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 18
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 18
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 18
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Mr. Zuck still lives with his mother, who has an extensive property at Waynetown. and has at- tended to all the business affairs of her lands and tenants. His connection with the Methodist Epis- opal Church is one of long standing. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic lodge and has been
active in this work. His connection with temper- ance work is well known and appreciated in the State, and he is in demand as a lecturer. He is highly respected in the county of which he is a native son, and his work in the schools is regarded with approbation.
RANK STRAUGHAN. He of whom we take pleasure in making a note in this work is one of the hustling business men of Rosedale, Parke County, and the proprietor as well as manager of a well-selected stock of gro- ceries, queensware, notions, miners' supplies, and a fine line of cigars and tobacco.
The history of the life of this young man is one worthy of note in the annals of the county, for the Goddess of Fate has dealt severely with him. He first saw the light of day in Fairfield, County of Durham, England, on December 21, 1866, his parents being natives of the same country. His life up to the age of thirteen years was fraught with nothing more than was common with such lads. A bright, keen observer for one of his age, happy and cheerful, with no thought of the terrible calamity hovering over him, his joy- ous and happy life was soon to be transformed into one of sadness and gloom. On a Friday ever to be remembered by this young man, he contracted a severe cold. Retiring at night as usual, but more restless than was his wont dur- ing the night, he arose the next morning with all his ambitious gaiety gone, for during the night his eyes had beeome sightless, and never again has he beheld the light of day, or the faces of loved ones so dear to him by the ties of nature. Being in very straitened circumstances, he was compelled to go into the coal mines as a laborer, where he worked until 1882, when he with his parents sailed for Amcriea. They landed in New York, November 29, and about one month later found themselves within the boundary line of Indiana State. They located for a while in Brazil, this
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State, but the father, wishing to pursue his black- smith trade and thinking it might prove more profitable in Rosedale, moved here and at once opened up a shop, while the son Frank again went into the mines. Although laboring under the disadvantage of total darkness, he never tried to shirk his duties, but labored earnestly and hard in order that he might earn sufficient money to pay for surgical operations to aid in restoring his sight.
After submitting to a painful and expensive operation, he found it to be all in vain, and as * soon as able returned to his old occupation in the coal mines, where he continued for about a year. January 22, 1890. he opened a candy store with a "paid-up" capital of $24.25, and a stock of cigars and tobacco amounting to $38, for which he had to give ample security before obtaining the goods. With a keen eye to business, accompan- ied with much good judgment, he not only paid his indebtedness, but added to his stock in botlı quantity and variety, until he was forced to make two removals, after which he finally moved into his present large double room, which affords him all the available space necessary. Ile keeps a well- selected stock of goods, over which he presides with the ability and alacrity of a salesman who is not deprived of sight. He waits upon his patrons, weighing, measuring, and making change with a degree of accuracy seldom excelled by even those who are more fortunate.
Mr. Straughan has a corps of lady clerks to as- sist him, one of whom is his sister Sarah, whose valuable services as bookkeeper and saleslady are sincerely appreciated by her brother. He keeps four horses to perform his delivery and road work. He is of a cheerful nature, making the best of everything, friendly to all, and honest to a far- thing, thereby gaining the confidence of his fellow- men. This fact, coupled with his well-developed business tact and talent, has gained for him meri- ted encomiums as a self-made business man and esteemed citizen. His father's family consisted of eleven children, namely; James, Robert, Thomas, Frank, John, Jr., Joseph, Elizabeth, Maggie, Isa- bel, Susan C. and Sarah. The threc eldest live in their native country.
Our subject's parents now reside in Rosedale, the father working at his trade. Politically, our subject is a People's party man, believing in the "greatest good to the greatest number" of people. In social life he is a good conversationalist, and a man of no small musical talent. In the financial world, the reputation of this young man ranks as first class, and he has good credit with all dealers of merchandise in his line. With the energy and push that Mr. Stranghan shows, we can but pre- dict a successful business career through life.
ENRY B. HULETT, Ex-County Clerk of Montgomery County. The subject of this notice was born on the 21st of De- cember, 1844, in Putnam County, Ind., and is the son of William and Lucy (Wilson) Hulett, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, who came into this State when young, and settled in Putnam County about 1845 or 1846, in Clark Township, Montgomery County, near Ladoga. When Henry was ten years of age his mother died, and in 1864 the family moved to lowa. William Hnlett is now living in Peabody, Kan.
Henry was the eldest of three children, the oth- er two being daughters. He was educated in the country schools and was then sent to Ladoga Academy. His education was interrupted when he went with his father to Ottumwa, Iowa, but the climate there did not agree with him, and after one summer spent there he returned and enjoyed one more year with his companions and books at La- doga. After leaving school he tested his knowledge by a course of school teaching for one year, and then went into the mercantile business, first clerk- ing at Ladoga and then going into business for himself at New Ross, where he opened up a gen- eral store, and here he remained for eight years.
Ladoga had charms for our subject, and he re- turned there in 1886, when he became a candi- date for County Clerk on the Republican ticket, but in that race he was defeated. He had been
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Township Assessor and was renominated. A. P. Reynolds was elected County Clerk, but he died March 5, 1887, and as Mr. Hulett had been de- feated by only one hundred and sixty votes, the County Commissioners immediately appointed him to fill the vacancy, and he took charge of the office March 8, 1887. He filled the position with such signal ability that in 1888, when he was a candi- date again, against Wallace Sparks, he received one hundred and seventy-six majority. In his connection with this office he has been an efficient officer.
The marriage of Mr. Hulett was celebrated No- vember 16, 1869, with Miss Emma Webster, daugh- ter of Taylor W. and Lovia (Powers) Webster, who came to Montgomery County from Ohio, and car- ried on a successful mercantile business at Ladoga for many years, and there the father died in 1866.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Hulett is composed of four interesting children: Maud, Edith, Edna and Lillian. Harry died at the age of fourteen years. The family residence is at No. 107 West College Street, in Crawfordsville. Mr. Hulett is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, having attained the degree of Knight Templar, and has passed the chairs in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Red Men, and in all has been a highly valued member. The family are members of the Christian Church and stand well in the city in every way.
W ILLIAM M. RICE is a prominent and suc- cessful representative of the agricultural class of Fountain County. He is a resi- dent of Newtown, where he has a large number of sincere friends, and was born in Henry County, Ky., in 1812, being the eldest in a family of eleven children born to Jonathan and Rebecca (Reynols) Rice, who were natives of Kentucky, born in 1790 and 1785, respectively. Jonathan and Rebecca Riec were married in Kentucky, just prior to the breaking out of the War of. 1812. When the war
was declared, Mr. Rice enlisted, but served only the brief time of sixty days. After returning home, Jonathan and his wife settled down to a quiet and happy life in the forests of Kentucky, where they lived until 1829, at the end of which time they emigrated to Indiana, and located near Wave- land, Montgomery County. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of heavy timberland, all of which he lived to see cleared and cultivated by his children. He was a master mechanic and worked at his trade the greater part of his time.
Our subject's paternal grandparents were of English and German ancestry, respectively, the former, William Rice, coming to America, where he became a brave soldier in the Revolutionary War. His great-grandparents were natives of the Old Dominion, and moved from there to Kentucky with pack-mules at an early day. Mr. Rice of this sketch was married in this county in 1834 to Miss Catherine Staunton, who lived but a little more than one year. In 1836, he came to Foun- tain County, having that year married Miss Mary, the daughter of William Stevens. To them were born six children, all of whom grew to mature years; they were Elizabeth, wife of N. JJohnson ; Ra- chel, the widow of Fielding Slusher, by whom she had two children; Mary J., wife of John Gebhart; Jonathan, deceased; William P., also deceased; and George.
For many years Mr. Rice farmed successfully, and purchased and disposed of stock, in which he was greatly profited. About the year 1844 he en- gaged in driving stock to Wisconsin, in this way aiding the State in her transactions in that line. Hle engaged in merchandising, which he followed until 1880 in partnership with his brother, selling immense quantities for some years. He now owns almost a section of land in this county, and is re- garded as one of the ambitious and persevering citizens of the vicinity. His father located and died in Illinois, near Kankakee. He was married a second time, in 1836, to Miss Mitchell, by whom he had nine children, thus making him the father of twenty children.
Isaac Rice, ageneral merchant of Newtown, and brother to the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was born in llenry County, Ky., in 1821,
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and in 1829 eame to Montgomery County, where he lived for eleven years. lle then located near Newtown, and has made his home in this county ever since, with the exception of a period of three years. He was married in 1841 to Miss Margaret Stevens, who bore him four children, only one of whom is living. These children were Abednego, who died and left one ehild; Hattie C .; Mehitable, who married John Voliva, and is now deceased; and Rebecca, widow of Isah Jones, and the mother of four children. Mr. Riee was appointed Sheriff of Fountain County about 1857, to fill an unexpired term of his brother James. He engaged in mer- ehandising in 1868, in partnership with his brorther, and has continued in that business since. Ile and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which they have worked faithfully for many years. lle has also been a member of the Watt Detective Association. In politics, he is a snp- porter of the Democratic principles and platform, and has been all his life. Honest, upright and liberal to a fault, he is highly respected and es- teemed by all who know him. Socially, our sub- jeet is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has been for fifty years.
R. H. W. M.KEY, M. D., whose home is on seetion 16, Sugar Creek Township, Parke County, studied medicine with his father, who was also a physician, and in addition to that learned dentistry under Dr. McMillan, of Clinton, but on aeeount of poor health was obliged to abandon professional work for a time. Of late years he has practiced medicine, principally in the northern part of the county. Sinee 1867, he has resided on his farm, which comprises ninety- six aeres. He also owns another traet of seventy acres, both places being well improved and de- veloped. For six years he served his township as Trustee, and has always been found on the side of progress. His first vote was east for Abraham Lincoln, since which time he has firmly stood by
the Republican party. The Doetor is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which or- ganization he joined about thirty years ago at Harveysburg, and afterward was one of the charter members in the lodges of Annapolis and Marshall. Ile also belongs to the Knights of Pythias at King- inan.
Our subject was born in Monroe County. Tenn., July 4, 1829, and is a son of Elias and Mary (Har- rison) McKey. Our subjeet's paternal grandpar- ents were Benjamin and Mary (Hiekey) MeKey, the former a native of Kentucky, and of Seotch- Irish parentage. His general occupation through life was that of a farmer. Hle removed to Tennes- see, later to Indiana, and finally to Platte County, Mo., where he died. He reared a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, only two of whom are now living. Politically, he was a Whig and a strong Anti-Slavery man. Our sub- ject's father was born in Kentucky in 1804; he removed with his parents to Tennessee, and there married the daughter of Greenwood Harrison. She was born in Tennessee in 1804. there being only a few months' difference between her age and that of her husband. In 1829, Elias McKey emi- grated to Indiana, locating at Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, where for a few years he followed his trade of a carpenter. Becoming more ambitious, lie began the study of medieine under Dr. Thomas Currey. In 1839 be removed to Annapolis, Parke County, where he followed his profession until his death, in 1860. Hle had a wide practice in the northern part of the county and was favorably known. He was a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. In polities he was formerly a Whig and afterward became a Republican. In the early days he was in the Land Office of Craw- fordsville, and was Deputy Sheriff of Montgomery County at one time. He was a good citizen and took up arms in the defense of the pioneers during the Black Hawk War.
Elias and Mary McKey were the parents of ten children: Minerva G., who died; Harriet C., wife of George W. Maris; Susan, deceased, wife of A. T. Kelly; Catherine C., who first married Scott Stanley, and afterward beeame the wife of Isaac Branson; Elzina, who died while young; our sub-
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jeet, the third in order of birth; and the others, James B., Daniel W., Phineas and Erasmus, who are all deceased.
When about eighteen years of age the subject of this sketch started out to make his own livelihood, though he resided under the parental roof until his marriage. He received a good literary educa- tion in the Bioomingdale Academy, where he pre- pared himself for a teacher, and afterwards taught for about twelve terms in Parke County. At the time of the war he was engaged as a clerk in An- napolis, and there being so much demand for phy- sicians and surgeons, he concluded to become one himself, and after finishing his studies, as related above, came in 1867 to his present home, where he has built up a good practice and an enviable reputation.
The marriage of Dr. McKey was celebrated in 1860 with Patience P. Andrews, and to them were born the following children: Phineas (deceased), Frank E., Grace G., John S., and Edgar L., de- ceased. After the death of Mrs. McKey, the Doctor wedded Martha E. Musgrove, by whom he had one child, Lizzie, who died in infancy. After her death, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of George and Mary Towell.
Mr. McKey was born in Parke County, and is the mother of three children: George W. (de- ceased), A. D. and Mary A. The family is held in the highest regard in this vicinity, where they all number many warm friends.
ILLIAM W. JOHNSON, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, and an honored citizen of Montgomery County, residing on section 6, Walnut Township, controls large and valuable farming interests and is one of the most successful men of his calling in this portion of the State. He is descended from one of the early pioneer families of Ohio and was born in Clinton County, that State, twelve miles from the town of Wilmington, June 12, 1836. His father, Robert W. Johnson,
was also a native of Ohio, born in Ilighland County, October 15, 1811, his father, William Johnson, who was reared in Virginia, having been one of the early settlers of that county. He was a Quaker in religion. lle married Mary Watkins, and they had a family of nine children, of whom the father of our subject was the seventh in order of birth.
Robert W. Johnson grew to man's estate amid pioneer environments in the county of his nativity, and was there married to Miss Salina McCoy, a daughter of Arthur McCoy. The MeCoys were from Virginia and were early settlers in Highland County. After his marriage Mr. Johnson first lo- cated in Clinton County, in the State of his birth, and engaged in farming there until 1849, when he left Ohio for Indiana with his wife and children, performing the journey to their destination in Walnut Township with wagons. He and his family were not pleased with the aspect of the country, which was but partially developed and still retained much of its primitive wildness, and they moved to Peoria County, Ill. They were not any better satisfied with the condition of the country there, and coming back to this county for a load of goods that had been left behind, they decided to stay here a while before returning to their old home in Ohio. That winter, however, Mr. Johnson bought land, upon which the family settled in the spring, and after that there was no thought of return. Mr. Johnson's first purchase was an eighty-acre tract of land in the timber, of which thirty acres had been cleared. He lived thereon until 1858, when he bought another place of like size one mile west of where he originally located. There his busy and honorable life was prolonged until March 23, 1886, when he passed away. He was one of the upbuilders of the township and county and acquired a comfortable property while helping to develop the agricultural resources of this region, although he began with a small capital -- not more than $200. He was a Whig in his younger days, but after the formation of the Republican party he transferred his allegiance to that and remained one of its stanchest supporters until the day of his death. He was a Quaker by birth, but did not continue in the faith of his fathers. His good
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wife survives him at a venerable age. They had four children, two sons and two daughters, of whom one son and one daughter grew to maturity. Mary Jane, who was the wife of William A. Dice, of Walnut Township, died at the age of forty-one; Sarah Ann died at the age of four years; and George W. died when two years old.
Our subject is the only son and child of his moth- er's old age. He was an active, intelligent lad of fourteen years when the family settled in this county. He was reared to the life of a farmer and was well grounded in agricultural pursuits ere he had attained manhood. He remained on the old homestead to help in its management until his marriage, in the spring of 1860, when he located on the farm upon which William A. Dice now lives. 1Ie remained upon that five years and then took possession of his present farm, which then comprised but one hundred and thirty acres, of which only forty acres were cleared from the for- est growth that originally covered this region. In conducting his farming operations he early showed himself to be a wide-awake, clear-headed farmer. ready to adopt new methods of agriculture if feas- ible, and keeping pace with the times in all things, besides being a thorough man of business, who, while yet in the prime of life, had become one of the most substantial and well-to-do citizens of Walnut Township. Ile formerly owned eight hun- dred and ten acres of land, including real estate in Kansas, and had four hundred and ninety acres here until he deeded a quarter-section to his daugh- ter in the fall of 1890. He also has valuable real estate in Chicago. His land is all well improved and in a fine condition as to cultivation, and this is one of the best-equipped farms in this vicinity. Ample buildings for every needed purpose add greatly to the value of the place, and include a neat and commodious frame dwelling, erected in 1875. Mr. Johnson raises a good deal of stock, all of standard breeds, and he has a fine herd of Shorthorn cattle.
Our subject is a high-minded, candid, even- tempered gentleman, endowed with a firm charac- ter, a tenacious will and pleasant social qualities, and he is sincerely esteemed by the entire commu- nity where he has lived as boy and man for so many
years. In him the Christian Church finds a devoted member, one who has borne an active part in ad- vancing its interests and in the upbuilding of Union Chapel, its house of worship. In politics he is a sound Republican and a strong advocate of party principles.
April 18, 1860, the marriage of Mr. Johnson with Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Harrison and Eliza (Covington) Linn, was solemnized. Her parents came here from Butler County, Ohio, and were early settlers in this county. Mrs. Johnson is a woman of fine personal attributes, who has sustained her relations as wife, mother and friend with true grace and dignity. She is a Christian in every sense of the word, and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her wedded life with our subject was hallowed to them by the birth of two children: Anna May and Robert Grant. The daughter only is left to be their sol- ace in their declining years. She was born March 28, 1862, was educated at the Lagoda Normal School, and is now the wife of William B. Diee, a farmer living in Walnut Township, south of Mace, and a son of Christopher Dice.
Robert Grant Johnson, the beloved son of our subject and his wife, whose bright young life was seemingly so untimely closed by his death in the opening years of a glorious manhood that held great promise of future distinction, was born in Walnut Township, Montgomery County, Ind., May 23, 1865. He early showed scholarly tastes and in the district school, where he obtained the pre- liminaries of his education, he was particularly noted for his studious habits and remarkable fac- ulty for memorizing. He was always a favorite at the Friday "dress parades" in the schoolroom, his talents as an amateur speaker contributing much to their success and enjoyment. He was a great reader, especially of history and books of travel, and when only a small boy was master of Diek- ens' "Child's History of England."
With such a mind and a deep-seated longing for higher culture, young Johnson naturally became restless and dissatisfied with farm life, and while toiling in the fields in the hot sun his busy thoughts were far away in the city, dwelling upon more congenial avocations, He was sixteen years
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old when his cousins from college came to see him, and from listening to their account of college life he first began to definitely shape his resolution to obtain a college education. He told his parents of his determination to leave the farm and fit himself for a profession, and as they highly approved of his plans, he met with substantial encouragement. In the fall of 1883 he entered the De Pauw University at Greencastle, and showed his capacity by doing two years of preparatory work in one, winning high rank for brilliant scholarship. In his fresh- man year he became a member of the Delta Kappa Epsita College Fraternity, and bore a conspicuous part in its proceedings while he remained in the university. He became famous among his fellow- students for his oratorical powers, won the first prize in declamation over the sophomore and jun- ior contestants, and was thenceforth recognized as a formidable foe in debates. Gifted with a voice of remarkable richness and strength, which he as- siduously cultivated, and having an earnest and direct style of speaking, he always made a good impression. Ile took the first prize at the Inter- State Oratorical Contest at Greencastle in 1888, delivering a speech on "Principles of Political Parties," which won high encomiums, not only on account of its magnificent delivery, but for the subject matter contained therein, which was pecn- liarly adapted to the political outlook of Indiana at that time.
After his graduation from the university in 1888, Robert Johnson devoted his talents as an orator to the service of the Republican party in the campaign of 1888, and created a very favorable impression wherever he spoke. As soon as elec- tion was over he went to Chicago and found em- ployment as a newspaper reporter. But he had a preference for the legal profession and a few months later he began his preparatory studies in the law office of Sheldon & Sheldon. In the fall of 1889 he entered the senior class of the Chicago College of Law, from which he was graduated the following June with high honors, receiving the prize of $50 for the best essay. He was admitted to the Bar and took a position as managing clerk for Sheldon & Sheldon, with whom he had learned the principles of law. But he was not destined to
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