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 54
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 54
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Henry Ferguson grew to manhood in Scotland and received his educa- tional training there. In 1885, when twenty-one years old, he emigrated to America, landing at New York City, and from there he came west to Ishpem- ing. Michigan, where he followed the mines, then went to Streator, Lasalle county, Illinois, where he remained awhile, then came on to Clinton, Indiana. and he has been in the mining business in Vermillion county ever since. He opened Crown Hill Mine No. 5 and made it a success, with a record of an average of one thousand, one hundred and sixty-five tons daily in a year, from the time the shaft was opened. This is indeed a splendid record and indicates that Mr. Ferguson understands thoroughly every phase of the mining business and that he also knows how to handle men and look after every detail of a
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mine. He is at this writing engaged in opening Crown Hill Mine No. 6, of which he is mine boss, and in which capacity he is giving entire satisfaction to his employers, and is regarded by them as ever being entirely trustworthy and capable.
Mr. Ferguson was married in 1892 to Marie Waldron, daughter of John and Nancy (Dailby) Waldron, both natives of Ireland, in which coun- try they grew up and were married, and from there emigrated to America somme fifty years ago and settled at Ishpeming, Michigan, Mr. Waldron having worked for one company all that time. On account of fifty years of faithful service he draws a substantial pension. Two children have been born to Mr. Ferguson and wife, namely : Lawrence and Austin, both at home.
JAMES SHIRKIE.
From the far-away bonny land of heath and bluebell, the land of Burns and Bruce. the land of the thistle and the rose, hails James Shirkie, well known throughout the mining district of Vermillion county. He is the possessor of many of the traits that win, such as his countrymen have always been noted for. Like the typical Scot, he is a man of thrift, persistence, courage and honesty and he has made a success of life since casting his lot with Americans and, while laboring for his advancement and that of his family, has at the same time so conducted himself as to gain and retain the friend- ship of those with whom he has come into contact.
Mr. Shirkie was born in Ayreshire, Scotland, October 31, 1875, and he is a son of Robert and Mary (Thompson) Shirkie, natives of Scotland, in which country they grew up, were married and established their permanent home, but, seeking greater opportunities for himself and family, he emi- grated to the United States in 1884 when the subject was nine years of age. The family landed in New York City, but soon came on to Youngstown, Ohio, where the father followed mining. From there they went to Brad- wood, Illinois, where he continued in the mining business, finally coming to Clinton, Indiana, and followed the mines here many years. His death occurred in 1910, at the age of seventy years ..
Ten children were born to Robert Shirkie and wife, named as follows: Mary, who lives in Kankakee, Illinois: Lizzie died in Scotland: Agnes and Maggie are both deceased: Edward lives in Kankakee, Illinois; James, of this
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review; Robert M. lives in Virginia; Maggie (named after the deceased sister ) ; Jessie lives in Kankakee, Illinois; and George, of Clinton, Indiana.
James Shirkie grew to manhood in this country and received his educa- tion in the common schools. On May 30, 1900, he was united in marriage to Eva Maddox, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Maddox. Mr. Shirkie has one child, David, by a previous marriage.
Early in life the subject took up mining, which he has continued to follow to the present time, being at present pit boss of the Oakhill Coal Company, at No. 5 mine in Clinton township, Vermillion county. He under- stands every phase of mining and is discharging his every duty in an able and acceptable manner. Under the state law he is responsible for everything in the mine from the top to the bottom. He is compelled to measure the air, intake and exhaust, and also to see that air circulates in the mine, and the pit boss is required to take a regular examination for mine boss. He looks after every detail of his work so that there is no hitch in the operations of this mine.
WILLIAM LUKE HAYES.
William Luke Hayes was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, March 29, 1841, the son of Alfred and Nancy (Thornell) Hayes; the father a na- tive of Kentucky and the mother was born in Virginia. Alfred Hayes came to Tippecanoe county, this state, in a very early day, locating there, but later came to Parke county, where he was married. He moved over into Vermil- lion county in 1862, and here continued to make his home. He was a black- smith by trade, which he followed until after the war, then took up farming, ยท which he followed until his death. During the Civil war period he was a member of the old Home Guards at Rockville, and he assisted in the capture of Morgan, the Confederate general, on his raid into Indiana.
Twelve children were born to Alfred Hayes and wife, namely: The eldest died in infancy; Joshua L. is deceased; Louis, who was a private in Company F. Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, died at Louisville, Kentucky, during the Civil war: Cyrus Jefferson is deceased; Alfred W., who was a soldier in Company K, Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, is deceased : Marion M. was also a soldier in Company K, Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infan- try: William Luke, of this review; George M. lives in Brazil, Indiana: Charles E. deceased ; Perry M. lives in New Goshen, Indiana ; Hettie married
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Justice Akermann, of Odon, Indiana, he having been a soldier in the Eighty- fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; Carey is deceased.
William L. Hayes grew to manhood on the home farm and there he assisted with the general work when of proper age, and in the winter time he attended the neighboring schools. He was not old enough to enlist for service in the Civil war, so he turned his attention to farming, which voca- tion he has followed to the present time, being still active, owning a produc- tive and well improved farm in Clinton township which he has operated most successfully and now ranks with the best general farmers and stock raisers in this part of the country.
Mr. Hayes was married on October 24, 1878, to Josephine Spicer, daughter of Benjamin F. and Lucinda (Spangler) Spicer, the father a native of Virginia, in which state he grew up, married and reared his family, coming to Vigo county, Indiana, after the Civil war. He located at the town of New Goshen where he followed blacksmithing for some time, then turned his attention to merchandising which he followed until his death.
Five children were born to Benjamin F. Spicer and wife, four of whom are still living, namely: William H., who has remained in Virginia: Mary E., who married Logan . Collier ; Signora married George Landis; Josephine, wife of Mr. Hayes of this sketch ; Louisa B., who married Mark Voncannon : Ada married James Stewart. Five children have been born to Mr. Hayes and wife, named as follows: Okie, who married J. W. Harrison: Ora mar- ried Harry Henry ; Bertha married Frank Rhoner; William married Maggie Rosa : Ottie, who died when six years old.
Politically, Mr. Hayes is a Progressive, but he has never been especially active in public affairs and has held no office. Fraternally, he belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men at Clinton. He is a member of the United Brethren church.
HARMON K. MORGAN.
An enumeration of the enterprising men of Vermillion county who have won recognition and success for themselves and at the same time have con- ferred honor upon the community would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of the popular gentleman whose name initiates this review. Mr. Morgan holds worthy prestige in business circles, and has always been distinctly a man of affairs and wields a wide influence among those with
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whom his lot has been cast, having won definite success and shown what a man with lofty principles, honesty of purpose and determination can accom- plish while yet young in years. As a druggist he stands in the front rank of those who honor that calling in this section of the Hoosier commonwealth and because of his industry, integrity and courtesy he is a man for whom the future holds much of promise and reward.
Harmon K. Morgan was born in Vigo county, Indiana, near New Goshen, November 11, 1883. He is a son of Dr. John H. and Sadie M. ( Wonner) Morgan. The father was a native of Virginia, from which state he came to Vigo county, Indiana, when a young man, accompanied by his parents, the family settling near New Goshen and there the subject's father grew to manhood and received his early education in the common schools. He took up the study of medicine in Jefferson Medical College. Philadelphia, finishing the course there, after which he practiced several years at New Goshen and in 1892 came to Clinton, Indiana, and practiced there with a large measure of success for a period of ten years, or until his death in 1902, at the age of fifty-six years. The mother is still living, making her home with her son, Harmon K., of this review, he being the youngest of three children : the other two were Carrie, the eldest, who died when twenty-three years of age, and Helen, who is living at home.
Harmon K. Morgan received his education in the common schools of Clinton, finishing high school in 1902, then took up pharmacy, taking the course at the Northwestern University at Chicago, receiving his degree in 1905. He returned to Clinton soon afterwards and purchased the Walker Drug Company, and has since maintained one of Clinton's leading and most popular drug stores at No. 235 South Main street, having enjoyed a large and constantly growing trade with the town and surrounding country, carry- ing a large and carefully selected stock of drugs and drug sundries, his store be- ing modern in every respect and one that would be a credit to a city much larger than Clinton. Mr. Morgan has been very successful in a financial way and he is one of the directors of the First National Bank of Clinton.
A man of genial and obliging disposition. he is a good mixer and is popu- lar with the people. He is public spirited and supports such measures and movements as have for their object the general npbuilding of his town and county in every way. He is a member of the school board of trustees. being at present secretary of the same, his term being for three years. Religiously. he belongs to the Presbyterian church, and in fraternal matters he belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, the chapter and the commandery, all of Clin-
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ton, the consistory at Indianapolis and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Zara Temple, Terre Haute. He has been active and prominent in Masonic affairs for some time, and, judging from his daily life, he tries to carry its sublime precepts into his relations with the world. Mr. Morgan has remained unmarried.
BROWN H. MORGAN.
The name of Brown H. Morgan, one of Clinton's substantial business men and leading merchants, needs no introduction to the people of Vermillion and Parke counties, for he has been one of our most active men of affairs for a period of thirty-six years, during which time he has played well his part as a citizen, supporting all measures that have been promoted for the general good of the locality and his personal reputation has been such as to warrant the esteem and confidence of those with whom he has come into contact.
Mr. Morgan was born in Virginia, September 30, 1861, and he is a son of William and Eliza (Flinn) Morgan, who spent their earlier years in the Old Dominion, coming from that state to New Goshen, Indiana, on May 10, 1874, when the subject was thirteen years old. After remaining there two years, they removed to Clinton, Vermillion county, where the parents spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1892 at the age of seventy- six years, while the mother's death occurred in 1903 at the advanced age of . eighty-two years.
Eight children were born to William Morgan and wife, namely: Sallie, who married William H. Kale: Mollie, who married John R. Hangar, he being now deceased; John H. is deceased: Fannie married John M. Karr ; Eutie married Harry F. Sheppard, he being now deceased: Wilbur P. D. is deceased: Maggie married Harry F. Sheppard, he being now deceased ; Brown H., of this sketch, was the youngest child.
The father of the above named children was a wagon-maker by trade, which he followed until old age, spending the last ten or fifteen years of his life in retirement.
Brown H. Morgan received a good common school education, and early in life he took up merchandising, which he has continued to follow to the present time, or for a period of thirty-six years, during which he has met
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with ever-increasing success until he is at present the proprietor of Clinton's largest store. He began his career on August 15, 1876, for A. L. Whitcomb, later buying out his employer. He enjoys a large trade with the city and county, his thousands of customers coming from a radius of many miles, and he always carries a large and carefully selected stock of general merchan- dise. He has been very successful in a financial way, having, by his industry, able management and honest dealings with the public, built up unaided a splendid and rapidly growing business. He is a man of progressive ideas, alert, far-seeing and yet plain and unassuming, a genial, companionable gentleman. He is a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Clinton. Politically, he is a Republican, but has never been an aspirant for public office. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Clinton, also the Free and Accepted Masons, the chapter and the conmmandery, and the Indianapolis Consistory, also the Murat Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Indian- apolis. In religious matters he is a Methodist. Mr. Morgan has remained unmarried.
WILLIS A. SATTERLEE.
It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a success- ful, self-made man who has made a success of life and won the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such is the record, briefly stated, of the well known and progressive gentleman whose name forms the caption of this arti- cle, than whom a more genial, public-spirited and popular man it would be difficult to find in local professional circles, Mr. Satterlee having for a num- ber of years been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Clinton. In every relation of life he has proven true to every trust reposed in him and no citizen of Vermillion county is worthier than he of the high esteem which he enjoys.
Willis A. Satterlee, the present able prosecuting attorney for this judi- cial circuit, was born February 9, 1878, near Scotland, Illinois. He is a son of Cyrus W. and Matilda (Griffith) Satterlee, the father a native of Michi- gan and the mother of Ohio. They came to Clinton, Indiana, when their son, Willis A., was two years old; here they became very comfortably established, and here the elder Satterlee spent the rest of his life, dying in 1909. The mother is still living. Cyrus W. Satterlee engaged in the timber business and
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farming in his active, life. His family consisted of the following children : George W. lives in Clinton; Willis A., of this sketch; Richard was next in order ; and two died in infancy.
Willis A. Satterlee was educated in the common schools of Vermillion county and was graduated from the Clinton high school in 1900, then he took a course at the Vories Business College, Indianapolis. After leaving school, he began his active career by engaging in the real estate and insurance busi- ness, studying law the meanwhile, and, making rapid progress, was admitted to the bar December 20, 1909, at Newport, Vermillion county, and he has since been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Clinton, enjoying a large and constantly growing clientele.
Mr. Satterlee was married in 1904 to Jessie Foltz, daughter of David F. and Mary ( Whitsell) Foltz, who came from Virginia to Vigo county, Indiana, locating near New Goshen. Four children have been born to the subject and wife, namely : Rowena E., William Albert, Florence B. and Jessie Vir- ginia.
Mr. Satterlee has for some time been an influential factor in local public matters, being active in the ranks of the Democratic party, and he is at present incumbent of the office of prosecuting attorney for the forty-seventh judicial circuit, including Parke, and Vermillion counties, having been elected in 1910 for a term of two years. In this important position he has been most success- ful, proving himself to be an- able attorney and a safe and prudent public official. He was also probation officer for 1910 for Vermillion county, having been appointed in October, 1909, his term expiring in December, 1910. He also gave eminent satisfaction in this office. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and in religious matters a Methodist.
J. M. JOHNS.
Few men in Parke county occupy as prominent a position in professional, industrial, public and social affairs as the well known and deservedly popular gentleman whose name introduces this article. His has been indeed a busy and a successful life and the record is eminently worthy of perusal hy the student who would learn the intrinsic essence of individuality and its in- fluence in molding opinion and in giving character and stability to a com- munity. His many commendable personal traits of head and heart, coupled
J. M. JOHNS.
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PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
with his industry and genuine worth, make him a favorite in this locality and Mr. Johns merits the high esteem in which he is universally held.
J. M. Johns, well known attorney and business man of Rockville, In- diana, was born in Parke county, this state, February 25, 1869, the son of Jacob and Amanda (Rutter) Johns. The former was a native of Preble- county, Ohio, and was a farmer all his life in Indiana, having come to this state when a child with his father, John Johns, who located in Clay county and laid out the city of Brazil. The Johns family is of Scotch stock on the paternal side. Besides agriculture, John Johns followed merchandising for some time. The family name was originally John, the "s" being added a few generations ago. Grandfather Johns came from Clay county to Portland Mills, Parke county, later moving to Mansfield, this county, and there his death occurred. Jacob Johns continued to live in that vicinity, having bought a farm in Raccoon township, where he spent the rest of his life, dying there on April 16, 1890, at the age of fifty-seven years. His family consisted of two children, J. M., of this review, and John, who lives on the home place, near Bridgeton, Parke county, which is one of the best improved, produc- tive and desirable farms in the county.
J. M. Johns, of this review, was born in Raccoon township, on the home farm, and there he assisted with the general work when a boy. He received his primary schooling in the rural schools, there being an exceptionally good country school near his home, and in this he took, among other studies, Latin and algebra. Later he attended the Friends Academy at Bloomingdale. Then he entered a commercial school at Indianapolis, at C. C. Koerner's College, from which he was graduated. In 1889 he entered the law office of Puett & Hadley in Rockville, buying Judge Hadley's interest when the latter moved to Washington, D. C., and formed the partnership of Puett, Adams & Johns, which continued one year, when Mr. Johns withdrew and began practicing alone and he has thus continued for a period of twenty years. He has built up a large and lucrative clientele and stands in the front rank of his pro- fession in Parke county and this section of the state. He has long been a familiar figure in the important cases of the local courts, and he is regarded as a painstaking, earnest and trustworthy advocate, and a man who has the ability to wield a great influence over a jury. He has remained a close stu- dent of all that pertains to his profession.
Mr. Johns was married on November 16, 1892, to Carrie Avdelotte. daughter of John and Cynthia ( Breckenridge) Aydelotte. She is a descen-
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dant of the noted Kentucky Breckenridge family, a branch of which located at Rockville, Indiana, and here became prominent. One child has been born to the subject and wife, Katharine.
Mr. Johns ha's been very successful in a financial way, and he is interested in the manufacture of vault molds, being president of the Egyptian Vault Mold Company, which has long carried on an extensive business over the country, having plants in many cities, and its great success has been due very largely to the able management, wise foresight and keen business discern- ment of the subject.
Mr. Johns is one of the ten men whose enterprise gave Rockville its splendid new opera house. He is a stockholder in the Electric Light and Starter Company of Indianapolis. Mr. Johns was chairman of the local com- mittee that constructed the first concrete pavement and country road in west- ern Indiana. This was accomplished by organizing the property owners in mutual agreement without process of law. This was on Howard avenue, Rockville. Mr. Johns gave freely of his time to push this to successful com- pletion, and to him is due much credit for this splendid enterprise. Mr. Johns believes this will eventually be the model method of road construction of the future.
Mr. Johns has long been very active in Republican politics, and he was chairman of the fifth district committee that selected delegates to the national convention at Chicago in 1912. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is generally conceded to be one of the most public spirited and progressive men of Rockville, a man who puts his shoulder to the wheel and does things. Personally, he is a gen- ial, obliging genteel gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet.
MARK W. LYDAY.
A great essayist long ago said, "When one has given the best that is in him to a work, he experiences satisfaction." While this statement may seem rather broad, yet a greater truth than this was never written. Whether one is successful or not in what one undertakes, if he realizes that nothing on his part has been left undone, he should have no regrets. This does not mean that the unsuccessful person feels just as good over defeat as the successful
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over victory. When one does his best and is successful he has a double reason to be happy. To this class belongs Mark W. Lyday, one of the best known and most successful of the younger attorneys of Vermillion county, for he has done his best and has succeeded in the face of obstacles that would have dis- couraged many another. He is a fine example of the successful, energetic, self-made man, and, judging by his past accomplishments, the future holds much of good and promise for him.
Mr. Lyday was born in Clinton, Indiana, November 14, 1889, the scion of excellent pioneer ancestors, and the son of Daniel W., Sr., and Charity (Carroll) Lyday, both natives of Vermillion county, this state. Both the Lydays and the Carrolls were early settlers in this locality and each were prominent and highly respected. The paternal grandfather, Benjamin F. Lyday, came from Pennsylvania to Vermillion county among the first settlers.
The parents of the subject grew up in this locality, received their educa- tions in the local schools and were married here, continuing to spend the rest of their lives here, he dying in 1905, at the age of fifty-six years, the widow surviving five years, passing away in 1910 at the age of sixty-one years. They became the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom are living at this writing, namely: Otis B., of Indianapolis; Benjamin F. lives in southern Illinois ; Robert D., of Clinton, Indiana ; Daniel W., Jr., has remained in his native state: George W. still resides in Clinton; Louis M., of Vigo county ; Orpha, who married Thomas Kelshinier, of Clinton; Ray C. is in the United States army ; and Mark W., of this review.
Mark W. Lyday grew to manhood in his native community and he re- ceived a good common school education there, being graduated from the Clinton high school, after which he entered the Indiana University Law School. later studying at the Cincinnati Law School, making an excellent record in each. He defrayed his expenses at school by working in the mines during the vacation periods. He made his expenses while attending the com- mon and high schools with a shine box and by selling newspapers. He is deserving of a great deal of credit for the fortitude, grit and ambition he displayed. Such a character always rises above environment, no matter how discouraging. It is from such a source that most of our worthy and useful citizens have sprung. He has been very successful as an attorney since estah- lishing himself for the practice of his profession in his home town, and on June 9, 1911, he was appointed deputy prosecuting attorney of Vermillion county, under Willis A. Satterlee, and is serving in that capacity in an able
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