USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 60
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 60
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Cornelius; Gertrude, Mrs. Murray; Vilinda, Mrs. Ross, deceased; William R., Cordelia, Martha A., Mrs. Frame; Olive, deceased; Ezekiel, and Cecelia, Mrs. High. The father of these children was a devout member of the Christian church and was a good man and true. His influence was always on the right side of every moral question and he took a leading part in the material advancement of the community.
Cornelius and Ezekiel French, who are devoting their time and atten- tion to the operation of the home farm, are men of excellent standing in their locality and have ably demonstrated their efficiency as practical and successful farmers. They are both Democrats in their political affiliations and take an intelligent interest in public affairs, being numbered among the best families of the township.
SIMEON BOOTH.
Among the leading agriculturists and large land owners of Fountain county is Simeon Booth, who has achieved marked prestige in his calling and occupies an influential position as an enterprising man of affairs and public spirited citizen. His father, Benjamin Booth, who was long a representative farmer of Fountain county, is now living a life of honorable retirement; the mother of the subject previous to her marriage was Miss Barbara Deer; she bore her husband eight children, namely: Charles G., Eliza, Simeon, Mattie, Ola, John and James, the third and seventh of the number being deceased.
Simeon Booth was born November 2, 1872, in Pine township, Fountain county, Indiana, and grew up under excellent home influences, receiving a fair education in the public schools. Reared to farm labor, he early mani- fested the traits of character which make for honorable manhood and while still a youth he laid broad and deep a foundation for future usefulness. During his minority he assisted his father on the farm and on becoming of legal age chose agriculture for his calling and has since followed the same with the most gratifying success. Some idea of his industry and judicious business management may be obtained from the fact of his having owned three good farms since his twenty-first year, the one now in his possession, and which he makes his home, consisting of three hundred and ten acres of valuable land on which are some of the best improvements in Fountain county.
Mr. Booth is enterprising in the broadest sense of the term and as a
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progressive farmer, fully abreast of the times on all matters relating to modern agriculture, he stands in the front rank of the men of his vocation in the township of his residence. In the matter of citizenship he is public spirited, wide awake, essentially a man of the times and well fitted to dis- charge the duties incumbent upon him as an influential factor of the body politic. On the leading questions of the day he has pronounced views which he hesitates not to express when occasions require and in all that relates to the material progress of the country and the general welfare of his fellow men his voice is heard in no uncertain sound.
At the age of twenty-two Mr. Booth was united in the bonds of matri- mony with Daisy Shafer, a popular young lady of Fountain county who has nobly seconded him in all of his endeavors and contributed not a little to the success which he has achieved. This union, a very agreeable and happy one, has been blessed with four children. Mr. Booth and family attend the Christian church, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor. Both are interested in charitable and benevolent work and their efforts in these directions have been greatly appreciated by the recipients of their benefac- tions.
JAMES ANDERSON.
Among the men who liave been active in the affairs of Warren county, Indiana, is James Anderson, cominonly known as "Uncle Jim," in his com- munity. As is indicated by the name bestowed upon him, Mr. Anderson is a very popular and prominent man. He has held almost every political office the county can bestow, and has been very faithful and efficient in every posi- tion of trust.
James Anderson was born June 10, 1840, in Warren county, Ohio, the son of Joshua and Harriet (Crosley) Anderson. His father was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and, as a young man, he learned the trade of a cooper in his native state, and was engaged in that business for a number of years. Later in life, after he went to Warren county, Ohio, he became interested in farming. He was married in Warren county and reared his family of eleven children there.
James Anderson's boyhood was spent on the farm in Ohio, where he attended the common schools and obtained his early education. When he was thirteen years of age the family moved to Indiana, his father having purchased a farm in Warren county, Indiana. His mother died in 1863
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and his father married a second wife, Eunice Prosser. They only had one child. While he finished his education, and afterwards, when he was teach- ing school, James Anderson stayed at home, working on the farm during his vacations.
March 27, 1862, Mr. Anderson married Margery A. Grames, the daughter of James and Elizabeth ( Palmer) Grames. James Grames came from Ireland with his family, and settled in Ohio, near Hamilton, and later came to Warren county, Indiana. The family was educated in Indiana. There were nine children, of which Mrs. Anderson was the seventh. She has one brother, John Grames, living in Warren county. James Anderson has one sister, Kezziah, living. She is the wife of Amos Gilger, and lives in Benton county, Indiana.
James and Margery Anderson are the parents of eight children living and . dead. Their first child, Emma, died at the age of twenty-one. Harriett is the wife of James Pope and has four children, Vaughn, Roy, Loupert and James. William Anderson married Elizabeth Jones and they are the parents of three children, Malcolm, Margery and Marshall. Frank married Lena Darco, and they have one boy, Robert. Jennie is the wife of Augustus Broody and the mother of four children, Gereldine, Florence, Aline and Arnett. Joshua married Myrtle Darco. Pearl is the wife of William Hartz and they have three children, Fred C., Robert E., and Wilmer, who is dead. Minnie is the wife of Fred Holz, whose sketch will be found in this work. They have one child, Charles Frederick. James, the eighth child, married Ethel Wood, and they have one child.
On August 14, 1862, Mr. Anderson left his wife and home and enlisted in Company D, Eighty-sixth Indiana Infantry, Army of the Cumberland. His three years of service is the same story of trial and hardships, heroism and triumph, that so many of our veterans carry in their memories. The most important battles in which Mr. Anderson took part were those of Stone River, Tennessee, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Peach Tree Creek, Kene- saw Mountain and Nashville, Tennessee. He was taken prisoner at Stone River, but was exchanged after about a month, and returned to his regiment. He was sergeant in Company D, and was one of the bravest men during the trials of the long forced marches as well as on the field. Mr. Anderson was one of the many Northern soldiers who experienced the terrors of Libby prison in Richmond, and after his release he was paroled for a while.
After the war Mr. Anderson came back to what he calls "God's country," to serve in civil life as faithfully as in the times of bloodshed. He bought
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land in Warren county and commenced farming, slowly adding to his posses- sions until he had about eighty acres of land. He had brought his land to a high state of cultivation, and it was very productive when he left it in 1887 and moved to Williamsport, to become county treasurer. He served in this office one term of two years, and was then deputy sheriff for two terms. Since that time Mr. Anderson has seldom been out of the service of the public. Among the offices he held were those of marshal of Williamsport and township assessor. Mr. Anderson was also a member of the town council.
Mr. Anderson and his wife are also very prominent in the social activi- ties. On March 27,1912, he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. It was a great event in the community and all of their large family was there. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and are very prominent in all church activities. Mr. Anderson and his wife belong to the Grand Army of the Republic Circle. They are one of the oldest and most highly respected families in the county and are well known for their public spirit and unwavering loyalty to their friends and neighbors. The biographies of such men as Mr. Anderson will be of great benefit to future generations.
JAMES ELWOOD ANDERSON.
Among the younger agriculturists of Warren county, Indiana, who have won for themselves reputations for industry, perseverance and sound judg- ment, none occupies a more enviable position in the esteem of his fellow farmers than James E. Anderson, of Washington township.
Mr. Anderson was born on November 3, 1885, in Warren county, on a farm near Locust Grove, and is the son of James and Margaret Anderson, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared to the life of a farmer and has had the prescience and good judgment to continue in this line, in which there is a larger degree of independence and more certain returns than any other vocation. He is a careful and conservative man in his business affairs and yet sufficiently progressive to permit of his keeping up with twentieth-century ideas and methods, so that among his fellow citizens he has enjoyed a reputation as a representative farmer of his locality.
In 1907 Mr. Anderson was married to Ethel Woods, the daughter of Fletcher and Harriet (James) Woods. Fletcher Woods, who is a native son and long a representative citizen and enterprising farmer of this county,
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is now living retired in Lebanon, Indiana. He is the father of seven children, namely : Mrs. Nellie Watson, Mrs. Minnie Wood, Mrs. Grace Day, Mrs. Ethel Anderson, Russell, Dorothy, DeLoon (deceased). To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson has been born one child, Juanita, who is four years old.
Politically, Mr. Anderson has always been aligned with the Republican party, and has been active in its support. His ability and integrity have been recognized by his fellow citizens, who elected him to the responsible posi- tion of township trustee, his administration of the office being characterized by good judgment and sound business principles. Religiously, he is a mem- ber of the Christian church, with which society the members of the family are affiliated. In every avenue of life's activities in which he has engaged, Mr. Anderson has faithfully done his best and he has honestly earned all lie possesses today, so that he is fairly entitled to the respect that is accorded him throughout the community in which he resides.
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JOHN M. BONEBRAKE.
Few men of Fountain county were as widely and favorably known as the late John M. Bonebrake. He was one of the strong and influential citizens whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this community and for years his name was synonymous for all that constituted honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, combined with everyday common sense, were among his chief characteristics and while advancing individual success he also largely pro- moted the moral and material welfare of his community.
John M .. Bonebrake was born near Yeddo, Fountain county, Indiana, on June 20, 1846, and was the son of Tobias and Orpha Caroline (Waynick) Bonebrake, the mother a native of North Carolina. The father came from Preble county, Ohio, in a very early day, his father having settled at Bone- brake Corners, southeast of Veedersburg. The latter, Adam Bonebrake, was a soldier in the war of 1812.
The subject of this sketch was reared to the life of a farmer and always followed that calling. His fine farm, which was located in Mill Creek town- ship, was always maintained at the highest standard and its appearance indi- cated the owner to be a man of excellent taste and good judgment. He was successful financially in his operations so that in 1906 he was enabled to give up the active work of the farm and retired to his comfortable and at-
John. M. Bonebrake
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tractive home in Veedersburg, where he resided until his death, which oc- curred on November 14, 1910. His death was sincerely mourned, for he was considered a man of unusual qualities and strength of character.
Mr. Bonebrake was twice married, first, on March 17, 1870, to Mary J. Myers, the daughter of Jacob and Saralı (Harrison) Myers. Her parents were natives respectively of North Carolina and Kentucky, coming to Parke county, Indiana, many years ago. To the subject's first marriage one child was born, Arletta L., who became the wife of Howard Jones, of Mill Creek township. Mrs. Mary Bonebrake died in 1886, at the age of thirty-six years, and on February 1, 1891, Mr. Bonebrake married Mary E. Watts, nee Ewbank, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Ratcliff) Ewbank. Her paternal grandfather, Lancelot, came from England over one hundred years ago with his father, Jolin, and settled on Tanner's creek, Dearborn county, with his family. Subsequently he moved to Parke county and settled near Russell's Mills, where he died. He spent his life in the pursuits of farming. Jacob Ewbank settled on Scott's prairie, near Steam Corner, where he fol- lowed farming, but later moved three miles east of Kingman, where he died in March, 1902. Prior to her marriage to Mr. Bonebrake, Mrs. Bonebrake had been the wife of David Watts, who was born, reared and died in Foun- tain county, his death occurring at the home three miles east of Kingman on July 28, 1886. He was the son of James and Margaret A. (Sowers) Watts, natives of Ohio and North Carolina, respectively, who moved to Fountain county, Indiana, settling near Wallace, and later locating near Kingman. By her first marriage to David Watts there were born two children, an infant, deceased, and Elizabeth, at home.
Mr. Bonebrake always displayed a keen interest in public affairs and at one time he served as trustee of Sugar Creek township, giving to the dis- charge of his official duties the same careful attention that he did to his private affairs. He was a prime mover in the organization of the Veeders- burg Bank, of which he was elected president, retaining the position until his death, and was also president of the Citizens Bank of Kingman. Much of the splendid success which came to these institutions was due to the untiring efforts and personal influence of Mr. Bonebrake, who always threw his full energies into every project with which he was connected. He had a keen interest in the moral and ethical things of life and was prominent in Sunday school work, rendering efficient and appreciated service for ten years as superintendent of the Sunday schools of the county. His religious member- ship was with the United Brethren church, to which he gave faithful service
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and earnest support, contributing to the Bonebrake Theological Seminary at Dayton, Ohio, lands located in Thomas county, Kansas, now valued at a hun- dred thousand dollars, and to Indiana Central University, University Heights, Indianapolis, Indiana, a very liberal gift in cash and lands.
In every relation of life Mr. Bonebrake was characterized by a sincerity of motive and a soundness of judgment which at once gained for him the friendship and the respect of all who were conversant with his record. He was a man of good executive ability and his advice in business affairs was valued highly by those who had occasion to confer with him. The ties of home and family were dear to him, in whom the social and domestic instinct was strong, and the spirit of hospitality always characterized the home life.
GARRETT V. HILLIARD.
The subject of this sketch is a farmer of distinctive prestige and an old and worthy citizen whom to know is to esteem and honor. His life has been an active and useful one, his influences, always exercised for the general welfare, has made for the best interests of all with whom he mingles and it is not too much to claim for him a notable place among the leading men of his calling in the township where he has so long resided. Voris Hilliard, father of the subject, moved from Ohio to Montgomery county, Indiana, in 1837, and after living there until 1859. changed his residence to Fountain county, where he spent the remainder of his days. His wife, also of Ohio birth and who before her marriage was Miss Sarah Crane, bore him several children, all of whom grew to maturity and became well known and respected in their several communities.
Garrett V. Hilliard, who first saw the light of day in Butler county, Ohio, in the year 1835, was quite young when his parents moved to Indiana and he spent his early life in the county of Montgomery. He attended the district schools as opportunities afforded in his youth, assisted with the work of the farm as soon as old enough to be of service and later turned his atten- tion to carpentry, at which he worked for a number of years and in which he acquired much more than ordinary proficiency and skill. He continued his mechanical labor for some time after becoming a resident of Fountain county in 1835, and many farm dwellings and other edifices in various parts of the country still bear testimony of his skill as a builder and master of his trade. Later he discontinued carpentry to engage in agricultural pursuits and, as
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already indicated, he has long been one of the leading inen of the latter vocation in hi., township, owning at this time a farm of two hundred and eight acres on the Range gravel road, which he has greatly improved, his buildings of all kinds, fences, etc., being among the best in the locality.
Mr. Hilliard has not been negligent in the matter of beautifying his home and making it attractive, to the end that it might prove the happiest spot in the world to its inmates and to which they might revert with pleasing memories after leaving the parental roof and establishing homes of their own. Being a man of domestic tastes, he has always manifested an abiding interest in his home and its affairs and in the midst of his family he finds his greatest enjoyment and the content which has ever proved the jewelled crown of the well spent life. In the best sense of the term, he is a self-made man, as he began to make his way in the world without assistance save that supplied by his strong arms and a sturdy purpose and that he has succeeded well in his undertakings, the fine home and ample competence in his posses- sion bear abundant evidence.
Mr. Milliard was married to Sarah Jones, who has borne him children as follows: George, Matilda, Jonathan, Albert, Arthur, Addie, Edna, Bruce and John, the majority of whom are heads of families and well settled in life.
ELIJAH W. BEVER.
The public spirited man is the one who takes as active an interest in the affairs of his community as he does in his own, making the cause of public good his own, and it is not only the men who hold public office, but more often those who stay out of the limelight, to whom the real credit for much local im- provement may be given. It is to the public spirited men in Fountain county, lending so much of their energy, personal influence and power to the building up of its institutions, who have built up the various districts, and the history of Fountain county, and more particularly of Jackson township, would be in- complete without the biography of Elijah W. Bevevr.
His grandfather, John Bever, came from Ohio and took up government land in Cain township, Fountain county, Indiana, when his son Issie was a boy. They cleared out a farm near Hillsboro, Indiana, and John Bever spent the rest of his days working on the place. Issie Bever married Laura Jane Lowe, and they had six children : George is a farmer in Jackson town-
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ship; Perry died in 1900; Mary E. married Henry Schoaf, and lives in Veedersburg, Indiana; Martha, who is dead, was the wife of Thomas Keller, a farmer in Jackson township; Minnie married Charles Cory, and lives in Veedersburg, Indiana; Elijalı was born in Cain township, near Hillsboro, July 25, 1863. Afterwards Issic Bever and wife moved to the southern part of the county and Mr. Bever was one of the foremost men in building up that part of Fountain county. He was supervisor, and opened up some of the first roads in that district, himself blazing two miles of road in Jackson township. He was a Democrat, and was undoubtedly one of the most public spirited men in that part of the country. When he died on his farm, April 6, 1907, the whole community mourned the loss of a man who had done so much for the good of all.
Elijah Bever is a man well fitted to carry on the good work commenced by his father, and has one of the most highly cultivated farms near Kingman, Indiana. In 1885 he married Mary E. Schoaf, daughter of David and Mary A. (Sowers) Schoaf. They have had six children: Grover, James and Ruby are dead; Ora, Charles and Effie are at home with their parents on the old farm which their grandfather first cleared.
Elijah Bever has seen most of the land in Jackson township cleared and has taken an active part in building up the community out of the very forest. He has cleared a lot of land for himself and now owns about three hundred acres of land in Jackson township, besides two hundred and thirty-three acres in Mississippi. Almost all of his land is tillable, though he has some timber and some pasture lands. The land which he farms is very productive, un- doubtedly due to the constant and careful attention which has been given it and the systematic methods used. Besides general farming, Mr. Bever is interested in the raising of graded stock, raising particularly fine hogs and cattle, some of which he ships. Mr. Bever has made all of the improvements on his place himself and has a nice home. He is a Democrat, taking his father's place in party interests. For four years he was a member of the advisory board, after which he resigned. Mr. Bever is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of Ainerica.
The work of Elijah Bever has been recognized in his community and his influence is felt in all public movements. He has been successful in his own affairs, and his advice is valued in all propositions that affect the district. Men who have thus made the most of their opportunities, growing up with a new country, have a rich reward in sceing the results of their work, and words can add little to the satisfaction of work well done.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
JOSEPII HENDERSON.
In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship Joseph Hender- son, one of the best known of Warren county farmers, is a notable example and none stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the commun- ity honored by his citizenship. His career has been characterized by duty faithfully done and by industry, thrift and wisely directed efforts he has earned a reputation which has never been clouded by unworthy acts. He is a man of good judgment and pronounced views and while keeping himself well informed on current events and taking a lively interest in all public affairs of his township and county he has not been a persistent office seeker, though he has been induced to accet the office of supervisor, which he is now filling to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He has worked hard and knows how to appreciate the true dignity of labor and to place a correct estimate upon the value of money. He stands ever ready to support all measures for the material and moral welfare of the community. He is one of our esteemed citizens, having lived here all his life and been a witness to much of the wonderful develoment of this section of the state and here he has played most excellently his part in the drama of civilization.
Joseph Henderson is a native of the county in which he now lives, having been born in Warren county, Indiana, on the 24th of December, 1847. He is the son of Joseph and Phoebe (Wells) Henderson, both of whom are now deceased, the father dying in 1850, being survived nearly four decades by his widow, who passed away on the 18th of March, 1887. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are deceased, the only survivor besides the subject of this sketch being a sister, Mrs. Amanda Wright, who lives in Oklahoma.
Mr. Henderson attended the common schools in his youth, receiving a fair education, which he has supplemented during his life by much reading and close observation. The early death of his father deprived him of that share of parental care, though the widowed mother bravely endeavored to rear her family as best she could, and well did she perform her task. Joseph Henderson has always been an energetic, hard-working man, giving faithful attention to the task before him, so that today he enjoys the friendship and good will of all who know him.
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