USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 63
USA > Indiana > Warren County > Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, Volume 2 > Part 63
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WILBER BARK.
The gentleman whose name heads this review is one of the leading farmers in Warren township, Warren county, and this work would be in- complete were there failure to make mention of him, at least briefly setting forth the leading facts of his career. Tireless energy and honesty of purpose are the chief characteristics of the man. He believes in progress, in adopting the most approved twentieth-century methods in his work and in forwarding all movements looking to the general upbuilding of his community.
Wilber Barr was born on April 13, 1877, and is the son of James and Mary (Andrews) Barr. James Barr was born near Hamilton, Butler county. Ohio, and, coming to Warren county, took up the land which the subject is now operating. He is now deceased. He was the father of three children, namely : Ivan, Wilber and Torbert.
Wilber Barr was reared on the paternal farmstead and secured a good (60)
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practical education in the public schools. He assisted his father fit the opera tion of the Com and on the latter's death he came into possession of it. h comprises one hundred and sixty acres of choice land, besides which he is farming one hundred and fifteen acres else where for his mother. IIe is thoroughly practical and keeps the farm in an excellent condition. His resi- dence, which is attractive and commodious, is in keeping with the rest of the place, the general appearance of which is a credit to the owner.
Mr. Barr was united in marriage with Marie Lawson, the daughter of Charles and Stella (Auter) Lawson, and this has proved a most happy and congenial union.
Fraternally, Mr. Barr is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men, while, religiously, he is a communicant of the Episcopal church, to which he gives a liberal support. Personally, he is genial and companionable and enjoys the friendship of all who know him. He has always been found in support of every movement for the betterment of the community in any way, he being considered a man of sound judgment and old-fashioned common sense.
JOSEPHUS HORN.
Agriculture has been the true source of man's dominion on earth ever since the primal existence of labor and has been the pivotal industry that has controlled for the most part all the fields of action to whichi his intelligence and energy have been devoted. The agricultural interests of Prairie town- ship, Warren county, Indiana, are well represented by the subject of this review, who is one of the practical and enterprising farmers of his section of the county.
Josephus Horn first saw the light of day near Central College, Franklin county, Ohio, on April 20, 1863. His father, Samuel Horn, who was born on May 9, 1826, was a son of Henry and Mary (Park) Horn, and his death oc- curred in May, 1892. The subject's mother, Ellen (Purdue) Horn, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, on October 10, 1828, and her death occurred in February, 1902. They were married in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1849, and became the parents of eight children, of whom four are still living, the sub- ject and his twin sister, Mrs. J. W. Covalt, being the youngest of the family. In 1860 Samuel Horn was ordained a minister in the Christian church and served in the active pastorate until his removal to Indiana in the spring of
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FOUNTAIN AND WARREN COUNTIES, INDIAN.A.
rSSI, when he bought a home in Prairie township, Warren county. In 1880 he sold this place and removed to Chattanooga, Tennessee, but after a resi- dence there of two years, he returned to Warren county and purchased the present home of the subject of this sketch. flere the father and mother spent the remainder of their days, at their death leaving the home farm to their children.
The subject of this sketch attended the public schools in his youth and, being an industriou: student, he was able to graduate at the age of thirteen years. He then took his place with the men on the home farm and, with the exception of the two years spent in Chattanooga, where he was engaged in brick making, he has devoted himself continuously to farming. After the death of his parents he bought the interests of his brothers and sisters and is now the sole owner of the old home farm which he is operating with a fair measure of success. He is a thoroughly competent farmer and by his inde- fatigable efforts and judicious management has maintained the place at a high standard of excellence.
Pohtically. Mr. Horn has been a life-long Democrat, believing firmly in the tenets of that party, and has taken an intelligent interest in the trend of public events. His fraternal membership is with Sherman Lodge No. 320, Knights of Pythias, at Carbondale, Indiana. Personally, Mr. Horn is a most pleasant and affable gentleman, of honest convictions and sincere purposes, his upright career and wholesome influence making him popular throughout the community where he is so widely known and in which practically his entire life has been spent.
1 THOMAS COKE MOORE.
In the list of Warren county's successful and highly honored citizens, who have passed from the scene of their life's work, Thomas Coke Moore long occupied a prominent place. In his career there was much that was com- mendable and his life forcibly illustrated what a man of energy can ac- complish when his plans are wisely laid and his actions governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals. He was a man whom to know was to respect and admire, for he was a genteel, kind-hearted, straightforward man of affairs in all the relations of life, one of those estimable characters who live for others; thus his memory is rightfully revered by the citizens of the locality where he lived.
Thomas Coke Moore was born in Warren county, Indiana, on January
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25, 1834, and died here on November 25. 1911, in the seventy-eighth car of his age. He was the son of Edward and Katherine (Foster) Moore, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They came to this county in a very carly day, entering land in Medina township from the government in 1825, being thus numbered among the real pioneers of this section of the county. He was a successful farmer and was a member of that sterling band of frontiersmen who did so nuich for the development of this part of the Hoosier state. Ile and his wife were the parents of the following children : John, James, Enos, one whose name is not known, Sally, Thomas C., Elizabeth, Hester and Seth, the last named being the only member of the family now living.
Thomas C. Moore received his elementary education in the common schools of Warren county and then took a course in the Columbia Academy in Ohio. He devoted all the years of his active life to the tilling of the soil, in which honorable calling he was eminently successful. Hle was a man of broad ideas, sound judgment and progressive spirit and he exercised good business acumen in all his affairs. His farm was maintained at a high stand- ard of excellence, the appearance of the place indicating the owner to be a man of good taste and sound judgment. He was a very industrious man during the years of his active labor and to his own labors was his success attributable. His farmstead was a large one, so that at his death each of his children received approximately two hundred and forty acres.
Mr. Moore was an earnest Republican in his political faith and gave active support to his party. He was honored by his fellow citizens, who elected him a member of the board of county commissioners, in which posi- tion he rendered faithful and appreciated service to the county. His religious belief was embodied in the creed of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a trustee and steward and superintendent of the Sunday school for a number of years.
On November 25, 1858, Mr. Moore was united in marriage with Mary Westfall, the daughter of George W. and Jane (Culbertson) Westfall. These parents were natives of the state of Ohio, who came to Indiana in a very early day and settled in Tippecanoe county on land which they secured from the government. They cleared and improved a farm there, but eventually moved to Warren county, where they spent the remainder of their years. They were the parents of eleven children, namely : Harvey, John, William, Farn, Samuel, Mary, Isabelle, Meribah and two others who died unnamed. Of this family, two are now living, Mrs. Moore and William, of King's Hill, Idaho. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore ten children were born, namely : Jennie,
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the wife of Philip Mckinnis, of Medina my080p. Warren county. Elmer Gram, who died at the age of thirteen years. Sarah, who became the wife of R. J. OWhen, of Eddyville, lowa: James W., of Lafayette. Indiana; George E .. of Converse, Indiana: Josephine, who married Fremont Good- win, of Natchez, Mississippi : Ollie died at the age of twenty years : Margaret. the wife of . C. Stearns, of Rosalia, Kansas; Thomas B .. of Medina town- ship. Warren county: Nellie died at the age of thirteen years. The mother of these childfre is now making her home with her son, Thomas B., of Medina to y ship, and, despite her age, seventy-two years, she enjoys splendid health and is in the full possession of her facult She is highly esteemed by her friends because of her fine character and the exemplary life she has led
ROBERT C. HOTTENSTEIN.
The history of a county or state, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly a chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferr. d honor and dig- nity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by those of its representative citizens and yields its tributes of admiration and respect to those whose works and actions constitute the record of a state's prosperity and pride. Among the prominent citizens of Prairie township, Warren county, Indiana, who are well known because of their successful lives and the upright character they have borne, is the gentleman whose name appears above.
Robert C. Hottenstein is a native son of the old Keystone state, having been born at Coatstown, Berks county, Pennsylvania, on September 19, 1854. His father, Charles Hottenstein, a native of Berks county and the son of pioneers of that locality, was born on May 11, 1816, and died on March 22, 1903. The subject's mother, whose maiden name was Mary Sawyer, was born November 2, 1816, and died on December 31, 1897. They were mar- ried in Berks county and of their three children, two, Robert and Edward, are living. These parents removed to Warren county, Indiana, on March 9, 1855, and during his first year here he rented the farm of John High. Subse- quently he bought the farm where the subject of this sketch now lives, for which he paid ten dollars an acre, the land being devoid of any improvement. There the subject's early boyhood was spent, going to school in the neighbor- hood and, when old enough, doing his share of the work of the farm. He has always like agriculture and has been eminently successful in the same. He has
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also for twomy -three years given some attention to manp and well wool. in which he is an expert, and he has done a vast amount of work along this line. Ile is industrious and energetic and is widely known as a man of stanch integrity and right principles.
On April 19. 1889, Mr. Hottenstein was married to Mary Donovan. the daughter of Clark and Swank Donovan, of Fountain county. Indiana. The father, who was born in 1832, is now making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Hottenstein, the mother having died ir August, 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Hottenstein one child, Charles Clark, was born, on May 12, 1893. Charles is a splendid young man and is a graduate of the public schools of Prairie township.
Mr. Hottenstein has been an active participant in the development and improvement of the locality in which he lives. He has helped to dig ditches, put up fences, construct roads and erect farm buildings innumerable, and has seen the value of the land rise from six and ten dollars an acre to from one hundred and fifty to two hundred and twenty-five dollars an acre. He has been quick to give his support to all forward movements for the betterment of the people and is numbered among the real leaders of his township. Politically, he has been a lifelong Democrat. Because of his genuine worth, which everybody recognizes, his public spirit, and integrity and loyalty to all high ideals and principles, he is one of the best known and likable men of his locality.
W. H. BIGGS.
There could be no more comprehensive history written of a county, or even of a state and its people, than that which deals with the life work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed them- selves where they well deserve the title of "progressive," and in this sketch is mentioned one who has not been subdued by the many obstacles and failures that come to everyone, but who has made them stepping stones to higher things and at the same time that he was winning his way in the material af- fairs of life gained a reputation for uprightness and honor.
W. H. Biggs was born on the farm on which he now resides, in Pike township, Warren county, Indiana, on the 6th of February, 1873, and is the son of G. W. and Mary Jane (McIntosh) Biggs. G. W. Biggs was born on the present farm on March 15, 1833, and is now living in West Lebanon, while his wife, who was born in 1837, died on May 15, 1911. The subject
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FOUNTAIN AND W MREREN COUS. TIES, INPELE.A.
of this sketch and reared on the home farm, passing His way years in thely the same manner as other farmer boys, securing his educapour in the company schools of the neighly hond and spending his vacation pericol in farm work. He is now operating the old home farm, which consists of two hundred acres of land, practically all of which is in cultivation, or tillable, and here he is raising all the crops common to this section of the country. He also gives some attention to the raising of live stock, which he has found to be a profit- able source of income. He is making a number of substantial and permanent improvements on the place, which, when completed, will make it one of the best farms in the township. He is careful in his operations, yet is pro- gressive in the sense that he keeps in touch with the most advanced ideas relative to agriculture.
On November 29, 1900, Mr. Biggs was united in marriage with Clara May Knapp, of Boswell, Indiana, the daughter of Philo and Sarah Knapp. To them has been born one child, Blanche Mildred.
Politically, Mr. Biggs is independent, while his fraternal relations are with West Lebanon Lodge No. 59, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are members of the Christian church at West Lebanon, to which they give their earnest support. They are genial and friendly in their relations with those whom they meet and they enjoy to a marked degree the good will and respect of all who know them.
OSCAR RINEHART.
One of the thrifty young farmers of Warren county, Indiana, who be- lieves in keeping abreast of the times in his chosen vocation is Oscar Rine- hart, of Warren township, and, having had such principles as his guiding stars all through life, he has been successful from the first, not winning suc- cess in a meteoric fashion, but by gradually ascending the rugged hill that leads from the low lands to the upper strata of rarefied air, where a man feels that he has lived to good purpose.
Mr. Rinehart was born on April 13, 1870, at Attica, Indiana, and is the son of Joe and Sarah (Gee) Rinehart. The father came to this locality from White county, Indiana, and was in the pottery business, at which he made quite a success here in the earlier days of the county's history, and he became an influential and well known man of Attica, doing much for the permanent upbuilding of that place, and he was highly respected by all with
MR. AND MRS. JACOB M. RHODE.
planted go wollen.
county room a valy and infrenchbing forest by ing you the Healing months communities of the Hoover mate, and lie tole mmy interesting entre of Park life here when the country and the people were Inderent, and -half Me E.v. for the most part better? Doubtless he and others Glaub el que Hay remote period will ay so at least.
Mr. Rhade was born on the same farm when he now dices, are the Pin Willing read about a mile from Winthrop. Wanie cony midena, or
: Muir : Rhode, who came from one of the Capnings to Whome . on- Indan - carly a 1810 and to Warren county in 1928 when the 4 0 Uttle improved and when rol onen all roamed il it wilds. The patente entered about six hundred acres of lan from the government and, by the ffi and industry, became well-to-do for people of those early times. They in
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Fame the parents af eleven children and gave in each one hundred and tools acres of land, the subject receiving two hundred acres.
Jacob M. Rhode grey to manhood on the old hund read, and when boy his time was alternated between working on the farm in the stitime months and in attending the district schools. He took up farming for livelihood and has followed this all his life with larger success than is achieved by the average man. Stock raising has formed no small part of his income. At one time he owned ne hundred and ninety-three veres of val- nable land, but has divided it up among his children. He has a well im- proved place and a comfortable home. He has always kept a good grade of live stock.
Mr. Rhode was married on January 3. 1858, to Mary Jane Russell, who was born September 20. 1834, the daughter of Willi. o and Fanny ( Hall) Russell. The Russells came originally from Virginia and Ohio, respectively, coming to this county at an early day. Three children have been born to the subject and wife. namely : Fannie, who married Albert Cobb, a merchant of Pine Village, and they have three sons, Murray, Malcolm and Mbert R., the last two being at this writing seniors at Wabash College. Crawfordsville, Indiana: Martha F. married John McCord: Charles W. married Cora Jones and they live in Fountain county, being the parents of four children, Lucy R., Fannie L .. Jacob Henry and Louise.
Fraternally. Jacob M. Rhode is a Mason, the oldest member in Rains- ville Lodge. Politically, he is a Democrat and has long been more or less active in local affairs, having held many local offices, always with satisfaction to the people. He is friendly to the churches and has done much toward their support.
ALVIN R. McCOLLOUGH, M. D.
Among the leading physicians of Warren county, Indiana, was the late Dr. Alvin R. McCollough, of Williamsport, who achieved marked prestige in his profession besides becoming widely and favorably known for his success in other lines of activity. Belonging to a generation of medical men distinguished for profound thought and investigation, he won the confidence of all who took advantage of his professional services and by his candid mien, generous heart and freedom from duplicity and deceit gained a place in the confidence of the public such as few men attain. Paternally, Dr. McCollough was of Scotch descent and combined in his personality many of the sterling characteristics
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for which that sturdy nationality has ever been noted. His Father, Magwell MeCollough, a alive of Scotland, came to American many years ago and settled in Mongomery o unty, Indiana, where, in due time, he becann a sur- ressial farmer, heving purchased large bodies of land in that county and the county of Reniod, nearly all of which he reduced to cultivation and other- wise improved. He died at his home near Crawfordsville a number of year- ago and is remembered in that locality as a man of industrious habits and sterling worth whose reputation was ever above reproach. The wife of Maxwell McCollough and mother of the Doctor was Jennette Sidner, a lady of excellent character, who nobly co-operated with her husband in all of his undertakings and contributed not a little to his financial success.
Dr. McCollough was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, November I, 1853, and spent his early life on the family homestead. After obtaining a liberal education, he turned his attention to teaching and was thus engaged for several years in the public schools of Benton county, subsequently dis- continuing this line of work for the gospel ministry, which he entered in young manhood and followed with marked success for about fifteen years. He united with the Church of Christ at Remington, Indiana, in January, 1871, and not long thereafter began preaching and during the period above indicated he held pastorates at West Lebanon, Williamsport and Marion, Indiana, and at various points in California, to which state he moved in the year 1880. When he first engaged in the duties of the ministry, he was actuated by a strong desire to enter the medical profession and in due time he began his preliminary study of the same in the office of Dr. Maxwell, of Remington. Later, in 1894, while a resident of California, he entered the Hahnemann College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco, where he took the full course, graduating three years later with highest honors of his class and making a record seldom equaled by any student of that institution.
After practicing about two years in California, Dr. McCollough re turned to Indiana and located at Flora, where he remained for a short time, removing then in 1901 to a more favorable field for the exercise of his talents in the city of Williamsport. His reputation as a successful physician and skillful surgeon preceding him to the latter place, he soon built up a lucrative practice and in due time gained distinctive prestige among the leading medical men of the city and county. He identified himself with the leading medical societies of Indiana, also the society of Warren county, and availed himself of every opportunity to extend his professional knowledge and became a true healer of suffering humanity. While attending to his large
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and goning jaderice. he did not region the meaning of religion, with Wal- aker sem a light to his feet and a girle podle pathway. He command preach froux time to, there is opportunities adopted, usually as a supply and contributed his -rices freely to such &noches as were without pastor. and not in Giaphend condition to provide for regular services. He measured up to a high fandard of manhood. having ever been honorable in his pro- fession, courteous and kind in his relations with the public, and wherever known "he stond four square to every wind that blew," a model Christian gentlenamn anil a credit to the city and county that claim his citizenship. A Mason of high degree, he manifested an abiding interest in the affairs of the order and he was also public spirited in matters relating to the material growth and prosperity of Williamsport, having been identified with all enter- prises with this object in view and a leader in movements for the intellectual, moral and religions advancement of the community.
On July 1, 1889, Dr. McCollough was united in marriage with Cath- erine Schlosser, daughter of John H. and Minerva (Woodward) Schlosser, the union resulting in the birth of two children, John Maxwell, who was born in Watsonville, California, and Mac Ruth, whose birth occurred after the family returned to Indiana. After a very active and useful life of fifty-five years, seven months and five days filled with good to his fellow man, Dr. McCollough was called to his final rest, dying on the 2d day of June, 1909, and being followed to the grave by a large concourse of sympathizing friends and neighbors, all of whom felt his death as a personal loss.
John Maxwell McCollough, the older of Dr. McCollough's two children, was reared in Williamsport and at a comparatively early age was graduated with an honorable record from the city high school. While still young he engaged with the Carmichael Construction Company, one of the largest con- cerns of the kind in the state, and the confidence reposed in his ability is 11- dicated by the fact of his having been advanced to the position of foreman, being the youngest man to hold a place of so much responsibility and trust in the line of work such as the company performs. He is also the youngest member of the Elks lodge in Lafayette and an influential worker in the order, and he occupies a prominent place among the popular young men of Will- iamsport, where he still lives with his mother.
Mae Ruth, the daughter, who is likewise a member of the home circle, was graduated from the Williamsport high school at the head of her class, following which she pursued her studies two summers in the normal school at Marion, where she fitted herself for teaching. She had already taught two
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"one in the pillic - food and will sam ciffer Julian Stal L'interaty 1. Leland Sonder Formuesty. Attforma.
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