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 62
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 62
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James A. Chaney was born September 1, 1829, in Jefferson county, Ohio, near the town of Smithfield. He is a son of William Chaney and wife. The father was born in Maryland, from which state he came to Ohio in early Indian times, finally coming on to Parke county, Indiana, where he took up land from the government, and here began life in typical pioneer fashion, succeeding by hard work in establishing a comfortable home here. His fam- ily consisted of five children, of whom James A., of this sketch, was the old- est. All these children are still living.
James A. Chaney grew to manhood on the home farm and, being the son of a pioneer who had a farm to carve from the wilderness, he had plenty to do as soon as he was old enough. He had a meager schooling in the old- time schools, taught in log cabins, and when a young man he started in life by farming forty acres. He worked hard, was economical and managed well and success beyond that of the average farmer has attended his efforts and to- day he is one of the largest land owners and one of the most substantial far- mers in Parke county, his finely improved and valuable place consisting of
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nearly six hundred acres of land, most of it located on the Clinton and Rose- dale road. His is thus one of the most valuable and desirable farms in the county. Here he has for many years carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, and he has an attractive home and numerous and convenient outbuildings. He has always handled an excellent grade of live stock, and no small part of his handsome competency has been derived from this source. He is a good judge of all kinds of stock, and especially is a lover of good horses.
Mr. Chaney was married when twenty-six years of age to Elizabeth Skearse, and to this union the following children were born: James, who lives at Rosedale: William is assisting in operating the subject's farm; Fred was next in order ; Amanda, Anna and Alice were the three daughters.
Mr. Chaney was again married, in November, 1880, to Margaret B. Clark, and to this union two children were born: Omer is married and has three children; Beulah, Virgil and Vivian. Homer, the second child, is mar- ried, but has no children. Mr. Chaney's second wife had two children by a former marriage, namely: Howard W. Clark, who is married and has four children, Oscar, Eva, Bertha and George; Mary C. Clark is deceased.
Mr. Chaney has been interested in all the affairs of his township and county. He was for some time supervisor of his township, but he has never been a seeker for public honors, preferring to devote his attention to his ex- tensive business affairs. He and his family are active and prominent in church circles and liberal supporters of church work.
LEONIDAS E. OVERPECK.
A most creditable representative of the Overpeck family and one of the best known of the present generation is Leonidas E. Overpeck, one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Florida township, Parke county, and he is a man who has so ordered his life as to keep untarnished the bright escut- cheon of the family name and he has therefore always had the undivided respect of all who have known him.
Mr. Overpeck was born December 10, 1859, in Florida township, this county, and he is a son of George and Harriet (Evans) Overpeck. The father, who devoted his life to farming, came from Trimble county, Ken- tucky, in an early day and located the permanent home of family in Parke county, Indiana.
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Leonidas E. Overpeck grew to manhood in his native township and there in the rural schools he received his education. Early in life he took up farm- ing for a livelihood and this he has continued with ever-increasing success to the present time. During the time that he was attending the public schools he worked on the home farm, and at that period he also attended a commer- cial college in Terre Haute. After his marriage he commenced farming for himself. He is now the owner of one of the choicest and most productive farms in his township, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, which he brought up to a high state of cultivation and improvement and on which he carries on general farming and stock raising, always handling a good grade of live stock. He has a pleasant home and numerous convenient outbuildings. He understands well the proper rotation of crops and the care of the soil, and while he has never attended a college of agriculture he farms scientifi- cally, for he is a close observer and keeps well posted on agricultural and horti- cultural topics, besides making experiments of his own, and as a result his annual income is always satisfactory.
Mr. Overpeck was married to Mary B. McGilvrey, a native of Parke county, where she grew to womanhood and received her education. To this union have been born nine children, named in order of birth as follows: Gil- bert, Edith, Garnet, John. Mamie. Helen, Frances, Lowell and Ezra.
Mr. Overpeck is a member of the Christian church, and politically, he is a Democrat, but has never been a seeker after office.
J. A. FISHER.
The biographies of the representative men of a county bring to light many hidden treasures of mind, character and courage, well calculated to arouse the pride of their family and of the community, and it is a source of regret that the people are not more familiar with the personal history of such men, in the ranks of whom may be found tillers of the soil, mechanics, mer- chants, professional men, business men and those of varied vocations. J. A. Fisher, well known citizen of the village of Coxville, Parke county, is one of the creditable representatives of the busines's element of this locality and as such has made his influence felt here, earning a name for enterprise, integrity and public spirit.
Mr. Fisher was born May 16, 1873. on the old Fisher farm in Adams township, this county, and is a son of Fletcher and Matilda ( Keltner ) Fisher,
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one of the prominent pioneer families of this county who are spending their lives successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits.
J. A. Fisher grew to manhood on the home farm and there he worked when a boy during the crop season, attending the public schools in the winter time, remaining on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, when his father went into the merchandise business, the son then working in the store, which the subject took over when the father returned to farming, and he has continued merchandising with ever-increasing success. To-day his general store in Coxville is a very busy place, his many customers coming, some of them, from remote parts of the county, for here they always have a large and modern stock of goods to select from and receive uniform courtesy of treatment. He has been very successful in his chosen line of endeavor, and he not only owns his store, but some valuable property in Coxville, includ- ing a pleasant residence, neatly kept and well furnished, which is presided over in a praiseworthy manner by a lady who was known in her maidenhood as Abbie M. Lowe, daughter of James and Rhoda (Ross) Lowe, and who was married to Mr. Fisher on October 30, 1895.
To the subject and wife have been born five children, named in order of birth as follows: Hazel, Jake, Jr., Gladys, Frank and Solon.
Fraternally, Mr. Fisher belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men, Tribe No. 187, at Rosedale. He and his family are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.
Mr. Fisher is the leading citizen of Coxville, in that he has done more than any other for the upbuilding and general good of the place.
JAMES TYRE.
A splendid young business man of the-vicinity of Coxville, Indiana, is James Tyre, general farmer and engineer of the Acme Glass Sand Company. He has shown himself capable of handling responsible positions and creditably discharging the duties of the same, for he has always been a man of industry and a close observer, never letting the grass grow under his feet and never failing to keep a watch-out for new methods and ideas, for he is by nature progressive.
Mr. Tyre was born on June 22, 1878, in Washington county, Kentucky, and is a son of Thomas and Amene (Wood) Tyre. The father, who was born and reared in Kentucky, was educated in the common schools, and early
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in life he took up farming for a vocation, which he continued to follow with success.
Six children were born to Thomas Tyre and wife, namely: James, subject of this sketch, was the eldest; George; Athma; John, who lives in Parke county with his brother; Nettie is engaged in business, and Amina was the youngest.
James Tyre grew to manhood on his father's farm in the Blue Grass state, and there he worked when a boy, attending the public schools during the winter months. He came to Indiana when young and finished his educa- tion here. At an early age he began working in the power house in Louis- ville, where he rendered satisfactory service. He then began learning the engineer's profession. He secured some good text books which he studied carefully, often until late into the night, until he learned about all he could in that manner, and, being by nature a man who observed things, he began picking up details, bit by bit, wherever he could, until he became equipped to hold positions as engineer, and he is now rated as one of the most thoroughly equipped and trustworthy men in his line in this section of the state, and is giving his employers satisfaction in every respect.
Mr. Tyre was married in February, 1895, to Belle Daniels, daughter of Charles Daniels and wife, a highly respected family of this locality, where Mrs. Tyre was reared to womanhood and where she received her education. This union has resulted in the birth of four children, namely: Pearl, Rich- ard, Edward and Albert. Mr. Tyre lives in the village of Coxville.
D. B. McMULLEN.
No one, whether interested in farming or not, could look over the finely improved and well located farm of D. B. McMullen, in the vicinity of Rose- dale, Parke county, and not be forced to admit that the panorama is pleasing for his is one of the "banner farmns" of the locality of which this volume treats. There are, perhaps, none among his friends and acquaintances who envy Mr. McMullen the success which his honest efforts and steady onward plodding have brought him, for he has been a man of indomitable industry and has managed well, winning success above the average husbandman.
Mr. McMullen was born on March 22, 1857, on the farm on which he still lives, and he is a son of Dan and Elizabeth (Houck) McMullen. The father was born on the Fort Harrison prairie, Vigo county, Indiana. He
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lived in this section of the middle West during the days when Indians still roamed the country, during the log-rolling period of our history, when log cabins were the rule and not the exception, and he was well known and highly respected among the pioneers. His family consisted of four children, two liv- ing: D. B., of this sketch, and Mrs. Sarah Thorpe, the other two having passed away long ago.
D. B. McMullen was reared on the farm and there he worked when of proper age, attending school at the Forks of Creek school house. Upon reaching manhood Mr. McMullen was married to Lou G. Biggs, to which union one child was born, Eddie, who is living at home. The subject was married a second time, his last wife being Nettie Simmons, whose father de- voted his life to general farming, being one of the leaders as a farmer and stock man in his community and he always bore an excellent reputation. To this last union one child was born, Forrest.
Mr. McMullen has kept the home place, which consists of three hundred and fifty acres, well improved and carefully cultivated so that it has not de- preciated in value or lost any of its original strength of soil. He has a pleas- ant home, and everything around it denotes good management and thrift. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and relig- iously, he is a member of the Baptist church.
HARRY MOORE.
Just now in the prime of vigorous manhood, having accomplished much that merits the praise of his fellow men and having gained a firm standing in the affections of his people of Clinton and vicinity, the future to such a man as Harry Moore, mine boss of the Lyford mine, must necessarily be replete with honor and success. He is a man who has become well posted on current events and takes much interest in public affairs, always ready to assist in any way in the bettering of conditions for the working man.
Mr. Moore was born on March 5, 1873, near Coshocton, Ohio, and he is a son of Richard and Anna (Snyder) Moore. The father was brought up in the mines which he followed all his life and was a mine boss at the time of his death. Four children were born to Richard Moore and wife, named in order of birth as follows: John, Mary, Malinda, and Harry, of this review.
Harry Moore is a self-made man and is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished. His early schooling was meager, for he
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had to go into the mines when but a boy, but he has educated himself in later years. He has followed the mines all his life, having worked in and around them for the past twenty-eight years, and, being a keen observer, industrious and conscientious, he has learned every phase of the mining business, and has given satisfaction in the various positions with which he has been en- trusted. As mine boss of the Lyford mine near Clinton, Indiana, he has shown himself to be a master at this kind of work, giving eminent satisfac- tion to his employers.
Mr. Moore was married in 1907 to Nema Knight, daughter of Harvey and Ella Knight, who live in the city of Clinton, where Mrs. Moore grew to womanhood and was educated. To this union three children have been born, namely : Ernest, Bernice and Max.
Fraternally, Mr. Moore belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Knights of Pythias. The Moore family affiliate with the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Politically, Mr. Moore is independent.
J. R. HEATON.
From rugged Tennessee came J. R. Heaton, a successful Parke county farmer-successful because he has inherited many of the characteristics of the sterling people of that old state under Dixie skies, the traits that never fail to win when rightly applied, as his have evidently been, for he started out in life practically unaided and by hard work and persistent endeavor has won a comfortable home and a valuable farm.
Mr. Heaton was born in Jefferson county, Tennessee, May 12, 1851, and is a son of William C. and Eliza ( Andress) Heaton. The father was a native of New Jersey, where he spent his early boyhood, but left there in early life, coming to Tennessee, where he spent a great many of his years. During the Civil war he was drafted in the Confederate army, but deserted and went back to New Jersey, where he spent the rest of his life. His family consisted of six children, namely: Mary D., John, Harriet, Sarah, J. R. (the sub- ject ), and William C., Jr.
J. R. Heaton received his education in the public schools, and when a boy he accompanied an uncle to Missouri, where he finished his schooling. When a young man he learned the carpenter's trade in Parke county, In- diana, and has been a successful contractor since, becoming proficient in this trade, having built a large number of the best buildings in this locality which
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will long stand as monuments to his skill and honesty as a builder. However, he has always been more or less engaged in farming, having purchased land here many years ago, and is one of our leading general farmers and stock raisers, being the owner of a well improved and productive farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in this county. He has one of the best homes in the township and numerous substantial outbuildings.
Mr. Heaton was married on July 15, 1880, to Elizabeth Lewis, and to this union nine children have been born, namely : W. A. married Fay Weston and lives in Clinton; S. A. married Winnie Sproat, and has one child, Ruby ; Frank A. is married to Mary Champion, and they have one child, Raphael; Harvey married Jennie Ralsted, and they have one child, Claud K .; Edward married Bertha Spray, and they have two children, Robert L. and Dorothy M .; John Lorenz is living at home; Elbert L. is single and Henry H. and Mary E. are attending school.
Politically, Mr. Heaton is a Prohibitionist and so casts his vote, and assists in the furtherance of the work against the liquor traffic whenever oc- casion presents itself. The Heaton family affiliate with the Methodist Epis- copal church.
JOHN H. MONTGOMERY.
In studying the interesting life histories of many of the better class of men, and the ones of unquestioned merit and honor, it will be found that they have been compelled, very largely, to map out their own career and furnish their own motive force in scaling the heights of success, and it is of such a one that the biographer is pleased to write in the following para- graphs.
John H. Montgomery, one of the leading farmers of Florida township, Parke county, was born in that township on March 10, 1863, on the old Montgomery homestead, and is a son of James H. and Rachael ( Barnes) Montgomery. The father was born in Kentucky, from which state he came to Parke county, Indiana, with his father, Caleb Montgomery, who settled in the village of Catlin. James H. Montgomery was one of a family of five children, he having grown to manhood in Kentucky and was educated there, being twenty-one years old when he came to this county. He married soon after coming here and reared a family of seven children, namely: Mrs. Neoma Gates, Mrs. Margaret Pendegast, Mrs. Mary Hawkins, John H. of
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this sketch, Mrs. Minnie Stone, Smith Montgomery and Mrs. Mason Ackett. John H. Montgomery of this sketch has always worked on a farm. When a boy he assisted his father, and he received a common school education. When twenty years old he was married and then started in life for himself, farming, and by hard work and good management forged to the front, having begun housekeeping when he was first married in an old log house. He is now the owner of two hundred and fifty-eight acres on the Yankee Street road, or the Mecca and Rosedale road, his place being known as the Raccoon Valley farm, which is rated as one of the best in every respect in Florida town- ship. He has a good home and convenient outbuildings and keeps a splendid grade of live stock.
Mr. Montgomery married Laura B. Johnson, now deceased, and to this union three children were born, Ray, who married Evelyn Loustutter, is a minister in the Christian church; Jesse B. and Louise.
Mr. Montgomery was married a second time, his last wife being Luella Lewis, daughter of Charles Lewis, a shoemaker in Terre Haute, Indiana. To this last union seven children were born, namely: Harry, who teaches at the Daily school in Parke county: Joseph, Rachael, Florence, Henry, Russell and Ralph. Joseph and Rachael are in high school. Mr. Montgomery belongs to the Baptist church and, politically, he is a Democrat.
HERMAN H. JACOBS.
Although a young man, Herman H. Jacobs, manager of the Baugh farm in Parke county, has achieved a definite degree of success and seems to be the possessor of attributes that cannot well fail in the usual lines of human en- . deavor, especially as related to husbandry. He is not only energetic and painstaking, but is a man who has proven himself to be a keen observer and who takes no chances, recklessness being foreign to his nature, it being his aim always to know he is right and then go ahead, according to the old adage, and this has been one of the contributing causes of his success in his chosen life work.
Mr. Jacobs was born November 25. 1882, in Rosedale. Parke county, Indiana, and he has been content to spend his life in his native locality. He is a son of William and Susan (Myers) Jacobs. The father was for many years a well known merchant in Rosedale, and was very successful, having
(42)
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built up a large trade with the town and surrounding country, and, dealing courteously and honestly with all with whom he came into contact, he had the confidence of every one who knew him. After his death the mother of the subject ran the store for a while, then sold out. She came from Middletown, Indiana, and is a daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth Myers, a highly respected family of that locality.
Four children were born to William Jacobs and wife, named in order of birth as follows: Clint, who lives in Rosedale; Charles is residing in Clinton, Vermillion county ; Pearlie lives in Indianapolis, and Herman H., of this re- view.
Herman H. Jacobs grew to manhood in his native community and he received a good practical education in the common schools of Rosedale. After leaving school he began life in the mines, which he followed for some time, then took up farming, which he has continued successfully to the present time.
Mr. Jacobs was married on July 3, 1912, to Ethel Baugh, daughter of one of the leading farmers of Parke county, and here she grew to woman- hood and was educated in the common schools. Fraternally, Mr. Jacobs is a member of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias.
OMER CHANEY.
The subject of this sketch is one of those men who has met with success along the line of his chosen calling and he is today one of the leading agricul- turists and stock raisers of his township. A man of fine personal traits, he is highly regarded by all who know him, and he is counted one of the most pro- gressive and worthy men of affairs and public-spirited citizens of the locality of which this volume treats.
Omer Chaney, owner of about two hundred acres of productive and fine- ly improved land on the Chaney road about five miles from Clinton, Indiana, was born August 16. 1881, on the old Chaney homestead, and he is a son of James and Margaret (Adams) Chaney, one of the best known families in the county, a complete sketch of whom appears on another page of this work.
Omer Chaney grew to manhood in his native locality and was edu- cated in the common schools, working on the farm during the summer months of his school period. When twenty-one years of age he commenced renting land of his father and he soon had a start in that way, and his success as a general farmer has been continuous and he today, though yet but a young
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man, is regarded as one of our best general farmers. He keeps his land well tilled, properly rotates his crops and keeps a good grade of live stock.
When twenty-one years old Mr. Chaney was united in marriage to Dolly Lowe, daughter of Jim and Rhoda ( Ross) Lowe, a highly respected family of this locality, where they have long maintained their home and where Mrs. Chaney grew to womanhood and where she received her educa- tion. Three children have been born to Mr. Chaney and wife, named in order of birth as follows: Beulah, Virgil and Vivian. Mr. Chaney affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church.
JAMES M. SNOW.
The list of names of the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Parke county who have been successful in their chosen vocations would be lacking should the name of James M. Snow be omitted. He has made an exhaustive study of general agriculture and is well qualified in every respect for his present line of work, for he believes in progress and keeps well informed on the current problems of the day, especially as they pertain to his line of work.
Mr. Snow was born December 30, 1857, in Parke county, and is a son of Benjamin and Elvira ( Bagwell) Snow, the father having been a native of Parke county, the son of one of the sterling pioneer families and here he grew to manhood when the country roundabout was little developed and settlers were few and here he became well known as an extensive farmer. He was always interested in all public work and assisted in the same. He is now deceased, but his widow is still living in this county, she being now advanced in years, and she, too, is a representative of a fine old family.
James M. Snow grew to manhood on the home farm and there he made himself generally useful when a boy, learning agriculture from an able pre- ceptor, his father, who he continued to assist during the crop seasons. In the winter months he attended the common schools until he received a very prac- tical education, which has of later years been supplemented by home reading and practical experience. Mr. Snow has never cared to be the owner of a farmn. though he likes to operate and control farming land, and he is now farming with a great degree of success five hundred acres in Parke county, which he has placed under a fine state of cultivation, and he is also superin- tendent of the Glass Acme Sand Company, which does a very extensive busi- ness throughout this part of the state.
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