Noteworthy among the able and successful agriculturists of White County who, in the pursuit of their chosen occupation acquired a sufficient amount of this world's goods to enable them to spend the later years of their lives retired from active labor was the late John T. Rader, of Wolcott. He was born, October 27, 1840, in Henry County, Indiana, of pioneer ancestry.
His father, Peter S. Rader, a native of Tennessee, was a brick mason by trade, and to some extent was engaged in farming. He married, in Tennessee, Margaret Lintz, who was born in Germany. Not very long after that event he came with his family northward, locating first in Henry County, Indiana, later going to Rushville, Indiana, where he resided until 1858. Coming in that year to White County, he lived in the vicinity of Palestine a number of years, from there removing to Rushville, Illinois, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days.
Brought up and educated in Rushville, Indiana, John T. Rader served an apprenticeship at the plasterer's trade, which he followed several years, at the same time becoming familiar with the many branches of agriculture while assisting his father on the home farm. Accompanying his parents to White County, he subsequently became owner of a farm advantageously located in Princeton Township, near Palestine. During the progress of the Civil war, he offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company G, Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and being mustered in at Kentucky. Continuing with his command until honorably discharged at Indianapolis, in 1865, he took an active part in many engagements along Red River, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg, never, however, being wounded. Returning to White County, Mr. Rader resumed his work as an agriculturist, and as a stock-raiser and farmer was exceedingly successful. In 1894 he settled permanently in Wolcott, where he lived, honored and respected by all, until his death, March 6, 1914. A stanch [sic] republican in politics, he took great interest in public affairs, and never shirked the responsibilities of office, having served for thirty years as justice of the peace, and as town constable.
Mr. Rader married, January 20, 1860, Miss Frances Norton, who was born in Rockingham County, Virginia. Her father, Rice Norton, married Mary Odell, and about 1847 came with his family from North Carolina to White County, where his death occurred when Mrs. Rader was about four years old. Her mother, Mrs. Norton, subsequently married for her second husband James Templeton, and both spent their remaining years in White County. Eight children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rader, namely: Margaret; Dora; James; Albert; May, deceased; Beatrice; Cloyd; and Maud. Fraternally Mr. Rader was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; religiously Mrs. Rader and her family are connected with the Baptist Church.
Among the families whose claim to long residence in White County are based upon settlement before the Civil war, one of those with an additional record of honest worth and value to that community is that of Rainier, in the vicinity of Brookston. The first of them to come to this vicinity was John F. Rainier, whose former home was in Randolph County, Indiana, and who first located on a farm near Ash Grove close to the White County line, and lived there two years before coming into White County proper.
John F. Rainier was a fine type of the early settler. Born in New Jersey December 23, 1823, he was a son of Stacey Rainier. The family originally came out of France, as indicated by the name, but for generations they have been American born. Stacey Rainier was a farmer by occupation and married Elizabeth Ford, by whom he had a family of six children. Stacey Rainier himself came to White County as early as 1859, and he and his wife spent the rest of their days here. Four of their sons served the Union in the Civil war, and one of them, Joseph, was sergeant in the Tenth Indiana Battery and gave up his life while in the service. In religious belief both Stacey Rainier and his wife were strong believers in spiritualism. He was a great lover of live stock and while many of his neighbors kept their animals poor and ill fed, his horses were always fat and sleek. His life here as elsewhere was such as to command the respect of all who knew him.
John F. Rainier came West from New Jersey when a young man, first locating in Randolph County, where he married Verinda Neal. In 1858 they located in Tippecanoe County just across the White County line. About two years later, in 1866, they transferred their home to White County and bought 157 acres in Prairie Township west of Brookston. That was the home of John F. Rainier for a number of years. He finally left the farm to the operation of his son and moved to Brookston to engage in the grocery business. Failing health caused his retirement from an active career, and after that he lived somewhat quietly until his death on August 23, 1888. In religion John F. Rainier was a Universalist and in politics a democrat. He served as assessor of Prairie Township and as a member of the school board of Brookston. It was characteristic of the man that he took others to be what he was himself—honest and obliging. This trait of character often brought him trouble and financial loss. His death bereaved the community of a man it could ill afford to lose. His wife was born in Wayne County, Indiana, October 2, 1830, and died August 4, 1898. The three sons of their marriage are John S., Oscar K. and George A., all of whom are living in Indiana, and two in White County.
George A. Rainier was born in Randolph County May 20, 1853, and was only a child when brought by his parents to White County, where he has spent practically all his life. His youth hrought him into touch with the hard work of the farm in that generation, and his education was acquired by attending the district schools and the public schools of Brookston and also the old Brookston Academy. When only fifteen years of age he was a valuable helper to his father in the store at Brookston, but subsequently returned to farming and made that his vocation for about three years. Returning to Brookston, he became a partner of his father, and was thus occupied until the latter retired from business. For the next quarter of a century Mr. Rainier was active as a general merchant, and through his trade relations became widely known about this section of the state. In the meantime he had invested his surplus in land from time to time, and is now one of the large owners of country property, having 325 acres, 125 of which are in Round Grove and the rest in Prairie Township.
George A. Rainier was married January 4, 1877, to Miss Emma S. Krinnieng, who
was born in White County, Indiana, December 14, 1855, a daughter of August and
Rosanna (Quade) Krinnieng. Mr. and Mrs. Rainier have a
son, Alfred P., who was born February 20, 1879, and is now in the successful
practice of medicine at Remington, Indiana. He is a graduate of the Brookston
High School, spent two years in the Rush Medical College at Chicago, and took
his degree in medicine from the Physicians & Surgeons College of St. Louis.
George A. Rainier is democrat, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and
his wife and son are members of the Universalist Church.
One of the prominent farmers of the eastern part of Prairie Township, William L. Ramey was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, January 19, 1834. Located in White County in 1846. He was married to Clarinda Smith, April 2, 1857. He died December 26, 1907, leaving a widow and eight children—five boys and three girls—all of adult age.
At his death on August 26, 1895, David Rathfon was the oldest resident of White County, wanting but a few weeks of being ninety-eight years old. He was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1797, and moved to Wayne County, Indiana, in 1838. In 1855 be came to White County, where he spent the rest of his life. In 1822 he married Nancy Warfel and to them were born five sons and three daughters. He was a consistent member of the Dunkard Church and the record of his long life leaves no reproach upon his memory.
A native son of White County who has for the past twenty years attained considerable distinction as a lawyer and business man of Indianapolis, Edward B. Raub was born at Chalmers, December 23, 1871, and was reared and received his early education in this county.
His parents are Jacob and Sallie Cole (Reynolds) Raub of Chalmers. Mr. Raub has a very complete genealogical record of both the Raub and Reynolds families and some information taken from that record traces his ancestral lines back to the Colonial period of American history. In the paternal line he is descended from Andrew Raub, Sr., who died in 1806 at Knowlton, New Jersey. The heads of the generations subsequent to Andrew Raub, Sr., were: Andrew Raub, who was born in 1766; Jacob Raub, who was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, in 1796; and Jacob Raub, father of the Indianapolis attorney, who was born in 1835. Sallie Cole Reynolds was a daughter of Benjamin Reynolds, who was born in 1799; he in turn was a son of Isaac Reynolds, who was born at Rising Sun, Maryland, in 1766; he in turn was a son of Benjamin Reynolds, born in Nottingham Township of Pennsylvania, in 1743; a son of Henry Reynolds, who was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, in 1693; and the last was a son of Henry Reynolds, who was born in England in 1655, and came to America in 1676.
After securing such training as the local schools afforded, Edward B. Raub entered DePauw University at Greencastle, where he graduated Ph. B. in 1894. In 1895 he completed the course of the Indiana Law School, graduating LL. B. Since 1895 he has been in active practice as a lawyer at Indianapolis, and has also made himself a factor in politics and in the larger circles of business. During 1903-05 he served as city attorney of Indianapolis, filled the office of county attorney of Marion County in 1910-11, and began a second term in that office in 1915. Mr. Raub was chairman of the Democratic City Committee of Indianapolis in 1905.
In a business way he assisted in 1905 in organizing the Indianapolis Life Insurance Company, and since then has been vice president and general counsel. He is a director in the Broad Ripple State Bank and is a governor of the Indianapolis Board of Trade. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Democratic Club and the Country Club, and fraternally is affiliated with the Delta Upsilon college fraternity, is both a York and Scottish Rite Mason, and in 1906 was Worshipful Master of Mystic Tie Lodge No. 398, A. F. & A. M., and in 1912 was High Priest of Keystone Chapter, R. A. M. He is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis.
On December 28, 1898, at Indianapolis, Mr. Raub married Martha Drapier, daughter of William H. and Sarah (Chord) Drapier. They have two children, Edward B., Jr. and Eleanor Raub.
More than fifty years have passed since Jacob Raub, president of the Bank of Chalmers, came to White County. He is classed among the honored pioneers who not only have been eye-witnesses of the great advancement and progress of this community, but have taken an active part in the work of development and improvement. Throughout all the long years he haa been prominently identified with agricultural, business and financial interests, and although his efforts have brought him excellent success, he continues to be actively engaged, daily discharging the duties of the management of his manifold interests. He has seen the growth of Chalmers extend its boundaries over much of his land, and while the work of progress has been carried forward he has lent his aid and influence as opportunity has offered, and in this way has helped to lay broad and deep the prosperity of the community.
Jacob Raub was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 3, 1835, a son of Jacob Raub, who was born in 1796 in Warren County, New Jersey, where is located a farm that has been in the family possession for 135 years and is now occupied by a cousin of Mr. Raub. It was originally settled by his great-grandfather, and there was born Andrew Raub, the grandfather, as well as Jacob Raub, his father. The latter came to Indiana in 1836 and settled near Lafayette, near which city is still a station known as South Raub, and named in honor of the family. Educated in the public schools and the Quaker College seven miles southwest of Lafayette, Jacob Raub, of this review, early in life entered the grain business with his brothers at South Raub, where the firm was known as A. and E. Raub Brothers. During the time they were engaged in business, the brothers invested in land, much of which was in White County, which was purchased in 1856, and when the partnership was mutually dissolved, in 1864, Jacob Raub and his brother, John, took this land, while Andrew and Edward Raub, the other brothers, took the firm's grain and land interests in Tippecanoe County. Jacob purchased 160 acres and laid out the town on N. W. 1/4 of section 34, located on the present site of Chalmers, although it was not until several years before that a station was brought to this point on a flat car from Reynolds and set up on stilts. The land owned by the brothers here consisted of 736 acres, all in Big Creek Township, and was then known as the Joseph Carr Farm, and it, like all the surrounding country, was partially improved. He paid $15 per acre for the land. Jacob and William W. Raub laid out several additions to the Town of Chalmers, and also engaged in the grain business, in which they continued until about 1891. In 1891 Jacob Raub, recognizing the needs of the community and his own opportunity, established the Bank of Chalmers, at that time a private institution with a capital of $10,000. This institution has continued on the same location to the present time, Mr. Raub having erected the original building for the purpose. The bank was reorganized as a state institution in 1904, with a capital of $25,000, and Mr. Raub admitted two of his sons to its management: Charles J., cashier; and Clyde W., assistant cashier. Mr. Raub himself continues in the capacity of president, and through his wise management of its affairs has built up its business to large proportions. Mr. Raub is the father of three other sons: Edward B., county attorney of Marion County, Indiana, and a leading practitioner of Indianapolis, who married Martha D. Draper of that city and has two children, Eleanor and Edward B.; Joseph R., who is secretary of the Indianapolis Life Insurance Company, of Indianapolis; and George A., cashier of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Logansport, Indiana.
Jacob Raub was married to Miss Sallie C. Reynolds, a daughter of Benjamin and Lydia J. Reynolds, the former of whom was one of the first settlers of White County and Big Creek Township. There he improved one of the first farms to be opened up in the community, and also became an influential man of affairs, being one of the prime movers in securing the railroad for that section. Mr. Raub is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in the faith of which the members of his family have been reared. With his sons he holds membership in Masonic Lodge No. 66, at Brookston; the Knights of Pythias at Chalmers, of which he is a charter member; and in other orders. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. His life has been one of great industry, and although he has reached an age when most men retire from active affairs, he still manages his property, working with the vigor and determination of a young man who still has his way to make in the world. His career has been well spent, and the integrity of his dealings and the continuity of his labors furnish an example that is well worthy of emulation by those who would gain a competence and win the respect of their fellow men.
The interests which have engaged the attention of Miller O. Raub have been so extensive and varied that they have placed him among the substantial business men of Chalmers. Agriculture, merchandise, the buying and selling of farms, all have profited by his signal ability, and they have all been prosecuted by him with gratifying success. In the meantime, he has not been indifferent to the responsibilities of good citizenship, but has made his community's interests his own.
Miller O. Raub was born October 21, 1864, in Tippeeanoe County, Indiana, and is a son of Andrew and Serepta Raub. The father (Andrew Raub) was born on the Piqua Plains, in Ohio, and in 1834 had come to Indiana with his father, Jacob Raub, where the family located in Tippecanoe County.
In Tippecanoe and White counties Andrew Raub invested heavily in land, nearly all of which had been originally purchased by him and his brothers, and for many years Andrew Raub was one of the prominent agriculturists of his locality. He was also the builder of and proprietor of one of the first grain elevators erected in the state, which was a large and commodious one for its day, but was later destroyed by fire. Andrew Raub lived to the age of fifty-eight years, and died in 1882, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he had been a member all his life. In political faith he was a democrat.
Serepta Ostrander Raub, the wife of Andrew Raub, who died in 1911, was born in Vigo County, Indiana, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Miller Ostrander. Andrew and Serepta Raub were the parents of these children: Ella, who married L. D. Einzel; Lyda, who married W. P. Houk; Miller O., who married Emma Eichelzer; Mary, who married L. G. Ward; Jacob, who married Nellie Taylor; Joseph, who married Marie Callahan.
Miller O. Raub was educated in the district schools of Tippecanoe County, and later attended Wabash College for a short time. He lived on the old home place at South Raub, Indiana, until the year 1886, when he moved to White County, Indiana, and engaged in farming and stock raising with his uncle, Albin D. Raub, on the Chaffee farm just west of Chalmers.
He was married on September 27, 1887, to Emma Eichelzer, of Lafayette, Indiana, daughter of Frank and Agatha Eichelzer. To this union have been born six children, Frank, Andrew, Elizabeth, Ida, Emma and Bernard. Frank, the eldest, was married in 1911 to Jessie McClurg of Monticello, Indiana, and Elizabeth was married in 1913 to Earl L. Johnson, Crawfordsville, Indiana.
In the year 1889 Mr. Raub purchased and moved on a farm about four miles east of Chalmers, where he and his family resided until November, 1906, when Mr. Raub gave up active farming and moved to Chalmers, his present home, although he still retains his land holdings. Mr. Raub has always been an expert in land values, not only in his own community, but in other localities, and he does a large business in buying and selling farming properties, in his own and adjoining counties.
The Chalmers Telephone Company owes a great deal of its success to the able assistance given it by Mr. Raub, as he was one of the organizers, and is also a shareholder, and has worked tirelessly as an officer of the company since its organization. Mr. Raub has also served as president of the Chalmers Perpetual Building and Loan Association since 1909.
In addition to his many other duties, Mr. Raub has found time to engage in the mercantile business, as he, with his son, purchased in 1912 the general merchandise store, formerly conducted by M. Burgett, and this business has been operated successfully under the firm name of Miller O. Raub & Co. This business has grown in scope and business, until it is considered one of the substantial and successful enterprises of this flourishing city.
The name of Miller O. Raub carries considerable weight and influence in business circles of Chalmers, for his career has always been one in which he has demonstrated his ability, strict integrity, and fidelity to engagements. Fraternally he is a charter member of both the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men lodges of Chalmers, and in tbese lodges his many friends speak highly of their association in lodge work with Miller Raub.
Recently Mr. Raub has been appointed trustee of the Sarah L. Allen Estate, which estate consists of large land holdings in White County, and extensive interests in Canadian properties, and his success in the handling of this difficult proposition is again stamping Miller O. Raub as a man of keen judgment and excellent executive ability.
In religious faith, Mr. Raub was reared a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, but is now affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of Chalmers.
Politically a republican, he has taken interest in the success of
his party, but his principal activity has been as a good citizen, with the
welfare of his community at heart.
William W. Raub, for many years a well known and prominent business man of Chalmers, a member of the firm of J. & W. W. Raub, grain buyers, and later extensively engaged in the real estate business for himself, was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, December 26, 1845; located at Chalmers in 1872. December 18, 1877, he was married to Mary Allen, daughter of a commission merchant at the Union Stock Yards, Chicago. He left one son, William Webster Raub.
During nearly years as a builder and contractor in White County, Archie K. Rawlins has established a reputation for responsible financial management and systematic and accurate execution of every contract which he undertakes, even down to the last detail. He has given competent building service, and hundreds of the better structures throughout the country stand as monuments to his work.
Archie K. Rawlins was born in the State of Minnesota, January 16, 1862, being one of three children whose parents were Joseph V. and Melinda M. (Fleener) Rawlins. His parents were among the early settlers of Minnesota, but about the close of the Civil war left that state and located in Monroe County, Indiana, and a little later went to Mattoon, Illinois, then back to Indiana, living at several different localities, spent one winter in Arkansas, and in the spring of 1871 returned to Monroe County, Indiana, and followed this with four years of residence in Texas. In the meantime Archie K. Rawlins was sent back to Monroe County to attend school. His parents having in the meantime located at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, he joined the household there and remained two years. His father finally came back to Monroe County, Indiana, and engaged in farming.
By trade his father was a carpenter, and Archie K. Rawlins learned the same occupation, and started life with the equipment of a common school education and a training and natural inclination for the building business. Early in 1886 he took up contracting and building independently, and after a brief stay at Mansfield, Illinois, located in Monticello, in November, 1886. The county seat of White County has since been the seat of his individual enterprise as a contractor and builder, and in the carpenter work that has been done of the better class in the county since that time he has probably had as large if not a larger share than any of his competitors.
Mr. Rawlins was married November 12, 1885, to Gertrude M. Parks. They have one son, King Parks Rawlins, born October 16, 1890. Mr and Mrs. Rawlins are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men, and is a member of the January Club at Monticello. Politically his associations have been with the democratic party.
Dr. Cyrus A. G. Rayhouser, one of the best known citizens of White County, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, October 29, 1825, and after completing his education at the Vermilion Institute, then one of the most noted schools of Ohio, he was principal of the Fort Wayne, Indiana, schools, and for four years was school examiner of LaPorte County, Indiana. In 1856 he was married to Miss Caroline Ferguson of Lafayette, and then began the study of medicine, at the same time following the profession of teaching. In 1860 he began the practice of medicine at Rockfield, Carroll County, and in 1863 enlisted in the Twenty-second Indiana Battery. He was later appointed assistant surgeon and was detailed to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he remained until the close of the war. In 1868 he located at Wolcott, where be opened a drug store, and two years later was appointed postmaster at that place. In 1893 he removed to Chalmers, but in 1898 retired to his farm on Pike Creek, and five years later removed to Monticello, where he died March 16, 1910. While at Wolcott his wife died and his nephew, Bert Thompson, became his companion and proved a loyal friend in his declining years. Few men ever lived in White County who were more favorably known than Doctor Rayhouser.
This substantial farmer and prominent and influential citizen of Cass Township has here maintained his home from the time of his nativity and is a scion of one of the old and honored families of White County. His grandfather, Tavner Reames, of German lineage, came from Champaign County, Ohio, to White County, Indiana, about the year 1836, and here he reclaimed and developed a productive farm, to the management of which he continued to give his attention until the time of his death. He was a citizen who always did his part in supporting measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community and his sterling integrity gained to him the confidence and good will of all who came within the sphere of his influence. Though he never sought or held public office he was a staunch advocate of the principles of the democratic party, and both he and his wife were zealous members of the Presbyterian Church, the mortal remains of these honored pioneers having been laid to rest in the old Clark Cemetery, in Liberty Township. The maiden name of the wife of Tavner Reames was Sarah Steele, and all of their children are now deceased, their names being here entered: Jonathan, Margaret, Sarah, James, Simeon, and Elizabeth.
Jonathan Reames, father of him whose name initiates this review, was born in June, 1831, and through his well ordered industry he became one of the substantial agriculturists of White County, where he was the owner of a well improved farm of 185 acres at the time of his death, which occurred when he was in the very prime of his strong and worthy manhood, his wife having passed away in 1867, when the subject of this sketch was a lad of about fourteen years, and both having been consistent members of the Christian, or Newlight, Church. Jonathan Reames was a man of equable temperament, well fortified opinions and abounding tolerance and charity of judgment, so that he never came into strained relations with others and never had recourse to legal proceedings of any kind, as he lived an honest, straightforward life and accorded to others their just rights and privileges, as he demanded the same for himself. He was a staunch democrat but had no predilection for the honors or emoluments of public office. He was forty-three years old at the time of his death and his remains rest beside those of his devoted wife in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Indian Creek, Pulaski County.
As a young man Jonathan Reames wedded Miss Catherine Yount, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Yount, who were early settlers of White County. Of this union were born eight children—Tavner, Daniel, Eliza J., Fred, William James, John E., Elizabeth, and Rachel A. Daniel is deceased, as is also Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Eliza J. is the wife of William D. Pierce and they reside in the City of Headler, Indiana; John E. is individually mentioned on other pages of this work; and Rachel A. is the wife of George Kestle, of Carroll County.
Fred Reames was born on the old homestead farm of his father, in section 5, Cass Township, this county, and the date of his nativity was February 11, 1854. He acquired his early education in the public schools of this part of the county and during the long intervening years he has continued his active and successful identification with agricultural pursuits in his native township, his fine landed estate, equipped with the best of improvements, being situated one-half mile east of the Village of Headlee and comprising 200 acres of most fertile and productive land, the fine homestead being known as "Maple Ridge Farm." In addition to his general farming operations Mr. Reames has for many years conducted a prosperous enterprise in the operation of a threshing outfit, and in this line he has maintained his equipment at all times at the best modern standards. He is liberal and progressive as a citizen and gives ready cooperation in the furtherance of measures for the general good of the community, along both civic and industrial lines, his status and attitude being such that he is consistently to be designated as one of the representative citizens of his native county.
A loyal advocate and supporter of the principles and policies of the republican party, Mr. Reames has been influential in public affairs of a local order and he has been called upon to serve in various positions of public trust. He was the incumbent of the office of township assessor for two terms, of four years each, and served somewhat more than five and one-half years as township trustee. He and his wife are earnest and zealous members of the Church of God, and of the church of this denomination at Headlee he has served as a trustee since 1884, besides which he is a trustee of the Indian Creek Cemetery.
On September 3, 1874, Mr. Reames wedded Miss Eliza M. Bayles, a daughter of the late Charles Bayles, an early settler of this section of the state. Mrs. Reames passed to the life eternal January 20, 1891, and of their union were born four children: Ellis F.. who died in infancy; Arra J., married Miss Leota Felker, and they reside in the Village of Wolcott, this county; William F., married Miss Agnes Felker and they reside in the Village of Headlee and Della is the wife of Albert M. Moore, of Monticello, the county seat. The second marriage of Mr. Reams [sic] on October 10, 1893, was to Mrs. Ann E. (Bayles) Gruwell, a widowed sister of his first wife, and their only child is Estella A., who is the wife of Elmer Swisher, of Headlee.
In this history John E. Reames is entitled to specific recognition as one of the representative agriculturists and honored and influential citizens of his native county, and concerning the pioneer family of which he is a scion due record is given on other pages, in the sketch of the career of his brother, Fred Reames, who likewise is one of the substantial farmers of this county.
Mr. Reames was born on the old homestead farm of his parents, in Cass Township and the date of his nativity was November 3, 1858. His advancement to the worthy goal of independence and definite prosperity has been won by earnest application and good management, and he became largely dependent upon his own resources when he was a mere lad, in the meanwhile having not been denied the advantages of the local schools. He began working for his own support when but thirteen years of age, and through twelve years of efficient and faithful service in the employ of farmers of White County—notably Jeremiah Mattox and Joseph McBeth, he earned the money which finally enabled him to institute his independent operations as a farmer. His present homestead comprises 160 acres, is well improved and is eligibly situated in Cass Township, one mile south of the Village of Headlee. Mr. Reames has not only shown marked energy and progressiveness in his individual farm enterprise but has also been active and influential in the supporting of measures and agencies that have advanced the civic and material welfare of the community, his service having been specially notable in the supporting of road and drainage improvements in his home township.
Mr. Reames is known as a stalwart in the local camp of the republican party and has been prominent and influential in its councils and general activities. He served six years as township assessor and in 1902 he was his party's candidate for the office of county sheriff, normal political exigencies, in the predominating strength of the democratic contingent, having compassed his defeat, though his successful opponent was elected by the very small majority of twenty-four votes. At Star City, Pulaski County, Mr. Reames is prominently affiliated with Lodge No. 442 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and at the same place he and his wife hold membership in the adjunct organization, Lodge No. 332 of the Daughters of Rebekah.
October 11, 1883, recorded the marriage of Mr. Reames to Miss Laura Guthrie, who was born and reared in Richland County, Ohio, a daughter of William C. and Sarah F. Guthrie, also natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Reames have one daughter, Sarah Katherine, who is at the parental home.
Of the farmers of White County who have won success through the medium of their own efforts, and whose helpful labors have lent strength and substance to the agricultural interests of their communities, William James Reames is a worthy example in Liberty Township. Left an orphan when a small boy, his advantages in his youth were few, and whatever of success he has attained, and it is not inconsiderable, has been worthily won. Mr. Reames is a native son of White County, having been born on a farm in Cass Township, December 1, 1856.
Jonathan Reames, the father of William J. Reames, was probably horn in Ohio, from whence he came as a lad with his parents to White County in the pioneer days. The family located on a tract of land in the northwest part of what is now Cass Township, and there the youth participated in the making of pioneer history and the development of a farm. He took part in the hard and unceasing work of grubbing and clearing, later became a farmer on his own account and the owner of a property, and continued to be engaged in the pursuits of the soil during the remainder of his life. He died during the period of the Civil war and was laid to rest in the cemetery now on Indian Creek, in Pulaski County, while Mrs. Reames survived him about six years and was laid to rest by his side. She bore the maiden name of Catherine Yount, and they were the parents of eight children, of whom six are still living.
William James Reames was still a small boy when his father died, and after his mother's death he was sent to the home of his uncle, Alexander Yount, with whom he grew to the age of sixteen years. In the meantime he attended district school in a desultory way, being given this privilege when there was nothing to occupy his time and strength on his uncle's farm. He was ambitious and industrious, had a retentive mind, and made the most of his opportunities, so that he secured a fairly good education. When he was but sixteen years of age he faced the responsibilities of life on his own account, going to the farm of Abram Sluyter, where he was given employment as a hand at wages of $12 per month. For a number of years he continued to work, in the meantime carefully saving what he could of his meager wages, with the aim in view of becoming the owner of a home of his own. Mr. Reames was married November 25, 1880, to Miss Leah J. Ross. Mrs. Reames was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, February 11, 1858, the eighth of the ten children, three sons and seven daughters, of Harrison and Nancy (Clouse) Ross. Six of these children are yet living: Philip, who is married and living in Monticello County; Maggie, the widow of James Swank and living in Indianapolis; Wilson, married and living in Star City, Indiana; Leah J., who became Mrs. Reames; Rufus, of Union Township, White County; and Emma, the wife of James Downey, of Monticello. Harrison Ross was born in Ross County, Ohio, February 8, 1826, and died on the 14th of November, 1912. He had moved with his parents to Montgomery County, Ohio, when but five years old. He chose farming as a profession, and followed it until barred by the infirmities of old age. He was a faithful and kind husband and father, and was a member of the Christian Church from the year 1868 until his death. He was married to Nancy Clouse, January 13, 1846, and she was born in Lancaster, Kentucky, November 23, 1824. She was left an orphan at the age of eleven months and was reared by her grandparents, with whom she came to Montgomery County, Indiana, in 1829, and there spent her early life. She was a devoted wife and mother and a good Christian, having united with the Christian Church at Crawfordsville, Indiana, when only sixteen years of age. In 1875 Mr. and Mrs. Ross came to White County and lived on a farm until a few years before their deaths, when they retired and located in Buffalo, from whence her spirit took its flight April 17, 1902.
Following his marriage, Mr. Reames became a renter of land, and continued as such until 1890, when he realized his ambitions by becoming the owner of sixty-three acres of land, school property, in the northeast part of Liberty Township. Since that time, as his finances have permitted, he has added to his holdings from time to time, and now has 120 acres of good land, all accumulated through his own efforts and those of his faithful wife. He is devoting his attention to general farming, and is meeting with well-deserved success. Mr. Reames is a republican in his political views, but his political activities are exerted only as a voter. He and his family belong to the New Light Church at Buffalo.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Reames: Emma Dora, who is the wife of Edward Radenstorf, and they have six children, Bertha May, Mildred Mabel, James Harold, Cecil Edward, Clarence Walter and Ira Wilson; Orville Ray, who married Carrie Barton, and their two children are Reba Theo and Arle Dussel; and Effie Myrtle, who is the wife of Clarence Brooker and has three children, Geneva Opal, Anna Gertrude and Frances Ruth.
Out in Prairie Township in section 18, on rural route No. 16 out of Brookston, is the comfortable country home of Jeremiah Redding. Mr. Redding has spent practically all his life in this section of Indiana and with the exception of a few years has been continuously engaged in farming since he was twenty-three. Everyone in that section of the county has a sound appreciation of his ability, his good judgment, and his solid worth as an asset of the community life, and a further visible evidence of his accomplishment is found in his farm of 224 acres, which have been made to respond to his efforts of improvement until they now constitute a place with hardly a superior in all Prairie Township.
The Redding family came to White County when all the country was new and their work must be reckoned among the factors which brought about so many marvelous changes in the landscape during the past eighty years. Jeremiah Redding was born on Big Creek, December 28, 1847, a son of Alexander and Rachel (Holladay) Redding. His father, who was a native of Maryland, came out to White County toward the close of the decade of the '30s. He brought little with him except the resources and possibilities of his own labors and willingly endured a great deal of hardship in order to provide for the future. It is said that when he and his wife arrived in this part of the wilderness they constructed a rude habitation of rails which could hardly be described as better than a pen. From that point they gradually prospered, he farmed and raised stock, and left his family in much better circumstances than those in which he himself had started life. His death occurred in 1861, and he was survived by his widow a great many years until she died in 1897. Both are buried in a cemetery in Carroll County. Of their twelve children, only two are now living.
Jeremiah Redding had such education as the country schools supplied during the '50s and early '60s. At the age of twenty-three he began farming and has been at it ever since with the exception of about five years. He has kept pace with the improvements and advancements made in farm enterprise in Indiana, and while dividing his attention among different crops, he has also secured a great deal of revenue from the raising and marketing of graded stock. All the improvements of the farm represent his individual labors and management, and his acres are now all under cultivation with the exception of fourteen acres of timberland. In recent years he has surrendered the active cares of farm management and his sons now do all the work.
On January 28, 1869, in early manhood, Mr. Redding married Miss Sarah A. Martin, a daughter of Mitchell and Abbie Martin. Their home has been blessed with the birth of ten children, named as follows: Mitchell A., John C., Leroy W., James A., who is now deceased, Jarvis Earl, Charles Sherman, Goldie Leota, Rosie May, also deceased, Sylvia May and Precious Pearl.
Since casting his first vote Mr. Redding has been a loyal democrat, and while
interested in various civic movements which have been formulated in
the county, he has never sought nor desired official position. He is an upright
and vigorous character and has conformed his life to the principles and teachings
of Christianity and is a member of the Christian Church at Spring Creek.
Judge Alfred F. Reed, who was the last judge of the old Common Pleas Court, was born in Clark County, Ohio, February 3, 1824, and died at his home just east of Monticello, October 23, 1873. His parents came to Indiana in his early childhood but a few years later returned to Ohio and on April 8, 1845, be was married to Louisa J. Downs and to them were born eight children, only two of whom survived the father. In November, 1852, he came to White County, where his wife and five children died and on December 31, 1857, he married Elizabeth Haver by whom he had five children and of these four survived him. Judge Reed was admitted to the bar in Ohio and on his coming to White County at once entered into the practice. On August 1, 1861, he entered the Civil war as captain of Company K, Twentieth Regiment Indiana Volunteers in which he served until the fall of 1862 when upon being elected to the State Senate he resigned to take that office. He served during one session of the Senate and on March 1, 1864, was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry in which capacity he served until the close of the war when he returned to Monticello and engaged in the practice of his profession. On March 22, 1867, he was appointed judge of the Common Pleas Court for the district composed of the counties of Benton, Carroll and White. He was elected to succeed himself in 1869 and again in 1872, but the legislature abolished the office and he again entered the practice of the law which he followed until his death. Judge Reed left an enviable record as soldier, lawyer and official. His was a life of ceaseless activity but in every position he held he measured up to the full standard of a man.
One of the most highly respected families in the vicinity of Idaville is that of Reiff, represented by Elmer G., a well known farmer and stock shipper in that locality. They have lived in that part of the state for a great many years, have been substantial and thrifty citizens, God-fearing people, kindly neighbors and a credit to their name.
The late John Reiff, who was long a farmer, and for six years was in the sawmill business, was born October 1, 1836, a son of Christian Reiff, of whom mention will be found on other pages. John Reiff died June 1, 1905. By his first marriage he had one daughter, Mary E., who married Gilbert Stinebaugh. John Reiff's second wife was Mary G. (Wenrick) Risser. She was a daughter of David and Elizabeth Wenrick, of the prominent Wenrick-Grubb family of Darke County, Ohio. Mary Risser Reiff died at Idaville, March 29, 1910, when past seventy years of age. By her first marriage she had a son, David Risser, who now lives in Cass County, Indiana, just north of Burnettsville. David Risser married Mary Davis and had seven children. John and Mary Reiff became the parents of four children: Martha, who married Albert H. Tobias, of Burnettsville, and had six children, named Paul, Ruth, John, David, Mary and Mark; Dr. Christian W. Reiff, a physician of Idaville, who married Fanny Eikenberry, and had one child, Helen; Laura Bell, who lives with her brother, Elmer Garfield, the youngest of the family.
Elmer G. Reiff was born August 4, 1881, in Cass County, Indiana, and grew up on the old homestead and lived with his mother until her death. He had an education in the common schools, and then took up farming and other lines of business activities. On June 15, 1912, he married Miss Blanche O. Gibson, daughter of Herbert and Carrie (Jones) Gibson. Herbert Gibson was an uncle of Nathan C. Gibson, who is mentioned elsewhere. To Mr. and Mrs. Reiff was born one son, John Robert, on August 30, 1913.
The late John Reiff was a republican in politics, but took little part in party affairs, and divided his attention between the duties of his farm and household and his church. He and his wife were both members of the Brethren Church, in which for many years he was a deacon. He lived at peace with his neighbors, and was quite successful in everything he undertook. He and his wife were laid at rest in the Idaville Cemetery. He was the first secretary of the Idaville Telephone Company, which was organized in May, 1903.
Elmer G. Reiff has become well known in the community of Idaville as the proprietor of the Green Lawn Stock Farm, located a mile southeast of Idaville on the Stringtown Road. It is a highly improved and well cultivated place, and in addition to its management Mr. Reiff buys and ships stock in partnership with Wilbur Timmons, of Idaville. A republican, he casts his vote for the best man in local affairs, and alwaym tries to render effective service in civic and other movements in the community. In the fall of 1914 he was a delegate to the state convention on the progressive ticket. While not a member of any church, he supports church activities, and his wife belongs to the Church of God at Idaville.
One mile west of Burnettsville is the beautiful Fair View Stock Farm of Milton K. Reiff. The Reiff family arrived in Burnettsville by train in August, 1870, and thus for forty-five years have been closely identified with the agricultural, civic and general community life of White County. Milton K. Reiff was then a small boy, and his own career has been in keeping with the substantial traditions of the family in a business way, and he has added much to the dignified associations of the name. His grandfather, Christian Reiff, was a Pennsylvania man who made no little reputation as an inventor. He was the inventor of a clover huller, which for years was regarded as one of the best machines of its kind. He also patented a combined grain thresher and clover huller. For many years he was at the head of the C. H. Reiff Manufacturing Company in Pennsylvania. He removed from Pennsylvania to Tennessee and thence to Cass County, Indiana. He lived in White County a few years, but died at Flora in Carroll County when about eighty years of age. Christian Reiff married Elizabeth Titlow, and both were natives of Pennsylvania.
Joseph T. Reiff, father of Milton K., was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1832, the third in a family of ten children born to Christian and Elizabeth (Titlow) Reiff. J. T. Reiff assisted his father at farming and manufacturing until 1861, and then conducted a tannery at McVeytown, Pennsylvania, for eighteen months. He then returned to his father's factory near Harleton, Pennsylvania, and kept the accounts until 1868. After that he conducted a tannery at Harleton until about 1867, and in that year accompanied his father to Tennessee. Three years later he came to White County, and in the following spring bought a farm of 120 acres, to which he later added eighty acres, and was one of the successful farmers and business men in White County. He died at Burnettsville September 20, 1899, having lived retired in that village for five years. His fortune was estimated at about $15,000, and he also suffered severe reverses hy the loss of two carloads of leather on account of the War of the Rebellion. His widow is still living, making her home with her son Milton. Joseph T. Reiff was a republican, a man of quiet and unostentatious demeanor, was active in church and was a deacon therein at the time of his death. J. T. Reiff was married May 3, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth Kleckner, a daughter of David and Esther (Wingard) Kleckner. She was born in Pennsylvania October 18, 1834. Of the six children born to their union three grew to maturity: Milton K.; Lillie J., who married Frank Fisher; and Mary Emma, who married Philip Amick. J. T. Reiff and wife were members of what was known as the Conservative Branch of the German Baptist Church, now known as the Brethren Church, and he was chosen a deacon in that organization in 1874.
Milton K. Reiff was born at McVeytown, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1860, and was about ten years of age when he arrived at Burnettsville in White County. On the 24th of February, 1885, he married the daughter of one of White County's substantial families, Emma J. Godlove, a daughter of Perry Godlove, a record of which family will be found on other pages. To their union were born five children, two of whom died in infancy and the other three are: Maude, now teaching school near Goshen, Indiana; Minnie M., living at home; and Russell G., attending school at Burnettsville.
Milton K. Reiff grew up on a farm, and in the intervals of farm labor and other work acquired a substantial education, at first from the common schools of Burnettsville and later by normal work at Monticello. For one year he was a teacher, but farming has been his real vocation in life. Since April 1, 1871, he has lived continuously on his present farm (the old family home), near Burnettsville. His principal business has been stock raising and the breeding up of thoroughbred animals is not only a business hut a hobby with Mr. Reiff. He handles Polled-Durham cattle and Chester White hogs, and usually raises enough feed on his land to supply his own stock. His farm comprises about 300 acres, and is widely known under the title of the Fair View Stock Farm.
Mr. Reiff has numerous other worthy relations with White County. As a republican he served as township trustee of Jackson Township from 1900 to 1905, and in 1914 was the republican candidate for the office of county commissioner, but was defeated with other party candidates. Since 1899 he has been a deacon in the Brethren Church, and his wife and all the children are members of the same denomination. Mr. Reiff is a stockholder in the State Bank of Burnettsville, and is president and a member of the board of directors of the Burnettsville Elevator Company.
The manifold possibilities of White County as an agricultural district attracted Henry Reingardt to local citizenship about ten years ago. Mr. Reingardt is now proprietor of what is known as the Plain View Poultry and Stock Farm in section 8 of Jackson Township. While he and his wife give much attention to poultry, especially the Buff Rock chickens, his farm is a large one, comprising 260 acres, and all under cultivation and much of it devoted to general farming and the raising of graded live stock. Mr. Reingardt is a man of sound judgment in business matters, and has proved a welcome addition to the agricultural community of Jackson Township.
Henry Reingardt was born in Hanover, Germany, August 5, 1864, a son of Christ and Frankie (Wickmnan) Reingardt. When he was about eight years of age his parents crossed the ocean to find a home in the new world, arriving in the United States July 4, 1872, and at once going West to Kendall County, Illinois. Two years later they removed to DeKalb County in the same state near Hinckley. Christ Reingardt was a farmer and stock raiser and died February 18, 1905, and is buried in DeKalb County. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church and was a democrat and took considerable interest in local affairs. His widow is now living at the age of eighty-eight years. In their family were six children: Christ, a resident of Iowa; Minnie, now deceased, who married Christ Dienst; Louisa, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Hartman; George, who died in infancy; Henry; and William, who lives in Illinois.
Henry Reingardt received most of his education in Illinois public schools, grew up on a farm, and with considerable practice and training started out for himself at the age of twenty-two. On September 26 1887, he secured an excellent helpmate for his career by his marriage to Miss Minnie Dieters, daughter of Christian and Minnie (Leifheit) Dieters, who came to the United States from Germany in 1869, also locating in Illinois. Her father, who was born January 29, 1840, died October 18, 1909, while her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Reingardt have four children: Albert, who married Gertrude McClelland; Edward and Fred, both at home; and Ervin, who died in 1913 a promising youth of fourteen years.
Mr. Reingardt removed to White County on March 10, 1905. He had bought his present farm three years before, and in the past ten years has done much to develop and improve it and increase its value. In politics he is a republican, and with his family is a member of the German Lutheran Church at Reynolds. He has his daily mail delivery from Idaville.
Since the year 1834, White County has profited by the stable citizenship and industrious activities of members of the Renwick family, who have played no unimportant part in the history of this part of Indiana, and whose influence has ever been on the side of progress and high standards of living. In the year mentioned Andrew Renwick came from Greene County, Ohio, by wagon, and entered eighty acres of land from the United States Government on what is now the west side of Main Street, at Idaville, there erecting a log cabin. His family at that time consisted of three daughters and one son, all of whom are now deceased.
Andrew Renwick was a man of rather small stature, but very wiry, and capable of sustaining an unusual amount of fatigue. He was a native of Scotland, where he learned the trade of weaver, and was a descendant of the Reverend Mr. Renwick, christened James, the last of the martyrs of the Covenant. This ancestor was born at Moniaive, Scotland, February 15, 1662. He attended Edinburgh University with a view to the ministry, but was denied his degree as he refused the oath of allegiance. He was chosen by the "Societies," as the bands of men devoted to the Covenant were called, to proceed to Holland to complete his studies in 1682 and was ordained in the following year and returned to Scotland. There his life was subsequently exposed to great hazards, he being obliged to move from place to place, and often reduced to great destitution. In the year 1684 he published his Apologetic Declaration, for which he was outlawed, and when James II was placed on the throne in 1685 Renwick went with 200 men to Sanquhar and published a declaration rejecting him. A reward was subsequently offered for his capture, he was hunted from place to place, making many hairbreadth escapes, but was finally captured at Edinburgh, and was condemned and eventually executed, February 17, 1688.
On locating in America, Andrew Rendick [sic] went direct to Greene County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming, and pursued the same calling after coming to White County, Indiana. It may be said that his chief characteristic was a kindly, even jovial, disposition, for which he was well liked, although he had numerous other sterling qualities. He and his wife became the parents of the following children: Margaret, the wife of Stephen Nutt; James; Elizabeth, the wife of Cyrus Cunningham; and Jane, the wife of Frank Spencer.
James Renwick, son of Andrew, was born February 9, 1819, in Greene County, Ohio, and when a small boy came to White County, Indiana, with his parents, where he was reared to manhood and completed his schooling. He was considered to be a well-educated man, and before the time of reaching his majority had taken up his work as one of the early educators of Jackson Township. Mr. Renwick married, December 24, 1840, Miss Abigail Barnes, who died August 9, 1845, leaving two children: Andrew, born October 11, 1842, married Lida Dean, and after her death, Mary Jamieson, and is a United Presbyterian preacher; and Thomas, who died in infancy. The second wife of James Renwick was Margaret Jane McCully, who was born June 26, 1826, in Blount County, Tennessee, married Mr. Renwick, February 12, 1846, and was a daughter of Solomon and Ann M. (Hamill) McCully, who had nine children, namely: Margaret Jane, John M., James G., Robert H., Samuel A., Elizabeth A., William C., Mary A. and Solomon H. The McCullys came to Indiana and settled on what is now known as the old Magee place, about two miles southeast of Idaville, in 1832, very shortly thereafter moving to White County, across the line. To James and Margaret Jane (McCully) Renwick there were born the following children: Solomon M., born June 14, 1848, married March 29, 1870, Caroline Hamill, and died February 23, 1873, leaving one daughter, Abbie, the wife of Claude Irelan; James Alexander, born March 22, 1850, married March 3, 1870, Agnes Robison, has four children and resides at Idaville; John Arthur, born May 16, 1852, married June 13, 1883, Elizabeth Patton, has two daughters, graduated at Monmouth (Illinois) College, with the degree of Doctor of Laws, and is preaching at Topeka, Kansas; Stephen G., born July 22, 1854, who died March 29, l862; Hamilton Doig, born January 14, 1858, married November 13, 1879, Frances Arnott, has two children and is a farmer of White Pigeon, Michigan; Margaret Abigail, born December 9, 1859, who died March 10, 1863; Alfred Rankin, born February 16, 1862, a farmer of Liberty Township, White County; and Elizabeth Ann, born September 18, 1864, who married January 17, 1884, John D. Henderson, and died April 13, 1899, leaving three children.
James Renwick, father of the foregoing children, followed farming throughout his life, but also engaged in other pursuits, being a man of diversified talents and abilities. In addition to being a school teacher, he was a carpenter and cabinet maker, trades which he taught himself in his youth, and in the early days made numerous coffins, and later erected many houses, a number of which are still standing as monuments to his skill and good workmanship. Mr. Renwick was elected county commissioner in 1867 and served in that capacity for one term, was a republican in politics, and stood high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. During the early days Mr. Renwick was a member of what was known as the Seceder Church, but later identified himself with the United Presbyterian Church, in which he was ordained an elder in 1844, being later commissioner to the General Assembly and a moderator of that body. He organized the first Sabbath school in Jackson Township, and was its superintendent for a period of sixteen consecutive years, up to the time of his death, which occurred February 15, 1873, Mrs. Renwick dying January 18, 1893. In all of the walks of life, James Renwick displayed a love for all that was honest and fair, and the regard and esteem which he won in early manhood were retained by him to the day of his death.
Alfred Rankin Renwick, son of James and grandson of the pioneer Andrew Renwick, has always made White County his home. Reared on the home farm, his education was secured in the Idaville and Monticello public schools and the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso, and March 25, 1886, he was married to Lily M. Moore, daughter of Thomas B. and Louisa (Paul) Moore. Following his marriage Mr. Renwick engaged in teaching for two years, but since that time has devoted the greater part of his attention and energies to agricultural pursuits. He has resided on his present farm in Liberty Township for a period of more than a quarter of a century, and now has 272 acres, under a good state of cultivation, and well improved with handsome and modern buildings, equipped with the most up-to-date appliances. Mr. Renwick is known as a practical farmer, who uses modern methods in his work and whose well-directed management has resulted in the achievement of an eminently satisfactory success. He and Mrs. Renwick belong to the Buffalo Presbyterian Church, in which he was ordained an elder August 2, 1891, and was elected a commissioner to the General Assembly of that denomination, which met at Rochester, New York, May 20, 1915. In politics a republican, he served capably and faithfully as county commissioner from the Third District of White County, from 1907 until 1910.
Mrs. Renwick was born February 22, 1864, and she and her husband have been the
parents of eight children, as follows: Margaret Louisa, born January 16, 1887;
Elizabeth, born October 31, 1888; Mary Ellen, born May 26, 1891, married Homer
Ray Downey, March 24, 1915; Rankin, born October 31, 1893, married Agnes Van
Meter, February 4, 1915; Ralph Moore, born May 26, 1896; Verna, born February 12, 1899,
died March 2, 1899; Lily Maud, born May 2, 1902; and Dorothy, born November 24, 1905.
Among all the outstanding figures who have adorned the bench and bar of White County in the past, none is spoken of with more kindly remembrance and recognition of his character and influence than the late Judge Alfred W. Reynolds, who had begun his practice as a lawyer at Monticello while the Civil war was still in progress, whose early associations were with many of the distinguished names in Indiana law and politics of half a century ago, and whose own ability and character were impressed upon most of the men still active in the local bar. It has been well said that the history of White County, or the history of Northern Indiana and its courts, could not well be written without the name of Judge Reynolds. He was a prominent part and parcel of the life of this section for nearly half a century.
Alfred W. Reynolds, the record of whose life is taken largely from the minutes of resolutions prepared in able and dignified language by a committee of the White County Circuit Court, was born near Somerset, Perry County, Ohio, September 16, 1839, and at the end of his long life died at Monticello, April 27, 1911. He was a son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth Reynolds. His earlier years were spent with his family on a farm, and for a time he resided with an aunt. In November, 1856, he left Ohio to settle at Monticello, and in that city had his home with the exception of one year. He attended the common schools, was a private pupil of Captain George W. Bowman, and afterwards entered Wabash College at Crawfordsville and subsequently Monmouth College.
He was fortunate in his choice of an early preceptor in the law. At Monticello he studied with David Turpie, who was at that time an active member of the White County bar and was afterwards distinguished in the history of Indiana as one of its United States senators. Judge Reynolds was admitted to the bar in 1864, and after about one year of practice at Winamac returned to Monticello, and continued his active work as a lawyer and judge until a few months before his death. He quickly acquired a position of leadership in the bar, with a valuable and extensive practice, by no means confined to his home county, but extending into all the surrounding counties. He was a member of the bar of the Supreme Court and of the Federal courts of the District of Indiana.
While his success as a lawyer was great, he is best remembered for his impartial administration as a judge. At the November election, 1886, he was elected judge of the Thirty-ninth Judicial Circuit, composed of the counties of White and Carroll, succeeding Judge John H. Gould of Delphi. This office as judge he held until 1894, and on retiring from the bench he resumed the practice of law at his old office in Monticello.
Judge Reynolds was married June 4, 1873, to Miss Louisa G. Magee. He was survived by Mrs. Reynolds and one son, George C. Reynolds.
When Judge Reynolds died he was practically the dean of the White County bar, and most of the lawyers then in active practice had been admitted after he had attained distinction as a lawyer, and many of them while he was on the bench. It was in appreciation of his strong, effective and in some respects extraordinary faculties and in recognition of his fine social qualities that the members of the bar presented for adoption by the court resolutions expressing so thoroughly their judgment of the character of their departed friend and associate, and it is unusual to find the language of a memorial resolution so deep and sincere and free from laudatory terms. After acknowledging a personal debt to Judge Reynolds in the knowledge and aid acquired from him by suggestion and example, they paid a high tribute to his unusual ability at the trial table, his profound knowledge of the law, and his splendid skill in the presentation of the interests of individual clients, and his untiring devotion to his work and never ceasing zeal in the interests of those he represented. The beautiful tribute with which the memorial closed deserves literal quotation:
"Judge Reynolds was a man of fine personal appearance, a genial and pleasant gentleman, and a man of more than ordinary force and ability. Nature gave him a strong body and a big brain. When he took up the profession of law he eschewed all else. For him on every day after he was admitted as a member of the bar until he was stricken with his last illness, life was a battle. He never fought a duel with the foils. There was no button on the point of his weapon. Big and strong, he took his place in the arena and like a gladiator fought with the broadsword. There were no vacations in his life; it was all work until just before the end came, when nature gave him one reward, an easy death, for when the Angel of Death pushed his boat from the shore out upon that unknown ocean that rolls all around the world, there was no hurricane, no storm; the sea was smooth, there was not even a ripple upon the water. The end of his life was like the burning out of a candle; the wick had burned down into the socket; the flame grew smaller and weaker, until the light went out."
Benjamin Reynolds was one of the pioneers of White County, closely and prominently identified with its early settlement, a man of great energy and natural resources. He was born in Pennsylvania, May 3, 1799, and died at his home in Big Creek Township, June 6, 1869. When quite a young man he operated a stage line from Vincennes, Indiana, to Toledo, Ohio, but in 1828 a distemper broke out among his horses which left him almost a bankrupt. Two years later he came to what is now White County, began life anew and became the owner of large tracts of White County lands. Later, he was largely instrumental in the construction of both the Monon and Pennsylvania railroads and was financially interested in the old Junction Railroad in which he lost about $100,000. Mr. Reynolds was twice married. His first wife was Julia Ann Collier, who was born January 10, 1801, and died October 17, 1837. On April 2, 1840, he married Lydia J. Gardner at her home in Vincennes, Indiana. She was born in North Carolina, February 21, 1820 and died at her White County home, January 27, 1902, in her eighty-third year. Benjamin Reynolds platted and laid out the Town of Reynolds, which was named for him by Governor Willard. His descendants are still numbered among our most respected citizens.
Isaac Reynolds was one of the most honored and well known men who aided in the development of White County and many of his descendants are yet with us. This pioneer was born July 23, 1811, in Perry County, Ohio. In March, 1837, he married Miss Mary J. Hughes. About 1835 he came to Monticello and entered the mercantile business in which he was engaged most of his life until 1871, when he was stricken with paralysis, which soon deprived him of his reason. He became a member of the Presbyterian Church in 1843 during a revival service conducted by Rev. S. N. Steele and for many years was a trustee of the church. He was also a charter member of the I. 0. 0. F. fraternity of Monticello and a man highly esteemed in the community in which he lived. He died at Monticello, June 30, 1877.
James Culbertson Reynolds was born in Perry County, Ohio, October 14, 1816, and in 1837 came to Monticello, where he lived for nearly forty years. On January 21, 1843, at the organization of the New School Presbyterian Church, he became an active member and for the rest of his life he never wavered in his devotion to the church in which he served as a ruling elder for twenty-three years and was also active in Sunday school work. On March 15, 1849, he married a daughter of William Sill, deceased, who survived him at his death, which occurred at Monticello, March 25, 1877.
Son of Isaac Reynolds, and born at the Reynolds homestead north of Chalmers, December, 1842. Died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Jacob Raub, in Chalmers, July 13, 1899. He was a member of Company K, Twentieth Indiana, and was wounded in the arm at Spottsylvania. He married Hattie E. Callow, at Battleground, June 6, 1867. He left two sons, Joseph and Earle, the latter later being the well known roller skater, who made several tours of the world with his wife, also a champion skater, under the name of Reynolds & Donnegan.
While engaged in threshing on his farm about five miles north of Monticello on August 17, 1897, Mr. Reynolds was standing in his barn talking to a neighbor when he suddenly sank to the floor and expired without a struggle. He was born in Perry County, Ohio, August 20, 1831, and came with his parents to White County in 1836. He was married to Margaret McCuaig in 1858. At his death he left two daughters, Mrs. S. C. Orr and Miss Lottie Reynolds, both still residents of Monticello.
The present trustee of Honey Creek Township is an old resident of White County, and one whose business aceomplishment and whose solid judgment have well qualified him for the important responsibilities he is now administering. Though still retaining his farming interests in Honey Creek Township, he now makes his home in the Town of Reynolds and gives practically all his time and energy to the duties of his official position.
Levi Reynolds was born in White County November 26, 1859, and is a son of the old pioneers, Calvin and Georgiana (Sill) Reynolds. Benjamin Reynolds, an uncle of Calvin, was the founder of the Town of Reynolds, which was named in his honor. The Reynolds family is of English extraction, and the first Americans of the name came to this country in company with William Penn, the great Quaker leader who founded Pennsylvania. During the Revolutionary war, however, their patriotism proved stronger than their religious faith, and they gave up the passive resistant idea of the Quakers in favor of active support of the Revolutionary cause.
Calvin Reynolds was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1830, and his wife was born in January, 1837. It was in the late '40s that he removed to White County, and here became a farmer and stock raiser in Union Township. He was also a man of considerable influence in public affairs. His death occurred in 1872, and his body is now at rest in the Hughes Cemetery. His widow is still living, at a venerable age, in White County. She was married at Monticello. Of their seven children, the six still living are: Ebenezer, William Milton, Levi, Minnie, Embree P. and Mary. Calvin Reynolds was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his family worships in the Presbyterian faith.
The boyhood of Levi Reynolds was spent on a farm, and his education came from local schools and one year in Monmouth College. He has made farming the object of his endeavors since early manhood, and has an excellent property in Honey Creek Township. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias order, Castle Hall No. 454, at Reynolds and in politics has always been aligned with the democrats. In November, 1914, he was elected trustee of Honey Creek Township, and in January of the following year took up his residence in Reynolds.
Mr. Reynolds married Clara Burns, daughter of John and Ellen Burns. To
their marriage have been born four children, named: Ruby, Claude, Minnie
and Lulu. Ruby M., a member of the graduating class of 1914 in the
Monticello High School, is at home, as is also the son Claude. Minnie is
the wife of a Mr. Gibson and resides in Brookston,
Indiana, where he is engaged in farming. The youngest daughter, Lulu,
is living with an aunt at LaFayette, and is attending the city schools there.
Maj. Levi Reynolds was born May 13, 1795, and died at Monticello, February 1, 1871. He was of English parentage and served a term in the Northwestern Army in the War of 1812 while yet a mere boy. But little can be learned of his life except that he was a prominent figure in all the celebrations and social gatherings in Monticello and at his death was buried in the old cemetery in Monticello. His funeral was conducted from the residence of Isaac Reynolds, in Monticello, at 2 P. M. of February 2, 1871, with the following named pallbearers: Dr. Randolph Brearley, Joseph Rothrock, William S. Hoagland, James H. McCollum, Jeptha Crouch and Orlando McConahay. Of these gentlemen only Messrs. McCollum and Crouch are now living.
Mrs. Lydia J. Reynolds, widow of Benjamin Reynolds, of Big Creek Township, and mother of John, Benjamin and Levi Reynolds, Nancy J., now Mrs. George Wolverton, and Sallie C., now Mrs. Jacob Raub. She was the daughter of Maj. John Gardner, former register and receiver of the land office at Winamac and later auditor of Jasper County. She was married to Benjamin Reynolds, April 2, 1840, at her home in Vincennes, Indiana, and immediately came to White County. She died at her home in Chalmers, January 27, 1902, in her eighty-third year, having been born in North Carolina, February 21, 1820. Her parents located in White County in 1830 and were said to be the second oldest family in the county.
Miranda J. Reynolds, daughter of William Sill, was born in Washington County, Indiana, February 10, 1829, came with her parents to Monticello in 1832, and was married to James C. Reynolds in 1849. In 1848 she united with the Presbyterian Church at Monticello and in this church she retained her church relation for fifty years until her death in Monticello in January, 1898. She was a woman deeply interested in church work, knew the early history of Monticello and White County as few others knew it and was deeply interested in all that pertained to the welfare of the community in which she lived. Her father, William Sill, held the offices of clerk, auditor and recorder for the first twelve years of our county's history and Mrs. Reynolds was a perfect cyclopedia of its early annals. She was a real pioneer and delighted to dwell on the memories of her girlhood when the town was in embryo. About six years previous to her death she prepared and read at a meeting of the Old Settlers of White County, a paper on our early history that was a most interesting addition to our local history. She was a sister of the late Milton M. Sill, the well known lawyer of Monticello.
Many of the most successful churchmen of modern times are quite as much distinguished for their executive ability as for their eloquence in the pulpit. Practical enterprise is certainly one of the qualities which gives Rev. Mr. Rice his high standing in the community of Monon in addition to his faithful and efficient work as a minister of the Presbyterian group of churches at Monon, Bedford and Buffalo. Though not one of the old inhabitants of White County, Rev. Mr. Rice has proved himself a valuable factor in local citizensimip and a man possessed of many unusual qualities of leadership.
A native of Kentucky, he was born on a farm in McCracken County near Paducah on October 16, 1874. He was one of a family of nine children, eight of whom are still living, whose parents are Louis Samuel and Penelope (Orr) Rice. His father was born in Kentucky and his mother in Tennessee, and both are now deceased. Louis S. Rice was likewise a minister of the Presbyterian Church, and after a long and faithful career passed to his reward December 25, 1909.
M. L. Rice grew up in Kentucky, and had the usual inconveniences of a minister's son to contend with in securing a liberal education and sufficient preparation for his chosen life work. He attended the public schools, also the Cumberland Presbyterian Academy at Auburn in Logan County, Kentucky, and for three years was a seminary student at Cumberland Univorsity at Lebanon, Tennessee, and took his last year of seminary work at Louisville, Kentucky. In the meantime, in 1895, he was licensed as a local preacher and filled many pulpits and supplies in order to defray his expenses through the theological seminary. During these years of training he did ministerial work for six years in Western Kentucky, and followed the usual custom of many theological students, eking out his meager income by farm labor. His first regular charge as a minister paid a salary of only $40 a year, and he had to furnish his own conveyance besides. During his last year in the seminary at Louisville he was given charge of a group of seven churches known as the Elizabeth group, at Elizabeth, Harrison County, Indiana, and made his home at that place, going back and forth to Louisville to attend school. For a year and a half Rev. Mr. Rice was located at New Washington, Indiana, and there had charge of a group of churches, and from there in December, 1910, came to Monon to take charge of the several churches under his supervision here.
Mr. Rice had not been long in Monon before he made his influence felt as a practical business man. In the fall of 1911 he became associated with J. R. Irons, who had leased the Monon Tile Works, and in the following spring they took this lease jointly. June 29, 1912, they bought at receiver's sale all the property of the Monon Cement Tile Company. In the February preceding this event Mr. Rice bought the four lots on which the factory is now located. They proceeded with much energy to overhaul the entire piant and added a lot of new machinery, and in two or three years business has improved so that it is almost impossible for the plant to keep up with the orders. On February 13, 1914, fire destroyed the entire equipment, but in a remarkably short time the business was again in operation. Besides the output of tile and other clay products, the firm also handles cement posts, wire fencing, coal, fertilizers, etc. In addition to his business interests at Monon Mr. Rice owns seventy-three acres of farm land in Kentucky.
On May 1, 1901, he married Miss Eva Shannon of Kentucky. They have a happy household of six children, named Ruby Lois, Leroy Livingston, Mary Elsie, Bouton Alexander, Lucile and Martin Luther.
Worthy of special mention in a work of this character is the late William H. Rinker, a life-long farmer of White County, who was born, March 6, 1834, in Big Creek Township, and died, in Reynolds, October 24, 1894. His parents came to Indiana from Virginia in the early '30s, locating in White County. Taking up a tract of land that was still in its original wildness, they improved a homestead, and here spent their remaining days, he dying in 1869, and being buried in the Bunnell Cemetery, where her body was also laid to rest at her death.
Educated in the pioneer schools of his day, William H. Rinker acquired a good knowledge of agriculture while assisting his father in clearing and improving a homestead. Choosing for himself the independent occupation to which he was reared, he began to be self-supporting at an early age, and by dint of persevering industry accumulated considerable property, becoming owner of eighty acres of land, which he managed successfully until the spring of 1893. Retiring then from active pursuits, he removed to Reynolds, where he spent his last days free from business cares. He was a republican in politics, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belonged. He married, in August, 1861, Esther Bunnell, a daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah Bunnell, and she died March 17, 1907. Six children were born of their marriage, as follows: Martin L.; Andrew; Mathilda, now Mrs. Smith; a child that died young; Nathan; and William H.
Martin L. Rinker, son of William H. Rinker was born November 13, 1863, at Wheeler Station, in the old log cabin that stood on the home farm. Obtaining his elementary education in the district schools, he completed his early studies in the public schools of Reynolds. He likewise acquired a thorough knowledge of agriculture while working with his father, his early experiences being of practical benefit to him in after years. Finding farming both congenial and profitable, Mr. Rinker has continued in the occupation to which he was bred, and is now engaged in stock-raising and general farming, being advantageously located in Honey Creek Township, on section 34, township 27, range 4, west.
Martin L. Rinker married, April 5, 1893, Clara L. Rohner, a daughter of Andrew and Sophia Rohner. She passed to the life beyond January 28, 1908, her body being laid to rest in the Bunnell Cemetery. Four children were born of their union, namely: Bernice H., born July 5, 1894; Flora E., born December 26, 1895; Ethel M., born January 24, 1897; and Clara L., who was born December 21, 1898, and died July 31, 1900. Politically Mr. Rinker is a stanch [sic] republican, and for ten years was road supervisor, at tbe present writing, in 1915, being county commissioner. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 454, Knights of Pythias. His daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Well may this publication enter memorial tribute to the honored citizen who left so worthy an impress upon the civic and industrial history of White County as did the late George Robert Rishling. He was a native son of the county and a representative of one of its sterling pioneer families, where his parents established their home in the late '30s and where they passed the rest of their lives, his father having been one of the sturdy pioneers who aided in the early development of the agricultural resources of this section of the state and having reclaimed much of his farm from the forest wilds.
Mr. Rishling was born in Lee Township, Indiana, on the 16th of August, 1842, and died at his homestead farm, in Monon Township, on the 25th of June, 1885. He was reared under the conditions that obtained in the pioneer days and early gained fellowship with honest toil and endeavor, in connection with the work of his father's farm, the while he did not neglect the somewhat primitive advantages afforded in the common schools of the period, his having been the privilege of attending one of the old-time log schoolhouses, the equipment of which was necessarily of rude order but the facilities of which enabled him to lay the solid foundation for the broader education which he later acquired under the direction of that wisest of all head-masters, experience. He was a son of Frederick and Emeline (Overton) Rishling, and in the paternal line was of staunch German ancestry.
Mr. Rishling continued to be associated with the work of the home farm during the period of his vigorous youth and in the meanwhile he not only waxed strong in mind and physique but also found his ambition quickened with desire for independent achievement. His entire active career was devoted to the basic industries of agriculture and stock growing and he developed one of the excellent farms of Monon Township, the same comprising 160 acres and being now one of the valuable places of the county. Mr. Rishling was not self-centered but was ever ready to do his part in the furtherance of those measures that tended to advance the general welfare of the community, and his sterling attributes of character gained and retained him the respect and confidence of his fellow men. Though he never sought political office he accorded a staunch allegiance to the republican party, and he was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his widow has been an earnest adherent for many years.
On the 13th of November, 1862, when he was twenty years of age, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Rishling to Miss Jennie R. Culp, who likewise was born and reared in Jasper County, where she had continued to maintain her home until her marriage and then coming to White County where her circle of friends is coincident with that of her acquaintances. She is a daughter of George and Mary (Burton) Culp, who were natives of the historic old State of Virginia and who came to White County in the early pioneer days when Indians were still much in evidence in this section of Indiana. Her father reclaimed a farm from the wilderness and both he and his wife were honored pioneer citizens of the county at the time of their death. Mr. and Mrs. Culp became the parents of ten children, of whom only three are living, Walter, John and Mrs. Rishling. Mrs. Rishling remained on the homestead farm after the death of her husband and showed much business ability in its management, in which she had the effective assistance of her sons until they established homes of their own. In 1907 she left the farm and established her home in the pleasant little City of Monon, where she has an attractive residence property, the while she continued to retain possession of the farm, which she rents to a desirable tenant, the place being endeared to her by the gracious associations and memories of past years. With her still remain her two youngest children. Mr. and Mrs. Rishling became the parents of six children, all of whom are living except one, their names and respective dates of birth being here recorded: Benjamin F., August 16, 1864; John W., October 23, 1868; Lillie M., September 1, 1870; Albert P., March 3, 1873; Joseph Edward, who was born December 31, 1875, and whose death occurred November 13, 1880; and Rose E., who was born March 29, 1878.
Alvira Ritchey, widow of Boyd F. Ritchey, died in Monticello, November 19, 1915, in her eighty~sixth year. She was born in Delaware County, Ohio, but spent most of her life in White County, where for many years she was well and favorably known. She was a daughter of Joseph Conkling, one of the early carpenters who settled in Monticello. Her first marriage was to Allen Cullen, of White County, and after his death in 1869, she, in 1875, married Boyd F. Ritchey, who was for many years a leading auctioneer in Monticello and at various times town marshal, constable and deputy sheriff. She is survived by one son and one daughter, Mr. George B. Cullen of San Luis Obispo, California, and Mrs. Maggie Gardner, wife of Ed R. Gardner of this city. She also leaves five grandchildren, Russell, Herbert, Everett and Randolph Gardner and Orville Rothrock, all of this city, and four great-grandchildren.
She was one of the oldest members of the Methodist Church here and a faithful attendant at its Sunday School and church services. Her remains were buried in Riverview Cemetery.
Boyd F. Ritchey, a son of Rev. John Ritchey, a Methodist minister, was born in Dubois County, Indiana, October 10, 1827, and when fourteen years old came to White County, where he lived until his death, Sunday night, August 23, 1896. He was married January 24, 1847, to Elizabeth Korn and to them was [sic] born four children. His wife died in 1872 and on May 27, 1875, he married Mrs. Alvira Cullen, widowed daughter of Joseph Conkling, and she is still living in Monticello. At the age of sixteen he joined the Methodist Church and during the remainder of his life he was an active and enthusiastic worker in the local church of Monticello. Boyd F. Ritchey was a man in all that word implies and those who knew him will ever remember his generous, kindly manner and his hopeful words and advice. His only living child, George Ritchey, is married and lives in Los Angeles, California.
For many years Mr. Roach was one of the most highly esteemed men in White County. He was born in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, May 16, 1810. In 1862 he removed to White County, locating near what is now known as Guernsey. For several years prior to his death he lived with his son, James B. Roach, the well known merchant in Monticello, at whose home he died Angust 13, 1896.
David G. Roach was the youngest son of Bernard K. Roach, and brother of James B. and John T. Roach. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, September 4, 1848, and came with his parents to White County in 1862. June 13, 1877, he was married to Miss Jane McCuaig. He resided in Monticello and vicinity nearly all his life. He removed with his family to Chicago only a short time before his death, which occurred in that city June 15, 1908. He left a wife, one daughter, Mary, and two sons, James B. and Charles. His remains were brought to Monticello and buried in Riverview Cemetery, interment being under the auspices of Monticello Lodge, I. O. O. F.
The oldest continuous business man in Monticello is James B. Roach, who conducts a dry goods store on the south side of the public square. He is a son of Bernard K. and Eliza J. (Thompson) Roach and was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, October 17, 1842, coming to White County in November, 1861, where he engaged a short time in school teaching. August 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company O, Sixty-third Indiana Volunteers, and was made corporal. After serving on detached duty in the Provost Marshal's office at Indianapolis for almost a year he joined his regiment at Camp Nelson and with it saw active service until his discharge at David's Island Hospital, June 29, 1865.
For thirteen years after his return home he clerked in the dry goods store of Mr. James H. McCollum, later moving to his farm near Guernsey. Some years later he formed a partnership with his brothers John and David G., and again engaged in business in the corner room north of the courthouse. Here he continued after the death of his brothers until the remodeling of the room for the Farmers State Bank necessitated his removal to his present location. December 18, 1872, he was married to Miss Mary S. Berkey, who died April 23, 1909, leaving him with two children, Miss Margaret B., for many years a teacher in the Monticello public schools; and Frank B., a civil engineer, now residing in New York. Mr. Roach is an active member of the Presbyterian Church and of Tippecanoe Post G. A. R., and is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.
John T. Roach, son of Bernard K. Roach, was for many years a well known business man in Monticello. At the time of his death he was associated with his brothers, James B. and David G., in the dry goods store, north of the public square, under the firm name of Roach Bros. He was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, June 19, 1846. Came to White County with the Roach family in 1862. Some years later he took employment with Dr. William Spencer in his drug store and in the late seventies was cashier of the National Bank. July 3, 1877, he was married to Miss Anna M. Brearley, daughter of Doctor Brearley, one of the pioneers of Monticello. Their only child died in infancy. He died February 26, 1905. His widow is still living in Monticello.
One of White County's early settlers, widow of John Roberts and mother of William D. and Robert D. Roberts, Mrs. Maria L. Fraser and Mrs. Perry Spencer. She was born in Ohio, October, 1810; her maiden name being Martha Dyer. Married to John Roberts in 1827, located in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, in 1828 and in White County a short distance southwest of the site of Monticello in 1831. They removed to Monticello in 1866, where her husband died in 1872. For many years she lived alone in her large brick residence on South Main Street. Died at the home of her son, County Commissioner Robert D. Roberts, January 14, 1896.
Robert D. Roberts, for many years prominent in the agricultural progress of Union Township and the industrial life of Monticello, died April 28, 1912, as the result of an injury received at his farm southwest of Monticello. He had been engaged in blasting rock on his land and had loaded it upon a boat for transportation, when a large stone fell upon him and injured him internally. The deceased was born in White County, January 21, 1837, being one of the eight children of John and Martha Roberts. His parents had located on a tract of 160 acres of Government land in 1831, occupying an Indian shack as their first home. In that locality they lived until 1866, when they gave up farm life and moved to their new home on South Main Street, Monticello, where the father died in 1872. In 1861 Robert D. Roberts married Susan Scowden and for several years devoted himself to farming and stock raising; but in 1876, with William B. Keefer, under the firm name of Roberts and Keefer, he purchased the woolen factory which stood at the foot of the mill race on the east side of the river and converted it into a flour mill, giving it the name of the Crystal Mills. Some time later he purchased Mr. Keefer's interest and later took his nephew, Fred Roberts, as a partner; and they conducted the mill successfully until it was burned in 1889. Later he served a term as township trustee and as county commissioner. He continued to reside at his home on the hill east of the river dam, but devoted most of his time and attention to his large tract of land south of town. Mrs. Roberts died in December, 1910, the mother of five children. Though seventy-five years of age at the time of his death, Mr. Roberts was active physically and clear mentally, so that, despite his years, his death seemed premature.
Thomas Roberts, the son of John and Martha Roberts, was born December 19, 1829, about one and one-half miles southwest of Monticello Indiana, on the farm now in the possession of Robert E. Roberts. During his early years he formed a friendship with Margery, the daughter of Armstrong and Mary Buchanan who lived on a farm about four and one-half miles southwest of Monticello. In 1851 they were united in marriage and for three years lived on what is now the Charles C. Spencer farm.
In 1854, with their son Frank, they moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where they were among the first settlers. Here Mr. Roberts entered 160 acres of land, at the same time engaging in the mercantile business. In July, 1861, while he and Mr. Cordaway were working on their land, a party of Sioux Indians slipped up behind them, shot and killed both men and took their horses.
In October, 1861, Mrs. Roberts returned to Monticello with her two children, Frank and Fred, Will and George having died in infancy. In 1864, she was united in marriage to Ira S. Kingsbury. Her eldest son, Frank, died in 1878, leaving Fred as the only remaining child. She continued to reside in Monticello till her death in 1904.
Thomas A. Robison, who had resided in Indiana since 1844, was born in Piqua, Ohio, May 13, 1829, and came to Camden, Carroll County; hence in 1858 to Burnettsville; thence to Idaville, and in 1881 to Monticello, where he lived at the home of his brother, Dr. F. B. Robison, but while visiting relatives in Des Moines, Iowa, in November, 1909, he died and his remains were brought to Monticello for burial. In 1850 he was narried to Nancy J. McClurg, who died July 3, 1897. In 1863 he became member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Burnettsville, but later transferred his membership to the church in Monticello. During the war he was a member of the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry and was given an honorable discharge in November, 1865. He was an honored member of Tippecanoe Post, G. A. R., of Monticello. Of his five children, three only are living, Edward S. of Oakland, California; Harry B. of Rose Lake, Idaho, and Mrs. Blanche Darrow of Des Moines, Iowa, at whose home he died.
In the death of Charles E. Ross, White County was deprived of one of its most respected and trustworthy citizens; Princeton Township lost one of its most able and progressive agriculturists; and, it is safe to say, in Wolcott, where the later years of his life were spent, none are more genuinely missed than he. A son of Charles and Sarah (Widney) Ross, he was born, October 16, 1840, in Pickaway County, Ohio, coming from Scotch-Irish anccstry.
Brought up and educated in his native county, Charles E. Ross, as a boy worked in his father's hotel at Delphos, Ohio, making himself generally useful to the traveling public, but when ready to settle in life turned his attention to agriculture. He continued his residence in Ohio for several years after his marriage. Migrating to Illinois in 1885, he carried on general farming in Kankakee County for five years. In 1890 he came to White County, Indiana, locating in West Point Township, where he purchased 160 acres of land lying one mile south of Meadow Lake Cemetery. Energetic and wide-awake, Mr. Ross engaged in farming and stock-raising, and in the improvement of his property used excellent judgment, in addition to placing his commodious buildings in excellent repair tilling the land, rendering it fertile and productive. In October, 1894, Mr. Ross moved into town, and from that time until his death was numbered among the representative citizens of Wolcott. His fine estate, "Maple Hurst," is still owned by his widow, and is one of the most valuable and attractive in the vicinity.
On November 14, 1865, Mr. Ross was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Bixby, a daughter of Horace and Rebeeca (Moore) Bixby, the former of whom was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, while the latter was a native of Champlain, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Bixby settled in Ohio after their marriage, and there continued residents the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Ross had no children of their own, but in the kindness of their warm hearts they reared a boy, Edward C., from six years of age until reaching man's estate. Edward C. Ross, who is an agriculturist, wedded Miss Addie Forman, and they have three children: Charles, a graduate of the Wolcott High School and now at home; Carrie, a member of the class of 1916 of the Wolcott High School; and Elizabeth, attending the common schools. Edward Ross conducts the farming operations on his mother's farm. Mrs. Ross is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which her husband also belonged. Mr. Ross joined the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons in Ohio, and both he and Mrs. Ross became members of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Ross was the daughter of Henry P. Bennett, for many years a well known grocer and justice of the peace in Monticello, a man of sturdy character and held in high esteem. She was born in Harrison County, West Virginia, March 17, 1848. She came with her parents to Monticello about 1868. About twelve years of her life were spent as a teacher in the public schools. She was married to Benjamin F. Ross in 1872. She died April 27, 1901, leaving her husband and two sons, Charles V. and Frank B., the latter later becoming a well known attorney in Indianapolis and judge of the Probate Court of Marion County.
For many years a well known carpenter, contractor and builder in Monticello, many of the best buildings in that city being constructed by him and his brother Frank, Charles Roth was born in Koerperick, Prussia, and came to America in 1856. He located in Monticello a few years later. He left surviving five children: Amer, Eugene, Thomas and Felix Roth and Mrs. Daisy Ireland, wife of Melville Ireland. All, except Amer, still reside in Monticello.
For many years Francis W. Roth was engaged with his brother, Charles, as contracting builder, under the firm name of Roth Bros., and what was said of the latter as to honesty and reliability can as truthfully be said of him. He was born in Prussia, January 6, 1832, and came to America in 1856, locating in White County in 1866. He was married July 4, 1861, to Mary Jane Ruble, who died only a short time ago. He left two sons, Charles M. Roth and William F. Roth, both still residents of Monticello.
At the time of her death Mrs. Rothrock was Monticello's oldest continuous resident. Her maiden name was Eliza Burns; born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1815, died in Monticello, January 19, 1904, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Her father, Hugh Burns, came to White County in September, 1838, locating on what they called "Edge Hill" farm, two and one-half miles south of Monticello, and where her brother, James Burns, lived for many years after. She was married to Joseph Rothrock September 25, 1839. Four children, Mrs. James S. Wigmore, J. Bowman Rothrock, Samuel A. Rothrock, of Monticello, and Mrs. Belle Hannum, of Denver, Colorado, survived her, but all have since died, except her son Bowman, still a resident of Monticello. For a long series of years she lived in a commodious frame house on lot 35, just south of the present O'Connor Building.
Elizabeth J. Rothrock, widow of William Rothrock, was one of the pioneer women of White County. She was a daughter of John and Mary Cochell and was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1830. Died at her home south of Monticello, July 5, 1906. With her parents she came to White County in 1846, locating in the little Village of Monticello. November 11, 1848, she was married to William Rothrock and they at once began life in a log house about a mile south of town, where later they erected the commodious brick residence in which they lived the remainder of their lives. She was the mother of eleven children, only four of whom are now living. These are: Anna, now Mrs. David Lilly; Martha, now Mrs. David M. Rothrock; Eliza, now Mrs. Frank Britton, and Belle, now Mrs. Rufus Ross.
Jacob Rothrock, a respected member of the Rothrock family of White County, was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1824, and died at his Monticello home January 29, 1913. In 1846, he married Henrietta Stroup. To this marriage was [sic] born three sons and three daughters, two daughters, Mary and Aramina, of Iowa, and two sons, Luther, of Nebraska and David Milton, of Monticello, are still living. The wife and mother died in 1893 and in 1895 he married Miss Mary Myers and then located in Monticello and engaged in the mercantile business. He was in early life a member of the Lutheran Church but later united with the Baptists and remained a consistent member of that organization until his death. He was simple in his tastes, kind in the family and a good citizen.
One of the strong and able men of the past in White County was the late John A. Rothrock, who for a number of years prior to his death, which occurred December 28, 1894, was editor and proprietor of the White County Democrat. He was still young at the time of his death, yet in a brief span of years had accomplished a work for which he deserves a permanent memorial in these pages.
A native of White County, John Albert Rothrock was born November 6, 1853, in Union Township, a son of Zachariah and Cathrine (Opp) Rothrock. His education was supplied by the common schools, but such good use did he make of his opportunities that when only fifteen years of age he was qualified and was given a school to teach. For many years he followed farming and teaching in the convenient seasons of the year, and rose to a high rank in local educational circles. In 1884 Mr. Rothrock was elected county superintendent of schools, and held that office for four consecutive terms until 1892. From 1885 to 1894 he was also owner and editor of the White County Democrat. The politics of that paper reflected his own political convictions, and he welded [sic] more than an ordinary individual influence in the political life of the county.
As the name would indicate the Rothrocks are of German descent, but the family was settled in this country during the colonial era and belonged to that splendid body of simple and courageous Christians who have impressed their influence on American history as Moravians. The original home of Mr. Rothrock's ancestors was in the historic city of Worms on the Rhine River. His original ancestor left Germany in 1753 on the ship Pink Mary, and settling in York, Pennsylvania, helped to establish the first Moravian Church on American soil. Afterwards the Rothrocks settled in Mifflin in Juniata and Lancaster counties of Pennsylvania.
The first wife of the late John A. Rothrock was Jennie Catherine Cullen, and
they were married at Monticello in September, 1874. Her parents were Allen and
Alvira (Conkling) Cullen. At her death on February 11, 1877, Mrs. Rothrock left
two children: Orville Allen Rothrock, born August 27, 1875; and Jennie
Catherine, born February 11, 1877, who died in December, 1901. In 1878 Mr.
Rothrock married Prudence Bennett. To this union were born six children:
Raymond H., Mrs. Edna Curtis, Mrs. Blanche Kavanaugh, Mrs. Lola Rush, Rex and
Zachariah Rothrock, all of whom now reside in Indianapolis.
Joseph Rothrock was born in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1812; was married in 1839 and died at Monticello May 7, 1880. He was a pioneer of White County and was well known for his charity and benevolence. The people three times gave him the very important office of treasurer of this county.
The distinction of having the best organized and most efficient police force of any railroad, municipality or corporation rests with the Delaware & Hudson Railway, and the credit for the organization and development of this splendidly trained body of men must be given to Orville A. Rothrock, its chief, who in addition to holding this responsible position is the owner of the Tippecanoe Pony Farm, located 1¼ miles from Monticello.
Mr. Rothrock was born August 27, 1875, at Monticello, White County, Indiana, and received his education here in the local schools. His father, a member of an old family here, died when he was seventeen years of age, and young Orville, filled with the spirit of adventure, ran away from home and enlisted in the Twenty-third United States Infantry, serving with Company F until receiving his honorable discharge in 1898. In that same year he returned to his home and entered the sheriff's office as a deputy under Sheriff John W. Warner, but in the following year resigned his position to go to work for the then newly-organized police force of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He was advanced to the rank of lieutenant and worked at Logansport and Indianapolis until 1901, when he resigned at the latter place and returned home to be elected city marshal of Monticello, a capacity in which he served capably for six years. In December, 1907, he resigned to organize the police department of all the properties owned and controlled by the Delaware & Hudson Railway Company, having been made chief of police of all the Delaware & Hudson Railway holdings, which include not alone the railroad proper, but numerous coal mines, trolley lines, boat lines, hotels, etc. From thirty-eight men, who represented it when he began the work of organization, Mr. Rothrock has built the force up to a personnel of 152 men, and, as before noted, it is the finest institution of its kind in the country. His headquarters are located at Albany, New York, but Chief Rothrock, believing Indiana to be the best state in the finest country in the world, with the most modern schools and up-to-date roads, makes his home at Monticello, and declares that he always will. His home here is on a lot the abstract for which was given by the United States Government to his great-grandfather, but he also has the Tippecanoe Pony Farm, 1 1/4 miles northeast of the city, where he handles a fine breed of Hackney ponies, a line in which he has met with much more than ordinary success. At the head of his stable is the famous stallion Irvington Artful, which was imported from England by P. A. B. Wagner and has won numerous prizes throughout the East. Mr. Rothrock's hobby may be said to be the subject of juvenile delinquency, the cause, prevention and cure of the same, and in this direction he is in urgent demand to read papers before charitable and philanthropic bodies and those who have made a study of criminology. On several occasions he has been called to New York and Boston in this connection. He is a stalwart democrat in his political views, and in fraternal circles is well and favorably known, being a member of Guttenburg Lodge No. 727, F. & A. M., at Albany, New York; Albany Chapter No. 5, R. A. M.; DeWitt Clinton Council No. 22, R. & S. M., at Albany; Albany Commandery No. 2 K. T.; Monticello Camp No. 106, I. 0. 0. F.; and Lodge No. 66, B. P. 0. E., at Logansport. Mr. and Mrs. Rothrock are members of the Methodist Church.
On April 6, 1898, Mr. Rothrock was married to Miss Edith M. Bennett, a daughter of Elam and Anna (Ross) Bennett, both families being old ones of Monticello. Two sons have been born to this union: John Allen and Lindell Bennett.
The Rothrock family was one of the very earliest to locate in White County, the subject of this sketch having lived here from 1831 to the time of his death, February 17, 1882. He was horn in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1807, and first came to Indiana in 1829, but it was not until two years later that he located at what was later to be Monticello. He was prominently identified with our local history and entered from the Government the lands on which our county seat is located. He was a prominent member of the Christian Church and his influence for good wrought results which we of today so fully enjoy.
William Rothrock came to White County with his father in 1831 when he was but ten years old. This was seven years before the Indians were taken West and three years prior to the organization of the county. He was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1821, and all of his life, after passing his tenth year, was spent in White County. He endured all the hardships incident to pioneer life, his first home in White County being in a tent which the family occupied until a log cabin could be built. On November 11, 1848, he married Elizabeth Cochell, who also came from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, who, with five daughters, survived him. He was the youngest of eight children. His daughters, who survived at his death, were: Mrs. Samuel Hornbeck, Mrs. David Lilly, Mrs. Frank Britton, Mrs. Rufus H. Ross and Martha Rothrock, now the wife of Milton Rothrock, of Monticello. He was a life-long member of the Brethren Church, a man of strict honesty, who by his industry achieved success, and what is far better than riches, left a good name.
Zachariah Rotbrock was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1814, and first came to White County in 1835, but in 1837 returned to Pennsylvania where he lived until 1846, when he came back to Indiana and engaged in building boats on the old Wabash and Erie Canal. In 1850 he was married to Catharine Opp, by whom he had three children, one of whom, John A., was for some years prior to his death the owner of the White County Democrat and county superintendent of schools. The two daughters still live in White County. In 1853 he removed to his farm about four miles northeast of Monticello, where he lived until his death, which occurred March 11, 1886. In 1871 his wife died and in 1873 be married Mrs. S. M. Heaton. Mr. Rothrock was held in high esteem by all who knew him.
A well-known and highly esteemed business man, August Ruemler, of Reynolds, has been actively identified with the mercantile interests of this part of White County for upwards of a score of years, during which time he has established for himself an excellent reputation as a thoroughly honest man and a good citizen. A son of Charles Ruemler, he was born, December 26, 1863, on the old home farm, which is located in White County, west of Reynolds.
Born and reared in Saxony, Germany, Charles Ruemler there served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade. In 1847, realizing the many advantages offered young men in the United States, he came to this country, locating in Indiana. Industrious and thrifty, he saved his earnings, and when he had accumulated a sufficient sum to warrant him in so doing, he bought land in White County, near Reynolds, and was subsequently engaged in tilling the soil until his death, June 14, 1886, at a comparatively early age. He married, in Reynolds, Minnie Wese, who was born in Posen, Germany, and came to Indiana with her parents in 1859. She is still living, and is the mother of six children, namely: August, Melia, Henry, Emma, Robert, and Minnie.
Having acquired his early education in the rural schools of his native district, August Ruemler turned his attention to agriculture, and at the age of twenty-five years began farming on his own account, and continued thus engaged for five years. Then, preferring some other occupation, Mr. Ruemler opened a general store at Reynolds, putting in a fine line of groceries and dry goods, and has since built up a large and lucrative business, being well patronized. Following in the footsteps of his father, he is independent in local politics, voting for the best man and measures, but in national affairs supports the principles of the republican party. He is likewise true to the religious faith in which he was reared by his parents, being a Lutheran.
Mr. Ruemler married, May 9, 1889, Miss Ida Grugel, a daughter of John and Minnie Grugel, who came to White County in the early '60s, settling on a farm. Mr. Grugel subsequently carried on general farming and stock raising until his death. Mrs. Grugel survives him. Six children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ruemler, namely: Carl; John: Robert; Clara, deceased; Marie; and Walter.
Probably one of the best known men in Monticello during twenty years prior to
1897 was James C. Rufing, painter and decorator and leader of the Monticello
band. In this latter capacity he had a reputation extending all over Northern
Indiana; and his enthusiasm and geniality, coupled with a tireless energy, for
many years gave Monticello a splendid musical organization. He was twice
married, his last wife, who survived him, being Mrs.
Lillie Owens, widow of the late Harry P. Owens, and daughter of John Switzer,
one of Monticello's early residents. He died April 30, 1897, leaving six children
by his first marriage, viz.: James and William, Bernice, Ota, Hazel and
Elizabeth, all since married and removed from Monticello.
A business man of Monon who has shown both aggressive and popular qualities in building up his retail establishment, John W. Russell have [sic] lived at Monon ever since it became a town, and his residence in White County dates back to April, 1876. His is one of the highly respected names in that section of the county.
John W. Russell was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, July 29, 1858, one of five children, four of whom are still living, born to Sherman and Margaret (Layman) Russell. His father was a native of New York State and his mother of Ohio. Sherman Russell was brought to Indiana when a small boy by his parents, and spent the rest of his life in the state, dying February 27, 1880. In 1876 he had moved to the present site of the Town of Monon, and when the town was organized he became a member of the first town council. His life, for the most part, was passed in farming, and while he accumulated no great share of this world's goods, he bore the reputation of being an excellent farmer, a good neighbor, and for his many sturdy qualities for good in the community was universally respected. His widow survives him and resides in Monon.
John W. Russell was eighteen years old when he came to White County, and his youth and early manhood were spent on a farm with an education from the public schools and for nearly twenty years he was actively identified with agricultural industry. In 1896 he embarked in the general retail merchandise business at Monon and for nearly twenty years he has continued to deal with the public with an unassailable reputation for integrity as well as for successful management.
Mr. Russell is a republican in politics and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America at Monon. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church at Monon. On October 30, 1880, he married Florence K. Baughman. Their three children are: Mary E., now Mrs. Frank Homer; Eva Alice and Herbert V.