History of Tipton County Indiana, Part 43

Author: M. W. Pershing
Publication date: 1914
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 701

USA > Indiana > Tipton County > History of Tipton County Indiana > Part 43

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the following children : Ann, Jacob, Eli, Rado, John, Mary, Rachel and Mrs. Hoover's mother.

Rev. Hoover began preaching at Derby, Ohio, and at the Bell church, near Utica, Ohio, while he was yet a student at Denison University, preach- ing alternately at these places. Before attending college the subject was a teacher in the district schools, having begun his pedagogical duties at the early age of sixten years near Johnstown, Ohio. He also acted as a tutor while in the high school and at Hiram College. His first regular pastorate was in Zanesville, Ohio, where he served for two years and in the last year of his pastorate he was president of the Ministerial Association of that city, being at the time its youngest member. Next he was called to Minerva, Ohio, and from that charge to the First Christian church at Chicago, Illinois, serv- ing two years at that church and then for four years filling the pulpit of the West Pullman church, while at the last named place doing graduate work in the University of Chicago. Coming to Tipton, Tipton county, In- diana, in 1909, he served here for five years, resigning to accept the position of state evangelist and district superintendent of the eastern district of In- diana Christian churches. During the period of Rev. Hoover's ministry in Tipton there were added to the West Street Christian church six hundred and seventy-one persons, the membership of the congregation increasing dur- ing the five years from four hundred and fifty to over nine hundred. The net indebtedness of the church was decreased over nine thousand dollars. The annual service for railway men and their families and the annual men's banquet, the latter of which has come to occupy a foremost place in the life of the city, were instituted during his pastorate. On accepting the pres- ent position, Rev. Hoover removed to Indianapolis, and now resides at No. 355 South Audubon road in that city.

Rev. Hoover was for three years president of the fourth district of Indiana Christian churches and for three years a member of the board of directors of the Indiana Christian Missionary Association; for three years - the subject was a member of the executive committee and for two years chairman of the committee on evangelism, also being a member of the com- mittee on education. At the time of his call to the state work, he was vice- president of the state board. Appointed by Judge Purvis as a member of the county board of charities, the subject served as vice-president of the board. William Jennings Bryan selected Rev. Hoover as a member of the advisory board of the great Winona Assembly June 19, 1912. For one year he was president of the associate Winona conference of the Disciples of Christ, being the chairman for the year 1913. The president of the inter-

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national convention of the Disciples of Christ appointed him a member of the committee to prepare the prayer meeting topics for the Brotherhood of the Disciples of Christ for the year 1914. Rev. Hoover is a member of the Lambda Deuteron Chapter of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, at Denison University, Granville, Ohio; a member of the West Pullman (Chicago) Lodge No. 817, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a member of the Tipton lodge of Masons.

JOHN B. REEDER.

Among the representative and progressive farmers of Tipton county who have been of material assistance in the upbuilding and development of the county none are better known than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. But John B. Reeder has shown exceptional ability along other lines, and as postmaster and county recorder he has proved that he is a man of marked mentality and good judgment.

John B. Reeder, the son of Joseph H. and Susannah (Lindley) Reeder, was born in Howard county, Indiana, January 5, 1853. Joseph was born in Wayne county, Indiana, May 30, 1830, but his parents removed to Howard county when he was still a small boy and his limited education was received in the latter county. Upon reaching manhood he began to deal in real estate and live stock and by well directed efforts and tireless energy he was very successful. He branched out in the mercantile business as well and made a success of that venture; in addition to these various enterprises he had a farm, where he was living at the time of his death, on January 29, 1875. Before he reached his majority he was married, June 5, 1850, to Susannah Lindley, the daughter of John and Mary Lindley, and their union was blessed with eleven children: (1) John B., the subject of this sketch: (2) James, who died at the age of ten : (3) Mary C., who married William Wise. and has three children, Estill, Lee and Cora: (4) Cynthia E., who married Nelson Hollingsworth, and has six children, Naomi, Sherman, Fred, Dollie. Hobert and George; (5) Joseph H .. Jr., married Pauline Hawkins, the daugh- ter of Daniel and Mary Hawkins, and had three children before his death, in 1886, John, Beulah, and Ella, deceased; (6) Martha M., who married Wilson Cottingham, and has five children, William, Maude. Lorraine, Merle and Car- rie; (7) George B., who married Mattie Andrews, and had one child who died in infancy: (8) Walter S., who married Etta Shaw, the daughter of William and Sarah Shaw, and has eight children, Willard, Ward, Pearl.

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Albert, Ralph, Dorothy, Alta and Kenneth; (9) Minnie, who married Charles Snyder, and has three children, Lawrence, Marbel and Susan; (10) Cora, who married Thomas Warnock, and has five children, Ray, Fred, Roy, Armon and Guy; (11) Susannah, who married J. C. Langley, and had one child dying in infancy. Mrs. Langley died in 1898.

John B. Reeder was reared on the farm, early learning the lessons of toil and self-reliance, and, growing up under the wholesome influence of outdoor life, he developed that strength of mind and body which have served him to such a good purpose in his subsequent career. He had good educa- tional advantages and in 1868 graduated from the high school at Kokomo, at that time considered one of the best schools in the state. After graduation he worked with his father, assisting him in his various enterprises for three years. His father, recognizing his ability, then took him in as a full partner and he continued in the partnership for about four years, when, his health becoming impaired, he retired from active participation in the business and removed to his farm. He has continued to reside on the farm since that time with the exception of the period spent in public offices. In 1875 he was appointed postmaster of Nevada, Tipton county, and in 1892 was elected audi- tor of Tipton county on the Democratic ticket. He filled this exacting office with credit to himself and entire satisfaction to the citizens of the county, proving to be a very capable, efficient and painstaking official. No man in Tipton county ever went out of a county office with a cleaner and better record than Mr. Reeder.

Mr. Reeder was married to Martha Ricketts, the daughter of Garrett and Alice ( Manford) Ricketts, and this union has been blessed with nine children : (1) John B., Jr., deceased; (2) Flora, who married Amos Hoff- man, and has three children, Paul, Guy and Vera, deceased; (3) Effie May, who married Jonathan Ulrich, and has four children, Clyde, Fred, Bernard and Ruth: (4) Thomas M., who married Clara Coy, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leverett D. Coy; (5) Charles G., who married Bertha Kirk, and has two children, Lelah and Herman; (6) Ernest C., who married Hazel Kelley, the daughter of Schuyler and Nancy Kelly, and has one child, Vivian Helen; (7) Manly T., who died unmarried on January 10, 1904: (8) Alta R., who married Samuel W., Heath. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are making their home with Mr. Reeder, his wife having died July 19, 1986.

Mr. Reeder has always been a stanch and uncompromising Democrat and has for many years been one of his party's main leaders. He was re- warded by his party by being elected to the office of county recorder and handled the affairs of that office in a most business-like fashion. He was

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prompt in the discharge of every official duty and his record was such as to win the unqualified indorsement of the general public. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to Windfall Lodge No. 334. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. His church af- filiation has always been with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Mr. Reeder has lived at peace with his fellowmen and followed principles which have won for him the esteem and respect of all with whom he has come in contact.

DAVID C. WIGGINS, JR.

The subject of this sketch is a fine example of the young progressive farmer of today. He has already accomplished for himself and others more than many others can do in a lifetime. At an age when many young men are in college, without any responsibilities whatever, he was deeply immersed in his work, with important responsibilities on his mind and laying the founda- tion for a successful agricultural career. It is a sign of the times, and a good sign too, to see so many of our best young men turning to the farm for a livelihood. The occupation of the farmer was never more remunerative than it is today, while it has always been the most independent of all occupa- tions.

David C. Wiggins, Jr., the son of David L. and Mary (Nagle) Wig- gins, was born 'on the farm where he now lives on July 8, 1882. His father was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, coming to this state in 1862, and settling in Arcadia, Hamilton county, where he followed the trade of a mechanic for ten years. He then went to Millersburg, in the same county, and bought a small farm of thirty acres and reared a part of his faniily. He operated this farm for a number of years and then sold it and bought the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. David L. Wiggins are the parents of ten children: John, deceased : Emma, deceased: Mollie, deceased: George, Will, Mrs. Ella Springer, Mrs. Ida Stewart, Mrs. Anna Bunch, Mrs. Bertha Bouse, and David C., the sub- ject of this sketch.

David Wiggins was accorded such educational advantages as were af- forded in the common schools of his county. At the age of twenty-one he started in business for himself by renting land from his father and through well-directed efforts he was successful from the first. He has always taken an active and intelligent interest in public affairs and is known as a man

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of marked mentality and judgment. The application of unceasing energy and industry enabled him to purchase the home farm of eighty acres within a few years and since that time he has been enhancing its value by making ex- tensive improvements of all kinds.

Mr. Wiggins was united in marriage on May 19, 1906, to Clara Kinder, the daughter of Henry and Ada (Little) Kinder, and this marriage has been blessed with one child. Mr: Wiggins is a man whose interests center largely in his home and he does every thing within his power to make it as com- · fortable and pleasant as possible. He is essentially domestic in his tastes and his home is veritably his castle, the center of his hopes and affections, and the place where his true and loving soul radiates its most genial and beneficial rays.

Though he is a Progressive Republican in his political connections, Mr. Wiggins has neither cared for nor sought for office, his preference being for the quiet and simple life of his farm. His only public office was as secre- tary of the Progressive county organization.

Mr. Wiggins is truly a self-made man, who began life with no capital but his head and hands and a willingness to work, yet we find him today, at middle life, in possession of a good farm, a comfortable home and every- thing conducive to a happy and contented life.

NEWMAN R. WILSON.

The name borne by the subject of this sketch has long been known in this county and the Wilson family has been one of the most honored and substantial families in the county for many decades. The different mem- bers of the family have occupied positions of trust and honor in the central portion of Indiana and are known by every one as a family which stands for the best welfare of the various communities in which they have lived.

Newman R. Wilson, the son of W. F. and Mary ( Fisher ) Wilson, was born July 8, 1879, in Hamilton county, Indiana. His father was a native of Hamilton county and followed the occupation of a farmer in the county all of his life. He started out with no capital except strong hands, a willing heart and a determination to succeed, and at the time of his death he owned two hundred acres of as fine land as could be found in the county. In addi- tion to his farming interests he bought and sold stock and added materially to his income in this way. He was for thirty-five years engaged in shipping

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stock, being the largest shipper in Hamilton county. Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Wilson were the parents of four children: Newman, the subject of this sketch; Lowell; Floyd W., whose career is given elsewhere in this volume, and one daughter, Edna.

Newman Wilson attended the public schools of his county and finished his education by taking the full four-years course in the Arcadia high school. Shortly after graduation he was married to Lena Ellen Eilan, the daughter of J. S. and Amada (Newby ) Eilan. Mr. and Mrs. Elian are the parents of the following children, Arthur, deceased; Lena Ellen, the wife of Mr. Wilson; Edna, Ruth, Sylbert and Ralph.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born five children : Donovan, Troy, Eugene. Alice and Virginia. The three oldest are now attending the public schools, the parents intending to give all of their children the best education possible in order to equip them as well as the modern day and age requires.

Mr. Wilson is a staunch advocate of the Republican party and the principles as set forth by that party. He takes an active interest in the questions and issues of the hour, but he has never been an aspirant for political preferment of any order, preferring to devote his entire attention to his agricultural interests. He and the members of his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and contribute liberally of their means to the support of that denomination. Mr. Wilson is a progressive and wide- awake farmer, who manages his affairs according to true business principles and in so doing has won the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

JAMES SHIELDS.

There is no one in Tipton county who has a clearer right to the title of a self-made man than James Shields, the subject of this brief sketch. He has known what it is to work early and late in order to make a living, and throughout his whole career he has been a most industrious and energetic man. Compelled at an early age to assume the responsibilities of supporting a family, he is a fine example of the best type of American citizenship, for he has certainly won the proud title of a self-made man and his career is such as to gain for him the respect of those with whom he comes in contact. He has never claimed that the world owes him a living, but has cheerfully earned all that he possesses and is today the owner of a good farm of two hundred and fifty-six acres in Liberty township.

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MR. AND MRS. JAMES SHIELDS

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James Shields, the son of William and Nancy (Roach) Shields, was born January 11, 1853, in Ripley county, Indiana. His father, William Shields, was born in Ireland in 1821 and came to this country when he was fifteen years of age, settling in Columbus, Indiana. His wife, Nancy, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Roach, was born in Jefferson county, In- diana, in 1822. To Mr. and Mrs. William Shields were born five children : Mary and William, both of whom died of the cholera in 1853: Anna, deceased wife of John Wyatt, of Tipton county ; James, the subject of this sketch.

William Shields died during the cholera epidemic which raged through- out Indiana in 1853, two of his children dying of the plague the same year. James was less than one year old at the time of his father's death, while his one remaining sister was but little older. His mother was married a second time when James was four years of age to Willis Banks and the family moved the same year to Tipton county. James Shields had attended school in Ripley county and finished his education in Tipton county, being com- pelled to leave school upon the death of his stepfather in 1868. He at once assumed the support of the family by working for the farmers in the im- mediate locality. He was the head and support of the family until his mar- riage, on February 19, 1878, to Eliza Grishaw, the daughter of J. W. and Millie Jane Grishaw, of Liberty township, Tipton county. To this union were born six children: William, who married Anna Henderson, the daugh- ter of William and Susan Henderson, of Liberty township, and has four children, Ruth, Mary, Cora and James; Bertha, the wife of R. C. Thomas, of Liberty township, has three children, Dallas, Harold and Robert; Louis, who is a graduate of Marion Normal College and the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, and is now attending the Princeton University Theological School. He was the Congregational minister at South Chicago for some time; Jesse, the fourth child, married Mary Graff, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah Graff, and this union has been blessed with one daughter, Gretchen; Delcie M. is doing missionary work in the mountains of eastern Kentucky ; and Leona, the youngest child, is attending the high school at Kokomo, In- diana.

The father of Mrs. Shields was a native of Ripley county, Indiana, being born in 1820, and lived there until his marriage to Millie Jane Haw- thorne. the daughter of George and Sarah (Holman) Hawthorne. They were the parents of eight children: Sarah, the wife of Orville Mckay; Melissa, the wife of Marcus Van Bibber, and the mother of five children. Arthur, Earl, Louis, Cleo and one who died in infancy; Eliza, the wife of (29)

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Mr. Shields; Martha, the wife of William Richards, and the mother of eight children, Flossie, Orin, Irvin, Elsie, Pearl, Curtis and two who died in infancy; Scott, who married Lella Fish, the daughter of David and Ollie Jane Fish, and has two children, Lena and Robert, deceased; and Charles, the youngest of the Grishaw children, who married May Thompson.

Mr. Shields has been a life-long Republican, but has never cared for political preferment. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day and can discuss them intelligently at all times; however, he has been an onlooker rather than a participant in active politics. He has a firm and abiding belief in religion and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, having been a trustee of the Sharpsville church for the past twenty-five years. His wife is also identified with the same religious body and, like him, she is deeply interested in good works and active in promoting all kinds of charitable and benevolent enterprises.

As has been said, Mr. Shields is emphatically a self-made man and his success has been commensurate with the energy, resourcefulness and tact which he has always displayed in all his business dealings. He is a man of strong will and force of character and these elements have made it possible for him to attain the success which is so justly his today. Mr. and Mrs. Shields have been ideal parents, as is so well shown by their splendid children, all of whom have become leaders in their respective spheres. Their children were educated with the object in view of preparing them for useful and hon- orable lives. and the result must certainly be very gratifying to their parents. The life of such a man as James Shields is a blessing to the community in which he lives and an inspiration to all with whom he comes in contact.

JESSE W. BENNETT.

The farmer of Indiana who was born three score and ten years ago can look back over a span of time which has brought about greater improvement in farming than any other period in the whole history of the world. In fact. there have been more improvements within the last fifty years than there were in all the years which have elapsed since the discovery of America. It is indeed difficult for the younger generation to realize what the conditions were which existed in Indiana seventy years ago. So different were they from what they are at present that the review of the lives of men who have lived during all this period is interesting as well as instructive to the younger

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generation. These forefathers of ours who were farming before the war can well remember the log cabin home, the mud roads, the rail fences, the grain cut with a sickle and threshed with a flail. Farming implements were very crude compared to the improved machinery of the present and much hard labor was demanded of the farmers as they undertook the task of transforming their land into a rich and productive field. Gradually time and the white race have brought great changes where the red men formerly roamed.

Jesse W. Bennett, one of the wealthy land owners of Tipton county, Indiana, was born in Tippecanoe county, this state, in 1842. His parents were James and Ruth ( Whitehead) Bennett, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. They left their native state and came to Indiana shortly after their marriage and settled in Tippecanoe county, near Lafayette, where the subject of this sketch was born. They lived in that county the remainder of their lives and reared there a large family of nine children, only four of whom are living at the present time, Sarah, Samuel, Jesse W. and Elma. Those who are deceased are Edmond, Elma, Benjamin and James. Samuel and Elma are living in Kansas. James Bennett was a carpenter by trade, although he always lived on the farm. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Tippecanoe county, and underwent all of the hardships peculiar to the early settlers in new counties. in the state. His career was characterized by in- dustry and at his death he was recognized as one of the leading citizens of that county.

Jesse W. Bennett was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads and attended the subscription schools which were held for a few weeks in the winter, while in the summer months he worked in the fields. The land which his father bought in Tippecanoe was covered with a dense growth of timber and the only music besides the noise of the wild animals of the forest which greeted our young lad was the sound of his ax as the trees one by one fell before his steady, youthful strokes. His father tried to give him the best education obtainable at that time, and after getting all he could from the short winter term he went to the Quaker school near Lafayette for a short time. After reaching manhood's estate, he moved to Benton county, where he became a successful farmer and for twenty-eight years lived on a farm in that county. He then moved to Tipton county on the farm which he now owns and here he has remained until the present time. He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits and his well cultivated farm of two hundred acres shows what he has accomplished by hard work and attention to every detail of his farm work and he has met with a marked degree of success

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in his chosen vocation. He has never engaged in any speculation, but has earned his competency by persistent effort and untiring industry and per- severance.

In accordance with the Biblical injunction that it was not good for man to live alone, Mr. Bennett was married at the age of thirty-two to Mary Cresser, the daughter of Townsand and Margaret Cresser, and this marriage has been blessed with four children: Nellie, who is deceased: Morton, who married Emma Howell; Alice, the wife of Jesse Williams, and Wilson, who married Hattie Bull. His first wife died in 1910, leaving one son. He sub- sequently married Elizabeth Drake and to this union has been born one son. Ralph.

In his political views Mr. Bennett has always been a stanch Republican, but has never sought or desired public office, being content to perform his duties as a private citizen. He has been a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years was a trustee in that denomination. His life has always been in harmony with the principles of his church. and he has so lived that his fellow citizens pass favorable judgment upon his every-day conduct

THOMAS WHEELER CAGE.

Among the prominent and highly respected farmers of Tipton county. the late Thomas W. Cage occupied a very prominent and conspicuous place. For a generation he took an active part in the various community affairs of . Liberty township and in every thing he did it was evident that he was a man of high and lofty ideals. His life was molded by his Christian faith and he was widely known as an honorable man, as well as a successful farmer, so that at his death. in 1912, the community felt that it had lost a valued citi- zen.

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History of Tipton County Indiana, Part 43

Author: M. W. Pershing Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Number of Pages: 701

Author: M. W. Pershing
Publication date: 1914
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 701