Clinton County, Indiana Biographies
Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Connie Rushing and Tonya
Martin cj59_1999@yahoo.com
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SHAW, Monroe C.
SHEETS, John
SHEETS, Philip M.
SHEETS, Santford
SHEETS, Zimri Elisha
SHERIDAN, Harry C.
SHOCKLEY, John C.
SHOEMAKER, Jacob
SIMS, Carl Whisler
SIMS, Cicero
SIMS, James N. , Capt.
SIMS, Stephen B. , M.D.
SLEETH, Henry Eldridge
SMITH, Chalmer L.
SMITH, George
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SHAW,  Monroe C.
      Monroe C. Shaw was born in Clinton county, July 22, 1872, and
died September 24, 1911.  His life occupation was that of a farmer,
his homestead consisting of ninety-five acres, all tillable except
ten acres of woodland.  A feature of the Shaw farm is that all its
improvements were built by the owner.  Besides tilling the soil, Mr.
Shaw made of his place one of the finest stock farms in the state.
Here he raised principally Shorthorn cattle, fine breeds of hogs and
general purpose horses.  His reputation as a stock raiser was not
confined to Indiana, but extended throughout Ohio and Illinois. The
Shaw farm is one of the well known and attractive centers of Clinton
county, people going there from near and far for the purchase of
blooded horses, cattle and hogs.  It has contributed very largely to
the fame of Clinton county and the state of Indiana as suitable
regions for raising stock of the first quality.
      The subject of this sketch was the son of James C. and Margaret
(FRITZ) SHAW.  His father was born near Rockford, Surry County, N.
C., Jan. 31, 1828, and died at his home near Russiaville, Ind., April
8, 1901, aged 72 years.  The mother of Mr. Shaw was born near
Westmoreland, Somerset County, Pa., Aug. 12, 1838, and died near
Russiaville, Ind., in March, 1906.  She was a devoted wife and mother
and active member of the Baptist church.  She was united in marriage
October 10, 1865, to James C. SHAW, who was then at home after three
years service in the civil war.  This was Mr. Shaw 's second
marriage.  To him and his first wife were born five children, as
follows: William, John, Joseph, James and Catherine, and the children
born of the second marriage were Christian, Monroe C., Howard, Maggie
and Letitia.
March 8, 1896, Monroe C. Shaw married Rosa H. Bryan, who was born in
Warsaw, Indiana, June 20, 1873, the daughter of James and Barbara
(BREEDING) BRYAN.  To them have been born three children, two of whom
are living: Irene V., born December 1, 1896 and Beulah Lorea, born
December 25, 1907.  Mrs. Shaw's father was a farmer and served in the
47th Ohio Infantry one year. She is the youngest of a family of six
children, five of whom are living.  The names of the others are Peter
J., Lester J., Acy A., James and Catherine (dec.) Her mother was born
in Virginia January 1, 1838, and died July 16, 1901.
       Monroe C. Shaw affiliated with the Baptist church and was a
Republican in politics.  It may be truly said of him that he lived
and died in the realization of the Christian faith that lifts men
above the friction of life and provides them a sphere of congenial
and happy activity.  In politics Mr. Shaw was no less ardent and
active than in the discharge of his religious duties.  To him the
Republican party was something of idealism, and he referred to its
achievements in the cause of constitutional government and the
liberty of the people with the utmost reference and enthusiasm.
Fidelity was a very marked trait with him.  He was a true man in all
the relations of life.
Source: Pages 553 & 554 History of Clinton County, Indiana .... With
Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical
Records of Many of the Old Families. By Hon. Joseph Claybaugh.
Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen & Company - Indianapolis, Indiana
******************
SHEETS, John
     In Owen township, Clinton county, lives John Sheets, another of
the old soldiers whom it is a delight to honor.  They are getting
fewer and fewer in numbers and their march is not as quick and full
of meaning and fire as it was fifty years ago, when they were
fighting for the perpetuity of the Union.  But it thrills one to see
them in their old uniforms, with their tattered flags flying and
their forms bent as they hobble along on their canes at reunions, or
on Memorial Day or on the Fourth of July.  And how interesting it is
to hear them tell the story of the dreadful hardships they endured in
the hospitals or on the harassing marches, or in the battles and
skirmishes, or in the prison hells of the Southern Confederacy.  But
their time is short now, so all persons should join in honoring them
for the sacrifices they made when they were young and full of the
love of life, but which was offered free on the altar of their
country.
     John Sheets was born August 13, 1842, in Union township, Clinton
county.  He is a son of Samuel and Catherine (SHAFFER) SHEETS, who
came to this section of the Hoosier state when it was a wild stretch
of forest and unknown to the world in general, or at least very
little known, and here established the future home of the family. The
father of our subject was born in Virginia, as was also the mother,
and there they grew to maturity and were married.  Subsequently they
removed to Clinton county, where they spent the rest of their lives.
Both have long been deceased, the mother dying November 20, 1877.
The elder Sheets was a German and he could not read English.  He
devoted his life to farming, was first a Democrat and later a
Republican. His family consisted of eleven children, three of whom
are still living, namely: John, of this sketch; Andrew, and Mrs.
Rebecca RYAN.
     John Sheets grew to manhood on the home farm and he received a
common school education.  On August 20, 1862, he enlisted in Company
K, Seventy-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Collins,
and later he served under Captains Brown and Mclntire. He spent three
years in the army and took part in some of the fiercest engagements
of the war, including Hoover's Gap, Chattanooga, and the many battles
in the memorable siege of Atlanta, but was not under Sherman.  He
went back with General Thomas to Nashville.  He proved to be a most
faithful soldier for the Union, and was honorably discharged July 6,
1865.
     After his return home from the army Mr. Sheets resumed farming,
which he has followed ever since.  He owns a valuable place in Owen
township, consisting of eleven acres, all tillable but two acres, and
it has been well unproved.  He built his own home.  He makes a
specialty of raising Shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs.
     Mr. Sheets was married April 13, 1866, to Lovina E. HARRIS, who
was born in Wayne county, Indiana, April 6, 1843.  She is a daughter
of Jonas and Isabelle (HORSMAN) HARRIS.  The father was born December
23, 1815.
     Nine children have been born to our subject and wife: Edward,
born March 21, 1867, Newton, January 13, 1869; Albert, November 24,
1870; Oscar, November 8, 1872: Oliver C., October 27, 1874; Nancy,
September 9, 1876: Belle, November 12, 1878, Amanda, July 4, 1880,
John B., December 22, 1884.  They are all living and well situated in
life.
     Mr.  Sheets is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  Also
a member of the Masons and G. A. R. He is a Republican in politics.
Source: Pages 618 - 619. History of Clinton County, Indiana .... With
Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical
Records of Many of the Old Families. By Hon. Joseph Claybaugh.
Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen & Company - Indianapolis, Indiana
******************
SHEETS, Philip M.
     The true measure of individual success is determined by what one
has accomplished, and, contrary to the old adage that a prophet is
not without honor save in his own country, a particular interest
attaches to the career of Philip M. Sheets, farmer and musician of
Warren township, Clinton county Besides being a worthy scion of one
of our sterling pioneer families, he is a native of this locality,
where his entire life has been spent, and he has so directed his
abilities and efforts as to gain recognition as one of the
representative citizens of the county.
     Mr. Sheets was born here on December 17, 1867.  He is a son of
David and Nancy E. (THOMPSON) SHEETS.  The father was born August 20,
1829, in Augusta county, Virginia, and his death occurred in 1911 at
the advanced age of eighty-two years.  The mother of our subject was
born in Ohio, and she too lived to an advanced age, dying in
November, 1909.  She was a well-educated woman and taught school for
some time in her earlier years.  David Sheets devoted his life to
general farming and to carpentering.  His family consisted of nine
children, namely: John C., James H., Perry M., Zimri E., Mary M.,
Albert W., Elmer E., Philip M., and Wilda M.
     Philip M. Sheets grew to manhood on the home farm and he
received a common school education.  On March 13, 1890, he married
Emma F. CRUM, who was born in Putnam county, Indiana, March 13, 187I,
a daughter of William and Elizabeth (KROPFF) CRUM, both natives of
Virginia.  Mr. Crum, who died August 28, 1913, was a soldier in the
Confederate army.  His wife is deceased.
     To our subject and wife eight children have been born, namely:
Frank O., born October 13, 1890, a member of the Beard band, playing
second cornet on which he is quite proficient: Larnie A., born August
9 1892, also a member of the Beard band, performing exceptionally
well on the bass horn or tuba; Perry O., born August 18, 1894, plays
the slide trombone in the Beard band, and equally gifted with his
brothers; Alta E., born July 29, 1896; Tola R., born December 17,
1898; Virgil R., bron  (sic) April 14, 1902; Boyce E., born December
7, 1905; Gail S., born January 26, 1907.
     Mr. Sheets has already engaged in farming in Warren township.
He owns a good farm of seventy-five acres, lacking a fraction, and
has a well improved place in every respect, especially as to tiling.
He has a substantial and attractive home which he built himself.  He
handles a good many head of live stock of various kinds from year to
year, a mixed breed of cattle, Chester White hogs, and draft horses.
     Mr. Sheets is by nature a gifted musician and he has found time
to cultivate his taste in this direction, especially as to band
music.  He is president and manager of the Beard band, one of the
best in Clinton county.  Ira SKIDMORE is director of the same.  The
services of this band are very frequently required throughout the
county at various gatherings.  It was organized in 1909.  It is
composed of sixteen pieces. Mr. Sheets is bass drummer.
     Our subject is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, and
he is a Republican in politics.
Source: Pages 632 - 633. History of Clinton County, Indiana .... With
Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical
Records of Many of the Old Families. By Hon. Joseph Claybaugh.
Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen & Company - Indianapolis, Indiana
******************
SHEETS, Santford
     It is a good sign when so many of the residents of a county are
found to have been born within its borders.  It indicates that they
have found right at home all the opportunities necessary for the
gratifications of their ambitions in a business, political and social
way, and it also indicates stability. One is reminded that "A rolling
stone gathers no moss. " That young man is the wisest who, when
conditions will permit, remains in his native locality and addresses
himself to the improvement of conditions he finds there and to his
personal advancement along such lines as he may choose, selecting
that for which he is best fitted by nature.
     Santford Sheets, farmer of Warren township, Clinton county, was
born here October 8, 1855, and he has remained here and become a
successful and good citizen. He is the son of Jacob and Delilah
(HUFFER) SHEETS. The father was born in Augusta county, Virginia,
March 20, 1830. He was five years old when his parents removed from
the Old Dominion and located in Frankfort, Clinton county, and here
he grew to manhood, received his education and spent the rest of his
life in agricultural pursuits. His education was limited.  He
purchased eighty acres of land in Warren township, for which he paid
two hundred and fifty dollars which he had earned by working at
twenty-five and fifty cents per day.  He cleared ten acres, to fence
which he carried rails on his back.  He continued to work hard, the
years brought success, and he became very comfortably established.
     Politically he was first a Whig. He enlisted for service in the
Civil War, in 1862, but served only six months when he became ill and
was discharged for disability. He returned from the war a Democrat.
He reached the advanced age of eighty-three years, dying on March 6,
1913.  The mother of our subject, who is still living on the old home
place here, being now advanced in years, was born in Augusta county,
Virginia, November 16, 1835. Her parents were early settlers of
Clinton county.
     Seven children were born to Jacob Sheets and wife: Henry,
Santford, of this sketch; Milton, Noah, Elizabeth and Ida M., all
four deceased, and Adam.
     Santford Sheets grew to manhood on the home farm and he received
a common school education, rather limited.  On October 30, 1879, he
married Priscilla BEARD who was born in Clinton county,  October 10,
1857, and here she was reared to womanhood and received a common
school education.  She is a daughter of Martin and Delilah (ORBS)
BEARD, both parents being now deceased.
     To our subject and wife ten children were born: Oden, born
December 14, 1880, married Ola HAM; Roy, born October 16, 1882,
married Goldie ARMSTRONG; Maud, born in 1884, Russell, born September
20, 1886, married Nellie E. Wilson;  Blanch, born December 30, 1888,
Grace, born April 25, 1890; Claude, born January 17, 1894; Fay, born
1896; Cleo, born April 29, 1899, and Leona, born December 23, 1903.
     Mr. Sheets has always farmed and has always made his home in his
native township.  He is now owner of a valuable and well improved
place of two hundred and sixty acres on which he carries on general
farming and stock raising on an extensive scale.  Forty acres of this
place lies in Michigan township, the rest in Warren township. It is
all tillable except about sixty-five acres.  He built his own home
which is on an equality with the best in the township and he has
other good buildings on the place. He raises a general breed of live
stock in large numbers.
     Politically, Mr. Sheets is a Republican and has been more or
less active in local party affairs. In 1912 he made the race for
treasurer, but was defeated in the landslide. He belongs to the
Masonic order at Beard, and he is a member of the Methodist
Protestant church.
Source: Pages 614 - 615 History of Clinton County, Indiana .... With
Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical
Records of Many of the Old Families. By Hon. Joseph Claybaugh.
Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen & Company - Indianapolis, Indiana
******************
SHEETS, Zimri Elisha
     The gentleman whose name appears above is a representative of an
honored pioneer family of Clinton county, so that a consideration of
his genealogical and personal history becomes doubly interesting and
doubly appropriate in connection with the prescribed province of this
publication.  Mr. Sheets is one of the most prominent farmers of Owen
township, having a finely improved landed estate on which he is
carrying forward his operations with that energy, foresight and
careful discrimination which ever betoken the appreciative and model
yeoman.
     The subject of this text, Zimri Elisha Sheets, as aforesaid, can
trace his lineage back to his great grandfather and great
grandmother, and as the Sheets family are very prominent in Clinton
county and have been for years and have been identified in developing
this county, we are glad to say that Mr. Zimri Sheets has been able
to furnish the names of his great grandfather and great grandmother,
as well as his grandfather and his grandmother and his father and
mother, in the order namely to-wit: On his father's side. his
great-grandfather, Jacob Sheets, who married Barbara LINDAMUDE, and
who lived and died in Augusta county, Virginia.  The great
grandmother after the death of her husband came to Clinton county
with her son Joseph, died here and is buried in the old south
graveyard near Frankfort.  His grandfather Phillip SHEETS was born in
1801, Augusta county, Virginia.  He married Mary SHAFER.  They moved
to this county in 1836, residing here in Frankfort a short time and
then moved to Warren township.  He died in this county in 1873, aged
71 years.  David Sheets, his father was born in Augusta county,
Virginia, August 30, 1828 and died in this county April 18, 1911. The
mother, Nancy E. (THOMPSON) SHEETS born in Preble county, Ohio, April
27, 1830.  She died in this county November 30, 1909.  On his
mother's side: His great Grandfather, Robert THOMPSON was born in
North Carolina and married Nancy BROWN.  Moved to Preble county,
Ohio, and later moved to Illinois and there died.  His grandfather,
Dennis Thompson married Mary THOMPSON, daughter of Robert Thompson
but of no kin.  They died in Preble county, Ohio.
     Nine children were born to David Sheets and wife, eight sons and
one daughter, all of whom are still living, at this time, named as
follows: John C., James H., Perry Zimri E., of this sketch; Mary M.
HAGGERTY; Albert W., Elmer E., Philip m., and Wilda M.
     Zimri E. Sheets grew to manhood on the home farm, performing the
usual work of country boys of his time, and he received his education
in the common schools.  On July 24, 1880 he married Amanda J. UNGER,
who was a cousin of M. V. DAVID, John CLINT, and other subjects of
this volume, in which mention is made of the UNGER ancestry.  Mrs.
Sheets was born in Owen township, Clinton county, and grew to
womanhood in her native community and received a common school
education.  She has borne her husband one child, Walter L. Sheets,
whose birth occurred September 29, 1882.  He grew up on the home farm
and was given good educational advantages. He married Nellie M.
DAVIS, who was born in Carroll county, Ind., July 25, 1886, and they
have one child, Edith May Sheets, who was born September 16, 1907.
     Zimri E. Sheets began farming for himself early in life and this
has continued to be his vocation.  In 1882 he moved from Warren to
Owen township where he has since resided.  He has prospered with
advancing years through hard work and good management, and is now
owner of two hundred and eighty-six acres of valuable, well improved
and productive land, one of the finest farms in the township on which
he carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive
scale.  His land is all tillable but thirty-two acres which is good
timber land.  He now lives on the "rabbit-track" road one-half mile
west of Moran and one mile north of Moran.  In 1910, he built a
modern, commodious and attractive county home across the road from
where he first lived, which is one of the most up-to-date residences
in the township.  It was constructed of cement blocks, is sanitary in
every respect, has a heating plant and actylene lights.  He also has
a garage and owns a modern, standard make five-passenger automobile.
He has long been an extensive handler of all kinds of livestock and
buys and feeds cattle in large numbers.  He specializes in
Poland-China hogs.  His farm bears the name of Zimri E. Sheets' Farm.
     Politically, Mr. Sheets is a Republican and has been faithful in
his support of the party. He was elected county commissioner in 1888,
serving one term with which credit and satisfaction.
     Mr. Sheets had six uncles in the civil war, namely: Jacob, James
and Isaac Sheets and Isaac, Zimri and Elisha THOMPSON.
Source: Pages 816 - 818   History of Clinton County, Indiana ....
With Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical
Records of Many of the Old Families. By Hon. Joseph Claybaugh.
Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen & Company - Indianapolis, Indiana
******************
HARRY C. SHERIDAN, an accomplished attorney at law, at Frankfort,
Ind., was born in Owen township, Clinton county, December 15, 1858,
and is the son of David F. and Mahala (WIDENER) SHERIDAN.    David F.
Sheridan , the respected father, was a native of Butler county, Ohio,
born in 1832, and was a son of Andrew Sheridan , who was born
Pennsylvania, of Irish extraction. Andrew Sheridan was a saddler by
trade, and this vocation he followed in Ohio until 1836, when he
located in Madison township, Clinton county, Ind., and followed his
trade at Hamilton until 1838, when he removed to Frankfort, made a
short sojourn, and finally settled down to farming in Owen township,
and passed his days in comparative ease until his death, in 1854, at
which time he was possessor of 24 acres of fertile land. His faithful
wife, Jemima PERINE, whom he had married in Butler county, Ohio,
survived until 1873, when she was called away in the faith of the
Methodist Episcopal church, having borne her husband ten children,
viz.: John, Frederick, Andrew J., James, David F., William A.,
Catherine, Mary, Margaret and Sarah. The third child here enumerated,
David F., the father of Harry C., on attaining his majority, had
finished an apprenticeship at the plasterer's trade, which he ever
after followed, in conjunction with farming, until his death, which
occurred February 27, 1888. He was twice married, and had born to him
by his first union one child, now deceased. His second marriage took
place in Tippecanoe county, Ind., in 1857, with Mahala WIDENER, who
was born in Michigan township, Clinton county, Ind., and by this
union were born the following children: Harry C., the subject of this
mention; Squire, Elmer E., Lillie, Kate, Jennie and Julia (twins),
and Belle.
    Harry C. Sheridan was reared in Owen township, Clinton county,
Ind., until the age of eighteen, receiving a fair education in the
district school; he then entered the Col!egiate institute at Battle
Ground, Ind., where he passed two years in diligent study, and then
came to Frankfort; in 1879 began teaching in the district schools of
Jackson township, and for three years met with abundant success. In
the fall of 1881 he began a three years' course of study in law under
Judge Palmer, was admitted to the bar April 4, 1882, and in the
spring of 1883 began the regular practice of his profession.   July
1, 1883, he formed a partnership at Frankfort with Judge B. K.
Higinbottom, eminent at the time for his legal attainments, and this
connection was continued for one year; following this, one year was
passed in partnership with Judge J. G. Adams, and the next year with
J. W. Merritt, since which time Mr. Sheridan has been in practice
alone, gaining clients and adding to his reputation as the time
passed on. From September, 1884, until September, 1886, he served as
city clerk. Mr. Sheridan was most happily married, September 8, 1886,
in Camden, Carroll county, Ind., to Miss Margaret Espy Vinnedge, who
was born in Indianapolis, November 5, 1863, and who is the daughter
of John A. and Ellen (ESPY) VINNEDGE, natives, respectively of Ohio
and Indiana. To this union two children have been born and are named
Lawrence Vinnege, born July 8, 1887, and Marjorie Ellen, June 29,
1890. Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan are consistent members of the
Presbyterian church, and in politics he is a republican. Fraternally
he is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a Knight Templar. As a lawyer,
few hold a higher rank than Mr. Sheridan, and he and family socially
enjoy the respect of the citizens of Frankfort to the fullest extent.
Source: Pages 853 -854. A Portrait And Biographical Record of Boone
and Clinton Counties, Ind., ... Containing Biographical Sketches of
Many Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies
and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States, and
Biographies of the Governors of Indiana. Published 1895 by A.W. Bowen
& Co. in Chicago.
*******************
SHOCKLEY, John C.
      In the list of honored and successful citizens of Clinton
county is the subject of this review, who has here maintained his
residence for nearly a half century, winning a definite and lasting
success by means of the agricultural industry, to which he has
devoted his undivided attention during the years of his active
business life.  His career has been without shadow of suspicion and
his many friends and acquaintances will attest to his integrity in
business dealings, and the magnetic personality which has won the
esteem of his fellowman.
      Mr. Shockley was born September 8, 1862, in Tipton county,
Indiana.and moved with his parents in 1864 to Clinton county, where
he now lives, forty rods from the county line. He was the son of
Daniel B. and Jemima (McINTIRE) SHOCKLEY.  The father was born in
Madison county, O., and moved to Tipton county, this state, after his
marriage.  He followed farming all of his life, he passed from active
to retired life at an old age, and now lives to enjoy the fruits of a
life well spent.  The mother was born in the same county and state as
her husband.  Both of them were handicapped in the matter of
education, because in their days schools were scarce and what there
were could not be called efficient.  Six children were born to them:
A. J., James A. (dec.), John C., our subject; Arsitta, Sarah F., and
G. W.
      All the education our subject was able to get was in the county
schools near Kempton, Tipton county.  His life resolved itself
shortly after leaving school into that of an agriculturist.  His
hundred and seventy acres of land here in Sugar Creek township are
all tillable and well tilled, and the home built by Mr. Shockley
himself. is one of the best in the township.  In addition to general
farming he carries on the breeding of all kinds of fine stock.  Mr.
Shockley also has two hundred and sixty-four acres in Tipton county,
all tillable, south of Kempton, Ind.
     Mr. Shockley was married on November 11, 1882, to Mary D.
RECTOR, who was born in 1861 in Sugar Creek township, the daughter of
Robert and Mary (SEARCY) RECTOR.  Her father was a native of Indiana,
and the mother came from the state of Kentucky. Seven children were
born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Shockley; 0. W., Opal, Nellie, Fay
and Ray, twins, and Cecil.
      Fraternally, Mr. Shockley belongs to the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, lodge at Kempton.  Religiously, he attends the Christian
church. and politically believes in the Democratic platform.
Source: Pages 579 - 580. History of Clinton County, Indiana .... With
Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical
Records of Many of the Old Families. By Hon. Joseph Claybaugh.
Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen & Company - Indianapolis, Indiana
******************
SHOEMAKER, Jacob
      If one wants to get an idea of how twentieth century farming is
now successfully carried on in Forest township, Clinton county, one
could do no better than to visit the well kept and well tilled farm
of Jacob Shoemaker, for he is a methodical, studious, persistent
worker, believing in making the soil produce as much as it will
without leaving the same depleted or robbing it of its natural
elements, yet he makes everything count that he turns his attention
to, and it is no wonder that he has succeeded admirably at his chosen
vocation.
      Mr. Shoemaker was born in the above named township and county
on February 15, 18522, and he has been contented to spend his life
right here in his native locality.  He is a son of Eleazor and
Christina (SNIDER) SHOEMAKER.  The father was born in Highland
county, Ohio, May 26th in the year 1821, where he spent his earlier
years and where he received a meager education in the sommon (sic)
schools of the vicinity.  When a young man he removed to Putnam
county, Indiana, where he soon got a good start and where he was
married September 14, 1842, to Christina SNIDER, soon after-wards
removing to Clinton county, where he continued to reside until his
death, January 30, 1876.  He was a hard-working man, very strong and
rugged.  He cleared the land on which he settled in Forest township
and here developed an excellent farm through sheer hard labor.  He
was not only a shoemaker in name but also a shoemaker by trade as
well, and spent such spare time as he could command in this work,
although not professing to be a skilled workman.  Politically, he was
a Republican.  The mother of our subject was born in the year 1826,
June 10th, in the city of Knoxville, Tennessee, and there remained
until she was about ten years old, when she removed with the rest of
the family to Putnam county, Indiana.  She had no chance to attend
school and could not read or write but was a woman of rare common
sense.  Her death occurred September 4, 1904.
      The family of Eleazor Shoemaker and wife was a large one,
thirteen children having been born to them, named as follows:
Elizabeth and Christiana (both deceased) ; Solomon, Rebecca
(deceased); Jacob, of this review; Mandy,  Calvin, Allen, and Martin
(all deceased); Louis, Enoch (deceased),  Elija, and Rachel
(deceased).
      Jacob Shoemaker grew to manhood on the home farm and there did
his full share of the work when a boy, he receiving a common school
education.  In an interesting sketch of his early home life he
writes: " My father settled on the land on which the north half of
the township of Forest now stands, on the first day of January, 1852,
in a little log cabin on a half acre of cleared ground in the midst
of a dense forest. The roof of this cabin of clapboards, fastened
down with weight poles. Not a nail or piece of iron was in the whole
building. The doors were  on wooden hinges and the floor was made of
split slabs. Our huge fireplace had a stick and clay chimney, and
clay back jams and hearth furnished warmth and cooking place for the
family. At this old fireplace, oft have I seen my dear old sainted
mother cooking hoe cakes and Johnny cakes. In early fall the meal
from which our meal was made was grated on a piece of tin through
which holes had been made with a nail, the corn being gathered before
it would shell and ofttimes our mush was stirred with a large
cornstalk.
      "Our clothing consisted of home fabrics, made into our simple
garments by our mother. Our drinking water was provided by a hole
eight or ten feet deep dug in one corner of our dooryard and into
which a large hollow sycamore log had been placed on end for watering
purposes. The water being drawn with the old well sweep.  Our
tillable fields were only the high knoll surrounded by swamps. We
planted our corn on a ridge thrown up with a barshare plow, two
furrows together to keep it out of the water.  We neither had drains
nor roads excepting as we would 'blaze' them out through the woods,
often having to change them on account of mud. All our crops had to
be divided with the coons, squirrels, deer, foxes, wild turkeys and
other animals and fowls that infested the then dense forests and
ofttimes our father would send myself and a brother at night to our
little fields to protect the crops and we would sometimes drive four
or five coons to a single tree. Our forage for our little herd
consisted of slough grass. Many times do I remember when sent to
drive the cows in, that there would be more deer than cows in the
herd, attracted. seemingly by the cow bell."
      On December 13, 1880, Mr. Shoemaker married Martha E. FLETCHER,
who was in this county and state January 3,1850, and she grew to
womanhood here and received her education in the public schools.  She
is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Ann FLETCHER. Three children
have been born to our subject and wife: Anna Myrtle, born in 1883,
married to Monroe HUFFER, near her father's farm; Christina Merle,
born July 7, 1883, died March 1, 1902; Bert Monroe, the son and
youngest child, born October 3, 1886, absent from his home after
March 25, 1902, and his whereabouts are unknown to his parents.
      Jacob Shoemaker has followed farming all his life with
uninterrupted success.  He is an owner of a valuable and well kept
place of one hundred and fifteen acres, all tillable but about eight
acres.  It is fairly well tiled and otherwise properly improved.  He
built his own home and is comfortably situated in every respect. He
is now living retired, renting his farm. He formerly made a specialty
of raising Jersey cows and Poland China and Duroc hogs. He still
raises the latter, and a good general breed of horses.
      Politically, Mr. Shoemaker is a Prohibitionist, being bitter
against the vile stuff which he has seen ruin so many of his
acquaintances.  He is a member of and a trustee and earnest worker in
the Holiness Christian church.
Source: Pages 893 - 894. History of Clinton County, Indiana .... With
Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical
Records of Many of the Old Families. By Hon. Joseph Claybaugh.
Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen & Company - Indianapolis, Indiana
******************
SIMS, Carl Whisler
      Although a young man, Carl Whisler Sims fills a large place in
the public eye and in business circles has earned a name and
reputation far exceeding those of many men of greater age and wider
experience in his special field of endeavor.  He is a Hoosier by
birth and a son of John T. and Malissa (WHISLER) SIMS, both
representatives of well known families and of high social and moral
standing in Clinton county, where for a number of years they have
made their home.
     Carl Whisler Sims was born at Forest, Indiana, August 1, 1882,
and after finishing the common school course entered the Frankfort
High School, from which he was graduated with an honorable record as
a diligent and capable student in 1901.  Subsequently he pursued the
higher branches of learning for two years in Hanover College and on
leaving that institution began the struggle of life for himself in
the grain business at Cyclone, Indiana, where he soon gained the
confidence of the people arid built up a lucrative patronage.  After
two years in the latter town he sold out and purchased the Monon
Elevator, south of Frankfort, where he remained for a period of two
years, when he disposed of the property and removed to Oakland,
Indiana, where he bought an elevator and for one year conducted a
very safe and satisfactory trade in grain.  At the expiration of the
time indicated he engaged in the same line of business at Frankfort
with his father under the name of the "J. T. Sims Grain Company,"
which partner-ship lasted until1911, when the subject purchased the
enterprise and became sole proprietor, a position he has since
retained.
     Since becoming the head of the concern, Mr. Sims has greatly
enlarged and improved the plant with a corresponding increase in the
business arid now has an elevator with a capacity of 25,000 bushels
and a mill which turns out 150 barrels of flour per day, besides
dealing extensively in all kinds of grain and seeds and commanding a
patronage second in magnitude and importance to no other
establishment of the kind in his part of the state.  He gives
employment to an average of nine men throughout the year and his mill
is taxed to its utmost capacity, to meet the large and growing demand
for his special brand of "Imperial Flour," which is noted for its
excellence and has an extensive sale in both local and general
markets, much being shipped to the larger trade centers throughout
Indiana and other states.
     Mr. Sims is essentially a business man and as such occupies a
commendable standing among his contemporaries and with the general
public.  He is likewise a man of action, actively, interested in all
that makes for the growth and betterment of his city and county and
to a marked degree enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow
men.  Conservative and steadfast in his convictions, progressive in
his ideas, liberal in the support of all worthy enterprises, and firm
in his friendships, he is one of the most valuable arid all-round
citizens of Frankfort, an estimate in which all who know him will
freely and cheerfully concur. Mr. Sims' first vote was cast for the
Republican party, of which he has since been an earnest advocate and
zealous supporter.  In religion he is a Methodist and endeavors so to
live that his daily actions and influence will exemplify the beauty
and worth of a living faith when practically applied to the affairs
of man.  He is a Mason of high standing, having risen to the
thirty-second degree in that ancient and honorable fraternity,
besides being a Sir Knight and an active member of the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks.  He has a beautiful and attractive home in
Frankfort, the presiding spirit of which is an intelligent and
popular lady of excellent character and social standing who bore the
maiden name of Florence RICHEY and to whom the subject .was united in
marriage June, 1911. Mrs. Sims, like her husband, is a native of the
Hoosier state, having been born in Scircleville, Clinton county,
September 10, 1882.
Source: Pages 405 - 407. History of Clinton County, Indiana .... With
Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical
Records of Many of the Old Families. By Hon. Joseph Claybaugh.
Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen & Company - Indianapolis, Indiana
******************
CICERO SIMS, of Frankfort, is one of the oldest and best known
citizens of Clinton county,  Ind.  Mr. Sims was born in Rush county,
Ind., on the twelfth day of January, 1822.  His father, Stephen Sims,
was an early settler of the county of Rush.  He settled near
Rushville and was one of the first Justices of the peace of that
county.  It was in the log cabin home of Stephen SIMS that the first
circuit court of Rush county was held, and in this house Cicero Sims
was born. (Of his father more extended reference is made in the
personal sketch of Capt.  James N. Sims, elsewhere within these
pages.) Cicero SIMS was brought up on a farm, and in the district
schools gained a fair common school education.  In early life he
taught in the district schools, and was also an instructor of vocal
music for a number of years.  With his parents, he removed to Boone
county and later he accompanied them to Clinton county, where in 1842
he married Miss Mary C. BLACK, daughter of William and Isabel
(HENDERSON) BLACK.  Mrs. Sims was born in Wayne county, Ind., June 6,
1824.  Her parents were natives of Kentucky, early settlers in Wayne
county, and later pioneers in the county of Clinton.  Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Sims were born six children, as follows: James N., who died in
the Civil war, February 12, 1863; he was a corporal in company G,
Eighty-ninth Indiana infantry; Sarah C., wife of 0. M. MERRICK, of
Russiaville, Ind.; Nancy J., wife, of John A. MERRICK, a former
attorney, but now a farmer of Clinton county;  Isabel E.,  wife of J.
W. LEE, a boot and shoe dealer of Frankfort;  William M., of Chicago,
and Dr. S. B. SIMS,  of Frankfort.
     Immediately after marriage Mr. Sims settled down in life on a
farm in the northeastern part of Clinton county, where he lived and
tilled the soil with success until 1872, when he removed to
Frankfort, where he has since resided.   While on the farm Mr. Sims
gratified his natural taste for the law by a course of private
reading, thus becoming well versed in the principles of the
profession.  As early as 1858 he was admitted to the practice of law,
and while on the farm he did much legal business for his neighbors.
Upon coming to Frankfort, in 1872, Mr. Sims and his brother, Capt.
James N. Sims. became partners in the practice.  He also became
interested in the real estate business, and after remaining with his
brother eighteen months, withdrew from the partnership, and since
then the greater part of his time and attention has been given to his
real estate business and collecting.  In 1886, Mr. Sims constructed
Alhambra Lake, a portion of which lies within the city limits of
Frankfort.  This artificial lake covers three acres, and averages
from five to fifteen feet in depth.  It is fed by five flowing wells,
which furnish an average of one-hundred gallons per minute.  The lake
is well stocked with fine fish, and Mr. Sims has provided it with a
bath and boating house, which renders the lake a delightful place for
bathing and boating.  In 1844, Mr. Sims cast his first presidential
vote for Henry Clay and was a whig until the organization of the
republican party; since then he has been an enthusiastic republican.
He has never sought political preferment, having often declined
public office.  He is unassuming, plain, jovial and popular, with a
wide acquaintance.
Source: Pages 856 - 857 A Portrait And Biographical Record of Boone
and Clinton Counties, Ind., ... Containing Biographical Sketches of
Many Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies
and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States, and
Biographies of the Governors of Indiana. Published 1895 by A.W. Bowen
& Co. in Chicago.
*******************
CAPT. JAMES N. SIMS is one of the oldest and most esteemed citizens
of Clinton county and has for years been an active and prominent
member of its bar. He is a native of Indiana, having been born at
Connersville, Fayette county, on the fifth day of January 1817. His
father, Stephen SIMS, was born in Cooke county; Tenn., November 24,
1792.   Stephen Sims was a son of William and Amelia (Russel) Sims.
William Sims was a son of William and Martha SIMS, and was born in
Culpeper county, Va., May 14, 1760, his parents being of Scotch
lineage.  Unto the marriage of William and Amelia (RUSSEL) SIMS was
born the following children: Larkin, Mary A., Joshua, James, William,
Elizabeth, Sarah, Stephen, Thomas, Anna, Martha and Lewis.  Of these
only Martha survives.  She now (1894) resides in Boone county, Ind..
being ninety-five years old.  The death of the mother of these
children occurred in 1820, and four letters later the father married,
for a second wife, Fear STURDIVANT, whose death occurred in the year
1840.  From his native state William Sims removed in the year 1784,
at which date he became a pioneer of Cooke county, Tenn., where he
resided till the year 1811, at which date he removed to Franklin
county, Ind., where his death occurred August 27, 1845.  His
occupation was that of farmer.  He was a soldier in the Revolutionary
war and served under Gen. Washington.  This sturdy pioneer and
patriot was equally distinguished as a Christian.  When the Methodist
Episcopal church was really in its infancy in America, he became a
member of this organization, and thereafter till death he remained a
zealous and active member.  His son, Stephen SIMS, father of our
subject, was nineteen years of age when he removed with his parents
from Tennessee to Indiana in 1811. The family settled near
Brookville.  In the year 1813, Stephen married Elizabeth McCARTY, who
was born at North Bend, Hamilton county, Ohio, in the year 1797, to
which place her parents had only a short time previously removed from
Baltimore county, Md.  They subsequently removed to Brookville, Ind.,
where the daughter married Mr. Sims.  Her, father, also, was, a
soldier in the Revolutionary war.  She bore her husband the following
named children: Amelia, deceased; Rebecca, deceased; James N., our
subject; William, deceased; John F., deceased; Cicero, a prominent
retired citizen of Frankfort; Mary J., deceased; Larkin, deceased;
Sarah, deceased; Jesse, deceased; Lewis, a well known citizen of
Clinton county and a captain of the Eighty-ninth lndiana volunteers;
Martha A., who resides at Lebanon, Ind., and William S., deceased.
The last named rose to the rank of captain of the Eighty-sixth
Indiana volunteer infantry, in the war of the rebellion.
       For a short time after his marriage Stephen Sims resided in
Franklin county, then removed to Connersville, Fayette county, and
from there to Rush county, where he resided till the death of his
wife in 1834, at which date he removed to Boone county, and settled
near Middlefork, where he continued to reside.  He died January 16,
1863.  The parents were life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal
church.  The father held many positions of honor and trust.  Like his
father he was first a whig in politics and upon the organization of
the republican partv he became a republican.  For years he was
justice of the peace, and while residing in Boone county he served as
property appraiser; for two years he was an associate justice of
Boone county.  He also served as a school commissioner of Rush county
for five years, and in 1850 was a delegate to the Indiana
constitutional convention. In all these positions he discharged his
duties with fidelity and creditable ability.  He was of ordinary
education, but of general intelligence and unusual mental energy.  He
was a soldier of the war 1812, and in every sense of the term was one
of the pioneers of Indiana.  He was twice married and was the father
of nineteen children by both marriages.  He began life as a mechanic,
and having a large family to support, amidst the privations of a new
country, he acquired only a limited estate; and his children, as they
grew to maturity, were compelled to resort to their own resources;
and such was the lot of his son James N., whose name heads this
biographical mention.
      James N. Sims remained under the parental roof till he reached
his majority, aiding his father with work on the farm.  He gained a
fair common school education, and for ten years was engaged in
teaching and by means of earnings from teaching, was enabled to
prepare for a professional life.  His literary edcation was completed
by a collegiate year at Asbury university. During the period he
taught school he applied himself to the study of law. He was licensed
to practice in November, 1843, but did not engage in regular practice
until several years later.  In April, 1848, he opened up an office in
Frankfort, where he has since continued to reside and to practice.
He was a whig until 1854, when he became and has continued to be a
republican. He was a delegate to the national convention in 1860, and
supported Abraham Lincoln for the presidency.  During the rebellion,
he and five brothers served in the Union army.  September 16, 1862,
he enlisted in company I, of the One Hundredth Indiana volunteer
infantry.  The company was known as the "Clinton County Excelsiors,"
of which he was captain, until, in consequence of failing health, he
was honorably discharged, at Camp Sherman, near Vicksburg, on the
eleventh day of August, 1863.  He then returned to Frankfort and
resumed the practice of law, and for nearly fifty years he has been a
conspicuous member of the Clinton county bar.  In many important
cases has he appeared before the county, district and supreme state
court,
and, now, in his seventy-eighth year, he is still engaged in the
practice of his profession, in full possession of all his faculties.
He has never yielded to the solicitation of his fellow-citizens to
accept public office, preferring the practice of his profession.
However, he has always felt a lively interest in all public affairs,
calculated to promote the interests of his city, county and state.
       On the fourteenth day of November, 1865, Mr. SIMS married Miss
Margaret A. Allen, who was born in Clinton county, Ind., April 29,
1830, a daughter of John and Martha (RUNYON) ALLEN, natives of Ohio.
Unto the marriage were born, Elizabeth, deceased; Frederick mayor of
Frankfort, elected in 1894; and Grace. Mrs. Sims is an Episcopalian
in religious views, while our subject is a Universalist.
Source: Pages 854 - 856.A Portrait And Biographical Record of Boone
and Clinton Counties, Ind., ... Containing Biographical Sketches of
Many Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies
and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States, and
Biographies of the Governors of Indiana. Published 1895 by A.W. Bowen
& Co. in Chicago.
*******************
SIMS, Stephen B. , M.D.
      Doctor Stephen B. Sims is a native of the city in which he
resides and a son of Cicero and Mary Caroline SIMS.  The mother
previous to her marriage having borne the family name of BLACK, whose
family sketch appears upon another page of this work.
     Doctor Sims was born May 15, 1861.  He was reared in the place
of his birth and after finishing the usual graded school course
entered the Frankfort high school, from which he was graduated with
the class of 1878.  Having early manifested a decided preference for
the medical profession, he began his preliminary study of the same in
the office of Drs. Cox and Adams, under whose direction he continued
until entering Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, where he made
creditable record as a faithful and diligent student and from which
he received the degree of M. D. in the year 1884.  Immediately
following his graduation he began the practice of his profession at
Frankfort with Doctor Knapp, one of the most successful men of his
calling in Clinton county, but at the expiration of one year severed
his connection with his partner and during the ensuing seven years
built up a large and lucrative professional business of his own.  In
1892 he again became associated with Doctor Knapp and the firm thus
constituted lasted seven years, since which time Dr. Sims has been in
the practice alone and, as already indicated, is now one of the
representative men of his profession in Frankfort.
      Doctor Sims' domestic life dates from May 8. 1888, when he was
united in marriage with Miss Agnes M. MINER, of Frankfort, who proved
a true wife and judicious helpmate, and who bore him one child, a
daughter, Mary L., a graduate of St. Joseph Academy, Tipton, Indiana,
and one of the intelligent and popular young ladies in the city of
her residence.  The first Mrs. SIMS died in the year 1905, and
subsequently, in 1906, he chose a second wife and companion in the
person of Mrs. Sarah GUERNSEY.
     Politically, he is a Republican, and fraternally, belongs to the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and Masonic order.
Source: Pages 407 - 408. History of Clinton County, Indiana .... With
Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical
Records of Many of the Old Families. By Hon. Joseph Claybaugh.
Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen & Company - Indianapolis, Indiana
******************
SLEETH, Henry Eldridge
     Indiana has long been noted as one of the first states in the
Union in the production of corn.  This is due to two reasons, partly
because of the richness of the soil and partly because of the skill
employed by the farmers.  They seem to understand better than the
farmers of some sections of the United States the fact that thorough
preparation of seed bed, intelligent selection of seed and good
cultivation are vitally essential and must be employed, but to
attempt to grow the one hundred bushel crop by these means alone is
like trying to build a house by constructing the roof before laying
the foundation.  The basis of a bumper corn crop is a fertile soil-a
soil continuing sufficient plant food elements to produce such
abundant crops as are seen in this world renowned corn belt a soil so
intelligently drained that these elements in plain food solution
shall not be weakened by over dilution.  All this is well understood
by Henry Eldridge Sleeth, one of the up-to-date farmers of Forest
township, Clinton county.
     Mr. Sleeth was born on September 10, 1868 in White county,
Indiana.  He is a son of Oliver Perry Sleeth and Jane (ELDRIDGE)
SLEETH.  The father was born near Fairfield, Ohio, May 24, 1822, and
his death occurred on January 25, 1876.  He received a good education
and followed farming all his life in White county, Indiana.
Politically he was a Republican.  He and Jane Eldridge were married
on October 31, 1850 in White county.  She was born in Richmond,
Indiana, on November 8, 1834, and she received a good education.  She
is still living, making her home with her children.  She is now well
on toward her four score milestone, and is a fine old lady of the
pioneer type.
     Six children, four of whom are still living, were born to Oliver
P. Sleeth and wife, namely: Stacey M., John C. (deceased), Mary Ella,
Eliza Ann, Franklin Martin (deceased), and Henry E. of this review.
      Henry E. Sleeth grew up on the home farm and received a good
common school education.  On November 7, 1900 he married Jessie M.
COLLINS, who was born in Forest township, this county, on August 1,
1873.  She is a daughter of Amaziah H. and Nancy (CARTER) COLLINS,
both now deceased.
      David B. CARTER, an uncle of Mrs. Sleeth, made his home with
our subject, after the death of his wife, Levina (COLLINS) CARTER,
until his death, at which time he willed the old home place, where
our subject now lives, to Mrs. Sleeth.  The place is a valuable one,
consisting of one hundred and ten acres, all tillable but about
twenty-four acres.  It is well improved in every respect, most of the
tiling and improvements having been made by David Carter, who was a
soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in Company G. Fifty-first
Indiana  Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, and later in Company G,
Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry.  His death occurred on June
18, 1903. He studied law at one time, and was a  good business man.
He was an influential Republican.  He had no children of his own, but
reared several.  He was a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of
Murat Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at
Indianapolis.
     Amaziah H. Collins, father of Mrs. Sleeth was also a soldier in
the Civil war.  He served in Company G. Eighty-ninth Indiana
Volunteer Infantry.
     Mrs. Sleeth grew to womanhood in her native community and
received a common school education.  Two children have been born to
our subject and wife, namely: John Collins, born June 28, 1906, and
Henry ELDRIDGE, Jr., born July 24, 1911.
     Mr. Sleeth moved to Clinton county in 1897 and here he has been
engaged successfully in farming ever since.  He makes a specialty of
a cross between Duroc and Poland-China hogs, and raises general
purpose horses.
     Politically he is a Republican.  He belongs to the Masonic
Order, the Blue Lodge, and the Knights of Pythias and both he and his
wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
Source: Pages 674 - 676 History of Clinton County, Indiana .... With
Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical
Records of Many of the Old Families. By Hon. Joseph Claybaugh.
Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen & Company - Indianapolis, Indiana
******************
SMITH, Chalmer L.
      The biographical annals of Clinton county would be incomplete
were there failure to make specific mention of the progressive farmer
of Madison township whose name forms the caption of this paragraph,
who is one of the counties worthy native sons. Mr.Smith had the
sagacity in youth to see that better opportunities waited for him
right here on his native heath than otherwhere, consequently his life
labors have been confined to this locality rather than in distant and
precarious fields, and, judging from the success he has achieved here
he was fortunate in coming to this decision -- to remain at home, the
best place in the world, as all will agree.
      Chalmer L. Smith , owner of Grand View Farm, is a scion of two
of our sterling pioneer families, both having been prominent in the
affairs of the county for several generations.  He was born in Ross
township, Clinton county, August 4, 1871, and is a son of Edward and
Sarah E. (FICKLE) SMITH.  The father was a native of Ohio where he
remained until he was eighteen years of age then west to Illinois and
was living there at the out-break of the Civil war.  He did not enter
the service until the war was nearly over, having enlisted in
February, 1865, in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Illinois
volunteer Infantry, in which he served until September of the same
year when he was honorably discharged, with the rank of corporal.  He
was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1847, and was a son of James Smith
, also a native of the Buckeye state, and of Scotch-Irish descent.
Edward Smith later came to Clinton county, Ind., and here married
Sarah E. Fickle, daughter of Isaac and Ann (THOMPSON) FICKLE, mention
of whom is made at length on other pages of this volume.  The death
of Edward Smith occurred at the age of forty-four years, May 16,
1891.  The death of his wife occurred on March 6, 1895, at the age of
forty-eight years.  Five children were born to them, namely: Lorenzo
V., of Bluffton, Ind.; Chalmer L., of this sketch; Elva F., of
Mulberry; James M., of Washington township, this county; Robert F.,
of Clarks Hill, Ind.  The father was a member of the Grand Army of
the Republic, and he belonged to the United Presbyterian church, at
Mt. Pleasant.
      Chalmer L. Smith was reared on the home farm in his native
township and he received a common school education.  When twenty-one
years of age he married Erma LAKE nee' DAGGY, daughter of George
DAGGY, who died when forty-two years old. Mr. DAGGY was born in
Virginia.  His wife, a Miss Minerva POUNDSTONE, was a native of this
county.  Her death occurred at the age of forty-four years, leaving
five children, namely: Mrs. Ida TIMONS, Willard D., Mrs. Ada STEIN,
of Carroll county, Indiana, and Mrs. SMITH of this sketch.
      Mr. Smith owns a small but productive and valuable farm of
sixty-two acres which he moved to in 1899.  He has a good home and
every thing about the place is kept in shipshape.  He has worked hard
and is very comfortably fixed. His dwelling is on an eminence from an
inspiring view of the surrounding country may be had.
       The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith:
Ethel May, born September 21, 1898; Gladys Opal, born October 19,
1906.
       Politically, Mr. Smith is a Republican. He is a member of the
United Brethren church and the Sons of Veterans at Mulberry.
Source: Pages 775 & 776 History of Clinton County, Indiana .... With
Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical
Records of Many of the Old Families. By Hon. Joseph Claybaugh.
Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen & Company - Indianapolis, Indiana
******************
SMITH, George
        No people that go to make up our cosmopolitan civilization
have better have better habits of life than those who have originally
come from the great German empire, or are descendants of these
people. They are all distinguished for their thrift and honesty, and
these two qualities in the inhabitants of any country will in the end
alone make that country great. When, with these two qualities, is
coupled with the other quality of sound sense, which they as a race,
seem to possess in large degree, there are afforded such qualities as
will enrich any land and place it at the top of the countries of the
world in the scale of elevated humanity.
       Among the second generation of Germans in Clinton county is
George Smith, of Frankfort, well-known veterinary and public official
and one of our worthy native sons, his entire life of sixty-five
years having been spent here, and he is representative of two
sterling pioneer families of this locality.
       Mr. Smith was born at Rossville, Clinton county, January 27,
1848. He is a son of John H. and Ann (DEHNER) SMITH, both born in
Germany, from which country they emigrated to the United States with
their parents when young in years and here they grew up and were
married, finally locating in Rossville, where John H. Smith opened a
harness shop, in 1832, and continued in this business until 1852,
being one of the first to engage in this line of endeavor in this
section of the state. The country was sparsely settled and little
improved when he came here. In 1852 he went into the general
mercantile business in which he remained a few years when he sold out
and took up farming, buying one hundred and sixty acres in 1854 where
Rossville now stands. This he operated successfully until 1865, when
he sold out and moved to Kentland, Newton county, Indiana, where he
purchased eight hundred acres and farmed on an extensive scale until
his death, which occurred there in 1869. He had divided his eight
hundred acre farm into eighty acre tracts, giving each of his ten
children an eighty. They were named as follows: Lucas, died in
infancy; Mary, died when nineteen years of age; Elizabeth, died in
1911; Henry L., died in 1908; Joseph H., lives in Omaha. Nebraska;
John A., lives in Indianapolis; Amanda, lives at Council Bluff, Iowa.
       The death of the mother of the above named children occurred
in 1900 at Omaha, Nebraska. Where she was making her home. The father
took much interest in public affairs and for some time was justice of
the peace and also trustee of Jefferson township, Newton county.
Politically, he was a Democrat, and in religious matters a Catholic.
       George Smith grew up in his native county and received a good
public school education. He then began farming, which he continued
for some time after his father's death, and also at intervals between
terms of office. In the fall of 1873 he went back to Rossville, where
he bought a general store, remaining there until 1885, enjoying a
good trade with the surrounding country. A great deal of his
attention was directed to the practice of hi profession from 18885
(sic) until 1899, in which year he was elected county clerk, which
office he held for four years. At that time he move to Frankfort,
where he purchased property and there he still resides. Before moving
to the county seat he was trustee of Ross townshhip for a period of
eleven years. He was city councilman in Frankfort in 1905. He has
been county chairman of the Democratic party during three campaigns.
He has been treasurer of the Clinton County Fair Association since
its organization. As a public servant he has been very popular with
his constituents, performing his various duties with great fidelity
and conscientiousness.
       Mr. Smith is now practically retired from active life,
however, he looks after his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres
in Union township. Politically, he is a loyal Democrat, and
fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pytias, the Improved Order
of Ren (sic) Men, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the
Knights of Honor.
       Mr. Smith was married to Elenora Rose, daughter of Uriah and
Elizabeth (MASTERS) ROSE, who located on a farm in Clinton county in
1866. To Uriah Rose and wife these children were born: Mrs. Mary
Smith, of Rossville; Tamzen GADDIS, of McCune, Kansas; Elizabeth
DOUGLASS, of Orlando, Kansas; William W., of Ross township, this
county; Josephine, who died in 1890; Elenora, wife of Mr. Smith, this
sketch; two children who died in infancy.
      To George Smith and wife four children have been born, named as
follows: Ralph is cashier of the American National Bank, of
Frankfort; he is married and has one daughter, Louise; G. Adrian,
cashier of the Rossville Bank, at Rossville, Indiana; is married and
has three children: George Edward, Marguerite and Rosemary. Frank. Is
a successful physician of Chicago; Caroline, the youngest child is at
home with her parents.
Source: Pages 748 - 750 History of Clinton County, Indiana .... With
Historical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical
Records of Many of the Old Families. By Hon. Joseph Claybaugh.
Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen & Company - Indianapolis, Indiana
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(c) Connie Rushing and Tonya Martin 1998 - 2001