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 19
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 19
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 19
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attain the realization of his ambition to become a great lawyer, for the career begun with such fair prospects was soon clouded by his illness, and though he was taken to his home, where the most tender care was bestowed upon him, he was unable to rally and died Jnne 13, 1891. His death was the source of great grief to his parents and sister, who had watched his course with loving pride, but their sorrow is tempered with resignation born of their firm religious faith in an all-loving Father, who still cherishes the noble life thus well begun and has but called it to "broader fields of action and duty, where nobier struggles shall tax the strength and more precious crowns award the vic- tor, where the hopes and dreams of earth shall be turned to sight, and the broken circles of life be rounded to the perfect orb."
OHN W. UTTERBACK, a prosperous farmer, and Town Trustee of Coal Creek Township, Montgomery County, Ind., was born, reared and married in the county where he now resides, and where he is highly esteemed as an hon- orable, upright man, and law-abiding citizen. Mr. Utterback, who is in the prime of manhood, was born in 1850. He is the eldest son and third child in a family of ten children, seven of whom lived to adult age.
Susan, the eldest-born, is the widow of Abraham Wainscott, and now resides in Illinois; Sarah is the wife of W. M. Howard, of Crawfordsville; next in the order of birth comes our subject, John; then Virinda, wife of Jasper Hashbarger, of Illinois; Sanford, Stephen and James, the three last named all being residents of the county. The paternal grandfather of these brothers and sisters, Thomp- son Utterback, was born in the South, probably in the good old State of Virginia, and history records that he was descended from Scotch ancestors. William and Keziah (Walton) Utterback, the parents of our subject, were early settlers in Mont-
Truly and Finaturally
yr/Get su vant AffRice
Nancy Un. Rice
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gomery County and are numbered among the rep- rescu tative pioneers of the State. They are both living, and still remain in the same locality where they began their happy married life. The father was born in 1817, near Culpeper, Va. The mother's birthplace and lifetime home arc in the same State and county where she now resides.
John Utterback received his education in the common schools of the county. He was reared to habits of industry and was early taught the lessons of self-reliance which have materially aided him in his upward progress in life. In 1872, about one year after attaining his majority, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Martha Miller, daugh- ter of Irvin Miller, of Coal Creek. A score of years have fled swiftly away, and the good wishes, so abundantly showered upon the bride and groom full twenty years ago, seem to have been realized. Beginning life for himself, Mr. Utterback had as capital practical ability, which, engineered by pru- dent judgment, has yielded him good returns. Our subject owns one hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, which lie has finely improved. Aside from general agriculture, Mr. Utterback raises more or less live-stock, and as a progressive man is greatly interested in the rapid advance of farming methods and facilities. The homestead has been greatly beautified of late by the erection thereon of a handsome and commodious residence, which replaced the more humble home of early years.
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The farmers of our country are among the most important factors in the rise and progress of na- tional success. Well realizing this fact, our subject gives intelligent and earnest heed to the political questions of the day. He is an active Democrat, and a firm believer in the principles of the party. Elected to the official position of Town Trustec of Coal Creek in 1888, he so well performed the du- ties entrusted to him, that in 1890 he was re-elected and is now an incumbent of the office.
Few citizens of Montgomery County have a larger circle of friends and acquaintance than Mr. Utterback, whose business and family interests have always centered within the boundaries of the State. He is a prominent member of the Christian Church, in whose teachings he was firmly grounded in early youth. Mrs. Utterback is a communicant
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but although our subject and his wife hold some difference of opinion upon doctrinal points, they are united in the common desire to work for the best interests of religion at home and abroad.
Mr. Utterback is a member of the Masonic or- der, is fraternally associated with the Knights of Pythiias, and is also a member of the National Detective Association.
ARRISON J. RICE, M. D., who lives in an elegant home, surrounded by the comforts of life, is a resident of Rockville, Parke County. For the reason that he is now approaching his three-score years and ten, the Doc- tor is, in a manner, retired from active practice, and with his loving wife is now in the enjoyment of his well-earned rest.
The Doctor was born in Shelby County, Ky., Au- gust 25, 1823, and, as the name would seem to in- dicate, he is of German origin. More than one hun- dred years ago Daniel Rice, his paternal grandfa- ther, settled in Washington County, Pa., then a part of Virginia. There in the wilderness, with the help of other kindred spirits, he erected Ft. Rice. Hardy and bold were the men who faced the trials and dangers of that day, and often were they called upon to do battle with their savage foes, who roamed thie neighboring forests. In these fierce contests Daniel Rice was ever ready to take an ac- tive part, and by his bravery won considerable rep- utation. In this fort, about the year 1796, was born to him a son, Isaac, who afterward became the fa- ther of our subject. Amid these rugged surround- ings, Isaac Rice grew up tall, deep-chested and strong. Hle was a carpenter by trade, and became very proficient, so much so indeed that he could upon demand turn out with equal facility a house or mill, a bridge or boat, a cradle or a coffin. In early manhood he emigrated to Shelby County,
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Ky., where he married Miss Narcissa, daughter of James Allen, who came from Rockbridge County, Va.
In the year 1827, Daniel Rice came to Indiana, locating in Montgomery County, where he entered a piece of land one mile north of where Waveland now stands. At once he proceeded to the task of making a home for his wife and little ones, and on that farm he spent his remaining days, and reared a family of nine children, many of whom have since won honors and distinction in the com- munities where they have resided. Six of these are still living: Harrison J., our subject; James M., a highly respected, honorable, Christian gen- tleman, who still lives on the old homestead near Waveland; IIon. Thomas N., of Rockville, whose sketch appears on another page of this work; Mar- garet, wife of Levi Sidwell, a retired merchant of Rockville; A. Alexander, one of La Fayette's prom- inent attorneys; and Dr. John T., who stands high in his profession at Attica, Ind., and is surgeon of the Wabash and Illinois Central Railroads.
Politically, Isaac Rice was a Whig and a life- long follower of Henry Clay. For many years prior to his death, which occurred January 11, 1852, he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. As a citizen and neighbor, he stood well in the community, but it was particularly in the home that his best qualities were seen. It was his great- est pleasure to use his utmost efforts in directing the moral and intellectual training of his children, and though he was not permitted to see the fruits of his labors to any great extent, the good he has done lives after him.
The boyhood days of Dr. Harrison J. Rice were similar to those of other farmer lads of his time. During most of the year, he worked hard upon the farm, and attended a short term of school in the winter. Ile had a receptive mind, however, and made the most of the scanty educational advanta- ges afforded by the primitive log schoolhouse. Later, he entered Wabash College, at Crawfords- ville, Ind., where he remained for two years, and there gained a fair knowledge of Latin, Greek and the higher mathematics. About the year 1815, Mr. Rice determined to adopt the medical profession, and accordingly came to Rockville, entering the
office of his uncle, Dr. James L. Allen, as a stu- dent. Dr. Allen was a man of great skill and rep- utation in his profession, and performed amputa- tions and many operations requiring great skill long before the discovery of anæesthetics. In the office of this eminent physician, the Doctor laid the foundation of that professional and business knowl- edge which was to serve him so well in after life. Ile took his first course of lectures at Louisville, Ky., one of his teachers being Samuel D. Gross, the "Nestor of American Surgery." Later Dr. Rice attended Jefferson Medical College of Philadel- phia, graduating from that institution in 1849.
In October of the last mentioned year, the Doc- tor married Miss Nancy Moxley, of Shelbyville, Ky., who was born in Bourbon County. Her fa- ther, George Moxley, who came from near Mt. Ver- non, Va., was one of the wealthy farmers and stock-growers of Shelby County, Ky. Mrs. Rice, a lady of slight physique and domestic in her tastes, has been of untold service to her husband, as she is endowed with an accurate memory, good judgment and great practical sense, which have made her a fitting helpmate, and it is but proper and fair to say that much of the prosperity and happiness of their union, which has now lasted more than forty-three years, has been due to the faithful and loving service which she has given to her husband and children.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rice were born four chil- dren, viz .: Victoria, wife of Jeremiah Brown, a printer at Rockville; Henry Haller, a farmer near this village; Catherine, wife of Capt. Frank Steven- son, now a prominent dry-goods merchant of Rock- ville, and lately the distinguished chief officer of the Rockville Light Artillery, a company which under his drilling won the first prize in competi- tion with the crack companies of the United States; and Leta, the youngest daughter, who died in 1887 at the age of nineteen. Besides the above named, Mr. and Mrs. Rice have reared and adopted the child of the former's sister, who is deceased. Miss Rena is a young lady of rare hterary attainments, and possesses many useful accomplishments.
Immediately after his marriage Dr. Rice formed a partnership with his late preceptor, Dr. Allen, and upon the death of the latter in 1857 the former
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sueceeded to the business. He rapidly rose in the esteem of the people, as from the first he possessed in an eminent degree the faculty of inspiring his patients with confidence in his skill. For a period of over a quarter of a century, he maintained a position of greater Influence in the profession than any other physician who has lived in Parke County. He was called to all parts of this and sur- roundings counties, these distant trips frequently taxing his powers of endurance. From 1860 to 1870, priees were remunerative, and one fee of $1,450 which he received was the largest sum ever paid to a physician of this locality for services ren- dered in a single case. During his career he had more than twenty students, many of whom have honored him by rising to places of distinction.
For many years Dr. Rice has been an active worker in, and was one of the founders of, the Parke County Medieal Society. He is also a mem- ber of the Indiana State Medical Society, and of the Esculapian Society of the Wabash Valley. By faithful labor and good business management, he has been able to acquire a handsome property of some twelve hundred acres of land, a beautiful home in Rockville, besides valuable property in Des- Moines (Iowa), and Chicago. Politically, he is a Democrat, and for years has stood high in the eoun- eils of his party, being an associate of such men as Wright, Hendricks, MeDonald and Voorhees. In 1874 he was the Candidate of his State for Congress, but owing to the fact that the district was largely Republican at the time, he failed of eleetion. In tlie National Convention at St. Louis, in 1888, which nominated Cleveland for the Presidency, he was a member.
For years the Doctor was Master of the Masonic lodge of Rockville, and was High Priest of the chapter. He is also a Knight Templar and recip- ient of the Thirty-third Degree, Scottish Rite. Upon the occasion of laying the corner-stone of the new court house, September 11, 1879, he deliv- ered an eloquent address. He is a member of and faithful attendant at the Presbyterian Church, to which, as well as to other churches, he is a liberal contributor. For many years past he has been noted as a fine marksman and an enthusiastic sports- man, and one of his favorite companions has been
Judge John W. Jones, of Bowling Green, Ky. The Doctor's home is always open for the entertain- ment of his many friends, whom he delights to welcome.
ENSLEY & JOHNS, attorneys-at-law in the city of Rockville, Parke County, have a wide experience in the practice of their profession in this county, having tried cases in all courts, especially that of the Probate Courts, in this and adjoining counties for a num- ber of years.
Henry B. Hensley, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Tennessee, and was born No- vember 3, 1859, in Anderson County. His father, Charles Hensley, is a miller of Anderson County, having learned the trade before going to East Tennessee. He was married to Miss Della Wil- liams, after which he located in Knoxville, and later moved to Anderson County, where he still resides. To himself and wife were born eight children, all of whom are living but two. During the late war, Charles IIensley was a strong Union man, and supported the Whig party with his bal- lot in his early life, and is now a stanch Repub- lican. He is a member of the Baptist Church, in which he has worked for many years. Fortune seems to have favored him, for he has always been a successful business man, and is now comfortably situated in a nice home, where he is spending bis declining years.
Receiving his education in his native State, Henry Hensley in 1879 attended the Indiana Normal, at Valparaiso, where he took a general course of study for two years. After leaving that place he went to the State Normal, at Terre Haute, and there pursued his studies, preparing himself for the profession of a teacher. On leaving school, he secured a position as instructor, teaching his first term before attending the State Normal. In 1882 he was united in marriage with Miss Dora A. Lunger, who is the daughter of Harrison Lunger,
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of Parke County, Ind. Mr. Lunger was a farmer of this county, and reared his daughter in the best way possible, affording her an education and pre- paring her for making her own way in the world. After his marriage Mr. Hensley resided in Foun- tain County, where he engaged in farming for six years. During his sojourn there he was elected Trustee of Fulton Township, where he served four successful years. After he left there he came to Rockville and studied law under Messrs. Rice & Johnston for four years, at the end of which time he was admitted to the Bar. In January, 1893, he formed a partnership with Mr. Johns, and they are now carrying on their profession in such a manner as to secure the patronage of numerous business men. Politically, Mr. Hensley is a Repub- lican and is a member of the Free & Accepted Masons; he also is in membership with the Knights of Pythias. He has two children, Charles H. and Lola. He is true and devoted to his wife and family, and self-sacrificing in the faithful perform- ance of his duties.
C LEE OVERPECK. On sections 22 and 23, of Adams Township, is situated one of the finest farms in Parke County. It comprises three hundred and fifty acres of well-improved land, and is owned and operated by the enterpris- ing young farmer whose name introduces this sketch. Through his excellent management it has been brought to a high state of cultivation, sub- stan tial buildings have been erected, and every acre made to yield the greatest results possible. Mr. Overpeck is a man who is devoted to his chosen occupation, keeping himself thoroughly abreast with the latest improvements, and in every way displaying the enterprise and energy for which he is well known.
Some mention of the father of our subject will be of interest to our readers. Ile was born in Butler County, Ohio, March 31, 1832, and was the son of Valentine Overpeck, a Virginian, who accom-
panied his parents to Ohio at an early day and set- tled in Butler County, whence he removed with his family to Parke County, Ind., in 1832, locating in Adams Township. He was one of the earliest set- tlers of this portion of Indiana, and entered land in Adams Township, from which he cleared away the heavy forest growth. Gradually, from the wilderness he evolved a pleasant and comfortable home, where he passed the closing years of his life.
George W. Overpeek was born in Ohio, as above stated, and grew to manhood in Adams Township, where his education was acquired in the public schools of his locality. In 1859 he married Mal- vina Culver, who died a short time afterward. About that time he located on section 23, Adams Township, and made a purchase of land, which he commenced to improve. His second marriage uni- ted him with Martha Ellen, daughter of Charles L. Blake, and two children were born of the union, but our subject is now the only survivor. The wife and mother passed from earth on the 25th of October, 1871. She was a noble woman, sincere and amiable in disposition, and possessing a cul- tured mind. The third marriage of Mr. Over- peek, Sr., united him with Miss Mary Catherine, daughter of Johnson Collings. This estimable woman died in 1887.
In the occupation of farming and stock-raising, in which George W. Overpeck engaged, he accu- mulated a competency, becoming the owner of about five hundred and twenty aeres. He was considered one of the most successful farmers in Adams Township, and his shrewd business judg- ment resulted in the attainment of prosperity. Politically, his sympathies were in harmony with the Democratic party, with which he was identified throughout his entire life. Throughout the county he was well known and highly esteemed, and it is but truth to say that his friends were as numerous as his acquaintances. He died at the old homestead in Adams Township December 26, 1892, and his mortal remains now lie buried in the New Discov- ery Cemetery.
C. Lee Overpeck was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools and the schools of Rockville. llis boyhood was somewhat uneventfully passed in a manner similar
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to that of farmer lads in general, and no event of special interest occurred until his marriage, De- cember 25, 1890. He was then united with Miss Cora, daughter of A. B. Collings, a prominent farmer of Parke County, whose biographical sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Over- peck is a cultured and accomplished young lady, and is highly regarded in the social circles of the community. A man of genuine public spirit, Mr. Overpeck aids in every way possible the progress of the county and the development of local inter- ests. In his politics he is a stalwart Democrat, supporting the measures of that party with his usual enthusiasm.
D ANIEL WEBSTER, one of the wealthy citi- zens of Bridgeton, and the proprietor of the Bridgeton Mills, was born in Raccoon Township, Parke County, Ind., about three miles from the village of Bridgeton, March 18, 1830. He was next to the youngest of a family of seven children, having four brothers and two sisters. His parents were Reuben and Mary (Miller) Webster. We have been able to ascertain but few facts rela- tive to the ancestry of this family. We learn, however, that Samuel Webster, the grandfather of Daniel, was a Scotchman, and was born in the "land of thistles," whence he emigrated to this country about the close of the Revolutionary War. Settling in Virginia, he became an extensive plan- ter and mill-owner, and in the Old Dominion married a lady who was of Irish extraction.
Reuben Webster was the youngest in a family of eleven children. He was born in Virginia about 1792, and when twenty-three years of age he came to Indiana. During the same year, however, he went back to his early home and there married Miss Mary Miller, who was a native of the Old Dominion. She was the daughter of John Miller, whose fore- fathers were of old Dutch stock, while his wife traced her ancestry to Ireland. It was many generations ago that the Miller family came to
this country and settled in Pennsylvania, where some of its representatives became prominent in the Dunkard Church and were able preachers of that faith. Daniel Miller, for whom our subject was named, was no doubt the most prominent as a preacher. He was a man of great learning, and it is said that he was one of the best-posted men on the Bible of his day and generation. A son of his, whose name was also Daniel, was like his father a learned man and a successful preacher also.
In 1816, Reuben Webster and his young wife came to Parke County, Ind., and settled on a farm south of Bridgeton. There the wife and mother passed away in 1832, when Daniel was but two years of age. The father survived many years, his demise occurring in July, 1857. He had been three times married and had in all fourteen chil- dren-seven by the first, one by the second and six by the third union. John, the eldest of this family, died in Clay County in 1890, being then about three-score and ten. Samuel passed away in Parke County, when about fifty-three years of age. Reuben is a minister in the Christian Church and resides at Rosedale. Barbara married James Crabb, and since his death she has remained on the estate south of Bridgeton. Rhoda married Joseph Price, and lives on the old homestead.
Our subject grew to manhood on his father's farm, and as soon as large enough aided in the work of clearing the farm. Ilis opportunities for obtaining an education were extremely limited, in fact he never went to school more than six months, but he has always been a student in the great school of life, and has been an extensive reader and observer. It is said of him that years ago when he was a large mine-owner, employing hun- dreds of hands and shipping coal throughout the country, and consequently owing large amounts and having large sums due him, if he met a man with whom he had business transactions, he could at once tell him how their account stood. At one time he met a man in St. Louis with whom he was doing business. The acquaintance remarked: "When you go to your office, send me a statement of my account and I will settle it." Mr. Webster informed him that he did not have to return to
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his office in order to secure a statement, as he could tell him then and there how his account stood to a cent. This he could do with all men with whom he had business dealings. During all the years he was a great mine operator he never had a strike or any trouble with his miners.
March 7, 1853, Mr. Webster married Maria, daughter of John Hartman, a pioneer of Raccoon Township, where she was born. She passed from earth in 1858, leaving three children, one of whom died in infancy. The others are: John, a promi- nent farmer in Vigo County; and Chauncey, a far- mer in Parke County. Mr. Webster was married again, choosing as his wife Miss Nancy, daughter of Edward R. Crabb, and a niece of Peter B. Crabb, of Raccoon Township. Four children have been born of this union. Amanda Ellen, now Mrs. Marcellus Anderson, was graduated from Danville College, and received a medical education at the Chicago Medical College and the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, of Cincinnati, Ohio. For several years prior to her marriage she was a prac- ticing physician. Annie M., also a graduate of Danville College, has quite a reputation as an art- ist. She is the wife of Thomas Davy, County Sur- veyor, residing at Lincoln, Ill. Dovie L. was graduated from Danville College and married Henry Anderson, a farmer near Rockville. Della May, who was also educated at Danville, married Oliver Bell, and they reside with her parents in Bridgeton.
The early life of Mr. Webster was spent in farm- ing, at which he accumulated a competency. For fifteen years he was a resident of Vigo County, and in 1870 he opened up extensive coal-mines, which he operated for several years and finally sold at a profit of more than $30,000. In 1875, after selling his mines, he and his family made a trip to the Pacific Coast and spent some time in travel. With several others, he organized a gold and silver mining company in Nevada. This enterprise did not prove so profitable as his coal mines had been, although he still re- tains his interest in it. In 1882 he purchased the flouring-mill at Bridgeton, paying $15,000 in eash for it, and since that time has devoted his atten- tion largely to its management. The mill has a
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