Blackford County Biography Ref. Page

CARY HAMMOND CLOUD. A quarter of a century of association with the business interests of Montpelier established for the late Cary Hammond Cloud a reputation for ability, integrity, resource and unflagging industry, and placed his name well to the front among those who have contributed to the prestige of this thriving Blackford county city. Born in Jackson township, Wells county, Indiana, September 19, 1865, he was brought to Montpelier by his parents in 1868, and before his school days had closed he had identified himself with the jewelry business, with which he was most prominently and honorably associated until his death, which occurred March 7, 1911. His career was characterized by a strict adherence to the highest business principles and was a credit to his community, to his training and to the business which he represented.

Noah and Lyda (Pugh) Cloud, the grandparents of Cary H. Cloud, were natives of Pennsylvania, the former being of Scotch ancestry, and the latter of French descent. In 1840 they came West as far as Highland county, Ohio, bringing with them their children, among them: William, born June 14, 1836; Margaret, who is now the wife of Percival E. Johnson; and John, who was married in Blackford county to Emma Buckland, and became first a farmer and later a furniture dealer of Montpelier, and died in this county in November, 1913, after several years of retirement. His widow now lives on North Main street, Montpelier, and has a son, Bruce, an oil worker, who is married and has two children.

William Cloud, the father of Cary H. Cloud, was a child of four years when taken to Highland county, Ohio, subsequently went with them to Grant county, Indiana, and in 1851 located with the family in Wells county, Indiana, on a farm in Jackson township. There he grew to manhood and was married November 24, 1861, to Mary Hammond, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, November 11, 1843. After his marriage William Cloud lived in Wells county until 1868, in which year he brought his family to Montpelier, becoming a dealer in hardware and stoves. He was thus successfully engaged until 1883, when he established the first livery business at Montpelier. Through good management and business judgment he succeeded in making this a prosperous venture and continued to conduct it until his retirement, at which time he went to live at the home of his eldest daughter, Mrs. Alpha Henderson, and is now, in spite of his seventy-six years, is hale and hearty. His wife died in 1878. He is a faithful member of the Church of Christ, at Montpelier, as was his wife. Mr. Cloud is a democrat. The following children were born to William and Mary Cloud: Alpha E., who is the wife of Grant Henderson, a grocer of Indianapolis, and has one child, Mary, fourteen years of age and attending high school; Cary Hammond; Lucy, the wife of Edward J. Hanrahan, an oil worker and gauger at Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and has one daughter, Lucile, aged eighteen years, who is decidedly musical; Anna, a resident of Indianapolis, who conducts a select boarding house; and Isma, engaged in the jewelry business, who travels because of ill health, married Louise Mackey, of Ossian, Indiana, and has no children.

Cary H. Cloud was educated in the graded and high schools of Montpelier, graduating from the latter in 1886. During his schooldays he began his association with the jewelry business, which he studied under the direction of Samuel Covault, who subsequently admitted him to partnership with a capital of but $13.75 for his part of the business. Mr. Cloud was given a good opportunity by Mr. Covault, however, and soon made the division equal, and in 1886 purchased the entire business, which he continued to conduct until his death in 1911. Mr. Cloud was a thorough master of his chosen vocation, a skilled workman, a business man of keen perception and judgment, and a man of the strictest integrity in his transactions. His contributions to the building interests of Montpelier included the erection of a fine, modern, two-story brick building, 46x66 feet, steam-heated, the first really modern building in the city, and he was also the owner of considerable other property, including his own comfortable residence on Jefferson street. He was a member of the Retail Jewelers' Association, and stood high in the trade, constantly endeavoring to raise its standards. Fraternally his connection was with the Uniform Rank of the Knights of Pythias, in which he had passed through all the chairs in the local orders. A democrat in his political views, he served as city clerk for several terms, and at all times gave willingly of his time and his means to movements for the city's advancement.

Mr. Cloud was married in Montpelier to Miss Anna Miller, daughter of John A. G. Miller. She died a year or so after marriage, in 1891, without issue. Mr. Cloud then married at Findlay, Ohio, Miss Della Breidigan, who was born at Circleville, Fairfield county, Ohio, March 27, I873, was educated at Carey, Ohio, and grew up in her native county. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Cloud has continued successfully in the management of the business. She is a daughter of Nathan and Mary (Zimmerman) Breidigan, natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, who both came of German descent. They were married in Fairfield county, Ohio, and not many years later went to Hancock county, Ohio, where they spent the balance of their lives. Mr. Breidigan, who was a landscape and subject painter of local note, died in 1904, at the age of sixty-seven years. As a private soldier he served in a regiment of Ohio volunteers during the Civil War, in which he suffered many hardships and privations. His wife's father was also a volunteer in that struggle, and met a soldier's death on the famous battlefield of Gettysburg. Mr. and Mrs. Breidigan were prominent Lutherans, as were the members of the Zimmerman family. Mrs, Breidigan still resides at Findlay, Ohio, and is industrious and alert, notwithstanding her advanced years. Mrs. Cloud is one of eleven children, of whom eight are still living, all of whom but one are married.

Mrs. Cloud is a member of Rebekah Lodge No. 129, and Royal Neighbors Lodge No. 3185, and has passed all the chairs in the latter order. She has been prominent in the affairs of the Church of Christ, being a member of the Ladies' Aid Society and the Loyal Women. She also teaches the largest Sunday School Young Men's class in the city, which started with six pupils and within six months grew to an attendance of sixty-seven. Like her late husband, she is progressive in her views, and it woman of business intelligence and ability. Her friends are numerous all over the city, and her home is frequently the scene of important social functions.

Blackford and Grant Counties, Indiana A Chronicle of their People Past and Present with Family Lineage and Personal Memoirs Compiled Under the Editorial Supervision of Benjamin G. Shinn
Volume I Illustrated
The Lewis Publishing Company Chicago and New York 1914
Submitted by Peggy Karol

JOHN FREDERICK WALKER. Those residents of Blackford county who know John Frederick Walker and recognize in him one of the substantial and prosperous farmers of Washington township find it hard to believe that when he came to the United States as it young man of twenty-two years his only capital consisted of his ambition and determination to succeed. A life of earnest endeavor has been crowned with prosperity and his career proves that honest toil is the best foundation upon which to erect a structure of success.

Mr. Walker was born in Wurttemberg, Germany, April 23, 1851, and is descended from old German Lutheran ancestry, the members of tile family having for generations been tillers of the soil. His grandfather, Frederick Walker, was a native of the same province and was employed on a farm belonging to a large landholder, this being prior to the year 1848, since which time the land has been subject to division among the children, as is the custom in this country, inheritance ceasing and the landlord discontinuing to draw upon the estates. The grandfather of Mr. Walker died upon his home farm at the age of forty-five years. while his wife, who had been a Miss Durr, and a native of the same province, passed away in 1863, when about sixty-three years of age. They were lifelong members of the Lutheran church, and the parents of the following children: George, who came to the United States, settled in Crawford county, Ohio, married a Miss Durr, and at his death left a family; Frederick, who remained in his native land, and died a bachelor at the age of seventy-eight years; Adam, the father of John Frederick; Jacob, who spent ten years in the United States and then returned to his native land, where he died as a bachelor at the age of sixty-six years; Catherine, who kept house for her two brothers, never married, and died in Germany at the age of seventy-seven years; and Barbara, who lived and died in Wurttemberg, married Frederick Yetter, a German carpenter, and left two sons,--Jacob F. and Frederick, both of whom are now deceased.

Adam Walker, the father of John Frederick Walker, was born in Wakheim, province of Wurttemberg, Germany, in 1821, and was reared a farmer, continuing to engage in tilling the soil in his native community until his death at the age of seventy-seven years. He was married in his native province to Miss Catherine Schettler, who was born at Wakheim, in 1820, and was of similar ancestry, and she passed away two years previous to her husband's death. They were lifelong members of the Lutheran church, and the parents of the following children : John Frederick, of this review.

John Frederick Walker was reared and educated in his native place, and when twenty-two years of age decided to try his fortunes in the land across the water. Accordingly, he embarked on a steamer at Havre de Grace, and after sixteen days on the ocean landed in New York, in September, 1872, subsequently making his way to Crawford county, Ohio. There he secured employment as a farm hand and continued to be thus engaged for a period of three years, following which he went to Clark county and was similarly engaged, but after two years returned to Crawford county for two years. During this time Mr. Walker worked industriously and thriftily saved his earnings, so that by 1880 he was ready and had the capital to embark in operations on his own account. In that year he came to Blackford county and purchased eighty acres of land on sections 25 and 26, Washington township, which he developed into a fine home, and on which he erected a residence with eleven rooms and a commodious barn, 36x6O feet, in addition to other necessary farm buildings. Later Mr. Walker purchased 120 acres of land in Harrison township, which is largely under cultivation, and on which is a handsome six-room white house, and a large red barn, 38x6O feet, this property now being occupied by his son. Mr. Walker is a man of good business ability, capably managing his extensive fanning and stock raising interests, so that his labors are bringing to him very satisfactory and gratifying returns, thus placing him in the front ranks of the substantial men of this part of the county.

Mr. Walker was married in Harrison township to Miss Mary A. Walker, who was born in the same town as her husband, August 24,1853, and came to the United States in 1872 with her parents, Casper and Margaret (Schwartzkopf) Walker, natives of Germany, both of whom are now deceased. The parents of Mrs. Walker were well-known farming people of Blackford county and the parents of three children: Mrs. Walker; John, who is farming on the homestead, has been twice married but has no children; and Anna Marie, who is the wife of Simon Kuttler, lives on a farm in Harrison township, and has three children,-Jacob. Margaret and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have had the following children: John, it farmer of Harrison township, married Ethel Cole; Katharine, who married John L. Wise, a farmer of Washington township, and has two children-Dorothea and Lester; Emma, the wife of Austin Burchard, a farmer of Licking township, has four children, Lila, Elma, Hesler and Luther; David, who died at the age of fourteen year- when a student at school; William, who lives on a farm in Harrison township, married Ella Price; Samuel H., who resides at home and is assisting his father in the operation of the homestead; and Alice and Walter C., who reside with their parents. The children have received good educational advantages and are proving a credit to their training and their community. The family is associated with the Lutheran church, and Mr. Walker and his sons are supporters of democratic principles.

< JOSEPH CREEK. No better farming land nor more progressive farmers in Blackford county are to be found than those in Jackson township, and a representative type is the Hickory Grove Stock Farm, the proprietor of which, Joseph Creek, is known as an exponent of the most highly approved modern methods. Mr. Creek was born in Preble county, Ohio, June 14, 1870, and is a son of Reuben and Mary J. (Landon) Creek. The parents were born in Jackson township, Blackford county, were here reared, educated and married, and with the exception of one year in Preble county, Ohio, passed their entire lives in Jackson township. Of their eight children, three are living; Carl, a resident of Oklahoma; Ollie, who is the wife of James Hummer, of Harrison township; and Joseph. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Creek was married a second time and became the father of five children.

Joseph Creek was reared in Jackson township and his boyhood was passed amid rural surroundings, his education being gained in the district schools. Until he reached his majority he remained at home assisting his father, and then embarked upon his own career. His start was not particularly auspicious, for he was possessed of no capital, but he was ambitious and determined and was willing to work hard, so that he had no difficulty in securing employment among the farmers of his community. He was married July 16. 1897, to Miss Effie Rhoton, who was born in Henry county, Indiana, and reared in Blackford county, and they at that time moved on the farm now owned by Mr. Creek, located three miles west and two miles south of .Montpelier. His original purchase was forty acres, but to this he has continued to add as his hard work and good management have brought him substantial returns, and at this time he owns 134 acres, all in a high state of cultivation. Here he keeps a good grade of all kinds of livestock, of which he is an excellent judge, and also carries on general farming. Through a career of honest dealing and fidelity to engagements, he has gained a reputation for integrity that makes his name an honored one on commercial paper and gives him the confidence of his associates.

Mr. and Mrs. Creek are the parents of five children, as follows: Earl, Marion, Mary, Freddie and Thelma, all at home. The family is connected with the United Brethren church, in which Mr. Creek has been active, serving for some time and at present in the capacity of steward. His political views are those of the democratic party, but he has not taken any active part in public affairs, although he has frequently proven his good citizenship when the welfare of his community was at stake. During the years that he has been a resident of Jackson township, he has formed a wide acquaintance, and in it he may number many friends, attracted to him by his loyalty and good fellowship.

GIDEON WARREN. When the successful men of Jackson township are enumerated, there is one name always included in such mention, and that is the proprietor of the Hill Grove Stock and Poultry Farm, a quarter of a mile west of Mill Grove, the owner of which is Gideon Warren, a native Indiana man and whose career has been one of progressive accomplishment since he took up the serious responsibilities of life more than thirty years ago. The Hill Grove farm comprises a hundred acres of land, has all the best improvements of this section of the state, and is especially noted for its fine livestock and poultry. As a practical poultry-man Mr. Warren has made his best success with the Rhode Island Reds and the Bronze turkeys. He handles this branch of the business with the facility of long experience and has for many years made it a revenue producer.

Gideon Warren was born in Randolph county, Indiana, June 10, 1861. His grandfather was William Warren. The parents were William and Fannie (Lamer) Warren. His father was born in Randolph county, as was also the mother, and their respective families were among the pioneers of that section. The father died at Lafontaine, Indiana, and his widow still lives in that vicinity. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living at the present time, as follows: Gideon; Laura, the wife of Cornelius Hoovey of Randolph county: Webster, a farmer of Huntington county; Florence, wife of Alexander Harrell of Lafontaine; Frank, a farmer near Lafontaine; and Elmer, also of Lafontaine.

Gideon Warren grew up on a farm in Randolph county, attended the district schools, and combined the instruction of books with the practical duties of the home, and was thus well prepared for his chosen vocation as a farmer. On September 18. 1884, at the age of twenty-three, occurred his marriage and the real start of his career. His wife's maiden name was Lula Westfall, who was born in Grant county, July 29, 1862. a daughter of James and Angeline Westfall. The Westfalls were early settlers of Grant county, moving from there to Randolph county. and Mrs. Warren acquired her education partly in the grade schools of that county and also in the Ridgeville Normal school. For a number of years she was one of the popular and successful teachers, beginning that work at the age of sixteen and continuing until past twenty-two and until her marriage. Mrs. Warren's brothers and sisters are: Elizabeth, wife of J. J, Tippey of Washington township, Grant county; George T., a farmer near Landisville in Grant county; and James W., a farmer and real estate man of Marion, Indiana.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Warren lived for a time in Jasper county and in Grant county, and in 1894 established their home in Blackford county in Jackson township. Their substantial success has been acquired chiefly since coming to this county, and they are among its loyal and progressive citizens. Their two children are: Floyd L., born June 21, 1895, a graduate of the common schools and now a young farmer; Golda, 0., born March 10, 1900, and finishing the course in the common schools. The family have membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Millgrove, and while Mr. Warren is one of the trustees of the church, his wife is active as a teacher in the Sunday school. In politics he has been an active republican.

ALBERT CLAMME A member of the prominent firm of Clamme Brothers, whose business as contractors, especially in the building of roads, hint brought them connections all over this section of Indiana, Albert Clamme is also well known as a Jackson township farmer, and is proprietor of the Lick Creek Stock Farm. This farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, lies three miles east of Hartford City and has received the special attention and management of Mr. Clamme for a number of years. He is a practical business man. understands farming in all its details is an excellent judge of livestock, and has combined the raising of the staple crops with the breeding and feeding of cattle and hogs.

One of the younger members of a family that has long been prominent in Blackford county, Albert Clamme was born in Harrison township of this county, February 10, 1881. His parents were Pierre and Elizabeth (Kagel) Clamme. Both parents are now living in Jackson township. His father was a native of Germany, immigrated after getting his education and his early training when about thirty years of age to this country, and after reaching Blackford county married Miss Kagel, who was born in West Virginia. They were the parents of eight children, and among these are the sons who form the firm of Clamme Brothers, contractors and stock dealers, consisting of Charles, Albert, Perry W. and Harry.

Albert Clamme grew up in Harrison township, was educated in the common schools, and for some years has been actively identified with the business of contracting conducted in association with his other brothers, and is also the independent proprietor of one of the. best stock farms in this section.

On March 1, 1908, he married Annie Price, who was born in Jackson township. They are the parents of three children: Margaret, Ruth and Paul. Mr. Clamme and family are members of the Lutheran church in Hartford City, and politically he is a democrat, a good citizen, but with no desire for office.

GEORGE HODSON. In George Hodson, Blackford county has a citizen who has materially contributed to its agricultural welfare, he having for twenty-three years been engaged in operating a homestead in Washington township, known as Fairview. During his long and active career he has accumulated a valuable property, and his general worth as a citizen is shown in the high esteem in which lie is held by his fellow men.

Mr. Hodson is of Irish-Scotch descent and was born February 22, 1865, on a farm in Monroe township, Grant county, Indiana, being a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Robb) Hodson. Samuel Hodson, the paternal grandfatherr of George Hodson, came front Clinton county, Ohio, to Grant comity during the early 'forties and settled on an uncultivated tract of' land in Monroe township, which he continued to improve until the time of his death when not much past middle life, his widow surviving him for eighteen or twenty years and being nearly seventy years of age at the time of her demise. They were good, Christian people and at all times had the unqualified esteem of those who knew them. Peter and Christina (Hillsimer) Robb, the maternal grandparents of George Hodson, came from Ohio during the 'thirties and secured Government land in Grant county, there passing the rest of their lives in tilling the soil, the father dying at the age of eighty-five years and the mother when sixty-five years of age. They were members of the Primitive Baptist church. The members of the Robb family were always democrats, while the old branch of the Hodsons were whigs and republicans.

Jonathan Hodson was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1834, and was a child when he came to Monroe township, Grant county, where he grew up and was married in 1857 to Elizabeth Robb, who had been born in Hamilton county, Ohio, in .1829. After their marriage they settled down to the clearing of a farm and the developing of a home, and thus their long and useful lives were passed. The father died May 30, 1909, while the mother passed away October 14, 1893, both in the faith of the United Brethren church. Politically, Mr. Hodson was a republican. The children born to Jonathan and Elizabeth Hodson were as follows: Benjamin, a farmer of Monroe township, Grant county, married three times, and has a son by his second marriage. Pearl, who is also a farmer and married; Jasper and Irwin, twins, the latter of whom died single at the age of forty years, while the former married Nancy Futrell, is a farmer of Monroe township, and has a family; Alice, the wife of Edgar Thornburg, a farmer of Monroe township, has two daughters; George, of this review; and William and John, twins, the former of whom married for his first wife, Miss Farr, and for his second, Anna Marker and has three children by his first wife; while John married Ella Maddox, is a farmer of Monroe township, and has two children.

The educational training of George Hodson was secured in the public schools of Monroe township, Grant county, where he grew to manhood and assisted his father in the cultivation of the homestead. He adopted farming as his life work on attaining his majority, and continued so engaged in his native community until 1891, in which year he came to Washington township, Blackford county, and purchased ninety acres of land. After he had put this land all under cultivation, Mr. Hodson purchased an additional forty acres, which he has also put under the plow, and the property is now one of the valuable tracts of the locality, and because of its fine location is known as Fairview farm. A progressive and enterprising agriculturist, with a comprehensive knowledge of modern methods and conditions, he has devoted himself principally to the growing of corn, but also has met with success in growing wheat, rye, oats and hay, and in addition has a fine herd of graded stock. His buildings include an eight-room white frame house, erected in 1903, a good red barn, 36x60 feet, built in 1905, and other substantial buildings, all in the best of repair and indicative of the thrift and good management of the owner.

Mr. Hodson was married in Washington township, October 6, 1892, to Miss Rachel Johnson, who was born on the old Johnson homestead, in section 18, Washington township, April 12, 1870, and reared in that locality, being educated in the old Independence school district. Mrs. Hodson is a daughter of Lemuel and Ruhamma (Pearson) Johnson, natives of Ohio, who came as young people to Blackford county, Indiana, at an early day and were here married. They passed their lives on the farm on which they started housekeeping, the father dying in October, when aged a little over seventy-six years, while the mother passed away when past sixty years of age, in 1897. They were members of the Christian church, and Mr. Johnson was a democrat. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hodson: Larkin, born October 18, 1893, died aged one year, seven months and twenty-one days; Bryon, who died aged one year, seven months and twenty-one days; and Edgar, born April 2, 1903.

Deb Murray