USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 61
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 61
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In 1880 Joseph Henderson married Samantha Sisk, who was born in Warren county, Indiana, on December 19, 1857, the daughter of William and Martha (Reed) Sisk, and they have two children, Rosa, who married
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Charles Owens, a farmer in Kent township, and George, who is operating the farm on which the subject of this sketch now lives. He is unmarried.
Joseph Henderson has given a lifelong support to the Democratic party and, as stated in the opening paragraph, he is now serving as supervisor Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being an earnest supporter of the same.
G. W. JOHNSON.
To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural section of our country is due to the honest industry, the sturdy persistence, the unswerving perseverance and the wise economy which so prominently characterize the farming element of the Hoosier state. Among this class may be mentioned the subject of this life record, who, by reason of years of indefatigable labor and honest effort, has not only acquired a well merited material prosperity, but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he is asso- ciated. Mr. Johnson has preferred to spend his life in his native community, believing that richer opportunities existed near his own threshhold than else- where. He represents one of the old and sturdy families of the section of the Wabash valley of which this history deals, the Johnsons having played well their part in the affairs of the same from the early days to the present time and the subject has sought to keep the good name of his progenitors untar- nished.
G. W. Johnson was born in Wabash township, Fountain county, In- diana, October 1, 1867, and is the son of Elias and Martha J. (Cooper) Johnson. Elias Johnson was a native of Ohio, from which state he came to Fountain county in the early days of its settlement, locating first in Troy township, where he remained for some time, then moved to Wabash town- ship, where'through industry and close attention to general farming, he became very comfortably established, rearing his children there and continuing to make that his home until his death in 1898. His widow survives, making her home with her son, G. W. Johnson, of this review; she is now sixty-four years old.
To Elias Johnson and wife two children were born, G. W., of this sketch, and Elizabeth, who married Owen Osley, a farmer of Wabash township, this county.
G. W. Johnson was educated in the common schools of his community
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and he grew to manhood on the home farin, where he assisted his father with the general work and under so able a preceptor mastered the various phases of farming and stock raising. His education was interrupted on ac- count of trouble with his eyes and he was forced to leave school earlier than he had intended on this account. Early in life he took up farming for a live- lihood and this has continued to claim his attention together with raising a high grade of live stock. 'He is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land, eighty acres of which is under a high suite of cultivation. It is well improved and is kept in first class condition. He follows mixed farm- ing, though he is partial to his live stock breeding, and his Red Polled cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs find a very ready market whenever offered for sale owing to their superior quality. He has been a breeder of cattle for the past twelve years, and no small part of his income has been derived from this source, since he knows well the care of live stock and he annually ships large numbers to market. He carries on farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, and in connection with his own farm he rents a farm of three hundred and forty acres, known as the Bodine place, which he is managing in a mias- terly manner and forcing it to yield abundantly.
Politically, Mr. Johnson is a Democrat and is more or less active in local affairs. He is a member of the advisory board of Wabash township.
W. H. FORD.
There are few who can more justly claim the proud American title of self-made man than W. H. Ford, farmer and stock raiser of Prairie town- ship, Warren county, Indiana, for early in life he started out for himself and when quite young learned to depend upon himself. His educational privileges were comparatively limited and no special advantages fitted him for the cares and responsibilities of life, but he was industrious, determined, ambitious and resolute, and these qualities stood him instead of fortune, enabling him to overcome the difficulties and obstacles in his path and work his way steadily upward to the place where success places the laurel upon the victor's brow.
The subject of this sketch is a native of the state of Illinois, having been born in Vermilion county on the 2d of August, 1862. His parents were Benjamin and Abigail (Fleming) Ford, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Warren county, Indiana. The strennons labors of the frontier farm compelled the subject of this sketch to remain with his father until he was about twenty-three years old.
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On April 16, 1885, Mr. Ford married Nettie Pugh, a native of Warren county, Indiana, and the daughter of George and Sarah ( Botter) Pugh, pioneers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Ford set up their household goods in Illinois, removing to Warren county, Indiana, in the spring of 1887, and so well satisfied was he with his location that he has remained there to the present. They commenced here in a very modest way necessarily, but as time passed they were, by careful management and persistent industry, enabled to add to their possessions until today they own as fine a farm as can be found in their locality.
Mr. and Mrs. Ford have become the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living. Three of these are married and four are at home.
Politically, Mr. Ford has all his life supported the Republican party, believing firmly in the principles as declared in the party platforms. Though intelligently interested in public affairs, he has never craved public office, being content to cast his ballot in accordance with the dictates of his con- science. Personally, his success in life has not spoiled him in the least. He is affable and approachable, of pleasing. personality and popular with all who meet him, either socially. or in business.
JOHN H. WILSON.
John H. Wilson, county recorder of Warren county, is one of the most prominent men in that section of Indiana and is one of the most trustworthy and respected officials in the state. He is a man of sterling integrity and the highest moral standards. He is progressive and always puts forth his efforts in the behalf of every enterprise that leads toward the building up of his home city, being interested in social and municipal improvements and always battling for cleaner government and more just ballots. He is one of the most highly respected citizens of Williamsport, Indiana.
John H. Wilson was born in Wabash county, Indiana, August 10, 1850. He was the son of Peyton and Rebecca (Messersmith) Wilson, both of whom were natives of Indiana. Peyton Wilson was born in Rush county October 11, 1827, and his wife was born in Wabash county in September, 1832. Mr. Wilson was a shoemaker by trade. He came to Warren county April 15, 1864, and continued to reside in this county until his death, in Jan- uary, 1911. Mrs. Wilson died in 1897. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living: Oka is the wife of James Gephart, of At-
JOHN H. WILSON.
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tica, Indiana; Lilly Belle is the widow of Enoch Glover, of Attica; George IV. Wilson lives near Huntsville, Texas; Charles F. is thought to live near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Ora Wilson lives near Attica, Indiana.
John H. Wilson was born in Wabash county and was educated in the common schools there. He also attended school at Antioch, Huntington county, Indiana, and West Lebanon, Warren county. He came to Warren county with his father April 15, 1864, and located on a farm about five miles northwest of West Lebanon, Indiana. He lived there one year, and then mnoved about a mile north of Williamsport. Later he moved to Attica for eighteen months, and then returned to West Lebanon. He worked on a farm until 1865 and then decided to learn the shoemaker's trade, under his father's direction. He followed this business for forty years, until 1905, when he was called upon for public service. During this period, with the exception of a few months which he spent in the West, he lived in West Lebanon.
In 1904 Mr. Wilson was elected to the office of county recorder and took office in January, 1905, being re-elected in 1908. In 1874 he was married to Amanda Briggs, of West Lebanon, the daughter of David and Minerva (Cronkhite) Briggs. They are the parents of two children: Oscar Eustace was born October 29, 1876, and died May 21, 1911 : Luta Helen is the wife of E. D. Westfall, of Montezuma, Bailey county, Texas.
Mr. Wilson is a Mason, belonging to Blue Lodge No. 352, of West Lebanon, and Attica Chapter No. 105, Royal Arch Masons. He and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star at Williamsport, and they and their daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wilson has always stood for clean politics and has fought the political machine in his part of the country. He is a Progressive Republican and one of the leaders of his party in his community. Mr. Wilson has the distinction of being the first county official to be examined by the state board of examiners, and they found in balancing up his accounts and investigating his books that he had paid the county eight dollars too much. They complimented him on the condition of his books, stating that he had the best set in the state.
John H. Wilson is conceded to be one of the best county officials in the state. He has always been honest in his endeavors and has been successful in championing the cause of the voter. He has been untiring in his efforts in his part of the country to give every man a fair opportunity and to do his part in banishing the control of machine politics. He is trusted by his friends and neighbors, who recognize in him the honest politician who is so great a power for good in this country. The results of his work and influence will continue many years in the district where he has made his home.
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIANA.
CHARLES
DYSERT.
Biographies should not be published unless there is something in the life and character of the individual worthy of emulation or imitation by others under like circumstances-certainly not for self-aggrandizeinent ; but, sufficient has been drawn from the life history of Charles Dysert, one of the large land owners of Liberty township, and one of Warren county's inost progressive agriculturists, to show that there is something in the inner life of this man worthy of more than incidental mention. He began life prac- tically at the bottom of the ladder, which he has climbed to the top with no help but a brave heart, industrious hands and an intelligent brain, and is a living example of what may be accomplished in this nature-favored country of ours by thrift and perseverance, even under circumstances that are fre- quently discouraging.
Charles Dysert was born in 1868 and is a son of Eynon and Margaret (Jones) Dysert. The father, who was a native of Ross county, Ohio, came to Warren county, Indiana, in young manhood, settling on a farm in Prairie township, his holdings comprising one hundred and sixty acres. He was the father of eleven children, of which number the subject of this sketch is the second in order of birth. The paternal grandfather was David Dysert, who moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and later brought the family to Indiana.
The subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof and his early education was received in the common schools, his vacation periods being spent in work on the home farm. He has always devoted his efforts to farming and stock raising and has met with more than ordinary success. When twenty-two years old he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land near Tab, to which he has added until he now owns over three hundred acres there. He also owns two hundred and forty acres on Pine creek and has a fine and valuable walnut grove located about a mile north of his present resi- dence. Altogether, he is the owner of about eight hundred acres of fine land, practically all of which he has acquired by his own exertions and careful business management. He is a general farmer, raising all the crops common to this section of country, and in his cultivation of the soil he adopts twentieth- century methods and ideas, so that he has been enabled to realize the largest returns at a minimum expenditure of effort. He has been very successful in the handling of live stock and keeps about one hundred and fifty head of cattle on his farm, finding them a very profitable source of income. Many fine improvements are to be found on the farms owned by Mr. Dysert and the
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general appearance of the places indicates the owner to be a man of sound judgment and excellent discrimination.
Politically, Mr. Dysert renders stanch allegiance to the Democratic party and takes a keen interest in its success. Every movement having for its object the betterment of the community in any way has his sincere support and by all classes he is regarded as a man of the highest integrity and honor. Genial and unassuming by nature, he has made many warm friends and is liked by all who know him.
ALONZO HARTZ.
That the plenitude of satiety is seldom obtained in the affairs of life is to be considered a most beneficial deprivation, for when ambition is satisfied and every ultimate aim is realized, if such be possible, individual apathy must follow. Effort would ccase, accomplishment be prostrate, and creative talent waste its energies in inactivity. The men who have pushed forward the wheels of progress have been those to whom satisfaction lies ever in the future, who have labored continuously, always finding in each transition stage an incentive to further effort. Alonzo Hartz, a well known agricul- turist of Liberty township, Warren county, Indiana, is one whose well- > directed efforts have gained for him a position of desirable prominence in the locality honored by his residence, and it is with a feeling of satisfaction that the biographer essays the task of touching briefly upon the salient points in .his career, which has been such as to be well worth considering by the youth standing at the parting of the ways, for it shows that success may be achieved by perseverance, fidelity to duty and loyalty to proper ideals.
Alonzo Hartz, familiarly known as "Lon," is a native son of Warren county, having been born in Jordan township on November 2, 1867. He is the son of Adam and Mary (Gerkin) Hartz, the former of whom was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania. He came to Indiana in boyhood, with only fifty cents in his pocket, but by industry and careful business habits he met with a fair measure of success. He and his wife became the parents of eight children, of which number the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth.
Alonzo Hartz secured a good practical education in the common schools of his township and when old enough he was put to work on the farm. He has never seen any reason to change his calling, feeling that agriculture of- fered as good opportunities, if not better, than any other line of work. His
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIAN.A.
farm in Liberty township is numbered among the best in the locality and is maintained by Mr. Ilartz in tip-top condition at all times. Ile gives proper attention to the rotation of crops and such other phases as contribute to the successful handling of a farm. In addition to the tilling of the soil, he gives some attention to the raising of live stock, which he has found to be a profit- able source of income.
Mr. Hartz was united in marriage with Elizabeth Kelly, the daughter . of William Kelly, a farmer, and they have become the parents of two chil- dren, Bernice and Earl.
. Mr. Hartz's religious belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gives a hearty support. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. A wide reader and a keen observer of men and events, Mr. Hartz is considered a well informed man and because of the excellencies of his character he has won and retains the sincere respect of all who know him.
AARON LARCH.
In referring to the lives and deeds of those who carried on the onerous work of developing the virgin land of Warren county, Indiana, and thus laying the foundation for that prosperity and precedence which now charac- terize this favored section of the state, it is imperative that recognition be had of the Larch family, who have been identified with the history of the county for many decades and whose members have invariably maintained the highest standard of integrity and honor, commanding unequivocal respect and esteem. The subject of this sketch, whose life work was ended by the hand of the grim reaper on October 3, 1906, had during his residence here of many years so ordered his actions as to merit the unbounded confidence and friendship of all who knew him, and his death was deemed an irreparable loss to the community.
Aaron Larch was born on April 20, 1839, near Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, and there he secured the rudiments of an education in the com- mon schools. At the age of eighteen years he came to Warren county, Indiana, and went to work as a farm laborer. He worked hard and saved his money and at the time of his marriage he had about two hundred dollars. His wife was to him a helpmate in the largest sense of the word and together they labored, planned and saved until at length they had accumulated a splendid farm, which at the time of Mr. Larch's death comprised one hundred
.
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and eighty acres of as good land as can be found in Prairie township, being valued at one hundred and seventy-five dollars an acre, the same being well stocked with as fine animals as could be found in the state, and six thousand dollars on interest. This achievement speaks volumes for the energy, ability and good judgment of Mr. and Mrs. Larch. Their early life here was one of hardships and privations, as was the common lot of the early settlers, but the pioneer days were full of interesting experiences, some of them thrilling to the extreme. Wild animals were numerous, such as deer and wolves, and at one time two strange animals of the wolf or cat species, though foreign to this section of the country, made their appearance and killed colts, calves, pigs and other domestic animals, so that the people were frightened to the extent that many would not send their children to school. The roads fol- lowed the high ground, skirting ponds and other low places, and seldom did a run follow a straight line for any considerable distance.
Mr. Larch was an industrious and energetic man and performed well his allotted task in the development of Warren county. He was enterprising and progressive in his ideas and his opinions were held in high esteem by his fellow men. He was characterized by the highest sense of honor and his dealings were always characterized by fairness and justice as between man and man. Mr. Larch was possessed of marked musical talent, being especially fond of the violin, and almost every evening at the conclusion of his day's work, he could be heard producing his favorite melodies on this instrument.
On December 23, 1865, Mr. Larch married Elizabeth Crabb, who was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, on February 19, 1846. Mrs. Larch's father, Vintson Crabb, was a native of Ohio, as was his wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Round. In 1847 they came to Benton county, Indiana, with their eight children, two children being born after their arrival here. In 1852 they removed to Warren county and was thereafter identified with its interests until his death, which occurred on August II, 1867. Mrs. Larch was bereft of a mother's care by death at the age of eight years, and during the following three years she lived with a sister. When her father remarried she returned to him and remained there about two years, attending the common schools during that time, afterwards engaging in house work among the neighbors. As attesting to her fine character and earnestness in her work, it may be noted that she had worked in one family for five years prior to her marriage. With the exception of the first five years, Mrs. Larch has spent her entire married life on the farm where she now lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Larch were born six children, two dying in infancy, and Walter H. dying on April 20,
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1909, at the age of thirty-nine years nine months and twelve days; two daughter Mrs. Arminta C. Sibbitt, of Pence, Indiana, and Mrs. Elsie E. Ferling, who is now living with her mother, and Perry E., who lives about one mile west of his mother.
Mrs. Larch is a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has reared her family in the Christian faith. She has bravely carried on the work laid down by her husband and she enjoys the respect and confidence of all who know her.
FRANK BRIER.
In nearly every community are individuals who by innate ability and sheer force of character rise above their fellows and win for themselves con- spicuous places in public esteem. Such a one is the well-known gentleman whose name appears above, a man who has been identified with the history of Warren county for forty-six years, for his entire life has been spent here, his mature years having been closely interwoven with the material growth and development of the section of the county in which he lives, while his career as a progressive man of affairs has been synonymous with all that is upright and honorable in citizenship.
Frank Brier was born about three miles north of his present residence in Liberty township, Warren county, Indiana, on January 27, 1866, and he is the son of John and Caroline (Jones) Brier, the mother being now deceased. John Jones was born near Carbondale, Indiana, and was a farmer for many years. He is still the owner of some valuable land, though he now resides at Judyville, this county, where he is serving as postmaster. He and his wife were the parents of three children, two of whom are deceased, the subject of this sketch being the only survivor.
Frank Brier was reared on the paternal farm and was early inured to the hard labor of the place. He received a good practical education in the common schools of the township, and on attaining mature years he began farming on his own account. He has been successful to a marked degree and is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine land, to which he devotes his efforts. He is up-to-date in his ideas and methods and allows nothing to divert him from his work, this being one of the main secrets of his success. The place is well improved with a comfortable and attractive residence and a large and conveniently arranged barn, while here are to be
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found all the necessary implements, none of which are antiquated or out of date.
On February 28, 1897, Mr. Brier was united in marriage to Margy Woods, the daughter of William and Isabella Woods. William Woods was a native of Ireland, who came to the United States in boyhood, settling first at Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, where he owned a nice farm, its location being where the union depot now stands. Subsequently he came to Indiana and located in Warren county. He and his wife became the parents of five children, of whom those living are Willi. 1, Minnie and Margy. To Mr. and Mrs. Brier have been born four children, namely: William, deceased; Arthur, Wilmer and Leona.
Politically, Mr. Brier is a Republican and has always taken an intelligent interest in current events, being ready at all times to give a hearty support to every movement having for its object the improvement of the community, materially, morally or educationally. His religious belief is embodied in the crecd of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gives his support both of time and means. Mr. Brier is a citizen of stanch and sturdy character and a farmer of ability and skill. He has illustrated the truth of the fact that to win success in farming, as in any other business, requires careful manage- ment.
ALONZO F. STEPHEN.
Among the younger generation of agriculturists of Warren county, Indiana, who are especially worthy of notice as having been active in the improvement and prosperity of their localities and have acquired property through their individual enterprise, at the same time building up a reputation which shall endure the test for years to come, none have exerted a more benef- icent influence on those about them than the gentleman whose name in- troduces this biographical notice.
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