USA > Indiana > Tipton County > History of Tipton County Indiana > Part 48
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Mr. Spaulding was married to Elizabeth Goodwin, the daughter of
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Aaron and Elizabeth Goodwin. They have been very unfortunate with their children, both dying in the same year. Otis, the first child, was born January 1, 1890, and died January 4, 1911. Their only daughter, Vera, was born March 26, 1896, and died April 26, 1911. Mrs. Spaulding was one of six children, the other five being as follows: Maggie, the wife of Amos Brookbank; May, the wife of George Rollin, and the mother of three children, Delbert, Edward and one who died in infancy; Bridge. who lives in the state of Washington; Henry, deceased, and Isom. of Oklahoma.
Mr. Spaulding has been a Republican since he was old enough to cast a ballot for the candidate of that party, but he has never been a seeker for any political office at the hands of his party. He has always been very much interested in Masonry and has served for ten years as Master of Lodge No. 363, of which his father is the only living charter member. He also takes a very active interest in the Order of Eastern Star and has been the worthy patron of the Sharpsville Chapter since it was organized eighteen years ago. It is a question whether this record can be duplicated by any other man in the state of Indiana. His other fraternal connection is with the Knights of the Maccabees. The business career of Mr. Spaulding has not only been a successful one, but an honorable one as well, and the most envious could not grudge him success, for it has been gained by the most straightforward methods, hard work and good management, and these qualities have proved the base of his prosperity and made him a man who has won the esteem of his fellow citizens. He always manifests commendable zeal in the support of any enterprises which have for their purpose the welfare of the community in which he lives.
THE GOSNELL FAMILY.
The Gosnell family are best known in Rush and Decatur counties, Indi- ana, where for more than four score years they have toiled and labored un- ceasingly, supporting all public improvements, maintaining churches and schools and advocating progress in every direction. The Gosnells have been a family of pioneers from the early colonial days of America's history.
Peter Gosnell, the founder of the family in the United States, came to America from England in colonial days, landing near Baltimore, Maryland, and it is stated upon good authority that he built the first house erected upon the site of that now prosperous city. It is not known how long he resided there. Later on he married and moved to Virginia, near Lynchburg.
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There a son, Benjamin, was born on March 4, 1760, he being the only child. His mother died when he was seven years old. There the lad grew to man- hood, strong and brave, and when the war for independence came on he enlisted in the cause of the colonies, and served under the leadership of Gen. Nathaniel Greene. He participated in numerous important battles and was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. After the war was over he came home and married a Miss Barlow. To them five children were born, Benjamin, John, Thomas B., Edith and Patience. He survived his wife and was again married to Dorcas Fornash Porter, a widow. To them were born five children, George, Washington, Alexander, Nancy and Delilah.
Thomas B. Gosnell comes next in line. He was born in Virginia, February 5, 1798, went with his father to Kentucky when a small boy, and from there they came to Indiana. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, received a good education for that day and was a teacher of public schools. He was married to Hetty Porter in 1827, and to them was born one son, Benjamin, on March 2, 1828. They began housekeeping in Rush county, Indiana, but their happiness was of short duration, for upon the 15th of June, 1829, the husband and father was killed by lightning as he stood under a tree for shelter from a violent rain storm. Thus ended a promising life and, saddest of all, leaving a young wife with her little child to battle alone in the world. But she was brave and strong and met every difficulty with a Christian spirit. Her talent was more than ordinary and she was held in high esteem by all who knew her. She died at the age of eighty-two years. Her son Ben, as she called him, grew to manhood at his birth place and chose farming for his occupation. At the age of twenty-two he was married to Jane Farlow, who was born October 7, 1827. To this union seven children were born, four girls and three boys, namely: Lucinda Selby. Louisa Wood, Ada Fenley, Sarah Milligan; Benjamin F. Gosnell died at the age of twenty-six, unmarried: Andrew and Lewis died while small. In 1863, he enlisted as private in Company D. One Hundred and Twenty- third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. With his comrades, he took part in many of the important battles. He was under the leadership of Gen- eral Thomas at Nashville when the Confederate army, under General Hood, was defeated by the Union forces, and later went with Sherman on the famous march to the sea. At the close of the war he returned to his home on Little Flatrock, Decatur county, and took up farming again. He was a successful farmer for more than half a century and he and his good wife journeyed together. On the 9th day of September. 1897. she was called home
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and he will soon meet her where parting is no more. Uncle Ben, as he is called by a host of friends and acquaintances, is a wonderfully well pre- served old man and, at the age of eighty-six, he can walk and go where he pleases and reads two daily papers without the aid of glasses. He is often surrounded by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoys their company very much and entertains them by telling them interesting stories. He has always been a Democrat, his Democracy dating back to Jefferson. He enjoys the best of health and the respect of all who know him.
MICHAEL HOFFMAN.
Among the prominent business men of Sharpsville, Indiana, who have won a conspicuous place in the business circles of his town and community is Michael Hoffman. Starting out in life with practically nothing, he has. by close application and hard work, made a distinct success in the business world, and his life shows what can be accomplished by any person who has the will and determination to proceed along definite lines. It is interesting to note that the descendants of German parents are always industrious citizens wherever they are found and Mr. Hoffman is no exception to the general rule.
Michael Hoffman, the son of John and Genevieve (Ott) Hoffman, was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, on July 7, 1854. Both of his parents were natives of Germany, coming to this country early in their lives. John Hoff- man came to the United States in 1849, settling in Dearborn county, Indiana, where he purchased land and with true German thrift he began to carve out a fortune on this tract. He at once cleared, fenced and drained this land and soon had it where it was producing him a comfortable income .. However, receiving a good offer for this land, he sold it and went to Ripley county, this state, where he remained about five years. He then moved to Jennings county, Indiana, where he lived until 1880, when he removed to Tipton county, this state, where he lived until his death. His wife, Genevieve Ott, had settled in Dearborn county with her parents and here they were married. To Mr. and Mrs. John Hoffman were born six children, Timothy, who mar- ried Anna Hill; Mary, wife of Theodore Hurtle; Barbara, the wife of Gus Vielbhaver; Joseph, deceased; John, who is unmarried, and Michael, the im- mediate subject of this sketch.
Michael Hoffman received a practical, common school education at
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North Vernon, and worked on his father's farm during the summers while he was attending school during the winter months. When he was sixteen years of age he quit the school room and apprenticed himself to a wagon- maker at North Vernon. Within two years he had mastered the trade suffi- ciently to go on jobs for himself and in 1873 he went to Indianapolis, where he took employment as a wagonmaker. After one year's sojourn in that city he moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he worked for a short time, but, feeling that he could command better wages at Indianapolis, he returned to that city and continued to follow his vocation there until the fall of 1876, when he moved to Sharpsville. He immediately opened a wagon shop in a small way and gradually increased his business until within a short time he had all he could do. In 1884 he engaged in the hardware and implement business at Sharpsville and in 1901 he added the lumber business to his firm. However, his lumber business increased at such a rapid pace that he felt that he could do better if he devoted all of his time and attention to this branch of his business. Therefore, in 1912, he disposed of everything except his lumber interests, and since that time has devoted himself exclusively to the lumber trade. Starting in Sharpsville thirty-eight years ago with noth- ing, he has by sound judgment and strict integrity built up a business which is second to none in the town. In 1893 he built the first high-class building in Sharpsville, which at that time was a credit to towns of many times the size.
Michael Hoffman was married to Mary A. Mullarkey. the daughter of John and Mary (Gillespie) Mullarkey, and to this union there have been born five children: John C. married Mary Mattingley, and now lives in Pueblo, Colorado, and four who are still under the parental roof, Margaret A., Mary A., Francis J. and Leo J. Mr. Hoffman is giving his children the benefit of an education which will fit them for the needs of the twentieth century and they are taking advantage of the opportunities which are being accorded them by their parents. Mrs. Hoffman is one of seven children. the others being Frank, Patrick, Manis, Margaret, Michael and Nell.
Mr. Hoffman is a disciple of Andrew Jackson and always casts his vote for the Democratic candidate. While he takes an active interest in political affairs and keeps well informed on the political questions of the day, yet he has never sought for any political office, his increasing business affairs having demanded all of his time and attention. He and the members of his family are devoted adherents of St. John's Catholic church of Tipton, Indiana. Mr. Hoffman is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is a good example of
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the self-made man who builds his own fortunes on his own initiative. He has always exhibited those marked German characteristics of thrift and con- scientious devotion to duty which have made the German citizens of this country such valuable members of the commonwealth. Mr. Hoffman's life has not all been devoted to the material affairs of this world; he is also in- terested in the intellectual and moral advancement of his community and iends his support and sympathy to any cause which seeks to uplift the town of Sharpsville and its immediate vicinity. He is a quiet, unobtrusive gentle- man, who makes friends easily and has won a wide circle of friends and ac- quaintances by his genial and kindly demeanor.
W. C. LEGG.
Among the men of sterling worth and strength of character who have made an impress upon the life of the locality in which they live, none have received a greater meed of respect and regard than W. C. Legg, whose family name is well known throughout this section of the county. His lifelong resi- dence in one locality has given the people an opportunity to know him in every phase of his character. and that he has been true to life in its every phase is manifest in the degree of confidence and regard in which be is held by all those who know him. He is a man of unusual attainments and has achieved success in the truest sense of the word, which means that he has been not only a factor in the material advancement of his community, but has also helped it along civic, educational and moral lines.
W. C. Legg, the son of Benjamin F. and Sarah (Sprong) Legg. was born in Wildcat township, Tipton county, on May 13, 1863. Benjamin Legg was a very prosperous farmer, but is now retired from active life. He spends his winters in Mississippi and his summers at Lake Maxinkuckee, Marshall county, Indiana. His wife was born in Fayette county and has been dead several years.
W. C. Legg was given the best education the county schools afforded and then went to the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, for a time. He completed his education by graduating from Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, in the business department and was retained as an instructor in the college. The work did not suit him, so he resigned his position and returned to the home farm, having made up his mind to follow the occupation
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of a farmer. With the exception of one year in which he was engaged in the mercantile business, he has continued to lead the life of a farmer and has proven to be one of the most successful tillers of the soil in the county. He rented for a few years and then bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he has improved until it has the general reputation of being one of the best farms in the county. He has recently built several new buildings upon it and otherwise improved it until it presents a very attractive appearance. Mr. Legg makes a specialty of fine stock, especially draft horses and Hampshire and Duroc hogs. He is in great demand as an expert judge at county fairs throughout Indiana, and also is an auctioneer of first class ability.
Mr. Legg was married November 8, 1889, to Mary A. Summers and their union has been blessed with one son, Byron S., who is now attending Indiana University at Bloomington, from which he will graduate in June, 1914. Byron has taught school and is recognized as one of the strongest students of his class:
Mr. Legg has always been an ardent Democrat, and while he is one of the best informed men in the county on the questions of the day, he has never been a seeker for political office. He and the rest of the family are consistent members of the Christian church and contribute generously of their sub- stance to its support.
Throughout his whole career in this county there has been no movement of civic or moral import which has not found in Mr. Legg a sympathetic and ready helper. He is a man of broad and liberal views, charitable to the short- comings of others and always stands ready to assist those who are in need. He is a very genial and unassuming man who has won popularity simply because he has always been an ideal citizen in every sense of the word.
GRANT MITCHELL.
It is the progressive, wide-awake man of affairs that makes the real history of a community and his influence as a potential factor in the body politic is difficult to estimate. The examples such men furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish, and there is always a full measure of satisfaction in ad- verting, even in a casual way, to their achievements in advancing their own interests and those of their fellow men and giving strength and solidity to
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the institutions which make so much for the prosperity of the community. Such a man is Grant Mitchell, a farmer of Wildcat township, Tipton county, and the present county commissioner.
Grant Mitchell was born October 30, 1868, in Shelby county, Indiana, the son of Dodridge and Elizabeth ( Phillips) Mitchell, the father a native of Shelby county and the mother of Kentucky. Dodridge Mitchell was educated in the schools of Shelby county and came to Tipton county about 1870, buy- ing and clearing thirty acres of land and building a cabin. Here he remained about three years and then returned to Shelby county, where he resided for twelve years, eventually returning to Tipton county and securing more land, and has continued here since. Here he reared his family and is now living at Windfall, he and his wife enjoying a well-earned respite from the strenu- ous labors of their lifetime.
The early education of the subject of this review was begun in the Curtisville school, he then going to Shelby county with his parents, where he secured most of his schooling, and on their return to this county he finished in the Spring school house, applying himself earnestly to his studies under these rather trying conditions of change and securing a very good education. At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Mitchell started out on his own account on rented land, beginning with a debt of eighty dollars hanging over his head. He remained on this farm one year and then moved to another farm which he rented for ten years, and then came to his present place about twelve years ago. Here he made all the improvements himself and has developed a model farm, having sixty acres of fine land, which a careful and scientific course of cultivation has rendered highly productive. In connection with general farming Mr. Mitchell has specialized in the breeding of Berkshire hogs, being the only farmer in the county to breed and raise these valuable swine. His feeding operations are on a common-sense basis and his knowl- edge of the breed has gained for him a wide reputation as a competent and intelligent stock man.
On December 24, 1889, the subject of this review was united in mar- riage to Remy Thrawl, the daughter of John and Helen ( Weaver ) Thrawl. To Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have been born two children : Elmer married Twila Detrich and they are the parents of one child, Maxine; the other child is named Helen Alma.
Being a firm advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. the sub- ject has long been a prominent worker for the success of the same. He has been highly honored by his fellow citizens in being chosen by them for county
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commissioner, and he is at present discharging the duties of that responsible position with credit to himself and his constituents. Always alert in the interests of the tax payers and carefully weighing every project affecting the public welfare, Mr. Mitchell has gained a reputation as a most faithful and broad-minded public servant. A member of the Christian church, the sub- ject is especially interested in Sunday school work, giving liberally of his time and means to all branches of the church's activities. Mr. Mitchell is of a genial and social nature, modest and unassuming, and his circle of friends is ever widening, as his personality is such as to inspire confidence and trust.
E. B. MOSER, M. D.
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The physician who would succeed in his profession must possess many qualities of head and heart not included in the curriculum of the schools and colleges he may have attended. In analyzing the career of the successful practitioner of the healing art it will invariably be found to be true that a broad-minded sympathy with the sick and suffering and an honest. earnest . desire to aid his afflicted fellow men have gone hand and hand with skill and able judgment. The gentleman to whom this brief tribute is given for- tunately embodies these necessary qualifications in a marked degree and by energy and application to his professional duties is building up an enviable reputation and drawing to himself a large and remunerative patronage.
E. B. Moser, well-known physician and surgeon of Windfall. Tipton county, Indiana, and proprietor of the Moser Hospital in that city, was born July 11, 1877. the son of James P. and Josephine ( Livingston ) Moser. The father was born in Brown county, this state, on his father's farm in Jack- son township, his parents being Calvin and Margaret (Williams) Moser. Calvin Moser, a native of North Carolina, was a very early settler in Brown county. where he settled on government land during the administration of President James Monroe. He was the father of nine children. as follows: Aquilla R., Mrs. Martha A. McCoy, Mrs. Mary E. Waltman, Manville S .. James P., Isaac B., Mrs. Nancy A. Phillips, deceased, Mrs. Rebecca Pritchard and Mrs. Kate Powell.
James P. Moser, the father of the subject of this review, received a com- mon school education and then took up the study of medicine under Dr. E. S. Arrvine, at Georgetown, Indiana, later attending two courses of medical lectures at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. He graduated
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in April, 1876, whereupon he commenced practice at Georgetown, removing subsequently to Spearsville, and finally locating in Windfall in July, 1902, where he has since practiced his profession. While he was following the science of healing in Brown county he served as county health officer for four years and was also examiner of pension applicants for the government. In 1871 the subject's father was united in marriage to Josephine Livingston and to them were born three children : Mrs. Laura V. Bridges; R. S. married a Miss Walker and they have three children, Thelma, Clifford and Garnett; E. B., the immediate subject of this review, is the youngest child.
E. B. Moser attended the common schools in Brown county and then taught for one term in the schools there, but early having decided to make the practice of medicine his life work, he entered the Medical College of Indi- ana, completing the four-year course in that institution and receiving his diploma in 1903. Coming direct to Windfall, the Doctor formed a partner- ship with his father, which still continues and has proved both pleasant and profitable to both, they having a large practice and being rated among the leading practitioners of the community.
On May 25, 1899, Doctor Moser was united in marriage to Verney E. Derringer, the daughter of James and Mary E. (Phillips) Derringer, and one child, Ralph, has been born to this union. The subject has displayed an active interest in public affairs, serving as health officer and also as a member of the town council. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men, while his religious affiliations are with the Baptist church, to which he gives liberally of his means and in which he takes an active interest.
DAVID W. SHOOK.
It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legiti- mate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, and only the men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the influential retired farmer and representative citizen of Tipton county whose name forms the caption of this review, it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by commendable
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qualities and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him.
David W. Shook, retired farmer, now living in Windfall and the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of land in Madison township near Cicero, was born April 20, 1836, in Ripley county, this state, the son of Lorenzo and Miriah (Ludwig) Shook. The father, Lorenzo, was born in Frederick, Maryland, and came to the Hoosier state in 1808, locating in Dearborn county, where he engaged in agriculture. Lorenzo was the son of John and Dorcas (Ball) Shook, who came to Dubois county in 1808. To the subject's parents were born the following children: Ellen, deceased; Calvin lives at Sharpsville; Margaret; David W .; Abraham, who died in 1875, was the husband of Elizabeth O'Neil, also deceased, they having had one son, Wal- ter; and a daughter, America, who was the wife of William M. Grishshall. who is now deceased. His wife was the mother of five children, Grant, Byrom, Charles, Harry and Orie; James K., of Tipton; Harriett; Luther V .; Joseph B. is married and has one child, Mayme.
David W. Shook attended school in Ripley county, first in the districts and later in Versailles, working at farm labor during his youthful days on his father's place and securing a training in agricultural pursuits that was valuable to him in later life when he was working for himself. On reaching mature years Mr. Shook purchased fifty acres of land, which he later sold at a good profit and bought eighty acres, on which he farmed with great success. This tract he eventually sold and then he removed to Tipton county, where he rented land in Cicero township for five years, at the end of which period he bought one hundred and sixty acres. To the improvement and development of this tract the subject devoted his energies with such success that he was enabled from time to time to add additional acreage. finally becoming the possessor of two hundred and eighty acres of as good land as can be found in the county. On his retirement from active farming Mr. Shook moved to Sharpsville, later coming to Windfall.
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