USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 31
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Mr. Fisher's happy domestic life dated from May 29, 1890, when he married Frances Stretch, of Winfield, Kansas, where the family of which she was a member took a prominent part in public affairs. Her father was Jonathan Stretch and her mother's maiden name was Delila Knight. The father was born in Champaign county, Ohio, November 7, 1817, and he came with his parents to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1830. He and Miss Knight were married in 1849. Delila Knight was born December 2, 1821, in Butler county, Ohio, and she came to Carroll county, Indiana, in 1828. Her father entered land one mile from the site of Delphi and lived there the remainder of his life, having figured prominently in the history of the county. Her half brother, Thomas Green, was prominent in political circles of Car- roll county, of which he was the first sheriff. Jonathan Stretch came to Tippecanoe county with his parents in 1830. There were five children in the Stretch family, as follows: Flora, wife of J. M. Sibbitt, of Hoopston, Illinois ; Jessie, wife of P. E. Berry, residing in California; Ethel C., who died in 1905; Loui died in Kansas; and Frances S., who became the wife of the subject of this review.
No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fisher. On March 11, 1902, William J. Fisher was called to his reward, after a well-spent, active and useful life. He is remembered as a very pronounced enemy of the liquor business, having always taken a very determined stand against it. He was a Republican in politics, a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church and an Odd Fellow. He was a man of high ideals, and, being a cultured man and of affable address, he was popular with all classes.
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Mrs. Fisher was reared in Carroll county and early in life evinced a deep interest in educational affairs. Mrs. Fisher attended the country schools and later took several years' work in the State Normal School at Terre Haute, having prepared herself for a teacher. She taught very suc- cessfully in Carroll and Tippecanoe counties, later being called to Winfield, Kansas, where she taught in the high school. Her services were always in great demand, for she is not only a well-educated woman but is the possessor of the many other natural attributes that go to make up the successful teacher. She is still greatly interested in educational work. She is a leading light in the Baptist church at Lafayette, and she is a member of the Rebekah lodge, having been the first noble grand of the local order at Battle Ground. She has attended every session of the grand lodge but one. She is very comfortably located in her nicely furnished home at Battle Ground, enjoying the fruits of an upright and well-spent life, being highly honored and es- teemed by all who know her.
HENRY ARNOLD PARKER.
THE SIRE'S ADVICE.
While lingers yet my setting sun, And life's last sands in silence fall, Ere Death's rude hand the glass shall break, And o'er its ruins spread the pall.
Deenes of earth, my children come, A father's counsel now receive, Whose fourscore years are almost run, And soon this borrowed dust will leave.
Make strong the ties of kindred love, And let not jealous hate destroy. May each to each a blessing prove- In doubt a quid, in grief a joy.
Parents, with care your trust discharge, And train aright the immortal young. And ye, their children, heed their word, That on the earth your days may be long.
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Say naught nor do in passion's rage, But speak becalmed and from the soul. Swift will be the words of tattling tongue, And every slanderous thought control.
Waste not your gains with lavish hand, Nor merit's honest praise despise. Yet bow not down the immortal mind To treasures found below the skies.
Their fancied joys, though ever seen, Sweet in the future luring on, Yet leave their surtoys far behind, Till to his grave unwelcome gone.
But heavenward turn the love-lit eye, As pointing there the grateful heart, And lead the life by God approved, From birth till life's rays depart.
And when your course is nobly run, And yielding from this mortal clay The final breath of earthly air, Breathes all, through Christ, of Death away. October 14, 1845. -JONAS PARKER.
Henry Arnold Parker was born in Lyons, Wayne county, New York. June 22, 1833. He is one of the highly respected citizens of Dayton, Tippe- canoe county, Indiana, where he has lived all his life excepting eight years spent in North Dakota and sixteen years before he came here. In his daily life among and intercourse with his fellow citizens he has exhibited those qualities of character which go to the making of the best type of our Ameri- can citizenship. Though not now actively engaged in any business, he has had a hand in the development of this section of the state and has always given his influence and support to every movement looking to the advance- ment of the highest interests of the entire community.
Mr. Parker is descended from a line of honored ancestry, of which the following brief genealogical record is given :
I. "Deacon" Jonas Parker, the subject's great-grandfather, was a patriot
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soldier in the war of the Revolution and was an active member of the Presby- terian church. He married Elizabeth-and to them were born children, one of whom was Jonas Parker.
II. Jonas Parker, also known as "Deacon," was born at Pepperill, Massachusetts, July 16, 1766, and, like his father, was an active member of the Presbyterian church. On December 18, 1788, he married Ruth Farmer, and to them were born the following children :
(1). Hannah, born August 28, 1789, married Asa Butrick in 1808, and their children were Hannah ( August 19, 1808), Charles (June 12, 1813) and Harriett (August 7, 1815).
(2). Jonas, father of the subject of this sketch and who was born June 30, 1791.
(3). Edmund, born July 6, 1793, married Nancy Hosley in 1816, and their children were William Appleton ( November 6, 1816), William Andrew (August 26, 1818), John Edward (February 12, 1821) and Theodore Tirezvent (January II, 1825).
(4). John, born September 18, 1795, married Mary O. Lawrence in 1822, and their children were Caroline Willard (October 2, 1823), Mary Elizabeth (March 3, 1826), Harriett Marie (March 13, 1828), John Loring (August 16, 1830), Louisa Frances (August 22, 1832), James Henry (De- cember 3, 1834), Mary Elizabeth (October 21, 1837), George Odeon (Feb- ruary 9, 1840), Sophronia Lawrence (February 18, 1842), Charles Oakes (October 18, 1844), Edward Lawrence and Frank Lewis.
(5). Rebecca, born -- 19, 1797, married Samuel Farrer in 1819, and their children were Edmond (September 16, 1820), William Prescott (December 18, 1822), Charles Samuel (August 7, 1825). Mary Bullard (November 12, 1830), John Nutting (April 24, 1839) and Martha Ann (September 2, 1840).
(6). Amelia, born November 21, 1799, married Arnold Hutchinson in 1819, and their children were Catherine Amelia (October 2, 1819), Wil- liam Arnold (September 12, 1821), Jonas (September 12, 1823), Edmond (August 7, 1825), John Irving (June 18, 1828), Nancy Elizabeth (Sep- tember 22, 1830), Samuel Shipley (February 27, 1833), John Bullard (June 27, 1835), Henry Irving (February 8, 1838), Francis Rutheven (June 6, 1840), George Morton (July 24, 1843) and Charles Delano (October 18. 1844).
(7). Lydia, born February 5, 1802, became the wife of John Loring in 1823, and their children were James Henry (July 10, 1824), Eliza Parker (September 9, 1829) and Caroline Lewis (December 7, 1840).
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(8). Mary, born February 26, 1804, married Thomas S. Stevens in 1822, and their children were Mary Jane ( March 17, 1823), Edward Spaukdl- ing (February 14, 1825), Ruth Elizabeth (August 20, 1826) and Elizabeth Ried (August 23, 1839).
(9). Eliza Shedd, born June 16, 1806, married John Ames in 1835. and they had the following children: George Henry (October 1, 1836), Eliza Shiply (December 30, 1838), Charles Theodore (February 22, 1841), Frank Parker and Frank Walda.
(10). Ruth, born August 18, 1808, married William E. Shiply in 1828.
(II). Nancy P., born January 12, 1811, became the wife of Jesse Ried in 1832, and their children were Elizabeth Nancy (July 4, 1833), Arnold Hutchinson (October 26, 1835), Josephine Parker (October 6, 1837). Henry Alonzo (November 13, 1839), Jesse Hutchinson (November 12, 1842) and Jonas Frederic.
III. Jonas Parker, the third of the family of the same name to be commonly known as "Deacon," who was born June 30, 1791, married Nancy Gatchell in 1814, and to them were born the following children: Charles Gatchell. born September 3, 1815, died November 3, 1888; Nancy Elizabeth, born November 29, 1816; Harrison, born February 25, 1818, died in 1836; Jonas Farmer, born August 7, 1819, died February 9, 1909: Harriet Lewis, born February 16, 1822, died May 9, 1896; Abagail Varnum, born June 18, 1824; Camelia Drake, born August 16, 1830, died May 5, 1894: Henry Arnold, born June 22, 1833. the immediate subject of this sketch.
Jonas Parker, the father of these children, was born and reared neir Boston, Massachusetts, and received what education could be obtained in the common schools of that day. About 1812 he started afoot on a prospecting or land-viewing expedition and walked to Wayne county, New York. He selected land near Lyons, and in 1814 returned to Massachusetts and was married. bringing his young bride at once to their new home. Here he farmed successfully until 1849, in October of which year he embarked with his family by boat on the Erie canal to Buffalo, from where they proceeded by lake to Toledo, thence by canal boat to Lafayette, where they arrived on the 17th of October. Here he bought and developed a fine farm and spent the remainder of his days. His remains now lie buried in Springvale cemetery. His wife is also deceased. Jonas Parker was by trade a cooper and mason and found frequent use for his knowledge along these lines. He was a faithful and active member of the Presbyterian church, as was also his wife.
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IV. Henry Arnold. Parker spent his boyhood days on the parental farm- stead, receiving a fair education in the common schools of the neighborhood. In 1849, when sixteen years of age, he accompanied his parents on their long water trip to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and remained with them here until his marriage in 1859. On the 18th of October of that year he married Rosa Alice Lockwood, and he went to farming on his own account, in which he was successfully engaged until 1880, when he moved to North Dakota, where he also followed agricultural pursuits for eight years. At the end of that time, feeling that he was so situated as to be able to retire from active labor, he sold out and returned to Indiana, locating at Dayton, where he erected a comfortable home and has since resided.
In March, 1865, Mr. Parker enlisted in Company C, Seventy-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Frazer. He rendered faithful service while in the field and was honorably discharged in September, 1865, and subsequently mustered out at Indianapolis, Indiana. Because of his military service, he now holds membership in John A. Logan Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Lafayette. In politics he is a Republican, and while a resident of Shelby township served efficiently as township trustee.
To Henry and Rosa Parker were born the following children: Harry L., born September 23, 1860, met his death by drowning on September 26, 1868; Charles G., born December 1, 1862, resides at Joplin, Missouri ; Rose and Jonas, twins, born January 4, 1866, both died in infancy; Rose Agnes, born July 15, 1868, lives at Terre Haute, Indiana; James Albert, born Feb- ruary 12, 1873, lives at Thorntown, Indiana; Rufus L., born January 31. 1875. Mrs. Rosa Parker died, and on May 4, 1884, in North Dakota, Mr. Parker wedded Catherine Campbell, who was born in the Dominion of Can- ada on February 8, 1859, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Switzer) Campbell. Her parents were natives of Scotland and Canada respectively. and the father is now deceased. The mother lives in Jamestown, North Dakota. To Henry A. and Catherine Parker have been born four children, namely : Murray A., born July 25, 1888, of Indianapolis, Indiana; Francis B., born December 25, 1889, also of Indianapolis; Julia L., born February 27, 1892, at home; Madeline L., born July 27, 1894, also at home. Mrs. Parker is a member of the Presbyterian church, in the activities of which she takes a deep interest.
Mr. Parker, though advanced in years, takes a deep interest in the pass- ing events of the day and is considered one of the leading citizens of Dayton, where he is now living in comparative ease.
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JOHN P. GAGEN.
There is much incentive in studying the life history of such a man as John P. Gagen, who, by his own indomitable courage and energy, finally rose above early environments that were none too favorable, surmounting every obstacle he encountered in his pathway until he attained a position of eminence in the business circles of the city of Lafayette. Indiana, second to none of his contemporaries. He belonged to that large class of industrious American-born citizens of foreign parentage, his parents, Patrick and Mary Gagen, having emigrated to America from Ireland, where they were born and where their childhood was spent. They were the parents of ten children, but the mother was called to her rest ere they grew to maturity and the father married a second time, adding eight children to his already large family, the combined number of children being eighteen. However, he was a hard worker and a good manager and provided well for them, giving theni com- mon school educations and living to see them fairly well started in the battle of life. He was a man of honorable character and inculcated in his children those principles that make for true manhood and womanhood, the glory of our strong American citizenship of which we are justly wont to boast.
John P. Gagen was born in Sandusky. Ohio, December 13, 1848. He received his early mental training in the common schools of his native city. laying a good foundation for the broad knowledge he in after years acquired by habits of observation and promiscuous reading. He started to do for himself early in life, and soon gave evidence of a successful future, one not only replete with success, but honor also.
Upon reaching maturity. John P. Gagen chose a life partner in the per- son of a very amiable and worthy representative of an old and well-estab- lished family. Adaline Greene, a native of Lafayette, Indiana, having been born there in November. 1846. The wedding which marked the beginning of a mutually happy domestic life was solemnized on April 18, 1869. Mrs. Gagen's father came from Ohio and her mother from Wisconsin in an early day, settling in Tippecanoe county, where they established a good home amid primitive conditions. Joshua D. Grecne, the father, was by occupation a carpenter, and his services were in great demand in his vicinity for many years, for he was a very skilled builder. Later in life he became a grocer, finally a general business man in Lafayette, where he met with success at whatever he turned his attention to, becoming well-known here in his day as a progressive and public-spirited man of affairs, taking a prominent part
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in the affairs of the city in which he manifested a deep and abiding interest for many years, and in no small measure augmented its general develop- ment.
To John P. and Adaline Gagen eight children were born, of whom only two daughters are now living, namely: Emma F., who was born in Tippe- canoe county, January 31, 1878, married Patrick Joseph Keefe, who is en- gaged with his father in the manufacturing business in Anderson, Indiana, where he resides. Mr. and Mrs. Keefe have no children. Esther Gagen, who was born February 5, 1883, married John Joseph Greenen, a resident of Indianapolis, where Mr. Greenen is engaged in the coal, lime and cement business. No children have been born to them. Both Mr. Greenen and Mr. Keefe are energetic business men.
Mrs. Gagen is the only living member of her parents' family, which con- sisted of four daughters. Her life has been singularly happy with the ex- ception of the irreparable loss, occasioned by the death of her lamented hus- band, John P. Gagen, some four years ago. But he left her well provided for, her home at No. 1123 South street, Lafayette, being one of the hand- somest and most attractive in the city. It is modern in every respect, elegantly furnished and tastily kept. Mrs. Gagen is also the owner of a very fine landed estate consisting of three hundred and twenty acres near Dayton, Tippecance county.
Personally Mrs. Gagen is a well-preserved woman, vivacious in manner, affable and kind-hearted, always hospitable and she is beloved by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. An excellent portrait adorns her cozy home- the likeness of her well-remembered husband, than whom a more popular and whole-souled man never lived in this city. He was a man who, while looking to his own interests, never lost sight of his duty to his fellowmen, and many acts of unostentatious charity were attributable to him. A man of fine natural traits, he was popular with all classes, and when his death oc- curred the entire city and community felt a personal loss.
CHARLES A. MCCORKLE.
In studying the interesting life histories of many of the better class of men, and the ones of unquestioned merit and honor, it will be found that they have been compelled, very largely, to map out their own career and furnish their own motive force in scaling the heights of success, and it is
R.a. Mccorkle
Frances M. M Corkle.
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such a one that the biographer is pleased to write of in the following para- graphs.
Charles A. McCorkle, prominent farmer and well-known citizen of Jackson township, Tippecanoe county, was born in Montgomery county, In- diana, July 2, 1865, the son of Andrew C. and Polly A. (Meharry) Mc- Corkle, people of sterling worth and highly honored during their residence in this locality. The father is now a resident of Lafayette, being seventy- two years of age, the mother of the subject having passed to her rest Aug- ust 17, 1887. (For fuller record of this family the reader is respectfully re- ferred to the sketch of John W. McCorkle, banker at Wingate, Indiana, and a brother of the subject, which appears on another page of this work.)
Charles A. McCorkle was educated in the public schools of Jackson township, spending the summer months working on the home place where he became inured to the healthful outdoor life of the farm. He was a very studious lad, and, not being satisfied with a primary education, entered De Pauw University at Greencastle, Indiana, and later attended Purdue Uni- versity at Lafayette, making an excellent record in both these institutions, becoming thus well equipped for what the poets would call the "subsequent battle of life." When his school days were over, Mr. McCorkle returned home and resumed farming, having decided to make agriculture his life work, and he has since devoted all his time to the same with gratifying suc- cess.
On October 2, 1891, Mr. McCorkle was united in marriage in Tippe- canoe county with Frances M. Bittle, the representative of a well-known old family. Her birth occurred March 12, 1868, in Fountain county, Indiana, she being the daughter of Silas and Fanny (Devore) Bittle, the former a native of Putnam county and the latter of Tippecanoe county, this state. They were extensive farmers in this county, where the mother's death occur- red in 1908, having been over sixty years of age. She was buried in Wheeler cemetery. Her husband, who is living a retired life on his farm, is seventy years old at this writing. They were the parents of four children, three boys and one girl, all of whom are now living, Mrs. McCorkle being the second in order of birth. The other children were Elmer J., Alonzo and Luther J.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. McCorkle reside on a three-hundred-and- seventy-acre farm in Jackson township, which is one of the most valuable farms in this favored section of the Hoosier state. It is all under a high state of cultivation and is well improved in every respect. They have a
(52)
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modern, well-arranged and nicely-furnished home, beautifully located, and many substantial outbuildings adorn the place, about which an excellent grade of livestock is to be seen, especially cattle and horses-everything that goes to make up an attractive and pleasant country home being seen here. General farming is carried on in a manner that stamps Mr. McCorkle as fully abreast of the times. Besides general farming, Mr. McCorkle feeds large numbers of hogs, cattle and sheep for the market and he usually com- mands the top prices for his stock, owing to their excellent quality. Mr. and Mrs. McCorkle have labored hard for what they have and are. there- fore, deserving of the eminent success they have achieved, having started in life under none too favorable environments, and they are among the most prosperous farmers in the township at present.
To Mr. and Mrs. McCorkle four children have been born, all living at this writing, namely: John Russell, who is (in 1909) sixteen years old; Charles Leland, aged fourteen; Bernice Ann, aged twelve; Andrew Francis, aged nine.
Mr. McCorkle is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 306, at Wingate, Indiana, and he takes a very active interest in the same. Al- though he is a loyal Republican, he has never aspired to offices of trust and emolument at the hands of his fellow voters. But he is deeply interested in whatever tends to promote the welfare of his community in any way and all movements looking to the upbuilding of the same find in him a ready helper. Mr. and Mrs. McCorkle and their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, holding their membership at Shawnee Mound, being active in all phases of church work and liberal supporters of the same. Mr. McCorkle has for some time past been steward of the local congregation, still discharging the duties of the same in a conscientious manner. Because of his recognized honor, industry, friendly disposition and genuine worth, Mr. McCorkle stands deservedly high among the people of Jackson town- ship, where he is recognized by all classes as one of its most representative citizens.
WILLIAM SHELTMIRE.
The Sheltmires constitute a German family whose founders came from the old country in the early half of the last century. Christopher Shelt- mire was a harnessmaker, who was engaged in business at the foot of Columbia street, Lafayette, until his death in 1861. He married Mary
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Berkeley, who was brought to this country from Germany when sixteen years old, and by this union there were three children. One daughter died in childhood. Christopher, one of the sons, is employed by the N. W. Box Shoe Company. The mother died in 1906.
William Sheltmire, the youngest of the family, was born in Lafayette in 1859, and consequently was still an infant when he lost his father by death. Owing to the poverty of his mother and the lack of any paternal estate, he was compelled at an early age to begin making his own living. When sixteen years old he left school to accept a position with the A. G. Carnahan shoe factory on South Fourth street, at that time managed by Alexander Fraser. The latter saw that he did his work well, was indus- trious and attentive to business, and advanced him rapidly as a reward for his good qualities. His original intention had been to work only during vacations, but the rapid advancement caused him to stay with the shoe factory. When the head man of the fitting department left, Mr. Shelt- mire was given his place, and held the position until the firm retired from business, in 1879. Mr. Sheltmire then took a position with Herman & Shockey, manufacturers of shoes, at the corner of Second and South streets. He was with this firm about three years, or until they retired from busi- ness, when he went with Mr. Herman and others, who had a contract for manufacturing shoes at the Colorado State Penitentiary at Canon City. Mr. Sheltmire held the position of foreman in this enterprise, but only remained in Colorado six months, after which he returned to Lafayette and accepted employment with Box & Pross, shoe dealers. Their store was located the second door south of Main on Third street. About two years later Mr., Pross withdrew from the firm and started a store on the corner of Main, next door to the original store, and Mr. Sheltmire was given the work previously attended to by Mr. Pross, which consisted in buying for and managing the store. About 1900 the business was incorporated under the name of the N. W. Box Shoe Company, in which Mr. Sheltmire took some stock and of which he was made secretary and treasurer. Prior to the incorporation the Pross store moved away and the Box company located in the corner, which it has since occupied. The location is perhaps the best for business of the kind in Lafayette as it is convenient to all parts of the city.
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