USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 58
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M. M. Gray, fifth of this family, was born in Henry county, Indiana. July 8, 1872, and when about nine years old came with his father to Carroll county, where he worked on the farm and attended school during the winter months. He continued his studies in the high school at Delphi, and when twenty years old engaged in farming on rented land. He abandoned this pursuit to take charge of a hardware store at Colburn for J. C. Eckhart, with whom he remained two years. In 1901 he became a salesman for J. Crouch & Son, the largest importers of Belgian, Percheron and German coach horses in the United States. He travels in Canada and various parts of the United States where stock of this kind is in demand, and does a large business for the firm. J. Crouch & Son own five hundred and fifty acres of land on East Union street. Lafayette, where they accommodate their large herd of thor- oughbred horses and they have a national reputation as breeders. Mr. Gray has a country home near Colburn and here he spends three months in each year as a dealer in buggies.
May 25. 1894. Mr. Gray married Effie Stair, who was the mother of two children. His second wife was Anna R. Sprott, of Lafayette, by whom there is no offspring. He is a member of Delphi Lodge, No. 80, Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a Republican. He is a reliable and painstaking business man, who enjoys the confidence of his employers as well as the public generally. A good judge of livestock, none know better their strong points and value. and it is his good judgment, combined with industry, that has gained him his success as a salesman.
JAMES D. BALL.
A checkered life was that of Gardner Ball. full of ups and downs, profits and losses, misfortune and good fortune,-in fact, all the happenings char-
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acteristic of men's lives as they go through this world of conflict. Born in Ireland about 1834, he learned the trade of linen-weaving and when twenty years old emigrated to the United States. He reached the West a raw and inexperienced young man, traveled through Indiana to Perrysville, and when he reached that point found himself "broke." He had good legs, however, and used them to walk to Lafayette where he obtained employment with Tom McComb as clerk in his grocery store. He remained three years and during this time learned bookkeeping which enabled him to obtain employment in the Rogers warehouse as combined clerk and bookkeeper. Later he en- gaged as manager of a distillery at Lafayette owned by Peter Lamb, of Cin- cinnati, and utilized his wages to pay for a third interest. All went well until the establishment burned, when Mr. Ball lost all his savings. Not dis- couraged, however, he looked around for other employment and found it as weighmaster for Robert Morey, proprietor of the Wabash elevators. After working in this position for ten years he bought a third interest to be paid for out of his salary and for a while prospered greatly, but another reverse of fortune came and he lost all. His next service was with Armour & Com- pany, Chicago, as accountant, and he remained with this firm for nineteen years. As old age approached he decided to quit active business and is now living in retirement in Chicago. He was married in Belfast, Ireland, to Susan Dunlop, and has five children living.
James D. Ball, one of his sons, was born at Lafayette, Indiana. Decem- ber 28, 1856, and obtained his education in the common schools and a com- mercial college. He began working out for himself when about fifteen years old, among his employments being that of traveling salesman, which he fol- lowed for two years. He was also a grain buyer for Morey & Company, at Colburn, for some time. For twenty-one years he conducted a general retail store, beginning with a capital of two hundred and fifty dollars, but with the assistance of his wife and boy and by much hard work and good management he made a success of his business and eventually found himself well fixed financially. He has long been regarded as one of the local leaders of the Republican party, and served as member of the county central committee from Washington township. In 1895 he went into office as trustee of the township and served six years, during which time he built the Americus school at a cost of four thousand dollars. In 1900 he built the elevator at Colburn as manager of a stock company, and ranks as one of the commu- nity's best business men. He cwns two hundred acres of land adjoining the Colburn corporation line, rides in a nice automobile and resides in a fine brick residence. being at present retired from active business. November I,
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1882, Mr. Ball married Nellie Obenchain, who was born in Buck Creek, October 25, 1859, and taught for some time in the district schools. Their only son. Raymond G., who was born in 1884, died in August, 1907, while a member of the sophomore class at Purdue. His death was a great blow to his parents and cast a shadow over their lives that can never be removed. Mr. Ball is a member of Delphi Lodge, No. 80, Knights of Pythias, and also of the Uniform Rank No. 86, at the same place.
THE STANFIELD FAMILY.
No family in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, has figured more prominently in the annals of this part of the state or borne a better name for both honor and industry. The numerous descendants of the old pioneers of this name seem to take a delight in so ordering their lives as to keep untarnished the escutcheon of their sterling forebears. We first hear of John Stonfield, Sr .. who was born in North Carolina, August 10, 1796, the son of John and Rachael (Slatker) Stanfield. They came to Jackson county, Indiana, as early as 1816 when the country was a wilderness through which roamed the savage and numerous species of wild beasts. He devoted his life to farm- ing, and he married Catherine Cox, who was born in February, 1800, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and to them thirteen children were born, namely: William, Rachel, Oliver, Julia Ann, Jeremiah, John, Lydia, Samuel, Joel, Carver, Catherine, Allen and William. Those living are Julia, in California ; Lydia, in Iowa; Samuel, in Fowler, Indiana ; Allen, in Ockley, Indiana. In 1829 John Stanfield came to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and located in Washington township on a farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres, which was wild and uncultivated. He was one of the first settlers in his neigh- borhood. . He cleared his land and in time became well known throughout the county. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics was a Republican, at one time serving as trustee of his township. John Stanfield, who married Catherine Cox, was a blacksmith by trade, which he followed for many years. It was in 1827 that he entered land in Wash- ington township. In 1829 he returned to his childhood home and brought his family to this county. After living four years on his land here he sold it and bought land in section 31, Washington township, where he developed a good farm and had a comfortable home, in which he died in July, 1879, his widow having followed him to the silent land in February, 1880. He
SAMUEL B. STANFIELD AND FAMILY
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came to this county a poor man, having only enough money with which to procure eighty acres of land which at that time required only a very small sum. He added to this as he prospered until he had a farm of six hundred acres. He was a Republican and a strong Union man, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Allen Stanfield was born September 2, 1826, in Tippecanoe county, In- diana. He was the son of John Stanfield, Sr., who married Catherine Cox. He was educated in the home schools, having remained on the home farm until he was twenty-two years of age when he went to Burlington, Indiana, where he remained sixteen years. In 1879 he went to Washington town- ship, Tippecanoe county, where he purchased three hundred and thirty-seven acres of choice land. He was three times married, first to Hannah Dawson, by whom he had five children, namely: Sarah, who married Enoch Hicken- baugh, of Remington, Indiana ; Buna Vista married John Aper, of Lafayette; John J. lives at Battle Ground, Tippecanoe county ; Francis M. is deceased; William S. went into the United States army and was never again heard of. Matilda Furgerson was the name of Allen Stanfield's second wife, whose maiden name was Clevenger; two children were born of this union, Belle, deceased, and Samuel B., whose life record will be given at length in follow- ing paragraphs. Allen Stanfield's third wife was Mary Brown. He was a good manager and careful worker, and in politics he was a Republican. In 1902 he moved to Ockley, Indiana, and he is now living retired.
Samuel B. Stanfield was born in Washington township, Tippecanoe county, Indiana, April 8. 1875. He received his education in the home schools and at Manchester, Indiana. When nine years of age his uncle, Joel Stanfield, adopted him and he lived with his uncle until his marriage, April 24, 1898, to Nora Bowyer, of Independence, Kansas, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Heffner) Bowyer, the former a native of Benton county, Indiana, and the latter of Iroquois county, Illinois. William Bowyer, the son of Isaac Bowyer, grew up and married in Benton county, and in 1869 he went to Kansas where he remained for a period of twenty years, then returned to Indiana, locating at Ockley, Carroll county, where he lived until 1908 when he located at Buck Creek, Tippecanoe county, this state. where he still resides. He is a farmer and stockraiser, a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his family were seven chil- dren, namely : Charles, a broker living in Kansas City, Missouri; Henry, who was a barber, is deceased; Edward is a farmer in Washington township, this county Fannie married John Ruckles and is living in Lafayette; Nellie
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is deceased; Nora, wife of Samuel B. Stanfield; Fred, the youngest member of the family, is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Stanfield two chil- dren have been born, Roscoe R., born October II, 1900, and Olive L., born October 3, 1902.
After his marriage Mr. Stanfield lived in Washington township on the old homestead in section 31, where he remained until 1908, when he moved to his present place in section 6, Perry township, which is part of the old Stanfield property. He carries on general farming in such a way as to insure a comfortable living from year to year. He delights in fine livestock, espe- cially horses, and he is known throughout this locality as a breeder of im- ported Belgian horses, being the owner of "Dezourise De Loyers," 3315; 29462, one of the best imported stallions in this country, weight two thou- sand and one hundred pounds. He is chestnut in color, was foaled April 29, 1902, and was imported by J. Crouch & Son. Mr. Stanfield also owns two imported mares, "Sarah De Voll," roan in color, No. 669; and "Comtesse De Fayat," bay in color, No. 649. The fine farm of Mr. Stanfield is widely known as "The Home of the Belgians." He has always been a farmer and is known to be a very progressive one. Although a loyal Republican, he has held no office, preferring to devote all his time to the management of his extensive affairs. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and in his church relations he belongs to the United Brethren church. In his daily life he maintains a strict integrity and is a worthy descendant of worthy ancestors.
REV. E. PARKER CONRAD.
The Lutheran pastor at Colburn, though a young man and a newcomer, has already "made good" not only with his parishioners but the populace at large. He came highly recommended and by his work soon showed that he was deserving of all the good words spoken for him. He is energetic, resourceful, courteous to all and a friend-maker. Already his charges have shown signs of improvement and in time there can be little doubt of greatly increased membership and influence. Tippecanoe county is indebted to the Old North state for this ministerial recruit, as his whole career was spent in the south before coming to Indiana. Rev. E. Parker Conrad was born in North Carolina, July 29, 1878, and thus will be seen to have hardly passed his thirty-second year. He is a son of George W. and Mary (Leonard) Conrad, who occupied a farm in the vicinity of Lexington. Here the future
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minister was reared, learning all about farming as he grew up and attending the district schools at intervals. In 1896 he became a student of Lenoir College at Hickory, where he took the full course and was graduated in June, 1900, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. His first business venture was as a teacher in the North Carolina schools, but this occupation was aband- oned to make preparations for his career in the ministry. Entering the Luth- eran Seminary at Chicago, he went through a three-years course, which was completed by graduation in the spring of 1904. In May of that year he was ordained by the North Carolina synod of the Lutheran church and given charge of a church of his denomination at Winston. He retained this pas- torate until October, 1905, when he was transferred to the church at Col- burn in Tippecanoe county, of which he has since had charge. Besides his main charge he serves the churches of St. John's, Bethel, Pettit and St. James at Darlington. Mr. Conrad has managed well, having succeeded in increasing the membership while keeping the finances in good order.
May 27, 1908, Mr. Conrad married Myrtle Graeber, of China Grove, North Carolina, whose birth occurred June 27, 1884. Mrs. Conrad is a lady of unusual accomplishments, having taken a course in elocution and besides ranks high socially, both in their original circle in North Carolina, as well as in their new home in Indiana.
ROBERT HENRY WAGONER, M. D.
The family of this name in Washington township originated in Ger- many, the founder being Joseph Wagoner, who was born in 1832, emigrated to Carroll county, Indiana, where he located on a farm in Clay township, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1896. He prospered as a farmer and obtained prominence in his commu- nity as a man of affairs. In religion he adhered to the tenets of the Dunkard church and his political convictions were in line with those of the Repub- lican party. In 1851 he was married in Carroll county to Susan Wagoner, by whom he had nine children, all still living except Solomon, who died Oc- tober 5, 1909, at the age of fifty-five years. Robert H. Wagoner, one of the four sons and the youngest of the family, was born in Carroll county, In- diana, November 22, 1875, and as he grew up obtained an unusually good education. After going through the grades in the district school, he became a student at the Delphi high school, from which he went to the Danville Normal School for a year's course and then spent two years at the State
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Normal in Terre Haute. He taught for five years, but meantime had been making his preparations for a course in medicine, which at an early age had become his ambition. In 1898 he matriculated at the Indiana Medical Col- lege at Indianapolis, where he took a full four-years course and was grad- uated in 1903. In May of the same year he located at Colburn and has since been in active practice at that place. He has prospered and gained not only a fair share of this world's goods, but prominence and influence in his com- munity. Always a Republican, he has figured as a local leader and is quite popular with the voters. In 1908 he was elected trustee of Washington township, and during his short incumbency has given satisfaction. The schools of the township are consolidated at Colburn, Buck Creek and Amer- icus. and the plan has proven popular, as it is more efficient and economical than the old method of having so many scattered schools. Doctor Wagoner is a member of the county, state and national medical societies, and stands high in his profession. He belongs to Buck Creek Lodge, No. 497. Knights of Pythias, and is active in the affairs of this popular fraternity.
July 30, 1903, Doctor Wagoner married Cora, daughter of Levi Jett, and born at Columbus, Indiana, May 16, 1877. The only child of this union is Helen, born June 21, 1906. The family occupy a handsome residence in Colburn, where old-fashioned hospitality is dispensed to friends and all the social amenities enjoyed to the limit.
WILLIAM H. ANDERSON.
The name of Anderson was made famous at the inception of the Civil war by the heroic defender of Fort Sumter, the attack on whom by the re- bellious Beauregard precipitated the most terrible conflict of modern times. A nephew of the Major Anderson who was forced to surrender to overwhelm- ing numbers, but kept his flag flying as long as possible, is the ancestor of the family now so well known in Tippecanoe county. George W. Anderson, a native of northwestern Ohio, married Caroline J. Peret, and some time afterward decided to seek his fortunes in Indiana. It is recorded that he arrived in Washington township. Tippecanoe county, October 15, 1866, fif- teen minutes after eight P. M., in a downpour of rain, and located on a farm not so well improved as we find it in these days of piping prosperity. In 1867 he went to Carroll county, where he resided three years, and then re- turned to Washington township, where he farmed for a while, and then settled in Buck Creek, which was the place of his abode until his death, on
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May 13, 1907. He owned fifty-seven acres of land, was a devout Methodist, a loyal Republican, and a patriot worthy of the name of Anderson. Of his nine children, six survive: William H., Ira E., George S., Augustus S., Jo- sephine and Jennie M. The mother is living at Buck Creek in the seventy- eighth year of her age.
William H. Anderson, eldest of the surviving children, was born in Hancock county, Indiana, March 1, 1855. He had little chance for an education as he grew up, but occasionally went to the district schools for short terms, making up for lost time by attending grammar school when nineteen years old. He had the true Anderson blood and even as a small boy his heart leaped at the sound of the martial music calling the patriots to arms. When only eleven years of age he ran away from home and tried to enlist as a drummer boy in the army, but was refused on account of his youth. The experience of those stirring times, however, implanted in his breast an undying love for "Old Glory" and he has ever since been a pas- sionate upholder of the flag. When nineteen years of age he began the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. J. J. Peret, but after three years' trial he found the confinement would be fatal to his health, and decided to abandon his ambition. For nearly three years he clerked in a grocery store at Lafay- ette, in the employment of R. C. Shockey, was foreman on the Wabash railroad for some time, then a farmer, with an interest in the elevator at Buck Creek. He held the position of director and manager of this concern for two years, during which time he put up the building. In 1893 he bought a general store, but sold it in the summer of 1898 to go into business at Elston. Remaining there until 1902, he again disposed of his interests, went to Owen county and bought a farm, which he managed for a short time and . removed to Palestine, Illinois, and bought a general store at that place. In the earlier months of 1904 he tried his hand at carpenter work, but in the fall of that year purchased his present store at Colburn, was appointed post- master January 23, 1905, and has held the office since and now considers himself anchored for life.
October 17, 1882, Mr. Anderson married Iantha Indiana, daughter of Squire A. W. Andre and a native of Franklin, Indiana. Mr. Anderson is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has been a Sunday-school worker since his tenth year. He has served as superin- tendent, organized the class and in every way shown himself an enthusiast in the cause. He is a member of Transitville Masonic lodge and in politics has for years been an enthusiastic worker in the Republican party. He owns his store at Colburn, without incumbrance, and is popular both as a merchant and postmaster.
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JOHN P. KILE.
John P. Kile is an American by adoption, having been born in Worms, Germany, February 8, 1840, the son of George and Elizabeth (Stein) Kile, both natives of Germany, whose ancestors figured prominently in their re- spective communities for many generations. John P. Kile is a member of a family of eight children, five daughters and three sons; with the exception of John P. and two sisters, who came to America, the family remained in the Fatherland. They were all trades people, artisans of skill and known as hard workers and successful. John P., as did also the rest of the family, at- tended school in Germany, receiving a fairly good education. When fifteen years of age he was seized with the wander spirit and his sister, Catherine, having come to America in 1846, he was fascinated by the stories she wrote home regarding our wonderful country. He left school and parental roof- tree to come to her and see for himself what conditions were like in the western republic. At a tender age he found himself in Lafayette, Indiana, and, fortunate for both himself and the community, he elected to remain here, eventually securing a good foothold and becoming prosperous. Catherine Kile died in Kansas in 1899.
John P. Kile first found employment in the dry goods store of a very estimable man, Giles F. Crary, with whom he was associated for many years, finally. after he had mastered this line of business, becoming Mr. Crary's partner, and for a period of thirty-three years Mr. Kile continued to serve the public in a very neatly-kept and well-stocked dry goods store on the south side of the public square, where Loeb & Hene's place of business Is now located. During his long term of business as a merchant Mr. Kile won a reputation throughout Tippecanoe county for fair dealing and his store was always well patronized, and while he sold goods so as to realize a com- fortable income, a legitimate profit, an honest reward for his labors, he was always desirous of pleasing his customers and giving them a square deal. Now in his declining years he is enjoying a well earned respite, with a clear conscience, knowing that his life has been led along honorable lines and in a manner that has brought harm to no one.
Mr. Kile was married in 1870 to Elizabeth Irvin Deardorf, a native of Pennsylvania, and after a mutually happy wedded life of twenty-one years, she was called to her rest on April 8, 1891. This union was without issue. Mrs. Kile was a graduate of the old Presbyterian church school. She was reared a Dunkard, but her parents finally became members of the Presby-
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terian church. Mrs. Kile was a very industrious woman, both in the fields and in her home, and no small amount of her husband's success may be at- tributed to her wise counsel and encouragement. She was highly educated, refined, genial and a woman who was universally liked.
John P. Kile has been a stanch Republican all his life. He was reared in the faith of the German Reformed church. He is a liberal giver to benevo- lent work, and both church and the missionary cause has in him a worthy advocate: Mr. Kile contributed the funds for the founding and constructing of the Home Hospital in Lafayette, it being his desire that a Protestant institution of this nature should be maintained. Further reference is made to this worthy institution in Volume I of this work. Mr. Kile has found time during his very busy life to travel, especially in Europe, with which country he is familiar, and talks learnedly and interestingly of that country, -in fact, he is a most genial companion, kind, generous, courteous and broad-minded.
JOHN HARRISON SKINNER.
Dean of the school of agriculture in Purdue University was the high honor bestowed upon one of Indiana's most eminent and useful teachers of science as applied to the soil and its products. As agriculture is the most important of all the industries and its development the basis of national prosperity, it follows that those who teach it scientifically are benefactors of the human race and the true evangels of progress. Too much praise, thereforc. cannot be given such men as Professor Skinner, who devote their lives to the improvement and development of scientific agriculture. End- less work, unwearying patience, vast knowledge, both theoretical and prac- tical, skill acquired by study and practice, besides natural adaptability, are required to achieve success in the special department of applied science,. which is differentiated as animal husbandry, to which Professor Skinner has devoted his time and energy. Only those who have followed his career closely and kept in touch with his work could form an estimate of the value of such a man, the brief space allowed here admitting of only a skeleton outline. It may, however, stimulate closer inquiry, and those who make it will be amply rewarded by the rich store of knowledge afforded.
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