1916 Jasper County Biographies

MOSES F. FRENCH. His is one of the old American families. His grandfather,Aaron French, was born September 8, 1739, nearly half a century before the American colonies were united under the constitution as a Union of States. He died August 31, 1805, at Amity,Pennsylvania. The father of the Remington octogenarian was Asa French, who was the seventh child by Aaron French's marriage to Mary Clark. Asa was born July 8, 1780, in Essex County,New Jersey, and died August 9, 1845, in Miami County, Ohio. He moved from Greene County,Pennsylvania, to Miami County, Ohio, in 1811, and was one of the very early settlers in that part of the Buckeye State. In 1801 he married for his first wife, Sarah Jackson, who was born April 24, 1780, and died March 26, 1820. She became the mother of eleven children. Asa French married for his second wife, Hannah Davis, who was born February 19, 1800, near Lexington, Kentucky, and died near Troy, Ohio, March 5, 1883. The oldest living child of Asa French is Mrs.Sarah French Ripley, who is now living at Brookston and is probably the oldest person in White County. She was born June 25, 1825. By his second marriage Asa French had twelve children, and altogether was the father of twenty-three. He followed farming as his occupation, was an energetic and hard working citizen, and came of the strong, long lived stock that is characteristic of this family.

The seventh of his mother's twelve children, Moses Frazer French was born February 21,1832, near Troy, Miami County, Ohio. His lifetime covers a period of more than fourscore years,and his birth occurred while Andrew Jackson was still president of the United States. As a boy hehad limited schooling in such institutions as were maintained on the subscription plan in his native section of Ohio, and most of his discipline came by hard work on the home farm until he was twenty-four years of age. In 1856, Mr. French came to Indiana and located in Prairie Township of White County, where he engaged in farming until crsipelas crippled him for that work and he then returned to Miami County. From 1860 to 1865 he employed his time in teaching school in his native county, and then returned to Prairie Township, White County.

On March 6, 1806, Mr. French married Martha Catherine Jordan. Her father, William Jordan,was on of the very early settlers in White County. Mrs. French died October 7, 1878, and is buried in the Gilboa Cemetery in Benton County. There is only one child by her marriage, Independence, now the wife of Harry Balthis, a paymaster in the United States navy, and their home is at Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Balthis have three children, Madge M., Edith and Herbert. On August 2, 1888, Mr. French married for his second wife, Sarah Belle Pitts. Her family were also among the early settlers of White County.

Though not a politician, Mr. French has long been identified with the republican party,practically ever since its organization, filled a place on the town board of Brookston and was oneof the school trustees there. Though past eighty years of age, Mr. French is a wonderfully wellpreserved man, is large and strong and has a heart as big as his body.

A Standard History of Jasper and Newton Counties Indiana
The Lewis Publishing Company - Chicago and New York - 1916

SAMUEL LONG AND ABRAM F. LONG. One of the oldest and best known business men of Rensselaer is Abram F. Long, son of the pioneer Samuel Long. The first settler,Samuel Long, was born in the State of Maryland in 1824 and there grew to manhood and served an apprenticeship at the tailor's trade, though he never followed that as a vocation. In early manhood he made a journey through the West, and was so attracted by the appearance of the country around Rensselaer that he decided to locate there permanently.

His first marriage was with a Miss Stewart, who became the mother of a son and a daughter,both of them now deceased. After her death Samuel Long married Sarah Ann Freeland, whose parents were early settlers in Jasper County. To their marriage were born five children, and thethree that reached maturity were Abram F., Edward and Addie, the last being the wife of W. W. Miller of Mount Ayr. He died March 13, 1895, and his widow survived him until February 8,1910.

His son, Abram F. Long, has for many years been proprietor of the leading drug store at Rensselaer. He was born November 7, 1862, on the old homestead in Newton Township of Jasper County, and was reared there and in Newton County, whither his parents removed when he was a boy. His early education came from the public schools, and when about eighteen he acquired his first experience in the business which has subsequently become his permanent vocation by hiring out as a clerk in a drug store at Rensselaer. A year later he returned to the home farm and assistedin its cultivation until he was twenty-two. In 1883, he again came to Rensselaer as a drug clerk,followed that employment three years, and then with an eye to the future took a short course in Chicago School of Pharmacy. This was followed by another experience as a clerk, and in 1886, he returned to the Chicago College of Pharmacy from which he was graduated with his diploma inthe spring of 1887. As a registered pharmacist he had some experience in the city of Chicago, and from there returned to Rensselaer and became a partner in a local drug store. In 1890, he bought out his partner, and since that time the drug store of A. F. Long has been one of the business fixtures of Rensselaer, and its continuous standing of a quarter of a century makes it one of the oldest concerns in the city. About 1907 Mr. Long bought the ground and erected the home of his present business.

On September 25, 1889, Mr. Long married Elizabeth Purcupile, a daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth (Howe) Purcupile. They have one of the comfortable homes of Rensselaer and thei rmarriage has been blessed by the birth of two children: George A. and Martha. The son, George A. Long, after graduating from Rensselaer High School spent two years in the University of Illinois at Champaign. He later graduated form the College of Pharmacy in Chicago, and is now associated with his father in the drug business at Rensselaer. He married Miss Nell Moody, a daughter of Granville Moody, of Rensselaer, and they have two daughters, Elizabeth Jane and Eleanor Martin. Martha, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Long, graduated from the Rensselaer High School and then spent two years in the Women's College at Oxford, Ohio. She is now the wife of Russell E. Strawbridge, of Niagara Falls, New York, where he is an electrician. Mr. Long is a popular member of the community, is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and the Knights ofPythias, in politics is a republican, and he and his family are members of the PresbyterianChurch.

A Standard History of Jasper and Newton Counties
The Lewis Publishing Company - Chicago and New York - 1916

LOUIS H HAMILTON has filled a useful and honorable place in Jasper County for many years. The record of his life is one that affords lessons of incentive to young men who startout without influential family connections and with no means beyond their individual ability tomake a mark in the world.

At the age of two years, Louis Hayes Hamilton was left an orphan in Indianapolis, and spent the next six years in an orphan home. He was then placed with a farmer, John G. Culp, in Barkley Township of Jasper County, and remained in his home until he was fourteen, when he ranaway, and has since been the sole guide of his individual destiny. Hard manual labor was naturallyan important part of his early experience, but while working in a tile factory he lost his right armat the age of fifteen and had to turn his energies in another direction. He sought an education, andin 1891 graduated from the Rensselaer High School, and subsequently attended the ValparaisoUniversity and the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute.

A great many people in Jasper and other counties of the state know Mr. Hamilton best through his long associations with educational affairs. He holds a life state teacher's license. Hetaught many terms of school in the various districts of Jasper County, and from 1897 to 1907administered the entire school system of the county as county superintendent. During that time hewas president of the County Superintendents' State Association and was also vice president of theIndiana State Teachers' Association.

Mr. Hamilton is a director in the Trust and Savings Bank of Rensselaer, is a trustee of thepublic library and a trustee of the County Hospital. Politically he is a republican. He is a pastchancellor of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, is a past noble grand of the Independent Order ofOdd Fellows and has held the post of inner guard in the Grand Lodge, and is past chief patriarchof the Encampment. He is also a member of the Columbia Club of Indianapolis. Mr. Hamilton is elder and president of the board of the Christian Church of Rensselaer.

On September 24, 1894, in Hanging Grove Township of Jasper County, he married Mary Robinson, daughter of George and Rebecca Robinson. They have two children: Fred H. Hamilton, who is twenty-one years of age, and is connected with the Daily Courier-News at Fargo, North Dakota; and Marie Hamilton, aged eighteen, and a student in Butler University.

THE PECK FAMILY For the past forty years this family has been one ofprominence and influence in Jasper County, and its representatives have been primarily identified with the civic and business activities of the thriving village of Remington.

Daniel W. Peck, who figures as the founder of the family in Jasper County, and who established his residence at Remington in the year 1875, traced his genealogy in a direct way back to Joseph Peck, who, in company with a brother, Rev. Robert Peck, was prompted in large measure by religious persecution to leave his native England and seek the greater liberties of conscience and of thought and action that were to be had in new and far distant colonies of America. The two brothers thus came to this country in the year 1638, and they established a home in the Massachusetts colony, the family name having been one of prominence in New England annals as one generation has followed another on to the stage of life's activities, and numerous representatives of the name having gone forth to uphold the prestige of an honored patronymic in various other states of the Union.

Daniel W. Peck was born at Salem, Washington County, Indiana, on the 29th of July, 1839, a date that indicates beyond all peradventure that his parents were numbered among theearly pioneers of the Hoosier commonwealth. He was a son of Oliver Peck and a grandson ofSamuel Peck. In the county of his nativity he was reared to manhood and there, on the 11th ofNovember, 1862, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Lockwood. He initiated his business career as clerk in a store at Salem and later engaged in the mercantile business in an independent way, in his native county. At the time, within the period of the Civil war, that General Morgan, the intrepid Confederate commander, made his famous raids into Indiana and Ohio he made one of his distinctively unpopular visitations to the town of Salem, where he laid heavy tribute on all who professed sympathy with the Union cause. It was but natural that his depredations should touch with special vigor Daniel W. Peck, who was then engaged in business at that place, and who was not only ardent and fearless in his loyal work and labors in behalf ofthe Union but who also had brothers in active service as soldiers in the Federal ranks. The goodsof Mr. Peck's store were virtually confiscated by General Morgan and his band of raiders, andsuch articles of the stock as they could not carry away and utilize they effectually destroyed. Mr.Peck was not discouraged in that he had thus to bear his quota of the hardships of the war, but here plenished his store and again developed a substantial business, only to meet heavy losses at late rperiods, through burglary and fire.

In 1875, as previously intimated, Mr. Peck removed with his family to Jasper County and established his home at Remington, where he engaged in the general merchandise business. Adverse conditions faced him in the new field of endeavor, for it is a matter of well known local history that the years 1875, 1876 and 1877 were marked by extreme financial depression and attendant panic and distress in Jasper County. Crops were practical failures and credit was an imperative element in the carrying on of retail mercantile enterprises. Hundreds of families removed from this section of Indiana to Kansas and other sections of the Union, virtually fleeing in consternation and with little preparation, besides which many of them failed to make good their financial obligations in the old homes prior to their hurried departure. The capitalistic resources of Mr. Peck were limited and his widely extended credits made impossible to overcome the adverse forces when he was unable to realize to an appreciable degree on these credits. Steadfast and true in all of the relations of life, he again faced financial disaster with fortitude, but while he measurable retrieved his fortunes there can be little doubt that his successive encounters with the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" did much to break down his physical powers and to cause his death while in the prime of his useful manhood. He passed away in November, 1885,and his devoted wife survived him by nearly a score of years, she having been summoned to eternal rest on the 29th of June, 1905, and having continued to maintain her home at Remington until her demise. All of the seven children were reared to maturity at Remington, and individual mention of them is made in the appending paragraphs.

Charles H. Peck, eldest of the children, was born at Salem, on the 2nd of October, 1863,and thus was a lad of twelve years at the time of the family removal to Remington, where he continued his studies in the public schools and where he began his business career as a youthful clerk in a local mercantile establishment. In September, 1895, he initiated in a modest way his independent activities as a merchant in Remington, and by fair and honorable dealings, careful and effective service to patrons, and progressive policies he developed with a comparatively brief period a substantial business. In 1906 his establishment was converted into a general department store, and in the conducting of the large and representative business three rooms on the street level are utilized, besides which the upper floor and basement of the buildings are also demanded for the accomodation of the varied stock and the proper service in the various departments. Anidea of the comprehensiveness of this admirable conducted business is conveyed when it is stated that the valuation of the stock carried may be conservatively placed at or about $30,000 and that in the well appointed establishment, employment is given to a corps of seven assistants. Mr. Peck holds secure prestige as one of the representative business men and loyal and public-spirited citizens of Jasper County, and it may be said with all of consistency that he is at the present time the leading merchant of Remington. He is affiliated with the local organizations of the Masonic fraternity Remington Lodge No. 351 and the Knights of Pythias Castle Hall No. 58. Mr. Peck wedded Miss Alice Allman. In writing of her death a local publication used the following wellchosen words:
"Alice A. Allman, daughter of Josiah H. and Mary C. Allman, was born at Navarre, Ohio, March 8, 1858, and passed away at her late home in Remington, Indiana April 3, 1916. She was united in marriage to Charles H. Peck, June 13, 1886. To this union was born three children, Mrs.H. H. Bowman, of Monticello, and Fred Peck and Miss Laura Peck, of Remington.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, Charles H. Pek, the two daughters and one son just mentioned, her mother, Mrs. Mary C. Allman, of Remington, her brother, Jesse Allman, of Rensselaer, an only sister, Mrs. Ida Coover, of Denver, Colorado, and two grandchildren, besides a large number of other relatives. Her circle of friends was bounded only by her acquaintances, and her untimely taking away will cause sorrow and regret in the hearts of all who knew her.

On Thursday, April 6th, a large concourse of friends gathered at the late home to pay the last public tribute of love and respect to her memory. The funeral sermon was preached by H.Randal Lookabill, of Crawfordsville, who is a close friend of the family, and for several years was Mrs. Peck's pastor. He was assisted by Rev. Konkel, the present pastor of the Remington Christian Church. The interment took place at the Remington Cemetery."

WILLIAM E. PECK, he second son in this representative family of Jasper County, became one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the sourthern part of the county. For some time he held the position of engineer for A. Wolcott & Son, engaged in the grain business, and later he was associated with the business of the firm of Hartley Brothers.Under the first administrative term of President McKinley Mr. Peck was appointed postmaster of Remington, and through successive reappointments he continued the incumbent of this office for sixteen years. He was a man of large physique, was genial, kindly, courtious and considerate, and his circle of friends was so extensive with that of his acquaintances. He was especially active in the Masonic fraternity and the Knight of Pythias, and, like his father and brothers, was a stalwart advocate of the cause of the republican party. In September, 1914, he removed with his family to beautiful Chautauqua County, New York, where he had purchased a fine farm of 200 acres, but he was not long permitted to enjoy the new home, for he died on the 12th of January, 1915--the forty-ninth anniversary of his birth. His wife, whose maiden name was Lottie E. Coover, survives him, as do also their five children.

FRANK L. PECK was born in Washington County, this state, on the 9th of October,1874, and in the following year his parents removed to Remington, where he has since maintained his home and where his early educational advantages were those of the excellent public schools. At the age of thirteen years, he became a clerical assistant in the drug store of E. H. Briggs, with whom he remained about three years, after which he continued his services in the same store, after the organization of the firm of Briggs & Larsh, until 1895, when he engaged in the same line of business in an individual way, his drug store being now one of the best in the village, both in appointments and facilities, as well as in all departments of its service. He is affiliated with then Masonic fraternity Remington Lodge No. 351 and the Knights of Pythias Castle Hall No. 58 and both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian Church. On the 10th of October, 1895, Mr. Peck married Miss May Tedford, and they have one son, Bruce.

ISAAC L. PECK was born at Remington, Indiana, on the 13th of February, 1876, and after availing himself duly of the advantages of the public school he was for a time employed in a clerical capacity. For the past several years he has conducted a successful business as a contractor in the construction of stone roads, and after the death of his brother, William E., in 1915, he went to Chautauqua County, New York, to assist in the supervision and administration of the latter's estate. He is the only one of the children of the late Daniel W. Peck who is not married.

JAMES I. PECK, who is associated with his brother, Frank L., in the drug business at Remington, was born in this village on the 1st of September, 1877, and as a youth he followed various occupations, including service as a carrier on one of the rural mail routes emanating from Remington. He has been associated with his brother in the drug store since 1903, and like his brothers is a republican and identifed with the Masonic fraternity Remington Lodge No. 351 and the Knights of Pythias, Castle Hall No. 58. On the 20th of February,1908, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Katherine Meehan.

MARY E. PECK, only daughter, was born and reared at Remington, and she was solemnized her marriage to Max T. Price. They now reside at Charleston, Virginia, and have one son, Charles H.

MAURICE B. PECK, the youngest of the children, has been a resident of Remington from the time of his birth, which here occurred on the 17th of February, 1884--about one year and nine months prior to the death of his father. From his youth he has been associated with the mercantile business conducted by his eldest brother. On the 20th of February, 1907, he wedded Miss June Bowman, and they have one daughter, Maxine. He has followed the family rule in his political and fraternal associations, and thus is a republican, a Mason and a member of the Knightsof Pythias.

The Peck family as a whole is one of prominence in the representative social activities of Remington and its various members in Jasper County have fully merited the unalloyed popular esteem accorded them.

A Standard History of Jasper and Newton Counties
The Lewis Publishing Company - Chicago & New York - 1916

WARREN T. McCRAY Widely known as he is, as the "Herford Cattle King",Warren T. McCray, one of Newton County's most prominent men, is almost as well known in other connections of great importance all over the State of Indiana.

Warren T. McCray wa born on the old family homestead in Newton County, Indiana, February 4, 1865, being the second child and only son of Greenberry Ward and Martha J. (Galey)McCray. On June 15, 1892, Mr. McCray was united in marriage with Ella M. Ade, the youngest child of John and Adaline (Bush) Ade and a sister of George Ade, distinguished author and playwright. To them were born four children: Lucile Ade, born October 30, 1893; Gilbert, born October 14 1896, deceased in infancy; Marian, born April 23 1900; and George Warren, born September 7, 1902. Mr. McCray and family are active members of the Presbyterian Church.

A Standard History of Jasper and Newton Counties
The Lewis Publishing Company - Chicago & New York - 1916

GREENBERRY WARD McCRAY The second son of William and Lucinda (Edwards)McCray , was born on a farm near connersville, Indiana, July 13, 1839. At an early age he moved with his parents to a farm near Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana. Here he grew to manhood surrounded by the influences that accompanied the struggling pioneer life of early Indiana. He had the advantages of such public schools as existed at that time, and after teaching one winter he spent one year in the preparatory school for Wabash College.

On March 6, 1862, he was joined in marriage to Martha Jane Galey, daughter of Samuel Smith and Elizabeth Galey, who lived on an adjoining farm to the McCray homested, thus culminating a romance in the lives of these neighboring children whose early affections ripened into love and marriage. Within a few days after the wedding ceremony, they atarted in a covered wagon across the trackless prairie to the new home in Newton County, which he had previously bought and prepared for his future residence. They located on the newly acquired farm, situated about 2 miles from the present town of Brook. At that time the Pan-Handle Railroad was just being built from Lognsport to Peoria, through Goodland and Kentland, this placing within twelve to fourteen miles of railroad facilities.

They continued to live on this farm until October, 1870, when they moved to Kentland, the county seat. During this time they were blessed with three children, Fannie, the eldest, who married Frank A. Comparet, a prominent lawyer of the Newton County bar; Warren T., a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere, and Annie E., all of whom now live in Kentland.

An overwhelming sorrow came to him in the evening of his life, when his devoted companion passed away on December 12, 1912. He never overcame this great blow, and surviving her death only by one year and one day, he passed over to the Great Beyond. His life's work was complete.

The Standard History of Jasper and Newton Counties
The Lewis Publishing Company - Chicago and New York - 1916

CHARLES T. DENHAM was born in Mount Pleasant, Ohio, now a part of the City of Cincinnati, Februay 14, 1852. His parents were Josiah W. and Isabelle (Scott) Denham. His grandfather, Joseph W. Denham, was an Englishman, entered the ministry in early life, and emigrated to America when his son Josiah was twelve yers of age. About 1832 he located in Cincinnati, and lived in that city or in the vicinity until his death at the age of eighty-eight. Josiah W. Denham, though quite well advanced in years at the time, made a record as a soldier in the Civil war which will always be cherished by his descendants. He became a lieutenant in Company G of the 70th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but finally was disabled and resigned his commission in 1863. In the fall of 1864 he moved his family to Starke County, Indiana, near Knox, and died there September 5, 1865. He is buried in the Round Lake Cemetery near Knox. He was twice married and had eight children: George H. has for many years been a successful educator and is now principal of the Hyde Park School in Cincinnati; he married Melissa Steel, now deceased, and by that marriage had Bertha, deceased; Grace Betts, who is now living at Middletown, Ohio; and Robert, also deceased.

Professor Denham married for his second wife, Carrie Wyatt, and their two children are Thomas W. and Martha. Of the other children of Josiah W. Denham, Robert M. and Ann E. are both deceased, the fourth in age is Charles T., Joseph E. is a Baptist minister now located a Pleasanton, Kansas, and Josiah W.Jr., is deceased. The father's second wife was Phoebe Broom,and the two children of their union were: Hattie E., who is the wife of Ford Warner, and they live with their family of children at Dallas, Texas; and Clara, now deceased.

After the death of his father, Charles T. Denham, in the spring of 1866 removed from Starke County, Indiana, to Grant Township in Newton County near Goodland, where he lived in the home of his step-uncle Eleazar Gorsline for two or three years. After that for several years he was employed as a farm hand by the residents of that locality and then engaged in farming for himslf. On September 3, 1874, he married Margaret A. Thompson, daughter of George G. and Elizabeth D. (Beal) Thompson. The Thompson family were among the very early settlers of Carpenter Township.

To Mr. and Mrs. Denham were born four children, two of whom died in infancy. In May married Blanchard Elmore and is now deceased. George H. is still living at home with his father. Mr. Denham is republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church, in which he has been treasurer and trustee four or five years. He is associated with the Odd Fellows and is a member of Knights of Pythias at Remington. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and the Sons of Veterans.

A Standard History of Jasper and Newton Counties
The Lewis Publishing Company - Chicago and New York - 1916