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 75
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 75
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 75
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
The marriage of Mr. Miller with Miss Martha A., daughter of Hiram Morehouse, was contracted in his native township. Mrs. Miller's father was an early settler of Van Buren Township, coming here from Ohio. His father was from New Jer- sey. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had six children, all of whom but one, Adelia, who died at the age of three and one-half years, are still living. The others are Zulemia, wife of Frank Cook, of Van Buren Township; Louella, wife of Edward Helm; Bert, Vernon and Lueretia. The last three are at home with their parents.
Our subjeet is sound in polities and adheres to the Republican party. He belongs to the Farmers' Detective Association of Richland Township, and he is an important member of the Farmers' Mu- tual Benefit Association, of which he is Vice- President. Ile and his wife are among the lead-
627
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ing members of the Christian Church, of which he is a Deacon. His two eldest daughters also belong to the church, and all are greatly interested in the Sunday-school, in which he served as Superin- tendent at one time.
G EORGE F. SINES, a member of the firm of Bonebreak & Sines, dealers in dry goods at Yeddo, is one of the native-born sons of Fountain County who represented her at the front during the Civil War, and has since become one of her most enterprising and successful bnsi- ness men, identifying himself with both the mer- cantile and agricultural interests of this section of the State.
Mr. Sines was born on his father's farm on Scott's Prairie, September 26, 1840. He is of German ancestry, his grandfather, who emigrated hither some time during the last century, being the first of the family to come to America. He settled in Pennsylvania, and his son Joseph, the father of our subject, was born in Philadelphia in 1798. He was reared in his native city, where he learned the trade of a weaver. He also worked on a farm in his youth. He was married in Philadelphia to Mary Ann Griffith, a daughter of Richard Griffith, who was a millwright of southeastern Pennsylva- nia. Eight or ten years after his marriage Mr. Sines left Philadelphia for Ross County, Ohio, and, locating near Chillicothe, he engaged in farming there some ten years. In 1839 he came to Foun- tain County and settled among the pioneers of Cain Township. He bought a tract of school land com- prising two hundred and forty acres, and in the years that ensued he devoted his energies to clear- ing and improving it. His wife actively co-oper- ated with him in the making of a good home, and they spent their declining years amid its comforts, and died full of years, her death occurring in 1874, and his in 1878. Mr. Sines was a Whig un- til the Republican party was organized, and from
that time he was a stanch supporter of the policy of that party. He was prominent in the manage- ment of public affairs for several years as Trustee of the township. Religiously, he was a member and Class-leader of the United Brethren Church. He and his wife had a large family of children, as follows: Richard G., a farmer in Nebraska; John, who was a farmer and died in Illinois; Caroline, who married Amariah Elwell, and is now dead; Jane G., wife of John Elwell, of Iowa; Joseph, who died in Ross County, Ohio; Mary Ann, wife of J. P. Hartman, of Kearney, Neb .; Samnel, who superintends a lumber business at Adair, Iowa; George F .; and Melinda, widow of Charles Mar- shall, and a resident of Yeddo.
George F. Sines, of whom we write, was reared and educated in this county. When he began life for himself he first engaged in farming. In Sep- tember, 1862, he laid aside his work in response to his country's call, and his name was enrolled as one of the brave volunteers of Company HI, Sixty-third Indiana Infantry. He went into the army as a private, but his efficient soldiership won him promotion to the rank of Corporal ere long. He bore an honorable part in the famous campaign of Sherman through Georgia to At- lanta, engaging in the various battles from Buz- zard's Roost to Atlanta, and from Ft. Fisher to Goldsboro, N. C. He was severely wounded at Atlanta during a hotly-contested engagement with the rebels, and was in a hospital for nearly six months. He gave his country faithful service until after the terrible war was brought to a close, and he was mustered out of the army July 4, 1865.
Returning to his native county from the South, Mr. Sines resumed his former occupation in Mill Creek Township, and subsequently bought a farm there, which he operated from 1871 to 1883. In the latter year he came to Yeddo to engage in his present business, entering into a partnership with Messrs. Bonebreak and Elwell, under the firm name of Bonebreak, Elwell & Sincs. Mr. Elwell withdrew from the company in 1886, and the firm name has since been Bonebreak & Sines. They have an establishment that is complete in its ap- pointments, and they carry a superior class of dry goods, supplying their customers with the latest
628
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
. and best, and displaying marked enterprise and ad- mirable judgment in catering to the tastes and re- quirements of their patrons.
October 6, 1861, our subject was married to Miss Catherine, daughter of Anthony Raypole, one of the leading farmers of Mill Creek Township, who came to this county from Ross County. Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Sines are blessed with a family of nine children, namely: Caroline, wife of James Ward, a druggist at Hillsboro; Barbara A., wife of John Condon, a railroad man of La Fayette; Samuel, who manages his father's farm; Sylvester, who is also at home; Mary, Grant, Clara, Nellie and Lottie. Mr. Sines has accumulated a comfortable fortune by honorable methods, and besides his business interests he has a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres, which he devotes prin- cipally to raising grain, his sons attending to the management of the farm for him. He and his family are highly thought of throughout the com- munity, as they are gifted with pleasant social qualities, and are kindly and considerate in their relations with their neighbors and other associates. Mr. Sines belongs to Harveysburg Lodge No. 314, F. & A. M., at Kingman, is prominent in the control of its affairs, and acts as its Secretary. Politically, he is a Republican, and is Deputy postmaster at Yeddo.
T. BRUSII, a member of the firm of Brush & Snyder. was born at Waveland, Ind., in 1845. His early life was spent on the farm, and what literary education he received was from the Waveland Collegiate Institute, from which he graduated in 1865. lle was in the army and served as a brave Union soldier. In 1886 he read law with Thompson & Ristine and was admitted to the Bar in June of the same year, whereupon he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the Common Pleas Court. He was City Attorney from 1869 to 1872, and has held the same office since 1888. For
twelve years he was a partner with Hon. P. S. Kennedy and two years with Hon. R. B. F. Peirce. His reputation is fine as a commercial lawyer in the cross examination of witnesses and he is a strong and forcible speaker.
E LSWORTH H. CAIIILL. Among the prom- inent and successful business establishments of Parke County, the firm of Crooks & Ca- hill stands foremost. Though of comparatively recent inception, the methods adopted by the part- ners have been such as to gain the good-will and confidence of the general public, and, being young men, they possess the enthusiastic energy and push so characteristic of youth, which qualities, coupled with excellent judgment and tact, have secured their position in the front ranks of the merchants of the county. The store is carried on under their personal supervision, and is well stocked with a complete line of goods.
The junior member of the firm is the subject of this biographical notice. He was born in the vil- lage of Bridgeton, Ind., November 1, 1868, and is the son of Griffith and Sarah ( Mitchell) Cahill, na- tives, respectively, of Ohio and Indiana. The fa- ther, who was born January 11, 1834. was by occu- pation a carpenter and mechanic. He is now a resident of Bridgeton, following his occupation of carpenter. They were the parents of five chil- dren, of whom four are now living, E. H., our subject, being the eldest. The father was twice married, having by his first wife two children, one deceased. Our subject is of the second marriage.
In the village where his entire life has been passed, Elsworth HI. Cahill grew to manhood, re- eeiving his education in the public schools of the place. When about fifteen years of age, he com- meneed to learn the trade of a painter, but later abandoned that trade for commercial pursuits. In 1889 he entered the store of J. R. Mitchell as a clerk, and continued in the employ of that gentle- man and A. M. Jacks (later known as the firm of
629
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Jacks & Mitchell) until June, 1892, when, in com- pany with Charles Crooks, he embarked in the mer- cantile business on his own account.
A young man of enterprise and probity, Mr. Ca- hill has been self-supporting since he was twelve years of age, and the success which he has already attained proves the possession of abilities of no ordinary nature. While he has had financial as- sistance offered him, he has refused it, preferring to make his own way in the world, and he is made of the material that will accomplish this result. His business is constantly increasing, and his posi- tion in commercial circles is among the most sub- stantial men of Bridgeton. Socially, he is identi- fied with the Masonic order, and the Independent Order of Good Templars, in both of which organ- izations he is an active worker. In his political preference he adheres to the principles of the Re- publican party, and while he is not a partisan, he never fails to cast his ballot for the candidates of his chosen party.
ACOB W. HUTTON, the subject of this sketch, resides in Union Township, Mont- gomery County, this State, and is the son of the late William Hutton, who was born in Rockbridge County, Va., within about four- teen miles of the Natural Bridge. William Hnt- ton was a farmer boy, who went to school in his native place and married Miss Mary Cunning- ham, who was also reared and educated there. After marriage Mr. Hutton engaged in farming, but had the misfortune to lose his farm, having gone security on notes for his friends. In 1831 he went to Greene County, Ohio, and settled five miles from Xenia, where he rented a farm and lived for three years. His means were small then, he having had only $400 when he reached Greene County, and after living there for three years lie decided to go farther West, so traveled on and landed in Crawfordsville, where he had rented a farm and sawmill.
At this place William and his two eldest sons went to work, but the former did not live long enough to enjoy the prosperity that came to the family later. When he first came here he and his wife bought eighty acres of land that adjoined the land that he purchased afterward. He reached this place in October, 1834, and he died in Septem- ber, 1837. After his death Mrs. Hutton and the boys built a house upon the land that had been bought, but in the fall of 1845 Mrs. Hutton an- swered the dread summons and passed away. Both she and her husband had been members of the Pres- byterian Church. William Hutton was one of the soldiers of the Government in the Insurgents' Re- bellion in South Carolina. Six sons and one daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hutton, as follows: James R., whose life was spent entirely in Virginia; William, who some ten years ago lived on the old home place; Alexander P., who died in 1844, a young man; our subject; Samuel M., who lives on the Darlington Road in Union Township, this county, and is a farmer; George W., who is a farmer of Union Township; and Martha Jane, who married James Low, and died a year after marriage.
Our súbjeet was born December 8, 1818, in Rockbridge County, Va., and was about thirteen years old when his father went to Ohio, and about sixteen when he came into Indiana. He received but little edueation, not from any fault of his own, but because there was so much work to do and sehool only in the winter. He remained with his mother until his marriage in 1844 to Miss Liddy Clark, who was the daughter of Iliram and Eliz- abeth Clark, who were farmers of this county and early settlers. After his marriage he and his brother Samuel bought the sawmill that his father had rented and which his two elder brothers had bought and run. These brothers ran the mill for about two years, and then Samuel sold his interest to Jacob, who continued in the business until 1855 and then moved his family to Crawfordsville. Later he took a trip to Kansas and Missouri with a view to locating, but came back, having seen nothing more to his taste than his own home.
Our subject bought a place four and one-half miles north of Crawfordsville on the Darlington
630
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Road, consisting of one hundred and seventy acres, and our subject moved his family to this land in October, 1856, and lived there until 1865, when he moved into the town and rented property for three years. Ilaving sold the farm, Mr. Hutton now bought a place just outside of the city, where he now lives. Ile had bought his farm for $36 an acre and sold it for $82.50. He has a farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres where he now lives, and had more but sold some to the railroad. His family consists of John C., who is the present County Treasurer; Harmon, a telegraph operator at the Western Union office at this place; Laura E., who married Francis Clement, and who lives on the farm of Mr. Hutton; and Milton and Henry, who are in Aberdeen. Wash. The children who have passed away were Martha Jane, Edward, and Fan- ny, who died at the age of thirteen years.
Our subject is a Democrat of the strongest type and cast a vote for Van Buren.
2 HOMAS R. RATCLIFF. The career of this gentleman has been prosperous in his voca- tion of farming and stock-raising. He has a substantial set of farm buildings, good stock and machinery, groves, orchards and all the other ap- purtenances of the modern country estate. He was born on the same farm where he how makes his home, August 24, 1835.
Mr. Ratcliff is a sou of William and Margaret (Wilkerson ) Ratcliff, the former of whom was a son of Thomas Ratcliff, who emigrated to Ohio about the year 1813 and settled in Ilighland County. The father of our subject was born in North Car- olina and when a child went to Ohio with his pa- rents, where he received his limited education in the district schools of Highland County. Here he married, and after the birth of one child, emi- grated to Indiana in company with his parents, a brother and a sister, in 1829. They came in wagons to Hendricks County, thence to Parke County, settling in Sugar Creek Township. Will-
iam and his wife had a meagre sum with which to start, but they entered Government land, on which they erected a very rude log hut in the timber, where the night was made hideous by the howls of the wolves. Here in this wilderness the father and mother reared their family of children and lived happily together. The children are: Mary, wife of Calvin Dicks; John; Hannah, who mar- ried Mathew Simpson; Thomas; Miles and Eliza- beth (twins). the former of whom was killed at At- lanta, Ga., and the latter married Harvey Ward; Margaret, wife of C. Pithoud; and Susan, deceased, wife of John Ililt. By persistent and industrious labor, Mr. Rateliff found himself on the road to prosperity, accumulating three hundred acres of good and improved land, and was enabled to enjoy his last years in a quiet home at Danville, Ill. Hle was a stanch supporter of the Whig party and took a great interest in political work. In religion he believed in the creed of the United Brethren Church. In connection with his farming interests, he followed for a time in different periods of his life the occupation of a blacksmith and also ran a sawmill. His life companion died in 1889 and he too passed away a few years later.
Thomas R. Ratcliff, of this sketeh, was with his parents until after his marriage, when he began for himself and wife by taking charge of a portion of his father's farm. He married at the age of twen- ty-two years Miss Juliet Gray, who was a daugh- ter of M. and Jane (Lough) Gray. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rateliff: Will- iam M .; Erastus M .; Miles A .; Barbara J .; Elmer (who died in youth); Lertin D .; Serena M .; and Etta. The devoted wife and mother passed to her rest in 1875, and Mr. Ratcliff married Mary, a daughter of W. F. and Sarah (Watson) Jenne. This estimable lady was born in Fountain County, Ind., her parents being natives of Ohio and New York, respectively. Four children came to bless this union: Anna G., Freeman R., Ethest B. and Carrie M. Our subject and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and are highly esteemed throughout this vieinity. The former is a mem- ber of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, en- tering the lodge in 1862 at Annapolis, and is a member of Ilarveysburg Lodge No. 314. Politi-
631
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
cally he is a good Republican. Ile is now holding the office of Commissioner of Parke County, which responsible position he has held for nine years past in an admirable way, not only giving eredit to himself, but also to the district which he repre- sents. In connection with his farm work he also runs a sawmill part of the time and is an exten- sive stock-raiser and shipper.
Mr. Ratcliff began in life with comparatively nothing, and by living economically and manag- ing excellently he has through his promptness in meeting all obligations accumulated a great amount of land, aggregating about five hundred acres, besides giving a good portion of his estate to his children as a start in life. The one hundred and sixty acres of land that he owned in Vermil- lion County, Ill., hie traded for his father's old farm about the time the war elosed. He is enthus- iastic in all his undertakings and is esteemed and respected by all who know him.
.
AVID SHIRK. Among the prominent agri- culturists of Fountain County, Ind., stands the name of David Shirk, who in the man- agement of everything connected with his farm displays excellent judgment and sound sense. He was born in Liberty Township, Parke County, Ind., in 1842, and inherits sturdy German blood from his maternal ancestors, his great-grandfather on that side being a native of the Fatherland. Our subject's parents, Isaac and Sarah Shirk, were natives of Franklin and Vermillion Counties, Ind., respectively, the father having been born in 1810. The children born to this worthy couple are in order of their births as follows: David, our sub- ject; William, born in Parke County in 1845, who died when sixteen years of age; Edward, born in Parke County, Ind., in 1847, who died when lif- teen years of age; Isaac, born in 1849, who married a Miss De Witt, of California, and is the father of one child.
The father of these children died in April, 1848, |
and left the mother with her little family to provide for, the eldest child being only eight years of age. She carried on the business and provided for her children, sending them to school and attempting to give them each a good educa- tion. Our subject was attending school when the war broke out and he returned to his home and enlisted in Company II, Twenty-first Indiana Infantry. Later he was discharged on a sur- geon's certificate of disability, in 1861, and came home. In January of the following year he re-enlisted in the Ninety-seventh Infantry, organized at Terre Haute, Ind., and was sent to Louisville, Ky. From there he went to Mem- phis, Tenn., and later was under Gen. Grant in the Fifteenth Army Corps and started for Vicksburg. He was in some of the most prominent engagements of the war, experienced many hard- ships, and was ever to be found at the front. He was a brave soldier and longhit bravely for the Union. While at Memphis he was taken sick, but recovered sufficiently to re-enter the army.
Returning to the farm in Liberty Township, Parke County. Ind., he continued there engaged in tilling the soil until 1888, when he sold his farm in Parke County, and moved to Fountain County, this State. Since his residence in this county he has been prominently engaged in his former occupation, and as he is thoroughly familiar with every detail of farming, and is energetic and thorough-going, he has met with substantial results. In 1889 he bought his present property, known as the Thomas Farm, and on this there is a fine vein of coal, making it a valuable tract of land. Mr. Shirk is very progressive and advanced in his ideas, has inherited the push and energy that made his ancestors so succes ful, and is now classed among the prosperous and substantial men of the county. He is a public-spirited citizen, and is active in all enterprises of a landable nature. Mrs. Shirk is a worthy member of the Baptist Church, contributing liberally to its support.
Our subject selected his life companion in the person of Miss Harriet Sangster, who was born January 4, 1852, and whose father, George Sangster, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and their nup- tials were celebrated in 1866. The fruits of their
632
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
union have been three children, as follows: George E., who was born in 1867 and married Miss Clay port. He is well educated and is a graduate of the College of Terre Haute. At present he is a tele- graph operator. Sallie Bell, born in July, 1877, is also well educated; and William, born in 1881, is now attending school.
Mr. Shirk has shown his appreciation of secret organizations by becoming a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, belonging to Lodi Lodge No. 172, A. F. & A. M., and to Lodge No. 98, K. P., of which he is a charter member. He is also a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, and takes a deep interest in all these societies. In politics he is a strong adherent of Democratic principles and has held a number of local positions, discharging the duties of the same in a satisfactory and efficient manner. Our subject's grandfather, David Shirk, was one of the first settlers of this section, and ex- perienced all the hardships of pioneer life, and accumulated a handsome fortune.
C
OIIN WARNER is a farmer whose place, by virtue of its well-tilled acres, its neat buildings, and general appearance of pros- perity, proclaims him to be a man who is not satisfied with mere existence. He was born October 8, 1820, in Culpeper County, Va., to Peter and Frances ( Milbourn) Warner. The grand- father of our subject, Jolm Warner, was born in Virginia, and followed the occupation in which his father had engaged before him. He moved to Lawrence County, Ill., in 1837, where he bought a farm, on which he lived but a short time, pass- ing away in 1838. Mr. Warner was twice mar- ried, his first wife, Miss Mary Grubb, bearing him four sons and two daughters. The boys were named Peter, Joel, James and John, the latter dy- ing in Illinois. The girls were Nancy, and Mary, who married John Updyke, and also died in Illi- nois. After the decease of the first wife, Mr. War- ner was married to Melinda Duke, who became
the mother of four children: Jack, Washington, Benjamin F. and Thomas J.
The father of our subject, who was a brave sol- dier in the War of 1812, came to this county in an early day. For a more complete history of his life, we would refer our reader to the sketch of James Warner, to be found elsewhere in this vol- ume. The subject of this notice was compelled to depend on himself for his education. At the age of twenty-five years, he located on one hundred and sixty acres, where he resides at the present time, and which he has improved by his untiring labors. Since that time, he has added to his landed possessions until he now owns three hundred and sixty acres of fertile land. In politics he is a Democrat. In April, 1857, he settled in life with Miss Margaret, daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (Major) Shoup, as his companion. This lady was born in Parke County, December 12, 1834, coming from Ohio to Liberty Township, this county, about four years previous to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Shoup had fourteen children, ten of whom they reared: Daniel, Edward, John, Harriet, Mar- garet, Elvira, Hannalı, Rebecca J. and Mary E.
Mr. and Mrs. Warner became the parents of seven children, five of whom reached manhood and womanhood, namely: Oliver, Elizabeth, Athel, Garret and Luda May. Oliver died at the age of twenty-five years. Mr. Warner has been a lib- eral contributor to churches of all denominations, and is an honored and highly esteemed citizen, possessing many excellencies of character.
HARLES H. CAUSEY, a progressive and practical young farmer, is now conducting a good business in raising and feeding stock and in tilling the soil on the farm that hie now operates on section 6, Reserve Township, Parke County.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.