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 39
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 39
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 39
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The late Ramsey Crooks, of New York, was of this line, and was for many years a distinguished member of the Northwestern Fur Company, of which John Jacob Astor was the great head. The names James, John, William, Samnel and David have ever been prominent in the Crooks family. The original settlers of Scotland (or Ploneford) migrated to western Pennsylvania, Maryland and other western states, but it would be too great an undertaking to attempt to trace the various branches of this family; suffice it to say that we
give in this article the immediate progenitors of our subject. His great-grandfather, whose name was also James, settled in Monongahela County, Pa. He had four sons: Thomas, Richard, James and William. The third son, James, the grand- father of our subject, at an early day removed from Pennsylvania down the Ohio river as far as where the city of Cincinnati now stands. On their way down the river they were often shot at by the the Indians, who infested both sides of the river,
After landing, James Crooks cut the first stick of timber used in the building of the fort and as- sisted in building a block-house, which the old settlers of Cincinnati say was built on what is now the corner of Third street and Broadway. He re- mained there about three years and then moved on down the river to Ohio Falls, where he resided for about the same length of time. There he also built a block-honse and from there he went to Kentucky and helped to erect à stockade at a place called Bullet Lick. The settlers were greatly annoyed by the Indians, and when they went into the field to work it was with their rifles strapped on their backs. While many of the pioneers were killed by savages, we have no information to lead us to think that any of the Crooks family lost their lives in this way.
The residence of Grandfather Crooks and his family in Kentucky was not altogether satisfactory, and after fighting the battle of life and the Indians for three years, they returned to Ohio. Prior to removing they sold their Kentucky property, tak- ing continental money for the first payment. This money immediately lost its value, and thus Mr. Crooks was deprived of his hard-earned property. He and others started back to the Buckeye State by team, but when they came to the river oppo- site Cincinnati, they found it frozen and the ice so glassy that their horses could not stand on it. They therefore tore np a woolen vest, which they tied around the horses' hoofs to keep them from slip- ping, and in that way crossed the river in safety. The next settlement was made on what is known as Cotton Run in Butler County, about eight miles northwest of Hamilton, Ohio.
At the last-named place, William B. Crooks, father of our subject, was born in 1803. A short
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time afterward the family moved to Franklin County, Ind., where they resided in a house which stood within a few feet of the Ohio state line. Here William B. married Martha C. Johnson, who was born in Ohio in 1804 and was a daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. In 1826, when our subject was a child of but one year, his parents came to Parke County and located at Bridgeton, where the father practiced the medical profession for some five years.
For the following six or seven years William Crooks lived successively in Waynetown, Michigan City and Lake County, and in 1838 returned to Bridgeton, where he continued to practice up to the time of his death in 1856. When he passed to that bourne whence no traveler returns, Bridge- ton and Parke County lost one of its most influen- tial citizens. He was a man of powerful will, and any conclusion he had reached as being right, no power on earth could change. In politics he was a life-long Democrat, and while residing in Lake County he served as Justice of the Peace and As- sociate Judge. In him the less fortunate always found a friend, and no poor hand was ever stretched out to him that went away empty. His noble wife survived him several years and died in Parke County August 22, 1865.
Having given an outline of the ancestry of Dr. Crooks, it is but simple justice that prompts us to give to him whose whole life has been spent among the people who prize him so highly a somewhat more extended sketch than is given to the genera- tions that have gone before him. In some re- spects he might be considered a unique character. His peculiar traits cause him to make success out of what a less determined man would abandon as a complete failure. His literary education, which is far superior to that of many men who had far greater advantages for obtaining it than he, was not received within the walls of any of our great colleges; in fact, so far as schools were concerned, it was gained in the primitive school-houses of the pioneer days in Indiana, but he has ever been a thorough and constant student of that great school from which no man graduates until the battles of life have all been fought.
Dr. Crooks not only reads, but he retains what
he has read. An extended traveler and close ob- server, he has in this way stored up a knowledge of men and events that might well be envied by many a so-called classical scholar. His medical education was commenced under his father's in- structions, and in 1846 he commenced to practice with him. In 1855 he attended lectures in the Ohio Eclectic College of Medicine and was gradu- ated from that institution three years later. Since that time he has been continuously engaged in the practice of his profession at Bridgeton, although he has also been engaged in other business enterprises.
In 1865, in company with others, Dr. Crooks embarked in the dry goods business at Brazil, Ind., but by the recklessness of his partner and the panic of 1873 he lost $20,000. He was for a long time in the drug business at Bridgeton. In March of 1868 his store building was burned, causing a loss of $1,200. The following July his store and contents were burned, causing a loss of $4,000. Aside from this, he has paid more than $5,000 in security debts. Thus it can be seen that he has lost a fortune. He was on the verge of financial ruin, and a less determined man would have gone down in a financial crash, but not so with the Doctor; his tenacity asserted itself and the tide turned, and he is to-day counted as one of the very wealthiest men of Parke County.
A few years ago the Doctor became much inter- ested in the study of geology, and his knowledge of this subject is broad and far-reaching. He has written and lectured on it, and has several fine paintings (his own work) which he has produced, with which to illustrate his lectures. He has also a very fine collection of geological specimens col- lected in his trips to Arkansas and the mountains, as well as many secured in his own locality, or taken from the mines in Colorado, in which he owns an interest.
Dr. Crooks joined the Masonic order in 1854, and has held all the preminent offices in Bridge- ton Lodge, having been its master for nearly a quarter of a century and serving as a delegate to the Grand Lodge and member of important com- mittees. He is a Royal Arch Mason and belongs to the Knights Templar, and served for one year as Grand Lecturer for the state of Indiana. "Bob"
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Morris, the poet, author and great Masonic worker, was his lifelong friend, and often visited him at Bridgeton. The Doctor frequently recites in pub- lic the poems of this noted Mason, a volnme of which was presented to him by Morris on his last visit to Bridgeton prior to his death. In politics the Doctor is a Democrat, and was an intimate friend of Stephen A. Douglas.
January 13, 1850, Dr. Crooks married Sarah J. Ward, who was born in Putnam County, Ind., January 22, 1831, and died December 13, 1891. Their children were nine in number. Lucinda A., who was born January 7, 1851, married George F. Smock and resides at Terre Haute. Franklin P., whose birth occurred June 2, 1852, died Feb- ruary 26, 1853. Prudence J. was born December 18, 1853, and married L. J. Tennant, of Brazil. Charles W. was born August 4, 1855, and died July 7, 1856. James H., who was born March 9, 1858, passed from earth September . 18, 1859. Clara M. T., boru July 19, 1861, married Ira J. Harshbarger, a prominent miller of Milton, W. Va. George B. M., who was born October 16, 1862, married Ellen Payn, and they have two children. He is the proprietor of the Bridgeton drug store, which was established by his father. He is also a prominent Mason and the present Master of Bridge- ton Lodge. Alonzo, who was born July 14, 1864, died August 30, 1865. Robert M., born April 12, 1868, is a resident of Bridgeton. The second marriage of Dr. Crooks occurred March 15, 1893, and united him with Miss Delila Frances, daugh- ter of the late Robert Martin and a native of Parke County. In his pleasant home and surrounded by all the comforts of peace and plenty, he is spend- ing the evening of his days and enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. The Doctor and two others have formed a scientific and historical so- ciety of Parke County. Our subject is president of the society at present.
W ILLIAM CANINE, deceased, was born in Shelby County, Ky., December 25, 1815, His parents, Ralph and Margaret Can- ine, came to Montgomery County, Ind., in the spring of 1825, when William was ten years
old. They settled in Brown Township, one mile north of Waveland. At the age of nineteen he left the farm and went to Parkersburg, where he learned the cabinet maker's trade, and opened his first shop in his father's yard. He settled on a farın, but still carried on a shop and had his farm- ing done by other hands. Jannary 28, 1841, he was married to Celia McCord, the daughter of Elder Alexander McCord, but she died in Decem - ber of that year. He was married, February 26, 1845, to Martha J. Ellis, the daughter of Thomas Ellis, whose farm adjoined his. Three children were born to this marriage. Mary, the eldest, be- came the wife of John L. Goben. Mr. Canine was a fine type of man, one whose life showed how truly he believed and practiced the noble vir- tues of Christianity. He was a wise counselor and a clear headed gentleman, and his old friends Elder J. J. Goben, J. J. Van Cleave and M. M. Van Cleave officiated at his funeral. As a man and Christian he stood upon a height which all long to reach, and through faith, in death he reached the Mecca of his pilgrimage. The death of this good man occurred February 8, 1884, when he had reached the age of sixty-eight years, -one month and eight days.
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OHN N. BOWSHER. One of the attractive rural homes of Parke County is located in Liberty Township and is the property of the subject of this notice. The farm comprises four hundred and forty three acres of finely im- proved land, and is embellished with all the build- ings necessary to the proper management of the place. The owner, Mr. Bowsher, was born in Penn Township, Parke County, Iud., August 13, 1843, and is a son of Joseph and Marinda (Ken- nedy) Bowsher.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Ja- cob Bowsher, was born in Pennsylvania and mi grated to Montgomery County, Ohio, whence, after a residence of a few years, he removed in the fall of 1823 to Parke County and settled in Penn Township. Here he entered and improved about two hundred and forty acres, and became
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one of the well-known farmers of this portion of the state. He gave to each of his sons eighty acres of land, and in other ways aided them upon starting out for themselves. In the United Brethren Church he was prominent, and his house was used as the place of holding the first meet- ing of the few members of that denomination then residing in Penn Township. He was a leader in the organization of the church in his community and remained faithful to its doc- trines until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Bloxom, survived him abont fifteen years. Their children were John, Joseph, Polly, Peter and Jacob.
Joseph Bowsher was born in Ohio in 1816 and accompanied his parents on their removal to Parke County, where he cleared and improved two hundred and forty acres in Liberty Township. In addition to this land, he owned other farms aggregating three hundred acres. He built the first grist mill in Montezuma, and this he oper- ated for a few years, but at considerable loss financially. The village of West Union lost a public-spirited citizen when he died in August, 1888. He was a leading member of the United Brethren Church in that place, and with his own means, with little or no aid from others, he erected the first church of that denomination in his com- munity.
One child, Russell W., was born of the first marriage of Joseph Bowsher. The wife and mother was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in June, 1840. She was a daughter of William and Sarah (Russell) Kennedy, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio, and thence in the fall of 1822 removed to Indiana and made settlement in Reserve Town- ship, Parke County. During the winter following his arrival here, Mr. Kennedy engaged in teaching, and in the spring of 1823 entered two hundred and forty acres in Liberty Township. About 1837 he sold that property and moved to Clay County, Ind., where he purchased and improved two hun- dred acres, and also for a time was proprietor of a hotel. He departed this life in 1872; his wife had died some twelve years prior to his demise. They were the parents of three sons and four
daughters. In his political preference Mr. Ken- nedy was a strong Whig and Abolitionist. Re- ligiously he was a Methodist. He was the son of Martin Kennedy, who emigated from Ireland in Colonial days and settled in Pennsylvania. The family is of Scotch origin, and one of the ancestors participated in the siege of Boyne.
The second wifeof Joseph Bowsher was Marinda Kennedy, a sister of the first wife, and the mother of five children: John N., Rebecca J., Peter, Daniel and Sallie. It is with the eldest of these children that we are especially interested. John N. Bowsher received a district school education, and at the age of twenty commenced to farm for himself, operating a tract of two hundred acres, which formed a part of the old homestead of his grandfather. He Iraded that property for one hundred and sixty acres, a part of his present farm. This he has added to until he is the owner of four hundred and forty-three acres, in addition to which his wife owns twenty-three acres in Reserve Township. In politics Mr. Bowsher affiliates with the Democratic party, and socially is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
In September, 1863, our subject married Mar- garet Huxford, who was born in Reserve Town- ship. Parke County, Ind., and is a daughter of Charles W. and Margaret (Redden) Huxford. Her father was a blacksmith in early life, and later followed farming pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Bowsher are the parents of four children, namely: Joseph, who died at twenty-four; Marinda, wife of Eras- tus Garrard; Margaret (who died when nineteen years old, was married to J. P. Shoup. She left one child, Margaret, who makes her home with our subject), and William A., who is at home.
W ESLEY ROUNTREE. The late Wesley Rountree, who was for many years con- nected with the great agricultural inter- ests of Montgomery County as a practical, successful farmer and stock-raiser owning a valuable farm on Section 24, Ripley Township, in dying left behind him an unblemished life-record
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of loyal citizenship, of high standing as a man, and of conscientiousness in the discharge of all the duties devolving upon him in his relations with others.
Mr. Rountree, the youngest of seven children, was born October 3, 1825, in Butler County, Ohio. When he was two years old the family came through the intervening forests in the year 1827 to settle in the wilderness in this county, and here he grew up on a farm that was reclaimed from its original uncultivated condition. He became a farmer on his own account and devoted his energies to keeping his farin of two hundred acres of exceed- ingly fertile land up to a high standard of cultiva- tion and improvement, so that to-day it is classed among the most desirable farms in the township. He raised grain and was also interested in raising stock, having his place well stocked with cattle, horses, etc., of good breeds. He gave considerable attention to fruit culture, and a valuable and beau- tiful orchard adds to the attractiveness of the farm.
Mr. Rountree was happily married in 1872 to Miss Florence Brown, of Alamo, who survives him. She was born in Waynetown January 31, 1849, and is a daughter of Dr. Iral Brown, who is repre- sented elsewhere. She is a woman of high personal character, warm of heart and kindly and consider- ate to all about her, and in her our subject found a devoted wife and true helpmate, who co operated with him in his plans and work, ministered to his comfort in every possible way, and lovingly cherishes his memory. She is a Christian, as is shown by her daily walk, and a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, identifying herself with its good works, to the forwarding of which she generously contributes of her means.
June 2, 1891, at his home near Alamo, Mr. Rountree fell into the dreamless sleep of death. For sixty-three years he had lived in one place, and way greatly attached to his home and family. He was surrounded by devoted friends and all that could make life desirable, but he has been called to a higher and more blessed life. Seldom has a death in our midst caused more wide-spread sor- row than that of our subject, and those nearest and dearest to him received the universal sympathy of the entire community, for he was beloved by all
who knew him, and he had an extensive acquain- tance and many friends who will ever mourn his loss. His whole career was marked by unswerving adherence to the ways of virtue and honesty, strict integrity and justice characterizing all his dealings.
Mr. Rountree was a man of warm sympathies, was charitable in thought and act, and was ever ready to extend a helping hand to the needy and suffering. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was ever true to the faith. There is a singular coincidence in the lives of our subject and his brother Meredith Rountree, in that both were married in the same year, and their deaths occurred within a short time of each other in the same year nineteen years later. Our subject was one of the leading Masons of this county. Since the above was written Mrs. Rountree has united her destiny with a nephew of her former husband, Charles Rountree.
OHN WEIR, member of a pioneer family of Montgomery County, has for many years been engaged in farming in Ripley Town- ship and has improved one of its most de- sirable farms, pleasantly located on Section 30. He was born in Kentucky in 1820 and is a son of Alexander and Margaret (Crout) Weir, who were married in the Blue Grass State. His paternal grandfather was Robert Weir. His parents had eleven children. Robert, the oldest son, was born in Kentucky in 1810, came to this county with his father in 1828, engaged in shoe-making and died in 1882. James Weir. a farmer, was born in 1826 and was but a child when he came to this connty with his father. Alexander and Michael (twins) were born in Kentucky in 1828 and were farmers. Henry was born May 25, 1831, and is a farmer, residing on the old homestead. He married Eliza- beth Herel. Daniel was born September 19, 1834, in Union Township, and died at the age of eight years. Elizabeth was born in Kentucky in 1812, married Jacob Fruits and died in California. Anna was born in Kentucky February 1, 1815, married John Stonebraker, a farmer, and died in this county. Catherine was born in Kentucky in 1817 and married Lawson Moore, a farmer in
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Union Township. Margaret was born in Kentucky in 1823 and is now dead.
John Weir was a poor boy without other capital with which to start in life than strength, health, industrious habits and a good comprehension of farming in all its branches. But these sufficed for him to make his way in the world and to-day he is comfortably well off, with a beautiful farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres of excellent land, in good condition and amply supplied with good buildings and all the necessary machinery for carrying on agriculture after the best methods. The farm is well stocked with standard breeds of cattle, horses and hogs, and various kinds of grain are raised on it each year.
Mr. Weir is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association, his sons, who reside at home, also belonging to that organization, and he always encourages every movement that will in any way benefit his class or advance the interests of agri- culture. Politically, he is a Democrat, tried and true, and is well posted in all that pertains to his party. He has served his township as Passive Supervisor and is in every way a good citizen.
In the year 1844 Mr. Weir and Miss Susanna Stonebraker were united in marriage at their present home by 'Squire Truax. Their pleasant wedded life has been blessed by the birth of seven children-four daughters and three sons. Alexan- der, a farmer, was born in 1845 and in early man- hood married Salome Stonebraker. Margaret, who was born in 1850, married Samuel D. Denman, a carpenter of Paxton, Ill. Mary C. was born in 1851, married Mr. Barnet and died in their home at Waynetown, leaving one child, who is living with its Grandfather Weir. Sarah Ann was born in 1854, married Alexander Rush, a farmer of Mis- souri, and died June 1, 1891. Robert, a farmer living at home with his parents, was born in 1858. John, also living at home, was born June 2, 1861. Susannah was born May 14, 1864, and is now dead.
*
OHN M. WOODY is prosperously engaged in the merchandise business in Bloomingdale. His parents were Mahlon and Agnes (Chap- man) Woody. John was born in Penn Town-
ship, July 25, 1843, and when a lad moved to various places with his parents. When the War of the Rebellion broke out our subject enrolled his name on the Union side and entered Company A, Seventy-ninth Illinois Infantry, under command of Gen. Thomas. In this conflict Mr. Woody distin - guished himself in thirty-two skirmishes and hard- fought battles, the most important ones being at Stone River, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. In the first named battle he was slightly wounded and in the engagement at Liberty Gap, being more severely wounded by a piece of a flying shell, was carried from the field. While fighting at Stone River he was captured by the enemy and taken to Libby Prison, where he lived on bread and water for twenty days. At the close of the war he was discharged at Springfield, Ill., and mustered out at Nashville, Tenn. After peace was declared he went to Illinois and there remained six months, at the end of which time he came to Parke County and re-established himself in the trade of carpentry.
Mr. Woody was married in 1867 to Miss Minnie Osborn, the daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Hill) Osborn, who were natives of Orange County, Ind. Mrs. Woody is the mother of three children: Eliz- abeth, Walter and Warren, the last two dying when very young. Mr. Woody followed his trade until he went into the merchandise business at Bloomingdale in 1875. He has remained here the greater part of the time, attending strictly to his business. In 1887 he went on a tour to California for a vacation and spent two years in traveling through the western states. Returning home greatly benefited, he again resumed business in his store. He is a first class business man, attend- ing closely to the details of his trade and promptly meeting all obligations fairly and squarely.
In social life our object is a member of the Knights of Pythias, No. 87, of Bloomingdale. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, Annapolis Post, No. 10. In politics he advocates the principles of the Republican party and in 1890 was called upon to fill the responsible office of Trustee of his township, which position he has occupied since. Mr. Woody is a man who aspires to attain the highest place among his fel- low-men, and should he continue to live in the years
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to come as he has lived in the years that have gone, there is no question but that the fondest aspira- tions of his heart will be fully realized in this di- rection.
W ILLIAM C. WOODY. Among those who are gaining a livelihood by industry and perseverance is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, who is a hotel- keeper of Bloomingdale, Penn Township, Parke County. He is the son of Mahlon and Agnes (Chapman) Woody, and was born in Bloomingdale, Penn Township, this county, in 1837. The father of our subject was a son of John and Mary (Holli- day) Woody. The former was born in 1777 to John Woody and married Miss Mary Holliday March 8, 1804. This lady was a native of Orange County, N. C., and born October 1, 1786, and after her marriage to John Woody they moved to a home near Haw river, on which Mr. Woody was engaged as a ferryman.
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