USA > Indiana > Tipton County > History of Tipton County Indiana > Part 45
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Monroe Trimble first attended the common schools of Decatur county and afterward finished his education in the Jennings county pedagogical in- stitutions and in the Scipio high school, during his boyhood being occupied aside from his studies in farm labor, which he continued to follow until the present time. When he reached the age of thirty-three he secured a tract of swamp land, which he was successful in clearing, draining and otherwise improving, and which he eventually sold at a good profit, thereupon coming to this community, where he was married on December 4, 1887, to Rose Harley, daughter of James and Susan (Carey) Harley. James Harley came from Ohio to Hamilton county, Indiana, and was a farmer and land
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owner, having served throughout the Civil war in an Indiana regiment. He was the father of two children, Rose and Elizabeth. Elizabeth married a Mr. McCrackin and became the mother of the following children: Blanch, Elsie, Ruth, Mattie (deceased), Pearl (deceased), Ovied and Hughey. To the subject and wife have been born seven children, namely: Courtland C. married Ethel Stack and they have two children, Lowell and Hershel; James H. married Melvie Moorman and has four children, Ralph, Claude, Floyd and Owen; Earl married Vadie Lawson and they have two children, Althea, and Kenneth Monroe, now deceased; the others are Irene, Stanley, Carey and Eva.
Although Mr. Trimble has never taken enough interest in political matters to seek public office, he has fully discharged his duties in that respect by a conscientious casting of his ballot for the men and principles which he deemed best, his party affiliations being with the Republicans. The subject is a well balanced, intelligent and progressive, public-spirited man, and aside from a deep interest in the welfare of his fellow men, his greatest interests are centered in his home life, where an ideal condition of domesticity and culture exists.
WILLIAM A. RAY.
Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest re- sults in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The every-day life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunities for ac- quiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and self-improvement. One of the most enterprising and successful farmers of Tipton county, Indiana, who has succeeded in his chosen vocation solely through his own courage, per- sistency and good management, is W. A. Ray, of Wildcat township, to a brief review of whose career this sketch is dedicated. He believes in lending what aid he can to his neighbors and the general public while advancing his individual interests, consequently he is regarded as one of our best citizens in every respect.
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W. A. Ray, the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good farm land about four miles from Windfall, in Tipton county, was born November 18, 1851, in Marion county, Indiana, the son of David and Sarah ( Alexan- der) Ray, the father having moved from near Hamilton, Ohio, to Broad Rip- ple, Marion county, where he was engaged in farming. David was a son of Joseph Ray and was the father of the following children: The subject of this review; James married Ella Low and they have two children, Harrison and Clarence; Emma became the wife of Gustav Shaepe and is the mother of Harry, Minnie, Sadie, William and Margaret; Joseph; Belle married William Johnson and has two children, 'Harley and Merritt; Varney keeps house for the subject; Anna is deceased, and one other died in infancy.
W. A. Ray attended the common schools in Hamilton county and later on the removal of his parents to Marion county he attended school there, securing an education on a par with that obtained by the average boy of those days. However, in his later years he has been a great reader and an observer of men and methods and has secured a vast fund of knowledge that could not be obtained in school rooms and which is of much more importance to one in the battle of life.
Starting in life on his own account with nothing except a strong heart. willing hands and ambition to succeed, the subject for a time worked for others and carefully conserved his savings until he was in a position to rent land. His knowledge of all branches of agriculture stood him in good stead and by carefully husbanding his resources the subject eventually was able to purchase land, to which he added from time to time until he is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of as good land as can be found in the township. An expert on the planting and raising of grain, Mr. Ray has been very successful in this staple branch of agriculture, his crops being bountiful and his soil rich through a careful rotation of the plantings. Al- ways on the lookout for newer and more scientific methods of tilling the soil, the subject has kept abreast of the times and is a close student of the best thought along the lines of his chosen vocation.
Throughout his busy and useful life Mr. Ray has found no time to seek public office, although he has used his best judgment in the casting of his ballot, being a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He stands ready at all times to lend his assistance and influence in both a mater- ial and moral way to any movement for the public good, and can ever be counted on to do his full share in advancing all worthy causes.
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DANIEL C. ZEHNER.
The life history of the gentleman whose name forms the caption for this brief biographical review has long been closely identified with the his- tory of the city of Windfall, Tipton county, Indiana. His life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned with a degree of success attained by those only who devote themselves indefatigably to the work before them. He is a high type of business man and none more than he deserves a fitting recognition among the many worthy names in this volume. The qualities which have made Mr. Zehner one of the prominent and suc- cessful men of his community have also brought him the esteem of his fellow townsmen, for his career here has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods.
Daniel C. Zehner, one of the leading merchants and the postmaster of Windfall, Tipton county, Indiana, was born May 1, 1875, in that city, the son of Aaron and Sarah (Alley) Zehner. Aaron Zehner was born in Mansfield, Ohio, November 10, 1850, and lived there until he reached the age of twelve years, when he went to Ohio City and took employment as a clerk in a general store, later working in Van Wert. When he reached the age of twenty years he came to Windfall and for a short while after his removal to this city was a brakeman on the railroad. After this he en- gaged in the merchandise business, which he followed until his death. Under the administration of President Grover Cleveland he was postmaster and Daniel C., the immediate subject of this review, acted as his assistant. Be- side the subject, but one other child was born to Aaron and Sarah Zehner, Lillian, who is living at home.
Securing a good common and high school education, Daniel C. Zehner, with the ambition in mind of engaging in the mercantile business, took a course in a commercial college at Indianapolis, and on his return to Wind- fall took charge of his father's store, which he has successfully conducted since that time, winning not only many friends in the business world, but reaping a substantial return in a pecuniary way, his genial personality and unassuming manners having established him as a highly respected and . admired member of the community.
Mr. Zehner was married, first, on March 4, 1902, to Ida M. Malston, a daughter of Cicero Malston, and they had one child, Henry. On April 6, 1910, Mr. Zehner was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Pearl Mc- (30)
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Knight, the daughter of Charles and Martha (Bales) McKnight, both of whom are deceased, they having been buried at Dalghren, Illinois.
In political affairs the ballot of the subject of this review is cast with the Democratic party and. although his has been too busy a life to permit his seeking public office for himself, he has ever displayed a public spirited and commendable interest in the selection of the best men for office, believ- ing that the best interests of the community can only be advanced by each voter giving careful scrutiny to the principles and candidates seeking his suffrage. In the commercial world, Mr. Zehner stands high as a man whose word is as good as his bond, while, socially, he is a delightful man to meet, being well informed and of rare judgment and innate common sense.
E. F. LEGG.
It is by no means an easy task to set forth in detail the life history of a man who is still living, and yet if he has lived a useful and active life there are many things which can be said which will indicate the things leading to his success. It is the function of biography to trace and record the principal facts of importance, and it is fitting that this be done. since the public properly claims a certain interest in the career of every individual. There- fore, in writing a history of Tipton county, there are certain men who have accomplished definite results who should be included, and among these there is no one more worthy of a place than E. F. Legg, a prosperous retired far- mer of Wildcat township.
E. F. Legg, the son of Benjamin F. and Sarah (Sprong) Legg, was born in Wildcat township. Tipton county, on December 27, 1860. Benjamin Legg was a successful farmer of this county, but is now living a retired life .. He spends his summers at Lake Maxinkuckee in Marshall county, Indiana. while he lives in Mississippi during the winter. His wife has been dead several years.
Mr. Legg received the best education which the country schools of his time afforded and then completed his schooling by attending the National Normal College at Lebanon, Ohio. He and his brother, W. C., both spent a few years in this institution. After graduation Mr. Legg commenced renting land from his father and lived at home until his marriage.
E. F. Legg was married on September 21, 1887, to Josephine Shock-
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ney, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Shockney, and to their union have been born six children, Ray, Eva, Drexel. Abram, Muriel and Harold.
Mr. Legg has always followed agricultural pursuits and has had a large measure of success, owning at this time a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all being under a high state of cultivation. He has made many substantial improvements in the way of buildings and fences, his farm being one of the most attractive in the county. In addition to a general system of farming he makes a specialty of raising high grade live stock, and no small part of his income is derived from this source.
Politically, Mr. Legg is a stanch and unwavering supporter of the Prohibition party and gives to it much thought and study, since he believes that the suppression of the liquor traffic is one of the biggest problems be- fore the American people today. He manifests an abiding interest in the material prosperity of the community, as well as in its social, moral and religious advancement.
GEORGE L. WILBURN.
Among the most prominent and progressive farmers of Wildcat town- ship, Tipton county, is George L. Wilburn, who, although young in years, yet is rapidly making a name for himself as one of the foremost agricul- turalists of his locality. He comes from one of the oldest and most highly respected families in the county, and thus has a heritage of family tradition . which means not a little to him.
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George L. Wilburn. the son of J. M. and Jane (Edmondson) Wilburn, was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, on November 6, 1883. These par- ents had five children, namely: Maud, wife of David Daniels; George L .; Ethel; Ruth, wife of Clarence Russell, and Opal. J. M. Wilburn was born in Hamilton county, Indiana.
Mr. Wilburn was given the best education which the district school of his home township afforded and graduated from the common schools. While he was in school during the winter, he spent his summers on his father's farm, thus getting a sound, practical knowledge of the principles of agricul- ture. At the early age of nineteen years he started out for himself by renting a farm, but within a year he came to the conclusion that life would be much better and infinitely happier if he had some one to share it with him. Accordingly, on September 25. 1903, Mr. Wilburn was married to Lilly
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Weaver, the daughter of George and Anna ( Fisse) Weaver, and this happy union has been blessed with four children, Harold, Ralph, Thelma and Esther. Mrs. Wilburn's father was a native of Germany, coming to this country with his parents when he was a small boy, and settling with them in Hamilton county, Indiana. Mr. Weaver became a very successful farmer and at the time of his death owned one hundred and forty-five acres of land in Tipton county. To Mr. and Mrs. Weaver were born four children. Clara, Albert, Earl, and Lilly, the wife of Mr. Wilburn.
George L. Wilburn is now operating his own farm of forty acres and is proving to be a very able and aggressive farmer. He does a general grain and stock raising line of farming, making a specialty of Duroc hogs. He has good buildings and modern machinery, together with all the other accessories and equipments found upon modern farms, and keeps every- thing about the farm in first-class condition all the time.
Mr. Wilburn has always been an active and earnest supporter of the Democratic party, and, although he keeps well informed on the current questions of the day, he has never been a candidate for political office. He prefers to give all his time and attention to his agricultural interests. Mr. Wilburn is a very genial and companionable man and one who makes friends everywhere he goes. His pleasing personality, strict integrity and high sense of honor have won for him the esteem and confidence of a wide number of his fellow citizens.
ANDREW J. LACY.
It is proper to judge of the success of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, hear his views on public questions, observe the operation of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization and are, therefore, competent to judge of his merits and his demerits. After a long course of years of such daily observation, it would be out of the question for neighbors not to know his worth, for, as has been said, "actions speak louder than words." In this connection it is not too much to say that the subject of this sketch has passed a life of activity and has the confidence of those who know him.
Andrew J. Lacy is a native of the Hoosier state, born in Hamilton
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county on April 10, 1871, the son of John and Susan ( Pryor) Lacy, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They grew to maturity in their native state and came to Indiana in their early married life, where the father entered four hundred and twenty acres of land in Hamilton county, on which he passed the remainder of his life. He spent many years in putting his ground into proper shape for cultivation and was considered one of the foremost men of his community in his day. His death occurred in 1895. There were eight children in his family, and in addition to Andrew, the immediate subject of this sketch, there were William, Albert, Charles, Jane, Susan and two children who died in early infancy. William took as his wife Phoebe Day; Albert married Nancy Klingsmith; Jane married Joseph Eller and Charles and Susan remain unmarried.
Andrew J. Lacy received his education in the district schools of Hamil- ton county and early became an assistant to his father in the operation of their home place. He started in business for himself when quite a young man and rented a tract of land for a while. As soon as he saw his way clear, he purchased a farm consisting of fifty-six acres. He later sold that and purchased eighty acres which form part of his present farm, consist- ing of one hundred and two acres in Prairie township.
On December 16, 1872, Mr. Lacy was united in marriage with Isabella Stroup, daughter of Jackson and Sarah Stroup and one of a family of four children, the others being Anna, Rufus, who married Nancy Harvey, and Julia Ann, who died unmarried. To this union was born one child, Mar- ietta, the mother dying early in her married life and while the subject of this sketch still resided in Hamilton county. Mr. Lacy took as his second wife Anna, sister of the first Mrs. Lacy, and to their union have been born five children, Charles, Susan, Emma, Goldie and Emazetta. Of these chil- dren three died in childhood; Susan married Walter Hughes and has four children, Lottie. Ruby, Mary Anna and Edna M .; and Charles took as his wife Amie Graham. Marietta, the daughter by Mr. Lacy's first wife, is the wife of Thomas Brown and they are the parents of five children, Arnie. Lucy, Nancy, Luther and Roma. Of this family, two are married: Arnie took as his wife Blanche Fulton and they are the parents of one child, Lamar, and Lucy is Mrs. Owen McIntire and has a little daughter, Lucy. Mr. Lacy's second wife died in 1895.
Andrew J. Lacy has always given his stanch support to the Democratic party. taking a keen though quiet interest in its affairs. While not a church member himself, he has been a frequent attendant, owing to the fact that
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both his wives were faithful members of the Christian church. In every avenue of life's activities he has performed his full part as a man, standing "four square to every wind that blows" and because of his genuine worth and high character he has enjoyed to a large degree the respect and confi- dence of his fellow citizens.
AUBREY W. LEGG.
To achieve success in any particular line requires strong native ability and, in the case of many professions, much acquired ability as well. The professional man must have a training peculiar to the one which he intends to make his life work, whether he is a physician, a lawyer, a teacher or a banker, and then, if he has the necessary native ability, his success is as- sured. There is a theory held by some that heredity counts for more than environment, but in either case the gentleman whose history is here briefly set forth is fortunate. He comes from an old and well established family which has been a leader in the affairs of the county for many years, while he himself has had the advantages which accrue from a well disciplined mind.
Aubrey. W. Legg, the son of Benjamin F. Legg, was born on November 7, 1874, in Tipton county, Indiana. His father was born in Wayne county, Indiana, and his mother was born in the same county. They came to Tipton county about 1860, where he was a farmer. The mother died about 1897. They had ten children, of whom five are living, Charles E., Elbert F., Wil- ber C., Aubrey W., and Dora, now the wife of Albert Shook.
Aubrey W. Legg was educated in the schools of this county and then completed his education by graduating from Spencerian Business College at ·Indianapolis. As soon as he left school he accepted a position in the Peo- ple's Bank at Windfall and, although he was only twenty-two years of age at that time, he managed the affairs of the bank in such a way as to give it a new lease of life and a very materially increased prosperity. His work in the bank showed him to be a financier of more than ordinary ability, while his administration of its affairs has given him the confidence of the ever- increasing patronage of the institution. In addition to his banking interests, he has made a specialty of the breeding of race horses and has also made a success of this business. In all his transactions he is always actuated by the highest motives of honesty and integrity.
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Mr. Legg was married on December 30, 1897, to Ora WV. Perry, the daughter of Elijah Perry, and to this union there have been born four children, Hester, Ida, Ruth and Lucile. All the family are members of the Christian church at Windfall and take a very prominent part in the various activities of the church. Mr. Legg is an ardent Democrat, but has never been active in the campaign, preferring to devote his time and energy to his private affairs. He is a man of pleasing address and has a large number of friends and acquaintances who esteem him for his genuine worth.
DANIEL WEBSTER HILLIGOSS.
Fortunate indeed is the family which can trace its ancestry back for two hundred years and there are very few who can do this and trace the various branches of the family. The Hilligoss family has been fortunate in preserving its family records and transmitting them down to posterity. Their definite records begin in 1729, when three Hilligoss brothers, Fred- erick, Ezekiel and George, came from Germany and settled in Pennsyl- vania. Ezekiel died without issue. Frederick had a son named Frederick, who was the first treasurer of the United States. George had a son, George .. who was the great-grandfather of Daniel W. Hilligoss, the subject of this sketch. This great-grandfather was a drummer boy in the war of the Rev- . olution. His sons moved to Kentucky and John, the grandfather of Daniel W. Hilligoss, was married in that state to Nancy Shockley. They moved to Ohio and thence to Rush county, Indiana. To John and Nancy Hilli- goss were born eight children, among whom was Elias T., the father of the subject of this brief review.
Daniel Webster Hilligoss, the son of Elias T. and Nancy (Thomas) Hilligoss, was born February 12, 1845, in Rush county, Indiana. Both his parents were natives of Kentucky, the father remaining in Kentucky until he was six years of age, when he was taken with his parents to George- town, Ohio. Elias T. Hilligoss and General Grant were classmates in the public schools of Ohio for some years. When Elias was eight years of age he went with his parents to Rush county, Indiana, where he received the remainder of his education. After leaving school he worked on his father's farm until his marriage, at the early age of nineteen. His father had entered
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three hundred and sixty acres of government land and gave each one of his children eighty acres, Daniel receiving his eighty at the time of his marriage. Elias was an elder in the Christian church and both he and his wife were devoted and faithful members of that denomination. Elias died in 1892 in his seventy-second year, while his widow survived him several years, pass- ing away in July, 1911, at the advanced age of ninety-four years: To Elias and Nancy Hilligoss were born seven children, Missouri J., who married Dr. Edward Crippen; Nancy, who married William Tomes; Mary A. became the wife of Daniel Gayhammer; Elias S. married Alice Miller; Hulda M. died at the age of ten; Thomas Henry Clay married Margaret Mackland.
Daniel W. Hilligoss was reared on the home farm and enjoyed the limited opportunities of that day. His education was confined to only a few months in the district school of his time. At the opening of the Civil war he was eager to enlist, but his age debarred him from service. As soon as he reached the age of eighteen, he enlisted, on October 16, 1863, in the Twenty-first Regiment, or First Indiana Heavy Artillery. His regiment par- ticipated in the following battles: Bayou Des Allemands, Camp Bisland, English Bend, Gun Boat Cotton, Bayou Tesche, Brashier City, Port Hud- son and Red River in Louisiana, and in Alabama, Spanish Fort, Fort Gaines and Mobile Bay. He was mustered out January 10, 1866, and re- turned to his home in Rush county without any serious marks of the battle- field. His valor and fidelity while in the service were above question and he made for himself a creditable military record.
On September 13, 1866, Mr. Hilligoss was married to Sarah J. Solo- mon, daughter of John M. and Mary (Scott) Solomon, and this union was blessed with the following children: Ida May, who became the wife of Charles E. Kersey, is the mother of three children, Harry, Aesel and Matie; Mary Edith died at the age of four years; Iva died in infancy; William Elias, who died at the age of four years; Nancy, who became the wife of John A. Day, is the mother of three children, Nettie, Daniel and Ralph : Mertie, who married John Whitehead, has three children, Garrett. Neffie M. and Conda; Orleon G. married Florence Grayson and has four children. Flaybella, Paul, Mary and John; Chester A., who married Maude Gross, has four children. Rauldon, Thomas, Wilbur and Everett; Ethel became the wife of Carl Williams; Nellie E. became the wife of O. P. Nash; Anna mar- ried Everett Grayson.
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