USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
J. A. DE LAY.
Among the wide-awake and progressive citizens of Bicknell, Knox county, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He has re- sided in the county since his birth and in Bicknell for five years past, being known as a man of fine intellectual attainments and one of the substantial farmers of this region. He was born in Vigo township, one and one-half miles south of Sandborn, August 1, 1860. He is of French ancestry on the paternal side and is a son of Pinkney and Nancy (Maxwell) De Lay.
285
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
The father was born April 8, 1835, in Greene county, Indiana, and ever since arriving at manhood he has devoted his attention to farming and now lives in Sandborn. Our subject's grandfather, Alexander De Lay, was a native of Guilford county, North Carolina, where he was born February 17, 1801. He emigrated to Lawrence county, this state, in 1828, and became a resi- dent of Greene county in 1832. The mother was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, in February, 1840, and her father came with his family to this state about 1844. The beloved mother was called to her reward in 1905, after a long life of usefulness. There were six children in the family: J. A., our subject ; William, who was born January 16, 1862, and is now in the drug business at Palestine, Illinois; James, who was born August 22, 1867, and departed this life September 20, 1894, while studying for the ministry; Curtis, who was born October, 1869, and now operates a gristmill at Lyons, Greene county ; Clyde L., who was born July 4, 1873, and is living on the old home place near Sandborn; and Maud, who was born December 3, 1877, and is the wife of Everett Jones, living with Pink- ney De Lay.
The subject of this review was educated in the district schools and after arriving at eighteen years of age continued his studies further in the schools at Sandborn and for two terms at Bloomington, Indiana. He be- gan his active career as a teacher and for eleven terms had charge of schools in Vigo and Widner townships. He then identified himself with the farm- ing interests, conducting a farm in Widner township for a number of years, and then bought seventy-five acres in Vigo township, which he now owns. He is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jackson county, Texas, and has so managed his business as to produce a goodly income upon his investments. Five years ago he built a handsome resi- dence in Bicknell, where he has since lived, and he also owns four lots and two other houses and barns in the town.
On April 27, 1892, Mr. De Lay was happily united in marriage to Miss Anna J. Edmonds, a daughter of Rev. L. R. and Sarelda Edmonds, the former of whom was born in New Albany, Floyd county, Indiana. His father, John P. Edmonds, was a Methodist minister and also a teacher, as was his wife, the grandmother of Mrs. De Lay. Rev. L. R. Edmonds is a local preacher of the Methodist church and is well known and in high favor among the people of Sullivan county. Seven children came to brighten the household of Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds : Anna J., now Mrs. De Lay ; Lizzie N., now the wife of Dr. Edwards, of Terre Haute, Indiana ; Stella Logan, the wife of Wesley Enochs, of Sullivan county; Hattie Isabelle, of Terre Haute, now a widow; Pearl, the wife of Dr. Corbin, of Sullivan county ; Carrie, the wife of Dr. W. F. Sheppard, of Bicknell; and William B., a law- yer of Terre Haute. Of the seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds named above four became teachers and two daughters also taught music. The son taught school several terms previous to taking up the study of law. The wife of our subject was born in Greene county, February 16, 1861,
28€
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
and after receiving her preliminary education in the country schools be- came a student of the State Normal School, from which she was gradu- ated in 1889. She began teaching at seventeen years of age and continued in charge of schools in Greene and Sullivan counties for thirteen years, her last school being at Bloomfield. In this work she was highly successful and gained an enviable reputation wherever she was known. One child, Har- riette Mae, born November 24, 1893, and now a senior in the high school, has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. De Lay.
Mr. De Lay is a stanch believer in the principles of the republican party as those best adapted to promote the prosperity of the country. Socially he is identified with the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife is a member of the Rebekahs and the Tribe of Ben Hur. The entire family are active members of the Methodist church and efficient workers in every cause that seeks to advance the permanent interest of those with whom they are associated.
CHARLES F. BICKNELL.
A native of Vigo township, Charles F. Bicknell was born December 27, 1857. He has spent his entire life in this locality and represents the third generation of a family whose name is inseparably identified with Knox county. As a representative of the farming interests, Mr. Bicknell by his thrift and unimpeachable character is justly entitled to the high esteem ac- corded to those who try to do their duty not only to their associates but to the community where they live. He is the son of Josephus and Mary Jane (Hooper) Bicknell. The father was born in Vigo township and lived there all his life on the same tract of land, becoming a substantial citizen. He was a member of the Baptist church and a liberal contributor toward its support, and politically he was a faithful adherent of the republican party. He was one of a family of twelve children, four sons and eight daughters ; all have now passed away, however, except Austin. David gave up his life for his country at the time of the Civil war. Grandfather Mumford was one of the old-time citizens of Knox county and the mother of our subject was also a native of this county and here spent her life, being called to her reward in 1872. There were six children in the family of Josephus and Mary Jane Bicknell: Charles F., our subject; Whit, a carpenter, of Bicknell; Lewis, of Vigo township; Fanny, the wife of Charles Wallace; Seward and Elmer, both deceased.
Charles F. Bicknell was educated in the common schools and remained on the home farm two years after laying his books aside. He then bought the place where he has lived for nearly thirty-five years, engaging in gen- eral farming with a measure of success that indicates sound judgment and a thorough knowledge of his business. He has made many valuable im-
287
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
provements, among which may be named a handsome and commodious residence, a large and well arranged barn and outbuildings, fences and other essentials to a modern farming establishment. His place comprises one hundred and twenty-three acres and there is no waste land in the tract. Among other interests with which he is identified is the Bicknell Building & Loan Association, of which he is a stockholder.
In 1886 Mr. Bicknell was happily united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Teague, a resident of Bicknell, and six children have blessed the union, two of whom died in infancy. Chester and Maud are also deceased and Ara and Richard are at home.
Mr. Bicknell is a supporter of the republican party and although he has not sought political honors, he served with general acceptance as road com- missioner. He and his wife are both members of the Baptist church, in which he has held office, his wife being at the present time clerk of the local branch of the church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bicknell are active and intelli- gent workers in the promotion of the best interests of the region with which they have been for many years prominently connected.
ROBERT R. REEVE.
For twenty years identified with the business interests of Edwardsport, Robert R. Reeve is recognized as one of the progressive men of Knox county whose word is as good as his bond. He was born in Edwardsport, February 4. 1869, and is a son of David I. and Harriet C. (Lemen) Reeve. The father was a native of Daviess county, Indiana, and came to Knox county in his boyhood, living in Edwardsport until his death, which oc- curred in 1888, with the exception of three years which he spent in Indian- apolis. He was a mechanic and followed wagon making and painting. The grandfather on the paternal side was a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. The mother was born in Bruceville, Knox county, and there she departed this life in 1908. Eight children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Reeve: Charles H., a painter, of Edwardsport; J. L., a practicing physician of Edwardsport; Mary E., the wife of Joseph Ferry, of Linton, Indiana; Martha B., deceased; Samuel M., a hardware merchant of Ed- wardsport; George E., chief of the fire department of Washington, In- diana; Robert R., our subject; and Lillie M., the wife of Herman Miller, a farmer, living near Bicknell, Indiana.
The subject of this review was educated in the public schools of Ed- wardsport and after laying aside his books became connected with a har- ness-making establishment with which he continued for five years. He then entered a general store as clerk and after an experience of eight months became identified with the drug business under Jacob Scudder. In this line he has since continued with gratifying success, also handling
288
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
fire and life insurance and real estate. He was the organizer of the Ed- wardsport Bank and for fifteen months acted as its cashier, showing an ability that met the hearty approval of directors and depositors. He has also acted as trustee in the settlement of several large estates.
Politically Mr. Reeve is an upholder of the principles of the democratic party, although he has never sought for political honors. Socially he is a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the encamp- ment and has filled all of the chairs in the latter organization. He also holds membership in the Rebekahs and is scribe of the local lodge of the Tribe of Ben Hur. He devotes his attention closely to his business affairs, using a discernment that has enabled him to receive liberal returns upon his invest- ment. It will be readily understood that he has many friends in Knox county, whom he has attracted by his genial qualities of mind and heart, which are so important in forming character and in making life a success.
MILTON WAMPLER.
Milton Wampler, a native of Vigo township, Knox county, was born March 31, 1857, and is a successful farmer, who by wise application of in- dustry and perseverance has gained high standing in this county. He is a son of Joel and Amanda J. (Davison) Wampler, both natives of Wythe county, Virginia. The father came to Indiana and settled at Fort Knox, in Knox county, later coming to Vigo township. He was a highly success- ful farmer and was well known in the county, serving as county commis- sioner for one term. Politically he was an adherent of the democratic party. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wampler, two of whom died in infancy, but the other members of the family are Mary A., now the widow of I. F. Byers; George R., a farmer of Vigo township; James Mitchel, of Vincennes; Theodore, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and David and Milton, both farmers of Vigo township.
Educated in the district schools, Milton Wampler grew up as a farmer boy under the kindly protection of a genial home. He early showed an in- clination toward agricultural pursuits, but before settling down in this county he went west, where he spent two years and gained a great deal of valuable information by contact with strangers. Returning home, he began farming upon his own account and acquired ownership of one hundred and ten acres of good land, upon which he has made many improvements and cleared twenty-five acres, which was formerly occupied by a forest. He is recognized by his neighbors as one of the thoroughly equipped and up- to-date men of the township, who generally accomplishes anything that he undertakes.
In 1881 Mr. Wampler was united in marriage to Miss Malissa Phillippe, a daughter of M. J. Phillippe. Ten children have blessed this union :
289
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
Myrtle, the wife of Edward Blackwell, of Bicknell; Winfield, a farmer of Vigo township; Fletcher, of Bicknell; Stanley, also of Bicknell; Arley, de- ceased; Effie, Goldie and Ralph, all at home; Armeda, deceased; and Walter, at home.
Mr. Wampler is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and so- cially is connected with the Masonic lodge at Bicknell. Politically he is allied with the democratic party. He has never sought for official honors, as his attention has been devoted to his farm and to a large family, whose training and education have required his best thoughts. Faithfully has he discharged his various duties and no man stands higher in the estimation of thinking people of the community than the worthy gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch.
J. L. ROBINSON, M. D.
There is probably no more popular citizen in Wheatland, than the one whose name stands at the head of this review. A native of Knox county, he has here spent nearly his entire life and in countless ways has proven his interest in the community with which he has been long and closely iden- tified. He was born September 8, 1854, and is a son of Richard and Frances (Stevenson) Robinson, the former of whom was born in Knox county October 16, 1824, and departed this life at the age of sixty-four years, February 13, 1888. The father was educated in the subscription schools of this county and became one of its most successful farmers, being the owner at the time of his death of fourteen hundred acres of land. He was a man of unusually good judgment in business affairs and while he did not seek public office he served in a number of minor positions in his township. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a stanch sup- porter of the Scotch Presbyterian church. Mrs. Robinson was a native of this county, a daughter of John and Sarah Stevenson, who came from County Tyrone, Ireland, and located in Knox county, where Mr. Stevenson attained an honorable standing as a citizen and as an agriculturist.
Dr. Robinson received his preliminary education in the subscription schools and later attended the State Normal School and Cecilian College, at Cecilian, Kentucky. Having prepared for the medical profession, he be- gan practice at Wheatland in 1885 and has since continued uninterruptedly, gaining the recognition of the people in an uncommon degree. Dr. Rob- inson is a studious and painstaking practitioner and has suffered nothing to distract his attention from a profession to which he has devoted the best energies of his life. Besides being one of the oldest practicing physicians in this part of the county, he is known as one of the most skillful and suc- cessful. He is the owner of a farm of forty-five acres in this county and of his home and office in Wheatland. He is also a stockholder and director of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Wheatland.
290
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
In 1895 Dr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Alice J. McGar- rah, a daughter of James H. McGarrah, of Gibson county, and one child has blessed this union, Lois Elizabeth, now living at home.
The Doctor accepts the principles of the democratic party as those best adapted to the perpetuity of a free government. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church and socially is identified with the Masonic fra- ternity, being a member of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery at Vincennes, and of Murat Temple, N. M. S., at Indianapolis. He also holds membership in the Order of Ben Hur and the Royal Arcanum. The home of Dr. and Mrs. Robinson is one of the favorite gathering places for friends and acquaintances and here they are always assured of generous hos- pitality. The Doctor is a man of extensive reading, a fine conversationalist and a friend to every worthy movement for upbuilding the community. He is justly esteemed as a leader not only in Wheatland but throughout a wide section of Knox county.
LEWELLEN BYRON STALEY, M. D.
Dr. Lewellen Byron Staley, a leading practitioner of Knox county, whose home for thirty years past has been at Bicknell, was born in Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, December 8, 1844, and is a son of Emanuel and Caroline (Norton) Staley. The father was born in Wythe county, Virginia. He lived for a short time in Ohio and when about fifteen years of age came to Illinois where he continued until his death, which occurred in 1894. He was a successful farmer. Politically he was allied with the democratic party until the time of Buchanan's administration when he became a stanch republican. He was a member of the old know nothing party and a great lover of his country. Grandfather Jacob Staley was of German parentage and participated as a soldier in the war of 1812. The mother of our sub- ject was a native of Ohio. She came to Illinois with her parents and was married in this state, being called away in 1896. There were ten children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Staley: Sarah, deceased; Oliver, a farmer of Edgar county ; Aaron, also a farmer of Edgar county ; Lewellen Byron, our subject; Manuel, a farmer of Edgar county ; Susan, the wife of Dr. T. H. Brown, of Sandford, Indiana; Mary, the wife of Caleb St. Claire, a ma- chinist, of Terre Haute, Indiana ; Florence, of Terre Haute; Laura, the wife of Edward Amroe, a machinist, of Terre Haute; and William, deceased at the age of sixteen months.
Dr. Staley attended the district schools and grew up on the home farm under the kindly influences of a loving father and mother. At eighteen years of age, in June, 1862, the Civil war then attracting the attention of the entire country, he enlisted for a period of three years. He was a bright young soldier and several times was offered opportunities of advancement,
291
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
but he refused them all, preferring to carry a gun. He participated in many of the important battles of the war, receiving a wound in the fore- arm at the battle of Chickamauga and a wound in the leg while engaged in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee. From both of these injuries he fully recovered. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga and con- veyed with his comrades to Belle Isle. where they were confined for four and one-half months, being then removed to Libby Prison, where he was incarcerated for an equal length of time. After his release he rejoined his regiment, continuing in the service until he was honorably discharged. Dur- ing the war he participated in twenty-seven battles and at all times per- formed his duty in behalf of the cause in which he was profoundly inter- ested. After his return home, having decided upon a professional career, he attended Westfield Seminary and later he took a course of lectures at the School of Physicians and Surgeons at Indianapolis and attended the Cin- cinnati School of Medicine and Surgery, at Cincinnati. In 1890, 1891 and 1893 he pursued post graduate studies in Chicago. He received his M. D. degree from the Cincinnati College of Medicine & Surgery in 1881, but practiced for seven years while an undergraduate at Pleasantville, Indiana, coming to Bicknell about 1882, where he has ever since actively engaged in the duties of his profession. He has specialized in gynecology and has made a record of over six thousand births which he has attended. In his special line of work he is regarded as an authority by his brethren of Knox county and his practice extends over a large territory in western Indiana where he is known as one of its most reliable physicians, being now the senior member of the firm of Drs. Staley, Reese & Staley. Financially he has been highly successful and is the owner of sixteen houses and lots in Bicknell.
In 1867 Dr. Staley was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Hicklin and three children resulted from the union: Mary, deceased; and Dora and Nora, twins, the former the widow of David Qualls, of Terre Haute, and the latter the wife of Edward Calendar, a railway express messenger of Indianapolis. Mrs. Staley having departed this life in 1880, the subject of this review was married in 1881 to Mrs. Martha Robertson, the widow of Thomas Robertson and the mother of one son, Thomas. This son studied medicine and was the second member of the firm of Drs. Staley & Staley from 1903 to 1910, at which time Dr. Reese was taken in as third member the firm name being changed to Staley, Reese & Staley. By his second mar- riage Dr. Staley became the father of a daughter, Anna May, the wife of Dr. Forrest Reese, junior member of the firm.
Dr. Staley served as special pension examiner for the United States government and is president of the county board. He was formerly a mem- ber of the Sullivan County Medical Society and now holds membership in the State Medical Society, the White River Valley Medical Society, the Knox County Medical Society and the Bicknell Medical Society. He served for a number of years as president of the Knox County Medical
292
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
Society and is now senior censor of that organization. He was also for several years president of the Bicknell Medical Society and has many warm friends among his professional brethren. Socially he is one of the most popular men in this part of the state, always willing to assist in forwarding any enterprise that tends toward the betterment of the community. He holds membership in the A. F. & A. M., being connected with the blue lodge and chapter, and is also identified with the Tribe of Ben Hur, of Bick- nell. He has passed through the chairs in most of these organizations and for twenty years was an active worker of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows but was obliged to give up this order on account of the pressure of professional duties.
Energetic, prompt and reliable in everything he undertakes, Dr. Staley has attained a deserved success in his profession and also as a business man. Some men are born with one talent, but the subject of this review has in an eminent degree succeeded in everything to which he has devoted his atten- tion, being the possessor of innate abilities that have proven superior to all ordinary obstacles. He clearly belongs to that class of men whom to know is to esteem and honor.
FRED WAGNER.
Fred Wagner, now living partly retired at Westphalia, Knox county, and recognized as one of its stanch and reliable citizens, was born in Vigo township, this county, September 16, 1853. He is the son of Antoine and Mary Wagner. The father was a native of Germany and when he at- tained years of manhood, being of an ambitious and progressive mind, he decided that he would seek his fortune under the favoring auspices of the stars and stripes. He accordingly came to America and selected Knox county as his home, beginning as a farmer, but later entering the general mercantile business in which he was engaged successfully for twenty years. The mother was also a native of Germany. She was a woman of many estimable qualities of mind and heart and departed this life in 1868. There were six children in the family, of whom the subject of this review was the eldest, and one of whom died in infancy. John, William and Mary are deceased and Lottie is now living in Westphalia.
The subject of this review was educated in the common schools of Westphalia, where he studied both the German and English languages and received a very good training for business life. He began his active career in the grain business and later also became a dealer in live stock, con- tinuing with marked success in both lines for thirty years. He gained ani established reputation as a man of reliability and clear judgment and those with whom he dealt have always been among his best friends. He is now practically retired and is the owner of a farm of eighty acres, a comfortable
293
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
home in Westphalia, twelve town lots and also of mill property here. His wife owns eighty acres of good farming land in this county.
In March, 1886, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Renner and three children, Nellie, Mary and Adam, have blessed the union, all of whom are living at home. Politically Mr. Wagner is identified with the democratic party and although he has never sought public office, he served with great acceptance to the people as road boss for fifteen years. He is a valued member of the German Lutheran church and the success which he has attained in life he owes mainly to his own undaunted perseverance and laudable ambition. He has found in his wife a congenial and loving companion whose advice has assisted him in times of emergency. They are now resting from the burdens of life in a pleasant home, surrounded by their children and possessing all the comforts that may be desired. Such are the rewards of well directed industry.
LAWRENCE ROEDER.
Lawrence Roeder, a leading business man of Sandborn, and well known in Knox county, comes of stanch Teutonic ancestry. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 4, 1869, and is a son of John and Margaretha (Sommer) Roeder. The father served for ten years with high. credit in the German army, participating in the war with Austria, in 1866, and in the Franco-German war in 1870-1871. He became a lieutenant and also acted as bugler in the war with France. On account of distinguished ser- vices in behalf of his country, he was awarded the medal of the iron cross -an honor very highly esteemed by the valiant soldiers of Germany. After retiring from active military service, John Roeder became an officer of the government and was identified with the postoffice department for a num- ber of years. He was called away January 2, 1906. There were ten chil- dren born to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Roeder, only two of whom are now living: Lawrence, our subject; and Carl, a barber, of Baltimore, Maryland.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.