An enumeration of the men of the present day who have won success and recognition for themselves, and at the same time have honored the locality to which they belong, would be incomplete without due notice of the one whose name furnishes the caption of this review. Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort have been among his more prominent characteristics and his standing today as one of Jefferson township's most enterprising agriculturists and as well as one of the county's truly representative citizens is cheerfully conceded by all who know him. Of Mr. Conn it can be truly said the world is better for his having lived. Identified with every enterprise having for its object the good of the community, taking a lively interest in the public affairs of his township and county, he has sought by every means at his command to promote the country's material prosperity and advance the standard of its citizenship. Charles L. Conn, the son of Adam E. and
Mary (Clary) Conn, was born in Jefferson Township, Henry County, Indiana, on the 31st day of October 1838. From the most reliable information obtainable the Conn family in America appears to have had its origin in Virginia. Thence in an early day some of the subject's ancestors migrated to Kentucky and from the latter state to Union county, Indiana, finally, about the year 1832, the immediate antecedents settling in the county of Henry. Adam E. Conn was one of the County's successful farmers in an early day and it was on the old homestead in Jefferson Township that his son, the subject of this sketch, grew to young manhood. Blessed with a sturdy, energetic father and a mother whose loving devotion to her children's welfare was most beautiful and effective, Charles L. s early influence was conducive to whole-some physical and moral development. From the time he was old enough to be of service until attaining his majority he labored diligently as his
father's assistant and was able to do a man's work while still a youth in his early teens. Unlike most boys, work to him was not drudgery, as he had a natural taste for farming and took delight in the free, wholesome outdoor life in wood and field. At one time, while a young man, Mr. Conn seriously contemplated entering the legal profession and went so far as to procure a number of standard works on the law, which he studied during his leisure hours. He kept this up for some years until he became remarkably well posted on the principles of the profession, but taking counsel of his better judgment wisely concluded to devote his life to the more independent and less annoying calling of the agriculturist and leave courts and litigation to others. His study, however, has been of great value to him in many ways as it has enabled him to transact all of his own business without the aid of a lawyer and at the same time advise his neighbors upon matters involving
legal principles. Mr. Conn was married on the 26th of August. 1860, to Miss Mary Jones, a native of Henry county whose birth occurred in the township of Fall Creek. Mrs. Conn was the daughter of John Jones and in childhood and youth attended the same country school of which her husband was a pupil, the two growing up as playmates and companions. After marriage Mr. Conn moved to an eighty-acre farm given him by his father and has since lived on the same, though adding to its area from time to time until the place now embraces two hundred and forty acres of fine fertile land, nearly all in cultivation and well improved. When his father died in 1868 Mr. Conn was appointed to administer upon the estate, which was valued at thirty thousand dollars and he wound up the business to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. Mr. Conn is a man of excellent judgment, fine business ability and plentifully endowed with that most admirable of all qualities, and good
common sense. By the exercise of these and other commendable attributes be has succeeded well in his temporal affairs, owning one of the most desirable rural homes in the township of Jefferson, besides other valuable property which makes him one of the wealthiest men in his part of the county. He has long been a stalwart Republican, making his presence felt as an aggressive party worker and contributing not a little to the success of the ticket in a number of campaigns. In 1894 he was prevailed upon to run for trustee, but gave the matter little thought, not really desiring the office and not expecting to be elected as the township had long been substantially Democratic by a very large majority. When the votes were counted, however, it was found that he led the ticket, defeating his opponent by seven votes, which shows him to have received about fifty votes in excess of the regular party strength. This fact speaks well for his high personal standing in one
of the strongest Democratic townships of the county. He endeavored to conduct the office so as to merit the esteem and confidence in which he was held by his fellow citizens irrespective of party. Mr. Conn found the township in debt, also in especial need of better school facilities than at the time obtained. His first official act was to borrow money with which to put the various school buildings in proper condition, after which he addressed himself to the various internal improvements of the township. During his incumbency, which covered a period of five years, his course met the unqualified approval of the public and he left the office with not a cent of indebtedness for his successor to assume. As stated above, he gave especial attention to the schools within his jurisdiction, erected one fine building at a cost of thirteen hundred dollars, besides remodeling the houses in the other districts and supplying them with the latest educational appliances.
All in all, his administration was one of the ablest and most satisfactory in the history of the township and when he retired from the office he did so with the unanimous plaudit of well done, good and faithful servant Mr. Conn is an earnest believer in revealed religion and from his youth up has had a profound regard for the Bible and its teachings. Accepting the sacred volume as his only rule of faith and practice, he united with the Christian (or Disciple) church and by a life consecrated to the service of God and the up building of humanity has demonstrated to the world the beauty as well as the truthfulness of the faith which he professes. At the present time he is an elder of the congregation to which he belongs, an office only yielding to the ministry in the dignity and importance of its duties. On the 19th day of November 1899, Mr. Conn was compelled to part with his faithful and loving wife who had borne him two manly sons, Luther M. and Ulysses S.
Subsequently, January 8, 1902, he chose a second companion in the person of Mrs. Jennie Cook (nee Foland), widow of the late Rev. Jeremiah Cook, a well-known minister of the United Brethren church. Mrs. Conn is a native of Ohio and came to Henry County with her parents in the year 1871. Luther M. Conn. the older son of the subject, was born July 29, 1861. At a very early age he manifested a decided taste for books and study and when a pupil in the country schools invariably stood first in all of his classes. At the age of nineteen he began teaching in the schools of Jefferson Township and was thus engaged for two years; meantime devoting his vacations to study. Realizing the necessity of more thorough preparation for educational work, he attended the National Normal College at Lebanon, Ohio, two Years, after which he entered the Northern Indiana Normal University at Valparaiso. In 1889 he was graduated from the scientific department of the latter
institution and in 1890 received the degree of Master of Arts. Being well prepared for advanced professional work, Mr. Conn went to Texas, where for five years he had the position of superintendent of schools, also teaching private classes in ornamental penmanship and drawing during his vacations. He achieved an enviable reputation as an educator and doubtless would have become one of the country's most distinguished teachers had he seen fit to continue in the educational field. He married Miss Ida M. Fowler, a lady of scholarly attainments and varied culture, and at the present time is living on a farm in Jefferson Township. He is one of the country's most intelligent young men and a leader of thought in the community where he resides. U. S. Conn. the younger of the two Sons first saw the light of day on the 16th of March 1865. Like his brother, he also manifested a tendency to reading, and study while quite young and when a lad was considered one of the
brightest as well as one of the most original pupils of the schools, which he attended. The training received in the public schools was supplemented by a full course in the Northern Indiana University, from which he was graduated in the scientific and classical departments in the years 1889 and 1890 respectively. While attending college he became acquainted with an accomplished young lady of Valparaiso by the name of Cannie Baum, an acquaintance, which developed into a tender attachment, finally leading to marriage. Mrs. Conn was a fellow student with her husband and graduated with the same class of which he was a member. Some time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Conn went to Wayne, Nebraska, where they engaged in educational work, he as superintendent of the public schools and she as teacher in the high school. Previous to accepting the above position, however, Mr. Conn held a professorship for three years in the Nebraska State Normal School and earned
much more than local repute as a scholarly and successful educator. After being connected with educational work in various capacities for twelve years, he resigned his position and in removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, thence a little later to Fargo, North Dakota, where he is now the head of a large wholesale hardware house. In the year 1900 Prof. Conn was elected president of the Nebraska State Teachers Association, a position with which only eminent and distinguished educators are honored. He presided over the sessions of that body with ability and becoming dignity and while filling the office became widely known to the leading teachers throughout the entire country. The subject of this review feels deservedly proud of his sons and rejoices in the success they have achieved. The compliment is fully returned, the sons attributing their rise and progress in the world and much of the honor which has come to them to the father's guidance, correct advice and
wise counsel during the formative period of their lives.
Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920
Prominent among the successful farmers of Liberty Township is Isaiah Hoover, whose family name has long been intimately associated with the history of Henry County. Paternally he is of German descent, but does not know when his ancestors left the Fatherland, though it is supposed to have been at a very early period in the history of Pennsylvania, where they originally settled. Joshua Hoover, the subject's father, was a native of the above state. He left his father's home at the age of seventeen, going to Ohio, where he grew to maturity and where, when a young man, he married Miss Catherine Misner, a native of Rockingham County, Virginia. Shortly after his marriage Joshua Hoover moved to Henry County, Indiana, and purchased one hundred and forty-four acres of wild land, from which in due time, by the hardest kind of toil, he developed a fine farm. Adding to his original purchase as the years went by, he finally became one of the prosperous men of his
township and county, accumulating a large estate, estimated at his death to be worth over twelve thousand dollars. He was a fine businessman, made money easily and everything to which he turned his hand appeared to prosper. For a number of years he was a leading member of the German Baptist church in this county and as such did much to counteract many of the prevailing evils of the times. In politics he was a Republican, but took no very active interest in party affairs further than to maintain the soundness of his convictions and vote his principles. In every relation of life he was a good man and true and his death, which occurred on the 29th of March. 1876, was greatly deplored in the neighborhood where so much of his life had been passed. Mrs. Hoover survived her husband until 1889, when she, too, was called from earth to the, rest prepared for the people of God, of whom she was assuredly one. Joshua and Catherine Hoover were the parents of a large
family, namely: Margaret Ranken, Elizabeth, Silas, David, John, Joshua, Susan, Catherine, Moses, Mary and Isaiah. Isaiah Hoover is one of Henry County's native sons, born in Liberty Township on the 9th day of May. 1848. He was reared on the home place to agricultural pursuits, attended the public schools during his youthful years and grew up to the full Stature of well developed manhood with a practical knowledge of honest labor in all its phases on the farm. On attaining his majority he started into the world to make his own way and chose for a companion on the journey Miss Mary V. Schock, to whom he was joined in matrimony on the 21st day of June 1868. Mrs. Hoover was born in Wayne County, Indiana, August 25, 1843, and is the daughter of Jacob and Lavina (Swafford) Schock, the father a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and the mother of North Carolina. During, the eighteen years following his marriage Mr. Hoover lived on his father's farm and
it was not until 1886 that he purchased and moved to the beautiful place in Liberty Township, which he now owns and cultivates. He began life at the bottom of the ladder, but by well-directed thrift and energy born of a determination to succeed gradually overcame the obstacles in his pathway and in due time found himself the possessor of sufficient means to buy the attractive home which is now his. He has been a progressive farmer and from a small beginning has risen step by step until his original place of eighty acres has been increased to three hundred and thirty acres, worth at a very conservative estimation at least twenty thousand dollars, in addition to which he owns other valuable personal property. Every penny of this comfortable fortune has been honestly earned by the subject and the methods employed in its accumulation were ever of the mast honorable character. Mr. Hoover is what is termed in business circles a self-made man and his rise to
affluence is the result of his own well-directed labor, studious disposition and the ability to take advantage of circumstances. His record has never been tarnished by an act of dishonesty in any of his transactions and his life has been one of true usefulness to his fellow men. A Republican in his political views, he has never taken a very active part in public affairs, but keeps himself well posted relative to the issues between the great parties and upon questions affecting national and state legislation. In religion he is and long has been a humble and devout member of the German Baptist church, his wife and family also belonging to the same communion. Socially, Mr. Hoover is one of the most genial and companionable of men, always optimistic in his views and inclined to look upon the sunny instead of the dark side of life. He possesses the happy faculty of making warm personal friends and when once formed these friendships are permanent. He is a
favorite in his neighborhood, the life of social gatherings and his popularity is only bounded by the lines beyond which he is not known. Eight children constitute the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hoover: Joshua E., born March 16, 1869, married Rose Covault; David F, was born April 3, 1872, and chose for his wife Miss Lena Clensman; Edward M., born August 30, 1875, married Lena Gephart, and lives in this Township; Jacob C., whose birth occurred January 24, 1877, is one of the well-educated young men of Liberty Township; he was graduated from both common and high school and for some time thereafter attended college where he made a creditable record as a student; he is a single man and lives with his father; Daniel M., also unmarried and at home, was born January 29, 1879; Sarah C. was born September 29, 1880; Isaiah 0, first saw the light of day on the 10th of August 1882, and Lewis H. dates his birth from the 28th day of December, 1884. The sons and daughters
are all well educated and popular with a large circle of friends in the community where they live.
Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920
The subject of this sketch was born in Wayne County, Indiana near the village of Jacksonburg, on the 14th of January 1848, and died at his home in New Castle. Henry County, on the 1st day of September 1901. His parents were Nicholas and Mary Hipes, who were among the honored early pioneers of Wayne County. His boyhood and early manhood were spent upon his father's farm in the famous Walnut Level region of Wayne County. His father died when he was but seven years of age, after which he was taught the work of the farm and grew up under the care of his mother, receiving the benefit of a common-school education. About 1875 he and his mother traded their Wayne county farm to William Peed for a livery stable in New Castle and at once removed to this city. He ever afterward made that city his home and was actively engaged in various lines of business. On the 4th of July 1879, John Hipes was united in marriage with Mary J. (House) Gray, who survives him. Mr.
Hipes was a kind, generous-hearted man. No Person was ever turned away from his door hungry, and he gave freely of his means to such benevolences charities and church interests as presented their claims to him and he had few, if any, enemies. He left a large circle of friends who will long pains nor expense in her efforts to restore him to health and took him to Traverse City in the hope that the change of climate might be helpful, but to no purpose. His end came peacefully and his last words were those of love and affection to his wife and his many friends. James Gray, the first husband of Mrs. John Hipes was a native of New Castle and was the son of Phinander Gray, who in an early day came to this state from New Jersey. He resided for eighteen years on the Eli Murphy farm, and finally passed away at Anderson this state, at an advanced age. James Gray was by trade a plasterer. He performed splendid service for his country during the war of the
Rebellion. He originally enlisted for the three months service, and at the expiration of that period enlisted in the Fremont Body Guard in Missouri for one rear, and at the expiration of that term of enlistment joined the Sixth Indiana Calvary, in which he held the rank of sergeant. Because of sickness he received his discharge at Louisville, Kentucky. While at home at the close of his three months' service, Mr. Gray was united in marriage with Mary J. House, the daughter of John and Eliza (Prye) House. She was born at Piketon. Pike County, Ohio, and was brought to New Castle when but a babe. Her father John House was a soldier during the Civil War being a member of the Thirty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry and served as orderly to General Grose. He died at the home of his son, near New Lisbon, at the age of eighty-two years, his wife having previously passed away at the age of seventy-seven. He had as a child been brought to New Castle by
Wesley Gooding, by whom he was reared. While yet a boy he had many times driven through to Cincinnati and had carried the mail on several routes. His early life was filled with all the hardships, which were necessary accompaniments of a pioneer life. He subsequently returned to Ohio, was there married and remained until after the birth of three of the children. James Gray died of consumption at the early age of thirty-eight years, leaving beside his widow one son, Frank, who was at that time about thirteen years old, having been born August 6, 1863. He was a printer by trade and was considered a very expert typesetter. He was successful at his calling and became foreman of the Democrat office. He married Miss Oskie Taylor, of Fairmont, Indiana, and they made their home at Hamilton, Ohio, until, his health failed. His death occurred May 5, 1897 at the, home of his mother, who at this time was the wife of John Hipes. He early became a Christian and united
with the Methodist Episcopal church. His widow and one son, John, reside at Fairmont, this state. In the year1886 Mr. and Mrs. Hipes took into their home Mrs. Hipes niece, May Dickerson, then but three years old, and reared her as they would a child of their own, though her ill health precluded her completing her education. She was married on the 12th of December 1900, to Lewis A. Ingalls, and they now reside in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Hipes is a most estimable lady and because of her many valuable traits of character has endeared herself to a host of warm personal friends. She is independent, self-reliant and outspoken and, with a keenness of insight into 'human nature, discerns many of the shams of society and the hollowness of modern life.
Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920
A man who boldly faces the responsibilities of life and by determined and untiring energy carves out for himself an honorable success exerts a powerful influence upon the lives of those who follow him. Such men constitute the foundation of our republican institutions and are the pride of our civilization. To them life is so real that they find no time to plot either mischief or vice. Their lives are bound up in their duties, they feel the weight of their citizenship, and take pleasure in sowing the seeds of uprightness. Such has been the career of the subject of this brief notice. He is the son of Mathias and Christenia (Lindamood) Huff and was born in Harrison Township, Henry County, Indiana, on the 25th of June 1850. The Huff family is of German origin, though the more recent ancestors of the subject were natives of Rockingham County, Virginia. In that county the father of the subject was born and reared, and he accompanied his parents upon their
migration to Wayne County, Indiana. Because of the circumstances with which he was surrounded he was not able to obtain a good school education, but he was early initiated into the mysteries of agriculture and became a successful tiller of the soil and a trader in live stock He took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Christenia Lindamood, of Wayne county, but whose parents were natives of Virginia. At the time of his marriage he was a poor man and in the hope of bettering his fortunes he came to Henry County. Here he bought a piece of land two miles north of Cadiz, the same that is now owned by the subject. He was industrious and economical and at the age of forty years was considered to be in good circumstances, being the owner of two hundred acres of good land and other property. He and his wife were members of the German Baptist church. J. M. Huff remained upon the home farm until the time of his marriage, in 1869, in the meantime attending
the common schools of the neighborhood and acquiring a fair education. He obtained possession of thirty-nine acres of land and this he has added to from time to time as he was able until today he owns one hundred and thirty acres of land, all of which he has improved and brought up to a high standard of excellence. In addition to the duties of the farm, Mr. Huff has engaged quite extensively in the business of buying and selling life stock for over thirty years and has found this a very profitable source of income. He also owns and conducts a meat market and grocery. On the 22d of July, 1869, Mr. Huff was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Wilhoit the daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Wilhoit, the former a prominent and well-known farmer of this township. To this union there were born eight children, of whom three died in infancy. The names of the living children are as follows: Luther M., born September 25, 1870, married Miss Jessie Payne, the
daughter of John W. Payne; Benjamin M., born December 9, 1872, married Miss Lura Holloway, of Cadiz; Joseph F., born March 12, 1880, is single and is a graduate of the School of Embalming at Indianapolis; Fay. G., born February 15, 1887, and John R., born October 13, 1888. Mrs. Huff died on the 14th of August, 1902 concerning which mention was made by a local newspaper as appears at the close of this sketch. Fraternally the subject is a member of the Masonic lodge at Middletown, and of the subordinate lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men at Cadiz. He takes much interest in these orders and in his daily life exemplifies their teachings. Religiously Mr. Huff is a member of the Church of Christ of which lie is one of the trustees and also an elder. He takes a deep interest in Sunday school work and has been superintendent of his school for twenty years. In politics he occupies a conspicuous place as one of the leaders of the Republican Party in his
section. He has served as a member of the township committee and also of the county central committee. In 1900 he was the candidate of his party for the office of county commissioner, but was defeated by W. D. Pierce, the present commissioner, the latter receiving nineteen hundred and thirty-one votes, while the subject received nineteen hundred and six votes, thus showing the closeness of the contest. The subject is a quiet, unassuming man, but impresses all who come into contact with him with the strength of his individuality. He takes a keen interest in every-thing that promises to benefit the people of his community and because of his genuine worth is very highly thought of by all who know him. Harriet Wilhoit Huff, daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Wilhoit, was born in Fail Creek town-ship, Henry County, November 23, 1851. Together with five sisters and a brother, she was reared to young womanhood in this county. She was married to John Monroe Huff
July 22, 1869, and to them were born eight children, five of whom are living. Mrs. Huff was a devout and sincere member of the Christian church, having joined under the preaching of Elder G. H. Gary in 1870. She was an exemplary wife and mother, being a close follower of the teachings of Jesus, always lovingly and quietly watching over her own and many times overtaxing her system In her efforts to help others near and dear to her. August 14. 1902, at 8:45 A. M., God claimed her for His own, permitting her to suffer in the flesh only, for she was exalted and now enjoys eternal life. She was aged fifty years eight months and twenty-two days. The community about Cadiz Indiana, appreciated this beautiful life and every day found dear friends and neighbors desirous of contributing loving little duties for those who are left broken-hearted. But they all say, as did the mother "Tarry with me. O my Saviour, Lay my head upon Thy breast; Till the morning, then
awake me- Morning of eternal rest" The two children left at home with the father are Fay and Raymond. Miss Fay has entered the eighth grade in the public schools, am also has her brother. She is her father's main stay since her dear mother was taken to the home beyond.
Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920