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 54
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 54
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 54
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The first location of the new firm was at Dar- lington and was continued at that place until their office was destroyed by fire in 1885. The loss was deeply felt, as a valuable law library was thus destroyed, but the brothers were not at all dismayed. However, they decided that as a new location was necessary they would probably find a wider field if they settled at the county seat, and consequently moved to Crawfordsville. Here, in 1884, Charles was a candidate for Prosecuting At- torney for the district composed of Montgomery and Parke counties, but was defeated by Mr. How- ard, of Parke County.
At the next session of the Legislature Parke and Montgomery counties were divided and Mr. Johnston was at once appointed by Gov. Isaac P. Gray as Prosecuting Attorney for Montgomery County. Mr. Howard appealed to the courts, claiming that he was elected for the entire district and could not be deprived of part of his territory by legislative action, but must serve out his term.
Before a hearing of the case was had by the Su- preme Court Mr. Johnston had entered upon the official duties of the office and for twenty-one days applied himself assiduously to the demands of the official work. However, the Supreme Court sns- tained the claims made by Mr. Howard, and Mr. Johnston surrendered the office. He had shown peculiar fitness for the position in the short time in which he had held it.
Charles Johnston has been closely identified with the Democratic party and in 1888 was made Chairman of the County Committees. The cam- paign of that year was conducted under his per- sonal supervision and he was upon the stump almost constantly through the heat of the conflict. He has a pleasant address and is a forcible, logical speaker, being bold and fearless in defending the fundamental principles of Democracy, and no voice is heard upon the hustings that carries greater weight with it. Mr. Johnston served as Chairman of Union Township for three campaigns and con- ducted himself in such an agreeable way as to win many friends among his political opponents.
In December, 1891, Mr. Johnston was elected by the Board of County Commissioners as Attor- ney for the Board, and re- elected in December, 1892, his investigation and research into matters per- taining to public improvements and taxation making him a desirable advisor and counsellor for the county.
Our subject was married February 16, 1882, to Miss Maggie Jackman, of near Crawfordsville, a daughter of Robert Jackman, and the pleasant residence of Mr. Johnston and family is at 904 West Main street. Two lovely children. Burl R. and Fannie, are the children who welcome Mr. Johnston at his hearth, but he sustained a severe loss in the death of a very bright little fellow, Earl, who passed away upon his sixth birthday.
Personally, Mr. Johnston possesses a fund of social qualities and he is a welcome companion in whatever gathering and under ull circumstances. He is a pleasant after-dinner speaker and while his utterances are models of grace and faultless in expression, they bear a sparkling wit, overflow with good feeling and are the expressions of a mind not darkened by vain ambition.
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OHN A. GRANT. Among the prominent business men of Fountain County, Ind., who have attained to the highest round in the ladder of success, and who are counted among its most worthy and honored citizens, may be mentioned Mr. John A. Grant. No name stands more properly placed in the history of the county than his, for he is not only one of the success- ful and popular business men but is of such a social, genial nature that he has made many friends. He is now engaged in the liarness and saddlery bnsi- ness in Attica. Man owes so much, both in the way of business and pleasure, to that noble animal, the horse, that any industry which has for its ob- ject the supplying of the horse with harness, saddles or trappings for his better utilization, should surely be regarded in the light of a public benefactor.
Mr. Grant's parents, Martin and Mary Elizabeth (Clawson) Grant were natives of the Buckeye State. The father came to Indiana in 1824, and, being a tanner by trade, endeavored to start a tan- nery. Not receiving any support he returned to Ohio the following year, and there remained until 1826, when he came back to the Hoosier State and started his tannery, continuing this until his death in December, 1846, when a comparatively young man. He at first did his tanning in a hollow log, but later built up quite a business, and accumu- lated considerable wealth. He was married at Alliance, Stark County, Ohio, to Miss Clawson, who lived to be over ninety years of age, dying in 1845. Mr. Grant was also a manufacturer of boots and shoes and harness. Of the nine children born to this estimable couple only three are now living, two besides our subject, viz. : Samuel, who left Attica at the age of twenty- eight, and now resides in West Haley, Kans., and Josiah, now in Fountain County.
John A. Grant was born in Attica on November 28th, 1834, and after the death of his father he lived about four years with an uncle's family, and then went to live with his guardian, Harley Greenwood. When eighteen years of age young Grant began learning his trade, and served a three years' apprenticeship with D. S. & D. W. Jordon, becoming thoroughly familiar with his business
before he was twenty-one years of age. His guardian secured a shop for him and started him in business, our subject's father having left con- siderable property. Mr. Grant started out for himself in 1853, and continued this until 1859 when he disposed of his business on account of failing health and went on a farm near Attica. For twenty years he was engaged in tilling the soil and met with substantial results, becoming the owner of a farm of fifty-four acres (which he still owns), and being prominently identified with the stock-raising interests of the community.
In the year 1879 Mr. Grant embarked in the harness business in this town and has carried this on successfully up to the present time. When he first started out in the business here he had a force of from six to fifteen men, and carried on a big enterprise. He is still doing a successful business and is one of the substantial men of the county. In his political views Mr. Grant was in sympathy with the Republican party, and has been connected with his party in all campaigns. He has been township Constable, Assessor, Trustee, and has held other positions, discharging the duties of all in an able manner. He served his town for seven- teen years with honor and credit.
During the late unpleasantness between the North and South, or on the 13th of August, 1862, Mr. Grant enlisted in Company C, Eighty-sixth Regiment, and served nine months, operating principally in Tennessee and Kentucky. At Perry- ville he was under Gen. Rosecrans. He was discharged on account of ill health, but in 1863 he returned to his regiment as sutler, and served in that capacity until after the battle of Chickamauga, when he found it necessary to return home.
Mr. Grant's nuptials with Miss Mary E. Rowley were celebrated on November 24, 1858, and three children were the fruits of this union: Olive, Mrs. John L. Webber; Anna, wife of Charles E. Bruce, a railroad man, who now resides in Los Angeles, Cal .; and Frank, who died in infancy. Mrs. Grant is a member of the Presbyterian Church and is interested in all good work. She was born near Terre Haute, Ind., July 20, 1840, and is related to Mrs. J. W. Jordon, Mrs. David Smith and Mrs. John R. Campbell. Mr. Grant joined
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the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Attica about 1857 and has taken an active interest in that organization. After quite a severe illness Mr. Grant was called from his earthly labors May 28, 1893, at the age of fifty-eight years and six months. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Charter Member of Burnside Post, No. 54.
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OHN M. REMLEY. Among the agricultur- ists who have proven in this county that a farmer may be successful in his calling and also be an important factor in various other interests, is the gentleman whose name opens this sketch. He is a pleasant social gentleman, an in- telligent citizen and a member of one of the most important families in the county.
John M. Remley was born December 15, 1833, on the old home place, one and a half miles west of Crawfordsville. He was the son of John and Sarah (McCaim) Remley, both of whom came from Butler County, Ohio, to this county in 1825. On this farm Mr. Remley lived and died. His tan- yard was probably the first in the county, and he carried it on for many years. His birth occurred in 1800 and be lived to pass his eightieth year. His wife survived him about ten years, and died when she was eighty-two. Mr. Remley secured a tract of land consisting of three hundred acres, of which he made a fine farm, and here reared his family, who are as follows: Elizabeth A., a maiden lady, who resides on the old home place; James C., who lives near Darlington; Rubanah; John M .; Ambrose, who resides five miles west of Craw- fordsville; Daniel, who lives eight miles east of Crawfordsville; William, who lives five miles northwest of Crawfordsville, and David, who lives at the old homestead.
Mr. Remley, Sr., was a good business man, took a great interest in improvements, and did much to build up both rail and general roads. He was a prominent member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and was a strong man of determined character - a typical pioneer. John M. Remley was reared on the old homestead, learned the tan-
ner's trade, and gave that occupation attention until he was about thirty years old. At that time the tannery ran out from lack of bark. He did a large farming business while still with his father, assisted by his five brothers. After leaving the tannery he soon secured a farm seven miles south of Crawfordsville and carried on mixed farming. This he continned until five years ago, when, hav- ing lost his house by fire, he came into Crawfords- ville and is interested in the Citizens' Bank, in which he is a stockholder. His present residence is located on eleven acres, on the eastern limit of the city, where he has a handsome brick house and beautiful cultivated grounds.
John M. Remley was married January 30, 1868, to Miss Margaret E. Gilliland, a native of this county, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Trous- deil) Gilliland. The former, born May 2, 1807, died May 19, 1889, and married the first time December 20, 1832, to the mother of Mrs. Remley, who was born June 22, 1813, and died June 4, 1844. Mr. Gilliland married a second time, March 9, 1848, Miss Sarah Ann Miller, born October 29, 1826, died May 7, 1870. Mr. Gilliland came from Ohio in 1834, and settled five miles south of Crawfordsville, near the place of John L. Davis. His wife died three years later and he remarried, and of his family of eleven children eight are still living, all in this county. Mr. Gilliland died at the age of eighty-two. He had been a fine farmer and stock-grower, and had held the office of County Commissioner for three terms. He was an active Democrat in politics, a popular and highly respect- ed citizen, and also was an active mover in the building of good roads. Lydia Jane Gilliland, the oldest living child, lived at home until her father's death, but since then has made her home with the Remleys. Her father was a successful farmer and owned a number of farms.
Mr. and Mrs. Remley had one daughter, Lilly May, who became the wife of Dr. L. F. Brown, of Alamo, a son of Dr. I. L. Brown, an old pioneer physician of Alamo. The family have been mem- bers of the Christian Church for many years. Mr. Remley is one of the substantial men of the county. He is a Republican in politics, but pays little attention to political matters, although he
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keeps abreast of the times. The Remley family is one of the most highly respected in the county, and Mr. Remley is one of the best representatives of its most pleasing traits.
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J AMES MARTIN, grain-dealer. In giving a list of the principal business men of Attica, Ind., the catalogue would be incomplete if mention were not made of Mr. Martin, who is well known throughout his section as an exten- sive grain dealer and a prosperous, enterprising and honorable man of affairs. He thoroughly un- derstands every detail of his calling, is a shrewd and intelligent purchaser, and as a result is firmly established in business and enjoys a comfortable competency.
Mr. Martin first saw the light of day in Butler County, Ohio, on July 19, 1825, but his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Marshall) Martin were born in Maryland. The fertile prairies of the west had, however, many charms for them, and in 1839 they found themseves in Tippecanoe County, Ind., and in 1844 in Keokuk, Iowa. In the last mentioned place they made their home until the father was called from life in 1876, his attention having been given to the occupation of pork-packing, at which he was an expert. For many years he had also fol- lowed the calling of a merchant, in which he was likewise successful.
At the age of sixteen years James Martin began serving an apprenticeship at the saddler's trade in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained about four years, then worked about the same length of time at La Fayette, Ind., after which he followed his parents to Iowa, and having saved some money, engaged in general merchandising, and for four years thereafter did a fair business. At about the end of this time he returned to Indiana and in 1849 opened a mercantile establishment at Perryville, which he conducted with good judgment and with fair financial results until 1851, when he came to Attica and began buying grain, an occupation that has received his attention up to the present time, with the exception of the years from 1878 to 1882.
During the long period during which Mr. Mar-
tin's attention has been devoted to this calling, his reputation for honesty and fair dealing has never been questioned, and the confidence which the people have in him has never been abused. He is acknowledged to be a leader in the business affairs of the town, and his intelligence, enterprise, integ- rity and many other estimable qualities have ac- quired for him a popularity not derived from any factitious circumstances, but which is a permanent and spontaneous tribute to his merit. His grain elevator, which was built when the canal was in operation, has a capacity of one hundred thousand bushels. During his career he has been in part- nership with various men, Peter S. Veeder and him- self being associated in business for about twenty- four years. He was also associated with J. T. Nixon for four years, but his sons are his business partners at present.
When the canal was first opened Mr. Martin also engaged in the lumber trade, but when the railroad was built through the town he gave up that enter- prise to devote his time wholly to the business of buying grain, which has reached the sum of one million bushels per annum. He also has an eleva- tor at Williamsport. He has always been a very active Republican, and in 1878 was appointed to the position of Postmaster of Attica, which office he held four years. In 1851 he was married in Perryville to Miss Mary M. Gookins, and by her is the father of the following children: Lucins G., Postmaster of Attica; Harry C., in the lumber business; Fred V. and James R., all of whom are associated in business with Mr. Martin. He has shown his approval of secret organizations by join- ing the Masons, becoming a member of Attica Lodge, No. 18, and also belongs to the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows.
In addition to the business above mentioned Mr. Martin has also given considerable attention to the shipping of stock, and is the owner of a tile factory which furnishes employment to about twelve men, and whose annual output is seven or eight hundred thousand. He is a Director of the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank, is Treas- urer and a director of the City Milling Com- pany, and has been interested in other substan- tial enterprises. In fact, he is a wide-awake
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and progressive man of affairs, as are also his sons, who are associated with him in all his enterprises and are proving themselves to be shrewd financiers.
S AMPSON REED is the Cashier of the Citi- zen's State Bank of Covington, Ind., which is one of the most popular, strong and flourishing financial institutions of the county. The bank was established under the name of J. G. Hardy & Company, with Mr. Reed as President, but these gentlemen ceased opera- tions in April, 1886, and the bank became known as the Citizen's Bank, with Mr. Reed as President. On the 20th of May, 1891, it was organized as the Citizen's State Bank, with a paid-up capital stock of $40,000. Its directors are H. H. Dochterman; Samuel Clark, County Treasurer; and Ora Clark. All the facilities consistent with sound and conserv- ative banking are extended to customers, and the institution is an appreciated factor of business life in Fountain County. The bank has been doing business under the most favorable auspices, and has the cordial indorsement of leading firms and corporations throughout this section who have opened accounts with it. Active business men are pleased with the methods and policy of the insti- tution, and under the sound and conservative man- agement of President William H. Young and asso- ciates, it is prepared to extend every facility con- sistent with legitimate banking to its customers.
The building in which the business is carried on was erected by Mr. Reed in September, 1888. It is a model of convenience and good taste, is well appointed throughout, and is a credit to the town. Cashier Reed is a recognized anthority in banking and finance, a vigorous exponent of the sonndest principles governing the same, and under his guidance the bank has had an ever widening career of usefulness and prosperity. His judg- ment is exceptionally sound, and he is at all times true to his convictions, his reasons for them being clear and well defined. In this institution the public has a most valuable addition to its financial facilities, the bank tilling a long-felt want, and re-
flecting the highest credit upon the enterprise of its officers, directors and stockholders.
Sampson Reed was born in Fleming County, Ky., February 5, 1826, a son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Castleman) Reed, the former of whoin was born in Loudoun County, Va., and the latter in Kentucky. The maternal grandfather was a native of Clark County, Va., but in the fall of 1826 became a resident of Fountain County, Ind., and entered land in the vicinity of Veedersburg, where he died in 1866, his wife's death having oc- curred in 1842. Sampson Reed assisted his father on the home farm until he was twenty three years of age, then began to fight the battle of life for himself.
On the 7th of May, 1857, Mr. Reed was united in marriage to Elizabeth F. Brant, of Wayne- town, after which he settled near Shawnee Mound in Tippecanoe County, where he continued to make his home until 1868, when he removed to Newtown. In the spring of 1870 Covington be- came the scene of his operations. On first start- ing out for himself he worked by the month on a threshing-machine and in a sawmill, after which he tilled the soil on his mother-in-law's land until his removal to Tippecanoe County. From that time until he engaged in the banking business, he not only tilled the soil but also handled stock and farm property, and in each of these occupations showed the discriminating judgment and sound good sense that have since characterized his busi- ness transactions.
Mr. Reed has always been a Democrat but has never asked for office at the hands of his party, for he realized that to conduct his affairs as they should be conducted, required his undivided attention, and the result has shown the wisdom of his views. He is an old pro-slavery Democrat of pronounced type. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is well known for her earnest Christian character, her generosity, and faithfulness to her friends. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have no children of their own but they have reared one child from infancy, Mary Ralston, who is now the wife of Lincoln Gardner of Cov- ington.
ABAGAIL DAVIS
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SAAC DAVIS is one of the pioneers of Mont- gomery County and now a wealthy retired farmer of Crawfordsville. Mr. Davis was born in Butler County, Ohio, October 17, 1821, be- tween Hamilton and Cincinnati. His parents were Maj. Randolph and Abigail (Hoel) Davis, both of whom were natives of New Jersey who went with their parents into Ohio and married there about 1816, in the fall of the year. Mr. Davis had thought of a removal to Indiana before his mar- riage, had taken a horseback trip to the state in 1814 and had selected land in the northern part of this county, but had abandoned it on account of the mysterious milk-sickness. In the summer of 1815 he filled a flat-boat with produce and sold it down the river and in this way obtained enough money to enter land in the southern part of the county.
This land was nine miles south of Crawfords- ville and here Mr. Davis brought his bride and four children in 1826. The primeval forest was all about them, but soon a clearing was made and a cabin of logs was erected which was the only one within a radins of two miles. Soon the wood- man's ax was heard, the blackened stumps with their peculiar lonesome look proclaimed that here was the nucleus of a home, and on this spot were born the family of five children. Two hundred acres of land were rapidly cleared, but the old family home has never been torn down and still is owned by the venerable mother of our subject, who resides now in Crawfordsville at the advanced age of ninety-nine years, surrounded by all that can make her last days comfortable.
The majority of the family of Maj. and Mrs. Davis lived to mature years and their names were as follows: Jacob, who died at the age of sixty- three years, was a pork-packer of Crawfordsville and left a family of three sons. Thompson died four years later at the age of sixty-three years and was a farmer of Scott Township in this county. Then came Isaac, our subject. Eliza never mar- ried. Mary is Mrs. John Burgess of Scott Town- ship. John L. lives in Union Township. Jemima and Joshua were twins, but the latter died in infancy and Jemima married Wesley Mckinley of Crawfordsville.
The father of our subject became the owner of fourteen hundred acres of land, was a stock_ trader and figured in state military matters and became a Major. His death occurred in Missouri a few years after the war. Isaac grew up on the farm and became a thorough farmer, growing all of the cereals and also flax. When he reached the age of nineteen he took his first flight from home. As there were no railroads through his section, all of the produce had to be hauled by wagon. He started to Chicago, a distance of one hundred and eighty miles, necessitating a trip of twelve and one- half days and camping out by the roadside. His load was flax-seed, which he sold for seventy-five cents per bushel, cash, purchasing with the money coffee, sole leather for shoes, and salt, and reached home with four dollars in his pocket. His ex- penses had been fifty cents, which he paid for hay for the horses, he having taken grain and food along with him. One of the men he traveled with had hauled eighteen bushels of wheat for a party in Terre Haute, which he sold at fifty cents a bushel, or $9 for the trip. This was the first trip Isaac ever made from home.
Mr. Davis remained on the farm until he was twenty-five years old, when he married Mrs. Jes- sie Makepeace, of Hamilton County, Ohio, a na- tive of New England. He then settled on a new farm in Ohio, near Cincinnati, and began to buy and sell land, frequently moving. Usually he bought and sold improved land. After about twelve years of this life he worked his way back to Montgomery County, and located a mile and a half south of Crawfordsville. This business of dealing in land he has kept up, watching the mar- ket and buying and selling at the right times. He has had over three thousand acres of land, and now owns sixteen hundred acres in Brown, Ripley, Wayne, Coal Creek and Union Townships. He oper- ated a six-hundred-acre farm in Wayne Township that he stocked, and his last home-farm was one of one thousand acres, where he lived twelve years, and then left (three years ago) to move into Crawfordsville. Mr. Davis has handled large quantities of grain and stock for market, and nsu- ally feeds several car-loads.
Mr. Davis enlisted in Company G, Tenth In-
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diana Regiment, on the first call for troops and took part in the first battle, and is credited with the capture of the first rebel taken during the war. He was out four months, and took part in the bat- tle of Rich Mountain, Va. Mr. Davis was elected Sheriff, in 1862, by the Democrats, served two years, and did the enrolling in the county for draft. He has been very actively identified with the party, was a Douglas Democrat, and sympa- thized strongly with the Government. During the Mcclellan campaign, in 1864, he was much abused by the Democrats, and since that time has been connected with the Republican party.
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