USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 48
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The Doctor's family consisted of six children, four sons and two daugh- ters, all now living, the subject of this review being the third in order of birth.
John Franklin Simison attended Asbury (now DePauw) University after finishing the work prescribed by the city schools of Romney, graduating from the university in 1879, having made a splendid record in the same for scholarship. Deciding to follow in the footsteps of his father in a profes- sional way, he entered Rush Medical College, from which he graduated with honors in 1881, after which he returned to Romney and began the practice of medicine with his father, continuing the same after the death of the elder doctor, his success having been instantaneous and which continued to in- crease with the passing years until he retired in 1906 and has since devoted his time to his other affairs, which are varied and numerous; however, he
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occasionally obliges some of his old-time patients by administering to their wants in a medical way.
Doctor Simison, Junior, was married December 27, 1897, at Crawfords- ville, Indiana, to Jessie C. Hornbeck, a native of this state, having been born in 1875. She was a woman of rare personal attributes and after a harmoni- ous married life she passed to her rest March 11, 1908, at the early age of thirty-three years. She was the daughter of John A. and Emma J. (Jones) Hornbeck, both natives of Indiana and both living in 1909 in Rom- ney, Mr. Hornbeck being assistant cashier in the Romney bank.
Two children were born to the subject and wife, namely: Boyd Frank- lin and John Sylvan, both of whom are with their father. They give every evidence of future careers of usefulness.
Doctor Simison was elected township trustee of his native township in 1885 and re-elected to the same office in 1887. In 1906 he was elected joint representative from Tippecanoe and Montgomery counties on the Republican ticket and so faithfully did he discharge the duties of this honored position that he was re-elected in 1908 and is still serving. He was a member of the special session of the legislature called by Governor Hanly in the fall of 1908 which passed both the "night rider" and the county local option bills, of which Mr. Simison was an ardent supporter and was espe- cially interested in the passage of the latter. He has always been a very enthusiastic supporter of the Republican party. He is regarded by his fellow colleagues in the legislature as a man of sound judgment and as having the interests of his constituents at heart, consequently his counsel is often sought in matters of state importance.
Mr. Simison is a member of Romney Blue Lodge of Masons, also of the Scottish Rite in Indianapolis and Murat Temple of the Order of the Mystic Shrine. For the past six years Doctor Simison has been a member of the board of trustees of DePauw University and he looks very carefully to the interests of that noted institution. This honorary position came to him entirely without solicitation. The Doctor has long taken a great interest in church affairs and has been a member of the Methodist church in Romney practically all his life, as was also his wife, the local congregation having been greatly benefitted by their devotion to its work. The Doctor has served both as steward and trustee of the local congregation, still retaining these positions on the board. In the fall of 1907 he was elected delegate to attend the session of the Methodist general conference which convened in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 5, 1908, lasting thirty days.
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Doctor Simison has been a man of thrift, always industrious and honest in his dealings with his fellowmen. He now owns nearly two thousand acres of good land in Tippecanoe and Montgomery counties, which is kept in an excellent state of improvement under the careful management of its owner. He is also interested with his brother in a large grain elevator in Romney.
Personally, Doctor Simison is a gentleman of unblemished reputation. according to the statement of those who have known him from childhood, and his private character and important trusts have always been above re- proach. He is a vigorous and independent thinker, a wide reader, and he has the courage of his convictions upon all subjects which he investigates. In all the relations of life he has proven faithful to every trust reposed in him and he has justly won the unqualified esteem of the people of this and adjoining counties whose interests he has ever had at heart.
WILLIAM H. WARE, M. D.
Concentration of purpose and persistently-applied energy rarely fail of success in the accomplishment of any task, however great, and in tracing the career of Dr. W. H. Ware, of Clark's Hill, Lauramie township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, it is plainly seen that these qualities have been the secret of his rise to a position of prominence and respectability. Moreover he pos- sesses genuine love for his work and regards it as a privilege to carry com- fort and aid to the sick and suffering.
Doctor Ware was born in Parke county, Indiana, on November 4, 1847. the son of Charles W. and Minerva A. (Schockey) Ware, the former a native of Kentucky. He was a man of much enterprise and he and his estimable wife were people of much sterling worth who belonged to that class of worthy pioneers whom nothing daunted.
Dr. W. H. Ware was educated in the common schools of Parke county, Indiana, later attending Bloomingdale College, where he remained two years and received a good literary education. He spent the days of his young manhood in a manner similar to most other contemporary boys, and in cast- ing about for a life work he decided to devote his future years to the study and practice of medicine. With this end in view, he began reading medicine with Doctor McElroy in Danville, Illinois. He entered the Cincinnati Med- ical College in 1867, pursued a full course and, after making a very com- mendable record for scholarship, was graduated from that famous institution
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in March, 1869. He located in Boone county, Indiana, where he remained for a period of twenty years and where he built up a very lucrative practice, having established an office at Dover in 1869. Then, much to the regret of his many patients and friends in Boone county, he moved to Bowers Station, Montgomery county, where he practiced with his usual success for a period of sixteen years. He came to Clark's Hill, Tippecanoe county. in 1905, and has succeeded in building up a very extensive practice here. being busy at all times attending to his numerous patients who may be found in a wide range of territory. Although he has been in Lauramie township but a few years, his name has become a household word here and he has suc- ceeded in winning his way into the hearts of the people by reason of his eminent ability as a physician and also because of his exemplary life.
Doctor Ware has been twice married, both of his wives being deceased, and he has no children. The Doctor is a member of Darlington Lodge, No. 186, Free and Accepted Masons; Darlington Lodge, No. 159, Knights of Pythias; also the Improved Order of Red Men, Lodge No. 194, in all of which he is deeply interested. He is a member of the United Brethren church and a liberal supporter of the same. In politics he is a Republican, having long been an active worker in the party. He is a member of the Boone County Medical Society; also the state and national medical associa- tions. The Doctor is a man deserving of the high esteem in which he is held, owing to his genuine worth, his public spirit and integrity.
WILLIAM C. DAVISSON.
One of the well-known agriculturists of Jackson township, Tippecanoe county, is William C. Davisson, who was born September 19, 1852, in the locality where he now resides, and where, near his parents' home. he attended the common schools. He later entered Wabash College at Crawfordsville, where he remained for two and one-half years, where he pursued a general course of study and was making a splendid record when he was compelled to withdraw from that institution before his graduation on account of his fa- ther's death, his services on the home farm being needed. He is the son of David J. and Sarah (Shepherd) Davisson, both parents natives of Adams county, Ohio. They came to Indiana when young and were married in Tip- pecanoe county, and soon took up farming in Jackson township where they prospered and remained until their deaths. Besides successfully conducting
Harvey Reser
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his farm, David J. Davisson devoted considerable time to the practice of law, having been a member of the Lafayette bar, his practice having been prin- cipally before justices of the peace, having made a specialty of settling es- tates, for which work he was known far and near. His death occurred in 1874, when fifty-six years old, his wife having survived him a few years, dying in January, 1877, at the age of sixty-two. They sleep the eternal sleep side by side in Sugar Grove cemetery. They were highly honored by all who knew them for their upright lives and kindly dispositions. To them seven children were born, William C. of this review having been the sixth in order of birth and all being deceased except the subject and one sister, Susan, who makes her home with him. In order of birth they were Nellie, John B., an infant who died unnamed, Susan, Annie E., William C. and Sarah J.
William C. Davisson continued to live on the farm with his mother after the death of his father. He was married March 23, 1875, to Samantha Arnett, who was born at Fortville, Hancock county, Indiana, February 23, 1852, the daughter of Jasper N. and Elizabeth (Wallace) Arnett, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of South Carolina. They were married in this state, in which they remained until their deaths, Mr. Arnett having died January 1, 1908, at the age of seventy-eight years, having been preceded to the silent land by his wife in 1906, who died when seventy-two years old. They were both buried in Sugar Grove, Tippecanoe county, and were known and respected for their honesty and hospitality. To them three children were born, all of whom are living, their parents having lived to see the youngest one pass the half century mark.
Since the marriage of William C. Davisson he has been conducting the farm on which he was born. It consists of one hundred and thirty-two and one-half acres, all in Jackson township and in one body which he has under a high state of cultivation and well improved. His sister, Susan, who has remained unmarried, is the owner of sixty-five and one-fourth acres of excel- lent farming land which lies just across the road from the land owned by William C. Davisson. She carries on general farming and also raises con- siderable stock of all kinds, receiving a very comfortable annual income from each source. Mr. Davisson is a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep, both thoroughbred and could easily be registered, should he care to go to the trouble. He has reaped large success from the first, owing to his careful and systematic methods coupled with innate ability. He has a very commodious and comfortable home in a beautiful location, and everything about his place shows thrift and prosperity.
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Mr. and Mrs. Davisson are the parents of nine children, all living, and only one married, Edward G., who chose as a life partner Effie White; they reside in Indianapolis. Vinton is a practicing physician in West Lafayette. The other children are all single and living at home, namely: Morton L., Annie E., Bruce, Everett A., Burt S., Nellie B. and William Mckinley.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Davisson belongs to Lodge No. 228, Knights of Pythias, at New Richmond, Indiana, in which he has passed all the chairs. He has always been a loyal supporter of the Republican party, following in the footsteps of his father, the latter having been a strong aboli- tionist in his day. William C. Davisson takes a very active part in local political matters, and he very ably and acceptably served as county commis- sioner for two terms of three years each, having made one of the best com- missioners Tippecanoe county ever had, according to the statement of many of his constituents, irrespective of party. He also held the office of township assessor for five years, during which time he assessed Jackson township five times. He has also served as road supervisor several times. Mr. and Mrs. Davisson and their children are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church at Sugar Grove, all taking a very active part in the affairs of the congregation there, while his wife and daughters lend great assistance in the furtherance of both home and foreign missionary work. Mr. Davisson is a very liberal contributor to the church and all matters pertaining thereto. He is a most companionable gentleman and all who come within the range of his influence are profuse in their praise of his admirable qualities.
THOMAS NEWELL CONARROE.
A man deserving honorable mention in this book is Thomas N. Conar- roe, of Lauramie township, Tippecanoe county, who was born in Wea town- ship, this county, November 21, 1854, the son of Joseph and Sarah (Walton) Conarroe, and the grandson of Job Conarroe. The latter came to Tippe- canoe county, Indiana, when a lady twelve years old, having entered land in Wea township, becoming in time one of the progressive pioneers of the county. He was a man of strong characteristics, as was also his son Joseph, the latter having been a man of enterprise, a prosperous farmer, and a man of influence in his township. He became the father of four children, namely : Charles, who lives in Montgomery county; Thomas Newell, of this review ;
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Job, who lives in Randolph township, this county; Lizzie, who marrried William Schultz, is now deceased, having left two children.
Thomas N. Conarroe was reared and educated in Wea township, having gained a fairly good text-book training in the common schools. He re- mained at home assisting with the work about the place until after his fa- ther's death. When' he was thirty-four years old he moved onto a farm on Wild Cat prairie, in Sheffield township, where he remained for three years, getting a good start, and then moved onto his present place, one of the richest and best improved farms in the township. It consisted of three hundred and seven acres and yields abundant crops from year to year under Mr. Conarroe's skillful management. On it stands a comfortable and sub- stantial dwelling, amid beautiful surroundings ; also a large barn and other outbuildings in good repair. He carries on general farming and stock- raising in a manner that stamps him as an agriculturist of no mean ability, and, besides living comfortably, he is laying by a competence for his declining years.
Mr. Conarroe was married in 1883 to Ann E. Lucas, daughter of George Lucas, a well-known resident of Sheffield township, this county, and to them was born a son, Portie, who died at the age of eighteen months. Mrs. Lucas received her education in the common schools, and she has proven to be a most faithful helpmeet to her husband in managing their fine farm and she keeps her home tidy and neat at all times. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Stockwell. In politics Mr. Conarroe is a stanch Republican.
Mr. and Mrs. Conarroe are people who look on the sunny side of life, ever hopeful that the good will rule instead of the bad, and as a result of such fortunate dispositions they make it pleasant for those whom they may chance to meet and who visit them in their beautiful home.
JOSEPH ELLIS.
Among the early settlers of Ohio and Indiana no name was better known than that of Ellis. Thomas Ellis, of whom full particulars are given on another page of this work, was one of the hard-working pioneers in Ohio when that state was still young. His son, Joseph Ellis, born September 16, 1821, was the third child in a large family and grew amid the hard sur- roundings that beset all boys of the pioneer period. He married Elizabeth
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Jane, daughter of James Seller, an early settler of Montgomery county, a captain in the Black Hawk war and a man of local note in his day. Joseph Ellis, after his marriage, lived at home for a time and then removed to Montgomery county, but soon returned to Tippecanoe county and located on a farm in Lauramie township, where he spent the balance of his life. He owned about three hundred acres of land, part of which was entered by his father. He cleared the larger portion and during his lifetime was regarded as one of the county's successful farmers. He had eleven children, of whom the following survive: James D., of Indianapolis; Thomas P .; Howard O., of Montgomery county; Laura, wife of Edward Hanger, of Stockwell; John, deceased; Mary C., deceased wife of George Kennedy; Addie, wife of Wilson G. Clark, of near Gladden's Corners.
Thomas P. Ellis, second child of Joseph, was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, December 11, 1853, and got a limited education while as- sisting his father on the farm. After the latter's death, he managed the farm for his mother. He spent eighteen months in Crawfordsville, but since then has lived on his farm of one hundred and nineteen acres, part of which is the land entered by his grandfather. He has built a fine home on the place. besides the necessary barn and outhouses incidental to an up-to-date farm.
On October 25. 1882, Mr. Ellis married Emma C. Gladden, born May 5. 1854, and descended from one of the most famous of the pioneer families. Her parents were Richard and Frances (Ellis) Gladden, the former born February 1, 1818. in Montgomery county, Ohio. The only education he got was obtained by three months' attendance in four winter schools. His father, William Gladden (see sketch on another page), died when he was seventeen years old and the management of the estate fell upon his youthful shoulders. Though a mere boy, he proved equal to the task, was of great assistance to his mother in caring for a large family and became a successful farmer. Before his marriage he bought forty acres of land in Lauramie township and as he prospered added other land until his holdings amounted to two hundred and sixty acres at the time of his death. This he had cleared and brought into excellent condition for agricultural purposes, having fine buildings of all kinds suitable for farms. In early manhood he espoused the temperance cause with great ardor and became a member of the Sons of Temperance. At first an old-time Whig, voting in 1840 for William Henry Harrison, he afterwards became a Republican and adhered to that organiza- tion throughout his life. He held a few minor offices, including that of trustee of Lauramie township, which he filled for three years. October 31.
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1841, he married Mary Madalene Ellis (see sketch of Thomas Ellis), and after her death he espoused her sister Frances, who became the mother of the following children: Emma C., wife of Thomas P. Ellis; Marcus P .; Eliza, wife of J. W. Peters, of Lauramie township, and William H., also a resident of Lauramie township. When Richard Gladden died, on February 6, 1902, everybody said that Tippecanoe county had lost one of her grandest citizens. He came as near being a model man as is permitted to our im- perfect characters and during his long life was an example to young and old, of integrity, honesty, and square dealing with his fellowmen. His wife also was an estimable woman, far above the ordinary in the domestic virtues and all that goes to make a true womanhood.
Thomas P. Ellis and wife have had two children: Joseph Gladden, born August 15, 1883, and Ora Howard, born March 8, 1886. Mr. Ellis is a member of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 439, at Stockwell, and is a past grand of the order. His youngest son is also a member of the same order and holds the office of recording secretary. He is also chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 350, at Stockwell. Tippecanoe coun- ty has had no better farmers, no better men nor finer citizens than the Ellises and Gladdens. Their word is as good as their bond, and no man could ever justly accuse any one of them of a dishonorable act.
FRANK B. EVERETT.
A well-remembered attorney-at-law and a man who proved his loyalty to the government and his patriotism in upholding the national union was the late Frank B. Everett, a man of unusual mental endowments and one who had no enemies owing to his honorable relations with his fellowmen in all capacities. He was born in Jefferson county, New York, December 2. 1831, the son of Brainard Everett, a farmer and a man of sterling qualities, who was born in 1807. He married Flavella Britton, also a nnative of that state, born in 1806. To this union eight children were born, seven of whom grew to maturity, among whom were three sons, Frank being the oldest son. They were given such educational advantages as were possible for those early days. Frank B. Everett, believing that the West held greater oppor- tunities for him, started for the Hoosier state when he was twenty-two years old, locating at Lafayette in 1852. The town was small, but he saw possi- bilities for future growth and importance and decided to cast his lot here.
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Having received a college training in the East prior to his coming here, he was enabled to teach school in order to get a start, his first teaching having been done at Crawfordsville, but desiring to take up the law, for which he seemed to be fitted by nature, he abandoned teaching and came to Lafay- ette for the purpose of beginning the study of jurisprudence, entering the law office of Colonel Styles, with whom he made rapid progress and in due time became a prominent figure at the local bar.
In 1857 Mr. Everett chose as a life partner Emma Brackney, the wed- ding occurring on May 12th. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Amy (Brown) Brackney, having received her education in Illinois, also in the common and high schools of Lafayette. She developed into a very able scholar and a woman of extraordinary culture. She was born in Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1836. Her father was a farmer and house-mover and rebuilder, having moved most of the old houses off the public square in Lafayette. His family consisted of four children, including Emma, widow of Frank B. Everett, and a' son, John S. Brackney. The latter lives in Chicago, the head of a large packing concern, and is married and has two children.
To Frank B. Everett and wife five children were born, out of which number four sons grew to maturity, namely: Eugene, born December 27, 1858, is an attorney and real estate dealer, is unmarried and lives at home; Ida May died when four years old; David was born January 19, 1866, is married and has two children, and lives on a farm in Benton county, Indiana ; Thomas was born December 27, 1867. has remained single; he was educated in Lafayette and prepared himself for the law, but abandoned that profes- sion and is now handling paints in Chicago. William Everett was born April 19, 1878, educated in Lafayette and became bailiff under Judge De- Hart, which position he very creditably filled for a period of eight years ; he is now engaged in the roofing business, in Chicago, is married and has four children.
The old Everett home, which is a cozy and nicely-kept one, is located at No. 1808 Kossuth street. All the children were born and reared in this home, to which they all return each year for a pleasant visit. Five acres of rich ground surround the house.
Frank B. Everett, as already intimated, was a soldier in the Civil war, having served faithfully in the Seventy-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, having enlisted in Company C, from Lafayette, which was com- manded for the most part by Brig .- Gen. E. Dumont. Mr. Everett was never wounded, but was compelled to spend some time in the hospital. He was
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discharged as first lieutenant, having won such promotion during his service of eight months. He received a pension of seventeen dollars per month. After an active and useful life, Mr. Everett was called to his reward on September 15, 1905.
Although now seventy-three years of age, Mrs. Emma Everett looks much younger, being strong physically and mentally and in full possession of all her natural faculties. She is a faithful member of the Baptist church.
WILLIAM LYMAN JONES.
Most of the brave "boys in blue," who sacrificed so much during the great crisis in our nation's history, liave crossed death's mystic stream, leaving behind them a nobler heritage than we of the aftermath often fully appreciate. Of that great army the gentleman whose life record is briefly outlined in the following paragraphs is rightly numbered, since he gave up the pleasures of his own fireside, the possibilities of a thriving business and willingly offered his services and his life, if need be, for what? That those who should come after him could enjoy the fruits of a peaceful and united country. To such heroes all honor is due.
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