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 56
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 56
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 56
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
W ILLIAM EVERMONT STONE, a sub- stantial citizen and one of the most prominent church members of Craw- fordsville, was born in Livingstone county, Ky., on the Cumberland river, March 12, 1826. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Johnston) Stone, both natives of Virginia, who had come to Kentucky with their parents.
In 1841, his father having died some eight years previously, William Evermont's mother, then a widow, came to Montgomery County, Ind., and settled in Brown Township. Her first husband, for she was a widow at the time of her marriage with Mr. Stone, was G. B. King. Her family at the date mentioned above consisted of George B. King, aged about sixteen; Sallie King, who became the wife of Thomas F. Davis of Montgomery County; Jane, who married John Henderson of Covington; Mary, afterward the wife of Owen Owens and now deceased; William E., then aged fourteen; James, aged twelve; and two younger girls, Susan and Nancy.
Not being able to buy land, the mother rented a farm and, with the assistance of her sons, managed to get along quite comfortably. When William was sixteen years old, he went to work for a broth- er-in-law, Thomas Davis, with whom he lived till he became nearly of age, at which time he had a horse, saddle and bridle to show for his four years' service, and had been given six monthis' schooling.
In September, 1846, he was married to Miss Mary Conner and began business for himself, renting land for three years, when he managed to purchase eighty acres and settled upon that to make his home. He was successful from the first and by his ability and strict attention to his work, gained a comfortable living. At this time his mother made her home with him, and about five years later he suffered the loss of his wife.
December 23, 1853, he was united in marriage to Sallie Graham Van Cleave, danghter of Benjamin and Polly (Brown) Van Cleave. Her father was a cousin of the noted character, Elder M. M. Van Cleave, and like him one of the earliest settlers of Brown Township, his father having come there from Kentucky as early as 1826. Mr. Stone
added to his original tract of land, and for thirty years was engaged in the ordinary pursuits of farming, and but slightly connected with other business operations. That he was successful is shown by the fact that his home bore a wide repu- tation as being a model farm. In 1883 he de- cided to make a change, and moved into the village of Brown's Valley; but after four years spent there he changed his place of residence to Crawfordsville.
Mr. Stone has of late years been engaged in shipping stock, and has also become identified with the banking interests of Ladoga, though his immediate personal attention has not been given to the conduct of that institution. For nearly twenty years Mr. Stone's health has not suffered him to engage freely in the laborious duties in - cident to farming, and having acquired a fair competence, he has endeavored to live easily and in a rather quiet way.
Mr. and Mrs. Stone have not been blessed with children, but a brother's daughter, Sarah Eliza- beth, was reared by them from infancy. She is now the wife of George W. Wasson, and her daughter, Stella, who is much beloved by her friends, is at present a member of the gradnating class of the high school.
Mr. Stone is a stanch Democrat, and, while never an office-seeker, his energies are devoted to the advancement of the interests of his party, and through that to the welfare of the conntry. Both he and his wife are strict communicants of the Regular Baptist Church, and no member is more liberal in the support of the church, or more earnest in its missionary and general society work. No little credit is due these estimable people for the erection of the new church, which is now an assured fact.
In connection with Mr. Stone's life it will be in- teresting to note other members of the family: His brother James, father of Elizabeth, spoken of above, died seven years since. His sister Susan married James Ellis and had two sons, William and James, and after the loss of her husband, be- came the wife of Joseph Roberts, of Guthrie County, Iowa, where they now reside. Nancy is the widow of Paul Knapper, and their home is at
Fraternally J. C. Burlington IM, 2.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Kansas City, Mo. Mary's first husband was Peter James, who died only eight months after marriage, and but a short time before the birth of his son, Peter James. This son grew to maturity and married Susan Connor, sister of Mr. Stone's first wife, and lived in Brown Township till his death, July 26, 1891, at the age of sixty-one. His daughter, Cora James, a handsome and accom- plished young lady, is making a temporary home with Mr. and Mrs. Stone while pursuing her musical studies in accordance with a strong nat- ural taste and desire. She is of a refined nature -- a lady whose companionship and friendship are highly esteemed by all with whomu she comes in contact.
On Mrs. Stone's side there is also an interest- ing record. Her father, Benjamin Van Cleave, came to Brown Township in 1826 with his father, John, from Henry County, Ky., where he was born in 1800. He died in 1873, and his wife, Polly, followed him in 1884. They had eight children who reached maturity, and four are still living: Lucinda, wife of John Easley, New Market; John B., Shelbyville, Ind .; Simeon T., New Market; and Mrs. Stone. Marjary A., who never married, died a few years since; Nancy be- came Mrs. William Clark of Whitesville, and her death occurred eight years ago; Mary C. was Mrs. Isaiah Van Cleave and died recently at New Market; Gideon has been dead twenty years.
Benjamin Van Cleave was always engaged in farming, and was considered one of the sub- stantial men of his community. He was a man of fine Christian character, and was highly re- spected for his many excellent traits. He was a loyal Presbyterian, and his daughter became a member of the same church in 1853, but two years later severed her connection with it and be- came identified with the old Freedom Baptist Church, to which Mr. Stone had belonged since 1848. This was one of the oldest churches of Montgomery County. Its pastor, Elder Rees Davis, who baptized and married Mrs. Stone, had led his flock there for upward of twenty years, being one of the respected pioneer ministers whose lives were wholly devoted to the people, and whose influence extends all along the years, and whose
works and remembrance are revered by all who come within even the outer radius of their circle of helpfulness.
AMES C. BURLINGTON, M. D. Naturally a kind-hearted and sympathetic man, Dr. Burlington is admirably adapted for the work which now occupies his attention, and in the sick room possesses that magnetic influence and pleasing presence that do so much to cheer and encourage the patient. His genial personality and kindly sympathy with those who come to him as invalids have brought to him a clientele perhaps even larger than would have been attracted by his recognized ability and the success which attended his efforts. He was born in Eureka, Woodford County, Ill., May 25, 1837, to Robert and Mary J. (Long) Burlington, natives of Virginia and Indiana respectively, their marriage being consummated in the Hoosier State. Robert Burlington removed from the Old Dominion in 1828, and in 1832 set- tled in Illinois, where he followed the calling of a mechanic, his son, James C., learning the trade of a carpenter under his direction. He began his apprenticeship at the age of nineteen, and after becoming well versed in this business, he followed it for a time in St. Louis, Mo.
Owing to the fact that Dr. Burlington's father's family was large and his means limited, he left home at the early age of eleven years and began to make his own way in the world as a farm hand in the vicinity of his home, and to this occupation his attention was devoted until he was nearly six- teen years of age. Up to this time he had obtained but little schooling, but had perhaps attended about two winter terms, and as he was an ambi- tious boy possessing good judgment and a fine intellect, many of his evenings were devoted to study and the perusal of such books as came in his way. His efforts to satisfy his taste for learning were unremitting, and although it seemed to him that the obstacles thrown in his way were innumer- able, he continued to persevere and was soon as well informed as any youth of his age. He worked at the carpenter's trade at Litchfield, Ill., for six
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
years, but at the end of that time he returned to Eureka and became a contractor, following this occupation with good results for four years.
About this time Dr. Burlington received a severe injury to his hip, after which he learned telegra- phy, which he followed for three and a half years. Two years of that time were spent as Superintend- ent of the Great Western Telegraph Company and he was manager of the line between Chicago and Decatur. While working as a telegraph opera- tor he began the study of medicine, his kindly nature instinctively turning to that broad field of human suffering for his life work. He afterward entered the Cincinnati Eclectic College, from which he graduated February 24, 1877. On the 19th of February, 1886, he graduated from the Indianapolis Eclectic Medical College, having prior to that time practiced at Strasburg, Ill., from 1876 to 1878. In the last mentioned year he opened an office at Attica, where he has become very popular and has a very extended practice. He possesses a thorough knowledge of the princi- ples underlying the practice of medicine, and is familiar with the most approved methods of treat- ing the various ailments which the physician is called upon to prescribe for in a general practice. To these he has added, by close observation and the exercise of native tact, a broad knowledge of mankind in all that the term implies.
Dr. Burlington is a member of the Indiana and National Eclectic Medical Associations and was at one time President of the State Association. He is also a member of the World's Congress of Physi- cians and Surgeons. He was health officer of Attica for three years, is a Democrat politically, and is a warm partisan. He is thoroughly wrapped up in his practice, keeps well posted in all the improvements made in the profession, and has done much independent investigation, in which he has achieved remarkable results which he expects soon to publish to the world. At the opening of the Civil War he enlisted at Litchfield, Ill., in Company D, Seventh Illinois Volunteers, for the three months' service at Cairo, but as he was at that time troubled with inflamed eyes, his services were rejected.
July 19, 1863, Dr. Burlington was married at
Litchfield, Ill., to Miss Sarah E. Henderson, a native of the Sucker State, and their family is as follows: Eva, wife of Frank Fugate of Danville, Ill., Chief Line Inspector of the Chicago & Eastern Indiana Railroad; Roy, who is in his seventeenth year, and Atta, who is thirteen years of age. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Christian Church and he is an active member ef the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Honor and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is now in independent circumstances financially and is rich in the friendship of all' with whom he comes in contact. Dr. Burlington is generous to a fault, and no one has ever applied to the Doctor for aid that has been refused. He is a man of the broad and liberal gauge sort when lending aid to any and all enterprises promising to benefit the general public.
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AMES L. ALLEN. There are several busi- ness houses in the city of Covington that are not only thoroughly typical of the compre- hensive growth and increasing importance of the place, but also distinctly a source of public pride, delineating as they do the general business enterprise and commercial sagacity of some of our leading citizens. Such a concern is that estab- lished by James L. Allen, dealer in agricultural implements and harness, and one of the most thor- ough going, enterprising business men in the city.
Mr. Allen was born on the lot where he is now engaged in business, May 24, 1845, and is a son of Joseph Allen, who settled in this city in Octo- ber, 1838. He was a harness maker and followed that trade in Covington for many years. He was born in Linglestown, Dauphin County, Pa., twelve miles east of Harrisburg, June 16, 1814, and died February 17, 1877. He had always followed the harness-making business and was a man of more than the ordinary business acumen. On the 7th of November, 1841, he was united in marriage, in Wayne County, Ind., to Miss Mary Jane McFad- den, of Richmond. She died in August, 1863, when thirty-eight years of age, and her husband never married again. Their children were named
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
as follows: James L., Viola, Mrs. M. F. Steeley of Covington, and Frank, a painter. Mr. Allen was elected County Commissioner in 1876, by nine hundred majority, but died before entering upon the duties of the office. He had invested quite extensively in farm land and city property, own- ing a farm of four hundred acres and was one of the foremost men of the community. He contin- ned in the harness business until 1861, when he turned it over to his son, James L., on the 6th of September of that year.
James L. Allen began learning the harness-mak- ing business at an early age, but his educational advantages were not interfered with in any way. He attended the schools of Covington and subse- quently entered the military school at Clinton, Ind., where he remained one year. This was in the fall of 1861. Since then he has been engaged in business in this city and is one of the foremost business men of the place. He owns a fine brick building 44 by 100 feet, two stories and a base- ment, and is also the owner of three good farms, all near Covington, and consisting of seven hun- dred acres of excellent land. He is engaged in farming in connection with his business, and ships his stock to different parts of the country. All his enterprises have succeeded and everything seems to prosper under his hands.
In 1878, after a fierce canvass, Mr. Allen was elected Circuit Clerk with about five hundred ma- jority over the candidates of the Democratic and Independent party, although the county then had about two hundred Democratic majority. He was a most efficient official and filled his position in a manner reflecting credit upon himself and his con- stituents and was re-elected to the same office in 1882. Mr. Allen celebrated his nuptials with Miss Lorrissa Campbell on the 7th of March, 1866. She was a native of Fountain County, Ind., born at Newton, and was the daughter of Abram Camp- bell, one of the representative citizens of the county and a pioneer of the same. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen have been born an interesting family of four children-two daughters and two sons- as follows: Grace, the wife of Granville Adkins, who is an ex-liveryman of Covington; Helen, a graduate of the schools of Covington in the class
of 1892; James, Jr., and Russell C. Mr. Allen has displayed excellent judgment and more than ordinary business acumen. He gives almost his entire attention and thought to his business enter- prises, is careful and exact in his transactions and has the pleasantest relations with his patrons and the general public.
F RED LINCOLN WEBB. Although young in years Mr. Webb is well versed in law and his reputation and record are first class for integrity and reliability in all matters en- trusted to him. As a lawyer he combines ability and a thorough training in legal principles with industry and close application to the interests of his clients, and he enjoys general esteem as a scholarly gentleman, a valuable counselor and a useful and influential citizen. Careful in prepar- ing his cases with ability to present them in a con- cise, but logical and forcible manner, he is an earnest and conscientious advocate and has a bright future before him. His success thus far has been achieved by improved opportunities, by untiring diligence, and by close study and correct judgment of men and motives.
Mr. Webb traces his nativity to the Hoosier State, where he was born in Warren County, within two miles of Attica, December 6, 1865. There his youthful days were spent. His parents, Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Whitmore) Webb, were natives of the Buckeye State, born in Troy, Miami County, Ohio. They came to Indiana in 1865, purchased a farm in Warren County, and there their parents reside at the present time. The father was educated in Wittenburg University and followed the profession of a civil engineer in con- nection with his farming interests. He was County Surveyor for eight years and has held other posi- tions of importance in the county. He developed and improved the farm on which he settled in 1865, and now has a comfortable and pleasant home. In every walk of life his career has been upright and honorable, and he and his most worthy wife are highly esteemed in the community where they make their home.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Young Webb passed his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, and divided his time between as- sisting his father in the arduous duties of the same and attending the public schools of Attica, where he received a good practical education. At an early age he showed a decided liking for the law, and after leaving the school-room he entered the office of A. R. Milford, where he read law for some time. In September, 1889, he was admitted to the bar before Judge Raine and has since been engaged in general practice in Attica.
Although but a short time has elapsed since Mr. Webb started out on his legal career, his reputa- tion is already established upon a firm foundation, and he is deservedly looked upon as one of the most energetic and progressive members of the bar. He is not only a lawyer of ability, but is also painstaking and industrious, systematically pre- paring his cases and guarding the interests of his clients. In his political views Mr. Webb is a warm advocate of the platform of the Republican party, and has ever been active in political atl'airs. He is well posted on all subjects and takes much interest in the progress and upbuilding of Attica and Fountain County.
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OHN T. NIXON is a heavy grain buyer of Attica, Ind., and is President of the Attica Manufacturing Company, which has lately been established. Mr. Nixon was born in Racine County, Wis., five miles from the city of Racine, on the 19th of October, 1849, a son of John and Mariah (Veeder) Nixon, the former of whom was born in Ohio, their marriage being con- summated in Indiana. The mother was a dangh- ter of Harmon Veeder and a sister of Peter Simon Veeder, who was born in Montreal, Canada, and did more for the business interests of Attica than any other man. He was formerly a merchant of the place and in 1872 laid out the town of Veed- ersburg, which was named in his honor. John Nixon, the father of the subject of this sketch, was killed by the Indians in 1868 in Montana, in which section he had a large stock ranch. His widow still survives him and is a resident of Racine.
John T. Nixon came to Attica, Ind., with his uncle, Peter Simon Veeder, who was then in the grain trade, and became Mr. Veeder's assistant. This gentleman was a man of exceptionally worthy traits of character, and died in Chicago August 15, 1876, while returning from California, whither he had gone for his health. He established the First National Bank of Attica in 1864, owning a one-half interest, and held the position of Presi- dent during his life-time. He died a bachelor, and after his death Marshall Nixon, a brother of John T., who had come to Attica in 1863 or 1864, succeeded his uncle in the grain business and now carries on the lumber business at Veedersburg, having disposed of his stock of grain to James D. Martin.
In July, 1891, John T. Nixon became a member of the firm of Dimmick & Nixon, and once more began dealing in grain, which occupation has re- ceived much of his attention up to the present time. This house is well and favorably known to the trade, has an unquestioned credit, and is con- sidered quite a factor in the market. Personally Mr. Nixon is held in the highest esteem, and is honored alike for his business qualifications and social standing. He is the owner of a fine farm of eight hundred acres, but rents it, as his time is fully occupied by his other interests. He is Pres- ident of the Attica Manufacturing Company, which has a capital stock of $10,000, and was organized for the purpose of manufacturing wagon hubs, spokes, hoops, neckyokes, axles, etc., and the plant will soon be ready to begin operations.
In addition to the enterprises above named, he is engaged in an extensive poultry business, in connection with others, and controls the trade at five different points. He is a pushing, active, and consequently prosperous man of business, is ever desirous of keeping out of the beaten path, and being reliable in all his transactions is the recip- ient of a large, liberal and permanent patronage. Miss Ida C. Plowman, a daughter of Nathan P'low- man, a miller of Attica, became his wife January 10, 1878, and to their union a daughter has been born-Hazel, who is eight years of age. Mrs. Nixon is a member of the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Nixon belongs to the honorable orders of the
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Ancient Free and Accepted Masonsand the Knights of Pythias. A representative man in every sense of the word, energetic and enterprising, he is always ready to aid any undertaking tending to redound to the general good of the city and county, is thor- oughly self-reliant, and yet at the same time is one of the most qniet and unobtrusive of men. He studiously adheres to whatever he conceives to be right, firmly and unyieldingly refusing to lend his consent to any practices of doubtful morality.
0 LIVER H. PALIN. It will be seen by a perusal of this sketch of the life of one of the most respected and prominent agricult- urists of Fountain County, Ind., that his educational advantages in youth were very meager, for he was reared at a time when a good educa- tion was not considered so essential a part of a man's training as at the present day. Although somewhat deficient as regards his knowledge of books his naturally vigorous mind has so grasped and embraced the opportunities which have pre- sented themselves, that he is accounted among the most intelligent and learned men of his section. He was born in Henry County, Ind., December 19, 1833, a son of Henry and Huldah (Hunt) Palin, the former of whom was born in the Old North State. At the age of twelve years he came with his father, who was a native of England, to Wayne County, Ind., and later settled in Henry County, where the rest of his days were spent. His wife was from New Jersey.
From the very first Oliver H. Palin was taught everything connected with farming, and after coming to Fountain County in the fall of 1853, he worked by the month for two or three years for an uncle, E. N. Palin, who came to this county in February, 1836, and settled near Newtown. In 1861 he settled on a two-hundred acre tract of land near Newtown, which was partially improved, and on this farm he made his home for twenty years, during which time he put it in an excellent state of cultivation, and greatly improved it in the way of buildings, fences, etc. He was engaged in general farming, in which he met with good suc-
cess, but now rents his farm, which contains at the present time three hundred and twenty acres. In addition to this he owns eighty acres of land one mile north of the home place, and a fine forty-acre tract of timber land, also a valuable city resi- dence.
Mr. Palin wooed and won for his wife Mrs. Belinda (Martin) Bromley, widow of John Brom- ley, to whom she was married at the age of seventeen years, Jannary 21, 1846. Their married life extended over a period of not quite ten years, Mr. Bromley's death occurring November 15, 1855, in Warren County, Ind., of which place he had been a resi- dent for about six years. Mrs. Bromley's mar- riage with Mr. Palin was celebrated September 28, 1858. She was born in Miami County, Ohio, April 15, 1827, a daughter of Ephraim Martin, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and eventually became a resident of Fountain County, Ind. His wife, whose maiden name was Rhoda Sayers, was born in Green County, Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Palin have no family, but are in the enjoyment of a wide circle of friends whom it is their pleasure to gather beneath their pleasant and hospitable roof. They have a comfortable and handsome residence at the corner of Washington and Council Streets, and now, as they deserve to do, are resting from the burden and heat of the day, and are enjoying the comforts their early labor has provided. Mrs. Palin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in his political proclivities Mr. Palin is a Republican but he has never been an aspirant for office as the political arena has no charms for him.
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