USA > Indiana > Tipton County > History of Tipton County Indiana > Part 55
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Tipton D. Campbell was born July 15, 1865, the youngest child of David and Mary (Jenkins) Campbell. David Campbell was born in Henry county, Kentucky, and came to Indiana in 1844, securing government land in Johnson county. where he remained for two years, coming to Tipton county in 1846 and locating in Prairie township. He was a very successful farmer and was a man of prominence in the community. To David Campbell and wife were born ten children, namely: Mariah (deceased). Newton, Thomas and John are deceased, Elizabeth, James and William (deceased), Oliver P., Sarah Wheatley and the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Campbell received his early education in the district schools of Tip- ton county and was engaged in agricultural labor during all of his boyhood days. Early in life he decided to make agriculture his life work and that he inade no mistake in his choice of vocation is well attested by the splendid success which has attended his efforts. Starting in life under rather adverse conditions, he has hewed out his own fortune and established himself in the community as a man of stability of character and progressive public spirit. His landed estate of one hundred and sixty acres is all that a model farm should be, the care and effort expended upon it having brought a well de-
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served reward. Here Mr. Campbell has given the subject of raising fine live stock a great deal of attention and has more than a local reputation as a breeder of the best in that line, a thorough knowledge of this subject, coupled with untiring energy, having enabled the subject to conduct this department with great success His facilities for feeding and caring for his stock are excellent, good buildings and pasturage being two of the concrete reasons for his achievements as a stock man.
On April 11, 1888, Mr. Campbell was married to Flora Thackers, the daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Doin) Thackers, natives of Morgan county, this state, Mrs. Campbell's mother being yet living.
Mr. Campbell votes the Republican ticket and displays an intelligent interest in public affairs, though he has never been a seeker after public office. He is a man of pleasing personality and splendid qualities of charac- ter and has won and retains the warm friendship and high regard of all who know him. A residence of a half a century here has given his fellows an op- portunity to observe him in his daily walk and his present high standing is due solely to the honorable and upright course which he has pursued.
JOSHUA B. PLYMIRE.
Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Tipton county none stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch. He has long been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county and the years of his residence here have but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his fellow men owing to the honorable life he has led and the worthy example he has set for the younger generation, consequently he is eminently worthy of a place in this volume.
Joshua B. Plymire was born March 18, 1854, near Wilmington, Clinton county, Ohio, the son of John and Margaret ( Wilson) Plymire. John Ply- mire, the father, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and came with his parents, Martin and Susan Plymire, to the Buckeye state when he was sixteen years of age. Here he married and lived the rest of his days. rearing a family of ten children, namely: William, Mary, Susan, Samuel. Philip, Martin, Joshua B., John W., David and Arminda, the last named being deceased.
The scholastic education of Joshua B. Plymire was somewhat better
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than that acquired by the average boy in those early days, for after completing his studies in the Clinton county common schools he took a finishing course at Wilmington. While pursuing his school work the subject was engaged during his spare time in assisting in the work of his father's place. Coming to the Hoosier state, Mr. Plymire purchased twenty acres of land in Jefferson township, Tipton county, subsequently buying eighty more acres, and event- ually an additional forty acres, and here he has made his home for a number of years. The splendid farm now owned by the subject and his wife consists of two hundred and thirty-five acres, and it is one of the most valuable hold- ings in the community, having been brought to a high state of cultivation and improved in a manner that reflects great credit on the owner. In addition to . tilling the soil in a most up-to-date and scientific manner, Mr. Plymire has devoted considerable attention to stock raising and, through the exercise of sound judgment, wise discrimination and good common sense in the selection of his stock and in his breeding operations, the subject has gained a reputation which extends far beyond the borders of his own locality.
On November 22, 1881, Joshua B. Plymire was united in marriage to Josephine Magnett, the daughter of John and (Sterling) Magnett, and this union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Cliffie P., who mar- ried Harley Kelly and is the mother of a daughter, Ruth.
While he has never held or sought public office, Mr. Plymire has always displayed an intelligent interest in public affairs and his suffrage has been given to the Republican party. His family are earnest and consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which they give liberally of their means. The subject's well directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his agricultural affairs and his sound judgment have brought him prosperity, and his life demonstrates what may be accomplished by any man of energy and ambition.
BYRON B. THORPE, M. D.
It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that move a life of ceaseless activity and large professional success; little more can be done than to note their manifestation in the career of the individual under consideration. In view of this fact, the life of the distinguished physician and public-spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a striking example of well defined purpose, with the ability to make that pur-
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pose subserve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow men as well. He has long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a high order, supplemented by the rigid professional training and thorough mastery of technical knowledge, with the skill to apply the same, without which one can not hope to rise above mediocrity in ministering to human ills. In his chosen field of en- · deavor Doctor Thorpe has achieved success such as few attain and his pres- ent eminent standing among the leading medical men of his part of the Hoosier state is duly recognized and appreciated. In addition to his long and honorable career in one of the most useful and exacting professions. he has proven an honorable member of the body politic. As a citizen he easily ranks with the most influential. of his county, his course having ever been above suspicion, and those favored with an intimate acquaintance with him are profuse in their praise of his manly virtues and upright character.
Byron B. Thorpe, M. D., of Curtisville, Tipton county, Indiana, was born June 23, 1880, in Colfax, Clinton county, Indiana, the son of Levi and Mary ( Millburn) Thorpe. Levi Thorpe was a physician and surgeon and was quite prominent in medical affairs in Clinton county, his wife being the daughter of Joseph E. Millburn, also a follower of the medical pro- fession. Beside the subject, they had one other child, Florian Nolan, who is a physician at Boyleston.
The preliminary education of Doctor Thorpe was secured in the com- mon schools at Boyleston, after which he attended the high school at Frank- fort. Having thus secured a good elementary schooling, he decided on the medical profession for his life work and entered a medical college at In- dianapolis, from which he graduated in 1905. On completing his college course. the Doctor served for a time as an interne in dispensary work, gain- ing in this way. a vast amount of practical knowledge which has stood him in good stead in his subsequent career. He began the practice of medicine with his father and brother at Boyleston, however, only remaining there for a short while, and then removing to Michigantown, where he was in partner- ship with Doctor Douglass. This professional alliance lasted only about one vear, when the subject began practice on his own account and has since con- tinued independently. He came to Curtisville on April 29, 1910, and his thorough professional knowledge and consummate skill in the application of the best methods known to medical science soon gained for him a recogni- tion and a following that would be a credit to many a doctor much older in years. Previous to his removal to this place, the Doctor served as coroner
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of Clinton county, having been elected to that office on the Democratic ticket.
Doctor Thorpe was married September 6, 1902, to Edith A. Hamm, daughter of George and Martha Hamm, of Clinton county, and this union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Eulalia Beth, who is now attend- ing school. While primarily attending to the interests of his professional work, the subject has devoted much time to the interests of his neighbors and the community at large, and has been untiring in his efforts to uplift humanity along civic and social lines.
GEORGE GUY CAMPBELL.
It is a well recognized fact that the most powerful influence in shaping and controlling public life is the press. It reaches a greater number of peo- ple than any other agency and thus has always been and always will be a most important factor in molding public opinion and, in a definite sense, shaping the destiny of the nation. The gentleman to a brief review of whose life these lines are devoted has long been prominently connected with journalism in the Hoosier state, and at the present time is editor and pub- lisher of the Kempton Courier, one of the most popular papers in Tipton county, comparing favorably with the best local sheets in this section of the state in news, editorial ability and mechanical execution.
George Guy Campbell, the present postmaster of Kempton and editor and publisher of the Kempton Courier, was born February 17, 1888, at Fort Recovery, Mercer county, Ohio, the son of Dr. R. W. and Elizabeth (Jordan) Campbell. Doctor Campbell was born at Fort Recovery and re- ceived his elementary education in the common schools of that city, his pro- fessional studies, later being pursued in medical institutions at Cincinnati, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois. He was a very successful practitioner and gained the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens to a marked degree. To the subject's parents, were born the following children : George Guy; A. W. is a printer at Elwood, Indiana; H. J. is following the "art preservative" and holds the position of superintendent of the mechanical department of the News-Scimiter at Memphis, Tennessee; Ruth is at home.
George Guy Campbell attended the common school at that place. While pursuing his studies he put in his spare time learning the printer's trade, and in 1895 went to Chicago, where he followed the printing business, working in
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different offices for about a year, at the end of which period he engaged in business for himself, operating a job printing plant with exceptional suc- cess for some time, and in 1897 he founded the Journal at Ashkum, Iroquois county, Illinois, which paper he conducted for three years. Selling out his interests at this place, he removed to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he be- came connected with the Devore Printing Company, of which concern he soon became superintendent. Under the firm name of Campbell & Gunder, the subject of this review established a printing office on Court street in Indianapolis. This was subsequently disposed of, and then Mr. Campbell took employment with the Indianapolis News. Continuing on the New's for about a year, Mr. Campbell for a while operated another office and then had charge of the advertising room on the Indianapolis Sentinel. After the Sentinel was purchased by the News Mr. Campbell was associated in busi- ness for a period with L. G. Dynes, and then came to Kempton. Tipton county, Indiana, where he established the Courier, and for the last six years has conducted this paper in a manner that has won for him not only a lucra- tive income, but has gained for him a large following of stanch friends. Under the administration of President Taft, Mr. Campbell was appointed postmaster of Kempton, and he is still discharging the duties of that re- sponsible position in a very satisfactory and efficient manner.
The subject of this review was married April 15, 1903, to Ella Menefee. the daughter of I.emuel and Mollie (Reid) Menefee, and to this union have been born three children, Mildred, Onarga and Robert.
In his fraternal relations, Mr. Campbell is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Campbell has been a potent factor in the upbuilding of the community and the ad- vancement of the highest interests of the people with whom he has been associated.
W. R. DUNHAM.
He to whose life history we now direct attention is a member of one of the pioneer families of Tipton county, his grandfather having entered gov- ernment land along with the earliest settlers of the county. W. R. Dunham, the present representative to the General Assembly of Indiana for Hamilton and Tipton counties, was born near Kempton, Indiana, on February 1. 1856. His parents were Samuel G. and Matilda ( Reese) Dunham, his father hav- ing moved to Clinton county, Ohio, from Virginia with his parents, Jacob
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and Catherine (Goodknight) Dunham. Jacob, the grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, soon came on west to Indiana and settled in Tipton county, Indiana, entering government land under the administration of President Millard Fillmore. Samuel was reared in the town of Tipton and he and his wife were the parents of three children, W. R., Mrs. Catherine Aldredge, of Huntington county, and Owen J.
W. R. Dunham received his early education in the common schools of his township and latter graduated from Valparaiso University at Valparaiso, Indiana. He then took up the profession of teaching and followed it very successfully for twenty-seven years, making an enviable record for himself as an excellent instructor. His seven years of continuous teaching at Kemp- ton shows that he was giving good satisfaction as a teacher. During his summer vacations he worked on a farm, clerked in a store and sold imple- ments for an Indianapolis company. In other words, he was always busy and put in all of his time at some gainful occupation, with the result that he was enabled to add to his landed possessions year by year until he now owns three hundred and twenty-five acres of as good land as can be found in the county. Some years ago he was appointed deputy county treasurer and performed the arduous duties of that office to the entire satisfaction of his superior in the office as well as all the citizens of the county. In 1912 the Democrats of Hamilton and Tipton counties selected him as the party's candidate for state representative and at the election held in November, 1912, he had the satisfaction of being elected. His record in the Legislature has been such as to commend him to the best citizens of his district.
Mr. Dunham was married April 8, 1881, to Belle Allen, the daughter of Samuel and Harriet Allen, and their union has been blessed with three chil- dren : Dr. W. F., Dr. G. C. and Bonnie, the wife of Verne Peters. Mrs. Dun- ham has been a loyal and trustworthy helpmate to her husband, assisting him in all his endeavors, co-operating with him in his plans and aiding him by her wise counsel and judicious advice, while her estimable character and high social worth have added much to the prestige of the family of which he is proud to be the head.
In his political faith Mr. Dunham has always been a stanch and un- wavering supporter of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and has also taken all the degrees in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of the subordinate lodge, the encamp- ment and the canton.
Mr. Dunham is a good example of the self-made man and in every- thing he has undertaken he has applied all those qualities which characterize
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successful men. As a teacher, as a county official, as a salesman, and as a member of the Legislature he has been true to the best impulses within him and the result is that he is highly respected and honored by all who know him. He is a man of pleasing personality, which, united with his other good qualities, renders him an influential factor in the social and business life of the community in which he lives.
SQUIRE GOODKNIGHT.
The subject of this review ranks among the leading farmers and stock raisers of the township in which he lives and as a tiller of the soil he is easily the peer of any of his fellow citizens similarly engaged. This success has been brought about only by careful and methodical management and far- sightedness in his plans and enterprise in carrying them to completion.
Squire Goodknight, the proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Jefferson township, Tipton county, was born August 10, 1869, in this county. His parents were W. H. and Elizabeth ( Baker) Good- knight and the subject of this sketch was one of ten children born to his parents, the others being as follows : Ellsworth, deceased; David, Delle, de- ceased; Walter; Charles, deceased; Bessie, who is the wife of Hayes Rensem, and has six children. Irene. Aline, Paul, John, Julia and William H .; Dosie. Goldie and one child who died in infancy. W. H. Goodknight was born in Fayette county, Ohio, and came to Indiana when a child with his parents, David and Christina ( Reese) Goodknight, who settled a half mile east of Tipton. W. H. died July 8, 1913, his wife having passed away in 1894. and they are both interred in the Kempton cemetery.
Squire Goodknight was reared on the farm, received a good practical education in the public schools of his county, and when old enough to begin life on his own responsibility turned his attention to agriculture, which, with stock raising, he has pursued with gratifying success. About the year 1907 he went into the hardware business for a short time, but the call of the farm could not be resisted, so he closed out his hardware business and returned to the farm, where he has been more successful year by year. Starting out by renting, he proved to be such an economical manager that he was soon able to buy forty acres, and when, a short time later, his old home place was for sale he purchased it and is rapidly bringing it to the front as one of the best improved farms of his community.
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Mr. Goodknight was married on August 29, 1888, to Edla King, the daughter of Alonzo and Phoebe (Johnson) King, and they are the happy parents of five children, Everett. Verne, Mae, Roxey and Ray. Mr. Good- knight has a very pleasant and attractive home and the hospitality of the family has won for them a host of warm friends in the community where they lived. The family are loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are interested in the various activities of that denomination.
In politics Mr. Goodknight is an enthusiastic member of the Republican party and always casts his ballot for the candidates of that party. He has justly gained the proud title of a self-made man, for all he now has has been secured through the exercise of his own diligent efforts and sound judg- ment.
J. M. WILBURN. .
An enumeration of the representative citizens of Tipton county, Indiana, would be incomplete without specific mention of the well-known and popular gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, who is now efficiently serving as a trustee of Madison township. A member of one of the old and highly esteemed families of this section of the Hoosier state, and for many years a public-spirited man of affairs, he has stamped the impress of his individu- ality upon the community and added luster to the honorable name which he bears, having always been scrupulously honest in all 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, consequently he has long since won the favor of a great number of the people of Madison town- ship. where he maintains his home.
J. M. Wilburn was born January 9, 1860, in the same township and county where he now resides, the son of M. C. and Eliza (Merritt) Wil- burn. The father was a native of North Carolina and came to the Hoosier state in pioneer days and located in Madison township, Tipton county, on ' Pipe creek. He was a farmer in the Tar Heel state and on his removal to Indiana sold his land in North Carolina. In this community the subject's parents passed the remainder of their lives, both now having passed away and are resting in the Hobbs cemetery. They were the parents of the follow- ing children : J. M., Frank Cicero, Rosetta became the wife of Rolly Curl, Ora, Alice married James Hughes.
J. M. Wilburn's first schooling was acquired in the Hamilton county
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institutions of learning, he having gone to that county with his parents in his early boyhood. Shortly after the completion of his educational pursuits, the family returned to this county and located on a farm near Tipton. At the age of twenty Mr. Wilburn rented forty acres of land and engaged in his first independent labors as an agriculturist. So successful was he in the cultivation of this tract of rented land that he was in a comparatively short time able to purchase land in his own right, a small piece, to which he later added an additional eighty acres. Born to an intimate knowledge of the basic industry of tilling the soil, Mr. Wilburn has been very successful, dis- playing a spirit of progress and a readiness to adopt the most improved methods that have won for him the reputation of being a scientific twentieth- century farmer. He has improved his place with good buildings and equipped it with all the necessary machinery, splendid crops being annually raised. grain farming occupying most of his attention.
On March 9. 1880, the subject of this review was united in matrimony to Sarah Jane Edmonson and as a result of this union have been born five children, namely : Maud became the wife of Dave Daniel and is the mother of four children. Paul, Virgil, Lloyd and Alice; George W. married Lily Weaver and they have three children, Harold, Ralph and Esther : Ethel is at home with her parents; Ruth is the wife of Clarence Russell; Opal Mae is also living under the parental rooftree.
In his fraternal relations, Mr. Wilburn holds membership in the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his wife is an appreciative member of the Daughters of Rebekah. Their re- ligious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church, they being espe- cially active in the work of the Sunday school, giving freely of their time and means toward the support of the same.
GRANVILLE H. HOBBS.
In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way to success through unfavorable environment we find an unconscious recogni- tion of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. The gentleman to whom the reader's attention is now called was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by perseverance. industry and wise economy, he attained a comfortable station in life far be-
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yond the average, making his influence felt for good in his community, and because of the honorable career he has known here and also because of the fact that he is numbered among those patriotic sons of the North who as- sisted in saving the Union's integrity in the dark days of the sixties, he is eminently worthy of a place in this volume.
Granville H. Hobbs, a retired farmer and the owner of all the land where the town of Hobbs is situated, was born May 16, 1831, in Lee county, Virginia, the son of Job and Susan (Flanery) Hobbs. Job Hobbs, the subject's father, was a farmer and planter in the Old Dominion state, and in his later life moved to Kentucky, where he and his wife spent the rest of their lives and passed away at a good old age.
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