USA > Indiana > Memorial and genealogical record of Representative Citizens of Indiana > Part 55
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GEN. ALVIN P. HOVEY.
A name well known in the history of Indiana is that of Alvin P Hover, who was elected governor of this state in 1888 and had a notable career, both civil and military. He was born in 1821, in Posey county, Indiana, where his entire life was spent. After a common school education, he studied law and was admitted to the bar at Mt. Vernon in 1843, where he practiced with much sue- cess. The civil positions he held previous to the war were those of delegate to the constitutional convention of 1850; judge of the third judicial circuit of Indiana from 1851 to 1854, and judge of the supreme court of Indiana. From 1856 to 1858 he served as United States district attorney for the state.
During the Civil war he entered the national service as colo- nel of the Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, in July, 1861. Hc at once displayed marked natural ability as a military man and was promoted brigadier-general of volunteers on April 28, 1862, and breveted major-general for meritorious and distinguished serv- ices in July, 1864. He was in command of the eastern district of Arkansas in 1863, and of the district of Indiana in 1864-1865. General Grant, in his official reports, awards to General Hovey the honor of the key battle of the Vicksburg campaign, that of Champion's Ilill. This is no small praise; also, it is remembered that military critics, in view of the vast consequences that fol- lowed therefrom, have ranked Champion's Hill as one of the five decisive battles of the Civil war and second in importance to Gettysburg alone.
General Hovey resigned his commission on October 18, 1865, and was appointed minister to Peru, which office he held very creditably until 1870. In 1886 he was nominated for Congress by the Republicans in the Evansville district, which theretofore had given a large Democratic majority. General Hovey's personal popularity and military prestige overcame this, and he was eleet- ed by a small majority. In Congress he attracted attention by his earnestness in advocating more liberal pension laws and every measure for the benefit of the ex-Union soldiers. Largely to this fact was due his nomination for the governorship of Indiana by
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the Republican party in 1888, the soldier element in the state being a very important factor in securing his nomination and his subsequent election. His administration was highly satisfactory to his constituents.
In his social relations, Governor Hovey was always very popular, and his family circle one of the happiest in the state. Though a strong partisan, he une novo elerine v vindictive, and at every trial of strength at the polls he received strong sup- port from many personal friends in the ranks of the opposite party. The death of General Ilovey occurred while still serving his state as governor, November 23, 1891.
DANIEL BATES HOSBROOK.
The success of men in business or any vocation depends upon 1 tas as well as mon knowledge it being a self-evident prop- osition that honesty is the best policy. Business demands con- fidence and where that is lacking business ends. In every com- munity some men are known for their upright lives, strong com- mon sense and moral worth rather than for their wealth or polit- ical standing. Their neighbors and acquaintances respect them, the young generations heed their example, and when they "wrap the drapery of their couches about them and lie down to pleasant dreams" posterity listens with reverence to the story of their quiet and useful lives. Among such men of a past generation in Indiana was the late Daniel Bates Hosbrook, who was not only a progressive man of affairs, successful in material pursuits, but a man of modest and unassuming demeanor, well educated, a fine type of the reliable, self-made American, a friend to the poor, charitable to the faults of his neighbors and who always stood ready to unite with them in every good work and active in the support of landable public enterprises. He was proud of Indian- apolis and of the grand state of Indiana and zealous of their prog- ress and prosperity. He was a man who in every respect mer- ited the high esteem in which he was universally held, for he was a man of public spirit, intellectual attainments and exemplary character.
Mr. Hosbrook was born in the vicinity of Montgomery, near the city of Cincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio, December 9, 1822. There he spent his boyhood days and received his carly educa- tional training in the common schools of his native county, but later in life this was greatly supplemented by close and wide home reading and study and by actual contact with the business world. He was the son of Daniel and Eunice (Bates) Hosbrook, and one of a family of nine children, namely: Lydia, Percy, Harvey, Han- nah, John L., Daniel Bates (subject of this memoir being the sixth in order of birth), Mary, Mahlon (the only one of the chil- dren who survived, lives near the old homestead in Ohio), and Elizabeth, who was the youngest of the family.
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The father of the subject bought a farm near Montgom ry, Ohio, and there beenme well-to-do and spent the rest of his life there, being active politically and prominent in the affairs of his community. He was county surveyor of Hamilton county for several years, having learned surveying in his earlier years, and young Daniel assisted his father in surveying and upon the farm from his fifteenth to his twenty- first word, ume by diligent study and application thoroughly qualified him- self as a surveyor and civil engineer and removed to the city of Indianapolis in the year 1816. His brother, Perey Hosbrook, had the contract for roofing the old Madison depot, the first railway station in Indianapolis, and the subject assisted in the work on the same. IIe soon found employment in his profession here and owing to his superior qualifications he was elected to the office of county surveyor of Marion county, the duties of which he dis- charged in a most able and faithful manner for several terms and afterward was elected to the office of civil engineer of the city of Indianapolis. For a number of years he was consulting engineer for the county commissioners of Marion county, and as such made the plans for and superintended the construction of a large number of bridges built by the county commissioners, which handsome structures will long remain as monuments to his skill. Ile was active in Democratic politics.
For over a half century Mr. Hosbrook was a consistent and worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church and an official inember for over forty years, and he did an incalculable amount of good in his work in the same. He was also a steward and was superintendent of the Sunday school for some time.
In the year 1851 Mr. Hosbrook was married to Mary A. Hightshoe. Her death occurred in 1863, and he was married in 1865 to Louisa Hightshoc, a half-sister of his first wife and a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Burns) Hightshoe. Her father was born in Maryland in 1803 and her mother's birth occurred in 1812. David Hightshoe was a farmer and he came to Ohio fron Maryland, where he spent several years, then moved to Indiana and established his home in Hendricks county, ten miles from In- dianapolis. After spending several years there he removed to Wisconsin and later to Missouri, finally returning to Indiana and spending his last days with the subject of this sketch in Indian- apolis, his death occurring at the advanced age of ninety-four
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years, in 1897. His family consisted of thirteen children, ten of whom are still living.
Daniel Bates Hosbrook and his first wife became the parents of three children, namely: Frank, Ellen and Minnie, all now de- ceased; one child was born of his second union, Clara, who mar- ried first Elmer E. Denny, who died in 1899, and later married V. M. Grunn, whose nome is at fuiduapous.
Mr. Hosbrook was very successful as a business man and ac- cumulated a comfortable competency, and he accordingly retired from active business pursuits in the carly nineties. Hle first lived in what was known as Mississippi street (now Senate avenue). lle surveyed all that section of the city, and was known as one of the most skillful and conscientious surveyors of his day. He es- tablished a comfortable residence at No. 1225 Laurel street, where the family has lived since 1870, and there his last years were spent, his death occurring in 1908, after a successful, honorable and highly praiseworthy career, leaving behind him the record of a life well spent and a good name "which is more to be desired than riches or fine gold."
JAMES T. KRAMER.
The true measure of individual success is determined by what one has germany I had An enumeration of those men of a past generation who succeeded in their special vocations in Clin- ton county, Indiana, and at the same time left the lasting imprint of their strong personalities upon the community, men who won honor and public recognition for themselves, and at the same time conferred honor on the locality in which they resided, would be incomplete were there failure to make a prom- inent reference to the gentleman whose name initiates this para- graph, for although James T. Kramer had long been sleeping the sleep of the just, his influence still pervades the lives of many who knew him and his memory will long be cherished here, for his name is deeply engraved on the pages of Clinton county's his- tory, for through many years he was an important factor in the material and civic history of the same. The splendid success which came to him was the direct result of the salient points in his character. With a mind capable of laying judicious plans and a will strong enough to bring them into execution at the proper moment, his great energy, keen foresight and indomitable per- severance resulted in the accumulation of a comfortable compe- tency. He carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook, and his business methods were ever in strict conform- ity with the standard ethies of commercial life. His is the record of a well balanced mental and moral constitution, strongly in- fluenced by those traits of character which are ever of especial value in a progressive state of society.
James T. Kramer was born November 11, 1843, in Frederick, Maryland, and was the son of Frederick and Mary (Sholl) Kra- mer. The father was of German descent, and it is believed that his father emigrated from Germany when a young man and set- tled in the state of Maryland, and there became very comfortably established through his industry and good management.
Ten children were born to Frederick Kramer and wife, six sons and four daughters, namely: Sarah is deceased; Mary lives in Frankfort; Alice and Virginia also live in Frankfort; John is
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deceased; William makes his home in Frankfort; Edward and Franklin were next in order of birth; Lewis, who lives in Frank- fort; and James T., subject of this memoir, who was the youngest of the family.
James T. Kramer and his brother Edward came to Frank- fort, Indiana, when young men; the family all grew up and were amand in the East, and the subject and His Mother Edward were the first to come to Clinton county. Those that came here assisted in the work of developing the country in the pioneer days and here they made fortunes, principally dealing in lumber, the Kramers having long been known as among the leading lum- bermen of this section of the state.
James T. Kramer was a very careful and far-seeing business man, and he accumulated a competency through his own efforts, becoming one of the substantial men of Frankfort and he took a good citizen's interest in whatever tended toward the advance- ment of Clinton county.
Mr. Kramer was married on June 3, 1884, to Sarah John A. Trundle, daughter of John A. and Elizabeth E. (Hayes) Trundle. Jolın A. Trundle was born in Frederick, Maryland, and his family and that of the subject were acquainted there, both being influen- tial in that locality for many years. Mr. Trundle devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and remained in Maryland, where he owned a fine farm. His family consisted of nine children, named as follows: Hester L., Samuel, Elizabeth, Christiana, Anna II., George T., Harriett, Virginia and Sarah (wife of the subject of this sketch). Most of this family still live at the old home place in the Oriole state.
To James T. Kramer and wife one child was born, IIester T., who has remained single; after passing through the Frankfort graded schools and the local high school, later attended the Ferry Hall Seminary, Art and Music School, at Lake Forest, Illinois, where she made an excellent record. She has marked talent in the fine arts and is a lady of engaging personality, popular with a wide circle of friends.
James T. Kramer was a devout Christian and took much in- terest in church and Sunday school work. He was a worthy mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, in fact, was a pillar in the con- gregation at Frankfort, and also took a leading part in the Sun- day school classes. Although he was a public-spirited man, yet
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he was at the same time such a home man that he did not seek public leadership or political office. ITis special delight was hi Sunday school work, in fact, the various members of the Kramer family have long been very active in the Sunday school and are known for their commendable efforts in the same throughout the state.
Mr. Kramer developed the lumber manstry in Frankfort and built up the large planing-mill business here, which has long been one of the leading enterprises of this city. He installed the most approved and latest appliances in his mill to insure prompt and high grade work and the products of the same have always found a very ready market owing to their superior quality. His work as a man of charity alone entitled him to a high place in the affee- tions of the people of his city and county, but he was in this, as in everything, unassuming and avoided publicity, giving to the un- fortunate and to the encouragement of worthy causes out of his magnanimous heart, without thought of reward or praise of his fellow men. It may be said that he was one of Frankfort's first men in everything worth while. The death of this splendid citi- zen occurred on September 4, 1885, when in the prime of life.
HON. WILLIAM H. GHERE.
The hte Instory of him whose name heads this biographical memoir is closely identified with the history of Clinton county, Indiana, which was long Ins home. He began Ins remarkable ca- reer in this locality in the pioneer epoch and throughout the years which later came and went he was closely allied with its interests and upbuilding. His life was one of untiring activity and was crowned with a degree of success attained by comparatively few men of this vicinity in his day and generation. He was of the highest type of progressive citizen, and none more than he de- served a fitting recognition among those whose enterprise and ability have achieved results that awaken the wonder and admira- tion of those who knew them. The cause of humanity never had a truer friend than Mr. Ghere, who long since passed to the higher life. In all the relations of life-family, church, state and society -he displayed that consistent Christian spirit, that natural worth, that endeared him alike to all classes. His integrity and fidelity were manifested in every relation of life, for he carly learned that true happiness consisted in ministering to others. The example of such a life is always an inspiration to others, and his influence was long felt in the affairs of Clinton county, whose interests he always had at heart and which he did so much to promote during his active life here. In dealing with mankind his word was his bond; deceit never entered into any transactions he had with his fellow men. One glance of his frank and nuflinching eye, one word, spoken with sincerity, carried conviction. His plain, rugged honesty, his open-hearted manner, undisguised and unaf- fected, is to his descendants a sweet and lasting memory.
Hon. William H. Ghere was born September 8, 1836, in Dau- phin county, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Andrew and Mary (Frost) Ghere. His maternal grandfather, Jolm Frost, was a farmer, and was an Englishman by birth, coming from a promi- nent old family. Andrew Ghere was one of the famous band of "forty-niners, " having made the perilous journey across the great western plains during the gold fever days, to California. IIe be- came ill after reaching the western Eldorado and died there and
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was buried in that state. His family consisted of the following children: Deborah, Elizabeth, Ellen, Jane, Susan, Mary and Will . iam Il. (subject of this memoir).
After the death of his father William HI. Ghere, although then but thirteen years of age, took charge of the family, which remained in Clinton county, and although the experiences were hard for one of his tender years the training engendered fortitude and self-volimm in His which led to his large success in later years. He was very largely self-educated, spending most of his nights with his books during his early life, and during his entire life he was a close reader. He had much natural talent as a me- chanie and he took up this line of endeavor when a young man, becoming an expert in the same. He also learned surveying and did a great deal of work in this line. For many years he was con- neeted with county work and was prominent in polities, in fact, was one of the leaders in Clinton county in the Democratic party. As a result of his peculiar fitness, his public spirit and his loyalty to his party he was elected as a representative to the Legislature from this district, and he served in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of liis con- stituents, making a most commendable record in that important position and doing much for the permanent good of the locality lionored by his citizenship. He was also elected county auditor of Clinton county, and was very faithfully discharging the duties of that office when he passed away, on January 22, 1873.
Mr. Ghere was one of the patriotic sons of the North who responded to the call for troops to put down the rebellion in the carly sixties, having enlisted in Company I, One Hundredth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, and he served very faithfully and gal- lantly, becoming adjutant of his regiment, which important posi- tion he filled to the satisfaction of his superior officers and the troops as well.
On October 16, 1867, Mr. Ghere was united in marriage with Indiana S. Barner, daughter of John and Mary (Darnell) Bar- ner. The Barner family have been prominent in Indiana since the pioneer days. John Barner lived in Indianapolis, at the cor- ner of Washington and Illinois streets, on the present site of the Claypool hotel, the center of the business district of the metrop- olis. The property was sold to the Bates estate, after which the Barners moved to Frankfort and here became leaders in the af-
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fairs of the county. John Barner was born in North Carolina, January 11, 1810, and he came to Indiana in the early days. He reached an advanced age, dying when eighty-two years old. Ilis parents, both American born, moved to the state of Tennessee in the year 1814. His father, Horatio Baruer, was a millwright by trade, also a cabinet maker, was very skilled in both, and he was a self-taught man. He came to Indiana in 1828, locating first in Bloomfield, then moved to Indianapolis. dohn Barner was mar- ried in the latter city, and from there he moved to Frankfort in 1832, when Clinton county was sparsely settled and covered with a dense forest growth. Here he became well established, being a hard worker and a man of good judgment and honest principles, and he became an important factor in the public life of the com- munity, taking a leading part in the upbuilding of the same. His family consisted of five children, namely: JJohn II., David P., Mary E., Judith, and Indiana, who became the wife of the sub- jeet of this sketch. To Mr. and Mrs. Ghere was born, in 1869, a son, Alba B., who died on March 29, 1904. He was a student and his hobby was the study of birds. He took charge of his mother's business affairs and devoted the greater part of his attention to the home farm.
The death of John B. Barner occurred on April 22, 1885, his wife having preceded him to the grave on June 21, 1884. They were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Barner belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was prominent in national affairs pertaining to this time-hon- ored order.
JAMES BARNETT.
The carly pioneers of Allen county, having blazed the path of civilization to this part of the state, finished their labors and pare ! from the atene, leaving the country in possession of their descendants and to others who came at a later period and builded on the foundation which they laid so broad and deep. Among the former class was the well remembered and influential citizen by whose name this biographical memoir is introduced, his arrival being among the earliest. Ilis career here was in the first for- mative period, and he did much to develop and advertise to the world the wonderful resources of a county that now occupies a prond position among the most progressive and enlightened sec- tions of the great Hoosier commonwealth. Useless to say that Mr. Barnett worked hard and honorably earned the reputation which he enjoyed as one of the leading public-spirited citizens of this locality, and it is also needless to add that he was held in the highest esteem by all with whom he came in contact, for he threw the force of his strong individuality and sterling integrity into making the county what it is and his efforts did not fail of appre- ciation on the part of the local public. His name will ever be in- separably linked with that of the community so long honored by his citizenship, whose interests could have had no more zealous and indefatigable promoter, and his influence was ever exerted to the end that the world might be made better by his presence.
James Barnett was born in the state of Pennsylvania, on the 15th of March, 1785, and he died in the city of Fort Wayne, In- diana, on the 7th of June, 1851. He was the son of John and Elizabeth (Flynn) Barnett, who removed from the old Keystone state to Kentucky shortly after the close of the war of the Revo- lution. John Barnett had rendered valiant service as a private in the Continental line during the great struggle for independ- ence, and upon his discharge had received land warrants pur- porting to entitle him to certain property in Kentucky. It was with the intention of taking up this land that he removed thither, but upon his arrival he found it impossible to locate the claim, owing to the defective description in the land warrants, and after
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several years passed in the fruitless attempts he removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, securing land near the present city of Dayton and there reclaiming a farm in the midst of the sylvan wilds. Of his children, four daughters and two sons lived to at- tain maturity. The daughters all married, their names after marriage beine as follows. Elizabeth Harris Mary Houston Susan Bruen and Rachel Watson. The elder son, Abraham, be- came a pioneer member of the bar of Dayton, Ohio. John Bar- nett died in 1797, leaving his widow and her six young children in somewhat straightened circumstances.
At the time of his father's death JJames Barnett was twelve years of age, and as his elder brother was his senior by only a few years the burden of caring for the family rested in a large part upon the shoulders of the two boys, whose solicitude for their widowed mother was nabating during the remaining years of her life. For a number of years the two brothers worked on the homestead farm, managing to provide for their mother and sisters only by the most strennons exertion and careful manage- ment. During this crucial period, however, they succeeded in giv- ing to their sisters such educational advantages as were afforded in the schools of the locality and period, and at a later period James assumed the entire charge and care of the farm and fam- ily, in order to allow his brother the opportunity to study law. James thus acquired his own educational discipline principally through the aid of his brother and sisters, who imparted to him each evening the knowledge which they had acquired during the day at school.
As James grew to manhood and the cares of the farm and family became somewhat less exacting, he engaged in fur trading with the Indians, making long journeys into the West and South, by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Several times he journeyed as far as the city of New Orleans, then the principal market for the entire districts of the Middle states, and while thus engaged in business he became well acquainted with the loca- tion and latent advantages of Fort Wayne, which was at that time little more than is indicated in the name itself. His first visit to the fort had been made much carlier, as he had accom- panied his father on a trip to this point in 1797. In 1812 he again visited the fort, as the captain of a company of volunteers from the vicinity of Dayton, his company being a portion of the com- mand which advanced to the relief of the fort under Gen. William
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