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 80
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 80
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 80
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Thomas Ratcliff, father of our subject, was born in England, and came to the United States with his parents when quite young, becoming a resident of North Carolina. There he grew to manhood and was married. His parents died before he had reached maturity, and he was bound out to learn the trade of a hatter, which occupation he fol- lowed until his removal to Indiana. When he left the South his means were limited, and he emi- grated to Ohio, taking all his earthly effects in a wagon. Settling in Highland County, he opened a hat factory, which he ran with fair success. In 1826 he came with his family to Indiana, remain- ing for one year on a rented farm in Hendricks County, after which he became a resident of Foun- tain County, locating near the Parke County line, within one and one-half miles of where our sub- ject now lives. There he entered about two hun- dred acres from the Government of heavy timber- land, which he lived to see quite well improved. He accumulated several hundred acres and gave each of his children a farm. The first house, 18x20 feet in dimensions, he put up was made of round logs, but the more substantial modern house which succeeded this was made of hewed logs. Though farming was his principal pursuit, he was some- what of a horse-dealer, buying and selling quite extensively. He was a member of the United Brethren Church, as was also his mother, who came, however, of a Quaker family. For several years Mr. Ratcliff was Justice of the Peace in Ohio, and was a Whig in politics. His death occurred at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife survived him a few years.
Our subject is the seventh in a family of nine children, the others being William, John, Hannah, Dorcas, Elizabeth, Thomas, Margaret and James. At the age of eighteen years he started out to learn the carpenter's and millwright's trades. Previous to this he had obtained what education he could in the old log schoolhouses of Parke and Fountain Counties. In 1843 he married Susan, daughter of Lancelot Ewbank. Seven children
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graced their union: Mary A., who became the wife of Benjamin D. Sanderson; James; Louisa J., wife of James M. Sowers; Jacob W., Jonathan A., Charles H., and one who died in infancy.
After the death of his first wife, Mr. Ratcliff wedded Elmira Angel, who was born in Kentucky, but reared in Putnam County, Ind. Her parents, William and Elizabeth (Truelove) Angel, were both natives of North Carolina, and died when she was seven years of age, after which she was taken to bring up by her maternal grandmother. Mr. and Mrs. Ratchff have three children: Clara, now the wife of J. W. Glasscock; Minnie, wife of Ebert Youngblood; and Miles A., Jr., who lives at home.
In 1860 Mr. Ratcliff joined the. Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Alamo, Montgomery County, since which time he has been connected with the organization, now belonging to Lodge No. 498, of Marshall. IIe is also a member of Lodge No. 24, K. P., of Kingman. For over fifty- two years onr subject has been an earnest worker in the Christian Church, to which his wife also be- longs. No man in the community is more highly thought of, or better deserves the confidence which has been given to him by his fellow-citizens.
E DWARD BARNES. Prominent among the stock-shippers and grain-dealers of Rosedale, Parke County, stands the subject of this sketch, Squire Edward Barnes, who was born in Jessup, Parke County, March 7, 1853. His parents are Cornelius M. and Mary ( Adams) Barnes, the former of whom was born in Kentucky in 1829, coming to Indiana when but three years old, with his parents, who settled near Judson on a farm.
Our subject was reared on a farm with no op- portunity for an education except what he conld obtain in the common schools during a few weeks in the winter months, when he had to walk two miles to the schoolhouse. Through constant perseverance and diligence, he obtained a very
good practical education, so much so that he has al- ways been enabled to manage his farming, stock and grain enterprises in a businesslike manner, and has proven one of the successful financiers of his county.
In 1891 he retired from farm life and rented his estate, which is located on section 26, range 9, of township 12, a very desirable country home. He now lives in Rosedale and conducts a lucrative agricultural implement depot, where the farmers can always be supplied with all kinds of machinery of the most modern and improved kinds at the lowest prices and best terms. Mr. Barnes' mother died March 9, 1890. She was the mother of ten children, two of whom died in infancy, and one son, William, died at the age of twenty-six years. The living ones are he of whom we write, John, Wayne, Anna (wife of George Armstrong), Fred, Wesley and Dayton.
March 4, 1877, Mr. Barnes was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Adams, who was one of eleven chil- dren born to William and Mary Adams, of Parke County. Five of these children are living, namely: Harvey M., Renben P., Albert, Sarah and William. Mrs. Barnes is a woman of much culture, domesti- cally inclined, social, and a kind, indulgent mother to her children. Frederick, one of her children, died in infancy, and the others are: Laura, born December 4, 1880; and Elza, born June 11, 1883. This good wife and mother is a member of the Baptist Church and takes great interest in its work.
Politically, Mr. Barnes is affiliated with the Democratic party, of which he is a conservative sup- porter. In public and official life he figures con- spicuously, and while living on his farm he was elected Justice of the Peace; he was also appointed Notary Public and is now serving his second term as Justice of the Peace in Rosedale, having also served one term in Vigo County. He is Deputy Trustee of Florida Township and School Director of the town of Rosedale, which positions he tries to fill honorably and faithfully; he has also been the assignee in several cases of insolvency. Fraternally, this worthy citizen is identified with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons and the Knights of Py- thias, holding positions of trust and executive
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ability in all. Socially, Mr. Barnes is one of the leading lights and is a member of the Owl Club, whose sacred and infathomable precincts and mar- velous doings none but the very best of men are permitted to enjoy, and he also belongs to the Modocs.
RA McCONNELL is a man whose career it is interesting to trace because of the perseverance with which, in spite of sickness and other ob- staeles to success, he worked his way through col- lege and made for himself a position in the world and a fortune of no mean proportions. A man with fixed, absolute ideas, he is resolute in carry- ing out those ideas, and will not do questionable work, nor adopt questionable methods. He was born in Cedarville, Ohio, October 28, 1842. Ohio was also the native State of his parents, Robert and Eliza (Beemer) McConnell, wbo removed to Jay County, Ind., in 1848. Mr. McConnell, Sr., was a farmer and a carriage-maker.
When Ira was eleven years old, he returned to Ohio, his father remaining in Jay County, and went to work upon a farm, thus paying his way through school, as even at this early day he had set his heart on having an education. He was in the employ of Abner Reed, of Chillicothe, most of the time until 1858, when he came to near Leba- non, Ind.
At the first call for troops to defend our coun- try, our subject enlisted in Col. Kise's company, but was not mustered in, as he was not accepted. He was given a position in the hospital for three months. After this he continued on the farm and at home until 1863. November 29 of that year, he enlisted at Fairview, Randolph County, Ind .. in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth In- diana Regiment, Gen Hovey's division, attached to Sherman's army at Chattanooga. With that com- pany he followed to Atlanta, taking part in most of the hattles fought. He was engaged in the battles of Dalton, Resaca, Burnt Hickory, Buzzard's Roost,
Marietta, Kenesaw, Franklin, Columbia, Nashville and Kingston. He was taken ill with typhoid fever, and was unconscious most of the time for three months. He was then sent to Knoxville, Tenn., but remembers nothing that happened while he was there except seeing the dead that were taken out cach morning, there sometimes being as many as one hundred of them.
After being sent home, our subject recovered so as to be able to join lis command at Pulaski, Tenn., on the return campaign after Gen. Hood. He was there with his right in the Nashville campaign, and later was sent across the mountains and rejoined Sherman's army at Goldsboro, N. C., remaining with them until the surrender of Lee. Not being fully recovered, and not being able to march, he was left behind, and soon after was placed in a hospital at Kingston, N. C., where he remained until the general discharge in 1865. He was never forced to surrender, but was once in- jured in the back while carrying a wounded com- rade from the field. His special duty was to search for deserters and bring them back. He was Sergeant of the company. On one occasion, a man from Albany had deserted, and a squad of about eight or ten men was sent after him, but failed in their search. Upon the report of their failure being received, Mr. McConnell asked to be sent, and his officers gave their permission, ex- pecting him to call for a squad; but he preferred to go alone. This he did, making his way to the young man's home, and after consultation with him and his family, persuaded him to return to his duty. He held a pass at will so long as he was in the division, and, being non-commissioned, it was an important feature. His captain was Asa Teal, of Winchester, Ind.
After his return to Muncie, our subject became a member of the home of Maj. E. C. Anthony, as- sisting him in his business. He remained there one year, until his health was recuperated. In the fall of 1866, he entered Wabash College, and with- ont money or friends, with the additional disad- vantage of poor health and consequent doctor's bills, he proceeded to carry out his determination to take a college course, working as he could get work to do, whether it was at sawing wood, or
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any other legitimate employment. He had the courage which made him able to rise above the humblest occupation and lend dignity to it. The last three years he was constantly troubled with hemorrhages. He was in classes with the sons of eminent men, coming from the very best families, and was treated with the greatest respect. He was graduated in the Class of '73, taking honors in declamation, and was held in high esteem by all his classmates. He took the regular classical course with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1875 received the degree of A. M. He was the last graduate of Wabash who was a soldier during the war.
Mr. McConnell surely has canse for no little pride and satisfaction in the fact that, alone and unaided, he was able to achieve so marked success in his educational work, and this the more because of his poor health and consequent decrcase of strength for so hard a struggle. It is characteris- tic of the man that he succeeded-he was bound to succeed-he knew no such word as fail. He has very flattering notices from Noah J. Clodfelter, complimenting him on an oration delivered be- forc a veterans' rennion at Winchester, Ind., which oration was the inspiration of his own beautiful sonnet to the "Soldiers in Ileaven." Such men as Gen. Wallace have also given him their earnest support and friendship. His old captain, Asa Teal, expresses himself in most ardent terms, say- ing that should he be again in the United States service, he should certainly demand service of Ira McConnell.
Our subject read law for one year, six months at Muncie and six at Crawfordsville with Ken- nedy & Brush. He had been admitted to the Bar at Muncie in 1865, before entering college. Ile also took a private course in civil and military engineering under Gen. Carrington, then an in- structor at Wabash, and he soon became identified with city and country engineering and surveying in all its forms. In 1874 he was elected County Surveyor, and did the ditch and gravel-road work in Parke and Franklin Counties, his work running up to $125,000 per year in expenditures. As en- gineer, he had charge of the expenditure of gravel- road funds in two counties. This line of work
continued about ten years, and included much business for railroad companies, plans and specifi- cations for county bridge-work, etc. He also as- sisted in the organization of a civil engineers' so- ciety.
Since 1885, Mr. McConnell's health failing again, he has found it necessary to have a change of oc- cupation, and to that end secured a farm near Muncie, remaining there about two years. After his return, he was Receiver of the Crawfordsville Water Works Company for two years. In 1874, after his return from Muncie, he was discouraged on account of his health, not expecting to live, and for some months canvassed for the Journal for his board, writing locals also, and doing mnuch to advance its interests. He has considerable money invested in dwelling-houses. His own residence is a fine one, and is located on the corner of Col- lege and Grant Streets.
Our subject was actively engaged as a Repub- lican in the campaign of 1878, at which time a de- cided fight was made over him in connection with the public work on hand. It is worthy of mention right here, that some of his truest friends are of the opposite party, proving that even political struggling in opposition to the views of many of his acquaintances could not blind their eyes to the sterling qualities of the man.
Mr. McConnell was married October 29, 1878, at which time Miss Hettie D. Powers, daughter of William and Priscilla (Ganagus) Powers, became his wife. Iler father was a former hardware man of Massachusetts, and her paternal grandfather, Jonathan Powers, was one of the pioneers. She was born in this city. " Their family consisted of Fred A., who was born October 27, 1885; Robert P., who died when seven months old; William, who also died in infancy; and Eva J., who was born April 21, 1881.
Mr. McConnell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Grand Army of the Republic; the Red Men, and the Phi Delta Pheta of his col- lege. In personal appearance he is five feet ten inches tall, and of dark complexion. Ile is of a nervons, progressive temperament. He is out- spoken, and, when once reached, is found to pos-
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sess a fund of geniality and manly qualities which win him high regard. His health is still poor, so much so that he entertains grave fears regarding it, which fears his friends most cordially hope and trust may prove unfounded, as Crawfordsville can- not afford to lose so estimable a citizen for many ycars to come.
D AVID WEBB. Among the active enterprises of a eity like Covington the business of livery, sale and feeding stables oceupies, necessarily, an important place, contributing as they do to the pleasure, convenience and actual necessities of the community. Among the most notable establishments of this class in the city was that conducted by David Webb, one of the promi- nent and most successful business men of the place. This stable was one of the most popular establishments of the kind in the city, and met with deserved success. As there are few features of metropolitan enterprise which contribute a larger quota to the convenience of the residential and transient public, it was considered a valuable acquisition to the place.
Mr. Webb was a native of this county, born in Attica July 8, 1828. His father, Harmon Webb, who was a native of one of the Eastern States, came to Indiana abont 1821, and married Miss Abigail Putman, a native of Indianapolis. They settled in Covington in 1832, and here the father's death occurred in 1836. Four children were born to this union, but only our subject now survives. A sister, Sarah J., married Dr. L. D. Rush, and died in 1864. Another sister, Eliza A., married George S. Shanklin, ex-County Surveyor, and died in 1887. After the death of her husband Mrs. Webb married again and became the mother of one child. Eleda. After the death of her second hus- band, which occurred in 1839, she married Robert Hitchfield, who died in 1869. She died at Lebanon, Ind., in 1888.
David Webb was reared in his native county,
secured a fair education. and on the 23d of Deeember, 1850, he was married to Miss Martha L. Lawson. He first engaged in the livery business in 1849, and in 1857 he was elected County Re- corder, holding that position for four years. In 1861 he was elected County Auditor by the Demo- cratic party, and in 1865 he was re-elected, serving nine years in that capacity. Previous to this. in 1857, he was made collector of toll on the Wabash & Erie Canal and held that position until the canal was abandoned. In 1870 he engaged in buying and handling horses and was engaged very extensively in this business until March, 1885. when he was appointed by President Cleveland Register of Land Office at Salt Lake City. He as- sumed the duties of this office January 18, 1886. and served until June 30, 1889. Following this he engaged in politics in Salt Lake City and assisted in carrying that city over the Mormons. Ile was given full charge of the campaign in the eity by the Anti-Mormons, and carried the city by a majority of forty-two. The following Feb- ruary the entire city campaign was swept clean, a complete organization being effected, and great excitement prevailed. Judge Power was com- mander in chief, with Mr. Webb as conductor.
On the 15th of April, 1890. our subject returned to Covington and from then on was engaged in the livery business. He gave much attention to horse-racing and had a noted reputation as a hor c- starter in races. He was a professional, and made three trips to Salt Lake raees in that capacity. Mr. Webb was connected with the local Horse Breeders' Association, and had a "Blue Bull" stall- ion with a record of 2:36, a fine produeer. Our subject attended State and district conventions and took an active interest in the Democratie party. He was one of the prominent men of the county and took a leading part in all worthy or laudable enterprises.
The children of our subject are as follows: Frank R., of Staunton, Va., Principal of the Musi- cal Academy at that place and a fine musician. He was organist of St. Paul's Church in Indianap- olis and is now organist in a church at Staunton. He is the leader of the Stonewall Jackson Band, a band noted far and wide. David Webb, Jr., has
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been chief clerk in the land department of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, with his office at Sedalia, Mo., and is now a banker at Casey, Ill .; and Josie, who is at home, is a stenographer and teacher. Our subject became a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows in 1850, and held connection with them until his death. He owned a farm one and one-half miles from Covington. Mrs. Webb is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
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LFRED R. HEATHI. The name of this gentleman is a familiar one to the people of Fountain County, for he is a long-time and popular citizen of Troy Township. Ile and his family are pleasantly situated in their comfortable home on section 7, where they are sur- rounded by many of the luxuries of life. In the social circles of the community, their position is an en viable one, and they are welcome guests in the best homes of the township. Mr. Ileath is a busi- ness man who, through his unaided industry and perseverance, has attained prosperity and gained a place among the successful citizens of the county.
Our subject was born in Fountain County, Ind., February 7, 1826, and is a son of Jeremiah and Nelly (Johnson) Ileath. Ilis paternal ancestors emigrated from England to America some thirty- five years prior to the Revolutionary War, in which some members of the family took an active part, defending with valor the principles of the col- onists. For several generations the family was rep- resented among the prominent men of North Car- olina, whence at an early day a removal was made to Putnam County, Ind. The father of our subject was a man of enterprise and accumulated consid- erable property. In addition to four hundred and forty acres of well-improved land which he owned in Fountain County, he was also the owner of a fine tract, comprising seven hundred aeres, at Mt. Pleas- ant, lowa. His death occurred in 1847 and his wife passed away two years later. In his religious
con vietions he was a devoted member of the Chris- tian Church, in which he officiated as Deacon for many years.
The boyhood of our subject was somewhat un- eventfully passed in the county of his birth. Hle gained a praetieal education in the common schools and has supplemented the knowledge there ac- quired by close observation of men and things, 80 that he is now a man of broad information on all subjects of importance. He married Mary, the daughter of John and Sarah Maxwell, and a native of Ohio, born in 1826. From the Buckeye State she removed to Indiana, where she was married. Four children have blessed this union, as follows: Della, who was born in Fountain County in 1848; Harpin L., whose birth occurred in 1850; Orietta, wife of D. T. Morgan, a graduate of the law school at Indianapolis in the Class of '76, and the val- edictorian of his class; and Evan, who was born in 1859. The elder son, Harpin L., married Mary Summerbell, an accomplished lady and a talented musieian, who died in 1887 and was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery. Afterward Harpin Heath was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Nannie White, who died, leaving one son, Archi- bald.
6 HIOMAS EVANS, one of the oldest and most prominent pioneers of Parke County, Ind., is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Mereer County, Ky .. March 25, 1817. llis father, Nathaniel Evans, was a native of Kentucky and died at the age of fifty- four years. Ilis mother, who was known in her maiden days as Lucy ledger, died at about the same age as did her husband. In 1821, Mr. Evans came with his family, consisting of his wife and two sons, to Parke County, where he located perma- nently. The sons, William who died in Parke County at the age of thirty-five years, and he of whom we write, lived on the farm with their father until they reached maturity. After locating in this county eleven more children were born to Mr.
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and Mrs. Evans, four dying in infancy. The rest reached manhood and womanhood, but are now de- ceased with the exception of our subject and his sister Harriet, Mrs. George Overpeck, who lives on an adjoining farm.
At the time of his death the father of our snb- jeet owned over six hundred and forty acres of the very best land in the county. His son Thomas, on account of ill health, was never permitted to attend school until after he had attained the age of eleven years, when he diligently applied himself to his studies and improved his time sufficiently to make up for lost opportunities. In 1838 he was married to Emarine Driscal, who was born to Timo- thy and Sarah Driscal, of Parke County. By this union five children were born : Nathaniel, the first- born, who lives in southern Kansas; Harriet, wife of Mr. Jonathan Branson, who resides near Carth- age, Mo .; Alwilda, wife of S. Griffin, of Springfield, Ill .; James M., a widower with one daughter, who resides with our subjeet; and one who died in in- fancy.
Mrs. Evans, once a strong, robust woman of one hundred and eighty pounds, now weighs less than one hundred, is very feeble, almost totally blind and helpless. Mr. Evans borrowed money at ten per cent. with which to buy land, but by constantly reading the literature published on agrienlture and acquiring a fair business knowledge; he has accum- ulated a good round fortune, consisting of two hundred and eighty-six aeres of fine arable land, through which run thick veins of coal. He has assisted all his children in getting a start in life, and his son who now resides with him has over two hundred acres of as good land as his father, and is one of the well-to-do farmers of this town- ship. Charles Kirkman, a grandson of our subject, was reared by him, and given a good education.
Mr. Evans has one of the finest sandstone build- ings to be found in the State, and offers for sale a portion of his estate. lle keeps a fine stock of hogs especially, and also a great number of other domestie animals. His farm is especially adapted to fruit-growing, and he keeps a fair variety of fruit and realizes a good profit therefrom. On first set- tling in this county, Mr. Evans maintained himself and family on wild game, which he killed in great
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