Hendricks County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1914 (part 12 of 19)

A man of fine intellectual attainments and forceful personality, Mr. Hadley has naturally taken a laudable interest in public afifairs in Indiana and done all in his power to conserve its progress and prosperity. A stalwart in the camp of the Republican party from the time of attaining his legal majority, he has rendered most efficient service in the promotion of its cause and has been a prominent factor in connection with the party work in his native state. His eligibility for positions of public trust was early recognized in his home community, where, it may be said, he set at naught all incidental application of the scriptural adage that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country." At the age of twenty-one he became a precinct committeeman of his party in his home precinct, and he was chairman of the precinct committee for his township for a continuous period of fifteen years. The first elective office to which he was called was that of trustee of his native township, of which position he continued incumbent for five and one-half years, at the close of which, in 1900, he was nominated and elected treasurer of Hendricks county. Local political precedent prescribes that in this county the county treasurer shall not become a candidate for a second term, and thus Mr. Hadley served only the one term, within which he showed marked ability in handling the fiscal afifairs of the county.

In 1906 Mr. Hadley's name was placed before his party as a candidate for state treasurer, and after a spirited preliminary campaign he was duly nominated for this office in the Republican state convention of that year. In November of the same year he rolled up a gratifying majority at the polls, having led the ticket, and on the loth of February, 1907, he assumed the duties of the office. Within his term of two years he amply justified the wisdom of the peopile's choice, bringing to bear marked capacity for handling the details of the work and doing much to improve the system of handling the fiscal afifairs of the state. Popular appreciation of his fidelity, ability and integrity of purpose was indicated both in his nomination as his own successor by his party in the state convention of 1908, and also by the unequivocal support accorded him in the ensuing election, through which he was returned to office for a second term of two years, which expired on the loth of February, 191 1. His record as state treasurer was signally clean, straightforward and successful, redounding alike to his credit and to the conservation of the best interests of the commonwealth. His administration is generally conceded as one of the best the office ever had.

Upon leaving official life Mr. Hadley became identified with the Standard Live Stock Insurance Company of Indianapolis, of which he was one of the organizers and incorporators, and he has served as president of this corporation continuously since its organization to the present time. The Standard Live Stock Insurance Company is the largest organization of its kind in the world, having a capitalization of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and having business in many states of the Union.

Mr. Hadley is vice-president of the First National Bank of Plainfield, being also a director and one of the organizers of this well-known Hendricks county bank.

Fraternally, Mr. Hadley is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has taken the capitular degrees, being affiliated with Plainfield Lodge No. 653, Free and Accepted Masons, in Plainfield, and with Danville Chapter No. 46, Royal Arch Masons, of Danville. He also holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

were born of this union: Chester, born February 26, 1882, is engaged in the nursery business at Danville, Indiana; Vivian, born December 18, 1885, is the wife of Dr. T. A. Bryan, of Mattoon. Illinois; Nancy, born October 20, 1889, lives in Indianapolis.

Daniel M. Tones

Descended from a family who were in Indiana when it was admitted to the Union in 1816 is Daniel M. Jones, whose history is briefly reviewed in the following pages. He is distinguished as a citizen whose influence has extended far beyond the community honored by his residence and he has for )^ears stood out as a conspicuous figure among the successful farmers of his township and county. All of his undertakings have been actuated by noble motives and high resolves and characterized by that breadth of wisdom which distinguishes strong men. His success and achievements along agricultural lines represent the result of fit utilization of innate talent, directed along those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination lead the way.

Daniel M. Jones, the son of Samuel and Nancy (Ramsey) Jones, was born August 12, 1849, in Morgan county, Indiana. His father was born May 24, 1803, in Tennessee, and his mother on March 25, 1812. Samuel Jones came to Indiana with his parents in 1815 and settled in that part of the state which was still under the control of the Indians. It was bought from the Indians by the United States government in the fall of 181 8 and from it the territory in which the Joneses located was organized into Morgan county. Samuel Jones died in 1875 and his wife in 1898. They were the parents of eight children, only two of whom are now living, Daniel M., and Mrs. Elizabeth A. Snipes, of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Mr. Jones was educated in the common schools of Hendricks county and later at Lafayette Farmers Institute. Early in life he decided that he wished to follow the occupation of his father. In accordance with the customs of those days, he was married very young and when nineteen years of age led to the nuptial altar Nancy Blair, of Guilford township, of this county, their wedding day falling on September 30, 1868. Immediately after their marriage they went to housekeeping on the farm where they have lived their married life of the past forty-six years one mile east of Plainfield. Mr.

Jones has always been a successful farmer and, while he has been very careful, he has not let his conservatism hinder him in taking advantage of all the latest improvements in farming. He has wisely divided his attention between the raising of grain and stock, with the result that he has acquired in the course of the last half century a very comfortable competence. He now has a fine farm of three hundred and seventy acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and productivity. He has taken a great deal of interest in farmers' institutes and stock farm courses as provided by our excellent state school.

Mr. Jones has been a life-long Republican, but has never indulged in tlie fervor of political campaigns. Religiously, he is a member of the Friends church and has always been an active worker in this denomination. He has always had the best interests of this locality at heart and has sought to advance them in whatever way possible. His career has been characterized by untiring energy, uncompromising fidelity and an earnest desire to serve his fellow men. He has been very much interested in education and particularly in the career of Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, to which he has subscribed liberally. He has been a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Plainfield for the past twenty years, being active in lodge work. Such has been his life during his long career that he has at the same time won and retains the high esteem of all with whom he has come in contact by the honorable course which he has at all times pursued.

Nathaniel Clark Gossett

Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and, as a usual thing, men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-door life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood and no truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were indebted largely to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.

township, Hendricks county, Indiana, is a native of this coimty, born on a farm of which his present holdings constituted a part, on January 28, 1856, being one of twelve children of Nathaniel Walton and Mary Greenfield (Fox) Gossett, the former of whom was a son of John and Dorcas (Clark) Gossett, John Gossett was a son of Thomas and Sarah (Walton) Gossett. Dorcas Clark, paternal grandmother of the immediate subject of this sketch, was a daughter of Samuel E. and Rachael ( Bratton ) Clark, the former of whom was a veteran of the War of the Revolution. Mary Greenfield Fox, mother of the subject of this sketch, was a daughter of John and Hannah (Barker) Fox, and both she and the father of the subject were natives of the state of North Carolina, being brought to Indiana by their parents while they were still children. Nathaniel W. Gossett was twelve years of age at that time, while Mary Greenfield Fox was but eight years old. Both families settled in Hendricks count)', about two and one-half miles north of Plainfield. Here the young people in question grew to maturity and there their marriage was later solemnized.

Nathaniel W. Gossett spent his boyhood days on the paternal farmstead, where he early learned the secrets of successful agriculture under the intelligent direction of his father. He devoted himself assiduously to the cultivation of the soil all his life and was eminentlj' successful in his chosen vocation. At the age of nineteen he was married and at that time purchased a portion of his father's farm, remaining on that tract until in 1853. His original holdings were then disposed of to advantage and he purchased two hundred and ten acres of land in the northeast portion of Brown township, Hendricks county, where he passed the remainder of his life. His death occurred on October 28, 1903, and at that time he was living, together with his son, Nathaniel C, the immediate subject of this sketch, in a house he had built on his farm some distance from the old homestead, having disposed of all but eighty acres of his original farm. A short time before his death he sold that tract to the subject of this sketch, who has continued to reside there. There too, the mother of subject passed away on October 23, 1910. Mr Gos.sett has never married. He keeps his farm up to the highest type of modern agricultural methods and conducts his business in such a manner as to win for himself the reputation of being a thorough agriculturist. Mr. Gossett's oldest brother was one of the leading men of his community, serving as county superintendent of school for several years. He was also a veteran of the Civil War. Personally, Mr. Gossett is a man of strong personal qualities, easily makes friends and always retains them. United in his composition are so many elements of a provident, practical nature, which during a series of years have brought him into prominence and earned for him a first place among the enterprising men of his county, that it is 1)ut just recognition of his worthiness that he receive specific mention in this \vori<.

Albert Wesley Beaman

Among the progressive farmers of Hendricks county Albert W. Beaman occupies a prominent place for the reason that he is a man of education and self conhdence. Real self confidence is not a matter of many words, but it is the quiet chap with square jaw and the silent tongue who is the man to be afraid of. He is the man who wins. Out of self confidence grow enthusiasm and earnestness, and for the man who is in earnest nothing is impossible. Many of us make the mistake of not taking ourselves seriously. If we are inclined to look upon life as a joke it is pretty certain that the joke is on us. Mr. Beaman is a man who has believed in himself; he has selected a goal and marched straightforward toward it. Although he has found many difficulties in his way, he has believed that they were only there in order to prove his strength, to test his self confidence. One by one he has cleared the difficulties out of his way and today he stands a self-reliant, aggressive man who takes a prominent and influential part in the community where he lives.

Albert Wesley Beaman, the son of Adam and Rebecca A. (McDaniels) Beaman, was born February 22, 1874, in Brown township, Hendricks county, Indiana. Adam Beaman was a native of Boone county, this state, who came to Hendricks county after he was married, settling in Brown township, on eighty acres of land. He died in March, 1909. Rebecca A. McDaniels, the mother of Mr. Beaman, was born in Hendricks county in April, 1844, her birth occurring about one mile west of Brownsburg, and she is still living at Pittsboro, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Adam Beaman were the parents of seven children, Charles S.. Willard E., Otis B., deceased, Albert Wesley, \Villiam Edgar, .\da, deceased, George Byron, deceased.

Albert W. Beaman spent his earlier life on a farm in Brown township, where he was born in a log cabin. This log cabin, around ^^'hich cluster so many memories of the Beaman family, was destroyed by fire in May, 1879, when Albert was five years of age. When he was born this farm was an unbroken forest and his boyhood days were alternated between his school books and the clearing. He was quick to learn and acquired knowledge readily and easily. Upon his finishing his common school course, he was suffi- ciently advanced to receive a teacher's license, and for two years taught school in Brown township, in this county. However, he preferred the life of a farmer, and upon his marriage began to farm and has since continued to follow that vocation, but taught one term near home recently, in Middle township.

Mr. Beaman was married October 20, 1895, to Ona Kennedy, and to this union have been born three children, Byron Page, Edith Evangeline and Ernest Clifford. Mr. Beaman is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men at Fayette, Indiana, and in politics has always adhered to the principles of the Democratic party. While he has been active in the councils of his party, yet he has never been an aspirant for any office, but willing to serve in the ranks as a private. Mr. Beaman is a keen, business farmer, frank and plain f.poken and is able to converse intelligently upon any topic of current interest. He is one of the clean-cut type of modern farmers who are the backbone of our nation today and help to make us the greatest nation on the face of the earth.

John L. Gunn

Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the -efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary cpalities of common sense and perseverance. The every-day life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunities for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and self-improvement. The life history of John L. Gunn exemplifies what may be accomplished by a man who sets a high ideal in life and then has the courage to follow it all through his career. His life has additional interest because of his gallant service in the Civil War, in which he fought three years.

John L. Gunn, the president of the Citizens' State Bank of Plainfield, was born March 16, 1837, on a farm in Rush county, Indiana. His parents were Dr. John L. and Lydia (Hornaday) Gunn, his father being a native of Virginia and his mother of North Carolina. Doctor Gunn came west when a young man and first settled in Kentucky. He then moved into Indiana, but died shortly after coming into this state, in fact, dying a few months before John L., the subject of this sketch, was born. Doctor and Mrs. Gunn had one other child, Mrs. John Weir, who died in 191 1. The widow of Doctor Gunn later married John V. Hadley and moved to Hendricks county when John L. was two years of age.

John L. Gunn was reared as a farmer's lad, attended the rude district schools of the ante-bellum days and then entered Northwestern Christian Uni\ersity, now Butler College, where he completed his education. While in the University he was a classmate of Judge John V. Hadley, of Danville, and the late Col. Eli Ritter. of Indianapolis. Shortly after leaving college the Civil War opened and when the President's call was issued he enlisted in Company I, Sixty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was in the service for nearly three years and was mustered out as a duty sergeant. He participated in all of the battles of the Atlanta campaign, being in the battles of Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Marietta, Ringgold and many others. In the engagement at Hickory, Georgia, he was injured by the bursting of a shell near him.

Mr. Gunn was first married in 1858 to Caroline Cox, of Hendricks county, and to this marriage were born two daughters, Mrs. Lillie D. Belle, of Indianapolis, and Mrs. Laura L. Pike, of Plainfield. Some years after the death of his iirst wife Mr. Gunn married Mrs. Mityline Tomlinson Bryant, of Hendricks county. There have been no children by the second marriage.

Until twenty years ago Mr. Gunn was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and his success was entirely commensurate with his efforts. He was recognized as one of the best farmers of Guilford township and when he retired from the active management of his place he had one of the most up-todate farms in the township. He still retains his farming interests and also has valuable property adjoining the town of Plainfield. After moving to Plainfield he became one of its most progressive citizens and has been an enthusiastic advocate of local improvements, and during his service of six years on the town board of Plainfield he started the agitation for sidewalks and electric lights. For the past six years he has been president of the Citizens' State Bank of Plainfield and in that capacity has proved to be an able administrator of the various financial problems which come before the bank.

Mr. Gunn has always been a Republican until the organization of the Progressive party, but has never held any office except that of town councilman of Plainfield. He is a man who has always kept his mind open to new ideas and keeps abreast of the best thought. In the course of his long life in the county he has won a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. (37)

William Davis Lewis

Among the sturdy pioneers of Hendricks county, those who have made it their abiding place since its early days ; who have seen it grow and develop from a sparsely settled country district to its present condition uf prosperity, none is better known than the subject of our present sketch. A resident of the county for home than seventy years, he has proven himself loyal to the place of his birth, giving largely of his time, his thought and his nifiuence to promote the growth and development of the commonwealth.

William Davis Lewis, the son of Stephen Taylor and Nancy (Hornaday) Lewis, was born October lo, 1843, '" Union township, this county, north of the town of Lizton. Here he spent his boyhood, learning the rudiments of his life's vocation, that of husbandry; laying the foundation of the sagacity and strength of physique which make for success in that calling. Here, also, in the township schools he received his schooling, attending the common schools, when he could, until the war broke out, and after the war, with characteristic ambition, going to Danville for a further term of study in the Danville Academy.

On October 7, 1861, in response to his country's call for volunteers to come to her defense, he left the peaceful, protected life of the farm and enlisted in the Army of the Cumberland, becoming a member of Company C, Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry. For three years he remained with his regiment, engaging with great bravery in all its battles, enduring all the hardships and deprivations of the campaigns, having several very narrow escapes, and when his term of service expired he re-enlisted for another term of three years, and served until the close of the war. He was mustered out of service on the 13th day of December, 1865, but after peace was declared, he was sent to San Antonio, Texas, returning to Indianapolis on January 13. 1866. He was taken prisoner with his regiment near Rome, Georgia, and narrowly escaped the horrors of Libby prison, finally, however, receiving his parole. At the close of the service he was mustered out as a lieutenant. After leaving the service he came back to Hendricks county, followed farming and attended Danville Academy.

On February 3, 1870, he was married to Mary Evaline Parker, the daughter of William G. and Martha (Wells) Parker. Like their forefathers, the young people clung to the peaceful life of the farm, building for themselves a homestead on a twenty-eight-acre tract of land, most of which is now within the limits of Pittsboro, where they still reside, enjoying the fruits of their industry and thrift. During their long-continued re.^idence in the county, WiUiam Davis Lewis and his wife have stood for all that is best and noblest in the life of the community. Devoted members of the Christian church, that body has shown its appreciation of his sterling qualities and deep spirituality by electing him a deacon of the church for twenty-five consecutive years, and also making him one of the trustees of the church property. One daughter has blessed their union, now Mrs. Ella G. Todd. She is the mother of two sons, William Lewis and Clifford Parker, and resides in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The ancestors of Mr. Lewi.-^, for generations, have engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. His paternal grandfather, Stephen Lewis, was a native of Rush county, spending his days until death called him on the homestead farm, north of Rushville. Here his ;:on, Stephen Taylor Lewis, the father of the subject of this article, was born and reared. In 1837 Stephen left the home to his father and came to Hendricks county. Here he entered from the government forty acres of land north of Lizton, in Union township. This he later sold and purchased eighty acres east of Lizton, which became his permanent home until his death, December 13, 1855. He was the father of five children, Stephen. Hannah Jane, John H., William Davis and Thomas D., of whom the subject is the only survivor. While yet a resident of Rush county, Stephen Taylor Lewis was married to Nancy Hornaday, and throughout his life she remained his faithful companion, rearing their family and remaining on the homestead farm until her death, six years after the demise of her husband. Death came to her on April 3, 1859.

The wife of William Davis Lewis was also the daughter of a farmer, William G. Parker, a native of Kentucky. He, however, spent much of his time trading in live stock, and for a number of years was a merchant. He was the father of nine children, as follows: Mary Evaline (now Mrs. Lewis), Oliver Wilson, Sarah Jane (deceased), Robert Ellsworth, William M., Ruth A. (deceased), and two little ones who died in infancy. Mr. Parker passed away in the year 1877. His wife was a native of North Carolina, and still survives, an honored member of the household of her daughter, Mrs. Lewis.

In manner, Mr. Lewis is quiet, unassuming and sincere, having a personality which invites the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact. He served as commander of Thomas Ashby Post, Grand Army of the Republic, two or three terms. For forty-three years he has been a member of the Masonic order, and bears the honor of being the oldest member of this organization in Hendricks county. He was initiated October 19, 1869, at

Brownsburg. Although a stanch RepubHcan in pohtics and progressive in his ideas, he has never aspired to hold office, preferring to devote his energies to the social and religious life of the community; and his wholesome, godly example has not been v^ithout great influence for good, which is evidenced by the high regard in which he is held by a host of friends and neighbors.

William Edgar Beaman

A farmer of Hendricks county, Indiana, who has a true love for his occupation is William E. Beaman, who has not been content to farm exactly in the same manner as his ancestors, but has moved from the beaten path and tried to keep pace with all the modern scientific methods of agriculture. For this reason he has been more than ordinarily successful and can attribute his measure of success to the fact that he has combined brains with brawn, a combination which is sure to yield a gratifying result when properly pursued.

William Edgar Beaman, the son of Adam and Rebecca A. (McDaniel) Beaman, was born February 14, 1876, in Brown township, Hendricks county, Indiana. His father was native of Boone county, this state, and came to Hendricks county after his marriage, settling in Brown township on an eighty-acre farm and here he lived the life of a farmer, dying on March 15, 1909. He was a man who loved a simple, plain and unostentatious life and was capable of an enormous amount of hard work. When he was a young man he had a great reputation as an athlete. In the days when wrestling was in vogue, there was not a young man in the neighborhood who could lay him flat on his back. His wife was a native of this county, and was born near Brownsburg, in April, 1844, and she is still living at Pittsboro, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Adam Beaman were born seven children: Charles S., Willard E., Otis (deceased), Albert Wesley (whose history is given elsewhere in this volume), William Edgar, Ada V. (who died in infancy), and George B. (deceased).

William Edgar Beaman received a good, practical education in his township school and almost completed high school. He remained at home until his marriage, assisting his father on the home farm, taking part in clearing land and learning by experience. He then began farming north of Pittsboro, where he remained nine years. In 1907 he bought his present farm of eighty acres, on which he conducts a general system of farming.

ter of Gideon Franklin antl JNIary Jane (Stout) Hufford. Gideon Hufford was a native of Hendricks county, his birth having occurred in Washington township, and he spent his life in the pursuit of agriculture, and died in 1903 at Tilden, Indiana. Mrs. Hufford was a native of Marion county, this state, and is still living in this county, near Tilden, on the old homestead farm. Mr. and Mrs. Hufford were the parents of nine children: George F., deceased; Delilah, who died when yoimg; Mrs. Carrie Garner; Theodore Newton, deceased; Joel V.; Mrs. Ella Garner; Julia, the wife of Mr. Beaman; Edgar and John T. Mr. and Mrs. Beaman have four children, Doris M., Wilford Lawrence, Frances Isabel and Edgar.

Fraternally, Mr. Beaman is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Pittsboro, and, politically, holds his affiliation with the Democratic party. He is a liberal and broad-minded farmer, who makes a deep study of farming as a practical profession, is of a decided mechanical turn of mind, and believes in the strict honesty of all men and is quick to resent any unfairness to himself or to any of his fellow citizens. He is strictly honest himself and believes in the Golden Rule in every-day life.

Thomas Jacob Sandusky

Hendricks county is fortunate in that she numbers among her prominent families many who are not only natives of the place themselves, but whose ancestors as well found here an abiding place of peculiar attraction. Many of our early settlers came to this locality from other states, some even from abroad; but, after long and ofttimes perilous journeys, they appear to have found here what they sought, comfortable homes and the means of maintaining the same. Here their children and grandchildren were born and bred, some of them going out into various professions, and some loyally following in the footsteps of their fathers, tilling the soil, cultivating and improving not only their farms, but building roads and draining swamp lands, paving the way for the greater affluence of the present generation.

Among these early settlers, the father of the subject of this article should be mentioned. James Sandusky was born in the year 1821 in Bourbon county, Kentucky, but came to Brown township, Hendricks county, in the year 1864. At that time this locality was uncultivated and swampy, a veritable wilderness of undergrowth. But Mr. Sandusky was alive to the possibilities of the place and did not hesitate at the hard work involved in clearing and draining a tract of land in order that it might become a suitable location for human habitation ; and the development of the place has proved the soundness of his judgment.

On the 5th day of November, 1846, J\Ir. Sandusky was married to Agnes Sandusky, of Vermillion county, Illinois ; but five years later they were separated by the death of his wife, she passing away September 5, 185 1. He was later married to Elizabeth Susan Morgan, also of \'ermillion county, Illinois, who became the mother of two of his children, Thomas Jacob (the subject of this sketch) and Mary Agnes (Gibbs). She was born May 29, 1826, and was called to her final home May 11, 1862. For the third time he sought and found a companion in Josephine Knaus, of Marion county, Indiana, she being a native of Sigmaringen, Germany. To this union were born four children, EHzabeth (Strawmyer), Antoinette (Beard), Josephine (Arbuckle), and Hannah (Coffman), deceased.

Mr. Sandusky followed the pursuit of agriculture throughout his life, and when death called him, in 1893, he went from his own homestead to his final resting place. He was a member of the Masonic order and affiliated with the Democratic party.

Thomas J. Sandusky, the immediate subject of this article, was born May 14, 1856, in Decatur county, Indiana, coming to Hendricks county with his father in 1864. On the 3d day of August, 1882, he was married to Susan E. Gibbs, a native of Marion county, this state. Her parents, William and Elizabeth ( Burden) Gibbs, were both born natives of England, but emigrated to this country not long after their marriage. He found his highest efficiency in the wholesome, natural life of the farm, and here he brought his wife. Eleven children were born to them, as follows: Thomas, born in England ; Mary ; Anna, deceased ; William : Daniel ; Homer, deceased ; Theodore, deceased; Susan, now Mrs. Sandusky; Merritt ; John and Everitt. Death claimed the wife and mother in 1903, and six years later the father was called. To Mr. and Mrs. Sandusky were born two children, Ida M. (now Mrs. Everett) and Grover T.

After his marriage, Thomas Sandusky continued the work taught him by his father, clinging to the life of the farmer, and very successfully he has proven. His farm shows the results of the labor and care expended upon it, being in a high state of cultivation, well kept and showing the careful management which has characterized his labors. He is particularly interested in his live stock, taking great pride in his sheep, of which he raises a goodly number.

progressive man and an excellent neighbor. He is a firm believer in Democratic principles as promulgated by Jefferson; is affiliated with the order of Knights of Pythias at Brownsburg, and both he and Mrs. Sandusky are well known members of the Methodist Protestant church, he being a trustee of this organization and she a charter member. He is also a trustee of the parsonage at Lebanon, Indiana. That he is well and favorably known throughout the surrounding country is evidenced by the fact that he has served as justice of the peace of Brown township for ten years, from 1878 to 1888; and later was elected township trustee, serving in that capacity from 1895 to 1900. In both offices he was known as a conscientious, honorable officer, exercising his powers with discretion and sound judgment. Altogether his life has been a thoroughly successful one, a splendid example to the community at large, and by the coming generation his name will be remembered with high regard.

Clarkson B. Thomas

Devoted to the noble work which his profession implies, the gentleman whose career we essay to briefly outline in the following paragraphs has been faithful and indefatigable in his endeavors and has not only earned the due rewards of his efforts in a temporal way but has also proved himself eminently worthy to exercise the important functions of his calling, by reason of his ability, his abiding sympathy and his earnest zeal in behalf of his fellow men. His understanding of the science of medicine is regarded by those who know him as being broad and comprehensive, and the profession and the public accord him a distinguished place among the men of his class in Indiana. His has been a life of earnest and persistent endeavor, such as always brings a true appreciation of the real value of human existence - a condition that must be prolific of good results in all the relations of life.

Clarkson B. Thomas, the son of David and Lydia (Brantinghan) Thomas, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, March 14, 1877. Both his parents were natives of Ohio and his father is now a prosperous farmer living in Plainfield, where the family removed in 1889. The family are devoted and consistent members of the Friends church and are liberal supporters of that denomination. Mr. and Mrs. David Thomas are the parents of five children: Mrs. Eva T. Carter, of Plainfield; Dr. Clarkson B. ; Anna L., deceased; Rachel Emma, of Plainfield, and Mrs. Sina Althea Thomason, of Springville, Iowa.

at Sugar Grove, Hendricks county, and later attended the Friends Boarding School at Barnesville, Ohio, where he completed his high school training. In 1898 he entered the Physio-Medical College at Indianapolis and graduated with the class of 1902. He at once began the active practice of medicine at Plainfield and has been uniformly successful since he started in this work. He is a member of the Hendricks County, Indiana and American medical societies.

Doctor Thomas was married on June 3, 1903, to Alice E. Hay worth, the daughter of Isaiah M. and Mary Hayworth, of Wilmington, Ohio. Doctor and Mrs. Thomas have one adopted daughter, Phyllis. Both he and his wife are loyal members of the Friends church and are interested in all the activities of their chosen denomination. Doctor Thomas is devoted to his life work and feels that in this there is a chance for doing a great amount of good for suffering humanity. He is a great reader and close observer and keeps well informed upon all the latest methods of treating disease. His affable and genial manner readily win friends and he and his good wife are admired by all with whom they are associated.

Joel Jessup

To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and respected even from childhood deserves more than mere mention. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy, and even remain in the hearts of friends and neighbors, but to take the same position by dint of the practice of an upright life, and without a craving for exaltation and popularity, is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. The late Joel Jessup, one of the successful farmers and public-spirited citizens of Hendricks county-, who was well known throughout this community, was a man respected and honored, not because of the vigorous training of his special talents, but because of his daily life, each day having been one that was above criticism and passed upon in the light of real, true manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellow men, he not only made his presence felt, but also gained the good will and commendation of both his associates and the general public, ever retaining his reputation among men for integrity and character, no matter how trying the circumstances, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of a gentleman. Consequently his influence for good in the general life of his community was most potent, and he will long be sadly missed from the various circles in which he moved and over which his influence was like sunshine on a field of ripened wheat.

The late Joel Jessup was born in Guilford township, this county, April 6, 1832, and died on the old homestead farm, October 4, 1908. He was one of five children born to Joseph and Rachel (Jackson) Jessup, the other four children being Mary, Jackson L., Lethy and Mahalia Jane. Joseph Jessup and his wife were both natives of North Carolina, coming to this county shortly after their marriage in 1820 and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land. The deed for this land, signed by President John Ouincy Adams, is still in the family and is a treasured relic, which is very much cherished. Joseph Jessup died at the age of seventy and his wife at the age of seventyeight, both having been born in the latter part of the eighteenth century.

Joel Jessup was given a very meager education, since the schools of his day were open but two or three months in the winter time and then offered very limited advantages. While Mr. Jessup was in the school room but a very short time, yet he laid the foundation for a desire for knowledge and, being a great reader all his life, he was, for a man of his age, well informed on most all subjects of the day. During all his life he lived on the farm and as a farmer was sufficiently progressive in keeping abreast of the times. As a boy he had to labor without any of the modern inventions, and as the modem agricultural implements came into use he added them one by one to his equipment until at the end of his life he was as well equipped for agriculture as any farmer in the county. He is remembered not so much for his success on the farm, as for his work in the community at large, work which was directed along moral and civic lines.

Mr. Jessup was married August 12, 1852, to Louisa Moon, and to this marriage were born four children: Harrison, born August 20, 1853, who was a farmer all his life and died December 30, 1905, leaving a widow and two sons, Walter and Carlos; Theodore W., born January 19, 1855, and died November 26, 1878, leaving a widow and two children, Nellie and Wallace T., the latter living on a part of the old homestead place; Jessie, born September 10, 1856, who married Jesse Allen, of West Newton, Marion county. Indiana, and they have four children. The Allen family are now residents of Pasadena, California; William S., born April 11, 1858, who married Emma Card, and they have four children, Louisa, Halstead, Donald and Mary Eleanor ; William is now living on a part of the old home farm.

The first wife of Mr. Jessup died August 20, 1885, and two years later, on June 22, 1887, he was married to Dr. Maria Allen, the daughter of Pres- ton and Susannah (Jessup) Allen. Her father came from Ohio and she was one of four children. She was educated in the local schools and at Spiceland Academy in Henry county, this state. She taught school for twenty years and it was not until she was thirty-eight years of age that she entered the Woman's Medical College of Chicago, Illinois (now a part of Northwestern University), from which she graduated three years later. She was married to Mr. Jessup two months after she graduated and has practiced for the past twenty-seven years in Hendricks county, Indiana. She ranks as one of the most prominent women practitioners in the state. She is a woman of great strength of character and with a tender and sympathetic feeling which should be the necessary concomitant of the technical experience needed for the successful physician.

Mr. Jessup had a birthright in the Friends church and throughout his whole life was a firm believer in the doctrines as set forth by that church. Being naturally of a quiet and reserved disposition, one had to know him intimately to appreciate his real depth of Christian spirit. He was of a deeply religious nature and a careful student of the Bible, and his great faith in Christ was built on its teachings. As might be inferred, his politics were in keeping with his faith and he was a Prohibitionist of the most radical kind all his life. Such men as Joel Jessup are a blessing to any community, because of their advocacy of wholesome living, pure politics and honesty in every-day life. Such men raise the standard of civic morality in every community, and their example is such as to help those who are starting in life.

Amos C. Weaver

Among the worthy citizens of Hendricks county, Indiana, whose residence here has contributed in no small degree to the prestige of tne community is Amos C. Weaver, now living a retired life in Indianapolis, Indiana. He lived in this county from the time of his birth until 1903, when he retired from active business and removed to Indianapolis, where he now resides at No. 2019 Central avenue. Mr. Weaver is a man who, while laboring for his individual advancement, has never forgotten his obligations to the public and his support of such measures and movements as have been for the general good could always be depended upon. Although his life has been a busy one, his private affairs making heavy demands upon his time, he has never allowed it to interfere with his obligations as a citizen and neighbor. Through the long years of his residence in this coinmunit}- he has ever been true to the trusts reposed in him, whether of a pubHc or private nature ,and his reputation in a business way has been unassailable. Possessing in a marked degree those sterling traits which have commanded uniform confidence and regard, he is today honored by all who know him and is numbered among the representative men of Hendricks county. He is one of the few remaining veterans of that great struggle which threatened to sever the Union in the si.xties and special honor is due him for the four long and bloody years which he s])ent on the battle fields of the South.

Amos C. Weaver, now living a retired life in Indianapolis, was born in Middle township, Hendricks county, Indiana, August 15, 1841. His parentwere Thomas Jefferson and Anna ( Hollis ) Weaver, both natives of Kentucky, he being born in 1805 and she in 1807. After their marriage in Kentucky, they came to Indiana in 1836 and settled on a farm in Middle township, this county, where they lived the remainder of their lives. He died April 3, 1873, and his widow passed away November 10, 1886. They were the parents of eight children, the subject of this sketch being the only one living. The children, in the order of their birth, are as follows : William died at the age of seventeen; John B. died at the age of seventeen; Amanda Jane, who married Paxton Alexander, and died in 1854, at the age of twentytwo; Mary Matilda, who married Carlo Gadson, and died in May, 1864, at the age of twenty-two; James Lewis, who died in infancy; Amos C, the only one living; Ellis, who died in 1910, was a member of Company B, Seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for two years and was then attached to Battery B of the Fifth Regiment. Ellis was a recorder of Hendricks county at one time and one of the prominent citizens of the county; the eighth and youngest child was Taylor, who died in infancy.

Amos C. Weaver was reared on the farm and went through all the experiences common to boys on the farm. He attended school in the old log school houses of Middle township a few months each winter, and prox-ed to be a very apt pupil. As soon as he had secured all the education he could get in the country schools he started to take the course in Northwestern University at Indianapolis. In order to get money to continue his education he taught school at Pittsboro, in his home county. The year 1861 found him twenty years of age and a teacher in Pittsboro, but when President Lincoln issued his call for troops, in the spring of 1861, young Weaver forsook his books and answered the call. He was mustered into the service on October 8, 1861, in Company A, Fifty-first Regiment of Indiana \'olunteer Infantry, and was mustered out March 22. 1865. His company was attached to the

Army of the West, and he saw sei-\'ice in scores of the fiercest battles which were fought in the West. Among these were Shiloh, Perryville, Corinth, Stone's River, Lookout Mountain, and many other skirmishes and forays of lesser importance. He was wounded at Dalton, Georgia, on August 15, 1864, by a minie ball, which shattered his foot. The army surgeons wanted to amputate his foot, but he objected so strenuously that they dressed it the best they could and let him go. He was in a very precarious condition for some time, but finally fully recovered, due to his wonderful physical constitution. A few weeks before he was shot he had been elected captain, but his commission did not arrive until after he was laid up in the hospital. He was sent home in November of 1864 and mustered out on March 22, 1865.

In the spring of 1865 Mr. Weaver was elected trustee of Middle township, and his administration of the duties of the office were so satisfactory that he was re-elected in the spring of 1867. While he was trustee he starti-d in the mercantile business at Pittsboro, and continued in the business after his term as trustee had expired. For thirty-two years he operated a general store at Pittsboro and by his strict integrity and upright business dealings he accumulated a goodly share of this world's goods. In addition to his mercantile establishment he was interested in farming and stock raising during most of his life in Hendricks county, and now owns three hundred and seventy-three acres of fine land near Pittsboro. Fortune has seemed to smile on all of his undertakings and he has usually realized a substantial profit on all his investments. In 1903 he retired from the active charge of business cares and is now getting a well-earned rest after years of hard labor.

Mr. Weaver was married September 3, 1865, to Miriam Wells, the daughter of George Washington and Fanny Wells, of Middle township, this county. They are the parents of five children, all of whom have grown to maturity: Hollis H., a merchant of Greentown, Indiana; Chester A., a farmer living near Pittsboro; Urban R., who is a traveling salesman for a bankers' supply company of St. Louis; Grace D., who is the wife of John F. Wood; and Francis Pearl, who is the wife of B. O. Kile and lives near Galveston, Texas.

Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have been extensive travelers and have been across the continent to California, south to Florida. Georgia and every state on the gulf of Mexico. They have also traveled in Mexico and Canada and throughout the eastern part of the United States. They are both members of the Christian church, and Mr. Weaver is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Grand Army of the Republic. At one time he was commander of Thomas Ashby Post No. 451, at Pittsboro. He has been a life-long

Republican and has never seen any reason why he should change his allegiance to any other party. He has never held any office except that of trustee, which was immediateh' after he came home from the war.

Mr. Weaver has been a man of exceptional business ability, sound discretion and absolute integrity, factors which contributed to his success in a large degree. During all the years of his active career his life has been characterized by duty well performed, by faithfulness to every trust reposed in him, by industry, thrift and wisely directed effort, which has resulted in the acquisition of a liberal share of this world's goods, besides earning a reputation which has never been tarnished by the commission of a single unworthy act. During his long life in Hendricks county he made friends everywhere, and when he left the county, in 1903, he was one of the widest known men in the county. His career is certainly to be admired and is a worthy example to put before the people of the coming generation.

One of the most difficult literary tasks is to write an unexceptionable review of a living man. If the life is worthy of record there is always danger of offending that delicacy which is inseparable from merit ; for even moderate praise, when it meets the eyes of the subject, is apt to seem fulsome, while a nice sense of propriety would not be the less wounded by a dry abstract containing nothing but names and dates. To sum up a career which is not yet ended would appear like recording events which have not yet transpired, since justly to estimate the scope and meaning of a history it is important that we have the closing chapter. In writing biographical notice, therefore, the chronicler from the moment he takes up his pen should consider the subject as no longer among his contemporaries, for thus he will avoid the fear of offending by bestowing praise where it is merited and escape the risk of giving but a fragmentary view of that which must eventually be taken as a unit. At some risk, therefore, the writer assumes the task of placing on record the life and character of a man who, by the force of strong individuality, has achieved eminent success in the vocations to which he has addressed himself and has won for himself an enviable place among the leading men of the city and county honored by his citizenship.

W. A. Rushton, one of the leading citizens of Plainfield, Indiana, was born in Liberty tovraship, Hendricks county, Indiana, April 4, 1874. His parents were Ira and Talitha (Bray) Rushton, both of whom were natives of this county. His father was a leader in church work and helped to establish the Salem Methodist Episcopal church. Ira Rushton was born August 13, 1830, and died November 22, 1912, spending his entire life in Hendricks county. His widow is stil) living on the old home farm in Liberty township. Mr. and Mrs. Ira Rushton were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are still living: Mrs. Evaline Cravens, of Hinsdale, Kansas; Mrs. Laura E. Morrison, of Liberty township; James W., of Indianapolis; Carrie, of Amarillo, Texas; Guy, of Liberty township; Mrs. Ola M. McCracken, of Monrovia, Indiana, and two sons who are still at home, Howard and Raymond.

W. A. Rushton was reared on his father's farm and spent the life of the ordinary farmer's boy until he was twenty-one years of age, receiving his education in the district schools of his nieghborhood and later took a high school course at Belleville. With the intention of taking up teaching as a profession, he enrolled in the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana, where he took the teachers' course. He began teaching in 1897 ^nd only taught a part of one year. In 1898 he took up his present life work of an undertaker, and has continued in that business until the present time. He started in with the late William H. Hiss, a furniture dealer and undertaker of Plainfield, and remained with him for three years. He then went to Indianapolis and was manager of the Planner & Buchanan undertaking establishment for four years. In January, 1905, he bought out WiUiam Hiss, of Plainiield, and has since conducted the business under his own name. He understands every phase of his business, being an especially competent embalmer, and because of his painstaking attention to the important duties incumbent upon him in his profession, and his innate courtesy in all his associations with his patrons, he has earned a warm place in the esteem of those who know him.

While working in Indianapolis, Mr. Rushton was married, on October 28, 1903, to Cophine Mills, daughter of William H. and Anna Mills, of Hendricks county, and to- this union there have been born two daughters, Lois Mona and Marcia Dena.

Mr. Rushton has been affiliated with the Democratic party since reaching his majority, but owing to the nature of his business he has never been active in politics. He and the members of his family are adherents of the Friends church and are very active in the various departments of the church work of that denomination. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order ot Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Free and Accepted ]\Iasons. Mr. Ru.~hton has taken an active interest in the civic and moral life of his community, and is at present acting as president of the Plainfield library board and takes a very active interest in the management of the local library. His standing in the State Funeral Directors' Association is shown by the fact that he has been president of the state association and also secretary. He has also been secretary of the local Masonic lodge and is past chancellor of the lodge of Knights of Pythias. Mr. Rushton is a man who is always found in hearty accord with all movements which have for their object the advancement of the educational, moral, social or material welfare of his community. He is a man of large experience, sound judgment and sagacity and is a keen observer of public events, and on which he holds decided convictions. He is a man of positive character and sterling worth, and his value to the community is evidenced by the high position which he has ever held in the esteem of his fellow citizens.

James C. Stafford

James C. Stafford, one of the large number of physicians in the same family, was born September 14, 1881, near Newcastle, Henry county, Indiana. His parents, John E. and Alpharetta (Nicholson) Stafford, were both natives of the same county and were born on adjoining farms. His father is a prosperous farmer in Henry county, Indiana, today, both parents being still living. Doctor Staft'ord is the only child in the family.

Dr. Daniel Hastings Stafford, the subject's grandfather, graduated from the Physio-Medical Institute of Cincinnati. Ohio, in 1866, and practiced mostly in Henry county, Indiana, where his death occurred in 1900. He had three sons who were doctors, James A., of Newcastle, Indiana; Lindley, deceased, and William H., deceased, who practiced at Blountsville, Indiana. Daniel H. Stafford had also four grandsons who were doctors, W. H., of Newcastle; C. A. and Lindley H., at Indianapolis, and James C, of Plainfield.

Doctor Stafford received his common school education in district schools of his home neighborhood and then graduated from the Rich Square high school in Henry county in 1898. Since this was only a three years' course, he graduated from the Newcastle high school in 1901 and then spent one year in the State University at Bloomington, Indiana. However, the call of the physician was not to be denied, and as a result he decided to enter the Indiana Physio-Medical College at Indianapolis, where he took the full four years' course, entering the fall of 1904, and graduating with the class of 1908. He came to Plainfield in November, 1908, and here he opened up an office for the general practice of medicine, and has never regretted his choice of loca-

Doctor Stafford was married August 13, 1905, to Lura White, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah White, of Linden, Montgomery county, Indiana, and to them have been born three children, James Linden, born March 31, 1907; Lura Catherine, born August 13, 1909, and William Clayton, born June 10, 1913. Doctor Stafford is a member of the Hendricks county and Indiana State medical societies, and is a wide reader of all kinds of medical literature. He keeps well informed on all the progressive methods of treating disease and his office is well equipped with all the up-to-date appliances which are founfl in the modern office of the best physicians.

Doctor Stafford is a member of the Knights of Pythias, holding the office of past chancellor of the Plainfield lodge of that order. Although he was reared a Republican, he is not a partisan by any means, but in all local elections he votes for the man rather than for any particular party. However, he is well read on the political issues of the day and can discuss them intelligently. It is an interesting fact that there have been eight physicians in the Stafford family, the original Doctor Stafford having been born at Greensboro, Fndiana, his parents coming to this state from North Carolina in an early day.

Doctor Stafford gives all his time and attention to his practice and is rapidly being regarded as one of the most successful physicians of this section of the state. As a successful physician he has made friends throughout the county and retains the respect and esteem of all classes of people.

Joshua S. Tharp

The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are instructive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life; apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate renown. The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would seem almost to justify the conclusion that self-reliance, with a half chance, can accomplish any reasonable object. The gentleman whose life history is herewith outlined is a man who has lived to good purpose and has achieved a splendid success. By a straightforward and commendable course he has made his way to a respectable position in the business world, winning the hearty admiration of the people of his county and earning a reputation as an enterprising, progressive man of affairs which the public has not been slow to recognize and appreciate.

Joshua S. Tharp, one of the representative citizens of Brownsburg and for some time president of the Brownsburg Bank, was born on November 8, 1838, in Hendricks county, Indiana, and is the son of James and Mary (Yount) Tharp, the former of whom was a native of Shelby county, Kentucky, and a son of John and Rebecca (Lee) Tharp, both natives of that county, who came to Indiana at a later date, settling in Hendricks county about five miles north of Danville. James Tharp remained under the parental roof in the Kentucky home until he was eighteen years of age, when he married, and together he and his young wife came to Hendricks county, Indiana, on horseback, leading a pack horse with a few of their cherished possessions. This was in 1828 and they took up their abode west of Danville, on INIill creek, being among the very first settlers in that locality. He was among the very few who did not enter government land, and he passed the remainder of his life on the home place he secured when first coming to Indiana. He was the father of ten children, among whom was Joshua S., the immediate subject of this sketch.

Joshua S. Tharp remained with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, when he was united in marriage with Mary J. Fausset, when they took up their residence on his grandfather's farm, where they remained for fifteen years, making their home with his uncle, William Tharp, until the time of his death. They then took up their residence on their own farm, about a half-mile north of his uncle's homestead, and there they resided for twentyfive years. They later removed to Pittsboro, where they remained for less than a }ear, and from there came to Brownsburg, which they have since made their home. Mr. Tharp disposed of his farm north of Danville in 1906, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Brown township, Hendricks county, and also purchased town property in Brownsburg, two of the pieces being business blocks.

Mr. Tharp has been twice married. His first wife, Mary J. Fausset, who died in 1883, was a daughter of Robert Fausset and wife. To Mr. Tharp, by his first wife, were born ten children, namely: Willard, who died young; Isaac Wesley, who married Julia Noland and has four children, one of which died in infancy and the others being married: Edith, the eldest, is the wife of Ravmond Smith and lives north of Danville: Clarence, who mar- (38) ried Lessie Day, lives on the same farm north of Danville; the other child is Hollis, who remains at home. Another son of Joshua S. Tharp, James, died while young. Arie O. became the wife of William S. Elmore, residing a mile and a half south of Pittsboro, and have a family of eight children. William R. resides in Indianapolis. His wife was an Indianapolis girl and they have a family of three children. Cora E. married Dan Hendricks and is living about five miles north of Danville. Geneva married Willard O. Johnson. They reside northeast of Pittsboro and have a family of four children. Florence, who resides in Lizton, is the wife of Edgar Biggs and has one child. H. Edgar Tharp married Minnie Graham and lives four miles north of Brownsburg. He is an auctioneer and is very well known all over the county. Mary J., the youngest child, died while young. In 1885 Mr. Tharp united in marriage with Rachael R. (Hendricks) Harrison. She is the daughter of Peter and Mary Ann (Woodworth) Hendricks and was born in Putnam county, Indiana, near Maysville, in 1845. Her parents were natives of the state of Kentucky, coming to Putnam county soon after their marriage. They raised a family of nine children. In i860 she was united in marriage with Benjamin Harrison, whose death occurred in 1882. To their union were born eight children, four of whom are still living. Ora, one of her daughters, is the wife of Eddie Jack and the mother of four children. They live in Indianapolis. William H., a son, married Carrie Pelcher and they reside with their four children in Centralia, Washington. Francis M. took as his wife Hattie Thomas and they also have a family of four children and make their home north of Dan\ille. Edgar, who has two children, married Marie Craven and makes his home in Tipton.

Politically a Democrat, Mr. Tharp has been for many years actively interested in the welfare of his community. He served on the county board of review in 1913 and also in 1914, and is one of the best posted men in the county as to land valuations of the county. He has ever done all within his power to advance the moral and material interests of his locality. That Mr. Tharp is enterprising in his operations is evidenced by the fact that his business interests are varied. He was president of the Brownsburg Bank, both as a private bank and since it was made a state bank; buys and sells wool, sells insurance and has many other duties devolving upon him in connection with the property he owns both in town and country. For twenty-seven years he was a director of the Hendricks County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and both Mr. and Mrs. Tharp are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Religiously,

Mr. Tharp is a man who has ever made his influence felt for good in his community, being a man of sterling worth, whose life has been closely interwo\'en with the history of the community in which he resided. The well regulated life he has led, thereby gaining the respect and admiration of all his fellow citizens, entitles him to representation in a biographical work of the scope intended in the present one. Genial and unassuming in his relations with his fellow men, he has won and retains the confidence and good will of all with whom he comes in contact.

Richard D. Plummer

The Plummer family has been identified with the history of Hendricks county, Indiana, since 1825, and during this period of nearly ninety years they have taken their part in the civic, moral, educational and religious life of their respective communities in such a way as to stamp them as a family of excellent characteristics. Richard D. Plummer has spent his whole career of more than three score years in this county, and no more public-spirited citizen has ever lived within the limits of the county. The interests of his county has been one of the mainsprings of his actions and he has done many disinterested deeds which stand to his credit. Starting life under pioneer conditions, he has risen to a position of prominence and during his long career in the county has aided in every way the growth of its material interests and the progress of its prominent industries.

Richard D. Plummer, the proprietor of three farms in this county, aggregating three hundred and eighty-nine acres, was born on June 24, 1848, in Eel River township, this county. He is a son of Joseph and Ann (Day) Plummer, his father being a native of Greene county, Ohio, born on October 17, 1813, the son of Levi and Mary Plummer. Levi Plummer was born in Maryland and his wife in this state, and in 181 5 they came to Fayette county, Indiana, where they lived for five years. They then moved to Morgan county, this state, and, after a residence of five years in that county, came to Hendricks county and spent the remainder of their days in this county.

Joseph Plummer, the father of Richard D., was reared to manhood amid the scenes of pioneer life in this county and received only a meager common school education. He was married August 2, 1832-, to Ann Day, in Morgan county, this state, and to this union were born nine children, Mary, Martha, Thomas, Levi, Hannah, Fannie, John, Ann and Richard D. The mother of these children died January 18, 1870, and on May 14, 1872. Joseph Plummer married Lydia Burgen, the daughter of Isaac and Sarah Burgen, who were among the early settlers of Hendricks county. In the spring of 1835 Mr. Plummer settled in the eastern portion of Eel River township, where he lived the life of a prosperous farmer until his death, in November, 1896. He had started in life with nothing, but lay careful business methods and strict attention to his business he became the owner of five hundred and sixty- - five acres of excellent farming land in this county.

Richard D. Plummer has lived his whole life in Eel River and Center townships. He attended the rude log school houses of his home neighborhood during his boyhood days and assisted his father on the farm during his summer vacations. The schools of that day were only three months in length and the instruction was confined principally to reading, writing and arithmetic. Mr. Plumj-ner has devoted his whole life to agricultural pursuits and has met with a measure of success which has been commensurate with his efforts. He married in 1872, and in 1876 bought his first farm of eighty acres, and to this he has added from time to time until he is now the owner of three hundred and ninety acres of land in the county. He is a man of powerful physique and has done a great deal of hard manual labor in his time. In the days when wheat was cut with the cradle, he could cut as much wheat as any man in the neighborhood and keep it up day after day.

Mr. Plummer was married August 20, 1872, to Mary E. Margason, the daughter of John and Edizabeth (Griggs) Margason, early settlers of Center township, this county. The Marga^-^ons came from Kentucky to Jefferson county, Indiana, and later settled in this county, where they purchased land in Center township. Mr. and Mrs. Plummer are the parents of five children : Horace, a manufacturing jeweler and engraver in Indianapolis, with offices in the State Life building in that city; Marsalice, who is now in the West; Lydia is the wife of Richard Harrison, of Danville, and the mother of two children, Roy and Evangeline; Lula, who is still living with her parents; Oliver Earl, who is the chemist for a gypsum factory in Ohio, was recently married to Dora Padget.

Politically, Mr. Plummer is a supporter of the Republican party. The high standing which he occupies among the agriculturists of Hendricks county is attributable largely to his indefatigable perseverance and untiring energy. While his private affairs naturally receive the major portion of his time and attention, yet he is interested in matters of public interest and is prominent in the local affairs of his community. In business circles he is respected by all with whom he comes in contact and occupies a foremost position among the representative citizens of his county.

Joseph C. Morgan

The following is a brief sketch of one who, by close attention to business. has achieved marked succe.>-:s in the world's affairs and risen to an honorable place among the enterprising men of the county with which his interests are identified. It is a plain record, rendered remarkable by no strange or mysterious adventure, no wonderful and lucky accident and no tragic situation. Mr. Morgan is one of those estimable citizens whose integrity and strong personality must force them into an admirable notoriety, which their modesty never seeks, who command the respect of their contemporaries and their posterity and leaves the impress of their individuality upon the age in whicH they live.

Joseph C. Morgan, a plasterer and public-spirited citizen of Plainfield, was born April 3, 1859, at Monrovia, Morgan county, Indiana. His parents were William H. and Maria (Marvin) Morgan, his father being a native of Kentucky and his mother of Ohio. His father was born in 1824 and learned the trade of a plasterer in Kentucky before coming to Morgan county, in 1855. In 1863 William Morgan moved to Plainfield, Indiana, where he followed his trade until his death, in 1894, at the age of seventy. He was a prominent Mason and was always very much interested in the affairs of the lodge. Mr. and Mrs. William Morgan were the parents of seven children, all of whom are living: Jo.seph C, the immediate subject of this sketch; O. P., of Plainfield ; Mrs. Rolena Hagee, of Plainfield ; Mary, who has been a teacher in the Plainfield schools for the past twenty years; Nannie, of Monrovia, Indiana; and Mrs. Minnie Bridges, the wife of Doctor Bridges, of Plainfield.

Joseph C. Morgan was given a good practical education in the public schools of Plainfield, and when a small lad began to help his father. He was thus early initiated into all of the details of the plasterer's trade and there is no trick in the trade with which he is not familiar. It is safe to say that there is no more efficient and artistic workman in this section of the state than Mr. Morgan, and as a result he has always had all the work he could handle, and yet his customers have been perfectly satisfied with his work in everv particular.

Joseph C. Morgan has never married, but for many years has lived virith his aunt in Piainfield. He owns a fine home, which is equipped with all the modern conveniences. In his fraternal relations he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for the past twenty-five years. He has always voted the Republican ticket, and while he keeps well informed on all the current questions of the day, he has never been a seeker after political preferment.

The family history of Mr. Morgan is of more than ordinary interest, and he is justified in being proud of his progenitors on both sides of the family. His mother's father, Clare Marvin, was a pioneer of Morgan county, Indiana, having settled nea,r Monrovia about 1840. Clare Marvin was born in New York city, and was in the War of 1812, taking part in the siege of Baltimore. The Marvin family is of English descent, the first representative of the family coming to America in 1793. Nancy Marvin, another one of the early members of the family to come to America, was born in London in 1788, and died in Morgan county, Indiana, in 1892, at the advanced age of one hundred and four years. She retained her faculties to the last and it was from her that most of the family history has been obtained.

Joseph C. Morgan has lived a life of usefulness and has always taken an active part in the civic life of the community where he has resided for so many years. Personally, he is genial and companionable, enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout this section of the state, and is a popular member of the circle in which he moves.

Jonah S. Brill

The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are instructive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what it is in the power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class of life; apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate renown. The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would seem almost to justify the conclusion that self-reliance, with a half chance, can accomplish any reasonable object. The gentleman whose life history is herewith outlined is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a splendid success. By a straightforward and commendable course he has made his way to a respect- able position in the business world, winning the hearty admiration of the people of his county, and earning a reputation as an enterprising and progressive man of affairs which the public has not been slow to recognize and appreciate.

Jonah S. Brill, one of the successful and enterprising farmers of Hendricks county, who is now living a retired life in Plainfield, was born May 26, 1 85 1, in Frederick county, Virginia. His parents, John Harrison and Sarah Ann ((Millhorn) Brill, were both natives of Virginia, his father's birth occurring December 6, 18 19, and died January 6, 1894, while his mother was born May 14, 1821, and died January 6, 1870. John H. Brill was a stage driver for many years and covered the route from Winchester, Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee. When Jonah S. was about one year old, his father came with his family to Indiana, settling in Liberty township, Hendricks county, where they lived until 1867, when they moved to Sheridan county, Missouri. John H. Brill and his wife both died in that state. They reared a large family of thirteen children, nine of whom are living. Dr. James H. Brill, of Indianapolis ; Mrs. Mary F. Lambert, of Hadley, Hendricks county ; Jonah S., the immediate subject of this sketch; Mrs. Eliza Morgan, of Springfield, Missouri; Mrs. Rachel E. Needham, of Mountain Grove, Missouri; Amos M., of Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Elizabeth C. Coctrell, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; Charles W., of Lampher, Colorado, and Mrs. Harriett E. Elliott, of Forest Green, Missouri.

Jonah S. Brill came to Hendricks county from Virginia with his parents when he was a mere babe in arms and has lived here all his life except five years, when he lived in Sheridan county, Missouri. His education was received in this state and he finished his educational training in Missouri, where he lived from 1867 to 1872. At the age of twenty he began to learn the trade of a carriage trimmer in Indianapolis, and continued to work at this occupation for six years. He then took up farming in Liberty township, this county, and continued to follow the vocation of a farmer until 1897, when he removed to Plainfield and left the active operation of the farm to younger hands. A few years ago, in 1907, he sold his farm and is now living a retired life in Plainfield.

Mr. Brill was married October 27, 1880, to Nannie Williams, the daughter of Nathan C. and Katherine (McPherson) Williams. The one child born to this union died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Brill are both devoted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Plainfield. Fraternally, Mr. Brill is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, but has never taken an active part in politics, although he has always voted with the Democratic party. Mr. Brill has the reputation of a progressive man of affairs, is broad minded and public spirited, -and has not been backward in giving his support to every movement for the upbuilding and development of his community. Personally, he is a most companionable man and is an appreciative member of the circles in which he moves.

Mrs. Brill was born in Liberty township, Hendricks county. Her parents were both natives of North Carolina and both came to Hendricks county, Indiana, when they were small children, grew up and married here, and lived in Liberty township. He was a farmer. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had two children. One son, Luther, who was born in 1850, married Catherine Wheatley, and died in 1876. Nathan C. Williams died February 14, 1886; his wife died December 24, 1892.

Martin Luther Johnson

.Among the thri\ing farmers and stock raisers of Hendricks county the gentleman whose name introduces this article is especially conspicuous. Starting out with practically no capital or assistance, he has gradually forged to the front and has long since become one of the substantial citizens of his community, which he has seen develop to a foremost position in agricultural importance, and it is useless to add that he has played an important role in this work, having always had the affairs of his locality at heart and readv at all times to further any laudable undertaking having as its object the general good.

Martin Luther Johnson, one of the prosperous farmers of Middle township, was born in 1853 in Boone county, Indiana. His parents were Patrick and Clemens (Hanna) Johnson. Patrick Johnson was a native of Kentucky and came in 1829 to Boone county with his parents when he was eleven years of age. His father entered eighty acres near Brunswick, upon first settling in Boone county, but in 1865 moved into Hendricks county and Ijought one hundred and si.xty acres of land in Brown township. He received his deed on the same day that Lincoln was shot, April 14, 1865. Patrick Johnson, in addition to his farming, bought and sold a large amount of stock, driving his stock to Indianapolis to market. He continued to farm his one hundred and sixty acres until about two years before his death, which occurred No\ember 22, 1906. The wife of Patrick Johnson was a native of

Kentucky, who came to Boone county with her parents when a small girl. She died in 1905. Mr. and J\lrs. Patrick Johnson were the parents of a large family of thirteen children: George H., Mrs. Mary Johnson (deceased), James F., John C, Albert N., Martin Luther, Mrs. Nancy E. Burks. Mrs. Martha Caroline Cassaday, William P., Wilson T., Willard l\. Mrs. Hanna Florence Davis and Herbert M.

Martin Luther Johnson spent the first twelve years of his life in Boone county and there received part of his education. After moving to this county he attended school for several year.-^, receiving most of his schooling in Hendricks county. When he was married he only had twenty acres, but by honest endeavor and hard toil he has added to his land holdings from time to time, until now he owns a farm of one hundred and forty acres. He raises the crops of this locality and adds to his annual income by handling a considerable amount of live stock every year. In 1899 '^^ built a large barn and has his whole farm improved in every way, in order to produce the best results with the minimum amount of effort. For fifteen years he operated a threshing machine outfit in connection with his farming, deriving no small income from this line of business.

Mr. Johnson was married in 1876 to Leonora Schenck, the daughter of Isaac Harvey and Nancy J. (Harris) Schenck. Isaac Schenck was born in Butler county, Ohio, and his wife in Pulaski county, Kentucky. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Schenck settled in Brown township, where he died in 1895 and she in 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Schenck were the parents of eleven children : Mary Elizabeth, deceased ; Mrs. Rebecca A. Young, deceased ; Tilghman Howard, deceased ; Mrs. Caroline Pitzer, deceased ; Mary Ellen, deceased; Levi H. ; Samuel Riley; James B. ; Leonora, the wife of Mr. Johnson; Thomas Jefferson and George. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of seven daughters, si.x of whom are living and five are married. Emma is deceased. The daughters living are : J\Irs. Delia Garner, Mrs. Ota Weaver, Mrs. Luella Stonebreaker, Mrs. Pearl Coleman, Miss Mary Etta Johnson and Mrs. Fern Hubble.

Politically, Mr. Johnson has always advocated the principles of the Republican party and has never seen any reason why he should change his adherence to that of any other party. He and his wife are members of the Regular Baptist church and he is a deacon and trustee in the church. Mr. Johnson has made a success of his life work, because he has been a hard worker and honest in his dealings with his fellow men. He is known among his friends and neighbors as a man who deals justly and a man who has ac- quired his present position, only through the dint of saving, honesty and good management. He is a man of strong will and obliging, a friend to the needy and distressed, one of those sterling men who makes good in any community.

Rev. Joseph N. Greene

The life of the scholarly or professional man seldom exhibits any of those striking incidents that seize upon public feeling and attract attention to himself. His character is generally made up of the aggregate qualities and qualifications he may possess as these may be elicited by the exercise of the duties of his vocation or the particular profession to which he belongs. The highly honored and esteemed subject of this sketch is a man of well rounded character, sincere, devoted and loyal, so that there are many salient points which render consonant a tribute to him in this compilation. He has not been content to hide his talents amid life's sequestered ways, but has by force of will and a laudable ambition to succeed, forged to the front into a position which stamps him as a man of extraordinary ability. His life has been one of hard study and he stands today a man well equipped to perform his work in life. There is no higher calling than that of a minister of the Gospel and the good that he does never receives its full reward in this world. Rev. Joseph N. Greene has not only made a notable success as a minister, but has also earned a wide reputation as a lecturer on Shakesperian subjects. In addition he has entered the literary field and produced three books which have added not a little to his prestige.

Rev. Joseph N. Greene, now pastor of the Broadway Methodist Episcopal church of Indianapolis, and a former resident of Danville, Indiana, was born in Valparaiso, Indiana, June 25, 1868. His parents were Nelson and Mary Jane (Eunk) Greene, his father also being a minister in the Methodist church. Nelson Greene was a native of Ohio and came to this state as a young man, married at Warsaw and was a pastor in the Methodist churches of Indiana for more than half a century. Among the places where he held charges were Warsaw, Valparaiso, Brazil, Greencastle, Marion and Danville. He first came to Danville about 1869 and upon his retirement from the ministry he bought a home in that town and continued to reside there until his death, September 29, 19 10. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Greene were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living: Mrs. M. A. Keeney, of Danville; Edward J., of Danville; Charles, of West Lafayette; Mrs. John F. Way, of Mitchell,

South Dakota; Anan C, of South Bend, Indiana. His widow, the mother of Rev. Greene, is still living at Danville at the advanced age of eighty- six.

Rev. Joseph N. Greene received his elementary and high school education in the public schools of Danville and his theological training in the Boston School of Theology, graduating from the latter institution in 1897. Immediately after graduating from the high school he went into business in Danville, but within a short time he began to make preparations to enter the ministry. By the time he was twenty-six years of age he had passed all of the examinations and was admitted to the Northwest Indiana conference. Then in order to prepare himself for more efficient work he entered the Boston School of Theology and after completing the course in that school he received a call to the Grace Methodist Episcopal church at Terre Haute (1897-1899). The appointments which he has held since that time are as follows : Williamsport, Indiana (1899-1901); Maple Avenue church, Terre Haute (1901- 1905); Brazil, Indiana (1905-1910); Watertown, South Dakota (1910- 1912); Broadway church, Indianapolis (1910 to the present time). All of these appointments have been under the Northwest Indiana conference except the Watertown charge, which was under the jurisdiction of the Dakota conference, and the Broadway, Indianapolis, charge, which is in the Indiana conference.

Rev. Greene was married to Adah L. Titus, of Williamsport, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse \V. Titus, on October 18, 1900. They have one son, Warren Nelson, born October 18, 1912.

The minister who can reach the public through the printed page is an exception and if he can do so his field of usefulness is vastly increased. Rev. Greene is one of the very few ministers who can write as well as preach, and two of his books have had many favorable notices. His first volume was entitled "The Gospel in Literature" and is a book of genuine merit. In it he displays a wide range of scholarship and erudition which gives to the book a solidity often lacking in volumes of a similar nature. His second publication, "The Funeral," is for the use of ministers and the hearty reception which it has received indicates that it is of real worth. A third book, under the title "The Exalted Fisherman," has just been issued by the Methodist Book Concern of Cincinnati and New York.

Rev. Greene has always been a student of literature and has made a special study of Shakespeare. He frequently gives lectures on Shakesperian subjects before literary clubs, on such topics as "The Women of Shakespeare," "The Supernatural in Shakespeare," "Hamlet," and "Retributive Justice in Shakespeare." In these lectures he displays a deep insight in the literature of

It is interesting to note that while Rev. Greene was the pastor of the Brazil church, he was the moving figure in the movement to increase the attendance of the Sunday school. The result has l:)een that the Sunday school in that town now is the largest in the world.

Rev. Greene is quite actively interested in public affairs, taking the part of a good citizen in public measures and reforms; strong and alert, energetic and persistent, he has had marked influence for good in his community. In his politics he is independent, always voting for the best men regardless of their political affiliations. In all the pastorates he has held he has been popular and has built up the congregation, strengthened the work in all its departments and quickly won his way into the affections of his parishioners. He is profoundly versed in theology, a scholarly, high-minded, whole-souled gentleman, fearless in his denunciation of sin wherever found and, above all, a man who has the courage of his convictions. As a pulpit orator he is surpassed by few, always logical, forceful, earnest and often truly eloquent. Truly, he is a born leader of men, and as Shakespeare has said, "His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that the whole world might stand up and say, This was a man."

Frank Johnson

Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impplses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free, out-of-door life of the farm has a decided tendency to fo.-ter and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood and no truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and d\stinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were indebted largely to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.

Frank Johnson, the proprietor of three hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land in Franklin township, Hendricks county, Indiana, was born in Morgan county, this state, April 20, 1858. His parents were Wesley and

Mary (Garrison) Johnson, his father being a native of North Carolina and his mother of Indiana. When Wesley Johnson was about seven years of age he came to this county from North Carolina with his father, who entered government land in Morgan county. Wesley Johnson received the very meager education which was afforded by the subscription schools of his day and when a mere lad started to work on his father's farm, where he learned as a lad all those lessons which must be a part of every successful farmer's equipment, and his success in after life may be in a large part attriliuted to the excellent teaching received at the hands of hi.-^ father along agricultural lines. He continued on the farm with his father until his marriage, and, in fact, lived all of his life on the farm, except one year which he spent in Danville. Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Johnson were the parents of two children, Frank, the immediate suliiect of this sketch, and Elizabeth, who married Oscar Weasner, and they have four children. Lee, Mary, Ina and Willis.

I'rank Johnson was educated in the common school.-; of Hendricks county and during his school days he worked on his father's farm during the summer, so that by the time he was twenty-one years of age he had received from his father a practical course in agriculture. When he reached his majority he married, rented a farm and started in to make his fortune with his good wife How well they have succeeded may be seen by the most casual observer who passes by his spacious residence and notes the broad fields which are his today. As a farmer and stock raiser he is the equal of any in this county of excellent farmers and his success is due to his persistent and persevering energy and good judgment in all things which pertain to the agricultural life.

Mr. Johnson was married January 20, 1879, to Alary Newman, the daughter of Lacy and Maria (Phillips) Newman, and to them have been born two children, Luna, who died May 3, 1899, and Clarence, who married Mabel Gambold, and they have three children, Allen, Edwin and Helen. Mr. Johnson's wife's parents were both natives of North Carolina, her father having come from that state to Indiana when he was eighteen years of age and settled with his father upon one hundred and sixty acres of land which he entered from the government. Mr. Newman died in 1892, his wife having passed away six years previous. Mr. and Mrs. Newman were the parents of six children : Laura, who died at the age of five years ; Jane, who married Galen Robinson; Mary, the wife of Mr. Johnson; Martha, who married Frank Masten; George died at the age of seventeen vears; Tulia married Harrison Shields.

Methodist Episcopal church at Stilesville, in the affairs of which they are much interested, Mr. Johnson being a trustee of the church. Mr. Johnson has been a stanch Republican for many years and although he takes a deep interest in the current questions of the day and political issues of the hour, he has never been a seeker for any public office. His extensive farming interests have demanded his time and attention so that he has not felt inclined to bother himself with the question of holding office. Mr. Johnson has a fine residence and keeps his farm in a highly cultivated state of improvement at all times. He has a reputation for honesty and integrity which has been the direct result of his square dealings throughout his long years of residence in this county. He is a man who has won the esteem of his fellow men by the daily touch of his life.