USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 24
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 24
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Berry Whicker was born at Guilford Court House, North Carolina, and was reared to the life of a farmer, which was his vocation through life. In 1834 he came to Fountain county, Indiana, buying land in Logan town- ship, to the cultivation of which he devoted himself. During the second war with England in 1812 he enlisted for service and was a faithful defender of his country. Politically, he was an ardent Whig, while in religion he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Lillice Campbell, a Quaker girl of Warren county, Ohio, and to them were born the following children : Luke, who for many years was engaged in the tombstone and monument business in Attica; George, father of the subject; Elizabeth, who became the wife of George Worthington ; James and John, who operated the ferry at Independence for thirty years, or until the construction of a bridge at that point.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUS! PIES. JEDIANA.
George P. Whicker was born in Warren county, Ohio, on August 25 1826. and in 1834 accompanied his parents on their removal to Fort county. Indiana. He lived in Logan township during the remainder of his life, his death coeurring on February 1. 1885. He was a brick maker ani brick mason and was connected with most of the building operations in Vi- tica for many years, many of the most substantial of the old buildings you standing in that city having been built by him. Mr. Whicker's materna! great-grandfather, George Worthington, settled in Davis township in 1830, De coming an extensive landowner in Fountain, Warren and Montgomery coun ties, and who, in the year of his settlement, had built the first frame house it the county. That this structure was well constructed is evidenced in the fact that it is still standing, on the O'Dell farm, now owned by John T. Nixon.
George P. Whicker married Juliet A. Day, the daughter of John and Anna ( Worthington) . Day, who were natives of Preble county, Ohio, and the granddaughter of George Worthington, referred to in the pre ding para- graph. To this union were born the following children: Stephen, who died at the age of . ourteen years: Elizabeth, who became the wife of William Shipps, lived and died in Logan township on what is known as the Shipps farm; James, who married Ella Himmelvright, of Vermilion county, Illinois ; J. Wesley, the immediate subject of this sketch. The parents of these children were Spiritualists in religious belief, while in politics the father was first a Whig and then a Republican. Mrs. Juliet Whicker died on March 27. 1900. She was born in Richland township. Fountain county. Indiana, on March 26, 1833.
J. Wesley Whicker was born in Logan township, Fountain county, In- diana, on August 17, 1863. After receiving his elementary education in the Riverside school in Logan township, he attended the high school at Attica for six months and was also for 'a like period in attendance at the State Normal School at Terre Haute. He was reared to the life of a farmer, which he fol- lowed for ten years, but later he turned his attention to the reading of law, which he carried on in connection with farming until he was thirty-two years . old. On June 1, 1896, he associated himself with Arthur Yount in the prac- tice of law, the partnership ending on October ist, after which Mr. Whicker remained alone for a year, at the end of which time he formed a partnership with Charles E. Bryant in law, real estate and farm loans, and two years later bought the interest of his partner, who removed to St. Louis, and since 1' t time Mr. Whicker has carried on the business alone.
As a lawyer Mr. Whicker has won a reputation as a safe and sound prac- titioner. He is the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land, which com-
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prises a portion of the original farm bought by Berry Whicker, upon which Maik Whicker now lives, and has been ow ned and operated by the family since its purchase in 1834, the greater part of which is under cultivation. To him as much as any other one man was due the inauguration of the movement in Fountain county : public roud improvement-indeed, it can be truthfully said that he was the arst man in this part of the state to make a definite and successful fight for good roads. He easily makes friends of acquaintances and is well liked throughout the community.
On June 9, 1903. Mr. Whicker was united in marriage with Gertri Arms, the daughter of Solon H. and Diana ( Kell) Arms. She is a lady o. many pleasing qualities of head and heart and is a popular member of the social circles in which she moves.
Politically, Mr. Whicker has been a life-long Republican, being now identified with the Progressive party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Order of the Eastern Star, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Improved Order of Red Men. Modern Woodmen of America, Royal Neighbors and the Sons of the American Revo- lution.
A. E. McFERREN.
While yet young in years, .\. E. McFerren, well known and successful merchant of Warren township, has proved what one can accomplish if his ambition, his energy and his thought are directed in the right channel and he deals fairly and in a straightforward manner with his fellow men. He has deserved his large and increasing success and is a man who has always been well thought of in this locality. He has a modern stock of drugs and a gen- eral store.
Mr. McFerren was born in Independence, Warren county, Indiana, April 11, 1881, and he has been content to spend his live in his native com- munity, rather than seek uncertain fortune in other fields. He is the son of Joseph and Lydia (Edmonds) McFerren.
The father of the subject was born in Fountain county, this state, and there spent his earlier days. When a young inan he started a small store which, by his persistence and good management, finally grew to one of the largest and most popular stores in his native county, and he was a man of in- fluence in his community, being well liked and respected. His family con- sisted of three children, Frank, A. E. (the subject) and Walter.
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A. E. McFarren grew to manhood in his native community and he re ceived a fairly good common school educar'on. When a boy he decided to follow in the footsteps of his father in a business way and worked with him in the store, soon becoming familiar with the ins an t outs of merchandising. He took a pharmacy course and became a registered pharmacist. one of the few in this county. He has a neat and well arranged store at Independence which is widely patronized. He carries a large and carefully selected stock of drugs and sundries, in connection with a general stock of goods, and he has built up a splendid trade in all departments and is one of the progressive and successful young merchants and business men of the county.
Mr. McFerren was married on September 9, 1909, to Della Bever. daughter of Charles and Ellen (Tyler) Bever. Two children have been born to the subject and wife, Beatrice Josephine and Arnetta Jeniece.
Fraternally, Mr. McFerren belongs to the Masonic order, the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men.
BERLE EMERSON GLOVER.
One of the best known men in Fountain county, who commands the respect of a host of friends and acquaintances among whom he has lived and labored, is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch, who has spent his energies through a life of strenuous labor to make the most of ' his opportunities. In all the relations of life he has proved signally true to every trust. He possesses a sociable nature and by his genial and kindly attitude to those about him, he has won the respect and confidence of every one. He is known as a careful and able business man and one whose integrity of purpose is beyond question.
The subject of this sketch is descended from a line of sterling ancestry, being a grandson of William and Katherine ( Walker) Glover, both of whom were early settlers in the Hoosier state, having come to Fountain county in the pioneer period. He located northwest of Veedersburg, where he created a splendid farm and also engaged in hauling grain, timber and merchandise from Veedersburg and Lafayette to Chicago. His death occurred in 1848, being the result of being injured by the giving away of a floor on which he and about fifty others were standing, a beam pinning him to the earth and breaking his back, his death occurring about twenty-four hours later.
BERLE E. GLOVER.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Katherine Walker Glover was the daughter of William Walker, who moved from eastern Indiana to Fountain county in an carly day and took upon himself the task of creating a home out of the wilderness. In this he succeeded, becoming well-to-do and standing high in general esteem. Will- iam and Katherine Glover had eiglit children, namely. Elizabeth, James, Almira, Savannah, Prudence, William M., Mary and Indiana.
Of the children just named, William M., who is the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Fountain county on June 15, 1841, and was reared to the life of a farmer. He received his education in the common schools and his years were devoted to the pursuit of agriculture and stock r. ing until his retirement from the farm, when he became associated with a son-in-law in a general store in Veedersburg. Some years later he quit the mercantile business and returned to his farm. A few years later he again retired from active farm life and removed to Veedersburg, where he is now residing.
On January 18, 1863, he married Mary E. Coffing, whose birth oc- curred on March 21, 1843. and whose father; Andrew Coffing, was a native of Foun ain county. They became the parents of the following children : L. Burton, deceased; Elmer, who married, first, Mattie Smith, and, second. Emma Quiggle : Della, the wife of Willian Barkley, near Osborne Prairie; Anna, the wife of I. A. Crane, of Veedersburg; George S., whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this work; Abbie M. is the widow of the late S. Boatman ; James A., a farmer near Osborne Prairie, married Anna Wolf: Berle E. is the immediate subject of this review ; Paul H., a twin of Berle, died in early life.
Politically, William Glover is a Republican, fraternally, a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and in religion he is a member of the Christ- ian church.
Berle E. Glover was born in Troy township, Fountain county, Indiana, on July 31, 1882. He secured his elementary education in the common schools, attending one year in the high school at Covington and also taking a year's study in normal work. He then attended the Indianapolis Business College, where he graduated in 1901. Securing a position as bookkeeper with the Brown-Ketcham Iron Company, at Indianapolis, he remained with that large concern about three years, at the end of which time he came to Veedersburg and during the past eight years has been associated with his brother George in the dry goods business, first in a clerical capacity and later as a partner, now owning a one-third interest in the store. His good business training and natural qualifications have made him a valuable factor in the growth and
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
development of the business here, the store now ranking with the bestof the kind in : e county. Mr. Glover is affable an 1 courteous in his dealing with the public and easily makes and retains friends.
Politically, Mr. Glover is aligned with the Republican party, in the -m- cess of which he is interested, though he is not a seeker after public odes However, he was at one time the efficient incumbent of the position of any clerk, to which he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the ofice. His discharge of his official duties was eminently satisfactory to his fellow citizens. Reis iously, he is a member of the New Light Christian church. Fraternally, he is afiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons at Veedersburg and Lodge No. 493 and the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, also at Vecdersburg. Ile lias held official positions in these bodies and in October. 1912, he was a delc- gat o the Pythian grand lodge, which met at Indianapolis. He is also a n10: er of the Modern Woodmen of America.
In 1907 Mr. Glover was united in marriage to Sadie A. Quiggle, the daughter of John and Sarah Quiggle, and to them have been born three chil- dren, Herbert, Robert Lee and June Alberta. Mr. and Mrs. Glover move in the best social circles in the community and because of their genial dispo- sitions and genuine worth they enjoy a large acquaintance and the loyal friendship of all who know them.
RESTLEY THOMPSON MCKINNEY.
The subject of this sketch was an honored and respected citizen of Foun- tain county, and was born at New Carlisle, Ohio, on October 31, 1809, where he spent his boyhood and early manhood. His great-grandfather was one of five brothers who emigrated to America from Scotland and settled in Ken- tucky. The father of the subject of this sketch was Samuel Mckinney, who married Sarah Forgey in the year 1802. To them were born ten children, six of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, namely : Betsey ( Mrs. Morris), Susan (Mrs. Stafford), Robert, William, Cyrus and the subject. Samuel Mckinney was a farmer and music teacher, owning a valuable little farm, where he reared his family, all of whom became honored and useful citizens
P. T. Mckinney began teaching school at the age of eighteen near the old home place, where he continued to teach school and the old style music classes, until 1833, when he came to Newtown, Indiana, where he taught in the old log school house, which was among the first built in the county. The
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FOUNTAIN AND WARMEN COUNTIES, INDI .. V.
next year, on, May 15, 1834, he was married to Sarah MeClure, sister of the late James McClure, : nd daughter of William McClure, and took up farining as his life work, purchasing the east half of the west half of section 9, tou 11- ship 20, range 6 west, where he lived until his death, on September 8, 1874. To this nion were born six children, two sons and four daughters, nanichy : Willian. who graduate | from Wabash College in 1855, taught school and served his country as captain of Company J. Fifteenth hpliana Regiment. Ile was born in 1835 and died in January, 44; Susan died, aged fourteen years; Esther, born in 1838, and who was for many years a school teacher, married Carlton Dryden, at Keithsburg, Illinois, and to them was born one daughter, Luella, who died in 1902, the wife of George Slingluff. Mr. Dryden served with distinction throughout the Civil war and never failed once to stack ar ns with his company. Mr. Dryden and wife removed to Burlington, Iowa, soon after their marriage, where Esther died in December, 1903 ; Eliza- beth, born in 1840, married O. K. Vinton, a soldier in the war of the Rebel- lion, who died in 1877 at Burlington, Iowa, and to them were born sever children who died in infancy, and one daughter, Mary, a teacher in the Bur- lington schools; Elizabeth died in 1912; Mary, born in 1843. married James Armstrong, of Toledo. Ohio, where they have since resided. To them were born three sons, Irvin, who died in infancy. Edwin, a prominent physician of Sylvania, Ohio, and Elton, a successful business man of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Armstrong died in 19II.
In 1848, Mrs. Sarah Mckinney died, and in 1853 Mr. Mckinney was united in marriage to Catherine McClure, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (B ver) McClure. Her parents were married in Virginia in 1804, lived many years in southern Ohio, and moved to Montgomery county, Indiana, in 1838. Nathaniel McClure's father, Alexander McClure, was of Scotch descent, a Revolutionary soldier and served through the entire war in the Eighteenth Regiment United States Volunteers, and is said to have been promoted to the rank of colonel. (See Pension Records, state of Virginia, Montgomery county, in State Library.) By this union Mr. Mckinney became the father of three children, two sons and one daughter, namely : Frank E., born May 10, 1854; Charles R., born January 24, 1857, and Eva L., born January 5, 1859. In 1880, Frank E. married Belle Harvey, a daughter of Eli B. and Catherine (Atchison) Harvey, the latter a soldier in the Civil war, serving in Company D, Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and to them were born two children, Homer and Grace. Homer graduated from Wabash College with the class of 1907, and soon after married Margaret Davidson, daughter of Doctor David- son, of Crawfo. Isville, Indiana; Charles R. married Mary E. Miller in
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
1884, daughter of Jared and Jeannette ( MePherson) Miller, who were of Scotch descent, but themselves natives of New York state. They moved to Ker county, Michigan, a few years after marriage, and leared up a tam. where they spent their remaining years. Charles R. Mckinney and wile ves blessed with five children, one son and four daughters, namely : Glenn F .. Lela Fern, Hazel S., Georgia and Gladys. Glenn graduated from Wab. - li College in the class of 1909, married Rev. Dr. Pierce's daughter, Virginia, and took up farming for an occupation: Fern graduated from the Western College, Oxford, Ohio, in 1910, and is now teaching ; Hazel died in Igen, at the age of twelve years; Eva L. was married in January, 1887. to William Milligan, who is a successful farmer of Waveland, Indiana. To them were born four children, two sons and' two daughters, namely : Clarence. Mary. Mabel and Elton. Mrs. Milligan, who was a public school teacher before her marriage, died on September 4. 1912. There are two great-grandchildren. Donald, sou of Dr. Edwin Armstrong, and Lawrence, son of Glenn E. Mc- Kinney.
P. T. McKinney was a Republican in politics and for several years was trustee of Richland township. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church at Newtown from its organization until his death. His sons, Frank and Charles R., each own a good farm and are both successful farmers. Charles R. was a successful school teacher for a period of six years.
After Mr. McKinrey's death his widow resided with her sons on the farm until her death, which occurred in Deceniber, 1902.
HERMAN W. BRIGGS.
Well directed efforts in the practical affairs of life and his capable man- agement of his fine farms in Jordan, Pine, Liberty and Warren townships, Warren county, have brought a well deserved prosperity to Herman W. Briggs, whose career demonstrates forcibly what may be accomplished by any man of energy and ambition who is not afraid to work and has the persever- ance to continue his labors in the face of any discouragements which may seem to arise. In all the relations of life he has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought into contact and a bio- graphical history of this locality would need to contain his record should it profess to be complete.
The parents of the subject are John H. and Helena (Van Reed) Briggs.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
The Briggs family is an old and well known one in this part of Indiana, the paternal grandfather, Alexander Brigg,, having lived for many years and died in Warren county. John H. Briggs was born January 29, 1848, in War- ren county, Indiana, and his death occurred on August 27, 1908. The sub- ject's mother, who now makes her home with him, was born in Warren county on March 13, 1852. The father owned fifteen hundred acres of good Warren county land and he always devoted his efforts to general farming and stock raising, in which he was eminently successful. To him and his wife were born two children, the subject of this sketch aud Maud, who is de- ceased.
Herman W. Briggs was born on October 5. 1873, in Warren county. Hc attended the common and high schools, supplementing this preliminary study by attendance at Purdue and DePauw Universities, thus receiving a 1.road and liberal education. He has devoted himself assiduously to the man- agement of the paternal acres, the entire control of which, since his father's death, has fallen upon his shoulders. He is no the owner of seventeen hundred acres of a fine land as can be found in this section of the state, the land lying in Jordan, Pine, Liberty and Warren townships. Possessing good executive ability and the faculty of lookin after details easily, he has al- ready demonstrated an unusual power of adininistration, and he is perpet- uating the record of success which his father inaugurated. Practically all of the land is under cultivation and a diversified system of farming is carried 011, proper attention also being given to the raising of live stock, which has been found to be a very profitable source of income. Mr. Briggs is excep- tionally well equipped for life's duties and is making an excellent record in his life work. He is regarded as one of the best young farmers in the county, and it would be hard to find one more scientific, a part of his education having been along specific lines in which he is now interested in a business way.
On November 22, 1899. Mr. Briggs was married to Lonise Reed, who was born in Fountain county, Indiana, on August 16, 1877, the daughter of Joseph and Emma (Coggins) Reed. Mrs. Briggs, who was a lady of unus- ual qualities of character and who enjoyed the esteem of a large cricle of friends, passed to the silent land on January 16, 1912. In her girlhood she had received a good common school education and later took special training at Coates College.
Politically, Mr. Briggs is a Republican, but has never sought public office, though at all times taking an intelligent interest in public affairs. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church, to the support of which society he gives liberally. Fraternally, he is a member of the lodge of
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FOUNTAIN AND WARRI . COUNTIES, INDIAN ...
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Attica. He is also a Free and Accepted Mason, having attained to the thirty-second degree in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite at Indianapolis. Personally Mr. Briggs is genial and unassuming and easily approachable, so that he has easily non friends, who are in number as his acquaintances.
LEW KER'
A representative of one of the ol' ud influential families of Fountain county is Lew Kerr, for in the social and private walk of life no ioan bear, a more enviable rer station for sterling worth. lie bigs to the somewhat rare class that direct and control public sentiment without pushing themselves forward and without incurring the ill will of those with whom they come in contact and leave the impress of their strong personality in lelibly stamped upon the community, winning the friendship of all classes.
Mr. Kerr was born in Richland township, Fountain county, Indiana, July II, 1867, and is the son of Brazilla M. and Fliza ( Griffith) Kerr. The father was born in Ohio and there spent his early life, finally coming to Foun- tain county, Indiana, and here became well established. He took an interest in public affairs and was at one time county commissioner. Ilis family con- sisted of three children, namely : John G. and Ira, both deceased; Lew, of this sketch.
Josiah Kerr, paternal grandfather of the subject, came to Fountain county in pioneer days and settled north of Newtown, where the subject now lives, buying eight hundred acres from Mrs. Romick, and he was one of the leading farmers in this part of the county during his day and generation.
Lew Kerr grew to manhood on the home place and he received his educa- tion in the common schools of his neighborhood. On March 26, 1889, he was united in marriage to Rhoda Cooper, daugliter of Charles and Mary (Blakely) Cooper. Grandfather Blakely was a native of Scotland, from which country he came to America in an early day and settled in Chicago. He was a mason by trade and he did many very large jobs. He worked eighteen months on one doorway in a large building in Liverpool. Later in life he went to Merom, Sullivan county, Indiana, where he worked on the Union Christian College. The father of Mrs. Kerr also settled in the town of Merom, and there spent the rest of his life, as did also the grandfather after he finished his job on the college.
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The children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kerr, namely : Brazil' . is deceased ; Ruth and Cooper are at home.
Politically, Mr. Kerr is a Republican. a . po of the progressin. wing of the party. He has always tal en cimento alle machen a scal pelde affairs, but has never held office. Religi may. he is a member of the Pre byterian church, of which he has valuable of pearls.
Mr. Kerr is the owner " a finely improved and productive fan of one hundre and twenty-four acres, which is pleasantly located a half nale Foly Newtown, in the eastern part of Fountain county. He has kept the place (which his grandfather settled in an early day) so well cultivated and so well cared for in a general way that it has retained its original strength of soil
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