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 65
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 65
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
Mr. Rusing was married on March 8, 1860, to Mary E. Swaim, daugh- ter of Peter M. and Nancy Ann (Ball) Swaim. The father was but a baby when his parents brought him to Parke county, Indiana, from North Caro- lina, and settled about three miles south of where the subject lives. The Swaim family was a large one, and the wife of Mr. Rusing was the oldest child. Mr. Swaim was a self-educated man. He became a minister in the Baptist church and did a great deal of good during his life work, being well and favorably known throughout this part of the state. The union of the subject and wife has been without issue. Mr. Rusing has a neice, who is the wife of James Stryker.
Mr. Rusing belongs to the New Discovery church and is active in the work of the same, liberally supporting it. He has long been regarded as one of the influential men of his community, and takes a more or less active in- terest in public affairs; however, he has never been much of a public man, merely trying to do his duty as a good citizen. He was at one time elected justice of the peace, but declined to qualify.
ISAAC M. OVERPECK.
One of the leading farmers of Adams township, Parke county, is Isaac M. Overpeck, owner of a finely improved and productive place of three hun- dred and forty acres, fortunately located in one of the richest farming com- munities in the Wabash valley, about five miles from Rockville. Mr. Over- peck has long been regarded as one of our most enterprising and public- spirited citizens and a man who believes in wholesome living and honesty in politics, and he has ever advocated those measures which make for progress in every relation of life.
Mr. Overpeck was born December 16, 1865, in Jackson township, Parke county, Indiana, and he is a son of Andrew and Rebecca (Thompson) Over- peck. The father came from Butler county, Ohio, with his parents when he was thirteen years old, and here the family made permanent settlement. The father of Andrew Overpeck was Jacob Overpeck, and the latter became well known in Parke county in the early days. Andrew Overpeck was edu-
681
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
cated in the common schools of Ohio and Indiana, and here he grew to man- hood and was married, and to his union with Rebecca Thompson eleven children were born, namely : William, Amanda, Nancy, Mary, Albert, George, Andrew, James, Isaac M. (the subject), Oscar and Jennie.
Isaac M. Overpeck grew up on the home farm and worked with his father when a boy. He received his education in the common schools. His father died when the boy was twenty-one years old, and the lad took charge of that year's crops, and later the estate was divided up.
Mr. Overpeck was married August 17, 1890, to Margaret Miller, daugh- ter of James N. and Sarah (Snow) Miller. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Overpeck, namely : Hervey, who is at home, but has finished schooling ; Mary is at home, and Martha died at eight months of age.
Mr. Overpeck has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser and he farms scientifically, although he knows little of the science as is obtained from books, his scientific knowledge having been obtained from practical experience, close observation and careful thought and experiment. He has one of the most desirable farms in the county, everything denoting good management. His home is large and pleasant, in the midst of attrac- tive surroundings, and he has such barns and outbuildings and modern farm- ing implements as his needs require. Always a good grade of live stock is to be seen about his place.
Politically, Mr. Overpeck is a Democrat, and while he is not a public man, he is deeply interested in whatever tends to the betterment of his town- ship and county. Religiously, he is a member and liberal supporter of the Baptist church.
Andrew Overpeck, father of the subject, was married a second time, his last wife being Charlotte Caress, and to this union one child has been born. Elias Overpeck, who married Mary Miller and to them the following chil- dren have been born: Norine, Earl, Marie, Fred, deceased. Ruth and Clay.
SEBASTIAN DURR.
Among the sturdy and enterprising farmers of Adams township, Parke county, is the gentleman whose name appears above, whose life has been one of industry and strict adherence to honorable principles, which has resulted in gaining a comfortable living and at the same time winning the respect of his fellow men and honoring the community. Sebastian Durr was born on August 4. 1862. in Washington county, Kentucky, the son of Sebastian
682
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIAN A.
and Kitty Ann (Steins) Durr. The father was born and reared in the same county as was the subject ; in fact, he spent his entire life there. He was the father of five children, namely: Napoleon, Jacob, James and Mary are all living in Kentucky; Sebastian, Jr., subject of this sketch.
Sebastian Durr grew to manhood on the home farm in the Blue Grass state and there he assisted with the work when a boy, and he received his education in the common schools of his community. He had not been born when his father died. At the age of twenty years he came to Putnam county, Indiana, and there worked on a farm about three years. He saved his money and thereby got a start in life, then went to California and worked on a fruit ranch for some time. Returning to Indiana, he purchased eighty acres in Washington township, Parke county, which he later disposed of and purchased the fine farm which he now owns, consisting of one hundred and seventy-nine acres on the Rockville and Terre Haute road, in Adams township. This he keeps well improved and carefully cultivated and carries on general farming and stock raising. He has met with encouraging success and has a good home and is one of the substantial farmers of his township.
Mr. Durr was married December 23, 1890, to Flora Eusebia Overman, daughter of John and Amanda (Burford) Overman. Mr. Overman came from North Carolina to Parke county, Indiana, among the early settlers, he having been a young man, accompanied by his brother Charles. They were the sons of Daniel and Anna Overman. Charles married, but had no children. The family is now all deceased. To John Overman and wife were born nine children, namely: William B., Charles W., John D., Zachary T., Thomas P., Voorhees, Virginia, Sarah A. and Flora E., wife of Mr. Durr of this review. The union of the subject and wife has been without issue. The subject has a nephew working for him, the only other Durr in Parke county. Mr. Durr is a Democrat, politically.
JAMES W. PUETT.
The biographer is glad to herein set forth the salient facts in the emi- nently successful and honorable career of the well remembered and highly esteemed citizen of Parke county whose name appears above, the last chapter in whose life record has been closed by the hand of death, and the seal set thereon forever, but whose influence still pervades the lives of those with whom he came in contact. For many years he was closely identified with the agricultural interests of the county, ranking among the leaders of this
683
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
history-old vocation. Mr. Puett was also a man who took a great deal of interest in whatever tended toward the upbuilding and progress of his county, aiding in every way possible in promoting the general good of the com- munity. And he was a man of such a high sense of honor, so neighborly and hospitable, helpful and generous, that he was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him.
James "Whit" Puett, who was the owner of a fine farm of about two hundred and sixty-five acres on the Rockville and Rosedale road, about two miles southwest of Rockville, was born on December 5, 1838, on Big Raccoon creek, on the Puett homestead, Parke county, Indiana, which place was settled by his progenitors in the early days of the county's history, and from that day to the present the Puett family has been one of the most prominent in this locality. The subject was the son of Austin M. and Lucinda (Puett) Puett, his father having come from North Carolina to Ohio and later to Indiana, where he took up government land and there reared a large family, consisting of the following children : Cole, William, Albert, Austin, Caroline and Louisa. all of whom are now deceased; Thomas B. and James "Whit."
James W. Puett was reared in town, his father, Austin Puett, moving from the country to the town of Rockville, and he received his education in the public schools of his community, later taking a classic course. He began life for himself by raising stock, for which he had a natural bent and in which he was succeeding. Then the Civil war came on and Mr. Puett enlisted when he was about twenty-two years old in the Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a musician, in which he served faithfully for a period of two years. Atfer receiving an honorable discharge he returned home and took up farm work, which he continued the rest of his life with ever-increasing success, accumulating a comfortable competency through his industry and able management, owning one of the most desirable places in Adams township.
Mr. Puett was married on December 23, 1863, to Jane Harshman, daugh- ter of Thomas and Anna (Overpeck) Harshman, who removed from Butler county in 1840 to Parke county, Indiana, and here became well established. His family consisted of five children, namely: Elizabeth is deceased; Jane, who became the wife of Mr. Puett of this memoir; Margaret was next in order ; Eliza ; Barbara E., the widow of T. B. Puett, mentioned elsewhere.
Fraternally, Mr. Puett was a member of the Masonic order and was one of the active men in the local lodge. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party, but was never much of a public man, though his support could always be depended upon in the furtherance of any measure looking toward the general good of his township and county.
684
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
The death of James W. Puett occurred May 6, 1909. His widow, a lady of many praiseworthy characteristics and who has always been a favorite with a wide circle of friends, has remained on the home place.
THOMAS BENTON PUETT.
A list of the worthy and useful citizens of Parke county during a past generation would certainly be incomplete were there failure to make con- spicuous mention of the late Thomas Benton Puett, a representative of one of the county's prominent families, for his life was one of industry, helpful- ness and uprightness, resulting in good to every one with whom he came into contact, whether in a business or social way; and, his life being exemplary in every way, his record might well be held up for consideration by the youth with the latter part of life's thorny road yet stretching to unknown realms be- fore them. He was a good citizen in every respect, and unhesitatingly offered his services, and his life if need be, to assist in preserving the Union when the flames of the great Civil war threatened to destroy the land.
Mr. Puett was born June 5, 1843, in Adams township, Parke county, Indiana. He was a son of Austin and Lucinda Puett. his father having come from North Carolina to Ohio, and later to Indiana, where he took up government land and there reared a large family, consisting of the following children : Cole, William, Albert, Austin, Caroline and Louisa, all now de- ceased : Thomas B. and James "Whit."
Thomas B. Puett grew to manhood in his native community and received his early education in the common schools. When the Civil war came on he enlisted in Company K, Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served most faithfully. He was married upon reaching manhood to Bar- bara Ellen Harshman, daughter of Thomas and Anna Harshman, a highly respected family of this section of the state. To the subject and wife one child was born, Anna, who married Oscar Cox, and they have one daughter, Ruth, who is attending school at this writing at Depauw University. She is preparing to be a teacher.
Oscar Cox was born on September 10, 1863, in Parke county, Indiana. and was a son of John B. and Maria Cox, well known in this county, where they devoted their lives to farming. Oscar Cox was educated in the country schools and worked on the farm during the school period. He started out for himself when but a young man, and, being energetic and tactful, he met with success from the first. He is now deceased, having passed away on January
685
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
19, 1908, leaving his widow about seventy-five acres of excellent land as a result of his earnest toil. Politically, Mr. Cox was a Democrat, but he was never a public man, notwithstanding he supported all measures looking toward the public good. The death of Thomas B. Puett occurred May 28, 1903.
LYCURGUS T. STONER.
The name of Lycurgus T. Stoner needs no introduction to the readers of this history in view of the fact that he has long been a well-known and in- fluential citizen in Parke county, whose interests he has ever had at heart and sought to promote when occasion presented itself, and, being a man of in- dustry and exemplary character, he has always stood high in the estimation of the people.
Mr. Stoner, who ranks with our thriftiest agriculturists, being the owner of a well-improved and productive farm of one hundred and fourteen acres, and who lives with his father-in-law, Ezekiel D. Hamilton, also one of our worthiest and best known citizens, was born in 1859 in Putnam county, In- diana, is a son of Joseph and Martha (Hall) Stoner. The father was one of the early land owners in this county and a very prominent farmer. His family consisted of six children, namely: Lycurgus, of this review; Lucy, Ed., Albert; William is deceased ; Mattie was the youngest.
Lycurgus T. Stoner grew to manhood on his father's farm and there he worked when he became of proper age. In the school months he attended the rural schools, and when but a young man started in life for himself. On October 18, 1900, he was married to Mary E. Hamilton, daughter of Ezekiel D. and Mary Florence (Torbet) Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton was born in Jackson county, Indiana, August 3, 1843. He was a son of John and Martha (Buchanan) Hamilton, the former a native of Kentucky and the son of James Hamilton, who came from Ireland and settled in Virginia. It is believed he was the first Hamilton to emigrate to America. Early in life Ezekiel D. Hamilton went to Boone county, Indiana, and thence to Jackson county, coming to Parke county in 1850, and here he has remained ever since. When fifteen years of age he commenced working on the farm and, soon had saved enough money to buy a piece of land. He purchased the land he now lives on after he was married. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, Mary Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Stoner, and they have three children, namely : Clarence H., Joseph D. and Robert T.
Mr. Hamilton is one of the honored veterans of the great Civil war,
686
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
having enlisted in April, 1861, soon after Lincoln's first call for loyal sons of the North to put down the rebellion, and he served most faithfully and gal- lantly in the Fourteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry for a period of three years, seeing much hard service and participating in a number of important engagements, his regiment having been in the following battles: Winchester, Green Brier, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House and Cold Harbor, including nearly all the great battles of the war.
After he was honorably discharged Mr. Hamilton returned home and worked in a saw-mill for many years and later took up farming, which he has followed since in a successful manner.
GUY BRYANT.
A list of Parke county's prominent families would certainly be incom- plete were there failure to make specific mention of the well-known farmer and representative citizen, and his relatives, whose name introduces this sketch, for his life has been one of industry, usefulness and honor, resulting in good to everyone with whom he has had dealings.
Guy Bryant, owner of a finely improved and productive farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres on the Bryant road, about three miles south of Rock- ville, Parke county, was born April 6, 1856, on the farm which he now owns, and here he grew to maturity and has always lived in Adams township. He received his education in the rural schools of his neighborhood. He is a son of Andrew and Emeline (Cornthwaite) Bryant. The father came from Vir- ginia and was a very early settler in Parke county, well known to the pioneer element, and here he developed a good farm from the wilderness and became a substantial and highly respected citizen. The Cornthwaite family came from near Dayton, Ohio, and are still a large and influential family in this section of Indiana.
The subject was nine years old when his father died, and the farm was then operated by an older brother of the subject. Guy Bryant assisted with the work on the home farm during his school period, and when nineteen years of age he began life for himself and until recently successfully devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and stock raising. Having accumulated a competency for his old age, he is now living in retirement, having turned his farın over to his family.
In March. 1882, Mr. Bryant was united in marriage to Laura E. Beatty,
687
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
daughter of James C. and Sarah F. (Nutgrass) Beatty, the father having been born near Rockville, Indiana, the representative of a very old family. Nine children were born to James C. Beatty and wife, namely: Laura E., wife of the subject; Mildred, Rosette and Charles are all deceased; Mrs. Emma Lang; Mrs. Cora Barnes lives at Raccoon, Indiana; Edward. Joe and George. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bryant, namely : Blanche May married D. A. Pence and they have one son, Maurice : Otto H. is at home ; Ethel married Walter Clark.
ALONZO SOULES.
The farming element of Parke county has an able exponent in Alonzo Soules, a man who has learned the art of husbandry not from an agricultural college or from perusing agricultural and horticultural journals, but by prac- tical experience, being by nature a close observer and a persistent worker, and he has therefore succeeded where, perhaps, others would have failed.
Mr. Soules is the owner of a productive and well-improved place of seventy-five acres on the Mecca and Rockville road, about a mile and a half southwest of Rockville, in Adams township. He was born March 1, 1855, near Terre Haute, in Vigo county, Indiana, and is the son of Lemuel B. and Anna J. Mackenzie. The father was born and reared in Vigo county on his father's farm, near the edge of the city limits of Terre Haute. His father, William Soules, came from the north of Ireland and settled in Vigo county, having first remained a while in Ohio, from which state he moved on to the vicinity of Terre Haute. His son, Samuel Soules, took up eighty acres early in life, started in for himself and made a success.
Alonzo Soules was educated in the old log schoolhouse near his home, and he worked on the farm during the vacation months. At the age of twenty years he purchased a piece of land from his father, and had a small farm, which he later sold, after which he came to Adams township, Parke county, about nine years ago, and bought land, and here he has continued to reside and develop a good farm and make a good living, laying by all the while for his old age.
Mr. Soules was married on November 1, 1875, to Josephine Kitchell, daughter of Albert and Nancy (Parmer) Kitchell. Her father came from Owen county, Indiana, from which he removed to Coles county, Illinois, where he followed farming and carpentering, and there he and his wife both
688
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
lied. The subject's wife was reared there and received her education in the common schools.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Soules, namely : Frank, who married in Texas, has three children, Aaron, Raymond and Ovid; Norah, wife of Ovid Mason, are both deceased, leaving one child, Leo, who lives with the subject and is attending school ; George Soules is deceased; Candissa is also deceased. Mrs. Soules died March 9, 1912, and Mr. Soules married, on October 3, 1912, Mrs. Minnie Thompson, of Parke county.
Mr. Soules is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the family are Methodists. He was at one time supervisor and road overseer in Vigo county. Politically, he is a Republican.
PERCY SEYBOLD.
One of the progressive young farmers of the vicinity of Rockville and a representative of one of Parke county's highly honored families is Percy Seybold, who has had the privilege, not vouchsafed to many of us, of spending his life on the old home place. This is a privilege which he appreciates as well as he should, for there is a charm about the home of our childhood which we never find elsewhere. Useless to say that he is keeping the old farm in excellent condition, rotating his crops and employing such other scientific methods of farming as are calculated to preserve the original fertility and strength of the soil, which he is managing for the heirs.
Mr. Seybold was born on the farm he now occupies, in Adams township, Parke county, Indiana, September 1, 1887, and is a son of Jasper L. and Mar- garet (Neet) Seybold. The father was also born on this farm and lived here all of his life, becoming one of the leading general farmers of the locality. He received his education in the neighboring schools, and early in life devoted his attention exclusively to general farming and stock raising. This place was settled by the paternal grandfather of the subject in a very early day when the country round about was sparsely settled and little improved and thus the Seybold family has been well known here for many decades.
Four children were born to Jasper Seybold and wife, namely: Nettie is the wife of Owen Swain, and they have one child, Harriet Evelyn Swain; Roscoe lives in Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Purdue University, being an electrical engineer ; Percy, of this review, and Glaydis.
Percy Seybold, after passing through the local public schools, took an agricultural course at Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana. He returned
689
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
to the home farm after leaving the university and here he has remained, making a pronounced success as an agriculturist, operating the same on a scientific basis. This place consists of one hundred and eighty-six acres, all under cultivation. Fraternally he is a Mason, and the family holds member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILLIAM B. COLLINGS.
The opportunities offered the farmer in Parke county are without question superior to those of most sections of the Hoosier state. Nature has indeed been lavish with her horn of Cornucopia in this rich Wabash valley country ; but, notwithstanding these facts, success as a general farmer here is not to be obtained by the slothful and loafer. Hard, persistent effort and good management are required here just as they are in other parts of the country. One of the men realizing this is William B. Collings, who lives on a finely improved and productive farm of eighty acres, and in one of the finest rural homes in the county, known as "Allendale," and who is also the owner of two hundred and forty-two acres on the Collings gravel road.
Mr. Collings was born on March 3, 1861, on the above mentioned farm, which is known as the Collings home place. He is a son of Spotsard and Rebecca ( Mattox) Collings, both parents coming from Kentucky to this county in an early day, the family having been an influential one in Shelby county, in the Blue Grass state. However, these parents were not married there, the father having been but eight years old when he accompanied his parents to Indiana. He was a farmer all his life. The Collingses were among the very first to settle in this vicinity of Parke county.
The subject of this sketch is one of seven boys, namely: Archibald B., Dr. S. P., Abraham J., Dr. Oliver P. (deceased), Neri, William B., of this sketch, and Dr. Howard P. Dr. S. P. Collings and Dr. Howard P. Collings are located at Hot Springs, Arkansas, and are medical men of national reputa- tion, being especially prominent and influential in the councils of the various medical associations of America. Dr. S. P. is a thirty-third-degree Mason.
William B. Collings grew to manhood on the home farm and there he assisted with the general work when he became of proper age, and during the winter months he received his education in the public school in his district. When twenty-one years of age he purchased seventy-five acres of land from his father, which he worked with success, and in about five years he added to his original purchase, and succeeding years have brought him a large degree of
(44)
690
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
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.