USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 53
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dition, he decided to cast his fortunes with the wonderful western country of which so many glowing accounts were being given. At any rate, the horses could be used for traveling, which was a considerable advantage. Carrying his purpose into effect, his first stop was in Darke county, Ohio, where he entered a quarter section of land, which he cleared and developed into a good home. While building the first log cabin here it was necessary for the family to be housed in a tent which was pitched under a large oak tree. During a terrible storm the tree fell and narrowly missed destroying the tent and its occupants. Peter Burkhalter died at the venerable age of eighty-cre years. He was an active member of the German Reforme:l church and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. To his union with Miss Biery ten children were born. namely: Henry, Peter, Joseph, Eli. Ruben, Edward. George, Polly, Katie and Elizabeth, all of whom are deceased.
Edward Burkhalter, the subject's father, was brought to Indiana by his parents and took an active part in the development of the home farm. After attaining mature years he determined to make his own way in the world and he entered one hundred and seven acres of land in Ross township, Clinton county. He had just recently been married and was a poor man. An old friend of his, the venerable pioneer William Peter, got information to the effect that another man was intending to enter the land which had been se- lected by young Burkhalter, and, desiring the latter to get it, he went to him and advised him to proceed without delay to the land office at Crawfords- ville in order to be ahead of his competitor. But Mr. Burkhalter was com- pelled to confess that he had no money with which to enter his land, and. therefore, was helpless. The old man, however, gave him the necessary amount and urged the young man to make all haste. This he did. starting at once and traveling as rapidly as possible. He was afoot and the night was extremely dark, nevertheless he made good time and by sunrise the next morning he presented himself at the land office and perfected his title to the land. He was none too soon, as the transaction had hardly been completed when the other man walked in for the purpose of entering the same land. The land was purchased at a cost of one dollar and a quarter per acre and proved to be excellent land. Mr. Burkhalter proceeded without delay to clear and improve the tract and eventually added to it ten acres more for a water right. In 1866 he moved over into Tippecanoe county, purchasing one hun- clred and thirty acres of improved land in Sheffield township. He later erected a house near Dayton and there made his home until his death, which occurred December 2. 1878. at the age of seventy years and twenty-one days. He was in politics a Whig. and after the dissolution of that party he be- came an ardent Republican.
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About the time Mr. Burkhalter attained his majority he married Eliza- beth Rycraft, a native of Butler county, Ohio, and the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Lytle) Rycraft. Mr. Rycraft was a pioneer settler of Day- ton, Ohio, and became a well-to-do farmer and distiller. To him and his wife were born nine children, namely: Elizabeth, John, George, Joseph, Squire, Harriet, Peggy Ann, Catherine and Mary. Mrs. Burkhalter died August 3, 1865, at the age of fifty-two years, six months and eighteen days. She had borne her husband the following children: Sarah A. is the widow of Jacob Kahl and lives in Dayton : Mary C. became the wife of Noch Swank and both are deceased: Elizabeth J. is the widow of Tilghman Paul and re- sides in Perry township: William H., the immediate subject of this sketch : Margaret became the wife of David Lecklider and both are deceased ; Hattie married Joseph Roth and both are dead; Louisa is the wife of Jeremiah M. Deibert, of Dayton ( see sketch elsewhere in this volume) ; Alice is the wife of Charles Kroll and resides in Frankfort, Indiana: Lydia is the wife of John S. Bush, of Dayton ( whose sketch appears on another page) ; George lives in Arkansas ; Solomon lives in Lafayette.
William H. Burkhalter received a good common school education and engaged in the vocation of farming until his enlistment for service during the Civil war. On December 11, 1863, he enlisted for three years, or as long as the war should last, and was assigned to the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Battery. under Capt. William Naylor. In March, 1864, he was transferred to the Eighteenth Indiana Volunteer Battery, under Lieut. William Rippetow. and with this command he saw much heavy service. He participated in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, Buzzard Roost and Sand Moun- tain and also took part in Cook's raid in the rear of Atlanta. The battery was for a time at Atlanta, from whence it was sent to Calhoun, Georgia, and later to Nashville, Tennessee. Here the subject was transferred to the gunboat "Stone River," where he remained until the close of the war. He received an honorable discharge at Indianapolis on the Ioth of July, 1865. He then returned home and again took up the more peaceful vocation of farming. For four years he managed the old homestead farm in Clinton county, and then came to Sheffield township, this county, and rented his uncle's farm. Subsequently he bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Perry township, where he lived until the spring of 1909, since which time he has resided in Dayton, though he still owns the farm.
On March 27. 1866. Mr. Burkhalter was married by Rev. Robert Baker to Polly Roth, a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Daniel Roth, at that time residing in Clinton county, Indiana. She died on
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September 27, 1870, and on October 17, 1872, Mr. Burkhalter wedded Sovilla Idle, a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania. To this union was born one child, Jennie, who is now the wife of Jackson Brady, of Battle Ground, this county. After the death of his second wife, Mr. Burkhalter married her sister, Mary Idle, who was born in Clinton county, Indiana, July 29, 1857, the daughter of Franklin and Sarah (Adams) Idle. Franklin Idle was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, andi was there mar- ried. Subsequently he removed to Clinton county, Indiana, north of Frank- lin, and later located in Ross township. that county, where he lived until his death, at the age of seventy years. He was a member of the German Baptist church, as is his widow, who still lives there. To William and Mary Burkhalter have been born six children, namely: Sovilla married Allen Smith, of St. Louis, Missouri, and they have two children, William H. and Wesley; Hattie is the wife of Otto Hinckle, of Elsen, Indiana, and is the mother of two children, Robert William and George; Jerome married Mabel Martin and operates his father's farm in Perry township; Mary resides in Lafayette; Lydia and Moorette are at home with their parents.
In politics the subject is a stanch Republican and while residing in Sheffield township was elected the township trustee, but he only served in the office one year, or until 1901, when he resigned and moved to his farm in Perry township. In 1900 he was elected to the office of county commis- sioner, in which position he served efficiently for over six years. Fraternally Mr. Burkhalter was made a Mason in the lodge at Dayton, of which he is still a member. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Elliott Post at Dayton. He and his wife are faithful members of the German Reformed church at Oxford and give to the church a hearty and liberal support, as they do to all movements looking to the upbuilding of the best interests of the community.
DAVID PARKER SIMISON.
No man in Randolph township, Tippecance county, stands higher in the estimation of his fellow citizens than the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch, owing to the fact that his life has been so modu- lated as to result in the accomplishment of good, not only for himself and family, but also the community at large .
DAVID PARKER SIMISON
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David Parker Simison was born October 30, 1867, on his father's farm north of Romney in Randolph township, where during his boyhood days he attended the No. 2 district school for a short winter term, and attending the summer schools in Romney, from which he was graduated. In 1883 he en- tered DePauw University at Greencastle, where he was graduated with hon- ors in June, 1889, after which he returned to the home farm and remained with his parents until 1894, in which year he secured a position in the grain elevator at Romney where he worked by the month for one year. Beginning in 1895, he took charge of the elevator, where he has ever since remained, now being part owner of the same with his brother, John F. An extensive business is carried on with the surrounding community. They also jointly own about two thousand acres of land in Tippecanoe and Montgomery coun- ties, which is highly improved and very productive. David P. is also a stock- holder and director in the Romney Bank, and the pronounced financial suc- cess he has achieved during his brief business career stamps him as one of the leading business men in his community.
The parents of David P. Simison, John and Eliza Simison, were too well known in this county to need extended mention here. Suffice it to say, that they played well their part in the development of Randolph township from the early days and gained a very wide circle of admiring friends, and, being hard workers and economical, they established a good home and gave their children every advantage. No more highly respected people ever lived in Randolph township.
David P. Simison was first married on February 19, 1896, in this coun- ty, to Mattie E. Stidham, who was born January 16, 1872, in Tippecanoe county, three and one-half miles south of Lafayette, on a farm. She was the daughter of Alexander and Ella (Killen) Stidham, both natives of In- diana. Mr. Simison's first wife was called to her rest on August 20, 1904, at the age of thirty-two years, and was buried in Romney cemetery. She was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. To this union two children were born, Charles Alexander and Wilbert Parker, both living at home. Mr. Simison married, on October 24, 1906, Alma Skinner, who was born March 1, 1876, in Tippecanoe county. She was the daughter of William H. and Mary ( Alexander) Skinner, both natives of Indiana and both still living at this writing on a farm near Romney. Mr. Skinner was a soldier in the Union army. He and his wife are the parents of five children, four of whom grew to maturity, Mrs. David P. Simison being the third in order of birth. Mr. Simison and his second wife are the parents of one child, David S.
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Like his father and brothers. David P. Simison has always been able to see with remarkable accuracy advantages ahead, and foresee the outcome of present transactions, always giving his closest attention to whatever he had in hand and managing his affairs in such a way as to reap splendid re- sults. He has natural executive ability of a high order and has won a con- spicuous place in his locality among the energetic and prosperous business men.
Mr. Simison has always been a stanch Republican, having taken quite an active interest in township and county affairs, his judicious counsel often being sought in the interest of his party. He has served as township trus- tee in Randolph township for a period of four years, from 1901 to 1905, to which office he was elected by a large majority and the duties of which he discharged to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.
Fraternally Mr. Simison is a member of Lodge No. 441, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, at Romney, where he has filled the chair as master, and has also been representative to the grand lodge of Masons of Indiana. Both he and Mrs. Simison are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Romney, both being very active in church work, and for the past three years Mr. Simison has been superintendent of the Sunday school, which position he now very creditably holds. They are pleasant people to know, and all who visit their beautiful home find free hospitality. There are no more highly esteemed people in Romney township.
PETER WEAVER.
The first settler of a county is always a notable character in local his- tory. His cabin is pointed out as a landmark as long as it lasts, events are dated from his arrival and comparisons are always in order between con- ditions then prevailing and those of later days. To Peter Weaver falls the honor of being the first settler of Tippecanoe county. He came from Vir- ginia. was the son of another Peter Weaver, whose ancestry originated in Germany, but little is known of the genealogy beyond this point. Peter Weaver, the second, married Martha, daughter of Henry Walker, an early settler of Virginia, of Scotch-English descent. In 1807 he brought his fam- ily to Indiana and settled in what is now Wayne county, three miles south of Richmond. Eventually he acquired a good estate, all of which was lost
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by becoming bondsman for the sheriff. This reverse compelled him to be- gin life over again and he decided to seek an entirely different location. While serving as a lieutenant in a company of rangers during the war of 1812, he had visited the Wabash valley and was impressed with the fertility of the soil in the prairie section. So in 1822 he came to what is now Wayne town- ship, Tippecanoe county, entered a tract of land adjoining Burnett's Re- serve, and by the time of his death had entirely recouped his fortunes, though the building up of his new property cost him many a weary day's work and much anxious thought. He was one of the leading men of the county at that early day, served several years as county commissioner and was at the front in all movements to bring about a betterment of conditions. He died in March, 1863, when ninety-six years old, his wife preceding him to the grave many years, as her death occurred in 1825, when she was only forty-two. They had seven children, but the limitations of this biography confine mention to Patrick Henry Weaver, the eldest son. He was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, in 1803, and was consequently only three years old when his par- ents came to Indiana. At the time of the settlement in Tippecanoe county he was nineteen years old and made a full hand on the farm for seven years or more before he began business for himself. January 26, 1829, he mar- ried Alice, daughter of William and Susan Dimmit, Tennesseeans who set- tled in Wayne county, Indiana, in the early part of the last century. Mrs. Weaver was born after the settlement in Indiana, and in 1825 came with her parents to Tippecanoe county. After his marriage, Patrick Henry Weaver lo- cated on a tract of one hundred and sixty-two acres in Burnett Reserve, then unimproved, but destined in years to become one of the choice farms in this highly favored county. Mr. Weaver spent nearly seventy years, or two generations, on this place, and eventually owned five hundred acres, all of which showed his good judgment and skill as a farmer. He died October 16, 1890, after completing his eighty-seventh year, having outlived his wife, who passed away January 28, 1884, aged seventy-three years. They had eleven children, of whom the following is a full list: Milton W., born No- vember 18, 1829; Susannah, born August 29, 1831, married Nimrod Lisbor ; Martha, born March 2, 1833, married William Chalk; Harriet, born Jan- uary 28, 1835, married Daniel Jackson; Theresa, born April 1, 1837, mar- ried J. Whither; Peter, born October 28, 1838; Elizabeth, born January 15, 1841, married Frank Spitzer ; William, born December 30, 1842 ; Amanda, born December 26, 1844, married Davis Reese; Alice, born March 28, 1847, died in infancy ; Marie J., born October 15, 1849, married Charles Tolliver.
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Peter Weaver, sixth child of Patrick H., was born in Wayne township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and followed farming all his life. He was highly respected, just as the whole generation of Weavers have been, and he worthily kept up the honors of his family. He married Mary Coppy, by whom he had four children; Alonzo, a resident of Missouri; Flora, born in 1808 and died in 1881; Virgis, a resident of Wayne township; and Samuel W. The father died in 1904 and the mother, who was born in 1844, died in 1903. They are buried in the West Point cemetery by the side of their deceased daughter. Samuel W. Weaver, the youngest of their children, was born in Wayne township June 19, 1875. He has spent his whole life on a farm and was educated in the common schools; he owns one hundred and forty acres of land in Wayne township, devoted to general farming. He married Pearl Wagoner, by whom he has one child, Alvan. Mr. Weaver is a highly esteemed citizen, and is regarded as one of the county's substantial farmers.
SIMON PETER NEWHARD.
The subject of this review has passed practically his entire life in Tippecanoe county and is a worthy representative of one of its sterling fam- ilies, as was also his father, now departed this life, and thus it becomes compatible that specific mention be made of both in this compilation.
Simon Peter Newhard is a native son of the old Keystone state, having been born, as were so many other residents of this county, near Allentown, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He was born on the IIth of October, 1859, and is a son of Aaron and Christina (Moyer)' Newhard, natives also of Lehigh county, as were the subject's grandparents, Peter and Susan New- hard. Aaron Newhard was a successful farmer and in 1860 he came to Tippecanoe county and purchased a farm in the eastern part of Perry town- ship, near the Clinton county line, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was an energetic man and an upright citizen and commanded universal respect from all who knew him. He was a firm believer in the platform of the Democratic party and gave it his support at the polls. After he had been here a few years, his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Newhard, came on from their Pennsylvania home and here remained until their deaths. Peter Newhard was born April 5, 1798, and died September 28, 1872, while his wife Susan, who was born January 21, 1805, died No-
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vember 3, 1875. Their remains were laid to rest in beautiful Oxford ceme- tery, in Perry township, as were those of their son Aaron and his wife. Aaron, who was born January 13, 1825, died April 10, 1900, and his wife Christina, who was born February 12, 1824, died December 16, 1894. They were active members of the German Reformed church. To Aaron and Christina Newhard were born the following children: Abbie became the wife of Daniel Peters and both are deceased; Tilara is the wife of Man- ford Virgin, of Perry township; Catherine became the wife of Levi Moyer and they reside in Sheffield township; Frank died in early youth; Christina married Frank Sense and both are deceased; Simon Peter, the immediate subject of this sketch; Rosa, deceased; Martha, the wife of Thomas Smiley, of Lafayette; Oliver lives at Roseburg, Oregon: Preston resides in Clinton county, this state. Of these children, the first six named were born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and the others in Tippecanoe county.
Simon P. Newhard was only about six months old when his parents brought their family to their new western home and he has lived here con- stantly since. He remained under the parental roof during his boyhood and gave faithful attendance to the common schools. After his marriage, which occurred in 1884, he started out in life for himself, renting a farm in Perry township. Subsequently he bought and moved onto the fine farm which he now occupies. This farm, which consists of ninety-five acres, adjoins the town of Dayton on the south, and is considered one of the choicest pieces of farm land in the township. Here Mr. Newhard erected a splendid modern residence and has in many other ways brought the entire property up to a high standard of excellence.
In politics Mr. Newhard adheres to the faith of his fathers and gives to the party of Jefferson and Jackson an earnest support. His religious membership is with the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs. Fraternally, he is a member of Dayton Lodge, No. 103. Free and Accepted Masons, and Dayton Lodge, Knights of Pythias, while he and his wife be- long to the order of the Eastern Star.
On February 2, 1884, Mr. Newhard was united in marriage with Ma- rilla Baker, a daughter of Clark L. Baker, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. To them have been born five children, namely: ' Florence, Elda, Clarence, Stanley and Gordon. In every walk of life Mr. Newhard has lived up to the highest ideals and is well liked in the community in which he lives. He possesses splendid personal qualities and gives his support to every movement looking to the best interests of his community.
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PROF. BURTON CROUSE SHARPE.
In one of the most exacting of all callings, the subject of this sketch has attained distinction, being recognized as one of the most successful teach- ers in the county of Tippecanoe. He is a well educated, symmetrically de- veloped man, his work as an educator having brought him prominently to the notice of the public, the result of which is a demand for his services where a high standard of professional excellence is desired. He is a gentle- man of splendid tastes and studious habits, keeps abreast the times in ad- vanced educational methods and he stands well in the esteem of those who know him.
Burton C. Sharpe is a native son of Sheffield township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, having been born on a farm just northeast of the town of Dayton on the 8th of October, 1875. He is a son of Dr. Edward C. and Molly (Burton) Sharpe, the latter having died in 1877, when the subject was but two years old. Edward C. Sharpe was born near Lafayette, the son of Noah and Rebecca Sharpe. These parents were natives of the Old Dominion state, having removed to Tippecanoe county about 1848. They settled at Oakland Hill, near Lafayette, where they were successfully en- gaged in farming.
Edward C. Sharpe obtained a good education in the common schools, after which he entered and was graduated at the Louisville Medical College, Louisville, Kentucky. He first entered upon the active practice of his pro- fession in the village of Montmorenci, Tippecanoe county. A short time later he removed to Pleasant Green, Missouri, where he enjoyed a good practice and during which time he served as surgeon for the Missouri, Kan- sas & Texas railroad. Subsequently he removed to Lisbon, Missouri, and soon afterward to Pleasant Hope and then to Levicks Mills, both in the same
state. His last removal was to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he is now en- gaged in the active practice of his profession and enjoying a large practice.
As stated before, the subject of this sketch lost his mother by deatlı when he was but two years old, after which sad event he was brought to Dayton and placed in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Morris, with whom he lived five years, attending one term of school the meanwhile. He then joined his father at Pleasant Green, Missouri, where he attended school, as he did also at Lisbon and Pleasant Hope, where his father was also located . at different times. At the last-named place he attended the Presbyterian Normal Academy, after which he returned to Dayton and engaged in farm
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work in the summers and tending cattle in the winter. For this labor he received the compensation of eight dollars per month and board. This was a small wage, but he was determined to secure an education, and in this way he was enabled to pay his way through school. He graduated from the public schools at Dayton in 1893, and the following year he took a teacher's examination, in which he was successful in securing a one-year license. For five consecutive years he taught in the schools of Sheffield town- ship, and he then took a term of work at the Terre Haute Normal School, after which he taught another term in the common schools. He then took a high school teacher's examination at Lafayette, in which he was successful in securing a certificate, and in 1900 he taught the first high school in Perry township, a position he retained for three years. He was then elected prin- cipal of the Dayton school, in which capacity he served one year, teaching in the grades the following year. The next year he became principal again, holding this position until the close of the school year of 1909, when he was elected principal of the high school at Stockwell, this county.
The work Professor Sharpe accomplished while in charge of the Day- ton school was of a very definite nature and speaks volumes for his ability as an educator. When he took charge of the school it had no official stand- ing among the high schools of the state, but in 1907 Professor Sharpe se- cured its certification, and, through his efforts, in 1908, it became a commis- sioned high school. The students who have graduated from this school have stood well in advanced educational institutions to which they have gone and the general advance made in the standing of the school and the standard of studies there have reflected the progressive ideas and administrative ability of him who for eight years was at its head. Pupils and patrons alike speak in the highest terms of the relations of Prof. Sharpe with his students, each one of whom was always the subject of his personal interest.
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