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 49
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 49
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ELWOOD HUNT.
Selecting the law as his profession, Elwood Hunt, of Rockville, In- diana, has by his devotion to business made himself what he is today, a thorough lawyer of the "Old School." He is a safe counsellor and one of the leading reliable attorneys of the Rockville bar, of which he is one of the oldest and most highly honored members. He has had a business and pro- fessional experience of nearly fifty years and, being of a studious nature and temperate habits and having kept well abreast of the times in all that per- tains to his vocation, is still actively engaged in the practice. He has a judi- cial bent of mind and is so well bedded in the basic principles of the law that his ready and correct conclusions come as if by intuition. He is a logical pleader and strongest when discussing the legal phases of his case and be- cause of these traits has often been called upon to act as special judge in his home and other counties. He has been solicited to run, but has never been a candidate for a judicial office. He has ever been a man of patriotic impulses and ready to assist in any forward movement for the general good of his country and he is one of the honored veterans of the war of the Re- bellion, having while yet a mere boy fought gallantly for the perpetuation of the Union.
Mr. Hunt was born in Sugar Creek township, Parke county, Indiana, April 11. 1844. His parents were William and Nancy (McMasters) Hunt. The father was a native of Guilford county, North Carolina, while the mother was a native of Randolph county, that state, and there they spent
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their earlier years. The family is of English and Scotch descent. The paternal grandfather, Zimri Hunt, was also a native of North Carolina, from which state he came overland to Parke county, Indiana, among the first settlers and here began life in a typical pioneer fashion, locating on Mill creek, in Sugar Creek township. Grandfather McMasters was also a native of North Carolina and one of the early settlers of Parke county, who located on Sugar creek, in Penn township. They were both farmers and took an active interest in the affairs of their neighborhoods. The father of the subject devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, where he became a sub- stantial and well known citizen. He was an active member of the United Brethren church, later joining the Methodist church and he was especially interested in school work, doing much for the betterment of schools in his township and he assisted in building one of the first school houses in that township, which building was of logs. He figured prominently in the early development of the material, civic and moral life of Parke county, especially Sugar Creek township. His death occurred in 1880, at the age of sixty- nine. His widow surviving twenty-nine years longer, reached the advanced age of ninety, passing away in 1909. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are living at this writing, namely: Mrs. J. N. McCampbell, of Rockville; Dr. C. E. Hunt, of Eldorado, Kansas; Mrs. Ermina Jones, of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Mary O. Mehaffey, of Klamath Falls. Ore- gon, and Elwood, of this sketch.
Elwood Hunt grew to manhood on the home farm in Sugar Creek town- ship, where he assisted with the general work and attended the common schools of that township. He enlisted in the Federal army September I, 1862, when he was eighteen years old, becoming a member of Company ., Eighty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Col. John P. Baird, and he served faithfully until in June. 1863, when he was discharged on ac- count of a gunshot wound, received in the battle of Thompson's Station, Tennessee, March 5, 1863. Returning home from the army, Mr. Hunt at- tended Bloomingdale and Waveland Academies and Asbury (now De Pauw ) University.
He began life for himself by teaching school, teaching three terms in Indiana and one in Illinois. He was a successful teacher, but he turned his attention to the law, having a natural bent in that direction, and coming to Rockville on August 1, '1868, he resumed the study of law in the office of James T. Johnson. In the fall of that year he was appointed deputy clerk of the circuit court of Parke county, in which capacity he served for two years and in 1870 was elected recorder of such county for a term of four
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years. He declined a re-election in order to devote his attention to the prac- tice of law, which he has continued with ever-growing success until the pres- ent time, enjoying a liberal patronage and ranking as one of the leaders of the bar in his native county, maintaining a busy office in Rockville and being now the senior member of the well known and active firm of Hunt & Hen- derson.
Mr. Hunt was married in Rockville, August 18, 1870, to Emma Har- greaves, who was born in Halifax, England, April 2, 1854. She was the daughter of Henry and Hannah (Farrar) Hargreaves, both natives of Eng- land, the father having been born at Huddersfield and the mother at Hali- fax. He died in Rockville in 1900 and she in 1903. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Hunt, namely: Leta, wife of John T. Walker, of Rockville, Indiana ; Ada, deceased: Ola, wife of Henry H. Sim- ler, of New York City ; Jewell, wife of Frank E. Strouse, of Rockville ; Neil, wife of Daniel D. Jones, of Indianapolis; Edna. deceased; Harry H., of Rockville; Allen E., deceased, and William L., of Rockville.
Mr. Hunt and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Rockville and he belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Hunt was formerly a Republican and actively affiliated with that party for about twenty years after the war, when he became dissatisfied with its money and tariff policies and since 1896 has affiliated with the Bryan element of the Democratic party, having supported Woodrow Wilson for President. He is not, however, bound to any political party and exercises the privilege of voting for the men and measures of his choice without re- gard to party or past affiliations.
JOHN S. McFADDIN.
A man who has all the qualities which go to the making of the desirable and conscientious member of the community is John S. McFaddin, of Rock- ville. He is known to be a man of high attainments and practical ability as a lawyer, and as one who has achieved success in his profession because he has worked for it persistently and in channels of honest endeavor. His pres- tige at the bar of Parke county stands in evidence .of his ability and like- wise serves as a voucher for intrinsic worth of character. He has used his intellect to the best purpose, has directed his energies along legitimate courses, and his career has been based upon the wise assumption that nothing
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save industry, perseverance, sturdy integrity and fidelity to duty will lead to success.
Mr. McFaddin was born in Rockville, Indiana, May 21, 1869. He is a scion of one of our worthiest old pioneer families, being a son of Isaac and Ruth (Curl) (Denman) McFaddin, the father a native of Lexington, Rock- ford county, Virginia, and the mother was born in Parke county, Indiana, of North Carolina stock. Isaac McFaddin was a carpenter and contractor and he came to Parke county in the fall of 1865. He had previously lived in the state of Arkansas and during the Civil war served from that state in the Confederate army .. He married in 1868. He is still living in Rockville, making his home with the subject, John S. McFaddin, being advanced in years, having celebrated his eighty-second birthday, March 14, 1912. He was in his prime one of the leading house contractors in Parke county, erect- ing many of the buildings in and around Rockville, and was actively identi- fied with the upbuilding of this locality in its history of forty years ago. He is one of the oldest Odd Fellows in Indiana, having been a member for sixty-one years. The mother of the subject had previously married Isaac Denman, whose father was a prominent preacher. She had one son, Isaac W. Denman, an insurance agent of Marshall, Parke county, by her first mar- riage. The father of the subject had also been previously married, his first wife having been Esther East, which union resulted in the birth of one child, Mrs. Alice Berry, of Lexington, Virginia. The death of Mrs. Isaac Mc- Faddin occurred on June 17, 1881.
John S. McFaddin grew to manhood in his native town, and he received his early educational training in the local public schools, being graduated from the Rockville high school May 7. 1887. He then entered Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Indiana, from which institution he was graduated with the class of June 17, 1891, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science. and a few years ago that college honored Mr. McFaddin by conferring upon him the degree of Master of Arts.
Early in life he decided upon a legal career and he bent every effort to properly fit himself for the same, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1892, and at once began practice. He read law with Samuel D. Puett dur- ing and after his college days and formed a partnership with him under the firm name of Puett, Adams & McFaddin on January 1, 1893. This firm became Puett & McFaddin on January 1, 1895. Mr. Adams having retired. The last mentioned firm continued until Mr. Puett's death. in May, 1907. and on June Ioth of that year Mr. McFaddin formed a partnership with Howard Maxwell, which has continued to the present time and is one of the
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best known and busiest firms in western Indiana, as well as one of the most successful.
Mr. McFaddin was county attorney from 1897 to 1900, was a member of the school board for seven years, and is now president of the board, holding the present appointment from the Republican town board. He was his party's candidate for prosecuting attorney in 1896 and carried the county, which is strongly Republican, by five votes. He was nominated for judge in 1904 and lost his home county by only one vote, this being the forty- seventh judicial circuit. In August, 1909, Judge G. Rheuby resigned and Governor Marshall offered Mr. McFaddin the appointment, which he de- clined. As a public servant he has ever been faithful and energetic, dis- charging his duties in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned, irrespective of party align- ment. He has always been an uncompromising Democrat and is a potent factor in local party affairs. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention at Baltimore in 1912, and in the three preceding state conven- tions was a member of the committee on resolutions and helped make the platforms.
The domestic life of Mr. McFaddin began on January 15, 1896, when he was united in marriage to Cora A. Mehurien, of Bloomingdale, Parke county, Indiana. where her people have long been well known and highly esteemed. She is a lady of many commendable attributes and is popular with a wide circle of friends. This union has been graced by the birth of four children, namely: John M., born July 31, 1897; Hugh and Howard, twins, born May 14, 1900; Martha Jean, born August 25. 1904.
Fraternally, Mr. McFaddin belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Im- proved Order of Red Men, the encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen, also the Masonic order, having at- tained the thirty-second degree in the same, and he also holds membership in the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a Pres- byterian by affiliation and ancestry. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi at Wabash College. He is one of the charter members of the Shakespeare Club. a literary club of Rockville, which was organized twenty years ago.
Mr. McFaddin has taken a very active interest in the local schools and was a member of the board when the present excellent high school building was erected .. He was for years a member of the state executive committee of the Democratic party. He has taken an active interest in having gravel roads built in Rockville and Parke county. He is deserving of the title of the most progressive citizen of Rockville and his aid has ever been readily
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extended in the furtherance of any movement having as its object the up- building of the city and county in any way. As a lawyer he easily stands in the front rank, being profoundly versed in the basic principles of jurispru- dence, has remained a profound student of all phases of his profession. kept advised on the newest statutes of his state and he takes infinite pains in the preparation of cases, always looking after the interests of his clients as he would his own, and never goes into court without being fully prepared. He is a painstaking, persistent and cautious advocate and before the court or a jury he is logical, convincing, always much in earnest, and in pleading an important case he is not infrequently truly eloquent. Judging from the past successes and honors that have come to him, the future augurs much of promise, both in a professional and political way, for him. He came up from the ranks, is one of the common people, has known what hard work meant all his life, for when young he assisted his father as a carpenter, and when a boy worked on the Rockville Eagle, for very little remuneration ; but he has always been willing to do anything honorable in order to learn and to ad- vance himself. He has been very successful in a business way and is the owner of a finely improved and valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres three miles southeast of Rockville. He is president of the Parke Hotel Company, and is one of the trustees of the handsome new opera house at Rockville.
JAMES M. WHITTINGTON.
The greater number of the citizens of Indiana are farmers and tillers of the soil. The state is one of the foremost farming states in the Union, and its farmers are among the most progressive. To their enterprise and spirit, as well as the excellent natural advantages of soil and climate, is due the high position which their state holds. Among the farmers of Parke county who have done much along scientific lines to increase production and fertility, and whose efforts have brought to them material success, is James M. Whittington, a young man, but one of the most prominent farmers of his community, the worthy representative of a family all of whose members are respected.
James M. Whittington was born in Illinois on May 23, 1872, the son of Joshua L. and Cynthia E. (Alexander) Whittington. Joshua L. Whit- tington was born in Kentucky and his wife is a native of West Virginia. When about twenty years old, Joshua Whittington came to Indiana and
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began farming. Later he removed to Illinois, still following farming. but after a time returned to Parke county, Indiana. In 1900 he moved to a farm near Cayuga, Indiana, where he now resides. Five of his seven chil- dren are now living. Joshua Whittington is a man of strong and sturdy character, who has merited the respect of his neighbors in whatever com- munity he has lived.
James M. Whittington attended the common schools in Illinois, and returned with his parents to Parke county, Indiana. He early took up farm- ing, and has always been greatly interested in the practical aspects of mak- ing it pay as much as possible for the labor applied and money invested. In 1901 he was married to Alma Williams, the daughter of Daniel C. and Armilda (Grimes) Williams, her father being one of the old and esteemed veterans of the Civil war and a large landholder in this county. To this marriage were born three children, Donald, Carrie and Dwight, who, bright and active, make life happy for their parents. Mr. Whittington has not taken a prominent part in politics and has never cared to hold public office. In religion he is a Baptist and takes part in all church activities. He is a man well liked by his neighbors and one who is depended upon as always doing his full share in every community enterprise.
WILLIAM A. BOWSHER.
One of the most prominent men in Liberty township, Parke county, Indiana, is William A. Bowsher, who is a representative of one of the fine old families who came to this state when the country was in its natural un- tamed condition, and have built up not only their own homes, but cities, and made Indiana one of the best states in the Union. These men introduced agriculture on a small scale, but their work was chiefly one of clearing the ground and making homes. Their sons gave more attention to the farms, and cultivation of the ground became more extensive. The next generation extended the holdings, and introduced some new methods, and these who now hold the ground have made farming a science, built modern homes on their land, and are indeed kings of the soil, descended from a royal line.
William A. Bowsher's great-grandfather, Jacob Bowsher, came from Ohio to this state, when it was first opened up, and faced all the trials and hardships of the new country. His son, Joseph Bowsher, was a native of Parke county and did his work building up the country about the Wolfe place. Joseph Bowsher was the father of John N., who was born in Reserve
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township, Parke county. He married Margaret Huxford, and they were the parents of William A. Bowsher.
William A. Bowsher was born October 20, 1875, in Liberty township, Parke county, Indiana. He and his two sisters, Margaret and Miranda, and his brother, Joseph, lived a happy life on the old farm, and incidentally learned many lessons in their work, in addition to the education received from the common schools and at Bloomingdale Academy. He took up farming after finishing school, and is still working on his farm in Liberty township. On October 14, 1897, he married Clare E. Kitchen, the daugh- ter of George and Margaret Kitchen. They were natives of Ohio, having come to Indiana, where they lived in Parke county for a short time, and re- turning to Ohio, where they now reside. William A. and Clare Bowsher have one child, W. Ward Bowsher, who is living at home.
As he now has thirty acres of fine bottom land, Mr. Bowsher is still engaged in mixed farming. He has been quite successful and owns some of the most highly cultivated land in Parke county. His interests, however, are not limited to his farm, and he has given liberally of his time and at- tention in the affairs of his community. Mr. Bowsher is well known in the country around Liberty township for his honesty and integrity and is highly respected by his friends and neighbors. He held a position on the advisory board for four years, and his voice is still influential in all public enterprises. Mr. Bowsher is young, progressive and energetic, and is an asset in the public welfare of Parke county. He is a member of the Free.and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 559, at Sylvania, and is one of the most active members in that place. His influence will undoubtedly make an unmistakable impres- sion on the life of his township and county.
WILLIAM B. GILLUM.
One of the most prominent figures in the history of Parke county, In- diana, is William B. Gillum, who has been looked up to in that part of In- diana as a man of sound judgment and unprejudiced justice. He has been very successful and retired from business several years ago, and now lives in the village of Sylvania in Liberty township.
Mr. Gillum was born near Harveysburg, Fountain county, June 23, 1847, and is the son of Osborn and Emmaline (Sowers) Gillum. His father was a native of North Carolina, and came to this state when it was
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still young, settling in Orange county. Later he moved to Fountain county, where he bought a farm and lived there the rest of his days. He had eight children, five of whom are still living. William B. Gillum spent his early life on his father's farm, attending the common schools in Fountain county, and later the Bloomingdale Academy for two terms. After leaving the academy he taught school for three years. The life of a teacher did not appeal to Mr. Gillum as being active enough, and he soon returned to Syl- vania, Parke county, and entered the general merchandise business in 1873. He was very successful in his business career, being well known for his honesty and integrity, and in his case virtue reaped her reward. In 1908, he retired from business, at the age of sixty.
William B. Gillum was married in 1874 to Jennie Richardson, the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Richardson, of Vermillion county, In- diana, who came from Pennsylvania to this state when the country was only thinly settled. William B. and Jennie Gillum had two children, both of whom are still living. Chloe A. was married to C. C. Jackson, who is prominent as commisarius for the Arkadelphia Lumber Company and they live at Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Harry Gaston is living in Sylvania, Indiana. and is attending Henderson Brown College at Arkadelphia. Arkansas. Mr. Gillum's first wife died in 1902, at the age of forty-five years. He was mar- ried again. in December. 1903. to Laura Drummond Laughlin, daughter of Joseph W. and Mary (Cummings) Drummond. Mr. Drummond was a native of Ohio and Mrs. Drummond was a native of Virginia.
Mr. Gillum's activities have not been confined to his own interests, for he has taken part in every movement for the common good in that part of . the country for almost half a century and has served the community in many ways. For many years he was a notary public. He served as justice of the peace for one term, four years, and every case that came before him received his careful attention, gaining for him the confidence and good will of law- abiding citizens. Mr. Gillum became very popular in Liberty township and held the position of township trustee for two terms. He is a Republican, and has not only considered it his duty to serve the community when he has held some particular office, but has given his efforts to every good cause which has needed an energetic and earnest partisan.
Although Mr. Gillum has retired from active business, he is keenly alive to all of the movements of the day, and his judgment is sought and his advice followed by many who know that he has made a success in his own life, and helped others by a kind heart, restrained and governed only by a just and unprejudiced attitude toward his friends and neighbors.
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JOHN S. PICKARD.
Among the few men of today who live in Parke county, Indiana, who can boast of active service in the Civil war is John S. Pickard, of Sugar Creek township, who has long been one of the prominent men in that dis- trict, esteemed for his public service in times of peace, as well as in those bloody four years upon which our country still looks with sorrow. He is one of the most successful farmers in that part of the country and has also found time to give to the public, when they have called upon him.
John S. Pickard was born in Liberty township, Parke county, Indiana, July 30, 1831. His father was Isaac W. and his mother Sarah G. ( Ephlin ) Pickard. They were both born in North Carolina, and came to this state in 1829, taking up farming and following this life until their death. He was an ordained minister of the United Brethren church and one of the most active pioneer preachers of this section of the state. They had eleven chil- dren : Eliza J. is dead; Amanda M. was the third child: Sarah C., the fourth: Semira Ann is dead; William was the sixth child; Samantha is dead; then followed Mary Elmira, Isaac A., Dririnda M., and Martha E., who is dead.
John S. Pickard is the second child. He was educated in the common schools of Indiana, spending his vacations working on the farm and building up a physique which withstood even the strain of the war. As soon as he finished school Mr. Pickard took up farming and was at the plow when called for the service to the Union in 1861. He enlisted in Company K. Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Cumberland. Among the engagements in which he took part, the first was the battle of Helena, the last the battle of Mark's Mills, where the regiment was captured. He was mustered out in October, 1864, after faithful and active service, and went home again like so many of our heroes to take up farming again.
In 1854 John S. Pickard married Rosabell Wilkins, the daughter of George and Icy (Thomas) Wilkins, who were early settlers in Parke county, coming here in 1828 and settling on a farm. Mrs. Pickard died in May, 1907, at the age of seventy years. They had six children, Adora, Isaac W., Icy and John S. are still living; Michael H. and Alice R. Pickard are dead. Mr. Pickard has always been very popular in his community, and for eight years he held the position of township assessor of Sugar Creek township, his honesty, sterling integrity, justice and industry being recognized by all of his friends and neighbors. Mr. Pickard is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Sylvania, Indiana, and is a member of the Universalist
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