Johnson County, Indiana - The whole text, 1913 (part 11 of 11)

William J. Sheetz is a native son of the old Hoosier state, having been born in Benton county, on the 13th o: November, 1861. His parents were Robert and Lucy (Templeton) Sheet;. The former was the son of John Sheetz.. a native of Virginia, and the lalter was the daughter of Isaac Templeton, also a native of the Old Dominion, both becoming early settlers of Benton county, Indiana. To Robert and Lucy Sheetz were born the following children: Newton, Fannie (or Frank), Agnes, James, William, Isabel, :Minnie and Albert. The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of his native county, and at the age of twenly-five years he located at ]Millersville, county, where he remained on a farm for three years. In 18S9 h.e located near West Newton, :Marion county, and seven years later came to Johnson county and commenced the operation of his present farm. In 1901 he bought three hundred and severity six acres in ^^lorgan county, and he operates eight hundred acres of his uint's land in .Johnson county. ]Mr Sheetz is up-to-date and scientific in his agricultural operations and by the exercise of sound judgment, keen disc-imination and indomitable energy he has met with a flattering success in his enterprise. He carries on general farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country and also gives much attention to the raising of hve stock, his annual output being three hundred hogs, one hundred cattle, one hundred sheep and one hundred mules, the latter being shipped to the Southern states. Mr. Sheetz has made many fine improvements on his farms and has skillfully rotated his crops and kept his fields fertilized until the land has retained its original strength and is today considered one of the most valuable tracts of farming land in this section of the state. Mr. Sheetz, while devoted to his special line of effort, as a successful man should be, finds time and has the inclination to give a proper share of attention to the public affairs of his county and his support is unreservedly given to every movement which has for its object the welfare and upbuilding of his community. He is a man who would win his way in any locality where fate might place him, for he has sound judgment, coui)led with great energy and business ta:t, together with upright principles, all of which make for success wherever and whenever they are rightly and p:rsistently applied.

Mr. Sheetz has been married twice, his first marriage having occurred in 188S to Margaret Davis, who di;d in 1894. and in 1S98 he married Eva Robertson, the daughter of Colem: n and America (Sandidge) Robertson, of Morgan county. He is the fathei of two children, Mark and Sheldon.

Politically, Mr. Sheetz is an earnest supporter of the Republican party, while his fraternal affiliations are with the Free and Accepted Masons. Religiously, he is a member of the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church and takes a deep interest in the prosperity of that so:iety. Personall}-, he is a man of genial and unassumiPig character, who, because of his genuine worth and his stauiich integrity, has won and retains the unalloyed respect and good will of all v.ho -know him.

Ed Simon

Success in this life comes to the deserving. It is an axiom demonstrated by all human experience that a man gets out of this life what he puts into it, plus a reasonable interest on the investment. The individual who inherits a large estate and adds nothing to his 'fortune cannot be called a successful man. He that falls heir 'o a large fortune and increases its v: lue is successful in proportion to the amount he adds to his possession. But the man who starts in life unaided and by sheer force of will, controlled by correct principles, forges ahead and at 'ength readies a position of honor among his fellow citizens, achieves success such as representatives of the two former classes can neither understand nor appreciate. To a considerable extent Ed Simon, a well known farmer and stock man of Franklin township, is a creditable representative of the class last named, a class which has furnished much of the bone and sinew of the country and added to the stability of our government and its institutions.

Ed Simon, one of the best known and successful farmers in Johnson county, Indiana, was born on February 21, 1880, in this county, and is a son of John and Sarah (Wallace) Simon, natives respectively of Germany and of this county. The subject's father was born in 1832 and died in 1910. He came to this country a poor emigrant boy in 1S50, and by the most patient and persistent industry and rigid economy, saved his earnings and eventually left an estate worth sixty thousand dollars. He reared four children : George, of Franklin township; ]\irs. Ida Smith, also of Franklin township; Charles, who died in 191 1, and FA, the subject of this sketch. The latter received his education in the district schools of the neighborhood and resided under the parental roof until 1901, when he mo/ed onto his present farm, having boug!:t a tract of sixty-eight acres. He has added to his land from time to time as he has been prospered and is now ihc owricr of three hundred and sixtyfive acres of as good land as can be found in Johnson county. Probably r.o farm in this section of the country is as completely and permanently improved in every respect as !Mr. SiuKin's farm. He has here carried on the raising of grain and in connection therewith has given much attention to the raising and fe'eding of live stock, in which he has achieved his greatest SU'> cess. He sells about three hundred hogs annually, feeding all the grain which he raises and also purchasing a large amount for this purpose. He has ore hundred and sixty acres of corn pkmted, all of which will be fed to li\e stock. Besides the hogs which have already been mentioned, he feeds about _sixty head of cattle and also buys many calves which he raises, and keefs about one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five horses and mules. Mr. Simon is a firm believer in live stock as a valuable adjunct to keeping up the fertility of the soil and he gives special attention to this feature of agricu'- ture. In its material aspect the farm is u[) to date in every particular. In addition to a magnificent barn and other necessary outbuildings, ^Ir. Simoa has two fine silos on the fami, in which he stores away ensilage for use during the winter. He also produces at out one hundred and fifty tons of hay on his farm, some of which he sells. In the spring of 19 13 Mr. Simon sold a load of two-year-old mules at an average price of one hundred and eighty- five dollars per head. As an example of the fertility of the soil, Mr. Simon has one hundred and ten acres planted to wheat and in 1912 raised a crop of wheat which averaged forty-two bushels to the acre, and it being a year when wheat was practically a failure elsewhere, his entire crop was sold for seed. The farm buildings and yards are equipped with a fine water system, the water being pumped from a well and supplied to cement tanl^s wherever needed.

Politically, the subject of this sketch gives his support to the Democratic party, while, fraternally, he is affdiated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

In May, 1901, Mr. Simon married Ellen Pool, the daughter of Scott Pool, of Brown count}', Indiana, and to them have been born six children, four sons and two daughters, namely : Ellie, Thomas, Nellie, Samuel, Charles and John. He is a man whose genial good nature and sterling qualities have won for him many friends, for he is esteemed as one of the township's solid and substantial citizens, a man who has been successful both in the accumulation of property and in the formation of a strong character, and one who;e judgment is much respected. lie is ^vell known throughout the country and enjoys the good will and confidence of a wide circle of friends.

Pi. G. Willia.Ais

Improvement and progress may well be said to form the keynote of the character of H. G. Williams, a well known and influential farmer and stoirk raiser of Clark township, and he has not oul_\ been interested in the work of advancing his individual affairs, but his influence is felt in upbuilding the communit}'. He has been an industrious man all his life, striving to kei'p abreast the times in every respect, and as a result everv- mile post of the years he has passed has found him further advanced, more prosperous, and with an increased numlier of friends.

H. G. Williams is a native of the count}' in which he now lives and in which he has spent practicall}- his entire life, his birth having occurred in Clark township, January 1 1. 1847. ^^^ '^ ^ ^'"i ^>^ James and Juda HMieelei-) Williams, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. Soon after their marriage these parents came to Indiana, locating near Edinhur^,^ Johnson county, where the father spent the rest of his da}-s engaged in agiicultural pursuits. He resided at Edinburg from the time of his arrival liere in 1820 until 1832, when he located in Clark township, where he made his permanent home. His death occurred in 1S97, at the age of eighty-seven years, his wife having passed away the year before, at the age of eighty years. They reared a large family, of whom five are still living and two arc residents of Johnson county. In politics, James Williams was a Democrat until the outbreak of the Civil war, from which time on he gave his support to the Republican party. He was a stanch supporter of the Union during the troublesome days of the early sixties and three of his sons enlisted for service in the defense of their country. Mr. Williams was an active and public spirited and for the long period of twenty-nine years he rendered efficient and appreciated service as trustee of his township. During that period he erected three sets of school houses, one of which was the first log school house in Clark township. He was keenly alive to the best interests of the people and was an earnest and enthusiastic supporter of the free public school system. He was a man among men and enjoyed to a notable degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.

H. G. Williams was reared on the paternal farmstead and sccuied his early cducati>^n in the common schools, supplemented by a cuursc at Hope- Avell Acadeni}- and two terms' attenlance at old Xortlnvestern University, now Butler College, at Irvington, I'.idianapolis. He then taught school for three years, but at the end of that time turned bis attention to farming. He was also a machinist, for which he bal a natural talent. In the early eighties Mr. Williams went to Brookings. South Dakota, where he spent two years, and while there he operated a steam threshing outfit. He is now the owner of one hiinured antl twenty-two acres of land, one hundred of which is under cultivation or ready for the plow and here he has successfully carried on his farming operations. Tvlr. Williams has given special attention to the buying, breeding and raising of live stock, in the handling of which he has been remarkably successful, being an excellent judge of stock and knowing how to handle them to the best ad\antage. He has made many permanent and substantial improvements on his farm, which is one of the valuable and attractive farm homes of Clark township.

In 1S64 :Mr. Williams enlisted as a private in Company G, One Hundred and Thirtv-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and saw about five months of service in the field.

On December 24, 186S, INIr. \\'illiams married ^Martha E. Tracy, the daughter of John and Rhoda (Browr) Tracy, the former of whom was fe,r thirty years trustee of Pleasant township and active in local public affairs. He was a o-ood business man and h.-.d the contract for the construction of part of the first railroad built in the state of Indiana, running from Indian- apolis to Madison. He died in 1898 and his wife in 1893. To Mr. and Mas. Williams have been born four children, namely: Flora A., who is at home with her parents; Lulu, who became the wife of Webb Walden, of Franklin; May, the wife of G. A. Lambert, of Anderson, Lidiana; John, who is a well known educator, being at the present time principal of the Franklin high school. Besides their own children, Mr. and Mrs. Williams, out of the kindness of their hearts, reared a boy, Lee, who is a graduate of Franklin College and is now coiuiected with Young Men's Christian Association work at Chicago.

Politically, IMr. Williams was for many years a warm supporter of the Republican party, but is now a Progressive. He was trustee of Clark township for six years, giving a businesslike and satisfactory administration; organizing the high school and erect. ng the Hrst building. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted TvLasons. the Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic. Personally, genial and unassuming, be has, by bis upright life and business success, won the respect of all who know him. He enjoys a wide acquaintanrc iii Johnson county, among whom are many warm and loyal personal friends.

Charlf5 J. Boone

The biographies of the representative men of a county bring to light man}' hidden treasures of mind, cl aractcr and courage, well calculated to arouse the pride of their family and of the community, and it is a source of regret that the people are not more familiar with the personal history of such men, in the ranks of whom may be iound tillers of the soil, mechanics, teachers, as well as lawyers, physicians, bankers and members of other vocations and professions. The subject of th's sketch is distinctively one of the leading citizens of the township in which he lives, and as such has made his influence felt among his fellow men ar.d earned a name for enterprise, integrity and honor that entitles him to worthy notice in a work of the nature of this volume.

Charles J. Boone, who for mi ny years has been one of the foremost citizens of his township, is a nati\e of Johnson county, and was born in Pleasant township on a farm now fc rming a part of the Whiteland town s.te, the date of his birth being July 23. 1866. His parents were Amazon and Enimeline Freeman, natives respccti\ ely of Ohio and Johnson county. Ama;:on

Boone, who was born in August, 1831, and died on July 11, 1910, was reared in his native state, coming to Franklin, Johnson county, this state, when a young man. He completed his education in Franklin Academy and afterwards engaged in teaching school in Pleasant township, his school being on the present site of the Tile factory at Whiteland. After three years in this vocation he engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which he was very successful and acquired the ownership of one hundred and sixty acres of good land. For many years he rendered efficient service as justice of the peace, being familiarly known as "Squire Boone," and during the Civil war he gave ardent service to the Union, but his active service was limited to membership in tlie Home Guards and service in the field during Morgan's raid. Religiously, he was a Presbyterian and his political faith was that of the Republican party. To him and his wife were born five children, of whom four were reared to maturity, namely: Eln .r, of Jackson county; }^Irs. Eva Tracy, of Whiteland: Charles J., the subject of this sketch, and Clara, who is a bookkeeper for the Whitclaufl Telephone Compan}-. The four children are members of the Presbyterian church.

Charles J. Boone received his education in the Whiteland schools ani was reared to the life of a farmer. At the age of t\vcnt3'-two years he married and then located on the farm, where he has lived continuously since and to the operation of which he has devored himself assiduously. By dint of the most persistent effort, sturdy industry and the exercise of sound judgment, he has achieved splendid success in his \-ocation and is today numbered among the leading farmers of his locality. He and his wife are the owners of om hundred and thirty acres of splendid land, forty acres of which lie in Pleasant township, and here he raises all the crops common to this section of th: country, and also feeds and sells a number of live stock, his annual outpuc being about one hundred and fifty hogs and a carload of cattle.

In 18SS, the subject of this sketch married Laura M. Ballard, a daughter of John Ballard, whose death occurred in 191 1. To them have been born three children: \\'illiam, a student in Franklin College; Hazel, who is studying to be a teacher in the Terre Haute Xormal School-, and Alonys, a senior in the Clark township high school.

Politically, Mr. Boone has been a life-long Republican, and in 1904 was elected trustee of Clark township, serving four years in this position and giving a very satisfactory administration of the office. His church membership is with the Whiteland Presbyterian society, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Greenwood. 'Mr. Boone is a man of splendid personal qualities and has for many years been numbered among the leading men of his community. He is possessed of strong musical talent and for a number of years was a member of the famous Whiteland Military Band, playing solo alto. This band was one of the most efficient in the state, winning first prize at every military band tournament which they attended. Another evidence of Mr. P.oonc's efficiency and progressive spirit was shown during his service as trustee when he introduced the teaching of music in the schools of the township, being the first official in this county to inaugurate this innovation. He takes a just pride in his community and can always be depended upon to lend his intluence and supi)ort to all worthy movements for the moral, educational or social advancement of the community. Because of his fine personal qualities and the einincni success he has won and is deserving of the high esteem in which he is held !)'>' his fellow citizens.

The biographies of the representative men of a country, either of a past or present generation, bring to light many hidden treasures of mind, character and courage, well calculated to arou.^e the pride of their descendants and of the community and it is a source of regret that the peoijle are not more familiar with the personal history of such men, in the ranks of wliom ma}- be found tillers of the soil, mechanics, teachers, as well as lawyers, physicians, bankers and members of other vocations and professions. Johnson county, Indiana, has been the home and scoic of labor of many men who ha\-e not only led lives which should ser\-c ar a lesson and inspiration, to those who follow them onto the stage of life's activities, liut who have also been of commendable service in im[)ortant aveinies of usefulness in various lines. The well remembered physician whose name forms the caption to this brief memoir was one of the useful workeis in the world's work, a man of well rounded character, sincere, devoted fnd loyal, so that there are many salient points which render consonant a tri':.ute to his memory in this compilation. Standing as he did for many years st the head of one of the most important and exacting of professions, his labors were long directed to the physical amelioration of the people of his community with most gratifying results. Personally, Doctor Noble was affab'e and popular with all classes and stood ready at all times to encourage and lid all laudable measures and enterprises for the general good. By a life con.- i stent in motive and because of his many fine qualities of head and heart he earned the sincere regard of a vast acquaint- ance, and his success in Iiis ch6sen field of endeavor bespoke for him the possession of superior attributes. Yet he was a plain, unassuming gentleman, straightforward in all his relations with his fellow men.

Dr. Thomas B. Noble, whose death occurred at Greenwood, Indiana, on the 6th of March, iqo;', was born in Boone county, Kentucky, on February 12, 1827. He was the son of George Thomas and Louise (Canby) Noble, and was of Englisli descent, his paternal grandparents having been born in the mother country. Members of the family have had prominent place in the civic life of the Hoosier state, his father's brother, Noah Noble, having been governor of Indiana, while another brother, Benjamin Nolile, was one of the early United States senators from tin's state. George T. Noble, who was a farmer by \-ocation, moved in 1S32 from Kentucky to Indianapolis, Indiana, and two years later came to Johnson county, locating on a farm just north of Greenwood, which is still in the possession of the family, and there he sjjcnt the remainder of his life. He was a man of rugged honestv and sterling character and by a life ])ure in motive and consistent in action he honored the name which he bore.

Thomas P.. Noble was indeljtcd t:) tlie common schools of his home neighborhood for his elementary education after which he attended old Franklin College, walking from his home every morm'ng to Franklin and back every evening, a distance of ten miles. In i8-|S be l)egan the study -of medicine in the ofiice and imder the direction of his future brother-in-law. Dr. \Y. II. Wishard. now one of the most enn'nent physicians and honored citizens of Indianapolis, and in 185 i-j he took a course of lecture? and study in the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. He had a n.atural aptitude for scientific subjects and in the field of medicine h's comprehension was remarkably quick and accurate, so that when he entered upon the active practice of his professic;n at Greenwood he was well qualified f c r his life work, in which he wa:- engaged continuously up to the time of his last illness. He had brought to his chosen vocation the strength and devotion of a great soul and a broad mind and in his life and career he lent honor and dignity to his profession. FTis integrity and fidelity were manifested in every relation of life, for he early learned that true happiness consisted in ministering to others; his career was one of untiring activity and was crowned with a degree of success fully commensurate with the devotion with which he applied himself to his labors. The example of such a life is always an inspiration to others and his influence w'll long be felt in his community, whose interests he always had at heart and which he did so much to promote during his active life here. In dealing with mankind, his word was his bond ; deceit never entered into any transactions he had with liis fellow men. His plain, rugged honesty, his open-hearted manner, undisguised and unaffected, is to his descendants a sweet and lasting memory.

At the time of Mr. Noble's death, the Central States Medical Monitor, in reviewing the life and work of the deceased, gave expression to the following beautiful sentiment: "Doctor Noble was a polished 'doctor of the old school,' who, aside from the roughness of 'W'ullum McLurc,' filled to the full measure that lovable character of Ian McLaren. * * * He represented a type of citizenship th;tt is rapidly Ijecuming extinct in the progressive Northwest. He began his life work in a section of the country where the pioneer was still laying his axe to the root of the tree, where the roads were almost impassable during a great part of the year, and where any profession or vocation to be successful must needs be pursued with unflagging energy through mauA- hardships and for poi:)r remuneration. Though he lived to be a part, as it were, of another world, the imiMcssions made by his early training were too deep to be eradicated, and he was known throughout the county for the simplicity of his life and the rugged honesty of his character."

Politically, Doctor Noble gave his support to the Republican party, though his professional duties were too exacting to permit him to take a very active part ill public affairs. Tn religious l)elief and memliership he was a Presbyterian and to the spiritual verities he gave careful and conscientious attention.

In 1855 Doctor Noble was united in marriage to Margaret A. W'ishard, a daughter of John and Agnes (Oliver) Wishard. Her paternal grandfather, William Wishard, was bom in the north of Ireland and was of Scotch- Irish extraction. He left his native land sometime during the eighteenth century and, coming to Anrjrica, settled first in Pennsylvania. He was a wea\-tr by trade, but after coming to this country he followed the pursuit of agriculture. Eventually he moved to Kentucky, where his death occurred. His son, lohn Wishard, who also took up the vocation of farming, came to Indiana in 1S25 and settled on the \\'hite river, where he resided during the remainder of his life. To him and his wife were born eleven children, of whom two died in infancy, the others growing to maturity and three still living. To Doctor and r^lrs. Noble were bom eight children, six of whom are living, namely: Agnes, who became the wife of David P. Praigg, of Indianapolis; Margaret, the wife of E. T. Lee, of Chicago; :Mrs. Martha Carter, of L^s Angeles, California: Thomas R., a successful and well known surgeon in Indianapolis ; :Mary J. and Elizabeth are at the old home in Greenwood. Mrs.

Noble's death, which occuncd on rVugust 22, 1913, removed from Johnson county one of its grand old women, who had by her life conferred honor and dignity on womanhood and who had to a notable degree enjoyed the love and esteem of all who knew her.

Frank Leslie Deer

One of the progressive farmers and highly respected citizens of Johnson county, Indiana, is Frank Leslie Deer, who has ever taken high rank. Possessing" energy and determination, he has been very successful in making everything he undertakes result to his ad\-antage, and his success in his chosen calling is attested by the fact of his liax ing started in an humble manner and is now the owner of valuable real estate, having accumulated the same by his own efforts.

Frank Leslie I3eer, one of the successful farmers of Pleasant township, where he owns a fine farm of eighty acres and also operates eighty acres of rented land, was born on October 31, i-SjQ, in Uni(jn township, this county, and is the son of Louis T. and Xanc\" (llainsj Deer, both of whom still reside in Union township, and who are nati\'es res[)ectively of Kentucky and Johnson count}', linliana. They are the parents of the following children: J. tL, a successful physician of Zionsville, this county; Mrs. Cora Paris, of Union township, this couniy ; Frank L., the immediate suliject of this sketch: llerschcH and Grace.

The subject rece!\ed his education in the schools of bis home neighborhood and was reared to the life of a farmer. In 1S95 he bought a tract of -land in I'nion township which he sold two years later and bought thirtytwo acres in \\'hite River township. In 1900 he sold that tract and bought another place of ninety acres in Union township and in 1904 bought si.xtyfive acres additional in Union tt.wnship. In 1907 he bought eighty acres ot land in Pleasant township, which he rented and engaged in the mercantile business in W'hiteland, where for two years he enjoyed an excellent patronage. In the fall of 1910 he traded his eighty acres in Pleasant township for another farm of the same size in this township and at the same time disposed of his mercantile business at W'hiteland. Lie is actively engaged in the operation of his land and has inifiroved the place so that its present appearance is a distinct credit to the owner. His 1913 crops embrace fifty-five acres of corn, tbirt\-h\e acres of whej t, thirty acres in hay and clover and an output of fifty hogs. He also conduct-; a dairy herd of six Jersey cattle of good blood. In all his operations he is enterprising and progressive, following up-to-date methods and among his fellow agriculturists he occupies a high standing.

In the fall of 1S99 jMr. Deer was united in marriage to Bertha INIinncr, a daug'hter of William H. Minner, and to them have been born two children, Loon and Gertrude.

Politically, Mr. l^eer gives an ardent support to the Democratic party, but is not in any sense a seeker after public ofiice. I'raternally, he is a member of the Greenwood lodge of Knights of Pythias, while his religious membership is with the ]\lethodist Episcopal church. In c\ery a\-enue of life's activities Mr. Deer has been true to every trust, and because of his unassuming demeanor and his genuine worth he deserves the high regard in which he is held by all ^vho know him.