina; Mary J., deceased, who was the wife of Isaac Clark; Ida L., the wife of Robert A. Glenn, of Pittsboro, North Carolina; Emily, single, and a resident of Southern Pines, North Carolina; John T., of Pittsboro; Robert L., re- siding at Durham, North Carolina; and William T. and Walker, of Pittsboro, North Carolina.
James W. Griffin received his education in the district schools of his native locality, and continued to reside under the parental roof until attaining his majority, in the meantime being thoroughly trained in agricultural work. Following this he rented a farm near the homestead for four years, but eventually decided that farming was not his forte, and on April 14, 1893, came to Elwood and seeured employment in the plate glass works. A short time thereafter, he went to work for the tin plate works, where he continued for thirteen years. During this time, Mr. Griffin had been soliciting life insurance as a side line, and by 1908 his business had grown to such an extent that he decided to give his whole attention to this work, and accordingly identified himself with the Prudential Life Insurance Company of America. He is now assistant superintendent at Elwood, and maintains offices in the Hene Bloek. The peculiar talents necessary to the successful soliciting of life insurance are possessed in a remarkable degree by Mr. Griffin, and he is known as one of his company's most valuable men. He has made numerous friends both in and outside of business circles, and a pleasing, genial personality has had much to do with the building up of a substantial business.
On November 25, 1897, Mr. Griffin was married to Miss Stella A. Luse, daughter of William H. and Lucinda (Beeler) Luse, and to this union there have been born five children: William J .; Robert Paul, who died in infancy; Velma L .; Emereth E. and Helen Lueille. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Griffin is one of the elders of the Elwood congregation. He belongs to Quincy Lodge No. 200, I. O. O. F., and to the Encampment of that order. He was reared a Democrat, but has strong Prohibition tendencies. While he has not sought publie office, he has shown an interest in matters which have affected his community, and his support has been given to progres-
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sive and beneficial movements at all times. His comfortable modern residence is located at No. 312 South Twenty-first street.
Mrs. Griffin was born in Madison county, Indiana, near Elwood, while her father was a native of Preble county, Ohio, and her mother of Indiana. They still reside on the old home place near Elwood, and are farming people. They have four children : Emereth E., Stella A., Charles and Cassius C. Mr. Luse was a soldier during the Civil war. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Griffin were Robert and Abigail (Wheldon) Luse, natives of Ohio, while her maternal grandparents were James and Carolina (Jackson) Beeler, who came from the Old Dominion State.
LEWIS HEFFNER. A substantial business citizen whose history has been commensurate with that of Elwood from the time this flourishing and prosperous city was but a small, struggling village, Lewis Heffner has played no small part in the great growth and development here dur- ing the past forty years, during which time he has been intimately iden- tified with some of the city's largest business interests. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and the systematie and honorable business methods which he has followed have won him the support and confidence of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Heffner was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, October 5, 1839, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Schmeck) Heffner.
The history of the paternal grandparents of Mr. Heffner has been lost, but on the maternal side his grandparents were John and Miss (Heckmann) Schmeck, natives of an old Berks county family which settled in Pennsylvania long before the Indians had left that section. Both reached advanced years. Mrs. Schmeck being past ninety at the time of her death, and they had a large family, among whom were Cath- erine, Mary, Lena, Hannah, Elizabeth, Lydia and Daniel. Daniel Heffner was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and for many years resided about seven miles from Reading, where he was the proprietor of a blacksmith shop. His death occurred there when he was seventy-nine years of age, and he was widely known and highly esteemed in his com- munity. He married Mary Schmeck, also a native of Berks county, who survived him for some time, and was about seventy-nine years of age at the time of her demise. He was a Lutheran in his religions belief, while she adhered to the faith of the German Reformed Church.
Lewis Heffner was reared in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where he obtained a common school education. and as a lad was engaged in assist- ing his father in his blacksmith shop. When twenty years of age he began learning the mill-wright's trade, which he followed for four or five years at Lewiston, Pennsylvania, and while living there cast his first vote, which he gave in support of Abraham Lincoln. In 1860 Mr. Heffner came to Indiana by way of Chicago, stopping off at Logansport for a time and going thence to Lincoln, where he erected a sawmill for a Mr. Wright. He remained at that place for seven years. and then purchased a piece of land in Tipton county, on which he erected a saw- mill, continuing to operate that business during the next seven years. Subsequently, he came to Elwood, then but a small village. Bringing his sawmill here, he continued to operate it successfully until 1908, in addition to which he conducted a small planing mill. In the meantime, in 1865, he had engaged in the lumber manufacturing business, and in 1908 he embarked in dealing in coal, and now employs a large force of
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men in handling coal, lumber and all kinds of building material. He has seen Elwood grow and develop, and has not been a mere spectator, for he has done a great deal of building, and has in many ways assisted to forward the progress of the city of his adoption. In 1911 he erected a garage, which is occupied by an automobile concern.
On May 15, 1867, Mr. Heffner was married to Miss Sophia Emneline Ferguson, who was born at Shelbyville, Indiana, daughter of James and Esther (Gibson) Ferguson, the former a native of Little York, Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson had children: Mary, Jane, Lafayette, Emeline, Retta, William, Margaret, Rebecca, Wilkison, Louise and Amelia. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heffner : James Daniel, who married Miss "Bert" Lewis, and died in 1906; Winnie, who became the wife of Lewis W. Whipple, of Elwood; Abby, who married C. L. Bruce, of Elwood, and has children,-Winnetta, Lewis, Glen, Margaret. James, Esther, Roberta and Dorothy; Robert Lee Lewis, who lost his life in a railroad accident at the age of seventeen years; Charles, who died in infancy; Benjamin, who died when aged about eighteen months; and Odeta, who also died young.
Mrs. Heffner is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Heffner supports the principles of the Prohibition party. For a short time he was a member of the city council of Elwood, but resigned before the expiration of his term. A man of upright life and honorable dealing, he has gained and retained the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens, and his career is worthy of emulation by those of the younger generation.
JOHN H. LAIL, M. D. It is widely recognized, in a comparison of the relative value to mankind of the various professions and pursuits to which men devote their time and energies, that none is more important than the science of medicine. Human destiny is largely in the hands of the physician'from the cradle to the grave, not alone on account of the effect of his ministrations may have upon the physical system, but upon men's moral and mental nature as well. A cheerful presence, a sympathetic disposition and a kindly nature often contribute to a patient's recovery in as great a measure as the medicines administered, and therefore form essential qualifications to be possessed by the success- ful practitioner. In none of these has Dr. John H. Lail, of Anderson, been found lacking. A resident of Anderson since 1905, he has steadily advanced in his profession, gaining marked distinction by reason of his broad knowledge, his skill, and his devotion to the highest ideals of his honored calling.
John H. Lail was born April 21, 1865, in Washington township, Rush county, Indiana, and is a son of George H. and Mary (Shawhan) Lail. His father, a native of Kentucky, removed from that State to Rush county in young manhood, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for some years, and upon his retirement went to Indianapolis, where he continued to live in retirement. True to the characteristics of Kentuckians, he was a great lover of horses, and was known during his day as a noted breeder of and dealer in fine stock. Among his animals were "Elsie Good," 2:18.
After attending the public schools of Rush county, Indiana, Dr. John H. Lail received instructions in select school and subsequently, becoming a student of medicine, took up his studies in the Physio-Med- ical College, at Indianapolis, from which institution he was graduated in 1893. Following this he entered upon the practice of his profession
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at Ingalls, where he was successful in building up a large clientele, but in 1905, desiring a wider field for his activities, came to Anderson, opened well-appointed offices in the Union Building, and here has continued in the enjoyment of a steadily-increasing practice. Keen discernment in the diagnosis of a case, sound judgment in prescribing medicines and methods of treatment, thorough understanding of anatomy, and marked skill in the operating room, have won him rank among the ablest physi- . cians and surgeons of Anderson. He is a member of the Madison County Medieal Society. His fraternal connections are with the Camels of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America, in both of which he has numerous friends. He is a man of public-spirit and a broad-minded citizen, thoroughly awake to all enterprises tending to the public welfare.
In 1892, Dr. Lail was married to Miss Effie Newsom, who was born at Worthington, Greene county, Indiana, daughter of William J. New- som, an honored citizen of Warrington, Hancock county, Indiana, where for some years he served in the capacity of postmaster. Dr. and Mrs. Lail have had three children : Verne N., and Gladys and Bernice, twins. Verne N. is in business in Seattle, Washington; Gladys is the wife of Merrill F. Gustin, of Anderson, and Bernice is living at home.
IVAN C. DUNLAP. Every line of business is being successfully prose- euted at Elwood, for it is a community of sufficient importance to com- mand a large trade from the surrounding country. and the people who make it their market demand the best of goods and service. One of the leading business men of this place is Ivan C. Dunlap, proprietor of the handsome jewelry establishment located in the Milligan Block. Mr. Dunlap was born at Arrowsmith, McLean county, Illinois, September 20, 1881, and is a son of Theodore F. and Eliza E. (Green) Dunlap.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Dunlap, Calvin Dunlap, was born in Ohio, and was there married to Catherine A. Jones, a native of the Keystone State. At an early day they migrated to McLean county, Illinois, there dying when some years past middle age. They were the parents of six children: Theodore F., Byron, Lilly, Belle, Jane and Charles. Mr. Dunlap's maternal grandparents were Gilbert and Mary (Fineh) Green, natives of New York, and early settlers of McLean county, Illinois, where he passed away, Mrs. Green being nearly ninety years of age at the time of her demise in Indiana, her husband dying when some years younger. They had one child: Eliza E. Mr. Green had contracted a former marriage, by which he had four children: Marshall, Benoni S., Lydia and Eunice. Theodore F. Dunlap was born in Ohio, and was about nine years of age when he accompanied his parents to MeLean county, Illinois, settling south of the town of Ells- worth, where he grew to manhood. His first employment was as a country school teacher, but later he turned his attention to the hardware business and for some years worked in a store at Arrowsmith. Return- ing to the homestead south of Ellsworth, he was engaged in farming there for a number of years, and then purchased a large farm in Jasper county which he still owns, but he and his wife are now living retired. and make their home in Elwood. During his residence in MeLean county, Mr. Dunlap took some interest in matters of a political nature. and served his township as road commissioner for a period of twelve years. Both he and his wife have long been faithful members of the Methodist Church, in the faith of which they have raised their family. They have had four children, namely: Charles B .. who is a resident of
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Elwood; Claude M., who now lives in Syracuse, New York; Ivan C., Elwood, Ind. ; and Orville G., of Bloomington, Illinois.
Ivan C. Dunlap was reared on his father's farm in McLean county, Illinois, and like other farmers' sons of his day received his education in the district schools, which he attended during the winter terms, his summers being spent in the work of the home farm. Later, he attended the Illinois Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, and after leaving that institution took a trip through the West, looking for a suitable place in which to settle. Eventually he settled in Attica, Indiana, where he began to learn watchmaking, and on thoroughly mastering this delicate science located in Bedford, Indiana, where for two and one-half years he acted in the capacity of head watchmaker for R. E. Dale. He first came to Elwood as manager for Fred W. Green, jeweler, whose stock he subsequently purchased, and moved it to his present quarters on South Anderson street, in the Milligan Block. Here he has a beautiful show room, arranged to tastefully and advantageously display his elegant stock of watches, rings and other fine jewelry. His trade has shown a healthy and gratifying increase, and among the business men of the city he is recognized as a substantial man of affairs.
On February 26, 1903, Mr. Dunlap was married to Miss Ora V. Kenton, who was born near Rensselaer, Indiana, daughter of William and Serepha (Hemphill) Kenton. natives of the Hoosier State, the former of whom resides at Mitchell, South Dakota, where Mrs. Kenton died at the age of fifty-five years. There were thirteen children in the Kenton family: Mason, Frank, El, Fannie, Laura, Clara, Evelyn, Blanche, Ora, Simon, Elizabeth and two others. Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap have had four children: Kenton, Helen, Max and Janice. They are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and liberally support its movements, and Mr. Dunlap holds membership in the Elks and the college fraternity of Sigma Chi. His political faith is that of the new Progressive party.
JOHN A. MOON, the proprietor of a picture-framing establishment at No. 1418 Main street, has been a resident of Elwood for more than twenty years, and during this time has gained a substantial position among the business men of the city and a place in the confidence of those with whom he has been associated. He has witnessed the marvelous growth and development which has made this city one of the principal commercial and industrial centers of this part of the state, and has been an active participant in many of the movements which have brought this great progress about. Mr. Moon was born November 16, 1848, in Clinton county, Ohio, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Smith) Moon.
Samuel Moon, the paternal grandfather of John A. Moon, was born in Tennessee, and was a farmer all of his life, his death occurring in Clinton county, Ohio, when he was well along in years. He and his wife were the parents of a large family of children, among them Simeon, Isaac, Joshua, Asa, William, Alva, George, David, Susie, Nancy and Martha. John Smith and his wife, the maternal grandparents of John A. Moon were natives of Virginia, were farming people, and attained to ripe old age. They had a family of eight children, namely: Eliza- beth, Margaret, Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, Lena, John and William. George Moon, father of John A. Moon, was reared in Clinton county, Ohio, where he became the owner of a farm, which he cleared and improved. Vol. II-9
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There he reared his family, spent the balance of his career, and died iu 1905, at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. Moon passed away in Febru- ary, and his wife survived only until the following September, when she followed him to the grave. She was a member of the Society of Friends, while he was a Universalist. They had a family of nine chil- dren : Amanda, the wife of William Kester, of Clinton county, Ohio; Emma, the widow of Peace Wallace, of that county; John A., of this review; Columbus, still living in Clinton county, Ohio; Maggie, the wife of Daniel West, of the same county; Marion, deceased; Asa, of Clinton county, Ohio; Oscar, also of that county; and Ulysses, who lives on the old homestead place there.
John A. Moon was reared on his father's farm in Clinton county, Ohio, and received his education in the public schools of Martinsville. He remained under the parental roof until he reached his majority. at which time he began his own career as a farmer on his father's place, subsequently purchasing a tract of thirty-seven acres, which he continued to farm until 1890. At that time Mr. Moon left the farm, and in the spring of 1893, after being variously employed, came to Elwood. which has since been his home. He was employed for three years at the car- penter trade and then entered the employ of R. L. Leeson, in whose department store he remained for eighteen years. Since 1911 he has been engaged in the picture framing business on his own account, a ven- ture which has proven decidedly successful. Mr. Moon is proficient in the artistic framing of pictures, and his skillful work has enabled him to build up a large business, and many samples of his dexterity and excel- lent judgment are to be found in his establishment at No. 1418 Main street.
On May 18, 1872, Mr. Moon was married to Miss Maggie Page, who was born in Ohio, daughter of Lewis and Margaret Melvina (Leonard) Page, natives of southern Ohio, who became early settlers of Grant county, Indiana, and died there in middle life. Mr. and Mrs. Page had five children: Maggie, Kate, John, James and Elsie. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Page was again married, and had one son : Henry. To Mr. and Mrs. Moon there have come three children : Lillie, who mar- ried K. O. Chandler, of Elwood, and has two children,-Mandron and Otella; Orlan, who died on his sixth birthday; and Lora, who married Charles Osting, of Elwood, and has a daughter, -- Irene. Mr. and Mrs. Moon belong to the Christian Church, and he is serving as deacon.of the Elwood congregation. The pleasant family home, at No. 1301 South E. street, was erected by Mr. Moon in 1898.
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