USA > Indiana > Vermillion County > History of Parke and Vermillion Counties, Indiana : with historical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 43
USA > Indiana > Parke County > History of Parke and Vermillion Counties, Indiana : with historical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 43
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 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
Joseph W. Amis secured his elementary education in the public schools at New Goshen, Indiana, and Oswego, Kansas, and the high school at Boli- var, Missouri. He then took a business course in a college at Delaware, Ohio, and also prepared himself in pedagogy at the State Normal School at Terre Haute. During the period from 1886 to 1892 Mr. Amis engaged in teaching school in Vigo and Vermillion counties, gaining a well earned reputation as an able and successful educator. In the meantime he had determined to take up the practice of law for his life work and to this end he had spent his leisure hours in the study of Blackstone, Kent and other standard legal authorities. In 1890 he was admitted to the bar of Vigo county and in 1899 he was ad- mitted to practice in the United States courts. In 1892 Mr. Amis entered upon the active practice of the law in Clinton and has continued here since, with the exception of two years, from November, 1896, to November. 1898. when he was located at Newport as a partner of the late Judge Charles W. Ward.
460
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
With body and mind strengthened by the sturdy and self-reliant work of a farmer's son, and his school training supplemented by experience as a teach- er, Mr. Amis entered upon the practice of law well qualified for success. It is not often that true honor, public or private, comes to a man without basis in character, and during his residence in Clinton, its people have had ample means to know what manner of man Mr. Amis is. The consensus of testi- mony is that he is a good citizen in the full sense of the term, and worthy of public confidence. As a lawyer, he is well informed in his profession and faithful to his clients and the law. His mind is strong, judicial and well bal- anced. impartial and just. He possesses a rare equanimity of temper and a courtesy which has won for him the sincere regard of his associates at the bar. Hs is an honest and fair practitioner, taking no part in the tricks of the pettifogger or lawyer of low degree, which sometimes casts odium upon a pro- fession which should ever be one of truth and honor. His personal life is above reproach, being a man of good morals, temperate and self-controlled. Mr. Amis has had great success as a general practitioner and has kept well abreast the times in all that pertains to his profession. He has always made it a rule not to take a case in hand unless he was thoroughly convinced as to the absolute merits of his client's cause, and this has been one of the secrets of the uniform success which has attended him.
In one line of effort alone he has earned the gratitude of the citizens of his county, namely, on behalf of good roads, of which he is an ardent advo- cate. Mr. Amis has probably accomplished more for the establishment and construction of good roads in Vermillion county than any other man. He has handled more petitions for gravel roads than any other man, and forty- five of such roads in this county have been constructed as the direct result of petitions presented by him and most of which were ratified by three out of four successful gravel road elections. In the examination and correction of land titles in Vermillion county Mr. Amis has also done a vast amount of work, his labors along this line undoubtedly surpassing any other lawyer in volume of business. Thoroughly accurate and reliable in important matters of this kind, he has honestly earned the large clientage which he now com- mands. He is at all times controlled by a high code of ethics and among his professional brethren he is held in the highest regard.
Originally a stanch Democrat in his political affiliations. Mr. Amis was in 1800 and again in 1892 nominated by his party for the office of state's at- torney for Parke and Vermillion counties without any solicitation upon his part for the honors; however, at the ensuing elections he was defeated with
461
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
the rest of the ticket. He has always assumed an independent attitude in politics and in 1912 identified himself with the new Progressive party, taking an active part in advocating its platform of principles. By that party he was nominated for congressman from the fifth district, and made a vigorous can- vass of the district, becoming a popular idol of his party, and he stands high in the councils of the Progressive leaders in Indiana. Fraternally, Mr. Amis is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America, though his large professional practice precludes his giving much time or at- tention to fraternal matters.
On October 15, 1892, Mr. Amis was married to Olive James, the daugh- ter of E. Wright and Sarah (Walker) James, a well known family of Helt township, Vermillion county, Indiana. To this union have been born three children, namely: Mary, who is a graduate of the Clinton high school, win- ning the honors of her class, and who is now a student in the State Normal School at Terre Haute; Herman is a student in the high school, and Robert Burns, who also is in school.
FRANK H. NICHOLS.
Standing in an eminent position among the men of affairs of Parke and Vermillion counties is Frank H. Nichols, who is recognized as one of Rock- ville's leading citizens, having for a number of years been the able and popular president of the Rockville National Bank, the reputation for soundness and conservatism of which has spread all over western Indiana, as a result of his wise management. His success has been won entirely along old and time- tried maxims, such as "Honesty is the best policy," and "There is no excellence without labor."
Mr. Nichols was born in Rockville, Indiana. August 16, 1863. the son of Jonathan and Martha B. (McEwen) Nichols. The father was a native of Bloomington, Indiana, and the mother, of Rockville. By trade the father was a tinner, later he turned his attention to the mercantile business, as a member of the firm of Nichols & Silliman, one of the oldest merchants of Rockville. He was one of the builders of the old woolen mills here. He went to Cali- fornia with the famous "forty-niners," and spent two years in the gold fields there. He drove a team to Westport (now Kansas City) and mules from there to his destination. He came to Parke county, Indiana, in an early day, about 1842, and early in its history he became identified with the National Bank of Rockville and in 1873 became president of the same, discharging the
462
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
duties of that important position for a period of twenty years, retiring from this institution in 1893. His death occurred in 1909. His widow still lives in Rockville, making her home with her son, Frank H., of this review, her only other child, a daughter, having died when six years old. A complete sketch of Jonathan M. Nichols occurs elsewhere in this history.
Frank H. Nichols grew to manhood in Rockville and he received his early education in the public schools here. He came into the bank of which his father was president when a young man, working for some time, then spent eight years in Indianapolis and Greenfield, Indiana. Then returning to Rockville, he became cashier of the above mentioned bank on January I, 1894, and at the death of Mr. Catlin he was made president, which position he still holds, to the eminent satisfaction of the stockholders and patrons. He is a man of progressive ideas, keeps well abreast of the times, especially in all that pertains to the banking business, and his uniform courtesy and high prin- ciples of honor and his public spirit have rendered him popular with the people.
Mr. Nichols was married in 1903 to Olive Hunnicutt, who was born in Richmond, Indiana, and whose death occurred on September 30, 1908. She was the daughter of a prominent family of Richmond and was a lady of many estimable attributes.
Mr. Nichols is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is well known in Masonic circles, a member of the Scottish Rite and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Politically, he is a Republican and has long been active in the ranks. He has been city treasurer of Rockville for twelve or fourteen years.
QUINCY A. MYERS.
It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that have moved a life of ceaseless activity and large success; little more can be done ยท than to note their manifestations in the career of the individual under con- sideration. In view of this fact the life of the gentleman whose name appears above affords a striking example of well defined purpose with the ability to make that purpose subserve not only his own ends, but the good of his fellow men as well. Mr. Myers long held distinctive prestige in a calling which re- quires for its basis earnest consecration, determined persistency and self discipline of a high order, without which he could not have succeeded as he did in the labor of the great foreign mission field. After devoting many of the best years of his life to this work, with the most pronounced success,
463
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Mr. Myers is now back in his native community, achieving equal success in the less strenuous field of business, in which his abilities have been recognized and acknowledged.
Quincy A. Myers was born in Newport, Vermillion county, Indiana, on August 14, 1867, and is the son of William C. and Maria (Burson) Myers, the former also a native of Vermillion county. The subject's paternal grand- father, George W. Myers, came from Maysville, Kentucky, to Vermillion county, Indiana, in 1820, settling west of Newport, where he followed farm- ing. He entered land from the government, the patent for which, signed by President VanBuren, is now in the subject's possession. William C. Myers followed farming all his life and occupied an enviable position in the community. Politically a Republican, he was elected sheriff of Vermillion county and rendered faithful service in that capacity during the period from 1880-1884. To him and his wife were born three children, namely: Quincy A., the subject of this sketch ;; William C., of Newport, and Clara E., the wife of Alfred E. Harvey, of Kansas City, Missouri.
Quincy A. Myers secured his elementary education in the public schools and then, after special preparation, was sent by the foreign mission board of the Methodist Episcopal church to China as a missionary. He was stationed at Chungking, China, for sixteen years, taking an active and effective part in the labors of that field. He was honored by selection as presiding elder, in which capacity he served several years, was treasurer of the west China mis- sion for eight years, and also served as superintendent of the Boys' High School and the Biblical Training School.
After many years of faithful service in the foreign field, during which he passed through many interesting experiences, some of which were none too pleasant, Mr. Myers is now retired from that line of effort and is giving appreciated service as cashier of the Perrysville Bank, at Perrysville, Ver- million county. This bank, which has a capital of ten thousand dollars, was organized on March 28, 1912, with the following officers: President, E. A. Lacy : vice-president, M. J. Rudy ; cashier, Quincy A. Myers. Though in operation less than a year, this bank is already numbered among the sound financial institutions of the county, the safe, conservative and careful policy of those in charge of its affairs being a guarantee of its success. These offi- cers are all well-known business men of established character and known ability and the bank is filling a long-felt want in the community.
On November 1, 1893, Mr. Myers was united in marriage with Cora Lacy, the daughter of Elisha A. and Martha E. (Wright) Lacy, who were
464
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
from New York state. Mrs. Myers accompanied her husband to China and there proved herself a valuable co-worker with him in the missionary field. To them were born two children, Helen and Kenneth, both being born in China.
Politically, Mr. Myers is a Republican and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, giving his support to all movements having for their object the uplifting of the race or the amelioration of suffering and undesirable conditions. He is numbered among the best citizens of his community and as . stich is eminently deserving of representation in this work.
MAJOR JONATHAN M. NICHOLS.
One of the leading men of his day and generation and one of the indus- trial leaders of Parke county was the late Major Jonathan M. Nichols, for twenty years president of the National Bank of Rockville, and a man whom everybody admired and esteemed for his industry, high sense of honor, public spirit and gentlemanly address. No work purporting to give a historical re- view of this section of Indiana would be complete were there failure to give his life record a conspicuous place.
Major Nichols was born at Bloomington, Monroe county, Indiana, April 6. 1824, the son of Jonathan and Eliza ( Hamilton) Nichols. His father was a native of Tennessee, but in a very early day moved to Indiana and estab- lished himself in Monroe county. The elder Jonathan Nichols was a teacher by profession, for which he was peculiarly adapted both by nature and educa- tion. He always maintained a deep interest in educational matters and for a long time served as trustee of the State University of Bloomington. He was also a business man of energy and rare soundness of judgment, and he success- fully engaged in merchandising for a number of years.
Jonathan M. Nichols was one of ten children. In his childhood he was a pupil in the Bloomington schools and he received a good education. After leaving school he learned the tinner's trade, and after serving his apprentice- ship he came to Rockville about 1842, where he followed his trade for a num- ber of years. He then occupied a clerkship, where he remained for some time. During the gold excitement of the historic year 1849 he was one of the many thousands who sought a fortune in the far West. With a party of six young men he made the long, perilous overland trip "to the sundown seas," leaving Rockville March 19th of that year and arriving in the Golden state on Octo-
465
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
ber Ist following. He engaged in mining there two years, meeting with fair success. It was not, however, his intention to establish a permanent home in California, and at the expiration of two years he returned as far east as Ken- tucky, where he remained a short time. Later he clerked in his former home, Rockville, Indiana, and then formed a partnership in the mercantile business with Isaac J. Silliman, which lasted ten years, during which time the firm be- came widely known in this section of the state. Mr. Silliman then severed his connection, his interest having been purchased by Thompson & McEwen, and the firm of Nichols, Thompson & McEwen was established which lasted until 1864, when the entire concern sold out, and erected a woolen mill, which they operated with great success for a period of ten years, this having been the most extensive manufacturing enterprise ever attempted in Rockville. They erected a large brick factory building on the present site of Rohm Brothers' mill and equipped it with the best machinery then known in weaving wool into cloth. Expert workmen from New England were employed and for a time the in- dustry promised all that its enterprising promoters had hoped for, but the general introduction of shoddy materials a few years after the Rockville fac- tory was established made competition by honest woolen goods out of the question and the local factory was compelled to close. In the meantime Major Nichols was associated with Gen. George K. Steele, Alexander McCune and others in the establishment of the First National Bank of Rockville. They built the beautiful three-story building in which the bank was located from 1868 to November, 1906, when it was destroyed by fire. In 1873 Major Nichols was called to the presidency of this institution and continued at the helm until its affairs were closed out, four years later. At the inception of the National Bank of Rockville in 1877 he accepted the position of president and held the same until 1894 in a manner that reflected much credit upon his abil- ity and honor and to the eminent satisfaction of stockholders and patrons of this popular and sound institution; in fact, its great success may be said to have been due to his wise management and sound judgment. The Major, having accumulated a handsome competency through his long years of business activity, retired from active life in 1894.
In 1855 Major Nichols was married, his wife dying in 1858. His second marriage was with Martha McEwen, and two children, Frank H., now presi- dent of the Rockville National Bank, and Maude S., who died in childhood, were born of this last union.
In 1862 Major Nichols laid aside the care of the extensive business with which he was connected and offered his services to his country, and, if need
(30)
466
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
be, his life, if he could thereby aid the Union cause, enlisting in Company C, Seventy-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and he served with gallantry and distinction as first lieutenant, taking part in many engagements, among them being that at Uniontown, where Captain Howard was killed and the entire company captured as prisoners.
Fraternally, Major Nichols was a Mason. His life work was closely connected with the development of Rockville. As a citizen he was always in- fluenced by motives that did him honor. He was for a number of years a member of the Rockville school board. He was at the time of his death the oldest member of Parke Lodge No. 8, Masonic fraternity, in which he had been a member since 1849. The home and social life of Major Nichols endeared him to everyone. His affection for his family was above all things in his life. Socially, he was a man whose companionship was much sought by the best people of the country. At all times he was a courteous, kindly, hospitable gentleman, always considerate of the rights and wants of others, and he never intentionally gave offense and never by word or deed wronged a fellow man.
After an illness of less than a week, Major Nichols was summoned to his eternal rest at 3 o'clock, Saturday morning, June 5, 1909, his loss being keenly felt by the entire community, and his memory will long be revered by the wide circle of friends he left behind.
A. J. HUXFORD.
In nearly every community are to be found individuals who, by innate ability and sheer force of character, rise above their fellows and win for themselves conspicuous places in public esteem. Such a one is A. J. Huxford, successful business man and the present popular incumbent of the office of county treasurer of Vermillion county. He has been identified with the his- tory of this locality all his life, his career having been closely interwoven with the material and civic growth of Parke and Vermillion counties, wield- ing a potent influence in industrial circles, while his record as a progressive man of affairs has been synonymous with all that is honorable.
Mr. Huxford was born in Parke county, Indiana, October 1, 1874, and he is a son of John and Matilda (Driver) Huxford. The father was born in Parke county, this state, on October 19, 1836, and he is still living on the old home place in his native county, having devoted his life successfully to
467
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
general agricultural pursuits. His wife, mother of the subject, was summoned to her eternal rest in 1906. The family of these parents consisted of nine children, six of whom are still living.
A. J. Huxford grew to manhood on the home farm and there he assisted with the general work when a boy, receiving his education in the common schools and two years in high school. After leaving school Mr. Huxford took up farming, which he followed four years, thereby getting a good start. then went into the grocery business in Newport, and continued in that with a large measure of success for a period of ten years, during which time he enjoyed a large trade with the town and surrounding country. He was then elected to the office of county treasurer in 1910, and is at this writing incum- bent of that office, the important duties of which he is discharging in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned, irrespective of party alignment.
Mr. Huxford was married in 1896 to Jennie Moring, daughter of John Moring and wife, a highly respected family of this locality. Her father was born in Ohio, from which state he came to Parke county, Indiana, in an early day and there he became well established as a farmer. To the subject and wife one child has been born, Ernest M. Huxford.
Politically, Mr. Huxford is a Democrat and has been loyal in his support of his party's principles. He belongs to Riverside Lodge No. 242, Knights of Pythias, at Newport. He has lived in Newport twelve years, during which time he has done much for the upbuilding of the town, the interests of which he has at heart.
JOHN H. SPENCER.
Every human being either submits to the controlling influence of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, guides or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the way along which others may follow with like success. Consequently, a critical study of the life record of John H. Spencer, the present popular and efficient postmaster at Rockville, Parke county, and for many years a prominent citizen there, may be beneficial to the reader, for it has been one of usefulness and honor.
Mr. Spencer was born in Putnam county, Indiana, three miles south of Russellville, July 22, 1864. He is the son of James and Amanda (Crooks) Spencer, both natives of Indiana, the father of Putnam county and the
468
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
mother of Parke county. James Spencer was a farmer and stock dealer, and he removed to Jackson township, Parke county, about twenty-seven years ago and lived there until his death, about 1894, at the age of fifty-five years, his birth having occurred in 1839. The mother passed away in 1879, when the subject was fourteen years old. To James Spencer and wife four chil- dren were born, of whom two are now living, John H., of this sketch, and James H., of Indianapolis. The father was married, after the death of the subject's mother, to Agnes Cofer, of Jackson township, this county, by whom he had two children, one living at this writing, Mr. Sedalia Wolverton, of Lena, Indiana.
John H. Spencer was reared to manhood on the home farm in Putnam county, where he assisted with the general work and received his primary education in the common schools of his native community. He remained under his parental roof until he was fourteen years old, or until his mother died, after which he worked out on neighboring farms in summer, attending school in Russell township, his native county, in the winter time. Later he attended the normal school at Ladoga, Indiana, for two terms, then entered the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, where he remained three terms. At intervals while attending the above named institutions he taught
school in the winter months, for two years in Putnam county, later con- tinuing this line of endeavor for a period of fourteen years in Greene town- ship, Parke county, thus teaching sixteen consecutive years, the last nine years at Guion, Parke county. His long retention at that place is certainly evidence enough of his ability and general satisfaction as a teacher; indeed, he ranked with the foremost educators in this and adjoining counties and was ever in the front rank of his profession his services being in great demand and he gave eminent satisfaction both to pupil and patron, having remained a profound student himself and keeping well abreast of the times in all that pertained to his line of endeavor. He ever manifested an abiding interest in public affairs, and he was elected trustee of Greene township, this county, in 1900, which office he filled to the satisfaction of his constituents until his resignation, in February, 1903, when he was appointed deputy county andi- tor, where he served three years, or up to March 1, 1906, when he resigned, much against the wishes of many of his friends who had noted his superior ability in this office, to become postmaster at Rockville, the duties of which he has since discharged in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of the people and the department at Washington.
Mr. Spencer is loyal to the tenets of the Republican party and in 1904 -
469
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
he was made chairman of the Republican central committee and did much that year for the success of the party.
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.