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 57
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 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
On June 28, 1911, Mr. Frantz married Isora Kelly, who was born on June 30, 1887. She received a common school education. They have one child, Joseph Leonard. Mr. Frantz's work at Crown Hill mine No. 3 was that of flat trimmer. He became top boss at Crown Hill mine No. 4, June II, 1912, and still holds that position.
Mr. Frantz has been very successful in his work in the mines as he knows how to handle the men and the work in the most productive way, and he has made himself valuable to the company. Mr. Frantz is a Democrat. and is one of the leaders of his party because of his position of influence. It is to such men, young, energetic, keen, and of the highest business ability, to whom Clinton and Vermillion counties, Indiana, look for their future prosperity.
JAMES GREGORY.
James Gregory is the son of Thomas Gregory, who has made his name famous in Vermillion county through his work in the mines of the Bunsen Company near Clinton and James Gregory is made of the same strong, persistent, courageous fibre as his father. He is not popular in Vermillion county alone for what his father has done, but is a well known citizen and highly respected man for what he is himself.
Mr. Gregory was born in Lancashire, England, July 24. 1882, and is the son of Thomas and Ellen Gregory, who were born in England in 1855 and 1854 respectively. He was brought to this country by his parents at the age of two months, and lived with them in Vigo county until 1905. He received a common school education, and through observation and instruc-
601
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
tion became well versed in the work in the mines which occupied the atten- tion of his father. On June 22, 1905, he married Nellie Butler, who was born near Clay City, Indiana, in 1885. She attended the common school there and later went to the normal school at Terre Haute, Indiana, after which she taught in the schools for a while before she was married. They have one child, Eleanor Betty Gregory.
Mr. Gregory moved to Vermillion county in October, 1911, and he has done a great deal of work in the Bunsen Company mines since he has been here, as his father is now superintendent of the Universal Bunsen Coal Com- pany mines near Clinton, Indiana. Although Mr. Gregory is not a native of this state, nor indeed of this country, he is as loyal a citizen and as keenly interested in the affairs of his community, socially, politically, and in a busi- ness way, as any ardent Hoosier. He is a Republican and a conscientious supporter of his party in his county. As are the rest of his family, his father, mother. brother and sisters, Mr. Gregory is a member of the Episcopal church. He is an energetic, industrious young man, and, though he has only lived in Clinton a short time, he has made his personality and business ability felt in the circles in which he has moved. He is ambitious and will undoubtedly prove to be one of the foremost citizens in his community.
ARTHUR FERGUSON.
Progress is the law of successful living, and as men stay in line with this law, working faithfully and doing their part, their own endeavors and the insight they have gained into the conditions of their work raise them to positions of trust and importance. Arthur Ferguson is a striking example of what a young man can do in the mining field in Vermillion county. Indiana. He started eight years ago in very humble work in the mines near Clinton, Indiana, and has gradually worked his way up until he is now superintendent of four of the mines, and is one of the most valuable men in the employ of the company. Mr. Ferguson has also made his influence felt in his neighborhood, and is one of the most reliable and highly respected citizens of Clinton, Vermillion county, Indiana.
Mr. Ferguson is the son of C. J. and Mary (Thompson) Ferguson. His father was born in Putnam county, Indiana, where he received an ordi- nary common school education, and farmed for many years. He now lives in Terre Haute. Indiana. His mother was also a native of Indiana, and died in March, 1907. C. J. and Mary Ferguson had three children, all of
602
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
whom are now living. Arthur Ferguson was born October 10, 1881, in Bowling Green, Clay county, Indiana. He received a common school educa- tion and later attended high school at Terre Haute, Indiana.
Mr. Ferguson was married September 26, 1906, to Grace McClain, of Terre Haute, Indiana. She was born in that city March 16, 1880, and at- tended both the grade schools and the high school there. They have one child, Charles W. Ferguson, who was born September 26, 1908.
Mr. Arthur Ferguson began working in a grocery store in Clinton, Indiana, when he had finished school. Later he went to work for the rail- road company, but he only stayed with them for two months and then went to work in Terre Haute, Indiana. Eight years ago he went to Clinton, Indiana. and started to work at mine No. 2, known as Crown Hill, firing. He worked faithfully at this for six months, and at the end of that time he had made such a good impression with those who held positions of authority in the company, that he was constantly given more responsible work until, in April. 1908, he became superintendent. Mr. Ferguson has been so success- ful in his work, and is so thorough in his methods, that in June, 1912, he took the position of superintendent over mines Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, of the Crown Hill section. He is also thrifty and is one of the most substantial citizens of Clinton. Mr. Ferguson owns his own home in that place and takes an active part in the public interests of the community. He is a Democrat, speaking politically, and is careful to use his influence for the best move- ments that sweep the country.
Mr. Ferguson is a member of the Knights of Pythias in Clinton, Indiana, and his family hold as high a position in the social life of that place as he does in the business interests. Such men as Arthur Ferguson, working their way from humble to high positions, form the back-bone of the American nation, and their progress and success is the progress and .success of the whole country.
OTIS M. KEYES, M. D.
For several generations the name of Dr. Keyes has been a familiar one to the citizens of Vermillion county. The father of the Doctor was one of the earliest practitioners in the county and he followed his profession first in pioneer times under conditions widely different from those of the present day. For forty-five years he practiced in the county, and before he retired his son had taken up his work and is now the oldest doctor practicing in the
603
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
county. The father was a man of strong character, firm in his devotion to his profession, unswerving in the pursuit of high ideals, a man of influence and power in his community. His son is his worthy successor in all respects, stands high in his profession, and the citizens of the county have repeatedly shown their confidence in him by sending him as their representative to leg- islative assemblies.
Otis M. Keyes is the son of Cuthbert and Jane (Bates) Keyes. His father was born in Vermillion county, Indiana, in 1822, and died there on February 8, 1885. His mother was born in Indiana in 1822 and is deceased. Cuthbert Keyes early manifested a liking for the profession of medicine, and took up its study at St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. He located in Helt township of this county, and there practiced for forty-five years, the re- mainder of his life, and during this time became known to practically every man, woman and child in the township, by whom he was honored and re- . spected. To him were born seven children, four of whom survive.
Otis M. Keyes was born in Vermillion county on August 3, 1854. After receiving a common school education he attended Bloomingdale Academy for a time, and then went to medical school at Louisville, Kentucky, where he graduated in 1878. The same year he took up the active practice of medicine, which he has since followed, and has now been practicing longer than any other doctor in the county. His practice has been large and successful.
On August 7, 1878, Dr. Keyes was married to Belle Hunt, who was born in Parke county, Indiana, on February 8, 1856, the daughter of Isaac N. Hunt, who was a well known carriage maker of Annapolis, Parke county. Mrs. Keyes was a school teacher for several years before her marriage. Dr. and Mrs. Keyes have one son, Dr. Paul Keyes, who practiced with his father for seven years, but is now in Indianapolis in the auto business. He married Esther Collier.
Doctor Keyes is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a Knight of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican, and has taken an active interest in political and public affairs for years. He was for one term trustee of his township: has served as health commissioner; was for one term a member of the lower house of the State Assembly, and for two terms a state senator. In all his public life he has uniformly satisfied the people and acquitted himself as would be expected from a man of his high character. The Doctor is the owner of a fine home in Dana, and of office property as well. He is a citizen whose life sets an example of devotion to the common good in its truest sense, both in private and public life, and in all his relations with his fellows.
604
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
WILLIAM C. MYERS, M. D.
There is no profession or line of business which calls for greater self sacrifice or more devoted attention than the medical profession and the most successful physician is he who, through love of his fellow men, gives his time and earnest attention to the relief of human suffering. The successful physi- cian is bound to make friends and will retain the respect and esteem of all classes of people. Among the citizens of Dana, Vermillion county, Indiana, who deserve specific mention in this work is the gentleman whose name ap- pears above, for, though but fairly started up the steeps of life's battle, he has chosen wisely and has devoted his life to a profession which not only demands his closest attention and the exercise of all his mental powers, but which is also calculated to enlist his broadest sympathies for those whom he is called upon to minister to. He is well known in the community where he lives and stands in high repute among the people with whom practically his entire life has been spent.
William C. Myers was born on Christmas day, 1887, about twenty-five miles west of Dana, Indiana, in Illinois, and is the son of George Washington and Mary E. (Jones) Myers. These parents were both natives of Illinois, the father having been born on February 22, 1854, and the mother on August 25. 1865. The father was a leading man in his community and was a promi- nent supporter of the Democratic party. To him and his wife were born two children.
William C. Myers was reared under the parental roof and secured his elementary education in the public schools, being a graduate of the high school. He then entered the University of Chicago, where he remained two years, and then, having determined to make the practice of medicine his life work, he matriculated in the medical department of the University of Louisville, at Louisville, Kentucky, where he was graduated on May 30, 1911, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In July, 1912, Doctor Myers came to Dana, Vermillion county, and entered upon the active prac- tice of his profession. Doctor Myers made an excellent record in all the educational institutions in which he studied and his record there and thus far since taking up his life work indicates a successful career through the years which are to come.
Politically, Doctor Myers is an ardent Democrat, giving full endorse- ment to the tenets of that party's platform. Fraternally, he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Free and Accepted Masons.
605
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
at Paris, Illinois. His religious membership is with the Christian church. Outside of his profession, Doctor Myers takes an intelligent interest in the welfare of the community and his support may be counted upon at all times in favor of every movement for the advancement of the public welfare, ma- terially, morally, educationally or socially. Genial and approachable, he has since locating here gained a large circle of friends and is popular throughout the community.
JAMES FERGUSON.
The Scotch seem to be particularly well adapted to mining and a num- ber of the best miners in Vermillion county, Indiana, are Scotchmen, either by birth or blood. James Ferguson ranks foremost among his fellow work- men in his line near Clinton, Indiana, and though he has been in this country since he was two years old the Scotch traits are very strong in him and his steady persistence and fidelity to purpose have made him valuable to his em- ployers. His father was William Ferguson, who was born in Ayrshire, Scot- land, on September 18, 1856. He died April 21, 1912, in Clinton, Indiana. His mother also was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and died in this country on May 26, 1890. Both parents had common school educations. They had seven children, three of whom are still living.
James Ferguson was born on September 18, 1879, in Ayrshire, Scot- land. He was brought to this county at the age of two years, and came to Carbon, Indiana, in 1881. There he spent his youth. Later, when he had finished his education in the common schools, he came to Clinton, Indiana, in 1897. Mr. Ferguson is not a married man. He has always been a miner, and has been with the Clinton Coal Company for the last ten years. During this time he has lived in Clinton, and has made himself a portion of the foundation upon which the life of the community is built, as he has always proved himself reliable and trustworthy, a kindly neighbor and a trusted friend. These characteristics have also been of great assistance to him in his work and he is now engaged in construction work for the Clinton Coal Com- pany, having been steadily advanced from the modest beginning he made ten years ago. He has taken a strong interest in his work, making his own wel- fare identical with that of the company, and for this reason he has made himself more valuable to them as the years have passed. Mr. Ferguson has also found time to take part in some of the social activities in Clinton, and is a member of the Eagles and the Knights of Pythias at that place. His religious
606
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, Mr. Ferguson has taken his place with the Republicans, and is a loyal member of his party. He is a man of influence in the mines and in his community, and his influence is always given to the movements for the good of the greatest number of the citizens of the country that is his by adoption, if not by birth.
CHARLES S. REED.
One of the best known and the most popular names of Vermillion county, Indiana, is Reed, and Charles S. Reed and his wife and daughter, living at Dana, Indiana, have helped to make it so. Mr. Reed is a prominent citizen and landowner and is a man of large and good influence in that county. His wife and daughter also join in standing for all that is most refined, cultured and accomplished in that part of the state.
Charles S. Reed was born November 2, 1864, in Illinois, near the state line of Indiana. His father was Franklin Reed, who was born in North Carolina in 1818, and died at Sugar Grove, Illinois, February 1, 1884. His mother was born in 1826 and died October 2, 1889. Both of his parents had a common school education. They had twelve children, seven of whom are still living. His father was a prosperous farmer and one of the first citizens in his community. Mr. Reed received a common school education, and spent his youth in gaining that understanding of nature that can be obtained in no place other than on the American farm.
On September 2, 1887, Mr. Reed married Lydia J. Clawson, the daugli- ter of Phillip P. and Lucinda ( Traphagan ) Clawson. She was born May 12, 1866, and was one of a family of six children, as follows: Joseph Carter, now residing near Paris, Illinois: Jennie Elizabeth, of Paris, Illinois ; Thomas Albert, of the state of Washington; Lydia J. (Mrs. Reed) : Elijah Hagler, of New Mexico; Henry Harrison, of Casey, Illinois. Mrs. Reed's father was a well educated and prominent man in his community. He died February 9, 1880, aged fifty-nine years, and his wife died August 19, 1878, aged forty-one years. Mrs. Reed received her education at the public schools.
Mr. Reed followed farming until eight years ago, and in it he was highly successful. He now owns about two hundred acres of land at Sugar Grove, Illinois: also one hundred and sixty acres in Oklahoma and town lots at West St. Bernice, besides two pieces of property in Dana, Indiana. His farm is well cultivated and equipped and is very productive. In 1905 Charles S.
607
PARKE. AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Reed left the farm and went on the road with the H. T. Conde Improve- ment Company, in which he was highly successful as a salesman. In 1910 he engaged with the Peoria Cordage Company, of Peoria, Illinois, in whose employ he still continues.
Mr. Reed is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Dana, and is active in all the public affairs at that place. He has taken an active interest in the political situation and the needs of the country and has allied himself with the Progressive party, and is one of its leaders in that part of the state.
Not only is Mr. Reed well known for his own sake, but he has a daugh- ter, Jewel, who is a splendid musician and a favorite not only in Vermillion county, but around Terre Haute, Indiana, she being the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Reed. She was born December 6, 1899, and is now ready for high school. She has had every advantage her fond parents could give her, and as she showed signs of musical talent at an early age, she was allowed to begin taking lessons on the piano when she was six and a half years of age. She has studied with Professor Blue, of Montezuma, Indiana, and has made wonder- ful progress, being ready for the ninth book of the artist's course now at the . age of thirteen years. She has a parlor-grand piano in the beautiful home which her father owns, and her friends and relatives and, indeed, all Dana. are proud of the progress she has made in her musical career. Her father and mother see that in her and her music the lessons they have taught her will live for many, many years, and be given out to the world, and thus in her the highest ideals of the family will be given adequate and active ex- pression.
GROVER C. PRITCHETT. M. D.
Among the young professional men in Dana, Indiana, who are attracting attention because of their devotion to the work is Dr. Grover C. Pritchett. who spent the days of his youth five miles from this place. He is doing this despite the prejudice that obtains among the older people of that community that he is not able to administer to their physical needs for the reason that they have known him from childhood, and the fact that they look askance on the newer methods obtaining in the medical world.
Dr. Pritchett spent the greater part of his youth in the country on his father's farm. His father was William Alfred Pritchett, who was born in 'Kentucky in the early part of the nineteenth century, and is now living in
---
-
608
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Edgar county, Illinois. His mother was Molly (Glissiply) Pritchett, who also was a native of Kentucky. She died in 1887. They both received a common school education. William Alfred Pritchett is a farmer, and still actively engaged on his farm in eastern Illinois: He has five children. Grover C. Pritchett was born about five miles northwest of Dana, Indiana, in Edgar county, Illinois. He graduated first from the common schools and then from high school. Later he took a four-years course in the medical department of the University of Indiana, Indianapolis, graduating in 1910. He spent his next year in St. Anthony's Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana, as interne, and after finishing his work there he located in Elizabethtown, Indiana. He came to Dana, Indiana, in June, 1912, and has been very successful considering the short length of time which he has had to establish himself. He has had a splendid education, is earnest in his work and inclined to devote all of his time to his profession, as he is a single man. He is awake on all of the live topics of the country today, and promises to add to the professional world new methods, and give both the social and political community the benefit of his energy and keen mentality. If he ends as he has started, his career will indeed be a benefit to his county and a credit to his friends and family.
JOHN G. PUNTENNEY.
Among those who have watched the growth of Parke county is John G. Puntenney, who is one of its oldest and most faithful citizens. He has been a prosperous farmer in Wabash township, near Montezuma, Indiana, for many years, and he has helped materially the growth of that country. His father made a wise selection when, after wandering over many states, he finally picked out Parke county, Indiana, for his home. At that time Indiana was almost a wilderness. Aquilla Puntenney was born in Virginia. During his early childhood he was brought to Kentucky, lived there for two years, and then moved to Ohio. At the age of twenty-one he came to Indiana, and settled near Terre Haute, where he stayed two years, and then moved near Montezuma, near the present location of John G. Puntenney. He married Ellen Hedley, who was a native of Indiana, and died in 1842. He was quite successful on his farm and died there. Aquilla and Ellen Puntenney had six children, three of whom are still living.
John G. Puntenney was born December 14. 1834, in Wabash town- ship. Parke county, Indiana. He spent his youth as the average American
JOHN G. PUNTENNEY.
609
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
farmer lad of those days, attending the country schools, working on the farm, enjoying the healthiest of out-of-door sports, and reading during the long winter evenings. He was married in 1875 to Margaret Hixon, who was also a native of Wabash township, Parke county, Indiana. Her father was William Hixon, a well-known farmer of that district. They have two chil- dren. Ethel married Virgil Marshall, and they live near her parents in Wabash township. Minnie is the wife of Bert Cook, and they also live in Parke county.
Mr. Puntenney has been very successful as a farmer and a general stock raiser, and he has one of the most productive farms in that part of the country. He now owns about three hundred and twenty acres of land in Wabash township, all of which, with the exception of about thirty acres, is tillable. Mr. Puntenney has always taken such good care of his land and worked it carefully, exercising good judgment in his rotation of crops and the general up-keep, that now it requires very little tilling to keep it in good condition. All the improvements on his place were made by Mr. Puntenney himself, and the whole well-kept place is a monument to his fore-thought, management and industry. He is now retired, and is living a life of compara- tive ease, merely overlooking the work on the farm, and giving the workers the benefit of his years of experience.
Politically speaking, Mr. Puntenney is a Prohibitionist and he has up- held his principles stoutly in his own county. He is a Mason at Montezuma and is looked upon by all those in the surrounding country as a man of ster- ling integrity and fine character who well deserves all good and the respect of all who know him.
FREDERICK A. MITCHELL.
Among the younger tillers of the soil in Parke county whose methods indicate that these hardy workers are abreast of the times is Frederick A. Mitchell, of near Bridgeton, Parke county, but he has had an able preceptor in his father, who has often been referred to as one of our best tillers of the soil.
Mr. Mitchell was born on August 6, 1874. in Parke county, Indiana, and ยท is a son of Abel and America ( Bell) Mitchell. The father was born on De- cember 18, 1835, in Raccoon township, Parke county, the Mitchell family hav- ing been among the early settlers here and from that remote period to the
(39)
610
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
present they have been influential in the affairs of the community. The father has spent his life in his native township and is still actively engaged in general farming here. The mother of the subject was born on January 2, 1837, in Vigo county, Indiana, and she, too, is still living. Abel Mitchell has always taken an interest in public affairs and he made two races for county treasurer. He has not only been a successful farmer, but also a stock raiser. Until recently he raised short horn cattle, also Jerseys, but not on so extensive a scale. For many years he followed raising, fattening and shipping cattle to market, and no small part of his competency has been derived in that man- ner. His family consisted of nine children, four of whom are living.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.