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 34
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 34
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 34
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July 29, 1852, Mr. Mills was married to Miss Rebecca, daughter of Jacob and Barbara Stoner, who were natives of Virginia. Iler father never came to this county, but her mother spent her last years here. Mr. and Mrs. Mills had seven children, of whom these four are living: Clare E., wife of Justice Gormly, a hardware merchant of Wave- land; Mary C., wife of John T. Byrd, a farmer of
Scott Township; William Morton, a member of the firm of Hostetter, Ashby & Mills, dry-goods mer- chants of Ladoga; and Emma E., who lives with her parents.
A man of our subject's calibre and well-known integrity necessarily commands the confidence of his fellow-citizens, who find in him a safe and wise counselor, and they have honored him by election to important local offices. He has been one of the Trustees of the township for some time, and, as be- fore mentioned, is now President of the Board. He has also served as School Director of his township. He is a stalwart Republican and an active worker in the ranks of the party.
E LSTON SAYERS, who resides on his well-or- dered and finely improved farm on section 2, Wayne Township, is a good representa- tive of the enlightened and enterprising farmers who have made Montgomery County one of the riehest and most productive agricultural centres in the State by their progressive modes of farming. He was born in Marion County, Ohio, in 1832, and is a son of William and Charlotte (Martin) Sayers, natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylva- nia. His paternal grandparents were Josiah and Sarah (Brown) Sayers, natives of Virginia. The grandmother on the mother's side was named Elston.
William Sayers was three times married. Ilis second wife was Margaret Cooper, and his third wife, to whom he was married in Fountain County in 1845, was Rachel Crane. He had a numerous family of children, as follows: Lloyd, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1819, married Rhoda Coen, and died at their residence in Pleasant Hill in 1846; Rachel, born in Pennsylvania in 1821, and now the wife of Hon. Isaac M. Coen, a farmer of Fountain County, who was elected to the Indiana Legislature by the Republican party in 1856, and served two terms, but is now deceased; Sophronia
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and John, who were born in Pennsylvania in 1822 and 1823 respectively, and died in infancy; Mary, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1824, married Jesse Grenard, and died in 1864; Josiah, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1825, and died in Mont- gomery County at the age of twenty years; Ruth, born in Pennsylvania in 1827, and who was the wife of John Higbee, who resides in Waynetown; Reuel, born in Ohio in 1830, who married Wealthy Bell, who died in Benton County in 1859; Elston, our subject; Rhoda, who was born in Ohio in 1833, and married Iphaymer W. McBroom, a farmer of Hillsboro, Ind., where she resided until her death; Ephraim, a farmer in Benton County, who was born in Ohio in 1834, and married Amanda Daw- son; Washington, who was born in Ohio in 1835, and died in 1845; Wilbur who was born in Ohio in 1838, married Miss McCoy, and is a farmer in Jasper County; Lemuel, who died in infancy in 1844; Annie, who was born in Montgomery County in 1846, and is now the wife of Rev. Will- iam Dewey, a Methodist minister in Missouri; Martin, who was born in Fountain County in 1848, and is a carriage manufacturer in McCune, Kan .; Charlotte, who was born in Montgomery County in 1853, and married S. Roach, formerly of Kan- sas, later of Indiana, but now deceased; Thomas, who was born in Benton County in 1857, married a Miss Nelson, and is engaged as an engineer in this State; and James, a resident of Kansas, who was born in Benton County in 1861.
Elston Sayers, of this biographical sketch, was but nineteen years old when he started in business for himself as a country blacksmith, which trade he had learned in early boyhood, and which he followed with fair remuneration some fourteen years. With the money thus procured he bought a tract of wild timber in Fountain County, pay- ing the sum of $150 for the whole forty acres, and then sold it at a slight advance over the purchase price. With this sum, and a little assistance from his father, he purchased eiglity acres of land, partly improved, for $750, to which he added another purchase of cultivated land, for which he paid $1,000. He continued to buy small tracts of land as he had the opportunity until he had acquired a farm of two hundred and seventy acres, beautifully
located, under a high state of tillage, and well supplied with modern improvements. Mr. Sayers has been at great expense in draining his land, having tiles laid wherever required on all parts of his farm, and he has thus added greatly to its productiveness and value. He devotes it to mixed farming, and raises a fine lot of standard stoek.
Mr. Sayers has received practical help in the up- building of his home from his amiable wife, to whom he was married in 1855 by Dr. Newland. She was formerly Catherine Grennard, a native of this township, born here in 1836, and a daughter of Jolin and Desire (Tracy) Grennard. Her par- ents were natives of Kentucky, and her pater- nal grandparents were natives of Maryland. Iler union with our subject brought them five chil- dred: John W., who was born in 1856 and died in 1857; Mary V. and Eliza E., twins, who were born in 1858, the former the wife of William Fouts, a farmer of Wayne Township, and the latter, who lives with her father, now the wife of A. R. Bid- dle, of Storm Lake, Iowa; Charles B., who was born in 1861, married Miss Jennie Anderson, of Clinton County, and is now connected with the Building and Loan Association of Bloomington, Ill., of which place he is a resident; and Eva, who was born in 1869, married C. B. Lidster, of this township, and resides on the old homestead. Eliza E., Mrs. Biddle, was formerly the wife of W. 11. Hancock, who died in the year 1855. The children were all educated in the public schools of Wayne Township, except Charles, whe attended the Merom Union Christian College in Sullivan County. They are all active members of the Christian Church, and their names are associated with the church and Sunday-school work.
Mr. Sayers is a most estimable man, who has al- ways led a life of truthfulness, sobriety and honor, and is a valued member of the community. The Christian Church finds in him and his wife two of its most useful members, who have done much to advance its interests spiritually and materially. Unlike many of his Democratic neighbors, Mr. Sayers is not a Democrat by inheritance, his father having been a devoted Republican, but through a careful study of the political situation and of the merits of the respective parties, He has served
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his township as Trustee two terms, from 1882 to 1886. He is a member of the Horse Thief Detective Association of this connty, and upholds the law and order to the best of his ability. Ilis fellow-citizens appreciate his value as a safe coun- selor and guide in practical affairs, and he is often called upon for advice and help by his neigh- bors. He is at present executor of one of the largest estates of the township.
W ILLIAM C. GILLILAND, residing on sec- tion 19, Union Township, is an able and enterprising farmer, who well represents the young men of his class, native to the soil, who are so potent in extending the agricultural inter- ests of Montgomery County. Our subject was born March 24, 1858, on the old family homestead in Union Township, and is a son of one who was for many years one of the leading men in the county, among the most prominent and successful of its pioneer farmers, and one of its foremost citizens in public life. We refer to the late Sam- uel Gilliland.
Samuel Gilliland was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., in 1807. His father was of Irish birth, while his mother was from Holland. When a young man he left his native county, and mak- ing his way to Butler County, Ohio, he worked there on a farm by the month for a time, and then went into the distillery business. After marriage he came, in October, 1834, to this State and county and entered a tract of land from the Government on section 25, Union Township. He was well equipped for the pioneer life before him, and was a fine type of the bold, enterprising, far-seeing, resolute pioneers that opened up this country for settlement, as he was a man of fine physique, of medium height, and of great strength. Ile was also well endowed mentally, and possessed keen business quahlications, which led to his early se- Jection for important offices, especially that of
County Commissioner, which he held sixteen years. In his political convictions he was a Dem- ocrat with sound views on the issues of the day. Ile showed great skill in the management of his own affairs and accumulated a large property, in- cluding fifteen hundred acres of land in this county, although when he left home at the age of sixteen he had but $16 in the world. He was a hard worker, energetic and prompt in carrying out his plans, and his success was assured from the start. His death occurred May 19, 1889, and that of his wife May 7, 1870, and they were laid to rest in Oak IIill Cemetery.
Mr. Gilliland was first married December 20, 1832, to Miss Mary Truesdell, a native of Butler County, where they were wedded. Five children were born of that marriage: John T., deceased; Lizzie Jane, a resident of this township; Anna Louisa, now Mrs. Busenbark, a resident of New Market; Margaret, Mrs. Remley, of Crawfordsville; and William M., who died in infancy. Samuel Gilliland's first wife died June 4, 1844, and he again married, March 9, 1848. His second wife was Sarah Miller, a daughter of Abraham R. Miller, an old settler of this county, and a prominent farmer, who came from Kentucky, and married a Miss Endicott. Seven children were born of the second marriage, all of whom grew to maturity but one and are still living, as follows: Mary E., Mrs. William Smith, who lives east of Whitesville; Martha E., Mrs. Wray, who lives in this township; Nancy J., Mrs. Van Cleave, who also lives in this township; James B., a resident of this township; William C .; and Henry E., who lives in Craw- fordsville. Samuel M. died at the age of sixteen.
The subject of this biographical sketch was reared in the home where he was born, and in the excellent schools of his native township he gained a practical education. Ile remained with his fa- ther until his marriage, and then located on a farm on section 19, and has been actively engaged in farming ever since. In March, 1890, he removed to his present farm, which comprises two hundred and seventy-five acres of good land, that yields abundant harvests under the excellent system of cultivation to which it is subjected, and a good class of stock is raised upon it. Mr. Gilliland
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shows commendable enterprise in carrying on his agricultural pursuits, and does a large and Incra- tive business. He and his wife are highly re- garded in social circles, and in their home are genial, friendly and hospitable. As an intelligent citizen should, he takes an active interest in poli- tics, and favors the Democratic party.
Mr. Gilliland was married March 1, 1883, to Miss Dora D. Stith, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine Stith. Her father, a resident of Craw- fordsville, was born in Boone County, his parents, who were among the first settlers, coming from Ohio, and he became a pioneer of this county. Mrs. Stith's father was David Canaday, who came from North Carolina and was one of the original settlers of Boone County. Mrs. Gilliland was reared and educated at Crawfordsville. Her mar- riage with our subject has brought them two chil- dren: Henry M., who was born July 31, 1884; and Bessie P., who was born December 22, 1886.
OIIN W. GEBHART, a leading and influen- tial citizen of Newtown, is a native of In- diana, and was born in Fountain County, near Hillsborough, in 1837, having continued to reside in the county ever since. Engaging in a variety of businesses from early years, he has by an unvarying course of honest industry, energy and ability won success in life, held positions of trust, and deservedly received the high regard and es- teem of the entire community by which he has been surrounded, and to many of whose members he has been personally known for over three-score years.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were Philip and Catherine (Barrier) Gebhart, both na- tives of Pennsylvania, and descendants of German ancestry. The grandfather was a man of courage, resolution and endurance, and served his country faithfully in the War of 1812. In 1824, Grandfa- ther and Grandmother Gebhart, journeying from Pennsylvania to the Westward, located in the theu
sparsely settled State of Indiana. Miles of almost unbroken prairie grected their eyes as they traveled hither, but to them it was the land of promise, and they were content. Among the group of children in the family of these early pioneers was the fa- ther of our subject.
Named in honor of his father, Phillip, he was born in Berks County, Pa., in the year 1809, and was therefore about fifteen years of age when he came to the State destined to be his future home and the birthplace of his immediate descendants. Upon arriving at mature age he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Shupart, who was a native of Butler County, Ohio. The parents of our subject were the father and mother of nine children, all of whom grew up to years of busy in- dustry, and became useful and honored citizens. The seven brothers and two sisters received the benefit of the district schools of that early time, but all were trained to assist in daily work, and were taught the value of thrift and prudent man- agement.
In 1862, our subject, John Gebhart, married Miss Mary J. Rice, a most estimable lady, well known in the county, and the daughter of William M. Rice, an old and highly respected settler in that section of the State. For several years Mr. Geb- hart engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits, and carried on a general farming business until 1874, when he served about one year as Deputy Sheriff, under Jackson Rice. At the close of his official service, he bought out the store in which he has since so prosperously conducted business, and still retains an active and controlling interest in the management of its affairs. Politically, our subjeet is a member of the Democratic party, and, while he is liberal in sentiment, believes firmly that right and justice are the main foundation of the Jacksonian principles and platform, which he has advocated all his life.
Mc. Gebhart has been always deeply interested in the national issues of the day, and is thoroughly posted in the conduct of public affairs. Under the Presidential administration of Grover Cleve- land, he received the official position of Postmas- ter of Newton, the manifold duties of which office he discharged with ability and great accept-
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ance to the general public. Mr. and Mrs. Gebhart are the parents of two sons, both successful and representative business men. William D. in 1887 entered into the general merchandising business with his father, and has since aided materially in extending the trade, which is increasing yearly in its territory and the value of its returns. Charles E., the youngest son of our subject, is the proprie- tor of a tailoring establishment, and occupies a leading position among the mercantile interests in his section of the county. The entire family, fa- ther, mother and sons, have a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and are prominently connected with all social and benevolent enterprises of New- lown.
W ILLIAM BARKER has made his home on his present farm since 1856. It is situated on section 16, Sugar Creek Township, Parke County, and is a most desirable and valua- ble piece of property. After his marriage our subject bought eighty acres of land in Fountain County where he lived for five years, then trad- ing the place for the farm he has since operated. On this he has erected a good residence and sub- stantial barns. Bath County, Va., was the place of our subject's birth, which occurred in 1820. He is a son of Joshua and Rebecca (Hillman) Barker. The former was in turn a son of George and Eliz- abeth (Sater) Barker. George Barker was proba- bly born in North Carolina, but afterward removed to Maryland, where his wife was born, and there they celebrated their marriage. Mr. Barker was a farmer by occupation and, emigrating to Kentucky, was there numbered among the early settlers. Later in life he removed to Indiana, where he made his home with his children until his death, which occurred about 1846, his wife dying a few months afterward. He was in service during the War of 1812, for which he drew a pension. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and, politic- ally, was a Jacksonian Democrat.
Joshua Barker was one of six children, the others being Nancy, Mary, Jessie, John B. and Jane. Ile remained at the home of his parents until reaching his majority, and was married in the Old Dominion in 1818 to the daughter of Will- iam llillman. Their family comprised seven chil- dren: William; Henry, deceased; George; Thomas, deceased; Sarah A., wife of James Allen; Nancy, who died in childhood; and one who died in infancy. When our subject was only seven weeks old his parents removed to Kentucky, where they lived until going to Putnam County, Ind. After living there for about four years, in 1830 they located in Parke County, where the father bought eighty acres of unimproved land in Sugar Creek Township. At the expiration of a few years, he settled on another farm in the same township, where he made his home during the re- mainder of his life. After the death of his first wife, which occurred about 1831, he married Miss Mary Cotton. Four children graced their union: James; Ehza J., deceased, wife of James Lawson; Ellen, wife of David Shoaf; and Jonathan, who died in childhood. Mr. Barker was a third time married, Mrs. Mary Staggs becoming his wife. He was a Democrat, and in religious belief was a member of the Christian Church, although he was reared in the Baptist faith.
William Barker was a lad of only twelve years when he lost his loving mother, and about four years later he left home, learning the blacksmith trade, at which he worked for one year, when he was compelled to abandon the business, as he was not strong enough to pursue it. For several years thereafter he worked by the month for far- mers, or at whatever he could find to do. In his twenty-fifth year he married Susanna, daughter of Francis and Catherine Pithoud. Seven children came to bless the hearts and home of this worthy couple: Charles; Thomas; Siruetta, wife of Sam- uel Brooks; Emmeline, Mrs. Nathan Newland; Catherine, wife of Perry Davis; Charlotte, de- ceased; and Martha, Mrs. George Downs.
Though not an aspirant for official honors, Mr. Barker was induced to accept the position of Town- ship Trustee for one term, acquitting himself as such to the full satisfaction of all concerned. He
JOHN H. SPENCE
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is a supporter of the Democratic party, to which he has belonged since becoming a voter. He and his wife are members of the New Light Church. The family is greatly respected and esteemed in this locality, with the history and welfare of which they have been identified for many decades.
(HN H. SPENCE, editor of the Coving- ton People's Paper, was born in Covington, Ind., September 4, 1833, and has had a con- tinual residence in that city during all that time, with the exception of three years in California and two years in Illinois. During his residence in California he worked at the case in the Marysville (Cal.) Daily Express office, and for a short time had charge of the city route of that paper. After com- ing back to the States, he found his parents living in Illinois, near Charleston, Coles County. Here he had charge of the Coles County Ledger, under the ownership of John B. Easton, for a time, but later, leaving that town, he, with Mr. Rufus Hooton, established the Mattoon Gazette in the year 1857, it being the first paper published in that city. Then selling out his one-half inter- est to Mr. Hooton, he moved back to Coving- ton and purchased the People's Friend from Mr. Cowan, and had charge of that paper for fourteen years, when he sold his entire interest to Mr. Ezra Voris. After remaining out of the business a short time, he went to Veedersburg, the same county, and established the pioneer paper in that town, the Fountain County Herald. After publishing it about three monthis, he removed the plant to Attica, changing the title of the paper to that of the At- tica Herald; here he stayed for a short time only, removing to LaFayette, Ind., having received as- surances of a large subscription and paying support in advertising and job work from the Greenback party. It was in this city he left the Democratic party and joined hands with the Republicans, again changing the name of the paper to the LaFayette Republican. He remained in LaFayette until after
the hard-fought political battle of 1874, assisting very materially in achieving a big victory for the Republicans. Late in the fall he boxed and ship- ped the plant to Covington, where he has remained, fighting vigorously for the principles of the Re- publican party. In 1886, Mr. W. F. Vogt became possessed of the entire plant (retaining Mr. Spence as editor), and he has added to the material of the office and established it on a firm foundation. As . a citizen, Mr. Spence has ever been an earnest worker in behalf of his birthplace, believing that Covington was destined by location, the fine agri- cultural land surrounding it on all sides, its mag- nificent forests of hard-wood timber, the unlimited supply of coal underlying the soil surrounding the city, the magnificent water-range on her western border, the beautiful streams adjoining, and the purity of the waters, both medicinal and for do- mestic purposes, to become one of the most pros- perous towns in the State, and all that was lacking to build her up and make her one of the leading and prettiest cities in Indiana was capital to de- velop the natural resources. That day has come, and the editor has lived to see it, even though he is "the oldest inhabitant" and the oldest native- born Covingtonian now residing in the city.
W ILLIAM R. PENCE is the senior member of the enterprising firm of Pence & Gray, general merchandise, grain, poultry and produce dealers, of Catlin, Parke County, and was born February 19, 1860, in this county. He is the son of John and Agnes E. (Gilpin) Pence, of Preble County, Ohio, who came to Parke County in 1859. Mr. Pence has always followed the vo- cation of a farmer and is considered one of the representatives of his class. This worthy gen- tleman and wife are the parents of seven children, six sons and one daughter: Thomas, Charles, El- mer, Frank, Alva, he of whem we write, and Miss Mary, who yet lives under the parental roof.
The youthful days of our subject were spent af-
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ter the manner of farmer lads, working on the farm and going to school. He completed his edu- cation at the Normal School at Danville, Ind., and Terre Haute, Ind. While at the former place he met Lawrence O. Gray, who was also attending school, and who is now the junior member of the firm. This co-partnership is the culmination of strong ties of friendship formed by these two . young men during their college days. For a biog- raphy of Mr. Gray see another page of this work.
At the age of twenty years, Mr. Pence began his first day of school teaching in the public schools of this county, and continued in this work for five years with the best of success. To the regret of his patrons and many pupils, he retired from this field of labor to enter into the business world by purchasing the small and shelf-worn stock of goods of George W. Hansel, of Catlin, this coun- ty. For these goods he paid $750, and at once commenced to cater to the demands of the public. Through his business tact and talent he soon discovered that his stock of goods was incomplete in variety as well as quantity, and he at once be- gan adding to his diminishing stock a well-select- ed and larger assortment of general merchandise. As his stock increased so did his trade, until he was forced to increase his storeroom, which he did by erecting a fine, modern-style and substantial building, 30x85 feet in dimensions, which he at once filled with goods that will now invoice over $5,000.
January 1, 1892, these two young men formed their present co-partnership, and from that date have filled a long-felt want of the many farmers of their section, namely: that of a market where they could dispose advantageously of their grain, produce and poultry. For these commodities this firm pays the highest cash prices that the condi- tion of the market of the cities will warrant them in doing. They dress all their poultry and ship many thousand pounds of it annually. Their grain shipments in 1892 were large, more than had been shipped from this place for years.
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