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 58
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 58
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Fred Mitchell grew up on the home farm and received a common school education, later taking a commercial course in Terre Haute. On January 14, 1894. he was united in marriage to Bertha Coombes, who was born on the old home place in Parke county, Indiana, her parents having been well established in Jackson township, and there she grew to womanhood and re- ceived her education in the common schools and two years in high school. She is a daughter of Andy J. and Emma (Peach) Coombes. To the subject and wife three children have been born, namely: Odus Merril, William John and Louise Margaret.
Mr. Mitchell has always followed farming with his father, and has met with continuous success as a general farmer and stock raiser.
Fraternally, Mr. Mitchell is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen, all at Bridgeton. Politically, he is a Demo- crat. He was elected to the office of trustee of Raccoon township in 1898 and is still incumbent of the same, his long retention being evidence of his entire satisfaction.
STEPHEN C. MCELROY.
It will always be a mark of distinction to have served the Union during the Civil war between the states. The old soldier will receive attention no matter where he goes if he will only make himself known, and when he passes away, as so many of them are now doing, friends will pay him suitable eulogy for the sacrifices he made a half century ago on the sanguinary battle fields of the South, or in the no less dreaded prison, fever camp or hospital. And ever afterwards his descendants will revere his memory and take pride in recounting his services to his country in its hour of peril. One of the most eligible citizens for specific mention in a history of Parke and Vermillion
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counties is Stephen C. McElroy, well known farmer of Jackson township, partly because he is one of the old soldiers who went forth in that great crisis in the sixties to assist in saving the union of states, and partly because he has been one of our honorable public-spirited citizens since the pioneer epoch, a plain, unassuming gentleman who has sought to do his duty in all the rela- tions of life as he has seen and understood the right.
Mr. McElroy was born on March 24, 1839, in Putnam county, Indiana, about five miles west of Greencastle, and is a son of William and Martha (Charlotte) McElroy. The father was born on October 30, 1793, in Penn- sylvania, and there he spent his earlier years, removing to Putnam county, Indiana, in October, 1838, and here he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1871. He was of Scotch descent and was a shoemaker by trade. He served in the war of 1812, and politically, he was a Whig. The mother of the sub- ject was born January 3, 1802, in New Jersey, and her death occurred in 1878. To these parents eleven children were born, three of whom are still living.
Stephen C. McElroy received a common school education. Early in life he took up farming and has followed this to the present time. He is the owner of eighty acres in Jackson township, Parke county, which is well im- proved and very productive, all tillable. On this he has made all the modern improvements now to be seen, and he has a pleasant home.
Politically, Mr. McElroy is a loyal Democrat and has been active in local party affairs. He was trustee of Washington township, Putnam county, when he lived there, filling that office successfully for a period of five years. Re- ligiously, he is a Baptist, and is a deacon in the local congregation. He was clerk of his church for twelve years, when he resigned.
Mr. McElroy enlisted on August 13, 1862, under the second call by President Lincoln for three hundred thousand men. He became a private under Captain Smiley in the Ninety-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Greencastle, and he saw considerable hard service, some of the battles in which he participated being those of the campaign of 1864 about Atlanta, he having been in Alabama when it started, assisting in building a pontoon bridge three miles from Missionary Ridge. He was in the subsequent charge up the mountain there, then was sent to Knoxville. He was in several other battles, and finally joined Sherman on his march to the sea, and thence up through the Carolinas, being at Raleigh when the Southern army surrendered. From there he marched with his regiment to Washington, D. C., and was mustered out in June, 1865.
Mr. McElroy was married on March 25, 1860, to Isabel Coltharp, who
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was born on February 2, 1840, in Indiana. She received a common school education. Her parents were John and Matilda A. (Rollings) Coltharp. Nine children have been born to Mr. McElroy and wife, all living but one. They were named as follows: Granville M. married Anetta Pickett, and he is farming in Crawford county ; Mary E. A. married L. H. Athey, and they live in Greencastle; Ida M. is single and living at home ; William married Ella Smith, and they live in Logansport: Joseph R. is deceased: Anna has remained single and lives at home; John married Maud Rogers, and they live in Putnam county ; Henry P. has remained single and is living in Logans- port ; Mildred Myrtle was married to Albert Cahill, who died March 3, 1908; she has one child, Albert M., who was born April 7, 1908. The mother of the above named children was called to her eternal rest on November 20, 1909.
OSCAR CHESTERFIELD.
The biographies of such men as Oscar Chesterfield, well known business man of Clinton, Vermillion county, are always interesting, if given only in brief outline, for they show what one can accomplish in this world when grit, perseverance and courage are coupled with sound common sense and hon- esty of purpose, no matter how discouraging one's early environment may be.
Mr. Chesterfield was born on August 10, 1875, in Clay county, Indiana. He is a son of John and Catherine (Martin) Chesterfield, the father a native of Cornwall, England, and the mother born in Indiana. John Chesterfield spent his early life in his native land, leaving England for the United States when twenty years old. He came to Brazil, Indiana, where he worked for the Zellar-McClellan Coal Company, eventually becoming superintendent of the same, giving eminent satisfaction in that responsible post. There his death occurred, when lacking two days of his forty-first birthday. His position with one of the largest and best known coal mines in the state made him well known. His family consisted of seven children, three of whom are still living. The mother is also living, making her home in Indianapolis.
Oscar Chesterfield was educated in the common and high schools in Terre Haute, graduating therefrom in 1893. On June 16, 1900, he was united in marriage to Logora Jone, who was also educated in the common schools and the high school. To this union one child has been born, Mabel, who is deceased.
Mr. Chesterfield first worked in the mines driving mules, while yet a
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school boy. After leaving school he kept books for a coal company at Brazil, Indiana. After working with that concern for about three years, during which he gave the utmost satisfaction, he resigned, and later, February II, 1900, he came to Clinton. He is now operating the Clinton Bottling & Ice Cream Company, which he owns and which he has made a great success. He started in a frame shed, twenty by twenty feet, and he is now located in a modern story-and-a-half brick plant, which is modernly equipped, all machin- ery and appliances being installed necessary for the rapid production of ice cream of a high grade and for the prompt manufacture of bottled goods, such as the soft drinks used at soda fountains, etc. He has built up a very exten- sive and rapidly growing business, there being a great demand for his products, owing to their superior quality and the sanitary conditions in which they are produced. He turns out on an average of from sixty to seventy boxes of soda per day.
Fraternally, Mr. Chesterfield belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Eagles and the Owls, all of Clinton. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically is a Democrat. He owns a pleasant and neatly furnished home in Clinton, also a valuable dwelling in Brazil which he rents.
ELMER T. WELCH.
One of the progressive business men of the town of Bridgeton, Parke county, is Elmer T. Welch, who has done much for the upbuilding of the place and who at the same time has so ordered his life in all its phases as to gain the good will and confidence of all with whom he has come into contact. He has been successful in three distinct vocations, teaching, farming and mer- chandising, for he has always been willing to closely apply himself and to labor conscientiously for the good of others while benefiting himself.
Mr. Welch was born on June 17, 1862, in Penn township, Parke county, Indiana, and he has been content to spend his life in his home community. He is a son of John M. and Elizabeth ( Moon) Welch. The father was born on June 27, 1818, in Kentucky, where he grew to manhood, receiving a meager schooling and from there came to Indiana in 1833, where he spent the rest of his life, engaging in farming and carpentering. He became well known to the people of Parke county in his day and generation. His wife was a native of this county, and to them ten children were born, eight of whom are still living.
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Elmer T. Welch grew up on the old homestead and there he made him- self generally useful while growing up. In the winter time he attended the common schools and the high school, later the Indiana State Normal.
On June 21, 1888, Mr. Welch was united in marriage to Dora Davis, who was born in Raccoon township, Parke county, Indiana, March 3, 1869, . and here she grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools and the Indiana State Normal School. To the subject and wife two children have been born, Pearl C., who is attending DePauw University at Green- castle, and Owen D., who is a student in the high school at Bridgeton.
Mr. Welch began life for himself as a school teacher, which he fol- lowed with much success for a period of ten years, during which his services were in great demand. He finally tired of the school room and turned his at- tention to farming, which he carried on with gratifying results for three years, then took up the grocery business in the town of Bridgeton, and this he has continued for the past eighteen years, during which he has built up a large and lucrative patronage with the town and surrounding country, always carrying a large line of general merchandise. He has been very successful in a business way. Besides his mercantile business, he owns a pleasant home in Bridgeton, and an undivided part in his father's old home farm. Fra- ternally, he is Knight of Pythias and a Democrat politically.
GEORGE D. SUNKEL.
There could be no more comprehensive history written of a community or county, or even of a state and its people, than that which deals with the life work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed themselves where they well deserve the title of "influential and pro- gressive." In this brief sketch will be found the record of one who has out- stripped the less active plodders on the highway of life; one who has been consistent in his life work and has never permitted "the grass to grow under his feet," one who, while advancing his own interests, has not neglected his full duties to the general public, at the same time upholding an honored fam- ily name. Mr. Sunkel is regarded by all who know him as one of the most promising of the younger lawyers of Vermillion county, his past notable achievements auguring well for the future.
George D. Sunkel, of Dana, Indiana, was born on October 15, 1879, on a farm near Redman, Illinois, and he is a son of George N. and Susanna
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(Young) Sunkel. The father was born November 29, 1854, in Ohio and there spent his boyhood, removing to Illinois about the time of his marriage. He subsequently came to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he spent five years, and is now living in Scotland, Illinois. He has devoted most of his life to agri- cultural pursuits. The mother of the subject was born on February 6, 1858, in Ohio, where she spent her girlhood days. She is still living. These par- ents reared a family of four children, all surviving.
George D. Sunkel was reared on the home farm and received his educa- tion in the common schools and the high school. Deciding upon a legal career. he entered the Indiana Law School at Indianapolis, where he made a brilliant record, and from which he was graduated with the class of 1901. In 1903 he was admitted to the bar in Vermillion county and he has since been successfully engaged in the practice, figuring prominently in the local courts in important trials. He is a careful, conscientious and thoroughly up-to-date attorney who always has the interests of his clients at heart. He has always been more or less connected with farming, and he is the owner of a farm in Vermillion township, this county, also some valuable land in the West. He is the owner of a pleasant home in Dana.
Mr. Sunkel was married on September 15, 1907, to Jennie Wimsett, who was born in Illinois, September 2, 1884, where she grew to womanhood and received a common and high school education. She is a daughter of Joseph M. and Ann (Nichols) Wimsett, honorable farming people. The union of the subject and wife has been without issue.
Politically, Mr. Sunkel is a Democrat and has been active in the ranks for many years; in fact, is regarded as one of the leaders of the party in Ver- million county. He has served two terms as representative to the Legisla- ture, having been elected in 1909 and 1911. He has given the utmost satis- faction as a public servant to his constituents and all concerned, making his influence felt for the general good of his locality and winning the admiration and confidence of all. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Dana.
WILLIAM A. JOHNSON, M. D.
One of the well known men of Vermillion county who is deserving of special mention in a work of the province assigned to the one at hand is Dr. William A. Johnson, of Perrysville, who has gained prestige in the healing art, which is always the outcome of close application and the ability to apply theory to practice in the treatment of diseases. Good intellectual train-
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ing, thorough professional knowledge and an exemplary character have made the subject of this review successful in his chosen vocation while yet young in years, having built up a lucrative patronage during the short time he has been in the practice, and, judging from his excellent start, the future must neces- sarily have much in store for him.
Dr. Johnson was born on November 5, 1883, in Fountain county, In- diana, and he is a son of James H. and Evelyn ( Holland) Johnson, the father having been born in Fountain county, this state, in 1856, and there he grew to manhood and received his education in the common schools. His parents had located in that county when it was in its early stages of development and thus the Johnsons have been well known in Fountain county for many decades. The father of the subject is now living in a cozy home in Perrysville, Vermil- lion county. The mother of the subject was also born in Fountain county. where she grew to womanhood and received her education. She is still living, the parents and son constituting a happy household, together with four other children, one child of the six born to James H. Johnson and wife being de- ceased. The father has devoted his life to farming and railroading, and is now living retired, having accumulated a competency for his old age.
Dr. Johnson grew up on the farm in Fountain county, where he assisted with the work about the place when a boy, and he received his early education in the common schools. Early in life he determined upon a medical career and with this end in view he entered Loyola University, in Chicago, where he made a splendid record and from which institution he was graduated in 1910, and he at once began practice in Perrysville, Indiana, where he has since re- mained, having been successful from the first.
Fraternally, Dr. Johnson is a member of the Masonic order, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias, all at Perrys- ville. Dr. Jolinson has remained unmarried.
JOHN A. WELCH, M. D.
The name of Dr. John A. Welch needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for his reputation as a general physician has been ever on the increase during the forty years of his practice at the village of Lena, Parke county, and he has been regarded as one of our most representative and use- ful citizens during that long period, while always very busy in looking after his scores of patients, he has never lost sight of his duties as a citizen,
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npholding the dignity of an honored old Southern family name and support- ing every movement having as its object the betterment of his adopted county in a material, civic or moral way.
Dr. Welch was born on April 27, 1848, in Jessamine county, Kentucky, and he is a son of Thomas T. and Elizabeth (Springer) Welch, both also na- tives of Kentucky, the father's birth occurring in 1819 and that of the mother in 1821. There they grew to maturity, were educated and married, and there they spent their lives, the father dying there, after which event the mother came to Indiana, where her death occurred in 1901. Thomas T. Welch was a merchant, handling general merchandise and groceries, and was successful, this having been his main business through life. His family consisted of three sons and one daughter, all living but one.
Dr. Welch grew to manhood in the Blue Grass state and there he received his early education in the public schools. Early in life he decided to enter the medical profession and with this end in view he entered the Rush Medical College in Chicago, later studied at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Indianapolis, and was graduated from the latter institution. Soon afterwards he began practicing his profession at the town of Filmore, Putnam county, Indiana, where he soon had a good start and where he remained until 1872, when he came to Lena, Parke county, where he has since remained, having enjoyed a very large practice during that period. He has ever remained a student and has kept fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to his call- ing, so his uniform success has not created any wonder, but was to be ex- pected, for he had, in the first place, entered his profession exceptionally well equipped.
Doctor Welch was married on December 15, 1870, to Jennie Ragan, of Putnam county, who was born in 1850. She received a good common school education, also attended high school at Greencastle. She is a daughter of Ruben Ragan, who was the first president of the Indiana Horticultural So- ciety and a man of influence in his community. Seven children have been born to the Doctor and wife, namely : Lily is deceased: Ernest, who married Sady Jorner ; Hattie is single and lives at home : Edna, Belle, Victor and Babe are all deceased.
Politically, Dr. Welch is a Democrat and has been influential in his party. He belongs to the Masonic order at Carbon, Indiana. He has been very suc- cessful in a financial way, owning a commodious home in Lena and a fine farm on the Clay county line, consisting of two hundred acres, all tillable, and his land is underlaid with a good vein of coal.
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WILLIAM GOODIN.
The subject of this sketch has passed his life in Parke county, and as a representative of one of the honored families, early settled in this section, he is well entitled to representation in this volume.
William Goodin was born on October 22, 1858, in Parke county, Indiana, and here he has been content to spend his life engaged in agricultural pur- suits, at which he has been successful because he has not been afraid of hard work and has managed well. He is a son of William and Mary (Hull) Goodin. The father was born in Ireland, in which country he spent his early boyhood and from which he came to the United States when a young man, coming finally to Indiana. He had married previously and had been a school master, but after he took up his residence in the Hoosier state he turned his attention to farming, which he followed with satisfactory results during the residue of his days. The mother of the subject was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, April 1, 1818, and she received a common school education there. Nine children were born to William Goodin, Sr., and wife, four of whom are still living, Kane, of Detroit, Michigan; Edwin, of Jackson township; Albert, of San Antonio, Texas, and the subject.
Mr. Goodin grew up on the home farm, where he made himself gener- ally useful during his boyhood days, and he received his education in the common schools and at the Waveland Collegiate Institute. On August I, 1878, he married Emily Miller, who was born in 1854. She is a daughter of James N. and Sarah A. Miller and a sister of Richard Miller, a sketch of whom and the Miller family is to be found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Goodin grew to womanhood in this locality and was educated here.
To the subject and wife four children have been born, namely: Mary Ann, who married Morris Wilson, and they live in Jackson township, Parke county, he being a farmer ; Lottie C. married William McHargue, and they also live in Jackson township: James H. is at home; Howard W. is also with his parents.
With the exception of one year spent in the mercantile business at Mans- field, Indiana, Mr. Goodin has always been engaged in general farming. He began in a small way and, by good management and close application, he has been uniformly successful, being now one of the most substantial and enter- prising general farmers and stock men in Jackson township. He is the owner of over five hundred acres of valuable land, all in Jackson township, over two hundred of which is tillable. He has done a good deal of tiling and made such other modern improvements as his needs required. He has a substantial
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residence and large, convenient outbuildings, and always keeps a good grade of live stock on his place.
Mr. Goodin has served as trustee of Jackson township, being elected on the Democratic ticket. He is one of the directors of the First State Bank of Carbon, Indiana.
ALBERT AYE.
Enjoying marked prestige among the attorneys of the section of the Hoosier state of which this volume treats, Albert Aye, of Dana, Vermillion county, stands out a clear and distinct figure among the useful men of his locality, which he has sought to promote in every way practicable and which he has ever had a love and appreciation for during his long years of continuous residence here. Characterized by a knowledge of the law and all phases of jurisprudence, and a loyalty to the higher ideals of life, he has ever enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all classes and is justly deserving of the material success he has attained and the high position he holds in the community.
Mr. Aye was born on November 25, 1849, in Vermillion county, Indiana, and here he has been contented to spend his life, having ever had an abiding faith in the future of his home community. He is a son of Henry and Mary (James) Aye. His father was born on November 10, 1796, in Maryland, and there he spent his earlier years, removing to Indiana in 1839, and his death occurred on July 18, 1870. He devoted his life successfully to agricul- tural pursuits, and in politics he was a strong Republican. The mother of the subject was born in Pennsylvania on July 4, 1804. and her death occurred in March, 1890. Fourteen children were born to these parents, seven of whom are still living. Mrs. Mary Aye, the mother of the subject, was a woman of many commendable characteristics. She was highly intellectual, one of the greatest readers in the country and was especially versed in ancient history and the Bible. The subject owes much to her careful training and guidance.
Albert Aye grew up on the home farm in his native county and received his primary education in the common schools, later taking up the study of law and was admitted to the bar in January, 1912, and has since been engaged in the practice in Vermillion county. He has long manifested much interest in public affairs, and he has served as justice of the peace for a period of seven years, being still incumbent of that office, the duties of which he is discharging in a manner that is highly acceptable to all concerned.
Mr. Aye was married on June 29, 1886, to Mary M. Randall, who was a
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