Blackford County Biography Ref. Page

SAMUEL E. THRAWL. In Grant county, as in every similar community, are men who have acquired a satisfying share of material prosperity coupled with civic esteem, and yet when they were youths, on the threshold of the world and its responsibilities, their prospects and advantages as measured in terms of capital or the aid of influential friends were remarkably limited. They had their latent ability, their ambition, and out of themselves wrought all the fortune which later years associate with their names.

Such a citizen is Samuel E. Thrawl of Green township, a substantial farmer on section three, three miles south of the village of Swayzee. His home is on the Curless Extension Pike. Besides his other interests Mr. Thrawl is now serving his community in the office of township assessor.

Samuel E. Thrawl was born in Tipton county, Indiana, near Windfall, on November 3, 1868. His parents were William and Amanda (Earhart) Thrawl. The mother is still living, her home being in Swayzee. The father died January 15, 1905. There were only two children in the family, the daughter being Maggie, the widow of E. Downing.

Samuel E. Thrawl was four years old when the family moved to Green township in Grant county. He therefore spent his boyhood days in this section and attended the district schools Nos. 1 and 8 in Green township. Only during the winter season was he privileged to attend school, and all his summer days were spent in the work and varied activities of the home farm until he was about eighteen years old. On November 7, 1886, he married Miss Mattie Ball, of Howard county, and together they set to work to establish home and independence. Mrs. Thrawl was born in Rush county, was taken to Howard county when a girl, and received most of her education in the schools of Jerome. The one son born to their union is Guy O., who graduated from the common schools and from the business college at Marion, is married to Effie Shull, and they have their home in Green township. Mr. and Mrs. Thrawl are members of the New Life Church of Green township.

Mr. Thrawl is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a Republican, has voted for the support of those principles for many years, and on the Republican ticket was elected to the office of township assessor. For the past nine years he has been one of the directors of the Swayzee co-operative Telephone Company. As a farmer he raises a general crop and also a large number of stock. When he was married he was a poor man, and he and his wife had to deny themselves many comforts during the early years of their union. They began as renters, and he also worked for some time in the gas fields in this section of Indiana. His industry and thrift both outside and inside of the home caused prosperity to gradually come to him, and he has long since been regarded as one of the successful men of Green township. He is the owner of eighty acres of land and operates altogether one hundred and sixty acres in farming.

"BLACKFORD AND GRANT COUNTIES INDIANA, A CHRONICLE OF THEIR PEOPLE PAST AND PRESENT WITH FAMILY LINEAGE AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS"; Complied Under the Editorial Supervision of BENJAMIN G. SHINN; vol. II ; THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY; CHICAGO AND NEW YORK; 1914
Submitted by:Peggy Karol and Karen Overholt

DARIUS NESBITT. The president of the First National Bank of Swayzee, an institution which was organized in 1907, and which has had a very successful career, with a group of the most substantial citizens in western Grant county, as its officers and directors, Mr. Nesbitt himself is a substantial farmer citizen, a man who has resided in Grant county for more than fifty-five years, and whose industry and integrity and fine business ability are well known matters to all citizens in Sims, Green and Liberty townships and indeed to most of the people of the county.

Darius Nesbitt began life with such capital as his own ability and his physical strength supplied, and has proven the rule that success can be won by honest labor. He was born October 5, 1838, in Adams county, Ohio, and as a boy attended the local schools of his native county. He was reared on a farm, began work when only a boy in years, and at the age of eighteen accompanied his parents to Green township, Grant county, Indiana, in 1856. Green township at that time was a new region, and no railroads had yet bisected the county's boundaries. The father bought a farm, cleared it up through his labors, and remained upon it until his death in 1873. There were nine children in the family, two of whom are living in 1913, Darius and this twin brother, Cyrus. Darius Nesbitt also attended school in Grant county for some time.

He was a young man when the war came on, and in August, 1862, enlisted in Company H of the One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He remained in service until his honorable discharge on September 7, 1864, as a result of illness and disability, and now draws a pension for his service in preserving the Union. Returning to Grant county, he resumed his work as a farmer, and has always been identified with agricultural affairs, and has never been ashamed of the title farmer.

In January, 1867, Mr. Nesbitt married Miss Mary A. John, who was born and reared in Wayne county, Indiana. Seven children have been born to their union, six sons now representing their living household. Alva A., who was a student in the Marion Normal College, the Danville Normal, and State University, is now a prosperous farmer. B. F. Nesbitt is in the bridge business, being a graduate of the State University and Purdue University. Edith Nesbitt, who was a student in Fairmount Academy, married Dr. C. N. Brown, and her death occurred in 1904. John L. Nesbitt studied at the Fairmount Academy, graduated at Purdue University, and is now a scientific farmer in Liberty township. Edgar D. and Elmer C., twins, have had identical experiences and careers, both being graduates of the Swayzee high school and Purdue University, and both spent one year at Cornell University at Ithaca, New York. They have been employed in the government service in work in Costa Rica and in Panama, and are now employed in the steel plant at Gary, Indiana. Verlin S. Nesbitt is a graduate of the Swayzee high school, and is now a fourth-year student in the Purdue University. It has been the policy, as above illustrated, of Mr. Nesbitt and wife to give their children the best of schooling, and their careers prove the value of education and stimulating family influence.

Mr. Nesbitt is the owner of two hundred and forty seven acres of land in Liberty township, and that estate represents the early efforts and thrift of himself and wife. He is a member of the Christian church and in politics has taken an independent position in local affairs. He is the largest stock holder in the First National Bank of Swayzee, and much of the success of that institution is the result of his effective management and control. For two terms he served in the office of trustee of Green township, and is one of the best known citizens in Green, Sims and Liberty townships. His wife, after forty-four years of happy married companionship, died March 21, 1911. Mr. Nesbitt is a man of broad experience, is liberal in his views, and through his own career has managed to perform much beneficial service to his home county.

HON. WLLLIAM M. JONES. At the November election of 1912 Grant county sent to the lower house of the State Legislature, one of the most popular and able citizens and stock farmers of the southern half of the county, William M. Jones, best known in Liberty township, as proprietor of the Poplariurn Farm in that locality. Mr. Jones has been a life long resident of Grant county, and his success in his chosen vocation and his standing as a citizen were the factors which brought about his election to his present office. At Indianapolis he has done effective work in the legislature and is one of the valuable members of the present state administration.

William M. Jones was born in Fairmount township, of Grant county, March 17, 1882. His parents are David and Sarah (Thomas) Jones, who now live in Madison county. Mr. Jones was the oldest in a family of eleven children, nine of whom are still living, and mentioned as follows: Dr. R. B. Jones, a practicing physician at LaPorte, Indiana; Rev. T. E. Jones, now active in the ministry and a graduate of Earlham College, and having also spent a year abroad at Oxford University, England; Eli S., who is a student in the Indiana State University; Ora S., a sophomore in Earlham College; Orpha A., graduate of Fairmount Academy; Rene A., student in the Fairmount Academy; Francis in the common schools; and Fred.

William M. Jones spent his boyhood on a farm, had an education first in the common schools, and later graduated from the Fairmount Academy. After leaving that old and splendid institution of education, he took up work as a teacher, and was for three years very successful. After that he turned his energies to farming and stock raising and the Poplarium farm in Liberty township has since become recognized as a center for the raising of thoroughbred polled Durham cattle, Duroc Jersey hogs, and Oxford down sheep. Among his other business interests, all of which have been accumulated within a few years of successful industry. Mr. Jones is a director in the Citizens Telephone Company of Fairmount. At the age of thirty he has reached a success in politics, and in business such as would be creditable to a man in middle life.

On October 12, 1904, he was united in marriage with Lucy L. Winslow, a daughter of Webster J. Winslow of Fairmount, Indiana. Mrs. Jones is a graduate of the Fairmount Academy. Three children have been born to their marriage; Mary L., aged seven years; Bob W., aged five, and Pauline, aged two. The family are members of the Friends church, and Mr. Jones is a teacher in its Sunday school. Fraternally Mr. Jones is affiliated with Fairmount Lodge of the Masonic Order, and also with the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Marion and of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Democrat, and was elected on the Democratic ticket, to his present place as a member of the Indiana State Legislature.

HARLAN HAISLEY. For three-quarters of a century the Haisley family has been established in Grant county, its different members have for the most part been successful as farmers, and all have borne honorable names and helped to give substantial character to the social and civic life of this county. In Liberty township on section fourteen is located the fine homestead of Harlan Haisley. He is the owner of two hundred and forty-six acres of fine land in that place, and for many years has devoted his labors with good results to general farming and stock raising. While he has provided for the material things of life for both himself and family very liberally, he has always manifested a great interest in local affairs and improvements, and is now serving as trustee of Liberty township, in which capacity he is looking after the interests of the school, and all other matters under his jurisdiction.

Harlan Haisley was born on a farm in Liberty township, October 14, 1857, a son of John and Ann (Hawkins) Haisley. John Haisley was born in North Carolina, a son of Jesse Haisley. Jesse Haisley entered land in Grant county, but the four hundred and eighty acres which he thus acquired was given to his sons shortly afterward, and he never resided in Grant county. All of that land except eighty acres lay in section fourteen of Liberty township. Many years of toil on the part of the Haisley family converted this wild land into profitable homesteads. John Haisley, who was reared in Grant county from the year 1838 married in Wayne county, and spent his latter years in Marion, where his death occurred. He and his-wife were members of the Friends church. Of the nine children three are living in 1913, namely: Allen Haisley, a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio; Harvey, a farmer of Liberty township, and Harlan. Susanna, wife of Rev. Elwood Scott, died in June, 1913.

On the old home farm in Liberty township Harlan Haisley grew up, attended one of the old fashioned schools conducted in that district, and got his education by study in that temple of learning about three months of each year, while the other months were devoted to the duties of the home place. He remained at home until after his marriage, and since starting out on his own account has steadily prospered, and for many years has been recognized as one of the substantial men of his community.

Mr. Haisley was married in October, 1888, to Miss Anna McCoy. Mrs. Haisley was born in Liberty township, and grew up and was educated in the district schools. To their marriage eight children have been born: Murven, a graduate of the common schools and the Fairmount Academy; Clarence, a graduate of the common schools; Icy F., a graduate of the local schools, and now the wife of Arthur Phillipy, of Franklin township; Joseph C., who completed his course in the local schools; Clistia, who is attending school; and Burr L., Lester, and Wayne, who are the youngest of the family.

Mr. and Mrs. Haisley are active members of the Friends church at Oak Ridge. Fraternally he is affiliated with Fairmount Lodge No. 381 I. O. O. F., and is a past grand and member of the Grand Lodge of the state. In politics he supported the Republican ticket consistently up to the campaign of 1912, when he voted with the Progressive party.

CHARLES S. JAMES M. D. At the little village of Radley in southwestern Grant county, Dr. James was for many years one of the successful local physicians. At the present time he is conducting a prosperous store and manufacturing establishment there. He is engaged in the manufacture of a number of farm novelties, and other goods, which are gaining a growing reputation over a large territory, and though the business is still in its infancy, its prospects are such that many an older established concern might well be proud of. Dr. James has spent nearly all his life in Grant county, and belongs to one of the old families.

Charles S. James was born in Van Buren township of this county, May 19, 1867, a son of David and Weimer Hayes James. David James, his father, was also a native of Grant county, born in Center township, September 19, 1842. The James family was established in the county during the pioneer days. The Hays family is likewise of a very distant date of settlement in this section of the state, and the mother of Dr. James was born in Van Buren township. Both parents are still living in the latter township, and have been prosperous and substantial farming people. There were seven children in the family, six of whom are now living: Dr. Charles S., Harvey H., George W., John A., Rosella, wife of Charles Troyer and Joseph H.

Dr. James was reared on a farm in Van Buren and Center townships, and it was in the district schools of those localities that he learned his first lessons in books, while on the home farm, he was trained to industry and developed his physical vigor. His later education was in the Fairmount Academy, and the Ladoga Normal School. Taking up the work of teacher, he was a popular school master in Center and Monroe townships for three years. With the earnings from that work he entered Medical College at Marion, took the full course and was graduated M. D. in 1892. His first practice was at New Maysville in Putnam county where he built up a good patronage during the four years of his residence. The following two years were spent in the west, and in 1899 he returned to Grant county and located at Radley. For eight years he was active in his profession, and might have continued to the present but for the failure of a local hardware business in which he became interested and which led to his taking its management, and he now conducts a first class store with a general stock of hardware and groceries. He owns the building in which his business and manufacturing are carried on, and he is a man of substantial interests and influence in this part of the county. After he had conducted the store for a short while he became interested in the manufacture of novelties for farm use, and has promoted his output with a big sale throughout the surrounding countries.

Dr. James married Miss Laura Stephenson. He had met Miss Stephenson while attending school at Ladoga. Their one daughter is Ruth H., born March 3, 1898, and now a student in the Radley schools. Dr. James and wife are members of the Christian church, and in politics he is a Republican.

HON. ANCIL E. RATLIFF. In addition to being one of the leading political figures in Grant county for years, Ancil E. Ratliff is distinguished as one of the most successful farming men in these parts, his fine farm of one hundred and seventy acres being one of the most prosperous in the district. Mr. Ratliff is a native of Miami county, it should be said, born there on a farm on March 27, 1862, and he is a son of Joseph and Mary (Lamb) Ratliff.

Joseph Ratliff was a son of Gabriel of the same name, who came to Indiana from North Carolina and located in Henry county, Indiana, there passing the remainder of his days. When Joseph Ratliff was a boy of twelve he accompanied his widowed mother to Miami county, and there he grew to manhood, attending in his boyhood the country schools, common to the time and place. He married young and in 1872 came to live in Grant county, where he yet makes his home, and where he is accounted one of the leading citizens of the township of Fairmount. He became the father of five sons and two daughters, three of the same being today alive. Charles H. is a farmer and lives near Vandalia, Michigan; Dr. M. E. Ratliff is another of the sons, residing in Cassopolis, Michigan, and Ancil Ratliff of this review is the third living son.

In 1872 when his parents moved to Grant county, Ancil E. Ratliff was ten years old. He gained his education in the Fairmount schools, Amboy Academy and Earlham College. When he had finished his schooling he turned his attention to teaching, and for six terms the young man taught in Grant county. He later turned his attention to farming, and gradually began to acquire a farming property in the county that gave him place as one of the prosperous and successful men of the community.

Public life has claimed a share in the attention and activity of Mr. Ratliff, and as a Republican of the stanchest order he has given praiseworthy service on many occasions. He served one term as surveyor of Grant county, and represented the county in the state legislature in 1909 and 1910, as well as in other important capacities.

In 1885 Mr. Ratliff married Ruth Harvey, a daughter of Mahlon Harvey. She was born and reared in Liberty township, Grant county, Indiana, and gained her education in the schools of that community and in the Fairmount Academy. They have a family of six children: Ina M., the first born, is a graduate of Earlham college, and she has charge of the Friends' Mission in Cuba; Carrie, who was a student at Earlham College, is the wife of Dr. J. P. Seale and has two children, Ruth and Joseph; Alice who studied in Earlham College, was at one time a teacher in Fairmount academy and now at Earlham College; Pauline is a student at Earlham College; Willis was graduated from Fairmount Academy in 1913; and Eurah is a student at the Academy at the present time.

The family are members of the Friends church, and Mr. Ratliff is clerk of the meeting on ministry and oversight of the Indiana Yearly Meeting. He is also chairman of the Sunday School Committee of the Indiana Yearly Meeting, and is a member and treasurer of the Bible School Board of the Five Years Meeting. He has led a life wholly commensurate with his regard for matters of a religious nature, and his career is one without a blemish. In educational matters, too, be has shown a wholesome and intelligent interest, giving to his children excellent educational advantages, and having a genuine regard for the best educational interests of the county. As president of the board of trustees of the Fairmount Academy he has been especially active.

Beach Grove Farm, which is the name of the altogether splendid place which Mr. Ratliff keeps up, is one of the finest farms of its kind in the county. It lies one mile south and two and a half miles west of Fairmount, on R. F. D. No. 21, and general farming and stock breeding is carried on here on an extensive scale. Mr. Ratliff has demonstrated in no uncertain terms his capacity as an agriculturist, and his place in the general confidence and esteem of his fellow men is one of the highest order, and one which none will question in these parts.

EMERY VON GOODYKOONTZ. The fine farm of Emery Von Goodykoontz, one of the representative and most successful farming men of Liberty township, lies eight miles due south of Marion, Indiana, and four and a half miles northwest of Fairmount, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of the fairest and most productive soil in the county. Here Mr. Goodykoontz was born, reared and trained in the business of farming, and here he came into ownership of the property in due season, continuing in the work to which he was bred in his boyhood. The place known as Heimat Farm, was the property of his parents, Abram and Eliza (Moore) Goodykoontz, and here the subject was born on October 1, 1874.

His father was a Virginian, born in Grayson county, and the mother was born in Marshall county, Indiana. Both are now deceased. Abram Goodykoontz came to Indiana when he was a boy of eight years. He was for the most part dependent upon his own initiative and resource for the educational advantages he received, and it is worthy of mention that he worked his way through Franklin College, earning the money by cutting cord wood in his spare hours. He carried his education forward to the point where he was able to teach school, in later years identifying himself with farming activities. He was married three times. His first wife was Margaret Phelps, who died young and left four children, Eugene, G. B., Leah A., and Jonathan. He later married Eliza Moore, who bore him one son, the subject of this necessarily brief review, and after the death of his second wife he married Malinda (Miller) Conger and left no children by this third marriage.

Emery V. Goodykoontz was reared on his father's farm, and as a boy attended the district schools, finishing his educational training with a term in Fairmount Academy. He was fitted for the work of a teacher, but farming made a stronger appeal to him than educational work, and when he was ready to set out in life on his own resources, he elected to devote himself to the soil, and has so continued, with a generous measure of success. As a breeder of Jersey cattle, he is well known in these parts, and Spotted Poland-China Hogs are also bred on his place, while he has a handsome flock of Black Langshang chickens on the place, in which he manifests a pardonable pride.

On September 13, 1903, Mr. Goodykoontz was married to Miss Myrtle Davis, the daughter of N. F. Davis. She was born in Fairmount township and is a graduate of the Fairmount Academy. Mrs. Goodykoontz, prior to her marriage, was engaged in educational work, and was at one time an instructor in the W. C. T. U. Industrial School at Hadley, Indiana, and she was for three years an instructor in the Friends' Mission at Matamoras, in Mexico, her work being that of a missionary teacher. She is a woman of much refinement and learning, and her influence in her home community is one of the highest order. Mr. and Mrs. Goodykoontz have three children. Olive is now seven years of age; Harold is five, and Kent is aged four years.

Mr. Goodykoontz is a member of Amana Lodge No. 82, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is Past Noble Grand, and he has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State. Politically, he maintains an independent viewpoint, and is guided by the exigencies and demands of the occasion when he is called upon to exercise his right of franchise. The family is one that enjoys the fullest confidence and regard of their fellow citizens, and they have a host of stanch friends in and about the township.

Deb Murray