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 59
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 59
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 59
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practice, went south and joined fortunes with the Confederates. He became Quartermaster at Ander- sonville, and at the close of the war was indicted along with Wirtz and others for inhuman treat- ment of prisoners. He escaped punishment, how- ever, and later on he gained considerable reputa- tion by writing a book, entitled "The Other Side," which had an extensive circulation in the Southern states.
Dr. Purcell took his first course of lectures in 1856-57, at Keokuk, Iowa. In 1860-62 he was in Philadelphia, Pa., graduating with honor, at Jefferson Medical College of that city, in March, 1862.
He immediately entered the U. S. service, as acting assistant surgeon in General Hospital at Mound City, Ills. In 1863 he went to the Hos- pital at York, Pa., where he remained until 1864, when he returned to civil practice, to which he has since devoted his entire time and attention. To the performance of his duties, he has brought a clear head, analytical abilities of the highest order, and a determination to do that which is right in the profession, and never betray a confidence that has been intrusted to his keeping. Manfully, and tenderly, he has stood up to hiis ideal of what a general practitioner of medicine and surgery ought to be. Many calls for his help from distant parts of Indiana, Illinois, and other states, give testi- mony to his high standing in the profession, and justifies the assertion, that now, at the age of fifty- four, with ripe judgment, and ample experience, he ranks high among the most distinguished physicians of Indiana. He is not a specialist in any sense of the term, but thinks that the title of "Doctor" is the highest the medical man may aspire to, and that the practice of medicine is the noblest calling a man can engage in. He believes that the highest degree of knowledge attainable upon any subject, medical or otherwise, must always be associated with a high degree of mental acuteness, in the individual attaining it. He there- fore concludes that nine out of ten of the so-called specialists are selfish advertisers, and quacks, of ordinary ability, and totally unable by reason of mental incapacity, to ever acquire pre-eminent
qualifications, in any field of human thought what- ever. To the young practitioner he would say, give special study to each case submitted to your care; strive earnestly and faithfully to understand it; strive as if you thought that there was no other help but your help, and if the proper stuff is in you, there will grow up in your heart, courage, truthfulness, tenderness, benevolence, and all the nobler traits of human character. The fruits of victory will be strewn along your pathway, and you will know that you have not lived in vain.
The Doctor is a man of extensive reading, and respectable literary attainments, and has the faculty of expressing himself clearly and forcibly upon paper. During his career, he had collected a fine library, but unfortunately, the major part of it was destroyed by fire in September, 1890. He still has however, a choice collection of books, many of them being extremely rare and valuable.
Politically, he is a Republican. He thinks, however, that voting is the highest act of citizen- ship, and that in the exercise of that privilege, the voter who does not endorse the best candidate attainable, does not properly discharge the duty he owes to society and the state.
November 8, 1871, he removed an ovarian tumor, weighing thirty-two pounds, from Miss Rachel E. Wigginton, at Prairieton, Vigo County, Ind. The results of this operation, from a professional point of view were entirely satisfactory. Socially, however, the affair terminated in a manner quite unusual in such cases. The young lady in bloom- ing health, was altogether a different being from what she had been in mortal sickness, and the physician shortly afterward found his professional interest in the case, giving away to friendly interest in the individual. Then followed the happy days we never forget, which finally culminated in a wedding at Terre Haute, Ind., January 1, 1873. Mrs. Purcell was born in Mt. Washington, Ky., September 28, 1845. Her parents, William, and Nancy Wigginton, were natives of Virginia. She is a lady of domestic tastes and habits, and is devotedly fond of her children, whose names, with date of birth, are here given: Pocahontas, Decem- ber 27, 1873; Nellie Decker, April 16, 1875;
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Charles Frances, April 12, 1877; Mara Rosa, May 29, 1880; Leta Ruby, August 1, 1882; Bertha El- len, July 4, 1884, and Benjamin Harrison, August 13, 1887.
ONATHAN VANCLEAVE, the venerable and eloquent pioneer preacher whose early round of ministerial duties called him to speak the word throughout Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana, located in Montgomery County, Ind., more than three score years ago and is to day an honored resident of Brown Town- ship. Aged in years, he is yet well preserved in mind and body and strong in the service of the "Master." Ordained in 1849, and ever since with never-failing zeal engaging in religions work, our subject can to-day deliver a sermon whose ar- guments are as clear, forcible and persuasive as they were fully forty years ago.
Born in Shelby County, Ky., in 1805, the Rev. Jonathan Vancleave may claim direct descent from an ancestry of brave and hardy patriots. His great-grandfather, Aaron Vancleave, a man of strong character and earnest purpose, emigrated from Holland to America before the colonists had en- gaged in their determined struggle for independ- ence from the mother country. Stirring events, however, were near at hand; the whole country was ablaze with indignation, the colonies joined in a federal union and the war of the Revolution was declared. Actuated by stern resolve and ardent enthusiasm, seven stalwart sons of the old Hol- lander entered the ranks and bravely fought for God and liberty. Two of these patriotic defenders of our national existence served in the War of 1812.
The Vancleaves settled in an early day in Ken- tucky and the five elder sons of old Aaron Van- cleave-Jonathan, William, Ralph, Aaron and Benjamin-made their home within the borders of that state, but one son located in Ohio and another in Virginia. The only sister of these seven ener- getic, hardy men was Jane, who married Squire Boone, the brother and devoted companion of the famous old hunter and Indian scout, Daniel Boone, whose wife and daughters were the first white
women who ever stood upon the banks of the Ken- tucky river. While Daniel Boone and his brother were on a hunting excursion Squire Boone was killed and scalped by the Indians. Amid the per- ilous and exciting scenes of those pioneer days upon the borders of frontier life, the father of our subject, Ralph Vancleave, was born; his wife Elizabeth Stebbins, was a native of Puritanical New England and a woman of rare character and ability; both parents were deeply imbued with the spirit of religion and were active members of the Baptist Church.
Jonathan Vancleave, their son and our subject, was born in Shelby County, Ky., in 1805. He was the eldest in a family of seven children and was reared iu his early home. In 1827 he married Elizabeth Vancleave, a daughter of Aaron Van- cleave, a distant relative of the family into which the young wife now entered. The newly-wedded couple journeyed at once to Montgomery County, Ind., and settled in the dense woods upon a farm, where they now reside. The Indians occupied a large body of land near by, but the newcomers were fearless and soon grew accustomed to their daily presence. Our subject has never enjoyed the advantages of even a primary school, but soon after his marriage his intelligent and cultivated wife taught him to read, and assisted by her earn- est efforts the husband gained a wide book of knowledge and a liberal education. Later, feeling himself called to preach "the Gospel," he made a preparation and was ordained iu the county in 1849. There were present at the ordination, from various localities, near and remote, the delegates of seventeen different church organizations, all deeply interested in the addition to their religious forces of a powerful leader and representative of a family long noted for their zeal in church work
The Rev. Jonathan Vancleave, as we have be- fore mentioned, did not confine his ministerial du- ties to the state of Indiana but preached elo- quently iu all the neighboring states, and through his earnest sincerity and strength of purpose wrought much good and made for himself a last- ing remembrance in the religious work of this progressive century. Our subject and his faith- ful wife were blessed with a family of eight chil-
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dren, of whom seven are still living: David is a farmer of Parkersburg; Ralph is a carpenter in Elmdale; Ranson lives upon the old homestead; Adam is a resident of Trenton, Mo .; Aaron is dead; Lucy is the wife of Mark Skelton; Jane married William Coons; Emily is the wife of Martin Badgley. Although fast nearing his eighty-eighth birthday, the Rev. Jonathan Vancleave is still a hale and hearty man. His wife, the devoted sharer of his life work, died in 1888. Their children, useful, upright and highly respected, are living within easy distance, and thus the venerable pio- neer is gliding down life's pathway surrounded by the loving care of sons and daughters and still enjoying the society of old friends and neighbors of more than a half century's acquaintance. Our subject owns a quarter section of fine land and carefully treasures the old parchment deed which fully records the right of his full possession to the valuable acres therein described. The Vancleaves have almost always supported the Democratic party since its first formation, and our subject, while never neglecting his religious work to engage in politics, has ever done his duty at the polls as became him as a true American citizen and ardent advocate of reform and progress.
S AMUEL M. COFFMAN, editor and pro- prietor of the daily and weekly Argus-News, Crawfordsville, Ind., was born in Rock- bridge County, Virginia, "'bout time of de wahl." After both of those interesting events- his birth and the war, he lived with his family in Edgar County, Ill. For the past ten years he has been engaged in the newspaper profession and other troubles. He graduated from Wabash Col- lege in June 1882, and soon became involved in journalism. In October 1889, he won the heart and hand of Miss Bessie S. Keeney, a most beauti- ful and charming young lady, who, he says, has managed to live with him up to the writing of this sketch. He is happily married, prosperous in business and for these two reasons has little else to say.
S AMUEL H. D. THOMPSON, a prosperous farmer and excellent citizen, now residing upon Section 31, of Madison Township, Mont- gomery County, Ind., has been located in the county all his life and, since arriving at mature years, has in word and deed ever been identified with the best interests and progressive movements in his immediate locality. Our subject is a native of Whitesville, and was born in 1839, therefore for over half a century he has been dwelling within easy distance of his present home.
Trained in early life to habits of industry and self-reliance, Mr. Thompson has availed himself of all opportunities for advancement and is an ardent advocate of liberal education for the young. A hard-working, energetic, ambitious man he has won a competence from the soil, the broad acres of his valuable and finely improved homestead at- testing his excellent business management and thorough knowledge of general agriculture. A representative American, self-made and aided in the upward course, only by his strong right arm and honest life, our subject is worthy of the re- spect and honor in which he is held by all who know him.
Mr. Thompson is the fifth in a family of eight children, born to Nehemiah and Nancy (Davidson) Thompson, who were both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in the Quaker State in the year 1805, the mother of the family being her husband's senior, having been born in the first part of the present century. In the eventful year of her birth, 1800, the seat of the General government was removed from Pennsylvania, a state noted from the earliest days for the high calling, stead- fast purpose and energy of its pioneer settlers. It was in this favored state, in which the independence of our country was proclaimed, that the immediate ancestors of our subject made their early home. Samuel Thompson's paternal grandfather, Modes Thompson, was the father of three sons, who were named Daniel, William and Nehemiah, the last- named being the father of Mr. Thompson who was an excellent man and a fine husband to his faithful and devoted wife.
In the usual interchange of population constantly
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going on in America, even in the very early days, Pennsylvania contributed largely to the population of the new western states. Among those who went out from her borders was the family of our subject, whose permanent destination was Indiana. The eight children, of whom mention was made before were as follows: Moses, who died in Ladoga, Ind., leaving a family; Jonathan W. of Union Township; Mary J., who married Isaac Schenck, of Whites- ville; David B. of Iowa; Samuel H. D., our sub- ject; Nancy E., who married William Oliver and is deceased; David of Ladoga; and Nehemiah, who died unmarried.
Samuel Thompson's schooling was that afforded by the public schools of the county. At the age of thirty one years he married Miss Mary E Kerr, who was also a native of Montgomery County. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter who are in- telligent young people rapidly advancing to ma- tnrity. They are the life and joy of the home circle, and prominent in social gatherings of their neighborhood.
In 1861 Mr. Thompson purchased one hundred and sixty acres of good farming land, to which he has now added two hundred and sixty-eight, making a total of four hundred and twenty-eight acres of valuable land, well improved and desirably located. Mr. Thompson is a stanch Democrat, and ably defends the platform and principles of the party. He is not a member of any church, but is liberal in sentiment. He believes in true re- ligion, and is ever willing to do his share in the upbuilding of any denomination that needs his assistance.
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J HOMAS F. PATTON. Perhaps no resident in Montgomery County, Ind., has a career that affords a more striking example of in- dustry, frugality and determination to con- quer circumstances than Mr. Patton, who, early in life, began his battle with the world by entering the arena of business life. By perseverance and industrious habits he has succeeded in accumulat- ing a good property, while his mental culture has
been attained by extensive reading and close ob- servation.
Mr. Patton was born near Mace, in the year 1844, and has therefore been a residence of Mont- gomery County all his life. His father, Isaac Patton, was a native of Ohio, and was numbered among the old pioneer settlers in this section of the state. Our subject's mother was a Miss Jane Hoel, and was also a native of Ohio and a most estimable lady. She departed this life when the subject of the sketch was but nine days old.
Thomas F. Patton, whose name heads this biog- raphy, was the youngest in a family of eight chil- dren, all of whom grew to mature years. Caro- line, the eldest, became the wife of James Ken- nedy; she died several years ago, leaving a large family to mourn her loss; David, the oldest son, is a well-known resident of Elmdale; John died sev- eral years ago; Lizzie was the wife of James Graham, to whom she bore seven children, all of whom survived her; Barney is a resident of Da- kota; William lives in this county; George W., the seventh child, lives in Exeter, Neb. Mr. Pat- ton was reared by Abigail Davis, to whom he is indebted for the care he received in his infant years, and who is still living at the venerable age of ninety-eight years. He received a good educa- tion in the common schools of the county, and when twenty-one years of age married Miss Lncy, a daughter of Josiah and Jane (Carson) Davis, both of Kentucky. Previous to his marriage Mr. Patton had been engaged in buying and shipping stock, but after his marriage he started on his own responsibility at Ladoga, where he remained nearly two years. His next enterprise was in Browns Valley, where he commenced the business with which he is now so largely identified.
Mr. Patton is recognized as a strong Republican in political circles, and in the year 1886 was elected as Township Trustee, which office he held two years. His friends placed him on the ticket for County Commissioner at a recent election, but did not succeed in electing their candidate.
As the representative of large business interests and more than ordinary ability in commercial cir- cles Mr. Patton stands with the leading citizens of this community. He is the father of a family of
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eleven children, all of whom are living and bid fair to swell the number of intelligent citizens in this community. Both Mr. and Mrs. Patton are active members of the Baptist Church, and are rec- ognized in this body as earnest Christian workers always anxious to promote the glory of their Re- deemer and the welfare of their fellowmen.
The family of Mr. Patton form an attractive band, in the development of whose understanding, and in whose training in courtesy and good prin- ciples, their parents take great delight. Children blessed with intelligent, loving parents, whose daily care for their welfare is bestowed without limit, have much to be thankful for, and both our subject and his wife are highly respected members of society, and fit guardians of the family with which it has pleased God to bless them.
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N EWTON J. GLOVER. The gentleman who bears this name is one who enjoys an enviable record in the community in which he has passed most of his life. He was born in Orange County, Ind., in the year 1825. His parents were natives of New Jersey, from which state they migrated with their parents to Kentucky. The grandfather of our subject was a fine representative of the patriotic American, and was wounded in the Revolutionary War. The mother of our subject was a member of a large family. She derived many womanly characteris- tics and virtues from her Scotch-Irish ancestors.
Mr. Glover came to Waveland in the year 1847, and was married in 1849. The lady he chose for his wife was Miss Matilda J., a daughter of Mr. John Milligan, on whose farm Waveland was located. The family of our subject consisted of six children: Robert, who is now his father's business partner; Alice, wife of Albert Dickey, of Tipton; Charles, a merchant of Judson, Ind .; Mary, wife of George Hanna, of Waveland, and John M., a merchant of New Market. Alexander died when twenty-two years of age unmarried.
Mr. Glover commenced the earnest labor of life as a carriage-maker, which pursuit he followed six years after coming to Waveland. In the year 1853
he commenced the mercantile career which he has pursued ever since. He has conducted a thriving business since the organization of the firm of which he is the leading member, and is admired for his business qualities, while at the same time he is loved and respected for the gentle kindly spirit he shows towards mankind at large. Politically he is a Republican, and is proud of the fact that each member of his family in the male line has always stood by the same party as him- self. His business operations are conducted in that systematic manner which seldom fails of success, and he is looked upon as one of the lead- ing men in the community. Mr. Glover is an active and liberal member of the Presbyterian Church of Waveland, an intelligent man and a broad thinker. He is not only a Christian accord- ing to the teachings of his church, but exemplifies the spirit of Him who taught the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man in His daily life.
Mr. Glover still superintends the business of his store, although not obliged to toil "from early morn to dewy eve " as when he commenced life. He is a most genial companion, his conversation being filled with pleasant sayings, his good nature being almost absolute, and his disposition such as leads him to enjoy life by making the burdens of others lighter. The intelligence, good judgment and energy possessed in early life are still apparent, and his brain is active and clear, his judgments are concise and his opinions give evidence of thought and keen discrimination even now that he has passed the milestone of his sixty seventh year.
John M.Glover is a son of him whose life we have recorded above. He was born in Waveland in 1859, receiving his education in the common schools of his native county. His father being one of the lead- ing merchants of this community the son had ample opportunity and special advantages whereby to fit himself for the arena of the business world. The fact that he made the most of his advantages is proved by his engaging in business on his own responsibility when little more than twenty-one years old; and his ability for the work he chose to become engaged in is proved by the success he has achieved.
In the year 1889 Newton J. Glover opened the
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store in which he now conducts his business, and he has steadily increased his trade and stock until at present he conducts an enterprise that would do credit to a much older man. A little over three years ago Mr. Glover married Miss Odessa Staunton, a lady of fine social qualities and graces of heart and mind which endear her to a large por- tion of the community in which she resides.
As the son of a stanch Republican and one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Waveland Mr. Glover has occupied a position in social and business circles which one of mediocre talents might find it difficult to fill. He inherits from his father a sturdy manliness which wins for him many friends, and his fine principles attract to him all who have dealings with him. Politically he is a Republican, and grants to others the freedom of opinion which he himself demands. He keeps himself thoroughly posted upon leading events, both political and religious, and is a man of decided views, adhering to his convictions with the natural strength of his character. Socially Mr. Glover is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias.
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D R. KENT K. STRAUGHAN. Little space is necessary to the introduction of Dr. K. K. Straughan to the people of Montgomery County, as he is personally well known to them as a young, able and active practitioner, and as the son of one whose days of usefulness in alle- viating the sufferings of humanity number over forty-two years. Dr. Straughan was born in Scott Township, Ind., at which place his father located in the year 1850. The parents of our sub- ject were natives of Kentucky and Indiana respectively, and have proved by their affiliation with the best elements of the community in which they have resided nearly a half a century that they came of more than ordinary ancestry. Many old savants of the medical profession claim that a phy- sician in order to succeed must be born with the attributes of nature most fitted to relieve and sym- pathize with the afflicted, and it must certainly follow that he who follows in the professional foot-
steps of such an eminent father has more than the ordinary gifts which tend toward success in the life-work he has chosen.
The grandfather of our subject was born in Kentucky about 1806, and is still living, a resident of Fillmore, Putnam County, Ind., where he en- joys the rest of years well spent, and is made happy by the fact that his family have succeeded him with credit, even to the third generation.
Kent K. Straughan was born in Scott Township, Montgomery County, where his parents had locat- ed after leaving Kentucky. Dr. J. W. Stranghan and his wife, Sarah (Harrison) Straughan, are both descendants of a long line of Kentucky ances- tors, and the spirit of chivalry in one and good breeding in the other portrays the fact of their sonthern birth. Dr. Straughan arrived at years of maturity in Montgomery County, and after taking the common-school course entered the Rus- sellville Academy, from which he graduated and then began reading medicine with his father. In the year 1875 he entered the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, from which place he grad- uated three years later.
The Doctor began the practice of medicine in the spring of 1878 at Parkersburg, and afterward located in Brown's Valley, where he practiced suc- cessfully for several years. In 1889 he located in Waveland, and by energy and native ability has built up an extensive practice. The year 1878 marks an era in the life of Dr. Straughan as the one in which he obtained the consent of Miss Lucy B. Bridges to become his wife. To those best acquainted with her Mrs. Straughan represents those womanly qualities which are so well calcu- lated to assist a life partner toward success, and as a lady of gentle bearing and kindly disposition she is loved by all who know her. Her parents were Mr. A. C. and Mary (Drennon) Bridges, pio- neers of this county.
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