History of Tipton County Indiana, Part 50

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

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William Joseph Vawter received his education in the schools of Tipton county and after discontinuing his studies he engaged in agricultural work with his father on the home farm. This arrangement held in force for about four years, when he for a time worked out by the month among the farmers of the community. At the time of his marriage he rented a farm in Howard county, where he remained for one year, later returning to Tip- ton county, where he took charge of his father's farm and purchased twenty acres nearby, which he also cultivated.

Mr. Vawter has been twice married, his first wife being Nota Maggart. daughter of James and Mary Maggart, to whom he was united in marriage on October 28. 1893. There were six children in the Maggart family and besides Nota, wife of Mr. Vawter, there were: Lilva, whose first husband was Oliver Conner, and after his death she married Melvin Maggart : Ernest took as his wife Minnie Wright: Bert married Lulu Glenn; Lorin married Susie Rogers and Elza took as his wife Ida Stewart. By his first wife Mr. Vawter had a family of four children. Ray, Irvin, Ernest and Guy. The first Mrs. Vawter died October 22, 1902, and on October 1, 1905, Mr. Vaw- ter took as his second wife Lulu Haskell, daughter of Charles and Mary A. - (Steele) Haskell, and to their union were born four children, Melba, Victor, Dale, and Thelma, deceased. The second Mrs. Vawter was one of a family of twelve children, the others being : Eli, who took as his wife Ella Medary: Lucy, who became the wife of Thomas Brown: Mary, who married Dan Weaver; Bartholomew, who married Rebecca Wakefield; Nannie, who be- came the wife of Gus Shelton: Clara, who married Alexander Hankins; John, who took as his wife Myrtle Smith; Andrew, who married Elizabeth

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Andrews; Cora, who became the wife of Charles Driggs; William married Lina Platt and Charles died when small.

Politically, Mr. Vawter is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party and, while never interested in office for himself, is anxious to see the right man put into the right place. His religious affiliations are with the Wesley Methodist Episcopal church, and in the affairs of that so- ciety he takes a sincere interest, giving of his time and means to further the cause of same. He has been one of the stewards of the church since 1912. Mr. Vawter has always given his support to every movement calculated to advance the best interests of the community, and because of his integrity of character, his genial disposition and his genuine personal worth, he is held in high esteem in his community.

ALPHONSO C. MILLER.

The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this review belongs to that class of men who win life's battles by sheer force of personality and determination, coupled with soundness of mind and judgment, and in what- ever he has undertaken he has shown himself to be a man of ability and honor. He is always ready to lend his aid in defending principles affecting the public good and for this reason is one of the most representative citizens of Tipton county.

Alphonso C. Miller. the son of Zachariah G. and Caroline (Smith) Miller, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, October 15. 1853. Zachariah Miller was a native of Virginia, but removed to North Carolina when a young man and followed the trade of a tailor. He met and married his wife in that state and all of their children were born there. His wife was the daughter of Echelston and Elizabeth (Cruse) Smith, and their marriage was blessed with eight children: Cornelius, who married Louisa Pike, and after her death, Miss Mangram; Belle, deceased, who married Eli Alexander, deceased; Betsy, deceased, who married Joseph Russell, deceased; Nollie, de- ceased; Bashti, deceased; Caroline, deceased, who married Stephen Moffett ; Chester, whose wife is deceased, and Alphonso, the subject of this immediate sketch. The first wife of Zachariah Miller died in 1863 and he then married Julia A. Compton. There were five children by the second marriage: Dora, deceased; Phila, who married Lincoln Green, deceased; Louisa, who married

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Arlington Wright; Ada, who married Hanson Pike, deceased, and then Lafayette C. Scott, deceased; and one child who died in infancy.

Alphonso C. Miller attended the public schools of Liberty township, in this county, and there received a good practical education. After leaving school he started out to make his own way and before he was married he rented a farm near Hopewell. About a year later, August 26, 1875, he came to the conclusion that he needed a helpmate and on that date he was married to Henrietta Arbuckle, the daughter of Henry and Margaret (Youngman) Arbuckle. . Immediately after his marriage he rented a farm five miles west of Sharpsville, which he operated for a period of three years. . By that time he had saved enough money so that he felt able to purchase a small farm. Accordingly he invested in a farm of twenty acres which he got for the low price of seventeen and a half dollars an acre. He now felt more independent and, with the help of his good wife, he began to improve his farm and increase his income from it. He has been able to add to his landed possessions until at the present time he has ninety-three acres of fine land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been blessed with nine children: Elizabeth E., who married Walter Wooters, and has three children, Noma. Velma and Clinton; Henry F., who married Lillie Pregnet, and has one child, May, living and one who died in infancy ; Myrtle C., who married Roy Wood, and has five children, Ardella, Merrell, Dale, Lena and Flo: Ada, who married Oral Gill; Maggie, who married Oliver P. Smith, and has four children, Mabel, Dorothy, Nellie and Ruby; Chester, deceased; Hazel, deceased; Goldie, who married Nolan Hite, and has one child. Beulah; and Oshia. who is single.

Mrs. Miller's parents, Henry and Margaret Arbuckle, reared a large family of children: James, who first married Agnes Waterman, deceased : second, Johanna Jones, deceased. and third, Rebecca Washington: John, who married Margaret Cole: George, who married Etta Wright: Martin, who married Eliza Lock, deceased, and Susan Purvis; Jacob, deceased; Sinia. who married William M. Bennet, and Henrietta, the wife of Mr. Miller.

Mr. Miller has always been a Democrat and his high standing in the community is shown by the fact that he was selected by his party to make the race for assessor in his township in 1900. He was elected without any difficulty and served four years. His efficient administration of the arduous duties of the office won for him the commendation of all the citizens of the township irrespective of party. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 554. at Prairieville. He is an adherent of the New Light branch of the Christian church, and takes an active interest in the vari-

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ous organizations of his denomination. Mr. Miller is a genial and com- panionable man who makes friends wherever he goes, and has by his well- ordered way of living gained the esteem and respect of his community.

RICHARD RAYLE.

To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural sections of our . country is due to the honest industry, the sturdy persistence, the unswerv- ing perseverance and the wise economy which so prominently characterize the farming element of the Hoosier state. Among this class may be men- tioned the subject of this life record, who, by reason of years of indefatigable labor and honest effort, has not only acquired a well-merited material pros- perity, but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he is associated.

Richard Rayle was born in Prairie township, in the vicinity of his pres- ent home, on July 7, 1858, and is the son of William and Mary (Wiles) Rayle, both native, of the Hoosier state. The former was born in Switzer- land county, where the first twenty-five years of his life were passed. He then came to Pra.rie township in Tipton county, where he located on a large farm of three hundred and fifty acres where he lived for many years, carry- ing on general farming and stocking raising. A few years prior to his death he left his large arm, locating about a half mile north of Groomsville, where he remained until his death in 1896. His wife was Mary Wiles, daughter of Richard and Mary, to whose union were born ten children, namely: Green. who married Emma Reece; Caroline, wife of James Smith; Nancy, who married Rodis White; Thomas J., whose wife was Mary Hunt; Oscar, who married Emma Smith; Mary married Louis B. Lee; Viola married Allen Spaulding; Joseph B. took as his wife Mary Goodnight and Elwood died when young.

Richard. one of the sons of the above named family, the immediate sub- ject of this sketch, received his education in the public schools of Prairie township, and after leaving school, while still a quite young man, he started out in life for himself by renting a portion of ground from his father. He did well in this venture and in 1890 he purchased his present farm of eighty acres where he has since resided. He carries on general farming along mod- ern approved lines.

Mr. Rayle has been twice married. his first wife being Matilda J. Mc-

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Creary, daughter of John J. and Visa McCreary, and to this union were born four children, namely: Alvin, who married Adaline Mckay, and has one child, Ermyne; Manville, whose wife was Katie Newlon, and there are two other children, Lillie and Clifford. In the family of the first Mrs. Rayle there were fourteen children, namely: Dallas, Mary, Anna, Eva, Jerry, Susan, Louis, Allie, Jesse, Lulu, George, Matilda, who became the wife of the subject of this sketch, and two infants who died early in life. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Rayle, in July, 1896, was united in marriage with Flora Ramsey, daughter of Frederick and Ardelia Ramsey, their marriage being without issue. Mrs. Rayle comes from a family of eight children, there being, besides herself, Oscar, Edgar, Abigail, Daniel, John, Simon and Belle.

Mr. Rayle has always been an ardent supporter of the Democratic party and is at present county commissioner, having also served as township trustee of Prairie township, and is rendering much valuable service to his fellow citi- zens. His religious sympathies are with the Baptist church, to whose sup- port he contributes according to his ability. There is much that is com- mendable in his life record, for he has been found true to duty in every rela- tion, whether of a public or private character, and while energy and untiring industry have been salient features of his career, he is equally well known for his uprightness, the honorable methods he has always followed, and for his loyalty to any trust imposed in him. Because of his genial and unassuming disposition and his genuine worth, he enjoys a well deserved popularity throughout his county.

NEWTON CAMPBELL.

Tipton county was not lacking in loyalty during the dark days of the Rebellion, when the ship of state was almost stranded on the rocks of dis- union, but contributed her full quota of brave and valiant men to assist in preserving the integrity of the government, prominent among whom was the well known gentleman and enterprising citizen whose name appears at the head of this review. Loyal to his country in its hour of peril and extremity, as was demonstrated on many bloody battlefields, he has ever been its staunch supporter in times of peace, and today there are few old soldiers of the county as widely and favorably known, and none can boast of a more honorable record. The ranks of the noble organization to which he belonged in the days of his youth are fast being decimated by the one invincible fioe, and it

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is fitting that in every publication of the nature of this volume special tribute be paid to those who served during the greatest civil war known to history.

Newton Campbell, owner of seven hundred acres of fine land and who resides three and one-half miles east of Kempton, in Jefferson township, Tipton county, Indiana, was born December 26, 1842, in Johnson county, Indiana, the son of David and Mary (Jenkins ) Campbell. David Campbell, the subject's father, was born in Henry county, Kentucky, and came to Indi- ana in 1844, taking up government land in Johnson county, where he only remained two years, coming to Tipton county in 1846 and locating in Jeffer- son township. He was a very successful farmer and was a man of promi- nence in the community. Ten children were born to David Campbell and wife, namely: Mariah, deceased; Newton; Thomas and John are deceased; Elizabeth; James and William, deceased; Oliver P., Sarah Wheatley and Tipton D.

Newton Campbell attended school first in an old log school house in the country, afterward pursuing his studies in a similar log house located on land that is now comprised in his present farm, and finally finishing his edu- cation at Normanda, working on the farm during all his school period. At the outbreak of the Civil war' when he was nineteen years old, the subject enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteer Infantry. under Colonel Garber, being attached first to the Army of the Ohio and later to the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Campbell was engaged in many of the fiercest battles of the war and passed through many harrowing experiences. At Milton, Tennessee, he was severely wounded and laid on the battlefield for two days, after which he was in the hospital for two months and was ther. discharged on account of his injuries. Returning home, Mr. Campbell again took up farming, renting land from his father for three years and buying cattle. By a course of strict attention to his affairs and a wise economy, Mr. Campbell was soon enabled to purchase land of his own, eighty acres consti- tuting his first tract, to which he has added as he has prospered until his holdings now consist of seven hundred acres of as good land as can be found in the community, his up-to-date and progressive methods of farming having brought him rich rewards in a pecuniary way. The best of buildings and farm machinery have been added and nothing left undone to make the place one of the model agricultural plants of the county. Although occupied largely with his own affairs, Mr. Campbell has always found time to lend his aid and encouragement to worthy enterprises for the advancement of the community and has won the respect and admiration of his friends and neighbors by his public-spirited course.

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On April 12, 1869, the subject of this review was united in matrimony to Sarah Smith, the daughter of John D. and Ada Smith, and to this union have been born the following children: Mary Watson; Laura D. was born in 1874 and died in 1894; Ada is married and is the mother of one child, Nellie.

In political matters Mr. Campbell casts his ballot with the Republican party and, although he has never sought public office. he displays a deep inter- est in political affairs. A loyal member of the Christian church, the subject gives generously of his means to the advancement of the many benevolences of that worthy institution. He is a prominent member of Tipton Post No. 203, Grand Army of the Republic, and enjoys the respect and honor so freely accorded the members of that gallant band of old soldiers, whose ranks are fast being decimated by the only foe they cannot conquer. A member of one of the old and highly esteemed families of this part of the state and for many years a man of affairs, he has stamped the impress of his individuality upon the community and added luster to the honorable name which he bears, having always been scrupulously honest in his relations with his fellow men and leaving no stone unturned whereby he might benefit his own condition as well as that of his neighbors and friends. -

JOHN RICHARD HARLOW.

Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual characteristics and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often obtained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary quality of common sense. The subject of this sketch deserves a fitting recog- nition among the men whose abilities have achieved results that are most enviable and commendable. As an agriculturist and large land owner he is well known and highly respected, and his services to his fellow citizens in the responsible office of county commissioner were valuable to the community.

John Richard Harlow, owner of five hundred acres of fine land on the Normand pike, nine miles northwest of Tipton, in Jefferson township. was born in Shelby county, Indiana, in 1847, the son of Orlando and Nancy (Coleman) Harlow. Orlando Harlow was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was of English parentage. He was a mechanic. wagon-maker and black- smith, and finally located on a farm in Marion county, Iowa. He was the

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father of five children, John R., George A., David T., William O. (deceased), and James E.

John R. Harlow entered the schools of Shelby county, later pursuing his studies in the Knoxville school, and completing his education in the pedagog- ical institutions of this county. All his early life was spent at agricultural labor, and on reaching mature years he struck out for himself in this same vocation, having decided that the basic art of tilling the soil should be his life work, and in this he has been eminently successful, being now one of the largest land owners in the community and conducting his operations with a degree of success and profit that has caused him to be looked on as a sub- stantial and worthy man of affairs. While using none but the most honor- able methods to promote his individual advancement, Mr. Harlow has not neglected lending his aid to all civic enterprises which promised good for the community and his position has ever been that of a thoroughly up-to-date and well informed citizen. Accepting appointment to the office of county com- missioner, the subject was subsequently elected for two terms and his ad- ministration of the affairs of that important office gave universal satisfaction. Mr. Harlow making a model county official and giving freely of his time to the interests of his fellow citizens. An active and outspoken advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, the subject has been a valued counsellor in the affairs of that organization.

On March 17. 1870, Mr. Harlow was united in the holy bonds of matri- mony to Margaret Alexander, the daughter of Jesse and Mariah Alexander, and this union has been blessed by the birth of the following children : Thomas, who is now deceased, married Della Mitchell and they had one child, Ralph, deceased; Clara became the wife of William M. Orr and is the mother of two children, Everett and Edith; Nancy married Otha Wyrick and they have two children. Edna and Mary; Mary married Carl McCarty and they have a son, John Harlow; Jesse A. is at home, and Orlando is deceased. Mrs. Harlow's parents came to Indiana from the Buckeye state and were early settlers in Tipton county.

JAMES F. CLINE.

It is not an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led an eminently active and busy life and who has attained a position of relative distinction in the community with which his interests are allied. But biog- raphy finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and re-

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cording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that is demanded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must be accorded each state- ment, and yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of the honored subject of this sketch, whose eminently honored and successful career now comes under review.

James F. Cline, the immediate subject of this sketch, is a native of the state of Ohio, born in Clinton county on September 19, 1871, the son of George and Mary (Ellis) Cline, both of whom were natives of Ohio and passed part of their lives in that state. The parents of George Cline were natives of Virginia, who had come to Ohio in the early days. George Cline received his education in the schools of Clinton county, Ohio, and later worked with his father on his farm until in 1872 when he came to Indiana. He located in Prairie township, Tipton county, about one-half mile east of where James F. Cline is residing at the present time. George Cline followed the vocation of a farmer all his life, and in addition to this, during the latter years of his life he was a minister of the German Baptist church. His death occurred on April 26, 1911. His wife was Mary Ellis, daughter of Solomon and Nancy Ellis, and to their union were born ten children. In addition to James F., the immediate.subject of this sketch, there were John, who married Lissie Smith: Nancy, who became the wife of Jeptha Armstrong; Belle, who married Philip McClelland; Ann, who became Mrs. John Tash; Ella, the widow of William Kemp, who married as her second husband Perry Steward; David, who married Agnes Watson; Martha, who became the wife of Oscar Watson: Edwin, who married Hattie Miller, and Joseph, whose wife was Alice Mott.

James F. Cline, the immediate subject of this sketch, received his edu- cation in the district schools of Prairie township, Tipton county, and after finishing the courses therein he engaged with his father in conducting the business of the home farm, remaining with him until he was thirty-seven years of age. At that time he took charge of a farm on his own account and has remained in the same location ever since.

On November 7, 1908, Mr. Cline was united in marriage to Cora M. Miller, daughter of Frank and Eveline (Lydy) Miller, who. was one of a family of ten children, the others being Myrtle, the wife of Spencer Wiley; Louis, who married Millie Cloe : Hattie, the wife of Edwin Cline; Tiffin, who took as his wife Edith Barr: Cornelius, whose wife was Clara Dawson: Willard. Gladys and Olive remain unmarried, while one child died in early infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Cline do not have a family.

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Politically, Mr. Cline has always given his support to the Democratic party, taking a keen though quiet interest in the affairs of same. He has been one of the solid men of brain and substance, so essential to the growth and prosperity of a community and whose influence has been willingly ex- tended in behalf of every deserving enterprise that has for its object the ad- vancement of the community's interests.

WILLIAM H. BOOHER.

There are individuals in nearly every community who, by reason of pro- nounced ability and force of character, rise above the masses and command the unbounded esteem of their fellow men. Characterized by perseverance and a directing spirit, two virtues that never fail, such men always make their presence felt and the vigor of their strong personality serves as a stimulus and incentive to the young and rising generation. To this energetic and enterprising class the subject of this review very properly belongs. Long having been identified with the growth and development of this favored locality, Mr. Booher has contributed much to its normal and legitimate growth. No movement for the public good has ever been denied his aidl, he being essentially progressive and public spirited and giving freely of his time and means to the advancement of all worthy causes.

William H. Booher, the owner of one hundred acres of fine land in Jefferson township, Tipton county, Indiana, about eight miles from Tipton. was born October 28, 1858, in Clinton county, this state, the son of Joseph and Catharine ( Fudge) Booher. Joseph Booher was a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where he received his early education in the common schools and passed his boyhood days. As a young man he went to Clinton county, where he married and reared five children, namely: William H., Mrs. Belle McDaniel, Mrs. Nettie Doty. George and Dave, and a half sister, a daughter of the second marriage, Martha, wife of Nate Ryan, and they had one child, Lacy, wife of Cecil Beaver.

William H. Booher secured his education in the Clinton county schools. working on the farm of his father during his youthful days. At the age of twenty years he rented land and began the battle of life on his own account, his superior knowledge of agricultural methods standing him in good stead. So well did he succeed that in a remarkably short time he was enabled to buy land, his present home place being the direct result of his splendid industry

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History of Tipton County Indiana, Part 50

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

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