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 86
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 86
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 86
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Mr. and Mrs. Briney have had four children: Daniel F., who lives near Covington; Mark B., who lives on the home farm; William A., the third in order of birth, who died at the age of thirty years; and Sarah E., the wife of Oliver Marshall.
ANIEL CARPENTER, a successful farmer, and prominent manufacturer of tile, and also one of the leading and progressive citizens of Richland Township, Fountain County, Ind., was born almost within a stone's throw of his present home some sixty-two ago. llis parents, Benjamin and Sophia (Strader) Car- penter, were both natives of Ohio, but they emi- grated to Indiana at the very early date of 1828. This State had been admitted to the Union nearly twelve years before, and since 1815 the savages had ceased to molest or seriously trouble the set- tlers; but scattering bands of Indians yet remained within the borders of Indiana, and civilization had only just begun to conquer the wilderness.
The resol ute pioneers were not easily discouraged, and work had no terrors for them, for both the newly-wedded husband and wife came of sturdy ancestors. The maternal grandparents of our sub- ject, Ilenry and Mary M. (Whitesell) Strader, were probably North Carolinans, but they were direct descendants of German forefathers. The paternal grandparents, Abel Carpenter and his worthy wife, were natives of Virginia, and were reared to habits of energetic industry. They re- moved to Ohio at an early date in the history of the Buckeye State, and their son Benjamin was
only following the example of his honored par- ents when he too sought a new home in the West- ern wilds, and with his young wife, Sophia, located upon one hundred and sixty acres of Government land, situated in what is now Van Buren Town- ship.
Unbroken prairie surrounded their farm, upon which not even a sod had been turned when they removed there. Humble was their log house, and rude were their few articles of furniture, but hope brightened their present with visions of future success in life, and no parents more warmly wel- comed their first-born than did the father and mo- ther of Daniel Carpenter, whose birth took place in 1830. Our subject grew and throve apace, and other sons and one daughter made sunshine in the homestead. Five children there grew to mature years, and of these the second son was Sampson, now a resident of Richland Township; Jacob, the third in order of birth, yet remains in his native township, Van Buren; Benjamin, the fourth child, is well known in Richland Township, his home; and Mary J., the only daughter, married Lloyd Ray, and died leaving several children.
Our subject was educated in the subscription schools, forty-five days in a year being the average of his attendance and instruction. Self-reliant, energetic and industrious, he attained early man- hood, and in 1854 was married to Miss Sarah, daughter of Usull II. Merker. Daniel Carpenter and his wife have been the parents of six children, of whom two sons and two daughters lived to mature age. The eldest is John F., a prominent farmer of Fountain County; Florence is the first daughter; 11. Edward is a successful agriculturist of Richland Township; M. Della married John Reisterer, and died leaving two children; and two little ones died in infancy. The beloved mother of these sons and daughters passed away in 1868.
After a time the father married again. The sec- ond wife was Miss Elizabeth Death, a daughter of John C. Death. To Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter were born five children, all of whom are yet living. The bright promising sons and daughters are Monroe, Mary, Daniel, Edith and Blanche, all well known and highly esteemed in the social circles of their home. The members of the family all belong
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to the Christian Church, and are among the active and efficient religious and benevolent workers of the congregation. Our subject and his wife have been prospered and now own about a section of valuable land. In 1876 Mr. Carpenter engaged in a profitable enterprise, as in that year he erected a factory upon his farm and began the manufacture of tile. In connection with this industry he owns and operates a sawmill.
Politically, the affiliations of Mr. Carpenter have been with the Republican party sinee 1856, prior to which time he was a Democrat. He served with ability one term as Supervisor of the county, but has no aspirations for political prominence or official position. The daily duties of his farming and manufacturing business keep him fully em- ployed, and leave him but little leisure. Our sub- ject, however, takes an active interest in the gen- eral welfare of the nation and the community among which he has passed the years of his useful life, and is always among the foremost citizens in the advancement of progress and improvement. Fraternally, he is a Mason and a valued member of the lodge at Hillsborough, and in this society and throughont the county has scores of true and tried friends.
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W ILLIAM M. RHOADS, a member of the firm of Rhoads & Stemp, grocers and con- fectioners at Ladoga, is one of the suc- business men of Montgomery County, where the most of his life has been passed. He cessful is a native of Logan County, Ohio, born May 22, 1846, to Henry and Elizabeth (Sidell) Rhoads, who were both natives of Maryland, his mother being a daughter of John Sidell, who was a far- mer of that State. After marriage Henry Rhoads and his wife removed to Zanesfield, Logan County, Ohio, where he engaged in milling until he brought his family to Indiana. He continued for a while in that line at Yountsville, and afterward bonght a farm eight miles west of Crawfordsville, which
he managed until death deprived his township of his services as a practical farmer in 1852. Ilis wife survived him until 1868, and then she too passed away. He was quite successful in a business way in his life, and was highly thought of as a man and a citizen. The Baptist Church lost a valued member in his death. He was the father of nine children, all of whom grew to maturity, and the following of whom are still living: John, a resident of Logan County, III .; Joseph, who resides north of Bement, in Piatt County, 111 .; Jacob, a stock-dealer in Texas; Ros- anna, widow of Jones Dougherty; Anne Eliza- beth, wife of A. J. Moore; Surry, wife of David Jones, of Crawfordsville; Alma, wife of Frank Wilhite, a carpenter of Crawfordsville; and our subject.
William Rhoads was but three years old when his parents came to this county, and here lie was reared and educated. After his mother's death he worked on a farm and went to school. Am- bitious to obtain a higher education than was afforded by the distriet schools, he came to La- doga to enter the seminary in this city, and while a student in this institution derived much ben- efit from the excellent course of study that he pursued, which has been of much profit to him in his subsequent career as a business man. Af- ter leaving the seminary lie resumed his former employment on a farm. and was so engaged the following three or four years. At the end of that time he took up the grocery and confectionery business, which he has conducted ever since, and he and his partner have built up a thriving trade in their neat and well-kept establishment, which is completely stocked with the best of everything in their line demanded by the good class of cus- tom to which they cater.
Our subject was married May 24, 1882. to Miss Kate Parker, a daughter of John M. Parker, who was formerly an undertaker in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads have an attractive, cozy home, and two children complete their pleasant family circle, Iva and Walter.
Mr. Rhoads is prominent socially as an Odd Fellow, who has been through all the chairs in both the camp and the subordinate lodges. In his po-
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litical relations he is a Demoerat, and uses his in- fuenee to forward party interests in this part of the county. His fellow-citizens are appreciative of his business qualities and of his fitness for office generally, and he has been called by them to posi- tions of public importance. He has been one of the Trustees of the schools of Ladoga, and has been Assessor of his township.
S AMUEL WILSON AUSTIN, an influential financier of Montgomery County and for many years Cashier of the First National Bank of Crawfordsville, was born in Garrard County, Ky., November 21, 1818. ]Ie is the son of John B. and Nancy (Van Holt) Austin, natives of Virginia, who settled in Kentucky early in life and thence, in 1828, removed to Indiana, settling two miles west of Crawfordsville. Amid pioneer scenes, bravely enduring the hardships incident to life on the frontier, the father toiled for his fam- ily and worked unweariedly for their welfare. Ile purchased land and engaged in tilling the soil. He also taught school, and in addition to this served as a minister in the Missionary Baptist Church. A devout and pious man, he was admira- bly qualified for ministerial duties, and his services were in constant requisition in that capacity. While preaching he also aided in the erection of a number of houses of worship.
With the early history of this county John B. Austin was closely identified, both in a private and official capacity. Ile was the first auditor of the county and filled that position for sixteen years, having been first elected in September, 1842. In early life he was a Democrat, later affiliated with the Whigs, and upon the organ- ization of the Republican party, gave his sup- port to its principles, remaining one of its most stanch advocates until the time of his death. Ile was a man whose influence was always extended on behalf of public-spirited measures and philan- thropie projects, and poor and rich alike mourned
his loss, when, in 1868, he elosed his eyes upon the scenes of earth. His useful existence covered a period of four-score and one years and his was a life of integrity, usefulness and honor, a priceless heritage to his children. He had removed from his farm to Pleasant Hill, and after residing there for five years had returned to Crawfordsville, where his death occurred.
In the parental family there were ten children, of whom eight grew to maturity and five still sur- vive, viz .: Samuel W .; Catherine, a widow; Nancy, Mrs. H. P. Ensminger; Harriet, the widow of Will- iam Campbell and a resident of Crawfordsville; and Abner, who is an attorney in Thornton. Mary married and died when a young woman; John, (leceased, was formerly engaged in the mercantile business in Rensselaer; Martha, Mrs. William Hartman, died at the age of seventy-three. The subject of this sketch, Samuel W., became familiar with farming early in life, and also acquired a thorough knowledge of clerical duties. For a time he was employed in a store at Pleasant Hill. When his father was elected Auditor he became his clerk and also served as his book-keeper for a period of fourteen years.
In 1856 Mr. Austin became book-keeper for the large establishment of Campbell. Galey & Harter, filling that position for twelve years, until the 1st of January, 1868. He was offered the position of book-keeper of the First National Bank, and, ac- cepting the place, discharged its duties acceptably for fifteen years, when, in 1883, he was promoted to the office of Cashier. He continued in that po- sition, with the exception of one year, until about 1891, since which time, owing to ill-health, he has lived somewhat retired from active business, though he still retains his connection with the bank. Ile is conceded to be one of the best book- keepers in this part of the State, and, having had forty-two years' experience in that line, is thor- oughly competent and informed.
Politieally, Mr. Austin is a stanch adherent of the principles advocated by the Republican party and has cast his ballot at every township election since William H. Harrison became President of the United States. Socially, he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was first
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married in 1842, his wife being Nancy Beaver, and they became the parents of four children: Archile, Albert, llenry and Frank, all of whom re- side in Crawfordsville. Mrs. Nancy Austin passed away in 1860 and our subject was again married, in March, 1862, choosing as his wife Minnie Munns. This lady died November 17, 1865, leav- ing one child, now Mrs. Minnie McKnight, who lives with her grandmother, Mrs. Munns. The lady who on the 8th of March, 1868, became the wife of Mr. Austin was formerly Matilda Swearingen, the daughter of John and Mary (Armstrong) Swearingen. Her father removed in 1823 from Kentucky to Yountsville, becoming one of the first settlers of this part of the State. IIe had one son, James G., who still makes his home in Younts- ville.
OL. JAMES MANNOMY. It is with plea- sure that any true-hearted patriot recounts the life history of one who has served our nation with devotion, and it is with reverence that we look upon the infirmities that have come upon these crippled veterans in our country's service. The old soldier of whom we now write is one of the foremost men of the county and has been a resident of the same for many years. He is highly esteemed by all and is a man of recognized ability. His birth occurred in Ross County, Ohio, in 1824, and he is the son of Patrick and Nancy (McDerit) Mannomy, natives of the Green Isle of Erin. The father came to America when a lad of fourteen years and resided for many years in Philadelphia, but finally made his home in Ross County, Ohio, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was married to Miss MeDerit, and six children were the fruits of this union. John was born in Phila- delphia in the year 1812, and for many years was a contractor on the railroad; he became the father of six children. Elizabeth was born in Phila- delphia in 1815, and died in 1856, her children making their home with Mr. Mannomy. William,
a farmer, born in Philadelphia in 1818, died in 1846. Catherine B., born in Philadelphia in 1822, died in 1880; and Annie was born in Ross County, Ohio, but died in 1876, leaving two children.
The original of this notice was reared in his na- tive county and was married in 1851 to Emeline Wood, daughter of John Wood. Their nuptials were celebrated at Covington when our subject was about twenty-six years of age. The following children were born to them: Derit, who was born in Fountain County in the year 1855, and died m Parke County in 1875; and Emma, who was born in Fountain County in 1867, married Will- iam Coffin, and resides at home. She was well educated at St. Mary's School of the Woods and is a bright, intelligent woman. Our subject came to Fountain County in 1836, making the journey on horseback. He was but thirteen years of age, and was with his brother in this county for some time. In 1846 he started for Mexico, his first duty being to guard prisoners during the Mexican War, and later he was made Lieutenant, being in service one year.
Returning to Fountain County, Ind., he was en- gaged in farming until 1850, when the "gold fever" seized him. He traveled to the Pacific Coast, and engaged in mining on Feather River, meeting with fair success. After his return he purchased six hundred and forty acres of land at a cost of $6,000. He has put in three miles of tile, and has his farm in a fine state of cultivation. In the year 1862 he enlisted to fight for the Union with the rank of Second Lieutenant and later was made Lieutenant- Colonel. He was a brave soldier and a gallant officer and served his country faithfully and well. Ile was ever to be found at the front, and his duties were performed with promptness and good judgment.
Mrs. Mannomy is a consistent and esteemed member of the Baptist Church and contributes liberally of her means to its support. She is a lady of refinement and good taste and presides with much dignity over the pleasant home on seetion 28, Troy Township, Fountain County. In poli- tics, Mr. Mannomy is a stalwart Democrat and an ardent supporter of the platform of his party. Ile has never held office and does not aspire to any
35
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political position. Socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined that organization in 1846, and he is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, joining in 1851. Our subject has a prayer book in his pos- session which was given him during the Civil War with the request to read it. He values it very highly.
P ROF. ISAAC M. WELLINGTON, Super- intendent of the public schools of Craw- fordsville, Ind., is one of the most success- ful educators in the State. He is known to be careful in his advice to teachers, and under- stands how to bring out all the ability that a teacher may possess. Ile is the author of several text-books of a high order, his "Geometry for Pub- lic Schools," and his "English Syntax" being among them.
The birth of our subject took place in Roxbury, a suburb of Boston, January 14, 1832, he being the son of Isaac and Lois M. (Smith) Wellington, the former of whom followed the occupation of a farmer and gardener. Ilere our subject was reared until his sixteenth year, when, at the death of his father, he entered upon an apprenticeship of three years to the carpenter's trade. For this he re- ceived $30 the first year, $40 the second, and $75 tlie third. During this time he partly fitted himself for college. He followed his trade and studies for one year, hoping to be able to enter Harvard, but he finally decided to go to Dartmouth, and in order to be independent, taught school during the winters, and also kept a book-store in the college. Not only did this young man undertake all of this, but he had also to undertake the support of his beloved mother, two sisters and two brothers. Remarkable as it seems, however, he kept up with his class, never missed a day, and was graduated in the Class of '58 with the degree of A. B., and not only that, but he stood number
one in the class. Some of his classmates were Mayor Palmer, of Boston; Thompson, who was Secretary of State of New Hampshire in 1878; and Duncan, who was chief of the observatory at Dartmouthı.
Later, the degree of A. M. brought our subject the offer of a professorship of mathematics, but he preferred to accept the position of Principal of the Fryeburgh (Me.) Academy, and there he re- mained for two years. He then went to Elmira, N. Y., as Principal of the Free Academy, where he continued for a period of four years. At Port Jervis, N. Y., he was Superintendent of Public Schools for a period of four years, having un- der him a force of thirteen teachers. Later he re- turned to Maine in order to settle up the estate of his wife's father. In 1870 he was made Principal of the Detroit High School, under Duane Doly as Superintendent, and here he remained nntil 1880, building up the school so that instead of three teachers, twenty-five were necessary. Here he also taught with J. M. B. Sill, who is now Presi- dent of the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, Mich.
Following this position, our subject accepted a situation as Principal of the Orchard Lake ( Mich.) Military Academy for two years. At the end of this time he made a change in his business, engag- ing in a grain business in Detroit until 1887, at the end of which time he was offered the position of Superintendent of the schools of Muskegon, Mich., where there were one hundred teachers. Here he remained for three years, when he lost his wife, and this changed his plans. The following fall, in 1890, he accepted his present position, and has made a grand success of it, having given en- tire satisfaction. While hving in Maine he filled the office of County Superintendent for two years. The bent of his life has always been in a literary direction. Ile is a forcible, exact and plain writer. His publie life has been successful in educational matters, and he has been one of the delegates to, and a member of, the State and National Commit- tees. Ilis lectures at the Michigan institutes have been much admired, and he is popular with the whole fraternity, as he is full of life, and is agree- able under all circumstances,
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Prof. Wellington has patented a machine for man- ufacturing election stickers, making his own models. He has taken charge of the psychological depart- ment in the school in addition to giving his atten- tion to the entire school. He is a strict disciplin- arian, although his treatment of pupils is kind and courteous. The marriage of Prof. Wellington took place August 20, 1861, in Fryeburgh, Me., to Miss Sarah Buswell, whose death occurred at Mus- kegon in 1889. Of his family, Mae is a student at St. Mary's Hall in Indianapolis; Charles is in the office of Dr. Pratt at Lincoln Park Sanitarium, in Chicago; and Arthur is attending the High School.
Our subject is a member of the Republican party, and has always taken a deep interest in public af- fairs, but is no partisan. He has been closely iden- tified with the Congregational Church, and was a member of the church of Thomas K. Beecher, at Elmira, N. Y. In Prof. Wellington, Crawfordsville has obtained a man of wide experience, who is thor- oughly familiar with the methods of instruction in use by the greatest teachers in the country. He keeps in touch with the most advanced educational thought, is a close student, a careful, logical rea- soner, and is not in sympathy with that class of educators who would extend the experimental and theoretical ideas of thought in the schoolroom to the exclusion of the practical. On April 1, 1892, our subject met a severe loss, as on that date the beautiful and imposing High School building, the finest in the State, was destroyed by fire, and with it a part of the Professor's select and valuable working library, which was an accumulation of years.
OHN SMALL, who has a well-appointed farm on seetion 23, Wayne Township, occu- pies an honorable place among the native- born sons of Montgomery County who are actively identified with its agricultural and stock interests, and are numbered among its best citizens. He was born in the township where he still makes
his home in the year 1835. IIe is a son of Walter Small, who was a well-known pioneer of this section. His birth occurred in North Car- olina in 1807, and in early manhood he had married Luella Blackford. He brought his young wife to this State to seek a new home, and bought and settled on land in Wayne Township, which is still in possession of the family. He also purchased land in Fountain County. and at the time of his death had one hundred and sixty acres of land. Ile gave his children five acres apiece when they started out in life. He was a thoroughly good man, of a thoughtful disposition, unusually con- siderate of others, with a smile and a good word for all who came under his beneficent influence, He was one in whom the poor found a true friend, and he was greatly beloved in the community where he dwelt so many years in peace and hap- piness.
The parents of our subject had nine children: Mary, who was born in this township in 1831, and married Charles Berry, a farmer residing in Wayne- town; Ferris, who was born in 1833, and was a farmer during his active life, which was brought to a close by his death in 1891; John; Rachel, who was born in 1838, and died young; Edward, who was born in 1840, and was married in Waynetown to Miss Bratton; Nancy J., who was born in 1843, and died at the age of sixteen; William, who was born in 1849, and died in infancy; Nathan, who was born in 1847, and died in 1891; and Louisa, who was born in 1852, and married Mr. Williams, of this township.
Reared on a farm, and early receiving instruc- tion from his father in all that pertains to agriculture, our subject naturally selected it for his life work. When he and his bride commenced life together they took up their abode on land given them by his father, their first home being a log cabin. In 1860 this humble dwelling was re- placed by a more modern residence, a neat and pretty house of six rooms, the timber used in its construction being cut by Mr. Small himself. The farm is a fine one in every particular, comprising two hundred and eighty-three acres of land under a high state of improvement. Mr. Small's principal business is raising standard cattle, of which he has
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a goodly herd, and stoek of all kinds. He raises a great deal of timothy and clover, besides other farm produets.
Our subject was married in this eounty to Miss Bunnell, a daughter of Alford and Cynthia Bunnell, and he has in her a noble, true-hearted wife. Mrs. Small was born in 1841 in New York, and lived in that State until she was three years old, when the family removed to Ohio, where she resided until she came to this county at the age of eigliteen years. She is one of a large family of children, and the following is recorded of her brothers and sisters: John was born in 1823, and is married; Aaron was born in 1825, married Hester Scholt, and they live in Missouri; Lonee, deceased, was born in 1826; Vernonia was born in 1828, married Bruee Brown, and afterward died; Mary was born in 1830, and is the wife of W. Clark, of Butler County, Ohio; Alzina was born in 1832, and married Lee Whitsel, of this State; Amy was born in 1834, and is the wife of Law- rence Clark, of Ohio; Harriet was born in the year 1837, and died in infaney; Carrie was born in 1839, and is now the wife of a Mr. Cole, of Min- nesota; Samantha was born in 1844 and died in 1859. Both the Bunnell and Small families have been well represented in the varions wars of this nation. Mrs. Small's grandfather was a gallant soldier in the Mexican War, while she had two brothers in the War of the Rebellion, both being now members of the Grand Army. Mr. Small's grandfather's brother fought in the Revolution, and his brother Nathan won a fine record as a brave volunteer in the Union army during the late war, enlisting when he was but seventeen years old and serving until the conflict was brought to a close. At the time of his death he was an hon- ored member of the Grand Army.
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