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 56
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 56
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CLARENCE STONE.
The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. The life of Clarence Stone, an energetic young farmer of Parke county, has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him best, owing to the fact he has always been loyal to the trusts reposed upon him and has been upright in his dealings with his fellow-men, at the same time lending his support to the advancement of any cause looking to the welfare of the community at large.
Mr. Stone was born on January 17, 1875, on the Fred Griffin farm in Parke county, Indiana, and is the son of Caius M. and Letia (Gott) Stone. The father was born in Kentucky, near the city of Louisville, and there he was reared and educated. When about twenty-one years old he came to Montgomery county, Indiana, later removing to Parke county, where he took up land from the government and here began life in pioneer style, and, working hard, developed a good farm and home from the wilderness. He started in life by working out by the week, in that way saving enough to buy land, to which he later added until he had a large farm, one of the choicest, in fact, in his section of Parke county. His family consisted of seven chil- dren, namely: Julia, Jennie, William, Irvin, Cora, Minnie and Clarence, the subiect, who is the youngest child.
Clarence Stone grew to manhood in his home community, and when a boy assisted his father with the work on the home place, and he received his education in the common schools. He has remained on the home place. his father dying in August, 1906, and he manages the farm for his mother.
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The place consists of one hundred and sixty-five acres of well improved and productive land, on the Lafayette road about two miles from Clinton.
Mr. Stone was married on September II, 1894,. to Charlotte Ballew, the daughter of Charles and Abuilda ( Fenton) Ballew. To Mr. and Mrs. Stone five children were born, namely: Charles, Evelyn, Grace, Henry and Charlotte. The wife and mother was called to her eternal rest on August 9, 1912. She belonged to the Methodist church. Henry Clarence Stone died January 2, 1913.
William Stone, brother of the subject, married Ella Holman, and they became the parents of three children, namely: Otha, Blanche and Robert. William Stone is now deceased.
Clarence Stone is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a Democrat in politics, but has been no aspirant for public honors.
THOMAS H. NELSON.
That the career of such a man as Thomas H. Nelson, a native son of Parke county and for many years a well known citizen here, now a prominent lumberman of Indianapolis, besides being treasured in the hearts of relatives and friends, should have its public record also, is peculiarly proper because a knowledge of men whose substantial reputation rests upon their attainments and character must exert a wholesome influence upon the rising generation. While presenting to future generations the chronicle of such a life, it is with a hope of instilling into the minds of those who come after the important lesson that honor and station are pure rewards of honorable and persistent individual exertion.
Mr. Nelson was born one mile west of Bloomingdale, Parke county, Indiana, May 5, 1868, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Chapman ) Nelson. The father was born on September 18, 1827, and his death occurred on October 17, 1894. The mother was born March 29, 1829, and is still living, making her home at Bloomingdale, being now advanced in years. The father of the subject was a native of Yorkshire, England, and there spent his earlier years, coming to the United States in 1841 on a small sailing vessel, which landed in New York City. From there he came by water to Cincinnati, Ohio. Coming overland to Parke county, Indiana, he located on a farm near Bloomingdale. The country round about was wild, for the most part, and he cleared his land himself, beginning life here in typical
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pioneer fashion, and by hard work and close application he developed a good farm and established a comfortable home. He devoted his life successfully to general farming and stock raising. He was one of the first men in Indiana to raise the short horn cattle. He was well educated, as was also his wife, who was a native of Parke county and whom he met and married here. He was quite a politician, an ardent Republican, and was commissioner of Parke county for nine successive years, and also served some time on the Indiana state board of agriculture. He never missed a state fair from the time the first one was held until his death. He was a man whose opinions were sought by his neighbors on many things, and his advice was always followed with gratifying results. He was a well read man, who kept abreast of the time, not only in county and state affairs, but also nationally. He was for many years one of the best known and most influential men in Parke county. His family consisted of eight children, all sons, namely : George is deceased; Henry, who married Jennie Winston; William, who married Cora Kirkpatrick; Charles J., who married Elma Morrison; Horace, who first married Anna Meldrum, now deceased, but since he has married again to Bula Clark; Edward, who was not married, died in August, 1884; James, who married Maude Mus- grave, became city engineer of Indianapolis, and before that was county sur- veyor of Marion county, died in the capital city in 1908; Thomas H., of this review. was the youngest in order of birth.
Thomas H. Nelson grew to manhood on the home farm and there he assisted with the general work about the place during the crop seasons when he became of proper age. He received his primary education in the common schools and the high school, then entered a business college at Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1891, from which he received the Master of Arts degree. When twenty-one years of age he came to Indianapolis and secured employment with the Citizens Gas Company, with which he remained, giving the utmost satisfaction, until the panic of 1893. In that year he went to Mt. Olive, Mississippi, and took a position with the Mt. Olive Lumber Company, and while there gained a comprehensive knowledge of the lumber and timber business. He remained in this field of endeavor until about thirteen years ago, when he returned to Parke county and took a position as deputy county auditor under Stephen Pike, and after leaving him he came back to Indian- apolis and took a position with the Greer-Wilkinson Lumber Company as traveling auditor, the duties of which responsible post he filled with his usual satisfaction. Some time ago he entered the wholesale lumber business which has been operated under the subject's name and which has been very successful
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and is rapidly growing. Mr. Nelson has mastered every phase of the lumber business and has kept well abreast of the times in this field of endeavor.
On November 30, 1910, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Myrtle Mason, a lady of many estimable attributes, who was born on July 8, 1887, in Gibson county, Indiana, where she grew to womanhood and received a good common and high school education, later entering Western College, Ox- ford, Ohio, from which she graduated. She is a daughter of Thomas J. Mason, who was for eight years clerk of Gibson county and an influential citizen there.
Mr. Nelson is secretary-treasurer of the National Association Lumber, Sash and Door Salesmen, as well as secretary-treasurer of the Central Asso- ciation Lumber, Sash and Door Salesmen.
Fraternally, Mr. Nelson belongs to the Masonic order, Indianapolis Lodge No. 6, Royal Arch Masons. He is a Republican, and is a member of the Marion Club, of Indianapolis, which is one of the largest Republican clubs in the Middle West. He is also a member of the Commercial Club, of Indianapolis, and stands high in both.
CHARLES D. RENICK.
The biographies of successful men are instructive as guides and incen -. tives to those whose careers are yet to be achieved. The examples they fur- nish of patient purpose and consecutive endeavor strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish, if he is willing to press forward in the face of all opposition, refusing to be downed by untoward circumstances, thus making stepping-stones of what some would find to be insurmountable stumbling blocks. The gentleman whose life history herewith is, we hope, accurately and succinctly set forth, is a conspicuous example of one who has lived to good purpose and achieved a definite degree of success in the special sphere to which his talents and energies have been devoted. Mr. Renick deserves to rank as one of the worthiest native sons of Parke county, Indiana, where he continued to reside for many years, becoming well known as a teacher in the local schools and as clerk of the circuit court at a later date. Seeking a broader field for the exercise of his talents, he took up his resi- dence in Indianapolis a number of years ago where his rise in business circles was rapid, and he is now the able and popular president of the Indiana Na- (38)
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tional Life Insurance Company, and ranks among the influential men of af- fairs of the Hoosier capital.
Charles D. Renick was born on October 28, 1871, near Lodi, Parke county, Indiana. He is a son of James P. and Margaret (Dow) Renick, a prominent old pioneer family, whose influence in the early days was most potent in the progress of this locality in a general way. The father was born on March 26, 1835, the son of George Renick and wife; he devoted his life successfully to general agricultural pursuits, and as a Republican took an active interest in public affairs. He spent his life in Parke county, where his parents settled in a very early day and became well known among the pioneers. They established a good home in the wilderness through hard, persistent toil. The death of James P. Renick occurred on October 26, 1904. The mother of the subject was born in Ohio, November 3, 1839, and her death occurred on November 14, 1903. These parents, like the grandparents, were noted for their industry, honesty and hospitality. .
To James P. Renick and wife eleven children were born, seven of whom are still living, namely: Ben, Willian, Charles D. (of this sketch), Lula, Ora, Arthur C. and Samuel C.
Charles D. Renick grew to manhood on the home farm near the village of Lodi, and there hie assisted with the general work about the place during crop seasons when he became of proper age, and in the winter time he attended the neighboring schools, later the high school, then spent three years in the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute. After he became twenty-one years of age he began teaching in Parke county and followed this for a period of seven years with much success, his services being in great demand. He took an interest in public affairs and was elected clerk of the circuit court in 1900, and he served four years in that capacity in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned.
After his term of office had expired, Mr. Renick came to Indianapolis and entered a business career, securing a position with the Indiana National Life Insurance Company, with which he has continued to the present time. For a number of years he was secretary, and some time ago was elected president, the important duties of which responsible post he is discharging with a fidelity and discernment that stamps him as fully abreast of the times in this great field of endeavor and to the eminent satisfaction of the stock- holders, patrons and all concerned, holding a position in the front rank in the insurance world.
Fraternally, Mr. Renick has attained the thirty-second degree in Mason- ry, belonging to the Scottish Rite, and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles
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of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically. he is a Republican and is a member of the Marion Club, one of the largest and most influential Republican clubs in the Middle West. He is also a member of the Highland Golf Club. Personally, he is a genteel gentleman upon all occasions, genial. obliging and a pleasant man to meet, being, withal, plain and unassuming.
CHARLES F. BALL.
Another of the enterprising and successful native sons of Parke county is Charles F. Ball, who is engaged in merchandising in Union township. He has always been known as a man of energy and good habits and interested in the welfare of his native county, in which the Balls have been well known since the early days and their united labors have counted for much in the general upbuilding of the county.
Mr. Ball was born on September 26, 1865, in Parke county, Indiana. He is a son of Abel and Lyda (Bullington ) Ball, both also natives of Parke county, where they grew to maturity, were educated in the early schools of their respective communities and here were married, and here they continued to make their home, becoming successful farmers. The paternal grandfather of the subject was James Ball, who came from Pennsylvania to Parke county and entered land from the government, beginning life as a typical pioneer, and here established the permanent home of the family. The father of the subject was an extensive stock raiser, handling short horn cattle, dealing extensively in live stock, growing large numbers on his farm and shipping them to market. He is now deceased, having passed away on April 16, 1887. at the age of fifty-four years eight months thirteen days. The mother of the subject is still living, making her home near her son. Charles F .. of this sketch, on the old homestead. To these parents eight children were born. five of whom are still living.
Charles F. Ball grew to manhood on the home farm and there worked when a boy, receiving his education in the common schools. On March 13, 1890, he married Clara Stout, who was born in 1870 in Union township, Parke county, the daughter of J. O. and Sarah (Wright ) Stout. To the sub- ject and wife one child has been born, Grace, who married John H. Rein, a farmer, who lives just north of the subject.
Charles F. Ball began life as a farmer, spending twelve or fifteen years
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in that line of endeavor with very satisfactory results. He then associated himself with his father-in-law in the general merchandising business in the village of Hollandsburg, Union township, this county, and they are still suc- cessfully engaged in that line of work, enjoying a large trade with the sur- rounding country. Mr. Ball owns a comfortable home, an interest in the store and a good farm of forty-two acres, all tillable and well tiled, Mr. Ball having made many modern improvements thereon himself.
Fraternally, Mr. Ball is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Bellmore. He is a Republican and he was elected township trustee in 1904 of Union township, and he discharged his duties in this connection in a highly accepta- ble manner until 1908 when his term expired.
JOHN NELSON SEYBOLD.
The respect that should always be accorded the brave sons of both the North and the South who left their homes and the peaceful pursuits of civil life to give their service, and their lives, if need be, to preserve the integrity of the Union, is certainly due John Nelson Seybold, farmer of Raccoon township, and a descendant of one of Parke county's worthy pioneer families. For he proved his love and loyalty to the government on the long and tiresome marches, in all kinds of situations, exposed to summer's wither- ing heat and winter's freezing cold, on the lonely picket line a target for the missile of the unseen foe, on the tented field and amid the flame and smoke of battle, where the rattle of musketry, mingled with the terrible concussion of the bursting shell, and the deep diapason of the cannon's roar, made up the sublime, but awful, chorus of death.
To the heroes of the "Grand Army" all honor is due ; to thein the country is under a debt of gratitude which it cannot pay; and in centuries yet to be, posterity will commemorate their chivalry in fitting eulogy and tell their knightly deeds in story and song. To this rapidly vanishing host, passing into the phantom army of the silent land, belongs Mr. Seybold, still left with us to thrill us with remembrances of those stirring times of the sixties.
Mr. Seybold was born May 27, 1846, in Raccoon township, Parke county, Indiana, two miles from his present home. The ancestry of the subject can be traced back to his great-great-grandparents, who were Jasper and Rebecca Seybold, born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1730 and 1732, respectively.
The great-grandfather, Jasper Seybold, Jr., was born in Germany, Decem-
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ber 26, 1757, and emigrated to America and was married to Nancy Carroll, of Carrolton.
The grandparent was Dempsey Seybold, born April 26, 1791, and who married Elizabeth Kerr, January 22, 1814. She was born September 18, I793.
Thomas Kerr Seybold, father of the subject, was born July 8, 1816, in Mason county, Kentucky, and came with his parents to Raccoon township, on the 18th day of November. 1818, and was married February 4. 1836, to Mildred H. Sea. To them were born nine children, namely : Samuel K., Dempsey Carroll, William H. H., Mary E., Mahlon F., America Indiana, John Nelson, Susan and James H., three of whom are still living, John N., subject of this sketch, Susan Seybold Leslie, of Fredonia, Kansas, and James H., of North Terre Haute.
The mother of the subject, Mildred H. Sea, daughter of William Sea, was born February 14. 1814, in Rockbridge county, Virginia, and emigrated to Indiana in 1834: she died January 19, 1899. Thomas K. Seybold, the father. died May 9. 1850, leaving a large family of children for the mother to rear.
John N. Seybold was sent to Hancock county, Illinois, in September, 1852, living there until September, 1860, when he returned to Indiana and worked on a farm, receiving his education at district schools until July 20. 1863, when he enlisted at Rosedale in this county for six months' service in Company B, One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. William D. Mull. He saw considerable hard service in defense of the Union, marching in all over four hundred miles, receiving about one-third rations while on march and subsisting ten days on two ears of corn a day. He was at the battle of Blue Springs and part of the siege of Knoxville, eastern Tennessee, in October and November, 1863: was taken sick at Cumberland Gap, Virginia, with measles and sent home. He was mustered out on February 24, 1864, and on the same day enlisted in Battery H, First Indiana Heavy Artillery, and went south in March of that year to Fort Williams, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was moved from there to New Orleans and was later in battle at Mobile Bay and the siege at Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan, which lasted twenty-three days. He then returned to New Orleans, where he spent the winter of 1864 and 1865, then was re- turned to Mobile Bay. In February, 1865, was engaged in the siege of Spanish Fort, Fort Huger and Fort Tracy : was then moved to Fort Blakely, the last important battle of the war. The fort surrendered on April 12. 1865, a thousand men giving up their lives in this battle. The regiment
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was detailed to do garrison duty, Company H being sent to Fort Gaines, where Mr. Seybold was honorably discharged, January 10, 1866, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when peace had spread her wings over the land, their services being no longer required, his service as a soldier having been most faithfully and gallantly performed.
Mr. Seybold was married January 30, 1868, to Hannah Mary Webster. To this union were born four children, namely: Ruth Isabel, born December 14, 1868; James Thomas, born April 30, 1870; Beulia Anne, born January 7, 1873; Martha Ellen, born March 30, 1875, all of whom survive except James Thomas, who died January 15, 1871.
The father of Mrs. Seybold, James Steward Webster, was born June 16. 1819, in Fayette county, Ohio (whose grandfather was William Webster, a soldier in the Revolution). He died September 10, 1882, in Raccoon town- ship, having emigrated to this state when a boy. Her mother was born in Brooks county, Virginia, on August 6, 1812. She died April 5, 1899.
Mr. Seybold now resides on his farm at Salem. He was elected trustee in 1886 and served two years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Salem and a trustee of the same, a member of Steel Post No. 9. Grand Army of the Republic, and a member of Carlin Lodge No. 402, Free and Accepted Masons, having served as master seven terms.
Mr. Seybold has a cane made by his great-great-grandfather, who lived in Germany. It is about one hundred and fifty years old, having been made in 1760, and it is highly prized as a family heirloom.
ROY C. HARRISON.
In any community, one of the most elevating influences is music. Music lovers always hold a prominent place in the social life, and are often most prominent in the business life of the ordinary American town. "The Band" · is the organization about which all flock, and whose influence creates harmony and unity. One of the leaders in this respect in Clinton. Vermillion county. Indiana, is Roy C. Harrison, who has spent his life in that place and is a favorite in all the country around there. He is one of the most highly respected of the progressive young miners in that place.
Mr. Harrison was born in Clinton, Indiana, September 23, 1881, and is the son of Clarence R. and Sopha (Weber) Harrison. Clarence R. Har- rison is the brother of E. R. Harrison, whose sketch may be found in this
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book. Roy C. Harrison spent his early life as most of the other small boys in Clinton, being highly interested in the mines near there. He received a common school education, supplemented by the regular high school course. Soon after finishing school he started to work with the railroad company, in the position of night agent at the depot at Clinton, Indiana. He was not satisfied with this work and he accepted the position of weigh boss at Buck- eye mine, which was then known as Oak Hill, and is now owned by the Deering Company. After a while he changed to the Klondyke mine, and was identified with that mine until the first of January, 1912, when he started to work at the J. K. Deering Mine No. 2. Mr. Harrison has been very success- ful in his work at the mines, and has proved himself a very valuable man to the companies for whom he has worked.
Mr. Harrison is a single man, and has thrown himself very enthusiasti- cally into the work of the Musicians' Union, as well as other activities in his home town. He plays the melophone especially well and is a member of the Musicians' Union. Mr. Harrison also belongs to the band in Clinton, having been a member of this organization for about three years. He has also taken a leading part in the politics of Clinton, and is a Republican by conviction. As a native of that part of the country, and an energetic and able young man, who has the interests of his home and neighbors close at heart, Mr. Harrison is one of the most reliable and prominent of the younger citizens of Vermillion county.
JOSEPH L. FRANTZ.
When a county is rich in mines, as is Vermillion county. Indiana, they furnish a center for all the life of the district, and the men who have charge of them are naturally the most influential men in the community. Among those who hold prominent places in the mines near Clinton, Indiana, is Joseph L. Frantz, who in the short time he has been in this state has proved himself a valuable and reliable citizen and a business man of honesty and integrity.
Joseph L. Frantz was born in Champaign county, Ohio. . August 29, · 1880, and is the son of Samuel D. and Martha (Kent) Frantz. His father was born September 12, 1854, in Ohio, and still lives there. His mother was born April 18, 1856, and died April 18, 1903, in Ohio. They were prominent farmers in their home county, where they were raised, from the
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days when they attended the common schools to the time when they reached maturity, and their son enjoyed the wholesome country life, though it was mixed with days of toil on the farm, and many hours were spent in the school, which was not made interesting by many facilities enjoyed by the present generation of children.
At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Frantz left the old home and made his way to Indiana. He became a teamster in Crown Hill mine No. I, near Clinton. Indiana, and later was made a trimmer. A desire to see his home folks and work again in the soil took him back to Ohio soon, however, and he stayed there for four years, giving his entire attention to farming. In 1908 Mr. Frantz came to Vermillion county, Indiana, again and went to Crown Hill mine No. 3, where he worked for several years.
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