Lorenzo D. Seckman remained with his parents in their various places of residence until 1860, when his patriotic spirit being aroused by the attempts of the South to destroy the national union, he enlisted in the Forty-third Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and during the following three and a half years he rendered valiant and faithful service in the defense of Old Glory. At Marks' Mills, Arkansas, he was captured and for ten months was confined at Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas. On his return home he resumed farming, and in 1868 he married and settled on his father-in-law's farm, where he remained until the death of his first wife, in 1870. He then located on sixty acres of land, which he cultivated for seven years and then sold, buying ninety acres of land in section 23, Marion township, on which he has made his home during the past twenty-five years. He is a practical farmer and has achieved a distinctive success of his vocation. His place is well improved and Mr. Seckman is known as one of the substantial and enterprising farmers of the township.
On March 18, 1868, Mr. Seckman married Cynthia J. Burton, the daughter of Alfred S. and Katherine J. Burton. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist church and was a woman of culture and refinement. Her death occurred on March 1, 1870, her remains being interred in the Burton family lot at Greencastle, and on February 16, 1876. Mr . Seckman was joined in marriage with Susanna Q. Quinlan, who was born in Putnam county, Indiana, September 30, 1845, the daughter of William M. and Serelda (Sinclair) Quinlan, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Putnam county, Indiana, Mrs. Seckman having been for a number of years a successful teacher in the public schools. No children were born to the subject's first marriage. To William L. and Serelda Quinlan have been born eight children, five of whom are living, namely: Virginia, the wife of James Denny, an attorney at Greencastle; Mrs. L. D. Seckman; Ann Missouri is unmarried and keeps house for her brother, Frank W.; Gramaliel B., a farmer in Marion township; Lorenzo D.; Lucinda E., the deceased wife of James W. Burton; Angeline A., who died unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Seckman have not been blessed with any children of their own, but they have acted the part of the good samaritians in rearing a boy from tender years to manhood. He was well educated and is still, at the age of twenty-two years, making his home with them.
William K. Quinlan came from Maryland to Putnam county in 1837, being numbered among the early pioneers of the county. He had a large part in the moral and material development of the county, helping to lay the foundations of good government in this frontier section. He entered a tract of land and improved a good farm, spending the rest of his days and dying in this county. He was a son of James and Susanna (Cooper) Quinlan, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Wales. These parents emigrated to America, locating in Maryland, where the father died at the remarkable age of one hundred and one years. James Quinlan was loyal to his adopted land and during the war of the Revolution he served valiantly on the side of the colonies. He was a man of marked influence and stood high in his community. Mrs. Seckman possesses a number of valuable relics which have descended to her from her honored ancestry, in which she takes a justifiable pride. Among these is a set of pure silver spoons which were made for her mother from her grandfather's knee buckles. She also has a mustard cup over one hundred years old, and an exquisite sample of her grandmother's needle work. The latter, which is very artistic in design and execution, is made on brown linen, and shows that in the early days art was prevalent which at this day would be hard to duplicate. Other relics in the collection evidence the high position which the former possessors held in society in the early days of this Republic, many of them having held high positions in relation to our early institutions and industries. Among the early generation of the Sinclairs and Quinlans were a number of ministers who took a prominent part in advancing the civilization of the new communities in which they settled, they enjoying the confidence of all who knew them, their honor and integrity being above reproach.
Politically, Mr. Seckman is a Republican and takes an intelligent interest in local public affairs, though he is not a seeker after public office. His religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church, in the various activities of which he takes a prominent part, giving the society an earnest and liberal support. He is a man of good parts and enjoys the high regard of all who know him.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
CHARLES MILTON PICKETT.
Among the progressive, enterprising and industrious residents of Floyd township, Putnam county, Indiana, none takes higher rank than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is descended from a prominent and well-known Southern family, the Picketts having come originally from North Carolina, where they occupied a prominent place in their locality. The subject's paternal grandfather, Aquilla Pickett, reared a family of fourteen children, all of whom attained to respected positions in life, being well known in Putnam county. Two brothers, Thomas and Ralph, and two sisters, Elizabeth and Seritha, still survive. The Pickett settlement in this county numbered many members and during war times it was commonly known as Fort Pickett.
The subject's father, David Pickett, was born on the 14th of April, 1829, and died on the 29th of January, 1909. He was born in Davidson county, North Carolina, and accompanied the family on their remova1 to Putnam county, Indiana, in 1830. Here the father entered land, first settling in Russell township, but three years later he moved to Floyd township, where he spent his remaining years. He was a Democrat in politics, but not an office seeker, though he was induced to accept the position of overseer of roads. Though not a member of church or fraternal organizations, he was a good man and enjoyed the unbounded confidence and respect of all who knew him. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Spaugh, and she also was a native of North Carolina. To this worthy couple were born six children, namely: Polly, Charles M., Ellen, Lawrence, Sophia and Malvina. These children are all living and all, with the exception of the last named, are residents of Floyd township.
Charles M. Pickett was born on the 26th day of July, 1856, and was reared under the parental roof. As soon as old enough he took up the work of the farm and became an able assistant to his father. After completing his education in the common schools, he became a student in the Normal School at Danville, and then took up the occupation of teaching school, in which he was successfu1ly engaged for fifteen years. In 1900 he served as township trustee, his former experience in the school room aiding him in his performance of the duties of the office, which he discharged for four years to the eminent satisfaction of his constituents. Since quitting the school room Mr. Pickett has devoted his attention to agriculture, in which also he has met with marked success. He owns sixty acres of as good land as can be found in the township and, being practical and systematic in his operations, he has been enabled to realize a good profit on his land. He carries on a general line of farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and also gives some attention to the raising of livestock.
On August 30, 1587, Mr. Pickett was united in marriage with Myrtie Adams, who was a native of Putnam county and a daughter of Ephraim Adams, of Greencastle, and to this union were born five children, namely: Chester, Dallas, Lelia, Rolland and Garia, all of whom are living. Mrs. Pickett died on March 25, 1898, and on February 1, 1906, Mr. Pickett married Ella Hendricks, who was born in Owen county, Indiana, March 25, 1866, the daughter of John M. and Clara (Lancet) Hendricks. The father is a native of Warren township, this county, his father having been a native of Bath county, Kentucky, and a pioneer settler in Putnam county, where he entered land. Mrs. Pickett's mother is descended from German ancestry. To this second union three children have been born, twins, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Louise, born November 21, 1909.
Politically Mr. Pickett is a stanch Democrat and he takes a keen and intelligent interest in public affairs, though not an office seeker. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 512, Free and Accepted Masons, at Groveland, which he served as worshipful master several terms and of which he is now secretary. His religious membership is with the Missionary Baptist church, of which he is a regular attendant and in the work of which he takes an active part. His support is always given to whatever tends to advance the highest interests of the community and because of his integrity of character, his genial disposition and his genuine north, he is held in high esteem in the community.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
WILLIAM A. MOSER, M. D.
In a locality ranking high for its medical talent, whose professional men take conspicuous places among their colleagues throughout the state, is Dr. William A. Moser, who is located at Belle Union, Jefferson township, Putnam county, where he is enjoying a lucrative practice and has long been known as one of the leading citizens of this section of the county. He is the descendant of one of the old and influential families of this county, having been born in the southwestern part of this township, September 19, 1869, the son of David and Sarah A. (Bryan) Moser. A full history of his ancestry is to be found on another page of this work, hence will not be repeated here.
The Doctor's boyhood was spent on the home farm, where he early learned the art of agriculture, but when a mere lad he determined to enter the medical profession and consequently began bending every effort in that direction. He enjoyed a liberal education, having attended the public and high schools at Cloverdale and later the Normal School at Danville, Indiana. He spent one year in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis, Missouri, and he then entered the medical department of the University at Indiana, located at Indianapolis, formerly known as the Indiana Medical College, thus completing the four-years course in medicine and surgery, graduating in 1903. In May of that year Doctor Moser opened an office at Belle Union, Jefferson township, at which place he has practiced ever since, meeting with a fair measure of success from the first and he now ranks as one of the leading physicians of the county.
Doctor Moser married Clara Vesta Cradick, of Owen county, Indiana, in 1891. She was the daughter of John Cradick. This union resulted in the birth of one child, O. Joyce Moser. Eleven months later Mrs. Moser died, and in May, 1908, Mr. Moser married Hazel1 Gillette Dobbs, daughter of George Dobbs, of Greencastle.
The Doctor is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the Putnam County Medical Society and the State Medical Society of Indiana.
Doctor Moser possesses the happy faculty of winning and retaining many warm personal friends and the high regard in which he is held indicates on his part a determination to discharge his every duty and obligation as becomes a good man and a worthy citizen.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
Few citizens of Putnam county, especially Clinton township and vicinity, were better or more favorably known than the late John S. Newgent. He was born August 25, 1830, and after an active and useful life passed to his rest on March 11, 1894. He received a fairly good education in the common schools of his day and assisted with the work on the home place until he reached maturity, marrying Lucinda Lewis, who was born January 16, 1831, in Shelbyville, Kentucky, the daughter of Aaron and Millie (Moseley) Lewis. This family came to Monroe township, Putnam county, Indiana, 1838. John S. Newgent served twice as county commissioner.
The Newgent family consisted of the following children: William Talbot married Margaret Noble and lives in Putnam county; Nancy married Thomas Heady, who lives in Madison township; Sarah Elizabeth died in early life; James Edward remained with his mother; Lewis Newgent was born January 28, 1861, remained single, spending his entire life on the home farm; Nellie married Walter Sigler, of Putnam county; John S., Jr., died when thirty years of age, having married Mary Martin, by whom he had two children, Merl and Earl.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
JOHN SCADY CHANDLER.
Among the progressive citizens of Clinton township who are deserving of representation in a work of this character is John S. Chandler, who was born in the house in which he now lives, on July 6, 1830, the son of Scady and Sarah (Busey) Chandler, the latter the widow of James Roberts. Scady Chandler was a native of Virginia and was reared to manhood at Crab Orchard, Kentucky. He spent one year in Shelby county, Indiana, and in 1824 entered the land on which his descendants now reside in Clinton township, the entry being made at Crawfordsville. He settled in the woods and built a half-faced shanty near the present Chandler residence. In 1828 he erected what was then a fine substantial brick house, burning the brick on his place. Two of his molders differed in politics, one being a Jackson man, the other favoring Adams, and they inserted the names of their favorite candidates in the year 1828, and many of the bricks bear them to this day. Scadv Chandler took a scholarship at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, having been deeply interested in educational affairs. He was a public-spirited man and patriotic, having served in the war of 1812 as a commissioned officer. He spent his life on the farm. Later he added to the three original brick rooms, making it a long brick house, one-story. He was well-to-do for those days and owned about four hundred acres of land in this tract, at the time of his death, seventy-six acres at Mt. Meridian and two hundred acres in Clark county, Illinois. He was a Democrat, but not an office seeker. He was a member of Wesley Chapel Methodist church. The death of this prominent and well liked old pioneer occurred on March 7, 1864, when he lacked only seven days of his seventieth birthday. His first wife died early, bearing him one daughter, Eliza, who married David Talbot, and is deceased. Her daughter is living in Illinois. Mr. Chandler married a second time, his last wife being Mrs. Sarah (Busey) Roberts, a sister of a brick mason who laid brick in his house. Her father, Jacob Busey, was from Kentucky. The Roberts family lived in Kentucky, where Mrs. Chandler spent her girlhood days and married James Roberts. Three children were born to Mrs. Chandler by her first husband, James Roberts, among them being a daughter, Mahala, who is now the widow of James Devore, of Terre Haute, and is the only one of the three children living. Three children were born to Mr. Chandler by his second wife, named as follows: Sarah married Jesse McPheeter and went to Illinois, where she died at the age of forty, leaving two children; Elza died near Hannibal, Missouri, having left here when a young man; John Scady, of this review. The mother of these children died in April, 1873. Scady Chandler was a man of good foresight and made early entries of lands and John S. Chandler holds as relics five old sheepskin patents, three issued by President Monroe and two by Andrew Jackson. Scady Chandler was a popular and well-known and highly respected farmer and his integrity and honor were above reproach.
John Scady Chandler spent his boyhood on the farm, operating the same with his brother until he was of age, remaining with his mother until her death in 1873. On December 23, 1875, he married Ann Eliza Phillips, daughter of John D. and Hester A. (Smith) Phillips, the latter born near Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, and about the close of the war came to Fillmore, Putnam county, and made that her home for several years. Her father was a shoemaker and later a farmer at Putnamville. He came to Clinton township about 1877 and here lived until his death, April 27, 1885. His widow went to Evansville, Indiana, where she still resides.
Remaining on the farm until about 1893, John S. Chandler went to Evansvi1le for seven years, where he was interested in the lumber business in which he had been more or less interested while on the farm. He returned to the farm about 1900 and devoted his after work to this line of endeavor with varied success, on ninety-eight acres, a part of which his father had entered from the government, he buying out his mother's dowry, making one hundred and sixty-six acres, but he has sold all but ninety-eight acres. He carries on general farming. He has a fine sugar grove and takes a great deal of pains with it. He is a member of the advisory board of his township and refuses to be trustee, although often solicited by his friends, however, he takes a deep interest in local matters and always does what he can for the general good of his community. He is an uncompromising Democrat and uses his influence where it will do the most good.
One child, a daughter, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chandler, Myrtle E., born November 22, 1876, wife of Lewis H. Garton, of Greencastle, a lumber salesman; no children have been born to them.
Mr. and Mrs. Chandler are members of Union Chapel Methodist church, he has filled most of the church offices and is a good contributor to the support of the church. Fraternally Mr. Chandler is a member of the Masonic order, and he and his wife and daughter belong to the Eastern Star, Morton Chapter. He has long been active in lodge work.
Mr. Chandler has a neat and comfortable home which is often the gathering place for the many friends of the family, and the immediate surroundings of the place are most pleasant. Nearby is one of the finest springs in the county, of pure, sparkling water which runs down a beautiful vale through other farms, furnishing water for stock, and in many respects this place is a very valuable and desirable one. Mr. Chandler underwent the deprivations and hardships of pioneer life and helped lay the foundation for good government and morals in this locality.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
HUGH H. PARKER.
Among the long established and highly respected families of Putnam county, Indiana, none have occupied a higher place in public esteem than the Parker family, numerous representatives of which reside here and who for many years have taken a prominent and active part in the advancement of the various business interests of the county.
The emigrant ancestor of the Parker family was John Parker, who was born and reared in England, but who, because he accidentally injured the wife of a nobleman, was banished from his native land. His coming to America was sometime prior to the war of the Revolution and relics of this ancestor are now in the hands of his great-grandson, Benjamin A. Parker, of this township. Among the children of this John Parker was a son, William, who was born in South Carolina about 1790. On reaching mature years, the latter married Candace Austin, and to them was born a son, William Henley Parker. On November 27, 1827, William and Candace Austin arrived in Putnam county, Indiana, and located on section 17, Mill Creek township, of which they were the third settlers, their pioneer home being located in the heart of the forest. Here William Parker entered eighty acres of land, and this tract of land has remained in the family ever since, being now the property of his grandson, Benjamin A. Parker. The log cabin which they built there served as their home for many years and remained standing as late as 1906.
William Henley Parker was reared on the parental homestead in Mill Creek township and lived practically all his life there. He devoted himself to farming pursuits and was rewarded with a fair measure of success. About 1847 he and his cousin, Joel Wright, started a general store on the farm, which they conducted until about 1867. At the time of the inception of this enterprise there was no other store between Stilesville, Greencastle and Cloverdale, thus they drew trade from a wide territory. Mr. Parker also engaged to some extent in the shipping of livestock, which had to be driven to Indianapolis, as many as four hundred hogs being shipped this way in one year. He was active in politics, being affiliated with the Democratic party, and served as the first trustee of Mill Creek township. He was the leader of his party in the township and exerted a wide influence. His death occurred in 1875, his wife having died the previous year. They were active members of the Primitive Baptist church and commanded the respect of all who knew them.
William Henley Parker married Bethena P. Dobbs, the daughter of Joel Dobbs. She was of German descent and came to Putnam county in 1825, with her parents, who were among the early settlers in this section, their farm adjoining on the west to that owned by Mr. Parker. To this worthy couple were born the following children: Martin, Candace, Sarah, Benjamin A., Martha W., Mary, Joel D., Matilda, Hugh H. and Lucy Ann. Brief mention is made of these children as follows: Martin died at Eminence, leaving two sons; Candace is the widow of James S. Parish and lived at Freeman, Missouri, where he died; Sarah is the wife of David W. Sherrill and lives south of Stilesville, Hendricks county, this state; Benjamin A. is referred to in a later paragraph; Martha W. is the widow of Solomon Dorsett, deceased, of Eminence; Mary, who was the wife of Richard Stringer and lived in Morgan county, south of Stilesville, died in 1906; Joel D., who lives in Shattuck, Oklahoma, is a widower and the father of seven children; Matilda is the wife of Marion M. Hurst and they live north of Belle Union; Hugh H. is the immediate subject of this sketch; Lucy Ann, of Eminence, is the widow of Thomas Surber, deceased.
Benjamin A. Parker, the fourth in the order of birth of the children of William Henley and Bethena Parker, was born on the old homestead June 30, 1838. In 1860 he married Hannah Pruitt, of Morgan county, who died in 1861, leaving a daughter, Mary Esther, who died in the summer of 1892. In 1863 Mr. Parker married Rachael Brown, of Owen county, Indiana, the daughter of Rev. John and Lydia (Smith) Brown, the former being a native of Scotland and a minister of the Campbellite church. To Benjamin and Rachael Parker were born the following children: Hannah A., Willis R., John W., Daniel, Clara, Noah, Charles, Rena and Ona.
After his first marriage Mr. Parker moved to a farm near Broad Park, where he resided up to 1874, when he moved to Alaska, Owen county, where he lived two years. In February, 1876, he located where he now resides, in Mil1 Creek township. Mrs. Rachael Parker died on February 28, 1897. Of their children, the following facts are noted: Hannah A. is the wife of Charles M. Dorsett, of Mill Creek township, and they have eight children, Thomas, Flora, Paul, George, Willis, Viola, Eddie and Evaline; Willis R., who married Martha Lewis, died in September, 1906; John W., who lives in Hendricks county, married Victoria Arnold, and they have four children, Clona, Clyde, Emory and Emma, the two last named being twins; Daniel, of Mill Creek township, married Effie Lewis, and to them have been born three children, Lester Verlin, Lloyd and Nola Mariem, the last named dying in infancy; Clara first married John Grimes, by which union was born one child, Sarah Melissa, and she afterwards married Wilfred Ogles, of Morgan county, and they have a daughter, Myrtle; Noah, of Martinsville, Indiana, married Viola Humphries; Charles, who resides near his father, married Lottie Keller and they have a daughter, Garnet Myrtle; Rena married John George and lives near her father in Mill Creek township; Ona lives at home with her father.
Hugh H. Parker, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, was born in Mill Creek township, Putnam county, August 28, 1852, the son of William Henley and Bethena Parker. He received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood and has always pursued the vocation of farming, in which he has met with a gratifying measure of success. He owns five hundred and seventy acres of land in section 8, the land extending into Morgan county, and he also owns land in Jefferson township. He is a practical and systematic worker, keeps in close touch with every detail of his business and is numbered among the successful men of this part of the county. His splendid estate is highly improved and the residence property is comfortable and attractive, the general appearance of the entire place indicating the owner to be a man of good taste and excellent judgment.
On February 28, 1875, Hugh H. Parker married Sorilda Wood, a daughter of Elisha and Rhoda (Broadstreet) Wood. Elisha Wood was born in Washington county, Indiana, on February 3, 1822, the son of Daniel and Margaret Wood, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, serving valiantly for seven years. He was among the first settlers of Washington county, Indiana, and died there at the age of eighty-four years. When Elisha Wood was fourteen years old his father died and in 1840 he and others of the family came to what is now Mill Creek township, Putnam county. On June 1, 1840, he married Rhoda Broadstreet, the daughter of Thomas Broadstreet, a pioneer settler of Putnam county, and of their seven children Mrs. Hugh Parker was the youngest. Mrs. Rhoda Wood died April 20, 1857, and on September 8th of the same year Mr. Wood married Phoebe C. Phillips, to which union seven children were born. Mr. Wood located on a farm in section 6, Mill Creek township, in 1843, at which time it was practically covered with a heavy growth of timber. Commencing life for himself with a cash capital of only ten dollars, he eventually became the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of good land, the result of hard work and economy. He was a faithful and active member of the Missionary Baptist church, of which he was a trustee. His death occurred on March 11, 1906, and his widow died in June, 1909. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hugh H. Parker, namely: Elmer, who died at the age of nine months; Victory, who died on February 15, 1894, at the age of seventeen years; Bessie died at the age of four years; Bertha D. married Ancil Dorsett, who died in 1904, and they had one daughter, Gladys, who, with her mother, are now living with the subject, Hugh H. Parker; Grover Cleveland, who lives a half mile east of Broad Park, married Dolly Coffman, the daughter of Andrew Coffman, of Cloverdale township, and they had one son, Gerald Ray Parker, who died at the age of seventeen months; Vernie Clyde, the youngest son, who lives at home with his parents, attended the Normal School at Danville, but is now a student in the high school at Broad Park.
Politically Mr. Parker is aligned with the Democratic party and has taken an active interest in local public affairs, having served as trustee of Mill Creek township for seven years. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church, to which they give an earnest and liberal support. Mr. Parker is a man of large physique, is genial and whole-souled in his relations with his fellow men and in every relation of life he displays a candidness and honesty of purpose that has gained for him the esteem of all whom he has come in contact with.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
JAMES H. SPARKS.
Prominent among the worthy representatives of the pioneer element in the county of Putnam is the well-known gentleman to a review of whose life the attention of the reader is now invited. For many years James Sparks has been a forceful factor in the prosperity of Cloverdale township, and now, at the advanced age of nearly eighty-five years, he is enjoying that rest which his long life of earnest toil so richly entitles him to.
James H. Sparks was born in Lewis county, Kentucky, on the 8th day of February, 1826, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Gilman) Sparks. The maternal great-grandfather, Henry Gilman, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, serving under General Wayne. When the subject was about twelve years of age the family removed to Putnam county, Indiana, locating near Mount Meridian, the father buying a tract of land about a half mile east of that place. Two years later they moved to the southern part of Jefferson township, where another farm was purchased. James H. remained with his parents until he was about eighteen years old, when he went to Greencastle and apprenticed himself to learn the trade of blacksmith. About twenty years after coming to Putnam county the other members of the family removed to Clayton county, Iowa, where they made their subsequent home. Mr. Sparks was employed at the smithy's forge in Greencastle for about five years, becoming a proficient workman, and at the end of that period he came to Cloverdale and opened a shop of his own, which he continued to operate about fifteen years. He then gave up blacksmithing and took up agriculture as a vocation, locating on his present farm in the eastern part of Cloverdale township. He gave intelligent direction to his efforts and in due time developed his farm to a fine estate. He has always been a hard worker and has been practical in his methods, so that his efforts have been rewarded with a due meed of success. The place is well improved, containing a comfortable residence, commodious and substantial barns and outbuildings, while the general condition of the place indicates the owner to be a man of sound judgment and good taste.
On February 27, 1851, Mr. Sparks married Emily Jane Coffman, a native of Fountain county, Indiana, and the daughter of John and Mary (Williams) Coffman. These parents were natives of Kentucky and came to Fountain county, Indiana, in an early day. In 1833, when she was about six weeks old, the family located in Cloverdale township, Putnam county, where she grew to womanhood. John Coffman was a soldier in the war of 1812, under Gen. William Henry Harrison, and was in the noted battle at Morgantown, on the river Thames, where the Indian chief Tecumseh was killed. To Mr. and Mrs. Sparks were born six children, of whom but two are now living, two having died in infancy. The four who grew to maturity were James, Mary Ann, Eliza Jane and Niles H. James lives with his father on the home farm. Mary Ann, who died April 22, 1882, was the wife of Peter Shopl, of Eminence, Morgan county, Indiana, and she left two daughters, Emma and Lucy Jane. Eliza Jane, who died on February 25, 1888, was the wife of Isaac S. Carpenter, of Cloverdale township, and she left a son, J. H. Carpenter, whose death occurred on April 19, 1908. Niles married Elizabeth Hood and lives a short distance northeast of Cloverdale. To him and his wife have been born ten children, of which number four are living. Three of the children died in infancy, the others being briefly mentioned as follows: John William is married and is living at Mansfield. Charles P. lives in Cloverdale township, this county. Allen died November 18, 1901, Lee on the 29th of the same month, and Herschel on the 23th of October of the same year, the three deaths being due to typhoid fever. Of those living, Arizona and Elmer remain at home with their parents. Mrs. Emily Sparks died on the 7th of February, 1902, at the age of sixty-nine years.
Religiously, Mr. Sparks is a consistent member of the Christian church at Cloverdale, to which his wife also belonged up to the time of her death. Fraternally, Mr. Sparks became a member of Temple Lodge, No. 47, Free and Accepted Masons, many years ago and is now probably the oldest Mason residing in Putnam county. He was a charter member of Cloverdale Lodge, No. 132, Free and Accepted Masons, to which lodge his son James also belongs. Mr. Sparks is a member of Gen. Frank White Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Cloverdale, this affiliation being consistent from the fact that during the Civil war Mr. Sparks enlisted in Company I, Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and gave effective service to his country in her hour of need. He is one of the best known men in Cloverdale township and enjoys the unbounded confidence of all who know him. He has always given his support to every movement having for its object the advancement of the best interests of the community and has been influential for good.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
Lewis Newgent was born January 28, 1861, on the farm where he now lives. His father was John S. Newgent, and mother Lucinda (Lewis) Newgent. The father was a native of Putnam county, born August 25, 1830, and the mother was born in Shelbyville, Kentucky, and came to Putnam county with her parents when seven years old. The father farmed all his life and was county commissioner two terms. He was a Democrat. He died March 14, 1894. He belonged to the Methodist church. He owned two farms of one hundred and sixty and eighty acres when he died. His widow still survives, and lives with Lewis Newgent of this sketch. She is in her eightieth year. These parents have seven children, namely: William T., of Parke county, Indiana; Nancy, wife of Thomas Heady, of Madison township; Sarah Elizabeth, deceased; Edward, on the old homestead; Lewis, the subject of this sketch; Millie, wife of Walter Sigler, of Clinton township; John, deceased, who married Mary Martin, and left two children, Merl and Earl.
Lewis Newgent was reared on the farm where he has lived all his life. He received a common school education. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bethel, is a Democrat in politics and active in party affairs, having been committeeman of his precinct.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
JONATHAN HANSELL
From an old industrious family that has enjoyed a most excellent reputation wherever its members have lived comes Jonathan Hansell, one of the best farmers of his township and a man who is deserving of the success he has achieved because he has worked for it along right lines and preferred to "eat bread by the sweat of his brow" rather than try to win fortune by unscrupulous or questionable methods. He was born in Floyd township, Putnam county, December 3, 1859, the son of George Hansell, who was born in Frederick county, Virginia, April 29, 1813, and he came to Putnam county, Indiana, in 1839. He was the son of John and Hannah (Adams) Hansell. On September 15, 1836, George Hansell married Mary A., daughter of Elijah C. and Elizabeth Wilkinson, born February 18, 1817, in Highland county, Ohio, and this union resulted in the birth of thirteen children, eight of whom are living at this writing, named as follows: Juretta is deceased; John M., who was a soldier in the Union army, a member of the Twenty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was killed at the battle of Antietam; David is living at Lena, Indiana; Elijah C. is living in Pulaski county, this state; Rachael Maria lives in Greencastle; Hannah L. lives in Kansas; Elizabeth Ann is deceased; Mary Ellen, of Iowa; George M. is deceased; Rebecca is living in this county; Jonathan, of this review; Jehu is a contractor in Arkansas City, Kansas, the two latter being twins. Mrs. Hansell died March 17, 1901.
George Hansel1 is a Republican but he is not interested in political offices. He is a strong Methodist and a devout Christian. He died at the age of seventy years and four months, at the old homestead, on September 11, 1883, on the land he purchased when he first came to this state from Hillsbury, Ohio, of which state his wife was a native. He has devoted his entire life to farming and has been very well repaid for his long years of hard toil.
Jonathan Hansell received a very good education in the public schools. He grew up on the home farm in this township and has devoted his attention to farming. When he was thirty years old he bought thirty acres of land, and being a hard worker he has been able to add to his original purchase until he now owns an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres which is well improved and well tilled. He has erected here a modern, commodious and desirably located dwelling which was built in 1899. No farm in section 21 is better adapted for the carrying on of general farming and stock raising, at which he is equally successful.
Mr. Hansell was first married on August 3, 1887, to Ollie A. Wright, daughter of Marion and Amanda (Chatham) Wright, of old pioneer stock. Two children were born to this union: Gracie, born May 31, 1888, married Earl Smith, who is a mail carrier at Greencastle; Blanche B. was born May 23, 1892, and is living at home, attending high school in Floyd township. The mother of these children passed away on October 23, 1899, and on March 20, 1902, Mr. Hansel1 married Clora A. Wise, daughter of Isaac and Regina (Newman) Wise, of Hendricks county. Four children have been born to them: Jonathan Maynard, born April 1, 1903; Ila A., born September 29, 1904; Lema B., born August 4, 1906; Isaac Ward, born June 14, 1908.
Mr. Hansell is a handy man with tools and is something of a builder, having planned his own home and barn and worked on the local church. He is a skilled stone mason. He has never aspired to any of the county offices, and he is in favor of prohibition. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 373, at Bainbridge, having been a Knight for the past fifteen years, and he has held all the offices in the local organization, being one of the best known members of this order in the county.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
JAMES A. RIGHTSELL.
This representative farmer and business man is a native of Putnam county, Indiana, and was born in Washington township, March 20, 1863, having first seen the light of day on the old Rightsell homestead, which his grandfather purchased from the government. His father, John Rightsell, after living for some years on the old place, bought land in Cloverdale township and about 1871 purchased the farm on Walnut Bottoms now owned by his son Frank. By subsequent purchases from time to time he added to his holdings until he finally became the owner of more than five hundred acres, about one hundred and sixty consisting of bottom land, the rest lying among the hills, all being fertile and under his control, highly cultivated. Mr. Rightsell started in life with nothing, but by industry and good management and strict economy, succeeded in amassing quite a fortune and at the time of his death was one of the wealthiest men in the southern part of Putnam county. He was a splendid example of the successful self-made man, stood high as a citizen and was public spirited in all the term implies. He was born September 22, 1836, married, in the year of 1837, Mary Neese, and departed this life in the month of November, 1903. Mrs. Rightsell, whose birth occurred in July, 1834, was a daughter of John and Mary Neese, early settlers of the southeastern part of Washington township, her death taking place on March 20, 1903.
The early experience of James A. Rightsell was similar in most respects to that of the majority of country lads, his childhood and youth having been spent in close touch with nature and the district schools affording him the means of a fair educational training. He remained at home until attaining his majority, when he sought his fortune in the west, going first to Kansas, where he remained two years, variously employed, and at the expiration of that time proceeded further westward until reaching Colorado and Wyoming. During the nineteen years he spent in the west he followed different pursuits, farming in Kansas and contracting to supply timber and lumber to the Cripple Creek mines in Colorado, near which he also took up a preemption claim. Later he engaged as motorman with the Denver electric street car line, in which capacity he continued for five years, and shortly after resigning his position returned to Putnam county and engaged in agriculture, which he has since followed.
Mr. Rightsell moved to his present farm in Washington township in January, 1903, and at the settlement of his father's estate came into possession of seventy acres on which he has since lived. He has made a number of valuable improvements on his place, including a fine modern barn, thirty-six by forty-four feet in area, with a large shed sixteen by thirty-six feet, the structure being complete in all of its parts and admirably adapted to the purposes for which intended. He has brought this land to a high state of cultivation and in connection with tilling the soil devotes considerable attention to livestock, his cattle, horses and hogs being of superior breeds and among the best in this part of the county. Mr. Rightsell's home stands on an eminence about one hundred feet above the valley and commands an extensive view of the surrounding country. The home, which was erected in 1884, is a large and commodious edifice and with improvements since added is now one of the best residences in the neighborhood, being furnished with modern conveniences and meeting all the requirements of an attractive and desirable rural residence.
Mr. Rightsell married at Colorado Springs, Colorado, November 1, 1887, Hontas Nicholson, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Nicholson, she being on a visit to a sister at that place when the ceremony took place. Mrs. Rightsell was born at Fillmore, Putnam county, Indiana, and died March 15, 1897, at Denver, Colorado, leaving two children, Raymond M. and Ruth, both making their home with their uncle, Frank Rightsell and attending the Washington township high school. Mr. Rightsell is largely interested in the Reelsville Telephone Company, one of the leading enterprises of the kind in central Indiana, and is now serving as its president. This company has grown steadily in the favor of the public until it has quite an extensive patronage, the service including one hundred and sixty telephones throughout the county, with exchanges at Greencastle and Poland, the rate of fifteen cents a month paying all the expenses of the concern. While interested in all that makes for the good of his community and the welfare of his fellow men. Mr. Rightsell takes little part in public affairs further than voting his principles and giving his support to the best qualified candidates. He has never been a politician, much less an office seeker, but has ever stood for law, order and good government, being ready at all times to labor for these ends and to make any reasonable sacrifice for what he considers the best interests of the body politic. While in the West he spent much of his leisure among the mountains where he found rare sport as a huntsman, and since returning home, the rifle, in the use of which he is quite an expert, affords him his chief means of amusement and recreation.
Personally Mr. Rightsell is quite popular and has many warm friends throughout the county, moral, upright and a fine type of the courteous American gentleman, he is a credit to the race from which he sprang, and of the community in which he was born and reared.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
OLIVER NELSON HOUCK.
This is an age in which the farmer stands pre-eminently above any other class as a producer of wealth. He simply takes advantage of the winds, the warm air, the bright sunshine and the refreshing rains, and applying his own hands and skill to nature's gifts he creates grain, hay, live stock, etc., all of which are absolute necessities to the inhabitants of the world. Among the up-to-date farmers of Putnam county is Oliver Nelson Houck, a member of a well known family here, the son of David Houck, whose life record, also those of the subject's brothers, Jonathan and James E., appear elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Houck was born in Madison township, Putnam county, September 5, 1858, just three years younger than his brother Edgar. The day he was nine years of age he came to the present farm. He received a fairly good education in the local schools and early in life directed his attention to farming, having been in partnership with his brother Jonathan for five or six years. Edgar was also associated with them in general farming and stock raising. In 1892 Oliver K. came back to the old farm, of which he owns fifty-one acres. He also owns a very valuable tract of land on the west side of the creek, consisting of two hundred and ten acres, adjoining the farm of his brother Jonathan, on the old Gilmore farm. All this land has been well improved and is mostly under a high state of cultivation, Mr. Houck being regarded as one of the leading agriculturists of this part of the country. He has a commodious and attractively located dwelling, erected by himself, facing north and overlooking the valley of Walnut creek. He erected his large, substantial barn himself. For ten years he lived on about sixty acres of the old place, about one miles west of his present home. In 1903 he left there and came to his present place, erecting a dwelling in 1906. He had lived for three years in the old log house that John Gilmore built, Mr. Gilmore using the upstairs rooms where he conducted a sort of high school which was popular in those days, pupils coming from Illinois.
Mr. Houck carries on the various phases of his work with hired help, devoting a great deal of attention to stock raising, feeding all the grain the place produces, often feeding a car load of cattle and about two hundred head of hogs at a time - in fact he has continued this annually for some time, confining his attention to the farm exclusively, and he has been very successful.
Mr. Houck was married March 11, 1880, to Gertrude Elliott, daughter of Harrison and Elizabeth (Young) Elliott, a well known family, the old Elliott homestead being about three miles from Manhattan. Mrs. Houck's parents having settled there about 1854, having come from Wayne county, this state, where they were born, reared and were married. They lived there until Mr. Elliott died in 1888, at the age of seventy-one years. He was at one time county commissioner and proved to be a strong member of the board, he and Messrs. Gardner and Ballard being instrumental in building many bridges and county buildings, bridging Walnut creek in many places, also Mill creek. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, only two are now living in Putnam county, Mrs. O. S. Houck and Dan Elliott, of Greencastle.
One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Houck, bearing the name of Earl, now twenty-four years of age. He is engaged in the undertaking business in Terre Haute. He married Drucilla Ringo, of Clay county, Indiana, and they are the parents of one child, Walter Nelson.
Oliver K. Houck has long been active in political circles, however, he has never sought political offices, being too busy with his individual affairs, but he is deeply interested in the county's best interests and always ready to lend a helping hand in furthering any movement looking to the genera1 good.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
ALFRED E. FLINT.
Alfred E. Flint is a native son of the old Hoosier state, having been born near Versailles, Ripley county, January 4, 1866, and he is the son of Alfred and Mary A. (Anderson) Flint. Alfred Flint, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a son of William Flint, who, with his wife, came to the United States from London, England. He was the son of a wealthy physician, and received a finished college education, but the father died and when William attained his majority he found himself in straitened circumstances financially. Nothing daunted, he learned the carpenter's trade and started out to carve his own fortune. Coming to America, he and his wife located in Cincinnati, and he became a dealer in large tracts of land in southern Indiana. Among his deals, was the sale of a square mile of land in Ohio county, Indiana, to Hugh Anderson and another man, who built there a grist mill, carding mill and saw mill. Mr. Flint then bought tracts of land in the northern part of Ripley county, which he later sold and then bought more land in the southern part of that county. Mary A. Flint, the subject's mother, was a daughter of Hugh and Ann Anderson, the former of whom was born, reared and educated in Scotland, while his wife was born in Ireland in very humble circumstances. Both emigrated to the United States, met for the first time at Cincinnati and were there married. It was on the Ripley county farm of Mr. Flint's that Morgan's raiders camped one night during the Civil war, and it was also in that neighborhood that Morgan's men captured a number of men who were being sworn in to fight him.
Alfred E. Flint was reared under the paternal roof in Ripley county until he was about eighteen years old, at which age he began teaching school. His ambition at this time was to secure a thorough education and he took up teaching in order to help defray his college expenses. After teaching two years he became a student in the State University at Bloomington, where he remained nearly three years. Returning then to Ripley county, he again engage in teaching, completing six years in that profession in that county.
In 1890 Mr. Flint bought a livery stable at Cloverdale in partnership with J. S. Hamilton. In June of the following year he also went to farming in Cloverdale township, which he found so satisfactory that in the fall of the same year he sold his interest in the livery business. A year later he again became a pedagogue and was so employed during the winters of the following six years, continuing his farming operations at the same time. In the latter enterprise Mr. Flint has been practical and systematic and he has met with a very gratifying degree of success. For about four years and until very recently Mr. Flint was also interested in the furniture and undertaking business at Cloverdale. He has maintained his residence in Cloverdale during the past twelve years and is numbered among the best citizens of the town. He is actively interested in all that tends to advance the best interests of the community and exerts a definite and salutary influence in the town and township.
On the 14th day of January, 1891, Mr. Flint was united in marriage with Luella Sandy, the daughter of Aaron H. and Amanda (Allee) Sandy, and they have become the parents of three children, namely: Sidelia S., a college student at Terre Haute; Dolly F. and Sandy A., who are still members of the home circle and attending school in Cloverdale.
Politically Mr. Flint is a Republican and takes an active part in local public affairs, though he is not a seeker after the honors or emoluments of public office. Fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Christian church, to which they give an earnest and liberal support. Mr. Flint is regarded as a man whose integrity of principle is unquestioned and he is a man of friendly disposition, consequently is popular in business, fraternal and social classes.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN
DAVID MOSER.
Among the sturdy pioneers of Putnam county was David Moser, the son of Michael and Rebecca (Stevens) Moser. He was born in Jefferson township, this county, August 14, 1826. He grew up in the rude log cabin that his father built as early as 1824, when the county was very sparsely settled. He received some schooling at Cloverdale, walking three miles night and morning. Early in his boyhood he knew what hard work meant.
On November 15, 1866, he married Sarah Ann Bryan, daughter of William J. and Dulcena (Myers) Bryan. She was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky; her father, born August 18, 1796, was the son of Andrew and Mary (Jack) Bryan. The Bryans first came from Ireland and, penetrating into the interior, located first in Bourbon county, Kentucky, later moved to Montgomery county, that state. Dulcena Myers was born December 13, 1819, and was the daughter of Henry and Rebecca Myers. Her parents came from Kentucky and settled near Bainbridge, Putnam county. Dulcena Myers spent her early childhood in Bourbon and Montgomery counties, Kentucky, and was brought to the northern part of Putnam county when she was a little girl, her parents being among the earliest settlers there; they died a few years later and she went back to Kentucky where she grew to maturity and was married.
To William J. Bryan and wife six children were born, namely: Sarah Ann, Mary Ellen, Margaret Jane, William Andrew, Maria Amanda and Rebecca Elizabeth.
In 1846 the Bryan family came to Putnam county and located in the southwest corner of Jefferson township. A year later he bought a farm five miles south of Greencastle on the National road where Westland is now located, his farm consisting of two hundred and seventy acres. Mr. Bryan later bought more land and lived there until his death, June 17, 1875, his widow surviving until April 10, 1902, dying at the age of eighty-two years. Of the children of William J. Bryan and wife only three survive, Sarah A., Mary Allen and Margaret Jane. The first named married David Moser, November 15, 1866, and this union resulted in the birth of seven children: the eldest, Louis Albert, died when one year and eight months old; Dr. William Andrew; Verna May died September 18, 1907; Laura Ellen married Otto McCoy and lives on the Bloomington road, two miles north of Cloverdale, she is the mother of two children, Hazel Marie and Elbert Moser; Ida Dulcena married L. F. Cradick and lives two and one-half miles north of Cloverdale on the Bloomington road, she is the mother of three children, Zella Fayne, Leo Moser and Gilbert; Myrtle Florence married Jessie Cline, of Cloverdale, and they are the parents of four children, Dorothy Drew, Clifford Moser, Emory Lee and Claudie Madge; Emory L. married Minnie Cline and lives at Lawes, California, and they have three children, Glenn Moser, Geraldine and James Meredith.
Mr. and Mrs. Moser lived on his father's place for eleven months after their marriage, then bought a farm of fifty-eight acres in section 21, Jefferson township, and lived there three years, then bought a farm west of the home place. His father died in March, 1872, then David Moser and family moved back to his father's place which has been the family home ever since.
Mr. and Mrs. David Moser while yet young in years became members of the Christian church to which they were always loyal. Mr. Moser having taken considerable interest in the affairs of the church and was always a regular attendant upon its services. The death of this good man occurred March 24, 1883. Mrs. Moser still makes her home on the old farm, but spends her winters in Belle Union with her sister, Mary Ellen Bryan.
"Weiks History of Putnam County Indiana" by Jesse W. Weik. 1910
B.F. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Indianapolis IN