USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 58
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 58
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secured his education in the common schools. He has always devoted him- self to agricultural pursuits and has met with a fair degree of success. Stock raising has also claimed a share of his attention and he has kept at all times good animals, which have commanded a ready sale because of their excellent condition. The farm, which comprises one hundred acres of good land, is eligibly located, and is well improved, its appearance indicating the owner to be a man of mature judgment and wise discrimination. The residence is comfortable and well arranged and the other farm buildings are commodious and calculated to enhance the value of the farm.
Mr. Sellers was married on March 3, 1896, to Theresa Cottingham, who was born on October 11, 1874, the daughter of Robert and Sarah (Harris) Cottingham. They are the parents of one child, Owen, fourteen years old, who is at home.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Sellers is not party-bound and votes for the best man in local elections, keeping at all times the best interests of the community in view. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, at Pine Village. The creed of the Methodist Episcopal church represents his religious belief and he gives that church his earnest support. In all avenues of activity in which he engages he is characterized by absolute integrity and because of his genial disposition and unassuming manner he has gained and retains the friendship of all who know him.
JAMES KEISTER.
Standing for upright manhood and progressive citizenship, the subject of this sketch has long occupied a conspicuous place among the representatives of the great agricultural interests of Indiana and his influence in every rela- tion of life has made for the material advancement of the community in which he resides and the moral welfare of those with whom he has been brought into contact.
James Keister is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty- seven acres on the McNett gravel road, about two miles north of Williams- port, was born in Liberty township on the 3d of November, 1867, and is the son of Isaac and Susan (Ridenour) Keister, both of whom are deceased. Isaac Keister, who was a successful farmer, was a native of Ohio, but came to Warren county, Indiana, in a very early day, being numbered among the pioneers of this locality.
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James Keister, who spent his boyhood days with his parents, was early inured to the labors and hardships of the farm and he secured his educational training in the public schools of the home community. At the early age of eighteen years he started out in life on his own account and, in the strictest application of the word, he is a self-made man. He has applied himself closely to the work in hand and has never allowed outside attractions to draw him away from his vocation, in which he has achieved a noteworthy success. His farm is highly improved, the residence being attractive and conveniently ar- ranged, the barn substantial and commodious, while the general appearance of the fields and the quality of the products attest to the intelligent direction that the owner gives to the operation of the place.
Mr. Keister was happily married to Lettie Warner, the daughter of Joseph and Josephine Warner.
Mr. and Mrs. Keister are faithful friends of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which they give liberally of their time and means. In matters political, Mr. Keister is true to his conscience, voting for the men whom he considers best suited for office. He has the interests of the community deeply at heart and his support is given to every movement which promises to bene- fit the community. Genial and courteous, yet unassuming, he has won a host of warm personal friends who esteem him because of his genuine worth.
J. WALTER ROYAL.
Throughout an active and interesting career duty has ever been the motive of action of J. Walter Royal, one of the progressive agriculturists of Richland township, Fountain county, and usefulness to his fellow men has not been by any means a secondary consideration. He has performed well his part in life, and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to say that this locality is honored in his citizenship, for he has achieved definite success through his own efforts and has always stood for what is best in life, giving his support to all movements having for their object the advancement of the public welfare.
J. Walter Royal is a native son of Fountain county, having been born in Richland township on the 4th of December, 1865. He is descended from sterling pioneer ancestry, his father, Leonard Royal, having come to Foun- tain county as early as 1827. Leonard Royal was born in Madison town- ship, Butler county, Ohio, May 18, 1814, and was the son of James and
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the sebel. His political faith was first that of the Wing, the for the Royal. liem party. though he was not active in party afair. He was a high time Of the segue who fire inaugurated a . work of developing the section al the stage Front virgin forests and untan i prairie, to fertile fields and produce- tive farina Lift here in the pioneer ; criod was anything but a paradise, f .. they legar life here under the most weverse conditions. Practically ne clear. ing Had been done, and while they were clearing a wall spot and erecting their log cabin it was necessary to keep fires burning at night to prevent the wolves free attacking them. The completed calm was primitiv . in it. furnishings, and the culinary department was not upplied with much of a variety of foods, but and these conditions the sturdy pi meers persevered in their self-allotted task of creating a home and estate here on the frontier. and how well they succeeded is a matter of history, for today no section of the great Hoosier commonwealth affords a finer prospect than the section of which this work treats.
J. Walter Royal was treated under the parental roof and secured his education in the common schools of Richland township. He was reared to
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the life of a farmer and has had the wisdom and judgment to maintain his allegiance to the basic art of agriculture, which is the real foundation of our national prosperity and wealth. He is the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of splendid land in Richland township, all of which is cultivable except- ing about twenty-five acres, and the place is well improved, having a comforta- ble and attractive residence, substantial and commodious barns and other out- buildings, while the general appearance of the place reflects the greatest credit on the owner. Mr. Royal carried on general farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, in connection with which he also gives some attention to the raising of live stock, which he has found a profita- ble source of income. All in all, the Royal farm is one of the best and most valuable in the township and because of his success and personal worth Mr. Royal is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this kind.
Politically, Mr. Royal is a Progressive Republican, but he is not a seeker after public office. Fraternally, he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men.
J. Walter Royal was married to Vernie Meeker, the daughter of Jacob Meeker, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Royal have been born the following children: Carl L .; Hazel M., the wife of J. Roy Guy, a successful farmer in Richland township, and Halbert W., Retha J. and Leah A. The members of the family move in the best social circles of the community and are popular among their acquaintances. Mr. Royal is characterized by the most inflexible integrity in word and action and is numbered among the best men of the community, where he has always resided and is best known.
AUGUSTUS CLEM.
In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competency and a solid career of most individuals there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational chapter; but to a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of one who, without other means than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judgment, conquers adverse conditions and wins success. Among the success- ful and enterprising farmers of Warren county, Indiana, the subject of this sketch occupies an enviable position, because of his sterling qualities of character and genuine worth.
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Augustus Clem is the son of Peter and Phoebe ( Kitchen) Clem, and the grandson of Zachariah Clem, who spent most of his life in Warren county. The father of the subject always farmed and at the time of his death, in 1905, he owned forty acres of land. His widow, who is still living, was born in 1846, and they were married on February 1, 1866. They were the parents of nine children.
Augustus Clem first saw the light of day on October 11, 1869, and his youth was spent on the homestead farm, in the labors of which he took a part as soon as old enough. His education was received in the common schools, but his book learning has been supplemented during the subsequent years by much reading and habits of close observation. He was employed at farm labor for some years and then took up the carpenter trade, and, going to Danville. Illinois, was employed at his trade there for nine years. Subse- quently he decided to return to husbandry and, locating on his present farm, he has devoted himself assiduously to that calling. He is practical in his methods and unremitting in his industry, so it would be strange if success did not crown his efforts. He and his wife are the owners of two hundred and twenty acres of good land, about one hundred and seventy of which are in cultivation, the remainder being in second growth timber.
On August 3. 1890, Mr. Clem was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Lloyd ("Sam") Cunningham, who was born at the old Cunningham homestead in this township on December 9, 1865, the daughter of Cyrus and Mary T. (Oliphant) Cunningham. Her father, who died on July 4, 1903, was reared in Vermilion county, this state, but the latter part of his life was spent in Warren county, where he became very prosperous as a farmer, possessing at the time of his death fifteen hundred acres of good land. Mary T. Oliphant, to whom he was married on December 17, 1855, was born January 2, 1835, the daughter of Thomas and Rhodie Oliphant. Mrs. Cunningham is now making her home with her son, C. V. Cunningham, in Mound township. To Mr. and Mrs. Clem has been born one child, Marguerite, who married William Fox and is living at home with her parents, her husband engaged in farming. .
In politics Mr. Clem gives his support to the Democratic party, while, fraternally, he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America at Foster and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Covington. He is a man of excellent parts and by a life of right acts, backed by proper motives, he has earned the resepct of all who know him.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
JOHN L. CAVANAUGHI.
In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career on the part of a business man there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational cliapter; but to a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are nohle and imperishable les- sons in the career of an individual who, without other means than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity and finally wins, not only pecuni- ary independence, but, what is far greater and higher, the deserved respect and confidence of those with whom his active years have been spent.
John L. Cavanaugh, a leading business man and enterprising citizen of State Line, Warren county, Indiana, was born on January 21, 1873, at State Line, and is the son of Patrick and Mary ( Keegan) Cavanaugh and the grandson of Frank and Catherine ( Payor) Cavanaugh. Patrick Cavanaugh is, as his name indicates, of Irish birth, his birth having occurred in the Emerald Isle on September 19, 1826. At the age of eighteen years he went to England and was employed as a farmer in Yorkshire for four years and also worked in Lancashire. Then turning his face to the setting sun and the land of opportunity, he reached New York city in January, 1849. He was there employed for a time at brick-making, but later moved to Lafayette, Indiana, where he remained for two years when, being attacked by the ague, or "Wa- bash shakes," he went south for his health. His death occurred on July 11, 1912, and that of his wife on March 28, 1879. They were married on July 10, 1855, and became the parents of nine children, namely: Charles, Mary, Thomas, Ellen, Julia, James, William, Harvey and Lewis.
The subject of this sketch received a good practical education in the com- moti schools and upon attaining maturity he worked for his father, remain- ing with him for five years. He then engaged in the general merchandise business at State Line, in which he has remained to the present time, having met with a gratifying degree of success. He carried a large and varied line of such goods as are required by the local trade and he commands his full share of the local trade. He is the owner of the building in which his store is located, it being a two-story brick block, besides which he owns and man- ages the only livery stable in the town. Mr. Cavanaugh is also the owner of thirty acres of land, about half of which is under the plow, the remainder being in timber.
In May. 1906, Mr. Cavanaugh was united in marriage with Levina Sisk,
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a native of Warren county and the daughter of Jacob and Ann ( Clem) Sisk. To Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh have been born two children, Lloyd and Earl.
In religion Mr. Cavanaugh is a faithful member of the Catholic church, to which he gives liberally of his means. His political support is given to the Democratic party, and in 1908 he was elected trustee of Kent township, being the present incumbent of the office, the duties of which he is discharging in a manner satisfactory to his constituents. He is a man of excellent qualities. genial in manner, yet unassuming, and his friends are in number as his ac- quaintance.
J. C. HUSTON.
While the record of J. C. Huston is, in the main, like that of many other men, general mingling of life's joys and sorrows, triumphs and defeats, yet upon close scrutiny it is found that he has been the exponent of right living all along the line and that success has not come to him undeserving, for he has been willing to put forth the proper effort and "hew true to the line," and while he is not one of our large farmers, his little place in Mound town- ship, Warren county, is a model and ranks well with the best of neighboring farms in point of productiveness and improvement.
J. C. Huston is the son of George and Mary (Clark) Huston, the former of whom was born in the state of Ohio in 1816 and died in April, 1902. The subject's mother is also deceased. They were the parents of eight children, four boys and four girls, all of whom are living but one.
The subject of this sketch was born on August 18, 1854, in Johnson county, Indiana, southeast of Indianapolis, and he was there reared and secured a good common-school education. He was reared to the life of a farmer and he has steadily and persistently applied himself to that vocation, having met with a gratifying degree of success. He is now the owner of forty-seven acres of splendid land in Mound township, all of which is under the plow and producing abundant crops in return for the labor bestowed. The soil is maintained in good condition and has good natural drainage, no tiling being required. Here he has carried on diversified farming, giving proper attention to the rotation of the crops and other details of his work, so that his ability as a farmer is rated high among his fellow agriculturists.
Mr. Huston was married to Mrs. Carrie Stephens, who was born in June, '1852. She received a good public school education and prior to her marriage she was a popular and successful school teacher. Her father was
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Horatio Jones, the family home being at Franklin, Indiana. Mrs. Ilnston had been married prior to her union with the subject, her first husband having died about a year after marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Huston have been born five children.
In his political activities Mr. Huston is aligned with the Democratic party, to which he gives his earnest support. Fraternally, he belongs to State Line Lodge No. 240, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious connection is with the Christian church, to which he gives liberally of his time and means. In every relation of life he has been found true to every trust and he enjoys an excellent reputation in the community.
MISS JENNIE L. COFFMAN.
In one of the most exacting of all callings the subject of this sketch has attained distinction, being recognized as one of the most successful teachers in Fountain county. She is a well educated, symmetrically developed woman, her work as an educator having brought her prominently to the notice of the public, the result of which is a demand for her services where a high standard of professional excellence is required. She is a lady of scholarly tastes and studious habits, keeps abreast of the times in advanced educational methods and her general knowledge is broad and comprehensive.
Jennie L. Coffman is the daughter of Levi and Anna (Kneale) Coffman, and her paternal grandfather was Joseph Coffman, a native of Ohio. Levi Coffman was born on December 22, 1822, in Perry county, Pennsylvania. His wife, who was born at Island Ann, England, was brought to the United States when five years old. They were married on November 25, 1855, in Ohio, and became the parents of four children, namely: Joseph, of Attica, Indiana; Jennie L., the immediate subject of this sketch; Logan, of Danville, Illinois; Nelson is deceased. The parents of these children are deceased, the father dying on March 18, 1893, and the mother on December 2, 1901. Levi Coffman followed the profession of surveyor while a resident of Ohio and was considered an expert in his line. At the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in the Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a private, but, because of meritorious services he was promoted, first to second lieutenant, then to first lieutenant, and was assigned to duty on the staff of General Blair. He took part in the bloody battle at Peach Tree Creek and was in several other severe engagements, besides many
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skirmishes, enduring all the hardships and vicissitudes of a soldier's life until 1864, when he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home.
After the war, Mr. Coffman returned to the practice of surveying, but later, when he came to Attica, Indiana, he also entered the lumber business. He served as surveyor of Fountain county for several years and stood high in the community where he lived. He was a man of good education and sterling qualities of character and enjoyed the personal esteem of all who knew him, those who knew him best being his warmest friends.
Jennie L. Coffman secured a good preliminary education in the common schools and then, having decided to take up teaching, she entered the State Normal School . Terre Haute. At the age of sixteen years she accepted her first school and so pronounced was her success as a pedagogue that she has continued to apply her efforts in this line. She is now employed as a teacher in the fifth grade in the Attica public schools. She has, by her ability as a teacher and her tactful treatment of the pupils under her care, earned warm commendations from both school hoard and school patrons.
Miss Coffman has been successful as a teacher and has been equally successful in winning and retaining friends, who honor her for her genuine worth. She is the owner of the house where she resides. Religiously, she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which she gives a faithful and earnest support.
ALEXANDER T. SAYERS.
It is with a great degree of satisfaction to the biographer when he reverts to the life of one who has made a success in any vocation requiring definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a life, whether it be one of prosaic endeavor or radical accomplishment, abounds in valuable les- son and incentive to those who have become discouraged in the fight for recognition or to the youth whose future is undetermined. For a number of years Alexander T. Sayers, one of Fountain county's most progressive agri- culturists and highly respected citizens, has directed his efforts toward the goal of success and by patient continuance has won. He belongs to that class of substantial citizens whose lives do not show any meteoric effects, but who by their support of the moral, political and social status for the general good, promote the real welfare of their respective communities and are therefore deserving of honorable mention on the pages of history.
Mr. Sayers was born in Tippecanoe county. Indiana, November 21, 1840,
MR. AND MRS. ALEXANDER T. SAYERS.
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and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Frogge) Sayers. The father came from Virginia in 1831 and settled in Jackson township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, beginning there as a pioneer, developed a good farm by his industry and there spent the balance of his life. The mother of the subject came fron Tennessee, her parents emigrating to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1837, and here she grew to womanhood and married Robert Sayers, and they be- came the parents of thirteen children, five of whom are still living. The elder Sayers was a Democrat, but he was a quiet home man and never sought or held office, having devoted his life to general farming.
Alexander T. Sayers grew to manhood on the home farmi and he re- ceived his education in the public schools of his home community, and later attended business college at Indianapolis. In his early life he taught school for some time, and, although he was making some progress as an educator, he abandoned the school room and took up agricultural pursuits and stock raising as a life work. He is now the owner of seventy-eight acres of well improved and productive land in Davis township, Fountain county, on which stands a commodious and attractive home, and an excellent group of out- buildings. The improvements on this place were made, for the most part. by his father-in-law, with whom the subject farmed, shipped live stock and fed stock on a large scale for a number of years, in all of which they were exceptionally successful. Mr. Carter and Mr. Sayers leased the Purdue stock farm in Warren county for about five years, and managed it in a manner that brought them a satisfactory annual income and proved him to be a modern twentieth-century agriculturist in every respect. This place. consists of twenty-two hundred acres.
Mr. Sayers was married on October 1, 1867, to Caroline Carter, daugh- ter of Samuel and Annie ( Mills) Carter, who came from Hamilton county, Ohio, and settled in Davis township, Fountain county, and here they were married. They became the parents of five children, namely : Mrs. Margaret Beach is deceased; Mrs. 'Elizabeth Bever was the second child; James F. lives in. Davis township; Caroline, who became the wife of Mr. Sayers, of this sketch.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sayers, namely: Julia married Everett Davis, of Jackson township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana : William C. is a merchant at Wingate; Agnes D. married Ira Meharry, of Jackson township, Tippecanoe county, secretary of the National Horse Thief and Detective Association; Robert F., the fourth child of the subject, also lives in Jackson township, Tippecanoe county ; Samuel C. married Nellie
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Bridges. He is a graduate of DePauw University at Greencastle, Indiana, is a merchant and is at present city clerk of the town in which he resides.
Politically, Alexander T. Sayers is a Democrat, but he has never aspired to public office. He belongs to the Methodist church at Shawnee Mound, Fountain county.
F. R. PENCE.
Success as an agriculturist does not come to the indolent and the care- less, but to those who plan well and are persistent in the execution of their tasks, neither can large returns, be expected in a short time -- it takes years to do big things in any line, and one cannot develop a modern farm in a few months. Realizing that it meant hard and consecutive endeavor to be- come successful as a husbandman, F. R. Pence has sought to utilize every. moment and every opportunity in his chosen vocation of farming and has therefore succeeded.
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