James Heron was born in the city of Baltimore and was but twelve or thirteen years of age when his parents, James and Barbara (Kevin) Heron, came to Indiana and settled on a farm in this county, one mile south of Connersville. he elder James Heron and his wife were natives of Scotland and upon coining to this country located at Baltimore, where James Heron engaged in the dry-goods business and where he and his family remained until 1837, when they came out to what then was regarded as the "wilds" of the west and settled in this county. Here James Heron died two years later, in 1839. His widow survived him many years, living to the age of eighty-five years. They were the parents of six children, James, Alexander, Samuel, Nathan, Helen and William. The junior James Heron grew to manhood on the home farm in the vicinity of Connersville and early became engaged in the pork-packing business, an industry with which he remained connected practically all the rest of his life, for many years secretary and treasurer of the White Water Canal Company. He married Caroline McCarty, who was born at Brookville, this state, daughter of the Hon. Enoch McCarty and wife, pioneers of Brookville and among the most prominent early settlers of that part of the state. Judge McCarty was one of the early land agents in Indiana, was a member of the state's first constitutional convention, was for years judge of the court in Franklin county and was a large land owner. Both he and his wife spent their last days at Brookville, in Franklin county. They were the parents of a good-sized family. Caroline McCarty was a twin, her twin sister, Catherine, dying young, however. She has besides three other sisters, Jane, Desdemona and Helen, and three brothers, Monroe, Milton and Frank. James Heron died in 1876, at the age of fifty-one years, and his widow, who still survives, is now past eighty-seven years of age. She is a member of the Presbyterian church, as was her husband, and their children were reared in that faith. There are three of these children, the subject of this sketch having two sisters, Katherine, unmarried, and Nora, wife of Samuel Johnson, of Portsmouth, Ohio.
James M. Heron was reared at Connersville, the city of his birth, and received his early schooling in the schools of that city, supplementing the same by a course in Chickering Institute at Cincinnati, after which, in 1875, he began clerking in a shoe store in Connersville. About four years later, in 1879, he bought the store in which he had been engaged as a clerk and continued business at the southwest corner of Fifth street and Central avenue until 1903. A few years previous to this latter date, in November, 1899, he had become treasurer of the Rex Buggy Company at Connersville and thereafter devoted the greater part of his time and attention to the affairs of that company, presently becoming secretary and treasurer of the concern, which employed about three hundred persons and sold its product in all parts of the United States. In July, 1916, the Rex Buggy Company discontinued the manufacture of buggies and was reorganized as the Rex Manufacturing Company, Mr. Heron continuing secretary and treasurer of the same, and is now devoting its whole attention to the manufacture of sedan tops for automobiles and the painting and trimming of automobile bodies, the reorganization of the business necessitating the employment of several hundred additional persons in the factory. Mr. Heron is also treasurer of the Hoosier Castings Company at Connersville, secretary of the Central Manufacturing Company, in that city, and a stockholder in the Lexington-Howard Motor Car Company, one of the chief industrial concerns in Connersville. Mr. Heron is an independent voter and has ever given his close attention to the civic affairs of his home town, though never a seeker after public office.
On June 27, 1882, James M. Heron was united in marriage to Nancy Dolph, who was born at Paris, this state, daughter of the Rev. E. L. and Isabel (Ault) Dolph, both now deceased, who were the parents of six children, those besides Mrs. Heron being Anna, Kate, Edward, William and May. Mr. and Mrs. Heron have two daughters, Nora, who married Joseph T. McKinney, of Memphis, Tennessee, and Isabel, who married Frank B. Ansted, a well-known lawyer and manufacturer of Connersville. Mrs. Heron is a member of the Church of Christ (Scientist) and Mr. Heron is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. They have a very pleasant home at 507 Western avenue and have ever taken an earnest interest in the city's general social activities.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
Albert L. Chrisman, former clerk of Fayette county and one of the best-known lawyers practicing at the bar of the Fayette circuit court, is a native son of this county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Harrison township, four miles north of the city of Connersville, December 17, 1871, son of Jesse and Catharine Chrisman, prominent residents of that part of the county and further and fitting reference to whom is made elsewhere in this volume, and received his elementary schooling in the district schools of that neighborhood. He later attended school at Rushville and then took a course in Valparaiso (Indiana) University, after which he engaged in teaching in the public schools of this county and was thus engaged for seven years, at the end of which time he was appointed deputy county clerk, under William F. Downs. Upon the death of Mr. Downs he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of the clerk and served the public in that capacity until the expiration of that term. In the meantime Mr. Chrisman had been giving his earnest attention to the reading of law and when he left the clerk's office he took up the systematic study of law in the office of Reuben Conner, and under that able preceptorship presently was qualified for practice and in 1907 was admitted to the bar. Following his admission to the bar Mr. Chrisman opened an office for the practice of his profession at Connersville and has ever since been thus engaged in that city.
In 1894 Albert L. Chrisman was united in marriage to Rebecca Relle Lockhart, daughter of John Lockhart and wife, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume, and to this union two children have been born, John J. and Dorothy V. Mr. Chrisman is a Republican. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the local lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
Charles MenMuir, electrical engineer for the Roots Company at Connersville, was born at Cedarville, in Greene county, Ohio, January 6, 1863, son of James and Jean (Dick) MenMuir, natives of Scotland, who came to this country on their wedding trip, locating at Cedarville, Ohio, whence they later moved to Kearney, Nebraska, where they spent their last days.
James MenMuir was born and reared within twelve miles of Edinburgh. Following his marriage in 1856 he and his bride came to the United States and for awhile were located in New York City. Mr. MenMuir had been trained in the linen industry and in line with that form of training presently moved to Cedarville, Ohio, where he engaged in the buying of flax and was thus engaged there for years, becoming one of the well-known citizens of that community. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the ninety-day service, and served through that term of enlistment. He was one of a family of seven children born to his parents, the others having been Jonathan, Hannah, Charles, Robert, John and Mrs. Butcher. Of these children, John and Jonathan MenMuir also came to this country and settled in New York state. The parents of these children spent their lives in their native land, both living to ripe old ages, the mother living to the great age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Jean MenMuir was one of a considerable family of children born to her parents. One of her brothers, Walter Dick, came to this country and when the Civil War broke out enlisted for service in the Union army and went to the front with his regiment. He was not heard from afterward by his family and the presumption was created that his body fills a nameless grave on some battlefield of the South. From Cedarville, Ohio, James MenMuir and wife moved to Kearney, Nebraska, and there their last days were spent. They were reared in the Presbyterian faith, but upon coming to this country united with the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of nine children, those besides the subject of this sketch being as follow: John, of Kearney, Nebraska; Lyda, wife of Charles Keyes, of Springfield, Ohio; Mattie, of Anderson, Indiana; Ella, also of Anderson; James, of Colville, Washington, and three who died in infancy.
Charles MenMoir completed his schooling in the schools of Cedarville, Ohio, and then took up the calling of a stationary engineer, which he followed for a number of years, at the end of which time he turned his attention to electrical engineering and since 1893 has followed that vocation, having become an expert electrical engineer. In 1900 Mr. MenMuir was made electrical engineer for the plant of the P. H. & F. M. Roots Company at Connersville and has since occupied that responsible position, making his home in Connersville, where he has become prominently identified with the general industrial life of that thriving city, in the affairs of which he takes a warm interest.
On June 18, 1895, Charles MenMuir was united in marriage to Luetta V. Krom, who was born in Franklin county, this state, daughter and only child of William P. and Emma (Nolan) Krom, the latter of whom died when her daughter was four years of age. William P. Krom, who is now living at Richmond, this state, later married Mrs. Mattie E. (Burk) Chitwood and to this latter union two daughters have been born, Jennie and Alice. William P. Krom is the second of the three children born to his parents, Charles Krom and wife, the latter of whom was a Goble, natives of New Jersey, the other children being Smith and Mary Krom. Mrs. MenMuir's Grandfather Nolan and his wife were natives of Ohio and their last days were spent at Oxford, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Menhluir have one child, a daughter, Helen A. The MenMuirs are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church at Connersville. Mr. MenMuir is a member of Warren Lodge No. 15, Free and Accepted Masons, at Connersville, and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that ancient order. He and his family have a very pleasant home at Connersville and take a proper interest in the general social activities of the city.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
William H. King, a well-known and prominent retired farmer and an honored veteran of the Civil War, now living at East Connersville, this county, was born in Clinton county, Ohio; a son of John R. and Mary C. (West) King, natives of Virginia, who located in the state of Ohio, where they were married. After their marriage they established their home on a farm, where they lived for many years, and where the father was a successful farmer and one of the well known men of his county. Mr. and Mrs. King continued to live in Ohio until the time of their deaths some years ago. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and their lives were living examples of the true Christian man and woman. They were devoted to their family and were always interested in the moral improvement of the community in which they lived. They were the parents of the following children: Nancy Ann, William H., Wyatt C., George S. and Elijah Sanford. Nancy Ann is now deceased and Elijah Sanford and George S. are living retired in Clinton county, Ohio. Wyatt C. King gave his life in the defense of the flag of his country. He enlisted in Company C, Seventy-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was wounded at the battle of Peach Tree Creek and died at Kingston, Georgia.
William H. King received his education in the schools of Clinton county, Ohio, and was reared on the home farm, where as a lad and young man he engaged in farming with his father. He remained at home until 1862, when he offered his services to the government in the defense of the Union. He enlisted in Company C, Seventy-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was at once sent to Camp Dennison and later to the South where, he joined the Army of the Tennessee under General Hooker. He saw much active service and was at the battles of Peach Tree Creek and Resaca. On July 20, 1864, he was wounded in the hip, and was at first taken to the field hospital, and then to Nashville, after which he was transferred to the hospital at Jeffersonville before being returned to Camp Dennison, Ohio, where he remained until the spring of 1865, when he received his discharge, on May 30. Having received his discharge he returned to the old home in Clinton county and remained with his parents until the fall of 1867, when he was united in marriage to Mary C. Achor, of Highland county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. King are the parents of three children, Cora, Nettie B. and J. Dillon. Cora is the wife of J. L. Kennedy, a well-known resident of Connersville; Nettie B. is at home and J. Dillon is now deceased, having died in February, 1916, at the age of forty-two years. He was a druggist at Terre Haute, Indiana, and was married to Eleanor Schonefeld.
Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. King located on a farm in Clinton county, Ohio. They purchased forty-eight acres, of splendid land and there they continued to live until some years later when they sold the place and purchased one hundred acres near Midland City, Ohio. That farm they developed and improved into one of the ideal farms of that section, and there Mr. King was successfully engaged in general farming and stockraising until 1882, in which year the family moved to Blooming Grove, Franklin county, Indiana, where a farm of two hundred and twenty-nine acres was purchased. Mr. King there became one of the prominent and substantial men of the district and there he lived until 1903, when he sold the farm and moved to East Connersville, where he and his wife now reside.
,Mr. and hfrs. King have a beautiful home at 309 Vine street. They are devoted members of the Main Street Methodist Episcopal church, and are prominent in the general activities of their home city. Mr. King is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias. Beginning life in a modest way, Mr. and Mrs. King have by hard work and close economy risen to places of prominence and have accomplished in their lives that which is worth of emulation. Their lives have been well spent and today they are held in the highest regard by all who know them.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
John J. Peters, councilman-at-large for the city of Connersville and for many years engaged in the retail meat business in that city, is a native of the kingdom of Bavaria, in central Europe, but has been a resident of this country since he was seventeen years of age and of Connersville since the year 1880. He was born on May 11, 1849, son of Frank Joseph and Elizabeth Peters, both of whom died when he was a boy. Thus orphaned early, John J. Peters determined to make a home for himself in the newer land across the sea and in November, 1866, he then being seventeen years of age, he took passage for the United States. After a voyage of sixty-eight clays on a slow sailing vessel he landed at the port of New York in January, 1867, and with little delay made his way to Cincinnati, presently going thence on down the river to Madison, Indiana. In his native Bavaria Mr. Peters had worked some at the trade of butcher and upon his arrival at Madison found employment in that line. He later worked at the same line in Columbus, this state, at Chicago, Indianapolis and Brookville and about 1870 obtained employment at Connersville and was there engaged for two or three years, at the end of which time he went to Indianapolis and in 1874 started a butcher shop of his own in that city.
While living there, in 1876, he married and in 1880 he disposed of his interests in Indianapolis and with his family returned to Connersviille, where, on August 7 of that year he started a butcher shop in West Fifth street, later buying the place here he is now engaged in business in East Fifth street, and has ever since then been engaged in the retail meat trade in Connersville, Mr. Peters has for years given his earnest attention to local politica1 affairs and in 1904 was elected as a member of the city council from his ward. In I913 he was elected councilman-at-large for the city of Connersville and is now serving the public in that capacity.
As noted above, it was in 1876, at Indianapolis, that John J. Peters was united in marriage to Catherine Hill, who was born in North Vernon, this state, daughter of George and Mary Hill, and to this union eleven children have been born, all of whom are living save two, George, who died at the age of thirty-three years, unmarried, and Mary, who married Charles Wanley and died on May 30, 1916, leaving three children, John, Marguerite and Charles. The surviving children are as follow: Joe, who is an assistant to his father in the meat business; Frank, who married Jessie Hazelrigg and has four children, and who is engaged in the railroad service, making his home at Indianapolis; Joseph, a meat cutter, now living at Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, who married Gladys George and has one child, a son, Floyd; Henry, who is assisting his father in the meat business at Connersville; William, who is a professional wrestler, now making his home at Savannah, Georgia Carl, who is at home, also assisting in the work of the meat market; Kate, who married O. P. Brussard and now lives at Abbeville, Louisiana, and Helen and Marguerite, who are at home with their parents. The Peters family are members of the Catholic church and take an active interest in parish affairs. Mr. Peters is a member of the local council of the Knights of Columbus and of the local branch of the Catholic Knights of America and rakes a warm interest in the affairs of both of these organizations.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
Preston Hall Kensler, president of the Fayette National Bank of Connersville and former treasurer of Fayette county, was born at Connersville and has lived there all his life. He was born on January 12, 1855, son of John and Priscilla (Krater) Kensler, and the house in which he was born, up on the west hill, is still standing and in a good state of preservation.
John Kensler was but a child when his parents, Peter Kensler and wife, moved from his native state, Virginia, to Indiana and settled in this county. He grew to manhood on a farm in this county and then began working in a brick yard in Connersville and was thus engaged when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted as a private in the Sixteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and went to the front. During service with his regiment at the siege of Vicksburg he lost a foot and was given a discharge, returning home when able to travel. Upon his recovery he re-enlisted for detail service in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out at the close of the war with an officer's commission. Upon the completion of his military service John Kensler was variously engaged at Connersville until the time of his appointment as postmaster of that city, a position he held for eight years. He afterward was for some years engaged in commercial pursuits, but lived retired for many years before his death, which occurred on a farm near Lexington, in Scott county, this state, in 1915, he then being eighty-two years of age. Mr. Kensler for many years had taken an active part in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Indiana, and he also was afiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, one of the oldest members of that order in Indiana. His wife, who was a native of Pennsylvania, had preceded him to the grave about two years, her death having occurred in 1913, she then being about eighty-two years of age. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and their children were reared in that faith. There were five of these children, of whom but two lived to maturity, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Alice, wife of J. M. Widdows, of Jennings township, this county.
Preston H. Kensler was reared in Connersville and there received his schooling. Upon leaving school he entered the post-office with his father and for sixteen years was connected with the post-office, or until his election to the office of county treasurer. He was re-elected to this latter office and thus served for two terms, at the end of which time he became a bookkeeper in the office of the Indiana Furniture Company at Connersville and was thus employed for three years. He then, in 1892, became interested in the organization of the Fayette Banking Company at Connersville and was the first assistant cashier of that concern, later being promoted to the position of cashier, a position he retained when the bank became nationalized and reorganized as the Fayette National Bank and continued to occupy the same until his election to the presidency of the bank in 1916. The Favette National Bank of Connersville was established on November 27, 1892, as the Fayette Banking Company, with a capital stock of $50,000. In 1904 when it was nationalized and its name changed to that it now bears the capital was increased to $100,000. The bank's latest report shows a surplus of $40,000. Mr. Kensler has always taken an active interest in the welfare and development of the city of his birth and in addition to his banking interests has a financial with various other enterprises in Connersville. Mr. Kensler is a lifelong Republican and takes a warm interest in local civic affairs. For more than thirty-six years he has been a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias. During his active business life of nearly a half century in Connersville Mr. Kensler has been located practically all the time on one street, Central avenue, and has witnessed the wonderful industrial and commercial development of the city during that period. He has the utmost faith in the future of Connersville and no one sings the praises of the city more enthusiastically than he.
On December 18, 1853, Preston H. Kensler was united in marriage to Isabel Morrison, who was born in Hancock county, this state, and to this union one child has been born a daughter, Madge, who married Roy C. McKennon, of Connersville, and has a daughter, Isabel. Mr. and Mrs. Kensler are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Kensler is a member of the board of trustees of the local congregation and treasurer of the same. He also has been treasurer of the Sunday school for more than fifteen years.
Since the foregoing sketch was written, the death of Mr. Kensler has been announced. He died at his home in Connersville on March 13, 1917. Following the death of Mr. Kensler the Connersville newspapers carried very appreciative comments concerning the life and the character of the deceased and of the valuable service he had rendered the community. After giving an extensive review of Mr. Kensler's life from a biographical point of view the Daily Examiner continued : "This honored citizen occupied a place in the commercial, industrial and social life of Connersville that none save he can fill. He was a careful, shrewd and trustworthy business associate. He accepted and carried out a prominent part in the industrial advancement of his city and no man in Connersville took a more genuine interest in the city's welfare than did this worthy gentleman. * * * He was always loyal to all trusts. Never was he known to betray a confidence. He looked upon the acts of his fellowmen as they should have been considered, and even though he knew of points open for criticism, he was never heard to speak other than with respect of anyone. * * * Mr. Kensler was charitable. In his business dealings he was rigidly honest and he expected the same business courtesy returned. Whenever the community's needs were presented before him he was among the first to respond. In later years Mr. Kensler gave much more attention to benevolent causes and during the past ten years he was considered the leader of all such movements."
After giving an exhaustive review of the chief incidents in the life of Mr. Kensler, the Evening News concluded as follows: "About the framework of Mr. Kensler's career the minds of his friends long ago constructed a fabric of good opinion which struck deeper than any single act of his life accounts for. It was a good opinion founded upon knowledge that through all his business - and he was essentially and fundamentally a business genius - there beat the pulse of a warm heart and lived the soul that was large and friendly. Mr. Kensler loved business. He found pleasure in the success of undertakings. He devoted himself to those policies which, since the beginning of organized society, have made for monetary success, and he won such success in liberal measure, and was quietly delighted as his victory accumulated. But he loved nothing better than his own home and fireside; he was devoted to all of his family, and his friends meant more to him than he could have found words to express."
In that same issue of the News there was carried a thoughtful appreciation from the pen of one of the most intimate friends of the deceased, Hyatt L. Frost, from which the following excerpt is made: "He was truly broad gauged in his views of business and the affairs of others. He had the faculty of seeing the other fellow's rights. His sympathy was with the weaker antagonist. If he ever obtruded an unwelcome sentiment the manner of its saying was so kindly as to leave no sting. Perhaps none lived in Fayette county who hurt others' feelings fewer times in proportion to the occasions when such could have been done by manner other than the most kindlv than did Preston H. Kensler."
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
J. O. Massey, superintendent of the city waterworks at Connersville, was born on March 7, 1868, son of James M. and Matilda Massey, the former of whom was born in Franklin county, this state, and the latter in the state of Ohio. James M. Massey grew to manhood in Franklin county and became an expert horseman, following that line of business at Brookville until the early seventies, when he moved to Connersville, where he is still living and where he ever since has made his home.
Having been but a child when his parents moved to Connersville. J. O. Massey was reared in that city and received his schooling in the local schools. Upon leaving school he for awhile followed the barber trade in his home town and then became a machinist in the employ of the P. H. & F. M. Roots Company of Connersville and presently became so proficient in that line that he was made a traveling expert machinist for the Roots company and served in that capacity for a number of years, later taking employment with the Wainwright Machine Company and still later with the McFarlan Automobile Company. In January, 1914, Mr. Massey was appointed superintendent of the Connersville city waterworks and now has full charge of the local waterworks system, rendering admirable service in that important capacity. Mr. Massey is a Democrat and has ever taken an active interest in local political affairs, long having been regarded as one of the leaders in his party in this county.
In 1897 J. O. Massey was united in marriage to Florence Smith, daughter of Edward Smith and wife, and to this union five children have been born, Edward J., Everet L., Thelma M., Bernice O. and Glenn L. Mr. Massey is a member of the local aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and of the local lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men and in the affairs of these organizations takes a warm interest.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
Warden Halladay, secretary and general manager of the National Moorish Tile Flooring Company, of Connersville, and for years one of the most active figures in the industrial life of that city, was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, June 19, 1869, son of James H. and Jennie (Warden) Halladay, both now deceased.
James H. Halladay, an honored veteran of the Civil War, was born in Albany, New York, as was his wife, and they mere married in that city. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War James H. Halladay enlisted for service in the Twenty-seventh Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command for four years and seven months, being promoted from first lieutenant to regimental quartermaster and during the last seven months of his service was quartermaster under General McClellan. During his service he was captured by the enemy on one occasion and served for a time as a prisoner of war in Virginia. As a mark of appreciation for the excellence of his service there was presented to him a valuable gold watch, the inscription on the back of which reads as follows: "Presented to James H. Halladav, March, 1865, as a testimonial of the regard and esteem of many friends." Among these "many friends" were General McClellan, Colonel McClung, H. R. Saffin, a first lieutenant in Colonel McClung's regiment, and others. That watch has been carried by the recipient's son, Warden Halladay, the subject of this sketch, for twenty-five years and in all that time has never required the attention of a watchsmith. Upon the completion of his military service Mr. Halladay located in Cincinnati and for five years was cashier of the First National Bank of that city. He then became secretary-treasurer of the Emerson-Fisher Carriage Company and was engaged in that capacity at the time of his death in 1876. His widow survived him many years, her death occurring on November 1, 1912.
Warden Halladay was about seven years of age when his father died. He grew up in Cincinnati and there completed his schooling, being graduated from the Woodward High school in that city in 1885, that school at that time being one of the most famous high schools in the country, students from all over the Middle West seeking entrance to the same. Upon leaving school Mr. Halladay became engaged as a clerk in the Third National Bank in Cincinnati and was thus engaged for three years, at the end of which time he transferred his services to the office of the auditor of the Adams Express Company in that city. Later he was employeed in an official capacity in the offices of the Emerson-Fisher Carriage Company and was thus engaged for six years. He then spent two years in the South as representative in Atlanta for the Proctor & Gamble Company, of Cincinnati. It the end of that service he returned to Cincinnati and remained there until 1899, in which year he located at Connersville, taking there a position with the Central Manufacturing Company, as superintendent of the plant. About 1908 he became a stockholder in that company and continued his connection with the same until the fall of 1916, when he and others organized the National Moorish Tile Flooring Company of Connersville. Mr. Halladay being elected secretary of the company and general manager of the plant, which positions he now occupies.
The National Moorish Tile Flooring Company of Connersville is the only concern of its kind in the United States and its product already has created a wide market. "Moorish" tile, however, is not a new product for it has been manufactured for centuries in Europe, particular1y in Germany, Italy and France, and also is manufactured in Japan, while for two hundred years its manufacture has been an important industry in Havana, Cuba. The Grecians used this form of tile extensively in the construction of their temples and the art of its manufacture was acquired from them by the Romans. The process of making this tile has been guarded closely by the descendants of the ancient tilewrights so that today there are only a fee persons who have the formula. These tiles are highly ornamental and the claim is made by their manufacturers that they surpass in, wearing qualities any known flooring. It was in the latter part of September, 1916, that the National Moorish Tile Flooring Company was organized by E. P. Hawkins, Charles Rieman, F. R. Leeds and Warden Halladay. The company is capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and its officers are as follow: President, E. P. Hawkins; vice-president, Charles Rieman; treasurer, Marion Jemison, and secretary and general manager, Warden Halladay.
In 1895 Warden Halladay was united in marriage to Lulu Ross, of Cincinnati, daughter of Abner L. and Elizabeth S. (Stoker) Ross, the former of whom was born at Lebanon, Ohio, and the latter in Liverpool, England. Abner L. Ross, an honored veteran of the Civil War, was at one time the owner of Lookout Inn at Lookout Mountain, Rossmore Hotel, at Rome, Georgia, and of Kennedy Hotel, Chattanooga, and became quite wealthy. He moved from Cincinnati to Los Angeles, California, seeking in the latter city restoration of health and there died in 1883. His widow married J. L. Hite, now deceased, president of the Leaf Tobacco Association and former president of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, and is still living at Cincinnati. Mr. and Mrs. Halladay are members of the Presbyterian church and take a proper interest in church affairs and in the genera1 social activities of their home city. Mr. Halladay is a Republican, an active worker in the party ranks, but has never been a seeker after public office.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
Clarence E. Porter, the well-known photographer at Connersville, was born in the vicinity of that city and has lived in this county all his life. He was born on a farm three miles southwest of Connersville on March 10, 1878, son of W. R. and Alice (Martin) Porter, both of whom also were born in this county, members of pioneer families, and who are now living pleasantly retired.
Reared on the home farm, Clarence E. Porter received his schooling in the district schools in the neighborhood of his home and as a young man turned his attention to photography, in which he had been much interested from childhood. After working three years in a local photograph studio he took a course in the F. W. Guering School of Photography and upon his return to Connersville entered the studio of J. M. Kellum, which establishment he purchased in 1909 and has since been operating the same. Mr. Porter has been very successful in his line and has remodeled and refurnished his place at the cost of several thousand dollars since taking possession of the same, now having one of the most up-to-date and completely equipped photograph studios in eastern Indiana. His work possesses that distinctive quality so highly desired in modern photography and he thus has naturally built up a large business, Porter photographs being widely recognized throughout this part of the state for their general excellence of tone and execution.
Mr. Porter is a member of the Christian church. Politically, he gives his allegiance to the Republican party and, fraternally, he is affiliated with the local lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men. He takes an active interest in the general business affairs of his home city and is one of Connersville's faithful "boosters", helpful in promoting the city's advancement in all proper ways.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
Erwin H. Hahn, president and manager of the Hahn -Accessory Company at Connersville and one of the best-known and most enterprising young business men in that city, was born at Batesville, Indiana, December 5, 1891, son of William and Bertha (Schaefer) Hahn, the former a native of this state and the latter a native of Ohio, who were the parents of two children, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Norma.
William Hahn was born in Ripley county, son of Henry Hahn and wife, who came to this country from Germany and became pioneers in Ripley county, this state. Henry Hahn is a cabinet-maker and is still living. His wife died some years ago. They had two children, William and Anna. William Hahn also was trained to the trade of a cabinet-maker and worked in furniture factories most of his life, the latter years of his life being spent at Batesville, where he died on March 28, 1898, at the age of thirty-three years. He was a member of the German Lutheran church as is his widow, and their children were reared in that faith. His widow is now living at Connersville,with her son and daughter, and her brother, Joseph C. Schaefer, makes his home with her, the family making their home at 1931 Vermont avenue. Mrs. Hahn's parents were born in Germany and upon coming to this country located at Cincinnati, where her father worked in a planing mill and where he died when well past middle age.
Erwin H. Hahn was about six years of age when his father died and shortly afterward his mother left Batesville with him and his sister and moved to Cincinnati, where the family lived for about five years, at the end of which time they returned to Indiana and located at Connersville, which has been the family home ever since. Upon completing the course in the public schools Erwin H. Hahn returned to Cincinnati and there took a course in a commercial college, after which he returned home and began working in the office of the Lexington-Howard Motor Company and was presently placed in charge of the service department of that company's plant. After having been thus engaged for some time he made a trip to California and upon his return to Connersville interested F. B. Ansted, one of the city's leading lawyers and manufacturers, in the organization of a garage and automobile accessory company at that place and has since been engaged in that business, the firm doing business under the style of the Hahn Accessory Company, incorporated. Erwin H. Hahn is president of the company; F. B. Ansted, vice-president, and William F. Thomas, secretary-treasurer. Mr. Hahn is a Republican. Though reared in the Lutheran faith he attends the services of the Christian church. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and in the affairs of that organization takes a warm interest.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
The late William H. Sherry, for years one of Connersville's best-known millmen, was a native son of this county and lived here all his life. He was born on a pioneer farm two and one-half miles east of Connersville, November 19, 1853, son of Daniel and Sarah (George) Sherry, both natives of Fayette county and members of old families here, the Sherrys having come here from Pennsylvania and the Georges from Ohio. Daniel Sherry was a farmer and saw-mill man and also operated a threshing-machine. He was a member of the Lutheran church and his wife was a member of the Methodist church. He died in East Connersville on March 16, 1912, and his widow survived him but little more than eighteen months, her death occurring in November, 1913. They were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this memorial sketch was the last in order of birth, the others being as follow: Edward, who is living on a farm near.Everton, this county; Emma, wife of Frank Scholl, of the neighboring county of Rush; Rozzie, wife of John Madison, of Chicago; Ella, wife of Isaac Still, of East Connersville, Marshall, deceased, and Quincy, of East Connersville.
Reared on the paternal farm, William H. Sherry received his schooling in the neighboring district school and from the days of his boyhood was a valued aid to his father in the labors of the farm and the mill. For three years after his marriage in 1875 he continued to reside on the old home farm and in 1851 moved to Connersville, where he engaged in the saw-mill business, gradually extending his operations until he became a general dealer in lumber, coal, cement and builder's supplies and was thus actively engaged until his death on April 13, 1914, long having been recognized as one of the most energetic and progressive business men in Connersville. He also for years operated a threshing-machine outfit. Mr. Sherry was an ardent Democrat and for years took an active part in local political affairs, but was not a seeker after public office. He was a member of the Methodist church and took a proper part in church work. Fraternally, he was affiliated with the Masons and with the Knights of Pythias and was a member of the uniformed rank of the latter order.
It was on April 22, 1875, that William H. Sherry was united in marriage to Emma C. Scholl, who was born in Jennings township, this county, daughter of Benjamin and Melinda (Gise) Scholl, both of whom also were born in this county, members of pioneer families, and who lived on the one farm for sixty-five years. Benjamin Scholl was originally a Democrat, but later a Republican. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church at Lyons and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, of whom Mrs. Sherry was the second in order of birth, the others being as follow: Frank, of the neighboring county of Rush; Lizzie, now deceased, who was the wife of Judge George Stewart, of Boise, Idaho, former justice of the supreme court of that state; Newton, who married Lizzie Williamson and is living on the old Scholl home place in Jennings township; George, who married Mary Mays and is living on the old Sherry homestead, which he bought; Addie, deceased, and Rozzie, wife of William Brown, of Lyons.
To William H. and Emma C. (Scholl) Sherry three sons were born, namely: D. W. Sherry, a Connersville coal dealer, formerly engaged with his father in the mill business, who married Edith Hill, of College Corner, Ohio; Carl Sherry, who is engaged in the cement and construction business at Connersville and who married Frances Foley, and W. R. Sherry, who married Sylvia Fiant and owns a farm which he looks after, as well as assisting in the coal business. Since her husband's death Mrs. Sherry has continued to make her home in Connersville. She has a very pleasant home at 334 East Tenth street and has ever taken a warm interest in the city's general social activities.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
The late Edgar K. Wetherald, for many years proprietor of a flour-mill at Connersville and one of the best-known men in Fayette county, was born in Connersville and lived in that city the greater part of his life. He was born on March 4, 1838, son of Henry and Ann (Kirby) Wetherald, the former a native of England and the latter of Wilmington, New Jersey, who were prominently identified with affairs in this county in an early day.
Henry Wetherald was born in 1812 and grew up in his native England, later coming to the United States and locating at Richmond, this state, where he married Ann Kirby, whose parents, earnest Quaker folk, had located there upon coming to this state from New Jersey. Henry Wetherald was trained in his youth as a blacksmith and was a skilled mechanic and millwright. For a time after his marriage he continued to reside at Richmond, where he kept a blacksmith shop and a store, and then moved to Connersville, where he engaged in the milling business and was thus engaged there until 1851, when he moved to Thorntown, this state, where he was engaged in the milling business until some little time after the close of the Civil War, when he returned to Richmond. His wife died in that city and he later went to Nebraska, where he established three of his sons in the milling business, two of them at Hebron, that state, and the other, at Beatrice. While assisting in the operation of one of these mills Henry Wetherald was caught in a belt and was so badly injured that he died from the effects of his injuries. Henry Wetherald was an energetic, active business man and was quite successful in his operations. During his residence in Connersville, in addition to operating a mill, he also was engaged in the drygoods business there, in partnership with John Groff, and also owned a restaurant. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being as follow: Mary, who married P. B. Wood and is now deceased, as is her husband; Amanda, now living at Lincoln, Nebraska, widow of Anthony Gordon; Henry, who was killed during the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, while serving as a soldier of the Union during the Civil War; Oscar, who received a fatal wound while serving as a soldier at the battle of Lookout Mountain, his death later occurring at Nashville, Tennessee; Keyton, now deceased, a farmer, who lived in Nebraska; Charles, also retired, now living at Wenatchee, Washington; Frank, who is the president of a bank at Hebron, Nebraska, and Emma,, who died in infancy.
Edgar K. Wetherald completed his schooling at the Thorntown Academy and at Earlham College and at the age of twenty-one years became engaged in the milling business with his father at Thorntown and was thus engaged at that place until about 1866, when he returned to Connersville, the place of his birth, and was there engaged in the milling business for about thirty years, or until his retirement about tell years before his death, which occurred on July 14, 1911. Mr. Wetherald was an active business man and for many years took an interested part in local affairs, a strong factor in the development of Connersville's extensive industrial side. He was an earnest member of the Christian church, as is his widow, and was ever active in local good works. Fraternally, he was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he was a member for fifty years, and with the Knights of Pythias, a charter member of the local lodge of the latter order, and took a warm interest in the affairs of these two organizations.
In 1870 Edgar K. Wetherald was united in marriage to Elizabeth Morrison, who was born in Connersville, daughter of Daniel and Susan (Broaddus) Morrison, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of this county, prominent residents of Connersville a generation ago. Daniel Morrison was born in the city of Baltimore and came to Indiana about the year 1832, locating at Connersville, where he found employment as a bookkeeper and general accountant and also for some time was engaged in clerical labor about the court house. He was successful in his business and became the owner of a fine farm of five hundred acres in this county. It was not long after his arrival in Connersville that Daniel Morrison married Susan Broaddus, who was born on the old Broaddus farm in this county, a place that remained in the possession of the family for eighty-five years, and to this union four children were born, those besides Mrs. Wetherald, the second in order of birth, being Helen, widow of C. W. McLaughlin, of Greensburg, this state; George W., of Indianapolis, a bookkeeper, and Belle, widow of Daniel H. Milliken, of Cincinnati. Daniel Morrison originally was a Whig, but upon the formation of the Republican party espoused the principles of that party and remained an ardent Republican. He and his wife were charter members of the Christian church at Connersville and were among the leaders in good works in that city. He was admitted to the bar by Judge Wilson, but he never practiced. He was often sought after for advice and counsel, especially about real estate and land titles. For sixty-five years he lived at the corner of Fifth and Western avenues; he was one of the honored pioneers of Connersville, respected by all.
To Edgar K. and Elizabeth (Morrison) Wetherald two children were born, Irene, who married H. H. Vawter and is living at Tipton, this state, and Lillian, who married the Rev. George B. Van Arsdall, now of Denver, Colorado, and had two children, Burdette and Irene, the latter of whom is deceased and the former of whom is now a senior in the University of Colorado. Mrs. Wetherald has continued to make her home at Connersville since the death of her husband and has a very pleasant home at 621 Western avenue. She is an earnest member of the Christian church and has for years taken an active interest in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in the general social and cultural activities of the city. Her daughters are accomplished musicians and she has for years been recognized as one of the leaders in the literary clubs of the city.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
Raymond S. Beaver, a progressive young farmer of Fairview township, was born on the farm on which he is now living, though on the other side of the road, over in Union township. Rush county (the Beaver farm being divided in half by the county line) and has lived there all his life. He was born on October 35, 1886, son of John M. and Mary E. (Stewart) Beaver, prominent residents of that community, who are still living on their farm over the line in Rush county, not far south of the village of Glenwood, where they have made their home since 1876, and further and fitting reference to whom is made elsewhere in this volume in a biographical sketch relating to John M. Beaver, both he and his wife being members of pioneer families in this part of the state.
It was on that farm that Raymond S. Beaver grew to manhood. He was well trained in the ways of farming and has always followed that vocation, either in partnership with his brother or his father, and is now farming with his father, since his marriage having made his home on the east half of the farm, over the line in this county, in Fairview township. He was married on August 9, 1911, to Etna Tinder, who was born in Scott county, Kentucky, a daughter of Thomas N. and Dora (Darnaby) Tinder, who came to this county in November, 1899, and located at Falmouth, where Thomas N. Tinder became engaged in blacksmithing and general shop work of a kindred character, and there the daughter, Etna, lived until her marriage to Mr. Beaver. To this union two children have been born, a son, Robert Harold, and a daughter, Margaret Jeanette. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver have a very pleasant home and take an interested part in the general social activities of the community in which they live. Mr. Beaver is a member of the Methodist church, in the faith of which he was reared, his parents for many years having been devoted members of the Methodist church at Glenwood, and his wife is a member of the Christian church.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
Morton L. Bilby, one of Fairview township's best-known and most substantial farmers, was born on the farm on which he is now living and has lived there practically all his life. His birthplace was a house which is still standing on that farm, west of the barn, some little distance removed from the present substantial farm house. He was born on October 1, 1867, son of Francis Marion and Dorcas A. (Atherton) Bilby, the former of whom was born in this county and the latter, in Ohio, both of whom are now deceased.
Francis Marion Bilby, who for years was one of the best-known farmers in Fairview township, was born on a pioneer farm northeast of Longwood, in this county, June 5, 1833, son of Stephen C. and Jane (Ludlow) Bilby, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio, who became useful and influential pioneers of this county. Stephen C. Bilby was born on September 26, 1802, a son of John Bilby, a native of England, whose father, a very wealthy man, was an officer of the King's Bench. During the days of his young manhood John Bilby was one evening invited to participate in a bail given on board a vessel lying in port, the occasion being the christening of the vessel. A large crowd of wealthy young people were present, all intent upon having a good time, and they did not notice when the vessel set sail. In the morning they found themselves out of sight of land and on their way to the American colonies, then at war with England. The young men were relieved of their fine clothes and upon their arrival on this side were pressed into the service of the British army. At the close of this service John Bilby elected to remain on this side and he settled in Pennsylvania, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was twice married and was the father of a large family of children. One of his sons, Stephen C. Bilby, went to Cincinnati upon attaining his majority and there became engaged as a blacksmith. At New Richmond, Ohio, a few miles up the river from Cincinnati, he married Jane Ludlow, who was born there on March 3, 1805, a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Williamson) Ludlow, who had moved from New Jersey to that place, where they spent their last days.
In 1838, not long after his marriage, Stephen C. Bilby came to Indiana and located in Fayette county. He later entered land in the "New Purchase," in the vicinity of Indianapolis, and developed a farm there. In the meantime he had located in the southwestern part of Harrison township, this county, and there, in 1846, started a saw-mill, a short distance north of Longwood, which he operated for years. It was from that mill that his son, Francis M. Bilby, then sixteen years of age, hauled the timbers that entered into the construction of the barn that is still in use on the old Bilby farm, now owned by Morton L. Bilby. That old barn is a wonderfully substantial structure. One of the timbers in it, a poplar beam, twelve by fourteen inches and sixty feet in length, is apparently as sound as the day on which it was laid. Stephen C. Bilby and his wife were Presbyterians of the "old school" and were active in all local good works in the early days of the settlement, doing much to help bring about proper conditions of living in the then pioneer community. He died in 1873 and his widow survived him for more than ten years, her last days being spent in the home of her son, Francis M. Bilby, where her death occurred in the year 1854.
Francis M. Bilby evinced an unusual interest in his studies in his youth and upon the completion of the course in the rural schools of his neighborhood, began teaching school and was thus engaged during the winters for several years, the money thus earned being devoted to tuition in the old Fairview academy, where he received what then was regarded as an excellent education. On December 10, 1854, he married Dorcas A. Atherton, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, February 17, 1832, a daughter of Stout and Mary A. (Sater) Atherton, pioneers of Fayette county and further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. After his marriage he lived for a year in Harrison township and then moved to Posey township, where he made his home until 1866, in which year he bought a farm in the southeast part of Fairview township, where he established his home and where he spent the remainder of his life. Francis M. Bilby was not only an excellent farmer, but he was an extensive buyer and shipper of live stock. He took pride in handling only the best stock the county could afford and did very well in his operations. As he prospered he added to this land holdings until the original one hundred and twenty acres with which he started in section 25 of Fairview township had been expanded by holdings there and elsewhere in the county to the extent of about one thousand acres. Francis M. Bilby died at his home in Fairview township on November 10, 1908. His wife had preceded him to the grave about four years, her death having occurred on August 28, 1904. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Charles Marion, born on September 15, 1855; Emerson Atherton, November 13, 1856; Florence Jane, September 19, 1858; Clara Olive, September 25, 1860; Elmer Winfield, January 27, 1862; Marianna, December 2 I, 1863; Alva Ellsworth, September 23, 1865; Morton Levering, October 4, 1867; Palmer Tennyson, June 18, 1870, and Sherman Evans, August 13, 1872.
Morton Levering Bilby grew up on the old home farm in Fairview township, where he is now living, and has lived there practically all his life, engaged from the days of his youth in farming. On May 1, 1902, Morton L. Bilby was united in marriage to Nora D. Rogers, who was born in Scott county, Kentucky, daughter of George and Mary (Noel) Rogers, both natives of that same county, the former of whom died when his daughter, Nora, was two years of age. His widow now lives at Harrodsburg, Kentucky. She was born near Georgetown, Kentucky, a daughter of James and Sarah (Bailey) Noel, both natives of that same state. From the time she was six years of age Nora D. Rogers was taken care of by her maternal aunt, Angelina, now the wife of James Ludlow, a well-known farmer of Harrison township and a veteran of the Civil War, further reference to whom is made elsewhere in this volume. Following her graduation from the Connersville high school in 1892 she began teaching school and was thus engaged for five years at the Poplar Grove school, in the southwestern part of Connersville township; the Hamilton school, west of Connersville; the Moffitt school, one and one-half miles east of Glenwood, and one term in the Fairview schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Bilby two children have been born, Dorothy, who died in April, 1904, when eight days old, and Freda Marian, who was born on September 15, 1910. The Bilbys have a very pleasant home and take an earnest interest in the community's general social activities. Mr. Biby is the owner of one hundred and thirteen acres of excellent land and has his farm in an admirable state of cultivation. The place is well improved, the farm plant being modeled along modem lines and Mr. Bilby has done very well in his farming operations.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
George Creelman Leonard, well-known grocer at Orange and a substantial landowner of Orange township, was born in that township and has lived there all his life, being one of the best-known residents of the southwestern part of Fayette county. He was born on the old Creelman farm, one mile north of Orange, in Orange township, March 9, 1880, son of Orange and Kate J. (Alexander) Leonard, both natives of Indiana, the former born in Marion county and the latter in Fayette county.
Orange Leonard was born on a farm near the village of Acton, in the southeastern corner of Marion county, eight or ten miles from Indianapolis, in 1848, a son of Lindsey and Frances (Mann) Leonard, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter, of Kentucky, who moved over into Shelby county when he was a boy and in the latter county he lived until his youth was passed, when he went to Indianapolis and there became employed as a mechanic. In that city he married and then, in the late seventies, came to Fayette county and settled on the William G. Creelman farm in Orange township, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in April, 1896. It was on Christmas Day, 1875, that Orange Leonard was united in marriage to Catherine J. Alexander, who was born in Orange township, this county, in 1836, daughter of William and Mary (Ritchie) Alexander, the former a native of the state of Ohio and the latter, of Ireland. William Alexander was born in Preble county, Ohio, and was but three or four years of age when his parents, John and Jane Alexander, came over into Indiana and settled on a. pioneer farm on the line between Fayette and Rush counties, south of Glenwood. John Alexander entered a tract of "Congress land" in the northern part of Orange township, in the north half of section 11 of that township, and there William Alexander established his home after his marriage to Mary Ritchie, at that time there being no improvements on the place save a small cabin and but a small portion of the place had been cleared for cultivation. There William Alexander and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, the latter dying about 1890 and the former in July, 1900. On that farm Catherine Alexander made her home until her marriage to Orange Leonard. To that union sis children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch is the fourth in order of birth, the others being Alvin, Lindsey, Ethel, Lucien and Dennis. Of these, Lindsey, Lucien and Dennis live in Connersville township, and Alvin and Ethel near Indianapolis.
George C. Leonard grew up on the Creelman farm, where he was born, and when twenty-two years of age rented that farm and began farming on his own account. He was married shortly afterward and then established his home there, continuing to make his home on that farm until in January, 1916, when he moved to Orange, where he engaged in the grocery business and has ever since been thus engaged. Upon starting in business there he bought the store property and put in a well-selected stock of merchandise and has built up an extensive trade. Mr. Leonard is now the owner of the Creelman farm and which he rented for years. Upon the death of the late William G. Creelman in 1913 he inherited forty acres of the place and he later bought the remainder, but in January, 1916, sold a "forty" out of the place and still owns one hundred and twenty acres, a well-improved farm. Mr. Leonard is a progressive Republican and in 1916 was the nominee of the Progressives of Fayette county for county commissioner from his district.
Mr. Leonard has been twice married. On December 24, 1903, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Stevens, who was born near Laurel, in the neighboring county of Franklin, a daughter of Charles and Josephine (Ellison) Stevens, the former of whom was born and reared in the southwestern part of Columbia township, this county, a son of Abner M. Stevens and wife. Mrs. Elizabeth Leonard died in 1905, leaving one living child, Clarissa Ozella, and in 1906 Mr. Leonard married Edith Stevens, his deceased wife's sister. To this latter union three children have been born, two daughters and a son, Alice Louise, Ruby Leona and Roy George Creelman. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take a proper part in church work as well as in the general social activities of the community in which they live.
Charles Stevens, the father of Mrs. Leonard, was born at Laurel, in the neighboring county of Franklin, but has been a resident of Fayette county since his childhood, for many years a farmer in Columbia township, but now living retired in the city of Connersville. His father, Abner M. Stevens, was born and reared in Harrison township, this county, a son of Charles and Letitia (Thorp) Stevens, early settlers in that part of the county, the former of whom was born in Virginia and was but a child when his parents moved from that state to Kentucky, where he was reared. As a young man he came up into Indiana, locating two miles north of Connersville in 1820. There he married Letitia Thorp, a member of one of the pioneer families of this county, and after his marriage entered a tract of land in the southwestern part of Columbia township, where he lived until his retirement in old age, his last days being spent in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cotton. Abner M. Stevens was but a child when his parents moved from Harrison township to Columbia township and on the home farm in the latter township he grew to manhood. After his marriage to Elizabeth Hires he located at Laurel, in the neighboring county of Franklin, and there made his home until three of his children were born, when he returned to this county and located on the old home farm in Columbia township, where his wife died in 1900. She was born in Pennsylvania and was but a child when her parents, John and Sarah Hires, came to Indiana and located at Laurel, where for years her father was engaged in the grocery business. After the death of his wife Abner Stevens retired from the farm and thereafter made his home with his children, his death occurring at Connersville in 1908. He and his wife were the parents of six children. Mary Ellen, the only daughter, died at the age of seven years, but the five sons, Charles, William J., Alonzo, Curtis and Franklin, all lived to maturity.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917