USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Richmond > Memoirs of Wayne County and the city of Richmond, Indiana; from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Wayne County, Volume II Pt II > Part 33
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Walter M. Harris, a prominent and influential farmer of Web- ster township, is one of Wayne's native sons who has attained to pronounced success and prestige in the agricultural industry. He was born in Clay township, April 24, 1873, a son of Daniel W. Harris (see sketch). The son acquired his elementary educational training at Sugar Grove school in his native township and remained upon the parental farmstead until the age of twenty-three years, in 1806, when he removed to Webster township, renting a farm of 160 acres owned by his father, where he resided until 1912, when he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Green township, known as the "Abner Claussen farm." In politics he is a loval advocate of Republicanism, and though a loyal and public spirited citizen has
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never fostered any aspirations for a public career, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his industrial and business affairs. On Oct. 14, 1896, Mr. Harris was happily united in mar- riage to Miss Nora King, born in Center township, 1877, a daughter of Joseph L. and Ollie L. (Stevens) King, natives of Wayne county. The father has always followed agricultural pursuits and he and his wife reside on the farm where Mrs. Harris was born. They are the parents of three children: Lizzie is the wife of Joseph II. Thompson, a farmer of Webster township; Mary is the wife of William T. Barton, a horse dealer of Centerville; and Mrs. Harris is the youngest. Five children have been born to the subject of this review and wife : Genevieve, born June 14, 1897, died Aug. 2, 1909; Violet, born Sept. 12, 1899; Olive, born Dec. 11, 1901 ; Francis, born March 22, 1904; and Joseph Daniel, born May 2, 1905.
Hamilton Williams, deceased, for years one of the substantial citizens of Webster township, was born in Boston township, this county, Dec. 27, 1860. He was a son of John T. and Lucinda ( Grimes) Williams, the former born near Baltimore, Md., and the latter in Boston township, Wayne county. The father came to Indiana when a young man and settled in Boston township, where he married and became a land-owner, and he and his wife resided there until about 1901, when they removed to the city of Richmond and have since lived retired. They became the parents of six chil- dren : Howard is a farmer and resides in Boston township; Hamil- ton was the second in order of birth; Laura is the widow of John Moore and resides in Carroll county ; Charles is a farmer and re- sides in Boston township ; Emma is the wife of Francis E. McMinn, of Centerville; and Anna is the wife of Sleighton Kline, a farmer of Logansport. Hamilton Williams received his educational train - ing at the Bunker Hill school, south of Richmond. He resided at home until about twenty-five years old and then rented a farm in Boston township, upon which tract he resided one year. Then, after living with his parents a year, he purchased the farm where his widow resides. This farm he purchased of his father, the tract consisting of 118 acres, but he subsequently added to it and at the time of his death owned 200 acres in Webster township, to the oper- ation of which he devoted his entire time and attention. In his political views Mr. Williams was a stanch Democrat. He was twice married. His first wife was Ollie Krauskoff, of Boston township. One child, Roy, was born of this union, and he married Portia Craig, of Green township, and resides in Webster township, where he is engaged in farming. The wife and mother passed away about one year after her marriage, and on Sept. 30, 1804, Mr. Williams was married to Miss Mattie Manifold, born near Hagerstown, in Jeffer- son township, Jan. 20, 1868. Of this second union were born six children : Frank, July 28, 1895; Lessie, Oct. 28, 1896; Lucile, Aug. 5. 1899; Mabel, Nov. 10, 1901; Ethel, Aug. 22, 1903; and Helen, March 4, 1907. Mr. Williams' death occurred March 25, 1900, and the widow resides at the homestead. Mrs. Williams is the daughter of Joseph and Caroline (Allen) Manifold, born in Jefferson ,town- ship, this county. The father was born Aug. 15, 1827, and died June
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9, 1910, the mother passing away about 1871. The father became a land-owner in Jefferson township and followed farming there until the later years of his life, when he lived among his children, of whom there were four born to him and his devoted wife : Thomas is deceased ; Ida is the wife of William Hoover, a farmer of Tipton, Ind .; Mrs. Williams is the next in order of birth ; and Polly is the wife of William O. Cleveland, a farmer of Jefferson township.
Luther Z. King, who maintains his home in his native town- ship of Webster, engaged in general farming and the breeding of Short-Horn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs, is a representative of one of the prominent and highly honored pioneer families of this section of the State, with whose annals the name has been identified nearly eighty-five years. Mr. King was born on the farm where he resides, in Webster township, April 25, 1872, a son of William and Jemima (Jackson) King (see sketch of Thomas L. King). Luther 2 .. King passed his boyhood and youth on the homestead farm in Webster township, early beginning to assist in its work, and at- tended school at Olive Ilill and also district schools in Webster township. He has continuously made his home in his native county. His mother died when he was eighteen years old and, as he was one of three heirs to the homestead, he has continued to reside there per- manently, operating the farm of 160 acres in a general way and also devoting considerable attention to the raising of fine stock. Hle en- joys the respect of the community which has ever represented his home and is a citizen of prominence and influence. He is a Repub- lican in principle but independent in politics, is a valued member of Hoosier lodge, No. 23, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Centerville, and is a member of the Christian church. On June 3, 1896, Mr. King was married to Miss Grace Silver, daughter of Horatio and Sarah (Griffith) Silver. Mrs. King was born in Preble county, Ohio, Oct. 11, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. King have one child, Horatio W., born March 7, 1897. Mrs. King's father resides at her home, the mother being deceased.
William Albert King, living partially retired in the township of Webster, is a representative of one of the honored pioneer fam- ilies of Wayne county and is a native of Webster township. He is well known in Wayne county and his circle of friends is circum- scribed only by that of his acquaintance. Mr. King was born on the farm where he resides, March 19, 1853, a son of William and Jemima (Jackson) King (see sketch of Thomas L. King). William A. King secured his educational discipline at the Olive Hill school and in the schools of Webster township and resided at home until thirty-two years old. He then moved to a farm which he had pur- chased, about one mile north of his present location, the tract con- sisting of 106 acres of land. He resided there about four years and then sold that farm and moved to one near Centerville, where his brother, Thomas L., resides. He operated this place one year and then purchased the old King homestead, the same upon which he resides, and this has been his home continuously since Feb. 27, 1800. In this farm there are 110 acres of land. Here he lives in an attrac- tive residence, surrounded by "troops of friends," tried and true.
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From the time of attaining his legal majority Mr. King has been aligned as a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party, but has never sougth or held public office. He is a member of the Christian church. In 1884 he was married to llen- rietta Hawkins, born in Randolph county, Ind., Aug. 20, 1851, danghter of William and Agatha (Teagle) Hawkins, the former born in South Carolina, Jan. 11, 1809, and the latter near Staunton, Va., Feb. 15, 1810. The father came to Richmond when about twenty years old and lived with an uncle near that city, engaging in driving stock to Cincinnati, Ohio. He was married in 1832 and later went to Randolph county, where he became an extensive land- owner. Ile also engaged in the milling business and continued to reside in Randolph county from about 1842 until his death, in May, 1880, his widow surviving until Oct. 15. 1897. He became the owner of about 700 acres of land and held various local offices. Hle and his wife were the parents of nine children : Elizabeth is the wife of James Alshire, a farmer residing near Winchester; Mary Ann is deceased; Rachel is the widow of Joseph Maggard and resides at Aberdeen, Wash. ; Martha died at Independence, Mo., in Decem- ber, 1910, at the age of seventy years ; James is deceased ; Columbus is in the real-estate business in Indianapolis ; Mrs. King is the next in order of birth ; Matilda is the wife of K. L. Mull, a shoe dealer in Albany, Ind. ; and William L. is engaged in the real-estate and loan business in Winchester. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. King were born two children : Everett H., born Oct. 10, 1886, died Dec. 6, 1890; and William Ferrie, born Nov. 28, 1888, is a student in Earlham College.
William B. Flatley, one of the representative farmers of Wayne county, residing in the township of Webster, is a scion of a sterling family which came from Ireland to America about fifty years ago, and its record is one in which he may justly take pride and satis- faction. The Little Green Isle figures as his place of nativity, since he was born in County Mayo, Ireland, Jan. 6, 1861. He is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Tiamon) Flatley, born in County Mayo, Ireland. Thomas Flatley came to America in 1865 and was first employed by William King, in Webster township, this county. Later he worked for others, among whom were George Davis, Miles Ilunt, and Pressley King, and in 1870 purchased the farm where his son, William B., resides, and there spent the residue of his life. lle was also employed at Camden, Ohio, one winter, engaged in the work of making a mill race. He became one of the prominent and influential citizens of Webster township and ever commanded uniform confidence and esteem. His death occurred in February, 1807, and his wife passed away in 1885, secure in the affectionate regard of all who knew her. She came to America with the chil- dren in 1868 and joined her husband in Webster township. Thomas Flatley and wife were the parents of seven children: Mary is the wife of Thomas Mungavin, of New Paris, Ohio, and they have six children-Mary, John, Thomas, James, Celia and William ; Bridget is the wife of Patrick Harrigan, a farmer in Preble county, Ohio and they have seven children -- Catherine, Mary, Frank, Maggie,
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Alice, Leo, and Anna; Patrick is night watchman at St. Vincent's Institute at St. Louis ; Ann is the wife of Patrick Quigley, a farmer in Green township, and they have seven children-Edward, Mary, Frank, William, James, Joseph, Margueret, and John ; William B. is the next in order of birth; John died in Ireland at the age of three years; and Thomas A. is in the street railway service at St. Louis. William B. Flatley secured his early educational discipline at a Friends' school in Webster and in the Swamp Valley and Olive Hill schools, his entire attendance amounting to about twenty-one months. . After leaving school he worked for others, from the time he was twelve years old, and at the age of about nineteen went to Indianapolis and secured employment with a coffin veneering com- pany, being thus engaged about four months. Ile then accepted a position with the Citizens' Railway Company, as driver, in which capacity he served about four months and then came home and as- sisted his father in building his house. He remained at home until the death of his mother and then went to St. Louis, where he se- cured employment with the Citizens' Railway Company and re- mained so engaged about fifteen years, serving first as driver and then successively as conductor, gripman, and motorman. In 1900 he returned to the old homestead and turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. His homestead farm, comprising 65.75 acres, is among the best in the county, and he is meeting with marked suc- cess in conducting the same, as he brings to bear intimate technical knowledge, progressive ideas, and keen business discrimination. Mr. Flatley takes a lively interest in all that tends to further the best interests of the community, is an independent supporter of the cause of the Republican party, and holds membership in the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church at Richmond. On Sept. 17, 1887, Mr. Flatley was united in marriage to Miss Mary 'O'Malley, born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1863, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Norton) O'Malley, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, where they lived their entire lives. Mrs. Flatley came to America alone when fourteen years old, going to St. Louis, where she worked as a do- mestic in the family of Colonel Flad, architect of the Eades Bridge, until married. She was one of two children, a brother, Patrick, being the janitor at the Marquette Hotel in St. Louis. Mrs. Flatley died in 1896, having become the mother of five children : Margaret, born Feb. 23, 1888, resides at home with her father; Andrew, born Jan. 21, 1890, is a fireman on the Pennsylvania railroad, in the Ham- ilton yards; Anna, born June 25, 1892, resides at home; John, born in 1894, died in childhood; and Agnes, born March 19, 1896, died in infancy.
William Wilcoxen is a scion of one of the best known and most highly honored pioneer families of Wayne. county, which has been his home from birth, and is engaged in farming in Webster township. Ile has well upheld the prestige of the name which he bears and is one of the popular and influential citizens of his native county. He was born at what is now Silver Point. in the township of Webster, Nov. 2, 1876, and that township has been the scene of his endeavors during the greater part of his career. Hle is a son of
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Josiah Thomas and Viola A. (Smith) Wilcoxen, the former born north of Richmond, in Wayne township, and the latter near Green's Fork. The paternal great-grandfather was Josiah Wilcoxen, who came from Maryland to Wayne county, and the maternal great- grandfather was Job Smith. The paternal grandparents were John and Mary (DeMoss) Wilcoxen, the parents of the latter having also come from Maryland. The maternal grandparents were John and Martha E. (Murray) Smith, and after the death of the former the latter married a Mr. Purvis, who was killed in the Civil war. . The father of Martha E. (Murray) Smith was Robert Murray, who came to Wayne county from North Carolina with his widowed mother, Elizabeth Murray. He married Nancy Ann Nordyke, daughter of Isaac Nordyke, who came to Wayne county from New Jersey. In early life Josiah T. Wilcoxen, father of William, was a farmer and gardener and he spent his last days in a comfortable residence in the village of Webster, where his widow resides. Abont one year before his death, March 5, 1905, he was appointed rural mail carrier from the Webster postoffice. In the Civil war he served as a private in Company K of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Indiana infantry. This regiment was organized by the consolida- tion of three companies, raised in the Sixth Congressional district for the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth regiment, and seven com- panies raised in the Fifth Congressional district, rendezvousing at Richmond. It was mustered in March 10, 1864, left the State on the 19th, proceeding to Nashville via Louisville, and was assigned to the division commanded by General Hovey. On April 5 it pro- ceeded to Athens, Tenn., and with its corps marched toward Red Clay, Ga. It was in an engagement at Buzzard Roost ; in frequent skirmishes in the vicinity of Resaca and Kingston ; in sharp fighting at Lost Mountain, and was actively engaged at Kenesaw Mountain. The regiment was in a constant skirmish until Atlanta was reached ; was in the battle of Atlanta on the 22d of July ; took part in the siege of Atlanta; fought at Jonesboro, and then remained in camp at Decatur until Oct. 4, when it accompanied the column in pursuit of Hood; had a sharp skirmish at the Oostanaula river ; continued the pursuit as far as Gaylesville, Ala. ; moved via Cedar Bluffs and Dalton to Nashville, where it joined General Thomas' command. It next moved for Pulaski, reaching there on the 15th, and pro- ceeded thence to Columbia, where it was in a brisk skirmish two days. On the march toward Franklin it was in a brisk fight at Spring Hill. It was in the battle of Franklin, Nov. 30, repelling every assault ; was next engaged in the battle of Nashville, and joined in pursuit of Hood as far as Columbia, whence it moved to Clifton, embarked for Cincinnati, moved thence to Washington, which was reached on Jan. 30, 1865; then sailed for Morehead City, N. C .. which was reached Feb. 27. From Newbern it marched toward Kinston, being engaged at Wise's Forks, and aided in re- pulsing an assault. From Kinston it marched for Goldsboro, where a junction was effected with Sherman's army, March 21. It was ยท stationed at Lenoir Institute a short time, moving for Greensboro on May 3, thence to Charlotte, where it went into camp. It re-
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turned to Greensboro July 13, remained there until Aug. 31, when it was mustered out. Mr. Wilcoxen participated in all the service of his regiment until stricken with typhoid fever and was then con- fined in a hospital a considerable length of time. Ile and his good wife became the parents of eight children : Birdie and Sarah E. are deceased ;. William is the next in order of birth; George C. is in the grocery business in Richmond; 'Edward J. resides in Webster; Alonzo Il. is a carpenter and resides with his mother; Harry C. resides in Richmond; and Charles died in infancy. William Wil- coxen is indebted to the public schools at Swamp Valley in Web- ster township, a school in Randolph county, the Starr school in Wayne township, and the schools of the village of Webster for his early educational training, and when about fourteen years old began working as a hired hand at general farming and dairying. He con- tinued thus employed until about twenty-one years old, when he worked in a combined dairy and creamery about ten months, at the end of which time he secured a position in a creamery at Webster, where he was employed about three years. He then took charge of a creamery which was located between Williamsburg and Econ- omy, serving as a butter-maker there about six months, and then returned to the Webster creamery, where he worked until 1905. In that year he rented the farm where he resides and which con- sists of 100 acres, and has since devoted his attention to farming in a general way. He also does some dairying, keeping a number of fine Jersey cattle. He is known as an alert and progressive busi- ness man and public-spirited citizen, and to him is accorded the same high regard which has ever been a popular concomitant of the family name. In politics he is found arrayed as a stalwart sup- porter of the cause of the Republican party, but has never been ambitious for public office. In the time-honored Independent Order of Odd Fellows he has served as installing officer of the local organi- zation, also having membership in the Rebekahs. On March 4, 1903, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Wilcoxen to Miss May M. Roosa, born in New Garden township, May 8, 1876, a daughter of William W. and Amanda E. (Evans) Roosa. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Wilcoxen is Mildred Juanita, born June 21, 1906. William W. Roosa, father of Mrs. Wilcoxen, was born near Leb- anon, Ohio, son of David and Elizabeth (Wilson) Roosa, who came from Ohio to Indiana, and the mother was born on the farm where her daughter, Mrs. Wilcoxen, resides. Her parents were Mark and Maria (Garver) Evans. Joseph Evans, grandfather of Mark Evans, came to Wayne county in an early day and entered several quarter- sections of land in Webster and Clay townships. A part of this land has remained in the possession of his descendants to the present day. William W. Roosa was a farmer practically all of his life and as a young man came to Indiana with his parents. He served in the Civil war as a private in Com- pany B of the Second Ohio heavy artillery. This regiment was organized at Camp Dennison from June to September, 1863, to serve three years. Company B was first moved to. Covington Barracks, Ky., thence to Bowling Green; in May, 1864,
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to Charleston, Tenn .; in Angust it was at Cleveland and took part in an engagement at that place; in October it moved to Fort San- ders and Knoxville ; in November moved to open communications with the Union forces at Strawberry Plains; returned to Knoxville ; in December marched to Bean's Station, and again returned to Knoxville, moving immediately thereafter to Camp Rothrock and Fort Byington. It was mustered out of service with the regiment, Aug. 23, 1865, in accordance with orders from the War Department. After returning home Mr. Roosa rented land a number of years and then purchased a small farm in Webster township, where he resided about twelve years. He added to his real-estate holdings until he owned at the time of his death 100 acres, besides a residence prop- erty in Fountain City, where his widow resides, be having passed away Sept. 2, 1906. They became the parents of five children : Sadie is. deceased ; Mrs. Wilcoxen is the next in order of birth ; and the others are Roscoe L., Murrel, and Andrey.
Jesse M. Hutton .- In the passing of Jesse M. Hutton, on March 25, 1886, the city of Richmond and Wayne county lost one of its most distinguished and respected citizens, whose kindly deeds and many excellent qualities are remembered by those who came within the sphere of his extensive acquaintance. Mr. Ilutton was born at New Market, Frederick county, Maryland, Jan. 30, 1800. His early life was a struggle with poverty and its attending ob- stacles, and is thus epitomized from notes written by himself a short time before his death. A poor boy in a slave State, he had little opportunity to secure even a common school education, and at an early age learned the trade of millwright. Afterward he en- gaged in a very moderate way in the manufacture of threshing machines. Becoming convinced that the West offered superior ad- vantages he started on horseback to cross the mountains, about 1835, with Ohio as his destination, and for a while remained at Mount Vernon, in that State. Failing in health, he returned to Maryland and, in 1836, with his mother, started for Indiana, arriv- ing in the then small town of Richmond, where he decided to make a permanent location. After working at day wages for a time he, with his brother-the late John II. Hntton-and Isaac E. Jones purchased the old Starr Cotton factory and converted it into what became extensively known as the Spring Foundry, from which was evolved the establishment of Gaar, Scott & Company. Being lim- ited in capital through the tightness of money, the company-part of the time known as J. M. & J. II. Hutton-struggled along for fourteen years and eventually built up a very successful enter- prise. In 1868 Mr. Ilutton, in company with George Hasecoster, Samuel S. Ganse, George Schuerman, William P. Hutton, and . Matthew II. Dill, organized and incorporated the firm of J. M. Hutton & Company, manufacturers of coffins, which was a pros- perous enterprise from the start and has been one of the most suc- cessful manufacturing plants in the city. Mr. Hutton was also interested in several real estate deals and with his brother at one time owned the site of the present homes of William Dudley For' and Rudolph G. Leeds, the original buildings there having
Jesse de sbutton
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been erected by them. Always actively interested in the public welfare, at the time of his death Mr. Hutton was president of the Richmond City Water Works, of which he was the organizer. It was the old inspiration with him of doing good, and the importu- nity of friends, that caused him to become interested in the subject, and though past the allotted score of man's years, he grappled with the difficulties that continually beset the company and under his masterly hand the water works were completed to a very efficient state. He was liberal and philanthropic, but his actions in that direction were quiet and unostentatious. His charities were many, he gave liberally to all worthy and needy causes, and in his old age death found him ready "to fold the drapery of his couch around him and lie down to pleasant dreams." Ile was a member of the llicksite Society of Friends and had an abiding faith in the funda- mental doctrines of the Society. The following tribute was paid him by one who had enjoyed an intimate acquaintance with him for a period of forty years: "He was an earnest and positive man, tenacious in his opinions and inflexible in his integrity. He united with a strong will an amiability of manner which made him a com- panionable friend. His early life was a struggle, and for a man of his early opportunities he was a clear-headed reasoner, a discrimi- nating observer and an intelligent thinker. He had positive opin- ions on all moral subjects and was a good hater, so to speak, of in- temperance. It was an inspiration with him as well as his beloved wife, who has just preceded him to a better world, to do good to others without parade or ostentation. It did his noble soul good, as he expressed it, to be able to assist the worthy and unworthy as well, as he would rather be imposed upon than fall short of what he considered a conscientious duty." In 1842, Mr. Hutton was married to Miss Rebecca I. Shaw, who was born in Waynesville, Warren county, Ohio, in September, 1821, and preceded her hus- band in death thirteen months, passing away at her home in Rich- mond, Feb. 23, 1885. She was among the most affectionate and tender of womankind, gifted in a remarkable degree with poetic taste, and a happy facility for expressing it. She wrote many beau- tiful tributes to the memory of those she loved and her published poems are familiar to Richmond readers. For more than forty years she and her husband pursued the journey of life together, loyally sharing each other's trials, sorrows and pleasures, and all who knew them loved, admired, and highly esteemed them. Their union was blessed by the birth of four children : Emily II. became the wife of Matthew H. Dill; Mary A. married John Shroyer; and C'amilla R. married Rev. James D. Stanley ; while the only son was William P. Hutton, a man of fine business talents, who occupied .the position of treasurer of the firm of J. M. Hutton & Company at the time of his death, which occurred Dec. 21, 1894.
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