When only seventeen years of age Aaron Graham gave vent to the patriotism he felt and enlisted in Company K, Sixty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, from Jackson county, in August, 1862, and he served very faithfully through all the vicissitudes of his regiment, receiving an honorable discharge May 16, 1865. He fought at Munfordville, Kentucky, Port Gibson, Black River, Champion Hills, and at Vicksburg, being wounded in the general assault at the latter place May 22, 1863, a bullet passing through his left hand. He was sent to Graysville and as soon as he was able he was appointed ward master in the hospital there, which position he occupied for nine months, when he was ordered to Cincinnati as clerk under General Willick, commander of the depot there, and there he remained until discharged.
After returning home Mr. Graham began trading in and shipping stock at Russellville, his brother George becoming his partner. In 1867 they began buying land in Brown township, Montgomery county, one and one-half miles from Russellville Station, starting out with eighty acres. They made money rapidly farming and shipping from Russellville and Waveland, keeping well posted in the daily markets, being constantly buying or in the market, shipping two hundred cars of livestock in one year. Mr. Graham was also accustomed to buying horses in large numbers, which he kept on his farm until ready for market. He prospered by his judicious handling of livestock and general farming and he became the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of good land; he owned four hundred acres in Montgomery county and one hundred and sixty acres in Parke county, paying as high as fifty-five dollars per acre for improved land; it consisted of the best black land, covered with walnut and sugar trees, but he always made farming secondary to his livestock interests. However, he was known as a large wheat raiser and has sold as high as twenty-nine hundred dollars worth at one shipping. He disposed of his stock interests ten years ago and six years ago he came to Russellville to make his home. He has bought and sold considerable town property. He has a beautiful modern home, elegantly furnished and here the many friends of the family delight to gather. He also has modern and substantial buildings on his farms. His brother, George F., continued in the stock business all the while and still owns his fine farm in Montgomery county.
Politically Mr. Graham is a Republican, but he has never had an inclination to hold public office, being content to look after his individual affairs and leave public matters to others; however, he has always been deeply interested in the general welfare of his county. He is a liberal supporter of the local Methodist church.
Mr. Graham married Miranda Jones, of Montgomery county, when twenty-two years old. She died ten years later. Two children were born of this union, Ida, who married Abe Grimes, of Russellville, and George F., who was but six days old when his mother died. Mr. Graham's second marriage was with Ardellie Hart, of Putnam county, who, after twenty-eight years of mutually happy married life, died in December, 1901. The following children graced this second union: Zona married Fred H. Goodwin, who is in business at Russellville; J. Blaine is associated with his father in the farming business; Everett L., now eleven years old, is attending school.
Personally Mr. Graham is a man whom it is a pleasure to know, being generous hearted, kind, hospitable, honest in all his dealings with his fellow men, and eminently worthy of the trust and respect they repose in him and have for him, and he is today regarded as one of the county's most representative and valued citizens.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
ABEL BENTON DONEHEW.
One of Putnam county's highly honored native sons who have greatly profited by their persistent industry along legitimate lines in their own native locality and thereby find themselves in comfortable circumstances in their declining years is Abel Benton Donehew, farmer and stock raiser of Russell township. He was born July 2, 1845, the son of Martin Donehew, born February 24, 1810, in West Virginia. On his birthday, February 24, 1834, he married Cynthia Dyre, who was born in Union county, Tennessee, May 12, 1812. Abel B. Donehew's grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812 and died in the service. The Donehew family came to this county about the year 1835, Martin Donehew being the first of the same, and he lived with Jesse Blake, then a bachelor and the owner of a farm here. Here Mr. and Mrs. Donehew made their home for several years. Two years before he brought his family here he made the trip on foot from Virginia and entered eighty acres of land in Franklin township and worked for fifty cents a day on the National road in order to get money to pay for his land. When winter stopped the work on the same he walked back to his Virginia home and returned in the same manner the following spring, bringing his family. He made a success of farming and later bought land adjoining that which he first entered, and in 1856 built a good frame house in which he lived until his death, August 24, 1877. He was a jovial, kind-hearted man and had many friends.
Abe1 B. Donehew spent his boyhood days on the home farm and received a common school education. He was married on January 31, 1867, to Catherine Allen Eads, daughter of James W. and Elizabeth Eads, of Montgomery county, Indiana, to whom these children were born, Mary M., Nancy J., Elizabeth L., Sidney Ann, Catherine A., James, William, Lucy H., Harriett A., Joseph M., John H., Sarah A. and Stephen D. The parents of these children are buried in Indian Creek cemetery. They were members of the Methodist church.
Mr. and Mrs. Donehew began housekeeping on a farm in Montgomery county which they bought in 1868. After a few years they sold their farm and moved to Kansas, where they remained eight years, then moved to Missouri, returning to Putnam county three years later and have since then resided here continuously. Mr. Donehew and his son, Joseph T., who remains with his father, are among the most enterprising farmers in their township, leasing one of the model farms of the county, consisting of four hundred acres, under a high state of improvement and well cultivated, producing abundant harvests of all kinds from year to year under their able management. This place belongs to James V. Durham. The elder Donehew is a very pleasant and sociable man and much devoted to his family. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he and his wife are members of the Christian church. Eight children have been born to them, named as follows: Sarah E., born January 1, 1869, married Charles A. Morton and they have eight children, Jay B., Delia X., Kitty L., Rollie E., Kettie M., James T., Monna M. and Oliver P. Argalis, born April 21, 1870, died April 17, 1882; Joseph T., born February 18, 1872, received a common school education and is interested with his father on the farm. He is an active member of the Modern Woodmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Cordelia A., born February 4, 1876, is clerking for the Brumfield dry goods store at Russellville; she received a common school education, and has remained single. Cynthia A., born July 23, 1878, died September 14, 1879; Ellen M., born August 23, 1880, married Mr. Brumfield, a merchant at Russellville; Jessie A., born October 22, 1887, received her education in the public schools, is single, much devoted to her parents and is an estimable young lady. Stella I., born April 24, 1889, married Dwight Evans, and they are the parents of one child, Helen J.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
JOHN W. GARDNER, JR.
A venerable and highly honored citizen of Putnam county, of which he is a native, is John W. Gardner, Jr., who is a living link between the early days and the progressive present, having lived to see wondrous changes locally since his boyhood days and played a conspicuous part in the same, thereby meriting the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him. Especially is he honored in Russellville and vicinity, where he resides and where he has long been regarded as a leading citizen. He was born in Russell township, two and one-half miles south of Russellville, October 10, 1833, the son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Bierly) Gardner, both natives of North Carolina, where they grew to maturity and married and where two of their children were born, three having been born after they came to Indiana. Two of the children were older than John W., of this review, so it is supposed that the family came to the Hoosier state in 1827, entered land here and began a clearing in the woods where the father remained all his life, dying about 1850, when fifty-two years of age, the mother dying about 1848 or 1849. Her son, John W. has but a faint recollection of her. Mr. Gardner's second wife was Nancy Everman, of Indiana. He and his first wife were the parents of eight children. Five children were born to Mr. Gardner and Nancy Everman. All reached maturity but one, and of the family of eight one other besides John W. of this review is living, Barbara Ann, the wife of Dr. John Knight, who died in Greencastle; she is living in New York and had three sons, Alex, Frederick and William. Alex went to Iowa and died in Kansas, where his last days were spent. Frederick spent his life in Russell township on a farm, dying here some time ago. Several members of this family reside in Crawfordsville. Florence is the wife of William Lenard, of Russell township. William lived in Russell township and died in Russellville at the age of seventy-two years, owning a good farm; his sons were, Edward, Clarence, Fred, Otto and Warren, living in Russel1ville; one daughter, Jennie, is the wife of Wall Proctor, of Russellville, and Pearl is the wife of Paul Goff, of Russell township. Bart Gardner, son of Andrew and Nancy Gardner, died in California; George, their other son, lives on a farm near Russellville; a daughter, Mary, is the wife of Mr. Sanders, of Cloverdale.
John W. Gardner, of this review, remained on the home place two years after his father died. He received a meager education in the primitive schools of his day and early in life turned his attention to farming. Before he was twenty years of age he married Lucinda Forgey, daughter of James and Jane (VanScoik) Forgey, who lived in Russell township, in which Mrs. Gardner was born, being eighteen years old at her marriage; each received some aid from their families, enough to pay one-half on eighty acres of land, on which they built a log cabin. Here Mr. Gardner followed farming very successfully until he moved to Russellville, in October, 1904, having sold part of his property in the country. He had paid forty dollars per acre for land which he sold at one hundred dollars per acre. He had added to his original purchase and had well improved it. He bought a tract of two hundred and twelve acres on Ramp creek, for which he paid the sum of eight thousand dollars. He bought a modern and very desirable residence in Russellville for three thousand dollars. He rents his farm for cash. He was one of the first men in this county to begin breeding Shorthorn cattle, and frequently exhibited his fine cattle at local fairs. He kept some fine milk cows, and also raised many fine horses which were greatly admired, having sold single drivers as high as six hundred dollars; he was fond of good horses and driving and no better judge of horses could be found in Putnam county. He drove one animal to Indianapolis, a distance of fifty miles, in six hours, and he could have made fifteen miles per hour.
Mr. Gardner is no politician, never seeking office; however, he loyally supports the Republican ticket. He was one of the first men in the county to sell land for one hundred dollars per acre, the same land now being worth from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy-five dollars per acre.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardner became the parents of the following children: George is a farmer near Russellville; William is a druggist in Russellville; James Milton is a mechanic in the employ of the electric light plant at Russellville; Charles Edgar, who operated an elevator at Ladoga, died when about twenty-five years of age; Edmond Andrew is a farmer in Clinton county, Indiana; Anna, Maggie and Burl are all living at home, the last named being a Putnam county teacher.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have been members of the Methodist church since before their marriage. They are a fine old couple and have hosts of warm personal friends throughout the county, being highly honored by al1.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
OTTO L. REDDISH.
Among the most progressive farmers and stock men of the younger generation in Putnam county who are leading such lives as to warrant a future replete with large success and honors worthily bestowed is Otto L. Reddish, of Russell township, near Waveland. He was born February 17, 1883, in Parke county, Indiana, the son of Clay W. and Eva (Sutton) Reddish, the former the son of John C. and Mary Jane (Watson) Reddish, who came to Parke county among the early settlers and entered land which they developed; later in life Mr. Reddish engaged in the mercantile business. His son, Clay W., received a common school education and worked on the farm when a boy. March 31, 1880, he married and began farming on the home place, which he later bought. However, he in time abandoned farming and, following in the footsteps of his father, entered the mercantile profession at Marshall. He devoted considerable attention to livestock, becoming an extensive buyer and shipper, and he was very successful at whatever he undertook. He belonged to the Missionary Baptist church and was a Republican in politics. He was regarded by all as a good and useful man. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: John, Myrtle, Warren, Cyril, Ruby and Otto L. of this review. Omer, the oldest of the children, died in childhood. The subject's paternal grandparents were Justice and Lucinda Sutton, both natives of Indiana and both now deceased. Otto L. Reddish grew to manhood on the home farm. After finishing the common schools he attended the Bloomingdale Academy and later took a business course at Indianapolis, thus becoming well equipped for life's varied duties. On June 29, 1904, he married Blanche Oglesby, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth E. Oglesby, and they went to housekeeping on the farm where they have continued to make their home, located in the northeast corner of Russell township. He owns a very valuable farm of four hundred and thirteen acres, all in one body, for which he paid the sum of one hundred dollars per acre. It is regarded as one of the choice farms of the county and is greatly admired by all, being not only fortunately located, but it is well improved and under a• high state of cultivation. He keeps large numbers of excel1ent livestock on the place, and has a modern, commodious and attractive dwelling and substantial outbuildings. He is regarded as an up-to-date farmer and stock raiser.
Reese Davis, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Reddish, was a noted minister of the Baptist church, who settled in Montgomery county in an early day where he did a great deal of good. Her grandfather, William J. Davis, was a very successful business man, having begun at Waveland, Montgomery county, later engaged in business in Indianapolis and New York city and other points, having made a small fortune twice and losing it each time; he finally went to Florida where he went into the real estate and banking business, and at his death he was worth one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Mrs. Reddish's father was a native of Ohio and the mother of Indiana. The father has followed farming, and resides on a farm one mile east of Waveland. The mother died January 31, 1909, at the age of forty-six. They were the parents of two children, William H. and Mrs. Reddish. William H. lives at Waveland, and is a man of considerable means, devoting his time to looking after his varied farming interests. He married Myrtle Reddish, a sister of Otto L. Reddish of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Reddish own property in Waveland, which cost ten thousand dollars to build. Mr. Reddish is regarded as one of the leading young business men of this section of the county. They are the parents of two children, Ronald L., born December 25, 1905, and Herman C., born December 22, 1907.
Mr. Reddish is a member of Masons, Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen. Politically, he is a Republican.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
WILLIAM WALLACE NEWGENT
One of the highly respected citizens of Russellville, Putnam county, is William Wallace Newgent, who is living retired. He was born November 1, 1813, in the old Newgent home, built here in 1830, now occupied by his brother Edward, in Clinton township, sketch of the latter appears elsewhere in this volume. Nearly all of William W. Newgent's life was passed on the old place, part of which he owns, twenty-five acres. About 1901 he left the old place after his wife's death. He has been a carpenter and contractor all his life and has been fairly successful in this line of endeavor. September 1, 1867, he married Patsy Slavens, daughter of Hiram and Nancy (Allen) Slavens, who was born in Clinton township in 1847. Her death occurred on June 14, 1900. Four children were born to this union, named as follows: Livonia Belle married L. L. Mitchell of Oklahoma; Ida Eldora married Mort F. Spencer, of Parke county; Lucy Jane married Dr. David E. P. Reed, of Russellville, a full sketch of whom appears in this work; Sarah Elizabeth married George Burke, of Clinton township.
William W. Newgent worked on the home place in his boyhood days, and attended the district schools during the brief winter months. He learned the carpenter's trade and became a very efficient workman, having assisted in the erection of many of the substantial buildings in this vicinity. He has retired from life's active duties and is making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Doctor Reed, in Russellville. He very acceptably served his township for a period of four years as assessor. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for a period of forty-five years, and he has lived up to the high ideals taught by this praiseworthy order.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
JAMES B. NELSON
The progenitors of the subject of this sketch, being of English-Scotch- Irish blood, were among the settlers of Loudoun county, Virginia, in the early years of the eighteenth century. From this point of settlement in the New World the different members of the family reached out into various quarters of the west, then as wild as it was alluring. One branch of the family removed to Mount Sterling, Montgomery county, Kentucky, and there, on the 7th day of February, 1796, James I. Nelson, the Putnam county pioneer, was born. In 1819 he married Mary, daughter of Col. Joshua Yates, of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. In 1821 he made an observational survey on horseback of central Indiana, entered a tract of land about ten miles north of Greencastle, and there, in the primeval forest, erected a log house. In 1829 he put his worldly goods and his little family into a couple of covered wagons, and started for the new home in the green woods. His eldest son, Franklin P. Nelson, the father of the subject, was then a lad of eight years and it fell to his lot, in this homing pilgrimage, to follow behind and drive the cows. James I. Nelson was a typical pioneer, a man of education, strong character and stout heart. Being a pronounced abolitionist, he gratuitously, and purely from considerations of conscience, liberated his slaves before leaving Kentucky. He was a profoundly religious man and, though somewhat of Puritan mold and temper, he was never an intolerant churchman. All his transactions were characterized by simplicity and hard sense. He was one of a few men, of like type and character, who were pioneer settlers in Putnam county. Happy indeed is the lot of any county whose resources are developed and whose early life is stimulated and attuned by such a noble citizenry! The new home in the woods was developed, and the farm cultivated, after the manner then prevailing. There fourteen children were reared to maturity; there the mother died in 1850; there, by the application of indefatigable industry and rare judgment, the family belongings increased from fifteen hundred dollars, the amount carried up from Kentucky in 1829, to ninety-eight thousand dollars at the death of the pioneer in 1859.
Franklin P. Nelson, at the age of twenty, married Catherine Ann, daughter of Capt. Isaac Bell, who had recently moved his family into the county from Kentucky. The young couple struggled up through all the hardships incident to poverty in a new country, making their own furniture, clothing and shoes. This initial industy and self denial, however, in time brought its reward, for the twain prospered, and Mr. Nelson became identified with the leading agricultural, industrial, financial, educational and moral movements of the county. His holdings of land amounted to three thousand acres; he was an incorporator and director in both the First National Bank of Greencastle and the Greencastle Iron and Sail Works; he was the largest contributor to the erection and maintenance of College Avenue Methodist Episcopal church in Greencastle; he was, at Mr. DePauw's special request, trustee of the guarantee endowment fund of the university, and was the largest local contributor to the fund necessary to secure the endowment from Mr. Depauw. In 1868 his wife died without issue. In 1870 he married Eliza Jean Brannan, of the city of Baltimore, Maryland. To this union were born two children, the subject of this sketch, on February 8, 1871, and Eliza Jean, now the wife of Judge William W. Penfield, of New York City, on November 1, 1872. Mr. Nelson lived to see his two children grown to maturity and on November 5, 1896, his long and useful life came to its close. His widow, now in her seventieth year, has for two years past been traveling in foreign countries. She is in good health, is intensely interested in all world movements, especially those of a social and political nature, and, at this writing, is in Alexandria, Egypt.
James B. Nelson received his education in the public schools and DePauw University at Greencastle, and in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, graduating from the latter institution with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1893. He was a member of the legal fraternity of Phi Delta Phi.
Since graduation Mr. Nelson has been engaged successfully in various lines of business, being connected officially with several important financial and industrial concerns in Indiana and Iowa. His principal business, however, is the management of his land and livestock interests, his farm holdings in Putnam, Parke and Owen counties now aggregating over twenty-three hundred acres, besides which, he has large speculative holdings in Texas and Minnesota.
In religion and politics Mr. Nelson is exceedingly liberal. He takes an active interest in all political matters but never as a contestant for place. His activities are enlisted more for the appealing men and measures than for strictly partisan weal.
In 1894 Mr. Nelson married Grace, daughter of Grafton and Julia Noble Johnson, of Greenwood, Indiana. Mrs. Nelson is from a long and worthy line of ancestry, traced through the printed genealogy back as far as the early years of the sixteenth century, the recent generations of which have been prominently identified with the history of Indiana. She is a niece of the late United States Senator James Noble; of the late Governor Noah Noble, and also of the late Gen. Samuel Canby, the noted Indian fighter who figured so conspicuously in the early history of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have one child, Julia Jean, who was born April 8, 1895.
Mr. Nelson's sister is now deeply engrossed in social and civic work in New York, and is well known throughout New York city and state, not only as a speaker on civic problems and the equal franchise, but also as an organizer among women for industrial and social uplift.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
OSCAR LEE REEVES.
No business man in Greencastle is regarded with higher favor than Oscar Lee Reeves, superintendent of the water works, who, while looking to his own interests, does not neglect to discharge his duties in fostering the upbuilding of the community in general, and while yet a young man he has proven that success comes to the persistent and the deserving.
Mr. Reeves was born June 8, 1878, on a farm seven miles northeast of Greencastle. His parents were William A. and Martha E. (McClary) Reeves. The father was born in Monroe township, Putnam county, in 1834 and he lived in this county all his life. He devoted his attention to farming and was a quiet, honest, home-loving man whom everybody respected. He served in the Union army during the Civil war for about eight months, in Company H, Sixty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His death occurred on November 26, 1893.
The parental grandfather of Oscar L. Reeves was Stacy Reeves, a native of Kentucky, where he spent his youth and from which state he came to Putnam county, Indiana, at an early date, and spent the remainder of his life here; he was one of the county's hardy pioneers, and thus the Reeves family has been a well known one in this county for severa1 generations.
The subject's mother was born in Kentucky, from which state she came to Putnam county, Indiana, with her parents, James and Sally Ann McClary, when a young girl, her family locating on what is known as the old McClary homestead in Monroe township, about seven and one-half miles northeast of Greencastle. Her mother is living with her daughter at Bainbridge, this county.
To Mr. and Mrs. William A. Reeves six children were born, named as follows: Orlando is an express messenger on the Monon railroad and lives at New Albany, Indiana; Cordelia is the wife of C. K. Priest and is living six miles north of Greencastle; Sallie Ann died June 3, 1891; Homer E. is assistant superintendent of the Central Union Telephone Company at Indianapolis; Margaret T. is the wife of E. M. Hinkle, of Bainbridge, Indiana; Oscar Lee, of this review.
Mr. Reeves spent his youth on the home farm, where he was early assigned work in the fields, attending the neighboring schools in the winter time, remaining by the paternal fireside until 1900. He turned his attention to the mercantile life when a boy and from 1900 to 1904 was in the employ of the Cooper Brothers, in their hardware store. He then engaged in the plumbing business for himself, maintaining a very successful establishment in Greencastle until April, 1909, when he became superintendent of the Greencastle Water Works Company, which position he now holds and to which he is faithfully and satisfactorily devoting his exclusive attention, giving the utmost satisfaction in every respect to all concerned.
Mr. Reeves was married on November 14, 1900, to Clara Lee Hillis, daughter of James M. and Martha L. Hillis, a well known family of Monroe township, this county, where Mrs. Reeves' birth occurred on July 27, 1880. This union has resulted in the birth of two children, Byron H., born May 13, 1903, and Gilbert M., born October 5, 1906.
Mr. and Mrs. Reeves are members of the College Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Reeves is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and he votes the Republican ticket.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
FRANK McGAUGHEY.
One of the enterprising agriculturists, and substantial citizens of Russell township who has long taken an abiding interest in the welfare of Putnam county in which the McGaugheys have long been represented and borne an honored name, is Frank McGaughey, who was born December 27, 1866, in this county, the son of John and Elizabeth (Gibson) McGaughey, the father born April 12, 1839, and the mother on March 28, 1842. Frank's grandfather was James McGaughey, one of nine children, who, with their parents, William and Prepare (Clark) McGaughey, came from the same county in Kentucky in 1813, locating in Putnam county. Their children were, William, John, Samuel, James, Andrew, Michael, Frances, Patsey and Polly. James McGaughey, the grandfather, married Sarah Clodfelter and four children were born to this union: John, Eliza Ann, William Franklin and James Andrew. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 22, Russell township, on which stood a log house. He was a good farmer, and his death occurred in 1846, and in 1852 his widow married Jesse Spencer, and she died in 1859. John McGaughey, father of Frank, of this review, received a common school education and grew up on the home farm. He married Elizabeth Gibson, daughter of Andrew and Jane (Rambo) Gibson. He located on his father's farm where he remained and built the nice home where his widow still lives. His death occurred February 3, 1897, at the age of fifty-seven years, nine months, and twenty-one days.
Frank McGaughey remained on the home farm and received a common school education. December 31, 1891, he married Lora Carrington, daughter of John P. Carrington, of this county, Mrs. McGaughey's parents representing two old pioneer families of Putnam county. Mr. Carrington was a farmer and he and his wife members of the Christian church. Three children were born to them, Manfred A., Archie E. and Lora H.
Mr. and Mrs. McGaughey began their married life on a farm of sixty acres in section 26, which they purchased and on which they lived until 1905, when they sold and bought one hundred and thirty acres in section 9, for which they paid one hundred dollars per acre. It was owned by John Gardner and has always been regarded as one of the best farms of its size in the county, and since Mr. McGaughey became its owner its value has increased from twenty-five to fifty per cent. Altogether Mr. McGaughey owns four hundred and eighty acres and he is very successful as a farmer and stock raiser and considered one of the model and most progressive farmers of the county. He always keeps some good stock, for which he receives the best prices owing to their excellent quality. No better judge of livestock is to be found in this community than he and it is a pleasure to look over his broad and well-kept acres, which yields him abundant returns for his labor from year to year. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. Politically Mr. McGaughey is a Democrat and while he is deeply interested in the best things for his county, always assisting in placing the best qualified men in local offices, he is no office seeker, preferring to devote his time exclusively to his large individual affairs.
To Mr. and Mrs. McGaughey three interesting children have been born: Rafe Ellis, June 19, 1893; Reta Myrtle, September 3, 1896; Letha May, March 28, 1904.
Personally McGaughey is a man in whom everybody places the utmost confidence, for his relations with his fellow men have always been most cordial and fair and his home is a place of genial hospitality to the many friends of the family.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
RUFUS E. OZMENT
Among the enterprising men who have taken an active part in promoting the material growth of Putnam county, Rufus E. Ozment, of Washington township, occupies a conspicuous place. Ever since reaching the age of manhood he has contributed to the prosperity of the country, earning by legitimate effort honorable position and wide influence and using both for the advancement of the community along legitimate lines. Rufus E. Ozment, farmer, stock raiser and contractor, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, November 17, 1863, being a son of Nathan and Elizabeth Ozment, the father a native of the old North state, the mother of Virginia. Howard Ozment, the subject's grandfather, was a Virginian, but in young manhood went to Guilford county, North Carolina, where he married Betsey Lister, whose antecedents were among the old families of that part of the state. Nathan, whose birth occurred in 1817, was a farmer and wagonmaker and a man of standing in the cornmunity where he resided. He served in the Confederate army, until released by paying the bounty required, but later was drafted and continued with the army until the close of the war, his duty a part of the time being the butchering of cattle and hogs for the troops. He married, in his native county, Elizabeth Martin, who was born September 22, 1829, among the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. He had a family of ten children and departed this life near the place of his birth in 1853, aged sixty-seven years. His widow is still living in the same locality, having reached the advanced age of eighty years.
Rufus E. Ozment remained with his parents until attaining his majority, spending the intervening years on the home farm, which he helped cultivate, but devoting the greater part of the time to the trade of wagonmaking, which his father followed and at which he early became a proficient workman. In 1882 he came to Putnam county to visit certain relatives that had settled here some years before and, being pleased with the country and its opportunities, decided not to return to his North Carolina home. Being a skillful mechanic, he soon had all the carpentry work he could do and during the six or seven years ensuing his reputation as a builder became widely known throughout the county, his partner the meanwhile being J. C. Plummer, who is now his nearest neighbor.
On October 11, 1885, Mr. Ozment was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock with Julia Rissler, whose parents, Jasper and Harriet Rissler, were members of old and highly esteemed families of Putnam county. Jasper Rissler was born in Harrison county, Indiana, June 15, 1831, and after becoming a resident of Putnam county located on a farm in Washington township near the Clay county line, where his death occurred in the month of August, 1898; his wife, whose birth occurred on January 22, 1832, is still living, making her home at this time with her daughter, Mrs. Ozment.
For three years after his marriage Mr. Ozment operated his father-in-law's farm and at the expiration of that period moved to Clay county where he spent about the same length of time as a mechanic and tiller of the soil. In November, 1892, he moved to his present place of residence, formerly a part of the Simpson Harris farm, which he now owns, in addition to which he also owns the old Rissler homestead, about one and a half miles distant. In connection with agriculture he is engaged in carpentry, which he carries on quite extensively, being one of the largest contractors in the township, in addition to which he also does a large and successful business in constructing cement bridges, culverts, basements, etc. as a carpenter he has erected many farm and town residences in various parts of Putnam county and elsewhere, also a number of large barns and not a few public buildings, his reputation as a successful contractor being second to that of no other in this part of Indiana. For a number of years he has been associated at intervals with Mr. Plummer, and many of the largest and finest buildings in Putnam county stand as monuments to the efficiency and skill of these two spirited and widely known mechanics.
In contracting for the erection of any kind of an edifice Mr. Ozment stipulates that it shall be turned over to the owner complete in all its parts, and his business has grown to such magnitude that he now employs from four to eight men in order to meet the demands on his time and skill. He is indeed a busy man and, judged by his labors, none have done more to advance the material interests of his section of country and as a citizen no one stands higher in the esteem and confidence of the people. He gives his support to the Democratic party, takes an active part in furthering all enterprises for the general welfare and his influence, which has always been potent and widespread, is exerted in behalf of what promises to be for the greatest good of the greatest number. He holds membership with the Masonic fraternity at Knightsville and belongs to the Royal Arch chapter at Greencastle, in addition to which he is also an active worker in the Odd Fellows lodge at Harmony and a trusted official in the several organizations with which identified.
Some years ago Mr. Ozment built the beautiful and commodious residence which his family occupies and has taken great pains to make it as nearly as possible an ideal home. The building is a model of architectural beauty and with its modern conveniences and attractive surroundings impress the beholder as the dwelling of an intelligent, public-spirited American who believes in the dignity of his calling and takes pride in the community in which he lives.
Mrs. Ozment, whose birth occurred in Washington township on the 16th day of January, 1867, has borne her husband ten children, viz.: Jessie Lee, who married C. Huffman and lives in Putnam county. Alfred Roy, a carpenter by trade and his father's partner, married Goldie McCormack and resides near the home farm. Lillie Mae, Harriet Elizabeth, Ruthie Mildred, Bertha Evalyn, Mary Susan, Josephine, Lola Violet and Eugene Rissler being still members of the home circle, excepting Josephine, who died at the age of three months.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
JAMES B. BRUMFIELD
The late James B. Brumfield, of Russel1ville, was known as a man of high ideals and unselfish aims, who, while laboring for his own advancement, did not for a moment lose sight of his duties to his neighbors and society at large; such principles could not help resulting in the gaining of material success and the winning of a vast host of warm personal friends. He was born in Kentucky June 9, 1815, and there spent his childhood. His wife, Sophia Ann Rogers, was born in Indiana, where she grew to maturity and was educated; her birth was on February 12, 1822; they were married December 15, 1847. Mr. Brumfield came to Indiana when a young man and started a store at Russellville and married here. After selling goods until 1858 he engaged in farming three miles east of Russellville. About 1862 or 1863 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land just south of the old town and when the railroad built a station here in the eighties, Mr. Brumfield gave part of the land. He then laid out two rows of lots on Main street to the depot, one-fourth of a mile. He sold his lots and carried on general farming. As the business center of the town changed he moved one-half mile south of the old center and continued to live on his farm until his death on June 1, 1891, at the age of seventy-six years; his widow survived until September 9, 1898, dying at about the same age.
While living on his farm Mr. Brumfield served as township trustee; politically he was a stanch Republican, and was one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a good and useful man, whom everybody admired and trusted.
Mr. and Mrs. James B. Brumfield were the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter, namely: Mary I., who remained single, was born September 30, 1848, died March 10, 1897; Robert H. was born September 30, 1850; William C., who was born May 16, 1854, became a practicing physician of Tulare county, California, having graduated from DePauw University and also from the St. Louis Medical School, first practiced in Clinton, Missouri, from which city he went to California and died April 2, 1902, at the age of forty-eight years. Frank M., a general merchant at Russellville, is represented on another page of this work.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
JOHN W. BLAYDES.
Like many of the enterprising and successful citizens of Putnam county, John W. Blaydes hails from the Blue Grass state, but he is loyal to his adopted community and has always done what he could in promoting its interests along material and social lines. His birth occurred in Hardin county, Kentucky, August 12, 1846, and he is the son of John S. and Nancy D. (Cash) Blaydes, an excellent old family, John S. having been born June 12, 1822. He was the son of Frank Blaydes and was born in Virginia. George Blaydes was the father of Frank Blaydes. John S. Blaydes spent his youth in Kentucky and there he worked until 1861; when, upon thedeath of his wife, he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry, and was in the service one year, then re-enlisted in a company of mounted infantry, proving to be a good soldier, but he never applied for a pension. In later life he came to Indiana and lived with his sons, dying in February, 1905. He was a sterling character and a man whom all admired who knew him.
John W. Blaydes was reared on a farm in Kentucky, remaining at home until he was seventeen years of age, when he enlisted in the Ninth Cavalry (Company G), in 1862, and he was in the service one year, during which time he saw some real war, having been in the battle at Perryville and several other minor engagements. He was one of the pursuers of the intrepid Morgan in his northern raid. After being mustered out he returned to Kentucky and went to school during the winter months. In the spring of 1864 he came to Putnam county, Indiana, his total capital upon landing here being seventy-five dollars. He worked by the day for Jesse P. Hymer and lived on his place while working for him.
Mr. Blaydes married Mildred Radford and this union resulted in the birth of one child, Charles M., who has remained single. Mrs. Blaydes was called to her rest in 1868, and Mr. Blaydes married Elizabeth Jeffries, who was born, reared and educated in Putnam county, where her family had long been very favorably known. This union resulted in the birth of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, namely: Robert L., Nancy M., Oliver B., John H., Dora E., Edgar C., Grover C., Allen G. and Warren T.
Mr. Blaydes prospered from the first and today he is the owner of a fine farm consisting of one hundred and seventy-three acres, eighty in the home place and ninety-three in Jackson township, which is well improved and on the first named tract there stands a substantial and comfortable dwelling and good outbuildings. He is a breeder of registered draft horses which are admired by all who see them and no small part of his competency has been made by successful handling of shorthorn cattle. Mr. Blaydes was among the first to introduce draft horses in Putnam county.
Mr. and Mrs. Blaydes are members of the Church of Christ, he being an elder in the local congregation and a liberal supporter of the same. Politically he is a Democrat, but he does not find time to take much interest in politics, being deeply engrossed in his individual business affairs; however, he is deeply interested in whatever tends to the betterment of Putnam county. He was trustee of Franklin township for two years and he has held several other local offices to the satisfaction of all concerned.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
FRANK M. BRUMFIELD.
In compiling this volume of representative citizens of Putnam county occasion has been afforded to give the records of men in many walks of life; here will be found mention of worthy citizens of all vocations, and at this juncture we are permitted to offer a resume of the career of one of the substantial and highly esteemed, in fact, one of the industrial leaders of northwestern Putnam county, where he has long maintained his home and where he has attained a high degree of success in his chosen field of labor and enterprise, being a well known merchant at Russellville.
Frank M. Brumfield was born on the old family homestead in Russell township, July 27, 1866, and he remained with his father until he was sixteen years of age, or until the latter's death, when he began clerking, having decided to devote his life to merchandising. His first employer was T. L. Grider, in 1884, at Fincastle, and he has been in this line of work constantly ever since. He was in partnership with Henry Grimes for a period of two years. He came to Russellville in 1885 and purchased the store of an old firm, Moreland & Ross, the firm becoming Grimes, Ross & Company, which conducted a general mercantile business. Mart Inge succeeded Grimes and the firm was changed to Inge, Ross & Company, which remained for ten years, when the stock was divided. Inge took the groceries and shoes and started alone, and the firm of Ross & Brumfield was started, these gentlemen dividing their goods on January 13, 1908, after a number of years of very successful partnership.
Mr. Brumfield then opened a general store alone with a fine and carefully selected stock of goods and soon enjoyed all excellent trade, for he had been known to the vicinity for many years as a merchant of thrift and reliability, and he has remained in his splendid quarters in the I. 0. 0. F. building, which is one of the substantial cement block structures of the town and admirably located and which place is the headquarters for farmers and their families when in town. The Ross store was continued until the death of Mr. Ross and is now owned by a Mr. Smith. Mr. Brumfield has greatly increased his stock of goods to double what it was formerly. He has a well-kept and well-arranged store, twenty-six by eighty-five feet, and his neat stock of goods is tastily displayed. He carries stock aggregating in value about seven thousand dollars, and he is doing a very satisfactory cash business, for he keeps nothing that it not up-to-date and of excellent quality and his prices are always right. He buys eggs extensively and has a large country trade.
Mr. Brumfield lives on the old homestead which he owns, and which consists of one hundred and five acres. He has platted and added thirty acres to the town, known as Brumfield's Addition to Russellville this is becoming a very popular section of the thriving town and he is selling lots constantly. He is very successful in overseeing his farm where general crops are raised and which has been very skillfully managed.
October 9, 1907, Mr. Brumfield married Ella Donehew, daughter of a well known family of Russellville. This union is without issue.
Fraternally Mr. Brumfield is a Mason and he seems to live up to its sublime ritual in all the relations he has with his fel1ow men. He is a man who attends strictly to his individual affairs and has never aspired to public offices.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
LEWIS A. ZARING
The above-named gentleman was the oldest of the four children of Daniel and Lucinda (Lewis) Zaring, and was born in Putnam county, Indiana, September 19, 1861. Reared under the wholesome influence of life in the country, he early became familiar with the active duties of the farm and in the district schools which he attended of winter season during his minority he received a fair education, his mental discipline, however, being much more practical than scholastic. As soon as his services could be utilized to advantage he bore his part in the cultivation of the farm, and until his twenty-first year he remained at home laboring for his father's interests.
On March 13, 1883, he was united in marriage with Lucretia Huffman, daughter of Edmund Huffman (see sketch of Douglas Huffman), and during the two years ensuing managed the home farm and succeeded well in his labors. After his father's death he began purchasing the shares of different heirs and in due time became sole owner of the estate, which he has since cultivated with gratifying success, in addition to which he also owns a beautiful and attractive home in the village of Manhattan, where he lives.
Mr. Zaring has prospered in all of his undertakings, and at this time ranks among the leading farmers and stock raisers of Putnam county, also standing high as a citizen and man of affairs.
Mr. Zaring has never sought official distinction, but always manifests an active interest in public matters, being a Democrat in politics and an influential member of the party in his township. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic brotherhood, belonging to the blue lodge chapter, commandery and Eastern Star at Greencastle, being senior warden in the commandery at the present time.
Mr. and Mrs. Zaring have three children, namely: Stella Ann, wife of Professor Philip Hutchison, principal of the Roachdale schools; Lola May, teacher of the primary department of the Pleasant Garden high school, and Edith, who is pursuing her studies in the high school at Roachdale, the two younger being still members of the home circle.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN