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 53
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 53
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Mr. Walter began life as an engineer, starting at hoisting when about eighteen years of age and he has since advanced steadily in his chosen field, and is at this writing engineer for Crown Hill Mine No. 6, Clinton township, which position he has held for the past two years, the manifold duties of which he has discharged most faithfully and acceptably to the owners, keeping everything in first class shape and looking after their interests as if they were his own. He has saved his money and owns his own neat home in West Clinton. Politically, he is a Progressive, and fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 217, at Clinton, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 356, also at Clinton.
JOHN WATTERS.
Throughout the mining districts of Vermillion county are to be found many who claim as their native land the bonny heaths of Scotland. All who are conversant with their work and habits of life will agree that there are no better or more trustworthy men following the mines here, for they are most willing workers, are quick of perception and can be depended upon at all times. They are known to be people who do well whatever they attempt and they who have chosen mining as their life work have taken all possible pains to learn it thoroughly and to keep well up-to-date all the while.
Among this number deserving special mention here is John Watters, who
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holds the responsible position of mine boss of Crown Hill Mine No. 5, in Clinton township, one of the best and largest mines in the district. He was born in Scotland, December 30, 1857, and is a son of James and Jennet (Fer- geson) Watters, natives of Scotland, in which country they grew up, were married and spent their earlier lives, and from there they came to America in 1879, locating at Clay City, Indiana, where the father followed the mines, and there his death occurred some time ago. The mother of the subject is still living, having now attained the ripe old age of seventy-five years. She makes her home with the subject and his brother James.
Three children were born to James Watters and wife, namely: John, subject of this sketch; James, Jr., who lives in Clinton township, Vermillion county ; Mary, who married Ebenezer Dick, of Coalmont, Indiana.
John Watters came to America in 1878, a year before his father came. He landed in Quebec, Canada, but later came on to Braidwood, Illinois, where he remained some time, then came to Clay county, Indiana, and from there to Clinton, Vermillion county, about 1909, and here he has since remained. Early in life he began following the mines and this he has continued, being at this writing boss of Crown Hill Mine No. 5, in Clinton township, this county. It is two years old, is one hundred and eighty feet deep, with a capacity of thir- teen hundred tons daily. It is equipped to handle two thousand tons daily, and one hundred and forty men are employed. It is one of the best and most valuable mines in Vermillion county. Mr. Watters is responsible for the entire working of this mine, below ground. He has everything under a superb system and the daily work is carried out without a hitch. He carefully in- spects whatever pertains to the mine, taking air measurements once a week, as the law prescribes, and keeps everything in first class condition.
Fraternally, Mr. Watters is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, of Clay City, Indiana, and of the Knights of Pythias. He has remained un- married.
FRANK P. CRISTY.
Early in life Frank P. Cristy was taught a valuable lesson and that was to do well whatever he attempted and that has been, no doubt, the secret of his success in life, and that is the reason that he is today in charge of one of the best and most extensive mines in the Vermillion district, where he is giv- ing the utmost satisfaction, for he has everything under a superb system.
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Mr. Cristy was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, June 6, 1854, the son of John and Mary Ann ( Black) Cristy. The father was born in the same county and state as was the subject and there he lived until 1873, when he came to Brazil, Indiana, and established the future home of the family, which consisted of six children, namely : Sarah Ann, Isaiah and William E., all live at Mineral City, Ohio; Jemima is deceased; Jeremiah is also deceased; Frank P., of this sketch; Clara was the youngest in order of birth.
John Cristy was married a second time, and one child was born of the last union, Etta. The death of John Cristy occurred at Brazil when sixty years of age.
Frank P. Cristy received his education in the common schools, and upon reaching manhood he was united in marriage to Emma Rosa Belle Williams, on April 7, 1875, daughter of Nathan and Mary ( Ballard) Williams. To the subject and wife one child has been born, Pearl, who married M. B. Scott, of Clinton, Indiana.
Mr. Cristy has followed the mines all his life, and he is now mine boss of J. K. Deering Mine No. 2, which has a depth of one hundred and sixty-four feet and a capacity of eight hundred tons daily. Mr. Cristy opened this mine in August, 1908, and there has never been an accident of any kind in it. It is regarded as practically a new mine. Mr. Christy has managed the same in a manner that has reflected much credit upon his ability and to the entire satis- faction of all concerned, for he understands thoroughly every phase of the mining business, having kept well up to date in all that pertains to this line of endeavor, and he keeps everything under close observation, taking no chances and running no risks of any kind.
Mr. Cristy is a member of the Presbyterian church.
WILLIAM DEVONALD.
Although Wales, is a small country and much of it is so rugged that it cannot be inhabited, yet she has produced a sturdy, splendid race of people, large numbers of whom, failing to find proper opportunities there, have come to the United States and have here become worthy and successful citizens, being law-abiding, thrifty and honest, so that we have always welcomed them and given them such advantages as were appreciated and made the most of by them. One of this band is William Devonald, well known in the mining sec-
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tion of Vermillion county, a man who has benefited alike himself and us dur- ing his residence of nearly a quarter of a century in this locality.
Mr. Devonald was born in Wales, March 10, 1856, and is a son of Tini- othy and Dorothy (Davis) Devonald, both natives of Wales, in which country they grew up, were married and there established their permanent home. The fatlier, who was a skilled veterinary surgeon, spent his entire life in that coun- try, practicing his profession up to the time of his death, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, in January, 1910. The mother of the subject is still living in Wales, being now advanced in years.
William Devonald grew to manhood in Wales and received his schooling there. In 1887, when thirty-one years of age, he left his native heath and crossed the great Atlantic to America, landing at the city of Philadelphia. From there he came west to Brazil, Indiana, then went to Caseyville, that state, later going to Rosedale, from which town he came to Clinton, Ver- million county, in 1889. He followed the mines in various capacities until 1893. when he took up the shale business, which he followed with success until 1909. when he returned to the mines and has continued in this line of endeavor to the present time. He is at this writing mine boss of Oakhill Mine No. I, which position he is filling to the utmost satisfaction of his em- ployers. He is responsible for the entire working of the mine.
Mr. Devonald was married in Wales in 1886 to Given Jones, daughter of John and Cecelia Jones, both of whom are deceased. They spent their lives in Wales, of which they were natives. Mr. Jones was engaged in the butcher business. To the subject and wife four children have been born, namely : David Higgon and Dorothy, both at home, and two children who died in childhood.
FRED ALFRED GREGG.
The gentleman whose name introduces this review is a worthy descendant of two of the excellent old families of the middle West, and he seems to have inherited from these sterling ancestors many of the personal traits of character that win in the great battle of life which each must fight according to his en- vironment and the way in which Fate is pleased to dictate. Fred Alfred Gregg, well known throughout the mining district of Vermillion county, has, while yet a young man, succeeded in making an admirable start. He was born in Vermillion county. Indiana. September 26, 1882, and is a son of John
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E. and Miriam (Lewis) Gregg, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother of Ohio. John E. Gregg grew up in the Blue Grass state and there spent his earlier years, finally coming to Parke county, Indiana, where he es- tablished the permanent home of the family. He devoted his life to agricul- tural pursuits. He enlisted in 1863 in the Seventy-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry and while a member of the same was captured. After his release he re-enlisted in Company K, Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served over two years, or until the close of the war, being mustered out in June, 1865, at Indianapolis, Indiana. After his discharge from capture he re- joined his first regiment, but was discharged on account of sickness. It was upon his recovery that he went into another regiment.
Eight children were born to John E. Gregg and wife, namely : Minnie, Alice, William, Marvin, Fred A., of this sketch: Jessie, Fernie and Marcus are both deceased.
The death of John E. Gregg occurred on April 22, 1911, at the age of sixty-six years. His widow is still living near Dana, Indiana, being now sixty-seven years old.
Fred A. Gregg grew up on his father's farm and there worked when a boy. He received his education in the public schools of his community. On February 26, 1912, he was united in marriage to Essie Hays, daughter of Perry and Ida Hays.
Mr. Gregg is top boss of the J. K. Deering Mine, No. 3 Klondike, which has a depth of three hundred feet, and is equipped to handle two thousand tons of coal daily. The shaft was sunk in 1898. He has given eminent sat- isfaction in this responsible position. understanding well every phase of coal mining.
Fraternally, Mr. Gregg is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically he is a Progressive.
GEORGE W. STULTZ.
One of the most progressive agriculturists and stock men of Vermillion county is George W. Stultz, who has spent practically all of his life in his home community, believing that here existed better opportunities than could be found elsewhere, and he has ever had at heart the interests of his county which he has sought to aid in any way he could. Thus, while laboring to
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advance his own interests, he has done much toward promulgating the civic, industrial and moral tone of the community. Among other things he has helped develop the coal industry here. His career has been one of hard work and integrity, consequently he is deserving of the respect in which he is held by everyone.
Mr. Stultz was born in Clinton township, Vermillion county, Indiana, October 29, 1841, and he is a son of Solomon and Zena Ann ( Groves) Stultz. The father was born in Virginia, from which state he came to Vermillion county, Indiana, as early as 1830, when the country was practically a wilder- ness and settlers were few. He located the permanent home of the family in Clinton township. In that place and on that year, George Stultz, the paternal grandfather of the subject, also located. He too was born in Virginia, and he brought the father of the subject here when he was fifteen years of age. He had the following children: Moses is deceased; Solomon, father of the subject ; Joseph and Lucinda are both deceased; Elizabeth lives in Edgar county, Illinois; Polly Ann, deceased; James and Melinda are both deceased. The father of the above named children devoted his life to farming, and he became well known to the early settlers of this county, and here he developed a good farm by hard work and persistent application, and on that place Solomon Stultz, mentioned above, grew up and he also devoted his life to farming with success.
George W. Stultz, of this sketch, grew up on the home place and there he assisted with the general work when a boy, and he received his education in the schools of his township, which was very limited; in fact, he did not attend school but about six months, having been compelled to go to work for a livelihood when but a boy. He went to Clinton one month and there learned more than during all the rest of his boyhood. However, he became an educated man, for he has always been a wide reader and a close observer. He began life for himself by working by the month at twelve dollars per month. On October 25, 1863, he was married to Sarah Clark, daughter of James and Serena ( Bright) Clark, she being one of five children, namely : Joseph is deceased; Sarah, wife of Mr. Stultz: Cordella, who married John J. Martin : James, who lives in Clinton township, this county : Susan Ellen was the youngest. The father of the above named children came from Ohio in a very early day and purchased one hundred and sixty acres from a gentleman who had entered it from the government, and he followed farming during his life time. This farm is now owned by the subject of this sketch, he being the possessor of the original deed and the third owner from the
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government. Eight children have been born to Mr. Stultz and wife, namely : Louis M. and Charles .\. are deceased; the third died in infancy ; Samuel C. married Tillie T. Neth; Lawrence E. is deceased; the next child died in infancy ; Lena Ellen is deceased : George R. married Pearl Teal and they live in the town of Clinton.
George W. Stultz has followed farming all his life and is still actively engaged; however, he now rents his place and devotes his attention mainly to the coal mining industry, in which he has been very successful, being the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of coal land. and there are two large mines on his farm, Crown Hill Nos. I and 3. He leased his coal at so much per ton and does not actively engage in mining it himself. However, he has helped develop the coal of this locality. He has been most successful in a business way and has laid by a handsome competency for his declining years. He was township trustee for four years, from 1882 to 1886. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Immediately upon the commencement of the Civil war Mr. Stultz offered his services to the Federal government, enlisting in Company H, Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in April. 1861, and he served in the Army of the Cumberland, seeing much hard service, but he proved to be a faithful and gallant defender of the Stars and Stripes, no matter how arduous or danger- ous the task assigned. He participated in the battles of Winchester and Harper's Ferry, and other hotly contested engagements. He was honorably discharged in Washington, D. C. He is a member of the P. R. Owen Post. Grand Army of the Republic, at Clinton, and takes much interest in the same.
LEONIDAS DRAKE.
For a period of thirty years Leonidas Drake has labored with pronounced success among the people of Vermillion county and during that time he has won a host of friends here by his industry, honesty and public spirited acts. He is well known throughout this locality and is prominent in fraternal and social affairs.
Mr. Drake was born in Paulding county, Ohio, April 4. 1866, and he is a son of John and Corintha (Chapman) Drake, both natives of the state of New York, being early settlers in Paulding county. Ohio. Grandmother
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Elmira ( Ellis) Chapman was one of the first settlers in the last named locality, the family having been compelled to make their own roads in penetrating into Paulding county, the country at that time being a wilderness and the home of Indians and but few white people.
Leonidas Drake was the eldest son of a family of three, the other two being, Arminda, who married Edward McMahan, of Noblesville, Indiana. She was a school teacher before marriage, and had the honor of being the youngest person in Indiana ever receiving a teacher's license. Lecta Elmira maried Ripley Craig, a coal miner of Clinton, Indiana. John Drake was a well known timber contractor, shipping timber all over the country. His death occurred in 1879. The mother of the subject died March 4, 1904, at the age of fifty-eight years.
Leonidas Drake received only a meager education in the common schools, and in 1889 he was married to Emma Craig, daughter of Richard and Drexa Craig, early settlers of Vermillion county. Two children were born to the subject and wife, Myrtte, who married Garrett Wooley, of Clinton, Indiana, and Daniel Drake. The subject was married a second time, his last wife being Stella Sweazey, daughter of Richard Sweazey and wife. The wedding occurred in 1897. Two children were also born of this union, Henry and Ethel, both at home.
Mr. Drake came to Vermillion county thirty years ago from Paulding county, Ohio, and he settled in the town of Clinton. He was a photographer and did excellent work, enjoying a good business in that line, which he fol- lowed here for six years, then took up paper hanging and coal mining and is still active as a paper hanger, having long been widely known in this work. He holds the record for the fastest paper hanger in Indiana, having placed one hundred and eleven rolls in seven and one-half hours. In connection with this line he has conducted a grocery store for a number of years and has built up a good patronage in both. He was active as an organizer of the Knights of Labor, and has held all the offices in the United Mine Workers up to the district offices. The Knights of Labor are the same as the United Mine Workers. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Clinton, Uniform Rank, Company 105, of Clinton.
Mr. Drake is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has ac- complished in a business way, he being the only man in Clinton who has developed a good business entirely without assistance, and he has ever been a man of scrupulous honesty and integrity, so that he has ever had the confidence and good will of the people.
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DANA F. WRIGHT.
Among the successful agriculturists of the younger generation of na- tive sons of Vermillion county stands Dana F. Wright, owner of a valuable and carefully tilled farm in Clinton township where he is well known as a husbandman and stock raiser and as a public spirited citizen, a worthy repre- sentative of two of the old and highly honored families of this locality.
Mr. Wright was born in Clinton township, Vermillion county, Indiana, January 30, 1874, and he is a son of Lucius H. and Elizabeth ( Porter) Wright. In early life the father removed to Iowa, where he remained for some time, then moved back to Indiana and devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, settling in Clinton township, Vermillion county, where he re- mained the balance of his life. His family consisted of six children, namely : Jeanette, who married Frank Bumgardner, of Clinton township; Johanna and Lelia both live in Vigo county, this state; Bertha is deceased; Dana F. of this review ; William is deceased.
The father of the above named children was educated in the common schools of Indiana, though his early schooling was interrupted, for he was compelled to go to work when but a boy, he being one of a family of eight children, and he had to assist his father clear and tend the home farm and help make a living for the family. During the Civil war he was a soldier in the Union army, having enlisted in Company C, Eighteenth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, early in the war, and he saw much hard service in the Army of the Cumberland, proving himself a loyal and gallant soldier. The death of Lucius H. Wright occurred on December 13, 1901, at the age of sixty years. His widow is still living, making her home in Vigo county, with her daughter ; she is now sixty-seven years of age.
Dana F. Wright grew to manhood on the home farm and there he as- sisted with the general work about the place when he became of proper age, and he received his education in the common schools, attending the Clinton high school for a short time. After leaving school he took up farming, in which he has since been successfully engaged. He is now the owner of a finely improved and very productive farm of eighty acres in Clinton township. Vermillion county, where he carries on general farming and stock raising and on which he has a very comfortable home and substantial outbuildings.
Mr. 'Wright was married on August 29, 1899, to Glennie Reeder, daughter of Joseph Wesley and Ann Elizabeth Reeder, a highly respected and well known family of this county. A complete history of the Reeder
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family is contained in the sketch of Valzah Reeder, appearing elsewhere in this work. Two children have been born to the subject and wife, namely; Harold E., born October 4, 1901, and Herschel O., born March 9, 1905. They are both at home. Politically, Mr. Wright is a Republican, and in religious matters he belongs to the Methodist church.
BENNIE ERNEST PITMAN.
One of the capable and trustworthy engineers of the Vermillion county mining district is Bennie Ernest Pitman, who has forged to the front in his chosen calling as a result of rightly applied energy and principles. He has not only been a close student, but also a close observer of all that pertains to his vocation, with the result that he has kept up to date and full abreast of the times, always doing his work well and carefully, and never leaving for some one else that which he should do himself.
Mr. Pitman was born in Parke county, Indiana, September 7, 1879, and he is the son of Benjamin F. and Mary E. (Cox) Pitman, the father a native of Parke county. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Pitman, was born in Penn- sylvania, from which state he came direct to Parke county, Indiana, locating in Adams township, where he followed farming the rest of his life. He was among the early settlers there and he developed his place from the woods.
Four children were born to Benjamin F. Pitman and wife, namely : Fred D., who lives in Montgomery county ; Bennie E., of this review: Love Isa is deceased : Claude W. lives in Parke county.
Bennie E. Pitman grew to manhood in his native community and re- ceived his education in the Parke county schools. When but a boy he turned his attention to engineering, which he has followed all his life. He served his apprenticeship at Crawford & McCrimmon's, Brazil, Indiana. He is at present master mechanic at Crown Hill mines Nos. I and 3. Vermillion county, near Clinton, his duties being in full charge of all machinery in both mines. He is responsible for all working parts outside of the electrical department. He makes frequent inspections and must know the condition of all machinery at all times. He has discharged his duty in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of his employers.
Mr. Pitman was married on January 1, 1898, to Hattie L. Cox, daugh- ter of Albert and Mary E. (Rush) Cox, both natives of Vermillion county,
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Indiana. Four children were born to Albert Cox and wife, namely : Pearlie, Charles, Hattie (Mrs. Pitman), and Edith, who is deceased. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pitman, named as follows: Phila, Walter, Cyrus, Hortense and Ernest, all at home.
Fraternally, Mr. Pitman is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Ameri- ca, and in religious matters he belongs to the Christian church.
HENRY FERGUSON.
Inheriting many of the characteristics traits of his sturdy Scotch ances- tery, Henry Ferguson, well known throughout the mining region of Ver- million county, has succeeded at his life work because he has worked hard, persistently and honestly and has always done well whatever he undertook, so that he has always had the confidence of his employers and his associates.
Mr. Ferguson was born in Scotland, January 2, 1864. He is a son of Dougal and Sarah (Campbell) Ferguson, both natives of Scotland, in which country they were reared and married and there spent the major parts of their lives, finally, in 1909, coming to the United States on a visit and while here the father's death occurred at Saginaw, Michigan, at the advanced age of eighty years. The mother passed away in Pennsylvania when seventy years old. They were an honest, hard-working and highly respected old couple who clung to their Scottish traditions and customs to the last. They became the par- ents of nine children, named as follows: John, Annie, Henry, of this sketch ; Archie. James; Mary Jane and Sarah are both deceased; Dougald, and one who died. in infancy.
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