USA > Indiana > Tipton County > History of Tipton County Indiana > Part 56
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The education of the subject of this sketch was acquired in the common schools of Virginia and Kentucky, he being also under the tutelage of his father in addition to his regular school work. His father was a very schol- arly man and imparted to the subject much valuable knowledge impossible to obtain in the crude schools of those days. As a young man Granville H. Hobbs came to Tipton county, Indiana, and worked as a farm hand. Being of an industrious and economical nature, it was not a great while until he had saved enough money to purchase a small tract of land for himself; and through the exercise of a superior knowledge of the arts of agriculture and stock raising, the subject has prospered to a remarkable degree. being the possessor of over four hundred acres of very valuable property. Upon his retirement from active agricultural labor, Mr. Hobbs gave all of this land to his children, saving to himself and wife only an income that would insure them living in comfort the rest of their days. They are now living in peaceful and well earned retirement in their beautiful modern home in Hobbs.
Mr. Hobbs was married in 1860 to Jane Meyers, who was born in Lee county, Virginia, the daughter of John and Rachel Meyers, who lived their entire lives in that state, and to this union have been born children as fol- lows : Lucetta, Rachel A., Darthila, wife of Amos DeLong; Ellen, wife of J. Russell; Sherman (deceased), John, Mrs. Nettie Longfellow, Ida. wife of Charles Warner, and two who died in infancy.
During the war between the states in the dark days of the sixties, the subject of this review gained an enviable record as a soldier in the army of the North, his first service being in a Kentucky regiment, he later enlisting in the One Hundred and Ffty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was en- gaged in some of the most fiercely contested battles of that sanguinary con- flict and is now an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Politically, Mr. Hobbs casts his ballot with the Democratic party. He was
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county commissioner nine years, justice of the peace four years and held several other minor offices. He and his wife are always ready to support worthy public enterprises for the benefit of their fellow citizens and the com- munity and are honored and respected by all who know them for their real worth. Mr. Hobbs was the first settler and the founder of the town of Hobbs and still owns considerable property in the town.
E. L. BUNCH.
One of the most enterprising of our younger generation of farmers in Tipton county, who has believed from the outset of his career that the "wisdom of yesterday is sometimes the folly of today," and that while the methods of our grandfathers in tilling the soil were all right in their day, yet in the twentieth century we are compelled to adopt new methods and farm along different lines, in view of the fact that conditions of climate, soil. grains, etc., have changed since the days of the pioneers. He has been a close observer of modern methods and is a student at all times of whatever pertains to his chosen life work, having met with encouraging success all along the line. Judging from his past record, he will undoubtedly achieve much in the future years and take his place among the leading agriculturists of a community noted for its fine farms and adroit husbandmen.
E. L. Bunch, a prosperous agriculturist of Tipton county and owner of one hundred and five acres of splendid farming land, was born February 18. 1871, on his father's farm in Jefferson township, this county, the son of H. H. and Mary ( Phares) Bunch. H. H. Bunch was born in Wayne county. Indiana, and came to Tipton county when he was nine years old with his parents, William and Matilda ( Wolf) Bunch. William Bunch was a native of North Carolina.
The subject of this review attended school at Teedersburg and Tipton. working on the farm during vacations. His first work for himself was the cultivation of land which he rented from his father. By exercising good judgment, economy and industry, reinforced by a native stock of common sense, he soon acquired land in his own right, and this has been added to and improved until now no finer landed estate in the community can be found than that owned by Mr. Bunch. Keeping well posted, not alone on new methods and improved processes of agriculture, but on affairs of the world at large, the subject of this review has gained a reputation among his neigh- bors and friends as a man of wide information and integrity.
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On September 4, 1893, Mr. Bunch was united in the holy bonds of mat- rimony to Dora Farley, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Irwin) Farley, and this union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Mary Edna, born October 31, 1894, and Frank Hardein, born May 21, 1901.
In political affairs, Mr. Bunch has ever been an ardent supporter of the candidates and principles of the Republican party, while his support in re- ligious matters is accorded to the Christian church, to which he gives liber- ally of his means. Although just in the prime of life, the subject has achieved a success in affairs that would be a credit to any man many years his elder, and that much abused term "self-made man" may well be applied to him in its real meaning and value. No man can say aught against him and speak the truth, for his life has been as an open book to his neighbors and friends, who have come to honor and respect him for his real worth and who look on him as an example of the rugged, virile, resourceful and industrious type of American agriculturist.
ROY B. SMITH.
One of the thrifty young farmers of Tipton county. Indiana, who be- lieves in keeping abreast of the times in his vocation is Roy B. Smith, and having had such principles as his guiding star all through life. he has been successful from the start, not winning success in a meteoric fashion. but gradually ascending the rugged hill that leads from the lowlands to the upper strata of success, where a man feels that he has worked to a good purpose. This young farmer takes a peculiar pride in his agricultural interests, and during his short career in this county he has shown that industry which will be certain to insure him continued success in the future.
Roy B. Smith was born January 9. 1887, on his father's farm in this county, a son of John D. and Sarah ( Bunch) Smith, who are mentioned else- where in this volume. Roy Smith attended the common schools of Goldsmith and also the Tipton high school, graduating from the latter. During his · school life he worked on the home farm between school seasons, and thereby received a practical farmer's education. After his graduation from the high school he took a normal course at Marion, Indiana, and followed this by teach- · ing school for one year at Teedersburg, in Tipton county. He proved to be a very successful teacher and had he continued in this vocation as a profession he would no doubt have become one of the successful educators of his county.
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However, he preferred agricultural pursuits, and after teaching one year, he engaged in farming his father's farm, which he has successfully managed since.
Roy B. Smith was married in 1909, to Cleo Teeter, and to this union have been born four children, Roy Allen, Cleo Esther, Hugh Teeter and Mary Grace.
Politically, Mr. Smith has allied himself with the Progressive wing of the Republican party, and although he has never yet been a candidate for any public office, he nevertheless takes an active interest in the deliberations of the party.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a very hospitable home and are interested in all movements which tend to the uplifting and betterment of the community in which they reside. They have a wide circle of loyal friends and acquaint- ances and in the years to come their influence for the betterment of the com- munity will go on increasing.
JOHN A. ALTHER.
To present in detail the leading facts in the life of one of Tipton county's best known agriculturists and throw light upon some of his most prominent characteristics, is the task in hand in order to place before the reader the fol- lowing brief biography of John A. Alther. Though still in the prime of a vigorous manhood, he has already won a distinct place in the agricultural world, besides impressing his strong personality upon the community where for a number of years he has been a forceful factor in directing thought and helping to mold public opinion along proper lines. He is regarded by all who know him as a man of sound business principles, thoroughly up to date in all phases of agriculture and stock raising and as a man who, while advancing his own individual interests, does not neglect his general duties as a citizen.
John A. Alther, prosperous and up-to-date farmer, was born February 10, 1876, in Fayette county, this state, the son of John and Caroline (Rip- berger) Alther, who were early pioneers in that section of the Hoosier state. His first education was secured in the Fayette county schools, this being re- sumed in the local schools when he came to this county, practically all of his boyhood days being occupied in helping in the many duties devolving upon the average farmer's boy, an experience, however, which proved of value to him in later life, for he has conducted the affairs of his place with a degree of
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J. B. GRISHAW
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skill that evinces a thorough knowledge of all the various branches of his vocation.
At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Alther began working for himself by the month, which he continued for four years, and has since operated the farm owned by his father. The place is one of the best in the community. being well improved and presenting a model appearance to the passerby. A good home and the best of necessary farm buildings adorn the place, and its general aspect is indicative of Mr. Alther's spirit of progress and intelligence.
On November 20, 1900, John A. Alther was united in marriage to Mar- garet Johannes, daughter of Charles and Eva (Henry) Johannes. Charles Johannes came to this community from Jennings county and has resided here for thirty years, rearing a family of five children, Mary, Anna, Margaret, Joseph and Kate.
Although Mr. Alther has taken an intelligent interest in public affairs, he has never sought public office, however, being a leader in the councils of his party, ever advocating the selection of the best men for political prefer- ment. His religious affiliations are with St. John's church in Tipton, he being numbered among the most faithful and liberal communicants of that parish. Mr. Alther is a symmetrically developed man, discharging the duties of citizenship with an eye to the greatest good and his popularity is only bounded by the lines within which he is known. He is a man of broad humanitarian principles, of earnest purpose and upright life, and does all in his power for the uplift of his fellow men and the promotion of the moral welfare of his community.
J. B. GRISHAW.
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The prosperity of the country is in the hands of the tillers of the soil. The financial status of the country fluctuates according to the prosperity of the farmer. The county which is filled with wide-awake, progressive farm- ers is the county with heavy bank deposits and general prosperity. The egg production alone of the United States is more valuable than any single manufacturing industry. The farmer who makes a success of stock raising has an industry which puts him at least on a par with the business men of his county. A successful sheep grower deserves special commendation, because it is an industry requiring a superior kind of skill. The subject of this sketch is one of the most prominent sheep producers of the state and has achieved an eminent success in this line.
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J. B. Grishaw, a prominent farmer and sheep raiser of Tipton county, was born November 16, 1869, at Sharpsville, Indiana, the son of William M. and America (Shook) Grishaw. His father was born in Ripley county, Indi- ana, coming to this county when a young man and settled in Liberty township. He directed his energies to merchandising, and built up a very successful business in Sharpsville, which netted him a very comfortable fortune. To him and his wife were born six children, namely: Ora, deceased, who is buried in the cemetery at Tipton; Grant, deceased: J. B., the subject of this sketch; Charles L., of Tipton; H. E., a practicing physician of Tipton ; and one died in infancy.
J. B. Grishaw received his early education in the Tipton schools, gradu- ating from the common schools of that city. Later he attended the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana. During his minority he spent his summers on the home farm, learning all the intricacies of agricultural life. At the age of nineteen he commenced his long, successful career by engaging in tomato culture. He sold his product to a canning factory at Tipton and made con- siderable money at the business. Later he bought a farm and began the rais- ing of stock, and he continued his general farming and stock raising until six years ago when he retired from farming, but continued in the business of stock feeding. He has made a specialty of sheep feeding and is regarded as one of the most prominent and successful sheep raisers in Indiana. As every farmer knows. there is a peculiar knack in the raising of sheep, and the fact that Mr. Grishaw has been very successful in this business shows that he has made a deep study of the problem of managing them, and he is regarded by all who know of his efforts as an authority on this line of endeavor. He is also a stockholder and director of the First National Bank of Tipton.
On April 4, 1894, Mr. Grishaw was married to Grace Campbell, and to this union has been born an interesting family of six children, all of whom are living : James, Paul, William, Hubert, Ruth America, Helen, Ora M. and Mary E. His family are loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have taken an earnest part in all of the various activities of that denon- ination. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Austin Lodge, of Tipton.
Politically, Mr. Grishaw has always been a Republican, but has never sought political preferment of any kind, devoting all of his time and attention to farming and the raising of stock, in which he has been eminently successful. Mr. Grishaw is an excellent example of the typical American farmer, who understands how to farm to the best advantage. In all the practical affairs of life, he has shown by his capable management of his farm interests and by his
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sound judgment what may be accomplished by energy and ambition when rightfully applied, and, notwithstanding the fact that he has been very success- ful in business, he has not neglected to contribute to the moral as well as the material advancement of his community.
O. FRANK WHEATLEY.
All callings, whether humble or exalted, may be productive of some mea- sure of success, if enterprise and industry, coupled with a well directed pur- pose, form the motive force of the person directing the same, and in no case is this fact more apparent than in agricultural pursuits. It is a well authenti- cated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance as well as the above enumerated qualities. When a course of action is once decided upon these attributes are essential. Success is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer, and she never courts the loafer, only those who have diligently sought her favor being crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the prosperous and influential agriculturist whose name forms the caption of this biographical review, we find that the above named elements have entered largely into his makeup and therefore we are not surprised at the large and ever-growing success which he has attained.
O. Frank Wheatley was born November 25, 1888, the son of James W. and Sarah (Francis) Wheatley, and was one of three children, namely : Walter V. married Mary Parker and they are the parents of two children, Forrest and Parker; O. Frank; Pearl G. is at school.
A very good education was secured by Mr. Wheatley, through attend- ance at the Wheatley district school No. 5 and two years at Valparaiso Uni- versity. During his boyhood days he worked at farm labor, and on reaching mature years he decided on this business for his life work. At the age of eighteen he began raising fine cattle, making a specialty of the Aberdeen and Angus breeds, with which he has been very successful. In addition to one hundred acres of land which he got from his father, Mr. Wheatley rents one hundred and fifty acres, and has improved his holdings by the erection of the best of farm buildings and a comfortable home. In all that he does he is thorough and painstaking, believing that what is worth doing at all is worth doing well, and he has risen to a position of prominence in his community that is remarkable for one of his age.
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On January 7, 1909, Mr. Wheatley was united in marriage to Mae Booher, the daughter of William and Mary (Reese) Booher, and to this union have been born three children, Olive, Wilson and Angeline. These children are the center of a happy home circle.
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Mr. Wheatley's course in political matters has been to cast his ballot for the men and principles which he believed were right, regardless of party ties. He is a member of the Friends church and of the Free and Accepted Masons. Long recognized as a factor of importance in connection with the farming and stock raising industries here, he has been prominently identified with the material growth and prosperity of the community where he has re- sided. Mr. Wheatley is one of those estimable characters whose integrity and strong personality must force them into an admirable notoriety, which their modesty never seeks, who command the respect of their contemporaries and leave the impress of their individuality upon the age in which they live.
WILLIAM H. REED.
The boys who went to the front in 1861 and fought that their country might be saved can never have too much honor bestowed upon them. They are fast answering the last muster and within a very few years there will be none left to answer to the final roll call. The great majority have already passed away and among the honored veterans of Tipton county who will never again hear the bugle call in this world is the late William H. Reed, of Liberty township.
William H. Reed, who died November 22, 1899, in Liberty township, Tipton county, Indiana, was born in 1840 in Bartholomew county, Indiana, about fifteen miles east of Columbus. His parents were Eli and Catherine (Snyder) Reed, both of whom were natives of Knox county. North Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. Eli Reed were born the following children : Cornelius, de- ceased; William, deceased, the subject of this sketch : Benjamin, of Bartholo- mew county, Indiana; Lucy, deceased, the wife of Eli Sigler, deceased; Han- nah, the wife of the late William Miller, and the mother of four children. George, William, Elizabeth and Alice: Claraenda, the wife of Altenia Roller, deceased, and the mother of four children, two of whom are living, Henry and Louis, of Tipton county; Martha, the wife of Ezra Spawl, of Bartholo- mew county, and the mother of six children, Erastus, Edwin, Laura, Lena.
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Estella and one child which died in infancy ; Lavina, the wife of Erin Kendall and the mother of ten children.
William H. Reed lived the ordinary farm life which surrounded the boys of his period, there being no special event of importance to vary the routine of the duties of the fields and of the school room for him during his boyhood. When still a youth he began work in the fields, plowing, planting and harvest- ing from early springtime until late autumn. He was thus engaged when the Civil war opened, when, seized with the same patriotic zeal which fired the hearts of thousands of other young men, he enlisted in the Sixty-seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry and was in continuous active service until the close of the war. Going out as a private, he was soon made a cor- poral for meritorious conduct on the battlefield, and served as such through- out the remainder of the conflict.
Immediately after his return from the front Mr. Reed was married to Nancy Drake, the daughter of Thomas and Elnora ( Hill) Drake, and to this union there were born eight children : George, deceased; Catherine, the wife of William Warner, of Liberty township, and the mother of three children, Lester, Harry and Lott. Some years after the death of her husband, Mrs. Warner married James Harper, of Liberty township, and there was one son, James, by the second marriage. Lavina, the third child of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Reed, is deceased; Mary, the fourth child, is the wife of Wright Glass, and has one child deceased; Annie, the wife of Marvel Richards, of Tipton county, and the mother of seven children, Uhl, Donald, Lena, Denia, May, Ruth and Marjorie; Thomas, deceased; Frank, deceased; and William H., the eighth and youngest child, married Amanda Owens, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Owens, of Bartholomew county, and to this union there have been born three children, Hayse, Meredith and Wilma.
Mr. Reed started out in life on his own account and by hard work and capable management accumulated eighty acres of arable and productive land in Liberty township before his demise in 1899. With the aid of his good wife and children he became an important factor in the life of the community in which he lived, and because of his high moral worth he was held in unquali- fied esteem by his friends and neighbors. He always voted with the Repub- lican party, but never sought or desired office, preferring to give his whole time and attention to his agricultural interests. He was a life-long member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was closely connected with the Methodist Episcopal church of Sharpsville, Indiana, contributing of his substance to the support of his church. His many sterling qualities made him
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deservedly popular in his community and his death was mourned by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. His life was such that his widow and children have the satisfaction of knowing that the world was the better for his having lived in it.
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CHARLES WESLEY COLE.
The best history of a community or state is that which deals most with the lives and activities of its people, especially of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have forged to the front and placed them- selves where they deserve the title of progressive men. In this brief re- view will be found the record of one who has outstripped the less active plodders on the highway of life and achieved a career surpassed by few of his contemporaries, a career of marked success in agricultural affairs and a name which all men who know him delight to honor, owing to his upright life and habits of thrift and industry.
Charles Wesley Cole, the proprietor of a two-hundred-and-forty-acre farm in Jefferson township, Tipton county, Indiana, is a native son of this county, having been born June 19, 1878, the son of H. B. and Mary (Smith) Cole. His father, H. B. Cole, is also a native of the old Hoosier state, his birth having occurred in Switzerland county, his parents being Perry and Malvina Cole. When a young man H. B. Cole came to Tipton county, and to him and his wife were born three children: Charles W .; Lena, who mar- ried John Teal, of Indianapolis, and they have one daughter, Lenora, and a son, Herman, deceased, and William E., of California, who is married and has one child, Eldon.
Charles Cole secured his education in the common schools in Cicero and Jefferson townships in this county, and as a lad he went to school during the winter seasons and worked on the home farm during the summers, there- by learning the rudiments of agriculture, as well as habits of thrift and in- dustry. After leaving the common schools he was a student one year at the Tipton high school and entered the normal school at Marion, Indiana, but was called home on the death of his father to take charge of the farm.
Mr. Cole was married in 1898 to Bertha A. Craven, the daughter of William and Mattie (Mullen) Craven, and to this union have been born seven children, Ruth B .; Ralph and Forest, twins, now deceased; Mildred. Hull and Howard, who are in school, and Dorothy Mae, at home with her parents.
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