USA > Indiana > Miami County > History of Miami County, Indiana : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 31
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In 1901 the Hoovers moved to their present commodious and com- fortable home in Bunker Hill, which they had owned for two years pre- vious, and here they are spending their declining years, enjoying the fruits of their labors of earlier years. Mr. Hoover and his family are members of the Baptist church, he having been a member since he was a youth of fourteen years. He is a member of the G. A. R., and is prominent in the local post. He remembers the laying of the corner- stones of both the old and the new courthouses in Peru, being in attend- ance at both ceremonies and also recalls the day when the first rail- road train passed through this section of the country. As one of the pioneers of the county, he is well established, and is secure in the esteem and regard of a host of friends and acquaintances in the community, as is also his wife, who shares abundantly in the good will of the best people of the county.
FRANK WATERS. When Frank Waters started out in life independ- ently, his sole assets were represented by two old horses, jaded and worn, and a young, unbroken colt. It will not be denied that his prog- ress has been a worthy one, and one that would be creditable to him had he launched under vastly more propitious circumstances. His farm land today aggregates 280 acres of some of the best soil in the county, well stocked with some of the finest live-stock to be found in these parts, with ample barns and comfortable dwelling, and all modern conveniences for the carrying on of the regular work of the place. He stands fore- most among the farming men of the community, and is eminently de- serving of a word of commendation for his achievements, and of a place in this historical and biographical work. Men of his stamp and calibre have changed the face of the country hereabout, bringing it out from a wilderness condition to one abundantly fruitful and dotted with com- fortable and well-to-do homes.
Mr. Waters was born in Cass county in 1854, and is the son of George and Sarah (Gresley) Waters. In 1878 Frank Waters came to Miami county, where he had been occupied with farming up to that time. He had accumulated practically nothing up to that time, his sole posses- sions being represented by the previously mentioned team and colt, and when he located here he established himself as a renter,-the only
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status to which he might aspire in his financial state at the time. After seven years he was able to buy a place of eighty acres, purchasing the place on which he had been living, and there he continued for several years more. He brought about many and varied improvements in and about the place, remodeling and adding to the dwelling, dressing up the outbuildings in their appearance, and putting up a number of new ones. The land was heavily timbered when he came into possession, only one half of it being under cultivation, and he brought the remaining forty under the plow in due time, adding to his holdings from year to year, until he finally came to hold the title deeds to 280 acres, his present holdings. His farm is one of the finest in the community and Mr. Waters may well be proud of his achievements, considering the advan- tages with which he was launched in independent life. In justice to his parents, it must be stated that his lack of education was more his fault than theirs, for he was never of a studious nature, disliking the tedium of the school-room and preferring by long odds to be employed at work upon the farm to study at school. He was a wilful, strong-minded lad, and had his way in respect to his schooling, but the lessons of thrift and practical farming that he learned of his father made up in some degree to him for his lack of book learning.
Mr. Waters has been twice married. On March 27, 1877, he married Ridney Rhodes, and one child was born to them,-Lillie, who married Gus Hartman. Mrs. Waters died in January, 1880, and Mr. Waters later chose Lydia Coon to share his fortunes with him. Two children were born to them. Clarence, the eldest, is married to Cora Rickert, and they have one child,-Nellie Waters; and Harvey, married to Zella Her- rell, the daughter of Beecher Herrell. They have two children,-Her- rell L. and Charlotte Irene.
Mr. Waters and his family moved into Bunker Hill in 1910, purchas- ing their present home, which is one of the most comfortable in the town. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have a worthy part in the work of the various departments of service con- nected with the church.
SOLOMON HOCKMAN. The best years of the active business life of Solomon Hockman were divided about equally between his allegiance to the farming industry, in which he was reared, and his devotion to other interests along mercantile lines. He alternated between the two pur- suits for years, successful in all his undertakings, but still not definitely settled in his enterprises, until he settled in Bunker Hill in 1905 and identified himself with the real estate business. He has remained con- stant to that enterprise, and has varied his activities by occasional sea- sons of public service. His standing in the community is an enviable one, and he is regarded as one of the leading spirits in Bunker Hill today.
Mr. Hockman was born in Hocking county, Ohio, on March 27, 1845, and is the son of David and Malinda (Frazee) Hockman. David Hock- man was the son of Christian Hockman, a pioneer of Ohio, where he passed the best years of his life and there died. In 1845, as an infant, Solomon Hockman accompanied his parents to Indiana. They left their old Ohio home, and drove to their destination with a horse and wagon, settling first in Deer Creek township, where the father and an elder brother each took a claim of 160 acres of land. Neither had sufficient money in possession to improve the land and come into actual owner- ship, so the father disposed of his holdings and aided the brother to secure a deed to his quarter section, the father receiving 100 acres of the brother's land as compensation for his financial aid. Thus it was
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that the Hockmans established the family in this part of Indiana, and here and hereabouts they have been prominent and successful ever since that early day.
Primitive conditions prevailed in their time, and one may well believe that settlers in that region earned to the uttermost farthing every bit of progress they made in the scale of material prosperity. The Hock- mans, by dint of much strenuous labor, cleared a small plat where they erected a log house, of rough unhewn logs. A stick chimney and a mud fire place were features of the cabin, and the place, when habitable, was a comfortable and roomy dwelling for the pioneer family. The parents continued there until the time of their passing, the death of the father coming in October, 1910, and that of the mother some weeks later. The former was ninety-two when he died and the latter had reached the age of eighty-eight.
Solomon Hockman left home when he was twenty-two years old and established himself upon a small place of forty acres that he had pur- chased for himself with the fruits of his labor as a farm hand. He con- tinued on the place for a year, and then he entered into the drug busi- ness in Macy. He later was four years in the same business in Mexico, Indiana, after which he yielded to the call of the farm, and returned to his place in the country, where he continued steadily until 1891. He farmed successfully and enjoyed his return to rural life while he was there, but in 1891 he felt impelled to turn again to business, and he established a merchandise business in Bunker Hill forthwith. After a year here he moved to Madison county and there engaged in a general merchandise business, continuing until 1896, when he once more made his way back to his farm, and continued in active farm life until 1905. In that year he came to Bunker Hill once more and engaged in the real estate business, in which he has realized a pleas- ing degree of success.
He has been active in Bunker Hill as town marshall, in which office he served for two years, and he is now serving as supervisor of the town, where he enjoys the high esteem of the entire community. Mr. Hockman has membership in a number of fraternal orders, among them the Odd Fellows, with whom he united in 1872 and has since been affiliated with Franklin Lodge, in. Madison county, and the Knights of Pythias of Bunker Hill, since 1892.
Mr. Hockman was married in 1868 to Matilda C. Williamson, the daughter of John C. Williamson. They were married in Miami county, and their six children are living today. They are here briefly named as follows : Ulala married John Poff; Clyde, married and living in Indian- apolis ; Bessie is the wife of William McConnell; Malinda married W. D. Wilhelm; Roy C., married Bessie Stewart; and Omar W. is married to Alta VanDorn.
The son, Roy C. Hockman, is engaged in the men's furnishing busi- ness in Bunker Hill, and is climbing up in mercantile circles of the place. He is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias at Bunker Hill, and is prominent and popular with the best people of the community. The family is one that enjoys the regard of all who have a proper appre- ciation of character and principle, and their place in this community is one that is most secure.
JESSE MUMAUGH. The popular postmaster at Bunker Hill, Indiana, Jesse Mumaugh needs on introduction to the citizens of his community, who have ever found him a courteous, obliging and efficient public official. For some years prior to assuming the duties of his present office, he was widely known as an educator in Miami county, and although still a
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young man has impressed himself favorably upon the community along various lines. Mr. Mumaugh belongs to a family that has been for many years connected with the agricultural development of Miami county. He was born in this county, March 26, 1889, a son of Daniel and Christina (Weaver) Mumaugh, and a grandson of Elias Mumaugh and Henry Weaver. His mother's people came to the United States from Germany, in 1866, and settled in Miami county, while on the paternal side, the family settled in this county during the late 'fifties, coming here from Ohio. Both Elias and Daniel Mumaugh followed agricultural pursuits in this county for many years, and the latter still carries on operations in Pipe Creek township, where he is the owner of a handsome property. He is one of the substantial men of his community, has ever stood high in public esteem, and has made a success of whatever he has undertaken. He and his wife have been the parents of three children, namely : Jesse ; Elias, who married Chloris Webb; and Nellie, who became the wife of Frank Setty. All reside in Miami county.
Jesse Mumaugh was given only ordinary educational advantages in his native county, this being supplemented by three months of attend- ance at the normal school. He made the most of his opportunities, how- ever, and when still a youth secured a teacher's license and entered upon his career as an educator. He was successfully engaged in training the young in Pipe Creek and Deer Creek townships until his appointment, in 1912, by Postmaster Frank Hitchcock, to the office of postmaster at Bunker Hill, having successfully passed the civil service examination. In the discharge of his duties he has proved capable, willing and court- eous, having a high regard for the responsibilities of public service and exhibiting conscientious devotion to duty.
Mr. Mumaugh was married in Pipe Creek township, Miami county, Indiana, to Miss Clara Ethel Kelpinger, daughter of Aaron H. Kel- pinger, and to this union there has been born one daughter: Hazel, February 20, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Mumaugh are consistent members of the Progressive Brethren Church, and have taken an active interest in its work. Both have numerous friends in the younger social circle of Bunker Hill, and have proven themselves worthy representatives of the old and honored families of which they are members.
ALONZO M. ZEHIRING. One of the oldest and most prominent families of southern Miami county is represented by Alonzo M. Zehring, a pro- gressive and enterprising young farmer of Deer Creek township. Mr. Zehring was identified with educational work for several years, but is now active manager of the farm near where he was born and reared. Well educated, broad minded, with a vision that extends beyond the borders of his farm, Mr. Zehring typifies the modern progressive spirit that has so changed farm life during the last two or three decades.
Alonzo M. Zehring was born March 17, 1880, and is a son of Benja- min and Ruth S. (Wininger) Zehring. The Zehiring family in its various branches, has an interesting history, and other details will be found on other pages of this publication. The boyhood days of Alonzo Zehring were spent not unlike those of her farmer's sons in this locality. He went to school in the winter and at other times when his services could be spared from the home, and early became familiar with the principles of farm management, and labor. On reaching manhood lie began his career as a teacher, and for several years was regularly employed in the duties and responsibilities of the school. Five years of this time were spent in the grades, and for two years he was principal of the Miami schools. In the meantime all his summers had been spent on the farm, and since leaving the work of the school room he has devoted all his energy to
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Piego leg PHOTO
"PLEASANT HILL STOCK AND POULTRY FARM" RESIDENCE OF MR. AND MRS. ALONZO M. ZEHRING
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agriculture, being associated with his father in the management of their fine place of 344 acres. He and his father have made many improve- ments, have substantial buildings, and have a place which is creditable to their enterprise, and which serves to keep up the high standard set by Miami agriculture.
On September 4, 1901, Alonzo M. Zehring married Miss Julia May Reyburn, a daughter of James W. and Effie (Humerickhouse) Reyburn. Mr. and Mrs. Zehring who have no children are members of the Miami Episcopal Methodist church, being active workers, and Mr. Zehring is superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally his relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic Order, and at this time he is secretary of Crescent Lodge No. 280, F. & A. M. at Miami. The pretty estate of Mr. and Mrs. Zehring is known as "Pleasant Hill Stock and Poultry Farm."
THE MCCONNELL FAMILY. In writing of those people who have been prominently identified with the growth and development of this county and of the community of Bunker Hill and vicinity, it is hardly possible to furnish anything like a complete record of the pioneers of the district without including the McConnell family. They have long been identified with the history of Miami county, the father of the pres- ent active generation having settled here in his young manhood, and occupied himself with general farming. Members of his family are to- day filling leading places in Bunker Hill and vicinity, and Clarke H. and William McConnell have been especially prominent in public life in the town and county.
James H. McConnell, the father of Clarke H. and William Mc- Connell, was born near Dayton, Ohio, and he spent the last years of his life in Deer Creek township, Miami county, death claiming him in 1890. He came to this county in his young manhood and settled on a farm in Deer Creek township, which he entered from the government under the homestead law. He engaged in general farming, continuing in prosper- ity until the Rebellion came on, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company H, Seventy-third Indiana Volunteers. He saw long and hard service in the three years that followed, and continued until he was honorably dis- charged at the close of the war. Although he escaped without wounds or imprisonment, he suffered all the rest of his days from rheumatism, contracted from sleeping night after night in the trenches. This trouble was the ultimate cause of his death.
The farm, to which he returned when the war had ceased, consisted of 160 acres, all covered with a dense growth of timber that had little or no value in that day, as compared with timber values of today. It was considered a distinct detriment, rather than an asset, and the prin- cipal business of the owners for some time thereafter was in clearing away and burning the timber growth they found. They put up a log cabin, and this was the home of the family for some years, until, with the advance of the family fortunes, they felt further improvement incumbent upon them, and they finally replaced the old log house with a more modern and capacious home, adding suitable barns and other buildings, and building neat and appropriate fences all over the place. They attained a pleasing degree of prosperity, and in the last years of their residence there enjoyed all the comforts that their years of toil had won them. They were long members of the Christian church, and their children were raised in their faith. Mr. McConnell was for some years superintendent of the Sunday-school, and his life was a shining example to the young wherever he was known.
It was in 1866 that Mr. McConnell married Eliza, the daughter of Vol. II-14
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Abraham Billhimer, long known in Bunker Hill as a prosperous furni- ture dealer, as well as an undertaker and manufacturer of coffins. Mrs. McConnell was born in Washington township, in Miami county, and she survives her husband, making her present home in the city of Indianapolis. To them were born four children, concerning whom brief mention is made as follows : William E., Jessie B., Clarke H. and James B.
Mr. McConnell was a prominent Mason in his community and a member of the G. A. R. He was justice of the peace for a considerable period in Deer Creek township, and was known to be one of the most public-spirited and popular men in the town.
Concerning the children, Jessie B. married George Elvin, and upon his death contracted a second marriage, J. B. Reinacker becoming her husband ; she had one child, Gladys, by her first marriage. James B. married Bessie Close, and they have one son, Hugo McConnell. Wil- liam E. McConnell was born on March 20, 1873. He has been a farm- ing man all his life, and is now the owner of a fine fifty acre farm just west of Bennett's Switch, which he gives careful attention to. He has been deputy county treasurer under Dan W. Condo, and gave excel- lent service in that office, but has never been an office seeker on his own responsibility. He is a part owner in the old homestead, which is held in common with other members of the family, and has a prominent position in Bunker Hill, where he is especially well known, and where he has membership in the Knights of Pythias. Clarke H. McConnell in his early manhood married Doskey, the daughter of Schuyler Chi- dester, and to them have been born three children, James S., Lela B., and Ivan E., all at home. For a number of years Mr. McConnell was engaged in the business of contracting in and about Bunker Hill, and while he has some time since given up active connection with the work, he still has his card with the trade union, and is entitled to all the courtesies and considerations it implies. His life has, for the most part, been devoted to farming, and he is now living. on a well culti- vated place of twenty acres. He sold his interest in the old home place some time ago, so that his present home place constitutes his only farm- ing property in the county. It is all-sufficient for his needs, however, and he lives in comfort and content, secure in the good will and esteem of the best citizenship of the county. He is a man who is public spirited and progressive, and while he is not a man who has ever evinced any undue interest in political affairs, he has done his full duty as a citizen, and borne his full share in the civic responsibilities. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, but has no other fraternal affiliations.
JOSEPH S. MILLS. In a beautiful country home in Pipe Creek town- ship, surrounded with all the comforts of life, Joseph S. Mills is spend- ing the peaceful years of old age, after nearly half a century residence on this farm. The farm was originally purchased by his father about 1840 and has long been under the ownership of the Mills family.
Joseph S. Mills was born on the nineteenth of March, 1837, in Preble county, Ohio, and was a son of George Mills and a grandson of Joseph Mills. The maiden name of his mother was Elizabeth Swerer, a daugh- ter of Peter Swerer. The father first located in Green county, Ohio, and then moved to Preble county, where his death occurred at the age of fifty-four years. Mr. Joseph S. Mills was reared in Ohio, where he attained a common school education, and first came to Miami county in 1864, remaining here for one year, and then returning for three years to Preble county, Ohio. As already mentioned the farm in Miami county had been acquired by his father, and Mr. Mills took the two
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hundred and forty acres comprising the estate as his share of his inher- itance. An interesting fact about the Mills' farm is the existence of an old log house, now standing in the background of the present modern improvements, and serving as a landmark to indicate the progress of civilization and the career of Mr. Mills. When he first located on the farm he put up that log house as his home in 1864, while the country thereabout was in woods, and it took three days of his labor to clear the ground on which the old log house was built. Many years of his industrious toil were applied to the farm, and as a result what was formerly timberland was converted into fertile field and while his own place was improving all the country about was progressing in similar fashion, so that the old time roads which he first knew became excellent pikes, and all the improvements of civilization took the place of the pioneer conditions. It is due to Mr. Mills to say that he has himself performed or personally directed most of the clearing on his farm, and . all the buildings and other improvements stand as a monument to his steady industry. In 1906 he moved away from the farm to Bunker Hill, but in October, 1912, in the meantime having completed a new and modern country home, he returned to the farm, where he now resides. He has given attention to the duties of citizenship, and during the erection of the present court house, was a member of the county council.
In 1861 Mr. Mills married Freda M. Dodge, a daughter of Francis and Clarissa (Jaqua) Dodge. Her mother's people came from Penn- sylvania, while her father's were from New York. Francis Dodge was a physician by profession and died while attending patients during an epidemic of cholera. Mr. and Mrs. Mills are the parents of six chil- dren, whose names are as follows: George Francis, deceased ; William Clarence, deceased; Charles L., who married Barbara Shively; Ella Florence, at home; Marion Elbert, a civil engineer in Oklahoma City ; and Elizabeth Ethel at home. Mrs. Mills is a member of the German Baptist church. In politics he is a Republican and in religion a believer of the Universalist doctrine.
JOHN H. DICE. The energies and sturdy qualities of German ances- try appear in the Dice family, which has been identified with Erie township of Miami county for nearly seventy years. Mr. John H. Dice now occupies the homestead which his father acquired as a result of much industry during his early career in this county, and it is one of the pleasant and highly improved farms of Erie township.
The father was the late Michael Dice, whose death occurred in Miami county, January 6, 1913. He for many years stood high in the esteem of his community, and was one of the worthy pioneers of this county. A son of Valentine Dice, Michael, was born in Alsace, Ger- many, September 27, 1822, Alsace at that time being a portion of France. He was ninety years, three months and nine days of age when death came to him. Michael Dice came to the United States with his parents when he was about three years of age. They located near Win- chester, Ohio, where Michael Dice grew to young manhood. In 1843 from that state he walked and drove two cows the entire distance of about three hundred miles to Miami county. In those days the only modes of transportation were by the primitive highways or by canal boats. Along the Wabash and Erie Canal at the time the faithful mule, driven by the tow-boy was furnishing the power to pull boats up and down, and that was the great artery of traffic through Miami county. On arriving in Peru township in 1844, Michael Dice found work at the home of a farmer, and while there the acquaintance with the farmer's daughter ripened into affection, and the hired man and the daughter
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