USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
USA > Indiana > Parke County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
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In the spring of 1871, Mr. Puett formed a part- nership with Judge Maxwell, which continued un- til the death of the Judge in 1877. Afterward our subject conducted his practice alone until 1883, when he formed a partnership with Hiram E. Had- ley, under the firm title of Puett & Hadley. Upon the removal of Mr. Hadley to Washington in 1889, the connection was dissolved, and three years later, in 1892, the firm of Puett & Adams was established, the junior member being Albert N. Adams, a law- yer of keen discrimination and thorough knowl- edge of the profession. In his political prefer- enees, Mr. Puett is a Democrat, loyal to the plat- form and principles of his party, and a zealous advocate of its candidates. In 1876 he served as Presidential Elector, and in 1888 he was Elector of the Eighth Distriet. His interest in educa- tional matters has been unflagging, and he has done not a little to promote the standard of education and advance the grade of scholarship. For six years he held the office of School Trustee of Rock- ville, and at the present time is President of the Board of Edneation of this city.
The marriage of Mr. Puett in 1873 united him with Miss Mamie E., daughter of the late Judge
Maxwell, and one child has blessed their union: S. F. Maxwell. Socially, Mr. Puett is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic or- der. In his religious connections he is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a generous contributor to the cause of religion. While his attention is principally devoted to the duties of his profession, he by no means remains indifferent to the progress of the community and the growth of the city, but in every way he strives to secure the advancement of those measures cal- culated to facilitate the growth of Rockville and increase the comfort of the citizens.
AMES H. KERR, better known as "Tip" Kerr, was born August 22, 1839, on the farm where he now lives, which is situated about one mile and a-half from the village of Bridgeton. Ile was the seventh in a family of nine children, five daughters and four sons, born to James and Mary (Hartman) Kerr. The father was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., November 29, 1791. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Kerr, was an Irishman by birth, and with his three brothers, David, William and Hugh, emigrated from the North of Ireland to the United States about the close of the Revolutionary War. In their religion, they were Protestants. They all lo- cated in Westmoreland County, Pa., but the three brothers were lost sight of, and nothing is known concerning their descendants.
Thomas Kerr married a Miss Young, a native of Scotland, and when their son James was about eight years old, they left Pennsylvania and settled in Fleming County, Ky., but after a short sojourn there went to Mason County, in the same State, and purchased a farm. That place remained the home of Thomas Kerr until he was called from earth in 1851. His wife had passed away some twenty years prior to his demise. The farm is still in possession of the Kerr family, being owned by a cousin of James H., whose father, Samuel by
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name (the unele of our subject), lived there for more than eighty-five years, and at last closed his eyes to the scenes of earth at the old home place, passing away in 1888, when ninety-one years old.
Some four years after the War of 1812, in which he was a participant, James Kerr came to Indiana and purchased the farm where "Tip" now lives, and where his whole life has been spent. At that time, 1816, there was not a house in all Parke County, and the land had not been reclaimed from its primeval condition. After making his purchase, James Kerr returned to the Blue Grass State, and in the fall of 1817 he again visited Parke County, but after a short sojourn there went baek to his old home. He was married in Kentucky to Sarah Merrill, and in 1822 eame to Parke County, where in 1824 his wife died, leaving three ehildren. Mary, the first-born, married Joshua Webster, be- eame the mother of nine children, and died when sixty-eight years of age. Susan, Mrs. John R. Webster, reared seven children, and now resides in Clay County, Ind., having attained to the advaneed age of seventy-two (1893). Samuel P. married, became the father of nine children, and died in 1881, at fifty-eight years of age.
The second marriage of James Kerr united him with Mary Hartman, who was born in Rockingham County, Va. She was the daughter of John Hart- man, a Virginian, whose aneestors emigrated from Germany many years ago. The Hartman family came West to Parke County, Ind., in 1818. Mrs. Mary Kerr was the mother of nine children, and after residing for fifty-seven years and more on the old Parke County homestead, there closed her eyes in death during 1884. James Kerr was a strong Abolitionist and one reason for his leaving Kentucky was on aeeount of his dislike to human slavery. He was a man of more than ordinary shrewdness and business taet, but of limited edu- eation. After coming to Indiana he was identi- fied with the Whigs until the formation of the Republican party, when he cast in his lot with the new organization. It was his hope (and he lived to see it fully realized ) that the Republicans would overthrow the slave power.
A man of sterling worth, loved and esteemed by all who knew him, James Kerr was frequently
ealled to vecupy positions of honor. He was eleeted on the Whig ticket to represent his distriet in the Legislature of Indiana in 1841-42-43-44-46 and 47, and throughout the entire period of his ser- vice, he ably represented his constituents and proved himself an efficient legislator. In his decisions he was firm and unwavering, and when his mind was onee made up, it was said of him that he was as immovable as the Rock of Ages. His death ve- curred August 16, 1876, in the home into which he had moved on Christmas Day of 1839.
Of the brothers and sisters of our subject, Elizabeth was married to Jaeob B. Miller and died in January, 1864, leaving three sons and four daughters. Virginia became the wife of John H. Williams, a resident of Hall County, Neb., and they are the parents of five sons and four daugh- ters. Zurelda, Mrs. James Dailey, became the mother of one son and two daughters, and is now deceased. Armenta became the second wife of James Dailey; they are the parents of one son and one daughter and make their home at Riley, ten miles southeast of Terre Haute. Ind. John Thomas died September 18, 1849, at the age of fourteen years. Sarah married Oliver Holmes and they live not far from Sacramento, Cal. Thomas Jefferson died when twenty-five years of age. June 3, 1866. George W. married and located nine miles from Coffeyville, Kan., where at the time the Daltons were killed, James H., who was visiting his brother, saw the murdered men as they lay dead on the street.
"Tip" Kerr grew to manhood on the farm where he now lives. The first school he ever at- tended was held in the same room in which he was born, but his advantages for obtaining an educa- tion were extremely limited. The country was being developed, the farm must be improved, and when there was work on the home place there was but little time for going to school. Later on, when he had reached maturity, he discovered that education was not all obtained within the walls of a schoolhouse. He became a great reader and is now a remarkably well-read and well-informed man.
In the fall of 1861, Mr. Kerr entered the army as a member of Company H, Forty-first Regiment,
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Second Indiana Cavalry. His first engagement was at Sluloh, where his regiment was the advance gnard of Gen. Buell. Exposure and the hardships of war resulted in his contracting camp fever, which reduced him from one hundred and sixty-two, to one hundred and seven, pounds in weight, and not being able to longer perform a soldier's duty, he was discharged after a service of nine months. For thirteen months after his return home, he was unable to perform any labor, but finally his vigor- ons constitution triumphed and he gradually regained his former strength.
In 1864 Mr. Kerr married Miss Maria E. Nichols, who was born in Putnam County, Ind., but at the time of her marriage was a resident of Clay County. Her father, Andrew J. Nichols, was a native of Virginia and a pioneer of Putnam Coun- ty. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr became the parents of six children. Ella E. is the wife of Frederick Hopper, a railroad conductor and a resident of Terre Haute. George married Viola Gates and is a teacher at Rosedale. James is at home with his father. Mary E. is being educated at the State Normal and is a teacher by profession. Ilattie E. died September 3, 1880, when seven years old. Nettie Grace passed away August 11, 1880, at four years of age. Socially, Mr. Kerr is a Mason and a member of Parke Chapter. He has been a life-long Republi- can and served as Township Trustee for several years. Ile and his wife and family are actively identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
M ORGAN McCLAIN resides on section 15, Greene Township, Parke County, and is a native of Shelby County, Ky., where he was born July 23, 1825. Hle is a son of Jesse McClain, who was born in Bedford County, Va., about the year 1798. Jesse was the son of Jolin MeClain, who went to Kentucky and settled in Shelby County when but a lad. The McClains were early settlers of Shelby County, Ky., where they engaged in agricultural pursuits.
The father of our subject married Miss Mary Rush, who was born in Pennsylvania, March 24, 1806, and died February 25, 1886. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McClain located in Shelby County, and lived there until they emigrated to Indiana, in the fall of 1830. At this period they settled in Greene Township, Parke County. Jesse McClain bought eighty acres and entered another eighty from the Government. There was not a trec touched on the place where he located, and he at once commenced clearing a spot where he could erect a cabin. Here in the vast wilderness, by the little stream known as Tront Branch, which glided merrily through the woods, Mr. and Mrs. McClain settled down to quiet pioneer life, and there lived the remainder of their days. To this happy couple were born ten children, nine of whom reached their majority, and five are still liv- ing, namely: Lucinda, widow of L. D. McGilverey; Matilda, who is the wife of Isaac Collings, of this township; Morgan, our subject; Elizabeth, wife of H. O. Putham, of this township; and Joseph, a resident of Fountain County. Jesse McClain owned two hundred and forty acres of good land before his death, the most of which he cleared with the aid of his children. He died July 31, 1874, on the old homestead, and his wife died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Isaac Collings, sev- eral years after. They are buried at the old Mt. Moriah Cemetery, in this township. The former was a member of the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, of which he was pastor for over forty years. Out of two hundred and eighty-two meetings in which he acted as moderator, he missed but nine times. IIis creed was the Predestinarian Baptist, in which he was a faithful worker and did much good. He was a very devout man and took great pleasure in religious matters, and his home was always open to the old pioneer ministers of those days. Politically, Mr. McClain was a Democrat.
The gentleman of whom we write was about five years old when he came to Indiana from Ken- tucky with his parents. He received his education in the old subscription schools of those days, the schoolhouse being an old log cabin, with punch- eon floor, laige fireplace, and greased paper for windows. They had hard times and many dis-
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couragements to meet, but our subject learned to read and write, which was about all that any of the children of those times learned. The major part of his education was gathered fromn his own experience. He lived with his father till a year after his marriage, and helped to clear the place.
In 1845, in the month of February, Mr. McClain was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane, a daughter of David Johnson. She was born in Kentucky, and came with her parents to Indiana when a small girl. When he ceased living with his father, our subject bought eighty acres of land adjoining that of his father's estate, where he lived till 1859, when he sold out. He then moved to the place where he now resides and bought one hun- dred and sixty acres of partly improved land, which he, by hard labor, brought under a good state of cultivation. He kept on adding to this possession until he owned three hundred and fifty acres of fertile land, all in one vast tract.
Our subject has been the father of fourteen children; those living are James D., who is a taimer of Putnam County, this State; George W., a farmer of Montgomery County; David, who is extensively engaged in agriculture in Howard Township, this county; Mary Ann, who is the wife of Sanford Spencer, a farmer in Montgomery County; Jacob, an agriculturist of Greene Town- ship; Francis Marion, who is married and resides on the farm with our subject; John G., who is a farmer in this township; and Alexander, also a res- ident of Greene 'Township.
Our subject has divided a great deal of his land among his children, giving them all a good start in life. He now has in his possession one hundred and eighty acres of arable land, well improved, which is under the superintendency of his son, who carries on general farming and stock-raising. Mr. McClain has been a hard worker all his life, for his parents were needy and could afford him but a meagre beginning. Politically, he is a Dem- ocrat and has voted that ticket ever since he reached his twenty-first year. He is a member of the Predestinarian Baptist Church, and has been for half a century, also acting as Deacon and Mod- erator of the church for many years.
Mr. McClain's companion in life died October 7,
1889. She was a consistent member of the same church as is her husband, using her influence in that direction for forty-seven years, leading a de- voted Christian life, and many warm friends mourn her demise.
Our subject was a strong Union man during the late war and did all he could to aid the cause of the North. Ile often relates how they pulled through the long winter months and endured the hardships which beset them in their pioneer life in Indiana. He well remembers the happy mo- ments he spent rambling in the woods and seeing large numbers of deer at any time.
W ILLIAM H. HARDING is an enterprising agriculturist of Adams Township, Mrs. Harding owning a well-improved farm of two hundred and fifty-four acres on section 2. She also has a fine residence in Rockville, where they will probably pass their declining years. In the year 1884 our subject went to Kansas, where he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he afterward sold to his son Edward. Mr. Ilarding was born in Shelby County, Ky., March 2, 1833, and is a son of Josiah Ilarding, who was born in Maryland in the year 1801. The latter resided in his native State until attaining his twentieth year, when with his father, Nathan, he removed to Shelby County, Ky. Oar subject's father married in that county Elizabeth, daughter of Ellis Miller, who was a farmer and stock-raiser in Kentucky, to which State he removed from Virginia about the year 1821. In 1835, Josiah Ilarding came to this county, locating in Greene Township, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres, and lived there for about two years, when he settled in Putnam County, which was his home for twenty years. At the expiration of that time he moved to a farm two miles south of Crawfordsville, where he died in April, 1889. Ilis widow is still living on the old homestead, though she was born
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as long ago as March 12, 1806. Josiah Harding was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was, politically, a Republican. He owned two hundred and forty acres of land in Montgomery County at the time of his deatlı.
William H. Harding of this sketch is one of five children, four of whom grew to maturity. Charles W. is a retired merchant; John is a farmer of Union Township, Montgomery County; and Henry W. also resides in the last-mentioned township. Our subject left home when eighteen years of age. go- ing to LaFayette, where he learned the dry-goods trade. Three years later he went to New York City, where he engaged in the wholesale millinery and faney-goods business with the firm of Cochran & Niekey, and at the end of two years was taken into the firm, the title of which became Cochran & Harding. When a couple of years had elapsed, the latter retired and went to Rockville, Ind., where he engaged in the dry-goods business with B. W. Stark, under the name of Stark & Harding. Some time later our subject sold out to his partner and became a member of the firm of Coffin & Byers. The senior member withdrew a year later, being followed by Mr. Byers two years after that. For six years succeeding the firm was known as William II. Harding & Co., when our subject withdrew, going into business for himself and continuing alone for five years. Ilis business ventures were blessed with success from the start, and as he was always honorable and correct in his methods. his patrons became his friends.
In 1856 occurred the marriage of William II. Ilarding with Adeline E. Ward, who is the daugh- ter of Greenberry Ward, a native of Woodford County, Ky., his birth having occurred in 1800. In 1821 he settled on land in Fayette County, Ind., where he remained for about five years, then coming to Parke County, and settling in the thick timber four miles south of our subject's present home. At that time the Indians were still plenti- ful in this locality, and the nearest neighbor lived nine miles distant. Ile erected a log cabin on his place, which he soon brought under good cultiva- tion. In 1832 he purchased a farm which is now the home of our subject, and there he resided until his death, when he owned three hundred and thir-
teen acres. Mrs. Harding is the youngest and only surviving member of the family, comprising three children. Greenberry Ward died September 21, 1891, aged ninety-one years and twenty one days. He was one of the hardy pioneers of this county, and from 1867 to 1870 he had an interest in a dry- goods business. He was a charter member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Rockville.
Mrs. Harding was born and reared on the place where she now lives, and by her marriage be- came the mother of five children, three of whom are living: Charles W., who resides on the farm; Edward II., a druggist at Rockville; and Frank B., who runs the home farm. Politically, Mr. Hard- ing is a Republican, and religiously is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
OSEPH F. TUTTLE, D. D., LL. D., Presi- dent of Wabash College. It is with a feel- ing of responsibility toward the State of In- diana that the biographer takes up the pres- ent subject, knowing too well that his best attempt can only feebly place before the readers of this RECORD an outline of the life of such a man as Joseph F. Tuttle. For over thirty years he has held the high position of President of Wabash Col- lege, and under his wise administration that insti- tution of learning has taken rank with others of greater age, but not of greater advantages.
Joseph F. Tuttle is the second son of Rev. Jacob Tuttle, a Presbyterian minister, and his birth took place at Bloomfield, N. J., in 1818. His life until he was fourteen years old was passed in New Jersey, the last four years of that time in attending the Newark Academy, and then he accompanied his parents to Ohio, where until he was eighteen years of age he lived with an uncle on a farm, growing into a robust young man, with a constitu- tion to withstand the years of hard work that life has called upon him to endure.
In 1837 our subject entered the Freshman Class of Marietta College, having at that time such men
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as Doctors Smith and Allen, of world-wide reputa- tion, as instructors. Having the courage of his convictions, his college course was marked by good scholarship and a decided Christian character. He graduated in the Class of '41, and carried off the honors of his class, having been chosen as Vale- dictorian.
At that time that remarkable man, Dr. Lyman Beecher, was at the head of Lane Seminary, and, having chosen theology as his life work, Mr. Tut- tle spent three years under the influence of that great man. Possessing a boundless ambition to emulate his noble instructor, Mr. Tuttle was de- termined to thoroughly tit himself for his work in the ministry, and graduated with honor at Lane Seminary in 1844, having spent one of the inter- vening years as tutor in Marietta College. About this time he delivered a poem before the classes at Marietta, called "The Aztec Sacrifice," and the col- lege conferred upon him the degree of M. A.
In 1845, Mr. Tuttle was joined in marriage with Miss Susan C. King, the accomplished daughter of Rev. Barnabas King, D. D., of Rockaway, N. J., and the same year was ordained and installed pas- tor of the Presbyterian Church at Delaware, Ohio. In 1847 he accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church at Rockaway, N. J., where for fifty years the aged father of Mrs. Tuttle ministered, and April 26, 1848, he became co-pastor with Dr. King and continued his labors there for fifteen years, in the meantime declining calls from other and wealthier congregations. His friendship and symn- pathy with Dr. King were sincere, and they worked harmoniously together.
During these fifteen years Dr. Tuttle was en- gaged in literary work, and was identified with educational matters to the extent that Marietta College, recognizing his attainments, conferred upon him the honorary degree of D. D. In 1862 began a new career for Dr. Tuttle, and one that has left its impress upon his generation. He took his place as President of the college he has ever since honored. He brought to Wabash College those qualifications which have made him eminently successful, a firm faith in, and a dependence upon, an over-ruling Providence, pulpit talents of a high order, fine social qualities, executive ability, clear-
ness in imparting knowledge, and firmness and kindness in managing pupils. Dr. Tuttle has been an earnest teacher, seeking faithfully to cultivate a noble Christian manhood in the young men un- der his care.
The literary labor of Dr. Tuttle has been of con- siderable note, he being the author of "The Life of William Tuttle," "Self-Reliance," "Morris Coun- ty," and some elaborate articles in the reviews and many periodicals of historical societies. By his writings he has made the college widely known and has drawn to it many friends. His publie ad- dresses have often been printed and received with great favor. Among these was the address deliv- ered upon the death of the great war governor, Morton, and a leading paper of the country made this note at the time: "A good many good things have been said in reference to the death of Gov. Morton, but the eulogy pronounced by Prof. Tuttle may be ranked among the best." See pamphlet in reference to the address by Prof. Tuttle on the deaths of Lincoln and Garfield.
On July 4, 1884, Prof. Tuttle was honored by being admitted an hereditary member of the So- ciety of Cincinnati, of New Jersey, a society in- stituted to commemorate the great event that gave independence to the United States of America, At the semi-centennial of Marietta College, June 28, 1885, Dr. Tuttle delivered the address on the de- ceased presidents and early professors of the col- lege, and a few days later the Board of Trustees at their annual meeting again manifested their high regard by conferring upon him the degree of Doc- tor of Laws.
Thus has the President of Wabash College been at different times honored. The advance made by the college during his administration has been most satisfactory. The class that graduated at his first commencement, in 1862, numbered seven. while the class of 1890 had forty members. In 1862 the assets of the college were 890,000, with a debt of $10,000, and to contrast with that at present is a debt so small that it is not to be counted, and the grounds, buildings, library, laboratories and equip- ments are valued at $250,000. The various perma- nent endowments amount to about the same sum. Dr. Tuttle bears his seventy-four years with ease,
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his step is still vigorous, his eye bright and clear, but he feels that his greatest work is done, and to the grief of his associates he has tendered his res- ignation as President of the college, to take place at the end of the present term. His personality is stamped upon all of his pupils, and no student has left the college without feeling his heart full of love and gratitude toward President Tuttle.
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