Vincennes Township (part 14 of 14)

James J. Kelso was reared amid the scenes and environments of pioneer life, for this district was still a frontier region at the time of his birth. His natal year was the one in which the Black Hawk war occurred and the Indians were thereby driven from this section of the country. At the usual age he entered the district schools. The course of instruction was then limited, but he made good use of his opportunities and in the school of experience has learned many valuable and practical lessons. His training at farm labor was not meager and he not only ssisted in the work of the fields but also aided his father in the conduct of a brickyard. He continued in those lines of business until 1861, when he began farming on his own account, purchasing about one hundred and twenty acres of land. His time and energies were thereafter devoted to tilling the place until he retired, although in the meantime he had bought and sold other lands. His time was given to cultivation of cereals best adapted to soil and climate and the practi- cal methods which he followed made his labor a source of substantial success. His sound judgment told him when to plant his fields and he practiced the rotation of crops, so that he always kept his land in good condition. At length when he retired he sold his farm and now lives upon a part of the old family homestead at the corporation limits of Vincennes.

Mr. Kelso was united in marriage to Miss Dorcas Armstrong and they had four children : Alice, the wife of Lyle Simpson, of Vincennes, by whom she has three children - Clinton, Martha and James; Mary L., the wife of H. Healy, of New York city; Lucy; and William. After losing his first wife Mr. Kelso wedded Mary B. Badolet and they have one child, Frances, at home.

Aside from politics Mr. Kelso takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of his native county. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian denomination and he is serving as an elder of the church in Vincennes in which he has his membership. He has not only been prominently identified with agricultural interests but for many years has labored with all the strength of a great nature and all the earnestness of a true heart for the betterment of the world about him and his reward is found in the love and respect of the community in which his entire life has been passed.

Wesley Cleveland

Wesley Cleveland, who has the honor of being connected with the same line of ancestry as Grover Cleveland, twice president of the United States, was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, September 17, 1850, and has for a number of years been a resident of Knox county. He is a son of Benjamin and Anne (McCamman) Cleveland. The father, who was born in New Jersey in 1813, emigrated to Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1834, when he was twenty-one years of age, and lived on the same farm in that county until his death, which occurred in October, 1892, just before the election of Grover Cleveland for the second time as president. He was a successful farmer, a man of genial characteristics and a patriotic citizen, who always attempted to perform his duty according to the dictates of an enlightened, conscience. Politically he was in sympathy with the democratic party, but he never sought official preferment. The mother was a native of the Emerald isle. She came to this country with her parents at three years of age and here she lived until 1852, when she was called to her reward. She was a woman of kind heart, generous disposition and many noble qualities, which endeared her to her family and friends. She was the mother of nine children: Mary J., William, John, Andrew, Thomas and George, all deceased; Wesley, our subject; Benjamin, now engaged in farming near Carlisle, Sullivan county ; and James, a farmer of Greene county, this state.

The subject of this review was educated in the common schools, receiving such an education as is often of great importance in shaping the character for usefulness and unselfishness and it had a marked effect in his case. He remained upon the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age and then became identified with the railroad business. Later he removed to Bicknell, where he teamed for several years, but gave up that business in 1908 to become assessor of the town and township, which position he still fills, having shown an ability that has met the hearty approval of the taxpayers. He also pays some attention to gardening. He owns the home in which he lives, with two lots and an acre of ground in the town and has an established reputation as one of the responsible and progressive citizens of Knox county.

In 1876 Mr. Cleveland was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Phillippe, who died April 2, 1901. There were eight children born to them: William; Anna Rose, the wife of M. B. Fox, of Bicknell ; M. M., the wife of William Scomp, of Bicknell; Lewis; Thurman; Rebecca, deceased; Pearl; and Ray. Five of the children are now living at home and assist in making it one of the happy gathering places of Bicknell.

Mr. Cleveland, as was his father, is an adherent of the democratic party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and encampment at Bicknell. In his life he has been controlled by a desire to assist in advancing the permanent welfare of those with whom he has been associated and his ambition has been largely realized. As a useful and enterprising citizen he has done his part toward promoting the best interests of the community and no man is more sincerely respected by those who know him than the subject of this review.

Ralph L. Miller

Among the representative citizens of Knox county is Ralph L. Miller, the owner of a valuable farm of four hundred and fifty acres in Washington township, which he has cleared and improved during the last eight years. He was born in Brownstown, Jackson county, Indiana, August 29, 1872, and is a son of William and Ida (Smith) Miller, both of whom were natives of this state. The father began farming upon rented land in Jackson county and in 1881 fell heir to eighty acres. Six years later he came into possession of five hundred and sixty acres more and in 1889 purchased one hundred and thirty-five acres, becoming one of the extensive farmers of the county. He was called away in 1895 but the beloved mother is still living and makes her home at Seymour, Indiana.

Ralph L. Miller received his preliminary education in the district schools and grew up upon the home farm. Feeling the necessity of a liberal education in order to compete successfully in the business afifairs of modern life.

he became a student at Purdue University and there continued for two years, in the course of which he learned a great deal that has assisted him very materially in the accomplishment of worthy objects. After the death of his father he took charge of the home place, continuing there until 1902, when he purchased four hundred and fifty acres of G. W. Elliott, in Washington township, this county. He has since made his home in Knox county and is the owner of one of its most valuable farms, displaying an energy and judgment in its management which have produced highly satisfactory returns.

On the 17th day of August, 1898, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Nettie W. Holmes, a daughter of John W. and Emma Holmes both of whom were born in Indiana. She is a most estimable lady and a member of the Christian church. Mr. Miller is in hearty sympathy with the principles and candidates of the democratic party, contributing liberally toward its support. He was born under favorable financial conditions and has always had an abundance of this world's goods. The high character he possesses is not the result of struggle with adversity. It was, with him, a natural endowment and has easily made him a leader in the community. The possessor of a pleasing address, an intelligent and cultivated mind and the genial qualities that attract friends, he justly occupies a high place in the estimation of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

William H. Brevoort

William H. Brevoort is one of the most widely known citizens of Knox county and the most prominent representative of its agricultural interests. His life has been one of untiring activity, of business enterprise and sound judgment, as evidenced in the splendid success which has rewarded his labors. He now makes his home at No. 522 Busseron street in Vincennes and has reached the seventy-second milestone on life's journey. His birth occurred in Ohio, in 1838, his parents being Jason F. and Sarah (Sefton) Brevoort. The father was a practicing physician who removed to Indianapolis, where he actively and successfully followed his profession until his life's labors were ended in death. His wife also passed away in that city.

William H. Brevoort spent the first twelve years of his life in Ohio and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Indianapolis, where he continued his education in the public schools and later entered Butler College, from which in due course of time he was graduated. He removed to Knox county in 1865 and began farming, having at first but a small tract of land. He applied himself with unceasing diligence to the cultivation of his fields and at length secured good crops, for which he found a ready sale. The proceeds of his labors he invested in further improvements upon his place and also in extending the boundaries of his farm. Success con- tinued to attend him and from time to time he added to his property until his holdings aggregate sixty-seven hundred acres, all of which is cultivable and valuable land, making him the largest landowner in Knox county.

In 1869 Mr. Brevoort was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Mental, a daughter of Dr. John M. Mental, a prominent physician. This marriage was blessed with four children: Dorothy, William E., Margaret J. and James Scott. For his second wife Mr. Brevoort chose Amelia Shattuck, whom he wedded in 1876. He is a member of the Christian church and contributes generously to its support. As a citizen he has at all times the good of the community at heart and in many ways his ability has been exerted to make his adopted county rank with the brightest and best of those composing this great commonwealth. He stands as a splendid example of the self-made man, his life history proving what may be accomplished by close application, unfaltering purpose, judicious investment and honorable dealing.

Hamilton Like

Many of the leading citizens of Knox county can claim descent from pioneers coming from the south and not a few of the men and women of this county and the state of Indiana are the direct descendants of settlers who came to this region from North Carolina when Indiana was a wilderness. The forests have been cleared away, the swamps drained and the prairies plowed and today almost the entire state is under a high degree of cultivation. It is largely by the early settlers and their children and grandchildren that this great work has been accomplished. Hamilton Like, whose name introduces this review, is of worthy North Carolina and Teutonic ancestry and represents the third generation of his family in Indiana.

He was born on the farm where he now resides June 16, 1862, and is a son of Elias and Sarah (Shouse) Like. The father was also a native of Knox county and the grandfather of North Carolina, the latter coming to this region with a colony which settled in Harrison township. Elias Like entered the land upon which he located and which has ever since remained in possession of the family. Money was scarce in those early days and he hunted raccoons and quails, which were quite numerous at the time, in order to secure the necessary funds to pay for the land. That he was a man of ability is evident from the fact that he acquired about four hundred acres of land, but he sold a portion of it and at the time of his death, June II, 1893, was the owner of two hundred acres, which passed into the possession of his heirs. The mother of our subject was a native of Knox county, her parents coming from Kentucky. Here she was married and in this county she died, February 16, 1898. Three of the children of the family died in infancy; Elizabeth is the widow of James King, living near

Monroe City; Lige and Adam are deceased; Richard is represented elsewhere in this work; Eliza Jane and Clark are deceased; Nancy A. is the wife of William Scott, a farmer of Harrison township; the next died in infancy ; Hamilton is our subject ; Sarah is the wife of William Beaman, a farmer of Harrison township ; and Jasper and Curtis are deceased.

The subject of this review received his education in the common schools, where he showed a proficiency in mathematics much beyond the ordinary and had he desired to continue his studies in that direction, it is probable that he could have acquired quite a reputation as a mathematician. In many ways, however, he has found this faculty to be of great service to him in his business affairs. He remained at home with his parents after leaving school and upon the death of his father took charge of the farm, which he purchased when he was twenty-five years of age. He has been highly successful as a farmer and from time to time, as his resources increased, he purchased more land until he is now the owner of two farms in Harrison township, aggregating six hundred and sixty-five acres. He is an extensive cattle and hog feeder and usually succeeds in getting high prices for stock. His attention has not been devoted entirely to farming, as he was one of the organizers of the Monroe City Bank and is one of its stockholders and a member of its board of directors.

The father and mother of Mr. Like were members of the Missionary Baptist church, but he has never identified himself with any religious organization, although he is a friend to all of them. Politically he is in sympathy with the democratic party and accepts its principles as those best adapted to conserve the permanent interests of the people. As a business man Mr. Like stands very high and is regarded by those who know him best as a man of rare judgment and good executive ability. He is wide-awake, progressive and broad-minded and may justly be named as a representative of the best class of citizens whose influence is always for prosperity.

All experience demonstrates that the surgeon is an indispensable member of modern society and in perhaps even a greater degree does the value of the services of the skilled optician appeal. Tens of thousands of men and women would be almost helpless in caring for themselves or others were it not for the beautiful art, illuminated by the light of science, by which a feeble or uncertain vision is made reliable and strong, and the beneficiary is not only enabled to be self-reliant and self-supporting but is able to meet fully all the exigencies and requirements of a busy life.

To men like Dr. J. H. Hammon is the world indebted for the priceless blessings which are available through the use of the eye glass. After the principles of the art had been thoroughly worked out by some of the great- est scientists of the world, the practical application to everybody uses was made' by men who possessed both the scientific and business instinct and in almost every civilized community these men may now be found. Dr. Hammon began in the optical business in a modest way, in Vincennes, in 1898, and a few years later, seeing the opportunity that was presented and having faith in substantial recognition of a home institution, he installed a manufacturing plant, which has become the largest producer of optical goods in the state of Indiana. The manufactory is in charge of C. F. Kramer, a graduate of the Northern Illinois Optical College. It is fitted out with the most modern machinery and manufactures all optical goods called by the retail trade.

Dr. Hammon occupies a suite of three offices at 422 Main street, the manufacturing establishment being immediately in the rear. The territory covered by the house includes Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois. Dr. Hammon is a man of large executive ability and is one of the valuable citizens of a growing center which numbers among its business and professional men many of the brightest minds in Indiana. The leaders in the manufacturing world are recognized everywhere as highly important factors in modern civilization and it is to these wide-awake and progressive citizens that in a large measure the prosperity and happiness of our country are due. Viewed in this light every reasonable encouragement should be extended to worthy enterprises. Citizens of Vincennes recognize this fact and by their progressive spirit have attracted such enterprises as the one herein described.

Frederick Myers

The life span of Frederick Myers covered eighty-seven years. It began November 11, 1822, and was brought to a termination in August, 1909. By the fit utilization of his innate talents and powers during that period he steadily worked his way upward and in his later years lived retired, enjoying a substantial income derived from a farm of two hundred and fi'fty acres. His parents were Jacob and Margaret (McCracken) Myers, and the former was of German descent and the latter of Irish.

Frederick Myers attended the schools of Knox county but was largely a self-educated man. He became well informed through private reading, studying and investigation and throughout his life had the keenest appreciation of the value of broad general knowledge. He was early trained to habits of industry and economy and those traits in later years were strongly marked characteristics in his life. His economy and careful management in his manhood enabled him at length to purchase land and devoting his attention to farming, he prospered in his undertakings and added to his holdings until he became the owner of a very excellent and valuable farm of two hundred and fifty acres situated on the lower Petersburg road about eight miles from Vincennes. Besides this he had given his five children fifty acres each. Year by year he carefully tilled the soil and cultivated his crops and his labors were rewarded in the late autumn by abundant harvests. He also added to his farm many modem improvements in the way of good buildings and in time he became the possessor of a valuable competence which enabled him to live retired.

Mr. Myers was married twice, his first wife being Miss Matilda Reel, by whom he had five children, namely : John R., Mary, Margaret, Alfred and William. On the 30th of March, 1882, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah (Case) Traylor, the widow of Sanford Traylor, who was born May 19, 1828, and died May i, 1879. By her first marriage she had seven children, four of whom are living. Martha is the wife of Louis Summitf and has two children: Andrew, who is married and has one child, Glendola; and Ruby. John is the next of the family. Ella is the widow of Homer Beckes, at one time a prominent lawyer of Vincennes, by whom she had one child, Ralph, now attending school. Minnie F. first married Linden Tasswell, by whom she had two sons. Hall and John F., deceased. She is now the wife of Robert Epps, of Denver, Colorado.

Mr. Myers gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and upon that ticket was elected to the office of county commissioner for three terms. His reelection is an indication of his loyalty to duty and his promptness in discharging the tasks that devolved upon him in that connection. He manifested at all times a spirit of progressive citizenship and took an active interest in everything that pertained to the welfare and upbuilding of the county in material, intellectual, social and moral lines. He was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian church and for over fifty years was one of its elders. Of such a record he had every reason to be proud. It indicated as nothing else could do not only his standing in the church but in the community. His life measured up to the highest standards of Christian manhood and citizenship and constituted an example that may well serve as an inspiration to others.