USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery county, Indiana; with personal sketches of representative citizens, Volume II > Part 28
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Masonic Order at Ladoga, and he and his wife belong to the Order of East- ern Star.
Mr. and Mrs. Harshbarger have three children, namely: Earl M., born September 14, 1885; Mary Ethel, born October 29, 1886; Everett, born August 25, 1894. Earl was married in 1908 to Mabel Thompson Batman, a daughter of Dr. W. F. Batman, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Both Earl and his wife are graduates of the Ladoga high school, and the former attended Wabash College and Purdue University, and his wife attended Northwestern University at Chicago. Earl Harshbarger is en- gaged in the insurance and real estate business in Ladoga and is also suc- cessfully operating a one hundred and twenty acre farm of his father's. Ethel Harshbarger is a graduate of the Ladoga high school, and later she attended Northwestern University; ; she is an accomplished musician, and is a general favorite in Ladoga society ; she was married in September, 1909, to Richard Dean Squires, a native of Kentucky, and for several years en- gaged in teaching in Indiana and was quite successful. Fifteen months be- fore his marriage he was chosen superintendent of Ladoga schools, which position he held two years. He is now superintendent of schools at Carlisle, Nicholas county, Kentucky. To this union has been born a daughter, Eva Dean Squires, now about two years old. Everett Harshbarger is in his senior year in the Ladoga high school. He will later enter the agricultural college of Purdue University.
Georgge W. Harshbarger is a man of public spirit, but never an office seeker. He was active in procuring the services of a farm expert to assist in planning and directing farm work in an intelligent, up-to-date manner in Clark township. All movements calculated to better the township in any way have in him an ardent supporter, and he and his family are deserving of the high esteem in which they are universally held.
V. E. CRAIG.
Conspicuous among the progressive business men of Franklin township, Montgomery county, is the gentleman whose name introduces this article. Coming of an old and well known family, members of which were intimately connected with the rise and progress of this section of the community, he takes a pardonable pride in the parts they performed in the transformation of this locality from a wilderness into its present proud position among its sister counties of the commonwealth.
V. E. CRAIG
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
V. E. Craig, widely known and successful merchant at the town of Darlington, Montgomery county, was born in this county on December 25, 1853. He is a son of Robert A. and Liddy (Martz) Craig. The father of our subject was born in this county, also, the date of his birth being June I, 1832, and here he grew to manhood, was educated in the old-time schools and here he devoted his life to general farming, developing a good farm from the virgin soil, living to see the great transformation that took place here, and he became popular with his neighbors and vast acquaintances for he was an honest man and a good citizen. His family consisted of eight children, three of whom are still living. They were named, Marshall, is deceased; V. E., of this review ; Alma L., Charles W., Mary E., Isaac W., living in Darlington ; Iva A., are all deceased; John W., the youngest is still living.
The death of Robert A. Craig occurred on July 20, 1890. His wife was born in Ohio in 1833, and her death occurred in February, 1902.
V. E. Craig grew to manhood on the home farm and there he worked during the crop seasons when a boy, and in the winter time he attended the common schools. On March 1, 1877 he was married to Armitta Betts, who was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, April 22, 1855, and here she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. She is a daughter of Francis and Henrietta (Stewart) Betts. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue.
V. E. Craig began life for himself as a farmer, following that vocation for a period of twelve years, during which he got a good start. He then came to Darlington and went into the grain business, under the firm name of Craig & Kinler. He remained in this line of endeavor for five years, enjoying a large business. Then his partner died and Mr. Craig discontinued the business and turned his attention to real estate which he followed two years, then in 1898 he started a grocery store in the east part of Darlington, and he has been in his present location for about five years. He enjoys a large and lucrative patronage, his store being known as the Central Grocery. It is well stocked with staple and fancy groceries at all seasons. He owns a nice home in Darlington, and has a farm in Tippecanoe county.
Politically, he is a Democrat, and he has been quite prominent, locally. in political and public affairs. He was for seven years a member of the city council of Darlington, and was for three years a member of the school board. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masons and the Improved Order of Red Men, also the Knights of Pythias. Religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
JAMES M. OTTERMAN.
The name of James M. Otterman, one of the progressive and successful citizens of Clark township, needs no praise by the biographer, for it has stood for clean living and honorable actions toward his fellow men during his life here of more than three score years, for he has sought at all times, no matter how trying the circumstances, to maintain the dignity of the old family of which he is a most creditable representative.
Mr. Otterman was born on March 20, 1850, in this township and county. He is a son of Lewis Otterman, Jr., and wife, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
James M. Otterman received a common school education and he lived on the homestead in this township until he was thirty-five years old. In 1885 he married Minnie Stover, daughter of Samuel and Nancy Lee Stover. She was born and reared in Scott township, Montgomery county, and here received her education in the public schools, and here she resided until her marriage. Samuel Stover was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, in 1820. He was a son of George and Hetty Stover. Samuel Stover was one of a large family who moved to Montgomery county, Indiana, when he was twelve years old, about 1832, and located in Section 36, Scott town- ship, on what is now the Bymaster farm. Samuel Stover was a carpenter in his younger days. In the early fifties he married Nancy Lee Daugherty, who was born and reared in his neighborhood. She was a daughter of James and Nancy Ann (Mills) Daugherty. The Daughertys came to Mont- gomery county about 1830 from Bullitt county, Kentucky, and located in the southwestern part of Clark township, about three-fourths of a mile north of the Putnam county line.
After his marriage Samuel Stover took up farming, which he followed the rest of his life. His father gave him eighty acres in Section 25, Scott township. As he prospered he purchased additional land until he owned a large and valuable farm, and here he lived the rest of his days. He and his wife were active in the work of the church, and he was a trustee of Hawk Creek Christian church. His wife was a Baptist. The death of Samuel Stover occurred on June 20. 1889, his widow surviving until March 14, 1908.
James M. Otterman farmed in partnership with his brother after he was twenty-five years old. After his marriage he farmed for himself on the place where he now resides, in Section 23, and he is now owner of three hundred and fifteen acres of valuable and productive land, for the most part
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under a high state of improvement and cultivation, and all near his home. He is carrying on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, and has a pleasant home and numerous outbuildings.
To Mr. and Mrs. Otterman two children have been born, namely : Lelah, born April 16, 1889; and Carl S., born January 18, 1893. The latter is now taking a course in agriculture and stock judging at the agricultural school at Lafayette.
Lelah Otterman is an accomplished musician, both vocal and instru- mental. Both she and her brother graduated from the Ladoga high school.
Mr. Otterman is a Democrat, and has for several years been a member of the advisory board of his township. He takes an active interest in the affairs of his party, and from the days of Horace Greeley has contributed generously to the support of Democracy. He is a member of the Horse Thief Detective Association, and he and his wife belong to the Christian church.
LEWIS OTTERMAN.
One of the well known and influential citizens of Clark township, Mont- gomery county, of a past generation who is now sleeping in "that low green tent whose curtains never outward swing" was the late Lewis Otterman, a man who was the possessor of many commendable characteristics of head and heart and whose name is deserving of perpetuation on the pages of local history, and his career might well serve as a pattern for the youth. He is remembered as a man of rare foresight and keen discernment and good judg- ment, and he was often called upon for advice in matters of business and often served as arbitrator. Although well qualified he refused to accept of- fice, but was looked to as a leader in local material and public affairs. The Otterman family have always been noted for their somewhat retiring dispo- sitions, never pushing themselves forward in the limelight, attending very closely to their own business affairs, and they have ever been highly estteemed since coming to this locality in the early pioneer days to the present.
Mr. Otterman was born September 1, 1811, in what is now Putnam county, West Virginia, a son of Lewis Otterman, Sr., who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, but was reared in Virginia. He mar- ried Glory Null, daughter of Philip Null. Her father was born in Pennsyl- vania, from which state he migrated to North Carolina, where he married Margaret Bushong. He followed farming and the tanning trade until the
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commencement of the Revolutionary war, then entered the Continental army, serving throughout the conflict, under command of Generals Marion, Washington and Morgan, and for bravery on the field was promoted to the rank of captain.
After his marriage Lewis Otterman, Sr., returned to his native town and subsequently moved from there to Putnam county in the western part of Virginia, now West Virginia, where he followed farming for about eighteen years. At the end of that time he came, with his family, to In- diana, and first located on land that he entered from the government in Clark township, comprising eighty acres of timber, which he at once began to clear. A few years later he sold that and moved to a farm about five miles east of Ladoga, where he lived until his death, in 1858. In early life he was a Lutheran, later a Christian. His first wife died and he married a second time, his last wife being Mrs. Jessie Ruth. He was the father of twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity and six of whom reached ad- vanced ages, John, Lewis, Jr., Philip, Elisha, Eliza, Joseph, George, Mary, Elizabeth, Sam, Henry and Elijah. Elijah, Elisha and Eliza were triplets.
Lewis Otterman, Jr., was eighteen years old when he came with his parents to the wilds of western Indiana. When twenty-one years old he started out in life for himself, with no worldly possession but an ax. He first worked for his Uncle Myers and afterwards with his Uncle John at a salary of eight dollars per month. He saved his earnings and entered eighty acres of land. During the four years following he made enough by the month to procure one hundred and sixty-five acres of land.
In the fall of 1836, after his marriage to Hettie Pefley, he took pos- session of his land and spent the remainder of his life on the same. His wife was a daughter of Samuel Pefley and wife, who came to this county in 1835. He was a hard worker and good manager and developed one of the finest farming properties in the southeastern part of the county, and when old age came on he divided his land among his children, having had at that time between eleven hundred and twelve hundred acres of valuable and pro- ductive land. He retained three hundred and fifty acres. His large success was eminently deserving, since he worked his way up from the bottom of the ladder without assistance.
Although a very busy man, he found time to render aid in the general development of his community, being especially a friend to the free school system and education in general. He was a life-long Democrat, and during the Civil war was a strong Unionist and Abolitionist. He was a pronounced
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temperance man. He never would accept office, and when appointed county commissioner, refused to serve. Although not a believer in man- made creeds, he was an honorable, Bible-following man, living his religion every day; however, he was very influential in the upbuilding of the local Christian church, and was a member of that denomination for over half a century. He was originally connected with the Hawk Creek church, but in 1847 he and several others were instrumental in starting what is now known as Christian Chapel in his own neighborhood, and he was also one of the founders of the Sunday school. He served both as deacon and elder of the church and contributed liberally of his means toward its support.
Seven children were born to Lewis Otterman, Jr., and wife, namely : Ann Eliza married Isaac Smith, of Boone county; Sarah Jane married Josiah Bradley, of Clark township; Samuel Henry, who became a prosperous farmer in his native township; James M., a sketch of whom appears else- where in this volume; George W. became a farmer in Clark township; John F. and Lewis C. both died many years ago.
The death of Lewis Otterman occurred on June 13, 1896, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-five years.
SILAS F. KYLE.
No history of Montgomery county, purporting to go into the industrial life as well as other leading phases of our complex civilization here would be complete were there failure to make proper mention of Silas F. Kyle, one of the foremost citizens and substantial business men of the town of Ladoga, and not only as a busy man of affairs is he eligible for representation in these pages, but also as a citizen, for he is public spirited and enterprising in his advocacy of progressive methods to an unwonted degree; as a friend and neighbor he combines the qualities of head and heart that wins confidence and commands respect. He is a good manager, makes a success of whatever he turns his attention to, possessing sound judgment and keen foresight, and who believes in pressing forward in all lines, believing with Tennyson, "that the old order changeth" and should be supplanted by the new and better. He is one of our worthiest native sons and has come down to us from the pioneer epoch, his life here of over seventy years having witnessed pheno- menal changes, such as the vast forests giving way under the sturdy stroke of the woodmen to fertile fields, and groups of log cabins springing up into
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
thriving marts of trade. He has not only witnessed but taken part in this transformation.
Mr. Kyle was born in the southern part of Clark township, Montgom- ery county, on April 4, 1841. He is a son of George E. and Elizabeth (Ashby) Kyle, the mother having been a daughter of Abraham and Eliza- beth (Hohimer) Ashby. The Ashbys have been a prominent family in this locality from the early days. A complete record of them is found on other pages of this work.
George E. Kyle was born in Maryland, was a son of Nicholas G. Kyle and wife. Nicholas G. Kyle came from Germany and was probably mar- ried there. George E. Kyle and Elizabeth Ashby were married in Kentucky, from which state they came to Montgomery county, Indiana, about 1829. He entered eighty acres from the government, in Clark township, and the subject of this sketch still has the deed of the government, signed by Presi- dent Andrew Jackson.
To George E. Kyle and wife six children were born, namely : William died when twenty years old, Mary and James both live in Kansas; Silas F .. of this sketch ; John and Lettie S. are both deceased.
After the death of the mother of the above named children, the father married Elizabeth Hamilton and the following children were born to them : Nicholas G., Mildred, Nancy, Sallie, Lottie and George. None of them now live in Montgomery county.
George E. Kyle was killed by a locomotive at Ashby's Station, August 14, 1871, being thrown sixty-eight feet and died instantly. He was both a farmer and blacksmith. He cleared his land and began farming on the eighty acres; however, he depended principally on his shop for support. He also loaned considerable money to advantage. He finally became the owner of six hundred acres. He was a business man of rare foresight and sound judgment, and he never lost on a loan but once. His honesty was unques- tioned.
Silas F. Kyle remained on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age, then, with his father, went into the mercantile business at Forest Home on the south line of the county and remained there from 1858 until the fall of 1875, then sold out and came to Ladoga, where he bought a partly fur- nished store building, furnished it and started a general store. In 1903, having been successful, he built another building on the corner west of it at Main and Washington streets, joining it to his other building. He also has a fine home in Ladoga, which was built at a cost of ten thousand dollars and is modernly furnished.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Mr. Kyle retired from the mercantile business in 1905, after having enjoyed a very extensive trade for many years. Since then he has carried on an electric light and coal business. In partnership with Jacob E. Lidikay he assists in operating the electric light plant at Ladoga, and they have made a great success of this venture.
Mr. Kyle has taken an active interest in local public affairs for some time and he has more than once been nominated for local office against his wishes, however ; and in the county convention he once refused nomination for county treasurer. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, having belonged to this lodge for over thirty years.
Mr. Kyle was married to Susanna McGinnis on December 3. 1863. She was born in Putnam county, Indiana, and is a daughter of Joseph T. and Eliza (DeVore) McGinnis. The date of Mrs. Kyle's birth is December 3, 1844. and she grew to womanhood and was educated in her native vicinity at Cloverdale. Her parents were both worthy representatives of typical pio- neer families of that section. On December 3, 1863, she and Mr. Kyle were married. For almost fifty years she was the faithful helpmeet of our sub- ject, working with him, through toil and trial, through success and achieve- ment, the increasing responsibilities of home and parenthood drawing them ever close. Ever since they came to Ladoga their home and family were in- seperably entwined with the commercial, educational, religious and social life here. Any considerable acquaintance with Ladoga has meant of necessity some acquaintance with Mr. Kyle and his family. Mrs. Kyle's chief interest was in her home and to its welfare she delighted to make her richest con- tribution. She found life's sweetest joy in giving self for service, in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and ministering to suffering. Selfish in- terests never determined her policy in life. . The lasting impression her many friends had of her was that she gave more thought to doing her own part well than to criticise others for their failures. As a wife she was of a high type of faithfulness and sympathic devotion and at her death her children said in all sincerity, "You cannot exaggerate in praise of mother." She was a woman of beautiful Christian character and faith, and did much good in her humble sphere of wife and mother. She was called to her eternal rest on November 27, 1912, after having been an earnest, faithful member of the Christian church since she was twelve years of age.
To Silas F. Kyle and wife were born six children, one of whom is de- ceased, namely : Eliza Florence is the wife of William C. Rapp, the car- riage manufacturer of Ladoga: Etta died when six months old: Hattie mar-
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ried John Lindskogg, a native of Sweden, who died four years after his mar- riage, and his widow now lives with her father in Ladoga; Minnie is the wife of Edward Ashby, who is at the head of the canning company at Ladoga ; Walter E., who is now at Ladoga, was for some time in Iowa trav- eling for John V. Farwell Company; Nellie is the wife of L. Ben Mayhall, who was in the mercantile business at Ladoga for a number of years.
CHARLES HAYWOOD.
Charles Haywood, president and general manager of the Union Elevator Company, of New Richmond, was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, on August 13, 1873. He is a son of E. F. and Margaret (Peed) Haywood. The father was born in Tippecanoe county and the mother near Shawnee Mound, this state. They grew to maturity and were educated in their re- spective communities, and they devoted their lives to general farming up to ten years ago, when Mr. Haywood left the farm and moved to Lafayette, Indiana, and became vice-president of the City National Bank. He has been very successful in a business way and is well-to-do. He owns large tracts of valuable land and handles a fine grade of live stock in large numbers. He is one of the well known and influential citizens of Tippecanoe county.
Eight children were born to E .F. Haywood and wife, namely : Edward, Mattie, Ella, Charles, Emma, Henry and George are both deceased; and Frances, who is the youngest.
Charles Haywood grew to manhood in his native county and he received his primary education in the schools at Goosenipple, later entering Purdue University, where he studied three years, after which he farmed for four years, during which he got a good start. He then entered the grain business at New Richmond, Montgomery county, and is still actively engaged in this line of endeavor, having become one of the best known grain men in this part of the state. He is president and general manager of the Union Elevator Company, and a very extensive business is carried on all over this locality.
Mr. Haywood was married on June 12, 1899, to Henrietta E. Raub, daughter of Edward and Henrietta (Ruth) Raub, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Boston, Massachusetts.
Six children have ben born to our subject and wife, namely, Ruth Mildred, Helen, Richard R., Valverta, Louis and Charles.
Mr. Haywood is a member of Romney Lodge, No. 144, Free and Ac-
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cepted Masons, also belongs to the Commandery and the Consistory, also the Ancient Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Murat Temple, Indianapolis. He is prominent in Masonic circles. He is the oldest member of the Mystic Shrine in Montgomery county. Religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and is faithful in his support of the same.
WILLIAM F. BATMAN.
Dr. William F. Batman, physician and surgeon, of Ladoga, Montgom- ery county, Indiana, was born near Bainbridge, in Putnam county, Indiana, on October 22, 1858. His ancestors were from Great Britain, probably from Wales. His parents were Elijah A. and Lydia (Gillen) Batman. Elijah A. Batman was a native of Putnam county, Indiana, was a son of Thomas and Sarah (Cornell) Batman. Thomas Batman and wife came from near Louis- ville, Kentucky, in pioneer times and setled near Bainbridge and there estab- lished their home. Sarah (Cornell) Batman was one of the same family that gave the name to Cornell University. Her parents were William and Mary Cornell. Her father, William Cornell, was born in 1762, and at the age of fifteen enlisted in the New York state troops to fight for the colonies in the war for independence. He saw much hard service, came into close touch with George Washington, whom he fairly idolized; and even in his old age he was ready to resent and even to fight at any slur against the name of Washington.
Elijah A. Batman grew up near Bainbridge, and became a well known farmer and stock raiser. He was a man of good size and physique, weighed about two hundred pounds and was finely formed and handsome in appear- ance. His life was spent in Putnam county, Indiana, where he was highly thought of and respected. His last days were spent in Roachdale, where his death occurred.
Dr. Batman's mother, Lydia (Gilley ) Batman, was a daughter of Willis Y. Gillen and Melinda (Coombs ) Gillen. The Coombs women were famous beauties in their day and lived near Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, in a region noted for fair women. Her father came to Putnam county, Indiana, in pioneer times, and there she was reared to womanhood.
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