USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 22
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 22
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firm to make an investigation. It developed that the note had been paid by a T. M. Powell living in another state, and to him the money was returned by his namesake. Hundreds of similar instances could be given to show that even under the allurement of great temptations he never swerved from the right course. He was the embodiment of honesty, one of the noblest traits of char- acter.
In Mr. Powell religious sentiment was strong and was the strongest controlling force in his life. It is said that to his father and grandfather he is indebted for many of the tendencies shown by him toward higher and better things in life. This tendency early found practical expression while a young man in Baltimore, where he was one of the prime movers in organizing the group of young men which afterwards developed into the Young Men's Christian Association, that splendid society which now extends throughout the world. He was probably the last survivor of that notable group of men. Hle was always active in religious work and established mission Sunday schools in Baltimore and was an effective worker in this canse. This desire to carry the gospel to those isolated from the direct influence of church work remained with him all through life and for several years he maintained a mis- sion in Attica and was always deeply interested in the welfare of those who were unfortunate. For more than forty years he was superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday school and for half a century was a working meniber of that church, his regularity at service and his deep intcrest in all phases of its work furnishing a splendid example of fidelity and faith.
Mr. Powell became a member of the Attica lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, of which body he was the oldest member at the time of his death.
In June, 1877, Thomas M. Powell was united in marriage to Carrie Picken, the daughter of Robert and Rachael (Hooker) Picken. Robert Picken was a native of the state of Ohio, who came to Fountain county, Indiana, in an early day and here followed farming. The Hooker family were also residents of Ohio, and it was in that state that Mr. and Mrs. Picken were married and their children born. The latter were named as follows : Rachael, who became the wife of Joseph Poole, now deceased; Hunter, de- ceased; America, deceased; Virginia, deceased; Richard, of Attica; Robert, deceased; Mary, who married John Newlin, has one son, John R., who is bookkeeper and cashier in a hotel at Mudlavia; Carrie is the widow of the subject of this sketch. To Mr. and Mrs. Powell a son, George Robert, was born, his death occurring at the age of nine years. Mr. Powell's home life was full of tenderness, sacrifice, solicitude, and in it he dispensed a love cheering in its constancy and loyal in its devotion. He was everywhere re-
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garded as a wide-awake, enterprising man of the times, fully alive to the dignities and responsibilities of citizenship, and, to the extent of his ability, contributed to the general prosperity «. the community honored by his citizen- ship. Courteous, affable and easily approached, he commanded the undivided respect of all with whom he came in contact, and his friends were bounded only by the limits of his acquaintance, being universally esteemed in all the relations of life.
WILLIAM A. LAWSON.
There could be no more comprehensive history written of a city or even of a state and its people than that which deals with the life-work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed themselves where they well deserve the title of "prominent and progressive," and in this sketch will be found the record of one who has outstripped the less active and less able trodders on the highway of life and who today occupies an en- viable position in his community.
William Lawson is a native of Montgomery county, Indiana, born on November 27, 1854, and is the son of parents who were born in Sweden, their deaths occurring while on a visit to that country when the subject of this sketch was quite young. Thus left without the protection or guidance of his parents, young Lawson was taken into the home of James Archer, of Foun- tain county, where he was reared. Mr. Archer was born in 1827, being the first white boy born in Richland township. The subject received his educa- tion in the schools of Fountain county and as soon as old enough he devoted his energies to farm work, in which line of endeavor he has always been engaged. By dint of indefatigable industry and wise economy he was enabled to get ahead in the world, making constant and steady progress, and he is now the owner of one hundred and thirty-seven acres of fine land in Richland township, to the cultivation of which he devotes himself assiduously, with splendid success. He has placed good, permanent improvements on the place, and the general appearance of the farm indicates the owner to be a man of practical ideas and excellent judgment. In connection with general farming, he also gives some attention to the raising of live stock, in the hand- ling of which he has met with a gratifying measure of success.
On January 13, 1881, Mr. Lawson was united in marriage with Mary M. Murray, the daughter of Henry and Ruth (Fowler) Murray. The Murray family came from Kentucky in an early day and settled in Richland township,
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where Mrs. Lawson's father, Henry Murray, was born. The Fowlers came from Ohio and were early settlers in Tippecanoe county, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Lawson were born two children, namely : Marion E., who married Minnie, the daughter of George Hyatt, and one that died in infancy.
Mr. Lawson takes an intelligent interest in public affairs and his sup- port is given to the Republican party, in the success of which he is interested, though he is in no sense a seeker after public office. Religiously, he is a mem- ber and liberal supporter of the Disciples church. His fraternal membership is with the Improved Order of Red Men, in the workings of which he takes a live interest. Mr. Lawson is a man of good habits and because of his unright life and the splendid success which he has achieved by his own persistent efforts, he has earned the warm regard and unstinted confidence of those with whom he has associated. He and his wife move in the best social circles of the community and are popular with all classes.
WILLIAM V. STANFIELD, M. D.
The man who devotes his talents and energies to the noble work of ministering to the ills and alleviating the sufferings of humanity is pursuing a calling which in dignity, importance and beneficial results is second to no other. If true to his profession and earnest in his efforts to enlarge his sphere of use- fulness, he is indeed a benefactor of his kind, for to him more than to any other man are entrusted the safety, the comfort and in many instances the lives of those who place themselves under his care and profit by his services. One of the leading physicians of the younger generation in Fountain and War- ren counties is Dr. William V. Stanfield, of the village of Newtown, who, although a comparatively newcomer here, has built up an extensive and rapidly growing patronage and won a wide circle of friends by his commendable course, and, judging from his past success in his chosen field of endeavor, the future years must necessarily augur much of good for him.
Doctor Stanfield is a native of the Blue Grass state and has the pleasing personality of most of those who hail from there, his birth having occurred in Kentucky, February 12, 1876. He is the son of Thomas J. and Martha (Purcell) Stanfield, the father a native of Kentucky, and they still reside at the town of Cowan, that state, Mr. Stanfield being a shoemaker by trade.
Doctor Stanfield was reared in his native state and received his education in the common schools and the high school, subsequently taking a course lead-
WILLIAM V. STANFIELD, M. D.
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ing to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Central College, in Kentucky. He began life for himself by teaching school, which he followed with much suc- cess for a period of three years. Ilaving for some time desired to enter the medical field, he went to Louisville, where he attended the Medical College one year, then, in 1901, attended the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, remaining there until his graduation in 1904, having made a brilliant record in all these institutions. Thus e. ptionally well equipped for his vocation, he came to West Point, Indiana, where be practiced medicine for some time, then removed to Newtown, Fountain county, where he has remained to the present time, and is enjoying a large and lucrative practice, which extends over a wide territory. He has a beautiful home here, which he came into possession of before he left college. He has a modern motor car and his office is equipped with all up-to-date instruments and appliances for the successful practice of his profession.
Doctor Stanfield was married in 1904 to Edith Clawson, daughter of Baker and Julia (Floyd) Clawson.
Politically, Doctor Stanfield is a Democrat. He is secretary of the town board and is deputy health commissioner of Fountain county. Fraternally, he belongs to Masonic Lodge No. 205, at Newtown. He is a member of the County Medical Society and is affiliated with the Presbyterian church.
Doctor Stanfield is a stockholder and director of the Newtown Bank, at Newtown, having been connected with this popular institution for the past two years, and he is secretary of the organization, of which Horace Gray is presi- dent.
GEORGE W. CRANE.
The best, title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. George W. Crane, one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Foun- tain county, has resided here during all of his life, nearly seven decades, and his career has been a most commendable one in every respect, well deserv- ing of being perpetuated on the pages of a historical work of the nature of the one in hand. Like his sterling father before him, he has been a man of well defined purpose and carried to successful completion every task to which he set himself. Beginning his life in a comparatively new country and tinder many unfavorable auspices, he let nothing deter him, and before the lapse of
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many years he had a fine farm under cultivation, improving and selling several others also. Believing that this county was to take high rank among the rich and productive localities of the Hoosier state, he never felt inclined to go else- where and, applying himself closely to his work, the future brought to him its rewards.
George W. Crane was born: at Portland, Fountain county, Indiana, De- cember 11, 1844, and is the son of Henry and Eliza ( Sharp) Crane, the father a native of Marion county, Ohio, and the mother of Kentucky. The subject's paternal grandparents were Jonathan and Keziah (Tappan) Crane, who were of English descent, though natives themselves of New Jersey. They were the parents of nine children, namely: Nancy. Hulda, Joseph, James, Henry, Mary, Phoebe, Harvey and Joel.
Henry Crane was married twice. By this union with Eliza, the subject's mother, he had the following children: Jacob HI., who was a soldier in a New York cavalry regiment, died at Bryson City, North Carolina: Mrs. Lockey Jenkins, of Clearwater, Nebraska; Keziah married a Mr. Green and since her death he has lived in Labette county, Kansas; Jonathan, who was a soldier in the Sixtieth Indiana Regiment, under Captain Walker, died at Milligan's Bend, Louisiana ; George W., the subject of this sketch; Joseph J., who lived in Lawrence county, Tennessee, is deceased and is buried at Osborne Prairie; Mary Vernon, deceased, lived in Nebraska; Jephtha died at the age of two years. By his second marriage, which was to Evaline Simmerman, Mr. Crane liad the following children: James Harvey, Almira (deceased), William (deceased), and Frank. The Simmermans were from Virginia. Henry Crane, the subject's father, accompanied his parents to Indiana in an early day, settling at Portland; later, in 1845, he moved to Osborne Prairie. He was a tanner by trade and followed this occupation in early life. His wife, who was of Scotch and English descent, received two slaves as a part of her wedding dowry.
George W. Crane received a good education in the common schools and his only occupation has been that of a farmer. In deciding upon that course he showed good judgment, for his efforts were rewarded with abundant suc- cess, so that eventually he was enabled to lay aside the implements of hus- bandry and enjoy the rest which he had so richly earned. He is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-five and three quarter acres in Van Buren township, one of the best farms in the township, the improvements of which were made by Mr. Crane. Mr. Crane now resides in Veedersburg in a pleasant home, surrounded by many friends who through a long period of years have learned to respect and esteem him as a man among men, "four square to every wind that blows."
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On August 16, 1874, Mr. Crane was united in marriage to Mary E. Lud- low, the daughter of Watson and Mary ( Smith) Ludlow, who came from New Jersey, the father coming when a mere boy. H. settled in Fountain county and was employed as farmer and mechanic. His death occurred in Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Crane three children have been born, namely : Ludlow, deceased ; Ida, at home, and Clifford, of Danville.
Mr. Crane has never sought public office, but was at one time induced to serve as road supervisor. He is essentially a self-made man and no citizen of his county is more entitled to personal mention in a book of the character of the one at hand.
SELESTIN R. RIESTER.
This w nerable citizen, who has nobly earned the proud title of "self- made man,' is a native of Germany, having been born in the kingdom of Baden on the 24th of February, 1829. His parents, Joseph and Julia Ann (Zimmerman) Riester, the former a tailor by trade, were also of German birth, both having long slept the sleep of the just in the ancestral burying grounds in the fatherland. This couple had four children : Joseph, the oldest. died on the Ohio river while en route from New Orleans to Cincinnati; Agnes departed this life in that city, and Teresa, who married Joseph Sellan, died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the year 1900, the subject of this sketch being the only living representative of the family.
Selestin Riester spent his early life near the place of his birth, and when a young man decided to improve his financial condition in the great American republic across the seas, where so many of his countrymen had found homes and affluence. Accordingly, in 1848, he bade adieu to the fatherland and, taking passage in a sailing vessel, set his face toward the new world and a new destiny. After a long and tiresome journey of fifty- two days, the vessel arrived at New Orleans, its destination, in which city Mr. Riester spent the five months ensuing and then came via the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati, where lie remained for a period of three years, variously employed. In 1856 he came to Fountain county, Indiana, and set- tled in the woods of Richland township, where he secured a tract of land, which he at once proceeded to clear and otherwise improve. Without nar- rating in detail his long and arduous struggle to establish a home, suffi e it to say that in due time he cleared and reduced to cultivation one hundred and twenty of his one hundred and sixty acres of land, made all the improvements
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on the plac by his own labor and now has one of the finest and most valuable farins in the township of Richland. Mr. Riester began life in America with- out a dollar in his possession and his splendid estate and independent finan- cial condition are the results of his own well-directed labor and judicious business management. For a period of fifty-six years he has lived within a half mile of his present place of residence, during which time he has forged to the front as a farmer and stock raiser and as a citizen occupies a conspicu- ous place among the most enterprising and progressive of his contemporaries. In addition to his agricultural interests, he owns stock in the Bank of Mellott and in the year 1900 lie erected a fine modern home in the town where he has since resided in honorable retirement, though still giving personal attention to his business affairs.
Mr. Riester has been twice married, the first time to Christine Fund, a native of Baden, who bore him seven children, namely: Joseph, a farmer of Richland township; Julia (deceased), wife of James L. Stevens, of Coving- ton; Ellen married Homer Waterman, and lives on the home farm; Hen- rietta Alice, wife of Samuel Rice; John F., of Indianapolis; Hattie May, wife of Joseph Carmen; and Emma, who married Frank Jenkins, an employe of the Indianapolis News. The mother of these children dying in 1872, Mr. Riester was united in marriage with Barbara Kohler, daughter of Frank and Martina (Kist) Kohler, natives of Baden, who came to the United States in 1853 and settled in Fountain county.
Mr. Riester is a Democrat in politics, but with the exception of town- ship offices, such as supervisor and school director, has never sought prefer- ment at the hands of his fellow citizens. In religion the Baptist church rep- resents his creed, to which denomination his wife also belongs, his children being members of the Christian church.
WILLIAM L. MESSMORE.
One of the leading citizens and 'representative agriculturists of Fountain county, Indiana, is Wi liam L. Messmore, proprietor of a fme farm in Rich- land township, and one of the substantial citizens of his section of the county. His has been an eminently active and useful life, but the limited space at the disposal of the biographer forbids more than a casual mention of the leading events in his career, which will suffice to show that earnest endeavor and hon- esty of purpose rightly applied and persistently followed will lead to unquali-
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fied success. He is a man of influence in local affairs and he is looked upon as a man thoroughly in sympathy with any movement looking toward the betterment or advancement in any way of his community, where he has al- ways been regarded as a man of sterling honesty and worthy of the utmost confidence and respect which his fellow citizens have been free to accord.
William L. Messmore is a native of the township in which he now lives and was born on September 27, 1858. Ile is the son of Andrew and Abigail ( Hunt) Messmore. The father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, came to Fountain county, Indiana, in 1846, settling west of the subject present farm in Richland township. He bought the present farm in 18 since which time it has remained in the family. He followed farming and was active up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1901, at the age of eighty-four years. His widow survived him several years, her death occurring in 1909. He was a Democrat in his political faith while, religiously, he was a member of the Christian (New Light) church. To hint and his wife were born cleven children, namely: Martha, the wife of John B. Brown; Charles, of Attica. Indiana; Henry, of Veedersburg, Indiana; Mollie, the wife of John M. Stout, deceased, of Montgomery county, Indiana ; Emma, the wife.of Benja- miin Stout; Newton, deceased; John, of Crawfordsville, Indiana; Eliza Jane ( Mrs. Jackson), of Crawfordsville; Clarisa Ann (Mrs. Breaks), deceased ; William L., the immediate subject of this sketch; Margaret D., the wife of John Cowan, of Crawfordsville.
William L. Messmore was given the advantage of a good, practical edu- cation in the public schools of his home community and was reared to the life of a farmer, from which honorable vocation he has never departed, wisely perceiving that in this line of effort he was guaranteed surer profits and more independence of action than in any other profession. He has been an indefatigable worker, his efforts being wisely directed in all details, so that he has been successful to an eminent degree. He now owns and operates one hundred and eighty-seven acres of the old home farm, on which he has made some additional permanent improvements of a substantial character, and he keeps the place up to twentieth-century standards in every respect, it being now numbered among the best farms of the community. The residence is one of the finest and best appointed in the county, being conveniently arranged and provided with all the improvements which comfort and advantage could suggest.
In 1882 Mr. Messmore was united in marriage with Elvira Strader, the daughter of Sampson and Rachael (Furr) Strader. The Strader family were among the early settlers of Fountain county, tlie grandfather, who was
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a cooper, coming here in 1822 and settling in Richland township. To Mr. and Mrs. Messmore has been born one child, Pearl, who is the wife of Lee Moser and the mother of one child, Lawrence. The Moser family are from Pennsylvania.
In political matters, Mr. Messmore is aligned with the Democratic party, in the success of which he is deeply interested. His religious affiliation is with the Christian church, to which he give his earnest support. He is a man of good principles, which he exemplifies in his daily life, and because of his upright life in the community he enjoys marked prestige among those who are familiar with his record.
THOMAS E. MARTIN.
Among the members of the many families of carly settlers of Fountain county who have forged to the front in the realm of public life and in their daily avocations, few indeed have reached a higher standing than Thomas E. Martin, one of the leading farmers and stock men of Richland township, whose useful and successful life has ever been associated with the progress of the county, especially in the township where he resides.
Mr. Martin was born in the township and on the farm where he now resides on October 29, 1856. He is a son of John S. and Ellen (Meharry) Martin, both parents natives of Ohio, in which state they grew to maturity, received their educations and were married. Ephraim Martin came to Foun- tain county, Indiana, in 1833, and settled in Richland township, where he bought land, a part of which the subject now owns. He was well known in this section of the county in its early history and he devoted his life success- fully to agricultural pursuits. John S. Martin's family consisted of the fol- lowing children: Rhoda E. married A. C. Schermerhorn, of Newtown, this county ; Thomas E., subject of this review ; Ida married E. J. Kirkpatrick, of Richland township, Fountain county; Jesse is president of the Central Na- tional Bank of Attica, and is well known as a financier; Ann Etta married D. M. Gardner, and died in 1904.
Thomas E. Martin was reared on the home farm and there he soon began assisting with the work during the crop seasons. He received his educa- tion in the common schools, then turned his attention to farming and has been actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits ever since. He is the owner of one of the most desirable and best improved farms in the eastern part of the county, consisting of four hundred and fifty-six acres, all of it under the
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plow except twenty-five acres of timber and pasture. It is part of the old home place. He has an attractive home and excellent outbuildings.
Mr. Martin was married in 1878 to Lizzie Fisher, daughter of N. Y. and Julia A. Fisher, both of whom came from near Bear Gap, Pennsylvania, and settled near Newtown, Fountain county, Indiana, in 1850. They became the parents of four children, namely : Elmer is deceased ; Charlie is deceased ; Lizzie, wife of Mr. Martin, of this sketch; Mary married Dr. Ay Delotte, of Newtown. N. Y. Fisher followed carpentering all his life and, being ex- ceptionally skilled, his services were in great demand.
Four children have been born to the subject and wife, namely : Alva Lee and William Carlin are both deceased; Louella married Charles F. Bacon, of Richland township; Benjamin C. is at home.
Politically, Mr. Martin is a Republican, and he has been a member of the advisory board of his township for ten years. He belongs to the Metho- dist Episcopal church, being a liberal supporter of the same. He is universally regarded as one of the county's best citizens.
JOSEPH RIESTER.
He whose career is now taken under consideration, and to whom the reader's attention is respectfully directed, is numbered among the progressive and successful farmers of Richland township, Fountain county, of which he has been a resident for many years, while he has gained prosperity through his own honest efforts in connection with the natural resources and subsequent business prosperity of this favored section of the Hoosier state, and while he has labored for his individual advancement he has not neglected his duties to the general public.
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