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 83
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 83
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 83
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William Halstead was born in 1844, in about the centre of what is now Madison Township. In the early '40s the educational advantages of our sub- ject's birthplace were not of the same order as to- day, but his parents gave him a good schooling, which he well improved. Life went on with him in a quiet round of daily tasks and pleasures nn- til he was about eighteen years of age, when there came the call for the one hundred-days volunteers, and without delay our subject enlisted, in 1862, in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth In- diana Infantry, and, hurrying to the country's aid, soon reached the Army of the Cumberland.
Having joined the ranks full of boyish enthu- siasm and desiring most of all to do his full duty, it was a bitter disappointment to Mr. Halstead to be taken ill and be obliged to remain in the hospi- tal during the greater part of his term of service. In 1868, our subject entered into one of the most important obligations of his life, and was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda Coyner, a daughter of John and Mary N. Coyner, her father being long since deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Halstead are surrounded by a large and happy family of children. Their daughter, Musetta, a lovely young girl aged nine- teen, died in 1890, but Clyde V .; Ahna, the wife of F. Morin, of Tippecanoe; William C., John C.,
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Rubey. Noble E. and Joseph P. still survive. These briglit young people, varying in age from early youth to manhood and womanhood, give promise each and all of an honored, upright and useful future.
Our subject is the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of land under fine cultivation, upon which are bred exceptionally choice horses and Shorthorns, for which the well-known stock- farm is noted. His time is occupied mainly in the conduct of his business, but he gives intelligent consideration to local and national affairs, and en- joys the reputation of being a progressive man. Mr. Halstead has never been anxious for political preferment, but he endeavors to do his duty at the polls, and casts his vote, as most of his ancestors have done before him, for the Democratic ticket.
OIIN H. POGUE, residing on section 10, Walnut Township, has a high reputation as a practical farmer, as an honorable man and as a good citizen. He represents one of the oldest pioneer families of Montgomery Coun- ty, his paternal grandparents having come here when this country was a howling wilderness, with but few inhabitants other than the Indians and wild beasts. His father, who is now an old man, was but a small boy at that time, and he can re- late many interesting incidents of the early days of settlement, of which he retains a vivid remem- brance. Hegrew to a stalwart manhood under the stirring influences of those times, and being a hard worker, by diligence and thrift he redeemed a good farm, and his declining years are passing in comfort as the result of his early labors.
Our subject was born and reared in Walnut Township, near the place where he now resides. He inherited a good share of the energy and in- dustrious habits characteristic of the family, and when a young man he too became a pioneer, inas- much as he entered a tract of Government land in Iowa, and improved it into a productive farm.
He finally sold it at a great advance on the cost, in order to return to his native State to settle per- manently in the town of his birth, and at that time he purchased his present farm. This is one of the finest places in Walnut Township, and comprises one hundred and sixty acres of carefully cultiva- ted land, well drained by tiles and ditches. The barns, fences and all the other improvements on the place are kept in the best of order, and a neat and tasty frame residence replaces the dwelling burned a few years ago.
Mr. Pogue's wife, who has so faithfully shared his fortunes, should be mentioned. She is a daugh- ter of Mr. Peterson, a prominent and enterprising farmer of Montgomery County. She is a true home-maker, and is genial, hospitable and enter- taining, and she and her family are important so- cial factors in the community. Mr. and Mrs. Pogue have several sons and daughters, who have been well trained in the duties of life, and their presence adds to the attractiveness of their cozy home.
While a resident of Iowa, our subject was active in politics, and filled various school and township offices, and his sterling honesty and uprightness of character have ever given him the trust of the peo- ple among whom he has lived.
OIIN BILSLAND. No name is justly en- titled to a more enviable place in the liis- tory of Fountain County than the one that opens this sketch, for it is borne by a mau who has been usefully and honorably identified with the interests of this locality and with its ad- vancement in every worthy particular. He is a native of this county, born on the 16th of Sep- tember, 1848, in a log cabin, and is the only son of Benjamin and Nancy Jane (Murry) Bilsland, the father a native of the Buckeye State.
The elder Mr. Bilsland came to Fountain Coun- ty, Ind., when a small boy, and his scholastic ad-
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vantages consisted of but two and a-half days training in the schools of this county. His father, John Bilsland, received one hundred and sixty acres from the Government, and it was all well improved when he died. He was the father of ten children, who were as follows: Nancy, a na- tive of Fountain County, Ind., who married Dave Clover, and is now deceased; Elsie, born in this county, unmarried; Mary, who was born in this county, and died in the year 1889; John, who was born in Fountain County, is married and resides in Iowa; Lucinda, a native of this county, who married a Mr. Myers, and is now deceased; Will- iam, also of this county, who has remamed single all his life; Alexander, a native of Fountain County, deceased; and Lorella, who was born in Fountain County, was married to Nebeker Gray, and is a resident of Covington.
The original of this notice was the eldest of the children born to his parents. Eunice, a sister, was born in Fountain County in 1850, and married James Ensly. They now reside in this county and are classed among the best citizens. Belle, an- other sister, was born in Fountain County in 1852, and died in 1854. The youthful days of our sub- ject were spent in an old log schoolhouse, but later he attended school at Bloomington, where he remained until twenty years of age. After finish- ing his education he worked for his father until he was twenty-seven years of age, and then started out to fight life's battles for himself. He pur- chased one hundred and forty-two acres of land where he now resides, and this has been his home ever since. He has it well improved, nicely cul- tivated, and is engaged principally in raising corn and wheat. He is one of the most pushing, wide- awake farmers of his section, and is a citizen of whom any community might justly feel proud. Pleasant and genial, he has many warm friends.
In the year 1875, Mr. Bilsland was united in marriage with Miss Belle Cooper, a native of this county, and the daughter of Nancy Cooper. Four children have blessed this union. Mary, born in Fountain County, Ind., in 1883, resides at home and attends the Normal School at Covington; Ben- jamin, born in 1880, is attending school; Cooper, born in 1885, also attends school; and Lotta, the
baby, was born in 1890. Mr. Bilsland, his wife and eldest daughter are members of the Methodist Church, and they contribute liberally to its sup- port. They are prominent in all good work, and no worthy movement is allowed to drag for lack of exertion on their part. Our subject has been a member of Lodge No. 21, I. O. O. F., at Coving- ton, for ten years, and is also a member of Lodge No. 36, K. P., at Covington. He is a stanch Dem- ocrat in his political views, and is ever earnest for the success of his party. He has held a number of political positions, and discharged the duties of the same in a very efficient and satisfactory man- Der. Industrious and sociable, no man has warmer friends than he.
RCH BAILEY, one of our best-known and most popular citizens, and among the leading farmers of his community, is a fine representative of the sons of the sturdy, noble-hearted, energetic pioneers of Mont- gomery Cuntry, who are so ably carrying forward the work so well begun by their fathers, making this one of the richest and best-developed agricul- tural regions of the State of Indiana. He was born on the old homestead, a beautiful and well- cared-for estate on section 33, Wayne Township, in 1841, and it is now in his possession, and he has here an attractive, modern home.
Our subject is a district lineal descendant of "Mayflower" stock, the family having lived in Massachusetts for several generations. His father, Charles Bailey, was born in the town of Hanover, that State, in 1793. In early manhood, ambitious to increase his finances, he migrated to Brookville, Ky., where he engaged as a fuller in the woolen mills of that place. While there he became a member of the Masonic fraternity, in 1818, and continued his connection with that organization until death. From Brookville he went to Hunts- ville, Ala., and established himself in the fulling business. He remained there but a short time,
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however, and, returning to Kentucky, took up his abode at Doe Run, and gave his attention to the carding business. While a resident of that town he was married to the mother of our subjeet, Catherine, a daughter of Archibald and Jemima Vanbrook, a native of Bourbon County, Ky. These children were born to them: Elizabeth, whose birth occurred in Doe Run, Ky., in 1830, and who be- came the wife of Daniel Rives in 1856, Mr. Rives being now engaged in farming in Champaign County, Ill .; Charles, who was born in 1831, and in 1860 married Amanda, daughter of Daniel and Eliza Vaughn, who died in 1876; Ilenry, a Ken- tueky stock-raiser, who was born at Doe Run, Ky., in 1836, and married Mary Talbert; Barbara, who was born in Wayne Township, this county, in 1837, and married Capt. Robert Scott, who was an officer in the Union army during the war; Martha, who was born in 1840, married J. W. Watkins, and died in 1882; our subject, the next in order of birth; John, who was born in 1842, and married Libbie Switzer; and Martin, who was born in 1844. and married Irene Scott, of Cass County, Mo., where he owns and manages a farm of four hundred acres of fine land.
Mr. Bailey was well trained in agricultural pur- suits in early life, and always keeps abreast of the times in regard to the best modes of tilling the soil and the breeding only of that class of stock which is of high grade and best adapted to the country. The farm is always in good order, and is adorned by a set of substantial, conveniently arranged buildings, and the commodious residence, which was erected by his father, is in a fine situa- tion, commanding an extensive view of the sur- rounding country, and is surrounded by beautiful shade trees.
Mr. Bailey is happily married, and his amiable wife cordially seconds his pleasant welcome and generous hospitality, which make it a pleasure to visit their home to enjoy its many comforts and luxuries. Mrs. Bailey, who was born in this State in 1855, bore the maiden name of Mary E. King, and is a daughter of W. J. and Keziah (McComb) King, who came to this State from Ohio, and set- tled at New Richmond in an early day. Her fa- ther established himself in the harness business in
that town. Ilis wife's father. who attained the venerable age of one hundred and four years his last birthday, is the oldest man in the State.
But few men in Montgomery County are more widely or favorably known than our subject, whose frank, genial nature, liberal mind and open hand have drawn to him many warm and stead- fast friends. He is a liberal giver to the church, although not a member, and to whatsoever will tend to better the community, while anyone in distress or want is sure of his sympathy and ma- terial assistance. He is one of the most prominent Masons in the State of Indiana, having passed through various degrees of Masonry, until he now wears the emblem of the Mystic Shrine. Politi- eally, he is a Republican of unquestioned integrity, and a strong advocate of the principles of bis party.
OSEPH T. SPARKS, M. D., of Yeddo, is a talented and well-trained physician, who has attained a high standing among the leading physicians of Fountain County solely through personal merit and devotion to his profession. Ile isa native of Montgomery County, and was born on the old homestead in Ripley Township July 3, 1853. Ile is a son of Philip Sparks, a well-known farmer of that township, who is also a native of Indiana, his birthplace be- ing Franklin, and he is a son of one of the early pioneers of that section, Thomas Sparks, who came to this State from Baltimore. The Smalts of that city were relatives of his, and the famous Mr. Purdue, of La Fayette, was second cousin of Philip Sparks.
When Philip Sparks was twelve years old his fa- ther came to this county and entered land from the Government on Scott's Prairie. He did not tarry there very long, however, but three years later took up his residence in Ripley Township, Montgomery County, and spent the remainder of his life there. The father of our subjeet grew to manhood in that township, and in due time was
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=
married to Miss Mahala J., daughter of Joseph I. Capner, a prominent wool manufacturer and mer- chant. After his marriage Mr. Sparks settled on the old home place that had belonged to his fa- ther, and he is still living there. lle has a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres, under fine cultivation and amply supplied with substantial improvements. lle is a member in high standing of the Christian Church, and his politics is of the Democratic order. He merits and receives the respect of the entire community in which he has lived for so many years. Hle and his wife have been blessed with three children, two of whom are living: George M., who makes Ins home with them, and our subject.
Dr. Sparks passed his boyhood on his father's farm, and laid the foundation of his education in the excellent public schools of Alamo. He was ambitious to fit himself for the medical profession, for which he had a strong taste, and he entered upon his studies under the instruction of Dr. M. L. Bass, of Crawfordsville, with whom he remained for three and a-half years. He was thus well equipped for Rush Medical College, where he ma- triculated in 1871. He was graduated in 1874 with a good rank in scholarship and, with bright pros- pects for a successful career that have been amply fulfilled, he began the practice of his vocation at Annapolis, in Parke County. Two years later he went to Moran, Clinton County, whence he came to Yeddo in 1882, and has since been in active practice here. He early gained the confidence of the peo- ple by his evident knowledge of medicine, by the tact and accurate judgment that he displayed in handling the various cases entrusted to him, and by those fine personal traits that characterize the true physician. His profession has proved re- munerative, and he has acquired a comfortable property. He has built a substantial brick resi- dence, and has a pleasant office adjoining his house.
The Doctor was married during his residence at Moran to Miss Saralı A., daughter of John Butts, a prominent merchant of Lebanon. Mrs. Sparks understands full well how to make home comfort- able and attractive, and the many friends that she and her husband have gathered around them since
they came to dwell in this community are always sure of a cordial welcome whenever they cross their threshold.
Dr. Sparks is a member of the American Medi- cal Society, and he is prominent in social circles as one of the leading officials of Kingman Lodge No. 339, T. O. O. F., in which he is a Noble Grand. In politics he is a Democrat.
R II. HAYWARD. One of the best dry- goods stores in Rosedale, Parke County, is owned and managed by the honorable gentleman of whom we write, who is also a first-class jeweler and watch-maker, and keeps constantly on hand a large assortment and well- selected stock of Waltham, Elgin and Dneber watches of all grades, together with a great num- ber of solid gold and filled cases. These he sells at the lowest prices for cash or on monthly pay- ments. Ilis stock of jewelry is of the latest de- signs, while that of his drugs is always fresh, clean and pure. Prescriptions are compounded night or day.
Mr. Hayward was born March 12, 1861, in Dan- ville, Pa., and is the son of Richard and Sarah (George) Hayward. The father of our subject was a merchant by occupation, and one of the suc- cessful business men of the county in which he re- sided. At the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1882, his successor in the office was he of whom we write, and he continued in the office for over a year at Carbon. Ind. Our subject, was also in the drug trade at that place, which business he carried on very profitably. The mother of our subject died but a short time prior to the death of her husband.
On February 2, 1888, the store and entire stock belonging to our subject were consumed by fire, causing an immense loss to him, as he had worked hard to obtain what he had. There was but $500 insurance on the whole. After the fire, he went to Coxville, where he worked for the Brazil Block Coal Company as a store-keeper, remaining with
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this corporation about one year. At this period he went to Mecca, Ind., and opened up a drug store, staying there for a year. He then moved his stock back to Coxville, where he carried on his business about a year. January 1, 1892, he re- moved to Rosedale and purchased the drug stock of Dr. Linch, which he consolidated with his own.
October 15, 1885, he was united in marriage with Miss Allie C. Eddington, of Carbon, this State. This lady is the daughter of William and Sarah Eddington, who now reside in Terre Haute. She is the only daughter of her parents, and has but one brother, Curtis, living in Terre Ifaute, who is a fireman on the Big Four Railway. Mrs. Hay- ward's father is Master of Transportation of the same system by which his son is employed. She was born October 2, 1868, in Mattoon, Ill., and is the mother of one bright little boy, Fred S., who was born July 22, 1888. She is devoted to her home and family interests.
Politically, Mr. Hayward is a sound Republican and thorough advocate of party principles. So- cially, he is a member of Lodge No. 259, A. F. & A. M., of this place. He is one of those men well calculated to make many friends, and is respected by all.
ACKSON MCCORMACK, who resides on his beautiful and well-appointed farm on section 17, Ripley Township, is a worthy representative of the citizens of Montgom- ery County who are conducting its great farming and stock interests. Ile was a soldier during the late war, though but a boy when he entered the army, and he has ever shown himself to be a pa- triotic and public-spirited citizen.
A native of Indiana, Mr. MeCormack was born in Henry County November 26, 1848. ITis pa- ternal grandfather, John McCormack, and his fa- ther, James McCormack, were natives of Franklin County, Va. When the latter was fourteen years
old the family came to Indiana and settled on land bought from the Government. Our subject had three brothers who grew to manhood: John, a farmer, who married a Miss Huff; Ellu, who was born on the old homestead in Henry County and is now a resident of Indianapolis; and Mil- ton, who married Miss Dora Wood, and resides in Henry County. John served with credit during the rebellion as a volunteer in the One Hundred and Forty-second Indiana Regiment.
Mr. McCormack passed his early boyhood days on a farm and was fast acquiring a thorough knowledge of agriculture when the rebellion broke out and turned his thoughts in other di- rections. He was then but twelve years of age, but he was intensely interested in the great con- flict, and at the age of fifteen his great desire to serve his country as a soldier was gratified, and, though so young, his name was enrolled as a mem- ber of the One Hundred and Fortieth Indiana In- fantry, commanded by Col. Thomas J. Brailey and Capt. S. U. Shaw. Our subject had a full expe- rience of army life in all its phases, and bore with fortitude and undaunted courage its privations, dangers and hardships. He witnessed and took part in some of the most important battles of the war, and remembers most vividly the engagement at Ft. Anderson.
After his discharge from the army at the close of the war in 1865, Mr. McCormack resumed his early labors on the farmn. He has since become possessed of the farm that he now occupies in Ripley Township, which, with its three hundred and sixty acres of carefully cultivated land, its commodious and conveniently arranged build- ings and other substantial improvements on every hand, constitutes one of the finest estates in this locality. It is well stocked with standard breeds of cattle, horses, etc., and lias a rich soil, well adapted to raising grain, to which it is partly de- voted. A valuable orchard also adorns the place.
In 1872 our subject was happily married to Miss Mary C., daughter of Robert and Jerusha Mc- Markim, of Ripley Township. Mrs. McCormack was born in 1856. Both she and her husband stand high in social circles, and neighbors and friends have a warm regard for them. The Pres-
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byterian Church finds in them active working members and liberal contributors to its financial needs, and any movement looking to the better- ment of the community, spiritually or materially, is sure of meeting with their approbation and generous support. Mr. McCormack is a promi- nent and well-known figure in Grand Army circles, and has done much to forward the inter- ests of the order in this section. He is also an earnest worker in the Farmers' Protective Union. He is a Republican of the truest stamp in his po- litical views.
BRAM IIEATH, proprietor of a good farm on section 19, Wayne Township, Mont- gomery County, was born in 1820 in But- ler County, Ohio. He is a son of Will- iam Heath, who was born May 15, 1794, in the State of Maryland, and was one of the soldiers in the War of 1812. He came to Indiana as early as 1823. and was one of the pioneer settlers of Montgomery County, securing land from the Gov- ernment, which is now in the possession of our subject. He and his wife were the parents of three children. Mary, the eldest, the widow of William Munns, who was a farmer in this town- ship until his death; Annie, who was born in Butler County in 1817, married Joseph Clifton and died in Kansas in 1892; and Abram.
Abram Heath was reared amid pioneer environ- ments on a farm in the days when this part of the country was a howling wilderness, whose primeval forests were still haunted by the red men and his legitimate prey-the wild game that was so abun- dant in years gone by. Mr. Heath, having thus been present in the opening years of the settle- mentof Montgomery County, may be said to have grown with its growth, and is to-day one of its thriving agriculturists. An account of those boyhood days in the dim past would add greatly to the interest of this biography, did space
permit its insertion. He had many a hard strug- gle to obtain a good start in life, and in the year of his marriage settled permanently on the old homestead of father. Ile has made his calling profitable, and has a farm that compares favor- ably in point of improvements and tillage with the best in the vicinity.
In 1842 Mr. Heathi took unto himself a wife in the person of Salome, daughter of Dennis and Margaret Ball, in whom he has found a loving com- panion and a helper in his work. Five children have blessed their marriage, as follows: Mary Ann, the eldest, born in 1843; William D., who was born in 1845, and married Sarah Ellis; Mar- garet, who was born in 1847, and married T. J. Simpson; John H., who was born in 1851, and married Emma Allen; and Rachie, who was born in 1858, and died in 1886.
In politics Mr. Heath is a member of the Dem- ocratic party. He belongs to that useful organi- zation the Horse Thief Detective Association, of which he is one of the founders. He has been Trustee of the township, and has always dis- played commendable zeal in forwarding the best interests of the place where he has so long made his home. Religiously, both he and his wife are communicants of the Christian Union Church, and give without stint of their means to its support.
S YLVESTER H. ELWELL, Auditor of Fountain County. Connected with the history of the elections of this county no name was more prominent or bore with it so much distinction as that of Elwell during the last election, for, having been born in the county, he is well known and the people have had every op- portunity to judge of his character and qualifica- tions, and naught has ever been said derogatory to his good name. He was born in Mill Creek Township, fifteen miles southeast of Covington, October 12, 1849, a son of Amariah and Caroline (Sims) Elwell, the former of whom was born in
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