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 78
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 78
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Harry J. Richards received a common school education and on June 23, 1912, was married to Frances Welch, who was born October 7, 1887, in Terre Haute, Indiana. She is a daughter of T. J. Welch.
Harry J. Richards began learning the machinist's trade when but a boy, and this has been his life vocation. He began as low as fifty cents a day, his first experiences being gained at Bedford, Indiana. . After finishing his ap- prenticeship he traveled extensively through the Western states as railroad machinist, returning to Indiana in 1908 and locating in Terre Haute, where he began work as a machinist. He was subsequently promoted to the position
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of round house foreman, from there he was transferred to Bedford as assist- ant general foreman of the Bedford shops, and from there he was sent to Clinton in October, 1911, where he is still stationed, giving eminent satis- faction to all concerned as general foreman of the round house in West Clinton where he has everything under a superb system and all running like a Swiss clock. Thirteen engines can be housed here. He has been with the Clinton, Terre Haute & Southeastern railroad since he came to Clinton.
Politically, Mr. Richards is a Republican and, fraternally, he belongs to Lodge No. 824, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Bedford.
HOLBERT DAVIS.
We of the present generation do not fully realize what it meant for the young men of half a century ago, with life's bright promises before them, to leave business, the comforts of home and the pleasures of associations with family and friends and go out to do or die in the world's greatest war, in which they suffered indescribably, at times, "in order that the nation might live." But they, our honored sires, did it, gladly and well, and today no man should be the recipient of greater esteem by us than the old veteran, who wore the blue. One such was Holbert Davis, a successful farmer of Union town- ship, Parke county.
Mr. Davis was born on September 23, 1841, in the above named town- ship and county on the farm on which he still lives, it having been his great privilege to spend his life on the old homestead. He is a son of Samuel and Barbara (Miller) Dayis. The father was born on May 20, 1800, in Butler county. Ohio, where he spent his early manhood years, being twenty-five years old when, in 1825, he removed to Indiana and here spent the rest of his life, dying on December 27, 1879, at an advanced age. The mother of the subject was born in Ohio also, and her death occurred in 1843. Samuel Davis re- ceived a good education and he took an influential interest in political matters, and in 1850 he was a member of the constitutional convention. He was a tanner by trade and also operated a farm. His family was exceptionally large, consisting of fifteen children, seven of whom are still living. He was twice married.
Holbert Davis received a good common school education and he grew to manhood on the home farm. On August 25, 1864, he was united in mar- riage to Sarah Beachamp, who was born on August 6, 1844, in Adams town- ship, Parke county, and there grew to womanhood and received a public
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school education. She is a daughter of Eli and Frances (Crooks) Beachamp. Three daughters have been born to this union, namely : Laura E., born Febru- ary 28, 1867, is living at home; Ida, born November 11, 1868, married Perry Mitchell and they live on a farm in Union township, Parke county ; Barbara, born on June 18, 1875, married Walter B. Stark, and they also live on a farm in Union township.
Mr. Davis has always been a farmer and stock raiser and has been very successful, being now the owner of a splendidly improved farm of one hun- dred and three acres, all in Union township, about sixty-nine acres being till- . able, the rest in timber land. Mr. Davis made all the improvements on his place, and he has a good farm and a comfortable home.
On July 29, 1862, Mr. Davis enlisted in the Seventy-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Humphries. He served in only one battle, which lasted about two hours. He was paroled and sent home, and was dis- charged in September, 1862.
Mr. Davis belongs to the United Brethren church, in which he is a trustee. Politically, he is a Republican.
WILLIAM JOHNSTON, JR.
One of the young men of Parke county who is rapidly winning his way to success in the mining fields of this locality is William Johnston, Jr., who is very ably discharging the duties of pit boss with the Mecca Coal Company. He knew from the first that success in future years depends on how well he did his work as a beginner, whether or not he learned the basic principles thoroughly, and also whether he conducted himself as a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. With these things in view, he has forged ahead steadily.
Mr. Johnston was born on February 8, 1882, in Greene county, Ohio, and he is a son of William J., Sr., and Elizabeth ( Darrah) Johnston. The father was born in Ireland, in which country he grew to manhood, and there was married, his wife having also been a native of the Emerald Isle. They emigrated to the United States soon after their marriage, and took up their home in Clay county, Indiana, later removing to Parke county. The father has always worked about the mines. He is still living, making his home in the village of Mecca, this county, but the mother was called to her eternal rest on July 3, 1909. They became the parents of five children, three of whom are still living.
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Mr. Johnston, of this review, received a common school education. On January 21, 1901, he was united in marriage to Rena M. Andrews, who was born in Parke county, Indiana, here grew to womanhood and received her education in the public schools. She is a daughter of Ira and Hannah (Mowling) Andrews. To this union two children have been born, namely : William O., who is in school, and Mary R.
Mr. Johnston has always worked about the mines, starting first by dig- ging with his father, and worked up step by step until, on November 16, 1911, he became pit boss with the Mecca Coal Company of Parke county, and he has since discharged the duties of this responsible position in a manner that has been entirely acceptable to all concerned. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Mecca and, politically, he is a Republican. He is a young man of good habits and stands well with all who know him.
GEORGE W. GRIFFIN.
Reared to the free and healthful life of a husbandman and trained from boyhood in the various phases of that vocation. George W. Griffin, of the vicinity of Clinton, Indiana, has never cared for other lines of endeavor and so he has succeeded at this, for the person of contemplative mind will agree that the young man who decides early what his life work is to be and adheres persistently to one thing will be much more likely to succeed than if he cast about from one thing to another, seeking "something more suitable."
Mr. Griffin was born in 1857 in the state of Iowa, but his parents brought him to Florida township, Parke county, Indiana, when he was but a child and here he was reared to manhood on the home farm on which he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools of that town- ship. He is a son of Hiram and Lucy Anna ( Evans) Griffin. Hiram Griffin was reared also in Florida township, this county, and he devoted his life to general farming, mostly in this county, though he spent some years in the state of Iowa, later returning here.
Six children were born to Hiram Griffin and wife, four of whom are living, namely : George W., of this review; Mrs. Gertrude Barnes, Mart and Fred. The parents of the above named children are both deceased.
George WV. Griffin was economical when a young man and was thus enabled to buy his present farm when only twenty-two years of age, later adding to his original purchase, making necessary improvements all the while until today he has a productive, well improved and valuable farm of ninety
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acres on the Huxford gravel road, about four miles east of the city of Clin- ton. He has laid by a competency as the years have advanced and when old age arrives lie will be able to take life easier. He has a pleasant home in the midst of attractive surroundings.
Mr. Griffin has been twice married, first to Margaret Huxford, who is deceased, and he was subsequently married to Minerva Dyson. He is the father of four children, namely: Charles is at home; Mabel married Irvin Johnson; Elbert and Cecil. : Mr. Griffin and family belong to the Christian church and are active in all church affairs.
J. GILBERT GRIFFIN.
The valuable farm of J. Gilbert Griffin, which consists of one hundred and eight acres, well improved and under an excellent state of cultivation, presents to the spectator many aspects of a pleasing nature, for everything is always found to be in proper place and well kept ; no careless methods here, everything being under a superb system. Mr. Griffin is therefore deserving to rank among the most progressive of our agriculturists.
The birth of Mr. Griffin occurred on December 28, 1879, on the old Griffin home place, he being a son of George and Margaret (Huxford) Griffin. The father came to Parke county, Indiana, when a child and was reared to manhood in Florida township and educated in the public schools here, and here he devoted his life successfully to general farming. He had but the one child, J. Gilbert, of this sketch.
J. Gilbert Griffin grew to manhood in his native community, assisting his father with the work about the home place when he was a boy, and he received his education in the common schools. In his early career he spent one year in the town of Newport, Parke county, where he engaged in merchandising. .
On September 5, 1904, Mr. Griffin was married to Milbrey Johnson, daughter of John and Amanda (Cloyd) Johnson. Her father came from near Atherton, Vigo county, Indiana, and later in life went West and be- came a prospector. Returning to this country, he became the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, part of which was in Parke and part in Vigo county. His family consisted of seven; children, namely : Sarah and Cora are both deceased; Milbrey, wife of Mr. Griffin; Luna, Emeline, Marshall and Carlie are all deceased.
Mr. Griffin carries on general farming and stock raising, always keep- ing an excellent grade of live stock, which he prepares for the market from
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year to year and no small part of his income has been derived from this source. He has a good dwelling, well located on the east side of the Hux- ford gravel road, due east of the city of Clinton.
Fraternally, Mr. Griffin belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and in religious matters he is a member of the Christian church.
DICK MILLER.
The true measure of success is determined by what one has accomplished, and, as taken in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not with- out honor save in his own country, there is a particular interest attached to the career of Dick Miller, who, while yet young in years, won a brilliant reputation in western Indiana as a lawyer and politician, and who at this writing is a successful business man of Indianapolis. He is a native son of Parke county, where his earlier years were spent and where his family has long been well known and influential. He has so directed his ability and efforts as to gain recognition as one of the most representative citizens and worthy native sons the vicinity of which this volume deals has yet produced, and, judging from his past commendable success in various lines of endeavor, the future must hold for him much of good and promise and his career is worthy of careful consideration by the young man who is hesitating at the parting of the ways, for it shows what one with grit, perseverance, fortitude and high ideals can accomplish, although in the face of obstacles, if one's ambition is worthy and properly directed.
Mr. Miller was born on January 12, 1871, in the southern part of Parke county, Indiana. He is a son of James N. and Sarah (Snow) Miller .. The father was born in 1827, and he became a prominent citizen in this locality. Further mention is made of him on other pages of this work.
Dick Miller grew to manhood in his native county and received his. primary education in the common schools, later attended the graded schools, then entered the Bloomingdale Academy, from which he was graduated. He then entered the State University at Bloomington and was graduated from there with the class of 1894. He had for some time been studying law, and upon leaving the University he entered the Indiana Law School at Indian- apolis, from which he was graduated in 1896, having made a splendid record for scholarship in all the above named institutions. He returned to Parke county and entered politics, making the race for the Legislature, lower house, on the Democratic ticket and was elected in the fall of 1896, having the dis-
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tinction of being the only Democrat that ever represented this county, with one exception, about eighty years ago, when O. Puett served in that capacity. The subject made an excellent record in the Legislature, winning the hearty approval of all concerned, irrespective of party alignment. In 1897 he moved to Terre Haute and began the practice of law, and he met with a large meas- ure of success, remaining there until 1900, when he made the race for state senator, but was defeated by only three votes. In 1901 he came to Indian- apolis and began the business of a bond salesman, and soon had a nice busi- ness built up. In January, 1907, he engaged in buying and selling bonds on his own account and is still thus engaged, at No. 23 North Pennsylvania street, also buying and selling securities under the name of Miller & Com- pany. He has now a very extensive and lucrative business.
Mr. Miller has a beautiful home in Indianapolis, presided over with grace and dignity by a lady known in her maidenhood as Catharine Trimble, to whom Mr. Miller was united in marriage on June 28, 1906. She is a native of Hamilton county, Indiana, the representative of an excellent family there. The union of the subject and wife has been without issue.
Fraternally, Mr. Miller belongs to the Knights of Pythias in Indian- apolis, also the Masonic order there, embracing the Scottish Rite and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically is an uncompromising Demo- crat and has long been active in the ranks. Personally, he is a genial. obliging and genteel gentleman, whom it is a pleasure to ineet.
M. V. KESSLER.
M. V. Kessler, a farmer of the vicinity of Rosedale, Parke county, is a son of Simeon and Eliza ( Rairdon) Kessler. The father was born in Penn- sylvania, from which state he came to Ohio when young with his parents and was reared near Cincinnati. He was about thirty-five years old when he came to Indiana, having been educated in the Buckeye state. He first located in Henry county, later coming to Vigo county, about seven years after he first came to this state, and he and his wife spent practically all of the balance of their lives in Vigo county.
M. V. Kessler, of this review, grew to manhood in Vigo county, and there received his education in the common schools. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for ten years, building houses all over the country. After he had worked for some time at his trade, he pur- chased some timber and had it made into lard barrel staves, which cleared him eight dollars a day. Thus getting a start, he turned his attention to con-
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tracting and followed that for a period of ten years. A number of years ago he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, his first land, which he rented, later adding to his original purchase and subsequently took up farming, which he has continued, for the most part, to the present time, adding to his holdings from time to time until he is now the owner of a good farm in Parke county, lying about twelve miles from Rockville. In connection with general and mixed farming, he raises various grades of live stock.
After engaging in farming for a number of years, Mr. Kessler saw an opportunity to engage in the timber business, and he accordingly launched out in the same in the Yazoo delta, Mississippi, and this has claimed much of his attention for some time.
IRA NEWLIN.
The early pioneers of Parke and Vermillion counties have about all "crossed the great divide." Year by year their numbers have continued to diminish, until of the hundreds who settled here in the first quarter of the nineteenth century only a few of them remain. There are, however, many men and women now living in these counties, who, though coming here in what might be termed the second period after the early band of homeseekers from the East cast their lots here, have borne well their parts in making this a prosperous region. Then there are the children of the first settlers, who have spent their lives here. The two last classes named are no less worthy of praise in the part they bore in the labors and privations of this early period than are their progenitors and predecessors. One of the oldest of the native sons of Parke county, one of the best known and one of the most use- ful, is the venerable farmer and for forty years minister-Ira Newlin, of Penn township, a man whose life has been so noble, clean and upright, as well as charitable, unselfish and helpful that now, in the December of his years, he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him and, looking back- ward, he has no regrets for misdeeds, and, looking forward, has nothing to fear. He has lived to see the growth of this locality from a primeval forest to one of the choice agricultural sections of the state and has taken an active part in the material, civic and moral advancement of the same. Nearly four score years spent in this vicinity has witnessed remarkable changes and he talks most interestingly of the early days.
Mr. Newlin was born in Penn township, Parke county. Indiana, July 23, 1833. He is the son of Jacob and Sarah (Woody) Newlin, both natives of North Carolina, in which state they spent their earlier years, growing to maturity there. From the old Tar state they emigrated overland, crossing
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the rugged Blue Ridge mountains and fording dangerous unbridged streams, finally reaching Parke county, Indiana. This was in 1823 or 1824, and here they began life in typical pioneer fashion, establishing a log cabin in the dense woods, cleared a space for a garden and a little corn, and as time went on they had a good farm under cultivation and a good home established in Penn township and here they remained, reared their family and passed on to their eternal rest, the father at the early age of forty-six years and the mother when eighty-six years of age, having survived her husband a number of dec- ades. They were both worthy members of the FFriends church, and they spent their lives on the farm. They became the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, Ira, of this sketch, being the fourth in order of birth.
As before intimated, Ira Newlin has always resided in Penn township, Parke county, having grown to manhood here amid pioneer conditions, and he received such schooling as the old-time schools of that early period afforded. He assisted his father to improve the home place, and his life has been spent in connection with general farming which he has made a success and is now one of the substantial men of his community. In connection with farming and stock raising, he has spent about forty years of his life in preaching in the Friends church, doing a great amount of good in the local congregation, doing much to strengthen it and aiding his people in many ways, all of which has been duly appreciated.
Mr. Newlin was first married in his native township, in 1855, to Mary W. Woodward, a native of Reserve township, Parke county, Indiana. Her death occurred in the fall of 1898. To this marriage four children were born, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. Newlin was later married to Mary J. (Breed) Cook, a native of New Hampshire, where she spent her earlier years. She was eight years old when she accompanied her parents from New England to Parke county, Indiana, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is the daughter of Daniel and Ruth Breed. By her first mar- riage, with Mahlin Cook, she became the mother of two children, Claude and Charles Cook.
Mr. Newlin has always taken an active part in educational affairs and Penn township is indebted to him for its present excellent educational sys- tem, he being known as a public-spirited and valuable citizen in every re- spect. In the fall of 1908 he was elected trustee of Penn township on the Prohibition ticket and served his community in this capacity in a most able and conscientious manner. He has long been an active worker in the cause of prohibition, and has also been an influential worker in the Friends church since early life.
HECKMAN BINDERY INC.
OCT 84
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA ֏6962
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