The Fisher family is of Scotch-Irish origin and its history in Virginia can be traced back to Colonial days, Winchester, in that state, having been the home of the family since before the Revolutionary period. The paternal grandparents of James T. Fisher were Thomas and Margaret Fisher. It is said that Fisher's Hill, which was the scene of one of the important battles of the Civil War, the battle in which General Sheridan defeated the Confederates under General Early, was so called in honor of Thomas Fisher. Thomas Fisher spent all his life in Virginia. His son, Samuel Fisher, father of the subject of this sketch, was one of a family of six brothers and was born on the old Fisher homestead in Virginia on November 13, 1808. In that state he grew to manhood and there married Mary Ann Maloney, who was born in that same locality on April 11, 1811. After their marriage he and his wife moved to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the butcher business and where he died in 1849, leaving his widow and their only son, James T., then ten years of age. The Widow Fisher returned to Virginia with her son and there, in the following December, gave birth to another son whom she named Jonathan Samuel. After a year spent at her old home in Virginia, she returned with her children to Pennsylvania and for a time made her home there with her deceased husband's brother. She then came to Indiana with1 her children and for some time made her home with her brother, B. F. Maloney, in Union county, a few years later going over into Ohio, where she made her home with a half-brother and some time later, at Dunlapsville, in Union county, this state, married Joseph Dungan, who died a few years later. She spent the latter years of her life with her younger son at Muncie, Indiana, where she died in 1895, at the age of eighty-three years.
James T. Fisher was twelve years of age when his father died and was still but a boy when he came to Indiana with his mother. Here he found a pleasant home with his uncle, B. F. Maloney, and when he was fifteen years of age his uncle, who desired him to remain with him, offered to pay him one hundred and fifty dollars when he was eighteen years of age if he would remain. When that time arrived his uncle urged him to remain longer and proposed that he would give him five hundred dollars if he would remain until he was twenty-one years of age, and, as the uncle was an invalid, bound that proposition by inserting a clause to that effect in his will. The uncle died before his nephew had reached his majority and the latter remained with the family, receiving the stipulated five hundred dollars upon coming of age.
Four hundred dollars of this sum he loaned at good interest to a person whom he thought responsible, but the borrower turning out to be an irresponsible individual, he lost his loan. With the remaining hundred dollars he bought a horse, which he presently traded for another horse, receiving a twelve-dollar watch in "boot", and someone stole the watch. Mr. Fisher has always regarded that experience as a dear one, but valuable.
During his youth and young manhood, while living on his uncle's place, James T. Fisher was carefully trained as a farmer and upon leaving his uncle's place continued farming in Union county, Indiana, working for other farmers by the month. He was married in 1863 and remained in Union county until 1866, when he came over into Fayette county, where he ever since has resided, long having been regarded as one of the substantial old settlers of this county. In 1895 Mr. Fisher bought his present farm of ninety-two acres in section 23 of Jennings township, a farm originally owned by William Scholl, who made the initial improvements on the place. In connection with his farming operations in this county Mr. Fisher for twenty- five years was engaged in the buying and selling of live stock and did a prosperous business in that line. Mr. Fisher is a Democrat and has for years given his thoughtful attention to local civic affairs, having served for eight years as trustee of Jennings township and in other ways contributed of his time and his energies to the public service.
On February 25, 1863, in Union county, this state, James T. Fisher was united in marriage to Mary E. Hill, who was born in that county on October 15, 1843, a daughter of Israel and Harriet (Edwards) Hill, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Ohio. Israel Hill was born on August 15, 1813, and before he was two years of age moved with his parents, Charles and Mercy Ann (Hendrickson) Hill, to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and where he was married to Harriet Edwards, who was born five miles south of Hamilton, in Butler county, that state. About the year 1835 Israel Hill and wife moved over into Indiana and settled on a farm in Union county, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
To James T. and Mary E. (Hill) Fisher nine children have been born, namely: Benjamin F., a farmer, of Columbia township, this county, who married Elizabeth Price and has three children, Cynthia, Ruby and Frank; Emma, who married George M. Davis, a farmer, living in the northwestern part of Jennings township, and has seven children, Jacob Phares, Benjamin Harrison, Israel Frank, Ruth Rebecca, Mary Eliza, Clara Isabel and Harriet Ethel; Harriet, who is at home with her parents; Samuel, a grocer, living in Union county, who married Jennie Lemon and has one daughter, Darlie Jeannette; George, the owner of a farm across the highway from his father's place, who married Mary Scholl and has a daughter, Mary: Alice, who married Elmer Scholl, a farmer, of Jennings township, and has two children, Maurice Laverne and Harriet Inez; Clara, who married James Lake, a farmer living southwest of Everton, and has two children, Dorothy Jane and James Earl; Alpha, who married Edwin Thomas and who, with her husband, is engaged in missionary work, and Frederick, living on a farm near Dunlapsville, who married Sophia Bryson and has three children, James Raymond, Herschel Eugene and Opal Rebecca. Alpha Fisher completed the course in the local schools and then attended Earlham College, later attending Wittenburg College, in Ohio, where she met Edwin Thomas, also a student of that institution. Both later became missionaries to India and were married in that country. Edwin Thomas was in India for more than seven years, having been there some time before Alpha Fisher was sent as a missionary to the same station, she having been there for nearly five years. They continued in their missionary labors some time after their marriage and are now in the United States on a furlough. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are members of the Primitive Baptist church and they and their family have ever been helpful in all local good works. Mr. Fisher is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that popular organization.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
Edmund B. Trusler, one of Fayette county's most substantial farmers and the proprietor of "Spring Dale Farm", a well-kept place of one hundred and sixty-six acres in Connersville township, is a native Hoosier and has lived in this state all his life, with the exception of about nine years spent in Colorado. He was born on a farm in Decatur county, this state, March 3, 1871, son of Ezra and Emeranda Josephine (Miller) Trusler, both of whom were born in Franklin county, this state, members of pioneer families there.
Ezra Trusler was born in Blooming Grove township, Franklin county, Indiana, April 6, 1847, son of Edmund R. and Permelia (Moore) Trusler, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky, whose last days were spent in Franklin county, this state. The senior Edmund B. Trusler, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born on August 18, 1804, son of James Trusler and wife, the former of whom, also a native of the Old Dominion, was born on June 7, 1755, and was a soldier in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War, and the latter of whom was born in that same colony on June 27, 1755. When a young man Edmund B. Trusler came over into Indiana and settled in Franklin county. He married Permelia Moore, who was born in Kentucky, on May 20. 1806, and he and his wife reared a large family, all their children having been born in Indiana. Of these the first-born was born in 1824 and Ezra was the next to the last born. Grandfather Trusler died in Franklin county on October 27, 1863, and his widow survived him for more than twenty-five years, her death occurring on February 13, 1889. Ezra Trusler grew to manhood on the home farm in Franklin county and in that county was married, June 22, 1869, to Emeranda Josephine Miller, who was born in that county, June 25, 1850, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Buckley) Miller, members of pioneer families in Franklin county and who were married there. Isaac Miller was a son of Abraham and Elizabeth Miller, the former of whom was born on September 17, 1802, and the latter, June 28, 1798, and who came to Indiana in an early day in the settlement of this state and located in Franklin county. Elizabeth Buckley was born on September 23, 1830, a daughter Anson and Jane (Harrell) Buckley, the former of whom was born on October 3, 1803, and the latter, July 2, 1811. Isaac Miller died on October 1, 1865.
After his marriage Ezra Trusler located in Decatur county, this state, where, in partnership with one of his brothers, he engaged in blacksmithing and was thus engaged until his last illness, when he was taken back to the home of his parents in Franklin county, where he died on March 28, 1874, leaving a widow and one child, a son, Edmund B., the subject of this sketch, then three years of age. After the death of Ezra Trusler, his little daughter, Lena, was born, August 7, 1874. His widow, meanwhile, had gone back to the home of her parents and there little Lena died on May 24, 1877. Mrs. Trusler became a nurse after the death of her husband and remained thus engaged the rest of her life, her death occurring on May 5, 1905.
Edmund B. Trusler was reared by his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, in Blooming Grove township, Franklin county, and there lived until 1891, when, he then being twenty years of age, he went to Brookville, where for four months he was engaged in a baker's shop, later going to Rushville, where he worked at the baker's trade until January 5, 1895, when he went West and was for nine years located in Colorado. He was married in the fall of 1901 and in January, 1904 returned to Indiana and located on a farnl in the southeastern part 'of Connersville township, this county, a place that belonged to his father-in-law, and there has farmed ever since. His father-in-law died the next year, the farm then descending to Mrs. Trusler. When Mr. Trusler located on that farm it consisted of one hundred and fourteen acres, and he has since added to the same by purchase until he and his wife now own a fine farm of one hundred and sixty-six acres, "Spring Dale Farm," which is one of the best-improved and most thoroughly equipped farm plants in that part of the county. In 1913 Mr. and Mrs. Trusler built a fine, new modern house, equipped with bath, sanitary plumbing, furnace and acetylene-lighting system, and are now very pleasantly and very comfortably situated. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Trusler is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
On October 16, 1901, Edmund B. Trusler was united in marriage to Effie Belle Remy, who was born on a farm two miles north of Brookville, in Franklin county, this state, a daughter of Moses A. and Susan J. (Jemison) Remy, the former of whom was born on the same farm and in the same house as was his daughter, June 17, 1849, a son of Henry and Catherine (Cory) Remy and the only child of that union to grow to maturity. Henry Remy farmed all his life on the place where Mrs. Trusler was born. His father had come out here from the East, from Maryland, according to family tradition, and settled in Franklin county in 1819, establishing his home on what came to be known as the old Remy farm north of Brookville. There Moses A. Remy grew to manhood and on October 4 1871, married Susan J. Jemison, who was born on a pioneer farm three miles south of Connersville, October 8, 1846, a daughter of William and Martha (Dunlap) Jemison, who were married on March 30, 1835, and who lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. William Jemison was born near Connersville and all his life was spent in this county. He was a son of John and Cynthia (Coe) Jemison, the former of whom was born in Mason county, Kentucky, in 1793.
When quite young John Jemison's father died and he was bound out to learn the tanner's trade. He married, in Cincinnati, Cynthia Coe, who was born in Louden county, Virginia, in 1796, and who was reared near Parkersburg, and in 1815 he and his wife came up into Indiana and he entered a tract of land from the government in Jackson township, this county, and there erected one of the first tanneries in Fayette county. John Jemison was an industrious, upright citizen and did much to advance the early interests of this county. He died in 1851 and his widow survived him until 1874. After his marriage Moses A. Remy lived on a farm adjoining the old Remy homestead until after his father's death, when he occupied the old home place and there spent the rest of his life, his death occurring on February 9, 1905. His wife had preceded him to the grave about five years, her death having occurred on March 20, 1900. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were the parents of three children, those besides Mrs. Trusler being William, who lives in Jennings township, this county, and Martha Katherine, who married Oliver Redmond and lives on the old Remy homestead north of Brookville. Mr. and Mrs. Trusler have one child, a daughter, Irene Josephine.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
John S. Clark has been a continuous resident of the farm on which he now lives, in the western edge of Connersville township, and which he now owns, since the year 1873. He was born not far from there and his wife was born about a mile south of the place and they have both been residents of that neighborhood all their lives. He was born on a farm at the foot of Bunker Hill, west of Connersville, February I, 1851, son of John and Nancy (Woods) Clark, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of the state of Kentucky, who spent their last days on their Bunker Hill farm.
John Clark grew to manhood in his native Scotland and then came to this country, coming to Indiana and locating in this county about 1840. He bought a small farm at the foot of Bunker Hill, on the west side of the creek, and after his marriage established his home there, both he and his wife spending their last days there. He was a stone mason by trade and gave more attention to his trade than he did to his farm, the demand for his services as a stone mason keeping him pretty busily engaged at that vocation. He died in 1581 and his widow survived him but a year, her death occurring in 1882. She was born in Kentucky and was but a child when her parents came to Indiana and settled in the Blooming Grove neighborhood, in Franklin county. John and Nancy Clark were Presbyterians and their children were reared in that faith. There were thirteen of these children, nine of whom grew to maturity, those besides the subject of this sketch being as follow: Elizabeth, who married Samuel McCrory and is now deceased; Mrs. Jane Queen, deceased; Mrs. Anna Clawson, deceased; Mrs. Jessie Fremont Roots, deceased; Mrs. Mary McCrory, of Fairview township; Vinson H., of Nebraska; Frank, of Fairview township, and Samuel, of Hawkinsville, in Harrison township.
John S. Clark lived at his home in the vicinity of Bunker Hill, a valued assistant in the labors of the home farm, until he was twenty-two years of age, when, in 1873, he became a resident of the old McCrory farm on the western edge of Connersville township, where he ever since has resided. He farmed for William McCrory as long as the latter lived and then remained with the family, continuing to look after the farm. William McCrory died in 1876, leaving a widow, four daughters and his wife's mother living on the home farm, and it was for these latter that Mr. Clark continued the management of the farm. After his marriage in 1895 he established his home there and when the place finally was sold at administrator's sale, he straightway bought it from the purchaser and has been the owner of the place since November 13, 1915. Mr. Clark's farm contains two hundred and six acres, is well improved and has been profitably managed, Mr. Clark having given the place as earnest attention during all the years of his management of the same as though he had owned it personally.
In 1895 John S. Clark was united in marriage to Annie Woodcock, who was born on a farm a mile south of her present residence, a daughter of Homer B. and Hester (McCrory) Woodcock, the former of whom was born in that same neighborhood, on the farm now owned by Palmer T. Bilby. His parents came to this county from the state of New York and settled in the southern part of Connersville township, in what then was known as the "Stumptown" neighborhood, where they bought a tract of heavily-wooded land. Later they went to Illinois, where their last days were spent. It was on that pioneer farm in "Stumptown" that Homer B. Woodcock grew to manhood. He later spent two years in Logansport, this state, and then moved to Connersville, where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1896. His wife, Hester McCrory, was born on the farm where Mr. Clark now lives, a daughter of William and Melissa J. (Iles) McCrory, and she survived him for nearly twenty years, her death occurring on November 21, 1915. William McCrory, one of the real "old settlers" of Fayette county, was a native of Ireland, born on April 12, 1804, and was but six years of age when his parents came to this country. At a very early day in the settlement of Fayette county they came here and settled in the western part of Connersville township, at that time an unbroken forest, and there established their home. William McCrory had a brother, Robert McCrory, who also, in time, established his home in this county, locating in Fairview township, about a mile and a half northeast of Glenwood. He also had a sister, Margaret Saxon, who lived in Fairview township. William McCrory grew to manhood in Connersville township and on March 22, 1538, married Melissa J. Iles, who was born in Kentucky on January 30, 1818, and who came with her parents to this county, the family settling near Fairview. After William McCrory's marriage he established his home on the farm now owned by Mr. Clark, and there he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring on November 29, 1876. His widow survived him many years, her death occurring on January 28, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have four children, Ione, Albert, William and John.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
Maynard Marion Erb, member of the Fayette county council, proprietor of "The Owl" drug store at Connersville and also actively connected with the lumber busii1ess now operating at Macon, Georgia, was born on a farm in the neighborhood of Blooming Grove, in the adjacent county of Franklin, September 25, 1873, son of W. Harrison and Anna L. (Fowler) Erb, the latter of whom is still living, no making her home near Connersville.
W. Harrison Erb was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was but an infant when his parents, David Erb and wife, drove through to the then Territory of Indiana, in 1813, and settled in the vicinity of Fairfield, in Franklin county. David Erb entered a fractional section of land there and the original parchment deed given by the government for the same and bearing the signature of President James Madison is now in the possession of the subject of this sketch, grandson of the first settler on that tract. Upon settling on his place in Franklin county David Erb put up a small log cabin and there established his home. David Erb was a man of vigorous mind and body and early became acknowledged as one of the leaders in the new community. In 1820 Governor Jennings appointed him major of the Sixteenth Regiment, Indiana State Militia, and he was long a familiar figure at the annual musters and on other occasions of public gathering throughout that section. He held various local offices and was widely sought by his pioneer neighbors and consulted in matters requiring legal advice. Harrison Erb grew up on that pioneer farm and lived in that neighborhood all his life, a lifelong farmer. His wife, Anna L. Fowler, was born in Arkansas, a daughter of Dr. John West and Mary (Scott) Fowler, natives of Indiana, who had moved to Arkansas not long after their marriage. In 1863 Dr. John West Fowler started to return from Arkansas with his family to Indiana, but died in Missouri, en route. His widow and her three sons and two daughters continued the journey and upon their arrival in Indiana settled in the Everton neighborhood, in this county, later moving down into Franklin county and locating at Fairfield, where Anna L. Fowler was living at the time of her marriage to Harrison Erb. Mr. Erb died in 1903 and his widow is now living near Connersville. To her and her husband three children were born, two sons and a daughter, the subject of this sketch having an elder brother, W. H. Erb, who is living on a farm three miles south of Connersville, and a sister, Mrs. Frank M. Hanson, who is living south of East Connersville.
Maynard Marion Erb grew up on the paternal farm in Franklin county and received his early schooling in the schools of that county. When eighteen years of age he entered Purdue University and was graduated from the department of pharmacy in that institution in 1893. Thus equipped for the business to which he had decided to devote his life Mr. Erb engaged in the drug business at Connersville and when the McFarlan building was completed he rented a room in that building and moved his store to that point, remaining there for two or three years, at the end of which time he became engaged as a traveling salesman for a wholesale drug house. Later he bought a drug store at Muncie, but eighteen months later he became engaged in the lumber business and moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he remained for five or six years, at the end of which time he returned to Connersville, where he ever since has been located, though continuing to maintain his interest in the lumber business he established at Chattanooga. It has since been moved to Macon, Georgia, where it is now being successfully operated. In 1911 Mr. Erb bought "The Owl" drug store at Connersville and has since been conducting the same, at the same time continuing to look after his extensive lumber interests. Ever since his return to Connersville Mr. Erb has given his close attention to county politics, has been treasurer of the Republican county central committee for several years and is now a member of the county council, giving his earnest attention to county affairs. For a number of years he also was treasurer of the Fayette County Free Fair Association and in other ways has contributed of his time and his energies to public and semi-public movements, long having been regarded as one of the "live wires" of the hustling city of Connersville. Mr. Erb is a thirty-second degree Mason, affiliated with the Indianapolis consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, affiliated with Murat Temple, at Indianapolis. He also is a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias.
In 1902 Maynard M. Erb was united in marriage to Laura Lowe, who was born at Camden, Ohio, a daughter of Alexander and Ellen (Campbell) Lowe, natives of the state of Ohio, who moved to this state and located on a farm in the Connersville neighborhood when their daughter, Laura, was a child. Alexander Lowe was an honored veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted at Richmond, this state, for service in the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command for four years. He was severely wounded at the battle of Chickamauga. He died more than thirty years ago and his widow is now making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Erb.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
James Monroe Harlan, one of Connersville township's substantial and well-to-do farmers, was born on the farm on which he is now living and has lived there the greater part of his life. He is a representative in the third generation of one of the oldest families in Fayette county, the Harlans having been here since the year 1815, one year before Indiana was admitted to statehood, and have therefore been participants in the development of this county from the very beginning of a social order hereabout. He was born on February 10, 1849, son of Enoch and Mary Ann (Honeywell) Harlan, the former of whom was born in that same locality on July 31, 1819, son of Samuel and Nancy (Brown) Harlan, who were among the earliest settlers in Fayette county, having come out here in what then was the "wilds" of the West from their native South Carolina and settling in the woods in what is now Connersville township, this county.
Samuel Harlan was born in Laurens county, South Carolina, April 30, 1772, and grew to manhood and was married there to Nancy Brown and several of their children were born in that county. In 1811 Samuel Harlan and two of his brothers set out on horseback on a prospecting trip into the West, seeking a new location. They proceeded west as far as Mississippi, but not being favorably impressed with the lay of the land in that direction turned and came back north and east, up through Tennessee and Kentucky and on up into Indiana Territory. They were very much taken with the appearance of the rich timber lands in this part of the country and here Samuel Harlan picked out all of section 31 and the northwest quarter of section 6, in what afterward was organized as Connersville township, this county. The nearest land office at that time was situated at Cincinnati and thither he went to secure title to his land. There he paid for his title in gold which he had carried with him it1 all his journeying through the wilds, and then returned to his old Carolina home, where he began disposing of his interests there and making preparations for settlement on his timber tract back in Indiana. Early in the spring of 1815 he and his family, among whom were the sons, Stephen, Matthew, George and Amos, the latter, then but a babe in arms, being carried on horseback by his eldest sister, started for the West. The household goods were packed in a big Conestoga wagon, substantially built and trimmed with brass, to which was attached a brass-bound and heavily riveted money-box, one of the rivets of which released a secret spring which gave access to the strongbox. Without undue adventure the Harlan family arrived at their destination in the wilderness and on the bank of Village creek, at a point just east of where the bridge over that creek now is located, they "pitched their tent." And tent it literally was, for during the first year of the family's residence in this county and while they were getting ready to build a house, they made their home in a kind of a tent, or shanty, constructed of canvas and poplar bark, supported by poles driven into the ground. Nearby, on the northwest quarter of section 6, there was an extensive pigeon-roost deadening and there, on a tract of about eight acres, the Harlans raised their first crop. They had brought poultry with them and not long after their arrival at their new home in the wilderness they set out for the hamlet of Connersville to dispose of a surplus of eggs, starting through the woods in what they thought was the general direction of the hamlet, but so thick was the timber that they lost their way and presently found themselves back at their own place, having wandered in a circle. By observing the moss on the trees and thus keeping a true course, they later found their way to the hamlet and it was not long until they had a well defined trail to the market place.
Samuel Harlan farmed on that pioneer tract the rest of his life and became early recognized as one of the most substantial and influential settlers in that community. He gave the land for the Village Creek cemetery and there he is buried, his death having occurred on April 18, 1858, he then being eighty-five years, eleven months and twenty-nine days of age at the time of his death. His widow, who was born on November 27, 1778, survived him for about thirteen years, dying on January 12, 1871, she then being then at the great age of ninety-one years, one month and fifteen days. Other children were born to them after they came to Fayette county and they were the parents of eleven sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. When Grandmother Harlan died she not only had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but several in the fourth generation of her descent.
Enoch Harlan, one of the eleven sons of this pioneer couple and who is mentioned above, grew up in Connersville township amid pioneer conditions and remained a farmer all his life. For some years after his marriage to Mary Ann Honeywell, who also was a member of one of the pioneer families of Fayette county. He continued to live at the old home place, but later traded with one of his brothers and received the farm where his son, James M. Harlan, was born and where the latter now lives. There Enoch Harlan died on February 28, 1851, and his widow survived him but a few years. They were the parents of three children who grew to maturity, those besides the subject of this sketch being Harrison Harlan, who now lives at Kokomo, this state, and Judith, who married Edmund Burk and is now deceased.
James M. Harlan was but a small child when his father died and was but about five years of age when his mother died, and he thereafter was taken care of in the family of his uncle, Samuel Harlan, until he was eighteen years of age, when he started out for himself, presently taking charge of the farm where he was born and where he ever since has made his home. He owns one hundred and ninety-seven and one-half acres of excellent land and has a well-equipped farm plant. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Harlan has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and has done very well. He and his wife have a very comfortable county home and are quite pleasantly situated.
On January 27, 1870, James M. Harlan was united in marriage to Susanna Agnes Knipe, who was born in Posey township, this county, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Meranda) Knipe, the former of whom was of English parentage and the latter of whom was born in southern Ohio, probably near Higginsport, and who came to this county with her parents, Samuel and Susanna (Shinkle) Meranda, who settled in Posey township in pioneer days, Samuel Meranda getting part of his land there from the government. Thomas Knipe was both a farmer and a cabinet-maker. He died when his daughter (Mrs. Harlan) was eight months of age and his widow survived him less than seven years, Mrs. Harlan thus having been orphaned at almost as tender an age as was her husband.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
In the amazing industrial development that has marked Connersville during the past third of a century or more, there has been no more active personal factor than Edward V. Hawkins, president of the Connersville Furniture Company, former president of the Connersville Commercial Club, president of the Connersville city school board and in numerous ways identified with the growing interests of that city. He has been a resident of Connersville since 1874, in which year he arrived there as a journeyman cabinetmaker to take a position in the factory of the old Indiana Furniture Company, and ever since locating in that city has given his most earnest attention to the development of its various interests. The coming of Mr. Hawkins to Connersville hinged on ,an apparently trivial incident, but that incident proved fruitful of important consequences and unquestionably was far-reaching in its effect upon the later development of the industrial life of the city. Mr. Hawkins was about twenty years of age at the time. He had just completed an apprenticeship at cabinet-making at Vevay, his home town, and was a skilled craftsman in that line. One evening he was sitting in a barber shop at Vevay, awaiting his "turn" for tonsorial attention, when his attention was called to a copy of the Connersville Weekly Examiner that had been forwarded to Vevay by a former resident. In the local column of this issue was a notice that the new Indiana Furniture Company would be ready to begin operations March 1st. Believing that the prospect might open up further opportunities in the way of advancement in his trade, the young man decided to apply for a position, which was obtained. He, thereafter, came to Connersville, arriving with twenty dollars in money and his chest of tools, practically his total worldly possessions, and there he has remained ever since and for many years has been recognized as one of the leading forces in the city.
In 1874 Edward V. Hawkins arrived at Connersville and there began working in the plant of the old Indiana Furniture Company, at that time one of the leading concerns in that line in Indiana. So satisfactory did his work prove to his employers that he presently was promoted to the position of foreman of the plant and, later, to the position of general superintendent of the same, occupying the latter position when, in 1882, he conceived the idea of organizing a factory for manufacturing furniture. He approached Charles Mount, F. M. Roots and some other men of Connersville, who became interested, joining him in the organization of a company for the purpose of manufacturing bed-room furniture. Mr. Hawkins had little money for investment in the proposed concern, but he had what was far more valuable, expert experience in the manufacture of furniture, and he cast his lot with the new company, the same being incorporated as the Connersville Furniture Company, of which Mr. Hawkins has long been the president and general manager. The Connersville Furniture Company is an incorporated concern with a capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars common and fifty thousand dollars preferred. It now employs two hundred men, occupying a plant with a floor space of over one hundred thousand square feet and in 1916 did a business exceeding five hundred thousand dollars, its products being sold in all parts of the United States. The present officers of the company are as follow: Edward V. Hawkins, president and general manager; Mrs. M. L. Hawkins, vice-president; Edward P. Hawkins, secretary and assistant general manager, and F. J. Snider, treasurer.
In 1887 Edward V. Hawkins was united in marriage to Margaret L. Pratt, who was born in the state of New York and to this union was born one child, a son, Edward P. Hawkins, mentioned above as secretary and assistant general manager of the Connersville Furniture Company and a biographical sketch of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years have been among the leaders in all good work hereabout. Mr. Hawkins is one of the most active workers in the church to which he is attached and, as an office-bearer, has served the congregation of the same in various capacities. Since the year 1893 he has been a member of the city school board, with the exception of two years of that time, and since 1908 has been president of the board. He and his wife, some years ago, presented to the city, through the public schools, in perpetuity, an attractive tract of ground covering three and one-half acres at the end of Eastern avenue, the same to be used for playground purposes, and the tract has been very properly styled the Hawkins playground, a continual memorial to the children of the city of the kindness of heart and benevolence of its donors.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
John J. Williams, one of Connersville township's most progressive young farmers and the proprietor of a farm of three hundred and fifty-five acres in that township, is a native son of Fayette county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Jackson township on June 15, 1884, son of Madison Homer and Ella (Crandall) Williams, both of whom also were born in Jackson township and who are now living at East Connersville, where they have resided since 1914.
Madison Homer Williams was born on November 18, 1858, a son of Jesse and Adeline (Benner) Williams, the former of whom was born in Jackson township, this county, a son of Elisha and Martha (Baker) Williams, who were among the early settlers in that part of Fayette county, the Williams family thus having been represented in this county since the days of the beginning of a social order hereabout. Elisha Williarns was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, August 3, 1802, son of Virginia parents, and was about fourteen years of age when his parents moved with their family up into Indiana, settling in the Brookville neighborhood, whence, a year later, they came on up into Fayette county and settled in Jackson township, not far west of the present village of Everton. Elisha Williams there grew to manhood and became a farmer, remaining in that community all his life. He early turned his attention to the church and was for years one of the best-known ministers of the Methodist church in that part of the country. He was three times married. His first wife and the mother of all his ten children, was Martha Baker, who was born in 1808 and died in 1856. The Rev. Elisha Williams died in 1884. His son, Jesse Williams, also grew up in Jackson township, where he farmed all his life. His first wife, Adeline Benner, was born in Wabash county, this state. She died about 1861, leaving two small children, Madison H. and Emma, the latter of whom is now Mrs. Emma Handley. Jesse Williams later married Anna Marie Rously, which union was without issue.
It was in Jackson township also that Madison H. Williams grew to manhood and there, in 1878, he married Ella Crandall, who also was born in Jackson township, a daughter of Jonathan and Emaline (Myer) Crandall, also members of pioneer families hereabout. Jonathan Crandall was also born in Jackson township, this county, a son of Elisha and Sarah (Golden) Crandall, North Carolinians, who came to Indiana in 1815 and settled in Fayette county, Elisha Crandall entering a tract of "Congress land" in Jennings township, north of Everton, and in this county spent the rest of their lives. Jonathan Crandall was a life-long farmer in Jackson township, where he and his wife spent their last days. She was born in Union county, this state, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Landis) Myer, the former of whom was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1805, and the latter in Botetourt county, Virginia, in that same year, both coming to Indiana with their respective parents in 1811 and settling in Union county. Jacob Myer was the son of Abraham Myer and wife and in 1829, in Union county, he married Sarah Landis, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Grof) Landis. Ten years later, in 1839, Jacob Myer and his family moved over into Fayette county and settled in Jackson township, where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1883. His widow survived until 1892. They were earnest members of the German Baptist church and took an active part in the affairs of the same. Ella Crandall grew up in Jackson township and was residing there at the time of her marriage to Madison M. Williams. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Williams located on a farm Mr. Williams bought in Posey township, this county, and there remained for five years, at the end of which time they moved to the old Williams farm in Jackson township, where they remained until their retirement in 1914 and removal to East Connersville, where they are now living. Mr. Williams still retains his farming interests in Jackson township, where he owns a well-improved farm of one hundred and eighty-nine acres.
To Madison H. and Ella (Crandall) Williams four children have been born, namely: Oris, who married Edna Ludlow and lives in the northwest part of Connersville township; Maude, who married Daniel Broadus, of Harrison township, and has two sons, Homer and Horace; John J., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch, and Perry, who died at the age of two years and six months.
John J. Williams was reared on the home farm in Jackson township, where he was born, and received his schooling in the local schools. From boyhood he was a valued aid to his father in the labors of developing and improving the home farm and remained there until his marriage in 1906, when he bought a farm on Big Williams creek, southwest of Connersville, where he farmed until 1912, when he moved to the old Bundrant farm, formerly owned by his wife's father, and has since made that his place of residence, at the same time continuing to operate the farm he first bought. In 1914 he bought the Bundrant farm, on which there are two dwellings, and is now the owner of three hundred and fifty-five acres of well-improved land. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Williams gives a good deal of attention to the raising of high-grade live stock and has done very well in his farming operations.
In 1906 John J. Williams was united in marriage to Maude Bundrant, who was born on the farm on which she and her husband now live, three miles west of Connersville, a daughter of Edward L. and Anchor (Petro) Bundrant, both of whom also were born in this county, members of pioneer families. Edward L. Bundrant was born on the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Williams now live and where he spent all his life. He was the only son of Charles H. and Jane (Branson) Bundrant, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter in Henry county, this state. Charles H. Bundrant was born on March 12, 1833, son of Thomas and Susan (Lockett) Bundrant, also natives of the Old Dominion, and was about eight years of age when his parents left Virginia in 1830 and came to Indiana, settling in Fayette county, where Thomas Bundrant died five years later. Thomas Bundrant was a soldier during the War of 1812 and marched with his command from Harpers Ferry, Virginia, to Natchez, Mississippi. His ancestors came to this country from France in Colonial days and became a well-established family in Virginia. After the death of his father, Charles H. Bundrant was "bound out" to a tanner of the name of Brown at Connersville and after serving an apprenticeship of six years, became a partner of Brown and was thus engaged in the tanning business for five Fears, at the end of which time he bought a farm of eighty-five acres west of Connersville, the place now owned by Mr. Williams, and there farmed the rest of his life. On May 13, 1851, he married Jane Branson, who was born in Henry county, this state, daughter of William and Sarah (Pickering) Branson, and to that union was born one son, Edward L. Bundrant, father of Mrs. Williams, who married Anchor Petro, who was born a short distance east of Connersville, daughter of Leonard and Sarah Petro, and spent all his life on the farm on which he was born, his death occurring in 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have two daughters, Ruth Lorene and Edric Naomi. They have a very pleasant home and take a proper part in the general social activities of the community in which they live. Mr. Williams is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both of the subordinate lodge and of the encampment, and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that popular organization.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
A native of the state of Indiana, and one who has continued to live in the state, where he has met with much success, and where he is held in the highest regard, is Andrew M. Bell, a retired farmer of East Connersville, who was born in Franklin county, Indiana, on December 10, 1837, and is the son of John and Margaret (Chambers) Bell.
John and Margaret (Chambers) Bell were born in the state of Maryland, and there they were educated in the public schools and there they married. They established their home in that state and continued to live there until 1835, when they left their home and came to Indiana. They located in Franklin county, where they remained but a few years, and engaged in farm work. They made the journey from Maryland with horses and wagon, suffering many of the hardships of that means of travel, over a new territory and through the heavy forests of that time. On leaving Franklin county they went to Union county, Indiana, where they obtained land. The tract at that time was in the woods and covered with heavy timber. Here they made a home in the wilderness, and lived the lives of the pioneers of those times. The farm was in time developed and improved and here Mr. Bell engaged in farming until 1861, when the family returned to Franklin county, where Mr. and Mrs. Bell died some years later. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and prominent in all the activities of their district. Mr. Bell was identified with the Whig party and later with the Republican party, and always took a keen interest in the affairs of his county and township. He and Mrs. Bell were the parents of nine children, three of whom are now living, Andrew M., Henrietta Ramey, of Franklin county, and Ada, also of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Bell is due much honor and credit for the great work that they did in transforming the wilderness into well-cultivated fields.
Andrew M. Bell was educated in the old log school house of that time and attended a subscription school, for there were no public schools in the section at that time. He grew to manhood on the old home place where he assisted his father with the farm work and remained on the farm unti1 July, 1861, when he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in Union county. After having enlisted he was sent to Lawrenceburg. Indiana, where the regiment was organized and then on to Louisville, Kentucky. They later joined Buell's army at Nashville. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Tullahoma, Dunkard Station, Chickamauga, Tunnel Hill, Buzzard Roost, and was with Sherman at Atlanta and on the march to the sea. He was with the army in the march to Washington and took part in the Grand Review. He received his discharge in August, 1865, at Indianapolis. He returned to his home happy in the thought that he had done his duty, as best he could, though he carried the scars of five wounds that he received while in the service.
After his return from the army service, Mr. Bell lived at various places, until 1870, when he was united in marriage to Candace Keyger, Franklin county, Indiana. After their marriage, they located on a farm in Franklin county, where they remained until 1880, when they came to Fayette county, where they purchased a farm of one hundred acres of land in Connersville township, where they continued to live, and where they successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising until the death of Mrs. Bell on June 25, 1902. After the death of his wife, Mr. Bell rented his farm, and moved to East Connersville, where he has a pleasant home and seven acres of ground. Mrs. Bell was a most pleasing woman and one who was held in the highest esteem by all. She was devoted to the interests of her husband and of the community in which she lived for so many years. Mr. Bell has long been identified with the Republican party and has taken a keen interest in the affairs of his township and his county.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
Born in the state of Ohio, on June 12, 1811, near Elizabethtown, the son of Richard W. and Phoebe (Carter) Williams, John Nelson Williams came to Columbia township, Fayette county, with his parents, when he was but seven years of age.
Richard IV. and Phoebe Carter Williams were natives of the state of Ohio and Franklin county, Indiana, respectively. They received their education in the schools of their respective states and were married in Indiana and returned to Ohio, where they continued to live until 1851, when they decided to locate in the Hoosier state. They established their home on a farm in Columbia township, Fayette county, and there the father engaged in general farming and stock raising, with much success. After many years of residence on the original farm, Mr. and Mrs. Williams moved to near the town of Columbia, where the father died in the year 1895 and the mother in 1893. Mr. Williams was a strong advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and he and his wife were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of nine children as follow: Thomas W., Margaret E., John N., Isaac Newton, Arthur, Esther, Amelia, Phoebe and Morton. Thomas, Isaac Newton, Amelia and Phoebe are now deceased, Isaac Newton, a twin of John N., died when he was but eighteen months old; Margaret E. is the widow of C. H. Brown, and resides in Columbia township; Arthur lives in the state of Iowa, and Morton is a well known resident of Connersville township, Fayette county.
John Nelson Williams received his education in the schools of Columbia township, and was reared on the home farm. He remained at home until June, 1864, when he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was at once transferred to Nashville, Tennessee, where he did guard duty at that place and also in Kentucky. He was also detailed to transfer prisoners to Chicago. He was discharged from the service in September, 1864, at which time he returned to the home of his parents, where he remained for a year. He then engaged in general farming in Connersville township, where he purchased eighty-eight acres, which he developed and improved, and built a home. He later purchased fifty-five acres of the old home place, and was for many years one of the successful and substantial farmers and stockmen of the county.
On November 20, 1873, John Nelson Williams was united in marriage to Mary F. Hardy, a native of Columbia township, the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Chapman (Heizer) Hardy. Her parents were natives of Franklin and Fayette counties, Indiana, the father haying been born in the former county and the mother, in the latter. They were of the farming class and highly respected people. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, until the time of their deaths, the father having died in March, 1883, and the mother in April, 1895. They were the parents of three children, as follow: William, now deceased; Mary F. and Alva S., who is dead.
John Nelson and Mary F. Williams are the parents of one child, Homer L., who was born on December 16, 1874. He received his education in the local schools and at the Columbia high school, and was reared on the home farm. As a young man he decided that he too would be a farmer, and is now engaged in that calling. He is married to Fannie Johnson, and to them six thildren have been born as follow: Mary F., died at the age of four years; Carl W., died when six weeks old; Opal, James Nelson, Garnet L. and Mildred.
Soon after his marriage, John Nelson Williams located in Columbia township, where he successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, until he retired from the more active duties of life, on November 17, 1916, and established his home at East Connersville. He sold his farm and now has a beautiful home on Main and Fiant streets and owns several acres of land. He and his wife are prominent and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are among the highly respected people of their home city. Mr. Williams is a member of the Red Men and the Haymakers.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
Joseph Jarret Cole, president of the Cole Motor Car Company, of Indianapolis, and one of the best-known figures in the automobile industry in the United States, is a native son of Fayette county and, though years a resident elsewhere, has never ceased to retain the liveliest and most affectionate interest in the affairs of his old home county, his occasional visits back here to the scenes of his boyhood ever giving him peculiar pleasure. It is therefore but proper and fitting that in presenting a series such as this of the biographies of those who have done well their respective parts in the development of Fayette county or have brought honor to the county through distinguished personal service or endeavor in whatever line, a brief sketch of the life and career of this distinguished son of old Fayette should here be included.
Elsewhere in this volume there is set out at considerable length a history of the Cole family in Fayette county and all of those interesting details need not therefore be repeated here, it being sufficient to say that the Coles have been sturdily represented here since pioneer days. The progenitors of the family in this county were Joseph Jared and Patience (Foster) Cole, who came to Indiana in the days of the beginning of a social order in this part of the state and, after a sometime residence in the neighboring county of Wayne, came down into Fayette county and established their home in Waterloo township, becoming influential and useful pioneers of that community, there spending their last days. Joseph Jared Cole was one of the most active pioneers of Fayette county and became the owner of about one thousand acres of land. He later became engaged in the pork-packing business in Connersville and, on meeting reverses in that business, was compelled to divert a portion of his fortune in land to the less successful line of endeavor. He and his wife were the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters. One of these sons, Joseph J. Cole, second, grew to manhood in this county and married Margaret Thomas, who was born in this county, daughter of Benjamin Thomas and wife, who came to Indiana from Maine and became pioneers of Fayette county, where they reared a large family. The second Joseph J. Cole established his home on a farm in Waterloo township after his marriage and there remained, one of the most substantial and influential farmers in the northern part of the county, until 1906, in which year he retired from the farm and moved to Connersville, where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring there on June 16, 1914, at the age of seventy years and ten months, and where his widow is still living, very comfortably situated at her pleasant home at 1610 Virginia avenue. Joseph J. Cole was a Democrat and ever took an active part in the political affairs of his community, for years serving as trustee of Waterloo township. He attended the Methodist Episcopal church and he and his wife were ever mindful of the public welfare, doing well their part in promoting such agencies as were designed to advance the cause of the common good in the community in which they were so long useful and influential factors. Theirs was a hospitable home and in other days was the scene of many a social gathering, both Mr. Cole and his wife being fond of company and of the companionship of their friends, and as their children grew up the latter contributed largely to the general social activities of the community. There were five of these children, those besides the subject of this sketch, the fourth in order of birth, being as follow: Harry Claude, who died in infancy; Lillian Maude, wife of Ellis Filby, of Cambridge City; Effie Patience, wife of R. D. Eby, of Connersville, and Benjamin Walter Cole, treasurer of Fayette county and a biographical sketch of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume.
Joseph Jarret Cole, fourth in order of birth of the six children born to Joseph J. and Margaret (Thomas) Cole, was born on the old Cole farm in Waterloo township on March 23, 1869, and there spent his boyhood, supplementing the schooling he received in the neighborhood school by a course in the Connersville high school, after which he took a course in the Richmond Business College, at Richmond, this state, and then, at the age of eighteen years, became a clerk in the office of the Parry Manufacturing Company at Indianapolis, manufacturers of buggies. Two years later, having in the meantime become thoroughly grounded in the details of that company's business and familiar with every point in relation to its output, Mr. Cole was made a traveling salesman for the Parry Manufacturing Company, in which capacity he traveled all over the United States. He was thus engaged until 1896, in which year he transferred his services to the Moon Brothers Carriage Company, of St. Louis, and was engaged as a traveling salesman for that company for two years, at the end of which time, having meanwhile become a small stockholder, he was elected secretary of the company and for four years thereafter was stationed in the office of the company at St. Louis. In 1904 Mr. Cole disposed of his interest in the St. Louis carriage-manufacturing concern and returned to Indianapolis with a view to engaging in business in that city on his own account. There he organized the Cole Carriage Company, of which concern he was the principal stockholder and controlling factor, and bought the plant of the Gates-Osborne Company, a concern which had been organized about two years before for the manufacture of carriages. They operated the same as a carriage manufacturing plant for five years, or until 1900, when the present wonderful successful Cole Motor Car Company was organized to take over the plant of the Cole Carriage Company and turn the same to the manufacture of automobiles. The instant success of the Cole Motor Car Company, of which Mr. Cole has been president since the day of its organization, is a matter of industrial history familiar in automobile circles the world over. Mr. Cole's idea in projecting his new enterprise was to construct a car that would be simple in construction, yet durable and dependable, with standardized parts; that is, parts of such dimension and form as could be readily duplicated in almost any well-equipped service station. Buyers were not slow to recognize the advantages possessed by such a car and to avail themselves of the same, with tile result that the Cole Car has become one of the most popular cars in the United States and also has been favored by an extensive foreign demand. The Cole Motor Car Company was incorporated in 1909 with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, but this capitalization has since been increased to one million dollars, all paid up. Mr. Cole's long connection with the carriage-manufacturing business and his wide experience as a traveling salesman in that line gave him a singularly intimate knowledge of the country's needs from a vehicle-maker's point of view and this knowledge has been an invaluable asset to the company of which he is the head and the controlling factor.
In September, 1891, Joseph Jarret Cole was united in marriage to Nellie Goodman, of Connersville, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Burns) Goodman, who came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to this state, and to this union one child has been born, a son, Joseph Jacob Cole, the fourth J. J. Cole in direct descent, who was born in Connersville on September 15, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are members of the Catholic church and take a proper interest in the affairs of their home parish in Indianapolis. Mr. Cole is a member of the National Association of Manufacturers and is also connected with the Indianapolis Board of Trade, the Chamber of Commerce, the Columbia Club, the Turnverein, the Canoe Club and the Athletic Club at Indianapolis.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917
Born at Walnut Hill, Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 20, 1853, Edward A. Enos came to Connersville, Fayette county, with his parents, William and Rebecca Enos, when he was but one year of age.
William and Rebecca Enos were both natives of the state of Ohio and there they received their education in the public schools and were later married. As a young man. William Enos learned the trade of a brick mason, at which he worked for a number of years in the city of Cincinnati. In 1854 he and his family came to Connersville, where they established their home, and here Mr. Enos worked at his trade until the time of his death, at the age of eighty-four years, his wife having died at the age of fifty years. In 1865 he built the first brick house in Connersville, and many of the early homes and business blocks were built under his supervision. He was a Democrat, and took a keen interest in the affairs of the city. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and were among those who took much interest in all church work. They were the parents of the following children, Amelia Jane, Laura, Edward A., William, Aaron, Emma, Clem and Clarence O., the two latter being twins. Amelia Jane is the wife of S. Adams and resides at Los Angeles, California; Laura, William and Emma are deceased; Aaron is a successful farmer at Los Angeles, California; Clem O. lives in Indianapolis and Clarence O. is a resident of Denver, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Enos were among the prominent and highly respected people of their home community, and were a devoted father and mother and took the greatest interest in the affairs of their children.
Edward A. Enos received his education in the local schools of his home township, and walked two miles to the school house, where he received his early educational training. He lived at home until the time of his marriage on October 17, 1877, to Mary E. Pattee, a native of Connersville, and the daughter of Desira N. and Barbara (Powell) Pattee. Her father was born in France, where he received his education, and where he lived until he was fifteen years of age, when he came to the United States. He remained in this country but a short time, when he returned to his native land. He later returned to the United States and located at Oxford, Ohio, where he lived for a time before coming to Connersville. Mr. Pattee, as a lad learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, to which he devoted his life. His death occurred in the year 1902 at the age of eighty-four years, his wife died in 1901 at the age of seventy-four years. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the services of which they took great interest. They were the parents of the following children, James, John Alfred and Mary E. James is a well-known carpenter of Connersville; John Alfred is now deceased and Mattie is the wife of Willis Suttles, of East Connersville.
Edward A. and Mary E. Enos are the parents of two children, Otto E. and Clara E. Otto E. was born on October 28, 1878. He received his primary education in the local schools, and after completing the work in the high school of Connersville, he took a course in a business college, and was for a number of years, a most successful bookkeeper. He was always a great reader and student, and made a deep study of religious subjects. In 1915, he was ordained a minister in the Nazarene church and for the past year has been located at Upland, Indiana. He is married to Emma Baylor, and to them one daughter has been born, Phyllis. Clara E. was born on November 26, 1880, and received her education in the local and the high schools, and lived at home until her marriage to Clarence Pippen, a successful mechanic, of East Connersville. They are the parents of two children, Otto and Mildred.
As a young man Edward A. Enos engaged in mill work, and was for several years an employee of the Hamilton and Shery mills, later known as the Hamilton Company. He learned the business thoroughly and was a most efficient man in the business. He then decided to engage in the business on his own account, and with M. Taylor, the saw and planing-mill was established and conducted under the, firm name of Taylor & Enos. It was thus continued until 1892, when Mr. Enos purchased the business and incorporated it under the name of the E. A. Enos Company. He conducted the business with success until July, 1905, when he leased the business to the East Side Lumber Company for a period of ten years. In 1915, the mill was torn down and on the site were erected by Mr. Enos five splendid residence properties. He has always had much faith in the city of Connersville, and today is the owner of thirty-three houses in that city and at East Connersville, in addition to much other real estate. He built his own home in 1877, but since that time he has remodeled and modernized the structure, until today he has a beautiful, ten-room house and one of the best in East Connersville.
Mr. and Mrs. Enos are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and have long been prominent in the social life of their home city. Mr. Enos is affiliated with the Democratic party, and during his long residence in the county has taken a keen interest in local affairs. He is a member of the Masonic order at Connersville, and is a man universally respected and admired.
"History of Fayette Counties, Indiana"
published by B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, IN 1917