USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 43
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 43
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Stephenson witnessed the coronation procession, including the Queen and hier escort, on the way to Westminster Abbey, where the ceremony was performed. She spent thirteen weeks on a slow-going sailing vessel crossing the Atlantic, landing at New York city in 1838. She then went west by way of the Great Lakes to Chicago, thence overland by wagon to. Beloit, Wisconsin. Even- tually, they came to Indiana by wagon and settled in Medina township, War- ren county, where she still lives, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years, mak- ing her home with a daughter. To Joseph and Emma Franklin were born the following children: Clara, who died at the age of nine years: Oliver died at the age of nineteen years; Belle became the wife of H. A. Johnson, of Medina township; Daisy is the wife of Virgil Cantrall, also of Medina town- ship; J. Wilbur, the immediate subject of this sketch, and Eva, who is the wife of Bert Thompson, of Medina township.
J. Wilbur Franklin received his education in the public schools. In addition to his private business affairs, Mr. Franklin takes an active part in advancing the welfare of the locality in which he lives. He is a member of the advisory board, being associated with John L. Hilderbrand and Thomas W. Bowyer. Fraternally, Mr. Franklin belongs to Lodge No. 455, Free and Accepted Masons, and Lodge No. 832, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both at Green Hill. His religious membership is with the United Brethren church, in which he takes an active part, having served during the past five years as secretary of the board of trustees.
On April 3, 1904, Mr. Franklin married Ella Mable Wilson, the daughter of E. H. and Mary E. (Lake) Wilson, of Medina township, Warren county, the father having been born near Montmorenci, Tippecanoe county, Indiana. The Wilson family is originally from England. E. H. and Mary Wilson were the parents of the following children: Homer, of Medina township; Mary, the wife of Guy McKinnis, of Medina township; Ella, wife of the subject ; Thomas, of Green Hill.
BYRON E. KEYT.
Among the enterprising farmers and stock raisers of western Indiana none has in recent years occupied a more prominent position than the gentle- man whose name appears at the head of this sketch. Not only is he highly esteemed because of fine personal qualities of character, but he is entitled to definite distinction because of his active efforts to advance the interests of his
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fellow stoekmen. To him belongs the distinction of having introduced into this section of the country the justly celebrated breed of llereford cattle, which is at the present time regarded as one of the most valuable breeds of eattle in existence. This act of his is but an index to the make-up of the man -progressive, enterprising and far-sighted.
Mr. Keyt is a native of Fountain county, Indiana, having been born at Newtown on the 24th of December, 1856. His parents were Edwin R. Keyt, who was born at Rob Roy, Indiana, August 13, 1832, and Louisa (Voliva) Keyt, who was born at Newtown, Indiana, February 1, 1836. The son received his clementar: education in the public schools of his home neigh- borhood and he was reared to the life of a farmer. He has always followed that line of endeavor and he has been successful to an eminent degree. He became the owner of what was known as the old McClure homestead, located about two miles south of Newtown and comprising about two hundred acres. It is a farm of unusual fertility and "Oak Ridge farm," as it was known, was but an exemplification of the oft-repeated statement that this section of Indi- ana is the "garden spot of the world." Mr. Keyt has always endeavored to keep up with the latest and most advanced methods and ideas in both agricul- ture and stockraising, so, in 1892, he demonstrated his progressive spirit, by going to northern Minnesota and purchasing a herd of Hereford cattle which he brought to "Oak Ridge farm" for breeding purposes. This was the father- ing of this breed of cattle in this section of Indiana, which has grown to be not only a source of great pride, but an immense item of finance. On this farm are also to be found some fine specimens of sheep and hogs. Mr. Keyt has long been widely recognized as an authority on stock breeding and he has been frequently called upon to pass judgment in county, state and national stock shows.
On the 24th of December, 1881, Mr. Keyt was married to Eureka Me- Clure, the daughter of James and Phoebe (Dagger) McClure, of Newtown, Indiana. They have become the parents of the following children: Charles E., born August 26, 1883; Elmer E., born December 15, 1886; Frank M., born January 19, 1896, and Clarence A., born December 15, 1897.
Politically, Mr. Keyt is a stanch and uncompromising Republican, while his religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gives his earnest support. About four years ago Mr. Keyt moved to Lake- view, Michigan, where he owns the "Elms Stock Farm," located about two miles south of Lakeview, and there he is carrying forward the same line of work lie inaugurated on his Indiana farm. On his removal he resigned his position as president of the Wingate State Bank, at Wingate, Montgomery
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
county, his removal making it impossible for him to perform the duties of the position. Mr. Keyt, during his long residence in Fountain county, was considered one of its leading business men and he enjoyed an enviable reputa- tion as a man of integrity and sound judgment, his advice being sought by many in business matters. Personally, he is genial, unassuming and ap- proachable, so that he makes friends of all his acquaintances, who esteem him for his genuine worth.
JOHN HAYNES.
Among the representative farmers and stock men of Warren county is John Haynes, who is also an extensive and successful contractor, the owner of a fine landed estate in Warren township, and is carrying on the various departments of his enterprise with that discretion and energy which are sure to find their natural sequel in definite success, having always been a persistent, industrious and determined worker, a good manager and a man of exemplary habits, and, being fortunately situated in a thriving farming community, it is no wonder that he stands today in the front rank of general farmers and stock men of this favored locality.
John Haynes was born in Vinton county, Ohio, in February, 1865, and is the son of Samuel and Mary (Karshner ) Haynes. The father was a very prominent farmer in Ohio, born in Vinton county, that state, in the year 1836. He became a large land owner and a very prominent man in his community. His family consisted of ten children, all living, married and doing well.
John Haynes was reared and educated in Vinton county, Ohio, and he worked on the home farm during crop seasons. He always took much interest in horses,' making a special study of them, and when but a boy was familiar with their handling and training. He came to Warren county, Indiana, with a trotting horse, about the year 1891 and, liking the country, decided to make it his permanent home. Later on he was admitted to the Warren county bar to practice law in this state. He began trading in live stock and thereby got a good start in life. Being progressive and a good manager, he prospered and accumulated four hundred acres of valuable and productive land, which he now owns and which he has placed under high grade improvements and cultivation, having made this in less than twenty years. He carries on general farming on an extensive scale and large numbers of fine live stock of various kinds may be seen about his fields and barns. He has made a specialty of horses and was the owner of "Independence Boy," whose record is 2:011/2, a
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
horse that has won its owner a wide reputation and is greatly admired by all ; also "Mack Thistle," trial 2:04, a full brother to "Independence Boy." He has adopted modern scientific methods of farming, and he has a commodious home and large convenient barns and outbuildings.
For some time Mr. Haynes was engaged in railroad work, and in 1906 he took up grade work, also bridge building, with a partner, Frank Waymire, a brother-in-law, and they have been very successful in their work of contract- ing in this and other counties, having handled some larg obs. Mr. Haynes has been rewarded by a comfortable competency as a result of his individual efforts, being a self-made man, and is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished unaided.
Mr. Haynes was married in January, 1893, to Etta Waymire, daughter of Laban and Emily (Benson) Waymire, a prominent family of this county. Etta Waymire Haynes was born in October, 1874. Her father, Laban Way- mire, was born in February, 1832, and the mother, Emily Benson Waymire, was born in October, 1836.
To Mr. and Mrs. Haynes have been born five children, all sons, namely : Vern, Samuel, Edgar Dale, John, Jr., and Lisle Dean.
Politically, Mr. Haynes is a Republican, and in religious matters was reared in the Methodist belief.
HENRY L. VAN REED.
The honored subject of this sketch is one of the young and enthusiastic business men of Warren county, where he has maintained his home for many years. He is becoming identified with enterprises of considerable scope and importance and the name which he bears has been one which has stood for . progressiveness and enterprise, while he is a scion of one of the honored old families of western Indiana. Owing to his business relations with the pco- ple of this locality, and so high is the confidence in which he is held, that it is imperative that he be accorded recognition in a publication of the province assigned to the one at hand.
Henry L. Van Reed, commonly known as "Bert" Reed, well known teaming contractor, was born December 20, 1872, in Lafayette, Indiana, and is the son of Byron and Alice (Waterbury) Van Reed. The father makes his home in Liberty township, Warren county, having formerly devoted his energies to carpentering and contracting. He was a young man when he
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
went to Lafayette and engaged in the grain business, and there he engaged in merchandising for some time. He then came back to the farm, having spent his earlier years in farming. Later in life he turned his attention to con- tracting and is still active in his vocation.
Byron Van Reed is the son of Levi R. and Amelia" (B -- ) Van Reed, natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and farmers of that place, being very early settlers there, and they became large land owners, giving each of their children one hundred and sixty acres of land.
Henry L. Van Reed was the only child of his parents. He received a good education, and on January 21, 1891, was united in marriage with Bessie Blackwell, daughter of Samuel and Nancy E. Blackwell. Mrs. Van Reed's father came from Virginia when a young man and cast his lot with the peo- ple of western Indiana. He had married near Lexington, Virginia, and he and his wife became the parents of eleven children, named as follows: Pearl, Hugh, Minnie and Bessie (wife of Mr. Van Reed) were all born in Virginia ; the following were born after the Blackwells settled in Indiana: Sallie, Ida, Herbert, Gloia, Elsie and Clarence.
One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Reed, Orval B., who is now eight years of age.
Fraternally, Mr. Van Recd belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Order of Moose. He is a Republican in politics, and he and his family attend and support the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Van Reed is carrying on a large business as teaming contractor and is well known throughout the county.
FRANK E. GAFFIELD.
In touching upon the life history of the subject of this review the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life-a life characterized by perseverance, energy and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pro- nounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well. Standing today among the intelligent and enterprising farmers of Washing- ton township, Warren county, he has performed well his part in life, and is deserving of the success which has attended his efforts.
Frank E. Gaffield was born on February 2, 1880, near Sheldon, Iroquois
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
county, Illinois, and is the son of John and Louise Charity ( Montgomery) Gaffield. John Gaffield was born in Clark county, Ohio, but in young man- hood he went to Illinois, where he met with good success as a farmer, owning about five hundred acres of land. He reared a family of eleven children, of which number five are living, namely: William, Ollie, Walter, Alonzo and Frank E.
The subject of this sketch, who spent his boyhood days on the old Illinois farm, attended the common schools and secured a good general education. He remained on the paternal farmstead until about five years ago when he came to Washington township, Warren county, and has since been engaged in the operation of his brother's farm of eighty acres. He has been very successful in this work and is keeping the place up to a high standard of ex- cellence, the buildings and fences being in good repair, while in his methods of work he keeps in touch with the most advanced ideas relative to husbandry. He is a : )od manager and those who have been in touch with him since he came here are loud in their praise of him.
On November 12, 1903, Mr. Gaffield was married to Lottie Earl, the daughter of Anthony and Lucinda Earl, who lived in Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Gaffield have been born three children, namely: Roy, Kenneth and Louisa.
Politically, Mr. Gaffield is an active supporter of the Republican ticket and he takes a keen and intelligent interest in the trend of public affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Daughters of Rebekah. Though numbered among the younger agricul- turists of his community, he is behind none of them in energy, determination and public spirit and the public confidence is freely accorded him.
WILLIAM J. MELLOTT.
One of the up-to-date farmers and stock raisers of Richland township, Fountain county, Indiana, who has worked hard for what he now possesses is William J. Mellott. He knows how to appreciate the true dignity of labor and to place a correct estimate upon the value of money. Nevertheless, he is liberal in his benefactions and stands ever ready to support with his influence and means all measures for the material and moral welfare of the community in which he has so long resided. Among those who know him best he bears the reputation of a man who exercises sound judgment and who has pro-
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM J. MELLOTT.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
nounced views, and he keeps himself well informed upon all matters pertam- ing to the public weal or woe and always exercises the duties of citizenship in a conscientious manner.
Mr. Mellott's ancestral history is traceable to France, where the family appears to have had its origin and where his forebears lived for many genera- tions before coming to the New World. When General Lafayette came to this country, about 1778, there were three Frenchmen by the name of Mellott who accompanied the forces under his command ; one located in Pennsylvania, one in Virginia and one in Ohio. Jacob, the one who settled in Pennsylvania, was married and reared a family of four sons and two daughters. John Mellott. one of these sons, grew to maturity and married a lady by the name of Eve Sipes, who bore him the following children : Gideon, George, Jacob, Andy, John, William, James, Abram, Charlotte, Ida and Susan. So far as known. all the Mellotts in the United States are descendants or offsprings of these three brothers.
George Mellott, second son of the above mentioned John, was born in Fulton county, formerly known as Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and came to Randolph county, Indiana, in an early day. On March 19, 1844, he mar- ried Mrs. Barbara (Beary) Rupert, who was born March 31, 1816, in Ger- many, and who with her parents moved to Randolph county, Indiana, in the year 1828. Her first husband, whom she married in 1835, and to whom she bore one son, was Moses Rupert, who died in the year 1837. Her marriage with Mr. Mellott resulted in six children, two of whom died in infancy, the names of those who survived her being John B., who is represented elsewhere in this work; Mrs. Elizabeth Duncan, of Geary, Oklahoma; Mary, who was twice married, first to Joseph Floycent, later to Mr. Todd, whose present place of residence is Crawfordsville, Indiana, and William J., the subject of this review. Mrs. Mellott died on December 25, 1905, her husband sur- viving her until June 19. 1909, when he, too, was called to his eternal home at the ripe old age of eighty years. By occupation George Mellott was a tanner, which trade he followed in early life, later becoming a tiller of the soil. He lived in Randolph county until 1865, when he moved to Fountain county and bought land in Richland township, which he improved and on which he lived the remainder of lis life.
William J. Mellott was born in Randolph county, Indiana, on the 6th of November, 1859. He received his education in the public schools of Foun- tain county and as soon as old enough he was put to work on the farm. lle has never relinquished that line of work and has met with excellent success as the result of his persistent and well-directed efforts. He is the owner of two hundred and fifteen acres of land in Richland township, all of which is in cul- (48)
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
tivation, except twenty-five acres of timber and which returns abundant har- vests from year to year. The farm buildings are well built and kept in good condition, the fences are in good repair, while the general condition of the place indicates the owner to be a man of sound judgment and practical in i- ods. He raises all the crops common to this section of the country and also gives some attention to the raising of live stock, which he has found to be a profitable source of income. For a number of years he ran a threshing ma- chine, with financial success, but he has disposed of his ma hine and quit that line of work. He has the agency for an automobile and is also the agent for threshing machinery.
On September 18, 1881, William J. Mellott was united in marriage to Sarah E. Murdock, the daughter of Citizen and Jane (Campbell) Murdock, who were natives of Ohio, but early settlers in Richland township, this county. They were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity and seven are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Mellott have been born six chil- dren, namely : Guy, who lives in Cain township; Edith, who became the wife of Valmer McKnight, of Richland township; Lurie G., the wife of Edgar E. Sentman, of Montgomery coun"; Pearl LeEtte is at home; Daisy May, at home; Roy V., who died on April 21, 1909, at the age of fifteen years, eight months and five days.
In his political relations, Mr. Mellott is a Republican, with decidedly progressive tendencies, and takes an intelligent interest in the welfare of the community, though he has never aspired to public office. Fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 433, Knights of Pythiias, at Newtown; Tribe No. 114, Improved Order of Red Men, at Mellott, and the auxiliary loft of Haymak- ers ; and Camp No. 8767, Modern Woodmen of America, at Newtown. By a life singularly free from fault, Mr. Mellott has gained the confidence and good will of the people of his community and among his neighbors and acquaint- ances his character and integrity have ever been above reproach.
JAMES CUNNINGHAM.
Among the substantial men whose labor and influence has given impetus to the general material improvements of Warren county in years gone by and who today occupies no insignificant place in the esteem of the community in which he resides is the worthy gentleman whose name forms the introduction of this sketch. He has been content to spend his life right in his home local-
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ity, wisely deciding that this favored section of the great Hoosier state was as well if not better suited for the pursuit of agriculture than any other.
James Cunningham is the son of Cyrus and Mary T. ( Oliphant ) Cun- ningham. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Cunningham, lived in Ver- milion county, Indiana, about two miles from the home of the subject. Cyrus Cunningham was born on December 15, 1829, in Vermilion county, Indiana, and died on July 4, 1903. He was reared in Vermilion county, but later moved to Warren county, where he afterwards inade his home. He was the owner of abont fifteen hundred acres of fine land, lying in Vermilion and Warren counties. On December 17, 1855, he married Mary T. Oliphant, who was born January 2, 1835, the daughter of Thomas and Rhodie Oliphant, the latter having been born near Circleville, Ohio. She is now living with her son, C. V. Cunningham; of Mound township. Cyrus and Mary Cunning- ham became the parents of the following children: Horatio, deceased: Rent- ben, deceased; Walter, who is a farmer, married Lousia Rogers and they live in Vermilion county, Indiana; C. V., of Mound township; Harriet is the wife of Charles F. Lowe, of Covington; Malinda is the wife of Augusta Clem, a farmer of Warren county; James is the immediate subject of this review.
James Cunningham was born in Warren county, Indiana, on December 25, 1869, the place of his birth being where his brother, C. V., now lives. He was reared to the life of a farmer and secured his education in the com- mon schools of his home neighborhood. He has faithfully applied himself to the cultivation of the soil and, to some extent, to stock raising, and has met with gratifying success in his chosen calling. He is now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of land, about one hundred and sixty of which is tillable and one hundred acres is in good second-growth timber, now in use as pasture. Mr. Cunningham is eminently practical in his farming operations and keeps everything about his place in tip-top shape, the general appearance of the place being creditable to the owner.
On February 3, 1898, Mr. Cunningham was married in Vermilion county, Indiana, to Iva M. Green. She was born February 6; 1879, and is the daugh- ter of Alonzo and Martha (Hines) Green, who spent most of their lives in Warren county, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have been born the following children : Opal F., Cleo V., Lola L. and Ethel A. are at home ; Lona E. is deceased; Neva B. and James L. D. are at home.
Politically, Mr. Cunningham renders a stanch allegiance to the Repub- lican party, while fraternally, he is a meinber of Lodge No. 21, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Covington. He is a man of many fine qualities of character and enjoys the respect of all who know him.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
EDWARD B. HUGHES.
Fountain county can boast of no more progressive class of citizens than the Marylanders who found homes within her borders. Many of then came here without influential friends to give thein a start, but, imbued with a sturdy independence and laudable ambition, they took advantage of the wonderful possibilities afforded by this favored section. They opened up good farms and reared families who are now the leading and representative citizens of the county. Among the latter is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this review. He has lived to see and take a conspicuous part in the develop- ment of the county, having ever had its interests at heart. He is known to be a man of progressive ideas and an advocate of right living and is therefore eminently deserving of the high esteem and confidence in which he is univer- sally held.
The subject was born on November 5, 1840, his birthplace being only about two blocks from his present home. He is the son of John E. and Anna Mary (Dutro) Hughes. The father was born on the 12th of April, 1809, in Maryland, coming to Indiana in 1834. The subject's mother, who also was a native of Maryland, was born September 12, 1809. They were married in 1833 and became the parents o. nine children, three of whom are living. These parents are both dead, the father dying on March 12, 1868, and the mother on July 8, 1897. He was a shoemaker by trade and was a man of sterling qualities of character, being held in high regard in his community. On the maternal side, the subject is descended from German ancestry.
Edward B. Hughes received a good practical common school education and as soon as old enough he applied himself to farm labor. He was indus- trious and wisely economical from the beginning and by good management and judicious investments he soon found himself on the road to success. He has always been interested in farming, grain raising being his specialty, if he may be said to have specialized. He also from time to time loaned money on real estate security and in every line to which he applied himself he achieved suc- cess. He is now the owner of sixteen hundred acres of land, all in Fountain . county and practically all under cultivation. He is methodical and business- like in all his work and is regarded as a man of unusual sound judgment as to the outcome of a present transaction, having made few mistakes in placing his money.
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