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 48
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 48
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Mr. Daniels was married March 9, 1851, to Clarissa Blessing, of Pennsylvania, and of German extraction. To this union five children were born, namely: Henry, an attorney at Rockville, Indiana; Edward, an at- torney of Indianapolis; Parke, who lives in the state of Mississippi, be- side two daughters, who died in childhood. A sketch of the oldest son ap- pears elsewhere in this work.
DANIEL C. JOHNSON.
The life record of Daniel C. Johnson, prominent attorney of Clinton, is worthy of careful consideration and emulation by the youthful readers of this work, for in it lie many valuable lessons. His has indeed been a varied and interesting career and he has made a success of whatever he has turned his attention to, farming, teaching, merchandising, and as a soldier and at- torney. He is a fine type of the successful self-made man, for he began life under no favorable auspices, but by indomitable courage and persever- ance he has removed, one by one, the obstacles from his path and won suc- cess all along the line, becoming well known as one of the leading attorneys of this section of Indiana, and while a member of the state Legislature his reputation became widespread. Withal he is a plain, unassuming gentleman who has won the confidence and good will of all classes.
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Mr. Johnson was born in Lafayette, Indiana, October 3, 1842, and is a son of Samuel and Esther (Clark) Johnson, both natives of Ohio and both now deceased. They came from that state to Indiana in an early day and here became well established on a farm, spending their lives engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. They became the parents of nine children, namely : Daniel C., of this sketch, being the eldest; Sarah C., Henry T., Josiah, George W., Christopher C., James L., Munn and Molly.
Daniel C. Johnson grew to manhood on the home farm and, being the oldest child, much hard work devolved upon him when a boy assisting his father with the development and cultivation of the home place. He re- ceived his early education in the country schools in Illinois, and early in life turned his attention to farming, which he followed until the breaking out of the Civil war. He was but eighteen years old when, on July 20, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and Mr. Johnson saw much hard service, participating in many hard-fought engagements, in all of which he proved to be as true a soldier as the older veterans of his regiment. He was with Sherman all through the Atlanta campaign, and participated in the great battles of Stone's River, Chickamauga, etc. He was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois, September 1, 1864. He returned home at once and resumed farming, but later took up merchandising at Tuscola, Illinois, which he followed some time, then began teaching and in this was very successful, becoming superintendent of schools at Clinton. Indiana, for two years. He then began the study of law at home, was admitted to the bar in 1885, having prepared himself for the legal profession. He soon began practice and had a very satisfactory patronage from the first, and as the years advanced he took his place in the front rank of lawyers of Ver- million county, which position he has held to the present time. He has figured prominently in many of the most important cases in the local courts since he established himself here, and he is known to be a safe, persistent and well informed counsellor and a man who has great weight with jurors, always going into court fully prepared.
Mr. Johnson was married on April 3, 1869, to Louisa Lester, daugh- ter of Sigler H. and Parthenia Lester, both natives of Kentucky, from which state they removed to Douglas county, Illinois, where they settled, and there the subject was married. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, namely: Ora A. is the eldest : Charles E. is a professor in the preparatory department of the University of Chicago; Rose M. has been principal of the Columbia school at Clinton for the past five years.
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Fraternally, Mr. Johnson is a member of the Free and Accepted Ma- sons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men, having passed all the chairs in the three latter, and he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 86, at Terre Haute, Indiana. He has long been well known and active in fraternal circles in this part of the state. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and a liberal supporter of the same. Politically, he is a stanch Republican and has long been active and influential in the ranks of his party. He was mayor of the city of Clinton for three terms, during which he did much for the permanent good of the city. He was a member of the state Legislature from 1901 to 1907, making a most commendable record as a representative, winning the hearty approval of all concerned.
CHARLES W. ASHLEY, JR., M. D.
The medical profession of Parke and Vermillion counties has no more worthy exponent among its younger practitioners than Dr. Charles W. Ash- ley, Jr., of Clinton, for, though young in years, he has mastered almost every phase of his calling and has achieved a brilliant reputation, taking his place among the successful and popular medical men of this section of the Hoosier state, and, judging from his past worthy record, the future must necessarily hold much in store for him, for he is a profound student, proposing to keep fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to his vocation and nature has endowed him with the necessary characteristics of the successful physician, and a personality that makes him a favorite with all classes.
Dr. Ashley was born December 22, 1882, at Clinton, Indiana, he being the only child of Charles W. and Emma (Morgan) Ashley, the father a native of Boonville, Warrick county, Indiana, and the mother was a native of Vermillion county, this state, and they were reared, educated and mar- ried in their native state and are living at this writing at Clinton, where they have long maintained a pleasant home and are well and favorably known.
Dr. Ashley was reared to manhood in his native town and he received his primary education in the public schools and high school of Clinton. Early in life he decided to enter the medical profession and with this end in view he entered the Medical College of Indiana at Indianapolis, where he made a splendid record and from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1905. Soon afterwards he returned to Clinton and began the prac- tice of his profession, opening an office in July. 1905, and he has remained
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here to the present time, successfully engaged in the general practice, with ever-growing success.
Dr. Ashley was married on April 30, 1912, to Jane Margaret Brother- ton, of Terre Haute, Indiana, being a young lady of many praiseworthy traits and the representative of an excellent family.
Fraternally, the Doctor is a member of Jerusalem Lodge No. 99, Free and Accepted Masons, and Chapter No. 195, Royal Arch Masons, at Clin- ton, also the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 86, at Terre Haute, Indiana. He belongs to the Clinton Medical Society and the American Railway Surgeons. He is a surgeon for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad and is giving eminent satisfaction in this connection, being held in high favor by the officials of that road. He is also secretary of the local board of health and is doing fine work in that capacity. Politically, he is an ardent Republican and takes much interest in public affairs.
MARK E. NEBEKER.
One of the ablest and most promising of the lawyers of the younger generation in Vermillion county who is deserving of special mention in a work of the province assigned to the one in hand is Mark E. Nebeker, of Clinton. He is a man who is enamored of his work, which fact is essential to high accomplishment in any line, for Longfellow's line is true, "His heart was in his work, and the heart giveth grace to every art." Mr. Ne- beker has spared no pains in order to advance himself in the legal profession, always a profound student and a close observer and of untiring persever- ance and it is safe to predict for him a brilliant future in his chosen field of endeavor.
Mr. Nebeker is a scion of one of the prominent old families of Ver- million county, the bright name of which he has been careful to keep un- tarnished. He was born in Clinton, Indiana, January 25, 1885, and is a son of Henry and Ida M. Nebeker, the father becoming one of the best known men in this locality during a past generation, having practiced medicine here with much success for a period of thirty-five years, or from the time he began his career until his death, in 1909, at the age of fifty-four years. He was not only an able physician, enjoying a lucrative and extensive practice in Clinton and the surrounding country, but he was a public-spirited man who did much for the general good of his community. The mother of the subject
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is still living here. Aquilla Nebeker, grandfather of the subject, was one of the early settlers of Vermillion county, having come here from the state of Delaware, and from that early day to the present the family has been well known and influential here.
Mark E. Nebeker, the only child of Dr. Henry Nebeker and wife, was reared in Clinton and educated in the common schools here, later taking a course in Culver Military Academy, then entered the University of Illinois, where he made a splendid record for scholarship and from which institu- tion he was gradauted with the class of 1908. Early in life he had deter- mined upon a legal career and, bending every effort in that direction, he was admitted to the bar in 1906. Thus well prepared for his vocation, he opened an office in Clinton and here he has gradually built up a large and satisfac- tory practice which is ever growing and he is rapidly taking a front rank at the local bar. He always goes into court well prepared, is careful, ener- getic and loyal to the interests of his clients, and his arguments in court have great weight with juries.
Mr. Nebeker has remained unmarried. Politically, he is a Republican and has been active and influential in the ranks for some time. During the campaign of 1912 he was his party's choice as a candidate for prosecuting attorney. Fraternally, he belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, at Clinton, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Terre Haute.
SAMUEL BRENTON DAVIS.
Among the eminent journalists of Indiana was Samuel B. Davis, who for more than forty years wielded a forceful editorial pen on The Hoosier State, Newport, Indiana. At the time his spirit took its flight, April 2, 1908, it was said of him that he had owned and edited the Hoosier State forty years, being the oldest editor in the United States, if not in the entire world, in point of continuous service on the same paper.
Of his ancestry it may be said that his great-grandfather, Jeremiah Davis, was a native of Wales, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, John Davis, his father, Robert Davis, and his mother, Melvina (Taylor) Davis, were all born in Montgomery county, Virginia.
In the autumn of 1839 his parents moved to Indiana, where he was born three years later, on the 3d of June, 1842, at Annapolis, Parke county. At the age of thirteen years his father removed to Vermillion county and
SAMUEL B. DAVIS.
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settled on a farm in Helt township, where he resided until his death, in 1890. Samuel B. lived with his parents and worked on the farm until the breaking out of the Civil war in 1861. At that date he was a large and powerful youth of nineteen years of age, and when President Lincoln issued his call for volunteers for ninety days, his father persuaded him to stay and help him on the farm until the next call for troops, when he said he would consent to his going. He enlisted in Company C, Eighteenth Regiment, Indiana In- fantry, in July, 1861. He participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, the siege of Vicksburg, and a number of skirmishes, and after a service of one and a half years in the Union army, he had a severe attack of measles which he contracted on a forced march through a rain, and took a cold which settled in his right arm and right leg, crippling him for life and necessitating the use of crutches.
In 1866 Mr. Davis was elected treasurer of Vermillion county, and was re-elected in 1868. During his incumbency the office was robbed of about thirty-five thousand dollars. The thieves were seen and followed, but they made good their escape, though a part of the money was recovered later. Mr. Davis made an ideal treasurer, and also had served as trustee of his town- ship three terms, each time being elected by an increased majority, the first time being elected by ten, the second term by thirty and the last term by eighty-five majority. He was a Republican of the stalwart type.
In the month of January, 1868, while in Clinton, this county, collecting taxes for Vermillion county, he met Gen. H. D. Washburn, who had re- cently purchased the Hoosier State for political reasons, rather than as a speculation, he being a candidate for Congress at the time, and he offered to sell the office and good will of the same to Mr. Davis for five hundred dol- lars. At that date Mr. Davis was only twenty-six years of age, and was without newspaper experience, but he nevertheless bought the plant and took control April 23. 1868. On May 1, 1893, on account of ill health, he leased the office to his sons, Bird H. and Fred W. Davis, who had charge of the paper three years, the father, however, doing much of the editorial work. In April. 1896, the firm name was changed from Davis Bros. to S. B. Davis & Sons, editors and publishers. Subsequently, the son. Fred W. Davis, with- drew from the firm and at the death of the senior Davis the office fell to the wife, Mrs. Sarah C. Davis, to be her property during life. Bird H. Davis is now the editor and manager of the paper.
Beginning with a subscription list of two hundred and fifty in 1868. (33)
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Mr. Davis built it up to fifteen hundred, and never offered premiums, but depended upon the real merits of his newspaper for increasing his circulation, which steadily increased under his superior journalistic management. As a soldier there was none braver, and as an editor he was bright, fearless and witty, and as a friend he was generous, loyal and ever true. He never re- membered an enemy nor forgot a friend. Whether on the battlefield or in the editorial room, he was a fighter that never asked, but always gave quarters to an enemy.
Of Mr. Davis's domestic relations let it be said that in 1868 he was united in marriage to Sarah Canady, who still survives and is an honored resident of Newport, where so many years of her life were spent as the faithful com- panion of Mr. Davis. To them were born six children : Bird H., now editor and manager of the Hoosicr State; Clara, of Newport: Ora D., of Terre Haute ; Fred W., of Redlands, California ; Ren M., of Keokuk, Iowa, where he is engaged in erecting public works for the Hydraulic Construction Com- pany of Maine, he acting as foreman for the company; and Robert Enoch, who died in infancy.
Mr. Davis was richly endowed with a strong and vigorous mind and, although suffering for five weeks with la grippe, he never lost the brightness of his mind nor his cheerful disposition until the last breath had left his tired and weakened body and his soul had passed on to a better existence. He believed in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man and his religion was the Golden Rule. He was kind-hearted and generous and, as was once said at the grave of a noble American. by his own brother: "Were every one for whom he did some loving service to bring a blossom to his grave, he would sleep tonight beneath a wilderness of flowers."
Mr. Davis passed away from earthly scenes, with his devoted wife and children at his bedside. He was buried in Thomas cemetery, on Sunday afternoon. by his comrade in arms of Shiloh Post No. 49, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was one of the few remaining charter members. His life-long friend, Rev. John W. Parrett, preached his funeral sermon, being assisted by Revs. J. S. Brown and E. M. Freeman.
To have been a fearless editor in this commonwealth for two score years, and take part in the settling of great questions such as grew ont of the Civil war, to stand for the right as he understood the right. meant force of character such as few men possess, but this he performed manfully and well to the last editorial he ever penned. It is hefitting in closing this memoir of a truly prominent and good man, to quote the resolutions passed by the
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Indiana Republican Editorial Association which convened at Indianapolis in 1909, which read as follows :
"Samuel B. Davis, one of the pioneer members of the Indiana Republi- can Editorial Association, and after an experience of more than forty years in the newspaper business, being the editor of the Hoosier State, published at Newport, Indiana, died at his home April 2, 1908. He was an active, energetic and enthusiastic man, though an invalid as a result of injuries re- ceived while a soldier in the Civil war. He was a good citizen, a forceful writer and lived a life consistent with good citizenship; therefore, be it
"Resolved, that we cherish his memory and have a high appreciation of his ability as a newspaper man, one who expressed his convictions in words in which there was no guile, and we hereby express our regrets over the loss of so valuable a member as he.
"Resolved, that these resolutions he spread upon the minutes of this association and that a copy be furnished the family of the bereaved."
HENRY ADAMSON.
A profound professional knowledge, apt intellectual training and the possession and utilization of the attributes and characteristics essential to success, have made Henry Adamson eminent in his chosen calling, and he has long ranked among the enterprising and successful lawyers in a com- munity noted for the high order of its legal talent, while at the same time he has won the confidence and esteem of the people of Vermillion county and vicinity for his upright life and genial disposition, and he is regarded as one of the most promising of our younger attorneys.
Mr. Adamson was born at Fontanette, Vigo county, Indiana, Septem- ber 21, 1885. He is a son of Elijah H. and Mary B. (Porter) Adamson, the father born November 5. 1849. in Indiana, and is now residing in Clin- ton ; the mother was born August 11, 1854, in Illinois ; she, too, is still living. These parents were married July 11, 1875. Elijah Adamson has devoted his life to mechanical engineering and has worked at a number of different mines. His family consisted of four children, three of whom are still living, namely: Louise married Carl Balmer. who is the owner of a garage in Clinton; Maude is at home : Henry, of this review ; and John, who was the eldest child, is deceased.
Henry Adamson received his early education in the common schools,
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from which he was graduated in 1903, then entered the Indiana Law School, where he made rapid progress, and he was admitted to the bar in 1904. He began the practice of his profession at Clinton with D. C. Johnson, under the firm name of Johnson & Adamson, which was continued with much suc- cess for a period of five years, being dissolved in the spring of 1909, Mr. Adamson opening an office in May of that year by himself and has con- tinued to practice alone, his clientele ever growing until he has become one of the leading members of the local bar among the younger set of lawyers. A bright future is predicted for him, for he keeps well abreast of the times in all that pertains to his chosen vocation and possesses by nature the quali- ties that go to make the successful lawyer.
Mr. Adamson was married on October 4, 1906, to Edna M. Crane, daughter of James Crane, a well known Clinton druggist. She was born January 28, 1885, in Vermillion county, Indiana. Her mother was known in her maidenhood as Mary B. Odell. Mrs. Adamson grew to womanhood in her native community and received a good education in the local schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Adamson have been born three children, namely: James Henry, born January 29, 1908; Lloyd Carlton, July 31, 1909, and Mary Elizabeth, born October 12, 1912.
Fraternally, Mr. Adamson belongs to the Masonic order at Clinton, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Terre Haute. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically he is a Republi- can and is active in local party affairs. He has been city attorney of Clinton for two years, also attorney for Vermillion county for two years, serving in each capacity in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned.
HAROLD A. HENDERSON.
The bar of Parke county has an able representative in the person of Harold A. Henderson, junior member of the widely known firm of Hunt & Henderson, of Rockville. While yet young in years he has made his in- fluence felt in his town and county and has shown what determination, per- sistency and energy can accomplish in early life, and, judging from his past splendid record, the future must necessarily hold much of good and promise in store for him,
Mr. Henderson was born at Vincennes, Indiana, December 3. 1880. He is the son of George B. and Ella (Adams) Henderson, both natives of
1
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Indiana, the father of Knox county and the mother of Parke county. They grew to maturity, were educated and married in their native state and here spent their lives, both being now deceased. The Hendersons are of Scotch- Irish ancestry. George B. Henderson was a farmer and he moved to Parke county when his son Harold A. was one year old, locating in Washington township, where he established a good home, developed a productive farm and continued to reside there until his death, August 30, 1910. He took an interest in public affairs and was trustee of Washington township for a period of four years. Religiously, he was a Presbyterian, and an active worker in the Bethany Presbyterian church, of which he was a member. During the Civil war he was a private in Company I. Thirty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, being the youngest member of his company, but he per- formed his duty while at the front with as much courage and gallantry as any veteran in his company and regiment. Politically, he was a stanch Re- publican. The mother of the subject of this sketch died on November 18, 1896. They were the parents of two children, Harold A. and Dwight J., who lives in Horton, Kansas, where he is superintendent of the government Indian school.
Harold .\. Henderson grew to manhood on his father's farm and there assisted with the general work of the farm. He received his primary edu- cation in the country schools and at the academy at Bloomingdale, and com- pleted his junior year at the Valparaiso law school. He studied law in the office of Puett & McFaddin, and was, in August, 1903, admitted to the bar. When but a youth he was an active worker in public affairs and, in 1906, when twenty-five years old, he was elected auditor of Parke county, the duties of which office he discharged for a period of four years in a manner that reflected credit upon himself. He has always been loyal to the tenets of the Republican party.
On January 1, 1911, Mr. Henderson formed a partnership with Elwood Hunt in the practice of law in Rockville and he has forged ahead until he has taken his place among the leaders of the local bar and, with Mr. Hunt, enjoys a large and constantly growing business.
Mr. Henderson was married to Sarah Katherine Strouse, daughter of Isaac R. and Juliet V. Strouse, their wedding occurring on June 12, 1907. Mrs. Henderson, who was a woman of charming personality, and who pos- sessed a brilliant intellect, died on April 28, 1912, leaving one child, John Jacob Henderson.
Mr. Henderson has probably as large an acquaintance throughout Parke county as any other citizen. Possessed of an aggressive nature and with a
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natural aptitude for politics, he is regarded as one of the strong leaders of the Republican party in Parke county. He has a splendid and loyal follow- ing. He is well acquainted over the fifth congressional district and has many warm friends throughout the state, and is a familiar figure at the county and district conventions of his party. Mr. Henderson gives the same energy in behalf of his clients and is possessed of a strong determination. He is known as a good fighter in court as well as politics. Mr. Henderson is a man of wide reading and information upon historical, political and economic topics. He has the qualities of a clear and impressive speaker, and on occasions displays genuine eloquence. Although his aggressive dis- position has naturally created enemies, withal he has a host of loyal friends that always have stayed stanch and true. Mr. Henderson regards loyalty in friendship as one of the cardinal principles.
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