USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 46
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
JOHN GREGORY.
The power for good of a righteous life is truly exemplified in the rec- ord of the doings of Jolin Gregory. His was a heritage of service and useful- ness. Before him his father and his grandfather had set for him the ex- ample of lives devoted to the service of mankind.
Benjamin F. Gregory, the father of John Gregory, was the son of James and Elizabeth (Lee) Gregory, Elizabeth Lee being the half-sister of Gen. Robert E. Lee. James Gregory was born in Buncombe county, South Caro- lina, in 1783. He was married at an early age, and removed to Kentucky, where he remained three years. In 1813 he came to Washington county, In- diana, during the Indian trouble. He built a log cabin and lived a true pioneer life. In 1816 he ran for the Legislature and was defeated. Later, he having removed to Shelby county, he was elected senator from a district composed of eight counties, Hamilton, Madison, Jackson, Decatur, Shelby, Rush, Henry and Marion. At this time he became a colonel in the state militia. Colonel Gregory was responsible for the law which was enacted in 1824, moving the state capitol to Indianapolis. He was made the target of abuse by some of the people who lived near the old capitol, but the leading men of those days were heartily in accord with Colonel Gregory's law. He was in the Senate until 1831. He then moved to Warren county, whence he was again sent to the Legislature. He later was defeated for election to Congress, and in 1842 failed of election as lieutenant-governor of Indiana. He then removed to New Orleans and set forth upon a trading expedition to Yucatan, from which he never returned, losing his life from tropical fever. His son Benja- min was born in Warren county, Indiana, in 1818.
John, son of Benjamin F. and Hannah E. Gregory, was born in Will- iamsport. Indiana, January 19, 1844. In his native town he grew to man- hood, and early entered the busy aventies of life. He first entered the mer- cantile business, and later studied law in his father's office. In 1870 he be- came editor of the Warren Republican and with this event his life work be- gan in real earnest. His first issue of this paper came out February 24, 1870,
777
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
and with that issue the personality of John Gregory entered the public life of Warren county. He was a man of strong mind and deep convictions and with this leverage upon the public mind and conscience, he found the place that suited his genius. He was a fearless man in public life and possessed eyes that saw straight to the heart of a question or a situation, and without hesita- tion he lived his life with the right, and let his voice speak out and his pen ex- press what he felt was right, at any cost. He was a champion of righteousness, wherever it needed one to stand for it, whether in politics or religion. He could not understand how men could do the low thing, or the mean thing, or take advantage of another by foul or unjust means. He was himself always so certain in his position that the conniving and deceit of men was to him the unbearable. Integrity was written in every fibre of his brain and soul. Men who were wrong, and planned the prosperity of the cause of evil, felt they must reckon with that pen, and answer at the court of that conscience, when they contemplated evil. He was, as an editor, a former and wielder of the public conscience, and public life is purer and stronger because of his life and expression of his convictions.
Mr. Gregory was a member of the state Legislature in 1881, and 1882 of two sessions, one regular and one called session, representing Warren and Fountain counties. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1859, being received by Thomas Bartlett. He followed his father in the life of the church. In 1874 his father's health failed, and the son was called upon to take his father's place in the church, and was elected Sunday school superintendent and a member of the official board of the church. During all these years his life has been woven into the very woof and warp of the Metho- dist church. He loved the church as he loved his home, and made himself felt, not only within the religious life of his own town, but in that of his con- ference. He was a delegate to the lay conference for the last twenty-five years of his life, always making friends and holding positions of honor on commit- tees which gave him recognition before the eyes of the church. Though we may say he was a public man, he was pre-eminently a church man and as such took his stand and was recognized by the world.
As superintendent of the Sunday school he found the joy of his soul. For thirty-four years he stood in that capacity before the church. He lived and re- joiced in his work. The Sunday school was dearer to him than the apple of his eye. He prayed always for it, and talked, and planned, and sacrificed, amid disappointments and achievements. It lived in his heart. He passed away on November 10, 1908, leaving to mourn his life a wife, seven children and a host of friends.
778
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Mr. Gregory was editor and proprietor of the Warren Republican for nearly forty years, and was perhaps the oldest editor in point of service in the state. In every way he was a strong man among men, a natural and effective leader.
On May 29, 1866, Mr. Gregory was married to Lila Florence Chandler, the daughter of Robert Chandler, a native of New Jersey. The latter studied by the light of pine fagots and educated himself as an attorney. In 1832 he came to Williamsport, Indiana, with his wife and four children, Margaret, Lydia, Andrew and Sarah. He was the father of twelve children by his first wife. Mary A. Dodd, who was descended from an old Eastern family of English descent. Lila Florence was the eleventh child. The children born in Indiana, who grew to maturity, were Augustus, who was drowned when ten years of age, Carry, Laura, George and Lila. The rest died in youth. Robert Chandler was again married to Deborah Bryant, who bore him six children, four of whim lived to maturity, namely, Dorcus Josephine, Robert A., Ella R. and Henry B.
Mary .A. Dodd Gregory was descended from Daniel Dodd who came from England in 1646 to Branford, Connecticut, and was one of five who chose the site of Newark, New Jersey, in 1660, and of Daniel Dodd, Jr., who was given large tracts of land embracing Orange and East Orange, New Jersey, for surveying and laying out Newark. Mary A. Chandler's father's name was David Dodd. His wife's name was Ward and her mother's name was Farrand, a daughter of Betsey and John Farrand of Revolutionary fame.
Mr. and Mrs. John Gregory are the parents of seven children, namely : Benjamin F., who married Lucile Carlin, is the father of three children, Vivian, Rupert and Constance; Florence Ethelynd, at home; Winona Bertha, the widow of Arthur Jackson; Grace Blanche, at home; the twin sister of Winona Bertha; Manona Pearl, who married H. B. Cartlidge, of Oregon; John Rupert, who married Daisy Haughton and has two children, John Charles and Martha Janet; Sarah Ruth, at home. All the children are graduates of high school and college.
Mrs. Gregory is a woman of intelligence and culture, who has through- ont her life been active in all good works. She was a true help-meet to her husband during his career, and has been a devoted mother to her children ( whom she sees occupying places of honor and usefulness in the world. She has always been active in church work and charities. Young for her years, she is now enjoying the fruits of a well spent life, marred only by the absence from her side of him who was her partner for so many years.
779
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
ALEXANDER McGAHAN.
Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of suc- cess. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual char- acter and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often obtained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The everyday life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunities for acquir- ing experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and self-improvement. Among the hard-working and successful farmers of Warren county, Indiana, the sub- ject of this sketch occupies a leading position.
Alexander McGahan is a son of Thomas and Melvina (Gard) McGahan, and his birth occurred on the 25th of September, 1849. He was not permitted to attend school as much as he desired, but by subsequent reading and close ob- servation he has acquired a broad fund of information. His parents are both deceased. In the early days his father had been a steamboatman on the Missis- sippi river, but later came to Warren county, Indiana, and took up land, for which he paid the government one dollar and a quarter per acre, receiving in return a sheep-skin deed. He also bought some other land from private own- ers, for which he paid a higher price. Here he applied himself to the crea- tion of a pioneer farm and its subsequent cultivation, for which purpose he used oxen for draft purposes. To him and his wife were born five children, all of whom are living.
Alexander McGahan has always applied himself to farming and has been a hard working man. From his youth he has worked indefatigably and his efforts have been crowned with a degree of success commensurate with the efforts put forth. He is now the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres, located in Medina township, Warren county, all of which is capable of cultivation excepting about twelve acres, which is in sec- ond-growth timber and used for pasturage purposes. The land is well drained. Mr. McGahan having laid about twelve hundreds rods of tile. He has always carried on a diversified system of farming, raising all the crops common to this locality, and he has also given due attention to the raising of live stock. The farm is well improved and its general appearance is highly creditable to the owner.
On May 15, 1878, Mr. McGahan was married to Medy Dawson, who was born in 1856, and to them have been born four children, namely :
780
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Thomas, who is a fariner in Warren county, married Enuna Rail: Fred is at home; Daisy A. is the wife of Harley Downey, a farmer at Battle Ground, Indiana ; Cora is deceased.
Politically, Mr. McGahan has taken his conscience as a guide to action and is earnestly espousing the cause of the Progressive party, believing that it is time the citizens of this country should shake off the dominating power of the political rings which have dictated the policies and controlled the ad- ministration of the public affairs for so many years. He is a man of keen discernment and gives his support to every movement which has for its ob- ject the advancement of the best interests of the community. He enjoys a wide acquaintance and has a host of warm friends.
JOHN H. STUMP.
Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-of-door life known to the tiller of the soil has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true man- hood, and no truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned states- men and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were in- debted largely to its early influence for the distinction which they attained. Of the honored and representative families of Warren county is that of which John H. Stump, one of Liberty township's most progressive agriculturists, is a worthy member.
John H. Stump was born on February 10, 1880, on his father's farm, about one and a quarter miles north of Carbondale, Warren county. Indiana. His parents were Philander and Mary E. Stump, natives of Indiana, the father having come to this county in young manhood with his father, Joseph Stump, who was a farmer. He attended the common schools in his boyhood and when old enough assisted in the labors of the farm. After completing the common school course, Mr. Stump went to school in Williamsport, and then took a course in the Gem City Business College, at Quincy, Illinois. He then went to Chicago and during the following two years he was engaged in
.
781
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
the insurance business. Then he returned to the farm for a year, following which he was employed for a period of one year as recorder and writer of policies and assistant cashier of the Mutual Protective League of Litchfield, Illinois. Since then he has applied himself continuously to the operation of his fine farm, in which he has met with a very fair degree of success. He is a man of splendid habits and devotes himself assiduously to his work, allowing nothing to divert him therefrom. The farm lies in one of the most pro- duetive agricultural sections of the county and is admirably adapted to gen- eral farming and stock raising. The buildings are substantial and up-to-date, the fencing is of best quality, and the excellent condition of the soil, together with the general appearance of thrift which pervades the farm throughout, bear testimony to the enterprise of the owner and indicates to the passerby a modern American home, in which thrift, content and hospitality abound.
Mr. Stump was married, on August 20, 1902, to Edna E. Johnson, the daughter of Willis A. and Mariah Johnson, and to this union have been born three children, Eleanor and Marie, who are now living, and a baby girl, who died in infancy.
Politically, Mr. Stump has always given a hearty support to the Re- publican party, while, religiously, he affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILLIAM C. RHODE.
One of the enterprising farmers and stock men of Adams township, Warren county, Indiana, who has been content to spend his life in his native community, rightly decided that this section of the great Hoosier state held as good if not better opportunities than any other state in the Union. He is a representative of one of the old and well known families of Warren county, members of which have figured more or less prominently in local affairs from pioneer times and his record shows that he has kept untarnished the honored family name.
William C. Rhode was born in Warren township, Warren county, Indiana, on September 20, 1854, and is the son of Seymour and Lucy ( Benge) Rhode. Jonathan Rhode, the subject's grandfather, was born and reared to manhood in one of the Carolinas, from which state he moved to Ohio, from there to eastern Indiana, and thence to Warren county, where they decided to locate. Here they entered government land under three patents, as follows: January
782
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
3. 1826, signed by John Quincy Adams; April 2, 1829, signed by A frew Jackson, and February 8, 1831, signed by Andrew Jackson. Seymour and Lucy Rhode spent the rest of their years on this farm and were numbered among the respected and honored families of the community. They were the parents of the following children: Thomas, deceased; Jonathan, deceased ; William C., the subject of this sketch; Joseph F., deceased; James N. and Celia J. Seymour Rhode was a Whig and Republican in politics.
William C. Rhode attended the common schools of his home community. and the book learning received there has been liberally supplemented during the subsequent years by habits of close observation and by valuable experience, which is, after all, the most effectual teacher. He has always followed farm- ing and has been a very successful man in his business affairs. He is the owner of three hundred acres of as good land as can be found in Warren county, and on this he raises all the crops common to this locality. He is a thoroughly practical man in his operations, giving due attention to the soil conditions and other phases of farming which are now considered of such vital importance. In connection with the tilling of the soil, Mr. Rhode gives some attention to the raising of live stock, which he has found to be a profit- able source of income.
On September 18, 1879, Mr. Rhode was united in marriage with Jennie Milligan, the daughter of James and Eliza (James) Milligan. These parents were natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1842 on a sailing vessel, the trip across the ocean requiring three months. They landed at St. John's, New Brunswick, then went to New York city, and from there to Hamilton, Ohio, where they remained for some time. Subsequently they came to Attica, Indiana, and eventually settled in Warren township, Warren county, where he followed farming until his death. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom are living, as follows: William J., John H., Robert A., George W., Sanford F., Alfred A., Jennie, Emma and Louisa, who is the widow of the late Jasper Rhode. Three of these children were successful teachers, William J. having taught for forty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Rhode have been born four children, namely: Bertha, the wife of John Claypool, of Pine Village, Warren county ; Charles J. married Vynna Parker and they live in Adams township, Warren county ; they have one child, Eunice Corrine ; Seymour A. married Kosie Cobb, of Pine Village; Marshall C., at home.
Politically, Mr. Rhode has always been a Republican and has given a proper attention to the public affairs of his locality. Mr. Rhode possesses some old relics in the way of tax receipts issued to his grandfather, Jonathan
783
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Rhode, in 1815, 1825 and 1845. The receipt of 1815 is written in ink on unevenly cut store paper, about one inch wide by four inches long. Mr. Rhode is a man of forceful personality, though unassuming, and because of his genuine worth he has won and retains the sincere respect of all who know him.
WILLIAM BURR KING.
Not alone are those worthy of biographic honors who have moved along the loftier planes of action, but to an equal extent are those deserving who are of the rank and file of the world's workers, for they are not less the con- servators of public prosperity and material advancement. Through all the gradations of life recognition should be had of the true values, and then should full appreciation be manifested, for there can be no impropriety in scanning the acts of any man as they affect his public, social and business relations. Viewed from whatever standpoint, the career of William Burr King, an enterprising farmer of Washington township, Warren county, In- diana, is worthy of consideration in this connection.
Mr. King is one of the worthy native sons of Warren county, his birth having occurred at Attica in 1872. He is the son of James and Elizabeth (Adams) King. The father was a native of New York state and in young manhood canie to Indiana. He was a drayman and was a hard-working, honest and highly respected man. He died in 1910. He is survived by his widow, who now makes her home with her son, the subject of this sketch.
William B. King has always been a hard working man, having started out in life on his own account as soon as old enough. He received a common school education and has ever been a critical observer of the general trend of passing events, so that he has well defined ideas and opinions on the great questions before the American people. He has been a fairly successful man in his business affairs, and is now the owner of thirty acres of land. He is now operating the E. J. Corey farm, in Liberty township, and is meeting with excellent success in his work. He is a practical and discriminating farmer, hesitating not to adopt new methods when their practicability has been demonstrated by experience.
Mr. King has twice been married. His first wife was Rose Mathias and to their union five children were born, namely: Charles C., James WV .. Lena F., Harry V. and Vern R. Mrs. Rose King died on December 18, 1905, and subsequently Mr. King was married to Sophia Deisch. She is a
78.4
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIAN.1.
lady of many pleasant and attractive qualities and is well liked by a large circle of friends.
Fraternally, Mr. King is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is highly esteemed by his neighbors and friends and. being in the prime of life and full of hope, it is eminently fitting to predic. for him a future of great promise and usefulness.
WILLIAM D. SLUSSER.
The respect which should always be accorded the brave sons of the North who left homes and the peaceful pursuits of civil life to give their services, and their lives if need be, to preserve the integrity of the American Union, is certainly due the gentleman to a brief review of whose life the following lines are devoted. He proved his loyalty to the government on the long and tiresome marches in all kinds of situations, exposed to summer's withering heat and winter's freezing blasts, on the lonely picket line a target for the missile of the unseen foe, on the tented field and amid the flame and smoke of battle, where the rattle of the musketry, mingled with the terrible concussion of the bursting shell and the deep diapason of the cannon's roar, made up the sublime but awful chorus of death. For more than three years he gave unflinching service to his country, a fact of which he is justifiably proud, and because of this fact and the high standard of living which he has ever followed he is eminently entitled to representation in this work.
William D. Slusser was born near Troy, Miami county, Ohio, on October II, 1834, and is the son of Henry and Polly (Jackson) Slusser. Henry Slusser was a native of Virginia, who in an early day moved to Ohio, where he engaged in farming and carpentering. In 1850 he came to Fountain county, Indiana, and here spent the rest of his days. His wife had passed away in Ohio, prior to the removal of the family to Indiana. They became the parents of fourteen children who reached years of maturity, and six of whom are still living. Henry Slusser was a stanch Democrat in politics, but held no public office excepting that of supervisor.
William D. Slusser was reared under the parental roof, and his educa- tion was received in the log-cabin schools of that period. He was reared to the life of a farmer and was so engaged up to the opening of hostilities be- tween the North and the South in the early sixties. In June, 1861, he en- listed in Company D, Twentieth Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. George F.
WILLIAM D. SLUSSER.
785
FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Dick, the command being assigned to the Third Corps, Army of the Potomac. He took part in some of the most important battles of that great war, in- cluding Gettysburg, Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, battles of the Wilderness, including the seven days' fight at Richmond, Spottsylvania, Wapping Heights, Kelly's Ford, Mine Run and all the skirmishes incident to the operations of the army in these campaigns. While on the Peninsula campaign Mr. Slusser was taken prisoner on June 29, 1862. He also wit- nessed the terrific engagement between the "Merimac" and "Monitor" in 1862. His capture was due to the bursting of a shell, which killed a comrade by his side; the concussion knocking him down, he was left for dead by his regiment, which was the rear guard, covering the retreat. This casualty has rendered him since totally deaf in the left ear. For fifteen days Mr. Slusser was confined in a tobacco warehouse in Richmond, then was removed to Belle Isle, where he was kept forty-five days longer, when he was paroled. During this imprisonment he suffered from the only consid rable sickness he had while in the army. In this condition he was Masonically recognized by a Rebel surgeon, who treated him with so great kindness and humanity that he recalls this episode with grateful pleasure. After his liberation he was with his regiment until May 19, 1864, when he received a wound in his left foot from which he did not recover before the expiration of his term. He was discharged : Indianapolis on August 1, 1864.
Upon his return to civil life, Mr. Slusser again engaged in farming, though his health was very poor as a result of his severe experiences in the army. In 1867 he moved to Illinois, buying a farm near Wilmington, Will county, where he lived until 1874, when he returned to Fountain county, selling his Illinois farm three years later. He has here devoted himself to agricultural pursuits with a very gratifying degree of success. He is the owner of two hundred and forty-seven acres of splendid land, all in Rich- land township, practically all of which is cultivable, excepting about fifty acres of good second growth timber. He has carried on general farming and has also given some attention to the raising of live stock with splendid results. The place is well improved, all the improvements having been made by him- self, and the general appearance of the place reflects credit on the owner.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.