History of Tipton County Indiana, Part 58

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

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On April 22, 1896, Mr. Henderson was united in the holy bonds of mat- rimony to Emma A. Small and they are the parents of three children. Opal. William and Ruby. The principles and men of the Democratic party have always received the subject's support. He was elected assessor of Jefferson township in 1908, and is now serving his sixth year in that office. Mr. Henderson is now in the very prime of life and usefulness, and his influence as an honorable and upright citizen is productive of much good upon all with whom he comes in contact. His past success gives assurance of something yet to come, and he is evidently destined to continue a potent factor for sub- stantial good for many years to come.

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JOHN MEYER.

Among the prominent citizens and successful farmers of Tipton county, Indiana, none occupies a higher position in the estimation of his fellow citi- zens than the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this paragraph. A broad-minded man and intelligent agriculturist, he is progressive in his methods and keeps in close touch with the most advanced ideas relating to his profession, with the result that he has kept in the forefront and occupies an enviable position among his fellows.

John Meyer, the owner of one hundred and twenty-eight acres of fine land on the Kempton pike in Jefferson township, Tipton county, Indiana, first saw the light of day in Cicero township, Tipton county, on December 27, 1860, the son of Charles and Margaret (Weigand) Meyer. Charles was a native of Germany and came with his parents to this country when he was a boy, his education, which was begun in the fatherland, being completed in the primitive log school house typical of those days in the Hoosier state They first located in Wayne county, but later removed to Tipton county. Here Charles was married and reared a family of seven children, namely : Henry, John, Telda, Charles, Emma, William and Hattie, the last named being deceased.

John Meyer attended school in the Independence and Dixon schools and on reaching mature years rented land from his father and began agri- cultural operations on his own account. By exercising the shrewd economy so characteristic of the thrifty descendants of German parentage, the subject was enabled in time to purchase forty acres of land, which he afterward sold and then purchased eighty acres, this in turn being eventually disposed of and his present fine farm secured. Here he is engaged in general farming, in which he has been very successful, carrying on stock raising in connection with his other agricultural projects. His knowledge of this lucrative busi- ness has earned him a reputation second to none in that line, his feeding, selecting and breeding operations being conducted along the most progres- sive and up-to-date plane and a ready market is always found for the splen- did stock raised. His place ranks with the best in the community, being equipped with the best buildings and farming machinery and his home is exceptionally comfortable and well located. Mr. Meyer purchased his pres- ent place in 1892.

On June 19, 1892, the subject of this review was united in marriage to Louisa Becker, and this union has been blessed by the birth of two children,

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Leroy and Edna, who are living at home and attending school. Mr. Meyer and his family belong to the Lutheran church and are counted among the most loyal and worthy members of that congregation, giving liberally to its support and taking an earnest interest in all the departments of church work. The Democratic party is the recipient of Mr. Meyer's suffrage, and although he has never found time to seek public office, he displays a deep and intelligent interest in public affairs, giving freely of his aid and counsel in the placing of the best men on the ticket of his party. The record of Mr. Meyer is that · of a man who by his own unaided efforts has worked his way from a modest beginning to a place of comparative independence in the world. His life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the honorable methods which he has followed have won him the confidence of his fellow citizens.

PERRY FOSTER.

It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the life of one who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a life, whether it be one of calm, con- secutive endeavor or of sudden meteoric accomplishments, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to young men whose fortunes and destinies are still matters for the future to determine. The subject of this review, although still a young man, is distinctively one of the repre- sentative agriculturists of Tipton county. He has patiently directed his efforts toward the goal of success and by continuance in well doing has succeeded in overcoming the many obstacles by which his pathway was be- set, and is today considered one of the foremost farmers of the county.

Perry Foster, farmer and stock raiser and owner of thirty-seven acres of good land in Jefferson township, Tipton county, Indiana, was born Feb- ruary II, 1881, in this same township on the old Foster homestead, the son of John and Martha E. (Barr) Foster. John Foster, who passed to his re- ward about a year ago and was buried in Tipton, had for some years been living a retired life at Kokomo, Howard county, Indiana. He was the father of seven children, namely : Ed, Mrs. Ella Glass, Fred F., Dora B. (deceased). Richard E., Perry and Mrs. Sarah Townsend.

The early education of the subject of this review was secured at the old Bozzell school house, later attending the school at Goldsmith, in which in- stitutions he gained a good schooling as far as books go, in later life, however,

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supplementing this early acquired knowledge by wide reading and close ob- servation of men and methods, so that he has earned the reputation of being a well informed man. During the time that he was attending school, the subject was employed at farm labor, and was also occupied for some time working in a grocery store at Goldsmith. On reaching mature years Mr. Fos- ter purchased his present fine place, where he has since resided, and has made all the improvements and conducted the farm with marked ability, having a comfortable home and a strictly modern and up-to-date agricultural plant. For one so young in years, Mr. Foster has achieved a degree of suc- cess that is worthy of more than passing note, and if his past record can be depended upon to gauge the future, much prosperity awaits him in later years.

On October 1, 1902, the subject of this review was united in marriage to Minnie P. Thompson, a lady of many estimable qualities, who presides . over Mr. Foster's home with true womanly grace and dignity. They have a wide circle of loyal friends and are numbered among the best people of the community. In political matters the subject supports the Republican party .. while fraternally, he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mrs. Foster being a member of the Daughters of Rebekah. . \ll worthy move- ments for the good of the community are given earnest support by Mr. Fos- ter, he never becoming so deeply engrossed in promoting his own individual success as to refuse aid and encouragement to any enterprise that promises good to his fellow men.

MICHAEL HOBACK.

Specific mention is made in the following paragraphs of one of the worthy citizens of Tipton county, Indiana, one who has figured in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests have been identified with its progress, contributing in a definite measure in his particular sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Additional interest also attaches to his career from the fact that he is one of the oldest citizens of the county and that during his years spent here he has seen many radical changes take place. Earnest purpose and tireless energy, combined with good judgment and every-day common sense, have been among his most promi- nent characteristics and he has merited the respect and esteem which are ac- corded him by all who know him.

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Michael Hoback, retired farmer of Prairie township, Tipton county, In- diana. who resides on his excellent farm of one hundred and fifteen acres, is a native of the state of Kentucky, having been born in Hardin county on January 25, 1827, the son of John and Dorcas (Killen) Hoback, both of whom were native to the state of Kentucky. The father came to Indiana in 1830. locating in Johnson county and bringing with him the immediate sub- ject of this sketch, then a very small child. There John Hoback secured a tract of one hundred acres, which he cleared and where he made a home in which his family was reard. Johnson county was his home for the re- mainder of his life and he died there on the land he had first obtained as virgin soil. He and his wife had a family of eleven children, and beside the subject of this sketch there were the following sons and daughters: Eliza- beth, the wife of Barkley Carroll; Nancy, who married William Young; Martha, wife of George. Mellender; Mary Ann, wife of Wallace True; Louisa, wife of Pemberton C. Brown; Isaac, who took as his wife Hulda Baily: William K. married Sarah Ritchie; Robert's wife was a Miss Ep- person; Bartholomew married a Miss Shigley, and Joel married Minerva Trahoon.

The early education of Michael Hoback was rather limited, owing to the comparatively poor opportunities offered at that time for the education of youth, but he made the most of the opportunities offered and in his more mature years added largely to the stock of information acquired in his youth. While still young, he began assisting in the work on the home farm, under the direction of his mother, and he remained with her until he reached his majority. He then apprenticed himself to a blacksmith, desiring to learn that trade, and this he followed for about thirty years, when he decided upon the vocation of farming as the occupation for the balace of his life. He came to Tipton county in 1853.

Mr. Hoback has been twice married His first wife was Elizabeth Hall. sole child of John Hall, and to their union were born twe've children. There are now a number of grandchildren also. The names of Mr. Hoback's chil- dren follow: Mary, deceased; Sabra married John Townsend and to their union were born four children, Meddie, John, Michael and William. Her second husband was Berry Bouse and their union is without issue. Her daughter Meddie is the wife of David Herron and they are the parents of three children, Garnett, Ruth and Wyman. Catherine D. Hoback became the wife of Zachariah Childers and they were the parents of three children, Mollie and Charles, deceased, and an infant deceased. Upon the death of Mr. Childers, she became the wife of Alfred Pickrell and they have four chil-

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dren, Jennie, Wayne, Lucy and Sadie. Several of these children are married, Mollie being the wife of James Morris, and the mother of thirteen children; Jennie is the wife of Wesley Bartholomew and the mother of one child, Paul W .; Sadie is the wife of Edward Hudson and the mother of three children, Waneta, Joseph and an infant. John W. Hoback took as his wife Belle Gibbons and they have had four children, David, Linnie and Lawrence, and Edward, deceased. Isaac N. Hoback married Araminta Foster and they have five children, Lillie, Sabria, Frank, Dessie and Florence. Sarah Frances Hoback is the wife of Alvis Watson. Michael M. took as his wife Clara Foster and they have three children, Opal, Ethel and Crystal. Of these chil- dren, Opal is the wife of Manville Stoops and the mother of three children, Thelma, Bernard and Martha. Melville Hoback married Laura Craigan and they have two daughters, Naomi and Elizabeth. Elizabeth Ellen Ho- back became the wife of R. G. Foster and is without issue. Four of Mr. Ho- back's children are dead, being Mary Ann, Martha E., Nancy M. and Joel K., and the first Mrs. Hoback died September 8, 1891.

On October 30, 1895, Mr. Hoback took as his second wife Mrs. Susan- nah P. Newby Chase, widow of James F. Chase and the daughter of James H. and Mary (Shields) Newby, and one of a family of seven children, the others being Sarah J., who is Mrs. John Johnson; Pariminta, who became Mrs. John Carney; Mary is Mrs. William Asher and Howard took as his wife Emma Andrews. Ladora remains unmarried and Ladica died at the age of thirteen years. By Mrs. Hoback's former union with James F. Chase they were the parents of six children, namely: Luella, who married David Bol- linger and is the mother of six children, Frank, Ralph and Agnes, who are living, and Harry, Clarence and Maude, deceased. A daughter, Mary F., died in infancy and Robert died at the age of twenty years. Deliah became the wife of John M. Harrell and they have five children living, Cora. Anna, Howard, Arthur and Bonnie. Nellie became Mrs. William Cox and the mother of four children, Oscar, Blanche, Effie and Edna. Arthur married Addie Hoffman and they have one child, Charles Paul.

Mrs. Hoback can lay claim to some distinguished ancestry, for her great grandfather on her mother's side was Lord Mccullough, an Irish gentleman of title, who gave assistance to the American colonists during the struggle for freedom from Great Britain. She is also a third cousin of Gen. John Tipton, who was active in the early history of this part of the state and for whom Tipton county was named in honor. Mr. Hoback owned the land on which the old Hoback school house stands. This old seat of learning has been attended by hundreds of girls and boys and from its humble door many

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have gone forth into the world and made a name for themselves. Because of the many endearing associations clinging about it, Mr. Hoback very kindly donated it to the county of Tipton and it is to remain the property of the county as long as it shall be used for school purposes, reverting to his heirs if at any time this clause is disregarded.

In politics Mr. Hoback is a stanch Republican, while his religious sym- pathies are with the Methodist Episcopal church at Hopewell, of which he has been a member for many years, and in the progress of which society he has been deeply interested, contributing of his share to advance its work.

Mr. Hoback is wonderfully preserved, both mentally and physically, considering his years, and is widely known throughout this section of the state. He is a man whose influence has always counted for the good of those with whom he came in contact and he has so lived the many years of his life as to win honor and respect from all who know him. He is, there- fore. eminently deserving of the high regard in which he is held by all.

FRANKLIN MILLER.

A review of the life of the honored subject of this memoir must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the inter- esting details of the career of the late Franklin Miller, touching the efforts of his early manhood and the successes of his later years, would far trans- cend the limits of this article. He filled a large place in the ranks of the active, energetic and public-spirited citizens of his day and generation, and the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable chapter in the history of the locality where his life was closed.

Franklin Miller was born in Indianapolis, Marion county, Indiana, on March 14. 1853, and died in Prairie township, Tipton county, Indiana. July 14, 1911. He was a son of Jacob and Mary (Smithson) Miller, the former of whom was a native of the state of Ohio and the latter born in North Carolina. Jacob Miller grew to manhood in his native state, attending the district schools, and early in his married life he removed to Indianapolis, this state, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was engaged in agri- cultural work all his life and while a resident of Indianapolis he engaged in gardening for the markets of the city. In this he was eminently successful and he continued in this business until his death, in 1901. His wife, Mary Smithson, was a daughter of Isaac Smithson and to their union were born

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four children, namely: Franklin, the immediate subject of this sketch; An- drew, Sarah Catherine, and Sanford, who died at the age of six years. Andrew took as his wife Sarah Robinson and Sarah Catherine became the wife of John Farley.

Franklin Miller received his education in the schools of the city of In- dianapolis and after completing his studies, he worked with his father on his place until his marriage. After marriage, he moved to Tipton county, where for five years he rented a farm in Jefferson township. He then arranged to purchase the farm where he passed the remainder of his life and where his widow is now residing.

Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Evaline Lydy, daughter of Alexander and Mary Lydy, who was one of a family of thirteen children, the others being : Alexander: Martha, who married Ephraim Clark; William, whose wife was Olive Spurgeon; Elizabeth, who married William Horton; Solomon, whose wife was Emma Van Bibber; Levi was killed while in service during the Civil war; Philip, James and Samuel died when small, and Catherine, deceased, was the wife of Newton Youart.

Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Miller were the parents of an interesting family of ten children, namely : Myrtle, whose death occurred January 21, 1912, was the widow of Spencer Wiley, who died January 26, 1903; Cora married James Cline; Louis married Millie Cloe and they have one child, Ardith; Cornelius married Clara Dawson, while Hattie is the wife of William E. Cline and they are the parents of two children, Ernest and Aubrey; Willard remains unmarried ; Gladys and Olive are single and live at home, while one child, Mary, died in infancy.

The other son of this family is Lora Tiffin, born November 2, 1887, in Prairie township, Tipton county, Indiana. He received his elementary edu- cation in the district schools of his native county, later attending high school at Kempton. After completing his course there, he assisted his father in carrying on the business of the home farm and remained with him until his marriage, when he began farming on his own account on the place where he now resides. On September 10, 1913, Lora Tiffin Miller was united in marriage with Edith Barr, daughter of William A. and Lora (Duncan) Barr, and their marriage is without issue. Mrs. Miller was one of a family of seven children, the others being Wayman, who married Carrie Gross and they have one child, Doris: Olive died at the age of two years, and the others, Rosa, Perry and Lottie, remain single and at home. There was also one child who died in early infancy.

Lora Tiffin Miller is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, with

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whose interests he has cast every vote since attaining his majority. His re- ligious sympathies are with the Hopewell Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member, and while not a member himself, he is interested in the prosperity of the society and assists in the support of same. While still a young man, Mr. Miller has made an enviable reputation for himself along lines of uprightness of character, and bids fair to be a man of influence in the world who will be able to do much to advance the interests of his community. He is a worthy son of his excellent father, Franklin Miller, who was considered one of the foremost men of his locality. Franklin Miller was also aligned with the Republican party and his religious sympathies were with the Methodist Episcopal church at Kempton, to the furtherance of whose interests he gave largely of his time and means. He leaves behind him a vast circle of friends to mourn his departure, and who realize that his life was one of good influence for those with whom he came in contact and for the community in general. He was a quiet and sincere character, ever ready to take the side of any issue which had as its ultimate end the good of the community, either moral or material. His life record was full of many interesting details, best known and appreciated by those nearest to him, but leaving their imprint on a circle wider than that of his home.

MARION S. SMITH.

Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages, and as a usual thing, men of honorable and humane impluses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-door life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that indepen- dence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood and no truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the coun- . try, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were indebted large- ly to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.

The subject of this sketch is descended from one of the old families of southern Indiana, his paternal grandfather having come to this state from eastern Tennessee and settled in Johnson county, where he passed the remainder of his life. His son Harrison was but six years of age when

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the family left Tennessee and he grew to maturity in Johnson county, re- ceiving such education as the schools of that time and locality afforded. Here he united in marriage with Margaret Foster, and in 1849 he and his wife, together with her father, came to Tipton county and entered land. Harrison Smith remained on that place for about ten years, when he dis- posed of it and purchased the farm on which M. S. Smith, the subject, was born and on which the youngest sister now resides. This is a tract of one hundred and sixty acres located in Prairie township, Tipton county.

Marion S. Smith first saw the light of day on April 15, 1863, on the farm where he resided until 1886. His mother, Margaret A. Foster, daughter of Richard and Lucinda Foster, was a native of Virginia, and to her union with Harrison Smith were born eleven children, namely: Marion S., the immediate subject of this sketch; Franciana, who married William T. Ham- ilton; Lucinda, wife of John T. Grayson; Richard, who married Rebecca Hall; Jeremiah, whose wife was Mary Belle Hinkle: Caleb R., who mar- ried Sarah E. Gore; Adella, the wife of W. R. Campbell; Isaac remains single; Mahala died at the age of eight; Nathan died at the age of sixteen years, and another child died in early infancy.

Marion S. Smith received his elementary education in the schools of Prairie township, Tipton county, later attending normal school at Danville, Indiana. After completing his studies at Danville, he taught school for one term, when he decided to make his life's work that of a farmer, and engaged in this occupation with his father. He remained in this connection until he was twenty-two years of age, when he started in the same business for himself. He was married on March 3, 1887, to Flora E. Mozingo, daughter of John T. and Ellen (Dounhour) Mozingo, and one of a family of six children, the others being Maggie, who became the wife of Morton Jackson; Allie, who is Mrs. W. E. Paul; Grace, who is the wife of W. E. Smyser; Marion, who is unmarried, and a child who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of three living children, Garry G., Vera B. and Bernard S., all of whom are single and remain under the paternal roof, and there were two other children which died in infancy.

Politically, Mr. Smith is affiliated with the Republican party, but, aside from the exercise of the right of franchise, he does not take a very active part in political affairs, although maintaining at all times an intelligent in- terest in the current issues of the day. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Hopewell and gives liberally of his time and means to furthering the interests of that society. For the past twelve years he had been one of the trustees of the church, a member of the building

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committee and a parsonage trustee. Mr. Smith is a man of clean character who has ever exerted a healthful influence in the community, giving his support to every movement that promises the advancement of the welfare of the community, either moral or material. Becuse of his genuine worth, he enjoys the sincere respect of all who know him and he is eminently en- titled to representation in a work of the character of one in hand.

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History of Tipton County Indiana, Part 58

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

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